Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 64
>Chapter Title: Jealousy (3)
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The next day in the afternoon.
Il-mok was enjoying dinner with Bang Mi-hwa and Ha-yeong.
Surprisingly, Il-mok finished the meal without any particular discomfort and opened his mouth.
“I’ll take my leave first to focus on my training.”
At Il-mok’s words, Ha-yeong, seated directly across from him, and Bang Mi-hwa, seated beside her, smiled faintly in response.
“We have evening training as well, so please go ahead, Young Master.”
“It was a pleasant time today as well.”
But for some reason, as Bang Mi-hwa replied, her face was turned toward the front rather than Il-mok.
The reason was simple. It was to maintain that angle Il-mok had mentioned yesterday.
Because of yesterday’s events, Bang Mi-hwa had become convinced.
That Il-mok harbored feelings for her.
And just in case, upon returning to her quarters and checking with a hand mirror, even she felt that her right side was more beautiful than her left.
Thus, Bang Mi-hwa had positioned herself exclusively on Il-mok’s left side all day today. Even during instruction time.
It was a consideration to ensure that whenever Il-mok turned his head, he would always see her right profile.
She was a woman who could offer such consideration to a man who adored her and whom she herself rather liked.
‘Hee-hee. What a woman I am.’
She was utterly enamored with herself for showing such consideration to Il-mok.
Whether her consideration had worked or not, the youngest Young Master hadn’t avoided her all day and had even initiated conversation with her from time to time.
In a way, it was contradictory.
Just yesterday, she had thought the youngest Young Master was shy and avoiding her.
Yet today, even showing only her lovely right profile, why had he casually spoken to her instead?
However, Bang Mi-hwa didn’t concern herself with the contradiction at all.
‘He must have realized that if he just stays shy, he’ll miss out on a beauty like me. Ho ho hot.’
For someone with narcissistic personality disorder, the world revolved around her, after all.
* * *
After parting with Bang Mi-hwa and Ha-yeong, Il-mok headed to that same spot from yesterday.
Though he could now avoid demonic deviation caused by Bang Mi-hwa, Il-mok still preferred a secluded place.
It was a spot where he could rest away from others’ gazes.
And upon arriving there, Jeong-hyeon was, as expected, practicing his archery.
‘Probably due to his social anxiety?’
That friend clearly found it uncomfortable to have people around as well.
“Ahem.”
Il-mok first cleared his throat to announce his presence, keeping a considerate distance.
Jeong-hyeon, who had been fully focused on the target, snapped to attention at the distant cough and turned his head.
Seeing that Jeong-hyeon had noticed him and flinched slightly, Il-mok hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed his head.
“I’m sorry about yesterday.”
Seeing this, Jeong-hyeon wore a complicated expression before cautiously speaking.
“I-I’m the one who showed a pathetic side, so I’m s-sorry, Young Master.”
“It wasn’t something Disciple Jeong wanted, so what is there to apologize for?”
“Y-You didn’t do it out of malice either, Young Master? There’s n-no need for you to apologize.”
Feeling that his apology had somewhat worked, Il-mok cautiously asked.
“Ahem. Then, would it be alright if I come here from now on? This seems like the best place to practice stealth techniques.”
At the question, Jeong-hyeon hesitated.
This place wasn’t his home to begin with, so he had no right to tell Il-mok to come or go.
He could choose to avoid the place himself, but for Jeong-hyeon too, this rarely visited spot was the most comfortable.
Thus, the only option left was for the two of them to train together here.
After pondering briefly, Jeong-hyeon nodded and replied.
“Y-You can come freely, Young Master. Ah, I look forward to training with you going forward.”
It was thanks to yesterday’s memory. Not the outburst, but the conversation with Il-mok before that.
The memory of Il-mok acknowledging his archery, always belittled as mere “trapping,” had resurfaced, making Jeong-hyeon feel a bit more at ease with Il-mok.
Seeing the other treat him a little more comfortably, Il-mok smiled softly and said.
“Then, since we’ll be sharing this space, feel free to call me casually, Disciple Jeong.”
“Ah, I-I’m still more comfortable this way. S-Sorry.”
