Chapter 6

Turan finally managed to get information in exchange for a mug of beer.

If you want to find masu with bounties, go to the city hall and ask the official in charge.

When he asked what city hall and officials were, the serving girl burst out laughing.

"Not knowing even this, you really are from the countryside!"

The giggling serving girl explained that city hall was a building in the center of the city where various public affairs were handled, and officials were people employed by the city's lord.

Since the sun had completely set today, he could visit the city hall tomorrow morning to inquire.

"But why are you looking for masu? Don't tell me you're a masu hunter too?"

"What's a masu hunter?"

"You know, people who believe they can become magicians by hunting masu."

She explained that there was a widespread superstition that ordinary people could gain magical powers by hunting masu, and some risked their lives hunting masu for this purpose.

While most people treated them as mentally ill, there were surprisingly many who aimed for this as a way to rise in status?

While listening to her explanation, someone placed their hand on Turan's shoulder.

"Hey, Rena. Becoming a magician by catching masu isn't superstition, it's fact. I've seen it with my own eyes."

The speaker was a middle-aged man who looked between thirty and forty years old.

His unkempt hair and beard gave an impression of poor grooming, but in contrast, his eyes were strangely clear.

"Uncle Midan! You're alive!"

"Did you think I'd be dead? I told you. I won't die before becoming a magician."

"Sorry, Miss Rena. Our captain is always so rude."

Three men approached behind the man called Midan.

Armed with long spears, bows, and hammers that looked capable of demolishing buildings, they were all large and muscular.

When Turan brushed off the hand on his shoulder, the man flinched back.

"Oops, excuse me."

"It's fine. But could I hear more about what you said earlier?"

"Hm? Which part?"

"About becoming a magician by catching masu."

"Oh, so you're interested in that too, young friend?"

Pleased by Turan's interest, Midan grinned and explained.

Magicians grow stronger by killing masu and taking their power, and by the same principle, ordinary people can become magicians by killing masu and gaining their power.

He said he had seen several magicians who had gained power this way.

"That's why the four of us hunt masu to become magicians."

"We've already caught three!"

"Not much longer now."

Midan's subordinates – who seemed to call themselves sworn brothers – added their comments.

Turan was shocked to hear they had caught three masu.

The only masu he had seen had enough power to easily tear apart dozens of ordinary humans.

"Three of them – does that mean one of you has already become a magician?"

As soon as Turan finished speaking, everyone on the first floor of the inn burst out laughing.

"No way! This city only has four magicians – the lord and his three knights."

"If just one of us became a magician, it would be easier to help the other brothers."

"Actually, we nearly died several times catching those ones."

Only four magicians in a city that must have at least a thousand people?

He could somewhat understand why Keorn had complained about the shortage of magicians in the world.

Then, Midan glanced at Turan's bag and asked.

"So you hunt masu too? Your equipment seems too poor for that, don't you have weapons?"

"Weapons?"

Turan took out the sheepskin sling from his pocket, thinking they would mock it.

It would look quite shabby compared to their metal armaments.

However, contrary to expectations, the masu hunters showed quite positive reactions.

"Oh, you use this to throw stones?"

"Looking at the wear, it's been well used."

"What size stones do you use?"

"About egg-sized ones."

"That should be enough to crack the skulls of masu that transformed from rabbits or foxes."

From their conversation, it seemed they weren't targeting masu from predators like the leopard Turan had caught.

They only hunted masu from herbivores or relatively low-tier animals – ones that humans could defeat barehanded as normal animals.

Of course, even such creatures could instantly kill ordinary people depending on their innate abilities.

"Would you like to hunt with us? We've been wanting another ranged fighter."

"No, thank you."

Turan rejected his offer without hesitation.

He had no intention of openly revealing he was a magician, and his targets weren't the insignificant level of masu they were after anyway.

Fortunately, Midan didn't persist and backed off expressing regret.

"Tch, that's too bad. Let us know if you change your mind."

After chatting a bit more, Turan got the room key from the serving girl and went up to the second floor.

Lying on the bed trying to sleep, he could hear the masu hunters talking through the floorboards from the first floor.

[Big brother Midan, why did you try to recruit that kid? Honestly, he didn't seem like he'd be much help.]

[Right. He looked so weak he'd wet himself if we scared him.]

Midan's subordinates – sworn brothers were badmouthing Turan with seemingly mocking attitudes.

