Chapter 1: The New Instructor of Dongcheon Hall

Chui Geol-gae visited the Murim Alliance for the first time in a long while.

As an elder of the Beggars’ Sect and a prominent figure in the Murim world, his presence was a rare sight due to his wanderlust, piquing the curiosity of those present.

“Elder, you’ve graced us with your presence. What brings you here?”

A middle-aged man in a scholar’s robe hurried towards Chui Geol-gae as soon as he appeared.

It was Seon In-hyeok, known as the White Robe Judge.

His nickname stemmed from his masterful wielding of the Judge’s Brush, a unique weapon.

Despite his swift and deadly skills, he was known for his upright character and unwavering fairness, evident in his dedication to nurturing the younger generation of the Murim Alliance.

“I have a favor to ask,” Chui Geol-gae replied.

“Haha, a favor from Elder Chui Geol-gae? You’ve piqued my curiosity.”

“And I have a question.”

“A question for me?”

Seon In-hyeok was genuinely intrigued.

The Beggars’ Sect was known for its vast intelligence network.

With hundreds of thousands of beggars spread across the land, they often received information even faster than the Myeongcheon Pavilion, the Murim Alliance’s own intelligence agency.

What could the elder possibly need to ask him?

“It’s nothing major. I heard you’ve been appointed as the Headmaster of the Shinmu Academy.”

“So, you’ve heard the news.”

“Word travels fast. Congratulations on your promotion.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The Shinmu Academy.

It was established by the Murim Alliance to nurture the next generation of martial arts masters.

For many years, talented youths from various sects had been gathered and trained there to become protectors of the Murim world.

Being appointed as the Headmaster of the Shinmu Academy, responsible for shaping the future generation, was indeed a great honor.

“This year’s batch has an exceptional number of talented students.”

“I heard the Namgung Clan sent their Young Lord.”

“You mean Namgung Yong-ho, the Little Sword Dragon? Indeed. And the Nine Sects have also sent promising individuals. The Wudang Sect even sent their chief disciple, and the Five Great Clans have sent their direct descendants.”

“An unprecedented boom, it seems.”

“There’s no better place than the Shinmu Academy for gaining experience and building connections in these peaceful times.”

“Indeed.”

Seon In-hyeok grew curious.

He couldn’t quite grasp why Chui Geol-gae was bringing up the Shinmu Academy.

“You mentioned a favor. Does it concern the academy?”

“It does.”

“While I can recommend someone, they must undergo a fair evaluation. The Shinmu Academy only accepts the best of the best.”

Seon In-hyeok spoke with a serious tone.

Fair evaluation.

The fairness that formed the foundation of the Shinmu Academy could not be compromised, even for an elder of the Beggars’ Sect.

Fortunately, Chui Geol-gae shook his head.

“Don’t worry, I’m not recommending a student. Is the academy short on instructors, by any chance?”

“Instructors?”

Seon In-hyeok’s tone softened.

He wasn’t fond of favors, but instructors were a different matter.

‘The more instructors, the better.’

The academy, run with the noble goal of nurturing future talents, was perpetually short-staffed.

Instructors with average skills struggled to handle the prideful students, and the high standards for instructors discouraged many potential candidates.

Salary was another issue.

As an honorary position, the pay was meager.

For these reasons, the academy constantly faced a shortage of qualified instructors.

“Even a junior position would suffice. Do me this favor.”

“If it’s an instructor recommendation, I should be the one asking for a favor. Is it someone with a distinguished title?”

“No.”

“A hidden child from a prestigious clan, perhaps? Or a disciple?”

“None of the above.”

“I can’t just bring in someone unqualified.”

“He’s quite skilled. Twenty-five years old, and already a first-rate master.”

Twenty-five and a first-rate master?

A remarkable talent indeed.

Reaching the first-rate level required mastering a swordsmanship style and being able to unleash Sword Qi.

