Chapter 75: Entering Euncheon Hall (2)

“Haaa… let’s go.”

Instructor Yang took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves before leading the way.

He walked towards a platform set up in front of the training ground and bowed to the instructor standing at the front of the line.

“Greetings, Master Jang.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Nine Hundred Iron Fist, Yang Dae-cheol. You’re in charge of the instructors?”

“Instructor Yeom-gwang suffered an unfortunate accident, so I’ve humbly taken on the role of head instructor.”

“You’re more than capable of handling the position. If the Nine Hundred Iron Fist isn’t qualified, then who is?”

It seemed that Instructor Yang was acquainted with the Euncheon Hall instructor.

*- That’s Master Jang Cheol-sim, a senior instructor.*

Yeo Mae-hong whispered in his ear, making it tickle.

“Jang Cheol-sim?”

“He’s a renowned young swordsman from the Mount Cheongseong Sect.”

“The Mount Cheongseong Sect?”

He had noticed the instructor’s obsessively clean uniform and arrogant demeanor. It made sense that he was from the Mount Cheongseong Sect.

One of the Nine Sects that supported the Murim Alliance, the Mount Cheongseong Sect was renowned for its swordsmanship.

‘He doesn’t seem very friendly.’

He looked like the epitome of a stuffy righteous faction member.

He had a hooked nose and narrow, beady eyes that gave him a sharp, unfriendly look.

‘He looks like a jerk.’

As if to confirm his suspicions, Jang Cheol-sim glanced at them with half-lidded eyes and said, “Tsk, is this the best Dongcheon Hall has to offer?”

What a jerk.

“I see.”

Jang Cheol-sim clicked his tongue again, and Instructor Yang bowed obsequiously.

“Master Jang, these instructors volunteered to help Euncheon Hall. Please show them some respect.”

“Respect? I’ll show respect to those who are worthy.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Ignoring Instructor Yang, Jang Cheol-sim stepped down from the platform and walked towards the Dongcheon Hall instructors, who were standing stiffly in formation.

He examined them critically, his hands clasped behind his back, then stopped in front of one of them.

“What’s your name?”

“J-Jo Hyeon!”

“Your sect?”

“The Seongjin Sword Sect.”

“Never heard of it.”

Jang Cheol-sim’s voice was cold, his interest clearly waning.

‘So this is what they meant by looking down on people based on their background.’

He was unbelievable.

Jang Cheol-sim continued to question each instructor about their sect, clicking his tongue dismissively after each answer.

The Dongcheon Hall instructors’ spirits sank with each passing moment.

Their confidence was crumbling.

Then, Jang Cheol-sim stopped in front of Yeo Mae-hong and tilted his head.

“You look familiar. Have we met?”

“I… I…”

“I remember you as a student of Instructor Eun Hae-wol. Correct me if I’m wrong.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Yeo Mae-hong squeezed her eyes shut and answered. Jang Cheol-sim’s cold expression softened.

“Haha, you were Instructor Eun’s student. You’ve grown so much. I suppose you’ve mastered the Divine Wind Eight Swords by now.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Instructor Eun would have been proud of you.”

He seemed to remember every detail about her.

It seemed that he was somewhat interested in those who met his standards.

The problem was that his standards were incredibly subjective.

“Nothing special.”

“I’ve never heard of that sect.”

“Tsk, I have low expectations.”

Jang Cheol-sim continued his relentless criticism until he finally stopped in front of Cho Un-hwi.

His narrow eyes narrowed further as he examined him.

“Instructor Yang.”

“Yes, Master Jang.”

“Does Dongcheon Hall recruit children as instructors these days?”

“O-of course not!”

Cho Un-hwi stepped forward as Instructor Yang stammered.

“I’m twenty-five years old, the perfect age for marriage.”

“…”

“How dare you call me a child with this mature face?”

Are you blind?

He remembered the other instructors’ warnings and refrained from saying the last part.

“…”

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence fell over the training ground.

Yeo Mae-hong nudged him in the ribs, and the other instructors gave him strange looks and mouthed silent curses.

‘What? Why?’

Jang Cheol-sim, sensing their disapproval, asked in an irritated tone, “You don’t seem nervous at all.”

“Why should I be nervous? I just have to do my job.”

“You’re very confident. May I ask about your sect?”

Since when did you need my permission?

Cho Un-hwi answered simply, “The Jeonggeom Sect.”

“Another insignificant…”

“It’s a small, rural sect, what can I say?”

“…Is that so?”

“It’s only known because of talented people like me. You probably would have never heard of it otherwise.”

“I… see.”

“To be honest, I don’t understand why they chose such a common name for their sect.”

“…”

“Their naming sense is terrible, but their investment skills are even worse. Who in their right mind would buy real estate in a remote, mountainous backwater? They probably bought it without doing their research and cried themselves to sleep when they realized their mistake.”

Jang Cheol-sim was speechless again.

The Euncheon Hall instructors began to whisper amongst themselves.

“Is that guy crazy? Joking in front of Master Jang?”