Despite acting so friendly downstairs earlier.

Having experienced such two-faced behavior enough from the villagers, it didn't hurt his feelings.

He just sighed and let it pass, thinking this was just how people were.

Shortly after, Midan's voice could be heard responding.

[Sigh, just seeing him reminded me of my younger days. With just that thing alone, wandering outside, even several lives wouldn't be enough.]

[Big brother is just too kind-hearted.]

[Who says I'm not?]

Listening quietly to their conversation, Turan closed his eyes.

Indeed, there were both good and bad people in the world.

* * *

The next morning, after eating breakfast of dark bread and soup provided by the inn, Turan went to the city hall.

Located in the center of the city, the city hall was a four-story building full of citizens who had come for various business.

Only after pushing past an old man and woman arguing about building rental issues could he find the official in charge of bounties.

"What do you want?"

When Turan said he came looking for bounty-marked masu, the middle-aged official looked at him like he was looking at a pathetic good-for-nothing.

If he revealed he was a magician, the man would probably prostrate himself right there, but he didn't.

If he pretended to be a mere knight, the city lord might try to recruit him for work as he had feared in the past, and if he revealed himself as a noble-class magician, he would waste time receiving all sorts of hospitality as an honored guest.

Wasn't it considered rude to casually refuse hospitality between nobles, as it was an important courtesy?

The conclusion was that it would be best to quickly catch whatever masu he could find nearby and leave.

Though he probably didn't need to risk his life hiding his identity.

"No taking it out, look and return it."

Shortly after, the paper the official handed over contained descriptions of masu appearances, sizes, characteristics, sighting locations, and bounty amounts.

Weak and harmless masu mostly required live capture for bounties, while only those hostile and aggressive toward humans could be killed and their corpses brought in.

The reason was that weak masu were less mutated so their corpses were indistinguishable from normal animals, and there were many who tried to collect bounties by catching ordinary animals.

"One thing to note is that even if you accidentally kill a masu, don't abandon it but bring it to the city. If the knights don't disperse the magic power, it becomes a dangerous revenant. Abandoning a masu corpse is punishable by death under city law, so keep that in mind."

"Understood."

Having already experienced how terrifying it could be to leave a masu corpse, Turan took the official's warning seriously and engraved it deeply.

"But some of these seem too dangerous for ordinary people to catch – don't the knights come to catch these?"

The official answered as if seeing something quite strange.

"Do they look that free to you? A knight's role is maintaining city security and preventing enemy invasion. Hunting masu is for vagabonds like you."

At those words, Turan looked down at the paper he was holding.

Blade Crow.

A crow with some feathers as hard and sharp as blades, able to deflect arrows by swinging them and attack people by dropping feathers from high places.

Has a habit of carrying off dogs and children from the city outskirts to eat, then scattering the remains…

If magicians were protectors of humans, they should immediately go catch such creatures first, but it seemed there weren't many who found pride in protecting humans.

With somewhat bitter feelings, Turan left the city hall building and headed toward the city's edge.

As buildings gradually decreased and finally left the city area completely, familiar wilderness greeted him.

'Shall we begin?'

After confirming there were no people around, Turan recalled the masu he had seen at city hall earlier.

Blade Crow, a man-eating masu that preys on children…

"Crow search."

The moment he cast the spell, hundreds of different sounds reached his ears.

Sounds of feathers rubbing, wing flapping, and pecking at things.

"Ugh."

Due to too many sounds coming from all directions, Turan frowned and canceled the magic.

The search spell had lost discrimination due to too many crows around the city.

'This method won't work.'

How should he search for just the masu?

A crow with magic power?

He tried but it wouldn't activate at all – it seemed magic power possession couldn't be used as a search condition.

Next he tried the condition of crows that eat humans, but this time too many targets were caught.

Probably including ones that had pecked at corpses.

"This is difficult…"

He rarely had such problems in the Hisaril hills where animals were scarce.

To find lost sheep, he just had to search for sheep and find the lone ones, and for wolves, at most one or two packs would be detected.

After pondering for a while, Turan had a sudden realization and used magic.

'Crows larger than children.'

Though masu were stronger than normal animals, they would need basic size to carry off children.

As expected, he heard the rustling of feathers from just one crow.

Plus a faint smell of human blood.

"Found it."

Though nothing was visible looking in the direction of the sound due to obstacles, once detected it wouldn't escape.

A distance that would take an ordinary person at least 10 minutes running.

But for a noble-class magician running at full speed, 3-4 minutes was enough.

When the forest where the target lived came into view, Turan used another magic.

Not the complete concealment unique to the Jahar bloodline, but ordinary invisibility magic that just made him unseen.

Complete concealment magic consumed too much magic power to use comfortably yet, and from experience he knew birds' hearing wasn't that sharp.

Reaching the huge tree that would need three people with arms spread to encircle it where the crow masu stayed, Turan immediately rose up using flight magic.

'It's big…'

The crow masu was over a meter tall just sitting.

Its folded wings were sharp like blades as its name suggested, and traces of blood not yet gone could be glimpsed on its sharp beak.

Throughout the nest it perched on were scattered bones of various animals, and occasionally what appeared to be human bones.

As expected, it was busy grooming its feathers, completely unaware of Turan's presence.

'Now how should I catch this one.'

The simplest would be to immediately blow its head off with a stone throw, but he wanted to test more varied magic against it.

If he got too used to stone throwing just because it was easy, he would have no countermeasures when facing opponents immune to physical projectiles.

Keorn had also taught to prepare various response methods if possible.

Looking up at the sky, there were quite a few clouds – perfect conditions for trying one particular magic.

A technique he had only learned in theory but never used due to unsuitable conditions in the Hisaril hills.

Turan raised his finger to the sky a bit away from the nest, recalling the memory.

Several years ago, on a rare stormy day in the rarely rainy Hisaril hills.

The massive pillar of light connecting heaven and earth with world-shattering thunder.

'Come.'

With a strong wish, his internal magic power was suddenly drained, and shortly after, low thunder rumbled between the clouds.

The crow masu looked up at the sky as if sensing something unusual, but it was already too late to escape.

Lightning faster than sound struck the bird's nest.

[Kaaaaaak—!!!]

The crow screamed and tried to flee from the sudden lightning strike above its head.

But its proud blade feathers had all burned away leaving only the metal-tempered parts fallen off, so it had no way to fly.

The crow that fell helplessly to the ground writhed a few times before stopping movement.

After carefully checking for about a minute to see if it would move again, Turan came down to the ground and absorbed its magic power.

Chapter 6: Where There Is Change, There Is That Which Does Not Change (Part 3)

"Enter True Martial Palace now."

The boy who spoke to Dam Ho appeared to be no more than twelve or thirteen years old. He was Won-yul, a Second Generation Disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.

Though Won-yul was only two or three years younger than Dam Ho, their rank was vastly different. Dam Ho was a First Generation Disciple; Won-yul was a Second Generation Disciple. To Dam Ho, he was a martial nephew. But in Won-yul's eyes as he regarded Dam Ho, a sullen light flickered.

Won-yul's lips twisted upward.

'A cripple like him is my Martial Uncle? I will never accept it.'

Dam Ho did not know it, but within the Mount Hua Sect, his nickname was the "Dog That Cannot Run"—a cruel pun on his crippled leg.

Many among the First Generation Disciples regarded Dam Ho as merely lucky to have risen to their rank by chance. The Second Generation Disciples, those closer to Dam Ho's own age, refused to acknowledge him as their Martial Uncle.

The Mount Hua Sect was a sect that pursued strength. It was especially renowned throughout the world for its swordsmanship. In such a sect, accepting Dam Ho—who could not properly execute even a single sword technique due to his natural impairment—was no easy thing.

Above all, Dam Ho had virtually no interaction with the other disciples. Normally, a First Generation Disciple would be expected to teach the Second Generation Disciples, but Dam Ho rarely showed his face. This aloofness bred misunderstanding among the younger disciples.

Many believed Dam Ho was receiving special treatment without earning it. They tolerated him as a superior only because of protocol—but they refused to call him Martial Uncle. This was the pride of Won-yul and the other Second Generation Disciples.

Dam Ho stared at Won-yul for a moment. Won-yul met his gaze without flinching, provocatively.

In that instant, Won-yul flinched.

Dam Ho's eyes were unusually deep and black—and within them, there was not a trace of emotion directed at Won-yul. Yet Won-yul felt an inexplicable chill run through him.

"What the—?"

As he tried to locate the source of that feeling—

"Let us go."

Dam Ho walked past him. The chill vanished as though it had never existed.

"Was it my imagination?"

Won-yul cocked his head.

In the meantime, Dam Ho had already walked some distance ahead. Won-yul, with no time to think further, hurried after him.

***

It had been nearly a month. Han So-yu had told him about the gathering at True Martial Palace almost a month ago. In the interim, Dam Ho had been so absorbed in the Heavy Heaven Heart Method and the Bamboo Leaf Technique that the matter had slipped entirely from his mind.

'Sage Hyeon-geom, then.'

He was curious about what kind of man he was, but on the other hand, he was reluctant to lose time that could have been spent polishing the Heavy Heaven Heart Method. Yet when a revered elder of the sect summons you, there was no refusing.

Dam Ho raised his head and looked around. The plum blossoms that had recently blanketed all of Mount Hua in white were no longer visible.

He missed the faint scent of plum blossoms, but he did not feel regret. He was merely sorry that so much time had passed so quickly.

Behind him, Won-yul's face wore a look of bewilderment. At first, the gap between them had been negligible, but as time wore on, the distance between Dam Ho and Won-yul grew steadily wider.

Dam Ho was clearly walking with a slight limp. Yet the gap between them continued to widen. No matter how fast Won-yul walked, the difference did not diminish in the slightest.

In the end, Won-yul was forced to use his lightness technique. Only then did he catch up to Dam Ho—but by then, Dam Ho had already nearly reached the main gate of True Martial Palace.

Dam Ho turned to Won-yul.

"Is it all right to go straight in from here?"

"Yes? That is… correct."

"Thank you for guiding me. I shall see you again."

Dam Ho stepped through the gates of True Martial Palace. Won-yul stared after his retreating figure and muttered:

"Has he learned some special lightness technique?"

It was possible, Won-yul thought. Though they dismissed Dam Ho as the Dog That Cannot Run, he was still a First Generation Disciple.

"To receive such benefits… so that is what being a First Generation Disciple means."

Won-yul bit his lip.

Inside True Martial Palace, over fifty First Generation Disciples of the Mount Hua Sect had gathered. For a sect as large as the Mount Hua, it was nearly impossible for so many First Generation Disciples to assemble in one place.

First Generation Disciples were the mainstay force that guided the sect. They were assigned to various halls and palaces, teaching disciples and carrying out official duties. This was the first time so many had been gathered in one place—at least to Dam Ho's knowledge.

Though the First Generation Disciples filled the hall, not one of them spoke. The atmosphere was so solemn that it dominated the space.

When Dam Ho entered, the chief disciple Mu-gyeong offered a slight nod of acknowledgment. Given the gravity of the mood, Dam Ho silently bowed his head in greeting.

Some nodded back; others regarded him with sympathy; still others looked displeased.

But Han So-yu was different. She offered a gentle smile and looked at him. Dam Ho bowed his head to her in return.

Creeeak!

Then, with a screech of rusted hinges, the doors of True Martial Palace swung open. A middle-aged Taoist strode out.

Though he appeared ordinary at first glance, the Taoist radiated a sharp, keen aura—like a masterfully forged blade.

The Taoist's gaze swept across the assembled First Generation Disciples. The instant their eyes met his, they felt as though they were standing naked in the middle of a frozen wasteland.

Dam Ho was no exception.

Chills ran up his spine and along his arms. His lips trembled involuntarily.

The middle-aged Taoist said nothing, but Dam Ho knew at once that this was Sage Hyeon-geom—the Palace Master of True Martial Palace and the greatest martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect. No one else could project such an aura.

The middle-aged Taoist finally spoke.

"It is good to see you. I am Hyeon-geom."

"We greet Martial Uncle Hyeon-geom!"

The voices of the First Generation Disciples thundered through True Martial Palace. Within their voices was reverence for Sage Hyeon-geom.

After the storm of their greeting subsided, Sage Hyeon-geom continued.

"I have gathered you here today at the Grandmaster's command. The Grandmaster wishes for me to share as much of my insight with you as possible."

The First Generation Disciples stirred.

Many believed that even a fraction of Sage Hyeon-geom's insights would propel them to extraordinary heights. But the voice that followed was enough to chill their fervor to the bone.

"But I do not need many who are slightly better than the rest. I need only one who is exceptional."

Sage Hyeon-geom's eyes gleamed with a razor edge.

He had entered the Mount Hua Sect at the age when he could barely walk and had walked the path of the sword for over fifty years. While his fellow disciples of the same generation had become distracted by worldly affairs or neglected their martial cultivation, he had walked the sword's path with unwavering dedication.

A swordsman who lived by the sword and died by the sword.

For Sage Hyeon-geom, whose ultimate goal was to ascend to the realm of immortality through the sword, mediocrity held no value.

What he desired was a genius of extraordinary talent who could inherit his insights.

"There will be a trial. The single disciple who passes will become my direct student. First Generation Disciple or Second Generation Disciple—it does not matter. Even an outer disciple, if they demonstrate exceptional talent, will become my disciple and inherit everything."

Mmmmm!

Sage Hyeon-geom's declaration was nothing short of a thunderbolt.

It meant the destruction of the hierarchy and rank that every sect held sacred.

If an outer disciple were to become Sage Hyeon-geom's student, they would become a First Generation Disciple overnight. It was an unprecedented upheaval.

The faces of those who had been smiling with composure moments ago turned to stone. Among them were Mu-gyeong and Un-gyeong, who could be considered the leaders of the First Generation Disciples.

They too had not anticipated that Sage Hyeon-geom would impose such radical conditions.

Mu-gyeong, speaking on behalf of the First Generation Disciples, asked:

"How do you intend to select your disciple, Martial Uncle?"

"What, do you have designs on the position as well, Mu-gyeong? You have already entered the Self-Nature Heart Method—surely you have no need for my insights."

Mu-gyeong was the disciple of Sage Hyeon-cheon, the Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect. As the certain successor to the next Grandmaster, he would have already entered the Self-Nature Heart Method, the supreme art of the Mount Hua Sect.

Mu-gyeong smiled.

"Frankly, Martial Uncle, it would be strange if I did not. You are the greatest swordsman of Mount Hua. But as you say, I have already entered the Self-Nature Heart Method. My path will inevitably differ from yours."

"You understand well."

"The one who inherits Martial Uncle's insights will become the sword that represents Mount Hua. How could I not pay attention?"

Sage Hyeon-geom smiled. Mu-gyeong's words were reasonable.

"All those gathered here will engage in sparring matches."

"The final victor of the sparring will inherit Martial Uncle's insights?"

"Think what you will."

At Sage Hyeon-geom's ambiguous reply, Mu-gyeong's brow twitched. But he quickly smiled.

"I have no confidence in defeating my fellow disciples in front of everyone, so I will withdraw."

"As you wish."

Sage Hyeon-geom nodded.

He did not want Mu-gyeong. The chief disciple of the Mount Hua Sect had already received much. He walked a different path, one that was advancing toward its own completion. Taking him as a disciple would bring nothing but headaches.

The other disciples exchanged glances but did not retreat. Though they each already had their own masters, inheriting Sage Hyeon-geom's insights was an extraordinary honor.

Broadly speaking, they were all fellow disciples, so their existing masters would not object to them receiving Sage Hyeon-geom's teachings.

"There is no time. We shall begin the sparring now."

Sage Hyeon-geom, as though he had prepared in advance, pointed out the combatants.

"First, Seo-myeong and Un-gyeong. Prepare yourselves."

"Yes? Yes!"

Seo-myeong and Un-gyeong, selected to fight first, stepped forward with startled expressions. They had not expected to be called upon so soon.

Tension was plain on their faces.

Seo-myeong belonged to Golden Heaven Palace; Un-gyeong belonged to Peace Palace. They had trained together in their youth, but as they grew older and were assigned to different palaces, opportunities to spar had become rare.

What they knew of each other was information more than a decade old. They would have to clash directly to gauge each other's true level.

'I will win this.'

'Sage Hyeon-geom's insights will be mine.'

Both burned with fighting spirit. Their determination was felt by the other First Generation Disciples as well.

On the training ground before True Martial Palace, the two faced each other. The other First Generation Disciples formed a circle around them, watching.

"Begin."

At Sage Hyeon-geom's command, Seo-myeong and Un-gyeong began to circle each other with predatory gazes.

Both inherited the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect. Though they did not know each other's exact level, they knew which techniques each excelled at.

"Ha!"

Un-gyeong moved first. He unleashed the Seven Star Sword Technique. In the blink of an eye, his wooden sword shot toward Seo-myeong's chest.

