Book 19 Chapter 7

Patrol

―Shift Change

"Senior Disciple Brother, it's time for patrol."

Upon hearing Namgung Sang's words as he opened the dormitory door, Biryu-yeon's expression twisted sourly. It was an expression that perfectly matched his current pose: balanced precariously on one leg, with the other three legs of the chair resting against his body, tilting him at an awkward angle. His right arm, resting on the armrest, was making a valiant effort to prevent his tilted head from leaning any further.

"Patrol, my ass!"

The words that came from his crooked mouth were as ungraceful as his tilted posture.

'He's upset!'

Namgung Sang tensed for a moment.

He had noticed that this man's mood was currently twisted in many different ways. In fact, among those assigned patrol duty, not a single one enjoyed it.

It seemed unlikely that he would be able to peel his backside, firmly attached to the chair, anytime soon.

"But we can't help it, can we? The directive came down, so we have to follow it."

A sudden notice posted two days prior contained the following directive. Upon seeing the announcement, all the 'Golden Armbands' couldn't help but glare.

The admission examiners must form pairs and patrol the city once a day.

The stated purpose was to supervise the prospective students to ensure they didn't cause trouble, but the hidden motive was so obvious that it even felt malicious.

Due to the repeated attacks—a term the admission examiners preferred over "challenges"—over the past few days, the admission examiners had become increasingly reluctant to go out, preferring to stay comfortably holed up within the academy. The general consensus was that there was no need to suffer needlessly. However, this was problematic from the elders' perspective. This patrol measure was clearly a desperate measure to curb these behaviors.

They had even kindly pre-assigned the pairs. It seemed they had anticipated such a situation before it even began. It was undeniably thorough preparation. Some examiners, with a cynical smile, referred to going on patrol as a "procession of sacrifices." It wasn't an inaccurate description.

In any case, the situation had reached this point, and the Golden Armbands could no longer act recklessly. They had to be cautious. Given their status as seniors and the hierarchy, losing to a junior prospective student in a spar would mean their own prestige would plummet. Once broken, authority was difficult to recover. It was unacceptable for seniors to willingly concede defeat to their juniors.

Up to this point, Namgung Sang could grudgingly accept it. However, upon learning who his partner was, he couldn't help but let out a scream.

'This is a lie!'

Why, out of so many people, did he have to be paired with the detestable Senior Disciple Brother, whom he dreaded even in his dreams? The star shining above his head was undoubtedly a star of misfortune.

He knew why patrol teams were composed of senior and junior students and not same-level peers. It was a considerate arrangement, he supposed, for seniors to look after their juniors.

'Considerate, my foot!'

Because of one thoughtless person in charge of forming pairs, his burden, mental damage, and physical damage were immense. Who was supposed to look after whom? He would have to take on all of it. He was only one person, but the workload was for two.

"Um, Senior Disciple Brother… Of course, I know that you wouldn't waste your strength on such a troublesome, unproductive, and unprofitable task. But we can't help it, can we? The directive came down, so what can we do? Please bear with it for a little longer."

Biryu-yeon, as if not hearing a word, remained seated, his backside firmly on the chair, still leaning on one of its legs.

"Senior Disciple Brother…"

Namgung Sang called out to Biryu-yeon in a more dejected voice. This time, there was a reaction.

"Those cunning old foxes! So that's how they're going to play it? The contract clearly states no additional labor. I made a mistake!"

*Spin!*

The chair, balanced on one leg, spun around like a top. Yet, Biryu-yeon's body remained completely still. He was still sitting askew, his chin propped on his hand.

"How troublesome…"

Trouble was the main issue. But it wasn't the only issue.

"Is it that difficult to understand your place?"

Or at least your position. If only one of them understood, the trouble could have been lessened a bit.

One should choose their opponents wisely. How could they lack such judgment…

"It is certainly troublesome. It's also bothersome and tiring."

Namgung Sang agreed. He had been working three to four times harder and more tired than others lately. It felt like a miracle that he was still alive.

"That's what I'm saying. What's gotten into you? You're speaking the right words for the first time in a while."

Biryu-yeon nodded, his chin still propped on his hand.

"How many have succeeded so far?"

"None yet. If even one had been defeated, it would have caused a huge uproar."

