Chapter 672
Side Story Episode 13. what are you doing!
quiet morning in the office.
Namgungsu liked this moment the most during his day at Cheongryong Academic Center..
Time to start work in the morning while slowly savoring a cup of lightly brewed tea.
Cool winter air seeped in through the window he opened for ventilation, and soft sunlight fell on his desk..
‘Good.’
Recently, my head, which had been complicated by various things, felt lighter for a moment, and my mind and body felt as clean as a clear water..
It was definitely like that until a little while ago..
“……hmm.”
Namgungsu frowned slightly and glared at the office door. To be precise, it was because of a being approaching the office with great strides from beyond..
“I felt comfortable for a few days…….”
Before the muttering mixed with a shallow sigh could end, Baek Soo-ryong opened the door and entered the office without hesitation..
“good morning!”
Due to frivolous words and actions without any trace of caution, the tea in the quiet tea cup was shaken along with Namgungsu's melodious quotient..
“How have you been while I was gone??”
Namgungsu's eyebrows twitched at the playful greeting from the grinning Baeksuryong. The mouth that used to have a gentle smile became stiff as if it had never been like that before..
“You're so arrogant. Have you achieved a small prestige in the ranks of powerhouses and then forgotten even the minimum rules of etiquette that should be observed between seniors and juniors??”
Namgungsu’s golden eyes sparkled. His eyes are so harsh that even the instructors at the Blue Dragon Academy, who have become somewhat accustomed to him, shrink their necks..
However, the opponent was none other than Baek Soo-ryong..
“Yeah yeah. Mr. Namgoongsu. good morning. Did you handle quite a bit of work while this lackey junior was away??”
Baek Soo-ryong said that with a nonchalant expression and sat down on the desk across from Namgung-su. He shrugged his shoulders and continued..
“What kind of seniors and juniors are you considering now? Among instructors from the same Cheongryong Academy.”
“……Same instructor?”
Namgungsu looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Baek Soo-ryong didn't care and unpacked the luggage he brought from home..
When I took out the thick box and opened the lid, it was full of delicious-looking mooncakes..
“I brought some snacks as a gift, so let’s eat one at a time while we work..”
“Eat a lot alone. Do you think I would carelessly consume a dish with unbalanced nutrients??”
Baek Soo-ryong muttered with a puzzled expression in his tone dripping with coldness..
“My father made it for me to eat while working.…….”
“……Let me say thank you to the student head teacher separately..”
Namgungsu reluctantly reached out and took out a mooncake from the box and put it in his mouth. He frowned for a moment, probably because it tasted better than he expected, but then nodded..
“Does it taste good? I brought a lot, so I ate as much as I could and took some home if there was any leftover..”
“…….”
Baek Soo-ryong also put a moon cake in his mouth and started to work while mumbling..
Although Baek Su-ryong originally had a grumpy and slow personality, after the war with the Blood Cult ended, Baek Soo-ryong became much softer..
‘Thinking back on how sharp you were when you first came to the Blue Dragon Academy, you are a completely different person now..’
Namgungsu looked at that for a moment, shook his head, and went back to work..
Well, Baek Soo-ryong is probably not the only one who has changed..
The students and instructors of the Blue Dragon Academy, as well as countless people outside the academy, experienced big and small changes due to the influence of Baek Su-Ryong..
Namgoongsu himself felt that a lot had changed since a year ago..
Not only has inaction increased and public opinion has changed, but many things have changed as an instructor as well..
He used to always work alone, but now he often asks other instructors for help and works together..
Since last year, I have been collaborating with Zhuge So-young, who has been helping me as a second-in-command, as well as sharing many tasks with Baek Soo-ryong, who is right in front of me..
In order to work more efficiently, we even share an office that used to be our own space.…….
“……White Water Dragon.”
Namgungsu, who suddenly had a strong doubt, raised his head and glared at Baeksuryong. I remembered an important fact that I had missed because it seemed too natural until now..
“uh? why?”
“How long do you plan on staying stuck in my office??”
After Baek Soo-ryong's office was destroyed in an unexpected accident during the Blue Dragon Festival, the two began to share Nam Gung-su's office..
