Chapter 108: Lost Property (6)

*Whistle.* “These are heavy.”

*Click. Clack.*

Looking at the heavy handcuffs on his wrists, Cho Un-hwi whistled.

“Can’t you make these a bit looser? They’re too tight and my wrists hurt.”

“…”

Despite his banter, the stern martial artist from the Academy silently secured shackles around his ankles.

With his limbs suddenly weighed down, Cho Un-hwi sat there with a frown, a walnut-sized lump forming under his chin. The martial artist, having securely fastened the restraints, stood up.

“Alright, follow the Academy scholar.”

*Clank. Clank.*

Every step he took dragged the heavy iron ball, making it quite cumbersome.

“This feels like I’m already being treated like a criminal.”

The only relief was that these madmen hadn’t shackled Mok Yeon-seong.

‘There’s no need to restrain a skinny guy like him.’

This was a fortunate decision.

‘My mood is slightly less sour because of it.’

***

*Clank. Clank.*

After dragging the iron ball for over a quarter of an hour, they arrived at a small pavilion inside the Academy.

Inside, many people were already seated.

The first thing he noticed was the large, intimidating desk in the center and the stern old scholars from the Academy.

A quick glance around revealed familiar faces.

‘Those are the guys who were breaking the bars earlier.’

On the opposite side, a few instructors from Euncheon Hall and some students with eyes full of resentment were glaring at him.

*Clank. Clank.*

Dragging the iron ball, he slowly sat in the indicated seat. The old scholar from the Academy spoke gravely.

“Let’s begin the inquiry.”

What followed was a farce.

The first to speak was an unfamiliar instructor.

“It’s absurd to say there was bullying at the righteous Euncheon Hall.”

He went on at length about how much he cared for the students before taking his seat.

The next few were no different.

Things took a strange turn when the fifth instructor spoke.

“As the instructor in charge of So Yang-un, I have something to say.”

He extolled the virtues of the victims for a long time.

“On the other hand, Mok Yeon-seong has some issues.”

He was steering the situation unilaterally.

Next, unfamiliar students came forward to testify.

“Mok Yeon-seong was always very gloomy.”

“He didn’t get along well with others and often kept to himself.”

“He sometimes reacted paranoically to trivial matters.”

The testimonies were consistent.

The last to speak was Instructor Gwak Jong-geun.

“Here are the investigation materials related to this incident. After inquiring with the students, we concluded that there was no organized bullying.”

“Hmm. That sounds plausible.”

With the desired reaction achieved, the sycophants whined.

“We really didn’t know.”

“We did tease him lightly, but we didn’t expect him to hold a grudge.”

“We’re sorry. We should have been more inclusive of Mok Yeon-seong.”

“This is all our fault.”

Their crocodile tears made the old martial artists on the other side narrow their eyes.

“Tsk. Of course.”

“Our disciples wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“So, he attacked the students for no reason?”

“He fought like a common thug, not a martial artist?”

“He dishonored the martial arts and resorted to violence.”

Amid the loud accusations, the old scholar from the Academy asked Cho Un-hwi,

“Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

“Did those innocent kids hit me on the head? My memory seems different.”

“Watch your language. That’s very undignified.”

“Better than being dishonest.”

“Remember, your attitude will be reflected in the disciplinary decision.”

“Wow. So strict.”

Bantering, Cho Un-hwi stood and looked around at the sycophants.

Their startled reactions were amusing.

“Those kids threatened an instructor, so I hit them a few times. And now they’re pulling this stunt? Useless.”

Seeing his defiance, Gwak Jong-geun stepped forward.

“Your statement is flawed.”

“Instructor Gwak.”

“Your claim that they threatened you is just that, your claim.”

“Weren’t there many witnesses? Were they all blind?”

“Hmm. Truly, the pot calling the kettle black.”

At his signal, another person stepped forward.

Walking confidently into the room, radiating authority, was someone Cho Un-hwi recognized.

“Hehe. Temporary Instructor. Did you think this day would never come when you kicked me out?”

I really didn’t.

‘No, I didn’t see this coming at all.’

He seemed determined, his intense gaze fixed on Cho Un-hwi.

Gwak Jong-geun, pleased, spoke softly.

“Eon Ho-seung, the eldest son of the Jinju Eon Clan.”

The mention of his title piqued the interest of the room.

“You said you had something to testify about this incident, correct?”

Unfazed by the attention, Eon Ho-seung nodded.

“Yes.”

“You were the first to witness the fight. Can you swear on your family’s honor to tell the truth?”

“I can.”

As he nodded, Gwak Jong-geun stepped back, and the old scholar from the Academy spoke again.

“At the time of the incident, Mok Yeon-seong, armed with a weapon, ambushed innocent victims. He meticulously planned the attack due to his paranoia about being bullied.”

“And?”

“In trying to stop him, the temporary instructor misjudged the situation and resorted to excessive violence.”

Summarizing the situation, the old scholar’s eyes gleamed.

“Is all of this true?”

Eon Ho-seung boldly shouted,

“It’s all nonsense.”

And with contempt, he declared,

“I saw those bastards actions clearly.”

But he didn’t stop there.

“Instructor Gwak, I’m sorry about this.”

“You went through the trouble of promising to rig the exam, but I can’t keep that promise.”

“I can’t go along with this.”

The room erupted in shock.

“Eon Ho-seung, what are you saying?”

“Why? Didn’t you say the instructor in charge of the supplementary exam was your classmate from the Academy?”

