My Golden Student, Part 3
Gulp.
Seonwoo Seol and I stood before Dan Buyong, our expressions tense.
"...Chef Yoon."
Dan Buyong pressed her fingers to her temples, staring down at the treasure map that had been torn cleanly in half.
"Yes, ma'am."
"So, this treasure map you bought at the market... how much did you say you paid for it?"
"Fifty copper coins for one map. I bought two, so one hundred coins total."
"So, to summarize... you came to the Academy Director, who is currently in the middle of grading exam papers, because you wanted to know what the symbols on a fifty-copper-coin treasure map meant."
Her tone clearly translated to: I'm busy as hell, and you bring this trash to piss me off?
I had expected her to be annoyed, but Dan Buyong was far more furious than I had anticipated. Showing a cheap treasure map bought at a flea-market-level street stall to one of the most brilliant scholars in the academy... Yeah, I could see how that might look like a massive nuisance. Well, oops.
"Uh, well..."
"Chef Yoon."
"Yes?"
Dan Buyong spoke in a voice that was dripping with icy coldness.
"I admit the dishes you prepared for the Beggars' Sect banquet last time were highly praised. I even plan to give you a handsome bonus when the second semester starts. However, I don't think this kind of behavior is appropriate."
Chilly. It didn't just feel chilly; it felt like a Tang Clan poison dagger flying straight at my chest. But what could I do? She was the only one who might know the clue.
"I apologize for my rudeness, but I ask because one of the students who looked at the map with me said they saw this symbol in your lecture."
"...Is that so?"
The moment I mentioned a student, her expression shifted instantly. They said Dan Buyong was a cold person who nevertheless tried her best to get along with the students, and it seemed those rumors weren't wrong.
Now that I knew this tactic worked, I couldn't let the opportunity slip. I had to push Gongson Yeongji forward and sing her praises.
"There is a first-year student named Gongson Yeongji. She is a diligent child who never misses your introductory lectures, and she was the one who brought it up first."
"And she told you to ask me?"
"Well, isn't Academy Director Dan the most knowledgeable scholar in the entire academy? That's why we came to you."
At my smooth-talking, sesame-oil-coated words, the corners of Dan Buyong's mouth twitched upward. Then, she flashed a smile so wicked it made even me flinch.
It didn't just send a shiver down my spine; it felt like I was being flash-frozen into a block of pollack. How could a human being even make a face like that? Even Seonwoo Seol, who hailed from the Demon Cult where bloodthirsty monsters practically grew on trees, flinched. It was hard to measure the sheer power of that smile.
Perhaps noticing that Seonwoo Seol and I had frozen in silence, Dan Buyong quickly pressed down her lips, wiping away the wicked expression, and spoke in her usual tone.
"Ahem... She has quite an impressive memory. That was a script I only mentioned in passing."
"Pardon? A script, not a symbol?"
"It's natural you wouldn't know. It's a writing system that was used briefly before vanishing."
Dan Buyong gestured for us to come closer. The book she opened was filled with characters that looked exactly like the ones on the treasure map.
"It's the Seowon Script. It's called that because it was used in the fallen state of Seowon."
"So the writing on this treasure map is Seowon Script?"
"Indeed. Judging by how the ink matches the drawing of the terrain, it was likely written by the cartographer themselves. Looking at the writing, it's actually quite well-written... there are no typos or grammatical errors."
If the lethal-smiling Dan Buyong was correct, the chances of this treasure map being real just went up. Using a lost script, and writing it with perfect accuracy, meant this wasn't some cheap fake made to scam gullible tourists.
"Is there a specific location written here?"
"It seems to be old terrain... If my guess is correct, it's the region north of Poeun County."
According to her explanation, it was about half a day's journey from here. It used to be a populated village, but as Poeun County grew, it naturally absorbed the surrounding population.
Dan Buyong carefully copied down the details onto another sheet of paper so we wouldn't get confused, handed it to us along with the treasure map, and asked, "Did you say the student who told you about this is from the Gongson Clan?"
"You mean Yeongji?"
Wait, was she already trying to draft a first-year as a teaching assistant? Is the academic hell of professors and graduate students manifesting in the Zhongyuan too?
"Yes. Tell her to drop by the Director's office when she has time. I'll have some sweets ready for her."
"Ah, if it's just that, I'll certainly pass along the message."
I thought she was going to press-gang her with a 'You, become my assistant!' Fortunately, that wasn't the case. I mean, how could a first-year be a teaching assistant anyway?
As the two of us left the Director's office, Seonwoo Seol grumbled.
"The West Hall Master seems to think the treasure map is a fake. To us, it looks completely real."
"That's because I told her we bought it at a flea market. If we told her we stole it from the Double Axe Sect, things would get incredibly annoying. It's much better if she thinks of it as a cheap map. And to be fair, half of it is cheap."
Seonwoo Seol nodded in agreement. She really was quick to understand.
"We're not going today, right?"
