Chapter 163 – Seo Ok-rang (7)

*Clatter. Clatter.*

A white carriage swiftly traveled down the road.

Inside the splendid carriage adorned with gold decorations sat an elderly man and a middle-aged man facing each other.

The elderly man, gazing at the clouds passing by outside the window, had neatly arranged white hair and wore a spotless white robe, resembling a celestial being descended from the heavens.

But there was something different about the elderly man compared to his cloud-like appearance: his presence.

Even in the spacious carriage, which could comfortably seat ten people, the elderly man’s presence filled and overflowed the space.

As the elderly man, with a long white beard flowing down to his navel, spoke, his voice was tinged with nostalgia.

“Time has passed so quickly.”

The elderly man’s eyes held a distant look.

The middle-aged man sitting opposite him responded.

“They must have forgotten. Foolish people.”

The elderly man glanced at the middle-aged man, who was roughly crumpling a scroll with his sturdy hands.

“Ten years is a long time.”

“But it’s too short a time to forget the prestige of the Great Namgung Clan.”

The elderly man smiled at the confident reply.

“Don’t be too harsh. They are ignorant.”

“The Murim Alliance.”

The middle-aged man, Namgung Clan Leader Namgung Musan, expressed his displeasure with anger in his black-and-white eyes.

“They must think our clan is a joke to send such one-sided demands.”

Namgung Musan’s dissatisfaction was evident.

“Don’t be too uncomfortable. The Murim Alliance must have their reasons.”

The Heavenly Destruction Society.

They seem to be having a hard time dealing with them.

“No matter the reason, the Murim Alliance’s demands are excessive.”

Namgung Musan remained adamant.

As someone with immense pride in the Namgung Clan, he found it unacceptable that the clan had to step in just to catch a few demonic practitioners.

“I don’t like their request either.”

– Please take care of the Blood Tear Stone.

Asking the clan to use its power for a mere stone was an affront to their pride.

“It’s not all bad. The Blood Tear Stone piques my interest.”

Namgung Chan, who had seen many rare treasures in his life, found the Blood Tear Stone to be something he had never heard of before.

“A stone that hides the secret of different types of true qi.”

Isn’t it fascinating?

“If we can unlock the secret of the Blood Tear Stone, it will greatly enhance our clan’s power.”

Despite Namgung Chan’s words, Namgung Musan wasn’t entirely convinced.

“No matter how extraordinary a demonic object is, it can’t compare to our clan’s martial arts.”

The ability to control different types of true qi was indeed fascinating.

“But relying on objects for power instead of achieving enlightenment through deep training holds no value.”

“You’re right.”

Namgung Chan smiled.

“And also wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“Having mastered the Emperor Sword Technique, you can undoubtedly defeat any strong opponent in the world.”

Pride flashed across Namgung Musan’s face at his father’s words.

“But.”

Namgung Chan’s voice lowered.

“Our clan’s martial arts are too profound.”

“Isn’t that what makes our martial arts the best in the world?”

Namgung Chan leisurely stroked his white beard and smiled.

“But there’s a drawback.”

A drawback?

“Only those chosen, like you and me, can master our profound martial arts.”

“Ah!”

“How many can truly grasp the essence of our martial arts when it takes extreme talent to understand even a fragment of our swordsmanship?”

This had always been his regret.

“You are the clan leader.”

It’s not enough to simply achieve the title of the best in the world.

“Throughout history, many have been called the best in the world.”

“But most only made a name for themselves in their time.”

“But you are the clan leader who must establish the foundation for the next thousand years.”

That’s what it means to be the head of the clan.

Namgung Chan advised his son.

“You must be able to embrace even those who are lacking.”

In that sense, the Blood Tear Stone might be a good opportunity.

Reflecting on the admonishment, Namgung Musan spoke.

“…I was short-sighted.”

The Blood Tear Stone isn’t something to be taken lightly.

“Furthermore, the Heavenly Destruction Society also catches my eye.”

They claim to bring down the heavens.

“The heavens of the Jianghu refer to our Namgung Clan, don’t they?”

Namgung Chan laughed heartily at the confident reply.

“Haha! Indeed, you are right.”

“I will decide not because of the Murim Alliance’s request, but as the leader of the greatest clan in the world.”

The Blood Tear Stone and the Heavenly Destruction Society.

We will handle these treacherous things as the Namgung Clan sees fit.

“You are the clan leader. Your decision is the clan’s decision.”

Namgung Chan nodded heartily.

“Everything will go as you wish.”

When the Namgung Clan desires something, it naturally comes to pass.

Satisfied with his son’s confident growth as the clan leader, Namgung Chan turned his gaze back to the window.

“The Blood Tear Stone…”

Namgung Chan stroked his white beard.

“I hope it can alleviate this old man’s boredom.”

By then, the warnings from the Beggars’ Sect were long forgotten.

***

“Oh!”

Cho Un-hwi exclaimed as he read the letter from Jang Cheol-sim.

“What does it say?”

A while ago, they had handed over the vagabond they caught in Maegumgul through Jang Cheol-sim.

After a brief report on their recent activities, they finally received a reply.

“It’s nothing much.”

Cho Un-hwi casually showed the letter.

“They recognized your achievements and nullified your punishment.”

Seo Ok-rang jumped with joy.

