Churning Rapids
Murim Alliance proposed delivering rewards for the meritorious dead directly to their immediate families rather than their sects. Some sects protested, crying that it meant they weren't trusted, but the louder they got, the thicker the suspicious glares became, so the complaints died down quickly.
To confirm the Alliance Lord's orders were being followed, several sects were subjected to inspections. The Ilhakmun's sect leader, who had been holed up at Murim Alliance for weeks, suddenly bolted back to his sect with his disciples like he'd been struck by lightning. Thanks to that, Geum Taekjong's family was left high and dry like orphaned ducklings on the Yangtze.
It didn't seem wise to meet Geum Taekjong's family directly, so I sent people to handle it. From what I heard, they'd pitched tents at the Alliance just for show and stayed for weeks. Cursing Ilhakmun's Song Jusaeng, we arranged the finest inn for them, gave them a few days' rest, and even hooked them up with an escort to their hometown.
But for some reason, once they learned the identity of their caretaker—me—they sent word that they wanted to meet. I couldn't predict what they'd say, but I felt I had to honor their request, so I visited their inn the day before they left.
Geum Taekseon was asleep and didn't appear. Only the middle-aged couple who looked like his parents greeted me. Dressed in simple but clean clothes instead of their former gaudy rags, they seemed so neat and unassuming it was hard to imagine their previous pitiful state.
"I'm... a friend of Geum Taekjong's. Jin Sowoon, the one who led Sahwal-dan in Mukrim."
They still seemed intimidated by me as a martial artist. Even though I'd deliberately left my sword behind, a faint fear lingered on their faces.
"......"
It was heartbreaking. In the jianghu, the weak didn't even have the right to show their true feelings. Just like in my previous life, they surely harbored doubts and anger over their child's death but couldn't voice them openly.
I bowed my head first.
"If you have something to say, feel free. I know full well my failings."
The middle-aged woman waved her hands frantically and grabbed my shoulders.
"Oh, no, no, young master."
Young master, young master... If Geum Taekjong were here, would he have griped about that flattering term?
His fidgeting mother stood by as his father cautiously spoke up.
"That's not why we wanted to see you."
Even though I was the same academy student status as their son, their attitude toward me was stiff and formal.
"We just wanted to thank the one helping us... and since it was Young Master Jin, we especially wanted to meet you."
"Me?"
I tilted my head at the way they spoke as if they'd known me forever.
"Taekjong talked about you a lot."
"......"
In my memories, Geum Taekjong and I had barely interacted.
What on earth had he said?
"After entering the academy, Taekjong struggled a lot. As parents, we couldn't just watch, so we told him to quit and come home... but he wouldn't, maybe because of the heavy burden on his shoulders."
He'd somehow made it into Murim Academy, but with no connections there, life must have been tough. Still, like any "carp from the gutters," few could abandon their burdens and opportunities so easily.
"Then at some point, he started sending word about you, Young Master Jin. Said there was this... unique person. That watching you made academy life a bit more bearable."
What had this Geum Taekjong I'd never known seen in me?
"On his last visit home, he said he was enjoying academy life. Wanted to stick it out another year."
What had made him enjoy it?
"We heard you suffered greatly in Mukrim, Young Master Jin. That the other academy students survived thanks to you."
"......I'm sorry."
My voice came out smaller than intended. But the couple shook their heads at my words.
Soon, the middle-aged woman's teary voice rang out.
"From the moment that child picked up a sword... we knew something like this could happen anytime."
Her tone calmly accepted her son's life on the martial path.
"Either way, you did your best, didn't you, Young Master Jin?"
She took my hand. Her palm was rough with calluses, but warmer than any I'd felt.
"Thank you."
"......"
An unexpected thanks. I looked up again at the weary couple, who wore faint smiles.
"Taekjong could enjoy his academy days because of you, Young Master Jin. Thank you."
"......"
Even with my vast memories, I couldn't find words, so I answered with silence.
A year passed, and a new one began. In the season when winter's chill hadn't fully lifted, Murim Academy was preparing to close just before graduation. After this class graduated, it would enter another two-year hiatus until the next regular admissions.
Academy students were frantically making the rounds to greet their seniors. Positions in elite divisions like Mugak were limited, so only a few could claim them. Fail to secure a spot by graduation, and you'd get shipped to a branch office or—worst of all—Baekrang Pavilion. Everyone was desperate.
And I...
"Are you insane?!!!"
