Chapter 64: Summer Break Trip (1)

“The Murim Expedition?”

Namgung Yun-ho pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“I’ve heard of it. It’s where Euncheon Hall students who have proven themselves are sent out to gain experience in the Murim, under the protection of an escort.”

“They wouldn’t just be sent out to wander aimlessly.”

“I heard they receive missions before they leave. They’re given different tasks based on their skill level, ranging from simple errands like delivering letters to other sects to tracking down criminals.”

“That’s quite serious.”

Cho Un-hwi had assumed it would be some kind of outrageous training, given that they had even built a mock village, but it seemed like a fairly standard educational practice.

It was common for experienced martial artists to mentor young disciples on their first foray into the Murim.

He asked a few more questions, but Namgung Yun-ho didn’t know much else.

“That’s all you know?”

“It’s just hearsay. If you want to know more, you should ask Jegal Tan.”

“That’s right. He might be a failure, but he’s still an Euncheon Hall student.”

“…He’ll be sad if he hears you say that.”

He didn’t care if the brat cried.

“I’m going to the Jegal Clan.”

***

Jegal Tan was surprised by the unexpected visit.

“The Murim Expedition?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Tan explained what he knew, sensing the seriousness in his instructor’s voice.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

Cho Un-hwi’s grumpy response suggested that he wasn’t satisfied with the explanation.

Jegal Tan decided to simplify things.

“Do you remember the written exam for Dongcheon Hall?”

“Uh… the one where you’re camping alone, and if someone approaches, you’re supposed to kill them?”

“It’s ‘If you’re camping alone and a stranger approaches, you allow them to join you, but keep your weapons close.’”

“It’s the same thing.”

It’s not the same at all!

Jegal Tan protested silently, then continued, “The Murim Expedition is about completing missions, but it’s also about applying the knowledge you learned in the written exam. The escorting instructor is both a protector and a strict evaluator.”

“That sounds like a pain.”

Laziness was evident in the way Cho Un-hwi’s lips twitched beneath his messy hair.

“You’re telling me I have to memorize all that useless Murim trivia?”

“You need to know it to evaluate the students. And it’s basic knowledge that all Euncheon Hall instructors are expected to know.”

“I don’t need to know any trivia. I’m going to sneak in the back way.”

“Hmm.”

What could he say to that?

Jegal Tan, who prided himself on his quick wit, was speechless.

But he could guess what his incredibly skilled but equally lazy instructor wanted.

“There’s a way to avoid all that hassle. You can appoint an assistant.”

“An assistant?”

“Some instructors appoint experienced students as assistants. They help with simple tasks like paperwork and grading.”

“Interesting…”

Cho Un-hwi’s lips twitched with interest.

‘He’s so easy to read.’

His tailored explanation had worked perfectly.

“I heard a rumor that you’re planning to apply to be a temporary instructor in Euncheon Hall.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

That was unexpected.

“I thought you hated troublesome tasks. Is there another reason?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Jegal Tan was a little hurt by the casual response.

“I was just wondering what we’re supposed to do if you become an instructor in Euncheon Hall.”

He was their instructor, after all.

If he became a temporary instructor in Euncheon Hall, he would spend less time in Dongcheon Hall.

He hadn’t expected to be with this unusual instructor forever, but he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

‘Yun-ho is going to be even more upset.’

He was already moping around like a lost puppy, watching his mother prepare to leave.

“What’s the problem? You can all come with me.”

“I guess we’ll have to pass the promotion exam this year.”

“The promotion exam is at the end of the year.”

Why wait until then?

Cho Un-hwi added cheerfully,

“Don’t you think so, Assistant Jegal?”

***

“Yay! Instructor!”

Baek Ri-seol was ecstatic, but Mo Yong So-hye was confused.

“Uh… assistant?”

“Yes.”

“All of us?”

“Yes.”

She was momentarily disoriented by his matter-of-fact response.

“Brother Jegal, is this even allowed?”

“Theoretically.”

“It’s only theoretically possible! No one would ever think of appointing all their students as assistants.”

“…It’s unprecedented.”

He had four students, and he was making them all his assistants.

He was basically turning all his students into errand boys.

It was a decision that showed a complete lack of interest in teaching.

“I know it’s absurd.”

Jegal Tan, who usually kept his hair neatly styled, was pulling at his hair in frustration.

“But he won’t listen to reason. It would be easier to teach a bull to read.”

“I can imagine.”

Mo Yong So-hye understood the situation immediately.

Their instructor only listened to what he wanted to hear and forgot everything else.

“I’m worried. I heard the people in Euncheon Hall have huge egos. They won’t leave us alone if we become assistants.”

“You’re probably right.”

he was a celebrity, known as the Instructor Slayer, so he didn’t have to worry.

But the other three were different.

“They’ll ostracize us and try to undermine us.”

Baek Ri-seol, who was always optimistic, interjected, “If they bother us, we’ll just beat them up.”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously.

“I’ll break the limbs of anyone who tries to interrupt my time with the instructor.”

Baek Ri-seol was strong.

She had dominated the Euncheon Hall students in the midterm exams, so she wouldn’t have any trouble dealing with them.

But Mo Yong So-hye was pessimistic.

“Sister, martial arts aren’t everything. That will only make things worse.”

“Really?”

“Why are you surprised, Instructor?!”

He was hopeless.

Mo Yong So-hye sighed and explained, “What will people think if the assistants who are supposed to be helping with the training start beating up the students?”

