Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Committee's Decision (1)
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The cadets who had undergone Poison Pavilion training under Eon Yong-un and emerged from the dosing chamber were now spreading their arms wide in high jumps, letting the breeze carry away the poison clinging to their training robes.
At that moment, a messenger pigeon crossed mountains and the Yellow River on the wind, alighting in Bojeong territory where the Haibei Peng Family's main estate stood.
Piiiieek!!!
Hearing the report, carriages rushed from the Pearl Eon Family and the Seok Clan, screeching to a halt at the Haibei Peng Family gates and disgorging Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil.
Thus began what had become something of a monthly event: the friendship gathering of the Three Heroes of Haibei.
"……."
"……."
"……."
Yet unlike previous meetings, the atmosphere today was noticeably subdued.
Glug-glug— glug-glug-glug—
It wasn't for any other reason. Whenever these three gathered, Peng Muhyuk—the esteemed elder of the group who always tossed out silly old-man jokes no matter how much they begged him not to—was the culprit.
"Ugh."
Today, however, he wore an unprecedented gloom, tilting cup after cup in silence.
"……."
"……."
Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil knew exactly why Peng Muhyuk was acting this way.
And how could they not? The tale of the master's eldest niece taking up the sword was the kind of gossip enthusiasts simply couldn't resist. Long before Peng Jaehyuk's letter arrived at the Pearl Eon Family and Seok Clan, word had already spread across the land that Peng Sojin had become Gongson Mugeol's disciple.
Glug-glug-glug—
They hesitated to stop him, but as his melancholy showed no signs of lifting...
Eon Jeong-ung, unable to stand it any longer, snatched the sake pitcher from Peng Muhyuk's hand—where he'd been endlessly pouring for himself—and spoke up.
"With two friends here to share drinks with you, how can you pour alone like that?"
He promptly filled a cup to the brim and downed it in one go before continuing.
"Kuh. S-Sorry about that, Brother Jeong."
At Eon Jeong-ung's action, Seok Geum-pil quickly straightened up.
"Heh, you scold him for drinking alone, yet here you are doing the same, Eon Family Head?"
As Seok Geum-pil seized the pitcher and filled the three empty cups one by one...
Peng Muhyuk smacked his lips and spoke.
"What does my little brother have to apologize for? It's all my own shortcomings."
"...Why, at the last gathering, didn't you say—swayed by the mood—that since neither of you have ever had kids give you grief, one day you'll understand what they mean by 'the child in your arms'? Well, those words seem to have come back to bite us. Ever since I heard about Sojin, my heart's been heavy too."
Having opened that way, Eon Jeong-ung pressed on.
"But as your brother, that's how I said it. As Sojin's uncle, though, frankly, I thought it was for the best. You know well how much that girl was fidgeting all the time, right? That's why you've been pouring your heart into restoring the lost Taoist arts."
"……."
"But can such restoration happen overnight? Even our family, where it was lost just sixty years ago, has half-given up on reviving the corpse soldier arts."
"……."
"Murim Alliance Leader Gongson Mugeol is someone who knows you well, Brother. And though he goes around with that carefree laugh, he's sharp on principles and more sincere than anyone about the realm's stability. Isn't he, Seok Family Head?"
"Your words ring true, Eon Family Head."
"In my humble view, do you think Gongson Mugeol couldn't foresee the master's gloom or anger? He foresaw it. And despite that, if he decided to teach Sojin the sword, it's because he's convinced it's the right path for her."
"……."
"Brother, think back to me around this time last year. To settle the debts Yong-un racked up, I didn't skip a single pleasure house or loan shark den in Haibei."
In truth, it was the younger brother teaching the elder.
But when ranking parental headaches, few in the world outdid Eon Jeong-ung except his wife, Plum Blossom Madam—which lent weight to his words.
"When it comes to your children, what's pride worth? Dao or sword, what does it matter? As long as they stand tall and pursue their own paths, that's what counts."
