#132. Proving Himself: The Black Flame Dragon (2)
“What a shame. Haha.”
Hyeok Mu-gang couldn’t help but frown at Jegal Somyeong’s words, which showed not even a speck of regret. It was probably this irritating side of him that made the elders in the Elder Hall despise him so much.
In any case, Hyeok Mu-gang couldn’t hide his disappointment, just as Jegal Somyeong had said.
“Hmm… Even so, considering Jin Sowoon’s ingenuity and skill, wouldn’t it be better to bring him to the Alliance Lord’s Hall?”
He had even deployed a shadow warrior to gauge Jin Sowoon’s prowess, receiving in return a single chance to recruit him at the Alliance Lord’s Hall—only to be rejected right in front of him.
“What are you talking about? The recruitment opportunity was only once.”
If this had been in the Elder Hall, Hyeok Mu-gang might have picked at it, suspecting some scheme given Jegal Somyeong’s usual cunning. But he had heard Jegal Somyeong’s earnest proposal from a hundred paces away, leaving no room for doubt.
Still, regretting it, Hyeok Mu-gang added, “If you see him as the talent to lead the Murim Alliance in the future…”
“Heh heh, Alliance Lord, the elders or the other pavilion masters would have a fit if they heard that. Please, show some restraint.”
“……”
When had Jegal Somyeong ever cared about what they thought? Hyeok Mu-gang sighed softly after a moment’s reflection.
There was still plenty of time, and no guarantee Jin Sowoon would stay in the Myriad Communications Division forever. He could bring it up again when the opportunity arose.
With his thoughts settled, he felt ready to discuss Jin Sowoon at leisure.
“What’s your impression of him, Chief Strategist?”
“He’s perfect for the Myriad Communications Division.”
“Understood. I won’t bring up the Alliance Lord’s Hall again, so let’s talk calmly.”
Even at over sixty, Jegal Somyeong had been fidgeting like a child afraid of losing his favorite toy, but he nodded steadily now.
“Passing the Murim Entrance Exam at the top wasn’t luck.”
Some claimed Jin Sowoon had merely gotten lucky or used sly wits to snatch the top spot. That perception was the main reason many still refused to acknowledge his representative position.
“He must have had the martial prowess to freely unleash his ingenuity.”
By Jegal Somyeong’s calculations, Jin Sowoon could have passed the exam alone without anyone’s help if he’d wanted. Yet he had led his juniors and comrades through it—and claimed first place to boot.
This was exactly why Jegal Somyeong coveted him.
“Immense martial power and profound ingenuity. He’s the pillar to lead the Murim Alliance in the future.”
There was already Yong So-a for astonishing martial might. But Yong So-a, blessed with innate background and talent, felt no need for deep schemes.
And for sheer ingenuity, Maeng Ju-won had it in spades. But his feeble martial arts prevented him from wielding it fully.
The Murim Alliance, now a vast political arena, had become a massive battlefield. Leaders had to move those with real martial power under various pretexts. Fail, and the alliance would fracture irreparably.
“It seems fine now with no visible enemies, but if the Demonic Cult emerges, a fractured Murim Alliance won’t stand a chance.”
Many could devise strategies. But few in the alliance combined the political clout, background, ingenuity, and martial force to push them through—especially not someone unaffiliated like Jin Sowoon.
“His main lacking is background, then.”
From Jegal Somyeong’s fragmented words alone, Hyeok Mu-gang grasped what he wanted from Jin Sowoon—and what the young man lacked.
“The Myriad Communications Division and Alliance Lord’s Hall alone won’t suffice?”
Jegal Somyeong nodded at Hyeok Mu-gang’s words.
“Without substantial sect backing, his room to maneuver will be limited.”
“We should support Tae-eul Gate, then.”
“Direct aid would only arouse suspicion. And if they learn the Alliance Lord’s Hall and Myriad Communications Division are backing Jin Sowoon, they won’t sit idle.”
The Alliance Lord’s Hall and Myriad Communications Division were the direct organs of the Alliance Lord and Chief Strategist—wielding the greatest authority in the Murim Alliance. Considering how Jeongdo Council and Baekdohoe vied to extend influence over both, any leak of this conversation might prompt entrenched powers to eliminate Jin Sowoon.
