The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 155

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 155. Now, Cruel…

 

 

“When did they say they would come?”

Ju Jae-seung, the sect leader of Zhongnan.

He asked his Second Disciple who was attending to him.

“There has been no word yet that they have departed, Sect Leader.”

The Second Disciple answered respectfully.

At those words, Ju Jae-seung frowned.

“Not yet? How long has it been since I gave the order to return. Tsk. Go find out what’s going on.”

“Yes.”

At Ju Jae-seung’s irritated command, the Second Disciple bowed and retreated, running off in a hurry.

Though whether they could find out what happened at the distant Gyoryong Hall from here was questionable.

Since they maintained regular contact with those dispatched as instructors to Gyoryong Hall, they needed to check on news from that side.

But coincidentally, news that Baek Ri-pyeong had directly sent to Zhongnan yesterday had arrived.

The Second Disciple who had grasped the contents returned, breathing heavily.

“What did they say?”

Ju Jae-seung asked in a still irritated voice.

“Well, they say he cannot return because the withdrawal procedures at Gyoryong Hall have not been completed.”

“What? What kind of bullshit is that?”

It was language unbecoming of the sect leader of Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Sects and One Alliance representing the orthodox martial world.

“According to the academy rules, mid-term withdrawal requires approval from the responsible instructor, but… Baek Ri-pyeong’s responsible instructor is absent, so approval is not being granted.”

“Ha. He won’t follow my orders as the sect leader of Zhongnan just because some mere instructor’s approval is missing? Insane.”

“Th-that is, the Academy Director said he would only send him back with the responsible instructor’s approval… That’s the academy rule.”

The Second Disciple, who had done nothing wrong, spoke hesitantly, intimidated by the sect leader’s fury.

“What does some Academy Director of Gyoryong Hall think he is!”

“P-Peng Do-yul of the Peng Family is the Academy Director.”

The innocent and kind Second Disciple answered immediately again.

At those words, Ju Jae-seung whipped his head around and glared at the Second Disciple.

“You.”

“…Yes.”

“What’s your name?”

“It’s Gok Pung.”

“Right. Get lost immediately. Tell your Master to send a different child.”

At the fierce appearance of the sect leader speaking in a growling manner, Second Disciple Gok Pung left the scene with a face that looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.

“Damn bastard. What does the Peng Family think it is. A foolish family that relies only on Destruction Art. Just someone from such a place being Academy Director. Making excuses with Gyoryong Hall’s rules and such.”

Was it directed at Baek Ri-pyeong? Or at Gok Pung who had just retreated?

With a face turned red and blue, Ju Jae-seung vented his anger.

“This won’t do. This won’t do. If he won’t come on his own, I’ll have to drag him here. Hey there. Is anyone there!”

Ju Jae-seung shouted loudly.

However, Gok Pung had left and a disciple to replace him had not yet arrived.

“Damn it.”

Ju Jae-seung, who cursed once more, moved directly.

The place he headed to was Zhongnan Sect’s Enforcement Department.

“Jung-san! Where are you!”

Ju Jae-seung shouted loudly as soon as he entered the main gate of the Enforcement Department pavilion.

It was a sight completely lacking any dignity as a sect leader.

“What’s the matter? Senior Brother Sect Leader.”

So Jung-san, the Enforcement Department head who had been handling his duties on the top fifth floor, hurried down.

“Immediately arrest the criminal. It’s the sect leader’s order.”

So Jung-san, confirming Ju Jae-seung’s red and blue face, grabbed his arm and pulled him along.

There were many listening ears in this place.

So Jung-san, who had brought Ju Jae-seung to his office, served tea and asked.

“What on earth is the matter? Senior Brother Sect Leader.”

“Pyeong. That bastard still hasn’t returned.”

“How is that a problem?”

“I clearly gave the order to return. He disobeyed the sect leader’s command. It’s a clear crime. Arrest him immediately.”

Ju Jae-seung’s eyes were pouring out fury.

“Whew.”

At that sight, So Jung-san let out a deep sigh.

Why was his second senior brother like this?

Great Senior Brother hadn’t been like this…

“I’ve already received a report on that matter. Pyeong’s letter arrived yesterday. He says his return is delayed because he cannot complete the withdrawal procedures due to Gyoryong Hall’s rules.”

“I clearly told him to return immediately. What does some Gyoryong Hall rule matter!”

At Ju Jae-seung’s irritation, So Jung-san frowned.

That unreasonable behavior.

Regret over whether it truly suited the sect leader of Great Zhongnan.

But there had been no choice at the time.

Since Great Senior Brother, the sect leader, had died in battle on the battlefield, for Zhongnan’s stability they needed to quickly select a new sect leader, and the highest-ranking person was second senior brother Ju Jae-seung right before his eyes.

