Chapter 371

Chapter 371
## Chapter 371. The Fluctuating Currents (3)

—

If one had to pinpoint the individual who completely rewrote the chronicle of the Murim Academy, it would undoubtedly be Yong So-ah.

In the entire timeline of the Murim Academy, no figure had ever radiated such brilliant light.

She was someone who originated from the absolute peak and maintained her position at the zenith throughout her life.

Conversely, if one sought the person existing at the polar opposite end, it would be the very first academy student with a wanderer (*Nangin*) origin in the academy’s entire history.

A veritable ‘dragon rising from a shallow creek,’ who possessed neither parents nor an established clan.

Beginning his journey as a mere assistant to a wanderer at the age of ten, completing his inaugural contract successfully by fourteen, and ultimately gaining admission to the Academy at twenty-two by testing in entirely on his own merits.

The man who currently held the position of White Wolf Pavilion Master, Deung Cheon-bi.

By the period when I commenced my own operations within the Sojjeong-dae, he had already stepped away and was regarded as the former White Wolf Pavilion Master.

This person, who entered the Murim Alliance with the most meager background imaginable, secured one of the legendary seats among the Seven Stars, and ascended to become the most youthful Pavilion Master in history, was none other than the Striking Star Deung Cheon-bi standing right before me.

A man who had once stood as the ultimate embodiment of success within the Murim Alliance.

Yet, in a tragic twist, he was also a soul who proved utterly incapable of ever breaking free from the confines of the White Wolf Pavilion in the end.

Perhaps the massive Great War between Justice and Evil, a conflict where hereditary status and personal lineage were rendered utterly irrelevant, would have provided the definitive stage to demonstrate his true capabilities; unfortunately, he departed from the Kangho entirely after relinquishing his leadership role prior to the outbreak of the war.

Now, at long last, I stood face-to-face with the man who had previously existed to me only in whispers and legends.

And yet,

‘To think his actual personality would be like this.’

He possessed an immense, towering frame complemented by an unkempt beard.

His half-closed eyelids and heavily bloodshot gaze deviated completely from the refined image expected of a high-ranking Murim Alliance official.

In truth, when taking into account his distinctive, massive great sword (*Tae-do*) and his long outerwear thrown open casually at the chest…… it would be far more accurate to describe him as someone whose appearance aligned perfectly with the lawless Green Forest Bandits rather than an officer of the Murim Alliance.

Would I even be able to communicate effectively with him?

Adjusting my demeanor, I spoke with as much courtesy as I could muster.

“I achieved the status of top student at the Academy. By law, I am permitted to choose the division where I wish to serve…….”

“I am perfectly aware of that fact. Which is precisely why I sent your paperwork right back. We will simply consider that you chose to withdraw your request.”

“What sort of absurd logic is that…… on what grounds are you declaring that you cannot accept my placement?”

Deung Cheon-bi twitched an eyebrow, casting an intensely irritated look in my direction as he growled out his response.

“Just as I suspected, rejecting your application was the correct choice, given that you seem entirely incapable of grasping simple words. I literally just explained it to you. I have an absolute loathing for anything that causes me unnecessary trouble.”

“……Haa.”

While I am a person deeply accustomed to facing various forms of unfairness, encountering such an utterly irrational stance naturally caused a wave of irritation to rise within me.

“Kuuu……. This conversation is utterly ruining the flavor of my liquor. Clear out of here at once. Off with you, go on.”

“…….”

My anger continued to mount.

What aggravated me even more deeply was the reality that, because this specific individual held the absolute authority regarding admissions here, I could not simply lose my temper and attack him.

“It is absolutely imperative that I join the White Wolf Pavilion.”

“And I have already informed you that I cannot permit your entry.”

“…….”

As our dialogue continued, a peculiar detail caught my attention.

At a certain juncture, his phrasing had subtly shifted from ‘I will not accept you’ to ‘I cannot accept you.’

“What exactly do you mean by that choice of words? You speak as though the final decision is entirely out of your hands.”

“…….”

The massive, bandit-like figure gave an uncharacteristic shudder before offering a thoroughly disgruntled reply.

“……This is precisely why dealing with overly perceptive brats is such an immense chore.”

