Chapter: 305
In a place where the dark-colored snakes gather,
when a white snake appears, it’s strikingly obvious.
Among countless others, exceptional ones always manage to stand out.
If it’s a small central plain called Shinryonggwan, a place rumored to be a gathering of the Justice Faction,
then it’s bound to be even more noticeable.
Amidst the flying and crawling geniuses,
it means they shine even brighter.
They take pride in themselves,
because it will eventually set them up for one renowned reputation down the road.
Therefore, the rampant rumors spreading about the factions in Shinryonggwan right now
could hardly escape the attention of the students.
After all, it might be a major event that could decide their futures.
Even if Shinryonggwan is primarily seen as a swordsman training institution,
how many people actually came in with just that expectation?
Instead, they would rather welcome it.
They likely hoped for something along these lines.
That’s precisely why,
the small rumor that first arose quickly spread far and wide.
“Seol Bong is personally organizing a faction. It’s said he has finished recruiting merchants and some noble bloodlines.”
“It’s rumored that the Divine has embraced most of the Inspectors to create a faction.”
“Students belonging to a sect are gathering to form one faction.”
“A bodyguard is being formed for the descendants of Geommuhee and Geomjon.”
Among these big rumors, that’s about the extent of it.
“What’s the last one?”
Upon hearing that last rumor, I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.
What’s the personal guard, even?
When I first heard it, I genuinely thought I misheard.
Are they out of their minds?
What on earth are they doing?
They seem to have nothing better to do.
“Did you see it too?”
“…Huh?”
“They are your personal guard.”
While halfway through my meal, I asked Namgungbia, who was dozing off beside me.
Upon hearing me, Namgungbia just shook her head. Seriously, it was a look of complete ignorance.
So, it must be just a baseless rumor?
That certainly could be the case.
After all, rumors aren’t always correct.
But then,
“I saw it.”
Just as I was thinking that, Gujeol-yeop suddenly cut in.
“What?”
“The personal guards.”
“…Is it really true?”
“Yeah….”
Gujeol-yeop’s face was utterly worn from fatigue. I’d heard he was under a trainer obsessed with monster theories.
I’ve also heard that the amount of theory to memorize is no laughing matter.
Is it to the point of aging a child that much?
“How was it?”
“…First, he didn’t seem to be in his right mind.”
Of course, anybody in their right mind wouldn’t engage in something like that as part of the Royal Guard.
“Because of that, I feel….”
“Stomach?”
“…No.”
Gujeol-yeop, who seemed about to say something more, decided to hold back.
Why is he acting like that?
If Gujeol-yeop kept quiet, he must have a good reason.
So, I decided to let it pass for now.
Of course, I plan to catch him later and ask.
“Then is your rumor also true?”
This time, the person I asked was Moyong Hi-ah.
Moyong Hi-ah, who had been delicately taking a bite of her food, perked up at my question.
“No.”
It was a firm reply.
Of course, in such a short time, how could they have fully recruited nobles and merchants?
“Not all rumors are true. There’s still some time left.”
“…Huh?”
“There seem to be more figures from the commercial sector than I expected. Lots of arrogant folks who don’t know their place. Looks like it’ll take longer than initially thought.”
“…”
“Though, I don’t think it will take that long, so you don’t need to worry.”
Sorry, but at least in my view, even if the world is ending,
I don’t think I need to worry about Moyong Hi-ah.
The glint in her eyes was quite scary.
Hold on, it’s only been a few days since you arrived?
“Why go to such lengths? Just be moderate.”
“Confucius, the world isn’t that easy.”
What Moyong Hi-ah said was definitely true.
Yep, I know better than anyone that this world is a dumpster fire.
“If you prepare in this way from now on, it’ll help you later on your journey.”
“…How can I benefit later, with you preparing?”
“…”
After she spoke, the look in Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes turned a bit chilly.
What did I say wrong?
“Confucius, I haven’t even scolded you yet, have I?”
“I guess not?”
In my previous life, I had a torrent of scolding from Seol Bong.
But in this life, no such thing has happened.
It suggests a lot has changed in our relationship.
“I’d like to continue, but it’s not easy.”
“Why?”
“There’s something about that. It’s this damn thing.”
She suddenly blurted something out, then turned her head away as if sulking.
What the heck? Did I do something wrong?
I looked to Namgung Bi-ah and Dang So-yeol for clarification.
Neither met my gaze.
Seeing that, it looked like it truly was my fault.
In times like these, the best thing is to keep my mouth shut and eat.
