Book 6 Chapter 6

Who won between the Azure Dragon Clan and the Vermillion Bird Clan?

- Biryun is incredibly angry!

Shouldn't glory naturally go to the victors?

However, there was no sign of glory anywhere on the faces of the Vermillion Bird Clan members with their heads bowed to the ground.

Except for Dangsam and a few others who were severely injured, the able-bodied men of the Vermillion Bird Clan had their heads buried in the ground, while the female members were each holding a chair over their heads. They looked like young children being scolded for dozing off during class in a library.

Each time Biryun's furious gaze was fixed on their bodies in turn, the pitiful Vermillion Bird Clan members couldn't help but flinch.

"Hey! You guys got beaten by them? Do you want to die?"

The Vermillion Bird Clan, which had not escaped unscathed from the fierce battle that had just ended, was not in great shape.

But they had won. Although they struggled at first, they ultimately emerged victorious. Yet, for some reason, Biryun was leaping around in front of the Vermillion Bird Clan members.

Yeom Do merely stood behind Biryun with a stern expression, like a decorative screen. But his twitching cheek showed that he was struggling to contain his laughter.

When he heard the word "lost" from Binggeom Gwancheolsu, who had a "cold face," Yeom Do felt that there had never been a happier or more exhilarating day. He felt like grabbing a stranger and dancing. But Biryun didn't seem to feel the same.

Of course, Biryun wasn't too upset because he had won. His money was safe and had even returned tenfold. This was, of course, a very happy and satisfying outcome. The problem lay elsewhere.

The problem was that they had won, but barely. Biryun had hoped for a win that showed a more significant difference in skill.

Others might think this a ridiculous demand, but Biryun felt differently. He was bothered by the fact that they had struggled even for a moment.

The Vermillion Bird Clan members were just waiting to be told to stand up, but Biryun showed no sign of giving the order.

Even though the men had their heads bowed to the ground, and the women held chairs over their heads, dripping with sweat, the fact remained that the Vermillion Bird Clan was now the most skilled among the Four Divine Beasts of the Cheonmu Academy.

The team combat between the Azure Dragon Clan and the Vermillion Bird Clan, held in early winter, produced an unexpected result, shattering everyone's expectations and ending in a complete victory for the Vermillion Bird Clan.

In fact, the outcome was almost predetermined. The combat might have been merely a formal confirmation.

The two sides approached the fight differently. The Vermillion Bird Clan was in a desperate situation, as if they had burned their bridges. A swordsman facing pursuers with a cliff behind them! That was the stark psychological state of the Vermillion Bird Clan.

If they had lost, there were two people waiting to "steam" them, meaning to deal with them severely.

Some might argue that two people aren't many, but if those two were their mentor Yeom Do and their senior disciple Biryun, the story changes.

It was natural for them to fight with all their might. In contrast, the Azure Dragon Clan, already arrogant, had become even more boastful after receiving guidance from Binggeom Gwancheolsu. Their thought was, "We've become even more perfect, so who can be our match?" Thus, the outcome was already decided from the start. The Vermillion Bird Clan charged forward without regard for their own safety, while the Azure Dragon Clan was focused on defending themselves. Although it wasn't a fight for life and death, it was a matter of life and death for the Vermillion Bird Clan. Therefore, the Vermillion Bird Clan sustained more injuries, but the victory went to them.

Perhaps a new wind was blowing.

A year passed, and a new one dawned. Biryun, who had caused great trouble and had many experiences and incidents throughout a colorful and splendid year, was also promoted without incident to his second year.

Of course, it was an unbelievable fact that was incomprehensible to those around him, but surprisingly, Biryun did not fail. Setting aside his qualifications and capabilities as a senior, Biryun had now become a proper senior himself.

Of course, as usual, fresh and vibrant juniors joined this year. However, Biryun had no time to pay attention to such things.

He had just heard something that made him doubt his own ears.

"Where?"

Biryun asked with a peculiar expression. He was feigning calmness, but his heart was far from peaceful.

Namgoong Sang couldn't help but flinch under Biryun's sharp, axe-like gaze. Biryun's intent to flay him alive was palpable. In such moments, one had to be careful.

"Where did you say?"

Biryun asked again, as if to confirm.

"…Emei Mountain!"

"Do you want to die? Do you want to die? Shall I sign your death certificate for you?"

"Gasp! Senior Disciple! Please… please save me! Gasp!"

Biryun moved like lightning, and in an instant, he grabbed Namgoong Sang by the collar and attempted to choke him.

With his breath being choked off, Namgoong Sang couldn't even breathe properly.

