Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: So You Want to Play It That Way? (2)
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Back when I had just entered the academy, every time I took a step inside, most of the chatter I heard was either cursing me or mocking Azure Bamboo Hall.
'Lately, it's died down, though.'
Exaggerating a bit, I'd get picked on three times every ten steps.
My temperament of never dodging those provocations naturally produced a legion of "re-educated" graduates.
And those graduates were familiar faces even to my Eon family juniors.
"That's the guy from Sima House who bet against Eon Yong-un in go and got knocked out cold with a flick to the forehead. I made a bit of pocket money off that. Right, Ha-yeon?"
"I remember Eon Young Master nagging me even after I made plenty from it..."
"Eon Yong-un, anyway... Oh, the guy who just came up isn't from Fragrant Orchid Hall?"
"You wouldn't know, Ok-gi. He's a senior from Cloud Plum Hall. Back at the start of the semester, he was walking to class with me and Eon Young Master, called him a scoundrel, and got re-educated."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yep. He's still paying for the golden sore ointment to heal Eon Young Master's emotional scars. Hmm? Someone from Yun National Hall just showed up too. Looks like your big bro's side came prepared..."
Dang Ok-gi, Yin Ha-yeon, and the other Eon juniors watched the guys lining up behind Dang Jun-gi on the stage, each recalling the re-education scenes they'd witnessed.
Among them, Woo So-ryeong swallowed dryly and shared her thoughts.
"...Seeing them all gathered like this, there sure are a lot."
Yin Ha-seong shook his head with a laugh at her words.
"Actually, there are way more. We could probably fill a lap around the training grounds if we lined them all up. I mean, I'm right here..."
"......"
"...I'll shut up, Hyung-nim Yong-un."
"No, keep going. I was curious how you'd finish that."
Just then, Jeong Hyeon spoke up.
"Even if their numbers filled not just the training grounds but Lake Dongjeong, they pose no threat to us. Aren't they all the so-called next generation of the righteous White Path Murim? Recklessly mouthing off or trying tricks and force first?"
"Jeong Hyeon Daoist said exactly what I was about to. You really are a proper Daoist. Hyung-nim Yong-un, that's precisely what I meant."
Yin Ha-seong quickly jumped on the bandwagon.
And Master summed up Jeong Hyeon's words in one line.
- Yeah. They're all the type who deserved a beating, aren't they?
'Well, sure.'
- The ones who got beaten in front of professors like Professor Mu-gil, or the ones who swore to repent and even put it in writing with Ha-yeon?
'That's true too.'
- They can't even scratch you, so I don't get why he gathered all these guys. It's baffling.
'Agreed on that front.'
Well, we'd find out once we heard what Senior Dang Jun-gi had to say.
"Thanks to the top next-generation talent candidate, the Peerless Dragon, Eon Yong-un, our Righteous Martial Academy was able to save many lives during the demonic invasion. At the time, I sincerely thanked Cadet Eon Yong-un for his ingenuity and courage."
This was around when Dang Jun-gi launched into his full speech.
"And during the recent Purity Tournament, when he defeated Monk Won-cheol, Shaolin's top next-gen disciple, I caught myself cheering for Candidate Eon Yong-un without realizing it. Despite all the bad blood between Fragrant Orchid Hall and Azure Bamboo Hall."
He continued his speech, heaping praise on me.
"That's not all. He foiled the demons' plans in Shanxi, and this time, he played a major role in driving the Demonic Cult out of the northern seas. He's truly a pride-worthy junior."
At Dang Jun-gi's words, I narrowed my eyes instead.
'Lining up re-education grads to praise me. Time for the "but" any second now.'
And right on cue, the line I'd expected came out of Dang Jun-gi's mouth.
"However! He has a tendency toward arrogance and leading with force in everything. The cadets here are from different dorms and years, but they share one thing: they've all been beaten by Candidate Eon Yong-un."
With that, he broached the main point, gesturing to those behind him.
"Of course, in vulgar terms, they deserved it. They slandered Candidate Eon Yong-un based on rumors without knowing the full story and picked fights, so that's what happened. I earnestly asked them to step up for the academy, and they've repented. But what I want to say is: was force truly the only way?"
At this point, he addressed the audience.
"Candidate Eon Yong-un will stand at the forefront of our generation, achieving great things. But right now, blindly following him gives me pause. Because I believe not every problem should be solved with martial force. That's why I'm running! If I become Student Council President, I'll appoint Cadet Eon Yong-un as Vice President. The title may make me President, but with a spirit of collaboration, I'll lead the academy alongside Candidate Eon Yong-un. Isn't Azure Bamboo Hall running smoothly right now under President Jin Gyeong-ryong and Vice President Eon Yong-un?"
As Dang Jun-gi finished.
A thunderous cheer erupted from Fragrant Orchid Hall.
"Well said!"
"Dang Jun-gi for Student Council President!"
Murmurs rose from where Cloud Plum Hall and Yun National Hall cadets stood.
At the sight, I smirked.
'So you want to play it that way?'
