Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Ecosystem Disruptor (2)
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The moment he stormed out of the instructor's office, someone suddenly followed after him.
"Instructor! Instructor!"
"…."
Ignoring the calls and quickening his pace in silence, a grumble came from behind.
"Jeez. Quite the cold shoulder."
Chu Un-hwi tilted his head at the man blocking the hallway.
"What?"
It wasn't anyone else standing there.
Under his disheveled hair, lips curved in a gentle arc.
Long limbs clad in loose-fitting instructor robes.
A man who looked eerily like staring into a mirror.
"Neung Pung-un."
"Finally acknowledging me, huh? We're old acquaintances, aren't we?"
"…."
"No one said you were the quiet type…."
Neung Pung-un scratched his cheek with his index finger and gave an awkward greeting.
"Neung Pung-un of Mount Hua Sect. Oh, right—from now on, it's Silver Hall Instructor Neung Pung-un."
Chu Un-hwi gave a curt reply to the exaggerated correction.
"Chu Un-hwi."
"So you're Instructor Chu. Everyone's exchanging greetings, where are you rushing off to?"
"Sichuan Cave."
"Sichuan Cave? Ah, you mean the swamp in Jianghu?"
You know about Sichuan Cave?
Unlike someone fresh from the mountains, he was surprisingly knowledgeable—turns out it was true.
"Actually, I'm a Divine Martial Academy alum myself."
And?
"My sect sends one person every year to enroll, but that was over ten years ago now."
I didn't ask.
"Sichuan Cave's a place full of memories for me. Got quite the attachment to it. Heck, after graduating, I even went to Sichuan myself to check if it was really the same. Haha!"
"…."
This guy's off.
'I haven't said a word, yet a conversation's happening.'
The only one with that kind of affinity around here was Moyong So-hye, but this guy was on another level entirely.
'So this is the last Murim Alliance Leader, Neung Pung-un. The one who charms everyone he meets?'
A surge of killing intent boiled up again.
Unaware, Neung Pung-un kept pouring out friendly words for a while before extending his hand.
"We'll be sharing rice bowls for a bit, so let's get along."
"…."
Slap. Brushing past the offered hand, a sigh of "Huh, really" echoed from behind.
It sounded genuinely regretful, leaving Chu Un-hwi puzzled despite himself.
'Why's this bastard acting chummy?'
For a fleeting moment, he regretted not accepting Duggo-yul's offer, but he pushed on, hurrying his steps.
No time for trivialities right now.
Time to meet his fiancée.
"…No time. Need to meet her often and get close before the official notice goes out."
He already knew her routes, so faking a chance encounter was child's play.
***
He succeeded in staging a "chance" encounter with his fiancée on the roadside.
"Heh heh heh. Perfect."
Though she'd lost her assigned instructor and was grieving, preventing any long chats, he'd managed to soothe her with elder-brother vibes.
Recalling the brief talk, his face broke into a goofy grin.
***
"Thank you, Instructor."
Her cute bow was adorable, but the sadness in her voice tugged at his heart.
"No way to repay the life-saving grace, and now this encouragement—I'm beyond grateful."
Whose fiancée is this well-behaved?
"Just doing my duty as an instructor. You feeling okay?"
"Yes. Much better, thanks to you."
"Good to hear. I was worried."
"You were worried about me?"
Of course.
As he opened his mouth to reply to wide-eyed Jin Seol-hyang—
Stare—
Seo Ok-rang fixed him with a chilling glare, eyes ice-cold.
"…Student Seo. Do you need something from this instructor?"
"…Who the hell are you?"
"…Temporary Instructor Chu Un-hwi. You know that."
"Who are you?! Where's Instructor Chu?!"
Hey, cut it out.
"Where's that selfish jerk who loves messing with people?!"
Ah—. I said stop!
"Give me Instructor Chu! Hand him over!"
***
Snapping out of his reverie, Chu Un-hwi pinched his brow.
"Next time I visit, gotta knock out Seo Ok-rang first."
Acupressure her points lightly and dump her somewhere quiet—she wouldn't die.
But easier said than done.
"They stick together like glue."
Aim for when she's out alone?
Lost in thought as he entered the Sichuan Cave swamp—
"Whoa. Nostalgic."
Chu Un-hwi halted at the voice behind him.
'Why's this guy….'
Turning, there was Neung Pung-un approaching leisurely with a bright smile.
"Haha. No need to be so guarded. Just here on Silver Hall Master's orders to observe freely and adjust to the academy for a while."
"…Then why here specifically?"
"Told you. Sichuan Cave's a nostalgic spot for me too."
Chu Un-hwi clicked his tongue at the dangling observer's pass and quickened his pace.
"Let's go together!"
Neung Pung-un tried slinging an arm around his shoulders chummily but ended up jogging to keep up.
***
Blink. Blink.
As they entered the swamp together, Baek Ri-seol—who'd been practicing sword forms—went wide-eyed.
"What's this? Instructor deluxe edition?"
"Haha. 'Deluxe edition'?"
Even brushing off Baek Ri-seol's sharp tongue, Neung Pung-un said,
"So you're the famous Baek Ri-seol."
"And you are? Heat Miser?"
"At least use my proper name. Instructor Neung will do."
"One 'Instructor' per person. You're…."
Scanning him up and down, Baek Ri-seol scowled.
"Not even worth 'you.' Annoying! From the bangs down!"
"I thought you and Instructor Chu had some chemistry."
"No way we'd have anything in common! Only I do!"
Despite the barrage of insults, Neung Pung-un's smooth demeanor didn't falter.
Words that would irk even a Plum Blossom Sword Expert, yet he seemed merely regretful.
Sigh. He lamented before saying,
"Rumors say you're as skilled as you are sweet-tempered."
