Episode 2: The Return to the Martial Arts Academy
In the Hall of Yongdam.
This was where the key figures of Yongcheon Academy gathered for meetings.
The headmaster sat at the head of the table, while the first-year instructors faced each other across it.
On one side, Vice Head Jin Baek sat as a witness.
Instructor Cheon Se-myeong, known as the “Lightning Blade,” clicked his tongue and spoke up.
“If he’s that shaken, he should resign from his position as an instructor.”
A few instructors chuckled at his remark.
Jin Baek, with a bitter expression, replied, “I admit Instructor Sa is somewhat timid. But how can we expect students to respect their teachers if they disregard them like this?”
“Vice Head, let’s be honest. Instructor Sa isn’t just timid; he’s outright weak. Respect can’t be demanded; it must be earned.”
Cheon Se-myeong’s retort was met with nods of agreement from Yeo Un-jin, who taught martial arts.
“You’re right. Frankly, Instructor Sa lacks the necessary qualities. He’s not even a full instructor, just an assistant.”
“Exactly my point. The position of assistant instructor doesn’t suit him. We should consider appointing someone new.”
“That’s a good idea. Do you have anyone in mind?”
Cheon Se-myeong paused before answering Yeo Un-jin’s question.
“I recommend Maeng Son-deok, the ‘Invincible Spear.’”
The room fell silent as people exchanged glances.
Despite the impressive title, the name was unfamiliar.
Sensing the awkwardness, Cheon Se-myeong quickly added, “Maeng is staying in a nearby village. He prefers to keep his skills hidden from the world, making him an ideal candidate for our academy.”
Yeo Un-jin nodded in agreement. “Then we must bring him here.”
Listening to their conversation, Jin Baek sighed inwardly.
It was clear to him that Cheon Se-myeong had struck some sort of deal with Maeng Son-deok for the instructor position.
It was disheartening to see how far the once-prestigious Yongcheon Academy had fallen.
Not all instructors and staff were corrupt, of course.
Some were clearly uncomfortable with the conversation, but they chose not to speak up.
They didn’t want to cause trouble by opposing figures like Cheon Se-myeong and Yeo Un-jin.
Finally, Jin Baek couldn’t hold back any longer. He stood up, leaning on the table.
“Is this meeting about dismissing Instructor Sa? I thought we were here to decide on the punishment for the students who crossed the line.”
His sharp words silenced the room.
Jin Baek turned to look at the headmaster, Joo Yu-cheon, who stroked his long beard before speaking calmly.
“The students will be given three days of probation.”
The instructors nodded in agreement.
“It might be a bit harsh, but it’s the right decision.”
“Three days should be enough for them to reflect.”
“I agree as well.”
Jin Baek trembled slightly as he stood.
The academy was rotten to the core.
The students had nearly endangered an instructor, yet they received only three days of probation.
Jin Baek was about to speak when Cheon Se-myeong interrupted.
“What about appointing a new assistant instructor for spear techniques, Headmaster?”
The headmaster closed his eyes, and everyone watched him intently.
“That has been a topic of discussion for some time. The fact that our instructor was assaulted by mere ruffians is damaging to our academy’s reputation. Therefore, we will appoint a new assistant instructor for spear techniques. We will allow a fortnight for this process, and in the meantime, Instructor Sa’s classes will be suspended.”
Jin Baek asked with a hollow expression, “So, you’re not going to take any action against the ruffians who disrespected our instructor?”
“Vice Head, there’s no point in escalating this matter. We can’t intervene in every street brawl.”
Cheon Se-myeong’s words left Jin Baek silent.
Cheon Se-myeong smiled faintly and looked at the headmaster.
“Headmaster, how do you plan to select the new spear instructor?”
“We will first gather recommendations and then conduct interviews.”
Jin Baek quickly interjected, “Surely, Instructor Sa deserves a chance to defend himself?”
“Hmm.”
Joo Yu-cheon pondered. He valued the academy’s rules and wasn’t as corrupt as some of the other instructors, so he found merit in Jin Baek’s argument.
Cheon Se-myeong stepped in again.