What drew my eye right now was Cheol Ji-seon, who couldn’t seem to figure out what to do with his pupils that were quaking all day long.
“If you keep that up, you’re going to lose your eyes, buddy.”
“…Huh? Uh-huh….”
“Why so startled? Who’s threatening to kill you?”
“No….”
I tried to lighten the mood with a joke.
But Cheol Ji-seon just shrank even further.
It was almost like he had a face that was asking, Why am I even here?
‘I understand why he’s acting like that, though.’
It probably is connected to the thoughts I’ve been having about factions.
Right now, the biggest rumor spreading in Shinryonggwan is
“The True Dragon is trying to take control of the Shinryonggwan.”
Hearing it sounded so absurd.
Control? Seriously, who is controlling…
Why would I want to bother with that?
This rumor must have fueled itself from the fight I had with the instructor and
the uproar I caused in Jang Seon-yeon’s group.
It couldn’t be anything less than tumultuous given the names flying around.
The fierce and ruthless leader, Jinryong.
Jinryong’s right arm, Pae Woo-cheol.
The hidden mad dog, Cheol Ji-seon.
And so on…
Just hearing those nicknames felt dizzying.
Seriously, why are they acting this way?
“Evil? Eeevil?”
Who are you calling evil? I’m trying so hard to live a decent life.
Even if that’s the case,
Cheol Ji-seon was the real issue.
A hidden mad dog, they say.
Thanks to the ruckus I caused,
no one in the group dares to touch Cheol Ji-seon anymore.
He has come alarmingly close to isolation.
“The man called Jinryong’s close friend.”
“Even if he looks weak, don’t underestimate him. He’s definitely someone of the same ilk!”
“Was Jinseok just plain lucky? Maybe it’s a blessing he met Jinryong before he got bit by the mad dog.”
Such claims have been rampant.
Three days have passed since the incident.
In that short amount of time, my perception of Cheol Ji-seon sank into darkness.
Cheol Ji-seon looks incredibly aggrieved, claiming he did nothing wrong.
However, it seems there’s no turning back the rumor that has already spread.
Among all the ridiculous tales, if there’s any truth,
“It’s true that I saved that guy named Jin-Seok.”
The jerk who was harassing Cheol Ji-seon.
In a way, it is accurate to say I saved that guy.
Because before Cheol Ji-seon could tap into his own skills, I smashed the guy to pieces first.
Cheol Ji-seon is fiddling with his chopsticks, seemingly devoid of an appetite.
Now he probably realizes a bit.
At the moment, being next to me is his best option.
So there he sits, face as pale as a ghost.
Cheol Ji-seon isolating himself? It wasn’t part of my plan.
But, in a way, it’s turned out well.
Because I can keep him close without much fuss.
“So, what next?”
There still seems to be a lot I yet need to uncover.
If Cheol Ji-seon is indeed the Jegal Ji-hee I know,
I need to figure out whether he’s dressed as a guy or a girl.
Why he came to Shinryonggwan under an alias while hiding his identity.
And how I can make the power he possesses serve my desire.
“What should I tackle first?”
First of all, I should probably kick off by revealing ‘that’ power in front of me.
To achieve that,
“Either force him to release it or let him reveal it naturally.”
The former wasn’t in my game plan.
If that had been the case, I wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of keeping him by my side.
Then he should reveal it to me himself.
To do that…
I take a moment to think it over.
Many ideas spring to mind,
but there’s only one reasonable option right now.
“Friend.”
“Uh… yeah?”
“I have a favor to ask…”
“Hyung-nim.”
Just when I was ready to sound out Cheol Ji-seon,
Pae Woo-cheol suddenly pops in and cuts me off.
“…You startled me.”
“Apologies for interrupting your meal. It seems Brother Cheol and the ladies are also here.”
“Ah, oh. Um… hey.”
Cheol Ji-seon seems quite flustered hearing ‘hyung-nim.’
From the moment Pae Woo-cheol learned Cheol Ji-seon was my friend, he began referring to me as ‘hyung.’
Cheol Ji-seon asked him to stop,
but Pae Woo-cheol didn’t listen.
He even calls my companions ‘sister.’
“I thought you were just an oblivious guy.”
Despite being stacked with muscles, Pae Woo-cheol turned out to be way quicker and sneakier than I imagined.
His first impression was that of a delinquent,
but he gives off a surprisingly good vibe, as if he’s skilled in social navigation.
The problem lies in the fact that due to this, the rumors surrounding me seem to be intensifying.
