「... Thus, the Underworld Alliance has completely sorted out its internal affairs and is in the process of perfecting its system. They are currently sending missives to sects that have not yet joined the Underworld Alliance to encourage their participation, and the personnel of the Underworld Murim who have heard the rumors about the Underworld Alliance are heading toward it one by one. The future expansion of the Underworld Alliance is...」

A report that had arrived from Shanxi Province.

It contained detailed information that had not yet been made known to the outside world.

A report sent by the intelligence analysis group—commonly known as the 'Research Institute'—created by the major sects of the Twelve Peaks and Castles to narrow the information gap with the Nine Sects and One Gang and others.

"Even if it's natural for desk jockeys to view the world with a negative perspective, this is a bit much."

Cheol Sunjik shook his head.

Before this, and even before that, not once since the Research Institute's inception had it ever analyzed the outlook positively.

Even so, the Twelve Peaks and Castles never denied their findings or altered them to suit their own tastes.

It was because their perspective was cold, objective, and accurate.

Cheol Sunjik was well aware of this, too.

That they could only move forward by looking back at themselves through an objective lens.

If they were to change the hierarchy of Jianghu that had not changed even once in the past five hundred years, wouldn't sleeping on a bed of brushwood and tasting gall be insufficient?

In order to move forward, he didn't mind listening to bitter advice every day.

Nevertheless, the future of the Twelve Peaks and Castles predicted by this report was so despairing that the previous reports seemed positive by comparison.

"The emergence of the Blood Cult and the rise of the Underworld Alliance. The expansion of massive sects with justifiable causes and the small-to-medium sects sacrificed in the process..."

It painted an all too clear picture.

It was obvious that the Twelve Peaks and Castles—no, the 108 Peaks—would be included among those 'small-to-medium sects'.

To begin with, the purpose of the 108 Peaks' existence was nothing more than the established powers suppressing new factions.

They handed out the position of the 108 Peaks—which looked good on the surface but held no actual authority or power in reality—as if to say, 'Be satisfied with this.'

A position with responsibilities but no rights.

The problem was that this hadn't happened just once or twice.

Over the past five hundred years, whenever a new faction tried to rise to power, all sorts of incidents would eventually dismantle it.

Even if there was no connection between each individual incident, if the same thing repeated throughout the grand scope of history, no one would dismiss it as a coincidence.

"Hwaseong, what do you think?"

"..."

The massive man simply kept his mouth steadfastly shut.

Although he had joined the representative officers claiming he would monitor Jin Sowoon's movements, Nam Hwaseong had never once relayed any 'information' regarding what Jin Sowoon and those representative officers were doing.

"Do you truly see Jin Sowoon as the person who will bring about change?"

The eyes of Nam Hwaseong, whose lips had been heavily sealed, suddenly flashed.

"Brother Cheol, to be honest, I don't really know much about that."

He soon continued his words in a plain and calm manner.

"I'm not the type to use my head to begin with. I just relay the stories I see and hear."

Nam Hwaseong played innocent, pretending to know nothing.

A laugh slipped from Cheol Sunjik's lips as he looked at him.

Because Cheol Sunjik could see him struggling to deliver useless information with that slow-turning head of his.

It was truly fascinating; Jin Sowoon had been away from the academy for quite a while due to his duties with the delegation.

Yet why was Nam Hwaseong so reluctant to act as a spy?

Cheol Sunjik stared intently at Nam Hwaseong.

"Do you like him that much?"

"W-What are you talking about!"

As if a family secret had been exposed, Nam Hwaseong's expression, which had been trying to maintain its composure, instantly shattered.

"Why would I like that fucking bastard? He treats me like a spy every day and only makes me do chores."

He was a spy, yet he was angry about being treated as one.

Cheol Sunjik, who was quick to grasp the inner thoughts of others, could feel it.

The profound trust hidden beneath the anger and curses.

The fact that he was showing loyalty to Jin Sowoon—someone he had known for less than a year, and who had even been a fierce competitor during the standard exam—loyalty that he had never shown to Cheol Sunjik despite sticking together for over fifteen years.

Since Cheol Sunjik had lived his life never trusting anyone and never wishing for anyone's trust to begin with, he thought he would be fine seeing this.

Yet, before he knew it, a question arose.

"Are your feelings more important than the revival of your sect?"

"..."

Nam Hwaseong, who had been panting in excitement, stopped dead in his tracks.

"The cost the Samwon Sect spent on this standard exam was astronomical. They went through all sorts of trouble to get you to pass. Are you truly... planning to betray the sect that painstakingly pushed you into the academy?"

Nam Hwaseong's eyes turned chilling.

"Brother Cheol, watch your mouth."

Even though he didn't exude killing intent, a sharpness could be felt in his gaze.

"Since I participated in the standard exam, not once have I stopped thinking about my sect. I'm saying I have never once betrayed my sect for the sake of my feelings."

"Is that so?"

Cheol Sunjik was someone who did not believe in trust between people.

And he was someone who found it laughable when people exchanged such loyalty.

Yet, whenever he looked at the foolish Nam Hwaseong before him, why did a twisted feeling rear its head in his heart?