“Wow! Really?”

Her face, which had been haggard from stress, now showed relief.

“Despite everything, the academy’s goal is to nurture talent.”

Even if someone commits a crime, if they prove they can reform, the academy doesn’t cut ties coldly.

“…I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

‘I didn’t know either.’

I just followed Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim’s mutterings.

‘The investigation by my subordinates helped a lot too.’

Anyway, this concludes the matter peacefully.

“Now you can go back. They said the demerits and extra points will cancel each other out.”

But don’t relax too much.

“There will still be some punishment.”

Though he spoke sternly, Seo Ok-rang and Il-pyo were all smiles.

“A bit of probation is fine. It’s better than expulsion.”

“Even though re-education is tedious, I can endure it.”

Not being expelled is a blessing.

Though there will be some bad rumors, they can manage.

‘Is this troublesome matter finally over?’

Time to go back to my lazy life.

But there’s something to do first.

“You know, right? It’s all thanks to me.”

So.

“When you do the instructor evaluations, make sure to write ‘should double his salary.'”

Il-pyo, shocked, asked.

“Do we really have to do that?”

“Of course.”

I need to escape this low-paying life.

***

The journey back to Suzhou was leisurely.

Seo Ok-rang, walking with a light step, muttered beside him.

“When we first fled in the middle of the night, it seemed hopeless.”

She leaned closer and smiled.

“I never thought we’d return in triumph so quickly.”

“Really?”

“By the way, do you have any plans after this, Instructor?”

“I’m a busy person.”

Even with sleepy eyes, a busy adult won’t be fooled.

Adding to his statement, Seo Ok-rang pouted.

“You always say you’re busy…”

“I’m popular and capable, so of course I’m busy.”

“But I heard you eat alone and laze around.”

“That’s all lies.”

Cho Un-hwi, maintaining his facade, made Seo Ok-rang sulk.

“Stop pretending to be busy and make some time. I’ll treat you.”

“Just give me money instead.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.”

Clicking her tongue, Seo Ok-rang was annoyed.

In fact, she had grown quite fond of this temporary instructor.

‘He’s skilled and shows unexpected competence.’

What she liked most was his oddly mature atmosphere.

‘He doesn’t seem much older than me.’

Just being around him felt reassuring. His human side, different from the businesslike instructors she had known, was endearing.

‘I need to find a connection.’

Surviving expulsion reignited her playful and romantic feelings.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“What look?”

“Like a lioness eyeing her prey.”

“That’s rude!”

Seo Ok-rang shouted and changed her strategy.

“Hmph! I was trying to help someone living alone.”

“Help? What help?”

“I’m quite popular at Euncheon Hall. I could be helpful.”

For example.

“I could recommend a talented person.”

“Why would I need that?”

“When you become a full instructor, you’ll need to take on students, right?”

“Gasp!”

Seo Ok-rang’s eyes narrowed as she saw his surprised face.

“Don’t tell me… you planned to slack off forever?”

“No.”

Despite his words, the cold sweat running down his sharp jawline betrayed him.

‘Hit the mark.’

Seo Ok-rang pressed her advantage.

“Euncheon Hall is highly competitive for students.”

“Instructors compete fiercely for talented students.”

“Do you think you can compete with renowned instructors without a sect or motivation?”

“Especially with your bad reputation!”

“Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.”

Seeing him slowly sinking, Seo Ok-rang smiled triumphantly.

“See! I’m a valuable asset.”

Cho Un-hwi, clutching his chest, asked in a dejected voice.

“Alright. Who do you recommend?”

“First, me.”

“Rejected.”

Seo Ok-rang pouted and added.

“…Someone comparable to me.”

She listed a few names.

“Huh. You know Tang Ae-hui?”

“Yes. We’re quite close.”

The precious daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

She boasted about her friendship with Tang Ae-hui, but Cho Un-hwi didn’t react.

‘Maybe because she’s from a prestigious family?’

As a temporary instructor from a rural sect, he might be wary of students from prominent families.

She continued listing suitable names.

“Who?”

For the first time, Cho Un-hwi reacted.

“Huh? Seol-hyang?”

“Yes. Her name sounds familiar…”

It can’t be.

Seo Ok-rang, surprised, said.

“Not many people know about Jin Seol-hyang.”

She’s a girl with little presence.

“She rarely talks about herself.”

“No, it’s familiar. Strangely.”

“That’s unexpected.”

As Seo Ok-rang pressed her lips with her finger, Cho Un-hwi, lagging behind, caught Il-pyo’s attention.

“Instructor, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Reaching into his pocket, Cho Un-hwi frowned.

“…I seem to have dropped my money pouch.”

“Huh? How careless.”

“Haha. That’s me.”

Il-pyo adjusted his crutch and stepped forward.

“Let’s go back and look for it together.”

“It’s fine. You’re injured.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll find it and catch up soon.”

Go on ahead.

Pushing them forward, the two exchanged puzzled glances.

When Seo Ok-rang and Il-pyo disappeared beyond the road.

“Sigh. This is a problem.”

Cho Un-hwi’s demeanor changed.

“I was glad to hear good news after a while.”

His gaze toward the sky was filled with displeasure.

“What’s this troublesome thing?”

*Thud.*

Cho Un-hwi launched his body toward the irritating presence.