Episode 5: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
Amidst the crowd of cadets, Yeon Woo-kyung frowned deeply as he observed the proceedings.
“He’s asking for the position of Swordsmanship Instructor?”
Nearby, Gok Bo-ok and his group exchanged bewildered glances.
“Is he out of his mind? The position of Swordsmanship Instructor? Does that even make sense?”
“Exactly. And how did he manage to defeat Senior Maeng with skills like that? I watched the whole duel and still can’t wrap my head around it.”
The cadets buzzed with confusion.
Even the instructors on the platform were left in a daze.
They had thought it fortunate enough that he retained his position as the Spear Technique Instructor.
But now, Swordsmanship Instructor?
“And not just an assistant instructor, but the main instructor?”
Cheon Sae-myung, who had been standing, clenched his fists and trembled with anger.
“Hey! Instructor Sa! Are you in your right mind?”
“I believe I am.”
“Ha! Just because you won a duel for the Spear Technique Assistant Instructor position, you’re getting too full of yourself! Not only do you want to switch departments, but you also want the main instructor position? This is absurd!”
This time, Joo Yoo-chun stepped in.
“This meeting was to appoint the Spear Technique Assistant Instructor. Even if you won the duel, you can’t just hand over that position and demand the Swordsmanship Instructor role. You should know better.”
“I merely expressed my intentions. I relinquished the Spear Technique Assistant Instructor position to him, but the decision on his qualification is up to the Dean. Separately, I am requesting to become the Swordsmanship Instructor.”
Cheon Sae-myung couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted.
“Stop spouting nonsense! Do you think you can just become an instructor because you want to?”
“Of course not. However, according to the regulations, instructors are free to change departments or apply for instructor positions. Naturally, they must pass a qualification test.”
“Hmm.”
Sa Bi-gang smirked faintly, glancing between Maeng Son-deok and Cheon Sae-myung.
“Or is that position already taken?”
“What the…!”
Cheon Sae-myung’s fists shook with frustration.
According to the regulations, whether assistant or main instructor, one could freely change departments if desired.
Moreover, applying for an instructor position was always an option.
However, one had to pass a qualification test to prove their capability.
The test could vary, sometimes involving a duel or other tasks.
Thus, while Sa Bi-gang’s request to become the Swordsmanship Instructor was unexpected, he wasn’t breaking any rules.
In fact, making the request publicly in front of many cadets and instructors made it difficult to outright deny him.
Joo Yoo-chun paused before speaking.
“First, we’ll accept your decision to decline the Spear Technique Assistant Instructor position. However, appointing the defeated candidate requires internal discussion. We will also accept your request for the Swordsmanship Instructor position. Details on the qualification process will be communicated later. That’s all.”
As the Dean finished speaking, the instructors’ expressions hardened, and silence fell.
In contrast, the cadets surrounding the duel stage grew even more animated.
Sa Bi-gang simply smiled silently.
Standing by the window with his hands behind his back, Jin Baek let out a long sigh.
“Foolish boy, it would have been better if you hadn’t come.”
He shook his head in frustration, clicking his tongue.
He first met Sa Bi-gang 15 years ago.
Passing by, he saw a burning house.
Young Sa Bi-gang was on the brink of death, his parents having fallen victim to bandits.
Unable to ignore him, Jin Baek brought the boy back to Yongcheon Academy.
Lacking talent in martial arts, Sa Bi-gang was trained primarily in spear techniques, eventually becoming an assistant instructor.
The martial world had been relatively peaceful for some time, so the academy didn’t mind who held the position of Spear Technique Instructor.
The problem was Sa Bi-gang’s personality.
Despite his mediocre skills, he was excessively righteous and principled.
He also had a tendency to meddle in others’ affairs.
Initially, instructors viewed him favorably, but over time, they grew uncomfortable.
Some began to disdain or subtly harass him.
If even his fellow instructors treated him that way, it was no surprise the cadets did too.
Eventually, he was often ignored by the cadets, leading to today’s situation.
Despite saving the boy and giving him a place at Yongcheon Academy, Jin Baek had grown fond of him.
Normally, he would have gone to the duel stage to prepare for any injuries, but today he couldn’t bring himself to go.