“How about this? The candidate who passes the interview can have a martial contest with Instructor Sa to determine the better instructor. That way, no one can object.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
Yeo Un-jin agreed enthusiastically.
Jin Baek was displeased with their behavior but had no other options.
Purging the academy of its corruption was no easy task.
‘Perhaps I have no right to blame others.’
In truth, Sa Bi-gang’s appointment as an instructor was partly due to Jin Baek’s influence.
Though his martial skills were lacking, Jin Baek could vouch for his integrity.
‘Maybe that’s the real problem.’
In the end, it was decided that Sa Bi-gang’s position would be determined by a martial contest in a fortnight.
**
In the backyard of Ho Yeon Pavilion, where students’ practice weapons and various equipment were stored, a group had gathered.
A young man with a square jaw and a sturdy build grinned as he asked, “Did that really happen?”
He was Gok Bo-ok, the eldest son and heir of the rising Yongho Escort Agency.
The agency had grown so rapidly that it was now considered the most influential in Honam.
Gok Bo-ok had grown up without wanting for anything.
Yeon Woo-gyeong, a handsome young man, nodded in response to his question.
“Yeah, it really happened.”
“He really laughed like that?”
“Yeah. After the meeting in Yongdam Hall, when they said they’d punish you, he laughed like a madman.”
Gok Bo-ok chuckled at Yeon Woo-gyeong’s words.
“That fool must have thought we’d get some severe punishment.”
“Probably. But we only got three days of probation.”
“Technically, it’s not ‘we.’ You didn’t get any punishment.”
Yeon Woo-gyeong’s eyes turned cold at Gok Bo-ok’s words.
His expression was entirely different from when he faced Sa Bi-gang.
“Do you have a problem with that?”
Sensing the chill in Yeon Woo-gyeong’s demeanor, Gok Bo-ok quickly added, “Oh, no, I didn’t mean anything by it. What’s three days of probation, anyway?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong smirked and let it go.
As the second son of the Yeon family, known for their prowess in the past war against the demonic sects, he was part of a powerful lineage.
Yeon Woo-gyeong crossed his arms and said, “By now, he must know about our punishment. I wonder what expression he’ll have. Maybe he’ll still be laughing like a madman. Haha.”
“Haha. If he’s still laughing when he’s about to lose his head, then he’s truly insane.”
The students laughed among themselves.
Just then, one student’s expression turned serious.
“Uh… over there…”
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Gok Bo-ok followed the student’s gaze, and his expression stiffened slightly.
Yeon Woo-gyeong turned to look as well.
‘Instructor?’
Standing a few steps behind Yeon Woo-gyeong was Sa Bi-gang.
‘How long has he been there? Did he hear us?’
Judging by the lack of any noticeable presence, he must have just arrived.
Sure enough, Sa Bi-gang tilted his head and asked, “What are you all doing here?”
At that moment, Yeon Woo-gyeong put on a pitiful expression and ran to Sa Bi-gang’s side.
“Instructor!”
Sa Bi-gang glanced at Yeon Woo-gyeong and then looked at Gok Bo-ok.
Meanwhile, Yeon Woo-gyeong signaled to Gok Bo-ok with his eyes.
Gok Bo-ok’s lips curled into a smirk.
It was a habit of his when he was about to play a nasty trick.
“We were just having a friendly chat. Why? Is there a problem?”
His tone was provocative.
The students behind Gok Bo-ok stood with defiant expressions, their heads tilted arrogantly.
Sa Bi-gang quietly met Gok Bo-ok’s gaze.
‘Hmph, what do you think you’re doing by staring?’
Gok Bo-ok inwardly scoffed, meeting his gaze confidently.
But then…
‘What… what’s with his eyes?’
A shiver ran down his spine.
Sa Bi-gang’s expression was emotionless, his eyes cold and predatory.
It was like the gaze of a beast eyeing its prey.
‘Was this instructor always like this?’
Gok Bo-ok swallowed hard.
At that moment, Yeon Woo-gyeong clutched Sa Bi-gang’s sleeve.
“Instructor, please help! They’re threatening me because I came to see you…”
Yeon Woo-gyeong trailed off, biting his lip and trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow.
