Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Ecosystem Disruptor (7)
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“Apostle?”
“That's right.”
Neung Pung-un nodded and replied.
“The appearance of the Eight Thousand Apostles made the Murim Alliance realize that the Mangcheon Association is something that absolutely must not exist. The danger is the same.”
“I suppose so.”
Even if the Murim Alliance was indecisive, they couldn't just sit idly by after losing nearly a thousand members.
“Then why come to the Divine Martial Academy instead of heading to the Alliance to help out?”
“It was a proposal from the Beggars' Sect. They judged that acting unofficially would be much better.”
“Well, official Alliance missions come with all sorts of complicated procedures.”
Neung Pung-un pointed out another reason.
“Also, instructors at the Divine Martial Academy are officially educators affiliated with the academy.”
It would be easier to cover up any incidents as the work of academy instructors rather than Murim Alliance members.
“The Alliance is worried that any incident might escalate into a Righteous-Demonic War.”
“Righteous-Demonic War?”
“...The last sighting of the suspected Apostle was in Iron Chain Alliance territory.”
The main headquarters of the Apostles' Alliance.
Now it made sense why Neung Pung-un had said there was no time when mentioning the Apostles' Alliance.
“Even for me, entering Iron Chain Alliance territory means staking my life.”
“So why take on such a dangerous mission?”
Gulp. Gulp.
He roughly tilted the liquor bottle back and gulped it down, his throat bobbing.
“Damn it. I didn't expect things to get this twisted.”
Neung Pung-un let out a sigh and poured out his woes.
“At first, I accepted it thinking it was just a simple mission to retrieve a stone.”
“No way. You were the one the Nangong Family mentioned transporting the Blood Dew Stone?”
“Ugh. I was humming happily, thrilled to escape that stuffy sect.”
Who would have thought.
“I only learned later how terrifying the Mangcheon Association people targeting the stone really are.”
“Anyway, you unluckily ended up shouldering the whole burden instead of your fellow disciples.”
When he gave a curt reply, damn it! Neung Pung-un spat out another curse.
“By then, I knew the mission's danger but couldn't back out. Someone from the sect had to do it anyway.”
What a needlessly righteous guy.
Haa... With a deep sigh, his tongue slightly slurred as he continued.
“Well, no backing out now. I figured I'd make some friends I like before dying.”
“Before getting killed and used as a scapegoat?”
“Isn't that a bit harsh?”
“Why? It's the truth.”
“Saying 'get killed' or 'scapegoat' right to the person's face—think about how the listener feels.”
Something like 'die without leaving a name' might be better.
“No thanks.”
“Damn it. Gulp gulp.”
Neung Pung-un drained the bottle to the last drop and staggered.
“Ugh. Weird. I have some internal injuries, but one bottle shouldn't make me lose control like this...”
He ruffled his shaggy hair, revealing dazed eyes, and squinted at the bottle.
“Senior. Is this really Geomnamchun?”
“Why? Doesn't seem like it?”
“The aroma is about right, but one sip and my throat's burning like fire?”
“It's Geomnamchun. The bottle only.”
It was such good liquor that even just the bottle gave off a decent scent.
Neung Pung-un blinked his alcohol-glazed eyes.
Drip- gulp. “Then what's the contents?”
“Disinfectant poison liquor.”
Stolen from the medicine hall.
Hearing this, Neung Pung-un erupted.
“Disinfectant alcohol? That's not liquor for people!”
“It's disinfectant, so of course. Pretty fiery, right?”
“Kuh... No wonder my insides feel like they're boiling.”
“You drank it just fine, though.”
When he replied innocently, Neung Pung-un rolled his eyes and gave a thumbs up.
“As expected, Senior's a real madman. Skills surpassing mine, and a personality that knows no bounds. I like it.”
Thud.
Neung Pung-un fell backward and soon started snoring loudly.
“Snore-. Snore-. Mumble mumble.”
Looking down at him snoring loudly and now even sleep-talking, Chu Un-hwi snapped his fingers.
Snap. Tatatap.
With an acupuncture point struck, Neung Pung-un immediately fell silent.
Confirming he was completely unconscious, Chu Un-hwi spoke.
“Yul-ah.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Whoosh.
Dokgo Yul, who had been hiding, landed beside the passed-out Neung Pung-un.
In his hands were sturdy iron chains perfect for binding, a gag for the mouth, and a sack big enough for one person.
“Shall I dispose of him in the swamp like this?”
I brought quicklime just in case.
Chu Un-hwi raised his palm toward Dokgo Yul, who looked ready to bury Neung Pung-un right then.
“...This guy's useful.”
“I heard the story. He does seem exploitable in many ways.”
“Yeah. He's also a secret liaison between the Murim Alliance and Beggars' Sect.”
Even with Haomun's impressive intelligence, getting inside info on the Murim Alliance wasn't easy.
“If we use him well, we might get useful info on the Apostles.”
“I agree, but there's something my lord must not forget.”
Gazing down at Neung Pung-un with his chilling single eye, Dokgo Yul said.
“He could be the biggest obstacle to your romance with the principal wife.”
“That's a concern, but I have ways.”
“Ways...?”
Shing.
Chu Un-hwi drew a sharply honed dagger and grinned.
