Chapter 353: Your First Sigh

TL: FoodieMonster007

Martial artists surrounded Hwang Seokgyeong.

"Thank you for everything."

"I couldn't have endured it without you, Instructor."

"I'll be sure to visit you next time."

Today, this class of trainees finished their training at the Evil Alliance Pass. They would now depart for their respective organizations within the Evil Alliance. Among the instructors, Hwang Seokgyeong was by far the most popular.

"Don't forget that you are the pillars of the Evil Alliance," Hwang Seokgyeong said. "Please, endure well even when difficulties arise!"

"Yes! Instructor!"

As the martial artists left, his colleague, Instructor Cha, approached him.

"As expected, you received the most gifts again this time."

Hwang Seokgyeong's arms were full of gifts from the departing martial artists. He could not hold them all, so many were also piled beside him.

The connections did not end here. Many martial artists who left this place came to see Hwang Seokgyeong whenever they faced difficulties, and he always gave them his unsparing advice.

"If I had met an instructor like you, I might not be working here as an instructor myself," Instructor Cha said.

"What's wrong with being an instructor?"

"Don't you get tired of it? The same words, the same work, every time."

Hwang Seokgyeong asked Instructor Cha a question.

"Do you know how many martial artists have passed through our hands?"

"It must be an enormous number."

"That's right, a great many people know us. Aren't we probably the most well-known people within the Evil Alliance? What greater power could there be?"

"Great power? What are you talking about? We're just instructors at the Evil Alliance Pass. It might be different if we rose to Commander or Director, but who's going to acknowledge us?"

"Why do you think we can't rise? Is there a rule that says we have to be instructors forever?"

"Sure, you go get successful. Become a Commander, become a Director."

"And the successor, too."

"What? Don't make jokes like that, even as a kid. Well, I'm off. Enjoy your vacation."

The instructors were on vacation until the next class of trainees arrived.

The moment Instructor Cha left, a subordinate's telepathy arrived as if it had been waiting. This was the moment Hwang Seokgyeong became the Brawling King.

[They have failed.]

The Brawling King's expression hardened at his subordinate's report.

[The Young Alliance Chairman? How badly was he injured?]

[He was not injured at all.]

[Then how many of the Thirteen Evil Wolves died?]

He assumed they had thrown their bodies on the line to save the Young Alliance Chairman.

[No one died.]

The Brawling King's voice gradually rose at the incomprehensible report.

[What kind of master intervened?]

[No. They say only the Thirteen Evil Wolves were there.]

[Nonsense!]

The Thirteen Evil Wolves blocked their joint attack? They could have been lucky. However, not even heavenly fortune could stop an assassination that mobilized three units of the Blood Heaven Needle Rain.

The Brawling King recalled the incident where assassins had failed to kill Pyo Jigwang and were annihilated.

[Someone definitely intervened.]

Otherwise, a result like this is impossible.

[What should we do?]

As he pondered for a moment, an urgent telepathy arrived from his subordinate.

[The Young Alliance Chairman has arrived.]

The Brawling King's gaze turned to a man organizing training equipment across the grounds. That was his subordinate, Sahon, with whom he had just exchanged telepathy.

Sahon worked as a menial laborer at the Evil Alliance Pass. He lived as if he had only learned third-rate martial arts, and no one had noticed his true identity.

Bi Sayin appeared next to the bowing Sahon.

The Thirteen Evil Wolves walked behind the confidently striding man. Bi Sayin exuded a powerful presence as intense as his fearsome appearance.

The Thirteen Evil Wolves following him all wore masks, so their expressions could not be seen.

As they passed, Sahon discreetly raised his head and looked at their backs. All thirteen of them were uninjured.

Even he could not understand it. How on earth did they block that attack?

Just then, one of the Thirteen Evil Wolves walking at the very back turned around.

Sahon hurriedly bowed his head to avoid the gaze.

When he raised his head again, the member of the Thirteen Evil Wolves who had turned back was once again facing forward and walking on.

What was that? Did he feel my gaze?

That's impossible. There's no way the Thirteen Evil Wolves could have felt that subtle gaze from a moment ago.

Sahon quickly pulled his cart and left the area. A menial laborer loitering with the Young Alliance Chairman present would look suspicious to anyone.

The Brawling King put down the gifts he held and politely greeted Bi Sayin.

"What brings the Young Alliance Chairman here?"

He appeared like an instructor surprised by the Young Alliance Chairman's sudden visit. He truly seemed to have nothing to do with the recent incident.

On his way here, Bi Sayin had wondered how Hwang Seokgyeong would react. He expected a flat denial of everything, but he had not imagined such a natural greeting.

"Instructor Hwang, it's been a while. When did we last meet?"

"I greeted you briefly at the New Year's banquet this year."

"Ah, that's right."

Until then, I never dreamed I would reunite with him like this. Is this man really the one behind the incident? Was he the one who gave those men their orders?

