Chapter 92 Reducing the Numbers (2)

Five boys stood before a door, expressions taut with tension.

Their eyes fixed on the door, unease evident as they swallowed dryly.

[“From now on, we’ll be quite busy. Because we have to break the legs of all the other team members except our team before the gate test.”]

At first, Mok Gyeong-un’s words had been disconcerting.

The idea of breaking other cadets’ legs before even starting the trial felt outrageous.

However, upon further thought, there was a certain logic to this strategy.

The longer the trial dragged on, the fiercer the competition would become.

But what if most competitors were eliminated beforehand?

‘Our chances will improve.’

Only a select few could be chosen by the officers.

Considering that, there was no need to be particular about methods or means.

One boy whispered, “Will it work?”

“It should.”

There were five of them, and only two people inside this room.

With the advantage in numbers, a surprise attack would make subduing them a simple task.

[You five will move together.]

[All five of us?]

[Can’t you manage alone?]

[Well, no, but…]

[The five of you, go together.]

[Wait a second. Then you, Yeom Ga, and Mo Ha-rang will be working as a team? In that case, wouldn’t it be better if we sent one or two people to support you three…]

[Why bother with such complications? We’re more than capable on our own.]

[……..]

True, those who had reached the pinnacle could handle top-tier opponents single-handedly.

It was like a puppy worrying about a tiger.

The boys exchanged glances.

“Let’s do this.”

With that, they opened the door.

***

As the door swung open, the gazes of the two boys discussing how to form a team naturally turned in that direction.

“Who is it?”

A handsome boy entered through the open door.

Recognizing the boy’s face, one of them scowled.

“You…”

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

From the very first Gateway Trial, the battle for the iron balls, he had left a strong impression on many of the boys.

One of them looked puzzled for a moment before asking hesitantly, “Are you going around gathering teammates, by any chance?”

“Aaaah. You could say that.”

With those words, Mok Gyeong-un quietly closed the door.

Seeing this, the scowling boy spoke without relaxing his expression, “Look. I have no intention of being on the same team as you.”

“Is that so?”

“So get out.”

“Hmm. That’s a problem.”

“What’s the problem? Go find people who want to team up with you. I don’t want to…”

-Smack!

Before he could finish, Mok Gyeong-un swiftly lunged forward, grabbing the boy’s head and slamming it against the bed frame.

-Thud!

“Ugh!”

Then, seizing the boy’s right arm as he tried to resist,

-Crack!

He twisted it backward.

“Arrrgh!”

The boy with the broken arm tried to scream, but Mok Gyeong-un had already covered his mouth, muffling his cries of agony.

Witnessing this scene, the other boy sitting across from them couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

He had let his guard down, never expecting a sudden attack.

“Wh-What are you doing?”

“What indeed?”

Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and firmly pressed his foot down on the writhing boy’s left leg.

-Crunch!

-Snap!

As the ankle twisted, the bone pierced through flesh and protruded out.

“Aaaaah!”

The boy’s eyes widened, bloodshot with pain as he struggled in agony.

Unable to endure it, he soon lost consciousness.

Seeing Mok Gyeong-un do this without batting an eye, the other boy, perhaps out of fear, hastily said, “I-I’ll join your team. I will, so ple…”

“It’s fine.”

“What?”

“I’ve already gathered my teammates. I’m just here to break some limbs.”

‘!?’

What’s with this guy?

So his goal from the start was to injure them?

For a moment, it seemed absurd, but the boy knew that if he didn’t flee immediately, he would end up like his unconscious companion.

-Whoosh!

He launched himself toward the door.

However,

-Grab!

“Ack!”

His body, hurtling toward the door, was abruptly yanked back as if caught by something.

In the next instant, Mok Gyeong-un’s hand gripped the back of his neck.

‘Wh-What the…’

“I’ll make it painless.”

“Wha-What…”

-Tap tap tap tap!

Before he could utter another word, the boy’s acupoints were struck, and he lost consciousness.

Laying the unconscious boy on the floor, Mok Gyeong-un stepped on his right ankle.

-Crack!

He had not merely fainted but had his acupoints sealed, so the boy did not wake up even as his leg was broken.

Looking at the boy, Mok Gyeong-un muttered, his lips twitching, “Four.”

That was the number of limbs he had broken thus far.

-Are you seriously planning to break them one by one?

Cheong-ryeong’s voice rang in Mok Gyeong-un’s ears.

To that question, Mok Gyeong-un replied nonchalantly, “Of course.”

Rather than wasting time dragging out the trial, eliminating most competitors now would render the subsequent trials unnecessary.

-Seriously, you fiend. Tsk tsk.

Cheong-ryeong clicked his tongue.

Conceiving such an idea was difficult in the first place, and even if one did, they would likely target only a few troublesome individuals.

However, Mok Gyeong-un’s thinking was on a different level.