“A first-rate master at twenty-five is quite impressive. However, many students at the Shinmu Academy are exceptionally talented. It might be challenging to assign him to senior students.”

While first-rate was considered a decent level for a martial artist, it paled in comparison to the prodigies from prestigious sects like the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans.

Chui Geol-gae quickly replied, “That won’t be a problem.”

“In that case, it’s settled.”

After a moment of contemplation, Seon In-hyeok continued, “I heard Dongcheon Hall is short on instructors. Would a junior instructor position there be acceptable?”

Dongcheon Hall.

The Shinmu Academy was divided into four halls: Shin, Geum, Eun, and Dong.

Shin Hall housed the most accomplished students, followed by Geum, Eun, and lastly, Dong.

Essentially, it meant being responsible for the lowest-ranking students.

Chui Geol-gae nodded. “That would be fine. It’s good to start from the bottom and work his way up.”

Seon In-hyeok breathed a sigh of relief as Chui Geol-gae readily agreed.

Although he was a renowned figure known as the White Robe Judge, the other man was an elder of the Beggars’ Sect.

Antagonizing Chui Geol-gae, with his vast network of informants, was not a wise move.

“Haha, I’m glad we could reach an agreement. Why don’t we have a meal together? I received some excellent wine recently.”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

As they walked alongside each other, Chui Geol-gae recalled the name.

‘Cho Un-hwi.’

The peculiar man he had encountered recently.

After their encounter, he mobilized the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence network to investigate, but the results were baffling.

His residence, his origin, his parents, even his family clan—they couldn’t uncover anything.

‘It’s as if he fell from the sky.’

The only thing they learned was that he was incredibly wealthy.

A beggar had witnessed the branch manager of the Continental Bank, the wealthiest man in the land, running out barefoot in front of him.

‘What is his true identity?’

An enigma.

That’s precisely why Chui Geol-gae had accepted his proposal.

‘To understand someone, it’s crucial to keep them within sight.’

And so, in a corner of the Murim Alliance, a new instructor for the Shinmu Academy was appointed.

***

A colossal wall, five stories high.

Atop the gleaming white wall, the flag of the Shinmu Academy fluttered in the wind.

Cho Un-hwi gazed upon the flag billowing against the azure sky, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.

‘I’ve finally arrived.’

It had taken him five long years.

Five years of preparation to reach this point.

“Let’s see, this seems to be the right place…”

After walking for a while, counting the towering buildings that peeked above the wall, he finally stood before the grand entrance.

Clank!

“Who goes there?”

“This area is off-limits without authorization.”

Cho Un-hwi reached into his robe.

As the guards narrowed their eyes, he pulled out a silk scroll and presented it to them.

“I am Cho Un-hwi, the new instructor.”

“New instructor? But the entrance ceremony was yesterday…”

“Hehe, I had some matters to attend to, which delayed my arrival. Family matters can be quite complicated.”

“That happens sometimes.”

The guard examined the recommendation letter and opened the gate.

“Everything seems to be in order. You may enter.”

“Thank you. Hehe.”

“Once inside, report to the Academic Affairs Office. They will issue you a temporary pass.”

***

The Academic Affairs Office.

It served as the administrative heart of the Shinmu Academy.

Inside, a man with a goatee stamped documents with a monotonous rhythm, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Your quarters are in Dongcheon Hall.”

Dongcheon Hall, huh?

So, he was to be an instructor for the Dong-grade students. He had heard of it.

“Your monthly salary is ten silver taels.”

Seriously underpaid.

He should have inquired about the salary beforehand.

Not that it would have changed his mind.

“There’s no overtime pay.”

Damn the Murim Alliance.

Trying to get free labor out of him. The audacity.

“You’re on probation for now. If there are no issues, you’ll be offered a permanent position after three months.”

“Probation?”

“Yes. We’ve had some individuals with questionable character in the past.”

The Shinmu Academy was the cradle of the righteous Murim.

They wouldn’t just hand out permanent positions without thorough vetting.

