Chapter v8c21

“Hehe… Well, that’s a secret.”

Neok Gi Han smiled youthfully, not befitting his age. His pearly white teeth shone brilliantly as they caught the sunlight. Women screamed, and the men watching nearby had to prioritize managing their disgust.

“So annoying! Ugh!”

That was the shared sentiment of the male onlookers.

Neok Gi Han had a face that didn’t look like it belonged to someone in his thirties at all. He had no fear regarding his popularity.

Despite being in his early thirties, he had the fresh youth and beauty of a teenager, which he used as his greatest martial arts technique. Perhaps because of this, women always flocked around him like butterflies. Of course, some men would say, ‘What butterflies? More like flies!’ but his popularity remained unaffected. That’s why he could dare to make such a coquettish smile without hesitation.

Just watching such behavior was torture. While women might be ecstatic, for men like Bi Ryuyeon or Hyoryong, enduring it was an almost infinite test of patience.

Hyoryong’s patience, forced to watch, was reaching its limit. Such inhumane torture should be banned.

“How can he act so shamelessly without any hesitation…”

It was truly more terrifying than any martial arts technique.

Hyoryong shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself, then shook off the goosebumps on his arms. Why did women like that? He couldn’t understand the psychology of certain women. And above all, he didn’t like that Lee Jinseol was showing favor and enthusiasm towards Neok Gi Han.

Hyoryong prayed with all his might to get away from this place as soon as possible.

Screech! Thud!

The rusty hinges made a sharp metallic sound, unpleasantly grating on the nerves. It seemed they needed oiling. Goyakhan thought this as he entered his room.

The room was dark and eerily silent. Goyakhan lit the lamp to drive away the darkness that resided in the room.

With a crackle, the flame rose, dispelling the darkness.

“How was it?”

Suddenly, a shadow began to speak. But this shadow wasn’t Goyakhan’s, who stood alone in the room.

Although the uninvited guest had entered his room without permission and didn’t even fully reveal themselves, Goyakhan didn’t get angry, nor did he stop them. He felt like a completely different person than usual.

“It was fun!”

“I knew you’d say that. No one dislikes being given such toys.”

The black figure, still not revealing itself, spoke.

“He was quite useful. I haven’t been made a fool of by someone like him in recent times!”

“Should I look forward to it?”

They seemed quite interested in the story.

“You can look forward to it. He’s no ordinary guy, that’s for sure. I’ve found an interesting pastime after a long time.”

“It seems you quite liked him. But don’t kill him too quickly. It’s no fun then.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll play with him very, very slowly and let him dry out. Otherwise, there’s no fun.”

The words felt even colder because they lacked any emotion.

“I’m relieved to hear that. I trust you’ll handle it properly.”

“Don’t worry. It seems your business here is done.”

It was a clear dismissal.

“Then!”

The presence behind the curtain vanished instantly.

The two men’s departure!

Digging into the past at Mount Wudang Dark clouds gathered, and the sky grew darker. Birds, bees, and butterflies stopped flying and rested their wings. It looked like a downpour was imminent.

“Can’t you even tell me?”

Baek Muyeong had a serious look on his face, which was unusual for him. Not that he was never serious, but his face was usually so serious it was almost sickening.

“I’m sorry!”

Cheongheun bowed his head deeply, feeling most apologetic at such times.

“Can’t you even tell me, your closest friend, who is also called one of the two pillars of the Gu Jeong Hoe along with you? Why?”

Baek Muyeong’s tone was increasingly filled with disappointment, and his words became more intense. His usually calm and composed friend seemed to have lost his cool today.

“How many times have I asked you this?”

“I’m sorry!”

“It’s the twelfth time now. Do I still have to beg you? Me? To you, of all people?”

“I’m sorry!”

Cheongheun kept repeating his apologies. He truly felt sorry.

“I didn’t ask for a reason for the Iron Calvary of Death Brigade incident last time. Because we’re friends, I could walk into death without questioning! It turned out well, but it could have been the worst outcome!”

“…”

There was no rebuttal because everything he said was true. Cheongheun himself was very grateful for the Iron Calvary of Death Brigade incident. He felt he had glimpsed the friendship of his seemingly cold friend. Although he hadn’t played much of a role and had only witnessed ridiculous scenes, his trust in his friend deepened. That’s why it was so hard to refuse his friend’s request, which was not so much a threat as a plea.

Baek Muyeong began to press Cheongheun again. His words were closing in.

“But that’s over now, so I must hear it!”

Cheongheun looked at Baek Muyeong with quiet eyes. A spark flashed in Baek Muyeong’s eyes. Determination was felt.

Cheongheun braced himself.

“What exactly happened at Mount Wudang that time?”

Flash!

Lightning flashed behind Baek Muyeong.

“Rumble!”

Following the light, the sound came. Thunder roared belatedly. Along with the sound of thunder, raindrops fell from the now darkened sky.

It was autumn rain.

Pitterpatter, pitterpatter! Whoosh!

The rain fell. The rain clouds covered the sun, and the ground darkened. Even though it was daytime, it was as dark as night. The rain was fierce, as if a disgruntled resident of the sky had violently poured water down, turning the dry ground into a muddy mess.

After a long silence filled only with the loud noise of the autumn rain, Cheongheun finally managed to speak with difficulty.

“…Sorry! I can’t betray my principles.”

Cheongheun’s heart was in agony. It felt like he was betraying a friend.

“Even if it’s a fact, or rather the truth, that affects Cheonmu School and our Gu Jeong Hoe negatively?”

Flash!

Light pierced through the paper doors and cracks again. A sudden burst of light flooded in.

“I can only apologize once more!”

“Is that all you can do? Don’t you have anything else to say?”

