The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend
“Martial Alliance’s traitor? What do you an by that?”
Jegal Jin-hee asked, and Jegal Muhwan responded.
“Do you think they’ll stay quiet after Shaolin Dragon ruined their plans?”
“But how can they suddenly label Master Mu-jin as a traitor?”
“If you consider today’s battle, they have more than enough justification.”
“…Are you referring to Master Mu-jin halting the pursuit?”
“Not only that. Shaolin Dragon also released the enemy’s leader after capturing him.”
Jegal Jin-hee and Mu-gung, who were deeply engrossed in the battle, didn’t understand, but Mu-jin did.
It seed they were talking about releasing Cheong Nae-wang after holding him by the neck.
“So, you’re saying they will label as a traitor to the Martial Alliance because I allied with the Demonic Sect?”
“Exactly.”
“That’s absurd! Master Mu-jin was the first to warn us about their ambush before the battle even began!”
Jegal Jin-hee defended Mu-jin.
Jegal Muhwan responded with a look that questioned why she was asking sothing so obvious.
“People believe what they want to believe. For those who dislike Shaolin Dragon and Shaolin, these two reasons alone are enough to brand Master Mu-jin as a traitor. Moreover, Dok-go Pae has already taken action.”
“???”
“Just as you all have gathered here, those who despise Shaolin are also holding a eting right now. Dok-go Pae has gone to them. I could co here because his absence weakened their surveillance.”
“Ah! So, the ti shortage you ntioned earlier was because of that?”
“Hahaha. Exactly, Jegal So-ga-ju.”
Dok-go Pae was slandering Mu-jin to the Anti-Shaolin Alliance. The outco was clear without needing to see it.
At this point, as Jegal Muhwan said, it was only a matter of ti before Mu-jin was branded a traitor to the Martial Alliance.
“So, let ask you. Shaolin Dragon, what did you discuss with Cheong Nae-wang that made him retreat so easily?”
“Is that important now?”
Mu-jin couldn’t understand why he was suddenly asking about it, but Jegal Muhwan, who always wore a fabricated smile, answered with a serious expression.
“It’s the most important issue. Depending on what you discussed, we might have to change our plans.”
Mu-jin hesitated for a mont.
The conversation with Cheong Nae-wang was ultimately related to the leadership of the Demonic Sect and Ou-yang Pae.
Thinking about it, it was the perfect conversation to be labeled a traitor to the Martial Alliance.
Seeing Mu-jin’s hesitation, Jegal Muhwan pressed further.
“If it’s difficult to go into details, at least tell us this: Did Cheong Nae-wang and the Demonic Sect mbers return to the Demonic Sect, or did they go sowhere else?”
“…They went to the Southern Barbarians.”
Mu-jin answered, wondering how he knew this. Jegal Muhwan smiled.
“Hahaha. I suspected it, but it turns out to be true. Then we can avoid the worst.”
“????”
Everyone else looked confused, but Jegal Muhwan spoke as if it was nothing.
“Thanks to that, the aftermath will be a bit easier to handle. Now, let’s move quickly. The sooner we leave this place, the safer we can return to Shaolin.”
“Even if they brand a traitor, do we really need to run away? We have justifications on our side too. If we flee, it will only validate their claims.”
Jegal Jin-hee asked, to which Jegal Muhwan responded with a chuckle.
“You’re mistaken. Justifications are just that—justifications. Their goal is to kill Shaolin Dragon.”
“!?”
“Think about it. If Shaolin Dragon dies amidst the conflict of justifications, what do you think will happen?”
“!!!”
Everyone could easily imagine the aftermath.
If that happened, an all-out war within the orthodox sects would begin. It wouldn’t just be a matter of conflict or skirmishes anymore; it would be literal war.
While the three of them realized how serious the situation had beco and fell silent, Jegal Muhwan, with a playful smile, said,
“Well, regardless of whether Shaolin Dragon lives or dies, the internal strife within the orthodox sects is inevitable. The hatred and resentnt among the sects have been festering for years. Using Shaolin Dragon’s supposed collusion with the Demonic Sect as a pretext, they’ll unleash their pent-up grudges. The difference is, if Shaolin Dragon returns to Shaolin alive, the conflict will start a bit later. If Shaolin Dragon dies, it will start imdiately.”
