Episode 54: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
Clang! Clang!
The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed through the air.
In the training ground, two figures were locked in a fierce duel.
Their weapons clashed with such force that even their auras seemed to collide.
Watching them intently from the sidelines was Cheon Sae-myung.
“As expected of Lee Bi-gyeom and Sang Cho-jin.”
A satisfied smile played on his lips.
These two were the top students of the Flying Dragon Class under his guidance.
Lee Bi-gyeom, with his chiseled features, was a flawless talent, while Sang Cho-jin, though a bit impulsive and fiery, was remarkably agile and quick.
Observing the duel alongside Cheon Sae-myung were two other students.
He glanced at them quietly.
Hwang Gi, towering over most people with his massive build, and Ye Seol-yeong, whose beauty was as striking as her exceptional martial arts skills.
These four were the pride of the Flying Dragon Class.
Originally, Mok Dan-hwa was part of this group, but she had recently been transferred to the Special Class.
“That was probably for the best.”
Mok Dan-hwa had been a challenging student due to her prickly nature.
Clang!
The duelists’ weapons clashed one last time before they stepped back and saluted each other, signaling the end of their match.
Clap, clap, clap.
Cheon Sae-myung applauded.
“Well done. You truly are the pride of the Flying Dragon Class.”
“Heh, if we had more time, I would have won,” Sang Cho-jin said with a cheeky grin, to which Lee Bi-gyeom responded with a cold chuckle.
Lee Bi-gyeom approached Cheon Sae-myung, speaking in a firm tone.
“I’d like to further test my skills, Instructor.”
“Hmm, a test, you say? Just wait a bit. When the Spring Festival comes around….”
Cheon Sae-myung paused, a thought striking him.
“Wait… the Spring Festival! Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”
The Spring Festival was a major annual event at the academy, showcasing each class’s excellence through hunting, duels, and team competitions.
“Yes, if I use that opportunity…!”
Cheon Sae-myung gave Lee Bi-gyeom a meaningful smile.
“I’ll create a stage for you to prove your skills. Look forward to it.”
**
“You’re suggesting we move up the Spring Festival?”
Joo Yu-cheon frowned as he looked over the proposal Cheon Sae-myung had presented.
“Yes, with the academy’s current unrest, it might be beneficial to hold the festival earlier to foster unity among the students.”
“And what about the martial arts excursion…?”
“Given the recent rumors of suspicious movements by rogue factions, it might be safer to skip the excursion.”
Joo Yu-cheon nodded slightly.
It wasn’t a bad idea.
There had been reports of rogue factions stirring trouble across the land, posing a potential threat to the students.
Cheon Sae-myung continued.
“We could replace the excursion with additional events, making the festival even more grand than usual. Perhaps we could include a demonstration by the instructors?”
“A demonstration by the instructors….”
“Though it wouldn’t be a real fight, watching the instructors could be very educational for the students.”
It was a reasonable suggestion.
Joo Yu-cheon folded the proposal and nodded.
“Very well. Let’s discuss this further.”
“Thank you, Dean.”
Cheon Sae-myung bowed, a smirk hidden in his expression.
“Sabi-gang, return soon. I’ll be ready to welcome you properly.”
**
Sabi-gang lay sprawled under a tree, chewing on jerky.
Other students were scattered around, enjoying their lunch.
A shadow fell over him.
“What do you want?”
Sabi-gang looked up, raising an eyebrow.
It was Gok Bo-ok.
“I have a question.”
“You mean you want to ask something. Can’t you speak politely?”
“Anyway! I’m curious!”
Gok Bo-ok clenched his fists, raising his voice.
Sabi-gang sat up, looking annoyed.
“What is it?”
“What happened with those warriors?”
“As you saw, they decided to follow me.”
“No, I mean, I saw their skin rotting! It was leprosy!”
“So? Are you saying I cured leprosy?”
“Well, no! But….”
“Then what are you trying to say?”
“I just want to know the truth.”
Gok Bo-ok bit his lip, lowering his head.
He couldn’t shake the vivid images from his mind.
But hadn’t Dang Ihyeop appeared perfectly fine afterward?
He even considered the possibility of replacements, but that seemed unlikely.
Sabi-gang studied Gok Bo-ok for a moment before speaking.
“Since it’s pure curiosity, I’ll tell you. They were sick.”
“I knew it…!”
“But it wasn’t leprosy. People just misunderstood.”
“Then… what kind of illness…?”
“It’s something you wouldn’t understand. Anyway, I showed them how to treat it, and now we’re on the same side. That’s all.”
“So, that night… what I saw….”
“Yes, you didn’t imagine it. You just misunderstood.”
“Then, that night….”
“Hmm?”
”… Never mind.”
Gok Bo-ok shook his head.
He wanted to ask if the martial arts the instructor had shown were real.
The techniques that had subdued a master of near-legendary skill were awe-inspiring even from a distance.
But he already knew the answer.
They were real.
“Any more questions?”
”…….”
“If not, then….”
”… Can I become stronger?”
“What?”
