Chapter 11: Find the Second Student (2)

Baek Ri-seol.

That was the name of the student Yeo Mae-hong had mentioned.

Cho Un-hwi frowned as he skimmed through the student roster.

“Ugh… she’s from the Baek Ri Clan.”

The Baek Ri Clan.

One of the Ten Great Clans, renowned for their swordsmanship and their history of producing Murim Alliance leaders.

Their martial arts style was unique.

The White Dragon Sword Technique.

It was said that when mastered, it created the illusion of a white dragon soaring through the air, earning the Baek Ri Clan the nickname “White Dragon Sword Clan.”

“They have quite the reputation.”

But the Baek Ri Clan Cho Un-hwi remembered was far from impressive.

They had been one of the first clans to fall when the Heavenly Destruction Society rose to power.

They had abandoned their honor and betrayed the trust of the Murim world, choosing to side with the enemy.

The clan leader had groveled and begged for his life, even resorting to barking like a dog to appease his new masters.

“I could understand if they had tried to rebuild their clan and reclaim their honor.”

But the Baek Ri Clan had chosen a different path, a path of cowardice and treachery.

They had betrayed the righteous Murim, joining forces with the Heavenly Destruction Society and participating in their atrocities.

They had used their martial arts to bully weaker sects and had even resorted to loan sharking, exploiting the vulnerable for their own gain.

They were a disgrace to the Murim world.

“Ugh, I don’t want to have anything to do with those Baek Ri Clan fools…”

He wanted to give up on this whole instructor business and focus on finding his beloved.

But he knew that wouldn’t be wise.

The Shinmu Academy was a vast and complex institution, with countless rules and regulations.

If he acted impulsively, he would be expelled before he could even begin his search.

“I guess I should at least meet her.”

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

***

Cho Un-hwi headed to the main training ground.

Yeo Mae-hong was there, instructing her students.

He was surprised to see how many students she had under her care.

“Thirty students?!”

He was struggling to handle a single student!

Yeo Mae-hong approached him, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“One student is too much for you, huh?”

She was sharp.

“Where’s Baek Ri-seol?”

“She’s here somewhere. See if you can spot her.”

“Is this a game? If I win, you have to give me another student.”

“That’s not how this works!”

Cho Un-hwi chuckled and turned his attention to the students.

“Let’s see… you said she needs my ‘special’ guidance?”

“Yes.”

Yeo Mae-hong had mentioned that one of her students was proving to be a challenge.

She was a diligent and hardworking instructor, so if she was struggling with a student, it meant they were exceptional in some way.

Cho Un-hwi observed the students, his eyes scanning their movements.

“Hmm, there are a few promising individuals here.”

“I’ve been training them hard.”

She had every right to be proud.

These were new students, barely two months into their training.

It was impressive that they could already perform the Shinmu Sword Technique, even if it was just the basic forms.

‘She’s a dedicated instructor.’

He made a mental note of a few students who stood out.

“The second student in the front row, the fifth student in the third row, and the student at the front of the middle row are particularly impressive.”

“Right?”

Yeo Mae-hong was surprised.

He had identified the most talented students with just a glance.

‘He’s amazing! It took me a month of observation to figure that out.’

“How did you know?” she asked.

“Well, even the same technique can be performed differently depending on the person. There are subtle nuances in their movements, their posture, their energy flow.”

“What kind of nuances?”

“It’s hard to explain. It’s like… a dancer with good lines. They make even the simplest movements look graceful and elegant. The same applies to swordsmanship. You can tell which students have potential just by watching them move.”

“Hmm…”

She wasn’t entirely convinced, but she had a feeling she had made the right decision by asking for his help.

She pointed to a young girl who was practicing a strange, unorthodox sword technique.

“What about her?”

“That little girl?”

“Yes, that’s Baek Ri-seol.”

‘Oh, crap.’

***

Clap! Clap!

“Alright, everyone, take a break and review the techniques. Hae-yang, you need to…”

As the group training session ended, Yeo Mae-hong approached her students, offering individual guidance and correcting their mistakes.

Her observations were so detailed and her advice so precise that Cho Un-hwi couldn’t help but be impressed.

“She’s really dedicated.”

He watched her with admiration, then turned his attention to Baek Ri-seol.

The young girl, who had been practicing her own unique swordsmanship style, sheathed her sword and clapped her hands twice.

Clap! Clap!

“Ryeong-ryong.”

A young woman emerged from the shadows and hurried over to Baek Ri-seol.

She set up a small folding chair and laid out a variety of refreshments.

“Here’s some cold water, Miss.”

“Thanks.”

“You must be tired. I have some honey water too.”

“Not bad.”

“And here’s a tonic for your health. Drink it all up.”

“It tastes awful.”

Cho Un-hwi was speechless.

‘She brought a maid to the training ground?’

He had heard rumors about wealthy students bringing their servants to the academy, but he had never witnessed it firsthand.

