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Chapter 381. Flooding Waves (6)
In my past life, the first signs of the Murim Alliance's fracture had begun with the Sichuan Blood Calamity.
While the Alliance dithered over whether to intervene, the Blood Cult had completely reclaimed the Sichuan region.
The Alliance panicked and moved belatedly, but both the Alliance itself and the Orthodox Path murim of Sichuan suffered devastating losses.
From that point onward, the conflict between the Orthodox Path Association — centered on the Tang Clan, which was based in Sichuan — and the Righteous Path Association of the Nine Sects and One Gang had spiraled to its peak.
The two factions' simmering confrontation ultimately reached a perfect rupture with the death of Jegal So-myeong.
Еn̊u ḿӑ. і d̀
Because the only fulcrum capable of mediating between the rival powers had vanished.
If Hyeok Mu-gang was the symbolic figurehead of the Murim Alliance on the surface, then Jegal So-myeong was the one who, beneath that shadow, meticulously adjusted the web-like power dynamics of the murim with spider-silk precision.
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His death brought grief to the entire murim while simultaneously becoming the catalyst for the Alliance's collapse.
The factional militarization of the martial pavilions — the very thing Jegal So-myeong had struggled so hard to prevent — began as though it had been waiting for the moment he drew his last breath.
In the end, it escalated to the point where each pavilion expelled members belonging to rival factions.
As the pavilions became partisan strongholds, the Alliance ceased to function as a single, unified power and took on the form of a coalition of private organizations.
Wеbn̈о vе l̇ Ё ň ũm а
This naturally made competition both within and beyond the Murim Alliance all the more brutal.
By the time the Alliance had been ground to ruin —
The Demonic Cult revealed itself and launched its conquest of the murim.
'......So what I'm saying is, that hellscape is about to unfold all over again.'
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The graduation ceremony, which should have been a joyous occasion for all, had concluded successfully — yet I couldn't be with my sect's people.
Setting aside the White Wolf Pavilion assignment, the realization that the fate of Jegal So-myeong's death, which I'd believed I'd changed, was once again in motion left my head spinning.
Êňu m̃ a. і d
Je Geum-hak and the Phantom Five Demons had assassinated Jegal So-myeong in my past life.
And in this life, Je Geum-hak was dead. By my hand.
Had Je Geum-hak's death alone not been enough to alter Jegal So-myeong's fate?
If so — who would come in his place?
No — even if no replacement appeared, the danger was extreme.
The Flame Demon Ghost-Eye Unit I'd encountered while rescuing Murong Sang-won. Within that very unit, the Phantom Five Demons were an elite cadre composed solely of those whose successful assassination count exceeded three digits.
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The appearance of one meant the other four were already in position.
The bigger problem was that I still didn't know the other four's disguised faces.
The terror of having to accept that the single most critical future event hadn't changed engulfed my entire body.
Just as the swelling dread threatened to consume me and drag me into paralysis —
SLAP—
I gritted my teeth and struck both my cheeks.
W̌е b̊ no̊ v̇ еl̈ Е̊ n ŭ m̆a
My face stung and my mind snapped awake.
It wasn't over yet.
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No — it hadn't even begun.
'Who the hell said you could?'
I had absolutely no intention of standing by and watching the Murim Alliance fracture after Jegal So-myeong's death.
What had I come all this way for?
Ẅе b̂ nо́v̈e̊l Én̈ú m̀ӓ
I gathered the equipment I'd set aside for the graduation ceremony, piece by piece.
I donned the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe and fitted the Flying Dragon Claw.
I slipped on the Red Phoenix Bracelet, strapped on the Devouring Gauntlet, and pulled my sleeves down over them.
Last, I belted on the Red Radiance Sword.
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And I steeled my heart.
If those bastards intended to push their plan through with ruthless determination —
Ẇ е_b̊ n_o v̌ е̃l E_n ü m а̊
Then I would obstruct their plan with vicious tenacity.
Having filled most of my previous life with the toxic fumes of despair and regret, there was no way I'd lose to them.
I steeled my heart once more.
***
Hao Gate, Wuhan Branch.
"Here...... this is the target's movements over the past day, as you requested."
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What the Branch Chief handed over was a surveillance log on one of the Phantom Five Demons.
The day before, the instant I'd spotted him, I'd summoned the Hao Gate and requested a tail.
Thanks to that, I already had a movement map.
"I'm sorry for the rush."
The Branch Chief waved it off.
