Episode 43. Cheongseong Long Speech Contest
“What do you mean? “This body is now at a point where it needs to be washed with gold powder.”
“ha ha ha. That is a common saying only in the Cheongseong faction. Such a lively person…”
The two exchanged pleasantries like that for a while.
Then, Hong Gu-geum introduced the old man to the crowd.
“This person is Cai Geui-ik (菜極翼) Dahyo of the Huashan Sect. “You may have seen the face for the first time, but there is no one who has not heard the name.”
Then Nam Cheol-hong stood up and pretended to know.
“ah! It was an elder from Daehyeop Chae from Plum Blossom Election. “It’s a pleasure to meet you like this.”
Led by him, the seven elders took turns greeting Chae Geuk-ik.
After the greetings were finished, Hong Gu-geum spoke.
“In accordance with the long tradition of our Qingcheng Sect, we have invited Cai Daehyup of the Hwasan Sect as the guarantor of the Jangmun Selection Contest. Thankfully, the Murim Alliance dispatched us.”
Chae Geuk-ik took the gun and smiled.
“It’s just an honor. “I pledge to be a fair witness.”
In this way, preparations were finally made for the ‘Cheongseong Jangmun Selection Contest’ to select the next Jangmun position of the Cheongseong faction.
Then Lee Shin-song brought out a shiny gold metal box.
There was a large lock on it.
Hong Gu-geum took out a key as big as a lock from his pocket, opened it, and locked it.
There was paper inside it.
A total of seven sheets.
Below, there was a pre-imprinted seal with the unique mark of the Cheongseong faction.
Hong Gu-geum said.
“Well then… I will now select candidates for the next Jangmun position. I don’t mind a recommendation, and I don’t mind showing up in person. “If it is not an elder, everyone will wait until that person is brought in.”
Shinsong Lee said.
“I would recommend Elder Nam Cheol-hong.”
Hong Gu-geum asked.
“Does the male elder agree?”
Nam Cheol-hong answered with a face full of determination.
“That’s right.”
Hong Gu-geum spoke again.
“Are there other candidates?”
Then, as if he had been waiting, Elder Ki Baek-eom raised his hand and said.
“I would recommend Elder Bok Yeon-hwa.”
Hong Gu-geum said.
“Does Elder Bok agree?”
Yeonhwa Bok said.
“I agree.”
Hong Gu-geum asked the crowd.
“Are there any other candidates you would recommend or come forward yourself?”
There was silence.
Hong Gu-geum, who had been waiting for a moment, soon opened his mouth.
“Good. “Were there any candidates among the ordinary disciples?”
Lee Shin-song quickly answered.
“No candidates applied for the position of Jang Moon in the previous notice.”
Hong Gu-geum nodded.
“Then, the candidates for the next Jang Mun-in have been narrowed down to Elder Nam Cheol-hong and Elder Bok Yeon-hwa. “I will destroy the two papers in accordance with the written regulations that say that a candidate for Jang Moon-jik cannot exercise his/her right to election.”
Hong Gu-geum took out two pieces of paper from the metal box and tore them up in an instant.
There were now five ballots left.
Hong Gu-geum asked.
“What happened to Elder Jin?”
Shinsong Lee said.
“He hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I’m worried that there might have been an accident.”
Nam Cheol-hong added as if he was worried, and Bok Yeon-hwa just stared at him.
“Hmm… Then, according to the rules, it is unavoidable…”
Hong Gu-geum said, handing four ballots, excluding Elder Jin’s, to Chae Geuk-ik.
“From now on, I will ask Daehyeop Chae for his hard work.”
Chae Geuk-ik answered with a chuckle.
“It’s hard work. Please leave it to me.”
Chae Geuk-ik handed out papers to the leftists and had them vote.
The small conference hall was filled with tension.
Chae Geuk-ik collected the papers again using a metal box.
Then he began to check the collected ballots with a careful expression.
There was such great silence in the hall that even the sound of breathing could be heard.
And finally….
Chae Geuk-ik said with a troubled expression.
“Elder Nam Cheol-hong’s two copies. Elder Bok Yeon-hwa’s two copies. “It’s exactly the same.”
Then a murmur was heard.
Lee Shin-song glanced at Baek Beom-sang.
