Book 2 Chapter 28

The Iron-Blooded Dorm Supervisor

A scholar in a blue academic robe, appearing with a thunderous roar that shook the building!

Although it was clear he had practiced martial arts, his uneven breathing vividly showed how hastily he had rushed.

"What is all this commotion?"

Upon seeing the scholar, Ho Cheon-gang's face had already turned ashen. The scholar's flushed red face clearly indicated he was extremely angry. He was burning with fiery rage, as violent as a storm. His anger was officially recognized within the Geomhon Hall as synonymous with terror, a fearsome thing. Ho Cheon-gang's vision went black.

"S-Supervisor…"

A single syllable escaped his body, trembling like an aspen. This scholar in a blue academic robe, appearing to be in his forties, was none other than the Dorm Supervisor who directly managed and controlled the Geomhon Hall, the true power of the Geomhon Hall, the embodiment of rules and discipline, Gang Ha-yun, the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword. A former martial arts instructor of the Qingcheng Sect, though he looked like a frail scholar or a pleasure-seeking idler, it was a thousand times a thousand times untrue. Once you uncovered the truth, his personality was the complete opposite of his appearance: quick as fire, and once angered, his fury was so intense it could engulf the heavens and earth simultaneously. He was renowned for his ruthless, decisive, and extreme punishments and retribution. How else could his alias be the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword?

If anyone was curious about the number of disciples who couldn't withstand his wooden sword during his tenure as a Qingcheng Sect martial arts instructor, there's no need to count them one by one. They simply don't exist. Every disciple of the Qingcheng Sword Sect shared the common, unforgettable memories of being beaten mercilessly under his wooden sword at least once.

Furthermore, the number of disciples who had a limb broken alone reached nearly 30% of the total. Even the number of disciples injured by sword energy exceeded 10%, a massive number. To this day, among disciples below the third generation of the Qingcheng Sect, shouting "Iron-Blooded Merciless!" would cause them to bolt upright in their sleep and bang their heads on the floor, as he reigned as a figure of terror. And yet, he was now the supervisor of the current Geomhon Hall, responsible for its rules and discipline.

While this could be interpreted as a testament to the high standing of the Cheonmu Academy, allowing such a person to be a mere dorm supervisor, what was important now was not that, but the terrifying reality of being caught witnessing an illegal act by the fearsome and merciless Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword. That was the primary reason for Ho Cheon-gang's ashen face. There was no way this person would let this incident slide.

The endless reprimands to follow, the avalanche of demerit points, and the terrifying punishments and retribution awaiting him – Ho Cheon-gang resented Bi Ryu-yeon's fist for why he still couldn't enjoy the benefit of unconsciousness and maintained a sliver of consciousness.

Gang Ha-yun approached the three standing figures and the one sprawled on the ground, scanning them with a terrifying gaze filled with murderous intent, as if sweeping them away with a broom. Ho Cheon-gang couldn't even achieve the unconsciousness he desperately wished for in his dreams. As his eyes met the explosive gaze of the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword, his body, against his will – he was desperately hoping to pass out at this moment – sprang to his feet. His legs still felt shaky from the shock, but Ho Cheon-gang's body somehow managed to stay upright.

"Follow me!"

As his lips opened again, Ho Cheon-gang followed behind him like a pig being led to the slaughterhouse, and Bi Ryu-yeon, Jang Hong, and Hyo Ryong followed behind them again. Ho Cheon-gang's shoulders were slumped and dejected, making him look pitiful.

"He looks so pathetic and pitiful!"

Hyo Ryong whispered his honest feelings to Jang Hong beside him, and Jang Hong nodded in agreement. He too, let out a light sigh and looked at Ho Cheon-gang with pity.

Following the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword Gang Ha-yun to the middle room on the third floor, the following words were neatly written:

'Supervisor's Office'

'No Unauthorized Entry'

'Formal Report'

"CRASH!"

