Chapter 010
The Alliance Leader's chamber was one of the most important places in the Murim Alliance headquarters.
As usual, Jang Hyoun was reviewing documents detailing important Alliance matters—but his face showed a trace of irritation.
It was because of the message delivered earlier by a messenger from the Divine Peace Pavilion.
"Teacher Sugyeong is here, and I'm stuck wrestling with these piles of documents!"
Thinking that he would like nothing more than to burn them all with the Three Mysteries True Fire, Jang Hyoun glared at the documents whose contents refused to register in his mind.
Though he was an avid reader of "Wudang Sword Hero," he was first and foremost the Murim Alliance Leader. Naturally, he had duties to attend to. Prioritizing those duties over meeting Teacher Sugyeong was the proper attitude for someone in his position.
Of course, despite such rational thoughts, his expression grew increasingly distracted as time passed.
"Argh! I can't focus!"
Jang Hyoun tossed the documents aside and sank into his chair, pressing his forehead.
"Teacher Sugyeong has arrived, and I'm stuck here like this. How frustrating! If only I weren't the Alliance Leader!"
Being the Murim Alliance Leader was, as always, a headache-inducing position.
The Murim Alliance was a federation formed by countless orthodox sects. With representatives from each sect and elder-level figures too numerous to count on both hands, it wasn't called the Murim Alliance for nothing.
When just five people gathered, opinions diverged and emotional rifts quickly formed and deepened. How could there not be such problems when hundreds—no, thousands—rubbed shoulders?
That was why most documents that reached Jang Hyoun's desk were petitions requesting mediation for emotional conflicts between sects.
"Wudang again."
Jang Hyoun clicked his tongue.
Since "Wudang Sword Hero" had swept through the martial world, the number of young people seeking to join Wudang had surged. Naturally, the other sects of the Nine Major Schools continuously monitored Wudang's growth.
With Wudang riding the momentum of the novel, their influence wasn't merely rising—it was exploding.
"Shaolin is taking a step back, while Mount Hua and Qingcheng are reacting extremely…"
Jang Hyoun frowned.
"Hmm. What should I do about this?"
Shaolin, revered alongside Wudang as a pillar of the martial world, had few complaints. But Mount Hua and Qingcheng were different.
Wudang bore the titles "Heaven's First Taoist Gate" and "Divine Land's First Taoist School," inheriting the orthodox Taoist lineage. Now, empowered by the popularity of "Wudang Sword Hero," their prestige had skyrocketed.
Mount Hua and Qingcheng—both Taoist sword sects like Wudang—naturally reacted sensitively.
"Considering they were already overshadowed by Wudang's reputation… it's hard to say they're overreacting."
Jang Hyoun scratched his forehead.
Who could have imagined that a single novel would cause such a massive upheaval in Murim?
The fact that Wudang disciples had taken up swords again, and that countless youths were flocking to Wudang, was entirely because of "Wudang Sword Hero."
There were even rumors that Wudang should formally express gratitude to Teacher Sugyeong.
Jang Hyoun stared at the documents with a displeased expression.
"…What a headache."
With a sigh, he picked them up again.
Though he wanted to burn them all, he couldn't. Just as he forced himself to focus, a knock echoed at the chamber door.
Jang Hyoun raised his head.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Alliance Leader."
"Military Commissioner? Come in."
With permission granted, Jegal Yu entered.
Though he appeared no different from usual, Jang Hyoun noticed a faint trace of excitement on his face.
Naturally, Jang Hyoun set the documents aside.
"What is it, Military Commissioner?"
"Teacher Sugyeong has arrived. I personally escorted him to the Guest Reception Hall."
"I already knew that."
Jang Hyoun's face twisted slightly, clearly reproaching Jegal Yu for meeting Teacher Sugyeong while he himself remained buried in paperwork.
Jegal Yu smiled bitterly.
"Even if you glare at me like that, there's nothing I can do."
"I know."
Grumbling, Jang Hyoun leaned back.
"Did the teacher say anything in particular?"
