[Episode 99: The youngest leader candidate (3)]
The general military office in the military building.
A man dressed in military combat attire rushed into the office and made a report.
“Military. “The small sword ship has entered the castle grounds.”
In response to his report, Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon, who was sitting at the desk in the office, asked.
“What is the route?”
“Judging by the fact that he is accompanied by the head and deputy head of Bonghwangdang, he appears to be heading to the house of Phoenixdang.”
“Bonghwangdang house? “Did you prioritize meeting your sister?”
“I guess so.”
“Monitor without letting go even for a moment.”
“All right.”
After the man left, a sharp-looking middle-aged man sitting on a chair in front of the table spoke.
“This is unexpected. “I thought we would be in contact with Northern Yeongdoseong.”
“hmm.”
With a groan, Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon marked the location with a flag on the map of the castle on his desk.
The blue flag had “Sword Line” written on it.
In addition, numerous flags were marked on the map of the fortress.
Bang Deok-hyeon’s eyes sharply turned somewhere.
[North Yeongdoseong]
He hasn’t moved yet.
‘…Are you conscious of it? Or did he really recommend Sogeomseon as a leader candidate with pure intentions?’
Contrary to expectations, there was no contact between the two.
At this point, it was reasonable to have doubts, but this was not the opinion of Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon.
If there was no contact like this, I was even more suspicious.
‘That’s fun. ‘It’s been a while since I felt like this.’
It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time since the end of the Great War and when he competed in strategy with his former student, Zhuge Yuanming.
At the time, because he was close to the organization’s secrets, he escaped midway through the pretext of retirement and was unable to conclude the battle of wits, but the situation was different now.
‘I’ll show you the essence of resourcefulness.’
With Zhuge Yuanming’s death, the Wulin Federation here was like the palm of his hand.
There was another disciple, Master Li Sima Zhongxian, but he was far from enough.
To stimulate his winning spirit.
Then the middle-aged man spoke.
“But who on earth is that woman that Sogeomseon brought?”
Even so, we were talking about that unidentified woman.
It is said that he defeated Mo Yong-hye, the head of Maehyangdang, a master at the peak, in just one move.
To reach that level, you must be at least an extreme expert.
“Maybe he’s a Botamun expert?”
“Do you seem interested?”
“There is no better way to raise an heir than to have a child from a strong woman.”
“is it? It’s a shame. “He is a person of Sogeomseon.”
“There is no woman that cannot be taken by someone who owns her.”
The middle-aged man quenched his appetite.
Looking at him like that, Commander Bang Deok-hyeon clicked his tongue inwardly.
Although he was not given the title of lord, he had a strong martial spirit and was appointed as his bodyguard, but he had a strong obsession with color.
“The Ministry of Darkness is investigating, so we will find out soon.”
His appearance was quite outstanding, and his face would never go unnoticed unless he was in a state of inaction.
There are not many female masters who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
I thought I would find out soon.
-smart!
At that time, someone knocked on the office door.
As expected, he was a warrior in the military.
General Commander Bang Deok-hyeon asked after seeing the warrior.
“What happened?”
“All of the elders we contacted said they would follow the opinion of the military general.”
The corner of Commander Bang Deok-hyeon’s mouth rose at the sight of the warrior’s report.
Now that we have filled in the numbers, we have the assortment.
A middle-aged man sitting in front of the table said.
“Now all we have to do is to propose and push for it at a meeting to be held in the afternoon at an undetermined time. “No one other than Northern Yeongdoseong will recommend Sogeomseon, so he cannot be registered as a leader candidate.”
“Hyeongsan Ilgeom may be a variable, but no matter how much he has ties to the Ikyang Soga, I wouldn’t give my vote to a kid who doesn’t have any seniority by nature.”
This was the plan drawn up by Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon.
After the last meeting, he continued to contact the elders and try to persuade them.
No matter how excellent his inaction is, a young master with little experience or experience is not good enough to take on the role of leader.
Therefore, we intend to provide primary verification in selecting candidates in advance.
If you do not receive recommendations from five or more elders, you cannot register as a candidate.
“The number of people on our side is nine, and the number we have secured is seven. Even if two people are eliminated as a variable, the probability of Sogeomseon receiving votes is nil.”
“Hehehe. “I came this far, but I can’t even register as a candidate.”
If you can’t register in the first place, you can’t compete with the other two candidates.
If so, it could proceed smoothly as originally planned.
Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon muttered as he looked at the blue flag on the map that said “Sword Line.”
“How can I receive this number?”
* * *
We entered from outside the noisy castle and were heading towards Phoenix Hall.
“You should have seen that girl Mo Yong-hye’s face. “It’s so frozen that my lips won’t fall…”
Yeongyeong was chattering and talking to Seolbaek as if he were older sister.
