Chapter 132 - The Black Flame Dragon Who Proves Himself (2)

"Man, what a shame. Hahaha."

At Zhuge Somyeong's words, which carried not even a speck of actual regret, even the great Hyuk Mugang couldn't help but furrow his brow.

This infuriating side of him was probably why the Elder's Hall hated Zhuge Somyeong so much.

Regardless, just as Zhuge Somyeong said, Hyuk Mugang couldn't hide his own disappointment.

"Hmm... Still, given Jin Sowoon's tactical mind and skills, wouldn't it be better for him to come to the Alliance Leader's Pavilion?"

He had lent a shadow warrior to measure Jin Sowoon's skills and received an opportunity for the Alliance Leader's Pavilion to recruit him in return, yet he had been rejected right to his face.

"What are you saying? The opportunity to recruit him was a one-time offer."

Had it been the Elder's Hall, they would have accused Zhuge Somyeong of plotting something given his usual narrow-mindedness, but Hyuk Mugang had heard Zhuge Somyeong making the proposal in earnest from a hundred zhang away, leaving no room for such doubts.

Nevertheless, out of lingering regret, Hyuk Mugang added,

"If you consider him a talent capable of leading the Murim Alliance in the future..."

"Haha, Alliance Leader, the Elder's Hall and the other Pavilion Masters would have a fit if they heard that. Please restrain yourself."

"..."

When had Zhuge Somyeong ever cared about what they thought?

Wondering this for a moment, Hyuk Mugang let out a small sigh.

There was still plenty of time anyway, and there was no guarantee that Jin Sowoon would only continue working in the Mantong Bureau.

He figured he could simply bring it up again whenever the opportunity arose.

With his thoughts organized, he felt they could now slowly discuss Jin Sowoon.

"What are the Chief Strategist's impressions?"

"He is a talent absolutely perfectly suited for the Mantong Bureau."

"Understood. I won't mention the Alliance Leader's Pavilion, so let's just talk calmly."

Zhuge Somyeong, who had been anxiously fretting like a child afraid of having his precious toy taken away despite being past his sixtieth year, also calmly nodded.

"Him passing the Murim standard exam at the top of his class was no coincidence."

Some people often said that Jin Sowoon had simply snatched the top spot using good luck and cunning.

Moreover, that perception was the main reason why his current position as representative was not fully acknowledged.

"He likely possessed that level of martial prowess, allowing him to freely unfold his schemes to his heart's content."

According to Zhuge Somyeong's calculations, Jin Sowoon could have easily passed the Murim standard exam completely alone without anyone's help if he had wanted to.

However, he had led all of his junior disciples and comrades through the standard exam, and had claimed the top spot in the process.

This exact point was what made Zhuge Somyeong covet Jin Sowoon so much.

"Great martial prowess and a profound mind. He is a talent who will become a pillar leading the Murim Alliance in the future."

When it came to awe-inspiring martial prowess, there was already Yong So-ah.

However, perhaps due to his innate background and talent, Yong So-ah never felt the need to exercise a deep tactical mind.

Of course, when it came to an astonishing mind, Maeng Ju-won already had one.

But Maeng Ju-won's schemes could not be properly executed due to his feeble martial prowess.

The Murim Alliance, having already become a massive political arena, had turned into a giant battlefield.

Using various justifications, they had to mobilize those who possessed the actual power of martial arts.

If that wasn't done properly, only a future where the Murim Alliance was torn to shreds awaited them.

"It might be fine for now since the enemy isn't immediately visible, but if the Demonic Cult appears, a chaotic Murim Alliance won't be able to defend against them."

There are many who can formulate strategies. But those possessing the political power, background, tactical mind, and martial prowess to push those strategies through can be counted on one hand, even within the Murim Alliance.

In particular, there was no talent quite like Jin Sowoon, who didn't lean toward any specific faction.

"I suppose we should view his lacking area as background for now."

From Zhuge Somyeong's fragmented tale alone, Hyuk Mugang had already pierced through to what Zhuge Somyeong wanted from Jin Sowoon, and what Jin Sowoon lacked.

