The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 324: My Martial Art Is Not in Any Book

Upon returning to his office, Im Sobaek sat quietly, suppressing the storm of thoughts raging within him. He feared that if he didn’t compose himself, he might end up breaking something.

After a long wait, a voice called from outside.

“Alliance Leader, the Chief Strategist has arrived.”

“Bring him in.”

Gongson Sim closed the door behind him and asked,

“Have you waited long?”

“It’s been a while. Take a seat.”

Gongson Sim walked in slowly and sat across from Im Sobaek with his usual expression, unchanged.

Im Sobaek stared at him silently.

“Chief Strategist.”

“Yes.”

“Gongson Strategist.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“Senior Gongson.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“How many years has it been since we met?”

Gongson Sim replied,

“About twenty-five years.”

“Exactly?”

“It’s been twenty-six years and one hundred eighty-one days.”

“How has it been?”

“Are you asking how I feel... or what you really want to know, I wonder.”

“I’m talking about us. We started as superior and subordinate, and now we’re Alliance Leader and Chief Strategist.”

“I’ve always believed there was trust between us.”

Im Sobaek gazed at him and chose his words carefully several times. Nothing seemed right, so he gave in to emotion and spoke.

“If we trusted each other that much, when were you going to tell me you were a Scholar? After thirty years? After one of us retired? Before one of us died?”

Gongson Sim, who had been staring blankly at the desk, slowly lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Im Sobaek.

“You say I’m a Scholar?”

“I know you’re not the type to deny what’s already been exposed. ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) You can likely guess what the Haomun Leader and I talked about in the archive. After twenty-six years and one hundred eighty-one days, let’s skip the formalities.”

“This is all so strange.”

“What is?”

“Everything I’ve done as a Scholar has always been included in my duties as a strategist or member of the Alliance. I never intended to reveal it. Not even after thirty years or retirement. Why would it come to light now, and strain my relationship with the Alliance Leader? How did the Haomun Leader uncover something like this?”

Im Sobaek said,

“Can you not answer a question with a question?”

“Where shall I begin? What should I even tell you?”

“Whatever you’re willing to share. Whatever you want to tell me, Gongson Sim. Whatever you, the strategist who kept handing me impossible tasks, wish to say to an old subordinate... just say something. I deserve to hear it.”

Gongson Sim nodded.

“Since you ask, I’ll speak. I never imagined a day like this would come, so forgive the disorder in my words...”

“Of course.”

After organizing his thoughts, Gongson Sim continued.

“You may not know this, but from the beginning, I worked in the library.”

“There was a library?”

“It’s changed names a few times. Now it's called the Archive. This was long ago. My mission was simple: join the Martial Alliance and safeguard ancient texts.”

“For what reason?”

“I found out later. More and more books started arriving from the outside.”

“You mean the Scholars’ books were being brought into the Martial Alliance and stored in the Archive?”

“Yes.”

“Since when?”

“Since the beginning, I imagine. My predecessor, and the one before him, must have been sent by the Scholars. They probably established the Archive within the Alliance in the first place.”

Im Sobaek folded his arms.

“And that was possible?”

“In truth, the only people who truly value books are Scholars and martial artists. The Scholars entrusted the books to the martial world. Since people in Jianghu risk their lives over secret manuals, there was mutual benefit. If a former Alliance Leader was among the previous caretakers, it would've made things much easier.”

“So then what happened?”

“I managed the books. Stored them, dusted them, spent years that way. One day, from sheer boredom, I started reading them. After finishing them all, I reread them out of boredom again. For years, no one came. I thought all the Scholars had died. Then out of nowhere, a stranger would occasionally show up to deposit more books.”

“Martial arts?”

“No. Records from fallen Scholar families, remnants of the Hundred Schools of Thought, retrieved and delivered by surviving Scholars. The Martial Alliance is quite secure. As long as it doesn’t collapse, the books are safe. Eventually, some brought specific requests. They’d name a martial art and ask for a copy. I transcribed them diligently and handed them over.”

“Isn’t that against Alliance law?”

“The men who requested them were absolute masters. Since I had joined the Alliance on orders, I already knew where my loyalty lay.”

“And then?”

“At some point, I realized I might be killed by those same Scholars who had learned the martial arts I copied. So I reread the manuals I had studied, focusing on martial arts. I trained myself. More years passed. News from the outside was seldom good. One day, a rumor spread through Jianghu about a peerless master who had joined the Alliance, earned the title Sword God, and then became the Alliance Leader... But I already knew his identity.”

“So that peerless master who left the books was the Sword God.”

