A heavy tension hung in the air inside the Academy Director's office.

It wasn't because of Zhuge Somyeong, who was frowning and openly displaying his discomfort.

The real reason for the heavy tension was...

"Hohoho, if I had known the Academy Director's taste in tea was this good, I would have visited more often."

"... Pardon? Ah, is that so? Then I shall send the same to the Alliance Leader's Pavilion..."

"No, no. How could we spend the Alliance's money so easily? I will just drop by from time to time."

"..."

At Hyuk Mugang's words, Buk Wonpyeong forced himself to hide his appalled expression.

The Murim Alliance Leader coming over at all hours just to mooch off his tea?

Just the thought of it was enough to suffocate him.

But this Murim Alliance Leader gentleman took it a step further.

"By any chance, would it be uncomfortable for you if I came by often?"

"A-Ah, no! How could that be? I am simply so grateful that you would visit frequently."

He was forcing a smile, but the corners of his mouth and eyes were quivering.

Seeing Buk Wonpyeong bowing his head like a rabbit in front of a leopard, I felt an inexplicable sense of refreshment.

'Serves him right.'

Because he flatly refused his head disciple's request, his Great Martial Ancestor must be punishing him.

Hyuk Mugang slightly raised his head and continued speaking.

"When you reach this age, there are no places looking for you. Being cooped up in the Alliance Leader's Pavilion every day is quite the ordeal in itself."

"..."

"I built many memories while roaming Jianghu with the successor of the previous Formless Sword. Those were truly joyful times."

'I knew your master well, huh? We roamed Jianghu and did all sorts of things, kid!'

... He was saying things typical of an old geezer, but the aura he exuded was distinctly different.

Should I say it evoked a sovereign-like atmosphere?

In a way, it was only natural.

The footprints he left behind in Jianghu transcended the white and black paths, enough to evoke awe in all martial artists active in Jianghu.

'Is it natural just seeing how the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Noble Clans can't drag him down from the position of Alliance Leader?'

He didn't even have a sect or a master.

The story of him rising to become one of the top ten experts in the world through his own independent martial arts, overcoming all sorts of dark plots and secret strife, and ultimately being elevated to the position of Murim Alliance Leader, was enough to stir the ambitions of everyone living in Jianghu.

Moreover, I harbored even more special feelings toward him.

When the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out, he was the one who fought fiercely on the very front lines.

Even when we were disappointed in the Nine Sects and One Gang and felt disillusioned with the Five Great Noble Clans, the White-Handed Divine Sword never once betrayed our trust.

'... Maybe that's why he failed.'

In the end, he too was one of the great stars that fell during the Orthodox-Demonic Great War, but even after the war ended, he remained an eternally unsetting lantern in our hearts.

Seeing the hero I had only seen from afar right before my eyes sent a strange tremble through my chest.

'... Or maybe I'm just trembling because I'm anxious.'

I couldn't help it; of all times, he had arrived just when I was supposed to be scolded by Zhuge Somyeong.

Even if I came prepared to be scolded by Zhuge Somyeong, I didn't want to get chewed out by the White-Handed Divine Sword as well.

Hyuk Mugang, who had been conversing with the sweating Buk Wonpyeong, casually shifted his gaze to me.

I deeply lowered my head, lest I end up in the same situation as Buk Wonpyeong.

Fortunately(?), Zhuge Somyeong's voice, grinding his teeth, reached me first.

"Jin Sowoon... do you have any idea what on earth you've done?"

Gulp.

'To be honest, I did commit a bit of a wrong, but didn't I save the academy students thanks to that?'

I firmly swallowed the words I had prepared down my throat.

I just intended to listen to his curses with the mindset of a meat shield(?) disregarding all defense.

My experience as a meat shield in my past life was more than enough.

However...

"Hoho, Chief Strategist. Didn't we promise not to do this?"

That same relaxed and benevolent voice interjected.

'What's this?'

Just as I was still unable to withdraw my suspicious gaze.

"That is why I told you not to follow me."

"Hoho, Chief Strategist. Then isn't the promise meaningless?"

In contrast to Zhuge Somyeong, who looked like he was going crazy wanting to vent his anger to his heart's content, Hyuk Mugang was suppressing him with a beaming smile.

Unbelievable!

'Hyuk Mugang truly is someone with the demeanor of a hero!'

Hyuk Mugang turned his head and looked at me.

"Representative Jin Sowoon, you did a very commendable job this time."

A faint smile formed on Hyuk Mugang's lips.

