Chapter 306
Chapter 306
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 306
Chapter Title: It's Certain (1)
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Leading the way, Yin Xia Lian and a few other Eon Family juniors expressed their worries about Dokgo Cheol.
Even Master, who had shown concern from the start, chimed in.
– Back when it was Shim Ryul, you had him firmly under your thumb while running the double-agent ploy, so I wasn't as worried. But this Dokgo Cheol guy seems a bit soft for your usual style.
But his matter was something that needed to simmer slowly.
'Catching Dokgo Cheol isn't the endgame.'
To be precise, he was another bait for reeling in the real big fish.
'To use Dokgo Cheol as bait, I need to build trust first. Then, like getting soaked in a drizzle, I'll drop hints that leave room for him to misunderstand.'
That way, I could strike at the vulnerabilities of the Blood Cult, which operated on a strict compartmentalized structure.
– Geez, you live complicated. Way too complicated.
'It's not complicated; it's meticulous. Unlike some people.'
– ...Who are you referring to?
'Who knows?'
– ......?
'?'
– ???
Setting aside Master's concerns.
The juniors' worries kicked off in earnest but fizzled out as days passed in our busy routine.
Our duties as executives.
Our obligations as students.
While chasing both hares left us no time to breathe.
The Eon Family juniors had been drafted as teaching assistants for the 'Freshman Indoctrination Corps,' masters at instilling the spirit of righteousness in newbies.
"I know full well that the chicks lack stamina right after climbing Mount Wudang."
Was it because our duties had piled on with the Newcomer Corps work?
Or did they think we were drilling the freshmen—including Dokgo Cheol—so hard to keep them from slacking?
"But what if poison strikes at a moment like this? Are the chicks just going to roll over helplessly?"
"No, sir!"
"Right. We can't let that happen. With that in mind, we'll do arm-spread high jumps—one of the motions to dispel poison. Arm-spread high jumps. First set: a thousand reps. How many?"
I couldn't tell which it was, but those worries vanished anyway.
"A thousand reps!"
"Voice too quiet! Two thousand reps!"
"Two thousaaaand!!!!"
"That guy's insane. I should just quit now..."
"What? Quit? Who just muttered that? Sounded like it came from the chick in the seventeenth row of Yun Gu-gwan?!"
"Posture! I swear to keep my posture straight!"
"The fact you're saying that proves the chicks haven't toughened up their minds! Exercise change. Number eight! Full-body twists, ready!"
"Aaaah!!!!!!!"
"Reps are infinite. Training ends when the chicks' resolve revives the spirit of righteousness. What did you say?!"
"Infiniiiite!!!"
"First period's almost here, so don't hold out false hope that I'll wrap it up nicely! This instructor's confident he can get class credit from the professors anytime. Motion start! One! Two! Three! Four!"
Beep! Beeep!
"Oooone!!!!"
Beep beep beep! Beep!
"Twwwwo!!!!!!!!!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ And so, three weeks of training neared its end on a certain day.
I wrapped up the Newcomer Corps' morning drill and gathered the Blue Bamboo Hall Eon Family juniors.
"The other dorm's Eon Family juniors, head to the student council room to help Zhuge. Blue Bamboo Hall TAs, over here."
Then I called over the freshman trio.
"Namgung Yeong, Dokgo Cheol, Jang Seon—come here."
At my words, the freshmen trio scampered over.
Among them, Namgung Yeong smiled faintly and spoke first.
"You called, Yong-un sunbae?"
"Smiling? Not tired?"
"It is tough, but you sunbaes are splitting sleep just to squeeze in time for us and set this up. Showing complaints would wound Namgung Family pride."
"I agree with Namgung."
"Hyung-nim Yong-un! I'm not tired! I can do more!"
Master let out a hollow chuckle at that.
– Man, Yeong's nothing like Gongyun. 'Namgung Family pride' is stuck to his lips, but it's not annoying. He's got this oddly endearing, boorish charm.
Master was right.
By then, Namgung Yeong's way of addressing us had grown casual, but none of us minded.
Unlike his older brother, Namgung Yeong was approachable.
'Second sons from prestigious families like Namgung often turn out bright. The heir gets all the rights and duties with strict upbringing, so the spares get raised freer.'
Meanwhile.
The Blue Bamboo Hall Eon Family juniors gathered around me.
Among them, Yin Xia Lian tilted her head with a bored look.
"Why?"
"Busy? Why does 'why' come first?"
When I shot back, Dang Ok-gi piped up with a 'Good grief.'
