38 Chapter 37 (1/2)

'Hahaha.'

He put on a fake smile.

He felt a little ashamed that despite being the former head of Hyeonmugak, he hadn't been able to obtain this information.

He was also unable to obtain information of the field trip as the day before, he had been in the outskirts of Nakyang to collect his Hidden Qi Stone so that Kang-hyuk wouldn't be able to pick up on his traces of energy

Shim-gu sighed a deep sigh.

'Why didn't Myeong-myeong inform me of this earlier?'

***

Eun Myeong-myeong was following behind the students leisurely. But of course, walking leisurely didn't mean that he was moving at a slow pace.

'Hm, why am I feeling a little uncomfortable?'

He tilted his head, and mentally went through a list of the preparations he had to finish.

After doing so, he realized that there was definitely nothing he had missed out on doing. But for whatever reason, he still felt a little uncomfortable, as though he had left the door of his personal safe open.

”Principal, is there something wrong?”

Ok Hae-mi asked carefully. Her role was to give instructions by Eun Myeong-myeong's side. He quickly shook his head.

”It's nothing. By the way, how much time has passed since we first set out?”

”I think it's been around four hours.”

Eun Myeong-myeong looked up at the students walking in front of him.

A Hwacheon Academy field trip literally meant to increase one's learning at a particular location.

As Hwacheon Academy had a focus on martial arts, the method of travelling to the site of the field trip was through Gyeonggong.

Students who had less cultivation, and therefore less Qi, were already out of breath.

'The time's flown by already!'

Eun Myeong-myeong felt that four hours of decreased breathing capacity for the students due to the use of Gyeonggong was enough for now. He then turned to look at Ok Hae-mi.

”Stop everyone to have a meal and a short rest.”

”I understand. Where would be a good place to stop?”

”That boulder just ahead would be a good place.”

Ok Hae-mi went through and informed the teachers in charge of each group of students of Eun Myeong-myeong's instructions.

Eun Myeong-myeong could have used a sound transmission to deliver his instructions, but he chose not to do so.

In the near future, when the students were all dispersed in Gang-ho, it was possible that they would be unable to hear sound transmissions.

He was training them for that time.

***

As Oh-Tae looked at Kang-hyuk, he almost automatically clenched his jaw.

When he heard that Kang-hyuk was joining their group, he assumed that Kang-hyuk must have some martial skill, how little it may be.

He snorted.

'So he knows some Gyeonggong!'

Despite Kang-hyuk seeming to cope with the situation for the time being, Oh-Tae predicted that soon, he too would be out of breath and panting like the first-year students.

'Hm…'

Kang-hyuk noticed Oh-Tae's condescending looks, but didn't respond, knowing his attention would only exaggerate the situation.

He simply moved his legs slowly, step by step, as if he was taking a walk.

And like this, a couple of hours had gone by.

Oh-Tae's face began to contort. His prediction hadn't come to fruition.

After having used Gyeonggong for a mere four hours, the students had become weak and breathless.

At this point, the first-year martial teachers were also beginning to feel the strain. Kang-hyuk, however, seemed perfectly fine.

In fact, his expression looked beyond feeling fine. His face was serene, as though he was walking through a field of blooming flowers.

'Da-damn it! What is this? Is he not a normal Horticulture teacher?'

It was only then that Oh-Tae realized that something was strange about the situation.

He noticed that his assistant too seemed to be travelling without experiencing any difficulty.

In all honesty, this was due to Kang-hyuk having dissolved a powder within Cheon Hae-gwang's water bottle that would restore his Qi.

Unaware of this, Oh-Tae became increasingly displeased at the situation.

All of a sudden...

”Ah! You're here!”

A refreshingly sweet voice was heard coming from behind them. Smirking at Oh-Tae's astounded expression, Kang-hyuk turned around.

”It's Ok Seonsaeng!”

As usual, Ok Hae-mi had a gentle smile on her face.

”I've come to convey the Principal's instructions. Do you see that boulder coming up front? We're going to take a break and have a meal there.”

”I see. Thank you for letting us know.”

Having said what she had come for, Ok Hae-mi gently used a form of Gyeonggong to move to inform the other groups.

Kang-hyuk tilted his head as he observed her movements.

'Hmm… that form of Gyeonggong looks like…'

Whilst the Gyeonggong she used didn't seem to be too different from the usual form of movement, Kang-hyuk could clearly identify the family she came from by observing it.

He found it a little peculiar.

'Looking at her Gyeonggong, she is doubtlessly a member of the Ok Family, but why is she at Hwacheon Academy as a first-year teacher, hiding her cultivation?'

He thought that it was best not to inquire about her background as it may be a sensitive topic, but decided to keep an eye on her henceforth.

They soon reached the boulder where they were to take a break, and after eating their packed lunch, the students and teachers were all drinking warm tea.

As this was happening, Kang-hyuk took something out of a drawstring bag. Curious as to what it was, Dang So-mun spoke up.

”Seonsaengnim, what is that?”

Dang So-mun and his friend, Baek Mun-ji, were among the group of students that Oh-Tae, Kang-hyuk, and some other teachers were guiding.

”This is a tea which is beneficial for the body. Would you like to drink some with me?”

Dang So-mun and Baek Mun-ji nodded their heads. Kang-hyuk then poured them a cup of tea.

Dang So-mun tentatively sipped the tea.

”Ah!”

His exclamation was due to the tea being sweet and more delicious than he had anticipated.

”This tea is wonderful, Seonsaengnim!”

”Is that so?”

Dang So-min's reaction piqued the curiosity of the other students in the group. Therefore, Kang-hyuk distributed the tea from person to person.

”Seonsaengnim, would you like to have some?”

Kang-hyuk offered Oh-Tae a cup.

”I'll decline.”

Kang-hyuk nodded his head at the rejection, and didn't attempt to persuade him otherwise. He didn't feel the need to offer again to those who had already declined once.

The tea was in fact the Hundred Year Snow Lotus Tea.

The Hundred Year Snow Lotus was found deep in the sea, with its bloom having the colour of white snow. It was a precious elixir like medicine which had the property of maintaining Qi, preventing its decline as well.

Kang-hyuk had given it to the students to ensure their safety.

The various potentialities of a field trip couldn't be predicted. Up until now, they hadn't ventured far from Nakyang, but from this point on, extra caution had to be taken.

Whilst the Academy had hired warriors to accompany them on the trip, there was only so much they could do.

'You never know what will happen.'

Kang-hyuk stood up.

”Where are you going?”