#1
8
9.
With the Murim Alliance flag, borrowed from the Seongdo branch manager, hung high, no haphazard bandit strongholds dared to swarm around; moreover, because their numbers were so vast, even the Black Path martial artists merely looked at them with disdain and passed by.
Perhaps realizing the advantage of the Murim Alliance flag, the escorts of the Mukyeop Escort Agency led us along an easier route they usually avoided due to danger, so no one felt strained during the journey.
However, there were some students in the dormitory who expressed dissatisfaction with the meals.
Since Seunghodang did so much outdoor training and marched frequently, there was no major problem with cooking their own meals.
However, since none of the elites of our Nine Great Sects, who were raised preciously at the main mountain, were accustomed to cooking outdoors, they sometimes ended up burning the porridge—which is supposed to be easy to make—or eating it undercooked.
Eventually, some students gathered their grievances and made a suggestion to Gu Jeong-ryong, but…
“What? You say it’s hard to cook a meal? Then chew on Byeokgokdan. Haven’t you ever eaten it while training at the main temple?”
When he received only a cold response, he turned around and left, looking dejected as if he were about to cry.
He must have learned the hard way that the treatment of being treated like a precious child is something that can only be received at the main branch.
How about our group?
“Eunho, I think we don’t have enough meat.”
“Geumpyo hyung, did you hurt your eye? There’s plenty of meat. It’s just that there are so many dried vegetables.”
I still prefer meat.
“I told you to make some more dried beef jerky.”
Geumpyo and Eunho prepared porridge for every meal, adding twice as much meat and vegetables as dried grains, though it is unclear when they had prepared it.
Thanks to that, our group ate until we were stuffed every time. ‘Did I ever let them go hungry?’ Even though I certainly fed them delicacies to their hearts’ far from starving them while taking them around, their gluttony knew no bounds and only grew.
For some reason, I feel like I gain more weight when cooking outdoors than when I’m in the student center.
Seong Moran also nods at Namgung Seonhwa’s words.
I actually feel like I eat a bit poorly when I’m at the student center.
I glanced at the dormitory residents.
– I looked around.
Every single one of them looked haggard, their cheeks sunken in, and their eyelids turned dark.
Sleeping on the streets one after another following the work in Sacheon left me exhausted.
The condition of the 12 peak fortresses, said to be the elite of the 108 peaks, is also not very good.
On the other hand, the faces of our group, including Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, are shiny.
“Isn’t everyone having a hard time?”
Seong Moran tilted her head at my question.
“You eat three comfortable meals a day and sleep soundly without even standing guard, so what are you tired about?”
No matter how I look at it, there isn’t much difference from the other dormitory students’ situation…
At this, Eunho clicked his tongue and said.
“Senior Brother, didn’t Jaehwa and the sisters take the regular exam with us?”
“ah…….”
They say that once you’ve experienced real hardship, the hardships you face afterward don’t even feel like hardship.
I realized once again just how much I had pushed them through during the regular admissions. ‘They must have all grown up just as precious as the True Divine Disciples of the Nine Great Sects.’ Take Namgung Seon-hwa, for instance; as the precious granddaughter of the Divine Sword, she must have grown up without ever lifting a finger.
Now, I devour three bowls of meat porridge made from dried jerky right where I’m sitting…
“What is wrong, Confucius?”
Namgung Seon-hwa tilts her head as I look at her.
“no.”
No sooner had the guilt of having turned people raised preciously at home into this state reared its head than the rationalization reigning like a king in a corner of my mind slammed down on it. ‘Still, well, thanks to that, they have become strong people now. No matter which martial arts school they join in the Alliance in the future, they shouldn’t have any trouble adapting.’ Seong Moran frowned deeply as she watched my expression.
You’re rationalizing something, aren’t you?
Is this what women call a sixth sense?
I quickly changed the subject.
I was worried about what would happen in the future.
“What… is it?”
Seongmoran trembles her lips nervously.
Am I a ghost or something? I haven’t even said anything specific yet, so what’s with that reaction?
“I’m even more anxious because Young Master Jin is worried!”
“…….”
Actually, it wasn’t exactly a relaxed situation.
First of all, the elders of the Jeongdohoe.
What do you think is the reason those gentlemen abandoned even their own disciples and set off for the Martial Arts Alliance as soon as they arrived in Chengdu?
It’s obvious that they intend to go and pull some kind of stunt.
It would be fortunate if it ended merely as a ploy to minimize their own fault.
