Chapter 4: Find the Student (1)

Cho Un-hwi and Yeo Mae-hong had become quite close.

Since the wall-breaking incident, they often spent time together, and Cho Un-hwi found her to be a genuine and kind person.

She was knowledgeable, easygoing, and most importantly, a lifesaver for Cho Un-hwi, who knew next to nothing about the Shinmu Academy.

“Dongcheon Hall consists of twelve buildings and several other facilities,” she explained as they walked.

“The area behind Dongcheon Hall is the instructors training ground.”

“And in the main training ground, located in the center, we hold group training sessions twice a week, for one hour each session.”

After half a day of walking, Cho Un-hwi was exhausted.

“Didn’t you say Dongcheon Hall was the smallest of the halls?” he asked incredulously.

“It is,” Yeo Mae-hong replied with a smile. “The smallest.”

“This is considered small?”

He had already seen at least five grand halls and pavilions, each more impressive than the last.

There were also gardens for painting, tea houses for relaxation, and countless training grounds of varying sizes.

“Euncheon Hall is twice the size of Dongcheon Hall, and Geumcheon Hall is more than three times larger,” Yeo Mae-hong explained. “As for Shincheon Hall… it’s in a league of its own.”

“Why did they build it so big?” Cho Un-hwi wondered aloud.

“Not all students aspire to be martial artists, even though most of them train here. There are also classes in calligraphy, painting, music, strategy, and other disciplines. It’s not called the cradle of the righteous Murim for nothing.”

“They could have at least given me a decent salary!” Cho Un-hwi grumbled. “I could probably buy a small village with the cost of a few roof tiles from those buildings.”

As Cho Un-hwi lamented his financial woes, Yeo Mae-hong asked, “So, you’ve familiarized yourself with the layout now? Have you had a chance to meet your assigned students?”

“My assigned students?”

“Have you at least introduced yourself to them?”

Assigned students? Introductions?

Cho Un-hwi tilted his head in confusion, and Yeo Mae-hong’s face paled.

“Don’t tell me… you haven’t been assigned any students yet?”

“I haven’t even seen another student, let alone been assigned any. All I’ve been doing is running errands for those grumpy old instructors.”

Especially Yeom-gwang.

Yeo Mae-hong looked stunned.

“You’ve been here for ten days and haven’t even met your students?”

“Nope.”

Not a single one.

Every day, he would show up at Dongcheon Hall, only to be greeted by Yeom-gwang’s sour expression and a list of menial tasks.

“What kind of errands have you been running?” Yeo Mae-hong asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Cleaning the training grounds, watering the orchids in the backyard, fixing broken training dummies…”

“That’s outrageous! Those are tasks for maintenance staff, not instructors!”

“What’s the difference?”

“What’s the difference?! We’re instructors! We’re supposed to be teaching students!”

Yeo Mae-hong clapped a hand over her mouth, her face flushed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout. I’m just… outraged on your behalf.”

“It’s alright, I understand.”

Thanks to her outburst, Cho Un-hwi finally realized that something was amiss.

‘Yeom-gwang is up to something.’

He knew the Chief Instructor had it out for him. The look in his eyes was enough to tell him that.

‘But why would he deliberately withhold my student assignments?’

The answer soon became clear.

“Didn’t you know? There are monthly evaluations based on the students’ progress.”

“That’s right. An instructor’s worth is measured by their ability to teach, and the best way to gauge that is through regular assessments of the students’ progress.”

Cho Un-hwi had to admit, it was a fairly effective system.

Regular evaluations would motivate both instructors and students to take their training seriously.

The problem was…

“They use the evaluations for performance reviews?!”

Which meant that if he didn’t have any students to show for his efforts, he would be out of a job.

‘How am I supposed to teach if I don’t have any students?!’

His heart sank.

***

“What is it now?!” Chung-hyeon groaned as Cho Un-hwi stormed into his office.

“Head Instructor, what’s the meaning of this?!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why haven’t I been assigned any students?!”

“What are you talking about?”

Chung-hyeon looked at Yeom-gwang, his brow furrowed.

“Chief Instructor Yeom, what’s going on? Didn’t you handle the assignments?”

Yeom-gwang cursed under his breath.

‘How did he find out?’

His plan was simple: as Chief Instructor, he was responsible for assigning students. He would delay Cho Un-hwi’s assignments, citing various excuses, and then use his lack of progress as grounds for dismissal.

‘It’s that Yeo Mae-hong.’

He had noticed her spending time with the new instructor lately. It seemed she had alerted him to the situation.

