Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: To the Murim Alliance (3)
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Having finished the departure ceremony, we set off northward toward Luoyang, where the Murim Alliance was located.
It wasn't an urgent matter requiring us to act as express couriers, and since we had plenty of time allotted for this field trip anyway, there was no need to rush.
'Plus, we can even extend the holiday period.'
According to the guidelines handed out to the chaperones before the ceremony and the academy headmaster's speech during the event, if the field trip exceeded the holiday period due to extenuating circumstances or agreements with the visited sites, we could extend the holiday as long as we could prove it.
'Of course, that means missing classes.'
The academy would accommodate us with attendance credits and study materials.
Anyway.
That meant there was absolutely no need to hurry.
'In fact, I have to be careful not to exhaust my internal energy by rushing.'
We had made thorough preparations before setting out.
If something pierced through those preparations and brought crisis upon us, our survival would depend on personal martial prowess and maintaining peak physical condition to wield it effectively.
And so, traveling at a measured pace, the sun had already begun to dip significantly toward the west before we knew it.
I recalled the map I'd checked before departure and sought out Yin Xia Lian.
"The sun will set soon. Isn't Nam So-hyeon still too far from here, Miss Yin?"
"Yes. Too far."
"What about Nanyang?"
"It's not too far, but we'd have to detour east, then come back via the official road. Considering our destination is Luoyang, it'd be a big detour. Better to camp nearby tonight."
"Hm. Judging by the clouds and dust, we might get some rain, though not much? Woo So-ryeong."
"Yes, Brother Eon."
"Check that mountain to the left for a cave or some overhang-like terrain suitable for camping. We'll wait here."
"Yes!"
"Ha-seong, relay what I just said to the others."
"Yes, Brother!"
No one objected to my decision, and it turned out there was suitable terrain just as I'd sent Woo So-ryeong to scout, so we headed there.
By the time we arrived at the campsite, the sun's position showed we didn't have much time to spare.
I quickly divided the field trip group into squads and assigned tasks.
"Dang Ok-gi, Woo So-ryeong, and the three next to you."
"Us?"
"Yeah, you five unpack the luggage here and gather mushrooms or hunt small game nearby. But don't go too far. If nothing's around, our rations and jerky will do. Blow the signal whistle if anything happens."
"Got it. Let's go, everyone."
Most followed my orders without complaint.
"Yong-myeong, Miss Yin, and the three standing next to you—fetch water from the valley and pick up firewood on the way."
"Yes. We'll do that."
"And Brother So-cheon, Ha-seong, Cheon Jang-ho, Namgung Yun, Gok Jun-pyeong, Han Jong—you lot dig a trench from here around to over there. Jun-pyeong, Han Jong, grab the portable shovels from our stuff and give them to the kids from the other dorms."
Not everyone obeyed silently.
Some went off quietly to forage, fetch water, or gather wood.
"I hadn't met my daily training quota from all the walking, and I was feeling sluggish—perfect!"
Others, like Paeng So-cheon, started digging enthusiastically.
And then there was the one who paused mid-task and placed a hand on his waist—none other than Namgung Yun.
"Ha. Why the hell do I have to do this?!"
Namgung Yun.
This guy needed some fixing.
'He's not just some guy who won the title of top latecomer through gambling.'
Among the protagonist's generation in the original story, he ranked second only to Jeong Hyeon in pure martial prowess. Later, he'd reliably hold off significant demon subordinates—left or right arms of major demon heads.
'He even turns over a new leaf in the original.'
The Namgung family was too solidly entrenched, and growing up pampered within it had made him like this for now.
He'd mingle with the protagonist's group, witness how the world worked through events, realize the duties of his noble bloodline, and become a true hero.
'The problem is, until then, he periodically acts all aristocratic and feeds us frustration.'
At the academy, the ban on Fragrance Hall visits had kept him in check, but this trip was a chance to work him a bit.
As I thought that,
Namgung Yun spoke up, and since I'd paused in thought, Paeng So-cheon jumped in.
"I'll do your share too, so quit if it's too hard, Namgung Yun! Don't you think it's good exercise?"
No, that won't do.
This rare chance to grind Namgung Yun couldn't slip away.
I opened my mouth just as Namgung Yun did the same.
"That's not happening."
"Does Brother Paeng think I'm complaining because it's hard? I'm not doing it because it's hard."
Our words overlapped.
Still, true to his prestigious family upbringing, Namgung Yun gestured for me to speak first.
I didn't hold back.
"I told you before, right? This isn't the Namgung family. Someone said it: those who don't work, don't eat."
"That's why I'm asking why this work is necessary."
"Because of the wild beasts."
"Wild beasts?"
Namgung Yun snorted derisively.
As if what was there to fear from them.
At his words, a tsk-tsk sounded from the master's sword at my waist.
- A guy who hasn't even reached the superhuman realm where sword aura manifests dares to look down on mountain beasts?
'Exactly.'
- Their presence is completely different from humans', hard to detect until they attack. Many have tough hides and stamina that even sword aura can't bisect in one strike unless you're overwhelming them by type. Instead of praising your thorough preparations, you... tch!
Would a guy raised in the Namgung main house, envied even by palace dwellers, know that?
His experience with "wild beasts" was probably just shooting arrows at ones driven in by beaters.
Anyway, I said my piece.
"Yeah, wild beasts. They might not seem like much, but if they come sniffing around at night, you'll lose sleep."
My words seemed plausible enough, as he changed his question.
