Chapter 406: Chapter 406

The tense standoff stretched on, the hostile atmosphere thick enough to cut with a blade.

Kang Socheon's voice cracked like a whip through the morning air. "Do you really intend to get in my way?!"

"Yes," Baek Muheun replied firmly. He had absolutely no intention of letting Kang Socheon, the Murim Alliance Jiangxi Branch Manager, enter the Azure Dragon Academy and assess the situation inside.

Dozens of people now formed a human wall across the main gate, including Baek Suryong's close friends, the beggars, the Rehabilitation Sect, and even the constables. They stood shoulder to shoulder, blocking the path of the Murim Alliance's warriors.

Kang Socheon's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "This is your final warning. If you don't move, this won't end with words anymore."

Although their dispute had begun as a simple squabble, it escalated when he witnessed their desperate determination to block his way. Suspicion gnawed at his mind like an itch that wouldn't go away.

What on earth are they trying to hide? No matter how famous the Azure Dragon Hero is, how could they obstruct a Murim Alliance Branch Manager? And he's not even here himself? This doesn't make any sense!

Backing down meekly was out of the question.

Kang Socheon's expression hardened as he barked orders to his subordinates. "I've been patient enough. Arrest everyone who dares challenge the Murim Alliance's authority. I'll meet the Azure Dragon Hero myself and demand an explanation for this!"

More than half of the martial artists blocking the gate had only just regained their senses after falling victim to Skykiller's sorcery. If a fight broke out, the outcome was obvious.

Still, not a single one moved aside. They glared fiercely at the approaching Murim Alliance warriors, their trembling limbs betraying their fear even as they stood firm in their resolve to fight.

"These people, until the very end!" Kang Socheon bellowed, his face contorted with rage.

The martial artists from both sides braced themselves, ready to clash, when a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"May this old man say a few words?"

Noh Goonsang stepped forward with measured steps and a grave expression. Until now, he had remained silent, choosing not to interfere in the unfolding drama.

A collective wave of relief washed over the academy's instructors. As the Azure Dragon Academy Principal, Noh Goonsang's authority exceeded that of anyone else present.

However, Baek Muheun watched the principal with growing anxiety.

This is bad. Considering the Principal's reaction just now, he must be suspicious of Suryong too...

He recalled the unmistakable fear emanating from Noh Goonsang the moment the red dragon-shaped qi soared into the sky from the Azure Dragon Academy.

"T-That energy...! That's his energy! Why is it appearing here...?!"

He had heard every word of Noh Goonsang soft mumble clearly, so he knew the Principal was drowning in confusion and doubt right now.

If he's capable of discerning the energy of the Heaven Defying Divine Art... then he might side with the Murim Alliance and order the gate opened immediately to confirm his suspicions.

He glanced around. It wasn't just Noh Goonsang. Similar doubts were likely taking root in many hearts, though to varying degrees.

Anxious, he squeezed the hilt of his sword so hard that his knuckles turned white.

Noh Goonsang continued, "I'll take full responsibility for today's events, so could you please withdraw for now?" Follow current novels on NoveI-Fire.ɴet

Baek Muheun relaxed his grip at once, while the instructors behind him looked at Noh Goonsang hopefully.

In contrast, Kang Socheon glared at the old man in disappointment. "Is that all you have to say? The same thing as them? I don't know what the Azure Dragon Hero is thinking, but the Alliance will never stand by and watch..."

"I gave him that order," Noh Goonsang interjected.

Everyone within earshot stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Kang Socheon's eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets. "Pardon?"

"I said, I gave him that order."

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?!"

Noh Goonsang's gaze, once wavering, was now resolute. "I instructed Mr. Baek Suryong to capture Skykiller, torture him for information on the Blood Cult, and kill him as cruelly as possible."

"What kind of absurd lie..."

"It's not a lie." Noh Goonsang's gaze swept across the crowd of shocked faces. "Skykiller murdered a close friend of mine a long time ago. When I heard he appeared here, I resolved to kill him no matter what."

His sudden confession stunned everyone into silence. They stared at him with blank expressions, unconsciously lowering their weapons.

"I know I don't have what it takes to take revenge with my own hands, so I ordered Mr. Baek Suryong to torture the bastard as brutally as possible and then kill him. That's why I can't allow anyone to pass through these gates."

Silence stretched like a taut bowstring.

Why would he do such a thing?

Could the Principal really...

Everyone had questions, but before anyone could voice them, Noh Goonsang pressed on, "I know this is something a member of the orthodox should never do. No matter how blinded by revenge I am, commissioning a murder through another's hands instead of my own... What makes me any different from the assassin I hate so much? I'm not so sure myself."

The bitterness and gravity on Noh Goonsang's face as he confessed his guilt seemed too genuine to be fake. Disappointment flickered across several martial artists' faces.

"Elder! What on earth are you saying?" Kang Socheon exclaimed.

The Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, Noh Goonsang, was a murim elder respected by countless people. He simply couldn't fathom why he would defend the Azure Dragon Hero to the point of dragging his own honor through the mud.

"I'm telling the truth."

Noh Goonsang turned to face the Azure Dragon Academy instructors. Mae Geuklyom and Namgung Su had regained their composure during the commotion and were now staring at him intently.

