Chapter 144
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Not Doing What They're Told (2)
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Hundred Flowers Academy's academy rules were quite lenient and lax.
In their early twenties, the students were full of youthful vigor. On top of their outstanding martial prowess, they were also exceptionally attractive, and most came from good families on average.
So, it was no surprise that romance blossomed frequently among them.
After all, the romantic exchange gatherings—designed specifically for such purposes—had held the unchallenged top spot in club membership numbers all this time.
Excluding that guy from the Geum family who shouted "This is yas!" every time he got frisky, along with his unfortunate entourage, it was already half Animal Kingdom in there.
But rules were rules, and some had to be followed.
There was just one prohibition in the academy code.
"......I'm not about to spout outdated nonsense about men and women keeping their distance. Still, you do know that excessive displays of affection within the academy grounds can lead to disciplinary action, right?"
Moyong Seol's calm yet icy voice instantly froze the student council president's office, which had been swirling with suspicious pink vibes just moments ago.
Of course.
"Excessive" being the key word—
As long as it wasn't something extreme like openly stripping in public to pursue yin-yang union, the lax rules allowed for tacit leeway.
In other words, it depended on the ear or the nose.
It was an area where instructors could fully exercise their discretion.
But Moyong Seol, with her eyes half-rolled back, had no intention of showing any such discretion.
However.
"Excessive displays of affection? What do you mean?"
Geum Sihyeon's bewildered voice cut through the frigid silence.
His innocent eyes suggested he hadn't done a thing wrong, paired with an expression of utter grievance.
Geum Sihyeon has activated Oribal Nabimogi!
"You gonna play innocent?"
But the effect was minimal...
"Weren't you just burying your face in Myo Narang's chest?"
Moyong Seol gritted her teeth, suppressing the rising fury in her modest bosom, and recounted her eyewitness account with sharp precision.
At that.
"Oh dear, a misunderstanding."
Without a flicker on his face, Geum Sihyeon continued.
"As student council president, it's only natural to check on a student's health. I was examining her Middle Dantian pulse."
"......?"
"The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, Scroll 10, states: 'The heart is like the sovereign, paired with the blood vessels, its qi manifesting as color on the face.' Myo Narang's complexion has been poor lately due to overwork, so I had no choice but to check her pulsation directly to diagnose the cause. It was clearly part of legitimate medical practice."
Geum Sihyeon fluently spouted medical knowledge.
But after about a year as master and disciple, little brother and big sister, they'd built a close bond.
So Moyong Seol quickly spotted the contradiction in his slick, silver-tongued defense.
"......Do you really think that makes sense? Can't you just check the pulse through the wrist?"
Moyong Seol's retort was perfectly logical.
What doctor in the world takes a pulse by shoving their nose into someone's chest?
Unfortunately, the shameless man before her eyes.
"I'm a disciple of the Life and Death Divine Doctor. Would my medical judgment ever be wrong?"
In terms of authority in the Central Plains medical world, he had enough clout to sell ginseng as wild mountain root.
"Haa. Geum Sihyeon, this stubbornness won't—"
"Then let me ask you, Instructor Moyong Seol."
Geum Sihyeon interrupted, his face turning serious.
"Do I, Geum Sihyeon, strike you as the type who would abuse my student council position for personal gain, sell out the Divine Doctor's medical authority, and bury my nose in my dear classmate Myo Narang's chest to satisfy my selfish desires?"
"......!"
Moyong Seol was momentarily speechless.
Of course, Geum Sihyeon had already devoured both his conscience and medical authority like rice cakes, but his earnest tone carried genuine weight.
She nearly nodded in agreement.
But backing down here would ruin her instructor's dignity.
Her mind raced in an instant.
At this rate, she'd get tangled in his wordplay, so she needed to find a logical flaw.
Or something unexpected...
"......!"
Moyong Seol had already fallen prey to a vile emotion like jealousy toward a student eight years her junior.
It meant the cells governing shame had atrophied, leading her to a forbidden conclusion.
"Fine. I believe you. Then check my pulse too!"
A perfect counter that flashed into her mind in an instant.
Even though it struck at an unexpected angle, Geum Sihyeon's expression remained serene.
"Instructor. Forgive my impertinence, but you don't need me burying my face—you're plenty...
......Eugh!"
Did he think he'd logically pinned her down?
