36 – 03# An Awl in a Sack (7)

Even if the Seonmu Academy had forgotten its original purpose, degenerating into a mere social club for righteous martial artists, its foundation still held firm. A rotten persimmon is still a persimmon.

At the very least, the skills and talent of the disciples admitted to Seonmu Academy were undoubtedly guaranteed. No less than second-rate warriors could even apply.

Among them were prodigies who were deemed capable of reaching the master level at a young age. Yet, to think he could subdue these disciples of Seonmu Academy so easily.

Perhaps his opponent hadn’t anticipated this either, as the disciples, their initial momentum gone, could only maintain their distance and glare at Mo Yong Sua.

“We won’t let this pass.”

“You’ll regret provoking the Seonmu Academy.”

“Hearing the resentments of the defeated is such a chore. It’d be better to just knock them all out.”

Undaunted by the Seonmu Academy’s reputation, Sua’s firm stance ultimately forced the disciples to retreat. Namgung Yeon realized anew just how strong Sua was.

Of course, he already knew that young lady Mo Yong Sua had reached the master level. But the difference between knowing it in your mind and seeing it firsthand was as vast as the heavens and the earth.

A master-level expert was on par with the instructors who taught the disciples at the Seonmu Academy, the very essence of the Righteous Martial Alliance. No matter how skilled the disciples might be, there was no way they could compete.

“Don’t you think it’s time to reveal yourself?”

“Huh? What are you…”

“I don’t particularly care for playing coy.”

First the mountain, then another. Just when he thought he had gotten rid of the disciples, Sua’s coldly lowered gaze fixed on Namgung Yeon. This was far worse.

The moment he met Sua’s eyes, Namgung Yeon realized it instinctively. He would have had a better chance of winning against the ten Seonmu Academy disciples who had come earlier.

But that didn’t mean he could smooth things over with a few words. A chilling sensation, like an arrow flying towards his heart. The emotion in those eyes was undoubtedly murderous intent.

“Master is a gentle soul. He would just patiently wait until you speak on your own.”

“…”

“But I don’t have nearly as much patience as Master.”

Master had chosen to trust and wait for Namgung Yeon. And Sua, too, believed without a doubt in that choice. Master always chose the right path.

But apart from that, wouldn’t she, as his disciple, need to properly understand someone who might become a junior? Of course, the best thing would be for Master not to take on any new disciples.

How could the sharpness of an awl be concealed just by putting it in a sack? Even if Master remained still, his reputation would be known throughout the world.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“This is a warning. Don’t make Master wait too long.”

With all her heart, she wanted to use force to find out, but that would be going against Master’s will. She wasn’t just any disciple, but his foremost disciple.

Even if every single soul beneath the heavens denied and insulted Master… she alone must believe and follow his words. That was the weight of a favored disciple.

With those words, Soo-ah stowed her wooden sword, and the murderous aura crushing Namgung Yeon’s shoulders vanished as if a lie. Yet, her expression remained rigidly fixed.

“…”

“What are you doing? Why haven’t you left?”

“There’s just one thing I wish to ask.”

“Ah, I see. While revealing nothing of your own circumstances, you desire to know about my Master?”

Soo-ah’s overtly derisive gaze pricked Namgung Yeon, yet, truth be told, she wasn’t wrong. How absurd must it seem?

“I’m well aware of my own pettiness, Miss Soo-ah. But precisely because of that, I want to be absolutely certain.”

“What do you mean?”

“What, pray tell, is Great Hero aiming to achieve?”

Namgung Yeon was familiar with the rumors circulating through the marketplace. The Sword Demon who revitalized the Demonic Sect intended to establish a school in Henan. Utter nonsense, of course.

Even if they disregarded the fact that the Sword Demon, who had disappeared decades ago, was still alive, there was absolutely no reason for him to come to Henan and found a school.

The Sword Demon’s renown was known by anyone who even dipped a toe into the martial world, regardless of whether they were from the orthodox or unorthodox factions. Yet, that very Sword Demon wanted to establish a school?

Why in the world?

Frankly, simply returning to the Demonic Alliance would guarantee him lavish treatment, and nurturing disciples would be far easier and less hampered within the Alliance itself.

