Chapter 202
Chapter 202
2
2. <Musical Chairs>
After finishing the matter with Ak Byeongbi and Ak Jupyeong.
My plan to spend the remaining day of rest leisurely was thrown into disarray when my old Senior Brother caught hold of me.
“Do you know what this is?” (Old Senior Brother)
My old Senior Brother took out the famous wines he had hidden away in the academy head’s office and enticed me with them, and I had no choice but to drink on the spot.
“Slurp…… I am not usually this weak to alcohol. Famous wine really is strong, isn’t it? Ahem.” (Jin Soun)
I did not know how I had gotten back to the dormitory last night, but when I opened my eyes, a maddening thirst and pain hammering at my head came flooding in, and I could sleep no longer.
As I drank the honey water the Chief Attendant had prepared and told her about last night’s events, the Chief Attendant let out a sigh as if I were pathetic.
“Even the finest wine under heaven becomes poison that can ruin a person if you mix it and drink it like that.” (Chief Attendant)
“……
Did I say I mixed them?” (Jin Soun)
“You listed every wine you drank, saying your old Senior Brother had served them to you.” (Chief Attendant)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
Just how much did I drink yesterday?
“I heard that those who have learned martial arts can drive out drunkenness…….” (Chief Attendant)
Her cold gaze flew in and lodged in me like a dagger.
“Why did you not do that?” (Chief Attendant)
But I absolutely do not get cowed.
“……
Because it would have been a waste.” (Jin Soun)
That was right. It would have been a waste.
I was not the sort to drink often, but I could not miss a chance to drink famous wine.
Would it not be unbearably wasteful to dissolve with qi the original intoxication of famous wine tasted through such a rare opportunity?
The Chief Attendant, who had been staring at my shameless expression, shook her head.
“Wash your face first.” (Chief Attendant)
“Understood…….” (Jin Soun)
Splash.
The washbasin the Chief Attendant had brought contained water so cold it shocked me wide awake.
She was not the kind of person to do this……
“……
Didn’t you usually prepare lukewarm water for me?” (Jin Soun)
The Chief Attendant answered without even meeting my eyes.
“I could not heat the morning water, so there is only cold water. Just use it.” (Chief Attendant)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
The Chief Attendant, who had supported me all this time without a single gap, could not heat the water?
Was it just my imagination that the Chief Attendant’s gaze felt colder than the water in the washbasin?
I thought it was an absurd excuse, but the atmosphere was somehow severe, so I could not press further and simply washed my face with cold water.
“Ugh…….” (Jin Soun)
After wetting my face with water cold enough to make my bones ache, my mind came back a little.
Soon after, the Chief Attendant came in carrying a tray full of food.
“It is breakfast. Please eat before it cools.” (Chief Attendant)
My stomach was so queasy that it was difficult to put anything in it.
I was about to tell her to take it away when the Chief Attendant held out a bowl.
“It is hot chicken broth. Soothe your stomach a little with this.” (Chief Attendant)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
When I saw the chicken broth giving off a savory smell, I swallowed a thick gulp of saliva without realizing it.
Once I drank the chicken broth, my stomach settled, and the other foods began to stir my appetite as well, so I picked at all the dishes, if only a little at a time.
The Chief Attendant stood beside me and moved the side dishes I ate well closer to me.
“I trust you will not drink to such excess next time.” (Chief Attendant)
Her tone was certainly chilly, yet concern seeped through it.
She urged me, yet I could feel her consideration.
Like a mother dealing with an immature child, perhaps.
Because I could feel that heart, I simply nodded.
“I will be careful.” (Jin Soun)
After finishing the meal.
I put on the new clothes the maidservant had brought.
Because of yesterday’s fight with the Ak Clan, I had truly suffered losses in all sorts of ways.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
‘I’ll make them pay for the clothes, too.’ (Jin Soun)
I firmly resolved this and headed to the training ground with the Chief Attendant.
“Huh…….” (Jin Soun)
The situation was more serious than I had thought.
Not only the marble laid on the floor of the training ground, but even the small hill surrounding the training ground and the wall dividing the chief representative dormitory from the main building were all damaged.
Even the Chief Attendant could not easily open her mouth.
“……
This is the first time this has happened since the academy was founded.” (Chief Attendant)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
“To turn the academy’s most traditional place into this.” (Chief Attendant)
Was it my imagination that her eyes seemed to moisten?
“By any chance…… are you blaming me?” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Chief Attendant)
At my question, the Chief Attendant whipped her head away.
No, the one who did wrong was that human Ak Byeongbi, so why did it feel like I was the one being scolded?
