Chapter 307: The Youngest Candidate for Alliance Leader (5)

"Hwanmadok (Illusion Demon Poison)?"

At my words, everyone in the conference room was stunned, unable to hide both their shock and confusion. Some elders clearly looked uncomfortable.

Grand Strategist Sama Joong-hyun, who had been standing, shouted at me.

"What nonsense is this? Hwanmadok?!"

Of course, it was a poison no one had ever heard of.

It was a special poison painstakingly crafted by Gu Je-yang, the Blood Death King, under the authority of Geumsangje (Golden Emperor).

I held up the needle wrapped in cloth for everyone to see and explained,

"Hwanmadok is the poison applied to this needle. It deeply affects the brain, disrupting cognitive function and allowing the victim to be controlled."

At that, one of the elders spoke up. It was Namgung Mujin, the head of the Namgung family.

"Are you saying the Grand Strategist truly fell victim to this poison?"

In response, it wasn't Bang Deok-hyun himself who answered, but the one who had taken over his body — Sa Ryeon-geom.

"It's hard to believe, but it's the truth. I sincerely apologize to all the elders."

The elders murmured in disbelief.

"Such a poison exists?"

"How could something like that happen...?"

It was understandable — the Grand Strategist of the Martial Alliance being controlled by poison was no small claim.

Then another voice spoke.

It was Maehwa Baekgeom Ho-yang Jin-in, the head of Hwasan Sect and the second elder of the Martial Alliance.

"Can you prove he was truly controlled by poison? I've spent a lifetime in the martial world, and I've never heard of such a thing."

A few other elders nodded in agreement. They were among those who supported the former alliance leader Baek Hyang-muk, the Infinite Sword.

"Would I have said this without proof?"

That's exactly why I brought this poison-coated needle. And luckily, Dang Woo-joong, the vice head of the Tang family, was present — there was no way I couldn't prove it.

He seemed to think the same, rising from his seat.

"I will verify it myself."

"Amitabha. Please wait a moment."

At that point, someone rose and pressed urgently.

A nun in her mid-fifties — Jeonghyang Satae of the Amipa Sect.

"Vice Leader, elders — are you all really going to take what this So Geomseon (Young Sword Immortal) says at face value? This meeting is meant only for the elders and—"

"That's enough, Jeonghyang Satae. What So Geomseon has said goes beyond a matter of rules."

"Elder Gwak!"

Her words were cut off by Gwak Hyeong-jik of Bukyeongdosung.

A well-timed intervention.

— Why is that nun raising a fuss?

Of course she was.

The Martial Alliance's leadership was already under scrutiny after suffering a devastating defeat in the war against the Blood Sect. If word got out that the Grand Strategist — the core of their leadership — had been controlled by poison, trust in the Alliance would collapse further.

Just then, a half-gray-haired Daoist rebuked Elder Gwak.

"Elder Gwak. As Jeonghyang Satae said, this meeting is restricted to elders and senior strategists. Ignoring that undermines our laws!"

It was Jeongyang Jin-in, head of the Gongdong Sect.

He had aligned with current elders like Jo Seong-won, the current leader of the Beggars' Sect, but I didn't expect him to be so blatant.

Jeonghyang Satae and he were both clearly part of Vice Leader Jin Gyun's support faction.

They were desperate to get rid of me.

"Please stop, Elder Jeongyang. Even if tradition is important, if what So Geomseon says is true — that the Grand Strategist was poisoned — this isn't the time for infighting."

Another voice rose in my defense — Jo Cheong-woon, the Sword of Hyungsan Sect.

He was likely supporting me because of our martial brotherhood formed through Ikyang Soga. His upright character surely played a part as well.

"Junior brother — no, So Geomseon — are you certain that poison truly controlled Grand Strategist Bang Deok-hyun?"

"Didn't you hear it from the Grand Strategist himself? He was manipulated by this needle's poison and nearly led the Alliance into crisis."

As I said that, a voice came to me through transmission.

[What are you doing, Brother So?]