He couldn’t bear to see Sa Bi-gang beaten without being able to lift a finger.
So, he sent a few medics instead.
“Hmm. By now, the results should be in.”
Until this morning, Sa Bi-gang’s whereabouts were unknown, and Jin Baek thought it was for the best.
Rather than face humiliation and be expelled from the academy, he hoped Sa Bi-gang would leave and find a path suited to him.
But then he suddenly appeared and started a duel…
“Foolish boy. Tsk tsk.”
No doubt he got thoroughly beaten.
There would be cuts and bruises all over.
Preparations were already made.
As soon as the patient arrived, they could begin emergency treatment.
“Master! Master!”
Just then, urgent voices of the medics came from outside the door.
“They’re here.”
Moments later, the door burst open, and the medics rushed in.
One carried the patient on his back, while the other two assisted with stopping the bleeding.
Seeing the unconscious patient slumped over the medic’s back, Jin Baek quickly asked.
“Bring him here! Is he badly hurt?”
“Mostly bruises, but there are a few cuts. He took quite a beating.”
“Damn it! Was this really necessary…?”
The medics laid the patient on the bed.
The injuries were mainly on his back and waist.
Jin Baek urgently examined the patient’s body, gritting his teeth.
The bruising was severe.
It was as if he had been beaten like a dog.
The medics recounted what they had witnessed.
“There were no techniques involved. Just a brutal beating.”
“I’ve never seen someone cry during a duel before.”
“In the end, he was clinging to his opponent’s pant leg, begging for mercy.”
Jin Baek’s expression grew increasingly pained.
“Foolish boy! If this was going to happen, why did you even show up?”
At that moment.
“Ugh.”
The patient groaned, regaining consciousness.
Jin Baek quickly turned him over and asked.
“Are you coming to your senses? Why did you have to show up and…?”
Jin Baek’s words trailed off as he noticed something.
”…Who are you?”
A pitch-black darkness.
In a place where not even an inch ahead could be seen, the sound of a sword slicing through the air echoed continuously.
Swish! Swoosh! Shiiing!
The Dark Sword Pavilion.
A windowless building.
Though spacious inside, once the door was closed, not a single ray of light was allowed in.
Soundproofing was perfect, so no one could know what was happening inside or outside with their eyes or ears.
Swoosh!
A sharp sound rang out one last time before the movements ceased.
Originally, this was a place where first-year swordsmanship instructors could freely come and train, but it had become known as the private training hall of a single main instructor.
In the darkness, a man slowly sheathed his sword and spoke in a gravelly voice.
“Come in.”
The door opened slightly, allowing light to seep in.
Only then did the silhouette of a middle-aged man holding a sword become faintly visible.
First-year Swordsmanship Instructor, the Shadow Sword Master, Sang Pil-ji.
His sharp eyes glinted through his graying hair.
The one who entered was none other than Cheon Sae-myung.
Sang Pil-ji sat cross-legged on the spot.
“I made you wait half a shichen.”
“No, I hope I didn’t interrupt your training, Senior Sang.”
“Can’t say you didn’t.”
Cheon Sae-myung flinched at the indifferent remark.
“My apologies.”
“What brings you here?”
“Well…”
Cheon Sae-myung explained the recent events in detail.
Though Sang Pil-ji was a first-year instructor, he rarely attended meetings.
However, his skills were so exceptional, and his dedication to teaching cadets so thorough, that the academy didn’t mind his frequent absences.
After hearing the story, Sang Pil-ji asked in a gravelly voice.
“Did you say his name was Sa Bi-gang?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Was there such a person among the instructors?”
His indifferent tone made Cheon Sae-myung think, “That’s just like him.”
Sang Pil-ji was that kind of person.
He didn’t bother with those he deemed beneath his level.
Cheon Sae-myung spoke cautiously.
“Given the situation, I came to seek your esteemed opinion, Senior Sang.”
“Well, since I’m the only first-year Swordsmanship Instructor, it doesn’t matter if we appoint another. Haha.”
Cheon Sae-myung’s eyes widened at the unexpected response.
Sang Pil-ji added with a sly smile.
“But a test is necessary. A presumptuous little fish should be caught and dealt with before it muddies the waters.”
