The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 379

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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 379. Next Time Will Be the Real Deal

 

 

 

 

 

It was the time when the dusky sunset was setting.

 

A time when it’s difficult to distinguish between the shapes of dogs and wolves from a distance.

 

Despite such timing, Gwan Ha-gyeong had skillfully spotted the horses and carriage.

 

Thanks to that, after carefully examining and confirming traces of human presence, they were cautiously approaching.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo had gone to a nearby stream to wash his sweat-soaked body and was away from his post.

 

Ha Mu-baek, who had been lying in the carriage organizing his thoughts, smiled faintly.

 

‘Not bad.’

 

He had already detected the presence of those running along the castle wall.

 

Given the time, he thought they wouldn’t easily spot them and would pass by.

 

Yet here they were approaching.

 

Judging by the presence he could feel.

 

‘Bongma Corps and Maengryong Corps?’

 

Come to think of it.

 

He had never encountered the Maengryong Corps in Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

As for the Bongma Corps, he had passed by them during his time as Hocheon Corps Leader.

 

But back then, he didn’t even know of the Maengryong Corps’ existence.

 

The existence of the Jeongcheon Alliance’s meat shields.

 

‘Was I also indifferent…?’

 

The Maengryong Corps had existed even before the Sanwol Great Wall was built.

 

He could have known if he had wanted to.

 

But Ha Mu-baek at that time had all his attention focused on the Blood Cult and Demon Cult.

 

It was a time when he mentally had no leisure to observe his surroundings.

 

The presence of those gradually approaching.

 

Ha Mu-baek got up, opened the cargo compartment door, and came out of the carriage.

 

Nine people raised their weapons and took guard positions at the suddenly appearing figure.

 

It was difficult to make out Ha Mu-baek’s face in the dusky shadows.

 

“This is the territory of Sanwol Great Wall managed by the Bongma Corps. Who are you to be here without permission?”

 

Pung Geon stepped forward and asked.

 

“I have business in Sanwol Demon Forest, so I came briefly. I’ll leave again in a few days.”

 

Pung Geon frowned at the response.

 

Such casual speech and such an indifferent answer right off the bat.

 

Something was suspicious.

 

With Pung Geon’s gesture, eight people began carefully surrounding Ha Mu-baek.

 

One person.

 

Only Gwan Ha-gyeong stood still as if nailed to that spot.

 

She tilted her head.

 

The tone and voice seemed like something she had heard before.

 

Since it was definitely in her memory.

 

She searched through her memories to find which one it was.

 

“Ah!”

 

It came to her.

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.

 

At her sudden exclamation, the eight people stopped walking and looked back at her.

 

It was thoughtless behavior in a situation where they might have to treat the suspicious person as an enemy.

 

Despite her comrades’ reproachful gazes, Gwan Ha-gyeong was lost in past memories.

 

The Eastern Tournament.

 

Round of 16.

 

When she was secretly shedding sorrowful tears after losing to Ju U-myeong in the Great Hall.

 

The person who had recognized her efforts.

 

The voice that encouraged her, saying she deserved praise for that pure effort alone.

 

The person who had given her strength and praised her, saying that since the Single Heaven Blade was the foundation of the Single Heaven Demon-Slaying Blade, she must train thoroughly and that her path was not wrong.

 

“Instructor Ha Mu-baek?”

 

The moment that name flowed from Gwan Ha-gyeong’s lips.

 

Pung Geon, who was just about to open his mouth to scold her, turned his head.

 

Instructor.

 

The only person she would call instructor was an instructor from Gyoryong Hall.

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

Ha Mu-baek smiled faintly.

 

He had already known of her presence.

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

She finally conveyed the gratitude she couldn’t express back then.

 

Even after learning Ha Mu-baek’s identity, Pung Geon didn’t lower his guard.

 

“What business does a Gyoryong Hall instructor have here?”

 

Still a wary question.

 

Ha Mu-baek was quite satisfied with that attitude.

 

It was the attitude of someone who had experienced the battlefield.

 

“I came to secure teaching materials needed for the cadets’ practical training, and also to do some instructor training.”

 

Rustle.

 

When Ha Mu-baek gave that answer.

 

There was a sound of human presence from the other direction.

 

Half the personnel immediately took guard positions toward that direction.

 

“Huh!”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo, who had just entered the campsite, was startled.

 

At his level, he couldn’t yet sense presence at this distance, so he had appeared defenseless.

 

“That one over there is also a Gyoryong Hall instructor like me.”

 

Ha Mu-baek said with a chin gesture.

 

“State your affiliation clearly.”

 

Pung Geon demanded with a serious face.

