The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 167

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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 167. Tomorrow

 

 

Messenger birds flew to different locations in Zhongnan.

Both birds had flown from Muchang.

One landed before the Sect Leader, the other at the Enforcement Department.

Different messages delivered to Ju Jae-seung and So Jung-san respectively.

Ju Jae-seung trembled with rage.

“This, damn bastard dares!!!”

Ju Jae-seung was furious at the message that contained Ha Mu-baek’s words and actions verbatim.

How dare such a worthless bastard humiliate Zhongnan.

His anger reached the top of his head.

But upon seeing the duel conditions, he quickly cooled his anger.

“Is this bastard insane?”

The conditions were basically asking to be killed.

A duel between Baek Ri-pyeong and his son?

That guy may have shown some promise at the Winter Competition, but it was just a martial tournament like children’s play among youngsters around twenty.

How could he compare to Zhongnan’s first disciple, moreover his son who was the eldest disciple.

And that so-called instructor wanted to duel with someone chosen by Zhongnan?

Though duels are meant to test each other’s martial arts, accidents happen quite frequently.

Some even die accidentally during duels.

“Right, swords have no eyes.”

When his thoughts reached that point, his son’s response seemed quite satisfactory.

It seemed worthwhile to have sent his reluctant son to Gyoryong Hall.

 

So Jung-san’s face was dark as he held the message with similar content.

The message sent by Nam Hwa-ryong.

The content written there only made him worry naturally.

Ha Mu-baek.

The hidden hero of the last war.

So Jung-san didn’t know much about him in detail either.

Since he too had guarded Zhongnan without participating in the war.

But his Great Senior Brother Baek Ri-dan’s letters often mentioned him.

“Did he say he was an excellent martial artist who surpassed Senior Brother…”

At the time he received the letter, he thought it was an exaggeration.

But considering his Senior Brother’s personality, he probably wouldn’t have exaggerated unnecessarily.

Moreover, Nam Hwa-ryong’s opinion was the same.

Hadn’t Nam Hwa-ryong participated in the last war and earned the nickname Silver River Sword?

Even he was evaluating Ha Mu-baek as a tremendous martial artist.

It seemed he needed to find out more.

So Jung-san thought of his old friend who had become an elder of the Beggar Sect.

 

***

 

The message also flew to Jeongcheonmaeng Cheonmok Pavilion.

Even while being tormented by Gi Yu-chan, Guyang Myeong-won learned about the matter between Ha Mu-baek and the Zhongnan Sect.

That too was thanks to Gi Yu-chan.

He had heard about that incident from Academy Director Peng Do-yul and informed him.

The document where Peng Do-yul served as a witness.

This was possible because Gi Yu-chan had drafted the initial version.

Gongsun Dan-gyeong examined all the messages.

“Tsk. Zhongnan’s Sect Leader will change.”

Ha Mu-baek’s aim was too blatantly obvious.

The Zhongnan side had very carelessly fallen for Ha Mu-baek’s scheme.

“Still, I hope he just doesn’t kill them.”

Gongsun Dan-gyeong muttered quietly.

It wasn’t just Zhongnan’s swords that had no eyes. Ha Mu-baek’s sword had no eyes either.

“What to do…”

Gongsun Dan-gyeong’s worries grew longer.

 

***

 

Just because there was such commotion yesterday didn’t mean today’s schedule would change.

The Maengryong Corps 7th Unit Cadets gathered at the training ground today as well, devoted to their training.

Ha Seol-ran and Ju U-myeong were also together, with Han Seol-bing watching over them.

And.

Ha Mu-baek appeared.

He simply watched the cadets’ training calmly.

Among them, the one who naturally drew his attention the most had to be Ha Seol-ran.

Han Seol-bing approached such Ha Mu-baek.

“What on earth are you thinking?”

At Han Seol-bing’s question, Ha Mu-baek briefly told her about what had happened.

Very few knew that a return order had been issued to Baek Ri-pyeong.

They could only guess that something was up from yesterday’s incident where someone claiming to be Zhongnan’s eldest disciple said he would take Baek Ri-pyeong away.

“You’re planning to replace Zhongnan’s Sect Leader.”

Han Seol-bing quickly grasped Ha Mu-baek’s intention.

“That’s for Zhongnan to decide.”

His tone suggested it was none of his concern.

From those words, Han Seol-bing could understand one thing.

