Episode 119: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
“Two thousand nyang, you say…”
Sa Bi-gang rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
“For an academy established to train the next generation of martial artists, that’s quite a hefty fee.”
“Quality results require quality investment,” Cheon Se-myung replied with a cold smile, his voice icy.
Sa Bi-gang merely furrowed his brow in silence.
Cheon Se-myung’s lips curled upward.
“Anyway, Cadet Dan Li-jeong will be expelled tomorrow. I’m here to inform you of that.”
Dan Li-jeong lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m… sorry.”
“Silence.”
Sa Bi-gang’s voice cut through the air.
“What?”
“Don’t apologize so easily. It’s a habit.”
”…”
“What exactly are you sorry for?”
“Well… for causing trouble because I couldn’t pay the tuition…”
“Is that truly your fault?”
”…”
“Or are you apologizing to gain sympathy?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Even if it were, no one pities you.”
Sa Bi-gang’s cold gaze shifted to Cheon Se-myung, who flinched involuntarily under the intensity of his stare.
Sa Bi-gang continued in a low voice, “What you should feel is not regret, but anger. It’s time to be angry and fight against the unfairness created by adults.”
“Sa Instructor, what are you telling the cadet?” Cheon Se-myung asked, frowning, but Sa Bi-gang didn’t stop.
Though his words were directed at Dan Li-jeong, his eyes remained fixed on Cheon Se-myung, as if the message was meant for him.
“Clash and struggle to change the flawed system for the better. Don’t apologize so easily. It’s not your fault.”
“Instructor…”
“Sa Instructor!”
Bang!
Sa Bi-gang slammed the table and stood abruptly, startling Cheon Se-myung, who took a step back in surprise.
Still glaring at Cheon Se-myung, Sa Bi-gang addressed Dan Li-jeong, “If you utter another pointless apology, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“I understand, Instructor.”
Dan Li-jeong nodded with a determined expression.
Cheon Se-myung could only watch, dumbfounded.
“What is this…?”
“Wait a moment.”
“Wait for what…?”
Cheon Se-myung stood there, bewildered, as Sa Bi-gang walked into another room.
Regaining his composure, Cheon Se-myung thought to himself, ‘Hmph! He’s probably fuming because things aren’t going his way. There’s no way he can come up with two thousand nyang by tomorrow morning.’
Even if he had someone backing him, the money wouldn’t arrive until after the expulsion.
By then, Dan Li-jeong would have to reapply and join a different class next year.
‘Ha! The satisfaction of it all!’
Cheon Se-myung reveled in his sense of victory, his body trembling with delight.
Just then, Sa Bi-gang returned.
Cheon Se-myung forced a bitter smile. “I understand your sentiment, Sa Instructor. But rules are rules…”
“By today?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“The tuition. It needs to be paid by today?”
“Well, technically by tomorrow morning.”
“Then it’s settled.”
“Settled? How?”
Thud!
Sa Bi-gang placed a slip on the table.
Cheon Se-myung’s eyes widened as he read the amount, nearly bulging out of their sockets.
“This… where did you get this?”
“It’s a five thousand nyang promissory note. You can cash it at any bank. It covers all of Dan Li-jeong’s tuition until graduation. Take it.”
Though his words were polite, his tone was dismissive.
Cheon Se-myung, unable to hide his shock, picked up the note with trembling hands.
‘Could it be a forgery?’
But if it were, it would be discovered quickly, only harming Dan Li-jeong.
A genuine five thousand nyang note.
And to think he’d spend such a sum so casually on a favored cadet?
‘He must be out of his mind!’
Meanwhile, Dan Li-jeong stood there, mouth agape in disbelief.
He had resigned himself to packing his bags by morning.
Who would have thought Sa Bi-gang would cover his tuition?
“Instructor…”
“Keep quiet.”
”…”
Sa Bi-gang fixed Cheon Se-myung with a piercing stare.
“What’s the matter? Is the amount insufficient?”
“N-no, it’s not that…”
“Then?”
“Where did you get such a large sum?”
Sa Bi-gang’s brow furrowed slightly, his irritation evident.
Cheon Se-myung, aware of Sa Bi-gang’s formidable martial skills, felt a twinge of anxiety.
‘Damn it! When did that brat become so…!’
Recalling the past was a blow to his pride, but reality was reality.
Sa Bi-gang retorted icily, “Do I owe you an explanation, Chief Cheon?”
“No, but…”
“Are you interested in my finances, Chief Cheon?”
“What are you implying?”
“Then why ask? It’s resolved, isn’t it?”
Cheon Se-myung’s hand shook as he held the note.
‘Fine. If that’s how you want to play it…’
He had suspected their relationship was more than ordinary from the start.
Their bond must be deeper than he thought.
Having made up his mind, Cheon Se-myung tucked the note away with a frosty expression.
“Very well. I’m relieved the matter is resolved. I’m impressed by your sacrifice, Sa Instructor.”
Sa Bi-gang chuckled softly.
“It’s not a sacrifice.”
“Then what is it?”
“An investment.”
Cheon Se-myung’s lips twitched.
‘These two are quite the pair!’
He masked his thoughts as he replied, “I see you have a special fondness for Cadet Dan Li-jeong.”
