The Farmer Who Ended Up Teaching the World’s Greatest Martial Artist - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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| Chapter 85

“I apologize for the sudden interruption, but may I make a proposal?”

As Yoo Eun-hyun stepped forward, all eyes turned to him at once. After showing brief surprise, Byeon Ak subtly nodded his head and then gestured with his eyes as if telling him to proceed.

“If you would permit it, I would like to do extra work to cover for Brother Cheol-dong while he recovers.”

“You’re saying you’ll do the work of two people?”

Byeon Ak narrowed his eyes as he asked. He seemed unable to fully grasp Yoo Eun-hyun’s intention. The workers gathered here appeared to be in the same state, as they began murmuring among themselves.

“Yes, that’s correct. However, if I do so, you must pay double wages to cover Brother Cheol-dong’s share as well.”

“Hah, this is the first time I’ve received such a proposal. It would be good for us since we wouldn’t need to find new workers… Do you really think it’s possible?”

“Yes, it’s possible.”

As Yoo Eun-hyun spoke with confidence, Byeon Ak burst into loud laughter.

“Since you make such bold claims, I’ll trust you once. But I can’t just blindly entrust this to you, so I’d like to set one condition…”

“What condition?”

“If you can’t handle the work of two people, both Mo Cheol-dong and you will have to leave this place. We’ll only pay half wages for the work done so far. How about it?”

Byeon Ak twisted the corners of his mouth in a sinister smile. True to someone from Maegyo, even his aura felt eerie and ominous.

At that moment, Mo Cheol-dong, who had been quietly standing beside him, poked Yoo Eun-hyun’s side.

“Friend, I’m grateful, but you don’t need to go that far. When even doing one person’s work is overwhelming, how can you try to do two people’s share?”

“I can handle it sufficiently even alone. And you taught me many things on the way here. Please think of this as repayment for that.”

“…”

Mo Cheol-dong, who was about to say something, closed his mouth. His eyes, as he lowered his head, had already turned red with emotion.

“Good. Then let’s conclude this matter here. Everyone rest like this for the morning. In the afternoon, another squad leader will come to assign work.”

After finishing his words, Byeon Ak was about to turn around but suddenly fixed his gaze on Yoo Eun-hyun. His eyes held a mixture of anticipation and interest. But that was brief, and soon he left as if nothing had happened.

As Byeon Ak left, the workers nearby swarmed around Yoo Eun-hyun.

“You! Have you finally gone mad! What were you thinking making promises you can’t keep! Didn’t you see what just happened to Squad Leader Weon!”

“Go right now and say you want to take it back! Hurry!”

The workers all pushed Yoo Eun-hyun’s back in unison, urging him on. They seemed ready to forcibly drag him to Byeon Ak if he didn’t step forward immediately.

However, even under such pressure, Yoo Eun-hyun didn’t budge. Standing as if rooted in place, he fell into thought for a moment.

‘Farm work after such a long time…’

What the workers were worried about wasn’t particularly concerning to Yoo Eun-hyun. Far from being burdened, he seemed strangely excited, as if he’d finally gotten a chance to stretch his hands after a long time.

Unable to suppress the smile creeping up, Yoo Eun-hyun muttered to himself.

‘I have no choice. I’ll have to show them once.’

*

After the commotion had passed. When the group was resting outside after an early lunch, a man could be seen striding toward them from the distance.

“Sorry about that. I hurried to get here quickly but ended up being late anyway. Work piled up and I couldn’t take my hands off it all morning. Hahaha.”

“Who might you be…?”

“Ah, I’m late with introductions. I’m Yeo Chang-dong, the 4th Squad leader.”

The man who introduced himself as Yeo Chang-dong appeared to be about ten years older than Yoo Eun-hyun. His roughly tied, unkempt hair and naturally sparse beard gave him a somewhat rough yet free-spirited appearance. Though he had quite a build for someone who farmed, his attire was unmistakably that of a farmer.

“The 4th Squad leader – isn’t he one of the most diligent people here!”

“I heard he has both ability and character, and doesn’t spare himself when it comes to work.”

“Huh… Cheol-dong’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”

Squad Leader Yeo Chang-dong’s reputation seemed well-deserved. He clearly showed signs of having just finished work, and his whole body was covered in dirt. He seemed on a different level from Weon Il-chu.

“Wait… Sending the 4th Squad leader means they’re going to watch that guy work closely, doesn’t it?”

“Huh, this won’t be easy.”

And naturally, if his abilities were that outstanding, it meant his management and supervision would be thorough and precise. Those who realized this meaning now looked at Yoo Eun-hyun with pitying expressions.

However, such gazes were of no importance to Yoo Eun-hyun at the moment.

‘This man… is extraordinary. I’m not certain, but I sense he’s learned martial arts.’

Indeed, from Yeo Chang-dong’s entire body, an energy similar to nature’s flow was subtly emanating. However, it was elusive, scattered hazily as if intentionally concealed.

