Chapter 359
Chapter 359
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 359
Chapter Title: School Trip (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The news came that the Blood Cult had sent a message.
I sent a mental transmission to Duggo Cheol.
[Where and when should we meet?]
[They said they'd come at a suitable time and place if we let them know. Perhaps they're being considerate of our situation, traveling with the Righteous Martial Academy students?]
I shook my head at his response.
[That's not consideration for us.]
[Pardon?]
[It's their attitude of thoroughly hiding their own identity and information while sucking up ours.]
[Ah, now that you mention it, that makes sense. Chairman, you even see through such cunning schemes. Truly, if you hadn't extended a hand...]
As he responded to my words, Duggo Cheol suddenly shifted from murmuring to asking a question.
[So, what should we do?]
[We're in a special situation anyway. Tell them it's hard to make contact like that because the academy students are on edge. Don't go yourself—send Song Ho-gyeom.]
[...But there's something I haven't reported yet, even though I was going to give a quick update.]
[What is it?]
[Next to the message proposing contact, there was a mark symbolizing the Archbishop. Is it still okay to proceed like that?]
The Blood Cult's Archbishop was a position right below the Cult Protector King.
However, since the Blood Cult had only just split from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult,
that status wasn't set in stone.
[No need to worry. Our value, deep in the heart of the Orthodox Murim, is no less than an Archbishop's. And we embody the will of the True Blood Corps, don't we?]
[!]
[Even if they claim it's an Archbishop right now, the Blood Demon hasn't even made the founding declaration yet. When the declaration comes from the Blood Heaven Asura Palace, who stands where is anyone's guess.]
[Understood!]
[No need to do their work for them and let them claim all the credit unilaterally.]
[Then I'll send Song Ho-gyeom!]
[Good. Tell him our situation and the Orthodox Murim's plans are still fluid, so if they tell us where the Archbishop is, we'll make some excuse to go there.]
As I said that, just as Duggo Cheol turned to leave,
[Got it!]
A sudden thought flashed through my mind.
[Cheol-ah.]
[Yes?]
[When you relay that message, also let them know the academy students are aware of the Crescent Moon Sword's existence.]
[...Yes. I'll carry out your will, Chairman.]
After finishing my conversation with Duggo Cheol, I came up with a suitable excuse to pull him away from the group.
"Cheol-ah."
"Yes, Chairman."
"On the way here, I saw some strangely shaped fruit for sale. Go buy some for our group's size. Bring Song the Chief Steward and your clan members since we're short-handed."
"Yes, sir. I'll do that."
Shortly after giving Duggo Cheol his secret orders,
those who'd gone to check the dock returned.
Among them, the first to speak was Jeong Won-hae, the young lord of the Crimson Dragon Palace.
"A sudden gale rose in the strait between Lei Zhou and Haenam Island, so it's impossible to set sail today."
As Jeong Won-hae finished,
Nam Jun, the senior brother to Jang Sun on the boat, scratched his head and spoke up. He was a disciple of the Haenam Sect.
"I told you Haenam is great for excursions, but to think something like this happens right from the start."
"No need. The sea's whims are unpredictable by nature."
"Thank you for saying that. There's a martial arts school here in Lei Zhou run by a lay disciple of our Haenam Sect."
"You mean the Vast Sea Gate?"
"You know it. It's spacious and clean, and since we've invited our affiliated disciples from Haenam Island's main branch to accommodate the academy students, there are plenty of empty rooms. We can use it as lodgings."
"Then we'll impose on you."
"Yes. This way, please."
After moving to the Haenam Sect's lay sect, I granted rest to my younger brothers and the Righteous Martial Academy students who'd come this far.
"You've all worked hard getting here. We'll rotate night watches on the way back, but rest up today."
Then I headed to the Vast Sea Gate's training ground and drew Regret.
'The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult side is probably led by the Black and White Wraiths, those twin troublemakers... The Blood Cult has an Archbishop-level figure.'
The twins were more radical than Song Gil-jun, unpredictable in where they'd bolt next.
The Blood Cult envoy was still an unknown.
'A moment's carelessness leads to irreparable consequences.'
After staring out to sea for a bit, I began swinging Regret calmly.
Bwoooong—
Slowly at first.
I retraced the basic forms of the Heaven-Splitting Sword's introductory stances, etched into my bones, at a leisurely pace.
Then Master asked me a question.
