The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 268
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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 268. Starved for Three Days
Three days before the Hatuje.
Han Seol-bing nodded her head.
“Now would be a good time.”
At her muttering, Ha Mu-baek looked at her.
“What would be?”
“You know the mountain lord here was a Black Leopard, right?”
“Ah.”
He immediately understood what she was talking about.
Last year.
The beast that Maengryong Corps Seventh Group had encountered by chance and caught.
“A year has passed. Wouldn’t there be a new mountain lord by now?”
“Why that one?”
At Ha Mu-baek’s question, Han Seol-bing smiled slyly.
“They need to face it head-on. The killing intent of a life-or-death battle.”
“Hmm.”
It made sense.
Even Maengryong Corps Seventh Group.
The experience of being exposed to the Black Leopard’s killing intent during their fight had helped them in the Hatuje.
When Han Seol-bing heard about what happened last year from Maengryong Corps Seventh Group.
She had already made up her mind.
To provide Waryong Corps with an opponent on the level of a Black Leopard.
“Do you know where the mountain lord is?”
“I’ve found it.”
“Then that place is?”
At Ha Mu-baek’s question, Han Seol-bing nodded.
There was a place on Moklan Mountain where a formation was deployed.
Whether it was a formation Han Seol-bing had deployed with all her might, even Ha Mu-baek could only sense the existence of the formation but couldn’t tell what was inside.
If he wanted to find out, it wouldn’t be impossible if he approached near the formation, but he didn’t bother.
He thought Han Seol-bing had deployed it with some purpose in mind.
But who would have thought it was for the purpose of capturing and confining a mountain lord.
“It must be quite hungry by now?”
“I did put in some food appropriately…”
“You did?”
“I cut it off three days ago.”
Ha Mu-baek stared at Han Seol-bing intently.
“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re quite ruthless too.”
Han Seol-bing bristled at those words.
“Who do you think I learned this from?”
At her retort, Ha Mu-baek slightly turned his head away.
Unaware that the two instructors were having such a conversation.
The Waryong Corps cadets were absorbed in their training matches with the Jamryong Corps cadets.
After receiving the pressure point treatment from Ha Mu-baek.
Their skills had improved beyond recognition.
It was inevitable.
With improved internal energy flow and increased internal energy infused into their swords.
Their movements had become that much faster.
“The effects are good.”
Han Seol-bing commented at the sight.
“Of course. Do you know what kind of great method that is?”
The Wish Fulfillment Body Reformation Great Method.
It was a body reformation great method passed down in the sect, performed in the form of pressure point treatment.
“That’s true.”
Han Seol-bing nodded obediently.
“So when are we going?”
“After lunch?”
The Waryong Corps cadets had a delicious lunch, completely unaware of the ordeal that awaited them.
Thanks to becoming quite accustomed to hunting and catching quite a lot of game.
After the meal, they even finished their energy circulation.
“Now it’s time for the final training.”
At Han Seol-bing’s words, various expressions appeared on the faces of the Waryong Corps cadets.
Joy at finally ending this hellish training.
Tension about the upcoming Hatuje.
Anxiety and worry about whether they could really pull it off.
Han Seol-bing spoke as if she understood their complex feelings.
“If you complete this training safely, you’ll be able to have more confidence in the Hatuje. Now follow me.”
Just as Han Seol-bing was turning around.
“Wait.”
Ha Mu-baek stopped them.
Then he looked intently at the Waryong Corps cadets.
At that moment.
A chilling and terrifying energy that suddenly engulfed their entire bodies.
A feeling as if their necks would fall off at any moment, and their whole bodies were being strangled so they couldn’t move an inch.
“Th-this is…”
Eun Hwa-ryang muttered with a dazed expression.
“This is called killing intent. You should experience it at least once.”
Ha Mu-baek spoke calmly and then turned around.
“Well then, go and come back.”
With those final words, Ha Mu-baek lay down on the cloth bed hung on a tree.
With adequate shade and a cool breeze.
It was perfect for an afternoon nap after a meal.
Han Seol-bing chuckled at Ha Mu-baek’s appearance and started walking.
Not knowing what was going on, the cadets followed behind Han Seol-bing.
Deep into Moklan Mountain they walked.
“Uh… this place?”
It was familiar terrain.
The first to recognize it was Yeon Ha-min.
“Hm?”
At her muttering, Baek Ri-pyeong and Dan Mok Un-rae also recognized it.
Even Nak U-jin and Dang Jin-san.
That was the place.
The plains where they had fought their final battle with Namgung Ji-hu.
They had returned to this place after a year.
Just as they were about to be swept away by the emotions of that time, the cadets noticed a formation.
Their gazes naturally turned toward Han Seol-bing.
Why had a formation been set up in this place?
It looked extremely suspicious and ominous.
“Let’s go in.”
She said while making simple adjustments to the formation.
She had opened the door of the formation that had been blocking anyone from entering.
She took the lead and entered, followed by the Maengryong Corps cadets, and finally the Waryong Corps cadets.
