"No… Lady Na… No. Why are you smiling like that at that guy? That bright smile you've never shown me before. Why to that bastard instead…"
Wi Jicheon had been secretly watching the two of them ever since Bi Ryu-yeon hugged Na Yerin. It was both his luck and his curse. An unbearable black flame of jealousy burned in his chest. It felt like his heart was being ripped into a thousand pieces. He wanted to tear Bi Ryu-yeon apart right in front of his eyes. A terrifying murderous intent flashed in his gaze.
"If only… you… died… If only you died… If only you didn't exist in this world… I could make that smile mine. All mine…"
That was only a matter of time. But his sharp mind had long since turned as dirty as sewage water. Wi Jicheon, driven crazy by jealousy, could no longer tell right from wrong. He had already fallen so deep and shown extreme foolishness. And now, blinded by jealousy, it was impossible for him to think clearly. He pulled out another trump card he had hidden under his clothes.
Wi Jicheon had one more trump card besides the Imperial Needle. It was something that person had given him as an emergency backup after handing over the Imperial Needle. Its name was Devil Lightning Flame, a bomb with terrifying explosive power that was completely banned in the martial world. Wi Jicheon actually didn't want to use it unless he had no other choice. Because if something went wrong, he himself could be in danger. That's why he had hoped the Imperial Needle would be enough, but that hope had disappeared long ago.
Seeing Bi Ryu-yeon and Na Yerin acting so intimate again — even though it was only his own twisted interpretation — Wi Jicheon finally exploded. He no longer had any consideration for his actions.
His mind, paralyzed by "Wi Jicheon's habit of imagining everything however he liked," continued until he finished preparing the dangerous item, the Devil Lightning Flame. He had lost control ever since Bi Ryu-yeon and Na Yerin started talking sweetly earlier.
Wi Jicheon picked up a stone beside him and threw it into the curved corridor across the way. The stone flew silently and landed inside the bent tunnel.
Clack!
The sound of the stone hitting the cave wall echoed.
"What was that sound?"
Na Yerin jumped in surprise at the sudden noise.
"It's probably nothing. I'll check it out!"
Bi Ryu-yeon stood up and walked carefully toward the corridor where the sound had come from. Finally, the two people who had been stuck together were separated.
'Perfect!'
Seeing Bi Ryu-yeon and Na Yerin now apart, Wi Jicheon pressed the timer button on the Devil Lightning Flame with a mad look on his face. Smoke rose from the cracks in the black sphere. It was a sign that the fuse inside had been lit.
He felt much calmer because he was now a safe distance from Na Yerin. That distance was enough.
Seeing Bi Ryu-yeon talking happily with Na Yerin again, Wi Jicheon, who had lost his mind, threw the Devil Lightning Flame with all his strength without thinking twice.
Tok, trundle…
The Devil Lightning Flame flew in a beautiful arc, rolled across the ground, and stopped right at Bi Ryu-yeon's feet.
[Dangerous!]
Wi Jicheon shouted as he ran toward Na Yerin. His shout echoed loudly in Na Yerin's ears, but it was a telepathic message that only she could hear. He planned to pull Na Yerin out of the blast range before the bomb exploded. Of course, behind his quick movement was a cunning calculation: this way, he would become Na Yerin's savior and receive special treatment. But life doesn't always go according to plan!
Na Yerin's gaze shifted to Wi Jicheon running toward her — or more precisely, toward the lightning bomb rolling on the ground. From the rising smoke and its shape, Na Yerin immediately remembered that this was a very dangerous item rarely used in the martial world.
Gasp!
Wi Jicheon was terrified. The moment he tried to grab Na Yerin's hand, the girl's hand deftly slapped his arm away.
"Lady Na!"
Wi Jicheon called out in panic. But Na Yerin didn't even glance at him. Without hesitation, Na Yerin ran toward Bi Ryu-yeon. Her speed was like the wind. It was Wi Jicheon's fatal mistake.
"Get out of the way!"
Na Yerin shouted. Bi Ryu-yeon's body and Na Yerin's body clung together. At that moment!
Flash!
A white flash like sunlight exploded as if swallowing the world, followed by a deafening roar that echoed throughout the entire cave.
Rumble, Kua Kua Kua Kwang!
Wi Jicheon watched in terror at the unimaginable power of the Devil Lightning Flame. The explosion wasn't enough to just blow up Bi Ryu-yeon.
Boom! Kukukuku Kwang! Boom! Boom!
A chain reaction of collapse began, centered at the explosion site. The Illusion Demon Cave Hwanmadong could not withstand the explosive force and started to crumble.
Wi Jicheon had to retreat. If he didn't want to die under falling rocks, he had to run with all his might.
* * *
"Haa, haa, haa!"
Yong Cheon-myung, who had just escaped the illusion, had a deathly pale face and no blood left in it.
He felt extremely uneasy. Without realizing it, his sword was already in his hand.
Looking at the many sword cuts on the stone walls around him, it seemed he had been swinging his sword wildly without awareness. As if he had unleashed every technique at once in a random frenzy.
'You must use all your abilities to the maximum limit to pass this trial safely.'
Ma Jin-ga's words suddenly echoed in his mind.
Ma Jin-ga had called it a trial, not a test. That alone gave a picture of how difficult this trial was. But he never expected it to be this bad.
The moment he entered, he felt a gloomy and disturbing atmosphere that made him think, "I have truly never felt this before." And here there was real fear. The terror he had just experienced had not faded. Even when he had risked his life challenging the Seventy-Two Shaolin Gates for honor and conviction, he had never felt such a deep threat and fear. Yes, the urgent feeling growing in Yong Cheon-myung's chest, like standing on the edge of a giant cliff, was clearly 'fear.' No other word fit. An invisible hand was aiming for his life. Yong Cheon-myung's intuition sensed it clearly.
"Damn it. I was never this scared even when breaking through the Chulsorim gates… Damn it all!"
For the first time in a long while, curses came out of his mouth. Words he rarely used. The situation really was that bad. But no matter how bad it was, he absolutely could not stop moving forward. Just the thought of people calling him a 'coward' was unbearable.
"Was that the shadow of the Thousand Calamity Bell inside my heart… Feeling fear just because of an illusion I created myself, and freezing like a frog in front of a snake…"
Suddenly he felt pathetic.
"I've always been proud that no one my age could match me… It turns out I still have so much to learn! So much more!"
He stroked his beloved sword once more, the sect's treasured heirloom, the Tathagata Jade Sword Giok Giok. That sword was proof of his honor, the responsibility he had to bear, and his very existence. Then, courage and fighting spirit slowly rose inside him.
Yong Cheon-myung, now full of energy again, stepped forward. Of course he remained wary of the invisible enemies surrounding him…
Right at that moment, the thick darkness was swept away by blinding sunlight inside the cave. The light instantly swallowed Yong Cheon-myung's body.
Everything happened so fast. A blinding white flash filled his vision! Followed by an ear-splitting explosion! And a rain of giant rocks, each weighing at least a thousand jun, came crashing down with a thunderous roar!
Rumble! Boom!
The massive explosion swept through the entire Hwanmadong, instantly destroying all illusions. It was because the formation spread throughout the cave was completely disrupted by the huge blast.
* * *
"Aaaargh!"
Yoon Junho's face twisted as he collapsed to the floor, covering his ears. The sound bouncing in the narrow cave was vicious and terrifying, as if it were tearing people apart.
"Is this… an earthquake?"
Namgung Sang was just as confused.
"Sang!"
Jin Ryeong, standing beside him, instinctively hugged his arm in fear. Sensing danger, he hugged Jin Ryeong tightly. If the cave collapsed here, it would not be an exaggeration to say no one would survive. Everyone lay face-down on the violently shaking floor, waiting for the explosion tremors to subside.
Drip, drip, drip! Rumble!
Non-stop rain of stones fell from the ceiling of the cave surrounded by black rock. Among them were thick pebbles falling like hail.
Feeling that staying still would get them buried, the people started running forward without thinking.
* * *
"Kyaaaah!"
"Lady Lee!"
Hyorong shouted in panic, calling out to Lee Jin-seol. Lee Jin-seol was following a little behind him. The entire cave shook as if hit by an earthquake.
Thud!
Hyorong's eyes widened. A huge crack, like it had been painted by a divine brush on rice paper, appeared on the ceiling above Lee Jin-seol's head. The cave ceiling was starting to collapse. Rocks would fall at any moment. There was no time to dodge.
"Danger…!"
Sensing the threat, Hyorong didn't hesitate and immediately leaped toward Lee Jin-seol.
Crash!
A large rock fell from above them.
"Aargh!"
"Ugh!"
Both of them fainted from the impact of the falling stone.
Rumble!
The cave continued to shake wildly.
When the white flash that lit up the darkness exploded, Jang Hong heard someone shout.
"No! My lady!"
It was a scream as if vomiting blood.
"That voice…?"
It was a man's voice he was sure he had heard before, but he couldn't remember the face. Jang Hong couldn't continue his thought. The situation gave him no chance.
Boom!
"Hoo!"
Because after the explosion, a shockwave and violent storm swept mercilessly over his entire body. He had to fight the fierce storm with all his strength.
