Chapter 128: Myojinmun (2)

The information gathered about the temporary instructor over some time was astonishing.

“Is this guy an instructor on the Murim Excursion or just a loafer out for a stroll in the Jianghu?”

Everywhere he went, he and his students were always sightseeing.

‘How could someone like this be under the watchful eye of the Lone Flying Swordsman?’

The future of the Jianghu seemed precarious, to say the least.

“He’s from the Jeonggeom Sect.”

Nothing much was known about his past.

That part was fine.

As long as he was competent as an instructor, it was acceptable.

“His martial arts level is first-rate.”

“A very ordinary level.”

“So ordinary it’s a problem.”

Could someone who boldly uses the Jegal Clan’s name really be just a first-rate swordsman?

There was another suspicious aspect.

He would occasionally disappear, claiming he had business, and then reappear as if nothing had happened. There was only one explanation for this.

“He’s hiding his true skills.”

“I think so too.”

“Regardless, it’s good practice. A seasoned Jianghu practitioner should always hide about thirty percent of their strength.”

Seo Tae-myung, who had once studied at Shinmu Academy, knew well how much one had to sacrifice to hide their true strength.

Hiding his strength and giving up privileges?

“In some ways, he’s quite remarkable.”

“He’s certainly unusual. That’s probably why Jegal Yang-so is paying attention.”

*Tap. Tap.*

Seo Tae-myung tapped his desk with his index finger and spoke.

“Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you will win a hundred battles. We need to see his true skills.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“We need to draw out his hidden abilities.”

With that, Seo Tae-myung handed a letter to the Chief Administrator.

“There’s a good opportunity coming up. Let’s involve him.”

***

A few days before they were to reach Myojinmun.

Cho Un-hwi, invited to a tea garden in Cheongyang County, received an unexpected proposal.

“A request?”

The middle-aged man who introduced himself as Seo Tae-myung, the leader of Cheongyang Sect, sipped his tea and answered.

“I’ve already explained.”

“I’m on the Murim Excursion. I’m busy with official duties and don’t have the time…”

“Depending on the situation, the requesting sect can ask for help from the instructor or students on the Murim Excursion.”

He tried to use regulations to avoid it.

“Instructor Cho, do you know Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim?”

“Yes, I do.”

“He’s my friend. We were classmates at Shinmu Academy. We even worked as instructors together.”

It turned out he was a retired instructor.

Faced with the knowledge of a fellow industry veteran, Cho Un-hwi had no choice but to surrender.

‘No wonder he’s so persistent.’

A retired man who still remembered the regulations.

And with a connection to the most meticulous person at Euncheon Hall, there was no way to avoid it.

In the end, Cho Un-hwi sighed.

“Why me?”

“You’re the closest.”

Seeing him dodge the question, Cho Un-hwi guessed his real intention.

‘He’s telling me to get to work. Damn it.’

Otherwise, how could a sect in such a remote place know so much about his situation?

The Murim Excursion was handled with utmost secrecy.

Seo Tae-myung cleared his throat.

“We originally intended to ask Instructor Shim.”

Instructor Shim?

“The lead instructor?”

“He was supposed to come to Cheongyang Sect. When he didn’t arrive on the expected day, we found out he had encountered a problem in a nearby village.”

The explanation continued.

Instructor Shim, on the Murim Excursion, discovered a village that had been attacked by bandits.

Enraged, he went up the mountain and wiped out the bandits.

There was no way a bunch of lowly bandits could withstand the fury of a Wudang Sect master.

“When several bandit camps were destroyed, the remnants gathered near our county.”

In summary, the sudden appearance of bandits and the troublesome task they now faced were all thanks to the overly righteous Shim.

“As a member of the righteous faction, don’t you feel inspired by your senior’s chivalrous deeds?”

No, not at all.

“Doesn’t it make your heart burn with passion?”

It makes me want to punch that overly righteous fool.

Watching Seo Tae-myung prattle on, Cho Un-hwi sighed.

‘The good times are over.’

He had planned to focus on searching for his fiancée once they reached Myojinmun.

Considering his future plans, this journey was the perfect time to enjoy the peaceful Jianghu.

‘Wasting such a good opportunity on shallow righteousness.’

His opinion of Instructor Shim plummeted.

Whether he knew it or not, Seo Tae-myung continued.

“Eradicating the bandits is to ensure the safety of the next group.”

“It’s not an easy task, even for a specialist instructor.”

“Our sect will also employ twenty disciples and ronin to assist.”

“By the way, do you know that successfully completing a request earns you bonus points?”

At this point, it was hard to refuse. Moreover,

‘It’s about time to give the kids some real experience.’

As he tried to make up his mind, a servant with a rat-tail mustache entered carrying a tea set.

“Hehe. I brought new tea.”

The servant skillfully prepared the tea leaves, rinsed them, and brewed a fragrant tea.

*Pour.*

As he filled the empty cups with fresh tea, Seo Tae-myung laughed.

“Isn’t the aroma wonderful? This is a rare tea you can only taste in this garden.”

“I prefer alcohol to bland tea.”

“If you develop a taste for tea, you’ll distance yourself from the harshness of alcohol.”

Ignoring Seo Tae-myung’s praise for the tea, Cho Un-hwi watched the servant.

