16 Chapter 16 (1/2)
'Thinking about it…'
It had been fifty years since the land had been classified as banned on the grounds of the presence of Wailing Grass.
At that time, there were a few people that would create issues out of nothing.
One of them was a man known today by the grand name of River Sword King.
But at the time, he was only an arrogant child.
Kang-hyuk, being unable to stand the child's attitude, had dragged him to this place by the neck and gave him a thorough beating.
He recalled how the boy had screamed back then.
”Hahaha!”
Kang-hyuk burst out in laughter at the recollection of the ridiculous situation.
'Maybe the rumours of Wailing Grass became more confirmed from people hearing the boy's screams.'
Baek-gap looked up anxiously at Kang-hyuk's sudden burst of laughter.
”Wh-what's the matter?”
Unfortunately, this matter wasn't something Kang-hyuk could disclose to him.
”It's nothing. We should quickly get to work now.”
”Yes, I understand. But what are your intentions for the Baby Ginseng? Are you going to sell it?”
”I'm going to feed it to the kids.”
”What?”
”Why are you so surprised? Isn't it a common practice to give the students that answer a question correctly some sort of sweet or snack?”
”Well, isn't that only for little kids…”
”Whether you are an adult or a child, all people have increased motivation when there is a reward of some sort. Anyway, my idea is to candy them in honey and give them to the students.”
”Is that why you bought honey yesterday?”
At that moment, Baek-gap had an unfortunate premonition.
”Then, who is going to be making these? You and I are the only people who know about there being Baby Ginseng here.”
”You think I'm going to do it?”
”....”
His premonition came to fruition.
***
Around half a day had passed.
Soon enough, the practice plot was ready. However, Baek-gap was still busy in action.
As he was taking 150 Baby Ginseng roots to the kitchen, he felt that they were in need of a maid.
He had also been given the task of transporting the remaining compost from the White Sun Valley to the practice plot.
Observing Baek-gap's state, Kang-hyuk stroked his chin habitually, but he still found it odd stroking such a smooth chin.
'I'm sure I could hire a few more workers.'
He remembered that the Academy did have a teaching assistant system. Each teacher could have up to three assistants.
After thinking about finding a good assistant, Kang-hyuk returned to finishing off the practice plot.
***
It was evening, and Baek-gap was headed to Jimilgak for reporting. It was the first visit to Jimilgak for the Leader, Mu-jin since the banquet incident.
”I've come to see the Leader!”
Baek-gap instantly prostrated before Mu-jin.
”You may stand up.”
”Yes!”
Baek-gap quickly got up.
”What's happened to you? It's only been a few days and your complexion has turned pale.”
Baek-gap lowered his head at Mu-jin's question.
”I apologize. I've been busy all day with clearing the practice plot and preparing the Baby Ginseng roots…”
”Practice plot? Baby Ginseng?”
Baek-gap relayed the full details to Mu-jin. Upon hearing the story, Mu-jin was unable to stop laughing.
”Hahahaha!”
”...?”
Mu-jin wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.
He couldn't believe that not only was Kang-hyuk making the forbidden land into a practice plot, but he was intending on giving the precious Baby Ginseng he found to the students as candied treats!
But, Mu-jin felt Kang-hyuk must have made these decisions after careful thought.
The real reason for Mu-jin's laughter was because he too was aware of the truth behind the screams of the 'Wailing Grass'.
'When that boy screamed, he really screamed. Noonim had to spread rumours about a non-existent Wailing Grass to cover up his screaming.'
All of a sudden, Baek-gap fell onto his knees.
”Leader!”
”What's wrong?”
”Do I have to keep on doing this mission?”
Upon hearing Baek-gap's words, the head of the Jimilgak, who was standing in the background, scolded Baek-gap fiercely.
”Stop spouting crap! Are you saying that you want to disobey the Leader's orders? Damn it!”
Baek-gap flinched, whilst Mu-jin held his hand up at the Jimilgak head, then looked at Baek-gap.
”I understand what you mean.”
”...!”
”You don't even know what to think, and you feel as though you may lose your life at least four times in a day, am I right?”
”Yes, that's it!”
”But do you really think there's any other attendant that would be able to cope with him? There's no one else who has your level of patience, which is why I assigned you to this particular mission.”
”....”
”There will definitely be hardships, but if you are able to endure past them, there will be good days. But no matter what the situation is, I will protect your life, so don't worry about dying. I request that you keep on with your mission.”
Baek-gap was unable to fathom how the Leader hadn't given him an order, but a request!
”I, I accept your order!”
The Jimilgak head blinked in astoundment.
Mu-jin sighed inwardly. He had attempted to calm Baek-gap down, but he was well of aware of how Baek-gap felt.
He recalled his memories of serving underneath Kang-hyuk.
'Ah, damn it! Even thinking about it now makes me want to vomit!'
***
It was the next day.
After eating breakfast, Kang-hyuk put on his uniform.
The new uniform was a little stiff, but it still felt good to wear it.
He closed his eyes, and thought of his brother.
”We're officially starting today, Kang-Jae!”
The sound of a drum beating from afar could be heard. The drum was to mark that it was 7.30.
Kang-hyuk headed over to the Cheongpunggwan with the candied Baby Ginseng they had made the day before.
He had to attend the morning meeting.
Kang-hyuk entered the conference room within Cheongpunggwan.
”Good Morning, Kang Seonsaeng.”