Chapter 43

## Chapter 43. Overheard Story

“That won’t do.”

It was an answer I had somewhat expected.

Still, I wanted to hear the reason directly from Nogunsang.

“Why not?”

“Seongnam is the pillar and the face of our academy. Many applicants want to spar with him, not just you. In fact, I could say everyone does. But can we really let every applicant spar with Seongnam?”

“Quite an excellent excuse. Did you prepare it in advance?”

“In a position like this, one inevitably becomes adept at making excuses.”

Nogunsang sipped the tasteless tea and smiled gently.

“In any case, a sparring match with Seongnam is not possible.”

Though his tone was firm, I did not give up easily.

“Nothing is permanent. It’s not a given that a one-blow instructor will always remain a one-blow instructor. Just as the waves of the Yangtze River push the preceding waves forward, generational change is a natural process.”

At my words, Nogunsang put down his teacup and laughed heartily.

“Do you mean to say you will surpass Seongnam and become the new one-blow instructor?”

“Do you think it’s impossible?”

I asked with a relaxed smile, and Nogunsang also chuckled.

“No. I think it’s entirely possible.”

“...”

“But it’s too early for that. That’s why it’s not possible right now.”

“Do you mean I won’t be able to defeat Seongnam in a sparring match?”

“Hmm. Well...”

Nogunsang crossed his arms, closed his eyes for a moment, and fell into a meditative state.

I could tell that in his mind, he was envisioning a virtual match between me and Seongnam.

A form of mental training often practiced by masters who have reached a certain level.

After a moment, Nogunsang opened his eyes, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

“Interesting.”

I couldn’t help but ask, curious about the outcome.

“Who won?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you.”

“It doesn’t matter. I already know the result.”

“Oh, really?”

This was not arrogance but confidence.

I had much more to hide than what Nogunsang had discerned about me.

Nogunsang smiled as if watching a grandchild’s antics and said,

“I’m sorry, but your opponent has already been decided. I can’t change it now.”

“Then there’s nothing I can do. I understand.”

I shrugged and nodded. I wasn’t going to throw a tantrum like a child just because he said no.

Nogunsang smiled gently and asked me,

“Do you want to become a one-blow instructor?”

“Yes. That’s why I came to the Blue Dragon Academy.”

“What do you think a one-blow instructor is?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I tilted my head but still shared my thoughts.

“The best martial arts instructor. Someone whose abilities are recognized and who earns the trust of the students, or trainees, and the organization.”

In the past, the Blood Sect didn’t have such a term, but if it did, I was undoubtedly the best one-blow instructor in the Blood Sect.

Thousands of trainees had passed through my hands, and among them were several who later became renowned masters.

Nogunsang smiled ambiguously at my straightforward answer.

“I agree to a certain extent. But I have a slightly different view.”

“What’s different?”

At that moment, Nogunsang looked at me with a mysterious expression.

“Just being a good teacher or simply being strong in martial arts is not enough to become a one-blow instructor. For example, what about your maternal grandfather? It’s hard to find a better swordsman in the martial world. His saber techniques are also unparalleled. But the only one-blow instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy is Seongnam. Do you know why?”

Of course, I did.

“Seongnam is young and handsome, so he’s popular among the students. And, of course, so am I.”

“...Huh.”

Nogunsang seemed momentarily speechless at my rebuttal, making a strange sound.

It seemed this man wanted to impart some wisdom to me, but he was frustrated that he couldn’t do so as he wished.

Finally, Nogunsang sighed deeply and said,

“...That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean? Is there a secret to becoming a one-blow instructor?”

“How would I know?”

“...Pardon?”

“If I knew, I’d be the one-blow instructor.”

“...”

Is this man joking with me?

Seeing my bewildered expression, Nogunsang seemed embarrassed and avoided my gaze, fidgeting with his teacup.

“What I want to say is this: you are undoubtedly a capable and confident young man. You have the potential to become a one-blow instructor. But... it’s not easy to achieve that just with those qualities.”

“...”

“Don’t rush, and don’t be impatient. I have high hopes for you. That’s why I came to see you in person.”

Nogunsang, who had risen from his seat, lightly patted my shoulder.

“I know what people say about me, but I want to restore the Blue Dragon Academy’s former glory. In my eyes, you are a rare and outstanding talent.”

“Thank you.”

“But... when I see you, I’m reminded of the first time I met Seongnam. You resemble him.”

“Resemble him in what way...?”

“But I don’t particularly like the current Seongnam. Of course, he does his best for the academy, but... can you guess why I don’t like him?”

Nogunsang looked at me with a slightly hazy gaze.

I answered honestly.

“I don’t know.”

“...Is that so.”

I recalled how Nogunsang had been kind to me from the moment I entered the interview room.

He had protected me from the overtly hostile Seongnam and highlighted my skills during the demonstration lecture.

