Chapter 96
Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Supplementary Lessons (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Lalala. Lalala.”
Chu Un-hwi whistled cheerfully as he stretched his body for the first time in a while.
“People really need to move around every now and then.”
Especially when feeling down.
As he walked lightly toward the Silver Hall gate, the Bronze Hall instructors were already waiting.
“Oh my. Instructor Chu. What brings you here alone today?”
“My students said they needed a rest after today's intense training.”
“They're working so hard.”
“They're showing such enthusiasm, so I decided to sweat a bit with them after a long time.”
“Bonding with your students while sweating together seems truly wonderful.”
“I agree.”
Though the kids lying out there soaking in the night dew might not agree.
As they chatted, the last companion finally arrived.
“Sorry. I had some cleanup to do.”
Squad Leader Yang, who had arrived latest, apologized.
“Then we'll open the gate right away.”
As the stern gatekeeper turned the winch,
Squad Leader Yang turned to the gathered instructors and spoke.
“Attention, everyone. I have a brief announcement while the gate opens.”
They perked up their ears, and Squad Leader Yang cleared his throat before delivering the good news.
“In ten days, official dormitories will be prepared in Silver Hall.”
Instructor Jo Hyun jumped in excitement at the declaration.
“Really?”
The other Bronze Hall instructors lit up too.
“Wow. They said they'd treat us as colleagues.”
“Finally giving us our own quarters.”
“That's a relief. The commute is no joke.”
The instructors' reactions were generally positive.
'Commuting this insane distance every day isn't easy.'
For security, they let them in in the morning and out in the evening.
It was no small hassle.
'And the distance is ridiculous.'
Crossing a distance like traversing a small city meant arriving half-asleep in the morning and dragging themselves home exhausted at night.
'At least the annoyances will decrease.'
There was a slight downside, though.
'Unlike Bronze Hall, it won't be easy to meet Yul.'
Unlike the lax Bronze Hall, Silver Hall had clearly defined areas, limiting his freedom of movement.
'It's easier to communicate with Dan-ya from Bronze Hall too.'
If you gain something, you lose something else.
Still, it would make finding his bride much easier.
As he pondered, a tug on his sleeve drew his gaze.
“...It's a bit disappointing.”
Yeo Mae-hong smiled faintly with a subtle expression.
“I'd grown quite attached to that attic in Bronze Hall.”
“Yeah.”
It was true, even though it had only been half a year.
The dimly lit room.
The dusty old bed.
The stunning view visible only at sunset.
“In times like this, it's good to be a temporary instructor.”
“...?”
“Because I'll have occasions to return.”
“Ah, right. We can come back for major Bronze Hall events?”
A forgotten memory resurfaced.
'Convenient. I can use the gaps to contact Dan-ya.'
He'd make good use of the opportunities until fully settled in Silver Hall.
That was when he was continuing his thoughts.
Poke.
Chu Un-hwi yelped dramatically as something jabbed his side.
“What's that for?”
“...You're not planning to punch through walls in Silver Hall too, are you?”
“Why would I do that?”
He responded to the baffling question, and Yeo Mae-hong's expression relaxed into a grin.
“Good.”
Watching her occasionally brilliant behavior, Chu Un-hwi tilted his head.
'Women really are mysterious creatures.'
Wait. What if his bride acted unpredictably too?
It was a night full of swirling thoughts.
That night.
As he lay on his bed killing time, a familiar energy approached.
He sat up slightly, flicked his finger to block Yeo Mae-hong's acupuncture point through the wall.
Then, kicking off with new strength, he flew toward the source and found Dokgo Yul waiting.
“My lord.”
“What's up?”
Busy with Silver Hall matters, yet connecting sooner than expected.
And sure enough.
Dokgo Yul spoke gravely.
“I thought this urgent matter needed immediate relay, so I summoned you.”
Urgent matter.
Crossing his arms, an unexpected statement followed.
“A Murim Alliance expert seems to have clashed with the Heavenfall Society.”
“Already? Who was it?”
“Unknown for now. Strict security, and all their messenger birds are cut off.”
“Hah. Heavenfall Society's already seizing their messenger network? Not to be taken lightly.”
The Murim Alliance's messenger network takeover was a long-planned Heavenfall scheme.
A trump card to unveil before all-out war.
Using it early was quite surprising.
“Murim Alliance has some guts.”
He hadn't expected the sluggish Alliance to clash so soon.
In his previous life, they only stirred after their eyes and ears were fully severed.
'Butterfly effect from handing over Haomen and the Green Blood Emissary?'
Not a bad outcome.
“I'm really curious. Why is the immovable Heavenfall Society frothing like a spooked colt?”
“They say the Alliance discovered traces of human sacrifice. Could be why?”
When cults spread bizarre doctrines, the government dispatches troops to exterminate.
For cultists, government forces armed with cavalry and cannons were more terrifying than martial experts.