On the other hand, Zhuge Somyeong's face crumpled like a piece of paper.

'Oho?'

The situation was vividly painted in my mind.

Zhuge Somyeong clearly wanted to scold me before giving any commendations.

On the contrary, Hyuk Mugang must have opposed this.

Because of that, Zhuge Somyeong had sneaked away to the Murim Academy to avoid Hyuk Mugang's eyes, but it seemed he had somehow been caught from behind by him.

'That roughly seems to be the case, right?'

Once the calculation was made, what I had to do became clearly evident.

I answered in the most polite posture possible.

"Not at all. I merely did what obviously had to be done."

Hyuk Mugang patted my shoulder with a satisfied expression.

"Isn't it true that not just anyone can do that 'obvious' thing? Moreover, I heard that while acting as the academy representative, you had severe conflicts with the Orthodox Council."

"Isn't it a hardship that someone without anyone to pull them up naturally has to endure to succeed? Still, since it wasn't to the extent of what the Alliance Leader went through, I never thought it was that difficult."

"Hohoho, exactly! You're quite right. A real man must know how to embrace even those with flaws. Indeed, indeed."

Hyuk Mugang burst into a pleasant laugh for quite a while.

With this much, I had flattered him enough.

Now it was time to clean up my mistakes.

I clasped my fists together and deeply bowed my head.

"Even so, I am endlessly ashamed of myself."

"Hmm?"

At my sudden shift in attitude, Hyuk Mugang, who hadn't wiped the smile off his face for a while, asked in bewilderment.

"About what?"

I replied with a devastated voice.

"Although I may have saved 'hundreds' of people, and prevented the 'Blood Cult incident' from spreading further in Sichuan, thereby saving the academy students in the short term and the warriors of the Murim Alliance in the long term..."

I paused for a moment and stealthily shot a glance at Zhuge Somyeong.

"Wouldn't there be some who view my failure to follow proper procedures during that process as a problem?"

Then, looking at Hyuk Mugang, I drooped the corners of my eyes as much as I could.

"Because of that, I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed of myself. If you are to punish me, I will gladly accept any punishment."

As soon as my words ended, Zhuge Somyeong's glare turned as sharp as an axe.

Hyuk Mugang went "Hoho," and lightly closed his eyes.

Hyuk Mugang stroked his long, white beard, which grew out like a Daoist immortal's, several times.

After a brief moment of silence passed, his closed eyes flew open.

A golden light flashed in his eyes for an instant.

"I... am truly a blessed person."

His gaze toward me was brimming with affection.

"For such a brilliant rising star to appear during my tenure, wouldn't this be enough to say that I have faithfully fulfilled my duties as the Murim Alliance Leader?"

It was marvel that went beyond mere overpraise...!

I firmly held down my shoulders, which were threatening to dance with joy, and spoke even more humbly.

"You overpraise me."

As I kept my head deeply bowed like a sinner, I could feel someone violently huffing through their nose next to me.

"Y-You damn bastard...! You dare try to evade your wrongdoings with that glib tongue of yours!"

Zhuge Somyeong's face flushed bright red, looking like he was going to die of frustration.

As expected, was it a bit lacking to fool him?

But what did it matter? The Murim Alliance Leader was already on my side, heh heh.

I purposefully put on an even more guilty expression and spoke.

"Chief Strategist... I am truly sorry. But as someone lacking, it was the best I could do for the greater good. If you are to punish me... if you truly must, I will gladly accept it no matter what it is."

The agitated Zhuge Somyeong eventually pointed a finger at me and shouted.

"Haa...! Alliance Leader, did you see that? This guy, he's a very terrifying bastard. Knowing he would get scolded by me, he's trying to use the Alliance Leader as a shield..."

"Now, now, Chief Strategist. Calm yourself. What kind of things are you saying to our young hero?"

"Wow... wow... Seriously! Wow..."

Having calmed Zhuge Somyeong, Hyuk Mugang called out to me once again.

"Representative Jin Sowoon. Raise your head. Although your methods may have been flawed, as a result, you preemptively stopped a massive amount of blood from flowing in Jianghu, so your merits can be said to far outweigh your faults."

A brief solemnity settled on his face, which had been holding a benevolent smile.

"Of course, that doesn't mean everything is fine as long as the results are good."

His gentle yet stern voice continued.

"When we justify everything based solely on the results, illegalities or rule violations are bound to occur during the process. Therefore, use this incident as a lesson to constantly inspect your own actions."

"I will keep that in mind."

