#123. The Black Flame Dragon Grants an Opportunity (3)
Respected senior brother. I trust this letter finds you in good health, with your future path as boundless as the open sea.
Your junior has never once doubted that you would claim the top spot at the academy, but upon hearing the news, I was seized by the urge to rush straight to Muhwan. Please forgive me for being tied down here by other duties.
Tae-eul Gate has been peaceful with no incidents. Recently, the team dispatched from Mosanpa completed the Giganjin-sik installation and headed to Wang Family Manor. After finishing the mechanism array at Tae-eul Gate, I must do the same there, though I'm unsure if I'll have the time. The designs are all complete, but we lack craftsmen skilled enough to fabricate the parts. Outer Hall Lord and Wang Manor Lord are scouring everywhere for talented artisans, but it doesn't look promising.
I yearn to wrap everything up as quickly as possible and come see you, but showing any irresponsibility would only disappoint you. I eagerly await the day I stand before you as a diligent and capable subordinate, having perfected my tasks.
Fortunately, Senior Brother Eunho sent images of your heroic figure, offering great comfort. The golden script reading 'Top Student' was so captivating I stared at the painting all day. Wang young miss summoned a master painter to create an even larger version, and the Sect Leader plans to hang Eunho's gift front and center in Daehyeonjeon, much to the delight of many disciples...
I tossed the letter down like trash as I read up to that point.
Thud.
"...Where's Eunho?"
Moyong Jaehwa peeked his head up. "If you're talking about Eunho senior brother, he left right when you started reading the letter."
"...That damn bastard."
Lately, I'd seen him hanging around with some new face I hadn't noticed before, so I figured he'd finally made a friend at the academy. But a painter pretending to be a friend? Who would've thought.
"This rotten punk... where'd he even get the money?"
In the academy, where food, clothing, and shelter were all provided, what could anyone possibly spend money on? The provisions here were even better than back at Tae-eul Gate, so for the gold-silver-bronze brothers at least, satisfaction levels were at an all-time high. I'd never asked for pocket money beyond the basics, so he shouldn't have had any cash to spare.
"...".
"...Hey, I'm feeling stuffy. Wanna go stretch our legs?"
Seong Moran suddenly stood up from her seat.
"Seong young miss."
Her shoulders twitched violently. Suspicious as hell.
"...Ugh, Seonhwa, wanna spar?"
"Did you know too, Seong young miss?"
"...".
"So you're the culprit, Seong young miss."
"Ah, no no! W-what are you talking about...? I had nothing to do with it."
"...".
"I-I'm serious. Eunho just said he'd paint a few pictures, so I gave him some money."
"Eunho's still just an academy student. When does he plan to pay you back?"
"Ah... uh, well, it wasn't that much money. Think of it as compensation for something... Now money's not really a big deal anyway..."
Seong Moran was rambling incoherently. And oddly enough, even Namgung Seonhwa was avoiding eye contact, fidgeting with her fingers in a shifty manner.
"Oh, right! Oh yeah, Ilgak monk sent an invitation. Did you see it?"
Namgung Seonhwa awkwardly changed the subject. I let out a small sigh and decided to play along.
"They're holding a banquet too?"
This would make the third one. The Twelve Peaks had moved first, then the Five Great Families. Now even the Nine Great Sects were throwing one.
"Exactly. The academy reps haven't even held ours yet."
Seong Moran fanned herself in exasperation.
"Don't you think we should hold one soon too?"
"Who'd even show up if I did?"
Normally, once the academy rep team was fully formed, the student academies kicked off with the first banquet. But others had jumped the gun and snatched that away.
"But if things keep going like this..."
It had been two weeks since the academy schedule began. As the rep team's work grew more efficient, we'd cleared all the paperwork that once seemed impossible for just us. But the real issue was no one showing up for the schedule I was organizing. If that continued for three months straight, I'd be forced to step down as rep—just like the Three Pure Ones Unfettered Sword had.
