The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 397

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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 397. I Couldn’t See It

 

 

 

 

 

Bang!

 

Once again, a loud sound rang out.

 

It was the sound of Ha Mu-baek suddenly appearing and striking a shield.

 

If this had been regular training.

 

The cadets would have reacted immediately.

 

Ha Mu-baek and Wi Ji-gun had drilled this into them through training.

 

But.

 

“Hiiik!”

 

The cadet who took Ha Mu-baek’s strike on his shield.

 

Made a strange sound.

 

The other cadets in the same group were the same.

 

They were overwhelmed by the damp, chilling, and unpleasant aura that Ha Mu-baek was emitting.

 

They froze in place.

 

Like mice encountering a predator.

 

They couldn’t do anything.

 

“What are you all doing! Snap out of it and move!”

 

Bang!

 

Once again, a loud sound rang out.

 

It was the sound of Ha Mu-baek striking a shield.

 

Only then did the cadets begin to move creakily.

 

But their movements were incredibly awkward.

 

They couldn’t move properly, as if they had forgotten all their training.

 

Byeong-jin’s movements were also a complete mess.

 

Ha Mu-baek frowned.

 

“Do you want to die as soon as you enter Sanwol Demon Forest! What are you going to do if you freeze up like this over something so trivial!”

 

Ha Mu-baek’s roars continued to burst forth.

 

They tried to move somehow in response to his fierce shouts.

 

But the moment they faced Ha Mu-baek’s aura, their movements stopped.

 

It wasn’t the kind of overwhelming pressure from tremendous energy and killing intent.

 

It was bizarre, damp, gloomy, and chilling.

 

That kind of unpleasantness.

 

Like when your whole body freezes upon seeing a snake for the first time.

 

Like when your body stiffens upon seeing a disgusting venomous insect.

 

It was a similar phenomenon.

 

This was like a human instinct, so there was no way to deal with it when first encountered.

 

The only way was to continuously make contact, be exposed, and become accustomed to it.

 

That’s why Ha Mu-baek drove the cadets hard.

 

When half of half an hour had passed, just like with the Seventh Group.

 

Thud! Thud thud!

 

Thud! Thud! Thud!

 

Ha Mu-baek’s fists pummeled the cadets.

 

They collapsed where they stood.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s figure disappeared again.

 

When he reappeared, the same thing was repeated.

 

Like that.

 

One hundred ninety-five first and second-year Maengryong Corps cadets.

 

He knocked down all thirty-nine groups.

 

One hour and two quarters.

 

That was the time it took Ha Mu-baek to face the entire Maengryong Corps.

 

Enough time for those who fell first to get up, dust themselves off, and rest sufficiently.

 

However, the Seventh Group cadets still looked at Ha Mu-baek with pale faces.

 

“It’s worse, isn’t it?”

 

Dang Jin-san spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.

 

Everyone nodded at his question.

 

Unlike the other cadets, they had actually gone to Sanwol Demon Forest and fought jiangshi.

 

So they had experienced and adapted to the aura and presence that jiangshi emit.

 

Without a doubt, the aura Ha Mu-baek was currently emitting was far more vicious and repulsive.

 

That’s why even they, who had faced it first, were flustered.

 

“It’s amazing that a person can emit a jiangshi’s aura… but for it to be so vicious…”

 

Ju U-myeong muttered with a face that still couldn’t believe it.

 

“At that level, what kind of jiangshi would it be? Silent Iron?”

 

Dan Mok Un-rae muttered while looking at Ha Mu-baek.

 

“I don’t know. If Silent Iron is at that level, then how intense would other more vicious jiangshi be?”

 

Baek Ri-pyeong muttered with a pale face.

 

“It’s probably not Silent Iron. It seems like at least Dark Blood Jiangshi or an even more monstrous jiangshi.”

 

Yeon Ha-min said quietly.

 

The cadets’ gazes turned toward her.

 

“When we experienced Death Jiangshi and Poison Jiangshi, and Poison Jiangshi and Blood Jiangshi, considering the gap in their auras… the gap in the aura the Instructor is currently emitting is suddenly too superior. So it’s probably not Silent Iron.”

 

Yeon Ha-min spoke her experience-based speculation quietly.

 

Everyone nodded at her words.

 

Yeon Ha-min stared intently at Ha Mu-baek as he faced the last group.

 

‘I couldn’t see it.’

 

When she unleashed the small insight of Manhwawolrak Sword Dance into her technique.

 

Her concentration was at its peak.

 

In other words, a situation where her future sight was activated.

 

But she couldn’t see anything in Ha Mu-baek’s attack.

 

Her own future sight had no effect whatsoever.

 

‘Just what level of mastery is he at…’

 

Had he blocked even the activation of her innate ability?

 

What was even more surprising was.

 

Right now, Ha Mu-baek was casually dealing with them.

 

In the past, when he adjusted his level like this, she could see very faintly and briefly.

 

But now she couldn’t see anything at all.

