Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: New Year's Eve (2)
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Ten days later.
The last day of the year finally arrived after much anticipation. At the final instructor meeting of the year, Jang Cheol-sim opened his mouth heavily.
"This year has been particularly tough."
As the instructors murmured among themselves, Jang Cheol-sim cleared his throat and lowered his voice.
"Regrettably, there are those who couldn't join us here, and many who haven't returned due to injuries."
The emergence of the Silver Moon Bandits, the appearance of demonic cultists, and the bloodbath caused by the apostles of the Mangcheon Society.
As he recounted the events of the year, Jang Cheol-sim's voice was slightly hoarse.
"Still, the fact that we can all see the end of the year in good health is the fruit of many people's sacrifices and efforts. Let us give thanks and observe a moment of silence."
After a brief silence, he finally announced the end of official business.
"This concludes the final instructor meeting of the year. Everyone, enjoy the rest until New Year's Eve."
As the meeting ended, the instructors shouted in unison.
"Thank you all for your hard work!"
The end-of-year closing ceremony signaling the close of the year was drawing to an end.
"Damn it."
"Come on, lighten up."
Yeo Mae-hong scolded him from the side, but his mood didn't improve.
- Temporary Instructor Chu Un-hwi. I'll be watching you until the end.
Jang Cheol-sim's intimidating aura, pointing alternately at his own eyes and Chu Un-hwi with index and middle fingers, felt like a challenge: try me.
'If I mess up now, next year is screwed.'
Even the most thick-skinned person would tremble at that ferocious presence.
"Why pick on me alone?"
"There are plenty of other instructors on patrol duty too, right? Come on, calm down."
Opening the duty list revealed a chaotic array of tasks to oversee during patrol.
"First, check for any smuggled goods and crack down on students' indecent behavior."
"Talk about tight."
As he grumbled, Neung Pung-un and Geum Jeong approached side by side.
"You two still get along great."
He turned his head peevishly at Geum Jeong's greeting, and Neung Pung-un chuckled.
"Heh heh. You're lucky too."
"...Lucky how?"
"It's a shame you lack awareness, but watching fireworks together forms a bond..."
As he tilted his head, Yeo Mae-hong fanned herself with her hand and interjected.
"A-Are you two on patrol too?"
"That's how it turned out. Haha. With all the halls' students gathering at the main event square, we need every hand we can get."
Classes up to now had been divided by sword, saber, fist techniques, and so on.
But now, with all classes over, it was time for freedom.
The students, exhausted from training, would pour out all at once.
"Controlling all those students flooding out at once won't be easy."
"We can only pray for no major incidents."
The festival enjoyed by everyone in Silver Hall.
The remaining instructors' job was to help ensure no accidents occurred.
"Instructor Yeo. Heard the news?"
"What news?"
"Today's fireworks were specially made by the Thunderclap Master's artisans from Thunderclap Gate."
"From Thunderclap Gate? Wow!"
"Fireworks by the realm's top craftsmen—I'm really looking forward to it."
Listening to Geum Jeong and Yeo Mae-hong, Chu Un-hwi poked Neung Pung-un's side.
"Hey. What's the big deal about fireworks that has them so excited?"
"Haha. It's the biggest spectacle of New Year's Eve. Especially fireworks from Thunderclap Gate, renowned for handling gunpowder—they're worth the hype."
As Neung Pung-un laughed heartily, Squad Leader Yang Dae-cheol and Instructor Jo Hyeon, apparently reconciled, joined in.
"Right. Instructor Chu wouldn't know."
"You know that brightness and righteousness come from yang qi, while darkness and evil stem from yin qi, right?"
Auspicious is yang, inauspicious is yin.
The most basic yin-yang theory.
"I know that much."
"New Year's Eve fireworks are a ritual to drive away evil spirits and malevolent yin energy with flames and explosions."
"The harder the year, the brighter and grander the fireworks shot into the sky. That's the finale of New Year's Eve."
In short, after a tumultuous year like this one, they'd launch the biggest, most beautiful fireworks—that was Squad Leader Yang Dae-cheol's explanation.
"Haha. You two as well."
At Neung Pung-un's laughter, Squad Leader Yang and Instructor Jo Hyeon blushed.
"Best of luck."
The students, worn out from training, were finally released.
"Woo! Freedom!"
Like monsters emerging from caves after a decade, the students poured out cheering and whooping.
"It's finally over!"
"Freedom now!"
Students who seemed to be in academic training tore their books to shreds and tossed them into the air.
'Oh boy.'
He understood hating endless studying, but they'd regret that.
'There'll definitely be some who fail and hunt for those books again next year.'
Once the excitement died down, tomorrow morning they'd kick off their blankets regretting the pricey textbooks they'd shredded.
"Congrats! Congratulations!"
"Fifteenth in rankings! You're our pride!"
"See you at Gold Hall!"
They seemed to exchange well-wishes, but some threw flour while kicking friends confirmed for promotion from behind.
'Friends or foes? Hard to tell.'
As the motley crowd surged out, the grounds turned utter chaos.
"Ugh. Where were all these guys hiding?"
"No kidding. They flood out at once—it's madness."
Thousands pouring out, shouting and frolicking wildly—it felt like sanity itself might flee.
Piiik! Pii-ik!
"Freeze right there!"
"No fighting!"
Instructors blew whistles everywhere, with no moment's rest.
"Everyone's so full of energy."
"Shall we go break that up?"
With Yeo Mae-hong, he dashed toward a group unclear if fighting or embracing excitedly.