“Ahem…… Well, isn’t it nice that we can take this chance to renovate it?” (Jin Soun)
At my optimistic response, the Chief Attendant’s eyes became even sharper.
“Renovate it? The cost will not be just one or two coins, so the academy will not easily allow it.” (Chief Attendant)
At her frightening gaze, I subtly avoided her eyes and waved my hand through the air.
“Ah, you do not need to worry about that. The Ak Clan agreed to compensate for everything.” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Chief Attendant)
I was not the sort to simply sit still and take it, after all.
At my confident attitude, the Chief Attendant’s face began to soften a little.
“People from the Ak Clan will probably come in the afternoon. If you tell them about the damaged parts, they will repair everything, so demand it all without holding back.” (Jin Soun)
“That is fortunate.” (Chief Attendant)
I nodded, then swept my gaze once over the training ground floor.
Now this, this would not do.
“Hmm……. First, please ask them to restore the training ground floor with ‘blue steel stone’ like before.” (Jin Soun)
At my words, puzzlement appeared on the Chief Attendant’s face.
“Blue steel stone? Originally, this training ground had marble……” (Chief Attendant)
I immediately shook my head.
“Ahem. Chief Attendant, it seems you have not often come to the training ground.” (Jin Soun)
“Yes……?‘“There was definitely blue steel stone laid on the training ground floor.” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Chief Attendant)
That expression was definitely saying, What kind of nonsense is this?
I looked straight into her eyes and said,
“It is true.” (Jin Soun)
In the end, the Chief Attendant let out a small sigh.
“I will convey it that way.” (Chief Attendant)
“Oh, right!” (Jin Soun)
“What else……” (Chief Attendant)
“Did you not say before that the quarters where the servants live are a bit small?” (Jin Soun)
“Yes?” (Chief Attendant)
I looked at the servants’ quarters attached to one side of the hall.
Because it had originally been built as an annex, the servants’ building had been made temporarily, so it was cramped and old.
I racked my brain to see whether there was anything else to squeeze out of them.
“Hmm, come to think of it, the bath I use seems a little small too. And you said the kitchen was too small for several people to come and go while using it, did you not?” (Jin Soun)
The Chief Attendant only blinked without answering.
No helping it, then.
I swung my hand and blew off the roof of the servants’ building attached to the hall.
Crack.
There, now it had no roof.
“W-what are you doing right now……” (Chief Attendant)
“Oh no! The roof has disappeared! What are we to do…… I feel like the Ak Clan fellows were stepping all over the roof yesterday, too.” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Chief Attendant)
I held my chin with my hand and pretended to agonize.
“Since it is obviously their fault anyway, would it not be good to rebuild it on this occasion? Tell the person from the Ak Clan.” (Jin Soun)
The Chief Attendant revealed a faintly uneasy look.
“……
Will they do everything as we wish?” (Chief Attendant)
It was a reasonable concern.
But I had an incredible weapon.
“Ah! If by any chance they do not listen well, you can say this.” (Jin Soun)
“……?” (Chief Attendant)
“Ak Jupyeong.” (Jin Soun)
“What is that?” (Chief Attendant)
“A name that makes the impossible possible.” (Jin Soun)
I will squeeze out as much as I can. Heh heh.
After telling the Chief Attendant all the parts that had to be newly repaired, I headed straight to the academy representative office.
No, I tried to head there.
“Hm?” (Jin Soun)
Something stuck in a corner of the ruined training ground came into view.
At the sight of it lying motionless like a corpse, my brow furrowed deeply.
‘There definitely were no people who died in yesterday’s battle.’ (Jin Soun)
As I approached the place where the doll-like figure lay, I began to hear an ominous muttering sound.
“Ak Clan…… I’ll kill them. Jin Soun…… I won’t let you off. To abandon me and leave.” (Yaryul Geuk)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
“Ak Clan…… I’ll kill them. Jin Soun…… I won’t let you off. To abandon me and leave.” (Yaryul Geuk)
The familiar voice continued like a Buddhist chant.
Haah.
Why is this kid here like this?
“Ak Clan…… I’ll kill them. Jin Soun…… I won’t let you off. To abandon me and leave.” (Yaryul Geuk)
Perhaps he heard my footsteps, because the doll-like figure lying sprawled on the ground, unable to move a muscle, rolled only his eyeballs.
Soon his bloodshot eyes fixed on me.
“……
What are you doing here?” (Jin Soun)
The identity of the doll was none other than Yaryul Geuk.
The bastard struggled with a body that would not move.
