Chapter 270

Chapter 270
## Chapter 270. Someone’s Malice (1)

—

The date for the concluding hands-on assessment of the term was drawing near.

While a sense of excitement lingered among the Academy pupils regarding the upcoming winter vacation, a heavy, tense mood prevailed because this specific practical test held the highest grade percentage. Those who had committed themselves to isolated, intense training emerged from their seclusion right on schedule. The grounds were filled with frantic activity as everyone searched for reliable partners to build their squads. Naturally, the students who had already settled their arrangements were left to take care of secondary concerns.

And for So-un-Jin, the absolute most pressing crisis he faced was…

“I understand you accomplished something absolutely maaaar-velous over with the Unorthodox Dragon Alliance, Dae-sa-hyeong.”

“Cough… As a loyal pupil of the Tae-eul-mun, it was merely my bounden duty. That aside, Ryeon-mae, you seem to have made remarkable strides in such a brief window.”

“Ryeon-mae… Ryeon-mae… I explicitly ordered you never to utter that title to me again!”

…simply surviving the wrath of Sa-ryeon-Hong, who had just broken her seclusion.

“Ho-hold on a second! My actions weren’t so treacherous that you need to radiate actual murderous intent like this!”

“Just perish without making a fuss!”

“Demanding the demise of a man who barely escaped with his life!”

“Save your breath!”

Amidst that chaos, the designated dawn for the strategy and tactics evaluation finally arrived.

“Sa-ryeon… what is the reason for that dark look on your face?”

Seon-hwa-Namgung, who had forged a tight bond with her while sharing the same training isolation, questioned her with deep concern.

“I was unable to connect a solitary strike.”

“What?”

Seon-hwa-Namgung tilted her head in confusion. In response, Sa-ryeon released a profound, weary breath.

“Dae-sa-hyeong. I threw myself into the assault with every ounce of my strength, yet I failed to graze him even once… Do you reckon my isolated training went awry?”

Seon-hwa-Namgung knit her brows. Sa-ryeon-Hong had thrown herself into her studies with a frightening level of ferocity during that brief period of seclusion. On multiple occasions, she had completely neglected basic necessities like nourishment and rest. It was a degree of absolute focus Seon-hwa-Namgung had never before witnessed in her life. Since her growth was directly tied to that staggering dedication, Sa-ryeon’s martial capabilities had advanced tremendously in short order. Regardless of the varying tiers of skill among the Academy students, it defied logic that So-un-Jin hadn’t been struck a single time.

“Are you absolutely certain you held nothing back?”

“I am positive. It was my maximum power.”

Sa-ryeon looked as though she might explode from sheer indignation, highlighting just how aggrieved she felt. So-un-Jin had been running himself ragged, juggling his official leadership duties with frequent trips to assist the Man-tong-bu. Given his recent excursion to the Unorthodox Dragon Alliance on top of that, he logically shouldn’t have had any spare moments to practice… It was completely baffling how So-un-Jin’s prowess had managed to leap forward during that interval.

Right at that moment.

“Why rack your brain over it? He has never been a fellow governed by ordinary logic to begin with, up we go.”

Mo-ran-Seong interjected while executing her physical warm-ups.

“If you attempt to unravel every single anomaly about him, you’ll only end up giving yourself a headache.”

“Did something specific occur?”

Prompted by Seon-hwa-Namgung’s query, Mo-ran-Seong flashed a look of sheer bewilderment.

“Well, I mean to say that Young Master Jin was fully aware of every single blind spot in the Wave-Breaking Sword Art. Furthermore, he even provided the exact methods to rectify those flaws.”

“……”

“The senior masters of my house went to such lengths to keep those vulnerabilities concealed, so how on earth did he grasp them so intimately?”

Reflecting upon it, hadn’t her own grandfather, the legendary Creation God Sword, conceptualized the Sky-Cloud Sword Art only after engaging in a deep dialogue with So-un-Jin? Exactly as Mo-ran-Seong pointed out, Seon-hwa-Namgung felt herself sinking into an impenetrable fog the more she pondered the matter.

“What is the topic of discussion?”

Precisely then, So-un-Jin, the very individual they were discussing, strolled over alongside his fellow martial brothers. Mo-ran-Seong muttered under her breath, complaining aloud.

