"Keueueuk…!"
"Aheueu…!"
The masked men, now battered and bruised, were strewn about, groaning endlessly.
Namgung Cheon scanned the masked men once, then turned toward Yun Jongseung.
"Heok!"
Yun Jongseung, whose eyes met his, staggered, unable to control his trembling legs.
'At least he didn't piss himself.'
Namgung Cheon, feeling somewhat proud of him, asked.
"You, what did you say earlier?"
"Huh? Uh, when?"
"When I told you to step back."
"Ah, th-that… was because I wanted to help, too…"
"Really?"
"O-of course! W-we're friends! Now let's ta-take what these guys have!"
"You bastard…"
As Yun Jongseung stared with a tense expression, Namgung Cheon broke into a wide smile.
"That's a brilliant idea for a change."
"R-right? Hehe."
Yun Jongseung immediately ran over and started rummaging through the masked men's clothes. A few of the masked men stared at Yun Jongseung with baffled eyes.
But what could they do? If he didn't do this right now, who knew what Namgung Cheon would do to him.
A rather heavy Jeonnang (money pouch) emerged from the masked men's clothes.
Namgung Cheon nodded with a satisfied expression.
"With this much, we could probably get a two-horse carriage."
"S-so it seems."
Yun Jongseung gave an awkward laugh.
'Dammit! This money wasn't prepared for you!'
He was burning up inside, but there was nothing he could do.
Namgung Cheon strode toward the masked men.
"Let's see what your faces look like."
In an instant, Yun Jongseung flinched.
If it was revealed that these were men from the Hwangsan Yun Family, it would be a disaster in many ways.
Yun Jongseung quickly blocked him.
"W-wait!"
"What is it?"
"Ah, no, I mean… if we see their faces, it could cause trouble later! If these guys chase us to the end to kill us…"
"Then I'll just kill them all right now."
"Heot…! Th-that might be even more dangerous… We don't know how many more are in their group, right? If they chase us from their mountain fortress to get revenge…"
Yun Jongseung babbled whatever came to mind.
Namgung Cheon thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
"Then let's do this. We'll leave their faces covered and use them as servants."
"Huhh?"
"We'll make them drive the horses or run errands until we get to the academy."
"W-will these guys… obey obediently?"
"That's your job. You manage them. If even one of them escapes, you take responsibility."
"Responsibility… h-how?"
"In every way possible."
As Namgung Cheon gave a somewhat murderous smile, the hair on Yun Jongseung's head stood on end.
Yun Jongseung, who was suddenly forced to use his retainers as servants, gulped.
"O-okay. I'll figure something out."
"See? You're a good friend."
Namgung Cheon patted Yun Jongseung's shoulder.
Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance is located.
A two-horse carriage slowly crossed the bustling main street.
However, the driver and servants were all wearing jungnip (bamboo hats) pulled down low and had their faces covered with scarves, which made for a rather strange sight.
Namgung Cheon, riding in the carriage, watched the scenery pass by and asked.
"So, you're saying there are three academies in Wuhan?"
"Yeah. The Mumaenggwan (Martial Might Hall) under the Murim Alliance, the Jeonghyeopgwan (Righteous Hero Hall) funded by the great families, and the Yongcheongwan (Dragon Heaven Hall) that we attend. The Mumaenggwan has the most disciples from the Nine Great Sects, and the Jeonghyeopgwan is full of rising stars from places like the Murong Family or the Sichuan Tang Clan, so they're pretty arrogant. But seriously, you don't remember any of this?"
"I don't."
Namgung Cheon replied curtly, his gaze still outside.
Well, he felt like he'd heard of them. But his past life was an exhausting one where his head could be lopped off if he closed his eyes. He didn't have the luxury of caring about an academy for brats. Of course, the story would have been different if he'd known about his son's existence.
"In short, of those three, Yongcheongwan is the one at the very bottom."
"Th-that's true, but in the entire Jianghu, it's still an excellent academy that's in the top three! It has the deepest history and tradition!"
"Pride, for what it's worth. So, what do you learn at this academy?"
He had always wondered.
Why do the rising stars from various sects and families even go to an academy? If it was for martial arts, there was no need to go to an academy when they had their own schools. And isn't it ridiculous for a martial artist to attend an academy just to study? One way or another, a person of the Jianghu ultimately lives by the sword. In a world where the strong prey on the weak, the time spent studying would be better spent swinging a sword hilt.
Yun Jongseung shrugged and answered with what he knew.
"Well… we learn about the various affairs of the Jianghu. We especially study the organizational structure and duties of the Murim Alliance. We also learn the work of escort agencies and battlefields. We sometimes participate in subjugation squads to get real-world experience."
"In short, you learn how to clean up the Murim Alliance's messes rather than martial arts."
"St-still, there are lots of good opportunities to get real-world experience. You can also learn the formations used by the Murim Alliance."
"Well, I get the gist. Looks like we're almost there."
The scenery passing by the window had definitely slowed. The number of people on the streets had increased. A few of them, judging by their neat martial uniforms and youthful faces, seemed to be students heading to the academy, just like them. They cast curious glances at the luxurious carriage before looking away.
Yun Jongseung watched Namgung Cheon's expression and spoke with difficulty.
"Uhm…"
"...?"
"Could you keep it a secret?"
"What?"
"That… that I… l-lost the spar…"
Namgung Cheon frowned for a moment, then understood.
Well. Until recently, wasn't he the official pushover of Yongcheongwan? He must know that his life would get tiring if it got out that he was beaten to a pulp by that pushover.
You live such a tiring life.
"Fine. I'll keep it a secret for now."
"R-really? Thanks! Thank you so much!"
