Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: The Fire Demon Blowing Over So-ho (3)
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The people who had escaped from So-ho Fortress quickened their steps as the wall of flames drew unmistakably closer.
A wall of fire far larger than the fortress walls was approaching, billowing thick black smoke.
Those who had grumbled at first about the sudden evacuation now clamped their mouths shut in fear, focusing solely on putting distance between themselves and the fortress.
Even with tens of thousands on the move, not a single voice could be heard—an eerily silent march.
It was profoundly solemn, yet deeply unfortunate.
Thud.
"Help... please help!"
Occasional cries from stragglers were drowned out by the silent determination of those pressing onward.
Truly solemn—and utterly horrifying—the procession finally halted after half a day had passed, when the moon hung full and bright in the sky.
Far in the distance, the wall of fire blazed, pushing back the night's darkness and flaunting its might even from afar.
"Ah... Is our hometown gone?"
"We've lived there for three generations."
"What do we do now?"
The eyes of those slumped in exhaustion, staring blankly, held not the fire demon itself but the despair beyond it.
In the midst of this grim atmosphere, Chu Un-hwi grumbled from where he sat among the refugees.
"What a total mess."
"They had to abandon their homes overnight, after all."
These people, rooted there for years or even a century, had fled leaving everything behind.
Yeo Mae-hong whispered,
"Just who are they? This Heavenfall Society."
"Can't you tell? Anyone pulling this crap has to be a bunch of crazy bastards."
"They're definitely out of their minds. I've heard rumors of cults and fiends running rampant in the jianghu, but nothing about something this atrocious."
It was madness to try burning down an entire fortress.
Not even the demonic cults could afford to make enemies of both the government and the murim world.
Baek Ri-seol, who had been listening, chimed in.
"Instructor, have you ever heard of this Heavenfall Society?"
"Why ask me?"
"Because you're all-knowing and omnipotent, Instructor. Nothing escapes you."
Chu Un-hwi's lips twitched, his annoyance giving way to amusement.
"Well, I am pretty great."
"So capable, so smart, and you know everything. Please tell us."
"You got it?"
Make sure to write that exactly in the instructor evaluation later.
"Heavenfall Society. Unlike their bombastic talk of toppling the heavens, they seem pretty meticulous."
"Not just simple fanatics?"
"If they were just lunatics, it'd be easier. But these guys are worse."
Chu Un-hwi pointed to one side with a finger.
"For thugs torching a fortress, doesn't it feel awfully strategic?"
"Strategic how?"
"Total maniacs would just let people live or die without a care."
But the situation was subtly different.
"It's like they're maximizing fear while forcing us into a corner."
Nangong Yun-ho, who had been listening, asked back.
"So making an enemy of the Nangong Family was... part of the plan too?"
"Probably."
Jegal Tan looked skeptical.
"Instructor, this incident will outrage the entire world, not just the murim. Aren't you overestimating these madmen's delusions?"
Chu Un-hwi wagged his index finger side to side.
"Tsk tsk. Jegal, don't try to logic your way through everything."
"But..."
"......"
"The world's vast, and crazies are everywhere. Stick to your limits, and you'll get blindsided by something you never saw coming."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
As he sternly admonished, bickering voices came from nearby.
"Oh my. So cool. Older guys are the best..."
"Student Seo. Please step away from the instructor."
Ignoring the tired voice, Chu Un-hwi continued.
"That's why we need to prepare even more now."
"Instructor Chu, what kind of preparations?"
Sweeping his gaze over the grief-stricken refugees, Chu Un-hwi added,
"If it were me, I'd stir up trouble right here."
Plenty of ways to exploit it.
The conversation ended there.
"Instructor! The senior instructors have arrived!"
Un Ho-seung came running to announce the rear guard's arrival.
Jang Cheol-sim gathered the Silver Hall instructors immediately upon joining.
"Everyone's safe."
The rear guard consisted of veteran Silver Hall instructors, along with Wang Wu, Moyong Ju, Baek Ri-seon-ho, and other Inspectorate members.
Though all bore signs of fatigue, Jang Cheol-sim explained without delay why he had summoned them.
"Those with experience probably sense it already, but things aren't good."
"Senior Instructor, we've reached a safe distance from the flames. Is there another issue?"
At the young Silver Hall instructor's question, Jang Cheol-sim glanced at the veterans.
Nod.
The experienced ones couldn't hide their concern upon seeing the refugees.
Jang Cheol-sim, who knew why, explained.
"In such a rush, they couldn't have gathered much."
It had been an emergency evacuation.
"Food will be the first shortage. With harvest season approaching, they couldn't carry much grain."
"If needed, we could provide preserved rations."
Jang Cheol-sim narrowed his eyes at the young instructor's response.
"How much jerky or hardtack do you think day-laborers carry?"
Preserved food is expensive.
Even the standard jerky issued to instructors was a luxury beyond sight for farmers and the lower classes.
