Episode 137: Return to the Martial Arts Hall

The ceiling of the Leader’s Hall was so high it seemed to touch the sky, or so one might exaggerate. Massive wooden pillars supported the lofty ceiling, giving the hall an air of grandeur reminiscent of a demonic palace.

On either side of the hall stood the core members of the alliance, lined up in formation. At the end of a crimson carpet, a platform as tall as a grown man was set up.

Seated on the platform, in a grand chair, was the leader of the righteous alliance, Neung Un-pa, who greeted them with a gentle smile.

Beside the leader, the chief strategist, Gu Yoon, watched Sa Bi-gang and his companions with a knowing smile.

Flanking the leader were two impassive guardians, and surrounding the platform were fifteen bodyguards, standing as if to form a protective circle.

“This feels like entering a royal court,” Sa Bi-gang thought.

Not all the gazes directed at Sa Bi-gang were friendly. Those standing to the right of the leader’s chair, including the likes of Deung Wang-pae, looked at him with cold eyes.

Sa Bi-gang paid them no mind, instead narrowing his eyes as he looked at the leader.

“As I thought… even back then, his health wasn’t good.”

He could tell at a glance that something was amiss with the leader’s health, though it was a subtle difference that others might not notice. Perhaps only a few experts, including Deung Wang-pae, had an inkling of it.

As Sa Bi-gang, Tang Yi-hyeop, and Mae Seol-ran stopped walking, Neung Un-pa spoke with a soft smile.

“Welcome, Instructor Sa Bi-gang. You saved our alliance from a crisis, and on behalf of the martial world, I thank you. I invited you here to express my gratitude personally.”

Sa Bi-gang responded with a respectful bow.

“You’re too kind. I merely did what was necessary.”

“Hahaha. But leading your students into such a situation couldn’t have been an easy decision.”

“I was confident.”

Neung Un-pa’s eyes twinkled with amusement at Sa Bi-gang’s straightforward answer.

“Just as the rumors say, you are indeed an interesting person.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Of course. While you say it was your duty, not many would have stepped forward so boldly.”

“You’re too generous. When I saw Master Seok trapped and… well, let’s just say it was clear he needed rescuing. The thought of him being so desperate he… well, it brought tears to my eyes.”

At Sa Bi-gang’s words, everyone’s eyes naturally turned to Seok Ji-pyeong, who glared at Sa Bi-gang with a flushed face.

“That fool, saying unnecessary things…!”

But in this situation, Seok Ji-pyeong couldn’t speak up.

Neung Un-pa chuckled, finding the situation amusing, and continued.

“I heard you went there for an outdoor lesson by chance… is that true?”

“No, it was actually planned.”

“Oh?”

Neung Un-pa’s expression wavered slightly, and Tang Yi-hyeop and Mae Seol-ran looked at Sa Bi-gang in confusion.

Sa Bi-gang smiled faintly and made a surprising statement.

“Chief Gu instructed me to go.”

Gu Yoon, who had been watching quietly, was taken aback.

“Me, I…?”

Gu Yoon stared at Sa Bi-gang with wide eyes, and Sa Bi-gang nodded subtly.

Now, all eyes, including Neung Un-pa’s, turned to Gu Yoon.

Neung Un-pa looked back at Sa Bi-gang and asked, “Is that true?”

“Yes, Chief Gu spoke to me about the rat-hunting operation and pointed out its flaws, asking for my help.”

At this, Deung Wang-pae interjected angrily.

“That’s nonsense!”

Sa Bi-gang gave Deung Wang-pae a cold smile.

“It’s true. Surely you don’t think I just happened to be there by coincidence, at that exact time, with a conveniently placed pile of rocks to block the path? I doubt you believe in such coincidences.”

Deung Wang-pae was left speechless, his lips trembling. It was too well-coordinated to be mere chance.

Finally, Neung Un-pa’s gaze returned to Gu Yoon.

“Chief, is this true? Did you send Instructor Sa there?”

Gu Yoon looked at Sa Bi-gang. Their eyes met briefly in the air, and a decision formed on Gu Yoon’s face.

He spoke up.

“Yes, it’s true. I gave the orders.”

The unexpected admission caused a stir among those gathered.

Neung Un-pa, momentarily surprised, asked, “Then why didn’t you raise concerns about the rat-hunting operation earlier?”

“I did. I pointed out the operation’s flaws early on.”

“And yet?”

“Master Deung, who was essentially in charge, deliberated and decided to proceed as planned. He seemed quite confident in the rat-hunting operation.”

Half-truth, half-lie. Deung Wang-pae had dismissed Gu Yoon’s concerns without a second thought. But saying so outright might provoke Deung Wang-pae too much, so Gu Yoon chose his words carefully.

Even so, Deung Wang-pae’s expression grew increasingly sour.

Some of the martial artists began to sense the shifting atmosphere and murmured among themselves.

Finally, Deung Wang-pae glared sharply at Gu Yoon and asked, “Why didn’t you form a rescue team from our alliance’s warriors instead of asking Instructor Sa? What if something went wrong?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Gu Yoon hesitated. It was a valid point.

