Chapter 377
Chapter 377
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 377
Chapter Title: All Seas Converge East (1)
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“Jo, sir.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
Namgung Won, who had offered me words of blessing, turned toward Gafok waiting outside the training grounds and spoke.
“I've finished my business here. Let the Hall Leader know I'll be departing today, and prepare yourself.”
“Yes, sir.”
The time Namgung Won and I crossed swords always ended with me sheathing my blade first.
“You're heading back already?”
“Once business is done, it's time to go. The Eastern Confluence Association's inauguration is over. I'm no Chairman—just a regular member. No reason for me to linger in Dangan Valley.”
The moment Namgung Won sheathed his sword first for the very first time.
He announced his departure.
“It's just tiring the young ones out for no reason.”
“Still, shouldn't you at least say goodbye to the Superintendent, the Alliance Leader, and... Yun and Young?”
“That was my plan. If a name like mine just vanishes without a word, it wouldn't be polite anywhere. Shall we head to the academy together?”
And so, Namgung Won returned to the Righteous Martial Academy once more. He visited the main hall and the Four Great Dormitory self-governing council room, offering brief encouragement to his juniors.
Then he stood at the academy's main gate, ready to leave Dangan Valley.
To see him off, Dean Kyung Hye Sa-tae represented the faculty.
“Senior.”
“You've worked hard, Sa-tae.”
“Not at all.”
“Nurturing the next generation is the foundation of a thousand years. Keep up the good work.”
“Yes. Safe travels.”
The three who had stayed behind to iron out the Eastern Confluence Association's details emerged.
Zhuge Cheok, Gongson Mu-gyeol, and my father.
Among them, Zhuge Cheok just waved dismissively, as if urging him to hurry off.
The other two spoke up.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Senior.”
“I dare not presume to advise the Sword Emperor, but please take care on your journey.”
“The Alliance Leader and Eon Secretary have worked hard too. Since you've reversed your retirement, contact me through carrier pigeons if you need help. Or just drop by if you're bored— no need for an excuse.”
“...I'll make time sometime.”
I had come out to see him off as the student representative, along with my Eon siblings.
As the elders' farewells wrapped up, I nudged Yin Ha-seong's side and said,
“Thank you for your guidance, Elder.”
“Thank you!”
As we clasped our sleeves in respect.
Namgung Won shook his head.
“With the Southern Jiang Divine Alliance, I personally taught you the forms, so you can say I instructed you... but the Black Dragon? I merely sparred a bit.”
“No, it was a great help.”
“Nonsense. Even without my aid, you would have stood tall on your own. Enough flattery.”
For a moment, he politely declined my deep bow.
Then, stroking his beard, Namgung Won spoke again.
“More importantly, I have one proper piece of advice.”
“...What is it?”
“Advice that rotten old desk-jockey like Zhuge Cheok can't give—only someone like me or our Gongson 'Alliance Leader' here can offer.”
“......”
I held my tongue at the natural barb toward Zhuge Cheok that slipped out as easily as breathing.
Meanwhile, Namgung Won continued.
“You have a talent for drawing people to you.”
“...You're too kind.”
“It's no exaggeration—it's fact. The crowds following you prove it. Even creating a new president position overseeing the Four Great Dormitories?”
“......”
“As the ancient sages said: Some cannot be judged by small tasks yet can be entrusted with great ones; others, being petty, cannot handle the great but excel in the small.”
Namgung Won's advice was on the art of leading people.
It spoke of everyone's unique utility and warned against narrow judgments.
Wise words for everyone present, not just me, so I bowed deeply once more.
“I understand.”
“Good. Embrace those gathering around you with that in mind. Though looking at the Moyong heir or the Southern Jiang Divine Alliance here, you're already handling it well. This old man's just fussing needlessly.”
At his follow-up words, Yin Ha-seong's mouth opened unwittingly.
“The Moyong heir—Yong-gil? Lumping me with that guy... Gyaak!”
Just as I twisted the flesh at his side.
Namgung Won shifted his gaze to his two grandchildren.
