Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Sword Suits You Better Than the Saber (4)
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Peng So-jin stared at me blankly, forgetting she'd even fallen on her butt, mumbling something under her breath.
"Qing Sword! Qing Sword!! Qing Sword!!!"
"...Huh?! In that short time... completely overtaken... What do you mean the sword suits you...?"
"Eon Yong-un! Eon Yong-un!! Eon Yong-un!!!"
But her words were completely drowned out by the cheers from the Cheongjuk Hall students and the audience.
Whatever. It didn't matter.
'No point responding anyway since I have nothing to give back right now.'
It didn't seem like she was suffering as much cognitive dissonance as Zhuge Seol-bu after losing at go, but whatever I said now wouldn't reach her ears or stick in her mind.
'As the saying goes, you can't make a thirsty man dig a well.'
If left alone, she'd eventually face the wall that someone without the Fierce Tiger Physique inevitably hits—a wall she'd rationalized and motivated herself around without fully realizing until now.
'And then she'll come to me on her own two feet.'
With that, I turned away without responding to her mutterings.
Click—
I sheathed Regret at my waist and cupped my fists toward the four directions.
Cheongjuk: 26 points
Yun-guk: 18 points
Un-mae: 6 points
Hyang-ran: 6 points
In the meantime, the scores from the finals were added to the blackboard.
Looking at them, a voice came from the master at my waist.
- Why are the scores so low? Didn't you say there was something like attitude points?
'Those are decided after discussion by the chancellor and the selected professors on the judging panel, so it takes a bit of time. While the professors are in their meeting, the students and grad students prepare for the closing ceremony.'
- Then isn't it too early to call it a win? You said attitude points go from 1 to 10, right? If we assume the worst-case scenario you mentioned last time, couldn't it end up with you at 27 and Yun-guk at 28?!
'That won't happen.'
I stated it confidently, but Master's concern wasn't entirely unfounded.
As the saying goes, "A man lives as he looks," Professor No Sam wasn't savvy with academy politics, and the only one who could be called pro-Cheongjuk was barely the Sword Comet.
'Ah, but the chancellor, the Security Department's head, and Director Im Tae-ok are all favorable toward me.'
What about you, No Sam, who has no close professors despite being newer than me...
Anyway, adding it all up, there were exactly five people who could be called pro-Cheongjuk figures.
On the other hand, many professors likely leaned toward Yun-guk inwardly, since Yun-guk alumni funded their research or placed relatives as disciples.
But they couldn't score Cheongjuk like crap and boost only Yun-guk here.
Cheongjuk had swept every event.
'This is what "overwhelming victory" means.'
For all the gold and silver Yun-guk had spread across the academy to shine?
At the very least, they needed to beat us in the duel event—the highlight of the dorm vs. dorm tournament passed down through generations.
'But that didn't happen, did it?'
So I—no, Cheongjuk—could be certain of victory.
"We won! Cheongjuk Hall! We won!"
"You think I didn't see it?! I saw it too! Yeah! We won! A full sweep win!!"
The autonomous committee members, who'd run hardest to make this victory happen, rushed from the barracks and spectator seats to surround me.
"The man who scored in the polo finals, I had Silver River Star warming up my body by facing off against Namgung Yun fair and square, but it ends with Brother Yong-un! Ah! What a shame!"
The first to speak was that Ha-seong punk.
"But wait, does that mean Brother Yin was cheering for Brother Eon to lose?"
"...Huh?"
He froze mid-gush at So-neung's innocent question, earning laughs from everyone.
"Hahaha."
"Khk."
"Heh heh heh."
Next to speak was Yin Ha-yeon, who'd brought a fresh uniform and towel.
"Here. Wipe your sweat."
"Ah, thanks."
As I wiped my sweat with the towel she'd handed me, her question followed.
"But in that last clash, wasn't Young Master Eon's skill a step ahead? I saw Peng Miss's saber qi shatter."
I pulled the towel from my face to answer, but Jeong-hyeon, standing beside me, spoke first.
"Yes. It seems he's reached the realm called Sword Qi Manifestation. In last week's martial arts theory class, Young Master Eon's sword qi fluctuated greatly, showing signs, but now he's attained enlightenment and broken through that wall."
"Enlightenment? Nah, I just unraveled a bit of the thread."
"Even treating a moment of sudden enlightenment like nothing—today too, I see the Way in Brother Eon. I've been struggling before the same wall, but your duel and those words just now were excellent lessons. Thank you. And congratulations."
"Congratulations, Young Master Eon."
"Congrats!"
"Congrats, brother!"
That was when it happened.
Surrounded by my Eon brothers, I spotted someone watching us from a few paces away—none other than Brother Kyung-ryong.
Our True Blue Dragon president.
"What are you doing over there?"
"...Hm. Nothing. Just... you all look good together."
But looking closely, his eyes were misty.
"...? Are you crying?"
At my words, my brothers turned their heads in unison, and Brother Kyung-ryong lifted his chin to hide his teary eyes.
"As if. Just some late-spring pollen got in my eyes since I missed the season."
Sigh.
During the qualifiers, he'd been so tense he mumbled about not knowing if it was a dream or his birthday.
Well, I could understand.
'True Blue Dragon has scurried around for five semesters trying to revive Cheongjuk Hall.'
Among the 180-odd people connected to Cheongjuk Hall, if you picked who truly deserved to be moved to tears, the other seniors didn't qualify, not even Professor No Sam—but Brother Kyung-ryong did.
Still, this wouldn't do.
