Episode 448: On the day of retirement.
“Master…”
Gongsun Yue came in with a flushed expression and looked at Lin Xiaobai. Lin Xiaobai, who was examining Gongsun Yue’s expression, asked.
“why?”
“A disciple from Hebei has arrived.”
Lim Sobaek smiled slightly.
“Hebei’s apprentice… Anyway, it’s late. Everything has been decided, but now it’s a fresh start. no. Since there are a lot of people gathered, it seems like a good match for a public meeting.”
“Lord, it is not that, it is said that the masters of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, etc. united to form the Eastern Murim Alliance.”
Lim So-baek narrowed his eyebrows.
“what?”
The force was too great to just ignore. Lim So-baek, who was momentarily upset, calmed down and continued speaking.
“They said the apprentice was the lord?”
“I am the head of the Hebei branch of the Eastern Murim Alliance, and the heads of the Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian branches will come, and the leader of the Eastern Alliance leading them is also waiting not far away.”
Lim Sobaek asked back in a cold tone.
“so.”
“I am not interested in Lord Lim, who is retiring soon. “He said something about competing with the newly appointed Murim Lord… Yes, he said he would discuss the launch of the World Alliance.”
Lim Sobaek snorted.
“Heavenly alliance?”
“yes.”
“It’s the Murim Alliance that unites the East and the West… Seeing that they are coming to coincide with the inauguration ceremony, their intentions are very obvious. He said he would retire, but he has not retired yet. “Tell him to come in first as an apprentice.”
“I already gave the message and went back. He said he was just a messenger from the lord.”
Lim So-baek made a shocked expression and shook his head.
“Kangho is formidable. It’s noisy and annoying until the end. By the way, if the apprentice appears in such a low posture, it means that the eastern lord is stronger. What else can you say?”
“The Eastern League is an organization that has just been founded, and it is said that the funds needed for its creation will soon arrive to our Murim League. “The leader will compete in a fight between the leaders and the one who wins will become the unified leader…”
Lim So-baek, who had listened up to this point, tilted his head.
“Funds?”
“yes. I didn’t quite understand that part either…”
Lim Sobaek scratched the back of his head with his fingers.
“They come with funds. So does this mean you will stay nearby and appear at the inauguration ceremony?”
“yes. “I think he came first because he was a messenger.”
Lim Sobaek nodded.
“I knew about the Eastern Murim Alliance. A new leader must step forward. “He will be stronger than the apprentice, but I don’t think he will lose.”
“yes.”
“If Meng Lang is defeated, I will challenge you to become the leader of the World Alliance, so don’t worry.”
“All right.”
“Has the news spread outside that Mongrang is the new leader?”
“no. Except for those who invited us and some members who went as messengers, most people do not know. “You don’t even know what’s outside.”
“I guess so. Mobilize the military council and explore the surroundings. “There may be troops from the Eastern Alliance waiting.”
“Already exploring.”
“I get it.”
As I was about to end the conversation, someone outside reported again.
“I have something to report to you, Lord.”
“What else?”
The door opened, and two members placed a fairly heavy chest on Lim So-baek’s desk. It was so heavy that it made a thud sound.
“What is this?”
Mengwon answered.
“We confirmed it. “Can I open it?”
“Open.”
When Maengwon opened the chest, it was filled with gold and silver characters mixed together.
Mengwon said with a puzzled expression.
“It is a gift from the eastern lord to celebrate Lord Lim’s retirement. “After I retire, I hope to use it to my heart’s content, eat delicious food, stay in comfortable accommodations, and travel to the places I want to visit.”
Lin Xiaobaek looked at Meng Wen.
“Isn’t it fake?”
“If you look here, the traces that I briefly checked with a dagger… are real. “That additional comment is a bribe if used during your term of office, so you should use it after you retire.”
“Once I figured it out. “Let’s go out.”
“yes.”
“Ah, on your way out, please call Confucius.”
“All right.”
Lim So-baek said while looking at the gold and silver in the chest.
“Does this seem like a bribe to encourage you to retire?”
Gongsun Yue said.
“First, look at the situation and deal with it.”
“hmm.”
“Lord, this is an opportunity. If Confucius Meng wins anyway, he can absorb the Eastern League. Surprisingly, it seems like this is not a scheming proposal, but something that can be resolved neatly with the actual force of the leader. The leader will be watching anyway. The dance is also done within our team. “If it’s Bimmu, there are no unfavorable conditions.”
Lim Sobaek sighed slightly.
“Why are you so confused today since you’re the leader of the leader?”
“So do i.”
“Who is the expert in the region I mentioned earlier?”
“Taishan First Sword Wing Chunja Apprentice… that’s about it.”
“They are not threatening people. “It doesn’t have any notoriety.”
