27 Chapter 27 (1/2)
Kang-hyuk sighed, then pointed at the flower pots.
”Quickly plant the Moon Orchids with Baek-gap. If we don't plant them now, it will cause difficulties.”
”I understand.”
Byeok Ae-rin hurried over to where the Moon Orchids were, immediately beginning to transplant them into the pots.
Shim-gu, who had been quietly watching, turned to look at Kang-hyuk.
”Retired Leader.”
”You've addressed me incorrectly.”
”Elder Hyung-nim?”
”It's now Seonsaengnim. Call me Seonsaengnim.”
Kang-hyuk continued.
”An old man like you calling me Elder Hyung-nim when I'm in this youthful body is a bit much, don't you think? If anyone heard this they would think it's odd.”
”Why does it matter? Once my Elder Hyung-nim, forever my Elder Hyung-nim.”
”Well, it matters to me.”
”Okay, fine.”
Shim-gu immediately responded. He was aware that Kang-hyuk disliked being 'bothered' in that way the most.
This was why he was unable to comprehend why Kang-hyuk would come to a school, which was the center point for all botherations.
'Wait, isn't the owner of the Academy the Clan Leader, and isn't the current leader Mu-jin? That fellow must know about this too then.'
He made plans to seek out Mu-jin.
An annoyed scowl had suddenly spread across Kang-hyuk's face. Shim-gu's eyes darted around, having noticed.
”Damn it! I'm already bothered.”
”Sorry?”
From afar, he could see countless students and a great number of teachers gathering.
”He's there!”
”Elder Shim!”
Hearing the news of Shim-gu visiting the Academy, they had all come with the chance of meeting him, since Shim-gu was a legendary figure in their eyes.
Kang-hyuk spoke to Shim-gu in response to their cries of excitement.
”Are you even conscious of your identity as an Elder of the Hwacheon Clan?”
”O-of course.”
”In that case, you're going to have to receive a beating.”
”What?”
Shim-gu staggered behind. He had just been struck in the abdomen by Kang-hyuk's fist.
His movement had been so fast, that it was almost invisible, and so, no one had even noticed that he had struck the Elder.
”Aigoo! Elder! Are you okay?”
On top of that, he was casually acting concerned, despite the fact that he himself had struck Shim-gu.
”....”
Shim-gu had broken into a cold sweat. Even if he had wanted to speak, the force of Kang-hyuk's fist rendered him unable to even open his mouth.
”It seems as though the Elder is ill! He must go to the infirmary!”
The teachers, who had come to meet Shim-gu, supported him in standing up.
Byeok Ae-rin clicked her tongue at the spectacle, whilst Baek-gap didn't even bother looking over, dedicatedly carrying on with his work.
In the midst of groaning, Shim-gu looked over at Kang-hyuk, who had a wide smile plastered over his face. He cursed Mu-jin in his mind, who had forced him into becoming an Elder.
'This is why I said I didn't want to be an Elder! Damn it!'
***
Whilst Mu-jin was looking through papers in his office at the Hwacheon Clan Headquarters, a chill suddenly ran through his body.
'Is it because I don't have any body fat? It can't be that, right….'
He felt that today, something strange was going on.
Chills had been running through his body since early on in the day.
The door opened, with the Jimilgak head coming into his sight. He was the only person who could come in and out of the Clan Leader's office without prior notice.
”You're here?”
The Head of Jimilgak, Hong-man, bowed his head in greeting.
”I have something to report.”
”What is it?”
”Elder Shim-gu is in movement.”
Mu-jin's eyebrows wiggled in surprise.
”What? Elder Shim-gu? Wasn't he in retirement, hiding away in the shady alleys of Nakyang? Why is he suddenly in movement?”
”He is currently visiting Hwacheon Academy.”
Mu-jin blinked as he recalled a recent report of Byeok Ae-rin having visited the Hwacheon Clan Headquarters.
”Is Elder Byeok in the Academy, by any chance?”
Hong-man looked away, and sighed as he replied, ”Yes. She is working as a maid at Kang-hyuk Seonsaengnim's residence.”
”Why didn't you inform me of this?”
”She told me not to tell you ….you know what Elder Byeok's personality is like, don't you?”
”....”
Mu-jin nodded his head. He was fully aware of why she was nicknamed 'Crazy Bitch'.
Mu-jin suddenly got up, with his chair knocking over in haste.
”What's wrong?”
*Step. Step. Step.*
He was unable to answer Hong-man's query. His focus was on the approaching footsteps he was sensing.
Feeling into their energy, Mu-jin immediately opened the window.
”Tell them I'm not here!”
He jumped out of the window, whilst Hong-man cried out after him.
”Wait, Clan Leader! You need to review the documents by tonight!”
However, nothing could be done.
Hong-man packed up the papers that were strewn over the desk, and then copying Mu-jin, jumped out of the window.
Immediately following this farce, the office door opened, with Shim-gu appearing. He had been the owner of the footsteps.
”Clan Leader!”
But the only movement in Mu-jin's office were the approved documents, fluttering in the wind.
***
”Today's class will be on the seasonal weeds in the flower garden.”
The location was the horticulture practice plot, Yeongyowon.
Kang-hyuk's voice echoed throughout Yeongyowon, as the students were listening in concentration.
Their initial reason for concentrating in Kang-hyuk's class wasn't because they found it particularly engrossing, but in the motivation of obtaining candied Baby Ginseng roots. However, as of recent, they had been finding the class somewhat enjoyable.