Chapter 223
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: Let's Eat First
Dang Jin-san moved his sword and shield in time with the commands.
It was as if a machine had been set in motion, reacting only to the orders.
His eyes were lost in other thoughts.
If Hocheon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek had been there, it would have been impossible, but right now, the Fierce Dragon Corps instructors were taking turns leading the training.
That was why it was possible.
'Internal energy. Internal energy is the problem.'
He had realized it while training alongside the Wa Dragon Corps' twentieth squad members.
The amount of internal energy they accumulated differed because their cultivation methods were different.
For them, the instructor had planted the seed, allowing an unbelievably rapid turnaround.
Even if it had been the ordinary Three Talents Heart Method.
But the Wa Dragon Corps twentieth squad, each practicing the foundational heart methods of the New Eight Schools in their own way, accumulated internal energy at a snail's pace.
If things continued like this, an opponent could overwhelm them with superior internal energy.
'The sword formation will break!'
In fact, even they had dropouts from Namgung Ji-hu's sword strikes.
He would train them to prioritize survival as much as possible, but he also had to prepare for encounters with the Wa Dragon Corps first squad or Hidden Dragon Corps first squad, made up of later-generation elites.
However, Dang Jin-san had no solution for this either.
The Wa Dragon Corps members were already training while scrimping on sleep.
Did they even get one hour of sleep per day?
The rest of the time was spent cultivating and circulating energy.
Dang Jin-san had no way to accumulate more internal energy than that.
'Should I ask the witch to send some Spirit Pills?'
He was even entertaining such absurd ideas.
How long had he been so focused?
Dang Jin-san never imagined that Hocheon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek was watching him from atop the distant academy building's roof.
The training finally wrapped up after dragging on.
Everyone headed to the Devouring Dragon Pavilion, dragging their exhausted bodies.
Dang Jin-san tried to join the flow, but he had to stop in his tracks.
Someone was blocking his path.
"In...structor?"
It was Hocheon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek.
"Care for a drink?"
And then came the unbelievable words from his mouth.
Without waiting for a reply, Ha Mu-baek started walking, and Dang Jin-san hurriedly followed.
The eyes of the Fierce Dragon Corps seventh squad cadets lingered on Dang Jin-san's back.
Full of curiosity about what was going on.
Ha Mu-baek headed to his usual rundown tavern.
Dang Jin-san said nothing along the way.
The atmosphere didn't allow for it.
The tavern was empty as always.
They sat in a dim corner and ordered liquor and snacks.
Since it was mealtime, they got substantial dishes too.
Dang Jin-san widened his eyes at the aroma wafting from the bottle's mouth as it was placed on the table.
Bamboo Leaf Clear Liquor.
'He always drank cheap fire wine before?'
True to its name, it was liquor made with bamboo leaves and various herbs.
It was quite the premium brew.
It was also what Dang Jin-san had favored back in Sichuan when he was called the Chengdu Playboy and lived it up in the pleasure districts.
Knowing its taste, saliva pooled in his mouth instantly.
Ha Mu-baek silently filled his cup, then his own, and downed it in one go.
Following suit, Dang Jin-san emptied his cup as well.
Sweet yet fiery, with the bamboo scent filling his throat and nose.
"Ahh. Delicious."
Perhaps because it had been so long.
A natural exclamation escaped him.
Ha Mu-baek stared steadily at Dang Jin-san.
Dang Jin-san averted his gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
"Why'd you do it?"
The heavy question hung in the air.
"Pardon?"
The question was too curt; he couldn't grasp the intent.
Dang Jin-san had no choice but to ask back.
"The bet."
The next short phrase clarified it.
He was asking why Dang Jin-san had proposed a bet to the Wa Dragon Corps first squad.
There was so much to say.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
It felt like looking at their own past.
This was the unfairness of a great sect.
If left alone, other sects would use similar shortcuts.
If they intervened directly against the Wa Dragon Corps first squad, the situation would only worsen.
And so on.
But Dang Jin-san's actual response was brief.
"I had to."
"What about the other squad members' opinions?"
The follow-up question came immediately.
Dang Jin-san flinched.
He had to.
That very issue had been a problem right after the bet.
He recalled that day.
His comrades had respected his decision, but he had indeed been reckless.
Of course, they had all been furious at the Wa Dragon Corps first squad's behavior.
Except for Yeon Ha-min, he hadn't consulted the others beforehand.
"We didn't make you squad leader for that."
Ha Mu-baek spoke while refilling his cup.
He filled Dang Jin-san's as well.
"Your decision has put the seventh squad's second half on the line as the bet's stake. You win, sure."
Gulp.
Ha Mu-baek emptied his cup again.
"Think you can pull it off?"
He stared straight at Dang Jin-san.
Dang Jin-san only stared at his cup.
He couldn't answer this one easily.
