Chapter 53: Summer Break and the Meetings (4)

The meeting with the Mo Yong Clan was over.

Cho Un-hwi, with a box of gifts tucked under one arm and a jar of wine under the other, was about to leave when Mo Yong So-hye caught up to him.

“I’ll walk you out,” she said.

As they walked, Mo Yong So-hye, sensing his good mood, cautiously broached a subject.

“Instructor.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Do you think Brother Yun-ho will be alright?”

“Why wouldn’t he be alright?”

“He doesn’t look well. Something happened recently…”

Mo Yong So-hye was about to launch into a detailed explanation, but then she noticed the corners of Cho Un-hwi’s lips twitching upwards.

‘He already knows.’

She didn’t even need to use her ability to read emotions. This suspicious instructor knew everything and had been simply observing the situation.

“Why are you pretending not to know?”

Now that she thought about it, he had been acting strangely.

“Know what?”

“About Brother Yun-ho.”

“A martial artist needs to learn to handle their own problems.”

“Is that so?”

“He’s going to face much worse things in the future. He needs to learn to deal with this on his own.”

Was he being serious?

It was an unusual statement coming from the perpetually lazy instructor. She was confused.

‘Should I read his emotions?’

She decided against it.

Even she could sense the sincerity in his voice.

“It’s good that you didn’t read my emotions. It’s a convenient ability, but you shouldn’t rely on it too much.”

Mo Yong So-hye was startled.

‘He knows about my ability?’

Even her own clan didn’t believe in her ability.

As if reading her mind, Cho Un-hwi said, “It’s an ability I’m familiar with.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He was such a strange instructor.

But she trusted him implicitly.

“Instructor, I have a question. What would you do if you were in Brother Yun-ho’s situation?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.”

He adjusted the box of gifts under his arm and said matter-of-factly, “No one has ever been foolish enough to try and force me to do anything.”

“Oh, come on.”

She had phrased her question poorly.

She rephrased it.

“What if every choice leads to a bad outcome? What should you do then?”

“That’s a tough one.”

Cho Un-hwi hummed thoughtfully and nodded.

“Pass the buck.”

“What? Pass the buck?”

“Why should I be the only one suffering? I’m going to make that bastard who put me in this situation suffer too.”

“That’s just spiteful.”

“The entire Murim world is spiteful.”

His answer was unhelpful.

Mo Yong So-hye tried again.

“But… but if you absolutely have to make a decision, what should you do?”

“Choose the option that will allow you to laugh, even if you lose everything and die in the end.”

His voice was heavy with conviction.

Mo Yong So-hye’s eyes lit up.

“The option that will allow you to laugh in the end?”

“Yes, there’s always that one choice, the one that will let you laugh without regret, even if everything else is gone.”

His words were filled with emotion, and Mo Yong So-hye felt a shiver run down her spine.

“Don’t you get it? Even if I’m screwed, if that bastard is screwed even worse, I can laugh my ass off, even as I’m dying.”

She immediately lost all respect for him.

“That’s pathetic. So pathetic.”

“I’m serious. If you make the right choice, you can laugh even as you’re burning in hell.”

“Hmph! Is that from personal experience?”

He chuckled as he adjusted the pouch of gifts.

“Who knows?”

***

As dusk settled, the streets were filled with the aroma of cooking. Cho Un-hwi strolled along, whistling a cheerful tune.

He felt a surge of Qi behind him.

It was coming from a dark alley.

He whistled again and walked towards the alley.

Someone was waiting for him in the shadows.

“My lord.”

It was Dokgo Yul.

“What’s going on? Why did you call me out here?”

“I’ve lured out the Hidden Moon Flying Thief.”

Cho Un-hwi had completely forgotten about the thief.

“Oh, right, that guy. I forgot all about him.”

It had been such a trivial matter.

“Did everything go smoothly?”

“It was easy. He took the bait as soon as I mentioned the item he’s after.”

“Thieves are so simple-minded. They’re easy to manipulate.”

“The bait was quite tempting.”

Sima Yul pulled a silvery cloth from his robe.

“The Shadowless Silk is a treasure that all thieves covet.”

The Shadowless Silk.

It was a legendary fabric woven from the silk of a spirit silkworm that lived in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

It was incredibly durable, lightweight, and elastic. Clothes made from Shadowless Silk could deflect swords and spears, and were impervious to fire and water.

‘Well, the Hidden Moon Flying Thief has other reasons for wanting it.’

But that wasn’t important.

“Now all we have to do is lure Yeom-gwang out.”

“I’ve already taken care of that. I planted the exit permit that Head Instructor Chung-hyeon gave you on your desk.”

Dokgo Yul was dependable, as always.

He had already set the trap.

“Good. It’s almost too easy.”

“He’s a insignificant worm. You don’t need to waste your energy on him.”

He praised Dokgo Yul, then asked, “So, how’s the Euncheon Hall takeover going?”

“It’s going smoothly. But I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

It was rare for Dokgo Yul to ask for anything, so he was curious.

“What kind of favor?”

“Well… would it be alright if I summoned Danya?”

“Danya?”

“I need someone to work in the shadows. My identity is too exposed, and I’m not very good at gathering information and manipulating people.”

“That’s true.”

Dokgo Yul was competent, but he specialized in assassination and destruction.

Danya was the most skilled at gathering information and manipulating people among the Dark Soul Black Wind Guard.

‘Danya…’

He was probably somewhere, being hailed as the Emperor of the Night. He would be a valuable asset to Dokgo Yul.

But there was one problem.

“If Danya gets involved, the other Black Wind Guards will find out.”