He was blowing the dirt off his fingernails as if nothing had happened.
‘Shit. That damn Baekga bastard ended up choosing the Bokga girl. So, Ha Bong-rye and I chose Nam Cheol-hong, and Seo Ui-jae Baek Beom-sang chose Bok-ga.’
Chae Geuk-ik cleared his throat a few times again, as if it was uncomfortable, and then said.
“What do you do in cases like this…?”
Lee Shin-song quickly answered.
“If there are multiple candidates, a re-vote is held excluding the two who received the most votes. But now there are only two candidates, so…”
Hong Gu-geum said.
“The Blue Star Long Statement Selection Contest will be changed to the Blue Star Long Statement Selection Contest.”
Chae Geuk-ik blinked and asked back.
“What do you mean?”
This time, Lee Shin-song answered.
“The winner will be decided based on martial arts skills between long-term candidates.”
Chae Geuk-ik said in surprise.
“Are you saying they are selected without merit?”
“That’s right. “It is not a solo competition, but the team that wins the most with two of their students will be selected.”
One corner of Cai Guikyi’s eye rolled up.
Then Hong Gu-geum said.
“It is the consideration of our ancestors. This means that anyone who becomes a scholar must have not only the ability of the first person but also the discretion to develop the latter.”
Then, Chae Geuk-ik finally nodded in agreement.
“I guess so. “It must have had such a deep meaning.”
At that time, Hong Gu-geum declared in a loud voice.
“Today’s long essay selection contest has the same number of entries, so it will be changed to a long essay contest in two weeks. The elders lead the disciples and prepare for the competition without any disruption.”
The elders answered in unison.
“yes. All right.”
Hong Gu-geum looked back at Chae Geuk-ik and said.
“I’m sorry for your inconvenience, Mr. Chae Daehyeop, but… you should visit us one more time.”
Then Chae Geuk-ik laughed and said.
“No, it is truly an honor to be able to see such an interesting sight. I don’t think it’s worth the trouble! ha ha ha.”
* * *
Han Ibi sat in the guest house and thought deeply.
The beginning of this novel called ‘Yeomsajimong’.
The Cheongseong faction’s long-writer selection contest is where all these events begin.
He focused his mind to squeeze out the memories.
‘At the long election ceremony of the Blue House, a tie emerged between the two factions. I think that’s why I chose Jang Mun-jik to fight.’
While reading it, I remember thinking that they were truly ignorant people.
Deciding to fight for that important position…
Anyway, that’s it… Han Ibi has to find a way to live on her own.
‘Um… So, So Eun-ri…’
Then, suddenly, Han Ibi felt a shiver run down her spine.
‘ah! ‘What am I doing now?’
So Eun-ri is the female protagonist of this novel.
The person So Eun-ri needs to become friends with is Jong Ri-hyeok, the main character of this novel.
The meeting between So Eun-ri and Jong Ri-hyuk.
This is one of the important points where the story of Yeomsajimong begins.
The love line that flows clumsily and heartbreakingly as if it might or might not come true is the main stream of ‘Yeomsaji Dream’.
At that moment, Han Ibi realized that she was crushing the main stream.
Because you stole the time they could have spent together!
‘What have I done?’
Twisting the main plot is a very dangerous thing.
When I think about it, my appearance in the Qingcheng faction itself is already a ‘significant variable’.
That’s not enough, it’s no different from sticking next to So Eun-ri and disrupting their relationship… It’s
not like I can stay in this bizarre martial arts world forever, so someday… I have to go back someday.
The best way is to assist Jong Ri-hyuk so that the main stream flows smoothly, stand behind him, and then catch and eat the fruit.
Han Ibi decided that she needed to control herself better.
To do this, you need to understand the flow of the plot and put it back in place as much as possible.
‘Let’s think! ‘You have to think of it!’
Han Ibi was racking her brains and wondering what to do next.
Then a thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘yes. As originally planned, Bok Yeon-hwa, So Eun-ri, and Yoon Bang-moon, a disciple of a spirited elder, are paired up to attend the Cheongseong long essay selection contest. However, So Eun-ri is attacked by a strange person right before the competition and is injured… Jong Ri-hyuk saves her and competes in her place so that Bok Yeon-hwa can become Jang Mun-in. This is the original content!’