“What, what am I doing? Who was it that left me here……!!!” (Yaryul Geuk)
“The Ak Clan warriors did not unseal you?” (Jin Soun)
“Crazy bastard! You call that a question……!” (Yaryul Geuk)
Yaryul Geuk, still with his paralysis acupoint sealed, had been cursing the Ak Clan in the training ground all night.
I had forgotten about him.
No wonder I felt like I had forgotten something.
“Tsk…… Anyway, both sealing your paralysis acupoint and leaving you behind were all the Ak Clan’s doing. You know that, right?” (Jin Soun)
I tried to soothe him in my own way, but.
Glare!
Yaryul Geuk’s two eyes grew so wide they looked about to pop out.
“Jin Soun! Don’t you remember! You passed through here last night while singing!!!” (Yaryul Geuk)
I did?
No, when?
“I…… I called out like that! You looked at me and just left!” (Yaryul Geuk)
“…….” (Jin Soun)
At Yaryul Geuk’s voice, somehow damp with moisture, memories of last night began to surface.
Soon, the scene from yesterday drew itself vividly in my head.
Right, I had definitely laughed at Yaryul Geuk lying pathetically on the training ground floor and then…….
[How many evils are there in the martial world~♩????] (Jin Soun)
[With one sword, I seek to protect all under heaven~♪♩] (Jin Soun)
……
The image of myself walking past while singing came vividly to mind.
‘Ugh. Why did I just pass by?’ (Jin Soun)
Even in my own opinion, that was enough to make someone a little hurt.
“Still, wasn’t the song at least somewhat worth listening to?” (Jin Soun)
“Fuck, you call that a question!” (Yaryul Geuk)
Watching Yaryul Geuk growl like an injured wildcat, I seriously considered whether unsealing his paralysis acupoint right now was really the right choice.
#“I will no longer lay a hand on Ak Jupyeong.” (Jin Soun)
Thinking to ease Yaryul Geuk’s hurt feelings a little, I told him everything that had happened with the Ak Clan.
But it seemed I had instead provoked the guy.
“I’m disappointed that you made such a filthy deal!” (Yaryul Geuk)
Yaryul Geuk, who had been sulking, was now glaring at me with spiteful eyes.
“Do you think I’ll stay still just because you made that kind of deal?” (Yaryul Geuk)
“Of course not.” (Jin Soun)
“Huh?” (Yaryul Geuk)
For a moment, the guy made a dumbfounded expression.
I grinned at him.
“And you shouldn’t.” (Jin Soun)
I squatted down in front of Yaryul Geuk and continued explaining.
“What I promised was only that ‘I’ would no longer lay a hand on him.” (Jin Soun)
“S-so?” (Yaryul Geuk)
“What do you mean, so?” (Jin Soun)
I patted the guy’s shoulder.
“It means I never promised in the first place that you would not touch him.” (Jin Soun)
“……!” (Yaryul Geuk)
Yaryul Geuk’s expression changed strangely.
I could not tell whether he was pleased or angry.
“Anyway, still keep it in moderation. You saw it yesterday too, right? The Ak Clan people immediately moved out and tried to drag me to the Inspection Pavilion.” (Jin Soun)
“……
F-fuck! I’m not scared of anything like that! Once I complete the Flowing Cloud Divine Art anyway……!” (Yaryul Geuk)
“Sure, sure. You probably won’t be scared. Still, if by any chance the Inspection Pavilion tries to arrest you, come to me. I can at least stop that much.” (Jin Soun)
Yaryul Geuk did not answer.
What, is that bastard making a slightly moved face?
After rolling his eyes for quite a while, Yaryul Geuk barely opened his mouth.
“……
W-why?” (Yaryul Geuk)
“What is?” (Jin Soun)
“W-why are you helping me, I said!” (Yaryul Geuk)
I chuckled and ruffled the guy’s hair.
“When have I ever not helped you?” (Jin Soun)
“……!” (Yaryul Geuk)
The guy’s expression became even more subtle.
Seeing him make such a stupid expression, it seemed there was a part of him that resembled Yaryul Jae a little.
“Anyway, if you want to complete the Flowing Cloud Divine Art quickly and take revenge on Ak Jupyeong, you won’t have time to dwell on petty grudges, right?” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Yaryul Geuk)
Yaryul Geuk, who had been rolling his eyes, looked at me with eyes that had softened a little.
“……
You’re telling me to forget that you ignored me yesterday and left while singing. Is that it?” (Yaryul Geuk)
Good grief, the brat sure had sharp wits.
Feeling as if I had connected with Yaryul Geuk for the first time, I shouted,
“So you were a guy who could understand words!” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Yaryul Geuk)
But Yaryul Geuk was still staring at me with cold eyes.
