The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 373

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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 373. Come Along with Me

 

 

 

 

 

Pyeong Deok-jo.

 

He was a third-rate wanderer.

 

One who sold his sword wherever it was needed and earned money.

 

He thought he was destined to live as a third-rate wanderer, unable to properly learn even mediocre martial arts.

 

However.

 

He saved a man who was severely injured and unconscious.

 

And they formed a connection.

 

Cho Mun-yak, who was a second-rate wanderer.

 

They hit it off and he served Cho Mun-yak as his sworn elder brother.

 

He taught him martial arts.

 

He said it was a family martial art that Cho Mun-yak had learned from his father.

 

He said there was no one left to pass it on to.

 

At that time.

 

Cho Mun-yak was suffering from a serious illness.

 

He didn’t have many days left to live.

 

Like that, having nothing.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo, who had barely learned the Three Talents Sword Technique commonly found in the marketplace and was at the level of a third-rate wanderer street thug.

 

Was able to learn proper martial arts and become a true martial artist.

 

The Cho family secrets: Cho Wind Mind Technique and Cho Family Five Swords.

 

Cho Mun-yak said.

 

Though he himself had a weak body and illness, remaining only at the second-rate wanderer level.

 

These were martial arts that Pyeong Deok-jo could potentially use to reach first-rate level.

 

The one regret was that the age of thirty was too late to start.

 

Because of that, he might hit a wall at second-rate and be unable to become first-rate, Cho Mun-yak worried and felt sorry.

 

Even until the moment he died in Pyeong Deok-jo’s arms.

 

After burying his sworn brother Cho Mun-yak, who had no family or relatives, in a sunny place.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo continued wandering Gangho as a wanderer.

 

Training desperately, accumulating countless experiences, he reached the second-rate level.

 

Those who only knew how to hold a sword, those with one breath of internal energy, those who could perform basic martial arts techniques.

 

All of these were collectively called third-rate.

 

If one called themselves a martial artist, they would immediately become a third-rate martial artist.

 

That’s what Pyeong Deok-jo was before meeting Cho Mun-yak.

 

But second-rate martial artists were different.

 

They had to learn proper martial arts and be capable of circulating internal energy.

 

The martial artists that ordinary people commonly think of.

 

Only when reaching that level could one be called a second-rate martial artist.

 

After reaching that level, Pyeong Deok-jo traveled throughout Gangho.

 

Though it was a small battlefield, he also lent a hand in the great martial arts war.

 

Of course, there were crises where he nearly lost his life, and he also experienced surprisingly joyful events.

 

He met new connections and made enemies too.

 

After spending about five years like that.

 

He heard about an organization called the Maengryong Corps.

 

A military unit where third-rate martial artists like his former self joined only for money.

 

Their role was as meat shields.

 

He was enraged by this fact.

 

The Jeongcheon Alliance’s practice of exploiting the desperation of third-rate martial artists and third-rate wanderers, pushing them to die on the battlefield.

 

So he applied to become a Maengryong Corps instructor to help them even a little.

 

They happened to be recruiting at the time.

 

In his first year as an instructor at Gyoryong Hall’s Maengryong Corps.

 

He saw an amazing person.

 

Ha Mu-baek, who became an instructor at the same time as him.

 

He was such an incredible person that it was impossible to understand why he was working as a Maengryong Corps instructor.

 

And this year.

 

Before he became head instructor and trained the Maengryong Corps.

 

He first trained the instructors.

 

Though he was only at second-rate level, Pyeong Deok-jo was confident because he had accumulated all kinds of experiences.

 

That confidence soon disappeared like bubbles.

 

It was really hard and difficult.

 

However.

 

After receiving that training, he couldn’t help but be amazed.

 

He thought the martial arts that were supposed to make first-rate possible had hit a wall and that second-rate was his limit.

 

But he felt signs that he might be able to surpass that limit.

 

That’s when it started.

 

Watching Ha Mu-baek’s every move and trying to imitate him.

 

Han Seol-bing, another instructor, was also incredible.

 

And what about Ji Gun-wi, the instructor who appeared when those two were away last time.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo had joined the Maengryong Corps as an instructor with the intention of helping the Maengryong Corps cadets.

 

But instead, he was becoming even more passionate about training.

 

Today too, after all the training led by Ji Gun-wi was finished.

 

He vigorously swung his sword and shield at the training ground set up in the back yard of the instructors’ quarters.

 

It was the Bright Style.

 

He didn’t know the reason.

 

When he trained the Bright Style, his own Cho family secrets also improved.

 

So he also trained the Bright Style diligently.

 

From shield technique and swordsmanship to combined techniques performed alone.

 

Then he moved on to training his Cho family secrets.

 

Two hours had passed since he started training.

 

It was already deep into the night.

 

Since he only slept two hours a day.

 

He still had about half an hour of leisure time.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo concentrated again and performed the Cho Family Five Swords.

 

“Huu. Huu. Huu.”

 

Rough breaths escaped from his mouth.

 

Now he had really reached his limit.

