Chapter 9: Hand Over Everything You Have (2)
Chapter 8 – Hand Over Everything You Have (2)
“Argh…!”
“Groan…!”
The masked men, covered in wounds, lay sprawled out here and there, groaning incessantly.
Namgung Cheon swept his gaze over the masked men and turned toward Yun Jong-seung.
“Gasp!”
Yun Jong-seung, whose eyes happened to lock with his, stumbled, unable to control his trembling legs.
‘At least he didn’t wet himself.’
Namgung Cheon thought to himself, feeling somewhat impressed, and asked.
“You, what did you say earlier?”
“Huh? W-when?”
“When I told you to step back.”
“Ah, t-that was… because I wanted to help, too…”
“Is that so?”
“O-of course! W-we are friends, aren’t we! Now, let’s t-take what these guys have!”
“You bastard…”
As Yun Jong-seung stared with a tense expression, Namgung Cheon smiled broadly.
“For once, that’s a brilliant idea.”
“R-right? Hehe.”
Yun Jong-seung rushed forward and began frantically searching the pockets of the masked men. A few of the masked men looked at Yun Jong-seung with dumbfounded eyes.
But what could they do?
If he didn’t do at least this right now, there was no telling what Namgung Cheon would do to him.
A fairly heavy money pouch came out of the masked men’s pockets.
Namgung Cheon nodded with a satisfied expression.
“With this much, we might even be able to get a double-horse carriage.”
“I-I guess so.”
Yun Jong-seung let out an awkward laugh.
‘Damn it! That money wasn’t prepared for you!’
His insides were burning with anxiety, but there was nothing he could do.
Namgung Cheon strode over to the masked men.
“Let’s take a look at your faces.”
At that moment, Yun Jong-seung flinched.
If it was revealed that they were people from the Mount Huang Yun Clan, it would be a disaster in many ways.
Yun Jong-seung quickly blocked him.
“W-wait a minute!”
“What is it?”
“Ah, n-no, I mean… if we see their faces for no reason, it might cause troublesome things! What if these guys chase us to the end to kill us…”
“Then let’s just kill them all right now.”
“Gasp…! T-that might be even more dangerous… We don’t know how many more there are in their gang. What if they pursue us from their mountain fortress to seek revenge…”
Yun Jong-seung babbled whatever came to mind.
Namgung Cheon thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
“Then let’s do this. Let’s keep their faces covered and use them as servants.”
“Huh?”
“We can make them drive the carriage or run errands until we reach the academy.”
“W-would these guys… obey obediently?”
“That’s up to you. You manage them. If even a single one escapes, you will take responsibility.”
“Responsibility… H-how?”
“One way or another, of course.”
When Namgung Cheon flashed a somewhat chilling smile, Yun Jong-seung’s hair stood on end.
Yun Jong-seung, who suddenly had to use his clan’s retainers as servants, swallowed hard.
“I-I get it. I’ll manage somehow.”
“You really are a good friend.”
Namgung Cheon patted Yun Jong-seung on the shoulder.
* * *
Wuhan, where the Martial Alliance was located.
A double-horse carriage slowly crossed the bustling main street.
However, it was a somewhat strange sight as the servants, including the coachman, all wore bamboo hats pulled down low and covered their faces with cloths.
Riding inside the carriage, Namgung Cheon looked at the passing scenery outside the window and asked.
“So you’re saying there are three academies in Wuhan?”
“Yeah. The Valiant Martial Academy under the Martial Alliance, the Righteous Chivalry Academy created by clans pooling their wealth, and the Dragon Heaven Academy that we attend. The Valiant Martial Academy has the most disciples from the Nine Great Sects, and the Righteous Chivalry Academy is full of rising stars from the Murong Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan, so their spirits are high. But do you really not remember any of it?”
“I don’t.”
Namgung Cheon replied half-heartedly, keeping his gaze outside.
Well, he did feel like he had heard of it.
However, his past life had been a tiring one where his neck might be severed if he closed his eyes. Because of that, he had no room to care about academies that kids attended.
Of course, if he had known about his son’s existence earlier, the story would have been different.
