Chapter 98 - Hellish Regular Exam, The 'Third' Gate

"We want the truth about the incident on the Puyang Plains."

The Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Noble Clans build facilities functioning as branches in each province. The Shaolin Sect builds temples, while the Wudang and Mount Hua Sects build Daoist pavilions.

They claim these pavilions were established for those unable to visit the main sect due to the distance, but in reality, they manage the related lay sects and commercial facilities scattered across the country, making them little different from the Murim Alliance's branches.

The only slight difference is that while the Murim Alliance branches suffer from weak cohesion due to complex internal politics, the branches of the Nine Great Sects operate strictly under the absolute orders of their main sects.

"What truth are you referring to?"

The two men had introduced themselves as the Pavilion Masters of the Wudang and Mount Hua Sects respectively.

"A thousand people clashed on the Puyang Plains, and nearly five hundred died. Is it not natural to uncover the truth behind this?"

At the words of the Mount Hua Sect's Zhengzhou Pavilion Master, the middle-aged men standing behind him nodded in unison.

Given their varying attires, they appeared to be the elders from the sects of those who died on the Puyang Plains, not just from the Mount Hua and Wudang Sects.

"To be precise, it wasn't a clash between a thousand people. It was a battle where a thousand fought against eighty."

The Wudang Sect's Zhengzhou Pavilion Master stepped up beside the Mount Hua Pavilion Master.

"That is exactly my point. How is it that a thousand clashed against eighty, yet only twenty of you died?"

At the Wudang Pavilion Master's words, the complexions of Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran gradually changed.

"Are you saying... that we all should have died?"

"Logically speaking, wouldn't that be correct?"

"!"

"!"

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's faces flushed red.

Had it been anyone else, they would have stepped forward and drawn their swords immediately, but since they were dealing with the Pavilion Masters of Wudang and Mount Hua, they couldn't act on their emotions.

"Elder, the young ladies of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect are here with us. You should watch your words."

Even if they disregarded the Iron Sword Sect, their attitude was incredibly disrespectful considering the Namgung Clan was present.

The Wudang's Zhengzhou Pavilion Master glanced at Namgung Seonhwa before speaking again.

"... If there is an issue, it can be resolved later. Right now, solving this more important matter takes priority."

Realizing that reasoning with them was useless, I tried to enter the Murim Alliance Southern Peak Branch.

If we kept dragging out the time here, the reason for waking up so early in the morning would disappear.

However.

"You cannot enter until you reveal the entire truth about this incident."

They used their warriors to block the entrance.

I let out a small sigh.

Clues regarding the Demonic Cult's movements had to be leaked through an official organization.

If an individual heard it, they wouldn't understand or accept it. It would only pile up more suspicions.

"Lady Namgung here has already prepared separate documents to report to the Murim Alliance. You can hear the full details directly from the Alliance later."

"I said it clearly. You will not enter until you reveal the full story!"

"..."

My blood ran cold.

The deaths of disciples who were like brothers and sisters were tragic, but that was something they had to be prepared for when taking the standard exam.

Even so, these people were relying on their power to push forward their absurd demands.

It was a narrow-minded way of thinking, born from the conviction that their rights were different from others.

"... Are you interfering with the standard exam right now?"

"We are trying to correct what is wrong."

"The rule is that no conflicts must occur in the region where the Third Gate is taking place. If violated, it will affect not only the individuals involved but also their sect. You know this, don't you?"

"Hmph! That's exactly why we came looking for you. If it weren't for that rule, you would have never been able to walk here on your own two feet."

"You're completely unreasonable."

I shook my head and drew my sword.

"What are you doing right now?"

"I don't care if you suspect me, but I cannot tolerate the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect suffering because of me. My junior martial siblings and I will cleanly forfeit the exam and escort these two ladies inside."

"Young Master Jin!"

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's eyes widened.

"Do you dare think you can take us on?"

The Pavilion Masters of Wudang and Mount Hua, as well as those who had volunteered as representatives of their respective sects, looked flabbergasted.

The martial robes of the Pavilion Masters began to bulge significantly.

As they gradually drew up their internal energy, the pressure they exerted on the surroundings could be felt tingling on my skin.

Refusing to back down, I also drew up my power with all my might.

"How strange. We are the ones who killed five hundred with only eighty people. Aren't you afraid to stand before us?"

"..."

"..."

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers formed a sword array and drew their swords.

