Chapter 466

Chapter 466
## Chapter 466. The Anxiety of Goodness (3)

—

Il-gak and I moved away to a secluded spot. The conversation we needed to have felt inappropriate for the ears of the entire gathering.

“Patron Jin, you are also required to take part in this investigation.”

“…….”

At present, I was associated with the Shooting Star Hall (*Yu-seong-dang*), a branch placed squarely under the All-Knowing Department (*Man-tong-bu*). Even though the hall lacked any actual staff besides myself, on paper and in reality, I held the rank of Hall Master (*Dang-ju*). Once an individual attained the status of a Hall Master, resolving internal matters within the Alliance typically took precedence over acting as an agent in the field.

My primary task should have been to properly construct and structure the Shooting Star Hall. That was undoubtedly Zhuge So-myeong’s underlying purpose when he established the branch and placed me in charge. He envisioned a completely autonomous entity, one insulated from the leverage of the Orthodox Association (*Jeong-do-hoe*), the White Path Association (*Baek-do-hoe*), or the Twelve Peaks (*12-bong-seong*).

Yet, despite being burdened with such a significant obligation, I was unable to return to the headquarters of the Martial Alliance…….

After sorting through the chaotic thoughts in my head, I directed a question to Il-gak.

“What exactly is the nature of this investigation?”

“It aligns precisely with what you are anticipating, Patron.”

“…….”

“Unlawful practices and the corrupt sorcery of the Demonic Cult.”

My dark premonitions proved entirely accurate. The previous ‘Purge’ assignment had collapsed. Because complications had emerged during that process, skeptics were bound to question the validity of the outcomes. Consequently, those who had actually committed transgressions were handed a perfect opportunity to defend and justify their actions.

If that was the situation, a glaring issue presented itself.

“Attempting to verify guilt through a formal inquiry at this stage will be an incredibly steep hill to climb.”

An action that previously could have been settled by decisive, unilateral judgment under the banner of a ‘Purge’—backed by extensive intelligence gathering—had transformed into a bureaucratic nightmare. Now, the adversarial party’s offenses had to be demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt in a public forum. And in any public forum, the accused would inevitably mount a fierce defense.

“We recognize the difficulty, and the Alliance is well aware of it too. Nonetheless, no alternative path remains.”

The clandestine operation orchestrated by the Martial Alliance had been compromised, leaving the perpetrators untouched and at large.

“In other words, they are deploying us on a mission while fully anticipating its failure.”

“…….”

Assigning an impossible objective under the guise of an achievable goal. A deep-seated, persistent spite was woven directly into the fabric of this directive. I found myself unable to comprehend why someone like Il-gak had been dragged into this mess. He was a practitioner of Shaolin, the absolute pinnacle of their vanguard. Was he not exactly the kind of premier prodigy that the Orthodox Association should be fiercely safeguarding? I couldn’t fathom why he was attached to a deployment so thoroughly rigged to end in disaster.

“And how exactly did my name find its way onto this roster?”

Furthermore, the hidden agenda behind looping me into this affair was entirely opaque. It made very little sense for the All-Knowing Department, my direct superior body, to willingly throw me into this particular dispatch unit. Given that bringing the Shooting Star Hall into active order was my fundamental responsibility right now, shoving me into external field assignments before that core structure was even established defied all logic.

“That is a detail we remain ignorant of as well. The official mandate simply instructed us to rendezvous with Patron Jin.”

“…….”

Not a single element of this situation was transparent. Yet, amidst the fog, one reality remained razor-sharp. If this endeavor imploded, the blade of accountability would swing directly at our necks.

Even so.

“I suppose there is no avoiding it.”

I was backed into a corner; compliance was the only choice.

“It is not as if a second option is laid out for us, is there?”

I stared at Il-gak, turning my head slightly askew. Speaking for myself, I possessed knowledge of the tribulations awaiting the world in the years ahead. I understood perfectly well that climbing the ranks or amassing merit points at this current juncture amounted to absolutely nothing.

“Why do you observe me with such an expression?”

Conversely, Il-gak—regardless of how much of a fraudulent…… no, a pious Buddhist monk he might be—remained bizarrely unbothered. Given that his prestige within the Martial Alliance would dictate his standing when he eventually returned to the folds of Shaolin, his level of tranquility was unnatural.

“Are you genuinely unconcerned about a mission that is practically dead on arrival? Do you have no anxieties regarding your professional standing and career path?”

“……Is there truly a lower abyss to plunge into than the White Wolf Pavilion anyway?”

“Ah! You make an excellent point.”

“…….”

Feeling a sudden prick of guilt under his resentful stare, I quickly turned on my heel and left the clearing.