“I would deeply appreciate it if you explained that statement in full detail…….”

“Because I have already been bought a round of liquor by someone else, I am unable to accept your placement here.”

“…….”

I could hardly believe I was witnessing such a completely farcical display of bureaucratic corruption.

To actively trade away the future of a martial artist who hadn’t even officially become his subordinate yet?

“Damn it, what kind of ridiculous nonsense is that?”

“Damn it? Did you actually just use profanity? To an official who outranks you?”

“Are you not explicitly refusing to become my superior? Furthermore, did you not just state with your own mouth that you are rejecting my application?”

“Ah…… you make a valid point there.”

Why on earth was he readily agreeing with my criticism?

While I had meticulously calculated an immense variety of potential complications while reviewing my extensive knowledge of future events, the possibility of being blocked from entering the White Wolf Pavilion had never even crossed my mind.

In the timeline of my previous life, despite starting out as nothing more than a bottom-tier combatant within the Alliance, I eventually rose to lead the Sojjeong-dae itself.

To think that in this life, having successfully graduated at the very top of the Academy, I was being barred from setting foot inside the White Wolf Pavilion.

‘What sort of wretched, miserable predicament is this?’

To make matters worse, every single strategy I had carefully formulated required me to operate directly from within the infrastructure of the White Wolf Pavilion.

These were maneuvers that could never be successfully pulled off within the other Martial Pavilions, where the suffocating influence of major sects and entrenched political factions held total sway.

The entire future I had meticulously mapped out was on the verge of being shattered into dust all because of the single inebriated fool standing right in front of me.

I briefly contemplated waiting to enter until after leadership of the White Wolf Pavilion shifted, but delaying that long would completely ruin my timeline.

The moment it became clear to me that retreating was not an option, I realized exactly how I needed to handle this.

After all, my growth since my previous life encompassed far more than just a higher level of martial prowess.

“How much does it come out to?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The cost of the liquor. I am asking you exactly how much your debt amounts to.”

“Why do you ask? Are you implying you intend to clear it for me?”

Deung Cheon-bi let out a mocking laugh.

“Indeed.”

“Huh?”

Yet, within a fraction of a second, his eyes stretched wider than those of a startled rabbit.

Gazing directly at the container of alcohol gripped in his hand, I laid out my terms.

“I am fully prepared to completely liquidate every single outstanding tab you have accumulated at both the Yangga-ru and the Cheongbin-ru.”

“…….”

“Do you possess unsettled tabs at other establishments as well? I will take care of every last one of them. Furthermore, from this day forward, I will personally guarantee that you never have to spend another moment worrying about funding your drinking habits. In exchange for that consideration…….”

“Listen here, boy.”

In a flash, accompanied by the suffocating stench of heavy liquor, a raw, terrifying killing intent erupted outward, instantly compressing the air in my lungs.

“Hup!”

In that precise heartbeat, my instincts took over, causing my body to tense up as I instinctively retreated by a pace.

For someone like myself, who had not encountered an aura of this magnitude in recent times, it proved to be a thoroughly jarring experience.

‘The legendary Striking Star…… still possesses strength of this caliber?’

That unpolished, primal fighting spirit served as an undeniable testament to his origins as someone who had clawed his way up from the very absolute dirt.

No matter how severely his physical form had withered from years of saturating his system with alcohol poisons, the core of his feral, predatory nature remained entirely intact.

The sensation was remarkably redolent of encountering a blood-feud adversary, or a figure like Bang Du-chil.

It carried that distinct, unyielding audacity possessed exclusively by martial artists who had single-handedly carved out their own destinies through sheer force of will.

“Cease your arrogant words and insolent behavior right this instant. Given that I have already traded your position away, I have shown you far more patience than you deserve.”

It was a highly peculiar sensation, one I was experiencing for the very first time since my regression.

A life that I was navigating for a second time after already seeing a full lifetime through to its conclusion.

Because of that unique perspective, regardless of how advanced in years an adversary might be, they invariably felt somewhat immature to me; however, the sheer ferocity combined with absolute composure he had just displayed momentarily stripped away my consciousness of the vast span of years I carried within my mind.

Naturally, that realization did not mean I entertained the slightest thought of abandoning my objective.