The moment he felt that subtlety, Yoo Eun-hyun was certain. If he had indeed learned martial arts, it meant he had reached a level where even Yoo Eun-hyun couldn’t immediately gauge his depth. He was definitely not someone to take lightly.

While Yoo Eun-hyun was lost in thought, Yeo Chang-dong spoke to the workers with a good-natured smile.

“Have you all eaten?”

“Yes. We ate well.”

“Good. The work will be hard, so you need to eat well. Now, shall we start working… But before that, who is Yeo Geum-hyeon?”

Yeo Chang-dong, who had been roughly stroking his beard, looked around with curious eyes. Yoo Eun-hyun raised his hand and stepped forward.

“I am Yeo Geum-hyeon.”

“Ah, I see. So you’re… Hmm?”

Yeo Chang-dong, who had turned his gaze to Yoo Eun-hyun, suddenly stopped speaking and stared at him quietly. It was an unpleasant gaze that somehow seemed to see right through a person. Feeling a strange sense of pressure, Yoo Eun-hyun stiffened slightly and spoke.

“What’s wrong? Is there some problem…?”

“No, no. But you have quite good qualities. I’m honestly a bit surprised. When I heard the story, I thought you were just someone who made empty boasts.”

“You flatter me.”

“Oh, modest too? Well, I suppose you’d have to be at this level to do two people’s work, so it’s natural, right? Hahaha!”

Yeo Chang-dong burst into hearty laughter and patted Yoo Eun-hyun’s back firmly. His assessment wasn’t unreasonable. Yoo Eun-hyun had a body originally built through farm work, with additional unused muscles developed through training, forming quite a solid physique.

‘The person seems fine, but… something doesn’t feel right. I must not use internal energy, even by mistake.’

However, Yoo Eun-hyun felt a subtle discrepancy in Yeo Chang-dong’s words. For a judgment made by simple visual assessment, it felt too precise.

“Now then, everyone move out!”

But as if not giving him time to think further, Yeo Chang-dong shouted loudly and led the way. The group followed him and soon arrived at the chestnut grove that had been the source of the incident two days ago.

“What a mess. Cutting down trees so recklessly leads to this. If it hadn’t rained, who knows what might have happened… At least they should have taken precautions before proceeding.”

Of course, predicting rain wasn’t easy. But even when logging, there were definitely ways to control the worksite to prevent everything from being washed away.

“Now, today we’ll clean up this place. The ground hasn’t completely hardened yet from the recent rain, so half a day should be enough to finish.”

“Yes!”

People nodded and entered the field.

Yoo Eun-hyun was about to follow the workers, but Yeo Chang-dong suddenly grabbed him.

“You’re not going that way. Follow me.”

“Understood.”

Yeo Chang-dong led Yoo Eun-hyun forward. He followed silently behind. Soon they arrived at a secluded field separated from the chestnut grove, where chili peppers were growing densely.

“If you work mixed in with other people, it’s hard to confirm if you’re really doing double the work. Someone might help you when I’m not looking.”

“…That’s true.”

Yeo Chang-dong gave Yoo Eun-hyun a faint smile. Yoo Eun-hyun clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Just watching me work alongside others would be sufficient. Does he really intend to measure this precisely? He has absolutely no flexibility when it comes to work.’

He could now understand the reason for those pitying looks people had given him when Yeo Chang-dong appeared. Making a light sound as he examined the condition of the chili peppers, Yoo Eun-hyun muttered to himself.

‘Chili peppers are crops that haven’t been cultivated for very long. I suppose he plans to make it difficult to push through with accumulated experience alone…’

After scanning the area once, he narrowed his eyes subtly.

‘And I can sense he’s trying to test me somehow.’

Of course, this wouldn’t be a problem for Yoo Eun-hyun. There was nothing about farming that Yoo Eun-hyun didn’t know.

At that moment, Yeo Chang-dong, who had been watching Yoo Eun-hyun from a step behind, casually spoke up.

“Do you know the characteristics of chili peppers?”

“I know roughly. The fruits ripen at different times so they need to be harvested periodically, and they grow close to the ground making them vulnerable to disease.”

“Oh?”

“Especially after rain, soil-borne diseases spread easily, so drainage management is important. Since the branches are weak, setting up support stakes is also necessary.”

“Hahaha. You weren’t being overconfident for nothing!”

Yeo Chang-dong nodded with satisfaction. But that was brief, and soon he made a meaningful comment to Yoo Eun-hyun.

“But knowledge only has value when you can put it into practice. Now, you can start here. Ask me anytime if there’s something you don’t know. I’ll follow slowly behind.”

At Yeo Chang-dong’s words, Yoo Eun-hyun let out a low sigh. But that was only momentary. Yoo Eun-hyun soon gripped his small knife and stepped boldly into the chili pepper field.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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