Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Tilted Playing Field
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"Senior Brothers were saying that Brother Jong Ri-mae completely wrecked the mechanisms. How on earth did you do that? And something about a secret chamber collapsing..."
Hmm.
He's a good kid, but you never know with people, so I couldn't tell him straight.
"It was nothing. I must've touched something wrong, and it all came crashing down with a rumble."
"Really?"
Gil Son-rok, who had shown some scholarly curiosity, looked a bit disappointed at Han Ibi's answer.
Just then, the door burst open with a loud bang.
"Damn it all! This stench is brutal. No matter how much I scrub, it won't go away. What the hell did those bastards shove in there?"
Gil Son-rok quickly pinched his nose, grimaced, and spoke in a nasally voice.
"Eww! The smell. Monk Hyeon, you're a monk—should you really be using such foul language?"
That's right.
The one bursting in, spewing curses, was none other than Shaolin's Monk Hyeon.
He glared fiercely and bellowed.
"Son of a bitch. Come to think of it, wasn't this your Joyang Sect's doing? You're in luck. I oughta drag you to the latrine and dunk you right now."
Monk Hyeon lunged in a surprise tackle, and Gil Son-rok flailed, choking.
"S-Stop! Cough. Instead of this... you should rest. Cough. We've got training tomorrow!"
"Training? Bullshit. First, this monk's gonna school you proper."
"No, don't! Brother Jong Ri! Cough. Save me!"
The trainees were granted a sweet day of rest.
They needed time to recover from the aftereffects of navigating the mechanisms and formations.
But the next day, at the Murim Alliance's request, everyone had to gather again in the Frost Pavilion.
There were some with minor injuries and the 'stinky ones,' but fortunately, no fatalities.
The Alliance had managed things well.
And...
Today, as always, Heo Son-dam entered the Frost Pavilion with his affable smile.
Now quite familiar with him, the boisterous chatter of the young men gradually quieted.
"Alright, assuming everyone rested well yesterday, let's dive right in."
He lightly tapped the table as if remembering something.
"Before that, there's something I need to share. Something all you trainees will be very interested in."
The young men's eyes turned to Heo Son-dam.
"It's about the Little Five Dragons selection."
Instantly, everyone's eyes sparkled with interest.
"To sum up what we've learned or will learn: First, Demonic Cult history and organization. Second, Demonic Cult mechanisms and formations. Third, Demonic Cult weapons and hidden weapons. Fourth, Demonic Cult poisons and antidotes. Fifth, Demonic Cult martial arts. Sixth, Demonic Cult strategies and tactics."
'Ugh...'
Han Ibi already felt his head growing heavy.
Heo Son-dam continued.
"We'll study the Demonic Cult in these six fields. At the end, there'll be a written exam on all six, so study up in advance."
Murmurs of discontent rose from the youths.
Heo Son-dam ignored it and pressed on.
"Also, as you experienced the other day, there will be practical evaluations midway—sometimes in groups, sometimes individually."
More murmurs.
"Damn. If I'd known, I'd have tried harder that day."
"Yeah. This feels unfair."
Heo Son-dam nodded understandingly and raised his hands to calm them.
"But don't be too disappointed. Everything I just listed is only half the total score."
The youths exchanged glances and buzzed again.
Finally, Mount Hua's Bang Gwang-sil shot his hand up.
"Then what's the other half?"
Heo Son-dam grinned.
"The other half will be decided through martial arts."
Bang Gwang-sil laughed heartily.
"So it's a sparring match. Perfect. Haha!"
He paid no mind to the glares from other sects' youths.
Heo Son-dam said,
"Something like that, but not exactly. Do you think battles with the Demonic Cult will be gentlemanly spars? There's still time, so details will be announced later. Any more questions?"
Kunlun's Ban Bang-geun raised his hand high.
"Is the opportunity open to Qingcheng Sect disciples too?"
Han Ibi's group instantly fixed their gazes on the hairy youth.
His intent was obvious.
He was questioning if even disciples from minor sects like Qingcheng, not among the Nine Great Sects, got a shot at becoming one of the Little Five Dragons.
It was also a jab at Han Ibi and Jong Ri-hyeok, who had aced the mechanism practical two days ago.
Heo Son-dam replied with his usual smile.
"That's for the Alliance Leader to decide, so I can't answer. But no more questions about others from now on. You'll have your hands full with yourself."
Ban Bang-geun flushed red and sat down.
Han Ibi felt a twinge of satisfaction.
Heo Son-dam was a peculiar character indeed.
'Someone that affable and vague is definitely not to be trusted.'
Heo Son-dam said,
"Any more questions? If not, back to the lessons. Today, we have Mo Yong-sin, the great hero from the Mo Yong Clan, who's long managed their armory and studied weapons."
Mo Yong-sin was at least earnest.
He brought modern weapons, as well as rare ones seized from the Demonic Cult in the western regions and frontiers, showing them firsthand.
Though for research, Han Ibi saw him as a total 'weapon otaku.'
Anyway, Mo Yong-sin's weapon lecture dragged on all day.
The downside was they all started blending together as time passed...
