A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 853 Chapter 850: Side Story - Employment Heavenly Lord (3)

'Wagering the kids for a duel! Utterly shameless.'

Shin Young-man, head of New Spring Kindergarten. Though a firm materialist, she always keeps the children's well-being at heart.

'Kids must never be used as betting chips!'

She and her long-separated husband couldn't have kids of their own.

Having managed the kindergarten all these years while nurturing others' children, she views them as her own—even if not by blood—and sees battling with kids as wager prizes as utterly unacceptable.

"Hmph, that so-called principal from the other side doesn't even deserve a response."

Shin Young-man tuts her tongue while scanning the kindergarten's staff around her.

She feels foolish for letting fear creep in against such a vile foe.

"Let's wrap up this emergency meeting for today. I got overly spooked by that other kindergarten's principal—"

Drrrriiiing!

Yet before Shin Young-man finishes, the office phone blares again, and she answers it once more.

The voice belongs to Silver Sword Kindergarten's principal, Yang Ji-hwang, from moments earlier.

—Alright. My wording was off. True educators avoid bets involving children. So, instead of neighborhood kids... how about wagering a kindergarten takeover and merger?

"What!?"

Shin Young-man's eyes flash with intense fury.

A takeover and merger?

They're boldly declaring plans to swallow up the New Spring Kindergarten she've built from scratch?

"You think you can just push out this neighborhood's longtime mainstay—me!?"

—Or it could flip. Your place might absorb our Silver Sword Kindergarten, with its vast programs, superior teaching methods, and top-notch kids! Know how great we are? We hit a 120 percent elementary school enrollment rate.

Thump!

A chill sinks into Shin Young-man's heart.

'120 percent elementary enrollment!? How...? We maxed at under 100 percent despite our efforts...'

Yet simultaneously, a fire ignites within her chest.

'...No clue what bet this guy means... but perhaps... just perhaps...'

Devouring this formidable kindergarten could propel them forward massively.

'From his words, he won't back off my kindergarten easily.'

One way or another, they aim to consume hers and claim dominance as the area's top English kindergarten.

Refusing might lead to unknown dirty tricks.

Better to stand tall, compete head-on, and seize the chance to overtake them.

'Above all...'

Shin Young-man possesses true confidence in one area.

"...Agreed. After due consideration, it's a fair offer. One condition! We set the wager details. No objections, right?"

—Sure, that's fine. Call back once decided.

Click.

Yang Ji-hwang hangs up, and Shin Young-man briefs the executives on the update.

"Thus, to confront the new Silver Sword Kindergarten... we'll hold a sports day."

The wager activities are set.

"Hippo Class teachers, bulk up those kids by sports day. Their wild energy will dominate tug-of-war and chicken fights."

"Understood!"

"Elephant Class staff, drill singing and dancing harder. The Elephant cheer squad guarantees our win."

"Understood!"

"Giraffe Class teachers, drill English plus general knowledge and Hangul quizzes. Giraffe Class will crush the quiz event!"

"Understood!"

As teachers bow deeply, Shin Young-man shuts her eyes, recalling her estranged husband.

'Sorry, dear... I swore I'd never unleash it...'

Time to activate it anyway.

New Spring Kindergarten's ultimate, most dreaded protocol.

[Town Musicians of Bremen].

"New Spring Kindergarten declares total war on Silver Sword Kindergarten. Activating [Town Musicians of Bremen] protocol now—all staff, prepare fully!"

Chwararak!

Shin Young-man yanks the curtain on one office wall, revealing a mural: giraffe, elephant, hippo stacked and singing.

Hippo tops the pile, elephant below, giraffe at bottom.

Look closer—a faint fourth animal lurks under the giraffe, barely visible.

Gazing at the bottom beast, Shin Young-man closes her eyes.

'Hope we never need to release those ones...'

Town Musicians of Bremen feature four animals originally.

At New Spring, the fourth is too savage, kept sealed.

Staff even call its kids 'the last knight of the apocalypse.'

"Draft the sports day outline and submit it. We'll prove who rules English kindergartens here. Once planned, send a messenger to Silver Sword. Meeting over—back to classes!"

Thus ends that day's New Spring Kindergarten gathering.

***

"No, Ji Hwa. Why provoke that?"

In the bathhouse.

Seo Eun-hyun splashes with Ji Hwa and questions her; she just shrugs.

"It serves a greater goal, so relax."

"Fine, suppose so. But... did history revision create Silver Sword Kindergarten? Got kids? Teachers?"

"Your rival principal likely suggests sports day... you'll see students and staff then. Founding it wasn't revision. I was a Heaven Immortal, remember? Now Heavenly Venerable, I handle revision but it's not my forte..."

"Then how?"

"Secured a loan fairly, bought the building legit, sprinkled [wisdom] for the license. Simple."

"..."

Seo Eun-hyun stares at Ji Hwa in shock; she chuckles, massaging his shoulders roughly.

