Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Chapter 17: Forced Choice (1)
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Conversation flowed lightly.
Just the right amount of well-wishes and praise.
It took the form of calm questions and steady responses throughout.
The interview, neither too short nor too long, came to an end, and as he stood, Jegal Tan, who had been waiting, approached.
"Did it go well?"
"Yeah. The interview wrapped up fine. But what's this?"
If there was one regrettable point.
Unlike before, when they showered him with piles of gifts, what Jegal Yang-so had handed over was just a single book. Was that his complaint?
"Rivers and Lakes One Hundred Eight Histories?"
What was he supposed to do with a book like this?
As he tilted his head, Jegal Tan chuckled.
"Haha. Why don't you take a look inside?"
Flip. Flip.
Turning the pages revealed the book was filled with tales of rivers and lakes' ghost stories and bizarre rumors.
"Not bad for killing time... Huh?"
Tucked between the pages were small banknotes.
"It's a method our family often uses. They say it looks more refined than stuffing money directly into pockets."
"Oh. Yeah, it does."
This was a pretty clever approach.
"These are bearer notes issued under the Jegal Family's name, so you can cash them anywhere."
Bearer notes.
Checks issued by the Jegal Family seemed quite useful.
And that wasn't all.
"The book itself is a bound edition published by the Jegal Family. It's quite rare, so it fetches a high price among collectors."
"Slipping pocket money in is nice, but this discreet method isn't bad either."
"Officially, it's just a book gift, so no bribery issues."
As expected of the Jegal Family.
A place full of smart people, their knack for rolling stones was an art. So dignified.
'Maybe use something like this later?'
He'd keep it in mind for when he started a family and had kids.
"Heading back now?"
"Yeah, just the Nangong Family tomorrow and that's it."
"Nangong Yun-ho..."
"No need to worry."
Chu Un-hwi waved it off with a grin.
"Please take good care of him. He's quite a pitiful fellow."
"Hard to imagine anyone more pitiful than me... but alright."
"Safe travels."
"Yeah, I'll put it to good use. See you later."
Clomp clomp.
Thus, the war-like interviews were finally drawing to a close.
Entering the instructors' room, he found many unexpectedly immersed in work despite the late hour.
No sooner had he stepped in than Yeo Mae-hong waved.
"Huaaaah—. Long time no see, Instructor Chu."
"What happened? You look half-dead."
Yeo Mae-hong replied as if she'd used up all her life's luck on snack draws, leaving only misfortune behind.
"Interviews aren't easy. So many places to visit, and they're all stiff because they're watching their sect elders' faces, plus they make unreasonable demands."
"That sounds rough."
"It's really tough. You know..."
Her ensuing explanation was a relentless stream that could tire anyone just listening.
Parents throwing their weight around because their child's achievements were lacking was routine, and some families even yelled about teaching skills being this poor—where did he learn to teach like that?
Some even got angry that an unnamed instructor with no title was teaching them?
Still, didn't they give good pocket money and meals? he countered, and Yeo Mae-hong's eyes went wide.
"You get treated like that?"
Apparently, it wasn't that rare.
He thought it was just Yeo Mae-hong's issue, but Instructor Jo Hyun, listening in, chimed in agreement.
"My assigned student is from the Ami Sect's lay branch, and a disciple from the Ami Sect headquarters recently demanded to observe if I'm teaching properly."
Yeo Mae-hong, hearing this, stuck out her tongue.
"Whoa. A master from headquarters? Must be super picky."
"Exactly. An observation from a headquarters disciple... She's so nitpicky, my stomach hurts."
The two women went on like they were competing over whose suffering was worse.
It was a nonstop barrage of headache-inducing stories.
'They've got it pretty tough.'
Good thing he only had four students.
As he felt relieved, Yang, the Iron Fist—a fairly well-known fighter and one of the rare titled instructors in Bronze Hall—approached.
"Oh? Instructor Chu. You're a rare sight usually—what brings you today?"
"Well..."
Before he could open his mouth, the culprit who made him come to work entered the room.
"Instructor."
"Oh. Yun-ho, you're here?"
Nangong Yun-ho approached, forcing a brighter expression despite his dark complexion, and bowed.
"Sorry for the sudden request."
"Nah, it's fine. Annoying, bothersome, irritating—but we get paid, so this much is par for the course."
He pulled out the pre-approved pass, stamped it, and asked Chu Un-hwi.
"But why the change of heart? Didn't you say you'd stay and train alone?"
"Training's good, but since I've made some small progress, I thought it proper to pay respects to the elders."
"You don't need that etiquette crap."
When you come empty-handed and leave empty-handed, who has time for manners?
Of course, protests erupted from around him.
"What are you saying in front of a student?"
"Student Nangong, forget what Instructor Chu said. He might know martial arts, but he's got nothing to teach about life."
"Right. A person should keep basic manners."
These people were too much.
Bombed in an instant, Chu Un-hwi glumly handed over the pass.