“You’re not planning to kill them.”

If he killed the Sect Leader in an accident during the duel, the Sect Leader would naturally have to change.

But Ha Mu-baek said the matter of replacing the Sect Leader was Zhongnan’s responsibility.

“Do you take me for some murderer?”

At Ha Mu-baek’s incredulous question, Han Seol-bing looked at Ha Mu-baek with an expression of disbelief instead.

“Aren’t you?”

Ha Mu-baek facing the Blood Cult and Demon Cult on the battlefield was a demon incarnate.

“They’re not Blood Cult or Demon Cult members. And.”

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze turned toward Ha Seol-ran as he spoke up to that point.

“Good grief…”

Han Seol-bing chuckled as she followed his gaze.

Ha Seol-ran was sweating as she concentrated on her sword techniques.

What she was training was the Three Talents Sword Technique.

Though she had also learned the introductory sword technique of Mugeuk Sword Gate from her Master, her training always began with the Three Talents Sword Technique.

“Her sword techniques have improved a lot.”

Ha Mu-baek said calmly.

“She works hard at it.”

Han Seol-bing’s answer.

“That’s fortunate.”

“Pardon?”

Han Seol-bing asked back at the sudden words.

“It seems like I’ve been leaving her alone too often since the Winter Competition ended.”

Of course, Han Seol-bing was there, and Master was there too.

But Ha Mu-baek himself, her only family, kept leaving her side, which weighed on his mind.

However, since she was concentrating like that even without his care, he thought it was somewhat fortunate.

Being absorbed in martial arts training doesn’t mean one isn’t lonely.

But when there’s something to focus on, time passes quickly.

So he considered it better than her just waiting endlessly for him.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Have you talked with the Zhongnan people?”

“We just need to meet at Zhongnan anyway.”

He was basically saying he’d depart tomorrow at his own convenience.

That was so like Ha Mu-baek.

“We’ll also come along…”

When Han Seol-bing was about to speak, Ha Mu-baek shook his head.

“It’s dangerous.”

At those ridiculous words, Han Seol-bing stared at Ha Mu-baek intently.

“When orthodox sect bastards get their pride wounded, there’s no telling how they might change. Then I might end up showing Ran-i something I don’t want her to see. That’s what’s dangerous.”

That was right.

It was different from slaughtering jiangshi in Sanwol Demon Forest, or facing an enemy wielding tremendous weapons.

It was different from those things.

The sight of cutting down countless people.

He wouldn’t want to show that to Ha Seol-ran.

“I understand.”

Han Seol-bing, convinced, obediently backed down.

“I feel sorry for the Zhongnan Sect Leader.”

He said he wouldn’t kill them, but from his words about Zhongnan possibly changing, she could tell.

That Ha Mu-baek was planning to completely destroy them.

She could easily predict what would happen to the opponent when that occurred.

‘It might be better to just die…’

Han Seol-bing shook her head slightly.

“Elder Brother!”

Then Ha Seol-ran approached.

It was already break time. The one-quarter hour rest that the cadets took on their own between training sessions.

She had known through ki sense that Ha Mu-baek had arrived long ago, but had focused only on training.

Ha Mu-baek smiled warmly as he greeted his younger sibling.

“Your sword is getting better and better.”

An affectionate voice.

At the praise, a smile appeared on Ha Seol-ran’s face.

“I’m working really hard.”

Her voice was full of confidence.

“How are the Five Forms of Extremes?”

Five Forms of Extremes (Yugeuk Ohyeong).

It was an introductory martial art that compiled all the fundamentals of Mugeuk Sword Sect’s martial arts.

An introductory technique that became sword technique when performed with a sword, fist technique with fists, and its footwork became movement technique.

Since Ha Seol-ran was currently training the Five Forms of Extremes with a sword, it could be called the Five Swords of Extremes.

“I’ll show you.”

Ha Seol-ran said with a bright smile.

One quarter-hour passed and the cadets each began training again.

Ha Seol-ran drew her sword with a careful expression and moved slowly.

Starting slowly, then gradually faster, and finally extremely slowly.

It was the training method she had learned from Master.

Ha Mu-baek nodded.

Since traces of proper training and hard work were abundantly gathered.

The variations were slightly more complex than the Three Talents Sword Technique, but there wasn’t really much difference.

It was an introductory technique and basic skill after all.

Ha Mu-baek had moved to the next level after a month of training.

