Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: To the Murim Alliance (2)
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The internship period for the Righteous Martial Academy cadets heading to the Murim Alliance was a fortnight.
It seemed like a long time at first glance, but there was the travel time and the time needed to carry out the 'inspection' itself.
And when you factored in time to shake off travel fatigue and to write the travel journal—a sort of report jotting down impressions and insights from the trip—it wasn't all that long.
Even so, it was called a holiday because...
'It depends on how you use it.'
The twenty of us heading to the Murim Alliance, myself included, had our destination fixed on the Alliance, and given who they were, there had been coordination of schedules between both sides, background checks on the visiting cadets, and the like. Once we got there, a packed itinerary awaited that wouldn't be easy to half-ass.
But the remaining hundred and forty-two new cadets were free to pair up, choose their desired inspection site, get approval from the host, and just report it to the academy.
'They still have to submit a travel journal, same as us.'
If they liked it, great—no one in their right mind would reject a Righteous Martial Academy cadet's inspection request.
As an extreme example, someone could apply for places right nearby like Wudang Mountain or the Jeokgal family, knock it out quick...
"Where are you guys headed?"
"We submitted for the herbal market in Luoha Valley, and it got approved."
"What? Isn't that practically next door? You've got tons of free time, huh?"
"Yeah, we're planning to hit up some scenic spots with the extra time and enjoy a bit of leisure for once. We busted our asses prepping for the Spring Tournament, but Cheongjuk took all the glory. Time to recharge body and soul."
Like those guys, how they used their spare time—whether playing or personal maintenance—was up to them.
'They just pay the price for their freedom themselves.'
Anyway.
With inspections structured that way, the cadets weren't gathered by dorm today.
They were grouped by shared destinations, and the escorts were basically group leaders selected by the cadets themselves on the Student Council's recommendation.
In the case of the Murim Alliance inspection team, the academy armband ranks made mine stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
'That's why I ended up as the escort.'
But it wasn't particularly tough.
The people recommended from each dorm were...
'Yunmae Pavilion nominated Yong-myeong and Cheon Jang-ho by their student council. Plus Peng So-cheon, whom I added at my discretion—for a total of three.'
Yunguk Pavilion: Jeokgal Seol-ji and Peng So-jin.
Hyangran Pavilion: Tang Ok-gi and Namgung Yun.
The rest were my Eon siblings and Cheongjuk Pavilion classmates.
With a lineup like that filling out the twenty, no one was there just to oppose me for the sake of it.
'If anything, Namgung Yun and Cheon Jang-ho could be wild cards.'
By original story standards, Namgung Yun followed the flow befitting a scion of the world's top family.
Cheon Jang-ho talked before thinking and was a bit lazy, but he got the job done when told.
'Who would've thought Jeokgal Seol-ji would show up without a fuss.'
I figured her pride would make her skip, claiming she didn't qualify or whatever, and I'd get her Wish Token for it.
'Well, no deadline set, so it won't go anywhere. Bound to come in handy sometime.'
Anyway, no issues foreseen with leading the group.
The lineup was solid to begin with, and I had Eon siblings to serve as hands and feet.
'Right now, the Cheongjuk cadets heading elsewhere are off delivering student council notices.'
Even so, one person was still helping me out.
Say, Yin Xia Lian, or maybe Yin Xia Lian, or perhaps someone like Yin Xia Lian?
"Miss Yin? All checked—headcount and belongings?"
I wanted to help, but I was tied up reviewing the academy-issued documents listing what the escort needed to verify.
Plus, with female cadets in the group, Yin Xia Lian stepping up for belongings checks was more efficient.
That's why I'd handed it off.
And yet...
"Just a sec~!"
Why was it taking so long to check twenty people and their gear? It wasn't like her.
Pure curiosity made me glance back, and sure enough—a little scuffle.
"Young Master Peng? Why's your pack stuffed with nothing but dumbbells? Where's your portable stove and first-aid kit? And dry rations? It's all jerky?!"
"Ah, Yong-myeong said he'd packed two each of stove and meds for me too. Dry rations aren't for guys like me—we lose muscle mass or whatever. So I doubled up on jerky instead. This batch is made from chicken breast, super low fat. Want some, Miss Yin?"
"No thanks! Little Master Eon?!"
"Y-Yes? Yes!"
"Give back the extras you packed for Young Master Peng. What if something rips on the road? Pack your own stuff!"
"Ah. Yes. Sorry. Will do."
Watching that, a voice came from the sword at my waist.
- Tsk tsk. What a knack for trouble. Can't blame Ha-yeon for the others, but that's on her insisting on monthly stipends to befriend him. Self-inflicted wound—who's she gonna blame?
'...Begging your pardon, but I waived this month's.'
- Bragging! Total brag! Started as a light deduction, now he's lording it over!
Bickering a bit with Master, then a haggard Yin Xia Lian returned with a huge sigh.
"Why won't my tasks ever end?"
"......"
"Some picked scenic spots just to goof off. Sigh."
"...Murim Alliance is in Luoyang. Not what it was, but nine dynasties made it their capital. Plenty to see. We'll have some downtime after arriving. Use it to buy that Tang pastry we talked about last time."
- Look at him wedging in that 'one'—pure viciousness.
'......'
"Don't say it like that. Makes me sound petty if I refuse, or like a glutton falling for food."
"Don't like it? Skip it."
