The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 228
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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 228. Harassment?
Coo coo coo.
A messenger pigeon landed at Gyoryong Hall.
The message tied to the pigeon’s leg was immediately inspected and delivered to Gi Yu-chan, who checked its contents and headed to the Administrator’s Office.
After reading the entire message, Peng Do-yul frowned.
How could he not?
It was a situation full of déjà vu.
No, it wasn’t déjà vu.
It was something that had swept through just a few months ago.
Of all things, the Cheolgi Workshop that sent this message was also located in Hebei.
Weren’t they competing with the Peng Family for dominance in Hebei?
But due to that previous incident, the Peng Family’s power had declined rapidly.
Thanks to that, the Cheolgi Workshop’s influence in Hebei had been expanding steadily.
“Hmm. Are they trying to balance things out like this?”
How absurd must it have been for him to mutter such jokes to himself?
“It’s ridiculous that they come running like this over something done according to academy rules.”
Gi Yu-chan spoke as if he felt the same way.
“I’m curious about what’s in the head of that cadet who reported every little detail to his family with a messenger pigeon.”
Gi Yu-chan quietly nodded at Peng Do-yul’s words.
It was a valid point.
Gyoryong Hall wasn’t a place where they took children to teach them.
It was a place where adults gathered to receive education.
Yet the cadet’s parents were coming to complain about punishment according to academy rules.
The message was full of complaints about the unfairness of Cheol Ryeong’s disciplinary action.
“I heard the Iron Weapon Guild Master cherishes his youngest sister dearly. It seems that child’s mother must be that person.”
Peng Do-yul mentioned a story he had heard before.
“They won’t let this pass quietly, will they?”
Peng Do-yul nodded at Gi Yu-chan’s words.
They had no choice.
The Cheolgi Workshop didn’t properly know what kind of person Ha Mu-baek was.
The Iron Armor Cavalry.
The Cheolgi Workshop’s main force was a large-scale cavalry unit.
As such, even during wars with the Blood Cult or Demon Cult, they mainly roamed battlefields where large-scale battles occurred.
It was a completely different battlefield from where Ha Mu-baek had carried out his operations.
Even during the final battle against the Sect Leaders, the Iron Armor Cavalry’s role was to clean up the wide battlefield.
“They should arrive tomorrow or the day after, so we need to prepare.”
“What?”
Gi Yu-chan asked in surprise at Peng Do-yul’s words.
How could he not be surprised?
The messenger pigeon had just arrived moments ago.
From Shijiazhuang in Hebei to Muchang.
It was a long distance.
Yet they would arrive with only a day or two difference from the messenger pigeon?
“Isn’t it written here in the message? That they’ll go with full force, so stop Cheol Ryeong’s unfair punishment. If they’re riding at full speed, they should arrive around then.”
The Cheolgi Workshop.
Their horsemanship skills were genuine.
***
Wi Ji-gun left Gyoryong Hall after a long time.
It was because he was off duty.
It seemed Gyoryong Hall had been a bit noisy with the kids bickering among themselves, but it wasn’t Wi Ji-gun’s concern.
It wasn’t something for an old man who just swept floors at Gyoryong Hall to get involved in.
Ha Seol-ran had now fully adapted to life at Gyoryong Hall, so there was no reason for him to worry and stick around.
Of course, he was still monitoring Gyoryong Hall with his Ki Sense even now.
These days, he was incredibly relaxed.
“Hehe. This is when you have daytime drinks.”
Wi Ji-gun entered one of the many taverns in front of Gyoryong Hall.
Geumryong Pavilion, a tavern operated by Gyoryong Hall’s Geumdang.
Even its name was taken from Geumdang’s Geumryong Trading Company.
It was the tallest place among the surrounding inns and taverns.
The top floor was a full five stories high.
Being the tallest place near Gyoryong Hall, one could somewhat survey the surrounding scenery.
Wi Ji-gun climbed to the fifth floor.
There was exactly one empty seat by the window.
Wi Ji-gun sat in that seat.
It was a spot with an excellent view of Gyoryong Hall.
“Welcome, sir. What shall I prepare for you?”
A quick-witted shopkeeper appeared instantly.
“Hmm. Since it’s been a while since I’ve had some leisure, shall I drink something good today? Do you have Hundred Flower Dew?”
“Of course, sir. A true wine sage has descended upon our tavern today. Hehe.”
Wi Ji-gun chuckled at the shopkeeper’s words.
True to its name of containing the dew of a hundred flowers, it was a precious liquor.
It was expensive accordingly.
This sweet liquor with no harsh aftertaste and good for the body was one Wi Ji-gun often enjoyed when in good spirits.
“I’ll be drinking alone, so bring me a small bottle.”
“What would you like for food? With sweet liquor like Hundred Flower Dew, something moderately spicy or salty pairs quite well.”
Wi Ji-gun looked at the shopkeeper with newfound respect.
“You’re quite something. Yes. Do you happen to have Chicken Cubes?”
“Of course. One of our tavern’s head cooks happens to be from Sichuan.”
