Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Precious Thing...! (2)
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"Come this way."
Seo Dohee tried her best to maintain a calm expression as she led Geum Sihyeon into the inner quarters.
Normally, she would have checked it right there in the outer courtyard.
But right now, she needed a moment to collect her thoughts.
As they walked.
Seo Dohee recalled her conversation with Moyong Seol.
- So, the test involves bringing back something specific, right? ...How about a female instructor's precious possession?
- Huh...
A precious possession.
Seo Dohee could sense the confidence and resolve hidden within that metaphor from Moyong Seol.
It was clearly a disadvantageous situation for her.
But precisely because of that, there might be a sliver of possibility.
As his instructor, as his master.
She had given Geum Sihyeon a bit more faith, so even if the mission sounded utterly ridiculous, he might come to her first and ask about it.
That was what she had thought.
But it hadn't happened.
After the test details were announced.
Geum Sihyeon hadn't come to see her.
He hadn't disappeared from his room either.
Of course.
She had no intentions toward a disciple so much younger than her.
Still, deep down, Seo Dohee felt a little disappointed.
"Hand it over."
That was why her tone came out a bit curt.
"Does Master have anything precious to her?"
But what came back was a question in return.
Geum Sihyeon wore an utterly confident and serene expression.
"...Who knows."
For some reason, unable to meet those eyes, Seo Dohee slightly averted her gaze from Geum Sihyeon.
What was his intention?
What did he mean by asking that?
If it were her usual disciple, it would have seemed like the grand preamble to spouting nonsense, but his unexpectedly serious expression left Seo Dohee a bit confused.
"I have precious things. First, my parents—both my father and mother—are dear to me. And my brothers are also precious people who helped me grow up right."
No way.
Was the flow of this conversation...
Heading toward something like, "And Master is also a precious person to me..."?
No, what kind of knightly romance nonsense is that between master and disciple...!
Geum Sihyeon continued with a serious face.
"As Master's first disciple, the most talented disciple, the sharpest disciple, and the handsomest disciple, how could I not be one of Master's precious possessions? I'll submit myself as the answer to the test."
"...?"
For a moment, Seo Dohee doubted her ears—what kind of bullshit was this?
But.
It was... somehow persuasive...?
"You're not so shameless as to force me into discipleship and then claim your disciple isn't precious—Urk!"
Before she knew it, Seo Dohee had punched her cheeky disciple in the solar plexus.
Watching Geum Sihyeon writhe on the floor in agony.
Still.
The fact that he hadn't gone to Moyong Seol.
And had come to her instead, boldly asserting his claim.
It made Seo Dohee feel good.
"Groan..."
Looking down at Geum Sihyeon as he groaned and got up.
Seo Dohee unconsciously swept back her stray hair and tied it up again, flashing a bright smile.
"You pass, my disciple."
Seo Dohee fully activated her bandit mindset for the first time in a while.
Bandit mindset meant.
Anything passing by on the road is mine.
Anything fallen on the ground is mine.
Anything I have is absolutely mine, never to be returned.
Geum Sihyeon had clearly declared himself as "my precious possession."
Which naturally meant ownership belonged to her.
Though he still hadn't met her ideal—
A man who could defeat her.
If her disciple ever strayed down the wrong path.
She could boldly claim ownership then.
Seo Dohee's smile deepened fully.
Not long after Geum Sihyeon left.
"Test."
A small animal toddled over.
"You've come, Luri."
Seo Dohee desperately controlled her twitching lips as she welcomed Cheon Luri.
She couldn't show it to maintain her usual dignity, but Seo Dohee absolutely adored small, cute, fluffy things like silver wolves.
So her gaze toward Cheon Luri was naturally affectionate.
After confirming no one else was watching.
Just like she had done secretly at the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress—
"Hup."
"Eek."
She scooped Cheon Luri into her arms and indulged in a moment of private affection.
Cheon Luri squirmed, her cheeks puffed out, trapped under Seo Dohee's chest, but a mere Peak beginner couldn't resist the whims of a Flower Realm expert.
After fully satisfying her urges, Seo Dohee set Cheon Luri down with a satisfied smile.
"Second place."
"Good job. Luri got second."
