Chapter 16: The Deadly Transfer Student (2)
Chapter 16: The Deadly Transfer Student (2)
The atmosphere in my new classroom was completely different from yesterday’s.
If the other place was like a class of delinquents from a Japanese drama, this one looked like an elite classroom in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
"Hyeon-hwi. Ah, is it alright if I call you that?"
"I don't mind."
"Good. I am Joo Hoe-seong. I look forward to getting along with you."
"My goodness..."
As soon as I finished my greetings and sat in an empty seat, the boy sitting directly behind me flashed a grin and struck up a conversation.
His approach was so friendly that I couldn't help but be impressed.
Is this... a civilized society?
However, the surrounding atmosphere turned a bit strange.
Glancing around, I saw that of the twenty or so scholars, half were watching me with wary eyes, while the other half looked incredibly anxious.
What’s going on?
The pretty boy who had visited me in the inner court last night was also among the crowd.
He was positioned right in the center of the wary group, but he was actually snickering to himself, which made me even more uneasy.
"What's up with them?"
Transfer students have it rough.
"Haha, don't mind them. They’re either envious... or jealous. It’s one of the two."
"Of you?"
"Of you."
"Why would they be envious of me talking to you...? Wait, what did you say your name was...?"
Joo Hoe-seong... The surname Joo...?
"Are you... some kind of royalty?"
"Ah, right. You wouldn't have known. Yes, Prince Xiu is my father."
"My goodness... You're the son of a Prince of the Blood... sir?"
Not everyone with the surname Joo in Beijing is royalty.
However, in the Yanqing Academy—a place where the children of high-ranking officials gather—a 'Joo' who commands such wariness could only be a member of the Imperial family.
If that was the case, it made sense. As the legitimate son of a Prince, he was the Emperor's nephew.
Should I use formal speech...? I had considered the possibility of encountering someone of princely rank, but I hadn't expected it to be today, so I was quite flustered.
"There's no need for such formalities. Let's just be comfortable with each other, Peng Hyeon-hwi."
"If you say so... No, wait. If you're the son of a Prince, you can't take the civil service exams."
"Is that where you're starting? Ahaha! That’s amazing!"
"Huh?"
"Usually, when people hear this much, they either grovel with honorifics or bolt from their seats. As expected of the direct lineage of the Peng Family—you're quite bold. I like you."
Joo Hoe-seong grinned and gave my shoulder a friendly pat.
"And if I must answer... is it not said, 'To learn and at due times to practice what one has learned, is that not a pleasure?' (The Analects, Book 1: Xue Er)"
"Then I suppose I am naturally the 'friend coming from distant quarters' (The Analects, the following couplet)."
"Everyone who comes to me with a smile is my friend. Your learning is excellent. I’d believe it if someone said you were already a proper scholar."
He laughed heartily, spread his books on the desk, and began preparing for class.
Watching him, I set up my own seat.
I had met one. A monster who enjoys studying for the civil service exam even though he can't actually become a government official.
This was the medieval world of Confucian scholars; the half-hearted did not survive here...
That son of a Prince sitting behind me had just naturally gauged my academic achievements, confirmed I was at a level capable of passing the entry-level exam, and then recruited me to his side.
He did this despite the strict Great Ming Code, which forbade Princes—royalty—from taking the exams or holding office, even going so far as to attend classes at the academy.
I quickly scanned the other groups.
I saw a group of scholars, including the kid named Cheon U-rin, whispering among themselves.
A group that included the nephew of the Hanlin Academy’s Attendant Censor and was competitive with a Prince.
That must be the clique of children from powerful families in the government.
The stench of politics in this "elementary school" classroom was pungent.
This should be fun.
I smiled pleasantly as I watched Scholar Yu enter the room.
*
The academy's lessons were exactly at the level I expected.
It was like watching a Confucian version of a "star tutor" cram session right before an exam.
Perhaps Scholar Yu was trying to be considerate of me, as he only directed questions at the others.
"Next, Young Master Cheon U-rin shall answer. 'Virtue is not lonely; it must have neighbors.'"
"Confucius said that the superior man understands righteousness, while the inferior man understands profit."
"Excellent. Next, Young Master Jang In-tae. Tell me which text that passage is from."
"It is from the Li Ren chapter of the Analects."
"Excellent."
It went on like this. Since most of the students in this class preparing for the entry-level exam had already memorized almost all of the Four Books and Five Classics, the actual teaching was very limited. Most of the time was spent verifying their memorization of the exam material.
Thanks to that, the gap between those on the verge of passing and those who weren't was clear even to my eyes.
"That... it is... the, the Wei Zheng chapter of the Analects..."
"Incorrect. It is the first part of the Gong Sun Chou chapter of Mencius."
"I-I am sorry..."
"If you haven't even memorized the Four Books yet, there is no point in looking at the Five Classics. Today, finish transcribing Mencius before heading to the dormitory."