It was Sama Joong-hyun, the very person who had warned me that Bang Deok-hyun might be a spy for an unknown organization.

Now he was rebuking me via voice transmission — likely afraid this would escalate too far.

[Wasn't it this strategist who informed you about Bang Deok-hyun? Why cause such chaos at this critical assembly?]

As expected.

If I kept pushing here, it would weaken Vice Leader Jin Gyun's political position. If they hadn't noticed Bang Deok-hyun's suspicious behavior, it would prove incompetence. If they had, and ignored it, it would be even worse.

[Stop this now. Withdraw for the moment, and this strategist will later—]

Before he could finish, I stepped forward and gave a martial salute.

"It was none other than this strategist here who uncovered everything."

'!?'

Sama Joong-hyun looked completely dumbfounded.

Clearly, he hadn't expected me to play this card.

Maehwa Sword Saint Ho-yang Jin-in asked with suspicion.

"What do you mean by that? That the strategist uncovered it?"

"Just as I said. I disappeared for seven months under his request to investigate the organization secretly infiltrating the Martial Alliance."

'!?'

The assembly fell into an uproar.

Sama Joong-hyun stared at me, speechless, then urgently turned toward Vice Leader Jin Gyun, seated at the head.

Jin Gyun's face had darkened like a storm.

Sama Joong-hyun's trembling throat suggested he was desperately explaining via voice transmission.

— Haha, your wit is terrifying.

Sodamgeom laughed, sticking out her tongue.

In just a few sentences, I had made it look like Sama Joong-hyun was on my side. Naturally, Vice Leader Jin Gyun would be furious and suspicious.

I ignored it all and continued.

"Everyone here should know about the man with the golden eyes."

"The Golden Eyes!"

At that, everyone's focus snapped to me.

As the deceased Grand Strategist Jegal Won-myeong had said, the upper ranks of the Martial Alliance were aware of the Geumsangje, who had hunted down the younger generation of righteous sects.

Eon Gwang-woon, head of the Jinju Eon family, asked me,

"Are you saying this is all connected to the golden-eyed man?"

"Yes."

"Then… the Blood Sect?"

"It's not the Blood Sect."

As expected, they were still far from the truth.

To think they still believed the Blood Sect and Geumsangje were related.

I needed to clear this up right now.

"From what I've uncovered, the one with golden eyes has been trying to manipulate the martial world from the shadows for a long time."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what you heard. He hasn't just been assassinating martial masters — he's been embedding his agents across many organizations, both righteous and demonic, to create chaos."

A wave of murmurs swept through the elders.

They had clearly never heard anything like this spoken openly.

Then, a tall middle-aged man addressed me.

"So Geomseon. I've heard of your fame, but regardless of whether your story is true, such claims could throw the Alliance into disorder."

It was Moyong Ung-gyeong, head of the Moyong family.

A known supporter of Vice Leader Jin Gyun, unsurprisingly.

"That's right. Even if Sama Strategist asked you to investigate, isn't your story a bit far-fetched?"

Hwangbo Jong, head of the Hwangbo family, chimed in.

"What's so far-fetched about it?"

"If what you say is true, that would mean the Alliance has been manipulated by a shadowy organization."

I cut in with a smirk.

"Hasn't it?"

"What?"

The mocking tone in my voice made Hwangbo Jong visibly upset.

Then Jeongyang Jin-in of the Gongdong Sect joined in.

"Watch your words, So Geomseon."

"What's to watch? The Grand Strategist, the head of this Alliance, was brainwashed by that organization — yet aside from Strategist Sama, not one of you noticed?"

"You!"

Jeongyang Jin-in's face turned red.

Had this been a less formal setting, he would've struck me then and there.

But he wouldn't dare — not against someone now counted among the Six Grand Masters, with two already dead.

He wouldn't risk humiliation.

…Though maybe one of them still would.

— Kooooooh!

Everyone's eyes turned to Vice Alliance Leader Jin Gyun, who sat at the head seat, overwhelmed by an aura so intense it was suffocating.

