24 Chapter 24 (1/2)
*Smash!*
A bottle hit a table, shattering into pieces.
”Clean it up.”
A waiter cautiously edged towards the table, and began to clear up the shattered glass.
”And bring me another bottle, ASAP!”
”Yes!”
The waiter promptly brought out another bottle. The man immediately guzzled the second bottle down. This man was none other than the first-year Swordsmanship teacher, Oh-Tae.
”Tsk tsk, why did you call me all the way here if all you were going to do was drink booze?”
A middle-aged man, that was sitting next to him, spoke up. This man was also wearing a blue teacher's uniform.
”Did you know that a new teacher's come in to teach Horticulture?”
”I know. It's funny that he has the same name as the Retired Leader Kang-hyuk. Why are you mentioning him anyway?”
”I want to expel him.”
”You want to expel him?”
Oh-Tae nodded his head.
To expel a teacher out usually implied forcing a teacher that had caused problems to leave the school.
The fate of a teacher that had been expelled wasn't that bright. This was also why there were strict conditions that had to be met to enact it.
”You must know already that in order to expel a teacher, you need the agreement of at least five of the eight Elders, and three-fifths of the teachers.”
”I know. Won't you persuade the teachers for me?”
The man smiled awkwardly at Oh-Tae's request.
His name was Yun Ha-seong.
He was the Swordsmanship teacher for the third-year students of the Academy.
He was affiliated with the Wu-dang Sect, so no teacher could refute his request.
This was also why Oh-Tae had called him.
”Anyways, what's your reason for wanting to expel him?”
Oh-Tae proceeded to explain all of the events that had passed involving Kang-hyuk, with great over-exaggeration and a bit of fabrication.
”I see. So he has not only ignored the ranking between the teachers, but he's manufacturing dangerous drugs and distributing them amongst the students.”
”Indeed.”
”I understand. In that case, I'll reflect on the matter.”
”Thank you.”
”I'll be off, it's training time around now.”
”I hope you have a safe journey.”
As soon as Yun Ha-seong left the bar, Oh-Tae resumed his drinking.
”Ah, alcohol is my only solace! Now that I've left it to the famously nicknamed Cheong-eun Sword Immortal, Yun Seonsaengnim, you won't be able to escape expulsion! Did you really think you'd be safe after wounding my pride?!”
***
Yun Ha-seong sighed as he left the bar.
”Oh my. What a half-wit! I can't believe he's actually a teacher.”
He shook his head in disapproval.
”Even if you thought that I had no interest in the affairs of the school, did you really think I don't know about this...”
Kang-hyuk's actions had attracted the attention of more teachers than Oh-Tae had known. Thus, Yun Ha-seong was already aware that Oh-Tae's version of the events were a great fabrication.
Within the Academy, it was the responsibility of the first and second year teachers to prevent the Liberal Arts subject teachers from quitting.
This was due to their somewhat obscure position, with their cultivation ranging between second-class to peak level. There were many warriors who had this standard of cultivation and so, to protect their positions, they had no choice but to comply with the Academy's request.
However, the situation for the third and fourth year teachers were different.
Their level of cultivation had nearly reached mastery, and some were even at a level that transcended mastery. They taught students that had almost finished their studies.
This was the reason as to why the Academy almost never requested anything extra from the third and fourth year teachers, and therefore their only duty was to teach their students, and cultivate their own martial training even further.
This level of comfort however, did not extend to the third and fourth year liberal arts subject teachers.
”Hmm...Kang-hyuk…”
Yun Ha-seong had heard that Kang-hyuk had been born into a wealthy family.
The fact that he had paid the large Wolsuru bill in one sitting, and fed his students the precious and expensive Baby Ginseng root confirmed the rumour for him.
He had drawn the attention of the teachers of the Academy in many ways.
However, unlike most of the teachers, Yun Ha-seong was aware of several truths about Kang-hyuk.
One of the truths he was aware of was that Kang-hyuk was of the same martial sect as the Clan Leader, and had received a personal recommendation from him. Not only that, but he had also passed the test to enter the academy with flying colours!
A burning query suddenly arose within Yun Ha-seong. He recalled that many high-level masters had emerged from the Clan Leader's martial sect and went on to become highly regarded within Moorim.
'If Kang-hyuk is from the Clan Leader's Sect, he must have the cultivation of a master, so why did he choose to become a Horticulture teacher?'
He then had a sudden realization.
'It can't be….is he letting Oh-Tae and the other first-year martial teachers off?'
He had guessed correctly, most probably due to his transcended level of cultivation, his intuitive skills were strong.
At that moment, he had made a decision.
He had no desire to get involved with something that made his head hurt even while thinking about it, and neither did he wish to invoke the Clan Leader's wrath.
He had heard of the Clan Leader's nickname of 'Mad Snake', and thought that it was best that that side of him wasn't triggered. The 'Mad Snake' aspect of the Clan Leader was something that even the Leader of the Wu-dang sect feared.
'Ah, I don't know. You guys can sort it out amongst yourselves, I'm not getting involved in this.'
***
Around that time, there was a person secretly moving along the streets of Jungcheon.
He had been serving at the bar that Oh-Tae and Yun Ha-seong had met in.
As he went into a cottage, within a few moments, a messenger bird, that was perched on a tall building opposite the bar, flew off.
The bird's destination was the Hwacheon Clan, or more precisely, Jimilgak.
***
”Enjoy your meal.”
Byeok Ae-rin placed some breakfast in front of Kang-hyuk.
”It's been a while since I've eaten your food.”
”You should know that it's an honour.”
”Yes, it is an honour.”
He picked up his chopsticks and had a bite of the food.
”Oh! It's as delicious as I thought it would be! Your skills haven't faded.”
”That's a relief. I was pounding my back because my joints were aching. I couldn't adjust the fire that quick enough.”
”Your joints were aching? You like to joke around, don't you!”
”Kang Seonsaengnim, I'm already eighty so…”
”Do you want me to give you a couple of elixirs?”