#120. Black Flame Dragon in Golden Attire (5)
“They say a woman's transformation is innocent, but this feels downright guilty.”
Thinking about it, Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were renowned beauties within Anhui Province. It was just that our grueling journeys together had left no time for them to doll themselves up. If they actually put in the effort, there wasn't a single girl in this intake who could compare.
At my teasing remark, Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran covered their mouths and giggled. Even that sight was picturesque, drawing soft groans from all around.
“What kind of harsh words are those? This is our real look.”
I nodded unconsciously at Seong Moran's words. She resembled the girl I'd first seen at the Iron Sword Sect, but so vividly. It was just that her recent image of chomping on mud-caked jerky without a care had been too fresh in my mind—I hadn't imagined this.
“But who's that one? Part of our group?”
When I pointed to the other beauty standing behind them, not only the two but even the gold-silver-bronze brothers flashed strange smiles.
“You don't know?”
“Don't know?”
In my past life and this one, I'd glimpsed plenty of beauties from afar. Yet I'd never seen one whose red silk robes and golden ornaments matched so exquisitely.
“It's me, big senior brother.”
“...Huh?”
My jaw dropped wide. The voice was unmistakably that of the girl I knew.
“Saryeon?”
The beauty in red silk nodded.
“Holy shit—no, but her walk was like someone I'd never seen before.”
With my perfect memory, I could recall people in all sorts of ways. The gestures and gait of someone I'd spent my childhood with twice over—there was no forgetting them.
Yet Hong Saryeon's walk was definitely not hers. Her frame and build, half-hidden by the robes, weren't her original ones either.
“No way, after half a year, the first thing you're curious about with your junior sister is her walk?”
Seong Moran clicked her tongue.
“It's fine, sis. Big senior brother's always been clueless about girls' hearts—not even a speck of insight.”
“Th-that's not...”
“Want me to recount how you confessed to Hoesi ajusshi's youngest daughter and got shot down?”
Hong Saryeon sealed my lips by dredging up that old story, like sweet revenge.
At her tale, Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa's eyes widened like they'd struck gold, chattering excitedly.
“...”
But Hong Saryeon had come to the academy when tensions with the Iron Sword Sect were still high. When did they get so chummy?
“You really won't tell me what happened?”
It wasn't just growth spurts—too much had changed. Like when I'd drunk the Mita sacred water, her physique now closely resembled a martial god's body.
Hong Saryeon exchanged a subtle glance with Namgung Seonhwa.
“I met Sword Immortal a while back.”
“Creation Sword Immortal?”
“Yeah. He saw me and said it was a shame to waste the chance, so he used Bull Hair Blood Washing on me.”
“Whoa?”
“I'd taken all those spirit elixirs from Wang Soso that I still couldn't fully absorb.”
Hong Saryeon didn't spell it out, but I caught on quick. The various spirit medicines from Wang Soso, now free of her ice physique. Tae-eul True Scripture might've handled it, but melting them with Great True Force must've been too much.
“And that's how I ended up like this.”
Hong Saryeon spun proudly in place. Even that small motion radiated subtle fighting spirit.
“Perfect. Did you thank Sword Immortal?”
“Of course.”
“Good girl. I'll have to thank him personally later.”
Namgung Seonhwa glanced around before turning to me.
“But why's it so quiet? I figured you'd be swarmed and came late on purpose.”
“...”
The lively mood from the three's arrival sank fast. Eunho gave a quick rundown, and all three furrowed their brows.
“That really happened?”
“Those bastards...”
Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa looked more outraged than us.
“If they're ignoring you on purpose, it won't be easy.”
Namgung Seonhwa's eyes widened.
“Jin gongja, don't you know who I am?”
“...”
“I'm Namgung Seonhwa of the Five Great Families' Namgung. Just trust me.”
Namgung Seonhwa strode forward boldly, and we followed. Those who'd shunned us like plague carriers moments ago now stood frozen like statues at the sight of the three women together.
“Senior brother, was Namgung junior always that fiery?”
Hong Saryeon whispered as she sidled up. Recalling our first meeting at Lake Dongjeong, I replied,
“Nah, she seemed calmer back then.”
“...Hmm, figures. They say you become like your friends. Makes me feel bad for Sword Immortal...”
Hong Saryeon muttered something cryptic.
“Jeonggi orabeoni!”
Namgung Seonhwa's bold call made the man watching us whip his head away.
“Why pretend not to see your sister?”
With hands on hips, feigning anger, the man who'd turned awkwardly smiled and stood.
“I kept wondering which beauty had caught my eye—it was you, Seonhwa.”
“Why avoid my gaze? Did you do something wrong?”
“Haha, what're you saying? I heard you worked hard during inspections.”
“Oh, perfect—I have someone to introduce. The one who went through it with me...”
Before Namgung Seonhwa finished, Jeonggi nodded.
“I know. Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate.”
He eyed me steadily, then nodded.
“Jeonggi of the Jegal family. No direct ties, but I've heard plenty.”
He was none other than Jegal Cheongi's older brother, Jegal Hyeonun's second son, Jegal Jeonggi. He gave me an odd look before averting his eyes.
“Hmm... Seonhwa. This isn't a good time for us to chat.”
“What...”
Jegal Jeonggi's gaze shifted to the next table. There sat Namgung Gipyo, ferret-faced, glaring murderously our way.
“This seat holds symbolic weight. Trying to revive broken trust by flaunting old ties here just looks petty.”
Unable to stand it, Seong Moran stepped up.
