Chapter v17c13

The Meeting

– Bing Geom Meets Ma Jin-Ga

After the Hwasan Convention ended in a massive fire, Iron Fist Ma Jin-Ga hadn’t had a single day of proper rest. The entire martial world’s information network was working at full capacity to track down the whereabouts of the Great Young Master, the alleged mastermind behind the incident, and his accomplices, the suspected Seven Stars of Machun Pavilion. However, despite the urgent search warrant issued throughout the martial world, the culprits’ trail remained elusive, as if swallowed by the depths of darkness. The Secret Shadow Hall, Cheonmu Academy’s intelligence organization directly under the Headmaster, was no exception to the overtime and all-nighters. More often than not, the entire team, led by the enigmatic Secret Shadow Hall Leader, spent their nights with their eyes wide open. In fact, due to their position, they had to endure a workload several times heavier than other intelligence organizations. Groans of exhaustion were a common occurrence.

Several months had passed since the Red Plum Blossom Disaster, where the Red Plum Blossom Valley on Cheonmu Peak was engulfed in flames and reduced to ashes. Yet, no clues to unravel the conspiracy had been found.

From the meticulous planning and execution of their plot to their escape and disappearance after the incident, everything was so flawlessly executed that it was suspicious. Such a feat was impossible for an ordinary organization. The eyes and ears spread throughout the martial world were far more numerous and diverse than ordinary people could imagine. The saying “as numerous as grains of sand on a riverbank” wasn’t an exaggeration. But to evade all those eyes? Such a clean getaway was nearly impossible unless a powerful force was backing them. The martial world was not a place where one could simply vanish without a trace, like a piece of ice melting into a lake. There couldn’t be many organizations capable of such a feat (well, they admitted it themselves).

A cancerous presence that had been dormant for a hundred years, eroding the martial world from within. It had to be them. No one else could have pulled off such a chillingly clean operation.

Just looking at their escape and cleanup, one could see how thoroughly they had prepared for the Hwasan Convention incident. If heaven hadn’t intervened… The thought of what could have happened was terrifying. Although humans weren’t comparable to trees, which took hundreds of years to mature, it still took a lot of time and effort to cultivate a single talented individual. The pillars of the current martial world, led by the Three Saints of Cheonmu, and the promising young talents who would shape the future of the martial world, were almost reduced to ashes in that cursed red flame. It was a crisis that could have wiped out the present and future of the martial world in an instant. The culprits had committed this heinous act with such audacity, yet they were still chasing after their fading shadows. Everyone was exhausted, both mentally and physically, from anxiety, frustration, and overwork, but there were no results to show for it.

Iron Fist Ma Jin-Ga was once again wrestling with a mountain of documents on his desk. There were thousands of reports piled up in his office, all related to the culprits’ background and motives. If all those documents collapsed, even the greatest master would be suffocated and crushed to death. Of course, the possibility of being mentally crushed first was higher. The stamina required for paperwork and the stamina required for martial arts were clearly two different things. It was as if water and fire, with their completely different properties, were at work. He could face dozens of enemies for three days and nights with a clear mind and overflowing internal energy, but in a battle against a mountain of documents, he could feel his energy draining after just one day and night. If he didn’t take a break, the letters and the color of the paper would blend together, turning his vision gray. Of course, the content would be lost in the chaos, making it impossible to understand.

To make matters worse, this wasn’t his only task. As befitting his position, he had to be involved in the overall management of Cheonmu Academy. And he had to personally review and approve certain matters. He was currently creating a long list, racking his exhausted brain, which hadn’t had proper sleep in two days. On top of that, he had to appease his subordinates, even though he wasn’t their babysitter. Well, it couldn’t be helped since they were under his direct command, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness.

“These days, I just want to go on strike.”

The man’s grumbling suddenly stopped.

“Hmm? It seems we have a visitor.”

He sensed a presence from beyond the door, about ten zhang away. As expected! Ma Jin-Ga was inwardly impressed. He could usually sense a person’s presence from ten zhang away. Even in his current exhausted state, the number of people in this dragon’s den, Cheonmu Academy, who could conceal their presence and approach him undetected from just one zhang away was limited.

‘Well, it’s probably unconscious.’

For a top-class master like him, it was as natural as breathing. It wasn’t about intentionally hiding or revealing their presence. It was the manifestation of enlightenment gained through thousands, tens of thousands of repetitions, unconsciously ingrained in their every subtle movement. Only then could a martial artist truly become a master, a peak expert.

“Come in.”

Ma Jin-Ga spoke before the other party even knocked. The visitor’s hand stopped just a hair’s breadth away from the doorframe.

“Then I’ll enter, Headmaster!”

Creak!

The door opened, and a figure entered, backlit by the sunlight streaming in. Silver hair with a bluish tint, a snow-white silk uniform, a sword as blue as ice hanging from his waist, and eyes as cold, quiet, and resolute as ice. The visitor was none other than the Chief Martial Arts Instructor, Bing Geom (Ice Sword) Gwan Cheol-Su. He had just arrived at the Heavenly Pillar Hall after being summoned by the Headmaster.

