Chapter 18: North Heaven Alliance Leader 5

He killed someone.

Yet, when Baek Moo-jin returned to his lodgings, all he did was change his clothes, check his shoes for any bloodstains, and gaze at the mirror, studying his own expression. His face was flushed red from the penalty drink the leader had forced him to drink.

Having never ventured beyond the snowy mountains, killing someone was naturally a first for him today. Yet he was startled by the complete lack of tremor in his hand when he swung the sword, and now, in this moment, he was startled again by how unmoved he felt, more so than he had expected.

Yet he couldn’t shake the inexplicable unease welling up inside him.

Because in trying to save a life, the karma of killing had accumulated upon him.

Had he stood by, the rebels would likely have been slaughtered to the last man by Gu Yanghou. Judging by the level of martial prowess… he probably wouldn’t have bothered killing them one by one. Gu Yanghou’s martial arts were so formidable that a few swings of his sword would have drenched the entire courtyard in blood.

Baek Moo-jin swung his sword to prevent that massacre.

‘It was the right thing to do. I must not regret it.’

Bai Wuzhen forced himself to suppress his displeasure. What came to mind instead was the level of Gu Yanghou’s martial prowess.

Baek Moo-jin believed that while Gu Yang-hu displayed overwhelming power against the rebel forces, he had not revealed his full capabilities.

How much preparation had he put into planning today’s events? Gu Yanghou must have concealed his martial prowess thoroughly even before ascending to the position of leader.

But Baek Moo-jin had concealed his own abilities just as thoroughly.

Returning to his lodgings and lying down, Bai Wuzhen intended to rest quietly due to his mental exhaustion.

But the moment he lay down, he realized.

Today was a day that called for more alcohol.

In the end, only two people from the North Heaven Alliance came to Baek Moo-jin’s mind.

Seo Mun-geuk and Ju Ja-un.

It was fortunate that, being on standby, they were actually freer than he was.

Baek Moo-jin got up and went to find the two of them.

He wanted to say something to them. Or rather, he wanted to hear anything from them.

With alcohol…

2.

Since the martial arts competition, Joo Ja-woon had been refusing alcohol, perhaps not feeling well, so the two slipped away from the crowd and entered a nearby inn. Even on the way here, Seo Moon-geuk kept tilting his head in puzzlement.

“Something definitely happened. There were people rushing toward the Myeongju Hall. This street shouldn’t be this deserted at this hour. Brother Baek, don’t you think? Even the uninvited guests from other organizations seemed to be waiting for something…”

Baek Mujin nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. It’s different from usual.”

“What happened? Even the people at the Executive Hall said they didn’t know much. Since you were at the Alliance Headquarters, Brother Baek, you must know, right?”

“Yes, actually, I came to talk about that.”

“Go ahead.”

It so happened that only the two of them were on the second floor of the inn.

Baek Moo-jin spoke.

“Brother Seomun, have you ever heard of the Danmok Sword Clan?”

Seo Mun-geuk smiled and replied.

“As if I wouldn’t know?”

Though it was no great thing, Baek Moo-jin smiled. Seo Mun-geuk’s eyes shone brightly, as if to say, “Don’t doubt my vast knowledge.”

“A swordsman who wields a swift blade. It’s a place where Dan Mokpyeong, a renowned swordsman, serves as the head of the household. He’s practically the ruler of the martial arts world, and he runs various businesses there. It’s quite rough. I’ve heard they constantly engage in deadly battles with the local underworld forces.”

Baek Moo-jin was startled by Seo Mun-geuk’s words and asked in surprise.

“Wasn’t Dan Mokheon the head of the clan?”

“Dan Mok-heon? Who is that?”

Baek Moo-jin narrowed his eyes.

“He’s an elder of the Northern Heaven Alliance. I heard he’s from the Danmok Sword Clan.”

“Dan Mok-pyeong is the head of the family. A young head in his thirties. I’ve never heard the name Dan Mok-heon before. Is he from a collateral branch?”

“Actually, this Dan Mokheon attacked the rear courtyard where the Alliance Leader was staying.”

