Episode 60: The Return of the Mysterious Master
“Is it really Tang Yi-hyeop? The Tang Yi-hyeop?”
Deung Bu-hyeong shook his head in disbelief.
Sitting across the round table, Eon Byeok was equally astonished.
“I can’t believe it. Who would have thought you’d bring Tang Yi-hyeop here?”
“The students are in an uproar. They’re constantly peeking into the special class, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.”
“Well, it’s understandable. Tang Yi-hyeop was the greatest enigma of our time.”
“Indeed. But where on earth did you find him?”
Deung Bu-hyeong turned his gaze to Cheon Sae-myeong, who stood by the window, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.
‘Master… This is insane!’
A surge of frustration welled up inside him.
He couldn’t shake the image of Tang Yi-hyeop’s eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Sa Bi-gang.
It was unmistakable respect.
How could this be?
A martial artist of such high caliber, one of the top hundred in the martial world, calling a mere unknown instructor ‘master.’
It was madness.
Eon Byeok brought up the topic again.
“The most surprising thing is that Tang Yi-hyeop called Instructor Sa ‘master.’ The rumor has already spread like wildfire among the students.”
“Well, titles are personal, but… it’s truly baffling. Could this really be the same Tang Yi-hyeop who was the heir of the Sichuan Tang Clan? Could it be an imposter…?”
“No, it’s definitely him.”
The one who answered Deung Bu-hyeong’s doubt was Cheon Sae-myeong.
He had met Tang Yi-hyeop long ago.
Though it had been years, the impression was so strong that he recognized him immediately.
Eon Byeok shrugged.
“Still, there’s no need to be unsettled. We don’t know if Tang Yi-hyeop is as formidable as his old reputation suggests.”
“True. He wouldn’t have disappeared without reason. Perhaps the current Tang Yi-hyeop isn’t as impressive as he once was.”
“Exactly. That’s why he might follow someone like Instructor Sa and call him ‘master.’”
“That makes sense.”
Finally, Cheon Sae-myeong turned away from the window and returned to the table.
“You’re both right. There’s no need to be shaken by this. We just need to focus on preparing for the event.”
“Absolutely. If the special class students are humiliated at the upcoming Spring Festival, everyone will have to acknowledge it.”
Deung Bu-hyeong’s response was met with agreement from Eon Byeok.
“Of course. They’ll realize we didn’t gather troublemakers for nothing. The students will strive harder to avoid being relegated to the special class.”
“And the hype around Sa Bi-gang will deflate.”
Cheon Sae-myeong muttered to himself with a cold smile.
**
In the pavilion of Yongcheon Hall’s garden, precariously jutting out over the cliff, Eun Gi-ryung and Sa Bi-gang sat across from each other, sipping tea.
“Bringing Tang Yi-hyeop here was quite a surprise. It seems you had your eye on him from the start.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How did you find him?”
“I’m afraid I can’t go into details.”
“Understandable, given that he left of his own accord.”
Eun Gi-ryung nodded slightly, acknowledging the delicate nature of revealing the reasons behind someone leaving their family.
The tea from the pot filled Sa Bi-gang’s cup.
“Please, have some.”
The subtle aroma of the tea filled the pavilion and drifted out over the cliff.
“The fragrance is delightful. Is it Bi Luo Chun from Dongting Mountain?”
“Impressive. To discuss tea aromas, one must have considerable knowledge.”
“Heh, I’ve been through my share of experiences.”
It was a rather cheeky remark, especially coming from someone so young to someone with hair as white as snow.
Yet, listening to him, it didn’t come across as disrespectful.
It was quite peculiar.
Eun Gi-ryung slowly lifted his cup and savored the tea.
A gentle breeze blew pleasantly.
“So, how was your martial arts journey?”
“It was a journey full of learning.”
“I’ve heard of your reputation even here. The head of Changcheon Gate personally visited to express his gratitude.”
“It was just luck.”
Sa Bi-gang smiled and lifted his cup.
At that moment, he paused and looked at Eun Gi-ryung.
Eun Gi-ryung’s smile remained unchanged.
‘So that’s how it is?’
Sa Bi-gang smiled knowingly.
As he finished his tea, Eun Gi-ryung’s eyes glinted with interest.
“I heard Tang Yi-hyeop holds Instructor Sa in high regard, calling him ‘master.’”
“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”
“And Tang Yi-hyeop has agreed to be the assistant instructor for the special class?”
“Fortunately, the headmaster approved it.”
“Even as a senior instructor, there’s no rule against being an assistant. Thanks to Instructor Sa, Yongcheon Hall’s reputation will soar.”
“You’re too kind.”
Sa Bi-gang replied with a formal smile.
As the time passed, Sa Bi-gang finished his tea.
Meanwhile, Yeoyoung, standing at the entrance of the pavilion, furrowed her brow slightly.
‘What is the master thinking?’
Isn’t this the time to discuss Tang Yi-hyeop?
Right now, Cheon Sae-myeong and several instructors were plotting to disgrace Sa Bi-gang.
Shouldn’t he be informed and prepared for this?
