Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Hidden Dragon
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Seo Baek was the flustered one. He stared at Wi Seong-cheon with wide eyes before turning to Jeong Mi-ju. The Jeong Mi-ju who had just been talking about Wi Seong-cheon was now grinning from ear to ear as if nothing had happened.
"I..."
"It's fine."
It was their first meeting, so he had been about to give his name first. But before Wi Seong-cheon could speak, Jeong Mi-ju raised her hand to stop him.
"I know who you are. Wi Seong-cheon of the Heavenly Flower Sect. You're the noisiest name going around the academy these days."
"Am I?"
"What, playing dumb? You know full well. You even caused a scene in the cafeteria today."
"Scene? That's a bit much."
Jeong Mi-ju's eyes sparkled at Wi Seong-cheon's smile. She picked up her pipe again and pointed it at Seo Baek.
"That's Seo Baek. Know who he is?"
"Heavenly Wolf Guard."
"Yeah, that's his nickname. He's the same age as me, raised from childhood as my personal bodyguard... But to be blunt, he's weaker than me."
"Miss."
"Did I say anything wrong?"
Seo Baek's lips puffed out. Jeong Mi-ju giggled at the sight of his face.
"And I'm Jeong Mi-ju. No need to explain, right? You didn't come here knowing nothing."
"There's no way I wouldn't know Senior Jeong Mi-ju, the Flame Flower. I just didn't expect you to know a nobody like me."
Wi Seong-cheon joked as he looked around the room. The Flowing Grace Hall's meeting chamber held only Jeong Mi-ju and Seo Baek.
No Geom-bong Woo Ha-yeon? Word was she stuck to Jeong Mi-ju like glue. He would've liked to get acquainted with Woo Ha-yeon this time too, but her absence wasn't a big deal. Wi Seong-cheon's main goal was Jeong Mi-ju.
"Wi Seong-cheon of the Heavenly Flower Sect... Just the name feels a bit bland. How about it? Want me to give you a cool nickname?"
"Out of the blue?"
"Nicknames come out of nowhere. Some claim them themselves, but that's kinda lame, right? No one calls you by it, so grandly proclaiming it alone is pathetic."
"Well... Yeah, that's true."
Wi Seong-cheon nodded with a half-hearted expression. Truth be told, he'd never craved a nickname much. But as Jeong Mi-ju said, they usually stuck when others called you by them. At this rate, judging by the academy's recent gossip, Wi Seong-cheon's nickname might end up as "Bat."
'Or maybe "Bastard Puppy."'
He'd eaten plenty of shit talk.
"Hidden Dragon."
Jeong Mi-ju's smile deepened. Her shaking pipe pointed at Wi Seong-cheon's face.
"I'll call you Hidden Dragon."
"...Hidden Dragon?"
"Yeah, dragon nicknames are a dime a dozen. Dozens of masters in the martial world have had ones with 'dragon' over the years. But even if common, dragon is symbolic. Take Sword Dragon—it's given to the best swordsman among the rising stars of the era."
Wudang Sect, Sword Dragon Tae Hee-myeong.
"Hidden Dragon isn't common either... Similar idea. The new star of the era. A young master who suddenly appears from some minor sect or clan no one expects. Doesn't spread huge rumors across the world, but gradually gets known bit by bit... That's who gets called Hidden Dragon."
"That's too heavy a title for a scrub like me."
"Is it? I think it fits perfectly. There hasn't been anyone worth calling Hidden Dragon in this era. Except you."
"You never know. There might be some young master in a corner somewhere others call Hidden Dragon."
"I'm Jeong Mi-ju."
She chuckled.
"Heir to the Golden Name Escort Agency, which spans the entire martial world. Flame Flower Jeong Mi-ju. That's me recognizing and calling you Hidden Dragon. I'd rather acknowledge the one right in front of me than some unheard-of Hidden Dragon rumor. So, Hidden Dragon Wi Seong-cheon. Why'd you come here?"
As expected.