Those who had come with the Pavilion Masters couldn't hide their panic, as if they hadn't expected things to escalate to this point.

CLANG! CLANG!

Even Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, who had come beautifully made up, drew their swords.

"Please do not step forward, you two. If you unnecessarily get involved here, you might not be able to take the standard exam."

"Are you seriously saying that right now?"

"The Taiyi Sect isn't the only one who was insulted. They just insulted the name of the great Namgung Clan. If I say I backed down here because of the exam, my grandfather will never forgive me."

When the two ladies stepped forward, all the warriors who accompanied them also drew their swords.

"T-These brats..."

The Mount Hua Pavilion Master's face turned bright red.

The opponents were far too formidable to simply be crushed by the names of Mount Hua and Wudang.

With the Azure Emperor Divine Sword having been brought up, if an actual clash occurred, a massive problem would erupt between Mount Hua, Wudang, and the Namgung Clan.

And when right and wrong were debated in the future, it was obvious that the Pavilion Masters present here would be held responsible.

I even wrapped Sword Qi around the Black Dragon Sword. From here on out, it was a test of courage.

The one with nothing to lose wins.

As I took a bold step forward, the Pavilion Masters of Mount Hua and Wudang flinched.

"Wait!"

At that moment, a middle-aged man walked out from within the Murim Alliance Southern Peak Branch with his escorts.

"This is the Branch Chief of the Murim Alliance Southern Peak Branch. Everyone, sheathe your swords."

* * *

"What is all this commotion?"

"..."

"..."

The middle-aged man introduced as the Branch Chief approached this side and exchanged glances with the Pavilion Masters.

As if there had been some prior discussion, the Pavilion Masters slightly lowered their heads.

"Everyone, return. They must take the standard exam's Third Gate right now."

"We cannot do that!"

"There are hundreds of victims from the Puyang Plains."

"We must uncover the full story of the incident!"

As the crowd gathered and spoke in unison, the Branch Chief let out a small sigh.

"If it's about what happened on the Puyang Plains, I have also heard. A report regarding the matter has already been submitted to the Murim Alliance, and the Alliance will form and dispatch an investigation team."

"But that will take time! Time! What use is an investigation after no evidence remains!"

"The parties involved in the incident are right here, so what reason is there to wait for the Murim Alliance's investigation team?"

Voices reprimanding the Branch Chief echoed from all sides.

"Enough."

The Branch Chief infused his voice with internal energy and spread it in all directions. The commotion in the area instantly died down.

"The standard exam is designed to give a fair opportunity to everyone. If you privately interfere with the exam like this, it will definitely cause harm to your sects. Is everyone prepared for that?"

"..."

"..."

"So stop this. If there are suspicions, the Alliance will certainly resolve them."

Just as things seemed to be settled, the Mount Hua Pavilion Master stepped forward.

"The matter is too grave for that."

A faint trace of contempt lingered around the Branch Chief's eyes.

He had tried to wrap things up in a way that would allow them to save face, but the Pavilion Master was starting it up again.

However, at the Pavilion Master's subsequent words, the area once again erupted into an uproar.

"There is a suspicion that evil arts were used on the Puyang Plains."

"..."

The Branch Chief's eyes twitched slightly.

"Pfft!"

Seong Moran burst into laughter.

People's gazes gathered on Seong Moran, but she didn't stop laughing.

"What is so funny? Lady Seong Moran."

Surprisingly, the Branch Chief knew Seong Moran.

"They dug their own graves, so how could I not laugh?"

"What..."

"The next thing you'll say is, 'Isn't the Taiyi Sect involved with evil arts?' right?"

"..."

"..."

Seong Moran pointed at the Pavilion Masters of Mount Hua and Wudang, and their faces turned beyond red, looking as though they were on the verge of exploding.

"There was someone in our Iron Sword Sect who said something that stupid too. Thanks to that, we were deprived of our Great Martial Ancestor's Ninefold Sword, which had been passed down for generations. There is no one here who doesn't know this fact, right?"

"Hmph! Seeing you associate with such a group shows you know no shame."

"The Iron Sword Sect and the Namgung Clan were also together on the Puyang Plains. Are you certain that evil arts were used?"

"..."

Unlike the Mount Hua Pavilion Master who remained quiet, the Wudang Pavilion Master stepped forward this time.

"We never thought the Iron Sword Sect and the Namgung Clan were involved with evil arts. However, we must clear the suspicion regarding the fact that the Taiyi Sect's martial arts are so world-shaking that they do not seem to be their original martial arts."

