Chapter 117: Intensive Training Week (2)

The effect of Wang Woo stepping in was remarkable.

He told Cho Un-hwi not to worry, leaned his broom against the wall, and went out. He returned in less than an hour and said,

“Everything should be fine now.”

Just as he said, peace returned to the swamp.

It wasn’t complete peace.

The difference was that instead of barging in and causing a ruckus, everyone now came in an orderly manner, holding numbered tickets.

That alone was a significant change.

‘What kind of trick did he pull?’

For Cho Un-hwi, who had only thought of “purifying fire” as a solution, it was indeed a mysterious occurrence.

‘You can’t beat someone who smiles while deceiving people.’

Already, praise for the Lone Flying Swordsman Wang Woo was spreading among the instructors.

Even the head of Euncheon Hall was reportedly deeply moved by Wang Woo’s visit.

“What do you think? This old man is quite useful, isn’t he?”

Everything was good, except for one small problem.

“How did you follow me to the swamp?”

Only the instructor in charge can enter the mock training ground.

“Haha. Don’t worry. I have the head of Euncheon Hall’s permission.”

“…”

In his hand was a pass with the head of Euncheon Hall’s seal.

“Is this something you can get so easily?”

“There’s nothing that can’t be achieved with time and effort.”

“…You didn’t pull any strange tricks, did you?”

Wang Woo smiled faintly as he swept the broom.

“I merely made a small proposal.”

“Proposal? What kind of proposal?”

“It’s not difficult to tell you, but you’ll find out soon enough.”

“So, why not leave it as a pleasant surprise for later?”

‘What pleasant surprise?’

He wanted to retort, but unfortunately, there was no time for that.

“Instructor, Instructor Sa-young has arrived with the students.”

“Oh, really?”

At the entrance to the swamp, there were people lined up, waiting for permission.

Surprisingly, the once arrogant and noisy students were now very well-behaved.

They all looked at Wang Woo with admiration, like baby bears staring at a honey jar on a high shelf.

As soon as permission was granted, the instructor ran to Wang Woo and greeted him with excitement.

“I am Sa-young. It’s an honor to meet you, Old Wang.”

“Honor? I’m just an old man growing old alone.”

“A great senior of the Jianghu, inheritor of a legendary lineage, you are very humble. I’ve learned a lot.”

“Haha. Thank you for seeing it that way.”

Beyond the bowing instructor, the students murmured among themselves.

“It’s a place watched by a great senior of the Kunlun Sect.”

“He vowed to live for the future pillars of the Jianghu.”

“If we could catch his eye…”

They were clearly trying to show their best side.

At that moment, Cho Un-hwi realized Wang Woo’s proposal.

‘He lured them with martial arts.’

And those martial arts were excavated.

As someone who had never found even a single coin by digging, he couldn’t help but feel envious.

***

Training proceeded quickly and solemnly.

Everyone was highly focused, and the students visiting the swamp were already above average in skill.

‘Judging by the looks of it…’

It seemed the senior instructors had selected the best students, hoping to catch Wang Woo’s eye.

As a result, the assistants were very busy.

“Next is the training in the swamp. There’s a place prepared inside.”

“Jegal Tan! I’ve made traps and tools!”

“Oh my. Who wants to experience the venomous creatures of Sichuan Mountain?”

“This won’t do. I need to make a new one.”

They busily transported the necessary equipment and guided the students, running around frantically.

Watching this leisurely, Cho Un-hwi yawned.

“Bringing them along was worth it.”

A well-trained tree of achievements is worth more than ten slaves.

***

Training ended when the sun disappeared behind the walls of Euncheon Hall.

In the growing darkness, everyone returned, looking exhausted.

“The thirty-fifth group just left.”

“Phew. I’m tired.”

Watching them cross names off the visitor list, Cho Un-hwi asked,

“Thirty-five groups? Does that mean we’re done for the day?”

Just as he was thinking about packing up, a thunderous voice spoke.

“Unfortunately, no. There’s one more group left.”

“What? They’re not on the list.”

“And it’s past quitting time!”

“Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim made a special request.”

“senior instructor?”

That’s unusual.

He’s always busy and rarely teaches directly.

Jegal Tan explained further.

“Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim always emphasizes the importance of mock training. He often calls out talented students for direct instruction.”

“For free? What a troublesome person.”

It’s not bad to be dedicated to education, but…

“Having enthusiasm is good, but it’s exhausting for those around him. He’s a difficult person.”

“…”

There was a brief silence.

The returning stares were sharp, making him uncomfortable.

“What?”

“Anyway, we have no choice this time. It’s a special request.”

“This is tyranny. An instructor can refuse unreasonable demands from a senior instructor…”

“He said he’d deduct ten points from your score.”

“I’ll accept.”

Of course.

On second thought, Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim is quite considerate in unexpected ways.

‘Yes, let’s accept it.’

Ten points are enough to cover a week of unexcused absences.

Agreeing, Jegal Tan sighed and continued.

“The good news is that we don’t need to prepare anything.”

“That’s a relief.”

