Even though Eunho had poured a full day into the paperwork, a sigh naturally escaped him at the sight of the documents filling his vision.

He was dividing the work with the roughly twenty academy students (children of merchants or officials) Jang Ujae had brought, but the workload showed absolutely no signs of decreasing.

Furthermore, the fact that the work they were currently doing was only half of what Jin Sowoon originally handled made his sigh even longer.

Because, ultimately, Eunho and the other officers had to take over all the paperwork that Jin Sowoon used to handle alone.

Jang Ujae, who had volunteered for this task, also felt a sense of dread as the work actually piled up before him.

"Is the Representative some kind of monster?"

"... Well."

At Jang Ujae's question, which was full of doubt, Eunho could only smile bitterly.

It wasn't just a day or two that that guy had acted in an inhuman manner.

Just as he was getting used to it, the guy kept showing yet another side of himself, so now he didn't even have the energy left to be surprised.

"He was always an unpredictable person from the start..."

"..."

Jang Ujae seemed to have some sort of illusion about Jin Sowoon, and Eunho worried if it was okay to shatter that illusion like this, but he soon brushed the concern aside.

'Well, the fact that he's a weird person will be exposed soon enough anyway...'

If you have to take a beating anyway, isn't it better to get it over with a day sooner?

At least then you'd have time to run away.

Back when he didn't know any better, hadn't he dreamed the ridiculous illusion of helping his Eldest Senior Brother enter the academy out of loyalty, only to suffer like a dog?

Thinking about it now, he felt he wouldn't be able to do it again even if he were beaten to death.

'Of course... if he told me to, I'd probably do it again. Phew...'

That was only possible because he was a disciple of the Taiyi Sect and Jin Sowoon's junior brother.

He did not want to see the good-natured Jang Ujae fall into Jin Sowoon's demonic clutches(?) and suffer unnecessarily.

He had to reduce the number of victims by even one.

"Anyway... if you're going to run away, it'd be better to do it quickly."

"Huh? What does that...?"

It was clear that Jin Sowoon had learned some sorcery that made the people around him weird.

Wasn't that the case just looking at Namgung Seonhwa?

According to Hong Saryeon, who took charge of external affairs alongside Namgung Seonhwa, when the drill instructors and instructors showed signs of biasedly supporting the White Path Council, Namgung Seonhwa gathered them in one place and stabbed the Cangqiong Sword into the table.

["If there is anyone who fears the Zhuge Clan but not the Namgung Clan, feel free to try your tricks. You will thoroughly pay the price for it."]

To begin with, Namgung Seonhwa was not the type of person to pressure an opponent by putting her noble clan at the forefront or using them to back her up.

Even though she had a lot, she didn't show off, acting like a simple-hearted neighborhood older sister who had no aversion to sharing what she had with others.

That must have been why Dongryong, who became a bit of a fool outside of combat, followed Namgung Seonhwa around as if she were his lost sister.

When he thought about how such a person had become such a cold and daring individual...

'Eldest Senior Brother... seriously...'

Why was the face of his Eldest Senior Brother, smiling despicably and cackling 'Kyakyakya', coming to mind?

It was certainly worthy of emulation in the sense that he made people move and made things work. But it was also incredibly suspicious.

The Taiyi True Scripture, which he had also learned, was definitely a righteous martial art...

Could there be a secret hidden within it that turned it into a demonic art if circulated differently?

While Eunho was suspecting his Eldest Senior Brother.

Jang Ujae, who had not yet run away(?), looked around with a tired face.

"Still, we've roughly settled in now."

"This is all thanks to academy student Jang Ujae."

"Could I have done this alone? It's because everyone, including you, Eunho, worked hard."

Jin Sowoon's representative officers were handling their duties well on their own, even while Jin Sowoon was busy preparing for external activities in earnest.

Eunho and Jang Ujae handled the practical administrative work needed to operate the representative officers.