Should we not ensure all balances are squared appropriately?

“I strongly disagree that you have been accommodating enough.”

“……And what exactly do you think you can do about it?”

He let out a low growl, resembling a predatory tiger bearing its teeth in open malice.

The implicit threat that he would strike me down without a shred of hesitation if I persisted in provoking him was painfully clear.

And yet, how could a display of crude intimidation that might work on common tavern brawlers hope to sway someone like me, who had commanded the heights of the Sojjeong-dae?

Allowing a bright smile to cross my face, I leisurely scanned the perimeter of his workspace.

“Hmm, as a preliminary step, I believe I will find it necessary to convey the details of this situation directly to the Mantong-bu. I shall formally report that the reigning White Wolf Pavilion Master is conducting his duties with extreme negligence and executing clear acts of professional malfeasance in his stewardship of the White Wolf Pavilion, specifically by running up astronomical external debts.”

“…….”

“Immediately following that, I intend to lodge an official grievance with the Inspection Pavilion as well. Given that you are actively prioritizing the desires of an outside entity after accepting illicit compensation, the authorities will find more than enough justification to launch a formal inquiry.”

A look of genuine panic began to bleed through the expression that had previously been thick with hostility.

No matter how thick-skinned or unbothered an individual purports to be, they are bound to lose their footing once you begin systematically unearthing their hidden vulnerabilities one after another.

“Ah! I must certainly remember to bring this matter to the attention of the Execution Pavilion as well. Intentionally barring a highly capable martial artist who could significantly bolster the ranks of the White Wolf Pavilion could easily be interpreted as a calculated plot to systematically sabotage the defensive capabilities of the division. Since such an act undermines the foundational military strength of the Murim Alliance as a whole…… hmmm, I doubt you would be able to entirely evade the grave accusation of operating as a clandestine operative for the Black Way.”

“What sort of utter lunacy are you spewing!!”

That tiger-like countenance rapidly contorted into the pathetic expression of a cornered dog.

Appearing entirely uncertain of whether he was dealing with an existential threat or a superior strategist, he shifted about uncomfortably, looking precisely like a man who desperately needed to find a restroom.

“Weren’t you completely indifferent toward maintaining your status as the White Wolf Pavilion Master anyway? Don’t tell me that at this late stage, you have suddenly developed a desperate yearning to protect your title?”

“…….”

Even when a person behaves with total apathy and carries themselves as though they have entirely checked out from life, no one truly finds it simple to let go of everything they hold.

Every human being inherently harbors a deep-seated dread of relinquishing what remains within their grasp.

Because confronting the profound void that follows such a loss is an incredibly agonizing experience to endure.

“If the reigning White Wolf Pavilion Master stands in the way of my lawful admission, then I can simply take the necessary steps to ensure we get a brand new White Wolf Pavilion Master.”

“……Do you honestly believe you possess the leverage to orchestrate something like that?”

The distinct sound of him violently grinding his teeth echoed through the room.

Nevertheless, I returned his gaze and fired back without yielding an inch.

The staggering weight of the responsibilities I carried was simply too immense for me to back down merely to spare the feelings of the man before me.

“We will discover precisely how feasible it is once I set the wheels in motion. Because I fully intend to secure my place within the White Wolf Pavilion, even if it requires me to resort to such extreme measures.”

“……I had heard rumors circulating that you were an absolute maniac, but to think you were a lunatic who charges forward with absolutely no regard for boundaries or consequences. Ha! Rejecting your application was undoubtedly the smartest move I ever made.”

“So what you are saying is that you would prefer we take this all the way to a formal conflict.”

“Take what all the way! You absolute lunatic!”

“…….”

Deung Cheon-bi forcefully averted his gaze.

Yet, a mere moment later, his posture visibly deflated.

As if desperately searching to see if even a single drop of liquor remained to steady his nerves, he turned his container completely upside down and rattled it aggressively, but not a single solitary drop emerged.

He repeated this desperate motion several times.

Seemingly accepting his defeat, Deung Cheon-bi set the empty container down on the surface of his desk and directed a question toward me.

“……Why in the world are you so utterly fixated on gaining entry into the White Wolf Pavilion of all places?”

Why, he asks……?