“yes.”
“decided.”
“Please speak.”
“If by any chance Mongrang loses, I will overturn his retirement.”
“Please do so.”
“If you dare interfere with my retirement, I should at least cut off an arm.”
Gongsun Yue stretched out his hand and knocked on the chest.
“You don’t have to go that far…”
“Would you mind sharing some?”
“no.”
After the report was over and we were chatting, Mongrang arrived.
“…did you call the lord?”
Why is it so busy today? Lim So-baek answered right away.
“Come in quickly.”
“yes.”
As soon as he came in, he looked at the gold and silver on the table and then told a joke.
“Is this a gift from the new leader?”
Only then did Lim So-baek laugh with a helpless expression.
“No way.”
“I expected that not to be the case.”
When Lin Xiaobai explained what he heard from Gongsun Yue, Saekma also laughed.
“Oriental Alliance? “There are quite a few leaders in the powerhouse.”
“That’s right.”
The color demon made eye contact with Lim Sobaek.
“Do not worry. “I will use it as a sacrifice for the launch of the next Murim Alliance in public.”
“It’s a sacrifice…you can’t kill it.”
“yes.”
“Since he is serving as an apprentice, he is definitely not a sloppy man. I would like to praise you for encompassing the eastern region, which the Murim Alliance could not focus on, but even if you are defeated by the Eastern Alliance, I have no intention of giving up the Murim Alliance easily. So that you know that.”
The demon nodded.
“I will take care of it so that it does not interfere with the leader’s post-retirement life for no reason.”
Lin Xiaobaek sighed slightly.
“Weird. “I think I know a little bit about how the Sword Demon feels.”
“How are you feeling, Master?”
“Strangely, I don’t believe it. “I guess it’s because my face looks a bit thin.”
Saekma burst out laughing and looked at Gongsun Yue.
“ha ha ha. “How about the general military?”
Gongsun Yue glanced at the color demon and nodded.
“You look amazing.”
Saek Ma pointed at Gongsun Yue with his finger.
“I like it because it’s honest. “The general military should be like that.”
Lim So-baek said.
“The general military should prepare for the event at the earliest possible hour (1:00 to 3:00 p.m.) without any problems, and Mongrang should prepare for office work at his lodgings so as not to be exposed to foolish people.”
“Yes, Lord Maeng.”
“All right.”
Lim So-baek spoke like a man about to go to war.
“I am also preparing to welcome our guests and the Eastern Alliance.”
After a while, Lim So-baek, who was left alone, stretched out his hand and played with Geum-ja and Eun-ja, then lost in thought. Strangely, the words Gongsun Yue delivered remained in my mind.
‘Eat something delicious?’
It’s too much money to eat something delicious. If Lim So-baek continued to lead a frugal life as usual, there was so much of it that he would not be able to use it all after retirement. Suddenly, Lin Xiaobaek thought of something and muttered:
“travel?”
Lim Sobaek curled the corners of his mouth. If his prediction was correct, the Eastern Lord was definitely someone who knew.
Lim So-baek muttered.
“Eastern Sea… Eastern Alliance…”
…“We haven’t been able to find out who the new lord is. Even the military general has no answer.”
I nodded at the apprentice’s report.
“Does not matter.”
“The front door is open. As the number of visitors increased, people lined up to enter and the number of members patrolling increased, so if Master Lim blocks us, it may be difficult to get in. “The retirement ceremony starts with Missy.”
The branch leaders of the Eastern Alliance still don’t know me very well.
“The members don’t stop me.”
I got up and looked at Gwangseung.
“Please go.”
The bald men and the branch leaders stopped resting and stood up. In fact, each individual was strong enough that if they collided with the Murim Alliance with this power, a complete mess would break out. Perhaps, if the bald master stepped forward, Master Lim would have to fight alone with Gwangseung for a long time to the point where he would be unable to do anything.
As we departed, King Eunpyeong followed from the rear with his men. Of course, the end of the procession was full of military funds looted from the east.
I led the procession and set off towards the Murim Alliance.
“let’s go.”
…Lim So-baek climbed to the stage early and looked at the gathered soldiers. I was planning to give a final Japanese speech with a mixture of mixed feelings and relief, but I was disturbed by the sudden appearance of the Eastern Alliance.
If, as he expected, Hao Wen-ju, who left for the east, came back as the leader of the Eastern Alliance…
Lin Xiaobai looked at Meng Lang, who was mixed up with the alliance members.
‘Can Mongrang win?’
There was absolutely no chance of that happening. So what would happen if he reversed his retirement and challenged the Eastern Lord? It is said that Munju defeated the religious leader at Hwasan, so he will probably be defeated as well.
If it’s an enemy, cut off at least one arm.