“…”
After hearing Jegal Muhwan’s explanation, Mu-jin sighed and spoke.
“In that case, it would be better if it starts with alive.”
* * *
After accepting Jegal Muhwan’s proposal, Mu-jin and his group began to move quickly.
‘What a ss this is.’
He had barely managed to persuade Cheong Nae-wang to stop the battle that could have sparked a great war between the orthodox and demonic factions. Now, his actions might trigger a civil war within the orthodox sects.
However, thanks to Jegal Muhwan’s unexpected cooperation, they could preempt the enemy’s traps.
Though not entirely trustworthy—not because of his intellect or skills, but because of his character.
‘Hoo. The elders at Shaolin will be shocked when they hear the rumors about my alleged collusion with the Demonic Sect.’
The elders of Shaolin, who viewed the Demonic Sect as their archenemies, would be stunned upon hearing the news of Mu-jin’s alleged betrayal.
In that sense, it was fortunate that Jegal Muhwan had information about that incident from forty years ago.
‘Did he deliberately ntion that information, anticipating this situation?’
He had claid to have noticed Shinchun ten years ago, so he must have known a lot.
It was certainly suspicious that he had ntioned that information as bait.
To clear up the rumors after returning to Shaolin, Jegal Muhwan’s presence would be necessary.
Ultimately, this ant that Mu-jin had to return to Shaolin with Jegal Muhwan.
‘…He’s a dangerous man in many ways.’
This ti, he had helped them, but Mu-jin felt uneasy as if he were being manipulated according to Jegal Muhwan’s intentions.
While Mu-jin, Mu-gung, and Jegal Jin-hee were gathering most of the Shaolin’s young talents,
“What are you doing gathering here at this late hour?”
An unexpected guest appeared.
It was Dok-go Pae, accompanied by Martial Alliance warriors and young talents from sects that harbored grudges against Shaolin or its allies.
Just as Jegal Muhwan had ntioned, they had been holding a eting.
Upon hearing about the unusual movents of the Shaolin, they had rushed here.
With the young talents from both the Shaolin side and the anti-Shaolin side gathering, the commotion in the dead of night drew in the young talents from the Four Divine Units who had been resting in the village.
Dok-go Pae saw this as an opportunity and tried to accuse Mu-jin.
“There are spies from the Demonic Sect within the Martial Alliance, so our Shaolin will take a different path from the Alliance.”
“A spy in the Alliance? What nonsense is that!”
“The Demonic Sect’s military unit was precisely ambushed on our path! This wouldn’t have been possible without soone acting as a spy!”
The gathered individuals looked at the Martial Alliance warriors with surprised faces due to the sudden commotion.
At that mont, Il-hwi Dojang of the Jeomchang Sect stepped forward.
“Mu-jin, you traitor! You acted as a spy for the Demonic Sect and now dare to fra the Martial Alliance!”
“Indeed! When the battle turned in our favor, you were the one who let the Demonic Sect mbers go!”
“Shut up!!!”
In response to their accusations, Mu-jin used his imnse internal energy to silence them with a shout.
“Before the battle started, I was the first to reveal the enemies’ hiding places! Moreover, those who ignored the hundreds of injured and pursued the enemies instead are the real spies of the Demonic Sect!”
“Your words are indeed correct, Shaolin Dragon.”
Continuing Mu-jin’s words, Jegal Muhwan, who had been covering his mouth with a fan, spoke.
“I also realized through this incident that the Martial Alliance has fallen to the spies of the Demonic Sect. I will hereby resign from my position as the Supre Commander and relocate to Shaolin.”
After Jegal Muhwan spoke, the young talents from neutral sects and small sects began to murmur.
If Dok-go Pae had spoken first and Mu-jin had responded, it would have seed like an excuse. However, because Mu-jin had spoken first, his words felt more convincing.
Moreover, with Jegal Muhwan, who was the Supre Commander of the Martial Alliance, siding with Mu-jin, the situation was becoming unfavorable for Dok-go Pae.
