Episode 400: Return to the Demonic Academy
Mook Yang-je rose from his bed, stretching his arms wide.
“Ah, is it morning already?”
He murmured to himself, staring at the ceiling. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he sat up abruptly, scanning his surroundings with urgency.
‘Where am I…?’
The memory of waking up in the Sinwol Gate yesterday flashed through his mind, and he feared he might be trapped in a repeating day. He rushed to the window and flung it open.
Thankfully, he was in the Myeolma Pavilion.
‘Good. Time is moving forward as it should.’
Though he was still unsettled by the strange enchantment he had experienced, he resolved to start investigating the weaknesses of the Myeolma Pavilion from today.
After finishing the breakfast prepared by the maid, he immediately sought out Dong Ryeong, the master of Hanwol Pavilion, who had accompanied him as part of the inspection team. Together, they headed to the training grounds where the students were practicing.
The atmosphere at the Myeolma Pavilion was somewhat subdued due to the mysterious disappearance of Sabigang, but the top-tier students were still fiercely engaged in their martial arts duels.
Injuries were a daily occurrence, and when Mook Yang-je arrived, several students were being carried away on stretchers.
‘Ah, so the rumors were true! How can they expect to learn martial arts properly with such reckless sparring?’
Dong Ryeong seemed to share his thoughts, clicking his tongue in disapproval.
“This is truly a pathetic way to train. With so many injuries, the cost of medicine alone must be astronomical. And all of it funded by the sect—what a waste of resources!”
“Indeed, it’s hard to comprehend why they would go to such lengths.”
“Exactly. This needs to be reported to the sect immediately.”
Mook Yang-je nodded gravely.
“Of course, it must be done. With such intense training, how can we not commend their passion?”
‘Huh?’
“What?”
Both Mook Yang-je and Dong Ryeong exchanged bewildered glances.
Realizing his slip, Mook Yang-je quickly corrected himself.
“What I meant was, I’m concerned they might suffer irreparable injuries from excessive sparring. But their passion is certainly commendable.”
“Ah… yes, indeed. But the real issue is Sabigang, the pavilion master, who exploits their enthusiasm. The students themselves aren’t to blame. Especially our orthodox students, who are often severely injured by the cunning tricks of those from the unorthodox sects.”
“Using such underhanded tactics… If our orthodox students adapt to these vile methods, they’ll only grow stronger. It’s quite a commendable approach.”
‘Huh?’
“What?”
Once again, both Mook Yang-je and Dong Ryeong were left puzzled.
Mook Yang-je’s expression twisted in frustration.
‘Damn it! What am I even saying?’
He kept blurting out things he didn’t mean, and it was starting to drive him crazy. Desperate to change the subject, he suggested, “Let’s head to the infirmary first. We should hear what the injured have to say.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Dong Ryeong, still puzzled, followed Mook Yang-je to the infirmary.
The first person they met was Jin Kyung-san, who had lost an arm during the recent training exercise.
“I have nothing to say! What good is talking when I’ve lost an arm? This incident has ruined my life!”
Jin Kyung-san responded bitterly.
Dong Ryeong quickly asked about Sabigang.
“What do you think of Pavilion Master Sabigang? Do you consider him a capable leader?”
“Hmph! If he were a capable leader, would I have lost an arm?”
Jin Kyung-san retorted sharply, and Dong Ryeong felt a sense of satisfaction as they turned away.
“What do you think? It seems Sabigang is lacking in many ways.”
“Indeed. To survive such an ordeal, he must be praised.”
“Yes… well. But the opinion of Sabigang is certainly not favorable.”
“Certainly seems that way. We can definitely corner Sabigang and commend him for it!”
‘Huh?’
“What?”
Again, nonsense slipped out.
Frustrated, Mook Yang-je snapped, “What I meant was, it’s impressive that Pavilion Master Sabigang managed to lead even such disgruntled individuals to safety!”
“What?”
‘Damn it! What am I saying now?’
Mook Yang-je was at his wit’s end with the nonsense that kept spilling out.
“Let’s just head back for now.”
Feeling something was off, Mook Yang-je returned to his quarters, lost in thought.
‘Why is this happening today? I keep feeling…’
Good.
For some reason, he felt elated.
The world seemed strangely beautiful, and the students’ dedication to their training appeared admirable.
He even thought it would be great if other academies followed the Myeolma Pavilion’s example and trained harder.
His original goal of uncovering the Myeolma Pavilion’s weaknesses to oust Sabigang seemed to have vanished from his mind.
‘It’s a spell! Damn it! It must be a spell!’
He bit his lip.
He couldn’t let this slide.
Who had cast this spell on him, and where?
It wouldn’t be easy to find out immediately.
This place was crawling with unorthodox sect members.
Just thinking about it made his skin crawl.
One of them might have cast a spell on him.
Or perhaps…
‘Could it be that man, Murang?’
He had heard that Sabigang had brought in a strange old man as the new master.
The man was said to be skilled in various arts, but he wasn’t well-known.
Surely, Sabigang had used his connections to hire someone incompetent.
“Ugh!”
Mook Yang-je took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
He decided to rest today and start a proper investigation tomorrow.
**
In the pavilion’s gazebo, Maeseollan and Murang were having a conversation.
“We’ve managed to get through today as well.”
“And we will continue to do so.”
Murang’s response made Maeseollan smile.
“Indeed, the Pavilion Master was right to bring you from afar. How did you manage to make him so compliant?”
Murang pulled something from his robe.
It was a small vial, sealed with a stopper.
