Chapter 15

Yeon Cheon-baek was taken aback by Yeon Woo-jin’s words.

Such insight.

“Oh my! My precious boy! How are you so smart?”

Just hearing Woo-jin’s voice, feeling his warmth, and seeing him up close filled Yeon Cheon-baek with overwhelming happiness.

To experience such joy in his later years…

‘But that doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate anyone disrespecting him.’

Once Woo-jin entered the academy, Yeon Cheon-baek wouldn’t be able to assign the Heavenly Martial Corps to guard him openly.

He needed someone more discreet to protect Woo-jin.

Of course, there was Jeok Seong, but he couldn’t sit around the academy every single day.

‘I’ll have to summon the Hellshadow Division.’

Yeon Cheon-baek had three direct military units under his command.

Among them was the Hellshadow Division.

If the Heavenly Martial Corps operated openly, the Hellshadow Division moved in secrecy.

The Reapers of Hell.

No one had ever seen their true forms.

Because anyone who had… was already dead.

Yeon Cheon-baek was the only one who knew their identities.

These monsters would follow his orders to the ends of hell itself.

And now, he intended to summon them solely to protect Yeon Woo-jin.

*****

Yeom Ho-rang stared nervously at Yeon Woo-jin.

“Come on, try calling me casually.”

“Ha… How could I dare address you by name so informally?”

“Uncle Ho-rang, you have to help me if I’m going to attend the academy without any trouble. Please help me.”

“But still…”

When Yeom Ho-rang hesitated with an uneasy expression, Woo-jin’s face fell.

“I guess I’ll never make any friends… I’ll just live like this forever.”

Seeing Woo-jin’s dejected face made Yeom Ho-rang’s heart ache.

Quickly, he replied.

“A-Alright! If this is what’s best for you, I’ll do it!”

Woo-jin’s face lit up.

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Then go ahead and try calling me naturally—like you’re talking to your grandson.”

Yeom Ho-rang took a deep breath.

“Whew.”

Watching him struggle, Woo-jin smiled and winked.

Using his psychic abilities, Woo-jin subtly implanted the thought into Yeom Ho-rang’s mind, making him believe Woo-jin truly was his own grandson.

Yeom Ho-rang’s body relaxed, and his heart felt inexplicably lighter.

Strangely, it really did feel like Woo-jin was his grandson.

It was bizarre.

‘They say people can become what they set their minds to… Now that I’ve decided to see him as my grandson, it really feels that way.’

Suddenly, Yeom Ho-rang felt confident.

“W-Woo-jin.”

“Yes, Grandpa?”

Throb—

His heart trembled.

How could something feel this good?

“Woo-jin.”

“Yes! Grandpa!”

The more he said it, the more natural it felt.

“Make sure you act like this in front of the academy head too.”

“Yes! Young Master—I mean, Woo-jin! I’m ready now. Leave it to me!”

*****

A man dressed in red knelt before Yeon Cheon-baek.

With pale skin, delicate features, and a slim frame, he didn’t look like a warrior at all.

But judging him by appearances alone would be a grave mistake.

This man was Yeon Cheon-baek’s shadow—the leader of the Hellshadow Division, the most powerful and secretive force in Mushincheon.

“Ma-ryang.”

“Yes, my lord!”

“There’s something I need you to do.”

“Order me, my lord! Even if it means entering the depths of hell, I shall complete the mission!”

“You must protect someone.”

“With my life! Name the person, and I will ensure no harm comes to them!”

“My grandson.”

“…W-What?”

For the first time, Ma-ryang—who had never faltered in his responses—stumbled over his words, committing the grave sin of questioning his master.

He hadn’t even realized he’d done it.

Realizing his mistake, Ma-ryang immediately bowed his head again.

“I-I have committed a grave offense against you, my lord! Please punish me!”

“It’s fine. It’s understandable. You are my most trusted subordinate. I won’t punish you for this.”

Yeon Cheon-baek’s words made Ma-ryang tremble with emotion.

“I will not let anyone approach the Young Master!”

“No. You must protect him without being noticed—like a shadow.”

“I will personally see to it!”

“No, I want the entire Hellshadow Division on this. Surround him completely, and treat him as you would treat me.”

“With utmost loyalty! I swear it!”

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

“It is an honor to serve!”

Even with the Heavenly Martial Corps and the Black Death God already assigned to protect Woo-jin, Yeon Cheon-baek was mobilizing yet another force.

Ma-ryang could only imagine how precious the boy must be.

“There’s one thing you must remember.”

“I await your command!”

“He is more precious than my own life. Guard him with your life and make sure he doesn’t get so much as a scratch.”

“Yes, my lord!”

The mighty Lord of Mushincheon had declared someone more precious than his own life.

Ma-ryang already knew Woo-jin was special, but this…

This was beyond anything he had expected.

Even so, Ma-ryang remained composed.

He was curious.

Just what kind of person could make the cold, iron-blooded Lord of Mushincheon feel this way?

*****

"Hmm, so you want to enroll your grandson in the Advanced Academy?"

Yeom Ho-rang stood before the admissions officer, presenting Yeon Woo-jin’s case.

Because librarians held the lowest rank in Mushincheon, the admissions officer naturally spoke down to him.

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Has he completed the Elementary and Intermediate Academies?"

"He hasn’t formally attended, but he has already mastered all the basic knowledge taught there."

"He didn’t attend them? Hmm, that could be a problem."

"Is it impossible?"

"Unless you have a letter of recommendation, I can’t approve his admission. You know how sensitive things are right now with the competition for the next Heavenly Lord."

"This…"

Yeom Ho-rang pulled out an envelope and handed it over.

