Chapter 13
“Demonic Arts?”
Cheon Se-myeong’s pupils trembled.
Not only that, but all the instructors who were with him widened their eyes in surprise and looked at Yeo Un-jin.
Soon, without anyone taking the lead, questions poured out in rapid succession.
“Is that really true?”
“Demonic Arts! Huh!”
“No wonder in such a short time…”
Some clicked their tongues, others shook their heads side to side, and some spat out curses.
It was such a shocking statement.
An instructor of Yongcheon Hall under the Jeongdo Alliance practicing Demonic Arts!
How could such a thing be possible?
Cheon Se-myeong stepped forward to intervene.
“This is a very serious matter. Hasty judgment is forbidden.”
The murmuring instructors then closed their mouths and focused their attention.
Cheon Se-myeong looked intently at Yeo Un-jin and asked.
“Do you have a reason for such suspicion?”
“Of course.”
“What kind…?”
Yeo Un-jin relayed the statements he had heard from the two students and what he had witnessed with Deung Bu-hyeong that night.
After finishing his general explanation, he added:
“The more I think about it, isn’t it strange? Yeom Ja-ryang said he stabbed deep enough to penetrate the abdomen. But the wound was shallow? However, when we arrived after hearing the screams, there was considerable blood spilled on the floor, and the internal injuries that looked severe were completely healed by the next morning. Isn’t there not a single thing that matches up?”
“Indeed, it’s incomprehensible.”
“If Instructor Sa hadn’t used some kind of sorcery, how could such a thing be possible? It’s definitely Demonic Arts.”
“However, it’s premature to conclude based on that alone. Yeom Ja-ryang might have actually been mistaken.”
“Even if Yeom Ja-ryang saw hallucinations, that’s also a problem. Wouldn’t that be proof that the sword the boy held was a ‘Demonic Sword’?”
Then Deung Bu-hyeong joined in.
“Actually, the fact that Sa Instructor’s aura changed overnight is also suspicious. Everyone must feel it. The fact that even his disposition seems to have changed somehow.”
No one refuted this.
It wasn’t because those gathered here were Cheon Se-myeong’s close associates.
This was an objectively clear fact.
Deung Bu-hyeong slowly nodded his head.
“Now I understand a bit. How my Jahanak-indo was shattered in one blow. It must have been a Demonic Sword after all.”
At this point, the other instructors also flowed into an almost convinced atmosphere.
“That’s right. Come to think of it, there weren’t just one or two suspicious points.”
“We should have noticed from when he eliminated the Gwiyachae leader so quickly.”
“We can’t have such a person sit as an instructor.”
“He should be expelled from the academy immediately. No, even beheading him wouldn’t be enough.”
However, Cheon Se-myeong was more cautious.
He shook his head side to side.
“But it’s only circumstantial evidence after all. Isn’t there no decisive proof? It’s very suspicious, but that alone isn’t sufficient.”
“If you entrust it to me, I’ll definitely wrap up this matter. However, there’s something I need.”
Yeo Un-jin’s eyes lit up.
Cheon Se-myeong turned around.
“What is it?”
“I need Taekma-inju.”
A colorless, odorless powder.
It was what the Jeongdo Alliance used during the past Righteous-Demonic War as a method to identify demons.
If you stamp Taekma-inju on the forehead, it normally doesn’t reveal any traces.
However, if you stamp the dot within half a day after using Demonic Arts, or if you use Demonic Arts within half a day after stamping the dot, a red spot will appear on the forehead.
In other words, based on the moment when Taekma-inju is stamped on the forehead, if Demonic Arts were used within half a day before or after, a red spot will inevitably appear.
Once this spot appears, it lasts for about a month.
Therefore, the person becomes acknowledged as a demon before all under heaven.
“But would Sa Instructor willingly let us stamp the Taekma-inju?”
During the Righteous-Demonic War, the world was so turbulent that it was acceptable, but no—even then, suggesting Taekma-inju to a righteous person was extremely rude.
Much less now?
If you said, “Your martial arts are very suspicious, so let’s check whether they’re Demonic Arts or not,” wouldn’t sword fighting break out first?
Moreover, if the opponent had really learned Demonic Arts, they wouldn’t try to get stamped no matter what excuse they made.
Furthermore, if they got stamped and didn’t use Demonic Arts for half a day, there would be no effect.
So even if Taekma-inju was used, there was only one way to distinguish whether the opponent’s martial arts were righteous or demonic.
That was…
“We’ll have to make them use it. The Demonic Arts.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sa Instructor won’t accept it anyway. It would be like branding himself. So I’m thinking of stamping it secretly.”
“Secretly? What exactly are you planning?”
Yeo Un-jin shared the scheme he had devised.
After a while, Cheon Se-myeong nodded.
“Indeed. But wouldn’t there be risks? If Instructor Sa has really learned Demonic Arts.”
