Chapter 60 – The Martial Alliance

Chapter 60 – The Martial Alliance

The Martial Alliance.

The largest alliance of the orthodox faction, boasting a long history and tradition.

It was a place where any rising star of the orthodox faction, regardless of their family or sect, dreamed of joining at least once.

San-ho was at the Hubei headquarters of that very Martial Alliance.

Where was he, you ask?

Out of the many guest rooms of the Martial Alliance, the place where San-ho was located was…

"Ah, are you kidding me right now?!"

None other than the underground dungeon.

***

The dark underground dungeon.

"Is that young kid the criminal?"

"They said so. Apparently, the Heavenly Simurgh Squad Commander went in person."

"Hoh, so he isn't an ordinary fellow, contrary to his appearance?"

The two jailers standing guard in front of the dungeon, where the firelight flickered, were whispering.

Surrounded by cold stone walls, San-ho let out a long sigh. At that, the murmuring voices quieted down, and the two jailers cast sidelong glances at him.

"I'm standing too close, making it uncomfortable for you to talk about me, right? Please go ahead and finish~ Don't mind me."

Perhaps they did not like his confident attitude, as a short click of a tongue was heard.

But San-ho did not care and sprawled backward onto the floor. The damp moisture seeped deep into his lungs.

‘What should I do now…’

San-ho stared at the ceiling and fell into deep thought.

He had disembarked from the Red Dragon Ship and was on his way to the Uijang Market to buy local specialties. It was only a day ago when he had engaged in a chaotic brawl with the martial artists of the Martial Alliance who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

‘They could have at least told me the reason. Sigh, seriously, what crazy bastards…’

When dozens of trained, elite soldiers came at him with determination, it was far-fetched for a mere rising star to defeat them. In the end, finding himself lying on the dungeon floor without even knowing the reason, San-ho ruffled his hair in annoyance.

Thinking there must have been some misunderstanding, he had waited, but his patience had reached its limit.

‘I really didn't want to use this method if possible.’

San-ho smacked his lips and opened his mouth. Since this was a world where identity verification via fingerprints was impossible, there was no other way. Isn't this exactly when one should use the name of a prestigious family? Since he had achieved his primary goal and did not possess any manuals on him, it was not the worst-case scenario.

"Excuse me. Please bring me some paper and a brush."

When he spoke to the jailers standing in front of the entrance, the jailer on the right suddenly burst into laughter.

"Paper? A brush? Puhahaha! Are you going to say you want to send a letter to the Tang Clan?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"This imposter's shamelessness knows no bounds. How dare you!"

"……?"

An impostor? Who?

Me?

"…An impostor?"

When San-ho asked back in a confused voice at the unexpected word, the other jailer nudged the arm of the one who had spoken and made a quiet "Shh!" sound.

What on earth did that mean? Whom was he impersonating? Since impersonation was not among the various hypothetical charges floating around in his head, San-ho tilted his head.

"What kind of bullsh— no, what do you mean by that?"

"……"

The jailers, their expressions filled with cynicism, kept their mouths shut and did not respond.

‘They wouldn't have gone this far just to make a joke… Is it for real? Is that the reason they threw me into this damp dungeon?’

Oh dear. Just because he didn't call his father father, he was suffering this absurd plight.

It was when San-ho, frowning, was about to open his mouth again.

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps were heard from above.

There was only one set of footsteps descending the stone stairs.

"Withdraw for a moment."

An elderly man who stood in front of the jail cell sent away the jailers at the entrance and stood facing San-ho. Casting down a cold gaze, he asked in a solemn voice.

"Do you know why you have been captured and brought here?"

"I'm the one who wants to know that the most here. Why on earth am I in this place? And what is this talk about impersonation?"

"If you confess who is behind you, your punishment may be lightened somewhat."

"How can there be a mastermind behind me when I have committed no crime?"

"Heh, no crime?"

Frowning, the elderly man spoke in a low voice.

"The crime of cultivating forbidden herbs in Ghost Sword Valley, and instigating a rebellion of the Waterway Forts to throw the Yangtze River region into chaos."

"……?"

"Furthermore, the crime of dragging around innocent civilians to threaten them, and privately impersonating the name of the Sichuan Tang Clan."

"No, wait a minute."

"Even if we consider only one of these, the weight of the crime is by no means light."

But I couldn't understand even one of them?

"Yet, you claim to be innocent?"

Ah. Only now did he understand what was going on. San-ho said with a dazed expression.

"It seems there has been a misunderstanding, but I can explain all of that."

"Were you not in Ghost Sword Valley?"

I was.

"And you were with them when the battle at the Waterway Fort took place?"

I was.

"You used poisons and flying daggers that resemble the hidden weapons of the Sichuan Tang Clan but bear no markings, correct?"

I did.

