Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Divine Martial Jianghu Journey (2)
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"...that's what happened."
At the melancholic remark, Yeo Mae-hong patted his shoulder.
"Man. That's really troubling."
This was Palmi Alley's famous grill house.
It was a modest farewell gathering, the last one before setting off on the Jianghu journey.
"What are you gonna do? Tomorrow's departure day, right?"
"Yeah."
She was right.
Specialized instructors for the Jianghu journey had to head out a few days early to visit the sect they'd commissioned in advance and secure a base.
"They say they can't approve it until the schedule's complete. Sis, isn't the senior instructor being a bit too harsh?"
"Well... He's strict, but not unreasonably stubborn."
Slurp. Slurp.
Moyong Seon-ya popped a few pieces of grilled offal into her mouth and tilted her pretty chin upward.
"Alright. I can't just sit by if it's for Myojin Sect."
"Instructor Chu, got the schedule?"
Here.
She snatched it subtly, and the two women's faces stiffened as they unfolded the crumpled paper.
"Oh. This is..."
"Instructor Jang has a point."
What the hell's wrong with it?
When he asked, Moyong Seon-ya pressed her brow and scowled.
"If you weren't Instructor Chu, I'd have swung first."
"You didn't write this just to mess with people on purpose, right?"
Of course not.
She shook her head glumly, and Moyong Seon-ya jabbed a spot on the paper with an empty skewer.
"The word choice is wrong from the start."
"Right. This is less a schedule and more like kids' diary entries."
"It could be a lot better with just a little polishing."
In short.
She dipped the skewer tip in soy sauce and scribbled short words over the paper.
"Day one. Depart Infinite City. Next..."
She wiped away the Manlae Pavilion snack entry, birthing new words.
- Secure emergency portable rations
"How's that? Better, right?"
"Let me tweak this part."
Yeo Mae-hong dipped her skewer in soy sauce too and gently wrote on the paper.
And so.
- Buy fried pastries at the teahouse.
became
- Additional securement of lost portable rations.
And
- Sightseeing at Yeongsan Iron Emporium.
was reborn as
- Visit to iron emporium for damaged weapon inspection.
When even "flower boat fun" turned into "aquatic adaptation training in preparation for naval battles," it was downright shocking.
"This is fraud."
"Fraud? Maybe from the side that hasn't been kicked out yet?"
Yeo Mae-hong nodded vigorously in agreement with Moyong Seon-ya's point.
"Wrapping it nicely is standard practice anyway."
"Is it?"
"Didn't you write a resume when applying to Divine Martial Academy?"
I didn't.
'I bribed a beggar and snuck in the back.'
Thinking of the hassle back then made his decision seem pretty smart.
'Stuff involving writing just kills my motivation weirdly.'
The two latched onto the schedule like it was their own, filling it with suggestions.
The finished product was a rag soaked in oil and soy sauce.
But the content was solid—no complaints there.
"Phew. If they snub us at Myojin Sect after all this..."
"No pretending you don't know."
Chu Un-hwi nodded at their grumbling.
"Of course. I'll never forget this favor."
He carefully dried and folded the tattered paper like it was a priceless treasure, making his promise.
The next day.
He submitted the cleanly rewritten schedule on fresh paper, and Jang Cheol-sim fell silent.
Unlike before, when he'd rejected it outright, he took his time reading it slowly.
Then Jang Cheol-sim chuckled.
"Your point isn't entirely wrong."
"Which point?"
"That martial arts matter, but mixing with the world and people does too."
He rested his chin, sending a piercing gaze.
"Even someone like you, who can't think of practical uses no matter how hard they try, looks human thanks to comrades, right?"
"Uh... not sure what you mean."
He considered playing dumb.
But.
"Think I wouldn't notice? The wording was off from the start."
No use with this eagle-eyed guy.
"Just dressed it up nicely—the plan to slack off hasn't changed."
Exposed this easily?
"You put effort into it, but how many of these docs do you think I've seen? I spot it at a glance."
Harshly meticulous and diligent to boot. The worst kind.
"...So, rewrite it?"
When he asked warily, Jang Cheol-sim leaned back and shook his head.
"I said it before. I only check if the schedule looks proper."
Approved.
Keep using that street smarts from now on.
He didn't hear the last part.
"Yeehaw!"
The annoying paperwork finally ended.
"Oops. Too late?"
Back at the temporary dorms, most rooms were empty.
"What? Where's everyone?"
As he grumbled and packed, Wang-u appeared with a chuckling laugh.
"Forgot? There's a send-off for the advance team departing early."
"Oh yeah?"
"Still time, but no slacking."
Good thing.
He needed time to pack anyway. As he stuffed clothes in, Wang-u whispered.
By the way.
"Visitors for Instructor Chu."
The unusual "Instructor Chu" title made him cautious.
"Looking for me?"
"They have urgent business."
Chu Un-hwi tilted his head, eyeing Wang-u's sharp glance over his shoulder.
'Hold on. These people.'
Sure enough.
"Long time no see. Instructor Chu."
