Chapter 133 - The Black Flame Dragon Who Proves Himself (3)

"Everyone is waiting at Hwawol Pavilion right now."

Hwawol Pavilion was considered one of the top courtesan houses not just in Wuhan, but in all of Hubei Province.

It was so exceedingly extravagant that even the children of high-ranking officials could not easily frequent it, yet the academy students of the Murim Academy would often push themselves to show their faces at Hwawol Pavilion.

Because it was a place frequently visited by high-ranking officers of the Murim Alliance, including Pavilion Masters and Hall Leaders, they pushed themselves to forge connections with them somehow.

"We have also prepared a separate table for your companions, so let us go together."

As if it were a given, Ilgak turned around and began to walk, and the companions tried to follow as if it were a given as well.

"I decline."

"...!"

"!"

Seong Moran, Namgung Seonhwa, and the rest, not to mention Ilgak, looked at me with startled eyes.

"I have a prior engagement."

"..."

Ilgak's face slightly distorted.

"I told you that the elders of the Orthodox Council invited you."

"You should have told me in advance."

"..."

"Isn't it against etiquette to unilaterally demand that I come with a sudden invitation?"

'In these bastards' heads, if you're not from the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Noble Clans, you're not even considered human.'

'A mutt approaches anyone without distinguishing between master and stranger.'

'As a disciple of the Taiyi Sect, even if I were to become a dog, I could never become a mutt.'

"I know that the elders of the Elder's Hall are distinguished individuals. Even so, shouldn't they be unable to casually order around the academy representative, who isn't just an ordinary academy student? Or are they trying to meet me as a senior and junior of Jianghu rather than as the academy representative?"

Ilgak's face grimaced.

'At this rate, wrinkles are going to form all the way up to his scalp.'

'Oho, maybe I'll end up going to hell for teasing a monk like this?'

I could bet my wrists that the elders hadn't even known a sect called the Taiyi Sect existed until I entered as the top student.

In my past life, when I was working at the Mantong Bureau cramming information into my head, the elders used to visit occasionally, finding it fascinating.

There were even some who perceived the Taiyi Sect as a sect that had been annihilated a long time ago.

"Setting aside the elders' positions and looking at it from the perspective of seniors and juniors in Jianghu, it does not seem polite for Benefactor Jin to unilaterally decline like this."

Ilgak spoke with his still un-smoothed head... no, face.

"Those so-called seniors treated me like some spy from the Underworld Murim."

"..."

"Are they perhaps planning to use this opportunity to apologize for what happened in the past?"

Perhaps completely not expecting this situation, Ilgak showed an awkward attitude, unable to control his facial expressions.

Because there was absolutely no way they would ever apologize. Especially not to a mere disciple of the Taiyi Sect.

"In that case, there is even less reason for me to go."

Ilgak let out a long sigh.

"I know that there are many misunderstandings between you and us, Benefactor Jin."

From behind, Seong Moran whispered, 'Since when did the meaning of misunderstanding change?', but Ilgak continued his words.

"However, if you continue to act so self-righteously, Benefactor Jin, it will do you no good either."

"..."

"Whether you like it or not, Benefactor Jin, those individuals are the ones who prop up the Murim Alliance."

"You make your threats very softly."

"..."

"I do not care, so please tell them that I cannot go."

"..."

I stopped walking and called out to Ilgak.

"Ah, right, and..."

Ilgak looked at me with an expression that said, 'I knew it.'

"Why do you keep calling a disciple of a Daoist sect 'Benefactor'? It's uncomfortable."

Ilgak's face twisted into something resembling one of the Four Heavenly Kings placed at the entrance of a temple. At this rate, I really might end up going to hell...

"Are you really going to be alright?"

After Ilgak disappeared, the voice of Namgung Seonhwa, who had been watching Ilgak's changed appearance with the utmost surprise, was filled with worry.

"They are people who receive absolute support not just from the Pavilion Masters, but from inside the Murim Alliance as well. If you think about your future success, it isn't very good to oppose them."

"I am not thinking about success or anything like that."

"Why not?"

Because such a distant future wouldn't come in the first place.

With the immediate risk of death coming and going dozens of times, where was the time to think about the distant future?

"There are many things I have to do right now with the people by my side."

"... Mmm."

Namgung Seonhwa nodded her head.

"True, it's not like the Orthodox Council is the only one, and the Namgung Clan's influence within the White Path Council isn't small either."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing. Anyway, that's how it is."

After finishing our meal, I took Moyong Jaehwa and headed to the smithy.