I will sacrifice my life as a sacrifice for a new era.
If the opponent was Hao Wenju, he had no desire to fight at all.
Lim So-baek continued to sigh because he had never felt so helpless as a leader.
‘Is that you, Moonju?’
Even if you try to predict, you can’t.
Even if you try to make a prediction, it always goes wrong.
Gongsun Yue came over and asked.
“I have prepared a brass vessel as you said, Lord.”
“okay.”
Originally it was called gold powder tax. He was announcing his retirement by washing his blood-stained hands, but there were no gold vessels in the Murim Alliance. The brass vessel that Lim So-baek had been using for a long time was put on the podium after rejecting the general military’s opinion to prepare it.
Lin Xiaobaek stared blankly at the water pouring into the brass bowl. In fact, there was no panic because of the Eastern Alliance.
‘Isn’t it Munju?’
After completing preparations, Gongsun Yue looked at Lin Xiaobai. Gongsun Yue was a little embarrassed because the leader had never shown himself this nervous.
“Lord?”
“I get it.”
“You were so nervous.”
“That’s right.”
When Lim So-baek stood up, everyone who was sitting stood up and even the military leaders looked at the podium.
Lim Sobaek walked to where the brass bowl was and looked around. Someone said this.
“Lord, you need to say something.”
Lim Sobaek nodded and opened his mouth.
“Is everyone here?”
Several people in the crowd shouted.
“Why are you retiring already!”
“Who is the new leader?”
Lim Sobaek held out his hand and silenced the commotion.
“Wait. Let me introduce you. “Wouldn’t it be my retirement first?”
Lim Sobaek took a deep breath, composed himself, and then spoke.
“I’m a bit hectic today. “Everyone worked hard to come from far away.”
As Lim So-baek was about to continue speaking, he suddenly heard someone’s booming voice mixed with inner energy.
“…Give me the oriental lord! Open the way! “The leader of the Eastern Murim Alliance has come in person to celebrate Lord Lim’s retirement!”
Judging by the strength of his voice, he was not an ordinary expert. As the procession leading from the main gate approached, onlookers retreated left and right. Above all, it was even more intense because there were shiny bald heads scattered throughout the procession.
Where on earth did it come from?
They were all sunburned and had much darker skin than those who had previously come to the Murim Alliance.
Lim So-baek, more embarrassed than ever, looked at the captain walking between the spectators on either side and let out a long breath.
‘This bastard is really…’
Hao Wen-ju was walking, swinging his arms vigorously. Hao Wen-ju said, making eye contact with Lin Xiaobai.
“Brother Sobaek, I’m here.”
Lim Sobaek nodded.
“Are you here?”
“yes.”
When Hao Wenzhou arrived at the foot of the podium, he looked up and Lin Xiaobai spoke.
“Are you the lord of the East?”
“yes. Who else but me?”
Lim Sobaek nodded repeatedly. Only then did Lim Sobaek realize why the brothers were fighting so hard. No matter how high or low his skill level was, he wanted to go down and hit Hao Wen-ju’s head right away, but he held back.
Lim Sobaek asked.
“Let’s launch the World Alliance?”
Hao Wenju looked into Lin Xiaobai’s eyes for a moment and then nodded.
Lim So-baek gestured.
“Come up first.”
“You should start with your retirement speech.”
“Come up quickly. Angry.”
As Hao Wen-ju leapt up to the stage, Lin Xiaobai walked forward and stood face to face with Hao Wen-ju.
“Munju.”
“yes.”
Lin Xiaobai stretched out both hands and grabbed Hao Wenzhu’s face, looking around and whispering.
“…isn’t it a coin-operated horse?”
“no.”
“How was the sea?”
“Nothing special. “It’s just water.”
“What is money?”
“What would you like? “I took it away.”
Lim Sobaek lowered his hand and asked as if seeking opinion.
“What should I do now?”
“You should retire.”
“I get it. “What next?”
“Ask the new leader to come forward.”
Lim Sobaek tilted his head and laughed.
“okay. “The next leader must come up to the stage.”
People’s eyes followed Lin Xiaobaek’s gaze and looked in one direction.
The demon, with his head tilted crookedly, was glaring at the podium in a sagging posture.
Lim Sobaek said to Saekma.
“I told you to come up.”
“yes. “Mr….”
Suddenly, the angry demon leaped high into the air, did some somersaults, and landed on the platform.
Lin Xiaobai looked at Hao Wenju and Meng Lang alternately.
Hao Wenju was looking at Meng Lang with wide eyes.
“….”
Among the onlookers, someone’s sighs and laughter were mixed. Of course, these were the sighs of the Sword Demon and the laughter of the Demon Demon, who had reunited after a long time.
