Episode 20: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
Yum Jaryang felt as if he were in a dream.
His steps were light, as if he were walking on clouds.
He had never seen a woman so beautiful in his life.
Her delicate face, her full bosom, and her fair thighs.
Her gentle smile was enough to make his knees weak.
And she was kind, too!
Could she be a celestial maiden descended from the heavens?
Lost in thought, he was suddenly brought back to reality by the sound of chatter nearby.
He snapped out of his reverie to find Gok Bo-ok and his group laughing and talking near the main gate.
“Oh, the membership fees!”
He suddenly remembered his task of collecting the fees and quickly checked his pocket.
Heavy.
Thankfully, the fees were safely tucked away.
The silver coins made the pouch quite weighty.
Most of the students had paid without issue.
Those who hadn’t were either defiant towards the instructor or genuinely struggling to gather the money.
Among them were Gok Bo-ok’s group.
Since Yum Jaryang had become friendly with Sabi Kang, they had been a bit cold towards him.
Despite his hesitation, Yum Jaryang approached them.
Gok Bo-ok noticed him and greeted him warmly.
“Ah, Brother Yum! How’s the fee collection going?”
“Most of the students have paid, thankfully.”
Yum Jaryang nodded in response.
“Speaking of which… it would be great if you and the others could pay your fees soon.”
“Of course, we can’t be the only ones not paying for the training trip, can we? I was planning to give it to you when we met.”
Surprisingly, Gok Bo-ok handed over the fees without any fuss.
The other students followed suit, handing their fees to Yum Jaryang.
“Seems I was worried for nothing.”
Yum Jaryang sighed in relief as he checked the fees.
Everything was in order.
He offered a polite bow.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s only right for us to help each other out as fellow students, isn’t it?”
“By the way… have you seen Student Yeon Woo-gyeong?”
“Ah, Brother Yeon.”
Gok Bo-ok clapped his hands as if he had forgotten.
“Perfect timing. We were just on our way to meet him. Come with us.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
Yum Jaryang started to follow them absentmindedly but then hesitated.
Were they heading out of the main gate?
Gok Bo-ok turned back, puzzled.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“Where are you going?”
“We’re heading to the village. Brother Yeon is waiting at the tea house there. Come on, let’s go.”
“Um…”
Yum Jaryang looked troubled.
Going down to the village wasn’t the issue, but he was carrying too much money.
If he lost the fees outside the academy, it would be a disaster.
In the end, Yum Jaryang shook his head.
“Sorry, I’ll have to collect from Brother Yeon another time.”
“Hmm? Why? Do you not want to hang out with us?”
Gok Bo-ok looked visibly disappointed.
Yum Jaryang quickly waved his hands.
“Oh, it’s not that. It’s just that I’m carrying the fees…”
“Haha! If that’s the issue, what’s there to worry about? We’re all going together, aren’t we?”
“But if I lose it…”
“What? Do you think we’d do something to the fees?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then you just don’t want to hang out with us, is that it?”
“I said that’s not it.”
“Then what’s the problem? Just be a little careful, and it’ll be fine. Come on, Brother Yeon even said he wanted to get to know you better.”
“Really?”
“Of course. He admires your spirit.”
Yum Jaryang hesitated.
‘Maybe I should leave the fees in my room… No, that’s even riskier. It’s safer to keep them with me.’
He finally decided to go with Gok Bo-ok.
After all, what could happen during a short trip to the village?
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Haha. Good decision, Brother Yum. With us around, what’s there to worry about?”
**
What a mess.
If luck’s not on your side, even falling backward can break your nose.
Yum Jaryang took a step back, eyeing the masked men.
Three of them.
Their eyes were laughing.
“Just hand over what you’ve got.”
The one holding a sword cracked his neck, speaking in a gruff voice.
On either side of him, two men with curved swords slowly closed in.
Yum Jaryang swallowed hard.
‘Damn, where’s Brother Gok?’
It was when they had just reached the village outskirts with Gok Bo-ok.
Suddenly, three masked men appeared.
They attacked the students without warning.
The students scattered in panic.
Gok Bo-ok, who stayed until the end, ran off, saying he’d fetch Yeon Woo-gyeong.
The village was closer than the academy, so returning was out of the question.
But there was no word from those who left.
‘Could it be…’
Was this all a setup?
He hoped not, but given Yeon Woo-gyeong and Gok Bo-ok’s group’s hostility towards Sabi Kang, it seemed possible.
But there was no evidence.
Only suspicion.
Yum Jaryang looked at the masked men coldly.
“I’m just a student. I have nothing.”
“Heh, we’ll see about that once we search you.”
“Yeah, but it’d be better if you just handed it over. Heh.”
The masked men chuckled.
Yum Jaryang gritted his teeth.
A large tree trunk was behind him, leaving no room to retreat.
“I really have nothing to give.”
“Then let’s see for ourselves!”
The two with curved swords charged simultaneously.
In an instant.
Swish!
Yum Jaryang executed a swift footwork technique, narrowly dodging the incoming blades.
He drew the dagger from his waist and slashed upward diagonally.
Slash!
“Argh!”
One of the masked men clutched his thigh and fell.
Yum Jaryang spun and lowered his stance.
The masked men’s eyes widened.
‘What the…? This kid’s martial skills are stronger than I thought.’
Underestimating him because of his age could lead to serious trouble.
Despite the academy’s decline, he was still a student of Yongcheon Academy.
Meanwhile, Yum Jaryang was surprised by his own reflexes.
He could clearly see the blades until the last moment.
His internal energy flowed more freely.
Was it the result of his rigorous training in the cold water?
Or was it because of something Sabi Kang had done to him?
