Heinrich's Law (Part 1)
Gansu, a remote border region of the Central Plains.
At the northernmost edge of Gansu, in an even more isolated area, lay the headquarters of the Four Blood Alliance. Even though it was technically part of the Central Plains, it was so far west that Xinjiang, the home of the Demonic Cult, was actually closer than Hebei or the imperial capital of Gyeongsa. On the side of a desolate, rocky mountain in Gansu, a grand pavilion with jade-colored tiled roofs stood firm.
And inside that pavilion...
"...I hope everyone will share their opinions without reservation."
The Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Four Blood Alliance, who sat in the highest seat, stroked his golden beard as he spoke. However, the rest of the people gathered around the table remained tight-lipped. Seeing this, one of the elders of the Four Blood Alliance clicked his tongue.
"When it comes to talking about money, every single one of you raises your hand in a heartbeat. Yet now, you've all gone mute."
"..."
"..."
"Come now, let's not be too harsh."
As the others kept quiet, another elder stroked the table and replied with a displeased look. "Is our Alliance not losing sects by the day? The only reason we even have a semblance of a gathering is because the people here are still holding down their seats."
"And what good does holding down a seat do? All anyone does is sit around thinking of how to pocket more money."
"What did you say?"
"If you all had stayed with the Alliance out of pure loyalty and patriotism, would our Four Blood Alliance have ended up in this pathetic state?"
"Watch your mouth! Aren't you taking things a bit too far?"
I asked them to share their opinions, and they're just bickering, the Law Enforcement Hall Chief thought, cradling his head in his hands.
He glanced at the seat next to him. To be precise, it was the most luxurious chair in the room. Made of ebony, adorned with gold leaf and embedded jewels, the chair was now covered in a thin layer of white dust. Looking at that empty seat made the Chief's heart grow heavy.
According to The Secret Pact signed with the Imperial Court, the Orthodox factions, and the Demonic Cult, the 'Summit' was scheduled to take place soon. While the rapid decline of the Four Blood Alliance's power over the past few years was a major concern, the biggest problem lay elsewhere.
The master of that seat hasn't shown his face in years.
A few years ago, the Leader of the Four Blood Alliance had returned from a journey severely wounded. It was an injury so grave that anyone could see its severity. As the sole witness at the time, the Law Enforcement Hall Chief believed that treating the Leader's wounds was the top priority, but the Leader had refused. Instead, he declared his intention to heal his injuries through closed-door meditation while simultaneously training in a supreme martial art. He then immediately headed down to the underground chamber for closed-door cultivation.
And the Leader of the Four Blood Alliance had not emerged since.
Because the closed-door cultivation chamber was built with a complex structure that only the Leader himself could navigate, no one dared to approach it rashly.
All I can do is prepare his meals.
Even for the Law Enforcement Hall Chief, his only duty regarding the chamber was to slide meals through a tiny slot once a week. He desperately wished for the Leader to finish his cultivation, step out, and resolve this chaotic situation. But then...
"Do you think I don't know your son took bribes and replaced the training ground's paving stones with cheap sandstone?!"
"How is that my son's fault?! I told you, my son was scammed too!"
What on earth were they talking about?
While the Law Enforcement Hall Chief had drifted off into his thoughts for a brief moment, the others had continued their utterly pathetic argument. It wasn't just pathetic anymore; it was downright infuriating. Here he was, working day and night in place of their vanished Leader, while these pathetic excuses for executives could only think about lining their own pockets.
Bang! Bang!
The Chief slammed his hand on the table, ensuring that everyone in the room turned to look at him.
"Did I not say that the Alliance Leader is highly likely to be absent from this year's summit as well? Why are we talking about bribes instead of coming up with a solution?"
"Ahem, well, it's not like that..."
"Perfect timing. Third Elder, why don't you share your thoughts?"
"Me?"
"Has the Third Elder not been the most vocal in expressing his opinions today? I trust you have an excellent strategy prepared."
It was a blatant public humiliation, but the Third Elder couldn't find the words to protest. In reality, the Law Enforcement Hall Chief was the one practically running the Four Blood Alliance anyway. Glancing around nervously, the Third Elder squeezed out an answer.
"What if... we say he is bedridden with an illness?"
"An absolutely brilliant idea."
"R-really?"