 

“Gyoryong Hall Maengryong Corps Chief Instructor Ha Mu-baek. That one over there is Maengryong Corps Instructor Pyeong Deok-jo.”

 

At those words, Pung Geon and Yu Gwi-gwang’s gazes turned to one corps member.

 

A first-year Sanwol Demon Forest Maengryong Corps member.

 

Last year he would have been at Gyoryong Hall Maengryong Corps.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

He confirmed.

 

Even though Gwan Ha-gyeong had confirmed it, they checked once more.

 

Only then did Pung Geon slightly ease his wariness.

 

“What business do you have here?”

 

Nevertheless, he asked about the purpose again.

 

It was because he couldn’t believe Ha Mu-baek’s answer at all.

 

Teaching materials.

 

Where in Sanwol Demon Forest would such things be.

 

That’s what he was thinking when he asked.

 

“I told you. Securing teaching materials.”

 

“No, there’s something like that here….”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo approached the wagon and opened the cargo compartment to show them.

 

Wooden coffins neatly loaded inside.

 

The moment he saw them, a thought flashed through Pung Geon’s mind.

 

“Su, surely….”

 

“That ‘surely’ is probably correct.”

 

Ha Mu-baek confirmed it.

 

Pung Geon’s face showed disbelief.

 

“Th, that can’t be possible… No, it’s impossible from the start. Did you get approval from the Bongma Corps Leader?”

 

“Why would I? Do these jiangshi here belong to the Bongma Corps Leader?”

 

Ha Mu-baek’s question came back.

 

“All of Sanwol Demon Forest is under the management of the Bongma Corps.”

 

He had no choice but to give a principled answer.

 

At that answer, Ha Mu-baek chuckled.

 

“So is the management being done properly?”

 

“….”

 

This time he couldn’t answer.

 

Hadn’t he been thinking that bastard Bongma Corps Leader just a while ago?

 

“And in the first place, what are just nine people doing here? This place is far from the regular patrol area, and it’s not patrol season either, right?”

 

Pung Geon was startled by Ha Mu-baek’s question.

 

Because he knew about the Bongma Corps’ patrol and management plans for Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

“Ho, how do you know that?”

 

Wariness deepened on Pung Geon’s face.

 

It made no sense for a Maengryong Corps instructor to know the Bongma Corps’ secrets.

 

“I could find out at my previous post. Now put away your sword. Your vigilance is admirable, but I’m starting to get tired.”

 

Qi aura began to rise from Ha Mu-baek’s body.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s qi aura gradually encroached on the surroundings, expanding its territory.

 

“Ugh.”

 

A groan escaped from Pung Geon’s mouth at that stinging qi energy.

 

And the Maengryong Corps members even stepped back hesitantly.

 

Pung Geon gritted his teeth at the opponent’s oppressive display.

 

And he stepped forward, one step at a time, into Ha Mu-baek’s fierce qi aura.

 

Interest flickered in Ha Mu-baek’s eyes at that sight.

 

As if he would watch to see how far he would go, he raised his qi aura.

 

“I’ll consider this a threatening act toward the Bongma Corps. Attack!”

 

With those words, Pung Geon charged toward Ha Mu-baek.

 

He swung his sword.

 

It was a sword technique Ha Mu-baek knew well.

 

Because it was the sword technique used by those who fought really hard in the Murim War, even though they were from a small sect.

 

Flying Waterfall Scattered Flower Sword Technique.

 

It was the ultimate technique of a sect called Sanhua Manor.

 

Ha Mu-baek nodded.

 

Because it was befitting of someone from Sanhua Manor.

 

He had guessed from his internal energy, but seeing the sword technique he actually deployed, this guy had trained properly.

 

Seven people followed behind him.

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong was also a step late, but he flew forward holding his blade.

 

Only one person.

 

The first-year Maengryong Corps member.

 

Only he couldn’t move.

 

Last year.

 

Because he had witnessed what Ha Mu-baek was like at Gyoryong Hall.

 

Thud!

 

Thud thud thud!

 

Thud! Thud!

 

With a few punches, flesh-striking sounds rang out, and all those who had charged fell backward.

 

“Kugh.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

Those letting out groans.

 

“Playing along moderately ends here. From now on, it’s for real.”

 

Pung Geon was dazed.

 

He had clearly been attacking, but he couldn’t understand how he had been hit and ended up like this.

 

Because he had been struck down and sent flying in truly an instant.

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong also had a dazed face.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo watched that scene with an admiring face.

 

The first-year Maengryong Corps member squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away.

 

Because it was the scene he had expected.

 

“Ugh.”

 

Pung Geon got up.

 

He had no choice but to believe.

 

If he was this strong, it seemed like he could indeed take jiangshi.