"Right? They have nothing left but their pride, don't they? They would have made a fuss about maintaining their senior prestige. Crying 'Mama~ Mama~'."

Biryu-yeon feigned crying.

"Given that it's been quiet so far without any such incidents, it's reasonable to assume there have been no successful cases. Perhaps the Golden Armbands' reluctance to go out was effective."

"But not a single one? I'm a bit disappointed. Were they all that incompetent…"

"What if you considered the other examiners to be competent?"

Namgung Sang offered a more positive interpretation.

"That won't do! Lying is bad!"

Namgung Sang was surprised that such a common-sense statement came from Biryu-yeon.

"Incompetence is incompetence. You can't call incompetence competence."

"But that includes you too, Senior Disciple Brother."

Namgung Sang pointed to the golden armband on Biryu-yeon's right arm.

"Ah, I'm an exception, of course."

Namgung Sang was suddenly speechless at his brazen confidence.

"Then… what should we call those who lost to those incompetent people?"

"Well, 'doubly incompetent fools'."

Stunned by the absurd answer, Namgung Sang was speechless for a while.

"'Doubly incompetent'? Is that even a phrase?"

"Of course not. I just made it up."

It was an improvised term.

"Th-that's…"

"No, if they were competent, fine. But why bother racking your brain to describe mere incompetence? It's a waste."

"That's a harsh assessment."

"Then is it equality to treat good people and bad people the same?"

"That's not it, but…"

"It's the same."

"I-I see…"

Namgung Sang was convinced.

"Well, it's making me a bit angry to think that I'm bothered by these 'doubly incompetent fools'. Is there no way to make things easier?"

When asked for a solution to the current predicament, Namgung Sang tilted his head.

"Are there really such methods?"

These were pathetic individuals who saw entering Cheonmu Academy as their life's sole goal. Although pitiable, their terrifying determination was not to be ignored.

"Hmm… there is one."

"What is it? Does something like that truly exist?"

"Terror!"

"What? Terror?"

Namgung Sang couldn't understand the overly compressed, short answer.

"The spread of terror!"

As the answer became slightly longer, a smile spread across Biryu-yeon's lips.

"We'll carve terror into their hearts and souls so they never dare to attack again. Kindly and gently, with all our might! Hahahahaha!"

A dark and gloomy aura flickered throughout Biryu-yeon's body as he let out a strange laugh.

Is he really going to do it?

'He might actually do it…'

The most horrific images Namgung Sang could imagine flashed through his mind.

Torn limbs, falling pieces of flesh, and copious amounts of blood…

A shiver ran down his spine.

"Even so, murder is not good."

Namgung Sang sincerely advised, trying to calm his trembling heart.

"Huh? Who said I was going to kill anyone? How could someone as timid as me commit such a terrible act?"

'You absolutely could!' he thought, but he still had enough sense not to voice it. There was no need to risk his throat being torn out.

"Oh, is that not it?"

Namgung Sang retorted with a vacant expression. Biryu-yeon looked at him with disdain.

"Where did your mind wander off to this time? With a mind that rotten, you won't get much, so return it quickly!"

The words "when I'm speaking nicely" were omitted, but Namgung Sang's ears automatically registered the missing phrase. It was remarkable learning.

"But if that happens, won't this admission test be a mess?"

Chaos would undoubtedly erupt. The academy wouldn't want that either.

"There's a high possibility of that happening."

Biryu-yeon didn't deny it.

"Wouldn't it?"

"But wouldn't it be more interesting than this boring and troublesome development?"

It was clear that any virtue of liking the ordinary was far from this man.

"Are you really going to do it?"

Namgung Sang asked cautiously, lowering his voice.

"Who knows? What do you think I'll do?"

"I don't know…"

Namgung Sang flinched as he looked at the ominous smile spreading across Biryu-yeon's lips.

"Gong Sang, why are your eyes wavering?"

It was as if he was asking if it was trust or his pupils that were wavering. Namgung Sang flinched, feeling as if his inner thoughts were being peeked into.

"Th-there's no way? My trust in you, Senior Disciple Brother, is absolute!"

"Really?"

"Of course. Absolutely."

Fortunately, he didn't press further.

