Seupat!
The thick fog scattered for a moment. A shadow was briefly revealed within it. However, the figure wore a jungnip (bamboo hat) pulled down low, and the fog was still dense, so only a vague shape was visible.
Jabak, jabak.
The movements were quiet, but showed no particular caution or attempt to hide their presence.
The shadow in the jungnip first inspected the Hyeorurim martial artists scattered on the ground, one by one.
As he was inspecting the last Hyeorurim member, a presence was felt from behind the large rock nearby. As expected, it was a figure cloaked in a black pungui and wearing a heungnip (black hat) pulled down low. Dressed entirely in black, his identity was impossible to discern, even if there were no fog.
While the Jungnip-in (person in the bamboo hat) inspected the Hyeorurim corpses, the Heungnip-in (person in the black hat) was inspecting the body of Gyepllyang, who had died with his head smashed at the base of the rock.
Finally, the two shadows converged next to the rock. They were now close enough to see each other's faces. But when the Jungnip-in raised his head, a white cat mask was revealed. The Heungnip-in was wearing a black snake mask.
The cat mask spoke first. Surprisingly, it was the beautiful voice of a woman, like rolling jade. But the energy carried in the voice was as cold as a northern winter storm.
"This isn't profitable, Heuksa (Black Snake)."
"My thoughts exactly, Baekmyo (White Cat). It seems Instructor Gye was killed by the one who used the sickle."
"But the one who used the sickle was decapitated?"
"You think Instructor Gye did it?"
"Aigoo, no way. I don't understand it, but he was killed by a comrade."
"They fought and killed each other?"
"Well, at least two of them look that way."
"Anything else?"
"One of them seems to have been hit by a surprise attack… there's a lotus-shaped wound left behind."
"A lotus shape… the Hyeokryeonjang?"
"Who knows. Your side will have to figure that out."
"We'll look into it."
"Is that it? You should at least apologize."
"Didn't you say it yourself? That your people fought and killed each other."
"I said it looked that way. Not that it's certain. The state of the bodies isn't normal, as if someone cleaned up afterward."
"In any case, we lost Instructor Gye, too. Call it even."
"Irresponsible."
In an instant, Baekmyo's hand shot out.
Shiiit!
A white jeopseon (folding fan) flew, carrying a sharp yegi. Heuksa quickly leaned back and drew a yeongeom (flexible sword).
Ttukaang!
Hwiriring, hwiriring-ring.
The black yeongeom in Heuksa's hand swayed, letting out a strange, weeping sound. It was as if a black snake were in the air, its head raised high, darting back and forth.
The eyes under the Heuksa mask flashed. "Baekmyo, that's enough. Don't cross the line."
"Not easy, are you. I was just trying to balance the books."
"Hmph! Keep this up, and we might have to recalculate everything from the beginning."
"Alright, alright. Well, not everything can go according to plan. But as for this incident, we find it very regrettable."
Baekmyo opened her white fan and waved it gently. Only then did Heuksa sheathe his yeongeom and turn away.
"Know your place and back off."
As Heuksa leaped away, Baekmyo smiled faintly and muttered to herself, "Know our place… I wonder if you know yours?"
'Hmm, why is there no news?'
Namgung Cheon looked up at the sky outside the window, tapping his fingers on the desk. It was about time for a reaction…
He had used the Hyeokryeonjang on one of the Hyeorurim martial artists, so someone must have recognized it. Yes, unless they were an idiot, they would have.
But there was no reaction at all.
The Hyeokryeonjang had been a trap, laid to find out who was targeting him. He had put the fact that Yun Jongseung had taught him the Hyeokryeonjang as a child to good use. Of course, Yun Jongseung would probably faint from shock if he found out Namgung Cheon had actually used the Hyeokryeonjang he had taught him in passing when they were young.
'Well, it's thanks to the Chogyeon Pagongan, but the important thing is that he did teach it to me as a kid.'
Anyway, they were that close, but he still joined in on the Hogu game? I'm getting pissed off again.
