Chapter 405: Chapter 405

"Nnngh..." Ak Yeonho struggled to regain consciousness. His last memory was of everyone ganging up on Skykiller before his vision suddenly went black. His body felt heavy, as if he'd endured nightmares all night, and cold sweat drenched his clothes.

Suddenly, the thought of his comrades jolted him awake as effectively as being doused with ice water.

Panicking, he gasped, "E-Everyone...! How are they...?"

"Everyone's fine, so calm down. You've exhausted a lot of your energy."

Ak Yeonho felt a gentle hand press down on his shoulder, stopping him from sitting up straight. Startled, he looked up to see a good-looking middle-aged man smiling softly at him.

"Are you... Suryong-hyung's father? The Hand..."

"Shut it. Damn, I should really go out into the jianghu and make a new alias. Give me your wrist."

Sighing softly, Baek Muheun checked Ak Yeonho's pulse with practiced ease. He then took out a small silver cylinder from his shirt pocket, pulled out several thin silver needles from inside, and deftly stuck them in Ak Yeonho's arm and palm.

Bewildered, Ak Yeonho asked, "Are you a physician?"

Ak Yeonho immediately felt much more at ease.

"How's that? Better?" Baek Muheun asked.

Ak Yeonho nodded. "With skills like these, you could open your own clinic... No, that's not what's important! What about Suryong and the others?"

Baek Muheun gestured with his chin. "Take a look around you."

Ak Yeonho did as he was told. Myeong Il'oh and Jaegal Soyeong were sitting cross-legged, circulating their qi. Their breathing remained steady, and aside from their pale complexions, they appeared fine. A few silver needles were also stuck in their shoulders and arms.

He could see other familiar faces as well, including Noh Goonsang, who was busy tending to the injured.

Seeing that he was awake, Noh Goonsang let out a relieved "hoho", though it sounded more feeble than usual. "Mr. Ak, you're awake?"

"I was worried about you. You kept breaking out in cold sweats, as if you were having nightmares."

"I'm glad you're safe..."

Besides Noh Goonsang, he spotted other familiar faces, such as Mae Geuklyom, Kwak Duyong, Cheong Cheon, and Cheoldu. Most of them looked too exhausted to move, but thankfully, none of them appeared to be critically injured. The Five Young Azure Dragons were lying on their sides too, sound asleep. Namgung Su was also out cold, leaning against a wall.

"So everyone's safe..." Ak Yeonho breathed a sigh of relief, but a question arose in his mind as he looked at Baek Muheun. "So, what happened? Why am I, and everyone else, here? Where's Suryong-hyung?"

"Skykiller used sorcery." Baek Muheun briefly explained what had happened after Ak Yeonho lost consciousness. He talked about how people had lost their minds due to the sorcery that Skykiller had cast, and how his son had put a stop to it.

When he mentioned that his son was still fighting Skykiller inside the Azure Dragon Academy, though, Ak Yeonho grew stern.

"We have to hurry and help him!"

"There's no need for that. You need to rest your mind and body here," Baek Muheun said with uncharacteristic strictness.

This sudden change in attitude was due to his son's earnest request.

[Dad, in a moment, all the Soulless will turn their attention to me. When that happens, could you please move the unconscious people to a safe place?]

Prior to seizing control of Skykiller's sorcery, Baek Suryong had sent a telepathic message to Baek Muheun, instructing him to evacuate everyone to a secure location. This was an understandable request. However, the following request was definitely 'strange.'

[Also, please stop anyone from entering the Azure Dragon Academy until the fight's over. That includes you, Dad.]

Baek Muheun nodded without asking for details. Noticing his son's unusually assertive demeanor, he had an idea of what his son was planning.

[There's something you don't want us to see, huh? I understand.]

As soon as Skykiller's spell was lifted, he started moving the unconscious people outside the academy. First were Noh Goonsang and Baek Suryong's colleagues. After that, as the brainwashed martial artists collapsed one by one, he tucked them under his arm and used his movement arts repeatedly to carry them out of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Now, he addressed everyone staring at him at the main gate of the Azure Dragon Academy, his expression resolute.

