Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 284
Chapter Title: The Path to Shu is Difficult (1)
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On the road to Wu Chang's naval camp to enter Sichuan.
In addition to Senior Ye Hae-su, one more companion had been added.
It was Dang Ok-gi's older brother, Dang Jun-gi.
"...This is the group heading to Sichuan?"
"Excluding you and me, there are only six people. We have plenty of spare rooms at home—what's with the surprise?"
"...You're so carefree."
"What does that mean?"
"...Never mind."
"Never mind what?! Hey! Dang Jun-gi! You just called me stupid, didn't you?!"
"Get lost."
"Ack! Out of all my mom's sons, you're the one I hate the most!"
After bickering with Dang Ok-gi right before departure, Dang Jun-gi had silently joined the journey.
"Today's night watch is me and Senior Dang Jun-gi."
As we neared Wu Chang, I ended up on night watch with him.
Even in that moment, Dang Jun-gi remained silent, so all that echoed between us was the crackling of dry branches in the fire.
Crackle, crackle—
The sound of dry branches burning was actually quite soothing to body and mind if you listened closely.
But I didn't want to keep up this silence with Dang Jun-gi any longer.
We still had a long way to go to Sichuan, and if the awkward atmosphere persisted, it would wear us both out.
'But he doesn't seem particularly close with Gong Yun, his direct junior either...'
Dang Ok-gi was sulking.
I had no choice but to step in.
Plus, there was some separate business to discuss, so I started with some light conversation.
"Why did you say something like that to Ok-gi?"
"...You mean calling her carefree? If you're her friend, you should know. She's been spoiled by Father since she was little—no thoughts in her head, no manners."
At Dang Jun-gi's words, I suddenly recalled Dang Ok-gi fumbling in front of Great-Grandfather.
"Even so, she seemed to make an effort in places where etiquette was required. But what I meant wasn't that—it was what you said to her before leaving the academy."
"...Before leaving the academy?"
Dang Jun-gi furrowed his brow, unable to grasp what I meant.
I bluntly repeated what Dang Ok-gi had told me.
"Yes. You said we weren't close, right?"
"...Ah. She even told you that?"
"She was stomping around and ranting about it."
"That alone shows how carefree she is. Even with close friends, there are things you say and things you don't..."
"You're not being honest. Weren't you actually worried that your little sister might feel left out?"
I grinned as I said it.
Dang Jun-gi cleared his throat unnecessarily and denied it.
"Ahem! Don't make assumptions. Why would I worry about someone who calls her big brother 'hey' and 'my mom's son' so rudely?"
Master chimed in at Dang Jun-gi's reaction.
- That Dang Clan guy isn't honest either.
'Maybe it's a family trait—words from the mouth and true feelings don't match.'
In any case, the awkward air had eased a bit.
So I brought up the main topic I'd been meaning to discuss with Dang Jun-gi.
"I heard you were offered the position of vice president of Hyang Ran Hall's autonomous council for next year?"
"The new president, Senior So Seon-chang, was kind enough to propose it."
"But you haven't accepted yet, right?"
When I asked, Dang Jun-gi countered with a question.
"You sound like you're telling me to accept?"
The current autonomous president, Mae Jin-ak, would graduate in the coming spring.
"Yes. I'd like it if you did. Don't you want to, Senior Dang? Vice president of Hyang Ran Hall's autonomous council is the stepping stone to president—and an honor all Hyang Ran cadets dream of."
After various incidents, Mae Jin-ak's era, now supportive of me, was ending.
'If Dang Jun-gi declines, it'll probably go to Un-hyeok.'
Given Hyang Ran Hall's tradition of revering principles and customs, it was better to have someone with a bit more flexible thinking in leadership.
"May I ask why you're hesitating?"
"Un-hyeok's been involved in autonomous council work since his first year, longer than me..."
"Anything else?"
"I'm the guy who competed with you for student council president. Wouldn't it be awkward for you or the student council if I'm around places like that?"
"Just my personal opinion, but I don't think council leadership should go by seniority alone."
"...Keep going."
"You need resolve on how to lead your hall's cadets. With chaos brewing in the world and the Righteous Martial Academy now having a student council, that resolve should align somewhat with the student council's philosophy."
"And you think that's me?"
"Who knows. You haven't shared your vision for leading Hyang Ran Hall."
Dang Jun-gi stroked his chin, lost in thought at my words.
I continued.
"Well, what you said during the election should be common ground enough with me. You said you'd make it like this year's Cheongjuk Hall, right?"
He nodded seriously in response.
"Thanks for the advice."
Silence returned briefly, but this time Dang Jun-gi spoke first.
"By the way. With you, Student Council President Eon, and your cohort going, and departing from Wu Chang where the Murim Alliance's naval camp is... Something must be up in Sichuan, right? Unlike Ok-gi, I can read between the lines."
It was the deduction worthy of last year's top Dang Clan student.
But since he was asking me about Dang Clan matters, I got curious too.
"Didn't the Family Head say anything specific?"
"Father doesn't burden his children with worries. I haven't heard anything."
"I only got word to come to Wu Chang, so I can't say for sure, but I know it's something to do with Thousand Poison Valley and unrest."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Without any major incidents, we arrived at Wu Chang's naval camp.
"Everyone arrived safely."
Grand Strategist Je-gal Hye had personally led escorts to greet us at the edge of Wu Chang Prefecture.
"We pay respects to the Grand Strategist."
After our clasped-hand bows, she returned the eye-greeting and showed interest in Ung Yong-i, whom she'd never met.
"You're Ung Yong-i, huh?"
Gulp!
"No wonder the Alliance Leader's jealous of the Eight Palaces Inspection. You're a handsome one."
Gulp!
Spotting Senior Ye Hae-su, she smiled warmly.
