Chapter 23

Seon Woo-baek’s pupils trembled violently.

The one person he never wanted to meet stood before him.

A presence so terrifying that merely thinking about him was enough to paralyze his entire body with fear.

A being whose very name he couldn’t even dare to utter aloud.

It was none other than Yeon Woojin.

Just seeing Yeon Woojin made his knees weak, his breath hitching in his throat.

Why had he come here?

More importantly, how could he walk in so confidently, knowing where he was?

This was Jincheon Gate.

Most likely, he had used a hospital visit as an excuse to get inside.

What if he screamed right now?

The sect members would come rushing in.

Would that give him a chance for revenge?

Seon Woo-baek looked at Yeon Woojin.

Strangely, he had a feeling that Jincheon Gate wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

If he screamed for no reason, would his beloved family end up suffering the same fate as him?

In the end, Seon Woo-baek lowered his head deeply.

“W-what brings you here?”

“I thought you’d start screaming the moment you saw me. You’re holding back well.”

A chill ran down his spine.

He knew.

He had known all along, yet he still walked in as if nothing was wrong.

Could it be that what he had whispered to him back then was true?

When Yeon Woojin had let Seon Woo-baek go, he had whispered into his ear.

He had told him to go and speak.

That it was okay.

That doing so would give him a justification to wipe out Jincheon Gate.

In truth, he had intended to report everything.

But the moment he thought of Yeon Woojin, his lips refused to part.

He had been too afraid.

Looking back now, not revealing his identity had been the best decision of his life.

“I-it was my fault that this happened to me.”

“Oh? That’s a great mindset. If you had thought that way sooner, none of this would’ve happened.”

“…Sorry.”

“Well, as long as you do better from now on.”

“…Yeah.”

Seon Woo-baek, visibly intimidated, lowered his head even further.

His body was covered in bandages, leaving him barely able to move.

Yeon Woojin reached out toward his splinted arm.

Seon Woo-baek flinched.

The fear from before was creeping back up again.

“Don’t be scared. Stay still.”

He had to obey Yeon Woojin.

That was the only way to avoid going through that hell again.

Seon Woo-baek tightly shut his eyes and braced himself, holding out his arm.

Yeon Woojin chuckled at the sight before grabbing his arm.

More precisely, he gripped the fractured part.

“I read in a medical text once—human regeneration is far beyond imagination.”

What the hell was he talking about all of a sudden?

“What do you think happens when you enhance that remarkable regeneration?”

A cooling sensation spread through the arm Yeon Woojin was touching.

“All done.”

What was done?

Suddenly, Yeon Woojin unwrapped the splint.

“Move your arm.”

“H-huh? Huh?”

This couldn’t be happening. His arm had been completely shattered, and the doctors had said he needed at least two months of rest.

“H-how is this possible?”

“I just explained it, didn’t I? Human regeneration is strong. If you enhance it, obviously, it heals faster.”

“B-but… can you really do that at will?”

“I can.”

A monster.

He had messed with a monster.

“Come on, give me the rest.”

“W-why are you treating me? A-are you just going to break them again?”

“What? What kind of person do you take me for?”

If it had been the Yeon Woojin who had done this to him, that wouldn’t have been far-fetched.

Without realizing it, Seon Woo-baek looked into Yeon Woojin’s eyes.

They were clear.

Not those black, soulless eyes.

Relief flooded over him.

“Then why are you helping me? I… I’ve done something unforgivable to your friend.”

“Recognizing what you did wrong and reflecting on it is a great attitude. So I’m giving you a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Yes. I want you to return to the academy and reclaim your position as the strongest in Hyeonmu Class.”

“H-huh? Me? How? You’re there.”

“I don’t care about that stuff.”

“B-but someone else will just take the spot instead. Why me?”

“If someone else takes it, do you think they’ll just stay quiet? What if they act up like you did? Do I have to step in again? Do I have to break another one of them like I did to you? Then, before long, the entire academy will end up like you.”

“So you’re making me the strongest again?”

“Yes. I want you to sit at the top and keep the others in check. Stop them from causing unnecessary trouble.”

“I… I don’t think I can.”

Seon Woo-baek’s confidence had hit rock bottom.

“All done.”

