Chapter 149
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Baek Liyeon's Shock (2)
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Geum Sihyeon's proposal, which didn't even seem to consider three tries, kept coming like the three visits of the prime minister.
"If you say you'll do it, then just do it, right?"
"That's exactly it! Baek Liyeon!"
In the end, Baek Liyeon surrendered.
There were three reasons.
Sometimes he came at her himself, sometimes deploying his younger sister and fellow disciple Geum Siyu, persistently clinging in a way that was just too annoying.
Also, joining the student council meant no loss in fulfilling the mission her master had given her.
And finally, not long ago.
"Baek Liyeon, disciple? Personally, I'd like to applaud your courage, but I can't let it slide without punishment."
The cold-faced instructor Moyong Seol, who had summoned her, flatly recited the severity of her punishment.
"To be honest, you're lacking background. The student council could serve as that backing, so I recommend joining as much as possible. Since I'm the student council advisor, I might be able to look out for you a bit more."
Even from her mouth came mention of the student council.
It was a bit unfair that she had to take a step back in a fight with kids far below her in seniority.
But since she couldn't publicly reveal her master, she had no choice but to accept it.
"You rascal! You held out but ended up joining anyway! Welcome again! Blood kin... no, my brother is a bit weird, but everyone's good people!"
Dragged into the student council room on her first day by Geum Siyu, the natural super social butterfly who had already gotten familiar with most of her fellow disciples.
In one corner of the student council room, where not everyone had arrived yet, Baek Liyeon's eyes caught the back of a man slumped over a one-person desk.
"What, Brother Hak? Why are you looking so down again?"
At the sound of Geum Siyu's clear voice.
"Ugh..."
Seeing the face of the man who lifted his head, Baek Liyeon was slightly surprised.
A simple, honest-looking face and free-spirited attire that didn't seem to care much for formality.
It was a familiar face.
The promising prodigy who would lead the righteous martial world of the future.
The Beggars' Sect's young successor, Unhak.
"Siyu... And next to you, could it be, no way."
Unhak's face lit up with pure delight.
"Finally! You came! My lovely junior! Nice to meet you! Baek Liyeon! I'm Unhak of the Beggars' Sect! Let's get really, really close from now on!"
Like grasping a lifeline in this hellish space full of women except for Geum Sihyeon.
Unhak grabbed Baek Liyeon's hand and shook it vigorously.
"Tsk tsk, crazy old man."
Geum Siyu clicked her tongue softly as she watched.
"Right! Men should stick together with other men! Of course!"
"Eek...?!"
As Unhak naturally released her hand and threw an arm around Baek Liyeon's shoulders, a sharp squeak escaped Baek Liyeon's lips in momentary panic.
But.
Pang!
Pang!
The hearty slaps on the back drowned out the sound Baek Liyeon made.
"Let's get along great from now on! Yeah, there's a lot of work, but it'll be fun anyway! Hahaha, uhahahaha!"
Feeling that innocent, harmless reaction.
'Did I join the wrong place?'
Baek Liyeon slightly regretted her choice.
But soon, that thought shifted to something more pragmatic.
Either way, the guy was the next head of the massive information network holding intel on the entire Central Plains.
Getting close to him could only be beneficial.
Thinking that.
"Haha..."
Baek Liyeon let out an awkward laugh.
.
.
.
As people arrived one by one, there was a bit of waiting time before the full student council gathered.
"H-H-Hello, everyone...!"
The timid-looking girl who entered carrying what looked like a weapon...
Was definitely her fellow disciple.
The young lady of the Tang Family of Sichuan, Dang Narin.
"Hello! Oh! Hehe, you're Baek Liyeon, right?"
The kindly smiling woman was the palace lord of one of the Five Outer Palaces, the Southern Barbaric Beast Palace.
"Ah! And I'm also affiliated with the Golden Mystery Sect! Hehe. Not for long, though."
"Golden Mystery Sect...?"
A sect name Baek Liyeon had never heard of.
She swallowed the thought of remembering it to report to her master later and plastered an awkward smile on her face.
And then.
"Ah! Say hi! My friend and the student council's mascot, Luri! You probably saw her at the entrance ceremony!"
From beside Myo Narang, a small girl peeked out.
That cursed demonic cult.
The young cult leader's red eyes.
Were staring straight at her.
No, not yet.
She couldn't bare her fangs yet.
Though passion surged in her heart, she suppressed it with effort.
"...Hello, Senior."
Unable to hide her stiffened expression, she bowed her head in greeting.
Meanwhile, her mind raced.
Including the student council advisor Instructor Moyong Seol.
Beggars' Sect.
Moyong Family.
Tang Family.
Southern Barbaric Beast Palace.
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Hey! Juniors! Came to visit!"
"Ooh, Brother Nangong...! I've been waiting so eagerly!"
Even the Nangong Family had just arrived.
Combined with the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress's wealth, wasn't this a force capable of scheming for the world...?
