Chapter 384
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## C384 – Only One Person
But reality was relentless.
Despite Yeon Mubaek’s passionate speech, no one responded.
In fact, some bowed their heads and whispered with their companions.
“Did the master of Yeon Academy just say he’ll fight the Iron Blood Sect? Without disciples?”
“Seems like he’ll replace them with ronin/nangin. But will anyone come to Yeon Academy?”
“What madness! It’s like hitting a rock with an egg. They should have just bowed their heads and pretended to be dead.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Some even went further and criticized Yeon Mubaek.
“His intentions are noble, but he doesn’t know the world. It’s an impossible task, even if all the military academies in Gosung Village joined forces.”
“Well, who keeps silent for lack of courage? It’s because they don’t have the ability to resist.”
“That’s why young blood is so terrifying. It’s like carrying firewood and jumping into a fire pit.”
Yeon Mubaek couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the negative response from the martial leaders.
He had invited the Chambers of Commerce he had connections with, and the small sects he had met during his time in the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance, but no one encouraged him.
Yeon Seolju, who stood beside Yeon Mubaek, was equally surprised.
When they had the meeting in the guest room, everything seemed promising.
Perhaps they were more confident after defeating the Iron Blood Sect warriors.
But the cold response from the martial leaders caused the enthusiasm to fade.
Thinking about it, the people’s reaction was no surprise.
The Iron Blood Sect was a huge sect with over a hundred warriors, controlling the underworld of Luoyang.
On the other hand, Yeon Academy was a rural military academy that had just opened its doors and had no disciples.
“I got too excited.”
He had only defeated the Iron Blood Sect’s external branch leader, and he hadn’t seen things clearly.
As his boiling blood cooled down, he felt a chill in his heart.
Should they abandon Gosung Village, as Lee Cheolwon said?
Or should they keep fighting until the end?
Unlike how she had felt in the guest room, Yeon Seolju was starting to doubt whether to continue or not.
Yeon Mubaek said with determination:
“Of course, I know we are outnumbered. But I think it’s time to fight. We must show them that even a worm wriggles when you step on it. Who knows? They might have stepped on a worm thinking it was, but it was actually a dragon.”
At Yeon Mubaek’s meaningful statement, the martial leaders involuntarily nodded.
The phrase “even a worm wriggles when you step on it” resonated in their hearts.
It was the perfect phrase for Yeon Academy at that moment.
The Chamber of Commerce members who knew the Yeon brothers’ past looked at Yeon Mubaek with astonishment.
Waryong Manor, the predecessor of Yeon Gamu-gwan Academy, was a symbol of weakness and submission.
Waryong Manor in the Desolate Plain, where the Moon-Splitting Swordsman, Yeon Muryong, had retired, was trampled by the Lunar Fairy, and Waryong Manor was closed by Yeon Jeokha of Nokrim.
During that time, the Yeon brothers had preferred evasion over fighting.
And now, even though they were told they were “hitting a rock with an egg,” they dared to confront the Iron Blood Sect.
There was a change in the Yeon brothers’ hearts.
“Those who want to join Yeon Military Academy, please stay after the feast. Even if only one person remains, we will gladly welcome them as guests. Please spread my message to the other guests. Thank you.”
After speaking, Yeon Mubaek left with Yeon Seungbaek and Yeon Seolju for the main house.
People no longer criticized Yeon Mubaek’s recklessness.
Everything had changed thanks to the phrase “even a worm wriggles when you step on it.”
Yang Yihwa, shocked, stood there, stunned.
She thought they would somehow come to an agreement with the Iron Blood Sect, but it turned out they were going to fight.
Due to the request to stay after the feast, people began to rise one after another.
It seemed like they were all leaving to avoid being misinterpreted as guests.
The banquet hall, which had been packed with people, quickly emptied.
“That’s human nature.”
Yang Yihwa looked at the now almost empty banquet hall with a bitter expression.
“How many will stay?”
As she had invited the small sects she had met during her time in the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance, she thought at least ten people would stay.
But, to her disappointment, the number of guests kept decreasing.
As Yang Yihwa watched with a heavy heart, she heard a clear and resonant voice.
“If I stay, will I become a guest?”
————–
In the guest room:
“How many do you think will stay?”
Jeong Gyeokcheon, the Swordsman of the Sea and Mountains, Leader of the Jeong Family, asked. Yeon Mubaek shook his head.
“I don’t know. It seemed like everyone was hesitant to face the Iron Blood Sect.”
“It’s understandable. They are the ones who rule the night in Luoyang.”
“I don’t know if we’re doing the right thing. I think I was too optimistic after defeating a branch leader.”
At Yeon Mubaek’s self-critical words, Jeong Gyeokcheon sighed silently.
He too had been swept away by the atmosphere.
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t thrilled to see over thirty Iron Blood Sect warriors defeated without being able to do anything.
“So, have you changed your mind?”
“No. What I said in front of the guests was sincere. I’ve lived too carelessly. This time, I’ll make them realize that the Yeon brothers are not easy to defeat.”
“If that’s your intention, the Jeong Family will help you. We’ll send five hundred liang of silver first. Don’t worry about the cost and recruit the nangin you need.”
“Thank you.”
“But what about Nokrim? I heard that when you established the Waryong Manor in the Dragon Palace, they were the ones who prevented its operation. Unlike the Iron Blood Sect, they are invincible enemies…”
“It will be fine.”
“Have you had any contact with Yeon Jeokha?”
“No, but it will be fine as long as it’s not Waryong Manor.”
Yeon Mubaek thought Yeon Jeokha hated the Yeon brothers’ Waryong Manor.
If he had wanted to oppose everything, he wouldn’t have taught them his supreme technique.
