Chapter 9: First-Class Martial Artist 1

While Baek Moo-jin was lost in his own thoughts, the Execution Bureau, where reports on him had already been submitted, saw its executives discussing Baek Moo-jin late into the night.

“Well, go to the snowy mountains and find out for yourself. What I’m curious about is just how strong Baek Moo-jin is. ‘Estimated’? The report is rather vague.”

Executive Hall Chief Woo Tae-jeong looked at Lee Yeon-seong and spoke reproachfully. Lee Yeon-seong, who had gone as the representative supervisor, cautiously replied.

“The report is accurate. We estimate his strength to be at least that of a Grand Master, but further verification is needed. I can only give an ambiguous answer. Baek Moo-jin held back when facing Kang Yeop. My assessment is that he likely isn’t just a Grand Master, but someone who could defeat even a Grand Master-level opponent.”

Woo Tae-jeong retorted.

“That strong?”

Lee Yeon-seong continued.

“Isn’t Kang Yeop also strong? That’s why I reported him separately. We have little information on the Snow Mountain Hundred Families. But honestly, his martial prowess seems capable of making his name known not just within the Northern Heaven Alliance, but throughout the entire martial world.”

How could he speak with such confidence after just one duel? Yet Woo Tae-jeong had no choice but to trust Lee Yeon-seong’s words. After all, Lee held the title of representative supervisor precisely to make such judgments.

Deputy Chief Judge Jeong Myeong-hyeon, who had been listening quietly, responded with a look of admiration.

“We have a new talent. What shall we do, Chief? This doesn’t seem like an ordinary fourth-grade martial artist. We should either conduct further evaluations to raise his rank, or consult with other organizations to see if he can be deployed for covert operations.”

Woo Tae-jeong shook his head.

“We can’t assign special missions yet. How can we deploy someone whose background hasn’t even been verified? Instead, confirm their combat skills thoroughly. Follow the proper procedures and request it through Eunyeong Hall.”

“What rank should we request?”

Woo Tae-jeong paused briefly before adding.

“Request a First-Class Martial Artist. We can’t afford to lose to the candidate again, can we? After seeing the results, we’ll discuss Baek Moo-jin again. We’ll decide then whether to maintain the treatment for the Fourth-Grade position.”

“Understood.”

After briefly scanning his subordinates’ expressions, Woo Tae-jeong tapped his desk and declared.

“Baek Moo-jin is young? What does that matter? You claim to know little of the Snow Mountain Hundred Families? How could you possibly know every hidden force lurking in the martial world? Don’t stir up trouble unnecessarily. Treat him with greater courtesy. The news that the North Heaven Alliance honors the strong should spread far and wide. And as soon as the top-tier martial artist is confirmed, set a time and inform me. I intend to witness it myself.”

“Understood. I’ll inform you as soon as preparations are complete.”

2.

The long day at the North Heaven Alliance was drawing to a close.

Successful candidates and failures were separated, bringing joy and sorrow in their wake. Even those who passed weren’t entirely happy. From now on, they had to part with their families and live among strangers.

A life lived solely to pass some exam had, in a single day, been transformed into a life of surviving in the martial world.

While high pay and the pride of belonging to the North Heavenly Alliance awaited, it was equally clear that equal danger and suffering would follow.

But that wasn’t all.

Living in the martial world meant boarding a merciless life where one never knew when or where a blade might strike and end it.

Organizations like the North Heaven Alliance, constantly locked in power struggles with other factions, enforced strict discipline. While many died in missions or conflicts, it was also common for those who severely violated internal rules or committed crimes to be summarily executed.

Consequently, many who didn’t truly desire this life chose to leave the North Heaven Alliance of their own accord.

The North Heaven Alliance knew this, so they routinely recruited more qualified candidates than they needed, essentially exploiting them.

The methods varied.

They could be put through training, or punished for breaking the rules. There were likely thousands of reasons to put new recruits through the wringer.

The purpose was singular.

To determine whether a new recruit could blend into the organization.

‘If you can’t endure this much, it’s better to leave.’

In that sense, a day that demanded tension began at dawn for both the new recruits and the existing North Heaven Alliance warriors.

Shouts of reprimand—for sleeping in, for being late to assembly—echoed from all corners since dawn.

3.

Baek Moo-jin began his day with breathing exercises.

Though the rank of ‘Fourth-Grade Martial Guest’ might seem insignificant, it came with more than a few perks.

For one thing, it exempted them entirely from troublesome duties like night watch, allowing them to live oblivious to the shouts heard outside.

And that wasn’t all. It was a rank that meant he was completely untouched by the miscellaneous drills and public nitpicking—essentially, the hazing that fell under the category of tormenting new recruits.

Baek Moo-jin hadn’t yet been assigned specific duties or a detailed position, but having joined as a fourth-rank member, he was treated as a quasi-officer. Seo Moon-geuk and Ju Ja-woon seemed to receive similar treatment.

