Chapter 102: Confinement (4)

The officials from the Academy who had rushed over to investigate the incident were eager to hear the details.

“Oh, so this is the man.”

“The one who dragged us into this internal audit while we’re already swamped with work.”

“If he’s walked into the lion’s den himself, we should welcome him.”

The head of the Academy’s inspection team clapped his hands, leading the sneering scholars.

“Ahem. This is an official procedure. Let’s keep personal opinions aside and judge objectively.”

His eyes gleamed with killing intent, clearly filled with personal bias, but he pretended otherwise.

“Oh, Jegal Tan? It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has, Sir An.”

“I never thought the one who once caused such a stir at Euncheon Hall would defend someone who pulled such a ridiculous stunt.”

“…There are circumstances.”

Tension crackled between them.

The head of the inspection team struck first.

“Basically, the rule is to maintain the original state of the mock training ground.”

“I acknowledge that. However, there is no specific regulation on the extent of maintaining the original state.”

“Even if it’s not written, there’s a common understanding of what’s acceptable.”

“The regulation only states ‘to maintain the original state to some extent.’ I’ve never heard of this common understanding.”

The exchange was sharp from the start.

The head of the inspection team pressed hard, but Jegal Tan, the prodigy of the Jegal Clan, held his ground.

“We didn’t bring in any external materials. Everything used was crafted during training.”

“Even the axe and fishing rod?”

“The axe was made by splitting river stones, and the fishing rod was made from collected branches. The fishing line was twisted from vine fibers, and the hook was carved from a shell.”

Well done, our side.

He didn’t back down an inch.

Eventually, the head of the inspection team had to take a step back.

“Why did you make all this?”

“It’s listed in the training schedule written by Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

“I’ve seen that insane log. It’s a joke. This training schedule is invalid.”

Jegal Tan smoothly countered.

“The goal of the training is survival after being stranded in Sichuan. With nothing, we had to find our own ways to survive. We were impressed by the instructor’s method of teaching survival skills by leaving it to our discretion.”

He even managed to turn the hastily filled-out training log into a thoughtful gesture.

Frustrated, the head of the inspection team switched topics.

“Let’s change the subject. The issue is not the teaching method, but why this structure needs to exist.”

“Training aids created during training can be preserved exceptionally. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s for the next group of students to compare and learn from their predecessors’ achievements…”

“What greater achievement than building a shelter in a swamp with bare hands?”

After a prolonged debate, the head of the inspection team finally conceded.

“You’re relentless. I give up.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The scholars, who had been arguing fiercely, also admitted defeat with dead eyes.

“The logic is sound.”

“The logic is sound, but this is sophistry.”

“I didn’t expect them to bring up all these obscure regulations…”

Sighing along with the dejected scholars, the head of the inspection team bowed to Jang Cheol-sim.

“The Academy will not take issue with the Jianghu Sichuan Cave incident.”

Jang Cheol-sim was surprised.

“So that means you’ll leave that hideous structure standing?”

“There’s no regulation against it, so what can we do?”

The head of the inspection team lowered his voice.

“Recently, the Chief Administrator, the Chief Instructor, and the One-Eyed Sword God have all emphasized teaching practical knowledge for extreme situations.”

If they made an issue of it now, it might backfire.

“…”

Jang Cheol-sim kept silent.

“Well, we’ll be on our way.”

Watching the scholars from the Academy walk away, Jang Cheol-sim fumed.

It was infuriating enough that this happened in his jurisdiction, but the fact that it didn’t go his way made it worse.

‘…Lucky bastard.’

His gaze fell on the treehouse perched on the massive tree.

It looked quite comfortable, and the thought of the temporary instructor lounging there made his blood boil.

“Good thing you chased away those scary Academy officials. Congratulations, Temporary Instructor.”

That was all Jang Cheol-sim could say as he turned to leave.

For now.

Cho Un-hwi stuck out his tongue at Jang Cheol-sim’s retreating figure and gave Jegal Tan a thumbs-up.

“Well done, Jegal.”

“…Could you please act sensibly next time?”

“You defended our home from the tyrant landlord.”

Rejoicing like a refugee who narrowly avoided eviction, Cho Un-hwi smacked his lips.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t have a siege.”

He had gathered so many stones.

Mo Yong So-hye, unable to hold back any longer, exploded.

“If you had done that, we’d all be thrown out with no excuse!”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

She couldn’t help but find the instructor particularly annoying today.

***

*Whistle…*

*Splash.*

Casting the bait far away with a flick of his fishing rod, Cho Un-hwi whistled as Namgung Yun-ho approached.

“Today’s lesson is over.”

“Well done, seasoned assistant.”

Without looking back, he tried to send him off, but Eon Ho-seung, looking disgruntled, interrupted.

“Hey, Temporary Instructor.”

“What?”

“Are we really okay with just this?”

“What’s the problem?”

Always full of complaints. What a troublesome kid.

But Eon Ho-seung shouted, undeterred.

“The supplementary exam is in a week! It’s our last chance! If we fail, we can’t return this year!”

So what?

“As an instructor, shouldn’t you do something?”

“You’re quite ambitious.”

You haven’t even been entrusted with anything.

But Eon Ho-seung had an ace up his sleeve.

“If we fail, the Temporary Instructor will be in trouble too.”

“…What do you mean?”

“We’re the only students you’re responsible for.”

“Ugh.”

Right on the mark.

Eon Ho-seung smirked and wiped his nose.

“It’s obvious your performance evaluation is terrible, and you have no achievements.”

He was spot on.

