Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: The Aesthetics of Mechanisms
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"Uwaaaaaah~!"
A shrill voice echoed through Ohwonsan Mountain.
It was Wang Cheong-rin.
She had pulled it herself, yet she was snapping at Han Ibi as if it were all his fault.
"Why did it have to be dead last! You should've aimed for somewhere in the middle! Ever since we entered the Murim Alliance, nothing has gone right!"
Aw.
That temperamental nutcase.
Han Ibi bellowed back.
"No, I told you I'd do it! Why'd you insist on doing it yourself, grinding your teeth, and now you're yelling at me?!"
"Then you should've stopped me for real!"
"I mean, who even does this..."
At that moment, Mun Won-bi, flustered and unsure what to do, jumped in.
"Miss Wang, Young Hero Jong. Please don't be too disappointed. Whether it's last or in the middle, the conditions are the same for everyone."
"Hmph!"
"Heng!"
Wang Cheong-rin and Han Ibi crossed their arms and turned their backs to each other.
Yeon Nanju had seemed rude enough, but... ah, this Emei Sect girl was on another level entirely.
Mun Won-bi said,
"Right now, we should focus on what we can do. Like reviewing the theory we learned this morning. We've bought ourselves more study time, so you've achieved the best possible outcome, Miss Wang."
Wang Cheong-rin's expression softened a bit at that.
"As expected, Young Hero Mun is different. I thought you were just handsome, but your mindset is that of a true hero. Totally unlike certain people who complain from start to finish."
"Oh dear, what are you saying? I couldn't possibly accept such high praise."
Watching them, Han Ibi thought,
Have your fun. Play away. But what's with this guy? Not content with Jong Ri-hyeok, now this one's got protagonist syndrome too? 'This humble one'? Why does this novel have so many ridiculous characters?
Sure enough, while the two bickered, Mun Won-bi and Baek Mi-hu stood together reviewing the morning's lessons.
Something utterly unimaginable for Han Ibi.
Holy... they're actually doing it...
Then,
Na Shin-su approached and said,
"Alright, final group Hwapi. Get ready. As I've said many times, each person is responsible for their own body. To avoid any accidents. I must remind you once more: the Salt Society bears no responsibility if a trainee dies or gets injured during training."
The four felt a chill run down their spines.
Only then did they grasp the gravity of the situation.
At that moment, the device in Na Shin-su's hand clanked with a 'clunk'.
It looked like a large wooden plate, with some unknown symbol engraved in the center, continuously moving.
Curious, Han Ibi watched closely. It seemed like a timer from the modern world.
They said Joyangmun was famous for its mechanisms and tools, so this was probably one of them.
Han Ibi thought,
Wow. What a fascinating sect...
Na Shin-su announced,
"The final 'Hwapi' group will now enter. It's extremely dark inside, so we'll give a night pearl to the representative."
Wang Cheong-rin scurried over to Na Shin-su and snatched the night pearl in an instant.
"See that, sis? So pretty. This~!"
Na Shin-su said,
"Then, good luck to Hwapi group."
Han Ibi, Wang Cheong-rin, Baek Mi-hu, and Mun Won-bi slowly stepped toward the pitch-black space behind the massive statue in the main hall of the Demon Subjugation Temple.
The stairs descending underground were made of smoothly polished stone blocks.
Not some half-hearted job—they'd clearly put real effort into it.
They continued down like that for a while.
Wang Cheong-rin led at first, but soon Mun Won-bi took the front when she got scared.
"As expected of Young Hero Mun. So manly."
Blushing at Wang Cheong-rin's praise, Mun Won-bi waved it off.
"No way. It's just..."
From the rear, Han Ibi called out,
"In the jianghu, there's no distinction between men and women. Just martial artists."
Wang Cheong-rin shot him a glare.
"If you're not leading, then shut up."
"Yes, yes. Got it..."
As he replied, Han Ibi pondered how to mess with this insolent girl.
But why are we going down forever...?
Were they aiming for the bottom of hell?
The seemingly endless stairs finally ended.
The floor was impeccably smooth compared to a typical cave, revealing the scale of the engineering feat.
Han Ibi thought,
The Demonic Cult, Demonic Cult—they must've been impressive to build something like this. Then again, the Chinese built the Great Wall to fend off invaders. A race beyond imagination.
"This feels... kinda creepy."
Baek Mi-hu's voice came from behind.
The bluish glow of the night pearl in Wang Cheong-rin's hand reflected off the cave walls, amplifying the eerie atmosphere.
"Hmph. Sis, really. What's scary about this?"
Wang Cheong-rin sounded composed, but she couldn't hide the tremor in her voice.
She was terribly tense too.
Baek Mi-hu said,
"Something feels off. We all signed waivers saying no liability even if we die. Even the sect leaders did..."
