48 Chapter 47 (1/2)

Kang-hyuk pointed at himself in response to So-hun's words.

”Me?”

”I saw how you treated Namgoong Min earlier with the Three Seals of Fire Grass.”

”...?”

”That grass isn't a grass that can easily be crushed with one's bare hands. Its leaves are as sharp as a knife blade, emitting a powerful fire energy after being crushed. Therefore, it can only usually be crushed with the aid of a tool.”

It was just as So-hun had said.

The Three Seals of Fire Grass was relatively easy to find, and because of that, it was occasionally used by warriors when needing a fire energy related treatment method for an injury. Therefore, a man like So-hun who had a transcended level of cultivation was well aware of its qualities.

”Even after having crushed the grass with your bare hands, they seem to be completely fine! Who on earth are you really, Kang Seonsaeng?”

Kang-hyuk was in an impasse at his questioning.

He had crushed sacred herbs with his bare hands for as long as could remember.

As he had usually used the herbs in situations where his life was at stake, in those moments, utilizing his bare hands for crushing the herbs was irrelevant.

As his level of cultivation had increased over the years, he had begun to use an energy technique to protect his hands from harm.

He hadn't imagined that his crushing of the herbs, which was almost habitual to him, would arouse So-hun's suspicion.

”If your Qi level is advanced to a point where you can protect your hands from the effects of the Three Seals of Fire Grass, your cultivation must be, at a bare minimum, peak level!”

”That….”

The reason as to why Kang-hyuk had become a Horticulture teacher was really only because it was the only teaching position that had been available at the time.

But, at this moment in time, he was glad to have secured his teaching position as a Horticulture teacher. It suited his interests more than he could have initially imagined.

He then replied with a smile, ”It's because I enjoy gardening.”

So-hun looked a little awkward from Kang-hyuk's joyous expression.

”I-is that so?”

”Are you under the impression that teachers of Liberal Arts subjects either have no martial skill, or, if they do, have a weaker cultivation?”

”....”

”That's prejudiced thinking.”

So-hun nodded his head.

”It's just as you say Kang Seonsaeng! To think that I, as an educator of the future generation, have such prejudiced thinking! I'm ashamed!”

So-hun seemed to have accepted Kang-hyuk's explanation.

Suddenly, Chun-hak then cried out from afar.

”Seonsaengnim! Why aren't you following? Is there any problem?”

So-hun yelled back in response.

”No! We're coming!”

He then looked back at Kang-hyuk.

”We should get going.”

As So-hun took the lead in front of him, Kang-hyuk looked up at sky and sighed.

He felt as though things had gotten a little complicated.

'Even when I do things which aren't particularly amazing, they seem to be special in their eyes….'

Living a somewhat normal life seemed to be difficult for Kang-hyuk.

*Howl!*

At the sound of a cry, Kang-hyuk looked down at Deuk, who had obediently been standing beside him.

*Howl!* *Howl!*

Kang-hyuk felt as though Deuk was trying to console him. This was, in truth, Deuk's intention.

A spiritual wolf had excellent abilities in being able to correctly identify the true feelings of its master.

”Thanks for comforting me.”

*Howl!*

”Yes, we should get going as well.”

*Woof woof!*

***

It was beginning to get dark.

*Sound of a beating drum!*

The sound of a beating drum rang out, indicating the end of the day's task.

The groups began to gather in front of the cave at the sound of the drum.

”Is everyone here? Attention please.”

Ok Hae-mi stood in front of a large boulder, with all of their eyes focused on her.

”Today's task has come to an end. Please place the collected ribbons here. I'm saying this just in case, but the ribbons you will need to find tomorrow will differ in colour. Therefore, please don't hide the ribbons in an attempt to use them for tomorrow's points.”

A few students looked disappointed upon hearing her words.

”The ground has now dried up, so we can begin to light fires outdoors, and prepare for the evening meal. If there are any students that have yet to arrive, please relay this information to them. You are now dismissed!”

The students disbanded, heading towards the places that had been allocated to them the day before. As Kang-hyuk was heading towards his group's allocated spot, he noticed Chun-hak, who looked restless.

”What's the matter?”

”Ah! Seonsaengnim!”

”What happened to cause you to be in such a state?”

”The second group has yet to return. So I was waiting….”

Chun-hak was referring to the second group that had been created after he had split the group into four groups once more.

”They haven't returned yet?”

Kang-hyuk looked around. He couldn't see the second group anywhere.

”After asking around, I heard that they haven't been seen since around 4 p.m.”

'They haven't been seen after 4 p.m.?'

Kang-hyuk immediately closed his eyes, expanding his energy to feel whether the second group was in the area.

'Weren't the teachers in charge of following the second group Oh-Tae Seonsaeng and Dang Eun-ah Seonsaeng?'

Dang Eun-ah was a female teacher from the Dang Family that taught the Am-gi weapon, and was a master with a transcended level of cultivation.

She was a renowned beauty, who had rejected the proposals of many men to fully pursue the path of martial arts.

Kang-hyuk then opened his eyes.

He had been unable to sense the presence of Oh-Tae and Dang Eun-ah, feeling as though something had most definitely gone wrong.

He hurriedly strode towards his group's outdoor camp. Standing there was Byeok Ae-rin, engaged in cooking the evening meal.

-Ae-rin-ah!

Byeok Ae-rin immediately raised her head at his telepathic message, and then replied.

-Yes! You called me?

-Have you began the plan for Oh-Tae by any chance?

-I haven't. It's scheduled for tomorrow. Why are you asking?

Byeok Ae-rin could tell that something was amiss from Kang-hyuk's expression.

-Oh Seonsaeng, along with Dang Seonsaeng and the rest of their group, have gone missing.

-What?

She was astonished.

-I couldn't feel their energetic traces in the nearest surroundings at all.

Byeok Ae-rin's face became serious.

Kang-hyuk's energetic detecting ability was flawless.

Therefore, if he was unable to sense their presence, it meant that a concerning situation was at bay.

-Seeing as many students have already passed through the area, it'll be difficult to pick up on their specific energy.

-That's why it's more worrying.