Chapter 100. What do you think, my friends? “Hahaha! This friend is a masterpiece! How can he make words so entertaining!” Feng Zhenhao pounded the table and laughed heartily.
His face was as red as a jujube, clearly intoxicated. “Since Teacher Feng is listening so well, I can’t help but feel even more excited.” “Indeed, indeed. Hahaha.” On the opposite side sat Bai Shulong, with a relaxed expression as he tilted his wine glass, and Ming Yiluo, who looked tense.
Feng Zhenhao poured wine into Ming Yiluo’s glass until it overflowed and said, “You should drink comfortably like Teacher Bai. Today, I’ll take care of everything, so don’t worry about money.”
“I-I’m fine.”
Ming Yiluo tried to hold back, worried he might make a mistake in front of his senior, but Bai Shulong wouldn’t allow it.
“Oh! Yiluo, are you ignoring Teacher Feng’s kindness? Does he look like a beggar to you?”
“Huh? No, that’s not it…”
“Then you should drink up quickly. And drink more. That way, the atmosphere will liven up, Teacher Feng will be in a good mood, and the meaning of our gathering will deepen.”
Moreover, the shop’s sales would rise, and that money would eventually end up in Bai Shulong’s own pocket.
“Teacher Bai is right. Don’t worry about my finances. To have a heartfelt conversation with you tonight, I need to be sufficiently tipsy, don’t I?”
“As expected of Teacher Feng. In that sense, may I order more food and drinks?”
“From now on, don’t ask, just order.”
“Then I won’t hold back.”
With a sly smile, Bai Shulong called for the shopkeeper and ordered the most expensive wine and dishes, successfully surprising Feng Zhenhao.
“Haha… You really have a big heart.”
“If it’s too much, should I cancel the food?”
“What do you mean by that? Do you think I can’t afford a night of drinks for you?”
Feng Zhenhao kept downing his drink while continuously stroking his lush beard.
His beard, grown for ten years, was his greatest pride.
He had often said he wouldn’t cut it even for ten golden coins offered by his fellow instructors.
Bai Shulong knew this story well.
“Wow. Teacher Feng, your beard suits you very well. I’m envious since I can’t grow one.”
“Haha! You’ll have a fuller beard when you get older.”
“It seems you take special care of it, like it shines and feels silky. Senior, if you have any secrets, please share.”
“Hmm. Actually, you need to maintain it consistently. Washing and drying it regularly is basic, and I have a pharmacy I often visit…”
After chatting about trivial matters and finishing several bottles of wine, Feng Zhenhao casually brought up the main topic.
“Do you have any idea why I called only you two?”
There were only two temporary instructors at the drinking table: Bai Shulong and Ming Yiluo.
Feng Zhenhao had told the others, Ahn Yeon-ho and Jeong Gyeol-soo, to prepare a separate table and was drinking with just the two of them. “I don’t know.” “I… I don’t know either.” The two answered honestly.
They couldn’t even guess why they were the only ones invited.
As if he expected their responses, Feng Zhenhao smiled. “I’m sorry to say this, but you two don’t have particularly good backgrounds as instructors.” “…” “Hmm…” Bai Shulong listened quietly, while Ming Yiluo’s expression slightly hardened, showing some discontent.
Seeing this, Feng Zhenhao quickly added an explanation. “It’s not that your sect is a small one. But it’s true that you can’t compare to the Zhuge family or the Shandong family, can you?” “That’s true.” Ming Yiluo reluctantly nodded.
Understanding their reaction, Feng Zhenhao nodded back. “I feel the same way. Have you heard of the Fengyun Hall in Shanxi?” The two shook their heads.
However, they could easily guess that Fengyun Hall was somehow related to Feng Zhenhao. “Let’s have a drink.” Feng Zhenhao filled their glasses to the brim and poured his own.
After downing a glass, he continued, “Do you know which family has the largest academic hall in the martial world?” “The Namgung family.” Ming Yiluo answered immediately.
He had a keen interest in the martial world’s affairs and academic halls.
