Amid the deathly silence of the hall, Go Cheonjin, sensing that something was off, raised his eyebrows and scanned the surroundings.
"What…?"
At that moment, Yeosu stepped forward, bowed to Go Cheonjin, and explained in detail what had just happened.
Hearing this, the two other vice principals and the senior elders glared coldly at Yeosu. Their expressions were so hostile that, if it weren't for Go Cheonjin's phantom, it seemed they might have acted on the spot.
Go Cheonjin shook his head and spoke.
"This formation was created by Principal Mok at the time. I felt its power was too weak, so I enhanced it by creating inspection wooden dolls. If someone destroys this formation before turning twenty, it is understandable, even if he used some trick. Moreover, that child just now used no trick at all, and he had no dantian. A child without a dantian breaking the Nine Palace Formation—that is a remarkable feat!"
At his words, Yeosu's face turned pale. Thinking of An Lansu's attitude just now made it even whiter.
What kind of person was An Lansu?
And someone she acknowledged—could they really be an ordinary martial artist?
Yeosu forced a bitter smile and bowed to Go Cheonjin.
"I was foolish not to recognize such talent."
"Obtaining a great opportunity isn't something that happens at will."
Go Cheonjin looked around and continued.
"It has already been hundreds of years since I left Cheongju. I left behind a trace to see with my own eyes who could break the formations of me and Principal Mok. But I never imagined this outcome… Enough. I can no longer intervene in the affairs of Changmok Academy; handle it as you see fit."
With that, his phantom began to fade.
The martial artists of Changmok Academy bowed deeply in respect.
"We send off Director Go!"
Soon after, Go Cheonjin's phantom disappeared completely.
Now, only the two vice principals, professors, and elders remained, glaring at Yeosu.
Yeosu forced a pained smile.
"From now on, I will begin self-imposed meditation. When the principal returns, I will accept his punishment. Brother Moksong, I ask you to act as my proxy regarding my authority."
Moksong, one of the three vice principals, sighed deeply and replied.
"This matter is indeed your fault. What use is saying anything now? Go. The rest will be up to the principal when he returns…"
"Wait!"
At that moment, a man in black robes shouted.
He was Ko Mak, another vice principal of Changmok Academy.
In a cold voice, Ko Mak spoke.
"It is true he was an outstanding individual, but it was his loss for not joining Changmok Academy, not ours. Punishing a vice principal for failing to recruit one martial artist makes no sense."
The hall fell silent. Ko Mak continued.
"If Changmok Academy punishes Vice Principal Yeosu, it will only make us the laughingstock of the world. Therefore, it should be announced that it was our academy that rejected Yeop-hyun. Even though he is a genius, in our eyes he was nothing more than trash!"
At his words, the martial artists exchanged glances. Some hesitated, but many seemed to agree with Ko Mak. He continued.
"Since its founding, Changmok Academy has never bowed to anyone! Not now, not ever!"
Ko Mak swept his gaze around and shouted.
"And the students of Changmok Academy, hear me! I hope the day comes when Yeop-hyun, who has gone to Changran Academy, has his head displayed on Chang Mountain. The world should know how great a mistake it was for him not to choose Changmok Academy. Understand?"
The students of Changmok Academy rose as one and shouted.
"We will hang Yeop-hyun's head on Chang Mountain!"
The elders, including Ko Mak and Yeosu, nodded in agreement.
The news that Yeop-hyun had become a student of Changran Academy spread throughout Hwangseong in an instant, as if Changran had picked up what Changmok had discarded.
Yeop-hyun's name flew from mouth to mouth across the city—not in a good way. People began whispering about Changran Academy.
"Looks like Changran Academy is picking up the trash Changmok threw away!"
Changmok Academy's reputation and popularity remained as high as ever.
A remote mountain path. Yeop-hyun followed an old man, carrying Yeop-ryeong on his back. The old man, parched, took swigs from a gourd of alcohol every few steps.
"Oppa… I feel a little warmer now!"
"Feeling okay?"
"Yes!"
"Good!"
"Oppa, promise me. From now on, never kneel in front of others because of me!"
"For you, I'd kneel before everyone in the world!"
"Oppa, in the next life too… no, the life after that… no, even the life after that…"
"..."
After a short while, the old man stopped walking. Yeop-hyun followed suit.