Or so he wanted to believe.
On the day of their last encounter, Yeon Jeokha seemed to have forgotten his grudges.
That’s why he had created Yeon Military Academy instead of joining the Infinite Heaven Alliance.
At that ambiguous answer, Jeong Gyeokcheon murmured with uncertainty:
“Is it a stretch to think that the Iron Blood Sect intervened at Nokrim’s behest?”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the guest room became tense.
It wasn’t an unreasonable possibility, considering Yeon Jeokha’s past actions.
Yeon Seungbaek’s breathing quickened.
“If that guy is behind the Iron Blood Sect, I’ll kill him.”
“Seungbaek, don’t talk nonsense about something that’s not confirmed. Even if Jeokha was involved, you shouldn’t say those things about your brother.”
“Brother? Why are we brothers with that guy? Have you forgotten what he did to you? If Waryong Manor hadn’t been destroyed, I wouldn’t be in this situation. Why are you protecting him?”
Yeon Seungbaek, who had lost an arm, waved his empty sleeve nervously.
Yeon Seungbaek’s anger had its reasons.
After the destruction of Waryong Manor, the two brothers, homeless, joined the Justice Alliance.
After the Justice Alliance reorganized as the Heaven and Earth Alliance, Yeon Seungbaek lost an arm in combat.
From Yeon Seungbaek’s perspective, his resentment was understandable. If Waryong Manor had remained, he wouldn’t have had to join the Justice League.
“It’s unfortunate that you lost an arm, but you can’t blame everything on Jeokha.”
“No. All of this is that guy’s fault. He destroyed Waryong Manor and gave me a fake artifact.”
“We were the ones who asked him for his sword. He never said his sword was an artifact.”
Yeon Seolju intervened.
“But he didn’t say it wasn’t either. We were all manipulated by Jeokha.”
“Bah! No matter how much you hate him, at least tell the truth. We were the ones who took Uncle Yeon’s sword by force. I’m still ashamed of what we did that day.”
At Yeon Mubaek’s reprimand, Yeon Seungbaek and Yeon Seolju didn’t respond.
It was true that they had taken the sword by force.
Jeong Gyeokcheon, who had been watching the argument between the Yeon brothers, called their attention.
“So, are you sure Yeon Jeokha is not involved in this matter?”
“Yes. Jeokha won’t care about the Yeon’s affairs. He’s too big for that. He’s already forgotten the Yeons a long time ago.”
“Then, the situation isn’t so desperate. If we gather people, we won’t be defeated so easily. Not all the Iron Blood Sect warriors are masters.”
The Yeon brothers’ faces brightened a little at Jeong Gyeokcheon’s words.
At that moment, a worker’s voice was heard outside the door.
“Master, the guests are leaving.”
Yeon Mubaek, Yeon Seungbaek, and Yeon Seolju quickly got up.
They had to see off the guests they had invited.
In front of the porch, there were many members of the Chambers of Commerce and warriors from the small sects.
They all wished them good luck, but no one stayed.
Yeon Mubaek, Yeon Seungbaek, and Yeon Seolju saw them off to the door.
Yeon Mubaek, with a bitter expression, looked at the now empty banquet hall.
Even so, there were still three or four people there.
By their ragged appearance, they seemed to be nangin passing by.
At that moment, even they were welcome.
Yeon Mubaek, who was about to enter the guest room, headed to the banquet hall.
The warriors who saw him arrive late hastily got up. Yeon Mubaek smiled and said:
“It’s okay. Eat more. I’m Yeon Mubaek, the master of Yeon Military Academy.”
“Ah, yes. It’s been a pleasure. I’m leaving.”
“Me too.”
“I hope you succeed.”
Fearing that Yeon Mubaek would stop them, they left without looking back.
Yang Yihwa quickly approached Yeon Mubaek, who stood there, stunned.
Yeon Mubaek looked at his wife with a discouraged expression and said:
“Everyone has left.”
“No. One remains.”
“Who stayed?”
“A guest.”
Yang Yihwa pointed to a corner of the banquet hall.
Someone was eating enthusiastically, with a bamboo load leaning against his chair.
His messy hair and dirty clothes caught the eye first. If it wasn’t for the load, he would have thought he was a beggar.
“Did that person say he would stay?”
“Yes. Don’t be surprised. He says he’s a secret disciple of the Wudang Sect.”
Hearing he was a secret disciple of the Wudang Sect, Yeon Mubaek’s eyes lit up.
It was understandable, as a disciple of the Seven Great Sects could face a hundred enemies.
Yeon Seungbaek and Yeon Seolju’s faces also brightened.
“I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. I’m Yeon Mubaek, the master of Yeon Academy.”
Yeon Jeokha slowly dropped the chicken leg he was eating.
The banquet hall was empty.
“Go ahead with the people!”
It seemed like everyone had left after watching the show, as if they were people gathered in front of a street vendor.
Yeon Jeokha sighed lightly and turned his head.
“I’m Namcheon, a secret disciple of the Wudang Sect.”
“Ah! Now I see you’re Mr. Nam. My wife told me about you. Do you want to become a guest of our Yeon Academy?”
Yeon Jeokha’s lips trembled.
It seemed like he had recognized him by his name, even though his Taoist name was “Namcheon.”
But he thought it wasn’t necessary to mention that.
If his identity as a Yeon was revealed, people might investigate his family history.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, but what is your master’s name? I want to thank him personally later.”
“It’s Master Cheongbulno of the Five Dragons Palace.”
“The Five Dragons Palace…”
Yeon Mubaek’s expression darkened slightly.
Suddenly, he noticed the bamboo load that was carelessly lying around.