Chapter 301: Who’s Messing With My Kid? (2)

If you were to ask about the meaning of Shinryonggwan’s existence.

In principle, it would be called the best sword corps training institution.

The center of the righteous sects.

It’s a sword corps training institution created by the Murim Alliance.

And it was a place that hadn’t fallen from the top spot for centuries.

Of course, it wasn’t just that.

If you said someone was from Shinryonggwan.

Connections would naturally form, and since those who entered Shinryonggwan were from prestigious families and renowned clans.

Simply striking up a conversation or talking with them was quite a significant gain.

Take the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, held only a few days a year, for example.

Considering most late-blooming disciples go there hoping to build connections.

Shinryonggwan is quite advantageous in that regard.

Just being there was beneficial in itself.

Moreover, although its significance had somewhat waned.

As befitting the best educational institution.

They also teach well.

‘Though it probably isn’t that different from what families teach.’

Why are famous families famous families?

Why are prestigious schools prestigious schools?

They established their framework over many years.

And grew while continuously maintaining their position.

That’s why they are prestigious schools and famous families.

There must be recorded information and training methods within their organizations.

If you ask whether Shinryonggwan is better than that.

It might be a bit ambiguous.

It’s not just me who knows that.

Everyone else knows it too.

Yet, they still send their children or disciples to Shinryonggwan.

That must mean the value of being an alumnus is that important.

The time of Shinryonggwan’s founding was.

Several centuries ago.

After the Blood Calamity caused by the Blood Demon had passed.

Around the time it had barely subsided.

The Blood Demon had disappeared, but.

The Demonic Gate wasn’t closed.

And demonic creatures were still rampant.

Righteous sect members gathered to start training sword corps.

That was the origin and beginning of Shinryonggwan.

Naturally, they don’t teach martial arts.

Their own family or sect’s martial arts already exist.

Especially since the martial arts learned could be secret techniques or passed down solely through one lineage.

It would be strange for Shinryonggwan to teach martial arts.

Teach martial arts, what nonsense.

With the changing masters and instructors each time.

There are also martial arts exclusive to the Murim Alliance.

But ultimately, those are learned only by those directly affiliated with the Alliance.

Which had nothing to do with late-blooming disciples.

So then.

What exactly do the late-blooming disciples who passed and came here learn?

‘They learn how to beat demonic creatures.’

As a sword corps training institution, they naturally learn how to deal with demonic creatures.

It wasn’t for nothing that they divided personnel based on martial arts or weapons used.

The classification of demonic creatures.

The types of demonic creatures.

The differences between individual demonic creatures.

Different methods of dealing with them, and theory.

Separately, they also learn about the unorthodox sects.

When this is hammered into their heads over several years.

It’s safe to say it’s reasonably good education.

Whether it’s a family or a sect.

Any martial artist possessing inner energy eventually has to face demonic creatures.

‘Though soon, they’ll be facing humans more than demonic creatures.’

That’s if we’re talking about before the Blood Calamity.

Anyway.

That’s why they say coming here holds little meaning for me.

Methods for dealing with demonic creatures?

Including my past life, how many demonic creature cores have I absorbed with the Demonic Path Heavenly Absorption technique?

And how many demonic creatures have I faced and killed?

If you add the experience of facing Crimson demonic creatures that haven’t even appeared yet.

At the very least, I’d be stronger than the instructors here in both theory and practice.

So, what’s next?

Networking?

It’s all over anyway once the Heavenly Demon appears and causes a Blood Calamity.

Networking my ass.

Half the people here will fall to demonic corruption.

Whether they’re captured by the Heavenly Demon and corrupted.

Or if they seek out the Heavenly Demon themselves and become corrupted.

“Woo-cheol-ah.”

Sitting in the chair with a backrest, idly passing the time.

I spoke to the guy next to me.

“…Yes, yes. Hyung-nim.”

A martial artist with black hair and a huge build.

It was Pae Woo-cheol, who had become my roommate.

He was also the guy who got clocked in the jaw by me last night and collapsed.

Moreover, as soon as he got up, he tried to attack again, so I gave his body a little ‘talking to’.

And he became much more docile.

As expected, people need to communicate.

Communicating through the body is still communication, right?

My will was conveyed, so it’s definitely communication.

“We’re in the same squad? That’s great.”

“…”

“Woo-cheol-ah?”

“That’s right. It’s great.”

Hehehe.

Pae Woo-cheol, built like a mountain, chuckled awkwardly.

He seemed to be forcing a friendly smile.

This guy looked just as intimidating as me.

So his smile didn’t exactly inspire warmth.

‘There are three squads in total.’

Three squads composed solely of martial arts practitioners.

Archery or special classes were categorized separately and formed into squads.

Especially for swords (劍), which had a large number of practitioners.

They had more than double the members compared to other squads.

That must mean there were that many swordsmen.

The strange part is that Tang Soyeol is included in the swordsmen category.