Anyway, a hectic start.
"...Exhausting."
Even avid teachers struggled to rein in the hyped-up students.
Still, after dashing around for an hour straight policing them, they managed to quell the disorder somewhat.
"Shall we head to the mock training grounds now?"
"They said they're opening them specially for the festival today, right?"
"Can't waste those fancy streets and stalls we set up."
This academy splurged on pointless things but turned stingy in weird ways.
'Is this the fate of the righteous sects?'
As he grumbled onward, Yeo Mae-hong asked.
"By the way, they're opening all mock training grounds—Sacheon Cave okay?"
"...Even with the doors open, no one comes."
"...Yeah, on a festive day like this, who'd seek a gloomy swamp?"
"Not entirely no one."
Some apparently visited for shady trysts.
'Like Seo Ok-rang.'
That's why he'd rigged it.
"Even if they enter, they won't leave easily. Set some traps."
"...Not dangerous, right?"
"Absolutely not."
Stepping on a trap might swing a log tied by rope to smack them, or drop them into a three-meter pit for suffering.
No ankle-snapping wires or poisoned snares, so safe enough.
As they chatted casually onward, a dong-dong bell tolled distantly.
"Oh. It's already youshi (5-7 PM). Stalls should be starting soon."
The sky darkening, time for chickens to roost after pecking all day.
Students enjoying amusements would flock for food.
"Let's hurry. Can't enjoy the festival, but need to fill our stomachs."
Leading, Chu Un-hwi blew his whistle.
"You little punks! Keep boy-girl distance! Scatter six meters away!"
Students in the crowd protested at his bellow.
"That make any sense?"
Chu Un-hwi ground his teeth on the whistle.
"Why not? Want me to make it happen?"
Seeing him charge, screams erupted from the students.
"Damn! Mad dog!"
"Who provoked the mad dog!"
Starting with flying kicks at the immobile bunch, the screams grew louder.
The first stop was the Kaifeng Division's mock training ground.
Perfectly replicating Kaifeng City's streets, unlike the brutal field trip before, it now bustled with markets lit up like daylight.
"Whoa. Amazing."
"Feels like a real festival in Kaifeng."
Being the year-end celebration, even tightly shuttered shops flung doors wide for booming business.
Munch. Munch.
Munching icy shaved ice from a vendor, a familiar face appeared nearby.
"Oh. Sister Moyong."
Yeo Mae-hong approached, and the haggard Moyong Seon-ya turned.
"Hong-ah."
"Huh? Were you drinking?"
Alcohol on duty?
Asking the young instructor beside her, who seemed an assistant, he replied.
"The budget we submitted to the academy was rejected."
"Ouch."
"Worse, the unexpected [Instructor Unity Tournament] got approved, so all-nighter confirmed."
Apparently, for Moyong Seon-ya, this joyful day for others held sorrowful reasons to weep over drinks.
"...Can't go home..."
Yeo Mae-hong shook her head at her once-glamorous sister slumping in tears.
'Totally broken.'
Better ditch quick before the gloom spread.
They visited several mock grounds, but no sign of the courtesan.
'Where is she?'
She'd said working a stall somewhere—nice to bump into her.
As he grumbled, a horde of students suddenly surrounded Yeo Mae-hong.
"Oh? Oh?"
"Thank you for this year, Instructor Yeo Mae-hong!"
Yeo Mae-hong covered her mouth with both hands, body trembling with emotion at their synchronized thanks.
"We truly appreciate it!"
Their heartfelt cries might be every passionate teacher's dream.
'Some impure ones mixed in.'
Spotting guys in back sniffing and on tiptoes, he flicked his index finger, shooting qi blasts.
Snap. Snap!
"Ow!"
As they yelped, he snickered.
Meanwhile, Yeo Mae-hong returned holding a bouquet and red silk banner.
"What's that?"
"The kids I taught this year left thank-you notes."
"Good kids."
"They waited to greet me together. So grateful."
"Jealous. My charges, whom I slaved over all year, are nowhere to be seen."
At his grumble, Yeo Mae-hong smiled brightly, pointing aside.
"They're over there."
Her pretty finger pointed to two standing awkwardly isolated in a training ground corner, like lonely islands.
"Student Nangong and Student Jegal."
Unable to mingle with the crowd, they fidgeted like earthly outcasts.
"Guess they didn't see us. Wave?"
"No need."
Standing with them would make him look like a loner too.
"Next patrol spot?"
As he turned quickly, Nangong Yun-ho's hunched back straightened, face brightening.
"Instructor!"
'Damn. Failed.'
The annoying pair latched on.
At that moment.
"Hyang-ah! Hurry and prep!"
At the shout from outside, Jin Seol-hyang, shaking an iron pot frantically, yelled back.
"Coming right out!"
Wiping sweat with her hand, she poured soy sauce and oil into the sizzling pot from the stove, whipping up dishes deftly.
Then, plating quickly, she rang a small bell nearby.
Ding. Ding.
"Take it out!"
Finally, a busy student dashed over and took the plates.
"Thanks. Barely survived."
"Crowded?"
"Packed to bursting. Oh, more customers."
As her coworker vanished like lightning, Jin Seol-hyang sighed, shoulders slumping.
"Tiring..."
Everyone enjoying the festival, yet stuck working here—youth felt wasted.
"No. Get it together, Jin Seol-hyang."
Fumbling the comforting item in her bosom, she snorted, slapping her cheeks with both hands.
Clap clap.
The festival was far from over.