I can’t believe that this child, who is shy at first sight, treats people so warmly.
Sodamgeom giggled and said to me.
-Your sister’s attitude has changed completely.
That’s right.
At first, he showed hostility, saying something like that, but now he seems to be quite likable.
It seemed like it was important to help Mo Yong-hye, with whom he had a confrontational relationship.
-You really earned my favor.
I can’t believe Youngyoung gets over it so easily.
But Youngyoung wasn’t the only one who showed interest in her.
Namgoong Gahee also spoke to Seolbaek.
“You said Weezy Sawger, right?”
“that’s right.”
The name Seolbaek gave as an alias was Wi Ji-hyeon.
It was chosen because there were quite a few people with the surname Wiji in the central region.
“If you are going to join the Murim League, don’t you want to join our Phoenix Hall?”
When I asked why he was interested, he tried to recruit me.
Namgoong Gahee must have been quite pleased with the fact that Seolbaek overpowered Mo Yonghye with one move.
This is what happens when you ask someone you meet for the first time to come into the party.
At her words, Seolbaek narrowed his eyes at me and said.
“That’s not bad, but I’m destined to never be more than ten steps away from this person. Right?”
Ah…it’s a goal.
How could you say something like this about not staying more than ten steps away?
She is truly a woman who can never let down her guard.
Seeing her like that, Youngyoung, who had been acting friendly, sent me a message with a worried look on her face.
[Brother. Can you handle it?]
[What?]
[If Sima Ying finds out, she will try to eat you. No, your brother’s monstrous father-in-law will try to kill him.]
Yeongyeong knew who his father-in-law was.
I shook my head and said,
[It’s not the kind of relationship you think it is.]
At that, Yeongyeong tapped me with his elbow and said,
[Why isn’t that kind of relationship? If you like it that much, wouldn’t your brother have done something that would please you?]
I really don’t know how to explain this.
I can’t tell you right now because I’m worried that Yeong-yeong, who shows his emotions easily, will be conscious if I tell him that I’m capturing the enemy’s henchman and taking him with me.
[……I didn’t do anything. That woman is doing that alone.]
[Why are you hiding something like this from me, your younger sister?] Even though they say
it’s not like that, I don’t believe it.
I think it was because Seolbaek was courting her too actively.
[Youngyoung. I’ll tell you the situation later.]
[Why are you hiding so many things from me, your younger brother?]
I’m sorry.
It’s not like I’m forcing myself to hide it.
Things like that just keep happening.
[It’s a bit like that now. I’ll tell you soon.]
[Hmph! what. Anyway, I don’t think she’s that bad. I think a woman gets along well with her brother just because she knows him.]
‘!?’
What does this mean again?
[Still, it’s safer than meeting the woman of Wolak Sword.]
Hmm…
If that’s why you’re doing it, then that woman is in some sense more dangerous than your father-in-law.
I don’t know how I would react if I found out about this.
Even if it was a surprise attack, Seolbaek was the one who seriously injured his father-in-law, Wolakgeom, and was imprisoned in the Shaolin Temple.
When I think of this, my mind soars.
If I were to be attracted to Seolbaek for no reason, I would be in trouble.
-I think I know roughly what you’re talking about. Be careful not to be noticed by that woman blowing snow.
Sodamgeom It will be like that even if you don’t say anything.
There’s still quite a bit left before we’re supposed to meet, so we’ll have to resolve it by then.
At that time, Youngyoung grabbed the collar of my left arm.
Then a telegram was sent.
[I couldn’t tell you because it was a mess right after we met, but thank you, brother. Did you intentionally let go of the late team sent by the Federation because of my group of monks, the Hyeongsan Sect?]
He is a very bright child.
I was worried that it might be misunderstood, but he was understanding my feelings.
I gently stroked his head.
“stop. “Your hair gets tangled!”
Contrary to his grumpy words, Youngyoung blushed for no reason as if he was embarrassed.
At that time, an electric sound was heard.
[I would be grateful if you could do the same for me as you do for the child who is playing the role of your sister.]
It was a pure and innocent message.
I frowned at her strangely jealous tone.
Come to think of it, she seemed to know that Yeongyeong was not my biological sister.
Actually, I believe that I have lived for over 300 years, so it may be natural.
There’s no need to reveal this fact since it’s not completely mine anyway.
Rather, it is better to think of him as not your real sister or younger brother.
I sent her a message.
[A younger brother is just a younger brother.]
[I know. But I don’t know if you noticed, but it stuck to me quite a lot.]
I answered her words with a sigh and a smile.
[I know.]
There were a lot of eyes watching us on our way to Phoenix Hall.
It wasn’t because it recognized me, it was a watchful eye.