'Phew~'

Namgung Sang sighed in relief, glad he wasn't interrogated further.

"Shall we go then?"

"Let's go!"

"I wonder how many will resist today? I'm looking forward to it."

'Please don't look forward to it!'

Namgung Sang screamed inwardly, praying to the heavens for his peaceful life to continue.

'He said it was troublesome, so what's with the anticipation!!'

Namgung Sang hoped that the number of such fools would decrease. After all, dealing with those swarms of flies was always his job. Biryu-yeon often didn't even lift a finger.

'The promised spar isn't far off, is it? Surely you don't want to part ways with Jin Ling?'

How could he say no when he said that? How could he dare!

Although he was already on edge with the duel looming in a few days and wanted to avoid further physical and mental exhaustion, Biryu-yeon's training—which could be called handing over work—was harsh.

"You haven't experienced your limit yet!"

His words, "You haven't experienced your limit yet!", echoed like tinnitus in his ears every time he defeated some brats or fell and got back up during sparring with Bing Geom. When would he ever be cured of this ear ailment? Would such a day ever come? Namgung Sang, his approach blocked by another wave of doubt, listlessly followed Biryu-yeon, careful not to step on his shadow.

It was customary for the patrol shift change to take place at the main gate guardhouse. The previous patrol team had already arrived at the guardhouse and was waiting for them.

"Ah! Yerim!"

Upon seeing one of the two women waiting at the main gate guardhouse to change patrol shifts, Biryu-yeon's face lit up, and he waved. Meeting a lover was always a joyous occasion, which slightly eased his irritable mood.

Regardless of the repeating cycles of day and night, sun and moon, Na Yerim was beautiful and elegant. But standing in the midst of the night, bathed in moonlight, she exuded a unique and ethereal aura, like a celestial maiden who didn't belong to this world. Her profound gaze, in which the night seemed to shine eternally, was more beautiful than starlight and more mysterious than moonlight.

Na Yerim, who had instinctively raised her hand, then lowered it and bowed her head gracefully, offering a graceful greeting.

"Good evening, Ryuu-yeon!"

Like the moon illuminating the night, she shone softly.

"Hello?"

The woman accompanying her greeted them as well.

"Oh? Ah!"

As if she had just noticed, the woman's cheeks puffed out in exaggerated surprise. It turned out to be Jin Ling.

"Ling!"

Recognizing her, Namgung Sang's face broke into a wide smile.

Seeing a lover's face always brought strength when feeling down. Even if that face was pouting. She, too, seemed to cheer up upon seeing Gong Sang's face, slightly deflating her puffed cheeks.

"Sang!"

Though a very brief greeting, it was enough for the two of them. Biryu-yeon, ignoring the two who were lost in their own world, smiled and spoke to Na Yerim.

"Yerim, it must be difficult with the swarms of flies flying around even at night these days, right?"

The Golden Armbands were all troubled by the abnormal proliferation of these midges these days. Na Yerim, due to her status and special circumstances, could have received preferential treatment, but she did not.

'You can't move forward by just avoiding things, can you?'

That's what she had said to Majin-ga when offered special exemption.

"No. Nothing much happened. They should be sleeping at night too."

Jin Ling's head tilted slightly at Na Yerim's demure and serene reply. Despite this small gesture, her mind was screaming in disbelief.

'N-nothing happened…?'

Jin Ling couldn't understand how she could say nothing happened with such a poker face and as if it were nothing.

Na Yerim was lying. These days, the flies attacked day and night, regardless of gender. They lost sleep, their eyes bloodshot, hunting for prey.

If one could describe the incident where thirty members of the "Bing Bong Movie Guardians" tried to escort her, only to be resolutely turned away, and then, just as she thought she could patrol comfortably, three men who were captivated by their beauty—clearly two of them—and asked for a spar to get a glimpse of her, three more "shameless" ones who asked her to be their lover if they won, and two more who drooled and had bloodshot eyes, all elegantly "crushed," as "nothing much happened," then perhaps…

'Yes, only then could today's patrol be called "nothing much happened"!'

But before that, she couldn't bring herself to use such an expression, even out of conscience.

However, what did she say at the time!

"It's fine. I'm used to it!"

