Chapter 66: I've Thought About It A Lot
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: I've Thought About It A Lot
The Great Heaven Sect Master's disappearance once again stirred up the mass media.
Starting with rumors that he had developed a Heart Demon due to recent overwork and entered seclusion, when his whereabouts remained unknown after several days, theories of him absconding overseas spread, and before long, rumors of assassination began to circulate.
Countless people, especially Martial Artists or those involved in related industries, brought up similar topics whenever they gathered.
"I hear the Great Heaven Sect is like a funeral home right now. They couldn't even identify the building terrorists, and then their Sect Master just vanished overnight."
"And amidst all that, some crazy bastard was running around naked in the streets, screaming that the Sun Moon Sect killed their Sect Master?"
"Ah, that was a Martial Artist from the Great Heaven Sect who escaped from a Qi Deviation hospital, I heard. The Martial Alliance quickly apprehended him."
"The Martial Alliance is doing good work these days. They even caught all the Assassins who infiltrated the License Exam."
"Hey, did you hear that rumor? That everything that's happened recently is because the Great Heaven Sect got on the Eight Great Sects' bad side..."
"Shhh! Don't just blurt out things like that!"
However, with only ominous rumors and rampant speculation, the exact reason for the Great Heaven Sect Master's disappearance remained unknown.
The Martial Alliance was also investigating the Great Heaven Sect Master's disappearance to uncover the truth.
"He didn't enter seclusion. Even investigating his movements up to a month ago shows no sign of it. He's not so obsessed with martial arts that he'd abandon his sect just to grasp some minor enlightenment..."
No Gu-cheon, an elder of the Martial Alliance whose complexion had recently improved significantly, was examining documents in his office.
He took a sip of the coffee beside him and asked the person sitting opposite him.
"What do you think?"
It was Choi Geon, who had vanished without a trace for over ten years without a single contact, but these days frequented the Martial Alliance as if it were his own living room.
Choi Geon also sipped his tea and replied.
"It's one of two things. Either he fled overseas, abandoning his family, fearing the Sun Moon Sect would use and discard him... or he's already buried somewhere."
Perhaps thinking the latter was more likely, Choi Geon's lips were set in a cold line.
No Gu-cheon put down the documents he had finished reading and nodded.
"I think so too. It seems the Sun Moon Sect Leader, Jang Jin-myeong, made his move."
"He's always been a devious bastard. What's so hard about killing a person?"
If they hadn't known the Sun Moon Sect was behind the Great Heaven Sect, they would have floundered like everyone else, but knowing the truth and having a direction made the investigation smooth.
The Martial Alliance, even with a small number of people, quickly grasped the truth and successfully spread false information to sow confusion among the Eight Great Sects.
It was still not an easy task with only the Martial Alliance's power, which was constantly checked by the Eight Great Sects... but there was help from a hidden benefactor.
"Just who is this Hwang Suk-su? His skill in handling information is extraordinary. To make fools of the Eight Great Sects' informants..."
Choi Geon chuckled at No Gu-cheon's astonished expression and said,
"He's my disciple's subordinate. Aside from his frivolous personality, his skills are quite decent."
"Subordinate...?"
It was strange to hear that Ki Mu-hyeok, who was only twenty years old, had a subordinate, but No Gu-cheon soon decided not to dwell on it.
After all, wasn't he a disciple who perfectly resembled the Sword Demon Choi Geon in his youth?
Such a person was bound to be difficult for an ordinary man like himself to understand.
"Anyway, public interest is enormous. I don't know how long it's been since ordinary people paid this much attention to Martial affairs."
"It's a blessing in disguise, isn't it? Thanks to stopping the Assassins who ran wild in the exam hall... public opinion is quite favorable to us, too?"
"The situation is excellent. The Martial Alliance and the Alliance Leader's reputations are rising, too."
"Hahahaha..."
The eyes of the two men, laughing as they faced each other, sparkled brightly.
They had a lot of pent-up resentment towards the Eight Great Sects' long-standing corruption and abuse of power.
Now, decades later, a golden opportunity had arrived, so they couldn't help but laugh.
"Tomorrow, finally. The day the Eight Great Sects' heinous misdeeds will be exposed."
"This time it's only the Sun Moon Sect, but this will prevent the other Eight Great Sects from acting rashly."
"The beginning is always important. Many things will change from now on."
Once all the Martial License Exams were over, the Martial Alliance Leader planned to reveal the evidence of the Sun Moon Sect Leader's atrocities and arrest him in front of everyone.
The Eight Great Sects, which had dominated the Korean Martial, would suffer a significant blow to their reputation, and as their solid alliance wavered and their influence diminished, the Martial Alliance would be able to check their unchecked power.
"Even if it's not the fair and just world we wished for in our naive youth, won't it be a slightly better world?"
"That is, if everything goes according to plan..."
"We'll minimize variables as much as possible."
Even as he said that, No Gu-cheon's face wasn't entirely free of worry.
Because the Eight Great Sects' power wasn't just in their reputation and authority.
Their martial might, the connections they'd built through deep ties with political and business circles, and even their long-standing duty of Great Aberration suppression.
"...If a power vacuum occurs, unexpected problems might arise. But if we leave things as they are, the Martial of this nation will fester and rot."
"Don't let the fear of maggots stop you from making the sauce. The Alliance Leader has made up his mind, willing to bear even that. I will follow him."
"...I feel the same way."
Both men nodded with serious expressions, seemingly sharing the same thoughts.
To lighten the somewhat heavy atmosphere, No Gu-cheon asked,
"Ah, how's your disciple preparing for the exam?"
While it was a secondary priority for the two of them, public attention was also heavily focused on the postponed Martial License Exam.