“We were talking about a certain someone. A man who grows increasingly baffling the closer you look at him.”

So-un-Jin’s brows knit together with sudden wariness.

“…That sounds perilous. Are we speaking of a con artist?”

“…Well, you aren’t entirely wide of the mark.”

Observing Mo-ran-Seong shift the subject so evasively, So-un-Jin opted not to press the issue. It was partly because Sa-ryeon was currently glaring at him with terrifying intensity.

“Ahem, regardless, I anticipate a fruitful cooperation with everyone.”

“The pleasure is ours, we must request your guidance.”

“There is a heavy concentration of Tae-eul-mun pupils in this group; will this genuinely cause no issues for you?”

“On the contrary, I should be the one expressing gratitude. I am currently walking a tightrope due to my miserable ‘Mu’ (F) grade. Seon-hwa undoubtedly aligned with Young Master Jin’s unit for a matching purpose. Am I correct?”

“Indeed. In truth, I am relying heavily on your assistance. Ultimately, I must secure a stellar mark in this practical test if I hope to outshine my brother’s record.”

Acknowledging the statements from both women, So-un-Jin gave a firm nod.

“I shall give this my absolute all.”

Following that, he swept his eyes across the assembled companions. Geum-pyo, Eun-ho, Dong-ryong, Sa-ryeon, Mo-ran-Seong, Seon-hwa-Namgung, Jae-hwa-Moyong, Seol-ran-Eun. And unexpectedly, Yayul Geuk.

Wait. Yayul Geuk? So-un-Jin tilted his chin askew and questioned the young man.

“What brings you into our ranks?”

“I-I didn’t sign up for this because I desired to be here!”

Yayul Geuk, his countenance flushing a violent crimson, bellowed as the cords in his neck bulged outwards. Eun-ho offered an explanation accompanied by a heavy sigh.

“I extended an invitation to him because he was entirely isolated without a squad to join. Besides, we required a full complement of ten individuals to satisfy the rules.”

So-un-Jin clicked his tongue, the entire dynamic perfectly obvious to him without needing further details.

“Sigh, this is precisely why I frequently advised you to moderate your temperament under normal circumstances.”

“You, I!”

“Cease the bickering. The proceedings are commencing.”

After silencing the youth who was snarling like a cornered wildcat, So-un-Jin surveyed the expansive testing grounds. Il-gak and Jang U-jae had assembled distinct squads composed strictly of their personal associates. The proctors and senior teachers circulated through the throngs of Academy students to verify registration details before distributing colored banners corresponding to their designated factions. The pupils who accepted custody of the banners immediately employed every strategy imaginable to camouflage their flag-bearers.

“Moments like this make me wish more than ever that I had focused on hand-to-hand combat arts instead of weaponry.”

“Does not every discipline possess its own unique benefits and drawbacks?”

Within this strategy and tactics trial, delivering a critical wound to a competitor served as a direct cause for a score reduction. This reality was naturally sufficient to make the weapon-wielders hesitate and grow cautious. It was the explicit design of the coordinators to force an evaluation centered entirely on tactical maneuverability and planning.

“I received word that Monk Il-gak established a unit comprised solely of brethren from the Shaolin Temple? He is dead serious about this.”

As Mo-ran-Seong curled her lip in distaste, So-un-Jin slowly gestured with a shake of his head.

“The final scores are not determined by whether a person wields steel or relies on bare fists…”

“I despise it regardless.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Mo-ran-Seong raised her voice while widening her eyes defiantly.

“An individual who has only ever known ‘Gap’ (A) scores cannot possibly comprehend the internal agony of someone saddled with a ‘Mu’ (F) grade!”

She then lunged forward to seize Geum-pyo, who was methodically inspecting his defensive gear, and began to shake him vigorously.

“Geum-pyo! Voice your agreement! Your Dae-sa-hyeong possesses absolutely no empathy.”

Confronted by Mo-ran-Seong’s sudden outburst, Geum-pyo stared blankly for a fleeting second before his features hardened into an expression of unyielding conviction.

“We shall secure an exemplary grade without fail. Rest your mind.”

Hearing this, Mo-ran-Seong instinctively recoiled by a step.

“…What has possessed him all of a sudden?”

