The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 234
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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 234. You Don’t Seem to Want To
The stinging sunlight fell across her face and she opened her eyes.
Clear sky.
It was a pleasant morning.
Namgung Ji-yu stretched and completely drove away the last remnants of drowsiness.
She put on appropriate outer clothing and left the room to wash her face.
After washing, even the thread-like drowsiness that remained completely disappeared.
She returned to her room like that.
Then she took out the martial uniform she had received the day before and changed into it.
“Hm?”
Namgung Ji-yu tilted her head while checking her appearance.
It was the same martial uniform of hers, but something felt different.
Could such a thing be possible?
It wasn’t a newly made martial uniform either, just the one she had been wearing that the workers had washed and brought back.
To feel different.
She examined the martial uniform she was wearing once more.
“It seems cleaner…”
That was it.
It was exceptionally cleaner than usual. That’s why she felt something was different.
Wearing clean clothes on a refreshing morning naturally lifted her spirits.
She even had the feeling that the day would go well.
On the way to the school building, she met Namgung Ji-hu.
Her gaze went to his martial uniform.
A martial uniform that had become clean like hers.
What a strange thing.
It was exceptionally clean compared to other cadets’ martial uniforms.
Could such a thing happen?
She just thought it was a good day.
She figured it was just good luck.
“Hm? Elder sister too?”
“What?”
Namgung Ji-yu asked at Namgung Ji-hu’s words.
“Your martial uniform is clean.”
How surprising.
For this indifferent younger sibling to notice the change in the martial uniform.
It was that clean.
It made her wonder who exactly had done the laundry.
“It must have happened by chance. Maybe a worker with good skills came in.”
Namgung Ji-hu nodded at Namgung Ji-yu’s words.
That was the most convincing explanation.
After the morning classes ended.
On the way to Damryong Pavilion.
“Oh?”
One worker caught her eye.
An unforgettable worker.
One arm and a face full of scars.
He was a memorable worker.
If not for the elder stepping in yesterday, wouldn’t she have experienced truly frown-inducing troublesome matters?
Looking around, fortunately that bastard called Hwang Ryeok was nowhere to be seen.
When Namgung Ji-yu passed by that worker, she lightly bowed her head and gave a greeting with her eyes.
He flinched and deeply bowed his head to return the greeting.
‘Still, doing that is too much… It’s burdensome.’
Thinking that, she hurried on her way to Damryong Pavilion.
***
A refreshing morning dawned.
The workers left their dormitory.
A secluded empty room happened to become available.
It was now the sixth day since Namgung Hwi moved his luggage from the inn and began staying here.
It was convenient staying inside Gyoryong Hall.
He could roam all around Gyoryong Hall all day long.
Under the excuse of a worker doing work.
Of course, limited to places workers could go.
The place Namgung Hwi visited most these days was the edge of Maengryong Training Ground.
The edge facing toward the center of Gyoryong Hall.
Because sometimes cadets from Jamryong Corps or Waryong Corps passed by here when going to Damryong Pavilion.
Except when going to Damryong Library, it was a path they necessarily passed near.
It was the third day.
That he had cleaned near here around lunch and dinner time.
However, he couldn’t see those children.
But today.
He felt a presence from far away.
It was those children.
While concentrating on sweeping, he had spread his ki sense to its limit.
That distance was a radius of three jang (about 9 meters).
While hiding his martial arts, that was the maximum.
His heart began to pound.
It had been four days since he glimpsed them last time.
He couldn’t dare meet their eyes.
Which way would they pass?
He was curious, but afraid to lift his head.
He just concentrated on the two children’s presence while sweeping more diligently.
That direction was toward where Namgung Hwi himself was.
He slightly lifted his head to look.
The two children’s martial uniforms that he had washed with all his heart.
They were wearing those martial uniforms today.
He could tell at first glance.
How much care had he put into those martial uniforms.
His heart beat even more roughly.
Just as he was forcibly holding back his eyes from turning red.
His eyes met with Namgung Ji-yu’s.
She seemed to recognize Namgung Hwi too.
Well, it would be more difficult not to remember this appearance.
But then.
That child slightly bowed her head and gave him a greeting with her eyes.
To this hideous-looking one-armed worker.
Namgung Ji-yu, the precious daughter of the Namgung Family Estate, had slightly bowed her head first to greet him.
Namgung Hwi bowed his head down.