"Sweet-tempered?"
Her confusion deepened at the gentle response to her barbs.
"Seeing how you care for your instructor, the rumors hold up. But mind your words—might cause misunderstandings. Even Instructor Chu lumps it all together."
"Uh. Huh…?"
Soon, Neung Pung-un passed the frozen Baek Ri-seol, crossed the swamp, and stood under the hut.
Then let out an exclamation.
"Impressive hut."
"Thinking to build this is amazing enough, but wow."
"The woodwork's exquisite. Master craftsman's touch."
Nangong Yun-ho's swings slowed at the praise, his ears twitching—he was hooked too.
'Truly terrifying guy.'
Whether yelled at or cursed, he just smiles it off.
Layered with smooth talk and odd affinity, he disarms foes in seconds.
'A formidable opponent.'
For a loner, someone with max affinity was the ultimate counter.
Before long, he'd greeted Jegal Tan and Moyong So-hye too.
"First time seeing you. Instructor Neung Pung-un."
"Instructor Neung. Heard plenty about the Plum Blossom Gale Sword's fame."
"Fame? Just inflated for minor feats."
"Saved many students in the recent fight too."
"Haha. Word travels fast? Didn't want fanfare."
His righteous faction banter flowed naturally, making Moyong So-hye's heart flutter visibly.
"Youngest Plum Blossom Sword Expert? Wow! Tell me about them."
"Heh. As cute as curious. Shall I spin a tale?"
Settling naturally in a swamp corner, Neung Pung-un unpacked his stories.
Seeing them melt instantly, Chu Un-hwi felt acute crisis.
Baek Ri-seol approached with a puzzled look, flipping her palm and whispering,
"Instructor. Why's he acting all buddy-buddy?"
"…Beats me."
I want to know too.
'He won't keep showing up like this, right?'
***
The ominous hunch hit true.
Neung Pung-un returned under "observation" pretense, grinning and hovering.
"Fishing hobby?"
"…."
"I fish too—wanna bet?"
"…."
Stonewalling got nowhere; undeterred, he eyed the neglected assistants.
"Always just training, no guidance."
I'm a free-range instructor.
"Free practice is fine, but occasional pointers are key. Bad habits hurt later."
I know. Shut up.
"Haha. Don't get mad. Just wanna be friends."
Skilled even in silence, he sauntered to the assistants.
Exclaiming "Oh! Indeed!" he said,
"Student Moyong has sharp eyes."
"Heh heh, really?"
"But your fist arts are too aggressive—feels unstable. Let me see…."
Pondering briefly, Neung Pung-un assumed a stance and unleashed fluid punches.
Shockingly, he'd grasped Moyong So-hye's fist essence at a glance and mimicked it.
"Wow…."
Moyong So-hye's eyes sparkled.
Pow pow pow!
Demonstrating seamless strikes, he withdrew his hands and advised,
"Trajectory's too straight. Like I just did—keep weight back, follow my footwork prints for stability."
"Wow! Thanks!"
As she eagerly tested the tweak and he checked her form—
"Temporary Instructor! Future homeroom candidates have arr—gah, what?!"
Un Ho-seung startled entering the boisterous swamp.
"What's this? Such study fervor today?"
"Yeah. Thought it'd be chill here."
"Instructors doubled! Clone? Nah, different."
The twins gossiped about Neung Pung-un too.
"Haha. Ease up. Friend of Temporary Instructor Chu Un-hwi."
"Friend?"
Un Ho-seung yelped in shock.
"Even a temporary instructor has friends?!"
Twins chimed in.
"Right! Always solo, super petty too!"
"Friends for him? Then we got hope. Comforting!"
As he cracked knuckles to punish the rude intruders, Neung Pung-un intervened.
"Huh. Gauntlets suit you. Heard Jin Clan has a young master."
"Who're you?"
"Wanna spar to warm up? Instructor Chu's busy fishing."
"You'll spar me directly?"
Spar-happy Un Ho-seung lit up.
"Sweet. Been ages since an instructor bout. You sure? I'm strong."
"Heh. Full power from start might not cut it."
"Heh heh. Music to my ears."
The quiet swamp turned passionate sparring ground.
Thud! Thwack!
Fists clashing.
"Here it comes!"
"Bring it!"
Swords ringing ceaselessly.
"My peaceful swamp."
Ruined by this damned bastard into a zealous training hall.
Miserable.
***
Moodily punching the ground, Baek Ri-seol peeked over and whispered,
"Instructor. That guy's gross."
"…Agreed."
"Overly friendly types repel me."
Loner logic, but matching his, doubling the gloom.
'Dammit.'
Gloomily rummaging bait basket, Dang-gan approached eagerly.
"Temporary Instructor. Got a message—okay?"
"I'm pissed. Don't wanna get swamp-dunked headfirst? Shut it."
"Haha. Same old temper."
Digging in his robes, he pulled a small wooden box with a cheeky grin.
"Sis sent a gift."
Sis? Dang Ae-hee?
Baek Ri-seol glared threateningly; spooked Dang-gan clarified hastily.
"No biggie. Bait she made herself."
Opening the box revealed neatly packed worm-shaped lures.
"Ooh. Nice."
Baek Ri-seol's snort tickled his head, but he pocketed them.
Sploosh!
Flicking the rod, float settled with a clear plop.
Immediate heavy tug.
"Whoa, bite already?"
"Made with fish-favorite herbs, she said."
"Sichuan Dang Clan lives up to the name."
Beaming, he reeled in—the fish dragged up.
But it looked weird.
"…Can't eat this."
"…Yeah. Sis said it'd be fine."
"Kills my appetite just looking."
Gills flared, convulsing—utterly grotesque.
Mood three times more wretched.