The assigned attendants bustled about from morning, heating water for washing or announcing meals were ready, all while observing Baek Moo-jin.

Every time they looked at Baek Moo-jin, the servants noticed more than one peculiar thing. Normally, someone who passed the fourth-rank examination and received such treatment would be flustered. Yet Baek Moo-jin, as if he had lived that way his entire life, took the servants’ attentions in stride, calmly beginning his day.

No matter how fallen his family might be, the servants had no way of knowing Baek Moo-jin was the head of a clan.

Especially at such a young age…

Even Seo Mun-geuk, who had come out to eat, was astonished by the North Heaven Alliance’s treatment.

“They’re thorough. It’s almost frightening how well they treat us now—just how much they plan to exploit us later. Don’t you agree?”

Zhu Jia Yun, who had just come out with Baek Moo-jin, nodded and replied.

“Exactly. Still, how good is this treatment? Brother Seo Mun is probably used to it, but… By the way, Brother Baek is also very natural. Only I feel awkward.”

Seo Mun-geuk sat down at the table first and said.

“By the way, where do you want to go, Brother Baek? With your skills, you must have plenty of places calling for you. It must be a tough choice.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded in response to Ximen Gyeok’s question. Seeing how knowledgeable Ximen Gyeok seemed, he thought it best to ask.

“Seomun-hyung, this might be a dumb question, but…”

“Go ahead.”

“Which organization can make the most money?”

“Money?”

Seo Mun-geuk and Ju Ja-un asked with surprised expressions. Seo Mun-geuk said.

“What do you mean? Brother Baek, you didn’t come to the North Heaven Alliance to make money, did you?”

“I came for other reasons as well. Is it strange to want to make money?”

“It can’t help but be strange… With Brother Baek’s skills, if you were to join our Ximen Clan, you could likely receive dozens of times the treatment offered by the North Heaven Alliance. Of course, being a guest of the clan… Hmm, it is a bit ambiguous. That said, you couldn’t join a martial sect either. It seems you’ve already established your own family…”

Seo Mun-geuk tilted his head as he spoke, then corrected himself.

“Come to think of it, the North Heaven Alliance is the most suitable. But what is your position within the Snow Mountain Hundred Families? I had assumed you were the young master. Is that correct?”

Baek Mujin scratched his cheek with one finger and replied awkwardly.

“I am the head of the family.”

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

Seo Mun-geuk and Ju Ja-un both let out a short gasp simultaneously before nodding.

‘His family must be in serious decline. That’s why he came to the North Heaven Alliance.’

After a moment’s thought, Seo Mun-geuk addressed Bai Mu-jin’s lingering curiosity.

“There exists a shared list of villains among the white-cloaked forces. Among the North Heaven Alliance’s mercenaries, there are uniquely those called Hunters—a term of respect for hunters. Their mission is precisely to eliminate these villains. I’ve heard they receive separate bounties each time they complete one.”

“A list of villains? Is there such a thing?”

“What do you think the primary responsibility of a faction controlling a specific region is? Law enforcement. It started with sharing lists of those who committed murder and fled within their territory, or troublemakers. But it’s been a long time since it practically turned into a death list. A Yeopsa, in old terms, is essentially a highly active swordsman. Anyway, I hear skilled hunters even take down widely known masters of the underworld. Of course, the reward for dealing with such villains is far greater.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded.

“So that’s how it is.”

“There’s another advantage to being a hunter.”

“What is it?”

Seeing Baek Moo-jin’s curiosity, Seo Mun-geuk felt strangely pleased. Though his martial arts were formidable, his ignorance of the ways of the world made teaching him one thing after another rather enjoyable, one might say. Unlike yesterday, Seo Mun-geuk wore a deliberately contented expression as he continued.

“It’s not an official position. It’s something you can do on the side. In other words, if a sword guard takes leave and has nothing specific to do, they can take on scouting work and earn extra pay. If you’re interested, look into it.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

But Seo Mun-geuk had only heard about it himself; it wasn’t confirmed information, so there was no need to elaborate. Lost in thought, Baek Moo-jin sipped his tea, pondering the hunting job Seo Mun-geuk mentioned, and before he knew it, the words slipped out.

“Hunting, huh. Sounds interesting.”

Seo Mun-geuk shook his head.

“It doesn’t seem particularly fun. You work your ass off for nothing. If you don’t catch them, it’s a complete waste. What’s more, they’ll walk around thinking, ‘Come and get me.’ There are times when North Heaven Alliance warriors get attacked for no reason. That’s because those on the list go around committing indiscriminate murders. Why do you think the North Heaven Alliance pays so well? They have many enemies.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded at Seo Mun-geuk’s words.

Of course, he had no intention of working as a bounty hunter day and night. But he had vaguely decided to solve one unsolved case for experience.