"We can't force attendance. They'd rather spend that time on something else worthwhile."
"Something else?"
The intel in my head wasn't just for processing rep paperwork. I knew exactly how to make the budget-managing Mantongbu tick—and how to leverage it.
"No need to beg them to come. Just make them desperate to attend."
And I had no intention of stepping down easily.
"What the hell is all this?!"
Jegal Somyeong bellowed in frustration, but his subordinates didn't even flinch. With regular exams over and everyone just waiting for vacation, suddenly a flood of documents rivaling exam season had poured into Mantongbu.
"From the Murim Academy."
"The academy? Since when do those guys handle work like this?"
"Not the academy proper—the rep team."
"What?"
Jegal Somyeong flipped through one casually.
"...".
The documents were impeccably organized, flawless without a single extraneous detail.
"How many revisions did this go through?"
"Processed in one go."
"What?"
Even rep teams needed time to learn Alliance procedures—endless rejections and revisions before anything decent came up. This felt like the work of a seasoned administrator with years under their belt.
"Did Maeng Ju-won promise the reps help?"
He muttered to himself, assuming that was it, but the subordinate shook their head.
"What are you saying? You were the one piling on useless docs to mess with Jin Sowoon."
"And they cleared even those?"
"Yes."
Maeng Ju-won sat dazed amid the mountain of papers.
"On top of that, they suddenly requested a massive budget for the academy schedule."
"What?"
"Look at this."
Academy schedules were mostly about networking—banquets or inviting big names to flaunt connections.
"Thirty thousand nyang?!"
He'd figured maybe a banquet budget since the kid had no connections to brag about. But that sum was enough to stun even the unflappable Jegal Somyeong.
"...Insane. Planning to invite all Ten Supremes of the World or something?"
The subordinate just chuckled without replying. Sure, sometimes they'd request exorbitant lecture fees for "big names," but Jegal Somyeong never approved those.
"Of course not."
"...But we might have to approve it."
"What?"
"Here's the breakdown on how the budget would be used."
The report meticulously explained why the funds were needed, where they'd go, the expected effects, and the gains for the Alliance—flowing seamlessly without a single snag.
"...".
"Should we reject it?"
Unlike Elder Hall or Martial Pavilion thugs who just whined for more cash, this was airtight. No, they'd have to cut other budgets to fund it.
"Heh, that Jin Sowoon..."
Jegal Somyeong felt the kid could handle deputy chief right now.
'Deputy? Nah, he could run Simhyeongak.'
As he daydreamed ambitiously, the subordinate continued.
"This is why our verification workload exploded. That's why the chief's like that."
"Tsk, why'd he go making more work?"
Maeng Ju-won snapped out of his stupor amid the piles and slowly turned his head. The eerie sight made Jegal Somyeong step back—
"Ch-Chief Strategist..."
"I'm not helping! You sowed this, you reap it!"
"Chief Strategist!!!"
Maeng Ju-won crawled on all fours, grabbing Jegal Somyeong's pant leg.
"I said no!"
"Did you see this? This?!"
Maeng Ju-won waved the budget request.
"Jin Sowoon must join Mantongbu after graduation—no, right now. Give him my chief spot. I'll take deputy—or even subordinate!"
"You mad bastard..."
"Chief Strategist!!!! Please!!!!! Jin Sowoon!!!"
"Get him off already!"
It took four subordinates to pry him loose. As Jegal Somyeong fled Mantongbu, Maeng Ju-won wailed after him.
"Chief Strategist!!! Jin Sowoon has to come to Mantongbu!!!"
"...".
"I just can't fathom why you refuse to wear it."
The head maid sighed deeply. But I couldn't back down.
"...I nearly died wearing that thing."
"Pardon? What do you—"
"My reflection was so shameful I wanted to hurl myself into the lake."
"...H-how can you say that? This is the finest embroidery from Gold Needle House in Hubei Province, crafted over a hundred days by their top artisan..."
"So why force it on me for a non-formal event?"
