"Ugh..." Ak Yeonho clutched his throbbing head as he slowly opened his eyes. "...Hyung-nims?"
He remembered drinking with Baek Suryong and Namgung Su, but after that, his memory was a complete blank. His spirits were low, so despite being a poor drinker, he had downed one cup after another. He struggled to sit up, when a familiar presence approached, clicking his tongue.
Baek Suryong flashed a mischievous grin at Ak Yeonho.
"You awake?" Baek Suryong asked.
"Suryong-hyung..."
Baek Suryong held out a cup of honey water. "Here, drink this."
Ak Yeonho took the sweet drink and gulped it down. Finally, his headache subsided a little. "Wow, just how much did we drink last..." he began, but he trailed off when he saw Namgung Su sitting cross-legged on the bed, circulating his energy with a pale face. Focusing his senses, he even caught a faint scent of blood.
His expression immediately hardened. "Why is Gungsu-hyung like that? Don't tell me... did assassins attack while I was asleep?"
Baek Suryong placed a hand on Ak Yeonho's tense shoulder and yawned. "Nah, he and I just went out for a little spar last night."
"...He actually sparred with you, Hyung-nim?"
Baek Suryong lied without batting an eyelid, "The alcohol got us fired up, so I taught him a lesson or two. Don't worry, he's just a little banged up. Nothing serious."
Ak Yeonho sighed in relief. He thought the explanation was a little ridiculous, but had no choice but to believe Baek Suryong. How many martial masters around here could put Namgung Su in that state? Still, he narrowed his eyes and scolded, "You Hyung-nims aren't kids. What are you doing getting into drunken brawls! At times like this, you're worse than the students."
"Stop nagging... Besides, that bastard started it, you know?" Baek Suryong pointed at Namgung Su indignantly. This time, he wasn't lying. Namgung Su had indeed stormed out of the room, hell bent on splitting Ak Bi's lip open.
The more I think about it, the more absurd that guy's drunken idea seems. How could he challenge one of the Ten Supremes and expect to come out on top? Even I can't be certain I'll win such a fight! Namgung Su's brain must have stopped functioning from alcohol intoxication.
He mumbled, "Well, I did egg him on a teensy weensy bit..."
Ak Yeonho rolled his eyes. "You provoked him into fighting, didn't you? It's so obvious."
Baek Suryong put Ak Yeonho in a headlock and playfully tickled him. "And whose fault is all this, huh? I oughta...!"
"W-Why are you suddenly blaming me!" Ak Yeonho screamed, when he suddenly felt a surge of lightning qi behind him.
CRACKLE, CRACKLE...!
Namgung Su was floating a few centimeters above the ground, surrounded by a faint electric current.
SHWAAAA!
The air grew heavy from his imposing aura.
Ak Yeonho swallowed dryly and stared blankly at the scene. "H-Hyung-nim, is that what I think it is..." he stammered, glancing at Baek Suryong.
Baek Suryong's eyes sparkled, recognizing that Namgung Su was in the midst of an epiphany. "About time this happened. He's been meditating for almost four hours."
Namgung Su had used a combination of the Heavenly Lightning Sword Technique and the Royal Sword Style against Ak Bi. Despite the restrictions on inner qi, he was barely pushed back in a direct confrontation with one of the Ten Supremes.
Considering that the fusion of the two martial arts is still in its infancy, and he only recently started learning the Royal Sword Style... Just how powerful would he be if he mastered both techniques and merged them perfectly? He must be the first in the history of the Namgung Clan to attempt it too, because if someone else had succeeded before, they would have definitely left their mark on murim history.
Baek Suryong was both intrigued and astounded. Now, not even he could easily predict how powerful Namgung Su would eventually grow.
"...Four hours?" Ak Yeonho's eyes widened in surprise. "Then did you stay up all night just to protect him, Hyung-nim?"
"Not exactly. I had some spare time, so I got some work done." Baek Suryong gestured with his chin toward the documents lying on his bed.
Seeing the thick stack of papers, Ak Yeonho shook his head in disgust. "This damn workaholic..."
Unbelievable! How could he work all night after drinking so much? Even if he's a master who can expel alcohol toxins at will, working this hard on a school trip is definitely abnormal. At this point, isn't he suffering from a new type of qi deviation?
Baek Suryong interrupted his train of thoughts. "Yeonho."
"Y-Yes?" Ak Yeonho flinched, thinking his inner thoughts had been exposed.
"If you get disowned, don't go anywhere else. Come to my house."
The pressure from the Royal Sword Style's aura also mounted, suffocating the room. Baek Suryong himself was not particularly affected, but Ak Yeonho could feel his body growing heavier.
Ak Yeonho's jaw dropped. "...W-What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Baek Suryong smirked.
Baek Suryong shrugged nonchalantly. "It's just a what if. My doors are always open to you."
For some reason, he saw the Blood Cult of the past in Ak Bi, and his former self in Ak Yeonho. To Number 27, an ignorant orphan, the Blood Cult's teachings were the only way of life he'd ever known and his only means of survival. By the time he was old enough to distinguish right from wrong, his hands were already stained red with blood.
I thought it was too late to escape, so I conformed to their ways and sought to climb up the ranks.
His innate viciousness and talent had earned him a spot in the Blood Dragons at a young age. However, after losing his qi center and hitting rock bottom, he'd lived a hellish existence until he met his four masters.
"...It's not too late for you," he whispered absentmindedly.
Ak Yeonho tilted his head. "Hyung-nim...?"
Baek Suryong fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. If I hadn't met my masters in prison, would I have tried to escape the Blood Cult?
He often pondered the question, but still didn't have an answer. Nevertheless, he knew that prolonged oppression and manipulation could warp the mind to a point where even imagining freedom became impossible.1
He regarded Ak Yeonho solemnly. "Don't hesitate just because you think you might impose on me. If you have nowhere else to go, then come straight to me. Got it?"
"......" Ak Yeonho bowed his head, saying nothing.
Baek Suryong patted his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sure you know there are plenty of empty rooms at the White Dragon Manor, right?"
"...Mhmm."
The reply was as faint as an ant's whisper, but Baek Suryong heard it clearly. For now, that was enough.
RUMBLE...!
Suddenly, Namgung Su's lightning aura intensified. Even the table and bed started to vibrate noticeably.
Baek Suryong hurriedly gathered his paperwork. "Let's go. It's almost time for morning assembly."