The Youngest Member Chapter 38

"What is there to be thankful for?"

Cheon Woojin was just puzzled. He had never done anything to deserve thanks from the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who was staring at Cheon Woojin, had an embarrassed expression.

"At Cheonghwaru, and in front of the Giant Stone Monster's tomb. Didn't you save our Heavenly Tiger Unit mbers?"

"Ah."

Cheon Woojin nonchalantly nodded his head.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander felt embarrassed under the particularly bright moonlight. It felt unfamiliar to say words like 'thank you' or 'sorry'. It was probably because, due to his personality, he rarely owed anyone anything.

"I understand."

That was the end of it.

At the unexpected reaction, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander stared blankly at Cheon Woojin as if he had broken down.

"Hmm? Do you have anything else to say?"

"...That's not it."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander shut his mouth. In fact, he had a lot to say. To be precise, he had too many things he wanted to ask.

In particular, he was curious about Cheon Woojin's martial might. He knew that he had won first place in this selection exam by showing overwhelming ability. However, Cheon Woojin, whom he had watched while carrying out the mission together, was a man outside of common sense.

For example, he was a being that would only appear in the heroic tales of heroes representing the past and present that he had read as a child.

However, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander did not bother to ask. Now was the ti to express his gratitude, and if he added unnecessary words, the main point would be diluted.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was a man who knew how to accurately distinguish between when to speak and when not to.

As the two taciturn n kept their mouths shut, the moonlight shone down on the scene as if it were frustrated.

Cheon Woojin, who glanced at the sky, said.

"May I go in?"

"Yes."

The mont Cheon Woojin turned his body.

"Wait."

Cheon Woojin, thinking that it was getting tireso, looked at the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander again. At that, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's words continued calmly.

"Cheon Dohui."

"What is that?"

"It's my na."

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Cheon Woojin bowed his head. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander added with a barely visible smile.

"If I'm going to express my gratitude, you should at least know my na, shouldn't you?"

"Yes."

Cheon Woojin nodded his head.

And so, the night at the Song family, which had been full of many thankful events, ca to an end.

* * *

"I'll be back. Father."

Song Yiyeon bowed his head deeply.

The head of the Song family, Song Habaek, smiled with satisfaction.

When did that tiny little guy grow up so much and beco a respectable martial artist?

"Family Head, we have been greatly indebted to you. We will co to see you again next ti."

Several people, including the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, paid their respects to Song Habaek. Song Habaek, unable to answer each one, wrapped his fist with his palm and raised it to the height of his face.

"Thank you all."

Since he was not a martial artist, he rarely cupped his fist in daily life, so his posture was a bit awkward, but it seed his heart was conveyed to everyone.

Soon, led by the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, the Heavenly Tiger Unit and the Black Tortoise Unit started walking at once. Unlike when they first left for the mission, it was an equal gait, not one where one was assisting the other.

* * *

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who had returned to the alliance, headed straight for the alliance leader's hall.

It was usual to write a report after a mission and send it to the military affairs departnt, but this ti, for so reason, the alliance leader had ordered each ard force commander to co and see him directly.

'It was the first mission for the successful applicants.'

He could only guess that that was the reason.

While he was busily walking, organizing the contents of his report in his head, he saw an unwelco face from a distance.

A man waving his hand, with a white robe fluttering stylishly.

It was none other than the White Dragon Unit Commander. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander personally did not particularly like him. What should he say, it was because he always seed to be more interested in other things than the mission.

"Isn't that the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander? It seems you're on your way to report to the alliance leader? I'm already on my way out after finishing."

"Ah, is that so?"

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander just nodded his head slightly. He was on the late side of joining the alliance compared to the other unit commanders, so he was generally polite.

The White Dragon Unit Commander said with a playful smile.

"I heard you did sothing big this ti? To complete such a mission with the Black Tortoise Unit, you're indeed the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander. It would have been better if our White Dragon Unit had been with you, wouldn't it?"

"The Black Tortoise Unit also did more than their original role."

"Hmm, really?"

The White Dragon Unit Commander's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was recalling soone.

"Didn't so outstanding guys also join the Black Tortoise Unit this ti? Did they cause any other trouble?"