Seemingly satisfied with the quick response, Feng Zhenhao squinted and smiled. “That’s right. Many masters from the Namgung family, including the Sword King of Changcheon, work as instructors. Do you know that there are more than ten masters who have made a name for themselves as top instructors in the Namgung family?” “…So many?” Bai Shulong had never heard this before.
Feng Zhenhao filled his glass again and said, “After the Blood Sect fell, the martial world entered a peaceful era. The disoriented forces of the demonic sects fought among themselves and fell, while the righteous heroes eliminated the villains without fear. Even the bandits and robbers mostly kept a low profile.
But isn’t it interesting how the world works?” A sly smile appeared on Feng Zhenhao’s lips, and his eyes sparkled like a snake hunting its prey.
“When the demonic sects lose power, the righteous sects also weaken. Who will save the common people from the demonic sects, and who will collect protection fees under that pretext? In short…”
Feng Zhenhao made a coin shape with his thumb and index finger.
“It means that income has decreased. The impact on the well-known sects and families of the righteous has been the greatest. And then they turned their eyes to the academic halls.”
“…”
“The establishment of the Five Great Academic Halls also started from that time. They claimed it was to train the martial artists for when the Blood Sect might resurrect, but why would the fallen Blood Sect ever come back? It’s all an excuse.”
Bai Shulong remained silent, listening intently, even though he had much to say about the Blood Sect.
‘Now that I think about it, he’s not drunk at all.’
Feng Zhenhao’s apparent drunkenness was merely a facade; he had been controlling his intoxication with his inner strength from the beginning.
He was just pretending to be tipsy to create a relaxed atmosphere. ‘A master.
Not just in martial arts, but in many aspects.’ Bai Shulong’s wariness towards Feng Zhenhao grew.
Yet, he maintained a facade of attentiveness. “Is that so?” “Ultimately, the reason the Five Great Academic Halls were established is to make money through martial arts. That’s why I didn’t invite Teacher Ahn and Teacher Jeong here.” “Uh, Teacher Feng, isn’t it a bit excessive to say it’s all about money?” “Do you still think otherwise after seeing what the Namgung family is doing?” Feng Zhenhao’s gaze turned icy for a moment.
Ming Yiluo fell silent.
“The Namgung family is just the beginning. The once dignified Gu Pai family and the Five Great Families are also gradually entering the academic hall business. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s… true.”
“Money is the first priority, and the second is connections. Nowadays, most kids with talent in martial arts attend academic halls. The one-on-one transmission of martial arts is nearly extinct, and systematic teaching methods have developed. But where do the kids who graduate from academic halls go?”
Feng Zhenhao asked himself after wetting his throat with wine.
“They either advance to higher-level academic halls or get recommendations to join sects. Of course, some find jobs in trading houses or shops, but the greatest success is becoming an official disciple of a major sect.”
As the Blood Sect disappeared and the martial world entered a peaceful era, the reasons for learning martial arts gradually changed.
‘The times have changed more than I thought.’
Bai Shulong had only considered teaching martial arts well, but he hadn’t thought about the future of his disciples.
However, if the times had changed this much… Bai Shulong’s thoughts deepened as Feng Zhenhao continued. “The academic hall business has ultimately become a way to enrich the old major sects and expand their power. In the end, those who have wealth continue to gather more money.” Feng Zhenhao’s cynical words poured out.
They were things he had never imagined before coming here. ‘I thought he was just a second-in-command of the Namgung faction…’ Instead, he was openly expressing hostility towards the Namgung family to which Namgung Su belonged.
Did Namgung Su know about this? ‘Of course not.’ Bai Shulong recalled another thing that Mae Geuk-ryeom had said about Feng Zhenhao. - Although he is called the Namgung Su faction, Namgung Seong is merely at the center; he doesn’t do much.
The real power lies with Feng Zhenhao.
He shapes public opinion and incites the instructors. ‘He seems to be more than just a real power.’ When Bai Shulong first saw Feng Zhenhao, he appeared to be an inconspicuous man.