 

It seemed like she had gained new martial arts and reached a higher level herself, but the gap with Ha Mu-baek had actually widened.

 

Just how amazing a person their instructor was.

 

No, what a monster he was.

 

Yeon Ha-min was acutely aware of this.

 

“Attention!”

 

Ha Mu-baek, having knocked down even the last group, climbed onto the platform and shouted with internal energy.

 

“This instructor is disappointed in you all today.”

 

The cadets hung their heads low at Ha Mu-baek’s rebuke.

 

“I thought I had trained you to move reflexively in any situation. But to forget your movements and freeze at just that level of aura. It seems the training was insufficient. After going through more rigorous training from now on. I will proceed with the practical training I have prepared. That is all.”

 

The training schedule had changed.

 

They said they would proceed with practical training after basic training.

 

The content changed to repetition of basic training.

 

And.

 

The cadets were drilled until they could taste sweetness in their mouths.

 

So they could move reflexively in any situation.

 

So they could deploy the proper formations according to each situation.

 

The training continued as the sun set and night deepened.

 

They were truly driven mercilessly.

 

“We’ll repeat basic training until tomorrow, then test you once more the day after. If you show the same performance as today, we’ll continue repeating basic training.”

 

Ha Mu-baek left those words and disappeared.

 

The supply wagon left alone in the Great Training Ground remained as it was.

 

However.

 

No one dared approach near the supply wagon.

 

Even though Pyeong Deok-jo had disappeared from the coachman’s seat.

 

The ominous aura emanating from the supply wagon didn’t permit any cadet’s approach.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Peng Do-yul was looking at an official document that had just arrived with a troubled expression.

 

It was only yesterday that he was informed that the man called Ha Mu-baek had brought jiangshi into Gyoryong Hall.

 

But now this was an official document from the Main Alliance.

 

‘Elder Yeon… what on earth is he thinking. Tsk.’

 

A cooperation request to move up the Winter Tournament by more than two weeks, as field training for Jamryong Corps and Waryong Corps cadets was scheduled for this year’s second-half closure period.

 

In other words, they wanted a longer closure period.

 

Peng Do-yul stared down at the document for a long time.

 

It was neither a difficult nor easy matter.

 

However, what was certain was that it fell under Peng Do-yul’s authority.

 

He could refuse, but the aftermath unfolded before his eyes.

 

How much Yeon Ja-gyeong would bother Peng Do-yul to push through his will.

 

The pressure that would come from all directions was vividly depicted.

 

He didn’t want to accept the cooperation request just because he disliked that.

 

If he knew Yeon Ja-gyeong’s exact intention, he could make a decision.

 

But he was a man whose inner thoughts were completely unreadable.

 

“The Jamryong Corps Leader has come to see you.”

 

Just then, an Escort Guard’s call was heard.

 

Peng Do-yul gave a bitter smile.

 

Though he saw the Jamryong Corps Leader once every seven or eight days, their recent meeting was just two days ago.

 

But for him to visit so soon after this document arrived meant.

 

‘Has the pressure already begun?’

 

The Jamryong Corps Leader was clearly his subordinate, but his sect was Mount Hua Sect.

 

A member of the Orthodox Alliance where Yeon Ja-gyeong’s influence reached.

 

“Tell him to come in.”

 

The door opened and Jamryong Corps Leader Neung U-dam entered.

 

“I greet the Academy Director.”

 

“Come in. We meet quite often.”

 

At Peng Do-yul’s words, Neung U-dam smiled slightly.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

Peng Do-yul asked straight to the point.

 

“I came to make a suggestion regarding the cadets’ field training we’re pursuing together with the Main Alliance.”

 

Just as expected.

 

“What matter?”

 

“Since it’s the first field training, there could be various trial and error. The cadets might also need time to adapt.”

 

“And so?”

 

“How about moving up the Winter Tournament a bit to advance the closure period earlier than usual?”

 

At Neung U-dam’s words, Peng Do-yul smiled faintly and stared at him intently.

 

Neung U-dam met that gaze with a calm expression.

 

Peng Do-yul’s smile deepened.

 

“Has this been discussed with the Waryong Corps Leader? It won’t be just Jamryong Corps going on field training.”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Neung U-dam nodded and answered.

 

If Peng Do-yul refused this suggestion now, the Waryong Corps Leader would visit next.

 

The Orthodox Alliance and the New Eight Sects.

 

Though they seemed to check each other, when interests overlapped, they sometimes showed the same movements like this.

 

Since there was no room for interests to enter this matter, Yeon Ja-gyeong must have promised to give something.

 

That made it even more incomprehensible.

 

What was so important about mere cadets’ field training that Yeon Ja-gyeong would go this far?

 

Though they claimed to be in seclusion, the Peng Family was also a member of the Orthodox Alliance.

 

Pressure would enter the Peng Family through various channels as well.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Peng Do-yul clicked his tongue lightly.

 

“I’ll think about it.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Since no words of refusal came immediately, Neung U-dam bowed his head and withdrew.

 

Peng Do-yul stared at the spot where he had left for a moment.