"...Ugh. It's not just that I'm upset she set aside the Dao for the sword. What bothers me is doing something so huge without even consulting family."
"...Put your hand on your heart. With your temperament, Brother, if Sojin had come clean with her worries, would you have laughed and said go ahead? And isn't it just like Yong-un, who struck his name from the family register calling himself a wastrel?"
Eon Yong-un's name was being wielded like a family heirloom sword.
Yet Peng Muhyuk and Seok Geum-pil couldn't rebut.
For good reason.
No matter how they thought about it, Peng Sojin's actions paled compared to Eon Yong-un's.
And Seok Geum-pil's son Seok Hoyeol—who just sat quietly—seemed a model filial son by comparison.
"……."
"……."
In the suddenly solemn air, Eon Jeong-ung spat out his final words.
"And having Gongson Mugeol as her master? That's cause for double celebration. I don't even know the proper origins of whatever swordsmanship Yong-un picked up somewhere."
"...Ugh. Sorry. Hearing it now, I was like a silkworm griping about wrinkles in front of a pupa."
"Come now, both of you, relax those brows and let's drink for the greater good."
Clink—
For the first time that day, the cups tilted together in unison.
Having emptied his, Eon Jeong-ung added one more thing to Peng Muhyuk.
"Since I'm already meddling, one more word: when you see Sojin, don't spout nonsense—just encourage her. Don't end up regretting it like me later."
Peng Muhyuk nodded slowly at Eon Jeong-ung's words.
And thought to himself.
'Come to think of it, what the hell is that Eon Yong-un kid anyway?'
For a moment, overshadowed by his frustration, he'd forgotten—but chatting with Eon Jeong-ung brought back the events the day after the entrance ceremony.
'Come to think of it, wasn't Mugeol's original choice for disciple not Sojin, but Yong-un?'
Did this kid perhaps yield the opportunity out of pity for his sister hitting a wall?
He hadn't seen Peng Sojin wield a sword, so he couldn't say for sure.
But if she truly found her path...
'Then how should I express my gratitude to this absurd fellow named Eon Yong-un?'
That was when it happened.
As Peng Muhyuk's brow furrowed at the sudden thought...
Quick-witted Seok Geum-pil, sensing the mood lighten, seized it.
"Alright, then. Shall we read Professor Peng's letter?"
To keep the momentum, he unfolded and began reading Peng Jaehyuk's letter brought by the pigeon.
"It says he'll start with midterms amid all the events? Huh?! Yong-un took first in the department exams too? Doesn't that mean he bested Zhuge Seolji with a brush?"
At Seok Geum-pil's exclamation...
Eon Jeong-ung faced the greatest crisis of his life.
The scene had been solemn just moments ago.
Peng Muhyuk—his elder brother—was nursing inner turmoil.
And he'd just given his elder some tough love.
In this situation, he couldn't flare his nostrils or twitch his lips.
'S-Sad thoughts.'
Deceased mother, father.
Your unfilial son Jeong-ung, who worried you to the end, reports.
That rascal Yong-un wasn't content with topping the entrance exam—now he's topped the department exams too, heh...
'Uh. That's not right.'
But soon, he didn't need to.
Seok Geum-pil's continuing voice delivered news that sank his heart.
"...Huh? What's this? On the way back from the Murim Alliance field trip, the cadets were ambushed by assassins?!"
The two senior cadets—Myeong Taeseong and Bae Jongdo—overseeing the Poison Pavilion training nodded at the question of whether it was okay to add it to the academy's regular curriculum.
- Hm? The beggar brat's back.
Turning at my master's words...
Professor No Sam strolled over casually and addressed me.
"Eon kid."
"Hm? Professor? When did you arrive?"
No Sam had been away in Kaifeng, so it had been quite a while since we'd met like this.
"Just now. I stopped by the main building and came straight here. Don't you stink of sweat?"
"Body odor's always been there."