Maeseollan’s eyes widened as she asked, “What is that? Did you make it?”
“Yes.”
“May I take a look?”
Maeseollan took the vial and shook it, hearing the liquid slosh inside.
As she was about to open it, Murang quickly snatched it back and tucked it away.
“If you open this carelessly, you’ll end up like him.”
“What exactly is in there?”
“Are you asking for the name?”
Murang’s eyes gleamed as he asked.
Maeseollan realized her mistake, but Murang continued with a proud expression.
“It’s called ‘Murang’s Unique Seven Emotions Fragrance.’”
“Oh…”
Maeseollan responded ambiguously, and Murang continued without being asked.
“Of course, I created it. It’s quite original.”
“Yes… it seems so.”
“Why do you think that?”
“What?”
“Why do you think I made it?”
“Just… the name made it seem that way.”
“Indeed. You have a keen intuition.”
Murang stroked his white beard, mumbling to himself, while Maeseollan could only offer an awkward smile.
“In any case, this fragrance can somewhat control a person’s emotions. It’s a minor art, but quite useful.”
“Impressive. Will you continue using this Seven Emotions Fragrance?”
“It’s not just the Seven Emotions Fragrance; it’s Murang’s Unique Seven Emotions Fragrance. That’s the official name.”
“Ah… yes.”
“Of course, I’ll use it. I’ll add a few more techniques to it. This Murang’s Unique Seven Emotions Fragrance works best on those with strong desires. Judging by the situation so far, this ‘Mook Yang-je’ seems to be a man of great desire.”
“I see. We’ll get to see more of his inner self.”
Murang nodded.
“Let’s keep watching until the Pavilion Master returns.”
“Yes.”
With that, their conversation ended, and a gentle spring breeze blew through.
**
Mook Yang-je opened his eyes.
Somewhere, he heard birds chirping.
“Ugh…”
His head felt heavy.
Was it because he’d been running in circles for days?
He felt a sense of ennui.
But he quickly shook his head.
The more obstacles there were, the more it meant there was something to hide.
‘Today, I’ll thoroughly investigate and uncover the problems of the Myeolma Pavilion.’
Resolving himself, he had breakfast and immediately met with Dong Ryeong to begin their investigation.
This time, they headed to Shinsoo Pavilion, where Jo Shin-ryang was the master.
Jo Shin-ryang was working the bellows, sweat pouring down his face as if it were midsummer.
“Did you make this, Master?”
Dong Ryeong asked, holding up an arrow shaft. Jo Shin-ryang glanced at him and replied curtly.
“Yes, I did.”
It was fitted with an arrowhead made from the ground bone of a dark beast.
“Hmph, having spent time with the unorthodox sects, even the things you make carry a sinister aura.”
Dong Ryeong criticized openly, turning to Mook Yang-je for his opinion.
“Master Muk, don’t you agree? The idea of crafting weapons from materials harvested from mere monsters! Isn’t this completely contrary to the righteous path we strive to follow?”
“Indeed. How can we claim to fight these creatures and yet use the very remnants of their bodies? It’s truly… truly…”
“Master…?”
Dongryeong looked at Muk Yangje with a startled expression.
Muk Yangje’s eyes seemed to glisten, and then, to everyone’s surprise, tears began to stream down his face.
“Master! What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I just… sniff…! I find all of this so unbearably sad. Sob!”
“What?”
“Seeing those dark arrow shafts… How much pain must it have felt? Did it know, in its final moments, that its wing bones would become human arrows? Oh, the sorrow…!”
“What on earth are you talking about…?”
“Oh, never mind. It’s nothing. I just feel the futility of everything in this world. What does any of this matter? Even the wind feels sad today. I want to paint a self-portrait of myself crying while gazing at the capital.”
“The wind feels sad… what…?”
Dongryeong was left bewildered, while Muk Yangje shook his head and trudged away.
“Master!”
Dongryeong called out, but Muk Yangje, as if weary of everything, waved his hand dismissively and walked off somewhere.
Josinryang scoffed openly, showing his disdain.
“Move aside! I’m busy!”
“Ahem.”
Dongryeong cleared his throat and quickly followed after Muk Yangje.
The two of them soon arrived at the laboratory where Jinbaek was staying, though today they visited the research room instead of the infirmary.
“Are you telling me all these medicines are being developed using monster blood?”
Dongryeong asked sharply, clearly displeased.
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“Of course, there’s a problem! Not all medicines are created equal! Using monsters summoned by the Demon Sect to make medicine! What if there are side effects? Who will take responsibility then? Isn’t that right, Master Muk?”
“Yes, such reckless actions should not be taken lightly. Reporting this to the main sect… but what does it matter…”
“What?”
“Sigh, all of this is just to survive. Why is life so burdensome? Why do humans fall ill and suffer? It’s all so tragic… life is fleeting…”
Once again, Muk Yangje muttered incomprehensibly, tears welling up as he turned away, shoulders slumped as if he had lost all meaning in life.
Just then, as they entered the laboratory, Deungbuyung spotted Muk Yangje and hurried over, whispering in his ear.
“Master Muk, I can provide a detailed report on the issues with the Demon Sect. Just don’t forget about me later…”
But Muk Yangje, without listening further, looked at Deungbuyung with tearful eyes.
“What has driven you to such greed? What does any of this matter? Why struggle so desperately? It’s truly pitiful.”
“What…?”
“Just go back. I plan to do nothing today. Sorrow has consumed me.”
With that, Muk Yangje walked away, looking as if the world had ended.
Deungbuyung watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.
“What a strange illness…”