Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Why Did You Come to My House? (2)
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While Senior Nun Gyeong Hye spoke, the dormitory autonomous council presidents, including myself, watched the cadets intently.
As a result, I could clearly see the simmering fury in the eyes of the other cadets.
'Their morale is sky-high.'
I, too, felt a swell of pride in my chest—perhaps I had truly become a righteous faction martial artist after all.
"……."
At that moment, a word came from my master at my waist.
- That nun Gyeong Hye's words boil down to 'we'll win because we're the righteous faction.' Hmm. That baseless confidence could turn poisonous. Is this really okay?
'It's fine.'
- Fine? Not a single one who charged at me with that mindset came back intact.
As my master said, Senior Nun Gyeong Hye's speech summed up to 'we'll win because we're the righteous faction.'
Taken alone, it was the epitome of unfounded arrogance.
'Yes. Normally, anyone acting on such confidence fails nine times out of ten.'
Not just from my own experience.
Countless historical events proved it.
'That's why I've always been cautious myself and warned those around me.'
But right now, that approach was correct.
For good reason.
Aside from a few research cadets and my underclassmen who had enemies in the Demonic Alliance, most cadets were facing demonic cultists for the first time.
'Today, we need to shake off the confusion and fear from suddenly confronting the unknown first.'
To do that, they needed conviction in themselves.
But it wasn't easy for the later-generation disciples to gain that conviction.
Senior Nun Gyeong Hye had drawn it from history and fundamentals to resolve it.
'It could become poison if overdone, but poison can be medicine depending on the timing. It seems like exactly the right measure for this situation.'
To prepare for the demonic cultists' assault, shedding fear was crucial.
But so was practical organizational restructuring.
'The academy's organizations are geared toward education, not combat, so they can't respond swiftly in crises like this.'
And sure enough.
As the assembly brimmed with heightened morale, Senior Nun Gyeong Hye immediately addressed reorganizing the academy's structure for wartime.
"Next, emergency organizational restructuring for the Righteous Martial Academy in wartime. Professor Mo Yong-rin and the graduate students will handle protecting nearby civilians. The four great dormitories will immediately reform from autonomous units into divisions under the academy head's direct command."
Excluding the civilian defense force under Professor Mo Yong-rin, the remaining forces were basically formed around their origin dorms.
"The Cloud Plum Division, led by Professor Paeng Jae-hyeok, will defend the western line centered on the main hall and infirmary."
"We obey!"
"The Fragrant Orchid Division, led by Professor Chang Ryang, will take the eastern line."
"Understood."
"Professor Jeon Gal-min, you have the south."
"Noted."
"The Guard Division falls under Professor Jeong Geuk-gyeong's command. Your sector is the north. Professor Han Yeong, you'll handle external communications with the refugees who just arrived at the sub-tower."
However, after announcing the roles for the newly formed divisions of Ma, Nan, Guk...
The names called next weren't Cyan Bamboo.
"Pfft."
"Heh."
At that, some cadets snickered, thinking Cyan Bamboo Dorm couldn't handle a sector alone in this situation, or smirked smugly.
"Finally, the Cyan Bamboo Division, Demon Defense Research Group, and infirmary will form the head's direct special forces, supporting all sectors and handling medical duties."
And at the very end.
"For unified command and smooth support, this special force's chain of command will rank above the other divisions structurally. In emergencies, treat their orders as my own."
With the special forces, centered on the Demon Defense Research Group and Cyan Bamboo Dorm, placed higher in the command structure than themselves.
The cadets who had been smug moments ago began muttering in shock.
"...Cyan Bamboo brats giving us orders?"
"They lost in the spring tournament, sure, but is this even reasonable?"
But Senior Nun Gyeong Hye spoke firmly right away.
"This is an emergency, decided by faculty consensus, so it takes effect immediately. Keep that in mind."
Professor Chang Ryang added,
"As the head says, this is decided under the Righteous Martial Academy's name for the crisis. Any cadet undermining discipline will face military law."
Silence fell over the murmuring assembly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thus, the academy's forces dispersed according to the new structure.
However, since the demonic cult army hadn't attacked yet, the special forces without an assigned sector had some leeway.
The Cyan Bamboo Division, now special forces, used that time to haul desks and chairs for barricades and set all sorts of traps without rest.
Then, whispers from some Fragrant Orchid cadets watching us reached our ears.
"They shut up because of Professor Chang Ryang, but I still can't accept Cyan Bamboo being above us."
"Probably just talk—they got pulled back for being weak. I figured they'd just ferry wounded to the infirmary?"
I wanted to smash them with Dragon Subduing Palm or a Heaven-Splitting Sword strike.
But for now, we needed their help too.
'With the enemy assault imminent, we can't afford infighting. I'll remember your faces. See you later.'
One day, for sure.
I memorized the looks of those loose-lipped Fragrant Orchid seniors and turned to go.
"All set here, so let's head over there, Brother Gyeong-ryong."
"Huh?"
Brother Gyeong-ryong moved sluggishly, lost in thought.
"Oh, done? Yeah, let's go."
"Yes. What were you thinking so deeply about?"
"Oh, nothing much."
"In a situation where demonic cult moles might attack anytime, spacing out over 'nothing' is a problem in itself."
"Ah, just wondering if we're really up to such a heavy role."
"……."
At Brother Gyeong-ryong's words, I flashed a wry smile.
"Because of what those Fragrant Orchid guys said? I'll handle that soon enough..."
"What did those fellows say this time?"
But Brother Gyeong-ryong apparently hadn't heard the whispers.
'He's just worried if we can handle the role itself.'
I paused and spoke up.
