Chapter 186: The Return
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 186: The Return
"Alright, Student Shali has a permit from the school office so she can use the main gate, but how am I supposed to get out?"
At the edge of the Academy, Muen looked at the patrolling teachers and golems, his brow furrowed in frustration.
Even without the lockdown from the Second Layer Grand Ritual, the Academy's security had clearly tightened due to the increasingly tense situation lately.
Basically, as soon as night fell, the number of patrolling teachers multiplied.
Trying to sneak out of the Academy under these conditions with his pathetic Late Second-Tier cultivation was practically impossible. Those teachers weren't just for show.
Furthermore, he couldn't exactly follow the normal procedures out in the open. After all, he wasn't heading out tonight to go window shopping for gifts.
"Looks like I have no choice but to use my ultimate move."
With no other way out, Muen had to resort to his last-ditch method. He took a deep breath and looked at the patrolling teachers as they drew closer, a determined and fiery light flashing in his eyes.
"Teacher Mela, help me!"
"..."
"Please! I'll buy you those sweets you like later!"
"Scram."
A furious shout echoed from the void, carrying a tone that clearly said, How did I end up with such an embarrassing disciple? A small, fair foot emerged from thin air and delivered a sharp kick right to Muen’s backside.
Muen yelped in pain as the world around him began to spin violently, as if he’d been shoved into a heavy-duty industrial washing machine.
By the time he rubbed his rear and scrambled up from the ground, he found himself standing on a street outside the Academy.
Since it was a school day, the street—which usually thrived on the Academy's presence—was exceptionally desolate. A faint glow of firelight seeped through the windows of the closed shops along the road, reflecting off the pristine cobblestone floor.
Night had fallen, and the street was empty.
Only a pitch-black carriage, devoid of any markings, waited there in silence.
Muen stepped into the carriage.
The person inside had been waiting for a long time.
"Young Master."
An lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Muen’s waist. "I’ve been waiting for you for so long."
"Alright, save the affection for later." Muen inhaled her familiar scent and ruffled An’s hair. "Business first."
"Understood."
An straightened up, her posture becoming as rigid and precise as if measured by a ruler. Her expression of doting joy vanished, replaced by her usual solemnity.
Clop, clop.
The carriage began to move automatically, heading toward the Lower District.
"These are the items you requested, Young Master."
Amidst the rhythmic sound of horse hooves, An handed a file to Muen.
Muen took it, opened it, and scanned the contents quickly.
"Is this information on all the major gangs in the Lower District?"
"Yes," An nodded slightly. "Every group with a name and territory is listed there."
"The number is smaller than I expected."
"After all, those who can claw their way out of the quagmire of the Lower District are few and far between. Most of the Lower District consists of scattered organizations that rely on the major gangs to survive. I didn't think those would be of any use to you, Young Master. Besides, for the Lower District, what matters isn't what's below, but what's above."
"Above..." Muen murmured. "And the information on those above?"
"Everything that could be uncovered is marked. The rest are cautious individuals who haven't left a single trail," An said with a hint of self-reproach.
"I don't blame you. If it were that easy to catch them, the Royal Family would have wiped those greedy bastards out long ago. They wouldn't be this arrogant now."
Muen sighed.
In his memories, his convenient father had spoken of those nobles—whose heads were filled with nothing but money and desire—with utter disdain. However, there was one thing even he had to admit.
When it came to doing dirty work, those people were incredibly clever. There was no telling how many layers of fronts and shell organizations those Lower District gangs were wrapped in.
And there was no telling how much of the money the "rats" earned through smuggling and selling forbidden drugs ended up in those nobles' pockets.
"However, for the time being, there shouldn't be any influence from 'above' in the Lower District," An suddenly added.
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Because most of the nobility in the Upper District has been conscripted by His Majesty."
"Conscripted?" Muen frowned. "Why?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps because the Master is away, the Campbell family didn't receive a notice. But I visited several noble houses, and the heads of the families and their able-bodied men were mostly gone, leaving only the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children. According to my inquiries, it was a conscription order from His Majesty. It seems something big is about to happen."
"Something big..."
The only big thing happening lately was...
It seemed the Moon was making a much larger move than he had anticipated.
"But would those nobles really be that obedient? Shouldn't their first thought when something big happens be to run away?"
"I don't know," An said, touching her cheek with a troubled expression. "But generally speaking, when a blade is held to one's throat, people tend not to lie."
Eh?
Wait?
An?
Did I just hear something I wasn't supposed to? Did you really just go for a 'visit'?
...Better to pretend he hadn't heard that.
"However, according to the Duke's Estate's intelligence, Belland has recently begun a severe crackdown on smuggling. The city gates have also been temporarily sealed—basically, people are allowed in, but no one is allowed out."
"I think I have an idea why those nobles are working so hard now."
Muen’s lips twitched.
As expected of His Majesty, who had purged the dark forces of Belland several times over; he really played hardball.
If the Moon truly intended to pull some "sink the ships" desperate move, then the entirety of Belland was now in the same boat. Those guys had no choice but to put in the effort.
"But for me, this is a good thing."
Muen tucked the documents away. "Without the masters holding the leashes, those house dogs are even less significant than stray curs."
"By the way, is the other thing I asked for ready?"
"Of course, Young Master."
An pulled out a case and opened it. Inside, a black formal suit and an exquisite human skin mask entered Muen’s view.
"The suit was rushed overnight using special fabric. It can resist most cuts, flames, blunt force, and even magic attacks below the Third-Tier Secret Rite Level. Most importantly, it is extremely light—only half the weight of ordinary clothing. As for this human skin mask, it was crafted by a professional artisan. It is almost indistinguishable from the real thing..."
"..."
Watching An introduce the items in the case with such earnestness, Muen couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.
His original request had only been for something light enough and capable of providing a disguise.
But An always managed to prepare everything so perfectly.
Perfect beyond imagination.
"Thank you, An."
"Young Master, it is only my duty."
"Then help me get dressed. Just like back at home."
"Yes." An smiled. "Of course, Young Master."
...
...
A few minutes later, when Muen stepped out of the carriage, his appearance had undergone a massive transformation.
His height and physique had increased by a full size. His high bridge of the nose and deep-set eyes made him look as cold and arrogant as a Slav from the north.
The pitch-black, form-fitting formal suit clung to him like a beast's shadow, possessing a violent beauty amidst its nobility. The hanging golden ornaments highlighted the wearer's wealth and extraordinary status.
His short blonde hair was tucked into a wide-brimmed top hat. When he slightly pressed down on the brim, all his emotions and the look in his eyes were rendered cold and terrifying by the shadows.
"Alright, gentlemen."
Muen gripped his cane and looked down the silent streets of the Lower District.
"Let us begin round two of the game."