 

But.

 

Why on earth would such an amazing person be a Maengryong Corps instructor?

 

“Shall we continue?”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s question, Pung Geon shook his head.

 

He was a master who could annihilate them all at once if he set his mind to it.

 

If he had bad intentions, they would all already be lying there as corpses.

 

“What brings you here at the wrong time?”

 

The nine people looked at each other.

 

It was Gwan Ha-gyeong who spoke up.

 

“We were told to investigate and report on the territorial changes of jiangshi near the west gate of Sanwol Great Wall….”

 

“Huh?”

 

An incredulous sigh flowed from Ha Mu-baek’s mouth.

 

He had no choice.

 

Hadn’t Ha Mu-baek already confirmed the territorial changes in this area?

 

“Just you guys alone?”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong nodded.

 

“Who ordered it?”

 

The follow-up question.

 

“Dan-ju.”

 

Pung Geon answered.

 

“Are you guys on your Bongma Corps Leader’s bad side? Or did you commit some crime?”

 

Pung Geon bit his lip and shook his head.

 

From that reaction, Ha Mu-baek noticed that these people also knew what this order meant.

 

“He’s telling you to die?”

 

Ha Mu-baek stated it definitively.

 

“St, still….”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong tried to say something hopeful, but Ha Mu-baek shook his head.

 

“I’m saying this after checking this area myself.”

 

At those words, the atmosphere grew heavy.

 

“You guys. Have you ever seen Muk Cheol-gang-si?”

 

The Bongma Corps’ main operational area covers the regions of Sagang City, Dokgang City, and Hyeolgang City.

 

They only conducted reconnaissance to confirm the Muk Cheol-gang-si’s territory but never entered it.

 

In the Bongma Corps, only about five corps commanders or the Dan-ju were capable of facing a Muk Cheol-gang-si.

 

Nine people nodding their heads simultaneously.

 

Ha Mu-baek looked at them with curiosity.

 

“How are you still alive?”

 

Ha Mu-baek asked with an expression of bewilderment.

 

Given the level of skill he had assessed from them, they all should have died if they had faced a Muk Cheol-gang-si head-on.

 

If they had focused solely on escape, perhaps two would have survived.

 

If they had used some as bait, maybe three or four would have lived.

 

“Well… there was a skilled person who helped us.”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong answered.

 

Ha Mu-baek nodded as if he understood.

 

As expected, there had been help from someone else outside.

 

Ha Mu-baek had no idea that this skilled person was Namgung Hwi.

 

“Then I can see how terrifying that Muk Cheol-gang-si must be.”

 

Nine people nodding their heads simultaneously in silence.

 

“Territories of both Muk Cheol-gang-si and Dark Blood Jiangshi have been established nearby.”

 

It was a brief transmission of information.

 

But the eyes of the nine people who heard those words widened as if they would tear.

 

The Muk Cheol-gang-si was already terrifying.

 

And now even a Dark Blood Jiangshi.

 

“If you mistakenly enter while trying to scout their territories, you’ll die on the spot.”

 

Silence descended.

 

It was a dilemma.

 

They could neither return as is nor proceed with their mission.

 

“Return. Even if you’re punished for disobeying orders, at least you won’t die.”

 

A clean conclusion.

 

Ha Mu-baek spoke as if it wasn’t worth considering.

 

“We… we can’t do that…”

 

Pung Geon muttered with an unaccepting expression.

 

Glancing at Yu Gwi-gwang.

 

The problem was receiving punishment for disobeying orders.

 

The Maengryong Corps would add two more years to their service period.

 

How had they endured five years already?

 

And now two more years here?

 

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze followed Pung Geon’s line of sight and stopped at Yu Gwi-gwang.

 

“What is it?”

 

At Ha Mu-baek’s question.

 

“…”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang gave no answer.

 

Die now?

 

Or endure two more years in this hellish place?

 

He was contemplating at this crossroads.

 

Anyone could see he should choose the second option.

 

But could he survive two more years in this place?

 

There were two choices, but wouldn’t the result be dying quickly or dying slowly?

 

‘Damn it…’

 

Yu Gwi-gwang was cursing internally with every profanity he knew, so he didn’t hear Ha Mu-baek’s question.

 

“Well, the thing is.”

 

Instead, it was Gwan Ha-gyeong who answered.

 

“Squad Leader Yu’s service ends in three months… but if he’s punished for insubordination, he’ll probably have to serve two more years…”

 

A cautious answer.

 

Ha Mu-baek looked at Yu Gwi-gwang with curiosity.

 

“Oh? The one with a five percent survival rate?”

 

Interest gleamed in his eyes.

—————
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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