Chapter 50: Escape is in the Order of Intelligence (1)

Chapter 49 – Escape is in the Order of Intelligence (1)

Namgung Geom sneered inwardly.

A mission in Mount Huang.

What nonsense.

If an organization like the Blue Wave Corps had moved on a mission, there was no way he would not have known about it.

Especially if it was in the vicinity of Mount Huang.

Although the family’s fortunes had declined significantly, he was not yet out of touch with the surrounding news.

Was it not the Namgung Clan that had once ruled the world?

Although they were currently shunned by the Martial Alliance, there were still many people in the world who covertly cooperated with them.

Even conceding a hundred times that he had received a real mission, what reason did the Captain of the Blue Wave Corps have to specifically visit the clan house to report on Namgung Cheon?

Furthermore, stopping by in passing to deliver information meant, after all, that there had been no change in Namgung Cheon’s personal circumstances.

Ultimately, the Captain of the Blue Wave Corps coming here meant that he had something he was aiming for.

It was not difficult to deduce this much.

After all, Namgung Geom was someone who had once worked his way up from the bottom of the Martial Alliance to the top leadership position.

Although he had never actively engaged in politics and scheming, he had seen and heard their machinations so much that his eyes and ears were worn out.

Who did he think he was trying to deceive?

Namgung Geom’s eyes narrowed.

Although the boldness of this young captain felt commendable, at the same time, it was laughable to the point of being unpleasant.

The rudeness of entering the backyard at will in the beginning was probably also intended to provoke his emotions and hinder a calm response.

That was why he paid even less mind to it.

In any case, a Golden Blood Rat.

Catching it was surprising enough, but to think he had consumed it. Furthermore, he was completely fine.

Although there was more than one thing he was curious about, Namgung Geom’s expression remained as unshakeable as Murong Sin’s.

Because of this, Murong Sin was inwardly troubled.

‘He is truly a block of ice.’

He had heard of Namgung Geom’s temperament, so he knew about it.

But was he not human too?

He had thought that if he shook up his psychology at the beginning, some openings would be created.

That was why he committed the rudeness of entering the backyard without permission. To shake his composure as much as possible and induce a mistake.

But what was this, was he not a block of wood or stone?

Had there been another opponent who had made him this troubled recently?

At the same time, he also felt deflated.

Because the answer had come out too easily.

Murong Sin wore a bitter smile.

“So that was it. I have heard that you were active as a member of the Spirit-Tracking Corps long ago.”

Instead of answering, Namgung Geom just continued what he had to say.

“It seems he passed the second trial even after killing the spiritual beast.”

The bitterness in Murong Sin’s smile deepened.

How should he explain this?

Although they had killed the Golden Blood Rat, was it not his younger brother who brought it back?

In the end, putting aside these complex circumstances, he just summarized the main point.

“Although it is unprecedented, he did not break the rules.”

“It will be revised in the future.”

“It will be so.”

While nodding, Murong Sin clicked his tongue inwardly.

The flow of the conversation naturally shifted to a general issue of regulations.

Indeed. Since Namgung Geom said he had personally taught the method of consumption, there was nothing more that could be done about it.

Even so, he could not go back empty-handed like this.

Knowing it was rude, Murong Sin openly threw another question.

“I thought you turned away from him because he is the child of the Great Killing Star, but it seems that is not the case.”

“In your eyes, is that child also a Great Killing Star?”

“That is…”

Namgung Geom’s gaze was like a blade.

How could there be such a situation?

In an instant, the offense and defense were reversed with a single word.

Namgung Geom stared intently at Murong Sin.

How dare he try to sound him out.

‘If you want to peer into this old man’s heart, you will have to roll around for ten more years.’

Of course, even when that time came, it would not be easy.

Namgung Geom asked again in a calm but icy voice.

“Is that child also a Great Killing Star?”

“I think… not.”

“I see.”

While Namgung Geom replied indifferently, Bok-seong brought out tea.

Namgung Geom lifted his teacup and casually offered.

“Drink.”

“Thank you.”