I stared at the Wudang Pavilion Master and asked.

"Can you take responsibility for what you just said?"

With nothing holding me back anymore, I unleashed killing intent.

"Heup."

"Keuheuk."

"Wha, what kind of killing intent is this..."

Not only the Pavilion Masters of Wudang and Mount Hua, but also the middle-aged men standing behind them frowned at the same time.

"I will ask again. Can you take responsibility for those words?"

"You bastard! Who do you think I am to act like this?"

"I have never let those who insulted my sect and my martial siblings off the hook."

I was like that in the past, I am like that now, and I will continue to be like that in the future.

If Zhuge Cheongi from my past life saw me now, he would curse at me for doing useless things and failing to unload the burden in my heart.

It doesn't matter.

No matter how much harm I suffer or how hurt I get because of this, I am no longer as weak as I was in my past life.

I approached the Wudang Pavilion Master without delay. The Wudang Daoists who stood in the back moved to block his front.

"T-That bastard!"

With a bright red face, the Wudang Pavilion Master pointed his finger at me.

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers followed next to me, ready to swing their swords at any moment.

I infused my voice with as much internal energy as possible.

"SAY IT AGAIN!! IS WUDANG CERTAIN THAT THE TAIYI SECT USED EVIL ARTS!!!"

"Y-You bastard!"

A voice that boomed throughout the entire Murim Alliance Southern Peak Branch.

Even the passersby on the street stopped in their tracks and began to look this way.

The Wudang Pavilion Master's face crumpled like a piece of paper.

At his lack of response, just as I was about to unleash the Twin Heaven Sword Art.

"Great Warrior Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect did not use evil arts."

A new voice interjected.

The people in the area turned their heads simultaneously.

In the direction of the voice, dozens of people who appeared to be in the middle of treating deep wounds were approaching this side.

Looking relieved, the Branch Chief asked.

"W-Who are you?"

The man standing at the very front spoke.

"I am Muk Jeongho of the Kunwu Sect. I am a participant in this standard exam, and I fought against the Taiyi Sect on the Puyang Plains."

"I see. If you were there, you must know about the incident for sure."

"I don't know who passed on the story, but it is certain that there were those using evil arts there."

"... See. The Taiyi Sect..."

"However! Great Warrior Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect is the one who saved us from those who used evil arts."

"What?!"

As he came closer and I saw his face, he was the examinee who had yelled out in shame after I saved him.

"The moment we engaged in battle with the Taiyi Sect. The appearances of those who ambushed us under the cover of darkness were not human. This is definitely an area that requires an investigation by the Murim Alliance. But there is no room for doubt that the culprit is not Great Warrior Jin Sowoon."

"How could you..."

"You should be ashamed of yourselves!"

"What?"

"Great Warrior Jin Sowoon is someone who saved us—the very people who came to attack him—from an unknown culprit. Simply because we are of the Orthodox faction."

Muk Jeongho pointed his finger at those behind the Pavilion Master and continued.

"Furthermore, when the warriors mobilized for the children of the people here were dying, he stepped up himself to provide emergency treatment. Are the ones who actually hired them coming here to persecute a righteous warrior! Even so, can you call yourselves the pillars of the Orthodox sects!!!!"

"That's right!"

"You should be ashamed, you bastards!"

Those who moved with Muk Jeongho were the warriors who had received emergency treatment on the Puyang Plains. All of them did not hesitate to hurl curses at the people who had hired them.

"Know your shame!"

The Kunwu Sect was a sect positioned at the 10th Peak of the 108 Peaks. Considering the power of Mount Hua, Wudang, and the others gathered here, it was something unimaginable, but Muk Jeongho was not afraid to shout in reprimand.

"I, Muk Jeongho of the Kunwu Sect, guarantee that Great Warrior Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect did not use any evil arts."

"I agree as well!"

"I also agree!"

As the voices grew louder among the warriors, the faces of the Pavilion Masters of Mount Hua and Wudang began to turn pitch black.

At that moment, a warrior whispered in the Branch Chief's ear, and the Branch Chief looked at Namgung Seonhwa and spoke.

"Lady Namgung Seonhwa. I heard you created a report to deliver to the Murim Alliance."

Namgung Seonhwa handed over a scroll from her inner pocket.

"..."

The Branch Chief, reading Namgung Seonhwa's report, looked at me.

"I see here that you obtained a part of the culprit's corpse, is that true?"

"Yes."

