Chapter 41

## Chapter 41. Body and Sword as One (身劍合一)

"What kind of external martial arts class is that!"

A burly man said with a gruff voice.

He was Yang Yilak, the external martial arts instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy.

Yang Yilak's thick fingers pointed at Baixulong, who was dodging the students' attacks with agility.

"To just stand in the circle and tell them to push you out without properly teaching them, and even betting money on it? Is external martial arts a joke? It's a sacred study to train the body...!"

"Mr. Yang, please calm down."

"...Yes."

Only after Nangong Shu spoke did Yang Yilak stop grumbling.

However, his fierce gaze remained fixed on Baixulong.

"I cannot recognize such a frivolous person as an instructor. For one, I don't like that he's so slender for someone who practices external martial arts!"

As he said this, Yang Yilak tensed his thick body.

His thick arms and chest muscles bulged.

"Hmph! Students will only trust and entrust their bodies to someone with a body like this. What kind of scholar-looking guy...?"

In short, he was suggesting that Baixulong should be eliminated from the competition.

"Mr. Instructors, am I wrong?"

A few instructors nodded in agreement, but they all had one thing in common: they were watching Nangong Shu's reaction.

'Nangong must be very angry. He's not the one getting all the attention...’

‘How can a newcomer stand out like that in social settings...’

‘If he offends Master Yitajiang, he won't last long even if he passes...’

The astute instructors agreed with Yang Yilak, calculating that even if student evaluations were now considered, it wouldn't be difficult to fail someone if all the instructors opposed him.

"..."

However, Nangong Shu seemed either unaware or pretending not to notice the instructors' gazes, staring intently at Baixulong.

Thinking he had the upper hand, Yang Yilak addressed everyone.

"It seems the decision is made. There's no need to watch that ridiculous class any longer..."

"The young man doesn't know external martial arts, you say? I don't see it that way."

A calm voice.

But it was a voice that no one present could ignore.

Yang Yilak turned to look at Old Junxiang with an awkward expression.

'Damn Headmaster. Why are you acting so assertive this year?'

The Headmaster, who had always been like a straw dummy during the new instructor exams, was unusually involved this year.

Yang Yilak cautiously spoke.

"Headmaster, as I said..."

"Mr. Yang, let me ask you. Must one be large and muscular like you to teach external martial arts?"

"......Not necessarily, but the body doesn't lie. Someone who has practiced external martial arts for a long time will have a better body and naturally teach better."

Old Junxiang nodded.

"That's true. However, old men like me and women don't gain much muscle even with the same training. Moreover, too much unnecessary muscle can reduce flexibility and make it harder to move quickly."

"Speed comes from muscles too!"

"Hehe. That's not entirely wrong, but..."

Old Junxiang smiled as if soothing a child, in response to Yang Yilak's muscle-centric theory.

"My point is that different martial arts require different muscles, and what one is good at depends on their innate constitution and personality. External martial arts are not just about building muscle."

"..."

Yang Yilak couldn't argue back.

Even as an external martial arts instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy, Old Junxiang was a legendary figure who had been mentioned among the top hundred martial artists for decades.

"From what I see, Mr. Baixulong's external martial arts are at a considerable level. Do you disagree, Mr. Yang?"

"......"

The old man's transparent eyes stared directly at him.

Yang Yilak, feeling as if a blade were at his throat, couldn't lie. He swallowed hard and said,

"......He surpasses the average."

"Surpasses the average... Hehe. I look forward to Mr. Yang's classes this year."

"......"

Yang Yilak bowed his head deeply, like a mute who had eaten honey.

However, he wasn't convinced in his heart.

He immediately sent a mental message to Nangong Shu.

[Nangong, are you just going to stand by? The Headmaster is favoring that brat. Say something. If you speak, even the Headmaster...]

[Why should I?]

An unexpected cold mental message came back.

Startled, Yang Yilak turned to look at Nangong Shu.

[Don't move your head carelessly. Do you want to spread the news that you're sending me a mental message?]