In any case, he had set the trap, so it was about time to catch the fish that took the bait…
'Why isn't it taking it?'
A fortnight had already passed since their return from the Dabie Mountains. The academy was peaceful. Yun Jongseung was still faithfully playing the part of the official Hogu, and fewer and fewer people were messing with Namgung Cheon. Of course, there was no way bastards like Jo Gangmin or Song Wongyo would stay quiet like this, but there had been no notable provocations so far.
'Don't tell me Gyepllyang really tried to kill me on his own?'
If so, he was a real madman. Well, if I'd killed one of his family members or relatives, it's possible he'd try to get revenge on my son. Even so, wasn't it too reckless? There must be someone higher up behind this…
As Namgung Cheon's thoughts deepened, the door suddenly burst open, and a man strode in. The noisy Yeongongsil (Training Hall) fell silent in an instant, and all eyes gathered on him.
Dazzling white hair, neat features, and deep, clear eyes. He was a man who perfectly suited the title Kkotminam (pretty boy / flower boy).
"Wow… he's so handsome."
Yun Jongseung, forgetting his own situation, muttered blankly. Song Wongyo, standing next to him, gave him a solid smack on the back of the head.
Ttaak!
Yun Jongseung glared, his eyes wide, but quickly tucked his tail at Song Wongyo's fierce expression.
Song Wongyo, looking displeased, approached the Kkotminam. "Who are you? I haven't seen you at the academy before."
The Kkotminam stared blankly at Song Wongyo, then broke into a vapid, wide smile. "Me? I'm the new instructor."
"If you're the new instructor, you should properly introduce your—huh? Instructor? You're an instructor?"
Not just Song Wongyo, but the other students also began to murmur, staring at the Kkotminam. It was understandable; at most, the Kkotminam looked as if he had just passed his coming-of-age. Wasn't he too young to be an instructor?
As if aware of their gazes, the Kkotminam gave that same refreshing smile and continued. "Ah, I may look like this, but I'm old enough. I'm thirty-two."
"Thirty… two. You look like you're only two or three years older than me, at most…"
As Song Wongyo muttered blankly, the Kkotminam shrugged. "Don't believe me? Wanna see my Hopae (ID tag)?"
"Does… your age show up on your Hopae?"
"Ah, the age doesn't show up?"
Song Wongyo and the other students looked blank again. What is this? This guy… is he missing a screw?
Namgung Cheon also just watched the new instructor in silence.
The Kkotminam walked to the center of the training hall platform and finally began his introduction.
"Nice to meet you all. My name is Bi Ryang (費倆). I'm the new instructor for the Blue Dragon Class. Let's get along."
"…"
"You there, what's your name?"
"Huh? Ah, S-Song Wongyo."
"Right, Wongyo. Could you please sit down?"
"Ah, yes…"
Song Wongyo sat down, flustered. Amidst the unsettled atmosphere, Bi Ryang continued.
"As you all know, your previous instructor passed away in an unfortunate accident, so I came. Well, I don't know how long I'll last here, but please take care of me until I get fired."
Bi Ryang spoke with a perpetually breezy expression, and a few students burst out laughing.
He glanced at the documents he'd brought and said, "As you all know, the Wuhan Alliance Dragon-Phoenix Tournament will be starting soon. It's difficult for everyone to participate, so I hope you all prepare hard and get good results. That's all."
Having finished, Bi Ryang turned without a second thought and strode toward the door. As the students stared blankly, Song Wongyo quickly stood up and shouted. "W-wait!"
"Hm? Ah, I didn't take questions. Is there a question?"
"Well, of course…"
"What is it?"
"Um… that is… is that… it?"
"Is what it?"
"I mean, is this it? Aren't you going to teach?"
"Ah, class. Hmm… class. Right, there was such a thing as class. Hmm."
As Bi Ryang propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought, Song Wongyo's jaw dropped.
'No, what is he thinking about? If he's an instructor, shouldn't he be teaching?'
But the answer that came from Bi Ryang was completely unexpected.
