Chapter 29: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
The weather was bright and clear.
For late winter, it was unusually warm.
“A perfect day for a journey,” Sabigang murmured as he surveyed the cadets gathered in the courtyard of the special class.
Some cadets looked at him with anticipation, but most wore expressions of worry or discontent.
Sabigang, however, paid little attention to their faces.
“You’re all excited, I’m sure. But remember, this training journey is the real deal. You’ll face many challenges in the martial world. If you’re unlucky, you might find yourselves in dangerous situations. So, be cautious in everything you do. Understood?”
“Yes…” the cadets replied half-heartedly.
Sabigang shrugged and took a step forward.
“Alright, let’s get going.”
“Wait a moment.”
A clear voice suddenly interrupted.
All eyes turned to the source.
It was Mok Danhwa, arms crossed and looking displeased.
“Is every cadet here going on this journey?”
“Of course. Every member of the special class is going.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why?”
“As far as I know, Neung Soso and Dan Lijeong haven’t paid their fees.”
At her words, the cadets murmured, glancing at Neung Soso and Dan Lijeong. Already marked as misfits, the two shrank under the scrutiny.
Sabigang spoke nonchalantly.
“They haven’t paid, but we have enough funds.”
“That’s not the point. It’s about fairness. If they can join without paying, what does that make those of us who did pay?”
Her argument resonated with the cadets, who nodded in agreement.
Sabigang chuckled.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t plan to let them travel for free.”
“Then…?”
“They’ll work. Those two will handle my errands and various chores during the journey.”
“But…!”
“If you still think it’s unfair, I can refund your fee. In return, you can do the chores. Anything I ask, without complaint. More hands are always welcome, and I have plenty of funds.”
Mok Danhwa bit her lip and glared at him.
Sabigang looked around at the cadets.
“So, if anyone wants to work off their fee, step forward. I’ll make you my assistant. Heh heh.”
His gaze lingered on Mok Danhwa, deliberately.
‘That perverted instructor…!’ she thought, turning her head away in disgust.
No one volunteered. They all knew that stepping forward would mean being marked by Sabigang and facing all sorts of hardships during the journey.
“Alright, then. If there are no more objections, let’s move out!”
Finally, the special class cadets began to march.
As they passed through various halls and reached the main courtyard, a crowd had gathered to see them off.
The special class had been the subject of much talk, so many cadets and instructors had come to watch.
“Look, it’s Instructor Sabigang from the special class.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be a real piece of work?”
“I heard he’s actually quite entertaining.”
“Three months on a training journey… I’m a bit envious.”
As the cadets murmured, Maeseollan and Juyucheon descended the central stairs.
She had just reported to the headmaster about their departure.
Juyucheon approached Sabigang.
“I’ve given my approval, but there must be no incidents. The safety of the cadets is paramount.”
“Understood. Don’t worry.”
Sabigang smiled—a smile that was both reassuring and slightly unsettling.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from outside the main gate, accompanied by a cloud of dust.
“What’s that?”
“What’s going on?”
The cadets and instructors turned their attention to the commotion.
As the dust settled, the shapes became clear.
“My goodness, what is all that?”
“Horses? Two, four… six… ten? Ten horses!”
The cadets exclaimed in surprise.
Juyucheon, eyes wide, looked at the scene at the gate.
A six-horse carriage and a four-horse carriage.
Both carriages were extravagantly decorated, especially the six-horse one, which was so grand it left everyone speechless.
Gojoksan, who had jumped down from the driver’s seat of the six-horse carriage, approached Sabigang.
“Sorry for the delay!”
“It’s fine. We were just about to leave. Good work.”
With that, Gojoksan stepped back, and Juyucheon asked, bewildered.
“What is all this?”
“Since it’s a long journey, I thought it necessary.”
“But why such luxurious carriages…?”
“While I don’t expect it, if we have multiple injuries, there’s no safer way to transport them.”
“True, but… this is…”
Juyucheon, peering inside the carriage, was at a loss for words.
It was like a luxury suite, reminiscent of a high-class brothel.
The decor was lavish and somewhat suggestive.
In fact, these carriages had been acquired from the Black Serpent Gang in lieu of cash.
Sabigang added, “I assure you, I have no intention of doing anything untoward with Miss Mae in there.”
“Ahem! Well, as long as it’s within the rules.”
Since it wasn’t against regulations, Juyucheon didn’t press further.
Meanwhile, Sabigang instructed the cadets to load their luggage onto the four-horse carriage.
The onlookers watched with envy.
“So, where are you headed?”
“We have a final destination, but first, we’ll stop by Angang.”
“Angang? That area has four major martial sects. It should be educational for the cadets.”
“Yes, it’s a must-visit.”
Sabigang replied, his eyes gleaming with a different intent.
He thought to himself, ‘There’s a reason we must go there. I hope we’re not too late.’
**
The first night of the journey was spent camping outdoors.
Complaints arose from the cadets.
The most vocal was Mok Danhwa.
Settling under a tree, she bit her lower lip in frustration.
“Annoying man.”
She was, of course, referring to Sabigang.
Nothing about him pleased her.
Even the camping was his doing.
They had passed a village late in the afternoon, but Sabigang insisted on pressing on.
They had walked almost non-stop since the morning.
Some cadets grumbled, but Sabigang just laughed it off, saying, “We should walk the most when we’re full of energy.”