Sensing the negative turn of events, Dok-go Pae pretended to offer a compromise.
“Then how about we return to the Martial Alliance and settle this matter fairly in front of the elders of the martial world?”
But Mu-jin, who already knew their intentions through Jegal Muhwan, wasn’t fooled.
“What a transparent trick! With the certainty that the Martial Alliance already has spies from the Demonic Sect, do you really think calling us back to the Martial Alliance is fair? If you have any objections, co to Shaolin instead. We will be returning to Shaolin!”
With that, Mu-jin headed towards the village entrance, as if he didn’t see the need to argue further.
The Shaolin disciples followed him, and the allied disciples also tried to follow.
“This is a decision between us and Shaolin. I think it’s better for you all to return with the Four Divine Units.”
For so reason, Mu-jin stopped them.
‘Interesting.’
Jegal Muhwan, who was next to him, smiled behind his fan at Mu-jin’s judgnt.
‘As expected, this commander is quite adept at adapting to situations.’
He had felt this way since the confrontation with Dok-go Pae and Il-hwi Dojang.
Although he had advised them to escape, they had failed to leave unnoticed.
If the opponent had taken the initiative, the atmosphere would have shifted in their favor. However, Mu-jin quickly took the lead, steering the situation to his advantage.
Furthermore, it was safer to move with a minimal number of people now that they had been discovered.
And lastly,
– They are targeting . So, Jegal Jin-hee Shiju-nim, please ensure the safety of those remaining here. Once you return to your respective sects, spread the word. Spread the rumor that the Martial Alliance is colluding with the Demonic Sect.
Although Jegal Muhwan did not hear the ssage Mu-jin sent to Jegal Jin-hee, he understood the intention and smiled.
He was quite pleased with this commander.
Well, except for the fact that Mu-jin was much younger and didn’t particularly like him.
Just as Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples exchanged brief glances with the allied disciples and were about to leave,
A man stood in their way.
“Did you think I’d just let you leave!!”
It was Il-hwi Dojang of the Jeomchang Sect.
As if unleashing his pent-up anger, Il-hwi Dojang charged at Mu-jin without hesitation.
The Splendid Light Eighteen Hands technique, which had slaughtered over ten Demonic Sect mbers today, was unleashed from his hands.
But he did not know.
Mu-jin, too, had been suppressing his anger all this ti.
Clang!!
Il-hwi Dojang’s sword, aid at cutting Mu-jin, shattered like glass.
Boom!!
Mu-jin’s fist, brimming with remaining energy, struck Il-hwi Dojang’s abdon.
Unable to withstand the force, Il-hwi Dojang’s body was flung in the opposite direction with the sa speed he had charged at Mu-jin.
“Cough…”
“Il-hwi Saje!!”
“Il-hwi Sasook!”
As the Jeomchang Sect disciples rushed to the bleeding Il-hwi, Mu-jin spoke.
“I didn’t kill him, so if you start treating him now, he should survive.”
Mu-jin felt a bit relieved after dealing with Il-hwi Dojang, who had constantly been picking fights.
“Do you really think you’ll get away with this!!”
One of the Jeomchang Sect disciples shouted in frustration, and Mu-jin responded.
“If you want to settle this fairly, co to Shaolin. I won’t hide or run away.”
With that, Mu-jin confidently left the village with the Shaolin disciples.
* * *
A few days later.
In the depths of the Martial Alliance in Woe-hyeon, Shaanxi Province.
Several key figures of the Martial Alliance, including Martial Alliance Leader Wi Ji-hak, were gathered there.
“Hahaha. That brat really played us well.”
They had gathered after reading the letter sent by Dok-go Pae.
“To think he pretended to be affected by the Yin-Yang Gu after overcoming it.”
One of the n, watching Wi Ji-hak’s reaction, cautiously asked.
“So, what do you plan to do now, Daeju-nim?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Wi Ji-hak replied with a smile on his face.
But it was a completely different smile from the kind one Mu-jin had seen before.
“Declare Mu-jin a traitor to the Martial Alliance and deploy the Celestial Net to eliminate him.”
With a cold, ruthless smile, he added,
“Also, I will personally join this Celestial Net operation.”
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