Chapter 475: Chapter 475

Even after Wang Son left with the letter, Baek Suryong remained lost in thought.

[We still don't know if the Fourth Apostle will inform the Blood Cult of your identity. If we succeeded at lifting the Blood Demon's spell, he would definitely be confused...]

The Murim Alliance Chairman and the Dragon Head Chief are taking the Blood Cult's threat seriously. They aren't stubborn people. If I vouch for it, they'll consider an alliance between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.

The problem was how to persuade the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans. To the heroes of the orthodox sects, who had spent the past few centuries shouting about slaying evil and destroying demons, the Blood Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance probably seemed like two of a kind.

It was almost evening.

However, that wasn't Baek Suryong's main concern.

He sat blankly in the room and stared out the window. It was almost evening. Mae Geuklyom had returned to the Azure Dragon Academy, and Baek Muheun had left the White Dragon Manor, saying he would soon return. Fallen leaves, tossed about by the wind, danced through the yard, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

[Your body is resting, but your mind cannot rest at all. Are you worried that the Blood Cult has discovered your true identity?] The Divine Azure Dragon Sword asked as he took in the vista, his eyes distant.

Baek Suryong replied more calmly than expected, "Yes, I didn't expect to meet the apostles this early in the game."

He shook his head again. Other apostles might hesitate, but Number One would take his students hostage without a second thought. After all, he was the trainee who most resembled the Number 27 of the past. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goal. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

Fate, however, had other plans. The sudden encounter with them had left him with no choice but to fight. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel⁂fire.net

Given the circumstances, he could neither have a calm conversation nor hide the Heaven Defying Divine Art. The trainees he had personally trained in the past were all so strong that even if he used his full power, he could not guarantee victory.

"Soon, the other apostles will know my identity, too. It's only a matter of time. No, they might already know by now..."

Baek Suryong's voice trailed off as he recalled Number Four's parting gaze. He could force himself to push the memory aside when he was with his family and students, but Number Four's expression haunted him whenever he was alone.

The Divine Azure Dragon Sword wanted to remain optimistic, but Baek Suryong shook his head and said indifferently, even coldly, "People don't forget hatred that easily."

He tried to analyze the present circumstances as calmly as possible. Now was the time to think rationally. Betting on a sliver of hope was not an approach he subscribed to.

"...That was likely a strategic retreat. Since he realized who I am, he judged that he could come back anytime. Next time, he'll surely return with reinforcements."

[By reinforcements, do you mean...]

"In the worst case, all four apostles will come."

No, they might have already set out for the Azure Dragon Academy with the Blood Cult's elites.

Since he had reached out to the Beggars' Gang and the Rogues' Guild, someone would contact him immediately if any suspicious activity occurred. Still, that did not solve the fundamental problem.

I have to make a new plan.

Baek Suryong assumed that his old students had already figured out that he had reincarnated. Given the Blood Cult's attachment to the Heaven Defying Divine Art and his four masters' divine arts, not to mention the apostles' personal hatred for their old instructor, they had sufficient reason to take action.

Everyone will be swept up in the chaos, not just me.

Baek Suryong frowned and racked his brain. He squeezed out all the knowledge and information he possessed to figure out a way to overcome this crisis.

Should I set a trap and wait for them to take the bait? If I ask the Murim Alliance and the Nine Sects One Gang for help...

He shook his head. There was no time for that. Moreover, there was a high probability that various uncontrollable problems would arise.

Since he had reached out to the Beggars' Gang and the Rogues' Guild, someone would contact him immediately if any suspicious activity occurred. Still, that did not solve the fundamental problem.

What if I evacuated everyone first? If I issue a temporary closure order to the Azure Dragon Academy, tell all the students to go home, and then use myself as bait to wage guerrilla warfare...

Should I... invade the Blood Cult alone?

[Nonsense!] The Divine Azure Dragon Sword trembled while emitting divine energy.

As if reacting to it, Crimson Moon on the other side cried out as well.

