Chapter 373
Chapter 373
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 373
Chapter Title: Fellowship Assembly (4)
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As I pointed to the guest seats, the cadets handling the guidance approached Namgung Won and Jegal Cheok.
The two stopped their growling and began to move.
"Ha!"
"Hmph!"
With the two giants of the orthodox martial world departing like that, sighs of relief erupted here and there.
"Phew."
"...You're still at it, as always."
Soon after, the Alliance Leader, who had been standing at the rear of the procession, approached.
"Those two have been bickering since ancient times."
"I've heard as much."
"Yes. I heard the faculty worked hard, but the student council prepared a lot too and went through a lot of trouble. Good work. Mind if I follow my seniors?"
"Of course, Alliance Leader."
"Today, I'm not here as the Murim Alliance Leader, but as Gong Son Mu-gyeol, a graduate of Righteous Martial Academy. Just call me Senior. No need to be so formal."
Then, the Shadow Corps Director standing beside him spoke softly.
"...Alliance Leader. As I've said time and again, this impression of favoritism toward Cadet Eon Yong-un isn't good for you or for Cadet Eon Yong-un."
"...That nagging again? From the start, how can it be favoritism toward Yong-un? I'm just acknowledging his hard work, and admiring how he always accomplishes impressive feats?"
The Shadow Corps Director had a point, actually.
But to calm the somewhat excited Alliance Leader, the quickest way seemed to be to go along with it.
"Thank you for recognizing our efforts, Senior. Shall we head to the platform?"
"Yes, yes."
After sending off the satisfied Alliance Leader as well,
Namgung Young greeted me happily.
"Senior Yong-un!"
"Ahem, ahem."
Behind him, I spotted Namgung Yun, who for some reason was acting pretentious.
I chuckled and spoke to them.
"Good work. For someone who's declared retirement, I never imagined Sword Emperor Senior would attend. Thanks to you two, the Fellowship Assembly has gained the power of a heavenly army and myriad demons."
At my words,
Namgung Young grinned broadly, while Namgung Yun had this to say.
"You're not the only one worrying about the world."
"Yeah, yeah, you're great."
"Ahem. I didn't say you were great..."
"Oh, why do you have to read into everything, Brother? It's just a casual remark!"
"Anyway, you two hurry and change, then head back to your dorms. I pulled you from the dorm representatives since there won't be time to coordinate, but you still need to attend the banquet."
After that, the guests began crossing Righteous Martial Academy's main gate one by one.
Unlike those who came straight from Wuchang, the other guests had arrived in Dan River Valley a day or two early, so the guest seats filled up quickly.
Once everyone who was supposed to attend had arrived,
Father, serving as the assembly secretary, spoke up.
"I am Eon Jeong-ung, in charge of the Fellowship Assembly. I bow my head in gratitude to all the renowned guests who set everything aside to attend this main event."
"Now, allow me to guide you through the first item on the agenda. Cadets and exchange students of Righteous Martial Academy will demonstrate their formation marches. First up are the cadets from Azure Bamboo Hall, last year's winners of the Purification Tournament, performing the Layered Blossom Formation. Please give them a warm round of applause."
Clap clap clap clap clap clap.
Starting with the Azure Bamboo Hall cadets who appeared amid the pouring applause, Righteous Martial Academy cadets showcased each dorm's formation marches in order.
"Next are the exchange students. First, cadets from the Southern Sea Red Dragon Palace will demonstrate the Myriad Wave Sea Dragon Formation."
The exchange students from beyond the outer seas followed, each representing their homeland with precise ceremonial formation marches.
The final group among them was the Arhat Formation performed by Monk Woncheol and the Shaolin disciples who had visited Righteous Martial Academy for the Fellowship Assembly.
"Hat!"
"Haaat!"
Pae So-cheon, watching them, tilted his head and asked,
"But this is Righteous Martial Academy's Fellowship Assembly. Woncheol Monk aside, why are the other monks joining in?"
At Pae So-cheon's question, Cheon Jang-ho opened his mouth in exasperation.
"...Brother, you've been preparing all this time and still don't know jack?"
"Don't talk like you know when you don't either."
"Of course I know! As the Young Master said, all under heaven are brothers or whatever! The Fellowship Assembly is in that vein. Comrades on the same path. So Shaolin disciples count too. Use your brain."
It was then that Jeong Hyeon, who had been listening, spoke up.
