The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 381

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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 381. That’s Just an Excuse

 

 

 

 

 

The place where Ha Mu-baek had left.

 

Those who remained looked at each other.

 

“He said he’d help, right? For sure?”

 

A small look of joy appeared on Pung Geon’s face.

 

Everyone nodded their heads.

 

“Still, it would be good to prepare yourself mentally.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo interjected.

 

“What do you mean by that, Instructor Pyeong?”

 

Pung Geon asked with a puzzled expression.

 

After all, he seemed to have stayed here with Ha Mu-baek.

 

“Well, he’ll definitely help… but since he said you’d have to roll, you’ll really have to roll.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo himself was currently rolling hard without any prior warning.

 

Of course.

 

He was rolling happily.

 

Because for him, it was an opportunity.

 

“What does that matter? As long as we can return safely.”

 

Yu Gwi-gwang said with an expression like it was nothing.

 

Pung Geon looked at Gwan Ha-gyeong and the first-year Maengryong Corps member and asked.

 

“What kind of person is Instructor Ha?”

 

He had experienced firsthand that the man was strong.

 

But he knew nothing else, so he asked the two who had been at Gyoryong Hall with him for a year.

 

“He seems cold, indifferent, and scary, but he’s actually someone with deep affection.”

 

An immediate answer sprang from Gwan Ha-gyeong’s lips.

 

That day.

 

Perhaps Gwan Ha-gyeong had been on the verge of giving up the Heaven-Severing Blade.

 

Though she herself hadn’t realized it.

 

But then.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s sudden comfort, praise, and encouragement.

 

Thanks to that, Gwan Ha-gyeong was able to continue cultivating the Heaven-Severing Blade, and hadn’t she even received the Heaven-Severing Demon-Slaying Blade by now?

 

Look even now.

 

After hearing Yu Gwi-gwang’s story, he said he would help.

 

While sighing and saying he didn’t want to do it, that he shouldn’t be doing this.

 

In the end, he said he would help.

 

“Hmm. He’s a bit eccentric and lazy… but when he decides to put you through training, he’ll make you scream…”

 

The first-year Maengryong Corps member shared the rumors about Ha Mu-baek he had heard during his second year at Gyoryong Hall.

 

“And. All the cadets under Instructor Ha achieved excellent results in the Eastern Tournament. Especially since both the winner and runner-up were cadets under Instructor Ha’s charge.”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong nodded vigorously beside him.

 

At those words, Pung Geon and Yu Gwi-gwang were shocked.

 

“The Eastern Tournament?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Didn’t you say he was a Maengryong Corps instructor?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong answered Pung Geon’s question.

 

“But his cadets won first and second place in the Eastern Tournament? Maengryong Corps participated in the Eastern Tournament?”

 

First-year Maengryong Corps member Chu Ryang and Gwan Ha-gyeong both nodded simultaneously.

 

“They achieved quite excellent results in Hatuje too. They even caught Jamryong Corps 1st Unit.”

 

Pung Geon had an expression of disbelief.

 

He was from Jamryong Corps.

 

Though it was a minor sect, it belonged to a faction that supported the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Noble Families.

 

So he knew how amazing the late-stage members of Jamryong Corps were.

 

He also knew what kind of people gathered in Maengryong Corps.

 

But then.

 

They achieved such results.

 

Pung Geon and Yu Gwi-gwang wore expressions of disbelief.

 

“Well, embarrassingly, I was only at second-rate level until a few days ago.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo interjected.

 

At those words, Pung Geon tilted his head.

 

Though he himself hadn’t reached the peak level, he still thought he was at the upper levels of first-rate.

 

From his perspective, the aura that Pyeong Deok-jo emanated was definitely not something to take lightly, yet he was only second-rate until a few days ago?

 

It was absurd.

 

If he had been a second-rate warrior, there was no way he would feel this way.

 

“But during the few days I spent with Instructor Ha, my level rose like this.”

 

Though it was a calm statement.

 

The impact of those words was tremendous.

 

He made a second-rate warrior into first-rate in just a few days?

 

Was such a thing possible?

 

No matter how excellent an instructor?

 

Though they knew it was absurd, they had no choice but to confirm.

 

“By any chance, was it energy transfer or something like that…?”

 

Energy transfer.

 

A technique where a high-level master transfers their internal energy to another person to forcibly raise their level.

 

A method that required at least reaching the transcendent level to attempt.

 

Moreover, since it required expending one’s own internal energy, it was usually only used on direct disciples or descendants.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo shook his head as if it was absurd.

 

“No. He just provided direction for cultivation and gave advice. Ah… and there was real combat with jiangshi…”

 

Was he recalling when he first saw the Death Jiangshi?

 

Pyeong Deok-jo’s complexion darkened slightly.

 

“Huh…”

 

An expression of disbelief appeared on Pung Geon’s face.

 

At the same time.

 

Hope settled in the hearts of those present.

