“We’ve lost...”
A formal declaration of defeat from the Black Shadow Division.
They truly didn’t rember Yeon Woo Jin.
“I’m jealous. To have monsters like those under your command.”
Jang Manseong stared at Seon Woo Baek and Jang Un with open envy.
Gwak Pyeong smiled.
“There’s a reason I picked him as the next in line.”
It seed Gwak Pyeong, too, no longer rembered Yeon Woo Jin’s existence.
Gong Ya-cheon looked around at everyone, his expression incredulous.
He really had altered their mories.
Just what the hell is Yeon Woo Jin?
He said his surna was Yeon, so Gong Ya-cheon had a guess whose bloodline he belonged to.
But still—abilities that absurd?
He’s not human.
Seeing the look on Gong Ya-cheon’s face, Jang Manseong offered an apology.
“Is it hard to believe we lost like this? I’m sorry... I suppose I was too arrogant.”
Gong Ya-cheon almost said “No.”
The opponent was simply too strong.
Even without arrogance, they would’ve lost.
Gwak Pyeong looked over at Gong Ya-cheon.
“Are you the one who backed us into a corner?”
“That’s correct.”
At Gong Ya-cheon’s reply, Gwak Pyeong gave a satisfied smile and turned to Jang Manseong.
“As the spoils of victory, I’m taking him with .”
Jang Manseong’s face tensed, but then he exhaled and gave up.
“Fine.”
Gwak Pyeong addressed Gong Ya-cheon.
“Co to Baekyeong.”
Gong Ya-cheon looked surprised.
He expected to be dragged off without a choice—but they were asking for his consent?
“I won’t ask you to serve directly under . Assist Seon Woo Baek.”
Jang Manseong added,
“Your talent... It’s far too great for to contain. Go.”
Was this, too, sothing Yeon Woo Jin had manipulated?
Seeing Gong Ya-cheon’s hesitation, Gwak Pyeong spoke again.
“You seem surprised by the sudden offer. Take your ti. If you co, we’ll treat you like family.”
“I appreciate that soone would think so highly of a defeated strategist. I’ll... think it over.”
The fact that he didn’t outright refuse pleased Gwak Pyeong.
“Good. I hope to see you again.”
Gwak Pyeong turned to Jang Manseong.
“Taking him will be the full settlent for this battle.”
If left alone, Gong Ya-cheon would soday beco Seon Woo Baek’s greatest rival.
Bringing him in was the only option.
And with Gong Ya-cheon gone, the Black Shadow Division’s future would darken—two birds with one stone.
Gwak Pyeong smiled, thinking he’d made a profitable move.
Jang Manseong bowed his head, feeling like he’d just lost the future of Black Shadow.
****
On the way back after resolving things with Black Shadow.
Gwak Pyeong looked uneasy.
“Is your injury hurting?”
At Ho Je’s question, Gwak Pyeong shook his head.
“No. It’s not the wounds.”
“Then what is it?”
“Sothing feels... off. Like I’ve forgotten sothing important.”
“We didn’t forget anything. Maybe it’s just that the spoils from beating Black Shadow were too ager?”
“No, it’s not that. It feels like I’ve forgotten sothing really important.”
“So even soone with your brain forgets things, huh?”
“Do you... rember how we won?”
“What? Of course I do!”
“Then explain it in detail.”
“Huh? Uh... well....”
When it ca ti to explain, no clear mory ca to mind.
That part was fuzzy, like it was hidden in mist.
“What the hell? Why’s our mory of the victory so vague?”
“Right?”
“Yeah. This doesn’t make any sense.”
“And then we blacked out. When we ca to, the underclassn were yelling about victory, all beaten to hell.”
“That’s right. Why don’t we rember anything past that?”
“It’s weird. Sothing’s definitely weird.”
“Let’s ask Seon Woo Baek tomorrow. Simple as that.”
“Ask him what? ‘How did we win?’ ‘Why don’t we rember it?’ Do you really want to go up to kids who gave everything they had and demand they spell it out for us because we passed out and can’t rember shit?”
“W-Well...”
“We couldn’t even help them fight, and now we’re gonna ask questions like that? That’s just pathetic.”
Gwak Pyeong let out a sigh.
“This whole situation is a ss caused by my arrogance. Seon Woo Baek and those kids saved us from it. No matter how it happened, they did their best. Let’s just leave it at that.”
Ho Je nodded in agreent.
