Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Needle in the Satchel (7)
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Even though the Preeminent Martial Academy had long forgotten its original purpose and devolved into nothing more than a social club for orthodox murim folk, a leopard doesn't change its spots—its core strength wasn't going anywhere.
At the very least, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that the skills and talents of the students admitted to the academy were guaranteed. No one below second-rate could even get in.
Among them were even geniuses evaluated as capable of reaching the first-rate realm at a young age. Yet who could have imagined she'd subdue students from such a prestigious academy so effortlessly?
The opponents clearly hadn't anticipated it either. The students, their initial momentum utterly spent, no longer dared to charge and simply kept their distance, glaring at Moyong Sua.
"We won't let this incident slide."
"You'll regret laying a hand on the Preeminent Martial Academy."
"Listening to sore losers vent is a real hassle. Might as well just knock you all out."
Ignoring the academy's prestige and standing her ground with unwavering resolve, Sua left the students no choice but to back off. Namgung Yeon was struck anew by her strength.
Of course, he'd already known that Lady Moyong Sua had stepped into the first-rate realm. But there was a world of difference between knowing something in theory and witnessing it firsthand.
First-rate experts were instructor-level even at the Preeminent Martial Academy, the distilled essence of the orthodox Murim Alliance. No matter how talented the students, they were no match.
"Isn't it about time you came clean?"
"Pardon? What do you...?"
"I don't like it when people play dumb."
They say there's always a bigger fish. Just as he thought the students were dealt with, Sua's coldly sunken eyes locked onto Namgung Yeon. This felt far worse.
The instant their gazes met, Namgung Yeon instinctively realized it. He'd have better odds fighting those ten academy students from earlier.
But this wasn't a situation a few words could defuse. A chilling dread like an arrow piercing his chest. The emotion in those eyes was unmistakable killing intent.
"Master is a gentle soul. He'll wait endlessly until you speak up yourself."
"......"
"But I don't have quite that much patience."
Master had chosen to trust Namgung Yeon and wait. Sua had no doubt in that decision. Master always took the righteous path.
But as his disciple, shouldn't she properly size up someone who might become her junior? Of course, the ideal outcome was Master not taking him at all.
You can't dull a sharp needle just by tucking it in a pocket. Even if Master stayed hidden, his fame would inevitably spread across the land.
"Are you threatening me right now?"
"Yes."
"......"
"This is a warning. Don't keep Master waiting too long."
She desperately wanted to force the truth out of him by any means. But that would defy Master's will. She wasn't just any disciple—she was his prized direct disciple.
Even if every soul under heaven denied and insulted Master, she alone had to believe and obey his words. That was the weight of her position.
With that, Sua sheathed her wooden sword. The killing intent crushing Namgung Yeon's shoulders vanished like a mirage, though her expression remained rigidly stern.
"......"
"What are you doing? Hurry up and go."
"I have just one question."
"Oh, right. You won't breathe a word about yourself, but you want to know all about my Master?"
Sua's blatantly scornful gaze made Namgung Yeon bristle for a moment. But if he thought about it, she wasn't wrong at all. How hypocritical could he be?
"I know I'm being petty, Lady. But that's precisely why I need to make this crystal clear."
"What do you mean?"
"What exactly are you after, Great Hero?"
Namgung Yeon had heard the rumors swirling in the streets. The Sword Demon who'd revived the unorthodox paths was building an academy in Henan. Pure nonsense, obviously.
Setting aside whether the Sword Demon—missing for decades—was even alive, what conceivable reason would he have to come all the way to Henan and found an academy?
The Sword Demon's renown transcended orthodox and unorthodox alike; anyone with a foot in murim knew the name. Yet he'd bother establishing an academy?
Why?
Frankly, just returning to the Evil Path Union would bring lavish honors, and training successors there would be far simpler, free from interference.
"Tch, you look utterly baffled."
"But isn't it true?"
"Well, how could a mere sparrow comprehend a phoenix's grand ambitions?"
"...So you're saying your Master's designs are that immense?"
Indignant at Sua's overt disdain, Namgung Yeon shot back defiantly. But Sua kept her smile, speaking with pride instead.
"Master's great cause is so vast, even the heavens couldn't contain it."
This was no exaggeration. Master had staked his life since ancient times battling the Demonic Cult's vile hordes to safeguard murim—battles no one acknowledged.
If she imagined walking that path herself...
Even without having tread it personally...
Her heart would shatter all the same.
Now, Master had ended his seclusion and returned to murim. What else could that mean? Sua arrived at the answer without difficulty.
"Master plans to shatter the rotten sky called the Murim Alliance and raise a new one in its place."
I'm hungry.
Quite some time seemed to have passed, yet there was no sign of Sua or Namgung Yeon returning. In the meantime, Seolhwa finished training and promptly collapsed on the floorboards, fast asleep.
I draped a blanket over Seolhwa, wondering briefly if I should go search for Sua and Namgung Yeon right now. Fortunately, it proved unnecessary.
Sensing presences at the gate, I glanced over to see Sua and Namgung Yeon returning right on cue, arms laden with ingredients. Smiling, I said,
"Good work."
"I'm truly sorry for everything up until now! Great Hero!!"
"......Huh?"
Namgung Yeon's sudden bow and apology upon arrival froze me in place. What had gotten into him now? Sua smiled and spoke up.
"It's nothing, Master. We simply opened our hearts and had a candid chat."
"I-is that so."
"Thanks to the Lady, my foolish eyes have been somewhat opened."
How deeply must they have bared their souls for him to change like this in half a day? I was genuinely curious but held back. It felt like something I shouldn't pry into.
"Looks like something happened along the way."
"As expected of Master. You noticed immediately."
Well, it had taken far longer than expected, after all.
The trip to market from here was scarcely half a gak on foot. Yet it had felt like a full sichen—two hours. No fool could overlook that.
"Who attacked you? Demonic Cult lackeys?"
"Not that. Rather..."
"I'll explain that part myself, Great Hero."
At Namgung Yeon's oddly proactive demeanor, Sua clamped her mouth shut and shot him a glare. Veins bulging visibly on her neck, I hurriedly told him,
"Y-yeah. Keep it brief."
"Our attackers were students enrolled at the Preeminent Martial Academy."
"Students from the academy attacked out of nowhere?"
An utterly unexpected name tumbled from Namgung Yeon's lips. Wasn't the Preeminent Martial Academy an institution of the orthodox Murim Alliance? And their students had attacked?
Did that even make sense?
This wasn't some Demonic Cult scheme.
"I believe it was due to this... lowly one, Great Hero."
"Did you do something wrong at the academy, by chance?"
"I did nothing shameful. Merely... my own shortcomings."
He added that he'd tried to do the right thing but lacked the ability, ultimately turning the academy against him. Then, bowing deeply to me, he said,
"Great Hero, despite my impudence, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Will you take me as your disciple?"
"......"
As expected, it came to this.
I'd half-anticipated it, so the shock wasn't overwhelming. But accepting him as a disciple was far too risky. Hadn't he just been marked by the academy?
"I appreciate the sentiment, but it's too dangerous. Because..."
"I've already heard everything from Lady Moyong Sua. Though my skills are lacking, for your great cause, I..."
"......?"
"Will gladly stake my life!!!"
His voice carried not a hint of hesitation, brimming with ironclad resolve. Faced with Namgung Yeon's resolute expression, prepared even for death, I could only fill my mind with question marks.
What fresh pile of nonsense was this?