Chapter 19
“Martial Arts Study Journey (硏武紀行)?”
Dean Ju Yu-cheon looked up from the documents he was reviewing.
Sa Bigang, standing across from him, answered with a slight smile.
“That’s right.”
“But the official Martial Arts Study Journey is every spring…”
“Isn’t spring coming soon?”
“Even so, it’s a journey that everyone takes together. But you’re saying you want to move only the Special Purpose Class separately? Moreover, the travel destination doesn’t match either…”
“I mentioned this before. I said I would educate the Special Purpose Class specially according to my own discretion, as the name suggests.”
“Of course, but the Martial Arts Study Journey is no different from the hall’s biggest event. There are many things to be careful about. If an accident were to occur…”
“In that case, I will take responsibility.”
“Take responsibility, you say…”
“Of course, though such a thing won’t happen.”
Ju Yu-cheon closed his mouth and quietly looked at Sa Bigang.
Where on earth did such confidence come from?
Certainly Sa Bigang seemed to have changed personality.
In just a few days.
This made him think it was no wonder that a considerable number of instructors were suspicious of Sa Bigang.
While Ju Yu-cheon was pondering, Sa Bigang continued speaking.
“The travel period is a bit long, but I don’t think it violates the Hall Rules. If there’s anything you see that violates the Hall Rules, please point it out. I’ll revise it.”
“Ahem.”
Ju Yu-cheon cleared his throat and looked over the documents again.
Certainly there was nothing that clearly violated the Hall Rules. But all the proposed contents were unconventional.
Unprecedented.
Sa Bigang drove the point home.
“You said you would acknowledge my unique teaching methods as long as they don’t violate the Hall Rules. So this is my proposal.”
Finally Ju Yu-cheon nodded.
“Hmm. I understand. However, during the Martial Arts Study Journey, you must be especially careful. Absolutely no accidents must occur. Also, someone will temporarily take over the Student Supervisor position during your absence.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Hearing Sa Bigang’s answer, Ju Yu-cheon stamped the documents.
***
“What? Three whole months?”
The Special Purpose Class students’ eyes widened as they gaped.
Every spring, Yongcheon Hall would depart on a Martial Arts Study Journey.
It was usually a martial world training trip concept lasting from two weeks to a month.
But three months?
They had never heard of such a long Martial Arts Study Journey before.
“Does this only apply to our Special Purpose Class?”
The person who raised his hand to ask was Yeom Ja-ryang.
Since the Veritas theft incident, he had been treating Sa Bigang relatively favorably.
More precisely, since he realized his physical capabilities had improved because of Sa Bigang.
Sa Bigang nodded.
“That’s right. Specially, only our class will depart on a three-month Martial Arts Study Journey. So you should consider yourselves fortunate. Hoho.”
“What fortune? Travel is fun for a day or two, but three months? That’s too long!”
Gok Bo-ok cried out in a dissatisfied voice.
Several students nodded their heads vigorously as if agreeing with his words.
But Sa Bigang didn’t care.
“Anyway, as long as you belong to the Special Purpose Class, you must follow my decisions.”
“The academy won’t allow it.”
“I already received the Dean’s approval.”
Sa Bigang held up the stamped documents with a sly smile.
Gok Bo-ok’s expression twisted as if he’d chewed dirt.
‘Damn! What the hell is this instructor scheming? A three-month Martial Arts Study Journey? And departing in two weeks when the weather hasn’t even warmed up yet? This isn’t a joke!’
The other students were also stirring at the sudden announcement.
Sa Bigang waved the documents and said,
“Well, since it’s been decided this way, everyone contact your guardians during the preparation period. You’ll need to prepare plenty of participation fees and travel money. Hehe.”
“Tch! Where is there such a unilateral announcement!”
Gok Bo-ok grumbled to himself.
But the sound was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Regardless, Sa Bigang looked around at the students and muttered,
“First, the person to collect the participation fees… let me see.”
His gaze settled on Yeom Ja-ryang.
“You’ve lived in a trading company, so you should be good at calculations, right? Ja-ryang, you take charge.”
“Well, understood.”
