Song Wongyo flinched and reflexively took a step back. Seeing Namgung Cheon up close automatically brought back the memory of being beaten.
The other students glared fiercely at Namgung Cheon, angered by his arrogant tone.
Only then did the Gwisoi (Ghost Attendants) sense something was amiss and begin to step forward, but the Ghost King raised his hand to stop them. When the Gwisoi looked back, the Ghost King silently shook his head. It meant "watch for now."
Just then, Jo Gangmin flashed his characteristic innocent smile, walked up next to Song Wongyo, and swung his hand.
Peo-eok!
"Keuk!"
Song Wongyo, struck on the back of the hand, staggered back, his nose bleeding.
"Ah, my apologies, Song-hyeong. I just waved my hand, I didn't know you'd be standing there like an idiot."
"I-it's fine."
Song Wongyo replied, his face red. But Jo Gangmin asked, his face even colder, "Are you really fine?"
"…?"
"I mean, you look pathetically scared."
"Th-that's not true."
"Right? There's no way the Young Master of the great Jeongjumun Sect would be scared like a byeongshin in front of the official Yongcheongwan Hogu, right?"
"O-of course."
Song Wongyo's appearance, clutching his nose as he replied, was beyond pathetic; it was pitiful.
Namgung Cheon, who was watching, suddenly said, "What a pathetic farce."
Jo Gangmin, still smiling, turned his gaze. "We meet again, Namgung-hyeong."
"Yeah, dongsaeng. You here to eat?"
"No. I actually have business with you today, Namgung-hyeong."
"I see. But why do you always show up when I'm eating? You're working hard in many ways to prove that Jianghu-in are worse than dogs."
"As expected, Namgung-hyeong, you never disappoint. Those incomprehensible words are always amusing to hear."
"If you're amused by something you don't understand, that must mean my speaking skills are that outstanding, right?"
"Hahaha! Maybe so. Or maybe…"
"Or maybe?"
"You're just a crazy bastard?"
"Indeed. Unlike me, you speak so clearly that I can understand. Which is why you have no manners and no humor. Well, that's that."
"My apologies. I am a bit direct."
"So why did our 'worse-than-a-dog' dongsaeng come looking for me?"
"You know that the Wuhan Alliance Dragon-Phoenix Meet is happening soon, right?"
"I know."
"From now until two days before the meet, all academies in Wuhan are in a 'Free Observation Period' (Jayu Gyeonsik Gigan)."
"A 'Free Snack Period' (Jayu Gansik Gigan)? Like, we can eat snacks freely?"
"Gyeonsik… (Observation)."
"Ah, Gyeonsik. So?"
"As you know, during this period, the academy will not interfere in any spars, no matter the conditions."
"Any conditions?"
"That's right."
"So you all ganged up on me to beat me up, just one person?"
"Of course, not all of us are here to beat you up. You only have to face the four of us."
Jo Gangmin pointed to Gwak Cheolju, Baek Rihyang, and Song Wongyo.
"The other students are just spectators. It seems you and the owner here have a special relationship."
Namgung Cheon smirked. In other words, the students, aside from these four, were here to detain the Gwiwangchae martial artists.
A 'Free Observation Period.' How fucking great.
This is why people say those Baekdo (Righteous Path) bastards are worse. They act all righteous and honorable but create a bizarre system like this in the academy? To make it possible to gang up on one person like this?
As if reading his mind, Jo Gangmin continued. "It might seem unfair, but this is also a system to gauge the students' abilities. A rising star with both excellent virtue and talent would never be ganged up on by so many."
"In other words, it has a self-purifying function? The bastard who deserves a beating will get one?"
"Wow, you catch on quick. As expected of Namgung-hyeong."
I take back what I said about Baekdo bastards being worse. Come to think of it, just as Jo Gangmin said, this 'Free Observation Period' is an excellent system. A self-purifying function.
Right. If not for this, I would have had to agonize over how to crush these guys. In that case, I should make proper use of this 'Free Observation Period.'
Namgung Cheon grinned. "That's an excellent system."
"I knew you'd understand, Namgung-hyeong. Shall we go outside, then? It's a bit much in here, don't you think?"
"Right, it is. We shouldn't interfere with someone's business." Well, it is my business.
