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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Character Inquisition
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In the martial arts world of Jianghu, there are strict rules.
Unless it's a critical, life-or-death situation, one does not engage in an act beneath a true martial artist, such as using internal energy to dispel drunkenness and alcohol poisoning.
Naturally, our drinking spree faithfully followed the principles of Jianghu.
The result.
"…Brother Geum, how are you so… fine…?"
"Ugh…"
"Tsk tsk, if you're that weak to alcohol, how can you call yourselves men? Train harder, you lightweights."
Early bird 'Un-gi-sae-byeok'… no, even when it was time to train for 'Un-gi-jo-sik' at dawn, the two lightweights were still half-unconscious.
I wonder if they'll end up throwing up all over the training room.
Me?
This body, impervious to all poisons.
Even after drinking, the good feeling remained.
This body has bid farewell forever to splitting hangovers and headaches.
This is the life of a master.
…Anyway.
[Squirrel Girl: Young Master, thank you so much! But if you have time, could you please help me out ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
There was one follow-up issue that needed my attention.
It was entirely my fault.
It was information I really didn't want to know, but.
Playing Chinese games, one learns that there are two types of characters in China.
One is the Chinese characters used in our country, Traditional Chinese.
The other is the Chinese characters used in China, Simplified Chinese.
Although 'Cultivating a Martial Artist' had official Korean localization.
The Korean localization was a bit stiff, like the version I'd installed with mods, so most people used a fan-made Korean patch.
The version I installed was based on Simplified Chinese with a Korean translation overlaid.
Reading wasn't a problem whether it was Traditional or Simplified.
But writing automatically came out in Simplified, so I had a bit of trouble at first.
Of course, I didn't really think about fixing it.
It's not like I'm going to be a novelist in Jianghu or anything.
And I could understand it anyway, so I wondered if there was even a need to.
My second brother usually couldn't wait to pick a fight with me, but the only thing he ever praised me for was my 'handwriting'.
Right.
I spouted some utterly preposterous lie about having created my own unique handwriting using my prodigious intellect.
…It worked.
Thanks to that, most of our merchant guild's documents use the 'Sihyeon Script' that I devised.
Guilt?
As if I'd have any of that.
A modern person returned to the past (not really).
So, spreading modern knowledge is 'common sense', isn't it?
I've already sowed many seeds.
Thanks to that, I almost ended up imprisoned by my eldest brother and served 12 years as a slave in the merchant guild, let alone going to the academy.
"Hmm…"
After a brief deliberation.
I decided to set aside my own time and personally give a 'Sihyeon Script' lesson.
I definitely wasn't imagining a sweet, romantic library date with Miss Nara… no…
Well, it could be.
Be confident, Geum Sihyeon.
[Me: I have a habit of transcribing in the script used by my family... if you have time, I can explain it separately.]
[Me: Once my schedule is finalized, I'll contact you again!]
I wanted to start the exciting Chinese character lesson right away, but.
Unfortunately, as a full-fledged member of the advanced class, I first needed to finalize my own schedule.
And of course, I'd have to match it with Miss Nara's time.
* * *
Baekhwa Academy's system was largely similar to that of a university.
Enrolling in desired courses within the given credit limit.
There were two mandatory courses in the advanced class curriculum.
The general education course 'Understanding the Classics', mandatory for all two hundred students, and 'Advanced Dueling', a mandatory major for the advanced class.
While it might seem like a place for righteous martial artists to simply socialize and have fun, its true purpose is to advance martial arts knowledge.
'Understanding the Classics' primarily aims to deepen understanding of martial principles by lecturing on Taoist and Buddhist scriptures.
In the case of 'Advanced Dueling', the focus is on fighting and sparring, just like during the entrance exam, to assess each other's martial arts and compensate for weaknesses.
Besides those, I separately chose five other subjects.
"Something about the way you hold a sword seems really awkward, did you really not learn the basics properly?"
"How dare you peek at your elder brother's phone? You're impudent."
