Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Say That the Scoundrel Bastard Threatened You
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The Physical Education Department of the Student Council had two main duties.
Constantly monitoring and improving the physical fitness, internal energy, health, and hygiene of all dormitory residents.
'And preparing for the Inter-Dormitory Tournament.'
The Azure Bamboo Hall Student Council President, who had been reelected for the second year in a row—my older brother the Azure Dragon—said that the Student Council's two pillars were the General Affairs Department and the Guidance Department.
'That's true enough.'
If qualified with the caveat, "From the perspective of running the Student Council."
Since they had appointed suitable candidates like Yin Xia Lian and Jeong Hyeon, one could say those two pillars were solidly in place.
So what came next in importance?
Each dormitory had its own circumstances.
But what Azure Bamboo Hall needed most was to shake off the layers of accumulated defeat that had built up over the years.
'That's what the young lady said.'
That without me, Azure Bamboo Hall would fall, so my body wasn't mine alone.
It didn't sound bad.
Thinking it over again, it was a bit embarrassing, but not entirely wrong.
'That's the problem—it's not wrong.'
Whether I was called the Top Student or professors begged me to join their labs, my achievements weren't equated with Azure Bamboo Hall's.
'No matter how well I do alone, even for a hundred days, it won't help the Azure Bamboo Hall cadets shake off their sense of defeat.'
That wouldn't do.
Recalling the original story, the Righteous Martial Academy provided various spirit pills, spirit materials, new weapons, and precious metals to individuals for personal achievements.
'But the real substantial rewards mostly went to the Student Councils that won dormitory-wide events.'
I couldn't just sit by and watch that happen.
No, I couldn't afford to.
'On the way to procure the crimson jade and pomegranate, I heard the name Reverse Heaven Demon Gu Cheon-seo.'
It was the Release Hall Master's speculative remark based on rumors, but rumors arose from winds blowing somewhere.
A great evil was sharpening its claws in the shadows of the world.
'Whatever it takes, I need to grab everything I can.'
So if it seemed better for me or my Eon siblings to consume it, we'd eat it; if it seemed better to pass it to the original protagonist, we'd do that.
Many things had already changed from the original story. If I slacked off now for momentary comfort, I might suffer terribly later.
'That's why I need victories as Azure Bamboo Hall, not as Eon Yong-un.'
To more easily claim the various rewards available within the Righteous Martial Academy.
To increase the number of young martial artists who would rise courageously when calamity struck the world later.
'To do that.'
Azure Bamboo Hall needed confidence that they could win.
To foster that confidence, they had to win the upcoming Spring Inter-Dormitory Tournament.
'That's why the Physical Education Department Head is crucial.'
Well, having read the original, I already had the perfect candidate in mind for the role.
"Isn't there someone among the seniors who told you or Ha Seong to scout the competition? How did they end up on the list you gave us, sis?"
"Let me see. They're right at the top here, right, Brother Yong-un? Isn't this Senior Go Wansan?"
"Oh? Is this the one Young Master Eon has picked for Physical Education Department Head?"
The man who, in the original, betrayed Azure Bamboo Hall and bet on Cloud Plum Pavilion's victory, only for his leg to be broken by bookmaker Yang Geum-pyo.
But before that happened, the man who had dominated the physical events in the Inter-Dormitory Tournaments, making even Cloud Plum Pavilion tense.
Go Wansan.
"That's right. Sorry to pile on another request after you've worked late, but if Senior Go Wansan just signs off, can you prepare the paperwork to make him accept the Physical Education Department Head position?"
I nodded lightly, assigning Yin Xia Lian one more task.
At my demeanor, Master's voice tsked from my waist pouch.
- ...Throwing denunciation letters, funds squeezed from the Release Hall Master, and you've already dumped tons of work on her, yet you're adding one more.
'......'
- Even I give breaks between tasks, but look at Ha Yeon over there—it's pitiful. Wasn't she missing roll call to do this? She's the one handling that Friend Fund thing every month too?