As Namgung Cheon readily stood up, Jo Gangmin's brow furrowed slightly. "If you're thinking of running away…"
"Hey, dongsaeng, you're so noisy. You wanted to fight, right? Follow me."
At Namgung Cheon's boldness, some students let out an incredulous laugh, while others whistled mockingly.
Jo Gangmin glanced at Gwak Cheolju, nodded, and then started walking.
Outside, Namgung Cheon looked up at the rainy sky. "Heh, perfect weather for a beating. Don't you think, dongsaeng? There's a saying about beating someone until the dust rises on a rainy day."
"I thought you had changed, Namgung-hyeong, but I'll have to correct that."
"Oh? How so?"
"I don't think you're in your right mind, Namgung-hyeong."
"Same goes for you, spouting that crap with a smile. Now, come on. It's annoying, so don't bother with turns, let's go all at once."
Seureureung.
Namgung Cheon drew his Byeokrageom, and a cold, sharp yegi radiated from it. Indeed, Namgung Cheon, standing in the rain with his sword drawn and a bizarre smile, did not look sane.
Jo Gangmin jutted his chin, and Gwak Cheolju and the other two scattered, quickly surrounding Namgung Cheon.
Jo Gangmin also drew his sword and aimed it at Namgung Cheon. "I really don't know how serious you are."
"Don't worry. This body is always serious about Cham-gyoyuk (True Education)."
"Are you perhaps trusting in the owner and attendants of this place?"
When he saw them at Da-unsan, he sensed they were strong. But today, they wouldn't be able to step in. Hadn't he brought thirty students under the pretext of 'observing'? If the owner and attendants laid a hand on a student, not just the academy but all the prestigious orthodox sects would never let it go. In other words, if they rashly stepped in to help Namgung Cheon, a brawl would erupt, and they could be branded public enemies in an instant.
Jo Gangmin smirked. "If you're relying on them, they won't be able to…"
"Do you fight with your mouth?"
Pat!
In an instant, Namgung Cheon kicked off the ground and shot toward Jo Gangmin.
'This bastard, in the middle of talking…!'
Jo Gangmin's eyes widened. Fast! When he had struck Namgung Cheon's back in the cafeteria, he hadn't thought his skill was at this level. Had his martial prowess risen in just a few days? No way. Not unless he took some incredible elixir.
In any case, there was no time to think. Jo Gangmin quickly tapped the ground with his foot and retreated. But before that, Namgung Cheon had already seen the Gongnyeok rise from Jo Gangmin's Danjeon and extend down the Joksoyangdamgyeong (Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian) to his little toe. Footwork using the Joksoyangdamgyeong, which runs along the outside of the leg, tends to move diagonally.
Therefore, Namgung Cheon, moving before Jo Gangmin, thrust his Byeokrageom diagonally.
Shwiiik, Puk!
"Keok!"
From Jo Gangmin's perspective, it was an absurd moment, as if he had thrown himself onto a sword that was already there.
"Sogaju!"
Gwak Cheolju, startled, reflexively threw himself forward.
Namgung Cheon naturally spun and quickly flicked his sword. This time, he didn't even need the Chogyeon Pagongan. After living as a fugitive for so long, he could instantly read the psychological state of those targeting him.
First, Song Wongyo and Baek Rihyang wouldn't move rashly, having the memory of being beaten. Naturally, Jo Gangmin would take the first move, but Namgung Cheon had attacked first. He knew that if Jo Gangmin was in danger, Gwak Cheolju would move reflexively. And now that Jo Gangmin was injured, Gwak Cheolju's composure was bound to be shaken.
Just like now!
"You baaastard!"
Buuuung!
The Eonwoldo (Crescent Moon Blade) cut through the rain, falling diagonally.
'As expected, his movements are too wide.' Proof that he was agitated because his master was hurt. A loyal dog, indeed.
It would be nice to have a loyal dog like that.
At the fleeting thought, his gaze unconsciously shifted to the Ghost King, but he inwardly shook his head. Maybe a loyal subject is better than a loyal dog.
By the time his thought ended, the Byeokrageom had sliced Gwak Cheolju's left arm.
Chyuaaat!
Chyupapapapat!