"The Mantong Bureau and the Alliance Leader's Pavilion alone won't be enough, right?"

At Hyuk Mugang's words, Zhuge Somyeong nodded.

"If his sect's power isn't practically significant, the scope of Jin Sowoon's movements will be narrow."

"It would be good to provide support to the Taiyi Sect then."

"Direct support will only arouse the suspicion of others. Furthermore, they are not the type to sit still if they learn the Alliance Leader's Pavilion and the Mantong Bureau are backing Jin Sowoon."

The Alliance Leader's Pavilion and the Mantong Bureau were the direct organizations of the Murim Alliance Leader and the Chief Strategist respectively, and the bodies holding the greatest authority within the Murim Alliance.

Considering that the Orthodox Council and the White Path Council were simultaneously trying to expand their influence over both organizations, if the current conversation between the two leaked, the vested interests might try to eliminate Jin Sowoon by any means necessary.

"I will think of a way to support the Taiyi Sect through the Mantong Bureau."

"And won't he need someone to oversee his martial arts training?"

"..."

Currently, the most important issue was Jin Sowoon's martial arts.

For whatever reason, despite possessing a terrifying hundred and eighty years of internal energy, he failed to show a proper response against Sword Force.

"The Taiyi Sect has never produced an expert capable of using Sword Force. It's likely because he's been training alone up until now after recovering the secret arts of the Taiyi Sword Emperor."

"... Hmm."

Even if one encountered a serendipitous fortune, without someone to guide them, walking the path of an expert would take much more time.

Considering that the Director was currently the only expert at the Murim Academy capable of using Sword Force, it meant Jin Sowoon would have to train alone, just as before.

"Roughly what level should we consider him to be at?"

Hyuk Mugang was also considering the option of dispatching one of the shadow warriors to teach Jin Sowoon.

In reality, Hyuk Mugang didn't need the shadow warriors, and he believed that if there ever came a moment where he did, the Murim Alliance was basically already finished anyway.

"Wouldn't it be right to view him as slightly lacking compared to Yong So-ah or Ilmyeong?"

"Hmm..."

Zhuge Somyeong was someone who focused more on the scholar's pen than the warrior's sword, and because Hyuk Mugang had kept such a vast distance, neither had been able to clearly see exactly how Jin Sowoon fought during that fleeting sparring match.

"Muyeong."

The moment Hyuk Mugang's words ended, the man who had engaged in the sparring match with Jin Sowoon appeared between him and Zhuge Somyeong.

"What are your thoughts?"

"..."

"Having sparred with both Yong So-ah and Ilmyeong yourself, you should be able to gauge his approximate level, right?"

"When I sparred with Yong So-ah, I was the first to draw out Sword Qi, and when I sparred with Ilmyeong, Ilmyeong was the first to draw out Fist Qi."

"Oho... So you're saying he's at Yong So-ah's level?"

"I feel they follow a slightly different path."

"A different path?"

"Yes. While Yong So-ah possesses high enlightenment and personal attainment, Jin Sowoon felt like he had an exceptional sense for combat itself. He freely utilized surrounding objects, and there were times when his casual remarks thoroughly disrupted my focus."

Listening to Muyeong, Zhuge Somyeong asked.

"Then, if you had to pick the one who is more troublesome to spar against between the two?"

"... Of course, it would be Yong So-ah."

Zhuge Somyeong nodded as if he understood. But at that moment.

"However, if I had to pick the one I'd hate to meet on a battlefield, I would choose Jin Sowoon."

"...?"

"...!"

Muyeong calmly continued speaking.

"If Yong So-ah's sword is a sword that proves his own strength, Jin Sowoon's sword feels like it only carries the sole purpose of killing the opponent."

"... He pursues efficiency over things like empty formalities and honor?"

Somehow, it felt very much like Jin Sowoon.

Hyuk Mugang asked Muyeong gently.

"By chance, who among you do you think would be good to go as his martial arts master?"

"..."

Muyeong didn't answer for a long time. Then, just as he was about to answer.

Suddenly, Muyeong's face turned pale blue.

"What is wrong?"