"It's a pity to say this, but Jin Sowoon will not be able to change the world with his own power alone. At best, he'll ride on the backs of the Nine Sects and One Gang to expand his own influence and that of his sect."

"..."

"There is no denying that he is an outstanding talent. But in the end, he is someone who will stop once he reaches a suitable position."

Through his duties with the delegation this time, Jin Sowoon had taken on the role of a bridgehead between the Murim Alliance and the Underworld Alliance.

The Murim Alliance would have no choice but to use him heavily.

However, even if he attained a significant position, the Murim Alliance was not the kind to give up its vested interests.

They would bestow a gift that altered the standing of the 108 Peaks to an appropriate degree, and Jin Sowoon would moderately decline before eventually accepting the gift handed down from above.

'And he will be satisfied with that.'

Just as the 108 Peaks had done for the past five hundred years.

"And that position might come at the expense of the Samwon Sect."

Cheol Sunjik stared straight into Nam Hwaseong's eyes.

Hoping that this uncomfortable feeling welling up in his chest would quickly dissipate.

"When the positions of the Taiyi Sect and the Samwon Sect are swapped, will you still be able to stand by Jin Sowoon's side?"

The Twelve Peaks and Castles were struggling desperately to change that.

They had worked hard for a painfully long time to make those who maintained their power generation after generation—acting as if they were the masters of Jianghu—realize that the natural order was not so.

Yet Jin Sowoon was putting up a massive obstacle to that representative cause.

Purely for his own benefit.

"By responding in the same way, we won't be able to change anything in the end."

"..."

"Wasn't what you desired to change this world?"

Nam Hwaseong had a simple side to him.

He would become deeply absorbed in whatever he fell into and wouldn't spare a glance at his surroundings.

Because of that, he had been able to achieve excellent accomplishments at a young age, but conversely, because he couldn't see the big picture, he couldn't accomplish great things.

"The world will change soon."

"What are you plotting? Brother Cheol."

Cheol Sunjik shook his head.

"You should be well aware that I can't tell you right now."

"..."

"When that time comes. You will have to make a choice as well."

Cheol Sunjik rolled up the long report and stood up from his seat.

"You'll have to decide what is truly for the sake of the representative cause."

He then patted Nam Hwaseong's shoulder and headed outside.

Nam Hwaseong stared at the door Cheol Sunjik had exited through for a long time.

* * *

Having finished my report as part of the delegation, I intended to head straight to the Murim Academy.

I had long since parted ways with the communication guards, and I had been planning to share my final goodbyes with Ilmyeong and Tang Seo-hee.

But...

"I'd like to see my Junior Brother Ilgak after such a long time."

"I want to sleep a little more. Mumble mumble."

... Go home to sleep!

In the end, with no other choice, we headed to the Murim Academy together.

It hadn't even been that long since I left the Murim Academy, but seeing the academy's main gate filled me with a fresh surge of emotion.

'Then again, I've spent more time away from the academy than I actually have attending it.'

There were no particular changes to the academy's facilities.

But apart from that, the atmosphere among the academy students was different from usual.

In preparation for the upcoming grade evaluation, the academy students were engaged in fierce training.

Perhaps Ilmyeong knew this, as there was a hint of pity in his gaze as he looked at the academy students.

"Everyone must be quite anxious because of the grade evaluation."

That was quite unexpected.

"Did Senior Ilmyeong also fret over the grade evaluations?"

The name Ilmyeong had been famous even before he began his activities in Jianghu.

To think that such an existence had also feared the grade evaluations... It was a fascinating feeling.

However, the answer I received was different from my expectations.

"No. It's because I witnessed everyone looking anxious every time."

Ilmyeong wore a Buddha's smile, having already transcended worldly afflictions.

"..."

Ah, for some reason, he was irritating.

It was natural for geniuses to be on the receiving end of jealousy and envy.

Just look at this—doesn't he look annoying just standing there doing nothing?

Ilmyeong looked around once and continued speaking.

"Even so, watching peers you've shared the joys and sorrows of the past year with return to their hometowns is not a very pleasant experience."

Some people would say that the academy's rules were too harsh.

They asked if there was really a need to filter out people by their grades again when getting into the academy was already so difficult.

But the Murim Alliance's underlying principle had never changed even once.

The idea that only the finest talents, sifted and filtered down, could wield authority.

This cold principle—that only those capable of enduring the weight of responsibility could bear the lives of others on their shoulders—had never changed.

'Of course, it's ironic that even after doing all that, they still got completely crushed by the Demonic Cult.'

While I was recalling my past life, Ilmyeong spoke to me with a somewhat bitter expression.

"Benefactor Sowoon, you hold the position of representative, don't you? If so, you must not be in a very pleasant mood."

"What do you mean?"

"Because I attended the academy with Yong So-ah, I didn't heavily feel everyone's expectations or the immense responsibility of being an academy representative, but as a representative of the Shaolin Sect, I was able to understand what the burden of holding a position with so much responsibility felt like."

"..."

He looked at my face once more and smiled softly.

"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have even brought it up because they wouldn't understand even if I told them... but for some reason, you seem to know, Benefactor."