This time, Sa Bi-gang quickly stepped in to answer.

“Chief Gu had a deeper reason.”

“A deeper reason?”

“Yes.”

“And what was that?”

“All eyes of the Blood Demon Sect were on our alliance. If we had formed a rescue team, they would have noticed. So Chief Gu came to me at Yongcheon Hall, where the Blood Demon Sect wouldn’t suspect, and asked for my help.”

Sa Bi-gang’s confident answer made people nod in agreement.

Deung Wang-pae ground his teeth.

“Even so, it would have been good to inform us of such a plan in case something went wrong.”

“That, too, was Chief Gu’s consideration.”

“Consideration?”

“Yes. The rescue team was a contingency in case the rat-hunting operation failed. But if you prepare for failure before the battle even begins, it would demoralize the warriors.”

A murmur of admiration spread through the room, most impressed by the strategist’s foresight.

Deung Wang-pae’s expression twisted noticeably.

The longer the conversation went on, the more it felt like he was being drawn into Sa Bi-gang’s pace.

Gu Yoon, too, couldn’t help but admire Sa Bi-gang’s quick thinking.

“Unlike when he frustrates me, at times like this, he’s as smooth as flowing water. The more I know him, the more fascinating he becomes.”

Sa Bi-gang continued to praise Gu Yoon.

“I was truly impressed by Chief Gu’s insight during this mission. He seemed to know exactly which route the Blood Demon Sect would take to transport the prisoners after their victory at Hoja Valley. He told me the precise location, and sure enough, they passed through the canyon he mentioned, allowing us to ambush them easily.”

By now, people began to look up to Gu Yoon.

“Truly remarkable.”

“Indeed. They say a wise man sees a thousand miles while sitting down, and this is the perfect example.”

Even Neung Un-pa looked at Gu Yoon with renewed admiration.

“I always knew my chief strategist had keen insight, but I didn’t realize he was this meticulous. Well done.”

“You’re too kind.”

Neung Un-pa smiled warmly and turned back to Sa Bi-gang.

“Even with the strategist’s excellent foresight, it couldn’t have been easy to act on it so courageously. I deeply appreciate Instructor Sa Bi-gang for undertaking the rescue mission with young students. The fact that they remained so composed in real combat speaks volumes about your leadership, doesn’t it?”

“You’re too generous. It’s all thanks to Chief Gu.”

“Hahaha. It’s heartwarming to see those who achieved great things crediting each other. But it’s true that Instructor Sa Bi-gang has greatly aided our alliance, so we would like to present you with a token of our gratitude.”

“It is an honor.”

Sa Bi-gang bowed respectfully.

Soon, a martial artist approached Sa Bi-gang and handed him a plaque crafted from blue jade.

The room erupted in applause.

Neung Un-pa smiled gently and said, “We also considered preparing a reward, but I thought it best to ask you directly. Is there anything you wish for as a reward?”

Sa Bi-gang paused thoughtfully before speaking.

“Well… there is one thing.”

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“May I take a weapon from the Armory?”

The Armory was the alliance’s weapon vault, housing a vast array of weapons from common tools to rare, legendary arms.

Surprised by the request, Neung Un-pa asked, “From the Armory?”

“Yes, I’d like to look around and choose one that suits me.”

Sa Bi-gang’s bold request prompted Deung Wang-pae to interject.

“That is out of the question. We cannot allow someone who is not part of our alliance to freely choose a weapon from the Armory.”

“But wasn’t it someone outside the clan who rescued the prisoners? And those prisoners were important figures cherished by the clan leader.”

There was a sharp edge to the words.

Deng Wangpai’s expression darkened.

The clan leader was usually one to accept his suggestions.

Yet this time, for some reason, he responded with a stern, unyielding face.

Given the circumstances, pushing further could jeopardize his own standing.

In the end, Deng Wangpai relented.

“As you wish, my lord. However, I request that no one interferes when Sabigang chooses his weapon.”

“And why is that?”

“Weapons have a way of choosing their masters. If he ends up with a fine weapon, it speaks to his own abilities, doesn’t it?”

At this, Sabigang stepped forward and replied.

“I have no objections. Let’s proceed that way.”

**

The scale of Seungmugak was incomparable to the armory at Yongcheongwan.

“I’ve been here once before, but it’s still impressive.”

Sabigang marveled inwardly.

From the haphazardly piled miscellaneous items to the neatly displayed or cased weapons, the place was a treasure trove.

The three-story Seungmugak was built in a square shape, allowing a view of the lower floors from above.

“Wow, this is incredible. I’ve never seen so many weapons in one place.”

Sabigang exclaimed like an excited child, prompting a hearty laugh from Neungunpa standing behind him.

In contrast, Deng Wangpai and a few other warriors glared at Sabigang with disapproving eyes.

‘Hurry up and pick some random weapon and leave.’

Deng Wangpai was anxious that Sabigang might choose a rare weapon. Even though it wasn’t his property, the thought of such a weapon falling into Sabigang’s hands was intolerable.

“Alright, let’s take a look around!”

Sabigang said with a beaming smile, striding forward confidently as if he knew exactly what he was looking for.