Episode 19: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
“Martial Arts Expedition?”
Dean Joo Yoo-chun paused, looking up from the documents in front of him.
Standing across from him, Sa Bi-gang responded with a slight smile.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“But the official expedition is scheduled for every spring…”
“Spring is just around the corner, isn’t it?”
“Still, it’s a journey everyone embarks on together. Yet, you propose to take only the special class separately, and the destination doesn’t even match…”
“I believe I mentioned before that I intend to educate the special class in a unique manner, as its name suggests.”
“Of course, but the martial arts expedition is one of the academy’s major events. It requires a lot of attention. If an accident were to occur…”
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Taking responsibility, you say…”
“Of course, I don’t anticipate any issues.”
Joo Yoo-chun fell silent, studying Sa Bi-gang intently.
Where does he get such confidence?
Sa Bi-gang seemed to have undergone a transformation in just a few days.
No wonder many instructors were suspicious of him.
As Joo Yoo-chun pondered, Sa Bi-gang continued.
“The trip might be a bit lengthy, but I don’t see any violations of the academy’s regulations. If you find anything that does, please point it out, and I’ll make the necessary adjustments.”
“Ahem.”
Joo Yoo-chun cleared his throat and reviewed the documents again.
Indeed, there were no clear violations. However, the proposals were unprecedented and bold.
Sa Bi-gang pressed on.
“You did say you’d allow me to implement my own teaching methods as long as they didn’t breach any regulations. That’s why I’m submitting this proposal.”
Finally, Joo Yoo-chun nodded.
“Very well. But you must exercise extreme caution during the expedition. No accidents must occur. Also, someone will need to temporarily assume your duties as the head of the cadets while you’re away.”
“I understand.”
With Sa Bi-gang’s assurance, Joo Yoo-chun stamped the documents.
**
“What? Three months?”
The special class cadets gaped in disbelief.
Every spring, Yongcheon Academy embarked on a martial arts expedition, typically lasting from two weeks to a month.
But three months?
They had never heard of such an extended journey.
“Is this just for our special class?”
The question came from Yeom Ja-ryang, who had grown more favorable towards Sa Bi-gang after the recent Veritas theft incident, realizing his physical abilities had improved thanks to him.
Sa Bi-gang nodded.
“Yes, only our class will be going on a three-month expedition. Consider yourselves lucky. Haha.”
“Lucky? A trip is fun for a day or two, but three months? That’s too long!”
Gok Bo-ok protested, his voice filled with discontent, and several cadets nodded in agreement.
But Sa Bi-gang remained unfazed.
“Regardless, as members of the special class, you must follow my decisions.”
“The academy won’t approve this.”
“I already have the dean’s approval.”
Sa Bi-gang held up the stamped documents with a grin.
Gok Bo-ok’s expression soured as if he’d bitten into something unpleasant.
‘Damn it! What’s this instructor up to? A three-month expedition? And we’re leaving in just two weeks, with the weather still cold? This must be a joke!’
The other cadets were also murmuring in surprise at the sudden announcement.
Sa Bi-gang waved the documents.
“Anyway, it’s decided. Make sure to contact your guardians during the preparation period. You’ll need to prepare enough funds for the trip. Hehe.”
“Ugh! How can they just spring this on us?”
Gok Bo-ok grumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Ignoring him, Sa Bi-gang scanned the cadets.
“Now, who should handle collecting the participation fees… Let’s see.”
His gaze landed on Yeom Ja-ryang.
“You’ve worked with a trading company, so you should be good with numbers, right? Ja-ryang, you take care of it.”
“Fine, I guess.”
Yeom Ja-ryang replied with a nonchalant tone, though he didn’t seem entirely displeased.
Meanwhile, Yeon Woo-gyeong approached the still-grumbling Gok Bo-ok and patted his shoulder.
“Hey, maybe this isn’t so bad.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about how much the participation fees for a three-month trip will add up to.”
“A fortune, obviously!”
“And if that fortune were to go missing?”
“That would be a disaster… Wait, are you suggesting…?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong nodded with a knowing smile.
Gok Bo-ok quickly glanced around and whispered.
“But if we did something like that, we wouldn’t get away with it…”
“Something like what?”
“Stealing the participation fees…”
“Relax. Who said anything about doing it ourselves?”
“Then…?”
“Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t like money?”
Gok Bo-ok swallowed hard and shook his head.
Yeon Woo-gyeong simply watched Yeom Ja-ryang’s back with a faint smile.
“Sometimes, people need a little reminder of what happens when they choose the wrong side. As a fellow cadet, of course.”
**
“Why are we in the special class?”
The voice belonged to Mok Dan-hwa, her brows furrowed in frustration.
With her elegant forehead, sharp nose, and lips as red as a flower petal, she was a new addition to the special class, having been transferred from the Flying Dragon Class.
An exemplary student who had never once broken the academy’s rules.
Along with her, Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong, who often accompanied her, were also newly assigned to the special class.
Their beauty was so striking that some speculated Sa Bi-gang had ulterior motives for selecting them.
Sa Bi-gang, lounging with his feet on the table, casually picked at his ear.
“Because I assigned you here. I’m the head of the cadets, after all.”
“But why do we have to be in this class?”
“This class? What’s wrong with this class?”
Sa Bi-gang asked, raising an eyebrow, and Mok Dan-hwa crossed her arms with a scoff.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. The students here are all troublemakers, aren’t they? The academy doesn’t even want to deal with them. They’re either delinquents or misfits. Complete lost causes!”
