Chapter 151
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: The Road to Dongting Lake (2)
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Right after Baek Liyeon made her preemptive strike, a brief silence fell over the room.
"P-President! I'll go with you!"
"M-Me too, me, me, I w-want to go...! I'm c-confident in poisons...!"
"Me! Me!"
"Hmph... From your perspective, Geum Sihyeon, a reliable Peak Realm expert like me would be the most helpful, right...?"
"Then me... Ugh... I don't like Geum Sihyeon... Ugh... But Instructor Seo is fine... S-So me too!"
The student council room instantly turned into a chaotic marketplace.
Everyone was gauging the mood—except for Cheon Luri, who brazenly raised her hand again after being kicked aside once already.
Baek Liyeon's straightforward declaration had lit the fuse.
Of course, each had their own ulterior motives.
Roughly divided into two types.
First, Myo Narang and Cheon Luri.
They naturally aimed to advance their relationships a bit further.
As for Dang Narin, Unhak, and Geum Siyu...
...the stronger motivation was wanting to legally skip academy classes.
The student council president, bearer of the Divine Mountain Ghost Vessel, naturally saw right through their intentions.
"Companions might not get their attendance marked."
"Hmph... Since the juniors stepped up, I should sit this one out..."
"Aw, what? I'm not going."
"Th-Then I'll opt out toooo...!"
In an instant, three were sunk.
Of course, attendance would be granted anyway, but this little probe revealed their true feelings.
The remaining candidates.
"Hehe, I don't care much about grades anyway! It'll be fine."
Myo Narang, who had set her post-graduation path as becoming a devoted wife and wise mother.
"Me. Expert."
Cheon Luri, backed by the sturdy Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which could prevent expulsion even if she flunked.
Normally, choosing one of them would be the rational pick.
But.
"Hmm... The second-years will be moving together for the school trip anyway, so this time, I'll go with Junior Baek Liyeon."
Geum Sihyeon's conclusion easily defied everyone's expectations.
"Hing."
Aside from Cheon Luri's whine, no objections arose.
It was a relatively free atmosphere, but ever since the student council formed, an unspoken rule had emerged.
Discussions are free.
But the president's decision is absolute.
Not codified, but the trust was earned because every choice Geum Sihyeon had made so far led to positive outcomes.
If there was one person who didn't hold that trust in her heart...
"...For real? Me?"
It was Baek Liyeon herself.
She had stepped forward because no one else would, but she never expected to actually be picked.
Seeing her reaction, Geum Sihyeon smiled.
A true leader doesn't just choose the right path forward—they make others understand why it's right.
The true leader, Geum Sihyeon, confidently explained her reasoning.
"That way, my little brother can take first place in midterms for once. No way he'd lose to Baek Liyeon, who's absent for scouting, right?"
"... "
"... "
It was the moment when a vicious intent—thick malice disguised as brotherly kindness—was laid bare for all to see.
Now, even if Geum Siyu got first, he'd be a home invader. Second place? A total slacker who wasted his chance. True dilemma!
"I can't forgive you, Geum Sihyeon...!"
"Oops, my bad, Geum Siyu. Just kidding."
After teasing Geum Siyu once more, Geum Sihyeon revealed her real intention.
"You've all seen plenty of the world, I assume. ...Narin doesn't even like traveling much, honestly. Right?"
"Th-That's true...?"
"Junior Baek Liyeon only trained obsessively before entering the academy, so she's had no time to take in the sights. Common sense in the jianghu isn't all in smartphones—sometimes you learn by clashing head-on. That's why she's the perfect companion for this. It's not just a trip. It's to study the world. First-years have too long until next year. Got it?"
As soon as Geum Sihyeon finished speaking...
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Liyeon is a bit lacking in social skills."
"H-Honestly, even more than m-me..."
The sincere testimonies from her peers followed.
"...My surname is Baek, and my given name is Liyeon. I don't approach because I don't see a reason to get close...!"
The academy's official loner, Baek Liyeon, gritted her teeth and squeezed out her excuse.
"Yeah, Liyeon."
"Liyeon sounds kinda girly, hehe."
"Yep, if there's a Yongtaek, there must be a Liyeon—that's how the world works."
The law of the jungle in the student council.
Having shown a weakness, Baek Liyeon became prey, savagely torn apart for over half a shichen.
And so.
Baek Liyeon, companion confirmed.
The initial bustle of the semester had settled into stability, and even the freshmen who had been excitedly scampering about, basking in happiness, were starting to sink into the swamp of assignments and gloom.
We finished preparations for the trip to Dongting Lake.
"Sihyeon. Come back safe and healthy...! Don't get dragged into anything weird this time!"
Acting student council president.
Vice President Myo Narang's hearty farewell, her chest swelling grandly.
"By the way, where's Luri?"
"Erm... Haven't seen her since this morning. Maybe she's sulking?"
"Hmm."
Something's off.