A dagger is technically a sword, but…

Tang Soyeol himself seemed clueless as to why he was lumped in here.

I’ll have to tease him when I see him later.

As I sat there waiting since morning.

Creak-

Finally, the person I was waiting for opened the door and entered.

He had a build comparable to Pae Woo-cheol or Hwangbo Cheol-wi.

It was a middle-aged man wearing a blue hero’s cap.

That signified he was an instructor affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

“Greetings.”

A deep voice suited to his build resonated.

Furthermore, inner energy permeated his voice.

Enough to fill the spacious room.

Judging by the intensity and control of his energy.

He seemed to be someone who had easily surpassed the peak level.

‘Who is it?’

At this level, I should know who it is.

Especially if he’s in the same martial arts field.

“Gk…”

“Cough…”

The late-blooming disciples, unable to withstand the heavy inner energy, groaned as if struggling to breathe.

It seemed like an intimidation tactic.

It certainly seemed effective.

The previously indifferent gazes of the disciples had changed.

The instructor continuously emanated inner energy, scanning the surroundings.

His fierce gaze passed over each disciple, observing them.

‘He’s filtering them.’

I could tell the instructor was gauging the level of the others.

I glanced at Pae Woo-cheol beside me.

He was frowning, but didn’t seem particularly strained.

‘Oh, this guy, more than I thought?’

He wasn’t a bad fellow.

He went down with just one punch, so I thought he was insignificant.

Turns out he’s quite capable for his size.

Besides Pae Woo-cheol, there were a few others.

Who could withstand or disperse the energy.

Four men, including Pae Woo-cheol.

And one woman.

They were all unfamiliar faces.

But they seemed like capable individuals.

The instructor’s gaze moved from one person to another.

Finally, it landed on me.

“…!”

The moment he saw me, the instructor’s shoulders flinched.

His eyes widened, and his pupils trembled.

His surprised reaction was amusing.

‘He sees it.’

My internal injuries were quite severe, so I had hidden them well.

It seemed the instructor’s level was higher than I expected.

‘Should I show him a little?’

I considered revealing a bit more to tease him.

But decided against it.

Just with a slight smile.

“Ahem.”

The instructor seemed to calm down and shifted his gaze again.

“I am the deputy commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade under the Murim Alliance. My name is Cheol Hwan-oh.”

‘Oh.’

Hearing the name, I inwardly exclaimed.

I wondered who it was, but hearing the name, I knew.

“Deputy Commander…?”

“Cheol Hwan-oh… The Righteous Thousand Azure Fists (義千靑拳)…!?”

Murmurs could be heard from the surroundings.

Cheol Hwan-oh, the Righteous Thousand Azure Fists.

He seemed to be a moderately well-known martial artist.

But the title of Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade seemed to carry more weight.

Of course, in my mind, Cheol Hwan-oh was remembered as a different person.

I recalled him as I looked at the instructor with his imposing presence.

‘He’s one of the Sword Demon’s subordinates.’

The moment I remembered, I chuckled.

The Sword Demon, probably training the unique martial art left by his master.

That crazy bastard is likely holed up in the mountains, refusing to come out.

The Heavenly Killer Star, consumed by madness.

I don’t know which mountain he’s hiding in, so I can’t find him.

But he’ll probably show his face in the Central Plains within a few years.

In my past life, Cheol Hwan-oh was one of the subordinates that lunatic kept around.

Since the Sword Demon’s subordinates all wore masks.

I didn’t know their faces.

But hearing the name, I could figure it out.

‘I heard he was from the Murim Alliance.’

So he even became the Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade.

It brings back memories.

And yet, even a man who was the Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade.

Would fall to demonic corruption. It’s absurd.

“For the next six months. I am the instructor who will teach you the ways of the sword corps.”

Six months.

Considering Shinryonggwan’s training period is two years.

It’s a long yet short period.

“Any questions?”

The monotonous greeting concludes.

Unlike the Clear Sea Sword Saint, it was an incredibly casual greeting.

I quite like it.

To the question asking if there were any questions.

Several guys shot their hands up.

“I have a question.”

“Name.”

“I am Cheon Il-seon of the Cheon Il family.”

“I won’t accept that. You should only state your name when introducing yourself. You must have been warned?”

He cut him off sharply.

Shinryonggwan had to maintain the principle of receiving education at the same level, separate from families or sects.

That’s likely why he said that.

‘…Is that even possible?’

I was still filled with skepticism.

“I am Hyo Un-byeok. Why has the Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade come as an instructor?”

After using one person as a sacrificial lamb to voice the question.

Fortunately, the next guy was perceptive enough to change his question.

It was a rather direct question.

Cheol Hwan-oh thought for a moment about the question.

Then replied with a smirk.

“I had some spare time, and I was curious if there were any noteworthy individuals.”

