Chapter 298
Chapter 298
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 298
Chapter Title: It'll Show (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We joined up with the Alliance Leader and passed through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze.
From there, we switched boats and followed the Yangtze's waterways toward the Wuchang naval camp.
Whoosh!
Just as we neared the formation, Eungyong, perched atop the mast, spotted something and flew joyfully toward the dock.
"Blue rags uniform and black Hyangran uniform! Brother Eon! Looks like Professor No Sam and Professor Chang Ryang have come to greet us?!"
I shifted my gaze that way, and sure enough, there were the two professors.
They must have heard the news from Sichuan and come out to meet us.
Upon reaching the dock, I saw Professor Chang Ryang looking stern.
He seemed ready to give me an earful, so I spoke up first.
"...Um, Professor Chang Ryang? I don't know how much you've heard, but this wasn't something I started. I was just cleaning up a mess that was already there."
"Who said anything?"
At Professor Chang Ryang's response, Professor No Sam raised his voice from beside him.
"Chang Ryang, you're always nagging, so Yong-un got scared preemptively! Why crush our kid's spirit?! Worry about your own spawn!"
"Senior No, mind your words. They're all cadets of the Righteous Martial Academy. Where's your kid and my kid in this?"
"I just told you to stop nagging the kid who's handling things well. Don't nitpick."
"And is Yong-un the type to get intimidated by a few words from me? I'm just dumbfounded."
As the two professors argued, my master, who had been listening, chimed in calmly in my mind.
- Chang Ryang's right on this one.
['?']
[- What.]
We returned to Hubei like that.
We traveled up the Guan Road and arrived at the Righteous Martial Academy.
"Not as chancellor of the Righteous Martial Academy or disciple of Mt. Ami, but as one martial artist of the righteous sects, I thank you all for showing courage in the Sichuan incident."
"We merely did what needed doing."
Normally, Elder Sister Gyeonghye would give us time to recover from the long journey.
"I know you're tired, but the other cadets will go with Vice President Jeon Gal Seolji to the Student Council room. Cadet Eon Yong-un, you'll come with me to the main building."
"Yes, ma'am."
Today, she summoned me straight to the main building.
'Things are urgent.'
An enormous group had flooded into Duankou Pass, and we had to accommodate one hundred and sixty of them into the academy schedule.
'Seasonally, it's three months until spring when the entrance exams begin, but...'
From the perspective of preparing, time was anything but ample.
Sure enough, upon arriving at the small conference room in the main building with Elder Sister Gyeonghye, the academy's operations committee was assembled.
'Uncle Jaehyeok, Professor Jeon Gal-min, the Administrative Director.'
A graduate student senior poured me tea, and Elder Sister Gyeonghye spoke.
"To think a great demonic horde had taken root in lands held by Ami and Qingcheng, pillars of the Nine Great Sects, and the Tang Family of Sichuan, a core of the Five Great Clans..."
She sighed and continued.
"Worse, if even prestigious families like the Ho Clan of Jaidong have been infiltrated, it means the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's tentacles could be anywhere... With entrance exams to prepare, my worries are beyond measure. What are your thoughts, Cadet Eon Yong-un, having seen the situation firsthand?"
"To relay what the Grand Marshal said verbatim: We must tap the stone bridge before crossing, but press boldly where needed."
"Of course. We can't skip meals fearing maggots. Binni shares the concern, but doesn't think we should halt the schedule."
"My own view is that there's no need to worry that much."
I looked at Professor Jeon Gal-min.
"The cult could slip their pawns into the entrance exams, sure. But they can't cause an incident right in the exam grounds. Right, Professor Jeon Gal-min?"
"Well, that would rally all the righteous sects against them, a tough choice for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult after heavy losses everywhere."
"Exactly. If cult pawns are among the applicants, their goal is likely infiltrating the academy. Roll them around, and it'll show."
Elder Sister Gyeonghye repeated my words.
"...Roll them around, and it'll show?"
"Recall Senior Shim Yul of Kunlun."
"Ah."
"So, I'd appreciate some discretion for the entrance exams."
