Chapter 23

## Chapter 23. You Passed!

"Students choose the instructors? What kind of nonsense is this?"

I couldn't understand the Qinglong Academy's new instructor recruitment notice, no matter how many times I read it.

It was said to be a new regulation starting this year.

- Candidates who pass the academy's document screening, interview, and practical exam will be hired as temporary instructors for three months.

- Temporary instructors will be evaluated by existing instructors and students every month, and the final pass list will be announced based on the combined scores from the final instructor evaluation and student votes.

- The final passers will sign a three-year contract as regular instructors with the academy.

Even after reading this much, it felt like a malicious scheme to make us work hard while paying us peanuts.

“...A three-month temporary instructor? Is the salary really going to be decent?”

“Surprisingly, everything else is detailed, except for that one part.”

“Such despicable bastards...”

...Fine, whatever.

Since Qinglong Academy is one of the five major martial arts academies, they are the absolute authority, and we are the absolute subordinates.

But the idea that students will evaluate and score the instructors every month?

Does that mean the brats who should be receiving my teachings will be evaluating me?

“Are you telling me to teach while carefully watching the kids’ reactions?”

“Why not? I think it sounds fun.”

Akyeonho grinned, seemingly unaffected. I asked, puzzled.

“What’s fun about it? Teaching while carefully watching the kids’ reactions and not being able to teach properly... What do these academy bastards think martial arts are?”

“Brother. Don’t you like controlling the kids?”

“...How did you know?”

“Well, Father always said that when he taught me martial arts.”

“Thanks to that, I became a top expert, didn’t I?”

“Thanks to that, I haven’t even had a girlfriend at this age.”

“...Tsk.”

“Don’t look at me like that!”

Anyway, I was in a difficult position.

As a graduate of the Blood Sect’s martial arts teaching program, I tend to teach martial arts in a rather coercive manner.

I’m not the type to resort to violence or start with insults, but using coercion and fear at the right moments can help draw out latent abilities.

‘After all, martial arts are learned to beat and kill others, right?’

Those who try to learn martial arts for their own convenience have the mentality of thieves.

My belief is that the more you are beaten and pushed to your limits, the stronger you become.

“Wow. You’re such a traditionalist...”

Akyeonho’s mouth dropped open when he heard my teaching philosophy.

Regardless, I glared at the recruitment notice with a displeased expression.

But then I suddenly thought of something and asked.

“Isn’t it summer break now? I thought they usually hire new instructors before the new semester starts.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

According to Akyeonho, Qinglong Academy has two breaks a year, but about half of the students stay in the dorms even during the break.

“Well, it doesn’t matter much whether there are students or not right now. First, we need to pass the document screening, interview, and first exam.”

“True. That makes sense.”

“Still, we need to make a good first impression. The students will be watching us from the moment we enter Qinglong Academy.”

“Hmm...”

I rested my chin in my hand, lost in thought.

I thought that, as a martial arts academy of the orthodox school, I could just stand with my arms crossed, recite martial arts techniques with a mix of Confucian sayings, and that would be enough.

‘But this competition is fiercer than I thought.’

Suddenly, my competitive spirit flared up.

I am someone who survived the intense survival competition within the Blood Sect.

Compared to that, teaching kids in an orthodox school’s academy seemed like nothing.

But now, it doesn’t seem as easy as I thought.

“How many applicants are there?”

“They’re hiring five in total, but I heard over a hundred have already applied.”

“A hundred for five... So, I just need to eliminate ninety-five before the interview in four days?”

“...Are you joking?”

Of course, I was joking.

I can’t do things the way I did in the Blood Sect.

The Martial Arts Alliance has its own rules, and I respect the rules.

Of course, some improvisation is necessary.

“Brother, are you going to give up because it’s difficult?”

After I remained silent for a while, Akyeonho asked, looking a bit anxious.

“...Give up? Me?”

My lips curled into a slow smile.

I was the best martial arts instructor in the Blood Sect.

Teaching martial arts is what I do best, and I’m proud of my skills, whether in the orthodox or the heterodox school.

“I’ve never given up in my life.”

Because the moment I gave up, I would die.

I intended to pass all the document screenings, interviews, and first exams at Qinglong Academy.

I would also show the existing instructors and the brats who dared to evaluate me.

“I’ll pass as the top candidate, just to show them.”

“...It’s embarrassing, but better than being scared.”

There were three days left until the interview.

The practical exam would take place a week after the interview results were announced.

In other words, I needed to prepare as much as possible within that time.

‘I’ve been practicing the Green Forest Eighteen Forms consistently, so my external skills shouldn’t be a problem. It would be great to advance the Reverse Heaven Art to the second level...’

If Bumanchun could obtain the medicinal herb within ten days, the exam would be much easier, but I should prepare as if he won’t.

At that moment, Akyeonho said seriously.

“Anyway, practicing martial arts or preparing for the interview for a day or two won’t change the results much. Instead, we need to approach other aspects strategically.”

“Oh? What’s with the sensible talk?”

“...What do you usually think of me?”

Strong in martial arts but naive about the world?

In any case, Akyeonho was born and raised in a prestigious family, so he naturally had more information about Qinglong Academy than I did.

I listened to what he had to say.

“Brother, you need to prepare. I’ve been thinking this since I first met you...”

Akyeonho scanned me from head to toe and clicked his tongue.

“Sigh. With such a good weapon, why can’t you use it...”

“Good weapon?”

I don’t have a weapon on me right now.

Seeing my puzzled face, Akyeonho reached out and grabbed my wrist.