The biggest problem was that I couldn’t even predict what kind of slander they would use in connection with this incident.
Secondly, Murim Academy.
During the academic schedule, the representative took all the executives of the delegation out and left the room.
Even if formal procedures were followed, what if it is revealed that it was carried out through the director’s abuse of authority in the absence of the Chief of Staff?
There was a possibility that the future academic schedule might be disrupted.
And with this incident, those coveting the position of student center representative will likely start creeping back into action.
I realized it clearly this time.
If the position of academy representative is simply handed over, no one knows how much more of a mess Murim Academy will become.
“If the Murim Academy falls into chaos, it is clear that the Murim Alliance will become a group of idiots in the future, just as it was in my previous life. I absolutely cannot let that happen.” I steeled my resolve once again.
The journey back was completed smoothly.
As soon as they arrived in Wuhan, the Mukyeop Escort Agency returned with their wagons and personnel.
From Muhan to Murim Academy, only Seunghodang and the academy students moved together.
“Ow! Finally arrived!”
Seongmoran stretched out refreshingly.
Smiles are already forming on the faces of the others. Seeing the sign that reads ‘Murim Academy,’ I suddenly feel the reality that we have arrived.
I want to go back and just sleep for three days straight.
Me too.
The moment we passed through the main gate while chatting about this and that.
““Waaaaaaah!””
Thunderous shouts rang out from all directions.
“What, what is it?”
Just like the surprised Geumpyo, the group was also dumbfounded.
Students and people who appeared to be outsiders were lined up on both sides of the path leading to the main building, shouting cheers.
“What on earth…?”
At that moment, Jang Woo-jae and his friends walked out from among the students.
Thank you for your hard work, CEO.
“What happened?”
Didn’t the student center representative run to protect the students and rescue them? Anyone would naturally want to come out and cheer for him.
Is that so?
Considering that, there doesn’t seem to be a single figure from the Baekdohoe or Jeongdohoe to be seen.
Jang Woo-jae spoke with an expression as if looking at a hero.
“First, please wave your hand, Mr. President.”
What’s with the hand all of a sudden…
This kind of hospitality doesn’t suit me.
While I hesitated, Jang Woo-jae suddenly grabbed my hand and lifted it high.
At the same time, “““Waaaaaaah!!!”””
A louder cheer than before echoed through the hall.
“Black Flame Dragon!! Black Flame Dragon!!”
“That’s cool!! Taeeulmun!!”
“It’s the best! The best!”
It feels like some nickname I don’t want to hear is naturally mixed in…
In any case, as it became clear who the cheers were directed at, the children of Taeeulmun, Namgung Seon-hwa, Seong Moran, Moyong Jae-hwa, and others also waved their hands in all directions.
Whenever that happens, the crowds cheer and chant their names.
The group, who had just moments ago said they wanted to lie down immediately because they were tired, were responding to their cheers with bright smiles, as if they had forgotten all their fatigue.
As I gaze at the sight, a chuckle escapes me without me realizing it.
“Well, sometimes something like this isn’t so bad.”#“What’s going on?”
The dispatch to Sacheon, which was said to respond as quickly as possible but ultimately ended up being delayed.
Jegal So-myeong, who had been unable to sleep properly at night because he could not predict how the situation in Sichuan would unfold, was dumbfounded by the truly unexpected reports.
– Blood Cult Eastern Advance Stops
– Anomaly detected within Blood Sect unit
The biggest concern regarding the Blood Cult’s lack of preparation for the battle was the Emei Sect, which would meet the Blood Cult first.
Outwardly, the Emei Sect was confident, claiming they would not be defeated by the Blood Sect, but it was clear that they were trembling with fear inside.
It is evident just by the fact that they urgently requested the Jegal family to dispatch troops to reorganize the Qimen Formation installed at the main temple, and even gathered disciples from secular martial arts sects to reinforce the defenses. ‘I could only earnestly hope that they would hold out until the warriors of the Martial Arts Alliance were dispatched…’ For some reason, the Blood Cult’s eastward advance came to a halt.
Are you preparing something bigger?
As sensitivity had already reached its peak due to the news that there was a Steel City in the Blood Cult, Zhuge Xiaoming’s nerves were sharpened like a blade.
“Those damn bastards…….”
The decisive reason for the delay in the dispatch was none other than Jeoryeong-gu.
The sorcery unleashed by the Blood Cult was so powerful that even those with high spiritual or Buddhist powers instantly lost their reason.