“I’ll devise a way to support Tae-eul Gate through the Myriad Communications Division.”
“And doesn’t he need someone to oversee his martial training?”
“……”
Jin Sowoon’s martial arts were the most pressing issue at present. Despite his absurd internal energy amassed over thirty years, he hadn’t properly countered sword aura.
“Tae-eul Gate has never produced a sword aura master. He’s likely trained alone since reclaiming the Tae-eul Sword Emperor’s secrets.”
“…Hmm.”
Even with a stroke of fortune, without a mentor to guide him, reaching mastery took far longer. With only one sword aura expert at the academy—the director—Jin Sowoon would be on his own again.
“What level should we aim for?”
Hyeok Mu-gang had considered dispatching one of his shadow warriors to instruct him. He didn’t truly need them anymore; if he did, the alliance was already doomed.
“A bit below Yong So-a or Il Myeong?”
“Hmm…”
Jegal Somyeong leaned more toward strategy than martial arts, and Hyeok Mu-gang had kept his distance, so neither had seen Jin Sowoon’s spar closely.
“Mu-yeong.”
No sooner had Hyeok Mu-gang spoken than the man who’d sparred with Jin Sowoon appeared between them.
“What’s your take?”
“……”
“You’ve sparred with Yong So-a and Il Myeong too—you should know his level roughly.”
“I drew my sword energy first against Yong So-a. Il Myeong unleashed his fist energy first against me.”
“Ho… So on Yong So-a’s level?”
“The paths differ slightly.”
“Paths differ?”
“Yes. Yong So-a’s enlightenment and attainment are superior overall, but Jin Sowoon has exceptional combat instincts. He freely used his surroundings and threw off my focus with casual remarks.”
Jegal Somyeong asked the listening Mu-yeong, “Between them, who’s trickier to face?”
“…Yong So-a, of course.”
Jegal Somyeong nodded knowingly. But then—
“But if it’s who I’d least want to meet on the battlefield, it’s Jin Sowoon.”
“…?”
“…!”
Mu-yeong continued calmly.
“Yong So-a’s sword proves his own strength. Jin Sowoon’s sword exists solely to kill the opponent.”
“Prioritizing efficiency over pomp or honor?”
It somehow fit Jin Sowoon perfectly. Hyeok Mu-gang asked Mu-yeong gently, “Any among you suitable as his martial master?”
“……”
Mu-yeong hesitated long. When he finally spoke—
His face suddenly drained of color.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m… sorry…”
As he leaped back, Mu-yeong vomited blood with a retch.
Stunned by the spectacle in such a crucial meeting, they watched him hastily wipe it away. Jegal Somyeong and Hyeok Mu-gang stared in shock.
“…From the spar with Jin Sowoon?”
Mu-yeong, hesitating, replied, “Yes… I was regulating my internal injuries, but you summoned me suddenly…”
“You fool.”
“……”
Mu-yeong led the Alliance Lord’s Hall shadow warriors. Neither Hyeok Mu-gang nor Jegal Somyeong could gauge whom to secretly assign as Jin Sowoon’s master.
#
I’d barely dragged myself up when the spar with the Alliance Lord’s Hall man laid me low for two more days.
No internal injuries, but the intense exertion brought muscle aches everywhere for the first time in ages, making movement impossible. Even circulation barely shook off the fatigue.
Still, it wasn’t all loss.
‘So the Alliance Lord’s Hall shadow warriors are around that level?’
According to Simhyeongak records, they needed at least Eight Stars attainment in their secret Roaring Spirit Art to qualify. And he’d used sword aura—minimum Peak realm.
I was about there myself.
“Never dreamed the Myriad Swords would block sword aura, though.”
Tae-eul True Scripture’s secret ultimate was surely Ten Thousand Swords of Heaven and Earth, but I’d barely used it due to sluggish progress and abysmal efficiency.
Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion fooled foes with dozens of illusions; Ten Thousand Swords managed fewer than five. Plus, the massive energy drain risked emptying my dantian.
“Still, it’s viable now.”
Without knowing how to even touch sword aura, it had been dire. Yong So-a and past Young Peak experts all wielded it; some academy students likely did too.