It was obviously thanks to Geum Sihyeon saving her.
But Seo Dohee didn't mind much.
Her standard for women was bust size to begin with—
She didn't see Cheon Luri as competition.
"Hmph."
Cheon Luri peered into Seo Dohee's eyes, put on a show of temper, and trotted away from the head instructor's quarters.
There were two more tests today.
The next was the practical exam on understanding formations.
They had clearly learned a lot over the semester, but nothing stuck out in memory, and it had been a very peaceful subject with no incidents.
The auditors taking it were mostly upperclassmen, so there wasn't much interaction.
"Heh heh, as announced, the test is breaking the formation. Enter and find the life gate to exit within one hour—it's simple, but you may face illusions, so don't let your guard down. First, deposit all your smartphones here. We'll return them after the test."
The ever-mysterious Youngheo Daoist, with his enigmatic smile, announced the start of the exam.
Submitting phones to prevent cheating was the same in his past life or this one.
When my turn came, I entered the formation.
"Hm, just this much...?"
I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
They said illusions would appear, but forget a sushi buffet—it was just vague evil spirit shapes floating around.
To this body, tempered by all sorts of horror games and movies, primitive ancient barbarian-level imagination producing evil ghost models wouldn't work.
I leisurely scanned the whole thing with my Mixed Moon Divine Eyes.
Seeing the qi flows clearly let me intuitively understand the difference from what the naked eye sees.
After imprinting the undistorted path in my brain.
Seven steps left.
Four steps right.
Forward big step, jab! Jab!
I strode toward the life gate with daisy steps, casting aside all mercy for the question setter.
After repeating a few times, I escaped the formation's distortion of my senses.
"...Already? The Hidden Heavenly Escape Formation? This quickly?"
"Thank you for teaching us this semester. I've gained much insight."
I bowed to the Youngheo Daoist, who had lost his mysterious smile and wore a dazed expression.
...Honestly, the Mixed Moon Divine Eyes were more useful than applying what we learned in class.
But a divine art is a divine art.
Can't be helped.
There was a written exam left, but the chance I wouldn't ace it was lower than Unhak holding a woman's hand and passing out.
In the afternoon, the last test of the day was Basic Swordsmanship.
As announced, the Basic Swordsmanship exam was in the form of practical sparring.
I sauntered over, exchanged greetings with the auditors, and waited.
"Nice to meet you."
Perhaps realizing twin tails symbolize childishness, or because of the important exam ahead.
Sister Seol appeared with her hair neatly braided and pinned up elegantly.
Hm.
Honestly, I prefer this style.
It gives off older sister vibes...
Afterward.
"We'll begin the test. As announced, pair up and spar."
Sister Seol called names one by one to pair opponents.
"Next, Nangong Sang and Nangong Su."
Not the excited voice of the ice kkyungdu who finally devoured Sister Seol and succeeded in mind control.
It was the calm, cold voice like usual Sister Seol that rang through the space.
Names called, and called again.
Come to think of it.
This class has an odd number of people...
"Geum Sihyeon, no partner for the auditor. Inevitably, you'll cross swords with me, the instructor."
"Pardon?"
"Those who finish their test first may leave. Now, first up: Na Oksu auditor, Kim Godae auditor. To the arena."
Soon, the paired auditors began bickering.
The rules were simple.
Focus as much as possible on fundamentals to decide the winner.
So it wasn't that entertaining for spectators.
"Stop! That's enough. Na Oksu auditor, you're still putting too much weight on your right foot when stepping—keep paying attention to that. Kim Godae auditor has no particular flaws, but deliberately going easy because of skill difference isn't good."
Sister Seol's feedback pointed out every little mannerism and habit, and there was plenty worth listening to.
Pair by pair.
It wasn't about winning against the opponent, but sensing everyone's growth through realistic yet mistake-free spars.
Before long.
Only Sister Seol and I remained.
Contrary to my expectation that she'd turn into ice kkyungdu.
"Geum Sihyeon auditor. Prepare yourself."
Her voice, still laced with chill, pierced my ears.
"Yes..."
It's cold.
Sister Seol's gaze stabbed like daggers.
What?
Did I do something wrong...?