"A-Apologies..."

As he tried to throw himself backward with those words, Muyeong retched and vomited blood.

Shocked that he had vomited blood in such an important setting, Muyeong frantically wiped the blood away. Meanwhile,

Zhuge Somyeong and Hyuk Mugang also looked at Muyeong with startled eyes.

"... Is it because of the spar with Jin Sowoon?"

Hesitating, Muyeong answered.

"... Yes. I was trying to treat my internal injuries, but you called me so suddenly..."

"... You foolish man."

"..."

Muyeong was the captain of the shadow warriors of the Alliance Leader's Pavilion.

Hyuk Mugang and Zhuge Somyeong couldn't even begin to guess who on earth they should secretly assign as his martial arts master.

* * *

Just when I thought I could finally shake off my bed and get up, the sparring match with the man from the Alliance Leader's Pavilion ultimately left me bedridden for another two days.

I had no internal injuries, but moving so violently had caused muscle aches all over my body for the first time in a while, making movement a distant hope.

I had moved so intensely that even qi circulation couldn't easily shake off the fatigue.

Still, it wasn't just a devastating loss.

'Should I just assume I'm at the level of the shadow warriors of the Alliance Leader's Pavilion?'

According to the data in the Simhyeon Pavilion, the shadow warriors of the Alliance Leader's Pavilion had to achieve at least 8-star mastery in the Horyeong Divine Art—a secret mental cultivation method passed down only among them—to be able to operate as a shadow warrior.

Furthermore, considering he even used Sword Force, he was at least at the Peak Realm.

I could assume that I had reached around that level myself.

"Still, I never thought Ten Thousand Swords would actually block Sword Force."

The secret profound principle of the Taiyi True Scripture was definitely the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art, but the reason I hadn't properly used it until now was because my progress with it was far too sluggish, and its efficiency was extremely low.

While the Twin Heaven Sword Art could toy with the opponent's gaze using dozens of phantom swords, the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art forced me to face my opponent with fewer than five Ten Thousand Swords.

Moreover, the amount of internal energy consumed was so massive that there was a risk of completely emptying my Dantian if I used it recklessly.

"Even so, if it's at this level, it's definitely worth using."

From the standpoint of someone who didn't know what to do to reach Sword Force, it had been quite a perplexing situation.

The members of the previous Dragon-Phoenix Summit, including Yong So-ah, would all be able to use Sword Force, and even among the current academy students, there would be those who could use it.

I had even considered seeking out the Namgung Clan or the Moyong Noble Clan for separate teachings if it really didn't work out.

"I really didn't know it had this kind of power."

But now that I knew Ten Thousand Swords could at least partially counter Sword Force, I could cast off a great deal of my worry regarding Sword Force.

After forming a plan to some extent, I looked toward a corner of the room.

Standing there alone was a partially burned log, as thick as a thigh.

"I don't know why he suddenly changed his mind."

I had asked the Chief Strategist to give me the Demon-Subduing Divine Wood as a condition for engaging in the sparring match.

But that was meant for when I won the spar, or at the very least drew—not for when I was thoroughly defeated.

"Did something good suddenly happen to him?"

I had thought Zhuge Somyeong was a perfectly calculating person who strictly kept his word, but perhaps he wasn't quite like that after all.

At the very least, since it was planned to be made into talismans instead of becoming a signboard for some unknown sect, wouldn't it be able to save at least dozens more lives?

After resting for two more days like that, I resumed my academic schedule.

Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Hong Saryeon, and for some reason, even Eun Seollan joined in to pour out nagging complaints about 'why I pushed myself so hard,' but it felt much better than seeing Zhuge Somyeong when I first woke up.

* * *

The atmosphere of the academy had drastically flipped.

Even though I attended lectures just as usual, the number of eyes staring at me had increased for some reason.

Before, they would ignore me or look at me like I was livestock, but now, the number of people watching me with an inexplicably strange gaze had increased?

While sitting in an empty seat and preparing for the lecture, I heard a conversation coming from next to me.

"I heard we're going to Sichuan for our external field training?"