The rationale behind it is entirely absolute.

“Because this is the singular location that aligns perfectly with who I am.”

My future comrades, my calculated strategies, everything rests right here.

Every single plan I have carefully set into motion from the absolute first day of my regression will find its fertile ground and sprout within these walls.

And from those roots, it will eventually grow into a massive, unyielding tree.

To abandon all of that and seek an alternative path now? That is a suggestion so absurd it doesn’t even warrant a laugh.

I have fought my way across time and broken through every single impossible barrier imaginable to reach this exact point; there is absolutely no way I will allow my path to be permanently obstructed over a handful of unsettled tavern bills run up by a single White Wolf Pavilion Master.

“……Damn it all, it feels exactly like I am staring directly at a reflection of my own reckless youth.”

“Are you actively insulting me right now?”

“Even if you actually possessed the political leverage to unseat the White Wolf Pavilion Master, you would still find yourself utterly unable to enter this division.”

“We will find out the truth of that statement once I make the attempt.”

Deung Cheon-bi slowly shook his head from side to side.

“No, I can tell you the outcome with absolute certainty without any attempt being made. Because from the very commencement of this issue, I was never the entity blocking your path.”

What sort of revelation was this supposed to be?

Are you now claiming you didn’t actually trade my future away to clear your drinking debts?

“Then who exactly is the individual responsible?”

“Why do you ask? Are you planning to orchestrate the removal of that person as well?”

“There is absolutely nothing I am incapable of achieving.”

“You will fail utterly to remove this one.”

Deung Cheon-bi remains entirely ignorant. He fails to comprehend that just as the journey he forged for himself was fraught with immense hardship, the path I have carved out through my own lives was equally unforgiving.

“Simply provide me with the identity. Who is it? What sort of arrogant bastard has dared to block my trajectory?”

Deung Cheon-bi, his expression entirely drained of its former energy, subtly twitched his lips.

Then, he forcefully enunciated a single name.

“Hyeok Mu-gang.”

Hyeok Mu-gang, Hyeok Mu-gang…… a particular name that resonated deeply within my memory, one I had encountered frequently in various contexts.

I immediately began rapidly scanning through the extensive roster of Murim Alliance personnel archived within my mind, conducting a thorough mental search to determine his exact current station and position.

I simply need to figure out a method to bypass this individual, that is all I am trying to say…….

“……?!”

Wait, there is absolutely no way that could possibly be accurate.

I frantically cross-referenced the internal personnel directories within my mind once more, freezing entirely in place as I stared blankly at Deung Cheon-bi.

“You must have mistakenly given me the wrong name.”

“I can assure you it is entirely accurate.”

This individual…… it appears his penchant for absurd practical jokes has truly gone too far this time.

“It cannot be. It is completely, mathematically impossible…….”

“It is the absolute truth.”

“……Are you genuinely attempting to play a prank on me right now?”

“It is the truth, I told you it is the absolute truth, I am telling you that is the exact name, you absolute brat!? *That* specific Hyeok Mu-gang!”

dishonesty.

Because within the active organizational records of the contemporary Murim Alliance, there existed only a single individual who commanded the identity of Hyeok Mu-gang.

“The White Water Divine Sword, Hyeok Mu-gang?”

The moment that specific name, which had long lingered as an object of profound caution in my mind, slipped past my lips along with his legendary moniker.

Deung Cheon-bi let out a smug, triumphant chuckle, looking as though he had scored a total victory.

“It is precisely that identical Murim Alliance Leader you are thinking of, you insolent young brat!”

My intellect, which had been operating at maximum capacity to formulate counters to every conceivable complication, ground to an absolute, shuddering halt.

“…….”

“Are you lingering here purely because you require directions to locate the Grand Palace of the Alliance Leader? What do you say, shall I draw you a map?”

Damn it all, does he honestly believe that is an appropriate comment to make given the circumstances?

“That constitutes an act of open sedition. Mind your tongue.”

“Did you not just loudly proclaim it yourself? That you would force your way into the White Wolf Pavilion even if you had to replace the Alliance Leader to do so.”

“I never uttered a single phrase resembling that statement.”

Is this unhinged lunatic actively trying to frame me as a traitor to the Alliance?

