Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: You Suit the Blade More Than the Sword (1)
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- What the hell is with all these documents to review? Up until now, all I had to do was stamp the ones that brat Ha-yeon made...
'Well... When you think about it, it's pretty much the same even now.'
- The same?
'Yes. All we need is for the Fragrant Orchid Hall's seal to be stamped on the documents that Yin Sojeo is preparing.'
Well, getting it that far was the problem.
Mu Gil's actions were egregious enough to warrant a formal protest from Azure Bamboo Hall's side, but extracting compensation through that protest... no, securing it was a whole different matter.
'Worst case, if the Fragrant Orchid Hall bastards dismiss this as Mu Gil's personal deviation, we're in trouble, right?'
- Cutting off the tail, huh.
'Exactly. That's why we're preparing an ironclad formal protest before they can do that—one that won't backfire on us but will squeeze compensation out of them.'
- Fair enough. Young or old, those guys prancing around in their black uniforms are all the type to pull that crap. But what are the PE Director and Ha-seong looking at over there? Doesn't seem related to this.
'Oh, I had them check the condition of Azure Bamboo Hall's training facilities and equipment. To prioritize where the compensation will go once it arrives from Fragrant Orchid Hall.'
- Jeez. You talk like turning the protest into compensation is some huge hassle, but you're already acting like the money's incoming?
'It's not just incoming—it's guaranteed.'
Because I'm handling it personally.
That was when it happened.
As we were clearing through the piled-up work while chatting briefly with Master...
The door to the student council room slid open with a rumble.
And the person who had to take these documents we prepared and fight it out at the Total Student Council arrived.
"So, how were your first Introduction to Martial Arts classes? Did everyone get satisfactory resul... Hm? Juniors? What are all these mountains of documents...?"
"Ah, Kyung-ryong hyung. You're here."
"...Not quite. On second thought, I think I have something urgent to attend to. Everyone, keep up the good work."
"If it needs thinking about, it's not really urgent. And nothing's more urgent than this right now. So Ryeong. Lock the door."
"Yes, Eon hyung!"
"Jeong-hyeon, escort Kyung-ryong hyung to his seat."
"Yes, Young Master Eon."
"I, I can walk myself."
Once seated at the council president's spot, Jin Kyung-ryong swallowed dryly and asked,
"So... what is all this about?"
"Two of the three documents I left in the approval box ahead of time are the PE budget executions I mentioned at lunch."
"The kuksi gear and the special dorm ointments revival project with Ha-seong's assistance, plus other concoction research support?"
"Yes. And the remaining one is about ordering training equipment. We've got plenty of sandbags secured, but once you get used to them, we'll need iron implements. I drew up some blueprints."
"Ir, iron?"
"I tried them out courtesy of Yin Sojeo's merchant group. Very effective."
"From the receiving end, effective sounds like it'd make you wish for death..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. But for just executing those three items, the stack the Administrative Director's poring over is ridiculously huge...? Isn't that the Righteous Martial Annual Chronicle?"
The Righteous Martial Annual Chronicle compiled all the major and minor events from the Righteous Martial Academy over the year, along with records from various events—a sort of regular publication.
To explain why Yin Ha-yeon was reviewing the Annual Chronicle, I first recounted the Introduction to Martial Arts class incident to Jin Kyung-ryong.
"...So that's why we had to prepare a formal protest letter demanding victim compensation to submit to Fragrant Orchid Hall."
"I see... Definitely not something to let slide. But will those Fragrant Orchid Hall guys cough up compensation willingly?"
"That's why Yin Sojeo and I were digging into the Annual Chronicle."
"Ah, come to think of it, I heard something similar happened with our seniors way above us. Of course, back then Azure Bamboo Hall paid compensation to them, so yeah, that sets a solid precedent?"
I nodded at Jin Kyung-ryong, who'd caught part of my intent.
But he was the one who'd have to take those documents and negotiate directly with Fragrant Orchid Hall's student council president at the Total Student Council.
Half-understanding wouldn't cut it.
"It's not just using the precedent—we can apply pressure through the Annual Chronicle too."
"Hm? Pressure with that?"
"What do Fragrant Orchid Hall people hate most? Losing face, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"Looking at the Chronicle, each dorm's student council president writes a little section. If they don't approve our documents, threaten to write about today's incident in theirs."
Then Fragrant Orchid Hall would have no choice but to swallow their rage and stamp it.
Jin Kyung-ryong seemed to get it, letting out a 'Huh' as he nodded vigorously and spoke.
"Clever plan. Definitely their worst nightmare. But that section's meant to introduce our dorm—is it okay to write something like that?"
"We're not actually going to write it that way, so what does it matter? The point is to plant in their heads that these guys might actually do it."
"Ah!"
"Stuff like me, a freshman, becoming vice president, or the tussle with Dongyun Hall seniors that people in the know heard about—it all helps build that image."
"Exactly!"
"Pardon?"
"Hm?"
"...Tch. Anyway. Once they see Yin Sojeo's documents after grasping that far? They'll just want to pay up and be done. At that point, President, just tell Fragrant Orchid Hall's council president Mae Jin-ak one thing: 'Sign.'"
"Yong-un, my brother."
"Yes?"
"If I'd made an enemy of you, I'd have lost my mind by now."
- That guy's yet to taste your full flavor. Once he learns your viciousness doesn't discriminate between friend or foe, he won't say crap like that. Still green, still green...
'...Hm?'
- What?
Paeng Jae-hyeok, dorm supervisor of Cloud Plum Hall and knife arts professor at the Righteous Martial Academy.
He had promised to send monthly updates to Paeng Mu-hyeok—his clan's head and personal older brother.
It wasn't a forced duty.
Paeng So-cheon and Paeng So-jin, his two young nephews poised to inherit the Paeng Clan.
