Episode 131: Return of the Demon Instructor
A swift figure landed gracefully by the riverbank.
He scanned the reeds along the shore before casting a cold gaze at the frozen river.
His eyes narrowed.
A river frozen in early winter.
It was an ominous sign.
Whoosh!
A powerful gust of wind suddenly swept around him.
He closed his eyes, extending his senses to detect any presence nearby.
But aside from the movements of animals, he found nothing noteworthy.
The man opened his eyes slowly and began to walk.
The ice was melting, but still solid.
Tap, tap.
He lightly tapped the ice with his toes, leaping effortlessly.
Stopping in the middle of the ice, his expression twisted slightly.
Beneath the thick ice, he saw a corpse.
Emblazoned on its chest was the character for “kill” (殺).
“Thirteen Kills!”
He quickly surveyed the area beneath the ice.
“Seven Kills!”
More corpses trapped under the ice, eyes wide open in death, appeared.
Five in total.
Even the strongest among them, Two Kills, had not escaped death beneath the ice.
The only one missing was Nine Kills.
His expression darkened.
“The information was wrong.”
Moments later, he kicked off the ground and flew swiftly away.
**
Instructor Sabigang pointed to the cliff below.
“Now, you all know what this kind of terrain is called, right?”
“A canyon,” the cadets answered in unison.
“Correct, a canyon. Especially one as narrow and deep as this can be strategically used in battle. How might it be used?”
Gok Bo-ok raised his hand and replied, “If the enemy passes through, we can ambush them from here.”
“Exactly. And what must be done before an effective ambush?”
“Block their retreat,” Yeon Woo-kyung answered.
It was a simple question with an obvious answer, but Sabigang nodded in satisfaction.
“Smart, aren’t you? Just as you said, blocking their retreat is crucial. Dropping rocks or debris is effective. Sometimes, fire is used.”
Sabigang squinted at the surrounding terrain.
Suddenly, he exclaimed in mock surprise, “Oh no! Look at all those rocks piled up over there! It’s as if someone prepared them just for your lesson! What a fortunate opportunity!”
His exaggerated reaction was painfully awkward.
The cadets exchanged skeptical glances, thinking the same thing.
‘What is this eccentric instructor up to now? Those rocks are suspiciously convenient!’
Unfazed, Sabigang continued, “Let’s consider a scenario. Just a hypothetical, alright?”
“What kind of scenario?”
“If enemies transporting our allies as prisoners were to pass through here, what should we do?”
Gok Bo-ok replied with a bored expression, “Push the rocks to block their path, then shoot arrows to eliminate the isolated enemy.”
“Excellent answer. But if they’re transporting prisoners, our allies might get hit by arrows. So after blocking their path, it’s better to rush down the slope for a close-quarters ambush.”
“That would turn into a brawl, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed. But the ambushers always have the advantage.”
Sabigang continued explaining key points until the sun began to set.
He paused, looking eastward.
A group of people was approaching from a distance, where the twilight hadn’t yet reached.
‘It’s time.’
Sabigang smiled faintly, then turned to the cadets, shouting, “Oh? Look over there! Something’s coming! Surely it’s not the Blood Alliance, right? No way!”
Again, his reaction was awkwardly over-the-top.
Many cadets, including Gok Bo-ok, assumed he was lying.
Gok Bo-ok chuckled, “Come on, Instructor. If you’re trying to scare us…”
“Something really is coming.”
The voice belonged to Dan Li-jeong.
Gok Bo-ok frowned slightly, then shook his head.
“Probably just a caravan or a merchant group. What are the odds of running into the Blood Alliance here?”
“It’s the Blood Alliance flag!”
Dan Li-jeong’s serious expression left no room for doubt.
Gok Bo-ok and the other cadets turned pale, looking at Dan Li-jeong.
“Really? It’s really the Blood Alliance flag?”
“Yes, without a doubt. And…”
Dan Li-jeong’s expression hardened.
Sabigang quickly approached Dan Li-jeong, grabbing his shoulder.
“And what? Surely they’re not transporting prisoners, right? That would be an incredible coincidence. We were just practicing for such a scenario, and if the Blood Alliance is transporting prisoners here… that would be… truly…!”
Sabigang gripped Dan Li-jeong’s shoulder tightly, speaking with utmost seriousness.
“That would prove I’m a genius instructor, wouldn’t it?”
“What?”
Dan Li-jeong began to suspect Sabigang’s intentions.
‘Did the instructor bring us here on purpose for this?’
But how could he have known the Blood Alliance would pass through here?
And how could he have known they were transporting prisoners?
‘It must be a coincidence.’
Dan Li-jeong sighed lightly and said, “As you said, there are prisoners. Several people are locked in cages. Judging by their attire, they might be warriors from the Justice Alliance.”
The unexpected turn of events caused a stir among the cadets.
“What? The Blood Alliance is really transporting prisoners through here?”
“My goodness. It’s unfolding just like our lesson! What’s going on?”
“But how can we be sure those prisoners are really from the Justice Alliance?”
Dan Li-jeong shook his head.
