The return journey was without any major difficulties.

Having hoisted the Murim Alliance flag borrowed from the Chengdu Branch Chief high up, there were no clumsy strongholds trying to stick to us, and since our numbers were so large, even the Underworld martial artists merely glared at us with displeased eyes as they passed by.

Perhaps knowing the advantage of the Murim Alliance flag, the escort warriors of the Mugyeop Escort Agency guided us along comfortable paths they normally wouldn't take due to the danger, so no one felt the journey was too taxing.

However, among the academy students, there were a few who expressed dissatisfaction with the meals.

Because Seungho Hall did a lot of outdoor training and marched frequently anyway, there was no major problem with them cooking their own food.

But because our elites of the Nine Great Sects, who had grown up preciously at their home sects, were not accustomed to outdoor cooking, they would end up burning even the supposedly easy-to-make porridge or eating it undercooked.

Eventually, a few academy students gathered their complaints and brought them to Gu Jeongryong.

"What? It's too hard to cook your own meals? Then chew on some fasting pills. Have you never eaten them while training at your home sects?"

When only a cold response returned, they went back looking sullen, with expressions as if they were about to cry at any moment.

They must have learned the hard way that being treated like precious little babies was something they could only get back at their home sects.

And what about our group, you ask?

"Eunho, I think we're short on meat."

"Geumpyo hyung, did you hurt your eyes? There's plenty of meat. It's just that the amount of dried vegetables is so huge."

"I still prefer meat, though."

"That's why I told you to make more jerky."

Whenever they prepared it, Geumpyo and Eunho made porridge loaded with twice as much meat and vegetables as dried grains for every meal.

Thanks to that, our group ate until our stomachs nearly burst every time.

'Did I ever starve these guys?'

I definitely fed them full of rare delicacies instead of starving them while taking them around, yet their gluttony only grew without knowing any bounds.

"Somehow, I feel like I'm gaining more weight doing outdoor cooking than when I was at the academy."

At Namgung Seonhwa's words, Seong Moran also nodded.

"I actually feel like I ate a bit poorly when I was at the academy."

I glanced around at the academy students.

Without exception, their cheeks were sunken in haggardly and their eye sockets had turned dark.

Having to sleep outdoors consecutively following the events in Sichuan meant their fatigue had piled up in layers.

Even the state of the Twelve Peaks and Castles, who were called the elites among the 108 Peaks, was not looking good at all.

On the other hand, the faces of our group, including Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, were shining and glowing.

"Are you all not tired?"

At my question, Seong Moran tilted her head.

"We comfortably eat three meals a day, and we sleep soundly without even having to keep night watches, so what's there to be tired about?"

No matter how I looked at it, wasn't our situation not much different from the other academy students...?

At this, Eunho clicked his tongue and said.

"Eldest Senior Brother, didn't the noonims and Jaehwa take the standard exam together with us?"

"Ah..."

Wasn't it said that if you experience true hardship, the hardships that follow don't even feel like hardships at all?

I realized all over again just how hard I had rolled them during the standard exam.

'They all must have grown up just as preciously as the true disciples of the Nine Great Sects.'

Take Namgung Seonhwa for instance; as the precious granddaughter of the Divine Sword, she would have grown up without ever having to properly wet her hands.

And now she was putting away three bowls of meat porridge made from dried jerky in one sitting...

"What's wrong? Young Master?"

Seeing me staring, Namgung Seonhwa tilted her head.

"It's nothing."

No sooner had the guilt of turning people who grew up preciously at home into this reared its head, than the rationalization reigning like a king in a corner of my mind slammed down on that guilt with a thud.

'Still, well, they've become strong people now thanks to it. They shouldn't have any major problems adapting no matter which Martial Pavilion they enter when they go to the Alliance in the future.'

Watching my expression, Seong Moran deeply furrowed her brows.

"You're rationalizing something to yourself, aren't you?"

Is this the sixth sense that women talk about?

I quickly changed the subject.

"I was in the middle of worrying about the things that will happen from now on."

"What... things?"

Seong Moran's lips trembled as if she were anxious.

Am I a ghost or something? I haven't even brought up anything particular yet, so what's with that reaction?

"Hearing Young Master Jin say you're worried makes me even more anxious!"

"..."

In truth, it wasn't exactly a relaxed situation.

First were the elders of the Orthodox Council.

What could possibly be the reason those gentlemen abandoned even their own disciples and departed for the Murim Alliance first the moment they arrived in Chengdu?

It was obvious that they intended to go and pull some sort of trick.

It would be a relief if it ended at merely pulling a trick to minimize their own faults.

The biggest problem was that I couldn't even guess what kind of slander they would concoct by tying it to this incident.