The instructor, realizing his mistake, apologized immediately.
"My thinking was shortsighted. I'm sorry."
"They can hold out for a while. The problem is it won't last long."
Moyong Ju, who had been listening, joined in.
"The bigger issue is those who brought no food at all. What of the starving?"
"Well..."
"They'll try taking from others. But who would easily share when their own supplies are short?"
"......"
No one could fail to grasp the situation now.
The young instructor's face visibly hardened as he sensed the danger.
"...Surely not. They wouldn't resort to looting."
"It's all but certain."
That was precisely why Jang Cheol-sim had gathered them here.
"That's why I called you all so suddenly."
Ordinary martial artists had no reason to meddle in civilians' affairs.
But the Divine Martial Academy existed first to uphold righteous spirit before training martial artists.
"How can we claim to guard the cradle of righteous talents if we ignore clear injustice?"
Jang Cheol-sim held up his fingers.
"Four days. The Nangong Family and merchants have promised aid by then."
In other words...
"We must prevent the worst by any means until then."
With that, Jang Cheol-sim declared firmly.
"By authority of the senior instructor, I issue a new commission here and now."
- No matter what, maintain order with the students.
At Jang Cheol-sim's words...
"Yes sir!"
The instructors straightened and shouted in unison.
"Did you expect this, Instructor Chu?"
Yeo Mae-hong asked in wonder.
It must have surprised her that Instructor Jang Cheol-sim had also foreseen the ominous events.
"Eh, somewhat."
"They're already mobilizing. This jianghu trip hasn't offered many chances for merit, so..."
As she said, the Silver Hall instructors were scattering busily to relay the new commission to their students.
"Shall we get moving too? If we dawdle, they'll snag all the credit."
At her enthusiasm, Chu Un-hwi laced his fingers behind his head and grinned lazily.
"We'll see about that."
The first night passed peacefully enough.
The Silver Hall students proved quite useful.
Though clueless about money and common sense—like sheltered scholars—their martial prowess was solid.
"We've subdued four ruffians about to start a fight."
"We've captured twelve thieves trying to steal in the night, Senior Instructor."
"We're standing watch to maintain order."
"The situation is under control."
Those attempting mischief or theft amid the chaos were no match for the students.
"Their martial arts are decent, at least."
No local bully, no matter how tough, could stand against properly trained students.
Some knew martial arts too, but they all turned away under the instructors' sharp glares.
Thus, the first day passed without incident.
"Instructor Chu, is this okay? Lounging like this means missing chances for merit."
"No worries. Opportunity's coming soon."
The second day seemed to pass smoothly too.
But that second night...
Trouble finally erupted.
"What do you mean?! This bastard stole my stuff! Evidence? My word's evidence enough!"
At the ferocious ruffian's shout, students reached for their swords.
His cronies joined in.
"Think high martial arts makes you judge and jury? Bullying innocents like this?!"
Shouts of agreement rose from all around.
"Yeah! Who made you magistrates?!"
"You think force solves everything?!"
"Right! Kill 'em! Kill 'em!"
The students faltered against the sheer belligerence of the ruffians.
- Uphold justice.
The simple creed wavered when judging justice grew murky.
The ruffians targeted the students' inexperience with the world.
"They can't hurt us."
"Yeah, jianghu folk can't strike down the unarmed."
"Heh. Easier than thought."
"Bookworms. Heh heh heh."
With the Silver Hall students' weakness exposed, disturbances broke out one after another that second night.
"Well. What now?"
"If those thugs target us..."
"Not sure this'll hold."
Despair thickened among the refugees amid the grim reality and uncertain future.
The third morning.
"This won't hold."
The instructors had barely dashed around preventing major incidents, but order was already fraying.
"Hoo. As expected."
Even Jang Cheol-sim wore a troubled expression.
"It's no easy task. Can't tell students to strike civilians."
"Senior Instructor, how about this approach?"
Several instructors offered ideas, but none were viable.
"What to do..."
Just then.
A hand shot up—one no one expected.
"Extra credit if I fix this?"
"...Ugh. Acting Instructor Chu Un-hwi."
"Give me extra credit, and I'll handle it."
The surrounding Silver Hall instructors let out dry laughs.
"Acting Instructor, you're missing the point. Do we look like we lack ideas?"
"Starting fights without a plan tarnishes the academy."
"It's not like charging in like a wild boar taking arrows!"
The prideful Silver Hall instructors blustered, but Chu Un-hwi just whistled.
Watching his nonchalance, Jang Cheol-sim's eyes gleamed.
"Are you confident?"
"Of course."
"Remember, no blemish on the academy's name. And no oppressing the innocent with force."
The trickiest part.
Even as a black path figure, cornering without proof was unbecoming of the righteous.
"Not a big deal."
Chu Un-hwi grinned anyway.
"How could I call myself an instructor if I can't handle that?"
The Silver Hall instructors' faces darkened uniformly, pride wounded.