"Ha-yeon’s always busy! Thanks to who?!"
"...I didn't ask you. And I said Blue Bamboo Hall TAs—why are you butting in?"
"Ow! Just lump me in with Blue Bamboo Hall."
"No lumping. Then switch dorms."
"That's... gotta talk to Professor Chang-ryang first."
"Ah. Fair."
That was when Yin Xia Lian finally spoke.
"Anyway, Ok-gi's right. I am swamped. Got prep for the upcoming spring dorm tournament, then freshman Murim Alliance field trip after that."
"Yeah."
"Prepping scholarship docs to send Yeong. So why? What mess did you start that you're dumping on me? Have some conscience—don't pile on more right now. I'm serious."
"......"
"That's it, huh? Figured. No conscience, as expected."
"...Not that."
"Not?"
"These three chicks. Technically my direct reports' directs, right? Skipped proper initiation rites 'cause we're slammed. Thought we'd grab a meal. That's why."
"...Sun's rising in the west today?"
"...Rose in the east."
"Hm. Appreciate the offer, but... we eat cafeteria food anyway. You hang at student council mostly, but I eat with these kids often."
"Really?"
She nodded at my words.
"Yeah. If that's really all, I've got work, so go ahead with the kids, Eon gongzi."
Then Namgung Yeong hooked arms with Yin Xia Lian and wheedled shamelessly.
"Ah, come with, Ha-yeon sunbae."
Jeong Hyeon followed up.
"Namgung's right. Join us. Nice to have a casual Blue Bamboo Hall get-together after so long. Reminds me of first meeting Eon hyungnim—sharing rice made us family..."
"Help with my work, Jeong Hyeon dojang, and maybe. How's overtime tonight sound?"
"Ancestor of Origins. Tough for me too—got my own load..."
"See? Straight talk vanishes."
"Noona. Told you a million times—he's no dojang anymore."
Yin Xia Lian grumbled a bit but ultimately tagged along.
As we headed to Wu Ro Noodle Shop, she asked me,
"Weren't we going to Dan River's Best Inn? Left turn from here—why right?"
"Ah, different spot today. Place I promised to visit sometime."
Answering naturally brought the proprietor's face to mind as we'd gathered pledges.
"Heard Dan River's Best Inn's packed lately?"
Jang Seon jumped in at that.
"Super crowded! Late-stage disciples from nearby getting your energy boost, academy prep students, tourists—all stop by!"
"Says it like you've seen."
"I have. Help out weekends. When moving from Yangyang, they helped tons—gotta repay."
"Sweet thought, but don't flip guest-host. No academy interference."
"Yes!"
Almost at the alley's end.
"Fiiiire!!!!!!!!"
Smoke billowed from our target, Wu Ro Noodle Shop.
"Knew the Wu Ro proprietor's fire would start someday."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I spotted the soaring flames and told Wu So-ryeong,
"So-ryeong, contact security and main office now!"
"Yes! Eon hyung!"
"Dang Ok-gi. Got acupuncture kit?"
"Yeah. Always carry."
"Rest of you, with me."
We dashed to the shop with the other Eon Family juniors.
"Fire! Fiiiire!!!!"
We sized up the ferocious blaze spreading outward and took control.
Roarrr—
"Eon Yong-un here. Commencing fire suppression—follow orders."
I commanded the others.
"Tear down Wu Ro building and adjacent ones to keep fire from spreading to other inns!"
A soot-streaked young woman among the scattered crowd clutched my pant leg, shrieking.
"No! Can't tear it down!!!!"
Wu Ro's proprietor echoed her.
"Yes! Can't tear down!!"
"What? Won't contain if we don't—worried about property?"
"No! Tear okay! Can't tear."
As the proprietor babbled.
Dokgo Cheol spoke to the woman.
"...Sister-in-law? Then, don't tell me!"
Time critical, I asked Dokgo Cheol straight.
"What? Situation?"
The woman and Dokgo Cheol spoke together.
"Kid in the attic! Thought outside playing—only friends here, hide-and-seek... They hide up there to scare dad sometimes!"
"Fellow freshman Jeong Hyeo-cheol—older hyung. Stayed here with me. That's his wife. One son. Chaos, kid missing."
We grasped it from the frantic mom's words and Dokgo Cheol.
Dang Ok-gi scowled gravely.
"Kid inside?"
"Heard. Extract fast, then demolish. Show your stuff—been ages. Jeong Hyeon!"
"Yes, Eon hyungnim!"
