“Amazing! To think of a way to induce berserking like this.”

Maeng Dong exclaimed in admiration. As expected of an authority on cultivation methods, he seemed to have roughly predicted the effect just by looking at my theory.

“It is actually possible. Elder Choi Mi-kyung of the Hainan Sect has already guaranteed it.”

“Is that so?”

“If there is a prisoner from the Blood Cult, I can demonstrate it right away. However, I would like the presentation and verification to be done in secret.”

“In secret?”

When I explained the reason, such as the Blood Cult’s response, to the puzzled Maeng Dong, he nodded his head.

“That’s perfect. I can handle this on my end.”

“Pardon?”

No matter how renowned Maeng Dong was, it seemed difficult for him to control even the thesis evaluation within the academy, so I asked back, and a surprising answer returned.

“Hoho, I am this year’s head of the evaluation committee.”

Maeng Dong burst into a hearty laugh.

***

A few days later, at the academy’s thesis evaluation hall. A thesis committee composed of big shots, including the Academy Head Cheon Mu-jin and key figures from the Martial Alliance, was convened.

“I wondered what it was, being called so urgently without even revealing the research topic, but it’s a student presentation?”

“This is ridiculous. To call us for just one thesis.”

Among them, the cultivation method researchers scoffed. They were scholars from the Shaolin and Zhongnan sects, respectively.

“And the Academy Head and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Martial Alliance are here too. What on earth is Maeng Dong thinking?”

In fact, this thesis evaluation meeting was made possible due to the strong request of Maeng Dong, Maeng Ha, and the Academy Head, Cheon Mu-jin.

It was no exaggeration to say that they had gathered all the connections they could summon within the influence of the Martial Academy.

It was a great event, but the risk was just as great. A mistake in a place like this was like social suicide.

“Professors Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha. I came out of respect for your reputation, but I will be disappointed if you called us just to promote one of your disciples.”

An elder from the Zhongnan Sect said, as if to keep them in check. Those present here were experts who had built considerable authority in their respective fields within the orthodox faction. Since they had been suddenly called together, there had to be content that was convincing.

“You can look forward to it.”

However, Maeng Dong was rather relaxed even amidst their suspicious pressure.

When all the scheduled personnel had gathered, I paid my respects to them and began my presentation.

“Thank you for gathering here. I am Zhuge Cheonwu, an intermediate student of the Martial Academy. I ask for your understanding that I have been extremely cautious with this thesis as it contains important content.”

“Hmph, how many adults have gathered for one little brat? Even if you are from the Zhuge family, you must be prepared if the content is poor.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I calmly accepted the sharp criticism and began my presentation on the Great Blood Art.

“The name of the thesis I will be presenting is the Great Blood Art. Its conception began with the Blood Cult’s secret art, the Blood River Art…”

A moment later, the evaluation hall was filled with astonishment.

“N-no way!”

“Isn’t it theoretically possible? More than that, to think of such an application method!”

“Isn’t this sophistry?! What about the proof?”

“As it happens, there is a witness.”

“What? Who might that be?!”

Even amidst the commotion of the executives, I calmly continued the presentation I had prepared.

“It is Elder Choi Mi-kyung of the Hainan Sect.”

Soon, with the sound of clicking footsteps, Choi Mi-kyung appeared. She, who had recovered her body over the past few days, testified, putting her and the Hainan Sect’s honor on the line, and the commotion in the audience grew.

“…Still, hasn’t it not been confirmed with your own eyes? I’m not doubting the Hainan Sect, but words alone are not proof. You could have been mistaken.”

Just then, an elder from the Zhongnan Sect pointed out, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“I prepared for that.”

I brought out a prisoner who had been captured as a death row inmate from a large barred cage placed on one side. The complexion of the death row inmate, who was suddenly bound and placed before the super-masters, turned pale.

“I will demonstrate.”

I released his bound blood points and struck his dantian with the Great Blood Art, and a reaction appeared immediately.

“Kkeueo-eo-eok!”

Veins popped on the perfectly fine prisoner, and he began to go berserk. The ominous energy wave and the twisting of his internal energy were undoubtedly a berserk state.

“How can this be…!”

The super-masters who had been watching the series of events each swallowed dryly. To be able to forcibly induce a berserk state meant that a way to catch spies had been found.

However, on one side, there were still those who doubted the efficacy of the Great Blood Art.

“Couldn’t it be a setup?!”

“Try it yourself. I will let you feel the sensation.”

At this side’s proposal, the evaluators came down to the presentation hall where the death row inmates were bound.

I held their palms and guided them one by one to feel the flow of qi, and then I struck the prisoners with the Great Blood Art.

“……!”

