The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 168

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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 168. What Beautiful Scenery

 

 

They rode their horses at full gallop.

They truly ran with all their might.

Yet those bastards who had departed first were nowhere to be seen, not even their shadows.

When leaving Zhongnan Mountain for Muchang, they had moved with some leisure.

But the journey back to Zhongnan Mountain was a forced march like no other.

The reason was simple.

It was to catch up with those bastards who had left a day earlier without saying a word to them.

But no matter how much they ran, they couldn’t see them.

Even if only two people were moving, could they really be this fast?

Zhongnan’s party continuously changed horses at waypoints along the route, riding at full speed.

They didn’t ride just any horses either. They selected the finest horses from the horse markets and rode them.

Yet they couldn’t even catch their tail.

Unless those bastards were gods of lightness skill, this was impossible.

Even though the foothills of Zhongnan Mountain were already visible, those who had gone ahead were still nowhere to be seen.

“If those vermin arrive before us, there would be no greater disgrace.”

Ju Si-un spoke in a chilling voice.

His appearance was haggard and disheveled from the continuous forced march.

Yet his eyes gleamed with rage and killing intent.

They had to prevent Baek Ri-pyeong and Ha Mu-baek from arriving at Zhongnan before them.

 

Thus they climbed the mountain at full speed and passed through Zhongnan’s main gate.

It was quiet.

No different from usual.

Ju Si-un and his party had dumbfounded expressions on their faces.

If Baek Ri-pyeong had arrived first, it absolutely couldn’t be like this.

“Oh? Great Senior Brother, you’ve returned!”

Just then, Seventh Sword from the Zhongnan Eight Swords, who was passing nearby, spotted them and approached.

“Where is that boy Baek Ri-pyeong?”

Seventh Sword asked while looking over the group.

It was natural.

The Great Senior Brother and three members of the Zhongnan Eight Swords had returned looking no different from beggars. One could tell they had returned in great haste.

The reason could be thought of as faithfully following the Sect Leader’s command to bring Baek Ri-pyeong back as quickly as possible.

So naturally he would look for Baek Ri-pyeong.

Since he wasn’t with them at the moment.

“Perhaps he’s already gone to see the Sect Leader?”

At Seventh Sword’s continued questioning, Ju Si-un and the three members of the Zhongnan Eight Swords looked at each other.

Seventh Sword’s reaction.

Baek Ri-pyeong had not yet come to Zhongnan.

How could this be.

They had ridden the main road overland at maximum speed.

If he had departed a day before them and still hadn’t arrived, they surely should have caught up with him along the way.

Yet he still hadn’t arrived.

“Could it be… the waterway?”

Then Sam-geom Ban Jeok-pung muttered as if something had occurred to him.

It was a route they hadn’t chosen because it would take too much time.

It was a path that went against the river’s current.

Crack.

Ju Si-un, who heard Ban Jeok-pung’s muttering, ground his teeth.

That was definitely it.

There was no other reason they couldn’t catch their trail.

“Those damn bastards…”

Ju Si-un growled.

Only Seventh Sword tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

 

***

 

A fairly large village below Zhongnan Mountain.

It was a place that existed essentially because of the Zhongnan Sect.

So Jung-san found the largest tavern in that village.

However, he didn’t go inside and instead surveyed the surroundings.

“Here it is. Heh heh heh.”

At one section of the tavern’s wall.

An old beggar was grinning, showing his sparse yellow teeth.

“It’s been a long time.”

So Jung-san approached the beggar with a pleased expression.

“Indeed. I was happy to receive your message and came to find you like this.”

So Jung-san smiled broadly at the Beggar Elder’s words.

He hadn’t expected him to actually come all the way to Zhongnan Mountain.

“Shall we go inside then?”

At So Jung-san’s words, the beggar shook his head.

“A beggar like me going in would be a nuisance. Follow me.”

The beggar took the lead.

He entered a shabby Gwanje Temple outside the village and sat down after spreading a mat on the ground.

When he untied the old straw mat sack he carried on his back, a wine bottle and cold roasted duck emerged from inside.

“This is enough.”

So Jung-san sat across from him and nodded at the beggar’s words.

“Indeed. So, how have you been all this time?”

“How have I been? I’ve wandered All Under Heaven begging like a proper beggar.”

“Now that you’re an elder, wouldn’t it be better to stay settled in one place?”

At So Jung-san’s question, the beggar chuckled.

Beggar Sect Elder, Pung Gae.

He was So Jung-san’s childhood friend.

“What can I do about being born with wanderlust? But thanks to that, I happened to be nearby and could come here so quickly, couldn’t I?”

“Where were you?”

“Chang’an.”

It really was right next door.

Why would this friend, who wandered All Under Heaven like the wind, be in such a place?

He wasn’t particularly fond of bustling cities.

“What business brought you there?”

“Well, there was some business that required attention. At least one elder had to go see.”

So Jung-san frowned.

If that was the case, it was quite a serious matter, and he was troubled by the fact that he hadn’t known about such an incident happening so close to Zhongnan Mountain.

“But what about you? What troubles do you have?”

