The representative officers' meeting proceeded reasonably well.

"I was told that the Mount Heng Sect has decided to host this event."

At Eunho's words, I tilted my head.

"Host it? You mean they aren't just dispatching their array masters?"

"Yes. They offered to personally provide a curriculum on driving away evil and subduing spirits."

Even when I had requested them to dispatch array masters, they said due to scheduling issues, they could only send array masters who would have free time by the end of this year.

If they were hosting the event and even providing a curriculum, it would have to be conducted as a large-scale event, at least on par with the Murim Alliance.

What was the reason for the Mount Heng Sect to suddenly put so much effort into a Murim Academy event that offered them nothing to gain?

"They didn't mention any specific reason, so I didn't ask either."

"Hmm... Well, it's a good thing, but..."

We had formed a good connection with the Mount Heng Sect during the Demonic Spirit Plateau incident, but it wasn't enough to move them like this.

I had no idea what was making them suddenly act this way.

Just then.

"Couldn't it be because of you, Young Master Jin?"

Seong Moran's words were cryptic.

"What do you mean by that?"

"From what I heard, the Mount Heng Sect's Demon-Subduing Talismans sold out in massive quantities because of the recent incident in Sichuan."

"What?"

"For some reason, even the Murim Alliance, which has its own methods for driving away evil and subduing spirits, urgently sought out Demon-Subduing Talismans. Because of that, the martial artists of Jianghu began buying them up one by one as essential self-defense items, and I heard the price skyrocketed several times over."

"Ah..."

In short, it meant their bodies moved automatically after striking it rich.

To think things would work out like this.

Well, I hadn't aimed for it, but the Mount Heng Sect had benefited thanks to me anyway, right?

I should properly squeeze everything I can out of them.

"It's a good thing for us."

"Right."

Regardless, if the Mount Heng Sect hosted the event, it wouldn't be difficult to gather people this time.

Even if it wasn't the Orthodox Council, hearing about what happened in Sichuan would naturally spark interest in driving away evil and subduing spirits.

"Um... Young Master Jin."

Namgung Seonhwa parted her lips more cautiously than usual.

"Yes. Is something the matter?"

"It's not that... It's about my grandfather..."

Seeing Namgung Seonhwa trail off, I nodded wordlessly.

The 'Eminent Figure Invitation' was originally scheduled to take place after this event.

It was an occasion to invite renowned figures of Murim to show off one's influence to the other academy students.

Previously, Namgung Seonhwa had confidently stated she would invite the Azure Emperor Divine Sword, but it seemed the outcome hadn't been good.

'It can't be helped. The Namgung Clan has only just entered a period of stability, after all.'

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword Namgung Taeha, who had tightly seized the power of the branch line by newly creating the Cangqiong Unwi Sword Technique.

However, that didn't mean he possessed sovereign authority.

Furthermore, right now at the Murim Academy, collateral figures of the Namgung Clan like Namgung Gipyo and the disciples of the sects following them were currently at odds with Namgung Seonhwa.

That side probably invited the Azure Emperor Divine Sword to their 'Eminent Figure Invitation' as well, and since he only had one body, it was obvious the Azure Emperor Divine Sword had rejected both proposals.

"But since my grandfather hasn't given a definite answer yet, I will ask him once more. If it really doesn't work out, I'll make a trip to the clan myself."

What won't work won't work, no matter how much you force it.

Knowing when to take a step back was also important.

I shook my head.

"No. If you ask the Divine Sword any further, wouldn't it just be placing a burden on him?"

Despite me saying so, Namgung Seonhwa hung her head low, as if she were a sinner.

I deliberately praised her more.

"Furthermore, Lady Seonhwa, don't you have a lot of work to do for me as part of the representative officers? You are an incredibly important existence to me. I think making a trip all the way to your clan for this matter would be a waste of time."

"... Yes."

She nodded with a slightly flushed face, seemingly understanding, but her expression still showed she hadn't given up.

She would probably make a few more requests.

'I can't stop her from doing that. There's a chance the Divine Sword might actually come, too.'

