Rewriting the Sichuan Blood Disaster (10)
A heavy tension hung in the air inside the academy director's office. It wasn't because of Jegal Somyeong, who was frowning openly with his discomfort on full display. The real reason for the palpable tension was...
"Hahaha, if I'd known the academy director had such fine taste in tea, I would've visited more often."
"...Pardon? Ah, is that so? Then perhaps I should send some to the Alliance Lord's residence..."
"No, no. We can't spend the Alliance's money so freely. I'll just drop by myself from time to time."
"..."
Buk Wonpyeong forced a strained expression off his face at Hyeok Mu-gang's words. The Murim Alliance Lord dropping in whenever he pleased for free tea? Just the thought was suffocating.
But the Alliance Lord went even further.
"Would my frequent visits be an inconvenience, by any chance?"
"N-no, of course not! I'm only grateful you'd grace us so often."
He plastered on a smile, but his mouth and eyes twitched uncontrollably. Seeing Buk Wonpyeong bow his head like a rabbit before a leopard filled me with an inexplicable refreshment.
Serves him right, the old bastard. He'd shot down my senior disciple's request in an instant, so his master was probably here to deliver some punishment.
Hyeok Mu-gang tilted his head slightly and continued.
"At my age, places that welcome me are few and far between. Being cooped up in the Alliance Lord's residence every day is no small hardship."
"..."
"I traveled the jianghu with the previous-generation Peerless Sword Immortal, forging many fond memories. Truly joyful times."
Oh, so you were buddies with my master too? Traveled the jianghu, did all sorts of shit, huh? It was the kind of old-man talk you'd expect from geezers like that, but the atmosphere he exuded was worlds apart. More like an emperor's aura, perhaps?
It made sense, really. The legacy he'd left in the jianghu transcended black and white, inspiring awe in every warrior who walked its paths.
No wonder even the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families couldn't drag him from the Alliance Lord's seat.
He had no sect or master to his name. Rising to one of the Ten Supremes through self-taught martial arts, overcoming countless schemes and power plays to be elected Alliance Lord—that tale alone stirred the ambitions of everyone in the jianghu.
And I held an even more special feeling toward him. When the Great War between Orthodox and Demonic factions erupted, he was right there on the front lines, fighting fiercest of all.
Even as we grew disillusioned with the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, the White Water Divine Sword never betrayed our faith.
...That's probably why he ultimately failed.
In the end, he was one of the great stars that fell during the Great War. Yet even after it concluded, he remained an eternal flame in our hearts.
Seeing the hero I'd only glimpsed from afar now up close sent a strange tremor through my chest.
...Or maybe it's just nerves.
I had no choice—it was during the exact moment Jegal Somyeong was about to chew me out that he'd shown up together with him. I'd braced for a scolding from the Chief Strategist, but I sure as hell didn't want the Alliance Lord weighing in too.
As Hyeok Mu-gang chatted with the sweating Buk Wonpyeong, his gaze flicked toward me. I promptly bowed my head low to avoid ending up in the director's shoes.
Thankfully(?), Jegal Somyeong's grinding teeth announced his voice first.
"Jin Sowoon... Do you even know what the hell you've done?"
I swallowed hard.
'To be honest, yeah, I screwed up a bit, but didn't I save the academy students thanks to that?'
I choked back the prepared line. Instead, I resolved to take the verbal lashing like a meat shield who'd ignored all defense(?). I had plenty of experience as one in my previous life.
But then...
"Hoho, Chief Strategist. Didn't we agree not to do this?"
That familiar leisurely, benevolent voice cut in.
What the—?
As I shot him a wary glance, unable to drop my suspicion...
"That's why I told you not to follow me."
"Hoho, Chief Strategist. Then the agreement would be meaningless."
Jegal Somyeong looked ready to burst with frustration he couldn't vent, while Hyeok Mu-gang smiled placidly, holding him in check.
Unbelievable!
So Hyeok Mu-gang really does have the bearing of a true hero!
Hyeok Mu-gang turned to me.
"Academy Representative Jin Sowoon, you've done a splendid job this time."
A faint smile played on his lips. Meanwhile, Jegal Somyeong's face crumpled like waste paper.
Oh ho?
The situation crystallized in my mind. Jegal Somyeong had clearly wanted to rip me a new one before any commendations. Hyeok Mu-gang must have opposed it. So the strategist had snuck off to the academy to avoid his eyes, only to get caught red-handed.
Yeah, that tracks.
With the pieces in place, my role became crystal clear. I replied with maximum deference.
"You're too kind. I merely did what anyone would."
Hyeok Mu-gang patted my shoulder, looking pleased.
