Episode 58: Return to the Martial Arts Academy

Two days later, Sa Bi-gang and the cadets left the Swordsmith Village.

Mok Cheol-woo came to the village entrance to bid farewell, clasping Sa Bi-gang’s hand warmly.

“My daughter is still quite naive and lacking in many ways. I understand the need for strict discipline, but as she’s my only child, my heart often gets in the way. I worry that my indulgence might have spoiled her. I hope you can guide her well in my stead. Please, take good care of her.”

“Ha ha ha. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she becomes a fine talent.”

“Thank you. I couldn’t feel more reassured.”

Mok Cheol-woo’s face broke into a broad smile.

Sa Bi-gang glanced at Mok Dan-hwa and gave a knowing smile, as if to say:

“See? Even your father has entrusted your fate to me. Are you still going to resist? Just follow my lead, and you won’t get hurt.”

‘Why is Father acting like this?’ Mok Dan-hwa couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Her father had always doted on her since she was young. He would grant her every wish. But ever since her sparring match with Sa Bi-gang, her father’s attitude had changed dramatically.

She had never seen her proud and confident father lower himself like this. It wasn’t as if he had lost the sparring match; they seemed evenly matched. She never imagined a mere instructor could hold his own against her father, which was surprising in itself. But for her father to hold Sa Bi-gang in such high regard was beyond her understanding.

Unbeknownst to her, Mok Cheol-woo had realized much during their single sparring session. He had been impressed not only by Sa Bi-gang’s skills but also by his character, especially the way he showed consideration for him in front of the cadets.

That night, over drinks, Mok Cheol-woo had asked Sa Bi-gang a question.

“You spoke so freely about my daughter, yet during our sparring, you showed such consideration. Why?”

“Isn’t a person’s character more important than martial skills? It’s not about what martial arts one knows, but what kind of person they are. That’s why I was a bit harsh in pointing out Dan-hwa’s character flaws. Besides, I dislike rigid formalities.”

Under normal circumstances, Mok Cheol-woo might have been offended by such a response. But having been impressed by Sa Bi-gang’s skills, he found himself nodding in agreement.

He thought, ‘I can trust this man with my daughter.’

For the first time, he felt sending his daughter to the academy was the right decision, beyond just the prospects of success and connections.

That night, Mok Cheol-woo and Sa Bi-gang drank until dawn, and the more they talked, the more Sa Bi-gang seemed less like a young martial artist and more like a seasoned master who had seen it all.

Reflecting on the previous night, Mok Cheol-woo gently advised Mok Dan-hwa.

“At the academy, make sure to follow Instructor Sa Bi-gang’s guidance. Your connection with him is a blessing from the heavens.”

“Father, you’re going a bit overboard…”

“Are you saying you don’t trust your father’s words anymore?”

“It’s not that…”

Mok Dan-hwa looked at her father, bewildered. He was sincere. It wasn’t just lip service or submission to power. This left her even more confused.

‘Is Instructor Sa Bi-gang really that remarkable?’

As she pondered this, Mok Cheol-woo turned to Sa Bi-gang and offered a respectful bow.

“The Swordsmith Village will fully support Instructor Sa Bi-gang. If you ever need our help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Ha ha. Thank you. Then, we’ll be on our way.”

“Safe travels.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the martial artists of the Swordsmith Village lined up behind him, bowing in unison.

“Take care!”

Finally, Sa Bi-gang and the cadets set off on their journey.

Meanwhile, Yeon Woo-gyeong, walking with the cadets, was deep in thought.

‘Was it really just a coincidence?’

When he first started sparring with Mok Dan-hwa, he was confident he could overpower her. But as their swords clashed, he realized it wouldn’t be easy. Her family’s reputation was well-deserved.

During their second sparring session, Sa Bi-gang gave him an unexpected piece of advice.

“Focus on the ground.”

At first, he thought it was nonsense. Focus on the ground? But as time passed, he noticed something. Frustrated by his inability to break through her defense, he glanced at the ground and remembered Sa Bi-gang’s advice.

He focused more intently and discovered the answer lay in her footwork. Her swift and agile movements seemed to lose their effectiveness when she defended. He couldn’t immediately figure out why, but after several exchanges, he began to see it.

‘Ah, her footwork, which is usually straight, curves slightly when she defends!’

What if he used the shortest path to follow her? Perhaps he could break through her defense. It wasn’t as simple as it sounded, as counterattacks are closely tied to one’s final stance. So Yeon Woo-gyeong used a technique best suited for counterattacks.

In that moment, the path opened up as if by magic. It seemed like a coincidence, but the same attack worked again. With no hesitation, he moved in a straight line, thrusting his sword along the open path. And he won the sparring match.

It seemed simple, but in a life-or-death sparring match, one can’t focus solely on the opponent’s footwork. How did Sa Bi-gang know without even watching the match?

He recalled Gok Bo-ok’s words.

“It seems Instructor Sa Bi-gang isn’t like anyone we’ve encountered before.”

‘Who exactly is Sa Bi-gang?’

He was more confused than ever.

Meanwhile, someone else was having similar thoughts.

“May I have a word?”