The 'Eminent Figure Invitation' was going to be the most difficult event for me.

In a situation where everyone was expecting figures at least at the level of Pavilion Masters from the Murim Alliance, I couldn't just randomly invite the Merchant Group Leader of the Daecheon Merchant Group, right?

Ultimately, it meant I had to invite someone who was hiding away and rarely moved...

'The second event of the new semester is going to be trickier than the first right away.'

I set aside my thoughts for a moment and continued the meeting.

Next, Seong Moran and Hong Saryeon took turns presenting the processing status of current issues.

And then Jang Ujae opened his mouth.

"First, I've gathered a list of friends who are suitable to work within the representative officers."

I tilted my head as I looked at the names densely written on the document.

"Why the sudden need for people to work?"

When I asked back, a look of puzzlement appeared on Jang Ujae's face instead.

"What do you mean, why...? Aren't you doing all the work by yourself right now, Representative?"

"The paperwork should be progressing without any issues, right?"

Jang Ujae let out a small sigh.

"Isn't the fact that it's going without a hitch the problem?"

"..."

"The fact that the representative officers are currently operating without issues is entirely based on your outstanding abilities alone, Representative. If you happen to be absent like this time, the very survival of the representative officers could be in jeopardy."

True, we had entered a temporary recess because the incident in Sichuan was so massive, but such a thing wouldn't have happened if the Blood Cult hadn't appeared.

"We are definitely short on absolute numbers, but since most of them are the children of merchants or officials, they won't have much trouble learning how to handle administrative work."

Hmm, he was smarter than I thought.

When I showed signs of agreement, Jang Ujae's voice gained more strength.

"And we also need to think about gradually filling our ranks and properly setting up the representative officers."

Indeed, because of the recent incident, I ended up having to commute to the Mantong Bureau every weekend.

Considering that the workload would keep increasing, supplementing our personnel was the most urgent matter above all.

I looked at Jang Ujae with newly amazed eyes.

'How does he know more about my situation than I do?'

The others were also doing plenty of work in their respective positions, but Jang Ujae showed off a special talent, particularly in personnel management.

Personnel management was the most core aspect of boosting an organization's operational efficiency.

By gaining one person, you could utilize tens, or even hundreds of personnel.

As expected, I truly have an eye for people.

I looked at Jang Ujae with a pleased smile.

"Is there perhaps anything else you wish to say?"

Jang Ujae checked my reaction, seemingly embarrassed because I was staring at him intently.

I shook my head with a benevolent smile.

"You're doing an absolutely excellent job!"

"... Don't mention it. It's only natural."

He scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward.

He was even humble. His character was outstanding, too.

Good, very good.

Following that, Nam Hwaseong opened his mouth.

"I-I'm going to... in this event..."

"Let's conclude the meeting here."

"...!"

"Hm? Why?"

Nam Hwaseong blinked his eyes like a cow, as usual.

"What else is a spy going to do other than sabotage the event?"

Nam Hwaseong's face turned red as he SMACKED! the table and jumped to his feet.

"Damn it! I-I'm not a spy!"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's say you're not."

"I'm telling you I'm really not! I plan to mobilize personnel for the event too!"

"Got it. Let's just assume that's the case."

Regardless, I'd need to fix that temper of his first.

* * *

After finishing the meeting, I left the tavern's annex.

Since we had rented the annex, I suggested that those who wanted to stay and drink could drink, while those who wanted to return to the academy could return.

Nam Hwaseong grabbed hold of Jang Ujae and Eunho and stayed behind.

Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa also stayed, saying they felt like having a drink.

In the end, only Saryeon and I ended up returning to the Murim Academy together.

It had been a while since we had time alone together.

"Eldest Senior Brother. Is it okay?"

"What do you mean?"

Worry was etched on Saryeon's face.

She had always worried about me since my past life.

"I'm talking about Nam Hwaseong."

"Ah... That."

"Nam Hwaseong is a disciple of the Samwon Sect, which ranks high even among the Twelve Peaks and Castles. There's no way he just joined without a reason."