Without caring, Yeon Woojin had already healed the rest of his injuries.

“Are you… really human?”

Yeon Woojin grinned.

“Come to class starting tomorrow. Understood?”

“…O-okay.”

“And don’t go around acting all timid. Just act like you normally would. And don’t be afraid of me.”

“A-act like I normally would?”

“Don’t be too arrogant, though. Just enough that no one notices the change.”

“I-I can’t do that.”

When Seon Woo-baek lowered his head again, Yeon Woojin spoke.

“Look at me.”@@novelbin@@

As he lifted his head to meet Yeon Woojin’s gaze, his mind suddenly felt hazy.

“You can do it. Right?”

“…Y-yeah. I think I can.”

“I’ll heal your lackeys today, so all of you will be back at the academy tomorrow. Act like normal, got it?”

“…Yeah.”

“And don’t pick on the weak.”

“I-I would never.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“…Okay.”

After Yeon Woojin left, Seon Woo-baek kept muttering to himself.

“I will be the strongest in Hyeonmu Class. I will never bully the weak.”

*****

"He was here and has left."

"W-Woo-baek… is he alright?"

"Not only is he alright, he’s completely healed."

"What?"

What kind of nonsense was this?

His injuries had been so severe that even with proper care, he was supposed to need at least two months of rest.

"It’s true. He’s fully recovered and is already busy preparing to return to the academy tomorrow."

"Hah… T-That’s even possible? Not even Hua Tuo reborn could do something like that."

"If it’s him, it somehow feels possible."

"Haa… I still feel like I’m dreaming."

"This is reality. Just thinking about him makes my legs go weak."

"You too?"

"Even you, Master?"

"Ugh. I break out in a cold sweat, and I can barely breathe when I remember what happened."

"Same here."

"He’s going back to the academy tomorrow? That must mean the discussion went well, right?"

"Of course. If it hadn’t, he wouldn’t have bothered healing him before leaving."

"Whew… From now on, we must be extremely careful to avoid getting involved with him. Understood?"

"I will ensure it."

"Our lives are at stake. To have gone against the grandson of that man and still be breathing—it’s nothing short of a miracle."

"I wholeheartedly agree."

"When he grows up, the world will revolve around him, won’t it?"

"That’s an absolute certainty. He’s probably already stronger than the current Lord of Mushincheon. Perhaps this is our stroke of fortune—we’ve had the chance to recognize his power before the rest of the world. That means we can prepare ourselves accordingly."

"You’re right. Make sure to properly convey our apologies to Jang Woon."

"Yes! Do not worry."

*****

Jang Woon, who had been receiving treatment at the medical hall, widened his eyes in shock as he stared at the people standing before him.

One of them was Seon Woo-baek.

The other was none other than Jincheon Gate’s chief officer.

With a trembling voice, Jang Woon stammered,

"W-why are you here…?"

The moment he spoke, Seon Woo-baek immediately dropped to his knees.

"I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me! I was wrong!"

"Huh?"

This… was completely unexpected.

What the hell was going on?

"Why… Why are you doing this?"

"I’m sorry! Please forgive me! I truly did wrong!"

Thud—thud—

He was slamming his forehead into the floor as he begged for forgiveness.

Yet the chief officer did nothing to stop him.

No—he, too, got down on his knees.

"What the Young Master did was also a mistake on Jincheon Gate’s part. I humbly apologize on behalf of our sect."

The chief officer pressed his forehead to the ground as well.

Thud—thud—

Seon Woo-baek’s forehead had split open, and blood was trickling down his face.

"S-Stop it. I-I get it, so just stop."

Only then did Seon Woo-baek stop banging his head on the floor.

"Haa… What’s with you all of a sudden?"

"Because I realized how much I was in the wrong. I committed an act no person should ever commit."

What the hell? Did people really change this drastically overnight?

"From now on, if you don’t want me to talk to you, I won’t. If you don’t want me near you, I won’t come anywhere close."

"Wait… Are you really here just to apologize?"

"Yes. I’m sorry. I committed an unforgivable sin. I’ll spend my life atoning for it."

Jang Woon glanced at the chief officer.

The man had his eyes closed but gave a solemn nod.

