Chapter 308
Chapter 308
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 308
Chapter Title: Ties and Grudges (1)
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The inter-dorm tournament at the Righteous Martial Academy took on a completely different shape this year compared to last.
'The victory points are all bunched up tight.'
Unlike last year, when the Azure Bamboo Hall I led swept everything clean, the points among the four great dorms had been tightly intertwined, seesawing back and forth throughout the event.
But now, that was all over.
The final event of the Martial Prowess category—the decisive bout—was in full swing.
Namgoong Yeong, clad in blue training robes with lightning crackling around his sword from the Namgoong family.
Jin Ho, in black training robes, wielding the sword of Mount Hua with plum blossoms scattering in his wake.
Clang! Screeeeech!!!!
The blades of the two rearguards from Azure Bamboo and Fragrant Orchid clashed in a whirlwind frenzy.
I watched the spectacle from the central platform alongside the professors and other dignitaries.
And so it went on for quite some time.
Crackle-crackle-sizzle!
Clang!!!!!
Finally, Namgoong Yeong's sword sliced through the plum blossoms Jin Ho unleashed, pressing the flat of the blade against the side of his neck.
"...Hoo. I yield."
Jin Ho readily admitted defeat.
The event administrator overseeing the finals declared the victor.
"Azure Bamboo's rearguard Namgoong Yeong has defeated Fragrant Orchid's rearguard Jin Ho! The winner of the Martial Prowess event is Azure Bamboo Hall!!"
A roar erupted from the stands that nearly shook the heavens.
"Wooooah!!"
"So how do the final rankings shake out?"
"The scores among the four dorms are so close that we'll need the conduct points to know for sure, but based on event performance alone, isn't Azure Bamboo the champion?!"
"Damn it! We believed in you, Azure Bamboo!!"
"Wooooaaah!!!"
One person on the platform shot to their feet.
It was none other than Professor No Sam.
"Kehhehe! Ah, they're no match at all! No match whatsoever!"
The professor danced a jig right in front of Professor Chang Ryang, putting on a full clown show.
"...Keep some dignity, Senior No."
"A beggar's dignity is in not keeping any!"
"......"
"You'll have to pick your spots when saying your dorm lacks a Yong-un now, won't you? They won without him anyway! And they squashed Fragrant Orchid flat! Kehhehehe!"
"Squashed flat?! It was only a paper-thin margin! And what have you done for Azure Bamboo to get so cocky? If anyone's dancing, it should be Yong-un, or Gyeong-ryong, or Ha-yeon and the kids."
"Hey, there's this thing called faith-based guidance. Letting them handle it on their own while solidly backing them from behind—that's a valid coaching method! What do you know? Pfft. That's why you can't win!"
"...Huh? Did you just claim Azure Bamboo beat Fragrant Orchid for the championship?"
"Ah, bringing up that fluke win era, eh? In my book, the academy's history divides into before and after Yong-un. That puts Azure Bamboo at three wins: last year's spring tourney, the Integrity Tourney, and now this one! Fragrant Orchid? Zero! Kehhehe."
"Where does that kind of scoring even exist? And a fluke win? That's denying every tradition and bit of history at the Righteous Martial Academy!"
At the sight of the two bickering professors.
Headmaster Kyung Hye shook her head with a sigh.
"When will Professor No Sam ever grow up... And Professor Chang Ryang, so composed otherwise—why does he always get dragged into it with him? I just don't get it."
Professor Je Gal-min, who had been fanning himself nearby, chuckled softly before speaking.
"It's a lifelong mystery. Best to give up. But isn't it nice?"
"...That mess is nice?"
"The Sichuan incident, those two cadets trying to infiltrate the academy... You've been racking your brains over the Demonic Cult's moves nonstop. Seeing those two go at it like that? Makes you think, 'Well, at least the spring tourney went off without a hitch.'"
To Professor Je Gal-min's words.
Uncle Jae-hyuk added his piece.
"Gotta credit Yong-un for rooting out every last Demonic Cult lackey."
Headmaster Kyung Hye smiled faintly and nodded.
"Hearing you two, yeah, it does look that way. President Eon Yong-un's contribution was huge. We could hold the event peacefully because he nabbed every last demon."
My brothers and master sometimes called me conscienceless, but that was wrong.
