Chapter 378

Chapter 378
## Chapter 378. The Overflowing Waves (3)

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The reception quarters of the Bureau of Infinite Information (*Mantong-bu*) was a space that the Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance rarely found a purpose to visit. To begin with, if a guest possessed a reputation grand enough to warrant a personal reception by the Chief Strategist, protocol demanded that the reigning Murim Alliance Leader welcome them directly at the Alliance Leader’s Palace. If the visitor fell short of that tier, a subordinate Hall Master or the Head of the Bureau of Infinite Information would handle the meeting themselves.

The only times the Chief Strategist would utilize this reception room were for audiences with the Elder Council or prominent authorities from the various sects. As a man who despised convoluted schemes and political maneuvering above all else, Zhuge-so-myeong preferred to conduct business inside his own office to ensure interactions remained brief, deliberately avoiding the reception hall.

Yet, as he observed the visitor who had successfully bypassed all those restrictive conditions, Zhuge-so-myeong felt a flicker of astonishment.

‘The Strategist of the Saheuk-ryeon…….’

During the initial formation of the Saheuk-ryeon, the premier riddle puzzling Zhuge-so-myeong and the Bureau of Infinite Information was the identity of the person who would assume the mantle of Chief Strategist. Figures such as Hyeol-noe, the Cold-Blooded Scholar, or Jam-ma certainly possessed the required expertise and background to fulfill the role, but they belonged to Zhuge-so-myeong’s own generation. Being older than the newly appointed Union Leader, Cha-seok-du, made them ill-suited to serve as advisors dedicated to supporting the leader.

Conversely, while individuals like Gwang-seo-saeng, Gwi-song-ja, or Cheon-tong-sal-in were of an appropriate age and experience level, they were plagued by volatile insanity and would have undoubtedly eroded the Saheuk-ryeon from within. Consequently, predictions favored figures like the Blood Buddha of the Demonic Cliff, the Red-Green Scholar, or the Thousand-Faced Heavenly Lord to claim the post, but…….

“I am Dam-ak, the Strategist of the Saheuk-ryeon.”

Shattering every single one of those projections, a scholar by the name of Dam-ak had ultimately taken the seat of Chief Strategist.

‘He is just as youthful as the intelligence suggested.’

Everything from his background to his remarkably tender age was striking. It was difficult to grasp that the pale, refined scholar seated across from him served as the mastermind for the chaotic and violent Saheuk-ryeon. Confounding the Bureau of Infinite Information’s calculations that the Saheuk-ryeon would require a minimum of three years to consolidate its authority, the syndicate had arisen as the epicenter of the unorthodox Murim in under two years. Furthermore, no one contested that the individual driving this phenomenon was the youth before him, Dam-ak, who was widely celebrated as the foremost intellect of the contemporary dark world.

What proved even more startling upon observing him face-to-face was:

‘Hmph…… Has he truly never trained in martial arts?’

What sort of realm was the *Gangho*, and what kind of environment was the Murim? It was a domain dictated by the law of the jungle, where even the most righteous justifications or flawless reasoning could be utterly pulverized by sheer muscle or authority. Even the White Path Murim, which proclaimed a devotion to justice, operated on these principles—rendering it a complete paradox how Dam-ak, a man completely devoid of martial training and lacking a formidable lineage, could manage the titans of the underworld, where such brutal tendencies were magnified tenfold…….

“Is there an issue with my appearance?”

Prompted by Dam-ak’s words, Zhuge-so-myeong snapped out of his contemplation.

“Ahem, not at all.”

As Zhuge-so-myeong scrambled to concoct a polite justification for his lapse in etiquette, Dam-ak offered a faint grin and pressed on.

“As I suspected, the White Path Murim maintains a distinct elegance. The majority of individuals I encounter tend to project an aura of fighting spirit (*Gyeok-gi*) right from the start.”

“…….”

Zhuge-so-myeong felt a touch of admiration at how the scholar seamlessly delivered a compliment while simultaneously projecting his own unshakeable poise. Scholars untutored in martial arts typically experienced an instinctual dread when facing martial masters. Yet.

