WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME NOVELS

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Former Supreme ◈

Chapter 38: To the Alliance (3)

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Once the decision to go to headquarters had been made, Im Chung and Beon Saeng became busy.

Im Chung, in particular, had much to do. He had to settle the branch's affairs and, above all, move house. Fortunately, his wife and son were accustomed to the wandering life of a Branch Chief's family, so they did not resist relocating.

There was one matter Im Chung found difficult to raise with Madam Joo.

"I'll have to start again as a Rank-and-file Martial Artist, not a Branch Chief."

The drop in position was one issue, but the immediate difference in monthly pay was substantial.

Though she understood that well, Madam Joo did not ask why he had to do it.

"It's all right. I'll be more frugal."

She was already so thrifty that Im Chung could not imagine how she could spend any less. He was certain that no one in the world had been more fortunate in a wife.

Madam Joo even encouraged him with these words.

"Let's raise Chan in a bigger world."

After hearing that, Beon Saeng declared to Im Chung that when he married, he would absolutely marry someone like his sister-in-law. Im Chung, whose whole world was his family and who never missed a chance to praise his wife, whispered in Beon Saeng's ear, "Be more cautious about marriage than a life-and-death battle."

During the few days they spent preparing to leave, Baek Socheon's routine did not change. He handled the branch's work, then trained in martial arts once he was done.

He repeatedly practiced the first three fists of the Heaven-Turning Nine Fists until they became completely ingrained in his body. He also worked even harder to strengthen his body, which would serve in place of internal energy.

Late that night.

After finishing another grueling training session and returning home, he found Cheon Geuk setting out food and drink on a daybed in the yard.

"What are you doing?"

"You're back?"

"What brings you here in the middle of the night?"

"Did you forget? I'm an assassin. This is when we're most active. Even if you dislike me, you like this, don't you?"

She shook the wine bottle she had brought.

"Have a farewell drink with me. You're returning to headquarters, aren't you?"

Im Chung and Beon Saeng were busy preparing to move, so it was hardly a secret.

"You even brought cups?"

She had brought not only cups, but serving dishes for the food as well.

"Wine tastes better when you drink it from good cups. The same goes for food."

It was fine wine, and the dishes had not simply been bought from some random inn. They were proper dishes prepared by a skilled cook.

The two sat across from each other on the daybed and drank.

"This wine is good."

"I saved it to drink on a good day."

To be honest, Cheon Geuk was not drinking because today was a good day. Destroying the Seven Sword Society was nothing compared to what lay ahead.

Watching Baek Socheon meet the Black Heaven Alliance Leader had made Cheon Geuk realize that war was close at hand.

Neither she nor Baek Socheon was fated to avoid the great upheaval in the martial world. She simply wanted to share a drink before it came.

"Are you going back too?"

"I have to."

"Take better care to uphold the Assassin Code from now on."

"All right."

They emptied another cup each. This time, Cheon Geuk asked,

"Are you confident?"

"Confident about what?"

"Going back to headquarters means you're going to give this your all, doesn't it?"

Baek Socheon smiled faintly. Ironically, the leader of the organization he had turned upside down understood his current feelings better than anyone else.

"I've always had confidence. The problem is that I don't have the strength."

"I believe you'll find a way. I'm not saying that to burden you."

Baek Socheon stared at her and suddenly asked,

"What's gotten into you? I can't spend a hundred thousand nyang in one night."

"Hah! Your misunderstanding is as great as your former strength."

Baek Socheon snickered as he drank. Cheon Geuk also emptied her cup with a pleased smile.

"Since we're talking about it, I'll confess something. Back when you put me in the position of Assassin King, I thought I wanted to sleep with you."

"Are you a sex fiend? At such an important moment, all you could think about was sleeping with a man?"

"A sex fiend? It's a healthy desire. You were impressive back then, you know. You were the strongest man under heaven."

"Do you not feel that way now because I'm not anymore?"

After a brief pause, Cheon Geuk asked,

"Is there a woman you like?"

"Why? So you can find her and kill her?"