“I apologize for calling you during such a busy time, Instructor Gwan.”

Although Iron Fist Ma Jin-Ga was of a higher rank and older than Bing Geom, he never treated him disrespectfully. Bing Geom Gwan Cheol-Su was someone worthy of respect. Of course, even if he tried to exert pressure with his social status and age, it would be futile and might even earn him contempt. Bing Geom, who had become one of the Five Great Swordsmen with his swordsmanship alone, deserved respect.

“Please, have a seat.”

Ma Jin-Ga gestured towards a seat, closing the document he had been working on. Bing Geom, who had responded with a slight bow, glanced at the title of the document.

…Preliminary List.

It was a familiar document.

‘They’re still planning to proceed with it at a time like this?’

Bing Geom was a bit surprised. He had assumed ‘that event’ would be canceled. The current situation, both in terms of timing and environment, was not suitable for ‘that event.’ There was nothing to gain from forcing it. Unfortunately, that was the case.

Ma Jin-Ga, noticing Bing Geom’s dubious gaze, said with a wry smile,

“Ah, this? As you know, the time is approaching. I can’t shirk my responsibility, and it’s not something I can easily pass on to someone else, so I’m racking my brains over it.”

Even though it was a top-secret matter, Bing Geom, as the Chief Martial Arts Instructor, had the authority to access it. Moreover, this wasn’t even considered top-secret. However, it still involved the fate of many people.

“Isn’t it dangerous? The Hwasan Convention incident hasn’t been resolved yet. Sending the children there at a time like this, when nothing is clear… They’re highly suspicious.”

Bing Geom carefully chose his words, expressing his opinion. It was a matter that could escalate into a major diplomatic issue. Someone in his position needed to be careful with their words and conceal their true intentions to some extent. Diplomacy wasn’t about revealing everything but about concealing oneself and exposing the other party.

Ma Jin-Ga nodded in agreement.

“Of course, I understand. Honestly, I don’t trust them either. But we have no concrete evidence. We have no choice but to proceed until we find that evidence. Besides… they’ve been strongly urging us to continue. They don’t want to appear as if they’re giving in to threats.”

It was a tradition that had continued for a hundred years, just like the Hwasan Convention. They couldn’t break a century-old tradition based on mere suspicion.

“But what about the children who will be directly exposed to danger?”

That was the question Ma Jin-Ga had been waiting for. In fact, that was the reason he had called Bing Geom.

“That’s why I want you to go with them.”

“Me?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have someone to help you. A very trustworthy person. And strong!”

“Don’t tell me…”

A sense of foreboding washed over him.

“I feel bad for asking you to go through this again after the Hwasan Convention incident.”

“It’s alright. I’m just doing my job.”

Holding a higher position didn’t mean having more power, but rather, more responsibility and duty. Power was just a trivial and additional reward. However, most people shirk responsibility and abuse power. Such people are called “humans” but should be read as “trash.”

But there was something that had been bothering him.

“But surely… Instructor Yeomdo isn’t going with us this time, is he?”

Bing Geom prayed that it wasn’t true. But as if he had anticipated it, Ma Jin-Ga shattered his hopes.

“Of course he is. Aren’t you two best friends? How can the thread not follow the needle?”

Bing Geom almost blurted out, “Have you gone senile?” but he managed to hold back, considering his manners and dignity. It was a serious case of delusion.

‘…Or could it be… that he’s doing this on purpose?’

Bing Geom shook his head inwardly. That was too far-fetched.

A troubled expression appeared on his usually stoic face. Whenever he was involved with Yeomdo, his composure crumbled. It was a sign that his training was still lacking.

“I understand. I can’t change what’s already been decided based on my personal preferences. I’ll do my best, even if I’m not thrilled about it.”

“No need to be shy. Friends are a good thing. Especially comrades who have faced life and death together. There’s no one more reliable. Don’t you agree?”

Ma Jin-Ga smiled, poking fun at Bing Geom’s frustration.

‘Friends? Comrades?’

Those familiar words sounded strange today.

What was so good about it? Bing Geom, his head pounding, decided to send for a physician as soon as he left the Heavenly Pillar Hall. Absolutely. Excessive overwork was an enemy of both physical and mental health.

“Take care of yourself.”

Bing Geom advised with concern.

“Uh… uh, thank you.”

Ma Jin-Ga responded almost reflexively to the unexpected concern. Then he regained his composure and returned to the original context.

“I trust you two to take care of the children. I’m also suspicious of Machun Pavilion.”

Of course, Ma Jin-Ga was also worried about the students. But he couldn’t just lock himself in his room and react neurotically. That would only be counterproductive. So he chose to confront the situation head-on.

“Indeed. And they’re not the only ones I’m suspicious of.”

Bing Geom said in a low voice, his face serious.

“There are others you’re suspicious of?”

Bing Geom nodded cautiously.

“…Tell me.”

Ma Jin-Ga’s face hardened as he rested his chin on his hand.