His reputation among the instructors was worsening, and his quarters were filled with disciplinary notices.

‘He’s surprisingly perceptive.’

His personality and actions might be simple-minded, but he had good instincts.

“Well, I wasn’t completely idle.”

“You were totally idle.”

Sharp kid.

In times like this, the best defense is a good offense.

When the guilty party gets angry, the other side usually backs down!

“This is all part of my grand plan.”

“What plan?”

It didn’t work.

In that case, it was time to show his skills.

“It’s not too late to start now… Huh?”

Eon Ho-seung, who had been grumbling, widened his eyes and leaped into the air using his movement technique.

“Ho?”

With a single step, Eon Ho-seung kicked off the ground again, flipping his body.

*Thud.*

After two steps, he flipped in midair and punched the ground.

*Thump.*

Using the rebound, he flew backward and stopped, catching his breath.

“Huff! Huff!”

His eyes glazed over, he instinctively assumed a defensive stance, hiding behind his fists.

“You’ve gotten used to reading my mood.”

With a slight shift of his foot, he pulled back his right hand and extended his left.

With a slight sway of his upper body, Eon Ho-seung, startled, retreated again.

“What about the others?”

As he turned and beckoned, Im So-jeong reacted first.

*Whoosh.*

Sitting comfortably, she jumped up as if she had seen a ghost and struck the ground with her scabbard.

*Thud. Whoosh!*

Her clothes billowing, she balanced on her sword before dropping to the ground and kicking the scabbard.

*Thud! Whoosh!*

The scabbard flew up, scattering dust.

*Boom!*

It wasn’t just a simple move.

She had released her internal energy, creating a massive dust cloud.

Then came the sound of small projectiles.

*Thud.*

“Good. If necessary, throw dirt to blind your enemy. Using the scabbard was clever.”

*Thud.*

As he swung the scabbard, hidden projectiles embedded themselves in it.

Tang Gan had taken advantage of the chaos to throw them.

“Throwing projectiles while blinding the enemy is effective.”

Next, a flash of sword light pierced through the dust.

It was the twins’ combined attack.

“A sneaky ambush. Excellent.”

*Thud.*

As he stomped and retreated, the dust cloud rose like a hailstorm, scattering dust everywhere.

“Ugh…”

Beyond the settling dust, Eon Ho-seung, still in his defensive stance, muttered in disbelief.

“W-what did I just do?”

“You did it. Why ask me?”

“Did I react that quickly?”

It was the result of pain etched into their souls and bones.

“Do you still think I’m lying?”

Despite his provocation, Eon Ho-seung and the others couldn’t hide their joy.

Even Im So-jeong, who usually dozed off, looked pleased.

Watching them, Cho Un-hwi smiled.

‘They won’t fail the supplementary exam, and they won’t die a foolish death.’

They could instinctively sense a master and react reflexively.

It sounded simple, but how many people in this vast Euncheon Hall could do that?

One day, they would realize how lucky they were.

‘Of course, the best thing is to avoid danger altogether.’

***

Eon Ho-seung, excited by his improved skills, was in high spirits.

“Hahaha. I’ll win easily. I can finally crush those who underestimated me.”

Im So-jeong, annoyed by his loud voice, interrupted.

“Even so, if you don’t reach the detection stage and trigger the ‘surprise scenario,’ it’ll be for nothing.”

“Well, that’s…”

The twins also pressured Eon Ho-seung.

“You have to make it to the innermost part of the mock training ground without mistakes.”

“Right. There are sometimes malicious traps that eliminate many early on.”

“Leave the poisonous plants to me. Trap detection is a bit tricky, though.”

Normally, Eon Ho-seung would have grumbled, but today he was in a great mood.

“Alright. Let’s check our weak points again. Including those ‘heroic lines’ from before.”

It was probably because he had just confirmed his improved skills.

“We might as well aim for the top.”

“Haha. Not bad.”

“Alright, let’s each…”

Feeling the results firsthand, they eagerly buried their noses in the genealogy Jegal Tan had created.

Baek Ri-seol watched and commented.

“Those noisy guys have finally grown up.”

It would be nice if they passed and disappeared.

***

“This is quite fun.”

He had recently taken up fishing and found it quite enjoyable.

Casting the bait into the swamp and watching the ripples was satisfying.

But the best part was predicting what was happening underwater and waiting.

Staring at the rippling water, waiting for a bite, was a pleasant anticipation.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never had such a leisurely hobby.’

In his previous life, he had lived a fierce life, and this life had been busy as well.

This was the first time he had enjoyed a hobby while sitting still.

“This is nice.”

Basking in the warm sunlight and feeling the gentle breeze was peaceful.

If he was lucky, he might catch a delicious fish.

Fish bought with someone else’s money and released into the water.

Having a bountiful dinner was a bonus.

‘Who knew such a luxurious hobby existed?’

When he found his wife and eloped, maybe he would buy a house by the river.

He imagined his wife’s bright smile as she welcomed him home with a basket full of fish traps.

“That would be nice…”

Lost in pleasant thoughts for a moment.

*Whirr.*

The leisurely swaying fishing rod bent sharply.

“This is heavy. Is it a record catch?”

*Whirr.*

He shook his wrist, reeling in the line, but it was incredibly heavy.

But it didn’t seem like a fish.

*Splash.*

With more effort, a large shape emerged from the water.

“Oh my.”

Cho Un-hwi frowned as he pulled it ashore.

“I didn’t expect to catch a mermaid.”

The fishing hook had snagged a pale, unconscious boy.