Chicken Cubes.
It was a type of spicy fried chicken.
It would pair quite well with the sweet Hundred Flower Dew.
“Good. Bring me that then.”
“Yes!”
The shopkeeper who nimbly caught the small coin flicked toward him quickly disappeared.
Shortly after, a small bottle of liquor and the Chicken Cubes dish were placed on the dining table.
Glug glug.
He filled a cup and drank it down – indeed, it was sweet and smooth, quite good.
Then he took a bite of the spicy Chicken Cubes.
“Hehe. Could paradise be anywhere else? This is paradise.”
Wi Ji-gun’s gaze, which had been smiling broadly, stopped on one man.
A one-armed man who was troubled because there were no empty window seats available.
He was glancing at Gyoryong Hall with complex eyes while looking for an empty seat.
Eyes full of stories.
‘Huh….’
Wi Ji-gun, who had been watching The Man, was startled.
He never expected a martial artist of such caliber to enter Muchang.
‘It seems he has reached the realm of Half-Step Return to Truth. That’s why it was difficult to detect him with Ki Sense alone.’
Wi Ji-gun nodded slightly.
Having reached Wi Ji-gun’s level, he could recognize that his opponent had entered Half-Step Return to Truth, a higher realm even among the supreme masters.
To those of lower realms, he would have appeared as nothing more than a worthless one-armed man.
That’s what Half-Step Return to Truth is like. So excellent that it appears ordinary instead.
Wi Ji-gun observed The Man carefully.
His interest was piqued.
A supreme master who suddenly appeared.
Did he sense the gaze watching him?
The Man’s head turned toward where Wi Ji-gun was.
The Man flinched when his eyes met Wi Ji-gun’s.
He had clearly sensed Wi Ji-gun’s level.
Since he didn’t sense any particularly hostile energy from Wi Ji-gun’s expression and aura, The Man lightly bowed his head in greeting and looked back at Gyoryong Hall.
It seemed like he was waiting for an empty seat to become available. There were empty seats inside, but he stood near the window area without going there.
‘Hmm. What could his story be.’
He had no intention of interfering in another’s affairs.
He just tilted his head in wonder.
Because The Man’s eyes that he had seen when their gazes met earlier weren’t entirely unfamiliar.
‘A master whose level cannot be estimated. How could such a master be in Muchang….’
Namgung Hwi, who had turned his head, felt cold sweat running down his back.
He had only turned his head at the feeling of someone watching him.
No, the very fact that he had belatedly sensed someone watching him was proof that his opponent’s level was higher than his own.
It was last year that he reached the supreme level and entered Half-Step Return to Truth.
Even after that, he had trained and refined himself for another year.
Thinking that this was enough, he had left the village.
But to encounter such a master in a tavern.
Indeed, All Under Heaven was vast and there were as many extraordinary people as grains of sand.
Namgung Hwi looked at Gyoryong Hall again.
Searching for someone who would be somewhere in there.
‘Shall I show a little kindness?’
Wi Ji-gun, who had finally made his decision.
“I say there.”
He called out to Namgung Hwi.
At that call, his gaze turned toward Wi Ji-gun.
“Are you speaking to me?”
Wi Ji-gun nodded.
“I see you’re looking for a window seat, how about sharing a table with me?”
Namgung Hwi hesitated for a moment at those words.
However, the seat where Wi Ji-gun sat was truly a prime spot with an excellent view of Gyoryong Hall.
“Then I’ll impose on your kindness. Thank you.”
Namgung Hwi greeted and sat across from him.
Wi Ji-gun called the shopkeeper to bring another cup.
“They say the four seas are like brothers, and this too is fate. Here, take this.”
Namgung Hwi carefully received the alcohol Wi Ji-gun offered.
He lightly moistened his lips and immediately cast his gaze toward Gyoryong Hall.
“Please eat together. Being old, I can’t eat much food.”
“I’m grateful for your consideration.”
Wi Ji-gun smiled and also cast his gaze toward Gyoryong Hall.
Since he had no intention of prying into another’s affairs.
How much time had passed like that?
“Excuse me, elder.”
Namgung Hwi spoke first.
“Gyoryong Hall. What kind of place is that?”
“It’s an interesting place. Heh heh. I’m working there as a laborer. It’s truly an interesting place.”
At Wi Ji-gun’s words, Namgung Hwi’s eyes widened.
A laborer?
Such a master?
For what purpose?
Did he sense Namgung Hwi’s agitation? Wi Ji-gun spoke.
“My disciple is there as an instructor. So I’m spending my retirement there as a pastime. Heh heh.”
Wi Ji-gun brought the wine cup to his mouth.
Namgung Hwi’s eyes looked at Gyoryong Hall again.
“By any chance, would there be a position for someone like me to work as a laborer?”
Namgung Hwi asked cautiously.
The reason he said “someone like me” was obvious.
He was missing an arm.
“Hmm. Do you need a place to work?”
Wi Ji-gun asked.
“I want to work at that place.”
His gaze was still directed toward Gyoryong Hall.
***
Dust clouds were rising thickly.
