Blood Sea Spreading to Sichuan (2)
“Jeen-jang!”
The reason I'd despised the higher-ups in the Murim Alliance in my previous life wasn't just because of my own inferiority complex. The hypocrisy of those in power wasn't a one- or two-day affair, and talented people chasing authority wasn't some new development either.
The problem was that their incompetence was screwing me over too.
The Small Justice Squad, made up of low-grade warriors from the Baekrang Pavilion. Not even the main Murim Alliance headquarters. Not a proper unit. Just a side branch.
And now their incompetence was reaching even me.
They gave the orders, and we just followed. They were the incompetent ones, but we were the ones dying.
Hell, at this level of incompetence, it wouldn't be wrong to peg them as Demonic Cult spies.
The reason I was fighting tooth and nail against the powers-that-be in this life was to prevent this bullshit from happening again.
Because I'd rather not see my fellow disciples and comrades coming back as corpses because of some moronic order from above.
At this rate, I'd sooner defect to the Demonic Cult and smash the Murim Alliance with my own hands.
These guys are really something else.
The Jeongdo Council members under the Elder Council had mobilized the Nine Great Sects and Eight Schools toward Sichuan. And amid the fallout from the Muryangbulgolmokhonjin incident accelerating withdrawals from the Jeongdo Council, they'd scraped together everyone left at the academy—those without affiliations they wanted to pull in—and dragged them off to Sichuan too.
“These guys are really something else.”
Despite all my efforts to block and cover for their fuck-ups, they found a gap and blundered right through it.
Fine, let the Jeongdo Council get wiped out in Sichuan. That was on them. It was their choice, their disciples dying!
They were self-destructing with their stupidity—what could I do to stop it?
But damn it. Why drag Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan along too?!
I couldn't tolerate their widespread damage like this.
In my previous life, Moyong Jaehwa had held off the Demonic Cult for a good long while during the Alliance's great retreat, and Eun Seollan had laid the groundwork for the Alliance to establish itself in the North Sea later on.
Those two were the last hope for preserving the orthodox Murim's spirit if my plans failed and this life turned into a demonic hegemony like the last one.
Regardless of them being precious juniors to me.
Right now, those bastards were basically using the house documents left by their ancestors—the final stronghold—as kindling for a bonfire.
Thinking of the tragic future, I'd say burning down the entire Murim Alliance headquarters right now would cause less damage than letting those two die.
Ah! I'm seriously tempted to defect to the Demonic Cult.
Pushing down my frustration, the first place I headed was Buk Wonpyeong's office.
“The academy head is currently away on a trip.”
I was so worked up I'd forgotten I'd sent him to the Tae-eul Gate myself.
If Buk Wonpyeong had been at the academy, he would've stopped the Jeongdo Council from moving.
“Young Master Jin, are you okay?”
Seong Moran asked with concern.
“……”
Okay? Not even a little.
The massive casualties in Sichuan stemmed partly from academy students being unprepared for the heretics' sorcery, but the biggest reason was sloppy unit management.
That insane plan to split into ten teams to hunt the beasts? The Blood Cult had just sat there like it was waiting for persimmons to drop, swallowing up the students whole.
Assuming the command structure was no different this time, I had to figure out which of those ten units Eun Seollan and Moyong Jaehwa were in first.
“Recent info from the Haomen mentioned that the ones appearing in Sichuan are no ordinary foes.”
My words made the group flinch. Having clashed with the Demonic Cult before, their tension was palpable.
“Then… then… we have to stop them!”
Namgung Seonhwa shook her head at Seong Moran's words.
“They won't listen to us, sister.”
Seong Moran's eyes flared fiercely.
“Why the hell did those bastards take our precious juniors?!”
I barely held back Seong Moran, who looked ready to draw her sword and charge to Sichuan right then.
“The urgent priority is pinpointing where Jaehwa and Seollan are.”
Unless they graciously shared their unit assignments—which they sure as hell wouldn't—I'd have to track them down on foot until my soles blistered. Alone? Impossible.
Better to scrap the whole event.
Yeah, scrap the event entirely…
“…Huh?”
“What? Got a good idea?”
“There… might be a way.”
“What way?”
If they used loopholes, so could I.
“Not a perfect fix, but it should save those two.”
The Murim Academy fell under the Mantongbu. Without an academy head, the Mantongbu head took command.
So if the Mantongbu issued an event cancellation order, that'd be it.
Of course, it won't be easy.
Jegal Somyeong was already under heavy scrutiny from the Elder Council. It was natural he'd avoid clashing with them.
So at minimum, I needed an order to retrieve Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan. And take my group to go get them.
No time to waste, so I headed straight for the Mantongbu at the Murim Alliance.
“Hm? What brings you here?”
Maeng Ju-won, the Mantongbu deputy chief, still had dark smudges like soot under his eyes.
“Where's the chief strategist?”
