Chapter 34: The Uninvited Guest (3)

“Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God?”

Jegal Tan answered immediately.

“He’s a very famous figure. He’s known as a righteous hero who travels the Murim, righting wrongs and punishing evil. He’s defeated many powerful demonic practitioners, and he even single-handedly destroyed the Red Demon Sect, a branch of the Xinjiang Demonic Path. It was a legendary feat that was talked about for years.”

Even Namgung Yun-ho, who wasn’t very knowledgeable about the Murim world, seemed to know about him.

“I heard he was incredibly talented, despite not being born into a prestigious family. He reached the grandmaster level at the age of twenty and dedicated his life to upholding justice.”

“That’s right. One of the reasons I want to become a wandering hero is to be like Dokgo Yul, a powerful master who fights for what’s right.”

In short, Dokgo Yul was a talented, skilled, and righteous hero.

Cho Un-hwi felt a wave of despair wash over him.

“Why does he have to come here…?”

Baek Ri-seol, sensing his distress, leaned against him.

“I like you better than that Dokgo guy. Hehe.”

Don’t smile at me like that. I’m starting to like you.

“If you get fired, come live with me. It’s much better than this place, with its low salary, terrible working conditions, and unfair evaluations. I’ll pay you ten times your current salary, provide you with room and board, and guarantee you a job for life.”

“Oh, that sounds…”

Wait a minute.

That was practically a lifetime contract.

“Don’t be so hasty.”

“Ouch.”

He flicked her nose and turned to Jegal Tan.

“Jegal Tan, I have a question for you.”

“Ask away.”

“What will happen to me if a righteous hero like that becomes my superior?”

Jegal Tan was speechless.

Cho Un-hwi turned to Namgung Yun-ho.

“I heard he hates lazy people, especially those who are capable but choose to do nothing. He’s your worst nightmare. If he ever discovers your true nature…”

“Student Namgung, Student Namgung.”

Mo Yong So-hye nudged Namgung Yun-ho in the ribs.

“What is it?”

“instructor’s aura is filled with negativity and anger.”

“What are you… oh.”

Namgung Yun-ho’s face turned pale as he met Cho Un-hwi’s gaze.

“I… um…”

“Yun-ho, have you been slacking off lately?”

“I’m sorry, Instructor.”

He walked over to a rack of acupuncture needles, inserted a few into his body, and prostrated himself on the floor.

“Do you think that’s enough?”

“I’ll do better, Instructor.”

He stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, and bowed his head.

Cho Un-hwi watched him intently.

He raised one leg and started groaning.

“Let’s work hard together, okay?”

“Yes, Instructor!”

Cho Un-hwi felt a little better.

***

More news arrived.

Chung-hyeon appeared at the morning meeting and gave them an update on Dokgo Yul’s whereabouts.

“He was supposed to arrive in three days, but it seems he’s been delayed. He has some business to attend to.”

“What kind of business?”

“He apparently discovered an unknown branch of the Hao Clan near Joyang County. It’s caused quite a stir in the Alliance.”

“The Hao Clan!”

Jo Hyeon gasped.

“The Hao Clan’s activities are shrouded in secrecy. It’s amazing that he managed to find one of their branches.”

“He’s still upholding justice, even on his way here.”

“The Murim world is a safer place thanks to heroes like Dokgo Yul.”

Dokgo Yul’s heroic deeds had become a daily topic of conversation.

‘He’s quite impressive, for a one-eyed swordsman.’

He was too righteous for Cho Un-hwi’s liking.

He was so virtuous that Cho Un-hwi wanted to kick him.

But there was something else that bothered him.

‘Why haven’t I heard of him before?’

He wasn’t talking about this current Murim world.

He was talking about the previous Murim world, the one that had been destroyed, or might have been destroyed.

‘A righteous hero with extraordinary skills.’

He was too prominent to have been forgotten.

‘He killed his enemies with a single strike, without even moving? That’s at least the level of Empty Hand Mastery.’

The highest level most martial artists could achieve in their lifetime was grandmaster level.

It was so difficult to reach the next level that grandmasters were often divided into three sub-levels: low-level, mid-level, and high-level.

But to achieve the feats described in the rumors, Dokgo Yul would have to be beyond grandmaster level.

He would have to be at the Transcendent Realm, a realm that some called the Super Grandmaster Realm.

‘He’s a Transcendent Realm master in his mid-thirties, and I’ve never heard of him?’

It didn’t make sense.

Someone that powerful and active should have been well-known.

Of course, it was possible that he had been eliminated by the Heavenly Destruction Society at an early age. But Cho Un-hwi’s instincts were telling him something else.

‘There’s something strange about this…’

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

***

“The One-Eyed Sword God is visiting the academy!”

Jo Hyeon, who had become an ardent admirer of Dokgo Yul, announced, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

The other instructors were also excited.

“We’re finally going to meet him?”

“I’m so nervous. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.”

“How do I look? Am I presentable?”

They straightened their clothes, smoothed their hair, and generally fussed over their appearance.

“Attention!”

Even Yeom-gwang looked different.

He had traded his usual loose-fitting uniform for a new one, and he had even combed his hair.

