Episode 222: Return of the Demon Instructor
Joo Ki-hyun frowned deeply.
The martial artists surrounding Jang Hu-gyeom were equally bewildered.
A single thought crossed their minds.
“Where did this guy suddenly come from?”
They hadn’t sensed his approach at all.
He had walked over as casually as a waiter passing by, and now he was supporting Jang Hu-gyeom.
Yet, they hadn’t even felt the need to be on guard.
Joo Ki-hyun asked bluntly, “Who are you?”
“I’m Sa Bi-gang.”
The stranger spoke informally right from the start.
Joo Ki-hyun’s cheek twitched in irritation.
Suppressing his anger, he asked again, “And what exactly do you do?”
“I’m an instructor. I teach kids. Well, some of them are a bit old to be called kids, but they’re all younger than me, so kids they are.”
“What is he rambling about? Wait, isn’t this the hostage from the Justice Alliance?”
As Joo Ki-hyun scrunched up his nose in annoyance, Sa Bi-gang casually remarked, “Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles at a young age.”
“Hmph! You sure like to meddle. This isn’t your business, so why don’t you just move along?”
“My business brought me here.”
“If you’re a hostage, you should just keep your head down and stay quiet. Why are you causing a scene?”
Sa Bi-gang looked Joo Ki-hyun straight in the eye and slowly drew his sword, Veritas.
“Hostage, huh…”
The surrounding martial artists tensed up, weapons at the ready.
Sa Bi-gang glanced around and said, “I told you, I’m here as an instructor, not a hostage. Seems like you need a lesson in listening.”
Joo Ki-hyun stared at Sa Bi-gang, dumbfounded.
What kind of audacity is this?
What is he relying on?
Does he even realize where he is?
And can’t he see the deadly intent radiating from my men?
“Looks like you’ve lost your mind. What a lunatic…!”
In a flash, Sa Bi-gang appeared right in front of Joo Ki-hyun.
With a swift motion, Veritas sliced through the air like a beam of light.
To Joo Ki-hyun, the whole process felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was over in a heartbeat.
A sharp sting.
Veritas stopped just short of piercing Joo Ki-hyun’s throat, drawing a single drop of blood, which the sword absorbed immediately.
A shiver ran down Joo Ki-hyun’s spine.
He had been a hair’s breadth from death.
The slow-motion effect was likely a near-death experience, akin to seeing one’s life flash before their eyes.
Sa Bi-gang slapped Joo Ki-hyun’s cheek with the flat of his sword.
“Watch your mouth. In the martial world, a single word can cost you your life.”
“You… you bastard…!”
Slap!
“I said watch your mouth. And lower your eyes.”
In an instant,
Clang!
Joo Ki-hyun drew his sword and knocked Veritas aside, leaping back.
He shouted in frustration, “What are you all doing? Get this lunatic!”
Finally, the subordinates surrounding them snapped out of their daze and charged at Sa Bi-gang.
“Hah!”
The leading martial artist lunged forward with a fierce battle cry.
Swish!
Sa Bi-gang spun gracefully, dodging the attack, and struck the opponent’s neck with the edge of his hand.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The opponent cried out, flying through the air and crashing into his comrades.
“Don’t mess with me!”
Two more martial artists descended from above, swords slashing down.
In a blink,
Whoosh!
Sa Bi-gang vanished, leaving them to strike the ground.
Thud! Thud!
Reappearing behind them, Sa Bi-gang kicked both men, sending them sprawling into their allies.
The unexpected prowess of Sa Bi-gang left Joo Ki-hyun’s men on edge.
Joo Ki-hyun gritted his teeth.
“You idiots! You can’t even handle one hostage? Is this what I pay you for, you useless pigs?”
In a flash, Joo Ki-hyun charged at Sa Bi-gang, sword swinging.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The blade thrust forward with blinding speed.
But Sa Bi-gang didn’t even move his feet, effortlessly dodging the attacks.
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Joo Ki-hyun by the throat.
“Ugh…!”
“Do you have so much to lose?”
Sa Bi-gang’s voice was nonchalant as Joo Ki-hyun ground his teeth.
“What are you all standing around for? Attack him! Ugh!”
The subordinates, finally regaining their senses, rushed forward.
Whoosh!
To their shock, Sa Bi-gang waved his hand, conjuring a wall of flames that blocked their path.
“Ahh!”
“Hot…!”
Some caught fire, screaming as they fell back.
The martial artists, witnessing the Fire Wall spell for the first time, were left in awe.
Sa Bi-gang narrowed his eyes and said, “Stay put. I’m in the middle of a lesson.”
”…!”
His gaze returned to Joo Ki-hyun, whose face was turning pale from the chokehold.
“I asked if you have so much to lose.”
“You… bastard…!”
Slap!
“Ugh!”
Sa Bi-gang slapped Joo Ki-hyun’s cheek, still holding him by the throat.
“If you have a lot, you should have the dignity and grace to match. Where I come from, we call that ‘noblesse orgasm.’”