I flicked Mo Yongtaek's forehead, who had been peeking over my shoulder at my smartphone.
Just as Mo Yongtaek said.
First, the basics of swordsmanship and the basics of archery.
When objectively evaluating myself.
While I could be considered a transcendent first-rate or even top-tier master due to my internal energy, my understanding of martial arts is rather lacking.
Especially when talking with Unhak, I keenly felt my lack of fundamentals, so it was necessary to grow steadily rather than standing on my pride.
And herbology and toxicology.
Honestly, I thought these classes were completely unnecessary since I'm impervious to all poisons, but there's one specific purpose.
To find the tails of those who tried to poison 'Geum Sihyeon'.
If I were the culprit.
Not only am I alive and well, but I've even started actively researching poisons?
Wouldn't that make them extremely uneasy to just let it go?
And I also have a personal hunch.
Who would be the group that suffered the greatest loss because of the Mangum Merchant Guild?
Naturally, it would be their competitors, especially the Changcheon Merchant Guild, which lost considerable influence in Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei.
They had nearly monopolized the commercial world, backed by the Five Great Clans, so just thinking about the lost interests would make their stomachs churn at night.
The fact that Mo Yongtaek recognized me instantly, even though we'd never met.
The fact that Mo Yongwicheon specifically insulted Unhak and me together.
As for Mo Yongseol sexually harassing me… I really don't know. She just seems inappropriate.
And the largest stake in the Changcheon Merchant Guild is held by the Sichuan Tang Family.
…The stench of poison is absolutely pervasive.
Well, there's no evidence yet, and it's just a suspicion at this stage, but.
Since even the Life-and-Death Divine Doctor implicitly hinted at it, I have no choice but to confront it directly and find out.
"'Understanding Formations'? I heard that's a sleeping pill."
"No, are you done registering? Why do you keep sticking your head in?"
"Of course. I finished ages ago. …'Understanding Demonic Martial Arts' sounds attractive. I should switch to that."
"Do whatever you want…"
Vowing to later concoct a laxative for this idiot who couldn't understand my grand intentions, I added the final two courses and completed my registration.
During the second semester's alternative class—when leaving for the Jianghu journey.
The number one cause of player deaths was 'death due to conflict with demonic martial artists', and the second was 'death from wandering lost after being trapped in a formation'.
Especially if your formation stats are lacking, even if you encounter a fortuitous opportunity, you'll get trapped and die without being able to escape.
It could be said to be the optimal route, built not just with my blood, but with the blood of countless users.
As I was admiring my completed timetable.
Mo Yongtaek, who had poked his head in for the third time already, looked disgusted.
"Ugh… look at all this free time?"
"It's all part of a grand plan."
…Actually, there wasn't.
Even I thought it looked terrible after I finished it.
Some days, I even had a 9 AM class followed by a 3 PM one…?
This is a timetable?
To add a small excuse.
In the original game, it was important to make the gaps between classes as pretty and effective as possible.
That way, you could build affection with characters, and search for hidden fortuitous opportunities in the academy.
…But seeing it in reality, it's a bit.
Isn't it too much wasted time?
No matter how shameless I might be.
I'm not so thick-skinned as to go around seeking out and talking to the Five Martial Beauties or other women I haven't even interacted with yet.
I hoped.
That things would naturally unfold in a way that led to organic encounters.
* * *
The time spent waiting always brings a flutter of anticipation.
Having set a date for a sweet, romantic orientation with Miss Nara, and leisurely enjoying the breeze in the outdoor pavilion, it felt like the essence of spring and youthful delight.
Having nothing else to do, I arrived at the meeting spot a full hour early, but.
It was the perfect time to indulge in my newly acquired hobby.
As for what hobby it was.
It was 'newbie watching'.
[Baekhwa Academy Gallery]
[Author: Lulyring (170cm75G_Luly)]
[Title: Hello!!! Nice to meet everyone!!!!]