"Fair enough. But why do your classmates look like that? Tear stains, snot trails—they're a mess, no better than beggars. That Cheon Jang-ho punk was already a beggar, but now he's deluxe beggar tier?"
"Remember the dosing schedule I got permission for before you left for Kaifeng? That's from participating."
No Sam had left the academy to visit the Beggars' Sect headquarters and investigate the assassin attack on us.
I already had a guess about the assassins' identity.
But curious how the Beggars' Sect viewed it, I casually asked.
"So, how'd it go with what you went to check?"
"That's why I'm here. That dosing schedule or training—it's all done, right?"
"Yes. Zhuge Seolji and Yin Ha-yeon aren't finished yet, but Cadet Dang Ok-gi—the real expert—is handling it, so it's essentially complete. No incidents."
"Then follow me."
"Now?"
"Yeah. While I was reporting to the Chancellor, Chang Ryang arrived too, so the operations committee—including the academy's management—is reconvening over civilian aid schedules. You sat in on that emergency one the day you returned last time, right? With the dormitory supervisors and admin head?"
"Ah, that one."
"Yeah. Apparently, you made some promise to the Alliance Leader during the visit? Chang Ryang mentioned it."
"Yes."
"They want you there again. So come to the main building with me now."
At Professor No Sam's words, I asked for a moment.
"Sure. Give me a bit of time first. As the responsible party, I need to wrap things up."
"Do that. The other professors need time to gather anyway—no need to rush."
No Sam nodded readily.
With that brief reprieve, I asked seniors Myeong Taeseong and Bae Jongdo—still observing the training—to handle the rest.
"They've summoned me to the main building, so I have to go. Sorry, but could you two take over?"
"Why apologize? Go without worry."
"Yeah, head out easy. The last group just entered meditation, so no issues. I planned to oversee cleanup and toxin pellet management anyway and sign off—nothing for you to feel sorry about."
"Yes. Thanks, then."
I also delegated to Jeonghyeon, Eun Ha-seong, and Woo So-rung, who were resting after being dosed first.
"Jeonghyeon, Eun Ha-seong, Woo So-rung."
"Here."
"Yep!"
"Pardon?"
"When Yin cadet and Zhuge cadet come out, Jeonghyeon—you explain the situation. Oh, and make sure they do the arms-spread high jumps."
"Don't worry, Brother Yong-un!"
"...Hearing you say that, Ha-seong, makes me worry more. You handle this too, Jeonghyeon."
"No, it'd be easier for the sisters if I— Jeonghyeon Dojo's got no give..."
"Jeonghyeon does it."
"Understood, Young Master Eon."
"Anyway, handle cleanup and sweeping."
With basic handoffs done, I spotted No Sam watching me fondly from the side.
"……? Why stare like that?"
"Can't I look with my own eyes?"
"Looking's fine—just not like I'm fresh-roasted beggar chicken."
Instead of answering, No Sam turned and walked off.
"Done? Then let's go!"
I fell in behind Professor No Sam. How long had we walked together?
No Sam's mouth opened abruptly.
"Eon kid. About that thing where you got chased out of Haibei—big contribution."
"……? You mean losing the family manuals?"
"Yeah, that. Your classmates seemed tight-knit earlier—did you ever discuss it with them?"
"No."
"Really? Hm. Then, if I asked for the full story, would you tell me?"
"No."
Of course not.
It wasn't my doing in the first place—I don't know the details.
But why's this guy suddenly curious?
"Why ask about that now, Professor? You went to Beggars' Sect HQ—did the Sect Leader say something?"
"No. Just... Seeing you tidy up sparked a sudden thought about what happened in Haibei."
No, it did.
Something's up.
'He's naturally shifty-looking, and with his mouth shut tight, who knows what's inside.'
That was when.
As I pondered why No Sam was acting odd...
He said something even harder to grasp.
"I won't force you to spill about it. Just know there's no burden in this world you alone must bear. Others might not, but this No Sam would throw himself in without hesitation."