#142. Those in Black Masks
"Brings back old memories, doesn't it."
Hyeok Mu-gang's words drew a nod from Jegal Somyeong.
"Indeed. I still can't believe forty years have already passed."
Whenever the first break period began at the Murim Academy, the two would bribe their escorts and take a stroll around the grounds. With so few students remaining in the academy during the first break, it was the perfect time.
After decades of living where even a single day off felt like a political maneuver, one grew to hate people. It was only natural, then, that these two men—who shared such sentiments—would seek out the Murim Academy, a place that evoked memories of their purer youth.
"The dorm buildings have changed."
Hyeok Mu-gang's observation earned another nod from Jegal Somyeong.
"The old ones were in such poor condition. Back in my day, even the top class students had to share rooms with four to a room."
"Must have been stifling for you, Chief Strategist."
"Still, we had our fun with my academy classmates. We'd sneak out at night and race all the way to Akyang. The guy who's now the head of Huashan was obsessed with the brothels back then."
A faint smile tugged at Jegal Somyeong's lips as he spun the tale, prompting Hyeok Mu-gang to speak up.
"I'm quite envious. I have no such memories."
"Even back then, you had no friends, Alliance Leader?"
"Hm?"
Hyeok Mu-gang's eyebrow twitched at Jegal Somyeong's words.
"Ah! I misspoke. I meant you'd been focused on training... Haha."
Jegal Somyeong tried to backpedal, but Hyeok Mu-gang's eyes had already narrowed.
"No, what I meant was, I've never missed out on being top student or representative, so I never had the chance for communal dorm life. As you know, Chief Strategist, the representative dorms are a bit isolated... Oh! But you've never been academy representative yourself, have you?"
"......"
Now it was Jegal Somyeong's eyes that narrowed.
"At the time, I deliberately helped that Sword Immortal from the Namgung family become representative..."
"Or was it a lord-vassal relationship rather than friendship?"
"Ahem! It was a grand strategic decision!"
"So you two are friends now, right?"
Hyeok Mu-gang kept poking, and Jegal Somyeong let out a long sigh.
"Enough already. What use are those old rules now?"
"Or... are you still bound to obey the Sword Immortal's commands?"
"You—really!"
"Hahaha!"
Hyeok Mu-gang burst into laughter first, and even the straight-faced Jegal Somyeong soon joined in.
"It's so peaceful here."
"Everyone's probably feasting back at their sects."
"Hm?"
Hyeok Mu-gang halted mid-stride, scanning the surroundings.
"What's wrong?"
"Looks like someone's still at the representative hall."
Jegal Somyeong focused his gaze in the direction Hyeok Mu-gang pointed.
"It's Jin Sowoon and the Tae-eul Gate kids."
"They didn't head back this time?"
"Seems that way. Their sect must have been waiting eagerly... But they're sparring."
"Sparring?"
The two exchanged glances and, without a word, headed toward the representative hall. No matter how you sliced it, they were martial artists who couldn't pass up a good fight to watch.
#
"For all that bold talk, you're playing pretty dirty with a four-on-one."
Jin Sowoon's words made Eunho, at the center of the sword formation, swallow hard.
He talked big, but he looked utterly relaxed. He's confident he won't lose easily.
But this time, it won't be so easy.
Eunho was certain. The experience from the regular entrance exam, the new knowledge from the academy's sword formation instructors, and even the essences of the Namgung and Iron Sword Sect formations he'd gleaned from Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran. Absorbing it all, he'd elevated the White Tiger Sword Formation a step further on the foundation of the Tae-eul True Scripture.
Before facing his senior brother, he'd tested the new formation on Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran. Even when she'd unleashed her Imperial King's Sword Technique, Namgung Seonhwa had failed to neutralize the White Tiger Killing Sword Formation.
"Be careful this time."
"If your training's been lax, expect intensive sessions for the rest of the break."