The head maid was still trying to dress me in that 'Top Student' outfit.
"Academy students and even Alliance dignitaries will attend. You must wear something eye-catching."
"Not even if I die."
I unleashed Tae-eul Paeman Sinbo, sending the maids grabbing at illusions tumbling to the floor.
"W-wait! Fine! Just... don't go in that drab martial robe that looks like you tossed out any sense of aesthetics."
"...".
I glanced at my robe. Newly tailored, no lingering qi traces, no recent floor-rolling, so barely any stains. Drab?
"...We prepared a backup just in case."
The head maid nodded with a face aged a decade. Maids brought out new clothes.
"At least wear this."
Black like my usual, but lustrous high-grade fabric with subtle silver embroidery along the sleeves for an elegant sheen.
"...Should've started with this."
I didn't fuss much over clothes, but this was wearable. My plain black actually made me look too understated next to other students—sometimes mistaken for a servant rather than the rep.
The top draped like a coat with long sleeves; silver patterns shimmered gorgeously with each step.
"Should've embroidered here too, knowing you'd say that."
The middle-aged head maid still clung to the 'Top Student' idea.
"Do that and I'll never wear it again."
"Why shun well-deserved recognition? It's why academy life has been tough for you."
Her words hinted she knew my situation well. When I didn't reply, her eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"Forgive me. I spoke out of turn."
"No big deal."
It wasn't wrong, after all.
I headed to the Nine Great Sects' banquet hall. Lanterns lined the path gorgeously. People walked in groups of three or four—half academy students, half networking hopefuls in lavish robes and jewels signaling elite status.
The banquet hall was still distant, but festive music already drifted over. With winter past and weather warming, wine tables dotted the outdoors; Nine Great Sects disciples mingled, exchanging greetings and building bonds.
"You've arrived."
I turned to see Jegal Jeonggi offering a light fist salute.
"Alone?"
"Everyone's under the weather."
Truth was, I'd talked them out of coming. No need for them to endure the discomfort of prying eyes—I could handle it solo.
"Quite considerate."
Jegal Jeonggi smiled ambiguously.
"Attending a Nine Great Sects banquet?"
"As you know, Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families aren't enemies."
"Not exactly one body either, are they?"
If not enemies, why the brutal Demonic Subjugation War in my past life?
"Strategic allies, perhaps."
"The common foe seems too insignificant for that."
"Playing dumb? Or do you really not know?"
"...".
"You're a 'symbol.' A massive rift at that."
"Me?"
"Chaos starts from the smallest cracks."
"...".
Jegal Jeonggi eyed me intently, then sighed softly.
"Why haven't you held a banquet yet? Us jumping ahead makes us look bad."
"...Would you come if I did?"
"Of course not. But you never know—some might secretly support the rep."
I glanced around, locking eyes with Cheol Sunjik beside Nam Hwaseong. They stared stiffly before slowly turning away.
"So hold it soon. Drag your feet and you'll end up the rep who never held a single event or schedule—forced out."
"One question?"
I eyed his grinning face.
"Sure. Ask away."
"Why not ask about Jegal Cheongi?"
"...".
His face hardened for the first time.
"I hear Jegal family succession is merit-based, not eldest-son. Guarding against him for that?"
"...Family matter. Not for you to worry about."
"Or is it because he's the symbol of the rift?"
"...".
His leisurely demeanor twisted into a demon's scowl.
"You're a dangerous person, Jin Gongja. The problem is you don't realize it."
In my past life, he never saw me as human. Progress?
"And you think the whole world is wrong, not you."
His voice rose. Eyes gathered.
"That's why you're dangerous. Got it?"
Then, a group of elders approached.
"Causing a scene at someone else's feast?"
They wore opulent robes with jeweled belts, fanning themselves in unison like a matched set.
Jegal Jeonggi startled, quickly saluting.
"Greetings to the exalted elders of the Murim Alliance. Jegal family’s Jeonggi."
The lead elder glanced at him, then me. I returned a slow, light salute.
