784 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The Greatest Martial Artist’s Childhood Friend Chapter 784: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive * Thud—! As soon as Muk Yeon spoke, there was a stir from one side. "What on earth...!" "Muk Strategist! What on earth are you saying!" Two figures, specifically the leaders of the Golden Dragon Division and the Iron Dragon Division, slammed the table and stood up. Their expressions were filled with intense displeasure. "Not recruiting from within but bringing people from outside?" "That goes against the principles of the alliance! How could you do such a thing?" Their resolute stance showed that they would not tolerate this. Or perhaps, they were expressing disbelief. "What exactly do you mean!" A burly man with bulging muscles. Cheong Eui-Hwan, leader of the Golden Dragon Division, shouted. His face vividly displayed his emotions. However. "Muk Strategist—!" "Leader of the Golden Dragon Division." "...!" As Muk Yeon looked at him and called quietly, the boisterous Cheong Eui-Hwan soon pressed his lips together tightly. ‘Oh.’ At that sight, my eyes widened slightly. Muk Yeon was clearly an ordinary man without any internal power. Meanwhile, Cheong Eui-Hwan had reached the level of transcendence. Even though he had achieved considerable prowess, he immediately quieted down at the old man's call. Could such a scene even be possible? Yet it was a presence that was no joke. Muk Yeon's mere glimpse was enough to make it seem plausible. A frail, slender, and sickly old body. A light touch could shatter it into pieces. It should have been an opponent not even worth being afraid of, yet “Please calm down. The same goes for you, Leader of the Iron Dragon Division.” The presence that Muk Yeon exuded made such thoughts impossible. I knew nothing about this old man. Only his accolades and history led me to understand he was great. I barely grasp Muk Yeon, but even I could feel that this old man was extraordinary. I wondered what those who had watched from beside thought. "...Grrr..." Even the Golden Dragon Division leader, who had been incensed moments ago, and the Iron Dragon Division leader bit their lips and took their seats again. 'Amazing.' How could he manage such a scene? Even Cheon Yuranga in my previous life had a similar presence. How many experts fell for his words like moths to a flame? However, Cheon Yuranga always had the Celestial Demon behind him, forcing the experts to listen. They, too, knew. They understood that Cheon Yuranga's words offered a high probability of victory. Some bet their lives on just that. It was no different for Muk Yeon. Of course. ‘Without power, you can't achieve anything.’ It was a shape I found difficult to comprehend. If you call it a kind of power, then perhaps it is. ‘Ultimately. You need substantial power.’ No matter how intelligent or brilliant a mind you possess, In front of power that disregards all else, it becomes meaningless in the end. My conclusion was always this. Muk Yeon's words had momentarily calmed the atmosphere, but nothing was resolved yet. "However... Muk Strategist. Your statement is utterly preposterous." "That's right. Even as a strategist, your words are difficult to accept." Reactions of sheer rejection. It was inevitable. ‘Finding it hard to accept that they are directly chosen through tests.’ The factions of the alliance are eight. The number is maintained as some have fallen, but only the best of the best enter the Sword Division, even when the number is eight. Non-affiliated warriors must join the alliance and build skills and a reputation to enter the Sword Division. In such a situation, to suddenly pluck a youngster from outside and appoint them? "And bring the members from outside? To them, it was unfathomable. And indeed. "Yes, that's right. It is preferential treatment." It was indeed preferential treatment. "...Strategist...?" At Muk Yeon’s candid statement, everyone wore bewildered expressions, except for Muk Yeon and me, who remained expressionless. "The matter with the Star Dragon Division is indeed preferential treatment." "Are you acknowledging this...?" "There is nothing to acknowledge. Leader of the Iron Dragon Division. It was required in the process of appointing the Star King as the division leader." "How could that be—!" "It's the alliance's intent." "...!" The Martial Alliance's intent. Upon hearing those words, the expression of the Iron Dragon Division leader twisted. "It was the expressed intention of the leader and confirmed through the meeting of the internal elders." "Such..." "I ask you this. Is there any remaining manpower that