Chapter 157 – Seo Ok-rang (1)

As the sun began to set beyond the mountain ridge.

“We’ll rest here for the night.”

The instructor leading the way stopped.

The students following him let out heavy sighs and dispersed to find their spots.

Among the twenty students, twelve gathered around Namgung Yong-ho.

“Cheon-ho, shall we prepare for the camp?”

“I’ll start the campfire.”

“I’ll fetch some water.”

It had been a month since the Murim Excursion began.

The students, now somewhat accustomed to camping, moved quickly.

There were still some awkward parts, but compared to the first day when they couldn’t even handle flint, they had made significant progress.

However, there was something different about their atmosphere compared to other groups.

“……”

“……”

All of them directed dissatisfied glances toward one spot, intentionally ignoring it.

At the end of their gaze stood a woman and a young man, unable to join any group.

“……”

“……”

Whether they were aware of the discontent directed at them or not, the woman, who was sitting on a rock nervously twisting her long hair with her fingers, pouted.

“Tsk.”

Then, without waiting for a response, she dusted off her clothes and stood up.

“I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Hmph!

Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared into the darkness.

Instructor Ja-gyeom sighed heavily.

“…I’ll follow her. Everyone, stay alert.”

With a sigh and reluctant steps, Instructor Ja-gyeom followed her and disappeared as well.

“Sigh.”

“Damn it. Really.”

“Whose fault is this?”

The students sighed and voiced their complaints.

They then directed sharp glances at the one who was still preparing his spot alone.

“So, are you satisfied now?”

At someone’s question, Il-pyo, who was taking out his blanket, paused.

Another student sneered and spoke.

“What? Is this not going according to plan?”

“…I have no excuse.”

“That’s all you have to say? You caused the Inspection Department to get involved by calling a girl to a secluded place, and you have nothing to say?”

Someone’s complaint seemed to spread like an infection.

“Trying to secure a future by seducing a disciple of the Cheongseong Sect, huh?”

“Well, it might be a life-changing opportunity for a no-name sect.”

“The problem is, thanks to you, we all got summoned.”

“If you have a mouth, at least make an excuse!”

As criticism rained down from all sides.

“……”

Il-pyo silently resumed preparing the second sleeping spot.

Seeing this, one student shouted in frustration.

“Hey. This is not the time to be making a cozy bed.”

“…You.”

For the first time, there was a flicker of heat in Il-pyo’s eyes.

“Chattering away. It’s annoying.”

With a rough voice, a small head suddenly popped up.

In her hand was a crumpled blanket, rolled up haphazardly.

“All this noise is making it impossible to set up a bed!”

Her shout echoed loudly, ringing in their ears.

Ugh!

Several students nearby winced.

Laughter followed.

“Well, when did you ever do it right?”

“Never done it right.”

Shut up, twins.

Eon Ho-seung snarled, ruffling his hair in frustration.

“If you have complaints, settle them with your fists like men!”

“Or should I do it for you?”

Seeing Eon Ho-seung growl, the students who had been sneering turned away.

After a month of traveling together, they knew this brute wasn’t just all talk.

“Tsk. Boring.”

Shaking his head, a sleepy-eyed woman tilted her head.

“Ho-seung, why are you so excited?”

“Do I look excited?”

“Yeah.”

Tang Gan, who was adjusting the bedding, chimed in.

“Your nostrils are twice as big.”

“Shut up.”

Eon Ho-seung shook his fist at Tang Gan, but his mouth stretched into a grin.

“We’re going to Suzhou.”

Suzhou, where that person is.

“Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

Im So-jeong, looking bored, shook her head.

What a trivial matter.

But Eon Ho-seung was confident.

“I barely avoided failing, and now we’re being summoned by the Inspection Department.”

But Instructor Cho Un-hwi is there.

“He’s a lucky person. Maybe he can somehow fix this.”

The twins laughed at his words.

“That’s nonsense. Absolutely impossible.”

“He’s lucky, but he’s just a temporary instructor. What can he do?”

Tang Gan also dismissed it.

“Don’t get your hopes up. To be honest, if the Inspection Department does its job well, he’ll be the first to get caught.”

Really?

Despite tilting his head, Eon Ho-seung pounded his chest with his fist.

“No. My gut tells me it’ll work out.”

Im So-jeong shook her head, signaling she didn’t want to continue the pointless conversation.

“Trust me just this once.”

As the room grew noisy, several students frowned and looked at Namgung Yong-ho.

“Yong-ho, are you just going to let this happen?”

“Their behavior is getting more unruly.”

“Shouldn’t you enforce some discipline?”

Namgung Yong-ho shook his head at the suggestion.

“Leave them be for now.”

Normally, he would have dealt with the noisy troublemakers.

But right now, he was preoccupied with something else.

‘Instructor Cho is in Suzhou?’

If that’s the case.

‘Brother must be there too.’

Recalling the previous incident, his heart felt heavy.

‘I didn’t want to meet again like this.’

But the thought of seeing him again filled him with anticipation.

A mix of regret and excitement.

***

“I accept your proposal.”

When he declared this early in the morning, Jang Cheol-sim looked quite surprised.

“Huh. I thought you’d want to avoid troublesome tasks.”

“Sometimes you have to work.”

