#122. The Black Flame Dragon Grants an Opportunity (2)
The student who had asked the question chuckled, but the instructor and everyone else stiffened their faces.
"Young man, that's going too far with the jokes."
"Do you think I could joke around in this atmosphere?"
I pointed to the people in the training hall. Not a single one lacked hostility.
"Not a joke, then?"
"I only say what I can stand behind."
"Hah..."
While the instructor wore a dumbfounded expression, the student who had spoken stepped forward into the training ground, fuming.
"Does the representative not even see me?"
Jang Seokdo, disciple of the Jongnam Sect. A master of the Splitting Light Sword, a talent who would rise to become the lord of the White Tiger Hall in the future.
"Do I look like I'm in the mood for idle chit-chat?"
"Hmph! Maybe you think losing to one is more embarrassing than losing to five."
Jang Seokdo drew his sword. The instructor glanced between me and him before slowly stepping down from the training ground.
Jang Seokdo immediately assumed the starting stance of the Splitting Light Sword.
"Draw your sword."
"Just come at me."
"..."
Jang Seokdo's face flushed red. Soon, murderous intent flickered in his eyes as he stepped forward with the North Dipper Heavenly Star Step, closing the distance and slashing down.
Splitting Light Sword, First Form: Opening Heaven's Net Moon.
The sword raised high to the sky split into two, plummeting down as if to sever both arms.
I waited until the very last moment before unleashing the crushing form of the Socheon Sword Technique.
Clang.
Clang, rattle.
Thud.
Jang Seokdo's sword flew out of the training ground with a resounding crash.
Shing.
I deliberately sheathed my sword slowly.
The laughter-filled atmosphere in the hall sank like ice water had been poured over it, and Jang Seokdo stood there pale as a ghost.
"Won't we need four more?"
I looked at the instructor as I spoke, but he just alternated his dazed gaze between Jang Seokdo's sword and me.
During regular hours, the Murim Academy students from various sects competed fiercely regardless of affiliation, but afterward, they would rebuild camaraderie—that had been the atmosphere until now. This year's cohort felt like walking on thin ice over a frozen river, cold enough to chill to the bone.
Even immature students naturally grouped by affiliation, whether in the Murim Alliance or the academy. Among the three major factions—Jeongdohoe, Baekdohoe, and the Twelve Peaks—whoever took the representative spot, the other two would cooperate or check each other based on mutual interests.
After all, securing even one more spot in the Yongbong Assembly, where graduates served for four years, boosted not just personal careers but also their sects.
But my existence prevented any alliances among the three factions. They had united solely to purge me, this impurity, and it was affecting even those who had taken the exam with me.
"They got dragged behind the building and came back?"
At Dongryong's words, twin flames ignited in Namgung Seonhwa's eyes.
"Who the hell? Which bastard dared! Where are they now?"
"Ah, in the infirmary."
"What?"
"One arm each broken."
"...Weren't you dragged off by five?"
"My brothers are three. And compared to the numbers we faced in the exam, five is..."
Namgung Seonhwa stared at Dongryong, who munched on his candy bar like it was nothing, then turned incredulous eyes to Eunho.
"No need to worry. We agreed not to tell the instructors before fighting..."
"No... that's not what I meant..."
"As disciples of Tae-eul Gate, getting picked on like this has been routine since Hebi."
Eunho recounted past fights with martial arts school affiliates in Hebi, but Namgung Seonhwa didn't look reassured at all.
"Are you alright, Lady Namgung?"
At my question, Namgung Seonhwa let out a small sigh.
"Well, same for us. In class, they treat us like we're not there. Of course, no direct provocations like with the gold-silver-bronze brothers."
Fortunately, Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, and Moyong Jaehwa seemed safe from anything beyond being ignored. Considering their backgrounds, no one would dare treat them as easily as Tae-eul Gate.
Such incidents were common in the academy schedule, but the instructors and masters showed no intention of intervening—in fact, they seemed to share the students' sentiments.