"Kuaaargh!"
"Uooargh, help me!"
"Kuhuhuhuk, no!"
"Hoohoohooh!"
From every direction, screams, shrieks, groans, and cries of people who had gone mad scattered everywhere. The cave had truly turned into a hell full of weeping and screams.
"This… How could this happen? Something so absurd…"
Wi Jicheon, who had just barely escaped the blast range, stood frozen in confusion. His appearance was torn and unrecognizable.
"This… This can't be! This must be a dream!"
He had never imagined that Na Yerin would run to save Bi Ryu-yeon after the lightning bomb he threw. Even though the bomb could explode at any moment, the girl still ran to save Bi Ryu-yeon. Her action was the worst outcome Wi Jicheon had never anticipated.
Because of his own mistake, Na Yerin — his idol and everything to him — was swallowed by the huge explosion flash, and her life or death was uncertain. He fell into madness.
"Aaaaaargh!"
He collapsed to the ground and stared blankly at his own two hands like a dazed person. These were the hands that had just manipulated the 'Devil Lightning Flame,' the strongest and most evil fire bomb in the current martial world. His hands trembled violently, like someone suffering from paralysis.
Suddenly, red blood began to flow from the hands he stared at emptily. The blood kept flowing, covering the floor and finally rising all the way to his head. Of course, the flood of blood was only a hallucination he saw himself, reflecting his despairing state of mind.
"What… What have I done?"
But no one answered.
* * *
Ding, ding, ding!
An emergency was announced throughout the academy because of the sudden accident in Hwanmadong. For the academy, this was an unexpected disaster, lightning on a clear day. No one had predicted an accident on this scale. The most worrying thing was that Hwanmadong's structure was extremely difficult to search.
"Why is it so noisy?"
When Ma Jin-ga asked, his aide, Scholar Zhegal, who had gone to get information, ran in panting.
"There's been an accident."
"An accident?"
"Yes, an accident."
Ma Jin-ga's face darkened slightly.
"Are there any deaths? I was already prepared for that, so why is everyone making such a fuss?"
Of course, hearing that one or two students had died was heartbreaking, but he had prepared himself. His hands trembled, but he held it in his heart, not wanting to show weakness. He very much wanted to appear as a firm leader in front of others.
He was not a ruler, but a leader. As someone in a high position, he had duties and responsibilities for what happened. But this accident was far bigger than he had anticipated.
"The accident is much bigger than Leader thought."
Scholar Zhegal had to say it even though he didn't want to. His face was very grim.
"What is it that's making you so flustered? You're usually calm and composed."
That was only natural.
"Hwanmadong has collapsed."
Crack!
With that one sentence, the expensive rosewood table in front of Ma Jin-ga — the very expensive one — could no longer be used. Its duty was finished for the last time.
"What! Is that true?"
Ma Jin-ga roared and jumped from his seat. His face was full of disbelief and shock. But good news could be wrong, bad news was almost never wrong. It seemed the god of fate was stingy indeed.
"It's true. There was an accident in Hwanmadong, the testing site for the Grand Assembly Hua San."
His aide, Scholar Zhegal, reported everything while still panting.
Shock swept through Ma Jin-ga's entire body, and the world seemed to lose its balance. He staggered but managed to steady himself. He didn't want to show an embarrassing state in front of his subordinates.
"What kind of accident happened in that quiet place that has been peaceful for 18 years?"
"They say it was an explosion."
"What? An explosion? That's impossible?"
That was unthinkable. Scholar Zhegal's eyes flashed sharply like his mind.
"It seems there was human intervention. Otherwise, a lightning bomb couldn't have exploded inside Hwanmadong. Lightning bombs are the highest secret, not cheap toys you can get anywhere."
"I completely agree with you. Then who? Who would dare to do such a crazy thing at Cheonmu Academy? Who would dare?"
For a moment, a dark shadow crossed Ma Jin-ga's mind. Shivering, he looked at Scholar Zhegal. Looking at his face, it seemed his aide had reached the same thought.
"Could it be… that those devils have risen again from the deep abyss?"
His voice was extremely grim.
"That is a possibility that cannot be denied."
Scholar Zhegal nodded.
"Hold an emergency meeting! And immediately begin rescue operations for the children trapped in Hwanmadong, and report the casualties!"
At Ma Jin-ga's order, Cheonmu Academy began to move quickly.
The emergency meeting was held. Everyone's faces were grim after hearing the news of Hwanmadong's collapse. Various opinions crossed, but everyone had one thing the same in their minds.
"So, does Leader also believe this was the work of the Thousand Calamity Cloud?"
Lu Gihan, an elder, stood and asked.
