CHAPTER 5

Yeon Wookyung, who had been observing the proceedings from among the cadets, furrowed her brow deeply.

'The position of Swordsmanship Instructor?'

The group around Gok Bo-ok also muttered in confusion.

"Is he out of his mind? The position of Swordsmanship Instructor? That's insane!"

"Exactly. But how did he even beat Senior Maeng with that level of skill? I watched the whole match and still don't get it."

The cadets murmured in unrest.

Even the instructors on the stage looked dazed.

They had expected him to be satisfied with simply keeping his Spearmanship Instructor position.

But now he was asking for the Swordsmanship Instructor position?

'And not just as an assistant instructor, but the full instructor role?'

Cheon Semyeong, who had been standing, clenched his fists and trembled with rage.

"You there! Instructor Sa! Are you in your right mind?"

"I believe so, yes."

"Hah! You won the duel over the Assistant Spearmanship Instructor post and now you're getting cocky? Not only do you want to change departments, you're demanding a full instructor position? This is absurd!"

This time, Ju Yucheon stepped in.

"This meeting was to appoint the Assistant Spearmanship Instructor. Even if you won the duel, that doesn't mean you can just relinquish the post and demand another. You know that, don't you?"

"I was simply expressing my intention. I relinquished the Assistant Spearmanship Instructor position to him, but of course, whether he qualifies is up to the Headmaster to decide. Separately from that, I formally request to become the full Swordsmanship Instructor."

Cheon Semyeong couldn't take it anymore and burst out.

"Stop spouting nonsense! Do you think you can become an instructor just because you want to?"

"Well, of course not. But according to the regulations, instructors are free to change departments or apply for full instructor roles. Of course, that's only after going through qualification assessments."

"Hrmph."

Sa Bigang glanced back and forth between Maeng Sondeok and Cheon Semyeong with a faint smile.

"Unless… that position is already spoken for?"

"W-What are you saying…!"

Cheon Semyeong's fists trembled violently.

According to the regulations, any instructor—assistant or full—can freely change departments if they wish.

Also, anyone can apply for a full instructor position at any time.

Of course, whether they qualify depends on passing a test.

The contents of the test vary each time.

It could be a duel like today, or it could be another kind of assignment.

In other words, while Sa Bigang's request to become the Swordsmanship Instructor was unexpected, he wasn't breaking any rules.

In fact, making such a request in front of so many cadets and instructors made it impossible to simply deny him without cause.

Ju Yucheon took a moment before speaking.

"First, I'll accept your refusal of the Assistant Spearmanship Instructor position. However, whether to appoint the defeated party will require internal discussion. Also, your request for the Swordsmanship Instructor position will be accepted. Details regarding the qualification process will be given to you later. That is all."

As the Headmaster concluded, the expressions of the instructors turned grim and the room fell silent.

In contrast, the cadets surrounding the dueling stage became even louder with chatter.

Sa Bigang simply smiled without saying a word.

***

By the window, Jin Baek stood with his hands behind his back, letting out a long sigh.

'That fool… he shouldn't have come.'

Shaking his head in frustration, he clicked his tongue.

He had first met Sa Bigang 15 years ago.

While passing through a road, he had stumbled upon a burning house.

Young Sa Bigang had been on the verge of death. His parents had been killed by bandits, their corpses lying nearby.

Unable to ignore it, Jin Baek had brought the boy back to Yongcheon Pavilion.

Though he had little talent in martial arts, he was guided to learn spear techniques and given the chance to become an assistant instructor.

The martial world had been peaceful for quite some time, so no one at the academy minded who taught spearmanship.

The problem was Sa Bigang's personality.

He lacked skill but was overly righteous and obsessed with principles.

Worse, he was nosy.

At first, instructors had looked favorably upon him, but over time, he began to make them uncomfortable.

Some started to disdain or quietly harass him.

If even the instructors treated him that way, how much worse must it have been with the cadets?

Eventually, even the cadets began to look down on him, which led to today's incident.

Still, having saved him and given him a place in Yongcheon Pavilion, Jin Baek had grown fond of him.

Normally, he would have gone to the duel grounds to prepare for any injured parties, but today, he just couldn't bring himself to go.