His casual mention of the chest gap cost him dearly—a fist chilled with frost slammed straight into Geum Sihyeon's solar plexus.
"......Sihyeon..."
Even Myo Narang, witnessing the bloodshed firsthand, averted her eyes from the brutality of that verbal blunder!
Geum Sihyeon had physically felt the gap in perspective between instructor and student.
"Kuhk, hup, uh... I misspoke... W-well then, if you'll excuse me."
Perhaps he thought this was the only way to break the impasse.
Or maybe his eyes were blinded by lust, clouding his judgment.
Whatever the case.
Once he recovered from the solar plexus pain, Geum Sihyeon stood before Moyong Seol with a remarkably doctorly expression.
"......Uh, um, pulse-taking... right?"
Now that Geum Sihyeon was acting bold, it was Moyong Seol who felt a bit embarrassed.
"I'll prove my innocence!"
Trapped in his own self-contradiction, Geum Sihyeon pressed forward instead of retreating.
With the grandeur only a grandmaster of Central Plains medicine could muster, he pressed his face purely against Moyong Seol's flat chest—as if performing a procedure for strictly medical purposes, devoid of any impure intent.
Right after.
"Sniiiiif—"
"Wh-what are you sniffing for?! That's harassment!"
Boom!
"Kek..."
As if punishing Geum Sihyeon's final lapse into lost reason.
Moyong Seol's elbow plunged precisely into the middle of his back.
"Pft."
Even Myo Narang, who'd been desperately holding back her expression, finally burst into laughter at the pathetic sight.
.
.
.
"Grrrr..."
Right after Geum Sihyeon collapsed, defenselessly offering his solar plexus and back to the elegant form of Moyong Family's Rock-Splitting Fist.
"......"
"......"
An awkward silence hung between Moyong Seol and Myo Narang.
It was only natural.
Moyong Seol's anger hadn't been directed at Myo Narang at all—it had been laser-focused solely on Geum Sihyeon.
And right after unleashing physical force.
'Ah... I messed up...'
With reason flooding back into the space rage had occupied, Moyong Seol finally regretted her actions.
"Um, Instructor?"
Myo Narang broke the silence first.
* * *
"Kuuu..."
Why was Protective Astral Qi so useless?
Even against a venomous strike targeting vital points like a serpent, if the opponent's attack lacked internal energy or killing intent, the defense mechanism wouldn't activate...
This was why betrayal from those you knew hurt the most.
"You're awake?"
Seol-noona's soft voice, a world away from her earlier venom, tickled my ear.
Opening my eyes, I saw.
"Uh..."
Her face filling my view effortlessly between gentle curves.
Come to think of it, the back of my head felt warm, and there was a firm sensation I suspected was her thigh.
Hm.
Was this the legendary lap pillow?
Or, considering my earlier rudeness, maybe a trap...!
Squeeze—
"......?"
I tried to sit up, but Seol-noona's hand gently stopped me.
"Stay still for a bit."
Soon, her hand covered my eyes, sealing my vision.
What the.
This pre-execution staging and atmosphere...?
As anxiety welled up.
"Mom mentioned it recently. You're not just the youngest of Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress anymore—you're the sect leader of Geumhyeon Sect. Hehe, impressive. Already planning to found your own sect at your age."
"Ahaha..."
"As a sect leader, you need to maintain at least some dignity. ...I'm not scolding you for chasing skirts. Just be a bit more discreet, and pick the time and place. Got it?"
"......"
"Answer me."
"Yes, ma'am."
The hand over my eyes softly slid across my forehead, ruffling my hair once.
Cautiously opening my eyes.
There was Seol-noona's face, wearing that slightly sappy, silly smile she never showed others.
As I carefully lifted my head to adjust position.
"It's all messed up."
Seol-noona reached out again, straightening my clothes, and gently brushed off the dust from my robe hem where I'd rolled spectacularly on the floor.
I know it's crazy to say this in this atmosphere, but...
"Wh-what about Myo Narang?"
"Oh, me and little bro? I sent her on an errand. She'll be back soon."
......?
"Hmm, it's been a while. I need to head back for the entrance exams. Sihyeon, no mischief, behave and head home after work, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Seol-noona, now fully serene with no trace of earlier anger, left the student council office just like that.
By the way.
"Me and little bro...?"
While I was out cold for a moment.
What the hell happened...?