"Sichuan? If we're going somewhere, we should go to Beijing or Nanjing. What is there even to see in Sichuan?"

"Who knows? They said something happened in Sichuan during the standard exam... I heard they're sending us to investigate that at the same time."

In my past life, the Murim Alliance had assumed that the incident that occurred in Sichuan during this standard exam was the work of Demonic Path remnants.

Thanks to that, they sent the academy students as investigators under the guise of field training, only for more than half of the students to meet a gruesome death at the hands of the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult, which they thought had disappeared.

'So it ends up like this after all?'

Despite having changed the past considerably, there was a sense that the major branches of history didn't change drastically.

Regardless, if encountering the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult couldn't be changed, I at least needed to push forward the Mount Heng Sect's invitation event a little.

As I inadvertently listened to their conversation, I made eye contact with them.

They weren't people who usually sent me hostile glares anyway, so I was about to look away out of annoyance, but something strange happened.

"Is your body okay?"

"...?"

For a moment, I thought there was someone else behind me and looked back.

However, their gazes were still fixed on me.

"We were very worried."

"You really did something incredible."

Perhaps feeling awkward at my lack of a response, they gave a vague nod and returned to their conversation.

Just what on earth had happened?

"Your evaluation completely flipped because of the Orthodox Council incident, Young Master Jin."

I tilted my head at Seong Moran's words.

"What do you mean?"

"Because you risked your life to step forward into a situation that neither the academy students belonging to the Orthodox Council nor the elders dared to carelessly meddle in. When you came out looking like a complete wreck, there were even some among the students who burst into tears."

"Ah..."

Pushing myself so hard seemed to have yielded a good effect.

"That doesn't mean you should go doing things like that again, though."

"Ahem, right. But doesn't the atmosphere feel a bit too strange for it to just be that my likability went up?"

"... The people who were expelled from the Orthodox Council weren't from the Nine Sects and One Gang."

"Haha."

Three academy students had ultimately been expelled as the ringleaders of this incident, but none of them belonged to the Nine Sects and One Gang.

There had probably been some internal deal made, and since they agreed to it, they took the burden upon themselves and stepped down. However, outsiders didn't look upon that very favorably.

"To begin with, claiming that the conspirators weren't members of the Nine Sects and One Gang is just pulling the wool over everyone's eyes."

"There is that."

Furthermore, due to the Orthodox Council members, the time limit for the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Extinguishing Array expired. And as the Soul-Extinguishing Array that had remained standing for a month disappeared, the people who were originally supposed to enter it ultimately never got the chance to do so.

In any case, it seemed the chaos within the Orthodox Council caused by that incident wouldn't be quelled easily.

Taking advantage of that opening, the White Path Council and the Twelve Peaks and Castles were continuing their attempts to recruit members of the Orthodox Council.

"Tsk tsk, they're working so hard on things that will all be useless anyway."

"Huh? What is?"

"It's nothing. By the way, when are the others arriving?"

When they told me to treat them to a big meal as an apology for making them worry by entering the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Extinguishing Array, I had obediently nodded.

It was because I felt like, much like during the Murim standard exam, we had never really spent any relaxing time just among ourselves.

"Here they come. But..."

As everyone—Namgung Seonhwa, Hong Saryeon, Eun Seollan, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, and even Moyong Jaehwa—approached from a distance, Seong Moran slowly lowered the hand she had been waving.

"..."

It was because a man with a shaved head was walking alongside them.

"I somehow feel like an uninvited guest."

"..."

Ilgak spoke with a gentle smile, but no one answered him.

"I cannot express how relieved I am that you safely emerged from the Soul-Extinguishing Array, Benefactor Jin."

At Ilgak's words, a wrinkle began to form on the brows of my companions one by one.

I cut him off so as not to ruin the good mood.

"It doesn't seem like we're in a situation to chat so amicably, so how about you get straight to the point?"

"..."

Pausing, Ilgak's face, which had been about to frown, formed a benevolent smile once more.

"The elders of the Orthodox Council have officially invited you, Benefactor Jin."

"...!"

"...!"

Everyone in the area looked at Ilgak with startled eyes.