Chapter 17
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Too Much
May arrived, and the sunlight was starting to sting quite a bit. Still, the mornings remained refreshingly cool.
The daily routine for Squad Seven of the Fierce Dragon Corps hadn't changed. They gathered at the training ground and did some light stretches to loosen up the stiff muscles from the night before.
They loaded up the terrifying iron bars on the racks—bars so hideous they defied description—with equally grotesque lumps of metal and shouldered them.
Now, even without Ha Mu-baek sealing their acupoints, Dang Jin-san and Baek Ri-pyeong had gotten good at doing their muscle and bone training without using internal energy.
Right in the middle of sweating it out during training, Ha Mu-baek would show up.
And from then on, the nitpicking corrections began, sharp as icicles.
They barely finished the training, which had become several times harder, caught their breath for a moment, then practiced their heart method until lunchtime.
The long-awaited lunchtime.
Dang Jin-san tilted his head, wondering when he'd started looking forward to mealtimes so much.
His gaze drifted to the hideous metal lumps.
"Ever since those things were brought in..."
The morning training really was grueling. He desperately craved a proper rest, a time to relax without a care.
Heart method practice settled his mind and body to some extent, but it wasn't enough.
He just wanted to flop down and do absolutely nothing.
The not-so-short break after lunch was exactly for that.
That's why he ended up enduring training just by counting down to lunchtime.
"Alright, let's eat and get to it."
At Ha Mu-baek's words, those sitting cross-legged finished circulating their energy and stood up.
He was always strict about mealtimes.
Dang Jin-san had once asked him why, and the simple answer was:
"We're doing all this to eat and survive, so we gotta eat properly."
A straightforward reason that left one feeling oddly deflated.
But when he heard it, Dan Mok Un-roe had nodded slightly.
Dan Mok Un-roe knew full well the hardships his mother went through just to eat and live.
In fact, that's why he'd joined the Fierce Dragon Corps in the first place—to make a living.
Once the five had finished preparing for lunch, Ha Mu-baek ambled off. But in the wrong direction.
"Instructor, that's not the way."
Dang Jin-san called out.
"Ah, today I'm heading to the North Devouring Dragon Pavilion. Don't come looking."
He waved them off dismissively and quickened his pace.
"Sigh. Looks like old man Jo's on kitchen duty there today. Tsk."
Dang Jin-san clicked his tongue.
Jo the Head Cook was from the Baek Clan. Whenever he was in charge of the North Devouring Dragon Pavilion's menu, he'd include special dishes Ha Mu-baek would love.
It started after Ha Mu-baek had been visibly impressed by the small roasted meats.
Thanks to that, Ha Mu-baek would head to the North Devouring Dragon Pavilion whenever Jo was on duty—two or three times a month.
"Alright, let's go eat. Gotta fuel up and rest if we wanna mess around this afternoon."
Dang Jin-san took the lead, and the other four followed.
The grueling training-filled days had molded them into a proper squad.
"Jin-san, hold up a sec."
Dan Mok Un-roe glanced at where Dang Jin-san was heading and stopped him.
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Instructor's not with us today, so why not just go south?"
Dang Jin-san was, as always, heading to the East Devouring Dragon Pavilion.
It was the closest from Squad Seven's training ground, so habit took over.
"Oh? Right..."
Dang Jin-san quickly caught on to what Dan Mok Un-roe meant.
"Because of those flies?"
It was because of what happened before.
On a day Ha Mu-baek wasn't around, some Hidden Dragon Corps cadets had picked a fight, making things annoying.
For Dang Jin-san, it was just irritating, but for Dan Mok Un-roe, it must have been something to avoid.
"It's fine, it's fine. Even without the instructor, you've got me. Who'm I? Dang Jin-san of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Trust me."
He thumped his chest and resumed walking.
Dan Mok Un-roe followed, his eyes trembling with unusual anxiety.
And that anxiety proved somewhat justified.
"Damn, where's that stench of rags coming from?"