But Chu Un-hwi shook his head firmly.
“No way. They have lackeys in the government too.”
“Then... perhaps the 'Blood Dew Stone'?”
“Blood Dew Stone? What's that?”
“A gem obtained from the altar where they performed human sacrifices.”
Chu Un-hwi's voice sharpened instantly.
“...Reversion Stone.”
“Reversion Stone? No, it's clearly a stone glowing blood-red.”
“No. I get it now. Why they're rushing back.”
“Really because of a stone?”
To Dokgo Yul's question, he could no longer withhold one of Heavenfall's secrets.
“The red stone. Blood Dew Stone, was it? It's no ordinary item.”
A stone present from Heavenfall's inception.
The last of its kind until the world's end.
“A stone you can only obtain by grinding countless lives and with heaven's luck. Some call it the Stone of Death.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Yeah. And extremely dangerous.”
Recalling faded memories tinged with regret, he shared a snippet of history.
“For demonic arts practitioners, it's a priceless treasure unmatched in the world. Holding it accelerates demonic cultivation several times over. If fated to fully absorb its power, even becoming a peerless demon lord is possible.”
“...To demons, more precious than legendary elixirs.”
“Yes. So their frenzy makes sense.”
Dokgo Yul's face tensed at the hardened tone.
“What should we do?”
“What do you mean? Just wait.”
Dokgo Yul rarely objected to the simple reply.
“If it's that dangerous, we can't let it fall into their hands untouched.”
“No need for hassle. There's a simple way to handle it.”
Chu Un-hwi grinned at Dokgo Yul's insistence.
“I mentioned earlier. There's someone 'fated to absorb the Blood Dew Stone.'”
“Yes. Bound to become a renowned demon lord.”
“Experts with the constitution to absorb it. Heavenfall calls them 'Apostles of Heavenfall.'”
“Apostles... Key figures to watch.”
Those who could become demon lords via the stone's power.
Dokgo Yul repeated the name to himself, heightening vigilance.
The explanation continued.
“Heavenfall's goal is to awaken Apostles through the Blood Dew Stone and open the world of Heavenfall.”
The world of Heavenfall.
A realm of utter despair where everything is destroyed.
“Now, question time.”
Clap.
Chu Un-hwi clapped his hands.
“What's the most effective way to stop this plot?”
“Destroy the Blood Dew Stone, obviously.”
“Wrong. It can't be destroyed.”
“Hunt down these 'Apostles' before they awaken.”
“Wrong. Can't identify them until they show up. Though it'd be nice if they walked right in.”
Dokgo Yul racked his brain for solutions, but none emerged.
At the repeated wrongs, he furrowed his brow.
“...I don't know.”
How to thwart their scheme.
Chu Un-hwi answered.
“Simple. Let the 'Apostle' take the Blood Dew Stone.”
“...That creates the problem.”
“Listen up.”
Chu Un-hwi extended his fingers one by one with his fist.
“First. They secure the Blood Dew Stone.”
“Second. The 'Apostle' obtains the Blood Dew Stone.”
“Third. The Apostle absorbs it and becomes a demon lord.”
As a joke, he added that their lackeys aren't just in the orthodox sects—mentioning Iron Chain Alliance and even the imperial palace.
With world-ending doom looming, Dokgo Yul asked back.
“...Won't the world end?”
How to handle countless betrayers from the orthodox sects led by a demon lord, plus palace heavyweights.
But Chu Un-hwi shook his head.
“The real part starts at four.”
Slightly.
He held up his ring finger, smirking.
“Fourth. The bastard shows up before me.”
He extended his pinky.
“Fifth. I greet him warmly and kill him.”
How's that? Pretty easy, right?
At the eerie voice,
Peck. Peck.
The current orthodox faction's rising star and former Dark Wind Shadow's master was left speechless.
'My lord is truly unfathomable.'
Was this boldness or recklessness?
But lingering worries dissipated with the next words.
“The only issue is the hassle. They're top experts, super sensitive. If they rabbit out scared on sight, tracking them will be a pain.”
“...” Am I misunderstanding what a demon lord is?
He asked, but
“You're right.”
was the reply.
'Now he's beyond comprehension.'
But he had no choice but to trust his lord.
Finally, Dokgo Yul suppressed his concerns and relayed the next news.
“Hm? Haomen requested help?”
“Yes. Heavenfall's desperate enough to mobilize all remaining Haomen lackeys.”
“Must be a headache.”
“So we called for Dan-ya. What should we do?”
“Why ask about a promised favor?”
Swing Dan-ya freely.
That's what blades are for.
He added,
“While searching for my bride, I'd prefer the martial world peaceful.”
So.
Before full Silver Hall life begins.
“Shall we swat the clueless moths fluttering to their death?”
At the chilling voice, Dokgo Yul bowed deeply and shouted.
“All as my lord wills.”