At those words, Seo Mun-geuk unconsciously leapt to his feet and bellowed.

“What did you say?”

“Sit down.”

“Ah! My excitement got the better of me. But what happened? Why is the Alliance so quiet about it?”

“To put it briefly, Lord Gu Yanghu, the leader, suppressed it all.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded, and Seo Mun-geuk gripped his chin as he spoke.

“The Alliance Leader? Did you see him?”

“What do you mean?”

“The realm of the Overlord. Since you were at the Alliance Leader’s battle, you must have seen it.”

“How powerful is the Lord of the Alliance in the martial world?”

“How should I know? I’m sorry to say this to the Lord, but until recently, he was the Commander of the Guard, wasn’t he? Truly, no one knows how strong the Lord really is. That Elder must have thought so too, which is why he schemed. Perhaps the position of Commander of the Guard was just the right place to conceal his strength.”

Gu Yanghou’s strength was something Bai Muzhen had witnessed firsthand.

“Actually, I saw him up close. He was incredibly strong. Strong enough to suppress the rebel forces while concealing his power.”

“That much?”

“Yes.”

Xu Wenju nodded.

“It was indeed wise to come to the Northern Heaven Alliance. Many interesting things will unfold. Our Ximen family has been too quiet, which is a problem.”

Seo Mun-geuk suddenly became animated and talkative. But Baek Moo-jin, who had been listening silently, had a different question he truly wanted to ask.

“Brother Seomun, have you ever killed a person?”

Baek Moo-jin asked the question with unease, but Seo Mun-geuk’s response was utterly casual.

“It’s only natural for someone in the martial world. Why ask? Surely not… you haven’t yet?”

To Seo Mun-geuk’s question, Baek Moo-jin uttered just one word.

“Today.”

The sharp-witted Seo Mun-geuk understood Baek Moo-jin’s words and nodded.

“So that’s why you suggested drinking. Heh heh. On a day like this, a woman would be better than liquor. Surely not that too?”

Baek Moo-jin stared blankly, and Seo Mun-geuk burst out laughing.

“Well now, only his martial arts are formidable. A youngster has joined the North Heaven Alliance, I see. Have a drink. Ha ha ha!”

As Baek Moo-jin downed his drink, Seo Moon-geuk poured him another cup and burst into laughter again.

“Here’s to Baek Moo-jin—who can’t drink, knows nothing of women, but has formidable martial arts skills.”

Baek Mujin spoke like an old soul.

“Well, everyone has to start somewhere.”

“Hahaha, are you drunk? What are you talking about?”

“I’ll get used to it soon, so don’t tease me too much.”

“I never teased you? Hahaha.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Oh ho, we’re drinking to have fun, yet you’re nagging when others laugh? Your drinking etiquette is a mess. You must learn properly to truly appreciate the taste of wine. Laugh! You survived facing blades, didn’t you? You entered the Alliance Leader Tournament right after joining the Alliance. You’re younger than me! Your martial arts are stronger than mine.”

Strangely enough, as he listened to Seo Mun-geuk’s words, Baek Moo-jin’s heart gradually relaxed. Drinking like this, sharing trivial stories, laughing and chatting—he realized how rigid his own thoughts had been when he’d told Seo Mun-geuk not to speak casually to him before.

While Baek Moo-jin was talking, he pointed out Seo Moon-geuk’s disrespectful tone, just as he had last time.

“Hey, you keep talking down to me…”

“But this guy always has to be like that when he’s talking about something important…”

“Heh heh, feel free to relax from now on. I’ll call you hyung.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hahaha, you were acting so stiff earlier, but it seems you needed some alcohol. Then from now on, I’ll call you Brother Baek.”

“Go ahead.”

“Man, this is going to be tough taking you as a younger brother.”

Baek Mujin picked up the wine bottle and poured it into Seo Mugeuk’s cup as he joked.

“Since my younger brother excels only in martial arts, I humbly request your guidance in the future.”

Seo Mun-geuk responded in his usual manner.

“Since this elder brother is only weaker than you in martial arts but excels in everything else, make sure to learn well from now on.”

Baek Moo-jin shook his head and laughed.