The Iron-Blooded Dormitory Supervisor
The man in blue scholar’s robes who appeared with a thunderous roar that could shake the building!
Although he had clearly cultivated martial arts,
his uneven breathing vividly showed how hurriedly and hastily he had run here.
“What is this commotion?”
Upon seeing that scholar, Ho Cheon-gang’s face had already turned pale. The blue-robed scholar’s complexion had turned as red as it could, indicating that he was undoubtedly furious. He was raging fiercely like fire and violently like a storm. His anger was a terrifying thing that was officially recognized as synonymous with fear within the Sword Spirit Hall Hall. Ho Cheon-gang’s vision darkened.
“Su-supervisor…”
A single syllable barely leaked out of his body, which was trembling like a willow tree. This blue-robed scholar, who seemed to be in his prime, was none other than Gang Ha-yun, the dormitory supervisor directly managing and controlling the Sword Spirit Hall Hall, the real power of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall, the incarnation of rules and discipline, the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword. He was a former sword arts instructor of the Qingcheng Sect, and if judged by his appearance alone, he seemed like a frail scholar and a playful idler, but that was a grave misconception. If one opened the lid and learned the truth, his personality was the exact opposite of his appearance, fiery and hasty, his anger was so fierce that it could simultaneously cover the sky and earth when provoked, and he was known for being mercilessly resolute and radical in his punishments and retributions. No wonder his alias was the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword.
If anyone is curious and wants to know the number of his sect’s disciples who haven’t been smashed by his wooden sword during his tenure as the sword arts instructor of the Qingcheng Sect, there is no need to count them one by one. Because they don’t exist. Every disciple of the Qingcheng Sword Sect commonly possessed memories they wanted to forget, of being beaten to a pulp under his wooden sword at least once or twice.
Moreover, the number of disciples who had one of their limbs broken by him amounted to nearly 30% of the total, and even the number of disciples who had been struck by his sword energy exceeded 10%, a staggering number. Even now, in the Qingcheng Sect, if someone shouts “Iron-Blooded Heartless” to the disciples of the third generation and below, they would bolt upright from their sleep and slam their heads on the floor, that’s how much he reigned as an object of fear. Such a person was now responsible for the rules and discipline of this place as the dormitory supervisor of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall.
The fact that the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy used such a person as a mere dormitory supervisor also spoke of its high standing, but what was important now was not that, but the terrible reality of being caught in the act of illegal activities by the terrifyingly ruthless Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword, and that was the main factor that had turned Ho Cheon-gang’s face pale. There was no way he could let this incident slide.
The endless reprimands that would follow, the avalanche of penalty points that would bury him, and the terrifying punishments and retributions that awaited him, Ho Cheon-gang was in a state where he resented Bi Ryu-yeon’s fist for not allowing him to enjoy the benefit of fainting and still maintaining a shred of consciousness.
Gang Ha-yun, who had approached the three standing and one sprawled out, swept his gaze over everyone with terrifyingly murderous eyes, as if he would sweep them away with a broom. Ho Cheon-gang couldn’t even faint as he had dreamed of. When he met the explosive gaze of the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword, his body bolted upright against his own will – he was currently in a state of desperately wishing to faint. The aftereffects of the shock still lingered, causing his legs to tremble, but Ho Cheon-gang’s body managed to stand firm without collapsing.
“Follow me!”
As his mouth opened again, Ho Cheon-gang followed behind him like a pig being dragged to the slaughterhouse, and Bi Ryu-yeon, Jang-hong, and Hyo-ryong followed behind him. The shoulders of Ho Cheon-gang, who was walking in front, were drooping and looked so dejected that it was pitiful.
“He looks pitiful and miserable!”
When Hyo-ryong whispered his impression to Jang-hong beside him, Jang-hong also nodded in agreement. He, too, was looking at Ho Cheon-gang with sympathetic eyes while clicking his tongue lightly.
On the door of the middle room on the 3rd floor, where they had followed behind the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword Gang Ha-yun, the following words were written in neat handwriting:
‘Supervisor’s Office’
‘No Entry for Outsiders’
‘Official Report’
“Bang!”