“That’s inevitable.”

And then what?

It was simple. The entire Dark Soul Black Wind Guard, with their unwavering loyalty, might descend upon the academy.

He felt a headache coming on.

“…I’ll think about summoning Danya.”

“As you wish, my lord. I can handle things on my own for now. But it might get overwhelming in the future.”

Dokgo Yul didn’t seem to like the idea of relying on the Hao Clan.

‘But I can’t involve the Black Wind Guard.’

He couldn’t risk disrupting his peaceful life.

***

The next day, Cho Un-hwi went to the instructors’ office, but it was almost empty.

“Everyone’s busy, I guess.”

The family meetings had begun in earnest. Instructor Jo Hyeon, who was on duty, was dozing off at her desk.

He found his exit permit sitting prominently on his desk.

“There it is.”

Yeom-gwang would definitely see it.

“The meeting is… tomorrow evening?”

He had plenty of time.

‘Wait, I think Namgung Yun-ho said he was leaving in five days…’

As he was calculating the dates, Instructor Jo Hyeon woke up with a start.

“Oh, Instructor Cho.”

“You look tired.”

“I had three family meetings yesterday.”

She added that she hadn’t even had time to sleep because she had been so nervous.

“By the way, how’s Instructor Yeo doing? I’m struggling with eleven students, and she has over thirty.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.”

She glared at him.

“You’re so cold. You should be more supportive. Bad boys aren’t popular.”

“Why should I be supportive?”

It wasn’t like he was trying to sabotage her marriage prospects.

She ignored his question.

“Haha, a little push and pull is good for a relationship.”

He had no idea what she was talking about.

He pocketed his exit permit and left the office.

***

‘Next is the Baek Ri Clan, right?’

He retraced his steps, and soon, the familiar path to the Muhan Branch came into view.

The imposing manor stood at the end of the path.

He scratched his head as he saw the sign that read “Muhan Branch.”

“I never thought I’d be back here…”

He had beaten up the clan leader and trashed their annex just a few weeks ago. Even the most carefree person would have a hard time returning with a smile.

“Well, what could possibly go wrong?”

He shrugged off his unease and approached the gate.

Two warriors stopped him.

“Halt! This is the Muhan Branch.”

“State your name and business.”

Their voices were sharp, their gazes piercing.

They looked ready to draw their swords at the slightest provocation.

‘It’s understandable. It hasn’t been long since the demonic practitioners attacked.’

They were just being cautious.

He sighed and pulled out his instructor’s badge.

“I’m Cho Un-hwi, an instructor from Dongcheon Hall. I have a family meeting scheduled for today.”

The warriors’ faces turned pale.

“An instructor from Dongcheon Hall…”

“…Cho Un-hwi?”

Why were they so surprised?

They frantically pounded on the gate.

“Open up! Open up!”

“The young lady’s guest has arrived!”

They looked at him with fear in their eyes, like children who had encountered a tiger.

He looked around.

‘There’s nothing there.’

He was puzzled by their strange reaction.

Then, he heard the sound of drums coming from inside the manor.

The gates creaked open.

He was stunned by what he saw.

“What the…?”

A red carpet stretched from the gate to the main hall. Baek Ri Clan warriors lined the path, their heads bowed respectfully.

“He’s here! He’s here!”

“What are you waiting for? Move it!”

“The fire in the stove is dying! Bring more wood!”

Maids and servants scurried around, their faces flushed.

‘What’s going on?’

He wondered if he had come on the wrong day.

“What are you doing? Follow the plan!”

He heard Baek Ri-seol’s voice, full of energy.

The warriors turned to him and shouted in unison,

“Welcome to the Muhan Branch, esteemed guest!”

Baek Ri-seol, dressed in a red robe, stood at the end of the path, a triumphant smile on her face.

‘Oh, my head.’

***

As soon as he stepped inside the manor, Baek Ri-seol rushed towards him.

“Instructor!”

She launched herself at him, attempting a flying hug.

He sidestepped, and she lowered her stance, her hands raised threateningly.

“Why are you dodging me?”

“Why are you attacking me?”

“It’s a gesture of affection! A loving welcome!”

They had just seen each other three days ago.

She closed the distance between them and hugged him tightly.

“It’s like we haven’t seen each other in ten years.”

“No, it’s not.”

He shook his head, looking down at her hair as she nuzzled against his chest.

“What’s going on today? Why are there so many people?”

“It’s the day you’re visiting.”

That was true, but…

This was a bit too extravagant for a family meeting.

And then, he noticed something else.

“What are those people dragging away?”

“lunch. You need to eat well.”

“I’m not eating three bulls and seven pigs for lunch.”

“It’s a simple meal, but please enjoy it.”

He suspected that Baek Ri-seol’s true motive was to assassinate him.

The cause of death would be either a burst stomach or suffocation from overeating.

As he was feeling bewildered, he heard a cough.

“Ahem, welcome.”

It was Baek Ri Seon-ho.

He stood before him, flanked by the subdued Muhan Branch leader and his wife.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we? I’m Baek Ri Seon-ho. This is my nephew, the Muhan Branch leader, and his wife.”

He seemed unaware of the previous incident and greeted him like a stranger.

“I-I’m Baek Ri Jeong-sun, the Muhan Branch leader.”

“I-it’s an honor to meet you, Instructor Cho.”

They were trembling, clearly terrified.

He didn’t like seeing them so afraid, but…

‘Well, at least they’re keeping their promise to stay silent.’

He returned their greeting, and Baek Ri Seon-ho gestured towards the manor.

“Come inside. Seol-i has been looking forward to your visit.”