"The same goes for everyone else. Until the fight is completely over, no one is allowed to interfere."

A vortex of crimson energy raged inside the Azure Dragon Academy, staining the sky a bloody hue. Even from a distance, it was an ominous and frightening sight.

Just what in the world is happening in there...?

The Azure Dragon Hero is fighting in there alone?

How can anyone have such killing intent...

The martial artists who had regained consciousness looked beyond the gate, but Baek Muheun did not allow them to indulge their curiosity any further. Fortunately, most of them were too weak to move.

Of course, there were some exceptions.

Noh Goonsang, who was observing the reddened sky solemnly, asked Baek Muheun, "Did Mr. Baek put you up to this?"

"What would you do if I insisted on going inside?"

"My apologies." Baek Muheun shook his head, his expression firm. His meaning was clear. He would stop Noh Goonsang by force if necessary.

A strange tension hung in the air for a moment, but fortunately, everyone's worst fears proved unfounded.

"It seems father and son are equally stubborn. I understand. Besides, if I went in now, I'd only get in the way. Still..." Noh Goonsang sighed and eyed Baek Muheun curiously.

Unlike most of the martial artists, who had become Soulless due to Skykiller's sorcery, Baek Muheun remained unaffected. For this reason, he was able to carry all the unconscious people out of the Azure Dragon Academy by himself.

"How were you able to escape Skykiller's sorcery? Ah, don't misunderstand. I'm not saying you're suspicious, it's just..."

"I simply got lucky."

Baek Muheun's battle with the Ninth Shroud had been decided in a single strike, so no blood was spilled. Additionally, the body of the First Shroud (Ninth Elder) was not imbued with sorcery because he was a Blood Cult elder. That was why, aside from Baek Suryong and Namgung Su, he was the only one who was unaffected by the spell.

"Fortunately, the spell seems to be completely broken now. Those who haven't woken up are merely unconscious from exhaustion. If everyone who has recovered their strength could help carry their unconscious friends to a physician..."

Suddenly, the storm of crimson qi swirling inside the Azure Dragon Academy began to gather. Morphed into an enormous, bizarre shape, it shot up into the sky like a giant blood dragon ascending to the heavens.

"A red dragon has appeared in the sky above the Azure Dragon Academy!"

"Wow! It's a miracle!"

Everyone stared at the sky above the Azure Dragon Academy, their expressions shocked.

Only Noh Goonsang was paralyzed with terror, his body visibly quivering. "T-That energy...! That's his energy! Why is it appearing here...?!"

Baek Muheun sighed quietly upon seeing the Principal's reaction.

He recalled the fleeting image he had seen of his son as he carried Namgung Su on his back and left the Azure Dragon Academy for the last time. A man with red hair and eyes, exuding a dominating aura.

Although he had been away from the jianghu for a long time, he knew what that hair and eye color signified.

I had my suspicions after reading his diary before... but it seems he truly has learned the Blood Demon's martial arts. Still, so what? Martial arts are just martial arts. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing Suryong overcoming his congenital disorder all by himself. Though... few will probably agree with me.

The Blood Cult had threatened the jianghu for hundreds of years, and the Blood Demon embodied its zenith. If it became known that the Azure Dragon Hero had learned the Heaven Defying Divine Art, all that he had worked so hard to build would crumble to dust.

No, it would be fortunate if it ended there. Overnight, the same people who had praised the Azure Dragon Hero would turn their backs and denounce him as a Blood Cult demon who had deceived the orthodox sects. Perhaps, just for learning the Blood Demon's martial arts, he could even be branded a public enemy of the murim.

How difficult must it be to keep such a huge secret alone? From now on, I will help you protect it.

Baek Muheun intended to protect his son, Baek Suryong, even if the entire world were to condemn him and try to kill him. To protect someone in the murim, though, one needed strength.

"I thought I was strong enough, but it seems that I'll have to work harder, " Baek Muheun swore to himself, quietly steeling his resolve as he stood guard alone at the main gate of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Suddenly, dozens of torches appeared on the horizon. Shortly after, several groups of martial artists arrived at the entrance. Recognizing each other, they quickly exchanged greetings.

"Is everyone alright?"

