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Chapter : 23
Yeonhwa stepped into the Black Tortoise Hall.
It was quiet and clean.
Usually, even though they didn’t train, academy cadets would come here to loaf around—eating food, sometimes secretly stealing alcohol and getting drunk, causing all kinds of trouble…
Tsk.
Come to think of it, the Black Tortoise Unit members had been such a mess that you couldn’t tell whether they were academy cadets or street thugs—but now they had all disappeared.
“I thought I’d run into at least a few members mocking me for coming here when I’m quitting.”
At Yeonhwa’s words, Ji Wonhyeong gave a bitter smile.
He wondered how much she must have endured for such thoughts to come so naturally.
“No matter how stupid they are, they probably won’t dare come near the Black Tortoise Hall for a while.”
Not only were their bodies in terrible condition, but sharp criticism toward the Black Tortoise Unit was everywhere. They knew better than anyone that reckless behavior would only make things worse.
Ji Wonhyeong shifted his lord’s attention elsewhere.
“When will there be a decision about your resignation as Black Tortoise Captain?”
Yeonhwa faintly furrowed her brow as she recalled the Council Hall where the Martial Alliance leadership meeting was being held.
“It’ll probably be discussed during today’s meeting, so we shouldn’t have to wait long.”
“What will you do after you step down?”
Instead of worrying that hostile factions might create trouble and reject her resignation, Ji Wonhyeong asked something else.
Yeonhwa placed her hand on the table.
As she moved slightly, the grain of the wood brushed against her fingertips with a soft rasp.
After a brief silence, she spoke.
“I’ll try to complete the academy as early as possible, then be promoted to the main alliance and secure a position.”
In the past, she might have wanted to join the Guardian Corps.
But now—setting aside the fact that Samryeong would never allow it—she realized she needed a clear goal if she wanted to achieve what she truly desired.
It would certainly be satisfying to join the Guardian Corps, kill the demonic cult’s villains, and fight alongside the former commander.
But no matter how many achievements she earned there, could she ever surpass the Guardian Corps Commander?
Could she stand equal to the head of the Namgung clan and confront Samryeong while preserving her own identity?
As long as she remained within the limitations of the Guardian Corps, that would be impossible.
“I’m thinking of joining the Inspection Division, which reports directly to the Central Council—the body that decides major affairs of the Martial Alliance.”
The Martial Alliance had no Supreme Leader.
After the three pillars known as Samryeong emerged and supported the alliance, even Venerable Gyeongjeong of Shaolin declined the leader’s position before them, and no one else dared covet it.
But appointing one of the three as leader…
It wasn’t about age or experience—their followers were simply too firmly divided.
If mishandled, the alliance could split into three factions fighting over the position, with other forces rising up to exploit the chaos.
Thus, Munryeong Moyong Yunhwan formed a leadership centered on the three pillars while including other factions, naming it the Central Council.
Ji Wonhyeong was startled by Yeonhwa’s answer.
“The Inspection Division?”
Although the Inspection Division theoretically held great power—having authority to monitor, investigate, and enforce actions across all alliance organizations—in reality, that wasn’t quite true.
Each of the three pillars commanded their own direct military forces, and the major sects and great families also had their own organizations. There was no way they would allow the Inspection Division to interfere freely.
“If you leave the Black Tortoise Unit and go there, all kinds of rumors will spread.”
It would look like she had escaped one trash heap only to dive into another.
Though Ji Wonhyeong believed his lord had chosen what she needed, he couldn’t help voicing concern.
Usually fierce like a wild dog toward others yet utterly obedient before her, he now looked at a loss—prompting Yeonhwa to smirk.
“It’s fine. I don’t listen to every word others say anymore.”
“Is that so?”
“They don’t speak for my sake. I’m done picking up the poison they spit out and suffering over it alone like a fool.”
“Yes, but…”
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“May I apply to the Inspection Division as well? The deputy commander of the Black Tortoise Unit is an appointed position—if you just say the word, I can step down immediately.”
“Why ask something so obvious? Did you think I’d go alone?”
At her words, the heavy worry pressing on Ji Wonhyeong’s chest vanished.
“We’ll be leaving the Black Tortoise Unit soon. If you have any pending paperwork or records to organize, finish them quickly. I’ll do the same.”
Ji Wonhyeong nodded.
In the now-silent inner hall, only the sound of their breathing and the brush scratching across white paper could occasionally be heard.
* * *
In the large central conference room of the Council Hall, key figures of the Martial Alliance sat around a long table discussing major agenda items.
At the head of the table sat Munryeong Moyong Yunhwan, with Muryeong and Jaeryeong on either side supporting their friend.