But to openly question his character right to his face? That was a bit much.

“Are you saying you’ll be investigating me?”

“Well, that’s part of it…”

The administrator looked him up and down before continuing, “Sometimes, instructors lose control of their primal urges and engage in inappropriate relationships with the students. You wouldn’t happen to be dreaming of a passionate romance with a student, would you?”

“Cough.”

“Because if you do, it’s immediate expulsion. Keep that in mind.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Be careful, be very careful.

As he nodded cautiously, the administrator stamped the final seal on his appointment letter.

“Congratulations. You are now officially an instructor of Dongcheon Hall.”

“Thank you.”

“May you dedicate yourself to shaping the future of the Murim.”

And so, Cho Un-hwi became an instructor with a meager salary of ten silver taels.

***

Dongcheon Hall.

A heavy silence hung in the air as the instructors gathered.

Their gazes were fixed on a figure seated in the corner, sipping tea.

“He’s rather late.”

A massive sword with a crimson blade rested against the wall, radiating an ominous aura.

A middle-aged man with sharp eyes sat with his arms crossed, gazing out the window.

The instructors exchanged nervous glances.

‘What in the world is going on?’

‘Why is Master Light of the Flame here?’

‘Who is this new instructor?’

Light of the Flame Ma Gil-sang.

One of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the Murim.

His name was always mentioned when discussing the most powerful swordsmen in the land.

He was renowned for his fiery swordsmanship, unleashing a torrent of flames with every swing.

He held a deep hatred for demonic practitioners and despised those who aligned with the evil sects.

Just recently, he had sliced the notorious demonic practitioner, Eum yu goema Han Seong-don, in half.

The instructors were on edge because they couldn’t fathom why he was here.

Dongcheon Hall.

While technically part of the Shinmu Academy, it was where students with little to no talent were grouped together.

Prominent figures like Ma Gil-sang rarely paid attention to Dongcheon Hall.

They were more interested in the exceptional talents of Shincheon Hall or, at the very least, the promising students of Geumcheon Hall.

So why would he personally come all this way just to see a new instructor?

“E-excuse me, Master Ma.”

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Chung-hyeon, the Head Instructor of Dongcheon Hall, stepped forward.

He had met Ma Gil-sang a few times while visiting the Murim Alliance, which gave him the courage to speak up.

“You are the Head Instructor of Dongcheon Hall, are you not? This is your domain, so speak freely.”

“I wouldn’t dare address a senior like that.”

“My apologies. I meant no offense.”

Then you shouldn’t have come.

Chung-hyeon rolled his eyes inwardly before speaking.

“May I ask why you’ve graced us with your presence?”

“Is it so strange for a member of the Murim Alliance to visit the Shinmu Academy?”

That’s not what he meant.

“But to personally come all this way just to see a new instructor…”

“I’m here on a request.”

A request?

Who could possibly command the presence of one of the Ten Great Swordsmen?

“Is this new instructor from an influential background?”

“That’s not it.”

“Perhaps a hidden child from a prestigious clan?”

“Absolutely not.”

This was beyond frustrating.

Ma Gil-sang noticed Chung-hyeon’s exasperated expression and replied apologetically, “I’m afraid I can’t divulge the details. My apologies.”

Leaving them hanging after piquing their curiosity.

Chung-hyeon wanted to flip the table and demand an explanation, but the sight of the massive sword resting against the wall kept him in check.

“V-very well. I understand.”

With a forced smile and beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, Chung-hyeon retreated.

He couldn’t press the matter any further, especially after Ma Gil-sang subtly hinted that he was overstaying his welcome.

Rank had its privileges.

Just as their frustration reached its peak…

Thump! Thump!

Heavy footsteps echoed from outside, and the doors of Dongcheon Hall burst open.

“Greetings!”

A slender young man strode in, his voice booming through the hall.

“I, Cho Un-hwi, have been appointed as an instructor of Dongcheon Hall, effective immediately!”

The long-awaited new instructor had arrived.