Then, the death row inmates reacted immediately. Those captured here were all caught by the Martial Alliance, so they were definitely Blood Cultists.

As an additional test, I tried using the Great Blood Art on a death row inmate who was not a Blood Cultist, but his blood vessels just burst. The berserk state did not occur.

It was a truly perfect verification.

“H-how can this be…!”

The elder from the Zhongnan Sect, who had stubbornly opposed until the end, dropped his jaw. He had no choice but to believe. Because he had indirectly experienced the power of the Great Blood Art with his own hands.

Everyone was silent at the tremendous result. In the quiet thrill, only my voice echoed softly.

“With this, I will conclude the demonstration of the Great Blood Art.”

Finishing the presentation like that, I looked at the audience. I had done everything I could. Now, only the decision remained.

“Does anyone have any questions?”

The Academy Head, Cheon Mu-jin, asked a few questions as a representative, and I answered. After that, the other executives expressed their questions as if they had been waiting.

After receiving a barrage of questions that lasted for half a shichen, when no more questions came out, Cheon Mu-jin, who had finished discussing with the evaluators, finally came to a conclusion.

“It’s a pass. With the authority of the Academy Head, the Great Blood Art will be classified as a secret manual for the time being. With this, we will conclude the verification of the Great Blood Art thesis.”

There were no objections. Only Cheon Mu-jin’s additional remarks followed.

“And the content of today will be classified. Each of you, please inform only a very small number of key personnel in strict secrecy.”

Secrecy was vital for weeding out the Blood Cultists using the Great Blood Art. To weed them all out before the opponent could play any tricks, security was essential.

“I understand.”

“As long as we can root out those Blood Cult bastards, anything is fine.”

After obtaining the consent of the evaluators, Cheon Mu-jin finally looked at me.

“As the creator, you may be disappointed, but the Great Blood Art will not be publicly announced. That is how great the importance of this research is. All I can give you right now are credits, but I promise the maximum reward the academy can provide in the future.”

“The Martial Alliance is the same! If the usefulness of the Great Blood Art is proven, we will greatly reward student Zhuge Cheonwu’s contribution in the future.”

At the declaration of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Martial Alliance, added along with Cheon Mu-jin’s remarks, the corner of my mouth slightly went up.

“Good.”

This was what I had hoped for.

I bowed to all the evaluators for the last time and left the presentation hall. With this, the Blood Cult would now lose a great advantage in information warfare and surprise attacks.

‘It turned out better than I thought.’

Just reducing the power of the enemies I had to crush someday was a huge achievement. And on top of that, the promised reward. It was a very good result.

‘Come to think of it, the festival is starting soon, isn’t it?’

I hadn’t been conscious of it because I was preparing for the thesis, but it was the time of the Martial Academy’s autumn festival. Since I had overcome several big hurdles in the past few weeks, it seemed okay to take a break.

I moved my feet, feeling the unique sense of liberation that comes right after finishing a difficult task. For the time being, I was planning to enjoy the festival. Thinking of resting like that, I felt a sense of peace for the first time in a long time.

So I believed. Until I came out of the evaluation hall.

“Tang Surin?”

“Gaga?”

At one side of the building entrance, Tang Surin was standing with Yang Ha-eun. I belatedly remembered the promise I had made with them.

“Ah.”

***

Meanwhile, in the evaluation hall after Zhuge Cheonwu had left, someone’s surprised voice leaked out softly.

“That child is, what on earth…”

A common silence. It seemed everyone felt the same. To think a child not even twenty years old had created such an innovative theory that could tighten the noose around the Blood Cult’s neck.

The elder from the Zhongnan Sect, who had been reviewing the subtleties of the Great Blood Art several times, expressed a question.

“…Could he be a Blood Cultist? He used sorcery at the recent Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, and he seems just like the Blood Demon.”

“Ahem! What nonsense are you spouting about a disciple of the academy and a child of the Zhuge family! And what’s the good point?”

“That is…”

He cut his words short. There was no reason to expose the Blood Cult’s weakness. Since it was such an impressive presentation, the evaluators’ favorable comments continued.

“Didn’t he also recently obtain a 1st-grade formation master qualification? He must have had the skill originally.”

“Hmm, there was a rumor that he was a troublemaker, this is unexpected.”

“If he researched it all by himself, it’s truly amazing. Such an idea and insight.”

“Didn’t he also win the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly! This, the Martial Academy is going to produce a great talent, hoho!”

“The Zhuge family must be happy too. Don’t you think?”

At the praise-filled question, the cultivation method researcher from the Zhuge family looked at the host, Maeng Dong, with a serious face.