Gang Ha-yun, the supervisor of the Geomhon Hall and former martial arts instructor of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword, slammed his fist on the desk. Fortunately, he hadn't lost his inner energy and had controlled his strength, so the desk didn't break in half or shatter into pieces. He was not so reckless as to damage academy property and wealth by being unable to control his anger.

However, that did not mean his anger was insignificant. His current anger was so immense it could level mountains and fill rivers. He was merely preventing indiscriminate violence with superhuman patience and self-control. His anger continued to erupt for over half an hour.

"Ho Cheon-gang, Vice Leader of the Yellow Class, 2nd Year!"

"Yes, Supervisor!"

Ho Cheon-gang, who had been enduring Gang Ha-yun's fiery rage for over half an hour, replied with intense tension. Perhaps due to his tension, his voice was very loud, as if he were a freshman in training.

"How much do you think you've cost in traps, mechanisms, and their activation fees today? Do you have any idea of the damage? It's a massive amount, exceeding fifteen hundred taels of silver! How dare you waste the academy's budget, funded by the sincere donations of all martial arts sects, on such trivial traditions? Are you in your right mind? To inflict such a terrible and enormous financial loss on the academy based solely on personal feelings and petty pranks, are you truly in your right mind?"

Gang Ha-yun was literally furious. It seemed like asking for forgiveness was beyond the realm of dreams. Despair flickered in Ho Cheon-gang's eyes as he looked at the embodiment of rage.

How much budget was wasted to activate highly precise mechanisms and traps? Another name for the Geomhon Hall's intruder defense mechanisms was 'budget-devouring monster'. Dozens of flying arrows and hundreds of hidden weapons consumed during activation. They truly deserved to be called "flying money" (飛錢). Even if the arrows were recovered and recycled, the rate didn't exceed 60%. They were easily broken or blunted during activation. The recycling rate for the micro hidden weapons was even lower, around 30%.

Moreover, the damage to the sword forest caused by the impact of Ho Cheon-gang's sword energy and thunderous water was immense. In fact, it could be said that the greatest damage originated from the destruction of this sword forest. Imagine this: what is the price of a single sword blade? And if it's a sharp and keen sword blade that doesn't rust or get chipped easily, the cost of manufacturing and purchasing them would be considerable. Even at a conservative estimate, each would be worth thirty to forty taels. Yet, hundreds of such high-quality sword blades were lost in an instant. Restoration was impossible.

It was a horrific disaster, as if hundreds of swords had turned into scrap metal all at once. Since all of them had turned into scrap metal without exception, the damage was truly dizzying. That was why Ho Cheon-gang was receiving such harsh reprimands from the supervisor. Fifteen hundred taels of silver represented more than 30% of the Geomhon Hall's annual operating budget. The actual amount might even be higher if the details were fully accounted for. Even if each sword was only valued at three taels of silver, there seemed to be at least five hundred of them, totaling fifteen hundred taels of silver. Adding the traps, flying arrows, and other hidden weapons, the damage would undoubtedly increase. Therefore, it was impossible for Gang Ha-yun, who was already known for his fiery temper and rough nature, to remain silent.

Gang Ha-yun relentlessly pressured Ho Cheon-gang. Ho Cheon-gang lowered his head and remained silent. His posture only fanned Gang Ha-yun's anger.

"You committed this to just have a freshman welcoming ceremony? You activated the third stage of the mechanism for fighting adults and intruders just for a freshman welcoming ceremony? Are you asking me to believe that? Who do you think you're fooling? The third stage of the adult defense is a lethal stage. You know it's not a stage that ends as a mere prank, don't you? I won't believe that a Vice Leader of the Yellow Class, a second-year student at Cheonmu Academy, wouldn't know that!"

Ho Cheon-gang truly had nothing to say, even if he had ten mouths. How could he respond with any face?

"Do you know how severe the penalty is for murder within the academy before you committed this?"

"M-Murder? That's outrageous!"

