Chapter 38 – The Dagger in The Bag (9)
The person who knocked on the gate early in the morning without warning was a messenger sent from Sunmoo Academy. To cut to the chase without flowery language, there had been an unfortunate incident among the disciples.
The argument was that resolving accumulated discord and misunderstandings through a martial arts competition would be more helpful for harmony between the disciples and the academy. Even though we weren’t part of the academy, that was beside the point.
In common parlance, it wasn’t a matter of hitting first and apologizing afterward, but rather asking how we felt about seeking harmony through a martial arts competition was truly amusing. It wasn’t like giving medicine after causing illness.
“I refuse. I have neither the time nor the inclination to dance to your tune.”
“Pardon? But for the sake of both our reputations…”
“What does that petty reputation matter? You disgust me, now get out.”
Reputation? Of course it’s important. Even in modern society beyond the martial arts world, reputation holds far more importance than one might think. However, that doesn’t mean reputation is everything.
I haven’t lived my life so meaninglessly that I would bow my head for mere reputation. At the very least, I wouldn’t fail to distinguish right from wrong because of reputation. Even if the other party is a righteous sect.
“You were the ones who provoked us first. And now, when an apology from your side wouldn’t be enough, you generously suggest a martial arts competition? Your shamelessness knows no bounds.”
“Is this the Supreme Master’s official position?”
“Yes. But there’s no need to relay these exact words.”
“Are you afraid of the consequences now?”
The man who came as a messenger openly wore a sneer on his lips. Having clearly read his intentions, I realized there was no longer any need to treat him respectfully.
A flash of light as the sword is drawn from its scabbard. Until the sword, sliding out of its sheath approached his neck, the man knew nothing and merely continued smiling.
Yes. As if time and space had stopped.
Only when he felt the coldness of the blade at close range did he realize the existence of the sword near his neck, his expression freezing in shock. I openly mocked him as I spoke.
“I plan to visit Sunmoo Academy personally to lodge a complaint soon. I hope the hospitality will be befitting of a renowned righteous martial arts sect.”
“Do you think you’ll get away with this attitude?!”
“Of course. The proof is that your neck is still intact, isn’t it?”
“…”
“The only reason you’re still in one piece is because you mustn’t die before delivering my message to them. Now get out of here.”
At my voice, tinged with killing intent, the man nodded with a pale expression and then fled through the gate without looking back. This is why words alone don’t work.
“Master! Are you alright?!”
“I am perfectly fine.”
“It seemed like you were having some hostile conversation.”
Once the matter was settled, the disciples who had been observing from behind approached me. I wonder where to begin explaining this. Trying to explain it to the children is giving me a headache.
“It’s nothing. Someone from the academy came to propose a martial arts competition.”
“What did you say?!”
“I refused, of course. What reason do we have to comply with their demands?”
I responded with a snort to Namgung-yeon’s worried inquiry. Wasn’t it the officials of Sunmoo Academy who provoked us first? After doing that, they now generously propose a martial arts competition?
“Seeking harmony through martial arts? Let’s assume that’s possible for argument’s sake. But shouldn’t they first apologize for their officials’ disrespectful behavior?”
“I’m fine, Master!”
“No, I am not fine.”
If we were complete strangers, perhaps it would be different. But how could I, as a master, sit idly by when my disciple suffered unfair treatment? I won’t be satisfied until we receive a proper apology.
“But isn’t Sunmoo Academy backed by the Righteous martial arts sect? I’m worried that matters might escalate because of me, Master.”
“Namgung-yeon.”
“Yes?”
“Do not presume to question what the Master has decided.”
Seeing Namgung-yeon trying to dissuade me, Sua warned him with a fierce gaze. I appreciate her help, but she was so intimidating that Namgung-yeon was genuinely frightened.
“Calm down, Sua. Namgung-yeon spoke out of concern for me.”
“I apologize for my presumptuous interference, Master.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll just go talk to them and come back.”
I’m not a fool either. Since Sunmoo Academy is directly operated by the Righteous Martial arts sect, the instructors would be at least at the Peak realm, and in the worst case, there might even be martial artists who have reached the Transformation realm.