“What was your mission in Mount Huang?”

“I am sorry, it is classified.”

“Classified. I see.”

When Namgung Geom chuckled, Murong Sin narrowed his eyes.

“Why is that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Because you laughed.”

“It is nothing. I just found your answer amusing.”

“How so…?”

“Did you not say you came because of a mission, while claiming it was classified?”

“…!”

“…”

“Only the details are classified.”

As Namgung Geom drank his tea in silence, Murong Sin grew irritated inwardly.

He had come to expose Namgung Geom’s inner thoughts, but it seemed he was about to reveal his own completely.

He was definitely not an easy opponent. No, he was extremely difficult to deal with and hard to read.

Even so, he had to dig up something.

“But how did you end up teaching him the method of consuming the Golden Blood Rat?”

“Well, it was so long ago that I do not remember.”

“Speaking of which, there is a rumor that Namgung Cheon also lost his memory…”

“There must be things he remembers partially.”

Murong Sin slightly twisted the corner of his mouth.

He carefully observed Namgung Geom’s expression, but there was no change.

Instead, Namgung Geom cast his usual chilly gaze and spoke indifferently.

“You have a lot of interest in that child.”

“After all, not only did he boldly pull off something unprecedented, but passing the first trial in first place is also surprising. Moreover, since he was known to have lived as a pushover in the Academy all this time, one cannot help but be interested in such an anomaly.”

He deliberately threw provocative words, but Namgung Geom only snorted coldly.

“There is nothing in the Jianghu as futile as the word ‘anomaly’.”

“Then are you not surprised, Elder?”

“Even if you were to die right here on this spot, I would not be surprised.”

“…!”

“Now that a child who was dead has come back to life, what is there to be surprised about?”

Was that… what he meant?

Murong Sin was quite displeased that he had used his own death as an example, but he did not show it.

Showing his emotions here would be tantamount to his defeat. Like Namgung Geom did, he had to brush it off calmly.

“Hearing that, you are right.”

“You must have a long way to go.”

It was a politely phrased request to leave.

Realizing there was nothing more to dig up, Murong Sin also rose from his seat and clasped his hands.

“Thank you for the tea.”

“I will not see you out.”

“Then, I wish you good health.”

After showing his respects, Murong Sin led his subordinates and left the backyard.

Namgung Hwa, who had returned after seeing them off, finally let out the breath she had been holding.

She could tell.

That dozens of sharp blades had been exchanged in the conversation between the two.

Because of that strange tension, it was difficult to even breathe easily.

Looking at Namgung Geom’s still icy face, Namgung Hwa cautiously opened her mouth.

“Father…?”

“They are watching that child.”

“Is it a bad sign after all?”

“If it were in a good light, there would be no reason for them to come all the way here.”

“Just how did Cheon-ie catch a Golden Blood Rat? And to think he is fine even after consuming it…”

Namgung Hwa regretted asking the question immediately.

How would her father know either?

Namgung Geom remained silent for a long time before speaking heavily.

“It will be fine.”

“You said the Alliance is watching him in a bad light.”

“That is true. However, that child set up the entire board himself.”

“What do you mean? Cheon-ie deliberately made the Martial Alliance watch him?”

“Indeed.”

“Why do you think so…”

As she spoke, Namgung Hwa paused belatedly.

Ah… was that it?

Looking back, the one who created this entire situation was Namgung Cheon.

After all, first place in the first trial and hunting the Golden Blood Rat were not outcomes that just happened by chance, were they? Furthermore, with such results, it was only natural for the Martial Alliance to pay attention.

For some reason, Namgung Cheon had become the protruding nail. As if inviting them to strike it as hard as they could.

Namgung Geom muttered like a monologue with an unreadable expression.

“That fellow has begun his fight with the world.”

* * *

The day before the third trial began.

Namgung Cheon entered a tavern near the Martial Alliance with his teammates.

Since it was their final rest, he had ended up being pushed by his teammates’ insistence to have a light drink and enjoy some leisure time.