And today, he had come to see me personally and had a long conversation with me.

‘Is it for political reasons within the academy? Is he trying to bring me to his side to check Seongnam?’

But for just that reason, the man in front of me was too remarkable a figure.

“Headmaster. Is there a reason you’re being so kind to me?”

Nogunsang, with his hands behind his back, looked at me steadily and nodded.

“I’m nagging you because I want you to become a good teacher before becoming a one-blow instructor.”

“...”

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Nogunsang chuckled and shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I’ve talked too much without even having a drink. I should be going now.”

I escorted Nogunsang to the inn’s entrance.

The conversation we had kept replaying in my mind as we walked.

“Go on in. Your friends will worry if you’re late.”

“They know how to handle their drinks, so don’t worry about them.”

“Cherish good friends. They’ve been worried about you. See you tomorrow.”

“...Headmaster.”

Under the moonlight, Nogunsang turned to look at me.

“About becoming a good teacher... I have my doubts about whether you need to do that.”

“I’m not trying to force you. It’s your choice.”

For a moment, our eyes met.

Nogunsang studied my expression for a while before chuckling.

“I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“Next time, let’s have a drink instead of this tasteless tea.”

“I’ll prepare some good wine. Please come by.”

I bowed, and Nogunsang vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.

I turned and walked back to the inn.

‘A good teacher...’

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

But I had never been called a teacher, a master, or a mentor.

Most of the trainees called me things like instructor, head, demon, devil, enemy, or bastard.

A moment later, a bitter smile appeared on my face.

‘Even those kids didn’t call me master.’

The four children, raised as the Blood Sect’s secret weapons for conquering the martial world, had learned the martial arts of their four masters from me.

They had been trained from a young age to have their personalities completely erased and to obey orders without question.

I taught them martial arts under the watchful eye of the Mind Control Technique.

- Instructor!

- Instructor!

- ...Instructor.

- Instructor... sir.

Since I had always planned to escape the Blood Sect eventually, I never formed a bond with them.

Instead, I pushed them even harder than the other trainees.

- Do you want to become a one-blow instructor before becoming a good teacher? What do you think about that?

As I thought about various things, I found myself in front of my room.

I opened the door and stepped inside, where the smell of alcohol permeated the air.

“Ah? Big brother~ Where were you~”

Akyunho, who had been sprawled on the floor, sprang up and lunged at me.

Whoosh!

I stepped to the side, narrowly avoiding Akyunho, and formed a finger sword with my index and middle fingers, aiming for his shoulder well point.

“!!”

Even in this situation, as a peak master, Akyunho instinctively turned and counterattacked.

Pak!

Our fingers and palms clashed, and we exchanged dozens of moves.

“...Big brother?”

“Are you sober now?”

I smiled at Akyunho’s puzzled face and threw an empty wine bottle at Mingyilo, who was sprawled out and snoring loudly.

Pak!

I thought he would dodge or block it, but the bottle hit him squarely on the forehead.

“Aah! What the hell!”

Mingyilo, with a red and swollen forehead, jumped up and looked around angrily.

I waved my hand lightly at him.

“...Big brother?”

“Since you’re awake, go outside and stretch your legs.”

I led the two of them to the courtyard behind the inn.

The moonlight was hazy, like clouds around the moon.

It was a night where sleep would not come easily.

Looking up at the hazy, cloudy moon, I said,

“This is a story I overheard.”

“...”

“Long ago, there was a man who taught his disciples with great passion and dedication. But he never formed a bond with them. He knew that the day they completed their martial arts training was the day he would die.”

“...”

“The man had no choice but to teach them, and he did so very harshly. The disciples became stronger day by day, their personalities eroded, and eventually, they completed their training.”

Closing my eyes, I could see each of their faces.

The timid boys and girls grew into adults over time, and their varied expressions gradually diminished.

“...In the end, the man fled to save his life. It was a plan he had prepared for a long time. But the plan went awry, and the disciples blocked his path.”

They showed no signs of life.

Just expressionless faces, driven by orders to kill him.

“The man had to kill his own disciples. He had companions by his side, and a fight broke out.”

I fell silent, and Akyunho, unable to contain his curiosity, asked cautiously,

“What happened next? Did the man escape? Did all the disciples die?”

“...Some died, and some survived. That’s what I overheard, but I don’t remember the details clearly.”

“That’s a strange story.”

“A strange story, indeed.”

Swish.

I drew my sword, Yueling.

I assumed the initial stance of the Wuji Sword, then performed the Luolin Eighteen Techniques, leaped into the air with the Bingyue Fairy’s footwork, and thrust at the moon with the techniques of the Ghostly Demon.

I performed the martial arts left to me by the four masters and the techniques I had taught my former disciples, mourning them throughout the night.

.

..

The next day, we headed to the Blue Dragon Academy for the final practical exam.