Chapter v8c19

“We are from the same school! Really?”

The evil old man Goyakhan The unpleasent teacher Ma geom ja and the middle aged Nosa cheon (Sword) were fierce.

Eun Seol ran’s method was truly amazing, exquisite, and innovative. As evidence, the White Path Followers, especially the men among them, were out of their minds. They must all feel as if they’ve been pricked. As proof, aren’t they all stuttering with their mouths wide open! It was a decisive example showing how much mental confusion they were thrown into. It was amusing just to watch.

People still couldn’t grasp whether what they were seeing was real or not, staring blankly at one person. However, the woman, who was the focus of attention, the cause, and the more essential culprit, smiled brightly with an innocent face as if nothing was wrong.

“Hello! Nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Eun Seol ran Sa Jeong hwa. It is a great honor for me to receive teachings in the same place as such outstanding talents of White Path , even if it’s for a short time. I’m inexperienced and new, so there’s a lot I don’t know, but please take good care of me!”

It was a lively greeting with a touch of charm.

“Waaaaah!”

Immediately, a cheer erupted.

It was the ecstatic chorus of the males, realizing that what they were seeing was not an illusion or someone’s trick. It seems that the nature of men remains the same, whether in the past, present, or future.

“Sit down!”

The atmosphere, which had been highly charged, turned cold with the voice of one person.

A blunt, wooden voice! A face with a diagonal cross scar that instilled fear in those who saw it!

He was the demonic swordsman, the unpleasant teacher, who had been assigned to manage the special management group in preparation for the Cheonmu Academy Hwasan Covenant from today. The atmosphere, which had been heightened because of Eun Seol ran, quickly became gloomy.

Whether it was a student meeting him for the first time or a senior student who knew him well, they all had one thought.

“We’re screwed…”

“Who is that person?”

Bi Ryu yeon whispered to Jang Hong, pointing at the unpleasant looking Goyakhan. As always, using Jang Hong was the fastest and most accurate way to satisfy such minor curiosities. And as expected, Jang Hong did not disappoint, smoothly answering his questions.Having a walking encyclopedia of the martial world by one’s side was very convenient.

“Don’t you know who that is?”

“Why ask so suddenly? Is he that famous?”

It wasn’t the first time Bi Ryu yeon was unaware of common knowledge. Jang Hong was always surprised and questioned him, even though it was time for Bi Ryu yeon to get used to it.

“Ah! That person is the demonic swordsman Goyakhan, who proudly took first place in the vote for the most frightening teacher to receive lessons from. He’s famous for his nasty temper. There’s a rumor that he’s the last direct descendant of the old dark faction’s prestigious Gwi gum mun (Ghost Sword Sect). It’s an open secret. Thirty years ago, he felt disillusioned with the dark faction and joined this academy due to his connection with the previous Cheonmu Academy Head, Iron Sword Geon Cheonmu. He’s known for being very cold and extreme, which is why he’s at the bottom of the popularity rankings within the academy. Of course, he probably doesn’t care about that.”

“Gwi gum mun, you say!”

Hyo ryong let out a soft gasp of astonishment. It was a very blatant expression of “I know what that is.”

“Do you know?”

Unable to contain his curiosity, Bi Ryu yeon asked Hyo ryong.

“Don’t you know?”

“I don’t know!”

Bi Ryu yeon shook his head left and right with determination, indicating he didn’t know. Then Hyo ryong kindly explained.

“It’s the unfortunate sect that was suspected of betrayal and was annihilated after a total attack by the dark faction. Before that incident, it was recognized as one of the nine strong factions of the dark faction, a prestigious sword sect. It was believed that there were almost no survivors, but surprisingly, there was still one alive. And that sole survivor is right here in the Cheonmu Academy’s warrior department! It’s truly astonishing.”

“Feathers, you mean!”

Yoon Joon ho, who had been sitting quietly listening, almost let out a gasp loud enough to echo through the classroom.

“What are feathers?”

Bi Ryu yeon drew a question mark on his face. Hyo ryong sighed at his expression.

“Don’t you know? You’re still such an unbelievable person!”

“Well, I don’t know. If you haven’t added anything to what I don’t know, at least show some willingness to add to what I do know.”

Bi Ryu yeon retorted.

“Feathers refer to the remaining followers of ‘that person’ from ‘that place,’ who, despite ‘that place’ being destroyed in the great battle a hundred years ago, still believed in ‘that person’s’ well being and secretly operated in the shadows.”

Jang Hong kindly explained on behalf of Hyo ryong.

“That place? Ah! cheon geop hyeol se ( Heavenly Tribulation Bloodbath)!”

Bi Ryu yeon clapped his hands as if he understood. The faces of those who heard the name of Cheon geop immediately turned cold.

“Don’t carelessly mention such an ominous name.”

Jang Hong and Hyo ryong simultaneously shushed and cautioned him. But putting a finger to one’s lips is a difficult way to expect a significant effect. Jang Hong continued.