He intended to use the time given for rest and team selection to eliminate all the other cadets.

In a way, from the moment they joined Mok Gyeong-un, misfortune had befallen this batch of Corpse Blood Valley cadets.

“Now there are sixty-four left.”

Out of a total of 80.

Among them, 4 had been taken as captives, 4 had their limbs broken by Mok Gyeong-un, and lastly, 8 were Mok Gyeong-un’s teammates, including himself.

Excluding these, 64 remained.

***

Mok Yu-cheon, immersed in cultivating his internal energy cultivation technique.

After a long period of energy circulation, when Mok Yu-cheon opened his eyes, for a fleeting moment, an uncanny aura different from his usual righteousness flashed in his gaze.

However, it vanished quickly.

‘What was that just now?’

While practicing energy circulation, Mok Yu-cheon had been enveloped by a strange sensation.

Normally, the technique would bring a sense of clarity to body and mind, but this time, he had been gripped by an unprecedented pleasure.

The instant he surrendered to that pleasure, something astonishing had occurred.

‘My energy surged suddenly.’

Out of curiosity, Mok Yu-cheon examined his danjeon.

‘!?’

His eyes widened in shock.

Because he practiced energy circulation regularly, he knew better than anyone the size of his danjeon and the level of his internal energy.

Yet, the size of his danjeon had increased slightly compared to before.

‘How can this be…’

How did this happen?

No matter how exceptional the Yeon Mok Mind Transformation Method was, could it really increase internal energy this rapidly?

At this rate, if he continued practicing diligently, he could reduce the usual cultivation time by more than half.

Just as he was about to revel in the pleasant sensation, he grew uneasy.

Experiencing this peculiar pleasure for the first time while practicing left him strangely unsettled.

‘Is this really alright?’

Doubts crept in about whether this deviation from the basic techniques was cause for concern.

He then shook his head.

This was no ordinary method but the Yeon Mok Mind Transformation Method, an exclusive cultivation technique for the Yeon Mok Manor’s heir.

Naturally, it would differ significantly from the basic techniques.

‘Right. That can’t be it.’

He had been worried that improper energy circulation might lead him down the path of mental demons, but his mind remained upright and clear.

As long as he didn’t waver, there should be no problem.

Just as he was about to resume his cultivation,

-Knock knock!

Someone rapped on the door.

“Who is it?”

There was no one who should be seeking him out at the moment.

Puzzled, he watched as someone opened the door and entered.

‘Oh?’

It was a boy with a mature appearance, almost like a young man.

The only potential flaw on his handsome face was his sharp, narrow eyes.

‘This guy…’

He recognized that face.

During the second trial, he had lost his companions and was fleeing alone when he found himself in a predicament.

At that time, a group had appeared, led by this friend who helped him.

His name was definitely…

“Mu Jang-yak!”

“Hey. You remember me well.”

“How could I forget the one who saved my life?”

Mok Yu-cheon rose from his seat and greeted him with a cupped fist salute.

In response, Mu Jang-yak waved his hands, saying, “No need for that. It’s unfitting for peers of the same age to exchange such formalities. Just greet me like a friend.”

“Still, if not for you, I…”

He might have truly lost his life there.

That was why he felt genuinely grateful.

Mu Jang-yak looked at Mok Yu-cheon, his eyes filled with interest, and said, “You… Your complexion doesn’t look too good.”

“My complexion?”

Puzzled by this, Mok Yu-cheon wanted to check his face, but the room was practically bare, with only two beds, making it impossible to do so.

“Is it that bad?”

“It has a bit of a brownish tint?”

“Brown?”

At those words, Mok Yu-cheon furrowed his brows.

This time, he had continued practicing the Yeon Mok Mind Transformation Method without stopping, and it seemed the side effects had resurfaced.

Although it concerned him, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment, so Mok Yu-cheon shook his head and said, “It’s fine. I might just be very tired.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

“Anyway, what brings you here?”

In response to Mok Yu-cheon’s question, Mu Jang-yak closed the door and spoke with a somewhat serious expression, “A small problem has arisen.”

“Problem?”

“I was supposed to meet up with a friend who agreed to be on the same team, to practice energy circulation and convene in the evening. However, he never showed up, so I went to his room and found him unconscious with a broken leg.”

“What?”

What is happened was he talking about?

As Mok Yu-cheon looked puzzled, Mu Jang-yak continued in a meaningful tone, “Suspecting something, I checked a few rooms and found others with broken legs as well.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“It seems someone has been causing trouble.”

“But why would they do that?”

“It’s rather absurd, but they’re probably trying to reduce the number of competitors in advance as much as possible.”

“By breaking everyone’s legs?”

“Precisely. There’s a prohibition on killing, but no explicit rules against injuring each other.”

“Ha!”

Mok Yu-cheon clicked his tongue at those words.

It seemed there was truly no concept of fair play in this place.

Everyone was eager to stab others in the back at any moment.