The phrase "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" lingered in Baek Liyeon's mind.
.
.
.
And shortly after.
"So, Sister Narin was like! Earlier──"
"S-S-Siyu...!"
"What the hell is that Yongtaek guy up to these days that he's so hard to see?"
"Ah, something about needing to be club federation president or whatever to check Geum Sihyeon..."
"Haha! That's hilarious! The National Matchless Association's never had a federation president before, so it'll be fun in its own way!"
Amid the lively chatter.
Clunk──
The door opened, and Geum Sihyeon and Moyong Seol entered side by side.
"Hello, Instructor!"
"Welcome, President!"
"You Geum bastard...!"
Amid the varied greetings echoing out.
"...Hello."
Baek Liyeon muttered softly enough for only herself to hear.
But as Geum Sihyeon passed by, he ruffled her hair in response.
"..."
Instinctive revulsion welled up.
But it felt a little better than before.
However, that lasted only a moment.
Her eyes caught the young cult leader squirming toward the seat next to Geum Sihyeon at the head.
And then.
"Eek."
"Jeez, so annoying."
Ignoring Geum Sihyeon's disgusted reaction, the young cult leader boldly climbed onto his lap and sat there, creating a bizarre scene.
"Wh-what the..."
Baek Liyeon blankly scanned the room, at a loss for words.
No matter that the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress was a place of gambling and a gray zone between righteous and evil.
How could everyone remain so composed with the demonic cult's young leader pressed so close?
And with men and women being so particular, how...!
Even Instructor Moyong Seol, who should not tolerate such outrage.
"I'm jealous..."
Just watched with a subtle expression.
This was...
Not the great martial world.
A sense of duty boiled up in Baek Liyeon's chest.
Bam!
With the sound of her slamming the desk.
"How can an insolent woman so rudely climb onto a man's lap!"
The righteous youth Baek Liyeon's perfectly justified shout rang thunderously through the student council room.
And the follow-up thrust.
"And! President Geum Sihyeon! Are you really a pedophile?"
"Gasp."
"Eek."
"Ooh."
The explosive remark burst forth.
All eyes instantly turned to Baek Liyeon, then to Cheon Luri, and finally to Geum Sihyeon.
"Uwaaak! No!"
Geum Sihyeon, hit by the preemptive strike, went pale.
And the root of all this.
Cheon Luri just wore her usual sullen expression.
"Yup."
She jumped down from Geum Sihyeon's lap.
And waddled toward Baek Liyeon.
Watching that.
Baek Liyeon unconsciously clenched her fists.
She knew well that powerless justice meant nothing, yet she couldn't overlook this wrong situation, and slightly resented herself for it.
But.
"Hee."
Cheon Luri, reaching her, suddenly let out a giggle.
And at the same time.
"Now, everyone, put in your silver. I told you, right? Our disciple Baek Liyeon is a steadfast real man. Hahaha!"
Geum Sihyeon chuckled frivolously and placed a tray on the desk.
"I knew it! Baek Liyeon! I believed in you!"
Geum Siyu, grinning with the smile of victory.
"R-right in my face... pedo..."
Dang Narin shuddered as she dropped silver into the tray with a jingle.
Only then.
"No way."
Baek Liyeon's voice trembled slightly as she half-understood the situation.
Jingle jingle, the sound of silver hitting the tray.
"One must call out wrong as wrong to have the vessel of a true hero. Welcome to the student council, Baek Liyeon."
Geum Sihyeon, who scooped up the still gazing Cheon Luri and handed her to Myo Narang.
Offered his right hand to Baek Liyeon with a serious tone.
Western-style etiquette, a handshake.
Baek Liyeon awkwardly extended her hand and grasped his.
Some prickling negative sensation buzzed in her head.
But more than that.
It was a large hand conveying a strange warmth and reliability.
Now, the student council was fully staffed.
Even Baek Liyeon, who had thrown tantrums like a girl despite being a guy, was ready to be used as a capable worker.
"Haha! If my junior asks for help, I have to help!"
I didn't really remember, but I roped in Nangong Hwi, who was in last year's student council, and appointed him as an advisor.
This was the art of utilizing people.
If Zhuge Liang were alive, he'd have a good matchup with this wisdom of mine.
"Heh heh heh..."
As I let out a laugh infused with 100 Intelligence.
"Sihyeon. You're not really into little kids, are you?"
"...I told you no."
Sister Seol nitpicked my outfit again.
...Even if it was a hidden camera.
To straight-up say "Are you a pedo?" to my face...
As expected of the Heavenly Killer Star.
Her murder skills were no joke.
"So, you said you had something to discuss."
"Yeah. The second-years go on a school trip, right? It's tradition for the student council president to do a preliminary visit once the destination is set, so I came to explain that."
School trip, huh.
A word that really made my heart race.
"Where to?"
"Dongting Lake."
Dongting Lake...
Definitely.
One of the Northern Bright Secret Pavilions.
Where the Six Meridians Divine Sword slumbered.