“Hmm. Is that so? I hadn’t noticed.”
Bang!
“Don’t play dumb! Anyone with eyes and ears can see it!”
Mok Dan-hwa slammed her hand on the table, shouting.
Sa Bi-gang opened one eye slightly.
“Then just think of it that way.”
“What?”
“You said it yourself. Only troublemakers get assigned here.”
“Yes, I did.”
“So, just consider yourself a troublemaker for being assigned here.”
“Are you serious? I’ve never broken a rule or caused any trouble in the academy…”
“Ah, well, that’s not important. The decision’s been made. No matter what anyone says, you’re now a special class cadet. Because I decided so. Haha.”
“I can’t accept this! I demand to be reassigned to my original class!”
“Denied.”
“Ugh! My father won’t stand for this when he hears about it!”
“Feel free to have him contact me anytime.”
Sa Bi-gang replied dismissively, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
In truth, he knew all about Mok Dan-hwa, Min Yu-hyang, and Baek Mi-ryeong.
Mok Dan-hwa, the eldest daughter of the Flash Sword Mok family.
A family renowned for their unparalleled swordsmanship, rivaling even the Pae Sword Yeon family.
In the future, Mok Dan-hwa would inherit her family’s techniques and become a formidable swordswoman.
However, her sharp tongue and difficult personality would earn her many enemies.
Though she played the role of a model student at the academy, she was adept at manipulating the rules and exploiting her beauty to sway instructors.
The reason she wasn’t initially placed in the special class was precisely because of these traits.
Even Yeon Woo-jin couldn’t bring himself to cross her.
She valued her image as a top student too much to risk losing it.
In essence, she was similar to Yeon Woo-gyeong but more cunning, using her status as a woman to her advantage.
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong were from families allied with the Mok family, serving as her aides.
The reason for assigning these problem students to the special class was…
‘Ironically, they have potential. With the right guidance…’
Sa Bi-gang sighed, eyes closed.
Why do promising talents always come with such baggage?
“If you’re done talking, you can leave.”
Sa Bi-gang waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly, and Mok Dan-hwa bit her lip in frustration.
‘Just you wait, you insufferable instructor!’
In the end, Mok Dan-hwa stormed out, unable to argue further.
“Dan-hwa, are you okay?”
“Can you believe that instructor?”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong hurried after her, venting their grievances.
But Mok Dan-hwa heard none of it.
Her plan to maintain her status as a top student until graduation was crumbling.
Her mood was anything but pleasant.
Just as she turned the corner—
Thud!
“Ouch!”
Mok Dan-hwa collided with someone and stumbled back a few steps before landing on her backside.
“Dan-hwa!”
“Oh my!”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong, who were following behind, turned pale.
Meanwhile, Mok Dan-hwa bit her lip and looked up, determined to see who had dared to make her fall.
But then…
“A cadet?”
The person reaching out a hand to her was dressed in a cadet uniform. She had expected at least an instructor.
Even though she was a woman, she prided herself on her swordsmanship and strength, which were on par with her peers.
“And yet, I got knocked over?”
The cadet she had bumped into, Yeom Ja-ryang, spoke cautiously.
“Uh… are you okay?”
“Hmph!”
Mok Dan-hwa quickly slapped his hand away and jumped to her feet.
“Instructors or cadets, none of them are any good!”
With her lips pressed tightly together, Mok Dan-hwa strode off, leaving Yeom Ja-ryang feeling less than pleased.
“Ugh, I apologized, didn’t I? Rich kids are all the same—no manners.”
He muttered to himself as he turned away, but then suddenly stopped.
“Oh, right, I need to collect the fees.”
Just as he was about to turn the corner again—
Squish!
“Huh?”
That unexpected sensation again. But it wasn’t unpleasant… he thought, snapping back to reality.
“Ow, ow…”
A woman had fallen on her backside, her face scrunched up in a delicate frown.
Yeom Ja-ryang’s eyes widened in disbelief.
A beauty that could topple nations, a face like a flower under the moon, a timeless beauty…!
What words could possibly capture her allure?
If Mok Dan-hwa was like a budding flower, this woman was in full bloom.
Her attire revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her chest and snow-white thighs, leaving him utterly captivated.
“Sorry about that. Are you okay?”
The woman who had fallen was the one apologizing.
Yeom Ja-ryang, regaining his senses, nodded vigorously.
“Of course! I’m sorry!”
“No, it’s my fault for not watching where I was going. Could you help me up?”
“Oh, yes! Yes!”
He quickly took her hand.
Goodness, how could a hand be so soft… so delicate…
The woman smiled sweetly.
“Thank you. And you are…?”
“Oh, I’m, uh, Cadet Yeom Ja-ryang from the Special Class!”
“Hohoho. Nice to meet you. So you’re in the Special Class. My name is Mae Seol-ran.”
“Ah… yes…”
Even her name was beautiful.
“So, where are you headed?”
“Oh, I’m… ah! I’m collecting fees… I’m in charge of the training trip fees!”
“Pfft. I see. Do you know where the dean’s office is?”
“Yes? Oh, yes! Just head straight up that way!”
“Thank you. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll do my best!”
Yeom Ja-ryang quickly bowed his head.
“Huh? But… what does she mean by ‘counting on me’…?”
But by the time he looked up, the woman had already disappeared.