"......That's not fair. You said we'd go play at Dongjeong Lake."
"It's not playing. We're going for work, and we'll sightsee on the way."
"Anyway!"
He'd promised to take them to Akyang during the break, only to slap on these conditions. Wasn't that too harsh?
"As expected, Big Brother's temper is the world's worst..."
"What?!"
"Nothing."
"Then if you want to go sightseeing, come at me with the intent to kill."
"!"
As Sowoon drew his Black Dragon Sword, sparks flew in the eyes of all four.
"Ready?"
Namgung Seonhwa, watching from the sidelines, got nods from the Tae-eul Gate group.
"Then... begin!"
At her signal, Sowoon shot forward like lightning, thrusting his sword. Clang. Dongryong, at the formation's front, barely blocked, but staggered back several steps, preventing the formation from activating. Sowoon intended to dismantle it before it could.
"Big Brother, we didn't get here the easy way either! Flood Bullet!"
At Eunho's shout, the formation shifted into an arrowhead shape. While Dongryong held Sowoon, Saryeon lunged, targeting his vitals with fierce strikes.
Whoosh.
The swift Small Heaven Sword Technique aimed for pressure points, forcing Sowoon to spin twice and retreat.
"Copper Ginger!"
The formation fanned out like a peacock's tail, with Dongryong flanked by Saryeon and Geum Pyo. The three attacked Jin Sowoon in unison.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang.
In the blink of an eye, over a dozen exchanges passed, and Sowoon retreated two steps again.
"Sharp attacks. Let's see how your defense holds."
Sowoon's Black Dragon Sword danced rapidly, unleashing the Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion. Real and illusory swords scattered everywhere, constricting the four.
"Gold-Silver Armor!"
At Eunho's call, Dongryong and Saryeon fell back, while Geum Pyo and Eunho advanced to counter with their own Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion.
Sowoon spread his wide; they narrowed theirs into a sword barrier-like effect.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang.
As dozens of Sowoon's strikes dissolved at once, even he couldn't hide his surprise.
"Since when did you four sync up this well?"
"This is sparring, Big Brother!"
"True, but you're matching better than I thought?"
Eunho smirked inwardly at Sowoon's words. The secret of the Tae-eul True Scripture they'd uncovered through grueling training—the key that made them think they could take on their senior brother.
I should tell you... but not during this spar.
This was purely a test of skill.
"Silver Illusion!"
Eunho stepped forward, and the other three retracted behind him, sheathing their swords. Before Sowoon could grasp the formation's nature, Eunho unleashed the Great Heaven Sword Method at full power, blinding his vision.
"Fun, but not quite enough for a trip to Akyang."
Eunho gritted his teeth at the taunt.
"This is just the start, Big Brother."
Sowoon, using Tae-eul's Eight Myriad Divine Steps, slipped hidden Small Heaven Sword Techniques through the illusions, closing in on Eunho.
Clang, clang, clash-clang.
Casually deflecting, Sowoon entered the formation—then froze abruptly.
Shk—with a small slicing sound, his sleeve tore away.
"Huh?"
He'd cleared all the real swords amid the illusions—or so he'd thought. He'd missed one.
As Sowoon paused in shock, Eunho's shout rang out.
"Star Illusion!"
Illusory swords bloomed beside Eunho's, the four conjuring dozens—no, hundreds—filling the area.
The sheer pressure was overwhelming, illusions or not.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang.
Sowoon swung dozens of times in an instant, but his clothes began tearing bit by bit.
"Well now..."
Surprise crept into Sowoon's voice at last.
"This is just the start, Big Brother!"
Eunho and the brothers pressed their advantage, visions of Akyang's lights dancing in their minds.
"No helping it, then."
With a low murmur, four Ten Thousand Swords manifested from Sowoon's blade.
"That won't be enough!"
Eunho's confident retort drew a sly smile from Sowoon.
"You'll see."