"Young Master Jin, time for the appointment ceremony."
"Let's go."
"...Hm, are you really going to accept it?"
Murim Academy appointment ceremony. With the executive committee not fully formed, I had led a partial group to attend.
"Any issues?"
Only the academy head, administrative staff, and instructors gathered. The head repeated the same question several times.
"If you take this, it'll be hard to integrate into the academy."
"Even if I refuse, do you think the students would accept me now?"
"...I'm speaking from experience."
I nodded, knowing the story of the master of the Three Pure Ones Unfettered Sword who had voluntarily given up the representative position.
- Jaso-dan
- Baekhyang-ok
- Noeseongbi
Jaso-dan, the Mudang Sect's spirit elixir. Baekhyang-ok, emitting an exotic fragrance. Noeseongbi, the flying sword said to slice metal like tofu.
Treasures none could call trivial.
"...Sigh. Listen well—this representative role isn't as easy as you think. The paperwork alone with Mantongbu numbers in the thousands..."
My gaze stayed fixed on the treasures regardless of the head's words. One reason I had to claim top rank was right before my eyes.
"Understand? If a hole opens in your duties, the entire schedule falls apart. We couldn't help you even if we wanted to."
"Got it."
"Hm? So you're forfeiting?"
"I mean I understand your concerns."
The head's brow furrowed deeply.
"A Mantongbu deputy told me their chief holds some grudge against you and is piling on the work. Can you handle that too?"
Probably resentment from rejecting their offer to help with Mantongbu tasks a few days ago.
"No issue."
"...No, think it over..."
Without waiting, I reached out and popped the Jaso-dan into my mouth.
Just a couple chews, and a clear fragrance filled the air from my mouth.
"Ahh..."
The academy head stared blankly at my mouth, face twisted in agony as if his own flesh were being devoured.
"In the end..."
"I'll make good use of the rest."
Pocketing the Noeseongbi and Baekhyang-ok, I left the head's office. The executives who'd come with me all looked stunned.
"Is it really okay to just take them like that?"
I nodded at Namgung Seonhwa's words, signaling no worries.
"I've decided on frontal assault. No need to hesitate."
Namgung Seonhwa shook her head in disbelief.
"At least this treasure haul includes a gem. Selling it would fetch a fortune. Hire some help with that?"
"Nonsense. Can't sell this."
Baekhyang-ok. A white jade emitting fragrance, produced only in lands beyond Tianzhu where the Colorwood people lived. Scarce imports to the Central Plains made it a gem high officials' wives fought over with bribes.
"...What for?"
"Something to make with it."
Baekhyang-ok's greatest effect was poison neutralization and warding off evil spirits. Even small amounts neutralized a hundred poisons, and it especially prevented mental erosion from sorcery—essential against Demonic Cultists or heretics.
"Senior Brother..."
Eunho, lost in thought beside me, looked puzzled.
"About what the head said earlier."
"Don't take it to heart. Even if I stepped down, they wouldn't be pleased."
"No, no. Not that. Have you met the Mantongbu chief?"
At Eunho's question, the three women, who had been sulking, turned to me in unison.
"He visited my dorm not long after entering the academy."
"...And what did you discuss?"
"Nothing much. Wanted me to learn Mantongbu work early and help with his tasks."
"!!"
"!!"
"!!"
The three women and Eunho's eyes widened like rabbits'. Eunho's voice trembled.
"Th-then why the grudge?"
"No idea. I just refused."
"Whaaat?"
"J-Jin, what did you just..."
"Young Master Jin, I must have misheard? You turned down a chance at Mantongbu?"
"Tell me no... Tell me it's not true!"
Their reactions surprised me more.
"Is Mantongbu that great?"
In my memory, no past top graduate had applied there.
"Of course! They don't accept just anyone!"
"Ah... Is that it?"
"The Chief Strategist is notoriously picky. Even grunt work there lands you a sect chief administrator role anywhere."