Han Ibi interjected,
"That's standard for these trainings—they scare you with waivers to heighten the effect. Even threatening sect leaders that they won't be held responsible if we die... eh, I doubt they'd feed us fancy meals just to let us drop dead here."
Wang Cheong-rin scowled.
"Hmph. Your tongue's as light as your background. Hurry up front and find the way."
Truly a venomous tongue like a scorpion.
Han Ibi replied,
"Tsk tsk tsk. No matter how twisted your heart, you shouldn't casually insult someone's sect."
"Hmph. You're not even a senior of Emei, so don't lecture me."
Fine, fine.
Got it.
I hate nag mode too.
Go on and die pathetically then, you extra.
Mun Won-bi spoke up,
"Still, it's quite bizarre. Why would the Demonic Cult build such an elaborate cave right in the heart of the Central Plains? It must've taken massive funds and manpower."
Han Ibi chuckled,
"If normal people could understand the Demonic Cult's mindset, it wouldn't be the Demonic Cult anymore."
Then Baek Mi-hu said,
"I see a door up ahead."
Indeed.
Among the caves loomed a door shaped like a serpent's gaping maw.
They paused to examine it.
But no one moved to open it.
Finally, impatient, Han Ibi approached cautiously, gripped the handle, and pushed it open.
A creaking screech echoed everywhere.
The narrow room made it sound deafening.
Mun Won-bi murmured,
"Hm... so quiet."
The room was shrouded in pitch-black silence.
Wang Cheong-rin raised the night pearl high, scanning the area.
About four or five jang ahead was another door that screamed "exit."
Han Ibi said,
"The more obvious something is, the more you should beware."
Exactly.
Like in wuxia films crossing traps.
All pitfalls come from places that seem too obvious for anyone to suspect.
Han Ibi told Wang Cheong-rin,
"Miss Wang, shine the night pearl on both walls?"
With a reluctant frown, she illuminated the sides.
Han Ibi carefully touched the walls.
Smooth as glass.
Very different from the uneven hallway before.
"Now the floor."
Grudgingly, she obliged.
Stone slabs lined up like sidewalk blocks.
Or a giant go board.
Baek Mi-hu said,
"Just like Instructor taught. A basic trap pattern."
Mun Won-bi added,
"Yes. This layout... hmm. Stepping triggers attacks based on pressure."
Han Ibi had dozed through class, but judging by the design, it seemed likely.
Wang Cheong-rin said,
"Young Hero Jong, you lead."
Han Ibi had just been promoted from "you" to "young hero."
He jumped back.
"Why me?"
"Real men should take the initiative."
"Didn't I just say there's no gender divide in murim? And here's the elegant, dashing Beggar Clan Young Hero Mun..."
Suddenly, Baek Mi-hu donned her steel claws on both hands and said,
"Let's see what happens."
She boldly stepped onto the slabs.
Wang Cheong-rin gasped.
"Sis! Be careful!"
Shwing. Shwish.
Sure enough, something sliced through the air.
From both walls, a barrage launched.
Baek Mi-hu leaped into a run-up and soared into the air.
Twisting like a gymnast, she swung her steel claws, batting them away.
Like a graceful Bengal tiger gliding through the sky—stunning.
Mun Won-bi clapped unconsciously.
"Truly superb lightness skill."
But the projectiles were endless.
And each landing triggered more in a vicious cycle.
Eventually, Baek Mi-hu retreated to the safe zone with the group.
Her clothes were scratched and riddled with holes, testament to the peril.
She panted,
"Whew... I suspected, but I never imagined this many projectiles."
In her hand was one.
Everyone examined it—unlike standard darts.
Made of sturdy wood, like a large knitting needle.
Wang Cheong-rin said,
"Still, so brave, sis."
Mun Won-bi added,
"And impressive."
Then came a burst of laughter: "Puhahaha!"
Turning, they saw it was Han Ibi.
Wang Cheong-rin stared in bewilderment, muttering,
"You... why are you laughing? Have you gone mad from fear?"
But Han Ibi clutched his stomach, laughing more before saying,
"Isn't it hilarious?"
Even Baek Mi-hu frowned and asked,
"What is?"
Han Ibi sobered up.
"Think about it."
Wang Cheong-rin snapped,
"Think about what?!"
Han Ibi said,
"How many groups passed before us?"
"We're tenth, so nine. Why ask something childish?"
"Exactly. Look at the floor now."
All eyes dropped.
"Wooden needles scattered everywhere."
"So what?"
"Kukukuku."
Han Ibi laughed again before continuing.
"Someone's hiding here, collecting them after each group passes, reloading the traps. How can I not laugh? Haha!"
(To be continued in the next chapter)