Before them were two mountain peaks. They looked puny compared to the grand Chang Mountain of Changmok Academy, barely reaching ten layers.
Between the peaks was a narrow path, and beside it stood a stone stele. Overgrown with weeds, four jet-black characters were carved into it:
[Changran Academy]
The inscription looked utterly desolate.
Guided by the old man, they began ascending the path. At the end, another, slightly taller mountain appeared, with several structures on its summit.
As the old man walked slowly ahead, Yeop-hyun silently followed with Yeop-ryeong on his back.
"You're the first in recent times to wish to become a student of Changran Academy."
"Sir, may I ask, how many students are currently at Changran Academy?"
"Two, including you."
Yeop-hyun froze in shock for a moment, then hurried to follow the old man.
"You're not joking, are you?"
The old man looked up at Yeop-hyun.
"Do I look like the type to joke with you?"
"Well… then really, only two of us…."
The old man nodded without expression.
Realizing he wasn't joking, Yeop-hyun smiled awkwardly.
"So, the two of us are the only students…."
When Yeop-hyun trailed off, the old man patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. I've already recruited two more. When they arrive, there will be four of you."
The old man said no more and quickened his pace along the mountain path.
Yeop-hyun stood still for a moment, watching his back.
Yeop-ryeong looked up at the old man and said,
"Oppa, I feel like we might be walking into a trap…"
Yeop-hyun shook his head, smiling.
"He saved you, so even if it's a trap, we'll gladly leap in!"
He quickened his pace toward where the old man had gone.
Soon, at the mountain's peak, they found an old main hall and a few small houses. The hall's exterior paint had peeled, the walls were riddled with holes letting wind through, and one door barely hung on its hinges. Weeds grew rampant all around.
The old man spoke, noticing Yeop-hyun's gaze.
"This is Changran Hall. It was used for discussions or receiving guests. Of course, that was long ago. Hmm, it's a bit messy—later you'll have to clean it up."
"…."
He then pointed to the rear of the hall.
"All the rooms back there are empty. You may choose any to use. You've traveled a long way, so rest first."
Left behind were only Yeop-hyun and Yeop-ryeong, staring at the dilapidated hall.
They had heard something of Changran Academy's state, but not to this extent. It was almost beyond recovery. One mysterious old man and just two students—it was more like an orphanage than an academy.
After a moment, Yeop-hyun let out a small sigh. Yeop-ryeong jumped down from his back and grabbed his hand.
"Oppa, you go into the room first. I'll clean up here a bit."
"Ryeong-ah…"
"Hehe, I'm not cold at all now. Don't worry, go rest!"
Yeop-hyun nodded lightly, stroking her head.
"Take your time. I'll unpack and find something to eat, then come back."
Yeop-ryeong nodded smartly.
Yeop-hyun smiled brightly and left. Yeop-ryeong quickly grabbed a broom and began cleaning.
A short distance behind the hall were more buildings, all heavily damaged. The roof of the building in front of Yeop-hyun had lost half its structure.
He shook his head and continued along the weed-choked path until he reached a well-kept manor. Compared to the other buildings, it seemed newer, and flowers bloomed around it.
"This place should be fine for Ryeong to stay."
Yeop-hyun approached the manor with light steps. He flung open the door and froze. In the center of the pond inside lay a woman, sprawled out, arms and legs extended.
The crystal-clear water revealed the pond's bottom entirely.
The bigger problem was the woman's appearance—she was completely naked.
Unlike Yeop-hyun, the woman's expression was calm, serene like a deep lake, as their eyes met.
As Yeop-hyun, panicked, tried to step back, a sharp sword pressed against his neck.
His face went pale. He raised his hands and shouted,
"I didn't mean to look! I'm not interested in women. I…I like men!"
Blushing furiously, Yeop-hyun had to resort to an extreme lie to prove it wasn't intentional. Time seemed to freeze. His expression stiffened, sweat beading on his forehead. Moreover, her skill exceeded his expectations—if he had faced her from the start it might have been different, but having his back turned, he was at a disadvantage.
At that moment, the sword at his neck slowly disappeared.
Yeop-hyun exhaled deeply and turned. The woman was now fully dressed.
She wore a long black skirt with a landscape painting embroidered on it. A cord cinched at her waist accentuated her slender figure. Her cold, piercing eyes seemed to see through everything.
'Beautiful!'