Seong Moran and Nam Hwaseong took charge of meeting and persuading people, primarily focusing on the 108 Peaks.

And Namgung Seonhwa and Hong Saryeon were managing the external affairs.

Although their numbers were small, everyone was faithfully carrying out their assigned roles.

As long as things kept rolling smoothly like this, there wouldn't be any more major threats to their life as representative officers in the future.

And there would no longer be any chance of Jin Sowoon's representative officers facing the crisis of falling from power.

Yes, as long as they passed this crisis well, if they just passed it well...

"Ahem, well... anyway, the number of event participants is also gradually increasing..."

As Jang Ujae let out a long sigh with a worried expression, Eunho unwittingly sighed along with him.

"... Tsk. I'm sorry."

"Ah, no. This isn't something for you to apologize for, Eunho..."

Jang Ujae denied it, waving both his hands and his head.

Soon, he carefully opened his mouth.

"But is this really okay? That..."

Then, after looking around, he lowered his voice even more.

"I don't think the Shaolin Sect will just sit still."

How could it be okay?

The great Ilgak.

Taking a disciple who had mastered the Shaolin Sect's Muscle-Changing Classic out to tout for customers.

Shaolin Sect aside, wasn't it so sacrilegious that they would have to gladly accept divine punishment if the Buddha grew furious and struck them down?

If some sort of crisis arose from this situation as well...

It would all be the Eldest Senior Brother's fault.

Yes, it was all the Eldest Senior Brother's fault.

"I don't know. If something happens, that guy will take care of it himself. It's all his fault anyway. What can you do."

"..."

Anyway, that was how it was.

* * *

As the first event of the second term began, an excited atmosphere drifted through the academy.

Because it was true that they were more interested in the event schedules run by the representative officers than the general academic schedules run by the drill instructors and instructors.

Furthermore, this event was a competition between the real representative officers and the fake representative officers.

The academy students even had the choice to express their support by participating in only one of the two events.

Naturally, aside from the content of the events, it was also true that they were curious about the outcome of the competition between the two factions.

"Then, if Representative Jin Sowoon loses, does he fall from power?"

"That's nonsense. Either way, didn't he enter with the top grades and become the representative? Of course he should continue being the representative."

"Then you'll be participating in Jin Sowoon's event."

"Ahem..."

"Why no answer?"

"... I received a message from my sect this time to find out more about the formation array."

Just as people were making their choices one by one based on their situations and surrounding influences.

"Ahem, Benefactors... Do you have a moment?"

"..."

"M-Monk Ilgak?"

"How come you're here..."

Ilgak, wearing a comical sash and holding a handful of flyers in one hand, had a compassionate smile on his face that somehow didn't match his attire.

"I have come to share some good words."

"... Hmm."

"... Uh."

"Pardon?"

The academy students, each wearing a dumbfounded expression, soon shook their heads to snap back to reality.

Although they wanted to go participate in their respective representative officers' events right away, where would they easily get an opportunity to converse with the great Ilgak?

On top of that, while the academy event lasted for a week, this was the only chance to talk with Ilgak.

"Yes! Well, u-um, please go ahead."

As soon as the academy students' permission fell, Ilgak nodded his head.

"Do you happen to know about the Righteous Mind?"

It was such a fundamental and hollow question.

"W-Wouldn't it be an upright mind?"

Because of that, it was an easily answerable question, but Ilgak shook his dazzlingly shiny head.

"Unfortunately, the Righteous Mind does not simply mean an upright mind."

Sensing an atmosphere that profound teachings they didn't know about were about to come out, the academy students all began to focus.

"The Righteous Mind refers to an unwavering, solid spirit. It means an innate pillar that remains unshaken in any situation."

"... Isn't that the same thing..."

Just as unknown doubts and disbelief crept onto the academy students' faces at Ilgak's preaching.

A bright glint began to shoot out from Ilgak's eyes.

