Book 8 Chapter 4

The Visitors of the Cheonmu Academy

"Ugh… I'm so bored… Can't something happen?"

The sky was high and blue, and horses worried about losing weight from being too fat. It was an autumn afternoon! Guard duty at the main gate was dry and tedious!

Their limbs felt like they were stretching with syrup, so languid were they.

Seon Jeong-seong and Yi Mun-seon, second-year disciples of the Gonlun Sect, were so bored they could die.

"My whole body feels so relaxed. The sunlight is so gentle… Haaah…"

A long yawn escaped Seon Jeong-seong's mouth. It was difficult to maintain his dignity.

"Hey, Mun-seon!"

"What is it? Jeong-seong?"

There were hardly any visitors today.

"Please save me before this boredom suffocates me."

"Hey, Jeong-seong. Shut up!"

It was a word that brought comfort to Seon Jeong-seong's heart.

"Are you okay?"

Yi Mun-seon's head turned towards Seon Jeong-seong. The sunlight made him squint.

"How could I be? My mouth feels like it's going to tear from all these yawns. Haaam…"

Yi Mun-seon's mouth opened so wide that his red uvula was visible. It was a miracle his lips didn't rip. Time felt like it was passing three times slower. Indeed, nothing made one feel the tediousness of time as much as lazy main gate duty.

"I wonder if some incident will happen on a day like this…"

Seon Jeong-seong sighed.

"Wouldn't that be troublesome?"

Yi Mun-seon asked. Although he acted like he was thinking, yawns continued to erupt from his mouth.

"I'd rather be bothered than be this bored!"

"I guess so…"

"That's right…"

The two simultaneously looked up at the sky. Clouds drifted leisurely across the blue sea. Languor was suffocating them.

"Sigh… I wonder if some incident will happen…"

Another sigh escaped both of their lips.

They say that if one's wish is strong, it will surely come true.

They say heaven helps those who help themselves.

A giant sacred land of martial arts, located beside the wide, blue Bayang Lake, which sparkled like a well-polished mirror under the autumn sun! A person walked towards the imposing main gate of the grand structure!

"It's been a while!"

Cheonmu Academy

The middle-aged man muttered with emotion as he gazed at the dynamic characters of "Dragon and Snake Flying and Soaring," written with a single brushstroke. After a quick glance at the plaque, the middle-aged man resumed his walk.

"Who are you?"

"Who the hell are you?"

The reason why Seon Jeong-seong and Yi Mun-seon, who were tasked with guarding the main gate of Cheonmu Academy, blurted out voices that lacked any semblance of politeness was because the middle-aged man ignored their question, "What business do you have visiting this institution?" and strode towards the main gate. The main gate, being open during the day, welcomed everyone, so if no one stopped the middle-aged man, he would safely pass through the gate and enter Cheonmu Academy.

Cheonmu Academy did not discriminate against people if their purpose and identity were clear, but it was not a place to be taken lightly, allowing someone to trespass without revealing their identity or purpose.

The two warriors on duty pointed their spears at the intruder to stop his movement.

At Cheonmu Academy, disciples took turns standing guard at the main gate. Therefore, if one performed poorly on guard duty, it could negatively affect their academic credits. They couldn't let that happen. Seon Jeong-seong and Yi Mun-seon eagerly welcomed the visitor who would break the afternoon languor. So, they had secretly intended to treat him kindly and gently.

*Swish!*

"Huh? What the…?"

Seon Jeong-seong and Yi Mun-seon, second-year disciples of the Gonlun Sect, who had pointed their spears at the middle-aged man, widened their eyes. The monstrous figure approaching them had suddenly blurred and disappeared. It was no wonder they were terrified.

"This place has changed a lot too!"

The middle-aged man's leisurely voice was heard from behind them. The middle-aged swordsman, exuding an unusual aura, was leisurely observing the internal landscape of the academy from behind them. Did he have some special sentiment?

Seon Jeong-seong and Yi Mun-seon felt a strong premonition of a major incident.

*Clang! Clang!*

Suddenly, the main gate of Cheonmu Academy became chaotic. The two dropped their spears and drew their swords. They couldn't offer a polite welcome to the unidentified uninvited guest who had entered the main gate without their notice.