"When I say go, lead—carve space in flames with Taiji Sword."
"Yes!"
"Yin junior and Ha Seong—enter gap, make footholds like Crane Wing Formation."
"For Eon gongzi to climb?"
I nodded at the follow-up, eyeing Dang Ok-gi and freshmen.
"Yeah. I'll fetch kid—you prep acupuncture, Ok-gi. Chicks standby—demolish when I exit with kid. Got it?"
"Yes!"
I roused Heaven-Splitting energy, sliced left palm for blood ritual boost.
Then,
"Go."
Flash!
Jeong Hyeon shot forward, drawing Taiji.
Shiiiing! Shiiiing!!
Shiiiiiing!!!
Her swordplay cleared a flame-free spot on Wu Ro's outer wall.
I called,
"Us too!"
Yin Xia Lian and Ha Seong flanked out.
In slowed time, I kicked off straight ahead.
Chaaaang!
The Yin siblings' swords scissored into footholds—I activated Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step, soaring up.
Whish!!
Burst through smoke and flame into attic.
Bam!
In the cramped attic corner, a huddled, collapsed boy.
– Alive?
'Breathing.'
I answered Master, scooped the kid, escaped attic.
Thud!!!
"Baby!!!"
"Little Dragon saved the kid!"
"As expected of Eon Yong-un! True master—flames part!"
"Top late-stage talent! No, finest young hero!!!"
Amid cheers and clamor.
"Raaah!"
Crack!
Jang Seon's roar, Eon Family juniors demolishing Wu Ro.
Kaboom!!!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ For those following Eon Yong-un to Wu Ro Noodle Shop, today was one hell of a long day.
Especially for Dokgo Cheol—a truly endless one.
Newcomer Corps drills.
Tagged along for lunch with Eon Yong-un, ended up firefighting.
Eon Yong-un insisted on student duties and exec work even today, so classes and tasks.
'One damn long day.'
But Dokgo Cheol felt it extra long for another reason.
'That divine art the president used diving for Jeong Hyeo-cheol's son... definitely Blood Cult's Mara Reverse Blood Method.'
The other Eon Family juniors, pure orthodox pathers, seemed clueless.
But Dokgo Cheol, sworn to Blood Cult and taught its derivative, recognized instantly.
'...Is President Eon Yong-un Blood Cult too?'
The thought resurfaced memories of academy life with him.
'Just hustle under me.'
'Don't you want to revive your family?'
'Need your help.'
Eon Yong-un was warmer to Dokgo Cheol than other juniors.
'...And Pearl Eon Family reclaimed great house status, so I can too.'
Pearl Eon had suffered huge in last Orthodox-Demonic War.
Prime Blood Cult interest.
'Swordsmanship not family secret—from his scoundrel days. Sworn in then?'
Initial suspicion.
But once flowing, thoughts cascaded.
Soon certainty.
'No orthodox art has Reverse Blood Method. Explains nuking Baek Ri-gyeom and Upper Youth Hall but letting me into student council.'
Why hadn't Eon Yong-un or superiors told him?
'Would've leaked in entrance exam to profs or Magic Research Institute. President's wary of compartmentalization?'
Self-resolved.
Now, what next?
'Report confirming each other to superiors?'
Dokgo Cheol shook head.
'No orders—acting first harms president.'
Blood Cult ran ultra-secretive compartmentalization, save Heavenly Blood Demon at top.
Exposure to Blood Demon's ears spells trouble for Eon Yong-un.
'He boosted me, showed the path.'
Eon Yong-un restored lost secrets, rebuilt family standing.
Just what Dokgo Cheol aspired to.
Better contact Eon Yong-un side.
'Both from orthodox, not Ten Thousand Great Mountains—eternal outsiders in Cult.'
Unite forces.
Mutual strength.
'Contact president.'
Dawning light on precarious academy life, Dokgo Cheol left dorm.
Jang Seon rose too.
"Where to, Cheol buddy?"
"Got words for president."
"Gyeong-ryong hyung? Or Yong-un hyung?"
"President Eon Yong-un."
"Then together. Comrade group, right?"
"...Sure."
Thinking 'foiled today,' headed to Eon Yong-un's dorm.
Knock knock—
"Who?"
"President. Dokgo Cheol. Have something to say."
"Yawn. Jang Seon. Comrade group, so together."
"Seon's sleepy—go rest. Cheol, come in."
Eon Yong-un casually sent Jang Seon off.
Dokgo Cheol's certainty solidified once more.
'President's definitely Blood Cult.'