"And did you not travel with a civilian who is not a martial artist?"

The waiter was indeed not a martial artist… but wait, how did that lead to this?

"Yet, are you going to argue that you are not involved in any of these matters?"

"Sigh…"

How could there be such a distortion of history!

After letting out a short sigh, San-ho quickly exercised his social skills and curled up the corners of his mouth.

"Actually, that's all a misunderstanding."

"You will be referred to a trial in the presence of the Guardians' Hall and the Council of Elders as soon as the Alliance Leader returns."

"I understand that, but please hear me out…"

"For the act of impersonating and bringing disgrace to the Sichuan Tang Clan, you must naturally await their punishment, but your other crimes are also heavy, so the subsequent punishment will be decided based on the trial's outcome."

"………"

Did these martial world bastards literally pour concrete into their ears?

San-ho pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked at the old man, who did not listen to a single word of what he said.

"……"

Then, as if realizing something, he suddenly raised his head.

"Ah, wait, wait. So you're saying there will be a trial, right?"

"Yes."

"And the trial is conducted to determine the truth of the charges. Correct?"

"…Indeed."

"Then nothing is certain until then, right?"

"…What?"

"Yet, you treat me like this?"

"………?"

***

Near the entrance descending to the dungeon.

The martial artists of the Martial Alliance whispered in concern.

"Is it really okay to treat him like that? What if he really is a martial artist of the Tang Clan?"

"They said he's an impostor. Has there been just one or two people impersonating the Tang Clan? They barely show themselves in the Jianghu, after all."

"But the investigation results aren't out yet, so we never know."

There was a family in the Jianghu that was counted as one that must never be made an enemy. That was the Tang Clan of Sichuan. The Tang Clan, referred to as the 'originator of poison and hidden weapons,' possessed threatening martial arts, but they were even more famous for their family tradition of 'repaying kindness twofold and vengeance tenfold.'

"Still, he's just a young kid. Is there really a need to lock him up?"

Thus, no matter how much of an impostor he was claimed to be, a lingering feeling of uneasiness was inevitable before the guilt was officially determined.

"Are you saying that after seeing the state of your commander being completely tattered?"

Hearing the martial artists' conversation, a man with a short ponytail stopped and asked.

"Oh, Squad Leader Min, greetings!"

As the martial artists greeted him with stiff military discipline, the man addressed as Squad Leader Min waved his hand. He was Min Eun-gyeol, the leader of the Hidden Heaven Squad, which belonged to the Alliance Leader's direct guards.

"But what about the Heavenly Simurgh Squad Commander? Did something happen?"

"You haven't seen him yet? Ah, indeed, he has been on vacation since a few days ago."

"Pardon? The commander took a vacation?"

The martial artists widened their eyes at the news that Seomun Gang, a famous workaholic within the Martial Alliance, had taken a vacation.

"His mind and body are currently weak from the shock of being bitten."

"……?"

Bitten? Who bit whom? At Min Eun-gyeol's words, which made them doubt their own ears, their heads tilted in confusion.

"Apparently, when his sword was taken away and he was subdued, he bit him. You guys watch out too, and don't go near the dungeon."

"………?"

Min Eun-gyeol shook his head as he looked at the stairs leading down to the dungeon.

Considering that the dungeon jailers were changed day after day, it meant the kid's temper was no joke. Moreover, how wild must he have run during the arrest that Seomun Gang, the commander of the Heavenly Simurgh Squad, was left in such an unseemly state.

It was then.

"Everyone seems to be quite free, seeing how you are gathered here chatting."

Speak of the devil.

As it turned out, one of the main subjects of their conversation was walking toward them.

"……!!"

The martial artists could not help but gape at the sight of Seomun Gang. A bandage was wrapped around the arm of Seomun Gang, who was always neat and tidy. Considering his usual demeanor, this was extremely surprising, meaning Min Eun-gyeol's words were true.

"Why did a guy on vacation show up here again?"

Min Eun-gyeol spoke in a light tone as he entered the Heavenly Simurgh Squad Commander's office and closed the door.

"Work."

Seomun Gang replied dryly.

Min Eun-gyeol approached him with a playful expression.

"Regarding the criminal captured this time, what is the actual charge? I doubt the Alliance Leader would have sent you just to catch a single impostor."

"Well. Only the Alliance Leader knows the details. I am merely following orders."

"Hmm…"

"He is said to arrive in Hubei today, so make sure to keep the subordinates in line so that no unnecessary rumors spread."

Seomun Gang said, still sorting through the documents with an expressionless face.

"But is he really an impostor? He might be the real deal. I recently heard a rumor about a rising star of the Tang Clan whom we haven't seen. The Dark Flower, was it?"

"For starters, the gender is different."

Bang!

Just then, someone kicked the office door wide open.

"Heavenly Simurgh Commander!"