Second, the Murim Academy.

During the academic schedule, the representative—and on top of that, taking all the representative delegation officers with him—had vacated his post.

They said formal procedures were followed, but what if it was revealed that it was also done through a Manager's abuse of authority while the Chief Strategist was away?

There might be disruptions to the future academic schedule.

And using this incident as an excuse, the ones coveting the academy representative position would surely start making their moves again.

I had clearly realized it this time.

If I just handed over the academy representative position, there was no telling how much more of a mess the Murim Academy would become.

If the Murim Academy became a mess, it was certain that the future Murim Alliance would become an identical group of idiots just like they had in my past life.

'I absolutely cannot let that happen.'

I steeled my resolve once again.

The return journey concluded smoothly.

As soon as we arrived in Wuhan, the Mugyeop Escort Agency took their carriages and personnel and headed back.

From Wuhan to the Murim Academy, only Seungho Hall and the academy students traveled together.

"Auuuugh! We're finally here!"

Seong Moran let out a refreshing stretch.

Smiles naturally bloomed on the faces of the others as well.

Seeing the 'Murim Academy' signboard, the realization that we had arrived finally set in.

"I just want to go back and sleep for three whole days."

"Me too."

The moment we passed through the main gate while chatting about this and that.

"““WAAAAAAAAAH!”””"

A roar like thunder echoed from all directions.

"W-What the?"

Just like the startled Geumpyo, the rest of the group was also dumbfounded.

Lining both sides of the path leading to the main building, academy students and people who looked like outsiders were formed up, shouting cheers.

"What in the world...?"

Right then, Jang Ujae and his friends walked out from among the academy students.

"You've worked hard, Representative."

"What is all this about?"

"Didn't the academy representative rush out to protect the academy students and save them? Naturally, anyone would want to come out and send their cheers."

Is that so?

For something like that, the figures from the White Path Council or the Orthodox Council were nowhere to be seen.

Jang Ujae spoke with an expression that looked as if he were gazing at a hero.

"Please give them a wave first, Representative."

"..."

What's with the sudden waving...

This kind of welcoming reception doesn't suit me.

While I was hesitating, Jang Ujae suddenly grabbed my hand and hoisted it high into the air.

At the exact same time,

"““WAAAAAAAAAH!!!”””"

An even louder roar than before echoed resoundingly through the grounds.

"Black Flame Dragon!! Black Flame Dragon!!"

"So cool!! Taiyi Sect!!"

"You're the best! The best!"

It feels like an alias I don't want to hear is naturally mixed in there...

Anyway, as it became clear who the cheers were directed at, the kids of the Taiyi Sect, along with Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, and Moyong Jaehwa, also waved their hands in all directions.

Every time they did, the crowd chanted their names and cheered.

The group, who just moments ago had said they were tired and wanted to lie down immediately, seemed to have forgotten all their fatigue as they smiled brightly and responded to the cheers.

Watching that sight, a chuckle slipped out of me without realizing it.

"Well, this kind of thing isn't too bad once in a while."

* * *

"Just how did this happen?"

He had tried to respond as quickly as possible, but the dispatch to Sichuan was ultimately delayed.

Unable to even sleep properly at night because he couldn't predict how the events in Sichuan would unfold, Zhuge Somyeong was now in a dumbfounded state over the truly unexpected reports.

- Blood Cult halts eastern advance

- Anomaly detected within Blood Cult forces

- Blood Cult combat preparation inadequate

What he had been most worried about was the Emei Sect, who would be the first to encounter the Blood Cult.

The Emei Sect was full of confidence on the surface, claiming they wouldn't fall to the likes of the Blood Cult, but it was obvious they were trembling in fear on the inside.

One could tell just by the fact that they urgently requested a dispatch from the Zhuge Clan to overhaul the array formations installed at their home sect, and even gathered the disciples of their lay sects to the home sect to firmly secure their defenses.

'I could only desperately hope that they would hold out until the warriors of the Murim Alliance were dispatched, yet...'

Somehow, the Blood Cult's eastern advance had stopped.

"Are they preparing something even bigger?"

In a situation where his sensitivity had already reached its peak due to the news that the Blood Cult possessed Iron-Clad Jiangshi, Zhuge Somyeong's nerves were honed like a blade.

"Those damn bastards..."

The decisive reason the dispatch had been delayed like this was none other than the Spirit-Subduing Orbs.

Because the sorcery the Blood Cult utilized was so incredibly powerful, even those with high Daoist or Buddhist power would lose their reason in an instant.

Because of this, he had merely issued a single order to reconfirm the possession of Spirit-Subduing Orbs, the basic tools for vanquishing evil and subduing spirits, yet troubling reports came up from everywhere.