He had been confident when proposing the bet.
But now?
Honestly, he wasn't sure.
He had eighty percent certainty, but the remaining twenty was the issue.
Internal energy.
Because of that.
It even crossed his mind that it might be easier to just step in and sweep them away himself.
"Foolish brat."
Ha Mu-baek's assessment of the silent Dang Jin-san.
Dang Jin-san lifted his head.
"Then what should I have done? Those guys pulling that crap. How could I just leave those kids be?"
His voice was thick with complicated emotions.
"Where you're headed is the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest."
The conversation veered off unexpectedly.
"You might be gambling your squadmates' lives on something without full confidence."
"That's different from this..."
"It is. Very. But if you charge ahead without thinking in even small matters like this, what about the rest...?"
"It wasn't without thought."
Ha Mu-baek nodded slightly.
"You did use your head, in your way. But did you answer my earlier question?"
"..."
Dang Jin-san shut his mouth again.
Frustrated, he emptied the cup before him and refilled it himself.
Appetizing dishes sat there, but his hand went only to the liquor.
"Internal energy."
Ha Mu-baek's curt remark.
Dang Jin-san, reaching for his cup again, froze.
"No answer, right?"
Dang Jin-san quietly withdrew his hand.
In that moment, Ha Mu-baek downed another cup.
"What if you run into the Wa Dragon Corps first squad and lose because your internal energy is outmatched? Then what?"
Dang Jin-san gritted his teeth.
Then, he finally hung his head.
"Why didn't you come to me?"
Ha Mu-baek asked Dang Jin-san again.
This was different from the previous grilling.
With a deep sigh, another cup slid down Ha Mu-baek's throat.
"If you shit your pants, clean it up. If you can't, ask for help."
Dang Jin-san slowly raised his head.
"What? Thought I'd step up like some model instructor and offer first?"
Dang Jin-san shook his head vigorously.
"When things spiral beyond your control, seeking help from someone who can handle it is a skill too."
"I... wasn't sure you'd help..."
Dang Jin-san's momentum deflated in an instant.
Ha Mu-baek chuckled at the response.
What did he think he was?
"Figured I'd find it a hassle...?"
Ha Mu-baek furrowed his brow.
Not wrong.
Still, he wouldn't ignore shit stirred up by his own cadets.
"What the hell do you think of me?"
Ha Mu-baek's incredulous question made Dang Jin-san avert his eyes slyly.
Ha Mu-baek pulled a small wooden box from his bosom and plunked it on the table.
"Lucky bastard. Good thing your comrades are decent. A squad leader dragging his team into a bet on his own whim. Fine job."
"This is...?"
Dang Jin-san asked cautiously.
"Open it."
Inside the box were five pitch-black pills.
Dang Jin-san's face twisted the moment he saw them.
That horrific thing.
That precious thing.
"Not the same as what you lot ate. Tastier? No, worse taste, half the effect."
Dang Jin-san looked at Ha Mu-baek.
"Still, it'll give you enough internal energy for the Summer Combat Festival."
"...Th-thank you."
He bowed deeply, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
"Not because I like you. For the pity of your squadmates."
Ha Mu-baek, having emptied his last cup, stood up.
"Oh, and you'll pay the price after this is over."
With those final words, he settled the bill and left the tavern.
Dang Jin-san was left alone with the wooden box.
"Ha, haha..."
A nervous laugh escaped Dang Jin-san's lips.
How long had he sat frozen?
Only then did the forgotten hunger hit him.
A slight buzz too.
Circulating his energy to sober up, Dang Jin-san reached for a duck leg.
"For now, let's eat."
A variety of obstacles had been set up in the training ground.
A path twisted every which way.
Yeon Ha-min looked on with satisfaction.
"You all memorized the strategy?"
"Survive as long as possible."
Eun Hwa-ryang answered.
Yeon Ha-min nodded.
"Then what's most important?"
"Infiltration, ambush, stealth."
Sim Cheol-san replied curtly.
Yeon Ha-min nodded slightly once more.
"And lightness skill."
She gazed at the obstacles as she spoke.
"Mount Mokran's terrain is pretty rugged. Straight paths for full-speed sprints are rare; most are like this, full of sharp turns and dodges."
"Assuming flight?"
Yeong Hu-in asked.
"Flight and luring them in."
The Wa Dragon Corps twentieth squad cadets all nodded.
"So, deploy Graceful Dragon Lightness Skill at full power. Run like you'll die if caught."
Yeon Ha-min smiled faintly.
Words unfit for her.
Or maybe they fit.
"We'll chase you. You know what happens if we catch you."
Her beautiful face and sweet voice sent chills down their spines.
"Then, begin."
No sooner had she spoken than the five cadets unleashed their lightness skills at full throttle.
Having trained together, they knew exactly what to do.
When told to run, they ran with everything they had.
