The Evil Bastard of Murim

“B-But Sect Leader!”

“Of course, we are against it!”

“You can’t do that. This is the only thing through which we can gain experience. How can you...?”

Sigh...

‘I knew this would happen.’

These were the kids who went through so much hardship only for the sake of the Sect. And just because they were gonna lose, they wouldn’t give up the tournament. If they were the type to give up they would have done that a long time ago. Hyun Song knew about it all along. But the elders were just as persistent. They weren’t wrong though. The battle indeed makes the morale of the kids go down. How many times did they witness it? Every year... the same thing would happen. So, the elders’ thoughts were perfectly justified. On the other hand, to the kids, it doesn’t really matter as long as they are able to get experience by fighting someone stronger. And that’s not it either.

If the Southern Edge Sect wanted, they could just cancel the tournament themselves. It’s not like they get any benefit from this tournament or something. It will be no shock if they someday said they won’t participate in the tournament again. Which seemed like they might do it this year. So, practically speaking, this could be the last exchange tournament the disciples of Mount Hua Sect will participate in.

Hyun Song looked at Hyun Mu as if saying ‘See, I told you.’ which made Hyun Mu’s brow furrowed.

Although Hyun Mu suggested withdrawing from the tournament this year, he already knew this was going to happen. He was also the Vice Leader of the Sect after all. If he didn’t know the kids better, then who would?

Hyun Mu stepped forward with a straight face.

“Listen, everyone. I know what you guys are thinking about. But this is the decision we made thinking for your own good. So, please understand.”

“But Vice Leader, if you do that we will lose even the one chance to spar with another sect’s disciples we have. How can that be good if we can’t even know our martial strength and limits?”

“Strength and limits?! You think we are in that...”

“Stop it, Vice Leader.”

When Hyun Mu was about to say something out of rage, Hyun Song immediately stopped him, touching his shoulder.

“You shouldn’t say something harsh to them.”

Hyun Mu bit his lip at Hyun Song’s words.

“But, Sect Leader. That’s for their own good. If we just...”

“I know. And you also know it will only make things even worse by acting harsh to them, right?”

“...”

Yeah. Hyun Mu knew it. He knew that it wasn’t good to act harsh toward the kids. They were already going through so many hardships. And now acting harsh toward them would do nothing but make them look even more pathetic. But still...

In someone’s eyes the exchange tournament might look like it is helping them in many ways. However, in truth, that wasn’t the case. This tournament was just an excuse for the Southern Edge Sect to humiliate the Mount Hua Sect. And they all knew it. And despite knowing that, these kids won’t back down. How could he just stay still and watch? They were the precious kids of the Mount Hua Sect.

Hyun Mu gritted his teeth hard enough to make a cracking sound.

Every year he saw the kids helplessly getting defeated by those bastards of the Southern Edge Sect. Those bastards just played with their disciples like they weren’t even human. While the leaders and elders of the Mount Hua Sect could do nothing but watch, sitting there quietly. That’s how it was every year.

“Are you afraid because we are gonna lose again?”

At the calm question of Ma Soo Ah, Hyun Mu’s eyes went wide.

Yeah, that was it. They also knew why Hyun Mu was doing this. The kids knew it.

“Please rest assured, Sect Leader and Vice Leader. This time we will come victorious. So, please don’t cancel the tournament.”

The two of them looked toward the kid with astonishment.

Uh. Look at these kids acting like some adults. When did they grow this much?

Though they were touched by Ma Soo Ah’s words, they already knew the outcome. These kids were just saying it because they didn’t want the tournament to be canceled. When even their senior disciple, Baek Musan still didn’t come back from his trip, this tournament was as good as doomed. Before every year with Baek Musan fighting the Senior disciple of the Southern Edge Sect and Ma Soo Ah fighting the second strongest disciple of the Southern Edge sect, they still could have some dignity. Because even though they lost, it was hard for the disciples of the Southern Edge Sect to defeat these two disciples of the Mount Hua Sect. However now, with Baek Musan still not arriving, Ma Soo Ah would need to face the senior disciple of the Southern Edge Sect herself. In other words, she was gonna get a humiliating defeat. Will she even be able to handle that humiliation? In the end it might become a wall in front of her martial path.

“...”

“Are you guys sure? This is the only way you can...”

“We are sure.”

“...”

“Sigh...”

Hyun Song let out a deep breath as he touched Hyun Mu’s shoulder again.

“There is no use in arguing with them. They are not going to back down no matter what we do. You already know that, Vice Leader, don’t you?”

“...”

“Let’s just hope that they give their best this year.”

“...”

Hyun Mu didn’t say anything and left the training ground quietly with a dark face.

Hyun Song, on the other hand, sighed deeply at the scene of Hyun Mu going out of the training ground.

‘He still acts like a kid despite his age.’

He kept staring at Hyun Mu’s back until he vanished from his sight.

‘I hope his mood gets better by the morning.’

Then Hyun Song looked toward the kids with a complicated smile.

“So you guys won’t back down, huh?”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“...”

Sigh... Kids these days are as stubborn as ever.

Hyun Song didn’t say anything and tilted his head upward, staring at the night sky for a moment.

‘It’s so clear...’

The night sky was clear with nothing but a single moon. Staring at it quietly for a moment, so many emotions started overwhelming Hyun Song.

Then he looked toward the kids again.

“Please don’t mind the Vice Leader’s words. He is just worried about you guys.”

At his words, Ma Soo Ah answered calmly.

“It’s ok, Sect Leader. We know it.”

“Yeah. I’m glad. In any case, return to your quarters and rest. It’s already too late.”

“But what about the exchange tournament, Sect Leader?”

“...”

Hyun Song stared at Ma Soo Ah for a moment before speaking.

“Don’t worry we won’t cancel it. Now go and take some rest.”

Hearing those words, all the disciples’ faces brightened instantly. Then they bowed deeply in respect as they shouted.

“Thank you, Sect Leader! We will take our leave then!”

With that, all of the disciples started leaving the training ground.

“...”

Hyun Song was now standing there alone, staring at the disciples leaving happily. After they all left, he then turned toward the Sect’s main gate and whispered.

“Musan... When are you gonna come?”

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