Chapter 174: The Namgung Clan (6)

When Namgung Yun-ho first picked up the branch, the surrounding people looked at him with evident ridicule.

“A branch?”

“It seems his sense of humor has improved since we last saw him.”

“Maybe he’s been inspired by some heroic tales.”

Even when Namgung Yun-ho’s branch began to move, the reactions remained unchanged.

“Too slow.”

“Way too slow.”

“Can he even catch a fly with that?”

It was only natural. His initial movements were nothing special.

*Swish.*

The crude branch moved so slowly it was almost yawn-inducing.

“Namgung disciple, do you think you can mock me with that?”

The instructor sneered at the branch aimed at him.

*Twirl.*

But instead of cutting the branch, it rested on the blade.

*Tap. Tap.*

The branch tapped the blade slowly, and the laughter disappeared from everyone’s faces.

‘It didn’t cut?’

The branch wasn’t cut. Instead, the tough branch bent like a snake and countered the move.

*Buzz. Buzz.*

As the instructor hastily gathered his energy, his sword began to glow.

*Tap!*

The branch struck a spot on the blade.

That was the end.

*Clang!*

The blade, which had been shining brightly, snapped in two.

*Clang. Thud.*

The broken half of the blade spun in the air and landed at the instructor’s feet.

Everyone watching was wide-eyed with shock.

Among them was Namgung Musan.

“What is this?”

But what shocked him even more was the voice of his usually observant father.

[Did you see that, Musan?]

How could he not?

[Impressive skill. He struck the weak point of the blade precisely.]

Namgung Musan shook his head.

[So the instructors at Shinmu Academy are useless in real combat. Now I understand. They carry swords they can’t even use.]

Namgung Musan thought the reason for the outcome was the instructor’s sword.

‘They stayed away from real combat and carried useless swords?’

He scoffed, but one thing was clear.

‘We must capture him.’

It was just one move, but Namgung Musan could gauge his potential.

It wasn’t hard to recognize talent with just one move.

‘He has grown this much?’

How did I not notice?

As many thoughts ran through his mind, the two continued their conversation, ignoring their surroundings.

“There’s no need to knock him down completely, is there?”

“Hey, when a fight starts, you see it through to the end.”

“He lost his sword, so the fight is over, isn’t it?”

“If you leave room for mercy, one day your complacency will choke you.”

“I see.”

*Step.*

Namgung Yun-ho, who had been looking down at the broken sword, stepped closer to the instructor and spoke softly.

“Don’t forgive him. This is the path you must take.”

“Wait a minute.”

*Thud!*

With a thunderous blow to the forehead, the instructor fell like a rotten log.

“Is that enough?”

“If it were me, I’d stomp on his crotch first.”

“Haha. Give me a break. I’ll follow your lead.”

Namgung Yun-ho, supporting Instructor Cho Un-hwi, tried to leave the garden.

‘We can’t let them go.’

Namgung Musan, thinking this, shouted with his internal energy.

– Stop right there.

*Boom. Boom.*

The voice, imbued with internal energy, caused some with weak internal energy to stagger.

But surprisingly, Namgung Yun-ho’s steps didn’t falter.

*Step.*

He paused at the edge of the garden, glanced back, and then continued walking.

‘He’s fine?’

I clearly used my internal energy.

‘It’s not something someone without proper cultivation can withstand.’

How many at his age could withstand the energy he unleashed?

“I guess I haven’t communicated enough with my son.”

“Now that I know, come back.”

He tried to persuade subtly, but Namgung Yun-ho didn’t look back.

*Limp. Limp.*

Instead, he focused all his attention on supporting the seemingly weak Instructor Cho Un-hwi.

‘That brat.’

He didn’t even acknowledge his words.

In front of all these onlookers.

‘Is he trying to humiliate me?’

Namgung Musan shouted again.

“Didn’t you hear me say stop?”

*Thud!*

*Rumble.*

The ground shook under the force of his step.

Namgung Yun-ho staggered momentarily but kept walking.

This finally angered Namgung Musan.

“So, you intend to ignore your father?”

It’s not just personal disrespect.

It’s also disrespecting the Namgung Clan’s authority.

“Your judgment hasn’t improved despite your skills.”

*Sigh.*

He was about to move to stop Namgung Yun-ho himself.

Namgung Yong-ho intervened.

“Father!”

“Step aside. I’m establishing the authority of the head of the family.”

“You can’t lay hands on someone from the academy.”

“A flimsy rule like that can’t stand before the authority of the head of the family.”

He had already secured the instructors.

‘Even if we take some action, it can be managed.’

As he pushed Namgung Yong-ho aside.

Instructor Cho Un-hwi, who had crossed the yard and reached the gate, turned around.

‘Has he changed his mind?’

Well.

‘No temporary instructor can defy the head of the family.’

But instead of coming back, he raised his hands lightly.

“Surrender.”

Surrender?

“What nonsense are you spouting.”

As Namgung Musan was taken aback, Namgung Chan clicked his tongue.

Pausing, Namgung Musan realized the meaning of the surrender.

*Tap tap tap tap!*

A group of instructors rushed over and surrounded Instructor Cho Un-hwi.

‘Who are they?’

Weren’t they supposed to be confined in the annex?

“Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi!”

They quickly subdued Instructor Cho Un-hwi and shouted.

“For injuring a fellow instructor and causing a disturbance, we are arresting you!”

Seeing his prey snatched away, Namgung Musan was stunned.

