Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 262
Chapter Title: So You're Coming at Me Like That? (3)
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To push forward with the joint training, cooperation from the academy and the other dorm autonomous committees was essential.
I had entrusted Yin Xia Lian with drafting the official documents for that purpose, but uncharacteristically, it was taking her quite a while to finish them.
"Miss Yin. The cooperation documents aren't ready yet?"
At my question, Yin Xia Lian held up the papers and said,
"I finished them a while ago."
I extended my hand, assuming she would hand them over, but instead, she pulled the documents toward herself and spoke.
"Young Master Eon. Are you really going through with this? How about thinking it over one last time, right at the very end?"
"Didn't you just nod in agreement, Miss Yin? What's suddenly bothering you?"
"At the time, when Instructor Jeong Hyeon brought up Lady Je Gal, Young Lord Namgung, and Ha-seong, it seemed reasonable..."
"And?"
"But when I thought about it calmly, the Fragrant Orchid Hall cadets had already rolled under you as part of their punishment last time, and they're still coming at you like this?"
I shook my head at Yin Xia Lian's words.
"Fragrant Orchid Hall follows authority figures' orders almost without question—it's their dorm culture. This isn't really Fragrant Orchid's will; it's the leadership's decision. Individual cadets will have their own thoughts."
Namgung Yun then spoke up at my words.
"Eon Yong-un is right. That's the culture in our dorm. The junior cadets from Fragrant Orchid had no choice but to nominate candidates, and once they did, they must have racked their brains to genuinely try to beat Eon Yong-un, coming up with that strategy."
Je Gal Seolji stroked her chin at Namgung Yun's words.
"Hmm."
Namgung Yun then spoke again with a stern expression.
"I'm not taking sides just because it's our dorm."
"Yun? I didn't say anything?"
"...I'm just saying. Anyway. Back when the punishment ended, some upperclassmen were pride-wounded, but others realized they'd been too focused on showing off their internal energy and sword aura, and from that day, they started seriously training their physical strength. I was one of them right away."
I added my piece as well.
"Palace Yun said the same, right? And during Fragrant Orchid Hall's punishment, it was all about discipline, so we focused only on building the right mindset. This time, the goal is to provide guidance, so it's entirely different."
At my words, Master and Yin Ha-seong spoke up simultaneously.
-Does that even make a difference?
"...What's different about it, brother? In the end, they're still rolling around, aren't they?"
"Since it's come up, you should join in and experience the difference for yourself. Right, Ha-seong?"
"......"
With that, the meeting ended.
After some deliberation, Yin Xia Lian handed me the prepared documents.
"These go to each autonomous committee. This one to the dean's office, and this to the infirmary."
"Lady Je Gal, running for vice president on my ticket, will handle the autonomous committees. Ha-seong takes the infirmary, and I'll do the dean's office. The rest of you, head to the academy cafeteria entrance, hold up banners and signs, and promote our platform."
After we dispersed.
I visited the dean's office, and Dean Kyung Hye-sa, having heard my thoughts, approved the plan with a pleased expression.
"Even when Vinny was running for dean, he only tried to show his good side. You're choosing a path that could easily draw resentment. I feel it every time, but Cadet Eon Yong-un has a truly grand vessel."
"I'm only doing what's necessary to get elected."
"Too much humility can make you unlikeable, you know?"
"It's the truth, though..."
"Anyway, Vinny approves. And from the bottom of my heart, I'll be rooting for Cadet Eon Yong-un's victory."
The infirmary approval came immediately, as it was just a formality.
I figured the other dorms—Cloud Plum and Yungguk—wouldn't refuse cooperation, and sure enough, they didn't.
Fragrant Orchid Hall was the wildcard.
They must have judged that me wearing a red hat during the primaries wasn't bad for them, as they sent word agreeing to cooperate.
Thus, the procedural preparations were complete.
The next dawn, as election helpers, my younger siblings gathered first at the training grounds. I spoke to finalize the training schedule.
"Where's Woo So-rung?"
"I sent Woo young lord to the lab to check with Lady Dang on preparations. Here he comes."
I called out to Woo So-rung, who was running from Dang Ok-gi's lab.
"What did Dang Ok-gi say? Ready?"
"...She was cursing."
