Published at 26th of January 2026 10:11 pm

Chapter 377

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The gap in the ruined building. People began to gather above it.

"... What's going on?"

"How did the training hall end up like this...?!"

Had the shockwave that tore through the devastated residence attracted everyone? In no time, the disciples had gathered in droves.

Everyone gazed at the training hall with bewildered eyes, and amidst them, I had to let out a sheepish sigh.

'I've done it now.'

I didn't expect to blow away the entire training hall. This wasn't what I intended, but now I had a headache over the situation that had unfolded.

How was I supposed to explain this? Just as I was worrying about it—

"Leader...!"

"...!"

I turned my head at the shout. From within the crowd of gathered martial artists, Virtuous Moon Sword was walking toward me.

Virtuous Moon Sword, who appeared, looked around with his usual expressionless face.

After confirming the training hall was all but destroyed, he turned to look at me.

"Bang Sung-Yun."

I flinched at his words and answered,

"Yes."

"How did this happen?"

He demanded an explanation. I swallowed dryly. What should I say? Should I just admit I went too far while training and destroyed everything?

'... There's no other answer.'

No point in lying, either. As if a lie wouldn't get found out. So, I was about to confess directly—

"That was—"

"I did it."

"...?"

The words that cut in belonged to the Tyrant King, and everyone's gaze snapped that way.

"Tyrant King?"

"Ah, I just made a mistake trying to stretch my stiff body after a while. Sorry about that. I'll pay for all the damages out of my own pocket."

What in the world was this? At his sudden claim, I was left dumbfounded.

I was the one who broke it, so why was the Tyrant King getting involved and even claiming it was his doing?

What the—?

"No, this—"

― Be quiet.

Right as I was about to say it was me, the Tyrant King sent me a transmission.

― This is nothing for me, so let me handle it. Just behave yourself.

It was practically an order, so I kept my mouth shut.

"..."

Virtuous Moon Sword showed no reaction to the Tyrant King. At first, I wondered if he'd believe it.

But after a moment, Virtuous Moon Sword responded.

"I understand."

Contrary to my expectation, he believed what the Tyrant King said.

"Since the Tyrant King is involved, I won't send a separate letter to the Muk Family."

"Oh, thanks for your consideration."

With the Tyrant King chuckling, Virtuous Moon Sword scanned the surroundings. He looked at the gathered disciples and spoke.

"Return to your duties."

"Yes, sir...!"

At his brief order, everyone moved at once.

Though the training hall was wrecked, the incident was resolved with surprising ease.

― I'll see you again later.

As everyone dispersed, the Tyrant King said that to me. Same words as last time, but—

"..."

It felt very different this time.

* * *

A whole day passed. I got up, not bothering to hide my fatigue.

After washing up, I headed outside. By then, an official notice about the training hall had already been delivered.

It stated that since Training Hall One was under repairs due to damage, training Hall Two should be used.

Seeing it, I scratched my cheek.

"Tsk."

I couldn't help but feel guilty for having destroyed it.

'... It's not as if I knew it would turn out like that.'

It was partly unfair, too. Who could've known the fifth strike would have such explosive power?

'That was called the Full Moon, right.'

A huge moon—crazy power just like the name suggested.

Of course,

'I shouldn't have used so much ki either, but...'

Even so, that was the first time I'd seen such a powerful technique.

It was staggering. I surprised even myself with the strength I unleashed.

'...'

I looked at my hand. The sense from yesterday was still lingering.

'It was amazing.'

I wanted to try it again. I felt as if I was bewitched, my mind a bit hazy.

Honestly, if it were up to me, I would've started swinging my sword again on the spot.

'... But my ki still hasn't recovered.'

The ki I'd used up yesterday hadn't come back yet. I'd need to rest at least another day or two.

So, what could I do?

'What should I do?'

Now I was in a waiting period with nothing much to occupy myself with.

But I couldn't just sit around doing nothing...

'Maybe I should work on what's left.'

Even after the fifth sword strike, the sword intent remained.

I wondered if I should train it again.

"... Will it work?"

A fundamental question arose. After pouring out so much ki on the fifth strike, how could I possibly manage a sixth or seventh?

Thinking there must be some way, I glanced at Yu Chun-gil.

『You're impatient.』

That old man said the same thing as always.

'Bah.'

For now, should I at least try? As I was pondering for a moment—

"So here you are."

A familiar voice sounded. I turned around to see the Tyrant King, a bandage wrapped around one hand, standing there.

"Did you sleep well?"

"... Ah, yes. Are you all right, senior?"

"Me? I'm fine."

He waved his bandaged hand as if nothing were wrong.

I couldn't help but react strangely to that.

'He really is perfectly fine.'

I was sure he'd taken the full brunt of the Full Moon yesterday. Did it only knock him back one step—and that was it?

I'd expected at least a scratch or two.

'Isn't he a little too fine?'

Just as I started to feel a little disappointed—

『You're arrogant.』

Yu Chun-gil clicked his tongue at me.

『That's the Tyrant King's level—did you think someone of your level could injure him? Even forcing him to take a step back was a miracle.』

"..."

A harsh but honest assessment, and it surprised me.

'There's really that much of a gap?'