“I can’t stand it. Let’s go prepare right away.”

“What kind of preparation? Where to?”

When I asked, wide-eyed, Akyeonho slapped his chest in frustration.

“Where else? We obviously need to go shopping for clothes!”

“Clothes? Why...”

“Are you going to wear that dull black robe for the interview?”

I turned to look at the mirror in the room.

Inside, a tall young man with a striking resemblance to his father, who was once called the Jade-Faced Prince, was wearing a black robe.

Of course, the inner martial arts attire was also black.

I had never cared about clothes in my life.

“...The black robe is comfortable.”

That’s the only thing I could say.

Akyeonho shook his head at my words and firmly pulled my wrist.

“Stop complaining and come with me!”

“Huh? Uh...”

I was dragged away, muttering in surprise at Akyeonho’s unexpected assertiveness.

“Let’s get your hair done while we’re at it! And your eyebrows! These days, even men put in a lot of effort to look good! No matter how handsome you are, if you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll end up looking old!”

“...My eardrums are about to burst.”

Akyeonho dragged me around the market all day, buying clothes, shoes, a belt, and even visiting a shop where women usually go to get my hair cut, eyebrows trimmed, and even buy cosmetics.

* * *

Four days later, at Qinglong Academy.

Creak!

With a heavy sound, the massive main gate opened.

The two blue dragons on the gate, which had been glaring at each other, split to the sides, revealing the vast training ground and buildings inside.

An old man with a sharp gaze standing in the middle of the training ground called out loudly.

“New instructor candidates, please enter!”

The candidates who had been waiting outside lined up and entered.

These were the applicants from various regions who had seen the Qinglong Academy recruitment notice.

Most of them were masters from famous martial arts schools or martial artists confident in their skills, but they were intimidated by the scale of Qinglong Academy.

Although its influence has declined compared to other academies in recent years, the reputation of being one of the five major martial arts academies was not earned easily.

“Please wait!”

The old man with a good voice called out again. He distributed number tags to the candidates who arrived in order and allowed only a certain number to enter the inner courtyard.

“We will conduct interviews in groups of five. Please maintain silence within the academy.”

The candidates, who had been murmuring, fell silent at the old man’s stern look. The martial artist looked expressionless, as if it was natural.

And there were people watching their movements from a distance.

“Tsk.”

On the rooftop of the first dormitory of Qinglong Academy, a young man with thick eyebrows and a strong presence clicked his tongue.

“So many have gathered.”

The young man’s name was Dugu Jun.

He was the president of the Qinglong Academy Student Council this year and was considered the best talent in the past decade.

“There are too many mediocre people. Even after half of them were eliminated in the document screening, there are still this many.”

A young woman with sharp eyes standing beside him spoke.

Dang Xiaoxiao, the vice president of the Qinglong Academy Student Council.

The two of them were having a conversation while watching the candidates enter the academy.

“Qinglong Academy’s reputation isn’t what it used to be. Most of these people are not even first-rate.”

“Anyone who is less skilled than the students should be eliminated.”

The two of them were among the few in the academy who had reached the first-rate level.

Their pride in their martial arts skills was strong, and so was their desire to become even stronger and their competitive spirit against the other five major academies.

“This year’s Heavenly Martial Competition will be different.”

“It has to be.”

Qinglong Academy had suffered humiliation at the Heavenly Martial Competition every year.

Last year, the seniors were defeated helplessly by other academies, and Dugu Jun clenched his teeth when he saw it.

And he made a vow.

To change Qinglong Academy with his own strength.

That’s how this year’s Student Council was formed.

‘This year will be different!’

He convinced the head of the academy to add new regulations to the new instructor recruitment notice.

Now, the students will directly observe and evaluate the instructors with their own eyes.

‘Recommendations based on connections, kinship, or blood ties are no longer allowed.’

He would eliminate all instructors who only talk but lack skills and keep only the skilled ones.

That’s why he was here.

To keep an eye on the instructors who seemed to have decent skills.

But he was disappointed more than he expected.

“...There are almost no experts.”

“I agree. It seems like half of them...”

Just as their expressions were turning more and more disappointed, Dang Xiaoxiao’s eyes suddenly widened.

“Huh...!”

“Xiaoxiao? What’s wrong?”

“...”

“Xiaoxiao!!”

“Ah...”

Dang Xiaoxiao, who had lost her composure and was staring blankly with her mouth open, finally managed to point in a direction.

“Over there...”

The voice of the woman known as the Cold-Blooded Poison Hand was trembling.

Not only that, her heart was pounding so fiercely that Dugu Jun could hear it.

Her face turned red as if she had a fever, and her breathing became increasingly rough.

“Xiaoxiao! Why are you suddenly like this!”

“It’s unbelievable...”

“What’s unbelievable?”

“...It’s them.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Over there...”

Dugu Jun turned his head to follow the direction of Dang Xiaoxiao’s pale finger.

Two young men were walking in.

A tall young man in blue martial arts attire and a young man of average height in red martial arts attire were walking side by side into Qinglong Academy.

It was like a painting.

It seemed as if more sunlight was gathering around them. The wind blew, scattering their sideburns, and petals caught in the whirlwind swirled around them.

“Ah...”

“Wow...”

As people’s gazes naturally turned to the two, Dang Xiaoxiao finally managed to speak.

“Passed...”

“What? What are you talking about?”

The cold-blooded Dang Xiaoxiao blushed and shouted.

“Passed! I’m going to learn martial arts from them!”

“What...”

She was also a seventeen-year-old girl, after all.