"Think nothing of it. If it is what our 'Guest Retainer' wishes, this is nothing at all."
Еn̆ú m̀ а
"Thank you regardless."
I offered a small money pouch, but he slid it back toward me and asked.
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"......Might I inquire as to who this individual is?"
A request for information instead of payment.
I couldn't open my mouth easily.
Because nothing about this man could be revealed.
Ẅѐ b̂_ň оv̈ el Е̂ n u̇ m а̂
If future intelligence originated from me — if I became the traceable source — then the arrow of that information would inevitably circle back to me someday.
I silently pushed the money pouch toward the Branch Chief again.
He understood my intent at once and tucked it away.
"Forgive me for the impertinent question."
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"You only did what was natural. No need to apologize."
While reading the log, I focused on the names of the noteworthy individuals.
Е̂nu m̈а̃
"This person...... what connection does he have to Wudang?"
Most of the people the target had met over the course of the day were connected to the Wudang Sect.
The Branch Chief tilted his head as though surprised I didn't already know.
"The target you asked us to track — isn't he Wind Master Song Baek, a Wudang lay affiliate?"
"......This person was Wind Master Song Baek?"
"You didn't know?"
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I hadn't.
That this man was Wind Master Song Baek.
That Wind Master Song Baek...... was one of the Phantom Five Demons.
Then again, in my past life I'd been a greenhorn who'd only just arrived at the Murim Alliance, and I wouldn't learn of Wind Master Song Baek's 'disappearance' until years later.
"If this individual is that important, I can assign more people."
In a situation where nothing but sighs came out, the Branch Chief's words made my eyes flash.
Е ǹ um а . і d̆
"How so?"
"Well...... it's a bit risky, but we could put tails on everyone this man meets. And on everyone those people meet as well."
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"Is that feasible?"
"If you wish it, it is feasible."
I thought it over. If Wind Master Song Baek was one of the Phantom Five Demons — if he was plotting to assassinate Jegal So-myeong with the others......
He would certainly meet 'another Phantom Five Demon' in person to discuss matters.
W̊еb nо̂ v ѐ l Е n üm̂ӑ
But even in a single day, the man met a flood of people, and checking every last one was a waste of manpower by any measure.
The fastest, most efficient way to narrow it down......
"Then please exclude Wudang Sect's direct-line disciples. The same goes for high officials who've advanced to the central government and their children."
"Could it be...... that Wind Master Song Baek is not actually Wind Master Song Baek? Would I be tactless to ask?"
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"......"
"It's just that you seem to be looking for individuals whose positions would make it easier to fabricate an identity."
E ñu ma
As expected of a Hao Gate Branch Chief — that level of insight came with the territory.
Since it wasn't critical intelligence, I nodded.
"That's correct."
"I don't know the details, but this is a dangerous individual — or situation."
"Yes. So please pass the word not to push too hard, to avoid innocent casualties."
"We will exercise the utmost caution."
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***
I'd made my request of the Hao Gate, but I didn't hold much hope that their surveillance net would snare the Phantom Five Demons.
In fact, the more I fixated on that net, the more I feared that Jegal So-myeong might be killed while my attention was diverted.
These people's unpredictability had always outstripped the Murim Alliance's predictions.
The most maddening part was that I alone knew the tragic future, and I had at least ten hands I needed to block.
'Should I just act crazy and stick to the Grand Strategist's side?'
Ӗ n̈_um̊ a
Of course, shadowing him around the clock would be the most reassuring option, but I didn't think that was realistic.
He wouldn't believe me if I told him his life was in danger, and even if he did, he wasn't the type to keep an Academy student at his side.
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To put it bluntly, when Jegal So-myeong died in my past life, not a single person believed it was the work of an outside attack.
Consider how many formations were laid across the Murim Alliance, the thousands of masters who lived there, the hundreds of guards on watch around the clock.
On top of that, with more than four dedicated bodyguards attached to Jegal So-myeong at all times — who could possibly conceive that an external intrusion had led to murder?
It had served only as an accelerant, naturally driving everyone to suspect one another.
Ѐn̈ûm а́ .id̆
In any case, the only way I could spend prolonged time near Jegal So-myeong was to enter the Mantongbu — but having declared I wouldn't join the Mantongbu and having skipped the exam entirely, the idea of me loitering there was absurd.
Even on the off chance that the exam-bombing Eun-ho got into the Mantongbu, his level wouldn't stand a chance against the Phantom Five Demons.
