Namgung Cheon, who had been about to step forward, sat back down. The Ghost King tilted his head.
"Are you not going?"
"Let's go slowly."
"Pardon? We should hurry and help the subjugation squad…"
"The main subjugation squad should be coming from the opposite side of the mountain by now."
"Then the group that came up from the Lajeon-hyeon side…"
"Are students from Yongcheongwan, like me. Participating to gain real-world experience."
The Ghost King, still looking confused, asked, "If that's the case, shouldn't we hurry down even faster?"
"Why?"
"Well… things must be chaotic by now. Even if there are talented rising stars, it's difficult for them to face the Hyeorurim with their lack of experience. Not only are the Hyeorurim numerous, but they also have several Ill-ryu experts. And a Jeoljeong-gosu, too, of course."
"You're dim-witted. Isn't that exactly why we should wait here?"
"Pardon?"
"If we go down now, won't we just get swept up in the chaos and waste our strength? If the instructors and students hold out somehow, the elite subjugation squad will arrive. We can go back around then."
The Ghost King's jaw dropped at the breathtakingly selfish logic. What the hell is this bastard? Even if he was a Yongcheongwan student, likely born and raised in a prestigious orthodox sect, wasn't his cunning on the same level as his father's? This must be why they say 'like father, like son.'
Namgung Cheon picked his ear and asked, "More importantly, what's your current martial arts level?"
"The Vice-Chief and I have entered the early stages of Jeoljeong. The rest are at the Ill-ryu level."
"It seems you properly understood the points I… no, my father, pointed out."
"Yes, thanks to that, we've made some small achievements."
"And yet you still hold a grudge against my father?"
"Ah, that is… haha, um… he was quite strict…"
"Good. Since I've become your new master, if you have any complaints about my father, tell me. I'll improve things."
He was serious. The position of leader didn't suit his free-spirited nature, but wasn't he fated to live with the Namgung surname from now on? If so, he needed to possess some degree of leadership, befitting the family of emperors. The foundation of leadership is listening to one's subordinates.
This heart, as wide and deep as the sea. Perhaps he was a born emperor.
The Ghost King peeked cautiously at him and asked, "Is it… really okay?"
"Of course. Tell me everything."
"Actually… the previous master was a bit violent. He hit me on the head so often, I feel like I've gotten stupider lately…"
"You weren't stupid to begin with?"
"No, sir. When I was young, I was called a child prodigy…"
"Moving on."
"Yes, anyway, the previous master had poor anger management. He'd beat us if he didn't like the food, beat us if he couldn't take a satisfying shit, beat us if he slept poorly, beat us out of boredom, beat us because he was in a good mood…"
Did I really hit them that much?
"You guys must have suffered. My father went too far. Didn't you feel like punching him?"
"Sohyeop understands our feelings well. Do you perhaps have pent-up feelings towards your father as well?"
"Well, our father-son relationship wasn't exactly smooth."
"I knew it! Then I'll be brave and say more. Truly, that man was like a madman. So, one day, I went mad too. That day, I wanted to carve the same scar on his face as the one on mine. So, when he was asleep, I drew my dagger and crept closer, but suddenly, his eyes snapped open!"
As the story got interesting, Namgung Cheon's eyes sparkled as he asked, "And then?"
"Ah! Nimiral, I'm fucked! I thought. But in that instant, a story flashed through my mind like lightning. It was the tale of Cao Cao, who failed to kill Dong Zhuo and presented the sword instead."
"Oho!"
"I immediately prostrated myself, held up the dagger, and said I was offering it to my master. It was quite a treasured sword, you see. And then, believe it or not, the fool actually believed me and even gave me a reward. Kilkil."
The Ghost King laughed freely.
"Ah. So that's what it was. You were trying to cut me. It wasn't a loyal gift."
"Jjeop, it was a pretty good sword. I wonder what happened to it. If he was going to die like that, he shouldn't have taken it."
Right, I remember that dagger. The last time I saw it was when I shoved it into the gut of some Murim Alliance Daeju (Division Leader)? I didn't manage to retrieve it in the chaos. The Murim Alliance probably has it stored safely somewhere.
Anyway, listening to this is strangely unpleasant.
Namgung Cheon gave the Ghost King a solid smack on the back of the head.
Ttaak!
"Keuk! Wh-why, all of a sudden…?"
"As an apology, on behalf of my father."
"Why apologize like this…?"
"Ah, right. Well, there's the saying 'like father, like son.' Anyway, you'll accept my apology, right?"
Reading something in Namgung Cheon's flashing eyes, the Ghost King put on a somewhat foolish smile. "O-of course. Haha… ha…"
"Right. People should always be positive like that. Now, it seems we've rested enough, so let's get moving."
"Yes, Lord."
The Ghost King and his subordinates also rose. Following Namgung Cheon, the Ghost King began to feel a vague sense of unease, a feeling that his new master might not be very different from the old one.
Chaeng chaeng! Chaeng! Puk! Shiiik, Kwajang!
"Kuaaak!" "Iyeop!"
A chaotic battle. Kihap and screams erupted from all over, mingled with the clang of weapons and the shattering of miscellaneous items.
Some ran desperately, some pursued closely, some shouted, some screamed, and some huddled in corners, trembling. It was utter pandemonium.
Amidst the chaos, the ones who stood out were, naturally, the leaders of Hyeorurim and the instructors leading the students.