For this reason, I merely issued an order to reconfirm possession of the Jeoryeonggu, the basic tools for Pasa and Jeoryeong, but perplexing reports poured in from all sides. ‘You sold them all long ago?’ I was so dumbfounded by the absurd situation that I couldn’t even speak properly.
If there had been just one or two of them, I intended to immediately reprimand them and throw them into the deepest part of the Murim Alliance’s Golden Prison, but there were far too many who had sold the Spirit-Exorcising Sphere.
Not only did it far exceed the number that could be accommodated in Geumok, but if it were actually carried out, several of the Mu-gak might be blown away.
“Ugh…… Ugh…….”
There is no way to relieve the anger bursting from deep within my heart.
I tried to urgently obtain a spirit-removing device, but it wasn’t easy.
It is a tool that is difficult to make to begin with, so we are far short of stock.
In the end, just as reported in Sichuan, I hurriedly bought and handed over the Hyungsan Sect’s Demon Subduing Talisman, which was said to be exceptionally effective.
Jegal So-myeong crumpled the report in his hand and gritted his teeth. ‘Just you wait, without fail! Without fail! I won’t let this slide.’ No, Jegal So-myeong was determined that as soon as he left Jeoryeong-gu and this situation was resolved, he would immediately conduct an investigation into the actual status of the supplies provided by the Murim Alliance.
Of course, it seemed as though the wailing of supply officers could already be heard from all directions. But this was to be expected in the current situation—
at that time.
“General.…….”
Meng Zhuyuan, having sensed early on that Zhuge Xiaoming was in a very, very bad mood, approached him cautiously.
Sure enough, Jegal Somyeong unleashed his irritability to his heart’s content.
“You brat! Why are you being such a nuisance!”
Maeng Ju-won, speaking for the first time since arriving at work today, felt utterly wronged, but he swallowed his resentment tightly. ‘Ha… I’m going to be tormented for a while.’ He knew he would suffer the consequences because of those bastards who sold the Jeoryeonggu, but he couldn’t act tough like usual.
After all, he himself had committed sins.
If I wasn’t careful, I might end up locked up in the gold and silver prison for a while in their place.
Meng Zhuyuan took care not to offend Zhuge Xiaoming and brought up the main point.
“That’s not it; they say Jin So-un has returned.”
Jegal So-myeong’s eyes snap open.
“……
Huh? That guy?
“Yes. I just received word from the academic center. They said everyone has returned safely.”
“already?”
Although he had received the report, he arrived much sooner than he had expected. ‘How did you sweet-talk the Chengdu branch manager again?’ He heard that the Chengdu branch manager had spent his own money to provide a carriage and even hired a courier service.
While everyone else is spending the Murim Alliance’s funds recklessly, it is only natural to be pleased to see someone saving the Alliance’s expenses frugally.
Jegal So-myeong pulled the corners of his mouth, which were slowly rising, back down. ‘No, wait, I should still scold him for what he deserves.’ He had just decided that since Hyeok Mu-gang would praise him anyway, he would give him a bit of harsh criticism.
A fellow who is set to join the Mantong Department and do great things in the future shouldn’t be trying to cut corners and bypass the rules already.
Just as he had more than one or two questions, Jegal So-myeong sprang up from his seat.
Where are you going?
I’m going to the school building.
“What? If you are going to see Jin So-un, come to the Mantong Mansion…….”
“No, never mind. I’ll go myself.”
The moment Jin So-woon joins the Murim Alliance, the news will reach Hyeok Mu-gang’s ears.
If I were to scold him, now was the only time.
Gulp.
The moment I kicked open the rattling door of the Mantong Department.
What brings you here?
At the appearance of an unexpected guest, Jegal So-myeong’s brow furrowed deeply. No sooner had he arrived and unpacked than he received a summons from the Head of the Martial Arts Academy. “To be precise, I heard it was a summons from the Mantong Department.” The instructor who relayed the message didn’t seem to know the exact reason either, so he just told him that and left. “But why didn’t they call the Mantong Department?” He had expected something like this to happen ever since he had handled the matter through Alliance Leader Won in the first place.
I had triumphantly committed acts of exceeding my authority to the fullest, but it was obvious that everything would be turned upside down the moment Zhuge Xiaoming arrived. ‘Still, things went smoothly because it was Meng Zhuyuan.’ Anticipating to some extent that I would be disciplined by Zhuge Xiaoming, I packed my usual bundle.
