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2.
Although it was originally an annex I used alone, even the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, who used to visit every day, stopped coming completely. ‘I guess it’s not the atmosphere to go out for fun.’ My excitement for the upcoming graduation had been completely dampened by the bereaved family visiting Murim Academy.
Even if it wasn’t them, realizing the reality that the friends and classmates I saw every day were no longer visible was when another wave of depression began.
It was perhaps a natural phenomenon.
Besides, I wasn’t in the mood to meet anyone either.
however.
“Why do I have to face someone I dislike right now?”
“…….”
Yong So-ah looked at Dang Seo-hee with an emotionless expression.
The short Dang Seo-hui stood between me and Yong So-ah and looked up at us alternately.
Just like a whining puppy.
“If you’ve fought, you should make up and move on…….”
There is no need to reconcile.
We have never fought.
Silence fell at the words Yong So-ah and I spat out at the same time.
You’re saying they didn’t fight by swinging their swords at each other as if to kill?
“……
Are you saying you have no intention of reconciling?
Dang Seo-hee, muttering something to herself with her head bowed.
Eventually, he took out three small mother-of-pearl bottles from his bosom.
“Immunity to a hundred poisons…….”
A chilling light flashed across her face.
It is a poison that causes a slow, lingering illness.
I could feel Dang Seo-hee’s thoughtfulness, so I spoke first.
I apologize for defending myself against your attempt to kill me first.
Dang Seo-hui glanced to see if the mother-of-pearl vase had been put in. It hadn’t been put in yet.
“Since you apologized, why don’t you apologize too?”
There is nothing to apologize for.
I took two steps back.
Because I don’t want to fall into the poison’s sphere of influence.
I definitely apologized.
“Sigh… Why are you acting like children? If you hold a grudge against each other, it turns into a huge hatred.”
What is this? Is this the same Tang Seo-hui who used to play the swordsman?
Yong So-ah spoke to Dang Seo-hee, who was showing signs of maturity.
Could you move aside?
Are you going to apologize?
It seemed like this wouldn’t end, so I answered on their behalf.
There should be refreshments inside. I heard they bought them from Hongga Confectionery in Muhan.
Dang Seo-hui pouted and looked at Yong So-ah.
I will ask Jin So-un later.
After Dang Seo-hui entered the annex guided by a servant.
I gestured to Yong So-ah with my chin.
“You should go now. We’re not exactly on close terms. I’ll make sure to give Senior Dang a heads-up.”
But he didn’t move.
Yongso-ah, who showed not the slightest movement like a giant boulder.
Do you have something to say?
I am curious about where you have decided to go in your career.
I couldn’t understand this person in my past life, but I understand them even less in this life.
“Why are you asking that?”
It’s the end of the semester and graduation is just around the corner. So, it’s time to decide on your career path.
Even if we assume there was no room for understanding in the past life given the sheer distance, now that I am seeing it from such close proximity, what on earth is it that makes it even harder to understand?
That’s not what I asked.
“Haven’t you decided yet? How negligent. If you were an outstanding student, you would have finished researching your destination half a year ago.”
What are you trying to do?
Are you still steeped in sadness?
My chest sinks coldly.
How foolish.
Yong-so-ah and I aren’t even close enough to share a conversation like this in the first place.
Right now is a moment when I don’t want to think about the future.
“shut up.”
Grieving does not bring the dead back.
Do you really want to die?
The bet moves even though I wasn’t conscious of it.
The murderous intent that spread out like that tightened its grip on Yong So-ah.
What do you really want?
It wouldn’t be that I’m mentioning the dead just because I’m curious where I’m going to apply.
but.
“I’m curious about where you’ve decided to go. That’s all.”
Even though a murderous aura that even the demons shuddered at was emanating from him, he didn’t change his expression at all.
For some reason, I feel completely drained.
I really don’t know what on earth I’m doing.
Even if you get angry in front of a rock, it’s not like the rock will react.
“What if you won’t say?”
It’s not a very difficult task.
Now that you’ve gone that far, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
Yong So-ah, who had been unfazed when emitting killing intent, somehow furrowed her brows slightly.
Then, after finishing a brief thought, he looked at me again.
“Jin So-woon…… You are uncertainty.”
He spouts the same words again.
“Do not cause confusion. Then…”
However, the sense of weight is different.
“I have no choice but to remove it.”
After finishing her words indifferently, Yong So-ah went back as if nothing had happened, just as she had arrived. ‘Eliminate…’ She must find me quite annoying.
To think such words would come out of Yong So-ah’s mouth. ‘Anyway, is that bastard smart or stupid?’ Except for the Yongbong Association, assignments to the Murim Alliance are confirmed only with the unit commander’s permission.
There isn’t anywhere I can’t go based on my grades, but there are many places where I would be in trouble once I get in.
