Episode 107: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
After a three-month probation, the special class resumed with a more structured curriculum.
Naturally, the lessons were still under the guidance of Sabi Kang.
First, Yeom Jaryang, Yeon Woo-kyung, and Neung So-so focused on mastering the Yin-Yang Transference Technique under Sabi Kang’s tutelage.
The training was monotonous, involving long hours of meditation within the confines of the special class hall. Yet, none of the three uttered a single complaint.
Jo Mun-tak and Dan Ri-jeong were taught by Dang Yi-hyeop, while Mok Dan-hwa was under Mae Seol-ran’s care.
Gok Bo-ok engaged in daily sparring with a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts at Gui Yache.
Sabi Kang tailored the lessons to suit each student’s unique abilities.
During a brief break…
Sabi Kang, as usual, observed the students from the roof of the special class building.
Mae Seol-ran approached him.
“Did you really have to do that?”
“Hmm? Do what?”
Mae Seol-ran sighed in exasperation.
“I’m talking about Instructor Deung. Did you really have to go that far with him?”
“What exactly did I do?”
“You gave him a fake Emperor’s Dragon Blade as a gift, didn’t you?”
“Oh, that. What’s wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong? When he finds out it’s a replica…”
“Isn’t that the kind of thing he likes?”
“What do you mean?”
“Things that look impressive on the outside, things that make everyone gasp. Whether it’s genuine or just a flashy facade, that’s what he likes.”
“Well…”
Mae Seol-ran couldn’t deny it, but she shook her head.
“People like him care a lot about appearances.”
“And people like him should know how easily their pride can be shattered.”
“Honestly, sometimes when I look at you…”
“When you look at me?”
“You have a knack for making enemies.”
“I don’t mind. I’m stronger than anyone.”
It was an audacious statement.
Yet, perhaps they had grown accustomed to Sabi Kang’s attitude.
Oddly enough, his confidence was reassuring.
Sabi Kang slowly stood up.
“I have somewhere to be in three days. I’ll be gone for about four days. Take care of the students while I’m away.”
“Where are you going this time?”
“Since I made some money last time, I need to think about how to spend it.”
A vague answer.
But before Mae Seol-ran could question it, the incident at the gambling den came to mind.
“Right, that happened.”
Looking back, that day felt like a dream.
It was still hard to believe Sabi Kang had amassed such a fortune.
Since that incident, everything seemed to unfold according to his plan.
The world was abuzz with the sudden appearance of a young man named “Gadeuk Sam” from the Haechun Gate.
A martial arts master who defeated a top-tier fighter in front of everyone.
Even the Justice Alliance was mobilizing its resources to learn more about this “Gadeuk Sam.”
But no one knew that Gadeuk Sam was actually Sabi Kang.
Except…
‘The Blood Lotus might have narrowed it down.’
When Sabi Kang killed the Black Specter by the lake, he deliberately revealed his face to the hidden enemy.
The Blood Lotus was likely frantically trying to uncover Gadeuk Sam’s true identity.
Having seen Sabi Kang’s real face, they were closer than the Justice Alliance.
‘Truly… a terrifying person.’
Mae Seol-ran looked at Sabi Kang with newfound respect.
With a single gamble, he had shaken the balance of power.
He diverted the world’s attention elsewhere, and even internal scrutiny followed the rumors.
Yet, he focused the enemy’s gaze on himself.
Logically, it should have been the opposite.
But Sabi Kang was more wary of internal threats.
Thus, no one in the Justice Alliance was aware of him.
Mae Seol-ran asked Sabi Kang.
“You’ve just returned, and you’re leaving again so soon. Is that okay?”
“I’ve already got permission from the headmaster.”
“I see. What did the headmaster say about your recent disciplinary action?”
“He was quite impressed with my logical arguments.”
Sabi Kang grinned.
Mae Seol-ran responded with an awkward smile.
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.”
**
The door burst open, and Instructor Deung stormed in, fuming. Cheon Se-myung looked at him in surprise.
“What’s the matter, Instructor Deung?”
“Sabi Kang, that scoundrel! He’s no hero! He’s a villain among villains!”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You’re being deceived by his facade! He’s probably laughing at us right now! Or maybe he wishes we’d just drop dead!”
“Well, well. I don’t know what you’re going on about.”
“Look at this!”
Instructor Deung thrust a dazzling sword forward.
Cheon Se-myung frowned.
“What is that?”
With a swift motion, Instructor Deung drew the sword from its sheath, revealing a gleaming blade.
Of course, he showed proper respect by immediately flipping the blade.
“Don’t you recognize it?”
“Hmm. Ah, isn’t that the Emperor’s Dragon Blade?”
“Exactly! The Emperor’s Dragon Blade!”
“Where did you get such a sword?”
“A sword? Ha! Look closely!”