However, hearing a familiar voice inside the tavern, he turned his head and saw Song Won-gyo and Baekli Hyang sitting with other cadets.

Yun Jong-seung flinched reflexively and muttered.

“Why are those guys here…”

At that, Jin So-hong said nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you know? They also passed up to the second trial with fairly decent results.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Yun Jong-seung nod his head.

He had thought that since Jo Gang-min was absent from the Joint Conference due to his injury, Song Won-gyo and Baekli Hyang would naturally have been absent as well.

Since they had passed the first trial by pure, bewildering luck, he had not known about their existence, and in the second trial, he was so tense because of the incident where they killed the Golden Blood Rat that he did not have the leeway to look around.

In any case, since they were the two who used to treat him like a pushover, he could not possibly feel pleased.

After trying his best to ignore them, they took a seat by the window and ordered food.

Just then, Song Won-gyo and Baekli Hyang were whispering something while glancing at this direction.

Those sitting with them were cadets of the Righteous Chivalry Academy, who seemed to be their teammates.

Yun Jong-seung kept glancing over because it bothered him, and ended up making eye contact with Song Won-gyo.

“Jong-seung! Come over here!”

Song Won-gyo gestured and called him.

Instantly, a look of frustration washed over Yun Jong-seung’s face.

‘What are those bastards trying to do now…’

With a stiff expression, Yun Jong-seung looked at Namgung Cheon and Paeng Su-hyeok, hoping for a helping hand.

However, Namgung Cheon and Paeng Su-hyeok did not even pay attention, as if it was none of their business.

Indeed, had they ever stopped him when he was acting like a pushover?

The reason Song Won-gyo called him without minding those two was probably the same.

Clenching his fists tightly, Yun Jong-seung reluctantly stood up and approached Song Won-gyo.

“Did… you call?”

“Yeah, you bastard. Why are you so slow?”

Smack.

Out of habit, Song Won-gyo smacked the back of Yun Jong-seung’s head.

Yun Jong-seung grit his teeth and glared at Song Won-gyo.

‘You motherfucker…!’

Although he clenched his fists in a sudden fit of anger, he quickly tucked his tail between his legs upon seeing Song Won-gyo’s glaring eyes.

Learned fear.

Just looking at Song Won-gyo’s fierce eyes made his entire body stiffen like a mouse frozen in front of a venomous snake.

Yun Jong-seung asked in a slightly intimidated voice.

“Why… did you call?”

“Brother Dokgo here says he has something to ask you.”

Turning his gaze, the cadet who was sitting crookedly on his chair smirked and stood up.

“Nice to meet you. I am Dokgo Jin.”

“I am Yun Jong-seung.”

Yun Jong-seung replied with a reluctant expression.

If he was Dokgo Jin, he must be a child of the Dokgo Clan, which belonged to the Ten Great Clans of the Jianghu.

Dokgo Jin, whose eyes were slanted like a weasel’s, chuckled and asked.

“By the way, is it true?”

“What is true?”

“They say you are the official pushover of Dragon Heaven Academy.”

Having spat out those words, Dokgo Jin snickered openly in his face, and Song Won-gyo and Baekli Hyang also wore sneers.

As Yun Jong-seung clenched his fists tightly, Dokgo Jin approached and patted his shoulder.

“Ah, do not take it so hard.”

“Is that what you wanted to ask?”

“Of course not. That would make me extremely impolite.”

“Then what is it?”

“To be precise, it is about that fellow.”

Dokgo Jin gestured toward Namgung Cheon with his chin and continued speaking.

“I heard that the original official pushover was Namgung Cheon sitting over there. What do you think? Do you have any intention of handing back the title of pushover this time?”

“What do you mean by that?”

As Yun Jong-seung frowned, Song Won-gyo struck the back of his head hard once again.

Smack!

“Why the hell can’t you understand what is being said, you bastard?”

Then, he suddenly put his arm around Yun Jong-seung’s shoulders and whispered quietly in his ear.

“If you just cooperate, I promise you. I will never treat you like a pushover ever again for the rest of your life.”