“Without taking risks, there are no opportunities. At that time, the brand will definitely remain on his forehead, so even if I get hurt, it would be fortunate if I could leave such an achievement for the academy.”
Though his words sounded quite tragic, inwardly he was confident.
Until recently, Sa Bigang had been the weakest instructor in the academy.
Without the backing of the Busin Pavilion Master, he wouldn’t have even become an instructor at Yongcheon Hall.
‘How much difference could there be even if that guy learned Demonic Arts?‘
Cheon Se-myeong looked at Yeo Un-jin and nodded.
“We can’t dare raise a wolf cub wearing the mask of a Yongcheon Hall instructor while practicing Demonic Arts. I’ll trust only you, Yeo Instructor.”
“Hehe. Please leave it to me.”
Cheon Se-myeong smiled with a reassured expression.
Yeo Un-jin was certainly reliable.
Should we say he knew how to scratch the itchy spots?
Like when he organized the Special Purpose Class, and this case as well.
“If it weren’t for Yeo Instructor, life at the academy would have been truly difficult.”
“You’re too kind.”
The two men continued their warm conversation.
***
A cold wind clung to the ends of Sa Bigang’s hair for quite a while.
Sitting perched on a tree branch, he put a rice cracker in his mouth and chewed while quietly gazing at the building visible in the distance.
Crunch crunch
Just then, a group of people walked out of the building.
Sa Bigang, who had been chewing the rice cracker, brightened his eyes and straightened his posture.
Cheon Se-myeong and the instructors.
‘Hehe. It seems the closed-door meeting has ended.’
As expected.
Since Yeo Un-jin and Deung Bu-hyeong had witnessed that night’s events, there was no way they would just let it pass.
At least the ones he remembered were that type.
They were probably desperate to somehow drive out the thorn in their side right now.
That night, there was a reason he had left them alone even though he knew those two were approaching.
They weren’t people who would be helpful to his course of action anyway.
If he had to deal with them eventually, it would be easier to find an excuse and act if they moved first.
Sa Bigang carefully examined the faces of the people who came out of the building.
Guessing roughly what kind of conversation was taking place based on the shape of their lips.
Though there was quite a distance, because he was using Wizard Eye which gave a telescopic effect, Sa Bigang could clearly see their facial expressions and even the wrinkles on their faces.
The instructors parted ways, laughing harmoniously and in good spirits.
‘Hehe. Yes, laugh while you can.’
Sa Bigang smiled coldly and stood up, stepping on the tree branch.
‘Shall I go rub some salt in the wound?‘
He leaped down from the tree.
***
“You look to be in good spirits.”
At the voice that suddenly rang out, Yeo Un-jin flinched and stopped walking, then turned around.
‘When did he…?‘
Sa Bigang walked out from between the buildings with a bright smile.
To think he had approached this close without him sensing any presence.
‘I was too excited.‘
While reproaching himself, he answered with a deliberately bright smile.
“Ah, it’s Instructor Sa. I was actually hoping to see you.”
“Me? Why?”
Yeo Un-jin felt uncomfortable at the somewhat informal conversational manner.
‘His personality has definitely changed. In the past, he would have been overly concerned with etiquette and wouldn’t even make eye contact easily.‘
He soon dismissed the thought and answered.
“Ah, weren’t two of the students you’re in charge of injured recently? Though I may not look it, as Student Supervisor, I’m in a position to be responsible for the children’s safety. Hahaha.”
“If it’s about that matter, you don’t need to worry. Everyone is safe.”
‘Of course they’re safe. But that’s what makes it even stranger!‘
Yeo Un-jin organized his inner thoughts and brought up something else.
“I heard from Deung Instructor. He said Sa Instructor’s martial arts level is tremendous. Truly admirable.”
“Hahaha. You’re too kind.”
‘Too kind, he says. Normally, one can’t shatter the Jahanak-indo in a single blow. Yes, that’s right.‘
“If you hit metal with a tree branch, wouldn’t the natural result occur?”
A tree branch?
To compare the Jahanak-indo to a mere tree branch.
If Deung Bu-hyeong had been here, he would have foamed at the mouth.
“Haha. Interesting words. But where did you get such an excellent sword?”
“I picked it up on the way.”
“Picked it up… on the way?”
Sa Bigang shrugged his shoulders.
Actually, it wasn’t a lie.
It wasn’t something that belonged to anyone in this world, nor was it something he had stolen from somewhere.
However, Yeo Un-jin, who couldn’t know the inside story, only felt that Sa Bigang’s answer lacked sincerity.
“Hehe. Interesting. But how did Sa Instructor become so strong overnight? If you have some secret method, please share it with me too.”
In a way, it was blatant suspicion.
Sa Bigang smiled slyly.
“Actually, I obtained a fortuitous encounter.”
“A fortuitous encounter? Did you consume some spiritual medicine?”
“Well, something like that.”
“Something like that…? Then where did you obtain that spiritual medicine?”
