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The expressions of the students at the academy, filled with anticipation for the future.
And the families and relatives, the elders of the sect, and even the fellow students who look upon those students with pride.
Although there are all kinds of happiness in the world, it is rare to find an event where such special happiness bursts forth all at once.
At every graduation ceremony, Hyeok Mu-gang would draw up his internal energy, which he usually did not use, and focus it on his eyesight.
Because I wanted to take in the faces of the students and the observers more clearly.
however.
“……
That’s strange.
He spoke softly in a voice that only Jegal Somyeong could hear.
Everyone looks unhappy.
Whether grades were good or bad, isn’t graduation a joyful occasion for everyone?
However, not only the students but also their families and relatives, who should have been looking at them with pride, were all sitting with deep frowns, as if enduring the smell of feces.
What on earth is going on…
More than half of the students were not assigned to their desired locations.
“…….”
Jegal Somyeong continued speaking in a whisper, as if he understood the situation.
“Because too many people were concentrated in one spot, some ended up being eliminated.”
Hyeok Mu-gang tilted his head.
Don’t most students get assigned to their desired spots to some extent with the help of seniors and the Samun?
“What do you mean? This batch of students were not guided by their seniors or the sect.……”
Jegal Somyeong’s gaze slithered toward the Elders’ Hall.
Hyeok Mu-gang also followed his gaze and looked at the members of the Elder Council.
Sure enough. Their expressions were also rotten, just like the current students and observers.
“The guys who were supposed to apply to the Mugak as designated by the Sect… most of them ended up applying to Baekranggak instead.”
“yes??”
“It is because the Jeongdohoe, Baekdohoe, and the Twelve Peaks all acted as they pleased, regardless of who they were. They were betrayed by those they trusted.”
No, it’s not like the students at the academy all ate something bad…
Why would you suddenly apply to ‘that’ Baekranggak, of all places, which has never lost its number one ranking as the most avoided organization since its inception?
Does Baekranggak produce Gongcheongseok oil?
I asked seriously.
Zhuge Xiaoming answered with a small sigh.
“It seems the incident in Mukrim had an influence. In a way, those new instructors are practically their direct seniors within the Murim Alliance, aren’t they?”
“ah…….”
Betrayal by those you trusted and followed like the heavens is more painful than anything else.
Just as there is no child who is not abandoned and hurt by their parents.
It was clear that the incident at Mukrim had left deep scars on the children.
“According to intelligence from Cheonmokgak, there were some sects and clans that imposed disciplinary measures and punishments for following Jin So-un into the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.”
“What are you talking about? Didn’t the Alliance decide to keep that matter quiet?”
Unlike his calm voice, Jegal Somyeong twisted the corners of his mouth.
How many people are there who think that the norms of the sect take precedence over the norms of the sect?
It is a lamentable matter.
It was like scolding the children who had barely managed to return alive, asking why they had come back, so it was perhaps only natural that the children became rebellious.
However, there is still one unanswered question.
“Then…… what is the reason the children assigned to Baekranggak have such grim expressions?”
If you supported Baekranggak as a sign of rebellion, you would have achieved what you wanted regardless.
Then why does he look so upset?
This time, Jegal Somyeong curls the corners of his mouth as if he is enjoying it.
“Those guys said that since they lost the Danju, they no longer have a reason to go to Baekranggak.”
“Solitary drinking?”
I am talking about Jin So-un.
Hyeok Mu-gang stared blankly at Jegal So-myeong, forgetting that the graduation ceremony was in progress.
Didn’t you intentionally take Jin So-un out of Baekranggak?
“Exactly. According to the Master of Baekranggak, Jin So-un even came to visit and ask to be accepted back.”
I was confused. I had rescued Jin So-un from Baekranggak for his sake, yet to think that because of it, there were people, including the man himself, scattered everywhere harboring grievances.
Then Zhuge Xiaoming whispered softly.
“Still, don’t worry. I’ve made sure everyone keeps their mouths shut so that the fact that the Alliance Leader personally handled this doesn’t spread.……”
And at that story, Hyuk Mu-gang jumped up from his seat.