The fist of the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword Gang Ha-yun, the dormitory supervisor of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall and former sword arts instructor of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, slammed down on the desk. Fortunately, thanks to his control of strength without losing his true energy, the desk didn’t break into two or shatter into pieces. He wasn’t the kind of person who would recklessly damage the pavilion’s property and facilities due to his uncontrollable anger.
However, that didn’t mean his anger was insignificant at the moment. His current anger was tremendous enough to crumble mountains and fill rivers. It was just that he was preventing a reckless and indiscriminate violent situation in advance with superhuman patience and self-control. Such anger of his had been pouring out for more than half a sikgyeong.
“Ho Cheon-gang, second-year Yellow Group assistant leader!”
“Yes, Supervisor!”
Ho Cheon-gang, who had been bearing the brunt of Gang Ha-yun’s fiery anger for more than half a sikgyeong, answered with great tension. Perhaps due to the tension, his voice was very loud, filled with spirit like a new student.
“How much do you think the traps and mechanisms you destroyed today, along with their operating costs, amount to? Do you have any idea how much damage that is? It’s a staggering amount exceeding 1,500 silver taels. Wasting the pavilion’s budget, which is based on the money sincerely donated by all the martial arts sects, on such trivial traditions, are you in your right mind? Inflicting such terrible and enormous financial damage on the pavilion solely based on personal feelings and petty games, are you really in your right mind?”
Gang Ha-yun was literally raging like fire. He was so angry that it seemed like seeking forgiveness was beyond a dream. Despair flickered in the eyes of Ho Cheon-gang as he looked at Gang Ha-yun, who was like the incarnation of anger.
How much of the budget would be wasted to operate highly precise mechanisms and traps just once? The other name for the Sword Spirit Hall Hall’s anti-intruder defense mechanisms was “budget-devouring monster dens.” The dozens of flying arrows and hundreds of hidden weapons consumed during the operation of the mechanisms. They should literally be called “flying money.” Even if the arrows were somehow retrieved and recycled, the recovery rate didn’t exceed 60%. They often shattered or had their edges damaged during operation. The recovery rate of the delicate hidden weapons was even lower, around 30%.
Moreover, the damage caused by the sword forest formation, which had been shattered by the aftermath of the collision between Ho Cheon-gang’s sword energy and the Leaping Thunder Hand, was no joke. In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that the greatest damage originated from the destruction of this sword forest.
Think about it. How much do you think a single sword blade usually costs? Especially if it’s a sharp and keen blade that doesn’t rust or chip easily, the cost of producing and purchasing them would be truly substantial. Even at the lowest estimate, each one would easily cost thirty or forty silver taels. And hundreds of such high-quality sword blades had vanished in an instant. Even restoration was impossible.
It was a terrible disaster, as if hundreds of swords had simultaneously turned into scrap metal. Since they had all turned into scrap metal without a single one remaining, the damage was truly staggering. That’s why Ho Cheon-gang was currently receiving a severe reprimand from the supervisor. 1,500 silver taels was a massive loss that devoured more than 30% of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall’s annual operating budget. It might be even more if a proper calculation hadn’t been done yet, including the minute details. Even if each sword was estimated at 3 silver taels, there seemed to be at least five hundred of them, amounting to a total of 1,500 silver taels. If the damage from the traps and other flying arrows and hidden weapons were added, it was evident that the total damage would increase further. So, it was inevitable that Gang Ha-yun, who was already known for his fiery and rough temperament, wouldn’t stay still.
Gang Ha-yun relentlessly pressured Ho Cheon-gang. Ho Cheon-gang kept his head lowered and remained silent. His demeanor was further fueling Gang Ha-yun’s anger.
“You did this just to carry out a mere newbie hazing ritual? You activated the anti-personnel, anti-intruder defense mechanisms up to the third stage just for a newbie hazing ritual? Are you telling me to believe that now? Who do you take for a fool? The third stage of anti-personnel defense is the stage of killing. It’s not a stage that can be ended as a mere prank, and you should know that well! I hope the fellow who is the second-year Yellow Group assistant leader of the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy won’t say he doesn’t know that.”
Ho Cheon-gang truly had nothing to say, even if he had ten mouths. With what face could he talk back?
“Do you know how severe the punishment for murder within the pavilion is?”
“Mu-murder? That’s absurd!”