Yeom Ja-ryang answered in a lukewarm voice, but not entirely unwillingly.
Meanwhile, Yeon U-gyeong approached the still-grumbling Gok Bo-ok and patted his shoulder.
“Well, maybe it worked out well.”
“What do you mean?”
“How much would the participation fees for a three-month journey total?”
“It would be enormous!”
“What if that enormous amount of money goes missing?”
“That would cause a huge commotion…! You mean?”
Yeon U-gyeong nodded with a meaningful smile.
Gok Bo-ok quickly looked around and whispered,
“But if we did such a thing, we wouldn’t be safe either…”
“Such a thing? What kind of thing?”
“Stealing the participation fees…”
“Stop it. Who would do such a foolish thing? We don’t have to do it directly.”
“Then…?”
“Have you ever seen anyone who dislikes big money?”
Gok Bo-ok swallowed his dry saliva and shook his head.
Yeon U-gyeong just stared at Yeom Ja-ryang’s back and smiled faintly.
“We need to make him realize what happens when you choose the wrong side. As classmates.”
***
“Why are we in the Special Purpose Class?”
The person crying out with a delicate frown was Mok Dan-hwa (睦丹花).
With her elegant forehead, straight nose, and lips red like a flower petal.
She had originally been in the Flying Dragon Class (飛龍班) but was newly assigned to the Special Purpose Class.
An excellent student who had never broken a single Hall Rule during her academy life.
Yet she, along with Min Yu-hyang (珉柔香) and Baek Mi-ryeong (白美玲) who often associated with her, were newly assigned to the Special Purpose Class.
All three possessed beauty like a painting, so some even speculated that Sa Bigang had shown favoritism in his student selections.
Sa Bigang, with his feet propped up on the desk, picked his ear and replied.
He had maintained this attitude for several days already.
“Because I assigned you. I am the Student Supervisor, after all.”
“So why did we have to come to this kind of class!”
“This kind of class? What kind of class is this?”
When Sa Bigang slightly furrowed his brow and asked, Mok Dan-hwa crossed her arms and snorted.
“Do you think I don’t know honestly? The kids gathered here. Every single one is a delinquent student, right? Children the academy is reluctant to manage. Or maladjusted ones. Truly hopeless problem children!”
“Hmm. Is that so? I wouldn’t know.”
Bang!
“Don’t play dumb! Anyone with eyes and ears knows!”
Mok Dan-hwa slammed the desk roughly and shouted.
Sa Bigang slightly raised one eyebrow.
“Then, you can think of it that way.”
“What?”
“You said it yourself. Only delinquent students are assigned here.”
“I did.”
“So you can think you were assigned here because you’re also a delinquent student, right?”
“Does that make sense? I’ve never broken the Hall Rules and never caused problems within the academy…”
“Ah, anyway, that’s not important. The decision has already been made. No matter what anyone says, you’re now a Special Purpose Class student. I have decided so. Hoho.”
“I can’t accept this! Please assign me back to my original class!”
“Impossible.”
“Grr! If I tell father about this, he definitely won’t let it slide!”
“Tell him consultations are always welcome.”
Sa Bigang replied curtly, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
Actually, he knew well about Mok Dan-hwa, Min Yu-hyang, and Baek Mi-ryeong.
The eldest daughter of the Flash Sword Mok Family (閃劍睦家), Mok Dan-hwa.
Along with the Hegemon Sword Yeon Family, the Flash Sword Mok Family had reached a position in swordsmanship that could be said to be insurmountable.
In the future, Mok Dan-hwa would also inherit her family’s secret techniques and boast formidable swordsmanship.
But she had a sharp tongue and couldn’t abandon her wicked nature, making enemies of many.
Though she pretended to be an honor student during her academy days, she cleverly exploited the Hall Rules and even used her superior beauty to grasp and shake instructors’ weaknesses.
The reason she was excluded from the Special Purpose Class this time was precisely because of such aspects.
Even Yeo Un-jin couldn’t bear to do something that would displease her.
Since she particularly valued appearances to others, she didn’t want to lose her position as an honor student.
In other words, she was a cunning child with similar faults to Yeon U-gyeong but more delicate, fully utilizing her female identity.