'Master, why hit me with the truth so suddenly and make me feel guilty?'
For a moment, guilt toward Yin Xia Lian welled up because of Master, but I couldn't yield on this.
No one but Yin Xia Lian could quickly prepare the exact format I wanted.
I opened my mouth, conveying that thought.
"It's because you're the only one I trust with something like this."
At my words, Yin Xia Lian pouted and spoke.
"Young Master Eon, you're actually a pretty bad guy when you get right down to it."
"...Suddenly?"
"If you say I'm the only one you can entrust it to, how can I refuse?"
"......"
"Well, it's not that I hate it. Just throwing a little tantrum. It's my fate, after all."
"Next month's Friend Fund reduced."
- Reduced?! Reduced?! Spend more, you wicked brat!
"...waived."
"Got it. Leave it to me. Should I reference the documents the graduate students prepare? For graduation, withdrawal from the hall, and continued reelection without Student Council approval?"
See? I didn't even say anything, and she already knew exactly the document I wanted.
The Righteous Martial Academy's Inter-Dormitory Tournament competed in four events, with attitude scores added for order and cheering from each dormitory to determine the winner.
Attitude scores aside.
The four events were sparring, Go (surrounding board game), athletics, and arts & crafts.
Among them, athletics involved inter-dormitory walking polo matches.
I didn't know what real historical polo in East Asia was like since I hadn't seen it.
In the original story, the polo match used polo mallets called zhangsi, legs, and heads to kick the ball into large jars used as goals for points, with the team scoring more within the time limit winning.
'Like hockey and soccer mixed in my old world's terms?'
Of course, as a wuxia tale, suppressing opponents with force during strikes and kicks was allowed, leading to intense matches as described.
Anyway, if things went according to my plan, Azure Bamboo Hall's prospects for the upcoming Spring Inter-Dormitory Tournament were quite bright.
'Investing the money I've gathered this time will make our equipment incomparably better than in the original.'
The original noted that equipment like polo mallets and protective gear subtly influenced performance.
But upon inspection after becoming Vice President, Azure Bamboo Hall's polo supplies were downright shoddy.
I'd replace them first with the money we'd obtained.
'Plus, Yang Geum-pyo's been taken care of.'
I'd eliminated the factor that caused Go Wansan's leg injury—the reason Azure Bamboo Hall choked after a good start in the original.
Now I just needed the people.
"Physical Education Department Head? Me?"
"Yes. No one else but you, Senior."
"Since you arrived, a strange vitality has been circulating in Azure Bamboo Hall unlike before, so I really want to help."
But Go Wansan, the most crucial candidate for the position, expressed reluctance.
"Doesn't the Physical Education Head ultimately handle polo?"
"Correct."
"...You may not know, but my family has a bad history with ball games, leaving unpleasant memories. It could make me a laughingstock or finger-pointed at, and above all, the family elders and parents won't approve."
Of course, having read the original, I knew that.
By setting, Go Wansan's ancestor was Gao Qiu.
Gao Qiu was a real historical figure from the Song Dynasty, a notorious villain in the classic Water Margin.
I hadn't known about Gao Qiu originally.
A comment on the original novel saying, "Whoa! Author knows Gao Qiu! Scary. Freaking. Hilarious." got the most likes that chapter, so I looked it up.
'In a way, that's why I even remember Go Wansan, who only appears once.'
Gao Qiu in one word...
'Traitor.'
Like someone in modern times becoming Defense Minister for being good at soccer?
I vaguely remembered he caused various grievances because of that.
'Though the emperor who appointed a soccer player as Defense Minister is the real issue...'
Anyway, not the point now.
As Gao Qiu's descendant, Go Wansan was set to excel at any ball game.
In the original, since Jeong Hyeon chose Cloud Plum Pavilion, Go Wansan just became an obstacle for the opponents, so I figured he'd play if asked—but now we hit an unexpected snag.
'Hmm. The family disapproves.'