So Eun-ri and Jong Ri-hyuk were dating, so when she was in danger, Jong Ri-hyuk was able to immediately help her.
However, judging from the content of the story that Han Ebi has now ruined, the possibility of that incident occurring has been significantly reduced.
If Jong Ri-hyuk is unable to participate in the competition, it will be difficult for Bok Yeon-hwa to become Jang Mun-in… and
if Bok Yeon-hwa’s election fails, even the introductory part about the protagonist leaving for the Murim League will not be realized.
Han Ibi’s body trembled.
‘Oh my! Then you have to proceed with the story in a completely different worldview!’
It shouldn’t be like that.
Han Ibi began to formulate her plan for plot recovery in her head.
A desperate plan to escape….
* * *
The excitement of the Cheongseong Long Speech Contest was heating up.
Wherever the Cheongseong Sect went, the disciples were beside themselves with the story.
So, the long essay selection contest is a strict and sacred process, but at the same time, it can be said to be a ‘festival of festivals’ that is difficult for Cheongseong people to experience only a few times in their lives.
So, no matter how much Han Ibi was bullied, it was easy to hear about the situation going on.
Fortunately, the flow follows the main plot!
The lineup for the repeat episode was as follows.
Recovering Yeonhwa, So Eun-ri, and Yoon Bang-moon.
And the lineup of Elder Nam Cheol-hong, including Hong Gu-geum.
Nam Cheol-hong and Seong Chun-don are dependents.
Unfortunately, Yun Bang-mun is defeated by Sun Bu-yang.
Here, there is a scene where Jong Ri-hyuk replaces So Eun-ri, receives Bok Yeon-hwa’s teachings, and dramatically defeats Seong Chun-don.
With the score at 1:1, Yeonhwa doubles and more dramatically overpowers Nam Cheolhong.
‘Like this! The story should flow like this, no more, no less.’
In order to do so, Jong Ri-hyuk must be able to save So Eun-ri, who is being secretly attacked by an unidentified person.
Han Ibi looked up the date of the competition that she had picked up.
‘The long essay contest is in a week. According to the setting of Yeomsaji Dream, So Eun-ri was attacked three days ago. So, I’ll have to watch So Eun-ri’s training closely and then prepare to run to Jong Ri-hyuk.’
Han Ibi rehearsed it dozens of times in her head.
‘Good.’ It must be done without a single error.’
In that sense, knowing the future in advance was very convenient.
In the next few days, So Eun-ri will be attacked in the mountains.
Hyeongsu’s martial arts skills were surprisingly strong, and So Eun-ri was injured.
However, thanks to Jong Ri-hyuk, who was worried about her and was by her side, she was able to endure, and Jong-rae was able to subdue them by showing up.
Han Ibi thought.
‘In that case, Jong Ri-hyuk should be not far from So Eun-ri… Ah. I guess I’ll have to figure out a way for a few days.’
Since the Cheongseong Master Selection Contest was decided, Bok Yeon-hwa, So Eun-ri, and Yoon Bang-moon were each concentrating on their training.
So Eun-ri prepared for the selection competition with Bok Yeon-hwa and Yun Bang-moon with his master, Elder Gi Baek-eom.
At this time, Bok Yeon-hwa and So Eun-ri are concerned about the other party spying on them, so they go deep into Cheongseong Mountain and learn martial arts.
Han Ibi needed to know where they were training in preparation for the big event that would unfold in a few days.
‘Whew… I don’t really have an excuse… I’ll have no choice but to watch it secretly so I don’t get caught.’
Because of that, Han Ibi had been waiting since dawn for Bok Yeon-hwa and So Eun-ri to show up.
Han Ibi watches them from behind the fence.
But… today, for some reason, Bok Yeon-hwa and So Eun-ri take different paths.
It seemed like Bok Yeon-hwa had something else going on.
These days, I’m very busy with the Cheongseong Long Speech Contest.
‘This is an opportunity.’
Han Yi-bi decided to follow So Eun-ri as she went up to the back of Cheongseong.
After all, we would have to find out where she was training.
Han Ibi started to chase after her, holding her breath.
(Continued in the next part)
