Chapter 6

Reincarnation of the Devil (6)

Chapter 2

To be honest, because I had a slight expectation from the term 'academy,' when I actually saw the Murong Academy, I was a bit disappointed.

"Is this what they call an academy... This is just a dilapidated building."

The Murong Academy, quietly situated at the outskirts of Zhengsuo Village, was so small and shabby that it hardly seemed like a place for teaching martial arts.

The small inn next to it looked two or three times larger.

The training ground, where practice took place, was so broken that it looked like a pile of rocks if you didn't look closely, and the fence that blocked the outside view had holes in it due to the rotting wood.

And the main hall at the end of the academy.

There was nothing to call it a main hall.

There was a small warehouse, and next to it, a bunch of broken wooden swords were stuck in the ground.

The only fortunate thing was that there were more students than expected.

'There are eight students in this small academy? Father said he learned the Dao technique from the Pang family... Is that why there are more students?'

The Dao technique of the Pang family was not something anyone could learn.

The Pang family was the most famous clan in Hebei, and their influence in this area was exceptional.

If one could even learn the basics of the Pang family's Dao technique, it would be advantageous to be hired by the Pang family.

That's why students came to this shabby academy.

Muron Jin hid his body on a large tree next to the Murong Academy and secretly watched his father, Murong He, teaching the children.

Murong He's Dao technique was not as bad as he thought.

The Pang family's Dao technique was tyrannical and highly practical in real combat.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Pang family's Dao technique was the strongest in the martial world.

"Third-rate... No, in terms of teaching the basics, he's first-rate."

It was literally true.

His father's skill was third-rate, but his teaching ability was beyond first-rate.

His posture was perfect, he was very thorough with the basics, and he had a keen eye for each student.

He was an unparalleled talent as a teacher.

Now, I could understand how he managed to feed Murong Jin while running this tattered academy.

And at the same time, I could understand why his father was third-rate.

He was too stubborn and too precise.

He only used what he had learned, and the way his body stiffened when he wielded the Dao showed that he only thought about what he had learned.

"Indeed, my father is stubborn like a bandit. If he had a proper teacher, he could have easily reached the peak."

Thinking about this made him feel a bit guilty.

If he hadn't destroyed the main hall when he was Tian Qilin, his father might have met a good teacher and become an excellent martial artist.

The events after the main hall was destroyed were not his doing in this life.

But he planned to gradually uncover the truth as Murong Jin in this life.

If he thought about it, that is.

Just as Murong Jin was quietly watching Murong He,

Bang!

A loud noise accompanied the destruction of the Murong Academy's gate, and dust rose thickly.

"Hey, you still haven't come to your senses? Huh?"

As the thick dust cleared, a man appeared. He was slender but carried a huge sword.

His name was Pang Yizhong.

He looked like a thug, but he was the third son of the Hebei Pang family.

Murong Jin immediately recognized him.

This was the person who had made his father, Murong He, a bandit.

'The Pang family is famous for their large bones, but this guy has a small frame. However, the sharp aura and the huge sword on his shoulder show that he has learned the Hanyuan Pilei Dao (混元霹靂刀). He's not at the peak, but he's at least first-rate.'

The Hanyuan Pilei Dao (混元霹靂刀) is one of the Pang family's Dao techniques, which can be described as a tyrannical technique that combines lightning and thunder.

Originally, it would be very suitable for the large-boned Pang family, but Pang Yizhong's body was too slender.

'He must have been forced to learn it due to internal conflicts within the Pang family. He wanted to show that he could use the Hanyuan Pilei Dao despite his slender build. How foolish.'

Just as different people have different medicines that suit their bodies, martial arts are the same.

The third son, Pang Yizhong, is stuck at first-rate because he learned a martial art that didn't suit his body.

'I need to observe him a bit more.'

"Did you dare to teach our family's Dao technique in this remote village without permission? I clearly warned you yesterday to stop and close the academy."

"I don't understand, Third Young Master. I definitely received permission from the elders of the Pang family."

"Did you dare to mention our uncle's name?! I knew you would, so I sent a message to our uncle yesterday. And this is his reply."

Pang Yizhong took a small scroll from his chest and threw it to Murong He, who carefully unfolded it.

The scroll had only three characters and the seal of the Pang family.

「知不得.」

Zhibu De. It means "I don't know."

"I don't know." It means he doesn't know about it.

"Is this really a message from the elders of the Pang family?"

"Are your eyes for decoration? Can't you see our uncle's seal there?!"

"That... That can't be! I really..."

"Tsk, shut up! If you don't leave immediately, I'll destroy everything myself!"

As he said this, a powerful aura emanated from Pang Yizhong's sword, and a faint yellow lightning flashed.

This was a characteristic of the aura of someone who had learned the Hanyuan Pilei Gong (混元霹靂神功).

The students of the academy were startled and burst into tears, and Murong He hurriedly escorted them out.

