Chapter 153: Taking on New Students (1)

“It’s a great relief.”

That was the opinion of Light of the Flame Ma Gil-sang upon receiving news about the Hundred Cats Chaos.

Beside him, Dokgo Yul nodded.

“As expected. Now that the atmosphere has been cleared, they won’t be caught off guard like before.”

“Your insight is truly remarkable.”

Ma Gil-sang looked at Dokgo Yul with newfound respect.

“The sects that were panicking due to the appearance of demonic practitioners are starting to unite.”

Just by widely publicizing the achievements of the young students, the previously passive sects’ attitudes have noticeably changed.

“Fear comes from ignorance. Now that the fear has dissipated, it will be replaced by a competitive spirit.”

“Haha, is that so?”

It sounded simple, but Ma Gil-sang knew better.

“It’s not just that.”

The fact that they now knew effective ways to deal with demonic practitioners was also significant.

How could he not know that it was all thanks to Dokgo Yul’s efforts behind the scenes?

“If it weren’t for you, many would still be hesitant to face demonic practitioners.”

Demonic energy.

The aura that closely resembles death instills fear in the living just by its presence.

The mysterious martial arts, whose origins are unknown, bind the spirit and paralyze the limbs, making them terrifying.

The reason they could now face such unorthodox beings was thanks to Dokgo Yul revealing the weaknesses of the demonic practitioners.

“How did you come to know the weaknesses of demonic practitioners?”

Dokgo Yul answered calmly to the admiring gaze.

“Perhaps because I once wandered the Jianghu and faced quite a few demonic practitioners.”

“…You speak as if you’ve encountered demonic practitioners frequently.”

Ma Gil-sang expressed his surprise openly.

Even for someone with considerable experience, facing demonic practitioners was extremely rare.

“It’s not something to boast about.”

“Haha, that’s just like you. Indeed, encounters with demonic practitioners are not pleasant.”

“Anyway, facing them this time, I felt that these demonic practitioners were different from the usual.”

“Different demonic energy?”

“Martial arts generally involve absorbing the energy of heaven and earth through breathing, refining it with cultivation techniques, and using it.”

Righteous sects absorb bright energy.

Demonic arts absorb dark energy into the dantian, but.

“I know that much.”

Yin and Yang. Light and darkness.

They seem entirely different, but the opposing energies mix and harmonize to create all things, following the natural order.

It was a concept that even resonated with Taoist teachings.

“Though learned through unorthodox methods, demonic arts are still a branch of martial arts.”

“That’s a shocking statement for most people.”

Recognizing demonic arts as martial arts is not easy for a righteous martial artist.

“But I agree. The higher you climb, the more you realize that black and white are not so different.”

Ma Gil-sang accepted the truth readily.

Dokgo Yul continued his explanation.

“However, the ones we faced this time were different. They burned their life force and rampaged like puppets with their strings cut.”

As if someone had made them that way.

Ma Gil-sang’s eyes deepened.

“Heavenly Destruction Society. Is it their doing?”

“I think it’s the most likely.”

“Hmm.”

Quickly organizing the situation, Ma Gil-sang shook his head.

‘Recruiting the One-Eyed Sword God was truly the best decision of my life.’

They almost stirred up the wrong place.

The recent troublemakers were once renowned masters of the unorthodox factions.

Some even suspected the Iron Thread Alliance as the mastermind.

‘If we had continued to provoke the Iron Thread Alliance, it could have been disastrous.’

Ma Gil-sang, relieved, asked for confirmation.

“Are you sure about what you said regarding demonic energy?”

“Oh, I don’t mean to doubt you.”

“It’s just that I need certainty.”

Dokgo Yul nodded.

“I’m sure. I heard it directly from someone who practiced demonic arts.”

“Directly from a demonic practitioner?”

“He was one of the strongest I’ve ever met. I was lucky. If he hadn’t let me go, I wouldn’t be here.”

“That’s truly unbelievable.”

Dokgo Yul, known as the One-Eyed Sword God, was renowned for his exceptional talent.

Even in the past, his brilliance couldn’t have been hidden.

The idea that a demonic practitioner would let such a promising talent from the righteous factions go wasn’t something that could be dismissed as mere luck.

“Or maybe the madman made a mistake.”

“Perhaps. Despite mastering extreme demonic arts, he was more rational than anyone else.”

“Someone like that…”

No, wait.

Ma Gil-sang suddenly recalled an old memory.

A being who exuded a fierce aura yet had the demeanor of an immortal.

‘Gal Pung-baek, the leader of the Demonic Heavenly Sect.’

A dominant figure who ruled with unparalleled presence.

‘It’s a distant memory, but…’

Recalling the old memory, Ma Gil-sang spoke decisively.

“You probably encountered a demonic practitioner from the Demonic Heavenly Sect.”

“It seems so.”

“I heard that after the Demonic Sect split into two factions, they never appeared in the world again.”

The Demonic Sect has been silent for over a hundred years.

Dokgo Yul replied.

“Even a teacup spills water sometimes. How much more so with human affairs?”

“Indeed. The Jianghu is a place where the word ‘absolute’ doesn’t apply.”

“He said that those with blackened pupils had learned something filthier than demonic arts and told me how to deal with them.”

“And that included the weaknesses you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

Poison.

Planting poison in the head to erase rationality, burning life to gain strength, and dealing with such monsters.

“If you examine the heads of the dead, you’ll find traces of poison.”