Bi Ryang, wearing a smile that was so pure it bordered on foolish, said, "It's the first day, so cut me some slack. You guys are tired of boring classes too, right?"
Song Wongyo and the students gaped. What kind of instructor was this? Where the hell did this guy crawl out from?
Ignoring the students' reactions, Bi Ryang even began to hum as he left the training hall. Even after he left, the students couldn't bring themselves to move for a long time.
After a while, just as Song Wongyo was about to say something, the door burst open again. It was Bi Ryang. He glanced around the training hall and asked, "Who are Namgung Cheon and Yun Jongseung?"
The students' gazes turned toward Namgung Cheon and Yun Jongseung.
Bi Ryang gave his characteristic bright smile and said, "Could you two come with me?"
A room with no windows.
Namgung Cheon and Yun Jongseung sat side-by-side at a table. Opposite them, Bi Ryang paced with his arms crossed. At some point, Bi Ryang stopped walking.
"So, you taught Namgung Cheon the Hyeokryeonjang?"
"Yes, just for a little bit, when we were very young…" Yun Jongseung nodded, but he still looked confused.
Bi Ryang nodded. "I see. And the rest of the situation unfolded as Namgung Cheon said."
"Yes," Namgung Cheon replied curtly.
Until now, Bi Ryang had been questioning Namgung Cheon about what had happened at Da-unsan.
Namgung Cheon stared intently at Bi Ryang. He had expected someone to fall into his trap eventually, but he had never thought it would be this guy.
'Are you the one behind it?'
Bi Ryang was definitely suspicious. He seemed clumsy and breezy, but the aura emanating from his body had the fragrance of a master. He could tell by instinct. An absolute sense, specialized for survival, like a fugitive.
But the strange thing was, in a situation like this, he would normally feel hostility, but he felt no hostility from Bi Ryang. Was it because his outward personality was so breezy? No. With his original personality, he would have been more guarded. In a fugitive's life, the person who smiled at you for no reason was the most dangerous.
So, while he was watching him with extreme caution, that foolish smile somehow made him relax.
'I can't get a read on him.'
In times like these, it might not be bad to just face him head-on.
Namgung Cheon, pretending to be displeased, asked, "What's the reason for holding me for half a shichen (one hour) and asking these things? Don't tell me you think I murdered the instructor?"
"Ah, don't misunderstand. I'm just doing as I'm told from above."
"Above? Who?"
"Who knows. Does a student need to be curious about such things? You ask 'who,' not 'how' or 'why'?"
Look at this. He acts all vapid, but he's surprisingly sharp.
Namgung Cheon smirked. "I'm curious. Since I used the Hyeokryeonjang on a Hyeorurim martial artist, I thought the path to success might open up if I caught the eye of someone important."
"Oho, right! You killed bastards who deserved to die, so it's only right you receive a reward. Is there a reward you're hoping for?" Bi Ryang asked, looking rather excited.
This guy, he's definitely not easy. He couldn't read his intentions.
Usually, when you can't read someone, it's one of two things. They're either as crazy as he is, or they're truly thoughtless. He couldn't tell which side this guy was on.
'This guy is interesting.'
Namgung Cheon smiled inwardly and shook his head. "I wouldn't know. It's up to the person giving it."
"True. They probably wouldn't give a student a cash bonus. And it's not enough to guarantee the path to success right away. They'll probably just give you a wooden plaque or something. As a symbolic gesture."
"That's cheap."
"Right? It is cheap. But the world is a cheap place."
In this, at least, he and I seem to agree.
"Then, may I be excused?"
"Sure. You've worked hard. Go on."
"Alright."
"I-I'll be going too!"
Yun Jongseung stood up first and fled the room as if escaping. Namgung Cheon was about to follow him out.
"Cheon-ah."
A voice suddenly at his back. He turned. The smiling face was still there. But the smile, unlike before, seemed quite meaningful.
"I'll put in a good word for you upstairs, so don't worry."
Namgung Cheon's brow furrowed slightly.
This bastard. He's really confusing.
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