Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Needle in the Satchel (9)
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Suddenly, early in the morning, the one pounding on the front gate was the messenger dispatched from the Heavenly Martial Academy. Cutting through the flowery words, the point was that an unfortunate incident had occurred between their students.
The argument went that resolving the built-up grudges and misunderstandings through a spar would better foster harmony between the students and the academy. Even setting aside the fact that we weren't affiliated with the academy.
It was downright ridiculous—they weren't even apologizing after striking first, but rather asking if seeking harmony through a spar might be nice. Not like giving poison and then the antidote.
"I refuse. I don't have the time or leisure to dance to their tune."
"Pardon? But considering our respective dignities..."
"Who gives a damn about such face-saving nonsense? I don't want to see you, so get lost."
Face? Of course it's important. Even setting aside the wuxia world, in modern society, the weight of face is far greater than one might think. But to say face is everything would be going too far.
I hadn't lived my life so futilely as to bow my head over mere face. At the very least, I wouldn't fail to distinguish right from wrong because of it. Even if the opponent was from the orthodox factions.
"They were the ones who picked the fight in the first place. When they should be apologizing profusely, they propose a spar as if bestowing a favor? The audacity is unmatched."
"Is that your stance, Great Hero?"
"Indeed. But there's no need for you to relay that message personally."
"Worried about repercussions now?"
The messenger openly smirked. Reading his intent clearly, I realized there was no need to treat him with any more courtesy.
Like a flash of lightning, the sword drew from its sheath. Even as the blade slipped smoothly from the scabbard and neared his throat, the man remained oblivious, merely grinning.
Yes, as if time and space had frozen.
Only when the chill of the blade pressed close did he finally notice the sword at his neck, his face freezing in shock. I sneered openly at him and said,
"Soon, I'll visit the Heavenly Martial Academy myself to lodge a formal complaint. I do hope they treat their guest with the hospitality befitting a prestigious orthodox Murim Alliance institution."
"Th-think you'll get away with acting like this?!"
"Naturally. Proof? Your neck is still intact right now."
"......"
"The sole reason you're leaving here unscathed is so you can deliver my words to them before dying. Now, get out of my sight."
At my voice laced with overt killing intent, the man's face drained to a pale blue. He nodded frantically, then fled through the gate without looking back. This is why you can't just talk it out.
"Master! Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine."
"It looked like some rather vicious exchange."
As the matter settled, my disciples who had been watching from behind approached. How do I even begin explaining this to them? Trying to simplify it for the kids was already giving me a headache.
"It's nothing much. The academy came proposing a spar."
"And what did you do, Master?!"
"Refused, of course. What reason do we have to comply with their demands?"
I snorted in response to Namgung Yeon's worried concern. After all, the Heavenly Martial Academy students were the ones who started the provocation. And yet they proposed a spar like some magnanimous gesture?
"Seeking harmony through a spar? Even granting that generously, shouldn't they first apologize for their students' rudeness?"
"I'm fine with it, Master!"
"No, I'm not."
If it were strangers, maybe I'd let it slide. But how could a master sit idle while his disciple suffered injustice? I won't feel satisfied without a proper apology.
"But the opponent is the Heavenly Martial Academy, backed by the orthodox Murim Alliance. I'm worried things might escalate because of me, Master."
"Junior Sister Namgung Yeon."
"Yes?"
"Don't question Master's decisions so casually."
Unable to bear Namgung Yeon's attempts to dissuade me, Sua warned her with a fierce glare. I appreciated the support, but it was so intimidating that Namgung Yeon was genuinely frightened.
"Calm down, Sua. Namgung Yeon meant well, thinking of me."
"Sorry for overstepping, Master."
"Don't worry too much. I'll just have a quick talk and come back."
I'm no fool. The Heavenly Martial Academy is run directly by the orthodox Murim Alliance, so their instructors are at least at the Peak Realm, and in the worst case, there might even be Transcendent Realm experts.
No, there definitely is at least one.
Me, merely at Peak Realm, picking a fight alone against such an academy?
Absurd, of course. That's why I'm handling it with words.
'Still, it's an academy run by the orthodox factions. They won't draw blades right from the start, surely.'
Though their guest treatment was a bit stingy... but in the end, I sent him off intact, so whatever.
Surely hits where it hurts.
Regrettably for Nameless, no sooner had the messenger returned than the Heavenly Martial Academy turned upside down. The legendary Sword Demon of the unorthodox paths was coming personally?
An ignorant fool might wonder what all the fuss was about. But that would merely flaunt their own ignorance. To the orthodox factions, the Sword Demon was a symbol of terror.
During the Sword Demon's reign as hegemon of the Evil Path Union, he had invaded orthodox sects for absurd reasons— even the Five Great Clans and Nine Great Sects— committing mass slaughters.
Naturally, the orthodox factions weren't fools. They banded together to subjugate him several times, only to suffer far greater losses from his overwhelming power each time.
The veteran instructors who had personally experienced that overwhelming might couldn't help but show excessive worry—worry that others might call histrionics. Because they knew that power firsthand.
"Why all the panic? I've heard the name Sword Demon, sure... but isn't it just some dusty old tale?"
"Even the Sword Demon's fame must be exaggerated somewhat. Besides, haven't our orthodox factions grown stronger since then?"
The young instructor named Yi Kanghui had been insisting since yesterday on just crushing him with force. His impatience was a flaw, but otherwise, his reputation was solid.
"Youthful vigor is fine, but courage born of ignorance is mere recklessness, Instructor Yi Kanghui."
"Surely you're not saying you're scared of just one man?"
"Mind your manners! Do you think this is some street market?!"
"Enough! Internal strife helps no one in these urgent times."
Yi Kanghui's radical words nearly split the instructors, but the shout from the elder who had first restrained him barely quelled the discord.
"From what the messenger said, it seems the Sword Demon isn't here to fight."
"You believe that now? He drew his sword and threatened directly!"
"True. But if he truly meant to attack, he wouldn't have let the messenger go alive. That would have been far more advantageous."
Moreover, though the elder instructor had only glimpsed the Sword Demon from afar, he knew he wasn't the mere cowardly villain rumored in the orthodox Murim Alliance circles.
"So, I believe meeting him first and resolving it through talk is best."
"Cowering before one man would make us a laughingstock."
"That might be preferable to inflicting irreparable harm on our students through a misstep."
"But...!!"
"Instructor, I said we'll resolve it through talk."
At the cold voice devoid of emotion, Yi Kanghui finally shut his mouth. He was the academy's sole Peak Realm master and the one in charge.
Not pressing with killing intent or internal energy. Just a single word carried the weight to silence him. In the end, Yi Kanghui had no choice but to yield.
"My apologies."
"Better late than never. Return to your posts and stand by. I'll meet the Sword Demon personally and settle this."
This won't do. If it goes that way...
While everyone else accepted and obeyed, Yi Kanghui alone showed reluctance. He thought the orthodox factions had rotted through... yet even rotten, they had a pillar holding it up.
'No helping it. I didn't want to use this method.'
Orthodox and unorthodox. To reignite major conflict between them using old grudges required a proper spark. And the Heavenly Martial Academy was more than ample kindling.
"To shatter the old era and usher in the new."
Muttering words laden with meaning too quiet for any to hear, Yi Kanghui soon strode forward with resolute expression. Thick killing intent began to rise in his eyes.