It wasn’t about rank—it was to show who led this space. If it were a battlefield, Muryeong would be at the center. If it concerned finance or external relations, Jaeryeong would take priority.
The three pillars’ fair and harmonious conduct prevented other factions from pushing too hard, so most meetings proceeded smoothly and quietly.
“The Guardian Corps is holding its ground, but the Demonic Cult’s momentum is overwhelming. We don’t know how long they can endure. We must quickly prepare forces and supplies to support them.”
When the Guardian Corps was mentioned, pride and concern appeared on the faces of key figures from the Nine Sects.
“Shall we dispatch the Ten Cloud Unit?”
Unlike the Guardian Corps—which gathered the most talented individuals regardless of affiliation—the Ten Cloud Unit was an independent force organized by the Nine Sects.
At Moyong Yunhwan’s question, Mount Hua’s Grand Elder Ak Jun sighed.
“The Ten Cloud Unit suffered heavy losses in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang battle. It’s difficult for them to move right now.”
Already aware of this, Moyong Yunhwan shifted his gaze to the Five Great Families—almost as if his earlier question had merely been to prevent future complaints about not being given a chance.
“What about the Five Dragon Unit?”
Meeting his gaze, Moyong Tae—his uncle and a senior elder of the Moyong family—seized the moment.
“Some claim that because the Guardian Corps Commander is the Beggar Sect Leader’s disciple, the corps belongs to the Nine Sects. But many talents from the Five Great Families serve there as well!”
Raising his voice, he declared:
“The Five Dragon Unit is ready to rush out at any time to fight alongside them!”
“Then prepare to depart as soon as possible.”
Given a chance to earn merit, Moyong Tae and other representatives of the Five Great Families nodded.
In contrast, the Nine Sects’ representatives looked displeased. The Pointing Cang Sect Leader, known for speaking whatever was on his mind, couldn’t hold back.
“Munryeong, aren’t you favoring the Five Great Families because they’re your kin? Even if the Ten Cloud Unit can’t move, the Nine Sects have the Ten Justice Unit. Though not as strong as the Ten Cloud Unit, isn’t it comparable to the Five Dragon Unit?”
He argued that if the goal was to rescue the Guardian Corps, the Ten Justice Unit—who had better relations—should go rather than the Five Dragon Unit, which often clashed with them.
But openly drawing lines between the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families during a meeting—
That alone was a major misstep.
And worse, it provoked Moyong Yunhwan’s obsession with fairness.
Unable to hide his displeasure, Moyong Yunhwan replied:
“So fairness means giving every opportunity involving the Guardian Corps to the Nine Sects? Or must I exclude my own family from all alliance interests just to prove impartiality?”
“I—I didn’t mean that…”
The Pointing Cang leader tried to backtrack, but it was too late.
Moyong Yunhwan continued:
“Even if the Five Dragon Unit is somewhat inferior to the Ten Cloud Unit, there’s no need to worry. Muryeong will accompany this mission.”
Gasps echoed around the room.
Traveling with Muryeong alone was enough to make cold sweat run down one’s back.
The Nine Sects felt relieved it wasn’t them, while the Five Great Families were still stunned.
“The Five Dragon Unit lacks real combat experience and hasn’t coordinated with the Guardian Corps before. Take this opportunity to learn much and earn great merit.”
This time, no one accused Munryeong of favoritism—they were too shocked by his fairness.
But why did Muryeong look like that?
“You’re telling me to go?”
Unlike his usual respectful demeanor toward Munryeong in official settings, Muryeong frowned deeply.
“You said you would.”
“That was…!”
That had been right after he discovered that Gu Huiryang had been stirring up Yeonhwa and encouraging her bad habits—back then, not now!
As Tak Museong tried to protest, Munryeong shook his head to stop him.
Tak Museong fell silent—restrained enough not to overturn the meeting hall.
Moyong Yunhwan let it pass without comment.
“When will they depart?” asked the Namgung clan’s Grand Elder, calculating something in his mind.
“Immediately after the former Black Tortoise Captain’s engagement ceremony,” Moyong Yunhwan replied.
“Has her resignation been accepted?”
“Is there any reason it shouldn’t be?” he countered. “The Four Divine Units are merely internal academy groups. If she doesn’t want the position, she needn’t hold it. It’s nothing significant.”
“…Munryeong is correct. I was only confirming,” the elder replied, avoiding the piercing gazes around him.
“Let’s move on to the next agenda item.”
Moyong Yunhwan swiftly redirected the wavering atmosphere.
The air settled again, and the meeting continued.
Yet a few gloomy expressions never lifted.