There was no smell because Eun Seol-ran had regularly frozen it solid. ‘Will this smooth things over a bit?’ As I continued to have these thoughts, the moment I knocked on the Dean’s office door…
As if on cue, the door opened from the inside, and Buk Won-pyeong appeared with a gentle smile.
Welcome.
Buk Won-pyeong took a seat first and served tea.
As expected of the school director, you are drinking good tea.
“When did you arrive?”
“I returned as soon as the academic schedule started. I heard you pulled off something massive while I was gone.”
The situation was not favorable. You are roughly aware of the circumstances, aren’t you, Dean?
Actually, if he doesn’t know, that’s a problem too.
It is practically the same as having one’s qualifications as the Dean of the School Center questioned.
The Elders’ Council crossed the line really big this time.
“Of all people, it had to be me and the Chief of Staff. To think they messed things up while the two of us were away.”
Buk Won-pyeong shook his head as if finding it pathetic.
I asked him right away.
“You set off from Chengdu for the Murim Alliance first… Did you cause any trouble in the meantime?”
“He seems to be poking around here and there within the Murim Alliance trying to do something, but it doesn’t look easy. This whole situation was just too big. Tsk.”
Hmm, then I guess I’ve gotten rid of one worry?
“Still, don’t let your guard down. Most of the things that came out of their mouths were related to you.”
Damn it, I knew it.
Still, it didn’t bother me much.
Anyway, it won’t be too late to take revenge on the Elder Council step by step once I enter the General Affairs Department.
I changed the subject, wanting to change my mood a little.
Was the matter you went to look into resolved successfully?
Buk Won-pyeong planned to enter the Taeeul Sect as a lay disciple to overcome the limitations of the Samcheong Musang Sword, a single-skill transmission.
That is why the director’s office had been kept empty for him.
Buk Won-pyeong takes a sip of tea and grins.
That’s good.
“That’s a relief to hear. Then, should I call you Master from now on?”
With this, it is as if the disciples of Taeeulmun have gained a decent backer for the Murim Alliance.
Samcheong Musang Sword has become a lay disciple of Taeeulmun, so what scoundrel would dare insult Taeeulmun as a rootless sect…
He’s not a senior disciple.
“huh?”
Since the current community consists only of the Elders and a few seniors, if one were to become a lay disciple, wouldn’t it be only natural to do so during the Sect Master’s generation?
While I was momentarily speechless in bewilderment, Buk Won-pyeong’s voice broke the silence.
From now on, call me Senior Brother.
I was spacing out and then picked my ear.
Seeing that no earwax was coming out, it was clear that something was wrong with my head.
As I tapped my temples a couple of times, Buk Won-pyeong gave a meaningful smile.
I call you Priest, but from now on I will serve you as High Disciple.
High Disciple… …?
My mind is stiff and I can’t seem to say anything.
Buk Won-pyeong nods as if he understands.
“The elders of the Council of Elders said they would not accept anyone. In the end, I offered three bows to the Sect Leader.”
Hmm, as expected, it seems Taeeulmun is indeed a sect without roots.
At this rate, it’s no use getting cursed at.
Just then, knock knock.
The sound of knocking on the door was heard.
I quickly spoke to Bukwonpyeong.
“Then, may I ask you a favor first, Senior Brother?”
“Something?”
“When I get scolded, please try to stop me from going too far, Commander.”
Buk Won-pyeong suddenly lowers his eyes and shakes his head.
I cannot do that. How could I cast a shadow over my senior brother, who is like the heavens to me?
What’s wrong with this guy? Why is he suddenly acting like this?
“You just called me a priest.”
That is different from that. Senior Brother.
Hey, doesn’t the title ‘Senior Brother’ just roll off the tongue a little too well…
As soon as the door opened, Zhuge Xiaoming entered with a face like a demon. ‘He looks more serious than I thought.’ I quickly rose from my seat and bowed my head like a sinner who had committed a capital offense.
However, Jegal So-myeong’s expression shows no signs of softening.
“Jin So-un, you bastard…… *Crunch*.”
Behind Jegal Somyeong, who was gritting his teeth, there was one more person entering while gently placing their hand on his shoulder.
I was so astonished I couldn’t even close my mouth properly. ‘Why is that person here…?’ Baeksushingeom Hyeok Mu-gang.
He, one of the absolute masters of the martial arts world and the leader of the Murim Alliance, appeared at the Murim Academy.
