Book 3 Chapter 17

Intelligence regarding Bi Ryuyeon acquired.

At the same time that Bi Ryuyeon turned one of Wi Jicheon's sleeves into a blood-stained rag, Baek Mujin, the brains of the Nine Orthodox Sects, was suffering from a severe headache due to two men.

He was overworking his brain with three times the usual amount of accident analysis because of those two. His brain was about to explode due to another piece of new information that had just arrived.

"Is this true?"

Of course, it was true, but the information was so absurd that Baek Mujin looked at Ilbi, who was standing in front of him, for a moment. There had never been an error in the information brought by Ilbi, a direct intelligence agent of the Flying Shadow Pavilion, and he firmly believed in his abilities. After all, he was the leader of the Ten Secret Teams under the Flying Shadow Pavilion, the best intelligence organization boasted by Cheonmu Academy.

He soon admitted his mistake without hesitation.

"I misspoke."

Ilbi also nodded silently. It was a sign that he wouldn't be too bothered. Baek Mujin slowly peered into the report with a grave expression again. He seemed displeased that such a shocking fact was written in that small report. He didn't want to overwork his brain any further, but the surrounding circumstances didn't allow it.

"I never imagined that he would have a connection with Master Yeomdo. That he, who dislikes associating with others so much, would be involved in an incident with him…"

Baek Mujin referred to Yeomdo as "Master" because he had already become one of the martial arts masters at Cheonmu Academy. The report contained information related to a very unpleasant incident that occurred recently at Hoajang. He had suspected that the Hoajang incident was somehow connected to Bi Ryuyeon, but he had not anticipated such a deep entanglement, especially with such an unexpected person.

"In that case, should we consider him Master Yeomdo's successor?"

First, he assumed that perhaps this man named Bi Ryuyeon was Yeomdo's disciple. However, the possibility seemed unlikely.

"According to the witness testimonies, it doesn't seem so."

"That's understandable. Even looking at his hair color, there's no sign that he has mastered the Fire Spirit Divine Art. If he ranked first in the special admission exam, he must possess martial arts beyond a certain level, but it's clear his martial arts are not the Fire Spirit Divine Art. The martial arts he used in the special exam were also not the Fire Spirit Divine Art. And the weapon he's currently using is not a sword…"

As his thoughts went that far, he recalled the fact that Bi Ryuyeon did not carry any weapons on his person.

"It's most reasonable to consider him a master of physical combat for now. If not, he might be a truly terrifying individual."

"Why is that?"

Ilbi, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth and asked. He knew well that the person in front of him enjoyed answering such occasional questions. It was also a subordinate's duty to indulge their superior's amusement.

"It's only natural. How can someone with the skill to hide their true abilities and enter Cheonmu Academy, especially at number one, be an ordinary person?"

"That's impossible, of course."

Ilbi readily agreed with his opinion. As always, Baek Mujin's opinion was irrefutable.

"I hope this prediction proves wrong. I would want nothing more than for it to end as mere unfounded anxiety. If this prediction also comes true, we will have another formidable competitor, which would be a truly tragic situation."

With Mo Yonghwi alone, the situation was already complicated. If another competitor of similar importance appeared, the situation would become irreparably tangled like a ball of yarn. The current chaos was tantamount to their defeat. He wanted to prevent the worst-case scenario somehow.

"Even with the Seven-Severing Divine Sword, Mo Yonghwi, the situation is already uncertain. If another major variable besides him emerges, we might not be able to handle it. Shall we eliminate him?"

Baek Mujin said, looking at Ilbi. Although he said that, Ilbi and Baek Mujin both knew that he couldn't do it. They couldn't escalate the matter unnecessarily. After all, they were descendants of the Nine Orthodox Sects, a prestigious and orthodox sect. If they resorted to cowardly tricks to change the situation, what would be the difference from the demonic path? As long as they had their wits about them, they had no intention of committing the folly of smearing their own faces with dirt.

"We will increase surveillance, and…"

"Please focus more on information gathering. We still lack sufficient information compared to other individuals."

Baek Mujin added further instructions.

"Understood. I will mobilize Flying Shadow Pavilion agents and focus more on information gathering."

Since he had promised to do so, Baek Mujin would likely be faced with stacks of reports on his desk within a few days. He trusted Ilbi. And Ilbi had never disappointed him even once before.

"That person truly likes to associate with odd individuals. None of the people he has met are insignificant."

Ilbi did not argue with his statement. He simply melted into the darkness and listened to his words.

"Based solely on the people he has met so far, he already qualifies as a dangerous individual. Jin Seonggon, Im Seongjin, the Twin Ghosts of Cheonmu, Dang Cheolgi and Cheon Sohae, Bi Yeontae… He truly has a severe lack of talent for meeting decent people."

It was truly amazing how he could only meet people who were so incredibly dangerous and whose mental states were highly questionable troublemakers. However, for Baek Mujin, Bi Ryuyeon's bizarre social skills were something he could never welcome. Bi Ryuyeon's actions gave him the impression of a series of thunderous bombs strung together. It was common knowledge, requiring no experimentation, that the power of thunderous bombs connected together was tens of times greater than when they were separate.