"Once the news spreads to the Murim Alliance, the Demonic Cult, and the Imperial Court that the Leader of the Four Blood Alliance is groaning in bed, our Alliance will surely walk a path of absolute prosperity! Since those three factions will undoubtedly march straight into Gansu all at once, I suppose the Third Elder will gladly lead our vanguard!"
As the Law Enforcement Hall Chief clapped his hands in mock admiration, the Third Elder's face flushed bright red.
"N-no, that's not what I meant... I just said it without thinking..."
"Are you boasting about speaking without thinking? Truly magnificent. Next, Second Elder, please speak. What brilliant idea did you have that caused you to bicker so passionately with the Third Elder?"
"W-well, that is..."
The Second Elder, who was pointed out next, also offered nothing but a useless response. No sharp strategies emerged. A sigh escaped the Chief's lips. With a grim expression, he turned to the First Elder.
"First Elder, what is your esteemed opinion?"
Unlike the other elders, the First Elder was the oldest and the most dignified. The Chief pinned his last shred of hope on him. The First Elder remained silent for a moment before offering a brief word.
"...A human-skin mask."
"Pardon?"
"Perhaps we could use a human-skin mask."
The First Elder, the oldest among them, spun the large jade ring on his finger as he replied. "Ever since the former Alliance Leader fell victim to the underhanded tricks of the previous Heavenly Demon, almost no one has actually seen our current Leader, have they?"
"That is true, but..."
"Of the three leaders, only the current Murim Alliance Leader, the Sword Sovereign, has ever crossed paths with him, and even then, he only saw him from a distance."
It sounded plausible at first listen. The Law Enforcement Hall Chief immediately summarized the First Elder's words.
"...So, you are suggesting we disguise an elderly master of a similar cultivation realm as our Alliance Leader?"
"Is there any other way? Unless you, Chief, want to personally drag the Leader out of his closed-door cultivation."
Though the First Elder replied bluntly, the Chief didn't take offense and fell deep into thought.
It actually... makes sense.
As the First Elder said, it was true that very few people had actually met the Leader of the Four Blood Alliance. Since the Chief had handled most of the Alliance's affairs anyway, simply announcing to the world that the Leader was active and well would probably put the rumors to rest. However, one thing bothered him.
"First Elder, why are you only sharing such a brilliant idea now?"
"Chief, did you ever ask?"
"..."
Since he hadn't asked, the First Elder hadn't told him. The Chief was left utterly speechless.
He's not wrong, but this still feels incredibly annoying...
Regardless, they had found a way. To put the plan into action, the Chief called out to the Third Elder, who was currently pretending to know nothing.
"Third Elder."
"...Yes?"
"Didn't you mention before that you wore a handsome man's human-skin mask just to meet a famous courtesan?"
"When did I ever say that?!"
"I can even name the courtesan. Her name was Cheong—"
"Whoa, whoa! Alright! I'll introduce you to the master craftsman who makes the masks, so please, shut your mouth!"
What a pathetic excuse for a man.
It was sad that he only listened when threatened. Thus, in order to find a fake Alliance Leader to attend the upcoming Summit, the executives of the Four Blood Alliance had no choice but to endure a very long meeting.
The season of ripening grains and fruits had arrived, and autumn felt like it was just a step away. The morning sun was no longer scorching but felt pleasantly warm, and the breeze was gradually turning cool.
But for me, the indicator that autumn had truly arrived was something else entirely.
"Chef Yoon?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't you think our junior's cheeks look a bit softer lately?"
"You noticed too?"
Man Hanseok, who was eating lunch with me under the shade of a tree by Hayeon-ji, the academy's small pond, glanced at Gongson Yeongji sitting next to him.
By "softer cheeks," he meant she had finally gained enough weight for her cheeks to be pinchable. The once-skeletal Yeongji was finally regaining her healthy baby fat, looking like a normal child her age.
As Hanseok and I watched her with warm, proud smiles, Gongson Yeongji felt our gazes and pouted.
"I'm not a baby whose cheeks need to be pinched just because I'm cute."
"Of course, of course. Our Yeongji is definitely not a baby."
"...Hmph."
Yeongji grumbled. She might have preferred her thinner self, but in our eyes, she looked just right now.
"Oh, by the way, an official notice came down to the inner and outer dining halls."
"What kind of notice?"
"It said not to make meals for the first-years for a week starting two weeks from now. Are they taking the first-years somewhere?"