I also nodded at Saryeon's words.

"Of course, that could be the case. Still, you don't have to worry too much."

"Why is that?"

"Because Cheol Sunjik's intentions don't show in Nam Hwaseong's movements."

"..."

Saryeon slightly furrowed her brows, as if she didn't quite understand.

"If it were Cheol Sunjik, he probably would have joined the representative officers himself or sent someone else. The fact that Nam Hwaseong came means there is a high chance he chose to do so himself."

Even with my words, Saryeon kept her mouth firmly shut, seemingly still worried.

I let out a soft chuckle looking at her.

"Anyway, if we rise higher in the future, all sorts of people will start flocking under us. There might even be times when we have to cooperate with someone like Cheol Sunjik."

"Rise higher...?"

I gave her a nod.

"Yeah. Just think of it as practicing for when that time comes."

"... That sounds nice to hear."

"Hm? What does?"

Saryeon's voice echoed through the cool night air.

"The part about us rising higher."

When I looked at Saryeon, she was staring at me with eyes sparkling like shining stars in the night sky.

"You rising higher means that we will rise high alongside you, Eldest Senior Brother. It also means that the Taiyi Sect will rise higher in the future."

"That's right."

"It's such a wonderful thing to hear."

"..."

Saryeon's steps began to lighten, like an excited child.

How was it in my past life?

Suddenly, a deeply buried memory from the past surfaced in my mind.

["Eldest Senior Brother Cheolyeong ordered a gathering. Everyone, down to the youngest disciple."]

["He says it's for the sake of the Taiyi Sect, but I don't know if this is right."]

["I'm worried. I don't know if this is truly for the Taiyi Sect. Or if this is genuinely for the sake of our junior disciples."]

When we ended up going to the Murim Alliance earlier than the scheduled recruitment date at Gye Cheolyeong's request, Saryeon had stayed awake for days and nights.

Just looking even one step into the future must have been agonizing days for her back then.

But how about now?

"Just as you said, Eldest Senior Brother, I keep looking forward to the future!"

Saryeon was anticipating a future that had not yet arrived.

Not staying up all night with worries and concerns.

She probably wouldn't be able to sleep properly because she was imagining a bright future.

"This is all thanks to you, Eldest Senior Brother."

Saryeon smiled brightly without a care in the world.

I was so pleased by that sight that I stroked her hair.

"You're saying unnecessary things."

"..."

At my touch, her eyes instantly widened.

I spoke with conviction.

"This is what I naturally ought to do."

The painful memories of my past life washed over me like a wave before retreating back.

I would never let them wash over me, my sect, or my precious people ever again.

Saryeon kept her head lowered, seemingly deeply moved by my words once again.

"Don't tell me... are you crying because you're moved again?"

With the intention of teasing her, I lowered my head to look at her face.

"... Grind."

Huh?

"I told you not to touch my hair!"

In a flash, she shot a vicious glare and lunged at me.

"Ah! Ah! Junior Sister, wait a minute!"

No, she was going to go back to the dorms and wash it anyway, so how was touching her hair a bit a capital crime...!

I fled, deploying the World-Traversing Lone Footwork at full power.

"Stop right there!"

Even though I was living my second life, I still couldn't understand a woman's heart at all.

* * *

The final day of the temporary recess.

Starting tomorrow, the original academic schedule would resume.

Meeting with Yayul Geuk this frequently would probably end today as well.

'Still, he seems to have roughly grasped the concept of softness overcomes hardness. He probably won't try to ignorantly slam his opponents into the ground like before.'

As I was roughly straightening my robes, a voice came from behind me.

"Lord Sowoon. Should I prepare your meal outside again today?"

The head maid, having entered the pavilion, asked quietly.

I took a look at the training ground before answering the head maid.

"I will just skip breakfast. It doesn't seem like that guy has arrived."

"... Has something happened, perhaps?"

"It's nothing much."

Leaving the worried head maid behind, I stepped out of the pavilion and headed for my personal training ground.

In the middle of the training ground, a boulder-like presence was sitting cross-legged.