“Or get fired, right?”

Jang Cheol-sim chuckled.

“Actually, I had no intention of firing you.”

“Really?”

“Not a single lie.”

Even a senior instructor doesn’t have the authority to fire a regular instructor at will.

“Then I’ll reconsider…”

“But I can pile on so much work that you’ll want to leave on your own.”

“No thanks!”

A man’s word is his bond!

With his mouth shut tight, Jang Cheol-sim smiled with relief.

“Thank you for accepting the unreasonable request.”

“The proposal is only to protect the students, right?”

“I understand. When making such an unreasonable request, there’s no time to be picky.”

Jang Cheol-sim took out a small envelope from one side.

“By tonight, the students will enter Suzhou.”

There’s not much time.

The Inspection Department is expected to arrive soon.

“Tonight, wait in front of the North Gate. I’ll bring the students.”

“Are you bringing them yourself?”

“It’s better if I go to avoid arousing Instructor Ja-gyeom’s suspicion. It’ll be easier to make up an excuse.”

That’s true.

But as a senior instructor, he must know the implications of getting involved directly.

‘He’s ready to take responsibility if something goes wrong.’

That’s the meticulous Jang Cheol-sim.

Some of his past reputation was restored.

“Please take care of them.”

Cho Un-hwi responded.

“We’ll see.”

***

He paced in front of the North Gate for a while.

It was late at night when he finally saw familiar clothing in the distance.

Jang Cheol-sim, who always maintained a neat appearance, looked quite disheveled, as if he had rushed over.

“You’re here on time.”

Nodding in greeting, Cho Un-hwi glanced behind him.

“Are these the students?”

A familiar-looking girl with a sullen expression and a plain-looking student followed.

Jang Cheol-sim nodded and spoke to them.

“Introduce yourselves. This is Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

“Hello. I’m Il-pyo.”

Il-pyo cautiously greeted, sensing the situation.

“Tsk. What’s this about in the middle of the night?”

The flamboyant girl pouted.

“And who is this? A temporary instructor? You’re leaving me with a temporary instructor?”

“Watch your mouth!”

Though reprimanded, Seo Ok-rang kept pouting.

She was all but shouting, “I’m upset!” with her entire demeanor, despite her mature appearance.

“Suzhou is known for its cuisine.”

“I heard there’s plenty to enjoy and play with.”

“There’s so much to enjoy in a glamorous place.”

“Why do I have to be with a temporary instructor?”

This isn’t glamorous.

It doesn’t sparkle.

“Can’t you do something, Senior Brother?”

Seeing her full of complaints, Jang Cheol-sim’s patience seemed to reach its limit.

“You ungrateful brat!”

With a burst of anger, Jang Cheol-sim scolded Seo Ok-rang.

“You thoughtless child!”

“Do you know how many people have suffered because of you?”

“As a disciple of the Cheongseong Sect, it’s bad enough that you indulge in luxury and spread rumors!”

“Do you need to be confined in the punishment room for ten years to come to your senses?”

At Jang Cheol-sim’s stern voice, Seo Ok-rang finally teared up.

Shaking his head, Jang Cheol-sim spoke with an unusually apologetic tone.

“Sorry for showing you this.”

“It’s fine.”

It was entertaining to watch.

“I might have been wrong. This girl is beyond saving. Forget my proposal.”

Clearly angry, he turned to leave, but Cho Un-hwi spoke.

“If you change your mind, you can always come back. Don’t worry.”

“…Thank you.”

Though it’s funny to say this after making a request.

“If she doesn’t improve at all, bring her back for punishment. I’ll take full responsibility.”

Seeing the usually authoritative Jang Cheol-sim show weakness, Seo Ok-rang seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation and started digging her foot into the ground.

Jang Cheol-sim pointed a finger at her.

“Just one week.”

By then, the important guests from the Namgung Clan will have left.

“After that, I can’t help you.”

So.

“Do whatever you want for five days, but enjoy your last days and come back.”

At his stern declaration, Seo Ok-rang’s face turned desperate.

“Do I really have to be punished?”

This is too much.

“It was just a prank. I was just curious.”

Ignoring her pleas, Jang Cheol-sim spoke coldly.

“As an adult, you must take responsibility for yourself.”

Whether out of curiosity or not.

“Especially as a martial artist living by the sword.”

Jang Cheol-sim turned and left without looking back.

And Seo Ok-rang.

“……”

She watched his retreating figure, biting her lip.

***

After Jang Cheol-sim left.

Looking at the sky, it was already starting to brighten in the distance.

‘Will he give me overtime pay?’

Since it’s a personal favor, maybe he’ll consider it.

As he pondered, he noticed the two students seemed to have grasped the reality.

“…I have no excuse.”

Fortunately, Il-pyo seemed to understand the situation and remained calm.

‘But the girl…’

Gritting her teeth, tears streamed from her big eyes.

Drip.

“Annoying.”

Tears fell as Seo Ok-rang screamed.

“Why do I have to go through this?”

“It was just a prank!”

“Ahhh!”

Even after screaming into the air, her anger didn’t subside, and she continued to fume.

“You!”

When her teary eyes turned to him.

“Sigh.”

Cho Un-hwi, who had been cleaning his ears, grinned.

“You?”

Hey, look at this.