‘Is he implying that he can steer me toward whatever conclusion he wishes, regardless of my strength…….’

This was undeniably a man whose personal defenses were virtually non-existent, yet he made no effort to conceal his vulnerabilities or adopt a false front. On the contrary, he openly exposed flaws, inviting the adversary to exploit his weak points. His strategy was likely to launch a decisive counterstrike the moment the opponent became overconfident, thereby securing his objective. For some inexplicable reason, the display reminded Zhuge-so-myeong of Jin-so-un.

‘He shares a resemblance with that boy. Though that boy possesses a far more wicked streak, actively baiting the adversary into targeting his vulnerabilities.’

He gave a slight, steady shake of his head.

“How could I display such insolence toward a visiting guest?”

Dam-ak possessed a degree of presence and audacity that defied his youth. Nevertheless, Zhuge-so-myeong was far too seasoned to be easily swayed by his visitor’s agenda. He resolved to capture the upper hand. When dealing with an opponent of this caliber, securing the initiative early on ensured a more manageable dynamic moving forward.

“Strategist Dam is no ordinary visitor, but a distinguished guest with whom we share numerous future endeavors, is he not? Furthermore.”

Zhuge-so-myeong lowered his tone, speaking with deliberate slowness.

“You are the very individual whom young So-un risked his life to protect.”

Zhuge-so-myeong initiated the strategic maneuvering by quietly evoking Gun-yu-hyeon’s past assassination plot against Dam-ak at the Saheuk-ryeon, alongside Jin-so-un’s life-saving intervention. Whether Dam-ak perceived the underlying motive or not, a faint smile drifted across his face. When he spoke, his voice carried a subtly relaxed resonance.

“I had been pondering when an opportunity would arise to pay my respects to Young Hero Jin…… This provided an excellent pretext.”

Believing his opponent was gradually falling into his rhythm, Zhuge-so-myeong began throwing more aggressive conversational weights to thoroughly dominate Dam-ak.

“The public will likely perceive that the Saheuk-ryeon has absolved its obligations to the Murim Alliance through this development. Granted, shielding the Chief Strategist from harm is not an act that can be fully squared away simply by showing up to a commencement ceremony.”

Despite the abrupt rhetorical thrust, Dam-ak merely offered a serene nod. His pitch remained entirely level.

“Well now. Those who lack the full picture might view it in that light…… but wouldn’t those privy to the truth argue that the Murim Alliance has already been amply compensated by the Saheuk-ryeon’s assistance during the ‘incident in Sichuan’?”

At the mention of the Saheuk-ryeon stabilizing the underworld during the Sichuan Blood Affair, Zhuge-so-myeong let slip a quiet grunt.

“Additionally, I have been led to understand that Young Hero Jin-so-un does not enjoy universal favor within the White Path Murim. The consensus among the masses regarding the events at the Saheuk-ryeon was not that ‘the might of the Murim Alliance was demonstrated,’ but rather that ‘the Murim Alliance was fortunate to possess such an exceptional prodigy.’”

Confronted by the masterful negotiation tactics of Zhuge-so-myeong, the scholar smoothly evaded the trap intended to suppress him, maintaining an unruffled demeanor.

“It appears the incident at the Saheuk-ryeon was not even deemed a particularly grand triumph for Young Hero Jin-so-un.”

Instead, he reversed the pressure, attempting to corner Zhuge-so-myeong. Though Zhuge-so-myeong recognized that taking the bait was unwise, he found himself without a superior counter-strategy and felt compelled to reply.

“Jin-so-un is already a celebrated prodigy representing the Murim Alliance in his capacity as the Academy Representative.”

“And yet, a figure of such caliber has not even been designated a formal post, have they?”

“That remains a consequence of domestic variables……”

“Ah. Domestic variables.”

Observing Dam-ak’s knowing nod, which implied he was fully aware of the underlying politics, Zhuge-so-myeong’s brow twitched. If this persisted, he would lose all leverage. Zhuge-so-myeong abruptly altered the course of the debate.