"What kind, exactly?"
"Freedom to roam the exam grounds. And in the final selection, authority as director of the Demon Wardens to add my observations on applicants."
"Hm. I hoped you'd symbolically oversee the unarmed trial as examiner this time... Though any cadet with proper unarmed skills could do it. What do the other committee members think?"
Professor Chang Ryang spoke first at Elder Sister Gyeonghye's question.
"Roaming the grounds is fine. But adding observations in final selection could invite misunderstandings."
"What misunderstandings, specifically?"
"Yes, Chancellor. Not saying Cadet Eon Yong-un would, but the system could be abused. Applicants might try pulling strings beforehand. Stigma could fall on passers and him."
Professor No Sam nodded but countered.
"Failers might whine he decided their fates."
"But Yong-un isn't one to care, and given the times, it seems necessary?"
Uncle Jaehyeok nodded next.
"No one's hunted and fought the cult longer than Yong-un."
"The spirit of righteousness fades..."
As Professor Chang Ryang spoke again, Professor Jeon Gal-min held up a hand.
"Calm down, Professor Chang Ryang. Cadet Eon Yong-un seems to have considered your concerns by asking to 'add' observations, not decide. Right?"
"Correct."
"Final judgment rests with the committee. No system's in place yet, so no foreknowledge for string-pulling this year. Failers might complain, but... The academy changes exam contents slightly each time. Show consent forms at the initial grading gate mentioning Demon Wardens' input, get signatures. Sound good, Administrative Director?"
"Pre-notified, it should prevent challenges to passers' legitimacy procedurally."
Elder Sister Gyeonghye spoke then.
"Seems we've consensus. For this entrance exam, we'll add Demon Wardens' observations."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Hearing the committee's decision, I headed to the Student Council room.
The Eon little brothers who hadn't joined the Sichuan trip were back, and among them, Yong-myeong rose to greet me.
"Big brother!"
"Hey. You're back."
"Yes. If I'd known it'd be such a big deal, I'd have gone too."
"Too late now. Mom and Dad are well?"
"They were while I was there, but they'll be shocked by Sichuan news. I sure was."
"Good news that you're all safe will come with it. Anyway, you look buffer?"
"I didn't waste time."
As I spoke, I eyed Paeng So-cheon nearby.
"You look buffer too, Brother So-cheon."
"The left muscles you said felt deflated finally feel packed. Wanna see?"
"No."
"Too good to show just you..."
But Cheon Jang-ho, sitting quietly beside Paeng So-cheon, had a rounder jawline.
"...Cheon Jang-ho, you've gained weight?"
"Kaifeng beggar rice is too good. A little..."
"Not a little. Go chisel Swordless Finger on Mt. Wudang right now."
"No, Beggar Clan arts are fine chubby. Doesn't apply. Look at Professor No Sam—his gut's a mountain..."
"Fine. Spar after. I'll check if it applies. Ten."
"No! Nooooo!"
"Nine. Watch your form? Arms."
"Nooooo!"
With Cheon Jang-ho bolting out, Jang Seon came to mind.
"Lady Jeon Gal. How's Seon? Still at Duankou's top inn?"
"With Professor Jeong in Hainan, not back. Professor's skipping exam proctor duty, so no exact return date."
"Got it. Has Yong-gil gotten sharper?"
"He can handle simple tasks and paperwork like Demon Wardens style now."
"Then Yong-gil, go to admin now for applicant lists."
"Mo Yong..."
"Wudang?"
"To admin."
"Alright, I'll review lists when Yong-gil brings them. Rest of you split: some help Lady Eun, some Lady Jeon Gal."
Mo Yong-gil returned soon with books classified by gae-byeong-jung and set them beside me.
I picked one and scanned for familiar names from memory.
After flipping through for a while.
Closing the last book.
Two names from the original story's infiltrators lingered in my head.
Shang Wuqing of Kongdong.
Baili Gyeom of the Baili Clan.
'Five down to two. Cult's shrunk that much?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Training and Student Council duties.
Chasing those two hares fully.
The year turned, entrance exams neared.