As Yun Jongseung repeatedly bowed his head, Namgung Cheon gave an arrogant nod, as if he had bestowed the world's greatest mercy.
"In exchange, give me the rundown on the guys we're about to see."
His first night at Yongcheongwan was smoother than expected.
Unlike what he had heard from Bokseong, no windows were broken in the middle of the night, he wasn't group-beaten, doused with water, or Bossam-ed (kidnapped in a sack).
However, as if conscious of him being the Great Killing Star's son, everyone saw him but pretended not to. They didn't just not talk to him; they didn't even make eye contact.
He was, in essence, an invisible presence.
Well, it wasn't bad. Namgung Cheon wanted to avoid troublesome things as well.
But the peace didn't last long.
It was the next day, just as Namgung Cheon was entering the Hoyeongak (Hall of Grand Spirit) for class.
"Did you hear? The news that the Great Killing Star of the World is dead?"
Namgung Cheon turned his head. Over there, a young man with a handsome face was talking to Yun Jongseung.
The young man glanced at Namgung Cheon, then raised his voice as if to make sure he heard.
"That trash-like bastard is dead, isn't this a joyous event for the Murim?"
"Y-you're right, Song-hyeong."
Yun Jongseung peeked at Namgung Cheon's expression and replied lowly.
Song-hyeong. Then is that pretty-boy-looking bastard the Young Master of Henan's Jeongjumun Sect, Song Wongyo?
He'd heard they were in the same entering class, though he was a year older.
'Then the one next to him must be Baek Rihyang, the one called Hanamjeilmi (Henan's Number One Beauty).'
Baek Rihyang, the only daughter of the Baekri Family, which has been rapidly growing its influence lately.
Her beauty was certainly outstanding. A sculpted face, jade-like skin, and a mature figure that didn't match her age. They even joked that a Shaolin monk would drool on his wooden fish if he saw her. Just as bees swarm a beautiful flower, there were several men around her, not just Song Wongyo.
'Kids these days must pour all their internal energy into decorating their faces.'
As Namgung Cheon let out a cold snort, Baek Rihyang, whose eyes had met his for a second, her complexion turned cold.
She stared directly at Namgung Cheon and said.
"It's such a relief. This 'off-term' was unusually long because of that vicious Madu (Demonic Head)."
"Indeed. It's just heartbreaking that an instructor also passed away at his hands. If only I could have torn that bastard to death with my own hands."
Song Wongyo said with a feigned look of grief.
He was deliberately saying he wanted to tear his father to death right in front of the son.
But more than that… 'Hm? Was there an instructor who died by my hand?'
This was the first Namgung Cheon had heard of it.
Then again, the Murim Alliance had mobilized so many people, it was possible an instructor or two from this place had gotten mixed in with the bastards he'd sliced up.
Namgung Cheon ignored them for now and sat down.
Song Wongyo then approached with his arms wide open, as if he'd only just spotted him.
"Ah, and who is this? Is it not the Gongja of the Great Namgung Family?"
A few students snickered at his overly exaggerated tone and gestures.
Namgung Cheon quietly watched what Song Wongyo was doing.
"It's good to see you again. Rumor has it you attempted suicide? Are you feeling a bit better now?"
"As you can see."
As Namgung Cheon replied frigidly, Song Wongyo's and Baek Rihyang's expressions stiffened slightly.
Something was different.
This was the Namgung Cheon who used to get anxious like a puppy needing to shit just from making eye contact. Now, his entire aura was like a different person. His arrogant way of speaking aside, his gaze was not ordinary.
But Baek Rihyang soon continued, as if she understood.
"Ah, right, you lost your memory, didn't you? How does that feel?"
"It's fine so far."
A clear Hadae (talking down/informal speech).
Baek Rihyang's eyebrow twitched minutely.
At this point, the other students also turned to look, their expressions slightly tense.
Baek Rihyang smiled sweetly, approached, and gently grabbed Namgung Cheon's wrist, whispering.
"No, not how you feel now, you Byeongshin. How did it feel when you slit this wrist?"
"…"
"Did you see your daddy's face in hell? Ah, wait, was that murderer still alive back then? Then what about your mom who died first? Is she saving a good spot in hell for you and your dad?"
Namgung Cheon was speechless for a moment.
This pretty-faced wench must have a sewer for a mouth.
It was so absurd, he didn't even feel angry.
The moment Namgung Cheon was about to say something, Baek Rihyang shot up and exclaimed.
"Oh my, is that true?"
What's with her? This crazy bitch.
While Namgung Cheon furrowed his brow, Baek Rihyang said in a thrilled voice.
"To celebrate the Great Madu of the World's death, Namgung Gongja is going to treat everyone today?"
"Oho, is that true, young lady?"
What is this?
As Song Wongyo asked, as if they had rehearsed, Baek Rihyang turned to him and replied.
"Yes, in commemoration of the vicious Great Madu's death, Namgung Gongja is going to buy Chogyeguksu and Gogi-mandu for everyone in our second-year Cheongnyong-ban (Blue Dragon Class)!"
"Wow, Namgung A-u (younger brother) died and came back a new man. I was worried he might try to defend trash like that just because he's his father."
Look at them.
Kids these days are certainly sly. A method to naturally get the rest of the class on their side while completely isolating the target of their torment. They all share in the benefits while one person is thoroughly crushed.
Isn't this exactly what happened to him in his past life?
It was a microcosm of the heartless Jianghu.
And what? Making the son treat everyone to celebrate his father's death?
This was blatant blackmail.
If he refused here, they would brand him as the kin who sided with the public enemy, the Great Killing Star.
My son, did you endure this environment day after day?
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