The *Sa-je* prepared to journey toward the Martial Alliance.

“I will not ask you to refrain from stirring up trouble. ……Just ensure you do not get injured.”

“Monk Il-gak. I implore you to watch over our *Dae-sa-hyeong* with great care.”

“Please keep a tight leash on our *Dae-sa-hyeong* so he avoids causing any catastrophic incidents.”

To think that their elder brother had essentially been conscripted into a treacherous, volatile assignment, and their only reactions were these bizarre anxieties. What an ungrateful bunch of rascals.

At any rate, I set out alongside the representatives of the Dragon and Phoenix Association. These were all individuals I knew quite well, yet an undeniable oddity hung heavily in the air. We engaged in casual chatter and even shared our meals, but the persistent underlying friction refused to dissolve completely. I had foolishly assumed that the barriers separating us had largely disintegrated while we fought side-by-side for survival within the treacherous depths of the Silent Forest…….

Did they still harbor the sentiment that we belonged to entirely different spheres?

“That is highly unlikely to be the core issue.”

When I casually nudged Il-gak for his thoughts on the matter, he shook his head in disagreement.

“Is it not because of our choices that these companions find themselves stranded in a rather awkward predicament?”

“……Ah.”

The Dragon and Phoenix Association represented the absolute zenith of distinction within the training academies. It served as the ultimate emblem for the upcoming vanguard of the Jianghu, the very definition of youthful chivalry. In truth, rather than the specific individuals who filled its ranks, the title itself was a grand declaration that its members were the most brilliant talents, possessing boundless future capability.

However, because a significant portion of the top-tier graduates flatly declined to enlist in the Dragon and Phoenix Association, choosing instead to scatter into alternative departments, individuals of lower ranking inadvertently moved up to fill the void. Consequently, it was only natural that the broader martial arts community, filled with people who relished petty gossip, frequently disparaged this specific iteration of the Dragon and Phoenix Association as nothing more than an imitation.

‘*Tch*.’

It was an unpalatable narrative to contemplate, though it didn’t particularly move my heart or inspire grand sympathy either. Ultimately, they had merely seized a golden avenue of advancement when the opportunity presented itself down the line. I was hardly unoccupied enough to lose sleep over their bruised egos regarding public rumors.

“Well, they will simply have to navigate that burden on their own.”

“……Patron Jin.”

“What? Did someone press a blade against their throats and compel them to join the Dragon and Phoenix Association?”

“…….”

At the very least, I certainly hadn’t forced them.

As the passing days served as a soothing balm and our journey stretched on, the initial social friction began to thaw. In reality, they shared a history of intense camaraderie from their time spent in the Life-and-Death Unit. Furthermore, regardless of the whispers echoing behind closed doors, hadn’t they secured exceptional academic records just to qualify for the Dragon and Phoenix Association in the first place?

To be perfectly candid, it wasn’t as though I was completely devoid of personal sentiment regarding the Dragon and Phoenix Association either. Throughout my childhood in my previous existence, my grandest aspiration was to stride proudly as a member of that elite association, mirroring the exact fantasies harbored by every youngster training in local martial arts schools. Even when I matured to an age where such aspirations felt naive, it remained an object of profound admiration—so much so that my pulse would race and sleep would evade me whenever rumors spread that the Dragon and Phoenix Association was paying a visit to the Tae-eul Sect.

If, during my early youth, the mere sight of them operating under a chorus of vague adulation and reverence was simply captivating, my desires mutated after I gained a harsher understanding of reality. I coveted the position even more precisely because I envied the boundless privileges, wealth, and status afforded to them.

“Hehe.”

“……? What brings that smile to your face?”

“I was merely reminiscing about my younger days.”

“……Patron Jin is still quite young.”

“Listen here, back in my time……”

“…….”

This is precisely why I detest exchanging words with individuals who lack perspective, *tch*.

In any event, one only had to look at our respective wardrobes to spot the stark contrast. While Il-gak and I traveled in completely mundane, ordinary clothes, the members of the Dragon and Phoenix Association were draped in breathtaking, exquisite ceremonial attire. They exuded the unmistakable aura of high-born aristocracy overflowing with elegance, appearing as though they had just stepped out of a masterpiece painting. Compounding that, their travel allowances, wardrobe stipends, and monthly operational grants far eclipsed the standard compensation of a typical Alliance officer. It was a lifestyle where one donned the finest fabrics, consumed gourmet delicacies, and enjoyed reverent hospitality wherever their feet took them.

‘I was once that naive as well.’

Reflecting upon it now, those were thoroughly superficial aspirations, yet during that era, I yearned for them with every fiber of my being.

‘What was the point of that shallow thirst for recognition anyway?’