At Pung Gae’s question, So Jung-san opened his mouth as if remembering something.

“Ah. Ha Mu-baek. I wanted to know something about that warrior.”

Pung Gae, who was just bringing his wine cup to his mouth, stopped moving completely.

“Who did you say?”

“Ha Mu-baek. Currently an instructor at Gyoryong Hall’s Maengryong Corps. Ha Mu-baek, who was active in the last two wars. That person.”

At the following answer, Pung Gae put down the cup he was drinking from.

“Why that guy?”

Pung Gae asked with a seriously hardened face.

“Hmm.”

So Jung-san pondered for a moment.

To explain the situation, he would have to mention things that might be the sect’s shame.

And to an elder of the Beggar Sect at that.

Pung Gae nodded at his friend’s reaction. It seemed like some problem had arisen with Zhongnan.

Since he was the head of Zhongnan’s Enforcement Department, he couldn’t carelessly discuss the sect’s internal affairs.

“It might be too late, but don’t get involved with that guy.”

Pung Gae gave brief advice.

“If you’re already involved, apologize unconditionally and prostrate yourself flat.”

At the following words, So Jung-san frowned. He thought it was going too far.

“This isn’t my opinion, it’s our Sect Leader’s opinion. And he’s someone who would actually act that way.”

At those words, So Jung-san’s eyes widened.

“Is, is it that serious?”

“It’s more than that. Absolutely don’t get involved.”

At Pung Gae’s words, an urgent look appeared on So Jung-san’s face.

“Th, thank you. I need to go urgently.”

And then he barely gave a proper greeting before deploying his lightness skill and disappearing hastily.

“Hmm. Ha Mu-baek and Zhongnan…”

Having heard this, he couldn’t just let it pass. Though he was afflicted with wanderlust, he was still from the Beggar Sect.

Moreover, if it concerned Ha Mu-baek.

“I’ll need to send out some kids.”

Muttering this, Pung Gae rose from his seat.

After tidying up, he disappeared in an instant.

 

***

 

“The scenery is beautiful.”

Ha Mu-baek said while looking around.

Having climbed up a ridge of Zhongnan Mountain to view the landscape, it was a magnificent sight.

Beside him was Baek Ri-pyeong with a troubled expression.

They had traveled overland from the Yangtze Three Gorges to this place.

Leisurely.

As if they had really come out for sightseeing.

During that time, there was no martial arts training or teaching whatsoever.

They simply enjoyed a relaxed journey.

The more this continued, the more Baek Ri-pyeong’s insides burned.

Why on earth was this instructor acting like this?

They had arrived at Zhongnan Mountain just yesterday.

But they didn’t head straight to the Zhongnan Sect either.

Saying they should look around some scenic places, he moved here and there.

“Um, Instructor. When will we go to the Zhongnan Sect…?”

Baek Ri-pyeong asked cautiously.

“Hm? Weren’t you reluctant to go?”

Ha Mu-baek’s question.

“Well, still, Sa-baek’s party should have arrived long ago by now… The… the martial duel…”

“It’s not like we set a specific date for exactly when to hold the martial duel.”

Baek Ri-pyeong was at a loss for words.

Because it was true.

Hadn’t he watched the entire drafting of that document?

It seemed like they had written down all the detailed and important things.

But they had forgotten the most important thing.

He hadn’t thought of it either.

They said they would hold the martial duel at the Zhongnan Sect, but didn’t say when.

“Well, shall we go now? By this point, his anger should have risen appropriately. I also need to go back and rest quickly. It’s supposed to be a break period for resting, but I’m too busy.”

Ha Mu-baek turned around.

Baek Ri-pyeong stood there with a dazed expression.

He was shocked by what Ha Mu-baek had muttered.

To think that moving so leisurely was to further provoke Sa-baek’s anger.

“More than that. Are you still worried?”

Baek Ri-pyeong had been wearing a dark expression ever since arriving at Zhongnan Mountain.

“…”

Baek Ri-pyeong gave no answer. But even without answering, it was obvious.

“Ju Si-un. You must have felt what his skill level is like?”

That was true.

He had definitely felt it. He had thought that he absolutely wouldn’t lose.

But the problem arose after that.

“Your eyes and arms were injured, Instructor.”

The words that flowed from Baek Ri-pyeong’s mouth.

Ha Mu-baek chuckled.

“Just win.”

“That’s not so…”

Baek Ri-pyeong, who was about to protest, closed his mouth.

Because he knew it would be of no use to that instructor.

“Whew.”

Ha Mu-baek, who had let out a sigh, stopped walking.

It happened to be a suitable clearing.

He turned around to look at Baek Ri-pyeong.

“How about it?”

“Pardon?”

At Ha Mu-baek’s question, Baek Ri-pyeong asked back. What exactly was he asking about?

“How do I seem as your opponent right now?”

“Of course I’m no match at all…”

Baek Ri-pyeong’s words stopped.

Ha Mu-baek’s qi aura had changed.

At that level, it seemed like he could handle him well enough.

“How about it?”

Ha Mu-baek asked again.

“That, that is…”

“Seems manageable, right?”

