Chapter 123: Clubs (1)

After traveling for quite some time while ignoring Physician Seo's incessant chatter, we were able to reach the Hall of the Demonic Way without much difficulty.

Physician Seo and I entered the Hall of the Demonic Way through the main gate that an instructor had opened for us, then headed straight to the Hall Master's quarters.

"You've returned faster than expected, Disciple Il-mok."

"I'm not fully recovered yet, but I returned early for the upcoming exam."

The Hall Master’s face remained impassive as he gave a curt nod. He then turned his gaze to Physician Seo Jae-pil.

"Are you the physician from the Pure Mind Hall who will be handling counseling at the Demonic Way from now on?"

"That's correct, Hall Master. My name is Seo Jae-pil."

"Good. I've already given instructions to prepare quarters for Physician Seo. Also, please start by scheduling counseling sessions with the instructors first."

"I will do so."

After Physician Seo's response, the Hall Master nodded once, then spoke in an unusually quiet voice.

"Have you heard from the Demonic Physician about the other reason we brought a physician from the Pure Mind Hall to this place?"

"Yes, Hall Master."

“Be mindful of that matter during the counseling process."

Cooperating to catch any remaining spies who might still be lurking in the Hall of the Demonic Way, that was Physician Seo Jae-pil's second mission.

‘Based on the previous incident and all that chattering on the way here, this guy’s head is filled with nothing but thoughts about medicine.’

I had zero faith in the man. But I could hardly say that to the Hall Master with Councilor Seo standing right there.

'Guess I’ll just have to keep an eye on him for a while.'

As the thought crossed my mind, I realized the Hall Master was looking at me again.

“Disciple Il-mok, you should return to the Black Dragon Hall and get some rest. I’ll have an assistant show Physician Seo to his quarters.”

Since I wanted to rest anyway, I bowed to the Hall Master with cupped fists and left the Hall Master's quarters.

But sadly, it was impossible to rest immediately at the Black Dragon Hall.

"Young Master Il-mok!"

“Hold it right there!”

Nearly ten people came rushing at me, surrounding me.

To be precise, they were divided into two factions.

Five people formed one group led by Baek Cheon and Bang Mi-hwa, while three others—Dokgo Pae, Mak Ho-yeol, and Gwak Sul—formed another group, encircling me.

‘Dammit. They’re back already?’

The sight of Baek Cheon and Mak Ho-yeol meant the upperclassmen who’d left for practical training a month ago were back.

The leaders of the two factions that had successfully surrounded me started buzzing excitedly.

Baek Cheon snapped open his fan with gleaming eyes.

"Young Master Il-mok! I trust a man of your caliber will see the wisdom in joining our Theater Club!”

Dokgo Pae immediately shot him down with a yell.

"Hmph! As if Young Master Il-mok would join a pointless club like that! Young Master Il-mok will naturally join our Bodybuilding Club!”

So, the club system I’d proposed was already up and running.

'Theater Club is understandable enough, but what the hell is a Bodybuilding Club?'

The name alone made my stomach turn. Maybe it was my compulsive hygiene, but the mere thought of a sweaty club made my skin crawl.

Totally ignoring my visible disgust, the two of them started arguing over me as if I weren’t even there.

“Spoken like someone from a family of brutes. I see not an ounce of culture or tradition in you.”

"What a petty thought, typical of someone from the Baek family. A true man needs a powerful, weighty presence.”

Though both were from the Five Great Demonic Families, the Dokgo Family had joined the Demonic Cult several decades later than the Baek Family.

Of course, since both had joined before the Cult was driven from the central plains, they were, in my book, a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.

'If we're talking about culture and tradition, the An Family has them all beat.'

The An Family was unique among the five as they are famous for their sorceries rather than martial arts, and they had the longest history.

I recalled Jin Hayeon telling me that the head of the An Family had assisted the Lord in rituals since the Cult’s earliest days.

"Shall we settle this today?"

“Heh. A pup that doesn’t fear a tiger. You really are a Dokgo moron.”

While my mind drifted, Dokgo Pae and Baek Cheon, apparently forgetting their original purpose, finally drew their weapons.

Thinking this was my chance to slip away...

"Calm down, Vice President Dokgo! The decision belongs to Young Master Il-mok!"

Unfortunately, Gwak Sul’s shout ruined my escape, and every eye in the place snapped back to me.

It was a strange feeling. They were all looking at me, but each gaze was different.

People like Baek Cheon, Bang Mi-hwa, Dokgo Pae, and Ju Seo-yeon all stared with this strange, unwavering certainty, as if my joining their club was a foregone conclusion.

While I could understand the three from the Theater Club, I had no idea why Dokgo Pae and his crew had such confidence.

'Both the club name and its members reek of sweat, why would I?'

Gwak Sul, on the other hand, looked at me with what seemed like faint resentment tinged with hostility.

I couldn't figure out why he harbored ill feelings toward me. Maybe I was just seeing things wrong.

The others, like Ha Young and Mak Ho-yeol, just looked hopeful.

And then there was Jeong Hyeon, standing by herself off to the side, her eyes so desperate they were practically glistening.

'Geez... What happened while I was gone to make her look so desperate?'

It was a pitiful sight, almost enough to make me feel sorry for her.

Almost.

"I'm sorry, but I won't be joining either club."

I already had a different club in mind that I wanted to join.