'They already sold them all off long ago?'

He was so dumbfounded by the utterly absurd situation that he couldn't even speak properly.

If it had been just one or two guys, he would have reprimanded them immediately and shoved them into the deepest Golden Jade Prison of the Murim Alliance, but there were far, far too many bastards who had sold off the Spirit-Subduing Orbs.

Not only did the number far exceed Golden Jade Prison's capacity, but if he actually carried it out, a few Martial Pavilions might just be blown away.

"Ugh... Ugh..."

There was no way to relieve the anger bursting forth from deep within his chest.

He had tried to procure Spirit-Subduing Orbs urgently, but how could that be easy?

It was an extremely difficult tool to make to begin with, so their stock was severely lacking.

Ultimately, acting on the reports sent from Sichuan, he urgently bought Demon-Subduing Talismans from the Mount Heng Sect, which were said to be exceptionally effective, and forced them into their hands to send off.

Zhuge Somyeong crumpled the report in his hand and ground his teeth.

'Just wait and see, I swear! I swear! I won't just let this pass.'

No, Spirit-Subduing Orbs aside, Zhuge Somyeong vowed to immediately conduct a fact-finding investigation into the supplies issued by the Murim Alliance once this incident was resolved.

Of course, it already felt as if the wailing of the supply officers could be heard from all directions. But this was something that naturally had to happen in the current situation──.

Right then.

"Chief Strategist..."

Maeng Ju-won, who had sensed early on that Zhuge Somyeong's mood was extremely, extremely unpleasant, cautiously approached him.

Sure enough, Zhuge Somyeong unleashed his irritation to his heart's content.

"You little punk! Why are you being so annoying?!"

"..."

Maeng Ju-won, who was speaking to him for the first time since coming to work today, felt incredibly wronged, but he firmly swallowed his grievance down inside.

'Hah... I'm going to be tormented intensely for a while.'

Because of the bastards who sold off the Spirit-Subduing Orbs, he would suffer collateral damage as well, but he couldn't act brazenly like he usually did.

Because he, too, had a sin he had committed, after all.

If things went wrong, he might end up getting shoved into Golden Jade Prison for a while in their stead.

Maeng Ju-won was careful not to offend Zhuge Somyeong's mood and brought up the main point.

"That's not it; they say Jin Sowoon has returned."

Zhuge Somyeong's eyes flashed wide open.

"... Huh? That guy?"

"Yes. They just contacted us from the academy. They said everyone returned safely."

"Already?"

He had received the report, but they arrived much faster than he had anticipated.

'Just how did he butter up the Chengdu Branch Chief this time?'

From what he heard, the Chengdu Branch Chief had emptied his personal fortune to secure carriages for them, and even hired an escort agency.

In a time when everyone was recklessly squandering the Murim Alliance's funds, it was a matter of course that he looked favorably upon the sight of someone frugally saving the Alliance's money.

Zhuge Somyeong pulled his subtly rising corners of his mouth back down.

'No, still, I must scold him for what needs to be scolded.'

Since Hyuk Mugang would commend his achievements anyway, he had just made up his mind that he needed to give him a bit of a bitter scolding.

Someone who would eventually enter the Mantong Bureau and do great things shouldn't be using tricks to bypass the rules this early on, should he?

Having more than just one or two things he was curious about anyway, Zhuge Somyeong suddenly jumped up from his seat.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to pay a visit to the academy."

"Pardon? If you're going to see Jin Sowoon, you should just tell him to come to the Mantong Bureau..."

"No, it's fine. I will go myself."

The moment Jin Sowoon entered the Murim Alliance, the story would reach Hyuk Mugang's ears anyway.

If he was going to scold him, now was the only time.

BANG!

The moment he kicked open the rattling door of the Mantong Bureau and stepped out.

"... What brings you here?"

At the appearance of an unexpected guest, Zhuge Somyeong's brows furrowed deeply.

* * *

As soon as I arrived and unpacked my bags, I received a summons from the Murim Academy Director's office.

'To be exact, they said it was a summons from the Mantong Bureau.'

The instructor who relayed the message to me must not have known the exact reason either, as he merely delivered the message like that and left.

'But why didn't he summon me to the Mantong Bureau?'

I knew this kind of thing would happen from the moment I handled the matter through Maeng Ju-won in the first place.

I triumphantly committed an abuse of authority to my heart's content, but it was self-evident that everything would be flipped the moment Zhuge Somyeong arrived.

'Still, because it was Maeng Ju-won, the matter actually went smoothly.'

Having anticipated that I would receive disciplinary action from Zhuge Somyeong to some extent, I grabbed that familiar bundle.

Because Eun Seollan had frozen it solid periodically, it didn't smell.

'Will this smooth things over a bit?'

The moment I knocked on the Academy Director's office while continuing these various thoughts.

CREAK!

As if he had been waiting, the door opened from the inside, and Buk Wonpyeong appeared with a beaming smile.

"Welcome."

Buk Wonpyeong took a seat first and offered me some tea.

As expected of the Academy Director, he drinks good tea.

"When did you arrive?"

"I returned at the same time the academic schedule began. You caused quite a massive incident while I was away, didn't you?"

"The situation was unfavorable. Don't you roughly know the circumstances as well, Academy Director?"

Honestly, if he didn't know, that was a problem too.

It would be no different from having his qualifications as the Academy Director questioned.

"The Council of Elders really crossed the line by a huge margin this time."

"..."

"To think they would commit such a deed of all times when the Chief Strategist and I, the two of us, were away from our posts."

Buk Wonpyeong shook his head side to side as if finding them pathetic.

I immediately asked him.

"They departed from Chengdu to the Murim Alliance first... Did they not do something during that time?"

"They seem to be doing something while poking around here and there in the Murim Alliance, but it doesn't look like it's going easy. The scale of this incident was simply too large. Tsk."

Hmm, does that mean I've shed one worry, then?

"Still, don't let your guard down. Most of the stories coming out of their mouths were related to you, after all."

Damn it, of course it is.

Still, it didn't bother me too much.

Because it wouldn't be too late to exact my revenge on the Council of Elders step by step once I entered the Mantong Bureau anyway.

Wanting to change the mood a bit, I shifted the topic.

"Was the matter you went to look into resolved well?"

Buk Wonpyeong's plan was to enter as a lay disciple of the Taiyi Sect in order to surpass the limits of the Three Purities Formless Sword, a single-lineage inheritance.

That was why he had left the Academy Director's office vacant.

Taking a sip of his tea, Buk Wonpyeong grinned widely.

"It went well."

"I'm glad to hear that. Then should I call you Martial Uncle from now on?"

With this, it was the same as the disciples of the Taiyi Sect gaining a plausible backer within the Murim Alliance.

The Three Purities Formless Sword became a lay disciple of the Taiyi Sect, so what kind of lowly bastard would carelessly insult the Taiyi Sect as a sect without roots...

"I am not your Martial Uncle."

"Huh?"

Since the current first generation consisted only of the elders and a few senior members, if he was joining as a lay disciple, wasn't it obvious he should join at the Sect Leader's generation?

While I briefly lost my words in bewilderment, Buk Wonpyeong's voice shattered the silence.

"Call me Senior Brother from now on."

"..."

I sat blankly for a moment, then dug at my ear.

Seeing that no earwax came out, it was certain that something was wrong with my head.

As I tapped my temple once or twice, Buk Wonpyeong smiled meaningfully.

"I will call you Junior Brother, but I will serve you as the head disciple from now on."

Head disciple...?

My brain froze, and no words came out.

Buk Wonpyeong nodded his head as if he understood.

"The seniors in the Council of Elders said none of them would accept me, you see. In the end, I offered three bows to the Sect Leader."

Hmm, it seems the Taiyi Sect really is a sect without roots after all.

With things like this, they couldn't help it even if they got cursed at.

Right then,

KNOCK, KNOCK.

The sound of knocking on the door was heard.

I quickly spoke to Buk Wonpyeong.

"Then may I ask for one favor first? Senior Brother?"

"What is it?"

"When I'm getting scolded, please step in and stop the Chief Strategist moderately."

Buk Wonpyeong suddenly lowered his eyes and shook his head side to side.

"... I cannot do that. How could I cast a shadow over my Eldest Senior Brother, who is like the sky?"

What's with this ahjussi, why is he suddenly acting like this?

"... You just said you'd call me Junior Brother."

"That and this are different. Eldest Senior Brother."

Isn't that title of 'Eldest Senior Brother' sticking a bit too well to your lips...

BANG!

Simultaneously as the door opened, Zhuge Somyeong stepped in with a face like a Yaksha.

'That's an even more serious face than I thought?'

I quickly stood up from my seat and bowed my head like a sinner who had committed a crime deserving of death.

However, Zhuge Somyeong's expression showed no signs of softening.

"Jin Sowoon, you bastard... gnash."

Behind Zhuge Somyeong, who was grinding his teeth, there was one more person walking in, gently resting a hand on his shoulder.

In a state of shock, I couldn't even close my mouth properly.

'Why is that person here...?'

White-Handed Divine Sword, Hyuk Mugang.

He, one of the absolute experts of Jianghu and the Murim Alliance Leader, had appeared at the Murim Academy.