Ultimately, under the watchful gaze of the senior teachers, the gathered Academy students commenced consuming the Gentleman’s Powder (Gun-ja-san) one after another. This particular batch of Gentleman’s Powder was manufactured directly within the Divine Medicine Pavilion of the Moolim Alliance, utilizing a secret formula preserved and passed down by the Great Tang Family of Sichuan. The potency of this substance endures for a precise duration of twelve shijin (24 hours), rendering the Academy students utterly incapable of accessing their internal energy for the span of a single day.

“Ugh… this sensation is repulsive no matter how many times I experience it.”

As Mo-ran-Seong twisted her features in disgust, Eun-ho inquired.

“You have ingested this before?”

“Indeed, back within my home sect. They frequently forced us to conduct exercises after taking Gentleman’s Powder. It is because Gentleman’s Powder represents the most rudimentary form of toxin that a martial artist might be subjected to.”

A shadow of apprehension crossed the features of Eun-ho, who lacked any prior experience training under the restrictive influence of Gentleman’s Powder. Right then, So-un-Jin, having just swallowed his own dose of the Gentleman’s Powder, spoke up.

“Merely recall the grueling regimens we endured back at the Tae-eul-mun. If you can channel the physical memory of those exercises, you will adjust to this state in no time.”

Mo-ran-Seong questioned him with an expression of astonishment.

“You have previously undergone training that locked away your internal reserves?”

So-un-Jin offered a casual shrug of his shoulders.

“The financial reserves of the Tae-eul-mun were far too meager to purchase something like Gentleman’s Powder.”

“Sigh… just how immensely far into the future does this man calculate?”

While Mo-ran-Seong continued her quiet grumbling, Buk Won-pyeong stepped up onto the raised speaker’s platform.

[The strategy and tactics evaluation commencing on this day marks the final test of the academic cycle. Academy students, exert your utmost efforts so that you may achieve a triumphant conclusion! Let the trial begin!]

The instant Buk Won-pyeong concluded his declaration, a signaling rocket soared into the sky and erupted in a flash of light, prompting the Academy students to immediately shift into motion according to the colors of their assigned banners.

The trio of modest hilltops situated roughly one shijin’s journey from the Academy grounds possessed no official names originally. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Wuhan had collectively taken to referring to the three peaks as Hong-san (Red Mountain), Cheong-san (Blue Mountain), and Baek-san (White Mountain) respectively. Because the annual strategy and tactics assessment had been conducted upon these terrains for countless generations, the terminology utilized by the Academy students had gradually permeated and established itself among the local populace of Wuhan.

“Waaaaaaa!”

“Waaaaaaaaa!”

The individuals who had aligned into squads instantly initiated an internal struggle for dominance among the various units belonging to the Red Army, White Army, and Blue Army factions. Those whose banners were captured fell under the command structure of their vanquishers, and on certain occasions, distinct squads voluntarily merged into larger companies through mutual concession.

“A massive number of eyes are still tracking us.”

I offered a nod of agreement to Mo-ran-Seong, who was carefully monitoring the surrounding landscape.

“They are undoubtedly scouting to identify which group presents the most vulnerable target first.”

The competition does not simply conclude the moment a banner is forfeited. Within the scoring metrics, the volume of enemy flags a unit manages to capture prior to suffering defeat exerts a profound impact on the final grade. Not merely the prominent factions like the Orthodox Faction, the Righteous Faction, and the 12 Peaks, but even the independent students devoid of institutional backing were frantically searching for squads weaker than themselves.

Our group, positioned closest to the primary Red Army encampment, slowly directed our steps toward the central zone. The internal conflict among the Red Army factions had not yet escalated into full-blown warfare. Right at that juncture, a particular squad obstructed our path.

“Representative.”

The speaker was none other than Jang U-jae, standing alongside his personal companions.

“Do you intend to suffer elimination this early in the game?”

In response to my inquiry, Jang U-jae flashed a broad smirk.

“From a tactical standpoint, integrating oneself into a squad with a guaranteed path to victory qualifies as a brilliant maneuver and yields additional merits.”

“In that case, do you intend to surrender your banner willingly?”

“Even so, shouldn’t we test our mettle at least once?”

Precisely as anticipated, he is a comrade whose spirit I appreciate. I nodded my head in agreement while unsheathing the Black Dragon Sword.

“A collection of remarkably enthusiastic squad members is about to join our ranks.”

