#98. Hell's Murim Exam - The Third Gate
“We demand the truth about the Bokyang Plains incident.”
The Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families establish branch facilities in each province, akin to their own sub-sects. Shaolin builds temples, while Wudang and Huashan set up Taoist academies. They claim these are for those too far from the main sect to visit directly, but in reality, they manage affiliated lay sects and commercial operations nationwide—functionally no different from Murim Alliance branches.
The key difference? Alliance branches suffer from fractured unity due to internal politics, while the Nine Great Sects' outposts move in absolute lockstep with headquarters' commands.
“What truth do you speak of?”
The two men introduced themselves as the Taoist academy heads of Wudang and Huashan, respectively.
“In Bokyang Plains, a thousand experts clashed, and nearly five hundred died. Isn't uncovering the truth the natural course?”
The Huashan academy head's words drew vigorous nods from the middle-aged men behind him. Their varied robes suggested not just Huashan and Wudang disciples, but elders from the sects of those slain in Bokyang Plains.
“To be precise, it wasn't a clash of a thousand experts. It was a thousand battling a mere eighty.”
The Wudang academy head stepped forward beside his Huashan counterpart.
“That's exactly my point. How could a thousand clash with eighty, and you lot only lose twenty?”
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's faces slowly darkened at the Wudang head's words.
“Are you saying we all should have died...?”
“By the natural order, wouldn't that be right?”
“!”
“!”
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's faces flushed crimson. Anyone else might have drawn steel on the spot, but facing Wudang and Huashan academy heads, they held their tempers.
“Elders, the young ladies of Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect are present. Mind your words.”
Iron Sword Sect aside, their attitude bordered on outright rudeness with Namgung Family in attendance. The Wudang academy head glanced at Namgung Seonhwa before continuing.
“...Any issues can be settled later. Right now, resolving this graver matter takes priority.”
Realizing words were futile, they moved to enter the Murim Alliance's Namak Branch. Lingering here would waste their early morning start.
But—
“You won't enter until you've revealed every detail.”
The warriors blocked the entrance. I let out a quiet sigh.
Clues about the Demonic Cult's stirrings needed official channels to spread. Individuals couldn't grasp or accept it alone—only more suspicion would pile up.
“We've already prepared a report for the Alliance, courtesy of Lady Namgung here. Hear the full story from the Alliance later.”
“I said clearly: no entry without the full truth!”
“......”
My blood ran cold. The deaths of their disciples—brothers and sisters in arms—were tragic, but a risk accepted in the Murim Exam. Yet they clung to absurd demands, trusting their sect's power. Narrow-minded certainty that their rights trumped others'.
“...Are you interfering with the Murim Exam right now?”
“We're merely righting a wrong.”
“No discord is allowed in the Third Gate's zone. Violators—and their sects—face consequences. You know this, yes?”
“Hmph! That's why we came for you. Without that rule, you'd never have walked here on your own two feet.”
“Reason's lost on you.”
I shook my head and drew my sword.
“What do you think you're doing?”
“Suspect me all you want, but I won't let Namgung Family or Iron Sword Sect suffer for it. My juniors and I forfeit cleanly, and we'll escort the ladies inside.”
“Young Master Jin!”
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's eyes widened in shock.
“You think you can take us on?”
Not just the academy heads—even the self-appointed sect reps looked incredulous. The heads' robes billowed as they gathered inner energy, pressure prickling my skin. I matched them, channeling my full power.
“Strange, isn't it? We're the eighty who slew five hundred. Aren't you afraid to face us?”
“......”
“......”
Geum Pyo, Eunho, and Dongryong formed a sword formation, blades drawn. The elders with the heads hid their fluster poorly—they hadn't anticipated this.
Clang!Clang!
Even the elegantly made-up Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran drew steel.
“Ladies, stay back. Stepping in risks disqualifying you from the exam.”
“You call that the issue right now?”
“This insult isn't just Tae-eul Gate's. They've slandered Namgung Family. If I back down for the exam, Grandfather won't forgive me.”
As the ladies advanced, their escorts drew blades too.
“Th-these insolent—!”
The Huashan head's face turned beet red. Pressing with Huashan and Wudang's name wouldn't work against this lineup. Mentioning the Heavenly Sword Immortal made true conflict disastrous—Huashan, Wudang, and Namgung would suffer, and these heads would bear the blame later.