"What'd she say?"
"Argh! Eon Yong-un and Yin Xia Lian are dead! How am I supposed to prepare all this in one day!"
"Just that?"
"Yeah."
"Go back and ask when it'll be ready."
"Yes!"
Woo So-rung quickly returned and relayed Dang Ok-gi's words again.
"She said around the Hour of the Sheep!"
"After lunch, then. For the morning, we'll circle the base of Wudang Mountain to check the cadets' internal energy and stamina levels, then assess mental fortitude afterward... Afternoon for CBRN training. Those who make it this far will do sparring sessions."
Instructor Yong-myeong, selected as one, asked Jeong Hyeon beside him at my words.
"I agreed thinking it aligned with big brother's will, but hearing the full schedule makes me dizzy... Instructor Jeong Hyeon, this'll be okay, right?"
"Honestly, when I agreed to Cadet Eon's words, I hadn't even thought about CBRN..."
I stepped forward to the platform, ignoring them, and pulled on my red hat.
Then, infusing my voice with internal energy, I bellowed toward the four dorms.
"Righteous Martial Academy! Assemble!!!!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yang Seong-mu of the Divine Spear Yang Clan, Seo Ho-yeol of the Stone Tiger Clan, and Man Baek of the Chang'eup Man Clan.
The three first-year cadets belonged to different dorms.
Yang Seong-mu was from Fragrant Orchid Hall, Seo Ho-yeol from Cloud Plum Hall, and Man Baek from Yungguk Hall.
However, having passed the final gate of the Righteous Martial Academy entrance exam together forged a bond, and they became close friends.
Among them, Seo Ho-yeol's father was one of the North of the Han Three Heroes, tied to Eon Yong-un's father, Family Head Eon Jeong-ung.
They knew there was no direct friendship, but they were well aware his father had dealings with the Eon Family.
On the way to joint training, Man Baek and Yang Seong-mu questioned Seo Ho-yeol.
"Hey, Ho-yeol. You've never really hung out with the Eon brothers or Peng siblings, or even talked much, so I haven't mentioned it, but I have to ask today."
"What about?"
"What else would Wall here be asking? It's about Eon Yong-un."
"Right. Why is that guy pushing this right now? I can't wrap my head around it. I remember Seong-mu here freaking out after rolling under Eon Yong-un before—why push something like this in the middle of primaries?"
"Well, our fathers are close... but I haven't had dealings with Eon Yong-un in ages, so I don't know."
"Hmm. Still, you'll vote for him, right, Ho-yeol?"
"Not sure yet. I'll try his training and attend Senior Dang Jun-gi's detailed strategy seminar before deciding. You guys?"
"I'm torn too. With Lady Je Gal running for vice president on Eon Yong-un's side, Yungguk might get some scraps..."
"Wall, you chase scraps too much. Think the student council president is a joke? We need someone who can lead the academy properly, like Senior Dang Jun-gi with his experience..."
"One year senior doesn't make him experienced. With that gap, isn't Eon Yong-un more seasoned from fighting demons the most? Your logic's off, Seong-mu."
That's when Eon Yong-un's lion's roar echoed.
"Righteous Martial Academy! Assemble!!!!"
At the sound, Yang Seong-mu, who had experienced rolling under him, paled and spoke.
"Qu-quick! We have to hurry! Being late is bad news!"
The three friends rushed to the training grounds.
But with hundreds gathering, some were bound to be slow.
"Your instructor can be a bodhisattva or a demon depending on how you act."
Eon Yong-un's command soon fell.
"But the behavior just shown by the cadets is unbelievably sluggish for those of Righteous Martial Academy, who experienced the four dorms burning from demonic invasion. Your instructor will gladly become the demon. From now on, all responses except repeating after me will be 'Demon!' Got it?"
"Argh!!!!!!"
"D-Demon?!"
Cadets from Yungguk and Cloud Plum wore bewildered expressions, but.
"Lie down facing back!"
Azure Bamboo Hall cadets, used to this daily, dropped back in unison.
"Lie down facing baaaack!!!!"
Fragrant Orchid Hall, having been through it once, moved too.
"Don't you know how to lie down? Hurry up!"
"Being late is trouble!"