Moyong Jaehwa, who had been practicing archery with the bow taken from the Gwigung Sect, quickly ended up breaking it, and because there were no proper ones among the bows provided by the academy, he couldn't practice at all.

"The bows crafted by the artisans at our smithy are famous for being sturdy."

The bow the blacksmith handed over was a solid strongbow framed with ox horn, but after pulling the bowstring a couple of times, Moyong Jaehwa's expression did not brighten much.

"It feels like it'll break right away..."

At Moyong Jaehwa's words, the blacksmith burst into a hearty laugh.

"This horn bow has never broken even when experts infused it with all their internal energy. Give it a try. Even if it breaks, I won't charge you any money."

At the blacksmith's words, Moyong Jaehwa nodded, infused the bow with the qi of the Breaking Bow, and pulled it with all his might.

CREAAAK.

The strongbow made from carved ox horn let out a bizarre sound, and then, with a cracking sound, the wood and horn backing separated and broke apart.

"Uh...? What in the..."

The blacksmith wore a dumbfounded expression, and Moyong Jaehwa held out the broken strongbow with a face full of apology.

"Could you perhaps make a bow out of iron?"

When I asked this, recalling the bow that the Breaking Bow used in my past life, the blacksmith, who had been staring blankly at the broken bow, furrowed his brow at my words as if asking if that made any sense.

"Who in the world makes a bow out of hard iron? For starters, it wouldn't generate any tension, and even if it did, the bowstring wouldn't be able to withstand it."

In the end, having left the smithy without any gains, Moyong Jaehwa's shoulders sagged heavily.

He had firmly resolved to walk the path of archery, yet he was in a situation where he had no bow to train with.

"If I mention it to my family, I think they could make something similar... but if I do that, my grandfather will..."

If he placed such a suspicious order with the noble clan, it was obvious that there would be an immediate uproar.

Perhaps Moyong Gang would fly all the way to Wuhan in a single bound.

"Do not worry. I will take care of it."

"Y-You will, hyung-nim?"

I had been planning to visit Jang Dowon soon anyway. If it was Jang Dowon, he would probably be able to realize a bow made of iron.

Because one of the fifteen divine weapons he crafted in my past life was a bow.

"Ah, and I've also prepared an instructor to teach you archery, so you must focus entirely on your training."

"Really?"

Because there were very few sects in Jianghu that delved into archery in the first place, it had taken time to find an instructor among them who could establish his foundation.

Even then, the only reason I was able to attach a private archery instructor to Moyong Jaehwa was because I held the position of academy representative.

The only problem was that the instructor's affiliation bothered me a little.

'It might be a bit awkward, but... it should be fine.'

After pondering for a moment, I shook off my idle thoughts. In any case, the important thing was improving Moyong Jaehwa's skills.

Once the foundation of his archery was established, Moyong Jaehwa's skills would rise even more steeply.

Then the Breaking Bow, who made even the demons tremble in fear, would emerge that much faster.

Whether Moyong Jaehwa knew of this situation or not, he could not hide his delighted expression.

* * *

The Murim Alliance's Elder's Hall was not an institution that existed to execute things.

Unlike the other pavilions, it had no direct authority to gather information or mobilize personnel.

Even so, the reason the Elder's Hall was called one of the three great power institutions alongside the Alliance Leader's Pavilion and the Mantong Bureau was because the Elder's Hall held the authority to enact laws.

Considering that the laws of the Murim Alliance were essentially the laws of the entire Jianghu, it was not strange that countless people hoped to establish ties with the Elder's Hall for their own benefit.

Even if one stayed at the Murim Alliance for months holding precious items indistinguishable from bribes or gifts, the number of people who could actually meet the elders could be counted on one hand.

Since elders of such standing were all gathered at Hwawol Pavilion just to meet a single disciple of a baseless sect, it was impossible for the premium liquor—which cost as much as a lower-class warrior's monthly salary—to leave a good aftertaste.

"And the bastard said he 'won't come'?"

Daoist Myeonghyeon was so surprised that he almost dropped the liquor cup he was holding.

As if the feelings of the others were no different, each of them did not hide their discomfort.

Even the Pavilion Master of the Inspection Pavilion would probably come if invited to a gathering like this.

And yet he refused while citing a prior engagement?

"That bastard has become full of himself just because he put on a little armband."

It was only natural that the fury of Myeonghyeon and the other elders reached the heavens.

"It truly is the end of days. The end of days. To think that a mere academy student treats the Murim Alliance elders like mere dogs and cows."

