Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Understanding Unorthodox Martial Arts (1)
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Still ringing like a buzz in my ears.
Frowning at the phantom pain creeping up from my lower abdomen, I got out of bed.
"Kyau!"
The beast that had nearly ended my line stared up at me with an utterly loathsome, sparkling gaze.
Tsk.
If it weren't so damn cute.
I'd have picked it up and shaken it silly.
And let rip a belly fart while I was at it.
Might as well do some morning exercise together while I'm at it.
No leash, but the little furball's stubby legs moved nimbly, matching my pace with pitter-patter steps.
When I circulated my qi, it stood guard in front of me like a guardian deity, proudly scanning the surroundings.
Hmm.
Maybe beasts really are better than people.
Back at the dorm.
"You see that beggar's glare? Plenty of folks eyeing you like you're lunch, so stay put in the room like a good boy."
"Kkiuu...!"
The wolf pup and Unhak both made faces full of grievance.
Couldn't care less about the guy, and since I hadn't finished registering the pup as a pet yet, it'd have to stay cooped up in the room for now.
Not sure what it'd like, so I scattered jerky and all sorts of gourmet treats from the cafeteria around the room to keep its nose busy, then headed out.
Cursing my past self for signing up for a class starting at 9 a.m.—er, four o'clock hour.
Exchanging pointless banter, the three of us headed to the western side of the academy building.
A massive manor near the forest where I'd picked up the wolf pup yesterday.
It felt a bit off for a place hosting a "Understanding Unorthodox Martial Arts" class, overflowing with that weird vibe.
But if the concept was real combat training—like getting ambushed inside the building—it made sense.
Stepping over the threshold into the manor.
"Welcome, young master of the Seo Family!"
Stunning beauties in flashy outfits and flawless looks greeted us warmly—enough to make even Unhak clamp his mouth shut and glue his eyes to the floor.
The atmosphere felt like...
Not a lecture hall, but a tavern.
Even the woman entering behind us got.
"Welcome to the Seo manor, lady heroine!"
A smooth-talking sleaze who screamed gigolo welcomed her.
Do they hire staff by looks around here?
And it didn't stop there.
"Come on, you must be tired from the walk? This'll refresh you—a fatigue-busting drink. Down it in one go."
They even handed out cups of roasted barley tea bobbing with ice cubes.
Sweet, crisp, and delicious.
The aftertaste had a slight tang, like chugging a diet cola after ages.
Ah... I want cola...
The interior was much the same.
Low tables everywhere piled high with all sorts of snacks.
Early students had claimed tables, munching away in a relaxed vibe.
It felt like we'd stumbled into "Tea Ceremony and Social Etiquette" instead of "Understanding Unorthodox Martial Arts."
Something felt off.
"Hey, Un—"
"The snacks are beautiful, and the ladies delicious..."
Hopeless case.
Over thirty minutes passed after that.
But no sign of class starting.
Students milling about in groups, chattering idly.
"If it's canceled, shouldn't they at least notify via app?"
Moyong Taek grumbled.
I agreed.
Thirty minutes late?
They ought to mark us present even for a self-cancellation—that's the way of the jianghu.
"When does class start?"
Someone else short-tempered grabbed a maid refilling tables and asked.
But.
"Ah, the master said she'll be a bit late today... Sorry, but could our handsome hero show some magnanimity and wait just a little?"
"Ahem, cough."
He fell for the honey trap hook, line, and sinker.
This is why men must beware the three ends.
I turned to the only other familiar face besides the idiots—
Myo Narang, Seo-jeo, and Cheon Luri.
Myo Narang and Seo-jeo still beaming as they chattered nonstop at Luri, who looked a tad awkward.
From a glance.
Myo Narang and Seo-jeo holding snacks, desperately trying to stuff them into Luri's mouth with cries of "Here! Open wide! It's yummy!"
With that devotion, I'd take a bite myself.
But Luri stubbornly whipped her head side to side, dodging Myo Narang's hand.
Just say no if you don't like it.
Maybe she couldn't because it was offered with goodwill.
Even the chipmunk joined in, making a Narang-chipmunk duo assaulting Luri's mouth—watching that scene.
Kiiiek!
The manor gates, shut tight after the last student entered, swung wide open.
And then.
"Uh...?"
"Huh."
"What the...?"
"Thugs?"
Brawny men poured in.
Not great to judge by looks, but.
Every one had a vicious mug straight out of a mountain toll collector's handbook.
The mob parted like the sea.
"Pleased to meet you, righteous sect brats."