I suppose it would be the same everywhere, but most units would likely have a position each, whether it be the Jeongdohoe, the Baekdohoe, or the Twelve Peaks.
When you look at it that way, excluding special places like Cheonmokgak and Sinuikgak.
Next, excluding the places occupied by the Jeongdohoe, Baekdohoe, and the 12 Peaks, respectively.
The only places left where I can enter with peace of mind are Yongbongjihoe, Hwangbonggak, and Baekranggak. ‘I was planning to go to Baekranggak from the beginning anyway.’ I intend to build a perfect unit before the war starts.
The strongest unit capable of saving Sojeongdae and protecting the disciples of Taeeulmun.
“Hahaha. Come to think of it, I’m a graduate of the Academic Hall. Those Sojeongdae guys will naturally become my subordinates. Hehehe.”
For some reason, even though I hadn’t even thought about having snacks, my mouth started watering. Recently, the hottest topic of conversation among the martial arts world was none other than ‘Mukrim’.
Although it is unknown where it originated, word of mouth spread about the deaths of the academy students in Mukrim.
They were skeptical about the veracity of the information regarding the massive damage.
“Who on earth? Why? If you want to die, there are plenty of easy ways to do it, so why go out of your way to attack the academy students?”
“The Murim Alliance’s overprotection of the academy students is nothing new, so they must be pretty crazy. If they are Black Daoists, are they the ones from the nearest Ten Thousand Poisons Sect?”
“Hmph, that’s not it! I heard that the Mandok Sect helped the academy students a lot during the recent Muklim incident?”
This guy is really drunk. I’ve known for a while that he tells a lot of lies, though.
Since the situation was such that it was hard to believe even when the facts were conveyed exactly as they were, people thought that what happened in Mukrim might be a lie.
In fact, the fact that the Murim Alliance did not take any action also played a part in fueling the misunderstanding.
However, upon seeing people from each sect and family heading toward the Murim Alliance, even those who had been calling it a lie fell silent.
While the large scale of the procession was a factor, the most decisive factor was that their attire and expressions were unusual.
Amidst expressions of indescribable sorrow and grief, it was confirmed that the events in Mukrim were real.
As one question was resolved, another immediately arose.
Then who on earth attacked the students?
Throughout history, academy students have been protected by the Murim Alliance as the most important beings.
You can tell just by looking at how the Black Dao factions are quietly expressing condolences for the deaths of the academy students as the events in Mukrim are confirmed to be true.
They are discreetly claiming that they have no connection to this incident.
It is only natural to be curious about the opponent who utterly shattered the common sense of the martial arts world and gave the Murim Alliance a hard time.
However, the Murim Alliance did not announce the identity of the culprit even when the bereaved family visited and inquired.
And as the Murim Alliance’s suspicious silence continued, the atmosphere in the martial arts world grew increasingly chilly.
The leaders of the Mengzhu and the Mantongbu were not unaware of this atmosphere.
No, on the contrary, I was feeling it more sensitively than others.
Really, you’re starting to move as if you’ve been waiting for this moment.
Hyeok Mu-gang, who usually loved tea so much, did not even touch the teacup until the Gunsan Eunchim placed in front of him had completely cooled down.
There are hundreds of telegrams stating that everyone is fully prepared for war.
Jegal So-myeong, who had been calmly drinking, flutters his eyelids.
To think that I, Zhuge Xiaoming, am waging a war against an enemy whose identity I haven’t even revealed yet… It seems they have already decided on an enemy—no, ‘someone they wish to make an enemy’.
The events in Sichuan have already proven that the blood of the martial arts world is boiling.
Doubts will eventually become opinions, and soon they will become the mainstream.
Simmering murderous intent is directed toward our allies.
As the golden age had lasted and there was ample time to strengthen their foundations, all the sects were filled with confidence.
He was looking for an opportunity to expand his territory, taking advantage of the unfavorable public opinion regarding the Murim Alliance.
For their own sect, for their own family.
“I wish they would at least clearly reveal their identity.”
The hidden enemy is keeping their shadows tightly concealed, as if they knew this would happen.
They will probably reveal themselves only when they judge that they can manipulate the martial arts world to their heart’s content.
The Murim Alliance will not be able to defeat the enemy that appears at that time.
Hyuk Mu-gang felt dizzy in a situation where he could not change direction despite seeing the future clearly.
“Paedo (霸道)
Is this the time when… is needed…?
Jegal So-myeong shook his head at Hyeok Mu-gang’s low muttering.
Because he isn’t the kind of person who could do that in the first place.
Instead, the target of the attack will shift to the leader.
It is said that a warrior is someone who can hold ten hands against one another, but one person alone cannot face the whole world.
The fact that Hyuk Mu-gang, who would know this better than anyone, had mentioned the ‘Way of Tyranny’ was proof of just how hopeless the situation was.
