Chapter 14: North Heaven Alliance Leader 1

Several days later, Gu Yanghou, the Northern Heavenly Lord, frowned as he read the report brought by the Chief Executive.

“Fewer enemy forces than I anticipated.”

“Is that so? I actually thought there were too many.”

The report contained a list of individuals capable of overwhelmingly defeating the top-tier martial artist Zhang Jian, as requested by the Alliance Leader.

The list contained thirty-one names in total.

As Gu Yanghou scanned the list, he noticed the names of elders were the most numerous.

It made sense, considering that when Gu Yanghou himself had fought for the position of leader, three out of the five challengers were elders.

Next in number of masters was a small, elite group known as the Crimson Robe Sword Hall.

The Crimson Robe Sword Hall was a unique organization formed as a secret society during the Great War Against Demonic Cultivation. It now maintained its lineage within the Northern Heaven Alliance like an independent sect.

Though its name included the term ‘Red Robes’, the organization actually allowed free choice of attire. The name stemmed from the fact that during combat, whatever clothes one wore would inevitably become stained with blood.

It was the only organization other factions couldn’t interfere with personnel matters, maintaining an awkward relationship with even the current Alliance leader, Gu Yanghou, with whom they had no connection.

Next came the names of the top-tier martial artists from the Silver Shadow Pavilion, who could be considered Zhang Jian’s comrades. From other organizations, mostly one or two names of their leaders appeared.

At the very end of the list, somewhat comically, Bai Muzhen’s name was written anew.

Gu Yanghou found the report’s conclusion amusing.

It seemed like a request from the Executive Hall to keep an eye on Baek Moo-jin. In any case, Gu Yang-hu intended to see Baek Moo-jin himself and decide what to do.

Gu Yang-hu said.

“Have Baek Moo-jin brought in.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, wait a moment before that…”

“Yes, Lord.”

Gyu Yang-hu, who had been looking down at the list, suddenly asked the Chief of Execution an unexpected question.

“How many on this list can you definitively say are my people?”

“Pardon?”

Executive Secretary Woo Tae-jeong’s expression turned flustered.

“How could there be anyone who isn’t the Lord’s man?”

“Is that so? Just kidding. You may leave now. Bring in Baek Moo-jin.”

“Understood.”

After Woo Tae-jeong withdrew, Gu Yang-hu chuckled to himself.

2.

From the moment Baek Moo-jin entered the leader’s chamber, Gu Yang-hu had been scrutinizing him with a gleam in his eyes.

His expression, gestures, gait, body balance, even his hand movements.

“Baek Moo-jin greets the leader.”

After Baek Moo-jin offered his greeting, Gu Yang-hu nodded, his scrutiny of the man continuing unabated.

“I am Gu Yang-hu. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Even Baek Moo-jin was no exception. After descending the snowy mountains, he had finally encountered the greatest powerhouse and strongest opponent. Gu Yang-hu’s presence carried a peculiar aura, like a tiger at the peak of its prime, deliberately sitting still.

His gaze was truly intimidating, yet Baek Moo-jin, perhaps due to his innate nature, could meet it calmly.

One might think a leader like him wouldn’t engage in a battle of wills. But because Gu Yanghou held the status of Northern Heaven’s leader, he radiated an even more menacing aura than usual before Baek Moo-jin, whom he was meeting for the first time today.

He intended to test Bai Muzhen in every possible way.

‘Just how much capacity do you possess?’

It was a conversation different from words.

The dialogue of body and spirit possessed by martial artists flowed uninterrupted between Gu Yanghou and Baek Mujin.

“You defeated Zhang Jian?”

“Yes.”

“Only about thirty men in the sect could break Zhang Jian.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s confidential.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Gu Yang-hu let out a laugh.

“Do you wish to prove your skill further? Or shall we stop here?”

He was asking if he would engage in a duel if pitted against a stronger opponent. But the underlying intent of that question was clearly to test Baek Moo-jin’s disposition.

Baek Moo-jin hesitated before answering. He had no desire to impress Gu Yang-hu simply because he was the North Heaven Alliance leader. He paused, unsure of the questioner’s true intent.

After a moment, Baek Moo-jin replied.

“I don’t think there’s any need to keep competing with the North Heaven Alliance’s strongest fighters.”

A response Gu Yanghou hadn’t anticipated slipped out.

“Then?”

“If we need to prove our strength further, then perhaps we should target the rival factions within the North Heaven Alliance…”

Baek Moo-jin paused, searching for the right words. But since they didn’t come easily, he chose a simpler expression.

