Chapter 85
For a moment, So-ah was startled.
‘I almost made a slip of the tongue again.’
Hadn’t he been caught gossiping about Shaolin in front of the Great Master Gong-seung without even realizing he was there?
‘By the way, what’s going on?’
On the one hand, he was also curious.
Although Shaolin was the great mountain of the Orthodox Martial Path, it had been in seclusion for the past few years.
In particular, the fact that Shaolin, and even the Great Master Gong-seung, who had the highest seniority in the Jianghu, had personally come to the White Martial Academy was by no means a light matter.
As expected.
“Hah…! You’ve come?”
The Head Instructor, Namgung Won, was pleased and politely greeted them.
“Amitabha. It seems that the Head Instructor’s complexion has improved even more than before, so it seems that your studies have made great progress.”
“You praise me too much, Great Master Gong-seung.”
‘Even the high-nosed Head Instructor Namgung is like that in front of the Great Master Gong-seung.’
It was truly so.
Namgung Won had never bowed to anyone before.
As the head of the great Namgung family with a long history, the head instructor of the academy, and one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path, it was understandable.
But in front of the Great Master Gong-seung, he bowed his head like a subordinate and showed a humble appearance, so everyone must have had the same thought as So-ah.
Just then.
From the ranks of Shaolin, someone glanced at So-ah with sharp eyes.
So-ah, as if he had felt that gaze, met his eyes.
‘Great Master Gwang-won…’
It was the strongest young master that Shaolin had hidden.
It was Gwang-won.
‘Seeing that he’s come this far, it must mean that he’s going to start establishing his position.’
So-ah twisted the corners of his mouth.
What did Gwang-won think when he saw So-ah’s relaxed expression?
Although he didn’t know, the hot something in Gwang-won’s eyes was surely a strong fighting spirit and a will to face his rival…
***
A little later…
“Thank you so much for coming all this way.”
Today, the White Martial Academy was crowded with a sea of people, like a galaxy of stars.
In particular, since even the famous masters of the Nine Great Sects, including the Dragon Head of the Beggars’ Sect, Hong In-geol, and the Sword Empress, Hong-ryeon, were present, the juniors of the Jianghu could not hide their excited hearts, constantly looking around.
Soon, with the greeting of the Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, who had arrived at the event hall, the guests took their seats in front of the stage.
Then they turned their attention to the following ‘student graduation ceremony’ and ‘new official appointment ceremony’.
“The first graduating class of the ‘White Martial Academy,’ which was established thanks to the generous investment of the Orthodox Path comrades, including the Martial Alliance, has finally graduated. As the head instructor who oversees the education and administration of the academy, I am extremely happy. I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to all the students who have left their sects and have not spared any effort here.”
The graduation ceremony began with a single word from Namgung Won, who had gone up to the stage and addressed the crowd.
“Waaaaah!!!”
“We’re finally graduating!”
“Ugh, it was really tedious!”
The cheers of the students echoed throughout the academy.
So-ah’s heart also pounded.
Although it was a ‘chief instructor’ position he had taken on by chance, So-ah had faithfully fulfilled his role.
Also, seeing the students of the ‘Human Division,’ who could now be called ‘masters’ wherever they went, he could not help but feel a sense of pride.
In the midst of this, Namgung Won’s words continued.
“Since the graduation of the first class has been successfully completed, our academy will receive the next class without any setbacks next year, and we will do our best to nurture excellent members of the Martial Alliance of the Orthodox Path, as well as excellent officials, through the academy… (abridged)”
“Hmph…”
“It’s getting boring.”
“It’s a principled story. It can’t be helped.”
As expected.
The words of a superior always tire the subordinate.
But that tedious time also passed quickly…
After Namgung Won closed his mouth and came down from the stage, this time the Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, followed him and went up to the stage.
Fortunately, the words that flowed from Ha Won-sang’s mouth came to the students not as boredom, but as a pleasant excitement.
“Once again, I sincerely congratulate the students on their graduation, and now, I will proceed with the appointment of new officials of the Martial Alliance.”
“…”
Gulp.
The students swallowed their dry saliva and looked at Ha Won-sang with excited eyes.