Seeing him bow his head deeply, Il-mok scratched his head awkwardly and changed the subject.
“Oh, by the way, Disciple Jeong’s martial arts seemed quite unique. Do you have some proficiency in stealth techniques as well?”
“It’s not something to boast about, but I have learned them.”
With that, Jeong-hyeon slung his bow over his back, and his presence gradually blurred.
His already faint presence became even fainter, and soon he vanished from Il-mok’s sight.
Then, a moment later.
Jeong-hyeon reappeared, cautiously dispelling his stealth, his face far more relaxed than during their conversation.
Witnessing the bizarre sight of a person’s form blurring and reappearing right before his eyes, Il-mok exclaimed in admiration.
“Truly impressive! Disciple Jeong. C-Could you perhaps teach me some stealth techniques?”
“M-Me!?”
At Jeong-hyeon’s startled question, Il-mok nodded vigorously.
“In my view, among the disciples, Disciple Jeong’s stealth is the most outstanding! If you’re alright with it, could you share a bit of that excellent skill with me?”
“St-Stealth is just a minor trap technique, calling it excellent is too much.”
“What do you mean! What superior art could there be beyond stealth to call it a trap!”
With stealth, one could hide and rest anytime, anywhere!
‘Damn! I should have learned it from Third Senior Brother first!’
Failing to learn stealth beforehand due to preparing for the Demonic Path Academy entrance exam was a regret for the ages for Il-mok.
While Il-mok entertained such random thoughts, Jeong-hyeon’s face flushed red after receiving praise for both archery and now stealth.
“Th-Then, though lacking, I-I’ll teach you what I know.”
With that, Jeong-hyeon demonstrated his stealth several times and diligently explained the insights and precautions he had gained while learning it.
Il-mok, earnestly listening to Jeong-hyeon’s lesson, spoke after a moment in a hesitant tone.
“Um… could you teach me a bit closer?”
Jeong-hyeon had been demonstrating and explaining while maintaining at least a zhang (3m) distance from Il-mok.
Each time Il-mok took a step closer to see better.
Flinch.
He retreated a step back.
Jeong-hyeon still hadn’t given up on social distancing.
* * *
From that day on, after dinner, Il-mok always practiced stealth or sneaking techniques with Jeong-hyeon.
Today, as usual, after a rewarding sneaking practice session on his way back, Il-mok decided to test his progress. Dressed in black attire, he activated his sneaking technique and headed toward the Black Dragon Pavilion.
Along the way, he spotted fellow disciples engaged in conversation.
‘Good timing. Let’s see if they notice me or not.’
He crept closer carefully to avoid breaking his sneaking, but they didn’t sense his presence.
As the distance closed, their conversation became clear to Il-mok’s ears.
“Really pathetic, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. How can someone act like that in the Demonic Path Academy?”
He’d only heard a few lines, but Il-mok could guess what they were talking about.
‘Gossiping is a human specialty, I suppose.’
Thinking that far, Il-mok tried to lose interest. No reason to care about others’ gossip.
But he had to stop in his tracks.
“No matter that Disciple Il-mok is the Supreme One’s youngest disciple, thinking he can snag a high seat by currying favor with him. What a foolish notion.”
Absurdly, the gossip involved him as well.
The silver lining was that it wasn’t directly insulting him.
Of course, if it had been direct insults like with those idiot trio last time, he’d have given them a beating.
“Lacking talent, so resorting to such petty tricks, right?”
“I heard he barely passed the Demonic Path Academy entrance.”
“Lately, he’s been trailing after the youngest Young Master all day, barely training, and on the verge of failing.”
“How can a warrior who entered the Demonic Path Academy think of such things instead of building his own strength?”
“Hahaha. Maybe he’s fallen for Disciple Il-mok? Since he’s done for as a warrior, perhaps he’s decided to become the youngest Young Master’s concubine. Hahaha.”
Listening quietly, it wasn’t hard to infer who they meant.
‘Not Bang Mi-hwa or Ha-yeong.’
Those two were in the same A-class as Il-mok from the start and managed their own training time well. They were light-years from failing.