"Not everyone can do what seems 'obvious.' And I hear you faced heavy friction with the Jeongdo Council while handling academy duties."
"A man without backers has to endure such trials to rise. But compared to what you faced, Alliance Lord, it was nothing."
"Hahaha, indeed! A true man embraces even the flawed. Yes, yes."
Hyeok Mu-gang let out a hearty, delighted laugh. I'd buttered him up just enough. Time to clean up my mess.
I clasped my hands in a fist salute and bowed deeply.
"Even so, I am deeply ashamed of myself."
"Hm?"
Hyeok Mu-gang, still chuckling, looked puzzled at my sudden shift.
"Ashamed of what?"
I answered in a voice thick with remorse.
"Though I saved 'hundreds' of lives and prevented the 'Blood Cult crisis' from erupting on a massive scale in Sichuan—saving academy students nearby and Alliance warriors afar..."
I paused, subtly glancing at Jegal Somyeong.
"Some might say I didn't follow proper procedures."
Then, gazing at Hyeok Mu-gang, I drooped my eyes with all my might.
"That's why I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. If you deem punishment necessary, I'll accept any penalty gladly."
The moment I finished, Jegal Somyeong's glare sharpened like an axe. Hyeok Mu-gang 'ho-ho'd and gently closed his eyes, stroking his long, sage-like white beard several times.
After a brief silence, he snapped his eyes open. Golden light flashed in them for an instant.
"I... am truly a blessed man."
His gaze toward me brimmed with affection.
"For such an outstanding junior to emerge in my lifetime—surely I've fulfilled my duty as Alliance Lord."
Beyond praise, it was pure admiration...!
I gripped my shoulders to suppress a victory dance and replied humbly.
"You overpraise me."
As I kept my head bowed like a criminal, I felt hot snorts from beside me.
"This, this damn brat...! Trying to slither out of his wrongs with that silver tongue!"
Jegal Somyeong's face flushed beet red, like he might explode from frustration. Was my ploy a bit short against him?
Eh, whatever. The Alliance Lord was already on my side. Heh.
I put on an even more contrite expression.
"Chief Strategist... I'm truly sorry. But for an inadequate person like me, it was the best I could do for the greater good. If you must punish me... if you truly feel you must, I'll accept it gladly."
The agitated Jegal Somyeong finally pointed accusingly.
"Hah...! Alliance Lord, did you see? This kid's dangerous. He knew I'd scold him and dragged you in as backup..."
"Now, now, Chief Strategist. Calm yourself. What kind of talk is that for our young hero?"
"Wha... whoa... seriously. Whoa..."
Having soothed Jegal Somyeong, Hyeok Mu-gang called to me again.
"Academy Representative Jin Sowoon, lift your head. The process was flawed, yes, but you prevented a river of blood in the jianghu beforehand. Your merits outweigh the faults."
A sternness briefly overlaid his benevolent smile.
"That said, good results don't make everything fine."
His voice stayed gentle but firm.
"When we bend all reason to outcomes, illegalities and violations creep into the process. Use this as a lesson—always self-reflect on your actions."
"I will engrave it on my heart."
"If you understand, relax that expression and raise your head. It ill suits a hero."
I lifted my head, pausing to glance warily at Jegal Somyeong. He thumped his chest in exasperation.
"Whoa... this kid's acting is on another level. Send him to the theater troupe instead of Mantongbu."
"..."
Hyeok Mu-gang shook his head.
"Chief Strategist, enough. He's reflected plenty."
"No! Hah... fuu..."
At a loss for words, Jegal Somyeong sighed deeply in resignation. I barely hid my rising smirk.
With Hyeok Mu-gang's intervention, any scolding from the strategist was off the table.
Way smoother than expected.
Just as I thought I could leave the office with a light heart...
"Since you've earned such great merit, we should reward you. What would you like?"
A hero who'd risen to Alliance Lord through sheer grit was different indeed.
"Reward? What reward? Not getting punished is his reward."
And Jegal Somyeong showed no such heroic flair.
Hyeok Mu-gang chuckled at him.
"Chief Strategist, you're quite the tease. You're the one who's pondered most what to give our Jin Representative."
"That... was for after he took his punishment."
"In any case, what could we give this child?"
At Hyeok Mu-gang's firm stance, Jegal Somyeong sighed again.
"Well, he's not a formal Alliance member yet, so no promotion. And we can't just hand cash to an academy student..."
As Jegal Somyeong trailed off, Hyeok Mu-gang asked me.
"Academy Representative Jin Sowoon, is there anything you need? Speak freely."
I quickly rifled through my mental library. For a reward, something the Alliance currently held would be ideal—nothing too extravagant to exceed the merit, and best if its value wasn't fully appraised yet.