He feared he'd explode with rage if he saw Sa Bigang beaten to a pulp.

So he had sent a few medics in his place.

'Hmph. The results should be in by now.'

As of this morning, Sa Bigang's whereabouts had been unknown, and Jin Baek had secretly hoped he'd just run off.

Better that than suffer disgrace and be expelled—he hoped Sa Bigang would let go of his resentment and find a path suited to him.

But then he suddenly showed up and started a duel…

'You stubborn fool. Tsk tsk.'

Surely, he'd gotten thoroughly beaten.

Probably had cuts all over too.

Preparations had already been made.

As soon as the patient arrived, they'd be given immediate treatment.

"Master! Master!"

Just then, urgent voices of medics rang out from outside the door.

'He's here.'

Moments later, the door burst open and the medics rushed in.

One carried the patient slung over his back, while the others assisted by stemming the bleeding.

Seeing the unconscious figure limp on the medic's back, Jin Baek quickly asked,

"Over here! Is he badly hurt?"

"Mostly bruises, but there are a few lacerations. He was beaten quite badly."

"Damn it! Was this really necessary…!"

The medics laid the patient on the bed.

Most of the wounds were on his back and waist.

Jin Baek hurriedly examined him, clenching his molars.

The bruising was severe.

It was as if he'd been beaten like a dog.

The medics began sharing what they had witnessed.

"There were no techniques used. He was just beaten relentlessly."

"I've never seen someone cry during a duel before."

"At the end, he clung to the other guy's pant leg and begged with everything he had."

Jin Baek's face grew increasingly contorted.

"You idiot! Why show up at all if this is how it ends!"

At that moment—

"Ugh..."

The patient let out a groan, seeming to regain consciousness.

Jin Baek quickly turned him over and asked,

"Are you coming to your senses now? You fool, why did you even bother showing up—"

But as he began to speak, Jin Baek flinched and asked,

"...Who are you?"

***

A darkness devoid of even a sliver of light.

In a place where not even an inch ahead could be seen, only the constant sound of something slicing through the air echoed endlessly.

Swoosh! Swish! Shiiing!

Dark Sword Pavilion.

A building with no windows.

Though spacious inside, once the entrance was shut, not a single sliver of light was allowed in.

It was also soundproof, so neither sight nor sound from within or without could be perceived.

Swwiiiiish!

After one long, piercing slash echoed out, movement finally ceased.

Originally, this was a space where first-year sword instructors could freely come and train, but nowadays, it was practically regarded as the private training hall of a single full instructor.

A man slowly sheathed his sword in the darkness and spoke with a husky voice.

"Come in."

At that, the door creaked open, letting in a beam of light.

Only then did the figure of the middle-aged man holding the sword become faintly visible.

First-year Swordsmanship Instructor, Dark Shadow Divine Sword Sang Pilji .

Between his graying hair, a sharp glint shone in his eyes.

The one who entered through the door was none other than Cheon Semyeong.

Sang Pilji sat cross-legged on the spot.

"I made you wait nearly half a sijin (about an hour)."

"Not at all. I'm more worried that I may have disrupted your training, Senior Sang."

"Can't say you didn't."

At the indifferent remark, Cheon Semyeong flinched.

"M-My apologies."

"What brings you here?"

"Well…"

Cheon Semyeong explained everything that had happened recently.

Although Sang Pilji was a full sword instructor for first-years, he rarely attended meetings.

However, his skills were so exceptional, and his instruction of students so rigorous, that the academy never made an issue of his frequent absences.

After hearing the story, Sang Pilji asked in a raspy tone,

"Did you say… Sa Bigang?"

"Yes, sir."

"Was there such a person among the instructors?"

That indifferent voice only confirmed what Cheon Semyeong already knew—this was just how Sang Pilji was.

He didn't even glance at those he deemed beneath his level.

Cheon Semyeong cautiously continued.

"Given the circumstances, I came to seek your wise opinion, Senior Sang, as our sword instructor."

"Well, since I'm the only first-year sword instructor, appointing another wouldn't be a problem. Hmph."

At that unexpected response, Cheon Semyeong's eyes widened.

Sang Pilji added with a twisted smile.

"Still, he must be tested. An ignorant little eel splashing around must be caught and killed before it muddies the waters."

Only then did a smirk tug at Cheon Semyeong's lips.

"So, you'll duel him after all—"

"Don't tell me you're suggesting I cross swords with that fledgling?"

Seeing Sang Pilji's cold expression, Cheon Semyeong quickly bowed his head.

"I-I'm sorry. That was careless of me."

"Let's do it this way."

Sang Pilji then laid out his plan.

After hearing it, Cheon Semyeong nodded with a broad smile.

"Indeed, that would be best."

"Hahaha. That way, we won't even have to get our hands dirty—it'll sort itself out naturally."

"You're absolutely right."

Cheon Semyeong stood up, wearing a satisfied expression.

***

Since swordsmanship and spearmanship were quite different disciplines, Sa Bigang still had to take the basic department transfer exam.

Of course, having studied various sword techniques in the Demon Realm and primarily using a sword in practice, he passed the basics with ease.

However, among the current first-year instructors, not one was without merit.

Each had left behind achievements recognized by the world—like slaying notorious demon cultists or exterminating vile bandit gangs.

In that context, the mission assigned to Sa Bigang was quite appropriate:

The Subjugation of the Ghost Night Camp .

Ghost Night Camp was a group of bandits recently based near Yongcheon Pavilion in the Ancient Saint Mountain .

Their numbers were believed to be around thirty, and their leader was a martial artist known by the moniker "Vile Tongue Sword" .

He was infamous for his cruelty and viciousness.

As he also used a sword, he was the perfect target to test the qualifications of a swordsmanship instructor.

In fact, the academy had already been planning to dispatch a subjugation force composed of several instructors and cadets.

The expected timeframe was about a month.

However, the mission given to Sa Bigang allowed only fifteen days.

He had to subdue the Ghost Night Camp within that time.

Realistically, that was an impossible deadline.

He'd be lucky to survive, let alone complete the task.

Today marked the tenth day since Sa Bigang had departed.

'Hehehe. This is all your fault, you bastard.'

Cheon Semyeong sipped tea leisurely by the window.

'You thought you could humiliate me?'

Even now, his face burned with shame at the memory.

Maeng Sondeok, whom he personally recommended, had been beaten without even putting up a proper fight. It had been a blow to his pride.

And had things gone poorly, it could've been revealed that Maeng had been unfairly promoted—what a disaster that would have been.

But now, everything was fine.

He felt incredibly light and free.

That weakling, always preaching justice and obstructing everything with his self-righteous attitude...

He had tolerated him only out of respect for the Pavilion Master.

'You dug your own grave. Heh.'

Just five more days.

In five days, he'd never have to see that thorn in his side again.

Even if Sa Bigang somehow returned alive, as long as Ghost Night Camp still stood, there'd be no place for him here.

Maeng Sondeok might not have gotten the Spearmanship Assistant Instructor role, but Sa Bigang had thrown it away himself.

"This tea tastes especially good today."

He couldn't stop grinning.

As Cheon Semyeong slowly closed his eyes to savor the aroma of the tea, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

He could see people running toward the main gate.

Just then, the door burst open, and Instructor Yeo Unjin entered.

"What's going on, Instructor Yeo?"

"H-He—he's back!"

"Who?"

"Him! Sa Bigang!"

"Sa Bigang?"

Cheon Semyeong furrowed his brow.

It had only been ten days.

Did he abandon the mission?

"Anyway, come quickly!"

Cheon Semyeong was practically dragged along by Yeo Unjin.

The front courtyard, visible from the main gate, was already packed with people.

Numerous instructors and cadets.

Cheon Semyeong pushed through the crowd with Yeo Unjin and moved forward.

At last, Sa Bigang came into view.

Covered in blood, Sa Bigang grinned and flung something dark toward Cheon Semyeong.

Thud, roll roll.

"Gasp!"

Cheon Semyeong instinctively stepped back at the sight of the grotesque head.

Sa Bigang cracked his neck and said calmly,

"That's the head of the Ghost Night Camp's leader—Vile Tongue Sword."

What had rolled to the ground was the severed head of the infamous bandit chief.

Sa Bigang grinned, baring his white teeth.

"Hehehe. Now then, will you recognize me as the Swordsmanship Instructor?