Chapter 166
Episode 166
＃1
6
6. <The Sea of Blood Spreading Through Sichuan (2)>
“Daaaaamn it!” (Jin Soun)
Curses burst out inside me dozens of times.
The reason I had despised the upper ranks of the Martial Alliance in my previous life was not merely because of my inferiority complex.
The hypocrisy of the vested interests was nothing new, and capable people lusting after power was nothing new either.
The problem was that those bastards’ incompetence caused harm to me.
The small squads under the White Wolf Pavilion, where lower-ranked warriors were gathered.
Not even the main force of the Martial Alliance.
Not even a unit.
Nothing more than an offshoot.
Their incompetence reached even me.
Those bastards gave the orders, and we simply obeyed.
They were the ones without ability, yet we were the ones who died.
Honestly, with incompetence to this degree, it would be fair to call them Demonic Cult spies.
The reason I have been fighting the vested interests to death in this life is because I hope this sort of shit situation does not happen again.
Rather than watch my junior brothers and comrades return as corpses once more because of some idiotic order from above.
It was to the point where I thought it would be better to throw myself into the Demonic Cult and smash the Martial Alliance with my own hands. ‘They really are incredible bastards.’ (Jin Soun) The members of the Jeongdohoe belonging to the Council of Elders led the Nine Sects One Union and headed for Sichuan.
In the midst of this, as withdrawals from the Jeongdohoe accelerated due to the Soul-Extinguishing Formation incident, perhaps because they wanted to draw in those without affiliations into the Jeongdohoe, they apparently scraped up everyone left at the academy and went off to Sichuan.
“They truly are incredible bastards.” (Jin Soun)
Even though I had blocked them again and again, telling them not to dig themselves into a hole like that, they squeezed through the gap and started digging anyway.
Fine, let’s say there is no helping the Jeongdohoe dying after going to Sichuan.
Yes, because that is something you bastards chose, and your disciples are the ones who will die!
If you are going to destroy yourselves with such foolishness, how could I stop you?
But damn it.
Why did they take Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan too!!!
I absolutely could not tolerate the way they caused trouble on such a wide scale.
In my previous life, Moyong Jaehwa was the person who held back the Demonic Cult for a long time during the Martial Alliance’s great retreat, and Eun Seollan was the person who later laid the foundation for the Martial Alliance to establish itself in the North Sea.
Those two were the final hopes who would at least maintain the spirit of the white path murim if my plan failed and this life too turned into the same demonic momentum as my previous life.
Putting aside the fact that they were precious younger siblings to me.
What those bastards were doing now was no different from using the deed to the house, the final bastion left by their ancestors, as kindling and playing a grand round of field burning.
Thinking of that tragic future, even if I set fire to the entire Martial Alliance right now and burned every pavilion to the ground, the damage would likely be less than the two of them dying. ‘Ah! I’m itching to throw myself into the Demonic Cult.’ (Jin Soun) Suppressing my frustration, the first place I ran to was Buk Wonpyeong’s office.
“The Academy Head is currently away on a trip.” (Academy Official)
Perhaps because I was too excited, I had even forgotten that I had sent him to the Taeul Sect.
If Buk Wonpyeong had been at the academy in the first place, he would have stopped the Jeongdohoe from moving.
“Young Master Jin, are you all right?” (Seong Moran)
Seong Moran asked worriedly.
“......” (Jin Soun)
Was I all right? Not at all.
The reason the damage in Sichuan had been so great was partly because the academy students had been unprepared for the evil arts of the evil path, but if one had to pick the greatest reason, it was the lax operation of the troops.
In that insane operation where they split into ten groups to search for the culprits, the Shishan Blood Cult swallowed the academy students with their mouths wide open, like waiting under a persimmon tree for persimmons to fall.
Assuming the command was no different from that time, the situation was that I first had to find which of those ten units Eun Seollan and Moyong Jaehwa were in.
“Among the information I recently received from the Hao Clan, there was word that those appearing in Sichuan were no ordinary existences.” (Jin Soun)
My party flinched in surprise at my words.