"Will you show it?"

When I gave Geumpyo a look, Geumpyo pulled out an arm of a Dark Soul-Severing Squad member wrapped in cloth.

"Hic!"

"What is that!"

"Is that... a sword protruding from the palm?"

"Isn't that a bone?"

When the corpse was shown, only then did the Branch Chief's face stiffen hard.

"Why didn't you show this earlier? Things would have been resolved much easier."

At the Branch Chief's reproachful voice, I shook my head.

"Even you, Branch Chief, did not properly take our side. Do you think a mere corpse would have dispelled the suspicions?"

"... Ahem, that stings quite a bit."

The Branch Chief looked at the Pavilion Masters.

"With this, there shouldn't be anyone left who can say the Taiyi Sect practiced evil arts."

"..."

"..."

I approached the Wudang Pavilion Master. The Wudang disciples drew their swords and blocked me, but I instead sheathed my sword and spoke.

"Do you still think the Taiyi Sect used evil arts?"

"..."

"Speak."

"..."

"SPEAK!!"

"No..."

"Then apologize."

"What!"

"I told you to apologize."

"... Do you know who I..."

"If you do not apologize, I will formally file a complaint through the Murim Alliance regarding this matter."

After contemplating for a long time, the Wudang Pavilion Master let out a long sigh. Then, with his head deeply bowed, he cupped his fists in salute.

"... I, Song of Wudang, formally apologize to the Taiyi Sect."

Small sighs of disbelief erupted from here and there.

Reactions showing they couldn't believe their own eyes.

"Consider yourself lucky that you are from Wudang. If someone from the Taiyi Sect like me had accused Wudang of using evil arts, it would not have ended with just an apology."

"..."

The Branch Chief spoke up again.

"Could you hand over that corpse for the report to the Murim Alliance?"

To accurately identify the culprit, the evidence was also necessary.

The Branch Chief's hand naturally reached for the corpse.

"No."

And as soon as my words fell, Geumpyo dodged the Branch Chief's hand.

"... N-No?"

"Yes."

"In order to dispel your suspicions, the evidence..."

"Haven't those suspicions already been dispelled?"

"... This is a grave incident. Especially if there are beings who hide their bodies in the dark, this is undoubtedly a matter that must be resolved through the Murim Alliance."

"It is a matter the Murim Alliance must resolve, but the evidence isn't absolutely necessary, is it?"

"What does that..."

"All byproducts obtained during the exam are treated as belonging to the examinee. That is the rule, isn't it?"

"..."

"I intend to send this to my sect and have my sect investigate it directly."

"... But the Taiyi Sect..."

The Branch Chief stopped himself and swallowed his words. It was because he had clearly seen the price of the Wudang Pavilion Master's slip of the tongue just a moment ago.

I continued my words.

"However, if you absolutely need it, Branch Chief, buy this corpse from me."

"What?"

"Hah!"

"Goodness, as expected of someone from a rootless sect."

I could hear the Mount Hua Pavilion Master clicking his tongue, but I cleanly ignored it.

"How much do you want?"

"Ten gold taels."

"Hah!"

Not only the Branch Chief, but even Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran wore surprised expressions.

"Use that money to hold funerals for the people who died on the Puyang Plains and to treat the injured. Then I will hand over this corpse."

"!"

"!!"

And soon, they couldn't hide their even greater shock.

The Pavilion Masters of Wudang and Mount Hua looked as if they had just tasted shit.

"Will you do it?"

"Haa..."

Letting out a long sigh, the Branch Chief soon opened his mouth.

"If it is for that, I will accept."

"Geumpyo, give it to him."

"Yes! Eldest Senior Brother."

Unlike his usual self, Geumpyo added the title of Eldest Senior Brother and handed the corpse to the warrior standing next to the Branch Chief.

Then, a thunderous roar boomed out loudly.

"""WAAAAAH!"""

I cupped my fists toward Muk Jeongho.

"Thank you for your help. Take care of yourself."

"... Great Warrior Jin, let us meet again."

As I passed through the crowd and headed inside the branch, the warriors at the back began to shout in unison.

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!"

"Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!"

"Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!"

For some reason, Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa walked with their shoulders thrown back as if they were the ones receiving the cheers, and the Geum-eun-dong Brothers were walking even closer to me than usual.

"Why are you sticking so close? And put that flag down already."

"What are you talking about, Eldest Senior Brother? I was actually thinking the flagpole is too short and planning to get a longer one."