'What an immense build.'

It was a man with a massive body that couldn't even be compared to Bang Duchil's build.

The giant spear laid at his feet was much longer than what normal people used.

Even though I arrived at point-blank range, the man didn't even open his eyes.

And then he asked me.

"Are you Jin Sowoon?"

His low, rumbling voice was as fierce as a tiger's roar.

In my current life, I hadn't felt intimidated by anyone who practiced external arts, but he invoked a sense of tension with just a single word.

Even so, backing down here would hurt my pride as a former Minor Orthodox Unit member.

Besides, the Minor Orthodox Unit was the best in the world when it came to talking and guts, wasn't it?

"Didn't you come here already knowing that?"

Twitch.

When the man raised one eye at my provocation, killing intent surged out, as if an aura of blood were pouring forth.

"Are you saying you expected I would come, too?"

His build was one thing, but the way he spoke was unusual.

It wasn't just the tone of someone overconfident in their clan's martial arts.

'Is he one of the direct line?'

While my mind was racing fiercely, the man slowly raised his body.

"Or... does it mean you don't care who I am?"

A fierce fighting spirit that felt rough even though he clearly wasn't raising his internal qi.

Above all.

A thick scent of blood that shouldn't emanate from an ordinary human brushed past my nose, ringing alarm bells in my head.

"What a truly arrogant bastard."

They say dogs piss themselves and scramble to run away the moment a dog butcher appears.

He wore refined attire and looked neat, but looking at him brought up an instinctive sense of revulsion.

Once again, his growling voice echoed all around.

"That must be why you were able to pull such a stunt against Jupyeong."

Ak Jupyeong was one of the Ak Clan's direct heirs.

Calling him Jupyeong implied that this man's status was at least on par with Ak Jupyeong's.

Soon, the man's boulder-like body seemed to grow as massive as a mountain.

An enormous build that looked to be around eight cheok tall.

I understood why he used a spear that looked abnormally long and heavy.

THUMP.

"Let's see you show it to me too!"

SWISH!

Despite its immense size, the giant spear viciously slashed in.

Not using a spear to thrust seemed like a stupid move, but that wasn't the man's intention from the start.

CRASH!

Even though I drew the Black Dragon Sword to block, my body was sent flying into the air.

SKID.

As I barely deployed my footwork to regain my balance, the man had somehow already appeared right in front of me.

'What kind of speed is this!'

SWOOSH.

I dodged the spear shaft using the Iron Bridge technique.

Watching the spear shaft brush right over my face, I realized it was an extraordinary object.

'A steel spear shaft...'

There was a reason my hand tingled even though I had deflected it with the Black Dragon Sword.

SWISH— CRASH!

As I dodged the spear flying in as if to split my head open, the spear violently struck the floor of the training ground.

The hard marble shattered, sending fragments flying in all directions.

And only then did I recall a certain person from the register of figures recorded in my mind.

"The Third Hall Leader of the Inspection Pavilion, Ak Byeongbi."

One of his eyebrows raised.

I spoke, grinding my teeth.

"I heard you are called the Blood Ghost Flying Spear in Jianghu?"

He, who had been attacking, stopped for a moment and adjusted his stance.

"Our fellow Orthodox comrades often point fingers at my moniker."

"..."

He briefly looked down at his two hands. Then, he looked at me with a detached gaze.

"But I do not care. To protect the justice of the Orthodox faction, I am more than willing to become a 'Blood Ghost' to the Underworld and the heterodox path."

Damn it.

Still, to think this guy would come personally.

"So, did you come here as a figure of the Inspection Pavilion, just like yesterday?"

"..."

I asked, staring straight back at Ak Byeongbi without avoiding his gaze.

"Am I... an existence that threatens the justice of the Orthodox faction?"

There wasn't a single hint of hesitation in Ak Byeongbi's gaze.

The Seven Stars that guard the Murim Alliance.

"What is clear. Is that you are not a pure Orthodox martial artist."

Among them, Ak Byeongbi, who held the title of the Blood Star, was looking at me as an enemy.