Book 1 Chapter 20: The message that my death brought (2)

Translator: Hwarang

Editor: Jay

Kal Sa Ryang looked out the window. It was finally the day to announce the death of the Alliance Leader. At first he couldn't believe it. The Alliance Leader that he was talking to just a while ago had suddenly died. He was certain that it was poison. So he immediately called for the godly doctor.

However, the godly doctor couldn't find anything. Which meant that the Alliance leader died a natural death. Even though the Alliance Leader's actions might have been a bit weird the last couple of days, he couldn't believe that it was related to the leader's death. How could the Strongest Under Heaven die such a lame death like this? It was so lame that the tears in his eyes wouldn't even come out. This death was something he couldn't have imagined.

But Kal Sa Ryang didn't have the time to properly mourn for the Mengju's death since his workload were as high as Mt. Tai. He was tasked with the most import thing, which was picking the next Alliance Leader. Even if the Alliance Leader dies, the Alliance must go on.

"We can't postpone the voting anymore." Kal Sa Ryang didn't have anything to say.

After staring out the window for a moment, Kal Sa Ryang turned around and looked at the expert who was drinking tea in front of him. Even though the expert might be holding a tea cup,it looked as if he was holding a blade. That just showed how dangerous he was.

This expert was one of the sect masters of the ten-major sects.

The ten major sects are divided like this.

There are three sects that are under the direct control of the Mengju, and no one but the Mengju can give them order. The first sect is called the Moonlight Sect, second one is called the Iron Calvary Sect, and the third one is called the Divine Archery Sect.These three sects are called the three pillar sects of the alliance.

The Moonlight Sect consist of experts who specializes in different weapons. It is said that every single one of these experts are hidden experts, and no one but the Mengju knows how many experts there are and what their capabilities are. The expert in front drinking tea was the leader of this Sect, Ju Cheol Ryong.

The Iron Calvary Sect consisted of five hundred experts who clad themselves in armor and rode out on their iron-clad horses. Not only are they expert cavalrymen, they are also expert martial artists; they had the perfect collaboration between martial arts and cavalry.

The Divine Archery Sect don't need much of an explanation, since it is a sect that consists of expert archers from all over Kang Ho. Even though it only consists of the best archers, there are still a thousand members in this sect. Could you imagine what would happen if these thousand experts shot their arrows at the same time?

After these three Pillar Sects, the next seven sects are as follows.

The intelligence sect led by Kal Sa Ryung called the True Heart Sect, the personal security of the Mengju led by Baek Pyo called the Fierce Guard Sect. With over three thousand members, the sect that is in charge of the security of the Murim is called the White Tiger Sect. The Crimson Dragon Sectwith over eight thousand personnel, is in charge of personnel management. Aside from this, there is also the Judiciary Sectand the Merchant Sect. And finally, there is the Council of the Elders, where many retired experts go when they no longer wish to fight; it is hard to get in and even harder to stay in. This was how the ten major sects are set up.

Since each sect can nominate a candidate, things became very chaotic quickly. But through rigorous talks, meeting, and bargaining, the next Mengju is chosen.

The one the Kal Sa Ryang had in his mind was the Leader of the Lightning Sword Gate, Yeop Mu Gil. He had a good character and was praised throughout Murim, but most importantly, he was strong. Even though his Clan might be small, what did it matter as long as you were strong?

Kal Sa Ryung believed that others would naturally support his decision, but he didn't expect this last minute change. He believed that out of everyone, the Moonlight Sect would support his decision, but who would have imagined that the Leader of the Moonlight Sect would directly come here and say otherwise.

This expert who was drinking tea nominated someone who didn't have the qualifications to become the Mengju. Even though his female problems were well hidden from others, his character was still questionable. The one that the Moonlight Sect leader nominated was the leader of the Heavenly Dao Gate, Ma Bong Gi.