"Who said I don't? Just saying. Headcount and belongings check done for those lined up. Jeong-hyeon Sword Hall, Ha-seong, and Young Master Woo are off on your errands. Everyone else here except Ok-gi. Dealt with the one oddball's stuff."
"Good work."
With the headcount done...
My Eon siblings trickled back, tasks complete.
"All handled, Young Master Eon."
"Me too! Told the classmates your message loud and clear: screw up or get caught slacking on the journal, and life gets hellish, courtesy of big bro Eon!"
"Big Bro Yong-un! Left Seol-lyu and Hong-ok with Hyung-ryong hyung!"
"You all worked hard. Might've been a day you secretly looked forward to, but here we are swamped."
"Not at all. As they say, always be prepared. Your thoroughness is a lesson in itself—a part of the inspection, even."
But Tang Ok-gi was missing.
'What's keeping him so long?'
Right then.
As that thought crossed my mind...
Here comes the rascal, loaded like a pack mule.
"...Ngh."
Hands, back, even head and mouth occupied.
We relieved him of one each, and with his mouth free...
"Th-thanks!"
"Save the thanks. Looks like baggage slowed you down. What's with all this? Can I peek?"
"The one on my back's personal stuff and clothes—no. Others are fine, but nothing special."
Peeking: two bundles his research notes and questions compiled.
Other two: iron clackers, poison bombs, folding crossbow with poisoned bolts, portable hidden weapons galore?
- ...Not fleeing, but gearing up for solo war.
Tang Ok-gi's overpreparation made Jeong-hyeon swallow hard.
"Ancestor of Mechanisms. This transcends 'be prepared'."
I shook my head.
"...We fighting the Murim Alliance? Thought it was an inspection."
"Y-you never know. Stuff like last time happened."
The Sea Gold Room tangle?
Made sense after that ordeal.
'But nothing's gonna happen this time.'
Excluding newbie swordswoman Yin Xia Lian, lowest here freely wielded sword aura—twenty peak later-generation experts moving together.
Plus, broad safe official roads between academy and Alliance, no bandit dens in between.
'Still, can't hurt to pack.'
World's unpredictable.
Righteous Martial Academy departure ceremony over.
New cadets marched out the main gate bold as brass.
Simultaneously, a messenger pigeon winged to Peng Mu-hyeok's office in Hebei.
To hear its news, Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil joined Peng Mu-hyeok—first time in near a month all three together.
First to speak among them: host Peng Mu-hyeok.
"Got a beggar today."
Peng's words had Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil scanning left and right.
"Beggars Guild sent word direct on the kids?"
"No one's here? No presence?"
"Big paper . Paper was bigger than last! Haha! Looking all around! Beggars Guild came themselves?!"
"...Ah, haha."
"...Cut the nonsense and read it, brother."
"Ahem. Fine. Let's see. Starts with Spring Tournament. Heard Cheongjuk won—shockingly. How'd they pull it off?"
Peng Mu-hyeok began recounting Hebei later-generation tales from the letter.
At first, even coverage.
"Yong-un as Cheongjuk's crisis and duel rep; Yong-myeong and So-cheon as Yunmae's ball and duel reps; So-jin as Yunguk's duel rep; Ho-yeol as Yunmae's ball rep."
Then, the big paper—labeled 'beggar'—all scrawled in tiny script: mostly Eon Yong-un.
"...Beat Sama-rang in prelims, Jeokgal Seol-ji in finals."
"Hohoho. That Jeokgal Seol-ji? Family Head Eon, Yong-un play go too?"
Seok Geum-pil peppered admiration; Eon Jeong-ung skeptical but smirking.
"No clue. My son, but the more I know lately, the less I do. Thought maybe he played gambling as go—guy lost family secrets gambling. Honestly floored me too."
When the bit about Eon Yong-un cupping fists toward disliked Hyangran Pavilion came up, all three 'kyah'd' sans drinks.
"...Hm? Yong-un more attached to sword than thought?"
But Peng Mu-hyeok's excitement suddenly dropped.
"Fiercely ambitious types—or his sort after achievements—always pour liquor on sword? Stubborn as hell to break? Re-hyeok calls this a letter?!"
To Peng's demeanor...
Seok Geum-pil, clueless to the 'Push the Blade on Eon Yong-un Incident'...
Wore a baffled look.
Eon Jeong-ung hadn't pushed extra but was there when Gongson Mu-gyeol visited—pieced it together from vibe and brother's personality.
Stopped smirking.
"Brother. Pushed the blade on Yong-un extra, huh? Didn't we agree to await his decision?"
"Kh-hm! Good path laid, worry he'll veer weird!"
"Raised him myself—tell him left, goes right."
"I know. That's why pull him here before left."
Peng's intent clear.
But to Eon Jeong-ung, boat sailed.
"Grateful for intent, understand, but Yong-un's already left. Stubborn frog, but once he sets heart—even if family exile—shoves through. Re-hyeok's letter says resolve set."
Peng and Seok eyes widened at Eon Jeong-ung's stance.
"How so?"
"What resolve?"
Eon Jeong-ung downed clear liquor neat, spoke.
"That sword was our family Chief Steward's cherished blade. Took it when exiled. Named Regret."
"...Sword from exile?"
"...Repent and regret?"
"Yes. Pouring liquor—his ritual to never forget that day?"
"......"
"...Huh."
"Child in bosom? Parents lead young, but grown, they set own paths. Can't stop. Just pray blessings. You two never had kids twist your guts... You'll learn someday."