Even at my urgent question, Maeng Ju-won looked as dim as ever.
“Chief Strategist? He went back to his clan home a while ago.”
“What?”
Like the Murim Alliance's chief strategist had time to go home!
Of all the timing!
“Class hours are over anyway. First vacation in nearly a year. Got business with him?”
The Mantongbu chain of command was simpler than expected—the next in line filled in for the absent chief strategist.
Meaning the current acting head of the Mantongbu was…
“Deputy Chief Maeng Ju-won.”
This pitiful guy right in front of me.
“Academy students are heading out for an event without the representative's approval.”
“…Hm, is that so?”
“This violates the Murim Alliance's strict regulations.”
Maeng Ju-won remained laid-back.
“Sure does. But didn't the Elder Council go along? These things usually get glossed over by convention. Why bring it up now?”
Maeng Ju-won wore the face of a veteran bureaucrat who'd been polished to a sheen.
“I get how you feel. Hate seeing those Elder Council fossils step in now. But what can you do? Sometimes you just let it slide.”
“……”
“Besides, can't you tell? Those old coots rushed it through while the chief strategist was away. They planned it that way from the start.”
The clueless Maeng Ju-won patted my shoulder.
“Can't be helped. Just close your eyes this once. Once they return, we can flatten their noses in the next event.”
No, that's not the issue. My people are dying.
“Then could you at least issue an order recalling Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan, who were forcibly mobilized for the event?”
“Hm?”
“I don't want those two participating.”
“……”
Maeng Ju-won set down his papers and stared straight into my eyes.
“What's your angle?”
“Pardon?”
“It's just a short outing. They'll come back on their own. Even if your people join, it doesn't make them theirs.”
Argh, so frustrating. I couldn't spill everything about the Blood Cult in Sichuan.
“…Worried they'll pick up bad habits from the Jeongdo Council.”
“……”
Maeng Ju-won fixed his dim expression, glared at me, then shook his head.
“No can do.”
“What?”
“I said no. Go home.”
“Why not?”
“Told you. This event was planned by the Elder Council fossils themselves. Think a lowly clerk like me can interfere and survive?”
Maeng Ju-won picked up his papers again and turned his back to me.
Figured as much? Asking Maeng Ju-won to tangle with a group even Jegal Somyeong avoided was like sending a low-grade warrior against the Heavenly Demon Black Sword Squad.
“…You should've listened to me sooner.”
Huh? Did I hear that wrong?
“What was that just now?”
“…What do you mean?”
“You said, 'You should've listened to me sooner…' or something.”
Maeng Ju-won tapped his innocent papers with a finger.
“…Why eavesdrop on my mutterings?”
That wasn't a mutter—I thought someone whispered right in my ear.
“…What do you want?”
Maeng Ju-won's eyes began shaking violently. Like a demon gambler unable to control his hand in front of gold and jewels, itching to grab them.
“Ahem, ahem. Want? I don't want anything.”
Look at him. He's gonna shred those papers.
He tried turning away, but his eyes stayed locked on me. At this rate, his eyeballs might roll around back there.
“Tell me what you want, and I'll consider it.”
“Kuhum!”
After a long, phlegmy fake cough, Maeng Ju-won finally spoke.
“Come all two days of the weekend, and two weekdays after classes end, to the Mantongbu.”
“……”
What? Has overwork finally driven him mad?
“What for?”
“What else? Learn and practice the work ahead of time.”
Why the hell would I?
“Pass.”
“Then I can't issue that order either.”
“……”
I stared blankly at Maeng Ju-won. He was feigning calm, but his toes were twitching like crazy. Pretending nonchalance while desperate not to miss out.
Just like novice gamblers with a decent hand.
I stood up.
“Got it.”
Maeng Ju-won's eyes widened sharply.
“Guess I'll just go AWOL and fetch them myself.”
“Eh? Don't you know going AWOL can get you expelled?”
“I do. I'll just finish mandatory service and head back to my sect.”
“Not staying with the Alliance?”
“I'm thirsty for glory and wealth. Might pass through the Mantongbu for promotion if I aim for executive, but otherwise, no reason to stick around.”
“……”
“Sorry for wasting your time. I'll be off.”
I turned to leave.
Maeng Ju-won quickly grabbed my sleeve.
“Heh, you rascal! Why so hasty? Fine! Just the two weekend days.”
Trying to bluff me, who'd hustled Small Justice Squad thugs at cards?
“One weekend day. I'll handle everything perfectly and leave.”
“Deal! Two days while learning, then one once you're trained. Can't yield more.”
Maeng Ju-won spun away threateningly.
I pondered briefly. Losing one sweet day off stung, but thinking of screwing over the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families from the Mantongbu? Not a bad trade.
“Alright. Then definitely issue the event cancellation order for the Jeongdo Council's…”
“Great! And an arrest warrant for the Elder Council's anti-Alliance actions too, right?”
