The White-Robed Scholar, about to take a drink, lowered his cup and glared up the staircase. Grand Strategist Gongson Sim, who had clearly been eavesdropping, was now descending. Approaching the table, Gongson Sim naturally took the seat across from him and spoke.

“...He’s impossible to read.”

“I told you. His tendencies and personality are hard to pin down.”

Gongson Sim looked directly at the White-Robed Scholar.

“He’s an enemy, and yet an ally. Or maybe neither. But are you really planning to let the Haomun Lord get killed by the Specters?”

“He’s not the kind of man who dies easily.”

“It’s different if the opponents are Specters.”

“This isn’t a matter a few experts can resolve.”

“Couldn’t Cheonak step in?”

The White-Robed Scholar leaned forward and whispered, his eyes fixed on Gongson Sim.

“You think that bastard listens to me?”

“He seems to lend an ear to your words.”

“With Cheonak, it always starts over from scratch. If he doesn’t understand and accept it on his own, he won’t budge. More importantly, the Haomun Lord, as you can see, has the kind of temperament that speaks exactly what's on his mind—but it’s not always spontaneous. He’s crafty when it comes to schemes. Still, his honesty is consistent. On the other hand, I still can’t figure out what you’re thinking, Grand Strategist.”

Gongson Sim nodded.

“Same for me. I can’t read your thoughts either. Isn’t it enough if we both understand the greater cause?”

“And what exactly is your greater cause, Grand Strategist?”

Gongson Sim replied with a composed expression.

“For a long time, the Martial Alliance was a place where books were preserved. Alliance Leader Im said it was fine to take them all out.”

“You planning to do that?”

“That’s not what’s important.”

“Then what is?”

Gongson Sim answered,

“What I learned through those books is that protecting institutions like the Martial Alliance is what matters. The books themselves aren’t the point—it’s the meaning inside them that’s important.”

“You really have changed.”

Gongson Sim replied,

“If I can leave behind even one book that organizes my thoughts, continuing the will of the old scholars, then the time I spent reading won’t have been in vain. As the Haomun Lord once said to you... I think it’s time I walked my own path too.”

The White-Robed Scholar furrowed his brow.

“So you’ll retire and become a bystander? That’s a hard thing to just gloss over.”

Gongson Sim laughed.

“I want to study ancient texts and compile what I’ve learned into books for the next generation. Does that make me more of a scholar? Or are you? A scholar is someone who reads and studies. Maybe I haven’t changed—maybe it’s you all who’ve become distorted. You...”

“What about me?”

“Rather than a scholar, you’ve become a man of power. Those who once shouted to resist tyranny have become tyrants themselves. Well, even I only came to understand the Sword God's heart after growing old. I suppose I’m slow and dull. You’ll have your change of heart one day too.”

As the White-Robed Scholar silently glared at him, Gongson Sim continued in a calm tone.

“Even if I’m not around, try not to clash too much with the Alliance Leader.”

“Is that an order?”

“You don’t seem like the type to follow orders, do you? I never expected that from the beginning. Even if I’m older now, I can’t treat the Records Keeper of the Western Library lightly.”

As Gongson Sim stood up, the White-Robed Scholar asked,

“Where are you off to in the middle of our conversation? I didn’t expect talking to you would be so difficult.”

“I’m heading to the Martial Alliance.”

“You were kicked out. What’s the point of crawling back in?”

Gongson Sim shook his head.

“I need to pack my things before I go. It’s not such a heartless place.”

Suddenly, Gongson Sim’s eyes widened as he looked outside the second floor.

“...!”

The White-Robed Scholar turned his head sharply, also startled, and looked out the window. He had barely caught the sound of fluttering clothes—but there he was, the Haomun Lord, standing outside with a blank expression on his face.

The three of them simply stared at each other without saying a word.

“......”

As the White-Robed Scholar and Gongson Sim looked at him in silence, the Haomun Lord broke into a crooked, displeased smile.

***

‘These goddamn bastards... trying to scheme right in front of me.’

Gongson Sim must’ve come down after eavesdropping on my conversation with the White-Robed Scholar. I had been heading toward the Martial Alliance but turned back and activated the Art of Letting Go, hiding beneath the window to listen in on their talk.

Gongson Sim had used the upstairs stealth tactics of thieves.

I used the downstairs eavesdropping method once practiced by beggar chiefs.

Either way, just like my relationship with the White-Robed Scholar, it didn’t seem like he and the Grand Strategist were particularly close either. It felt more like an exchange between two equally ranked keepers of the archives.