“Still... I thought only Seon Woo Baek was incredible, but that Jang Un kid? He was amazing too.”
“Weirdly enough, I rember Jang Un’s performance vividly.”
“Even the upperclassn couldn’t lay a finger on him.”
“Right. The underclassn this ti are seriously talented.”
“Do you think Gong Ya-cheon will actually co to our academy?”
“If he doesn’t, I’ll go back and persuade him again.”
“That far, huh?”
“Seon Woo Baek needs a strategist by his side. I’ve been filling that role myself, but this whole incident made realize just how crucial a strategist is.”
“True. We almost had a catastrophe on our hands.”
“Yeah. Gong Ya-cheon is exceptional. The reason he lost was because Seon Woo Baek and those kids were just that much more extraordinary than expected.”
“Right? None of us saw it coming. Who’d have thought we’d win thanks to the underclassn?”
“We treated them like kids. But in truth, they were stronger than us.”
“I don’t think we need to worry about Baekyeong’s future. Maybe we’re witnessing a generation that’ll go down in history.”
Gwak Pyeong nodded at Ho Je’s words.
Still, the unease didn’t go away.
‘Haa... It must be my guilt over screwing up so ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) badly.’
That’s what he told himself, deciding to move on.
****
Baekcheon Gate, ranked thirty-second under the Martial God Sect.
It was the ho of Jang Manseong, top of the Black Shadow Division.
“Pathetic.”
Jang Cheon-gong, master of Baekcheon Gate, clicked his tongue as he stared down at Jang Manseong in disappointnt.
Beside him stood Jang Manho, master of one of the branch halls, wearing an amused expression.
Jang Manseong had known this was coming the mont his father summoned him.
“I supported you so you could unify the southern divisions, and this is the result? You lost to Baekyeong Martial Academy? And not even to their upperclassn—to underclassn?”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
Even with ten mouths, he couldn’t argue.
“What’s the na of the one who beat you?”
“Seon Woo Baek, sir.”
“From the Seon family... Then he’s from the Taiyi Gate. Tch. What a disgrace. Losing to soone from a re seventy-second ranked sect?”
Jang Cheon-gong scowled.
“Enough! Get out of my sight—I can’t even look at you!”
At the dismissal, Jang Manseong clenched his lips, stood, bowed deeply, and left the room.
Once he was gone, Jang Manho chuckled.
“See? I told you. What could you expect from a concubine’s son? Don’t set your hopes too high.”
“Still, he carries my blood. I thought he’d at least show so promise.”
“Father, you look seriously disappointed.”
“Wouldn’t you be? He crawled back here after losing to soone from a seventy-second ranked sect.”
“But still, this Seon Woo Baek guy must be sothing else. Even if Manseong’s talent is lacking, his actual skill is decent. For soone to beat him...”
“True. Seems like Taiyi Gate’s produced a decent talent.”
“Should I crush him before he grows into sothing dangerous?”
“Not a bad idea. You plan to handle it yourself?”
“Yes. Sounds fun. I’m curious too—how strong is he really? Does he truly have the skill to beat Manseong?”
“Hmm. I’m curious as well. But you shouldn’t get personally involved in sothing like this.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Use your underlings. This is the perfect chance. Use them to teach that Seon Woo Baek a lesson.”
“Hmm...”
Jang Manho rested his chin in thought.
Jang Cheon-gong looked at him with warm affection—the complete opposite of how he’d looked at Jang Manseong.
Then Jang Manho clapped his hands.
“How about this?”
“Have an idea?”
“Let’s transfer Man-un from Black Tiger Academy to Baekyeong. Have him take over from the inside.”
“Man-un?”
“Yes.”
“What a waste... He was just starting to establish his position there. Are we really sending him away for no reason?”
“He was never going to reach the top there anyway. You know this. The underclassman First of that academy is a genius. Man-un is already losing his mind because of it. Wouldn’t it be better for him to transfer to Baekyeong Martial Academy in the south and beco the top student there instead?”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! If he makes a na for himself at Baekyeong, soone more prestigious might even scout him later. As long as that genius is in Black Tiger Academy, Man-un will always be overshadowed.”
“True enough. Damn it, why did that monster have to join Black Tiger of all places...”
“Exactly. With talent like that, he should be in Zhongcheon.”
After thinking it over for a mont, Jang Cheon-gong made up his mind.