Since they were people who had encountered the Demonic Cult in the past, their tension was different.
“Then... then... we have to stop them.” (Seong Moran)
At Seong Moran’s words, Namgung Seonhwa shook her head.
“There is no way they will listen to us, Unnie.” (Namgung Seonhwa)
Seong Moran’s eyes sharpened fiercely.
“Why did those bastards take our perfectly innocent younger siblings with them!” (Seong Moran)
I barely managed to stop Seong Moran, who looked as though she would draw her sword and run to Sichuan right away.
“What is urgent right now is figuring out where Jaehwa and Seollan are first.” (Jin Soun)
If those bastards were willing to share the unit formation information obediently, that would be one thing, but as if they would.
I had to personally run around until my feet sweated to find them, and doing that alone was impossible.
It would be better to nullify the event itself.
Yes, nullify the event itself...
“......
Hm?” (Jin Soun)
“What is it? Do you have a good idea?” (Seong Moran)
“There seems to be... a way.” (Jin Soun)
“What way?” (Seong Moran)
If the other side used a shortcut, this side could use one too.
“It will not be a perfect solution, but we should be able to save the two of them.” (Jin Soun)
The Murim Academy belonged under the Mantong Division.
If the Academy Head was absent, the person in charge of the Mantong Division would command the Murim Academy.
In that case, it meant the matter would end as long as the Mantong Division issued an order prohibiting the event. ‘Of course, it will not be easy.’ (Jin Soun) Jaegal Somyeong was already being severely checked by the Council of Elders.
It was only natural that he would not want to engage in a war of nerves with them.
Then at the very least, I had to obtain an order that would allow me to rescue Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan.
And I would have to take at least my party members with me and save them.
There was no time to delay, so I immediately went to the Martial Alliance’s Mantong Division.
“Mm? What brings you here?” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon of the Mantong Division still had something like dark soot under his eyes.
“Where is the Chief Strategist?” (Jin Soun)
Even at my urgent question, Mang Juwon still wore a blank expression.
“The Chief Strategist? He went to his main family not long ago.” (Mang Juwon)
“Pardon?” (Jin Soun)
When would a man who was the Chief Strategist of the Martial Alliance have time to go home! And why now of all times!
“The regular examination is over. He took a vacation for the first time in almost a year. Do you have business with him?” (Mang Juwon)
The command structure of the Mantong Division was simpler than expected, so the seat left empty by the Chief Strategist passed to the next rank.
In other words, the head of the Mantong Division right now was,
“Vice Division Head Mang Juwon.” (Jin Soun)
This meant it was the pitiful Mang Juwon standing in front of my eyes.
“Right now, academy students have gone out for an event without even receiving the approval of the academy representative.” (Jin Soun)
“......
Mm, is that so?” (Mang Juwon)
“This is an incident that violates the Martial Alliance’s strict regulations.” (Jin Soun)
Mang Juwon remained relaxed.
“Of course it is. But did the Council of Elders not go along with that event? You know that by convention, these things are passed over, do you not? Why are you suddenly like this?” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon spoke with the expression of a public official who had been worn down and worn down until there seemed to be nothing left to wear down.
“I know how you feel. It must be unsightly to see the old men of the Council of Elders stepping forward now. But what can you do? There are things one must inevitably let pass.” (Mang Juwon)
“......” (Jin Soun)
“Besides, can you not tell? Those old geezers proceeded with things swiftly while the Chief Strategist was away. It means they were aiming for this from the start.” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon, who did not know the seriousness of the situation, tapped my shoulder.
“It is unavoidable, is it not? Just close your eyes and let it pass this time. After they return, you can flatten their noses with another event.” (Mang Juwon)
No, that was not the problem.
Our kids were going to die.
“Then could you at least write an order to return Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan, who were forcibly mobilized for that event, to the academy?” (Jin Soun)
“Mm?” (Mang Juwon)
“I do not want those two to attend that event.” (Jin Soun)
“......” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon put down the documents he had been holding and stared straight into my eyes.
