Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Ecosystem Disruptor (4)
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Neung Pung-un, who had joined them in the blink of an eye, flashed a hearty laugh.
"Haha. To end up sitting with such beauties."
Brother-in-arms. You're more popular than you look, aren't you?
'Don't poke my side, you rascal.'
He wanted to snap back right away, but while he pondered how to deal with him, the three had already exchanged names and were deep in conversation.
"The youngest Plum Blossom Sword Master..."
"Haha. Just good fortune."
"I don't think the fame of the Plum Blossom Storm Sword comes from mere luck."
Even Moyong Seon-ya, who rarely budged at anything, didn't hold back her admiration.
"One of the most talked-about rising stars in the current martial world."
"Hoho. Hardly. There's the likes of the Poison-Eyed Divine Sword as well."
"True, the Poison-Eyed Divine Sword's reputation is on another level."
"Come now, enough stiff talk. Let's share some fun stories."
Neung Pung-un changed the subject, spinning tales of all sorts.
Rumors from the martial world, or sometimes intimate academy gossip—they drew you in the more you listened.
"Wow."
Yeo Mae-hong, amazed, glanced back and forth before clapping her hands.
"You two seem so different, yet somehow alike."
"Oh? Is there such a resemblance?"
"No, just a subtle similarity. Confidence, or that positive vibe."
There couldn't be any similarities.
As he opened his mouth to retort, Neung Pung-un let out a boisterous laugh and slung an arm over his shoulder.
"Haha. Hear that, brother-in-arms?"
"Who's your brother-in-arms?"
"Friends are alike, they say. This is great. Truth be told, your cool demeanor felt a bit distant."
He nearly spat curses, but Yeo Mae-hong pinched his arm, forcing him to shut his mouth.
Moyong Seon-ya quickly interjected.
"If I may ask... your age."
"Just turned thirty, more or less."
"Calling a junior instructor so casually seemed odd."
"When hearts align and friendship forms, what does age matter?"
"It's surprising to see it taken so naturally."
The Plum Blossom Sword Master, no less.
Even within the Huashan Sect, Plum Blossom Sword Masters prided themselves as highly as their martial prowess.
To not only converse freely with a lowly instructor but call him brother—that wasn't something to take lightly.
"My free-spirited nature has earned me no small scolding. But what can be done about the temperament I'm born with?"
Two pairs of soulless eyes turned his way.
For some reason.
- This guy's supposed to be bottom-tier?
It felt like an interrogation.
"By the way, Young Hero Neung."
"Instructor Neung will do. We're colleagues sharing the same pot, aren't we?"
"Yes, Instructor Neung. You seem unusually well-informed about academy matters. May I ask why?"
He replied nonchalantly.
"I was at the academy until a few years ago."
"But neither my sister nor I have ever heard of you."
Neung Pung-un grinned mischievously, adding it was a secret.
"That figures. I was in the Divine Hall."
"Divine!"
"Hall!"
"Stu!"
"dent!"
The two covered their mouths in shock.
But the conversation ended there.
Senior instructors, drunk and rowdy behind them, were calling out.
"Brother Neung! Where'd you go?"
"Without you, we're bored to death here."
Even with slurred tongues, their friendly calls made them seem closer than blood brothers.
"Haha. My seniors are calling. Gotta head out first."
Sure. No problem.
Neung Pung-un gave a light nod and withdrew.
Moyong Seon-ya and Yeo Mae-hong stared blankly after him, then suddenly sniffled and dabbed their eyes with sleeves.
"...Why are you crying?"
"Junior Instructor. You must keep him by your side, no matter what."
"...Why the sudden tears?"
"Choosing the Divine Hall was personally unfortunate and heartbreaking, but..."
Yeo Mae-hong fidgeted, then Moyong Seon-ya slammed the table.
"If he's gone through even the Divine Hall, he's a proven slave! Personally tragic, but as a colleague, the perfect talent!"
The two shouted in unison.
"You have to snag him!"
"Grab him tight!"
'Who would've thought.'
He'd come seeking advice, only to be persuaded instead.
"Yesterday was the worst."
Recalling the horrific encounter made tears well up at the mere sight of the sky.
"Tch. Can't let this stand."
Chu Un-hwi glanced at his carefully chosen casual clothes and smiled faintly.
"When the heart's troubled, rest is what's needed."
He gazed into empty space, closed his eyes, and drew up his inner energy.
Ssssss.
A subtle yet immense aura poured out endlessly, spreading in all directions.
The spot he stood was the middle of a main avenue not far from the Divine Martial Academy.
Creep. Creep.
The aura spread like a living thing, capturing hundreds, thousands of presences and expanding without end.
'There you are.'
Soon, the one presence he'd sought.
Adjusting his pace, he wove through the crowd and stopped before a small street stall.
"What are you looking for?"
"Haha. Just browsing."
"Very well."
The stall held various sewing tools.
Patches of cloth, needles, and cushions neatly arrayed.
Pretending to browse, he counted to ten.
"Oh? Junior Instructor!"
With the awaited voice, Jin Seol-hyang blinked in surprise.
"You really startled me. I never expected to run into you, Junior Instructor."
Understandable.
What were the odds of crossing paths on this vast avenue at a common sewing stall? He played ignorant and smiled.
"Haha. Seems like fate."
"Fate... Yeah, it does."
He wanted to say destiny, but her personality wasn't ready for that yet.
Focus on being the generous senior instructor for now.
"Hope the gift pleased you."
"I love it."