But when he saw the person walking confidently among them, he understood the situation.

“Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim.”

Despite looking exhausted, Jang Cheol-sim walked with dignity and bowed.

“Head of the Namgung Clan. The unruly member of Shinmu Academy will be dealt with according to academy rules. Please understand.”

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“I didn’t expect it either.”

Glancing at Instructor Cho Un-hwi, who was being tied up, he spoke.

“Senior Instructor Eo Jeong-geun was injured in a personal altercation, so I have returned in his place.”

“Oh, I see. That happened?”

Feigning ignorance, he spoke.

“I heard Senior Instructor Eo Jeong-geun was quite capable. What a shame.”

“……”

“So, what do you plan to do with the culprit who fought him?”

“We will investigate and, if necessary, discipline him.”

“Is that so? Personally, I hope he receives a severe punishment.”

Subtly pressuring him, Jang Cheol-sim remained polite.

“We will handle it according to our internal rules.”

He didn’t waver.

With his pride hurt, Namgung Musan had no choice but to back down.

‘This isn’t good. Too many eyes are watching.’

Among the onlookers were people like Baek Ri Seon-ho and Mo Yong-ju from the top ten clans.

‘And the Lone Flying Swordsman Wang Woo.’

Even a figure garnering attention from the entire Jianghu was present.

He couldn’t push further.

‘Tsk.’

Clicking his tongue inwardly, Namgung Musan pretended to be magnanimous and stepped back.

“Very well. I respect your decision.”

“Thank you, Head of the Namgung Clan.”

*Swish.*

With a flick of his sleeve, he turned away, ending the brief commotion.

***

Bound in ropes, Instructor Cho Un-hwi looked around.

He was in the annex’s storage.

He had been abruptly confined in the place Jang Cheol-sim had used.

But it was more like a symbolic confinement since there were no bars, and the place was filled with familiar faces.

“Geez.”

Mo Yong Seon-ya scolded him with a frown.

“What were you thinking, causing such a commotion!”

“Sister, I’m sure Instructor Cho had a plan.”

“People with plans don’t cause commotions!”

Beside the frowning Mo Yong Seon-ya, Instructor Jo Hyeon counted on her fingers with a dazed look.

“Mutiny, assaulting a colleague, and a brawl.”

“Congratulations on setting a new record.”

Instructor Yang’s comment made Instructor Cho Un-hwi speak.

“I’m innocent.”

“On what grounds do you claim innocence?”

“From start to finish, everything.”

Mo Yong Seon-ya sighed, rolling her eyes.

Even Yeo Mae-hong seemed at a loss for words this time.

“For someone caught red-handed, you’re awfully confident.”

“This confidence is proof of my innocence.”

Where does this endless confidence come from?

As she wondered.

Jang Cheol-sim, looking ten years older, spoke.

“Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks to you, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

“Can’t you just laugh?”

Jang Cheol-sim, resting his chin on his hand, looked gloomy.

“I admit, the situation turned around thanks to you.”

Usually, when the Inspection Department gets involved, it’s a long process of investigations and harassment.

If it were Eo Jeong-geun, there would have been all sorts of slander and schemes to endure.

But the situation changed in an instant.

“Not just any instructor, but a temporary instructor defeated him. Even if Eo Jeong-geun wakes up, he won’t be able to show his face.”

This was why he was hastily reinstated.

“We are educators, but also martial artists. No matter the rank or hierarchy, if one’s martial skills are lacking, no one will follow.”

A temporary instructor, even with his internal energy sealed, defeated him?

It was a humiliation so great that even the instructors and students would leave.

Who would seek guidance from someone who lost to a mere temporary instructor?

There was another advantage.

“The sudden turn of events caught them off guard, and they didn’t have time to erase traces of corruption and bribery.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s good for us.”

But.

Jang Cheol-sim gritted his teeth.

“You went too far.”

“It was self-defense.”

“How do you explain taking a fellow instructor hostage?”

“I felt my life was in danger, so I defended myself excessively.”

“Sigh.”

Even if that’s the case.

“How do you explain using a fellow instructor as a shield or a weapon?”

“Still self-defense.”

“What do you think others will say?”

“Wow. He had to use a person as a weapon. It must have been dangerous.”

“Ugh.”

Jang Cheol-sim groaned, rubbing his temples.

After calming himself, he explained.

“Self-defense usually means defending oneself for safety.”

It doesn’t mean taking someone hostage or using them as a shield.

“Especially not a fellow instructor.”

“Can’t we explain it well and hope for understanding?”

“Shut up. Keeping quiet is the best help you can give.”

With tired eyes, Jang Cheol-sim dismissed him.

Mo Yong Seon-ya, who received his gaze, shook her head.

“It’s difficult. Even if my father and Elder Baek Ri intervene.”

It’s a case of assaulting a superior and taking a colleague hostage.

Even the leader of the Murim Alliance couldn’t cover this up.

“Sigh. If it were a minor issue, we could argue that they provoked it.”

No excuse or reason could justify this disaster.

“Is there any way…”

As everyone despaired over the unprecedented situation.

“I might be able to help.”

Everyone turned to the voice from the doorway.

Seeing who it was, Yeo Mae-hong exclaimed in surprise.

“Jegal disciple!”

In the glaring sunlight, Jegal Tan, looking exhausted, waved a booklet.

“Instructor, am I too late?”

Seeing Jegal Tan’s confident smile, Instructor Cho Un-hwi grinned back.

“You’re just in time, kid.”