He offered them a slight smile that clearly conveyed, 'Please don't intervene', then continued, "How can such a petty man be qualified to be Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy? As penance, I'll step down from my position at the end of this year. I need time to find a suitable successor and transfer my duties, so please bear with this old man for just a few more months."

"!" Everyone listening to Noh Goonsang's declaration, especially the instructors, widened their eyes in shock.

"What are you saying!"

"You can't! So suddenly...!"

Noh Goonsang raised his hand, silencing the protests. "I've already made up my mind, so don't say anything." He turned back toward Kang Socheon, his firm tone making it clear that there was no room for discussion. "I'll swallow my shame and ask you one more time. Please withdraw for today."

Kang Socheon hesitated. Regardless of whether Noh Goonsang was telling the truth, a great senior of the murim was making a request at the cost of his own honor. Confronting him further would weigh heavily on his conscience.

In the end, he had no choice but to relent.

"I understand," he sighed. "We'll return for today. However, please tell the Azure Dragon Hero to come find me as soon as possible."

Kang Socheon and his martial artists took their leave, as did the members of the Beggars' Gang. After that, Cheoldu and Cheong Cheon left with the Rehabilitation Sect forces and constables, leaving only the Azure Dragon Academy staff behind.

Finally, the floodgates of everyone's pent-up emotions burst open.

"Why would you tell such a lie..."

"You didn't have to go that far!"

No one believed Noh Goonsang's story. They all thought he had made things up to buy precious time for Baek Suryong.

"Hoho. My feelings about Skykiller aren't a lie," Noh Goonsang chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over the instructors. He could sense the growing suspicion in their hearts, and how could he not? He was more attuned to that energy than anyone else here.

That ominous qi that soared from the academy grounds was definitely... the Blood Demon's martial arts.

He was certain because he had experienced it firsthand, but he couldn't bring himself to knowledge. One careless word from him could bring catastrophic ruin upon the Azure Dragon Academy.

I'd prefer to believe that I'm getting senile and perceived it incorrectly.

Nevertheless, one question led to another. Only Skykiller and Baek Suryong were left inside the academy. Logic dictated that it was Skykiller who had learned the Blood Demon's martial arts, but...

What if... it's not Skykiller?

Noh Goonsang shook his head and buried his doubts deep in his mind. Looking at the worried instructors, he reassured, "Don't doubt Mr. Baek Suryong. Although his request is strange, isn't he quite the eccentric fellow? Still, he would never do anything to harm the Azure Dragon Academy."

Despite his own feelings, he had to project confidence to the others, because he was the Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Fortunately, his words seemed to ease the instructors' tension, and they all sighed with relief and nodded in agreement.

There were still some lingering concerns, though.

"About you stepping down from the Principal position..."

"It's a j-joke, right?"

Noh Goonsang chuckled softly as he stared at the sky. The seemingly endless night was finally coming to an end, and dawn had already begun to paint the horizon. "It's something I've been thinking about for a while now. I don't think I'll be needed anymore in the future of the Azure Dragon Academy."

Silence settled over the instructors like morning mist, but Noh Goonsang smiled, his features relaxed as if he had finally set down a crushing burden.

"The Azure Dragon Academy will only grow stronger from now onwards. Please continue to work hard together for a bright future."

...And so that young man no longer has to hide his secrets.

All of the instructors nodded, each with complex emotions swirling in their hearts.

Except for Mae Geuklyom, most of the Azure Dragon Academy instructors were martial artists young enough to be Noh Goonsang's children or grandchildren. To them, he may not have been an exceptionally skilled principal, but he was an elder who always put their minds at ease.

Just then, the main gate opened.

"Have you all been waiting long?" Baek Suryong asked as he trudged out. Exhaustion was etched into every line of his body , and his clothes were soaked in blood, though most of it belonged to Skykiller. He didn't appear to be seriously injured.

His family and peers rushed forward to check on him. To his horror, Baek Suryong felt their hands wander all over his body, searching for injuries.

"You're overreacting ..." he complained as he checked on Namgung Su and the students who had not yet regained consciousness. Only after confirming their safety did he truly relax and smile faintly in relief. "Phew, everyone's safe."

Suddenly, he felt the weight of many gazes on him.

"About what happened inside..."

Noh Goonsang approached and patted his shoulder. "There's no need to explain."

"You saved many people today. What more is there to say?"

"We've taken care of the minor details, so rest for now and we can talk later."

"Yes, I understand." Baek Suryong gave a weak smile as the last of his tension left his body. "Then I'll... get some rest."

He had barely slept for the past few days. On top of that, the crushing fatigue from using the Blood Demon's finger to cast sorcery hit him like a tidal wave. His consciousness faded in an instant.

"Suryong!" Baek Muheun caught his son as he collapsed. After briefly checking his pulse, he breathed a sigh of relief. "He must have been extremely tired."

Fortunately, Baek Suryong was just exhausted, not suffering from any major injuries. Upon hearing these reassuring words, Mae Geuklyom patted his chest in relief.

With that, the longest night the Azure Dragon Academy had ever known finally came to an end.