"I don’t know what’s going on… but if you’ve truly repented, then that’s enough. Let’s try to get along from now on."

At Jang Woon’s words, Seon Woo-baek lifted his head and looked at him.

Blood dripped from his forehead, running down his nose before falling to the floor.

Jang Woon, despite his own injuries, got up and wiped the blood away, pressing down to stop the bleeding.

"That must hurt."

Seon Woo-baek had tormented him so much.

Jang Woon had suffered even more than this at his hands.

And yet, here he was, showing concern for him.

"Ugh…! I’m so sorry! I truly am!"

Seon Woo-baek burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Jang Woon simply patted his back, offering silent forgiveness.

But the surprises didn’t end there.

The chief officer suddenly held out a banknote.

"Th-This is…?"

"A token of our apology. It’s not much, but please accept it."

"Wait, how much…?"

"It’s one hundred gold nyang. If that isn’t enough, let us know."

"O-One hundred gold nyang?"

An average laborer’s monthly wage was about five silver nyang.

One gold nyang was worth twenty silver nyang.

One hundred gold nyang amounted to two thousand silver nyang.

That was the equivalent of thirty years of labor.

"P-Please accept it. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies on behalf of Jincheon Gate."

"Just take it. If it’s not enough, tell me—I’ll get more for you."

With even Seon Woo-baek insisting, Jang Woon hesitantly accepted the banknote.

‘What in the world is happening…?’

Jang Woon couldn’t make sense of any of it.

*****

As Seon Woo-baek and his gang returned to the academy, the entire class tensed up at their arrival.

Things had been peaceful while they were gone.

With their usual prey, Jang Woon, missing, everyone assumed they would now set their sights on tormenting Yeon Woojin instead.

All the students knew.

Seon Woo-baek had once declared that anyone who sided with Jang Woon or Yeon Woojin would be dealt with accordingly.

That was why no one even dared to glance in Yeon Woojin’s direction.

But contrary to expectations, Seon Woo-baek did nothing to Yeon Woojin.

Instead, he and his gang simply carried on as they always did, keeping to themselves.

One day passed. Then two.

Still, they didn’t touch Yeon Woojin.

In fact, they completely avoided him, as if he didn’t even exist.

The students were puzzled, but they assumed it was because Jang Woon wasn’t around and continued keeping their distance from Yeon Woojin.

Then, a week later, Jang Woon finally returned to the academy.

Although his body was still marked with bruises, he didn’t seem to have much difficulty moving around.

Everyone braced themselves, thinking things were about to get noisy again.

Jang Woon, too, had expected to quietly take his seat and avoid Seon Woo-baek’s group.

But—

"It’s been a while."

Jang Woon was the one to greet them first.

The students, startled, immediately snapped their heads up.

"Yeah. How’s your body holding up?"

"I’m much better now."

"I’m really sorry about before."

"It’s fine. That’s all in the past."

He was casually conversing with the very people who had tormented him.

And shockingly, Seon Woo-baek and his gang were actually apologizing to him.

The students stared at them in disbelief.

Noticing their reactions, Seon Woo-baek turned to the class and said,

"Forget what I said before. I’ve decided to be friends with Jang Woon."

Jang Woon tilted his head at that.

"What did you say before?"

"Uh… Just that people shouldn’t hang out with you."

"Oh, so that’s why everyone avoided talking to me."

"Y-yeah. Sorry about that."

"Don’t do it again."

"O-okay."

As Seon Woo-baek awkwardly fumbled, the students misunderstood the situation.

They came to a singular conclusion—

Jang Woon must actually be an incredible martial artist.

And Seon Woo-baek must have lost to him.

That would explain everything.

Why they weren’t bothering Yeon Woojin either.

After all, wasn’t Jang Woon’s closest friend Yeon Woojin?

Jang Woon had probably warned them not to mess with him.

The students whispered among themselves.

"Looking at how they’re acting, did Seon Woo-baek really lose to Jang Woon?"

"Then… does that mean Jang Woon is now the strongest in our class?"

"But no one’s officially declared it yet, so isn’t Seon Woo-baek still number one?"

"You can’t ignore his family either. He’s the second son of Jincheon Gate."

"Yeah, that’s probably why he’s still holding onto his position as the strongest."