'Outstanding guys' referred to Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon.

The fact that they had chosen the Black Tortoise Unit instead of the Heavenly Tiger Unit, even though they were in the top five of the selection exam, was an outstanding thing in itself, and especially Cheon Woojin was already a famous person in the alliance due to his conflict with the eldest son of the Gu family.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander nonchalantly nodded his head.

"It was a pity."

"Haha, right?"

"Yes, they were very excellent talents. It would have been better if they had joined the Heavenly Tiger Unit and been with us."

As the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander spoke as if he was genuinely regretful, the White Dragon Unit Commander's expression beca embarrassed for a mont. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who lightly ignored that reaction, bowed his head.

"I have a lot to do after the report, so I'll be on my way first."

"Ahem, I see."

Soon, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander started walking again. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who passed the White Dragon Unit Commander and headed for the alliance leader's hall, clicked his tongue and shook his head.

* * *

"This concludes the report."

The Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, smiled with satisfaction.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's report was neat, without any unnecessary parts. The outline of the incident, the cause, the result, and the future impact. It was as if he was reading a well-organized report.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was one of the juniors whom the alliance leader particularly cherished.

He was a rather taciturn and honest person, and his work was impeccably neat. Of course, it was probably because his outstanding ability supported him so that he didn't have to look around here and there.

"But, it's a strange thing."

"What is it?"

The Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, who was supporting his chin with his thumb and stroking his beard with his index finger, suddenly said.

"The Sex Demon, the Blood Immortal, and the elder of the Demonic Cult, Ma Cheongseok. A dispute broke out among them over the body of the Giant Stone Monster?"

"We'll have to wait for the report from the dispatched investigators, but for now, that's what the senior, the Sword King, and I have judged."

There was no other way to explain it. Each one of them was a demon who could look down on a single ard force. There was no master in the room who could kill two of such three.

"You said that when the Sword King and you arrived, the Blood Immortal and newcor Cheon were already in a standoff."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's brow narrowed slightly. Because the aning of the alliance leader's words was clear.

"Although applicant Cheon Woojin is a very strong martial artist, it is difficult to accept that he killed the Sex Demon and the Demonic Cult elder. Furthermore, if that assumption is true, it ans that he overwheld them while facing three demons at the sa ti."

"That's what I'm saying."

The Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, let out a strange smile.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander seed to be getting a headache.

"We'll know when the investigation results co out..."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, since the alliance leader had brought it up first, blurted out the question he had been holding in his heart.

"It is difficult to understand alliance mber Cheon Woojin's martial might. Also, you must have noticed this during the interview, but you still made him a newcor of a single ard force."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was a man who valued order and rules very much. From the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's perspective, Cheon Woojin was a person who could instantly disrupt the well-established order of the Martial Alliance.

Which newcor of a single ard force could kill the third-class public enemy of the martial world, the Black Wolf Hand, without a scratch?

This was not just a problem of the Black Tortoise Unit.

"You think so too, don't you?"

"...Yes."

The Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, who was holding a teacup, seed to be thinking deeply about sothing and then continued.

"I want that guy to stay in the Martial Alliance."

"Are you saying he will leave?"

"I don't know. But it wouldn't be strange if he left at any ti."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who recalled Cheon Woojin, nodded his head. Cheon Woojin was certainly that kind of person. A man who wouldn't seem strange even if he suddenly did sothing unexpected.

Suddenly, the Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian's words continued.

"So, I thought about keeping him close. He's a guy with that much ability."

"Yes."

"There was a problem. I beca the alliance leader myself, without the help of my family or my master. In that process, I received countless jealousies and attacks."

Only then did the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander understand the aning of the alliance leader's words.

Even the alliance leader, who had proven his ability himself and risen, had gone through such hardships, so it was needless to say what would happen if he suddenly placed Cheon Woojin in a high position with the alliance leader's authority.

"As they say, a talent will eventually stand out. He's a talent who will stand out on his own and head for a higher place even if I don't use my power. There's no need to make a fuss for nothing."

"I understand."

"Of course, that's on the premise that that guy stays in the alliance."

"That's a good thing."

At the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's unexpected words, the alliance leader expressed his doubt.

"What is it?"