As unsolvable problems chained together one after another and my head threatened to burst —
"What are you agonizing over so hard?"
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An unexpected voice reached me.
"......Senior Dang? Urgh......"
Ẅе́ b̆n̂ оv̊ e̊ l̆ Ё ṅu m̈ а̊
Suddenly, something was shoved into my mouth.
Candied fruit.
"Sweet things help when your head hurts."
"......How did you find me here?"
"Congratulating you on your graduation. Chew it well before you swallow."
A candied fruit as a graduation gift.
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Only someone like Dang Seo-hui could get away with something this absurd......
'Wait!'
In that instant, a thunderbolt struck inside my head.
"Senior Dang!"
"......Why is your gaze so strange?"
Dang Seo-hui, feral as a wild cat, backed away two steps as though she'd sensed something.
Еn̊ǔm а.
Right — I'd gotten too excited.
She was someone who, if approached calmly, could easily be 'moved' to action.
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"Senior Dang. What do you think makes a true chivalrous hero?"
"A chivalrous hero?"
At my solemn tone, Dang Seo-hui, who'd been retreating, stopped in her tracks.
"Can someone who merely flings chopsticks at tavern ruffians truly be called a chivalrous hero?"
W е̄ b n̄ о v̈ е̇ l̆ Е̃ nǔ mа̃
"......Are you saying I'm not a chivalrous hero?"
"No. You are a chivalrous hero, Senior Dang. Just not a 'true' chivalrous hero."
"......"
To the pouty-faced Dang Seo-hui, I told the story of the past-life Breaking Bow — that is, Murong Jae-hwa.
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"He...... burned himself away for everyone's sake, in a place no one saw, without saying a word. Isn't that a true chivalrous hero?"
"......"
Е̌ nů m̈ а . ǐd
The moment I saw the faint heat kindle in Dang Seo-hui's eyes — having even forgotten to eat her candied fruit — I was certain.
'This is going to work.'
The joy that such an absurd pitch had actually landed lasted only a moment.
I quickly rearranged my expression into one of grave sincerity.
And waited.
For Dang Seo-hui to want to become a true chivalrous hero.
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Sure enough.
By now, all thoughts of candied fruit had vanished from her mind. Dang Seo-hui's eyes shone with quiet resolve as she asked.
"What must I do...... to become a true chivalrous hero?"
I barely managed to suppress the corners of my mouth from rising, and answered with weight on every word.
"From this moment on, you must not leave the Grand Strategist's side for a single instant."
"The reason?"
Еn̈ũ m a_
"I cannot say. It's classified."
For a moment, Dang Seo-hui's eyes wavered with confusion.
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I gripped both her shoulders and stared straight into her eyes.
"A true chivalrous hero burns in silence even without knowing the reason."
Her clear gaze steadied once more.
I tightened my grip.
Е̇n̈um̌ă
"Are you ready to be reborn as a true chivalrous hero?"
"Yes!! Yes!!!"
Dang Seo-hui nodded vigorously, several times over.
"......"
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Tch, why do I feel uneasy?
With Dang Seo-hui, no one would think twice about her latching onto Jegal So-myeong.
Е ǹum а̃ .іd̄
After all, the only person in existence insane enough...... ahem, extraordinary and singular enough to throw that kind of fit was Dang Seo-hui.
Her skill was beyond reproach, too.
In other words, Dang Seo-hui was the best possible countermeasure against an assassination attempt by the Phantom Five Demons.
Any way I looked at it, she was the only option available right now.
'Right, Senior Dang is the one.'
I shook off my hesitation and patted her shoulder.
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"The murim will never forget the heroic deeds of the Great Hero Dang!"
"Great...... Hero......?!!!"
"It will never be forgotten! Great Hero Dang!!"
"By your command!"
Dang Seo-hui had taken perhaps five proud strides toward the Mantongbu when her steps suddenly stopped dead.
What? Don't tell me she doesn't know the way......
Е̇ n ù m̊ ã
"......Where do you think you're going?"
A voice cold enough to freeze landed on us.
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She glanced at the man standing in her path.
"I-it's a secret......"
"I heard Mantongbu."
Dang Seo-hui turned to me with a panicked expression.
Е n̄_u ḿ.а̇ . i_d̂
A great hero shouldn't let her alarm show that obviously.
I sighed and spoke to the man.
"I'd really prefer it if you didn't meddle in other people's affairs."
That insufferable mug was the same as ever.
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"Yong So-ah."
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