The Chief Steward, his face completely crumpled in annoyance, walked in huffing and puffing.

"Where is the decency in taking a vacation while leaving such a rascal behind? My ears are about to burst from the complaints of my subordinates!"

"Pardon?"

"I mean the one in the dungeon! He is so damn— no, his demands are so diverse and he is so loud that we simply cannot handle him!"

"Pardon…?"

Embarrassment and confusion appeared on Seomun Gang's face, which had been expressionless the entire time.

"If you don't believe me, go see for yourself!"

At the indignant words of the Chief Steward, Seomun Gang and Min Eun-gyeol headed to the dungeon together.

***

"What on earth is this…"

Entering the dungeon, Seomun Gang could not close his mouth and only blinked at the sight before him.

"Do you understand now? Do you?"

"……"

I mean, it was indeed a dungeon, but…

San-ho was comfortably leaning on a fluffy blanket, holding a yakgwa cookie in one hand. Perhaps he had been saying something to the jailers, as a sighing jailer spoke up again.

"No, I told you that is not allowed."

"Ah, what do you mean it's not allowed! Do you know who I am?"

"………"

"I! Have eaten meals and played Go with the Alliance Leader (actually, my Family Head)! We are in a close relationship, that's what I'm saying!"

"……A-Even so…"

"If you don't believe me, go ask the Alliance Leader yourself!"

"………"

"Ah, right, you said he's not here? Then there's no way to confirm, is there?"

If a stranger saw this, they would believe it was his own bedroom rather than a dungeon. Seomun Gang, who was watching quietly, called over a jailer.

"What is going on?"

"Commander!"

"That is… because he keeps requesting tea utensils to be brought in…"

"Did I not tell you that anything with a risk of breaking cannot be brought into the dungeon?"

"We did tell him that. But he kept insisting."

"Please do something about it."

The jailers, who had ended up serving the criminal instead of monitoring him, made crying faces.

"Can you not simply refuse to grant it?"

"Well, since he claims to have close ties with the Alliance Leader, it is difficult to treat him harshly… Moreover, what if he actually is a member of the Tang Clan? That would be trouble."

"Sigh…"

A deep furrow formed between Seomun Gang's brows.

Was there only one or two criminals who claimed to be wrongly accused in the underground dungeon of the Martial Alliance? Ninety-nine out of a hundred claimed innocence. Yet, there had never been anyone who threatened the Alliance so confidently.

Instead of shouting that he was wronged and begging to be released, he was shouting, "Do you know who I am?" and "Are you not afraid of the consequences?" He was a type of human that the jailers, and even Seomun Gang, had never seen before.

If one thought about it, he was not entirely wrong.

Until the trial, there was a ten percent chance of innocence.

"……Since today will be the last time he acts this self-indulgently, leave him be."

Seomun Gang closed his eyes tightly and spoke as if giving up.

Though the young fellow was so bold as to act confidently despite committing multiple heavy crimes, it would all be over once today's trial was finished anyway.

"Still, no tea utensils."

Seomun Gang added belatedly.

It was then that a loud voice echoed from inside the cell.

"Oh, hey, over here! Commander!"

"……"

"Wow, I heard you went on vacation, and you look so refreshed! Meanwhile, I'm drying up like a houseplant in a place where not even a handful of sunlight enters!"

"That…"

Who on earth was drying up?

Seomun Gang clenched his fists and shut his mouth tightly.

If anything, San-ho's complexion looked even better than it did a few days ago; he was by no means drying up. Rather, the dark circles under the jailers' eyes were so deep it was pitiful.

"If tea utensils aren't allowed, just brew some tea outside and send only the tea in. That should be fine, right?"

"Sigh…"

Meanwhile, Min Eun-gyeol, who was watching this scene from the side, clapped inwardly. He flared his nostrils to hold back his laughter as he looked back and forth between San-ho and Seomun Gang. For Seomun Gang, who was famous for never showing his five desires and seven emotions, to display such emotional behavior was unprecedented.

That kid is quite something.

"……I really like him so much."

If he weren't a criminal, he would have told him to join the Hidden Heaven Squad right away.

Min Eun-gyeol looked at San-ho with a lingering gaze of regret.

It was then.

Hurried footsteps echoed!

A low-ranking martial artist hurriedly ran down the stone steps and entered the dungeon. Seeing his sweat-drenched face pale, it seemed something exceptionally urgent had occurred.

"Pant, pant… Are you all here?"

"What is the matter?"

At Seomun Gang's words, the martial artist cast a brief glance at the cell where San-ho was and trembled slightly.

"Well, that is… a visitor has arrived at the front gate."

"And?"

"Y-You should probably come out and see for yourself."

"……?"

Just what had he seen? Doubt floated onto the faces of the two commanders and the Chief Steward.