Chapter 120 - The Black Flame Dragon Wearing Golden Clothes (5)

"They say it isn't a crime for a woman to transform herself, but at this level, I think you'd have to call it guilty."

Come to think of it, Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were famous beauties within Anhui Province.

It was just that the journey they had shared with me had been so harsh they hadn't had the time to dress up; if they actually put their minds to it, there was no one in this term's academy who could compare to them.

At my playful banter, Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran covered their mouths and let out a laugh.

Even that sight was like a painting, eliciting soft groans of admiration from all directions.

"How could you say something so disappointing? This is what we normally look like."

At Seong Moran's words, I nodded without realizing it.

Her appearance looked truly similar to when I first saw her at the Iron Sword Sect.

It was just that the image of her chewing on mud-stained beef jerky without hesitation was so vivid in my recent memory that I couldn't quite imagine it.

"By the way, is she part of your group?"

When I pointed at the other beauty standing behind the two of them, not only the two women but even the Geum-eun-dong Brothers wore strange smiles.

"Can't you tell?"

"You really can't tell?"

Counting my past life, I had seen many beauties, even if only from a distance. Yet, I had never seen a beauty who suited a red cloak and gold ornaments as exquisitely as the one standing right in front of me.

"It's me, Eldest Senior Brother."

"... Ah?"

My mouth fell wide open.

The voice undoubtedly belonged to the girl I knew.

"Saryeon?"

The beauty in the red cloak nodded.

"Ha! No, but that walk was clearly the gait of a complete stranger."

Since I possessed an absolute memory, I could remember people in various ways.

There was no way I could forget the gestures, gait, or movements of someone I had spent my childhood with twice.

Despite that, Saryeon's gait was definitely not her usual one. Although it was hard to be certain due to the cloak covering her, her bone structure and physique were not originally Saryeon's either.

"Really? The thing you're most curious about after seeing your Junior Sister for the first time in half a year is her gait, Young Master Jin?"

Seong Moran clicked her tongue and said.

"It's okay, Unnie. Eldest Senior Brother has always been a dense person who can't figure out a woman's heart in the slightest."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Shall I tell the story of how you confessed to Mister Heo's youngest daughter and got rejected?"

As if taking revenge, Saryeon brought up a story from the past and sealed my lips.

At the story Saryeon brought up, Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa's eyes widened, and they began chatting as if they had suddenly found an exciting topic.

"..."

But Saryeon should have come to the academy back when the conflict with the Iron Sword Sect was still unresolved. When did they get so close?

"Are you really not going to tell me what happened?"

Too many things had changed for it to simply be a matter of growing taller.

Much like when I drank the Amitabha Holy Water, Saryeon's physique had changed to closely resemble a Martial God Physique.

Hong Saryeon exchanged a subtle glance with Namgung Seonhwa.

"I met the Divine Sword a while ago."

"The Azure Emperor Divine Sword?"

"Yes. He saw me and said it would be a shame to miss the opportunity, so he performed a bone-marrow cleansing for me."

"Huh?"

"At the time, I still hadn't absorbed *that*."

Saryeon didn't say it directly, but I quickly realized what she meant. The various spiritual elixirs she had received from Wang Soso, who no longer needed the Ice Crystal.

It might have been different if she had mastered the Taiyi True Scripture, but it seemed dissolving them with the Great Quake Divine Art had been too overwhelming for her after all.

"Thanks to that, I ended up like this."

Saryeon proudly spun in a circle on the spot. Even in that small movement, a strange fighting spirit radiated from her.

"That's truly wonderful. Did you express your gratitude to the Divine Sword?"

"Of course."

"Good job. I'll have to give him my own thanks later."

Namgung Seonhwa looked around before speaking to me.

"But why is it so quiet? I naturally expected you to be pestered by others, Young Master Jin, which is why we came a little slowly."

"..."

The lively atmosphere that had arisen with the appearance of the three women quickly sank.

Lee Eunho gave them a brief summary of what happened, and all three women furrowed their brows.

"Did something like that really happen?"

"These guys are out of line."

Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa wore even more indignant expressions than we did.

"Seeing how they are intentionally ignoring us like this, I don't think it's going to be that easy."

Namgung Seonhwa widened her eyes and said.

"Young Master Jin, do you not know who I am?"

"..."

"I am *the* Namgung Seonhwa of the Five Great Noble Clans. Just trust me."

Namgung Seonhwa began to stride forward, and we started following behind her.

The people who had been avoiding us like a plague just a moment ago suddenly stood frozen like stone statues when the three women joined us.

"Senior Brother, was Lady Namgung's personality always this fiery?"

At Saryeon's words as she stepped close to whisper to me, I spoke, recalling when we first met at Dongting Lake.

"No, I think she had a slightly calmer personality back then."

