Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Inevitable Reunion
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‘That was inevitable.’
Ten years was a long time. It must have been even longer for Peng Yeon-hwa. Wi Seong-cheon felt his pounding heart cooling coldly.
Peng Yeon-hwa stared at him wordlessly, showing no reaction. Could she possibly not recognize him? He figured that couldn’t be helped.
To Wi Seong-cheon, the memory of meeting Peng Yeon-hwa at the Murim Alliance ten years ago was something worth calling a cherished recollection. It was only natural.
It had been his first time leaving the Heavenly Flower Sect. His first time at the Murim Alliance. His first time meeting a girl his own age...
But was it the same for Peng Yeon-hwa? Everything that had been a first for Wi Seong-cheon probably wasn’t for her.
What he considered a special encounter might have been just an ordinary, forgettable moment for Peng Yeon-hwa.
“……Hello.”
Peng Yeon-hwa’s lips finally parted. Wi Seong-cheon’s face lit up as her head tilted slightly. She stared at his face for a moment before murmuring.
“Ten years, huh?”
-She remembers.
Wi Seong-cheon grinned and nodded. Even if she remembered, it might not have left much of an impression. But so what? The fact that she remembered was enough.
“Yeah.”
“……You remember me?”
Peng Yeon-hwa asked. Wi Seong-cheon couldn’t help but chuckle.
“That’s what I should be asking you.”
“……I see. You do remember me.”
“That’s why I said hello.”
“Heavenly Flower Sect, Wi Seong-cheon.”
Peng Yeon-hwa glanced back at the dormitory wall. Wi Seong-cheon, lower division. She turned away.
“Nice seeing you.”
And that was it.
Peng Yeon-hwa didn’t look at Wi Seong-cheon again. Her words offered no opening for further conversation. Her back receded with firm strides. Is this really the end? Wi Seong-cheon stood there in a daze.
“Peng Yeon-hwa.”
He called her name. Her steps halted abruptly. He’d stopped her, but he hadn’t thought about what to say next.
His usually glib tongue felt stiff now. Wi Seong-cheon forced an awkward smile.
“……Let’s get along from now on.”
Peng Yeon-hwa’s eyes took on a strange glint. Her fierce, tiger-like gaze pierced straight through him. Ten years ago, when they were kids, those eyes hadn’t reminded him of a beast. Maybe because she’d smiled so much back then, or because time hadn’t yet dulled their sparkle. Her eyes had shone like jewels then, cute as a kitten’s.
“No.”
Now they felt like a savage tiger’s.
“Don’t say that.”
Peng Yeon-hwa shook her head.
“Don’t say ‘let’s get along.’ We may have met ten years ago, but we were just kids.”
“That’s true.”
“It wasn’t anything special. We met a few times back then, and now it’s ten years later and we run into each other here. ……We’re not close enough for that.”
“I want to be friends with you.”
“I don’t.”
Peng Yeon-hwa replied. Wi Seong-cheon gave a wry smile.
“Because I’m from the Heavenly Flower Sect?”
“As if.”
He’d asked half-jokingly, half-seriously, but Peng Yeon-hwa didn’t smile as she shook her head.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. The problem is that I’m Peng Yeon-hwa.”
“I’m fine with that.”
He knew what she meant.
But even as he said it was okay, Peng Yeon-hwa turned away again.
“I’d prefer if you didn’t get too close.”
And that was the end. Wi Seong-cheon didn’t try to stop Peng Yeon-hwa as she walked off. He stood there blankly, watching her disappear into the lower division dormitory, then scratched the back of his head.
“Remembering me is something, at least.”
He took solace in that.
He understood what she meant by “the problem is that I’m Peng Yeon-hwa.”
His luggage was already packed. Ignoring the whispering intermediate division students, Wi Seong-cheon left the intermediate dormitory.
Just before stepping out, he glanced back and locked eyes with Jang Il-woo.
Jang Il-woo didn’t say anything outright, but he hesitated before giving a subtle wave. A timid gesture. Wi Seong-cheon chuckled back at him.
Lower division.
The class for so-called underachievers. The lowest of the three divisions, split by student levels. That might have been the original intent, but things had changed.
Now the lower division wasn’t just for the weak—it was a dumping ground for problem children. Kids whose skills didn’t belong there at all.
A few students lounged in the dormitory’s first-floor common room. The layout was the same as the intermediate division’s: two staircases branching from the lounge. Right led to the boys’ dorm, left to the girls’.
“You’re here.”
The one who spoke drew Wi Seong-cheon’s eyes first. A guy with wild, unbound hair hanging messily. Three knots tied at his waist. A disciple of the Beggar Sect, one of the Nine Great Righteous Sects.
“Should we start with introductions?”
The knots Beggar Sect members tie at their waists denote their rank. Four knots make a branch leader, five an elder, and a gold-thread knot marks the sect leader.
Mokgeol Bang Jun. A three-knot disciple of the Beggar Sect. At just over twenty, no less. His skills were far beyond lower division level.
“Introductions? Who doesn’t know a famous guy like you?”
Bang Jun grinned. He’d naturally claimed the center of the lounge. The others just stared at Wi Seong-cheon with wide eyes. Wi Seong-cheon didn’t know who they were. They were the “normal” underachievers assigned here for their lack of talent.
“Come on, come here. Eaten yet?”
Bang Jun beckoned Wi Seong-cheon over. He said come, but Wi Seong-cheon didn’t budge.
“What? Don’t wanna eat with a beggar?”
“Nah. Your words reminded me—I haven’t eaten yet.”
Bang Jun burst out laughing.
“Food first?”
“Huh?”
“What, embarrassed to eat with a bat?”