"Please, come inside."

"It's alright. I was just passing by and came to see your face for a moment, Instructor Hwang."

The Brawling King's gaze shifted to the Thirteen Evil Wolves. Geom Mugeuk stood partially hidden behind the other members, concealing his presence.

Therefore, the Brawling King did not notice that a master like Geom Mugeuk had joined the Thirteen Evil Wolves.

Not a single one of them is injured?

Although he felt an unknown sense of crisis, the Brawling King did not waver. Nothing excited him as much as the thrill of danger.

The Young Alliance Chairman came here knowing I'm the one behind this. The fact that he had come here, after never visiting before, meant just that.

Is this a probe? Or a declaration of war?

Was he always this kind of person? The Bi Sayin he had analyzed was not this type of person.

"What are all these?" Bi Sayin asked, looking at the gifts on the floor.

"These are things the recent class gave me as they left."

Bi Sayin picked one of them up.

"May I open it?"

"Of course."

Bi Sayin was about to open it but then handed it to the Brawling King.

"It seems dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"Since when has there ever been a good training instructor? Wouldn't someone hold a grudge and try to poison you?"

The Brawling King gave a good-natured laugh at Bi Sayin's joke.

"I doubt it. After all, once training is over, there's no one more memorable than the instructor."

Judging by his current appearance, Instructor Hwang was truly a good man, far removed from any conspiracies.

"Are you satisfied with your work as an instructor?"

"I consider it my calling."

Listening to their conversation, Geom Mugeuk suddenly had a thought.

Why an instructor, of all things?

There must have been many ways to infiltrate the Evil Alliance and establish a position. With the Brawling King's skills, he could have reached the position of Director by now. To say it was simply to avoid attention was unconvincing, as there was no one who didn't know of Instructor Hwang of the Evil Alliance Pass.

While Geom Mugeuk was lost in thought, the conversation between Bi Sayin and the Brawling King continued.

"I was ambushed today."

"What? An ambush? Are you alright?" the Brawling King asked, startled.

"Fortunately, I'm fine."

"How dare they!"

"Their identities were unknown, but they were people who used golden dragon hidden weapons."

"Good heavens! Such shameless people who don't even know the honor of a martial artist! They're scum!"

Seeing him calmly call himself scum, Bi Sayin confirmed that the man before him was no ordinary person.

"Since they dared to try and kill the Young Alliance Chairman, you must capture them and punish them by decapitation. The Young Alliance Chairman is the pillar and future of the evil murim."

In truth, Bi Sayin had expected a different kind of meeting.

He had expected to find something suspicious about him, for him to make some strange remark or reveal a peculiar presence.

He might have been in a situation where he could roar, 'How dare you try to kill me?' He had even thought about what he would say then.

He thought there would be some special circumstance. Even if there was not, he thought he would be able to find it.

However, his opponent revealed nothing of his true identity. He was perfectly Instructor Hwang. It was as if he were saying, 'You've got it all wrong.'

How should I deal with someone like this?

Bi Sayin felt it. He was still not strong enough. The only thing that came to mind was, 'It was you, wasn't it?' But if it had been Geom Mugeuk, he would have said something to turn the situation to his advantage.

He felt he should not have rushed here so emotionally. He was not Geom Mugeuk, after all.

If the charge was a mistake, he had to at least retreat properly.

Bi Sayin bid farewell to the Brawling King with a smile.

"On the day I received a baptism of hidden weapons from assassins, our dear instructor received a mountain of gifts. It makes me think I need to live more diligently."

Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sayin stood side by side on a cliff.

Despite the First Wolf's warning to be careful, he had come here alone with Geom Mugeuk.

Is there a power that a place can give? Standing here with Geom Mugeuk, he felt he could be more honest. Bi Sayin felt that now, more than ever, was a time to be honest.

"The bastard trying to take my livelihood, I'll never forgive him. I'll kill him and every single person involved, without exception. Am I the Young Alliance Chairman of the Evil Alliance for nothing?"

He was sincere, and he wanted to ask Geom Mugeuk.

"I'm a more selfish and evil person than you think. Will you still be my friend? Don't tell me later that you didn't know I was such a wicked person."

Geom Mugeuk knew exactly where Bi Sayin's distress, which poured out in a torrent of words, was coming from.

"Do you regret going to see Instructor Hwang?"

After a brief pause, Bi Sayin asked, "If it were you, would you have gone to see him?"

That was the question Bi Sayin had wanted to ask.

"Even if I were to go, I wouldn't have gone today, at least."

"May I ask why?"

"Because most of the decisions I've made when I was angry, I ended up regretting."

"I thought so."

His anger had boiled over at the fact that the man had tried to kill him. He had gone to see him, but he regretted it after he got there. Because nothing had happened, the man's momentum had pushed him back.

"Then why didn't you stop me?"

"Because you have to experience it yourself to truly feel it."

How cold reality is. Even ideals boiling like lava can become mere dreams, swept away in icy water.