Regardless of his intentions, my mind was spinning in total confusion.

What possible motive could the Grand Murim Alliance Leader have for personally intervening to block my placement within the White Wolf Pavilion?

During our most recent interaction, he had unmistakably project an aura of genuine goodwill and favor toward me.

Could it be that this deceptive old man is spinning a complete fabrication?

“Are you speaking the absolute truth?”

“What possible reason would I have to invent a lie about this?”

“You possess the exact demeanor of someone who would readily fabricate such a tale and think nothing of it.”

“I appreciate the ringing endorsement, you brat. But this is no fabrication. If you harbor doubts, you are perfectly free to march over and interrogate him yourself.”

“…….”

Is he merely playing a desperate game of bluff because he is fully aware that a mere academy student cannot simply demand answers from the supreme leader?

Or is his confidence derived from the absolute reality of what transpired?

While I was sinking deeper into a quagmire of internal torment, the sound of Deung Cheon-bi muttering to himself drifted across the room and entered my ears.

“To think that after all these years, I would experience my very first face-to-face encounter with a Murim Alliance Leader solely because of the placement of a single academy graduate.”

His tone carried a distinct, underlying note of profound emptiness.

“Just what sort of monstrous anomaly are you that causes all of these massive entities to create such an immense uproar over your future.”

That was an exact inquiry I desperately wished to pose to the universe myself.

Just what on earth was unfolding behind the scenes of my life?

Having finally regained a modicum of composure, he leaned his upper body deeply back into the support of his seat and fixed his gaze directly upon me.

“Why exactly are you so completely consumed by this obsession with the White Wolf Pavilion?”

His expression reflected nothing but pure, unadulterated inquisitiveness.

Because he was an individual who understood the grim reality, the lack of resources, and the abysmal reputation of the White Wolf Pavilion more intimately than any soul alive, this entire scenario must have seemed thoroughly incomprehensible to his worldview.

“There is a specific purpose I must fulfill that can only be executed within the White Wolf Pavilion.”

“A purpose you must fulfill……. So it isn’t simply that you harbor a belief that this environment is the one that aligns most naturally with your character?”

The question cut sharply through my internal calculations regarding how I might still force my way into the division.

Those words somehow struck a profound chord within my consciousness, prompting me to look back up at him with renewed focus.

“What exactly are you trying to imply by that?”

“I am asking if you truly do not view this place as the sole environment where someone of your background fits.”

“…….”

“You have navigated your way through the academy system, so you ought to understand the reality by now. Whether you are dealing with the Academy or the vast machinery of the Murim Alliance, the destinations accessible to individuals of your station have rigid boundaries established from the very beginning.”

Even though his words carried a blunt, undeniable insult, the gaze he leveled at me was filled with a strange, almost sorrowful pity.

“In the massive chasm that exists between the illusions of fair opportunity presented on the surface and the actual crumbs that are ultimately handed down to you, your existence must have been a relentless cycle of days where you were systematically ground down and exhausted, constantly oscillating between desperate hope and crushing disillusionment.”

Despite the fact that this encounter marked our absolute first meeting in this life, he seemed to possess an eerie, intimate understanding of the internal struggles I faced.

“Consequently, before long, you learn to strictly compartmentalize what is realistically attainable, and you begin convincing yourself that you never actually desired the heights you were barred from reaching in the first place. Your desperate attempt to force your way into the White Wolf Pavilion stems from that exact psychological defense mechanism. Because your pride refuses to allow you to be perceived as someone who ran away out of sheer terror.”

Even though he was ostensibly dissecting my psychological profile, it felt undeniably as though he was giving voice to the deep, unresolved traumas of his own personal history.

“Why are you projecting the narrative of your own life onto me as if it belongs to someone else?”

“……What absolute nonsense are you blabbering about! My word, the youth of this generation possess absolutely zero respect or decorum.”

Hearing a lecture on proper decorum from an individual who utterly lacked the most basic elements of civility made me feel incredibly annoyed.

“Then I, a member of this disrespectful younger generation, shall take my leave of you now.”

The moment I pushed myself up to depart, Deung Cheon-bi hesitated for a brief second before parting his lips to offer a reluctant piece of advice.