When the situation began to escalate, Ho Cheon-gang couldn't help but panic. Murder was a grave crime in any era, any place. Except for the battlefield, where human lives were treated as less than provisions, it was the same everywhere. Furthermore, killing a fellow disciple left no room for excuse.

"Silence! Activating the third stage of the adult defense mechanism is akin to attempted murder. Who did you learn the operating method from? Not many people know the operating methods for dormitory mechanisms, so how did you find out?"

A look of frustration clearly spread across Ho Cheon-gang's face. Supervisor Gang Ha-yun's questions were that sharp.

"This incident was planned by me alone, and I carried it out without any help from anyone else."

"Are you still trying to fool me?"

"How could that be? I have never harbored such a foolish thought."

Anyone who dared to treat the Iron-Blooded Supervisor, the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword Gang Ha-yun, as a fool would indeed be the greatest fool in the world.

"Then why are you trying to fool me! From which stage is the lethal potential area of the mechanism for repelling adult intruders?"

Gang Ha-yun asked Ho Cheon-gang. Of course, Ho Cheon-gang knew the answer well. It was common knowledge for any Geomhon Hall resident, regardless of their status, to be aware of it.

"From the third stage."

"Then you are well aware that activation of mechanisms at stage two or higher requires permission from above."

"Yes!"

"Then you also know that only a select few individuals know the operating method."

"Yes!"

As he answered, Ho Cheon-gang's complexion grew paler. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Then who exactly told you the operating method for mechanisms at stage three or higher? Don't foolishly claim you figured it out on your own. I can see through that lie even without listening to the end…"

"……"

It was impossible for Ho Cheon-gang, whose mechanism formation score was abysmal compared to other areas, to have figured out the mechanism operating method of the Cheongwan on his own. There was no way the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword Gang Ha-yun wouldn't know that. Gang Ha-yun was the one who knew the personal details of every resident in this Geomhon Hall like the back of his hand.

However, unfortunately, no matter how much he was reprimanded and interrogated, Ho Cheon-gang absolutely could not reveal that. If there was one thing he couldn't reveal, it was that. This incident had to end with him being the sole planner and executor. Their relationship absolutely had to remain a secret. Enduring the fierce murderous intent and anger of the Iron-Blooded Supervisor Gang Ha-yun, Ho Cheon-gang remained silent. It was truly unbearable torment and torture. Ho Cheon-gang's complexion grew paler. But his lips, as if glued, did not utter a single word.

"You mean you can't speak? Or is there a reason you can't speak? If you try to evade the truth like that, you should be prepared to spend over three months in the Huigye-dong!"

Gang Ha-yun said resolutely. Gang Ha-yun's words were like a final ultimatum to Ho Cheon-gang. It was like a bolt from the blue.

"H-Huigye-dong! S-Supervisor…"

As the word "Huigye-dong" fell, Ho Cheon-gang jumped up in surprise like a startled cat. His voice trembled severely with fear. This was a prodigy who was the expectation of an entire sect, now trembling. Huigye-dong, a place still shrouded in mystery, a place of fear where the number of people who entered and emerged normally was truly countable on one's fingers. Even at the Cheonmu Academy, where carefully selected individuals gathered from countless martial artists, Huigye-dong was synonymous with terror.

And three months in such a terrible place? Three months, though it might not seem like a long time at first glance, was said by the world to be an incredibly long period of hardship, trials, and adversity for those who experienced it. Those who experienced it remained tight-lipped, leading to widespread speculation. While they say ten years can change mountains and rivers, three months in Huigye-dong would change a person while mountains and rivers remained intact. That's how fearsome and cruel the punishment of being sent to Huigye-dong was, even within the Cheonmu Academy. Ho Cheon-gang's face turned as black as a corpse. He looked so utterly pathetic that one would believe he was a corpse being prepared for burial.