When the matter suddenly escalated, Ho Cheon-gang couldn’t help but be flustered. In any era or any place, murder was a grave crime. It was the same everywhere, except on battlefields where human lives were treated no more than supplies. Moreover, if it was the killing of a fellow sect member, there was no room for excuses.
“Silence! The third stage of the anti-personnel defense mechanism is already no different from attempted murder. Who did you learn the activation method from? There aren’t many people who know how to operate the dormitory’s mechanisms, so how did you find out?”
A look of dismay clearly appeared on Ho Cheon-gang’s face. Supervisor Gang Ha-yun’s question was that sharp.
“This is something I planned and executed alone, without anyone else’s help.”
“Are you still taking me for a fool?”
“How could that be possible? I’ve never harbored such a foolish thought.”
If anyone takes the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword Gang Ha-yun, the iron-blooded supervisor, for a fool, that person would truly be the most foolish person in the world.
“Then why are you trying to take me for a fool? From which stage of the anti-personnel, anti-intruder repulsion defense mechanism is the lethal range possible?”
Gang Ha-yun asked Ho Cheon-gang. Of course, Ho Cheon-gang knew the answer well. It was basic common sense that every resident of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall, regardless of their year, was familiar with.
“From the third stage.”
“Then you should know that activating mechanisms above the second stage requires permission from above.”
“Yes!”
“In that case, you should also know that the activation method is only known to a specific few individuals.”
“Yes!”
The complexion of Ho Cheon-gang, who was answering, grew increasingly pale. Beads of cold sweat were forming on his forehead.
“Then who on earth told you the activation method for mechanisms above the third stage? Don’t foolishly say that you figured it out on your own. It’s an obvious lie that can be seen through without even hearing the end of it…”
“…”
There was no way Ho Cheon-gang, whose mechanism formation scores were miserably low compared to other areas, could have figured out the activation method of the Heavenly Pavilion’s mechanisms on his own. Gang Ha-yun couldn’t be unaware of that. Gang Ha-yun was the one who thoroughly knew the profiles of all the disciples in this Sword Spirit Hall Hall.
However, unfortunately, no matter how much he was reprimanded and questioned, Ho Cheon-gang absolutely couldn’t reveal that. He could never let others know about that, no matter what. This incident had to end as something he planned and executed alone. His relationship with them had to be kept secret at all costs. Ho Cheon-gang endured the terrible murderous intent and anger of the iron-blooded supervisor Gang Ha-yun and maintained his silence. It was truly an unbearable ordeal and a murderous torture. Ho Cheon-gang’s complexion grew even paler. But his mouth was sealed as if glued, not a single word leaked out.
“Are you saying you can’t tell? Or do you have circumstances that prevent you from speaking? If you try to avoid the truth in such a manner, you should be prepared to spend more than three months in the Accounting Hall!”
Gang Ha-yun spoke firmly. For Ho Cheon-gang, Gang Ha-yun’s words were no different from a final ultimatum. It couldn’t be anything but a bolt from the blue for him.
“Ac-Accounting Hall! Su-supervisor…”
As soon as the words “Accounting Hall” were uttered, Ho Cheon-gang was startled like a frightened cat. His voice was trembling severely with fear. A talent who was shouldering the expectations of an entire sect was now trembling. The Accounting Hall, a place still shrouded in a veil of fear and darkness, was a place where the number of people who had entered and come out normally could be counted on one hand, a place synonymous with terror itself. Even in the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, where individuals selected from countless martial artists gathered, the Accounting Hall was the epitome of fear.
And three months in such a terrible place… Three months may not feel like a long time at first glance, but for those who directly experience it, it is said to be an enormously long period of hardship, trials, and adversity. Those who have experienced it have kept their mouths tightly sealed and maintained their silence, giving rise to various speculations among the people. There is a saying that even if ten years pass, the scenery changes, but in the Accounting Hall, after three months, while the scenery remains intact, the person changes. That’s how much being sent to the Accounting Hall is known as a terrifying and cruel punishment even in the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy. Ho Cheon-gang’s complexion turned as dark as a corpse. His complexion was so miserable that if he were to be laid down and encoffined right now, one would believe he was a corpse.