“Alright! Let’s go with your plan. Let’s send Man-un to Baekyeong. That’ll ease his mind and let him experience being number one. If he gains confidence, he might reach an even higher level.”
“Right?”
“Whose son could be so thoughtful, huh?”
“Who else? It’s all thanks to you, Father.”
“Hahaha! And so charming, too!”
“I’ll tell Man-un and get everything started right away.”
“Good! Do it.”
****
Jang Man-un, the youngest of Baekcheon Gate.
He was a true sibling of Jang Manho, born of the sa mother.
That’s why the way Jang Cheon-gong treated Man-un was completely different from how he treated Jang Manseong—his voice filled with affection.
He doted on Man-un fiercely, seeing him as a true son, unlike Manseong.
And Jang Man-un adored Jang Manho more than anyone.
“Really? I’m all for it. Honestly, seeing those walls I couldn’t climb was starting to drive crazy.”
“It was that bad?”
“What do you think? No matter how much I trained, the gap wouldn’t close. Do you know what that feels like? It makes you insane.”
“Still, being at Peak Level, Stage Seven at your age isn’t exactly weak...”
“I only got this far because I practically killed myself trying to catch up to that freak.”
“You worked hard. But now, you don’t have to deal with that anymore. Once you’re in Baekyeong, you’ll be number one in no ti.”
“I love it. I’ll do everything you say.”
“Haha! Who’s adorable little brother are you?”
“Yours, of course.”
“Haha! Damn right!”
“By the way, who was the guy that beat Manseong?”
At the ntion of “Manseong-hyung,” Jang Manho’s expression twitched slightly.
He didn’t like the honorific, but it was true, so he let it slide.
“So guy nad Seon Woo Baek.”
“Yeah? What level?”
“Supposedly Peak Level, Stage Six... but according to Manseong, he’s even stronger than that. Probably around your level.”
“Is that even possible? Shouldn’t he be registered the mont he advances?”
“Who knows? Maybe Manseong exaggerated out of fear.”
“That makes sense.”
“I just want to leave Black Tiger already. Honestly, I’ll be happy just to be out of there. That place has a monster for an underclassman First, and it’s been suffocating .”
“Seriously... why’d soone like that have to join the sa academy as you?”
“Exactly. A guy like that should’ve gone to Zhongcheon. Instead, he ends up in so regular academy just to make the rest of us miserable. Anyway, I’m really excited. I wonder what Baekyeong is like.”
“I’ve written down everything you need to know about Baekyeong in here. Read it.”
Jang Manho handed him a booklet, and Jang Man-un eagerly flipped through it.
“Seon Woo Baek and Jang Un, huh...”
“Yeah. Those two are the core of the underclassn. Take them out, and Baekyeong is yours.”
“Just underclassn? I’ll make even Gwak Pyeong kneel.”
“Do whatever you want. I already submitted your transfer request. You’ll be there before the week’s over.”
“Got it. I’ll bring you good news, for sure.”
“Alright. But don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I won’t.”
****
Two new underclassn were transferred to Baekyeong Martial Academy.
Gong Ya-cheon and Jang Man-un.
Jang Man-un was assigned to the White Tiger Class, where Heo Wook resided.
Gong Ya-cheon was placed in the Black Tortoise Class, right next to Yeon Woo Jin.
“Glad to have you.”
Yeon Woo Jin greeted him with a smile, and Gong Ya-cheon replied,
“Looking forward to working with you.”
“Likewise. Take good care of our guys.”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
“By the way, didn’t soone else transfer to another class? Do you know him?”
“Jang Man-un. Half-brother of Jang Manseong from Black Shadow Division.”
“Half-brother?”
“Yeah. Manseong’s the son of a concubine. Man-un’s from the main wife.”
“Huh. So why’d soone like him transfer here?”
“Probably ca for Seon Woo Baek. Even if Manseong’s just a concubine’s kid, he’s still got Baekcheon Gate blood. It’s likely revenge.”
“So this Jang Man-un guy is strong?”
“Yeah, very. From what I know, he was in Black Tiger Academy—the strongest academy in the north.”
“Black Tiger? Isn’t that considered the strongest academy in the Martial God Sect, outside of Zhongcheon?”
“Exactly. And even there, he was ranked second among the underclassn.”
“Then he’s not that strong, right?”
“What are you talking about? He’s Peak Level, Stage Seven.”
“I see. Not bad at all.”
Yeon Woo Jin smiled, as if he liked the sound of it.
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