“What are you scheming?” (Mang Juwon)
“Pardon?” (Jin Soun)
“It is merely an event they went to as though on an outing anyway. Time will pass, and they will return on their own. If they are your people, participating in that event will not make them their people, will it?” (Mang Juwon)
Ah, how frustrating.
I could not exactly reveal that the Blood Cult would appear in Sichuan.
“......
It is because I am worried they will be tainted by the Jeongdohoe.” (Jin Soun)
“......” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon changed his blank expression, glared at me, then shook his head.
“No.” (Mang Juwon)
“Pardon?” (Jin Soun)
“I said no. Go back.” (Mang Juwon)
“No, why not?” (Jin Soun)
“Did I not say so? This event is an event personally planned by the old men of the Council of Elders. If I interfere with their event, could someone like me, a mere member of the Alliance, endure it?” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon picked up the documents again and turned his back to me.
So that was how it was?
Telling Mang Juwon to face a group even Jaegal Somyeong was reluctant to deal with was no different from telling a lower-ranked warrior to face the Heavenly Demon Black Sword Squad.
“......
That is why it would have been so nice if you had listened to me earlier.” (Mang Juwon)
Hm?
Did I hear wrong?
“What did you just say?” (Jin Soun)
“......
What do you mean?” (Mang Juwon)
“Did you not say something just now like, ‘if you had listened to me earlier...’?” (Jin Soun)
Mang Juwon tapped the innocent documents with his finger.
“......
Why are you eavesdropping on a man’s muttering?” (Mang Juwon)
What kind of muttering was that? I thought someone had spoken directly into my eardrum.
“......
What do you want?” (Jin Soun)
Mang Juwon’s eyes began to shake violently.
They were the eyes of someone unable to control his own hands in front of gold, silver, and jewels, like the Shadowless Divine Thief, about to snatch a gem.
“A-ahem. What do you mean, want? I have no such thing.” (Mang Juwon)
Look, look at that. At this rate, he will tear all the documents apart.
He was trying to turn his head away, but somehow his eyes were staring straight at me.
Seeing his eyes roll that far, if he did it well, he might even be able to see the back of his own head.
“If you tell me what you want, I will think about it.” (Jin Soun)
“Keuheuheum!” (Mang Juwon)
After clearing his throat for a long while, as if phlegm were stuck in it, Mang Juwon opened his mouth.
“Come on both days of the weekend, and on weekdays, come to the Mantong Division two days after the academy schedule ends.” (Mang Juwon)
“......” (Jin Soun)
What was this? Had he finally gone mad from working too much?
“What am I supposed to do at the Mantong Division?” (Jin Soun)
“What else? Learn the work in advance and practice.” (Mang Juwon)
Why would I do that?
“I will not.” (Jin Soun)
“Then it will be hard for me to write the order too.” (Mang Juwon)
“......” (Jin Soun)
I stared straight at Mang Juwon.
He was pretending to be calm, but the tip of his foot was trembling, tap tap tap.
He was acting as if he had no interest, yet he was worried he might miss it.
Beginner gamblers with a moderately good hand always looked exactly like that.
I rose from my seat.
“Understood.” (Jin Soun)
Mang Juwon’s eyes grew rapidly.
“I suppose I will just skip without permission and go bring them back.” (Jin Soun)
“Huh? Do you not know that skipping without permission can be grounds for expulsion?” (Mang Juwon)
“I know. I will simply finish only my mandatory service and return to my sect.” (Jin Soun)
“Without remaining in the Martial Alliance?” (Mang Juwon)
“I am a person extremely thirsty for wealth and glory. If I become an officer, there may be occasions when I pass through the Mantong Division for the sake of promotion, but if I am not an officer, there is no reason to remain in the Martial Alliance.” (Jin Soun)
“......” (Mang Juwon)
“I apologize for taking your time. Then I will be going.” (Jin Soun)
I said that and took a step outside.
Mang Juwon quickly grabbed my sleeve.