“Crazy…”

“Indeed. Definitely the work of a madman. That’s why I came to propose something to you.”

“A proposal?”

“Have you found a team yet? Or are you planning to be a team leader?”

When Mu Jang-yak asked, Mok Yu-cheon shook his head.

He had no ambitions to become a team leader anyway and had been practicing energy circulation with the intention of joining any team.

At this, Mu Jang-yak smiled faintly and said, “If you haven’t joined a team yet, would you like to join mine?”

“What?”

“Unfortunately, it seems the friend who was supposed to be on your team was taken as a captive?”

“…”

Mok Yu-cheon fell silent at his words.

He must have witnessed that.

Then Mu Jang-yak waved a hand and said, “Ah. I’m not suspecting you. If I did, I wouldn’t have made this offer in the first place. Besides, I had already proposed it back then.”

“Right. You did.”

After saving him, Mu Jang-yak had offered him a spot on his team, mentioning a vacancy.

However, at that time, Mok Yu-cheon had declined, stating that he needed to stay with his scattered teammates.

But this time, the situation was different.

“I…”

“Honestly, it would be better to join a team. I’ve already asked my teammates to gather in one room for safety.”

“Ah…”

“That way, we can watch out for each other’s well-being. What do you think?”

Faced with Mu Jang-yak’s reasonable suggestion, Mok Yu-cheon saw no reason to refuse.

Even though he had reached the pinnacle, he had noticed a few cadets with cultivation levels similar to his own, so he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

In that regard, perhaps it would be better to stick together with them, as Mu Jang-yak said.

“Alright. If you’ll have me, I’ll do my best.”

At Mok Yu-cheon’s words, Mu Jang-yak extended his hand.

“I’m the one who should be grateful. To have such an outstanding friend like you join us.”

-Clasp!

The two shook hands.

However, the moment their hands touched, Mok Yu-cheon couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘…This guy.’

He hadn’t realized it before, but the energy he sensed from Mu Jang-yak’s hand was not inferior to his own, and might even surpass it.

Perhaps Mu Jang-yak had also tried to gauge his level in that brief moment, revealing his energy and allowing Mok Yu-cheon to perceive it.

“As expected, you’re strong.”

“So are you.”

In response to Mu Jang-yak’s words, Mok Yu-cheon nodded in agreement, acknowledging the same.

Then, he asked curiously, “By the way, are you left-handed?”

The hand Mu Jang-yak had extended was his left hand, not his right.

At Mok Yu-cheon’s question, Mu Jang-yak chuckled and said, “Who knows.”

***

And so, a night passed.

Early morning, at the beginning of the chen hour (7-9 AM).

The time for selecting team leaders and members had concluded, and it was now the moment to gather in the plaza behind the dormitory.

Someone urgently knocked on the door of the Corpse Blood Valley Leader’s office.

-Bang bang!

-Leader! Leader!

At the knocking, the senior warrior assisting beside him said, “It seems they’re ready.”

“So it appears. Come in.”

Soon, a young warrior wearing a red belt entered hastily.

Noticing the warrior’s somewhat tense expression, the senior warrior, sensing something amiss, asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Well, there’s a small issue… no, a big problem has arisen.”

“A problem?”

“I think you should head to the plaza right away.”

What could have happened to warrant such a reaction?

Wondering, Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom nodded and rose from his seat.

In any case, he needed to check who had become team leaders and oversee the proceedings of the third trial, the Sword Evaluation.

And so, Lee Ji-yeom and the senior warrior followed the warrior out of the office.

They had to go to the plaza behind the dormitory building anyway.

As they arrived,

‘!?’

Both Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom and the senior warrior simultaneously halted, bewildered by the sight before them.

Only 16 individuals were present outside.

There were only two teams.

The senior warrior frowned and asked the warrior, “Why are only these kids here?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Speak quickly.”

“Well, that’s…”

“Speak quickly.”

Urged by the senior warrior, the warrior spoke with a troubled expression while glancing at the dormitory, “The rest are all unable to participate in this trial due to broken legs.”

“What?”

For a moment, the senior warrior doubted his own ears. All the absent individuals had their legs broken?

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“…I checked a few rooms, and those who truly couldn’t come out all had broken legs.”

“How on earth…”

As the senior warrior reacted in disbelief, the gaze of Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom, visible through the gaps in his mask, turned toward someone standing in the plaza with his hands clasped behind his back, unlike the senior warrior.

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

Lee Ji-yeom recalled the words Mok Gyeong-un had spoken yesterday.

[Would it be alright if I reduced the number of people a little?]

Were there fellows that needed to be kept in check separately for the trials? Well, if that was the case,

[As long as you adhere to the constraints, there won’t be significant issues.]

[Oh-ho. That’s quite fortunate.]

He had said that, but to think Mok Gyeong-un would go this far.

‘Isn’t this a little… excessive?’