“No, he seems serious. He’s a real piece of work.”

“I knew Dongcheon Hall was bad, but this is just pathetic.”

The Dongcheon Hall instructors lowered their heads in shame.

Even the students, who had been standing around with bored expressions, started chattering.

“Hehehe, what’s with that instructor?”

“He’s from some no-name sect. He’s got guts.”

“He’s going to try to teach us? He’s delusional.”

“Kekeke, should we kill him? Or maybe we should just make him run away crying.”

The strange silence was finally broken when Jang Cheol-sim regained his composure.

“You…”

But he didn’t get a chance to express his anger.

Dokgo Yul appeared, leading a group of students.

“What’s going on? Are you still introducing yourselves?”

Even Jang Cheol-sim, the arrogant swordsman from the Mount Cheongseong Sect, couldn’t ignore Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God, one of the most renowned experts in the Murim.

“…No, we just finished.”

“Good. We’ll be seeing each other often, so let’s save the formalities for later. We can talk properly another time.”

“…Of course.”

Jang Cheol-sim noticed the four students following Dokgo Yul and tilted his head.

“Dongcheon Hall students… what are they doing here? Students are generally…”

“Don’t worry, we have the Head Instructor’s permission.”

Jang Cheol-sim frowned at Dokgo Yul’s brief explanation.

“Are they assistants?”

“Yes, assistants are allowed to accompany their instructors, regardless of which hall they’re from.”

He knew the rules.

But how could some Dongcheon Hall brats possibly be helpful in teaching Euncheon Hall students?

‘This is a mess.’

Jang Cheol-sim’s eyes narrowed.

“Which instructor requested assistants?”

“The one standing right in front of you. Instructor Cho Un-hwi. Have you met?”

“That guy.”

He gritted his teeth and nodded curtly.

“I understand.”

“Take good care of them. They’re promising talents.”

“Of course.”

***

After the initial meeting, the Euncheon Hall instructors couldn’t hide their displeasure.

They vented their frustrations to Jang Cheol-sim, who was standing silently.

“Master Jang, are you just going to let this stand?”

“How can those who haven’t even matured as martial artists teach our students?”

“They lack the qualifications and the background to guide Euncheon Hall students.”

“That’s right, this will only lower the prestige of our hall.”

Jang Cheol-sim listened to their complaints, then finally spoke.

“Are you suggesting we expel them before they even start?”

The instructors flinched and lowered their heads.

Jang Cheol-sim looked at them with disdain.

“I was the one who opposed the idea of bringing in Dongcheon Hall instructors. You were all silent then, and now you’re complaining?”

“W-well…”

“I’m not happy with the Head Instructor’s decision either. But it’s already been made. As honorable instructors, we should respect the decision and focus on our duties.”

He wasn’t saying this because he approved of the Dongcheon Hall instructors.

He believed that it was a matter of principle for a disciple of a prestigious sect to honor their commitments and act with magnanimity.

He said sternly,

“We all know that the Dongcheon Hall instructors are incompetent.”

“But since we’re going to be working together for a while, instead of criticizing them, let’s think about how we can guide and reform them.”

“If they lack skills, we’ll teach them. If they’re weak, we’ll strengthen them.”

“You’re disciples of great sects. Why are you acting like street thugs?”

The instructors lowered their heads in shame.

“We were being reckless.”

“We should have focused on how to guide and teach them.”

“We failed to show the magnanimity of our sects’ teachings.”

Jang Cheol-sim’s expression softened.

“I’m glad you understand. Let’s set a good example for everyone.”

He was about to dismiss them when one of the instructors raised his hand.

“Master Jang, but what about those who are beyond redemption?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do we really need to guide those who are unworthy of our teachings?”

“Are you saying you didn’t hear what I…”

Jang Cheol-sim trailed off, a particular face flashing through his mind. The instructor, sensing his hesitation, continued,

“I understand your noble intentions, Master Jang. We have a responsibility to guide them, even if they’re incompetent, because they’re fellow members of the righteous faction. But not everyone is capable of redemption.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“That guy treated his sect like dirt. What if his disrespectful attitude influences the young students?”

Disrespecting his sect was unforgivable.

“…Get to the point.”

The instructor, sensing that Jang Cheol-sim was softening, said quickly, “We need to get rid of the rotten apples. If we leave them with the good apples, the entire basket will rot.”

“Hmm…”

It was a convincing argument.

He was tempted to agree.

He had disliked Cho Un-hwi from the moment he saw him.

But he felt a sense of resistance.

It was beneath him, as a disciple of a prestigious sect, to treat people based on his personal feelings.

‘If I stoop to his level, I’ll only be lowering myself.’

He made up his mind and said coldly, “It’s reckless to judge someone’s character based on first impressions.”

The young instructor looked dejected.

“Observe him and then judge him. It’s not too late to evaluate him later.”

“How should we evaluate him?”

Jang Cheol-sim smiled at the instructor’s desperate question.

“Figure it out yourself. Aren’t you his senior?”

He brushed his sleeve as if to remove something dirty and left the training ground.