But first, another academic event.
『Congratulations on your graduation.』 The fourth-years' graduation ceremony.
Orthodox martial artists hold there's no end to honing harmony and martiality, so unlike the entrance ceremony, it wasn't grand.
"...Remember, graduation from Righteous Martial Academy is not an end, but a new beginning. Be proud seniors to current juniors and future newcomers. Binni prays for all graduating cadets' prosperity today."
With local notables, remaining cadets, and guests filling the space.
Graduates received silk scrolls from Elder Sister Gyeonghye.
Tradition then: group portrait.
"Cadet Ye Hae-su. How long to prepare?!"
"Yes! About half a shichen!"
"Then graduates, catch up with family meantime, then regather."
Thus, while the stage and painters prepared.
Guests approached graduates with congratulations.
Many from Blue Bamboo Hall grinned broadly.
"We're off! Keep at it, juniors!"
"Finally! Vice President Eon... no, now President?! Anyway, good luck with Hazard Response too! Last year felt longer than three at academy!"
"Thanks to Junior Eon, we gritted teeth, shed tears, learned much... But ending Hazard Response? Pure joy! Hahaha!"
At the seniors' words.
Namgung Yun, from the Sichuan group, turned to us.
"...But didn't those seniors say they're joining the Martial Alliance?"
Woo So-rung nodded.
"Yeah."
"They seem happier graduating Hazard Response than the academy... Didn't the Grand Marshal say he'd introduce it to the Alliance too?"
Tang Ok-gi answered next.
"Right. So before Sichuan Twin Freaks detour Shanxi and North of the River, Alliance first—for advice. They plan worse than Mara Hocho Bombs."
The Eon little brothers not on Sichuan sighed 'Oh dear' in unison.
"Leave 'em. They're dreaming sweet."
"Primeval Heavenly Lord. Days still chill, but spring nears—truly a spring dream."
I left the Eon brothers and mingled with graduates.
"Stay here. I'll greet the outgoing Student Council president seniors. Brother Gyeongryong, join?"
"Sure."
Yun-guk's former Student Council president was heading to grad school.
Thus, departing presidents: Ho Yeon-chan of Yunmae Hall, Mae Jin-ak of Hyangran Hall.
The duo dubbed Twin Tiger Battles during school.
"Senior Ho Yeon-chan's off to the Martial Alliance?"
"Yeah, grad school's not my style. Feels like I went out strong. Shame we never properly sparred."
"Now?"
"Shall we?"
"Kidding, but if you want, after portraits, to the sparring ground."
"Me too kidding. Lived free here, but not that clueless."
"Oh."
"What's that 'oh'?"
"Nothing."
"Surprised? Thought brute Ho Yeon-chan couldn't quip?"
"Not that much."
"Hah! True though. Me and Yunmae guys mostly like that—jump in regardless."
"True."
"New president's trying, but you'll lead as council president, so I step light. Mind Yunmae guys."
"Yes."
"President Jin, good luck."
"Yes, senior."
After Ho Yeon-chan, I approached Hyangran Hall's President Mae Jin-ak.
"Congratulations on graduating, senior."
"No need. Rough road ahead."
"Congrats aside, one request."
"Request?"
Mae Jin-ak's sect, Jeomchang, based in Yunnan, south man throat.
"North Sea Ice Palace, Geukgung Fortress, Sichuan targeted—can't relax on Yunnan. Jeomchang's role crucial now more than ever."
"Just a disciple, but I'll keep that in mind."
After the request.
Brother Gyeongryong dry-laughed and cupped fists to Mae Jin-ak.
"With Senior Mae, seems sour and sweet bonds both. Can't sour on departure, so pray for your prospe—"
I cut Brother Gyeongryong off.
"No, Brother Gyeongryong. Can't greet like that."
"Huh?"
"Senior Mae Jin-ak. Request was request. Separately, other talk."
I cracked my knuckles, staring at Mae Jin-ak.
"My memory's sharp. Especially grudges—don't forget easy."
"???"
"Gotta pay graduation dues before leaving."
Waited for this day.