“Take care.”
Cheon Se-myung turned sharply.
‘Hmph, if that’s how it is, I have my own plans. Be prepared, Sa Bi-gang!’
**
That night, Dan Li-jeong followed Sa Bi-gang into the forest.
Having narrowly avoided expulsion, Dan Li-jeong felt a heavy weight in his chest, unable to speak easily to Sa Bi-gang.
When Sa Bi-gang finally stopped beneath a large tree, Dan Li-jeong approached cautiously.
“I’ll never forget this kindness…”
“Forget it.”
“What?”
“I’ll forget it too, so you should. Don’t live burdened by debt or obligation. Live by your own free choices.”
“Instructor…”
Dan Li-jeong couldn’t understand.
Why did people dislike such a remarkable instructor?
True, his straightforward actions could be misunderstood.
‘But if they spent a little more time with him, they’d see how deep he truly is…’
As he pondered this, Sa Bi-gang suddenly grabbed his face with both hands.
“Let me see.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t check properly earlier because of that old fool. Let me see if your eyes and lenses are properly aligned.”
“Oh, okay…”
Sa Bi-gang leaned in, scrutinizing one of Dan Li-jeong’s eyes intently.
In the moonlight, Dan Li-jeong’s pupil briefly glimmered with a faint crimson hue.
It was a subtle glow, visible only from up close.
Sa Bi-gang nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. It seems well-fitted.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Now, over there.”
With a swift motion, Sa Bi-gang drew his sword and pointed in a direction.
Dan Li-jeong turned to look.
“Use your enhanced vision to observe that direction closely and report back to me.”
Dan Li-jeong swallowed hard and nodded.
“Understood!”
**
Cheon Se-myung lay flat on the roof of his office, peering through a spyglass.
Moments later, he pulled back, his face a mask of shock.
“Those shameless…!”
Despite his anger, a smirk played on his lips.
After leaving Sa Bi-gang’s office with the five thousand nyang note, he had returned to his own office, keeping an eye on the special training area.
As expected, late at night, Sa Bi-gang and Dan Li-jeong headed into the forest.
He had considered following them but quickly dismissed the idea.
He knew now that Sa Bi-gang was a far superior martial artist.
Instead, he decided to observe them through the spyglass.
From his vantage point on the office roof, he tracked the pair relentlessly.
Though the moonlight and forest canopy made it difficult, he managed to spot them when they stopped on a branch bathed in moonlight.
From the start, their interaction seemed peculiar.
Then, as if on cue, Sa Bi-gang made the first move, grabbing Dan Li-jeong’s cheeks and leaning in.
Cheon Se-myung couldn’t believe the scandalous scene unfolding before him.
His eyes glinted coldly.
‘Let’s see how you wriggle out of this one!’
A sly grin spread across his face.
As he checked the spyglass again, it seemed the pair was heading back.
They weren’t looking directly at him, but rather in the direction of the academy buildings.
‘Better safe than sorry. Cautious, cautious.’
Cheon Se-myung ceased his surveillance and returned to his office.
He began drafting a letter to send via carrier pigeon.
Dan Lijeong couldn’t help but be astonished.
The distance from where they stood to the academic building was vast.
Especially at night, you could barely make out the building’s lights.
Yet, as soon as he focused his will on seeing it more clearly, one side of his vision seemed to zoom in on its own.
He could see every detail of Yongcheon Hall and its surroundings with remarkable clarity.
What was even more surprising was that despite the darkness of night, he could see as if it were broad daylight.
He even spotted Cheon Saemyung entering his office.
Of course, Sabigang hadn’t pointed out the building for him to admire its architecture.
Somehow, Sabigang knew exactly where to direct Dan Lijeong, saying, “Not there, but next to it,” and pointed out the precise location.
Thus, Dan Lijeong carefully spied on the spot Sabigang indicated.
And he continued to report back as Sabigang intended.
”… She’s brushing her hair. Ah, she’s moved to the side, and I can’t see her now. Um, but… Instructor?”
“What is it?”
“How long do I have to keep doing this…?”
“Shut up and keep going.”
“But this is basically spying on the instructor’s quarters…”
“Tsk. Didn’t you say you’d forget my favor earlier?”
“You told me to forget it…”
“But you’re forgetting too quickly! Just shut up and keep reporting.”
Dan Lijeong let out a deep sigh and refocused on the scene.
As soon as Sabigang arrived, he had ordered him to spy on Maeseollan’s room.
It was almost laughable how he had revered Sabigang like a mountain just moments ago.
“Ah, she’s back and sitting down. She’s finished brushing her hair… Oh!”
“What, what is it? What’s happening?”
“She’s, she’s starting to unbutton her top…”
“Gulp. Keep going. Keep going.”
“Well, she’s still in her undergarments, but…”
“And then?”
“Oh…!”
Before he knew it, Dan Lijeong was so engrossed that he let out a soft gasp.
“What is it? Don’t just watch by yourself, tell me!”
“It’s over.”
“Over? What do you mean?”
“She closed the window.”
“What? Tch!”
Sabigang grumbled as he stood up.
He then spoke in a solemn voice.
“Today’s lesson is over.”