Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Jeongcheon Society Meeting
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The classrooms of Yicheon Hall doubled as meeting rooms for the youth societies. These activities typically happened after classes on weekdays, on weekends, or even during breaks, depending on the society.
Several prodigies had already gathered in the Jeongcheon Society's meeting room.
Hwangbo Seong-u sat alone. He was still wrapped in bandages around both arms, his chest, and his face, with only his sharp eyes gleaming through the tightly wound strips on his face.
Across from him, Mu Yeon-jun sat with his eyes closed. As always, Sang I-rin was by his side this time too.
Ignoring the heavy silence, she gently wiped the blade of the sword she always carried at her waist like a belt, wrapped in cloth.
Second-year Sword Dragon Tae Hee-myeong was getting restless. They had been summoned, but the atmosphere was too stifling.
When was the last meeting? Before the break—it had been over three months already. They surely hadn't been called just to see each other's faces.
“……How's your body holding up?”
To lighten the awkward mood a bit, Tae Hee-myeong cleared his throat and spoke up. Among those gathered, Hwangbo Seong-u was the only one who wasn't fully recovered.
“It's fine.”
“……Mm. Glad to hear it. Be careful not to aggravate it—that would be trouble.”
Tae Hee-myeong cleared his throat again at the curt, blade-like response. Truth be told, he wanted to pry into just what had happened to leave him in that state.
But he held back. He was curious, but asking outright would surely bruise Hwangbo Seong-u's pride.
Even if they were only a year apart, as the senior, Tae Hee-myeong wanted to show consideration for his prideful junior.
[Why not just ask him outright instead of hemming and hawing like a puppy that needs to poop?]
[That's easier said than done.]
At the transmitted reply, White Orchid Cheong Woo-bin clicked her tongue. The Jeongcheon Society wasn't made up solely of prodigies.
It included the Four Blossoms too. Not just anyone beautiful could claim a spot among the Four Blossoms. Cheong Woo-bin was the successor to the mysterious Cheongnim Sect, a striking Jang-i tribeswoman with long ears and exceptional looks.
[So indecisive.]
[Call it deep consideration.]
Tae Hee-myeong gave a wry smile in response to Cheong Woo-bin's grumbling.
Though the two exchanged transmissions intimately, Dang Seona—also a second-year—sat alone a short distance away. She stopped rubbing her black-painted nails and parted her lips.
“Rumors.”
Tae Hee-myeong gasped involuntarily at Dang Seona's abrupt word. He wondered if she had secretly overheard his transmission with Cheong Woo-bin.
[Are you an idiot?]
“Ahem.”
Cheong Woo-bin snickered.
Dang Seona didn't continue, merely rubbing her nails again. Hwangbo Seong-u's eyes flashed.
The rumor she had suddenly mentioned. The only recent buzz at Yicheon Academy concerned Wi Seong-cheon and Hwangbo Seong-u.
“Is it true?”
Clack.
Clack clack.
Dang Seona clashed her nails together, producing sounds like metal striking metal from her漆-black nails.
Crack.
In response to the metallic ring, Hwangbo Seong-u clenched his fist. The muscles in his bulging forearm stretched the bandages taut.
“What rumor?”
“That you lost to the Rumormonger of Heavenly Flower Sect.”
As Hwangbo Seong-u answered, Dang Seona lifted her gaze. He shook his head and asked,
“I wouldn't know why you're asking me. Wouldn't it be quicker to ask my little brother?”
“Things are a bit awkward with that kid.”
Dang Seona smiled faintly.
“He'd answer honestly if I asked. But……we're not close enough for me to go seeking him out over something like this.”
“Haha! I didn't know that. Is Senior Sa-hui really the type to consider others' feelings so much?”
“Because he's family.”
Dang Seona said with a smile.
“No matter what, I have to show that much consideration for my own little brother, right? So, what really happened? Judging by your attitude, it seems you suffered a humiliation too embarrassing to speak of yourself.”
“Are you trying to make me angry?”
“Not at all. But I'm curious why you're asking me like that. Don't tell me……you think phrasing it this way will stop me from digging further?”
Dang Seona giggled. She raised the hand that had been rubbing her nails to cover her smile.
“I never knew the Iron Bone of House Hwangbo could be this cute.”
“Grit!”
Hwangbo Seong-u ground his teeth. He shot to his feet, shattering the legs of his chair in the process. As the mood turned hostile, Tae Hee-myeong's expression hardened.
Cheong Woo-bin sighed upon seeing him rise to intervene, while Dang Seona just kept smiling.
Amid the quarrel, Sang I-rin continued polishing her sword with a serene face, and Mu Yeon-jun maintained his meditation.
“Shouldn't you heed your kind senior's advice? He just told you to take care of yourself.”
“This scratch is nothing……!”
“Ah, true. It probably doesn't affect your full strength much.”
Dang Seona sneered. Still seated, she watched as veins bulged in the eyes of the standing Hwangbo Seong-u.
With bandages blatantly wrapped around both arms, and she claimed it made no difference to his full power. It was blatant mockery. Hwangbo Seong-u's hair stood on end.
Creak!
The door opened amid the tense standoff.
“Why's the vibe like this?”
Striding in was a beauty with long hair flowing behind her. Tae Hee-myeong, who had stood to mediate between Hwangbo Seong-u and Dang Seona, froze awkwardly.
“U, uh, S-S-Senior Y-Yeon.”
“Yeah?”
Third-year Sword Peak Woo Ha-yeon blinked at Tae Hee-myeong before flashing a smile as radiant as a flower.
“Hey, it's Hee-myeong!”
“Y-Yes…….”
“It's been forever! We saw each other briefly before break—must be months now? Hey! Where the hell have you been hiding?”
Woo Ha-yeon bounced over and grabbed Tae Hee-myeong's shoulders, shaking him vigorously. The awkwardly standing Tae Hee-myeong dangled limply in her grip, hiccuping.
“They sent you out to Blue Sea right after break ended—too much, right? I get it's for the Blue Sea folks, but still! Blue Sea is just too far.”
With each shake from Woo Ha-yeon, Tae Hee-myeong's face flushed red as a ripe apple. Cheong Woo-bin watched with a sour expression like she'd bitten into dung.
“I tried to at least say goodbye before you left for Blue Sea! Saw everyone else, but missed you, Hee-myeong. Where were you hiding?”
“Th-that's. Um, well…….”
Woo Ha-yeon's fussing melted away the hostile atmosphere. Hwangbo Seong-u scowled and dragged over an empty chair to sit, while Dang Seona shrugged.
Tae Hee-myeong, face beet-red, was still stammering and couldn't answer Woo Ha-yeon's question.
“Where's Mi-ju sis?”
“Huh?”
When Dang Seona asked with a sullen look, Woo Ha-yeon turned her head. Dang Seona's eyes remained icy, but Woo Ha-yeon paid it no mind.
She let go of Tae Hee-myeong's shoulders with a laugh. His legs, which had nearly buckled, barely found strength again.
“Oh, sis isn't coming.”
Woo Ha-yeon waved her hand dismissively.
“She said with graduation just months away, what's the point? No interest, so handle it yourselves.”
“……Was this a meeting you could skip?”
Hwangbo Seong-u asked, face twisting. Woo Ha-yeon's eyes widened at his words.
“Seong-u! You're badly hurt, right?!”
“What now…….”
“Sorry, sorry! I didn't notice! With all those bandages on your face!”
Woo Ha-yeon flustered over and grabbed both of Hwangbo Seong-u's hands. Normally he'd snap back, but she was an exception.
He had known since before reuniting at Yicheon Academy that her actions held no malice.
“Is it too much to call you when you're not fully recovered?”
He didn't startle at the sudden voice. Jin Woo entered through the door Woo Ha-yeon had left open. He smiled faintly as he surveyed the classroom.
“Your entrance is a bit dramatic.”
Dang Seona muttered.
“You were here the whole time.”
“Haha. It was consideration for my juniors, in my own way. If a boring guy like me showed up first, everyone would feel awkward.”
Jin Woo said with a gentle smile. He naturally took a seat at the center of the classroom, his long robe billowing.
Clack, clack-clack.
Jin Woo rolled his prayer beads. He waited for the other Jeongcheon Society members to take their seats.
