Chapter 12

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 12

Chapter Title: The Prison of Characters (2)

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In the martial world of the Jianghu, there is an ironclad code of conduct.

Unless you're in a life-or-death crisis, a true man of the rivers and lakes doesn't use his internal energy to blow away drunkenness or alcohol poisoning.

Of course, our drinking spree faithfully adhered to the ways of the Jianghu.

The result?

"......How is Geum-hyung...... so...... fine......?"

"Ugh......"

"Tch, if you're that weak to booze, can you even call yourself a man? Train harder, you amateurs."

Even by the time Early Bird Unhak...... no, the time to head out for morning training to circulate qi and eat breakfast, the two boozehounds were still half-dead.

I wondered if they'd end up puking their guts out in the training hall like that.

Me?

This body has Immunity to All Poisons.

Even after drinking, the pleasant buzz stays intact.

A body that's forever parted from crushing hangovers and headaches.

This is the life of a true master.

......That aside.

A request for after-service help had popped up.

Entirely my fault.

Really, it was info I had zero interest in knowing.

But when you play Chinese games, you inevitably learn that China has two kinds of characters.

One is the hanja we use in Korea: Chinese (traditional).

The other is what they use in China: Chinese (simplified).

Cultivating Martial Artists had an official Korean localization.

But like the mod I installed, the official one was a bit stiff, so most people slapped on mod Korean patches.

The one I installed was a simplified Chinese base overlaid with Korean translation.

Reading was no issue, traditional or simplified.

But writing auto-corrected to simplified, so I struggled at first.

Of course, I had no intention of fixing it.

It's not like I was planning to be a novelist in the martial world or anything.

I could read it fine anyway, so why bother?

My second brother, who usually couldn't wait to devour me alive, had one thing he praised about me: my "cursive script."

Yeah.

I'd spouted utter bullshit, claiming I'd invented my own genius cursive style with my heavenly intellect.

......And it worked.

Thanks to that, most of our trading company's documents now use my invented "Sihyeon script."

Guilt?

As if.

A modern man had returned to the past (or whatever).

Spreading modern knowledge is just common sense, right?

I'd already planted various seeds.

Though because of it, I nearly got locked up by my eldest brother and slaved away at the company for 12 years instead of attending the academy.

"Hmmm......"

After a bit of thought,

I decided to carve out some time from my schedule for a personal "Sihyeon script" crash course.

Absolutely not because I was imagining a sweet library date with Sojeo......

......Okay, maybe a little.

Be bold, Geum Sihyeon.

I was dying to dive right into the heart-pounding hanja lesson.

But alas, as a proper advanced class member, I needed to lock down my schedule first.

Of course, it had to sync with Sojeo's time too.

The Hundred Flowers Academy's system was pretty much like a university's.

Sign up for classes within your credit limit.

The advanced class had two mandatory courses.

"Understanding the Classics," which everyone from the two hundred students had to take, and the advanced major "Advanced Sparring."

It might look like a place for righteous sect folks to haha-ho-ho and bond, but the purpose was solidly advancing martial knowledge.

Understanding the Classics focused on close reading of Daoist and Buddhist scriptures to deepen comprehension of martial principles.

Advanced Sparring was like the exam—bash each other around to learn opponents' techniques, spot flaws, and patch your own.

Beyond that, I picked five electives.

"No wonder your sword grip looked so awkward—you really didn't learn the basics properly?"

"Stealing your heavenly master's phone over your shoulder? How impudent."

I flicked Moyong Taek's forehead as he peeked at my smartphone from the side.

As Moyong Taek said,

First up: swordsmanship basics and archery basics.

Objectively speaking about myself,

With my internal energy boost, I could claim first-rate transcending to super first-rate realm, but my grasp of martial arts fundamentals was lacking.

Especially chatting with Unhak made the basics gap painfully clear, so building pride wasn't the move—steady growth was.

And herbal medicine and toxicology.

Honestly, with Immunity to All Poisons, zero need, but one goal:

Sniff out the tails of those who tried to poison "Geum Sihyeon."

If I were the culprit,

Not only surviving unscathed and active, but starting to research poisons aggressively?

Wouldn't that feel way too suspicious to sweep under the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rug?

Plus, my personal hunch.

Who suffered the biggest hit from Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress?