The reason they dropped their spears and drew their swords was obviously because swords were their primary weapons. Spears were merely ornamental, lacking power compared to swords.

The astonishment of the two, who were still on main gate duty that day, had not subsided. Even though the main gate was open during the day, they had managed to escape their vigilance with movements they couldn't follow… Their shock was even greater because they were all talented individuals at Cheonmu Academy.

With the intention of subduing the uninvited guest, Seon Jeong-seong swung his sword. This incited the middle-aged man's anger.

"Insolent brat!"

As the middle-aged man swung his hand, a tingling shock spread across his arm. The shock almost made Seon Jeong-seong drop his sword. Within that light move, there was an immeasurable and unusual energy. If he were an enemy, they would likely face an incident that would determine the life and death of their lives today. The tremendous event they had wished for was unfolding before them. However, the scale of the event was too great to handle.

"You!"

Yi Mun-seon, enraged that Seon Jeong-seong, who had tried to subdue the uninvited guest, was instead subdued, immediately tried to rush forward with his unsheathed sword.

"Stop!"

However, Yi Mun-seon couldn't execute his plan because someone grabbed his shoulder.

"Elder Gong Un-seok!"

The one who grabbed Yi Mun-seon's shoulder and saved him was Elder Gong Un-seok of the Jeongchang Sect, who was in charge of gate security.

"Step aside! You are no match for him."

"Yes!"

At Gong Un-seok's command, Yi Mun-seon silently retreated. Gong Un-seok instinctively sensed that this guest was not someone who would leave after ordinary reception.

The middle-aged man spoke.

"The young ones have become quite impatient! Nowadays, it's okay to just throw patience on the ground without any problem… Is that what you teach?"

Only then did Seon Jeong-seong, Yi Mun-seon, and Gong Un-seok, the other elder, have the opportunity to carefully examine the appearance of the uninvited guest. It did not take long to discern his identity.

His face had a characteristic that made him instantly recognizable. Two scars drawn diagonally across his face! There were not many people with such scars and this level of skill.

"Who… are you? Could it be!"

Gong Un-seok exclaimed. A certain person came to his mind.

A cross-shaped scar across the front of his face! A silver dragon pattern embossed on a pitch-black sword sheath like the night sky! With these physical characteristics and emanating such sword energy, there was only one person.

One of the Ten Great Masters of the Heukcheon Alliance! One of the ten pillars that supported the Heukcheon Alliance, the Heukcheon Sibbi! A prodigy of the sword, a demon of the sword.

Sword Demon, Cha Wol!

'Damn it!'

Gong Un-seok, the martial arts department supervisor of the main gate, scowled. It seemed they had made a mistake. Their luck was not good.

"For what business do you visit this institution? According to regulations, please state your purpose of visit."

Immediately, Gong Un-seok's voice became extremely polite. Someone of the caliber of Sword Demon Cha Wol would not act recklessly. There must be a reason.

*Scoff!*

A cold smile flickered across Cha Wol's face.

"Is this a place where you swing swords at guests without reason?"

"This institution has its own rules. Visitors must first register their identity and state their purpose in the visitor log before entering the main gate, regardless of their status."

Martial arts supervisor Gong Un-seok did not back down either. He did not commit the foolish act of forgetting his duty due to the opponent's status.

"Heh heh! Business… Of course, I have one, I do!"

The Sword Demon said in a chilling voice.

"Really?"

Anxiety was laced in Gong Un-seok's question. He didn't know what the business was, but the aura emanating from him was too eerie.

"Of course! If not, I wouldn't have brought a bloodstained sword when visiting this place, but this scrap of paper. I've come today to deliver a message!"

His voice, carrying a chilling aura, conveyed a sense of menace to the listener.

"What message? To whom?"

"To the Academy Master!"

Gong Un-seok's eyes widened.

"The… messenger is…?"

"The Heukcheon Alliance Master!"

Gong Un-seok's eyes almost split open.

Politics is a headache.

There are too many circumstances to consider.

Politics is difficult.

Nothing happens according to one's will.

'Sigh… What am I supposed to do about this…'

Ma Jin-ga's head ached. His mind throbbed like a student facing a difficult exam problem. His iron fist, holding the letter, trembled.