“You all probably know why I called this meeting, right?”
Jin Woo opened his mouth.
“Demonic Cult.”
The immediate reply came from Mu Yeon-jun.
He had opened his eyes straight and was now staring directly at Jin Woo.
* * *
“Are you sure you don't want to go?”
At the cautious question, the woman chuckled. She relit the ember in her pipe she'd set down and propped her chin on her hand.
“What for? Just more obvious talk.”
“But, miss. Wouldn't it be better to hear it out if it's about the Demonic Cult?”
Heavenly Wave比 Seo Baek.
He was a fourth-year nearing graduation in a few months, and the bodyguard of Golden Name Escort Agency's prized Flame Flower Jeong Mi-ju.
From enrollment at Yicheon Academy alongside Jeong Mi-ju to now, Seo Baek had served as her constant attendant. Today was no different.
“We graduate in a few months anyway. Whether the Demonic Cult is targeting Yicheon Academy or not, it's not our concern. Heck, it's questionable if they're even really after the academy.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Would the Heavenly Demon, hailed as the greatest of all time, stoop to such petty schemes?”
“But it's a fact that Demonic Cult spies infiltrated Yicheon Mountain.”
“Hmph, spies? They barged in all bold, and in the end accomplished nothing.”
Jeong Mi-ju, puffing on her pipe, burst into laughter.
“You just wanted to see the face of that future arch-nemesis you'd face someday, huh? Thinking about it, isn't it quite gentlemanly?”
“……Pardon?”
“The Heavenly Demon. The Heavenly Demon.”
At Jeong Mi-ju's jab, Seo Baek's face paled. He quickly scanned the surroundings, worried someone might have overheard.
“M-Miss! How can you say such things!”
“Look at you. Did I say anything wrong? Even the neighborhood dogs know the Demonic Cult's power surpasses the entire martial world.”
Jeong Mi-ju set down her pipe and laughed heartily.
“Especially their current Heavenly Demon, the greatest of past and present. Seen that way, how gentlemanly is it? If I were the Heavenly Demon, I'd have squashed that troublesome young heavenly talent long ago. And while at it, wiped out Yicheon Academy for nurturing resistance sprouts, along with the Black Forest.”
“Miss!”
“It was just a figure of speech. You're overreacting, making it sound like I mean it seriously. I hate the Demonic Cult. Hate the Heavenly Demon too.”
Jeong Mi-ju jabbed while picking up a brush instead of her pipe.
“But isn't it strange? The mightiest Demonic Cult, silent for decades, now showing these 'minor' moves. Everything always has a reason, Seo Baek. And that reason can't be figured out by that smug Jin Woo guy. Wanna bet?”
“Pardon?”
“When Ha-yeon gets back, we'll ask her. What Jin Woo's purpose was for calling the meeting. What'll you stake?”
“……Pardon?”
“Jin Woo's reason for the meeting. Obvious when you think about it. Why would Jin Woo call the Jeongcheon Society?”
Jeong Mi-ju said with a beaming smile. Another bet. Seo Baek schooled his uneasy expression. Flame Flower Jeong Mi-ju, the Golden Name Escort Agency's treasured child who spanned the martial world—she had loved betting since childhood.
“……Because of the Demonic Cult, I suppose.”
Seo Baek had never once won a bet against Jeong Mi-ju. This time would be no different.
If it was the reason for Jin Woo calling the Jeongcheon Society meeting, nothing but the Demonic Cult came to mind. As she said, it was obvious.
“I win.”
“……We haven't even heard from Ha-yeon yet…….”
“I said it's obvious. The Jeongcheon Society was called because of Wi Seong-cheon.”
Jeong Mi-ju said, waving her brush.
“I thought he'd let it slide quietly, but it seems…….”
Jeong Mi-ju's words cut off.
Seo Baek did the same. He glanced at the closed door. Footsteps approached. Jeong Mi-ju set down her brush and picked up her pipe again.
“Open it.”
No knock had sounded yet, but Seo Baek opened the door as instructed.
“Whoa, you scared me.”
It sounded that way, but her voice and expression showed no surprise.
“Oh my.”
Jeong Mi-ju smiled sweetly at Wi Seong-cheon standing beyond the door.