At the forefront of the group of martial artists was the Murim Alliance Jiangxi Branch Manager, Kang Socheon. Behind him were beggars from the Beggars' Gang, constables, and Rehabilitation Sect martial artists.

Kang Socheon confirmed that the injured Murim Alliance martial artists were safe and breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, no one had died.

"What in the world happened here? I received a report that the martial artists who were supposed to secure the perimeter had headed for the Azure Dragon Academy, so I gathered the remaining martial artists and came here."

Baek Muheun filled Kang Socheon in, and Kang Socheon immediately expressed his gratitude. "On behalf of all the martial artists of the Murim Alliance, I thank you, Master Baek."

"I only did what had to be done."

"From now on, the Murim Alliance will assist the Azure Dragon Hero, so please open the gate."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

Baek Muheun explained the sorcery, but, of course, Kang Socheon's pride wouldn't allow him to give in so easily.

"If that's the case, shouldn't we help the Azure Dragon Hero even more? We don't know what evil arts that vile assassin might use to escape!"

"I know this may sound stubborn, but I stand by my position. No one may enter until the fight's over."

...Something fishy is going on. Kang Socheon's eyebrows twitched violently. "I simply don't understand. On my way here, I saw an ominous energy soaring from within the academy grounds. I must see for myself what's happening in there."

The Jiangxi Branch Manager stepped forward, prepared to use force if necessary.

"Please wait!" Ak Yeonho cried out, stepping forward and flanking Baek Muheun. Despite his pale face and frail appearance, he clasped his hands together and said firmly, "I am Ak Yeonho of the Shandong Ak Clan. I sincerely request that you, Jiangxi Murim Alliance Branch Manager Master Kang Socheon, please refrain from intervening until the battle is over."

"I am Jaegal Soyeong of the Jaegal Clan. I too humbly ask you to wait here." The precious jewel of the Jaegal Clan, Jaegal Soyeong, joined Ak Yeonho, clasping her hands together with a pale but resolute expression.

Myeong Il'oh quietly stood beside her. "This incident occurred within the Azure Dragon Academy. Even if you're from the Murim Alliance, you are not permitted to investigate one of the Five Great Academies as you please."

It was a sound argument, but Kang Socheon wasn't ready to concede. "Skykiller, one of the public enemies of the murim, is in there. The Murim Alliance therefore has the right to inspect the Azure Dragon Academy as we see fit."

"By that logic, the Azure Dragon Hero, Master Baek Suryong, is the Murim Alliance Chief Instructor. Since he's already fighting Skykiller, is any further assistance necessary?"

"How insolent!" Kang Socheon roared, his aura flaring. Jaegal Soyeong's rebuttal wounded his ego. "This is my jurisdiction. Unless the Chairman himself comes, even the Chief Instructor cannot order me around!"

"I never said the Azure Dragon Hero gave you an order, Branch Manager. I merely..."

"Enough! No matter how I look at it, your reason for intercepting me is suspicious. If you don't step aside immediately, I'll consider your actions an obstruction of the Murim Alliance's duties!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ n0velfire.net

Kang Socheon was confident. The gate was blocked by only a few people, all of whom were exhausted. If he used force, they wouldn't last a second.

However, at that moment, the beggars from the Beggars' Gang who had come with Kang Socheon all switched sides.

The Beggars' Gang Jiangxi Branch Manager, Wang Son, scratched his neck and said, "The Azure Dragon Hero is our brother, and we beggars don't barge into a brother's house without permission."

"Rehabilitation Sect, seal off the main gate!"

At Cheoldu's command, the Rehabilitation Sect members glowered menacingly at the Murim Alliance warriors.

"While the authorities generally abstain from interfering in the affairs of martial artists, should the Murim Alliance proceed to commit the crime of trespassing before our very eyes, we will not hesitate to take action," Cheong Cheon added, also instructing his officers to barricade the main gate of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Seeing dozens of people obstructing the gate, Kang Socheon found himself unable to advance or retreat. His face flushed red with frustration. "All you bastards...!"

"Haha! When did that boy make so many friends?" Baek Muheun let out a small, dry laugh as he watched the scene unfold.