Muttering the names of the renowned figures of Cheongwan, each considered a dangerous individual, Baek Mujin fell into thought. It was impossible to predict how the situation would develop if left as it was. If, by chance – though the possibility was very slim – the connected thunderous bombs were to explode simultaneously due to a stray spark, the Nine Orthodox Sects, caught in the explosion, would not be spared. Even the slightest possibility was enough reason. It was desperately necessary to minimize the risk of such a perilous and potentially disastrous situation.

"Let's impose some restrictions."

He finally made a decision. It was a more constructive thought than standing by and getting blindsided. Moreover, wouldn't probing yield more information?

"Who will you send?"

"Since those individuals belong to Geomhon Sect, let's send Ilun Muyeong, Chu Iltae."

"That person?"

Ilbi's brow furrowed slightly. It was a stance that did not actively support Baek Mujin's suggestion.

"Are you uneasy about entrusting the task to him?"

Sensing Ilbi's displeasure, Baek Mujin asked. He was not someone who easily revealed his emotions. Ilbi replied as if he had been waiting.

"He is too frivolous to be considered a member of the Nine Orthodox Sects. Have you already forgotten what kind of person he is? It would be better to be more careful with the selection."

Ilbi was, as always, cautious.

"I have also heard that he has forgotten his duty as a swordsman and is deeply engrossed in stealth and evasion techniques. He even adopted a nickname related to that. Ilun Muyeong… It seems to be a manifestation of his confidence that he can hide himself without a trace even in broad daylight."

"He is a descendant of the Nine Orthodox Sects, yet he neglects his sword and is engrossed in miscellaneous arts. I fear that entrusting this task to such a person will lead to another disgrace of the Nine Orthodox Sects' honor."

"You don't trust his character and integrity."

"Of course. If I were to trust his character, I might as well…"

He almost said that it would be better to trust the loyalty of a passing stray dog, but Ilbi managed to swallow the words.

"He is truly a person full of distrust. But isn't that even more interesting?"

"Pardon?"

It was a statement that was hard to believe coming from someone who knew better than anyone that this was not a matter to be discussed in terms of amusement.

"Isn't there a saying, 'Poison conquers poison'? If both sides inflict damage on each other, then I, or rather our Nine Orthodox Sects, couldn't ask for more. Isn't it a waste not to use what can be used?"

Even if the man's character and integrity were unreliable, his skills could not be criticized. Objectively, he possessed undeniable martial arts skills that no one could ignore. If only his character matched, it would have been perfect, but not everything in the world goes as planned.

"Understood."

Ilbi nodded as if he was finally convinced. And he secretly hoped that the man would be dealt with in this opportunity. If that were the case, he couldn't ask for more.

"But I have one question."

Baek Mujin, who had finally convinced Ilbi, asked.

"What is it?"

"I never knew that you, an agent of the Flying Shadow Pavilion, would evaluate stealth and evasion techniques so lowly. Miscellaneous arts? It's truly surprising."

Thinking about it, it was true. For a Flying Shadow Pavilion intelligence agent who lived by secrecy, stealth and evasion techniques were the most important skills. It was a matter of life and death. Yet, to dismiss it as mere miscellaneous arts…

"I am also a member of the Nine Orthodox Sects. Compared to the infinite Dao contained within the sword, stealth and evasion techniques are just a minor secondary skill. I only learned them out of necessity, but I don't like them."

Ilbi's stance was firm.

"That is truly a contradiction. You, who possess the best stealth skills in the Ten Secret Teams, dislike stealth techniques… It's the complete opposite of Ilun Muyeong, Chu Iltae. I can understand why you dislike Chu Iltae so much."

"Do you have any further instructions regarding the specifics?"

Ilbi changed the subject, as it was not a topic that should be prolonged. Baek Mujin did not press further.

"Tell him that the method is up to him. Even if I told him how, he wouldn't act according to instructions anyway. Even if I gave him a brilliant plan, it would be in vain."

He didn't want to waste his mind pointlessly. Ilbi strongly agreed with Baek Mujin's opinion this time. It was unimaginable that such a wayward person would properly carry out instructions. Indeed, as the best brain of Cheonmu Academy, his judgment of people was accurate. And he knew how to use them most effectively and efficiently.

"Understood."

"Then, please work hard."

It was a signal to leave. Ilbi, his task completed, disappeared like a phantom as always. Even if he himself disparaged his stealth and evasion techniques, no one could disparage his skills.

"The pillars of the orthodox sects are solely our Nine Great Sects. We have no intention of handing them over to anyone else. Therefore, it is time to brace yourselves."

Left alone in the dark office, he muttered to himself. Baek Mujin, who desperately wanted to rest quietly, was soon to be faced with another report of a clash between Bi Ryuyeon and Wi Jicheon, causing him to clutch his head again. The rest he was taking now was a precious, fleeting moment. For the time being, he would be in a pathetic situation where he couldn't rest comfortably with his legs stretched out, even if he wanted to. The cause of all this stemmed from Bi Ryuyeon.