can be drawn from other squads to form the Star Dragon Division?" "..." No one responded. The implication being: does anyone have personnel that can be moved from their own division to the Star Dragon Division? "To be more precise... I'm asking if there is any division head who can allocate fourth-grade or higher personnel." "Fo-Fourth grade personnel, you say!" The Golden Dragon Division leader urgently exclaimed. Fourth grade. It is the rank obtained upon entering the Martial Alliance. The lower the number, the higher the value, with division heads designated as first grade and squad leaders as third or second grade. Fourth grade implies the most elite of the elite. It suggests the level should surpass even transcendence. "Transferring fourth-grade personnel to another division is absurd." "Yes. It is indeed absurd. Hence, the Star Dragon Division will be composed of external personnel." "Rather. Couldn’t we send those still unaffiliated?" "Leader of the Iron Dragon Division. Have you forgotten why the Star Dragon Division was created?" A dedicated unit for the dark sect. With a declaration for a clean-up under the guise of war, even for show, the Star Dragon Division couldn't be filled with half-capable individuals. Fourth-grade members represent transcendent levels. Such figures are a rare and precious asset even within the divisions. And to send them here? ‘How could they dare?’ No one would send them unless forced. Ah. For the record, requesting outsiders was one of my conditions. It was one of the several terms I added when Muk Yeon suggested bringing me on board. ‘If I become the division leader, I want to personally select my Sword Division members.’ That was my desire. I could accept the condition of holding tests under the guise of meritocracy, even if it meant I couldn't select every position myself and had to accept a few members designated by the alliance. Given this, it was no surprise there was opposition. ‘These people aren't concerned about the alliance's traditions or history.’ To them, my intention was clear: I would form the Sword Division as I saw fit, and they should stay out of it. With this approach, the structure of my Sword Division could grow considerably. While I didn’t know exactly how things would turn out, it was unlikely a small Sword Division would form. Their intense opposition could be traced back to this concern... ‘They are already upset, how are they going to handle what comes next?’ If this minor point riled them up, I wondered how they'd respond to the following discussions. I silently observed as the situation unfolded. “This issue has already been decided. I won't entertain further discussions on it.” “Strategist...!” “And one more thing.” Regardless of the division leaders' protests, Muk Yeon maintained an unyielding stance, which struck me with a sense of unease. ‘Can he go this far and be okay?’ Even considering Muk Yeon's considerably high position, acting so defiantly seemed risky. Just as these thoughts crossed my mind, “Except for the Blue Dragon Division, one of the currently maintained divisions will assist the Star Dragon Division in carrying out its duties.” Muk Yeon added, and the heat in the room suddenly dissipated. Everyone turned rigid as if frozen. The once heated atmosphere turned cold as if a chilling wind swept through. Was it a misunderstanding? Everyone pondered with suspicions in their eyes. “…Strategist.” Amidst this, Cheong Eui-Hwan spoke with a hardened expression. “What... what do you mean by this?” A gravity unmatched by the earlier discussion. His voice was laden with anger and tension. Cheong Eui-Hwan struggled to continue speaking as if he might explode at any moment. “Are you saying we should serve under the Star Dragon Division?” “Not serve, but assist—” “Isn't that the same thing!” Bang—! He roared in fury, slamming his hand down on the table. Boom—! The table shattered under his strength, and Cheong Eui-Hwan glared at Muk Yeon with burning eyes. Indeed, Cheong Eui-Hwan's interpretation was accurate. The word ‘assist’ was merely a euphemism for subordinating the Star Dragon Division. Which was why it was astonishing. ‘Has this old man gone mad…?’ How could he voice such a notion so openly? I expected him to couch it in more diplomatic terms, yet Muk Yeon hurled it directly at the division leaders. Backing up the Star Dragon Division. This was also an item I had included in my terms. A division leader traditionally receives certain orders upon ascending to the position. Of course, these include managing their own Sword Division. A particularly notable power is... ‘The authority to mobilize regional branches.’ There was also the power to transfer command rights to a regional branch. Although a branch manager governs the branch, they must comply if the division leader from the main alliance orders it. There are other matters as well, but nothing of greater importance. So, I asked for the power to mobilize a division if I were to become a division leader. The answer was naturally a rejection. They must have believed they couldn't endure the backlash from other division leaders. It was to be expected. Still, I didn't simply accept the refusal. I declared that I wouldn't proceed without this concession. Muk Yeon proposed to resolve it not by granting command rights but by assigning support under that title. Yet now... ‘Would he really announce it like this?’ Though the terminology varied, it essentially conveyed that they were to act as subordinates. “The fact that someone with no discernible abilities has become a division leader and is receiving special treatment, I understand. But to treat us like this—!” To speak of someone with no discernable abilities. Hearing this, I chuckled to myself. ‘As expected, I suppose.’ It appears my appointment was disagreeable to them after all. Cheong Eui-Hwan, unable to contain his wrath, was grinding his teeth continuously. Even the Iron Dragon Division leader appeared ready to storm out at any moment. ‘I wonder how Muk Yeon is planning to handle this.’ I was eager to see how Muk Yeon would address this situation. If he could manage even this, he was truly an extraordinary character. Curiosity prompted me to watch him. ‘Hmm?’ As I turned my gaze, I found Muk Yeon looking at me. Why was he looking at me when Cheong Eui-Hwan and Eun Lang-geom were reacting so vehemently? What was his intention in observing me? I continued to gaze into Muk Yeon's eyes. ‘Ah.’ Perhaps. A fleeting thought crossed my mind, and as it connected to that, it all felt intertwined. Tap... Tap. Tap. Muk Yeon tapped on the table three times, lightly. “Ha.” Seeing this, I concluded that my suspicions were correct. ‘Is this old man…?’ If my hunch is correct, the confrontation with Ilcheonggeom earlier and right up to this moment were all part of the old man’s scheme. If I connect this to the third condition I had laid out, it made perfect sense. "...Haha." Realizing this, laughter bubbled up within me. "...?" As I laughed audibly, curious glances turned my way. I tried to suppress it, but I couldn't help it. "Wow, truly impressive." "...What?" Cheong Eui-Hwan furrowed his brows at my reaction. "...What's so funny?" "Isn't it amusing?" I responded, chuckling as I slowly stood up. Though I felt annoyed for being played, I thought it might be fine to play along for a bit. With that thought, I spoke to the Cheong Eui-Hwan before me. "It's honestly laughable how worthless people like you are so busy trying to secure your own bowls." "What did you say?" "What are you talking about—!" "If you get to assist us, you should be grateful you know your place." Screeching sounds echoed as I cleared the table in front of me and looked at Cheong Eui-Hwan and Eunlang Geom, then the other division leaders. "It seems you’re misunderstanding something. You're not being put under me." I shook my head, looking forward. "I'm merely accepting worthless people like you." Roar—!! As soon as the words left my mouth, a fierce energy erupted. It came from directly in front of me: from Cheong Eui-Hwan. "You bastard." With a rough curse, his explosive aura began to intensify. “Is it because you’re flattered that you think the world belongs to you? Watch your mouth.” “You’ve got it precisely.” Step by step. I ignored the rising tension and continued walking. I didn't rush my pace. “Maybe being indulged like some division leader has made you out of touch with reality.” “This brat is utterly...!” Thwack—! “…!!” Cheong Eui-Hwan, who had been reaching for his sword, widened his eyes. His hand was flung away, unable to even touch the hilt. I had swung my arm to knock it aside. "Don’t be mistaken. Even if you knelt and begged, someone like you wouldn’t be accepted." Clang—! Eun Lang-geom, standing nearby, drew his sword at that sight. I took a few more steps forward, unfazed. I reached the center of the room. There were some tables around, but I paid them no mind. Standing at the center, those who watched me with hostility. “Seems like there's a lot of dissatisfaction about someone like me becoming a division leader.” I wiggled my fingers and spoke to them. “Come on, one at a time. I'll make sure there’s nothing to complain about.” I said it with a bright smile. Immediately, Rumble— Killing intent surged from all around.