Following my statement, Jang U-jae likewise drew his own blade. Momentarily, the opening skirmish for dominance within the Red Army flared to life.

Initiated by the confrontation with Jang U-jae, a succession of multiple Red Army squads lunged forward to challenge us one after the other. Through every encounter, our unit maintained an unbroken streak of triumphs. Observing our numbers swell exponentially with the conclusion of each skirmish, several remaining squads within the Red Army opted to initiate grand mergers through calculated diplomatic agreements.

Even though a massive force of company proportions or greater had yet to launch a unified assault against us, our squad was forced to maintain an unceasing defense against an endless barrage of challengers.

“Argh!”

“Student Song Mu-yeol, disqualified!”

“Student Kang Cha-suk, disqualified!”

In the thick of the ongoing engagements, there were numerous individuals who collapsed from sheer physical exhaustion or suffered disqualification due to the gravity of their wounds. Operating one’s physical form under conditions that entirely barred the usage of internal energy was an incredibly grueling chore for martial artists who had spent their entire existences relying on internal cultivation. There were frequent instances where fighters spent their physical stamina completely by overexerting their muscles, and cases abounded where individuals were removed from the field after accidentally inflicting catastrophic trauma on a foe due to an inability to regulate their raw physical power. Fortunately, not a single member of our core squad had fallen out thus far.

While I was silently noting that the operation was progressing smoothly.

“However, something feels entirely off about this scene.”

Mo-ran-Seong remarked while carefully sweeping her gaze across the wider field.

“What is the reason behind everyone else refraining from taking decisive action?”

“……”

“……”

Faced with her observation, Eun-ho and Jae-hwa-Moyong scrambled up onto neighboring boulders and branches to get a better vantage point of the territory. I similarly shifted my focus to inspect the regions occupied by the Blue Army and White Army forces. Though there were clear sectors where banners had been consolidated to form larger companies, every single faction appeared to be maintaining a passive posture, merely observing the unfolding events. Exactly as Mo-ran-Seong noted, there was an unnatural lack of aggressive maneuvering.

Given that a strict duration constraint was active, it would have been entirely logical for the competitive fervor to be reaching a boiling point, yet the masses remained stationary as though adhering to a unified blueprint.

‘What is occurring here? I detect the distinct stench of a trap.’

As if responding directly to my dark premonition, Eun-ho’s shout echoed down from his perch on the high boulder.

“Dae-sa-hyeong, the Blue Army has broken their standstill and is advancing!”

In immediate succession, Jae-hwa’s voice rang out from above.

“Hyung-nim, the White Army has likewise mobilized. However…”

Jae-hwa’s countenance, which was intently analyzing the slopes of Baek-san, twisted into a mask of grim disbelief.

“They aren’t engaging each other whatsoever.”

“What?”

“…They are marching directly toward Hong-san.”

An entirely unprecedented tactical shift.

“What sort of scheme are they executing?”

The battalions comprising the Blue Army and White Army were executing a perfectly synchronized advance. At a juncture where they ought to be locked in a fierce struggle against one another to secure flags, they were instead ascending Hong-san in a highly disciplined formation, completely bypassing any mutual conflict.

“They have nearly scaled the approaches to Hong-san.”

“What in the world do those fools think they are doing!”

Standing at my side, Geum-pyo offered a low-voiced update while maintaining a vice-like grip on his heavy shield.

“…The local Red Army forces aren’t unsheathing their weapons to stop them either.”

“What treacherous plot are these degenerates concocting…”

Right at that split second.

Shuaaa—

The disparate groups of the Red Army who were positioned across the terrain of Hong-san began to intentionally divide their ranks, carving out a wide passageway. Consequently, the invading forces of the Blue Army and White Army were allowed to ascend the heights of Hong-san without encountering a shred of resistance.

“Hyung-nim… those bastards couldn’t possibly be targeting us specifically, right?”

Mosc

“……”

Jae-hwa-Moyong possessed a look as though his mind refused to accept the reality unfolding before his eyes. Yet, not a single soul among our companions offered a verbal response to calm his anxiety. In truth, there was absolutely no requirement for words.

“Fuck, curse it all…”

Because the advancing columns of both the Blue Army and the White Army were steering their collective steps with absolute precision, marching without a single deviation directly toward the exact location where our squad stood waiting.