Chapter 134: Myojinmun (8)

After the meeting, the head of Myojinmun requested a private audience.

He had something important to discuss.

“Instructor, don’t be rude.”

Absolutely not.

After Mo Yong So-hye, who kept nagging until the end, left, Cho Un-hwi propped his chin on his hand and crossed his legs.

“What do you want to say?”

As soon as he spoke, the head of Myojinmun, Myo Gwang, knelt.

“Humble servant Myo Gwang greets the reincarnated Blood God.”

“Blood God, my foot.”

“The great work of our lord, who has unified the demonic path…”

“Enough. I’ve been expelled, so what’s the point?”

Cutting him off, Cho Un-hwi let his chin drop.

“Are you from the Desert Assassination Valley?”

“I am Myo Gwang, the One-Day General.”

The One-Day General.

Not just anyone, but a significant figure from the Desert Assassination Valley, following Danya.

‘I thought they’d send a few nameless assassins at most.’

It seemed excessive for someone running a small sect.

But Myo Gwang didn’t think so at all.

“I had no choice but to select only those with tight lips and unwavering loyalty to our lord.”

“Well, do as you see fit. It’s convenient for me if capable subordinates help.”

By the way.

“What about the request?”

While Myojinmun’s involvement was somewhat expected, the request was new to him.

Myo Gwang bowed his head and answered.

“The first request is as I mentioned.”

Indeed, cats had been found dead after being attacked.

However, there was one fact he hadn’t mentioned: the identity of the culprit.

“We’ve identified the culprit as the leader of the Jangcheon Sect.”

“What? You already know who the culprit is?”

“It’s only natural to prepare to ensure our lord’s success.”

Cho Un-hwi understood the reason for the charade.

“You’re telling me to take the test with the answers.”

“Exactly. We also carefully selected the opponent.”

For a carefully chosen opponent, they seemed like small fry. They were practically a third-rate sect from the unorthodox faction.

“Which faction are they from?”

“They don’t belong to any particular faction. They barely survive by running loan shark operations and illegal gambling dens.”

“What’s their connection to the Iron Thread Alliance?”

“None. They pay substantial tributes to secure a position, but that’s about it.”

Cho Un-hwi frowned.

“What? They’re complete small fry.”

The Shinmu Murim Excursion is meant to train promising new martial artists from the righteous faction.

Dealing with a couple of unorthodox sects isn’t even worth mentioning.

Even the recent bandit eradication was borderline.

If it hadn’t been an official request from Cheongyang Sect and involved rescuing villagers, it wouldn’t have been recognized as an achievement.

‘The standards of the righteous faction are strange.’

They prioritize rescuing victims over eradicating evil itself.

Cho Un-hwi spoke.

“The righteous faction is quite strict.”

“I understand.”

Myo Gwang smiled slightly.

“So we added one more condition.”

“There’s something else.”

“Based on my observations, the leader of the Jangcheon Sect recently acquired martial arts skills.”

Acquired martial arts skills?

“Martial arts aren’t something you can just pick up on the street.”

Go on.

“Within less than a year of acquiring these skills, he wiped out his long-time rival sect, the Blood Axe Sect.”

“Interesting.”

Unorthodox sect martial artists usually have poor fundamentals in martial arts.

Even if they obtain a secret manual, they often can’t master it.

Unless they had an exceptional opportunity, it’s hard to grow so quickly.

In such cases, it’s usually.

“He must have acquired some demonic martial arts.”

“I think so too.”

According to the explanation, the leader’s martial arts level was at the beginning of the peak level.

Not too threatening, but not too easy either.

At this point, he seemed like a barely acceptable opponent.

“But what if it’s revealed that he practiced demonic martial arts?”

“Hehe. If he practiced demonic martial arts, there will definitely be extra points.”

The Murim Alliance detests demonic martial arts.

It’s the perfect size and spiced up prey.

“Alright. I understand. What’s the next request?”

“Regarding the Black and White Twin Cats?”

“Yes. There must be a reason you prepared this.”

“As expected of our lord.”

Bowing deeply, Myo Gwang answered.

“This was Danya’s idea.”

“Danya?”

“Danya said it’s crucial for our lord to move freely.”

Indeed. Until now, he’s been bogged down with academy chores and dealing with kids.

“But if there’s a reason to move freely?”

“If you use the request as an excuse, no one will bother you.”

Quite a clever plan.

“Additionally, we’ve prepared a small event to divert attention.”

It’s called the ‘Hundred Cats Chaos’ event at Myojinmun.

“Hundred Cats Chaos?”

“We release all the cats of Myojinmun and enjoy the event.”

Releasing cats and opening the gates. It didn’t seem like a big deal.

“Our lord may not know, but it’s a highly praised event recently.”

“Really?”

Encouraging him, Myo Gwang continued excitedly.

“It’s an opportunity to rake in a lot of wealth.”

“It also serves as a networking event with nearby sects.”

“Moreover, it’s perfect for enchanting young students.”

Though Myo Gwang was confident, it was hard to visualize the event.

‘What’s so special about Hundred Cats Chaos?’

But if Danya’s capable subordinate was confident, there must be a reason.

“I’m sure you’ll be satisfied.”

Alright. I’ll look forward to it.

***

The next day, Myo Gwang, disguised as a kind cat lover, appeared again.