 

If such an amazing person was helping them, perhaps they could complete this mission safely.

 

“You’d better get some sleep. Tomorrow will be quite tough.”

 

With Ha Mu-baek’s appearance, bringing the cleanly washed and dried pot and utensils.

 

They prepared to sleep outdoors.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Dan-ju. No, Senior Brother. What on earth are you thinking?”

 

Yang Bi-chang, the vice-leader of Bongma Corps, put down his wine cup and asked Do Sim-geuk, who was his senior brother, superior, and Dan-ju.

 

“It’s Master’s instruction.”

 

Do Sim-geuk answered indifferently.

 

“Still, it seems a bit excessive. Even Bongma Corps members might die.”

 

Do Sim-geuk frowned at Yang Bi-chang’s words.

 

“If we throw the Maengryong Corps to them, we can return safely enough.”

 

Though it was true.

 

Yang Bi-chang felt uncomfortable.

 

“Still….”

 

“Still what. If they’re meat shields, they should be used for that purpose.”

 

It was a cold voice.

 

Yang Bi-chang agreed but couldn’t accept it.

 

Perhaps it was because he had grown attached to the Maengryong Corps members through countless missions together.

 

“They’ve survived safely for five years, so couldn’t they just return alive?”

 

“Tsk. Next year, you’ll have to become the Dan-ju, Brother Yang. If you’re going to be so soft… What’s the most important thing the Bongma Corps originally does?”

 

Since he said originally.

 

He must mean to exclude the collection of Baekhwajagwangcho.

 

“Isn’t it suppressing the jiangshi population? Reducing them as much as possible.”

 

Do Sim-geuk shook his head.

 

“That’s just the pretext. The reality is securing the jiangshi’s inner cores. You know this well, don’t you?”

 

At these blunt words, Yang Bi-chang closed his mouth.

 

“Why that expression? You’ve benefited greatly from those inner cores, haven’t you? If not for that, how could you have reached your current level?”

 

At Do Sim-geuk’s point.

 

Yang Bi-chang couldn’t say anything.

 

Because it was true.

 

He too.

 

Had steadily improved his internal energy through pills refined from jiangshi inner cores.

 

Thanks to that, he could enter the peak realm.

 

And could become the vice-leader of the Bongma Corps.

 

Many had been assigned from Gongdong Sect to the Bongma Corps, but few had reached the peak realm.

 

Thanks to this, Yang Bi-chang had even been designated as the next Bongma Corps Leader.

 

“Don’t pretend to be noble alone. You and I are the same anyway.”

 

Do Sim-geuk was displeased with his junior brother.

 

His temperament was too soft to be in this place.

 

To become the leader of the Bongma Corps, one must be ruthless.

 

Only then could one become strong and gain many benefits.

 

The Bongma Corps would remain strong, and great profits would return to their sect, Gongdong Sect.

 

But.

 

Of all things.

 

Among his junior brothers, Yang Bi-chang had reached the highest level and become vice-leader.

 

Even if he didn’t like it, there was nothing he could do.

 

It was the decision of the sect’s elders.

 

He had to follow it.

 

He too had become the Bongma Corps Leader that way.

 

“Anyway, to secure enough jiangshi inner cores, the jiangshi population must be maintained sufficiently.”

 

It was true.

 

“But listen. Until last year, the survival rate was around fifty percent. This year it rose to ninety percent. What do you think that means?”

 

Yang Bi-chang read the hidden meaning.

 

That’s why his face turned deathly pale.

 

“It means the jiangshi population has decreased. We can’t leave it like that. That’s why we gave missions that would inevitably throw the Maengryong Corps as bait to the jiangshi. Focusing on groups with only minor sect members.”

 

“….”

 

“Well, if they can’t use the meat shields as meat shields and die together, that’s also a decent result.”

 

Do Sim-geuk chuckled.

 

That smile was utterly chilling.

 

To Yang Bi-chang’s eyes, it looked like a smile no human could make.

 

How could he be like that.

 

‘I’m no different….’

 

At the same time, his senior brother’s words came to mind.

 

Yang Bi-chang fell into terrible self-loathing.

 

Even knowing it was the wrong path, intoxicated by the strength those pills provided.

 

He was walking it himself.

 

“Everyone must fulfill their duty.”

 

Do Sim-geuk muttered as he brought his wine cup to his lips.

 

The measures taken now were ultimately following Sect Leader Cheon Gi-buk’s orders.

 

That’s why he never even dreamed.

 

That ultimately, this was all happening because of the secret pact between Yeon Ja-gyeong and the Blood Cult.

 

He only thought they were trying to maintain the population to obtain jiangshi inner cores.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Yeon Baek-jin was deep in thought.

 

A while ago.

 

While strolling through Gyoryong Hall for a change of mood, he had unknowingly passed near the Great Training Ground.

 

The Maengryong Corps was training very diligently.

 

Among them was Yeon Ha-min.

 

Perhaps he had walked there to see Yeon Ha-min.

