Chapter 36 – The Dagger in The Bag (7)
Although the Sunmoo Academy has forgotten its original purpose and fallen into a place of camaraderie for Righteous sect martial artists, its underlying strength has not disappeared.
At the very least, the skills and talents of the academy members were certainly guaranteed. Even the lowest-ranked members were at least second-class martial artists.
Among them were geniuses evaluated as being able to reach the first-class realms at a young age. How could they be suppressed so easily?
It seemed the opponents had not anticipated anything, and the academy members, losing their initial momentum, could only maintain their distance while glaring at Murong Sua.
“This matter will not be let go.”
“You will regret touching the Sunmoo Academy.”
“Listening to the grievances of the defeated is quite a challenge. It would be better to just knock them all unconscious.”
The academy members were ultimately forced to retreat in the face of Sua’s bold stance, disregarding the Sunmoo Academy’s reputation. Namgung-yeon realized Sua’s strength.
Of course, he had already known that Lady Murong Sua had entered the first-class realm. However, the difference between knowing something in one’s head and seeing it directly was like heaven and earth.
As a first-class master who could even teach instructors at the Sunmoo Academy, which embodies the essence of the Righteous sect’s martial sect, no matter how skilled the academy members were, they were no match for her.
“Isn’t it time to reveal the truth?”
“Yes? What do you mean…”
“I don’t particularly like dodging the issue.”
Mountain beyond mountain, they thought they had just driven away the academy members, but now Sua’s coldly settled eyes were fixed on Namgung-yeon. If anything, it was much worse.
The moment Namgung-yeon met Sua’s eyes, he instinctively realized. He would have had better odds facing ten Sunmoo Academy members from earlier.
However, this was not a situation that could be resolved with a few words. It felt like an arrow flying into his chest. The emotion in those eyes was undoubtedly killing intent.
“The master is a kind person. He would wait endlessly until you speak directly.”
“…”
“But I do not have such deep patience as the master.”
The master had chosen to wait, believing in Namgung-yeon. Sua also believed in that choice without doubt. The master always chooses the right path.
However, separately, as a disciple, should she not properly understand someone who might become a junior? Of course, the best would be for the master not to accept a disciple.
Can the sharpness be hidden by putting a sharp awl in one’s pocket? Even if the master remains still, his reputation will be known throughout the world.
“Are you threatening me now?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“This is a warning. Do not make the master wait too long.”
Although her heart wanted to forcibly find out the truth, that would go against the master’s will. She is not just a disciple, but the chief disciple.
Even if everyone in the world were to deny and insult the master, she must believe and follow his words. That is the weight of being the chief disciple.
As Sua sheathed her wooden sword with those words, the killing intent pressing on Namgung-yeon’s shoulders disappeared like a lie, but her expression remained rigid.
“…”
“What are you doing? Leave quickly.”
“I have one thing I want to ask.”
“Oh, so despite not revealing your own self at all, you want to know something about my master?”
Facing Sua’s expression that openly showed ridicule, Namgung-yeon was momentarily frustrated. But truthfully, there was nothing wrong with what she said. How could it be any different?
“I know I am petty, my lady. But precisely because of that, I want to be certain.”
“What do you mean?”
“What is the Supreme Master aiming for?”
Namgung-yeon was already familiar with the rumors circulating in the marketplace. That the Sword Demon, who revived the Evil sect, was trying to establish an academy in Hanam. Of course, it was nonsense.
First, setting aside the fact that the Sword Demon, who had been missing for more than decades, is still alive, what reason would the Sword Demon have to come to Hanam and establish an academy?
The Sword Demon’s reputation was so high that anyone who had even dipped their toes in the martial world knew of him, regardless of Righteous or Evil sects. Why would such a Sword Demon establish an academy?
Why?
Bluntly speaking, just returning to the Evil sect would guarantee all kinds of generous treatment. It would be much easier and less obstructed to nurture disciples directly within the Evil sect.