“Can I become as strong as the others? Like Yeom Ja-ryang, Neung So-so, Dan Li-jeong, Jo Mun-tak… like them.”
Sabi-gang chuckled, looking at Gok Bo-ok.
“What a silly question. Of course, that’s up to you.”
Sabi-gang lay back down, chewing on his jerky.
Gok Bo-ok watched him for a while before walking away.
Lost in thought, Gok Bo-ok rounded a boulder when suddenly—
Whoosh!
A wooden sword flew at him threateningly.
“Whoa!”
He twisted his body, but the sword struck his shoulder.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Gok Bo-ok stumbled, wiping the blood from his mouth as he got up.
“Who the hell…!”
He shouted angrily.
“Hey, are you hurt? Sorry about that. It slipped.”
“Yeon Woo-gyeong…?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong approached with a cold smile, flanked by other students.
His eyes were colder than before.
“Are you mad?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Really? That’s a relief. I thought you might be upset.”
“I’m not mad.”
“Good. You shouldn’t be. Even though your nonsense made me look bad, you shouldn’t be mad over something like that, right?”
”… I’m sorry.”
“Let’s get along, okay?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong patted Gok Bo-ok’s shoulder.
Gok Bo-ok clenched his fists, speaking with difficulty.
“Um… shouldn’t we stop?”
“Stop what?”
“The instructor taming… I don’t think Instructor Sabi-gang is what we thought.”
“What do you mean by ‘what we thought’?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong stared at Gok Bo-ok.
His face was devoid of emotion.
It was the expression he wore when truly angry.
“Well… I mean… Instructor Sabi-gang seems different.”
“So you’re scared?”
”…….”
Yeon Woo-gyeong laughed mockingly, glancing at the other students.
“Did you hear that? Our Gok here has turned into a coward.”
The students chuckled.
Yeon Woo-gyeong continued with a sneer.
“That’s why you saw things and spouted nonsense.”
Gok Bo-ok kept his mouth shut.
Then—
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Yeon Woo-gyeong struck Gok Bo-ok’s back with his wooden sword.
As Gok Bo-ok fell, Yeon Woo-gyeong laughed coldly.
“You embarrassed me and now you want to back out? Is this a joke?”
“It’s not… a joke.”
Gok Bo-ok replied with a firm expression.
Yeon Woo-gyeong’s face hardened.
“Looks like our Gok ate something bad. Did he turn into an idiot?”
He approached, wooden sword in hand.
Gok Bo-ok gritted his teeth, stepping back.
Just then—
“What’s this? An internal conflict?”
Jo Mun-tak was suddenly perched on a branch above them.
“When did he get there?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong frowned.
“Hey, everyone! There’s a fight here! Come check it out!”
Jo Mun-tak shouted to the others.
Yeom Ja-ryang, Dan Li-jeong, and Neung So-so came running.
With more people around, Yeon Woo-gyeong gritted his teeth, glaring at Jo Mun-tak.
“You little pest….”
“Sorry, I’m human.”
Jo Muntak stuck out his tongue playfully.
Yeon Woo-kyung ground his teeth in frustration.
He glared at the cadets standing before him, including Yeom Jaryang, and then turned to Gok Bo-ok.
“Let’s call it a day. Come on, let’s go.”
”…”
But Gok Bo-ok stood there, unmoving, his expression stony.
Yeon Woo-kyung frowned.
“What are you doing? I said let’s go.”
Yeom Jaryang suddenly stepped forward.
“Seems like he doesn’t want to go with you. Why don’t you just go alone?”
“What?”
Yeon Woo-kyung shot a sharp look at Gok Bo-ok.
“Are you seriously thinking of hanging out with these losers?”
”…”
“Gok Bo-ok!”
Yeon Woo-kyung shouted, but Gok Bo-ok only stared back at him with a cold, detached gaze.
“You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?”
“Why don’t you stop it? This childish nonsense.”
“What?”
Yeon Woo-kyung’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Childish nonsense?
How dare he…!
Meanwhile, finding the situation amusing, Yeom Jaryang offered Gok Bo-ok a sly smile.
“If you want, you can stand with us. We don’t discriminate.”
“Hmph. That doesn’t mean I like you guys,” Gok Bo-ok retorted with a sneer, and Yeom Jaryang shrugged.
Yeon Woo-kyung let out a small laugh.
“Of course. Come on, Gok Bo-ok. Let’s just go. I might have gone too far. Let’s be more careful next time.”
Gok Bo-ok looked at Yeon Woo-kyung intently.
Yeon Woo-kyung extended his hand with a smile.
“What are you waiting for? My hand’s getting tired.”
“Still… I think I’d rather be here.”
Finally, Gok Bo-ok moved to stand beside Yeom Jaryang.
Yeon Woo-kyung’s expression slowly twisted in disbelief.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. As a friend, let me give you one last piece of advice. You should stop too. The instructor isn’t someone you can handle. I’ve seen it.”
“You coward…”
Yeon Woo-kyung clenched his teeth so hard it seemed they might break, then abruptly turned away.
Watching this, Jo Muntak whistled.