"How many items in this world have explosive power like that?"
Ma Jin-ga asked back. Without waiting for an answer, he continued in an anxious tone.
"Only the Seven Great Lava Weapons of the Tang Sichuan Family, 'Heaven Lightning That Splits Walls,' and the 'Devil Lightning Flame' used by that furry bastard! And the Tang Sichuan Family definitely wouldn't leak their Seven Great Lava Weapons carelessly, right?"
"I will contact the main branch immediately to check the stock."
Mu Fu Tang Zhiming, a warrior from the Tang Sichuan Family, stood and said. The Seven Great Lava Weapons could only be taken out with the approval of the family head and the elder council. Unauthorized leakage was impossible.
Checking and managing the number of Seven Great Lava Weapons and Seven Poison Elixirs was one of the most important duties of the family head. He had to do it himself and not entrust it to anyone. But the possibility of the Tang Sichuan Family's weapons leaking was very small. If so, there was only one possibility left!
"That can't be…"
The honest feeling of everyone in the room was to reject that possibility. They had all started to forget that name because it had been hidden for too long. Then this incident appeared as if to show that they still existed.
"But there is one problem."
Scholar Zhegal began to speak carefully. But he only swallowed and hesitated, finding it hard to get straight to the point. It seemed he was about to discuss a rather big challenge.
"What problem is making you so uneasy?"
Ma Jin-ga told Scholar Zhegal to speak because he saw how restless his face was. He felt sorry seeing Scholar Zhegal looking so uncomfortable. It was clear he had come with a difficult problem to tell Ma Jin-ga. Even though he was an expert in strategy and tactics, Scholar Zhegal was bad at hiding his emotions.
"Is there still a problem that will torment me even more?"
Ma Jin-ga said with a self-mocking smile.
"Exactly."
Scholar Zhegal did not smile.
"With Hwanmadong collapsed and casualties, what could be worse? Don't beat around the bush. Just say it. I think I won't be surprised by anything I hear or that happens now."
But the moment Scholar Zhegal opened his mouth, Ma Jin-ga had to break his own promise.
"Wh-what? Is that true?"
Scholar Zhegal nodded silently. Ma Jin-ga felt the sky collapse.
"Th-that child is really missing inside there?"
Scholar Zhegal deliberately chose the word 'missing,' but in this situation the possibility of death was too high.
"If this fact reaches the Alliance Leader…"
Scholar Zhegal looked worried about that.
"It's only a matter of time. Then…"
"It will be hard to resolve peacefully."
Na Baek-cheon, the Alliance Leader, was famous for his love toward his unmarried daughter. Even an old friend would not stay silent if something happened to his daughter. Ma Jin-ga knew very well that even though Na Baek-cheon was usually dignified and full of authority, he became a completely different person when it came to Na Yerin. Imagining Na Baek-cheon changing completely, his anger exploding upon hearing his daughter was missing, made Ma Jin-ga shiver and tremble.
"There is one more problem."
Scholar Zhegal seemed to still have something to say. Ma Jin-ga was afraid of what would come out of his mouth this time.
"What problem?"
"It's… who will report this incident to the Alliance Leader?"
Suddenly Ma Jin-ga had a realization. Then he frowned.
'Damn, I forgot. That important thing!'
Ma Jin-ga suddenly felt pathetic. How could he forget something so important?
"It would be better to tell him privately and urgently, after hearing about the accident from a personal informant. This is not something that can be hidden, right?"
This was a serious issue that needed careful thought. Scholar Zhegal continued.
"And we also have to consider who will calm his anger. The Leader's love for his daughter is famous throughout the martial world. If he finds out his beloved jewel was sacrificed by that furry bastard's plan, he will not stay silent."
"True. It cannot be hidden. The problem is only who will go calm his anger."
"Indeed. Considering his temperament, he will most likely draw his sword immediately without hesitation."
Ma Jin-ga nodded.
"It's not the time yet."
Scholar Zhegal was not wrong for getting carried away and losing his composure. Ma Jin-ga accepted his opinion. But he was not sure he could calm the Alliance Leader's anger with his own heart alone.
"This large-scale accident is the first in nearly 30 years. Issue orders to strengthen defenses at all branches and gather all efforts to collect information."
"Understood!"
The elders gathered in Cheonmu Hall agreed with Ma Jin-ga's quick and precise steps in handling the accident. But Ma Jin-ga still found it difficult to decide on sending a personal messenger to Na Baek-cheon.
Besides that, there were still many other issues he had to handle.
"And prepare a written list of the number of deaths and missing persons as quickly as possible!"
This was one of the most urgent tasks that had to be completed.