Returning from the sweep of the Tree Spirit Fortress in victory, Im So-baek sat in his office room, put his feet on the desk, and gently closed his eyes.
He closed his eyes but couldn’t fall asleep.
The march took a long time, and there were frequent fights.
He could neither eat properly nor sleep comfortably, and he was on constant high alert throughout the war between the bandits and the pirates.
Of course, he couldn’t fall asleep even after closing his eyes.
So, he concluded that his body is exhausted, but the adrenaline still hadn’t died down. Whenever he pressed the upper part of his chest with his hand, he could feel a delayed dull sting.
It was the same when he pressed his temples…
If this is how he feels physically, his men would’ve been in worse shape, he thought.
‘I should rest for a while. Me and the men…’
If he were to rest, it would only result in him receiving late reports from his men.
However, as soon as Im So-baek decided, he heard footsteps outside and lowered his feet from the table.
Moments later, a guard reports.
“My lord, General Gongsun Wol has returned.”
Im So-baek answers with his eyes open.
“Let her in.”
“Yes.”
Gongsun Wol, who returned from the Mount Heng branch, comes in and salutes.
“Congratulations on your great victory, Leader.”
“Have a seat.”
Im So-baek, turning his head to relieve his stiff shoulders, looks at Gongsun Wol.
Gongsun Wol says,
“I came to see you because I have something to report on. I’m sorry you must be tired.”
“That’s okay.”
Im So-baek pours the tea on the desk himself and holds out the teacup to Gongsun Wol.
As she takes the teacup with both hands, Gongsun Wol says,
“Thank you.”
Seeing how tired the leader looks, Gongsun Wol gets straight to the point.
“Low-Down Sect Leader Lee Zaha and Family Head Sima Hak held an official duel.”
Glancing down at the black tea on his teacup, Im So-baek calmly replies,
“Why are they suddenly fighting? Did they argue during the meeting?”
Gongsun Wol takes a sip of tea and carefully puts down the teacup because it tastes surprisingly bitter.
“Low-Down Sect Leader arrived at the Mount Heng branch with all the loot possessed by Namak Sect, and the people who carried them were bandits.”
“Then?”
“An argument broke out when Family Head Sama tried to lock up the bandits. Low-Down Sect Leader suddenly said not to lock them up because they belong to the Low Down.”
As he refilled tea water back into his teacup, Im So-baek replies,
“Do you want more?”
“I’ll pass.”
“So, that’s the reason why they fought?”
“Yes.”
Im So-baek shoots down the tea water and replies,
“It’s no problem for a leader to recruit members. But does it have to be specifically those a part of the Green Forest Sect of Namak? This must be how Sima Hak picked the fight.”
“Yes.”
“What did the Low-Down Sect Leader say?”
“He said he killed the most bandits so he has the most say about this. He was the one who encouraged them to surrender and promised to spare them. When Sima Hak continued to outright ridicule him, Low-Down Sect Leader proposed a duel.”
“General Gongsun, why did the Sect Leader suddenly propose a duel?”
Gongsun Wol thought for a moment and replied.
“It seems he was sure that Family Head would accept the challenge. They have been on bad terms since the meeting.”
“I guess so. What was the result?”
“That’s been a bit of a problem. I was in a bit of trouble because Sima Hak protested and argued about this and that after the duel ended.”
“Did Low-Down Sect Leader fight meanly?”
“Shall I tell you the truth?”
“Don’t make up stories.”
With a focused look, Gongsun Wol says,
“Yes, Sima Hak even let him have the first offense.”
“That can happen since he’s a senior. Moreover, he’s way older.”
“Yes, but when Low-Down Sect Leader thanked him, he….”
Gongsun Wol raised her right hand like she was grabbing a ball.
“A bright red energy wrapped around his palm.”
Im So-baek looks at Gongsun Wol with a startled expression.
“What?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“No, keep talking.”