In that moment, sword aura coated the Ten Thousand Swords.
"Huh?"
"What?!"
"!"
Eunho and the brothers gaped. Ten Thousand Swords couldn't channel sword aura.
"You think I've just been sitting around?"
The aura-clad swords swung, dissolving the Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion illusions like prey fleeing a predator.
The three could only watch wide-eyed.
"So dirty..."
"Planning to call me dirty even in death?"
"It's not over yet!"
Eunho met the others' eyes, nodded, and shouted.
"Ten Thousand Illusions!"
One Ten Thousand Sword bloomed from each of their blades. Sowoon frowned at the ominous sight.
Ziiing—a strange vibration emanated from the formation.
The four, who had merely seemed coordinated, now moved as one.
An eerie energy enveloped Sowoon, crushing pressure squeezing his body.
"What in the..."
Before he could speak, another Ten Thousand Sword appeared beside each of theirs—eight in total.
"?!"
The eight swords wove the Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion through the air, engulfing the entire small sparring ground.
Papapapapapapak!
Popepepepeok!
Marble cracked and trees sheared where the swords danced—a massive sword storm.
A deadly mist that would shred on contact protected the four as it closed in on Sowoon.
"Hah!"
More bewildered than afraid, Sowoon faced it. It was his Ten Thousand Swords of Heaven and Earth and the White Tiger Sword Formation, but this form was alien.
Can't back down and lose face as senior brother, though.
Their growth was admirable, but he still wanted to be the wall they had to overcome.
"Try taking this!"
The Tae-eul Gate-exclusive sword aura, forged enduring the Sword Demon's hundreds of curses. Sowoon's Black Dragon Sword birthed two Ten Thousand Swords, sword aura blooming from their tips.
Even the Sword Demon had deemed the Ten Thousand Auras "quite usable."
"Raaagh!"
A furious roar erupted amid the sword storm. Grinning with delight, Sowoon plunged in.
Boombpboomboomboomboom.
Explosions rang as sword storm met Ten Thousand Auras.
Then—Boom! Boom! Kwakwakwa... Boom!
Shockwaves hurled marble and wood everywhere.
"Hah, hah, hah."
"Haa, haa."
Eunho and the brothers sprawled, gasping.
"Not bad."
Sowoon sheathed his sword leisurely. The four stared, regret plain.
"What was that last move?"
By inner energy or mastery, one Ten Thousand Sword was their limit. Yet the final three had conjured two each.
"We just call it synchronization."
"Synchronization?"
"Yeah. When we align the formation, at some point it takes less effort and we can channel more qi."
It mimicked the resonance of Shaolin's 108 Arhats Formation or Wudang's Yin-Yang Supreme Ultimate Formation.
"Haha! Impressive."
"Yeah, impressive enough to lose anyway."
"Still, it was enough."
"Enough for Akyang?"
Sowoon chuckled at Eunho's plea.
"Yeah, enough."
Exhausted brothers leaped up, cheering.
"Big Brother, when did you sneakily learn sword aura?"
#
Meanwhile, the two men who'd stumbled upon the kids' spar while strolling the academy lingered even after it ended.
"......What did you think?"
Hyeok Mu-gang nodded at Jegal Somyeong's question.
"Tae-eul Gate isn't just Jin Sowoon."
"Right?"
"They'll soar higher than I thought."
"Soar? They'll shake the world."
"You seem quite pleased with this, Chief Strategist."
Jegal Somyeong smiled faintly at Hyeok Mu-gang's remark.
"Which kid caught your eye?"
"Dongryong intrigues me. Seems he's overcome his Heavenly Killing Star fate."
"Good we don't overlap this time. I like Eunho."
"Ho... Talent for Myriad Communications Division?"
"Not sure if he'll match Jin Sowoon, but his formation handling suggests he'll adapt well."
"That good?"
"Did you see him shift the formation on the fly? Takes brains you can't fake."
