"How bleak."
After glancing around Namgung Soo's office, Baek Su-ryong's impression was just that.
Aside from the necessary furniture, the room was filled with mountains of stacked documents, and it felt cold even inside the office, as if the fire had not been lit.
No, this chill seemed to stem from the person in front of him.
To ease the awkward atmosphere, Baek Su-ryong opened his mouth.
"Since we have a guest, how about a cup of tea...?"
"I have no tea to offer. Just state your business clearly and disappear from my sight."
Namgung Soo spoke with a tone that radiated coldness.
It was hard to believe there was no tea in the office, but since he was the one making a request today, Baek Su-ryong nodded, accepting it.
"What about Teacher Jeong Gak-so-young? I heard she works here, but did she leave early?"
"Just state your business. Clearly."
With Namgung Soo's increasingly curt replies and sharp gaze, Baek Su-ryong shrugged his shoulders.
If the other party was being this direct, he had no intention of beating around the bush either.
"Two years ago at Cheonmuje, you were the head instructor for this year, right?"
"I don't know why you're asking that suddenly, but yes."
Namgung Soo replied, seeming tired as he closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose.