Chapter 352
Chapter 352
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 352
Chapter Title: Exchange Students (3)
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After conversing with Jeon Yeon-seol for a moment,
Yin Xia Lian turned to me and asked,
"You're heading out to meet the exchange students from the outer regions? The official enrollment isn't until classes start this semester, right?"
"True, but there's no rule saying I can't meet them."
"...Well, since you're not taking the entrance exam like the others, it shouldn't be an issue."
"Excluding Won-cheol the monk, they're all from far away, and with the demonic cults stirring up chaos these days, it seems wise to meet them before classes begin. I can hear about their local news too."
"Hmm. If that's the purpose... why not pick one of the executives here as a dormitory representative? Even if it's just for show, no one dislikes a bit of courtesy."
She had a point.
The one who suggested it, Yin Xia Lian herself, flinched in surprise and averted her gaze from me.
"What's with that reaction?"
"...I thought you'd ask me to go, so I panicked."
"It would be great if you could, Miss Yin... We could discuss setting up a newsletter hub for the outer regions too. Are you too busy?"
"Am I not busy?! I have to handle budget support for the exchange classes and the Azure Bamboo Hall's independent projects. Look at the stack of papers on my desk... Actually, I'm just the vice president of Azure Bamboo Hall's student council, not the main student council executive. Why do I even have a desk here?!"
"I figured you'd feel left out without one."
"I wouldn't feel left out at all! Oh, but for the newsletter, skip the Ice Palace or Crane Palace—don't do it with Beast Palace or Red Dragon Palace?"
"They'd just see it as vulgar scheming, regardless of reason. Got it."
"Putting that aside, it's basically about showing off the four dorms and the student council president. As long as they're not too busy, anyone should do, right?"
"Fair enough."
"Yes. Bring someone relatively less busy."
"...Miss Jeon is as busy as you for similar reasons, and she has no spare time with her jade mechanism research."
Finishing my talk with Yin Xia Lian, I scanned the desks and faces of my Eon family juniors.
"With Senior Hae-su away, the publicity team's Ha-seong and So-neung are swamped. Brother So-cheon is a no-go. And Jang-ho over there too."
Cheon Jang-ho looked indignant at my words.
"'And Jang-ho over there too'? Hey, Brother Yong-un. Why treat someone like a sack of straw?"
"Kahaha."
"Why are you laughing, Brother So-cheon?! If I'm 'over there too,' then you're just plain no!"
"I laughed because calling him a sack of straw was funny."
I mentally finalized the list of representatives for the four dorms.
"For Yun-guk Dorm, Sister So-jin."
"Me?"
"Yes. You're still adjusting, feeling awkward all around, right?"
"...True."
"Spend a few days airing out with me and get used to things. As the Alliance Leader's disciple, you'll have face in front of the outer region friends too."
"Sure, why not."
Having broached the topic, I turned to Yong-myeong.
"Yong-myeong, you finished your tasks?"
"Yes, Brother. I was just about to submit the report."
"Then you handle Un-mae."
"Yes, Brother."
I concluded, looking at the Namgung siblings.
"Hyang-ran with Gong-yun, Cheong-ju with Young-i."
The Namgung family was renowned even in the outer regions.
'Plus, Namgung Young is naturally affable.'
I figured it would help Peng So-jin, who had to retake first-year classes after returning, so I assigned them that way, and neither refused.
"Got it."
"Understood, Senior Yong-un! Cheol-a, finish the papers on my desk!"
As expected, the moment we left the student council room, Namgung Young started breaking the ice with Peng So-jin using his usual bearish charm.
"Senior, can I speak casually?"
"Huh? Sure, we agreed on that at the Martial Alliance last time."
"Would 'sis' be too soon?"
"That might be a bit much. You call Yong-un 'senior' too, right?"
"Other seniors don't overlap classes, but I'll be seeing you in lessons ahead, so it feels closer inwardly?"
"I'm grateful for the thought, but let's take it slow."
"Hehe, got it."
Our first stop on the way out was Dan-gang's Premier Inn, where the Southern Sea Red Dragon Palace exchange students were staying.
"Innkeeper around?"
"Aigoo, Young Master!"
The owner, with whom we had many dealings, welcomed us warmly.
Hmm. No sign of the Red Dragon Palace exchange students? Late-stage disciples full of vigor wouldn't hole up in their rooms.
Just as Master said, the Southern Sea Red Dragon Palace students were nowhere to be seen.
'Indeed? Even ordinary late-stage disciples would feel itchy staying on land long, let alone Red Dragon Palace folks who live on islands under the Southern Sea.'
