Book 17 Chapter 5

Meeting

―Bing Geom Meets Ma Jin Ga

After the 화산규약지회 incident ended in an unprecedented fire that made the term "major disturbance" sound like an understatement, the Iron Fist Ma Jin Ga had not had a single proper day of rest. The entire martial arts world's intelligence network was operating at full capacity to locate the whereabouts of the mastermind, known as the Grand Heir, who initiated the current incident, and his presumed accomplices, the 마천칠걸. However, despite the emergency wanted order issued throughout the martial arts world, the trail of the culprits remained shrouded in deep darkness, as if they had been swallowed whole. The '비영전(秘影殿)', the direct intelligence organization of the 천무학관, was not exempt from overtime and constant night shifts. The head of 비영전, 암약(暗躍), and all his subordinates had spent more nights awake than asleep. In fact, due to their position, they had to endure several times the workload of other intelligence organizations. The groans of those on the verge of death were frequently heard.

Several months had passed since the '홍매겁화' of 천무봉 홍매곡 turned to ash in flames. No clues to unravel the conspiracy had been found yet.

Their meticulous preparation process, execution, and escape and disappearance after the incident were so perfect that they were almost suspicious. Such a feat would be absolutely impossible for an organization of ordinary caliber. The eyes spread throughout the martial arts world are far more numerous and diverse than ordinary people can imagine. The saying "as numerous as grains of sand by the river" is not used in vain. Yet, they evaded all those eyes? Without the support of an unimaginably vast background, such a clean cleanup was practically impossible. The martial arts world is not a world to be trifled with, where one can vanish as if a transparent piece of ice fallen into a lake. There couldn't be many organizations capable of such a feat (well, they themselves revealed it).

If it weren't for them, this chillingly smooth conclusion would be impossible. They are a cancerous existence that has been gnawing at the martial arts world for a hundred years while in hiding.

Even from just one aspect of their escape and cleanup, it was evident how thoroughly they had prepared for the conspiracy of the 화산지회. If heaven had not intervened… the aftermath was too dreadful to even imagine. While not comparable to trees that take at least two to three hundred years to become useful timber, it also requires significant time and effort to produce a single outstanding talent among humans. Yet, the pillars that support the current martial arts world, led by the 천무삼성, and the young talents who would shape the future of the martial arts world, were nearly turned into black charcoal by the cursed red flames. It was a crisis situation where the present and future of the martial arts world could have been wiped out in an instant. The culprits committed such a heaven-defying atrocity with ostentatious splendor, yet we were still chasing only their faint shadows. Although mentally and physically exhausted due to impatience, anxiety, and overwork, there were no commensurate results, and everyone was growing weary.

The Iron Fist Ma Jin Ga was once again wrestling with the mountain of documents piled on his desk. The reports related to the mastermind behind the culprits and their objectives, currently stacked in his office, numbered in the thousands. If all the documents were to collapse, even the greatest master in the world would be unable to withstand it and would suffocate to death. In reality, the possibility of being mentally crushed was higher. The physical strength required for processing documents and the physical strength for wielding martial arts were entirely different and separate powers. It was clear that powers with completely different attributes, like water and fire, were at play. He could face dozens of enemies for three days and nights with a clear mind and overflowing internal energy, but in the fight against the tomb of piled-up documents, he could feel his strength waning within just a day and a night. Each time, if he couldn't take even a brief moment of rest, the letters and the color of the paper would blend together, and his vision would turn gray. Naturally, the content within would fly away beyond the gray chaos, making it completely incomprehensible.

To make matters worse, he wasn't dealing with just this one issue. In accordance with his position, he had to be involved in the overall operational status of the 천무학관. And for some special matters, he had to personally review and approve them. One of these was creating a long list with his hazy mind, having not had proper sleep for the past two days. Moreover, he had to appease and coax his subordinates, even though he wasn't a nanny. Well, since they were his direct reports, it couldn't be helped, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation.

"Honestly, I feel like going on strike these days~"

The man's grumbling voice suddenly stopped.

"Huh? It seems we have a visitor."

He felt a presence from beyond the door, about ten feet away. Indeed! Ma Jin Ga marveled inwardly. He, who could normally sense a person's presence from ten times that distance. Despite being in a near-death state from exhaustion, the possessor of the ability to sneakily approach, having their senses fooled to only detect a presence from a mere ten feet away, was not many even in this 천무학관, a den of wolves.

'Well, that's all done unconsciously, I suppose.'

For a top-tier master like him, such things were as natural as breathing. It wasn't that he hid things because he wanted to, or revealed them because he wanted to. It was the enlightenment gained through thousands, tens of thousands of repeated practices that melted into his unconsciousness, permeating every subtle action in his daily life and manifesting. Only then does a martial artist truly transform into a peak master called a super-class master.

"Come in."

Before the visitor could even knock, Ma Jin Ga said. The visitor's hand stopped at the doorstep, leaving a gap as thin as a thread.

"Then I will enter, Master of the Academy!"

Creak!

The door opened, and a person entered, silhouetted against the sunlight that streamed in. They had silvery-blue hair with a hint of blue, snow-white silk robes, a chillingly blue sword hanging at their waist that resembled its owner, and eyes that were as cold and quiet as ice, yet resolute. The visitor was none other than the Great Master of Arms, Bing Geom, Kwan Cheol Su. He had just arrived at the 천주전 upon being summoned by the Master of the Academy.