[Please take care of me!!!!!!!!]
Kuh-woo.
Ah, that fragrant scent of a gallery newbie…
It seems they received a surprisingly good character education from the Demonic Cult, but.
Unfortunately, it seems they didn't receive proper 'gallery etiquette' education, as if they didn't even have an ID.
Basically, the gallery was a community built on anonymity.
It was completely different from SNS platforms like 'Martial Star' where real names are somewhat exposed, or places like 'Jianghu Gossip' which are full of pretense and bluff.
Naturally, the atmosphere was a bit closer to human nature.
In other words… it was close to a trash heap.
Looking at the comments.
- Rude to use polite language on first meeting?
- ㄴ(Author) Can't I use polite language???
- ㄴㄴGo back to your Jianghu Gossip ㅋㅋ
It looked like they encountered a malicious user right from the start.
Imagining Ruri's usually expressionless face looking bewildered, as if she were standing on a lecture stage, made me laugh for no reason.
Of course, this fresh, innocent look was good, but.
Seeing how quickly a 'gallery newbie' degenerated was also a special treat.
[Lulyring / ??There are a lot of strange people here (3)]
[Lulyring / Aren't these all Baekhwa Academy people?? Are there people who aren't? (7)]
[Lulyring / Why... why do you upload such pictures???? (5)]
[Lulyring / This place is really weird.... (9)]
Oh dear.
They've been irradiated.
I took a moment of silence for Ruri's ocular health.
Still, it was a relief that they weren't leaking any information that could deduce their identity, apart from their nickname.
As for the ID… it seemed only I could see it, unless there was an administrator who may or may not exist.
I kindly left a comment on Ruri's last post.
- Newbies, just lurk and learn ㅇㅇ
Grow strong.
Ruri, fighting!
While I was at it, I also checked the activities of the popular fixed users and popular temporary users.
[Ice Princess (SNOWWHITE_04) / Princess is here, poooo~~~!!!! Hello, cuties??? (0)]
[AnimalLover (CUTE_RAMG7) / Kitten's fur is all spiky ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ (3)]
[ㅇㅇ(Gambler_Taek) / Damn it, I got hit directly by the national history exam, this game is total garbage (7)]
Looking at them alongside a B-list 28-year-old 'princess' and a severe gambling addict.
Miss Nara and I are like celestial maidens, celestial maidens.
So, character level really does correlate with bust size.
Other than that, there weren't any particularly interesting posts yet.
It's probably because it's the beginning of the semester, so people are busy.
If possible, I wanted to check out other galleries besides the Baekhwa Academy Gallery, but…
[This gallery cannot be accessed from this bandwidth.]
Sadly, access to major galleries like the Shaanxi Gallery or the Martial Arts Gallery was blocked within the academy.
It was somewhat regrettable that I couldn't see the daily status of the cyber Righteous-Demonic War unfolding over control of the Martial Arts Gallery.
I wonder if there's a VPN or something.
"Oh! Young Master! You're really early! Hehe, have you been waiting long?"
From behind, a fresh and lively voice rang out clearly, like bursting grapes.
"Miss Nara. You've arriv…?"
Turning to face the direction of the voice, I instantly froze.
Miss Nara, smiling brightly with a 'Ratatouille Squirrel' perched on her shoulder.
And next to her.
A small girl, with a blank expression and a furrow in her brow, her gaze fixed on the smartphone in her hand.
Cheon Ruri appeared right alongside her, like a 'buy one get one free' offer.
What is this mismatched combination?
More importantly.
If this is the case.
What about my sweet, romantic one-on-one fun Chinese character study time?
I tried hard to reassure myself, telling myself it was a coincidence, that they were just passing by, but.
"Ah! Hehe, you already know her face, right? This is Cheon Ruri, who's sharing a room with me, um, my friend! We decided to be friends."
In front of Myo Nara, who introduced Ruri so brightly.
I could only manage an awkward smile, my lips slightly stiff.