'Is this a threat?'

Beneath the Tae-sa, Sword Demon Cha Wol exuded a cold aura, creating a tense atmosphere. Of course, it was unthinkable for a man like Iron Fist Ma Jin-ga to be overwhelmed by Sword Demon Cha Wol's ki. No matter how skilled and renowned Sword Demon Cha Wol was, he was far inferior to the title of Cheonmu Academy Master.

The problem was not Sword Demon Cha Wol's stiff expression. Ma Jin-ga read the Heukcheon Alliance's intention behind sending such a prominent figure as a messenger. The higher the status of the messenger, the greater the value and weight of the message. Sending Cha Wol, one of the Heukcheon Sibbi, as a messenger was an unspoken pressure to consider the letter carefully, as the Heukcheon Alliance attached great importance to it.

"Hmm…"

Ma Jin-ga felt that his hands were heavy. His face showed distress. What he held in his hand was merely a piece of paper, but its contents were enough to weigh down his hands and his heart.

"Hoo! Even after all this, you still don't intend to end it?"

It seemed the death of his eldest son, whom he had cherished and boasted about the most, had dealt an immeasurable shock to Heukcheon Alliance Master Gal Jung-cheon. There was still no sign of covering up the incident.

"This sounds like you expect us to be grateful! Doesn't it?"

Ma Jin-ga stared at the envoy with sharp eyes. Even under his gaze, which had reached the level of Harmony, the Heukcheon Alliance envoy maintained a cold face without changing expression. So, Ma Jin-ga decided to play a little trick. However, the Sword Demon still didn't even bat an eyelid.

A glint appeared in Iron Fist Ma Jin-ga's eyes.

'He's letting my formless ki flow through him without any resistance…'

He had subtly emitted formless pressure, wanting to convey his discomfort, but the person standing before him remained unfazed.

'Indeed, a significant figure… Of course, someone of that caliber can remain so composed in front of me! Is it confidence in the skills accumulated over time?'

Ma Jin-ga admitted that such a man was fully qualified.

'Heukcheon Sibbi, Sword Demon Cha Wol!'

As expected of one of the Ten Great Masters of the Heukcheon Alliance, the aura emanating from his entire body surpassed the ordinary. Masters recognize masters. In this aspect, Ma Jin-ga, despite the envoy's rude attitude, could not help but admire him as a martial artist. Indeed, his victory at the Huashan Gathering forty years ago was not in vain.

'As expected, the Heukcheon Alliance has many talented people!'

No matter how much he admired it, he couldn't show it outwardly. Ma Jin-ga, out of a sense of duty, pretended to be completely indifferent. After all, Sword Demon Cha Wol was not here as an individual, but representing the entire Heukcheon Alliance.

"According to the law of 'the one who ties the knot unties it,' even after invoking the law of blood, you still cannot tie up the loose ends? Was the Cheolgak Bimadae insufficient?"

Ma Jin-ga looked up from the letter and at Cha Wol. Perhaps to show off his authority, Cha Wol, despite being an envoy, was adorned in black, representing mourning for the deceased, making him look like he had just returned from a funeral (while the White faction wears white for mourning, the Black faction wears black).

The Sword Demon said,

"Our Alliance Master cannot erase the seeds of doubt regarding the Cheolgak Bimadae incident. No matter how much we consider it from various angles, the doubts remain, which is our Alliance Master's sentiment."

"I don't understand at all! What do you mean?"

Whether he sensed a suspicion or was suddenly interested, Ma Jin-ga leaned forward slightly. Cha Wol's words were something he had never heard before.

At first, Cha Wol couldn't readily answer Ma Jin-ga's question. The Cheolgak Bimadae incident was a topic he didn't want to bring up, but since the question was asked, he had no choice but to answer.

"It's because all the members of the returned Cheolgak Bimadae have their mouths shut, as if they had agreed, and they are not uttering a single word."

"Did you try going to a locksmith or a hardware store?"

Cha Wol smiled coldly at Ma Jin-ga's kind suggestion. Such cynicism was unbecoming of an envoy, but he didn't care. He had the confidence and qualifications for it. Faking a smile that seemed to offer his liver was extremely contradictory to his nature.