No, there is definitely at least one such person.
Would I, merely at the Peak realm, challenge such an academy alone?
That would be absurd, of course. That’s why I’m trying to resolve this through dialogue.
‘Still, it’s an academy run by a reputable Righteous sect. Surely they won’t draw swords from the start.’
Although their hospitality as hosts was somewhat lacking… In the end, I did send him away in one piece, so…
â—‡
Assumptions can be fatal.
Unfortunately for Mu-myung, as soon as the messenger returned, Sunmoo Academy was thrown into turmoil. The legendary Sword Demon of the Evil sects was coming to Sunmoo Academy in person?
An ignorant fool might ask what all the fuss was about. But that would only showcase their ignorance. The Sword Demon was a symbol of terror for Righteous sects.
During the time the Sword Demon reigned as the Overlord of the evil world, he invaded not only sects affiliated with the Righteous sects but even the Five Great Families and the Nine Major Schools for absurd reasons, committing countless massacres.
Of course, the Righteous sect wasn’t stupid either. They tried to join forces to subjugate the Sword Demon, but each time they suffered even greater losses due to his overwhelming power.
The elderly instructors who had personally experienced the Sword Demon’s overwhelming power couldn’t help but express excessive concern that others might consider senile. Because they had directly faced that power.
“Why are you all making such a fuss? Of course I’ve heard of the Sword Demon… But isn’t that just an old tale from long ago?”
“No matter how renowned the Sword Demon is, his reputation must be somewhat exaggerated. Besides, hasn’t our Righteous sect grown stronger than before?”
The young instructor named Lee Kang-hui had been advocating to use force since yesterday. Though his hasty temperament was a flaw, his reputation was otherwise good.
“Having vigor is commendable, but courage without knowing one’s place is merely recklessness, Instructor Lee Kang-hui.”
“Are you actually afraid to face just one person?”
“Mind your manners! Do you think this is a marketplace?!”
“Everyone, enough! Internal strife will not help us in this urgent situation.”
As Lee Kang-hui’s radical words threatened to cause division among the instructors, the old instructor who had initially cautioned Lee Kang-hui bellowed, barely managing to quell the internal strife.
“Based on what the messenger said, it seems the Sword Demon didn’t come here to fight.”
“Do you believe that now? Didn’t he draw his sword and directly threaten our messenger?”
“That’s true. However, if he truly intended to attack, he wouldn’t have let the messenger return alive. That would have been far more advantageous.”
Moreover, although the elderly instructor had only glimpsed the Sword Demon from afar, he knew that contrary to the rumors circulating in the Righteous martial arts sect, the Sword Demon was not merely a cowardly villain.
“Therefore, I believe the best course of action is to meet him directly and resolve this through dialogue.”
“To be intimidated by just one person… We’ll become a laughingstock.”
“That might be preferable. Better than causing irreversible harm to our officials through misguided actions.”
“But…!!”
“Instructor, I said I will resolve this through dialogue.”
At that cold voice devoid of any emotion, Lee Kang-hui finally closed his mouth. He was the only master who had reached the Peak realm in Sunmoo Academy and was responsible for the academy.
He wasn’t using killing intent or inner force to pressure others. He simply possessed the authority to silence others with a single word. In the end, even Lee Kang-hui had to back down.
“I apologize.”
“Good that you understand now. Return to your positions and wait. I will meet with the Sword Demon personally and try to negotiate.”
This won’t work. If things proceed this way.
While everyone accepted and followed the orders, only Lee Kang-hui expressed reluctance. He had thought the righteous sect was completely corrupted… But even rotten fish still had a backbone holding it together.
‘I have no choice, though I didn’t want to use this method.’
To create a major confrontation once more between the Righteous and Evil sects by exploiting the grudge between them, a suitable spark was needed. And Sunmoo Academy was more than enough to serve as kindling.
“To overthrow the old era and usher in a new era.”
Muttering these meaningful words so quietly that no one could hear, Lee Kang-hui soon moved with a determined expression. Dense killing intent began to rise from his eyes.