'The guy who needs to go up on stage for the victory flag can't have puffy eyes.'
I was about to prod him.
But Brother Kyung-ryong spoke first.
"Thank you. For choosing Cheongjuk Hall. For not abandoning worthless seniors like us."
"..."
"With today, Cheongjuk Hall is truly reborn. Of course, worthless folks like me might not keep pace with a genius like you. But I'll chase diligently."
Man, making it awkward.
Teaching punks a lesson is my specialty, but this is embarrassing.
I fumbled for words that wouldn't come, so I just said what I'd planned.
"I get it, but you'll end up receiving the victory flag with swollen eyes."
"Ahem. Can't have that! How could I with our hard-won flag! Sniff. What kind of pollen is this ferocious!"
"Exactly. Here, President, take a towel and wipe your face. Young Master Eon, head to the barracks, change into fresh uniform quick, and come out. You'll both definitely be called up at closing, so spruce up."
After changing into a crisp, well-ironed uniform and stepping out, word came from administration: line up by dorm on the training grounds.
We seniors and peers formed neat ranks.
Then, perhaps the attitude scores were in—the totals on the blackboard began updating.
Tap tap—
Tap tap tap—
No surprises.
Attitude points: Cheongjuk 9, Yun-guk 6, Un-mae 5, Hyang-ran 2.
Thus, the final scores for this spring dorm tournament were set.
Cheongjuk: 35 points
Yun-guk: 24 points
Un-mae: 11 points
Hyang-ran: 8 points
Our victory was official.
"The winner of this spring dorm tournament is Cheongjuk Hall!"
With the victory flag Brother Kyung-ryong received planted right in front of the Cheongjuk students.
"Next, the outstanding student award! Eon Yong-un of Cheongjuk Hall! Forward!"
My name was called.
I walked to the stage.
The chancellor of Righteous Martial Academy, Master Kyung Hye-sa-tae, who had come for the awards, sent a transmission with friendly warmth.
[We meet often, Student Eon Yong-un.]
[I'll strive to visit even more.]
[Ho ho. I'll watch eagerly to see how fierce Cheongjuk's winds grow.]
I returned the ambition.
Seeming pleased, she laughed ho ho, then began formal praise in her refined voice.
"Student Eon Yong-un. Through your brilliant wit and outstanding skill in crisis and duel events, you greatly contributed to Cheongjuk Hall's overall victory. Thus, you are selected as the top student of the spring dorm tournament and hereby commended."
The flag ceremony, awards, and closing proceeded in order.
"Cheongjuk Hall, you did it!!!"
"Looking forward to the fall tournament too!!"
Amid thunderous applause from the crowd, Cheongjuk students exited the hall and headed straight to Dongyun Hall.
The reason for Dongyun Hall? The post-tournament party.
Not just wild revelry, but a practical merit distribution gathering.
Cheongjuk had earned quite the prizes.
'Not counting the spirit pill I got for top student.'
Prize money, spirit herbs, Murim Alliance field trip passes, good liquor too.
On stage, per prior committee discussion, I explained distribution.
"Prize money will fund full dorm room upgrades over summer break. The 30-year ha-su-o roots go to the medicine hall for ongoing pill research. Rather than a few chewing scant herbs now, for sustainable Cheongjuk growth..."
I'd basically dragged this win by the collar, and my blueprint was constructive, so light questions but no complaints.
"...For Murim Alliance trip slots, instead of past grabs by Un-mae, Hyang-ran, Yun-guk for their own, per original intent, we'll allocate ~2 per other dorm. Thus, Cheongjuk selects 13-14."
Trip slots drew cheers.
"No objections! Isn't that the Cheongjuk spirit Professor No Sam mentioned here last time?! Righteousness and chivalry to others?!"
"Come to think, Vice President Eon truly upholds that spirit!"
Hm.
This mirrored the original where Jeong-hyeon and Un-mae included protagonists—but under my lead.
"Let's show we're not like other dorm punks!"
"But will those Hyang-ran mutts accept Vice President Eon yielding slots? Or spit on it like when he cupped fists?"
"Isn't that fine? Nothing hits like showing magnanimity before mutts!"
Whatever.
"Anyway. Promo chiefs will announce details. Before win joy fades, let's toast with the fine liquor prizes!"
Party's a party—plenty of eating and drinking.
'Even machines need oil.'
Let alone leading people—no way deny celebration drinks today.
Committee served chancellor's gifted fine liquor, food prepped from top inns and academy brewers expecting win, and our mild Two River Brew to students.
We drank too.
How many rounds of liquor bowls from Dongyun Hall had passed?
"Page boy, I ain't goin' home!!!"
"President! I'm Gwan-san! High Complete Mountain!!"
"Ah! Our Ko Head! Why'd a nimble-footed guy like you go 'why' last year?! You hateful jerk!!"
"Th-that's."
"Nah, truth is I don't hate ya! Ko Head! You're a fortune-bringer too—not as much as our vice prez, my brother Yong-un!"
"Sigh. Naturally."
Led by Brother Kyung-ryong, who'd gotten tipsy fast from pollen tears, noses reddening everywhere.
I slipped out of Dongyun Hall with a bottle of Two River Brew to offer Master hanging on the outer sword rack.
But then.
A bob-haired student in yellow uniform approached me.
"Eon Yong-un."
Peng So-jin.
"You. What was that earlier? Explain in detail."
Hm.
Quicker than expected?
Early or late, my answer was set anyway.
"Soon the academy sends selected freshmen on Murim Alliance trip, right? Come along then. You'll see."