He'd gone overboard in practical class. Partly because of the Demonic Cult spies, sure. But if he'd lost to Hwangbo Seong-u as planned...
No, pointless. Meeting her now, he could tell. Jeong Mi-ju genuinely recognized him. Even if he'd lost to Hwangbo Seong-u, she wouldn't have changed her view.
"This is Flowing Grace Hall, right?"
Wi Seong-cheon pulled the youth club application from his bosom and waved it.
"Came to join."
"Oh my."
Jeong Mi-ju's eyes curved slyly. She stood and sat in a nearby reception chair, pointing to the one opposite.
"Let's see that application first."
Flowing Grace. This youth club was founded by Jeong Mi-ju in her second year, with few members. Leader Jeong Mi-ju, her bodyguard Seo Baek, and Woo Ha-yeon. In the early days, crowds flocked just for Jeong Mi-ju and Woo Ha-yeon, but now most had quit or ghosted.
They'd thought it'd be a free spot to enjoy romance and befriend Jeong Mi-ju or Woo Ha-yeon. Surprisingly, the vibe was strict.
"Let's see... Can't write worth a damn."
"Message gets across, doesn't it?"
"You write poetry?"
"Never learned."
"Can't write, can't do poetry. Draw at all?"
"Never learned, but I could try by feel."
"Sing?"
"Shall I?"
"No, don't. You look like you'd suck."
"Give it a listen."
"Nah, pass. No need. And don't sing in the future."
"Why?"
"Can't write, no poetry, can't draw, can't sing. I've cut everyone like that. Told 'em to get lost to their faces. Having a total amateur like you join would look bad."
Jeong Mi-ju shoved Wi Seong-cheon's application aside as she spoke.
"So, no singing in front of others, no drawing, no poetry. Writing... well, can't help it. Don't wanna be treated like illiterate trash. Get what I mean? Not 'can't,' but 'won't.'"
"So... you're letting me join?"
"Yeah."
Seo Baek's jaw dropped at her smiling reply. He whipped his head toward her.
"Miss. You serious?"
"Would I lie?"
"But up till now..."
"It's fun, isn't it? Better a total amateur than a half-assed one. And bluntly, the past applicants all rubbed me wrong. The guys wanted a shot at me or Ha-yeon. The girls wanted to brag about us in their circles. The rest? Eyeing my background."
Jeong Mi-ju beamed with eye smiles while spitting venom.
"You're no different, probably. Coming here bold as brass with nothing to offer."
"True enough."
Her razor tongue aimed right at him, but Wi Seong-cheon didn't flinch. His intentions were obvious anyway.
She's right. He had an agenda.
"...Then Miss, no reason to let him join, right?"
"Nah. Unlike the others, this one's a Hidden Dragon."
Jeong Mi-ju steepled her fingers and stared at Wi Seong-cheon.
"Build a connection, no reason to ditch. Alright then, junior. Shall we advance our relationship?"
"How?"
"I'm a fourth-year. Graduating in a few months. No time to slowly build bonds and memories like others."
"Fair. Where to after graduation?"
"Obvious, right? Back to Golden Name Escort Agency for proper heir training. Not that I need more, but the position's too big—eyes would glare if I took over right away as leader. Gotta prove I'm worthy first."
Obviously. No reason for her to join the Martial Alliance. It was so straightforward Wi Seong-cheon knew it well.
"You, no interest in romance, joining now... Not just academy stuff. What is it? Need money?"
"No."
"Then? Want Golden Name backing?"
"Sounds good. My background's pretty trash, as you know."
"Junior, I said it—only a few months left, so we gotta fast-track this. Right now, I'm very interested in you. Why seek me out at this timing?"
Jeong Mi-ju peered at Wi Seong-cheon's face.
"First off, clear this: I know you want something from me. Curious, yeah. But hearing it doesn't mean I'll grant it."
"Naturally. I'm not begging blindly."
"You'll tell anyway?"