"Everyone, keep your wits about you! The elite subjugation squad will arrive soon!" "Just hold on a little longer!"
The instructors shouted one after another. On one side of the mountain fortress, flames shot up, spewing black smoke.
"Cough! Cough, cough!"
Yun Jongseung, coughing dryly as he ran, collided with a dark figure and fell on his backside.
"Keuk!"
"Who goes there!"
A sharp voice, and a cold blade stopped right before his nose. Looking up, he saw a Hyeorurim martial artist. The man realized his opponent was just a young student and twisted his lips.
"What? This little brat still smelling of milk."
In that instant, defiance surged up from the depths of Yun Jongseung's heart. This guy, that guy, they all think I'm easy pickings! Yun Jongseung's chest was already full of resentment from becoming the official Hogu of Yongcheongwan.
Was it because he had inhaled too much smoke that his judgment was clouded?
"Eeeek!"
Action preceded thought. Springing up, Yun Jongseung thrust out a palm. The Hyeokryeonjang (Blazing Chain Palm), a unique skill of the Hwangsan Yun Family.
Shiiik, Peo-eok!
"Keo-eok!"
The opponent, completely caught off guard, was sent flying by the surprise attack.
Kudang-tang!
Yun Jongseung, his shoulders heaving as he panted, looked down at his palm with a blank expression.
'I-I… a Hyeorurim martial artist…?'
The elation of defeating an enemy in real combat filled his chest. That saying, that one gets stronger by hitting rock bottom. Was this it?
Just then, a shadow fell behind him. Feeling a killing intent that chilled him to the bone, Yun Jongseung slowly turned.
Eyes gleamed unnaturally within the black smoke. A large man swung a huge axe down diagonally.
"Heok!"
Sucking in a sharp breath, Yun Jongseung couldn't react. To die so meaninglessly!
Finally, the gruesome sound of tearing flesh grazed his ear.
Chwaaaak!
In an instant, hot blood splattered across his face.
'Huh…?'
There was no pain. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the large man, his upper body half-split, collapsing.
Kuung!
The figure standing behind the large man flicked his Daedo to shake off the blood and spoke. "What are you standing there gaping for? Got a death wish?"
"P-Paeng Suhyeok…?"
"Don't just stand there like an idiot. If you can't fight, then run!"
"Ah, r-right. Th-thanks!"
Yun Jongseung replied distractedly and scrambled away.
Paeng Suhyeok clicked his tongue as he watched him go. Pathetic bastards! They act all tough when tormenting the weak, but the moment a real fight breaks out, they run like cowards.
Paeng Suhyeok enhanced his vision with internal energy and scanned the mountain fortress, shrouded in fog and smoke. It was a dogfight, with no tactics whatsoever. The initial intel had been wrong. To think the Hyeorurim base was closer to Lajeon-hyeon. The students were suffering heavy casualties before the elite subjugation squad even arrived.
As Paeng Suhyeok was about to move again, a loud cheer erupted from above.
"Waaaaah!"
'Tsk! They finally arrived?'
Thankfully, it seemed the main subjugation squad had come. Just then, instructor Gyepllyang also ran towards Paeng Suhyeok.
"Paeng Suhyeok! Are you alright?"
"Yes, Instructor."
"It seems the elite force has arrived. Can you find the Blue Dragon Class kids and take command? The fight turned into a brawl, so the team formations are meaningless now."
"What about you, Instructor?"
As Paeng Suhyeok frowned, Gyepllyang looked around and replied, "I need to find Namgung… no, Jo Gangmin. Not a single member of Team Twelve is visible."
"Understood."
"Then I'm counting on you!"
As Gyepllyang dashed off using his Gyeonggong, Paeng Suhyeok narrowed his eyes and watched his back.
"Team Twelve… that was the team Namgung Cheon was in, wasn't it?"
"No, what in the world is…?"
Song Wongyo looked up at the towering cliff before him with a look of utter defeat. Hadn't they climbed this very cliff just an hour ago? This was the second time. After reaching the top and wandering through the forest, they had ended up back at the bottom. Of course, they hadn't found even a shadow of Namgung Cheon, who had gone ahead.
"It seems to be a formation," Baek Rihyang said.
Song Wongyo propped his chin on his hand and replied, "Then there's no way Namgung Cheon set up the formation. Did the Hyeorurim set it up?"
"Probably. Perhaps Namgung Cheon was captured by the Hyeorurim."
"Or maybe he's wandering around lost somewhere, just like us."
As Song Wongyo replied, he discreetly glanced at Jo Gangmin. Jo Gangmin, who always smiled brightly, was no longer smiling. Anger could be felt in his voice.
"Whatever the case, we must find Namgung Cheon. Whether we chop him up, flay him, or skin him. You have to catch the fish before you can cook it, right? Hubae-nims."
"Jo Seonbae is right."
"Then instead of just agreeing like idiots, shouldn't we figure out a way?"
"Keum. A way to find Namgung Cheon…"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind them.
"What? You were still looking for me?"
Everyone froze for a moment, then spun around. Emerging calmly from the bushes was none other than Namgung Cheon.
Only then did a wide smile bloom on Jo Gangmin's face.
"Where have you been? We've been looking all over. You can't just desert like this, it's troublesome, Hubae-nim. You'll get scolded by the instructors."
"I told you to go back first. If you had, you'd be suffering quite a bit by now. A pity."
Namgung Cheon had blurted out his true feelings without realizing it. See how honest I am? I can't lie.
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