I had navigated life completely oblivious to how truly fortunate I was until the flames of conflict finally erupted. And in this current lifetime, I willfully walked away from the Dragon and Phoenix Association to pursue matters of genuine, monumental significance.

“Oh! Look over there! It is the Dragon and Phoenix Association!”

The moment our group crossed the threshold into the settlement, the local populace abandoned their chores and shifted their undivided attention toward us.

“Oh? It is actually them!”

“Waaaaah! The Dragon and Phoenix Association has arrived!”

Behaving as though the mere presence of the association within their borders was a historic privilege, the villagers frantically broadcasted the news. The local children, who had been observing the procession with dumbfounded expressions, snapped out of their daze and scrambled toward their residences. When they reappeared with hurried steps, their tiny fingers tightly gripped whatever materials they could find—scraps of fabric and sheets of paper.

“C-Could I possibly request your formal signature?”

“M-Me as well! If you please. I harbor aspirations of enlisting in the Dragon and Phoenix Association when I come of age.”

Whether the representatives of the association had grown accustomed to these grand receptions over time, they extended warm courtesy, fulfilling the children’s pleas and offering brief words of encouragement. Following the interaction, the youths stood frozen with mesmerized expressions, looking as though they had just encountered divine beings, before rushing off to boast to the rest of the neighborhood.

Yet, amidst the adoring crowd, an disruptive encounter occurred.

“Ack!”

An individual had abruptly yanked a fistful of Danmok Gyo-ryeon’s hair. The jovial mood turned freezing cold in a split second. The culprit behind the aggressive pull was a disheveled, unwashed young girl.

“Mother?!”

The youth, whose face was heavily smeared with dark soot, let out a bewildered cry upon gazing at Danmok Gyo-ryeon. Sensing the danger, the surrounding villagers swiftly pulled the child away and bowed their heads in deep apology.

“We beg for your forgiveness……! The child’s mother recently perished in a terrible disaster, and whenever she spots anyone donning a crimson headband……”

“Ah…… please, do not worry. Little one, you have endured a truly horrific nightmare. How deeply tragic.”

Danmok Gyo-ryeon, who had initially smoothed over a grimace, softened her expression, nodding gracefully to signal her lack of offense before gently patting the child’s head. Witnessing that display of magnanimity, the crowd’s adoring reverence for the Dragon and Phoenix Association swelled to even greater heights. An elder among the residents took custody of the traumatized child and guided her away, and thanks to Danmok Gyo-ryeon’s elegant handling, harmony was swiftly restored.

“The monastic figure accompanying them is……”

Furthermore, it quickly became apparent that the Dragon and Phoenix Association did not hold a monopoly on public recognition.

“Hold on, is that not Monk Il-gak hailing from Shaolin?”

“I believe your eyes do not deceive you.”

“Indeed! It is the Vajra Monk himself!”

“Word travels that he purged the undead jiangshi within the borders of Sichuan!”

The townspeople began chanting Il-gak’s name. I found myself completely stymied by the sheer mystery of how these ordinary folks managed to differentiate and identify individual monks from the Shaolin Temple, considering they all possessed shaved heads and donned identical monastic vestments.

“Amitabha……”

“Are you truly the renowned Monk Il-gak?”

“Indeed, this humble servant of Buddha is called Il-gak.”

“Incredible! Holy master……! It has been my lifelong wish to cross paths with you!”

While the contingent welcoming the Dragon and Phoenix Association had comprised mostly children and teenagers, an older demographic of middle-aged and elderly townspeople swarmed around Il-gak. They pressed their palms together in prayerful gestures, begging to receive a sermon or blessing. Because of this, the congregation grew denser by the moment. Reluctantly preparing myself for the impending chaos of fan interaction, I reached into my robes to retrieve my writing utensils.

*Whew*, my personal notoriety ought to far eclipse the combined prestige of the Dragon and Phoenix Association and Il-gak.

“Truly, carrying such immense talent is a heavy cross to bear.”

As I verified the consistency of the ink within my compact stone container and assessed the tip of my brush.

“…….”

The sea of bodies grew even more suffocating. Yet every single soul pressed forward exclusively toward the young heroes and Il-gak.

“……?”

Before I could fully process the shift, the sheer momentum of the crowd jostled me aside, leaving me stranded quite a distance away from my traveling companions.

‘……What is the meaning of this? Have my calculations failed me?’

Deploying the agile footwork of the Tae-eul Eight Myriad Divine Steps, I attempted to wedge myself back through the wall of bodies. Immediately, a piercing, irritated reprimand cut through the air. As expected, they must have finally identified my grand presence and——

“Stop cutting the line, you rascal!”

“……???”

