The night before the storm (2)
“I don’t understand.”
Jeong Yi-ha shook his head.
“I knew this moment would come someday, but I never thought it would be this fast.”
The voice was clearly surprised.
In the past, it was he who ascended to the ark after the death of the stone tablet of the Ark of Gwangdo and the death of his son.
After Yeon Ho-jeong became Sobuju of Mukryongbu, there was a large-scale purge. Among them, all but one of the remaining leaders of the nine forces, including Nokrim Chongchaeju, were replaced.
Jeong Yi-ha was famous for his generous personality even within the Gwangdobang, and the martial artist was also a man worthy of becoming the master of a clan. He was the successor that Yang Cheon and Yeon Ho-jeong pushed for after they had put their heads together and thought about it.
“Early or late, generations are bound to change at some point.”
Dan Liho, a hunchbacked young man who became the new owner of the Black Copper Merchants, spoke in a calm voice.
“I rather like it. Lord Sobu’s power and reputation are at the highest level in the world. In addition, he worked hard across the continent to protect this land, so considering the current situation, I think the Vice Lord’s transfer to the position of Vice Lord was a sudden but timely policy.”
Han Jong-rim also nodded.
“In fact, after that incident, the number of people in our Heukdo martial arts community who openly commit evil acts has decreased significantly. Disputes within the region are unavoidable, but the unconventional policies of Buju and Sobuju have brought about a period of stability. In this situation, I don’t think handing over the head is a bad thing.”
Jeong Iha sighed.
“It’s not me who looks at it as a bad thing or thinks it’s strange. Rather, it is something we welcome.”
The heads of the ten organizations present here, except for one, all became heads thanks to Yeonhojeong and succeeded in eliminating the ills of each organization.
In other words, they are people who experienced a turnaround in their lives thanks to Yeon Ho-jeong.
In the dark world, it is considered foolish to risk one’s life to repay someone for a favor they have received. Personal survival was the top priority, and the dark way was to sell one’s family for that purpose.
At least that was the case with the Black Island before.
However, the world has changed, and Yeon Ho-jeong also pushed a person with common sense to the head of each organization.
Thanks to this, everyone gathered here felt a deep sense of debt to Yeon Ho-jeong. Since he received a favor, he should repay it, but he is troubled by Yeon Ho-jeong, who does not give him a chance to repay other than telling him to work faithfully for Mukryongbu.
“To be honest, I was burdened. Not only did you become the ark of Gwangdobang, but you also became an elder of the Mukryongbu at an age when you had many shortcomings. “I couldn’t refuse the position of elder because of the way I see it, but it still feels burdensome.”
The majority agreed.
Although they all had different personalities, they were young, had the right perspective, and had their own ambitions.
Because they were such people, they were unable to rise up from the dark island where betrayal was rampant, even within a day.
Furthermore, he was chosen by Yeon Ho-jeong because he survived until the end despite having such a personality, but on the other hand, it can also be said that he does not have that great of a desire to change the world by risking his life.
Talented people who can solve the ills of each organization and lead it stably.
However, they are talented people who can go beyond that.
That’s how they are now.
Jeong Iha continued.
“I don’t know what Lord Sobu’s ultimate goal is. I can guess, but the human mind is something that cannot be clearly seen. However, it is clear that he is trying to hasten this turbulent time.”
“Even if that’s the case, it’s a problem we can’t do anything about.”
“Of course it is. What I’m worried about is… … “Organizations that have worked hard to stabilize are losing money too quickly.”
Anyone who steps into martial arts is bound to lose their life in a sword fight.
Everyone here knew it. If I hadn’t had that level of determination in the first place, I wouldn’t have stayed in the organization.
However, he could not help but worry about the lives of the members of the organization he governed.
Han Jong-rim glanced at the middle-aged man.
A face that is much more comfortable and flexible than before. He was Byeok Un-ho, Munju of Wolinmun, the only one who survived during the purge.
“What do you think, Lord Wolinmun?”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on Byeok Un-ho.
Byeok Un-ho, who quenched his thirst with a sip of tea, spoke in a voice as grave as his expression.
“Is this all you have to say?”
“yes?”
“I came here because there is an issue that you cannot resolve, but that needs to be discussed.”
“Oh, I did.”
“But after hearing it all along, I don’t think it’s something worth discussing.”
He was the oldest and most experienced person in this position. Even in terms of air distribution, he was also a person who was one step above them.
Byeokunho never treated those people poorly. In Heukdo, that alone was a great virtue.
Jeong Iha asked with a clouded face.
“Why is that so?”
“You didn’t say it with your own mouth. “Yeon Sobuju is said to be his benefactor.”
“Of course I do.”
“If your benefactor has become the new owner of the Black Island Alliance, you should be happy. “But I don’t understand why you worry before you feel happy.”
“What Lord Moon said is correct. However, since he is the head of the organization, he cannot help but worry about the members of the organization under him… … .”
Byeok Unho nodded.
“Of course I should.”
“That’s right. so… … .”