 

“Sigh.”

 

A sigh escaped naturally.

 

“Elder Yeon. What on earth are you thinking…”

 

Wasn’t the Hubei Yeon Family one that had never interfered with or paid attention to Gyoryong Hall until now?

 

For them to suddenly show such interest in Gyoryong Hall made him feel extremely uneasy.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Gongdong Sect Leader Cheon Gi-buk read the letter sent by his disciple from Sanwol Demon Forest once more.

 

“Hmm. A mutant variant of Poison Jiangshi…”

 

Cheon Gi-buk fell into thought.

 

It was a suddenly appeared existence.

 

He briefly pondered what kind of variable this might become.

 

Not only did its claws have poison, but despite being a jiangshi, it breathed and even its breath contained poison.

 

The poison was as terrible as the claw poison.

 

With the poison’s range being as wide as a radius of about one jang, it would be quite troublesome to deal with.

 

The proper order would be to inform the Jeongcheon Alliance and discuss countermeasures.

 

But Cheon Gi-buk just pondered alone.

 

The reason his disciples had privately informed only him of this fact.

 

That meant whether to inform the alliance of this fact or not was entirely up to Cheon Gi-buk’s judgment.

 

“I should inform them for now.”

 

Cheon Gi-buk put the letter in his chest and stood up.

 

The place he headed to was Yeon Ja-gyeong’s office.

 

“Elder Cheon. What brings you here?”

 

At Yeon Ja-gyeong’s question, Cheon Gi-buk took out his disciple’s letter from his chest.

 

“It seems something strange has appeared in Sanwol Demon Forest.”

 

Yeon Ja-gyeong frowned as he carefully read the letter.

 

Because this was something he hadn’t known about either.

 

‘These bastards….’

 

To think they were secretly creating such things.

 

“What would be the best course of action?”

 

Yeon Ja-gyeong fell into thought for a moment.

 

“I heard that the Grand Elder is planning field training for the Gyoryong Hall cadets. I’m concerned this might interfere with that matter.”

 

Rather than informing the Jeongcheon Alliance Headquarters of the facts, the impact on what Yeon Ja-gyeong was pursuing was more important.

 

Because Cheon Gi-buk was Yeon Ja-gyeong’s close associate.

 

Because they shared mutual interests.

 

For Cheon Gi-buk, who didn’t know what intentions Yeon Ja-gyeong had in preparing the field training, he was doing everything he could.

 

The appearance of variants.

 

Contrary to Cheon Gi-buk’s concerns, Yeon Ja-gyeong was actually pleased by the appearance of variants.

 

Because Sanwol Demon Forest had become an even more perilous place.

 

Of course, those Blood Cult members who hid this fact were detestable.

 

But he hadn’t trusted them completely from the beginning anyway.

 

It was merely a transactional relationship where their interests aligned.

 

Informing the Alliance about the variants could be delayed a little.

 

Until around the time the cadets’ field training ended.

 

Because then the cadets’ sacrifices would be greater.

 

“For now, it would be better to investigate the facts more thoroughly. There’s insufficient evidence to believe a single report as is.”

 

Cheon Gi-buk nodded at Yeon Ja-gyeong’s words.

 

“That’s exactly what concerned me, which is why I came to see you, Grand Elder.”

 

The two men looked at each other and smiled slyly.

 

Cheon Gi-buk wanted the Maengryong Corps to suffer casualties.

 

The greater the Maengryong Corps’ sacrifices, the more he could reduce the Bongma Corps’ losses.

 

A meat shield should remain a meat shield.

 

That way, no unnecessary complaints would arise.

 

By keeping the Bongma Corps entirely under the Gongdong Sect’s influence, and having such a Bongma Corps manage everything related to Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

The Gongdong Sect’s power would grow even greater.

 

What they gained from Sanwol Demon Forest was not insignificant.

 

The medicinal herbs and poisonous plants that grew naturally in Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

Above all, the effectiveness of the inner cores obtained from jiangshi was truly tremendous.

 

The method of using jiangshi inner cores that Cheondok Valley Master Yeo Hong-gi had discovered, known only to Yeon Ja-gyeong’s closest associates.

 

Much of these profits flowed to the Gongdong Sect and Hubei Yeon Family through the Bongma Corps.

 

Some portion flowed to the Baekdo Society, and only what remained entered the Alliance.

 

Especially the inner cores were not sent to the Alliance.

 

So the Alliance wouldn’t properly understand the usefulness of Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

Even if it was Gongsun Dan-gyeong.

 

How could he know in detail everything that happened in Sanwol Demon Forest, so far from Luoyang?

 

To protect their current interests, the Maengryong Corps’ sacrifice was essential.

 

Only if Sanwol Demon Forest remained as it was now would the benefits they gained continue.

 

Only if the Maengryong Corps sacrificed themselves could Sanwol Demon Forest be maintained as it was.

 

Yeon Ja-gyeong and Cheon Gi-buk.

 

The two men had similar but slightly different thoughts due to their respective circumstances.

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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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