“I’m sorry!”

Finally, Baek Muyeong’s patience exploded.

“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Is that all you can say now? If you can’t say anything else, then I have nothing more to hear from you!”

Currently, Baek Muyeong could not maintain his usual cold and rational demeanor he is known for as one of the Gu Jeong Hoe.

“Bang!”

The sound of the door slamming shut behind him echoed like thunder. So angry that he forgot to tell Cheongheun the important information about the Gu Jeong Hoe and the Gun ung hoe he had brought to share.

“Sorry!”

Cheongheun muttered quietly to himself. A surge of selfloathing welled up inside him. He felt like a fool all over again.

At that time, even though there was pressure around, it wasn’t right to make such a significant promise carelessly. But now that he knew such an incredible fact that could turn the Cheonmu Academy upside down, he couldn’t speak of it carelessly.

‘Why did I make that promise then?

Regret washed over him like a flood.

“I must ask you for a promise.”

The first to speak was Yeom do. It was Yeom do, who was practically the master of the joint training at the time, who demanded a promise. The suspicious aura emanating from Yeom do’s entire body was like a collective will that would not allow refusal.

“What… what kind of promise are you talking about?”

The words came out trembling, unbidden. Was this how an innocent citizen felt when being extorted by a robber?

“Everyone else has made a promise with me. No, it’s an oath sworn on the honor of a warrior before heaven! Can you do it?”

Yeom do’s words, implying that everyone else had done it and he was the only one left, made him feel isolated and cut off from the world.

“Do I really have to?”

“Of course!”

There was no room for negotiation in his attitude.

“What kind of oath?”

He had some idea of what it was. It was just surprising that Yeom do was the one involved.

“The things you’ve seen and heard today, you must swear not to disclose to anyone!”

“That… why is that?”

“Why? Can’t you do it?”

Yeom do’s gaze made his cheeks tingle.

“No… I…”

When Yeom do pressed him relentlessly with overwhelming force, Cheongheun was at a loss for words. His tongue wouldn’t move as he intended. He found himself in a very difficult situation. Now he understood the deep meaning of the idiom ‘besieged on all sides.’

“Are you saying you feel nothing even after seeing that sad scene?”

“Look! That is what I’m saying.” A finger pointed emphatically in one direction.

There, Hyoryong was clutching the cold body of his brother, shedding endless tears. Watching it made Cheongheun’s heart heavy.

They had been dormitory mates for more than a month. Especially after a week of special intensive training, there had been a subtle emotional exchange.

Was that why? Somehow, Hyoryong didn’t seem like an enemy. Despite ample suspicion, he strangely didn’t feel that way. He almost unconsciously answered ‘Yes, of course’ in his mind. But he couldn’t do that.

“I’m sorry.”

The tense battle of wits between the fisherman Yeom do and the big catch Cheongheun, ‘to bite or to break free and run,’ continued.

Surprisingly, the fish had backbone. Yeom do decided to abandon the firststage method of demanding an unconditional oath. Therefore, he moved on to the second stage of the strategy, as hinted by Bi Ryuyeon. For now, he returned to the repetition of just before.

“Swear!”

Yeom do pushed Cheongheun with a firm tone. Cheongheun was thinking at that time.

“Am I being coerced…?”

“Swear!”

“Am I being pressured…?”

“Swear!”

‘… am I going to swear submissively?’

Cheongheun’s resolve was as solid as a fortress. Then Yeom do said.

“You won’t swear? Then you’re the lowest scorer in this joint training. You fail!”

For a moment, Cheongheun almost shouted ‘I swear!’ The importance of the matter was so great that he would have needed no thought if it had been just a little less significant. Forgetting how resolute he had been until just moments ago, Cheongheun would have immediately raised his hand to swear to heaven. For him, a top student, a drop in grades was unthinkable. Maintaining his scores was also important to him. But the importance of the matter was worth the risk of a grade drop.

“Still, it’s unbearably unfair and frustrating… but still, I can’t.”

This fish had quite a stubborn streak. It seemed there was still strength left in it. Yeom do paused the pulling and let out the line. It was a step back for a leap forward.

“Really?”

“Yes! I absolutely cannot yield.”

“Huh? Is that so? Truly a warrior of both literary and martial excellence! Your unyielding attitude is commendable! Indeed, you are a trustworthy person.”

Suddenly, Yeom do’s attitude and voice changed drastically. Cheongheun felt bewildered. Yeom do’s gaze towards Cheongheun became incredibly serious. Instead, the previous pressure was no longer felt.

“So you’ve finally come to know about this matter.”

It was a very subtle and secretive tone.

“Yes?”

Cheongheun was confused.

“But you must never tell anyone! This is a special command.”

“That… if that’s the case…”

Yeom do nodded gravely.

“That’s right! This is a secret operation being conducted by the higherups. You must never let Hyoryong or anyone else even vaguely suspect that you’ve caught on to his identity, understand?”

Was this a double information disruption operation? With this, Cheongheun had to internally accept it. The steadfastness he had shown until now was regrettable for how easily he had been conquered. Yeom do also felt deflated when Cheongheun fell so easily to the secondstage strategy.

“Yes! Of course.”

“I trust you!”

Yeom do patted Cheongheun’s shoulder affectionately.

“Leave it to me!”

Unaware that he had been deceived, Cheongheun responded energetically.

“Phew… sorry, my friend!”

Thinking about that day and Baek Muyeong made him sigh involuntarily. Lately, he felt as if he had lost himself. Was it because he saw what he shouldn’t have, or was it because of that person…

“Bi Ryuyeon!”

The more he thought about it, the more incomprehensible the existence became. He felt as if his fate was being swept into the wheels of that person’s destiny.