"No. I'm not even sure if we should take the kids, and we don't know what's waiting for us there."
Usually, places with treasure are riddled with traps and poisons. No matter how important money and treasure are, nothing is worth more than our lives and the kids' lives. We need to prepare thoroughly.
As I explained this, Seonwoo Seol nodded.
"I'll prepare some things too. Oh, and you know the character 'Gyo' written at the edge of the map? Don't you think it might belong to a famous figure in the Murim?"
"A Murim figure?"
True. Ordinary people rarely leave treasure maps. Usually, it's famous martial artists or criminals who leave maps behind, declaring, 'I left everything I own in that place.'
"A Murim figure with 'Gyo' in their name?"
"Yes. I've been thinking about it, and I suspect it might be the Divine Thief."
"The Divine Thief? The thief who snuck into Shaolin's grand library just to leave erotica behind?"
"Why do you only remember the weird rumors? He also left his name inside a manual of the Kunlun Sect's secret techniques."
"Honestly, sneaking erotica into Shaolin without anyone noticing is way more interesting than just signing his name."
"Pervert."
"All men are perverts."
As Seonwoo Seol said, if you had to pick the greatest thief in the Zhongyuan, it would be the Divine Thief. Gyo Gang-yong, the Divine Thief. He claimed there was nothing in the world he couldn't steal, and he was famous for his eccentric pranks.
Aside from what we mentioned, he once snuck into the imperial palace, disguised himself as a eunuch, and spent hours chatting with the imperial consort. The man had no fear. What would he have done if he got caught?
"Well, if it's the Divine Thief, he's definitely the type to leave a treasure map. No one knows where he hid all the treasures he stole."
"What if it really is the Divine Thief's treasure?"
"We'll split it... I mean, divide it equally among everyone. Though I don't know if there will be anything valuable."
"What if there are martial arts manuals? Like the secrets of the Nine Great Sects and One Union?"
"I don't want to become public enemy number one, so I'd return them anonymously. I want to live a life where people aren't constantly trying to kill me."
Living every day on pins and needles is a hard pass for me. Living peacefully is the best.
"Hmm."
"Is there a problem?"
"I always feel this way, but you really have no ambition."
"I threw away my ambition a long time ago. Especially when I see those Absolute Masters... ugh, my body literally trembles."
Of course, I don't actually tremble with fear, but I recognize the vast gap between us. Before I learned martial arts, I didn't know any better, but after learning, they became even more terrifying. I know that even Peak Masters are incredibly strong, but they can't compare to Absolute Masters.
Fighting people who have reached such absurdly high realms? No, thank you. Eating delicious food with people I like and living quietly is the absolute best.
"Where did the man who fought alongside the Drunken King go?"
"That was the past Yoon Gomyung. The present Yoon Gomyung just wants to laze around."
"You say you want to laze around, but you're always starting things."
"Uh... you have a point."
Seonwoo Seol hit me with hard facts. I have a habit of getting involved in things, so I can't help it. This treasure map is the same. If it's real, it could be the hiding place of the Divine Thief's treasure.
"Let's tell the kids and head out in... say, three days."
"Sounds good. I'll pack most of the supplies, so you just bring the kids, Chef Yoon."
And so, the treasure hunt was decided... but wait, did I forget something? I feel like we set out to do something else. What was it?
Ah! I remember.
"Wait, weren't we going to comfort Gongson Yeongji?"
"Ah!"
Seonwoo Seol had completely forgotten too, her face blank with sudden realization. I don't know why our minds align so perfectly on things like this.
But she quickly found a solution.
"No kid would hate going on a treasure hunt, right? Even if we don't find anything, we can just treat it as a fun trip to clear her mind."
Well, I guess we're going. I feel a bit guilty dragging the kids into our greedy adult schemes, but maybe she'll feel differently when she hears about the Divine Thief's treasure.
With a conflicted heart, I approached Gongson Yeongji, who was standing with Man Hanseok, and asked gently.
"Yeongji."
"Yes... Chef Yoon."
"Thanks to you, we found the location on the map. Lady Seonwoo and I think this map was made by the Divine Thief."
"...The Divine Thief?"
Gongson Yeongji, who had been standing blankly next to Man Hanseok, instantly perked up at the mention of the 'Divine Thief'.
"For now, we only know the location. We don't know what dangers lie ahead or what's actually there."
Gongson Yeongji opened her mouth, closed it, started to speak, then stopped... she kept repeating this frustrating cycle. Does she want to go?
Finally, she squeezed out an answer.
"Ch-Chef Yoon... could I, by any chance, g-go with you...? No, is it better if I don't...?"
"Hey, why ask so hesitantly?"
"I was worried you'd say no because it's dangerous..."
"Of course you can go. If I didn't want you to, I would have told you straight up."
"Wh-what a relief..."
"But why do you want to go, Yeongji? Are you curious about the Divine Thief's treasure?"
"I was hoping... I might find some secrets related to the Divine Thief..."
"Huh?"