 

He had no strength left to swing his sword anymore.

 

“Huk. Huk. Huk.”

 

He picked up a water bottle, took a sip, then poured it over his head.

 

Steam rose from his heated body.

 

After catching his breath for a moment, Pyeong Deok-jo got up and walked toward the bathing hall.

 

It was time to go to bed for tomorrow.

 

The training ground where Pyeong Deok-jo had disappeared.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Ha Mu-baek stood there with his arms crossed.

 

He had just arrived at Gyoryong Hall a moment ago.

 

In the weather that had grown much cooler.

 

One worry had arisen.

 

It was a worry about his future course of action.

 

However.

 

He had discovered someone who might be the answer to that worry.

 

“Instructor Pyeong Deok-jo…”

 

He was an instructor he remembered.

 

Someone who had been commissioned as a Maengryong Corps instructor at the same time as Ha Mu-baek himself.

 

He remembered him as being around second-rate level at the time.

 

He was still second-rate, but compared to then, there had been remarkable progress.

 

Training entirely alone.

 

He hadn’t obtained superior martial arts, nor did he have an outstanding master.

 

If he had achieved such progress just by training alone and steadily.

 

It meant he had considerable talent.

 

He had known that he was steadily training at the training ground of the instructor quarters.

 

‘Did he unknowingly break through a wall?’

 

In the short time he had been away for his trip to Sichuan.

 

He had changed beyond recognition.

 

“That fellow might be alright.”

 

Ha Mu-baek nodded and headed toward his dormitory.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Morning had dawned.

 

Cold air swept across his face.

 

Thud. Thud.

 

Ha Mu-baek headed toward the Maengryong Corps 7th Group Training Hall.

 

Despite arriving at Gyoryong Hall late at night, he moved his steps from early morning.

 

It was a time when no training was scheduled.

 

Since group training would take place at the Great Training Ground in the afternoon.

 

There should have been no one at the Seventh Group’s training ground.

 

Nevertheless, the seven cadets were each absorbed in their own training.

 

He could sense this through his energy perception.

 

Among them, Ha Seol-ran was concentrating on training the Infinite Feminine Eight-Fold Sword Sea.

 

From the first fold, Opening Heaven, to the eighth fold, Infinite.

 

It was training to master those forms.

 

From the sixth fold onward, the movements were almost at the level of mere imitation.

 

But Ha Seol-ran was serious.

 

She moved her sword with concentration, doing her absolute best.

 

After unfolding all of them once.

 

As she was taking position to unfold Opening Heaven again.

 

Ha Seol-ran’s head turned sharply.

 

“Elder Brother…?”

 

She had sensed Ha Mu-baek’s presence from the instructor quarters.

 

“Hm?”

 

Yeon Ha-min, who heard her muttering, stopped her movements.

 

“Has the instructor returned?”

 

If that were really the case.

 

Ha Seol-ran would have noticed the moment Ha Mu-baek entered Muchang.

 

Therefore, Ha Seol-ran tilted her head in puzzlement but soon wore an expression of certainty.

 

The presence she definitely sensed through her energy perception was indeed her elder brother’s.

 

How she hadn’t sensed it until he entered Gyoryong Hall wasn’t important.

 

She was simply happy that her elder brother, who had said he’d be back shortly but spent considerable time away, had returned.

 

“You’re all working hard.”

 

These were Ha Mu-baek’s first words as he revealed himself.

 

“Instructor.”

 

“Elder Brother!”

 

Each of the cadets’ faces showed their own way of expressing joy.

 

“There isn’t much time left.”

 

Dang Jin-san spoke with an uncharacteristically serious face.

 

What didn’t have much time left.

 

Everyone knew.

 

Since they had already entered October.

 

“Mm. Are you planning to participate in the Winter Tournament this year too?”

 

Ha Mu-baek asked with a calm face.

 

At that moment.

 

The cadets’ faces contorted strangely.

 

They knew exactly what Dang Jin-san’s words meant.

 

They didn’t have the luxury to worry about the Winter Tournament now.

 

What they were looking at was what came after the Winter Tournament ended.

 

But since Ha Mu-baek was talking about the Winter Tournament.

 

Ha Mu-baek chuckled and said.

 

“Why? Are you thinking you’re finally screwed?”

 

At that single remark he threw out.

 

The faces of the five people hardened stiffly.

 

From their first meeting.

 

These were the ones Ha Mu-baek had forced to leave.

 

Maengryong Corps 7th Group.

 

Indeed, Ha Mu-baek knew what Dang Jin-san was trying to say.

 

Yet he had deliberately pretended not to know and talked about the Winter Tournament.

 

“I’m more worried about the cadets from other groups than you. At least you got a taste of Sanwol Demon Forest.”

 

But the other Maengryong Second-Year Cadets were different.

 

They had only heard about Sanwol Demon Forest in stories.

 

This was another of Ha Mu-baek’s worries.

 

The best method would be to briefly visit Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

But it was already October.