As if reading her thoughts, Eun Gi-ryung finally spoke with a gentle smile.
“You’ve probably heard about the preparations for the Spring Festival.”
“Yes, I have. It’s starting earlier than usual this year.”
“Indeed. The martial arts journey has been omitted.”
Sa Bi-gang nodded quietly as he sipped his tea.
This was somewhat unexpected.
According to his memory, there should have been another month before the Spring Festival.
But the future had changed.
Perhaps the events that unfolded after his return had altered some plans.
“As you might know, the movements of the dark sects have been unusual lately.”
“I’m aware.”
“That’s why we decided to skip the martial arts journey.”
“I see.”
Sa Bi-gang replied nonchalantly.
In fact, omitting the martial arts journey was a good thing.
In his past experience, many students were injured or killed during this journey.
‘Six dead, twenty-three injured.’
But with the change in the future, the martial arts journey was canceled, reducing potential casualties.
However…
‘The real danger begins with this Spring Festival.’
Twenty-two dead. Sixty-one injured.
Among the casualties were instructors as well.
The Spring Festival is an open event.
Martial artists from the martial world come to watch freely, and even local residents join in to enjoy the festivities.
While this atmosphere can lead to a joyous celebration, it can also turn into a disaster if something goes wrong.
If someone were targeting Yongcheon Hall, there couldn’t be a better opportunity.
And indeed, Yongcheon Hall was targeted.
‘The variable is that the Spring Festival has been moved up by a month. By now, they must have heard the news. So, what will they do?’
Though the situation unfolded unexpectedly for them, they wouldn’t give up.
They wouldn’t miss such a golden opportunity.
‘In fact, this is better.’
There’s no way to prevent the incidents during the martial arts journey.
It’s impossible to follow and control every class.
But the Spring Festival is different.
Preparations can be made in advance.
It might even be possible to turn the situation to their advantage.
With these complex thoughts, Sa Bi-gang quietly set down his cup.
“There will be a lot of pressure.”
He was referring to Cheon Sae-myeong and others.
“It doesn’t matter.”
‘That’s not the real issue right now.’
Of course, he didn’t voice his inner thoughts.
Eun Gi-ryung chuckled heartily.
“Haha, I thought so. It was needless worry.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Not at all. We have high hopes for you.”
“High expectations can lead to great disappointment. Don’t expect too much.”
“You’re quite unpredictable.”
“That’s my charm.”
“Hahaha. I won’t deny it.”
“Thank you for the tea.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“Haven’t we finished our conversation?”
At Sa Bi-gang’s question, Eun Gi-ryung smiled faintly and nodded.
“Make the most of the Spring Festival.”
“Of course.”
Sa Bi-gang grinned and stood up.
As he descended from the pavilion, he exchanged a glance with Yeoyoung and smiled.
Yeoyoung maintained her icy demeanor.
Once Sa Bi-gang was out of sight, she quickly turned to the master.
“Are you just going to let him go like that?”
“What else should I do?”
“Wasn’t the purpose of calling him here to warn and advise him?”
“Indeed, it was.”
“But you didn’t say anything.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“How would I know?”
“Because it’s unnecessary.”
Yeoyoung frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
“He’s not someone who needs my advice.”
“Are you saying… he’s that remarkable?”
“Yes.”
Eun Gi-ryung nodded without hesitation.
Yeoyoung looked puzzled.
All they did was sit and chat over tea.
But what did he see?
The thought naturally slipped out.
“What exactly led you to that conclusion?”
“Because he knows how to drink tea.”
“What?”
Yeoyoung’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“Just because he knows tea etiquette?”
What on earth does that have to do with martial arts?
The thought slipped out again.
“I really don’t see the connection.”
“Haha. Yeoyoung, come and sit down.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Yeoyoung climbed up to the pavilion and sat across from him.
A clear, melodic sound rang out as water flowed from the teapot into the cup.
“Listen.”
”…”
“Don’t refuse. You’ll understand my point.”
What is this all about…?
Is he trying to teach me tea ceremony now?
But Yeoyoung pushed aside her doubts and picked up the teacup.
There must be a reason for the master’s actions.
After all, isn’t he the master she has respected since childhood?
Just as she picked up the teacup—
“Gasp!”
Yeoyoung felt the hair on her body stand on end.
A shiver ran down her spine.
“Scary…!”
For the first time since becoming an adult, she felt such fear.
A suffocating aura of menace!
And the source of that aura was none other than Eun Giryung.
The surroundings darkened, and all she could see was Eun Giryung’s fierce gaze.
“Ugh!”
She clenched her teeth tightly.
Facing the overwhelming menace, she lifted the teacup.
At that moment,
Rumble!
“Ugh!”
An immense force began to press down from above.
The teacup wouldn’t budge from the table, as if it weighed a ton.
“Could it be… that Instructor Sabigang drank tea under this kind of pressure? So calmly?”
It’s unbelievable.
Sabigang didn’t even flinch.
How can anyone do that?
A stubborn determination welled up inside her.
Yeoyoung summoned all her inner strength to counter Eun Giryung’s oppressive force.
Rumble…!