Obviously competitors—especially Azure Heaven Fortress, which lost massive influence in Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei.

Backed by the Five Great Families, they'd nearly monopolized the merchant world, so lost profits would burn like heartburn at night.

Moyong Taek spotting me on sight,

Moyong Wicheon lumping me with Unhak for insults,

Moyong Seol sexually harassing me...... yeah, no clue. Just thirsty, I guess.

And the biggest shareholder in Azure Heaven Company? The Sichuan Tang Family.

......The stench of poison is thick.

Well, no evidence yet—just suspicion.

Even the Life and Death Divine Doctor hinted at it subtly, so no choice but to clash head-on and find out.

"Understanding Formations? I heard that's basically a sleeping pill."

"You done signing up? Why do you keep sticking your head in?"

"Yep, finished ages ago. ......Understanding Demonic Martial Arts sounds tempting. Might switch to that."

"Do whatever......"

Vowing to brew laxatives for this dimwit who couldn't grasp my grand ambitions, I wrapped up registration with the last two courses.

Semester 2 substitute: Jianghu Travels.

In the original game, players' top death cause was "killed clashing with demonic martial artists," number two "wandered into a formation and died."

Especially low formation stat? Stumble into an opportunity and get trapped forever, keeling over.

The optimal route built on my blood and countless users' tears.

Admiring my finished timetable,

Moyong Taek, poking his head in for the third time, paled in horror.

"Ugh...... free periods?"

"All part of the grand plan."

......Actually, no.

Even I cringed looking at it.

Some days: 9 AM class, then nothing till 3 PM......?

This a schedule or torture?

Lame excuse:

In the original game, pretty free periods were key.

To build affinity with characters, hunt hidden academy opportunities.

......But in reality? Kinda floaty.

Sure, I'm shameless,

But not thick-skinned enough to hunt down Martial Five Blossoms or other girls I haven't met yet.

Here's hoping

For natural encounters.

Waiting always brings butterflies.

Having set a tentative orientation with Sojeo, lounging in the outdoor pavilion felt like pure spring bliss, youth's thrill.

Nothing to do, so I arrived a full hour early at the meetup spot.

Perfect time to indulge my new hobby.

What hobby? Licking newbies.

Kuh.

This fresh newbie gallery scent......

Seems the Demonic Cult gave her solid personality training.

Unfortunately, no ID meant zero gallery bootcamp.

Galleries guarantee anonymity.

Unlike semi-realname SNS like "Martial Star" or pretense-filled "Jianghu Anecdotes."

Atmosphere closer to raw human nature.

Aka...... a dumpster.

Comments?

Bad encounter right off the bat.

Imagining Luri's usual blank face turning bewildered like on the podium made me chuckle.

Sure, the fresh vibe's cute,

But watching a gallery newbie corrupt is its own treat.

Oof.

She's taking fire.

Moment of silence for Luri's eye health.

At least no personal info leaks beyond the nickname—small mercy.

ID...... unless an admin I doubt exists checks, seems private ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to me.

Kindly commented on her last post.

Grow strong, Luri. Fighting!

While at it, checked fave nicks and affinity movers.

B-cup 28yo Kyungdu with hardcore gambler?

Me and Sojeo are fairies, fairies.

Affinity levels proportional to bust size, confirmed.

Nothing else fun posted yet.

Semester start rush, folks busy.

Wanna peek other galleries, but......

Sadly, academy network blocks majors like Shaanxi Gallery or Central Plains Martial World Gallery.

Miss daily cyber righteous-demonic wars for gallery dominance.

No VPN around?

"Huh? Young master! You're super early! Hehe, wait long?"

A bright, tangy voice burst from behind like popping grapes, refreshingly clear.

"Sojeo and I were......?"

Turning to the voice, I froze solid.

Myo Narang beaming innocently with RatMouseGirl perched on her shoulder.

And beside them,

A petite girl glued to her smartphone, sulky frown creasing her brow.

Cheon Luri arrived as a 1+1 bundle.

What mismatched combo is this?

More importantly,

My sweet 1:1 hanja study bliss?

I desperately rationalized: coincidence, just passing by.

"Ah! Hehe, you know her face already, right? My new roommate—um, friend! We agreed to be friends, Cheon Luri!"

Before Myo Narang's beaming intro of Luri,

I could only muster an awkward smile with stiff lips.