TL: FoodieMonster007

    "Then, I''ll be on my way."

    Noh Goonsang, having said everything he needed to, rose from his seat without hesitation. He had come in person, listened to Jaegal Sojin''s long-winded speech, and issued a clear warning. With this, even the Murim Alliance Chairman wouldn''t dare to recklessly set his sights on the Azure Dragon Academy.

    "Please wait a moment! Principal Noh!" Jaegal Sojin shouted, standing up and hurriedly blocking his path.

    Noh Goonsang frowned. "Do you still have something to say?"

    "...If it''s about the specific terms, we can negotiate. Please, won''t you hear me out just a little longer?"

    "I have already stated my position. Move aside."

    Still, Jaegal Sojin didn''t move. Instead, she slowly stepped backward, blocking the door, as if she had a reason why she absolutely could not let Noh Goonsang leave.

    "It will only take a moment. If we continue discussing, we may find a compromise that satisfies both sides..."

    Seeing Jaegal Sojin''s panicked eyes, Noh Goonsang''s gaze turned frosty. The instincts of a seasoned warrior who had survived countless battles warned him that her unusual persistence was fishy.

    "Are you stalling for time on purpose?"

    "Huh? What do you mean..." Jaegal Sojin replied, feigning ignorance.

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    In truth, Noh Goonsang''s suspicion was right. She was deliberately stalling for time.

    Is the Chairman still not here?

    Anticipating that Noh Goonsang would reject the Murim Alliance''s proposal, she had prepared a backup plan which involved preventing him from leaving the meeting room too soon.

    However, even that was proving difficult.

    A terrifying aura began to seep out of Noh Goonsang''s body, and his aged yet sharp eyes gleamed ominously. "You lured me here to keep me busy while you plotted behind my back?"

    "You''re mistaken, I only..."

    "Enough excuses." Noh Goonsang reached for Jaegal Sojin''s throat like a bolt of lightning. "If you won''t talk, then I''ll just have to force you to."

    Jaegal Sojin met Noh Goonsang''s gaze unblinkingly. Her confidence didn''t stem from her martial arts, but from the fact that she wasn''t alone.

    "...Senior, if you go any further, I won''t just stand by and watch," the Murim Alliance''s Jiangxi Branch Manager said, stepping between Jaegal Sojin and Noh Goonsang.

    Noh Goonsang moved. In an instant, the two men exchanged over a dozen blows. Surprisingly, they were evenly matched.

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    Noh Goonsang''s eyes glinted coldly. "So, you were in on this as well?"

    "...My apologies, but I can''t just stand by while the Murim Alliance''s Chief Strategist is being attacked."

    Although the Jiangxi Branch Manager was intimidated by the prospect of facing a legendary murim elder, he was no pushover.

    Jaegal Sojin sighed. I had hoped nothing would happen until the end...

    This was precisely why she had chosen this location for the meeting.

    If the worst came to pass, someone has to keep Noh Goonsang in check.

    Realizing the Murim Alliance''s intent, Noh Goonsang adjusted his stance. "I see. If I want to leave, I''ll have to take you down."

    "Senior, please reconsider and listen to what the Chief Strategist has to say..."

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    "If this office gets wrecked, don''t blame me. You brought this upon yourselves," Noh Goonsang cut in, releasing a powerful surge of inner qi that caused his robes to billow. He was clearly ready to fight.

    Just before the two martial artists clashed again, though, Jaegal Sojin said hurriedly, "Wait! Earlier, you said that if the students wished for it, you would allow them to join the war, right?"

    Noh Goonsang scoffed. "Even if that were true, I have no intention of turning the academy into a subordinate organization under the Murim Alliance''s command."

    "Then what if the students choose to do so of their own accord?"

    "...What?" Noh Goonsang frowned, unable to believe what he was hearing.

    He had no way of knowing that just moments ago, Jaegal Sojin had finally received the message she had been waiting for.

    [The Chairman has arrived.]

    Jaegal Sojin smiled in satisfaction. "What I means is, the Chairman has already arrived at the Azure Dragon Academy."

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    "...!!" Noh Goonsang''s eyes widened in shock. "Wasn''t the Chairman was supposed to arrive tomorrow?"

    "It seems that his schedule cleared up earlier than expected. He left for the Azure Dragon Academy immediately, eager to meet you... but unfortunately, you weren''t there." Jaegal Sojin smoothly fabricated a lie without even blinking.

    "...So he lured both me and the Vice Principal away in order to incite the students?"

    Noh Goonsang''s heart sank. Only now did he realize the Murim Alliance Chairman''s true goal. Right now, he was trapped in the office, while Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo, the Blazing Blade, was waiting outside cluelessly.

    If the Murim Alliance Chairman suddenly arrived at the academy while both of us are absent, everyone would be caught completely off guard. The Chairman would take full advantage of that confusion.

    "Hoho... looks like I fell right into your trap." Noh Goonsang let out a dry chuckle and withdrew his aura. There was no longer any point in fighting.

    Jaegal Sojin, standing by the door, quietly stepped aside. "Even if you leave now, it''s too late. The Chairman is already persuading the students."