“Now I see why you're so taken with the Black Dragon. Having a peer like him is a blessing for you both.”
“Grandchild thinks so too.”
Namgung Yun gave a curt reply.
Namgung Won continued.
“Our clan has long been called the world's greatest house. But that title stems not from mere prowess or lineage.”
“Grandchild knows this.”
“Never yield to the Black Dragon in worrying for the world or standing at the forefront against enemies.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
As Namgung Yun replied with a solemn face.
Namgung Young pouted and spoke.
“See? You subtly favor big brother more.”
“It's not favoring Yun—it's the order of things. Respect for elders exists.”
Namgung Won lightly pinched and shook Namgung Young's cheek.
“Ow! Everyone's watching, what are you doing?”
“I've indulged you as you wished, little one. Treating your granddad like the world's worst villain again? Hmph. Won't fool me twice. Off with you!”
Finally, he bid farewell to Zhuge Cheok.
“Snatching the hat from me in my old age, just once?”
“The last one standing wins, as always.”
“Take care.”
“I'll manage. You stay away from greasy food and booze as much as possible.”
“Heh. Sun rising in the west? The great Zhuge Cheok worrying about me?”
“Doesn't the world's flow need even an old man's hands? If you drop dead suddenly, it shrinks my viable options.”
“Drop dead... You miserable old coot, always adding that one infuriating line.”
“Who's the one calling me a rotten old geezer every time?”
* * * The carriage carrying Namgung Won departed.
Dean Kyung Hye Sa-tae spoke up to disband the group.
“Well then, let's return and finish our remaining discussions.”
“Indeed.”
As the elders headed back to the main hall.
Dang Ok-gi stared in the direction the carriage had gone and spoke.
“Bickering with Superintendent Seol-ji's grandfather right up to the end.”
At his words, Paeng So-jin and Eon Yong-myeong chimed in one after another.
“They were always at each other's throats, but it felt like mutual respect. Friends? Rivals? Hard to pin down.”
“I've met many famed elders trailing after Brother, but those two felt like true giants.”
Wu So-neung nodded in agreement.
“Maybe because they're the pillars upholding the White Path Murim?”
I felt the same, and the others seemed to share awe for the two titans, Namgung Won and Zhuge Cheok.
Paeng So-cheon and Cheon Jang-ho added their bits.
“At any rate, different from Gong Yun.”
“Duh. But... sniff... could Gong Yun hyung turn out like that when he ages? Can't picture it.”
Jeong Hyeon spoke up then.
“We can't be sure what kind of adults we'll become. But there's 'marked growth.' Looking back, we've changed these past few years. If we pursue the righteous path in skill and character, won't it come naturally?”
Yin Ha-seong rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Come to think of it, we have changed. Back when Gong Yun hyung freaked out over not wanting to spread tiger dung...”
“Why bring that up out of nowhere!”
Laughter spread for a moment.
I clapped to refocus everyone.
“Alright, let's head in. Lots to do. Finals prep, winter break, next year planning. The Eastern Confluence Association will need our help too. Busy times.”
Having seen him off, we returned to our duties.
The academy entered finals preparation period.
From the field trip to the Eastern Confluence Association.
Major events had piled up studies like a mountain.
Professors and students alike roamed the academy haggard, buried in lectures and cramming.
“Eon Yong-un here.”
I summoned the Four Great Dormitory executives.
“I know you're busy with exam prep, but I've gathered the self-governing council because we need to discuss my successor before finals.”
With that opener, I conveyed the message.
“You executives likely know, but as inaugural Student Council President, other cadets might overlook it.”
“......”
“Public Relations will post announcements, but each council should guide on electing the next president and recruit candidates...”
Mid-sentence.
I noticed the council presidents exchanging glances and zoning out, ignoring me.
“...The mood's a bit off? Already treating me like a former president?”
Pointing it out brought silence to the meeting room for a moment.
So Seon-chang, Fragrant Orchid Hall's council president, spoke first.
“It's not treating you as former... Truth is, we discussed this among ourselves already.”
“Among the presidents?”