I wreathed my Black Dragon Sword in sword energy. Now it was a test of nerve. The desperate won.
I stepped forward; the heads flinched.
“Hold!”
A middle-aged man emerged from the Namak Branch with escorts.
“I'm the Murim Alliance Namak Branch chief. Sheathe your swords, all of you.”
#
“What's this commotion?”
“......”
“......”
The branch chief approached, exchanging glances with the heads. Some prior discussion seemed in play; they bowed slightly.
“Return home, everyone. The Murim Exam's Third Gate awaits.”
“We can't do that!”
“Hundreds fell victim in Bokyang Plains.”
“We must uncover the full incident!”
As the crowd chorused, the chief sighed softly.
“I've heard of Bokyang Plains. It's reported to the Alliance, and an investigation team will be dispatched.”
“That's too slow! Time! By then, evidence vanishes—what good is investigating?”
“The culprits are right here. Why wait for an Alliance team?”
Reprimands rang from all sides.
“Enough.”
The chief infused his voice with inner energy, silencing the area instantly.
“The Murim Exam offers fair chances to all. Private interference harms your sects too. Are you prepared for that?”
“......”
“......”
“Stand down. The Alliance will resolve any suspicions.”
It seemed settled—until the Huashan head spoke.
“The matter's too grave for that.”
A flicker of contempt crossed the chief's eyes. He'd tried giving face, but now this.
Yet his next words stirred fresh uproar.
“There's suspicion of demonic arts in Bokyang Plains.”
“......”
The chief's eye twitched faintly.
“Pfft—haha!”
Seong Moran burst laughing. Eyes turned to her, but she couldn't stop.
“What's so funny, Lady Seong Moran?”
The chief knew her, surprisingly.
“They're digging their own graves—how can I not laugh?”
“What...?”
“Next you'll say, 'Isn't Tae-eul Gate tied to demonic arts?'”
“......”
“......”
Seong Moran pointed at the Huashan and Wudang heads; their faces neared explosion.
“Iron Sword Sect heard that nonsense too. Cost us our ancestral founder's treasured sword. No one here is unaware, right?”
“Hmph! Associating with such folk shows no shame.”
“Iron Sword Sect and Namgung Family were in Bokyang Plains too. Certain of demonic arts?”
“......”
Unlike the quiet Huashan head, the Wudang head advanced.
“Never thought Iron Sword or Namgung used demonic arts. But Tae-eul Gate's techniques seemed otherworldly—not their own. That suspicion lingers.”
I fixed the Wudang head with a stare.
“Can you stand by those words?”
I unleashed raw killing intent without restraint.
“Hup.”
“Kuhk.”
“Wh-what killing intent...”
The heads—and elders behind—grimaced in unison.
“I'll ask again. Can you stand by them?”
“You brat! Do you know who I am to act like this?”
“I've never let anyone slander my sect or brothers go unpunished.”
Past, present, future—I wouldn't.
Past-life Jegal Cheongi would curse me for needless baggage, failing to shed weakness. No matter. I'd take any cost; I wasn't that frail anymore.
I closed on the Wudang head. His Taoist escorts blocked me.
“Th-that punk!”
His face livid, he pointed accusingly. Geum Pyo and brothers flanked me, ready to strike. I poured inner energy into my voice.
“Say it again!! Does Wudang claim Tae-eul Gate used demonic arts?!!!”
“Y-you—!”
My roar echoed across the entire Namak Branch. Passersby halted, staring.
The Wudang head's face crumpled like paper. As I readied Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion, a new voice cut in.
“Tae-eul Gate's Jin Sowoon did not use demonic arts.”
All heads turned. Dozens approached—bandaged, mid-treatment.
The relieved chief asked, “Who are you?”
The lead man replied, “Muk Jeong-ho of Gon-o Gate, exam participant. Fought Tae-eul Gate in Bokyang Plains.”
“I see. You were there—know the facts well.”
“I don't know who spread tales, but demonic arts were indeed used there.”
“......See? Tae-eul Gate...”
“But! Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate saved us from those users.”
“What?!”
Up close, I recognized the examinee who'd yelled in shame after I saved him.
“Mid-battle with Tae-eul Gate, shadowy attackers struck—not human. Alliance investigation's needed. But Jin Sowoon wasn't the fiend—no doubt.”
“How would you know...?”
“Have some shame!”
