Episode 4: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
Maeng Son-deok’s face twisted in disbelief.
Did that brat just call him trash?
The same kid who had been beaten to a pulp by him just days ago?
‘So the rumors about him hitting his head must be true.’
No sane person would act like this.
Maeng Son-deok wanted to unleash a torrent of curses but held back. This was, after all, the venue for selecting an instructor for the Yongcheon Academy under the Justice Alliance.
Trying to maintain a semblance of dignity, he spoke with a forced calmness. “Now, now, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh…?”
“Geez, you’re noisy,” Sa Bi-gang muttered nonchalantly, cleaning his ear with a finger.
Maeng Son-deok’s jaw dropped in disbelief, his expression slowly contorting with anger. His grip on his spear trembled with rage.
‘This weakling, not even worth the dirt on my shoes, dares to disrespect me?’
There was no point in arguing further. This was a matter to be settled with fists, not words. He should have taught this punk a lesson last time, made him grovel at his feet.
‘I shouldn’t have let him off so easily! I should’ve made him wet himself at the mere sound of my voice!’
These days, those who think they know a bit of martial arts have become complacent, forgetting the true terror of the martial world. He had intended to resolve this without a duel if possible, hoping the kid would concede. After all, he had already lost the position of assistant instructor and didn’t want the added humiliation of being beaten in front of the students.
But now…
‘I won’t let him off so easily this time!’
He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had thoroughly humiliated this brat in a duel.
‘I’ll make him crawl at my feet and beg. This time, I’ll make sure he regrets ever crossing me!’
With a scowl, Maeng Son-deok turned to the headmaster and bowed. “Headmaster, now that the participant has arrived, may we begin the duel?”
“Hmm. However, since the opponent was late, we were considering disqualifying him…”
Maeng Son-deok interrupted, “Please reconsider! Although Instructor Sa was late, he is here now. I believe he deserves a fair chance. If I were to become the assistant instructor by default, the martial world would mock me. The students might not respect me if I gained the position through such underhanded means.”
Next to the headmaster, Cheon Se-myung whispered with a sly smile, “Headmaster, since Maeng is so magnanimous, perhaps allowing the duel wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Yeon Jin also chimed in, “I agree. The instructors’ duel would be educational for the students. Besides, although Instructor Sa was late, it’s not yet past the designated time. I see no issue with proceeding.”
The headmaster pondered for a moment before nodding. “Very well, since Maeng is so understanding, we shall proceed with the duel.”
The headmaster’s declaration was met with a quiet cheer from the students, who had been anxious about missing the spectacle.
But then, Sa Bi-gang stepped forward and spoke up. “Before we begin, I have a condition for him.”
“A condition?” The headmaster frowned as Sa Bi-gang approached Maeng Son-deok with confident strides, causing Maeng to involuntarily step back.
Standing within arm’s reach, Sa Bi-gang’s gaze sent a chill down Maeng Son-deok’s spine.
‘What… what is with this guy’s eyes…?’
Sa Bi-gang smirked. “Apologize.”
“What? Apologize for what?”
“You conspired with the students to trap me, didn’t you? Is that the kind of person who should become an assistant instructor? If you apologize now, I’ll concede the position to you. If you want it that badly.”
The unexpected accusation set the students whispering among themselves.
“Did you hear that? What does he mean by conspiring?”
“Could it be that he plotted with the students?”
“No way…”
The first-year instructors on the platform also looked bewildered.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Maeng Son-deok, flustered, shouted, “What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I conspire with the students…!”
“Are you denying it?”
“Denying? What are you talking about…!”
“Hmm. Did they promise you the assistant instructor position? I suppose with their connections, they might have pulled some strings.”
“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about! Are you trying to slander me because you can’t win on skill alone?”
“But you were there that day, weren’t you? And you beat me until I passed out.”
“Rubbish! And how can you be sure it was me when you were beaten by a masked man?”
“Oh? Interesting. How did you know I was beaten by a masked man? I never mentioned that.”