It was a masterful performance.
Gok Bo-ok smirked and tossed out his words.
“Surely you don’t believe him, do you? We didn’t do anything. There’s no evidence, right?”
He spread his arms wide open.
“Think carefully, Instructor.”
Gok Bo-ok chuckled inwardly.
A perfect trap.
If the instructor tried to lecture them, he wouldn’t back down easily. The opponent was an instructor who taught martial arts. Among the instructors, he was considered the weakest, but still, it was too much for a single student to handle. However, the students outnumbered him now, didn’t they?
If any issues arose later, Yeon Woo-kyung could always change his story. He could claim that an instructor, on the verge of being dismissed, had threatened the students out of spite. After all, there were no witnesses.
But then…
“What nonsense is this?”
“What?”
Gok Bo-ok frowned.
“You seem to be mistaken. I’m not an instructor right now. I’ve been relieved of my duties for the next two weeks, thanks to you. So whatever nonsense you pull, it’s none of my business.”
Yeon Woo-kyung looked at Sa Bi-gang in disbelief.
“Instructor! But they’re bullying me…!”
“Get out of my way. I’m in a hurry.”
Sa Bi-gang’s expression remained unchanged. His unexpected reaction left Yeon Woo-kyung and the other students bewildered.
‘What is with this guy?’
He was weak, but so righteous and meddlesome that it was almost foolish. That was the old Sa Bi-gang, making him the perfect target for delinquent students. But now…
‘Tch, he must be scared out of his wits. I thought this would be entertaining.’
Reluctantly, Yeon Woo-kyung let go.
In truth, Sa Bi-gang, having lived through the future once, already knew a lot about Yeon Woo-kyung and the other students.
‘Just wait. I’ll deal with each of you in due time.’
He walked past the students, his footsteps echoing as he went.
Just as he was about to turn the corner, he paused.
”… Only this once.”
“What did you say?”
Gok Bo-ok tilted his head, and Sa Bi-gang’s eerie voice drifted back.
“I’ll forgive you this time. But when I’m an instructor again, I won’t tolerate such insolence. Of course, if you’re curious, you could always experience it firsthand.”
Sa Bi-gang flashed a sinister grin, so unsettling that Gok Bo-ok shivered involuntarily.
‘What the hell is with this lunatic?’
Even after Sa Bi-gang left, the students stood there, dazed.
Finally regaining his senses, Gok Bo-ok spat on the ground.
“Has he lost his mind from the shock? Does he really think he can win a duel with those skills?”
“Heh, maybe he doesn’t know who his opponent will be yet.”
Yeon Woo-kyung smirked faintly.
‘This should be interesting.’
**
“Huff, huff, huff.”
Sa Bi-gang leaned on his knees, gasping for breath. It took him a while to straighten up and take in the view before him.
Sheer cliffs rose on either side, and a thick fog hung so dense that he could barely see a step ahead.
A deep gorge where even ghosts wouldn’t dare to tread.
‘Exactly ten days, huh?’
He had rushed here almost without rest for the past ten days.
‘Too slow.’
Compared to his days in the demon realm, he was moving at a snail’s pace. And to be this out of breath…
‘Tch, what a useless body.’
How had he ever thought he could survive the world with a body like this?
Five days remained. It had taken ten days to get here, so at this rate, he wouldn’t make it back to the academy in time for the duel.
But Sa Bi-gang wasn’t anxious. Instead, he stepped forward with anticipation.
How far had he walked into the gorge?
He suddenly stopped and turned to the side.
Through the dense foliage, he could see the cliff face.
‘It was to the right, wasn’t it?’
He pushed through the underbrush without hesitation, stopping in front of the cliff. Closing his eyes, he slowly extended his hand, as if focusing all his senses on his fingertips.
And then,
A strange sensation traveled up his fingers.
It wasn’t the feel of rock.
Sa Bi-gang opened his eyes, which gleamed with excitement.
‘Heh, this is it. Just wait. I’m coming to claim it.’
He stepped forward, his body seemingly absorbed into the cliff.