“Tsk, you look completely unable to understand.”
“But isn’t it the truth?”
“How could a mere sparrow understand the intentions of a Phoenix?”
“Does that mean the Supreme Master’s intentions are that grand?”
Faced with Sua’s openly dismissive tone, Namgung-yeon retorted, not wanting to back down. But Sua did not lose her smile and instead spoke as if boasting.
“The master’s grand purpose is so vast that even the heavens cannot contain it.”
This was no exaggeration. The master had been fighting against the Evil sect, risking his life to protect the martial world since ancient times. A fight that no one had ever acknowledged.
If she were to walk that path.
Even though it was not a path she had directly walked.
She felt her heart would surely shatter.
The master who had been like that had finally ended his seclusion and returned to the martial world. What could that possibly mean? Sua soon easily reached the answer.
“The master intends to break the rotten sky of the martial sect and directly establish a new sky.”
â—‡
I’m hungry.
Quite some time had passed, and Sua and Namgung-yeon showed no signs of returning. During that time, Seolhwa had fallen asleep on the floor immediately after finishing her training.
I covered Seolhwa with a blanket and briefly pondered whether I should go out and look for Sua and Namgung-yeon. Fortunately, there was no need.
Sensing movement near the gate, I shifted my gaze and saw Sua and Namgung-yeon returning, each carrying armfuls of ingredients. I smiled and said,
“Thank you for your good work.”
“I’m truly sorry all this time! Supreme Master!!”
“…Huh?”
Namgung-yeon suddenly bowed and apologized as soon as he arrived, momentarily stopping me in my tracks. What’s he doing now? Sua laughed and spoke,
“It’s nothing, master. We just had a frank and open conversation.”
“Is that so?”
“Thanks to my lady, my foolish eyes could open a little.”
What kind of conversation could they have had to change so dramatically in half a day? I was genuinely curious but decided not to ask. It seemed better not to.
“Seems like something happened in between.”
“As expected, master. You noticed right away.”
Well, it took much longer than expected.
The distance from here to the market is at most half an angle. However, the perceived time was about one shi, or two hours. Unless one is a fool, it would be impossible not to notice.
“Who attacked you? Don’t tell me it was the Evil sect’s minions?”
“It was not them. Rather…”
“I will explain that directly, Supreme Master.”
With Namgung-yeon’s surprisingly proactive approach, Sua shut her mouth and glared at him. Seeing his neck visibly tense, I urgently said to Namgung-yeon,
“O-okay. Keep it brief.”
“Those who attacked us were academy members from the Sunmoo Academy.”
“The Sunmoo Academy members suddenly attacked you?”
And then an entirely unexpected name escaped Namgunng-yeon’s lips. Isn’t the Sunmoo Academy an institution established by the Righteous sect’s martial sect? But its members attacked?
Does that make sense?
Not even the Evil sect.
“I believe it was because of m-myself, Supreme Master.”
“Did you do something wrong at the Sunmoo Academy?”
“I have certainly not done anything shameful. I just…Lacked ability.”
Namgung-yeon added that while trying to do the right thing, his lack of ability ultimately turned the Sunmoo Academy against him. Then he bowed to me and said,
“Supreme Master, despite my shamelessness, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Won’t you accept me as your disciple?”
“…”
As expected, it comes to this.
I had somewhat anticipated this, so the shock was not as Supreme as it might have been. However, accepting him as a disciple was too dangerous. Hadn’t he just said he was marked by the Sunmoo Academy?
“I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s too dangerous. Because…”
“I already heard from Lady Murong Sua. Although my ability is lacking, if I can participate for the Supreme Master’s cause…”
“…?”
“I am willing to offer even my life!!!”
With a voice carrying unwavering resolve and no hesitation, showing a determined expression ready to face death, I could only fill my mind with question marks.
What kind of fresh nonsense is this?
