Episode 121: Return to the Martial Arts Academy

A booming voice suddenly echoed through the training grounds of the Special Class.

“Jung-ah, are you here?”

The cadets, in the middle of their lesson, began to murmur and look around in confusion.

Dang Ihyeop and Mae Seollan, who were correcting the students’ stances, also turned in surprise.

A stranger, accompanied by Cheon Saemyung, was scanning the grounds with raised eyebrows, seemingly oblivious to the commotion he was causing.

From the platform, Sa Bigang, who had been giving instructions, addressed the man with a measure of politeness.

“Who might you be?”

But the man seemed not to hear Sa Bigang’s question as he continued to shout among the cadets.

“Jung-ah! Are you not here? Answer me, Jung-ah!”

“F-Father…!”

Dan Lijeong rushed forward, his face pale.

He could hardly believe his eyes. His father, who should have been far away in their hometown, was here, without any prior notice.

And to appear so suddenly during class, calling out his name so loudly—it was both embarrassing and worrying.

“Father, what’s going on? Why are you here…?”

“Oh, there you are! Come, let’s go home!”

As soon as Dan Lichu saw his son, he grabbed his wrist and began to pull him away.

Flustered, Dan Lijeong struggled to free himself, glancing around at the watching eyes.

“Father! Please, let go for a moment. We’re in the middle of a class.”

“Class? What class? You don’t need any of that nonsense!”

“What are you talking about? Father, is something wrong?”

“If there’s a problem, it’s with you!”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s talk at home! I can’t stand being in this filthy place any longer!”

Cheon Saemyung watched the unfolding drama with a hidden sense of amusement, though he pretended to be anxious.

Just then, Sa Bigang leapt from the platform, landing beside Dan Lichu and grabbing his wrist.

Smack.

Dan Lichu’s eyebrow shot up as he spun around, trying to push Sa Bigang away.

But Sa Bigang was not easily moved. He twisted his body, causing Dan Lichu’s hand to swipe through empty air.

“Tsk!”

In a flash, Dan Lichu reached for his sword, drawing it with the signature speed of the Ilseong Sword School.

Shing!

Thud.

“Wow…”

“Incredible…”

“Did you see that?”

The cadets murmured in awe, while Cheon Saemyung swallowed nervously, glancing between Dan Lichu and Sa Bigang.

‘His martial skills are undeniably impressive.’

Dan Lichu stared in disbelief at his sword, caught between Sa Bigang’s fingers. He hadn’t even unleashed his full power, yet his draw was flawless.

Yet Sa Bigang had caught the blade with just his thumb and forefinger, right in front of his face.

Dan Lichu tried to pull back, but the sword didn’t budge. He had underestimated the instructor’s martial prowess.

Sa Bigang smiled wryly.

“You seem to act before you speak. Despite being father and son, you’re quite different. Perhaps Jung-ah takes after his mother. Haha.”

Dan Lichu’s expression twisted. Sa Bigang wasn’t wrong; Dan Lijeong did resemble his mother more.

“Hmph! That’s none of your business!”

Sa Bigang released the sword and offered a respectful gesture.

“My apologies for the misunderstanding. I’m Sa Bigang, Dan Lijeong’s instructor.”

“I’m Dan Lichu, Jung-ah’s father. But you are no longer his instructor, so spare me the pleasantries.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Sa Bigang looked puzzled, as did the gathered cadets and Dan Lijeong, who was wide-eyed with confusion.

Dan Lijeong asked, flustered, “Father! What are you talking about?”

“Quiet. You’ve done nothing right either!”

“What? Suddenly, what…?”

“What has he made you do? Did he demand something in return for paying your tuition? No, this isn’t the place to discuss such shameful matters. Let’s go home first!”

“Father?”

“Now!”

Dan Lichu began to stride away. Dan Lijeong hesitated, unsure of what to do, when Cheon Saemyung approached him with a friendly demeanor.

“Hmm. It seems your father is quite upset. You should go with him.”

“Ah, yes…”

Just as Dan Lijeong was about to follow, Sa Bigang placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going? Class isn’t over yet.”

“But my father…”

Dan Lijeong stammered, looking conflicted, while Sa Bigang called out to Dan Lichu.

“Sir, Jung-ah is still in class. I’ll send him to you once it’s over.”

Dan Lichu stopped and turned, his face flushed with anger.

“What did you say? I can’t take this any longer! Who are you to decide whether my son stays or goes? Release him at once!”

“I can’t do that. Without a valid reason, letting him go would violate academy rules.”

“Rules? You paid his tuition to hold him hostage, didn’t you?”

Unable to contain his anger, Dan Lichu shouted, his voice echoing.

Sa Bigang frowned.

“The tuition was covered as a scholarship, recognizing your son’s potential. Is that a problem?”

“Hmph, it sounds nice! But… you… you…”

Dan Lichu couldn’t finish his sentence and turned away in frustration.

