Chapter 201
Chapter 201
2
1. <The Uninvited Guest Who Visited the Academy (6)>
Rumble.
The violent trembling of the atmosphere made the warriors wear uncomfortable expressions.
Expressions that said they did not know how they should respond.
I increased the range as much as possible so as many people as possible would enter the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm.
Then the destructive power would fall, but─.
The noise would be louder than ever.
Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-boom!
An explosion burst out as though the sky were collapsing.
Half of the small hill behind the training ground was blown away.
Because the range was absurdly wide, the degree of damage inflicted per unit area was low, but everyone wore expressions sickened by the ridiculous destructive power.
"The bastard is trying to escape! Stop him!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
The Ak Clan warriors still tried to maintain the encirclement and seize me, but I made no effort to run away. ‘Because there is no reason to run away now!’ (Jin Soun)Whoong─Blue sword flux gathered over the Black Dragon Sword.
And I immediately swung it toward Ak Byeongbi, who was staring blankly.
Rumble-rumble-rumble-boom!
The floor of the training ground trembled and was swept up, and the force of the sword wave poured down on Ak Byeongbi.
"You damned bastard……." (Ak Byeongbi)
For the first time, Ak Byeongbi's face crumpled like a sheet of paper.
Yes, that was the face I wanted to see.
I immediately unfolded the Twin Heavens Sword Art following the Lesser Heaven Sword Art.
Illusory swords and true swords indiscriminately rushed toward Ak Byeongbi.
Perhaps because he had trained in solid outer arts, the wounds on his body did not run deep, but what of it? ‘I just have to strike until wounds appear.’ (Jin Soun)Against me as I pressed in without giving him an opening, Ak Byeongbi fiercely swung his iron spear and neutralized the Twin Heavens Sword Art.
Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-boom.
I then poured out the Myriad Flower Invincible Fist, and immediately afterward the Manhae Heaven and Earth Sword Art again and again.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
As if pounding on hard rock to break it apart.
I poured in all my strength, striking down again and again.
The iron spear occasionally pierced sharply into openings, but I narrowly avoided it with minimal movements and swung my sword once more.
With the desperate resolve that either you die or I die, let us see this through until one of us does.
As the familiar heat began to warm the air, the qi at his spear tip turned red.
It seemed the Blazing Fire Spear, the Ak Clan’s secret spear art, was about to be used again.
When I read his intention, a laugh slipped out of me.
"Do you think fire arts exist only in the Ak Clan!" (Jin Soun)
If he poured out the Blazing Fire Spear, then this side had the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand, born from demonic arts.
I drew up the red-hot Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand and at the same time poured out the Myriad Flower Invincible Fist.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The heat of the Blazing Fire Spear was nothing compared to the heat of the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand.
Ak Byeongbi, instantly engulfed in heat, was soon swallowed all over by the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand.
"Kraaaagh!" (Ak Byeongbi)
Even Ak Byeongbi, who had trained in outer arts, seemed to find the heat of the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand difficult to endure, and he disregarded defense, busy brushing off the flames clinging to his body.
Seeing that, I drew out the Manhae Heaven and Earth Sword Art once again.
Swoosh─The Lesser Heaven Sword Art pouring out from four swords sharply aimed only at Ak Byeongbi’s vital points.
"……!" (Ak Byeongbi)
Ak Byeongbi hurriedly swung his iron spear to block the Lesser Heaven Sword Art that burrowed in before he knew it.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
He blocked several defenses, but in the end, Ak Byeongbi, unable to endure the pain caused by the heat digging into his skin, allowed the Black Dragon Sword to dig into his body.
Slice─ stab─Though they were not critical points or vital points, blood began to flow from every corner of his body, such as his arms, legs, and abdomen.
One of the Ak Clan warriors shouted.
"This…… everyone, gather!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
As Ak Byeongbi’s condition gradually worsened, the Ak Clan warriors prepared to form a spear formation.
Whether they did or not, I immediately charged at Ak Byeongbi.
