Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Is Mugil a Fool?
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Mugil selected Eon Yong-un as his sparring opponent, and Chang Liang, who had been leading the Introduction to Martial Arts Theory class, opened his mouth with a subtle smile.
"Eon Yong-un of Azure Bamboo Pavilion. Mugil of Fragrant Orchid Pavilion, come to the center."
At those words, Eon Yong-un cracked his neck and stepped to the center of the training ground.
Watching this, the Yin siblings shook their heads in unison and spoke up.
"...Is that guy Mugil an idiot?"
The other Eon siblings nodded along with Yin Ha-yeon's words from among the Yin siblings.
"Right, sis. What, is it some new suicide method?"
But when Yin Ha-seong spoke up, Jeong Hyeon, who had returned after subduing Jeon Gal Seol-ji, gave an awkward smile and put on the brakes.
"Young Master Eon isn't the type to harm someone without reason. Would he really go that far?"
"...It was just a figure of speech, but if Daoist Jeong takes it that way..."
"Pardon?"
"...Never mind. I always think this, but Daoist Jeong seems so earnest about everything. I'm really envious. Jealous, even."
"Ah, thank you. When you're circulating your qi daily, Young Master Yin, don't just stop at running your inner energy—try adding some meditation afterward."
"......"
"That's what I do. Even after all this time as a disciple of Wudang, every time I confront the character for 'Dao,' it feels fresh anew, filling me with the urge to approach everything with sincerity."
"...My mistake."
"Pardon?"
It was Wu So-ryeong who steered the conversation back on track after it had veered off for a moment.
"But anyway, that Mugil guy barely scraped by with extra admission on the same score as me... What gives him the confidence to pick Eon hyung as his sparring partner?"
At Wu So-ryeong's words, Yin Ha-yeon, Jeong Hyeon, and Yin Ha-seong all nodded in unison.
"Exactly."
"You can say that again."
"That's what I'm saying."
From the perspective of the Eon siblings, who had steadily witnessed Eon Yong-un's true nature, this was utterly incomprehensible behavior.
The new students from Azure Bamboo Pavilion, who had gotten even a small taste of what Eon Yong-un was like, thought the same.
But the new students from the other dorms seemed to find Mugil's choice understandable.
"The bottom of the rankings picks the top to spar? Wonders never cease."
"Doesn't that mean lots of people doubt how Eon Yong-un snagged the top spot?"
"Fair point. Didn't Professor Chang Liang say the entrance exam scores don't prove true martial prowess?"
"Professor Jeon Gal-min hyped him up as amazing, but honestly, I didn't see what was so great about it. And he hogged all three scholarships! Apparently, they counted it as merit for rooting out some unorthodox thugs hiding in an inn alley. Damn it. If they'd come to the inn I was guarding, that merit would've been mine!"
"True, now that you mention it. Damn, I should've raised my hand first to spar with Eon Yong-un."
"You?"
"Yeah. Considering when he got kicked out of the Pearl Eon Family, he probably hasn't even held a sword for that long, right?!"
Hearing such murmurs around them, the Eon siblings from Azure Bamboo Pavilion each snorted derisively.
"Pfft."
"Ha?"
"Whoa."
"Huh?"
Among them was Jeong Hyeon's snort, which brought smiles to the other Eon siblings' faces as they realized.
"Heh heh."
"Haha."
"Pfft. But Daoist Jeong knows how to snort like that too?"
"Uh, Young Miss Yin! The other dorm's classmates were saying such absurd things that I couldn't help it... Young Master Yin! Young Master Wu! Stop teasing the others too!"
"Ah, hilarious. Ha. But it makes me realize anew how impressive Young Master Eon is. He's only been wielding a sword for a year, and he's already at that level? I could never exude that kind of presence by this time next year."
"I wouldn't presume to judge others, but if I may venture a guess, Young Master Eon is what you'd call a genius."
If Eon Yong-un had been there, he'd have been dumbfounded, thinking the Murim Academy's sword genius was talking like it wasn't about himself, but he wasn't present.
Thus, the conversation between Jeong Hyeon and Yin Ha-yeon continued.
"But Young Miss Yin has talent too. Now that you've found a master to guide it, it's like fish meeting water."
"All thanks to Young Master Eon."
"Don't get hasty—just keep at it diligently, and you'll bloom in no time."
"Yes. I have to work hard so I don't drag down Young Master Eon. Hmm. Still, it's a shame."
"Hm? What's a shame?"
"With so many blind fools around, no betting pool."
"...Pardon?"
"There are tons who'd bet on Mugil if we put money down. Such a waste not to sweep up that blind money."
While Yin Ha-yeon was lamenting this.
The hitherto silent Yin Ha-seong spoke up.
"If it's such a shame, why don't we do it among ourselves? Setting up an open betting pool during class would draw reprimands, but just among us should be fine, right?"
But at Yin Ha-seong's words, Wu So-ryeong hesitantly objected that it wasn't quite right.
"But if we get caught betting among ourselves, Eon hyung would confiscate it all, wouldn't he?"
"...Ah, true."
"And would the bet even stand? We'd all bet on Eon hyung anyway."
It was then.
While Yin Ha-seong and Jeong Hyeon were nodding at Wu So-ryeong's words.
Yin Ha-yeon smirked and spoke.
"Then how about betting chores instead of money? The new PE director arrived today, and Young Master Eon agreed to lend his lab to Ok-gi, so there's a mountain of paperwork. I was planning to ask Young Master Eon later and have the whole student council pull an all-nighter together amiably since I hate dumping it all on our vice chairs. How about pushing that on them? What do you all think?"
True to form, Yin Ha-yeon was Yin Ha-yeon.