Staying ashore for extended periods should make their bodies itch normally.
I immediately spoke up.
"Innkeeper, both front and back yards are quiet? No sign of the guests staying here. Something happen?"
The Premier Inn's owner waved it off and replied,
"Nothing like that. These guests are from the sea originally, I hear?"
"Right."
"Around this time, they head to the lake north of the academy to bathe. They even catch fish to share on the way back, so our inn's had fresh fish for side dishes these past few days."
"Aha. No incidents like trouble or harassment?"
"No, none. Shall I fetch them quick?"
We came to pay respects; couldn't just summon them.
I stopped the owner from dashing off.
"No need. We'll wait. How about some tea?"
"Very well? Come inside then. I'll prepare it right away."
* * *
We asked the owner for tea and entered the inn.
For some reason, Namgung Yun didn't sit where told but hovered near the wall displaying the inn's famed autographs, clearing his throat needlessly.
"Ahem. Khm."
At his antics,
Namgung Young and I spoke almost in unison.
"What're you doing?"
"What are you up to there, big brother?"
Namgung Yun replied awkwardly.
"When the owner asked for my autograph, I gave it without thinking. Now looking, there are so many from illustrious figures."
I instantly grasped his intent from his behavior.
'...Wants to boast to his sister that his is among such autographs?'
While he lingered,
The owner set steaming teacups before us, then offered paper and brush to Namgung Young.
"You're Namgung Young the heroine, right?"
"...Not quite heroine. Never done heroic deeds worth the name. Anyway, yes, I'm Namgung Young."
"You snagged top seat on enrollment and stick close to our splendid Sea Dragon Eon Yong-un Young Master, learning so. You'll grow into a knight who thinks of ignoramuses like us."
"Aigoo, too much praise... Yes, I'll study hard."
"In that spirit, one autograph please."
Namgung Young wrote her name and handed it over.
The owner glanced at Namgung Yun's, then hung hers slightly higher.
"......"
I called over the crestfallen Namgung Yun to share tea.
"Stop sulking and sit, Namgung Yun."
We sipped the tea the owner provided for a good while.
By the time the steaming pot cooled,
Voices from afar reached my ears.
"I win today's bet, Little Palace Lord?"
"Yeah, I lost. You caught nothing all day, so I was gonna say don't claim Red Dragon Palace out there. But landing that big one at the end."
At the voices, I gestured for my siblings to straighten up.
Soon after, the Red Dragon Palace exchange students entered through the inn door.
Over half were familiar from the Undefeated Tournament.
They greeted me too.
"Huh? Isn't that the Sea Dragon?"
"Long time, Young Swordsman O."
Some faces were new.
O Yun-seong, who led at the Undefeated Tournament, introduced him.
"Sea Dragon, this is our Red Dragon Palace's Little Palace Lord. Little Palace Lord, this is the Righteous Martial Academy's student council president and world's top late-stage disciple, Eon Yong-un."
At O Yun-seong's words, I clasped hands with my siblings.
"Eon Yong-un here. The cadets with me represent the four dorms, as you can tell from their uniforms."
"Jeong Won-hae."
The Red Dragon Palace Little Palace Lord, Jeong Won-hae, returned the clasp toward us.
Pointing at our seats,
"Waiting till our tea cooled? Without sending for us."
"How could we summon esteemed guests without prior appointment?"
"Heh. Sea Dragon's name commands the world, even across seas, yet so humble. As rumored, you carry a magnate's demeanor."
"You're the impressive one, Little Palace Lord. Outer palaces are like small kingdoms, yet you personally seek learning here. I was amazed seeing your name on the list."
Our exchange of flattery naturally led to world affairs.
I subtly inquired about Red Dragon Palace's situation.
"As mentioned, demonic cults rampage in the Southern Jiang area—truly chaotic. How fares Red Dragon Palace?"
"Some supplies come from Central Plains coasts; not easy in these times."
"Any disappearances or such?"
"Coastal and island regions see that often enough. Wokou, pirates, salt demons too."
Yet Jeong Won-hae's words felt vague.
I understood.
My paths and fame must seem like tales from another world to them across the sea.
'Island folk say mainlanders cut off noses of those coming ashore... Can't trust blindly.'
Well, can't fill on first bite.
With Jeong Won-hae here as exchange student, time to build trust aplenty.
I grinned, buttoning our first meeting.
"Let's find ways to work together."
* * *
Starting with Southern Sea Red Dragon Palace, I met the other outer martial world exchange students in turn.