As Bi Sayin let out a light sigh, Geom Mugeuk smiled.

"That's your first sigh."

It was not just his first sigh in front of Geom Mugeuk. It was his first sigh in front of anyone. Bi Sayin deliberately let out another, louder sigh. He showed how much closer they had become with that sigh.

Geom Mugeuk laughed and comforted him.

"It's fine. We both know about each other anyway. We should at least exchange greetings before we fight. Besides, we learned something from this visit."

"What is it?"

He had spoken so casually that Bi Sayin thought it was nothing important.

"I figured out the bastard's objective."

A startled Bi Sayin almost blurted out, What? You crazy bastard! How on earth could he have figured out the man's objective from today's meeting? Did he secretly steal and read his diary or something?

"Did we meet a different person?" he asked, because he had not noticed anything at all.

Geom Mugeuk pointed out something completely unexpected.

"Looking at the pile of gifts, a question came to my mind. Why is he building up such a reputation? If he's plotting in secret, it would be better not to stand out. Would someone planning such a grand conspiracy really go out of his way to expend his energy being nice to the martial artists of the Evil Alliance Pass?"

Hearing that, Bi Sayin also found it strange. He grew anxious, worried that some shocking conclusion would come from Geom Mugeuk's mouth.

"Over the past years, the martial artists he has produced must have started taking up key positions in the Evil Alliance. There will be Division Leaders, and Captains. Someone who promoted quickly might have even become a Commander."

Bi Sayin asked cautiously, "So, what is his objective?"

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Bi Sayin and answered.

"……"

Bi Sayin was speechless for a moment. At first, he did not understand what that meant. Then, a single thought struck his mind.

"Don't tell me you mean he's aiming for the successor's position?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

"He is trying to become the Evil Alliance Chairman."

"!"

He never imagined that the mastermind behind this incident, that Hwang Seokgyeong, would try to become the Evil Alliance Chairman. The distance between an instructor and the Chairman was far too great.

"The reason he tried to kill you without mercy is probably because it's something he would have to do eventually anyway."

If the person speaking had not been Geom Mugeuk, he would have exploded in anger, shouting about what ridiculous nonsense it was.

"Is that even possible?" Bi Sayin's voice trembled.

"Originally, this must have been the plan. I don't know how many years from now it would be, but he would kill you, the successor, and then assassinate the Evil Alliance Chairman as well. I don't know the method. In any case, once the Chairman's seat is vacant, he will reveal his overwhelming martial prowess and challenge for the position. By then, there will be almost no masters left to stop him."

"You can't become the Chairman just by being strong in martial arts. The members of the alliance won't acknowledge him."

"Which members are you talking about? The powerful figures he's currently allied with? Or the martial artists he has produced?"

"!"

"Public opinion and the atmosphere within the alliance will support him. Not just a mere instructor, but a respected instructor will reveal his hidden skills and rise as a hero."

Bi Sayin's heart sank.

"He won't be able to kill the Chairman."

"You know it's not easy to block a hidden blade, don't you? Especially a blade that has been sharpened and waiting for a very long time. Of course, this is my prediction. It could be wrong."

Bi Sayin did not think Geom Mugeuk's speculation was baseless. This was a man who had already tried to kill him, the Young Alliance Chairman, without a shred of hesitation.

Bi Sayin was lost in his own thoughts for a long while. Geom Mugeuk offered no advice. This was something he had to decide and resolve on his own.

Finally, Bi Sayin reached a conclusion.

"I will not ask the Chairman for help."

He decided to handle this matter with his own strength.

"If by some chance I die, please make sure to tell the Chairman the full story behind this incident."

"I will."

Bi Sayin said to Geom Mugeuk, "Isn't this the part where you're supposed to say something like, 'You won't die'?"

Geom Mugeuk did not say what he wanted to hear.

"This decision could get you killed."

He said it with sincerity. His opponent was the Brawling King, after all. No matter what path he took, it was a fixed future that he would have to face the Brawling King in a final battle.

"Why aren't you trying to stop me?"

Because you have to overcome it yourself to become stronger.

"Because it's not your life on the line?"

Bi Sayin laughed. It was the loudest he had laughed since they met.

"That's a good laugh. Make sure you laugh like that when you meet a woman."

"While you're spouting that nonsense, are you going to watch until the very end to see just how tenacious my life is?"

"Watching a fight is always fun."

"That man's efforts to steal my livelihood were commendable, but it seems his luck, at least, couldn't match mine."

Bi Sayin looked at Geom Mugeuk.

Unlike his words about just watching, Geom Mugeuk had been fighting alongside him from the very beginning. He was waiting for him to grow, being patient with him, and pushing him to become the protagonist who resolves the situation.

With this kind of luck, with a friend like this, I cannot lose to that bastard.

"Let's go. I don't know about later, but for now, there are still people who would jump up in protest at an instructor becoming the Chairman."