“Hmm, I think they’ll be impressed.”

“That’s not how it works!”

Mo Yong So-hye was about to explode.

“Assistants are supposed to assist with the training! They’re not supposed to beat up the students!”

“Maybe they’ll learn something if they get beaten up enough. Like, ‘If I keep living like this, I’m going to die.’”

Jegal Tan agreed.

It would be easier to convince a bull to pass the civil service exam than to reason with their instructor.

‘At least bulls don’t make you angry!’

Mo Yong So-hye massaged her temples, and Jegal Tan added, “There’s also the issue of qualifications. Assistants are usually experienced and skilled students.”

Assistants were supposed to use their experience and knowledge to help the instructors.

“But what about us?”

Jegal Tan sneered.

“We’re just newbies from Dongcheon Hall. We haven’t even officially entered Euncheon Hall. There’s no precedent for new students becoming assistants.”

Euncheon Hall wasn’t just about learning martial arts.

They also learned about Murim etiquette, strategy, and tactics.

They were being prepared for real combat.

The students in Euncheon Hall were ruthless and would find any excuse to belittle others. Would they really accept new students as their assistants?

‘No way.’

But their instructor seemed unconcerned.

“So you’re saying the problem is our lack of experience?”

He thumped his chest.

“Don’t worry, that’s not a problem.”

What was he so confident about?

Jegal Tan felt uneasy.

***

*Meet me at the north gate tomorrow.*

Jegal Tan spent a sleepless night, wondering what his instructor was up to.

‘What’s he planning?’

He went to the north gate at dawn, and Baek Ri-seol was already there.

She was kicking a pebble, waiting for them.

Their eyes met.

“Hmph!”

“Tsk!”

They both turned away, their faces scowling.

‘I don’t want to be anywhere near her…’

He was annoyed.

She was always condescending when their instructor wasn’t around, and she treated everyone like they were carrying a plague.

‘And what’s even more annoying is her strength.’

He remembered the humiliating defeat he had suffered at her hands, and he gritted his teeth.

‘It’s different now, though.’

He had mastered the Illusionary Sword Technique, a combination of swordsmanship and formations, with his instructor’s help. He was no longer so far behind her.

But the sting of defeat was still fresh in his mind.

“…”

“…”

They avoided each other’s gaze, waiting for the others.

Fortunately, Mo Yong So-hye and Namgung Yun-ho arrived.

Jegal Tan smiled as he saw his friend, who was walking like a stiff log.

“Yun-ho.”

“Tan, you’re here early.”

“I just got here.”

He had actually been waiting for a while.

It had been a boring and uncomfortable wait.

“Where’s the instructor?”

“Who knows? He’ll probably show up late, as usual.”

He was right.

Their instructor arrived long after the appointed time, his hair a mess, his eyes half-closed.

“Sorry, something came up.”

He yawned.

“Everyone’s here. Shall we go?”

“Instructor! Instructor!”

Baek Ri-seol, her mood suddenly cheerful, jumped up and down, waving her hand.

“Are we going outside the city?”

“Yes.”

“Yay! I like nighttime elopements, but a daytime escape is also romantic.”

She swayed like a cat that had eaten catnip.

Jegal Tan, on the other hand, felt a chill run down his spine. Mo Yong So-hye seemed to feel the same way.

“We’re really going outside the city?”

“Yes, the weather is nice.”

“It is a beautiful day.”

Jegal Tan looked up at the sky.

The sky was blue, the sun was shining.

‘It is a perfect day.’

It was a perfect day for a picnic. His worries seemed to melt away.

‘Was I worried for nothing?’

He chuckled, and Namgung Yun-ho asked, “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking that a relaxing picnic would be nice.”

“Haha, it’s been a hectic year. I can’t remember the last time I had a break.”

“Let’s go. It seems the instructor knows a good spot.”

Jegal Tan didn’t know it at the time, but he should never have let his guard down around his instructor.

That evening…

“Instructor, aren’t we going too far?” Mo Yong So-hye asked, looking back at the city, which was now a distant speck on the horizon.

They had been walking for two hours without a break.

“It’s a picnic. We have to go far.”

“We need to head back soon if we want to get back before the gates close.”

But the instructor just looked at her blankly.

“Head back? Where?”

“What?”

“We’re going to Mount Geomryeong. We’re still a long way off.”

Mount Geomryeong.

Jegal Tan’s face paled.

“Tan, do you know this place?”

“The Mount Geomryeong I know is over five hundred li away…”

Five hundred li.

That was over two hundred kilometers. This wasn’t a picnic it was a marathon.

Everyone’s faces drained of color.

‘He can’t be serious…’

But the instructor was.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“You’re saying we’re going to walk there? It would take days, even on horseback!”

“We’re not riding horses. We’re climbing the mountain.”

‘He’s serious.’

Mo Yong So-hye stared at him in disbelief, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.

Even Baek Ri-seol was speechless.

“Instructor, at least let us prepare! We came empty-handed!”

“You never know what might happen in the Murim. Today’s lesson is ‘A martial artist is always prepared.’”

Prepared for what?!

Mo Yong So-hye burst into tears.

But the instructor just continued,

“Jegal Tan said…”

What did you tell him?

Jegal Tan backed away as two pairs of murderous eyes glared at him.

“…that inexperienced students can’t be good assistants?”

He had said that.

It had been a perfectly reasonable and logical statement.

‘Don’t tell me…’

The instructor grinned.

“Experience? You can just cram that into your heads.”