Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Fearless Bastards

This was already my second time flying through the air while hanging over Jin Gwangung's shoulder.

And I had learned one thing for certain.

This old man...

was seriously strong.

I only had to look at the movement art he was currently using.

Ever since leaving the Abandoned Martial Hall, Jin Gwangung hadn't slowed down even once.

Even with me over his shoulder...

his breathing remained completely steady while he continuously used his movement technique.

The most shocking thing was his speed.

I thought he had been fast the previous time.

But now...

it wasn't even comparable.

The wind hitting my face was so fierce that keeping my eyes open was difficult.

As we continued moving...

a familiar structure appeared in the distance.

Under the morning sunlight, the red-painted main gate of Kunlun shone brilliantly.

I'm finally back.

Back to Kunlun.

During my previous life...

when I had barely survived as a Shadow Corps test subject...

there was one place I often remembered even during the worst moments.

Kunlun.

I had only stayed here briefly as a lowly Event Hall servant.

But Kunlun was where my reincarnated life had first begun.

It had also been the only place where I had once looked toward the future with vague hope.

Maybe that was why.

Even though only a week had passed...

seeing Kunlun again made my heart tremble.

Just as nostalgia began filling my chest...

Jin Gwangung's rough voice dragged me back to reality.

"What useless thoughts are running through your head?"

"We're here."

"Pay attention."

I had only seen the main gate in the distance moments earlier...

yet we were already inside the main sect.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Whoosh.

Just like before...

the moment Jin Gwangung reached the ground, he tossed me away like luggage.

Last time, I had helplessly rolled across the dirt.

But I wasn't the same anymore.

Tap.

I lightly spun once in midair and landed smoothly.

Jin Gwangung chuckled.

"Oh?"

"Look at you."

"You've improved quite a bit since I last looked."

"I'm embarrassed to receive such praise."

I immediately used my prepared excuse.

"It's thanks to a basic movement technique my father taught me when I was young."

"Really?"

Jin Gwangung narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm..."

"For a moment, I thought you secretly learned some strange trick inside the Abandoned Martial Hall."

"W-What are you saying?"

"How could I possibly learn anything from martial manuals even Kunlun's past masters abandoned?"

"True enough."

Jin Gwangung laughed.

"Hehehe."

His words made me nervous for a moment.

Did he notice that I secretly trained in martial arts there?

But I soon dismissed the concern.

So what if he noticed?

There's no way he'd imagine they actually came from the Abandoned Martial Hall.

If I was ever caught practicing, I could simply claim it was another martial art my imaginary father taught me.

Once I thought of that...

I relaxed.

I looked at Jin Gwangung.

"Master, I heard the Elders' Lecture Gathering is one week away."

"Is there anything I should prepare?"

"I already told you."

Jin Gwangung waved his hand.

"Until then, just wait."

"Then now that we've returned to the sect, what should I do?"

"You can hear that directly from the person who called us back."

"The person who called us back?"

"Who else?"

Jin Gwangung snorted.

"The Sect Leader."

"I need to find out why he suddenly moved the schedule forward."

I blinked.

"Then when are you planning to meet the Sect Leader?"

"Right now."

"What?"

"Right now?"

"Yes."

Jin Gwangung nodded casually.

"I'll go ask him personally."

What?

He could just go see him?

Was meeting the Sect Leader really that easy?

The Sect Leader was literally the leader of the entire sect.

The person standing at the highest position in Kunlun.

As far as I knew...

even Elders couldn't casually meet him outside formal situations.

Yet Jin Gwangung spoke as though he were going to visit some old man living next door.

This must have been why everyone called him Kunlun's Mad Bear.

I hesitated.

"...Am I going with you?"

Jin Gwangung glanced at me and laughed.

"It's nothing important enough to require two men."

"I'll go alone."

"You simply wait until I return."

Before I could answer...

he turned around.

He seemed ready to head straight to the Sect Leader.

Then...

just as Jin Gwangung was about to leave, he suddenly stopped.

He looked back at me.

Then he pulled something from inside his clothes and tossed it over.

I instinctively caught it.

What's this?

A small, old wooden token rested in my palm.