“The top student of the first graduating class of the academy has been selected as student ‘Namgung Mun’ of the ‘Human Division.’ Student Namgung Mun, as the eldest son of the Head Instructor, the great hero Namgung Won, is the future respected leader of the great Namgung family and a preliminary respected leader of the martial world. He has verified his martial arts achievements and excellent mission performance, which are worthy of the nickname ‘once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy’ of the Orthodox Path, and has become the top student by a unanimous vote of all the instructors. Therefore, from tomorrow, student Namgung Mun will be appointed as a thousand-man commander-level official who can command more than 1,000 members of the Martial Alliance, and his work department and position will be confirmed and re-announced later. Student Namgung Mun, forward!”
“Waaaaaaaaah!!!”
“Brother Namgung. Congratulations.”
“Wow! A thousand-man commander-level. That’s really amazing. It’s a higher position than the first-rate disciples of the Nine Great Sects, isn’t it?”
“In the first place, since Brother Namgung was called a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy. Kikik.”
As the students of the Human Division poured out their encouragement to Namgung Mun, Namgung Mun, as if he were embarrassed, blushed and then quickly went up to the stage.
“Student Namgung Mun. No, it would be more appropriate to call you Young Master Namgung now. I sincerely congratulate you.”
“Thank you, Martial Alliance Leader!”
Namgung Mun suppressed his pounding heart and looked down at the students below the stage.
Then he fixed his gaze on one person.
So-ah.
At that, So-ah winked at Namgung Mun and wrinkled his nose.
‘Haha. That brat So-ah.’
The jealousy, childishness, and inferiority complex he had felt for him from the first time he saw him until before their duel had long since flown far away, to the point where he couldn’t even remember them.
Namgung Mun also smiled brightly at So-ah.
***
“Second place. Student Tang Il-gi of the Tang family. Appointed as a hundred-man commander.”
“Thank you, Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Congratulations.”
“Second place. Student Myo-seon of the Emei Sect. Appointed as a hundred-man commander.”
“Thank you, Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Congratulations. The Sword Empress will be very pleased.”
“Third place. Student Han Baek. Appointed as a thirty-man commander.”
“Th-Thank you! Martial Alliance Leader! Loyalty!”
“Keke! What an interesting friend. Work hard.”
“Of course!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ha Won-sang’s appointments continued.
From the top to the top ranks, the names of the students of the Human Division were called out quite a few times, so the Human Division was in a festive mood.
In particular, Moyong Hwa and Moyong Su also proudly achieved the 8th and 9th places and were appointed as ten-man commanders, so Moyong Baek and Yeon So-so could not hide their smiles.
“Keke! So-ah. That’s really amazing. The Human Division you were in charge of has more names on the list of top graduates than the Heaven Division. I am also extremely happy!”
Moyong Baek, who was seated in the VIP section, burst into a hearty laugh at So-ah, who was sitting next to him.
“Aren’t you happy because Junior Sister and Junior Brother’s grades are good? Haha.”
“Hoho. You brat. Shh! Be quiet.”
“What’s wrong? It’s the truth. Anyway, please praise Junior Sister and Junior Brother a lot. Because they really worked hard.”
At that, as if he was afraid someone around would hear, Moyong Baek chose to use telepathy and continued to speak to So-ah.
[Isn’t this all thanks to the internal dan of the Sun Fire Carp that you got? Moreover, you even gave Hwa-ah a fist glove made of Diamond Heavenly Silkworm Silk. Thank you, So-ah.]
[Don’t mention it. Am I not Hwa-ah’s senior brother? Of course, I should do at least that much. Hahaha]
It was when the two were having a pleasant conversation.
An unexpected statement flowed from the mouth of Ha Won-sang, who had finished the official appointments.
“That’s all for the official appointments. But I would like to make a momentous announcement to all the comrades of the Jianghu.”
—Murmur, murmur…
In the moment when the people tilted their heads at Ha Won-sang’s heavy voice.
“I intend to resign from my position as Martial Alliance Leader. In fact, I should have resigned a long time ago, but after the esteemed God of War passed away, the Orthodox Path was in chaos for a while. Therefore, I have been serving an extended term to quell it.”
“…”
Unconsciously, a quiet silence fell over the room.
In the midst of this, someone let out a surprising exclamation.
“What… is this for real?”
“Th-Then are they going to elect the next Martial Alliance Leader?!”
Not only the students, but also the faces of the famous masters showed a tense look, but as if he didn’t care, Ha Won-sang maintained a calm appearance and added.