‘Well, it’s not over yet.’

Putting on an innocent facade, Yeom-gwang replied, “I was just about to assign him some students. The problem is, they don’t seem too keen on having him as their instructor.”

“They haven’t even met me! How can they judge me already?!” Cho Un-hwi protested.

“He’s right,” Chung-hyeon agreed. “That’s no excuse.”

Yeom-gwang quickly interjected, “I made sure to select some promising students for him, but I think that’s part of the problem. They feel insulted at the prospect of being taught by someone so… unremarkable.”

“Is that so?”

It wasn’t entirely implausible.

Dongcheon Hall was known for having the least skilled instructors.

It wasn’t uncommon for students to refuse instruction from instructors they deemed unworthy, opting instead to seek outside help or simply train on their own.

“Regardless, we need to give Instructor Cho a fair chance,” Chung-hyeon insisted.

“You’re right. I apologize for the oversight. I’ll rectify the situation immediately,” Yeom-gwang said, bowing his head.

“Please, just get it done,” Chung-hyeon sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’m already drowning in paperwork and dealing with student shenanigans. My dream is to retire to a peaceful life in Euncheon Hall, away from all this chaos.”

“I understand, Head Instructor. I won’t trouble you any further.”

As Chung-hyeon practically whimpered in despair, Yeom-gwang shot Cho Un-hwi a smug look.

“Instructor Cho, a word in private?”

***

Yeom-gwang led Cho Un-hwi to the backyard, where he proceeded to spit on the ground and prop his hands on his hips.

“Couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you?”

Cho Un-hwi weighed his options.

‘Should I punch him?’

Violence was always a viable solution.

As his darker impulses threatened to surface, Yeom-gwang tossed him a scroll.

“These are your students.”

“All of them?”

The scroll contained the names of twenty students. Not exactly a small number.

“Technically, you’re supposed to be responsible for all the students in Dongcheon Hall. Fairness and all that,” Yeom-gwang said, emphasizing the last two words with a sneer.

“Well, good luck with that.”

***

Armed with the list of names, Cho Un-hwi set out to track down his elusive students.

Ten days had already passed since his arrival.

The monthly evaluations were only twenty days away.

He needed to assess his students’ skills and devise a training plan as soon as possible.

But his quest hit a snag almost immediately.

“You’re looking for Student Gu? He hasn’t been here today.”

“He’s not here?”

“Something came up, and he had to leave.”

What could be more important than attending classes at the Shinmu Academy?

Cho Un-hwi tried to remain optimistic.

‘Right, Dongcheon Hall is known for its flexible schedule. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.’

But that was just the beginning.

“Actually, I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to train with Instructor Yang, the renowned master of the Nine Hundred Iron Fist technique.”

“I’m focusing on my footwork. I’m not interested in group training sessions that don’t involve my family’s secret techniques.”

“My master is personally guiding my training. Is your martial arts even half as good as his?”

Every student he tried to meet had an excuse ready.

It wasn’t just a lack of motivation they seemed to regard him with disdain, as if he were something unpleasant they had stepped in.

‘What did I do to deserve this?’

As Cho Un-hwi stood there, defeated and demoralized, Yeo Mae-hong approached him.

“Any luck finding your students?”

“Not really…”

Yeo Mae-hong sighed as he recounted his woes.

“So the rumors are true.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“It seems Chief Instructor Yeom has been badmouthing you to the students.”

According to her, Yeom-gwang had been spreading vicious rumors about Cho Un-hwi, trying to turn the students against him.

He was truly a despicable human being.

“He’s telling them that I demand bribes, that I’m incompetent, that I’m… interested in men!” Cho Un-hwi exclaimed, his voice rising in indignation.

“You’re focusing on the wrong part!” Yeo Mae-hong exclaimed, exasperated.

What did she mean, “wrong part”?

This was a matter of utmost importance!

He had joined the Shinmu Academy to find his former lover, and he couldn’t very well do that if he was surrounded by rumors about his supposed “preferences.”

‘I can’t let him get away with this.’

He needed to clear his name before he could even think about approaching his former lover.

“Why is he doing this?”

“Chief Instructor Yeom has a habit of getting rid of anyone he perceives as a threat or simply doesn’t like.”

“I can understand the latter, but a threat? Me?”

“He doesn’t like competition, especially from someone younger than him. And you, my friend, are everything he despises: young, talented, and assertive.”

“The state of the Murim is truly deplorable,” Cho Un-hwi sighed, shaking his head.