“Just remove the charm element that makes women swoon.”
The next day.
Regaining consciousness, Neung Pung-un groaned from the hangover, then screamed upon seeing his reflection by the riverbank.
“Aaaah!”
Feeling something missing, he checked his face in the water—his bangs were clean chopped off.
“You crazy bastard!”
Fuming, he rushed toward Chu Un-hwi, who was lost in morning fishing, and yelled.
“Senior! What kind of rudeness is this?”
“You looked stuffy, so I cut it.”
“Cutting someone's bangs while they sleep! Don't you know that touching a martial artist in their sleep warrants a deathmatch challenge?”
I know. So what?
Stamping his feet, Neung Pung-un bellowed fiercely.
“Even for you, Senior, I can't forgive this. I'll force an apology even if it means life-or-death.”
Neung Pung-un, who had avoided fights so much yesterday, now glared with hand on his sword sheath.
'It's certainly enough to piss him off.'
Chopping off his bangs while he slept.
'At least I didn't cut his head off?'
Even so, it was awkward with the chick he'd decided to spare throwing a tantrum about dying.
In the end, Chu Un-hwi yielded a step.
“Wasn't it a promise?”
“Promise...? Oh.”
Recalling yesterday, Neung Pung-un's face lit up with a grin.
“You'll grant my request to be friends?”
“After hearing your reasons, I don't see why not.”
“Haha. This is delightful.”
“I don't get why befriending an antisocial guy is good, but let's get along.”
Extending his hand, Chu Un-hwi was met with Neung Pung-un's beaming grip.
“Haha. Likewise.”
“By the way, as a friend, one thing I want to say.”
“What is it?”
Glared at the grinning Neung Pung-un, Chu Un-hwi said.
“Dude, first ditch that Volcanic Sect-stinking speech pattern.”
It's embarrassing to be seen with you.
Heading together to the morning assembly in the instructors' room, Neung Pung-un halted.
“Wait. Hold on a sec.”
“Problem?”
“Can't go out with this hair, right?”
His finger pointed to bangs ragged like a mouse had gnawed them.
“Wait just a moment. I'll tidy up and come back.”
True to his word, he soon returned—no longer the shaggy-haired man.
His flowing hair tied back, sides trimmed short draping over shoulders.
His handiwork was impressive; barely touched, yet he transformed into a young noble look.
“How's this? It's been ages since I styled my own hair.”
“It... suits you.”
“Good to hear. I slacked off to avoid attention, but it feels fresh now.”
His long hair swaying, a radiant smile lit his sculpted face.
'Dazzling.'
His pale skin seemed to glow in the sunlight.
'I removed the cute element, so why does he seem more ominous?'
Chu Un-hwi wondered if he'd opened a Pandora's box he shouldn't have.
The ominous feeling soon became reality.
“Oh my. Instructor Neung, you cut your hair.”
“Your nation-toppling beauty stands out even more.”
“Hehe. I was down this morning, but my eyes lit up.”
“You'll keep it like this from now on, right?”
Passing female instructors swarmed the smooth-faced Neung Pung-un nonstop.
“Haha. You're too kind.”
Too many greeted him, and the affable Neung Pung-un stopped each time for cheerful chats.
'Something's off.'
Glancing back, students covering mouths with sleeves peeked over, halted.
“Look at Instructor Neung.”
“Heard he was handsome, but not this level.”
“Ah. Will mixed classes resume?”
Beauty transcending age.
'Damn it.'
Adding to the gloom were frowning glances from beside him.
“Who's that next to him?”
“Oh. Isn't that his boyfriend?”
“Rude! I have eyes too.”
Mood plummeted.
Even Jinjeong, famed for strict gender separation, blushed—regret surged that he should've cut the whole head, not just bangs.
“Senior. Why aren't you coming?”
Chu Un-hwi shook his head and mouthed at Neung Pung-un surrounded by women.
- Can't approach.
“You said let's go together. Geez, making me feel left out.”
Your presence shines like the sun; I can't approach.
I'll burn up.
“Haha. Such jokes. If you don't go, I won't either—let's see who wins.”
As they talked, the female instructors' eyes sharpened.
One mustered courage.
“Oh. Instructor Neung's on casual terms with temporary instructor Chu Un-hwi.”
“Haha. We decided to be friends starting today. Great chemistry.”
“Really. Then could you be casual with me too?”
“Afraid not. I separate work and personal.”
The woman sighed deeply, then glared murderously at him.
'...I said nothing.'
Wondering why enemies kept multiplying while staying quiet.
“Haa.”
The day started with a sigh.
Beyond the desert lay the demonic lands.
Beyond the peaks of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains stood a massive iron fortress.
This man-made structure, carved from entire stone mountains, sprawled across several ridges.
Among them, the highest, most ornate palace.
Where successive Blood Cult Leaders resided, called the Blood God Hall by followers—a low voice emanated.
“Did you say... failure just now?”
Bzzz bzzz.
The air in the Blood God Hall trembled uniformly from the voice's energy.
“...My regrets.”
And toward where the voice directed.
In the crimson-filled Blood God Hall's center, atop the golden jade throne.
“Cult Leader.”
The figure in blood-redder-than-blood robes, exuding chilling killing intent, received a bow.