Bang Jun’s laughter cut off.
“Hey, shouldn’t you at least ask if I’ve eaten already?”
“You eaten?”
“Yeah.”
“Eat more. I’ll be lonely eating alone.”
“You’re a riot.”
His laughter erupted again. Bang Jun stood, dusting off his filthy uniform, sending dust flying everywhere.
“Fine, fine. Since you’re lonely, I’ll join you. Feels like I’ve digested by now anyway.”
“The food here’s pretty good.”
“You have any idea how much budget the Murim Alliance allocates to Uicheon Academy? And that’s not all—don’t underestimate the bribes for ‘please take good care of my kid.’”
Bang Jun strode over and thrust out his hand. Dirtier than his uniform.
“I’m Bang Jun of the Beggar Sect. Too filthy to shake before eating?”
“I’ll wash before eating, so it’s fine.”
Wi Seong-cheon took his hand. Bang Jun grinned.
The Uicheon Academy cafeteria was open around the clock. Even past peak growth years, martial artists ate a lot. Wi Seong-cheon knew the way from prior visits.
“Why me?”
“Huh?”
“For company at dinner. There were others.”
“They wouldn’t even talk to me.”
It was dinnertime, so the cafeteria bustled with students. Bang Jun claimed a corner table.
As Bang Jun sat, nearby students grimaced and moved away. It was understandable—he started scratching his head furiously and picking at his teeth.
“Not that I wanna be friends or anything. Ah, dumplings.”
He crushed the tooth he’d picked between his fingers. The server fled after taking the order. Wi Seong-cheon sipped cool water, staring at Bang Jun.
“Just... intriguing, y’know? The Heavenly Flower Sect’s rumor-monger enters Uicheon Academy on Abbot Won-gwang Bul’s recommendation. And right now?”
“You’re intriguing too.”
“Me?”
“The Beggar Sect hasn’t sent a single disciple to Uicheon Academy in centuries.”
Bang Jun grinned.
“Didn’t come ‘cause I wanted to. You neither, right?”
“Knew what kind of treatment I’d get.”
“Exactly. Who likes beggars?”
Food arrived quickly. Bang Jun grabbed dumplings with unwashed hands. Appetite-killing sight, but Wi Seong-cheon ignored it.
He ate his food slowly.
“What do you want with me?”
“Be tight.”
“If you just want a dinner buddy, I can do that anytime. Not a big deal.”
Rip.
Bang Jun tore a dumpling in half. Ignoring the juice on his palm, he plopped it onto Wi Seong-cheon’s plate.
“Be real tight.”
Bang Jun grinned. A black smudge stained the pale wrapper. Wi Seong-cheon picked it up with chopsticks without hesitation and shoved it in his mouth.
“Tasty?”
“Yep.”
He set down his chopsticks. Not because it tasted bad. Bang Jun was nothing like Jang Il-woo. Jang Il-woo could be cowed with a beating or two.
Bang Jun was different. Unlike Jang Il-woo, whose issue ended there, Wi Seong-cheon would rub shoulders with Bang Jun in the lower division from now on.
“Eating together makes us friends?”
“What kinda nonsense is that? We just met. You’re the one who suggested dinner.”
“People can become friends right away.”
“Heh. Sure, if we both want to. But I don’t?”
Despite claiming he’d eaten, Bang Jun devoured plenty. He even dragged Wi Seong-cheon’s plate over and dug in.
“Not because you’re Heavenly Flower Sect or anything. What’s that got to do with it?”
“You said I intrigue you.”
“You do. Curious too. Why’s a Heavenly Flower Sect disciple suddenly at Uicheon Academy? Why’d Abbot Won-gwang Bul write your recommendation? All that.”
Clack.
Bang Jun set down his chopsticks.
“That’s it. Curious, but not desperate. Dunno if that’s enough to be friends.”
“Depends on what happens next.”
“Yeah, prove it. Won’t be easy. I’m awfully picky...”
Bang Jun trailed off. Wi Seong-cheon had started rummaging through his own robes. Bang Jun blinked at him.
“No way you’re gonna bribe me into friendship...”
Thud.
Wi Seong-cheon placed something on the table.
“……Not that, huh. What’s this? Heavenly Flower Sect secret manual? Hey, put that away...”
“Why not open it first?”
“……Yeah, I jumped the gun.”
Bang Jun composed himself with a low cough, then carefully lifted the book.
It was... worn. Not from age, but from being opened too many times too quickly.
“……Hm.”
Bang Jun’s eyes calmed as he flipped through. Uicheon Academy student roster. ……Nothing special. You could buy one outside for a few coins.
What settled Bang Jun was the fresh notes added to the pages.
Cheonin Mu Yeon-jun, One.
Tall. Martial arts unknown. No openings spotted. No chance even in ambush.
Trained under the Ten Heroes, so maybe their style?
Bi-yeon Sang I-rin, Two.
Shorter than me. Looked easy to toss over the shoulder, but probably not. Definitely uses a soft sword.
Three loops around her waist—metallic, yet flexible like a silk sash. No experience against soft swords. Like a whip? Closing distance would be easy, but getting close won’t be.
“Sloppy.”
“Right? Only met ‘em once yesterday.”
“Just Mu Yeon-jun and Sang I-rin? What about Dang Hee-ran?”
“Hee-ran’s fine.”
“Not a Divine Dragon or Four Flowers?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“You.”
Bang Jun set the book down. His sly eyes flashed.
“What’re you after?”
Wi Seong-cheon fanned through the pages. Bang Jun watched intently.
“Starting with this one.”
Kwon-gol Hwang Bo-seong-u, Four.
Bang Jun burst out laughing.