“General, wasn’t it you who ordered all of this? How can you say such a thing…… *Cough*……”
The key members of the Alliance, including the Elder Council members sitting on the platform, and even the envoys from the Black Alliance were all looking at Hyeok Mu-gang strangely.
“Um… Lord of the Alliance… did I do something wrong?”
Even the master of ceremonies was sweating profusely in panic, and while Hyuk Mu-gang hesitated as he stood up.
Jegal So-myeong said with an indifferent expression.
“Isn’t this an important event? Let’s talk calmly later.”
Although Hyeok Mu-gang was furious at the sight of Jegal So-myeong sitting there feigning innocence, he had no choice but to sit down as if nothing were wrong.
Because this academic building graduation ceremony was more important than ever.
Of course, I didn’t forget to send a telepathic message to Zhuge Xiaoming.
-Let’s talk after this is over.-… … .
Of course, no answer came back. #When I came to the Murim Alliance for mandatory service a little early in my previous life.
I was forced to attend the school graduation ceremony.
I had to sit in the observer’s seat holding a crude banner made by the Gyeryong Merchant Guild and clap insincerely for Gye Cheol-yeong.
In a way, it was the same graduation ceremony, but the situation was completely different.
I was no longer sitting in the observer’s seat.
Our Taeeulmun people are not wandering among hundreds of academy students searching for Gye Cheol-yeong either.
You look dignified.
“Really… that is really the case.”
Because they were looking at me proudly as I sat in the representative seat.
Of course, that wasn’t the only difference.
The atmosphere of the graduation ceremony itself was completely different from my previous life.
Unlike my previous life, which was generally noisy and bustling, the graduation ceremony in this life was proceeding in a strangely subdued atmosphere.
If we were to pinpoint the cause, it would likely be due to an unexpected uninvited guest.
I wondered why those Black Bandit scum dared to put up a banner at the entrance of the academy.
The culprit was sitting right there on the platform next to the leader and the commander-in-chief.
Chief of Staff of the Black Alliance.
Damak.
Dam-ak, who was originally supposed to become a strategist for the Murim Alliance in the absence of Jegal So-myeong, threw himself into the Jianghu faster than the original timeline and became the commander-in-chief of the Saheukryeon instead of the Murim Alliance.
And now, he, who has begun to spread his notoriety throughout the entire martial arts world.
That’s really nice.
Taking up a prominent spot at an event hosted by the Murim Alliance, which is practically silent, it is no wonder that the attendees of the graduation ceremony are full of complaints.
I have absolutely no idea what they’re thinking. I understand the general situation, though.
As the number of people disguised as members of the Demonic Cult and the Black Cult increases within the White Cult of Murim, and the conflict between the two becomes visible, the leaders of the Murim Alliance and the Four Black Alliance must be trying to form an agreement.
It was a way of outwardly demonstrating that the two groups were on good terms, while at the very least issuing a warning not to impersonate the Dark Path. ‘Even so, isn’t it crossing the line for the Commander-in-Chief to come in person?’ Just as the Murim Alliance did, a delegation would have been sufficient.
If we consider the worst-case scenario, it seems like bringing a scholar who hasn’t even learned martial arts was a stretch no matter how you look at it.
While I was lost in such thoughts, someone sent me a telepathic message.
I am here as a bodyguard for the Black Alliance. The Commander-in-Chief asked me to convey a message to Young Hero Jin, so I am delivering this message.
Startled by the sudden remark, I looked up at the podium to see Dam-ak whispering to the person sitting next to him. ‘Telepathy in the middle of a graduation ceremony? Is there another reason why Dam-ak came in person?’ My heart felt heavy, wondering just how important the message must be for him to convey it in a situation like this.
The guard nodded, indicating that Damak’s story was over, and parted his lips.
The Chief of Staff said, “I am watching the graduation ceremony from this shaded place, but you are just graduating from the academy.”
What is this? What kind of nonsense is this…
-The Commander-in-Chief says, “When you came to the Black Alliance as an envoy, I thought you had some experience in the Jianghu. Were you just a fledgling who hasn’t even taken your first step yet?”