Not just one or two, but quite a number of people followed along, pretending to move around, and it seemed like they had caught up with people from several places.
[There must be someone who is a brainiac.]
[I guess so.]
Aside from being a descendant of Geomseon, I am a person of interest to the Geumsangje organization.
Moreover, it will be even more so since it is a variable in the selection of the leader this time.
With such open surveillance, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been to the Moorim Federation.
‘Zhuge Wenming comes to mind.’
I heard that Lei Zhou, or General Commander Pang Dehyeon, was the teacher of Zhuge Yuanming and Sima Zhongxian.
He is a very careful person who hides his identity even from his disciples.
Seolbaek said that as much as he was the teacher of the late general, Zhuge Yuanming, he was a being with resourcefulness equal to or greater than that of him.
[You should be careful. He doesn’t play a role for nothing.]
[He must have prepared a lot.]
[He will probably do everything he can to prevent you from taking the position of leader.]
[Then I will have to prevent you from doing that.]
She asked, puzzled by my message. .
[The best thing would be to deal with Noeju first, but if that happens, he will change the whole plan. Moreover, the Murim Federation will become confused.]
That’s right.
It would be a problem if the martial arts alliance’s entire military suddenly disappeared.
Of course, I don’t know if he knows his identity, but he must have made several preparations just in case.
In addition, after the incident in which former military commander Zhuge Yuanming was murdered, the security of the Wulin League was greatly strengthened.
So that a trace of the moving foot is left behind.
She sent a message with a strange smile.
[How are you going to deal with a situation where not only Noju but everyone is watching your every move?]
Looking at her expression, she was enjoying this situation.
I guess he wants to see how I will handle a difficult situation.
I said to her with a sigh and a smile.
[If you just react the way the enemy wants, you’re just being manipulated.]
[……What does that mean?]
She couldn’t hide her surprise at my words.
To this, I spoke in a meaningful voice.
[Do you think my goal is simply to disrupt Geumsangje’s plans?] * *
*
Noon, lunch time.
The General Military Office of the Military War Building.
A warrior dressed in military uniform came in and reported to Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon.
“So far, the Sogeomseon side has not shown any significant movement. “It seems like we even have lunch at Bonghwangdang’s house.”
So far, Sogeomseon had only been to Bonghwangdang for one visit, so there was nothing particularly suspicious.
I was having a meal with my sister and younger brother, Vice President of Bonghwangdang, whom I had not seen in a long time.
A middle-aged man sitting in front of the table said.
“If we stay calm like this until the pending date, we will be able to safely propose and pass the bill.”
“hmm.”
Hearing his words, Commander Bang Deok-hyeon stroked his beard.
If things continue like this, things will go smoothly.
There was definitely no doubt.
However, strangely enough, it was showing different movements than expected.
I thought he would at least be busy moving around the martial arts alliance’s castle grounds and gathering information, but that wasn’t the case at all.
He strictly monitored the surroundings, and even the attendants and servants who delivered food for meals were planted by him, so he could never avoid the surveillance network.
‘But it’s strange.’
Something arose in this silence.
The middle-aged man said to Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon.
“There is nothing wrong with being cautious, but he will probably be aware that he is being watched. “Maybe that’s why I’m being quiet.”
“Still, you mustn’t miss his every move.”
The man who had finished reporting responded to the words of Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon with his hands folded together.
“insect!”
“Go see.”
As I was about to retreat, I heard a sound outside.
“Total military adult. “I brought you lunch.”
“I will open the door.”
Just as he was about to leave, the military warrior who had finished reporting opened the door.
Then, a generous-looking host came inside with a box filled with food.
A military warrior who saw him stopped on his way out and said something strange.
“Wait…Suksu. “I’m not the one who placed you in the Phoenix Hall…”
-Whoosh!
“Keck!”
Before he could even finish speaking, the head of the military warrior who was about to report was grabbed by Sooksu’s hand.
Suksu lightly applied force to his hand
– tap!
The warrior’s neck was just twisted.
“this!
At that scene, the middle-aged man sitting in front of the table hastily drew a sword and attempted to strike the monk with a sword.
But before he knew it, Sooksu’s new form became blurred and appeared behind him.
It was Lee Hyeong-hwanwi’s method.
Sooksu grabbed the head of the middle-aged man with his sword half drawn and turned him around.
-Tap!
“Oops!”
The middle-aged man, whose neck had completely turned, died.
Commander-in-Chief Bang Deok-hyeon could not hide his bewilderment as he watched the middle-aged man in charge of guarding him die in an instant.
Who would have imagined that a transcendent master would die in vain like this?
You… really?”
Suksu smiled and said to the surprised man.
“Did you expect me to fight head to head like you wanted? Noju?”
‘!!!’
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
