chapter 70
The gazes of the executives and team leaders turned to Im Wonyoung.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
No one spoke.
What Lee Hyun had realized, they had realized as well.
And yet, the depth of it was even greater.
They had long known the relationship between Mo Jeong-gyeon and Im Wonyoung.
Grandmother and granddaughter.
Master and disciple.
God and apostle.
Guild leader and subordinate.
On the surface, this relationship resembled a close familial bond, closer than anyone else. But in reality, there was a river that could never be bridged between them.
Parents.
Mo Jeong-gyeon had driven Im Wonyoung’s biological parents away, leaving them to die in loneliness, valuing power over blood—a cruel chapter in her past.
Because of that, the executives and team leaders had never believed that Im Wonyoung could fully inherit the guild.
But…
‘It’s the same as back then.’
‘There was a trial back then too. They failed it at the time.’
‘No matter how much of a guild master you are, to use someone as close as Executive Jeong as a sacrifice…’
Amid the tense atmosphere, Son Ogong remarked casually,
“Didn’t we say 5 billion for carp-shaped buns?”
“Hah, hah. Fifty million.”
“……Crazy. Back then, you burned that much just to test a rookie, and now you almost burned an entire nation to test your own granddaughter?”
Son Ogong looked at Mo Jeong-gyeon with incredulity.
“Hmm? You’ve stormed the underworld to extend your lifespan, plucked out Yama’s whiskers, and burned the Queen Mother’s orchard to increase your power. Should I be surprised?”
“I’m truly devoted to my disciple, my youngest disciple.”
“Why are you acting so creepy?”
“Perhaps today your head needs to be plucked off to stop that cheeky mouth of yours! Kaah!”
Saojeong fled to avoid Son Ogong’s charge.
“…….”
Im Wonyoung remained silent for a moment.
Then,
Huuu-
She exhaled deeply, looking at Mo Jeong-gyeon.
Her eyes, swirling with countless emotions, now held only depth.
“Of course,”
“No. Do not answer hastily.”
Mo Jeong-gyeon interrupted her.
Huuu-
She drew in and expelled the bamboo spear once more. Thick white smoke swirled around her, enveloping her before dissipating.
“I am asking whether you can personally and with your own power extract Executive Jeong.”
The tiger surrounded by mist conveyed both a mystical aura and an intimidating majesty.
“Executive Jeong is a tiger. Not quite a mountain lord, but at least a leopard. Too fast to catch, yet vicious enough to never let go once caught.”
“…….”
“In this White Burn, aside from me, few can claim they can capture that child directly. Am I correct?”
Mo Jeong-gyeon’s gaze swept over the executives, and they all averted their eyes and cleared their throats.
Only one man remained upright, arms behind his back, letting out a small chuckle—an old man whose posture was as sharp as a sword.
Mo Jeong-gyeon’s gaze returned to Im Wonyoung.
“However, if you boast before all these people and fail to expel Executive Jeong… you will never rise again.”
“……!”
“A king’s position is exactly that. No second chances. Once you fall, you can never return.”
“…….”
“And who would crown someone who recklessly failed without knowing their limits?”
Lee Hyun surveyed the executives and team leaders.
Despite their anger toward Executive Jeong, there was still doubt in their eyes regarding Im Wonyoung.
All of them were born with the instincts of predators. To lead such a group, one had to show equivalent strength.
“Even if you succeed in expelling her, if it’s only by someone’s reliance, it will be of no use.”
Im Wonyoung briefly fixed her gaze on Lee Hyun.
“So, I ask again.”
“…….”
“Can you truly handle her?”
A brief silence passed.
Then,
“…Hah, honestly… I didn’t want to say this with people watching,”
Im Wonyoung sighed, scratching the back of her head.
“I once said I wanted to become a mountain.”
Not an answer to the question, but…
“A mountain seems to accept everything, yet it doesn’t accept anyone who harms it. To enter it, one must follow its ecosystem.”
Her smile seemed oddly reminiscent of Mo Jeong-gyeon.
“If Executive Jeong were someone who could block me, I wouldn’t have even started. So please grant me permission.”
Mo Jeong-gyeon laughed heartily, satisfied.
“Hohoho! Now your gaze finally pleases me. Of course, as my granddaughter, you should have such ambition.”
She turned to the executives and team leaders.
“You may decide whether to assist her. But, without exception, disciplinary action against Executive Jeong for endangering the guild will proceed.”
“Order acknowledged.”
“Order acknowledged.”
As everyone bowed their heads, Im Wonyoung clenched her fists.
The team leaders left the mansion, making calls.
“How many people can move right now? Everyone…”
“It’s an emergency. Suspend all schedules and return to headquarters…”
“The projects Executive Jeong was handling…”
The guild leader’s decision had already been made.
Even with Executive Jeong’s influence, it only took half a day to eliminate it all. Mo Jeong-gyeon’s presence within the guild was absolute.
Those closest to Executive Jeong responded most extremely.
“Call the entire Team B. What? You’re tired after finishing the raid? Do you want to rest forever? Do you think I’m joking?”
Team Leader Park was especially agitated.
“…Huu.”
Lee Hyun approached Im Wonyoung, sighing.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“I owe you, Team Leader Jang.”
She seemed relieved.