He was seated at the table, hands clasped, seemingly restraining his anger.

"Vice Alliance Leader…"

Second Strategist Sima Jung-hyun seemed to want to dissuade him, but Jin Gyun raised his hand, signaling him not to interfere.

With a sharp gaze, Jin Gyun looked at me and spoke.

"So Brother. No, So Geomseon."

"Please speak."

"I was already aware of the abnormal behavior of General Commander Bang Deok-hyun."

At his words, some of the elders looked at him in puzzlement.

Jin Gyun continued.

"But I feigned ignorance in order to draw out the figure behind him. And you ruined that."

I silently clicked my tongue.

Half a year after entering the Murim Alliance, I'd already been turned into a politician.

With that one line, he shifted all the responsibility onto me.

Some elders even welcomed his statement and supported him.

"As expected!"

"So the Vice Leader was aware."

"No wonder he remained silent."

Silent, my foot.

He had been furious thinking that Sima Jung-hyun had betrayed him.

In truth, the real reason he couldn't touch Bang Deok-hyun was because he lacked decisive justification.

Moreover, some elders supported Bang.

Feigning surprise, I replied,

"Ah… I didn't realize you had such a strategy, Vice Alliance Leader."

Emboldened, Jin Gyun now spoke in a lecturing tone.

"But you've made a mess of everything. Now we have no way of finding out who was behind this. How do you plan to take responsibility?"

The elders who supported him nodded in agreement.

They were quite high and mighty.

I responded with feigned confusion.

"Why should I be held responsible?"

Jin Gyun raised his voice, seemingly incredulous.

"Do you not understand what you've done?"

"I prevented the Murim Alliance from descending into greater chaos."

"Are you trying to joke with this Vice Leader?"

"I'm not joking."

"What?!"

"As far as I know, it was the deceased former Alliance Leader and the now brainwashed General Commander Bang Deok-hyun who insisted on a crusade against Blood Cult under the excuse that it had weakened. And that led to countless sacrifices."

'!?'

Jin Gyun was left speechless.

He couldn't deny it—many righteous faction members had died in the war.

Then Sima Jung-hyun interjected.

"Now wait! The Vice Leader opposed this war. The elders here know it too. He insisted that catching Jeolshim—the one who killed Master Jongseon—should come first. Thanks to that, the Alliance could at least preserve this much of its strength."

The elders backing Jin Gyun all pressured me in unison.

"You speak without knowing anything."

"You have no idea what the Vice Leader endured at that time!"

They were desperate to bury the matter.

Otherwise, the Vice Leader's and their own positions would be threatened.

I scoffed and said,

"What a shame. Had he revealed the abnormalities of the General Commander back then, he could have saved even more lives."

"...That is…"

Sima Jung-hyun fell silent, struck by the truth of my words.

Any rebuttal now would only reveal their true intent—to eliminate opposing factions.

I shook my head.

"Or, if he had noticed that Elder Bang was being manipulated, he could've taken precautions. But it seems he didn't know."

Jin Gyun's face turned red.

Veins popped on his forehead; he was seething.

Then Abbess Jeonghyang of the Ami Sect scolded me.

"Amitabha. So Geomseon, you are most rude. The Vice Leader and the elders here have devoted decades of their lives to justice. To insult them so is disgraceful. Do you truly believe yourself fit to be Alliance Leader?"

"Ahem! Abbess Jeonghyang is right. You disrespect your seniors and act without understanding. Recognizing someone like you as a candidate…"

Hwangbo Jong, head of the Hwangbo Clan, joined in. A perfect match.

He supported Bang Deok-hyun and backed the return of former leader Baek Hyang-muk.

Now he was aiding the opposing faction, likely because he saw me as a threat.

If I kept pressing the issue, their positions could be shaken too.

I smiled and addressed someone.

"General Commander."

Possessed by the Demon Sword, Bang Deok-hyun responded.

"What is it?"

"Is this meeting not to finalize the rule that only those recommended by elders can register as candidates for Alliance Leader?"