Proof? Hearing talk of rooting out Demonic Cult plants and catching every demon made my chest twinge—precisely because I was secretly advancing Blood Cult affairs.
"......"
As I kept silent without a word.
Headmaster Kyung Hye swept her gaze over the stands where the four dorms' cadets sat before speaking.
"Fragrant Orchid's cadets are applauding Azure Bamboo. Seeing that youthful spirit—fighting hard for victory, then gracefully accepting defeat—feels great."
Then her eyes shifted fully to me.
"Last year was nonstop chaos, no time to breathe. Looking back, though, so much has changed. The professors are still at each other's throats, but the grudges among cadets seem eased. Here's to more of the same, President Eon Yong-un."
To the headmaster's words, I cupped my fists in a bow.
"No worries there."
I'd been lost in Blood Cult thoughts, so that's how it came out.
At my response, the headmaster's eyes narrowed oddly.
"No worries? Sounds like you've got other headaches... Or is it just Vinni's imagination?"
"...Yeah. Must be your imagination."
"...I hope so. Praying it's just an old woman's overactive paranoia."
"Yes, ma'am."
I answered calmly, dodging her gaze.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The final results combined the freshmen points from all events plus conduct scores.
"This year's spring inter-dorm tournament champion is! Azure Bamboo Hall!!!"
And so Azure Bamboo reclaimed the trophy they'd wagered before the tourney even started.
"Rookies, head to the dorms, change into comfy training robes, and meet at Dongyun Hall. The rest of Azure Bamboo, straight to Dongyun Hall now."
As the freshmen headed off post-closing ceremony to change.
My brothers and I were prepping the afterparty with the senior and peer cohorts at Dongyun Hall.
Throughout hauling tables and cracking open liquor sets, grins never left Azure Bamboo cadets' faces.
I called out to Woo So-rung, who looked the most thrilled.
"So-rung."
"Yes? Need something?! Just say the word, Eon hyung!"
"Nah, just called 'cause you look so happy. You seem even more beaming than when we won."
"Hehe. When we won, I was too pumped and scattered. Watching the juniors pull it off? It's like... proud? Rewarding?"
Jeong-hyeon smiled softly at that.
"I get a bit what they mean by 'even watching kids eat fills you up.' Must be how Elder Tae Yeong-ja felt adopting me."
Eun Ha-seong chimed in from the side.
"That's part of it, but they barely scraped the win, so it hits harder. Back in our day, we had this vague but solid trust in... that guy."
"......?"
"...Here, 'that guy' means the good kind, Hyung Yong-un."
"Good day like today, I'll let it slide."
"No, for real though? Anyway, with you around, we figured it'd work out somehow. This time without you? I was sweating bullets... Probably sweated a whole mal worth. We need Yong-un distribution to every grade ASAP."
Laughter spread from Eun Ha-seong's banter.
That's when Dang Ok-gi spoke up.
"Hey! Kids are coming! Seniors! Peers! Faces, everyone! Can't look too hyped. Gotta keep Azure Bamboo senior dignity!"
Soon the freshmen trickled in, filling the seats.
Eun Ha-yeon took the floor.
"Everyone worked hard. I get why you're buzzing—I really do. But no overdoing it? Let's enjoy with restraint."
"Yes!"
"Don't just say it. Eon Gong-ja. You know our student council president's temper?"
"We do!!!"
"Right. Screw up with booze or whatever, and you're done—for good. Collective responsibility too. Remember yelling yourselves hoarse at the New Religion U?—'One Cohort'?"
"......!"
"And that glimpse you got of the president's face? Barely a taste of blood. Wanna see hell? Go nuts."
Her opening remarks barely thanked them for their efforts.
Warnings piled on, and the prime caution target? Me.
'Eun Sojeo treats me like some demon.'
- No kidding? She's the one who's dealt with you longest, so she knows how to handle you right.
'......?'
- ?
As I bantered a bit with master.
Eun Ha-yeon yielded the stage to me.
"Alright then. Student Council President? A word?"
"Couldn't cheer openly with the position, but I rooted hard inside. Thanks for delivering. Yeong, you rep 'em—take a shot."
"Yes! Senior Yong-un!"
"Rest of you, fill up! One round to toast our proud juniors' win!"
Glug-glug-glug-glug-
After the group toast, I handed off to Gyeong-ryong hyung.