Are you picking a fight?
I was dumbfounded, so I sent a telepathic message to Damak.
What are you doing right now?
Upon hearing the telepathic message, Dam-ak whispered to the guard once again.
– The Commander-in-Chief says, “Of course, I am teasing you.”
An unexpected answer came back.
I looked at Damak in disbelief, and the corners of his mouth twitched as if he were trying to suppress a laugh.
Then, Damak whispers to the guard again as if something just occurred to him.
The Commander-in-Chief said, “I am the Commander-in-Chief, and you are a fledgling who has just taken your first steps into the Jianghu, so may I speak to you casually?”
Ha, look at this guy.
Did you come all the way from the Black Alliance in person just for this?
-The Commander-in-Chief said, “Of course. Isn’t this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a prank? No matter how dangerous it is, I must come in person.”-… … .
Damak trembled slightly as he covered his mouth with the back of his hand, as if finding it difficult to hide the corners of his mouth threatening to roll up to his temples.
Is the author truly the one who, in his past life, filled the void left by Zhuge Xiaoming and rebuilt the pillars of the crumbling Murim Alliance?
There really is nothing to do… … .
“Jin So-un, academy student! What are you doing?”
Just as I was about to send out a telepathic message, a warning came from the assistant running the event.
Tsk, it looks like they saw my lips twitching.
I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut tight under the watchful eye of the teaching assistant.
Even though it was clear that he had seen that sight, Damak’s telepathic voice continued.
-The Commander-in-Chief said, “Where is a good pub near Wuhan? Since I have graduated, I will buy you a drink.”
Well, since it seemed like they still wanted to congratulate me, I thought I might forgive them a little…
The Commander-in-Chief said, “Ah! Given the customs of the Jianghu, isn’t it a bit difficult for me to share a meal with you? Since I hold a rather high position… I apologize for bringing this up unnecessarily. Haha.”
He turned people upside down again.
This bird… … no, human.
To think I’d waste such a good brain like this.
Ha! Good grief. Who would have thought someone would get provoked…
The Commander-in-Chief said, “How about I eat on the third floor and you eat on the first? Wouldn’t that be fine?”
Damn it.
The Commander-in-Chief said, “A newcomer to the Jianghu like you is a rare opportunity, so you would do well to think it over carefully.”
This guy was originally this kind of lunatic… … no, was he even human?
In my past life, I definitely had a serious side like a rock and a sharp side like a finely honed blade.
-The Commander-in-Chief spoke… … .
I really wanted to punch him just once. Leaving behind the graduation ceremony, which I have absolutely no idea how ended because of Damak, I headed to the dining area with the Taeeulmun group.
The meal organized by the student center was held in the student center cafeteria and the main auditorium.
Greetings and gift-giving ceremonies celebrating the graduation took place in various places.
“Hey! Where’s the second one! The painter is here, bring him over quickly! So we can leave a painting together!”
Let’s go drink!!!
“Um… actually, I’ve had feelings for you for a long time…”
The bustling atmosphere created a strange sense of vitality.
Everyone was frantically busy taking care of their families and chatting with their peers.
Having attended as an observer in my previous life, I now, as a graduate, slowly took in the scene once again.
While I was imprinting people in my mind one by one like that.
“……!”
I froze when I saw a figure standing in the crowd.
A person who existed in the memories of a past life.
The existence that became the prelude to a terrible memory for me.
“Senior Brother? What are you doing?”
Eunho called from the side, but I entrusted the flowers and gifts to him and chased after him as if entranced. ‘How… how is that person… here?’ So much has clearly changed from my past life.
My presence at the graduation ceremony instead of Gye Cheol-yeong was not merely due to changes in one or two incidents.
The present has changed because there have been numerous changes over time.
And according to my changed plan.
“That can’t be true.” The author was someone who shouldn’t have been here.
Because.
“Abbot…… Senior Brother!!!”
Because in his previous life, he was one of the assassins who killed Je Geum-hak and Je Gal So-myeong, who were already dead.