"Was that the case?"
"You really didn't know?"
"I'd have refused even if I did."
"Why?"
"Can't be with my juniors there."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
I'd just been honest, but the mood turned awkward again. Was I making everyone uncomfortable lately?
"Here okay?"
The administrator set down a small frame overflowing with documents.
"...Wouldn't the desk be better? It's Mantongbu paperwork."
Namgung Seonhwa spoke, but the administrator shook his head.
"Ten more like this coming. Desk would overflow. Alright?"
"...Just leave it there."
As the administrator said, twelve more frames arrived. The representative team's executive room was buried in paperwork, no room to step.
Geum Pyo, Dongryong, and Moyong Jaehwa came to help, but with only Namgung Seonhwa among us having handled such work, their job was stacking frames onto the desk like towers.
"Is this even doable?"
The unfamiliar visitor peeking in was none other than Cheol Sunjik of the Twelve Peaks.
"What brings you here?"
Despite Namgung Seonhwa's sharp tone, Cheol Sunjik's smile remained.
"Heard you started duties. Worried if it's going smoothly. If the team fails, students suffer, right?"
"So worried? Join the executives then."
"Why would I? Current rep gets axed soon; survivors form a new one."
"...That all? Leave then. We have work."
"Can't I observe?"
Namgung Seonhwa clenched her fist at his grinning face.
"Let him watch."
"Pardon?"
It was me speaking, looking up casually from paperwork.
"You want to see if things run well? Gauge the situation, share intel. Right?"
"..."
Cheol Sunjik's face subtly hardened at my words.
"But Young Master Jin, if he's here..."
"Students can view rep duties anytime they want. Let him be."
"Got it."
Namgung Seonhwa glared at Cheol Sunjik.
"Observe fine, but interfere and no mercy."
"Y-yes. Understood."
Cheol Sunjik settled leisurely in a corner.
"Any tea?"
"...Want to get thrown in a well?"
"Didn't expect such harsh words from Lady Namgung."
"Experience it yourself; it'll hit harder."
"I'll pass then."
Namgung Seonhwa sighed, surveying the mountain of papers. Sorting, analyzing, deciding—fifty people wouldn't suffice. And rep Jin Sowoon, clueless on processing, was already scribbling on documents.
"...Eh?"
Namgung Seonhwa hurried over, startled.
"Young Master Jin, these aren't to be done carelessly..."
Her eyes widened at the document.
"That Mantongbu chief must be narrow-minded. All this needless formality."
"...Young Master Jin, how do you know this?"
She couldn't hide her shock. A routine uniform budget plan, but far from routine to process. Calculate budgets matching amounts for students, justify to draw funds from Mantongbu—tricky work.
In Namgung family, even deputy chief admin with twenty staff worked a full week on this.
Yet Jin Sowoon finished it in one go, budget and justifications flawlessly solid.
"My father's the Outer Hall Lord of Tae-eul Gate."
He said it casually and moved to the next.
"W-wait."
By the time Namgung Seonhwa paused him, he'd finished the subsidiary budget too.
"..."
Cheol Sunjik, watching it all, approached slowly and peeked at the paper. Soon, his eyes bulged.
"What the..."
Jin Sowoon's work was impeccably perfect, no excess.
Full executives plus admin-experienced disciples from sects—norm was 100-plus for rep team.
Yet he handled it solo.
Cheol Sunjik knew from sect admin how impressive this was.
Jin Sowoon finished another casually, stacking it aside. Namgung Seonhwa and Cheol Sunjik kept gaping at papers in succession.
"What's so hard? Why hire people for this."
For Jin Sowoon, processing was never hard. All Mantongbu docs etched in his mind; perfected versions from past exchanges between Mantongbu and academy too.
Tweak numbers to fit now, done.
"Just... who are you..."
Cheol Sunjik and Namgung Seonhwa stared at Jin Sowoon in disbelief.