“Enough talk! Jung-ah, come here!”

“Jung-ah, class isn’t over.”

“Jung-ah! Come here now!”

“I’ll come after class.”

The tension between the two men was palpable.

Finally, Dan Lijeong spoke up.

“Father, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll come after class. And Instructor Sa Bigang is… a really good person.”

At this, Dan Lichu’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

Unable to hold back his anger, he shouted again.

“You’ve sullied yourself and now your mind is corrupted too! How can you disgrace our family like this?”

“Father? What are you…”

“Silence! And you!”

Dan Lichu marched toward Sa Bigang, drawing his sword and exuding a menacing aura.

“I can’t forgive you for this!”

As the situation escalated, Cheon Saemyung quickly intervened.

“Sir, please, this isn’t the place for this. Let’s find out more before…”

“Quiet! If I don’t punish him now, I won’t be able to stand it!”

“But…”

“An instructor seducing a student in a difficult situation? How can you call yourself human, you wretch!”

The cadets began to murmur at the accusation.

“Seducing…?”

“Could Instructor Sa really have done that?”

“No way. Instructor Sa is known for his love of women…”

“Right? Then what’s this about?”

Cheon Saemyung quickly addressed the cadets.

“Everyone, back inside. This isn’t a spectacle.”

But Sa Bigang disagreed.

“Stay in your places. My class isn’t over.”

He spoke firmly, then approached Dan Lichu.

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding.”

“Hmph! Misunderstanding? Didn’t you use my son as a plaything? You paid his tuition and then desired his body, didn’t you? Did you have to make me say such disgraceful things?”

“It’s true I paid his tuition because I valued his potential, but I never desired his body. And I prefer women.”

“Hmph! Who would believe you when you’re cornered?”

“It’s not because I’m cornered; it’s the truth. If you don’t believe me, ask Instructor Mae.”

“What?”

“I’ve already shared a bed with her.”

“What, what?”

The unexpected confession shocked not only Dan Lichu but also the cadets and Cheon Saemyung, who all turned to look at Mae Seollan.

Mae Seollan blushed at the sudden revelation.

With a resigned sigh, she stepped forward.

“It’s true. Instructor Sa is fond of women. And yes, we’ve shared a bed.”

The situation left Cheon Saemyung in an awkward position, and he coughed lightly, speaking to Dan Lichu.

“Ahem, see? We should have looked into this more carefully. You were too hasty…”

“Is it true? You didn’t touch my son?”

This time, Dan Lijeong couldn’t hold back and shouted.

“Father! Enough! What are you saying in front of everyone? Instructor Sa is so fond of women it’s beyond words! And I like women too! Just the other day, Instructor Sa even caught me sneaking into Instructor Mae’s room…!”

Dan Lijeong, who had been speaking without a second thought, suddenly paused and glanced around nervously.

Everyone was hanging on his every word.

Dan Lichu pressed him further.

“What is it? Speak up!”

“Well, it’s just…”

“I said, speak!”

“The truth is… a few days ago, I was with Instructor Sabigang, and we… we peeked into Instructor Maeseollan’s quarters. It’s just that Instructor Sabigang treats me like a friend, makes me feel comfortable, and even shares his thoughts on relationships with me as a fellow man… that’s all I meant.”

His voice grew quieter and quieter.

Maeseollan shot a sharp glare at Sabigang.

Sabigang responded with an awkward smile.

With the situation as it was, Dan Lichu couldn’t press any further.

Inwardly, he was somewhat relieved.

But what truly angered him was something else entirely.

“Even so, I can’t entrust my son to you!”

“And why not this time?”

“This boy is the heir to the Ilsung Sword School. Yet I’ve heard he’s abandoned the sword!”

At this, even Dan Lijeong hesitated to speak up.

He knew this confrontation was inevitable.

Sabigang quietly observed Dan Lichu before speaking.

“If Jeong takes up the bow, he could reach the pinnacle of mastery.”

“What?”

Dan Lichu was genuinely taken aback.

After all, reaching such a level was nearly impossible without innate talent.

“Hmph! You’re just trying to lure my son with sweet talk…”

“Jeong is already close to reaching the peak.”

“That’s nonsense!”

Then, voices began to rise.

“It’s not nonsense.”

“That’s right. Dan Lijeong is a master archer.”

“Even if I don’t want to admit it, Jeong’s skills surpass all of ours.”

“If you saw Jeong shoot, you wouldn’t say that!”

The students began to shout one after another.

Momentarily flustered, Dan Lichu shook his head.

“Hmph, I don’t believe it.”

Then another student stepped forward confidently.

“Then why don’t you see for yourself? Watch Dan Lijeong shoot.”

“And who are you?”

“I’m Yeon Wookyung of the Paegeom School.”

Dan Lichu’s expression wavered slightly at Yeon Wookyung’s respectful reply.

Yeon Wookyung continued.

“If I could shoot like Jeong, I’d give up the sword for the bow too.”