Chapter 216
216
The Letter of Recommendation I had placed with the Martial Alliance Entrance Pass was so soaked with blood that the ink had run, making it impossible to decipher a single character.
I stared at the blood-soaked, blackened scrap of paper and rubbed my eyes in annoyance.
I needed another way.
\ \ \
Dang Juhee glanced at Dang So-hye's quarters, where a light was on in the distance, and stroked her chin, lost in thought.
Every dawn, she reeked of the pleasure house, so I thought she might have a secret lover. But it doesn't seem to be the case...
"What do you think? Don't you think our youngest is hiding a lover outside?"
"......"
"Then, we shouldn't let false rumors spread, should we?"
Dang Juhee whispered, licked the sharp tips of her Tiger Claws, and smiled, her eyes curved.
At the end of her gaze was a maid sprawled on the floor, tears and snot streaming down her face.
Despite Dang Juhee's question, the maid, whose Mute Blood Point and Blood Point were sealed, could only blink her eyes wildly, unable to give any answer.
Bending down to meet the maid's eye level, Dang Juhee slowly reached out and lifted the maid's chin.
Red blood dripped from the skin scratched by the Tiger Claws.
"Make sure to control the servants so that no false rumors spread. If I hear any uninteresting stories, I will come looking for you. At that time, you will wish you were dead."
"......!"
At the chilling warning, the maid's lower garment became damp.
Dang Juhee, pinching her nose at the stench of urine wafting around, used the tip of her index finger to release her Blood Vessels, as if touching filth.
"You take care of explaining to my Little Madam. Of course, you must tell her that there is nothing wrong with our youngest, right?"
"Yes...! Yes, Great Young Miss...!"
"Take good care of my Little Madam so that she doesn't make any mistakes. That's your only use."
"Yes...! Yes!"
The maid's body trembled, her teeth chattering as she barely managed to answer.
Unlike the pale-faced maid, Dang Juhee had an indifferent expression.
Dusting off her hands, she stood up and yawned widely, covering her mouth.
'I need to control the surroundings a bit.'
With everyone lying low, wary of Dang Jung's wrath, what guts did someone have to try to tarnish Dang So-hye's reputation?
Seeing her recklessly running wild even though the days of throwing her weight around were over, it seemed the rumors that her Little Madam was suffering from madness were true.
If it were Madam Jo from a few years ago, she wouldn't have moved so carelessly that even I could see it.
Well, she must be anxious.
The Eldest Son, whom she thought would soon die, was getting healthier day by day, and the illegitimate child she had tried so hard to cut off was alive and well, so how could she sleep with her legs stretched out?
'Well, it's none of my business. There's a reason why that bastard is so unlucky and arrogant. The mother and son are both doing stupid things, yet they think they're so smart.'
Dang Juhee frowned, her beautiful brow furrowing as she thought of her half-brother, whose face alone made her feel disgusted.
Although it was a bit of a hassle... it seemed necessary to keep a close eye on her cute youngest's surroundings for the time being.
\ \ \
After finishing my dawn training, I was lost in thought, staring intently at the musty-smelling paper.
It looked nothing like a Letter of Recommendation to anyone, but I couldn't bring myself to throw it away.
I didn't think I would get the chance to obtain a handwritten Letter of Recommendation from the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance twice.
There was no way to meet Wi Ji-gok to ask for another Letter of Recommendation, and even if I sent a message, the chances of my letter reaching him were slim.
The Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance wasn't just any dog's name, and my letter would be filtered out before it even reached the Alliance Leader's hands.
Would anyone think this rag was a Letter of Recommendation?
The Entrance Pass was intact, so should I take it and insist it was a Letter of Recommendation?
But how would I get to Mu-han again? Should I contact Beopgong Monk and ask if he could help?
After racking my brain for a long time, I remembered that there was also a Murim Alliance Sichuan Branch in Sichuan.
Come to think of it, Deokju had mentioned before that she knew someone at the Sichuan Branch.
"Deokju."
"Yes, Young Miss."
"You mentioned the Murim Alliance Sichuan Branch before, do you still know anyone there?"
Asking just in case, Deokju nodded.
"Yes. There is a Swordmaster I used to hang out with occasionally. I heard he became the Branch Leader recently."
"Could you introduce me to him?"
"Yes. I will send a message right away."
Deokju, who readily answered, bowed.
45. The Embers in the Ashes Become Flames
The Murim Alliance Sichuan Branch was not far from the center of Seongdo.
It wasn't as grand in scale as the Mu-han headquarters, but seeing that there were more than a dozen buildings, it seemed that there were quite a few people.
"Welcome. The Branch Leader is waiting for you. Ah, could this person be..."