A lot of time has passed since then..
As time went by in a hectic manner due to school trips, the Emperor of Heaven and Earth, and preparations for the Blood Cult, they continued to share an office. Because it was definitely more efficient that way..
But there was no need to go that far now that most of the work was done..
A deep furrow was carved between Namgungsu’s eyebrows as he glared at Baeksuryong..
“Your office repairs. Shouldn’t it have ended long ago? Why is it being postponed from time to time??”
Baek Soo-ryong looked like he was thinking deeply and answered with a serious expression, as if he wouldn't let go unless a satisfactory answer was given..
“……Honestly, it's more comfortable here, but can't we just keep using it together??”
Even if you leave work with everything roughly organized, when you come to work the next day, this will be the only office where every single piece of paper is neat and tidy... … . It was when Baek Soo-ryong was muttering to himself like that..
Grinding-!
The thunderbolt that bounced from Namgungsu’s body invaded Baeksuryong’s place. If I hadn't immediately reached out and protected it, the documents would have been completely burned..
“it's crazy? Documents barely organized……!”
“hundred. number. dragon…….”
Namgungsu spoke one by one, glaring at him with his lightning-blazing eyes. At that moment, Baeksuryong remembered the image of Namgungsu he had seen when his body was taken over by the blood demon..
-White Water Dragon. Clench your teeth tightly. 'Cause I won't stop until you come to your senses.
My body reacted before my head to the memory of being beaten by that fist covered in brain flags..
Gulp.
Baek Soo-ryong swallowed dry saliva, smiled awkwardly, and made an excuse..
“haha. Can’t you even tell a joke? I was planning on staying here until the new semester starts..”
Finally, Namgungsu slowly regained his momentum..
Namgungsu, who crossed his arms and glared at Baeksuryong for a moment, reluctantly nodded as if he understood..
“If that's the case, I'll give it up..”
“Just in case, I don’t regret it?”
“If you don't want to be kicked out right away, stay as quiet as possible until then..”
Baek Su-ryong quenched his appetite. I guess I really need to get out of here starting from the new semester..
He muttered as he looked around the office..
“I'm quite attached to this place, but I'm a little sad to think I'm leaving..”
“Stop talking nonsense and focus. And there's nothing to regret.”
“……why?”
Namgungsu gestured with his chin and pointed to the document that Baeksuryong was looking at. It was a syllabus for a new curriculum that the two were writing together..
“From now on, I will be called whenever I need it for work..”
Of course, the junior should come to the senior's office, and Baek Soo-ryong looked bewildered at the Namgoong-style joke he muttered as if he was muttering to himself..
“Is it okay for an instructor at Cheongryong Academy to be this old man??”
“Enough with Saddam. Now let's focus on work.”
“……Indeed.”
And like a lie, the two were only focused on their own work..
The office suddenly became quiet, and for a while, the only sounds were the sound of paper being turned or something being written with a brush..
As both of them are the most workaholics at Cheongryong Academic Center, the work that started in the morning continued non-stop until the afternoon..
Except for brief meal times, the two worked without ever seeing each other. The same thing happened often when we had conversations about work..
“Phew-.”
Baek Soo-ryong stretched out after finishing the urgent work first. He spoke to Namgungsu, who was working in the same posture as two hours ago..
“Now that I think about it, I saw Soyoung in the morning, and her face was incredible. Aren't you asking me to do too much work??”
“……I have never been forced to work overtime. I told him several times to leave work, but he didn't listen. I can't even stop that.”
Even though he said that, Namgoongsu's expression was slightly dark, as if he felt sorry..
Baek Soo-ryong saw that and clicked his tongue lightly..
“That guy's personality is such that he stays behind and works hard, but I'm sure he'll leave work early. That happened once or twice, I guess I was watching because I didn't know when to call.?”
“…….”
Namgoongsu’s hands became a little slower as he flipped through the documents..
Baek Soo-ryong thought that Nam Gung-su was a great instructor, but he was still stubborn and had a tight corner..
A lot has changed in many ways over the past year, but in that respect, not much has changed..