"Yes, Scholar."
Scholar Yu was an excellent teacher.
Without opening a single book, he sat there questioning them on every part of the Four Books and Five Classics, correcting them immediately whenever an answer was wrong.
He certainly carried himself like someone who had passed the high-level exams.
I leaned back against my chair, quietly observing the students.
"...?"
Then, our eyes met.
Cheon U-rin, that boy who was handsome to the point of being pretty, was looking at me and snickering.
Is there something on my face?
When I raised my hand to feel my face, his smile deepened.
"Young Master Peng Hyeon-hwi seems quite relaxed. Yes, overlooking you just because it's your first day might have been an insult. Would you like to answer?"
"I didn't hear the question...?"
"The heart of man is only precarious; the heart of the Tao is only subtle."
Scholar Yu stood before me with a smirk, looking down at me.
I felt a strong sense that I was being tested.
This was an area that sat right on the edge of the exam scope.
The Four Books were generally considered introductory material for children, while the Five Classics were the advanced course. Naturally, the latter didn't carry as much weight in the entry-level exam.
And this question was drawn from the Five Classics.
"It means to be discriminating and undivided, so as to hold fast to the Mean."
"The source?"
"The Classic of History, the Counsels of Great Yu."
"Then the next passage?"
"Do not say that you have not heard, but say only that you have not reached it."
"Excellent. Can you provide an interpretation of its meaning?"
"It means the reason a gentleman fails to practice righteousness is not because he hasn't learned it, but because he fails to put it into practice. Thus, learning without applying it makes one's self-cultivation meaningless."
"Bold. Very well, then can you give another passage that carries the same meaning?"
I paused for a moment and looked at Scholar Yu.
This was a bit much for a test.
It was a rather difficult question to ask a ten-year-old. At this age, studies were mostly focused on simple memorization.
"The things that cause me concern are: that virtue is not cultivated; that learning is not discussed; that righteousness is heard but not followed; and that what is not good is not changed."
"The Yang Huo chapter of the Analects. I suppose there's no need to lecture you on this. You are more impressive than I anticipated."
Scholar Yu grinned, walked back to his desk, tapped it, and spoke.
"That is all for today's lesson. There are only three months left until the entry-level exam, so do not slacken in your efforts. Those who have transcriptions to do, submit them to me by this evening before going to the dormitory."
Having said that, he left the room without even waiting for the students' bows.
It seemed I had passed some kind of test.
"Hyeon-hwi. Do you have plans for this evening?"
"No."
"Then shall we go out and grab a bite? The dormitory food is terrible."
"Sounds good to me."
As I was tidying up my desk, Cheon U-rin walked over slowly from afar and stood before me.
Dinner, huh? Looking at the other students, I understood.
This academy was located on the Dazhalan street of Guang'anmen, and the surrounding area was a dense residential district for prestigious families.
It seemed everyone went home after class.
No wonder the dormitory was so quiet at night.
Perhaps there weren't many students whose homes were far enough to require staying in the dorms.
"Do you know a good place?"
"Hmm. That depends on what you like."
"Anything, as long as it has meat."
"Haha! Spoken like a true martial artist. Follow me."
Cheon U-rin grinned, patted my back once, and led the way.
But why is he staying in the dormitory?
If his uncle was an Attendant Censor of the Hanlin Academy, he must have a residence in Beijing. Why stay in an uncomfortable dormitory with bad food when he had a perfectly good house?
I pondered various thoughts as I walked behind Cheon U-rin.
Dazhalan was an old street lined with used bookstores and antique shops.
Unlike other streets that had been expanded relatively recently, this street was a historic market that had been maintained since the days when Beijing was called Yanjing.
Such alleys were bound to have local elites, and those who had maintained their lineage until the Ming Dynasty were called the Huazu (prestigious clans).
In other words, it was a market for the wealthy and powerful.
Feeling like I was walking through Insadong, I munched on a dumpling I bought from a street stall.
"It certainly has plenty of meat."
"Ahaha! Sorry if it didn't meet your expectations!"
"No, it's not bad."
I didn't expect a grand feast, but I also didn't think I'd be eating on the street.
Anyway, as I chewed on the dumpling and looked around the street, I felt Cheon U-rin glancing at me.
It was as if he had something to say but was holding back.
I swallowed the dumpling and looked at him.
"What is it? If you have something to say, say it."
"Why do you study?"
"...What?"
"The Hebei Peng Family. Direct lineage. A position where it's obvious you'll be pushed into a branch family. You seem talented in martial arts, but you have older brothers who are already grown, so succeeding as the Family Head is a pipe dream. Even if you're pushed to a branch, it's not like you'll be kicked out of the family, so there's no problem. You could live a comfortable life."
Cheon U-rin stared at me, holding his half-eaten dumpling.
"I was so curious about this that I wanted to ask, but there was no chance at the academy. What are you trying to achieve by studying? Is it to enter the government?"