The guard Martial Artist, who recognized Deokju and greeted her, widened his eyes as he looked at me.
As I lightly bowed my head, he flusteredly led the way.
"T, this way!"
In front of the building he led me to, a woman in red Martial attire was waiting to greet me.
The woman, who met my eyes, smiled cheerfully and clasped her hands in greeting.
"I am Danmok Seol, the Sichuan Branch Leader. I finally get to meet the Poison Butterfly I've only heard about."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Dang So-hye."
Following her lead, I politely clasped my hands in greeting and examined Danmok Seol.
Danmok Seol was small for a Martial Artist who used a sword.
However, the structure of the muscles revealed under the red Martial attire was full of traces that she had spent more time training in External Martial Arts than others.
Her foundation is extraordinary. There must have been more than one or two Martial Artists who were caught off guard by her appearance and ended up in a mess.
Admiring her inwardly, I was wondering what kind of sword she used when Danmok Seol chuckled.
"If you look at me with such eager eyes, I'll want to ask for a duel, Poison Butterfly."
"Ah, I apologize."
As I hurriedly apologized at the pointed joke, a mischievous smile appeared on Danmok Seol's face.
"It's okay. Being the Poison Butterfly's duel opponent would also be an interesting experience..."
"Danmok Seol."
"Okay, okay."
Danmok Seol, who laughed and waved her hand at Deokju's warning, composed her expression.
However, seeing her exchange glances and joke with Deokju, it seemed that she was on familiar terms with Deokju.
Was that why? Danmok Seol, who served tea and refreshments, seemed to welcome me.
Danmok Seol, who spoke kindly and made various remarks, soon got to the point.
"So, what is the reason the Poison Butterfly wanted to meet me?"
"There is something I would like to show you."
As soon as I took out the rag that used to be a Letter of Recommendation, a look of bewilderment appeared in Danmok Seol's eyes.
"This is..."
"It is a handwritten Letter of Recommendation from the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance."
As I answered nonchalantly, she shrugged her shoulders and said.
"I'm not doubting the Poison Butterfly's words, but it looks like a rotting piece of paper to me."
"There were some minor problems with the storage, but it is indeed a Letter of Recommendation written by Wi Ji-gok."
"There's no reason for you to lie to me. I believe you."
Danmok Seol, who nodded, scratched her cheek with a troubled expression.
"However, it will be difficult to submit the Letter of Recommendation to the higher-ups. There is no way to verify its authenticity."
"Branch Leader, I know my words sound absurd, but..."
As I hurriedly explained, Danmok Seol waved her hand as if that wasn't the case.
"No. It's not that I don't trust the Poison Butterfly. It's just that there is no one to verify it even if I submit it to the higher-ups. That is, the former Alliance Leader retired recently."
At the thunderbolt-like news, my mouth dropped open involuntarily.
"Yes? Retired?"
That old man, he retired in the meantime?
He boasted that he would help me anytime, but he's really not helpful.
Danmok Seol, who was watching me in a daze, had a slightly apologetic look on her face.
"Yes. Hyegak Great Master, the Abbot of Shaolin, has taken over the position of Alliance Leader. The former Alliance Leader is about to have his Retirement Ceremony."
The news that the Abbot of Shaolin had risen to the position of Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance momentarily stunned me.
The political situation in the Central Plains, which had been unpredictable, was now following <Namgung's World>.
As I couldn't say anything, Danmok Seol quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, since you brought me the Letter of Recommendation, I think it's safe to assume that you have expressed your intention to join the League. You wouldn't want to be a Civilian, and what organization are you considering?"
"I want to join the Devil Subjugation Unit."
"You said the Devil Subjugation Unit? It's usually a place where those who have a grudge against the Demonic Cultist volunteer to go. Why that place in particular..."
Danmok Seol, who was wondering, understood on her own before I could say anything and continued.
"Well, the Poison King's grudge is so famous that it's not strange for his disciple to take the lead in exterminating the Demonic Sect. But there is no way to enter the Devil Subjugation Unit right away."
"Are you saying they don't recruit new members?"
"Yes. I know that the Devil Subjugation Unit only accepts volunteers from League members who have been in the League for three years. It's a rule created to filter out Spies. There have been several cases where the Devil Subjugation Unit Leader has executed Spies."
"Three years..."
I was overwhelmed by the unexpected ambush.
I couldn't afford to waste three years when time was of the essence.
Should I look for another way?
Danmok Seol, who was quietly watching me anxiously biting my lip, asked.
"If you need achievements to enter the Devil Subjugation Unit, why don't you participate in the Rising Stars Martial Arts Tournament?"
