Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Frog in a Well (6)
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After confirming my name and the Mosan Sect's listed side by side in the official document, I ground my teeth.
Still, I let my gaze drift a bit lower to check the other names.
Come to think of it, some major names were missing.
'No Shaolin, no Wudang either? Beggar's Sect, Peng Family, and Eon Family are out too? And a few others...'
Just as the thought crossed my mind that the Nine Great Sects and Beggar's Sect weren't united in this mess,
the second of the Solgo Beggar Trio, Gye-chun, came running with a message.
"Vice Chairman! It's Gye-chun!"
"Come in."
"Yes, sir!"
Gye-chun, who burst into the student council room like that, smacked his lips with a 'tch' upon seeing the document in my hand.
"...I came to report that the rumors about those famous masters visiting the academy have solidified. But it looks like you beat me to it, Chairman."
But he soon pulled a crumpled note from his chest and opened his mouth.
"But I've got a message from the Gang Leader!"
I took the note from Gye-chun and unfolded it. It was written in Manbok's characteristically squiggly handwriting.
『Yong-un, behold.
Word got out that you roughed up the Mosan Sect disciples, so I read it publicly, and those Mosan dogs turned red-faced and blew it up into a big deal?』
The note began like that, and its contents answered the very thought that had just flitted through my mind.
『I saw through those dogs' intentions and opposed it. The Shaolin monks, Wudang, and Nangong Family put on airs of righteousness and opposed too.
Then Ami, Huashan, and Zhongnan voted in favor, and after some back-and-forth, the overall sentiment was that the purpose was good, so that's how it went.
I've heard from the Eon Family Head about your barrier techniques, and since he taught you the Anti-Dragon Palm, I'm not worried.
Ah, your father and uncle have been away from Hebei too long, and with the Demonic Cult stirring, they said there's plenty to handle and headed straight there.』
'That's just like Father.'
『I wanted to see those dogs turn red-faced again, but I have to sort out Shanxi affairs, so I can't attend. Pass the news through the beggars.
P.S. If the beggars tailing them cause trouble, prescribe some medicine anytime. Of course, 'medicine' here means a beating.』
After reading the note through, Gye-chun swallowed dryly and spoke up.
"Uh, Vice Chairman?"
"What?"
"If I may be so bold, did the Gang Leader say anything about us?"
"He mentioned it at the end, but what are you expecting?"
"You know, like 'send back anyone whose conduct improves'? Heh heh heh."
I showed Gye-chun the last part of the note, then shifted my gaze back to the document Gyeong-ryong hyung had brought.
After Manbok's note, the matchup list in the document looked different.
Mosan Sect → Cheongjuk Hall Eon Yong-un
Huashan Sect → Cheongjuk Hall Jeong Hyeon
Ami Sect → Cheongjuk Hall Yin Xia Lian
'Huashan, which rivals Wudang with its claim to the world's greatest Dao and sword sects, picks Jeong Hyeon. Ami, unhappy that the current Sword Queen came from the Botamun, picks her disciple, the Silver Little Sword. Something like that?'
The intentions of these so-called famous masters were plain as day.
But thinking calmly, this whole setup wasn't a bad thing.
'In the original story, the New-Old Confrontation was just Jeong Hyeon thrashing the academy seniors who looked down on him.'
Compared to that, this New-Old Confrontation had ballooned into something incomparable.
'That's why I like it.'
The story's track had already derailed massively with the Shanxi incident.
I couldn't predict what shape the upcoming crises would take, so the protagonist generation needed to prepare for bigger waves.
In my view, this New-Old Confrontation was perfect for sparking that.
'With the sects' interests tangled up, it'll motivate them even more.'
Sure, outcomes might differ from the original, but whether they won or lost, the bigger stage meant more to learn and gain.
That was as far as my thoughts went.
I opened my mouth right away.
"Yin Xia Lian, copy just the matchup section from this document onto a big sheet of paper and post it."
"Got it."
"And Gye-chun."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
"Go to Ha-seong and So-neung. Tell them to gather all the Cheongjuk Hall freshmen at the training grounds after classes. You go separately to the people I'll list and relay the same message. And Gyeong-ryong hyung."
"Hm? Why me?"
"While the juniors sweat it out at the training grounds, if the seniors lounge around, won't they feel guilty thinking of the juniors and wonder if they should be slacking? It'll actually torment them more, right?"
"...I don't think so? Sounds like a nice break."
"Come on, think about it again."
"...Why's your fist suddenly clenching? Thinking again, yeah, you're right."
"See? Then, as a special treat, I'll let the seniors join in the... training."
* * *
After setting the assembly like that, I gave Gye-chun the list of must-attendees for training.
I finished the last approval documents and left the student council room for class.
"Hey! Wait up!"
Dang Ok-gi came sprinting out of the lab, calling me.
"Huh? You were in the lab? I figured you'd gone straight from the student council to the lecture hall since you weren't hanging around."
"I was doing the homework Professor Yeong-hwan assigned. If he's ending class early, just end it—why give homework? Does he think I only take his classes?!"
She thrust a bound stack of papers at me.
"Anyway, check this out."
"What's this?"
"Homework from Professor Yeong-hwan."
The bound papers Dang Ok-gi called homework had an impressive cover.
Neat binding, pretty border patterns, and the title Records of Aquatic Plants alongside Hyang-ran Hall Dang Ok-gi in a brushstroke like a dragon soaring.
But flipping through the pages she handed me, the contents were mediocre.
In two words: a mess. Or longer: the cover was the only highlight.
I handed the papers back and said,
"Classic from someone insecure about their work: obsessed with the cover."
"Kyaa! That's why I'm asking for a hint on how you do it!!"