The admissions officer frowned.

"What’s this? Are you trying to bribe me? That only makes this more suspicious."

"It’s not a bribe. The Military Advisor asked me to deliver this."

"What? The M-Military Advisor?"

"Yes."

At the mention of the Military Advisor, the officer quickly tore open the envelope.

Rip—

Inside was a letter. The officer hastily read through it.

Moments later—

"Hah! The Military Advisor himself has given a recommendation? This boy must be exceptional."

"Indeed. He’s my grandson, and he’s truly gifted. The Military Advisor personally suggested he enroll."

"Haha. Well, you should have mentioned that from the start! I’ll handle the enrollment forms myself. Just give me the boy’s details."

"Yes! Here they are."

The recommendation letter from the Military Advisor was incredibly effective.

Yeom Ho-rang grinned inwardly.

‘They’d faint if they knew who he really is.’

He couldn’t wait to see their reactions when Yeon Woo-jin’s true identity came to light.

For now, he focused on carrying out his mission.

*****

Mushincheon was a massive fortress.

With its size came a large population, and naturally, it developed into a small city.

Academies were one of the cornerstones of this society.

Mushincheon had numerous academies to accommodate its population.

They taught children social skills and the foundational knowledge they needed.

Most students entered at age seven, beginning in the Elementary Academy (Sohakgwan).

After six years, they advanced to the Intermediate Academy (Junghakgwan), and three years later, they moved to the Advanced Academy (Gohakgwan).

A new school year began, and fresh students entered the Advanced Academy.

Yeon Woo-jin had enrolled in Baekyeong Advanced Academy, located in the southern part of Mushincheon.

Because the Military Division was nearby, many aspiring officials enrolled there to make connections.

Yeon Woo-jin attended the entrance ceremony, surrounded by peers his own age.

The sight lifted his spirits.

Finally, he’d have the chance to meet and befriend others his age.

The uniforms were standardized but color-coded by rank—

Green for juniors, blue for intermediates, and red for seniors.

The academy’s emblem—a crane in flight—was embroidered on their chests.

Yeon Woo-jin was a junior.

Students advanced in rank each year, and seniors graduated after one year.

Graduates who chose martial paths moved to Martial Academies (Muhakgwan), while those pursuing scholarship entered Grand Academies (Daehakgwan).

After the headmaster’s welcome speech, the juniors were divided into classes—

Azure Dragon Class, White Tiger Class, Vermillion Bird Class, and Black Tortoise Class.

Yeon Woo-jin was assigned to the Black Tortoise Class.

Each class had thirty students.

Led by their instructor, the Black Tortoise students arrived at their designated building, which bore the plaque—Black Tortoise Junior Literary Hall.

"This is where you’ll study literature. Mornings will focus on academics, and afternoons will be dedicated to martial arts."

Behind the hall was a spacious training ground.

The instructor gave them more instructions before dismissing them for free time.

"Today is your first day, so feel free to look around. Get to know each other—you’ll be spending a lot of time together. Be here tomorrow by 8 o’clock sharp."

"Yes!"

After the instructor left, the students stood awkwardly, unsure how to break the ice.

Yeon Woo-jin scanned the room and noticed a boy who seemed especially nervous.

He approached him.@@novelbin@@

"Hi, I’m Yeom Woo-jin."

"Jang Woon."

"Nice to meet you. Let’s be friends."

Jang Woon frowned at his words.

"This isn’t the time for friendly talk."

Not the time?

What was that supposed to mean?

Yeon Woo-jin tilted his head in confusion, prompting Jang Woon to elaborate.

"Are you strong?"

"Me?"

"Yeah."

Yeon Woo-jin was strong—far stronger than most.

He could even defeat Jeok Seong and Chun Ho-seong now.

But he felt shy about admitting it outright, so he deflected.

"Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

"If you’re not strong, keep your head down. Don’t stand out, or the strong ones will target you."

"Target me?"

"Yeah. Didn’t you experience this in the Intermediate Academy?"

"Experience what?"

Jang Woon let out a sigh.

"Have you been living under a rock? Academies are like microcosms of the outside world. It’s survival of the fittest here too. Teachers won’t protect you."

"What happens if you’re targeted?"

"You become their servant."

"A servant? But we’re classmates. Why would anyone do that?"

"You must’ve come from a sheltered academy. Trust me—keep a low profile for now."

This was baffling.

"Are your parents high-ranking in Mushincheon?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, do they hold high positions or have reputations in the martial world?"

His grandfather was Mushincheon’s leader and the greatest martial artist alive.

But as Yeom Ho-rang’s grandson, Woo-jin shook his head.

"No, nothing like that."

"Then stay quiet."

Jang Woon observed the other students warily before turning back to Woo-jin.

"Still… thanks for talking to me. Everyone’s on edge, so it was nice to have someone approach me."

"Why’s everyone so tense? I don’t get it."

"Because the hierarchy hasn’t been established yet. It’s simple."

"Hierarchy?"

"Yeah."

"What about your parents?"

"My parents are in the Eighth Guard Division of Mushincheon."

"I… don’t have parents."

"Sorry."

"It’s okay. I live with my grandfather."

"What does he do?"

"He’s the Third Librarian of the Boundless Library."

"The Third Librarian? So… a librarian?"

"Yeah."

Jang Woon sighed.

"Listen carefully."

He leaned in and whispered.

"Never mention your grandfather’s job. Got it?"

"Why?"

"Librarians are the lowest rank in Mushincheon. You’ll be a servant for sure. If you want to avoid trouble, don’t say it."

What on earth?

Yeon Woo-jin didn’t understand, but he decided to observe quietly for now and nodded.