Faded characters were carved into its surface.

[Kunlun Secret Archive]

[Seal of the Secret Archive]

Kunlun Secret Archive? Seal of the Secret Archive?

I had never heard those names before.

It seemed related to the Abandoned Martial Hall somehow.

Before I could think further...

Jin Gwangung chuckled.

"Hehehe."

"Why are you staring at it so seriously?"

"What you're holding is the Abandoned Martial Hall Master's token."

"Hall Master's token?"

"Exactly."

"These days, nobody cares about the place and treats it like a garbage warehouse."

"But apparently, long ago, the Abandoned Martial Hall was called the Kunlun Secret Archive."

He grinned.

"Sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it?"

"Then why are you giving me the Hall Master's token?"

Jin Gwangung's smile widened.

"Because you should carry it."

"From now on, the affairs of the Abandoned Martial Hall are your responsibility."

"Cleaning, chores, those rotten books inside... everything."

Then he laughed.

"How does it feel?"

"You've been promoted from an Event Hall servant to the Abandoned Hall Master."

"You must feel like you're flying through the heavens."

"..."

He called it a Hall Master's token...

but his real intention was obvious.

He wanted to dump every annoying responsibility on me.

And "Abandoned Hall Master" sounded like the master of some ruined organization.

Still...

I didn't really care.

At least a title is still a title.

Maybe this wooden token would prove useful someday.

I carefully placed it inside my clothes.

Jin Gwangung smiled in satisfaction.

"Good."

"Then our honored Abandoned Hall Master should wait here nicely until I return."

"Hehehe."

With that, Jin Gwangung flew away.

Judging by the direction...

he was heading toward the Sect Leader's Palace.

I shook my head.

Even if he's in a hurry, he could have at least told me roughly when he'd be back.

Thinking about it...

Jin Gwangung probably wouldn't return quickly.

Even for a First Elder, meeting privately with the Sect Leader should require at least some time and procedure.

He probably won't be back soon.

I might as well visit the Event Hall.

Fortunately, it wasn't far away.

I could see Sogwang again after a week.

And it would help pass the time.

So I began walking toward the Event Hall residence where I used to live.

It was still early morning.

The surroundings were quiet.

I continued walking while enjoying Kunlun's peaceful morning atmosphere.

Before long...

the Event Hall residence came into sight.

Morning duties haven't started yet.

Everyone should still be resting inside.

But my prediction was wrong.

Loud shouting suddenly broke the silence around the Event Hall.

"Tell me properly!"

"Where did that servant who ambushed me that day run off to?!"

"If you don't confess honestly, you'll pay for his crimes in his place!"

I tilted my head.

Who the hell are they looking for this early in the morning?

I passed through the half-open front gate and entered the courtyard.

Several Kunlun Taoists in gray martial robes were pointing angrily at someone.

"Why aren't you answering, you filthy servants?!"

"This won't do."

"Maybe you'll start talking after we break a few bones."

The people being threatened...

were the Event Hall workers.

Including Sogwang and Wang Dusik.

Sogwang's face was pale with fear.

Wang Dusik's group and the other workers were lying flat on the ground and trembling.

What the hell happened here?

Wang Dusik's group was one thing.

But Sogwang wasn't the type to cause trouble.

Sogwang spoke in a trembling voice.

"P-Please believe me."

"What happened at the Martial Training Hall that day had nothing to do with Mujin."

Huh?

Why was my name suddenly involved?

I tilted my head.

At that moment...

one of the Taoists standing in front of Sogwang roughly grabbed his collar.

"How dare you lie to me!"

"I clearly remember being ambushed by that Han Mujin bastard!"

"Urgh... N-No."

Sogwang struggled.

"The person who knocked you unconscious was someone else..."

"Do you need to see blood before you start speaking honestly?!"

The Taoist screamed while threatening him.

I looked closer.

His face was familiar.

It's that coward who got smashed into the wall.

He was the rotten Taoist who had taught at the Martial Training Hall.

The pathetic bastard who tried to attack me from behind after his pride was hurt...

only to get blown away by Jin Gwangung.

Now I understood what was happening.

That narrow-minded idiot had mistaken me for the person who smashed him into the wall.