And couldn’t raise it again.
His eyes had already turned bright red and tears were slowly flowing down.
He was afraid that if he raised his head, that child might see it, so he just kept his head bowed.
‘She’s grown up to be such a good child. Her heart is truly kind and gentle.’
It was just one small action, but wasn’t it enough to understand her character?
Wearing the martial uniform he had washed and even greeting him.
Today seemed to be a truly lucky day.
That day.
It was good that he had visited Geumryong Pavilion.
It was good that he had accepted Elder Wi’s proposal to join them.
It was really good that he had listened to the advice to apply as a worker.
Because of that, this moment existed now.
The presence of the two children gradually grew distant.
Even so, Namgung Hwi couldn’t raise his head.
Drop.
A single tear wet the ground that had just been swept clean.
***
Afternoon cultivation time.
Namgung Ji-hu entered personal training.
There wasn’t enough time to polish and refine the Emperor Sword Form.
Honestly, he wanted to skip the morning classes too, but there were parts that helped, so he participated.
Since he had to survive in Gangho after all.
He needed to acquire various knowledge.
Since his family wouldn’t provide it, he had to get it at Gyoryong Hall at least.
So he drew his sword.
An old sword.
How ridiculous.
It had been a famous sword of sorts.
But it had become like this after going through Hatuje and Dongtu.
The family had maintained it.
But it was still only this much.
Namgung Ji-hu was also feeling that the moment to part with this beloved sword was approaching.
Namgung Ji-yu, looking at the sword, also made a slightly regretful expression.
‘Father should be able to prepare a new sword for him…’
He was the eldest son of the Namgung Family Estate.
Yet he was still using that sword.
“What are you doing? Not moving.”
Ha Mu-baek, who had appeared at some point, said to Namgung Ji-hu.
At those words, Namgung Ji-hu slowly began to move his sword.
Ha Mu-baek nodded his head.
As expected, this guy had talent.
No, this guy was overflowing with talent.
The form was coming out quite well.
Gyoryong Hall.
They say each major sect doesn’t send their truly talented disciples here.
But all the truly talented guys Ha Mu-baek had seen since coming out to Gangho were at Gyoryong Hall.
How strange.
Whether those humans called orthodox masters had no eye for people.
Or whether true talent was hidden where ordinary people’s eyes couldn’t see it.
“Good.”
At those words, the corners of Namgung Ji-hu’s mouth, who was moving his sword, slightly rose.
Because he had received recognition from that picky monster.
“Now you seem ready for me to spar with you.”
At those words, Namgung Ji-hu almost stopped his sword.
Because of the meaning of those words.
It meant he would give him a training match.
Ha Mu-baek didn’t miss that wavering.
“You seem unwilling.”
At those words, Namgung Ji-hu concentrated even more on the Emperor Sword Form.
After unfolding the entire first half like that.
Ha Mu-baek approached Namgung Ji-hu.
“Use the Great Flame Sword Technique, not the Emperor Sword Form.”
“What?”
“You said the Great Flame Sword Technique was the seed of the Emperor Sword Form, right? The Great Flame Sword Technique must become more perfect for the Emperor Sword Form to also approach its true form.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Ji-hu agreed to Ha Mu-baek’s explanation with a serious face.
Swoosh.
Ha Mu-baek drew his sword.
Thwack.
It was Ha Mu-baek who took the first attack.
His sword flew straight toward Namgung Ji-hu.
‘Great Flame Sword Technique?!?’
Namgung Ji-hu was greatly shocked.
How could an outsider unfold such perfect Great Flame Sword Technique?
As expected, that Instructor was a monster.
He naturally would never have learned it.
He hadn’t seen the secret manual either.
He probably just watched the Great Flame Sword Technique.
Mimicking what he saw.
With just that, he was unfolding such perfect Great Flame Sword Technique.
Enough with the distracting thoughts.
Namgung Ji-hu’s sword also moved.
His sword technique responding to the sword flying as if to split him was also the Great Flame Sword Technique.
Clang!
Clang clang!
The sound of sword clashing against sword rang out loudly.
Ha Mu-baek’s sword relentlessly stabbed at Namgung Ji-hu’s openings.
Then Namgung Ji-hu blocked those spots.
As they sparred like that.
Namgung Ji-hu’s Great Flame Sword Technique gradually became more perfect.
It had to be so.