Gongsun Wol nods and explains,
“Then white energy flared in his left hand. This is where the problem comes. He had energy in both hands, but he didn’t make an attack. Since he said he would make the first attack, Sima Hak had no choice but to wait.”
“I suppose.”
“But then, Low-Down Sect Leader moved his hand like this and… like he’s making fun of him on purpose.”
“Are you sure?”
Gong sun Wol twirled her hands in the air.
“Yeah, moving as if he’s in a ballgame, muttering, ta-da-da, ta-da-da, boom-cha-cha….”
Alliance Leader Im So-baek blinked.
“Boom-cha-cha?”
“Yes. Then suddenly, he combined the energies like Taegeuk and threw the ball. In conclusion, ta-da-da and boom-cha-cha were very high levels of psychological warfare. The vibe was, ‘it’s a casual attack, why don’t you try blocking it?’”
Im So-baek couldn’t intervene since Gongsun Wol was so serious.
“…….”
“All of a sudden, a thundering sound rumbled in the air, and I could see dust rising from all directions and I could see Family Head Sima Hak in the air for a second. As the dust disappeared, Sima Hak was unconscious. When he came to his senses, he vomited blood during Qi circulation. It seems to me he vomited blood due to Low-Down Sect Leader’s constant mockery.”
Im So-baek sighs.
“He’s a little eccentric. He has both stubborn and sloppy sides to him. Low-Down Sect Leader killed more than 100 bandits in Namak with that torrent of energy. I’m amazed Sima Hak didn’t die.”
“Ah…”
“Did he reduce the power?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Im So-baek nods.
“At first the bandits were confident, but when 100 people were exterminated, they were dispirited. It was also the starting point for the great victory in the conquest match. But what did Sima Hak complain to you about?”
“He let him have the first attack, but it wasn’t fair to attack like that.”
“Really?”
Im So-baek nods and says to Gongsun Wol,
“That’s ridiculous. What did the Sima Clan even contribute to this alliance? They had an argument with the Low-Down Sect Leader, fought him once, and retreated. All they did was eat away in Mount Heng. Tell Sima Clan this right after your report.”
“Please go ahead.”
Im So-baek says,
“If you acquired a wretched defeat against your junior, it’s best to exterminate your clan. How dare you pester the general about this.”
Gongsun Wol was lost in thought for a while and answers honestly.
“Leader, the Sima Clan is in grief right now. Our relationship with the clan will be severed if I deliver your message as it is. Why don’t we let it slide? Of course, I will convey that the leader is displeased.”
“Is Sima Hak severely hurt?”
“Yes. his family members carried him and left after he vomited blood. According to the Mount Heng branch manager, he’s lucky to be alive. The branch manager of Mount Heng determined Sima Clan will have to select a new head in one to two years.”
Im So-baek nods.
“How unfortunate. Well, if that’s the case, lower the harshness and deliver it. They’re already grieving, then I shouldn’t add salt to the wound.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“Just in case, send a smart fellow nearby Sima Clan to watch for about 20 days. They might go into conflict with Low-Down Sect.”
“I understand.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Three wagons. Low-Down Sect Leader delivered the treasures and wealth of the Green Forest Sect brought by bandits carrying a bindle each. He said he’d like to deliver it to the leader and the members who worked hard… It was so sudden that I only received half of it and returned the rest to the Sect Leader. It should have gone through you first, but I was the only person in charge.”
“Half… you dealt with it well. We didn’t wipe out the pirates and bandits to extort their assets.”
“Yes.”
“Instead, convert the assets to silver ingots and distribute them accordingly to the members who worked hard in the conquest. Especially to those who contributed so that the orthodox forces were able to return safely. Deliver it well to Lord Mong Yeon of Wind Cloud Mong Clan. He was sent alone from Mong Clan but contributed largely in Tree Spirit Fortress. He was hiding his skills. Everyone is grateful because there were quite a few alliance members that were saved by Lord Mong.”
“I will arrange it accordingly.”
