#110. Avici Wailing Great Journey (9)
All eyes turned to me. I kept my gaze fixed on Ilmyeong.
"Has the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly come?"
Ilmyeong glanced briefly at Namgung Seonhwa before looking back at me.
"...Well, not everyone, but yes, the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly has mobilized."
"And the one who wants to see me is 'Yong So-a'?"
"That's right."
The Nine Great Clans showing movement unrelated to the exam, and the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly here for reasons unknown. The jumbled information tangled my thoughts.
My stamina was too depleted for cool-headed analysis. Instinct guided by insight would have to suffice.
"Fine. If it's a meeting for reconciliation, any time would probably be better than now."
As I mentioned the Ma-ryeong Plateau incident, Ilmyeong let out a tsk of laughter.
"He probably won't apologize."
He stated it like an immutable truth. Knowing this myself, I nodded.
"Then there's even less reason to meet."
Ilmyeong scanned the surroundings. Even in the darkness where faces were hard to make out, he examined every corner meticulously.
"As things stand, failing the exam won't be the issue. Can you bear the full weight of that karma, benefactor?"
"These two might not have even taken the exam because of him from the start."
As I pointed to Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, Ilmyeong nodded once more. In my previous life, I'd held quite a favorable view of him, but right now, that demeanor grated on me.
I wonder if he'd keep smiling like a little Buddha even after a good smack to the head?
"Jin Gongzi."
Seong Moran joined the conversation.
"We're fine."
Seong Moran glanced at Namgung Seonhwa, who nodded as well.
"I'm not fine."
"...Right now, the important thing isn't what happened at Ma-ryeong Plateau. It's the Murim Entrance Exam."
Everyone nodded unconsciously. They all hoped to escape this situation somehow.
My intuition screamed otherwise, but with everyone saying this, hesitation wasn't an option.
I stood up.
"Where to?"
#
I moved with Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa. We'd selected only those with some influence over the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
Ilmyeong slowed his ghostly Geumgang Budong Sinbeop—Diamond Immovable Divine Technique—to match our pace. Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa were far from normal condition, so even using lightness skill drained their stamina heavily.
After about an hour, lights flickered in the distance. Torches dotted the area, with a massive bonfire in the center illuminating everything.
Above the bonfire, a whole pig slick with oil rotated, wafting a savory aroma. A stark contrast to us, hunted by thousands.
Irritated for no good reason, I spoke up.
"No consideration for a Little Buddha senior who avoids meat?"
He replied with a Buddha-like smile.
"This isn't for us. It's for you all."
"..."
"You'll need nutrition first if you're going to rest right away."
Unpleasant memories from my previous life resurfaced. It felt like he was deciding our fate without consulting us, just changing the environment around us.
I shut my mouth and followed the Little Buddha.
Beyond the bonfire, a smaller one burned inside. Around it stood seven men and women on either side.
Faces I'd seen at Tae-eul Gate, and others from my previous life. And at the center stood that man.
"It's been a while."
"..."
Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa moved to clasp their hands in greeting but glanced at me and lowered them.
Some among the men and women flanking him frowned at my rudeness toward their senior, but Yong So-a seemed unperturbed, his expression unchanging.
"I heard you've been through hardship."
His calm tone scraped at my nerves.
"Before that..."
All eyes focused on me.
"Apologize first."
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
Shock rippled through them. One even gaped like a startled frog, unable to believe it.
Yong So-a stared piercingly at me. In my previous life, I couldn't even meet those eyes that seemed to see through everything.
"My actions were justified. No need for apologies."
"Do you know how many nearly died because of you?"
"The best choice then was for me to go and fetch help. That you escaped after breaking the formation was mere happenstance."
"Didn't it occur to you that your presence tangled the formation further, complicating the rescue?"
"In the end, you broke the formation, and I did my utmost. Everyone chose their best option, so no apologies are owed."
"You sure string together sophistries well."
"I heard your group is exhausted. Shall we waste more time on this futility?"
At Yong So-a's glance toward Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa, I nodded readily.
"Then why did you call me here?"
"To help you."
"Ha!"
I couldn't contain my emotions at his words. To hear not a threat to kill me, but an offer to help, from him of all people.
"Why?"
"Because it's my best choice."
His attitude dismissed any past between us entirely. Knowing it was sincere only irritated me more.
"More details."
Yong So-a tilted his head as if baffled.
"Does the reason matter?"
"Pretext is the greatest driving force for the righteous sects. Especially for a righteous hero like Yong So-a, moving all the way here without one?"
Yong So-a fixed me with his characteristic alien gaze.
"The Jeongdo Council, centered on the Nine Great Clans, is summoning all disciples except their main forces here."