“Sir, this is carefully brewed green tea. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

As he refilled the cup, a small piece of paper rolled out beside it.

“I’m not used to tea.”

As he drank it all at once, Seo Tae-myung clicked his tongue.

“Tea should be savored slowly.”

“I told you, I’m not a fan.”

Cho Un-hwi stood up.

“I’ll be going.”

Leaving the tea garden, Cho Un-hwi walked briskly.

He discreetly unfurled the paper in his hand.

The content was something he had been waiting for.

– The Hidden Moon Flying Thief, Gon Ya-pyeong, has appeared.

“The Hidden Moon Flying Thief, Gon Ya-pyeong.”

What wind blew to bring that penniless thief out now?

There was no need to think deeply.

‘It’s likely related to the Murim Excursion.’

Cho Un-hwi’s lips curled.

“Troubling me. How many times must he die to be satisfied?”

Dusting off his sleeves, Cho Un-hwi retraced his steps.

***

“Eradicate bandits?”

Hearing the news, Mo Yong So-hye’s eyes widened.

Baek Ri Seol was equally surprised.

“Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

Real combat often comes suddenly.

For once, Baek Ri Seol looked dejected.

“…It’s my first real fight.”

“It’s called real combat, but it’s nothing much.”

“We might have to kill people.”

Usually overly lively, Baek Ri Seol’s shoulders drooped.

Though she had a prickly personality, she had a kind heart.

The thought of possibly taking a life weighed heavily on her.

“Don’t worry too much. I told you.”

It’s really nothing.

“You don’t have to kill them. If you want to spare them, spare them. If you want to kill them, kill them.”

Jegal Tan asked a question.

“Instructor, what does real combat mean to you?”

Or what does it signify?

“Me?”

There’s no need to assign meaning.

“Life is real combat. Just do what you always do.”

Mo Yong So-hye retorted.

“That’s too simple. Don’t you get nervous?”

“My enemies should be the ones nervous, not me.”

“What if you face an overwhelming opponent?”

“I’ve never met one.”

In all my fights, I’ve never encountered such an opponent. Mo Yong So-hye shook her head.

“Really, I want to learn your indifference.”

“That’s a good attitude. Now, the name of Dongcheon Hall’s Bloody Fist will echo throughout the world.”

“Ugh.”

Feeling better, Cho Un-hwi spoke more lightly.

“Besides, this time we have a Wudang Sect swordsman and their top prodigy with us.”

Instructor Shim and Cheongsu.

Along with the elite of Cheongyang Sect and some ronin.

“Such a luxurious lineup is rare. Just relax and go wild.”

His voice was so reassuring that the three students responded.

“Yes, Instructor!”

But the preparations didn’t go smoothly.

The next day, when Cheongyang Sect posted a notice to recruit ronin for the bandit eradication, a long line formed from early morning.

Someone in the crowd spotted them and shouted in surprise.

“Huh?”

Among the crowd, after some scuffling, a ragged figure emerged from the throng.

“Hey!”

The man shouted.

“How could you leave me like that?”

His once neat silk clothes were now tattered, and his face was still swollen.

Recognizing him, Baek Ri Seol exclaimed.

“Oh my.”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Cho Un-hwi waved lazily at the fuming man.

“Your name was Jeong something.”

Was it Jeong Money?

The man’s face twisted.

***

“Someone you know?”

Hearing the story, Seo Tae-myung frowned.

“So, this man was a wanted criminal?”

“Yes, with three prior convictions. A petty criminal, though.”

“That’s not true!”

Two answers to one question left Seo Tae-myung uncertain.

Jeong Yang proudly cupped his hands and shouted.

“I am Jeong Yang from Poyang County!”

“Poyang County. I’ve heard there’s a righteous hero there called Poyang Hero.”

Recalling the familiar name, Seo Tae-myung asked Jeong Yang.

“Is the Poyang Hero…”

“He’s my master.”

“I see.”

Wondering whether to trust this shabby-looking man, Seo Tae-myung watched as Jeong Yang performed a sword technique.

“Recognize this?”

*Whoosh.*

Seeing the fluid movements, Seo Tae-myung exclaimed.

“The Wind-Splitting Sword. Impressive.”

Finishing his demonstration, Jeong Yang bowed.

“I’m lacking, but I’ve barely reached the fourth level.”

“The fourth level.”

Despite Jeong Yang’s modesty, Seo Tae-myung was impressed.

“Not bad. I’ve heard the Wind-Splitting Sword is very difficult.”

“I’ve been training with my life on the line.”

Satisfied with his determination, Seo Tae-myung nodded.

“Good. With your skills, we can’t refuse.”

Considering his age, his skills were lacking.

But he had planned to hire ronin to fill the gaps anyway.

There was no reason to refuse a swordsman trained in a high-level technique.

Moreover, Seo Tae-myung liked Jeong Yang’s demeanor.

“You said you wanted to become an instructor at Dongcheon Hall? Work hard. You might achieve your dream through this eradication.”

“I will give my all.”

Shouting with determination, Jeong Yang glared at Cho Un-hwi.

“I’ll show you my true skills.”

Cho Un-hwi responded briefly.

“Do as you please.”

With that, the group, led by the lazy instructor, left Cheongyang Sect.