Book 20 Chapter 1

Wailing

―And Rain

Swooooosh!

Did a hole break through the sky? Thick raindrops pounded the earth like mad. As if a mournful cry tore at the listener's heart, the fierce downpour cruelly stirred the heavens and earth. It was as if the earth wept in response to the sky's outburst. As if to swallow even that powerful cry, a wail close to a scream erupted from somewhere. It was from the mourning hall, located in a secluded part of the Cheonmu Academy.

"No, Sang! Don't leave me!"

A woman dressed in pure white mourning clothes clung to a black coffin, screaming. The woman, who still looked young, shed tears endlessly. Her eyes, hidden by the tears flowing like rain, could no longer be opened properly.

"Young Lady Jin! Young Lady Jin! …Please calm down."

Hyeoun, clenching his fists so hard they might shatter, forced his words out, enduring his pain.

"Jinryeong-ah! Calm down, please! Calm down!"

Namgung Sansan, a fellow member of the Seven Peaks, a colleague, and her lover's sister, tried to calm the dazed Jinryeong, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

However, despite their efforts, Jinryeong refused to let go of the ominous black coffin. Her eyes, red from endless tears, and her face, pale from breathless sobs, looked as if she would faint at any moment. Tears continued to pour from her eyes like a breached dam in the rainy season.

"Kueueueuk!"

The Suzaku members standing in a line a little distance away, watching the scene, looked solemn. Some bit their lips, as if trying to suppress their grief, while others clenched their fists so tightly they seemed about to draw blood. Some even clawed their thighs with their hands. All of them were desperately trying to swallow something down.

"Troublesome."

Cheongheun shook his head and said.

"You're right. It's become quite a headache."

Baek Muyeong agreed.

"I didn't think it would come to this…"

Things really couldn't have gotten any more twisted. Moreover, in this situation, their job was to examine the body. Their role was to separate the woman, who was clinging to the black coffin in a daze, and open the coffin to examine the corpse lying inside.

However, it was unlikely that the Suzaku members, clad in white martial arts uniforms with white sashes, would willingly permit this with a cheerful heart, unlike Jinryeong in her white mourning clothes. Therefore, they couldn't even dare to suggest examining the body. They felt the sharp gazes of those who seemed ready to hack them to pieces if they so much as uttered the words. While their courage was greater than others, they had absolutely no desire to risk their lives calculating the odds in such an ambiguous, unsettling, tricky, and frustrating situation.

"Cheongheun, can you defeat Young Lady Jin?"

"Why me specifically?"

Cheongheun retorted with a displeased expression.

"Who else here, besides you, can dare to exchange swords with Young Lady Jin?"

"You too! You're also one of the Nine Dragons Seven Peaks. Why are you dragging me into this? Unlike you, I'm weak against women. So please leave me out. Besides, Young Lady Jin is not the same Young Lady Jin from three years ago! Even I can't guarantee a victory without injury. Furthermore, Hyeoun, the sword of the Nine Dragons, is standing next to her. If he joins in, even I would be no match. That friend Hyeoun, though always smiling, his sword isn't as gentle as his face."

"So… it's impossible without bloodshed?"

It was the consistent claim of the Suzaku members that they did not want to insult the deceased. They tried to persuade them, explaining that both academy rules and national laws permitted the examination of bodies in such cases, but it was in vain. They had clearly decided internally to resist to the death. Especially Jinryeong, who had suddenly lost her beloved lover, was almost out of her mind. She clearly showed that she would not stand idly by if anyone even approached the coffin, let alone touched it.

"What do we do now, Munseong?"

Cheongheun asked Baek Muyeong, who was contemplating. At times like this, it was Baek Muyeong's role to devise strategies. However, Baek Muyeong was not living up to his role at the moment.

"What can we do?"

His short, bewildered retort contained not a speck of thought. No matter how much he wracked his brain, a sharp and ingenious solution wouldn't come to mind.

"Are you going to force your way through?"

In such cases, negotiation by words was obviously useless, and the remaining options were very limited. Baek Muyeong shook his head.

"No, a forced breakthrough is impossible. The academy atmosphere is already volatile, and there's public sympathy for them. Causing a dispute over the deceased's body would be unwise. If we force it, we'll be labeled as villains without a doubt."

"Aren't you already a villain?"

Cheongheun widened his eyes in surprise, as if he had just realized it.

"Thank you!"

Baek Muyeong accepted his joke with sincere gratitude, which flustered Cheongheun.

"Wh-what are you thankful for?"

"Thank you for saving my life."

"No, when did I save your life? This is the first I've heard of it."

"Haven't you heard the saying that a warrior dies for those who recognize them?"

"Of course, I've heard it."

If his memory served him correctly, it seemed to be a passage from Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian.

"Exactly. That means there's no need to die for someone who doesn't recognize you. How grateful I am that I don't have to die for you! I've gained an extra life, haven't I?"

"…"

"No, why are you like this? Your face looks very displeased and your complexion isn't good?"

"Um… let's go back."

Cheongheun gave up on the conversation and turned away. There was no need to say more.

Cheongheun walked ahead with satisfaction.

The academy was in an uproar.

Namgung Sang, the direct descendant of the Namgung family, one of the Seven Peaks, the leader of the Suzaku, and a promising next-generation talent destined to lead the Cheonmu Academy, was dead. The repercussions were greater than imagined.

He had elevated the Suzaku, which was treated as the lowest of the four groups, to the undisputed top position among the Four Sacred Beast groups, and had caused a stir by winning consecutive victories in subsequent competitions. And that's not all! Leading the Suzaku, still a student group, he had repeatedly vanquished major bandit groups like Cheonryongchai, changing the roster of seventy-two forest strongholds three or four times, and he never hesitated to face numerous enemies who challenged him head-on. His performance at the last Huashan Treaty Branch was also remarkable.

Some hasty individuals even claimed that only Namgung Sang, the Lightning Sword Dragon, could defeat Yong Cheonmyeong, the shining star of Shaolin and the master of Gujeong Hall. He had become almost a legend among not only new students but also those who had failed to enter the academy. His followers were also increasing day by day. He had already reached a position distinctly different from three years ago.

To the people, Namgung Sang was not an elusive master like Bi Ryuyeon, who suddenly appeared and felt out of place, but a truly realistic master who felt as if he were clinging to their skin.

Therefore, no one had expected him to be defeated by a mere "peep" hunter who only hunted fledglings. It was natural for everyone to be shocked, as if they had been hit hard on the back of the head with a hammer.

The shock spread like wildfire, and his story could be heard everywhere. There was no need for publicity to spread this story. Everyone enthusiastically embraced it.

While Cheonmu Academy was in a state of shock and confusion over Namgung Sang's death, Jang Hong visited Bi Ryuyeon without a sound. Outside, everyone was so frenzied about Namgung Sang's death that no one paid any attention to Bi Ryuyeon.

"It seems things went well."

As soon as he saw Jang Hong's face, who had come to see him again, Bi Ryuyeon said.

"Huh? Went well?"

Jang Hong expressed his doubt at Bi Ryuyeon's words, which sounded like he was a mind reader.

"Where do you get such certainty? I haven't said anything yet."

"Do you have to say it out loud? When there are people everywhere who can't understand even when spoken to, to rely on such a flimsy tool as words, tsk tsk tsk! And more than anything, it's all written on your face."

"It's all written on my face? Do you think my face is a scribble pad?"

For someone like Jang Hong, who had received special training to hide his emotions, such a remark was a direct insult.

"I'm glad you know that well."

"Wh-what!"

Although he was intentionally loosening his control at the moment, being pointed out like that was by no means a pleasant experience.

"What does my face look like?"

Jang Hong asked, already contemplating how to retort.

"Hmm… like a child who set a whole house on fire while playing with fire?"

The metaphor, piercing his heart like a dagger, left Jang Hong speechless.

"It seems to be true. Good."

Bi Ryuyeon said indifferently.

"Is that good? Things have gotten too big. Honestly, I didn't expect it to escalate to this extent. I intended to just start a small campfire, but now it's spreading rapidly like a wildfire on a windy day. Honestly, my head is about to split trying to figure out how to resolve this situation."

"That's why it's good. Your reputation has increased."

Bi Ryuyeon said with a calm face as if nothing had happened.

"Is this an increase in reputation? It's chaos! It's a huge commotion! It's no exaggeration to say the entire academy is in a whirlpool of confusion."

"Even bad reputation is better than no reputation. To let the villain, wherever they may be, know our intentions well, we need to create a lot of noise. The louder the commotion, the more advantageous it is for us. Since the fire has already started, it needs to be big to be seen from afar, right?"

"That's true… but… I'm worried that we'll be completely consumed before they even notice the fire."

"If you only have that much capability, then you have no choice but to leave behind ashes."

"You're cold-blooded."

"You just realized that? You're quite slow, old man."

"Ahem, regardless, I feel sorry for Mr. Gungsang."

"That kind of unique experience is something not everyone can have, so it's a windfall. So don't feel sorry."

Jang Hong was bewildered by Bi Ryuyeon's words.

"I'm worried I might have misheard, so I'll ask again… are you referring to dying when you say that special experience?"

"No!"

Bi Ryuyeon shook his head.

"Then…?"

"Dying and coming back to life!"

Jang Hong's legs wobbled for a moment, but he managed to regain his balance.

"It's amazing that Senior Gungsang even thought of granting such a difficult request. To discard his life like straw for a friend like you."

The last part was sarcastic.

"Of course! Isn't it all thanks to the good deeds I've accumulated?"

If Namgung Sang were present, he would have vomited blood and drowned in the pool of blood.

"Good deeds? Isn't that the first thing lost from your sanity? Since when did you gain the ability to create something from nothing?"

"Who knows?"

Bi Ryuyeon intentionally ignored Jang Hong's suspicious gaze.

Finally, Jang Hong sighed deeply and surrendered.

"Sigh! Forget it, forget it. If you don't want to say it, you don't have to. Well, you must have caught some weakness that can be exploited."