“Distribute all of them so no unnecessary assets are piled up in the alliance.”
“I’ll follow your orders.”
“Low-Down Sect has more mouths to feed, so it won’t be a problem if he takes half of the assets to take care of all of them. In terms of contribution, he has the greatest merit in Namak. Don’t bother to reveal the added finances to anyone so that the other forces don’t cause problems for them.”
“Yes.”
It hasn’t been long since he decided to rest, but Im So-baek gives an additional order.
“See if there are any other forces supporting the pirates and bandits in General Society(軍師會). Especially the quarters of Ghost Valley. Investigate the unorthodox forces that joined Tree Spirit Fortress. Quite a number of scums joined in this time. The leaders in the conquest will be looking into the specifics.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Problem is, I’m suspecting it was the Great Sage Sect who instigated this orthodox faction. We won’t engage in an all-out war for the time being but keep an eye on the situation. The orthodox forces’ involvement with the Tree Spirit Fortress was abrupt. Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.”
Gongsun Wol smacks her lips and looks at the teacup.
“By the way, sir, why is the tea so bitter?”
Im So-baek replies with an expression that he had forgotten.
“Ah, this is the medicine I take.”
“Sorry?”
“I have some depressive anger, so I’m drinking the prescription. If your master retires soon, you will face this soon too, so drink this in advance.”
Gongsun Wol replies with a thin smile.
“I don’t have this illness though?”
Im So-baek replies, clicking his tongue.
“General Gongsun, do Kangho affairs seem that easy to you? There are more people like Sima Hak in Kangho. This is why your master’s hair is turning gray. Take a look.”
General Gongsun rises from her seat and salutes.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Sit down.”
“Yes.”
Im So-baek points to the teacup with his finger.
“Drink it up and go.”
After her nostrils flare, Gongsun Wol grabs the teacup and pours the medicine into her mouth. Dry coughing, Gongsun Wol salutes.
“Have a good rest.”
Im So-baek waves his hand once and becomes alone again…
He takes a deep breath and breathes out again.
Im So-baek puts his feet on the desk again, leans back on the chair, and tries not to immerse himself in unnecessary thoughts.
Sometimes, there are days like this.
There were days when he couldn’t sleep all night due to his racing thoughts, and today seems like one of those days.
At times like this, you have to control your mind closely.
Clear your mind.
Erase your thoughts.
As he comes to mind from his sudden simplified head, Im So-baek mutters,
“Ta-da-da, ta-da-da, boom-cha-cha, boom-cha-cha…”
Im So-baek closes his mouth with a stoic expression. Afraid the guard outside overheard him muttering strange words, he stares at the door and coughs.
“Ahem…”
The escort outside asks,
“Leader, did you call for me?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“All right.”
Im So-baek thinks briefly and asks the subordinates outside.
“…Who are the senior officials who did not participate in the conquest this time and stayed in the alliance comfortably?”
“Except for administrative and executive officials, General Society Leader, Secret Pavilion Leader, leaders from Two Sword Squad, and the Cheonggyo Head. Also, Leader of the Elder Association.”
Im So-baek is lost in thought and replies,
“Tell them to have a drink with me tonight.”
“All right, shall I collect everyone together?”
Im So-baek shakes his head.
“It sounds weird to say collect. Tell them to gather. And don’t tell the elders from the Elder Association. Come to think of it, it’ll get tiring if they’re drunk.”
“I’ll leave them out and just deliver the news.”
After a while, Alliance Leader Im So-baek falls asleep.
.
.
.
Im So-baek, who had been asleep for an hour, quietly opens his eyes. His eyes are bloodshot. Im So-baek’s eyes are red because he is a man who never forgets the past.
Im So-baek, who met the subordinates of the marching forces in his dream, where he used to be the team leader, pours dark-colored tea into the teacup with an expressionless face.
Im So-baek, the leader of Murim Alliance, stares at the dark-colored tea for a long time.
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