 

After that, the second half would quickly end, and Maengryong Corps would have to complete all training courses and depart for Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

Timing-wise, they had missed the opportunity.

 

It was already too late.

 

It was because of Ha Mu-baek’s frequent travels.

 

“…”

 

The cadets couldn’t say anything.

 

That was right.

 

Sanwol Demon Forest was still an unknown terror to their other comrades.

 

At least they knew what kind of place it was.

 

And because of that, they were training even more earnestly.

 

“I should drag a few guys along…”

 

Ha Mu-baek muttered as if there was absolutely no solution.

 

Then stopped speaking.

 

His words spoken without thought.

 

Within them, he found the answer to yet another concern.

 

Dang Jin-san was quick to catch on.

 

He immediately understood what Ha Mu-baek’s actions meant.

 

“Don’t tell me… you’re planning to leave again?”

 

“Well, so what. No one knows I’ve returned anyway.”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Dang Jin-san made a displeased expression.

 

“But, we know that you’re here…”

 

“Then shall we go together?”

 

Dang Jin-san was momentarily speechless.

 

And the answer that came from his mouth was.

 

“Yes.”

 

Surprisingly, it was affirmative.

 

Ha Mu-baek looked at Dang Jin-san with slight surprise.

 

He had thrown out those words as a joke, expecting a natural refusal.

 

“I want to go together.”

 

Baek Ri-pyeong stepped forward.

 

Ha Mu-baek looked around at the other cadets.

 

All of them had the same thought in their eyes.

 

Ha Mu-baek chuckled again.

 

“You guys are really getting scared, aren’t you?”

 

Because they had gotten a taste of it.

 

That place called Sanwol Demon Forest was gradually becoming reality for them.

 

“But this time, there’s someone else who will go with me. So train hard, all of you.”

 

“Elder Brother!”

 

Ha Seol-ran hurriedly followed behind Ha Mu-baek.

 

“Don’t worry. Get along well with Master. Train hard.”

 

Stroking Ha Seol-ran’s head, he whispered in a small voice that only she could hear.

 

Ha Mu-baek moved his steps.

 

His destination was the Instructor Quarters.

 

The person he would take was there.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Pyeong Deok-jo moved according to his usual daily routine.

 

Waking up early in the morning, loosening his stiff body and practicing energy circulation and breathing.

 

Grass Wind Heart Method.

 

Though it was a mind technique with the humble name of wind blowing through grass.

 

Cho Family Secret Arts.

 

This was the martial arts that formed Pyeong Deok-jo’s foundation.

 

After finishing his energy circulation and breathing, he headed to the dormitory’s training ground while breathing in the fresh morning air.

 

Performing the Cho Family Five Swords three times barehanded was the end of his morning training.

 

From the morning onward, he had a schedule with the cadets.

 

Moreover, the cadets he was in charge of were the second-year Group 12.

 

Those who had to go to Sanwol Demon Forest in three or four months.

 

It was a time when he needed to pay even more attention.

 

Though he didn’t know how much help he could be.

 

When he finished all his training and was about to leave for Group 12’s training ground.

 

There was a figure blocking his path.

 

“Who is it?”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo was startled by the presence that appeared without any sign.

 

When Pyeong Deok-jo confirmed the figure’s face, he was surprised once again.

 

Much more surprised than the first time.

 

It was a face he knew well.

 

And someone who wasn’t supposed to be at Gyoryong Hall right now.

 

“Chief Instructor Ha.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“It’s almost time for the morning training to begin.”

 

“Isn’t that a school building class?”

 

“Since the second-years don’t have much time left until graduation, school building classes have decreased and the proportion of training has increased.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Ha Mu-baek crossed his arms and let out a small breath.

 

The Maengryong Corps only received school building classes in their second year.

 

And even those were reduced in the second half.

 

It was a damn situation, but Ha Mu-baek had to acknowledge it was unavoidable.

 

For survival, it was better to swing a sword one more time.

 

“Come with me for a bit.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s sudden words, Pyeong Deok-jo had no choice but to ask back.

 

Because what he said after appearing so suddenly was too out of the blue.

 

“It’s for the second-year cadets.”

 

“That…”

 

“Right now, Instructor Pyeong, this is something far more important and helpful to them than training with you.”

 

“The report…”

 

That was right.

 

Disappearing like the wind without a word and returning like the wind was something only Ha Mu-baek could do.

 

Since Pyeong Deok-jo was just an ordinary instructor, he had to report and get approval before moving.

 

“Who are you going to report to?”

 

“Chief…”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo, who had been speaking up to that point, closed his mouth.

 

Because the superior he needed to report to and get approval from was right in front of him.

 

“Go.”

 

Ha Mu-baek said.

 

“Then, I’ll just ask another instructor to take care of our group’s cadets and come back.”

 

“I’ve already taken care of that too. Let’s go.”

 

Ha Mu-baek took the lead and walked.

 

At that moment.

 

Han Seol-bing was walking toward Group 12’s training ground with a furrowed brow.

 

Because of the person who appeared like the wind, gave her work like the wind, and left.

—————
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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