It was then that Jin Ling suspected that this peerless beauty, whose beauty could provoke jealousy, had lived an unimaginably arduous life. It was also then that she became convinced that she was a formidable woman as well as a frightening one.

"Perhaps she's not an ordinary person…"

Muttering to herself, Jin Ling glanced at Biryu-yeon's profile.

'Well, to be dating a man like that, one would have to be out of their mind…'

In that sense, she truly deserved admiration.

"Ah, speaking of which, our Master has asked to dine with us again."

"Again?"

It hadn't been long since they had last eaten together.

"Yes. This time, not just for a meal, but for some light 'exercise'."

"Light exercise…"

She had a premonition that it wouldn't be light at all.

"That wasn't all he said, was it?"

"That's right. He actually said something else."

"What did he say?"

"He said that if a thousand isn't enough, then two thousand will suffice, so please wait a few days."

It seemed he was still bothered by the fact that his "Sea Flying Bird Thousand Slash Cut," painstakingly devised over a long period at Cheonmu Peak in Mount Hua, had been countered.

Though it might be an exaggeration to call it a rematch, he appeared to be strengthening his techniques for something similar. Or should it be called improvement? In any case, the fact that he could add power to an already completed terrifying technique was truly horrifying. Techniques are complex and systematic sequences of movements, and strengthening them without disrupting their intricate flow is as arduous as planting a flower in a crack of solid rock. Even the most skilled martial artists could usually only dream of such a feat. And within a few days at that…

"It seems the objective is clear."

It was to bring her to her knees.

"He has a personality that can't stand to lose. I think the Sword Sage and the Dao Sage know that best."

"He must have been defeated quite a bit."

"Considerably."

As she said this, a rare smile appeared on Na Yerim's lips.

"It's a shame, though."

"What is?"

In response to Na Yerim's question, Biryu-yeon expressed his honest sentiment.

"With so many birds, why two thousand… I fear the seabirds in the South Sea will be wiped out soon."

The Sword Empress truly had the ability to make that happen. She possessed the power to turn yesterday's common sight into a landscape that no longer existed.

"A sea without flying birds is lonely."

She added, "Especially when the sacrifice is in vain."

Even if a sword technique capable of cutting all seabirds at once were to appear, it would never succeed. It is impossible to defeat me. It meant, "I will never lose."

"My Master would be delighted to hear that."

Although it would be used in a different sense than for ordinary people, he would surely be delighted.

"He said he's finally met someone truly defeatable after a long time."

"That's an honor."

The Sword Empress's sword tip was pointed at him.

Despite this being a situation that would cause any normal, ordinary, or common martial artist to pale and tremble with fear, Biryu-yeon smiled.

It was always pleasant to receive attention from a beauty, regardless of age.

The patrol shift change ceremony was simple.

They received the patrol tokens, which served as identification, from the outgoing patrol team and signed the patrol register. The only additional check was whether the golden armband was properly worn on the right arm, but there was no doubt that this was a transparently malicious procedure.

After the shift change, as they were left alone, parting with the lingering regret, Namgung Sang asked,

"Senior Disciple Brother?"

"Why?"

"Why didn't you go to escort Lady Na Yerim? Even if you dislike the grand title of escort, at least accompany her. Both of us went to great lengths to get involved, you know."

A night outing with the most beautiful woman in the world, outshining even the stars under the moonlight (even with the pretext of patrol, and even if the nature of the act was entirely different, the similarity alone was enough to be enticing). Men had caused a commotion because they dreamed of experiencing even a glimpse of this burning situation. Everyone wanted to accompany Na Yerim on her patrol, causing a great commotion. Even if they weren't selected for the same patrol team, they could accompany her under the guise of going out, and they were willing to break curfew for it. Despite the great commotion, Biryu-yeon didn't get involved, quietly counting his money and reading books, which piqued Namgung Sang's curiosity.

"Huh? Why would I do that?"

The one who was asked the question was, surprisingly, Gong Sang.

"No, well…"

Namgung Sang was suddenly speechless as his common sense was denied.

"I don't want to insult her."

That answer was also outside his scope of common sense.

"Why does the word 'insult' come up there?"

"Yerim is not a child. Moreover, her sword is quite sharp. Even you can't guarantee victory."