"Alas, it seems our locksmiths are not skilled enough, as they cannot pick the lock!"

"Oh my! That's unfortunate. I offer my sincere condolences."

In fact, even the Cheonmu Academy had not fully figured out what happened that day. The Zhuque Squad, the Yeomdo, and others were all tight-lipped as if in collusion, so how could they possibly uncover the truth? Their curiosity only grew.

Cha Wol responded with a chilling humility to Ma Jin-ga's condolences.

"Not at all! Our Alliance Master has high expectations for the famous locksmiths here. Since the one who locked it seems to be from your side, isn't it the natural order of the world for the one who locked it to unlock it? We believe you will not disappoint us, as this is a place that gathers all the talented youths of the White faction."

It was a roundabout way of saying that the cause of the problem was clearly on the White faction's side, so they should confess and find the light quickly. The expressions of Ma Jin-ga and the onlookers subtly changed.

"Ho ho ho! Aren't you embarrassing me by praising me too much! I doubt we have locksmiths of that caliber. I, too, know that we don't have any! If we did, we would have installed one at the main gate of our Cheonmu Academy first. But claiming to have something we don't is not praise, but the stubbornness of a child throwing a tantrum! Don't you think so?"

It was a way of saying, "Don't act like a child with childish thinking, throwing tantrums and causing trouble, but go back now." It also implied, "Stop being a nuisance and behave yourself." Indeed, Ma Jin-ga, like old ginger, was skillful. He was not just strong without brains, like some sect leaders.

'Well… I wonder about that…'

The Sword Demon thought to himself.

Putting aside the suspicions surrounding Gal Hyo-bong's death, the defeat of the Cheolgak Bimadae was something Cha Wol himself did not understand. In fact, it could be said that no one knew the truth of it.

This matter remained an unsolved mystery for the Heukcheon Alliance.

'What on earth happened then?'

When the Cheolgak Bimadae, who had left the Heukcheon Alliance with a fierce fighting spirit, aiming to trample over the entire White faction, returned that day, people of the Heukcheon Alliance could only rub their eyes. Their signature fierce and explosive momentum had vanished as if sold off wholesale, and their shoulders hung limply. Furthermore, their numbers had significantly decreased.

"What is the meaning of this?"

At that time, Cha Wol grabbed Gu Cheon-hak, who had returned, by the shoulder and asked sternly in a cold tone. At that moment, his gaze seemed to pierce Gu Cheon-hak.

"…"

However, Gu Cheon-hak predictably betrayed his expectations and remained silent, his lips tightly shut.

"Can you not hear me? What is the meaning of this?"

Cha Wol shook his shoulder again.

"…"

However, Gu Cheon-hak remained silent, as if his tongue had turned to stone, even as he met Cha Wol's gaze directly.

"What is the meaning of this? Answer me! Swift Wind Ink Spirit Gu Cheon-hak!"

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Cha Wol shouted and vented his frustration. It was an unfamiliar feeling for him to be so exasperated.

"…"

No matter how much he pressed, Gu Cheon-hak's lips did not open. He wouldn't even open his mouth to himself, his only close friend. His mouth only opened once! In front of Heukcheon Alliance Master Gal Jung-cheon, who had rushed over in great anger.

"I am sorry."

With this one sentence, Gu Cheon-hak never spoke again. The will to accept death was clearly evident throughout his body.

Gal Jung-cheon trembled with intense anger, but he could not sentence him to death. After all, Gu Cheon-hak was also one of the Ten Great Masters of the Heukcheon Alliance.

'Hoo…'

Recalling the dismal events of that time, Cha Wol sighed inwardly. The image of his close friend's seemingly small back flashed before his eyes, making him feel bitter. His heart became heavy again.

However, he could not remain in a state of melancholy forever. He had something to do now. There was no room for compromise.

"Our Heukcheon Alliance's demand this time is a legal and just request based on the Joint Agreement of Righteousness and Evil reached a hundred years ago. Our Alliance Master has ordered me to obtain a definitive answer. This is not a matter that can be easily overlooked, according to our Alliance Master's thoughts!"

'Hoo!'