"Jin Soun!!!" (Ak Byeongbi)
Only now did Ak Byeongbi look like a blood ghost befitting his alias.
I asked him.
"Did you think I was not a pure White Dao person?" (Jin Soun)
I sheathed the Black Dragon Sword and drew out the Sword Demon’s martial art.
Ak Byeongbi glared at me like a wounded tiger.
I did not bother avoiding that gaze.
"Perhaps that judgment may be correct." (Jin Soun)
Because I had never thought I would be treated as an elite of a White Dao sect anyway.
Three Forms of White Moon Heaven-Subjugation, First (一)
Form, ‘Extreme Swiftness’Then what would I have to hesitate over?
Kkaeng─The friction sound of the Black Dragon Sword being drawn as it scraped along the sheath rang thunderously.
As if sensing that something was unusual, Ak Byeongbi also drew out his ultimate technique, but.
The Sword Demon’s martial art was not something that could be blocked so easily, was it?
Shak──Not a single drop of blood was on the swung Black Dragon Sword.
But─.
Slither.
Ak Byeongbi’s severed clothing tie fell, and red blood was engraved across his exposed, rock-hard chest.
"W-what is this……." (Ak Byeongbi)
Crack──The blood grew thicker and thicker, and soon left a long wound beginning from his left shoulder and heading toward his right side.
Looking at the blood streaming down, Ak Byeongbi knelt before me as if he could not believe it.
"Cough……." (Ak Byeongbi)
"Y-you bastard! How dare you do that to the Hall Lord!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
The Ak Clan warriors had already completed their spear formation and finished all preparations to attack.
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
By contrast, I, having poured out all of my inner arts, no longer had any strength left to fight.
To begin with, my goal had been to crush Ak Byeongbi with overwhelming inner arts.
Facing the Ak Clan’s spear formation had never even been something I had considered.
Above my head, as I barely stood and held on, a voice as cold as ice fell.
"If you had quietly come with us, you would have kept your life." (Ak Clan Warrior)
The face of the Ak Clan warrior looking at the fallen Ak Byeongbi was full of hatred.
It was filled to the brim with the feeling that he wanted to strike me dead immediately.
"No matter what happens afterward, you will bury your bones here today!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
He looked around and shouted.
"Deploy the formation!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
At the warrior’s command, the Ak Clan members shouted in unison and raised their spears.
It was certainly a threatening situation.
"But what a shame……." (Jin Soun)
A laugh forced its way out through the corners of my mouth.
Because it was already all over.
"How dare you commit such acts in the sacred and reverent Murim Academy!!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
A thunderous voice cut through the air and flew in like an arrow.
The Ak Clan warriors forming the spear formation turned their heads with startled eyes.
There stood the Principal of the Murim Academy and a victim of Taeul Sect’s twisted seniority.
Samcheong Musang Sword Buk Wonpyeong was looking around the scene with blazing eyes.
Wow, look at that presence.
He was dependable beyond measure. ‘Senior Brother, welcome!’ (Jin Soun)Yes, he was a Senior Brother like the sky.#"Who are you people?!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
At Buk Wonpyeong’s sharp momentum, the Ak Clan people pressed their mouths shut like mutes.
Buk Wonpyeong’s gaze turned toward the Ak Clan warriors’ clothes.
The Ak Clan’s emblem was clearly engraved there.
Even so, he raised his voice once more.
"I asked who you are!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
When he unfolded a lion’s roar imbued with inner arts, the Ak Clan warriors showed even greater panic.
I quickly knelt on one knee, clasped my hands, and said,
"Academy representative Jin Soun will report the situation. Those who did not properly reveal their identities infiltrated the academy, so I was desperately blocking them." (Jin Soun)
"……
Is that truly so?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
The question was directed not at me, but at the Ak Clan people.
He had only asked the Ak Clan people what they were doing at the Murim Academy, but they could not answer even that easy question.
I stepped forward and answered on their behalf.
"My guess is that they may be informants related to the events in Sichuan." (Jin Soun)
As soon as my words ended, commotion instantly arose.
"Informants from Sichuan?" (Ak Clan Warrior)
"W-what do you mean……!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
The Ak Clan warriors showed obvious panic.
Even if they felt wronged, what could they do?
In any case, the only person who could speak right now was me.
"Last night as well, there was an attempt to kidnap me by someone falsely claiming to belong to the Inspection Pavilion." (Jin Soun)
I took the Ak Clan nameplate from my chest and showed it.
"He was clearly wearing Ak Clan clothing, using Ak Clan martial arts, and posing as the Inspection Pavilion. Since he impersonated the Inspection Pavilion at such a sensitive and important time, when the Martial Alliance is busy beyond belief, I believe they may be people with sinister intentions." (Jin Soun)
Buk Wonpyeong, who received the nameplate, looked at the Ak Clan group with a cold gaze.
"Are these words true?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……
N-no, that is……." (Ak Clan Warrior)
Right now, the Martial Alliance’s entire attention was focused on Sichuan.
In such a situation, if they had committed tyranny while using the name of the Inspection Pavilion, this would become a shackle that even the Ak Clan’s people could not easily escape.
That was why the Ak Clan warriors had no choice but to turn pale, unable to do this or that.
Buk Wonpyeong clenched the fist holding the nameplate.
"Then did the Inspection Pavilion move officially?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……." (Ak Clan Warrior)
"If so, bring the order document!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
There was no way it existed.
Buk Wonpyeong’s furious voice shook the air where only silence had settled.
"Why can you not give any answer? Are you informants, as Jin Soun said?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
The Ak Clan warriors pressed their mouths shut like mutes who had eaten honey.
Buk Wonpyeong ground his teeth as if truly enraged and said,
"If so, I will formally arrest you on suspicion of being informants!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"Th-that is……!" (Ak Clan Warrior)
The Ak Clan warriors did not know what to do.
"I will explain everything, Brother Buk." (Ak Byeongbi)
At that moment, Ak Byeongbi walked out to the center.
What is with that man. ‘Are his bones made of solid bone?’ (Jin Soun)I had held back my strength when using the Three Forms of White Moon Heaven-Subjugation, but still, it should not have been to the extent that he could stand up right away.
Amazingly, Ak Byeongbi had recovered enough that although he was being supported, he could walk on his own.
"Ak Byeongbi?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"I apologize for causing a disturbance." (Ak Byeongbi)
The two of them seemed to know each other, but Buk Wonpyeong’s attitude was still cold beyond measure.
"Did you come in person?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"That is so." (Ak Byeongbi)
"Then did you truly cause a disturbance with an order document from the Inspection Pavilion?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……." (Ak Byeongbi)
Buk Wonpyeong’s brow twisted.
"It is clear that you did not." (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi lowered his head deeply as if ashamed.
Buk Wonpyeong clicked his tongue.
"So you brought Ak Clan martial artists and falsely claimed this was an Inspection Pavilion action…… do you know how serious this is?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi hurriedly hunched his body.
"……
I-I will explain everything." (Ak Byeongbi)
"Good. Then let us move elsewhere." (Buk Wonpyeong)
"Right now?" (Ak Byeongbi)
Ak Byeongbi suddenly clutched his wound and pretended to be in pain.
Look, look at how petty that mountain-sized body is being.
But as expected, Buk Wonpyeong still did not erase the coldness from his eyes.
"The time left to you is until the Enforcement Pavilion’s investigators come out. If you wish, receive treatment and come." (Buk Wonpyeong)
Feeling that it would not work at all, Ak Byeongbi eventually nodded obediently.
"……
No. I will go now." (Ak Byeongbi)
"Academy student Jin Soun, you come along as well." (Buk Wonpyeong)
"Yes." (Jin Soun)
Buk Wonpyeong’s back as he turned sharply somehow looked dependable.
Wow, our old Senior Brother really is the best, is he not?#Inside the Principal’s office, not even a common cup of tea was brought in.
A cold tension lingered, and only Ak Byeongbi’s groans were occasionally heard.
"Explain." (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……." (Ak Byeongbi)
At Buk Wonpyeong’s question, Ak Byeongbi’s eyes shook violently.
What could he possibly say?
As the silence continued, Buk Wonpyeong eventually slammed the table—thud
-.
"Do you not realize how dire the Martial Alliance’s situation is right now? Did I not tell you to explain why you did this!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Our old Senior Brother struck the table again and again as if he would split it while delivering a passionate speech, and Ak Byeongbi kept lowering his head again and again like a person guilty of a mortal sin.
It seemed it was about time for me to step in.
"Ahem, Principal. By any chance, is he someone you know?" (Jin Soun)
I asked shamelessly.
Buk Wonpyeong seemed to think for a moment about what my intention might be, then nodded.
"That is right. He is a friend who studied under the same teacher as I did, and a person of the Ak Clan." (Buk Wonpyeong)
"Then the possibility that he is an informant is low." (Jin Soun)
"……
That is so." (Buk Wonpyeong)
As my words continued, Ak Byeongbi also lifted his head.
Did he think everything was over now that it had been revealed they knew each other?
What exactly was this man relieved about?
"In that case, there is one thing I can guess." (Jin Soun)
"What is it?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"I could not tolerate Ak Jupyeong’s evil deeds and punished him. It seems that because of that, the Ak Clan tried to retaliate against me at the clan level." (Jin Soun)
"What?!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……!" (Ak Byeongbi)
Ak Byeongbi’s eyes, which had been showing relief, opened wide.
"Principal, you must have heard about my disciplinary action, yes? Perhaps they held a grudge over that matter, saying it was not enough, and even sold the name of the Inspection Pavilion to punish me." (Jin Soun)
Buk Wonpyeong glared at Ak Byeongbi and said,
"Is this true?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi merely opened and closed his mouth, and in the end could not speak and lowered his head deeply.
Thud!
"I asked whether this is true!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Before I knew it, the table was wobbling.
When Buk Wonpyeong pressed him, Ak Byeongbi, with that massive build, barely opened his mouth in a voice like an ant crawling.
"……
I have nothing to say." (Ak Byeongbi)
"So that means it is true." (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……." (Ak Byeongbi)
Buk Wonpyeong let out a long sigh as if dumbfounded.
"What in the world were you thinking, selling the Inspection Pavilion’s name at a time like this?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
From Ak Byeongbi’s position, he must have felt like dying.
To begin with, his plan would never have included a meeting with the Principal.
He likely intended to simply take me to the Inspection Pavilion and lock me in the gold prison.
As they always did, he would have used ‘water knows the truth’ and made me confess to crimes that did not exist.
Afterward, he would have declared that there was no way the Inspection Pavilion’s actions could be a problem.
As always, it must have simply been an action carried out by inertia.
Buk Wonpyeong glared at the person who had been his friend with a gaze filled with disappointment.
"Moreover, you held a grudge over Ak Jupyeong being injured? Do you properly know the causal relationship of the matter?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……
What do you mean……." (Ak Byeongbi)
"Ak Jupyeong bullied and assaulted one student in a group for the past half year, driving him to the brink of death. Jin Soun used force on Ak Jupyeong in the process of saving that student." (Buk Wonpyeong)
A gaze that had gone beyond disappointment and even contained contempt.
Thud-!
Buk Wonpyeong struck the desk once more and thundered.
"He was referred for disciplinary action, but to begin with, the person who should have been disciplined was not Jin Soun, but Ak Jupyeong!" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi’s face turned pitch-black.
It seemed he finally realized how serious what he had done was.
"In any case, this matter will be formally reported to the Inspection Pavilion and the Mantong Department. Know that." (Buk Wonpyeong)
Buk Wonpyeong’s firm stance showed not the slightest mercy.
Ak Byeongbi, who had tried somehow to wriggle through using local and academic ties, sank before he could even try anything.
In the end, Ak Byeongbi was about to leave the Principal’s office with his shoulders drooping when…….