“……Do not choose to surrender your ambitions prematurely simply because you have collided with a formidable wall. It is far better to throw your entire being against it and shatter yourself in the attempt. That way, at the very least, you will not carry a suffocating weight of regret for the years you have left behind.”

He delivered the words with an air of complete detachment, looking precisely as though he were passing a message across time to the phantom of his younger self.

“After all, is the supreme Murim Alliance Leader himself not personally stepping into the arena to carve out a brilliant trajectory for your future……. A privilege that was never afforded to someone like me. Given that reality, it might not be the worst idea to simply allow yourself to be carried along by that powerful current for once.”

“…….”

The underlying sentiment of his advice was certainly not without merit, however.

“Those are exceptionally fine sentiments.”

It felt thoroughly irritating that Deung Cheon-bi was the specific individual delivering them to me.

“But you see, from the very beginning, I am a generational talent whose potential is significant enough to warrant the direct personal oversight of the Murim Alliance Leader. I would appreciate it if you refrained from degrading my value by comparing me to your own level, Pavilion Master.”

“……You arrogant son of a bitch.”

I remained entirely in the dark regarding the specific mechanics of what was occurring behind closed doors, but from the moment it became clear that the Murim Alliance Leader had issued direct mandates to the White Wolf Pavilion Master, I had to logically deduce that the likelihood of me receiving an official assignment to this division had dropped to absolute zero.

‘But, what could possibly motivate him to go so far as to actively circumvent the established Laws of the Alliance?’

The single aspect of this situation that remained completely baffling was the fact that the supreme leader of the Alliance had chosen to personally intervene in a minor assignment.

While his actions might not strictly cross into the realm of illegal behavior, it was undeniably a controversial maneuver that his political adversaries could easily exploit to cause him immense trouble.

Perhaps, from his loftier perspective, he genuinely concluded that entering the meat grinder of the White Wolf Pavilion would prove catastrophic for my long-term development as a martial artist.

‘Huu…….’

Failing to possess even a baseline understanding of where the core misunderstanding lay or how I could even begin to rectify it, a dull ache began to form within my skull.

As I stood there silently wrestling to bring some semblance of order to the chaotic tangle of my thoughts.

Deung Cheon-bi cleared his throat with a loud, dry cough.

“Ahem, cough, clearing that up, regarding that outstanding liquor debt I brought up a moment ago…… were you genuinely intending to cover the balance for me?”

“…….”

For the absolute first time across my entire existence, the sheer, unadulterated absurdity of a situation struck me so violently that my vocal cords refused to function.

“Are you actively attempting to make a mockery of me right now?”

“No, look at it logically, what choice do I have? I harbored every intention of granting you entry, but my hands are completely tied due to the Alliance Leader’s intervention…….”

The exact instant I turned my heel to permanently exit the Pavilion Master’s workspace to escape his ludicrous, nonsensical rambling.

A sudden realization struck me as bizarre, causing me to halt my stride, pivot back around, and fix him with a piercing stare.

“You have already established that you were barred from accepting my placement due to a direct order from the Alliance Leader. If that is the absolute reality, then from whom exactly did you accept an absolute fortune in premium liquor, and for what possible reason?”

Confronted with my sudden interrogation, a massive, brilliant grin spread across Deung Cheon-bi’s face for the very first time during our encounter.

“Ah, that? Those arrogant fools from the other Martial Pavilions, individuals who lack even a shred of true capability, kept acting absurdly familiar and begging me for special considerations regarding the upcoming draft, so I simply put on a show of being reluctantly swayed and accepted their bribes. Kuku, I can already visualize the utterly priceless expressions that will be plastered across their miserable faces the exact moment they uncover the actual truth later on down the line. Ku, just thinking about it makes me crave another drink immediately.”

“…….”

Just what kind of terrifying eccentric was this man that he would openly execute a fraudulent scheme against his fellow Pavilion Masters?

When my eyes had first landed on him, I had simply categorized him as an eccentric, unstable individual.

Observing him now, however, the truth was glaringly apparent.

This man.

‘Is a complete and absolute madman.’

I dragged my weary body out of the office of the White Wolf Pavilion Master, my head absolutely pounding with a vicious ache, and began to aimlessly wander the grounds of the White Wolf Pavilion infrastructure.