“Haha. Did you sleep well?”

He arrived with a tricolor cat in his arms, laughing heartily.

Seeing this, Mo Yong So-hye got excited.

“Sister, sister. The cat yawned.”

“Oh my. It’s so dignified and cute, just like the instructor.”

“Hey, that’s an insult to the cat.”

You little…

Myo Gwang, stroking the tricolor cat, spoke.

“Haha. Seeing you care for my pet, I feel relieved to entrust the children to you.”

“Ouch!”

Baek Ri Seol, waving a dogtail grass in front of the tricolor cat, got swatted and teared up.

“Cat paw. So soft.”

Ouch. Ouch.

She kept waving the dogtail grass and got swatted on the head by the tricolor cat’s paw, looking dejected.

“Why don’t cats like me?”

Because you keep annoying them.

“There must be a cat that likes me.”

Nope.

‘Don’t look at me while saying that.’

As they bickered, Myo Gwang made an enticing offer.

“Since we’ll be spending time together, let me introduce you to our family.”

“Oh? Can we?”

“We’re not accepting visitors for a while due to the upcoming event. The kids will be happy to have guests.”

Smiling, Myo Gwang released his arms, and the tricolor cat gracefully jumped down, meowing loudly.

It seemed to be saying, “Follow me.”

“This way.”

Myo Gwang led the way.

***

Myo Gwang led them to a large pavilion at the back.

Surprisingly, it was several times larger than the office where the sect leader resided. He led them inside the pavilion.

“This is the residence of the Myojinmun cats.”

*Creak.*

Opening the door revealed.

Hundreds of glowing eyes in the darkness.

“Gasp!”

“This is amazing.”

In the spacious pavilion, hundreds of cats lounged in various positions.

Some sprawled on silk cushions.

Some squeezed into small boxes.

Some dangled from cat playgrounds.

Some precariously balanced on beams, tiptoeing.

As the door opened, all the cats’ eyes turned towards them.

*Meow.*

*Meow. Meow.*

*Meow. Meow. Hiss!*

Each cat reacted differently to the uninvited guests.

“Haha. These are guests.”

*Whistle.*

At Myo Gwang’s whistle, the cats instantly quieted down.

“Alright. It’s morning. Time to get up.”

Clapping his hands, the cats jumped down, tails high, and strutted forward.

Their expressions seemed to say, “We’re tired of entertaining humans,” but it must be a misunderstanding.

However, they seemed well-trained in hospitality.

As they passed by, they rubbed against their legs.

“Haaah!”

Mo Yong So-hye’s face melted with joy.

“Is this heaven?”

Baek Ri Seol also looked overwhelmed.

“Hmph. Cats are nothing. They’re cute but inefficient…”

Jegal Tan, while muttering, kept blocking the cats and waving a feather toy.

Annoying them, he got nipped on the toe.

The only one not reacting was Namgung Yun-ho.

Or so it seemed, but he turned his head slightly, muttering, “It’s a cat.”

‘This is really effective.’

It would be great if my fiancée were this enchanted.

Seeing their reactions, Myo Gwang, satisfied, spoke.

“Haha. Seeing you love our kids so much, I can’t just stand by.”

Then he said.

“I’ll show you the pride of our sect, the Hundred Cats Formation. Just for you special guests.”

“Is that alright?”

The enthusiastic response was a resounding yes.

***

It’s been a while since we’ve performed this for such esteemed guests.

Myo Gwang began with a solemn shout.

“Positions!”

At his command, the disciples of Myojinmun appeared.

Each holding black, white, red, and blue flags, they stood in formation in the training ground.

*Flap. Flap.*

They waved their flags from their designated positions.

It seemed to signal the cats, who walked in.

Tails high, strutting proudly.

Some walked stealthily like they were hunting.

Some walked on two legs, crossing their arms.

The cats, each with their unique styles, lined up in an orderly manner, and Mo Yong So-hye was moved.

“Wow. They’re really well-trained.”

“I heard cats are stubborn and don’t listen well.”

*Tweet.*

The excitement was interrupted by a small whistle.

Myo Gwang, having taken out a small whistle, played a lively tune.

The cats began to dance in place to the cheerful melody.

*Tweet. Tweet.*

As the lively tune echoed, the cats spun and danced.

*Tweet. Tweet.*

With the long notes, they moved in formation, creating and dispersing the Hundred Cats Formation repeatedly.

*Tweet! Tweet!*

At the sharp notes, they stopped and punched the air.

“Ugh! Heart attack!”

Baek Ri Seol clutched her chest, doubling over as if hit by an air punch.

“Ah! This is too cute.”

Mo Yong So-hye, covering her mouth, punched the air in excitement.

“Yun-ho, this is quite a formation. You can’t escape if you’re inside.”

“Right. You might step on their tails.”

The other two continued their pointless conversation.

‘It’s quite a sight.’

Where else can you see hundreds of cats performing such a disciplined dance?

After the performance.

“Haha. Did you enjoy it?”

As the whistle stopped, the cats returned to their relaxed demeanor.

Yawning or slowly moving to find shade, the cats captured their attention.

“Please take care of us, instructors from Shinmu Academy.”

Still fixated on the cats.

They all nodded.

Thus began their life at Myojinmun.