"You there, Benefactor! Do you believe you possess an unwavering Righteous Mind?"

At his fierce momentum, the academy students flinched and stepped back.

"Ahem... I-I'm a disciple of a lay sect under the Namgung Clan, so compared to anyone, I'm unshakable..."

"You are wrong!"

"What? What do you mean..."

Ilgak stared directly at the academy students with an intense gaze that looked as if it would pierce their faces at any moment.

"The Righteous Mind does not stem from one's affiliation or martial arts."

According to common tales in Jianghu, the Righteous Mind referred to the power of the mind that strengthened as one trained their mental cultivation method.

That was why those who learned pure mental cultivation methods inheriting the lineage of orthodox martial arts, like the Namgung Clan, were said to possess a more unwavering Righteous Mind than those who learned the martial arts of the Underworld Murim.

Ilgak was firmly denying such common sense.

"The Righteous Mind is not a power gained merely by learning mental cultivation methods and meditating. If it were..."

Ilgak, who had been speaking vehemently, suddenly turned his head and closed his eyes with a sorrowful expression.

"I would not have lost my comrades in Sichuan."

Because they knew what the Orthodox Council had gone through in Sichuan, everyone let out a pitying sigh.

"I was someone more confident in the commonly spoken Righteous Mind than anyone else. But through this incident, I had no choice but to admit that I was acting arrogantly."

Ilgak cast a clear and transparent gaze into the distance, like a monk who had reached enlightenment.

The academy students swallowed dryly and took a step closer to Ilgak.

"... T-Then what must we do to cultivate the Righteous Mind?"

Even if it wasn't the Blood Cult, didn't the members of the Underworld Murim often use sorcery that corrupted people?

The academy students standing before Ilgak began to crave the answer to escaping such dangers.

Ilgak did not miss that opening and pressed his hands together in prayer while holding the wad of papers.

"There is a very good method. It is precisely to learn about destroying evil and subduing spirits."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Ilgak quickly pressed the flyers in his hand into the hands of the academy students.

"If you participate in the Mount Heng Sect's event right now, we are providing an opportunity to test destroying evil and subduing spirits through the cunning illusion array of the atrocious Blood Cult spread out on the Grand Equestrian Ground. It is a special perk for this event, so please do not miss it."

The eyes of the academy students, who had been making bewildered expressions, went wide.

"A-Are you serious?"

Ilgak's shining head nodded vigorously up and down.

"Yes. That is correct. If you cannot believe it, it is also possible to just experience the Blood Cult's illusion array first. Once you go through it, you will realize how important it is to properly establish the Righteous Mind. Namu Amitabha."

One of the reasons the academy students' hearts weren't easily moved by the Mount Heng Sect's classes was the fact that even if they learned it right away, there was nowhere to use it.

To think they had even set up an area to practice right away, they couldn't help but be moved.

"Monk! Then I will participate in the Mount Heng Sect's event."

In that moment, Ilgak, who unwittingly felt a sense of accomplishment, denied his own feelings and immediately composed his expression.

"... Then it would be best for you to go quickly. The number of people waiting is gradually increasing."

"Ah! Then I'll be going first. See you all later!"

"H-Hey! Let's go together! I'm going to participate too!"

"Me too!"

Ilgak compassionately watched the three people run off toward the Grand Equestrian Ground without waiting for one another, before letting out a long sigh with a complicated expression.

Right then.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

Someone approached while clapping.

"Benefactor Jin..."

Ilgak's expression became even more complex.

Jin Sowoon was walking over, shaking his head with a surprised look as if he couldn't believe what he had just seen.

"I suppose I should apologize."

"... For what?"

"As expected, the talent who will lead Shaolin is built differently. Keu—"

Jin Sowoon even raised two thumbs up as he offered high praise, but...

Ilgak gripped the flyers in his hands even tighter, feeling unsure whether to laugh or cry.