Taking the pass, Nangong Yun-ho cautiously spoke up.
"Instructor. You said you were invited to my main family today too?"
"Yeah. What a hassle."
"We might see each other at the main house then."
"Whatever."
Stepping back, Nangong Yun-ho muttered something with a desperate look.
Sure enough, this nosy kid had leaked the info.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Watching Nangong Yun-ho bow politely and depart, Yeo Mae-hong tilted her head.
"He doesn't look well. Got some worries?"
"Puberty. Maybe he realized there's no black flame dragon sealed in his right hand or whatever."
His half-hearted reply drew synced rebukes from Yeo Mae-hong and Instructor Jo Hyun: "Answer properly."
"Where else are you gonna find someone as sincere as me?"
His protest went unacknowledged, stinging a bit.
Flutter.
He folded his neatly pressed uniform.
Then the ragged uniform, a brush missing bristles, inkstone worn to fit his hand perfectly.
The well-thumbed Divine Martial Swordsmanship commentary.
Finally, the gourd for fetching spring water.
"Anything else?"
Nothing came to mind.
Five years' worth of belongings, all fitting in this small bundle.
Each worn and faded, but familiar from constant use.
"Nope."
Instead of the academy uniform, he donned the carefully stored clothes.
"Wearing this again."
His one set of going-out clothes.
He hadn't expected to pull out the outfit from his last Hao Sect brothel visit so soon.
Nangong Yun-ho smiled bitterly, slipped his arms in, and tugged the hem straight.
The best of his possessions, but the well-worn feel of age lingered.
"Time to go?"
With the bundle on his back, Nangong Yun-ho's gaze swept the room.
The dim chamber he'd called home for so long.
Memories flooded back, as vivid with eyes closed as open, stirring fresh emotions.
"Whew. Farewell. Until next time."
As Nangong Yun-ho opened and shut the door, only cooling warmth and faint dust scent remained.
"Didn't think I'd be leaving the academy."
Everything felt new.
The training grounds he rarely visited.
The shadowed fences he slunk along to avoid eyes.
Even the cafeteria, where he waited till all had left.
And the outer training ground, now his cradle, hard to find before.
Surveying the empty place, Nangong Yun-ho slowly took it all in, then headed to the spring.
Glug glug glug.
There, he carefully tilted the gourd to fill it with clear water, then descended the path.
"Student Nangong. Outing?"
"Yes, Instructor Jang."
"Haha. Have a good trip. Like a triumphant return."
Triumphant return, huh.
Exchanging nods with a few barely acquainted instructors, Nangong Yun-ho eyed the looming gate ahead, lost in memories.
Long ago.
He could hardly recall when he'd entered this place.
'I think I was full of hope back then.'
Buried under gloomy recollections, the exact feeling eluded him.
Clink.
As he adjusted his scabbard and gazed up at the gate.
"Student Nangong. You're good to go."
The gatekeeper checked the pass and returned his token.
"Thank you."
"Rest up as long as you like."
Who knew if he could.
Imprinting perhaps his final view of the scenery, Nangong Yun-ho replied.
"I'll be back."
The instructor had said it.
-Ew. It's so stingy here, not like a place where people live.
Agreed.
Places with people shouldn't feel this harsh, whether Bronze Hall or here.
"So clean."
Wide enough for several carriages, lined with expensive manors and villas.
A very neat, luxurious street.
'This feels... uncomfortable.'
Once clearly part of it, Nangong Yun-ho now found dusty rooms and wood scents more familiar than this opulence.
Gulp. Gulp.
Throat parched, he tilted the gourd and swallowed spring water.
The familiar taste lifted his mood a bit.
"Whew. Feeling alive now."
Ahead, the splendidly shining 'Nangong' banner fluttered beside the 'Soaring Heaven' flag.
Nangong Yun-ho quickened his steps.
No grand welcome.
Creeeeak.
The heavy door, reinforced with whole logs, opened, revealing a lone figure standing there.
"You're here."
A man with arms crossed, face stern.
His uncle, Nangong Il-joon.
Southern Heaven's Single Sword. Befitting the representative swordsman, sharp aura flowed from his entire body.
"You're late."
"I had things to prepare."
"Is that all your luggage?"
"Just what I could gather now."
"Better if it includes some mental tidying up."
"Couldn't fit that in, so I left it behind."
"Tch."
His displeasure was clear.
"Whatever. Doesn't matter."
Did he think he could change any mind?
No, it was confidence that he could, naturally.
'He's so cold-hearted.'
Not that he planned to respond even a little.
But there was an unexpected move.
"I called Yong-ho."
"My younger brother?"
"He was overjoyed, jumping at the news his big brother returned."
"......"
"Living tangled with Bronze Hall kids, you seem ignorant of the world. Thought seeing Yong-ho might improve that, so I called him."
As expected.
He could guess the scheme behind summoning his brother.
"It's been a while."
Nangong Yun-ho played dumb in response.