"Jin Sowoon, at your service."
"Without sect or origin, how am I to know you?"
"You don't know me?"
"Why would I?"
"You just said 'someone else's feast.' You know neither Jeonggi nor I belong to Nine Great Sects, right?"
"...".
The elder's scowl deepened—along with the other elders, the very ones who'd sparked the Alliance's internal power struggles. Their faces twisted.
"...Jin Gongja. Do you know who this is that you act so brazenly?"
A bald man in monk robes spoke in surprise. Ilgak from Shaolin.
"Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate."
I saluted lightly again. Myeonghyeon sneered.
"Hmph. The Black Flame Dragon backed by the unorthodox world's momentum is as fearsome as they say."
"Your words made it fact, Elder Myeonghyeon—putting me in quite a bind."
"Blame me for your failure as rep?"
"Otherwise, how could Nine Great Sects, Five Great Families, and Twelve Peaks so openly ignore me? All because you elders sabotaged my events."
"What?!"
The air grew heavy, pressure bearing from all sides.
"Didn't they teach you loose talk like that costs lives in Murim?"
Not just Myeonghyeon—every elder unleashed silent chants in unison, choking breath itself. Beside me, Jegal Jeonggi clutched his throat in panic, face purpling as he froze.
I maxed out Tae-eul Heart Technique to repel their chants.
"Hup."
A gasp erupted from behind Myeonghyeon. Breathing eased slightly. He eyed me in shock.
"Not just some lucky entrant, then."
The pressure vanished. Jegal Jeonggi collapsed, gasping desperately. Seeing him down while I stood firm drew intrigued stares.
I wanted to gasp too but gritted through it.
"Heard you haven't held a schedule—or even a rep banquet?"
"Why throw a pointless farce for anyone?"
"Tsk. The uneducated..."
Myeonghyeon clucked his tongue with a oily smirk.
"Then why request thirty thousand nyang?"
Gasps exploded around.
"Th-thirty thousand?!"
"The rep gets that much?"
"What's going on?!"
Students and networkers alike fixed on me, thanks to Myeonghyeon.
"For the academy schedule, naturally."
"Thirty thousand nyang?"
"Yes."
"Handing out gold ingots to every attendee?"
The hall hushed like a rain-soaked forest as I paused.
"Hardly."
"Then what? Embezzle it as your sect's slush fund? Not on my watch."
"You see us as total beggars."
"Then explain the spending."
The music had stopped. Unintended, but Myeonghyeon made it easy. I infused my voice with inner power.
"Everyone remembers the nightmare at Ma-ryeong Plateau."
"...".
"The horrific formation that turns anyone trapped—regardless of skill—into a lost soul."
Hundreds of eyes followed my step.
"To prevent its repeat, I've decided to share the solution to Muryangbulgolmokhonjin. It's being replicated right now in the academy's grand training ground."
Moans of dismay rippled.
"Heh..."
"So that's the weird structure going up."
"Sharing that?"
"Even Mosanpa had no countermeasures..."
The murmurs vanished when I spoke.
"Some know: I'm the only one who navigated it, saving people. Attend this schedule, and if you're ever trapped, you'll save your own life."
Murmurs swelled.
"Plus clues to install it in your own sects."
Chaos erupted anew. A voice from the crowd—Cheol Sunjik with the Twelve Peaks.
"Open to anyone?"
I nodded readily.
"Of course. It's for all students."
I paused.
"But facilities aren't perfect, so limited time and numbers. First-come, first-served: only two hundred over ten days learn the Muryangbulgolmokhonjin solution."
The hall exploded. Banquets forgotten, all buzzed about Ma-ryeong Plateau. Myeonghyeon, elders, Nine Great Sects students glared fiercely.
I ignored them, approaching Jegal Jeonggi.
"I was the rift?"
"...".
Still reeling from the pressure and my words.
I whispered in his ear.
"Spot on. I am the rift. And I'll be the first hole cracking the dam you've so carefully built."