"Fine, say that's true. Then why aren't you doing anything?"
"It's not just me. Jeong Hyeon, Jeon Gal-seolji, and Sister So-jin—four of us aren't doing anything."
"...Then why aren't you four doing anything?"
"We'll stand watch tonight in two shifts of two hours each. Me and Jeon Gal-seolji for the first watch, Jeong Hyeon and Sister So-jin for the second. Next time we camp, we'll rotate fairly. Any problem?"
"......"
"Shovel. Pick it back up?"
Unable to find further rebuttals, Namgung Yun grumbled and grabbed the shovel again.
The master still wasn't satisfied and added another remark.
- Look at that. No apology, just brushing it off? I'd love to smack him hard.
I felt much the same.
But that wouldn't help.
'His attitude sucks, but the question was valid. And smacking him won't satisfy—guys like him just bring their parents later.'
- So you're letting it slide?
'Nah, no way.'
I had a plan of sorts.
- A plan?
It wasn't anything grand like a profound scheme.
Just sticking Namgung Yun with shit—literally.
"Looks like the trench is dug enough. Namgung Yun, take this."
"What's this? Cough, cough. Ugh, smells kinda funky."
It wasn't a metaphor.
"Shit."
"?"
"Tiger shit."
"???"
"Spread it around, and beasts won't come near."
I'd planned to do it myself—my stomach could handle it—but now, Namgung Yun, you do it.
"I'll give you a gourd. Dilute it with water and sprinkle it along the trench you just dug..."
"Urp!"
"Hey! Hey!! If you're gonna puke, go over there! Not near the sleeping area! Get lost, you punk!"
How long had it been since Namgung Yun bolted to the nearby bushes to retch?
"You brought me along just to humiliate me from the start, didn't you?"
Returning from the bushes, Namgung Yun glared daggers at me, accusing me of dragging him here to shame him, then threw a fit about not sleeping in filth.
I handed him the signal whistle and some jerky meant for the pot.
"Your ego's inflated, Namgung Yun. I'm not considering you nearly as much as you think."
"What?"
"Anyway, if it bothers you, sleep alone. There's similar terrain just down that slope, a bit narrower."
There'd be night watch, and he was high-level enough aiming for peak realm—no big deal.
"You've dug the trench, and it's within sight, so I'll even let you skip watch. Hate the filth? Sleep solo and return by morning."
"Just what I wanted!"
With a derisive "Ha!", Namgung Yun snatched the items and his bundle, heading down to the wooded slope.
And the next morning.
He showed up looking like a beggar.
"Cheon Jang-ho."
"Yes, Brother Yong-myeong?"
"Did you secretly recruit a Beggar Clan disciple last night without telling me?"
"Pfft. I don't have that authority."
"Then why's Namgung Yun in that state? Nothing happened before I turned in."
Paeng So-jin and Jeong Hyeon, on second watch, spoke up in turn.
"About half a shichen after you went to bed, a wild boar charged into Namgung Yun's spot."
"Miss Paeng is correct. It was urgent, but not enough to wake everyone, so Miss Paeng, I, and Namgung himself quietly took it down. But rain hit at dawn, ruining his clothes and gear in the process. Karma, or perhaps Brother Eon's foresight was spot on. Clearly, you possess the qi of the Way..."
"Enough poetry. Jeong Hyeon, you're as neat as him—got spare clothes?"
"Yeah. Yes."
"Lend one set. Your build's about his size."
Having gotten spares from Jeong Hyeon, I hurriedly called Yin Xia Lian.
"What's up, Young Master Eon?"
"Don't we have extra rations and dry goods?"
"We do."
"Bundle them with these clothes and sell to Namgung Yun now. He's a neat freak with sky-high pride—he'll pay whatever you ask right now."
No further explanation needed.
That's what merchants do.
Yin Xia Lian nodded immediately.
And so did I.
After the 'Namgung Yun Wild Boar Incident,' we spent three more nights on the road.
Two in clean inns, one camping.
Namgung Yun, having tasted the wild, didn't apologize but stopped griping at my orders or going solo.
No further hitches on the journey.
'Nothing happened.'
The only noteworthy thing? Passing Mount Song with its Shaolin Temple, hordes of incense pilgrims, and attached martial halls—prompting "Shaolin is Shaolin" murmurs.
Well, by my standards.
Namgung Yun got rolled by me into cooking, night watch, and other firsts for a young noble.
And novices at chores don't produce great results.
"...Too much happened. This is rough."
His mutterings increased.
Anyway.
Nothing else really.
Thus, we safely reached Luoyang, the Murim Alliance's base.
Luoyang.
Grandly called the capital of nine dynasties, but in the Central Plains, it paled to Beijing in the north or Jiankang in the south—even within Henan, overshadowed by Kaifeng, its position had shrunk.
But the Murim Alliance's presence revived it.
"Aren't you the Righteous Martial Academy cadets here for the Alliance field trip?!"
"Young heroes, may you shake the world in the future!"
"Who among you is Eon Yong-un, the current top student who also took best cadet at the spring tournament?!"
Anyone with even a toe in the Murim Alliance world was here, and academy field trips being annual, people welcomed us warmly as we arrived.
Word of our arrival spread quickly, and soon a white-haired elder rushed out barefoot.
One of us ran into his arms, eyes welling up.
"Is my Yun here?!"
"Little Grandpa!"
Yin Xia Lian quipped at the sight.
"Ha. You'd think he suffered all the world's hardships alone."
All the other cadets nodded as if enchanted.