Moreover, he had even consolidated his forces to pressure those around him.

Circumstances, justification, and power – everything had aligned perfectly.

“Senior Brother Sect Leader. Are you serious?”

So Jung-san asked in a heavy voice.

“What if I’m not serious?”

“Gyoryong Hall is a government office of the Jeongcheon Alliance. That is, Gyoryong Hall’s rules belong to the regulations of the Jeongcheon Alliance. Are you saying that we of Zhongnan, as members of the Jeongcheon Alliance, should ignore Gyoryong Hall’s rules? That means ignoring the Jeongcheon Alliance’s regulations. Do you understand this?”

So Jung-san’s lengthy words.

At those words, Ju Jae-seung flinched. He hadn’t thought such an expanded interpretation would be possible.

While he looked down on Gyoryong Hall, the Jeongcheon Alliance was different.

“St-still, the fact that he disobeyed the sect leader’s command is also clear. Bring him back immediately.”

The words “arrest him” had changed to “bring him back.”

Ju Jae-seung had also stepped back.

“Whew. I understand. I’ll try to urge them.”

Having heard So Jung-san’s answer, Ju Jae-seung left the Enforcement Department.

So Jung-san, who had been watching that figure from the window, shook his head.

“Where is Zhongnan heading…”

It was frustrating.

 

***

 

“Don’t do it.”

Ha Mu-baek’s cold voice flowed out once more.

However, Ye Cho-ah ignored Ha Mu-baek’s warning and tried to charge again.

“Don’t tell me you’re acting out like this because you sent your daughter outside Chang’an City?”

Stop.

At Ha Mu-baek’s continued words, Ye Cho-ah’s movement stopped.

“You said Yeong So-hye was the Second Young Lady, right? Then there must be a First Young Lady too. Are you trusting in the daughter you sent outside Chang’an while playing hide-and-seek so earnestly today?”

Ye Cho-ah glared at Ha Mu-baek.

How on earth did he know that fact?

The bastard who moved alone.

Unlike the previous time at the Peng Family, Ha Mu-baek had moved by himself.

There were no beggar bastards he had brought along.

But how did he know Chang’an so thoroughly like this?

She felt puzzled.

She couldn’t even guess about Ha Mu-baek’s ki sense that transcended imagination.

She had no choice.

Since it wasn’t within the realm of what humans could do, she couldn’t even dare to imagine it.

Human imagination was more impoverished than one might think.

Even the expansion of thought was based on what one had seen, heard, and experienced.

“This time there won’t be mercy like last time. Since you’ve hidden your daughter away, I need to check that daughter too. Whether she possesses the Annihilation Technique, and whether she’s learned it or not.”

Ha Mu-baek looked at Ye Cho-ah with cold eyes.

At those words, the Second Guardian squeezed his eyes shut.

Ha Mu-baek had come to Hao-mun this time with the intention of truly finishing things.

“H-how do you expect me to do that?”

Ye Cho-ah’s voice trembled finely.

She was her only remaining daughter.

She couldn’t lose that child too.

“I’ll have to kill everyone who has seen the incantation formula of the Annihilation Technique. You included, of course. Only then can I erase the existence of the Annihilation Technique. Recovering the manuscript goes without saying.”

Ha Mu-baek’s cold voice.

“You cruel…”

Her teeth chattered.

Ye Cho-ah looked at Ha Mu-baek with complex eyes mixed with anger and despair.

“Of course, that would have been the case if you had ignored my final warning.”

At those words, the Second Guardian opened his previously closed eyes.

It was a statement that left room for interpretation.

The Second Guardian replayed the previous situation.

Ha Mu-baek had said it was a final warning and told her not to do it.

And the Sect Leader.

Had stopped.

Had not done it.

Had not disobeyed Ha Mu-baek’s warning.

The Second Guardian’s gaze turned toward Ha Mu-baek as his thoughts reached that point.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to retreat. I didn’t come here to play either. I’m recovering the manuscript. And I’m going to search through all of Hao-mun. There might be something hidden away.”

Ye Cho-ah gritted her teeth.

It was humiliating. The fact that Hao-mun was surrendering to a single individual.

But there was nothing she could do about that monster.

She didn’t know what method he had used, but he had come to Chang’an alone and was seeing everything as if looking into the palm of his hand.

Assassination would be impossible against someone like this.

Even the highest level assassin that Hao-mun could send would be quickly discovered by Ha Mu-baek.

“And. Since you’ve already learned it, there’s no other way.”

Ha Mu-baek gazed steadily at Ye Cho-ah.

“Wh-what?”

“Should I do it? Or will you?”

Ha Mu-baek asked.

Ye Cho-ah understood the meaning of the question. Even so, she spoke again.