"If you understand, relax your expression and raise your head. Your current appearance does not suit the demeanor of a hero."

As I raised my head, I paused for a moment and put on a show of glancing at Zhuge Somyeong nervously.

At this, Zhuge Somyeong struck his chest repeatedly as if he were utterly dumbfounded.

"Wow... This punk's acting skills are phenomenal. I shouldn't bring him into the Mantong Bureau; I should send him to perform in a Peking opera."

"..."

Hyuk Mugang shook his head and spoke.

"Chief Strategist, stop it. Isn't he already reflecting enough?"

"No! Haa... Phew..."

At a loss for words, Zhuge Somyeong soon let out a long sigh as if giving up.

I barely managed to hide the corners of my mouth from curling up.

Since Hyuk Mugang had admonished him like this, the worry of getting scolded by Zhuge Somyeong had essentially vanished.

'This worked out much better than I thought?'

Just as I thought all I had to do now was leave the Academy Director's office with a light heart.

"More importantly, since he made a great contribution, we should give him a reward. What would be good?"

As expected, was a hero who climbed to the position of Murim Alliance Leader single-handedly truly built differently?

"What the hell kind of reward are you talking about? Not getting punished is a reward for that punk."

As expected, no heroic demeanor could be felt from Zhuge Somyeong.

Hyuk Mugang let out a hearty laugh and looked at Zhuge Somyeong.

"You're quite mischievous, Chief Strategist. Especially coming from someone who agonized over what to give Representative Jin more than anyone else."

"That was... supposed to be after that punk rightfully took his punishment."

"Anyway, what is there that would be suitable to give this child?"

At Hyuk Mugang's firm attitude, Zhuge Somyeong ultimately let out a sigh.

"Well... Since he hasn't even become a formal Alliance member yet, we can't promote him. And we can't just give wealth to an academy student..."

As Zhuge Somyeong trailed off, Hyuk Mugang asked me.

"Representative Jin Sowoon, is there perhaps anything you need? If there is, speak without hesitation."

I quickly rummaged through the library in my mind.

To be able to receive it as a reward, it's best if it's something the Murim Alliance currently possesses.

At the same time, it shouldn't be something too excessive that overshadows my merits, and it would be even better if it was an item whose true value hadn't been properly evaluated yet.

Considering all of this.

At this current moment, the thing I needed most among the Murim Alliance's possessions was...

"I would like to have Vajra Indestructible Iron and Wind Paulownia."

"Vajra Indestructible Iron... is one thing, but why do you need Wind Paulownia?"

"It's because I have a personal use for it."

Hyuk Mugang, who was pondering deeply, asked back.

"Are you perhaps trying to forge a sword?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... In that case, wouldn't Profound Iron be better?"

"Alliance Leader!"

Next to him, Zhuge Somyeong turned pale with shock.

It was understandable since Vajra Indestructible Iron and Profound Iron were equally rare, but in Jianghu, Profound Iron was lauded as a far superior metal.

Above all, Profound Iron had a high capacity for holding qi, so it yielded better efficiency even when using the same Sword Qi.

In my past life, the Red Light Sword was also a divine artifact forged from Profound Iron.

'But the fact that it has weaker durability than Vajra Indestructible Iron is something most people don't know well.'

The truth about its durability would only be revealed after the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out and the Demonic Cult's demonic beasts appeared.

I felt it during this Iron Armored Corpse incident as well, but there is no material better than Vajra Indestructible Iron for dealing with demonic beasts possessing skin durability that surpasses humans.

Considering the entities that I, and the people of Jianghu, would have to face in the future, preparing a weapon made of Vajra Indestructible Iron rather than Profound Iron was the far better choice.

Furthermore, there was one secret that people didn't know.

Namely, the hidden efficacy of Wind Paulownia and Vajra Indestructible Iron.

When Vajra Indestructible Iron is alloyed with Wind Paulownia during smelting, it displays a far superior qi capacity than Profound Iron.

If the Red Light Sword were forged using these three things—Vajra Indestructible Iron, Wind Paulownia, and the Blood Sea Jade—I would surely be able to see an item that surpassed what I saw in my past life.

"Profound Iron is an item far too unmerited for someone like me to use. Vajra Indestructible Iron and Wind Paulownia are more than enough for me."

"Hoho... Normally, a martial artist would show greater greed when it comes to weapons."

Hyuk Mugang, who was looking at me with benevolent eyes, shifted his gaze to Zhuge Somyeong.

"What do you think? Our young hero desires it. Do we have those items in the treasury?"