Gang Ha-yun quietly observed Ho Cheon-gang, who was anxiously trembling with a face like a corpse's friend. He had gained some insight from Ho Cheon-gang's actions.

"Still, you won't speak? It's not that I can't guess. Not many people can do this. And among them, only two people would help someone pull off such a flashy scheme. It's only them, isn't it?"

Ho Cheon-gang's heart sank at Gang Ha-yun's sharp intuition. However, he put on a brave face and feigned ignorance.

"Wh-what are you talking about? I don't understand at all. How can there be accomplices in something I planned and executed alone? I'm not a ghost…"

"It is a ghost!"

Gang Ha-yun said with a sneer.

"Yes?"

"It is a ghost, a ghost indeed. And not just any ghost, but a demon with horns. The biggest troublemaker and most disciplined at Cheonmu Academy, holder of countless other worst and most records, Cheonmu Academy's worst partner, the academy's headache, God's mistake. How about it? Am I wrong?"

Gang Ha-yun seemed to have hit the nail on the head. However, even though everything might have been exposed, Ho Cheon-gang stubbornly maintained his silence.

"……"

"Even after it has come to this, you still won't speak? Or are you going to talk about petty loyalty at this point? No, you probably can't. Even thinking about those two makes my head throb, so you wouldn't want to be tormented by them. Are you afraid of retaliation?"

"……"

A noticeable stir appeared on Ho Cheon-gang's face. His wavering emotions were evident.

"In any case, you are the one who caused the incident, so you cannot evade this responsibility. In the worst-case scenario, the sect might even be notified. For now, your disciplinary action will be decided in consultation with the Enforcement Court, and it will be postponed."

Despair flickered across Ho Cheon-gang's face. With Gang Ha-yun's judgment just moments ago, he had tumbled into the abyss of despair without any safety net. Gang Ha-yun ignored Ho Cheon-gang, who was trembling with fear and worry, and glared at the group of Bi Ryu-yeon. His gaze was as sharp as a well-honed blade.

"And you three!"

"Yes!"

The three responded simultaneously. Perhaps overwhelmed by Gang Ha-yun's power, they were also a little tense.

"Your offenses will be taken into consideration, and for this time only, you will be forgiven. However, remember not to appear before my eyes in wrongdoing ever again! Next time, there will be no forgiveness or consideration!"

"Yes, thank you."

Gang Ha-yun's gaze fell on Jang Hong, who was standing at the back of the three. His scrutinizing gaze was unusual, but Jang Hong pretended not to notice, even though he knew. Gang Ha-yun also did not pursue Jang Hong's impolite attitude.

In fact, Gang Ha-yun's decision was unexpected. Given how relentlessly he had pursued and reprimanded Ho Cheon-gang, it was expected that they would also receive considerable disciplinary action.

"Then you may leave!"

Gang Ha-yun, true to his name as the Iron-Blooded Supervisor, did not forget to leave the group of Bi Ryu-yeon with a final word. It was a warning and a threat that watchful eyes would always be upon them. Nevertheless, fortunately, the Iron-Blooded Merciless Sword Gang Ha-yun, though ruthless, was not an idiot who couldn't grasp the situation. He was a man of principle. Bi Ryu-yeon, who was one of the main culprits behind the destruction of the Geomhon Hall's mechanisms, was acquitted, defying everyone's expectations. Gang Ha-yun, who seemed blinded by anger, surprisingly made a clear judgment. Bi Ryu-yeon was able to avoid being punished along with Ho Cheon-gang because his self-defense against Ho Cheon-gang's surprise attack was recognized as legitimate defense.

Ho Cheon-gang's disappointment and unfairness regarding this were almost at a desperate level. He had at least found minimal comfort in the thought that Bi Ryu-yeon would also face joint responsibility, but even that minimal comfort had abandoned him. Left alone in the room after the three had left, he muttered continuously like a person out of his mind.

"It's not over yet! Not yet…"

Thus, he mumbled like a person out of his mind.