Just like the Yin Ha-yeon who had never really failed in negotiations except against Eon Yong-un.
When she dangled the bait of all-nighters and chore-dumping, the other Eon siblings all swallowed dryly in unison.
"Ahem. But as Young Master Wu said, if we bet among ourselves, we'd all go with Young Master Eon winning. That doesn't make a bet."
"Even the great Daoist Jeong fears all-nighters?"
"...I have first-period class tomorrow."
"...First period tomorrow—Understanding Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism Through the Lives and Teachings of Confucius, Sakyamuni, and Laozi? You're taking that?"
"Yes."
"To think someone around me signed up for that. First period, no less... Anyway, if we bet among ourselves, we'd all pick Young Master Eon, but instead of just win/loss, how about betting on how many seconds he takes? Dump on the one who guesses farthest?"
With Yin Ha-yeon even suggesting the method, the other Eon siblings all pondered deeply.
It was tacit agreement to join the bet.
"Ha-seong, you first?"
"Yessir! No need to think—one second. I'm betting Eon Yong-un hyung sends that dark-skinned flat-nose flying in one shot."
"...Hey. Daoist Jeong's right here—easy on the flat-nose talk."
"Ah, right."
"I'm fine."
"Anyway, Ha-seong's one second. Daoist Jeong?"
"Hm. Back at headquarters, some Mosan Sect leader and disciples visited Wudang. I once crossed swords with their Mosan Sword. Quite unique."
At Jeong Hyeon's words, Yin Ha-seong muttered 'Should've spoken after Daoist Jeong,' but Jeong Hyeon ignored it and racked his brain recalling that sword form.
"At first glance, it wasn't easy to handle. But Young Master Eon is versed in formations, so he'd break it easier than most... Add three or four exchanges to subdue... Hm. Eight or nine seconds? I'll go with eight."
"Good. Daoist Jeong: eight seconds. Young Master Wu?"
"Tough call. If I'd spoken quick, no dilemma, but after Daoist Jeong's input..."
"Time's up. Young Master Eon's drawing his sword. Answer before I count to three, or I decide? One. Twwwo."
"Argh. Five. Five it is."
"Got it. Young Master Wu: five. Finally, Yin Ha-yeon here picks four."
As I drew Regret from my waist with a shing,
my master, who had transferred to our dorm, asked me a question.
-While I was stuck in that tomb, did the Mosan Sect snag one of the Nine Great Sects' spots?
'Yes.'
-So they produced a grandmaster-level flat-nose who advanced his blocked meridians a stage?
'Hm. Probably not. It's just the aftermath of the Great Righteous-Demonic War sixty-some years ago left the Joint Sect declining day by day.'
-Then their swords won't differ much from those guys who came at me back then.
'You crossed swords with Mosan Sect daoists too?'
-Back then, no sect among those flat-noses' schools lacked a disciple who'd clashed with me. Anyway, not the point—beware the illusions. Strictly speaking, Mosan Sect swordsmanship is less swordplay and more wielding their signature gate-guardian path sorcery with a blade.
Having read the original novel, I knew this well enough.
'Two Mosan Sect characters shine in the original.'
Not Mugil, though.
One among the professors, one a senior a year ahead.
Not part of the so-called protagonist generation, but by the time they tangle seriously with the Demonic Cult, they put on stellar shows, so Mosan sword info was firmly etched in my mind.
Still, my master's concern for his disciple wasn't unwelcome, so I quietly listened.
-If you get caught in those illusions, closing your eyes might be one counter. If only you'd trained in that while in Hwiju... Wait, hold on—didn't you master room arts and formations... y'know, their specialty?
'True.'
- ...Then why are you just listening?! Damn it, I'm like grabbing wrinkles at a cocoon!
'Doesn't feel that way at all. Your heartfelt worry as my master nearly brought tears to this unworthy disciple's eyes.'
- You're toying with me. Toy away.
No, really.
Minus the nearly tearing up part.
It was then.
As I exchanged thoughts with my master and assumed the starting stance of the Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship.
"Eon Yong-un. Mugil. Ready?"
Professor Chang Liang, serving as referee, looked between us and spoke.
To Professor Chang Liang's question, I lightly nodded to signal readiness.
But Mugil, who hadn't even drawn his sword yet, suddenly clasped his hands in salute toward Chang Liang and requested permission.
"Esteemed Professor. Before we start sparring, may I say a word to this fellow first?"
Chang Liang nodded lightly at Mugil's request.
"Appropriate rivalry fuels healthy competition. Keep it short."
"Yes, Professor."
Hm?
No such scene in the original's first spar.
Curious what he'd say, I listened quietly.
"Eon Yong-un! You heaven-scorned wastrel! Right here, I'll expose your fraudulent reputation and make you pay for daring to toy with Fragrant Orchid Pavilion's female students, you Azure Bamboo vermin!"
-Did that punk eat something bad for lunch and lose his mind?
True to my master's words, it was utter nonsense, like he'd gone insane.
'What the hell?'
When Mugil picked me, I'd figured Fragrant Orchid's student council was just using this disposable guy, but inexplicably, his demeanor oozed confidence.
Well, no harm in that.
'Actually, better.'
If he'd just insulted me alone, it'd sour my mood and fizzle out, but this overconfident fool dragged all of Azure Bamboo into his insult.
This escalated to dorm vs. dorm.
'Meaning.'
A solid pretext to claim hefty premium wound salve.
Not personal level, but dorm-level stakes.
I forcibly quelled my twisting smirk.
Looking at Chang Liang, I first nailed that point.
"That wasn't exactly healthy, nor short."
"......"
Professor Chang Liang, silenced despite having a mouth.
I wrapped Regret in inky haze and spoke again.
"Shall we begin?"