Standing by Sa Bi-gang’s carriage was none other than Dang Yi-hyeop.

As the carriage door opened, Dang Yi-hyeop looked at Sa Bi-gang with a serious expression.

“I have some questions.”

Sa Bi-gang chuckled.

“I knew you’d come by eventually.”

“Then, may I come in?”

“No need. I’ll step out. Let’s walk.”

Sa Bi-gang stepped out of the carriage.

**

At the Yongcheon Academy’s main hall.

“Dean, we can’t leave the instructor position vacant any longer. We need to take action,” Cheon Se-myeong insisted.

Joo Yoo-cheon frowned.

“However, we need to discuss this with Instructor Sa Bi-gang…”

“I’m not suggesting we break our agreement with him. But it’s clear that rotating instructors to cover the class without a homeroom teacher is becoming burdensome.”

“We can’t just hire a new instructor arbitrarily.”

“There is a way to resolve this without hiring a new instructor.”

“What is it?”

Finally, Joo Yoo-cheon showed interest, looking at Cheon Se-myeong.

Cheon Se-myeong paused for a moment, then replied with a gentle smile.

“Appoint Instructor Sang Pil-ji as the homeroom teacher.”

“Instructor Sang?”

Sang Pil-ji was one of the most skilled swordsmen among the first-year instructors. However, he had never taken on the role of a homeroom teacher. He often skipped meetings and had become an instructor on the condition that he wouldn’t have to take on such responsibilities.

Joo Yoo-cheon shook his head.

“Of course, if we do that, we won’t need to hire a new instructor. But would Instructor Sang be willing to take on the role?”

Sang Pil-ji was known for avoiding troublesome tasks. Becoming a homeroom teacher would inevitably bring about various challenges. He would never willingly take on such a role…

“I’ve already discussed it with Instructor Sang.”

Cheon Se-myeong interjected.

“Discussed it? What do you mean?”

“If you approve, Instructor Sang Pil-ji is willing to take on the role.”

At this, both Deung Bu-hyeong and Eon Byeok, who were seated nearby, looked surprised.

“Really? Is that true?”

“If that’s the case, the students of the class are truly fortunate.”

Cheon Se-myeong nodded with a faint smile.

“Honestly, I was surprised too. We should have been the ones asking him, but yesterday, Instructor Sang Pil-ji approached me himself.”

“Is that true?”

This time, Joo Yoo-cheon asked with a surprised expression.

Cheon Se-myeong nodded.

“Yes, I doubted my ears at first.”

It was true. Sang Pil-ji had come to his quarters the previous night.

“I think it’s time I took on the role of a homeroom teacher.”

It was an unexpected statement. Cheon Se-myeong had felt like dancing with joy. If Sang Pil-ji became a homeroom teacher, his participation in the upcoming Spring Festival was almost guaranteed. This would provide more leverage against Sa Bi-gang.

There was no better news. Moreover, Sang Pil-ji was already an instructor. There was no need to worry about Sa Bi-gang’s reaction, as they weren’t hiring a new instructor. It was merely a change in duties.

Thus, having Sang Pil-ji take on the homeroom teacher role posed no issues. Cheon Se-myeong hadn’t asked why Sang Pil-ji suddenly wanted the role, fearing it might cause him to change his mind. Instead, he promised to do his best to propose it to the dean.

“Ahem.”

Joo Yoo-chun sat in silence, lost in thought.

There really wasn’t any issue.

“What do you all think about appointing Instructor Sang Pil-ji as the homeroom teacher for the Nang-a class?”

“I agree.”

“I support it as well.”

The first-year instructors each expressed their approval.

In truth, there was no reason to oppose it.

They were already overwhelmed, trying to fill vacant positions.

Joo Yoo-chun nodded.

“Very well. We’ll appoint Instructor Sang Pil-ji as the homeroom teacher for the Nang-a class.”

“Thank you, Dean. This will give us some much-needed relief.”

Cheon Se-myung smiled brightly and bowed.

**

“How could this be…?”

Dang Yi-hyeop stood there, mouth agape, unable to utter another word.

His feet felt as if they were rooted to the ground.

Sa Bi-gang, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned back.

“Heh, it’s hard to believe, isn’t it?”

Hard to believe?

Not at all.

This isn’t a matter of belief.

It’s an utterly absurd tale.

Yes, it’s a question of possibility.

For instance, a story about a complete dunce becoming a master through sheer, tear-inducing effort might be a matter of belief.

But a dunce waking up one day transformed into a dragon and ascending to the heavens? That’s simply impossible.

It’s beyond the realm of belief.

Everything Sa Bi-gang had told him so far was exactly like that.

What is the Demon Realm, what are the demon beasts, and who is the Demon King?

What are mana and spirits, and what about returning to the past or future?

How can anyone respond to such nonsense?

“Are you… are you joking with me?”

He managed to ask, though even as he did, he found the question ridiculous.

Who would spend an entire hour spinning such fantastical tales just for a prank?

But before he could hear Sa Bi-gang’s response, another question, surprising even to himself, slipped from his lips.

“Then… how much time do we have left? Until the Demon King arrives.”