“Hmm, I see.”

With solid evidence, there was no reason to waste more time.

“Good. Now that we know who’s behind this, we need to come up with a plan.”

Organizing the situation, Ma Gil-sang pulled out the sword stuck in the ground.

*Thud.*

*Crack.*

The human-shaped charcoal impaled on the sword crumbled into powder.

It was the fate of the madman who had massacred two villages and killed the pursuing soldiers.

*Whoosh!*

Swinging the sword in the air to shake off the ashes, Ma Gil-sang clicked his tongue.

“Thanks to you, we now know how to deal with them, so that’s a relief.”

Ma Gil-sang spoke in a tired voice.

Dokgo Yul seized the moment to interject.

“My master is in Suzhou. You should retreat and rest.”

“Suzhou? Is there a need to go all the way to Suzhou?”

If it’s not necessary, Suzhou isn’t ideal.

Ma Gil-sang added with a smile.

“A great person is expected to arrive. You’ll only suffer, not rest.”

“Is there really a need to go to Suzhou?”

One of the Ten Great Swordsmen, known as Light of the Flame Ma Gil-sang, yielding to someone.

Curious, Dokgo Yul asked.

“Who could be so great…”

“A person unmatched with a sword.”

That person is…

Hearing the explanation, Dokgo Yul’s eyes widened in surprise.

***

The success of the Hundred Cats Chaos continued.

Every day, long lines formed in front of Myojinmun.

People laughed and enjoyed themselves without worries.

In the midst of this, famous figures from the Jianghu gave speeches, and the authorities announced the death of Hidden Moon Flying Thief Gon Ya-pyeong, spreading the news quickly.

“As expected of the Murim Alliance. I was worried for nothing.”

“Demonic practitioners? They were beheaded by young students.”

“Let’s enjoy tonight instead of worrying!”

The notoriety of Hidden Moon Flying Thief Gon Ya-pyeong helped.

High-ranking officials, who had always feared the thief would target their warehouses, celebrated his death and thanked Wang Woo and Myojinmun for leading the charge.

With luck and manipulation, the event grew into an unprecedented grand festival.

The Hundred Cats Chaos was now halfway through.

***

In Myojinmun’s office.

A modest tea table was set, and the instructors’ meeting had been going on for hours.

“Senior Instructor. Twelve merchant guilds from Suzhou have sent funds.”

“Thirty nearby sects have sent three hundred disciples. They have been assigned to the support team.”

“The North Gate Guard, led by the commander, is cracking down on unorthodox sects.”

“The bounty for Hidden Moon Flying Thief is substantial. If you approve…”

The instructors, holding dull documents, all had tired faces.

It had been a week of all-nighters.

Rapidly expanding the event’s scale had thrown everyone into exhausting work.

“Then, lastly…”

As the meeting, which had been going on all afternoon, neared its end, Instructor Shim brought up the final agenda.

“It’s about the closing ceremony. Who will give the closing speech?”

Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim, with dark eyes, moved his jaw.

“…There will be fierce competition.”

“It’s the most prominent position, so it’s inevitable.”

Leading the closing ceremony at an event attended by all of Suzhou’s sects?

It was practically a declaration of the most influential position in Suzhou.

“We tried to invite the elder of the largest sect, but that’s also problematic.”

“There will be people talking about distribution and reputation.”

“As you said, Senior Instructor. Deciding by sect size is too worldly, and deciding by age is too old-fashioned.”

No matter the choice, there would be complaints.

They glanced at Myo Gwang, who was petting a cat.

“Haha. If I step forward, it will only cause more problems.”

Indeed.

Myo Gwang, already envied for receiving favoritism from Wang Woo and Shinmu Academy.

Having him give the closing speech?

‘They’ll say there’s some kind of backdoor deal.’

Moreover, it’s customary for an outsider to give the speech.

“Elder Wang Woo.”

“Haha. Didn’t you say to leave Suzhou’s matters to Suzhou’s sects?”

He did say that.

‘Why did I say that?’

It was the customary thing to say.

But after nearly ten days of sleepless nights and being buried in paperwork, he didn’t care anymore.

The monster called overwork had the power to corrupt even the most rigid martial artist from the Cheongseong Sect.

“Who knew being successful would be a problem.”

Sect size.

Age. Or reputation.

As they debated for nearly half an hour, Wang Woo, feeling sorry for them, interjected.

“Senior Instructor, think comfortably.”

Seeing twenty bloodshot eyes turn to him, Wang Woo cleared his throat.

“If necessary, you can use my name.”

“Elder! How could we…”

“How can we let the narrow-minded people of the Jianghu fight over a small reputation and trouble the academy’s worthy talents?”

If necessary, use my name.

“If you say I chose the speaker, no one will complain.”

Decide comfortably.

I’ll handle the aftermath.

Hearing this, the bloodshot eyes softened.

“Elder Wang.”

“A true elder.”

“The Jianghu is still worth living in.”

The proud instructors of Euncheon Hall were all moved.

The end of the long nights was in sight, making them even more emotional.

“With this, all the agenda items requiring approval are finished.”

Finally, a break?

As everyone sighed in relief, Instructor Shim added apologetically.

“One last announcement.”

Please, no!

Everyone silently screamed.

Ignoring their pleas, Instructor Shim, determined to be the villain, continued.

“The Namgung Clan has requested to increase the number of attendees for the closing ceremony…”

Damn it!

The instructors threw their documents in frustration.