Jin Seol-hyang, who rarely showed emotion, shot up from her seat, blushed, and sat back down.
In her hand was the small sewing kit he'd just bought for her.
"...Thank you so much. It was something I really wanted. Now I'm worried it was too much."
"Too much? Nonsense."
"But why were you looking at sewing tools, Junior Instructor? A gift for a lover, perhaps?"
Crash!
Chu Un-hwi shoved back his chair and bolted up, shouting.
"Absolutely not!"
"?"
"...Absolutely not. I have no lover, no female friends. I'm just a lonely soul living alone."
"Heehee!"
Why laugh? He'd emphasized it sincerely.
Jin Seol-hyang, laughing till tears formed, wiped her eyes and replied.
"Sorry. Wasn't teasing."
Tease away, sis.
"Your speech feels so casual, like we're peers."
Because we're peers, sis.
"Playful, almost like a little brother."
His heart skipped. He quickly demanded correction.
"Don't tease your elders... Ahem. Naughty."
"Sorry."
You startled me, sis.
"You seemed taller since last time, so I asked."
Sharp eyes indeed.
Having fully entered late teens recently, his growth wouldn't stop.
But no worries. The apothecary said some men grew past twenty.
"Family trait."
"I see."
"Really. No lie."
"Didn't doubt you."
As they chatted, the owner set down a massive plate of dumplings.
Whoosh—.
Jin Seol-hyang beamed brightly at the steaming dumplings.
"Gift and meal too. You sure it's okay to treat me like this?"
"Of course. To a senior with a proper job, this is nothing."
"I hear Bronze Hall pay is pretty stingy."
"I have a fine house with a yard, ample wealth for life, and a kind heart."
"Heehee!"
Unlike his previous life, this one's bride was quite the giggler.
Perhaps because she hadn't lived in the harsh Nether Heaven Society world.
"Like Ok-rang said, you're a fun one."
"That brat... What'd she say?"
"Very fun and reliable."
Is that so.
He'd expected Seo Ok-rang to badmouth him, so this was unexpected.
'Well done, Seo Ok-rang. This forgives your sins.'
Ending mixed classes was a capital crime, but her good review balanced it.
"Looks tasty. Dig in."
"Yes, thanks for the meal."
Nom.
Her small mouth opening wide resembled a tit aiming for oversized fruit.
Propping his chin, admiring her, a smile came naturally.
'This feels like a dream.'
Suddenly, old memories surfaced.
In a world where all had vanished.
[It's a sign of gratitude.]
As thick ash fell from the sky, she had said it clearly.
[Dumplings from Hongmi Pavilion in Kaifeng. Okay?]
'We made a promise then.'
- When I rule the world, I'll buy out all of Kaifeng for you.
Buying all of Kaifeng might be tough, but sharing the last piece with her felt like repaying a small debt.
'Feels deeply satisfying.'
He wanted to live in this moment forever.
As he smiled contentedly.
"Oh? Brother-in-arms!"
A voice that shouldn't be heard rang out.
'No way. This guy again...'
Entering with two pale-faced senior instructors: Neung Pung-un, as expected.
"Oh? Who's that?"
As his soul nearly fled his mouth, Neung Pung-un approached and slyly nudged his arm.
"What? Enjoying some quality time here?"
"......"
"You were popular with the beauties yesterday too. So envious."
Jin Seol-hyang blinked her clear eyes and spoke.
"Jin Seol-hyang of Silver Hall."
"Haha. A cute student of ours. New instructor Neung Pung-un."
"Instructor Neung. But..."
You two look oddly similar.
Her musing stabbed his heart, and her alternating glances halved his undivided attention, stabbing deeper.
"Won't intrude then. The uninvited guest takes his leave."
"You seem close. Won't you join?"
"Haha. My friend's quite the prude. Got a hangover to nurse too."
His playful exit was a relief, but.
"What a fun guy."
"...Yeah."
His already frayed patience snapped.
'I'll kill him.'
Murim Alliance Lord or sharp blade against Nether Heaven Society—didn't matter.
'I'll crush him in the most gruesome way!'
"Well now."
- Tonight. Come to the swamp.
Finding the note on his desk, Neung Pung-un scratched his head in dismay.
"Didn't mean to upset him."
He'd only tried to build rapport for friendship, but ended up stoking anger.
The fury was evident without guessing.
The murderous handwriting could pass for one sent to a mortal enemy.
"Went too far. I even guided his students personally."
Perhaps he'd mistaken it for poaching students.
Gazing at the much younger juniors had stirred his heart— that was the root.
"With his limited circle, he might resent me befriending his acquaintances. Feels like stealing friends."
What to do.
He'd misjudged badly, but pondered how to apologize.
"He's a boozehound. Maybe bring liquor and say sorry?"
Recalling fine sake on the way, he rose.
"Young Hero Neung."
Geum Jeong stared down coldly with a frosty expression.
"What is it?"
"Still consorting with that Sichuan Cave freak?"
"Haha. Seems I've only earned his ire."
He laughed it off, but Geum Jeong's tone sharpened.
"Best to cut ties."
"...What do you mean?"
Neung Pung-un's warm voice chilled abruptly.
"Word is, he's quite the problem."
"Who the hell... Ah."
Glancing at the instructors peeking over, Neung Pung-un ruffled his shaggy hair and bristled coldly.
"Plenty of busybodies here too, I see."
Shhhh.
"Guess I look like a joke."
The instructor room froze under Neung Pung-un's icy aura, playfulness shed.