‘What is he talking about? This idiot…’
He had confused “noblesse oblige” with something else entirely, but Sa Bi-gang was oblivious.
Joo Ki-hyun frowned at the unfamiliar term, and Sa Bi-gang slapped his cheek again.
“You seem to lack dignity and grace. Live generously, not arrogantly.”
“What nonsense…!”
Swish!
Joo Ki-hyun swung his sword with all his might.
In that moment, Sa Bi-gang flung him aside.
Crash!
Joo Ki-hyun lost his grip on his sword and crashed into a corner of the inn.
“Master! This bastard…!”
As the martial artists charged again,
“Thunder Cross!”
Sa Bi-gang waved his hand, casting another spell that sent electric orbs flying in all directions.
Zap! Zap!
“Ahhh!”
“Ugh!”
The electrified martial artists convulsed and collapsed.
Jang Hu-gyeom, who had been watching the entire scene, stood with his mouth agape.
‘What on earth is this…?’
He had heard rumors of Sa Bi-gang’s eccentricity and his considerable martial skills.
But he hadn’t expected him to fight in such a bizarre manner.
Or rather, he had heard such rumors, but never imagined it would be to this extent.
‘Why is he helping me, though?’
Is it the typical meddling of a righteous sect member who can’t stand injustice?
Did he get angry seeing a young man disrespect someone old enough to be his father?
But then, Sa Bi-gang’s next action left Jang Hu-gyeom even more puzzled.
Sa Bi-gang pulled a heavy pouch from his robe and tossed it to the groaning Joo Ki-hyun.
Thud!
Joo Ki-hyun looked at him in confusion, and Sa Bi-gang said curtly, “Ten million nyang.”
”…!”
Joo Ki-hyun, his subordinates, and even Jang Hu-gyeom were shocked.
‘Why ten million nyang…?’
The same thought crossed everyone’s mind.
Joo Ki-hyun glanced at a subordinate, who quickly checked the pouch.
A moment later,
A hundred ten-thousand nyang notes!
The subordinate nodded at Joo Ki-hyun.
‘It’s ten million nyang!’
Joo Ki-hyun stared at Sa Bi-gang in disbelief.
‘Who is this guy?’
Meanwhile, Sa Bi-gang turned to the still-dazed Jang Hu-gyeom and bowed.
“Thank you for your help before. If it weren’t for you, I would have been in real danger. I’m honored to repay your kindness in this way.”
“Help…? Kindness…?”
Jang Hu-gyeom asked, bewildered.
Sa Bi-gang grinned.
“Hahaha! Pretending not to remember after helping me! Truly, you are a magnanimous man, Jang Lord. I’m impressed once again!”
“What are you talking about… I think you have the wrong person…”
“Really, if you hadn’t helped me back then, I would have been in trouble. But I’m glad I have the chance to repay you now!”
Jang Hu-gyeom swallowed hard, his eyes wide.
Two thoughts battled in his mind.
He didn’t know how it happened, but this man had just offered him ten million nyang.
A debt that had tormented him with a fear worse than death.
Could this be a heaven-sent opportunity?
But what if this man realized his mistake?
What if he demanded the ten million nyang back?
Hell would begin anew.
“Damn it, what should I do?”
While he was pondering, Sabigang tossed a silver coin to Joo Ki-hyun.
“Use this for your treatment. Remember, only the nouveau riche flaunt their power. The more you have, the more dignity and refinement you should possess. Like me. Haha. That’s what I call ‘noblesse orgasm.’”
“Ugh!”
Joo Ki-hyun clicked his tongue and got to his feet.
As he limped away, his subordinates quickly followed.
Once the commotion had somewhat settled, Jang Hu-gyeom cautiously glanced at Sabigang and spoke up.
“It seems like… there might be some misunderstanding…”
“Lord Jang!”
Sabigang suddenly grabbed Jang Hu-gyeom’s hand.
“W-what is it?”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? About the difficulties you were facing!”
“Well, I… I’ve never even met you…”
“If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have ignored it! It’s a relief I found out in time to repay the favor.”
At this point, Jang Hu-gyeom felt a strong temptation to take advantage of the situation.
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, wasn’t it the other party’s mistake?
It wasn’t his fault.
Besides, he had tried to explain the truth several times, but they simply wouldn’t listen. What else could he do?
‘Perhaps this is a chance given to me by the heavens. Let’s see how this plays out a bit longer.’
If any issues arose later, he could deal with them then.
Whether Sabigang sensed his inner thoughts or not, she continued speaking, her eyes even welling up with tears, without letting go of his hand.
“If you hadn’t sent your men to save my life that day, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“Such a thing happened? Could you tell me in detail what occurred that day?”
“Of course. But first, let’s move to a quieter place. I want to treat you to something special today.”
“Haha… There’s really no need for that…”
Jang Hu-gyeom tried to refuse, but Sabigang insisted and pulled him along.