    Jiangxi was a huge city. Even with advanced movement arts, it would take at least an hour to reach the Azure Dragon Academy, and an hour was more than enough for the Murim Alliance Chairman to gather the students and make a rousing speech.

    Noh Goonsang could already imagine what would happen.

    The Chairman of the Murim Alliance was an idol among the martial artists of the orthodox sect. If such a figure personally appeared and urged them to join the war against the Blood Cult, how many could refuse?

    Noh Goonsang sighed, "...It would be difficult for hotblooded teenagers to refuse the summons of a renowned hero. Well played, Jaegal Sojin."@@@@

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    Jaegal Sojin smiled triumphantly.

    Without Noh Goonsang, there is no one in the Azure Dragon Academy who can oppose the Chairman''s authority.

    There was the rising star known as the Azure Dragon Hero, but she wasn''t too concerned about him.

    At best, he''s just a newly emerging talent. He can''t compare to the Chairman.

    The current Murim Alliance Chairman, the Fist King Yayul Hwang was a supreme master who had dominated the murim for decades. Now that the Blue Sky Sword King was gone, no one could challenge his authority

    "Well, it suits you. If you keep dressing like that, you might get popular."

    "...Really? Even more than you?"

    "Hmm... That might be a stretch."

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    The two old friends exchanged meaningless banter for a while, before Geo Sangwoong''s expression grew serious.

    "...I''m sorry for back then. I wasn''t in my right mind," he apologized.

    "Are you finally going to tell me what happened?"

    "...Let''s talk over a drink sometime."

    "I never thought it would take us two years just to have a conversation again."

    "...Sorry."

    There was still some awkwardness between them, but they didn''t try to force the mood. Martial artists had their own way of settling things.

    "How about we go at it, for old times'' sake?"

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    "Sounds good."

    The two fourth-years clashed. Bang Baekhyun''s dazzling swordsmanship met Geo Sangwoong''s solid fists, sparks flying as blade and gloves collided.

    Watching the impressive display from the upperclassmen who were once known as the Azure Dragon Duo, the younger students couldn''t help but be captivated.

    Baek Suryong was impressed as well.

    Bang Baekhyun... he''s better than I expected. Before today, I wasn''t interested in him at all, but now... Hmm?

    Detecting something unusual with his heightened senses, his expression suddenly hardened.

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    RUMBLE...

    At first it was just a faint tremor in the ground, but it grew stronger and stronger, soon becoming extremely noticeable.

    This isn''t natural. Someone''s causing this on purpose.

    Baek Suryong swiftly turned to face Mae Geuklyom, who was still holding onto his shoulder. "Grandpa!"

    "Don''t give me face. What excuse are you coming up with this time..."

    "I''m not making excuses! Don''t you feel the ground tremors?"

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    "You brat..." Mae Geuklyom began, but a moment later, his expression stiffened as well.

    At the same time, Namgung Su turned to look at Baek Suryong. "Baek Suryong!"

    "So you felt it too. Something''s coming... Something absurd..."

    RUMBLE...!

    The tremor had become so intense it could now be called an earthquake.

    The students, confused, started looking around.

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    It''s a supreme master!

    The three instructors who sensed the incoming powerhouse all shouted at once.

    ""Everyone, run!""

    BOOOOM!

    A deafening explosion erupted, and the walls of Azure Dragon Academy crumbled. Something was charging forward at an insane speed, smashing the ground with every step. A massive cloud of dust rose, swirling like a dragon.

    SCREEECH!

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    A giant screeched to a halt, his untamed hair whipping in the wind like a lion''s mane. His piercing eyes, as large as a tiger''s, gave him a ferocious aura. With his entire body radiating an overwhelming power, he resembled an ancient beast that had taken on human form.

    A faint white mist rose from his body, as if he was letting off steam after an intense workout.

    The sheer presence of this legendary master weighed down on the entire Azure Dragon Academy, and no one dared to speak.

    "When I saw smoke rising above the academy, I thought the Blood Cult had launched a surprise attack, so I rushed over... but it seems you were just having a mock battle. Good. That''s the right mindset for martial artists preparing for war," the giant said grinned in satisfaction.

    Even though he had reined in about half of his aura, however, most who met his gaze instinctively averted their eyes.

    "There''s no need to be afraid. I am the Murim Alliance Chairman."

    "T-The Murim Alliance Chairman?"

    "The Fist King..."

    "Why is he here...?"

    Shock rippled through the crowd. Students and instructors alike stood frozen, mouths agape.

    The Murim Alliance Chairman, having successfully asserted his dominance simply by appearing, continued his speech, "I see you are all surprised. The reason I have come is..."

    "Are you joking right now?" Baek Suryong interrupted, looking visibly irritated. He strode toward Yayul Hwang without hesitation, demanding, "I don''t care if you''re the Chairman or whatever. What right do you have to interrupt our final exam?"

    "...What?"

    The jaws of everyone in Azure Dragon Academy dropped even lower. Some even feared that their jawbones might be dislocated.

    Namgung Su sighed, "Hah... I really wish this was just a dream."

    Seemingly unable to accept reality, he closed his eyes as if to escape from it.

    Translator''s Note: This is the last chapter of the week.