Baek Suryong patted the sword hilt and smiled bitterly. "I was only entertaining the idea briefly, so calm down. Besides, I don't know where the Blood Cult Headquarters is located."

[...If you think such crazy thoughts one more time, I'll bind you with sorcery so you can't move an inch!]

Baek Suryong chuckled, but the smile quickly faded. He thought of the only person who might know the location of the Blood Cult Headquarters.

"I wonder... if Elder Wiji is alright?"

He feared for Wiji Yeol's safety. The old man had willingly entered the Blood Cult, and he hadn't heard from him in quite some time.

"Haa... I haven't received a single piece of good news," he sighed resignedly as he left the room. While he was worrying, the sky had already darkened. Everyone would be home soon.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Is it okay for you to walk around already?"

The Five Young Azure Dragons, who had rushed out of class as soon as it ended and ran until they were out of breath, swarmed Baek Suryong and fussed over him.

"Did you think I caught a terminal illness or something? I said I'd be fine after resting for a few days."

Baek Suryong laughed and assured them he was fine. As a matter of fact, his internal and external injuries were healing quickly. His head was just so crammed with thoughts and worries that it might explode.

"I thought the Sword Addict was exaggerating because he was too worried about his grandson, but..." he sighed deeply. "Your injuries are much worse than I thought."

Moreover, the more he thought about it, the more he came to a single conclusion.

The Heavenly Martial Festival... you kids might have to give up on it...

But he couldn't bring himself to say those words to the students looking at him with sparkling eyes.

The next day, Noh Goonsang secretly visited the White Dragon Manor at dawn after hearing the news from Mae Geuklyom. As soon as he opened the door and saw Baek Suryong, however, he stiffened.

Baek Suryong gave an awkward smile. "My apologies. I should have gone to meet you instead."

"This simply won't do."

Although Baek Suryong was wearing loose pyjamas that concealed his wounds, an experienced master like Noh Goonsang could easily see through his facade. Of course, this was also because Baek Suryong wasn't actively trying to hide it.

"Pardon?" Baek Suryong asked, puzzled.

Noh Goonsang's pure white eyebrows shot up in anger. "You're fired as of today," he declared firmly.

"...What?" Baek Suryong's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped at the unexpected job termination.

I've been.. fired!? All of a sudden? Just because I got a bit injured? Does that make any sense?

He protested indignantly, "Fired? Don't you know how hard I worked for the Azure Dragon Academy?"

"I'm grateful for your hard work until now. Even though you don't meet the qualifications, I'll personally ensure that you receive a generous severance package."

Baek Suryong thought Noh Goonsang was joking at first, but by this point, it didn't really seem like a joke anymore.

Losing his composure, he pointed a finger at the Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy. "What kind of rotten principal are you?!"

Noh Goonsang snorted at the aggrieved reaction. "I'd like to fire you to force you to rest, but..." A playful grin formed on his lips. "Just this once, I'll grant you a special ten-day suspension."

"For a moment, I really thought I was fired."

"If you go on a trip and come back with another injury, I might really fire you."

Baek Suryong was astounded. Noh Goonsang had always been sly, but now he was even more brazen. Was it because he would soon step down as Azure Dragon Academy Principal? His current self looked very relaxed, both in body and mind.

He chuckled. "You're only properly exercising your authority now that your term is ending."

"Hohoho! I have to do at least this much so that I won't be treated like a toothless tiger." Noh Goonsang returned the chuckle and sat down across from Baek Suryong.

Baek Suryong could sense a subtle change in the old man.

His aura has changed.

Clearly, Noh Goonsang's state of mind had changed after his decision to step down as Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy. Such a shift in mindset was bound to affect his martial arts.

"Wait... Did you just overcome a big obstacle in your martial arts?"

[That's what I'm saying!] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword screamed, but unfortunately, all Noh Goonsang heard was a vibrating tremor.

"Well, I don't know either." Noh Goonsang shrugged and smiled broadly.