Was this backstory hidden behind the original's description of Go Wansan's polo skills?
But it was worth trying.
'Yang Geum-pyo aside, Go Wansan stepped up as a player for Azure Bamboo Hall and showed tremendous polo skills.'
Meaning, despite family opposition, he loved ball games enough to reach that level.
'And even while reluctant here, he ultimately played in the original.'
That meant he cared for Azure Bamboo Hall.
So I just needed to hit that point.
Having organized my thoughts, I spoke firmly.
"You just said a strange vitality is circulating in Azure Bamboo Hall, making you want to help, right?"
"I did."
"Then help us."
At my words, Go Wansan replied in a troubled voice.
"Didn't I say it's a family issue...?"
"Forget the family—what's your own feeling? If you want to, I'll handle the family issue."
"...It's not something that can be resolved, so how do you plan to handle it?"
"Just say the scoundrel bastard who beat you up threatened you, Senior."
But I kept emphasizing him personally and Azure Bamboo Hall, pressing firmly.
"Isn't that different from the facts...? ...Wait, is it? Not that different? ...No, it is definitely different from the facts. It was Yang's side at fault, and your actions were justified self-defense."
"What does that matter? The vitality now circulating in Azure Bamboo Hall could blaze brightly or fizzle out pathetically. To keep the spark alive, Azure Bamboo Hall needs to experience victory in a team event."
"......"
Pressing relentlessly to this point, deep anguish filled Go Wansan's expression.
Anguish in a seasoned murim man wasn't usually welcome, but in this case, it was good.
It proved his heart was wavering.
"After considering all possibilities, I concluded that victory is possible if you join us, Senior."
"...What are you saying? Even the Top Student?"
I barely suppressed my curling lips and continued emphasizing Azure Bamboo Hall's spirit toward Go Wansan.
"Don't turn away from the Azure Bamboo Hall cadets you eat, sleep, and sweat with. Consider if you're upholding diligence, one of Azure Bamboo Hall's spirits. I'm begging you, Senior."
"...Ugh."
That was it.
"Fine. You're begging so earnestly, even volunteering to be called a tiresome scoundrel—how can I, as your senior and fellow Azure Bamboo man, keep citing family matters?"
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes. Physical Education Department Head. I'll take it."
At my earnest and firm plea, Go Wansan finally agreed.
Fearing he might change his mind, I hurriedly called in Yin Xia Lian, whom I'd stationed outside the door.
"Thank you, Senior Go. No takebacks, right? Yin! Bring the paperwork you prepared yesterday!"
"Right here, Young Master Eon. Now, Senior, dip your hand in that ink over there and stamp here?"
Bam-
"Done. Looking forward to working with you, Department Head?"
"Me too, Senior."
"...Huh?"
Meanwhile, while Eon Yong-un, having heard rumors of Reverse Heaven Demon Gu Cheon-seo, was struggling in his own way to save Azure Bamboo Hall after returning.
In Fragrant Orchid Hall, located opposite Azure Bamboo Hall, a plot was underway.
The ringleader was Un Hyeok, head of Fragrant Orchid Hall's Publicity Department, and his gang.
"This afternoon, there's the first class of Martial Arts Theory, a required course all four dorms' freshmen must attend, right?"
"Yes, Senior."
The attendee was Mu Gil, a later-generation disciple. Due to the Joint Faction's decline, he was a disciple of Mosan Sect, newly claiming a seat among the Nine Great Sects' fringes.
"That class always pairs up for sparring on the first lesson. If someone boldly nominates a partner, they get priority; otherwise, it's by draw."
"I see."
"Yes. You nominate Eon Yong-un there. That arrogant punk looks down on us."
"Me, against Eon Yong-un?"
"Exactly. Lately, he's been lurking around Fragrant Orchid Hall, seducing your classmate Dang Ok-gi, and yesterday he even went out. That bastard blushed in front of me once, and now he's tarnishing Fragrant Orchid Hall's name in every way out of grudge. Teach him a lesson."