Having been aggressively shoved out of the queue once more, I cast a bewildered look back toward the Dragon and Phoenix Association and Il-gak. They appeared utterly overwhelmed, desperately attempting to manage the suffocating sea of people and the endless barrage of requests for signatures. Yes, every single person was occupied, excluding myself.

“Hey! Il-gak!”

“…….”

“Il-gak!”

When I elevated my voice to a sharper pitch, Il-gak finally turned his head in my direction.

“Where did we secure our reservations for the night?”

“Ah! We are staying at the Boryeong Inn.”

Having dropped that quick response, Il-gak immediately immersed himself back into his exchanges with the villagers.

“Il-gak! What is on the menu for our evening meal?”

“……Would you mind selecting whatever suits your palate?”

No, under normal circumstances, even when I explicitly ordered him to cease, he would incessantly pester me with ‘Patron Jin,’ ‘Patron Jin.’

“Hey! Il-gak!”

“……Patron Jin. What could you possibly require now?”

As a distinct note of exasperation crept into Il-gak’s tone, the focus of the surrounding crowd naturally shifted toward my position. I cleared my throat to command the space.

“*Ahem*, so that implies that I, Jin. So. Un., am granted full authority to select tonight’s cuisine, correct?”

“…….”

Il-gak’s expression turned incredibly complicated. In that exact heartbeat, a collective gasp of horror rippled through the gathering.

“Jin…… So-un?!”

“If the name in question is Jin So-un……”

The previously boisterous marketplace instantly plummeted into a suffocating, dead silence, and the villagers began taking frantic steps backward, creating a wide berth.

“Haha, precisely. I am indeed Jin So——”

“T-The Black Flame Dragon?!!!”

Hold on, just wait a minute, what sort of ridiculous misunderstanding is this? The grown-ups were retreating in pure terror, while the toddlers suddenly erupted into synchronized wailing.

“If he is the Black Flame Dragon, does that not mean he is the Black Maitreya?”

“T-The Black Maitreya…… Waaaaah! Forgive me, I will be good!!!”

In a flash, the immediate vicinity deteriorated into utter pandemonium. The massive gathering that had accumulated like dense storm clouds scattered like chaff in the wind within seconds. Soon enough, upon the open road.

“…….”

Our group stood completely isolated.

“What just occurred……”

“…….”

“What in the world was that……”

“Word has spread that if an individual utters a falsehood, the Black Maitreya perceives the deceit instantly.”

“…….”

“Furthermore, rumors dictate that the Black Flame Dragon abducts children who indulge in lies.”

“…….”

Setting the utter absurdity of the folklore aside. In the first place, they really ought to settle on either ‘Black Maitreya’ or ‘Black Flame Dragon.’ Why on earth were these two distinct titles bandied about as though they belonged to two entirely separate entities?

“It appears to be a local fable fabricated for the explicit purpose of instilling discipline in youth. I advise you not to dwell heavily upon it, Patron Jin.”

“Damn it, how am I supposed to just ignore this?”

“……Regardless, does this not still technically qualify as a manifestation of widespread renown?”

“I never asked for this specific brand of infamy!”

Because superficial reputation offers absolutely zero tactical advantage when the drums of war begin to echo. Yes, I am willfully discarding it. I am not harboring a single shred of disappointment!

“Do not let your spirits fall……”

“My spirits are perfectly fine!”

“*Ahem*……”

The time had arrived to pivot our attention toward our actual assignment.

“Where is our initial investigation location?”

Locked inside my memories was a precise catalog of various martial sects that had abruptly vanished from the face of the earth around this exact period during my previous life. They were almost certainly the identical entities targeted by the Investigation Hall’s ‘Purge’ in that timeline. My strategy was to cross-reference those doomed factions with our current assignment list to achieve a clear verification. I had absolutely no intention of letting this investigation, which was systematically designed to fail, simply collapse without a fight.

Above all else, I harbored a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who clandestinely dabbled in forbidden sorcery. Given that I remained blind to the exact brand of catastrophic sabotage they might unleash when the grand conflict erupted, I could not afford a single misstep right out of the gate.

“Our destination is the Tang-hyeon Sect.”

However,

“The Tang-hyeon…… what?”

The exact instant the title of the Tang-hyeon Sect reached my ears, my thoughts snarled into a knot. It was an undeniable fact that during this specific timeframe in my previous existence, that particular organization ceased to exist.

“…….”

Yet, their eradication had not been engineered by the hands of the Black Coffins.

“It also happens to be the faction that commands the absolute highest degree of wealth and influence throughout this entire province.”

Because they were the exact organization that had been utterly annihilated in the past by a vengeful crusade launched by the Wang Manor, an assault triggered entirely by the mysterious abduction of Wang So-so.