 

Last time.

 

He hadn’t met her since delivering his sister-in-law’s letter to Yeon Ha-min.

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

Gi Yu-chan had caught him being with Yeon Ha-min.

 

Yeon Baek-jin was wary of him.

 

Not just because he had assigned Yeon Baek-jin an enormous amount of work.

 

He was clearly a scholar.

 

But Yeon Baek-jin had accidentally seen him using martial arts.

 

And it was Yeon Family martial arts.

 

Someone who absolutely couldn’t learn it had learned it.

 

He wasn’t a member of the Yeon Family.

 

If he were someone Father had secretly planted in Gyoryong Hall.

 

Ha-min’s whereabouts would have been revealed long ago.

 

But since that hadn’t happened, Gi Yu-chan had no direct connection to Father.

 

Yet he was learning Yeon Family martial arts.

 

And not just any martial arts.

 

It was stealth techniques and footwork.

 

Martial arts for moving secretly and hiding to observe.

 

Why would he learn such things.

 

‘He intends to work as a spy.’

 

He didn’t know how Gi Yu-chan had obtained the Yeon Family’s stealth techniques and footwork, but it was clear he was untrustworthy.

 

So he had been avoiding him from some point on.

 

Even so.

 

He had encountered Gi Yu-chan near the Great Training Ground.

 

He couldn’t tell if it was coincidence or intentional.

 

He had only watched the Maengryong Corps training briefly before returning.

 

But even that short observation had greatly shocked Yeon Baek-jin.

 

And at the same time, worry had arisen.

 

‘Ju U-myeong. Baek Ri-pyeong. Dang Jin-san. Dan Mok Un-rae. Ha Seol-ran.’

 

They were all cadets who trained together with Yeon Ha-min.

 

And they were comrades who would soon go to Sanwol Demon Forest together.

 

On their swords that displayed techniques during training.

 

There were traces of other martial arts.

 

However.

 

Yeon Ha-min.

 

Only had Three Talents Skill and techniques.

 

That weighed on his mind.

 

Yeon Baek-jin.

 

He was the Yeon Family Head’s son.

 

He had reached a realm above peak level.

 

That’s why he could recognize it.

 

‘There isn’t much time left now.’

 

So he was troubled.

 

Would it be alright to pass on the Yeon Family’s martial arts?

 

No, would that child even accept the Yeon Family’s martial arts in the first place?

 

And if she happened to learn it.

 

Wouldn’t it be too late.

 

They had to go to Sanwol Demon Forest soon, so wouldn’t learning unfamiliar martial arts actually become poison instead.

 

Various concerns filled Yeon Baek-jin’s head.

 

Nevertheless.

 

Yeon Baek-jin made his decision.

 

To pass on the Yeon Family’s martial arts.

 

‘Because with that martial art, she’ll have no choice but to accept it.’

 

Since he knew martial arts that Yeon Ha-min would absolutely not refuse.

 

However.

 

The final concern.

 

The case where newly learned unfamiliar martial arts would actually become poison instead.

 

That was the problem.

 

‘I suppose I’ll have to ask Instructor Ha for that part…’

 

But right now that Ha Mu-baek wasn’t at Gyoryong Hall.

 

‘Let’s pass it on first.’

 

Yeon Baek-jin got up from his desk and headed to the bookshelf behind him.

 

A book with an ordinary form and ordinary title.

 

Yeon Baek-jin took it out.

 

A secret manual he had prepared thinking such a day might come after learning that Yeon Ha-min was at Gyoryong Hall.

 

Now it was time to pass it on.

 

The problem was.

 

‘Gi Yu-chan.’

 

That bastard.

 

He couldn’t let that bastard see him passing on the secret manual.

 

Since he didn’t know his true identity and intentions.

 

It seemed like Yeon Ha-min’s identity shouldn’t be discovered by him.

 

“Is the Vice Director in?”

 

Just then.

 

Gi Yu-chan came looking for Yeon Baek-jin.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“What else would I come looking for you about?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

What else indeed.

 

He must have come to dump an enormous workload on him.

 

Sure enough, he appeared with a pile of documents.

 

“Something suddenly came up. I’ll need to move outside Gyoryong Hall for a while because of it… I’ve brought everything I can take care of right now.”

 

Translated, that would mean he couldn’t be around to dump work on him for a while, so considering that, he had brought an enormous amount of work.

 

Yeon Baek-jin cheered inwardly.

 

He was leaving Gyoryong Hall just when needed.

 

Separate from that, the amount was truly enormous.

 

Yeon Baek-jin’s face turned pale white.

 

“We’re going to have the Jamryong and Waryong cadets do something called field training. Since this has never been done before, we have to proceed with absolutely nothing prepared, so there’s a lot to do. Well then, I’ll be going.”

 

Gi Yu-chan left Yeon Baek-jin’s office as if he was truly busy with lots of work.

 

At that moment, Yeon Baek-jin’s eyes sparkled brightly.

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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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