“What’s going on all of a sudden? You startled me.”
As I slightly furrowed my brow,
Pae Woo-cheol flinched slightly and spoke.
“I’m sorry. It’s just…”
With a cautious demeanor, Pae Woo-cheol looks down.
“…Instructor Cheolhwan Oh is looking for you, hyung.”
“…Why are you saying it so cautiously?”
Now I was feeling anxious for no reason.
When I asked incredulously, Pae Woo-cheol gave me a puzzled look.
“Huh? Because I thought it was a life-and-death call…”
“What kind of crazy talk is that?”
“If you plan to take control of Shinryonggwan, shouldn’t you start by getting rid of the instructors?”
“…”
I reconsider my prior assessment of him; I think this kid might be sharper than I gave him credit for.
Is he out of his mind?
“Don’t worry, hyung, as your younger brother, I’ll follow you wherever you go…”
Bam!
“Ugh!”
I kicked Pae Woo-cheol in the shins. He let out a yelp and doubled over.
“From what I can see, you’re the source of this rumor.”
“What… what do you mean?”
“…Be honest with me. You’re not in cahoots with the faction, are you?”
“Yes…?”
Ah, what a disaster.
Leaving Pae Woo-cheol grimacing while clutching his calf behind me, I got to my feet.
I hadn’t even finished my meal yet.
“I’m leaving first.”
“…Leave?”
Namgung Bi-ah, who had been dozing off mid-bite, woke up to ask, probably disappointed since we hadn’t seen each other often.
I, too, felt a little wistful.
But I couldn’t just sit here.
Despite that, I raised a hand to pat Namgung Bi-ah’s hair.
“See you next time.”
“…Yeah.”
Just then.
“Hmm?”
I glanced back.
I felt an extraordinary gaze focused on me.
The issue, however, is that while I felt someone’s gaze, nothing met my eyes as I turned.
Many were simply eating quietly.
Should I try to sense it? Yet, the number of directions where I felt a gaze was overwhelming, making it impossible to locate.
‘…Is this just a mistake?’
My injury has nearly healed? Is this really just a mistake?
Although it worried me somewhat, since Cheol Hwan-oh was in a hurry, I decided to move forward.
“So, where is Instructor Cheol? What’s he doing?”
I was about to ask for his whereabouts.
Pae Woo-cheol was glaring at someone.
The target was Gu Jeolyub.
What’s going on here, some sort of stare-down?
I find it hard to believe that’s the case; if so, what on earth could it be?
Apparently, even Gu Jeolyub did not understand why Pae Woo-cheol was glaring at him.
His eyes seemed to question me.
What’s up with that?
‘It’d be pointless to ask me.’
I couldn’t figure out the wacky guy either.
At that moment, Pae Woo-cheol speaks to Gu Jeolyub.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“…?”
Gu Jeolyub’s expression becomes peculiar upon Pae Woo-cheol’s words.
It was the same for me.
What have I said regarding Gu Jeolyub?
I can’t recall mentioning anything.
“I don’t wish to be a troublesome stone stuck in your shoe, but what else can one say? Such is the way of the world.”
What’s with this sudden heavy-handed talk?
Everything he said felt vague and filled with weight.
“…Are you talking to me?”
“As regrettable as it is, from now on, I will be your right-hand man…!”
“You crazy bastard.”
“Ugh!”
I took hold of the blabbering Pae Woo-cheol and yanked him away.
“Stop talking nonsense and tell me where the instructor is.”
“I— I understand.”
I forcibly led the way.
Not wanting to stick around; who knows what sorts of antics he might pull if I left him any longer, I swiftly walked away with him in tow.
In the meantime, Gu Jeolyub looked upon the back of departing Pae Woo-cheol with a slight smirk.
After Gu Yangcheon left.
“Now… I should leave as well…”
The awkward Cheol Ji-seon left behind also tried to make a quick exit.
Cheol Ji-seon didn’t want to remain here any longer.
Having experienced the shifting atmosphere among the ladies after Gu Yangcheon vanished,
he had become all too familiar with it over these past few days.
Each of those ladies held significant influence.
Though Cheol Ji-seon wanted to come closer to certain figures,
whether or not he could interact one-on-one was uncertain.
However, when they all gathered together, he felt no desire to get involved at all.
Just as Cheol Ji-seon stood, preparing to leave the half-finished meal on his plate,
“Wait….”
He flinched.
Someone called out to him, stopping him in his tracks.