“The matter of electing the next Martial Alliance Leader will be announced again later. I sincerely thank all the seniors and juniors who have trusted and followed me, who am lacking.”
The ripple caused by Ha Won-sang’s words came as a considerable shock.
Also, on the one hand, the question of who would become the new Martial Alliance Leader, and if so, whether a Martial Alliance Leader would be elected from their own sect, became a complicated state of mind, entangled with expectations.
But.
At Ha Won-sang’s words that flowed out again, the people’s consciousness flickered.
“To celebrate today’s student graduation ceremony and official appointment ceremony, a distinguished guest has made a difficult journey from Henan. The Great Master Gong-seung of the Shaolin Temple, who is undeniably the most senior in the current Orthodox Path and whose martial arts are known to be the strongest along with Master Yong-gak of Jongnam, will give a speech. I hope all the comrades will welcome him with a big round of applause.”
‘Ah…! As expected, the Great Master Gong-seung wouldn’t just come for no reason.’
‘So he came at the invitation of the Martial Alliance Leader.’
‘The attendance of the strongest of the Orthodox Path!’
At that thought, the people, with excited faces, began to clap their hands all at once.
“It’s the Great Master Gong-seung!”
“Waaaaah!”
“Just by looking at his gaze, I can’t even gauge the depth of his martial arts!”
At the same time, a roar like a fire and a praise for the Great Master Gong-seung poured out.
Similarly, the Great Master Gong-seung, who had been sitting in the VIP section like the other famous masters, got up as soon as Ha Won-sang’s words ended and went up to the stage.
Between the deep wrinkles around his eyes, a strange and intense gaze that was more than just sharp, to the point of making one’s heart tremble, flowed out.
Seeing the great senior of Shaolin, who had graced an era and was still standing tall on that throne, the people could not help but feel a sense of awe.
And.
“It is truly shameful for this insignificant humble monk to stand before the juniors of the Jianghu. Amitabha…”
It was the moment when the Great Master Gong-seung’s low murmur of a Buddhist chant was deeply engraved in everyone’s ears, head, and heart.
‘What amazing internal energy.’
‘To be able to gather and transmit a lion’s roar in this way!’
‘The depth of his internal energy is immeasurable. Even Master Yong-gak of Jongnam would not be able to follow the Great Master Gong-seung’s internal energy.’
“First of all, I would like to once again sincerely congratulate the students who have safely graduated from the academy, and I also wish for the success of the newly appointed officials. Also.”
The Great Master Gong-seung’s words continued.
“Our Shaolin, which has been in seclusion for the past few years, also promises to be active in the Jianghu from now on, and today, I would like to introduce one person to all the comrades.”
At that, the room became noisy again.
Just then.
“Gwang-won-ah. Come out.”
At the Great Master Gong-seung’s call, wasn’t the Great Master Gwang-won, who had been standing in attendance, striding up to the stage?
‘So that’s the person.’
‘The one who was said to be fighting a duel with Instructor Jin…?’
‘I thought it was a joke, but he’s really that young?’
The Great Master Gwang-won.
Certainly, his appearance was unusual at a glance.
If the Diamond Indestructible Body were to manifest, wouldn’t it look like that?
Leaving aside his broad shoulders and well-balanced muscular body, his eyes, which flowed with a brilliant light, and his tightly closed lips were imbued with the spirit of a thousand-year-old Shaolin.
He opened his mouth.
“I am Gwang-won of Shaolin. As my dharma name suggests, I am of the same generation as the abbot of our Shaolin, and I have studied martial arts under the Great Master Gong-seung, who is here, that is, my master. In any case, since this is my first time debuting in the Jianghu, I ask for a lot of guidance and discipline. Amitabha…”
‘What’s with his internal energy?’
‘He’s speaking so softly, but it’s hitting my ears so vividly?’
‘Crazy… that’s just a monster, isn’t it?’
The students, at the profound internal energy contained in Gwang-won’s voice, let out a gasp and showed a look of jealousy.
But that was only for a moment.
His following words were more than enough to completely erase such thoughts.
“In this official setting, I, a humble monk, dare to throw out my debut in the Jianghu with a duel request.”
“…”
“Gwang-won, the top disciple of the Great Master Gong-seung of the ‘Gong’ generation of Shaolin, requests a duel with the great disciple of the Moyong Family, Young Master Jin So-ah.”
(End of Chapter)