"Hehe, no sweat. Interest's just 60%. Easy payback..."

"Interest... 60%?"

"Versus existence-draining debt, it's cheap. I'll manage!"

"Ah, no... uh..."

Seo Eun-hyun remains dazed long, but Ji Hwa's smug grin makes him drop it.

"Whatever..."

***

Weekend arrives.

Seo Eun-hyun rides with Ji Hwa to a Mount Chilgap campsite.

Per Ji Hwa, New Spring rented it for field day.

"They're taking it seriously, so I'm scouting ahead."

Boo-ooong—

Driving the truck, Ji Hwa relays the envoy's words to passenger Seo Eun-hyun.

"That principal's no pushover. Gotta check the site fully—who knows their tricks."

"Ji Hwa, she's mortal; you're Heavenly Venerable—overkill?"

"Nonsense! Lions pounce rabbits full-force!"

Ji Hwa drives grimly, smacking lips.

"As Heavenly Venerable vs. mortal, I respect by crushing utterly. Entering Nirvana, principal, kid—whoever, I go all-out for victory!"

Her bold yell draws Seo Eun-hyun's bemused gaze.

Suddenly,

On the quiet highway to camp.

A red van swerves ahead of Ji Hwa's truck signal-free.

Honk! Honk, honk!

Sudden block nearly wrecks them; Ji Hwa honks furiously, rage boiling.

Van shifts left, slows beside, window down.

"Hey, who's honking like trash... oh, hot noona? Kid beside your son? Nephew? Bro?"

Tanned pierced blondes leer at Ji Hwa; she glares back irritably.

"You idiots! Cutting in like that!? Wanna die!!!"

"Feisty noona? Sorry! Big truck ahead annoyed me. Wouldn't mess with you. Heading Mount Chilgap camp? Gear in back."

"Scram. Blocking my drive."

"Ahahahaha! Noona bad driver? Oppa help?"

"Hah..."

Ji Hwa accelerates away, but van pursues clingily.

"Where to? Us too—don't stay mad. See you at camp anyway? Join us!"

Van hugs truck menacingly; Ji Hwa snaps, turns to Seo Eun-hyun.

"Seo Eun-hyun."

"Need backup?"

"Yeah."

"Fine, puncture their tire lightly..."

"No. You drive."

"...Huh?"

Ji Hwa unbuckles him, grabs his neck, swaps seats, plopping him at wheel.

Suddenly driving kindergartener body, Seo Eun-hyun flails short limbs, yells.

"Ji Hwa, kids can't drive—it's illegal!" 

"Quiet! Not the point."

She rises fully, mounts seat, leans out window.

"Hey noona! Wild! Switching cars?"

Men in van laugh harder at Ji Hwa.

Then, back-seater recognizes, halts them.

"Wait! That's her! Floor it! Mount Chilgap Sword-Woman!"

"What?"

Ji Hwa draws 1.5m sword.

Kaaaang!!!

Sword shatters van window.

"Huaaaaagh! Crazy bitch!?"

Buaaaang!

Van flees late.

"Reckless drivers!"

Kwaaaaang!

Sword rips air; right mirror explodes.

"I deliver justice!!!"

Kwaduduk!

Her swing...

...more massive than sword.

One slash rips van's right door off.

"Crazy biiiiitch!!!"

"Goooooo!!! Mount Chilgap Sword-Woman!!"

"Goooooo!!!"

Fear drives them faster.

Van pulls ahead; Ji Hwa won't allow.

"Seo Eun-hyun! Hook behind seat—toss it!"

"Ji Hwa!!! Stop!!??"

"Shut up!!! Hook now!!!"

Short-armed, he grabs, passes hook with chain.

Ji Hwa whirls chain-hook, building spin.

Peak force hits; she hurls at van.

Tukwaang!

Hook snags trunk; she hauls chain, closing gap.

"I am victory's goddess, war and iron's mistress, justice's protector!!!"

Kaduduk!

Dragging van near, Ji Hwa hefts greatsword.

"Today!!! Justice's guardian teaches: reckless driving costs!!!"

Kwaduduk!

First blow.

Greatsword shears van roof clean.

"Learn well!!!"

Second.

Greatsword bisects van, blank-faced men inside.

Van erupts.

Third.

Sword severs explosion, sparing lives mercifully.

Kaaang!

Reels hook, stows sword/hook neatly behind seat, swaps Seo Eun-hyun back, retakes wheel.

Refreshed and content, Ji Hwa gazes forward.

"Lesson learned—no more reckless driving. Enlightened another group righteously; light spirit fulfilled."

"..."

"Now I'm a true Korean youth, like you, Seo Eun-hyun. Thrilled!"

"...I never did this...?"

"Perfect weather!"

Clear skies, fattening season for horses.

Autumn day.

***

That day, police haul Ji Hwa in.

For road rage, reckless driving.

Autumn.