Martial artists could reach a new realm overnight with a single epiphany, even after decades of stagnation. Of course, that fortune was only obtainable by those who were prepared, but Baek Suryong knew that wasn't a problem for Noh Goonsang.

"Let's stop with the niceties." Noh Goonsang lowered his voice and set up a qi barrier to ensure their conversation was private. "There aren't many people in the world capable of putting you in this sorry state. Did you go up against the Blood Cult again?"

Given the old master's experience and standing, he immediately deduced the cause of Baek Suryong's injury. However, Baek Suryong's subsequent revelation surprised even him.

"I met an apostle of the Blood Cult."

A cry of astonishment rang out inside the qi-barrier.

Baek Suryong recounted his story exactly as he had told Wang Son.

Noh Goonsang's expression changed by the moment, and groans escaped him several times. While he didn't know about Baek Suryong's relationship with the apostles, he knew that he had mastered the Heaven Defying Divine Art.

"There's a high possibility that the Blood Cult will come after me with everything they've got. If that happens, the preparations for the Heavenly Martial Festival... I might have to give it up."

Noh Goonsang stared intently at Baek Suryong for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Even when you're on the brink of death, you only think about your students. Is the Heavenly Martial Festival important right now?"

"...But I promised everyone."

"Hoho! How can someone who's usually so smart be so foolish at times ?"

"For now, I'll mobilize all my connections and ask for support," he said gravely. "It'll probably be of some help."

He was well aware of how strong the Blood Cult apostles were, because he had fought them personally at the end of the war. However, he neither agreed nor disagreed with Baek Suryong's statement that they had to give up the Heavenly Martial Festival. In his opinion, it was too soon to make such a decision.

He met Baek Suryong's anxious gaze calmly. "The Azure Dragon Academy is strong. Perhaps much stronger than you or I think."

Besides Baek Suryong, one of the Ten Supremes, many of the instructors—including Namgung Su, Mae Geuklyom, Noh Goonsang, and Kwak Cheolwoo—were formidable enough to rank among the murim's top hundred masters. Furthermore, the students had also shown rapid progress recently.

Truthfully, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that the current Azure Dragon Academy possessed power on par with the great sects of the jianghu.

"...I know that too."

"Well, I'm not sure if you really know. In any case, this isn't a decision to make in a hurry, so try to give it some more thought." Noh Goonsang rose from his seat. Given the new revelations, there was no time for leisurely tea and conversation. He had a lot of work to do.

"Then I'll be going now. Take care of yourself."

"You should rest well. I'll look into this and that on my end... Ah, right!" He handed over the two bundles he had brought. "Take these. One is a healing medicine from me, and the other is from Mr. Namgung Su."

Noh Goonsang nodded. "Mr. Namgung said it's a restorative medicine he had shipped from the Namgung Clan. He also asked me to pass on this message: 'Don't even dream of coming to work until you're fully healed.'"

"...Please tell him I'll eat it well," Baek Suryong mumbled as he accepted the gift.

If he was going to give me something, he should have come and given it to me himself... We have a lot of work-related stuff to discuss, too...

"Wait!" Baek Suryong stopped Noh Goonsang, who turned to leave the room. "Um... Principal. May I ask you one favor?"

Noh Goonsang burst into hearty laughter at the cautious tone that was so unlike Baek Suryong. "Speak. I'll grant any request within the limits of my power. I'll show you what it means to have absolute authority."

Nevertheless, upon hearing Baek Suryong's request, his expression, which had been lightened only moments before, darkened immediately.

"About the ten-day suspension... could you reduce it to five days?"

"...This rascal, really! You still haven't come to your senses! You really want to get fired, hmm!?"

Baek Suryong flinched at the Principal's thunderous roar, but taking ten days off was too much. "How about seven days? Or, just let me work from home..."

Unfortunately, because Noh Goonsang shouted after releasing the qi barrier, Baek Muheun and Mae Geuklyom came running over in surprise.

As a result, Baek Suryong had to endure nagging from the two angry family members for hours on end.

Translator's Mote: Ugh... Hangover...