Seo-myeong used the Nine Palace Step to evade Un-gyeong's attack. When the wooden sword passed harmlessly by, he countered with Plum Blossom Fist.

Shhhk-shhhk-shhhk!

The training ground was instantly filled with their shadows.

Both fighters utilized the full expanse of the open ground, each trying to overpower the other. They unleashed the supreme arts of the Mount Hua Sect in rapid succession, and their movements—bordering on artistry—drew gasps from the watching disciples.

Dam Ho stood among the other First Generation Disciples, watching their match. His eyes gleamed with a cold, focused light.

'This is an opportunity.'

There was a vast difference between training alone and sparring with an opponent. They had been forced to reveal their true, hidden abilities.

Seo-myeong, using Plum Blossom Fist, sought to close the distance, while Un-gyeong, wielding the Seven Star Sword Technique, fought to maintain it.

Watching the battle between a fist user and a sword user, Dam Ho was learning how to respond to each.

For Dam Ho, who trained alone, this was an invaluable opportunity. He focused every fiber of his being on the match, determined not to miss a single exchange.

The thought of inheriting Sage Hyeon-geom's insights did not enter his mind. Dam Ho was consumed by the battle unfolding before his eyes.

Each time their techniques collided, his shoulders twitched involuntarily.

Gwak-o was in his mid-twenties, and he had always been a radical who insisted that Hundred Flower Valley should go out into the martial world and be active.

He was often criticized for his conduct, which many considered too rough, but Son Wi-hak never scolded him, saying it was just the passion of youth.

However, if Son Wi-hak were to see him now, he would not be able to rest in peace even in the afterlife.

Jin Ja-gang felt his head spinning.

Now it made sense why the defensive formation had been breached without a sound, and why the hiding places in Hundred Flower Valley had been discovered so easily.

‘Brother Gwak-o betrayed us…’

He fidgeted with the pine flowers in his hand. White pine pollen dusted his fingers.

‘Brother Gwak-o and I used to play together, eating pine shoots and pine flowers…’

Jin Ja-gang only moved after they had disappeared.

As he returned to the hole, he noticed vines growing thickly on the wall beside it.

Red trumpet flowers were blooming beautifully.

Jin Ja-gang gazed at the trumpet flowers for a moment, then picked a few and put them in his sleeve.

About an hour after returning through the hole, a warrior finally came to escort Jin Ja-gang to the trial.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

A solemn atmosphere pervaded the main hall.

More than twenty warriors stood guard while several local dignitaries who had come as observers took their seats on the platform.

Soon, Seo Gil-pung announced the commencement of the trial, and Baek Li-jung entered, receiving greetings from various people.

Seo Gil-pung explained the overview of the case and introduced a representative from the Extreme Poison Sect as a reference witness. It was the elderly man Jin Ja-gang had seen earlier.

When asked if the Extreme Poison Sect had attacked Hundred Flower Valley, the elderly man replied:

“There is no such fact. When we arrived, the bloodshed had already occurred. We actually tried to treat the survivors and manage the aftermath, but the situation was too dire.”

Naturally, it was a denial of their responsibility.

Jin Ja-gang kept his mouth tightly shut. His heart was heavy with despair after what he had witnessed earlier.

Baek Li-jung asked:

“But why did the Extreme Poison Sect intervene in Hundred Flower Valley’s affairs? Interfering in another sect’s business goes against the principles of the martial world.”

“At that time, Hundred Flower Valley and the Extreme Poison Sect were not separate sects but already one unified sect. We were family.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the elderly man, wondering what he meant. The elderly man handed a document to Baek Li-jung and said:

“This is the merger resolution between our Extreme Poison Sect and Hundred Flower Valley. It states that since poison sects and medicinal sects originally come from the same root, we had agreed to merge within the year. I submit this as evidence.”

Baek Li-jung read the merger resolution and nodded.

“The document appears to be in order. That explains why the Extreme Poison Sect intervened in Hundred Flower Valley’s affairs.”

Next to appear as a witness was Gwak-o.

“A survivor from Hundred Flower Valley.”

Gwak-o looked at Jin Ja-gang and nervously swallowed dry saliva. However, he proceeded with his testimony.

“Our Hundred Flower Valley often had internal conflicts over the merger issue. And then… sigh… this incident was entirely due to our internal conflicts and had nothing to do with the Extreme Poison Sect. The Extreme Poison Sect, as family, actually tried to help us.”

Gwak-o pointed at Jin Ja-gang and said:

“That child is Jin Ja-gang, who was with someone who opposed my position.”

Jin Ja-gang just felt numb.

What could Jin Ja-gang do in this situation?

Would confronting Gwak-o change anything?

Would explaining himself make any difference?

If he hadn’t seen them exchanging confidences earlier, he might have held out some hope and protested.

But knowing the outcome in advance made it all seem futile.

A ten-year-old boy with no power or background could only feel helpless.

Soon, various pieces of evidence allegedly found in Hundred Flower Valley were presented one after another, and people Jin Ja-gang didn’t even know came forward to testify about internal conflicts within Hundred Flower Valley. The five-colored centipede’s head shell that Jin Ja-gang had submitted wasn’t mentioned even once.

Then, Magistrate Baek Li-jung suddenly announced his final conclusion.

“Upon investigation of Hundred Flower Valley, some evidence of internal strife has been secured, consistent with multiple testimonies, and the testimonies of the Extreme Poison Sect and survivors from Hundred Flower Valley have been consistent. Therefore, I declare that the Extreme Poison Sect is innocent and free of any charges related to the Hundred Flower Valley incident.”

The elderly man from the Extreme Poison Sect raised his clasped hands in a salute, greatly pleased.

“The Extreme Poison Sect greatly welcomes the fair judgment of Great Hero Baek Li-jung. We also thank the Martial Arts Alliance for its just actions.”

Seo Gil-pung clapped two wooden boards together to signal the official end of the trial. The clerk also gathered up the documents and brush. The observers also made light salutes as they left.

It was over.

The trial, which was supposed to be clear and just, presided over by a hero of the Martial Arts Alliance.

The truth Jin Ja-gang had wanted to reveal meant nothing.

It had been a scripted trial from beginning to end.

Jin Ja-gang remained silent.

Seo Gil-pung looked at Jin Ja-gang and said:

“You have falsely accused an innocent sect, causing them hardship, which is no small crime. However, considering your age and the tragic circumstances of Hundred Flower Valley, we will simply send you away.”

It was obvious what would happen to Jin Ja-gang if he were expelled from the Martial Arts Alliance branch.

Seo Gil-pung gestured for the warriors to escort Jin Ja-gang out.

At that moment, Jin Ja-gang suddenly called out to Gwak-o in a mournful voice.

“Brother Gwak-o.”

Seo Gil-pung raised his eyebrows.

“Take him away quickly!”

But Jin Ja-gang continued speaking.

“Do you know how Brother Gwak-o’s master died?”

“Silence! What nonsense!”

“Let him be.”

Baek Li-jung restrained Seo Gil-pung, and Seo Gil-pung closed his mouth. Since all the clerks and observers had already left, he probably thought it was fine.

Jin Ja-gang glanced at Seo Gil-pung and Baek Li-jung, then said to Gwak-o:

“Your master, who was my maternal grandfather… He was hit with a Poison Palm on his back while trying to save me, and died as his flesh festered.”

Gwak-o’s shoulders flinched.

“W-what! What does that matter!”

“I just wanted to let you know. That’s all.”

Jin Ja-gang saw Gwak-o’s eyes waver. But nothing was going to change or reverse the situation. Gwak-o had always been ambitious and eager for fame.

Unexpectedly, it was Baek Li-jung, not Gwak-o, who spoke to Jin Ja-gang.

“Did you say your name was Ja-gang?”

When Jin Ja-gang looked at Baek Li-jung, Baek Li-jung even flashed a seemingly kind smile and said:

“If you have anything more to say, go ahead.”

Since Jin Ja-gang wasn’t making a scene or throwing a tantrum, it seemed to have piqued Baek Li-jung’s curiosity.

In fact, he had an unusually composed demeanor for his age.

Jin Ja-gang suddenly knelt down. Then he bowed deeply.

A slight smile formed at the corners of Baek Li-jung’s mouth.

“Are you asking for mercy?”

Does this child also know that he will die if he leaves?

The elderly man from the Extreme Poison Sect also noticed what Baek Li-jung was thinking.

“Great Hero Baek, that would be problematic.”

Jin Ja-gang was troublesome to leave alive. For the sake of eliminating witnesses, they needed to take him and deal with him themselves.