His opinion of the Baek Ri Clan plummeted even further.

‘I’m out of here.’

He was about to turn and leave when he noticed something familiar about Baek Ri-seol.

“Wait a minute.”

He had seen her somewhere before.

He leaned closer, trying to get a better look.

“Hey, you! What do you think you’re doing?!”

The maid, Ryeong-ryong, stepped in front of Baek Ri-seol, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Do you even know who she is?! She’s the precious daughter of the Baek Ri Clan! Show some respect!”

Yeah, no thanks.

He was definitely leaving.

He turned to go, but Baek Ri-seol stopped him.

“Ryeong-ryong, stand down.”

“But Miss, you shouldn’t be talking to strange men, especially not someone as filthy as him! You’re the daughter of the Baek Ri Clan, the most precious jewel of the Muhan Branch! You’re far too good for someone like him!”

“It’s fine.”

Baek Ri-seol waved her maid aside and looked at Cho Un-hwi with curiosity.

He took the opportunity to study her features more closely.

‘I definitely know her from somewhere.’

The more he looked at her, the more certain he became.

“You’re the one, aren’t you? Instructor Yeo told me about you.”

“Oh, really?”

“You have a request for me, don’t you?”

She sat down on the folding chair, crossing her arms and looking at him with a haughty expression.

He wanted to turn around and run away.

She was such a spoiled brat.

But that nagging sense of familiarity kept him rooted to the spot.

‘I should at least find out what she wants.’

He was curious.

“You’re not practicing the Shinmu Sword Technique?”

“No.”

“I heard you were quite diligent at first.”

“I was.”

Yeo Mae-hong had told him that Baek Ri-seol had been one of the fastest learners in her class.

“The Shinmu Sword Technique is a decent technique. It might be a bit boring, but it’s a fundamental technique for a reason.”

“I know.”

“Then why did you stop practicing it?”

“Because I’m special.”

She lifted her chin proudly.

“I’m the precious daughter of the Baek Ri Clan. I’m destined to learn more advanced and unique techniques.”

“Ah…”

“I don’t want to waste my time on basic techniques that everyone else learns.”

Typical Baek Ri Clan arrogance.

‘I’m done.’

He was about to leave when she clapped her hands again.

“Ryeong-ryong.”

“Yes, Miss!”

The maid placed a heavy pouch on the table.

Thud.

Baek Ri-seol tipped the pouch over, and a cascade of jewels spilled out.

It was a fortune.

Cho Un-hwi gulped.

Silence descended upon the training ground.

“If you can help me master a new sword technique, all of this will be yours,” Baek Ri-seol said, her voice dripping with confidence.

Cho Un-hwi gulped again.

“I can also ask my family to provide you with anything you need. The finest food, the best weapons… my father is the White Dragon Swordsman, after all!”

So, what do you say?

Are you up to the challenge?

Cho Un-hwi looked at her and said, “My lady.”

***

“Instructor Cho!”

Yeo Mae-hong rushed over as soon as the commotion died down.

“What were you thinking?!”

“I’m simply embracing my role as a dedicated instructor.”

“And that involves bowing to a student and calling her ‘My lady’?”

“You seem to be well-informed.”

“Ugh…”

Yeo Mae-hong sighed in exasperation.

She had gone to great lengths to arrange this meeting, hoping that it would benefit both Baek Ri-seol and Cho Un-hwi.

She had spent hours trying to persuade the headstrong young girl to give him a chance.

And now he had humiliated himself in front of everyone.

She felt like she was going to die of shame.

Cho Un-hwi chuckled as she fanned herself with her hand, trying to cool down.

“You think this is funny?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Honestly…”

Had she misjudged him?

She was about to give him a piece of her mind when he spoke again.

“Instructor Yeo.”

“Yes?”

“What is the Muhan Branch of the Baek Ri Clan?”

“The Baek Ri Clan is a powerful family with branches all over the Nine Provinces. The Muhan Branch is their base in Muhan City, where the Shinmu Academy is located. Baek Ri-seol is the only daughter of Baek Ri Jeong-sun, the White Dragon Swordsman and the leader of the Muhan Branch.”

“They must be quite influential to have a manor in the heart of the Murim Alliance’s territory.”

“Yes, Baek Ri Jeong-sun is one of the most respected members of the Baek Ri Clan.”

“One last question.”

“Wait, I need to…”

Yeo Mae-hong was about to launch into a lecture, but she stopped herself.

‘What is this feeling…?’

Cho Un-hwi looked the same as always.

He was still short and unkempt, his long fringe obscuring his eyes.

And he still had that annoying smirk on his face.

‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’

She tried to steady her trembling hands as he spoke again.

“One last question.”

“Y-yes?”

“Is the Baek Ri Clan part of the righteous Murim?”

“O-of course they are! They’re one of the Ten Great Sword Clans! It’s obvious that they’re on the side of good!”

“I see.”

Cho Un-hwi grinned.

“They better be.”