A middle-aged man in scholar's robes approached.
The one who'd given a stunning bribe at Jegal Family recently.
"Jegal Yang-so."
That Jegal whatever.
"What brings you here?"
"You look busy."
"As you see, packing."
Hmm.
Jegal Yang-so responded curtly but smoothly masked his expression, speaking softly.
"Seems urgent, so straight to the point."
Go ahead.
"Take this with you."
Jegal Yang-so offered three silk pouches of different colors.
Red, blue, white pouches on his palm. He said.
"What's this?"
Pretty flashy.
"Haha. Know of Jegal Wu-hou's Brocade Sack Stratagems?"
"Brocade Sack Stratagems? Sure."
He hadn't studied much, but he'd heard of it.
Too famous not to.
Jegal Wu-hou was Zhuge Liang, the strategist from late Han who founded Jegal Family. The term referred to the three silk pouches he left for warrior Zhao Yun, saying "open when trouble arises."
Fanning himself, Jegal Yang-so said.
"Following our ancestor's prestige, we give silk pouches to those facing tough roads—it's family tradition."
"I see."
Yeah, these flashy pouches looked valuable, whatever they were.
Sell 'em later for good money.
"Open them."
As instructed, he opened the pouches, and three plaques of different colors rolled out.
"'Jegal', 'Baek Ri', 'Moyong'? Don't tell me."
"Right. Tokens proving ties to our house, Baek Family, and Moyong Family."
He got what they were, but one thing puzzled him.
'Family tokens aren't given to outsiders easily.'
Usually only to great benefactors or blood kin, right?
Makes sense.
Who'd hand out a token to some random who might misuse it? Could tarnish the family.
Jegal Yang-so said.
"No need to overthink. Just means we entrust our kids to you."
"Moyong and Baek Ri too."
"They might just be young students to you, but they're all family treasures. Only right to wish them a comfy, safe journey."
"Got it."
He replied, but no clue how to use them.
Just then.
Jegal Yang-so, sharp-eyed and reading him, covered his smile with the fan and whispered.
"Travel expenses covered."
"!"
"Cozy lodgings."
"!!"
"Unlimited booze and meat."
"!!!"
Stepping back slightly, Jegal Yang-so fanned casually.
"Strictly off the record."
"Off the record..."
"Show to families connected to us—they'll treat you well."
Jegal Family indeed.
Knew exactly what he wanted.
'Says hardship's experience, hands out pocket change.'
This is what elite students and families get?
Amid his wavering gaze, Jegal Yang-so beamed with warm benevolence.
"They're delicately raised. Don't be too rough."
Nod. Nod.
Chu Un-hwi shook his head vigorously.
Time passed.
At Silver Hall Gate around noon.
As the sun hung atop the walls, booming drums echoed: dong-dong-dong.
The scorching sun baked heads.
Among instructors lined in rows and columns, Yeo Mae-hong muttered worriedly.
"Instructor Chu's late."
He's always late, but.
"Ugh. Didn't expect it today."
"What guts."
Squad Leader Yang and Instructor Jo Hyun agreed.
Today marked the advance team's departure, kicking off the Jianghu journey.
Rare bigwigs gathered to celebrate.
'Even Silver Hall Master's here.'
With Silver Hall Master present—rare sight.
Murim Alliance guests for speeches too.
Bosses and VIPs everywhere, yet he's late.
Some nerve.
'Damn. If next door, I'd dragged him myself.'
As she stamped impatiently.
"Sorryyy--!"
With zero tension, dangling light luggage, Chu Un-hwi appeared.
He dashed in, blending into the instructor lines instantly, standing beside.
"I'm late, huh?"
He knew he was wrong, but.
"Force majeure."
His bag, like a burst dumpling with clothes spilling, screamed no remorse.
Yeo Mae-hong sighed, eyes narrowing.
"Sigh. Late even today?"
"Wrong. Saw it was today because I was late?"
Squad Leader Yang groaned.
"Shut it. Quiet. Senior Instructor Jang's glare is terrifying."
"Eek."
Hiding desperately behind Squad Leader Yang, Yeo Mae-hong chuckled.
'Guy feels zero pressure.'
Her eyes caught his messy bangs.
Rushed out in sloppy uniform.
Yeo Mae-hong tugged his sleeve.
"Come here a sec."
She straightened his uniform meticulously, gaze drifting aside.
Beyond the lines, a fancy girl gnawed her sleeve.
If not tied at waist, she'd have bolted.
'Heh. Hehe.'
Somehow satisfying, she adjusted slowly.
"Oh my. Getting shy?"
"Ah."
Face red, Yeo Mae-hong smoothed his hem and stepped back.
From beside, gloomier Squad Leader Yang.
"Please. Senior instructors are glaring."
Nearby instructors' looks soured too.
Late and showboating—eyes full of scorn.
"Sorrrry."
As he mumbled meekly.
Dong-dong-dong-dong-dong!
Drums boomed again; Silver Hall Master stood on the platform.
"Commencing the advance team's send-off!"
The Jianghu journey truly began.