That was the limit of Jang Hong's deduction.

"Speaking of which, what happened to the coffin?"

To Bi Ryuyeon's question, Jang Hong scratched his head.

"Well… that's causing another commotion. There's been some trouble…"

"Trouble? What trouble?"

"People from the Muwondae have appeared, insisting that the body must be examined. They claim it's an administratively necessary procedure. The problem is that it's true. They are just carrying out their duties."

"So?"

"They are currently in a standoff. They insist they absolutely cannot hand over the coffin until Young Lady Jin does."

"Hmm, that sounds like it will be quite noisy."

Would there be anyone capable of persuading Jinryeong? Because the answer was highly doubtful, Bi Ryuyeon remained calm.

"What do you do now, Ryuyeon? This has become a huge event!"

Jang Hong asked with a worried tone.

"It's good. This hot reaction, even felt warmly in this cold underworld! It's beyond expectations!"

"To say such carefree words so calmly… Damn, I'm always impressed when I see you."

"Hoh ho ho ho, admire me as much as you want."

Bi Ryuyeon said smugly.

"By the way, this aftermath, and… I doubt it will end well…"

"They say that as you get older, only wrinkles and worries increase. Don't worry. The fact that it's still quiet outside means nothing has happened. Then it should be fine."

The instigator of the incident remained nonchalant.

"Hey, Ryuyeon, I have a question."

Jang Hong asked.

"If it's just one, what is it? Ask away."

"Where… did you dispose of the body? That coffin, I mean…"

"It was empty?"

"Yes, that's right! It's not about disrespecting the dead, but isn't it a bigger problem that there's nothing to be disrespected inside the coffin!"

That's right. The coffin that Jinryeong and Hyeoun were protectively guarding with tears and cries was an empty coffin.

"Don't worry! I asked someone I know well to take care of it."

"Do I look like I'm not worried? Where is that place? Can't you at least tell me secretly?"

"Can I consider that question a second one? I only prepared one answer, so my stock is depleted now…"

It was a clear refusal.

"Hey, Ryuyeon! Between us, are you going to do this?"

Bi Ryuyeon exclaimed in surprise at Jang Hong's protest.

"Old man, if someone overhears, it'll be a big deal! What do you mean 'between us'? We have no 'between us'! Don't say things that could be misinterpreted. Do you want to ruin someone's marriage prospects? Besides, you're not my type!"

Bi Ryuyeon stated firmly.

"To say something so disappointing! Aren't we bound by strong friendship? Please tell me!"

"Oh, you should have asked properly the first time. Then the answer would have already been given. You don't ask questions properly, so you don't get proper answers. I'll give you this lesson for free as a bonus."

And then he stopped talking about the matter any further.

"Tch, I give up, I give up!"

He knew very well that it would take a considerable cost to get Bi Ryuyeon to open his mouth again after closing it.

"My pockets are empty today, so I'll be leaving. Next time, please tell me the answer."

"I'll consider it if you fill your pockets first."

As Bi Ryuyeon waved him goodbye, Jang Hong's departing footsteps stopped abruptly, and he turned back to say.

"You cheapskate!"

Then Bi Ryuyeon responded with a smile.

"Your praise!"

"Are you alright… Young Lady Jin?"

Hyeoun asked with a worried expression, holding a white handkerchief in one hand.

"Waaah! What do I do, Hyeoun? My tears won't stop."

Jinryeong complained, showing her red, swollen eyes. Hyeoun flinched at her pathetic appearance and unconsciously took a step back.

"Tsk tsk, for someone of the Amieil Peak, you look worse than if you had been stung by a hornet. What did you use to make your eyes so swollen?"

"This!"

With that, Jinryeong showed the handkerchief she had been holding all day to wipe her tears. Inside was something like a small pouch tied in a circle.

"What on earth is this?"

"Chili powder… *sniffle*… and minced onion. *sniffle*."

"Cough!"

Hyeoun's face contorted. He couldn't imagine the pain. Of course, he would rather not experience it.

"The effect must have been incredible."

"Sob, *sniffle sniffle*… So… it still hurts. *sniffle sniffle*."

"Who on earth recommended such a cruel and terrible method?"

"Sob… Who else could it be… *sniffle sniffle*. Only one person… *sniffle*!"

Hyeoun nodded as if he understood.

"As expected… it must be the Senior Disciple…"

"Sniff! That's right! *Sniff*."

Jinryeong nodded as if it was unfair.

"I was a fool to follow Senior Disciple's words without question. *Sniff*."

"But the effect was incredible, wasn't it? Everyone had a hard time suppressing their laughter. Here, look at my hand too."

Hyeoun's hand, extended in front of Jinryeong, was deeply scratched by fingernails and had turned very red.

"It must have been hard to endure. *Sniffle sniffle*!"

"Yes. Other friends probably have marks on them somewhere too. Whether it's their lips or their thighs."

"But is there anyone in worse condition than me?"

Hyeoun thought for a moment, shook his head, and replied.

"Hmm… no!"