I’d even considered seeking Namgung or Moyong families for private instruction if needed.
“Didn’t know it had this in it.”
Now that I knew the Myriad Swords could partially counter sword aura, my worries eased.
With a plan in mind, I eyed a corner of the room. A charred log, thigh-thick, stood there alone.
“No idea what changed your mind.”
I’d requested the Demon-Exorcism Sacred Wood as payment for the spar. But that was for winning or drawing—not a total loss.
“Something good happen suddenly?”
Jegal Somyeong was said to honor his word perfectly, a master calculator—but apparently not always. At least it became a tiger tablet instead of a sect plaque, saving dozens of lives, right?
Two days’ more rest, then back to academy life.
Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Hong Saryeon—even Eunseollan joined, scolding me for overdoing it. Better than seeing Jegal Somyeong upon waking, at least.
#
The academy atmosphere had shifted dramatically.
Even in normal lectures, stares followed me more. Before, ignored or eyed like a dog or chicken; now, a strange, inexplicable gaze from more people.
Sitting casually in an empty seat, prepping for class, I overheard nearby chatter.
“We’re heading to Sichuan for external training?”
“Sichuan? Why not Beijing or Nanjing? What’s there to see?”
“Who knows. Something happened there during the entrance exam—they’re sending us to investigate.”
In my past life’s Murim Alliance, they’d pegged the Sichuan incident on Demonic Cult remnants. They dispatched academy students as investigators under guise of training—only for over half to die horribly to the presumed-vanished Blood Cult.
‘It ends up like this after all?’
Despite changing much, the main currents persisted.
If meeting the Blood Cult was inevitable, I needed to advance Hyeongsan Sect’s invitation event.
Listening unwittingly, I met their eyes.
Not ones to stare warmly usually, I averted my gaze lazily—then something odd happened.
“You okay?”
“…?”
I glanced back, thinking someone behind me spoke. But their eyes fixed on me.
“We were really worried.”
“Incredible what you did.”
Embarrassed by my silence, they nodded awkwardly and returned to their talk.
What the hell?
“The Jeongdo Council flipped their evaluation of you completely.”
I tilted my head at Seong Moran’s words.
“How so?”
“Even Jeongdo Council students—and elders—hesitated, but you risked your life. When you emerged looking half-dead, some students even burst into tears.”
“Ah…”
Overdoing it had paid off.
“Doesn’t mean do it again.”
“Ahem, yeah. But the vibe’s weirder than just liking me more, no?”
“…None of the expelled Jeongdo Council students were from the Nine Great Sects.”
“Haha.”
Three academy students, the ringleaders, got expelled. Notably, no Nine Great Sects members among them.
Internal deals had satisfied them to take the fall, but outsiders saw it poorly.
“No Nine Great Sects culprits from the start? That’s like hiding an elephant in plain sight.”
“Pretty much.”
Plus, Jeongdo Council delays let Muryangbulgolmokhonjin’s timer expire. The month-old formation vanished, stranding those meant to enter.
Jeongdo Council was in chaos now. Baekdohoe and Twelve Bongseong kept poaching amid the turmoil.
“Tsk tsk, busting their asses for nothing.”
“Pardon? What?”
“Nothing. When’re the others coming?”
I’d nodded to treat them big for worrying over the formation fiasco. We’d never had relaxed group time since the exam.
“Here they come. But…”
As Namgung Seonhwa, Hong Saryeon, Eunseollan, Geum-eun-dong brothers, and Moyong Jaehwa approached, Seong Moran lowered her waving hand slowly.
“……”
A bald man trailed them.
“Feels like I’m the uninvited guest.”
“……”
Ilgak smiled softly as he spoke, but no one replied.
“I can’t express how relieved I am that Jin-donor emerged safely from the formation.”
Frowns creased the group’s brows one by one.
To avoid spoiling the mood, I cut him off. “We’re not exactly in a chummy chat vibe—why not get to the point?”
“……”
Ilgak paused, his grimace softening into a benevolent smile.
“Jeongdo Council elders have formally invited Jin-donor.”
“…!”
“…!”
Everyone in the room stared at him in shock.