"You and I aren't the sort of people who are passionate about romance. Why, do you like me by any chance?"

"I think you're attractive enough to sleep with. You're quite pretty."

"Attractive enough? Quite?"

Things no one else could get away with saying felt natural between Cheon Geuk and Baek Socheon.

"Do you know something? I've never slept with a man."

"Do you like me instead? Why lie in the middle of such a nice moment?"

"It's true."

"Really? Why haven't you until now?"

"I was chosen as the Assassin King's successor at a young age, so no one dared make a move on me. And fortunately, the previous Assassin King never touched me."

"What about after you became Assassin King?"

"The previous Assassin King had plenty of good points, but there was one thing I hated to death. Playing with young women, then killing them in the end. I couldn't act like that bastard too."

"Find yourself a proper man."

"Do you think that's easy?"

"True. Your standards are too low. Just look at you wanting to sleep with a man like me."

Cheon Geuk rose from her seat with a cheerful smile.

"See you again."

"Thank you for this."

His sincere thanks made Cheon Geuk smile. She knew this farewell would not be their last. In the turbulent martial world, under what circumstances would they meet again?

"Don't die... Who knows? If you stay alive, I might sleep with you once."

The moment she finished speaking, Cheon Geuk vanished without a sound.

Baek Socheon snickered.

Under moonlight that calmed his heart, he had received something close to a confession from the Assassin King. The wine had been good as well.

He flopped onto his back and said,

"Right. At worst, I'll die. What more is there?"

Baek Socheon had fought at the forefront of horrific battlefields. He had already transcended the fear of death.

Yet there was still one thing he truly hated.

War.

War had made him a hero, and it had also brought about his downfall.

He had endured it once, but he did not want to endure it twice.

Thinking of the Black Heaven Alliance Leader, Baek Socheon made a vow.

'Not killing me when you had the chance will be your greatest mistake. I won't let so many people die just for your ambition.'

As always, only the moon hanging alone in the sky witnessed Baek Socheon's resolve.

* * *

Ten days later, the three carriages carrying Baek Socheon's group arrived in Wuhan, Hubei Province, where the Murim Alliance headquarters stood. Two carriages carried their belongings, while everyone rode together in the remaining one.

Im Chung had sold most of his possessions and brought only what was necessary, enough to fit into one carriage. He did not want his move to delay their journey to headquarters, and he intended to make a completely fresh start through this opportunity.

He had money saved up, so he planned to rent or buy a cheap house on the outskirts and find some way to make a living. He did not regret it. If anything, he considered this change in his life an opportunity and welcomed it.

Wuhan was on a completely different scale from the small city of Wencheng.

"Wow! Look over there!"

Beon Saeng was so overwhelmed by the splendid city that he could barely think straight. The people passing by wore fine, stylish clothes, and there seemed to be several times as many people as there had been in Wencheng.

Im Chung did not show it outwardly, but he too was impressed.

"But where are we going now?"

Baek Socheon answered Beon Saeng's question shortly.

"Home."

"Home? Whose home?"

"My home."

"Oh, you had a house here too, Brother!"

The carriage carrying Baek Socheon's group entered an estate not far from Murim Alliance headquarters.

Once they got down and looked around, everyone exclaimed in admiration.

"It's wonderful!"

It had a main residence and an annex, large front and rear courtyards where they could train, and even a small garden.

Baek Socheon told them all,

"We'll live here together for a while."

"What?"

This was not the house where he had originally lived.

He had informed Zhuge Hyeon in advance and bought a new home. Everything around the Murim Alliance was expensive, not just property. Still, Baek Socheon had spent thirty thousand nyang on a large, clean estate.

If he had returned alone, he would have found a small house like the one he had lived in before. But Im Chung and Beon Saeng had come with him, and he had bought a larger place especially for Im Chung's family.

"You bought this house?"

"Yes."

"It must have been incredibly expensive."

"I have plenty of money."

"My goodness! You're rich too?"

Baek Socheon took the large room in the main residence, then gave the smaller room to Beon Saeng.

He gave the entire annex to Im Chung's family. He had given them the annex because they would feel too burdened if he offered them the main residence, but even that was incomparably more luxurious than their home in Wencheng.