From the window, I spoke to Gongson Sim.

“Grand Strategist, let’s go together. We’re headed the same way.”

Gongson Sim asked in surprise,

“Lord, you were eavesdropping?”

I answered in disbelief,

“Aren’t we even now?”

“Hmm.”

“From high places, the Martial Alliance hears everything. From below, the Haomun Lord hears it all. Not like your conversation was anything special. Let’s go. See you again, White-Robed Scholar.”

I dropped straight down from the window.

Standing with my hands behind my back, I waited as Gongson Sim walked out. I gestured toward the Martial Alliance to guide the old man.

“Let’s go. Think of it as a walk.”

Could this man really be the Swift Party Leader I never met in my past life? If he’d been holed up in the Martial Alliance as the Grand Strategist, maybe it was only natural that we’d never crossed paths.

Walking beside me as expected, Gongson Sim made no sound at all. He was like a hermit hiding from the world. If he really was one, I’d leave him be—but if he was just pretending to be a hermit, I had to drag him out. I wanted to see what kind of thoughts this man lived with.

Just as he had observed me, I would now observe him.

Since Gongson Sim stayed silent, I spoke first.

“...I heard you’re retiring.”

“So it seems.”

“You did well. Take this chance to demand a fat retirement package. After using someone for decades, the least they can do is pay up properly.”

“Is there even such a thing as a retirement package?”

I paused and looked over the shops surrounding the Martial Alliance.

“Was the commercial district like this when you first came here in your youth?”

Gongson Sim followed my gaze and looked around.

“It’s changed a lot. That area used to be nothing but fields.”

“The street view must’ve changed too.”

“In a way.”

I looked at him.

“You came with black hair and worked until you were white-haired. You should get a retirement package. If they refuse, I’ll protest to the Alliance Leader myself.”

Gongson Sim let out a short sigh and pointed to the Martial Alliance.

“Let’s go.”

We resumed walking.

This time, Gongson Sim broke the silence.

“I heard you proposed an alliance with the scholars to the Alliance Leader.”

His tone had relaxed slightly.

“That’s true. But I don’t know the scholars well, so it probably wasn’t a realistic proposal.”

“Did you think I was their leader?”

“Once.”

“And now?”

“How should I know?”

“If you don’t know, then why come meet me directly like this?”

I glanced at him sideways.

“Heard you got fired...”

“What?”

“You were fired, weren’t you?”

“Oh, you mean retired?”

“Same difference.”

The old man must’ve lived with a refined vocabulary—he was terrible at catching the gist.

I asked about his plans.

“So, now that you’re fired, what’ll you do? How about opening a bookstore?”

It must’ve been so absurd that Gongson Sim chuckled.

“A bookstore owner...”

“Pretty much the same line of work.”

“Did you ask me to walk with you just to mock me?”

“Not quite. I did have something to ask.”

“Then ask.”

“From what the White-Robed Scholar said, the Specters set off from the old headquarters. He guessed it was to come after me... What’s your take? You were the Grand Strategist of the Martial Alliance. Surely you have a unique perspective.”

“What do you think?”

I snapped my fingers and replied.

“So what am I, exactly? Why the hell would they come all this way just for me?”

“I heard you annihilated a group of the cult’s soldiers. It’s not that strange. Plus, the Specters from the old headquarters are technically external forces even from the cult’s standpoint. They’re more like semi-aligned allies. If the Specters go berserk and kill someone like you or the Sovereigns, the Cult Leader would be thrilled.”

“Then you’re saying the Cult Leader may have instigated it?”

“If he sent the Four Kings to the old headquarters, he probably had multiple outcomes in mind. They could die at the hands of the Specters, or return even stronger as their disciples. Or maybe the Specters, after hearing various rumors, came out of curiosity about you. Unless the Cult Leader is some god who can read minds, we can’t say he aimed for this specifically. Or...”

“Or?”

“They’re masters who’ve studied all kinds of demonic arts. Maybe they just want to toss you into their tonic pot.”

Now that I thought about it, the man had a sharp tongue. He clearly hadn’t become the Grand Strategist just by loafing around with books and meals.

“Tonic, huh... So I’ve become a living ginseng root?”

“I heard from the Alliance Leader that you’ve mastered both yin and yang martial arts.”

“That’s right.”

“You’d be nourishing to them.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m food. It’s unpleasant. Either way, seems I’m popular these days.”

“Must be nice.” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“So what should I do?”

Gongson Sim looked at me.

“What exactly are you asking?”