"Actually, I thought it was a pity while on the mission with alliance mber Cheon Woojin. If he had chosen the Heavenly Tiger Unit, he would have been able to carry out more missions."

"That's true."

"But if the alliance leader's wish is to keep him in the Martial Alliance, then the Black Tortoise Unit would be better."

At that, the Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, let out a satisfied laugh.

"It's the first ti."

"Yes?"

"I an, it's the first ti you've praised soone else in front of . The Black Tortoise Unit Commander is certainly a guy who knows how to move people's hearts."

"Ahem..."

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander let out a dry cough as if he was embarrassed.

"Well, you can go back now. Let's talk again when the investigation results co out."

"Yes, I understand."

After the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander left, the Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, who was left alone in his office, was lost in deep thought.

He slowly drew the situation in his head based on the report.

As expected, the strangest thing was not Cheon Woojin's martial might, nor the deaths of the Sex Demon and the Demonic Cult elder, nor the leaked information.

Who on earth had killed the fleeing Blood Immortal so easily?

How many martial artists in the world could do such a thing?

'It's ominous. Truly ominous.'

Soon, the alliance leader's long sigh filled the office.

* * *

The Black Tortoise Unit Commander picked his ear with his little finger.

"Is soone talking bad about ?"

"There's a high probability that it's the White Dragon Unit Commander."

At Zhuge Lin's sharp remark, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander glared at her.

"Hey, is the White Dragon Unit Commander your friend?"

Of course, Zhuge Lin just turned her head away.

Whether that was the case or not, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander was in a good mood for the first ti in a while.

Because a considerable reward had co down for completing a high-level mission after a long ti.

The Black Tortoise Unit Commander shook a money pouch at the Black Tortoise Unit mbers who were sitting in front of him like baby birds.

"I've divided it into exactly thirty parts. Co out and take one each."

Originally, the reward was the unit commander's share. Of course, it was usual to share so with the unit mbers, but among the greedy unit commanders, there were cases where they took it all for themselves.

However, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander always divided even a small reward equally with his unit mbers. Although his own rank was higher, the absurd reason was that they ate more during their vigorous years.

"Now, from the newcors."

At Cheol Jiak's designation, Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin went forward.

Song Yiyeon scratched his head as if this situation was a bit embarrassing and picked up a money pouch.

It was then.

"Junior Song. Take mine too."

It was none other than the forr newcor, Jang Woopyeong.

Everyone looked at Jang Woopyeong with wide eyes. Because the one who was always the happiest whenever the reward was divided was Jang Woopyeong.

"What's with the money-crazed guy?"

At the Black Tortoise Unit Commander's playful question, Jang Woopyeong clicked his tongue.

"What did I do in this mission? I'm ashad that I even owe my life to the newcors."

Even while saying so, his gaze was fixed on the money pouch. Anyone could see that it was the expression of a person whose insides were twisted.

Song Yiyeon let out a truly awkward laugh.

"Ha, haha... I'm fine, senior."

"No. I'm not fine. Take it."

Jang Woopyeong said with a firm look in his eyes. At that sight, Song Yiyeon scratched his head as if he was in a difficult situation.

Then, Do Seonghwi, who was sitting next to Jang Woopyeong, raised his hand, and everyone's attention was focused. He was the man who had been in the Black Tortoise Unit the longest after Cheol Jiak, and the senior whom Jang Woopyeong officially recognized as unnecessarily sensitive.

"Junior Cheon can take mine too."

It was for the sa reason as Jang Woopyeong. Both of them had almost died at Cheonghwaru from the Black Wolf Hand and the courtesans' sex art, but they had saved their lives thanks to the two newcors.

Song Yiyeon was truly in a difficult situation. In fact, he had more than enough money. Also, he knew well how much senior Jang loved money.

Although he was grateful for the thought, it was also a bit burdenso.

'How can I politely refuse this...'

While he was lost in such thoughts.

"Yes."

Cheon Woojin picked up another money pouch without a hint of hesitation and returned to his seat. Song Yiyeon had a dumbfounded expression.

After all, Cheon Woojin was not a man who would carelessly disregard his master's words.

- There are few things in the world better than money.

Of course, it was the Black Master's words.

But the White Master also would often nod his head.

(End of Chapter)