Carrying equipment and cleaning up the training ground is quite tiring.

Even though he hadn’t done anything, just standing around was exhausting.

‘Especially in front of Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim.’

It wasn’t out of guilt.

Seeing the strict man push young assistants into endless labor made him unsure how he’d react.

“Alright. I’ll consider it as sucking up to the person who holds my evaluation.”

Muttering about the sudden overtime, Cho Un-hwi added,

“What a hassle. Is this the bitter taste of social life?”

Mo Yong So-hye seemed to mutter, “Don’t underestimate society,” but Cho Un-hwi didn’t hear it.

***

Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim arrived more than an hour late.

“Sorry. The previous training took longer than expected.”

He wanted to retort, “That’s your problem,” but Cho Un-hwi held back.

‘Ten points deduction.’

He couldn’t miss the chance to slack off for a week.

“Please sign the visitor log.”

As he wrote Jang Cheol-sim’s name at the bottom of the visitor log, the senior instructor whispered.

“You’re lucky.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t say much because Old Wang asked me to keep quiet, but do you know how envious everyone is of you?”

What’s there to be envious of?

“To receive the attention of the Kunlun Sect’s heir, you must have saved a country in your past life.”

Not at all.

More like the opposite.

‘Destroyed a few countries.’

Unaware of this, Jang Cheol-sim kept talking.

“If I were you…”

“No, no matter how envious, I wouldn’t want to be like you.”

“Hah. Really. Tsk.”

Watching him alternate between envy and hostility, Cho Un-hwi thought,

‘Pick one and stick to it.’

Silently writing the names and stamping the log, the students appeared.

“Senior Instructor.”

The students wore shiny uniforms.

“What do you think? Impressive, right? These are the best students I selected.”

“Really?”

“I’d love to introduce each one to the Kunlun Sect’s heir.”

With a look of longing, Jang Cheol-sim said,

“But since the senior asked for time, I can’t be selfish.”

Despite his words, his eyes were filled with desire.

After a few deep breaths, he regained his composure.

“Let’s go inside.”

The students followed behind.

***

“Thank you for your help, Instructor Jang.”

Jang Cheol-sim couldn’t hide his astonishment at Wang Woo’s words.

“Old Wang. How could the martial arts world not follow the wishes of a senior of the Kunlun Sect?”

“Haha. Thank you for saying that.”

“I mean it. I hope you understand my sincerity.”

It was surprising to see the usually stern Jang Cheol-sim so amiable.

He looked like a child meeting his hero.

After chatting for a while, Jang Cheol-sim turned serious.

“This is a presentation for a great senior of the Jianghu. Do your best!”

“Yes, Instructor!”

The senior instructor’s lesson began.

***

Did he really win a senior instructor’s favor with a game of slapjack?

Jang Cheol-sim’s lesson was quite impressive. He started with the essence of martial arts.

“Who knows the difference between the first three forms and the middle five forms of the Shinmu Sword Technique?”

The students, eager to answer, responded enthusiastically.

“The difficulty of the forms is different.”

“The first three forms require ten years of internal energy, while the middle five forms require twenty years.”

“The middle forms require the use of sword energy, unlike the initial forms…”

The answers were impressive.

Jang Cheol-sim then asked,

“Then, what is the similarity between the first three forms and the middle five forms?”

Everyone fell silent.

The first three forms are simple enough for children in Dongcheon Hall to learn.

It’s hard to see the connection to the complex middle five forms that require internal energy.

Some students racked their brains.

“Wrong.”

Jang Cheol-sim summarized simply.

Then he explained fluently.

“Think about why they are grouped under the name Shinmu Sword Technique.”

“If they had only differences and no similarities, why would they be grouped as one technique?”

“Before learning martial arts, you must understand the principles that unify the techniques!”

As he continued to lecture, Jang Cheol-sim glanced over his shoulder.

Nod.

Seeing Wang Woo nod in agreement, he beamed like a child.

Cho Un-hwi realized why Jang Cheol-sim had come at this late hour.

‘He came to get praised by a senior.’

The students were just an excuse.

For Jang Cheol-sim, who valued prestigious lineages, the Lone Flying Swordsman Wang Woo, heir of the legendary Kunlun Sect, was an object of admiration.

He wanted to meet him, but couldn’t find the opportunity. So he created this chance.

‘Otherwise, why would this stingy man offer a ten-point deduction?’

Energized by Wang Woo’s approval, Jang Cheol-sim shouted,

“Today, we’ll move on to advanced teachings!”

As the excitement grew, Wang Woo stoked the fire.

“Haha. It’s wonderful to see the youthful energy of the students. Shall we watch?”

With Senior Wang watching,

“Give it your all in training!”

Caught in the scheme, Jang Cheol-sim shouted until his voice cracked.

‘He’s going to show off everything he’s got.’

He seemed to have forgotten the saying to hide at least thirty percent of your skills in the Jianghu.

At that moment, a telepathic message from the schemer reached him.

[Dealing with the young ones of the righteous faction is easy.]

A fitting comment from a former great villain.