* * *

"How can it only be this much?"

Day Three of the event.

Zhuge Jeonggi's brow furrowed deeply at the number of participants, which was less than half of what they had expected.

"T-That is..."

The array master of the Zhuge Clan, who was in charge of operating and running the formation array, fidgeted as if it were his own fault.

"There must be a mistake in the notation. Right? Otherwise..."

"Well, it is noted accurately."

"What?"

Zhuge Jeonggi fumbled with the paper, trying to deny reality.

"Because more people than expected are participating in Jin Sowoon's event..."

"What kind of nonsense is...!"

The reality he faced was cruel.

It was none other than a new formation array announced by the Zhuge Clan.

A new formation array that surpassed the Seven Stars Seven Captures Array, which every sect in the world wanted to install.

And yet, how could they not have interest in such a thing?

Especially because of something like destroying evil and subduing spirits, which they could naturally learn once they went up to the Murim Alliance.

"That... it seems it turned out that way because the illusion array installed at Jin Sowoon's event venue is so bizarre and highly realistic..."

"Highly realistic?"

The array master of the Zhuge Clan let out a groan and answered.

"... According to the academy students who went through the incident in Sichuan, they said it was an experience almost identical to being inside the illusion array used by the Blood Cult."

"Hah..."

"As such stories circulated, they say the Grand Equestrian Ground is practically bursting every day because everyone is practicing breaking through the illusion array after learning the Mount Heng Sect's methods for destroying evil and subduing spirits..."

Squeeze.

Zhuge Jeonggi trembled as he clenched his fists in frustration.

He had expected some academy students to move when he heard the ridiculous news that Ilgak was doing something like touting for customers, but to think the difference would be this massive.

It was a situation Zhuge Jeonggi could not possibly tolerate.

He needed some kind of breakthrough.

"The improved version... Did you bring the equipment for the improved version?"

At Zhuge Jeonggi's question, deep bewilderment flashed across the array master's face.

"Y-Young Master... that is still under research..."

"Install it immediately. And tell the people. That they can also experience the improved version of the Two Extremes Eight Trigrams Ten Thousand Phenomena Array right away."

"That cannot be done, Young Master!"

Despite the firm shout, Zhuge Jeonggi glared at the array master with bloodshot eyes.

"Then, are you saying the great Zhuge Clan must lose to someone in an array? And because of a mere illusion array, not even a proper formation array at that!!"

"..."

"Install it immediately. I will take responsibility for the aftermath."

At the sense of inferiority and defeat lingering in his eyes, the array master of the Zhuge Clan ultimately bowed his head.

"... Understood."

The array masters walked away to fetch the equipment for the improved version.

'Jin Sowoon...'

Watching them, Zhuge Jeonggi clenched his fists tightly.

His hands turned completely pale.

* * *

"Truly amazing... To think that young rising star from back then has already become such an incredible person..."

With him gilding my name while staring right at my face, my tongue, which usually flowed smoothly, couldn't quite work properly.

"Hearing such words from Great Warrior Seven Kills Soul-Extinguisher makes me feel apologetic."

He was none other than Song Jeongmu, the Eldest Senior Brother of Ha Minjung who had gifted me the Demon-Subduing Talisman in the Demonic Spirit Plateau.

He had personally participated in the Mount Heng Sect's event this time.

This was tantamount to a clue showing just how much the Mount Heng Sect cared about this event.

"I did not expect you to come in person, Great Warrior."

At my polite attitude, Song Jeongmu gave a benevolent smile.

"Huhu. The Sect Leader personally singled me out and ordered me to ensure there are no flaws in the event. If so, then of course I had to come."

I couldn't help but tilt my head.

Although there was a debt from the Demonic Spirit Plateau, hadn't they already paid it off with the Demon-Subduing Talismans?

I quite couldn't understand why the Mount Heng Sect was paying this much attention now.

"Hmm... You seem to not know much about yourself."