Instructor Deung drew another sword from his waist and swung it fiercely against the Emperor’s Dragon Blade.
Clang!
A bright metallic sound rang out, and sparks flew.
Cheon Se-myung could only watch in bewilderment.
Instructor Deung held out the Emperor’s Dragon Blade again.
“Look here!”
Cheon Se-myung examined the blade closely.
Indeed, the edge was chipped.
The Emperor’s Dragon Blade was a fake.
“It’s not genuine.”
“That’s right. Do you know who gave me this?”
“Who?”
“That Sabi Kang! He gave me this counterfeit as a gift!”
”…”
Cheon Se-myung’s expression turned serious.
Instructor Deung, still seething, shouted.
“He humiliated me! He’s probably laughing at me right now!”
But then, Cheon Se-myung suddenly burst into laughter.
“Haha, hahaha! Hahahaha!”
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, pardon me. It’s just… Sabi Kang is quite the prankster.”
“Sir, this isn’t something to laugh off!”
“Calm down. I think Instructor Sabi was trying to teach you a lesson.”
“A lesson…?”
“I’ve known for a while that you’ve been receiving gifts through shady channels. But I didn’t think it was severe enough to address.”
”…”
“But perhaps Instructor Sabi wanted to point it out to you in a roundabout way.”
“A roundabout way…”
“He’s trying to show you that substance is more important than appearances.”
“Sir! How can you defend him like this?”
“I’m not defending him. I’m just sharing my thoughts.”
“Wake up, Chief Cheon! You’re being deceived by that villain!”
“Hahaha.”
Cheon Se-myung just laughed heartily.
Despite several more complaints from Instructor Deung, it seemed Cheon Se-myung wasn’t listening.
In the end, Instructor Deung stormed out, unable to contain his anger.
Left alone, Cheon Se-myung chuckled as he looked out the window.
“Really, Instructor Sabi went too far this time. It’ll take a while for Instructor Deung to calm down.”
He wore a warm smile.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
The door opened, and four martial artists in red uniforms entered.
Cheon Se-myung frowned slightly.
“Who are you…?”
In the academy, only the Inspection Department wore red uniforms with the character ‘감’ (inspection) emblazoned on them.
Their visit was never a good sign.
As expected, the head of the Inspection Department spoke.
“We’re here to escort you on the headmaster’s orders.”
“The headmaster? For what reason?”
“We’ll discuss it once we get there.”
The four martial artists approached and firmly grabbed his arms, leading him away.
Overcome with instinctive fear, Cheon Se-myung resisted and shouted.
“Let go of me! What’s going on?”
“You are to be disciplined.”
“Disciplined? For what reason?”
“For pushing the inter-organizational competition at the Spring Festival, failing to protect the students during the event, and endangering yourself, causing trouble for your fellow instructors. Most importantly, for failing to notice Instructor Eon Byeok’s betrayal while serving as the head instructor.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Instructor Sabi Kang strongly insisted. He laid out each of your charges clearly.”
“What, what?”
“Instructor Sabi Kang argued that the three-month suspension was unjust. He also insisted that Chief Cheon could not be let off the hook. Naturally, we agree with his stance.”
The head of the inspection department replied with a cold smile.
It was only then that Cheon Saemyung realized he had been lost in a dream.
“Sabi Kang, that bastard… that bastard…!”
He should have listened when his superior came to warn him.
Why had he been so certain?
He had done something to Sabi Kang.
In hindsight, it was obvious Sabi Kang wouldn’t just let it slide.
“Argh! Sabi Kaaaang!”
Cheon Saemyung screamed as he was dragged away by the inspection department.
Hwanhyangru.
A warrior with a long scar etched across one cheek strode confidently into the brothel.
He brushed off the clinging hands of the courtesans with a dismissive wave, moving with purpose as if he had a specific destination in mind.
Finally, he settled into a room on the third floor.
When a courtesan entered with a warm smile, he spoke in a gruff voice without even looking at her.
“I’m here to send a message to Myeongwol’s hometown.”
The courtesan flinched slightly.
“I’ll fetch Myeongwol.”
She left the room.
A moment later, another courtesan entered.
“Sir, I am Myeongwol.”
A beautiful woman approached him with a gentle smile.
The warrior scoffed, maintaining his stern expression as he pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and placed it on the table with a firm thud.
Myeongwol narrowed her eyes at the paper.
It was an incredibly detailed wanted poster.
“It was drawn by the best, so there should be little margin for error.”
As he claimed, the likeness on the paper was remarkably precise.
The subject of the drawing was none other than Sabi Kang.
“Find this person.”
Myeongwol silently picked up the poster.
As she began to rise, the man grabbed her wrist.
“We’re not done yet.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Relay this message to the leader of the Ghost Shadow Clan.”
The man’s scarred face twisted into a chilling smile.