"No."
"Then what? Don't tell me you're doing it just because you like studying, like Joo Hoe-seong. You're not that kind of person."
"I'll have you know I mastered the Thousand Character Classic at age three."
"I know that being smart and having the temperament to be immersed in academics are two different things. You are definitely not the latter."
"That's true."
I looked at him for a moment, then turned my gaze away.
The Dazhalan market was crowded and bustling, and everyone was draped in expensive silks.
In such a place, no one paid any mind to two kids.
Looking at him, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
The nephew of a Hanlin Academy Attendant Censor. Certainly, he was someone worth being close to.
At least much more so than the son of a Prince who couldn't hold office even when he grew up.
"When you think of the Hebei Peng Family, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Be honest."
"A Murim sect?"
"Be honest. It's fine."
"A... somewhat... hot-tempered... Murim sect...?"
"Violent and stupid. I know."
I kicked a stone and walked down the alley.
Cheon U-rin followed me without saying much.
"I didn't want to be looked down upon."
"Who in this land of Hebei would dare look down on the Hebei Peng Family?"
"Not that kind of looking down. More like... being dismissed? I hated hearing things like, 'They're stupid, so what can you do?' no matter what I did. I'm a bit more sensitive than your average Peng."
"Hmm... So that's why the entry-level exam?"
"That's one reason."
The sun was setting by the time we reached the end of the alley.
"Then one day, I thought to myself: Since I was born like this, isn't it a bit early to give up?"
Since I had already been reincarnated into the Murim world.
Since my brothers were all incredibly devious.
Since I had already started studying.
Is there any rule saying I can't become the Family Head?
I looked at Cheon U-rin at that point.
He stared at my face for a long time, choosing his words.
I could see the "acting like an adult" facade he maintained beginning to crack.
"So I prepared for the entry-level exam. Because I'll be able to have something better than my brothers in any way possible. Whether it's a government post or... 'friends.' The more friends, the better, right?"
"I see. The Grand Scholar was right."
"...Hmm?"
Why was he bringing up a Grand Scholar all of a sudden? As I looked at him, he walked ahead on his own, stood at the very edge of the alley, and glanced back.
"The fact that you're in a position to be pushed aside isn't a reason not to try... I like that. Yes. Those are good words."
Cheon U-rin said that and gave a small smirk.
And then, on the way back to the academy dormitory...
"Huff, huff, huff...! Here!! You were here!!"
A woman dressed in a lavish palace gown came running like a madwoman.
Panting, she grabbed my sleeve and spent a long time catching her breath.
I almost pulled out my fist.
I was acting as bait to provoke the White Lotus Cult, so I was startled when a woman I'd never seen before lunged at me.
"Uh, who are you...?"
"Are you not Young Master Peng Hyeon-hwi!"
"Yes, that's me."
"I-I am from the Plum Fragrance Pavilion... No, that's not what's important right now! You must return to the academy immediately, Young Master!"
"I'm on my way, but why?"
"Oh, honestly...! People from the Peng Family really lack a sense of urgency!"
The woman in the flashy outfit panted for a while longer, then leaned in and whispered urgently.
"There are rumors that the White Lotus... the White Lotus Cult people have been gathering in this area recently...!!"
"And who might you be?"
"I am Hyang-hyang of the Beijing Hao Clan. Young Master! It's dangerous, so you must flee quickly...!"
"I came here knowing all that, so catch your breath first... and why is someone from the Hao Clan warning me...?"
Just because they were both part of the Ten Great Sects of the Black Dao didn't mean they were on friendly terms.
The Hao Clan was indeed part of the Ten Great Sects, but strictly speaking, they were closer to being between the Orthodox and Unorthodox paths, and within the Ten Great Sects, they belonged to a faction called the Black Forest July Society.
They had a lukewarm relationship with the Hebei Peng Family, who ruled the Hebei Dragon Slaying Alliance as the leaders of the Unorthodox Faction.
Reading my gaze, Hyang-hyang groaned and said, "It's because if something happens to you and the old Peng Family Head comes charging out, it'll be impossible to handle!"
"Ah, I see."
"And besides, among the Black Path in Beijing, no one wants to cross the Peng Family... no one... Eh?"
Hyang-hyang, who had been whispering to me, suddenly looked behind me.
She blinked for a moment, then scurried away from me and muttered, "Y-Young Lady...?"
"Young Lady?"
Following Hyang-hyang's gaze, I saw Cheon U-rin standing there with a sour expression.
He—or rather, she—scowled and grumbled quietly.
"Oh dear."
At those words, Hyang-hyang gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth.
"I've been caught."
Cheon U-rin clicked her tongue and gave a mature-sounding chuckle.
"Hyang-hyang will have to be punished today. What am I to do with a disciple who has such a loose tongue?"
"I... I have been disrespectful...!"
I stepped back, looking between the two of them.
Something... something was happening.