Eon Yong-un and Eon Yong-myeong, the two sons of the Pearl Eon Family, practically family.
Seok Ho-yeol, the only son of Stone Manor, blood allies with Paeng and Eon Clans.
With so many future leaders of Hebei's martial world enrolled, Paeng Jae-hyeok had volunteered somewhat eagerly.
Though self-volunteered, his decision factored in that sending updates was no big hassle.
'I figured I'd just jot down exam scores and 'all healthy' if there were any tests or such...'
That judgment came from reflecting on his professor life so far.
The jianghu was peaceful, and so was the academy—no major upheavals.
But not anymore.
Well, not entirely.
Paeng So-cheon, Paeng So-jin, Eon Yong-myeong, Seok Ho-yeol.
These four had gone exactly as expected—which dorm they chose, who they fought and won or lost against in Introduction to Martial Arts. Just note that down.
So, precisely speaking, one guy was the problem.
'You, Yong-un!'
How the hell did he get tangled in so many incidents?!
From becoming vice president of Azure Bamboo Hall to clashing with Fragrant Orchid Hall in class, then wringing compensation from those arrogant bastards—too much to list.
'Damn it all!'
He couldn't help cursing.
Not crudely at Eon Yong-un, but at his current predicament.
With so many events tied to Yong-un, and no room for a full sheet in a messenger hawk's tube.
Using a trained hawk meant cramming into a tiny scroll.
Thus, Paeng Jae-hyeok wielded a fine brush—unsuited to his burly frame—straining his eyes to scribble minuscule text.
'This uncle yelled at you a bit in the powerless stage, and now you're feeding me shit! Feeding me shit!'
Who said it?
Just do it.
Nine restarts from typos.
Finally, the completed letter went into the hawk's leg tube.
"Burned white-hot. Deliver well to my brother."
Scree-!
Leaving Paeng Jae-hyeok's hand, the hawk powerfully headed north.
From Huguang to Henan.
In Henan, it rested a day at the Kaifeng branch—hawklings' haven—gorging food and water, then spread wings again to reach the Paeng Clan in Bozhuo, Hebei.
Scree-!
Spotting the hawk on his office perch, Paeng Mu-hyeok's mouth opened.
"News from the academy! Anyone around?"
"Here, Clan Head!"
"Notify Stone Manor and Pearl Eon Family at once—word on the kids. Feed and water this one well."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
Paeng Mu-hyeok immediately sent word to Stone Manor and Pearl Eon Family that Paeng Jae-hyeok's letter had arrived.
In response, Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil rushed over, and a lavish spread was laid in Paeng's receiving hall.
"My mistake—not setting a date, just sending word, and you all come running! If I'd known we'd all meet today, I'd have prepped my ginseng tea. Uhahaha!"
"Ginseng tea...? Ah, ginseng... Ah, hahaha. Clan Head Paeng's jokes are always a delight!"
"Three people and you bring up ginseng tea, sworn brother? Did I hear that right, Clan Head Seok?"
"Tch. Jokes aren't for overthinking. Feel them in your heart. Such a humorless fellow."
"Me?"
As always, the drinking party kicked off with Paeng Mu-hyeok's corny banter.
But today, Eon Jeong-ung—who'd dropped everything—urged him on.
"Anyway, enough joking. Read the letter from Brother Jae-hyeok."
At Eon Jeong-ung's prodding, Paeng Mu-hyeok—who held the knife-edge of Jae-hyeok's letter—pretended to swagger as he spoke.
"What's the rush? I heard from my wife that Yong-un and Yong-myeong's letters arrived at your place recently. Said your wife finally relaxed?"
"True, but those came by human courier—old news from half a month to ten days ago at best. How's that the same as Jae-hyeok's fresh report?"
"Different, sure. That's why you rushed here. Gotta treat this sworn brother right, huh? Speak!"
"What have I ever wronged you with?! Suddenly it hits me from that letter talk—the one where Yong-un told him to write to his mother. That brat sent one straight to her alone! Even that was just 'all safe, no worries,' so I still don't even know which dorm he's in!"
"...Why snap at me? I haven't broken the seal yet, waiting for you all. See?"
"Just raised my voice a bit. Why would I snap at you, brother?"
"Ah, anyway, opening it now...?"
"What's wrong, sworn brother?"
"Did the letter get lost, Clan Head Paeng?!"
No such thing.
The script was just too tiny to take in at a glance.
"What'd Jae-hyeok cram in here with such fine script? Should've written bigger for readability. Anyway, eyes sharp—now reading! Ahem! So-jin to Yun Nation! So-cheon, Yong-myeong, Ho-yeol to Cloud Plum!"
"Oh."
"Ho ho, so that's how it is."
"So-jin, So-cheon, Yong-myeong victorious in first Introduction to Martial Arts!"
"Congratulations, Clan Head Paeng and Clan Head Eon."
"Ho-yeol lost narrowly, but opponent was Namgung Yun!"
"My sympathies, Clan Head Seok. But Namgung Yun—the guy they said no junior matches with a sword?"
"No. The boy's skill was lacking."
That was when it happened.
As Stone Manor's head Seok Geum-pil and Pearl Eon Family's Eon Jeong-ung exchanged compliments...
Paeng Mu-hyeok's mouth clamped shut like glued.
Seok Geum-pil tilted his head and asked,
"Hm. But Yong-un's story is missing? That it?"
"...End? That was just a tenth of the whole."
"Why not read more, brother?"
"Rest is all about Yong-un."
"Pardon?"
"What?"
"I've scanned it thrice doubting if it's right. Seems legit—reading now."
Thus, Paeng Mu-hyeok's voice echoed through the Paeng receiving hall.
And Eon Jeong-ung's mouth corner twitched pathetically.