The Rising Stars who had personally defeated the Assassins who infiltrated the Martial Alliance, concealing their identities.
Some media outlets were even prematurely declaring that the most outstanding generation in the past twenty years had emerged since the appearance of Richard Han.
"Heh heh. What's there to say? He's preparing to become the best."
Yang Ha-yun. Song Jun-ho. Shin Kang-heon.
The mass media mentioned these three the most.
However, those who had even a slight connection to the Martial were keeping a close eye on the name Ki Mu-hyeok.
Even though his achievements were intentionally downplayed in the official announcements at his request, rumors had spread by word of mouth among the Rising Stars who were present at the exam hall.
Choi Geon's lips curved into a naturally pleased smile.
"The saying 'an awl in a pouch' isn't for nothing. Just you wait. Mu-hyeok will shake the world."
"Oh, I'm sure he will, I'm sure he will."
No Gu-cheon shook his head at his old friend's doting display.
But he had no intention of denying it either.
*
With repeated incidents and the disappearance of the Great Heaven Sect Master, a strangely unsettling current flowed through the Korean Martial world recently.
Amidst all this, time steadily passed, and the day for the postponed First-Rate License Exam arrived.
"...I've got a good feeling about this."
That morning, Ki Mu-hyeok woke up in peak condition, not having tossed or turned once during his sleep.
After a leisurely warm-up, he ate breakfast with his parents, chatted as usual, tied his sneakers, and slung a duffel bag over one shoulder.
"Well then, I'm off."
"I swear, I should just quit this damn company. Going to work on the day of my son's life-changing exam..."
"Stop being so dramatic. Mu-hyeok's life is already on the fast track, you know? But... are you really sure you don't want us to come with you?"
Ki Chan-ho and Park Ji-yeon were ready to take unauthorized leave if their son asked them to come along even now, but Ki Mu-hyeok, knowing what would happen today, had vehemently refused for days.
"Are you going to follow me every time something happens from now on? I'll do great, so let's go out for a delicious dinner tonight."
"Our son's all grown up, all grown up."
"Dad's a little sad, though...?"
After giving his parents, who were preparing for work with a hint of regret, a hug each, Ki Mu-hyeok left the house early.
Upon arriving near the Martial Alliance, a much larger crowd had gathered than before.
Although the number of examinees was much smaller since those who failed the previous exam didn't come, the general public who came to watch had increased due to the surge in media interest.
"It's Ki Mu-hyeok!"
"Just look over here once!"
Click-click-click!
Ki Mu-hyeok, experiencing a barrage of flashes for the first time, pulled his hood down and quickly walked past.
Fortunately, the Martial Alliance had dispatched Martial Artists, allowing him to enter the exam hall without difficulty.
"Hey, you crazy bastard!"
Even though he had arrived quite early, most of the participants seemed to have already arrived, as several familiar faces were visible.
"Did you oversleep or something? I was bored to death waiting. Yawn—"
Shin Kang-heon seemed to have come without proper sleep, walking over with wide yawns.
At his appearance, Ki Mu-hyeok clicked his tongue and nagged.
"Get some sleep on time. It's fine now because you're young, but when you get older, your stamina won't hold up."
"This guy sometimes sounds like an old man, I swear."
Shin Kang-heon grumbled with an incredulous expression, when another voice chimed in.
"Haha. Isn't it normal to be too excited to sleep the night before an exam?"
Oh Jung-min of the Pine Moon Sect, who had become friendly with them during the last exam, approached and spoke.
Beside him was Song Jun-ho of the Taiji Sword Sect, who had a strangely serious expression.
"...I couldn't sleep a wink either because I was nervous. I guess good quality sleep is important if you want to grow tall..."
"Hey, shorty. What are you mumbling about?"
When Shin Kang-heon teased Song Jun-ho, who was much shorter than him, Song Jun-ho flared up and lunged at him.
"I told you not to call me shorty! Do you think being tall is everything? You're a guy whose Constitution Grade is two levels below mine!"
"What was that? I can't hear you well from over here—!"
"Hey, you two, don't waste your energy before the exam starts..."
The three of them seemed to have become quite close since the last License Exam.
Shin Kang-heon spent his time cackling and teasing Song Jun-ho, who was easy to provoke, while Oh Jung-min tried to mediate between them with an awkward expression.
It was then that Ki Mu-hyeok was looking around, curious to see who else had arrived.
"It's the Sun Moon Sect's vehicle!"
"Has Yang Ha-yun arrived?"
"The Glacier Goddess came with her!"
A pristine white limousine pulled in, and reporters and broadcast cameras moved in unison.
The appearance of Yang Ha-yun, who had almost become the biggest victim in the last License Exam.
"Miss Ha-yun! What is your resolve for this exam...?"
"Just a word, please!"
Despite the enormous media attention and interview requests pouring in, the limousine ignored them and entered the Martial Alliance premises.
A moment later,
Yang Ha-yun, who had gotten out of the car with the Glacier Goddess, looked around, then flinched when she spotted Ki Mu-hyeok.
'Why is she acting like that?'
Soon, as if having made up her mind, she nodded and strode purposefully towards him, stopping in front of Ki Mu-hyeok.
"I've thought about it a lot."
"…?"
"But not now. We're still too young, and this is a time when we need to focus on cultivating our martial arts. So later, when I become stronger..."
As she spoke, Yang Ha-yun's cheeks turned bright red, and her voice became as faint as a mosquito's.
"I'll... keep my promise."
Her last words were barely audible, but Yang Ha-yun abruptly turned around and ran towards her master, the Glacier Goddess.
"What on earth was that about?"
Everyone, except for a bewildered Ki Mu-hyeok, was watching the two of them with great interest.