Chapter 156: Taking on New Students (4)

Some time ago.

At the Shinmu Academy’s Academic Affairs Office.

When the Inspection Department was formed, the news spread, and veteran masters volunteered to assist.

– Assistants.

Assistants support the Inspection Department to ensure independent and impartial judgment.

Typically, respected veteran masters participate.

Sometimes they provide backing, sometimes mediate, and support the Inspection Department from behind.

But despite the grand description, not many actually participated.

It was an honorary position with little reward and a lot of hassle.

Most attended out of boredom or a sense of duty.

But this time, the situation was different.

As soon as the news of the Inspection Department’s formation spread, many volunteered to be assistants.

“So Yang-un is here. He’s the elder of the Fire Sword Sect.”

“As for me…”

The first to step forward were those who always sought opportunities to intervene in academy events.

‘They said that rascal Cho Un-hwi is in Suzhou?’

Especially those from sects involved in the incident with Mok Yeon-seong of the Nanju Mok Clan.

‘My disciple still hasn’t come to his senses!’

Initially, they accepted the academy’s judgment and left in despair.

But that only lasted a day or two.

Seeing their disciples still bedridden, eating only porridge, and plagued by nightmares made their blood boil every day.

‘Isn’t this too much?’

They could tolerate their disciples lying in bed for a year at their age.

They could even bear the bad reputation of bullying their peers.

But.

“Ahh! Save me!”

“I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Seeing their disciples plagued by nightmares every night was unbearable.

‘That bastard! How badly did he torment them for them to still suffer from nightmares?’

The worst part was that the disciples who suffered from nightmares had lost their former vigor.

They were startled by small noises.

They flinched at loud shouts.

Seeing their dull eyes made them feel like their future as martial artists was shattered.

‘That damned bastard. I won’t let this slide.’

This was why they wanted to join the Inspection Department.

‘Inside the academy, I might not be able to do anything, but outside in the Jianghu…’

The Inspection Department holds absolute authority to monitor instructors and students.

With various reasons, it shouldn’t be too difficult to target a temporary instructor.

This was the common thought among those who volunteered as assistants.

***

With more prominent figures volunteering than expected, the academic office staff were overwhelmed.

“Is this really necessary? There’s no need for someone like So Yang-un to go.”

“It’s fine. Lead the way.”

“The carriages provided by the Inspection Department are cheap, and the accommodations are humble. It’s embarrassing to show such conditions to someone like you.”

So Yang-un replied sternly.

“It’s fine. I know we all receive the same treatment for fairness.”

“Just do your job.”

“How can I put my comfort above the work for the future generations of the Jianghu?”

The staff’s face finally showed relief.

“If you say so.”

This way, please.

***

*Creak.*

As So Yang-un settled into the old carriage prepared in front of the Academic Affairs Office, he frowned.

‘I expected this.’

This is worse than I thought.

The hard seat felt like it was made of stone, and the rickety carriage’s axle made him feel nauseous with every movement.

“At this age, I have to ride in this?”

So Yang-un, who was used to the finest carriages, felt pitiful but soon steeled himself.

“Yes. If this suffering is necessary for future sweet revenge.”

I’ll endure it sweetly.

To ease his current discomfort, he thought of the person who made him curse just by thinking of them.

“Hehe. How should I deal with this rascal?”

So Yang-un was already enjoying the thought.

But his imagination didn’t last long.

“Hmm. Is this the right carriage?”

*Bang!*

The rough opening of the door interrupted So Yang-un’s thoughts, making him frown.

“Tsk. Who dares interrupt my contemplation…”

But the returning voice was cheerful.

“So Yang-un? It’s been a while.”

“Huh! Elder Baek Ri Seon-ho!”

The unexpected appearance of Baek Ri Seon-ho left So Yang-un frozen.

‘Why is he here?’

The Fire Sword Sect is quite large, but how does it compare to the Ten Great Families?