Sa Bi-gang’s words drained the color from Maeng Son-deok’s face. His eyes darted nervously before he quickly retorted, “It’s been over two weeks! I have ears, you know! Haven’t you heard the rumors about your incompetence?”
“Hmm. So that’s how it is…”
“Enough! I graciously agreed to duel despite your tardiness, and now you try to pin baseless accusations on me? Unforgivable!”
“Fine, I’ll accept the duel. But if you change your mind and want to apologize, let me know. I’ll gladly give you the position.”
“What? Give it to me?”
Maeng Son-deok ground his teeth in frustration, his only thought to beat this lunatic senseless in the duel.
‘This crazy bastard. I won’t forgive him!’
As he glared daggers at Sa Bi-gang, the headmaster rose and announced, “Now, let the duel begin. I expect both of you to uphold the honor of the martial arts.”
With the declaration, Sa Bi-gang and Maeng Son-deok exchanged formal bows.
Maeng Son-deok, eyes blazing, gripped his spear and slowly assumed his stance.
‘Hmph! I’ll show you the true power of the Invincible Divine Spear. Don’t come crying to me later!’
But then…
Just as Maeng Son-deok was about to attack, he frowned.
Not only him, but everyone around the dueling platform was murmuring in confusion.
“What is it? Why isn’t he holding anything?”
“Isn’t this supposed to be a spear duel?”
“Yeah, but Instructor Sa is empty-handed.”
Indeed, Sa Bi-gang stood there, unarmed, calmly facing Maeng Son-deok.
Maeng Son-deok let out a derisive laugh. “Even if you’re nervous, how could you forget to bring a weapon?”
“A weapon? You mean a spear?”
“Yes! Go get your spear!”
“Oh, no need. There’s a spear right there.”
”…?”
Sa Bi-gang pointed at Maeng Son-deok’s spear.
Maeng Son-deok shouted in disbelief, “That’s my spear! You need to get your own…”
“Geez, you’re talkative. I’m going to fight with a spear, so just come at me. If you drop your spear during the fight, should I wait for you to pick it up?”
“What are you saying?”
Maeng Son-deok looked to the headmaster in bewilderment, seeking guidance on whether to proceed.
Headmaster Joo Yu-cheon nodded gravely, signaling to continue.
‘Hmph! Fine. You must have lost your mind. It’s too late for regrets now!’
Maeng Son-deok tightened his grip on his spear and charged with a battle cry.
‘This is the first move of the Bull and Horse Rapid Spear!’
As Maeng Son-deok’s spear surged forward with a faint aura, something unexpected happened.
Swish!
”…!”
Maeng Son-deok’s eyes widened in shock.
Sa Bi-gang, who had been standing right in front of him, had vanished without a trace.
‘Where did he go? Behind me!’
Quickly retracting his spear, Maeng Son-deok launched into the second move of the Bull and Horse Rapid Spear, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
Whoosh!
But once again, the spear struck only empty air.
‘Did he dodge?’
Sa Bi-gang stood nonchalantly beside the spear’s path, looking utterly relaxed.
‘It must be luck!’
There was no other explanation. This was the same guy who had been knocked out cold by him.
Determined, Maeng Son-deok intensified his assault, unleashing the full force of the Bull and Horse Rapid Spear, named for its relentless, charging power.
Each thrust was heavy yet swift, like a stampede of bulls and horses bearing down on Sa Bi-gang.
But that was all.
The spear’s tip consistently missed Sa Bi-gang by a hair’s breadth.
It was no longer a matter of luck.
In truth, Sa Bi-gang, having consumed a top-grade demonic stone, had undergone a transformation since their last encounter. His core had expanded, and his internal energy was overflowing.
Moreover, after decades of grueling battles in the demonic realm, this duel was child’s play to him.
The memories of countless battlefields, where life and death intertwined, consumed his body.
“Hyah! Die!”
Finally pushed to his limit, Maeng Son-deok let out a fierce cry and swung his spear down with all his might.