“In short, out of those three, the Dragon Heaven Academy is at the very bottom.”
“T-that may be true, but looking at the Jianghu as a whole, it is a magnificent academy that ranks in the top three. Its history and tradition are also the deepest!”
“Look at you holding onto your pride. So, what do they teach at the academy?”
He had been curious about it since long ago.
Why on earth did the rising stars of each sect or clan go to an academy?
If it was for martial arts, there was no need to go to an academy when they had their own sects.
Besides, wasn’t it ridiculous for a martial artist to attend an academy specifically to learn academic studies?
One way or another, people of the Jianghu ultimately lived by the sword. If they had time to study academics, swinging a sword hilt one more time was the way to survive in the law of the jungle that was the Jianghu.
Yun Jong-seung shrugged and answered with what he knew.
“Well… we learn about the major and minor affairs of the Jianghu. In particular, we study the organizational structure and tasks of the Martial Alliance. We also learn the work of escort agencies and currency exchanges. We occasionally participate in subjugation squads to gain practical combat experience.”
“In short, rather than martial arts, you learn how to clean up after the Martial Alliance.”
“S-still, there are many good opportunities to gain combat experience. You can also learn the formations used by the Martial Alliance.”
“Well, I get the gist of it. It seems we’ve almost arrived.”
The passing scenery outside the window had definitely slowed down.
Accordingly, the number of people coming and going on the street had also increased.
Judging by their neat martial robes and youthful appearances, a few of them seemed to be cadets heading to the academy like them.
They cast brief, curious glances at the luxurious carriage before quickly looking away.
Yun Jong-seung watched Namgung Cheon’s reaction before opening his mouth with difficulty.
“Um…”
“…?”
“Could you keep it a secret?”
“What?”
“I mean… that I l-lost in the duel…”
Namgung Cheon frowned for a moment, then quickly understood.
Indeed.
Until recently, hadn’t Namgung Cheon been the official pushover of the Dragon Heaven Academy?
He probably knew that if word got out that he had been beaten to a pulp by such a pushover, his life would become miserable.
You live a tiring life, too.
“Alright. I’ll keep it a secret for now.”
“R-really? Thank you! Thank you so much!”
As Yun Jong-seung bowed his head repeatedly, Namgung Cheon nodded arrogantly, as if showing the widest tolerance in the world.
“In exchange, tell me the backgrounds of the guys I’m going to see.”
* * *
The first night spent at the Dragon Heaven Academy was smoother than expected.
There were no instances of windows being broken in the middle of the night or being subjected to group beatings as he had usually heard from Bok-seong, nor did he get drenched with water or kidnapped.
However, perhaps conscious of the fact that he was the child of the Great Killing Star, everyone pretended not to notice Namgung Cheon even when they saw him.
Far from talking to him, they didn’t even make eye contact.
He was truly like invisible air.
Well, there was nothing bad about it.
Since Namgung Cheon also wanted to avoid troublesome matters.
However, the peace did not last very long.
It was the next day, just as Namgung Cheon entered the Hoyeon Pavilion to attend class.
“Did you hear? The news that the world’s Great Killing Star kicked the bucket?”
When Namgung Cheon turned his head, he saw a youth with a decent appearance speaking to Yun Jong-seung over there.
The youth glanced at Namgung Cheon briefly, then raised his voice as if wanting him to hear.
“Since that trash-like bastard kicked the bucket, isn’t it a joyous occasion for the Martial World?”
“Brother S-Song is right.”
Yun Jong-seung sneakily glanced at Namgung Cheon’s reaction and replied in a low voice.
Brother Song, is it?
Then is that gigolo-looking bastard Song Won-gyo, the Young Sect Leader of the Zhengzhou Sect in Henan Province?
He was told that although he was a year older, they entered the academy at the same time.
‘Then the one next to him must be Baekli Hyang, who is called the First Beauty of Henan.’
Baekli Hyang, the only daughter of the Baekli Clan, which had been rapidly expanding its influence lately.
Her beauty was certainly outstanding.
A sculpted face, alabaster skin, and a mature body that did not suit her age.
No wonder rumors circulated that even Shaolin monks would drool on their wooden fish blocks upon seeing her.
Just as bees gather around a beautiful flower, there were several men around her, not just Song Won-gyo.
‘It seems the youngsters these days pour their internal energy into grooming their looks.’
As Namgung Cheon smirked coldly, the complexion of Baekli Hyang, who had briefly locked eyes with him, turned ice-cold.
She stared directly at Namgung Cheon and spoke.
“It’s truly a relief. Because of that vicious devil, this break was exceptionally long.”
“Indeed. However, my heart only aches because there was also an instructor who died at his hands. I wanted to tear that fellow to death with my own hands if possible.”
Song Won-gyo spoke with a feigned sorrowful expression.
He was intentionally saying he would tear his father to death right in front of the kid.
But more than that…
‘Huh? Was there an instructor who died by my hands?’
Namgung Cheon also learned this for the first time.
Well.
Since the Martial Alliance had mobilized so many people, one or two instructors from this place might have been mixed among those he sliced up with his blade.
For now, Namgung Cheon ignored them and sat down.
Only then did Song Won-gyo approach with his arms wide open, as if just noticing Namgung Cheon.
“Ah, look who it is. Isn’t this Young Master Namgung of the Great Namgung Clan?”
At his exceptionally exaggerated tone and gestures, several cadets giggled.
Namgung Cheon quietly watched Song Won-gyo’s actions.
“I’m glad to meet you again like this. According to the rumors, you attempted suicide? Are you doing a bit better now?”
“As you can see.”
As Namgung Cheon replied coldly, the expressions of Song Won-gyo and Baekli Hyang froze slightly.
Something was different.
Previously, Namgung Cheon would fidget like a puppy that needed to relieve itself just by locking eyes with them, but now, his overall vibe was like that of a different person.
Leaving aside his arrogant tone, even the look in his eyes was unusual.
However, Baekli Hyang quickly spoke as if she understood.
“Oh right, you lost your memory, didn’t you? How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine so far.”
It was blatant informal speech.
Baekli Hyang’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
By this point, the other cadets also turned to look this way with slightly tense expressions.
Baekli Hyang approached with a beam, gently grabbed Namgung Cheon’s wrist, and whispered.
“No, not how you’re feeling now, you retard. I asked how it felt when you slit this wrist of yours.”
“…”
“Did you see your dad’s face in hell? Ah, was that murderer still alive back then? Then what about your mother who kicked the bucket first? Did she save good spots for you and your dad in hell?”
Namgung Cheon was speechless for a moment.
It seemed this pretty-faced girl had a mouth like a sewer.
Since it was so absurd, he didn’t even feel angry.
The moment Namgung Cheon was about to say something, Baekli Hyang suddenly stood up and let out an exclamation.
“Oh my, is that really true?”
What’s wrong with her? This crazy bitch.
While Namgung Cheon furrowed his brows, Baekli Hyang spoke in a fully excited voice.
“Since the world’s great devil is dead, Young Master Namgung is going to treat everyone today?”
“Ho, is that really true, Young Lady?”
Look at this.
As Song Won-gyo asked as if they had coordinated their lines, Baekli Hyang turned to him and replied.
“Yes, to celebrate the death of that vicious great devil, Young Master Namgung said he would buy chilled chicken noodle soup and meat dumplings for all of us in the second-year Blue Dragon Class.”
“Wow, Junior Namgung has truly become a decent person after coming back from the dead. And here I was worried that he might try to defend even a piece of trash like that just because he’s his father.”
Look at these guys.
The youngsters these days were certainly cunning.
A method of naturally making the class cadets take their side while completely isolating the target of harassment.
Instead of just trampling on one person, everyone shared the benefits.
Wasn’t this exactly the same situation he had faced in his past life?
It was truly a miniature version of the heartless Jianghu.
Furthermore, forcing the child to buy food to celebrate the death of his father?
It was clear blackmail.
A threat that if he refused here, they would brand him as a relative defending the public enemy of the Martial World, the Great Killing Star.
My son, did you endure day after day in this kind of environment?