#The sneaky brat, unlike our promise, attacked me as soon as his paralysis acupoint was unsealed.
I had no choice but to seal his sleep acupoint and put him to sleep.
I had only sealed it shallowly, but seeing him fall asleep immediately, it seemed he had not slept a wink all night while his paralysis acupoint had been sealed.
‘Tough bastard…… He could have slept, too. To think he cursed them all night.’ (Jin Soun)
He would probably just sleep straight through today.
‘Still, well, he’s not a guy who would care that much about missing class anyway.’ (Jin Soun)
Like that, I headed to the academy representative office.
“Representative Jin.” (Jang Woojae)
On the way, I met Jang Woojae.
And after that, Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Eunho, and Hong Saryeon joined us as well.
“What’s with your face? You look dead.” (Jin Soun)
Eunho, whose complexion was not good at all, let out a sigh and said,
“I listened to Nam Hwaseong lament until daybreak.” (Eunho)
“Lament?” (Jin Soun)
“That he is not a spy.” (Eunho)
At Eunho’s words, the others each snickered.
Only Eunho could not relax his expression as he said,
“Eldest Senior Brother, could you please stop teasing him by calling him a spy? I am afraid he will keep grabbing me from now on.” (Eunho)
“Tsk. If he keeps bothering you, just kick him away or something.” (Jin Soun)
At my extreme response, Eunho scratched his head.
“Could I handle Nam Hwaseong by myself? Besides, he does not seem to be that bad a person either.” (Eunho)
When did these guys get so close again?
When we reached the building where the representative executive group was, Nam Hwaseong was waiting at the entrance.
“Spy! You came out early.” (Jin Soun)
“…….” (Nam Hwaseong)
Whether Nam Hwaseong’s and Eunho’s faces crumpled or not, I was about to enter the building.
“Hm?” (Jin Soun)
A group of academy students had gathered by the roadside.
Then, as soon as they saw me, they began coming straight toward us.
“Representative!” (Academy Student)
The academy students clasped their hands as soon as they saw me.
When I examined their faces, some were members of the Righteous Path Society.
Some were Jang Woojae’s friends.
Some were even members of the One Hundred Eight Peaks.
It was a strange combination.
Just what was with this combination?
When I clasped my hands and answered with a puzzled expression, a smile appeared at the mouth of the person who had called me first.
“Were you surprised that we suddenly came to see you?” (Academy Student)
“Well, it is nothing to be surprised about.” (Jin Soun)
“The truth is, we wanted to prepare a separate place and apologize for our discourtesy until now.” (Academy Student)
I tilted my head.
“Have we not shown many actions until now that did not acknowledge you as the representative?” (Academy Student)
As he scratched his head in embarrassment, the others also each coughed awkwardly or blushed.
Now that I thought about it, their faces came into view again.
Some were disciples of secular branch sects, and others were disciples of powerless sects, students who had come to the academy.
They were naturally in positions where they could not help but watch the eyes of those around them.
“Did you not all have your own circumstances? I understand.” (Jin Soun)
It had always been like that.
Those without power cannot act, and get swept up by circumstances.
I had been like that in my previous life as well.
Because there had been nothing I could do. Because I had thought there was nothing I could do.
But if these weak people mustered their courage and took just one step forward, they could become the ones who stirred up winds of change.
That was why I was happy for their courage.
However, even at my consolation, they could not easily raise their heads.
“We will repay our wrong actions until now again and again in the future.” (Academy Student)
The academy student lowered his voice and continued speaking.
“……
More importantly, something a little strange happened, so we came to see you like this.” (Academy Student)
“Something strange?” (Jin Soun)
He nodded with a serious expression.
“Yes. We were told to attend an event being held by people calling themselves the new representative executive group.” (Academy Student)
“The new representative executive group?” (Jin Soun)
The academy representative was standing right here perfectly fine, so what new representative executive group was there?
At that moment,
“The first academic schedule of the second term has been completed!” (White Path Society Member)
“The candidate list for the second academic schedule, ‘Invitation of Notables,’ has come out.” (White Path Society Member)
“I will go to the Mantong Department to get the budget plan passed.” (White Path Society Member)
Noisy sounds began to be heard from one side.
We looked at those who were working as if they were the academy representative group.
“No, what is this……” (Jin Soun)
“Just…… who are they?” (Academy Student)
Seeing the emblem engraved on their clothes, Jang Woojae groaned out,
“It is the White Path Society…….” (Jang Woojae)
“The White Path Society?” (Jin Soun)
Why were those bastards suddenly acting up?