The sudden arrest of Ma Cheol-gun sent shockwaves through the martial arts world.
For the first time in history, the leader of the Martial Alliance was apprehended by the very law enforcement body he once commanded.
Under normal circumstances, such an event would have been unthinkable. However, the head of the law enforcement faction was aligned with Galsaryang, and all the top leaders who had overheard the conversation between Ma Cheol-gun and Byeok Lidan had turned against him.
Moreover, public opinion in the martial world was overwhelmingly against Ma Cheol-gun.
When news of his arrest spread, the martial world erupted in celebration.
“Justice has finally been served!”
“Hahaha! This calls for a celebration. Drinks are on me tonight!”
“Really?”
“Well, not really. But that’s how good I feel.”
“By the way, did you hear about the master who took down the Heavenly King Army?”
“What about it?”
“They say he was there the day Ma Cheol-gun was arrested. He descended like a celestial being, delivered a scathing rebuke to Ma Cheol-gun, and then vanished into the sky.”
“We should make him our leader!”
“But who is he?”
“No one knows.”
“Someone must know.”
“Heaven must have sent him. Without him, the Heavenly King Army would have devoured the martial world.”
Just then, someone shouted from another table.
“Drinks are on me tonight!”
This time, it was for real. Cheers erupted from all around.
The entire martial world was in a state of jubilation.
Galsaryang moved swiftly.
A special committee was formed within the Martial Alliance to elect a new leader.
As before, the heads of the ten major factions would nominate candidates and vote.
The heads of the law enforcement faction and the Heavenly Palace faction were firmly on Galsaryang’s side. He began persuading the others, using the law enforcement head as his front.
In the past, they had been outmaneuvered, leading to the disgrace of Ma Bong-gi becoming the leader. But this time, they were not going to let things slide.
Most of the leaders of the ten factions had aligned themselves with power, prioritizing their own safety over loyalty to the alliance.
If Byeok Lidan became the leader, everyone except the heads of the Heavenly Palace and law enforcement factions would be replaced. New wine needed new wineskins.
Galsaryang made sure to handle things decisively. He used the heads of the law enforcement and Heavenly Palace factions to pressure the others, warning them of the consequences of not aligning with them.
Having arrested Ma Cheol-gun, the highest authority within the Martial Alliance was now the law enforcement head, Ga Gyeong.
Galsaryang had warned Ga Gyeong when they met again.
“Just a word of caution, don’t entertain any foolish thoughts.”
“I have no such ambitions.”
“Whether you have ambitions or not is irrelevant. Just know this: the one who killed the Heavenly King Army is our lord.”
“My goodness!”
That was enough. Knowing this, Ga Gyeong became the most ardent follower of the orders.
With Galsaryang’s overwhelming power backing him, loyalty was the only path to survival.
At the first meeting, the law enforcement head put forth a candidate.
“I don’t think there will be any objections to this candidate.”
He subtly hinted that no one else should even dream of it before revealing his choice.
“I nominate the young master who killed the Heavenly King Army.”
Everyone was surprised but also agreed.
Ga Gyeong began to persuade them in earnest.
“The merit of killing the Heavenly King Army is more than enough to ascend to the leader’s position. Moreover, the martial world also desires him.”
Having experienced the terror of the Heavenly King Army, they all agreed. They were also aware of the immense popularity of the man who had killed the Heavenly King Army.
“But isn’t he too young?”
The one who raised this concern was Seobok from the Council of Elders, who had failed to release Ma Cheol-gun’s internal energy. He had intended to support another candidate.
When Seobok mentioned the biggest obstacle, the head of the Heavenly Palace faction, Jong Cheon-rak, spoke up.
“Age doesn’t matter. Did Ma Bong-gi fail because he was too young? Ma Cheol-gun was young but more greedy than any old man, and Ma Bong-gi was old but more lustful than a child. Age doesn’t matter. What matters is the heart and conviction of the person.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. But a new problem remained.