- Yong-un, about the order you gave that Go-cheol kid earlier.
'What order do you mean?'
- The part where you said you'd go if they tell you where the Archbishop is.
'Yes.'
- Thinking about it, it seems you're planning to go yourself?
'Correct.'
- And what do you plan to do there?
'Absorb their organization, of course.'
As I answered, I increased the speed of my swings with Regret.
Shaaak! Shaaak!
Just as I began twisting my body and joints, adapting the forms against imagined attacks,
Master's question came again.
- Is that even possible?
'Yes. You saw how the True Blood Corps formed, right? The Blood Cult is unstable in every way right now.'
Shaaaak!
Shaaaaaaaak!
'It's obvious this is the Thunder Brain's scheme, so the Blood Cult organization would be cautious. They thought we were the right ones when we moved, but... actually, the Blood Demon should have acted personally this time.'
The Blood Cult's foundational Reverse Blood Asura Great Law was a demonic art that completely reversed one's bloodline.
'Among countless demonic arts, the Blood Cult's has the most vicious side effects.'
Even third-rate scrubs who'd only skimmed martial arts would sense the potential backlash upon encountering it.
'Those who chose the Blood Cult despite knowing they'd suffer those side effects to grow stronger are its members. But the pinnacle, the Blood Demon, isn't flawless—he's seeking an elixir?'
- ...So their faith could waver?
'Yes. It leads to a fundamental loss of dignity. That's our opening in the True Blood Corps.'
- Our True Blood... You saying "our" made me say "our" without thinking!
'Hm.'
- What's that reaction?
'Well, technically, they're knockoffs split from our sect, so it's not entirely wrong, is it?'
- Haven't I told you repeatedly not to get tangled with those losers!
As I chatted with Master about this and that while swinging Regret,
my training clothes were soaked with sweat before I knew it, and my joints and muscles nicely loosened.
"Warm-up's done. Time for the real thing?"
Confirming my body was properly warmed, I channeled internal energy to my upper dantian and called out to the assassin.
"Assassin."
- Yes, my lord.
"Come out."
With my energy draining, the assassin rose from the shadows and bowed crisply.
"Shall I spar with you today as well?"
"Yes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day arrived.
Word came that the raging storm had calmed.
"We can set sail today."
Duggo Cheol also reported that the message to the Blood Cult had been delivered.
[Song the Chief Steward left a message.]
[Good work. They say we can sail today, so leave Song and two others here and head to Haenam Island.]
[Yes.]
[I'll cover for the rest. Pick two more to stay with you, and have them return to Haenam when the reply comes.]
[Understood!]
After those follow-ups, I led the academy students with leading professor Jeong Geuk-gyeong toward Haenam Island.
Spotting the welcoming party, Professor Jeong hurriedly straightened up and said to us,
"Master is here."
His master was the Haenam Sect leader.
I clasped my hands with the academy students.
"Eon Yong-un of the Murim Academy pays respects to the Great Haenam Sect Leader."
"I'm Yong San-hae. You must be tired from the long journey. I sent that kid Nam Jun, who's around your age, thinking it'd be better for you young ones to bond rather than sending a senior disciple since Geuk-gyeong was leading."
"I didn't find it rude at all. You showed us around Lei Zhou and guided us to the Vast Sea Gate for comfortable rest."
"Hahaha. I thought a young man commanding the world would be all bold and brash, but your manners are impeccable. Come to think of it, you're the one who sent Seon-i into Haenam's embrace, aren't you, Little Dragon?"
"Less that I sent him and more that fate led him there."
Jang Sun spoke up amid the formal greetings.
"That's not true! If not for big brother—!"
At Jang Sun's outburst, smiles spread across the Haenam disciples' faces,
and Sect Leader Yong San-hae chuckled as he spoke.
"Every time he visits Haenam, he won't stop talking about Little Dragon. Anyway, let's head to the main branch. We've prepared properly to welcome our guests."
We headed to Yeo Mo Peak, where the Haenam Sect's main branch was, amid warm hospitality.
At the main branch,
Professor Jeong Geuk-gyeong broached the reason we'd come this far.
"Master, there's something to discuss with just the academy executives and our Haenam Sect elders."
"Then let's have some tea first."
In the moved hall, as my younger brothers and I presented selected findings from the Crimson Dragon Palace and our investigations,
"...That's the situation. To sum up the long story: we announced it as a school trip, but we actually came here to subjugate the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
The Haenam Sect Leader and the elders and disciples below turned pale.