"From those beggars over there?"
The moment Squad Seven entered the Devouring Dragon Pavilion, whispers started up loud enough to be heard.
They'd already confirmed Ha Mu-baek wasn't there. Like hyenas, they began nipping at Squad Seven.
"Ha, this is ridiculous."
Dang Jin-san sighed at their behavior.
Most people here were Hidden Dragon Corps cadets.
In other words, from the Nine Great Valleys or Five Great Clans. For them to act so lowbrow...
As a direct member of the Sichuan Tang Clan—one of the Five Great Clans—no wonder Dang Jin-san felt ashamed.
His sharp glare silenced them instantly.
They couldn't take on Dang Jin-san.
Sure, he was in the Fierce Dragon Corps, but he was undeniably a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
No matter their backgrounds from the Nine Great Valleys or Five Great Clans, they couldn't mess with a direct heir.
Before someone who looked stronger, they shut their mouths again.
Dang Jin-san shook his head in disbelief.
Yeon Ha-min was shooting cold glares from behind her veil.
Ever since that day, she always wore a veil whenever leaving the training ground.
On Ha Mu-baek's advice. Eating was a bit inconvenient, but manageable, so she kept at it. No leering stares meant it was actually more comfortable.
Dan Mok Un-roe's eyes still trembled anxiously.
Even as a Dan Mok Clan member, he'd grown up in the impoverished slums of Muchang before he was old enough to understand the world. Needless to say, such provocations unnerved him.
No signs of it when it was just the squad, but in front of a crowd, he still got shaky.
It was what always frustrated Dang Jin-san.
After that, nothing happened until they finished eating.
Following Ha Mu-baek's orders, Dan Mok Un-roe stuffed food into his mouth relentlessly.
In truth, he was savoring it immensely, but he told himself it was just training fuel shoved down.
Otherwise, he'd feel too guilty toward his mom and little sibling.
"Still, I brought home last month's stipend, so things should be a bit easier for them..."
It crossed his mind mid-bite.
Early April, he'd delivered nine parts of March's stipend.
For them to live a little easier.
He wondered and worried if they really were.
"Three days till my outing day?"
This time, instead of training, he'd visit home.
Hand over April's stipend and check on them.
They'd just stepped out of the East Devouring Dragon Pavilion after eating.
"Huh? Who's this? If it isn't the Chengdu Playboy himself?"
A sudden voice from the side drew all five's gazes.
A group stood there.
Five in front.
One approached with a seemingly friendly face.
His mouth grinned wide, but his eyes didn't. Clear contempt and condescension toward Dang Jin-san.
"Dang Chu..."
"Heard you joined the Fierce Dragon Corps, but only seeing your face now. I left the clan first for Hidden Dragon Corps induction. But this is unexpected. Even if it's the clan head's orders, to obediently enter the Dragon Training Pavilion—no, the Fierce Dragon Corps, of all places."
The sneer on Dang Chu's lips was unmistakable.
"Eh, circumstances and all."
Gazes gathered from around as the two talked. But no one dared approach.
Not just because of the two, but the other four with Dang Chu.
"Ah, introductions. These are my squadmates in first-year Squad One of the Hidden Dragon Corps: Namgung Ji-hu and his sister Namgung Ji-yu of the Namgung Clan, Cheong Wu-ja of the Wudang Sect, Yeong Ho-jun of the Huashan Sect. And this is Fourth Young Master Dang Jin-san of the Sichuan Tang Clan."
At Dang Chu's words, they exchanged light clasped-hand salutes.
The other four of Squad Seven awkwardly followed suit.
"So, finally gave up on the cheats, huh?"
Dang Chu eyed Dang Jin-san's waist.
"Smart move. Clinging on would've just been pointless obsession. That external training and Three Talents Fist you're doing in the Fierce Dragon Corps suits you perfect. Heh."
Before Dang Jin-san could respond, more words followed.
Dan Mok Un-roe frowned at that.