Gyeong-ryong hyung fumbled a bit on stage.
"Everyone... did something amazing. The weight of being the next generation after Eon Yong-un's cohort must've been immense, yet you reclaimed the trophy."
To Gyeong-ryong hyung's words.
Namgoong Yeong, Jang Seon, Dokgo Cheol.
The freshman trio spoke up in turn.
"Less pressure than wanting to follow our seniors—who took the trophy amid Demonic Cult stirrings and post-Soglin, Shaolin rookie clashes."
"Exactly!"
"We weren't as dominant, though."
To their words.
I exchanged looks with my brothers.
'If they say stuff like that, our Gyeong-ryong hyung...'
'Gonna burst into tears?'
'Full-on sobfest.'
'I'll grab tissues.'
As we watched Gyeong-ryong hyung's eyes redden live.
"Kkh... Seeing Azure Bamboo's new history... Sniff. Continue like this. All of you—so proud."
Response, back from Luoyang where the Alliance Leader was, perched on my shoulder.
"Back?"
Slurp!
"Kid. Good work. So-rung-ah."
"Yes! Eon hyung!"
"Special treats for Response."
"Got it!"
I pulled the letter from the tube on his ankle, passed Response to Woo So-rung.
Then unfurled Regret as a stand, scanning the missive.
Include Cadet Dokgo Cheol in the inspection group. But you come too. Need to lay groundwork so those White Bone Society raccoons don't pull any stunts later. I've humored your nonsense, so return the favor—give a talk on why the Demonic Cult's dangerous. While at it, deep dive Blood Cult stuff with Grand Marshal. P.S. Everyone at Medicine King Hall misses you too. I burned the letter on sight.
"Eun Sojeo's leading the party. I've got to pop back to the student council office—left something there."
"Yes, Eon Gong-ja."
"Dokgo Cheol! Cheol-ah!"
"Yes! President!"
"Gotta hit student council quick. Need a pack mule. Coming?"
"Yes!"
Out of the hall, I sent Dokgo Cheol a transmission.
[Cheol, you confirmed upping your cult brothers' stipend and got regular contact means, right?]
[Yes. Told 'em President said coordinate with ops committee profs, hold non-urgents. That's what I passed on.]
[How's contact?]
[That new building at the inn alley's beef place? It's chaotic there, and I stayed nearby before—familiar spot. Plan: leave 'Return' at a secluded nearby bench for contact.]
[Solid. Anyway, to solidify your standing, leak some killer intel now.]
[Sounds good.]
[Report said Je Gal Sojeo leading Murim Alliance inspection team, right?]
[Yes.]
[Say it's me now.]
Dokgo Cheol's eyes widened, head tilted.
[It changed? But main cult can't touch Henan inspection anyway—heart of White Path Murim now. They'll buy it as key intel?]
[Right—main cult lacks bandwidth, so it's bluff intel. But what if I don't publicize I'm leading?]
[Ah! Brass'll see it as high-grade! 'Cause I'm your inner circle, makes it feel exclusive?!]
[Exactly.]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Alliance Leader sent an official writ to the academy beyond his personal letter to me—requesting cadets from the Sichuan trip give presentations to the White Bone Society.
Permission came instantly.
I led a Murim Alliance inspection team of my brothers plus four-dorm freshmen to Luoyang.
Crossing rivers, scaling mountains.
North along the main roads for days.
My group reached Luoyang safely.
As the Alliance buildings came into view.
Last year's memories flooded back fresh. I turned to Namgoong Yun beside me.
"Remember last year, Yun?"
"Don't bring that up!"
"...Just asked if it came to mind—no story. Why flip out? Was gonna mention Hye Min Pavilion. You know, that tiger..."
"See? Out it comes!"
"You flared up, so it slipped. Wasn't planning that."
"And why still 'Yun'? You call Cheol, Seon, even Namgoong Yeong proper—properly."
"Stuck in my mouth now. Deal."
Namgoong Yeong chided his brother.
"Brother's too stiff always. I envy it? Feels affectionate, special?"
"Special... Ahem. True, unlike you mere junior, Eon Yong-un and I share... unique bonds."
As that jab oddly lifted Namgoong Yun's mood.
A shiny-headed figure ran up beaming from afar.
"Little Dragon Patron! Long time!!"
None other than Shaolin's Woncheol.