Chapter 68

## Chapter 68. What to Do?

Namgung Su turned around to see three students standing behind him.

Two boys and one girl.

They all looked to be about the same age as Wi Jicheon.

'They all seem to have a good foundation.'

All three had stable breathing and proper posture, which was unusual for their age.

Usually, when someone starts martial arts training as soon as they can walk, they give off that kind of vibe.

"Master, but who is Wi Jicheon?"

At that moment, the boy in the middle of the three asked Namgung Su.

He looked so much like a miniaturized version of Namgung Su, both in appearance and aura.

'Could he be Namgung Su's son?'

The thought crossed his mind, and the boy's mannerisms and actions were strikingly similar.

The boy tilted his head and muttered.

"Wi Jicheon... I've never heard that name before. I remember all the promising juniors who are taking the entrance exam this year, but..."

"I don't know either."

Namgung Su chuckled and patted the boy's shoulder.

"You don't even want to know. Even porcupines love their own children, so it's not surprising that you think your students are exceptional."

"Ah."

'Ah' was all he said.

It seemed like they were deliberately trying to embarrass me.

Maegyeolgyeom, who seemed to have the same thought, frowned and changed the subject.

"Teacher Namgung, why don't you introduce the children behind you? If they are this year's new students, it would be good for me to know in advance."

At that moment, the boy who looked like a mini Namgung Su stepped forward and made a bow.

His movements were so precise that it was clear he came from a prestigious family.

"I am Namgung Seok, a latecomer to the martial arts world. It is a great honor to meet the legendary swordsman, Swordmaster Jeonji."

"......There's no need to be so formal. Are you from the Namgung family?"

"Yes. My father is......"

Namgung Seok, the boy, introduced his father, grandfather, uncles, and aunts, and recited how he had heard of Jeonji's fame since he was young and how much he admired him as a fellow swordsman.

......In short, the righteous guys are such a hassle.

Maegyeolgyeom, tired of the endless recitation, waved his hand.

"Stop it. I won't remember anyway."

"......Yes."

Namgung Seok bowed his head and then looked at me.

His gaze was cold, unlike when he looked at Maegyeolgyeom, and the corners of his mouth were slightly twisted.

'What's with this kid?'

When I stared at him, Namgung Seok's expression changed instantly.

He made a bow and said with a contrite look.

"I am sorry, but I don't know your nickname or your name. Please teach this foolish junior."

"......"

On the surface, his attitude was impeccable, polite, and respectful.

But I could sense a subtle disdain and mockery beneath it.

'What a cunning kid.'

I chuckled and replied briefly.

"I am Baek Su-ryong."

"Baek Su-ryong......"

Namgung Seok muttered my name to himself but couldn't hide his puzzled expression.

Clearly, he had no idea who I was.

It was understandable.

I wasn't a renowned martial artist, nor did I come from a prestigious family or a famous sect.

"Baek Su-ryong? Ah! That braggart!"

The boy on Namgung Seok's left snickered and covered his mouth.

He was a bit taller and thinner than Namgung Seok, with the most aggressive and delinquent eyes among the three.

"Shut up, shrimp. He might be our teacher starting this year."

The girl on Namgung Seok's right glared at the tall boy and said.

I was surprised to see normal students under Namgung Su.

"Well, he's just a temporary teacher for three months, so who knows what will happen."

The girl turned her head away, snickering at me.

Right. That's how it is.

They all had the same rude attitude, typical of Namgung Su's students.

"Ha ha. Jinjin, aren't you being too harsh on the teacher? Look at his face."

"Shut up. I told you not to call me by my name because it's creepy."

"You're acting high and mighty. I'm not interested in someone like you either."

"Really......"

"Both of you, stop it."

"......"

The tall boy and Jinjin, who were bickering, fell silent at Namgung Seok's words.

It was clear who the leader of the group was.

Namgung Seok bowed his head and said.

"I will apologize on behalf of my friends. What are you all doing! Apologize to him right now!"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry......"

All three bowed their heads to me, following Namgung Seok.

But their eyes were still arrogant, and their attitudes were as delinquent as ever.

It was obvious what they thought of me.

A temporary teacher who would be fired in three months.

An unknown nobody who hadn't made a name for himself in the martial arts world.

Someone not worth respecting or paying attention to.

The three arrogant kids were looking down on me like that.

'Whoever taught them, they did a great job.'

Namgung Su, who had been watching his students' behavior, stepped forward.

"Teacher Baek, they are just children and don't know any better. Don't take it to heart. I'll give them a stern lecture when we get back."

Indeed.

We had snarled at each other during the entrance exam due to a few incidents, but after mediation by the head of the Blue Dragon Academy, No Gun-sang, we at least addressed each other politely.

Of course, it was just a formality; we didn't get along.

"Ha ha. I'm impressed by the character education of Teacher Namgung's students."

I laughed and teased Namgung Su, and Maegyeolgyeom sighed uncomfortably beside me.

"Can't you both stop?"

Grandpa, I really want to stop, but this guy doesn't seem to want to.

Namgung Su glared at me with a cold look and said.

"I heard you took Hyun Won-gang out of the dormitory recently."

"He has talent. I plan to teach him separately."

"Indeed, he has talent."

I wondered why Namgung Su suddenly asked about Hyun Won-gang, and I saw a sneer on his face.

"But he is a lazy kid. Lazy and weak. He just complained about the world without making any effort for three years."

"So you told him to drop out? You even threatened not to give him a diploma?"

At my questioning, Namgung Su nodded.

"That kid has disgraced the academy's reputation multiple times. He showed no signs of repentance."

"It wasn't because he didn't do what you told him to do, was it?"

I knew the story between Hyun Won-gang and Namgung Su.

-Grab it. This is your last chance. Come to my class from tomorrow. It's the last opportunity to change your life.

Namgung Su extended his hand to Hyun Won-gang and said that, but Hyun Won-gang pushed it away.

That must have hurt Namgung Su's pride.

Because Hyun Won-gang pushed his hand away and grabbed mine.

"There were no personal feelings involved. I just thought it would be better for him to drop out and not waste any more time. I still think the same."

"Are you angry that he didn't take your hand?"

At my direct question, Namgung Su snickered.

"Of course not. I just feel sorry for him. He rejected my offer and went to someone as low as......"

Namgung Su stopped talking and stared at me intently.

Of course, I didn't look away and smiled.

"Maybe he found a better teacher. You might not know, but that kid has very good eyes."

"Maybe he found a teacher who matched his level. They say birds of a feather flock together."

"Ah, is that so? Then your students......"

Maegyeolgyeom, unable to bear our endless bickering, shouted and intervened.

"I can't stand it anymore. Can't you both stop?"

We glared at each other in silence, intimidated by his fierce tone.

Namgung Su was the first to turn away.

But he didn't stop taunting me.

"Hyun Won-gang is a failure. Bringing such a kid to the Heavenly Martial Arts Competition...... We'll see how long he lasts. Let's go."

"Yes!"

Namgung Su turned away as if he had said everything he needed to say.

But I wasn't done yet.

"Hey, Namgung Su."

When I suddenly called him informally, he turned to me with an unpleasant look.

"Then, how about a bet?"

"......A bet?"

Namgung Su sneered at me.

"Teacher Baek seems to love betting, especially when you can't handle the consequences."

"You don't have to if you're scared."

"......I'll listen. What kind of bet do you want?"

"Baek Su-ryong!!!"

Maegyeolgyeom shouted at me with a terrifying expression, but I ignored his voice this time.

'Hyun Won-gang is a failure?'

This guy is talking about my student like that.

If I back down