Chapter 566

Chapter 566

It wasn't a question meant to hear an answer from the start. Taoist Bok-cheon spoke the answer to it himself with emphasis.

"Great Hero Jin, for the fair martial world you desired, you must step aside! That's reality."

Taoist Bok-cheon's words were correct.

Jin Ja-gang is too strong. Even if countless tributaries of justice combine to form the Yangtze River, Jin Ja-gang has the power to change the current itself. He can control the martial world alone.

One-man martial world.

Even if the entire martial world attacked, they couldn't defeat Jin Ja-gang.

However.

"What's the problem with that?"

Tap Tak-yeon sneered as if scolding.

"Poison Dragon... no, Great Hero Jin has already proven his great cause. When that great cause is already right, what need is there for other bastards' causes?"

"There is a need!"

Taoist Bok-cheon said firmly.

"When Great Hero Jin suffered injustice and threw out his cry to the world, no one believed it at first either. Shandong's Wishful Fairy Maiden also cried out her injustice, but no one believed her. However, now all those words have been revealed as truth. Right or wrong, any bastard under heaven should be able to speak their words. That's a proper world."

Taoist Bok-cheon strongly advised Jin Ja-gang.

"Great Hero Jin, don't turn away from what you yourself experienced."

Tap Tak-yeon awkwardly scratched his face.

"No, listening to the Taoist's words, it seems right... but also seems wrong... I'm suddenly confused."

Sichuan's sects gained the right to speak and said.

"The Qingcheng Sect's Taoist's words have merit. But the wounds remaining in the martial world are great. A leader is needed to tend to those wounds."

"Correct. Someone must step forward and organize things. We can't just watch the martial world's chaos like this."

"And frankly, who besides Great Hero Jin could become Alliance Leader? Whoever it is will be under Great Hero Jin's influence, which wouldn't be good."

Their words weren't wrong either.

After Tang Ha-ran heard all their words, she looked around at the others and asked.

"I know there are others with different opinions. I will listen attentively to any opinion. Please speak freely without reservation."

Only then did those carefully siding with Taoist Bok-cheon come forward.

"I came from Neijiang's Bamboo Forest Sect. Since the family head permitted it, though this is a difficult position, I will speak. The Alliance Leader must embrace all sects of the orthodox martial world and be able to walk a unified path. Great Hero Jin has many enemies. Too much blood has been seen to ascend to Alliance Leader."

Another also expressed agreement.

"Great Hero Jin's martial arts have already reached Heaven Above Heaven. Touching the sky above the sky. The will he possesses is also excellent. However, stagnant water eventually rots. Even in martial world history, the same thing happened several times. Alliance leaders who initially had righteous causes and excellent political ability eventually became incompetent and corrupt over time."

Sects supporting Jin Ja-gang becoming Alliance Leader immediately rebutted.

"Your words aren't wrong either, but following those words, there's only one way for Great Hero Jin not to influence the martial world."

Everyone knew that method.

Retirement.

"But Great Hero Jin is young and retirement is early. How can you tell someone just beginning to spread their wings to clip them? Are you forcing him to retire from the martial world?"

"There are still unresolved matters remaining. Of course there's responsibility for the elders, and remnants who joined Baek Li-jung must also be dealt with. Great Hero Jin must impose minimum responsibility on them and punish them to set an example."

The opposing side also answered.

"Others can handle the remnants too."

"Since all will has already been achieved, there's no reason not to retire from the martial world."

Both sides continued their battle of opinions, and the atmosphere heated up considerably.

Jin Ja-gang didn't answer hastily and listened to everyone's words. He listened to even somewhat unpleasant opinions without changing his expression at all.

Since Jin Ja-gang was watching, curses or loud voices didn't come out, but opinions didn't narrow because the directions each side claimed were completely different. No matter how heated their claims, they just ran parallel.

As the meeting time lengthened, various sects from the martial world visited the Tang Family Estate. Those who couldn't come sent letters, most of which were letters recommending Jin Ja-gang ascend to Alliance Leader.

The banquet continued long, passing midnight toward dawn.

Now the speakers were exhausted and it became a lull. Jin Ja-gang listening without a single word until that point was also impressive.