Considering all that, the most useful Alliance asset to me right now was...
"I'd like the Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron and Paulownia Wood."
"Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron... fine, but why Paulownia Wood?"
"I have personal use for it."
Hyeok Mu-gang pondered before asking.
"Planning to forge a sword, perhaps?"
"Yes."
"Hm... Wouldn't Dark Iron be better?"
"Alliance Lord!"
Jegal Somyeong looked aghast beside him. And understandably—both were rare, but the jianghu prized Dark Iron higher for its superior qi conductivity, making sword qi more efficient.
My previous life's Red Light Sword had been forged from Dark Iron, a divine weapon.
But its lower durability is a secret few know.
That fact wouldn't surface until the Great War, when demonic beasts appeared. As I'd felt during the Iron Corpse incident, nothing beat Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron against foes with superhuman skin toughness.
Thinking ahead to what I—and the jianghu—would face, weapons of Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron were the smarter prep over Dark Iron.
Plus, there was a hidden secret few knew: blending Paulownia Wood into Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron during smelting yielded even better qi conductivity than Dark Iron.
Combine it with Blood Sea Jade for a Red Light Sword surpassing the one from my past life? Perfect.
"Dark Iron is too grand for me. Diamond Demon-Absolute Iron and Paulownia Wood suffice."
"Hoho... Most warriors would crave grander weapons."
Hyeok Mu-gang regarded me with kind eyes, then turned to Jegal Somyeong.
"What say you? Our young hero wants it. Do we have it in stores?"
Jegal Somyeong's eyes twitched.
"How does he know the inventory inside out...?"
Then, resigned, he sighed deeply.
"We can spare it."
"Good. Any further thoughts, Chief Strategist?"
"None."
Hyeok Mu-gang smiled at me again.
"Academy Representative Jin Sowoon, the award ceremony must wait until Sichuan wraps up. But I'll arrange for the items promptly."
The ceremony? Who cared. The loot mattered. True hero's magnanimity.
I glanced at the strategist before replying swiftly.
"My thanks."
With everyone but Jegal Somyeong satisfied, the mood lightened into casual chat. The topic naturally shifted to Sichuan, a golden chance for me—who'd been out of the Alliance's loop—to catch up.
I listened quietly, ensuring the flow didn't break.
"Fortunately, the Poison King and that snout from Cheongsung have stepped up."
"A relief. I worried what we'd do if they didn't."
"It happened in our backyard—they have to."
The Alliance had dispatched ample forces, so combat was no issue. The real problem was Blood Cult elites outnumbering their transcendent experts.
Thankfully, Sichuan's own absolutes were filling the gap.
Resolving faster than expected.
In my past life, identifying the enemy took too long, responses lagged, and the sorcery's potency caused massive casualties—exacerbated by Iron Corpses and Blood Demons. The Alliance had reeled from the deaths.
Compared to that, zero losses now was a godsend.
"Still puzzles me, though. Why did the Blood Cult halt their eastward push?"
"Hm..."
Even the brilliant Jegal Somyeong tilted his head.
"If their identity was unknown, fine—but now it's exposed. Dragging things out won't benefit them."
"Best to warn everyone to stay vigilant. Could be a trap."
As I listened, a crucial forgotten detail resurfaced.
"Um..."
All eyes turned to me, who'd stayed silent till now.
"I meant to mention this earlier."
I placed the bundle I'd brought on the table. Their gazes converged.
"What's this?"
Hyeok Mu-gang eyed it curiously. I scratched my head awkwardly, looking at him.
"Ah, well... It's the head of the Blood Cult's young leader."
"..."
"...?"
The three stared blankly, as if unsure what they'd heard. After a beat of silence.
"Huh?!"
Buk Wonpyeong shot up with a weird yelp and unwrapped it.
And there...
"Heh..."
The Blood Cult young leader's face—eyes bulging from the shock of an unforeseen strike, frozen in death—emerged. Shock rippled across their faces.
I reported calmly, watching them.
"Probably why they aren't advancing. He seemed a key figure internally."
Truth be told, losing the Blood Sea Jade and Illusion Pearl was bigger, but no need to mention that.
"You... did this to him?"
I nodded at Jegal Somyeong's question.
"Felt like he'd ambush our retreat, so I nipped it in the bud."
Jegal Somyeong and Buk Wonpyeong paled in turn. Even Hyeok Mu-gang's composed gaze wavered.
"..."
What kind of monster is this kid? Their eyes said it all.
At a loss, I quietly sipped my tea.
Slurp.
Oh, damn, it's good. No wonder he wants to visit often.