Wearing his Dragon Eye, he had exceptional vision, which all the special class cadets acknowledged.
In a firm voice, he said, “I recognize one of the prisoners.”
“Who is it?”
“Cheonrang Leader Seok Ji-pyeong.”
The cadets’ faces turned ashen.
‘My goodness. This is really happening.’
The Cheonrang group was known to move with key figures of the Justice Alliance.
Among the prisoners, there could be someone even more important than Seok Ji-pyeong.
As the situation grew urgent, Dang Ihyeop and Maeseollan quickly approached Sabigang.
“Sir, this is dangerous. We should leave with the cadets.”
“Yes, now that we know the Justice Alliance leaders are prisoners, we should inform the alliance and return to the academy.”
But Sabigang shook his head.
“What are you talking about? Where else would you find such a perfect opportunity?”
“What do you mean? If we stay, we might get caught… wait. You don’t mean…?”
Maeseollan asked in disbelief, and Sabigang grinned at the cadets.
“Of all places, the Blood Alliance is passing through here with prisoners! You must be blessed with incredible luck!”
“Incredible luck?”
The cadets asked, bewildered.
“Look! As soon as the lesson started, you got a chance to apply it in real life! And conveniently, there are plenty of rocks ready for you to use! Where else would you find such perfect luck?”
“Are you suggesting we attack the Blood Alliance?”
“Exactly! If you rescue the prisoners, you’ll become heroes of the martial world! You wouldn’t want to miss this golden opportunity, would you?”
“No matter how you look at it, this is too much. Even the Justice Alliance leaders were captured. How can we possibly face them?”
It was Jo Muntak who spoke.
Mok Danhwa agreed, “Yes, it’s an unwinnable fight.”
“Even with a surprise attack using the terrain, the skill gap is too wide…”
Even Yeon Woo-kyung, usually brimming with confidence, was skeptical.
Seeing this, the other cadets also lost confidence, avoiding Sabigang’s gaze.
Sabigang looked at the cadets, then pointed at Gok Bo-ok.
“What about you, Bo-ok? What do you think?”
Sabigang knew Gok Bo-ok was almost recklessly combative.
True to form, Gok Bo-ok answered as Sabigang expected.
“Of course, we should rescue the prisoners! This is an opportunity, just as you said, Instructor!”
“Isn’t it?”
“But it’s not that simple. We could all die here.”
Yeon Woo-kyung interjected coldly.
Gok Bo-ok hesitated for a moment but didn’t back down.
“If we turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the Sapa out of fear of death, then we’re already living a dead life! I refuse to be a coward like that!”
Yeon Woo-kyung’s eyebrows twitched at this outburst.
Just six months ago, Gok Bo-ok had been so timid, always watching for his reaction. Now, seeing her stand up like this made him uncomfortable.
And from what she was saying, wasn’t she implying that not only the other cadets but he himself was a coward?
On the other hand, Sa Bi-gang felt a surge of admiration for Gok Bo-ok’s boldness, far exceeding his expectations. But he masked his true feelings and spoke with a feigned solemnity.
“Don’t push too hard, Bo-ok. Everyone has their own way of thinking.”
“But Instructor, we have to save them!”
“Of course, that would be ideal, but without the help of the other cadets, it’s too much for you alone. It’s unfortunate, but we have no choice. We can only watch as our allies are dragged away. Even as an instructor, I can’t force a dangerous mission on cadets who are too scared to act.”
Sa Bi-gang put on a sorrowful expression.
At this, Mok Dan-hwa couldn’t hold back any longer.
“This isn’t about being scared; it’s about being cautious.”
“Ah, I see. Bo-ok, you should be grateful that your comrades’ caution is keeping you alive.”
“But Instructor…!”
“Well, we can’t rescue the prisoners, but what’s the worst that could happen? They’ll just be dragged off to Chongta for a bit of torture. Maybe they’ll have a tooth pulled, or their mouths cut, or fingers chopped off. If they’re unlucky, they might lose a tongue or have their skin flayed and salted. I’ve heard they might even be dissected alive or burned. And their eyes? Preserved in a special solution. Let’s be thankful to our captured allies for providing their eyes in our stead.”
The cadets’ faces twisted in discomfort.
Finally, Yeom Ja-ryang spoke up in a faint voice.
“Um… Instructor….”
“Hmm? Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not like it’s happening to us. Honestly, who cares if someone else’s eyes are gouged out or their skin peeled off? As long as it’s not me, right? Does chivalry put food on the table?”
“I… I’ll do it.”
“Hmm? Do what?”
“I’ll join the rescue mission. I’m in.”
With a deep sigh, Jo Mun-tak added, “Then, I’ll do it too.”
“I’ll join as well.”
One by one, the cadets began to volunteer, until finally, Mok Dan-hwa stepped forward and asked in a cold tone.
“Just one question. If we launch a surprise attack, what are our chances of winning?”
“We’ll win for sure.”
“What?”
“Because I won’t just stand by and watch.”
Sa Bi-gang flashed a wide grin, revealing his white teeth.