“He is not back yet?” Professor Jung asked, approaching the younger scholar with a steady stride. “Why don’t you go inside and wait for him? It will be storming soon. You will freeze the rain to your face with such a cold look.”
The younger man glanced at his teacher before taking another sip of his drink. Swishing the soju through his teeth, he swallowed and said, “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”
“Impudent boy,” Jung tsked. His delicate fondness for the problematic scholar shone in his eyes despite the stern frown he affected. “Quoting Confucius at me to mask your stubbornness. I should deduct a point from you purely for abuse of your learning.”
“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” Jae Shin returned, lifting his bottle in salute.
“More impudence.” Jung took the vessel from his student’s hand, wiping at the mouth before taking a sip and handing it back.
Jae Shun scowled at the gesture, sniffing impolitely. “I am not sick.”
“No but I do not want to swallow any of your stupidity,” The professor replied, making a face at the taste in his mouth. “Why not drink fire for all the good that bottle will do you?”
“Because I cannot get fire to pour into my mouth.” He shrugged, his attention helplessly drawn back to staring at the screens. “I am fine, sunbae. The storm will be nothing compared to the cold inside of me.”
“There are those of us who are worried for you, Moon Jae Shin. Despite your ignorant ways and rebellious attitude, you show great promise.” Jung followed Jae Shin’s gaze and his frown grew. “Of Goo Yong Ha, I cannot make that same claim.”
“There is nothing wrong with Goo Yong Ha!” Jae Shin slid from his seat, firming his stance to stand against his professor. “The Joseon should beggar themselves to bring him to their side.”
“While it is good to stand for friends, standing against a mentor who merely speaks his mind is not,” The professor said, clasping his hands behind his back to regard the young man in front of him.
“If you are asking for an apology, I will not give it,” The young man warned. “Not for speaking of my…friend.”
“Then I wish for less people to speak their minds of Goo Yong Ha in your presence, lest your life become a battlefield.” Professor Jung inclined his head, subtly offering an apology for offending the hot-tempered scholar. “Regardless of the fire that keeps you warm inside, stay out of the winter storm. I do not want the pages to spend the morning picking your lifeless body out of the ice.”