Zhuge Somyeong's eyelids trembled wildly.

"How does he know every little thing that's in the treasury inside and out...?"

Then, as if he had resigned himself, he let out a heavy sigh.

"I think we can give them to him."

"Then that settles it. Chief Strategist, do you have any additional opinions to append?"

"No."

Hyuk Mugang smiled and looked at me again.

"Representative Jin Sowoon, the award ceremony can only be held after everything in Sichuan has completely concluded. However, I will make arrangements so that you can use the items beforehand."

Was the ceremony important? It was the items that mattered.

Truly, this was the generosity befitting a hero of Jianghu.

I briefly glanced at the Chief Strategist and quickly replied.

"Thank you."

As the conversation wrapped up in a good atmosphere that roughly satisfied everyone—except Zhuge Somyeong—it naturally led to a time for casual chatting.

The topic naturally shifted to the events in Sichuan, and for me, who didn't know what discussions had taken place within the Murim Alliance, this was a good opportunity to satisfy my curiosity.

I quietly listened attentively so as not to interrupt the flow of the story.

"Fortunately, that old geezer, the Poison King, and the Qingcheng Sect's bull-nosed Daoist decided to step forward."

"That is a relief. I was very worried about what we would do if they didn't step forward."

"Since the incident occurred in their front yard, it is only natural that they take action."

As for the Murim Alliance, since they had dispatched sufficient manpower, there was no problem fighting the battle.

On the other hand, because they lacked individuals who had reached the ranks of absolute experts, the most pressing dilemma was how they would face the Blood Cult's powerhouses.

Fortunately, the absolute experts of Sichuan had stepped forward, meaning the problem was resolved to some extent.

'This will be resolved faster than I thought.'

In my past life, we spent a long time figuring out the enemy's identity, causing our response to be delayed, and because we didn't know how powerful their sorcery was, the casualties were devastating.

On top of that, due to the presence of beings with absolute martial prowess—namely, the Iron Armored Corpses and the Blood Demon—the Murim Alliance recorded a death toll high enough to make the entire organization stagger.

Thinking back to that time, the current situation was fortunate to the point where one could say there were no casualties at all.

"Anyway, it is still a mystery. Why did those Blood Cult bastards stop their eastward march?"

"Hmm..."

That brilliant Zhuge Somyeong tilted his head and raised a question.

"It would be one thing if their identities hadn't been revealed, but with their identities fully exposed, dragging out the time will certainly not be advantageous for them."

"For now, it would be best to send word for everyone to remain vigilant. Just in case there happens to be some sort of trap."

While quietly listening to the two's conversation, I only then remembered something very important that I had forgotten about.

"Umm..."

When I, who had remained silent all this time, finally opened my mouth, everyone focused their attention on me.

"I should have mentioned this earlier."

I placed the bundle I had made sure to bring with me onto the table.

Once again, everyone's gazes were drawn to a single spot.

"What is this?"

Bewilderment surfaced in Hyuk Mugang's eyes as he looked at the bundle.

I looked at him and awkwardly scratched my head.

"Ah, that is, um. It's the head of the person known as the Blood Cult's Young Cult Master."

"..."

"...?"

The three of them wore blank expressions, looking as if they couldn't comprehend what they had just heard.

After a brief moment of silence passed.

"Huh?!"

Buk Wonpyeong let out a bizarre noise as he quickly sprang up from his seat and untied the bundle.

And then.

"Heh..."

As the face of the Blood Cult's Young Cult Master—who had met his death with his eyes wide open from the shock of being attacked unawares—popped out, horror washed over the faces of the three men.

Looking at them, I finished my report.

"Well, presumably... the reason they haven't been able to march eastward is because this guy is dead. It seemed he played quite a pivotal role within the Blood Cult."

In truth, it was probably more because they lost the Blood Sea Jade and the Illusion Array, but there was no need to explicitly mention that.

"Y-You're the one who did this to him?"

At Zhuge Somyeong's question, I nodded.

"When we were retreating, I had a feeling they would attack from behind, so I eliminated the threat in advance."

Zhuge Somyeong and Buk Wonpyeong successively made appalled expressions.

Hyuk Mugang, who was struggling to manage his facial expression, was no different as his gaze wavered as well.

"..."

They gave me looks that seemed to say, 'What kind of crazy bastard is this?'

Unable to find anything else to say, I quietly sipped my tea.

Sip.

Oh, it was delicious as expected.

There was a reason why Hyuk Mugang said he would come often.