Some elders stiffened at my question.

They were the ones who had agreed to that proposal from Bang.

Same with Hwangbo Jong.

The faction supporting the Vice Leader had no argument either.

They were planning to accept it reluctantly anyway.

Bang Deok-hyun, controlled by the Demon Sword, opened his mouth to respond.

"To be honest—"

Just then, Peng Sa-yong, head of the Hebei Peng Clan, interrupted.

"That's enough. You're the one trying to throw the Alliance into chaos. Even if your claims are true, splintering us before the massive threat of the Blood Cult—what are you thinking?!"

I smirked and replied,

"Elder Peng, I heard you also agreed to the rule preventing me from registering."

Peng Sa-yong looked shaken, unable to respond.

Few here could speak confidently now.

I offered a martial bow to the elders.

"To think that, even in the face of the General Commander being controlled by demonic poison, many of you choose to ignore reality and prioritize your preferred candidate. I am... truly amazed."

My sharp words made the elders' expressions shift.

Still, some looked remorseful—Ho Yang-jin of Mount Hua, Namgung Mujin of the Namgung Clan, Eon Gwang-un of the Jinju Eon Clan, Abbess Yangmyeong of Hangsan Sect, and Dang Woo-jung of Sichuan Tang Clan.

So not everyone is corrupt.

"There's been enough talk. I hope the next Alliance Leader will truly be able to face the Blood Cult. I shall now take my leave."

With that, I turned to go.

But someone stopped me.

"Stop."

It was Vice Leader Jin Gyun.

His expression was frighteningly hard as he rose.

"What did you mean by those words?"

I replied slowly, without turning.

"Exactly as you heard."

"Exactly as I heard? Ha!"

Boom!

A loud crash erupted behind me.

I turned to see the conference table shattered and collapsed.

The immense aura emanating from Jin Gyun made everyone freeze.

When a superhuman stops restraining his energy, the atmosphere itself feels heavy.

Jin Gyun walked over the broken table and came straight at me.

"You've gotten quite arrogant since we last met. I clearly misjudged you."

I respectfully bowed my head with clasped fists.

"If my words offended you, I apologize. But I too am disappointed by what I've seen."

Jin Gyun's killing intent flared.

A direct burst of aura caused wind pressure across the hall.

He declared loudly.

"No need to drag this out. Let's decide right here who will be the next Alliance Leader."

"Vice Leader!"

"Stand back!"

Clatter!

"Guh!"

Sima Jung-hyun tried to stop him but was thrown back by the force.

No one dared stop Jin Gyun now. The others backed away.

He approached with a voice full of malice.

"That so-called draw last time doesn't mean anything now. You'll regret your arrogance."

I answered calmly, still with clasped fists.

"Senior, I hope you'll reconsider."

"It's too late for regrets. This time will be different!"

Fwoosh!

With a shout, Jin Gyun launched himself at me.

His incoming strike was fierce enough to cut me in half.

Sigh…

I exhaled and released my bow.

Then placed one hand behind my back.

"Arrogant brat!"

Furious, Jin Gyun's attack now carried killing intent.

But just as he closed in, I caught his strike cleanly.

BOOM!

The wall behind me exploded from the force channeled through his strike.

But his hand remained firmly in my grip.

With a more serious look, Jin Gyun spoke.

"Impressive… wha!?"

Crack!

Before he could finish, I twisted his wrist.

He didn't even grunt—his pride was too great—but his eyes bulged.

"You… how is your internal strength…?"

I whispered,

"I told you we should stop here."

"What?"

I released my left hand from behind and raised it.

Then, using Seven-Star Qi, I slammed my palm onto Jin Gyun's head.

He tried to block with his arm,

BOOOOM!

"Urgh!"

With a scream, Jin Gyun's body was slammed into the ground.

CRASH CRASH CRASH!

The sound of breaking continued below.

He probably went through the floor to the first level of the building.

I turned to the elders.

They were so stunned, they couldn't take their eyes off me.