The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 417

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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 417. That Guy’s There

 

 

 

 

 

Do Sim-geuk frowned after looking at the brief report Pung Geon had submitted.

 

“Tell the Vice Dan-ju to come here!”

 

A shout directed at the Escort Guards outside the barracks.

 

A moment later.

 

“Did you call for me?”

 

“Come in.”

 

Yang Bi-chang had arrived.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

Do Sim-geuk handed Yang Bi-chang the report that Pung Geon had submitted.

 

Yang Bi-chang’s face hardened as he quickly read through what he had received.

 

“A new type of jiangshi… it attacked Sanwol Great Wall, and its power was strong enough to shake the castle wall?”

 

Since it was a report that described all the facts without a single omission.

 

Both Do Sim-geuk and Yang Bi-chang immediately recognized its severity.

 

“It seems to be an individual incomparably stronger than Dark Blood Jiangshi… was there such a creature?”

 

At Do Sim-geuk’s question, Yang Bi-chang fell into deep thought, but soon shook his head.

 

“I don’t recall any. I heard stories that there were numerous bizarre jiangshi during the Great Murim War, but… since I didn’t see them myself.”

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

The front lines facing jiangshi were always Hotian Dan’s responsibility.

 

There was no other reason.

 

It was because Alliance Leader So Hwi-ung always stood at the vanguard and fought.

 

Thanks to that, the martial artists of the Jeongcheon Alliance’s main force and rear fought only against Blood Cult members.

 

Because the Alliance Leader and Hotian Dan faced the most threatening and terrible monsters, the jiangshi.

 

At that time, Hotian Dan possessed tremendous military power.

 

Because they constantly reinforced and expanded their scale to face the jiangshi.

 

After the Great Murim War ended.

 

There were no more reinforcements.

 

It continued to be maintained only with the personnel remaining after the sacrifices of that time.

 

Hotian Dan’s main purpose was protecting the Alliance Leader.

 

Since the war had ended, they returned to their original role, so there was no reason to maintain the tremendous scale they had during wartime.

 

There was naturally also the purpose of checking the Alliance Leader’s power.

 

“What about Bongma Corps’ records?”

 

“There are none.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Do Sim-geuk fell into contemplation at Yang Bi-chang’s answer.

 

It was contemplation about what to do with this.

 

“This isn’t something to hide.”

 

Yang Bi-chang said with a serious face.

 

“He told us to operate according to principles for the time being.”

 

Do Sim-geuk conveyed Master’s words.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Last time, the new type Poison Jiangshi. It seems Cheonmok Pavilion found out about it too.”

 

At those words, Yang Bi-chang frowned slightly.

 

That’s why he had said they should report the facts properly.

 

Cheonmok Pavilion.

 

It wasn’t a place to be taken lightly.

 

“And these cunning fellows already went to report about this incident too?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Yang Bi-chang questioned back at the incomprehensible words.

 

“Those Black Squad bastards. They thought it was an urgent matter, so they sent one squad member to Cheongjon. To send a messenger bird to Cheonmok Pavilion.”

 

Yang Bi-chang tilted his head.

 

“Did Pung Geon know Cheonmok Pavilion’s code words?”

 

It was Cheonmok Pavilion code words that even the Dan-ju didn’t know.

 

Of course, if Cheonmok Pavilion reviewed it and deemed the content a serious matter, a report would go up.

 

But without the code words, verification would take time, making it even slower.

 

“Yu Gwi-gwang. That guy’s there.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Maengryong Corps’ code words.

 

Yu Gwi-gwang would know them.

 

He was currently one of Maengryong Corps’ most senior members.

 

“Anyway, report this as is to Cheonmok Pavilion. I’ll send separate news to Master.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“But. What kind of creature could it be?”

 

Pung Geon and the others were too busy fleeing to even confirm its appearance.

 

He couldn’t help but be curious.

 

Pung Geon.

 

Though he was a fellow he didn’t like, he wasn’t someone who would lie about such important matters.

 

“I don’t know. But it seems we should reduce the unit members’ activities for the time being. Focus mainly on places where safety is secured.”

 

“What about the Hundred Flowers Purple Light Grass?”

 

“If we convey this news to Master, he won’t pressure us.”

 

Yang Bi-chang thought that if they were already marked once by Cheonmok Pavilion, Master wouldn’t act rashly either.

 

“Right. Then take those measures.”

 

Yang Bi-chang, who had given his answer, stared intently at Do Sim-geuk.

 

“What? I’m done talking. Go take care of business.”

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to investigate more thoroughly? If the report’s contents are true, we’re in danger too.”

 

At Yang Bi-chang’s words, Do Sim-geuk grimaced.

 

“It can’t cross the Great Wall.”

 

“But it attacked.”

 

“Just once.”

 

“Still, they say it’s better to be prepared. We should investigate in advance and prepare.”

 

“How?”

 

“The Main Alliance might have information. When conveying news to Master, we should also ask for information. We need to search everywhere – Hotian Dan, Cheonmok Pavilion, the Elder Council, anywhere.”