A Heaven Beyond Heaven master—someone evaluated to belong to that realm—and yet, there was still such a difference. It was just astounding.

'Anyway...'

I looked at the Tyrant King.

Because I knew what he was after.

"So. Shall we move somewhere more private?"

The Tyrant King suggested.

"Yes, let's."

I headed back to my residence with him.

* * *

As soon as we came in, I served tea.

But the Tyrant King's eyes widened when he saw it.

"... Huh?"

"What is it?"

"Is this... tea made from Taeseon leaves?"

"Ah, yes. I believe so."

"... How did you get your hands on something so rare?"

Taeseon tea.

Made from Taeseon leaves grown only on high-altitude Tai Mountain—leaves so rare they're almost impossible to find.

"I got them as a gift."

I had a fair bit stocked, for a simple reason.

'... Yungsun used to give them to me often.'

A gift from the Murong family. More precisely, these were among the things Yungsun sent me from time to time.

'I thought it was just some regular tea leaves.'

Turned out they were absurdly expensive.

After I gave her an earful she stopped sending them, but I'd already accumulated quite a bit.

"There's a place that sends these as gifts?"

"Yes. If you need some, would you like some?"

"...."

A moment of temptation flickered in the Tyrant King's eyes. Was he, contrary to appearances, a fan of tea?

"I'll give you some."

"... That's not really necessary..."

"I'm not much of a tea person. It'd be better for someone who knows tea to drink it."

"... That's a fair point, I suppose."

Unable to resist, the Tyrant King cleared his throat and accepted.

"I'll pack some for you later."

"... Thank you."

He looked genuinely grateful. This tea turned out to be more useful than I thought.

At any rate, that was that.

"So—shall we talk about the wager from yesterday?"

The Tyrant King seemed intent on settling our deal quickly.

"Do you have something you want from me?"

"No time to think about it?"

So he asked directly. I thought I'd have more time to consider.

"If you need time, you can take it. I'm here mostly for confirmation now."

"Hmm."

I nodded. A request? Of course I had one. Why wouldn't I?

'That's why I wanted to see the Tyrant King anyway.'

And now was the perfect opportunity to ask.

The problem was—

'Should I?'

Should I really bring this up now? I hesitated for a moment, but—

"Well then, I do have a favor to ask."

I decided to go ahead.

"Are you aware that I'm a candidate for Alliance Leader?"

"Ah, that matter?"

The Tyrant King seemed familiar with it. He let out a small laugh as soon as I mentioned it.

"I heard about it. They say something interesting is happening within the Alliance."

"... I have a favor to ask, regarding that."

"To me?"

The Tyrant King looked at me with curiosity. Under that gaze, I spoke.

"Yes. To you, senior."

"What is it?"

"Could you stand as the candidate for Alliance Leader in my place?"

"... Huh?"

The Tyrant King's eyes narrowed.

"... What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. Please take my place as candidate."

"Ha."

The Tyrant King laughed in disbelief, and then,

"You're a little devil, aren't you?"

As if realizing something, he frowned at me.

"So you had an ulterior motive."

'Oops.'

It seemed my intention had become obvious to the Tyrant King.

"Ha. So I fell for your trick?"

"... It's not really a trick. Just... a bit of convenience, maybe?"

"You cheeky brat. You're as sly as your teacher."

『This bastard...?』

Yu Chun-gil bristled. Ignoring him, I addressed the Tyrant King.

"Since you seem to have figured it out, I'll be direct. For me to avoid becoming a candidate, I'll need to ask for your help."

"Why? You could just accept. It's a position of honor, and the conditions aren't bad."

So why refuse? The Tyrant King looked at me, intrigued.

"... I have my reasons."

"I see. Fair enough."

He nodded, not pressing further.

"I was going to say yes to almost any request..."

He looked troubled.

"But this... I'll have to think about it, even as a favor."

"...."

So it really was a tough ask.

"I don't care for the position of Alliance Leader. I avoid getting involved with the Alliance's affairs for exactly that reason."

Everyone knew the Tyrant King avoided the business of the Murim Alliance.

He had the fame of a Heaven Beyond Heaven-level master—he could've easily become a candidate long ago, yet he always kept himself out of it. There was clearly a reason.

'Moreover...'

He was the head and the strongest of the Mu Family, yet he'd avoided the position of family head. He didn't seem to care for such posts at all.

To ask such a person to be a candidate—

'That won't be easy.'

What could I do? While I was deep in thought—

"Still, since I did promise, I ought to at least consider it."

A not-so-bad response came from the Tyrant King's lips.

"However... Since I have business with the Blue Moon Sect, let's discuss it again after I take care of things here."

"Business...?"

The Tyrant King smiled slightly at my question.

"I heard that somewhere here there's something containing important records of the Muk Family."

"... Records?"

"That's right."

He said,

"The item your master stole and vanished with. It's supposed to be hidden somewhere here."

"..."

I stiffened at his words.

'... So, that really is his goal?'

The Tyrant King's bracer.

I wasn't sure if that counted as a "record."

But it seemed what he was seeking really was that object.

In that case—

'Maybe I can make good use of this?'

If I managed it well, I could reach my goals much more easily.

The certainty flashed through my mind.

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