“Yes. You seemed swamped with the Eastern Confluence Association, so we planned to bring it up at election time. Anyway. We have a tough request.”
“...Let's hear it.”
“We'd like you to serve one more year as Student Council President.”
Stunned, I countered.
“Hm. No shortage of talent. Senior Jun-gi, little Zhuge, or little Yin could handle it fine.”
Dang Jun-gi senior immediately shook his head.
“I only registered as a candidate out of spite when you ran. Watching you, I see: At this time, no one else can unite the Four Great Dormitories.”
Yun-mae Hall's council president Gye-un-yeol and Yun-guk Hall's Kwak Woo-myeong spoke simultaneously.
“Truth is, no one's stepping up.”
“While you handled Eastern Confluence affairs, we polled the cadets. Similar opinions across the board.”
Zhuge Seol-ji and Yin Ha-yeon added,
“Yes. Even among these executives, no takers. Me first— no confidence.”
“With all you've accomplished? No way anyone takes that on solo. Especially succeeding Eon Yong-un?”
Finally, Elder Dragon hyung nodded.
“Only you. Not strange. I did a second term myself.”
“...True, but.”
“The other presidents and I graduate this spring. You're suited, but some half-baked cadet in that seat? Better to abolish it.”
* * * Plea or pressure?
'Where'd Elder Dragon hyung learn to ask like that?'
– ...Where do you think?
Faced with the executives' unified stance, I decided to run for Student Council President again.
They'd truly polled ahead—no opposing candidates emerged.
Thus, as the sole candidate, my re-election was confirmed by yes/no vote.
I'd hold the presidency through next year.
Cadets dove into finals proper.
Dormitories and libraries blazed with light.
The dean's office in the main hall glowed brightly too.
“Thanks to the Dean, operations committee, Student Council President, and cadets' cooperation, we've secured the list of graduates for liaison duties... But the key is choosing our primary enemy. Or am I wrong, Eon Secretary?”
“Yes. The main target determines liaison base placements. Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains or Blood Cult in the Layered Mountains. Both need addressing, but prioritize one.”
The meeting, kicked off by Zhuge Cheok and Father, sparked heated debates.
As discussions raged.
Master chimed in.
– Yong-un. Shouldn't you mention your plan to swallow the Blood Cult? If they decide without knowing...
'It'd derail my plans, and White Path Murim forces wasted or sacrificed needlessly.'
– You know?
'Yes. Was about to speak up, but no opening...'
As I replied mentally.
Gongson Mu-gyeol eyed me, creating the gap I'd awaited.
“What do you think, Yong-un?”
“...Well.”
But habit of handling big things solo made my tongue stick.
“Why hesitate? No one's dismissing you as a kid here. Speak.”
“See... I've laid some groundwork with the Blood Cult.”
“Groundwork? Amid all your busyness?”
“Not quite a spy...”
“Then?”
“I've pulled the faction led by the Southern Sea Archbishop into my sphere.”
“Hm?”
Gongson Mu-gyeol and the professors looked baffled, unable to grasp my words.
“To explain, we go back to this year's entrance exam. Here's how it happened...”
Feeling a twinge of guilt, I spilled everything: filtering Dokgo Cheol in the exam, to drawing in Sa-gyeom.
The room's faces paled by turns.
“...That's how it went.”
As I finished.
Father spoke first.
“...Y-You acted like a Blood Cult executive and took over a branch led by an archbishop-level figure?”
Dean Kyung Hye Sa-tae and Gongson Mu-gyeol followed.
“D-Dokgo Cheol. Rumors said a cadet defected to Blood Cult. Did you know, Alliance Leader?”
“...No. 'The axe you trust chops your foot.'”
“I thought my feet immune after so many chops. Never imagined this. You pulled off something this massive alone?”
As I meekly defended,
“...Not entirely alone. Consulted with Grand Marshal.”
Zhuge Cheok slapped his thigh, bursting into laughter.
“Puhaha! That kid's a monster! A fresh twenty-something flipping the table on the world's Demon-Slaying Sa-tae and Old Blade like gambling chips, toying with the world?! Puhahaha!!!”