She should be wailing and nuzzling me clingily by now.
Closing my eyes briefly.
I initiated the soul-link technique from my end for the first time in a while.
But no connection.
Precisely, it connected, but she rejected the reception on her side.
She's really pissed...
I'll contact her later, I thought, slipping out of Myo Narang's arms and opening the locked student council room door.
Heading toward the academy's main gate.
"You're here."
"...You arrived."
Chicken Lady and Baek Liyeon, each finished with preparations.
"Kyau..."
And even the best companion for long journeys, the wolf pup, fully ready and waiting for me.
The wolf pup's cry sounded strangely weak, so following those pitiful pupils...
"...Why so much luggage?"
Even if we planned to load it on the wolf pup, it was enough to violate animal protection laws.
Obviously Chicken Lady's doing.
Impudently, she gazed at me with an innocent expression.
"Isn't that all your stuff?"
How could she say something so shameless without batting an eye?
"President. Did you pack a ton of bribes or something?"
"...Me?"
Why would I take physical goods?
Just buy whatever's needed with vouchers.
Come to think of it, among the luggage was an especially huge wooden box.
Almost...
Big enough to fit a small child...
Moon Soul Divine Eye, ON.
"... "
Letting out a sigh, I slowly approached the wooden box.
Grabbing the handle and pulling...
Rattle, clunk.
It wouldn't open.
As if someone inside was gripping the handle tight.
"Luri. Come out."
"...?"
Chicken Lady and Baek Liyeon stared at me like I was crazy for calling Luri.
Crack, creak—!
I ripped off the door and lifted it up.
Inside was...
Luri, curled up and disguised with random clothes.
"Tch."
The little cult leader's scheme foiled, she clicked her tongue and tried to bolt.
"Nooo—"
"Instructor Seo. Call Narang for me, please."
"Uh... Sure..."
Hooking her under the arms and lifting the wriggling Luri tight.
Handing her over to the arriving capture squad Narang.
"She might sneak out and tail us, so keep a close eye."
"Yup! When did she sneak out? Come on, Luri. Time for class."
"Hmph...!"
She growled and squirmed to the end, refusing to give up.
But aside from me, the only one who could control Luri was Narang.
Regardless of power difference, in this unfamiliar Hundred Flowers Academy, Narang was the first to approach and open her heart.
Or maybe the power of Heavenly Beast Heart-Returning Art.
Lately, I've been spoiling her a bit, and now she just whines like a small animal...
"Alright, shall we head out?"
Wrapping up the minor incident.
Time to truly embark.
"Liyeon."
"Baek. Li. Yeon. Why did you call, President?"
"Eat this. Motion sickness medicine."
I handed the special remedy I'd made for my future right-hand junior.
"...I'm fine."
"Hmm..."
She's not.
Whatever.
She chose her own hardship.
About two shichen after departure.
"Urk, uwoooork."
"See? Told you it's useless after we start."
Baek Liyeon had glimpsed hell.
She could've moved faster with her own lightness skill, but this was overwhelmingly quicker—too quick...!
"Uwoork."
"Hey, careful not to get it on the fur."
Baek Liyeon gritted her teeth, holding back vomit and curses.
"Hmm... Instructor. Shall we rest nearby?"
"Not sure if there's an inn in this remote spot. Let me see, around here..."
As the saying goes, all roads lead to bandits.
In the head of the Green Forest Bandit King, the paid road organization's leader, geography sprang up without needing Central Plains Navigation.
We just crossed from Shaanxi to Henan, so a bit further...
"Xixia Gorge is coming up soon. We'll stop there."
"Hear that, Junior Liyeon? Hang in there a bit longer."
"Uuuu, Baek. Li. Yeon... uwoooork...!"
.
.
.
Finally planting both feet on solid ground, she vomited out everything in a secluded corner and regained some wits.
She had been careless.
She was taught to always suspect others' kindness...
"You okay, Junior?"
"...Thanks to you..."
She even flinched and fled when he tried to pat her back, but Baek Liyeon wasn't so dull as to miss the goodwill in his concern.
"Sorry..."
"No biggie. I was the same my first time. Come on, let's grab a meal at the inn. We'll ride through the night, so stock up on stamina."
"...All night?"
"Of course. How else do we get to Dongting Lake quick? Go fast, come back fast."
Baek Liyeon desperately wanted to return to the academy right now.
"Eek."
"Come on, let's go."
Her body stiffened at Geum Sihyeon's sudden arm around her shoulder, and she ended up being dragged straight into the inn.
And what met their eyes...
"Miss, where you from? Wow, that tanned skin screams you're handy with work, huh?"
"Pretty face too, heh heh. Work in the mountains? Herb gatherer? Must be tough. How 'bout discussing your future with this great hero?"
"... "
"... "
The Green Forest Bandit King, who had entered first to secure seats...
Was being verbally harassed by third-rate riffraff—a rare sight.