"I can tell you for finals prep, but if I spill now and you use it for homework? With Professor Yeong-hwan's personality, he'll make you present it."
"...True. The Guide to Jianghu Life and Advanced Jiangshi Studies profs make us present too much. Why?!"
In the lecture hall, grumbling with Dang Ok-gi like that, Professor Yeong-hwan was already there earlier than usual, looking haggard.
"Heop."
"Cadet Eon Yong-un and Cadet Dang Ok-gi. Cadet Dang Ok-gi, is that homework in your hand?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes!"
"Hand it over."
He took the homework from Dang Ok-gi, skimmed it quickly, wrote an 'Eul' grade, and handed it back.
Dang Ok-gi, getting an unexpected score, whispered with wide eyes.
"What? Did I actually do well?"
I was surprised too.
"...That got a passing grade?"
"Kak!"
He seemed generous with some, but most cadets got 'Byeong' or lower.
Anyway.
Professor Yeong-hwan checked all the incoming cadets' homework on the spot, shook his head, and started class.
"Cadet Eon Yong-un here has even manipulated jiangshi without talismans in front of you all, yet not one of you made a realistic guess at how? Disappointing. Let's start by reviewing the principles of jiangshi manipulation."
Professor Yeong-hwan began writing on the board, deriving a fairly plausible inference based on this era's Corpse Manipulation Technique.
"...To realize this, you'd need to cultivate a technique that opens the Upper Dantian. Even then, you'd require unshakable calm and mental fortitude to maintain internal energy-formed talismans in any situation. It's tough, but anyone who's attended my classes could infer that you can control jiangshi by forming virtual talismans with internal energy from the Upper Dantian."
Tak. Tak.
Tak tak tak.
"I reviewed all your homework, and none of you went beyond this. Only Cadet Dang Ok-gi grasped the assignment's point exactly, so I gave her an 'Eul'. Cadet Dang Ok-gi, what was the homework I assigned?"
"...Uh? How Cadet Eon Yong-un summons jiangshi without talismans."
"Right. The jiangshi Cadet Eon Yong-un summoned were captured Unclothed Golden Jiangshi. That means they already have inscribed talismans on their bodies. So, the internal energy talismans' form must change. But not just that."
Tak tak.
Tak tak tak tak tak.
"You have to go a layer deeper: simultaneously create and maintain talismans that nullify or overwrite the ones inscribed on the jiangshi's body. That's the gap between you and Cadet Eon Yong-un."
Professor Yeong-hwan filled the massive blackboard with talismans, explaining stroke by stroke without even a break,
then announced the end of class and called for me.
"Class ends here. Cadet Eon Yong-un, could you stay? Just a short talk."
I had training scheduled after, but a quick chat was fine.
I nodded.
As the other cadets left the lecture hall, Professor Yeong-hwan sighed and spoke.
"You've heard about the New-Old Confrontation, right?"
"Yes, I have."
"My sect treats me like a stubborn outsider, so I don't know exactly why they nominated you. But given what the kids pulled last time, I doubt it's just friendly exchange."
"I think the same."
"Mosan committed a grave discourtesy."
"Ehe. Sects aside, what's a little age gap between professor and me?"
"My creed is that learning knows no age. You're the man to advance the Orthodox Murim's jiangshi studies by at least a century."
"...A millennium."
"Pardon?"
- ....
"Nothing."
"Anyway, I don't want Mosan making more mistakes with you. I'll try to get my sect to withdraw the nomination somehow, so could you let go of your anger?"
"Once the document's issued, do you think common sense would let it be withdrawn? I hope you don't waste your effort, Professor. If that's all, I'll be going."
* * *
After parting with Professor Yeong-hwan, I left the lecture hall, dropped books at the student council room, and headed straight to the training grounds.
At the grounds were Cheongjuk Hall cadets and a few same-year students in different uniforms.
Not the whole protagonist generation, though.
I'd excluded Nangong Yun and Zhuge Seol—those who handle their own business.
Just Dang Ok-gi, So-cheon hyung,
and had Yong-myeong drag Cheon Jang-ho along.
As I arrived, So-neung leaped onto the platform and unfurled the posted notice Yin Xia Lian had prepared.
I nodded at the matchup list on it and spoke.
"Everyone checked this, right? Sparring's like that—you might lose, you might win. But if you show a match you're not convinced by? You're dead meat."
Then Cheon Jang-ho half-raised his hand and asked,
"So how do you get credit for a convincing loss?"
"Where's there ever a convincing loss? Just win."
"Oho. Yong-un's words ring true."
"What's 'oho' about it, So-cheon hyung! It's just saying get wrecked!"
"Young Master Eon's words mean fight like your life depends on it—to live is to die, to die is to live, straight from the Dao. How can you be so off-base from the start, Young Master Cheon?"
"Guys, I'm from Unmae Hall!"
"Listen, Jang-ho. So-cheon hyung and I are Unmae Hall too."
"Exactly!"
"Yong-un, ignore him and start! Muscle loss incoming!"
"Front row, come up and get sandbags from the beggars for your limbs. Then circle Wudang Mountain once, and after, spar your assigned partner. High seniors, lead them."
Thus began the beatdown at Cheongjuk Hall's training grounds, soon spreading across the Danganggu district.
Watching it all fondly, I drew Regret, nicked my index finger, and slowly circulated the Blood Tide Technique.
Seeing that, Master at my waist spoke up.
- Ho, first time seeing you train barrier arts, Yong-un? Even against punks from Mosan Sect headquarters, you're on guard? Earlier you said you'd advance Orthodox Murim's jiangshi arts by a millennium?
'Master, this training isn't out of caution for those guys.'
- Then?
To utterly dominate them.