So everyone newly felt that's why he could endure the long time and even finish his revenge.

Finally Tap Tak-yeon spoke as if giving up.

"No matter what we argue back and forth, the decision ultimately depends on him."

While everyone was looking at Jin Ja-gang, a young man spoke.

"Since the seniors' words seem finished, I'd like to say a word too."

He was someone who had been present when Jin Ja-gang previously gave a speech to young people.

"I was impressed by the Great Hero's words then and went back to persuade the elders of my sect. Thanks to that, we could stop them from going to the Murim Alliance, and survived..."

"I remember."

"When we visited last time, I realized from what the Great Hero told us. That those who decide the martial world's future are ultimately each individual, not idols to follow."

The young man looked at Jin Ja-gang and clasped his hands with a serious face, saying.

"I trust you, Great Hero. Don't become an idol."

At those words, the spark revived.

Thousand Faced Thief No-gwan of Leper Mound clasped his hands forcefully, not to be outdone by the young man's words.

"Great Hero Jin! Become Alliance Leader!"

Those wishing Jin Ja-gang to become Alliance Leader all rose from their seats, clasped their hands and shouted.

"Become Alliance Leader!"

Those with opposing opinions also jumped up, clasped their hands and shouted.

"Don't let us doubt the Great Hero's purity!"

"Protect the purity of the great cause!"

Each voice echoed through the banquet hall.

Tang Ha-ran looked at Jin Ja-gang.

What will you do?

Her gaze was asking.

A life enjoying poetry and nature leisurely in deep mountains and valleys wouldn't be bad either. And that was what Jin Ja-gang originally wanted.

However, Jin Ja-gang saw the smile lingering on Tang Ha-ran's lips.

While already knowing the answer.

That's why she even broke down the next room to personally make the dinner meal Jin Ja-gang desired.

Jin Ja-gang rose.

Instantly everyone shut their mouths like dead mice and focused on Jin Ja-gang.

Finally...!

Gulp.

Dry saliva went down everyone's throats. The single word Jin Ja-gang would now utter would determine the martial world's future political situation.

But Jin Ja-gang didn't speak immediately and looked briefly at Divine Nun In-eun.

Why Divine Nun of all people?

Divine Nun In-eun was also quite puzzled by Jin Ja-gang's gaze, but soon realized Jin Ja-gang's intention and smiled faintly.

Divine Nun In-eun raised her delicate jade hands and made a gesture urging Jin Ja-gang to speak his decision.

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

Then spoke in a resolute tone.

"I will..."

***

"Hold still!"

"It's fine."

Squawk squawk!

"Baek-won, can't you go away? The topknot I carefully set up is all disheveled."

Squawk squawk!

White Ape was scolded by Tang Ha-ran and chased to a corner. Tang Ha-ran grumbled while fixing Jin Ja-gang's clothing and tying his topknot with a blue-green band.

"From the moment you leave the main house, people will see you as Alliance Leader, so you should look dignified."

"I'll go quietly to the alliance alone. They probably won't even think I'm Alliance Leader..."

"So you don't like dressing up prettily? Want to get nagged? I'm already upset about being apart for three years."

Jin Ja-gang apologized immediately.

"I'm sorry."

Tang Ha-ran picked off hair that had fallen on Jin Ja-gang's robe's shoulder and brushed it off.

"Good. This should do. You won't shame the Alliance Leader's wife's face."

Although he'd inevitably get dusty once outside anyway, it wasn't that he didn't understand Tang Ha-ran's heart. Tang Ha-ran held Poison Heaven's hand and shook it, saying.

"Poison Heaven. It's Alliance Leader Daddy's first day going to work. Now, say 'Alliance Leader, have a good day.' Come on."

"Dada."

"Honey! Did you hear Poison Heaven speak? Huh? Huh?"

"I'll go."

"Wait! You can't just leave!"

"Is there something else I need to do?"

"Of course! I'll have a hard time going there while you're at the alliance. In the meantime, Poison Heaven will learn to talk and the second one will come out too."

"Probably so."

Tang Ha-ran touched her belly that was starting to swell slightly and said.

"Write one down before you go."

"Pardon?"

"Family motto."

At Tang Ha-ran's unexpected request, Jin Ja-gang blinked.