Baek Ri-pyeong nodded.

“Think you’ll lose?”

“No, sir.”

It was true. He didn’t think someone of the Instructor’s caliber would lose.

“I’ve adjusted my qi aura to match the skill level of that Ju Si-un bastard we met at Gyoryong Hall.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Baek Ri-pyeong blinked his eyes.

Was such a thing even possible? The question arose in his mind.

“Draw your sword. Come at me.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Baek Ri-pyeong drew his sword as if entranced and launched his body toward Ha Mu-baek.

‘Th-this is…!?!’

 

After this bout.

Baek Ri-pyeong was completely drenched in sweat.

“Are you still worried?”

Ha Mu-baek, looking perfectly composed, asked.

“Yes.”

Nevertheless, Baek Ri-pyeong’s answer remained unchanged.

At that answer, Ha Mu-baek chuckled softly.

Though his answer was the same, his eyes had changed.

“Good enough. Let’s go down and stay at the inn for a night, then head to Zhongnan Sect.”

They set their direction toward the village below Zhongnan Mountain and began walking.

 

The next day.

Early morning.

Ha Mu-baek and Baek Ri-pyeong stood before Zhongnan’s main gate.

The Second Disciple guarding the main gate confirmed the two people’s appearance and sent word inside.

Soon Zhongnan Sect became noisy.

“Th-those damn little bastards…”

The one who burst forward first was Ju Si-un.

Just as Ha Mu-baek intended, he was seething with rage.

Anyone could see he looked like he had run desperately by land to get here.

Since some time had passed, he looked presentable, but seeing that venomous expression, it was obvious without looking.

“Tsk, for someone who’s supposedly the eldest disciple of a prestigious orthodox sect, your mouth is quite foul.”

Ha Mu-baek chuckled and retorted.

Those gathered around were Zhongnan’s disciples. Many frowned at Ha Mu-baek’s attitude.

“To disrespect Great Zhongnan like that. What a brazen bastard.”

Then a harsh voice was heard.

Zhongnan’s disciples stepped aside left and right as Sect Leader Ju Jae-seung revealed himself.

“I pay my respects to the Sect Leader.”

Baek Ri-pyeong performed a cupped fist salute and showed his respect.

This was Zhongnan Sect, he was a disciple of Zhongnan, and before his eyes stood Zhongnan’s Sect Leader.

It was natural behavior.

But Ha Mu-baek seemed displeased with this display.

“Sect Leader, my ass…”

A small mutter.

However, Ju Jae-seung heard those words clearly.

“You lowly bastard with no breeding.”

At those words, Ha Mu-baek chuckled softly.

It was amusing.

Even among the Nine Sects One Alliance and Five Great Families, there was usually at least one person who knew something about him.

But Zhongnan had none.

It was because most had died in the last war.

Well, that’s probably why they fell so easily for his scheme.

‘Elder Baek Ri.’

Ha Mu-baek thought of Baek Ri-dan.

The comrade-in-arms who had watched his back.

Unfortunately, he had departed for a distant battlefield, so he couldn’t see his final moments.

No, if he had been nearby, he wouldn’t have let him die in battle like that.

The night before departing.

Baek Ri-dan had said just one thing to Ha Mu-baek.

‘Zhongnan. Please take care of Zhongnan for me.’

Those were the last words Baek Ri-dan left for Ha Mu-baek.

He had heard in passing that after losing his son and daughter-in-law first, his grandson was his only remaining blood relative.

Even so, in their last meeting, he said nothing about his grandson.

He only asked him to take care of Zhongnan.

What did he mean by asking him to take care of it?

He couldn’t know.

‘If you were going to leave like that, you should have explained properly.’

A deep smile crossed Ha Mu-baek’s lips.

“Well, let’s skip the tedious preliminaries and get straight to the point. When are we having the martial duel?”

Ha Mu-baek looked at Ju Jae-seung and asked.

“You, you insolent!!”

“What a bastard with no breeding!!”

There were those who flew into a rage at Ha Mu-baek’s words and behavior.

How dare he speak such words to Great Zhongnan’s Sect Leader.

Ha Mu-baek paid no attention to their reactions and stared intently at Ju Jae-seung.

Anger appeared on Ju Jae-seung’s face.

It was fury at a mere Gyoryong Hall instructor acting this way.

Ju Jae-seung’s gaze turned toward Baek Ri-pyeong.

“Right now.”

An answer filled with killing intent.

His eyes looking at Baek Ri-pyeong were already full of murderous intent.

“Excellent.”

Ha Mu-baek smiled once more.

But that smile was also filled with killing intent.

“Everyone to the Great Training Ground!”

At Ju Jae-seung’s shout, Zhongnan’s disciples moved in a rush.

Ha Mu-baek also moved along with them.

Baek Ri-pyeong’s expression gradually hardened.

Finally arriving at the Great Training Ground.

Ju Si-un stood in the center of the training ground with his sword drawn.

“Come out.”

At Ju Si-un’s shout, Baek Ri-pyeong glanced at Ha Mu-baek briefly before taking a step forward.

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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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