“We don’t know his identity.”
When Seobok raised this objection again, Ga Gyeong stepped forward.
“I know who he is.”
This was the trump card Galsaryang had prepared.
“He is Byeok Lidan, the heir of the Byeok family sword school in Shandong.”
When Ga Gyeong revealed the truth, everyone was astonished.
“Is he really the heir of the Byeok family sword school in Shandong?”
“Yes.”
“How can the heir of a mere regional school wield such divine power?”
“Because he had an excellent master.”
“Who is his master?”
“He learned from the same master who taught the Heavenly Alliance leader. In other words, he is like a senior brother to the Heavenly Alliance leader.”
“Ah!”
Everyone gasped. All their questions were answered. If he had learned martial arts from the master who taught Cheon Hwa-jin, his extraordinary power was understandable.
The fact that Ga Gyeong knew this meant that he had already discussed it with Byeok Lidan to some extent. The quick-witted among them spoke up.
“Oh! Then I support him!”
“I agree as well.”
“If he was trained by the one who raised the Heavenly Alliance leader, he must be an outstanding person. If he’s another disciple of that master, age doesn’t matter.”
With everyone in agreement, Seobok could no longer oppose.
Ga Gyeong delivered the final blow.
“There’s one more reason to trust Master Byeok.”
“What is it?”
“The person serving him is none other than the former military strategist, Galsaryang.”
With the renowned strategist Galsaryang by his side, any concerns about age or experience were resolved.
The name Galsaryang was the final convincing argument.
Song Hwa-rin and Gwangdu were taken to an inn near the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance.
“This is an unusual group for a drinking party, isn’t it?” Gwangdu remarked.
Song Hwa-rin laughed. “Didn’t you have an unusual drinking party before?”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard the three of you drank without me.”
“Oh! That’s right.”
Previously, Byeok Lidan, Gwangdu, and Suran had shared drinks, which had brought Gwangdu and Suran closer.
“What do you think this gathering is about?” Song Hwa-rin asked.
Gwangdu replied playfully, “Maybe it’s a counter-gathering to the last one? To show we can have more fun!”
“Hahaha.”
Song Hwa-rin laughed heartily.
Yes, with Gwangdu around, the atmosphere was always lively.
In such a setting, I wanted to share my news.
“I have something to tell you both.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve become the leader of the Martial Alliance.”
The results of the vote by the special committee to elect the new leader had come out that morning.
Galsaryang had orchestrated an overwhelming unanimous vote in my favor, pressuring and persuading the heads of the ten factions while ensuring public opinion in the martial world supported me.
Gwangdu blinked and turned to Song Hwa-rin. “Our young master wants to become the leader of the Martial Alliance?”
“Didn’t he just say he already became one? That’s what I heard,” Song Hwa-rin replied.
Gwangdu nodded. “That’s what I heard too. And he hasn’t even had much to drink yet.”
Gwangdu’s voice trembled slightly.
“I’ve been with the young master through many situations like this. When he casually drops unbelievable news, I naturally can’t believe it. But…”
Song Hwa-rin finished his thought, having had similar experiences. “But they all turned out to be true.”
“Could it be true this time too?”
“Becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance, though?”
Both of their eyes turned to me. I smiled and nodded.
Gwangdu swallowed hard and asked, “Are you really the leader of the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“Did you create a secret organization called the Martial Alliance?”
“No.”
“Is it something like the Infinite Branch Leader?”
“No.”
“Did you dream it? Or is this a dream?”
“It’s not a dream.”
“You’re really the leader of the Martial Alliance? That Martial Alliance over there?”
Gwangdu looked out the window at the distant Martial Alliance headquarters.
My gaze naturally followed his.
“Yes, I’m the leader of that Martial Alliance.”
“My goodness!”
Just then, a carriage pulled up on the street.