"Hae-su, you came too?"
"Ah, yes! Ye Hae-su reporting!"
"What's with that reaction?"
"Oh, I'm just surprised you remember me. I thought since I was on dispatch and kept quiet, you wouldn't know."
"How could I forget someone who planted an enemy in the Alliance? I didn't see you often since you weren't direct staff, but you've never botched an assignment—that's why I thought highly of you. I hear you're now editor-in-chief of Yong-un's newsletter?"
"Yes!"
"I enjoy reading it. Lately, it's even got illustrations."
"Our junior's been promoting our department, so that's possible now."
"Then my picture might end up in it sometime?"
Ye Hae-su nodded, and the Grand Strategist glanced at her outfit with a regretful tone.
"Darn, if I'd known you were coming with Yong-un, I would've worn something prettier."
"Oh, don't worry. Our junior recently brought back a new connection, but it was awkward to use raw, so we beautified it. If you want, I can draw you as Martial Marquis Zhuge with a white crane fan and white robe!"
"...Um, thanks for the thought. But I don't like that outfit people associate with Zhuge strategists. Go easy on me."
"Ah."
"Don't take it personally. I really dislike that attire."
Listening, I recalled the image of the Grand Strategist in school uniform holding a white crane fan.
"It suited you pretty well, though."
"Yong-un?"
"Yes?"
"Please forget that day's look."
"I'll consider it positively."
"...Sigh. Anyway, let's go. Long road ahead—save the talk for after boarding."
We moved to the naval camp and boarded the mid-sized merchant ship the Grand Strategist had prepared.
Soon, the ship set off.
As it began ascending the Yangtze, we gathered in the cabin.
The Grand Strategist started briefing on Sichuan's situation.
"A local magnate in Sichuan was poisoned. Autopsy revealed an extreme toxin hard to handle. Then rumors suddenly spread that it was poison from the Sichuan Dang Clan."
Dang Jun-gi and Dang Ok-gi slammed their tables and shot up simultaneously.
"What does our clan lack to do such a thing?!"
"Who the hell are they?! If I catch them, I'll turn them to a puddle of blood!"
Galaxy Star and Woo So-rung held them back.
"C-Calm down, Brother Jun-gi. That person's not even here."
"You too, Sister Ok-gi!"
I added,
"Above all, the Grand Strategist is speaking. If you're curious, raise your hand and speak when permitted."
"Ahem. My apologies."
"Sorry."
They sat obediently, and the Grand Strategist continued.
"Such rumors are circulating, plus weird ones that Dang Clan's apothecaries experiment on patients. The Alliance and Dang Clan suspect Thousand Poison Valley behind it. It's quiet now, but the Dang Clan's position is like a candle in the wind. So, Yun-i. Questions?"
"Even with rumors, if the Dang Clan is innocent, the truth will come out, right? I don't get why they're like a candle before the wind in Sichuan."
"A thick wick, sure, but who knows against a typhoon?"
"...Typhoon meaning?"
Namgung Yun asked back, and the Grand Strategist looked at me.
"Yong-un, you haven't told them about the Hook Nose Circus?"
"No. It wasn't certain, so I planned to hear from you first."
"The Demonic Cult minions who infiltrated Mo Yong-se's Yeo Ryeong Lake Elder's 80th birthday as the Hook Nose Circus... Yun-i, you were there, so you know."
"Yes."
"Traces show they prowled Sichuan before heading to Yeo Ryeong."
"...Then?"
"The Alliance Leader and I concluded there's collusion between the Demonic Cult and Thousand Poison Valley."
A heavy silence descended on the cabin.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ About three days after ascending the Yangtze, eating and sleeping aboard.
The waves grew rough, making the ship pitch heavily.
That's when voices calling the Grand Strategist from Murim Alliance members and Woo So-rung calling me rang out simultaneously.
"Grand Strategist!"
"Brother Eon!"
Stepping out, the Yangtze churned like an angry river god.
I murmured, entranced.
"So this is the famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze."
The Grand Strategist nodded.
"The entrance to the most notorious West Ling Gorge. Your first time seeing it?"
"Yes. Never had reason to come this far."
"Sichuan's called a natural fortress for good reason. Overland, the Great Pa Mountains even birds avoid; waterway, three rapids from seven gorges even fish tire of."
Jeong Hyeon seemed awestruck too, mouth agape, quoting poetry.
"Primeval Celestial Venerable. Li Bai's 'The Path to Shu is Difficult'—harder than climbing to heaven—fits this scene perfectly."
The Grand Strategist smiled briefly before briefing crisply.
"Enough marveling. Can't sail through West Ling Gorge. We'll go overland till it ends—prepare to disembark."
The ascending ship docked riverside.
"Sun's setting. This is near Zi Gui County—stay at an inn, restock food and water."
Right on sunset, we decided to overnight at an inn in the dockside village by West Ling Gorge.
"Welcome! Just dining?! Or staying?!"
"Staying."
"Meals right away?"
"Yes. Noodles per head, dumplings and meat on every table."
"Right away!"
Evening time, we sat at tables on the inn's first floor, awaiting food.
Overhearing prior guests.
"Year's ending already."
"Plenty to talk about this year. That prodigy Ghost Dragon appeared."
"Hey, world's in chaos—don't jinx it."
"Just saying. You snatch every newsletter. Think next year's entrants will have another Ghost Dragon?"
"Come on! Once-in-history genius—not yearly."
Galaxy Star winked playfully at me then.
Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!
The inn windows shattered.
Hiss—
A fist-sized orb spewing smoke rolled inside.
Dang Ok-gi urgently shouted.
"Poison technique!"
The other Eon juniors rose in unison, ingrained cries bursting out unconsciously.
"Poison technique! Poison technique!! Poison technique!!!"