This time, Ma Jin-ga let out a sigh of deep concern inwardly.

It was they who were wronged. Being accused as the perpetrator of a crime they did not commit and being thoroughly investigated and interrogated made them feel anything but good. Despite their vehement claims of innocence, the other side kept concluding they were the criminals based on circumstantial evidence.

They had done as the proverb warned: not tying their shoelaces in a melon patch, nor adjusting their hat strings under a plum tree. However, they lacked conclusive evidence to refute the crime.

'A too significant figure has died!'

A figure who had died not in terms of power, but in a symbolic sense. If it had been anyone else of lesser importance, they could have acted more assertively. But why did it have to be Gal Hyo-bong, the grandson of Martial God Gal Jung-hyeok and the eldest son of Heukcheon Alliance Master Gal Jung-cheon… It was extremely difficult to expect rationality from parents who had lost a child. No matter how absolute a ruler of the Black faction he was, the situation remained the same.

Even though the Cheolgak Bimadae, sent as their proxy of blood, was thoroughly defeated, the other side showed no intention of backing down. Despite the defeat of their proxy of blood, they were so unreasonable as to send a special investigator.

His desire to refuse was as high as a chimney reaching the sky, but it was regrettable that it was a situation where he absolutely could not refuse.

'How much longer will it take for this storm to subside?'

Ma Jin-ga, who could not ascertain the demand of time, was frustrated. Ma Jin-ga finally organized his thoughts.

"Please tell them that I understand!"

Although it was the answer that had been decided from the beginning, Ma Jin-ga's heart felt bitter as he spoke.

"Yes! I will be sure to convey that."

The Sword Demon, who had been quietly burning with hostility, left without any diplomatic pleasantries, simply giving a curt farewell as if he hadn't even wet his lips. Some elders were angered by his rudeness and suggested, "We must lodge a formal protest," but Ma Jin-ga was too preoccupied with the investigation to pay attention to such protests.

'Now, what do I do about this matter…?'

It was already unlikely that this would be resolved quietly. Moreover, it was not the kind of matter that could be resolved quietly. To raise their voice against the Heukcheon Alliance, they had no choice but to prove their innocence. Only then could they demand an investigation into the fallen members of the Byeonggak Chuhon Corps from the other side. Before they could dispel the Heukcheon Alliance's suspicion that the Byeonggak Corps was a secret assassination unit dispatched to assassinate Gal Hyo-bong and that they had inflicted heavy damage on the other side during an engagement with the units under the command of Cheonji Ssalsal, who had rushed to save Gal Hyo-bong, and had annihilated themselves arbitrarily, a protest was virtually impossible. Most importantly, the lack of evidence was infuriating.

The safety of the investigator was also a concern. If anything were to happen to the dispatched investigator this time, all responsibility would undoubtedly be shifted to Cheonmu Academy.

'Who should I choose…'

He needed a reliable guard who was meticulous, diligent, and strong in martial arts. The profiles of several individuals flashed through his mind.

"This doesn't feel good!"

With a heavy and somber mood, Cha Wol left the Cheonmu Hall, the usual workspace of the Cheonmu Academy Master. The commotion behind him and the itching in his ears indicated that opinions were divided about his words. It was clear that whatever was being said would not be beneficial to hear. Despite successfully completing his mission, his face did not look bright.

The chillingly blue sky and the scorching sunlight made him squint. An inexplicable anger simmered in his chest. Was it because this place felt like a den of murderers…?

"Hyo-bong… That child… died like that…"

He was a child whose growth he had watched from beginning to end since he was young. How pleased he had been with his ever-improving genius!

The first time Hyo-bong's twin swords had pierced his sword defense and succeeded in one strike, the Sword Demon had rejoiced in his achievement with a pure heart. He had thought that he would eagerly await the day when Hyo-bong would achieve even greater success than himself… But… but now Hyo-bong was gone.

"If I find the culprit, no matter who it is, I will tear them limb from limb! I swear on my name as Sword Demon Cha Wol!"

He had enough courage to not care even if the entire White faction became his enemy. If Cheonmu Academy was involved, he was prepared to confront Cheonmu Academy head-on with all his might. A significant portion of the joy of living had disappeared. A child he cherished and loved like a son had died pointlessly.

