Episode 282: Return of the Martial Arts Instructor

Clang!

With a metallic clash, No Hoi-gun was forced to retreat.

“Damn it.”

He glared intently at Sa Bi-gang, a cold sweat trickling down his back.

Soon, Sa Bi-gang’s voice echoed in his mind.

[Pathetic.]

“Grr…!”

No Hoi-gun ground his teeth in frustration. Since the duel began, Sa Bi-gang had been taunting him with telepathic messages. It was blatant disrespect.

Yet, the words Sa Bi-gang spoke aloud were entirely different.

“Your martial arts are truly impressive, Master. I can’t seem to break through.”

‘Damn it… What game is he playing?’

No Hoi-gun knew all too well. Sa Bi-gang was toying with him. If Sa Bi-gang had been serious, No Hoi-gun would already be sprawled on the ground. But instead, Sa Bi-gang continued to feign admiration while secretly mocking him.

He wanted nothing more than to unleash his full power and silence Sa Bi-gang for good.

“Damn it!”

There wasn’t a single opening. They had been clashing for over thirty seconds, yet No Hoi-gun couldn’t find a path for his sword. Meanwhile, Sa Bi-gang remained relaxed, not even bothering to attack aggressively.

He wanted to save face and end the duel, but it was too soon. At least a hundred seconds needed to pass before he could withdraw with dignity.

“Ha!”

This time, Sa Bi-gang leaped forward, aiming for No Hoi-gun. No Hoi-gun quickly adjusted his stance and met the attack.

Clang!

Screech!

The sword slid down the blade, aiming directly for No Hoi-gun’s neck.

‘Damn it! So easily…!’

In this position, it wouldn’t be surprising if his neck was sliced. Of course, Sa Bi-gang wasn’t reckless enough to actually decapitate him. But the moment the blade touched his neck, No Hoi-gun’s pride would be shattered.

Yet…

‘Huh?’

The sword veered off at the last moment, merely grazing his neck. It was so seamless that it appeared as if No Hoi-gun had dodged it himself.

But he knew the truth.

‘That wasn’t me dodging!’

Sa Bi-gang was holding back, giving him a chance. Maybe even two or three chances.

Then, Sa Bi-gang’s voice came again.

[I expected more from the esteemed Master of Eungcheon. This is disappointing.]

“Damn it…!”

No Hoi-gun’s face twisted in frustration. At least Sa Bi-gang maintained a respectful facade, so his subordinates and the onlookers were unaware of the true nature of the duel.

“To dodge my best strike, truly impressive.”

“Ahem, you’re too kind.”

[Indeed. If I wanted, your head would be gone.]

[What is this nonsense!]

[What nonsense?]

[Why do you pretend to be respectful while taunting me telepathically?]

[Ah, you prefer people who are the same inside and out. I was just trying to spare your dignity. But if you insist…]

[Wait! That’s not what I meant…!]

But Sa Bi-gang was already speaking aloud.

“Why is the Master of Eungcheon so lacking in skill…?”

“Hahaha! Truly impressive! I’m deeply moved by your prowess!”

No Hoi-gun suddenly burst into laughter, swinging his sword swiftly.

Whoosh!

The blade sliced through the air, aiming for Sa Bi-gang’s chest. But Sa Bi-gang effortlessly dodged with a simple twist of his body, a flawless movement.

As No Hoi-gun staggered, Sa Bi-gang came at him again with his sword.

This time, it seemed his side would be cut open!

‘Damn it…!’

No Hoi-gun regretted his haste and quickly adjusted his stance, but it was already too late.

Yet…

‘Again…?’

The sword veered off, only slicing his clothes. It was so natural that No Hoi-gun wondered if Sa Bi-gang had made a mistake.

But seeing Sa Bi-gang’s expression, he was certain.

‘Damn it…! He’s holding back again!’

It was a blow to his pride, but undeniable. He had to accept it.

The duel continued, a tense dance on a razor’s edge. To the spectators, it seemed as if both were narrowly avoiding defeat, a battle of equals.

But No Hoi-gun’s pride had long since been crushed by their telepathic exchanges.

Some, like Jeok Mu-rin and Maeng Ga-suk, saw through the facade.

Maeng Ga-suk murmured, “The instructor is truly terrifying.”

“He’s treating the Master like a child,” Jeok Mu-rin agreed, though puzzled by Sa Bi-gang’s behavior.

“Why is he preserving the Master’s dignity?”

Maeng Ga-suk chuckled. “That’s a question only you would ask.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve always eliminated those who annoyed you, especially those of the righteous path.”

“I won’t deny it.”

“That’s why you can’t understand the instructor’s intentions.”

Jeok Mu-rin, though the comment could have been offensive, simply asked, “And you understand?”

“Of course. When you deal with people long enough, you become half a snake.”

“So why is the instructor doing this?”

“It’s easier to handle someone with something to lose than someone with nothing.”

“So the Master has something to lose…?”

“His fragile pride. The instructor is preserving it to control him. By now, the Master knows he could be destroyed at any moment.”

“Indeed. While others are oblivious, you saw through it. The instructor is playing with the Master.”

“Hmph, I was once as strong as you. Though I’ve been weakened by poison, my eyes are still sharp.”

Jeok Mu-rin nodded. “Then isn’t that enough?”

“Enough for what?”

Maeng Ga-suk frowned at Jeok Mu-rin, who continued watching the duel.

“The reason the instructor chose you as a leader. It seems like a good enough reason. Even I would consider you for the role.”

Jeok Mu-rin finally glanced at Maeng Ga-suk, who chuckled and shook his head.

‘Turns out there’s an even bigger snake here.’

Meanwhile, the duel between Sa Bi-gang and No Hoi-gun was nearing its end.

No Hoi-gun, drenched in sweat, took a deep breath.

‘This is enough…’

He realized Sa Bi-gang was deliberately easing his attacks, offering him a chance to gracefully end the duel.

As expected, Sa Bi-gang’s voice came again.

[What do you say? Want to continue? I’ll give you a chance to save face. Choose wisely.]

Sa Bi-gang smiled faintly, his eyes conveying the threat of what would happen if No Hoi-gun refused.

In the end, No Hoi-gun clung to his remaining pride.

“Hoo. Truly impressive. I’ve learned much from Instructor Sa Bi-gang.”

He sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully.

Sa Bi-gang returned the gesture. “You’re too kind. I’ve learned from you as well.”

“Haha! You’re humble. If you need anything, just ask. I’ll gladly assist.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

Sa Bi-gang maintained No Hoi-gun’s dignity to the end, though it was an invisible leash to everyone else. From now on, No Hoi-gun would act like a mouse before a cat whenever he saw Sa Bi-gang.

Maeng Ga-suk watched Sa Bi-gang’s respectful demeanor and shook his head internally.

‘He’s truly terrifying. Like someone who’s lived for decades.’

Knowing and doing are different things. Yet Sa Bi-gang transformed when the moment called for it, as if he were a different person.

Maeng Ga-suk couldn’t bring himself to speak until Sa Bi-gang returned to his quarters.

‘You can’t win against someone like that with words. Best to let it go.’

**

A soft hum filled the air as Chu Ryang channeled a bluish energy into a black stone. To an observer, it might seem wasteful to pour such precious energy into a mere rock.

But Chu Ryang was more focused than ever.

‘I’ve definitely felt my mana control improving recently.’

Specifically, since receiving the Platan’s egg from Sa Bi-gang. Initially, he wasn’t thrilled with the stone Sa Bi-gang had given him.

Sabikang’s words seemed utterly absurd to him.

Not only that, but Sabikang had a habit of teasing him, so he couldn’t help but wonder if he was being tricked again.

Still, he decided to give it a shot, injecting mana into the stone as if he were willing to be fooled just this once.

As days passed, he began to notice subtle changes in his body.

The first time he saw the effects was during his last visit to the Hao Clan.

In what was his first real combat experience, he managed to maintain his mana sword far longer than he had anticipated.

And, quite unintentionally, he had even mastered a deadly technique.

Churyang named this lethal skill “Pagi Sword.”

The name came from the technique’s ability to shatter and explode the mana formed into a single sword.

The power of the Pagi Sword was undeniably impressive.

Since that day, Churyang seized every opportunity to train with it.

However, unlike the time it had activated instinctively in a crisis, he struggled to replicate it during practice.

Then, just two days ago, he finally managed to recreate it properly. As Sabikang had warned, using the Pagi Sword once meant there was a delay before he could form a mana sword again.

Nevertheless, the fact that he could train at all was due to his mana becoming more fluid and his internal mana reserves increasing.

And the decisive reason for this growth was probably…

“This little thing.”

Churyang squinted at the dark stone.

The more he looked at it, the more fascinating it became.

It looked like nothing more than an egg-shaped rock, yet simply injecting mana into it triggered an interaction.

Instead of depleting his mana, he felt it growing.

Now, he worried that the Platan’s egg might hatch too soon.

“If it hatches, it’ll be harder to increase my mana reserves, won’t it?”

But there was nothing he could do. If Sabikang was right, it would hatch eventually.

“What kind of creature will come out? A dragon, maybe? Or a giant hawk? That would be impressive too.”

How long had he been concentrating, pouring mana into it?

”…!”

Churyang flinched and stared at the Platan’s egg.

“Just now…?”

He was sure he felt something.

The mana flowing from his palm was absorbed by the egg, and the mana emanating from the egg entered his chest.

It felt like when you place a hand on someone’s back to transfer energy; the Platan’s egg seemed to be placing a hand on his chest, injecting mana.

But just a moment ago…

“Something… like a wave…”

He felt it surge into his chest.

“Did I do something wrong?”

He tilted his head in confusion.

“Ah!”

This time, he couldn’t help but exclaim.

He felt it again.

A low hum resonated as the egg vibrated.

“What… is it about to hatch?”

His heart raced.

At the same time, he felt a significant increase in the mana coursing through his veins.

It was as if the mana within him was resonating with the Platan’s egg, creating a grand symphony.

But then, it stopped.

“What? Why is there no reaction now?”

The once-resonating egg was silent again, as if nothing had happened.

He tried different ways of channeling his mana, but there was no response.

“Sigh.”

Churyang let out a light sigh as he stopped injecting mana.

He wanted to feel that sensation again, but it wasn’t easy.

He tapped the Platan’s egg with his hand, but it was the same.

“Is something going to suddenly pop out of this?”

He couldn’t help but worry about a bizarre creature emerging and devouring him in an instant.

While he was lost in such thoughts, he heard a commotion outside.

Soon, a sinister voice echoed in the air.

“The master is calling for you.”

It was Heukgwi.

He continued, “We’re going to subdue the Celestial Cult. Get ready.”