“If I go to the Alliance Leader, he’ll definitely help. But in my view, if we fight the Specters head-on, many alliance members will die. It’s inefficient and not my style. But we don’t even know their level or how many are coming. I’m asking if there’s a better way.”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Come on. Grand Strategist.”

“Soon to be jobless.”

“Is it that hard to give me one strategy? Costs you nothing. You didn’t sit in that seat just because you’re old, right? You must’ve been smart, so offer a damn plan. Unbelievable. At least earn your meals. Don’t forget, I’m a supporter of the Martial Alliance too.”

“What tricks would work against nomadic Specters? They’ve probably seen everything. The only simple and effective method is to act as if you don’t know about them, then strike with expert reinforcements.”

“You mean walk in casually, get ambushed, then the hidden masters strike?”

“You’ll need to pick the team carefully. If it leaks, the Specters will be on guard. But this isn’t really a matter of strategy.”

“It’s about who’s willing to help me?”

Gongson Sim nodded.

“Something like that. Still, with your four, you could take down three or four Specters, no?”

“What if there’s over ten of them?”

“Ah... then it’ll be tough. If ten Sovereigns charge in together, someone will die. I’m curious whether there are enough strong ones who’d risk their lives for you.”

“Am I that disliked?”

“The Alliance Leader would want to help, but if he collapses now, an all-out war with the cult wouldn’t be surprising. And the enemy wouldn’t miss that chance. Honestly, the Alliance Leader has more weight among the cultists than even their own top brass.”

Gongson Sim was directly questioning whether I would drive Im Sobaek to his death. Knowing I wasn’t that kind of person, he said it deliberately. For a man who’d just been fired, he was still quite concerned about the Martial Alliance and Im Sobaek.

He doesn’t seem like the mastermind...

We had reached the front gates of the Martial Alliance when I spoke to him.

“Grand Strategist, thanks for the advice.”

“Was it helpful?”

I nodded.

“It helped, and I’ve made up my mind. Then...”

As I turned to head toward Wolhagwan, Gongson Sim called from behind me.

“Haomun Lord.”

I stopped and looked back. He asked,

“Will you tell me what your decision is?”

“Should I?”

“If it helped, then yes.”

I nodded.

“Grand Strategist, keep your mouth shut about the Specters. I’ll handle it myself.”

“That’ll be hard.”

“If it’s hard, I can’t drag others into death for it.”

“And the three following you—do they not matter if they die?”

What was he expecting to hear with that question? I gave my answer.

“They don’t matter.”

“Why?”

I looked him up and down before replying.

“Not sure. But I don’t think someone retiring after a life of books would understand, even if I told them.”

“This is why people say you have no manners.”

I glared at him.

“You think I live like this to be known for manners? The four of us—our pride is strong. Life and death come second. Telling us to run from a worthy foe? That’s an insult, not advice. And it’s the same in reverse. I’ve said this much—do you get it?”

“I can’t say I fully do.”

“Grand Strategist, how about joining Haomun?”

“Me?”

“If you ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) watched the world from the heights and mistook it for the whole of Jianghu, you shouldn’t. But if you’ve truly observed from above for long, now’s the time to drop to the bottom and see how people actually live. Down there are the foolish, the sick, the overworked and underpaid, the addicted, the desperate. When you see that with your own eyes, you’ll finally understand what your work at the Martial Alliance really meant.”

“And what changes after knowing that?”

“Not much. But maybe your brilliant mind will start to grasp the parts of the world you never understood. Like why the Alliance Leader suffers from insomnia, why the Haomun Lord is such a bastard... why the guys following me seem so hopeless. You know, little things.”

“What use is knowing those things?”

I slowly walked backward, watching Gongson Sim. Though likely the smartest man in the Alliance, he didn’t seem it to me—and that made me chuckle.

“Once you learn that, you’ll finally realize how books and the real world are not the same, Scholar.”

Only then did Gongson Sim’s face flush red.

At last, I could see his calm expression crumble. I no longer suspected he was the mastermind. Just an old man who’d stayed in the white path too long and had become old there.

I stared at his face, satisfying my curiosity.

“See you again, Swift Party Leader.”

Just as Gongson Sim’s eyes widened in shock, I turned and headed toward Wolhagwan.

Finally cleared that one up. The old Swift Party Leader...

Inviting him to Haomun was genuine, but the conversation’s tone likely made it sound like I was just teasing him. If I could recruit the Swift Party Leader from my past life into Haomun, it’d be a great gain for me—but things rarely go how you want in this world, so I kept my expectations low.