Gang Ha-yun quietly looked at Ho Cheon-gang, who had become like a corpse friend and was trembling in fear. From his series of actions, Gang Ha-yun had also grasped the situation to some extent.
“So, you still can’t tell? I’m not unaware of your intentions. There aren’t many people who can do this kind of thing. And among them, there are only two fellows who would help orchestrate such a commotion. Isn’t that right?”
At Gang Ha-yun’s sharp intuition, Ho Cheon-gang felt his heart sink. However, he feigned ignorance with all his might.
“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about. How can there be accomplices in something I planned and executed alone? It’s not like they’re ghosts…”
“They are ghosts indeed!”
Gang Ha-yun spoke with a sneer.
“Pardon?”
“They are ghosts indeed, indeed. Aren’t they evil spirits, horned demons? The Heavenly Martial Arts Academy’s biggest troublemakers and the most disciplined individuals, holders of countless records of being the worst and the most, the worst pair in the history of the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, the headache of the Heavenly Pavilion, God’s mistake. How about it? Am I wrong?”
It seemed that Gang Ha-yun had grasped it correctly. However, despite the fact that everything might have been exposed, Ho Cheon-gang stubbornly maintained his silence and remained unresponsive.
“…”
“Even after things have come to this, you still won’t tell? Or are you trying to bring up some petty loyalty at this point? No, you might not be able to do that. Just thinking about those guys gives me a headache, so someone like you wouldn’t want to suffer from their aftermath. Are you afraid of the consequences?”
“…”
A noticeable agitation appeared on Ho Cheon-gang’s face. It was evident that his resolve was wavering.
“Anyway, since you’re the one who caused this mess, you can’t avoid the responsibility. In the worst-case scenario, it may even be reported to your sect. For now, I’ll discuss your punishment with the Disciplinary Council and put it on hold for the time being.”
Despair appeared on Ho Cheon-gang’s face. With Gang Ha-yun’s judgment just now, he had fallen into the abyss of despair without a single safety device. Gang Ha-yun ignored Ho Cheon-gang, who was trembling with fear and anxiety, and glared at Bi Ryu-yeon’s group. His gaze was as sharp as a well-sharpened blade.
“And you three!”
“Yes!”
The three answered simultaneously. Perhaps overwhelmed by Gang Ha-yun’s force of personality, even they were slightly tense.
“Considering the circumstances, I’ll forgive you this time, but make sure not to let any wrongdoing catch my eye again! Next time, you won’t find any forgiveness or consideration!”
“Yes, thank you.”
Gang Ha-yun’s gaze turned towards Jang-hong, who was standing behind the other two. His gaze, which was intently staring at him, was not ordinary, but Jang-hong pretended not to know despite being aware of it. Even Gang Ha-yun didn’t question Jang-hong’s rude attitude.
In fact, Gang Ha-yun’s decision was unexpected. Judging by how he endlessly interrogated and reprimanded Ho Cheon-gang, they had anticipated a considerable level of disciplinary action for themselves as well.
“Then, you may leave now!”
As befitting his title as the iron-blooded supervisor, Gang Ha-yun didn’t forget to leave one last remark to Bi Ryu-yeon’s group. It was both a warning and a threat that the eyes of surveillance would always remain around the three of them in the future. Fortunately, although the Iron-Blooded Heartless Sword Gang Ha-yun was ruthless, he wasn’t a fool who couldn’t properly grasp the situation. He was a person with discretion. Bi Ryu-yeon, one of the main culprits who had essentially destroyed all the mechanisms of the Sword Spirit Hall Hall, had been acquitted against everyone’s expectations. Despite his anger that seemed to blind him, Gang Ha-yun had unexpectedly made a cool-headed judgment of the situation. Because Bi Ryu-yeon’s self-defense against Ho Cheon-gang’s surprise attack was recognized as legitimate self-defense, he was able to avoid being punished together with Ho Cheon-gang.
Ho Cheon-gang’s disappointment and sense of injustice regarding this were almost at a level of despair. He had at least taken solace in the fact that Bi Ryu-yeon would also be punished under joint responsibility, but even that small consolation had turned its back on him. In the room where all three had left and he was left alone, he constantly muttered as if his soul had left his body.
“It’s not over yet! Not yet…”
And so, he just mumbled like a person whose soul had departed.