"Principal, you are not going to end it like this, are you?" (Jin Soun)
"……
What?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
It would be a bit disappointing if he left like this.
I indicated Ak Byeongbi with my chin.
"That person dragged his clan’s people here, caused trouble at the Murim Academy, and broke property. Is this not undeniably the same as using force within the Murim Academy?" (Jin Soun)
"So?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
I opened my eyes wide and answered.
"Naturally, he should compensate for damages." (Jin Soun)
Buk Wonpyeong looked at me with eyes that said, ‘Of course.’
What is with those eyes?
I take back calling him Senior Brother.
To think he could not properly understand the profound scheme of an Eldest Senior Brother like the sky.
Honestly, these junior brothers these days have grown lax.
While I was inwardly thinking of setting discipline straight.
The youngest, no, Buk Wonpyeong shifted his gaze to Ak Byeongbi.
"Naturally, the Ak Clan must compensate for everything regarding this incident. Is that not so?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Oh, our Senior Brother really is the best after all!
Ak Jupyeong gritted his teeth and answered.
"……
I will do so." (Ak Byeongbi)
Soon, Ak Byeongbi, clutching his wound, tried to move his feet again.
No, but why does that man keep trying to leave when the conversation is not over?
The most important thing still remained.
"Wait, then what about me?" (Jin Soun)
"Hm?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
"……
Ahem?" (Ak Byeongbi)
Confusion appeared in both men’s eyes.
At those gazes, I tilted my head.
"I almost got dragged to the Inspection Pavilion, tortured with water, and made to confess to crimes I did not commit, did I not? Moreover, because of the memory of the Inspection Pavilion suddenly barging in, I feel as if I will be anxious and lose sleep for a while……." (Jin Soun)
I wrapped both hands around my shoulders and put on a pitiful expression.
"Why is there no mention of compensation for my mental and physical damages?" (Jin Soun)
Buk Wonpyeong looked at me with dumbfounded eyes, then asked Ak Byeongbi,
"What will you do?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi trembled as if filled with anger and ground his teeth.
What an Ak Clan bastard with no manners.
"It seems he intends to just let it pass." (Jin Soun)
I looked at our Senior Brother, no, Buk Wonpyeong with a pitiful face.
"Haa…… Then I suppose I will have to vent my anger on Ak Jupyeong. Since I broke both his feet, should I break both his arms this time?" (Jin Soun)
With a sickened expression, Buk Wonpyeong urged Ak Jupyeong.
"A-ahem…… are you truly just going to let it pass?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
Ak Byeongbi glared at me with bloodshot eyes and said,
"Grit…… I will compensate you." (Ak Byeongbi)
"How much will you compensate me?" (Jin Soun)
"……
How much do you want?" (Ak Byeongbi)
"Please give me only as much as Ak Jupyeong’s life is worth." (Jin Soun)
"……
Then can you promise not to touch Jupyeong?" (Ak Byeongbi)
I nodded broadly.
"I will not touch a single hair on the guy." (Jin Soun)
"Good, I will pay." (Ak Byeongbi)
"I will be looking forward to it. Ak Jupyeong’s life price." (Jin Soun)
When I smiled brightly, Ak Byeongbi, who had been grinding his teeth, hurriedly left the Principal’s office.
As soon as the door closed, Buk Wonpyeong asked me with a puzzled expression.
"When I went to Taeul Sect, its financial situation did not look that difficult. Why are you behaving as if you are possessed by a money ghost?" (Buk Wonpyeong)
In one’s second life as well, there is an absolute truth that never changes.
"Do you think the money earned there would come all the way to me? They must be busy spending it on the junior brothers. So I must gather money whenever I have the opportunity." (Jin Soun)
The more money one had, the better.
And from those who caused damage, one had to receive ten times the price without fail.
When I thought of the value of Ak Jupyeong’s life that would fall into my hands, a grin slipped out.
Buk Wonpyeong seemed to be looking at me with eyes that said, ‘What kind of bastard is this?’ but what of it?
When one could pull it in, one had to pull it in diligently.