37 Chapter 36 (1/2)
It was now evening.
Kang-hyuk was in his office, looking through his attendance book whilst mentally making plans for the field trip.
”I'm coming in, Seonsaengnim.”
It was Byeok Ae-rin. She entered through the open door. Kang-hyuk turned to look at her.
”What is it?”
”It's about tomorrow's field trip.”
Kang-hyuk raised his head.
”Did you ask Mu-jin to order it?”
”I did.”
”Has this field trip got something to do with your plan of using your traditional methods?”
”Indeed.”
Kang-hyuk sighed.
”Don't you think that it's a bit much, putting the students and the other teachers in danger due to a personal problem of mine?”
Byeok Ae-rin immediately bowed her head.
”I apologize, but there is a justification for this. I have chosen the location of the field trip with extremely careful consideration.”
She continued.
”It's Goseon Mountain.”
Kang-hyuk nodded his head upon hearing the name of the location.
”That place has spectacular scenery...but isn't that fellow's place of retirement near there?”
Byeok Ae-rin nodded.
”Indeed. That's why there's no need to worry about the students' safety. Well that's if they stay in the prescribed locations.”
”Okay, but remember to be more cautious from now onwards.”
”I understand.”
Byeok Ae-rin hadn't left yet, and so, Kang-hyuk had a hunch that she still had something left to convey.
”I'll inform you of the plan regarding Oh Seonsaeng.”
”Didn't I say that you could just proceed without telling me?”
She shook her head.
”You are my Lord and the one directly involved in this matter, so you should of course be informed of this!”
She then proceeded to explain the plan. After she finished explaining, Kang-hyuk nodded.
”So you are using your traditional methods!”
”I am indeed.”
”Anyway, I'll be leaving with Baek-gap now.”
Kang-hyuk slapped his knee in exclamation.
”Aha! Of course!”
The Academy's field trips differed from those of other educational institutions in that they required more martial skill.
Therefore, quite often, they were beyond the capacity of those who did not have martial training.
In consideration of this, maids and servants usually left for the site of the field trip the day before the trip in a carriage.
Neither Byeok Ae-rin nor Baek-gap required this kind of consideration, but since they didn't wish to flaunt their abilities, they too were going to leave the day before the trip with the rest of the maids and servants.
Kang-hyuk realized that Byeok Ae-rin did not just come to inform him of her plan regarding Oh-Tae, but it was also to notify him that she would shortly be leaving with the rest of the servants.
He stood up.
”I should see you off.”
”Thank you.”
As Kang-hyuk stepped outside, he saw Baek-gap, who had finished all of his preparations, standing and waiting.
”We'll be leaving then.”
”Have a safe journey.”
”Yes. By the way Seonsaengnim, I've packed your luggage in advance.”
”Thanks.”
Thereupon, figures could be seen approaching Kang-hyuk's residence. As they came clearly into sight, they were revealed to be the music teacher, Chu Gung-wol, and his servant.
”Are you leaving now?”
Chu Gung-wol nodded at Kang-hyuk's question.
Liberal Arts subject teachers were also given the option of leaving the day before.
”Kang Seonsaeng, are you not leaving right now?”
Kang-hyuk replied to his question.
”From what Ok Seonsaeng said earlier, it seems that I'm to leave tomorrow morning.”
”Oh, is that so?”
Kang-hyuk bowed his head towards Chu Gung-wol.
”I request you look after my maid and my servant.”
”Hahaha! Don't worry about that!”
Tears began to well up in Byeok Ae-rin's eyes at the sight of Kang-hyuk lowering his head at Chu Gung-wol for her sake.
This was coming from a man who didn't even snort!
'Aaahh! My Lord!'
Byeok Ae-rin, Baek-gap, and Chu Gung-wol then left towards where the carriage was waiting to take them to the site of the fieldtrip.
Tilting his head back, Kang-hyuk closed his eyes.
'A field trip huh….'
This was going to be his first ever experience of a field trip, seeing as he hadn't graduated from Hwacheon Academy.
His heart was fluttering in excitement.
***
It was the next day.
It was around 6 a.m. when Kang-hyuk's eyes jolted right open.
He could have woken up later, but waking up early was a habit that had become a habit for him.
Kang-hyuk sat down on his bed, beginning his Qigong practice.
He had no real need to do Qigong practice since his enlightenment, but since others would think it was odd if he wasn't practicing, he continued to do so.
He also found his daily Qigong practice quite refreshing.
After finishing his practice, Kang-hyuk stepped out into the courtyard. He noticed that the vines in his garden were completely still, as the Morning Glory plant was still asleep.
'I guess they must be tired after moving around all day.'
As Kang-hyuk continued to walk around the yard, observing the plants, the door of the residence opened, with Cheon Hae-gwang emerging.
”Did you sleep well?”
”Yes, how about you?”
”I slept well too.”
Cheon Hae-gwang immediately began preparing breakfast, and soon, it was ready. He laid it out on the table.
”Oh? This is great!”
Kang-hyuk nodded in appreciation after having swallowed a mouthful.
”You're embarrassing me.”
”I can tell by your skills that you've made it more than a few times.”
”This was actually the cheapest meal I could make for myself, so I made it quite often.”
”You must have learnt it from somewhere, right?”
”I actually learned it from the cook at Hyangwooru. He taught it to me in repayment of a favour from a time when I had helped him.”
”I see!”
After having finished his breakfast, Cheon Hae-gwan quickly washed the dishes and left to Yeongyowon.
His task at Yeongyowon was to check whether the students were coming and tending to their plots.