 

Do Sim-geuk stared at Yang Bi-chang intently, then sighed.

 

“Sigh. Fine. I’ll do that, so go on now.”

 

“Yes. This is absolutely necessary. If by any chance it’s a creature that can cross or destroy the Great Wall, the damage would be indescribable.”

 

With that answer, Yang Bi-chang left Do Sim-geuk’s barracks.

 

Yang Bi-chang applied the designated code words and sent a message to Cheonmok Pavilion.

 

He turned his steps away from heading to his own barracks and went toward Pung Geon instead.

 

He thought he should directly verify a bit more.

 

When this report was received, only his senior brother was there and he wasn’t present.

 

“Squad Leader Pung. Are you there?”

 

At Yang Bi-chang’s call after arriving at Pung Geon’s barracks, Pung Geon appeared.

 

“What brings the Vice Dan-ju here?”

 

“About the report on this mission. I have some questions.”

 

At those words, Pung Geon recalled that he hadn’t been present during the report.

 

“Please come in.”

 

Inside Pung Geon’s barracks.

 

All members of Black Squad Second Unit were gathered there.

 

Even the Maengryong Corps.

 

“You were all together.”

 

“We went through something together. We still haven’t recovered from the shock.”

 

Pung Geon said with a bitter smile.

 

His words were true.

 

Even now, recalling that time made his mouth go dry.

 

“How strong was that qi energy?”

 

“It felt like it could collapse the castle wall in one blow.”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong answered Yang Bi-chang’s question.

 

Yang Bi-chang stared at her intently.

 

His expression seemed to change slightly before he nodded.

 

He had recognized Gwan Ha-gyeong’s realm.

 

Yang Bi-chang looked at Pung Geon.

 

“You were supposed to report on your squad members’ martial arts levels without fail, weren’t you?”

 

“She just reached that realm recently. Given what we experienced, I forgot. I’ll write it up properly for the next regular report.”

 

Since it was an answer that left no room for criticism, Yang Bi-chang said nothing more.

 

“Congratulations on reaching the peak realm. Your achievement is fast. Your future is worth looking forward to.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Gwan Ha-gyeong answered with a slight bow.

 

“If you felt it that way, it must be true. For a peak warrior’s senses to perceive it so. I understand. There won’t be any major operations for a while, so recover well.”

 

With those words, Yang Bi-chang left Pung Geon’s barracks.

 

‘Hmm. Black Squad Second Unit…’

 

Yang Bi-chang’s eyes gleamed.

 

For a while, he had only directly met with Squad Leader Pung Geon.

 

He was seeing the others for the first time in months.

 

But in that time, they had all become unrecognizably stronger.

 

This was absolutely not an achievement possible in just a few months.

 

‘What happened?’

 

The last mission where everyone returned safely, contrary to expectations.

 

Something must have definitely happened then.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

How much time had passed?

 

Jeok Ga-ye opened her eyes.

 

Jeok Ga-ye shivered at the cold wind.

 

The weather had now entered winter.

 

With the surroundings pitch dark, it was cold enough.

 

“How was your achievement?”

 

Ha Mu-baek, who had been lying diagonally on the rock, asked Jeok Ga-ye.

 

Only then fully recognizing the situation, Jeok Ga-ye gave a cupped fist salute to Ha Mu-baek and bowed.

 

“Thank you.”

 

It was a heartfelt greeting.

 

“Ahem. So how was your achievement?”

 

It was close to midnight.

 

Jeok Ga-ye’s meditation had continued for that long.

 

“I think I’ve crossed the wall.”

 

Saying so, Jeok Ga-ye drew her sword.

 

Blue energy quickly rose from her sword like a mirage.

 

Ha Mu-baek smiled broadly.

 

“That’s exactly Sword Qi. If you cultivate diligently, you’ll be able to reach Sword Aura through Sword Thread. Of course, if your talent is exceptionally outstanding, you might skip Sword Thread and enter Sword Aura directly.”

 

“Yes, yes! Thank you.”

 

Jeok Ga-ye repeated the same words once more.

 

In fact, she was still dazed.

 

To think she had entered the Sword Qi realm.

 

What on earth.

 

She had joined the Maengryong Corps to avoid starving.

 

As a woman, no less.

 

Most of those who joined the Maengryong Corps had similar stories.

 

Of course, there were other deep circumstances behind why she had come to starve.

 

Starve to death now, or die a violent death in two years.

 

She had joined the Maengryong Corps with the mindset of just trying to live two more years.

 

But to think she had entered the Sword Qi realm.

 

‘With this power…’

 

A sudden thought arose.

 

She was startled and shook off the distraction.

 

Wasn’t the Instructor right in front of her?

 

Such thoughts could wait until she was alone.

 

“You have a face full of stories?”

 

Ha Mu-baek didn’t miss that momentary change.

 

“Well, that’s your business, so I don’t need to know. Don’t become arrogant just because you’ve reached the Sword Qi realm, and continue to strive harder.”

 

Ha Mu-baek said as he rose from the rock.

 

“Yes!”

 

Jeok Ga-ye answered vigorously.