“This is an organization that you risked your lives to grow, and if you are determined to help the Mukryongbu and shape the world, you can do that.”
“yes?”
“As you said, if it weren’t for Lord Sobu, I would have led a life worse than death.”
“… … !”
“What are you so worried about now, and what are you so regretful about?”
Silence fell in the audience.
Soon, Hong Guk, the main creditor of the new Yangtze River Waterway, spoke.
“It’s not a waste.”
Although he was usually very quiet, his remarks always contained strong power.
“I don’t know about other organizations, but our water company is ready to fight anything, including war.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“I’m worried about the next generation.”
Hong Guk’s eyes deepened.
“Just like Buju’s zodiac sign, Sobuju said he runs the Mukryongbu with five masters.”
It was information that was not necessarily secret.
The new vice-owner, Yeon Ho-jeong, said he would have five masters under his command and strictly control the organization.
Of course, the five masters are symbols of military power, and he firmly stated that he would go to war with them as the center, and that he would not have any involvement in the administrative department within the department.
But that wasn’t that important.
The new owner of Heukdo brought in experts who had never run any organization and made them his confidants. Each of the henchmen was given their own role, and it is no exaggeration to say that their position was right below Buju.
There was a limit to being unconventional. This was a promotion that was beyond unprecedented and incomprehensible.
“Let me be clear, there are limits to my abilities.”
“Limit?”
“It comforted the various water channels of the Yangtze River and prohibited evil deeds. That’s all I can do. “Anything more than that is impossible with my capabilities.”
It was an honest confession.
“I have no regrets about being here. This means that I have no intention of remaining the leader of Surochae forever. “I’m sure the other monks gathered here are thinking similar things to me.”
Several leaders nodded.
Hong Guk continued speaking with a worried face.
“If the moment comes to step down, you can do so at any time. However, if Lord Sobu undertakes such unconventional personnel management, it becomes difficult for the heads of each organization to control their subordinates.”
It was quite possible.
Starting with the five black sword inscriptions gathered here, Nokrim, Surochae, and the three sangangs could be said to have contributed greatly to the creation of the early Mukryongbu.
Because of Yangcheon’s absolute power and terrifying majesty, some factions were forced to participate, but no one can deny that they all played a big role in helping the Mukryongbu come to this point.
That was also the reason why Yang Cheon did not deal with the ten elders before making Yeon Hojeong his minor lord. I had the intention of blowing off his head when the time came, but killing the leaders of the organization that laid the foundation for the Mukryongbu could cause the system to collapse if I rashly killed them, so I kept them alive first.
Yeon Ho-jeong destroyed it in one go.
Without Samgyo, even Yeonhojeong would have had a difficult time. Of course, the crimes were so bad that they would have definitely been destroyed, but it would have been destroyed only after spending time and taking control of them.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong, or rather Jungwon, had no time. There was a storm brewing right around the corner, and it was impossible to plan something with people like that.
There was a reason why Yeon Ho-jeong handled things so boldly. And the same meaning could be said for selecting talented people who could solve the immediate confusion, even if only as a stopgap measure.
“So Buju’s reputation and power are different from Buju’s. Even if not immediately, dissatisfaction with Lord Sobu will arise in the future, and it will quickly spread like wildfire and spread to all ten organizations.”
“Will that really happen?”
Although it was still calm, Byeokunho’s voice contained something meaningful.
“What do you mean?”
“I think you each have an overly moderate view of your future.”
“yes?”
Lim Geo-suk, Nokrim’s new head bondholder, said.
“As you know, I am a bandit and I don’t know difficult words. Please teach me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if the instructions were given by someone involved rather than me?”
It rattled.
As soon as Byeok Un-ho finished speaking, the door to the conference room opened and five men and women came in.
The elders were astonished.
‘Are they?!’
The five men and women were the masters whom Yeon Ho-jeong intended to place under his command.
Byeok Un-ho stood up and slightly bowed his head.
Then all five men and women bowed and received greetings. Among them, Sima Xuan had a somewhat crooked attitude, but still showed sufficient courtesy.
The woman standing in the middle spoke silently.
“I apologize for coming to you without notice.”
Mukbi bowed his head once again.
His head was lowered, but it never looked servile or lax.
Rather, the other elders also hesitated and stood up due to her actions. Because she had no idea how to react.
Byeokunho said.
“If you want to curse elders, do it to this person. “I was the one who brought them here without asking everyone’s permission.”
Mukbi shook his head.
“no. “We asked for an unreasonable request.”
“Whether or not that request is unreasonable may depend on how this situation ends, right?”
“Maybe so.”
Byeok Un-ho took a step back and pointed to the conference room table. The idea was to start on your own.
Mukbi straightened his posture and said.
“I’ll tell you straight. “The elders here, when the Mukhyongbu is relocated in five days, please stay here and not move with us.”
Like an arrow fired from an unseen place, Mukbi’s words contained an unpredictable sharpness.
“If you don’t like it, you can resign as an elder and return to your own organization.”