“Are you alright?” Yeo Mae-hong asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. Two can play at this game.”

“Don’t even think about it. Fighting amongst instructors is strictly forbidden. You’ll be expelled immediately.”

“I could always pay him a little visit after hours…”

Yeo Mae-hong laughed nervously.

“I wouldn’t recommend it. He might be a terrible person, but he’s a skilled martial artist. A peak-level master, in fact.”

“Peak-level, grandmaster-level, it doesn’t matter. I’ll take him down.”

“I heard he has powerful connections within the Murim Alliance. You don’t want to make an enemy of him.”

“You’re right,” Cho Un-hwi conceded. “I need to find a way to get through to my students first.”

“That’s going to be difficult with Chief Instructor Yeom sabotaging you at every turn.”

“I know, but there has to be a way.”

“Actually, I might know someone who can help.”

Help?

Yeo Mae-hong smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

***

To Cho Un-hwi’s surprise, the person Yeo Mae-hong brought to meet him was an instructor from Euncheon Hall.

The woman was dressed in an elegant silk uniform, her long black hair cascading down her back. Her piercing gaze held a hint of amusement.

“This is him?” she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

“Yes, older sister,” Yeo Mae-hong replied.

“He’s not what I expected. His personality might be fine, but his looks leave much to be desired.”

“Older sister!” Yeo Mae-hong exclaimed, her face turning crimson as she elbowed the other woman in the ribs.

The woman threw back her head and laughed.

“Oh, Mae-hong, you wound me! It’s not every day I get to tease you like this. Where are my manners? I’m Mo Yong-Seon-ya, an instructor at Euncheon Hall.”

“Cho Un-hwi, at your service,” Cho Un-hwi replied with a playful bow. “A sprightly twenty-five years young, and a prime candidate for marriage, if I may add.”

Mo Yong-Seon-ya burst into laughter again, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Well, you’re certainly right about one thing,” she said, her voice filled with mirth. “You’re definitely an amusing character.”

“Older sister!” Yeo Mae-hong whined, burying her face in her hands.

“Oh, Mae-hong, don’t be so serious. I’m just messing with you. Thank you for the introduction, Cho Un-hwi.”

It was clear that Mo Yong-Seon-ya and Yeo Mae-hong were close.

They acted more like sisters than colleagues, and Cho Un-hwi couldn’t help but be curious about their relationship.

“So, how do you two know each other?” he asked.

“We were classmates at the Shinmu Academy,” Yeo Mae-hong replied.

“I never thought I’d see the day when we’d both end up as instructors here,” Mo Yong-Seon-ya added with a shake of her head.

So they were both former students of the Shinmu Academy.

That explained how Yeo Mae-hong knew so much about the inner workings of the place.

“Was Chief Instructor Yeom always like this?” Cho Un-hwi asked.

“Always,” Mo Yong-Seon-ya replied with a grimace. “He was notorious even back when we were students. Everyone knew he was bad news.”

“How did he manage to become Chief Instructor, then?”

“He’s good at playing the game. He knows who to bribe and how to stay in the good graces of those in power. As long as he doesn’t cross any lines, they have no reason to get rid of him.”

A classic bully, then. Strong with those weaker than him, and weak with those stronger.

“So, what do I do? I’m going to be kicked out if I don’t have any results to show for my work.”

“It’s not going to be easy,” Mo Yong-Seon-ya admitted. “The best course of action would be to win over your students, but…”

That was going to be next to impossible with Yeom-gwang poisoning their minds against him.

“It seems my only option is to achieve something remarkable. Something that will make them sit up and take notice.”

“What do you have in mind?” Yeo Mae-hong asked.

“I’m thinking of tackling a challenge that no one has ever been able to overcome. Something that will make a statement.”

“Older sister, you can’t be serious,” Yeo Mae-hong said, her eyes wide with alarm.

“I am,” Mo Yong-Seon-ya replied, her voice firm. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. And besides, it’s not like it’s impossible.”

“But he… he’s…”

Who were they talking about?

Sensing his confusion, Mo Yong-Seon-ya held up a finger.

“Namgung Yun-ho.”

The Namgung Clan. One of the most powerful families in the Murim world.

What was a member of their clan doing in Dongcheon Hall?

“He’s the older brother of Namgung Yong-ho, the Little Sword Dragon,” Mo Yong-Seon-ya explained.

The eldest son and heir to the Namgung Clan.

“He’s known as the Disgrace of the Namgung Clan and the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall,” she added. “Even Chief Instructor Yeom steers clear of him.”