"The intent of the Fellowship Assembly is correct... but your example is a bit off. The Young Master has ties to our Daoist sect. 'All under heaven are brothers' comes from the Analects. It's Confucius' words."
Pae So-cheon snorted at that.
"See? You don't know either."
"No, it's different from you!"
Cheon Jang-ho felt wronged.
It was then that I spoke.
"Brother So-cheon isn't entirely wrong. People might subconsciously think that way. They could see today's new Fellowship Assembly as just a group of Righteous Martial Academy alumni banding together."
As my younger brothers and sisters nodded at my words,
I continued.
"Once the assembly head is decided today and the Fellowship Assembly is officially launched, publicizing it and recruiting more pathfellows will be the role of our student council and the academy cadets. Especially you, Senior Ye."
"Yes, Junior."
"And Ha-seong and So-neung."
"Yep."
"Yes, Brother Eon."
"The Public Relations Department's role will be crucial."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Fellowship Assembly's program continued.
The guests toured the four great dorms, rebuilt after the fire.
They also reviewed each dorm's yearbooks.
Finally, they took time to check the achievements of the newly established student council and Martial House Alliance.
Once the agenda for presenting to the seniors wrapped up,
"Distinguished guests and student representatives from the autonomous council, please move to the main hall's conference chamber."
We relocated to the main building for the meeting that needed to precede the official launch of the organization.
Once everyone was seated,
Sister Kyung-hye spoke.
"Seniors, peers, and juniors. Thank you for traveling far to attend this meaningful gathering."
As Sister Kyung-hye began her opening remarks,
Four graduate seniors each brought specialty liquors from the four great dorms and began mixing them together.
"Given the occasion, it seemed right to share at least a cup of grain liquor, so we pondered what fine brew to prepare."
Watching them, Sister Kyung-hye continued.
"Then a thought occurred to us. Since pathfellows who worry for the world have gathered here so that seniors can encourage juniors and juniors can respect seniors, why not mix the liquors representing the four great dorms?"
As she spoke, the graduate seniors transferred the blended liquor to a teapot and began filling the guests' cups.
"Please have a cup each. We couldn't impose on our guests without trying it first, so the organizers sampled it. I wondered what flavor mixing them like this would yield, but it has quite the bouquet."
As her voice continued, everyone downed their cup.
Then Master sent a transmission.
- What does it taste like?
'A peculiar taste.'
- A guy who usually wags his tongue freely, and that's all you've got?
'...I'll set aside a bottle or make you some later.'
With that, the meeting for launching the Fellowship Assembly began.
There were various agenda items, from bylaws to fund management plans, but those were pre-prepared matters.
In the end, the most important item for this meeting was who would become the assembly head.
"Namgung Won of the Namgung Family. I will run for assembly head."
"Jegal Cheok of the Zhuge Family here. I too will run for assembly head."
Without either conceding, both Sword Emperor and Heavenly Insight Prodigy declared their candidacy for assembly head simultaneously.
Their supporters split into two factions as well.
"Pae Mu-hyeok of the Northern Paeng Family. Both are excellent, but I believe Senior Jegal Cheok is more suited for Fellowship Assembly head."
"The Tang Family concurs with the Paeng Family."
"Jongnam believes Namgung Family Head is more fitting."
"Kunlun thinks Sword Emperor Senior suits it better."
To calm the heated debate filling the chamber, Father spoke up.
"Many opinions are being voiced... but we haven't heard from the two senior candidates themselves. It would be appreciated if you could share your aspirations or motivations."
At Father's words, Jegal Cheok spoke first.
"Namgung Family Head. May this Jegal Cheok speak first?"
"Go ahead."
"If there were other candidates, it might be different, but against Sword Emperor? No need for further words—I'm the right man for the job."
After a brief request for permission, Jegal Cheok spoke bluntly.
"Namgung Family's Lightning Sword. How long ago was it that former Baekbon Assembly Leader Namgung Uk's petty misdeeds while involved with the Baekbon Assembly were exposed to the world? Is there any guarantee it won't happen again?"
His words were so unsparing that
a hush fell over the chamber.
Undeterred, Jegal Cheok pressed on.
"Even if it's a friendly gathering of senior and junior pathfellows worrying for the martial world, we can't entrust the leadership to just anyone."
At Jegal Cheok's words,
Namgung Won furrowed his brow and responded.