“Yes.”

Im Sobaek sighed.

“...Good grief.”

Like a man already drunk, he stood up, grabbed a bottle of wine from a gap in the bookshelf, and returned. Pouring the liquor into his usual teacup, he looked at Gongson Sim.

“Chief Strategist, it’s hard to stay sane in this world.”

“Yes.”

“You dislike alcohol, so I’ll drink alone.”

After taking a sip, Gongson Sim continued.

“...After a few conversations with the Sword God, my duties increased. I had to manage the Archive and also joined the Strategy Council. I often worked overnight, but it was better than boredom.”

“What was your main duty in the Strategy Council?”

“I mostly hunted spies.”

“That’s no easy task, is it?”

“I gained many insights into martial arts thanks to your guidance.”

“You were trained by the Sword God?”

“Yes.”

“After being alone with books for so long, his teachings were like rain in a drought. He always looked out for me. As the Archive moved locations and the flow of books increased, you became busier, yet still found time to review my self-taught martial arts and offer feedback. One day, you even brought me a child, asking me to raise her as my adoptive daughter. I’m sure you’ve noticed—she’s not my blood. She’s the Sword God’s.”

Im Sobaek nodded.

“I had a feeling there was a resemblance.”

“One night, he called me while drinking alone, already drunk and weeping. It was the day many Alliance members had died or were injured. I remember it well. That night...”

Gongson Sim trailed off, staring into his teacup.

Im Sobaek poured more liquor and handed it to him. Though he usually refused alcohol, Gongson Sim drank it without hesitation.

“That night, the Sword God said this: ‘From now on, all matters concerning the Scholars are yours.’ He declared that he would spend the rest of his life as the Alliance Leader. It was both an order as Alliance Leader and as a Scholar. He worried that the Scholars outside were becoming corrupted, but admitted that in their eyes, he might be the corrupted one. Still, as the Martial Alliance Leader, he said any who crossed the line should be put on the public execution list. It was practically a declaration that he was no longer a Scholar.”

“...This is all confusing.”

“Yes.”

“Some on that execution list disappeared without a trace.”

Gongson Sim looked at him.

“...I took occasional leaves of absence. I had no particular plans and reported my purpose beforehand. On other occasions, you were away, so I handled things. The Sword God’s martial prowess was immense, and I too had accumulated enough knowledge to deal with formidable foes more easily than expected. I formed a private group out of curiosity—many who had been seeking me out joined. Since I knew what books had been taken, I could guess a person’s martial art by their light footwork. Some I killed.”

“You created that group just to kill them?”

“Not necessarily. The Scholars had become too unruly. I needed to gauge them. Understanding their changes wasn’t easy without meeting them. Over time, I became a senior figure among them. Some showed remarkable talent, but were impossible to control or kill—so I placed them on the public execution list.”

“Cheonak.”

“Yes. Some of the crimes attributed to him were not his own. His martial arts advanced rapidly, and confronting him became more difficult. With each meeting, I saw how their techniques evolved and transformed. After that, I stopped responding to their requests for book copies.”

Im Sobaek frowned and studied Gongson Sim.

“Then why did the White-Robed Scholar come?”

“I didn’t intend to meet him, so I don’t know. Maybe he came to assess your martial arts. He’s the leader of a library as old as the Archive, one he seized after killing its former head. We’re in an era where it’s unclear who the true Scholars even are. Baek-ui is the disciple of a Scholar who once ruled the dark path.”

“So, he was the disciple of Heukseon.”

“Yes.”

“No wonder he’s strong. They say Heukseon was the harshest master to his disciples. No surprise his mind’s all twisted. And if it’s Heukseon, it’s not strange he was killed by a disciple.”

“No one mourned Heukseon’s death. Few even know who killed him. I suspect it was Baek-ui, Cheonak, Silmyeong, and Chumyeong acting together. After killing the Black-Robed Scholar, he started using the name White-Robed Scholar. But with Cheonak by his side, no one among the Scholars can stop their rampage.”

“And why didn’t you say any of this before?”

“Alliance Leader, I truly intended to spend the rest of my life as Chief Strategist. You may find that hard to believe.”

“Chief Strategist.”

“Yes.”

Im Sobaek looked at Gongson Sim and asked,

“If I go all out... could I kill you here and now? Turns out you’re my martial senior, aren’t you, Senior Gongson?”

“Your martial path is self-taught. It’s not that of the Sword God.”