When Lee Hyun had first called Im Wonyoung, she worried things might not go smoothly, but thankfully, Mo Jeong-gyeon seemed to trust her even more.
‘If the Mountain God had surrounded Executive Jeong, White Burn would have been shaken immediately… thankfully it didn’t go that far.’
At that moment, the directors of the executives approached.
“So, you’re the one who swallowed the Baekho Great Beast.”
All wore expressions of amusement.
The one who spoke was the old man Lee Hyun had noticed before:
“Fighting Dog” Ho Tae-sang.
The only person whose posture remained unshaken by Mo Jeong-gyeon’s presence.
Known among guild members as Executive Ho, he was also a High Ranker like Executive Jeong.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jang Lee Hyun.”
“Pleased. I’m Ho Tae-sang.”
“I’m Jegal Mun-yu.”
“I’m Seol Rang.”
“And I am…”
The others greeted in turn.
Lee Hyun realized the level of power in the room was beyond what she had imagined.
‘More than ten High Rankers in our country? Lies. They were all here, hidden.’
She swallowed dryly.
[Combat Sense (S) sharpens!]
The executives’ eyes gleamed.
“Oh, this one ‘senses’ us, doesn’t he?”
“Surely the guild master’s favor wasn’t mere kindness.”
“Wonyoung, it seems you brought something truly special.”
Their gaze held both goodwill and competitiveness.
“I heard you even broke that rogue’s sword?”
Executive Ho glanced back with a grin.
“Yes. It happened somehow.”
“You broke a sword made of a single Gong-o Iron, and ‘somehow’? If properly done, this old man would be shredded.”
He chuckled lightly.
“May I request a sparring match later?”
“I’m not good at going easy on anyone.”
“Hoho… a spirited one, indeed. A young man should have such courage.”
Although brief, Executive Ho was starting to like Lee Hyun.
“But remember,” he smiled, dangerously, as if ready to devour her.
[Jeonseung, ‘The Iron-Eating Immortal’ salivates upon you!]
An immortal who grows endlessly by devouring iron.
“If your skills are insufficient, all you do is rush fate,”
[Jeonseung, ‘Goblin Dance’ tears through the Iron-Eating Immortal’s form!]
[Two legacies clash violently!]
Bang!
“……!?”
“I’ve faced these many times; no need to worry.”
Lee Hyun easily deflected Executive Ho’s pressure.
His eyebrows twitched slightly, then he sighed.
“Perhaps this old man lectured too much out of worry. Age brings such issues. Even carefulness sometimes fails.”
He quietly folded his hands behind his back.
The tension vanished.
“An old man should close his mouth and open his wallet. Since I caused unintended harm, I must give this.”
[Jeonseung, ‘Iron-Eating Immortal’ regurgitates something digested!]
He extended his hand; a distorted metal sphere fell, roughly the size of two fists, a mix of various metals.
[Half-digested metal of the Iron-Eating Immortal]
Weapons forged from this metal drain vitality from anything they strike and grow infinitely.
-
Type: Material Item
-
Origin: Document “Songnam Miscellany”
“Catch this.”
The sphere radiated violent magical energy even when grabbed.
“Most people struggle to handle this, but with your nature, it will suit you well.”
“I’ll use it without hesitation.”
“Indeed. Though the shape makes immediate use difficult, you’ll need a good sheath—”
But before he could finish, the sphere turned into bright blue-white lightning and melted into a long shape.
[Dueoksini’s Deep Breath (S+) emits maximum-temperature sparks!]
It shattered into dozens of small spheres orbiting around Lee Hyun like planets around a star.
“……!!”
Using only electromagnetic forces, Lee Hyun drew them to her right arm, clustering them like a rosary.
“I like it. Perfect timing for memorization practice.”
“Hah, I was worried for nothing.”
Even Executive Ho couldn’t help but click his tongue.
“Good. I hope your daring continues on the battlefield. Shall we go now?”
“Are you coming with us?” Lee Hyun’s eyes shone.
Im Wonyoung also looked at Executive Ho and the other directors.
He shrugged.
“Of course. Whether you like it or not, you were close to Executive Jeong. To dismiss her blindly without hearing her side wouldn’t be right.”
They would remain neutral observers—but Lee Hyun and Im Wonyoung knew better.
‘They’re evaluating us. If we don’t impress, they’ll intervene themselves.’
To expel Executive Jeong, they had two tasks: win her out and gain the directors’ favor.
But,
‘Better this way. Once we win over the executives, the rest will follow smoothly.’
Lee Hyun had no intention of stopping at a team leader rank. Ambitions left unfulfilled in Cheongroe would bloom here.
Thus, Executive Jeong was merely a stepping stone—or sacrifice—toward that goal.
“Then, let’s depart.”
Just as Lee Hyun began to move,
‘Puppy, puppy. You’re greedy as I see. The stepping stones you aim for are not just Executive Jeong, but White Burn itself, aren’t they?’
“……!!”
‘How audacious, thinking such thoughts before this old tiger. Laughable or brave? Perhaps both… but I quite like your arrogance. Once this is over, come see me. I’ll give you a most interesting gift.’
Mo Jeong-gyeon’s voice echoed, her smile ambiguous—half teasing, half approving.