I’d had a club in mind since the moment I first pitched the idea to my Master and the Hall Master.

More precisely, it was a club I was about to create.

***

"That's not possible."

A rare look of bewilderment crossed Il-mok’s face at Instructor Eun Ryeo’s flat refusal. Since Chu Il-hwan’s dismissal, Eun Ryeo had been recognized for her experience and appointed as the Head Instructor for the new students. She answered while deliberately maintaining a cold expression.

“There are two primary reasons, Disciple Il-mok.”

“I’m listening.”

“First, I am already in charge of the Theater Club. You should know well since you proposed this, that one instructor cannot be in charge of multiple clubs."

"...You're in charge of the Theater Club, Instructor?"

His tone made it clear he found the pairing absurd, and Instructor Eun Ryeo had to grit her teeth.

'It's because of you!!'

Of course, she had zero interest in theater whatsoever, and she does not know theater either.

Nevertheless, the reason she ended up in charge of the Theater Club was because of Jeong Hyeon. The sight of the girl, so lost and alone after Il-mok was carted off due to Chu Il-hwan’s rampage, had struck her to the core. Unable to look away, she’d been swayed by her own arts and volunteered.

'Right. When Disciple Il-mok returns, he can sort this mess out!'

This was Instructor Eun Ryeo's true thoughts. She’d naturally assumed he’d join the Theater Club upon his return.

But what is this?

'Why is he trying to create a new club?!'

He’d already reeled in four young women. What is this about?

'Don't tell me he's already gotten bored with them!?'

Eun Ryeo had heard such stories before.

There were often people who no longer felt attraction to members of the opposite sex who had fallen for their charms.

And society commonly called such men 'playboys.'

As a fellow woman, she scorned them, and her expression grew colder.

Of course, Il-mok was completely unaware of Instructor Eun Ryeo's inner thoughts.

"Then, besides you, Instructor, are there other people..."

"Instructor Cheok Il-so is in charge of the Bodybuilding Club, and Instructor Jeong Gyu-seok is in charge of the Doctrine Research Club. As I understand it, all the upperclassmen instructors are also spoken for.”

Even before he voiced his question, Instructor Eun Ryeo answered while radiating coldness.

Instructor Cheok Il-so was the instructor in charge of external martial arts education, and Instructor Jeong Gyu-seok was the instructor in charge of doctrine education.

Regarding the Bodybuilding Club, Dokgo Pae and Mak Ho-yeol originally had no intention of creating such a club.

The problem was the regulation that prohibited practicing Demonic Arts during club activities, since the purpose of clubs was mental and physical stability.

When Dokgo Pae and Mak Ho-yeol were at a loss due to this fact, Instructor Cheok Il-so had proposed a club dedicated purely to physical training.

Gwak Sul was just collateral damage, dragged in against his will. At least those instructors were advising clubs that suited them.

Unlike Instructor Eun Ryeo.

Sensing the unusual chill, Il-mok hesitated before asking, “Is there really no one left?”

Eun Ryeo was about to answer "That's right," but she caught herself. There was one person. No matter how much she disliked Il-mok, as an instructor, she couldn’t lie.

"Sigh. There is a newly appointed instructor who isn't in charge of a club yet. However, clubs require a minimum of three people to be established. And this is the second reason why establishing a new club is impossible, Disciple Il-mok."

This wasn't a regulation she made up to obstruct Il-mok. Since the number of instructors was considerably smaller compared to the number of students, clubs for just one or two people were prohibited.

Il-mok thought about this for a moment, then nodded before asking a strange question.

"By any chance, can people who have already joined clubs transfer to other clubs?"

"...That's possible, but..."

At her answer, Il-mok gave her a quick salute and left the office.

Watching the spot where Il-mok had left, Eun Ryeo soon had an ominous thought.

'...He couldn't be planning to seduce other women to join, could he?'

***

After he met with Instructor Eun Ryeo, he made a beeline for the Black Dragon Hall.

After thoroughly searching the Black Dragon Hall, he was able to find his targets.

"There you are!"

When Il-mok approached with a bright smile, the usual three stooges—Choi Woong, Seong Hwan, and Mun Gyu—felt their eyes tremble with inexplicable dread.

It was a fear they had learned the hard way.

"Wh-what can we do for you, Young Master Il-mok?"

"Were you looking for us?"

Il-mok nodded with a bright smile at Mun Gyu’s question

"I came to find you today because I have a favor to ask."

Il-mok was grinning from ear to ear, but for some reason his right hand was gripping his sword hilt.

***

The next day.

Il-mok and the trio of stooges headed to an instructor's office together.

But it wasn't Instructor Eun Ryeo's office.

Ma Do-yeong, the man newly selected as an instructor at the Hall of the Demonic Way after Chu Il-hwan's dismissal, received the letter Il-mok handed him.

“You want me to be the advisor for a new club?”

"That's correct, Instructor."

At Il-mok's confident answer, he looked at the trio behind Il-mok with a dubious look.

In stark contrast to Il-mok’s bright demeanor, they looked like they were being led to the gallows.

Confused, Ma Do-yeong looked back down at the paper Il-mok had given him.

"...Meditation Club?"

"That's correct."

Il-mok again answered with a vigorous tone.

The club Il-mok had thought of from the beginning for a peaceful life at the Hall of the Demonic Way.

It was a napping club called Meditation.