Because Ha Mu-baek only targeted the flaws in the sword technique that his eyes could see.
As he blocked those, his sword technique was naturally being refined.
It was truly perfect instructional sparring.
Namgung Ji-yu watched the entire process and her jaw dropped open.
Was such a thing even possible?
Just what kind of monster was that Instructor?
He kept showing things beyond imagination, so now she couldn’t even imagine anything at all.
The focus in Namgung Ji-hu’s eyes gradually disappeared.
At that sight, Namgung Ji-yu’s eyes widened.
Then she quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
If she didn’t, it felt like a sound would escape.
‘State of No-Self.’
Namgung Ji-hu had entered that state.
To lead him that far just through sparring.
Ha Mu-baek.
She had said she gave up imagining, but apparently she was still imagining.
Seeing how surprised she was.
‘Hm? As expected, talented guys are.’
Ha Mu-baek also noticed that Namgung Ji-hu had entered the State of No-Self.
He had merely persistently attacked the flaws in his sword technique.
Yet while blocking that, he realized it himself and entered such a state.
‘Damn lucky. Too fast. No fun.’
Ha Mu-baek was having thoughts that would have earned him countless curses if anyone knew.
Talent.
Who was at the peak when it came to that?
A human who could roughly imitate other sects’ ultimate techniques just by seeing them a few times.
Saying talented guys were damn lucky.
By that logic, the person who should be the most damn lucky in All Under Heaven was Ha Mu-baek himself.
‘Still, since he’s already entered it, I should play along as much as possible.’
With that thought, Ha Mu-baek continued to exploit weaknesses matching Namgung Ji-hu’s level.
Every moment.
Namgung Ji-hu’s sword gradually became more perfect.
At least the flaws in the Great Flame Sword Technique visible to Ha Mu-baek’s eyes were being erased one by one.
Of course, realms beyond that would also exist.
Since Ha Mu-baek hadn’t mastered the Great Flame Sword Technique to its limits.
That part was entirely Namgung Ji-hu’s responsibility.
Just leading him this far, Ha Mu-baek had already provided sufficient, no, excessive help.
How long had he been playing along with enthusiasm?
Clang!
A different sound than before rang out.
Whirrr.
Half of Namgung Ji-hu’s sword broke and flew away.
At the same time.
“Uh…”
Namgung Ji-hu’s State of No-Self was also broken.
Namgung Ji-hu looked at his sword for a moment with a dazed expression.
And the sense of exhaustion that came, along with deep regret.
If only he could have felt that sensation a little longer…
“This much is already sufficiently excellent. If you’re too greedy, you’ll fall into Qi Deviation instead.”
Ha Mu-baek, guessing his feelings, spoke casually as if tossing the words out.
“Thank you.”
Namgung Ji-hu bowed his waist toward Ha Mu-baek.
“Right. For now, you should focus on making what you gained today your own.”
With those words, Ha Mu-baek left.
The Training Ground with only the two remaining.
Both people’s gazes were fixed on Namgung Ji-hu’s sword.
It was regrettable.
If only that sword had held out a little longer.
That thought arose simultaneously in both their heads.
‘I thought it was a lucky day.’
Namgung Ji-yu thought regretfully.
No, it was a lucky day.
Hadn’t Namgung Ji-hu even entered the State of No-Self?
It was just that with this kind of ending, it was ambiguous to judge whether it was a lucky day or not.
“What about the sword? I need to train?”
Namgung Ji-hu casually blurted out.
Come to think of it, that was the only sword.
Once again, resentment toward Father arose in Namgung Ji-yu’s mind.
“For now, you’ll have to use a practice sword issued by Gyoryong Hall. Later you can find a decent blacksmith shop and place an order.”
At Namgung Ji-yu’s words, Namgung Ji-hu nodded.
He picked up the broken sword fragment and put it in the scabbard.
Though broken, he couldn’t throw it away.
It was still a sword he had received as a gift from Father.
It was one of the very few gifts that Father had given.
So the two people went to find the armory.
The armory with no one guarding it.
“Even if it’s a place that only stores training weapons, isn’t this too lax?”
Namgung Ji-hu muttered while looking around.
“It really is.”
But the entrance was firmly locked with a large padlock.
“Where should we ask about this?”
Namgung Ji-hu muttered with a troubled expression.
“Hehe. What brings you here?”
Just then, Wi Ji-gun appeared.
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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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