"Ah, it's already that time of year."
"What time of year?"
It certainly wasn't gizzard shad season, so what on earth was it?
"You know Hyangsan, the mountain right behind the academy? The first-years spend a week camping out there."
"So they're actually eating and sleeping there for a whole week?"
"Yes. The instructors change every year, so the specific details vary, but they mostly learn survival skills."
"Oh, that sounds fun."
According to Hanseok's explanation, they would live in the mountains for a week, learning things that might come in handy someday. For example, how to start a fire with bare hands without a fire striker, how to identify mushrooms, how to find drinking water, how to read the weather, and other skills akin to deserted island survival.
On top of that, they were apparently taught military tactics, like how to escape when caught in an inescapable net. But really, who at the academy was going to get caught in an inescapable net? It wasn't like they were public enemies of the Murim.
"It sounds pretty useful, but is it really necessary to teach only the first-years?"
"Originally, it was standard to learn it before graduation, but as you know, the graduating class is quite busy. Many of them have to return to their home sects too. So I heard it naturally shifted to the first-year curriculum."
Since they were going to a mountain directly adjacent to the academy, there shouldn't be any major safety issues. The notice sent to me even mentioned that full-time instructors and head tutors would be assigned to stay with the students twenty-four hours a day, so there was no need to worry.
"Yeongji, have you prepared your things?"
"Yes... The Dongdo Association President and my sister packed a ton of stuff for me..." Yeongji replied shyly. "They packed so much that the bag is too big and heavy for me to even carry on my back..."
Well, those two did have a surprisingly caring side, so it seemed Yeongji was receiving the full brunt of their affection.
"That's definitely overprotection. Hanseok, go check on her luggage later."
"I was planning to. I know both seniors just want to help, but Junior Gongson isn't a toddler."
"Well, it's everyone's first time looking after a first-year, so let's just call it overprotectiveness."
Seriously, everyone was making such a fuss.
"..."
But seeing how much those two had prepared, I wondered if I should help out too. Maybe I should pack a seasoning set for her? The chances of kids making delicious food on their own were pretty slim.
Chatter, chatter.
The first-year students were gathered in clusters at the Great Martial Arts Arena. Some were talking with the friends next to them, while others made grand gestures, boasting about what they would accomplish.
Among them, the one who caught my eye the most was, of course, Gongson Yeongji. She was whispering with a girl who had a similar quiet vibe. Just last semester, she didn't seem to have any friends, but now she was chatting happily with someone she got along with.
"Alright, everyone. Quiet down, quiet."
"Head tutor, when are we leaving?"
"They'll be arriving shortly."
It seemed there was still one last person left to arrive.
And then, a figure strode confidently toward the chattering first-years. It was someone I knew well.
"Ahem, is everyone gathered?"
It was Dan Buyong, the Western Hall Master, dressed in white martial robes. She tapped her white folding fan against her palm. At that, the children immediately shut their mouths and looked forward.
"Normally, the Principal would come in person to give you a few words of advice, but unfortunately, he is too busy with administrative duties to be here today."
He was probably away because of that upcoming Summit or whatever it was. Instead, Dan Buyong, who held the next highest authority, was stepping up to give the briefing.
The speeches at these kinds of events were always the same. Be careful of this, don't do that, make sure to tell the person next to you before you go anywhere, and so on.
As I watched Dan Buyong deliver her final words of advice before their departure, I sensed someone approaching from below.
"Oh dear, you've climbed up onto the roof again. What if you fall?"
"I told you, this is the best spot."
Seeing Gye-yeong looking up with worried eyes, I immediately leaped down to the ground and flicked his forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Did you finish everything I asked you to do?"
"You just need to come and check."
"Alright, I'll be right there."
And so, that day passed without incident, and the next day went by just as peacefully.
However...
The problem arose three days after the first-years left for their wilderness training.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
In the pitch-black dawn before the sun had even risen, someone was pounding on my door. I opened it with a groggy, half-awake posture.
"Who is it...? Huh? Miss Seol?"
With a frantic expression, Seonwoo Seol grabbed my collar and shook me violently.
"We have a huge problem!"
"What? Wait, Miss Seol. Calm down first..."
"Yeongji... Yeongji and the other students have been kidnapped!"
"What?!"
My groggy mind instantly snapped awake. It felt as if someone had struck me over the head with a sledgehammer.