“What are you talking about?”

“Dantian.”

A brief answer.

“Why would you!”

At that moment, Ha Mu-baek’s body movement flashed like lightning, and his right hand pierced into Ye Cho-ah’s abdomen.

“Kugh. Ahhh.”

Ye Cho-ah screamed.

Ha Mu-baek stepped back again.

“Since you said you didn’t want to do it, I did it for you instead.”

“You, you… damn bastard…”

It was a voice full of resentment.

A voice overflowing with more resentment and venom than any other time until now.

As her dantian was destroyed and her internal energy disappeared.

Wrinkles began to appear one by one on Ye Cho-ah’s face.

Her appearance as a middle-aged beauty completely vanished without a trace.

The Zhu’an Technique that had maintained her beauty was broken as her internal energy disappeared.

The Ye Cho-ah who had looked young for her age was gone.

There was only an ordinary middle-aged woman with fine wrinkles around her eyes.

It was futile and despairing.

To think that this was the result of all her desperate efforts.

She had gathered the Annihilation Technique scattered throughout Gangho piece by piece to research it, testing it little by little on her own body.

However, she couldn’t remove the curse of the Annihilation Technique.

So she had tried to obtain the complete Annihilation Technique.

In that process, she lost her younger daughter.

Through repeated research with the Annihilation Technique she had thus obtained, she barely achieved small accomplishments.

She still couldn’t remove the curse.

But it seemed like she could see a path forward.

At that moment, the threat of that monster approached.

To survive, she stopped her research and immediately learned the Annihilation Technique.

Promising herself to continue the research after surviving.

But what was this?

Her dantian was destroyed.

Her internal energy had disappeared.

The Annihilation Technique was being taken away.

Tears of bitter resentment flowed from Ye Cho-ah’s eyes.

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze turned toward the Second Guardian.

“The manuscript?”

“Here it is.”

The Second Guardian took out the manuscript from his chest with a face that had given up everything and handed it over.

He had originally been on the side opposing the research of the Annihilation Technique. He had only been swept along this far following the sect’s decisions and flow.

He even looked somewhat relieved.

Ha Mu-baek unfolded it and examined the contents.

He nodded and burned it with Samadhi True Fire.

“Anything else?”

“That was the last one. We disposed of what was used for research.”

Ha Mu-baek gazed steadily at the Second Guardian.

He was cooperative. Unlike Hao Sect Leader Ye Cho-ah who was baring her teeth at him.

From his expression, he could tell that the man had completely given up and surrendered.

But it would be good to test even a stone bridge before crossing.

“Water is blue and the sky is also blue. Water is deep and the sky is high. Though the blueness is the same, their directions are opposite.”

Ha Mu-baek’s words suddenly flowed out.

The Second Guardian looked at Ha Mu-baek with a face that couldn’t understand the meaning.

“What do you mean? What’s that?”

At that sight, Ha Mu-baek nodded his head.

“You’ve never seen the Myeolgong Secret Manual, that’s right.”

The Second Guardian tilted his head. However, Ye Cho-ah’s reaction was different.

The tears she had been shedding stopped instantly. Instead, she widened both eyes and pointed her finger at Ha Mu-baek.

“You, you, you bastard learned it too! That’s right! This damn bastard! You learned it yourself and yet you treat me so cruelly just for having the secret manual! You lightning-struck bastard who deserves to die!”

All kinds of curses poured out of Ye Cho-ah’s mouth.

She couldn’t help it.

Because what Ha Mu-baek had just muttered toward the Second Guardian was part of the Myeolgong incantation formula.

Ha Mu-baek looked at Ye Cho-ah with eyes full of disdain.

“Do you think I would have learned it? If my dantian is broken, the Myeolgong qi energy would have disappeared too. Can’t you use your judgment?”

Ha Mu-baek asked coldly.

“Then how do you know that incantation formula!!”

“Just a little, only a very small part that I’ve seen a few times. I need to do that to find the bastards who have read or learned it. Even hearing just part of the incantation formula, those who have learned it show the same reaction you just showed.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, the Second Guardian’s eyes widened.

Words that seemed like they would appear in some Taoist scripture were actually part of the Myeolgong incantation formula.

“What will you do now?”

The Second Guardian asked.

In any case, Haomun had essentially been defeated by Ha Mu-baek.

“I need to go check on your Grand Princess for now. Honestly, handling the aftermath of Myeolgong alone is quite burdensome. Well, thanks to you all, it’s not like there’s no way.”

“What?”

The Second Guardian asked back.

It was incomprehensible words.

“How about coming down now?”

Ha Mu-baek spoke toward the hole he had made.

“Heh heh. It’s been a long time.”

As soon as Ha Mu-baek finished speaking, a refreshing laugh flowed down from above.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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