"We can't accept such a great favor."

"I'm just giving you spare rooms. What favor?"

Baek Socheon spoke to Im Chung's wife, Madam Joo.

"Branch Chief Im is someone I need very badly, so I've brought you all the way to Wuhan. I'm sorry."

"No, it's all right. This is the first time in his life that I've seen my husband this happy. Please take good care of him from now on."

Madam Joo bowed politely and sincerely.

She also knew that her husband had begun to treat Baek Socheon as an elder brother, and that Baek Socheon was the decisive reason they had come here.

She had said only good things to her husband, but how could she not feel afraid?

Still, she entrusted everything to fate.

"I enjoyed the food you made before. If you have any extra side dishes now and then, please let me have some."

"Of course. Don't worry. Leave the household matters to me."

She understood that he was asking this so she would not feel burdened. Yes, if he was someone so considerate, then she could trust him.

Seeing Baek Socheon care even for his wife, Im Chung came to realize something anew.

From the time Baek Socheon had first come down to Wencheng until now, he had acted like a carefree idler. Yet when Im Chung thought back on it, Baek Socheon had never acted carelessly for even a moment.

How could someone who could not care about small things accomplish great things? Along with martial arts, Im Chung was learning how to live from Baek Socheon.

After they unloaded all their belongings from the carriages and moved them inside, Baek Socheon spoke to the two men.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"We need to see what your new jobs are like. Someone's waiting for us."

"Yes!"

While Madam Joo and Chan arranged the house, the two men followed Baek Socheon outside.

As they walked, Beon Saeng said to Im Chung,

"We really made it this far."

"We did."

It felt like they had been bewitched.

Im Chung especially had never dreamed he would give up his position as Branch Chief so easily.

"This is only the beginning."

"I'm nervous. I wonder who we'll meet from here on."

But they never could have imagined that the first person they met at the start would be Zhuge Hyeon.

Zhuge Hyeon was waiting for them at the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

"Welcome, all of you."

Zhuge Hyeon greeted the three with a pleased expression. Baek Socheon introduced the two men.

"These are the people who'll be working with us. Greet the Pavilion Master. This is the Sage Heaven Pavilion Master."

"I'm Im Chung."

"I'm Beon Saeng."

The two offered their greetings almost without thinking.

"Good to meet you. I'm Zhuge Hyeon."

Im Chung flinched and asked,

"Did you say Sage Heaven Pavilion Master just now?"

"That's right."

"The Sage Heaven Pavilion means..."

Im Chung's voice shook.

"That's right. I'm the Murim Alliance's Grand Strategist."

Im Chung and Beon Saeng jumped in shock. On the way here, Beon Saeng had worried to himself.

What if one of the martial artists guarding the main gate picked a fight with Im Chung and him, saying, "Where did these country bumpkins come from?" What would he do then? Should he ask Brother for help? Or should he shout back boldly?

Yet all those worries were rendered meaningless by the fact that the Murim Alliance's Grand Strategist had come out to greet them.

Naturally, both men turned their gaze to Baek Socheon.

Beon Saeng looked at Baek Socheon and said,

"You surprised people when you came down to Wencheng, and you're doing it again as soon as you return."

A Rank-and-file Martial Artist was returning to the Murim Alliance, and its Grand Strategist had come out to welcome him? Then again, this Rank-and-file Martial Artist was someone who met with the Assassin King.

"You're not just a Squad Leader, are you?"

Zhuge Hyeon smiled and asked Baek Socheon,

"You didn't tell them?"

"No."

Baek Socheon nodded.

"What do you mean..."

Beon Saeng unconsciously started to ask Zhuge Hyeon, then quickly shut his mouth. Normally, the Murim Alliance's Grand Strategist was someone he would not even dare look directly at.

"Come. Let's go inside."

Zhuge Hyeon and Baek Socheon walked forward shoulder to shoulder.

Im Chung and Beon Saeng followed behind with trembling hearts. Their new lives, filled with surprise, had only just begun.

Footnotes:

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