Zhuge Xiaoming let out a small sigh and comforted him.
He was frustrated himself, but after all, he was a soldier who had to appease the leader.
Still, isn’t it a huge relief that the damage ended up being this severe?
Hyuk Mu-gang’s deeply furrowed brow smoothed out slightly.
“That must be the case. Did you also see the order from the Executioner’s Office, Commander? If that child Jin So-un had not turned toward the Demonic Realm, all the academy students would likely have died in the Mukrim.”
Good heavens, when on earth did you see the execution cabinet’s report?
Still, seeing Hyeok Mu-gang looking a little less worried, Jegal So-myeong also smiled faintly.
If everyone had died, there wouldn’t have been any time to do anything.
If the damage had been greater, there would have been an even greater justification.
And somehow, they would have started a war.
Even if it means fabricating a culprit.
What Jin So-un did did not end with merely rescuing the academy students.
What he accomplished was stopping the flames of war that were about to engulf the martial arts world.
Jegal So-myeong shook his head while holding the teacup.
It is a tremendous relief. I wonder where on earth such a talented person just dropped from.
As Jegal So-myeong chimed in with a few words of agreement, Hyeok Mu-gang added, appearing even more excited.
“According to the children’s testimony, that guy So-un was the first to move on the front lines. Wasn’t his initial demand for strict obedience just an attempt to secure a justification for placing the children behind him?”
Hyuk Mu-gang had an excited look on his face, like a child who had heard a hero’s myth at his bedside.
Jegal So-myeong’s eyes narrowed as he watched the scene.
I am well aware of it as well, having reviewed the report.
“Ahem… I’m sorry. I got carried away just thinking about it…”
“it’s okay.”
It was only natural to be enthusiastic about a hopeful story in a desperate situation.
For it is precisely because one can pursue such hope that the strength to overcome despair arises.
In any case, Zhuge Xiaoming also thought it was a good thing.
The people of the Jianghu are probably no different from the Alliance Leader.
I suppose so.
So, we should take this opportunity to promote that child.
Hyeok Mu-gang’s brow furrowed once again.
It was a natural reaction, as it was Jegal Somyeong himself who had thoroughly blocked Hyeok Mu-gang from approaching all this time for fear of attracting attention.
Jegal So-myeong said with an embarrassed expression.
“Isn’t now… the time when a hero is needed?”
“But… Jin So-un doesn’t have the same background as Yong So-ah, does he? Commander, wasn’t that what you were most worried about all this time?”
It might result in exposing a sprout that could become a giant tree to a storm.
Our situation is too dire to delay.
A brief groan escaped.
Hyeok Mu-gang, who had been deep in thought, opened his eyes.
I will do so.
Zhuge Xiaoming, unable to easily answer despite presenting his own opinion.
Hyuk Mu-gang wore a determined expression as he watched him hesitate.
“I do not think that child, Jin So-un, will be broken so easily. Surely, you made your decision because you thought so as well, Commander-in-Chief?”
“And as for the Commander-in-Chief… he wouldn’t be the type to bring it up without having a plan prepared.”
As expected, he is not just anyone who rose to the position of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
“I suppose I will need to lend a little power to the clan. Since it just so happens that my grandfather and grandson have sworn brotherhood… the justification might be a bit lacking, but I suppose it will at least make it look presentable.”
“Then that is fine. Let’s do that.”
Jegal So-myeong stared blankly at Hyeok Mu-gang, who nodded without a shred of hesitation.
“To be honest, I have been a bit worried. The Commander-in-Chief said he would take responsibility for taking him, but if that child works at the Mantongbu, wouldn’t the opposition be considerable? Not to mention the Mengzhu War.”
He was a child plastered with all sorts of misunderstandings and rumors bordering on slander.
“I was actually worried that the opportunity given to that child might be nothing more than Baekranggak.”
Hyuk Mu-gang was inwardly anxious, wondering if those dark rumors might clip the guy’s wings.
Actually, I was also planning to leave it at the Yongbong Branch for a while and then bring it in through Cheonmokgak.
The same was true for Zhuge Xiaoming.
The two looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
A sneer escapes at this truly bitter reality.
“I will lend my support as well. The recent incident with Muklim has provided justification, and if we all lend our strength, no one will be able to easily bring that child down.”
That’s a relief.
Hyeok Mu-gang smiled faintly as he suddenly thought about the future that would unfold for Jin So-un.
That child will really like it. The sect will like it too.
“Would it be just that he’s happy? He must be grinning from ear to ear at the thought that he doesn’t have to go to Baekranggak.”
Although trials were scheduled, the burden on both of their hearts felt a little lighter, as if they had given a huge gift to the boy’s future in advance.
Of course, it was a gift that didn’t take his wishes into account at all.