“I suppose we can prove it when we crush them.”

How could Gu Yang-hu not laugh at such words? It was quite a bold tone coming from a pale-faced young man. Yet, it also aligned perfectly with Gu Yang-hu’s own disposition.

“Hahaha. Well now… I hadn’t heard reports of you being so bold?”

Baek Moo-jin replied with a sly smile.

“I wonder if there were any reports about me having quite a bit of confidence.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Gu Yanghou, unusually, kept laughing.

‘What an interesting fellow.’

“Then I suppose I must grant him the position and qualifications to crush the rival factions.”

Hearing the implication that he would be placed in a high position, Baek Moo-jin looked startled and hastily replied.

“Ah, Lord Alliance Leader. That wasn’t my meaning at all.”

“Just kidding.”

“Is that so?”

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all.”

Gu Yanghou and Baek Mujin locked eyes and found themselves smiling together without realizing it.

Baek Moo-jin felt a liking for Gu Yang-hu, who seemed to have a refreshingly straightforward personality. Gu Yang-hu, on the other hand, was most impressed by the fact that Baek Moo-jin, despite appearing somewhat delicate, never once showed any sign of being intimidated during their conversation.

Gu Yanghu said.

“You’re young.”

“Yes.”

“People are simple. They dislike seeing someone younger than themselves become their superior. From the moment I was mentioned as the next leader by the previous leader, I faced attacks and challenges. I thought it was only natural. I was younger than my competitors.”

“…”

Baek Moo-jin listened silently to Gu Yang-hu’s words. Gu Yang-hu continued.

“But fortunately, the world we inhabit is known as the martial realm.”

“That is correct.”

“It seems a few old fogies couldn’t accept that I’m stronger. It’s unfortunate for you, but precisely because of that, I have no desire to provoke conflict with external forces for the time being. I haven’t been the leader for very long.”

“Hmm…”

The more Baek Moo-jin heard from the leader’s mouth, the more tense he became without realizing it.

Gu Yang-hu continued as if foretelling events yet to unfold.

“It occurred to me that the challenge might come from within. I intend to accept every challenge, overcome it, and crush it before turning my gaze outward. Do you understand why I’m telling you this, someone who’s just arrived?”

Baek Moo-jin shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“It means that as long as you remain by my side, you will have ample opportunity to prove your worth.”

“Ah…”

Gu Yanghou smiled faintly, radiating boundless confidence toward Baek Moo-jin. What if Baek Moo-jin were Gu Yanghou’s enemy? How could he keep a young man he’d just met so close? It seemed Gu Yanghou had no such worries or concerns.

Baek Moo-jin looked into Gu Yang-hu’s eyes again, and a tingling sensation ran down his spine.

‘This man… he truly is a powerful figure overflowing with confidence.’

Gu Yanghou was waiting for a challenge from within the North Heaven Sect. He seemed almost certain it would come. Yet, he was making a proposal to Baek Moo-jin, whom he had met for the first time today.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to see your skill then…?’

It was an incredibly bold proposal, considering the remote possibility that Baek Moo-jin could be an enemy.

Gu Yang-hu continued.

“I pity those who challenge me. But at the same time, I am deeply grateful to them.”

“Why is that?”

Gu Yang-hu smiled with a chilling expression.

“It cleanses things. Those who follow me and those who don’t will be separated. Right now, it’s too ambiguous. Impure blood flows through the North Heaven Alliance. But if we spill plenty of blood through that event… the blood of the North Heaven Alliance will become pure again.”

Bai Muzhen nodded at Guyanghou’s words. Somehow, he found himself almost laughably able to understand Guyanghou’s intentions all too clearly.

He thought that if the opposing faction had come to him asking for help, he would have refused. Of course, since they couldn’t possibly know how formidable Bai Muzhen was, such a thing would never have happened.

Baek Moo-jin replied.

“Very well.”

“Fine? What does that mean?”

“The North Heaven Alliance is an organization that values righteousness. The current leader inherited the authority legitimately from the previous leader. If there are rebel forces, then as an alliance member, it is my duty to take up the sword and correct the wrongs. I will demonstrate my strength when the time comes.”

Gu Yanghou silently pondered Baek Moo-jin’s words. There was nothing wrong with what he said, yet somehow it felt like something a subordinate shouldn’t utter.

‘He really is an interesting fellow.’

Gu Yang-hu laughed heartily and nodded.

“I look forward to seeing your skill.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded and replied calmly.

“Yes.”