Either way, he felt light.
He even thought he might stand a chance.
But the fees in his pocket were a constant worry.
If he dropped them during a fierce fight, it would be a disaster.
Just then.
“Don’t get cocky!”
The masked man with the curved sword charged fiercely.
‘I can see it! Clearly!’
Yum Jaryang moved fluidly, spinning his body.
The opponent’s blade narrowly missed his neck.
Using the momentum, Yum Jaryang thrust at the opponent’s hand.
Thud!
“Argh!”
Clang!
The masked man dropped his sword and stumbled back.
“Huff, huff.”
Yum Jaryang took a deep breath.
He hadn’t moved much, but the tension had left him breathless.
‘Real combat really drains your energy differently.’
At that moment.
“Idiots.”
The man with the sword spat coldly and approached.
Swish.
He slowly drew his sword.
“Let’s see you pull off more tricks. Show me what you’ve got.”
Yum Jaryang held his breath.
This one was different.
Not just because he held a sword.
The aura of intimidation he exuded was on another level.
A chill ran down his spine.
The masked man smirked.
“Shall I go first?”
Whoosh!
In the next moment, the masked man lunged.
**
“Look, it’s already been decided!”
Instructor Deungbu raised his voice, blocking Sabi Kang’s path.
But Sabi Kang was relentless.
“Move! I can’t accept this!”
“I told you, it’s not up to you to accept or reject.”
“Anyway, I’m in charge of the special class! I already said I’d handle the training my way!”
“Yes, you can do that. But this is a separate issue!”
Sabi Kang, almost pushing Deungbu aside, suddenly stopped.
He glared at Deungbu, breathing heavily.
“What separate issue? If there’s an assistant instructor, they might interfere with my training methods…”
“I told you, they won’t interfere with that! So let’s just go back.”
“No. I won’t go back. I absolutely refuse to accept an assistant instructor!”
“Good grief. You’re impossible to reason with.”
“Why did you make such a decision without consulting me?”
“Consulting? You seem to be mistaken. The authority to appoint instructors lies with the headmaster! It’s not something that requires your approval!”
“Regardless, I can’t accept it! One instructor is enough for the special class!”
Finally, the two of them reached the headmaster’s office.
Deungbu stood firm, trying to block the way.
“Hold on! This isn’t something you can solve by arguing. Calm down, Instructor Sa.”
“Move aside! I can’t accept this!”
“Hey, you!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Deungbu-hyung reached out and pushed against Sa Bigang’s chest.
But Sa Bigang didn’t budge an inch.
It felt like trying to move a mountain.
‘What kind of body is this…!’
Surprised, Deungbu-hyung subtly increased his strength.
Even so, Sa Bigang didn’t blink, just stared back at him.
“Step aside. Someone might get hurt.”
A chill ran down Deungbu-hyung’s spine, and he instinctively flinched, withdrawing his hand.
Feeling awkward, he sighed and grumbled.
“Really, arguing won’t solve anything…”
Regardless, just as Sa Bigang was about to push the door open—
Creak.
The door swung open first, and out walked Joo Yucheon.
Recognizing Sa Bigang, Joo Yucheon spoke up.
“Oh? Instructor Sa. Perfect timing. I was just about to introduce you to someone.”
“I know. The assistant instructor, right?”
Joo Yucheon glanced back, and Deungbu-hyung gave a slight nod.
Understanding the situation, Joo Yucheon nodded.
“That’s right. We’ve finally found someone to take on the role of assistant instructor for spear techniques.”
In truth, the position of assistant instructor for spear techniques was one that most renowned martial artists wouldn’t even consider. Especially nowadays, spear techniques were undervalued, and being an assistant rather than a head instructor made the position even less appealing.
Joo Yucheon continued.
“Although this person’s main expertise isn’t spear techniques, they graciously agreed to take on the role. Their skill level is more than sufficient for teaching, and we’re very grateful.”
“You want to assign them as the assistant for the special class?”
“Exactly. They’re too talented to be just an assistant instructor.”
“Whether they’re talented or not doesn’t matter. I made it clear from the start, didn’t I? I want full control over the special class.”
“Hmm… So you’re saying you can’t accept them as an assistant?”
“That’s correct. There’s no rule that every class must have an assistant, is there?”
“True, but I’ve already given my word…”
“I can’t accept it.”
“Well, this puts her in a difficult position. From our side, it’s…”
“It can’t be helped. Even if it’s difficult for you… Wait, so the assistant instructor is a woman…?”
Just then, the door opened, and a woman walked in gracefully.
“Oh? Who…”
Her voice was like rolling pearls.
The dean’s voice overlapped hers.
“Ah, this is Instructor Sa Bigang of the special class.”
“Oh, hello.”
The woman smiled gently and bowed her head.
”…”
Sa Bigang couldn’t even think of closing his mouth.
She was incredibly… “sexy.”
Yes, in the demon realm, a woman like her would be described that way.
Sexy.
Truly, a beauty that could topple kingdoms!
No other words came to mind.
A soft, rising chest and legs as white as snow.
Following the curves of her body, his gaze reached a face of pure elegance.
It’s unfair.
A face like that with a body like that!
“This is the new assistant instructor for spear techniques.”
Sa Bigang nodded.
Meanwhile, Joo Yucheon cleared his throat and spoke with difficulty.
“Ahem! Miss Mae, I’m sorry, but it seems the assignment as the special class assistant will have to be canceled…”
“Hello!”
Suddenly, Sa Bigang shouted and approached, grabbing Mae Seollan’s hand with a broad smile.
“I’m the head instructor of the special class! Sa Bigang! Welcome, Miss Mae!”