The horses now showed clear signs of exhaustion.
How could they not?
Several days of running at full speed.
Now the end was in sight.
A little past lunchtime.
The castle walls of Muchang Castle came into view.
“We’ve arrived. Just endure a little more.”
Iron Weapon Guild Master Gu Tan-gil said this and kicked his horse’s flanks hard.
Normally, they would travel at a speed that required bringing two or three spare horses.
However, since it was such a rapid forced march, there weren’t many spare horses that could properly keep up.
So the twelve of them had simply ridden twelve horses like madmen.
The horses were gradually foaming at the mouth.
When they reached the front of Muchang Castle’s city gate, three of the twelve horses collapsed.
The remaining nine didn’t look to be in very good condition either.
“Take care of it.”
At Gu Tan-gil’s command, three of the Iron Armor Cavalry subordinates bowed their heads and remained behind.
Gu Tan-gil and Gu So-so led the way.
Seven subordinates followed behind, excluding the three who remained to tend to the horses, as they entered Muchang.
There was no need to look around.
They headed straight for Gyoryong Hall.
Nine martial artists walking down the main road carrying giant cavalry spears at an angle were enough to draw people’s attention.
Ignoring such gazes, they quickly reached the main gate of Gyoryong Hall.
The Gate Guards had already received word, so they immediately guided them inside.
‘It must be because of that commotion from a few days ago.’
Interest flickered and disappeared in Wi Ji-gun’s eyes as he observed the scene around Gyoryong Hall’s main gate from the fifth floor of Geumryong Pavilion.
The current atmosphere was quite pleasing, not worth moving himself for.
‘Iron Weapon Guild. What business do they have at Gyoryong Hall?’
Namgung Hwi also tilted his head in puzzlement upon seeing them.
Just from the cavalry spears, those unique weapons, he could guess their identity.
The aura they emanated was also extraordinary.
For such people to visit Gyoryong Hall with such menacing appearances.
He briefly worried whether they had issues with the people he was looking for, but quickly calmed down.
He had to.
No matter how powerful the Iron Weapon Guild was, they couldn’t recklessly harm a direct descendant of the Namgung Family.
***
“Haha. Please come in. The Sect Leader of the Iron Weapon Guild has traveled far.”
Peng Do-yul greeted the Iron Weapon Guild party in the first floor great hall of the Director’s Pavilion.
This was the same place where Cheol Ryeong had been disciplined before.
“Where is Ryeong?”
Gu Tan-gil asked for Cheol Ryeong first.
Gu So-so beside him kept looking around the surroundings.
“Naturally, he’s facing the wall in the wall-facing room.”
Peng Do-yul spoke as if it were obvious.
“What!”
At those words, a menacing aura spread in all directions from Gu Tan-gil’s body.
It was an aura that made skin tingle.
Peng Do-yul frowned.
Indeed, the Sect Leader of the Iron Weapon Guild.
The clear fact was that he was stronger than Peng Do-yul himself.
“No matter if you’re a Sect Leader, your rudeness goes too far.”
Peng Do-yul drew up his internal energy to counter Gu Tan-gil’s aura as he spoke.
“I clearly sent a message bird when I departed. Since you saw it and came out to greet me, how is it that Ryeong is not here!”
“This is punishment carried out according to Gyoryong Hall’s regulations. Even as the Iron Weapon Guild Master, you cannot interfere with Gyoryong Hall’s regulations!”
Peng Do-yul struck back without backing down.
“Hmph. Our Ryeong was a victim who got beaten up one-sidedly. So how should he be punished? These regulations are wrong.”
Gu So-so interjected.
“That’s right. Those insolent bastards from Maengryong Corps should be disciplined if anyone, so why must our innocent Ryeong suffer such harsh treatment!”
The two people kept raising their voices angrily.
“It was Cheol Ryeong who harassed the female cadet.”
“Hmph. Calling light teasing harassment is ridiculous.”
Gu So-so retorted to Peng Do-yul’s words as if it were absurd.
“Ha. This is really something. I can’t listen to this anymore.”
A voice was heard then.
Ha Mu-baek was walking into the great hall of the Director’s Pavilion.
“What are you?”
Gu Tan-gil frowned and asked at the sudden intrusion of an uninvited guest.
However, Ha Mu-baek ignored his words and went straight to Gu So-so.
Then he reached his hand toward her chest and said.
“You’ll end up serving me anyway. How about just practicing serving me now?”
At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Gu So-so’s face turned bright red.
Whoosh!
Gu So-so swung her spear at Ha Mu-baek.
She wasn’t the only one.
The spears of Gu Tan-gil and the seven Iron Armor Cavalry also flew toward Ha Mu-baek.
“You crazy bastard! How dare you harass me when you don’t even know who I am!”
Gu So-so burst out with an angry shout.
“How dare you make such advances toward this Sect Leader’s younger sister, you’re begging to be killed!”
Gu Tan-gil also exploded in anger.
Ha Mu-baek stepped back and avoided all their attacks, then smirked at their reactions.
“Harassment?”
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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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