“…The third young master was definitely a hopeless troublemaker until last year. But in just one year, he achieved top admission to the Martial Academy, obtained a 1st-grade formation master qualification, and on top of that, he accomplished the difficult feat of skipping a grade to the intermediate level and winning the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, and now he has created a secret manual to counter the Blood Cult. In the first place, what on earth is that child?”

At those words, Maeng Dong looked at the spot where Zhuge Cheonwu had disappeared with deep eyes and quietly added.

“A genius, I suppose.”

***

“Gaga!”

Tang Surin clung to me as if she was jumping. As promised, she had come with Choi Mi-kyung and Yang Ha-eun, having received an invitation for outsiders.

“Since everyone is gathered, let’s go.”

As promised, I guided Tang Surin and Yang Ha-eun around the academy. Since it was the festival period, there were several things like stalls set up by the academy staff. At the delicious smell, I was about to go to one of them, but there was a customer already there.

“Namgung Bihwa?”

“What is it?”

Namgung Bihwa, who had been happily eating sweets, froze in that position and looked this way. As I watched her for a moment, she swallowed what she was chewing and opened her mouth.

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s something I want to discuss about that matter. Our Namgung family has decided to move. If the Zhuge family also wants to move, send a letter. Let’s cooperate.”

“Yes. I understand.”

A joint operation between the Zhuge and Namgung families. The Blood Cult had really messed with the wrong people this time. Never mind me, but to touch the precious jewel of the Namgung family. They were crazy.

And so, as we were confirming our future movements and about to part ways.

“It’s you, isn’t it? The one who accompanied Gaga during the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly. You smell the same.”

Perhaps because the rumors about the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had all spread over the past few days, Tang Surin glared at Namgung Bihwa and asked.

“Is that Gaga’s type?”

No, she glared at my side too. At the unusual reaction, I took a step back for no reason. It was difficult to see a good outcome from provoking Tang Surin unnecessarily.

“Should we go somewhere else? It’s the festival period from today, so there’s a lot to see.”

As I was leading Tang Surin away, I felt a grip on my wrist that could crush an apple or two.

“…My story isn’t over yet.”

I had no choice but to explain the situation at that time to Tang Surin, but it seemed her mood hadn’t improved.

“I need to get my share for making my heart feel stuffy. This is the price for making me anxious.”

With a firm tone, Tang Surin raised her hand from her bosom.

‘A poison needle? Or a palm technique?’

Just as I flinched, Tang Surin pointed to one side.

There was a food stall there. The person in charge of miscellaneous chores at the academy was working hard to make food, just for today.

“…As much as you want.”

I fed Tang Surin sweets and lamb skewers and looked around the academy. The strangely excited atmosphere and the slightly different scenery from usual were sights possible only because it was the festival period.

“Cheonwu!”

As I was walking down the street, I turned around at a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time, and there were Lee Heemun and Gu Dong.

“It’s been a while.”

“Great hero! Congratulations on winning the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”

“It’s getting harder and harder to catch up…. By the way, who are these beautiful ladies?”

Lee Heemun asked, looking at us.

“Companions.”

“Gaga is so shy.”

“…Dating at the academy. I’ll definitely catch up to you.”

Lee Heemun gritted his teeth, looking at me and Tang Surin. Looking at the aura they were unconsciously emitting, it seemed they had both gotten quite strong. They were at a level where they could smoothly advance to the intermediate level next year.

Though I would have climbed even higher by then.

As I was catching up with them after a long time, I couldn’t see Gu Dong. When I turned my head to look for him, Gu Dong was talking with Choi Mi-kyung.

“Hoho, what a cute child.”

“I-is that so? You are beautiful, sister.”

‘Gu Dong-ah…’

I finished greeting my friends whom I had met after a long time, including Gu Dong who was enjoying the festival in a different way.

“See you later. Great hero!”

“I’ll be chasing you, so wait for me.”

As I was looking around the festival again, this time I encountered different faces.

“I heard you got stronger. Shall we spar later?”

“I heard you won the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly this time! As expected of the top student!”

It was Baek Cheong and Paeng Geunwoo. At best, we just asked how each other was doing and talked, but in that process, I could feel a strange sense of bond.

That’s why, before leaving, I provoked their fighting spirit for the last time.

“Hurry up and come up. I’ll go first.”

“Look forward to it.”

“Of course!”

After the greeting, as I turned around, a cool autumn breeze blew. I felt a sense of relief somewhere.

I thought I had been running frantically alone, but when I came to my senses, the surroundings were filled with people I had passed by.

‘Not bad.’

As I was enjoying the festival after a long time, I suddenly heard music announcing the opening of the festival from a distance.

‘Is the autumn event finally starting?’

I hurried my steps toward the central plaza.

An event that couldn’t be missed at the autumn festival. The direct request from the Academy Head remained.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep