Something Feels Off

A few days had passed since the Jin Academy accident.

"I'm so tired…"

"I hate this…"

"Waaah, I miss my mom…"

In the Baek Academy's training grounds, the children were drenched in sweat under the scorching sun as they held the horse stance position.

Even though I had instructed them to keep their gazes forward, I noticed a few of them sneaking glances in my direction.

"Master, my legs hurt…"

"I want to take a break…"

"…Hey, is Master sleeping?"

"Shall we sneak away?"

Some kids were already close to tears from holding the horse stance for hours.

Others were trying to find shortcuts and avoid the work.

And some, with reluctant expressions, were even contemplating escaping.

I was lying diagonally on a bench, half-asleep, watching the children practice the horse stance with one eye open.

"Master's not asleep."

""Eek!""

At my words, the children quickly straightened their posture and focused on their training once again.

Satisfied with their response, I turned onto my other side.

The sharp, resentful stares from behind felt like a barrage of pinpricks, but I brushed them off lightly.

There was a cool breeze and warm sunlight in the afternoon. A perfect day for a nap…

Just a few days ago, one of these kids would have run straight to my father to report any minor issue.

But now, the situation was a bit different.

"You all! Can't you even endure this? How are you going to become experts if you can't handle this?"

The familiar voice of Jang Yi, the second son of the cloth merchant Jang family, rang out.

Ever since he got revenge for his brother at the Jin Academy a few days ago, his attitude towards me had changed drastically.

"Master said that all movements in training must have a solid foundation in the lower body!"

Ah right, that's what I taught them.

Jang Yi, who was the little leader of the group I was training, was now enforcing discipline in my stead.

"This training is crucial because it strengthens the lower body!"

A student whined, "But it's so boring and hard…"

Jang Yi's voice grew louder, "Don't be stupid! If you avoid hardship, you'll never become a master! So endure it, even if it's tough!"

That's right, he's got the right idea.

If you want to become a master, you should be able to endure at least two hours of this stance.

In my day, I even walked awkwardly to the outhouse while maintaining the horse stance.

Then another skeptical voice was heard.

"But Master, are you really that strong? You look pretty weak…"

"Very strong! Master wiped out the evil cultists in one strike!"

Well technically, it was my father who did that, but it was almost like I had won the battle myself.

Jang Yi continued to praise me.

"Master is actually incredible! When he swings his hand, it releases a shockwave! When he stomps his foot, the ground trembles and cracks…"

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration…

Listening out of laziness, I noticed that Jang Yi's boasting grew more elaborate. The other kids listened with great interest, seemingly getting more excited.

"Master can split rocks with a single punch!"

With this white and delicate fist? Sure.

"And Master can fly through the sky!"

I don't even have proper internal energy yet, so I can't even perform lightness skills.

"And Master is… probably the greatest hidden master in the world!"

"Really? Is it true?"

"Wow!"

These kids don't even realize how terrifying false advertising is…

The nearby Jin Academy had collapsed due to deceptive evil cult techniques.

"Yes! So if you just endure a bit longer, Master will teach us the supreme martial arts!"

…Well, he got one of them right.

I have five supreme martial arts techniques in my mind.

Of course, I don't plan to teach them to these kids.

I'll keep them for myself.

Maybe one day, if the opportunity arises and according to the dying wishes of those four people, I might help find someone…

'It would be great if destiny allows something like that, but if not, it's fine.'

I hadn't promised anything explicitly, so I decided to think of it lightly.

 "And also, Master..."

Before Jang Yi could continue with his false advertising and exaggerated praises, I half-raised myself from the platform.

"Why is it so noisy during training?"

Ack!

At my words, the young trainees quickly silenced themselves and tightened their postures. They had just been listening to Jang Yi's enthusiastic and exaggerated descriptions of me, and now they were all on high alert. I found their cautiousness somewhat amusing. In the past, I would have used situations like these to impose even stricter training, but,

'This isn't the Blood Cult, and I'm not a Blood Cult instructor.'

These children won't be punished with beatings or starvation for not performing well, and I won't lose my position or face any consequences for failing to deliver results.

This is a peaceful village, far removed from the violence and chaos of the martial world.

'Still, they need to continue with the squat stance. It's excellent training for physical conditioning.'

Until I figure out how to gather the funds needed to cure my severed meridians, I need to continue my training here and keep the kids engaged.

'What should I do to raise that much money… I've never ran a business before, and my knowledge is limited to martial arts.'

Sell the supreme martial arts techniques in my head?

No. I have no intention of doing that, and if I did, it would put my life in immediate danger.

As I was lost in thought, Jang Yi rushed over and knelt on one knee.

"Master! Your disciple, Jang Yi, is here! Command me!"

He awkwardly mimicked a respectful pose he must have seen somewhere.

A child like him aiming to become my top disciple?

Not quite there.

"You're holding your hands the wrong way."

"Ah!"

I playfully tapped Jang Yi on the head for his mistake and fully sat up from the platform.

Then, addressing the eager young trainees with a serious look, I said, "Rest for half an hour."

"Wow!"

"There's no need to get too excited. After that..."

"Sorry, but today's training will end here."

I turned toward the voice from behind. My father approached with a rather troubled expression.

"What's going on?"

I asked with a puzzled look, and my father sighed, showing his discomfort as he responded.

"The Martial Alliance has sent someone."

✧

The Martial Arts Alliance is the largest coalition and central hub of the righteous martial arts sects, headquartered in Hubei. However, given the vastness of the Central Plains and the fact that there are hundreds or even thousands of sects affiliated with the righteous path, it is impossible for the headquarters to handle everything directly.

As a result, the Martial Arts Alliance operates through regional branches. The middle-aged man in front of us, who is currently striking a martial posture, and the martial artists lined up behind him, belong to the Jiangxi branch of the Martial Arts Alliance.

"I am Go Juyeol, the Second Leader of the Investigation Team from the Jiangxi Branch of the Martial Arts Alliance."

Go Juyeol, who appeared to be around fifty, had a friendly demeanor, resembling an amiable neighbor. He was lean, with long limbs, especially his legs, which were as long as those of a crane. His footsteps seemed light, and his shoes were different from those typically worn by ordinary people, with the front part of the shoes showing more wear.

"Likely a master of lightness skills or evasive techniques," 

As I was considering this, my father, who had been stern since our arrival, greeted the man with a martial posture.

"Master Flying Eagle, I have heard much of your reputation."

My father, who had seemed rigid before we arrived, became even more stiff upon meeting Go Juyeol, as if he were encountering someone he didn't want to meet.

Seeing that my father recognized him, Go Juyeol's already smiling face grew even more pleased.

"Haha. The heroes of the Jianghu have given me such an undeserved title that it's making me blush."

'Flying Eagle, huh… As expected, a master of lightness skill.'

Throughout the meeting, my father maintained a courteous demeanor toward Go Juyeol.

"I am Baek Muheon, from Baek Academy, where I teach martial arts. I'm embarrassed to say that my skills are rather ordinary, so I don't have any special titles."

I followed my father's lead and introduced myself as well.

"I'm Baek Suryong, the son of the gentleman beside me. Like him, my martial arts skills are quite ordinary, so I don't have any special titles either."

Despite giving a similar introduction, my father shot me a disapproving glance.

What did you want me to say then?

"You're too modest. You're the ones who uncovered the sinister plot of the evil sect and dealt with it yourselves. You're much better than the likes of Moon Bong or Chuk Nae(?)."

"I'm truly at a loss for words. It was merely good luck."

Go Juyeol's comments were intended to flatter my father, but in reality, my father's martial arts skills were superior to Go Juyeol's.

Of course, only I knew that for sure.

"But, by the way…"

Go Juyeol tilted his head and asked my father.

"Have we met before?"

"...I'm not sure. My memory isn't very good... I don't believe we have."

What's going on here?

This guy is acting all suspicious with his evasive glances and the stiff expression he's been maintaining since earlier.

My father quickly changed the subject.

"Please come inside and we can discuss things further. Although our academy is small, we can at least offer you some tea."

"Haha. I'd be grateful for even just cold water. It's been a long journey."

"I'll show you to the reception room."

"Then I'll gratefully accept."

Turning to the other alliance members behind him, " I'll be speaking briefly with them so go to the warehouse and secure the prisoners."

"Yes!"

The investigation team headed towards the warehouse where the demonic sect members were held, while my father and Go Juyeol engaged in a quiet conversation as they made their way to the reception room.

I followed them a step behind, observing Go Juyeol out of habit.

"Ahem. Allow me to introduce myself again."

Go Juyeol, seated across from my father, straightened his posture and spoke.

"On behalf of the Martial Arts Alliance, I thank you for your assistance. If not for you and your son, the sinister forces of the evil sect might have taken root in this town, causing great suffering for the people."

"It was merely our duty."

As someone from the Blood Sect, I felt a sense of discomfort at the mutual flattery exchanged among the righteous sect members.

After a moment of casual conversation, my father asked,

"By the way, what will happen to the captives from the Jin Academy?"

"First, they will be transported to the Jiangxi branch and interrogated to uncover the mastermind behind their actions."

Interrogation?

'Good old torture.'

The Martial Arts Alliance's methods of torture were as cruel as those of the Blood Cult, if not more so. I recalled hearing from some of my comrades who returned after a prisoner exchange that their methods were particularly harsh.

"Cough. Actually, this is a confidential matter that should not be leaked to the outside."

Suddenly, Go Juyeol lowered his voice.

I stopped my wandering thoughts and focused on what he was saying.

Seeming pleased with our reactions, Go Juyeol gave a meaningful smile and continued,

"Those captives might possibly be under the influence of the Blood Cult."

"The Blood Cult?"

"..."

I managed to maintain a calm expression without betraying my surprise. If I had gasped or widened my eyes, Go Juyeol would have likely found me quite suspicious.

'Why is the Blood Cult coming up here?'

While I might not have been as surprised, it seemed my father was also grappling with a similar question, as he spoke up in my stead.

"Wasn't the Blood Cult destroyed decades ago?"

Exactly what I was thinking!

Go Juyeol nodded solemnly.

"Yes, that's correct. Decades ago, the Blood Cult was torn apart by internal strife unknown to us. The Alliance Leader took advantage of that opportunity and launched an attack, wiping out their stronghold."

I had a rough idea of how the Blood Cult had fallen, and I could also anticipate some truths that these two would never know.

'If there was internal strife, then maybe…'

On the day when the four absolute experts and I had died, the Blood Cult experienced its worst bloodshed, although it wasn't recorded in the history of the martial world.

"Recently, movements of individuals suspected to be descendants of the Blood Cult have been detected."

"Huh…"

"Does this mean the Blood Cult could be making a comeback?"

It was I who asked this question.

For a brief moment, Go Juyeol looked at me with sharp eyes, then quickly returned to his friendly demeanor.

...What's going on here?

"Of course, it's not certain. It's merely a possibility. Do either of you have any separate information about these individuals?"

"Well, since we bound them and put them in the storage, we've only occasionally brought them food and haven't spoken to them in detail."

"Neither have I…"

At our responses, Go Juyeol sighed deeply.

"Regardless, the Alliance is keeping a close watch on recent activities of the evil factions. If you have any information to report, please send it immediately."

"Of course, we will cooperate."

"Thank you. There will be compensation from the Martial Arts Alliance for this matter."

"Compensation? I didn't do this expecting anything in return…"

The unexpected mention of the Blood Cult led me to contemplate deeply. At the same time, I had a question arise.

'Even though we caught some suspicious evil people… why would they bring up the Blood Cult to a martial arts master in a rural area?'

I narrowed my eyes and observed Go Juyeol, who was talking with my father.

'Something's off.'

At that moment, I noticed the subtle movement of Go Juyeol's toes in my field of vision.