Before I finished, Maeng Ju-won excitedly rummaged through papers.
Wait, didn't you just say a clerk couldn't handle it?
“…Event cancellation order is enough.”
“Hm… True, turning all Nine Great Sects against me might make survival tough.”
“……”
“Oh yeah, you. Need warriors? How about a hundred elite ones? They could intimidate and halt the event.”
Maeng Ju-won pulled out various dispatch forms like he was showing off the Mantongbu's power.
“……”
What the hell is this guy? Got no backing?
No normal people in the Murim Alliance, huh.
# Delivering the Mantongbu outing pass and event cancellation order to the academy, the managers and instructors balked. Right as the second semester started, the representative and his executive team all requesting leave? Incomprehensible to them.
But what could they do? It was a Mantongbu order.
If they hadn't wanted this, they shouldn't have ignored the Elder Council.
“How the hell did you get this from the Mantongbu?”
Namgung Seonhwa incredulously examined the order multiple times.
“…A sad tale.”
My weekend day was gone.
I looked at my group.
“We have the order, but the Elder Council might ignore it. Anyone uncomfortable can sit this out. …Hey, Eunho, stay put. If you don't wanna go. Tae-eul Gate auto-enlists.”
I said it to spare Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, but their responses were fierce.
“What kinda talk is that? We'll drag them back even if it means fighting!”
“We can't forgive ignoring a Mantongbu order from the start.”
Their enthusiasm brought an involuntary smile.
“Good. Let's prepare right away.”
Prep wrapped up swiftly. We geared up with arms and emergency rations, gathering together.
“Take one each for now.”
I handed out small leather pouches individually.
Those polishing swords checked the contents and asked,
“Signal flares make sense, necklace and talisman?”
The necklace was made from the baekhyangok I'd entrusted to Jang Dowon. The Blood Cult was a Demonic Cult branch, after all—they used sinister sorcery to shatter mental clarity. Prolonged exposure not only disrupted the mind but left lifelong aftereffects, like living haunted by illusions.
Better to guard against their foul spells than direct attacks.
Inferior to a Tangma Demon-Exorcism Bead, but way better than chanting anti-demon incantations like a madman.
“Talisman's a Demon-Exorcism Talisman from the Hyeong Mountain Sect. Use against any suspicious heretics or apostles.”
Namgung Seonhwa eyed the talisman in dismay.
“Hyeong Mountain talismans are crazy expensive…”
“Can't have you getting hurt trying to save someone.”
# As we finished mobilization prep, Maeng Ju-won's reinforcements arrived at the academy.
“……”
I couldn't close my mouth at the lineup.
“Seungho Hall Lord Gu Jeongryong.”
I'd figured some minor unit like Heukmu Pavilion or Jeokbong Pavilion, since he said he'd send "something appropriate."
This guy's just going all in.
Seungho Hall, no less. The assault unit optimized for offense within the Azure Dragon Hall.
The ones who showed up when unorthodox forces invaded the Alliance.
Telling me to throw down with the Elder Council?
Wait, was the deputy chief even authorized to mobilize like this?
Even Chief Strategist Jegal Somyeong weighed faction interests carefully for dispatches.
Of course, facing Blood Cult and Jeongdo Council together? Seungho Hall was a boon, not a burden.
Issue was whether they'd listen to me.
“Moving to Sichuan?”
Gu Jeongryong's expression darkened. Even with a Mantongbu dispatch, no senior wanted orders from a junior academy rep.
“Yes.”
“Unit composition?”
“Locate the academy students in Sichuan and move as one.”
“…We're a group of martial powerhouses. You know that, right?”
“We'll handle search. Just help enforce the order, Lord.”
“Stand by and oppose the Elder Council?”
“Too much?”
“…Alliance orders must be followed.”
Oh? Reasonable guy?
“But all command and responsibility on you.”
“……”
Meaning he washes his hands of liability. Yeah, that tracks.
For me, perfect. Sparring with Seungho Hall would've been a huge loss.
Numbers still short, but usable.
Priority: Deliver the Mantongbu order to the Elder Council for cancellation legitimacy. Manpower secondary.
We moved out without a word, swiftly crossing the vast academy grounds to the main gate.
Then, a voice called from the side.
“Representative Jin Sowoon.”
“……”
The usual unwelcome face approached.
“Busy. What?”
I radiated discomfort, but the visitor stayed leisurely.
Hate these types.
“Heard the academy rep's up to something, so I came.”
“Nothing to do with the Twelve Peaks. Leave.”
Cheol Sunjik continued with that slick face.
“Can't you spare a moment to talk?”
“…Talk?”
Clearly clinging because I hadn't cracked his skull during class. Once bashed, he'd never bother busy folks again.
I glared, ready to smash if it was bullshit.
But,
“Mind if we join you?”
“……”
Cheol Sunjik flashed an inscrutable smile.