The twenty or so martial artists escorting the carriage exuded an impressive aura, all wearing identical uniforms and bamboo hats, making it impossible to tell which faction they belonged to.
They secured the area around the carriage and the inn. One of them entered and approached our table, bowing respectfully before speaking.
“We’ve come from the Tiger Corps to escort the leader. As requested, we’ve kept the escort team to a minimum.”
Gwangdu and Song Hwa-rin were truly shocked. What they had half-doubted was indeed true.
“Are you really the leader of the Martial Alliance?”
Song Hwa-rin covered her mouth with her hand, worried someone might overhear.
“Young master!”
I stood up and began to follow the man, turning back to the two of them.
“What are you doing? Come along.”
Gwangdu, surprised, asked, “Me too?”
While it made sense for Song Hwa-rin, Gwangdu was astonished and flustered at being taken to the Martial Alliance.
“Yes, of course, you too.”
“Really? Of course?”
Then the martial artist who had greeted me approached Gwangdu and spoke.
“Greetings to the new Tiger Corps leader. I am Deputy Leader Cheongyang.”
Gwangdu was so shocked that he couldn’t speak, his eyes wide open.
Looking at Gwangdu, I said.
“It was my first command. From now on, I want you to protect me.”
Gwangdu was overwhelmed with emotion. His face was a mix of surprise, joy, and concern.
“This might not be appropriate, but just this once, let me call you this.”
“Whatever it is, go ahead.”
“Young master!”
“You rascal, you’re going to burst my eardrums.”
“How can I possibly take on the role of the leader of the Tiger Brigade? I can’t do it. How could I ever fill the shoes of what Baek Daeju used to do?”
“Gwangdu.”
“Yes?”
“You are more than capable of that position. In fact, you deserve an even greater role.”
“Young master?”
I meant every word. Gwangdu’s martial arts skills, which had grown to an impressive level, were more than sufficient for the leader of the Tiger Brigade. And considering his kind and noble character, my words were not just empty flattery.
“Do you know why I appointed you as the leader of the Tiger Brigade?”
“Why?”
“Because I want you by my side.”
Gwangdu’s eyes wavered.
The warriors of the Tiger Brigade were listening. I wanted to show them how much I valued and cared for Gwangdu, who would lead them.
“You always do this. You know I’ll fall for it again.”
“It’s the fate of a shield-bearer.”
“This shield-bearer is on a roll these days.”
“Hahaha.”
Gwangdu bowed deeply to me.
“As the leader of the Tiger Brigade, I will serve you with my life.”
I helped him to his feet.
I remembered Gwangdu when he first awoke in the Byukridan. Back then, neither of us knew we would be looking at each other as the leader of the martial alliance and the leader of the Tiger Brigade.
What kind of life awaits us? In what roles and with what hearts will we look at each other? Well, it’s something we won’t know until we get there.
“Thank you. I trust you.”
“Yes, please trust me… my lord.”
“Let’s go. We can talk on the way.”
I glanced at Song Hwarin. She still wore a look of disbelief and awe. She probably never imagined she would become the betrothed of the leader of the martial alliance.
“Shall we?”
“Yes… I mean, yes, my lord.”
“No need for formalities.”
“But I must, especially in such an official setting.”
“Let’s go. We have much to do.”
Many tasks awaited me. Unforeseen challenges would surely arise. But I wasn’t worried. I had the people I loved and cherished by my side.
As the three of us climbed into the carriage, it began to move toward the martial alliance headquarters.
The final farewell came from Cheonma.
[Congratulations.]
[Thank you. But it’s a bit disappointing.]
[Why?]
[Because I don’t have a rival as magnificent as you.]
[You’re making me blush again.]
[Hahaha. It’s fun to see you get embarrassed every time.]
[Be careful. If fate has brought you back as the leader of the martial alliance, a formidable enemy might appear.]
[Perhaps.]
Through the carriage window, the grand building of the martial alliance slowly came into view.