Those who had just entered the formation’s interior widened their eyes.
A massive blood-red furred wolf with fierce eyes, drooling continuously, was glaring at them.
“Great Calamity Blood Wolf. The lord of this mountain. I never expected such a creature to become the mountain lord. A beast of this caliber should be on a much larger mountain.”
“B-but?”
Na Jung-cheon’s voice trembled.
The Blood Wolf only continued drooling.
It didn’t charge at them.
As if it knew it couldn’t invade the area where the group was located.
“You’re lucky. You get to fight against such a strong opponent.”
“Wh-who does?”
Eun Hwa-ryang asked.
At that question, everyone’s gaze turned toward the five people.
The Waryong Corps cadets received the gazes of Han Seol-bing and Maengryong Corps 7th Group.
They looked at the Blood Wolf with eyes filled with fear.
Even though it wasn’t charging, there was a killing intent that made their entire bodies tingle.
‘Ah, this is why…’
Only now did they understand Ha Mu-baek’s actions from earlier.
“This place is a safe zone protected by the formation, so it’s fine for now.”
Indeed.
That’s why the Blood Wolf wasn’t moving.
“You need to go out now.”
With those words, Han Seol-bing took a step back. The Maengryong Corps cadets moved tactfully at her action.
Just as a gap opened between the Waryong Corps cadets and them.
The formation began to change.
“That area will open toward the Blood Wolf’s side in about half of half a gak (roughly 4 minutes). Prepare well during that time.”
At Han Seol-bing’s words, the Waryong Corps cadets’ faces turned deathly pale.
Dang Jin-san clicked his tongue at their appearance.
“So it wasn’t about the Black Leopard story…”
They had truly been an accident.
However, these friends were facing this situation by an instructor with intent.
He felt sorry for no reason, thinking they had created the catalyst for this.
Time passed quickly.
While the five people were trembling, they gathered their resolve.
They prepared and formed a sword formation.
Surprisingly, it was thanks to Ha Mu-baek’s consideration.
Before coming to this place.
The killing intent that Ha Mu-baek had unleashed.
If not for that, they would still be unable to come to their senses.
Though it was brief.
Having experienced it once, they could cope a bit more composedly.
Finally.
All the time Han Seol-bing had mentioned passed.
Did the Blood Wolf sense the change in the formation?
“Grrrrowl.”
It let out a growling sound and moved slowly.
Its gleaming eyes.
It now had the appearance of a predator with prey right before its eyes.
“Ah, that guy has been starved for three days.”
Han Seol-bing spoke as if she had just remembered.
There was no time to pay attention to the words coming from behind.
The five people concentrated all their attention on the Blood Wolf.
Han Seol-bing nodded her head as if satisfied with their appearance.
“Instructor. You’re really cruel.”
Dang Jin-san joked at her appearance.
“Why? Do you want to try too? Should I catch you a tiger?”
“N-no, I’m fine.”
Dang Jin-san hurriedly waved his hands.
The tiger that Han Seol-bing would catch wouldn’t be an ordinary tiger.
The Blood Wolf and Waryong Corps were wary of each other.
The Blood Wolf, whose belly must be extremely hungry, didn’t rashly charge.
As if trying to assess what level the prey was.
It slowly circled around the perimeter.
An appearance that suggested it would immediately charge and bite if it saw an opening.
“Gulp.”
Someone swallowed dry saliva.
The standoff wasn’t short.
But it didn’t continue for long either.
The Blood Wolf was too hungry for that.
“Krrrroooar!”
With a loud roar, the Blood Wolf charged toward the Waryong Corps cadets.
Yeong Hu-in and Im Dae-chi stepped forward and crossed their swords to block it.
Since they were the two most composed and courageous, they took on the role of defending from the front.
Therefore, they could block the Blood Wolf’s charge head-on without being pushed back.
“Clang.”
The sword blade dug into the Blood Wolf’s hide.
However, it couldn’t inflict a deep wound.
The hide was that tough.
The Blood Wolf seemed to feel pain and quickly retreated.
Sim Cheol-san pursued and thrust his sword.
Perhaps thanks to what he had observed at Cheongeom Sect, Sim Cheol-san had the strongest sword power among the five.
He took on the main attack role.
And immediately following attacks from Eun Hwa-ryang and Na Jung-cheon.
Since they were two people who moved agilely while skillfully deploying footwork techniques, their role was to launch supporting attacks according to the situation.
Moreover, both had good improvisation skills.
Indeed, the two moved busily while targeting the Blood Wolf’s openings.
The Flowing Dragon Sword Formation flowed organically.
Once they entered combat, they moved fiercely as if they had never trembled with fear.
The Blood Wolf continuously released killing intent as it charged at the Waryong Corps cadets.
The Blood Wolf’s attacks, using its tough hide as a shield.
Rolling on the ground and scattering in all directions.
Regrouping and launching counterattacks.
They engaged in close combat like this.
The Maengryong Corps cadets watched that scene seriously.
One thing was certain.