Moreover, the opponent was a master of incomparable age, skill, and fame.

‘I didn’t expect someone like him to join the Inspection Department!’

He thought it would be attended by elderly masters participating out of boredom.

For someone who prided himself as the most senior among the assistants, this was a harsh reality.

But Baek Ri Seon-ho was just the beginning.

“Oh? You’re already here.”

Elder Mo Yong-ju from the Mo Yong Clan also appeared.

“Ha. You two are here too?”

Even Namgung Il-jun from the Namgung Clan, known as the greatest family, appeared, making So Yang-un gape.

‘All of them are riding the same carriage?’

This was a four-person carriage.

With three of the Ten Great Families’ elders squeezing into the cramped space, So Yang-un couldn’t believe it.

Hurriedly.

Unconsciously, So Yang-un uncrossed his legs, placed his fists on his knees, and sat properly.

*Rumble.*

The carriage slowly started moving.

***

Hearing about the Inspection Department’s arrival in Suzhou, Baek Ri Seon-ho smashed the table.

‘Could it be Seol?’

She wasn’t caught whispering fiery love with an instructor, was she?

‘Isn’t it too fast? You rascal.’

Fortunately, the following news reassured him it was just a worry.

“I haven’t shown her everything the family has to offer yet.”

She had grown up in misfortune.

There wasn’t enough time to spoil her and resolve her resentment towards the family, let alone see her start her own family.

Even if she did start a family, it should be under the Baek Ri Clan’s roof.

“Wait. This isn’t right.”

Upon reconsideration, the Inspection Department was a great opportunity.

“It’s a great chance to intervene in the Murim Excursion.”

No more worrying from afar.

“Who would be good…”

He pondered, but considering Baek Ri Seol’s prickly nature, having subordinates handle it might only create conflict.

“She’s already sensitive, so I can’t leave her to just anyone.”

This was why Baek Ri Seon-ho volunteered as an assistant.

On the other hand, someone else decided to head to Suzhou for a different reason.

“Cho Un-hwi. That bastard.”

Mo Yong-ju, who had been eagerly waiting for news about his granddaughter, heard something unbelievable.

“There was a child flying through the air and using blood techniques in a gambling den?”

Impossible.

Though it was just a rumor for now.

– Flying Blood Bat.

The nickname, like a city legend, made Mo Yong-ju’s eyes widen.

“Cho Un-hwi. That bastard.”

How far will he ruin my granddaughter?

He already disapproved of his granddaughter becoming a dangerous martial artist.

And now what?

“Gambling den? Flying Blood Bat?”

A child in a gambling den!

Thinking of acquaintances ruined by alcohol and gambling, he couldn’t stay still.

Adding fuel to the fire was the suspicious movement technique Mo Yong So-hye had learned.

“Surely, he didn’t teach her unorthodox martial arts.”

If true, this rascal knows nothing about the fundamental opposition between orthodox and unorthodox martial arts.

Perhaps all his achievements were just coincidences, relying on his granddaughter’s talent.

Thinking of his talented and versatile granddaughter, he became certain.

“This rascal is ruining my precious granddaughter.”

How could a grandfather stand by and do nothing?

“I’m going to Suzhou!”

This was why he volunteered as an assistant.

***

Unlike the others, Namgung Il-jun attended without a specific purpose.

‘Ugh. This is frustrating.’

Initially, he had no intention of attending such trivial matters as the Inspection Department.

Monitoring instructors and students was nothing compared to handling the great affairs of the Namgung Clan.

‘If only I hadn’t been urgently summoned to Suzhou.’

Without the urgent order from the family, he wouldn’t be here.

And if it weren’t for the unsettling situation caused by the appearance of demonic practitioners.

‘If only Yong-ho hadn’t been caught up in unnecessary rumors.’

He would be riding the luxurious Namgung Clan carriage to Suzhou.

Feeling bitter, he listened to Baek Ri Seon-ho and Mo Yong-ju’s conversation.