"What do you mean by that..."

"Do you know how much profit our Mount Heng Sect has gained thanks to the symbolism of it being the evil-destroying artifact chosen by the 'Black Flame Dragon'?"

"Pardon?"

My brow twitched briefly at the alias that was suddenly brought up.

Come to think of it, I felt like I had heard something similar from Seong Moran a while ago.

Song Jeongmu patted my shoulder a few times and explained.

"Not to mention the large-scale orders from the Murim Alliance, but pre-orders are flooding in from all over Jianghu. The Daoists at the main mountain are printing out Demon-Subduing Talismans day and night, to the point where their energy is nearly depleted."

Judging by his expression, they seemed to be making far more money than what Seong Moran had mentioned.

But why did my stomach suddenly ache?

In addition, entirely separate from the Mount Heng Sect making money, I was suddenly regretful that I hadn't stockpiled the highly effective Demon-Subduing Talismans.

Because I had used up most of the Demon-Subduing Talismans I received last time to handle the incident in Sichuan.

"Tsk."

As I smacked my lips without realizing it, Song Jeongmu gave a hearty laugh.

"Do you find it a shame that we made money?"

I shook my head, mixing in a little lie.

"Not at all. The Mount Heng Sect's power of destroying evil and subduing spirits is something other sects cannot easily catch up to, isn't it? It's just a shame that I couldn't buy Demon-Subduing Talismans in advance. The price has probably gone up a lot, right?"

Song Jeongmu nodded continuously.

"Because the speed they are made cannot keep up with the speed they are sold out."

"That's just a bit disappointing. There will be many occasions to use them in the future. It just leaves me with regret, thinking I should have purchased them ahead of time."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

Song Jeongmu, who had stroked his chin for a moment, continued speaking.

"You think there will be many occasions to use the Demon-Subduing Talismans even after the Blood Cult incident is over?"

Because my mind was entirely focused on the Demon-Subduing Talismans, I unwittingly leaked future events.

But well, wouldn't that much be fine?

"Now that the martial arts of the heterodox path, which the Murim Alliance had designated as forbidden arts, have already emerged, who knows what other martial arts are growing in places we cannot see."

"Hmm..."

I hurriedly wrapped up the conversation.

"Please just brush it off as the words of a greenhorn who knows nothing."

However, Song Jeongmu still looked at me with a serious expression.

"No. Not at all. Still, aren't these the words of the great Black Flame Dragon? I must carve them into my heart."

"... What influence could my words possibly have?"

Song Jeongmu slowly shook his head.

"I heard the competitor for this event was a newly created formation array by the Zhuge Clan, right? We also heard the rumors on our way here and expected there wouldn't be that many participants in our event."

Then, he soon smiled brightly and looked around.

"But what is the result?"

"... Haha."

"Your words, naturally, must be carved into our hearts."

I didn't know what that had to do with anything, but anyway, the event was scheduled to end in a huge success.

It had already recorded a participant gap of more than double compared to the White Path Council's event by Day Three, and by Day Four, the White Path Council ultimately suspended their event temporarily, widening the gap even further.

Now, if we could just finish 'Inviting Distinguished Guests' cleanly.

That meant the facilities made by the White Path Council, the stylish chairs, and the Seven-Color Flowers would all be mine.

Eumhwahaha. The stomachache I had felt seemed to be recovering again.

Just as I was smiling inwardly while picturing a brilliant future.

Song Jeongmu's voice drifted in.

"Returning to what we were talking about a moment ago."

"Yes, please speak."

"Hmm... What do you think about continuously using the Mount Heng Sect's Demon-Subduing Talismans?"

Huh? What kind of question was this?

I answered immediately.

"Naturally, it would be great."

"Ahem, what if, instead, you could not use the evil-destroying artifacts of other sects?"

I tilted my head.