"... Hmm, as I thought. They say you need to choose your friends wisely. I feel too sorry toward the Divine Sword if it's like this..."

Saryeon muttered words I couldn't understand.

"Brother Jeonggi!"

At Namgung Seonhwa's shout as she strode over, the man who had been looking in our direction swiftly turned his head.

"Why are you pretending not to notice your sister?"

When Namgung Seonhwa placed her hands on her hips and spoke angrily, the man who had turned his head away stood up with an awkward smile.

"I kept finding my eyes drawn to a certain beauty, and it turned out to be Sister Seonhwa."

"Why are you avoiding my gaze? Have you done something wrong to me?"

"Haha, what are you saying? I already heard that you suffered a lot during the standard exam."

"Ah, there's actually someone I want to introduce to you. The person who went through that suffering with me..."

Even before Namgung Seonhwa finished her sentence, the man named Jeonggi nodded his head.

"I know. Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect."

The man stared at me intently before nodding.

"I am called Jeonggi of the Zhuge Clan. We may not have crossed paths directly, but I have heard a lot about you."

He was none other than Zhuge Cheongi's older brother and Zhuge Hyeon-un's second son, Zhuge Jeonggi.

He looked at me with strange eyes before eventually turning his gaze away.

"Hmm... Sister Seonhwa. I don't think right now is a good time for us to talk."

"What do you..."

Zhuge Jeonggi's gaze turned to a nearby table.

Over there, the weasel-faced Namgung Gipyo was glaring in this direction with eyes full of killing intent.

"This seat carries symbolic meaning. Trying to restore broken trust by relying on an old friendship in a place like this only looks like shallow thinking."

Unable to listen anymore, Seong Moran stepped in.

"Brother Jeonggi, aren't you taking your words too far?"

"Huu..."

Zhuge Jeonggi let out a sigh and changed his expression.

Even the sliver of goodwill he had held onto just moments ago seemed to have completely dried up.

"Why are the two of you not joining the White Path Council?"

"That's..."

"Not just Namgung Gipyo, but everyone from the Namgung Clan has joined the White Path Council. Originally, the Iron Sword Sect could have joined the White Path Council too, but you didn't. In the end, didn't you decide not to stand with us?"

"That's..."

"Of course, the people of the Taiyi Sect could also join us. But what is the reason for not doing so?"

"Are you saying we should take orders from the White Path Council? Just whose will is this? Is it the will of the elders in the White Path Council?"

Zhuge Jeonggi shook his head as if frustrated.

"It's not anyone's specific will. If it were, the Orthodox Council and the Twelve Peaks and Castles wouldn't all be of one mind like this. This is purely to prevent chaos."

"What do you mean..."

"If a disciple of the Taiyi Sect alone stands above the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Noble Clans, and the 108 Peaks, what would the people of Jianghu think?"

Namgung Seonhwa was so agitated that the veins bulged on her temples.

"What on earth are you talking about?!"

"It means Young Master Jin must also belong somewhere. If he doesn't want that, it would be best for him to step down on his own. If not, we will drag him down."

"..."

"... It might not be pleasant, but enjoy the banquet."

Ending with the implication that further conversation would lead to a shouting match, Zhuge Jeonggi turned his head away.

I held back Namgung Seonhwa, who grew even more furious and was about to lunge at him, and we returned to our seats.

"..."

"..."

The atmosphere was even more depressed than before.

It was a situation where no one dared to speak up hastily.

"... I'm sorry, Young Master Jin. I wasn't of any help."

"Why is that something for you to apologize for, My Lady? Please don't take it to heart."

It was a matter of whether to be dragged around by the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Noble Clans, and the 108 Peaks, or to give up the representative position.

"Academy Student Jin Sowoon."

At the voice calling me, I turned my head to see one of the drill instructors approaching our table.

I stood up from my seat and looked at him.

"As expected, my guess was right."

It was Lee Jagon, who had visited the Taiyi Sect as a talent scout.

"Weren't you part of the Education Pavilion?"

"Since the standard exam is over, there won't be any work as a talent scout for a while, will there? I was recently reassigned as a drill instructor and came here."

Since the kids from the Taiyi Sect were already acquainted with him, everyone met his eyes and offered a small fist salute, but there was nothing beyond that.

No, our situation wasn't exactly comfortable enough to pretend to know someone and exchange bright greetings.

"Looking at how things are unfolding, it doesn't seem very good."

"... Didn't you also wait until now to pretend to know us, Drill Instructor?"

"Haha, you saw that?"

"It would be a lie to say I didn't see it."

"Try to understand. Unlike talent scouts, drill instructors have a lot of people they need to be mindful of."

"Still, isn't your position at least better than the instructors?"

Drill instructors were virtually indistinguishable from martial arts masters for the academy students.