Was getting my sanity questioned again.
"Everyone's dying to get in, right? And from Tae-eul Gate's perspective, wouldn't it be great if their disciple joined the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly?"
Seong Moran rattled off over a dozen reasons why I should join the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
"The stipend alone rivals a dang's budget. You go everywhere in the jianghu, get top treatment wherever you land. Young Master Jin, you love money... er, I mean, you like it, right? Wandering, fame, fortune—what's not to love??"
"I've got enough money. And I think my name's high enough alrea—"
"Arrrgh!"
Seong Moran clawed at her hair.
Why was she so insistent when I was the one saying no...?
"Arrrgh!! I knew you weren't right in the head, but this level of crazy...!"
"......"
Seong Moran kept ranting about the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly's merits, but none of it moved me. As a kid, I'd idolized them as "heroes," but after two lives, I knew their "activities" were just playtime.
In short, Dragon-Phoenix Assembly duty wouldn't help with the coming Great War of Righteousness and Evil. Plus, post-service assignments would leave no time to rebuild and run a division. And with incidents popping up endlessly across Murim Alliance and the jianghu...
Who'd uphold justice and chivalry if everyone's just wandering and feasting? Right?
"So, so... you're really going to Baekrang Pavilion?!"
Honestly, I didn't get Seong Moran's reaction.
"......But won't you get into the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly anyway with your scores? My choice won't affect that."
"Without you, Young Master Jin..."
"......Without me?"
Seong Moran froze, realizing something, then mumbled.
"......W-well, without you, it'd be no fun..."
Figured as much. Sigh, Jin Sowoon. Had I become someone whose mere presence brought joy to others?
But even with her support, I couldn't back down.
"Sure, enjoy it while you can, but I've got must-do things."
"......Does it have to be Baekrang Pavilion, even if it kills you?"
"Yes!"
"Think before you speak! We both have top scores. So why... why volunteer for Baekrang Pavilion when you don't have to?!"
Seong Moran paused, then whipped around and shook Namgung Seonhwa's shoulders—Seonhwa, who was calmly sipping tea nearby.
"What would the Sword Immortal say if the Namgung family's lady joined Baekrang Pavilion?!!!"
"......"
Why blame me for Namgung Seonhwa's own choice? I wanted to argue, but sensed it'd cross an irreversible river if I spoke up, so I stayed shut.
Namgung Seonhwa set down her teacup and murmured calmly.
"I'm fine. Better to get scolded by Grandpa than leave you alone and have some harsh year... ahem, I mean, trouble follow."
Unlike her serene voice...
Crack.
The teacup in her hand cracked.
"Seonhwa...!"
"Oh? Must be too old."
...I'd heard that was brand new.
Under Namgung Seonhwa's clear gaze, Seong Moran sighed.
"Haa... Fine. Then I'll apply to Baekrang Pavilion too."
What was this now?
"......You don't have to."
I genuinely didn't get it. I had special reasons and it'd help take in Tae-eul Gate disciples later. But Seong Moran or Namgung Seonhwa could land prime spots without Dragon-Phoenix.
Why...?
"That's what I'm saying! Why do you think I'd do this?"
"......For quick promotions?"
Killing intent leaked from Seong Moran.
"Haha, kidding. Hmm! Because it's fun with me? You know everythi—"
The killing intent thickened.
"W-wait, not that?"
Now she was glaring with bloodshot eyes.
"......"
Two lives in, but women's hearts were still a mystery.
Jaein-dang. Under Mantongbu, Jaein-dang handled personnel for Murim Alliance branches across the jianghu. Many doubted if a mere "dang" could manage such vast numbers, but they didn't handle everything—just branch heads and stewards. The rest filled in underlings to their liking and reported up. Jaein-dang just vetted for issues and stamped approval.
This held for Mugak and special divisions too, so Jaein-dang remained a "dang." Lately busy with Mukrim merit rewards, that was wrapping up, so post-graduation assignments meant a long vacation ahead. Members buzzed with anticipation.
But...
"Lord, this is weird."
"Yawwwn... What is."
"......Applicants are piling up in one spot."
The yawning lord waved it off.
"Kids without promises just shotgun apps. Cut 'em off, send extras elsewhere. Overflow to branches."
All Mugak got equal treatment on paper, but everyone knew the hot spots. Fierce backroom deals for limited seats, few winners. Losers over-applied in desperation—a staple every cycle, nothing new