“Jeonggi orabeoni, isn't that too much?”
“Sigh...”
Jegal Jeonggi sighed, his faint goodwill from before drying up entirely.
“Why haven't you two joined Baekdohoe?”
“That's...”
“Not just Namgung Gipyo—even all of Namgung family's in Baekdohoe. Iron Sword Sect could've joined too, but didn't. Doesn't that mean you chose not to side with us?”
“That's...”
“Tae-eul Gate could join, of course. But why not?”
“You mean take orders from Baekdohoe? Whose will is that? The elders'?”
Jegal Jeonggi shook his head in frustration.
“Not anyone's will. If so, Jeongdohoe and the Twelve Peaks couldn't unite like this. It's just to prevent chaos.”
“What...”
“What would the world think if a lone Tae-eul Gate disciple stood above the Nine Great Valleys, Five Great Families, and 108 Peaks?”
Namgung Seonhwa's temples throbbed with veins, furious.
“What the hell are you saying?!”
“Even you, Jin gongja, must belong somewhere. If not, step down yourself. Otherwise, we'll pull you down.”
“...”
“...Not pleasant, but enjoy the banquet.”
With that warning of impending shouts, Jegal Jeonggi turned away. I stopped Namgung Seonhwa from charging and we returned to our seats.
“...”
“...”
The mood sank lower than before. No one dared speak.
“...Sorry, Jin gongja. I couldn't help.”
“Why apologize? Don't take it to heart.”
It was choose: trail behind Nine Great Valleys, Five Great Families, and 108 Peaks, or abandon the representative role.
“Jin Sowoon, academy student.”
Turning at the call, an instructor approached our table. I stood and faced him.
“My hunch was right.”
He was Izagon, who'd visited Tae-eul Gate as inspector.
“Aren't you with the Education Hall?”
“Inspections over, so no duties there for a bit. Recently assigned as instructor here.”
The Tae-eul kids knew him, exchanging eye contact and brief clasped hands, but nothing more. Our situation made cheerful greetings awkward.
“From the vibe, things aren't great.”
“...Even you pretended not to know till now, instructor.”
“Haha, you saw?”
“Lying if I said no.”
“Understand—instructors have more eyes on them than inspectors.”
“Still better off than lecturers, right?”
Instructors were essentially the martial arts masters for students. Only those with skills, background, and experience rivaling students could hold the post.
“That sharp tongue's unchanged.”
“Sorry. Not in a great mood today.”
“Yeah, figured.”
Izagon glanced around understandingly.
“You know?”
“What?”
“I know you deliberately yielded special admission.”
“...”
“Not unheard of. Among 108 Peaks, especially Twelve Peaks, some do it. But someone with nothing like you? Never.”
I had to agree. To outsiders, my choice looked suicidal.
“Still, I predicted I'd see you here after you gave up privileges.”
“...What?”
“Saw it handling the Pogeukdan. You don't do what others would think of.”
“...”
“Dunno about you, but I doubt someone else takes representative. Feels like you'll keep it somehow.”
Izagon patted my shoulder and headed to the Twelve Peaks' table.
“...”
I looked around, reflecting. I'd tunneled so blindly on entering the academy that my vision narrowed.
Haa...
Why couldn't I focus on the present? The answer came quick.
“Jin gongja?”
I walked to the banquet hall's center. Standing silent, I slowly scanned the room. The chatter died, eyes turning to me one by one.
“What's he doing?”
“Stepping down himself?”
“Outfit's too flashy for that.”
“Hahaha.”
Maybe I'd hoped this life differed from my past. Seeing Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Moyong Jaehwa, Jegal Cheongi change made me think others could too.
I infused my voice with inner energy.
“Greetings, fellow students. Nice to meet you. I'm Jin Sowoon, representative for this intake.”
I clasped hands lightly all around.
“Some know me, some don't. Some like me, some don't. But I won't mind—I'll do my duty as representative.”
No response. I pressed on.
“Historically, representatives were from Nine Great Valleys or Five Great Families—like clockwork. Lately, Twelve Peaks occasionally, but not long tradition. Now it's me.”
Even if they didn't change, so what? Their choice. Their current actions were the pathetic ones I'd despised before.
“I'm just a disciple from a powerless sect, as you think. Not tied to Nine Great Valleys, Five Great Families, or 108 Peaks—and no plans to.”
Hostile glares flew. How far can you go? Sneers erupted.
“So I'll focus solely on this intake's students, excluding those.”
I'd just offer the chance. Knowing the tragic future, it was my duty.
“I'll ensure you graduate transformed beyond entry. And unbiased toward any faction.”
“Best way's you disappearing.”
Giggles followed. I nodded readily.
“Naturally, by your preferred order, me stepping aside's ideal. But you'd just stagnate as is.”
“A Tae-eul Gate nobody spouting nonsense.”
“First, I'll appoint some executives here.”
“...”
“Namgung Seonhwa of Namgung family. Seong Moran of Iron Sword Sect. My junior sisters Hong Saryeon and Eunho.”
“Crazy.”
“Yeah, play house among yourselves. Won't last.”
Backlash swelled. Even the appointees wavered.
“One seat left.”
“Why leave one? Just scrap 'em.”
“The last four go to those willing to sacrifice for other students.”
“...”
“First come, first served. First arriver's fifth executive.”
“Insane...”
I'd fulfill my duty. Whether they followed was theirs.
“No one'll follow you. Fine with that?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“...”
Follow, and live. Don't...
“I can't force anyone. It's all your choice.”
Just as history decreed, they'd die.