But now, the man before him, smiling coldly with shining eyes, was far more cunning and ambitious than he had imagined.
‘The reason he called only me and Yiluo here…’
Bai Shulong began to grasp what Feng Zhenhao wanted.
“I believe that instructors from small and medium sects should unite before it’s too late.”
“…”
The sound of Ming Yiluo swallowing hard echoed like thunder.
‘He’s trying to draw us to his side like this.’
Bai Shulong stared into his glass, pondering.
“I don’t quite understand what you mean. What difference would it make if we united?”
“This is just between you and me.”
Feng Zhenhao smiled with a strange glint in his eyes.
The intoxication on his face was no longer visible. “The Qinglong Academic Hall won’t last long.” “Cough, cough!” “Teacher Ming, why are you so surprised? You must have heard various rumors on your way here.” “What do you mean…” “The Qinglong Academic Hall won’t be invited to the Tianwu Festival starting next year. This was decided at the meeting of the Five Great Academic Halls earlier this year.” “…” The two’s expressions hardened at this unexpected news.
Bai Shulong had never heard such a thing from Noh Gun-sang or Mae Geuk-ryeom.
“Just participating in the Tianwu Festival is highly symbolic. Even if they’ve been last for ten years, the Qinglong Academic Hall could be included in the Five Great Academic Halls because they participated.”
“In other words, if they can’t participate in the Tianwu Festival, the Qinglong Academic Hall will no longer be included in the Five Great Academic Halls.”
Feng Zhenhao looked at Bai Shulong and smiled.
“If you declare your intention to win this year, things might change… But I admire Teacher Bai’s confidence, yet I’m a very realistic person.”
Winning the Tianwu Festival was impossible.
And starting next year, the Qinglong Academic Hall wouldn’t even be able to participate in it. “The latecomers of the martial world will no longer come to the Qinglong Academic Hall, and with its reputation and finances dwindling, the Qinglong Academic Hall won’t be able to sustain its current size and will have to keep downsizing. At most, five years… After that, bankruptcy.” It was truly a terrifying story.
Ming Yiluo turned pale, and Bai Shulong set down his glass. “Why are you telling us all this?” “Because I want to be with you for a long time. For the next five years, I will firmly support you.” “... And after five years?” Bai Shulong thought that the answer to this question would reveal why Feng Zhenhao had called them here. “I plan to use all my connections and wealth to establish a new academic hall. At that time, I would like to recruit you.” “…” “…” It was too much information to absorb in one night of drinking.
Seeing the complex expressions on their faces, Feng Zhenhao chuckled. “Oh dear. The atmosphere has become too serious. I should call some courtesans. Take your time to think about my proposal.” Before anyone could stop him, Feng Zhenhao called for courtesans.
Before they arrived, Bai Shulong asked a question.
He knew a bit more about this man named Feng Zhenhao. “Why are you sharing all this with us, knowing we could spread rumors tomorrow?” At Bai Shulong’s bold provocation, Feng Zhenhao smiled meaningfully. “Would you believe what a temporary instructor says? Or would you trust my words, having devoted twenty years to the academic hall?” “If you’ve been here for twenty years, why aren’t you the head or deputy head?” Bai Shulong thought that with Feng Zhenhao’s political skills, he could have easily become the head.
It wasn’t necessary to be strong in martial arts to become the head of an academic hall.
“I had such thoughts until about ten years ago. But since then, the Qinglong Academic Hall has been on a downhill path.”
Feng Zhenhao stroked his beard a few times and then downed a shot of strong liquor in one go.
“If the academic hall fails, someone has to take responsibility. The head of the academic hall first, and the deputy head can’t escape either. And…”
Bai Shulong, realizing who he meant, answered, “The top instructors would also suffer greatly.”
“It’s good that we understand each other.”
Feng Zhenhao continued to down shots of liquor.
His actions resembled a snake deliberately swallowing poison to keep it within its body. “So, I’m thinking of expelling Namgung Su from the Qinglong Academic Hall. What do you think?” His gaze was chillingly cold.