“What?”
“Jin Sowoon saved us from unknown fiends attacking him—simply because we're righteous path.”
Muk Jeong-ho jabbed at the elders behind the head.
“And when your hired warriors lay dying for your sons, he personally gave emergency aid. Yet you harass the hero here! Are you truly righteous pillars?!!!”
“Well said!”
“Feel shame, you bastards!”
Muk Jeong-ho's group—warriors I'd treated—cursed their former employers freely.
“Feel shame!”
Gon-o Gate ranked among the 108 Peaks' Ten Banners. Unthinkable against Huashan and Wudang's prestige, but Muk Jeong-ho roared undaunted.
“I, Muk Jeong-ho of Gon-o Gate, vouch: Jin Sowoon used no demonic arts.”
“I agree!”
“Me too!”
Voices swelled among the warriors; the heads' faces blackened.
A warrior whispered to the chief, who eyed Namgung Seonhwa.
“Lady Namgung Seonhwa, I hear you prepared a report for the Alliance.”
She handed over a scroll from her bosom.
“......”
Reading it, the chief looked to me.
“It mentions acquiring fiend remains. True?”
“Yes.”
“Show me.”
I nodded to Geum Pyo; he unwrapped a cloth-bound arm from a Dark Severance Soul Unit member.
“Eek!”
“What is that?!”
“A sword from the palm?!”
“Not bone...?”
The chief's face hardened at the corpse.
“Why not show this sooner? It would've ended easily.”
To his reproach, I shook my head.
“Even you didn't back us fully, Chief. Would this dispel suspicions?”
“...Ouch, that stings.”
He eyed the heads.
“No one can claim Tae-eul Gate used demonic arts now.”
“......”
“......”
I approached the Wudang head. His disciples raised swords, but I sheathed mine.
“Still think Tae-eul Gate used demonic arts?”
“......”
“Speak.”
“......”
“Speak!!”
“No...”
“Then apologize.”
“What?!”
“Apologize.”
“...Do you know who I—?”
“Refuse, and I'll file a formal Alliance protest.”
After agonizing, the Wudang head sighed deeply, bowing with cupped fists.
“...Wudang's Song Mo formally apologizes to Tae-eul Gate.”
Scattered gasps erupted—unbelievable.
“Count yourself lucky you're Wudang. Accusing a Tae-eul man of demonic arts? No mere apology would've sufficed.”
“......”
The chief spoke again.
“For the Alliance report, can you surrender the corpse?”
Evidence was key to identifying fiends. His hand reached out.
“No.”
Geum Pyo dodged it instantly.
“...N-no?”
“Correct.”
“To clear suspicions, evidence is...”
“Suspicions are cleared.”
“...This is grave. Especially shadowy foes—Alliance must handle it.”
“Alliance matter, but evidence isn't essential.”
“What?”
“Exam byproducts belong to participants. That's the rule.”
“......”
“I'll send it to my sect for their investigation.”
“...But Tae-eul Gate...”
He trailed off, recalling Wudang's slip.
I continued, “If you truly need it, Chief, buy it from me.”
“What?”
“Hah!”
“Rootless sect through and through.”
I ignored the Huashan head's tongue-click.
“Ten nyang of gold.”
“Heh!”
The chief—and even Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran—gaped.
“Use it for funerals of Bokyang Plains dead and treatment of the wounded. Then it's yours.”
“!”
“!!”
Shock redoubled. The heads looked like they'd tasted shit.
“You'll do that?”
“Ha...”
The chief sighed long, then nodded.
“Fine, we'll accept.”
“Geum Pyo, hand it over.”
“Yes, Eldest Brother!”
Geum Pyo—unusually formal—passed it to the chief's escort. Thunderous cheers erupted.
“““Wooooaaahhh!”””
I cupped fists to Muk Jeong-ho.
“Thanks for the aid. Stay safe.”
“...Hero Jin, until next time.”
Behind us, as we entered the branch, warriors chanted in unison.
“Jin Sowoon!”
“Jin Sowoon!”
“Jin Sowoon!”
“Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!”
“Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!”
“Black Flame Dragon! Jin Sowoon!”
Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa somehow strutted like they owned the cheers; Geum Pyo and brothers stuck even closer than usual.
“Why so clingy? And lower that flag already.”
“What're you saying, Eldest Brother? The pole's too short—I'm planning a longer one.”