"Brother Gyeong-ryong. It's not 'if we can handle it'—we're the ones who can."
"……."
"Who else is more prepared for this than Cyan Bamboo? This semester wasn't easy, right? The professors acknowledged that."
"True. We've trained the passing formations nonstop, prepared for emergencies. I wondered if it was overkill, but now I see it was for today. Foresight from you, Vice President Eon."
...It always circles back like that.
Foresight? I knew about the demonic cult's rise from the original story, so hearing it felt awkward.
More importantly, how to handle the coming battle.
"What, even foresight now."
I started walking again, thinking we'd said enough.
Brother Gyeong-ryong murmured my words softly.
"...We're the ones who can."
Then he hurried after me.
"Let's go!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ How much time passed with these preparations?
Professor Mo Yong-rin, out protecting locals near the dorm cluster, sent a signal.
Yin Xia Lian furrowed her brows and spoke.
"Young Master Eon! It's Master's signal!"
Soon after, thick black smoke rose at regular intervals across the area.
Seeing it, Jeon Gal Seol-ja shouted,
"That looks like smoke leaking from tunnel vents?!"
"Seems so."
"See! Our guess was right!"
Soon after.
The ground shook like an earthquake.
Boom! Boom!!!!!!
Rumble rumble roooar!!!!!!!!!!
With deafening noise, the academy's outer wall crumbled.
Dust clouded vision as it fell, then the demonic cult army burst through like ants.
Leading the ants was a ragged wanderer who rasped like scraping metal,
"Kekeke. Etch the Divine Cult's greatness into the cradle of the orthodox martial world! The Divine Cult is invincible!!!"
"Ten thousand demons..."
Before their chant finished, I infused my voice with inner energy and bellowed,
"Exterminate!!!"
"Exter...?"
"Exterminate the ten thousand demons, you bastard!"
"……!"
"Cyan Bamboo Division, draw swords!!"
The cultists flinched twice.
Once, checking their superior after my clever interruption ruined their chant.
Twice, as dust cleared revealing the academy's defenses.
Retreat was no option now.
The ragged wanderer pointed at me and roared,
"The one who yapped 'exterminate ten thousand demons'—I'll rip out his tongue! Bring him alive; slaughter the rest!"
"Kill!!!"
Simultaneously, academy units declared drawing swords, igniting war between Righteous Martial Academy and Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Guard Division! Protect the academy!"
"Cloud Plum Division! Draw swords!! Bear the Cloud Plum name on our backs—do not retreat!!!"
"As the head said, we'll remind those fools demons can't touch the righteous! Fragrant Orchid Division! Draw swords!"
"Yoon Guk Division draws swords too. Not an inch of land, not a drop of blood yielded!"
Clang! Clang!!!
Shing shing clang!!!!!
Swords clashed noisily everywhere, sword lights flashing wildly.
"Gahk!"
"Aaaargh!!!"
Screams echoed as casualties mounted.
The special forces, centered on Cyan Bamboo Division, sprang into action.
"The battle looks favorable now, but that's not their main force. Nangjung Demon Lord's tactics use low-rank cultists to probe, then slam elites into weak spots or lure them out. No complacency. Eun Ha-seong, Woo So-ryeong."
"Yes, Brother!"
"Yes! Brother Eon!"
"Relay what I just said."
From the main hall overlooking everywhere, I began directing special forces.
"Young Master Yong-un! South gate where Yoon Guk is has a low-rank demon lord; it's swarming."
"I see it. Jeon Gal Seol-ja, Jeong Hyeon—lead teams to help... no need. Head's going. Stand by. Brother Gyeong-ryong, Senior Seo Jin-hyo—take one team, fetch wounded to infirmary."
"Got it."
"Yong-myeong, go west, tell Uncle Jae-hyeok not to chase fleeing enemies—say it ten times. No, just stick there repeating it."
"Yes! Brother!"
Our preparations paid off.
The academy's lines held firm.
Clang! Shing shing shing!!!
Especially Fragrant Orchid Division's fierce resistance.
Slash! Slash!!!
Slaaaash!!!!
Using their named Fragrant Orchid formation, they turned the eastern line into a canvas, slashing through cultists like painting with swords and blood.
They reduced enemies fastest among defenses.
'Prestige, bloodlines—annoying as their usual antics are, elite sect early training shows.'
Well-fed from youth, their formation mastery and pillar-of-orthodox-martial-world confidence yielded that power.
'That's the orthodox world's strength, after all.'
Anyway.
The battle favored us.
'Goal isn't killing cultists but protecting cadets and lines, so forces focus defense—it's even. But time's on our side.'
'Reinforcements soon.'
They couldn't send armies tied to estates and regions, but Wudang, Jeon Gal, and other orthodox sects would send aid.
'Hold till then for reversal.'
As I thought that.
Flames erupted from the dorms.
'Those idiots?'
The nearby eastern Fragrant Orchid line wavered badly.
Fragrant Orchid cadets had forgotten orders, drawn to the blaze.
'Can't rely on them.' I'd warned repeatedly demonic fires were coming—ignore them.
Now this mess.
Classic overconfidence poison.
'Idiots.'
But their deaths would lead to our loss.
And if Professor Chang Ryang died saving them alone, the battle would collapse.
"Dang Ok-gi, Namgung Yun. With me to the east."
Namgung Yun's eyes widened as he muttered,
"...Rescue the isolated Fragrant Orchid cadets now?"
"Can't you tell? Smart in class, but sometimes dense."
"...Dense? No, it's not that. They've never said a good word about you, yet you're volunteering?"
"Regardless, we save those bastards."
"...As expected!"
"Save 'em to kill with my own hands."
"……."