"I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy, Master Kwan."

Although Ma Jin Ga's position and age were higher than Bing Geom's, he never treated him disrespectfully. Bing Geom Kwan Cheol Su was a person fully deserving of respect. Of course, even if he tried to pressure him with social status or age, it would be useless and he'd be lucky not to be scorned. Having become one of the Five Great Sword Masters of the martial arts world with just a sword, he was fully entitled to receive courtesy.

"Come, come, sit down comfortably."

Ma Jin Ga covered the ledger he was working on with one hand and invited him to sit. Bing Geom, who silently nodded, his gaze flickered to the title of the ledger.

…Expected Roster.

It was a roster he had seen before.

'Even at a time like this, are they still planning to proceed with the academy's schedule?'

Bing Geom found it somewhat unexpected. He had naturally assumed 'that matter' would be canceled. The current situation, both in terms of timing and environment, was not suitable for proceeding with 'that matter' in many ways. Forcing it through would yield no good. Dammit, it was like that.

Sensing Bing Geom's suspicious gaze, Ma Jin Ga smiled wryly and said,

"Ah, this? As you know, the time is almost here. I can't neglect my responsibilities, nor is it a matter light enough to pass off to someone else, so I can't help but rack my brain."

Even if it were top secret, Bing Geom, with his status as a Great Master of Arms, had the right to access it. Moreover, this wasn't even classified as top secret. However, the fact that many people's fates were tied to it remained unchanged.

"Won't it be dangerous? The incident at the 화산규약지회 hasn't even been properly resolved yet. Sending the children there when nothing is clear… They are quite suspicious."

Bing Geom voiced his opinion, choosing his words carefully. This was a matter that could escalate into a major diplomatic issue if handled incorrectly. A person of his standing needed to hide some of his true intentions and speak cautiously. Diplomacy wasn't about revealing everything about oneself, but rather about concealing oneself as much as possible and revealing the opponent.

Ma Jin Ga nodded as if agreeing.

"Of course, I fully understand. Honestly, I'm not entirely confident in them either. But there's no clear evidence. Until evidence is obtained, we have no choice but to proceed. Moreover… they have strongly insisted on continuing. They don't want to give the impression of succumbing to threats."

Like the incident at the 화산규약지회, it was a tradition that had continued for a hundred years. A hundred years of tradition couldn't be overturned by mere suspicion.

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

This was the question Ma Jin Ga had hoped for. In fact, the reason he had summoned Bing Geom was precisely because of this issue.

"That's why I'd like you to come along."

"Me?"

"Yes. But don't worry. I'll assign someone to help you, someone very reliable. And strong!"

"Could it be…"

A bad premonition struck him.

"I'm sorry to trouble you again after the difficult situation at the 화산규약지회."

"No, I am merely doing my duty."

Sitting in a higher position than others doesn't mean having more power, but rather taking on more responsibility and obligations. Power is merely a trivial, secondary reward for that. However, most humans neglect their responsibilities and abuse their power. Such things are called 'humans' and read as 'trash'.

However, there was one thing that had been bothering him since a little while ago.

"By any chance… will Master Yan Do also be coming this time?"

Bing Geom prayed inwardly that it wasn't so. But, as if he had anticipated it, Ma Jin Ga shattered his hopes.

"Of course. Aren't the two of them inseparable friends? If the needle goes, how can the thread not follow?"

For a moment, Bing Geom almost said, "Are you losing your mind?" but he managed to hold back, considering his manners and dignity. This level of delusion was truly a serious illness.

'…Or could it be that he knows and is doing this intentionally?'

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

A displeased expression appeared on his usually cool face. Whenever Yan Do was involved, his composure always crumbled. It was proof of his insufficient training.

"I understand. I cannot change what has already been decided based on my personal preferences. Although I'm not enthusiastic, I will do my best."

"There's no need to be shy when you're pleased. Friends are good, aren't they? Especially comrades who have faced life and death together. Isn't that right?"

Ma Jin Ga said with a smile, poking at Bing Geom's sore spot.

'Friends? Comrades?'

Today, these familiar words sounded incredibly strange.

What was good about it? Bing Geom, whose head was throbbing, decided that as soon as he left the 천주전, he would have a divine physician sent to examine him. Absolutely. Excessive overwork was indeed an enemy of not only physical but also mental health.

"Please take care of yourself."

Bing Geom advised with a worried heart.

"Uh… uh, thank you."

Taken aback by the sudden concern, Ma Jin Ga responded almost reflexively. Then, he regained his composure and returned to the original topic.

"I trust that the two of you can take care of the children. I am also suspicious of that 마천각 side, aren't I?"

In truth, Ma Jin Ga couldn't help but worry about the students. However, he couldn't simply react nervously like an autistic patient hiding in a secluded room. That would only be counterproductive. Therefore, he chose to confront the issue head-on.

"That's true. And it's not only that place that is suspicious."

Bing Geom said in a low voice with a serious expression.

"There's another suspicious place?"

Bing Geom nodded cautiously with a serious face.

"…Tell me."

Ma Jin Ga's face, which had been resting on his chin, stiffened.