“…Does that mean you were here to recruit new members for the Azure Dragon Brigade?”

“I will not accept further questions of that nature.”

Cheol Hwan-oh finished his answer.

But those words held many implications.

Without crossing the line too much.

He casually dropped the statement.

If you distinguish yourself here.

It implies you might get selected for the Azure Dragon Brigade.

Several who understood the implication had their eyes light up.

From my perspective, going to the Alliance’s sword corps is hardly appealing.

But the Azure Dragon Brigade is a top-tier unit among the sword corps within the current Murim Alliance.

It was also where the Sky-Piercing Sword King Namgung Jin served as commander.

Only considerably strong individuals belonging to the righteous sects could join.

Naturally, it would be difficult to get in.

In that sense, what the instructor just said held significant value.

Perhaps, I’m the only one here listening indifferently.

The instructor continued to accept and answer several more questions.

What could be learned from the instructor.

Why he would only teach for half a year.

Meanwhile, personal questions were rejected outright.

Seeing this.

‘It seems he deliberately let slip the information about the Azure Dragon Brigade.’

The reason might be to ignite the passion of the late-blooming disciples.

Or perhaps to poach those genuinely interested.

Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.

“I will take questions only up to this point.”

Even though many still had their hands raised.

The instructor concluded his statement.

It seemed time was running short.

Ah, I get to hear this.

In my past life, I couldn’t pass.

So I never even heard what Shinryonggwan taught.

The murmuring sounds could be heard faintly.

Perhaps due to the Q&A session, the atmosphere had relaxed somewhat.

Just then, intense battle intent erupted from Cheol Hwan-oh’s body.

Whoosh-!

An aura on a completely different level than before.

It was an oppressive aura, so heavy that one couldn’t even groan.

The slightly relaxed atmosphere.

Instantly tightened.

“This is the first training session.”

Cheol Hwan-oh continued speaking without releasing his aura.

“In other squads, they are probably starting theoretical explanations. But this instructor is different.”

Theories about each classification.

Just imagining it was boring.

“A true martial artist learns not through theory, but by directly confronting demonic creatures.”

Crack.

It was the sound from Cheol Hwan-oh’s forearm.

“However, regrettably, I cannot bring demonic creatures before you, the disciples, from the very first training session.”

At the same time, the corners of his lips curled upwards.

His expression and face, felt in conjunction with his battle intent.

Were tinged with hostility.

“This instructor will take on the role of the demonic creature. It’s a simple method; you disciples just need to defeat the demonic creature.”

The moment I heard that, I tilted my head.

Fierce right from the start.

What he meant was, facing nearly twenty individuals.

He intended to face them all alone.

I didn’t expect him to do this from the beginning.

‘That’s too reckless a method.’

I understand the intention.

The moment he uttered those words, amidst the late-blooming disciples who couldn’t even make a sound under the battle intent.

Small doubts were already appearing on their faces.

-Even so, facing this many alone?

Something along those lines, I suppose.

No matter how much of a deputy commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade he is.

Even if he’s a strong martial artist.

How could he possibly face such a large number all at once?

They must be thinking that.

And he intends to crush those complacent thoughts before starting.

That must be Cheol Hwan-oh’s plan.

Not bad.

They need to snap out of it first, so they’ll put in proper effort.

Moreover.

Cheol Hwan-oh should be at a level where he can execute and succeed with such an idea.

However, there was one problem he wasn’t anticipating.

“Instructor-nim.”

Under Cheol Hwan-oh’s overwhelming aura and heavy presence.

While everyone else was struggling, unable to even breathe.

Someone casually raised their hand and spoke up.

“…!”

The instructor also reacted strongly to the unexpected situation.

His expression showed he hadn’t expected someone to raise their hand so nonchalantly.

Amidst this atmosphere, the person who spoke up.

Was none other than me.

“I have a question.”

“…I said I wouldn’t take any more questions, didn’t I?”

“It’s an important question. Is that not allowed?”

As I asked with a smile, the instructor’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Your name?”

“I am Gu Yangcheon.”

Hearing the name, he didn’t react particularly.

It seemed he already knew about me beforehand.

“What is your question?”

“Ah, it’s not that, but…”

It was a sudden situation, but I felt better than expected.

I.

I intended to finish Shinryonggwan’s two-year program within one year and leave.

And for that, a somewhat complicated and troublesome procedure was necessary.

In that sense, the current situation was exactly what I had hoped for.

“Can’t I do it alone?”

“…What?”

At my words, the instructor’s expression crumpled.

He looked quite angry.

But it was fine.

Enjoying his expression.

I said with a smile.

“Regarding the demonic creature hunt you mentioned, I’m asking if I can do it alone.”

As if understanding the meaning of my words.

Cheol Hwan-oh’s battle intent gradually intensified.

He seemed quite bothered.

It couldn’t be helped.

What I said meant.

Hunting you.

Was something I could do alone, without needing many others.