Furthermore, I thought that his status as the Ten Lords of the Murim and the head of the Namgung family made him more difficult for other instructors to approach..
‘Tsk tsk. If not me, who will take care of it?.’
Baek Soo-ryong was willing to step up for a friend who had good manners but lacked social skills..
“You rarely talk about anything personal other than work with other instructors.?”
“That's presumptuous meddling..”
Namgungsu glared at him with a look that was not strange even if he misunderstood it as 'If you say one more word, I will cut you down', but Baek Soo-ryong knew that it was an action to hide his embarrassment..
‘I can't say why my eyes are open like that..’
Baek Soo-ryong was also responsible for Namgung-su becoming Geum-an in the first place..
I think there are only a handful of people in martial arts who wouldn't be scared when I glare at them with those golden eyes..
Even so, it was a fatal flaw for Namgoongsu, who lacked interpersonal relationships..
It seemed like he didn't really care..
“So, how about having a drink with the instructors after work today??”
Then Namgungsu looked at Baeksuryong with a pitiful expression..
“You seem to have a lot of spare time. I have so much to do, but I'm having a drink..”
“It's okay for a little while after it's over. Let's take a breather. Talk openly with the instructors.”
“……What are we talking about??”
“What concerns does each person have, how do they want to teach students, and what is most needed at Cheongryong Academic Center? Even things that are difficult to say in public can easily come out when drinking..”
“……There are many excuses to drink..”
Although he spoke bluntly, Namgoongsu had a worried look on his face..
It was because Baek Soo-ryong’s words were persuasive enough..
He himself knew that he did not get along well with most instructors. I didn't really care until now, but…….
“Getting to know each other's thoughts will increase work efficiency in the long run.?”
Those words were decisive. After thinking briefly, Namgungsu nodded..
“Let me just finish the document I am looking at now and then go..”
“Because I also have some left. Let’s hurry up and finish this.”
For a while, the two focused on their work in silence again..
Baek Soo-ryong noticed that Nam Gung-su's hand was a little faster than usual as he flipped through the documents and laughed to himself..
‘child. Even though I wanted to go for a drink, I pretended not to.’
* * *
By the time the overtime addicts of Cheongryong Academic Center arrived at Baekryong Gaekjan, it was already late at night..
“Brothers-! Why did you come so late? I thought you weren't coming so I almost left..”
Shin Yeon-ho, who was enjoying the cold wind in front of the guesthouse, noticed the two people and came running. It looked just like a puppy coming to meet its owner..
“Did you wait long??”
“Hehe. Brother, you should be prepared to pay for the alcohol today..”
Shin Yeon-ho's face turned red as he smiled mischievously. It seemed like he was quite drunk..
Shin Yeon-ho urged them, pushing their backs into the guest room..
“Go up quickly. Everyone is waiting.”
“This kid is drunk?”
“……hmm.”
When we entered the guesthouse, there weren't many people. It was so late that everyone had already had a drink and went home..
Those who remained were mostly guests who came to the inn late at night and drinkers who poured themselves out..
And over there, among them, there was a Buddhist temple of Gungye Ilhak..
“uh? Brothers are here~?”
Zhuge Xiaoying, who was drunk and had his tongue twisted, welcomed the two people..
In one hand, she was holding a whole bottle of alcohol the size of her face, and empty bottles surrounded her as if forming a mysterious formation..
Around him, Myeong Il-oh and Kwak Du-yong were putting their heads down on the table like defeated soldiers..
Baek Soo-ryong asked with a dumbfounded expression..
“……How much did you drink??”
“Soyoung must have emptied half of the liquor bottle over there.?”
“oh my…….”
Baek Soo-ryong cupped his forehead, and Nam Gung-su remained silent at the amazing sight he had never experienced as the head of a prestigious family..
“Namgungsu’s brother! No, Mr. Namgoongsu.!”
At that time, Zhuge Xiaoying hit the seat next to him with his palm. He looked very excited after drinking alcohol for the first time in a long time..
“what are you doing! Don't just stand there, come and sit down.!”
“hmm…….”
Seeing Nam Gung-su looking very uncomfortable, everyone except Zhuge So-young became restless..
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