Only then did a smirk appear on Cheon Sae-myung’s lips.
“So, you’ll have a duel…?”
“Are you suggesting I cross swords with that novice?”
Seeing Sang Pil-ji’s cold expression, Cheon Sae-myung quickly bowed his head.
“I’m sorry. That was a slip of the tongue.”
“Here’s what we’ll do.”
Sang Pil-ji shared his plan with Cheon Sae-myung.
After hearing it, Cheon Sae-myung nodded with a broad smile.
“Indeed, that sounds like a good approach.”
“Heh heh. If that’s the case, everything will sort itself out without us having to lift a finger, won’t it?”
“Absolutely right.”
Cheon Saemyung stood up from his seat, a satisfied smile on his face.
The art of swordsmanship and spear fighting are quite different, so even Sabi Kang had to take the basic weapons test.
Of course, having learned various sword techniques from the martial world and primarily using a sword, he passed the basic test with ease.
However, among the first-year instructors, there wasn’t a single one without notable achievements.
Each had left a mark worthy of recognition, whether it was slaying a notorious demon or wiping out a band of evil thieves.
In that sense, the mission assigned to Sabi Kang was quite fitting.
The task was to eliminate the bandit group known as Guiyachae.
Guiyachae had recently settled in Goseong Mountain, not far from Yongcheon Academy. The group was said to have around thirty members, led by a martial artist infamous for his cruelty, known by the nickname “Evil-Mouthed Sword.”
He was notorious for his viciousness and brutality, making him a perfect opponent to test the skills of a swordsmanship instructor.
Since the location wasn’t far from the academy, they were planning to send a team of instructors and students to deal with it.
The mission was expected to take about a month.
However, Sabi Kang was given only fifteen days to complete it.
An impossible timeframe, really.
Surviving would be a miracle, let alone completing the mission.
Today marked the tenth day since Sabi Kang had left.
“Heh heh heh. This is all because of you.”
Cheon Saemyung sat by the window, leisurely sipping his tea.
“Did you really think you could humiliate me?”
Even now, his face burned with shame when he recalled that day.
The man he had personally recommended, Maeng Sondeok, had been beaten without even putting up a fight, leaving him utterly humiliated.
And it had almost been revealed that he had recommended Maeng Sondeok through improper means.
But now, it was all over.
He felt so relieved.
That weakling, always spouting righteous nonsense and constantly challenging him.
He had tolerated him only out of respect for the academy’s reputation.
“You dug your own grave, didn’t you? Heh heh.”
Just five more days.
In five days, he wouldn’t have to see that thorn in his side anymore.
Even if by some miracle he returned alive, there would be no place for him if Guiyachae was still standing.
Maeng Sondeok might not have become the assistant spear instructor, but Sabi Kang had effectively removed himself from the position.
“The tea tastes exceptionally good today.”
He couldn’t help but smile.
Cheon Saemyung closed his eyes, savoring the aroma of the tea, when suddenly, there was a commotion outside the window.
He saw several people running toward the main gate.
Just then, the door burst open, and Yeowoon Jin rushed in.
“What’s going on, Instructor Yeowoon?”
“Th-that guy is back!”
“Who are you talking about?”
“That guy! Sabi Kang!”
“Sabi Kang?”
Cheon Saemyung frowned.
It had only been ten days.
Could he have abandoned the mission and returned?
“Anyway, you need to come out quickly!”
Practically dragged by Yeowoon Jin, Cheon Saemyung hurried outside.
The courtyard in front of the main gate was packed with people.
Instructors and students alike.
Cheon Saemyung pushed through the crowd, following Yeowoon Jin.
Finally, he saw Sabi Kang.
Covered in blood, Sabi Kang grinned and tossed something dark toward Cheon Saemyung.
Thud, roll, roll.
“Gasp!”
Cheon Saemyung involuntarily stepped back upon recognizing the gruesome head.
Sabi Kang cracked his neck and spoke.
“The head of Guiyachae’s leader, Evil-Mouthed Sword.”
The object rolling on the ground was indeed the head of the bandit leader.
Sabi Kang bared his teeth in a wide smile.
“Heh heh heh. So, will you now acknowledge me as the swordsmanship instructor?”