[Sorry, sorry.]

The cold killing intent in the tone made Yang Yilak feel a cold sweat run down his back.

Then, Nangong Shu's mental message came again.

[Handle the small matters yourself.]

That was the end. Nangong Shu focused back on Baixulong's class, leaving Yang Yilak to fret alone.

'Handle it myself? Damn. What am I supposed to do?'

With a brain as full of muscles as his body, interpreting Yitajiang's words was not easy.

'Damn. It's all because of that guy.'

Yang Yilak glared at Baixulong with murderous intent.

He was dodging, blocking, and counterattacking all the students' attacks with ease, capturing everyone's attention.

Frankly, even if Yang Yilak were in that circle, he couldn't do as well.

And to top it off, he was good-looking, drawing everyone's gaze!

'Damn. If that guy becomes an external martial arts instructor, my position is in danger.'

Yang Yilak gritted his teeth.

He had to find a way to fail that scrawny guy.

Was there a way to ruin that class?

Or maybe make him injured enough to miss the next practical exam, the sparring match...

Just then, a student caught Yang Yilak's eye.

"Ugh. Damn..."

A male student who had been hit in a vital point on his sword sheath and was still groaning on the ground.

As the student struggled to get up, Yang Yilak sent him a mental message.

[Shao Zhuhang, use your inner energy.]

[What?]

The student's name was Shao Zhuhang.

He had average talent and family background, didn't work hard, and was known for his interest in women and alcohol as a Blue Dragon Academy student.

He had some interest in external martial arts, so Yang Yilak had seen him a few times in his classes.

Surprisingly, they got along well and had gone to brothels a few times together.

[Use your inner energy to attack him. Yes, send a gust of wind.]

[What? But...]

[Don't worry about the consequences. I'll take full responsibility.]

[...]

[He's just a candidate. If he gets hurt, do you think you'll be expelled from the academy? At worst, you'll be suspended for a few days.]

[Still, that's a bit...]

As Shao Zhuhang hesitated, Yang Yilak's expression twisted.

[Or should I report to the headmaster that you went to a brothel as a student?]

[But, but you went too!]

[Will the headmaster believe you or me? I might get a few months' pay cut, but what about you?]

Shao Zhuhang's face turned pale. After a few more threats from Yang Yilak, he finally nodded.

[Alright, I understand.]

[Good. I'll give you the signal. Wait for it.]

Yang Yilak watched the sparring, waiting for the best moment to bring down Baixulong.

Then, their eyes met briefly.

'Haha. I'll soon crush that smug face.'

The opportunity came.

"Die!"

"Ugh!"

Peng Shaxie and Xian Yuanqiang, known for their strong egos, attacked Baixulong from both sides.

Though they didn't use inner energy, their momentum was as fierce as a life-or-death battle.

Yang Yilak immediately sent a mental message to Shao Zhuhang.

[Now!]

Shao Zhuhang gritted his teeth and sent a gust of wind.

The wind cut through the middle of Xian Yuanqiang and Peng Shaxie's attacks.

"Wind gust?"

"What are you doing!"

"Brother! Get out of the way!"

The instructors and students shouted in surprise.

Only Yang Yilak clicked his tongue in disappointment.

The wind gust was weaker than expected.

'Che. He'll probably just break a few bones.'

It didn't matter.

If he broke bones, he wouldn't be able to participate in the second practical exam, the sparring match, the next day.

"Damn!"

Feeling the wind gust coming from behind, Peng Shaxie redirected his punch aimed at Baixulong.

The rock-like fist hit Xian Yuanqiang's side.

Thud!

"Ugh! You...!"

"Thanks, kid. If it weren't for me, you'd have a knife in your back."

Xian Yuanqiang was flung to the side, and the recoil sent Peng Shaxie flying in the opposite direction.

As the two moved to the sides, the wind gust cut through the space between them.

The wind gust was almost upon Baixulong, but he remained in the circle.

A sadistic smile appeared on Yang Yil