Thus, another day slipped by.
After dinner, Han Ibi was chatting with the Qingcheng group for the first time in a while.
Jong Ri-hyeok and So Eun-ri remained taciturn, but Yeon Nan-ju was chattering excitedly like a fish in water, spit flying.
She still seemed convinced Han Ibi's escape from the mechanisms was pure luck from good team assignment.
"Brother Mun isn't just handsome—he's got great martial prowess and wits too."
Han Ibi bristled slightly but played it cool.
"That's right. Not just martial arts and wits—his woman-charming skills are top-notch too."
Yeon Nan-ju stuck out her tongue.
"Tsk tsk. Still badmouthing others with that habit of yours."
"Badmouthing? Just stating facts. Don't believe me? Ask the Emei junior sisters."
That was when it happened.
"Hey. Isn't this Qingcheng's Brother Jong Ri-mae? Oh, and Brother Jong Ri-hyeok and the lovely Qingcheng ladies are here too."
Turning, they saw Kunlun's Ban Bang-geun standing there.
The hairy youth from the morning's rude question.
Behind him were his roommates: Mount Hua's Bang Gwang-sil and Wudang's Yeom Gyeong-bin.
Ban Bang-geun smirked slyly.
"I thought they said not to stick with your own sect mates."
Han Ibi replied,
"What, even eating and chatting briefly is wrong?"
"Not that, but... I have something to ask."
"Do I have to answer?"
Ban Bang-geun chuckled.
"You're quite the character. Anyway, Brothers Jong Ri and ladies. Let's be frank."
Han Ibi said,
"About what?"
"Tell us the secret."
"What secret?"
"Heh heh. Playing dumb? How'd you sweet-talk the Murim Alliance? Teach us Kunlun folk too."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Yeon Nan-ju raised an eyebrow.
"If you're picking a fight, beat it. We're busy."
"Oh dear. Sorry for the misunderstanding. But I'm genuinely curious. What connections did you use to send so many unqualified sect trainees? If I offended, I apologize. Haha."
Yeon Nan-ju bristled, ready to lunge.
Jong Ri-hyeok held her back.
"We don't know the details. We just followed our Sect Leader's orders."
Han Ibi scratched his ear.
"Yeah. What does Qingcheng have anyway? A flea hopping high. But can it match Kunlun, who snatched a Nine Great Sect spot? We've got a ton to learn. A whole lot~."
Ban Bang-geun's face flushed with rage, but no retort came.
"Brother Jong Ri."
Mount Hua's Bang Gwang-sil spoke up.
"Yes."
"Don't stand out too much."
"Pardon?"
"The new Little Five Dragons spots are already taken. No point flailing."
"Already taken?"
"Yes."
Han Ibi started chuckling.
Bang Gwang-sil's face hardened.
Han Ibi stopped laughing.
"So... you're threatening us now, saying you'll be one of the future Little Five Dragons?"
Bang Gwang-sil said,
"Judge that for yourself."
"Got it. I will."
Wudang's Yeom Gyeong-bin interjected.
"Enough. Stop wasting time. We've got studying to do."
Bang Gwang-sil prepared to leave, adding,
"Anyway, Brothers Jong Ri, it's best not to push too hard. No good comes from stirring trouble."
Han Ibi waved dismissively, annoyed.
"Fine, off you go. You've got studying too."
Bang Gwang-sil's face stiffened as he walked away.
"Hmph. I don't know where your confidence comes from, but I look forward to seeing you on the sparring stage soon."
"Oh no, no. I wouldn't dream of it. Please, be on your way."
Bang Gwang-sil glared deeply at Han Ibi before following Ban Bang-geun and Yeom Gyeong-bin.
So Eun-ri said bluntly to Han Ibi,
"Was that necessary? Talking so harshly?"
Han Ibi replied,
"Who started picking the fight?"
Yeon Nan-ju added,
"Yeah. No need to cower to trash like that."
Han Ibi feigned感動.
"Ooh! Junior Sister Yeon. Is this the first time you've ever taken my side?"
Jong Ri-hyeok said,
"Their point stands, though. Instructor Heo said no sticking with sect mates, so let's minimize group talks from now on."
A truly protagonist-like, boring line.
It was just the beginning.
After acing the mechanisms, he could feel other sects' members subtly checking him and Jong Ri-hyeok.
He was brutally reminded that human nature is all the same.
The next two days covered Demonic Cult hidden weapons.
Two instructors split the lecture.
Sichuan Tang Clan's Dang Hyo-bi.
Imperial Army's Yellow Dragon Squad's Nam Cheong-bong.
Dang Hyo-bi handled darts and hidden weapons; Nam Cheong-bong, archery.
In essence, a crash course in ranged attacks.
And as all sessions wrapped...
The inevitable arrived.
Na Shin-su announced,
"A second practical is scheduled soon. Hidden weapons aren't favored in orthodox sects. But few techniques are as efficient for survival. Especially against Demonic Cult followers skilled in them, it's essential. We'll train in darts and hidden weapons for a week, then do the practical."
(To be continued in the next chapter)