"This is all~ because a baseless bastard was placed in a position of power, leaving him unable to grasp his place."

"We must drag him down from the academy representative position and expel him as soon as possible."

They wanted to immediately drag him down from the position of academy representative, naturally, as well as expel him and his junior siblings from the academy, and furthermore kick the Taiyi Sect itself out of the 108 Peaks, but they felt as if the Alliance Leader's Pavilion and the Mantong Bureau were somehow covering for him.

In the past, an incident of this magnitude wouldn't have been handled so heavily, yet the Mantong Bureau expelled the culprits of the Soul-Extinguishing Array incident while simultaneously billing the Orthodox Council for the damage restoration costs.

When the Orthodox Council fiercely protested, the cold response that they would mobilize the Inspection Pavilion to investigate the truth left them with no choice but to swallow their anger and keep their mouths tightly shut.

Furthermore, the atmosphere within the academy was also hostile toward the Orthodox Council.

The opportunistic White Path Council and the Twelve Peaks and Castles were desperately trying to snatch away any of the 108 Peaks that were wavering.

They absolutely needed an opportunity to turn the situation around.

"In the end, it must mean the bastard has no intention of revealing anything about the Soul-Extinguishing Array."

No matter how high the damage restoration costs were, they were insignificant compared to the Orthodox Council's financial power.

The important thing was to draw the atmosphere and the justification back to the Orthodox Council, and for that, ultimately, the best method would be to disclose the Soul-Extinguishing Array to the academy students and the entire Murim Alliance.

"Isn't it that the bastard wants to see us run to him and drop to our knees?"

At one elder's words, the other elders burst into absurd laughter as if it were nonsense.

"He truly is an arrogant bastard without equal."

"Let us instead bring up his ties to the Underworld Murim and drive him out."

"How about pressuring the Taiyi Sect?"

Various opinions were voiced, but they all knew that none of them were a solution.

It was merely a way to vent even a little of their pent-up anger toward Jin Sowoon.

Realizing that the mood was ripe, Myeonghyeon nodded.

"Please calm yourselves. Bringing up unresolvable problems will only inflate that boy's ego."

"Ahem..."

"Mmm..."

Daoist Myeonghyeon had spoken, but everyone wore dissatisfied expressions.

Truth be told, just how many times had he repeated his mistakes?

It was gradually becoming time to change the Council Head of the Orthodox Council.

Daoist Myeonghyeon also knew the atmosphere but continued speaking without showing it.

After all he had gone through to reach this position, how could he easily give it up? Especially over something as trivial as this incident.

"Do you have some other plan, Daoist Myeonghyeon?"

"If I did not have a plan, would I have brought it up?"

"Please speak. We will listen."

He did not like those patronizing bastards, but now was the time to endure.

"It is not that big of a problem. We just need to change the atmosphere."

"Shouldn't the problem be resolved for the atmosphere to change?"

This is why he couldn't easily let go of the position of Orthodox Council Head.

If they were this ignorant about politics, how could they ever establish the Orthodox Pavilion in the Murim Alliance?

"It is natural for things to fade from people's awareness as time passes. And if we shift the atmosphere with another incident, the current problem will vanish from their awareness even faster."

"...!"

"...!"

Wavy wrinkles formed on everyone's foreheads as they began to be drawn into Daoist Myeonghyeon's story.

* * *

The class schedule at the Murim Academy was not very tight. This was because the academy's educational purpose was to cultivate advanced personnel suitable for the Murim Alliance, while simultaneously guaranteeing time for the academy students, who each trained in different martial arts, to pursue personal cultivation and receive private tutoring.

After finishing his morning classes, Moyong Jaehwa would also practice archery alone in the clearing prepared on the mountain behind the academy.

This was because, with everyone from the Gwigung Sect eliminated in this batch, Moyong Jaehwa was the only one practicing archery.

But today, he was not alone.

"Uh... well... erm..."

It was the instructor he had waited so long for, but upon seeing the instructor's face, Moyong Jaehwa felt so awkward that he didn't know what to say.

"... It-It has been a while. Have you been well?"

The words he barely managed to bring out were an awkward greeting.

The instructor, standing with a massive strongbow, twitched his brow and said,

"Have I been well? That's a bad joke. That's not something you should say to a man who had to step down from his position as Hall Leader because his young master failed the standard exam, and who has now come to the academy to work as a traveling instructor."

At the sharp reply, Moyong Jaehwa felt a dying sense of unfairness.

Didn't it sound exactly like it was his fault?

'No, an exam is something you can either pass or fail...'