"That matter was already settled by the current Alliance Leader's decision, and the person involved has taken responsibility and been expelled from the family. Dragging it up to slander? And in front of the juniors, at a place to declare one's aspirations? That in itself proves Jegal Cheok is more suited to being a petty ink-stained scholar than leader of this assembly—a mere condiment dish."
As the atmosphere grew heated,
Father spoke up.
"...We'll take a short recess. You two seniors seem agitated—how about stepping out for some air?"
At Father's words,
Namgung Won and Jegal Cheok each left a parting shot and exited the chamber.
"That rotten old coot made me lose my temper. As the secretary said, I'll cool my head and return."
"Ha! Who are you to say that?!"
As the two dispersed in opposite directions,
bewildered looks spread everywhere.
I sent a transmission to the Alliance Leader.
[Were they such bitter enemies? I've heard they're sworn foes, but since they ran the Alliance together, I thought they'd unite for the greater good... Was inviting both a mistake?]
[As I said earlier... They've always bickered, but today seems a bit excessive.]
[Maybe they have some scheme?]
[Who knows. They haven't been in contact since retiring, and no messages or meetings on the way here. Even I'm puzzled.]
[...Hmm.]
[Instead of this, why don't you go sound them out subtly?]
[Me?]
[I said I'm here personally, but the Alliance Leader title doesn't vanish, so it's awkward for me. Both seniors seem fond of you, though.]
[I've met Heavenly Insight Prodigy Senior, but Sword Emperor Senior was actually my first encounter at the main gate earlier. He told me not to follow—wouldn't it be rude?]
[No. On the way from Wuchang, he asked all sorts about you. He seemed curious.]
[In that case, yes, understood.]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Namgung Won and Jegal Cheok stormed out of the chamber in opposite directions.
But having been schoolmates at the academy since their student days,
they headed to the bamboo grove on the academy's east side as if by prior agreement.
In the bamboo grove, Namgung Won spoke first.
"Heh, your tongue's still sharp, eh? Still got that knack for scraping people's nerves."
"It was sincere. Thinking back to the headaches you caused me in the Alliance, I wake up in cold sweats even now."
"Enough of the mutual gripes."
"Fine. Cut to the chase. Anyway, you're not the right man. Didn't you see those Baekbon Assembly heavyweights slyly lining up with you, watching their step?"
At Jegal Cheok's words, Namgung Won nodded and replied.
"I saw. With the true nature of this Fellowship Assembly still unclear, their past karma prevents open opposition... but they need to pick a side?"
"Your instincts haven't dulled."
"As you said, with Uk's antics in the Baekbon Assembly, they're leaning toward me subtly."
"Don't blame it all on Lightning Sword. The Namgung Family's stubbornness plays a part too. All that etiquette and cultivation... A retired geezer still hogging the family head seat."
"You rotten old fart. That's exactly why they're flocking. I can squash those leaning my way with the cultivation you just trashed."
"In that regard, you're a useful old codger. Setting aside how much I hate your face."
At Jegal Cheok's words,
Namgung Won let out a hollow chuckle, then voiced a sudden question.
"By the way, you met the Dragon Brat separately before the Fellowship Assembly? What do you make of him?"
"Insolent."
"Insolent? Our grandkids couldn't get their acts together, but the Alliance Leader praised him endlessly?"
"We played a game of baduk, and he said he absolutely wouldn't yield. Cheeky brat."
"You say that, but you're smiling."
"Rare talent. That's for sure."
As the two conversed,
footsteps approached from afar.
Thud thud-
Noticing it, Namgung Won spoke.
"Hold on, someone's coming."
"I told him not to follow. Which punk is it?"
Jegal Cheok furrowed his brow.
"Not hiding his steps. Sounds like the Dragon Brat. Showing up just as we're talking about him. What a commoner."
"The kid's no gentleman, that's for sure."
At Namgung Won's words that the footsteps matched Eon Yong-un,
Jegal Cheok turned immediately.
"Where you going? Looks like the kid's coming to see us."
"I'm done here. Met the Dragon Brat already, confirmed your true feelings. Time to head back. You're curious about him—meet him yourself. If he seems promising, pass on some hard-earned wisdom. No need to take it to the grave, right?"
At Jegal Cheok's words,
Namgung Won scowled fiercely and retorted.
"I'll handle it. You've always done what I delegate perfectly, but seeing you always boils my blood. Now I get why."
"Why?"
"You say it first, making it seem like I'm ordering you! Think about it—you rotten old coot always pulls that crap!"