In strode a beauty with sun-kissed skin that screamed "healthy vixen."
Tall and refreshingly straightforward, with a voluptuous figure capped by magnificent assets.
Face about our age.
Exchange student from the demonic cult? Or unorthodox side?
Don't they have their own academy?
Such thoughts crossed my mind as I glanced at Unhak.
"...!"
No matter his gynophobia.
His face drained bone-white, trembling like a leaf.
Something's wrong—tilting my head.
"I'm Seo Dohee, your instructor for Understanding Unorthodox Martial Arts this semester. Call me Instructor Seo casually."
Her words barely ended.
"Green Forest Bandit King!"
"Twin Armored Empress!"
Shouts erupted everywhere.
"What? She's famous?"
Regrettably, I wasn't yet a jianghu veteran who could ID people by face and title alone.
Instead of the broken Unhak.
I elbowed Moyong Taek, whose face had stiffened too.
"Just as the righteous sects dub their masters the Twelve Extremes, the unorthodox call theirs the Seven Evils. ...If the intro's right..."
"That's right, I'm the Green Forest Bandit King. Some brats already know, so no need for more intro."
Her words appended Moyong Taek's explanation seamlessly.
At that, I eyed her anew.
Without the explanation, she seemed just a healthy neighborhood girl—no trace of internal energy...
Return to the Natural State...!
True masters can completely hide their aura, mimicking ordinary folk.
Hence the saying: "In the jianghu, beware the elderly, women, and children."
Obviously, able-bodied adult men are threats too.
Meaning: don't drop guard based on appearances.
Watching the Green Forest Bandit King, it rang true.
Who could've guessed that bombshell housed a rejuvenated old hen.
And at the Transformation Realm no less.
I might've even praised her childbearing hips aloud.
"...Urk."
Telepathy or what?
The moment the irreverent thought hit, she glared daggers at me.
No ma'am!
I absolutely did NOT think dispenser and slip-n-slide in that heh heh way!
Thankfully, her gaze shifted away quick.
"Snacks tasty, brats?!"
She bellowed again.
"Yes!"
"Yep!"
The students, gauging her mood, answered a beat late.
As if not waiting for replies, she pressed on breezily.
"From now on, every class is live combat! Hold off these guys for half a shichen, and today's lesson ends! No weapons! Fistfights only! Internal energy allowed!"
Seo Dohee grinned and added,
"If you can muster it."
That instant.
Confusion rippled through the room.
"Huh?!"
"My meridians... blocked?"
"No way, meridian-block poison?!"
Satisfied with the reactions, Seo Dohee smirked.
"You think unorthodox scum fight fair? Lesson one in unorthodox martial arts: Always suspect unearned kindness! Lads! Give these righteous baldies a taste of the stick!"
"Heh heh hek, got it, boss!"
Smack!
"It's Instructor here, you punk!"
"Sorr—aaagh!"
After the brief skit.
"Heh heh, looks like a full catch of baldies."
"Time to taste some bandit flavor!"
"You're poisoned already! Need antidote? Uhuhu."
Bandits, plus the maids and servants who'd waited on us moments ago, advanced clubs in hand.
Meridian-block poison, huh.
No wonder my gut burned like after a shot of soju.
But no need to strut here—
"If any of you break through these goons and so much as brush my hem, full marks on the midterm written exam guaranteed!"
That promise ignited red fury in my heart.
At triple speed, I popped the blood poison brew from my pocket into my mouth and surged my inner power.
"Geum hyung?!"
"What the—you're fine?!"
"Tough luck, bros. I'm going first."
Unhak and Moyong Taek gawked.
I flashed pearly whites and the blood poison brew clenched between my teeth.
Tsk tsk.
Noobies just don't cut it.
Always be prepared.
I unleashed Shadowless Step at full throttle, diving into the bandit throng.
"What the fu—!"
"Who you callin' 'the fu', punk."
Fluidly snatched a club and cracked it over the foul-mouthed one's dome, lightly redirected a shoulder charge.
Shifting gaze to follow Seo Dohee slipping behind the bandits.
"Ooh."
Me plus one more.
Tiny, squishy Cheon Luri charging at Seo Dohee.
Did she spot the meridian-block poison and skip the snacks on purpose?
Could've tipped off me and Seo-jeo too.
Bad taste, bad taste.
As we two rushed her, she couldn't hide her surprise for a split second.
But.
"Some sharp ones in the bunch? But I never said I'd get caught easy."
True to sneaky unorthodox bitch form, she flashed a sleazy smirk and bolted.
Stop right there! My credits!