Southern Barbaric Beast Palace, Crane Palace Division, Northern Sea Ice Palace.
None sent Little Palace Lord equivalents due to circumstances.
Exchanged greetings with Beast Palace; reminisced about the Asung siege with Crane and Ice.
Thus ended the courtesy rounds.
Semester start swiftly approached.
"This is Righteous Martial Academy Chancellor Gyeong-hye. Enjoyed your break?"
"Yes!"
"Another semester begins. May all cadets advance in martial prowess and studies."
This semester's opening coincided with the exchange students' enrollment ceremony.
"Especially, through the exchange program, forty-one late-stage disciples from outer martial world enter our academy. As chancellor, I welcome them. May Central and outer late-stage disciples understand and harmonize."
The chancellor's words on understanding and harmony weren't empty.
A required course this semester: "Special Exchange Class."
Special Exchange Class.
To learn differences in outer and Central environments and customs.
Under roaming sword knight Professor Jeong Geuk-gyeong, exchange cadets teach about their homelands.
"Jeong Geuk-gyeong here. You all know the uproar in Southern Jiang lately. It borders Yangtze up north, Southern Sea down south. Thus, faces enemies in vastly different environments from Central."
First up: Southern Sea Red Dragon Palace exchange students.
"Today, learn that environment with Red Dragon Palace exchanges. Cadet Jeong Won-hae, come forward?"
"Jeong Won-hae. As professor said, our combat environments differ greatly from land folk. Much fighting on water, mud, sand."
Yet Jeong Won-hae's group's first lesson prep wasn't mere theory.
"Inquired at academy; cadets trained in similar but found lacks upon review. We'll cover that today."
Lesson on lake by Dan-gang Port bordering academy: one large ship, several small boats afloat.
"To show deficiencies, volunteers?"
All quiet, unsure of Red Dragon Palace plans.
I raised hand.
"I'll volunteer."
"...Ah, Sea Dragon?"
"Yes."
"...Then come with me to the small boat."
Jeong Won-hae led me to a small boat.
"Large ship good for defense but slow; can't pass narrows. To board enemy vessel, use small boat like..."
As I stepped toward the small boat,
Other Red Dragon late-stage disciples swam below, tipping it.
Hmm?
At Fusion Realm, I sensed intent early.
But guessed their teaching point,
Splash!!
I obliged, falling in as planned.
"Pfoo!"
"......"
Jeong Won-hae stared surprised at soaked me.
"Not continuing the lesson?"
"...Ah, yes."
At my prompt, he proceeded.
"Balancing on boat tough unless seafarer. Enemies below might flip it, harpoon, etc."
"Calm water like here milder; fierce river rapids or sea add waves, right?"
I participated, firing questions at Jeong Won-hae.
"Yes. Requires special footwork, plus spotting usable tools instantly."
"Got it."
"Pardon?"
"Waves. I'll make them. Can't match nature's, but want others to truly feel water combat."
Offered suggestion and helper role.
Thus, all cadets soaked rat-like once each; Red Dragon lesson ended that night.
Knock knock-
"Who is it?"
"Sea Dragon, it's me."
"Door's open. Come in."
Jeong Won-hae visited my dorm.
"Thanks for today's class."
"Just participated eagerly in useful lesson; no need for thanks."
"Grateful though. The waves you made too..."
"That's my duty as president, helping cadets study properly. Nothing to thank."
"Hmm. Can't put it that way. Truth: I held biases toward mainlanders. Not my first academy visit."
"Ah, yes. Heard you toured once before, skipped Undefeated Tournament."
"Memories of Central late-stagers then intense; skipped tournament."
"How so?"
"...Arrogant, prideful. Obsessed with showing off, ignored us."
"......"
"So when Sea Dragon volunteered, thought you'd shame us. But different. Those waves... At your prowess, you knew the flip intent."
"...Yes, knew but fit the lesson, so went along."
"You leading by plunging in let others quietly follow our lesson."
"Nah, our kids diligent. Much changed from seniors' time."
"Really?"
"Swear."
"Anyway, first time seeing Central folk truly curious, sincere about our lives, martial arts, sea combat."
At my words, Jeong Won-hae chuckled, continuing,
"O Yun-seong praised, Southern Jiang buzzed. Curious about Sea Dragon; rumors held no exaggeration."
"...Khm. Some hyperbole."
"Wanting sea combat lessons means you'd cross seas if Red Dragon in peril. On that note, something to say."
"...Not just thanks?"
"Yes. At Premier Inn days back, unspoken topic."
"...What?"
"Coastal disappearances. We suspect Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."