"So suddenly? I haven't thought about it."

"Proper houses originally have family mottos. It's also strange for the Alliance Leader's house not to have one. Don't think grandly, just write down your usual principles. While you're gone, I'll teach the children the family motto you wrote."

"Family motto..."

While Jin Ja-gang thought briefly, Tang Ha-ran prepared paper, brush and ink. Poison Heaven got pitch-black ink on her hands and rubbed it on White Ape's fur, giggling.

"Did you think of it?"

Tang Ha-ran urged.

"Yes."

Jin Ja-gang ground the ink and picked up the brush. And wrote two characters.

The characters Jin Ja-gang wrote were...

Integrity and Defense (廉防)

"integrity and Defense?"

Tang Ha-ran tilted her head.

"Is it a different meaning from what I know?"

"It's what you're thinking."

Integrity and Defense means to know shame and not forget propriety. However, she was curious why he specifically wrote these words as a family motto.

Jin Ja-gang said.

"Most of those I killed didn't acknowledge their own crimes. They complained of injustice and blamed others."

"Shameless."

"Correct. They were shameless people. I sometimes thought, if they had shame, couldn't they have avoided committing those things?"

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

"So I tried writing the family motto like this. What do you think?"

"Hmm."

Tang Ha-ran seemed to think briefly, then soon smiled brightly and picked up the paper.

"I like it. Let's become people with shame. Being human comes before getting rich and living well. As you wish, our children will grow up that way. I'll make it into a plaque and hang it in the main hall."

Jin Ja-gang lastly embraced Tang Ha-ran and Dok-cheon, then left the room.

The faces of the warriors who had already been waiting outside the room for over an hour finally brightened.

"The clothing suits you well!"

"Have a good trip!"

Jin Ja-gang smiled slightly and led the way.

"I'll be back."

***

"Puhahahaha!"

"..."

"Wahahahaha!"

Tang Qing rolled around. He'd come wearing expensive silk clothes to see Jin Ja-gang off, but after seeing Jin Ja-gang, he rolled all over the dirt ground so his whole body became covered in dirt.

After doing that for a while, he suddenly jumped up and looked at the sky, shouting seriously.

"I will become Alliance Leader! However, in three! Years! When the pear blossoms bloom, I will leave the Murim Alliance!"

Roll. Tang Qing's eyes turned toward Jin Ja-gang.

"Pfft!"

Tang Qing rolled on the ground again.

"Oh my belly button! Euhahaha! When pear blossoms bloom, he says, pear blossoms! If pear blossoms don't bloom, will you keep being Alliance Leader? Euhahaha!"

"..."

Tremble...

The corners of Jin Ja-gang's eyes trembled very finely.

Tang Qing pointed his finger at Jin Ja-gang with tears welling.

"Wow... if you're good, will the Alliance Leader hit someone? You said you won't kill people anymore."

"I said I wouldn't kill, not that I wouldn't hit."

Jin Ja-gang's eyes narrowed.

"Why did you come? If you're a nonexistent person, live like a nonexistent person."

Tang Qing answered while giggling.

"I came because hearing that was funny."

"Laugh a lot. Then I'll take my leave."

As Jin Ja-gang tried to ignore Tang Qing and leave, Tang Qing urgently called Jin Ja-gang from behind.

"Wait! Even if you're going, tell me just one thing."

Jin Ja-gang stopped and turned around.

Tang Qing asked with sparkling eyes.

"Before you accepted becoming Alliance Leader in front of people, you looked at Abbess In-eun, right? Why did you do that?"

"Who knows."

Tang Qing's eyes widened.

"Huh? Don't tell me it's because of what she said to you when you, me, and Snake were together?"

Jin Ja-gang tried to answer, then smiled slightly.

"Wonder about it a lot. I'll take my leave."

"Hey! Alliance Leader! Alliance Leader! That's it, right? That thing back then! You're going to become something like Alliance Leader to do that?"

Tang Qing urgently called Jin Ja-gang, but Jin Ja-gang didn't look back and departed toward the Murim Alliance...

Abbess In-eun asked Jin Ja-gang.

Is the target the benefactor wishes to take revenge on an individual, a group?

Or... the system itself?