“And…… since Strategist Dam has raised the point, how can the crisis in Sichuan be interpreted solely as a gain for the Murim Alliance? Given that the entirety of the Murim was jeopardized by the Blood Cult, the underworld itself could hardly afford to act recklessly, could it?”

“Perhaps. Had the Saheuk-ryeon capitalised on the crisis in Sichuan, it likely could have solidified its domain a full year ahead of schedule.”

The reality that the Saheuk-ryeon had suppressed the underworld’s impulse to ‘assault the White Path’ during the Sichuan Blood Affair had undeniably provided massive relief to the Murim Alliance. Had the Saheuk-ryeon seized that window to exploit the Murim Alliance’s vulnerabilities and expand its influence, the Alliance would currently be fractured, locked in a perpetual war of attrition with the Saheuk-ryeon.

“If we view it through the lens of human growth, the Saheuk-ryeon is still akin to a youth. A trauma sustained during youth has a tendency to leave an enduring scar.”

“Is it not true that an individual only achieves genuine maturity by enduring trials? No matter how many years have passed, can one truly claim to be mature if their internal foundation remains hollow?”

“…….”

Dam-ak was implying that the more hardship the Saheuk-ryeon endured, the more indomitable it would become. For an instant, Zhuge-so-myeong wondered if this revealed Dam-ak’s core philosophy. Prioritizing the ultimate objective over the path required to get there, irrespective of the toll, was a standard mindset among those walking the unorthodox path.

‘Was this his inherent nature from the beginning? Or did he absorb this ruthlessness while surviving within the underworld?’

Yet, the core enigma persisted. If he had secured this mantle purely through audacity, the dark world boasted countless individuals with far more fanatical doctrines than Dam-ak. Empty bravado typically crumbled the moment a direct threat to one’s existence manifested. Zhuge-so-myeong quietly lowered the volume of his voice.

“There is a recurring delusion that individuals in positions of leadership often fall prey to. The absolute conviction that they personally will remain insulated from harm until the final curtain drops.”

“…….”

“For example, if the Saheuk-ryeon stands as an adversary to the Murim Alliance, would terminating their exceptional Chief Strategist during his attendance at the Murim Academy not serve as the ultimate strategy?”

As the words left his mouth, he covertly unleashed a wave of murderous intent. Psychological coercion coupled with the weight of raw Qi generates tangible physical stress, rapidly instilling terror deep within an individual’s psyche. This exact reality was why Zhuge-so-myeong had persistently maintained his martial conditioning, even at the cost of his rest.

Predictably, beads of perspiration began to form across Dam-ak’s brow.

“…….”

Regardless of how intricate a person’s calculations or how profound their resolve, their genuine threshold is laid bare when existence itself is balanced on a knife’s edge. Zhuge-so-myeong believed he had finally secured absolute control over the room.

“What say you? Is the Saheuk-ryeon……”

He offered a bright smile while scrutinizing Dam-ak’s expression.

“An adversary to the Murim Alliance? Or an ally?”

A suffocating stillness filled the reception quarters. Only after a protracted intermission did Dam-ak speak with absolute composure. The declaration that slipped past his lips was:

“Should I perish in this room, the Saheuk-ryeon could truly unite as one.”

The response completely upended Zhuge-so-myeong’s expectations. Having spoken his piece, Dam-ak softly closed his eyes. He made no attempt to offer further justifications or engineer an escape. He simply awaited his impending execution entirely devoid of panic.

The party caught off guard was now Zhuge-so-myeong himself. He could detect absolutely none of the primal ‘craving for survival’ that inherently defined any living being within Dam-ak. That detached perspective, operating on the premise that whatever transpired next was inconsequential, was entirely beyond his calculations.

In that precise moment, illumination dawned upon Zhuge-so-myeong.

‘So this was it.’

The hidden truth behind how Dam-ak could command and direct the monsters of the underworld, despite being a mere scholar who lacked even a fundamental grasp of martial arts.

‘I see…… it was this all along.’