“So, since there’s no core body, only feathers, they were called Cheonwoo (Heavenly Calamity Feathers). They’re like ghosts.” Jang Hong had an expression of not wanting to think about it.

“Although they are just remnants, they are a very dark and secretive group, thoroughly organized, so it’s still uncertain whether their roots have been completely eradicated. They are indeed a very secretive and terrifying group!”

“Hmm! They must be quite capable, huh?”

“Is that all they are? Do you know what the most frightening thing about those ‘feathers’ is?”

Bi Ryu yeon shook his head.

He knew nothing about the martial world, so how could he know about that? Oddly enough, during the history of the martial world class, a general education subject at Cheonmu Academy, they were hushed up and not taught about cheon geop hyeol se. Therefore, his knowledge about cheon geop hyeol se was still lacking. It wasn’t a behavior he liked. Was history supposed to change just because they kept their mouths shut and covered their eyes?

Jang Hong spoke with a chilling face, as if he had decided to scare the other person with this story.

“That’s the thing, they have roots not only in the dark faction but also within our righteous faction. Very, very secretive and their depth is like dark roots that cannot be seen.”

“Hmm. Are you talking about spies?”

Jang Hong nodded seriously.

“How they could have planted such deep roots regardless of the faction is still not revealed. But even fifty years ago, during the ‘Feather Plucking Operation’ (official name: Cheon gyeok woo Joint Extermination Operation), many were suddenly stabbed in the back by Cheon gyeok woo. How about that, isn’t it terrifying?”

Bi Ryu yeon nodded.

“Hmm! Now the story is starting to get interesting.”

Jang Hong couldn’t help but be astonished by Bi Ryu yeon’s response. But their conversation ended there.

Bang!

A sound that vibrated the entire classroom! And then the fierce shouting that followed!

“Be quiet!”

He had no manners like an ordinary warrior. All manners and pretenses seemed useless before him. Anyway, his presence was undoubtedly tremendous. With a scarred face, the old teacher grimaced fiercely and gave a piercing look. It was like being stabbed with an awl.

Everyone swallowed dryly and tensed up. Even without realizing it, their bodies had automatically prepared themselves.

It felt as if they were not in a place of education but on a battlefield.

“Get a grip. Do you think this is a playground for children? If you just fool around like this, the only thing waiting for you is death.”

The old teacher didn’t say they would win. He didn’t say they couldn’t win the Hwasan covenant . He simply stated clearly and plainly, “You’ll die.” But that one sentence had the power to chill the atmosphere in the classroom.

“The lesson will begin.”

Finally, the first lesson of the demonic swordsman Goyakhan began. His sharp gaze fiercely scanned the audience. The students felt as if they were being dissected under his gaze. His eyes seemed to hold an inexplicable ghostly aura and murderous intent.

“Any complaints?”

His voice was as chilling as a graveyard at midnight.

There couldn’t possibly be any complaints.

“White Path pursues the Hwalgeom (Sword of Life) that saves people instead of the Salgeom (Sword of Death) that kills. Of course, there are idiots who claim to wield the Hwalgeom with their incompetent swordsmanship, but such people usually end up with ordinary murder techniques. After all, weapons were originally made to kill people. Perhaps saving lives is an act that goes against the original purpose of weapons. Therefore, whether it’s a sword or a blade, if a weapon remains faithful to its original duty, it naturally concludes as a Salgeom or Saldo.

Then you might ask, what is a Hwalgeom? But I can’t answer that question. Because my sword is a Salingeom (Murderous Sword), not a Hwalingeom (Sword of Revival) that claims to save lives with methods that are not even passed down.

I don’t know the Hwalgeom. It’s different from what I pursue and the path I take. Frankly, I think the Hwalgeom is hypocrisy. It’s absurd to talk about saving others when you can’t even control yourself! So I can’t teach you the Hwalgeom, which I even doubt exists.

But if it’s about Salgeom or the art of killing, there’s a lot I can teach you. And don’t boast about wielding the Hwalgeom without even understanding the original meaning of weapons. That’s just despicable hypocrisy.”

“But Teacher! We’ve been taught that the true essence of the martial arts we practice, walking the righteous path, lies in self cultivation and the sword of verification.”

Surprisingly, it was Namgung Sang who boldly contradicted Goyakhan’s words. Goyakhan’s gaze flew and pierced Namgung Sang like a storm.

“Self cultivation?”

A smirk seemed to hang on Goyakhan’s lips.

“Self cultivation, good! I’m not saying to deny that. I doubt how many can actually implement it properly, even if they have all the theories. But if one can stay alive until then, I won’t stop them from cultivating. If they remain alive, that is.”

The students were overwhelmed by Goyakhan’s forcefulness. He continued to speak.

“First, you must survive. If you die, where can you perform such idealistic acts as the path of self cultivation? In the afterlife? Are you insane? Don’t even mention places you’ve never been to. Do you want to live? Then it’s simple. Kill others before you die. Faster than your opponent! And stronger than your opponent! Do you understand?”

The audience maintained a creepy silence. It was truly radical, extreme, and radical in itself.