That was a completely unexpected answer. I stared at her, prompting her to continue, and she fidgeted with her fingers as she spoke.
"Nothing is known about the Divine Thief except his name... If we can find out his true identity or why he did those things, wouldn't we solve one of the great mysteries of the Jianghu...?"
Are you really a first-year? Or are you an Absolute Master who underwent marrow cleansing? Her highly academic reasoning caught me completely off guard.
"Do you want to be like Academy Director Dan Buyong when you grow up?"
"...Yes. I want to possess deep knowledge like the West Hall Master, so I can search for the hidden secrets of the Zhongyuan in the future."
Gongson Yeongji answered with a blushing face.
I'm sorry you have such greedy adults around you who don't understand your pure heart, sob.
Three days later.
The treasure map, presumably written by Gyo Gang-yong, pointed to a village called Bangye.
However, it had been abandoned for decades. Only half-collapsed mud houses and ruined stone walls remained as proof that people once lived here.
"It's broad daylight, but it still feels creepy," Man Hanseok said nervously, gripping his spear as he looked around.
Beside him, Seonwoo Seol wiped Gongson Yeongji's sweat with a clean cloth. "There are barely any intact buildings. Well, it's been abandoned for decades, so it would be stranger if they were intact."
"I hope we find it quickly and go back... Chef Yoon, where is the hidden entrance?"
"The map says the entrance is at the 'house of the benevolent one.' Does that mean the village chief's house?"
That was exactly what was written on the map, and the rest was just descriptions of the surrounding terrain. This was definitely the right village, though.
"He could have written the map a bit more clearly. Most of these houses are completely ruined..."
"Tell me about it."
We looked around the collapsed houses, but of course, there was nothing special. The most valuable thing we found was a pot lid broken in half.
"Whew, it's hot."
"Why are we suffering under this blazing sun again?"
"Because our greed is hotter than the midsummer sun."
"...You're not wrong."
While Seonwoo Seol and I looked around, Man Hanseok was talking to Gongson Yeongji under a large tree. Suddenly, his face lit up, and he ran over to me.
"Chef Yoon! Junior Gongson says the 'house of the benevolent one' might not be an actual house!"
"What nonsense is that? A house is a house."
"Look over there!"
Man Hanseok pointed to the base of a low mountain. There stood a small shrine.
"Junior Gongson said the 'benevolent one' doesn't necessarily have to be a human."
Come to think of it, she had a point. Especially for someone writing a treasure map, they would have used a metaphor. It was worth a shot.
Following Gongson Yeongji's theory, we immediately entered the mountain god shrine at the foot of the mountain. Though old, it was sturdily built and intact, which made our suspicion grow stronger.
Beneath the creepy, peeling wooden statue of the mountain god, there was a small inscription carved into the wood.
Seeing the inscription, Seonwoo Seol frowned.
"He really loved riddles, didn't he?"
We hadn't even started the real search, and she was already getting annoyed. It was understandable—it was boiling hot, and being told to bow to a statue would irritate anyone.
"Do we really have to show our respects? I feel like if we just smash everything, something will show up."
"...Lady Seonwoo, I didn't know you were such a terrifying person. Let's keep violence as a last resort."
Spoken like the Little Heavenly Demon she is, immediately resorting to violence. Of course, it was so hot we were dripping with sweat, so it was hard for me to focus on the riddle too.
But you never know. There might be traps or mechanisms installed. Smashing things should be our absolute last resort.
"Chef Yoon, do you think it means we should bow in front of the statue?"
"I guess that's our only option."
Since we couldn't think of anything else, I was about to bow as Man Hanseok suggested when...
"Chef Yoon, the cushion..."
"Hmm? Ah, thanks."
Gongson Yeongji pointed to a large box in the corner. Inside was a cushion. It was yellowed with age but otherwise intact.
"Huh?"
When I lifted the cushion from the box, it felt surprisingly heavy. It felt like there was a block of iron inside.
"..."
Could it be?
I tossed the heavy cushion in front of the mountain god statue. The cushion slid across the floor on its own, settling perfectly into a specific spot.
Click! Creaaak...!
The sound of rusted gears forcing themselves to move echoed through the shrine.
"...!"
"Get back!"
The sound came from the floor. Seonwoo Seol immediately shouted, scooped up Yeongji in her arms, and dashed outside. Man Hanseok and I quickly followed her out.
Ruuumble...!
Behind the mountain god statue, the faded painting of the mountain god sank into the floor along with the wall, revealing a dark passage leading underground.
A mechanism really had been installed.
Staring at the opening, Seonwoo Seol patted the head of Yeongji, who was still in her arms.
"...Yeongji, you really are a lucky charm, aren't you?"
"Th-thank you..."
"Chef Yoon, what should we do?"
Man Hanseok asked, gripping his spear.
Of course, we couldn't turn back now that we'd come this far. Confirming that the door wasn't closing, I lit a lantern and spoke.
"Let's go in."