Kal Sa Ryung postponed the vote, since he didn't have a good feeling about and the other side had six votes. So he postponed the vote as long as he could while trying to bring more people to his side.

However, he failed. Within these last two months of postponing, one person from his side went over to the other side and now they had seven votes. There was nothing more he could do. It was his utter defeat.

But how could this have happened?

Now Kal Sa Ryung was certain. They were preparing this for a long time. He was certain the Mengju was assassinated.

Ma Bong Gi. Was it his doing? But Ma Bong Gi wasn't someone who capable of doing something like this. Or was he wrong?

Was there someone behind the shadows? If there was someone, why did they use Ma Bong Gi? There were others more suitable than him.

This was something that he couldn't figure out.

"It is now time to make a decision."

Ma Bong Gi was going to become the Mengju if the voting proceeded.

Ju Cheol Ryong showed life-devoting loyalty to the Mengju when he was still alive, but who knew that once the Mengju was gone he would be the one to turn tail?

'Sa Ryang-Ah, you still have lot to learn.'

Who would have known the pride that he had when he helped unify the Central Plain with the Mengju would make him conceited?

He only saw the superficial things that the Strongest Under Heaven brought, when he brought peace throughout Kang Ho. He became blinded and couldn't see the problems that were happening inside. Murim was getting more corrupt and rotten from the root.

Kal Sa Ryang gave cold laugh, hiding his remorse.

"Although upholding rules and regulations is important, I believe upholding the previous Mengju's wish is also important."

"The previous Mengju's wish? What do you mean?"

"As you all know, the previous Mengju gave his whole life to bring unity and peace to the Alliance. Especially when the Five Major Clans were causing chaos throughout Kang Ho. All of you know this."

They all nodded, showing a reluctant face.

Kal Sa Ryang added, "If we vote for someone like him, then aren't we forgetting what the previous Mengju have done for us?"

But Ju Cheol Ryung didn't have the thought of backing down. "Yes, you're right, but we must also uphold the traditions. Don't you believe it is proper that we do it the right way?"

"I will think about it."

"If you postpone this any longer, we will vote without you."

After saying this Ju Cheol Ryung left the room.

Seeing him leave, Kal Sa Ryang gave a long sigh. He was in a hopeless situation where there was nothing he could do, now that two out of the three pillar sects were on the other side.

He turned his attention towards the window, watching people come and go. Everyone was wearing white in memorial for the past Mengju.

Even without the owner, this place was still lively. No, it seemed more lively now that the owner passed away. "Mengju-nim you can't go like this."

Baek Pyo stood at the middle of the Mengju's Pavillion. This place was empty after the death of the Chunhajin. Baek Pyo walked toward the mural in the wall, which recorded all of the fights that the previous Mengju had been in. The fights were left behind as legends.

Even though he glanced at this mural many times before, this was the first time that he is truly looked at it. Once the new Mengju was chosen, this wall would be taken down and a new one would be placed so that it could record the new history. If that happened, he would have to protect this new Mengju.

But how could he forget the Strongest Under Heaven? After walking through all corners of the room he stood in front of a chair and table. The chair that Mengju usually sat in was empty.

Baek Pyo remembered the smiling face of his master. "Haha, Baek Pyo-ya. Come here and share a drink with me. If you are always uptight like that, you might catch an illness."

"I can sleep in comfort because of you. Thank You. Thank you very much."

"I heard that your wife is sick. Go take care of her for a few days. Ha ha, this is an order. Order from the Mengju."

"You liked the time when we fought like crazy. You remember? I still remember those days. Sorry for making you work hard then. Ha ha ha." Mengju's words were still clear in Baek Pyo's head. Finally he couldn't hold himself back and tears started dropping from his eyes.

"Mengju-nim!!!" His tears kept on falling. He was feeling guilty for not being able to protect him. He thought that if he paid more attention to the Mengju's health...

He kept crying. "I want to see you againMengju-nim."

But there was no reply. Only the sound of his cry.