In my past life, when the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out, many sects brought out their evil-destroying and spirit-subduing artifacts, but the ones who actually provided helpful artifacts were limited to the Mount Heng Sect, the Mount Mao Sect, and a few other sects.

Moreover, the Mount Heng Sect's items showed the most outstanding efficacy among them.

So, it was a matter that didn't even require any thought.

"Naturally, I would just continue using only the Mount Heng Sect's Demon-Subduing Talismans."

"Is that so?"

At my assertion, Song Jeongmu held out three thick leather pouches with a somewhat pleased face.

"What is this...?"

Song Jeongmu stared at me with an exceptionally clear gaze.

"If you continue to use the Mount Heng Sect's Demon-Subduing Talismans in the future, the Mount Heng Sect will make sure your hands never run dry of Demon-Subduing Talismans."

My jaw dropped wide open.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. As long as you promise..."

"Of course! Of course I promise! Tell them to throw away all the artifacts from other sects!"

At my intense reaction, Song Jeongmu instead put on a bewildered expression.

"Uh, uh. I-Is that right?"

Of course it is, absolutely.

It didn't matter much to me how much profit the Mount Heng Sect made from this incident, but if they supported me with unlimited Demon-Subduing Talismans, there was absolutely nothing for me to lose.

"... But how did you make such a bold decision?"

"Isn't what you use right now leading the trends of Jianghu? So, we are supporting you like this to secure you ahead of time while we have the chance."

"As expected, a great sect is truly different!"

Even if I said it didn't matter, it was true that it was actually thanks to me, right?

I barely suppressed my leaking laughter and asked Song Jeongmu.

"Ah right, I also happened to obtain a piece of Demon-Subduing Divine Wood by chance. Could you perform a ritual to turn it into a protective talisman for me?"

"Hm? Well, if the item is already prepared, it's not a difficult task. Do you really expect there to be many people using sorcery in the future?"

Would it only be sorcery? Guys using far worse demonic qi will also emerge.

Since better safe than sorry, and because I didn't want to get steeped in demonic qi and become a demon, I thought there could never be enough artifacts.

Right then.

CRASH.

A noisy commotion arose outside.

"What is it?"

"I'll step outside for a moment."

When I opened the door and went out, a sight unfolded of a person I was seeing for the first time being held down and restrained by the officers.

"What's going on?"

"He's someone from the White Path Council. He kept throwing a fit asking to meet Great Warrior Song Jeongmu..."

"Great Warrior Song Jeongmu?"

When I gestured with my chin, Jang Ujae released the mute acupoint of the White Path Council member.

The White Path Council member hurriedly knelt down and shouted.

"P-Please let me meet Great Warrior Song Jeongmu!"

"What's the matter?"

"..."

The White Path Council member gave no reply.

Before long, Song Jeongmu came out and looked at the White Path Council member.

"What is going on that you're causing such a commotion?"

His face looked quite displeased.

However, as if he didn't even have the luxury to care about that, the White Path Council member urgently shouted.

"Great Warrior! Please listen to my words for a moment."

"Is it an urgent matter?"

"Yes! That's right."

"Then speak."

"... That is..."

The White Path Council member looked at my face once and then closed his mouth again.

Song Jeongmu's face hardened unpleasantly.

"You seem to have nothing to say. Or it isn't an urgent matter."

At the indirect pressure to speak right here in this public space, the White Path Council member's face turned pale white.

Ultimately, he bowed his head and spoke.

"N-No. P-P-Please help us! A problem has occurred with our event!"

"A problem?"

Suspicion crept into the gazes of everyone present, including mine.

The White Path Council member continued speaking with an expression that looked like he would cry at any moment.

"T-The academy students are unable to escape from the formation array."

However, Song Jeongmu just tilted his head in response.

"But... why did you come to tell me about that?"

"T-That is, I don't know the details either, but they combined new equipment into the formation array... It seems that it is shaking the academy students' Righteous Minds."