They were better than themselves when they had faced the Black Leopard.
At this level.
They would beat those Waryong Corps 1st Group bastards.
Hadn’t they themselves defeated Jamryong Corps 1st Unit?
“It’s not cruel, but considerate.”
Yeon Ha-min spoke calmly while watching the battle.
“Huh?”
Han Seol-bing’s question.
“Of course. If they starved for three days. Their physical condition couldn’t be normal.”
Yeon Ha-min chuckled at those words.
That was right.
The intention of starving them for three days.
There was the purpose of making the Blood Wolf more ferocious.
But there was also the purpose of weakening it to a level the Waryong Corps cadets could handle.
Wolves originally live in packs.
The Great Calamity Blood Wolf was an oddity that lived alone, unlike such instincts.
It was that strong.
Though she trusted the skills of the Waryong Corps cadets.
Three days until the Hatuji.
It would be terrible if they got injured in a battle for experience.
She had arranged for all such situations.
The battle grew increasingly fierce.
The more wounds it had, the more savage the Blood Wolf became.
“Ugh.”
Yeong Hu-in, who hesitated slightly at the fierce killing intent, was wounded by the Blood Wolf’s claws.
“Focus!”
At that sight, Han Seol-bing shouted loudly.
Her right hand gripped her sword hilt. Ready to rush out at any moment.
Na Jung-cheon stepped forward to help the staggering Yeong Hu-in, and Sim Cheol-san pierced into the Blood Wolf’s side.
At that moment.
The Blood Wolf changed tactics.
Perhaps judging it couldn’t accomplish anything like this.
It ignored the attack aimed at its side and charged straight forward.
The Blood Wolf’s fangs approached right before Na Jung-cheon’s eyes.
Hot breath and the acrid smell of beast.
And killing intent.
The moment all of that rushed in.
Thwack!
Eun Hwa-ryang’s fist, having somehow slipped under the Blood Wolf, struck the Blood Wolf’s jaw directly.
The Blood Wolf closed its mouth.
Then.
“Aim for the eyes!”
Im Dae-chi shouted this and stabbed at the Blood Wolf’s left eye.
Im Dae-chi’s sword penetrated directly since he had gotten so close.
“Kraaaang!”
In great pain, the Blood Wolf opened its mouth wide and let out a scream.
Its front paws moved as if to claw everything apart.
At that moment.
Na Jung-cheon, who had frozen momentarily from the sudden killing intent, saw the Blood Wolf’s gaping mouth again.
This time was different from before.
It wasn’t a mouth rushing to kill him.
A mouth screaming in pain.
He could see straight into its throat.
“Die!”
Na Jung-cheon thrust his sword straight toward the throat.
Since the throat wasn’t covered in tough hide.
The Blood Wolf’s throat was pierced through.
The Blood Wolf’s whole body trembled.
Blood flowed steadily from its throat.
Na Jung-cheon’s right hand was soaked with the Blood Wolf’s blood.
Even so, Na Jung-cheon drove the sword deeper.
After a moment.
The Blood Wolf’s movement stopped.
It had died just like that.
“Whew.”
Only then did Na Jung-cheon exhale and sit down.
The others also sat down on the ground one by one.
Their legs were shaking so much they couldn’t stand at all.
“Well done.”
Han Seol-bing approached with a pleased smile.
“I thought I was going to die, Instructor.”
Im Dae-chi spoke with a dazed expression.
“No way. That wouldn’t have happened.”
Han Seol-bing’s right palm holding the sword hilt was drenched in sweat.
She quietly wiped the sweat on her clothes so the cadets wouldn’t notice.
“Real combat will be worse than this. Of course, the Hatuji is a martial arts competition. But this experience will help you overcome the momentum of opponents stronger than you.”
The Maengryong Corps 7th Group cadets nodded at Han Seol-bing’s words.
Since they had experienced it directly themselves.
“Good. Today and tomorrow are rest days.”
Saying this, Han Seol-bing examined Yeong Hu-in’s wound.
Fortunately, it wasn’t deep.
At this level, if they applied wound medicine and treated it well, there would be no problems for the Hatuji.
***
“Fuck. That damn training is finally over.”
Byeok I-gyeom cursed while groping a gisaeng’s body.
Just thinking about it, the training had been terrible.
“This is all because of those bastards I’m going to tear apart.”
Tak Mu-jeon’s eyes glittered with killing intent.
Thinking of the humiliation and hardship they had endured during that time, even chewing up those bastards wouldn’t be satisfying enough.
His hand was inside the gisaeng’s front garment.
It had been insane training.
Thanks to that, they had become that much stronger.
They could smash something like Waryong Corps Twentieth Group in one blow.
But that alone wouldn’t relieve their anger.
“We need to crush those Maengryong Corps bastards too.”
Cheol Ryeong growled as he spoke.
“Of course.”
“We’ll kill all those bastards.”
Gong Gu-pae and Hwa Bo-myeong were also radiating killing intent.
It was the night two days before Hatuje.
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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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