"Hmm, you should leave too. The Murong Academy is now closed."

"That's impossible. This place is like a lifeline for me and my children. Moreover, it's an academy that embodies my lifelong dedication. I absolutely cannot back down."

Murong He, holding a half-drawn sword, stood firm.

He was third-rate, but the honest attitude he had maintained throughout his life gave him a faint aura of determination.

"Is that so? Then I have no choice. I'll kill you and destroy this academy!"

Pang Yizhong's sword fell tyrannically, and a bright yellow lightning flashed from his sword, carrying immense power.

It was a heavy blow that seemed to leave no room for Murong He to defend himself.

Even if Murong He managed to block it, Pang Yizhong had the confidence to break the sword that blocked it, and this was true.

However, unfortunately, he couldn't finish his Hanyuan Pilei Dao.

"Tsk."

A child's voice came from behind.

With the child's voice, Pang Yizhong felt an intense pain between his legs.

Crack!

"Ugh! Cough!"

A sound like something breaking, and Pang Yizhong froze.

The pain was so intense that he couldn't even scream, his eyes bulged, and his body trembled as if he had been electrocuted.

"Did it break? I hope it's not intact."

The child, who was worried that it might not be broken, was Murong Jin.

His sharp toes, even with shoes on, clearly showed how accurately and precisely they had struck.

"Definitely felt two."

Murong Jin, who was about to destroy a man's life without hesitation, pushed the frozen Pang Yizhong with his hand, causing him to fall to the ground.

Pang Yizhong, unable to bear the pain, fainted, foaming at the mouth.

"Jin... Jin! How did you get here...?"

"Father, you became a bandit, so how could I stay at home? I followed you secretly."

"Why are you doing this! This is Pang Yizhong, the third son of the Hebei Pang family. If he uses this as an excuse to harm you...?"

"That's what I should say, Father. Why are you doing this? The Dao technique that Pang Yizhong just used was something Father couldn't block. Are you willing to risk your life to protect this academy?"

"This academy! This is the academy I dedicated my life to for you! It's like my life!"

Murong He shouted in anger at Murong Jin's words.

In fact, Murong Jin understood his father's feelings.

But because of that, Murong Jin had to tell his father the truth.

"Ha... Just now, Father was worried that this guy might harm me. But if Father had died from that strike just now, what would have happened to me? I would have lost Father and the academy Father cherished. If Father hadn't tried to protect this academy, I wouldn't have kicked Pang Yizhong's crotch. Do you understand the meaning of this?"

Murong He couldn't say anything in response to Murong Jin's unhesitant words, which started with a sigh.

He couldn't make any excuses because everything his son said was true.

Seeing his father's gloomy face, Murong Jin smiled faintly.

'Father really shows all his emotions on his face.'

"Still, I thought it was really cool and admirable how Father stood up to Pang Yizhong."

"Pang Yizhong, not Pang Yizhong... Hmm... You were cool... Hmm."

Seeing his father, who was embarrassed by the compliment, Murong Jin turned his head toward Pang Yizhong.

"Let's stop talking about how cool the bandit was and discuss what to do with this Pang Yizhong."

"Pang Yizhong, not Pang Yizhong..."

* * *

"Should we secretly bury him on the back mountain? I know a place where the path is dangerous and no one goes."

"How do you know such a place? I told you not to go to dangerous places... But burying someone in the mountains is something only the evil sects do, isn't it?"

"We're about to die. Who cares about the evil sects and the righteous sects? The actions of this Pang Yizhong are those of the evil sects."

"Ahem..."

The place where the Murong family was now was a small warehouse behind the Murong Academy.

They couldn't discuss openly outside, as it might be seen by someone, so Murong Jin took Pang Yizhong's sword, tied him up with ropes, and secured him to a pillar in the warehouse.

Pang Yizhong, tied up like a spider's web, only had his head sticking out and was still unconscious.

"Or should we throw him into the Yanghe River? The water isn't deep, but the current is fast. If we tie him to a small rock and throw him in, it will be perfect. The strong current and the weight of the rock will prevent him from swimming out. Using a large rock would be more certain, but I think it might be too much for our strength..."

"...Son, where did you get such information...? I clearly told you to stay at home..."

"Come on, do you think children always listen to their parents? Even if Father told me to stay at home, I still went out."

"Th... That's true..."

Of course, it was a lie.

Murong Jin had stayed near his home.

But Murong Jin thought it was better to lie than to be misunderstood.

Seeing Murong Jin, Murong He felt a strange sensation.

The situation was bad, and it would be understandable if chaos broke out, but Murong Jin, his son, seemed completely unfazed.

No, he even seemed to be enjoying it.

Every time they discussed how to deal with Pang Yizhong, Murong Jin's eyes would light up.

"Using poison is good, and burying him is also good... How can we make sure the news of his proper disposal spreads?"