It was the “Falling Bull Spear” technique from the Uma Divine Spear style.
Named for its ability to strike with such force that it could bring down a bull from the sky, it was a move that, while not piercing with the spearhead, could crush an ordinary person to death.
But then…
Whoosh!
Sabi-gang, instead of retreating, charged directly at Maeng Son-deok.
The spear narrowly missed him, and Sabi-gang closed the distance until he was right in front of Maeng Son-deok.
“Heh.”
A chilling laugh.
Maeng Son-deok felt a shiver run down his spine.
‘Who… who is this guy? What is he?’
In a flash.
Snap!
“What the—?”
Sabi-gang snatched the spear right out of Maeng Son-deok’s hands.
He tried to hold on, but the spear was already gone.
Sabi-gang smirked.
“Let’s begin the lesson, shall we?”
“W-what are you talking about…?”
Swish! Thwack!
“Aagh!”
The spear shaft came down unerringly on Maeng Son-deok’s head.
And then.
Swish! Thwack! Swish! Thwack!
“Argh! Ugh!”
The spear in Sabi-gang’s hands flew like a whip, striking Maeng Son-deok all over his body.
Thwack! Thud! Thwack! Swish! Thwack!
“Ugh! Gah! Huff! Aaargh!”
It was a one-sided beating.
Cheon Se-myeong, who had been watching, jumped to his feet without realizing it.
Even seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn’t believe it.
Sabi-gang’s fighting style was so unexpected that it was impossible to gauge his true skill.
The cadets watching felt the same.
“Hey, what the hell is happening?”
“I don’t know. Is Instructor Sa that strong, or is this Maeng Son-deok guy just weak? I can’t tell.”
“This isn’t some kind of play, is it?”
“Look at him. He’s really crying. It can’t be an act.”
As the cadets murmured among themselves, Sabi-gang’s thrashing continued for quite some time.
There was no technique to it.
It was no different from a street thug swinging a club wildly.
And just as the cadets said, Maeng Son-deok was in tears.
His whole body ached terribly.
“Ugh! Please… stop…!”
Swish! Thwack!
“Ugh! I… I lost…!”
Maeng Son-deok, stabbed in the abdomen with the spear’s end, collapsed.
He was on the verge of retching.
Breathing was difficult.
Sabi-gang walked over, his steps deliberate.
“So, do you feel like apologizing now?”
“Ugh, I… I…”
“Hmm. I can’t hear you. What was that?”
Sabi-gang crouched beside the fallen Maeng Son-deok.
With saliva dribbling from his mouth, Maeng Son-deok struggled to speak.
“I… I lost…”
“No, no.”
”…?”
“I asked if you felt like apologizing.”
“What do you mean… I have no reason to apologize…”
“Well, if that’s the case.”
Sabi-gang raised the spear high again.
Maeng Son-deok’s eyes widened in terror.
Just as Sabi-gang was about to bring the spear down again.
“Please! I was wrong! Forgive me!”
Maeng Son-deok clung to Sabi-gang’s pant leg, pleading.
The silent arena echoed only with Maeng Son-deok’s desperate voice.
He begged as if his hands were his feet.
“Senior! I was wrong! I was wrong!”
Sabi-gang looked at him for a moment, then tossed the spear aside.
Clang.
The match was decided.
But no one there could react.
An outcome no one had anticipated.
And a duel process no one could have imagined.
One of the first-year instructors on the platform stammered as he called for the dean.
“D-Dean… the announcement…”
“Ah… yes.”
Joo Yu-cheon stood up, still in a daze.
“The result of this duel is…”
At that moment.
“Dean, I would like to relinquish the position of spear technique assistant instructor to him.”
“W-what? What do you mean…?”
“I promised to give up the position if he admitted his wrongdoing.”
What was this now?
The instructors were bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
The cadets began to murmur again.
Sabi-gang continued with a sly grin.
“In exchange, I request the position of chief sword instructor.”
“What?”
The area around the arena erupted into chaos.