"You let me join Flowing Grace. Said to advance our bond quick. Means you'll consider my request depending on how I play it, right?"
"Of course. But finding someone... Won't ask who yet."
"Why?"
Wi Seong-cheon tilted his head. Jeong Mi-ju brought her pipe to her lips and snorted.
"Better hear that after graduation. What's the other thing?"
"I want the Dragon-Phoenix spot."
Wi Seong-cheon said plainly.
"...What'd you say?"
Seo Baek blurted with a dumbstruck look. But Jeong Mi-ju didn't flinch. She narrowed her eyes, inhaled smoke, then pulled the pipe away. Wisps overflowed from her full lips.
"How'd you handle Hwangbo junior?"
"Fought twice. Lost the first on purpose. Wanted to feel his style, and winning outright seemed bad."
"Left him room to discredit your win, huh. Let others trash it."
"Shallow thinking, I admit. Hwangbo Seong-u wasn't the arrogant brute I figured. Second fight, he was too cautious—couldn't gauge more, so I won."
He didn't say how. Wi Seong-cheon had only broken Hwangbo Seong-u's right arm.
The rest? Paeng Yeon-hwa's rampage. He had no desire to air that.
"Situation went off-script too."
"Demonic Cult spies? Their meddling won't shift much. Students are already trashing your win—'lucky,' 'cheap,' 'Hwangbo's mercy,' 'careless,' whatever bullshit. Stay quiet, public opinion sticks."
"Not general students. I want Dragon-Phoenix. And the change? Not the spies."
"Then what?"
"Tai Chi Sword Lord."
That surprised even Jeong Mi-ju. Her eyes widened as she dropped her pipe.
"Met Tai Chi Sword Lord in Sword Forest Grove. Starting next week, I'll train under him."
"...For real?"
"Yeah. That's the shift. Was gonna snipe Dragon-Phoenix from the underdog spot. But training under Tai Chi Sword Lord changes that. He won't let his guard down."
"...Got it. Want Dragon-Phoenix... How's that connect to me? If serious, just enter the sparring tournament."
"Yi Cheon Festival soon, right?"
As expected.
A smile played on Jeong Mi-ju's lips.
"Yi Cheon Festival draws crowds from across the martial world, yeah? Big budget."
"Obviously. Running Yi Cheon Academy costs a fortune. Peak season student meals alone aren't cheap. Professors' salaries too. Plus spirit pills as prizes for top students? Stacks up."
"All thanks to sponsoring sects and clans, right?"
Wi Seong-cheon smiled with Jeong Mi-ju.
Golden Name Escort Agency. Yi Cheon Academy's biggest backer.
"Wanna hear it? What do you want at Yi Cheon Festival, junior?"
"First- and second-years have time. Third-years worry me. Seniors spend more time out than in. Fewer chances to meet."
"True. Oh, junior—you know I'm tight with Ha-yeon."
"And Senior Jin-woo?"
"So-so."
"Good."
That sufficed. Jeong Mi-ju tallied mentally and picked up her pipe again.
With Yi Cheon Festival looming, Yi Cheon Academy had to beg Golden Name. A 'small favor' in the process? No loss.
Jin-woo vs. Wi Seong-cheon. Jin-woo wins on paper.
"After fame?"
Before puffing, Jeong Mi-ju asked.
"You wanna call me Hidden Dragon, seems like. Not thrilled with it."
Instead of answering, Wi Seong-cheon quipped.
"Hidden Dragon sounds squished. Might as well aim for Heavenly Dragon. Hidden Dragon beats Bat, sure. But greed calls."
"All Hidden Dragons rise to heaven eventually."
Jeong Mi-ju murmured through smoke.
"Jin-woo's strong."
"Probably."
"I believe you beat Hwangbo junior. But rumors aside, I'd rather see it myself."
Thwack.
Her pipe hit the table.
"Seo Baek."
"Yes, Miss."
"Kill the junior."
Killing intent flashed, locking onto Wi Seong-cheon.