He was clearly trying to make a good impression.

‘I heard he even quit drinking.’

Yeom-gwang and the other heavy drinkers looked unusually healthy.

“Oh my, oh my, I’m so nervous.”

Even Yeo Mae-hong was acting like a giddy schoolgirl.

“Aren’t you nervous, Instructor Cho?”

“No, not really.”

“You should at least fix your hair. Let me tie it for you.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’ll only take a second.”

As they were bickering, a powerful aura filled the room.

“…”

The instructors’ faces stiffened.

Even though they were mostly academics, they could sense the overwhelming presence of a powerful martial artist.

The door opened, and Chung-hyeon entered the room, his expression stiff and his steps measured.

“Ahem, ahem. How is everyone?”

He spoke awkwardly, then turned to the person behind him and bowed.

“This is the Dongcheon Hall instructors’ office. Please come in.”

A man entered the room, his presence commanding attention.

He had thick eyebrows, a strong jawline, and piercing eyes.

His rough clothes and unkempt hair made him look like a wild beast.

His aura was as powerful as his appearance.

‘Is this Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God?’

Gulp.

Someone swallowed nervously.

The man walked to the center of the room, his scarred cheek twitching.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

His voice was deep and gravelly.

“I am Dokgo Yul.”

He looked around the room, his eyes sharp.

“People call me the One-Eyed Sword God.”

Cho Un-hwi’s eye twitched.

***

Seon In-hyeok, the Chief Administrator of the Shinmu Academy, watched the clouds drift by and said casually, “They must be in a frenzy by now.”

Ma Gil-sang, the Light of the Flame, who was standing next to him, replied, “It would be strange if they weren’t.”

He radiated an aura of power and authority.

“The Shinmu Academy has been stagnant for too long. We’ve been too focused on theory and not enough on practical experience.”

“It couldn’t be helped. We couldn’t send our instructors, who are responsible for protecting the academy, to the front lines.”

“I understand that, but the situation has changed.”

“You’re right.”

Seon In-hyeok agreed.

He had been feeling the same way for a while now.

“The Murim Alliance needs warriors, not scholars. And the instructors need to be able to train those warriors.”

Ma Gil-sang had hit the nail on the head.

“You’re right. This recent incident was a wake-up call.”

The incident had occurred near Muhan City, practically in the Murim Alliance’s backyard.

They had been too complacent, too trusting of the Hao Clan’s information.

The enemy had been well-prepared, and the Murim Alliance had suffered heavy losses.

“I never thought we would lose so many men from the Two Halls.”

The Murim Alliance had two halls: the Inner Hall, which consisted of the Alliance Leader and the Nine Sects, and the Outer Hall, which consisted of the Five Great Clans and other affiliated warriors.

They usually operated independently, but the severity of the situation had forced them to work together.

And yet, they had still lost over a dozen men.

“I never thought there would be a traitor in the Two Halls.”

“We were too complacent.”

“And there’s something else that’s even more troubling. According to Elder Chui Geol-gae of the Beggars’ Sect, the double agents in Muhan City were just a small fraction of the enemy’s forces.”

“The Hao Clan said the same thing.”

The two most well-informed organizations in the Murim world were in agreement.

The situation was dire.

Ma Gil-sang’s voice boomed with conviction.

“They’ve been hiding in the shadows, growing their power and influence. They’ve infiltrated both the righteous and demonic factions. Their ambitions are vast and terrifying. The Murim world is facing a threat unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. The Shinmu Academy must change.”

Seon In-hyeok smiled, pleased by Ma Gil-sang’s passion.

“You seem to be quite fond of Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God.”

Ma Gil-sang blushed.

“I apologize. I haven’t felt this excited about a potential rival in years.”

“Hahaha, you’re a true martial artist. So, what do you think of him? What was he like in person?”

Ma Gil-sang shuddered as he recalled their sparring match from the previous day.

Dokgo Yul’s swordsmanship had been fierce and relentless.

And his precision had been impeccable.

“It wasn’t a full-fledged duel, but it was enough to get a sense of each other’s skills.”

A sword, or any weapon for that matter, was a reflection of a martial artist’s heart.

Ma Gil-sang recalled Dokgo Yul’s swordsmanship and said, “He’s even stronger than the rumors suggest. And his heart is pure.”

“It’s a blessing for the righteous Murim to have such a skilled and virtuous warrior.”

“I’m especially impressed by the fact that he honed his skills in the real world, instead of training safely in a sect. He’s the kind of warrior who shines brightest in times of chaos.”

“A warrior who shines brightest in times of chaos…”

Seon In-hyeok stroked his white beard and sighed.

“It would be best if there were no chaos. But I doubt that will be the case.”

“The demonic faction is also restless. The silence from Xinjiang is unsettling.”

“You’re right.”

Seon In-hyeok pondered for a moment, then said, “The Murim world is in turmoil. The academy can’t remain isolated forever. Go ahead and implement your reforms.”

“You’ve decided?”

“But be careful who you trust.”

They had been too complacent, and they had paid the price.

Seon In-hyeok’s heart was heavy with grief.

Ma Gil-sang replied firmly, “As you wish, Chief Administrator.”