* * * Following Fragrant Orchid Hall's Dang Jun-gi, the next on stage were Gye Un-yeol and Gwak Woo-myeong, Vice Presidents from Cloud Plum Hall and Yun National Hall.
Gye Un-yeol spent his speech praising Cloud Plum's spirit throughout, then shouted his slogan and stepped down.
"Unity through harmony!"
Yun National Hall's Gwak Woo-myeong had the same strategy as Fragrant Orchid.
"...My final and most important pledge. If elected, I too plan to ask Candidate Eon Yong-un to be Vice President. Together, we'll bring prosperity to Righteous Martial Academy."
The cadets' reactions differed slightly from Fragrant Orchid's.
Probably due to announcing later and Zhuge Seol-ji being my Vice President.
"Same pitch as Fragrant Orchid's Dang Jun-gi, but it feels kinda bland."
"He's smart, so it's not copying, but yeah, lacks that desperate edge. Maybe because Eon Yong-un's VP is Zhuge Seol-ji?"
"So, where you voting?"
"Voting day's still a ways off. Planning to watch pledges and activities first."
"But you gotta have a frontrunner?"
"Hmm? Our hall's VP seems sunk. Right now, leaning Eon Yong-un. 'Get strong even if it's tough'—manly and honest! You?"
"On merits, definitely Eon Yong-un... But honestly, he's got a wild horse vibe."
"That's the appeal!"
"I see pros and cons. Dang Jun-gi's pitch balances it perfectly. Eon Yong-un's a bit much right now."
Thus, when the student council candidates' speeches ended.
The race for Righteous Martial Academy's first Student Council President had taken on the air of a factional showdown.
Back in Azure Bamboo Hall's council room after the event, Yin Ha-yeon recalled the moment and spoke.
"Senior Dang Jun-gi played his strategy well."
"Yeah. Acknowledged Yong-un-nim's achievements and rode them for his own gain. For Fragrant Orchid's pride, admitting it publicly is historic, but the move's tricky."
Zhuge Seol-ji nodded at Yin Ha-yeon's words.
Yong-myeong clenched his fist in frustration.
"How dare those who called Big Bro a scoundrel without knowing the facts show their faces on stage!"
He looked ready to storm off and unleash Eon Family Fist on one.
I told him to calm down.
"Whoa, whoa. Yong-myeong. That's not how you solve this."
Then Senior Ye Hae-su turned to me.
"Junior. What if I step in? Like when we built momentum for the council—wield the brush again?"
I shook my head.
"This isn't for fists or posters. It's about perceptions of me. Force it, and it'll backfire after I win President."
At my words, Gyeong-ryong hyung let out a soft sigh.
"Hoo... So what now?"
"Frontal assault."
"Frontal assault?"
"Yes."
"Specifically?"
"I'll let them experience what happens if I'm President."
"...Experience? You mean make them live Azure Bamboo Hall's daily life? Shackles, training, mountain runs... that stuff?"
"Yes. I'll coordinate with other dorm councils and volunteer for dispatch."
"W-Wearing the red hood too?"
"Yes."
"...Is that really a frontal assault? Guys?"
Gyeong-ryong hyung looked around pleadingly.
Yin Ha-yeon swallowed and asked.
"Eon Young Master. You're joking to tease us, right? Not serious?"
"Dead serious. My pledge was to make them strong even if it's tough, wasn't it?"
"I know, but... Situation's not all in our favor. Not sure if it'll work."
"Won't hurt us either. Everyone knows the world's turning turbulent—Professor Chang-ryang endorsed me too."
"...True, but."
"And aside from liberal arts cadets, everyone's a martial artist here. Regardless of sect or weapon, all want to grow stronger. Other cadets faced near-death and demons during the attack too—not like us, but enough. Once they truly experience me, they'll sense the path to strength."
At my words.
Some Eon juniors looked thoughtful.
Jeong Hyeon spoke passionately.
"Primeval Heavenly Lord. As expected of Eon Hero. Rather than quick shows, your true concern for the academy and the world shows your Way today too."
He turned to the others.
"Everyone, think. What was your first impression of Eon Hero? Lady Zhuge followed like a leech, Namgung Hero bared his fangs."
"...L-Leech."
"......"
"Heard Lady Yin’s first button wasn't smooth either?"
"Not smooth—she got a nosebleed."
"But now? Everyone follows Eon Hero. I fully agree."
As Jeong Hyeon found his Way.
I called out to Dang Ok-gi.
"Dang Ok-gi."
"Yeah?"
"Why so quiet today? Normally you'd call Jeong Hyeon crazier."
"...Felt bad 'cause it seemed like your big bro was putting you in a tough spot."
Dang Jun-gi was just pursuing his beliefs earnestly.
No dirty tricks, so no hard feelings.
But I got Dang Ok-gi's feelings.
"No need to feel sorry. Go to the lab."
"Suddenly?"
"Running into your bro during campaigning would make you feel bad for them too."
"True."
"We're not short-staffed, and I just thought: to truly experience me, 'that' can't be missing."
"...The 'that' you're thinking is the 'that' I'm thinking?"
I grinned.
"Yeah. Prep enough for every academy cadet to use plenty."