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong were children of families and sects that supported the Flash Sword Mok Family, and could be seen as Mok Dan-hwa’s supporters.
The reason he deliberately assigned these problem children to the Special Purpose Class was…
‘Unfortunately, these brats are quite useful talent. If raised well.’
Sa Bigang sighed with his eyes tightly closed.
Why did all the useful talents have such pasts?
“If you’re done talking, go.”
When Sa Bigang waved his hand dismissively as if shooing away flies, Mok Dan-hwa bit her lower lip tightly.
‘Just wait and see, you instructor bastard!’
Finally, Mok Dan-hwa couldn’t argue further and spun around, storming out.
“Dan-hwa, are you okay?”
“Really, what kind of instructor is that?”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong quickly followed Mok Dan-hwa, pouring out complaints.
But Mok Dan-hwa couldn’t hear any sounds.
It was the moment her plan to maintain her honor student status until graduation crumbled.
Her mood couldn’t be good.
Just as she was turning the corner.
Thud!
“Ouch!”
Mok Dan-hwa, who had bumped into someone, staggered back a few steps and fell on her bottom.
“Hwa-ya!”
“Oh my!”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong, who were following behind, turned pale.
Meanwhile, Mok Dan-hwa bit her lip tightly and looked up.
As if she would clearly see who dared to make her fall.
But…
‘A student?’
Wasn’t the person approaching her and extending his hand wearing student attire?
She had expected it to be an instructor at least.
Though she was a woman, she prided herself that her swordsmanship and Internal Energy level were never inferior to her peers.
‘But he knocked me down?’
Just then, Yeom Ja-ryang, who had bumped into her, carefully spoke.
“Um… are you alright?”
“Hmph!”
Mok Dan-hwa quickly slapped away Yeom Ja-ryang’s hand and stood up.
‘Instructors and students alike, they’re all disagreeable!’
When Mok Dan-hwa bit her lip and strode away, Yeom Ja-ryang didn’t feel good either.
“Tch, I even apologized. Really, those from good families are all ill-mannered.”
Yeom Ja-ryang muttered and was about to turn around when he suddenly stopped.
‘Ah, I need to collect the fees.’
He turned around again and was just about to turn the corner when.
Squish!
‘Hmm?’
Another sudden sensation.
But not bad… he thought as he came to his senses.
“Oww…”
Wasn’t there a woman who had fallen on her bottom, frowning delicately?
Instantly, Yeom Ja-ryang’s eyes widened.
Beauty that could topple a nation (傾國之色), flower face and moon aspect (花容月態), absolute beauty of all ages (萬古絶色)…!
What words in this world could fully express her beauty?
If Mok Dan-hwa gave the fresh feeling of an unblossomed bud, the woman before his eyes was truly a flower in full bloom.
Moreover, her light outfit revealing a dizzying valley of her chest and snow-white thighs was enchanting enough to make one lose their senses.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
The woman who had fallen actually apologized to him.
Yeom Ja-ryang, barely coming to his senses, nodded vigorously.
“Of, of course! I’m sorry!”
“No. It’s my fault for not looking properly. But could you help me up?”
“Ah, yes! Yes!”
Yeom Ja-ryang quickly took her hand.
My goodness. How could a hand be so delicate… so soft…
The woman smiled brightly.
“Thank you. But you are…?”
“Ah… I, I’m Sp-Special Purpose Class st-student Yeom Ja-ryang!”
“Hohoho. Nice to meet you. So you’re in the Special Purpose Class. My name is Mae.Seol.Lan (梅雪蘭).”
“Ah… yes…”
Even her name was beautiful.
“But where are you going?”
“Ah… I… Ah! To collect fees… I’m in charge of the Martial Arts Study Journey fees!”
“Hehe. I see. Do you happen to know where the Dean is?”
“Yes? Ah, yes! If you go straight up that way!”
“Thank you. Please take care of me from now on.”
“Yes, yes! Please take care of me too!”
Yeom Ja-ryang quickly bowed his head.
‘Eh? But… take care of me from now on? What does that mean…?’
But when he looked up, the woman had already disappeared.