Cheon Jang-ho and Peng So-cheon from Cloud Plum, Je Gal Seolji from Yungguk urged them on.
"Yungguk Hall cadets. If Candidate Eon Yong-un wins student council president, your attitude right now will become my speaking power and strength! Don't lose to the other dorms!"
One word from Eon Yong-un, and hundreds of cadets rolled this way and that in a spectacle.
Of course, to those rolling, it was pure torment.
"Roll left!"
"Roll lefttttt!"
They rolled until dirt-covered in the grounds, then ran the mountain base in shackles.
Beep! B beep! Beep beep beep!!!!!
Twisting bodies to the whistles.
Ate lunch in a daze, unsure if through mouth or nose.
Just when they thought rest was coming.
Poison training arrived.
"With this motion, shout like this: Poison! Poison! Poison!"
"Poison! Poison! Poooiisoooon!"
After CBRN room, spreading poison gas with spread-arm high jumps.
Legs gave out, and Seo Ho-yeol collapsed, mumbling unwittingly.
"...This is hell."
Right then.
Eon Yong-un approached and spoke to him.
"Cadet Seo Ho-yeol. Grip your sword again. You have strength left, don't you?"
Strength left?
Morning inhaling dust, just drank poison.
Didn't want to move a finger.
Seo Ho-yeol yelled in fury.
"I can't even twitch!"
"Saying that means you have strength."
The dry reply came.
Seo Ho-yeol ground his teeth.
'Eon Yong-un. Doing this over childhood stuff?'
Fathers close, they played often as kids.
Then Eon Yong-un started scoundrel acts.
Seo Ho-yeol had spoken bluntly then.
'Aren't you ashamed before your parents?'
Meant to snap him out of it, with all the nonsense.
'How could I know it was to fool the demons?'
No tip-off, no way to know.
No contact since.
Unlike Peng twins or Eon brothers, he saw himself as ordinary.
Busy prepping entrance exam.
Barely passed by the skin of teeth.
Eon Yong-myeong and Peng So-cheon invited him along, but he thought paths differed from standouts even before enrollment.
Thus, Eon Yong-un grew distant, chance to discuss that incident too.
"...Still, I supported you. Tormenting someone over kid stuff when you haven't even lost baby fat is too much."
"No idea what you're talking about. Owl Seo Ho-yeol, eat something bad?"
"Playing dumb?"
"No playing. Instructor has no personal grudge. If this were battlefield against demons, sprawling like that gets you killed, owl."
"......"
"Mind fuzzy from CBRN, so repeating: Instructor sees you have strength left, Cadet Seo Ho-yeol. Grip sword and stand."
"Yeah, stand up!"
"Response is Demon!"
"Demon!!!!"
No vote for that guy.
Vowing so, Seo Ho-yeol kicked up and stood.
Swinging his sword.
"Argh!!!!!!!"
Fury-mixed exhausted swings were sloppy.
Swoosh! Swooosh!!
Swooooosh!
Sloppy swings, but.
Seo Ho-yeol's sword found its place.
Clang! Claaaang!
Eon Yong-un's swings guided his sloppy thrusts into form.
Cha-clang!
Claaaang!
"Swing with intent. Who takes wild swings?"
Occasional killing intent helped focus amid exhaustion.
"Like this."
"!"
In that time, Seo Ho-yeol felt a fragment of enlightenment.
'Huh?'
Suddenly surroundings came back into view.
Eon Yong-un was moving to another.
"Owl Seo Ho-yeol, circulate energy and rest. You there, Fragrant Orchid owl. You look ready too. Spear your weapon? Grip it."
Thus passed the day of Eon Yong-un's joint training.
At end, removing red hat, he left one word.
"You have classes, so can't do full schedule daily, but morning practice continues. Those interested, come to training grounds."
A day passed, two days.
One to two became five, ten, half-month.
Finally, electioneering ended, voting day for student council president arrived.
At the polling station.
Thud.
Seo Ho-yeol, as if entranced, stamped next to Eon Yong-un's name.
Outside, waiting Yang Seong-mu and Man Baek.
Seo Ho-yeol spoke to his friends.
"I voted for Eon Yong-un."
Yang Seong-mu and Man Baek chimed in.
"...Me too."
"Me too."