“That’s a ridiculous accusation.”

“How would a student know the supplementary exam instructor?”

“You!”

Instructor Gwak Jong-geun’s face turned red with anger, clearly trying to silence him.

“This is quite an interesting story.”

At the voice from the doorway, Gwak Jong-geun turned pale.

Jang Cheol-sim stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the door.

But that wasn’t all.

“I can’t ignore this.”

Recognizing the voice, Gwak Jong-geun slumped.

“D-Do Dokgo…”

One of the absolute masters of the Jianghu and one of the Ten Great Swordsmen.

Why was he here for such a minor disciplinary hearing?

Even the previously confident old martial artists turned pale.

“D-Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God?”

“The enforcer of justice himself is here…”

“My god, to see him here.”

The room was filled with astonishment.

Ignoring the commotion, the One-Eyed Sword God turned his single eye to Jang Cheol-sim.

“Senior Instructor, you seem to have a lot to say.”

“Don’t worry, Dokgo Yul.”

Glaring at the room, Jang Cheol-sim spoke.

“No one involved in this will be spared.”

***

A fierce investigation swept through Euncheon Hall.

The bullying was an issue, but the bigger problem was the secret grade manipulation among the instructors.

The corruption in the supposedly fair Academy was a major issue.

Especially since the One-Eyed Sword God, Dokgo Yul, pointed it out, the matter escalated.

The Chief Administrator, the White Robe Judge Seon In-hyeok, was informed, and the Chief Instructor, the Light of the Flame Ma Gil-sang, also heard and was furious.

“Did I overestimate Shinmu Academy?”

Hating corruption, the One-Eyed Sword God, known as the ‘Living Justice,’ was deeply disappointed, prompting the two to overhaul the Academy.

“Report even the smallest corruption!”

“Don’t leave anyone involved untouched!”

With relentless investigations, the instructors of Euncheon Hall, Geumcheon Hall, and Dongcheon Hall trembled.

The era of the Great Purge had begun.

***

Meanwhile, someone remained leisurely.

“I’m sorry, Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

*Clank.*

Rubbing his wrists where the cuffs had chafed, Cho Un-hwi turned his head.

There, Mok Yeon-seong and Eon Ho-seung were meeting with anxious faces.

‘A tall, skinny guy and a short, sturdy kid.’

It was such an odd combination that Cho Un-hwi chuckled.

“What brings you here?”

“Well, I came for multiple reasons.”

“What about the others?”

“Only someone like me, the eldest son of the Jinju Eon Clan, can handle those narrow-minded old men.”

Such a considerate attitude.

What a change in just a few days.

“I didn’t expect the guy I kicked out in anger to defend me.”

“Hehe. Honestly, I thought, ‘Screw that annoying guy.’”

“Too bad. You almost succeeded.”

“Just bad luck.”

Muttering, Eon Ho-seung looked dejected.

“But I didn’t want to be an accomplice.”

Had he held onto those words?

“Impressive. Though you seem a bit dim.”

Despite his words, Cho Un-hwi was quite surprised.

To break through Gwak Jong-geun’s defenses and be called here, he must have used his wits.

“Aren’t you disappointed? I heard the age limit for Euncheon Hall is tight.”

Euncheon Hall’s rule was five years.

If you didn’t advance to Geumcheon Hall within that time, you were out.

‘It’s a measure to prevent people from staying in the Academy indefinitely.’

Eon Ho-seung sighed.

“I can’t help it. Even if I fail, I have a year left.”

“That’s cutting it close.”

Teasing, Eon Ho-seung’s face darkened as he lowered his head.

“So help me. Help me go to the Jianghu with my own strength.”

Seeing him bow his head without hesitation, Cho Un-hwi replied.

“Don’t worry, kid. Just don’t cry when my training gets tough.”

***

Five days later.

The day of the supplementary mock training exam arrived. When the training ground was announced, Eon Ho-seung clenched his fist.

“Yes! It’s Xiapi City! A good start!”

The intermediate training ground, Xiapi City.

It was a mock training ground that perfectly recreated the back alleys.

The recreated stench was strong, but no one minded.

“Jegal Tan told us about this place.”

“There are five types of mock training here, right?”

“The most frequent is capturing the ‘Iron Thread Alliance’s rapist.’”

“Don’t let your guard down. There might be new scenarios.”

“Let’s check the area first.”

*Boom. Boom. Boom.*

As the drum sounded, they quickly moved into their roles.

While Tang Gan scouted the terrain,

“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”

Eon Ho-seung questioned the locals, gathering information.

“So, where is this place?”

Politely to passersby, sternly to thugs.

Skillfully gathering information, they moved deeper into the mock training ground.

Everything went smoothly.

While other supplementary students wandered at the entrance, they adeptly approached the demonic sect’s territory.

Using Im So-jeong as bait to lure the rapist was a strategy that even surprised Cho Un-hwi.

‘That’s quite bold.’

And then the unexpected happened.

*Bang!*

Eon Ho-seung slammed his fist on the table and boldly declared.

“Villain who makes innocent women cry! Aren’t you afraid of divine punishment?”

Reciting dramatic lines with diaphragmatic breathing, the ensuing battle was dazzling.

“Positions!”

Showing skilled coordination, they constantly pressured the instructor.

*Bang!*

“I surrender.”

They even got the instructor to admit defeat.

“Haha! Did you see that? We did it!”

Watching their jubilant celebration, Cho Un-hwi commented.

“That kid’s pretty good.”

The supplementary exam was over.