“Eheh, this man! Why are you so impatient! Fine! Come only two days during the weekend.” (Mang Juwon)
Trying to bluff against me, who used to run rigged gambling games among the punks of the small squad?
“One day during the weekend. I will come, handle the work perfectly, and return.” (Jin Soun)
“Fine! While you are learning the work, two days. Once I think you have learned all the work, only one day. I cannot concede any further either.” (Mang Juwon)
Mang Juwon whipped his body around as if issuing a threat.
I fell into thought briefly.
It was regrettable to lose one honey-sweet day off, but conversely, thinking of how I could harass the disobedient Nine Sects One Union or Five Great Families from the Mantong Division, it was not necessarily a bad trade.
“Very well. Then please make certain to write the order canceling the event held by the Jeongdohoe...” (Jin Soun)
“Good! In addition, would it be enough to issue an arrest order for the Council of Elders’ anti-Alliance conduct?” (Mang Juwon)
Before I had even finished speaking, Mang Juwon excitedly rummaged through the documents.
No, did you not just say you could not endure it as a mere member?
“......
The event cancellation order will be enough.” (Jin Soun)
“Mm... Well, even I would have a hard time preserving my life if I made enemies of all the Nine Sects One Union.” (Mang Juwon)
“......” (Jin Soun)
“Ah, right, you. Then do you not need warriors? How would about one hundred elite warriors be? With that much, you should be able to threaten them and stop the event, no?” (Mang Juwon)
As if to show the power of the Mantong Division, Mang Juwon brought all sorts of documents by type.
“......” (Jin Soun)
What on earth was this person? Was he someone with no thought for what came after?
At any rate, there were no ordinary people even in the Martial Alliance.# When I delivered the Mantong Division’s leave permit and event cancellation order to the academy, the academy officials and instructors showed troubled expressions.
As soon as the second semester began, the representative and all the representative officers were saying they would go out, so from their perspective as well, it was an absurd situation.
But what of it? This side had the Mantong Division’s order.
If they did not want to face this sort of situation in the first place, they should not have listened to the Council of Elders’ opinion either.
“How on earth did you receive something like this from the Mantong Division?” (Namgung Seonhwa)
Namgung Seonhwa looked over the order several times as if she could not believe it.
“That... has a sad story behind it.” (Jin Soun)
One of my days off has disappeared.
I looked at my party and asked.
“I obtained the order, but there is a possibility the Council of Elders will ignore even this. Those of you who find this situation uncomfortable may leave out...
Uh, Eunho over there, stay still. Unless you want to get hit. The Taeul Sect is automatically attending.” (Jin Soun)
I spoke out of consideration for Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, but the two women’s answers were intense.
“What are you talking about! Even if we have to fight, we have to bring them back.” (Seong Moran)
“To begin with, we must not forgive people who do not follow the Mantong Division’s order.” (Namgung Seonhwa)
At the sight of the two acting so proactively, a smile rose on my face for no reason.
“Good. Then let us prepare immediately.” (Jin Soun)
The preparations ended swiftly.
We took our arms and emergency rations and gathered in one place.
“First, please take one of these each.” (Jin Soun)
I handed out a small leather bag to each person.
Those who had been tending to their swords received the items, looked at the contents, and asked.
“I understand what the signal flare is, and there is a necklace and a talisman?” (Seong Moran)
The necklace was made from the White Fragrance Jade I had entrusted to Jang Dowon.
The Shishan Blood Cult was also one of the Demonic Cult’s branches in its own way, and they used sinister arts that disturbed one’s righteous mind.
Like demonic qi, if exposed to it for a long time, not only would one’s righteous mind be damaged, but aftereffects would also remain, and one might live one’s whole life seeing hallucinations.
More than directly blocking the Shishan Blood Cult’s attacks, we would have to pay attention to not falling victim to their sinister arts.
Though it was lacking compared to the Demon-Subduing Four-Spirit Bead, it would at least be better than madly chanting the Demon-Repelling True Word Bead nonstop.