Anyone could hear it was blatant mockery and provocation.
Half the onlookers' gazes sparked with interest.
The other half fixated on Namgung Ji-yu, her face veiled.
Who could blame them.
She held one of the five spots among the Martial World's Five Flowers, the pinnacle of beauties. Naturally, she drew every male cadet's eyes.
That's why she veiled up and timed meals for quiet hours, but today it all went wrong.
Countless stares converged on her.
The Warm Orchid Flower, Namgung Ji-yu.
Her graceful poise, befitting the moniker of warm orchid bloom, couldn't be fully hidden by the veil.
A glint appeared in Namgung Ji-yu's eyes.
Her gaze wasn't on Dang Chu and Dang Jin-san, on the verge of clashing, but on Yeon Ha-min.
Rumors had it the Fierce Dragon Corps had an astonishing beauty. Likely this veiled woman.
They shared the name Ice Lotus Flower of the Hubei Yeon Clan. But it seemed more than just the name matched.
That signature icy, aloof aura too.
Namgung Ji-yu had never met the Ice Lotus Flower, but the rumors described it so.
"Well, gotta work hard where I'm placed. Anyway, let me introduce my squadmates briefly..."
"No thanks. Not interested in the rags that hang with you."
Dang Jin-san frowned at that.
He'd stayed composed through the earlier taunt.
"Though that lady over there piques my curiosity a bit. Too fine a figure and beauty for the Fierce Dragon Corps."
Dang Jin-san's scowl deepened.
Namgung Ji-yu frowned too. But standing behind Dang Chu, he didn't notice.
"Watch your mouth, Dang Chu. Fine for you and me—I'm used to it—but mind your words around the others."
"Ha? What'd you say?"
As Dang Chu gaped in disbelief, Namgung Ji-hu grabbed his shoulder.
"He's right, Dang Chu. That was too much."
A heavy voice.
Dang Chu promptly shut up.
Seemed he couldn't retort to the Namgung Clan young master.
"Let me apologize on his behalf. My apologies to the lady as well."
Namgung Ji-hu bowed politely with clasped hands.
"Shouldn't he apologize himself?"
Stepping forward was Dan Mok Un-roe. His face had soured the moment Dang Chu provoked Dang Jin-san.
"What?"
Dang Chu's face twisted viciously.
He already despised Dang Jin-san. He'd spoken to humiliate him in public, but Namgung Ji-hu's apology backfired, embarrassing him instead.
Fury boiled within, and now Dan Mok Un-roe poured oil on the fire.
"Where're you even from, punk? No idea where you fit in, huh? Perfect level to match Dang Jin-san. Reeking of no upbringing."
"Dang Chu!"
Dang Jin-san bellowed.
Those words were a grave insult to Dan Mok Un-roe.
Yet Dang Chu didn't care.
As Namgung Ji-hu moved to intervene again.
"Let's see if your skills match that mouth of yours."
Bam!
Dang Chu lunged at Dan Mok Un-roe with a stomping step.
The surging energy wave sent Dan Mok Un-roe, teeth gritted, tumbling back.
Dang Jin-san swiftly blocked his path.
"Too much, Dang Chu."
"Shut it. For trash like that to insult me, Dang Chu? This is between me and him."
"The insult's what you gave Un-roe."
Dang Jin-san's eyes gleamed murderously.
"So? You gonna fight me instead? With your skills?"
A venomous smile curled Dang Chu's lips.
"Yeah. I'll handle you. Come on!"
Namgung Ji-hu halted his advance. With Dang Jin-san stepping up, he couldn't interfere now.
Opportunity lost.
Dang Jin-san assumed the starting stance of the Three Talents Fist Method.
Dang Chu stared in disbelief, a thin whip in hand.
He'd had it coiled around his waist like a belt.
Squad Seven of the Fierce Dragon Corps and Squad One of the Hidden Dragon Corps backed away.
Dang Jin-san glared at Dang Chu, eyes tense with focus.