Because the harsh reality that my official assignment to this specific division had become nearly impossible weighed heavily on my spirit, my legs simply refused to carry me back in the direction of the Academy just yet.

The surrounding structures possessed significantly lower profiles and far more dilapidated facilities when compared against the grandeur of the other Martial Pavilions.

Even so, it was undeniably in a far better state of preservation than the ruined version of the White Wolf Pavilion that existed within my memories of the future.

Noticing that the training grounds and barracks were visibly cleaner and better maintained than in my past timeline, despite the vast gulf of time that had elapsed since I last stood here, stirred a deeply complex emotion within my core.

As I continued to blankly survey each piece of the familiar infrastructure one after another, lost in my own thoughts, my unconscious wandering brought me directly to the primary training fields assigned to the White Wolf Pavilion’s combat battalions.

‘How on earth did I manage to walk all the way out here?’

Bordering the perimeter of the massive dirt training grounds, the modest living quarters of the various battalions came into view.

Setting aside any comparison to the primary hubs of the Murim Alliance, it was a vista that appeared remarkably confined and thoroughly desolate even when measured against the standard grounds of the Academy.

While I stood quietly absorbing that solitary, wind-swept landscape, my feet locked instantly in place as my eyes fell upon a particular collection of individuals gathered together.

Those specific, exhausting countenances that I had grown so thoroughly sick of, yet found myself missing with every fiber of my being.

The exact instant my gaze locked onto those faces, looking so much younger and unmarred compared to the rugged versions etched permanently into my vivid recollections.

“…….”

A profound, entirely suffocating wave of raw emotion welled up from the absolute depths of my soul.

I forced a question past my trembling lips, my voice shaking visibly.

“Is this…… truly the Sojjeong-dae?”

It wasn’t that the group before me was comprised exclusively of the exact Sojjeong-dae personnel from my memory, but the entity itself was unmistakably the Sojjeong-dae.

The very figures who occupied the deepest corners of my past life were scattered lazily across the immediate area, tracking my presence with deeply hostile, unpleasant stares.

“Who the hell do you think you are, you pathetic piece of garbage?”

The same crude, unrefined vitriol.

“Wow…… what sort of absolute idiot stumbles into a place like this and still dares to keep his gaze leveled so boldly? Hey, you worthless bastard, drop your damn eyes before I carve the ink directly out of both your sockets! If I take that fluid and hand it over to those absolute freaks at the Cheonmok-gak who obsess over documentation, they’ll probably drop dead from sheer joy, khaha!!”

A manner of speech that was utterly steeped in low-class, street-bred vulgarity.

“Hey, brat, do you happen to be carrying any coin on you? Don’t you dare try claiming your pockets are empty. For every single coin you fail to produce, you’re taking a solid fist directly to the jaw.”

A collection of completely thuggish behaviors and tavern-tier ethics that they lacked the capacity to conceal.

“Look at this, a guy who looks precisely like a withered, half-chewed piece of discarded radish is actually strapping a blade to his hip for display? Where did you even unearth that piece of scrap metal? You probably threw away about ten silver taels to acquire it, didn’t you?”

Coupled with a total absence of basic intellect and situational awareness that had discarded common sense entirely.

“Damn it, did you swallow a mouthful of lead? Why the hell aren’t you responding to us?”

It was them.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it was undeniably them.

I forced my stiff, uncooperative lips to move, offering a quiet response to their aggressive prodding.

“I, my identity is…… I am an academy student representing the Murim Academy, named Jin So-woon.”

An introduction that stood in stark, absolute contrast to the violent first encounter that had defined our meeting in my previous lifetime.

The very instant the final syllable departed my mouth, a collective roar of mocking laughter erupted across the grounds.

“Puhahahaha! Did you hear that? The brat claims he hails from the Academy.”

“The Murim Academy? Hey, tell me, has the Academy degenerated into a literal open sewer in recent times? Do they simply grant admission to any random piece of trash wandering the streets? Perhaps we should submit our own applications to the place, eh?”

“Academy student my absolute ass…… damn it all, what the hell are those fancy scholars even doing over there? At the very least, they ought to be filtering out the lunatics who have completely lost their minds. No matter how much of a dysfunctional dumping ground we are supposed to be.”