Gwak Cheolju, with a shocked expression, used his footwork to retreat. Water splashed everywhere. True to a loyal dog, he kept Jo Gangmin at his back even as he retreated.
Jo Gangmin had a three-chon deep sword wound in his side, and Gwak Cheolju had a shallow, but han-ppyeom (one-span) long, cut on his left arm.
"H-how could he?"
Song Wongyo and Baek Rihyang, who were uninjured, stared at the scene in disbelief.
Jo Gangmin quickly performed jihyeol (stopped the bleeding) and shouted like a madman. "You moronic Song Hubae! What are you standing there gaping for! Snap out of it!"
"Ah…!"
Only then did Song Wongyo snap to his senses and ready his sword.
In that instant, Namgung Cheon roared. "Stay down! If you don't want to die!"
"…!"
Song Wongyo froze, as if hit in the head with a hammer. Baek Rihyang, who had been gripping her sword and whip, also froze.
'S-such thick salgi…!'
An indescribable energy was rising from Namgung Cheon's entire body.
'Wh-what is this aura…!'
Goosebumps covered her body. The feeling on her skin was different from ordinary salgi. It was as if countless corpses were already lying at her feet. She could even smell the thick stench of blood from somewhere. It didn't feel like "I will kill you," but "I have already killed many."
Amidst that chilling salgi, only Gwak Cheolju remained unfazed, slamming his Eonwoldo onto the ground. As if to say, 'Cross me if you can.'
Namgung Cheon's lips twisted. A loyal dog, indeed. But I also know how loyal dogs break.
Namgung Cheon spoke in a cold voice. "Move. I only hit one guy at a time."
But Gwak Cheolju was not one to accept that. "Insolent!"
Gwak Cheolju spat out the short, thick words and charged like a bull.
Tututututu!
The sound of his feet stomping the ground and the rain hitting, it was like a percussion performance.
In Namgung Cheon's vision, a red brilliance, traveling along the Jokyangmyeong Wigyeong (Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian), shot out from the tips of his toes. Following that, the Eonwoldo swung, following the Suyangmyeong Daejanggyeong of the right arm.
Charging like a bull, with enough force to split a mountain! If he didn't know it was coming, it would be a terrifying blow. But knowing it, it was overly simple.
Pabat!
Before the Eonwoldo even fell, Namgung Cheon brushed past Gwak Cheolju.
"…!"
Gwak Cheolju, swinging his Eonwoldo too late, couldn't stop even as he saw the empty ground.
Kwajaak!
As Gwak Cheolju struck the empty ground again, Namgung Cheon flew toward Jo Gangmin and unleashed a strike.
Shwiiit!
"Heot!"
Kkaang!
With a clear metallic sound, Jo Gangmin staggered back. But the real part was just beginning.
"Kuaaaap!"
Tututututu!
From behind him, a fierce kihap and a heavy tugi charged at a murderous speed.
Papapapapat!
Just as the massive, wave-like horizontal attack came in, Namgung Cheon, as if he had been waiting, kicked off the ground.
Pabat!
Namgung Cheon's body somersaulted in the air, leaping right over Jo Gangmin.
"Heok!"
"Eot!"
Gwak Cheolju and Jo Gangmin screamed at the same time. Suddenly, Gwak Cheolju's Eonwoldo was aimed right at Jo Gangmin.
"Sogaju!"
Gwak Cheolju screamed, twisting the Eonwoldo with all his might.
Peo-eok!
"Keok!"
The flat of the twisted Eonwoldo struck Jo Gangmin's shoulder hard.
As Jo Gangmin was sent flying like a cannonball, Namgung Cheon, as if waiting, snatched the back of his neck.
"Oho! The dog just delivered its master."
At Namgung Cheon's taunt, Gwak Cheolju's eyes flipped.
"Kuaaaaah!"
Meanwhile, in the Banjang, the students who had been watching started to move, but the Gwisoi approached them, smiling murderously.
"Customers? You haven't ordered yet. Why don't you order some food while the mood is good?"
A chilling smile. The Ghost King also grinned, holding a kitchen knife in each hand.
"Now, what would you like to eat? For reference, in celebration of our opening day, all food is specially... expensive."
Now, it was the students who were being detained.
read more on brightnovels.com