Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Needle and Thread (1)
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"Thank you for coming all this way, seniors. As you can see, we were in the middle of training."
"Ah, sorry about that. Should we wait inside? Or we could set a time and come back then."
"No, that's fine. We were just wrapping up anyway. If it's alright, would you mind waiting inside for a bit?"
"Sure."
After I sent Gwak Woo-myeong and his group back into the inn like that,
the Eon siblings, who had been holding their bodies and minds straight through Ape Steps and Duck Walks—fist-clenched crawls and waddling without using internal energy—scrambled to their feet and gathered around.
"Brother Yong-un! If it's a recruitment offer, does that mean we're talking about the one where they only take the top new students?!"
At Eun Ha-seong's words, Wu So-rung's eyes widened as she spoke up.
"Oh. I thought new students had to submit applications and get reviewed by each dormitory's student council. I had no idea they send offers directly to the top ranks! No wonder the seniors showed up out of nowhere! Anyway, congrats, Brother Eon!"
Every new student entering the Righteous Martial Academy had to choose one of the four great dormitories.
The usual process involved the new student submitting an application, which the dormitory's student council would then review.
They evaluated entrance exam scores, family background, personality, internal recommendations, and more, ultimately deciding yes or no based on their fixed quota.
'The dorms hold all the power. New students are at their mercy.'
Of course, that was just the norm.
For top scorers like me, Jeong-hyeon, or Yin Xia Lian, the dynamic flipped.
'The four great dormitories of the Righteous Martial Academy are in fierce competition with each other.'
They could unite under the banner of "We're students of the Righteous Martial Academy" against common enemies or shared interests, but normally, Yunmae, Hyangran, Yunguk, and Cheongjuk Halls vied against each other like sworn rivals.
It was inevitable. One of the academy's founding principles was to foster healthy competition among the next generation of the righteous sects.
That history had built up over generations, deepening grudges until it became a matter of pride.
'In the righteous martial world, pride and separation go hand in hand.'
On top of that, inter-dormitory tournaments every semester and funding allocations based on combined departmental scores added practical stakes.
So the dorms scrapped like dogs and monkeys.
'The original work described how tournament season brought cheers of life and death, with matches so heated they led to injuries.'
Thus, securing top new students was the student councils' top priority.
For high-rankers, it turned into a full recruitment war.
Anyway.
As So-rung voiced her congratulations, the others chimed in.
I calmed them down and spoke.
"Congrats? I haven't even heard the offer yet. And it's not just me in the top ranks—Jeong-hyeon and Eun are too, and Ha-seong and So-rung are Diligent Scholarship recipients, so they might get offers. So, have you all decided on a dorm you want? Right after the entrance exam, when we chatted a bit, I recall Eun saying she had her eye on Yunguk Hall."
"Yes, that's right."
"I don't think I heard from the rest?"
At my words, Ha-seong scratched his head first.
"Honestly? I hadn't really thought about it."
"...?"
"Heh heh."
"Ha-seong?"
"...Yes?"
"I've told you over and over to use your brain. Should I smash your head like back in Hwi-ju to make it work physically?!"
"I-I swear I've been using it!"
That?
How, exactly?
"Wherever Brother Yong-un decides to go, I'll follow. Like thread following the needle. I planned to apply to whatever dorm you pick. Sure, in this case, their council might say they don't need a thread like me, but I could still make it, right?! If I fail, I'll figure it out then. Worst case, I'd end up in Cheongjuk Hall anyway."
I first thought, What am I gonna do with this guy? But it made sense from his position as the applicant.
Then So-rung jumped in agreement.
"Oh, that's smart! Wu So-rung Thread will do the same!!"
Fair enough.
Last was Jeong-hyeon.
"I haven't decided firmly, but I've been drawn to the spirits of Yunmae Hall or Cheongjuk Hall."
But then.
A question came from Master's voice at my waist.
- Spirit? So it's not just splitting kids by convenience or faction—each has a different philosophy? Not arbitrarily named after plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo?
'It's faded a bit lately, but yeah, basically.'
At Master's words, I recalled the founding intents and traits of the four halls.
'Yunmae, Hyangran, Yunguk, Cheongjuk.'
Like Master said, they seemed arbitrarily named after the Four Gentlemen—plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo—but each had its philosophy.
'Each mirrors traits of a hero. First, Yunmae Hall, symbolized by red.'
Yunmae Hall was founded to cultivate heroes with the poise of plum blossoms.
What kind of hero was like a plum?
The original work said plums brave the cold before the frozen earth thaws, blooming first. So Yunmae took in juniors brave enough to charge into fire for justice.
'Next, Hyangran Hall, symbolized by black.'