The culprit turned out to be the woman known as Geommuhee,
Namgung Bi-ah of the Namgung Clan.
“Yes…?”
“…Eat… and go…”
Her radiant blue eyes sparkled.
Such eyes and unreasonable beauty were intimidating.
Perhaps that’s why it became difficult for him to maintain eye contact, his gaze darting away.
“…Finish your meal.”
“Yup….”
Somehow, buoyed by Namgung Bi-ah’s firm demeanor, Cheol Ji-seon sat down once again.
‘…What’s going on?’
Why is she insisting he sits down?
Telling him to eat in this situation is akin to ordering him to choke!
‘No way.’
Cheol Ji-seon suddenly recalled that the breathtaking lady was, after all, the fiancée of the merciless Jinryong.
That alone holds some validity!
‘…Is this some twisted form of food torture?’
That was more than enough reason for her to want to nag him.
Moyong Hi-ah continued to look at Cheol Ji-seon somewhat peculiarly,
leaving him uncertain of how to proceed.
Ultimately, he once again picked up his chopsticks and commenced eating.
In contrast, Seol Bong had become more taciturn,
while Dang So-yeol merely sipped tea.
On top of that, Namgung Bi-ah was staring into him intensely.
Cheol Ji-seon felt utterly lost about where the food was going, be it nostrils or otherwise.
‘…Sister. I’m so overwhelmed.’
Cheol Ji-seon strained to picture his sister living away,
but that didn’t change a thing.
—
I found the instructor following Pae Woo-cheol’s directions.
Instructor Cheol Hwan-oh still didn’t give me a warm gaze after that bet,
seemingly separating his demeanor from his work.
“I heard you called.”
When I inquired, Cheol Hwan-oh replied with a soft sigh.
“I heard you’ve caused quite a ruckus.”
Looks like we’re back to the earlier trouble.
As I walked along, I had a decent understanding of the potential reasons ‘why’ Cheol Hwan-oh had summoned me.
There’s been but a single noteworthy matter lately.
The trouble brewing with Jang Seon-yeon must be it.
Naturally, I didn’t expect to get off without a flick of the wrist;
having stirred that kind of mess, consequences were inevitable.
As anticipated, Cheol Hwan-oh brought up this topic with me.
“It’s permitted for students to spar, but I’ve heard this incident differs. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
Definitely correct. It’s hard to argue otherwise.
I had been the one throwing punches unilaterally.
Cheol Hwan-oh eyed me with suspicion.
“What made you do it?”
Without any hesitation, I answered,
“I blew my lid from watching that guy’s antics.”
“…What?”
Cheol Hwan-oh’s eyes widened in disbelief at my bluntness.
Did he expect me to present some polished excuse?
Not a chance!
“He was verbally humiliating a weaker student; no one intervened. So I stepped in.”
“That’s something the parties involved should resolve. Besides, you’re not even part of that group. You should let them handle their own problems. All students here are monks.”
Even if they’re monks, they have to overcome the circumstances! That was what Cheol Hwan-oh stated.
Sure, I agreed with him on that.
Yet it was clear that Cheol Hwan-oh still didn’t grasp the crux of my explanation.
I asserted the pulsating point from the beginning!
“Yes, exactly. I simply lost my cool and intervened.”
I knew it wasn’t the right decision on my part.
But I intervened out of frustration.
“Hah…”
Cheol Hwan-oh let out a deeper sigh this time.
“Looks like you have no excuse. This matter isn’t trivial. Are you aware?”
That doesn’t mean I must be expelled.
If worst comes to worst, the morning training might be canceled.
But that was something I anticipated and thus wouldn’t cause me concern.
“So what do I need to do?”
I was curious about the punishment looming over me.
Cheol Hwan-oh surprised me with an unexpected remark.
“The master is looking for you.”
“What?”
“The punishment you will face will be decided by the master.”
This time, my eyes widened at Cheol Hwan-oh’s words.
The chief of the Kunlun School, now current leader of Shinryonggwan, the esteemed Cheonghae Ilgeom,
was looking for me.
Cheol Hwan-oh, seeing my astonishment, seemed to think I’d finally grasped just how serious this was.
However, my shock wasn’t rooted in that fact.
It was about the Cheonghae Ilgeom and the situation at hand.
“No, then you could’ve just sent me to the master’s office from the start! Why bother summoning me here? You’re just making a nuisance.”
“…”
“Ah, if it’s the master’s office, it’s just on the opposite side of this place… ha.”
At my remarks, Cheol Hwan-oh’s expression visibly crumpled.
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