“The talisman is Mount Heng Sect’s Demon-Subduing Talisman. You may use it to defend against possible demonic blades and evil paths.” (Jin Soun)
Namgung Seonhwa looked at the talisman with a startled feeling.
“If it is a talisman from Mount Heng Sect, it is extremely expensive...” (Namgung Seonhwa)
“When setting out to save someone, I cannot allow myself to be injured instead, can I?” (Jin Soun)# When we had finished all our preparations to depart like that.
The personnel sent by Mang Juwon arrived at the academy.
“......” (Jin Soun)
I could not close my mouth when I saw their faces.
“I am Gu Jeongryong, Hall Leader of the Seungho Hall.” (Gu Jeongryong)
Since Mang Juwon had said he would send a suitable group, I had thought it would be around the Black Martial Pavilion or the Red Phoenix Pavilion. ‘This man just went and did it.’ (Jin Soun) It was none other than Seungho Hall.
Even within the Azure Dragon Pavilion, they were the striking force most optimized for attack.
He had sent the ones who appeared when the black path invaded the Martial Alliance.
Was he telling me to go have a round with the Council of Elders? ‘No, in the first place, was this a position that could move just because the Vice Division Head of the Mantong Division told them to?’ (Jin Soun) Even Jaegal Somyeong, the Chief Strategist, carefully dispatched them after considering the interests of each organization.
Of course, considering that we might have to face both the Shishan Blood Cult and the Council of Elders at the same time, it was good that the Seungho Hall had come, not something to dislike.
The problem was whether they would truly listen to me.
“We are moving to Sichuan?” (Gu Jeongryong)
Gu Jeongryong’s expression was unusual.
No matter that he had received a dispatch letter from the Mantong Division, he would not want to listen to the orders of an academy student who was his junior.
“Yes.” (Jin Soun)
“How will you organize the unit?” (Gu Jeongryong)
“We will determine the locations of the academy students who went to Sichuan and then move all at once.” (Jin Soun)
“......
We are a group primarily concentrated with those strong in martial arts. You must know that.” (Gu Jeongryong)
“We will do the searching. Hall Leader, you only need to help carry out the order.” (Jin Soun)
“You are telling me to stay still and then oppose the Council of Elders?” (Gu Jeongryong)
“Would it be difficult?” (Jin Soun)
“......
If it is the Alliance’s order, we must follow.” (Gu Jeongryong)
Oh? Was he someone who could be reasoned with rather well?
“However, I will leave all responsibility, including command, to you.” (Gu Jeongryong)
“......” (Jin Soun)
So he was saying he would not take responsibility. Of course.
For me, this was instead a welcome situation.
Getting into a war of nerves with Seungho Hall in the middle of this would be a severe loss.
We were still lacking in numbers, but it was not to the point that they could not be used at all.
What mattered most was delivering the Mantong Division’s order to the Council of Elders on that side and creating the justification to cancel the event.
The lack of military force was only a secondary problem.
As if none of us needed to be first, we began moving quickly.
We crossed the large grounds of the Murim Academy and reached the academy’s front gate.
At that moment, there was a voice calling me from one side.
“Representative Jin Soun.” (Cheol Sunjik)
“......” (Jin Soun)
Someone I was never glad to see approached.
“I am busy. What is it?” (Jin Soun)
Though I gave off discomfort in waves, the person who had come acted leisurely.
As expected, they were people I did not like.
“It seemed the academy representative was doing something, so I came to see.” (Cheol Sunjik)
“This has nothing to do with the Twelve Peak Stars, so go back.” (Jin Soun)
Cheol Sunjik continued speaking with that slick face.
“Even so, could you not listen to me for a moment?” (Cheol Sunjik)
“......
Talk?” (Jin Soun)
Clearly, this was because I had not broken his head during the regular examination that he was holding up a busy person like this.
Once someone had their head broken, they would not carelessly hold up a busy person.
I looked at him with the thought that if this really was useless talk this time, I would break his head.
But,
“Would you allow us to move together with you, Representative?” (Cheol Sunjik)
“......” (Jin Soun)
Cheol Sunjik smiled with an unreadable intent.