He was treating not just others, but his very self as an interchangeable piece upon the board. It was not born from a calculation of greater profit. *Mu-shim* (No-mind). He executed it simply because it constituted the correct path. This rarefied level of scholarly dedication evoked a profound sense of awe in the observer.

‘To think an individual could scale such heights purely through intellectual cultivation.’

He felt a renewed appreciation for the sheer scale of the world.

“You have my apologies.”

Ultimately, Zhuge-so-myeong broke the silence. To brush the moment aside as a mere jest was impossible; his guest had spoken with absolute sincerity. The sole method to avoid a total loss of face was an honorable apology accompanied by a compromise. The reason the overlords of the underworld had ultimately been subdued by Dam-ak was undoubtedly their inability to lower their pride in a scenario like this.

Zhuge-so-myeong was far too intelligent to repeat their blunders. He inclined his head in a subtle bow.

“My attempt at humor crossed the line. I imagine I wished to observe firsthand how you navigate encounters with martial masters.”

Reopening his eyes, Dam-ak gave a slight nod, appearing entirely unfazed.

“I accept your concession.”

Zhuge-so-myeong conceded internally that he had no choice but to follow Dam-ak’s lead. His positioning had been thoroughly compromised by his opponent.

“Even if a formal alliance eludes us, I trust you recognize that we cannot permit ourselves to become adversaries.”

“I am aware. I understand there are numerous factions generating disruptions by masquerading as the Blood Cult and the unorthodox factions of late?”

The avarice within the White Path Murim was offering a perfect pretext for those biding their time, and Zhuge-so-myeong was determined to ensure the Saheuk-ryeon did not compound the turmoil.

‘Because the true tempest has yet to land.’

Until the Blood Cult exposed the entirety of its strength, a formal pact with the Saheuk-ryeon remained out of the question, yet pointless friction had to be curtailed.

“If we project even a superficial veneer of harmony between the Saheuk-ryeon and the Murim Alliance, those fabricating ties to the underworld will diminish to some degree.”

It served as a stern message to those exploiting the unrest to at least refrain from mimicking the Saheuk-ryeon. This time, Dam-ak offered a profound nod of agreement.

“I understand completely. That is the precise motivation behind my attendance.”

In the grand scheme of things, after a circuitous debate, the situation had evolved into the Murim Alliance requesting a concession from the Saheuk-ryeon. Zhuge-so-myeong fought to conceal the taste of frustration he was experiencing for the first time in an age. On the flip side, given that he was dealing with an individual capable of discarding his own life, guessing what demands he might make meant that indulging in fatigue was a luxury he could not afford.

Keeping his focus sharp, Zhuge-so-myeong questioned Dam-ak directly.

“What is the Saheuk-ryeon’s price? Commercial rights in the Northeast sector? Domain over the Shanxi territory? I state this purely as a boundary, but a ‘South for the White, North for the Dark’ division is entirely off the table.”

He established his boundaries with the willingness to concede the prior two options. In truth, it was more accurate to say he defined the sandbox of their ambitions so that they would perceive the Murim Alliance as granting a monumental concession.

Dam-ak remained perfectly unruffled. Just as Zhuge-so-myeong’s patience was reaching its absolute limit from watching him, the scholar slowly parted his lips.

“I require but a single concession.”

Zhuge-so-myeong took a tense breath. He braced himself for whatever astronomical terms were about to be levied…….

“Kindly permit us to honor the graduation of Academy student Jin-so-un under the banner of the Saheuk-ryeon.”

“…….”

Zhuge-so-myeong wondered briefly if his hearing had failed him, nearly tempted to clear his ears, but managed to restrain the urge. His mind immediately began racing at top speed. Forfeiting a golden opportunity to extract immense wealth in exchange for a mere ceremonial acknowledgement.

‘Yes, this must be…….’

Without a doubt, there lay a sinister, long-term calculation that had completely eluded his foresight.

“…….”

Yet, no matter how intensely he scrutinized the proposition, the underlying objective remained entirely opaque. Zhuge-so-myeong found himself confronted by one of the most perplexing riddles he had encountered since ascending to the role of Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance.