Chapter 300 Acting Lord (5)

Chapter 300: Acting Lord (5)

Four months after the intense party leader meeting.

Each faction, having endured many trials and errors during that time, began to function, albeit clumsily, as government ministries.

The Golden Dragon Hall utilized the network of the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury to execute budgets while simultaneously assuming the role of the National Tax Service. The Coiling Dragon Hall began repairs inside and outside the city walls, while the Green Dragon Hall developed hidden weapons and poisons for the warriors of the Nine Dragon Fortress.

Furthermore, the Blue Dragon Hall and Black Dragon Hall took over the patrols and security inside and outside the city, tasks previously handled by the outer halls, and dispatched warriors throughout the Western Regions to eliminate violent criminals.

Simultaneously, the vast number of factions that joined under the Nine Dragons Fortress banner began functioning as a form of local government.

However, the greatest change occurred within the Outer Hall.

It was incorporated into the newly established Dragon Army under the command of the new Fortress Lord.

From now on, they will undergo hellish training to become elite soldiers, tasked with being the first to rush in and strike when enemies of the Nine Dragons Fortress appear.

Of course, it wasn’t without its growing pains.

Just as the saying goes, “ten people, ten colors,” the thoughts of the Outer Court warriors varied greatly. Those who feared being assigned dangerous missions applied for honorable retirement.

Releasing them directly into society would inevitably create a flood of unemployed individuals. I secured them positions with the Seocheon Trading Company and the Hanjung Trading Alliance.

Those who left the Oedang avoided unemployment, and we gained seasoned talent—a happy outcome for all.

One surprising thing was that more people remained than I had expected.

In terms of proportion, nearly seventy percent.

Even the squad leaders, led by Squad Leader Garip, didn’t quit a single one.

Ah, Squad Leader Fifteen was reassigned to a desk job as Support Squad Leader.

After all, she’ll be pregnant and raising children soon—it wouldn’t be right to assign her dangerous work.

After all, the birth rate is the future.

‘Exactly.’

I went over everything that had happened, put on my red hat, and went outside.

What am I doing?

What else could I do?

“……This instructor is not a bad person. Depending on your actions, you can become a heavenly immortal or a demon of hell. Do you understand?!”

Ack!

Oedang… No, I was in charge of training the newly founded Dragon Army.

“Prepare for the eighth movement!”

Aah-!

“Two thousand five hundred times. How many?!”

Two thousand five hundred times-!

“Omit the final command. Begin!”

Beep beep beep. Beep beep beep beep beep.

One-!

It felt good to be a training instructor again after so long.

‘Heh heh, this is fun.’

* * *

A morning with the sun shining brightly.

Swish. Swish.

Kwak Sam began his day as usual, sweeping the front of the Misang Guesthouse.

“Hey! Mr. Gwak! I caught a carp, so come by tonight! Have a drink with Mr. Do from the fabric shop over there.”

“Can I come empty-handed?!”

“Oh, come on, you know the drill. Just bring a couple bottles of white liquor.”

“Heh heh, you’re such a cheapskate. Got it.”

After exchanging greetings, Gwak Sam straightened his back and looked toward the city wall.

Though the martial artists of Hui Long Hall had now fully repaired it, a major accident had occurred not long ago, claiming five lives and injuring twelve others.

Because of that, for a while, the North Gate where Taeryong-ro was located was steeped in a somber atmosphere like a funeral home.

However, that atmosphere did not last long.

The city’s acting governor, Moo-jeon, used his own money to provide substantial compensation to the victims and publicly declared that such an incident would never happen again.

The castle’s transformation also played a part in shifting the mood.

Just like it is now.

Thud.

“Kwak, are you alright?”

“Oh, don’t call someone like me ‘Musa’. Just call me Mr. Kwak.”

“No. You are a warrior who served Guryongseong for twenty years. You are a man worthy of respect.”

“Heh heh, it warms my heart to hear such words from the masters of the Blue Dragon Sect.”

“Should you spot any suspicious figures or notice any signs, please inform us immediately.”

“Do not worry. This one, Gwak, has been recognized for his keen awareness since my days in the outer halls.”

“I am always grateful for your efforts.”

The Blue Dragon Sect warriors passed by Gwak Sam.

“What a sight to behold after living so long.”

To think the inner city’s warriors, who were once rarely seen, now patrol the outer city, tending to the people’s welfare.

“So this is happening all over Seocheon?”

A single incident brought about a major change.

Whatever happened, it was clear the higher-ups had changed their minds drastically.

And at the center of it all would be Deputy Governor Seongju.

Thanks to him, the name ‘Defeated Army’s Jinmujon’ now stood on equal footing with the Nine Dragons Lord.

After all, not only the martial artists of Seocheon but even the common folk were shouting his name.

Gwak Sam nodded to himself.

To think that the man he had watched since his days as a mere outer hall squad leader had become such a great figure.

‘Truly, a hero sent by heaven.’

It was truly hard to believe.

“Master, everything’s ready!”

“Alright, let’s get this business started.”

“Yes.”

With that, Gwak Sam cheerfully opened the doors of the Misan Guesthouse.

“Hey there, long time no see!”

“……”

The warrior who had been regarded as a hero just moments ago could be seen entering, uttering strange sounds.

And he was leading nearly a hundred warriors with him.

“……Aren’t you supposed to be on duty right now?”

* * *

“Kuh! Now that’s the taste!”

Drinking after arriving at work really is the best.

After all, they say the happiest times for office workers are payday, lunchtime, and taking a dump at work.

As a deputy governor receiving a monthly stipend, I share their sentiments.

With a mouthful of boiled pork and a gulp of rice wine, the world felt like mine.

Oh, and by the way, today’s dinner expenses will be covered by the company.

“One more round!”

“Hmph, I wonder if this is really okay…”

Garipp, who had been appointed commander of the newly established Yonggun First Battalion, muttered.

Originally my superior as the deputy head of the Oedang faction, he shook his head at my suggestion to relax in private and maintained formal courtesy.

He also seemed uncomfortable with me being the host.

The closer you are, the more you should make sure of this, or something like that.

“Everyone must have worked hard during training, so what’s the harm? Times like this are when we should relax and have a drink.”

“But if the higher-ups find out, they might get angry.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Yes.”

“Who in the castle ranks higher than me right now?”

“Ah…”

At that, Garip downed his drink with an expression of admiration.

“Well now, it feels like the world’s turned upside down. The one we served as clan leader has become the castle lord… And the youngest squad leader has ended up as the inner castle’s clan leader.”

“Heh heh. I feel that way sometimes too.”

Sip.

He downed a bowl of rice wine and scanned his surroundings.

Ninety fierce warriors, each radiating a savage aura.

The past four months of training had transformed them from mere outer court warriors into powerful elite warriors… my ass.

“Why the hell aren’t my skills improving?”

All we’ve done is pump them full of fighting spirit, but their skills haven’t improved at all.

As if hearing his mutter, Garip flushed and replied.

“It’s probably due to age and a lack of solid foundation…”

“Then what about Jejun? He’s also from the outer court, yet he’s on the verge of reaching the pinnacle? Captain Ga is also a master at the peak.”

“You still don’t know, do you?”

“What?”

“Woo Roju and I are from the Qimubo clan in Fujian Province.”

“Chimu Fortress… Could it be that martial clan said to have been wiped out fighting the Japanese pirates?”

“That’s correct. Though I didn’t train for long enough to master the supreme techniques of Shangsheng, I was able to build a solid foundation.”

“Hmm…”

“Especially Wu Luozhu was a martial prodigy who stood out even within Qimubo. Had Qimubo not been wiped out, he might have become a master representing Fujian.”

“…So that’s why he looked out for Jejun like that.”

“Well, one can’t help being drawn to someone, after all.”

Galip said as he poured the wine.

“And I think the teaching methods are also problematic.”

“Huh?”

The absurdity of the remark sent my jaw dropping to the floor.

Changing the teaching method?

To me, who’s supposedly an absolute master.

“Honestly, even when you explain things, I barely understand half of it. If I’m like this, how much do you think the others understand?”

“……”

Seeing me clam up, Garip seized the moment, veins popping as he snapped back.

“Since you brought it up, just yesterday’s training was like that. Weren’t you frustrated, asking why I couldn’t do it?”

“W-well, that’s because I was so bad at it…”

“You mean I couldn’t do it at all? You don’t think I did it on purpose, do you?”

“No.”

Why can’t you do something so simple?

“…….”

“So, about that… How about dispatching warriors from the Black Dragon Sect instead? I hear they run a martial academy and are the best at teaching martial arts.”

“No, I’m a Moksryongdang man myself, you know…”

And I’m the real deal, trained in the Four-Sword Technique.

“But you don’t know the Jeam Sword Technique, do you? And you certainly can’t pass down the Sect Leader’s secret techniques either.”

“True, but…”

My words must have slipped out, for the surrounding gazes suddenly turned toward me.

I couldn’t help but nod at the look in their eyes, all agreeing with Garyp’s opinion.

I had no choice.

“Damn it, fine. I get it.”

The best player doesn’t always become the best coach.

“Just fill the cups. I’ll go talk to the Black Dragon Hall soon enough.”

Guryong!

The formal banquet began with everyone’s salute.

* * *

That night.

As I stepped out of the Misan Inn, Master Wu approached me alone.

“I’ll take you.”

Over the past few months, he and I had grown quite close.

“I told you to rest today. Why did you come out to meet me? And in the dead of night, no less.”

“I just got here.”

“Oh dear, I feel so bad. You must be tired.”

“It’s only natural.”

Truthfully, I knew he was coming.

After ascending to the Flower Realm, my senses became heightened.

Still, I pretended not to notice because I wanted to say one thing to the person who came to greet me: thank you for your trouble.

“The lady had this prepared for you.”

Joo Moo-in handed me a hangover pill.

“It’s a pill to sober you up. Keep it and use it when you need it, Ju Moo-in. It’s made with some pretty expensive herbs, so it should be good for your health too.”

“But…”

“This is something I’m only telling you, Ju Moo-in.”

“I’m listening.”

“Once you reach the absolute state, you don’t get drunk.”

“Huh?”

“Even if I drink, it gets detoxified right away, you know?”

He chuckled.

“That’s a shame.”

He chuckled softly and nodded.

“Right? If I’d known it would be like this, I should’ve just lived as I was. Getting drunk is one of life’s pleasures, but now I’ve lost half the fun, haven’t I?”

“If martial artists from the martial world heard you say that now, they’d probably all be horrified.”

“Heh heh, you’re right about that too.”

As they walked leisurely under the brilliant moonlight, with the martial artist leading the way, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the night.

“This is Joo Cheol-san.”

“Huh?”

“My name, I mean.”

“It suits a warrior perfectly. Even the name sounds fierce.”

“Is that so?”

He looked up at the moon. It was as if he was thinking of someone.

“My father was a miner. He mined iron at the foot of Mount Davi. When I was young, I thought I’d follow in his footsteps and become a miner too.”

“……”

“But one day, a band of black-clad thugs settled in the village. Even though it was a poor village with nothing but miners.”

“No, why?”

“It was to seize the mine. They intimidated the miners into striking, then tried to buy it from the owner at a bargain price. What happened next was predictable. They killed one miner as an example, and unfortunately, that one man was my father.”

He continued in a voice tinged with regret.

“After Father passed away like that, Mother also grew sickly and soon passed away too. Thanks to that, I became a child orphaned by heaven and wandered the world. That is, until I caught the eye of a martial artist from the Amdokdan sent on a mission.”

“…Did you get your revenge?”

“There was nothing to avenge. When I returned to my hometown, they were all dead. That’s how it goes for those who live by the sword.”

“…….”

“After becoming a warrior of the Amdokdan, I thought: If only the power of Guryongseong could reach every corner. Then scum like me wouldn’t exist…”

He looked straight at me.

“I’m on my way out after handing in my resignation.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“Because I want to serve the Master. Every member of the Shadow Dog Clan guarding the Master right now feels the same way.”

“…Did the Master accept our collective resignation?”

“He didn’t oppose us serving the Master.”

He slowly prostrated himself.

“Please take me in. I have nowhere to go since I quit the Dark Order.”

“No.”

What if you hand in your resignation without even going through an interview?

“Please accept it.”

“……”

On that night when the moon shone brilliantly, I unexpectedly ended up hiring a bodyguard unit.