So he came to the Event Hall looking for revenge.

And he even brought a group with him.

He was tormenting people who had nothing to do with the incident.

And these bastards called themselves Taoists who followed the Dao?

Anger rose inside me.

I shouted toward them.

"Let go of him while I'm still asking nicely."

Everyone in the Event Hall turned toward me.

The Taoist holding Sogwang's collar immediately recognized me.

He threw Sogwang to the ground and smiled coldly.

"So you've finally appeared, you cowardly servant."

"Appeared?"

I scoffed.

"I've been standing here for a while."

Then I pointed at him.

"Anyway, you wait right there."

"W-What?"

They clearly hadn't expected that response.

I ignored them and walked straight toward the Event Hall people.

First...

I checked on Sogwang.

"Sogwang, are you okay?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"M-Mujin..."

His eyes widened.

"Why did you come here?!"

"R-Run! Hurry!"

Even in this situation...

he was worried about me first.

That was why I liked this guy.

I couldn't help smiling.

"Run from what?"

"Don't worry. Just wait a moment."

"H-Huh...."

After calming Sogwang...

I looked around.

Wang Dusik lay on the ground nearby.

His face and arms were covered in dark bruises.

Did they use him as a punching bag because I wasn't here?

I didn't like Wang Dusik's usual behavior.

But seeing him beaten this badly still made me angry.

Do they think Event Hall workers can be treated however they want?

I felt irritation and rage rise together.

"What's with that expression?"

The cowardly Taoist who had grabbed Sogwang smiled.

"What?"

"Are you upset because your friends got hurt?"

He laughed.

"Too bad."

"You're about to end up much worse than them."

The other Taoists laughed as well.

"Fellow Disciple Myeonghun, you're mistaken."

One of them chuckled.

"That servant's face is pale because he's terrified."

"How scared must he be?"

Another laughed.

"Maybe the ignorant fool already pissed himself."

"Hehehe."

I silently watched their mockery.

Apparently they mistook my silence for fear.

The Martial Training Hall Taoist named Myeonghun puffed himself up.

"Today, I'll properly punish you."

"Don't even think about ambushing me and running away like last time."

Another Taoist smirked.

"Don't worry, Fellow Disciple Myeonghun."

"If that servant looks like he's going to run, we'll stop him ourselves."

Their ridiculous confidence made me laugh.

Myeonghun immediately raised his voice.

"Have you completely lost your mind?!"

"You should be begging me to spare your life, and you're laughing?"

I slowly turned toward him.

Then I smiled brightly.

"You know..."

"I spent a very long time rolling around in some truly awful places."

"Maybe that's why my personality became pretty rotten."

The smile on my face widened.

"But when I meet fearless idiots like you..."

"it actually makes me happy."

"Because I get to unleash that rotten personality without holding anything back."

"Y-You bastard!"

"What the hell is wrong with him?!"

The Taoists looked startled.

I stared at them with an even brighter smile.

"Go ahead."

"Keep talking while you still can."

"Soon, you won't have mouths left to talk with."

Myeonghun's face turned red.

"You filthy Event Hall servant! How dare you bluff..."

I didn't need to hear any more.

Before he could finish...

I moved.

THUD!

My fist slammed directly into his abdomen.

"Urk!"

Myeonghun's body lifted slightly into the air.

Then he crashed onto the ground.

"...Urgh... kuh...."

His eyes rolled back.

Bloody foam leaked continuously from his mouth.

I briefly looked down at him with cold eyes.

"F-Fellow Disciple Myeonghun!"

"W-What... what happened?!"

The other Taoists stood frozen.

Confusion and disbelief filled their faces.

They couldn't accept what they had just witnessed.

Their fellow Taoist had been defeated by an Event Hall servant.

I smiled brightly at them.

"Don't even think about running."

"You're next."

Several of them instinctively stepped backward.

For the first time...

fear appeared on their faces.

"W-What are you waiting for?!"

One shouted urgently.

"Get that lunatic!"

The dazed Taoists finally recovered and charged toward me.

Watching them rush together...

I formed my biggest smile of the day.

"This is what I like."

"Beating some sense into fearless bastards."