Hyeok Mu-gang nodded at Jegal Somyeong's excitement. The display had been striking.
"How did Jin Sowoon grow so much in that short time?"
"Yeah, I nearly fainted when he drew sword aura."
"His potential's immeasurable. Exciting."
Though their quiet walk was ruined, both faces beamed with satisfaction.
#
"Dongjeong Lake!"
"Vacation!"
Their break destination: Akyang in Huguang Province, home to Dongjeong Lake.
"Not for fun."
"Sure, sure. But we don't have to work the whole time, right?"
Eun Seolran and Moyong Jaehwa had wanted to join, but remedial classes and personal training kept them at the academy.
"So, what's the 'work' in glamorous Akyang?"
Seong Moran, already blending into the streets in luxurious silk and jewelry, asked.
"Someone to recruit."
"Pardon?"
"......Pardon?"
Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa's heads swiveled like wooden puppets.
Did I say something weird?
"R-Recruit, you say?"
"......"
"'Recruit' might sound odd. More precisely, invite to serve us."
Jegal Cheongi's latest letter complained about sourcing parts for the mechanism arrays growing harder. Hebi had decent smiths, but no true artisans.
Parts for his intricate mechanisms required exceptional skill—why he'd never completed them in his past life.
That's why he planned to recruit Jang Dowon, the master craftsman he'd known before. The best he knew.
"Probably tough to convince. If we succeed before graduation, it'll be a win."
"Who is it that has you going to such lengths, Young Master Jin?"
"Might not seem impressive at first glance."
His gruff personality might even annoy them. But the shiniest gems hide deepest in mines.
Imagining Jegal Cheongi's arrays plus all fifteen divine artifacts gathered at Tae-eul Gate from the Eight Great Clans and Five Great Families swelled his chest.
"Bro, you said this was mine."
"Yours is mine, mine is mine."
"......"
Seong Moran had dragged them to a high-end restaurant, yet the three brothers ate like beggars?
"Eat slowly. No one's stealing it."
Geum Pyo wiped his greasy mouth at Sowoon's words.
"We know, but tasty food always seems to bring ambushes or interruptions."
Back at the sect, meals were provided; he'd never let them skip. Why this paranoia?
Well, not really... Ahem.
"......Lots of Jeomchang folks around."
As Seong Moran noted, every other table had men and women in martial robes marked with Jeomchang insignia.
"Akyang is firmly in Jeomchang's grasp."
"Hunan has powerhouses like Formsan Sect."
"True, but Akyang has Yuyeol Sect—their lay branch—and Changseong Sect, closely tied to them."
Both ranked in the top fifty of the 108 Peaks, letting Jeomchang grip Huguang's top tourist spot.
"Heh, you know everything, Young Master Jin."
Compared to Jeomchang robes—or beside flashy Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa—the brothers' plain black looked shabby. Sowoon liked black and wore embroidered finery thanks to the maids, but theirs was pitiful.
At least sect-symbol robes would help. But Tae-eul Gate, freshly revived, couldn't afford that yet.
Feeling guilty, he considered tailoring outfits before meeting Jang Dowon—
"Where'd these beggar bastards come from?"
The noisy restaurant fell silent enough to hear the curse clearly.
Not at us, right? A quick scan showed silk-clad, jeweled guests. Only we looked the part.
Geum-eun-dong brothers tensed; Seong Moran's face hardened. Namgung Seonhwa yanked her hairpin like a dagger, radiating killing intent as she stormed toward the voice.
"Who was it? Who called our cute juniors 'beggars'?"
"......"
What? She meant to defend us... Why did it sting?
Anyway, the insulter didn't become pulp—Namgung Seonhwa froze at his words.
"No way?! Isn't that Namgung Seonhwa?"
"......"
His voice rose in feigned delight. Amid the finery, the man grinned, then his eyes shifted our way with contempt.
"Well, if it isn't... you lot."