Meanwhile, he traveled comfortably in the luxurious six-horse carriage with Maeseollan.
That wasn’t the only thing that irked her.
While the other cadets walked, Neung Soso drove the six-horse carriage, and Dan Lijeong drove the four-horse one.
Neung Soso managed the horses, and Dan Lijeong handled various errands, but they were essentially exempt from the grueling march.
‘It’s blatantly unfair!’
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to ask Sabigang to make her an assistant.
Frustrated, she noticed Dan Lijeong passing by with a bundle of hay.
‘Is that for the horses?’
At her signal, Min Yuhyang called out to him.
“Hey, you!”
“Uh… me?”
Dan Lijeong asked, puzzled.
“Yes, you! Who else is here?”
“Oh, sorry…”
“Come here.”
Though hesitant, Dan Lijeong approached.
Baek Mireong tripped him, causing him to fall.
“Ouch!”
He dropped the hay as he stumbled.
Min Yuhyang and Baek Mireong laughed.
“Ha ha. How do you plan to learn martial arts with such a weak body?”
“Are you going to get eaten by the horse feed?”
Despite their taunts, Dan Lijeong only managed an awkward smile.
He knew better than to get on Mok Danhwa’s bad side.
Mok Danhwa, arms crossed, approached him.
“Neung Soso is supposed to handle the horses. Why are you carrying this?”
“Well, actually…”
As Dan Lijeong hesitated, Mok Danhwa smirked inwardly.
‘Birds of a feather.’
She gracefully sat on the hay bundle.
Dan Lijeong looked troubled.
“Uh, this isn’t right…”
“Spread it out.”
“What?”
“Spread it here. I’ll use it as my bed. Go get more for the horses.”
“But I can’t do that. Because…”
“Quiet! You’re a servant, aren’t you? We paid, so you should listen to us.”
“Even so, this hay is…”
“Enough. Spread it out.”
Mok Danhwa gave him no room to argue.
When Dan Lijeong tried to protest again, she sharply cut him off.
“Just do it!”
Startled, Dan Lijeong froze, and Mok Danhwa drew her sword, cutting the ties on the hay bundle.
Just then, the rolled-up hay bale unfurled like a scroll.
“What the…? It’s all set up like a perfect bed!”
Mok Dan-hwa chuckled and sprawled out on it.
It had a bit of a musty smell, but it was enough to keep the chill of the ground at bay.
Meanwhile, Dan Ri-jeong’s face turned ashen.
Mok Dan-hwa, enjoying the moment, said, “You should go now.”
“The hay bale…”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong pushed Dan Ri-jeong away.
“Didn’t you hear? She said go.”
“Go tell Soso we took it from you. Ha ha ha.”
Just then, a voice interrupted.
“Jeong-ah, what are you doing there?”
“Oh, Instructor.”
Sa Bi-gang was walking over. Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong froze and glared. Mok Dan-hwa also sat up slightly, looking at Sa Bi-gang with defiance.
As Sa Bi-gang approached, he frowned deeply at Mok Dan-hwa.
“What are you doing in my latrine?”
“What did you say?”
“I asked what you’re doing lying there.”
“I’m trying to sleep. Why?”
“In my latrine?”
“What do you mean, latrine?”
Sa Bi-gang tilted his head and looked at Dan Ri-jeong.
“You didn’t tell her?”
“Wait. What are you talking about? Now!”
Mok Dan-hwa interjected again.
Dan Ri-jeong stammered, his face pale. “Uh, well… that’s not a hay bale for feeding horses.”
“What? Then what is it?”
“It’s my portable latrine.”
Sa Bi-gang chimed in. “A portable latrine…”
“As the leader, it’s inefficient for everyone to stop and wait while I do my business. So I set up my own private latrine in the carriage. I made sure to clean up immediately, though.”
“That’s… that’s…”
“But it seems it wasn’t such a great idea. The smell was starting to linger in the carriage, so I was about to get rid of it.”
“So, this is…”
Dan Ri-jeong fidgeted nervously. “I was actually on my way to dispose of it. But then you…”
Mok Dan-hwa’s face turned ghostly white as realization dawned on her. The subtle stench she’d been ignoring suddenly made sense.
“Aaaah!”
She screamed and leapt up as if she’d been electrocuted.
“This is embarrassing.”
Sa Bi-gang scratched the back of his head, and Dan Ri-jeong cautiously suggested, “Instructor, maybe you could just make a hole in the carriage floor?”
“Hmm… but then the cadets would see my business dropping below the carriage every time. I think I’ll just do it outside.”
“Yes… that sounds better.”
Meanwhile, Mok Dan-hwa slumped against a tree, looking utterly defeated.
Regardless, Sa Bi-gang led Dan Ri-jeong away, asking, “Where’s Soso?”
“She’s burning incense to get rid of the smell in the carriage.”
“You all work hard. Once she’s done, tell Soso to come to my carriage.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, by the way.”
Sa Bi-gang glanced back at Mok Dan-hwa with a smirk. “If you really like it, feel free to use it as a bed. Everyone’s preferences should be respected, after all.”
“Who… who would… this kind of…”
Mok Dan-hwa glared daggers at Sa Bi-gang’s retreating back.
“I’ll curse you forever! Sa Bi-gang! I’ll curse you!”
Her eyes were already glistening with tears.