"......"
"......"
"......"
In the heavy silence where no one spoke, quiet lingered for a moment.
Sect Leader Yong San-hae finally spoke with a complicated expression.
"...This matter needs some time to consider."
"Yes. We'll step out then."
"Do that. When you leave the hall, unpack in the eastern quarters on the left. Seon-i, guide them."
"...Yes, Grandmaster."
After leaving the sect leader's hall, I led the academy students to the eastern quarters and unpacked.
My younger brothers gathered in my room one by one after settling in,
and Cheon Jang-ho clicked his tongue as he spoke.
"Tch. See that? I said even I could act all proper and tired sometimes?!"
"Hey, Jang-ho. Seon-i's here. Watch your mouth."
As Eon Yong-myeong looked embarrassed,
Jang Sun said dejectedly,
"No, Brother Jang-ho's right. I'm disappointed. I thought they'd step up right away. Something like that."
Comforting him, I spoke up.
"They asked for time. Not a refusal. Perfectly normal reaction."
Jeong Hyeon and Mo Yong-gil chimed in.
"Brother Eon's right. Haenam Island could get dragged into war, leaving their forces thin—it's not a simple yes."
"And it's not official Murim Alliance decision. Basically a loophole... Why the looks? Not saying it's bad, just facts. Facts."
Dang Ok-gi nodded last.
"They're all right. If they bowed immediately, I'd suspect them instead."
But Jang Sun still looked upset.
"Still..."
I spoke to him again.
"If you're that upset, don't sit here—go voice it as a Haenam disciple. Convince the elders."
"...Y-Yeah! I will!"
With that, Jang Sun bolted from the room.
Moments later,
Peng So-jin asked me,
"Yong-un, shouldn't we revise the academy's strategy? We didn't plan for Haenam not cooperating."
"Yong-un has it figured out. Sis, really."
"Pig, shut it. If we mobilize, we'll scatter again from here. More teams without Yong-un leading!"
At Peng So-jin's words, I chuckled and replied,
"Haenam will draw their swords."
"On what basis?"
"One glimpse tells all, right? Look at Professor Jeong's character, or how the other disciples treat Seon-i. Plenty of reason to envy a latecomer skyrocketing, yet they cherish him visibly."
"...A bit sentimental for you, Yong-un."
"Of course, practical reasons too. Jeong Hyeon said Haenam could get swept in war. If Crimson Dragon Palace weakens and Silver River Archipelago grows chaotic, Haenam suffers. Lips gone, teeth cold."
"I get it, but..."
"Can't just wait. But we can't change plans assuming no cooperation."
"...Then?"
"Make it so they have no choice but to cooperate. Train. Let our resolve to go without Haenam's aid echo across this island. Make any Righteous Faction member ashamed to stay idle."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With Jeong Won-hae's help, I led the academy students into intensive training in the seas off Haenam.
Splash!
Splaaash!!
The real ocean waves were leagues beyond those from lake arts or Yangtze currents,
but,
"Fifty round trips prow to stern. Top twenty first!"
Beep!
"Arrrgh!!"
"Damn it! Always ends like this! Ends!!"
Our prior training paid off; my brothers and the students adapted quickly, moving freely on the rocking ship.
Two days of awaiting news and grinding training later,
Professor Jeong Geuk-gyeong came with Haenam's decision.
"They're joining us."
With Haenam aboard, we proceeded as planned.
Haenam disciples would handle the seas around Haenam Island, Lei Zhou bases, and northern Silver River Archipelago, while we pushed to the center.
"As the academy said, have Haenam disciples cover from Haenam around Lei Zhou and north Silver River."
"Got it."
The next day, after reconfirming roles with Professor Jeong,
news arrived from Lei Zhou.
[Chairman.]
[Saw a merchant ship dock during training. Song Ho-gyeom back?]
[Yes. Returned with a message to come to Hyeo-eo Island.]
The departure neared.
I divided the academy students into teams on fast ships as planned and sent them to sea.
"Scout your assigned islands, then assemble at the rendezvous. No rash actions whatever you see. Recon first!"
"Yes!"
I boarded Jeong Won-hae's ship into the open sea, then transferred alone to a small boat.
'Alright then...'
Donning the mask of Old Man Ghost Face I'd brought, I grinned.
'Time to grow the True Blood Corps family.'