Chapter v18c5

“Yeeesss! Is, is that really true?”

“It is.”

Compared to Yoon Jun-Ho’s shocked exclamation, bordering on a pre-faint shriek, Martial Arts Master Go Dok-Han’s answer was incredibly short, almost insultingly dismissive.

“Master Go, i-is that really, really, really truly true? Or maybe there’s someone with the same name …”

He had been receiving more favorable treatment and recognition thanks to his small but noticeable contribution at the Hwasan Convention. However, it seemed he was struggling the most to break free from his pre-existing self-image.

“If you are indeed Yoon Jun-Ho, a third-year student from the Hwasan Sect at Cheonmu Academy, then it’s true. Congratulations. You’ve been selected as an examiner for the ‘Ascending Martial Arts Competition,’ Cheonmu Academy’s entrance examination. I expect you to do your best.”

“Such an honor! Th-thank you, Master!”

Yoon Jun-Ho shouted with joy and ran like the wind towards his friends.

This happened just before Yoon Jun-Ho burst into the Lovers of Young Ladies Club building with formidable momentum.

* * *

“So?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s reaction to Yoon Jun-Ho’s breathless announcement of his unexpected selection as an entrance examiner was utterly indifferent. It was a far cry from the excitement the young man had expected.

“Huh? I, I was chosen to be an examiner for the entrance exam at Cheonmu Academy! Aren’t you surprised?”

“Not really.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon crushed the young man’s hopes once again. Yoon Jun-Ho was trembling with excitement, but Bi Ryu-Yeon remained unimpressed.

“Is it really that big of a deal? Worth questioning its validity countless times?”

“H-how did you know?”

Yoon Jun-Ho stammered, startled by his insight. He had, in fact, repeatedly questioned Master Go about the truth of his selection.

“A person’s words and actions reflect their current state. It’s obvious, even without looking. Was it that unbelievable? Your selection?”

“Of course it was! I, I was chosen to be an examiner for the ‘Ascending Martial Arts Competition,’ Cheonmu Academy’s entrance exam! It’s a huge honor! And it’s me! Can you believe it?”

He was so overwhelmed that he was about to burst into tears. Bi Ryu-Yeon frowned, his tone sharp.

“What’s the big deal? It’s just manual labor. The masters get to relax while we, the students, do all the work. It’s just menial work, being ‘human measuring sticks,’ evaluating the worth of newbies.”

“M-manual labor? How could you say such a thing?”

Yoon Jun-Ho looked around nervously, worried that someone might overhear, and then pleaded,

“P-please, don’t ever say that again! Everyone considers it an honor!”

“What was that? Say it again.”

If Yoon Jun-Ho thought his friend would actually listen to his advice, he clearly didn’t understand Bi Ryu-Yeon. Bi Ryu-Yeon grabbed Yoon Jun-Ho’s right ear, pulled it towards his mouth, and shouted, as if determined to make him remember this even in his dreams,

“Manual labor! It’s manual labor! There’s no doubt about it! And the worst kind: unpaid manual labor! Honor, my foot! It’s just a cheap way to get things done. And you’re just an assistant examiner, basically a glorified punching bag, running errands for the masters. The old geezers are too lazy to move a muscle, so they dangle this so-called ‘honor’ to exploit us youngsters. Since martial arts are more about practical skills than theory, we get to demonstrate them.”

As if that wasn’t enough, he added,

“We’re just tools, not judges.”

And then he delivered the final blow.

“So enjoy your little moment of glory, but don’t drag me into it. It’s tiring. Got it?”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Now let go of my ear! It hurts, Ryu-Yeon!”

“Fine!”

He finally let go of Yoon Jun-Ho’s ear, which he had been stretching like a rubber band. Yoon Jun-Ho, his eyes teary with pain, said,

“You really hate it that much? You’re the only one who doesn’t think it’s an honor.”

“Why should I agree with someone else’s values? I don’t understand that logic. I hate being someone else’s tool.”

“I don’t quite understand.”

“I’m not asking for your understanding, and there’s no need for it. They’re my values, not yours. Just don’t try to force me into clothes that don’t fit.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon continued, his tone unwavering, looking at the dejected Yoon Jun-Ho.

“Besides, the exam is too formal. I doubt they can truly select qualified individuals with such a rigid, standardized method.”

“Are you saying there’s a problem with the ‘Ascending Martial Arts Competition’?”

“Of course! As an exam, it should be evaluating potential, not just the present.”

“Well, that’s… true…”

“So you think you can assess someone’s future potential with the current method?”

“Maybe?”

“It’s possible or it’s not. What’s with the vague answers? You need to be clear about your opinions! What good are opinions if you don’t express them? Will they decorate your home someday?”

“S-sorry.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon shouted, even angrier at his immediate apology.

“Why are you apologizing?! Stop with the meaningless apologies! It’s worse than saying nothing at all! A thoughtless apology is just a reflex. How can there be any sincerity if you don’t even know what you did wrong? Such empty apologies are nothing but an annoyance! They’re offensive!”

He was already in a bad mood.

“And what’s most infuriating is that I’m on the list too! My opinion was completely ignored!”

“But you’re already chosen…”

He couldn’t bring himself to suggest rejecting it. It was too important.

“Are you saying I should just give up because I’m chosen?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s voice was sharp.

“W-well…”

Yoon Jun-Ho flinched at his aggressive tone.

“Why should I?”

The emotions behind Bi Ryu-Yeon’s words began to surface.

“Why should I accept something I didn’t agree to? Without even receiving an explanation? Because they’re superiors? Because I’m just a student? Should students blindly obey orders? Is that how Cheonmu Academy operates? So arbitrarily, passively, and uncreatively?

“…”

Yoon Jun-Ho was at a loss for words. Bi Ryu-Yeon’s reaction was so unexpected that he didn’t know how to react. It seemed the timid young man still had a lot to learn.

“You’ll never improve if you just blindly follow orders! If you don’t want to be stuck in the same place forever, you have to walk on your own!”

He couldn’t blame Yoon Jun-Ho entirely, of course, but he couldn’t help raising his voice.

As the saying goes: A family that accumulates virtue will surely have an abundance of blessings, and a family that accumulates evil will surely have a surplus of misfortune. Nothing happened overnight. It was the culmination of various environmental, educational, and psychological factors, but ultimately, one was responsible for their own actions. The world could be cruel and unfair at times.

Bi Ryu-Yeon sighed and abruptly stood up, striding towards the door with unwavering determination.

“W-where are you going?”

Yoon Jun-Ho asked hurriedly.

“To refuse!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied curtly.

“A-already?”

He thought it was a bit too hasty, even for him.

“You’ll never achieve anything just by thinking. It’s my principle to minimize the distance between thought and action. Your convictions are meant to be upheld, not broken.”

With that, Bi Ryu-Yeon slammed the door shut.

“Hyo-Ryong, do you think he’ll really go? To refuse?”

Hyo-Ryong nodded at Yoon Jun-Ho’s question.

“Of course! You know how he is. Do you think he’ll take back his words?”

“I suppose so.”

“This is going to be troublesome.”

“Perhaps…”

Yoon Jun-Ho agreed. No one could stop Bi Ryu-Yeon in this state. They could only stand back and watch, feigning ignorance, until his rampage (disguised as ‘walking’) subsided. This was when his practiced whistling skills came in handy.

The only consolation was that they weren’t the target of his wrath. Yoon Jun-Ho and Hyo-Ryong found a small measure of comfort and solace in the fact that they were Bi Ryu-Yeon’s friends – even if it made them cowards.