Baek Li-jung frowned and extended his hand, with an expression that seemed to rebuke, “How dare you contradict what I say?”

The elderly man had no choice but to close his mouth.

But the words that came from Jin Ja-gang’s mouth were completely different from what others had expected.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Baek Li-jung and said in a flat tone:

“Just now, I realized how foolish it is to sit quietly and hope for help from others.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for teaching me this lesson. I will definitely come to thank you properly in the future.”

Jin Ja-gang bowed once more.

The elderly man and Seo Gil-pung were flustered, and Baek Li-jung knitted his brows.

Wasn’t that not really a thank-you, but a declaration of holding a grudge and seeking revenge!

It was not something that should come from a child’s mouth.

Baek Li-jung glared at Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang’s face was expressionless. There was no emotion in his eyes, making it unsettling for those looking at him.

But within him was extreme resentment and anger. His resentment and anger had gone beyond the limit, as if the cognitive processing of his emotions had broken down.

Baek Li-jung, who detected the hidden resentment in Jin Ja-gang’s expressionless eyes, gave a faint smile.

“Very well. I’ll be waiting.”

Of course, such a day would never come.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Gwak-o again.

Gwak-o tensed his stomach muscles and looked down at Jin Ja-gang.

“W-what…?”

Jin Ja-gang said in a voice so calm it was cold:

“We will definitely meet again, Brother.”

“Don’t be impudent! Even if you were to grab my feet and beg for your life, it wouldn’t be enough…”

But Jin Ja-gang ignored Gwak-o and turned his head to look at Seo Gil-pung.

It was a look that seemed to say, “You’ll be seeing me again too.”

Seo Gil-pung felt a chill run down his spine, but he quickly calmed himself. After all, Jin Ja-gang was just a child. One whose entire body’s energy meridians had hardened, making him unable to function even as well as an ordinary person.

What could such a child possibly do?

“Take him away!”

Seo Gil-pung gestured for the warriors to take Jin Ja-gang away.

A strange silence hung over the main hall as Jin Ja-gang was dragged out.

* * *

Originally, Jin Ja-gang was supposed to be expelled immediately.

But as he was being dragged away, he asked the warrior:

“Can I gather my belongings from the room?”

Jin Ja-gang probably didn’t have many belongings to begin with. But since it was obvious what would happen to him once he went outside, there was no reason not to grant such a request.

“Don’t try anything funny.”

The warrior pushed Jin Ja-gang into the room and watched from outside.

Jin Ja-gang moved around the room, appearing to gather his things, then approached the warrior.

“Are you done?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

“Just a moment, I have something for you.”

Jin Ja-gang put his hand into his sleeve and then took it out. There were pine flowers in his palm.

The warrior frowned.

“I don’t need that.”

“But I need it.”

“What?”

Jin Ja-gang held a red flower in his left hand.

“This is a trumpet flower.”

Jin Ja-gang brought his hands together and rubbed them. The pine flowers burst, sending pine pollen into the air, and the trumpet flowers crumbled into powder.

“What are you doing, you little…!”

Jin Ja-gang suddenly spread his palms and blew the powder toward the warrior’s face, specifically into his eyes.

Whoosh!

The pine pollen and trumpet flower powder flew into the warrior’s face, directly into his eyes.

The warrior quickly jerked his body back, but by then, the powder had already gotten into his eyes.

“Cough! Y-you little…!”

The warrior rubbed his eyes.

But that was a mistake. Pine pollen causes itching, and trumpet flower powder causes inflammation. While it would subside after a few days, rubbing the eyes immediately worsens the irritation, causing the eyes to swell up.

Because the warrior anxiously rubbed his eyes, his eyelids quickly turned red and swollen. The more he rubbed, the more painful and itchy they became.

“Aaargh!”

The warrior’s eyes were tearing up, making it difficult to open them. He could barely see. He flailed his arms and legs wildly, trying to force his eyes open, but Jin Ja-gang had already run to the hole behind the bed.

Jin Ja-gang pushed his body into the narrow hole. Since a large adult couldn’t pass through this hole, anyone trying to catch Jin Ja-gang would have to go around the garden to pursue him.

‘I did it!’

Just as Jin Ja-gang was pushing his upper body through…

Thud!

Suddenly, a thick birch staff fell and lodged itself right in front of Jin Ja-gang’s head.