While the exact roster of individuals present differed slightly from my past, the suffocating atmosphere was entirely identical.

This was the place. This location was undeniably correct.

“In truth…… I harbored a profound desire to be assigned to this exact location……. Yet, in the end, the trajectory of events did not manifest in that manner.”

A profound, devastating wave of sorrow naturally bled out into my tone.

Just how intensely had I anticipated this exact reunion?

How many countless nights had I spent aching for this singular moment across time?

Precisely as a sudden welling of tears threatened to spill over from the sheer magnitude of the emotions crashing through me.

“You arrogant little bastard! What kind of place do you take the Sojjeong-dae to be…… did your tiny mind honestly lead you to believe a pathetic weakling like you could simply stroll in here without effort?!”

“…….”

A relentless torrent of harsh, biting insults began raining down upon me from every conceivable direction.

“Seriously, the children running around these days possess aspirations that are entirely too detached from reality. Every single random nobody out there fancies themselves a future martial artist of the Murim Alliance.”

“This entire miserable situation is your fault, you absolute bastard Do Gwang-su! It’s because your very existence completely muddied the reputation of our waters!”

“Why the hell are you directing your anger at me? It’s that brain-damaged fool standing over there who committed the error.”

A ceaseless, overlapping barrage of condemnation and mockery washed over my form.

Somehow…… the sheer volume and venom of it made me feel as though literal blood might begin leaking from my eardrums at any moment.

“Listen closely, boy, if you actually harbor dreams of stepping foot into the Sojjeong-dae, go crawl back to your mother’s breast for another ten years before you even think about showing your face around here again.”

“Hey, do you honestly believe a mere decade would suffice for a weakling like that? Take that toy sword of yours, march yourself into the absolute deepest mountain canyon you can find, and spend about thirty continuous years swinging it at trees before you emerge. If you manage that, maybe we’ll consider letting you join our ranks. Kil-kil.”

“Does your household happen to possess a substantial amount of wealth? I happen to be acquainted with a prominent scholar. Should I figure out a way to sneak you through the service entrance via bribery?”

Their behavior and words were entirely intimate, aligning precisely with the exact expectations I had maintained.

I, who stood there quietly absorbing the chaotic banter of these absolute bastards of the Sojjeong-dae, let out a slow, perfectly composed nod of my head.

“I comprehend now. The Sojjeong-dae truly was always this exact brand of dysfunctional environment.”

“What the hell is this lunatic babbling about now? Speaking with that tone as if he actually inhabited this place alongside us in some phantom past…….”

“I have officially arrived at a definitive conclusion. Regardless of what monumental obstacles or agonizing hardships are thrown into my path, I will absolutely force my way back into this exact division.”

Could they perceive the unyielding, iron-clad conviction burning within my eyes? For a fleeting second, the torrent of profanity ground to a sudden halt.

However, a mere heartbeat later.

“““Puhahahaha!”””

“This brat, this guy is an absolutely magnificent comedian.”

“Hey, you should seriously consider abandoning the martial path and become a traveling jester instead, a literal circus clown, keuk-keuk.”

Several members of the Sojjeong-dae were literally clutching their midsections, laughing so violently that they began rolling around in the dirt.

I systematically memorized each and every one of their laughing faces.

And within the deepest sanctuary of my soul, I swore an absolute, unbreakable oath over and over.

That I am completely determined to spend my days fighting alongside such an endearing, ridiculous squad of misfits.

That I will, by any means necessary, return to rule over this exact dirt.

“If a pathetic creature like you actually manages to secure a spot in the Sojjeong-dae, I will literally sear my own flesh with boiling soybean paste, you worthless bastard.”

And when that day comes, I will personally ensure that specific bastard is forced to sear his hand exactly as promised, and as for the absolute remainder of this wretched crew, I will subject them to a regime of utterly horrific, grueling training while simultaneously showering them with an overwhelming abundance of genuine affection.

Gazing quietly at the snicker-filled, mocking gathering of the Sojjeong-dae bastards, I repeated my silent vow multiple times, cementing it into my very destiny.

‘Every single one of you bastards is absolutely dead.’