“But I received many teachings. Even minor habits, he corrected. A master isn’t only one who teaches swordplay. I didn’t learn anything on my own. I was taught everything—from A to Z. Even how to fold a blanket. A useless man from a backwater town became Martial Alliance Leader because this Alliance trained me.”

“I feel the same.”

“I only became Leader because all my old companions from the Alliance died first. It’s a grudge I can’t let go of... and so I lead, forced into it.”

“I understand.”

“I’m no god. How could I have known any of this? Same goes for Yi Zaha. That man thinks you’re the leader of the Scholars. Is he right?”

“I am not.”

“He suggested forming an alliance with all the Scholars. Just until the Demonic Cult is defeated.”

“He’s better than me. I should’ve done that first. But the Scholars are too chaotic. It’s not a practical suggestion.”

“He’s not practical. He’s the kind who dreams first.”

“He’s... a unique man.”

Calmer now, Im Sobaek spoke in a weary tone.

“Senior Gongson, if you resent me, just say so. If you want to kill me, fight me here and now. If you want to spare me, I’ll return to my hometown. Just... let me know. You’re smarter and stronger than me. So why didn’t you become Alliance Leader? Why subject me to this humiliation after all these years? Did I live wrongly? I always handled the tasks you gave without complaint.”

“If I sat in that seat... who would follow me?”

“So I’m just the scapegoat?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“How much does Gongson Wol know?”

“I tried to keep him uninvolved in Scholar affairs. He probably suspects little. I’ve always been concerned about sitting too long at my desk, but I don’t do that anymore—he won’t question it. But if he discovered anything on his own... even I don’t know.”

“About his being the blood of the previous Alliance Leader?”

“He had no choice. It was a matter of protection.”

“Incredible. I did think he was unusually favored... Now I know why. I thought I knew everything happening in the Alliance—but clearly, I didn’t. Anything else? Don’t wait for me to ask—just tell me.”

“The Scholars once demanded the Six Combat Blade be handed over.”

“Might as well ask for my arm, those fools. What else?”

“They requested an explanation of how Yi Zaha’s ultimate technique works. Sent a sketch and notes on the martial art he learned. Asked if I had a similar one to deliver.”

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t respond. I didn’t know.”

“Even you don’t know?” 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“No.”

“So we’re both still alive because they’re obsessed with martial arts? They’re insane. You, Gongson Wol—smarter than me, yet we’ve broken this trust. How will we ever repair it?”

Gongson Sim sighed.

“What if you married Wol-ah?”

“...Are you serious?”

“Then perhaps I could marry her off to Yi Zaha instead.”

“What kind of strategist thinks like that?”

“Political marriages were effective for kings. That’s why dynasties used them.”

“Yi Zaha and Gongson Wol are both the type who ignore anything they don’t like. Useless fantasy. I already tried arranging something—they had no interest.”

“You did? How?”

“I sat them down together. Anyone could see it. One was looking to start a fight, and the other was thinking about the Strategy Council. They might have eyes, but they weren’t even seeing each other.”

“Then... I’ll retire.”

“Haven’t you already retired halfway? Gongson Wol does all the work. Do you even have a place to go?”

“No. But I’ve saved money. I’ll buy land or a house and live quietly in hiding.”

“If that’s truly your wish, then retire.”

Gongson Sim spoke with deflated resolve.

“It’s a kind of atonement.”

“Then I’ll accept it. When you retire, prepare a cart and take all the Scholars’ books with you. The Alliance isn’t your warehouse or library. You lived well and rested because of the efforts of Alliance members—not because of the Scholars. If there are any of their agents still here, take them with you. That’s your final courtesy to the Alliance that protected you. Whether you vanish in retirement, or return as a Scholar and my enemy, it’s your choice. Let’s end our connection here.”

“I’ll go and speak to the Scholars one last time.”

“That’s your life. No need to ask me. I have a duel tomorrow—I need rest. Now go. And one final request. Tomorrow, make sure no Scholar is in my line of sight. They don’t deserve to witness this duel.”

“Alliance Leader, must you be so emotional...”

Im Sobaek gave a snorting laugh. Gongson Sim shut his mouth, face stiff.

Im Sobaek spoke.

“Senior, I’ve lived emotionally. That’s what brought me here. That same emotion birthed the Six Combat Blade. Even if those Scholars train for a thousand years, they’ll never imitate it. My martial art... isn’t in any book.”

“...Yes, Alliance Leader. Then I shall take my leave.”

After Gongson Sim exited, Im Sobaek leaned back in his chair, propped his feet on the desk, and closed his eyes with an exhausted expression.

Only a sigh remained where the storm of emotions had passed.