"That's true, but…"

Hidden by her exceptional beauty, he was still a swordsman, and he knew how strong Bing Baek Bong Na Yerim was without fighting her. He might even lose.

"But she's a woman?"

Namgung Sang finally blurted it out. His words were a crystallization of common sense and stereotypes. Therefore, they circulated with powerful persuasion in society. However, for Biryu-yeon, they seemed to have expired.

"Huh? What's wrong with women? She's strong, isn't she? Why do I need to do something she can do herself? And just because she's a woman? Even parents should avoid such behavior. Fostering dependence only leads to childishness."

"But she's still a woman…"

Namgung Sang said in a voice like a mosquito buzzing.

"Are you a parrot, or have you been brainwashed? Is that all you can say? You can't even guarantee victory if you fight, yet you say that?"

The expression on Biryu-yeon's lips was clearly a sneer. However, Namgung Sang, who had been hit where it hurt, couldn't retort.

"Those persistent, pathological stalkers keep acting like they need to protect her without understanding their place; that's a real nuisance. They're easily a hundred times weaker than Yerim, and they dare to talk about protecting someone? Before chirping, they should look at themselves."

The biological fact of being male, despite not changing the social reality of being weak—which was obvious!—often led to foolish delusions.

"Me accompanying Yerim on patrol is the same as saying I fundamentally don't trust her. In other words, my subconscious has already concluded she's incompetent. Would Yerim want to be treated like that? Moreover, this isn't a private matter, it's a public one. For now, at least. If I were Yerim, I would feel extremely displeased to be treated like that!"

"But… but… Miss Na is a woman, and men must always protect women…"

Namgung Sang's voice had shrunk even more than before. He no longer believed in the justification of his own words.

"Yes, Yerim is a woman. I am a man."

It meant not to waste air by stating the obvious.

"If you think of yourselves as equals, shouldn't you act accordingly? Are you all talk? Is it over just by talking? Women don't want to live being disrespected like that."

"So, are you saying we don't have to protect women? Even women in vulnerable positions? Even women in danger?"

It was an undeniable fact and reality that women often found themselves in more danger than men.

"You're a real fool. It's not just women who are weak. There are many weak men too. It's just that there are relatively more weak women than weak men. Shouldn't you help the weak, not because they are women? Or are you like all the other people around here, strong against the weak and weak against the strong."

Biryu-yeon's words were scathing.

"To unconditionally help women without thinking, just because they're women? Why don't you go tell that to the Sword Empress?"

"Th-that's…"

No matter how pathetic he might be, he didn't want to choose such a suicidal method. Namgung Sang had no choice but to raise the white flag.

"I have no intention of abandoning my trust in her now."

Biryu-yeon said in a firm voice.

"Don't just respect her with words; put it into practice. Don't use words as a means of self-gratification. There is nothing uglier or more cowardly than words without action. They mistakenly believe sweet talk is some kind of absolution. Tsk, tsk."

Namgung Sang could no longer continue.

So, Biryu-yeon decided to alleviate the worries of the pathetic Gong Sang.

"Gong Sang."

"Yes?"

"By the way, were you also among them?"

"Huh? Among what?"

Namgung Sang retorted in surprise.

"In the middle of the commotion."

Biryu-yeon shot back, as if asking why he was asking what he already knew.

"D-don't say such ominous things! If that were the case, I would die immediately!"

When asked if he wasn't also a fly, Namgung Sang's face turned ashen, and he shivered, denying it. No matter how much a protagonist was better than a supporting character, he didn't want to play the role of a tragic hero murdered by his lover just yet. He certainly wouldn't get any subsequent roles.

Cherishing and loving life was still a virtue, and especially if that life was one's own, cherishing, loving, and maintaining it was an obligation to the body that diligently worked to sustain it.

"Well, I didn't expect you to have that much guts…"

"Of course. Absolutely. Senior Disciple Brother, as you know, I'm timid, aren't I? Aren't I? My liver is strong, and I have no swelling."

The future seemed quite predictable.

It might be a way of life, but it wasn't to his taste. He thought it was absurd that such a pathetic state could still claim to champion female protection. And then, a premonition, with great conviction, flashed through his mind.

'That guy's going to be tied down.'