“Is Instructor Cho really that strong?”

“He seems to be a greater master than known.”

“Ha. Indeed, he’s not someone you’d see often.”

“Maybe that’s why Senior Wang Woo took an interest.”

‘Instructor Cho Un-hwi. Is this about him?’

Listening, it seemed the two had some connection with Instructor Cho Un-hwi.

‘Indeed, both families were associated with Instructor Cho.’

Thinking this far, he became curious.

‘I wonder about his background.’

Despite extensive inquiries, he found no clues.

But the ghostly skills shown at the pavilion.

The ability to place a chopstick in the scabbard unnoticed, and the ghostly quick sword.

No matter how he thought about it, there was something about him.

‘It was truly awe-inspiring.’

For Namgung Il-jun, who took great pride in his skills, it was a significant shock.

He had been so intrigued that he put everything aside to focus on Cho Un-hwi.

‘There were no clues, but this is a good opportunity.’

He decided to ask the two.

“Excuse me, seniors…”

As Namgung Il-jun cautiously spoke, Mo Yong-ju’s tone became harsh.

“What good is skill when his nasty personality and careless words ruin everything.”

“……”

Hearing the usually stern Mo Yong-ju curse, Namgung Il-jun swallowed his words.

Baek Ri Seon-ho added.

“He drank so much that his belly became a frog’s belly.”

“Not only careless, but a vulgar person.”

“He only stopped when alcohol was dripping from his nose. He wasn’t just unrefined, but a disgraceful person.”

“If it weren’t for my family’s interest, I wouldn’t go near him.”

“……”

Quietly, Namgung Il-jun turned his head.

‘Have you seen his ghostly hand movements?’

‘The awe-inspiring stealth?’

‘What is his true identity?’

Questions swirled in his mind, but he couldn’t ask.

Instead of resolving his curiosity, he felt more frustrated.

‘Damn it. He’s in Suzhou?’

That means Namgung Yun-ho is probably in Suzhou too.

‘I need to get there quickly and take action.’

Intending to resolve his curiosity, Namgung Il-jun’s face hardened with worry.

“Ugh.”

*Rumble.*

As he swallowed his concerns, the carriage jolted, hitting a stone.

With a cheap carriage, even a small stone caused this.

*Thud.*

He looked at the owner of the leg hitting his knee.

He had forgotten about the person who had been stiff and silent since the carriage started.

“Who are you?”

“Um. Namgung Master, I am from the Fire Sword Sect…”

“It’s a bit cramped.”

“Pardon?”

“Your legs are touching.”

The pale-faced So Yang-un tried to fold his knees even more.

Finally losing interest, Namgung Il-jun turned to look out the window.

‘Frustrating.’

*Rattle.*

The carriage continued to rattle along.

***

At that moment in Suzhou.

“My lord. I’m back.”

Danya, who had appeared with his bandages, handed over a bundle of papers.

“I dug up everything. History, actions, and past.”

“Good job.”

Cho Un-hwi quickly flipped through the papers.

Seo Ok-rang and Il-pyo.

Reading about the two, Cho Un-hwi’s lips curled.

“This is interesting.”

He had thought they were troublesome individuals.

Perhaps it was a premature assumption.

Next, Wang Woo brought his findings.

“I’ve looked into the Inspection Department. There’s not much time.”

It seemed Jang Cheol-sim’s urgency was due to the imminent arrival of the Inspection Department.

Wang Woo spoke.

“Let me start with the most important information.”

The person visiting from the Namgung Clan is not just the head of the clan.

“Then who?”

Wang Woo bowed his head.

“The Grand Elder of the Namgung Clan.”

The Grand Elder.

The only person higher than the head of the clan.

“The Heavenly God of the Azure Sky, Namgung San-ak. He is coming here.”

The person who had shaken Namgung Yun-ho’s heart with his dance on a summer night, and one of the most renowned swordmasters in the Jianghu.