"He was very impressed with Jin Un's statue. He praised it highly."
"Oh?"
Jang Hyoun burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! As expected—Teacher Sugyeong has a good eye!"
All that begging and pleading to Sailun of the Heavenly Craftsman Family had been worth it.
Jang Hyoun stroked his chin.
"Anything else?"
"He seems not to fully recognize the value that 'Wudang Sword Hero' holds. Almost as if he knows, yet wishes to deny it."
"Hmm… Teacher Sugyeong is an ordinary person, correct?"
"Yes."
An ordinary person—someone without martial talent. Someone who would be swallowed whole if cast into the waves of Murim.
Jang Hyoun pulled a copy of "Wudang Sword Hero" from the shelf beside his desk.
"Such a person wrote this…"
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"Did the Military Affairs Department investigate his background?"
"Nothing unusual. He worked at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency in Luoyang for many years. He never learned martial arts."
"Yet his descriptions are so vivid…"
"Perhaps it stems from his experience at the escort agency."
Jang Hyoun nodded.
"In any case, he's extraordinary."
"Indeed."
After returning the book to the shelf, Jang Hyoun stood.
"He's in the Guest Reception Hall?"
"Yes."
"Then I should go meet him."
Jegal Yu glanced at the mountain of documents.
Nearly eighty percent were trivial petitions.
"Please handle those documents for me."
"I'll have the Divine Peace Pavilion filter out the unnecessary ones."
"Excellent."
Clicking his tongue, Jang Hyoun left the chamber.
I'd rather swing my sword than drown in paperwork all day.
His steps quickened as excitement bubbled in his chest.
...
He was like a massive tiger.
That was Baek Sugyeong's first impression of Jang Hyoun.
A towering man worthy of the title "Mountain Lord." A Sword Sovereign who carried no sword—yet exuded the presence of one.
According to Kang Yupyeong, Jang Hyoun could manifest sword intent even barehanded.
A supreme peak master…
'I'm glad I didn't include realms like the Transformation Realm.'
Baek Sugyeong swallowed.
If he had written about realms like Transformation, Manifestation, or Life–Death, people might actually try to reach them.
Originally, the Transformation Realm hadn't even existed—it was born from novels that caused massive sensations.
'Absolute realm'… that used to be enough.
"I am Sugyeong."
"I am Jang, Murim Alliance Leader. I sincerely welcome you, Teacher."
Baek Sugyeong smiled bitterly.
These were people who ruled a world of swords and blood. Orthodox or not, they weren't that different from demonic sects.
Perhaps "Wudang Sword Hero" had at least reduced how often they drew their blades.
Taking a shallow breath, Baek Sugyeong met Jang Hyoun's gaze.
'…It's suffocating.'
The pressure was overwhelming.
Only Jang Hyoun's restraint allowed him to remain standing.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Alliance Leader."
"Hahaha! I've been counting the days to meet you!"
Jang Hyoun laughed heartily.
"Should I call you Old Master?"
"I'm not that old yet."
"Hahaha! True enough."
"Sugyeong is sufficient."
"I heard you dealt with illegal copies of my book."
"Simply the righteous thing to do."
"I never imagined the Alliance Leader would be my reader."
Jang Hyoun laughed.
"At first, I dismissed it. Thought it was useless."
"You're honest."
"But it changed my thinking."
Jang Hyoun's gaze sharpened.
"What were you thinking when you wrote Musang's teachings?"
"Teachings?"
Baek Sugyeong froze.
A chill crawled up his spine.
'…No way.'
"With your book, I overcame a wall."
"…What?"
"Without 'Wudang Sword Hero,' I couldn't have broken through."
Baek Sugyeong's face drained of color.
This is bad.
"…Teacher Sugyeong?"
Seeing his reaction, Jang Hyoun tilted his head in confusion.
Then he smiled.
"So—when is the next volume coming out?"
At that moment, Baek Sugyeong turned pale as marble.
'Save me!!'
A silent scream echoed in his mind as he stood frozen in place.
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📚 Author's Note:
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