Orchids hidden in deep mountains spread their fragrance far. Hyangran nurtured those prizing history and tradition.
'Third, Yunguk Hall, symbolized by yellow.'
Chrysanthemums bloom through early frost with refined grace. Yunguk sought those wise enough to overcome trials.
'Finally, Cheongjuk Hall, symbolized by blue.'
Bamboo stays green through winter when others shed leaves, embodying diligence. Cheongjuk accepted any true-hearted hero.
Master snorted at my thoughts.
- The place is full of rotten fish-eyes, yet they spout grand ideals!
'That's just the founding intent.'
Anyway, I'd known Jeong-hyeon's thoughts from the original, but hearing it firsthand was novel.
On paper, all four halls sounded elite.
But now, rankings had emerged.
'Ha-seong even said if he fails, Cheongjuk's all that's left.'
Cheongjuk at the bottom, Yunguk mid-tier, Yunmae and Hyangran battling for first and second overall.
Yet Jeong-hyeon pondered Yunmae—perpetual top contender—and Cheongjuk—eternal last place, lately dubbed the academy's trash bin—based purely on spirit.
'Comparing two dorms worlds apart, solely on their ideals... That's Jeong-hyeon for you.'
Anyway, I'd checked my Eon siblings' thoughts.
Now to hear the offers from the councils.
"Let's head in, then."
They prattled about chrysanthemum grace, but simply put, Yunguk Hall gathered quick thinkers among juniors.
Founded by a Zhuge ancestor, it had long supplied strategists to the Martial Alliance.
"Student Eon Yong-un and Student Yin Xia Lian. We'd love to bring both of you to our hall."
Maybe because they were from Yunguk, but Vice President Gwak Woo-myeong and his two companions were polite, their offer straightforward.
"To be blunt, even with Zhuge Seol-ji—the founder's descendant—we came to you first, Eon Yong-un."
"Music to my ears, but there's a flaw in that. It's not that you skipped her— she's going to Yunguk anyway, right?"
"Exactly."
"Not denying it?"
"First, the fact you spotted that so quickly proves you're a fit for Yunguk. And even with her secured, approaching you first risks her resentment. Consider that."
Fair point.
Zhuge Seol-ji was a pain.
"Frankly, we haven't beaten Yunmae or Hyangran in overall scores recently. But we've always topped departmental ones. With you and Yin Xia Lian joining, plus Zhuge pitching in, we forecast reclaiming first in tournaments this year."
"Hm. I see."
"Yes. Plus, our facilities are the best among the four. We even give new students single rooms—only us. Generous scholarships too, though you're already on multiples. That's our pitch. Thanks for your time. We'll hold your spots till the end—think it over and let us know."
"Got it. Safe travels. We'll contact you once we've decided."
How long after sending off the Yunguk seniors?
As we ate lunch and sipped tea, red-robed Yunmae seniors arrived.
If Yunguk drew brainiacs, Yunmae attracted action-first types.
"We're probably the first here. We're the dorm that pairs perfectly with frontrunners, top scorers, number ones."
"...Second, actually?"
"...? Who came first?"
"Yunguk just left."
"What about Zhuge Seol-ji?"
"You asking me?"
"...Can't a guy ask?"
"...She's Yunguk-bound anyway, so they came to me first."
"Figures. Brainy schemers! Probably bragged about their facilities. Anyway! We took first the last two years straight. Plenty of seniors to back you. Facilities? Honestly subpar to Yunguk's, but if you join, we'll bend rules for a vice section chief spot—gets you a premium double room."
Yunmae's offer targeted only me.
'In the original, they approached Jeong-hyeon. Guess I'm top dog now.'
I wasn't dead set on bunking with the Eon crew.
In this world with slow info flow, having insiders everywhere had perks.
Anyway, more offers to hear, so I sent Yunmae off with a later-reply promise.
After they left,
the Eon siblings hotly debated Yunguk vs. Yunmae.
Deep-rift Hyangran and trash-bin Cheongjuk were non-starters.
'Makes sense—Un-hyeok, Un-jin, and Jo Cheol-seong left strong impressions.'
Right then,
as I watched their debate,
those three I'd just thought of showed up at the inn together.
"Ahem."
To sum up Hyangran in one word: tradition-obsessed blood purists.
Spooky timing—right as I thought of them. Not exactly gentlemen.
Anyway, guests are guests.
As the heated Eon mood chilled instantly, I overplayed my welcome.
"No way! Hyangran seniors?! What brings you to our humble inn?"
"...Un-hyeok here. Hyangran PR chief. Here to discuss recruiting some of you to—"
"Whoa, hold up. Order matters. You're out of line, seniors. Want to talk? Apologize properly first, no?"