Even now, he was barely suppressing the surging killing intent. He was expending an immense amount of willpower.

Just then.

"Thwack!"

The Sword Demon's body reeled backward for a moment. His thick, sharp eyebrows twitched for an instant. His diagonal cross scar twitched. A huge object had flown and forcefully collided with his body.

"How dare you be so rude!"

Cha Wol roared.

"Ah?! Oh no! I'm sorry."

The one who had recklessly lunged at him was a young boy. The boy's eyes were hidden by his long bangs, so they couldn't be seen. However, judging by the boy's tone, it was certain that he wasn't truly apologetic. That boy was Bi Ryu-yeon.

'Wait… just a moment?'

Cha Wol suddenly realized something and was so shocked that his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his throat. Then, he became enraged, releasing his killing intent without restraint. And then, he was dumbfounded again.

'How did he get so close?'

He was a being who had approached so close as to deceive his senses, despite him being confident in his mastery of the highest level. Even if he was distracted, it was absolutely impossible. It was unthinkable and should never happen that he, one of the Heukcheon Sibbi, would carelessly allow an intruder into his personal space. It was impossible even in a dream to give his front, not his back, to a mere brat.

'Should I cut him down?'

His sorrow twitched with killing intent and anger. It was also self-recrimination and anger.

To dare to collide with a swordsman's shoulder, not lightly, but with enough force to shake his body… That careless blunder was inexcusable, even to the point of decapitation. In the Black faction, a collision of bodies could be interpreted as an intention to attack, making even a slight bump a cause for a life-or-death duel.

There is a famous poem about this: "Even brushing collars is said to be fate… What is a collision of shoulders that it leads to life and death!" It was a very melodious poem lamenting the souls of countless people who died from shoulder collisions. A shoulder collision, a sudden contact with the opponent, directly led to the death of one of them, so all martial artists must pay attention.

At least, that was the law of the Black faction. Naturally, it was distinctly different from the methods of the White faction, where a simple apology could sometimes suffice.

The Sword Demon couldn't make a judgment in an instant: should he cut down this brat or let him go? If it were a normal situation, there would be no room for debate, but he was currently in Cheonmu Academy as an envoy. Causing unnecessary conflict was not the duty of an envoy. It was impossible to shed blood here. That's why Cha Wol was disappointed.

'But!'

A divine light flashed in Sword Demon Cha Wol's eyes. However, he couldn't just let him go after allowing him to approach him so brazenly.

'One scratch shouldn't be a problem.'

*Click!*

The thumb of his left hand pushed the sword slightly out of its scabbard.

The Sword Demon himself, regardless of who it was, never forgave anyone who interfered with the path he had decided to take, the path he wanted, the extremely rude act of interfering with him, even if the world turned upside down and a new creation arose and his worries were realized.

Therefore, he felt a strong need to act to assert his claims and decided to resort to martial arts violence, which was the simplest and most effective method.

*Clang!*

With the release of a silver flash, the Sword Demon's sword was drawn from its scabbard.

*Pang!*

A terrifying sound of air piercing!

And a streak of light!

A fierce sword wind swept in all directions, making the hair and clothes of the people chasing Bi Ryu-yeon flutter violently. The grass seemed to be uprooted from the ground, trembling rustlingly. A cloud of dust rose in a long arc. And… a few strands of hair flew in the air.

'What… what is this?'

He had intended to inflict a half-inch deep horizontal scar on his forehead as a lesson. Blood vessels should have been severed, and droplets of blood should have formed in the air. That was normal.

The power was so great that it could make the hair of someone three zhang away flutter backward. The situation for Bi Ryu-yeon, who was right beside him, was even more dire. He should consider himself lucky to be alive. That was normal.

'Failure! Me, of all people, failing…'

Cha Wol wondered if he was being surprised too many times today. His sword had failed to execute its originally planned intention. His attack had been in vain. The Sword Demon, even called the demon of the sword, had fumbled. A clear and beautiful sound that was a fatal blemish on his reputation echoed throughout the world.

*Swish!*

There was no bleeding. Instead, only three strands of hair fluttered idly in the empty air.