I did not give a particular reply.

As I was walking toward the representative officers' office again, I heard whispers.

"Hey, isn't that the Little Buddha?"

"The person being carried looks like the White-Handed Divine Maiden, doesn't she?"

"Did the Dragon-Phoenix Summit come here?"

Even the academy students who had been training with enough focus to not notice if the world was collapsing forgot to wipe their sweat and stamped their feet excitedly as they looked this way.

Even though they had already become recognized rising stars in Jianghu just by entering the academy, to them, the previous generation of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit appeared no different from deified heroes.

I had thought the same in the past.

"Amitabha."

As if responding to the people's support, Ilmyeong gave a small bow with his palms pressed together.

At that, the academy students watching from afar universally returned the gesture, pressing their palms together.

Seeing that spineless group behavior left me dumbfounded.

Why are the disciples of Daoist sects suddenly pressing their palms together like that? Do they have no pride?

There were many people whispering from a distance, but no one easily approached us.

It was when we arrived at the building housing the representative officers' office.

"Representative Jin, you've arrived... Gasp! The people behind you are..."

"Yes, these people traveled with me..."

Before I could even finish my sentence, the academy student ran off, shouting loudly enough to make the hallway ring.

"Representative Jin has returned with the Dragon-Phoenix Summit!"

Soon, those who were working poured out and began running in this direction.

"Representative Jin!"

"Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Brother!"

All those familiar, welcoming faces came out to greet me in unison.

Right, it was only natural for me to be overshadowed by the Dragon-Phoenix Summit. But I still have these peo...

"Gasp! Senior Ilmyeong!"

"It's Senior Tang Seo-hee!"

The academy students who had been running toward me passed by me without a hint of hesitation and surrounded Ilmyeong.

What the? Can you not see...

"Seniors, what brings you here?! Please, have a seat!"

"This is crazy... Her cheeks are so pale and squishy...!"

Even though I was right in front of them, the academy students poked Tang Seo-hee's cheeks and struck up conversations with Ilmyeong, acting as if they couldn't even see me.

'Ah, I feel so damn lonely.'

I just wished they would all get lost.

* * *

"Did you successfully wrap up the business you left for?"

I nodded while savoring the scent of the Seven-Color Flower tea I had missed so much.

"Of course, of course. Who do you think I am?"

Eunho stared at me with a suspicious gaze, still seemingly finding me untrustworthy.

"There's a rumor spreading in the Underworld Murim that the Black Flame Dragon is the true rising star of the Underworld Alliance... Just what kind of bul—no, what kind of work did you do there?"

"... Is their fabrication and incitement a one-day or two-day thing? If you believe everything you hear, does that make the rumor about me being the joint successor of the Underworld Murim true as well?"

"..."

Eunho stared at me speechlessly for a moment.

I ignored his gaze as naturally as possible.

"I heard the title 'Black Flame Dragon' has changed to 'Black Maitreya'... Is that a fabrication as well??"

Pfft!

I blanked out for a moment at the fragrant scent of the Seven-Color Flower tea that I had unwittingly spat out.

"Black... Maitreya?"

"Yes, they say the Underworld figures spontaneously bowed their heads whenever the disciple of the Taiyi Sect used 'mind-reading', right?"

Crazy bastards, crazy bastards, crazy bastards.

As expected of the Underworld, they were incredibly malicious even when making up a single title.

To think they'd attach a title that would make the Buddhist sects rooted in Jianghu throw a fit upon hearing it.

It was just a very clever way of screwing me over...

Ha, could it be... did that guy Dam-ak use the scheme of killing with a borrowed sword?

"Anyway, as soon as she heard that story, Senior Sister Hong went into closed-door training, declaring she would snap her Eldest Senior Brother's legs."

Eunho briefly shivered, as if recalling Saryeon's face right before she went into closed-door training.

What the... why are you acting like that? You're making me anxious.

"You should probably brace yourself."

"..."

Entering closed-door training on her own volition was praiseworthy, but to think her motivation was to break her sky-high Eldest Senior Brother's legs.

Hmm... I was troubled over whether I should be happy about this or not.

I pressed down on my throbbing head for a moment before changing the subject.

Because thinking about it any further would only make my head hurt for no reason.

"But why is he here?"

In the corner of the office I pointed at, Yayul Geuk was staring at me with a sharp gaze.

"Do you think I came here because I wanted to!"

"..."

That bastard still acts like a shithead whenever he sees me.

"So I'm asking why you're here. You're not even part of the representative officers..."

"He is part of the representative officers."

"Huh?"

To think that bastard full of rebellious temperament was part of the representative officers.

It was as absurd as a thief working as a constable.

As I stopped drinking my Seven-Color Flower tea and made a dumbfounded expression, Eunho calmly elaborated.

"I brought him."

Huh? I trusted you because I thought you were smart, so why...

I pointed at Yayul Geuk with my chin.

"Why go out of your way for a guy who didn't even want to?"

Eunho shrugged calmly, as if it were no big deal.

"Because he's going to die soon."

"What?"

A guy I barely managed to save is going to die again?

Fucking hell, just what the hell happened at the academy while I was away.