Though it might be rude, Yeo Un-jin pressed on blatantly to the end.
Sa Bigang again replied casually.
“I picked that up on the way too.”
At this point, veins bulged on Yeo Un-jin’s forehead.
It probably meant he had no intention of giving proper answers.
‘The fact that you keep your mouth shut to the end even though I’m pouring out such blatant suspicion has its reasons. It’s certain! You’ve learned Demonic Arts!‘
Just then, Sa Bigang, who had been quietly observing Yeo Un-jin, tilted his head.
“Strange.”
“What is?”
Yeo Un-jin shot back rather gruffly.
“Just a moment ago, Yeo Instructor seemed to be in quite good spirits… Now you have the expression of someone who chewed dung.”
‘Argh!‘
Though Yeo Un-jin was inwardly grinding his teeth, he soon smiled.
If he got angry here and now, he would be the one who lost.
“Haha. That can’t be. Anyway, I was briefly entertained by Sa Instructor’s witty conversation.”
“If so, I’m glad.”
“Let’s meet again next time.”
“Let’s do that.”
“Oh, since Instructor Sa said you didn’t want it, I didn’t impose any punishment on those children.”
“Thank you.”
“However, I’ll give you one piece of advice. If you take today’s kids lightly, you might get seriously hurt. Be careful.”
“I see. But anyone who takes the current me lightly will get hurt even more severely, so it’s fine. Rather, I’d like to give you some advice.”
Sa Bigang’s gaze somehow seemed to point at Yeo Un-jin, then he immediately bowed and turned away.
Yeo Un-jin clenched his fists tightly and glared piercingly at Sa Bigang walking away.
‘It’s certain. That bastard! After learning Demonic Arts, he’s become completely arrogant! Fine, tomorrow night I’ll strip off all your masks! Wait for it!‘
***
“Spring will come soon.”
Eun Gi-ryung, looking out the window, said while stroking his white beard.
Dean Ju Yu-cheon, standing behind him in an upright posture, maintained silent compliance.
As if to say it was still too cold to speak of spring.
The fifth floor of Taesa Hall, where the entire view of Yongcheon Hall could be seen at a glance.
The view from here, where Hall Master Eun Gi-ryung stayed, was truly magnificent.
“When I first saw the view from here, my heart swelled with emotion.”
“……”
“It’s the same now. When I look down at the countless pavilions and students from here, my heart swells with emotion, just as it did then and now.”
“……”
“It’s truly a magnificent sight. However, if you look a bit more closely, you can see many unsightly things here and there.”
There were bones in his words.
Only then did Ju Yu-cheon, who had been listening silently, slightly raise his head and look at Eun Gi-ryung’s back.
Eun Gi-ryung turned around with a bitter smile.
“How is he? The newly appointed first-year Head Sword Instructor?”
So it was about that after all.
Ju Yu-cheon inwardly nodded and answered in an emotionless voice.
“It’s still too early to evaluate. I merely assess as the Dean according to the academy rules.”
Eun Gi-ryung smiled brightly.
He could sense Ju Yu-cheon’s disposition from his answer.
“I heard there’s considerable resentment among both students and instructors because it was an unexpected appointment.”
“From my position, I merely handle things according to the academy rules.”
The same consistent answer.
At times like this, he was truly stubborn.
That’s why he had entrusted him with the position of ‘Dean.’
Ju Yu-cheon was that kind of person.
One who thoroughly followed rules and order.
As a result, he didn’t easily tolerate even the smallest gaps.
Therefore, from Ju Yu-cheon’s perspective, the instructors steeped in worldly desires and Sa Bigang, who had entered with the backing of the Busin Pavilion Master from the beginning, didn’t seem much different.
Eun Gi-ryung walked to the table and filled a teacup.
Tororong.
A clear sound resonated.
“Perhaps new winds might bring spring to Yongcheon Hall as well?”
“Don’t they say ‘A hundred years for the Yellow River to clear’? Just as the waters of the Yellow River don’t clear even after a hundred years, a wall that has already cracked cannot be mended again.”
“You’re negative.”
“Because that’s the principle of things.”
“However, sometimes unexpected results come from very small gaps. If cracks have already formed dangerously, it might be better to create fatal cracks to completely collapse it and rebuild.”
Eun Gi-ryung lifted the teacup and offered it to Ju Yu-cheon.
Ju Yu-cheon, who had been lost in thought for quite a while, lightly exhaled and accepted the cup.
“I merely follow the Hall Master’s will. Because that takes precedence over all academy rules.”
A peculiar answer.
In one way, it sounded like he would be loyal to the Hall Master’s words, but on the other hand, it also seemed like he was subtly reproaching the Hall Master who stood above the academy rules.
Eun Gi-ryung just smiled silently.
‘Perhaps you too will understand my intention someday. That now we need winds of change rather than rules and principles. That’s why I want to place my hopes on him once.‘