The instructor unslung the quiver from his shoulder, set it on the ground, and said,

"Moyong Jaehwa, was it? Aren't you the eldest son of the Moyong Noble Clan?"

This was their second time meeting, but they hadn't even known each other's names.

"Ah, yes. But your name, Instructor, is..."

"Yeo Samtong of the Gwigung Sect."

That was right.

He was the archer from the Gwigung Sect with whom he had crossed swords and arrows during the academy's standard exam.

And not just anyone, but the Hall Leader who escorted the young master of the Gwigung Sect from the closest proximity.

'Hyung-nim. Why, just why...'

It was customary to bury the events of the standard exam in the past once one enrolled, but that didn't mean human emotions could be buried so easily.

"It sure is nice being an academy student. Inviting an instructor just to learn something as a pastime... If our young master had passed, would he have been able to invite an instructor from the Moyong Noble Clan?"

To Yeo Samtong's extremely sarcastic words, Moyong Jaehwa replied.

"I am not learning it as a pastime."

"What?"

"I said, archery is not a pastime to me."

"..."

At Moyong Jaehwa's words, Yeo Samtong's eyebrows shot up.

"So you're saying you've discarded your noble clan's sword and picked up a bow?"

"..."

"Have you received permission?"

"..."

"Hah! Without even getting permission?"

When Moyong Jaehwa nodded silently, Yeo Samtong picked up the quiver he had set down.

"This was a place I shouldn't have come to in the first place."

"Why do you say that?"

"Do you really not know? How am I supposed to withstand the fury of Elder Breaking Sword if I teach you archery? I have no desire to do that."

When Yeo Samtong tried to descend the mountain, Moyong Jaehwa blocked his path.

Though their relationship was awkward, he was the person who would establish the basics of archery for him right now anyway.

Sowoon hyung-nim must have invited him as an instructor despite the discomfort because he knew there was no one else as capable.

"I must learn archery no matter what."

"Why does the eldest son of the Moyong Noble Clan want to learn archery in the first place? Isn't the Moyong Noble Clan's sword art considered one of the best in Jianghu?"

"Th-That's..."

"I have no intention of risking danger for someone who doesn't even have the drive to learn properly."

When Yeo Samtong moved his feet, Moyong Jaehwa grabbed his arm.

"B-Because I believe the true King of All Weapons is the bow."

Yeo Samtong's footsteps abruptly stopped.

"Perhaps your words are correct, Instructor. Maybe I am trying to learn the bow because I have no talent for the sword."

"..."

"But with my sword, I couldn't save anyone. Instead, with my bow, I was able to save all the people most precious to me.

I was certain at that moment. If I wielded a bow instead of a sword, I would have nothing to fear. To me, the bow is a greater King of All Weapons than the sword."

Yeo Samtong turned his body and looked at Moyong Jaehwa.

"Therefore, I beg for your teachings."

"..."

Even though Moyong Jaehwa had finished speaking, Yeo Samtong stared at him for a long while.

Then he soon set down the quiver and approached him.

"You learned the bow alone? How far have you progressed?"

"Pardon? A-Are you going to teach me?"

"You say you want to protect your precious people with a bow, how could I refuse that?"

"Th-Thank you."

"Ah, right. If by chance Elder Breaking Sword asks who you learned from, you must absolutely never bring up my name."

"Ah... yes."

"Good. In addition, my training will be quite difficult. I will not allow you to give up halfway or run away."

"Yes! I will not run away!"

"For the record, do not worry or think that I will use the events of the standard exam as an excuse to torment you. I am not such a petty man."

"... Pardon?"

Listening to Yeo Samtong's words, Moyong Jaehwa felt a strange sense of unease. Why was he unnecessarily adding something like that?

"Here, take this."

Yeo Samtong handed over a delicious-looking red apple.

Moyong Jaehwa, who happened to be feeling hungry, immediately brought the apple to his mouth.

CRUNCH.

"... What are you doing?"

Yeo Samtong stared with an absurd expression at Moyong Jaehwa, who had taken a bite out of the apple.

"Pardon? Didn't you give it to me to eat?"

"Why are you eating the target?"

Moyong Jaehwa looked back and forth between Yeo Samtong's face and the apple.

"... Target?"

"Yes, go over there, put that on your head, and stand still."

"... Pardon?"

"The best lesson in learning archery is experiencing being shot by an arrow firsthand. Move quickly. We won't be able to make any more progress once the sun sets."

"..."

Moyong Jaehwa strongly felt that something was going terribly wrong.