Not only martial arts prowess, but one also needed a background and career that wouldn't fall short of the academy students to secure a drill instructor position.

"That sharp tongue of yours hasn't changed."

"I apologize. I'm just not in a very good mood today."

"Well, I imagine so."

Lee Jagon looked around as if he understood.

"You know what?"

"Know what?"

"I know that you intentionally yielded your special admission."

"..."

"Well, it's not entirely unheard of. Among the 108 Peaks, especially those belonging to the Twelve Peaks and Castles, there are occasionally people like that. But there has never been a case where someone with absolutely nothing like you made such a choice."

I had no choice but to agree with his words. From a third party's perspective, the choice I made was akin to suicide.

"Still, somehow when you gave up the privilege, I expected to see you at the academy again."

"... What do you mean?"

"I knew it when I saw how you handled the Exploding Blood Pill. I realized that you don't do the sort of things other people would think of."

"..."

"I don't know about you, but truthfully, even now, I highly doubt someone else will become the representative. I feel like you're going to continue being the representative. Though I have no idea what method you'll use."

After saying that, Lee Jagon patted my shoulder and headed back to another table. The place he headed for was the table where the Twelve Peaks and Castles were seated.

"..."

I quietly looked around and reflected on myself.

It felt as though my field of vision had narrowed because I had been running forward, blindly focused solely on entering the Murim Academy.

'Haa...'

When I pondered the reason why I couldn't focus on the present, the answer came surprisingly quickly.

"Young Master Jin?"

I walked out to the center of the banquet hall.

And standing there, I slowly looked around without saying a word.

Then, the commotion in the hall died down, and the number of people staring at me gradually increased.

"What is he trying to do?"

"Is he stepping down from the representative position on his own?"

"Isn't his outfit too flashy for that?"

"Hahaha."

Perhaps, I might have held out hope for this current life being different from my past life.

Seeing Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Moyong Jaehwa, Zhuge Cheongi, and the others, I thought that maybe the rest of them could change like this too.

I infused my voice with internal energy and spoke.

"Hello, academy students. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Jin Sowoon, the academy representative for this term."

I looked around in all directions, offering a light fist salute to each side.

"There are those of you who know me, and those who do not. There are also those who like me, and those who do not. However, I have no intention of caring about such things, and I plan to do my absolute best to fulfill my duties as the academy representative."

No one responded. I continued speaking.

"Historically, it has probably been an annual tradition for the offspring of the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Noble Clans to serve as the academy representative. Recently, representatives have occasionally come from the Twelve Peaks and Castles, but that history isn't very long. And this time, it happens to be me."

Even if they didn't change, what did it matter?

That was simply their choice, and the actions they were showing now were nothing more than the petty behavior I had so thoroughly despised in the past.

"Just as you all think, I am fundamentally nothing more than a disciple of a powerless sect. I do not belong to the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Noble Clans, or the Twelve Peaks and Castles. And I have no intention of subordinating myself under them either."

Hostile gazes flew my way.

Sneers of "Just how much can you do?" erupted from all sides.

"So, leaving all of that aside, I have decided to think only about the academy students of this term."

I was merely giving them a chance.

I was simply doing so because I considered it my duty as one who knew the tragic future.

"I will do my absolute best to ensure that on the day you graduate from the academy, you will leave on a completely different level than when you entered. Furthermore, I will move forward in a direction that does not lean toward any faction."

"The best method seems to be for you to disappear."

At someone's remark, the people nearby giggled.

I readily nodded.

"Of course, following the natural order you all prefer, my stepping down would be the best method. But if I did that, you all would simply settle for remaining exactly as you are now."

"A mere disciple of the Taiyi Sect is spouting all sorts of nonsense."

"First, I will appoint some of my officers right here."

"..."

"First, Lady Namgung Seonhwa of the Namgung Clan. Lady Seong Moran of the Iron Sword Sect. And my junior siblings, Hong Saryeon and Lee Eunho."

"He's crazy."

"Yeah, go ahead and play house among yourselves all you want. It'll be over soon enough anyway."

The pushback was intense.

Even those actually appointed as officers could not hide their agitation.

"And now, there are four seats remaining."

"Is there really a need to leave four seats open? Just hand them all out however you please."

"I will fill the remaining four seats with people who are capable of sacrificing themselves for the other academy students."

"..."

"For reference, it will be first come, first served. The first person to step forward will become the fifth officer."

"He's crazy..."

I was merely carrying out my duty.

And whether to follow it or not was up to them.

"It doesn't seem like anyone will follow you, though? Will you be okay with that?"

"It doesn't matter."

"..."

If they followed, they would live.

If they didn't follow.

"I do not have the right to force anyone. After all, everything is your choice."

They would have no choice but to die according to the original history.