That left only one: Joo Seo-yeon.
‘…I never imagined rumors like this were circulating.’
Il-mok almost let out a hollow laugh.
Joo Seo-yeon aiming to become his woman? Even a passing dog would scoff. Her target was Jin Ha-yeon, not him.
‘Pathetic bunch.’
Since it was meaningless nonsense anyway, Il-mok ignored it and continued toward the Black Dragon Pavilion, thinking.
‘Hmm. Rumors aren’t my concern, but yeah, her visiting every day is a hassle.’
Pondering how to shake off Joo Seo-yeon for a moment.
A wicked smile spread across Il-mok’s face as a usable plan came to mind.
* * *
The next day.
Instead of heading straight to meet Jeong-hyeon as usual, Il-mok waited near the dining hall for someone.
“Young Master!”
Soon enough, a certain daybird that roamed the Demonic Path Academy all day searching for Il-mok arrived.
Seeing Joo Seo-yeon approach with her eyes sparkling as always, Il-mok asked with a stern expression.
“Does Disciple Joo like Jin Junior Sister that much?”
“!!! Yes! Finally, Young Master understands my feelings too. Perhaps about Lady Jin Ha-yeon…”
As Joo Seo-yeon tried to start her sasaeng fan sales pitch again, Il-mok shouted preemptively.
“Gah!”
Seizing the initiative with the sudden reprimand, Il-mok pressed on before she could recover.
“But why don’t you act like Jin Junior Sister?”
“!?”
“Jin Junior Sister started from a harsh background and entered the Demonic Path Academy with low scores, yet she graduated at the top of her class. So what exactly are you doing now, Disciple Joo?”
“As expected, Young Master knew too! Yes, Lady Jin Ha-yeon, despite her lofty and beautiful appearance, overcame her harsh environment through effort—she’s truly a model for all!”
Joo Seo-yeon was indeed a formidable opponent. Even while being scolded, she didn’t lose her admiration for Jin Ha-yeon.
Il-mok felt exasperated inwardly, but he couldn’t just let her sales pitch continue.
“Disciple Joo. I am the youngest disciple of that great one. Do you think I’d take on an incompetent as my maidservant?”
“You’ve seen it perfectly, Young Master. Indeed, only someone like Lady Jin Ha-yeon would qualify as your maidservant.”
“What I mean is, with your current skill, you can’t become my maidservant. Naturally, you won’t enter as Jin Junior Sister’s junior either.”
“!!!”
Only then did Joo Seo-yeon look at Il-mok with a shocked face.
Now that he had regained control of the conversation, Il-mok delivered the finishing blow.
“Jin Junior Sister graduated at the top of her class from the Demonic Path Academy. Also, this cohort’s top spot will be mine. So, Disciple Joo, aim for the top spot like Jin Junior Sister. If you don’t graduate at the top, you’ll have to abandon your dream of becoming her junior.”
“H-How could…”
Looking at Joo Seo-yeon’s face, as if she might have a fit right there, Il-mok casually dangled the bait one last time.
“Conversely, if you do graduate at the top, I’ll take responsibility and accept you as my maidservant.”
“!!!”
Joo Seo-yeon stared at Il-mok in shock.
The scheme Il-mok had devised was simple.
Dangling bait to an idol sasaeng fan: enter the top two schoolwide, and you’ll meet your favorite idol in person.
For a true fan, it was a condition that would make their eyes spin.
“So, instead of coming to me to talk about Jin Junior Sister, devote even one more hour to training.”
“Yes, Young Master!! I’ll definitely claim the top spot!”
As Il-mok predicted, Joo Seo-yeon left with the face of someone receiving a grand religious mission.
Watching Joo Seo-yeon’s receding figure in the distance, Il-mok thought.
‘Finally shook off one leech.’
Il-mok had no intention of actually taking her as his maidservant. She’d be a nuisance to Jin Ha-yeon, and overall tiresome.
‘Heard she barely passed the Demonic Path Academy too, so top spot’s probably impossible?’
It was merely a ploy to keep her from coming to him anymore.
Il-mok underestimated it.
The madness of a sasaeng fan.