Only then did the hazy dust particles that had risen in the air begin to slowly settle to the ground. Behind Bi Ryu-yeon, a semicircular space of about one zhang, free of even a speck of dust, was formed. It was the masterpiece left by the Sword Demon's sword wind.

"What… what is that… those eyes?"

Cha Wol's eyes widened as he looked directly into Bi Ryu-yeon's eyes. He was horrified. He had not been so agitated recently, except for the death of Gal Hyo-bong, whom he cherished like a son.

"Aww! Oh no! Master told me never to show this to anyone else…"

Bi Ryu-yeon grumbled. He regretted the three cut strands of hair.

"Th-that… damn it!"

Cha Wol seemed very agitated. He was unable to speak properly. It felt as if someone were holding his tongue, though that wasn't the case.

"You! A member of the White faction, practicing evil arts?! What kind of eyes are those?!"

The Sword Demon's veins bulged with anger. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was going too far today. He felt like his usual cold and ruthless self had gone into hiding. It was a strange feeling, as if he wasn't himself!

If he was just going to be attacked and do nothing, he wouldn't be Bi Ryu-yeon.

"Tsk! You're the one who made the move, so don't blame others. Why are there so many people throwing swords, sabers, and spears at me without warning or asking… Sigh! Thinking about it, it's truly a difficult life. The future of a handsome, honest, and delicate young man like me is too gloomy."

Ignoring Sword Demon Cha Wol's state, Bi Ryu-yeon grumbled, pushing back the bangs that had been blown forward by the wind. Bi Ryu-yeon's principle was that one should at least ask for permission before drawing a sword.

"You… you wretch! Using strange sorcery…"

Once again, the Sword Demon ground his teeth. The killing intent still lingering in his body had not been washed away by the wind and remained strong.

For Bi Ryu-yeon, it was an unjust situation.

*Clack!*

Once again, the Sword Demon's hand touched the sword hilt.

This time, he intended to cut him down with all his might. A compulsion to cut him down had taken over his mind.

"Gasp!"

However, Cha Wol's resolve to cut down Bi Ryu-yeon and bring joy to the entire Bingbong Yuhwasu Corps and more than ten times that number of men could not continue. The moment another young man entered his sight, he was speechless.

Hyo Ryong's face, meeting Sword Demon Cha Wol's gaze, also turned ashen.

'No, why is that child here?'

It was completely the wrong place for a person to be. It was natural for him to be surprised that a child who should have been diligently training and studying at the Macheon Pavilion had suddenly appeared at Cheonmu Academy.

'This is impossible! I haven't received any reports!'

He thought there might be an unknown current flowing within the Heukcheon Alliance and the Macheon Pavilion. This child should never have been put into such a dangerous situation. His status within the Black faction, his status, was too immense for that.

'What on earth is happening?'

The Sword Demon was utterly confused.

*Cough!*

With a pale face like a blank sheet of paper, Hyo Ryong bowed politely. Cha Wol, who had finally regained his composure, silently nodded his head in greeting. For a moment, the two shared a single emotion. Words were unnecessary. Hyo Ryong was truly grateful to Cha Wol, who genuinely cared about him. He was someone he had looked up to like a brother and an uncle since childhood. And he still called him uncle.

*Tap, tap!*

The Sword Demon's thick hand patted the shoulders of the bowing Hyo Ryong. Hyo Ryong felt a strange warmth seep into his chest. He felt tears welling up in his eyes.

It seemed like it would take some time to regain his composure.

'What is your relationship with him?'

Cha Wol asked Hyo Ryong using voice transmission. Hyo Ryong immediately understood that it was a question about his relationship with Bi Ryu-yeon. He answered without hesitation.

'He is my friend.'

A glint appeared in Cha Wol's eyes. Then, he turned his gaze to Bi Ryu-yeon. Bi Ryu-yeon was still standing there, smiling.

"You are lucky!"

The Sword Demon said, removing his hand from Hyo Ryong's shoulder.

"Well… Goodbye. I don't know if we'll meet again. Please take care of me next time."

Bi Ryu-yeon waved his hand cheerfully.

"When we meet again… No! I look forward to that day."

The Sword Demon left Cheonmu Academy after saying those words.