“Tch, you wear an expression of utter incomprehension.”

“But isn’t it the truth?”

“Indeed. How could a mere sparrow possibly grasp the ambitions of a phoenix?”

“…Does that mean the ambition you speak of is so grand?”

Namgung Yeon, stung by Soo-ah’s openly dismissive tone, retorted, refusing to back down. But Soo-ah maintained her smile, and spoke with what almost seemed like pride.

“Master’s grand purpose is so vast, it cannot be contained, even by the heavens themselves.”

This was no exaggeration. From long ago, Master had risked his life, battling the demonic scourge of the Martial Sect, protecting the world, and a war that nobody appreciated.

To think of treading that path oneself…

Even without having walked that road…

Her heart would surely shatter.

And now, that Master had finally ended his seclusion and returned to the martial world. What, indeed, could that signify? Soo-ah quickly arrived at the answer.

“Master intends to shatter the corrupt heavens that are the Martial Arts Alliance and raise a new heaven in its place.”

◇

Hungry.

Quite some time seemed to have passed, but Soo-ah and Namgung Yeon showed no signs of returning. Meanwhile, Seolhwa had collapsed onto the wooden floor as soon as her training ended and fallen asleep.

I tucked the blanket tighter around Seolhwa, a brief moment of inner debate – should I seek out Sua and Namgung Yeon, even now? But fortune seemed to favor me, for there was no need.

A stirring near the gate drew my gaze, and there they were, Sua and Namgung Yeon, returning with arms laden with provisions. I offered a smile.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“We are truly sorry for the wait, Great Hero!”

“…Huh?”

Namgung Yeon’s sudden apology, head bowed low the moment he crossed the threshold, froze me in place. What’s gotten into him *now*? Sua chuckled, stepping forward.

“It’s nothing, Master. We simply had a frank and open discussion.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Thanks to Miss Sua, my foolish eyes have been opened, if only a crack.”

How much could they possibly have revealed to each other, for him to transform so drastically in half a day? I felt a genuine curiosity, yet I dared not voice it. Some questions are best left unasked.

“Sounds like there’s been some sort of incident.”

“As expected of you, Master. You saw through it immediately.”

*Well*, it took much longer than it should have.

The market is, at most, a *ban-gak* away. But the time I perceived was an entire *si-jin*—two hours, to be exact. Not even a fool could miss that.

“Were you attacked? Could it have been the tendrils of the Demonic Cult?”

“No, it wasn’t them. It was more like…”

“Allow me to explain the details, Great Hero.”

Sua narrowed her eyes at Namgung Yeon, who stepped forward, surprisingly eager to explain. Seeing the stark look of displeasure, I quickly interjected.

“A-ah, yes. Please, keep it brief.”

“We were ambushed by students of the Seonmu Academy.”

“The Seonmu Academy? Students attacked you out of the blue?”

And then a name, utterly unexpected, tumbled from Namgung Yeon’s lips. The Seonmu Academy, was it not established by the Righteous Martial Alliance? Why would students from their academy launch an attack?

Did that even make sense?

Not something a Demonic Cult member would even do.

“It appears…it is my fault, Great Hero.”

“Did you do something wrong at the Seonmu Academy?”

“I have not acted in any way that is shameful. It is simply…my own inadequacy.”

Namgung Yeon continued, explaining that he had tried to do what was right, but his lack of ability had inadvertently turned the Seonmu Academy into his enemy. He lowered his head to me, saying:

“Great Hero, I have a request to make, despite my shame.”

“What is it?”

“Would you not consider taking me on as a disciple?”

“……”

So, it has come to this.

I’d anticipated something of the sort, so the shock wasn’t as great as it could have been. But taking him on as a disciple would be far too dangerous. Weren’t they already hounding him from the Seonmu Academy?

“I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s too risky. Because…”

“I’ve already heard the tale from Miss Moyong Sua. Though my abilities are meager, if it means participating in your grand cause, Great Hero…”

“……?”

“I would gladly sacrifice even my life!!!”

His voice brooked no hesitation, imbued with a palpable resolve. Faced with Namgoong Yeon’s resolute expression, prepared even for death, my mind could only fill with question marks.

What novel bit of nonsense is this, now?