 

“Then shall we take a quick look at the results?”

 

Ha Mu-baek drew his sword.

 

Jeok Ga-ye hastily took a ready stance.

 

The two people pointing their swords at each other.

 

Ha Mu-baek chuckled and lowered his sword.

 

“Good. At this level, you could handle a Poison Jiangshi on your own.”

 

He could tell just from the aura she displayed while holding her sword.

 

She had entered a mature Sword Qi realm through meditation.

 

A level that could truly be called first-rate.

 

She would be able to use Sword Qi freely at any time.

 

Jeok Ga-ye’s eyes widened.

 

This was because she knew well what kind of creature a Poison Jiangshi was from countless practical training sessions.

 

She could face that demon alone?

 

It was unbelievable.

 

“Then go inside and rest. I’ll be going now.”

 

Ha Mu-baek walked away with leisurely steps and disappeared from the Great Training Ground.

 

Jeok Ga-ye, left alone.

 

She lifted the sword that hung long at her side.

 

“The Sword Qi realm…”

 

She murmured quietly.

 

The past days flashed quickly through her mind.

 

Unable to starve to death, and lacking the courage to kill herself.

 

The Maengryong Corps that she entered to die at someone else’s hands in two years.

 

To become this strong.

 

If this continues.

 

“I want to live….”

 

Jeok Ga-ye murmured in a voice barely audible.

 

The human who made her think of death.

 

The new Academy Director who completely destroyed the peaceful small village.

 

With this current power, it seemed she could actually punish that human.

 

For that.

 

She would have to endure five years in Sanwol Demon Forest.

 

“Can I do it?”

 

A doubt that suddenly arose.

 

As soon as it came to mind.

 

An intense desire boiled up.

 

Revenge.

 

Because she had no power, she had given up everything and sought the Maengryong Corps to die.

 

But now that she had gained power.

 

She wanted to have her revenge before dying.

 

[Useless killing intent dulls the sword and corrupts one’s realm.]

 

Then Ha Mu-baek’s sound transmission rang in her head.

 

Jeok Ga-ye was startled and looked around frantically.

 

However, Ha Mu-baek was nowhere to be seen.

 

Just how far away was he when he sent that sound transmission to her?

 

No, she was more surprised by the fact that he had sensed the killing intent she emitted from such a distant place.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Ha Mu-baek clicked his tongue as he walked toward the dormitory.

 

The Maengryong Corps was originally a place to train meat shields for the Bongma Corps.

 

A place to raise people who would die.

 

The humans who came here were at the dead end of life, driven to what could be called rock bottom.

 

It was natural for them to have all sorts of tragic stories.

 

Ha Mu-baek deliberately turned away from those stories.

 

He just thought to prevent these guys from dying uselessly as expendable goods as much as possible.

 

But now that they had gained power, those tragic stories raised their heads and carried killing intent.

 

There was nothing good about it.

 

While revenge was an excellent stimulant, it was also the worst heart demon.

 

“Do I need to teach them how to kill their killing intent too?”

 

Ha Mu-baek muttered as if annoyed.

 

There really wasn’t much time left now.

 

The time for the Eastern Tournament was gradually approaching.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

The eyes of the Maengryong Corps cadets gathered at the Great Training Ground for training were shining brightly.

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

The day before.

 

They had all clearly seen what happened at the Great Training Ground.

 

She wasn’t a cadet from the Seventh Group.

 

They recognized those people as beings from a completely different world from themselves.

 

No matter what those people showed, it didn’t stimulate the Maengryong Corps cadets.

 

It’s just because they’re the Seventh Group.

 

Those guys are different humans from us.

 

Such thoughts dominated the Maengryong Corps cadets.

 

But.

 

Yesterday.

 

The one who showed the realm of sword qi.

 

She wasn’t from the Seventh Group.

 

She was a Maengryong Corps cadet just like themselves.

 

She had entered the realm of sword qi in just one day.

 

These were Maengryong Corps cadets who had watched her for nearly two years.

 

So they knew well what she was like.

 

She was an ordinary person no different from themselves.

 

The only difference was that she trained a little more diligently.

 

The way she trained as if chased by something.

 

That was the only difference, but Jeok Ga-ye hadn’t shown any outstanding talent.

 

She was the first to enter the realm of sword qi.

 

Among the first years, there were even peculiar ones who entered the Maengryong Corps despite being disciples of prestigious sects.

 

Surpassing even such people, Jeok Ga-ye was the first to reach the highest realm.

 

This had great implications.

 

It planted the thought in the Maengryong Corps cadets that maybe they could do it too.

 

Therefore, the eyes of the Maengryong Corps cadets had changed, and the momentum of the swords they wielded had changed.

 

While glancing sideways at Jeok Ga-ye.

 

At that sight, Ha Mu-baek smiled slightly.

 

Though it wasn’t intentional.

 

He had ended up reforming these guys’ mental state.

 

The thought that had unknowingly invaded the Maengryong Corps cadets’ minds – that it’s no use trying.

 

Maybe I can do it too.

 

He had changed it to that degree.

—————
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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