Moments later, Yeon Ha-min, Baek Ri-pyeong, Dan Mok Un-roe, Nak Woo-jin, and Joo Woo-myung pursued them.
Ha Seol-ran watched quietly from the side.
Waiting to rotate in midway.
How long had they run?
Dang Jin-san appeared.
The Fierce Dragon Corps cadets glanced at him briefly before resuming full speed.
Dang Jin-san nodded at the sight.
They had discussed the lightness skill training in advance.
Moments later.
"Hold up. Rest."
At Dang Jin-san's call, the Wa Dragon Corps cadets, breaths ragged to their throats, collapsed on the spot.
"What happened?"
The Fierce Dragon Corps cadets gathered, still catching their breath.
He had gone off with Ha Mu-baek, so of course they were curious.
"He gave me this."
Dang Jin-san cut straight to the chase and opened the box.
The moment it opened, the four recoiled in shock.
"What's that?"
Joo Woo-myung tilted his head and stepped forward.
Five neatly arranged black pills.
The color and smell screamed "stay away."
"What is it?"
Joo Woo-myung asked with a dubious expression.
Ha Seol-ran, who had approached, also cocked her head.
The scent was slightly off from what she knew.
"Something good."
Dang Jin-san smiled.
The four from the seventh squad saw his smile.
Similar smiles bloomed on their faces.
"Something precious."
Baek Ri-pyeong added.
"Too bad there are only five. You should have one too."
Dang Jin-san said regretfully.
Joo Woo-myung lightly shook his head.
"Appreciate the gesture, but I'll pass."
"It's really good..."
Ha Seol-ran murmured wistfully.
Her sincerity made his heart waver briefly, but Joo Woo-myung pushed it aside.
The seventh squad's expressions were too suspicious.
"He said the effect is half."
Dang Jin-san supplemented.
"Still, that'll solve our internal energy issue."
Yeon Ha-min said, relieved.
She had recognized the internal energy problem too.
She had pondered solutions but had none.
She had even considered asking Ha Mu-baek for help as a last resort.
And now, the elixir had arrived.
"Everyone, gather 'round!"
Dan Mok Un-roe called to the Wa Dragon Corps cadets.
The five, having caught their breath, approached.
Dang Jin-san handed each a pill.
"Wh-what is this?"
Im Dae-chi asked in a trembling voice; it looked plenty suspicious.
"Something good."
Nak Woo-jin answered.
"Something precious."
Dan Mok Un-roe chimed in.
"So chew it thoroughly before swallowing."
Yeon Ha-min wrapped up.
The five stared blankly at the other five.
Under the pressure of their gazes, they popped the pills into their mouths one by one.
"Urk."
"Ugh."
"Kgh."
They immediately clamped their mouths shut, on the verge of vomiting.
"Don't spit it out! Chew and swallow!"
Dang Jin-san shouted.
The cadets chewed the pills in their mouths, tears streaming.
"Uh, so... ah..."
Ha Seol-ran started to say something in panic.
But Yeon Ha-min grabbed her hand and shook her head slightly.
Her expression was so grave that Ha Seol-ran fell silent.
"Was it always that bad...?"
Baek Ri-pyeong tilted his head at the Wa Dragon Corps cadets' reactions.
"Half the effect means twice as nasty taste."
Dang Jin-san said nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.
Immediately, four pairs of eyes turned on them.
Devils.
That's what their eyes said.
"U, uuugh."
Then Eun Hwa-ryang swallowed first.
Thud.
He rolled back his eyes and fainted.
"Is it really that bad?"
Dan Mok Un-roe murmured in a slightly quivering voice.
He had said it tasted worse, but to think someone would pass out from a pill.
Thud. Thud.
Na Jeon-cheon and Yeong Hu-in collapsed.
Thud.
Now Sim Cheol-san.
"Hahk, hahk, hahk..."
Only Im Dae-chi clung to consciousness, drool dripping.
"Tough guy."
Dang Jin-san muttered, and everyone nodded.
"Good thing it's a stun effect. Fainting's no issue."
Yeon Ha-min said calmly.
Dang Jin-san nodded.
"This, well. It's really good for you... but no way to explain it to them now."
Dang Jin-san muttered helplessly.
Im Dae-chi glared at him with trembling, distrustful eyes.
He had heard that.
"No, really, it's good for you. But I can't explain. You'll know once you feel it."
As Dang Jin-san patted Im Dae-chi's shoulder.
"Urp."
Sudden nausea surged.
Dang Jin-san hurriedly covered his mouth.
"No! Don't puke! This is really good stuff!"
A bit of vomit leaked onto Dang Jin-san's hand from Im Dae-chi's mouth, but he didn't care, keeping it sealed.
It was all precious internal energy.
"Brother-in-law... what the hell did you make...?"
Ha Seol-ran murmured in a daze.