"Where did you say? That's a lie, right? You're kidding, right? If you say it's not this time, I'm willing to forgive you. It's a lie, right? Isn't it?"

Namgoong Sang wanted to say it wasn't, but was that something he could control? Reality was colder than eternal ice and snow, with the disadvantage of not being customizable to one's will.

"Gasp… I… I'm sorry. It's true."

"Is it truly true?"

Biryun released the collar he had been gripping and asked again. His entire body exuded a killing intent, indicating that he would not let it go if the answer was the same. Namgoong Sang, with a deathly pale face, lowered his head. This was why he didn't want to take on this role. But how could they casually assign such a dangerous task to him, the head of the sect? All the friendship they had built up was gone, replaced by a hatred that made his teeth grind. The image of Jin Ling looking at him with a sympathetic face as he left did not leave his mind.

'Miss Jin, even if I don't return alive, please remember this one thing: that I loved you!'

Namgoong Sang closed his eyes tightly and replied.

"It's true. The destination for the Senior Disciple's intensive training this time has been decided as Emei Mountain."

"…"

And then a long silence that felt like an eternity. Namgoong Sang was inwardly terrified, fearing when a fist might fly and send him to the next world. But it was too quiet. Had he been too shocked?

"Gungsang."

"Yes! Yes! Senior Disciple!"

Namgoong Sang answered hastily, startled. His extreme tension was evident.

"Would you want to go there?"

Biryun asked in a quiet tone. The rage that had been boiling just moments before was nowhere to be seen.

Namgoong Sang shook his head vigorously. Unless he was insane, he never wanted to go to such a dreadful place again.

"Ah… No. How could that be! Absolutely, absolutely I don't want to go again."

"Hoho… Is that so? You don't want to go…!"

"Yes!"

Namgoong Sang answered with conviction. Judging by his firm stance, there was no need to verify whether he was sincere or not.

Biryun didn't stop there and continued to ask.

"You don't want to meet such a wicked master again, more than dying, right?"

"Yes!"

"You think it's better to die here than to meet your master again, right?"

"Yes! That's right."

"You don't even want to recall such nightmares again, do you?"

"Yes! You felt the same way, Senior Disciple. We suffered so much and endured all kinds of abuse back then, it's a terrible nightmare that sends shivers down my spine and makes my legs tremble just thinking about it."

Namgoong Sang's pent-up complaints poured out like a flood. Namgoong Sang, unable to control his overwhelming emotions, failed to notice that the smile on Biryun's face before him was growing deeper and colder. Furthermore, he didn't notice the veins bulging on his forehead that seemed friendly, as they were hidden by his long bangs.

He didn't realize he was digging his own grave in front of the person he was speaking to. Crucially, Namgoong Sang's biggest mistake was not knowing that the master Biryun was referring to was a completely different person from the master he knew.

"Hehehe! Really? Is that so!"

He actually harbored such thoughts! Biryun's tone slightly rose. It was very annoying, but it wasn't the time to dwell on it.

"Even though you really don't want to go… honestly, I don't want to go either."

Biryun said in a voice with a peculiar tone.

Namgoong Sang had spoken carelessly without knowing who was standing before him.

Biryun never forgot such trivial matters; rather, he etched them into his heart. But that wasn't the problem now.

Although for different reasons than Namgoong Sang, Biryun also had no desire to go to Emei Mountain. No, for him, Emei Mountain was a place he absolutely, under no circumstances, could go.

What if he were caught there by chance!

Biryun shuddered at the thought.

'As long as I can't defeat that monstrous old master, I can never approach within 500 ri of Emei Mountain. Not until I obtain the power of the Thunder God, the ultimate secret art…'

Then there was only one way.

He had to change the location by any means necessary. And there was only one person who could do that.

'Right! Yeom Do!'

Biryun decided to consult with Yeom Do immediately. He put aside the matter of punishing the incompetent Gungsang, who still lacked respect and awe for his master, and rushed off.

That night, bizarre moans and shrieks erupted from Yeom Do's quarters, but they were dismissed as mere rumors.

It was questionable whether grabbing someone by the collar and shaking them until their bones rattled could be called a consultation, but after a dynamic consultation with Biryun, Yeom Do had no choice but to visit the quarters of Ma Jin-ga, the head of Cheonmu Academy, with a haggard face and a bitter expression as soon as the sun rose the next day.

Biryun had absolutely no desire to go to Emei Mountain, let alone anywhere near Sichuan Province, where Emei Mountain was located. He wasn't foolish enough to walk into hell itself.