Namgung Seonhwa's hand trembled. Just imagining it overwhelmed her. I quietly took her hand.
"Just to catch us?"
"Not you all. Just you."
"That's what I'm asking. Why me, specifically? Just because I'm slated for top admission?"
"To the current Jeongdo Council, that's precisely why it's crucial."
"And you're here to help me correct that wrong?"
One of the men beside him stepped forward.
"The more I see of this punk, the more arrogant he gets—just like at Tae-eul Gate."
Cheonggangmun's So Cheonsu. Someone from Tae-eul Gate.
I glanced at him once and ignored him, continuing to face Yong So-a. So Cheonsu's face flushed red, but I paid it no mind.
"Fine. How exactly do you plan to help? You're not saying you'll escort us to the Murim Academy."
"That's exactly what I'll do."
"What?"
"Think I can't?"
The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly was a gathering of Murim Academy graduates with the highest scores. With Yong So-a and Ilmyeong here, no less.
"It's not about can or can't."
It was something that absolutely shouldn't be done.
"The exam rules state that anyone receiving aid from their sect, allies, or related parties loses eligibility."
"Do you think everyone follows the rules?"
"..."
"You just decide. Will you do it, or not?"
"Fine. In this situation, I can't refuse. But I want to hear the conditions."
"Conditions?"
"There must be a price."
"None."
His words made not just me, but Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa widen their eyes.
"You just need to enter the Murim Academy as top scholar."
Yong So-a slowly raised his hand, pointing at the two beside me.
"But none of your companions—not even them—can come with you."
A strange silence descended.
"..."
"..."
Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa looked utterly deflated, like sand slipping through their fingers.
"Heh heh heh."
I'd half-expected it, so laughter escaped me.
"That stubborn head of yours never changes."
"You punk! That's too far!"
So Cheonsu's shout barely registered.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
Yong So-a looked genuinely perplexed. I gave him my best answer.
"Because it's not the right thing to do."
For the first time, a faint crack appeared in Yong So-a's expression.
"More details."
"More details, huh..."
Probably dissatisfied with the current Murim Alliance powers. In a few years, he'd form his own faction to undermine it. Shaking up the old guard to highlight their incompetence was a new force's duty. The rise of a new hero could justify purging the Jeongdo Council and elders.
Especially if he forged that hero himself, to mold as he pleased. From a lowly sect he could discard later without issue. Various motives swirled in my mind, but I held my tongue.
Instead, I racked my brain for the best way to needle him.
"I can't agree with your version of justice."
His justice ultimately preserved the righteous sects' lineage. But it also abandoned all my comrades in the end.
"We've wasted time. Still, as a consolation, buy us a day. The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly can manage that much, right?"
As I turned to leave, So Cheonsu stepped forward again.
"We haven't dismissed you yet."
I ignored him and took a step.
"This bastard!"
So Cheonsu unleashed a fierce killing intent. Normally trivial, it now assaulted my entire body, shredding my nerves.
Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa beside me sighed and collapsed.
The sudden killing intent had struck their internals.
"Urk."
Namgung Seonhwa spat black blood, and only then did So Cheonsu's face pale. He hadn't expected this either.
Baek-su-sin-nyeo Dang Seohui darted out, checking Namgung Seonhwa's pulse. She fed her a pill from her bosom.
As Namgung Seonhwa's color improved, Dang Seohui checked Moyong Jaehwa next, then turned to leave but fixed me with a stare.
"How much sleep have you gotten?"
"Since when are you talking?"
"..."
As the cold-faced Dang Seohui reached for my pulse, I yanked my hand away.
"..."
She gave me a sullen look.
"You have to extend your hand."
"No thanks."
"Because of So Cheonsu?"
"Yeah."
"Would you if he died?"
"Can you make that happen?"
So Cheonsu's face went ghostly white.
"I could make him shit blood for a month or so. Now give me your hand."
"Deal."
Dang Seohui checked my pulse, then snapped her half-lidded eyes wide.
"You wanna die?"
"Am I terminally ill?"
"You're the worst off here. You could drop dead any second."
Namgung Seonhwa and Moyong Jaehwa, their colors restored, stared at me speechless.
"Just shake off the pursuers so I can sleep."
"You'll die like this."
"Not giving up on the Murim Entrance Exam."
"Then follow Yong So-a."
"Seohui senior."
"Why call me?"
"Don't the people here seem off?"
"?"
"It's all Nine Great Clans folks. You're the only one from the Five Great Families."
"..."
"Yong So-a's 'justice' is just playing favorites."
Dang Seohui eyed Yong So-a with half-lidded eyes. His expression remained unchanged.
"I don't know what he said to sway you, Seohui senior, but Yong So-a's no different from the corrupt Murim Alliance trash he despises."
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"