Back then, he was mad with revenge, wanting to become strong as quickly as possible by any means.

So it had been truly long since he’d seen the Five Forms of Extremes.

‘Has it been almost twenty years?’

Ha Mu-baek watched his younger sibling’s Five Forms of Extremes while recalling the fierce past that held no real memories.

Ha Seol-ran was faithfully performing each form according to the basics.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The more Ha Seol-ran repeated the Five Forms of Extremes.

The more Ha Mu-baek’s expression changed.

At first, he had simply watched his younger sibling’s martial arts training with a warm smile and a proud expression.

However, the more it was repeated, the more serious his expression became.

‘Was the Five Forms of Extremes such a martial art?’

He could see things he hadn’t been able to know or see when he first entered martial arts and began training.

One side of his head felt tingly.

But that was as far as it went.

Until darkness fell and that day’s training ended, there was nothing more beyond that.

 

***

 

“We’re departing for Zhongnan now. Go bring those bastards.”

Early morning, Ju Si-un spoke.

“Pardon?”

At the sudden announcement, Nam Hwa-ryong had no choice but to ask back.

He had no choice, since this was the first time they were hearing about departing.

“We’re departing now.”

“If you could tell us in advance and give us some time to prepare…”

Nam Hwa-ryong said with a bewildered face.

Sam-geom and Yuk-geom also clearly showed signs of confusion.

They too were just as they had been when they woke up in the morning and were about to eat, without any preparation.

“We’re the ones deciding to go to Zhongnan. Those bastards should follow.”

Ju Si-un spoke as if it were obvious. He looked at Nam Hwa-ryong.

“What are you doing standing there? Hurry up and go get them. I don’t want to go to that kind of place anymore.”

Even with Sam-geom and Yuk-geom present, he was specifically telling Nam Hwa-ryong, the First Sword, to go.

Since it was Great Senior Brother’s command, he had to follow.

The First Sword of the Eight Swords of Zhongnan had become just an errand boy here.

The middle-aged man left the inn annex and headed toward Gyoryong Hall.

It didn’t take long for Nam Hwa-ryong to return.

But he was alone.

“Huh? Where are those bastards?”

The ones he was supposed to bring were nowhere to be seen.

Ju Si-un and Sam-geom, Yuk-geom had already finished preparing to leave.

He had planned to depart immediately upon arrival.

“The thing is.”

Nam Hwa-ryong opened his mouth with a troubled expression.

“They left yesterday, they say.”

The words that followed.

Crack.

The sound of grinding teeth flowed from Ju Si-un’s mouth.

His gleaming eyes showed the extent of his anger.

“How dare they….”

No more words came out.

“We depart immediately. If we hurry on the road, we can catch up within a day’s distance. I must catch those bastards right now.”

Thus the four people left in haste.

Nam Hwa-ryong, who couldn’t even prepare properly, hurriedly gathered his luggage and followed behind them.

Nam Hwa-ryong’s sharp eyes glared at the backs of Sam-geom and Yuk-geom, but they only stayed close by Ju Si-un’s side.

 

***

 

The river wind was cold.

It had to be. It was still the dead of winter.

Moreover, the further they went up the Yangtze River, the colder it would get.

Baek Ri-pyeong stood beside Ha Mu-baek, who was looking at the majestically flowing river water while standing at the ship deck’s railing.

Baek Ri-pyeong was moving his lips restlessly. He seemed to have something to say.

“If you have something you want to say, say it. What have you been doing since yesterday?”

Ha Mu-baek suddenly spoke. At those words, Baek Ri-pyeong’s mouth opened.

“Well, the land route to Zhongnan Mountain is a bit faster, so why are you deliberately taking the water route….”

From the Yangtze Three Gorges to Muchang, the water route was fast and comfortable since they could ride the river’s current.

But the path from Muchang to the Yangtze Three Gorges was the opposite. Since they had to go against the current, it was inevitably slower.

“It’s more comfortable than running desperately for our lives. And we don’t particularly need to go quickly either.”

“Then why did you deliberately depart early?”

“When I want to go, I go by whatever means I want to go. Why are you worrying about such things? If I were you, I’d spend that time doing mental cultivation or meditation in the ship cabin.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Baek Ri-pyeong headed toward the ship cabin.

Ha Mu-baek looked at the flow of the river water and smiled slightly.

‘I wonder if they’re running desperately right about now?’

 

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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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