Chapter 85: Observation Class (2)

As Mo Yong Seon-ya had predicted, things changed at Euncheon Hall soon enough.

An Euncheon Hall instructor approached them first.

“Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

And it was none other than…

“This is our first official meeting.”

Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim.

Cho Un-hwi met his cold gaze and replied, “It’s been a while.”

“I apologize for my past behavior.”

He had expected a confrontation, but Jang Cheol-sim’s voice was surprisingly calm.

He even called Gwak Jong-geun over and said, “Instructor Gwak, apologize.”

Gwak Jong-geun approached hesitantly, bowed, and said, “…I apologize for my rudeness.”

The other instructors were stunned.

“What am I seeing?”

“Is the senior instructor actually apologizing?”

“This is unbelievable.”

Cho Un-hwi was also surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

‘What’s he up to?’

But there was no reason to refuse an apology.

“We’re all just salarymen, struggling to make ends meet. We should help each other out.”

“Salarymen…”

Jang Cheol-sim frowned.

“Your frivolous behavior and lack of decorum are disappointing.”

What was he talking about?

“But I have to acknowledge your dedication.”

Jang Cheol-sim, after making his own arbitrary judgment, said to the Dongcheon Hall instructors in a condescending tone, “I recognize you as temporary members of Euncheon Hall.”

Gwak Jong-geun, his face contorted in disgust, bowed again.

“I, Gwak, acknowledge you as my colleagues and look forward to your guidance.”

Instructor Yang Dae-cheol was the most surprised.

“Are you serious?”

“Would a man of honor like myself lie?”

Instructor Yang quickly apologized at his sharp tone.

“This is so sudden…”

“Hmm, you might not know this.”

Jang Cheol-sim muttered to himself, then turned to them and said, “It’s because of Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

“Instructor Cho?”

Everyone looked at him.

Their eyes were asking, ‘Really?’ Cho Un-hwi was the most dumbfounded.

‘When did I…?’

He wondered if he had dreamed it.

Jang Cheol-sim continued,

“He pleaded with Master Dokgo so desperately that even he couldn’t refuse.”

“He said that your love for your colleagues was exemplary and praised you highly.”

“He even apologized to the Point Spear Sect and said he would let the matter drop.”

“You’ve done something that even the ruthless Executor of Justice admires. How could I not acknowledge you?”

“By the way, is your head alright? I heard you banged your head on the floor, begging for forgiveness.”

The Dongcheon Hall instructors’ eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions.

Cho Un-hwi, sensing their mixture of awe and disbelief, quickly said, “I visited him quietly. I didn’t expect this to become public.”

“Really? You have a surprisingly delicate side. Well, that’s probably why you were able to move the stubborn Master Dokgo.”

Jang Cheol-sim, acting as if he was doing them a huge favor, said, “Anyway, from today onwards, I recognize you as official colleagues. Temporary, of course, but colleagues nonetheless. I expect you to work hard.”

The Dongcheon Hall instructors’ faces brightened at the unexpected turn of events.

“We look forward to working with you.”

They were finally being accepted as members of Euncheon Hall.

***

After the reconciliation…

Jang Cheol-sim called Cho Un-hwi aside and made him a special offer.

“You want me to take charge of the special needs students?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m already participating in the classes.”

“You’re just participating.”

Cho Un-hwi was speechless.

He was technically participating in the classes, but in reality, he was just sitting in a corner of the training ground, fixing wooden dummies.

“Do you know what’s different about Euncheon Hall compared to Dongcheon Hall?”

It’s worse?

“It’s not just about learning martial arts.”

Yeo Mae-hong had said something similar.

“Hehe, I learned Sound Techniques, by the way.”

“The refined students learn poetry, painting, and embroidery.”

“We also learned a lot about how to survive in the Murim.”

‘She doesn’t seem to be lying.’

Jang Cheol-sim, seeing that he was convinced, continued, “And unlike the other temporary instructors, you seem to be aiming to become a Murim Excursion specialist.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Dokgo Yul had recommended it.

He said it was the perfect role for keeping an eye on the students who were leaving Shinmu Academy.

“The competition for Murim Excursion specialists is fierce. That’s why you need to do as I say.”

Jang Cheol-sim then said, as if he was sharing a big secret, “The mock training results are very important. If you can help the failing students pass the supplementary exams, you’ll be able to make up for your poor performance evaluation.”

It was a tempting offer.

‘Mock training…’

He remembered what Yul had said.

‘They’ve built a massive training ground.’

They had created a forest and a river for training purposes, to prepare the students for real-life combat.

He was intrigued.

“I’m interested.”

“You might even be able to expand your narrow horizons by observing Euncheon Hall’s systematic teaching methods. This is a rare opportunity.”

His tone was condescending, but it was a good offer.

He wondered why the grumpy instructor was being so generous.

But there was something that bothered him.

“It all sounds good, but do they have to be those students?”

Jang Cheol-sim was pointing at a group of students that included a fierce-looking fist fighter, a sleepy girl, a pair of smug twins, and a Sichuan Tang Clan student with a menacing glare.

They all looked like trouble.

Jang Cheol-sim replied, “Have you heard of the Jinju Eon Clan?”

“I’ve heard of them.”

“They might not be one of the Ten Great Clans, but they’re a renowned fist fighting family. Their Eon Clan Fist, which they developed through their research on necromancy, is quite famous.”

‘The Jinju Eon Clan is a fist fighting family?’

He honestly didn’t know.

In his previous life, the Jinju Eon Clan had barely survived.

He only knew about them because their necromancy techniques had been used to transport the bodies of fallen Murim Alliance members back to their hometowns.

Necromancy.

A secret technique that involved immersing corpses in a special solution and animating them with spells. The Jinju Eon Clan had gained fame by returning countless Murim Alliance corpses to their families.

But he hadn’t heard much about their martial arts.

He only remembered them as a family of undertakers.

‘Back then, there were more dead people than living people in the Murim, so it’s understandable.’

Jang Cheol-sim pointed at another student.

“And that student is a disciple of the Sword Pavilion.”

“I know the Sword Pavilion.”

The Sword Pavilion of Hainan Island.

Some called it the South Sea Sword Pavilion. It was a unique sect that only accepted female disciples, and it was famous for producing the legendary Sword Marquis.

He continued, “You know the Tang Clan student. And the Red Rain Sword Sect twins are also quite talented.”

It did sound like a decent group.

‘Except for their bad personalities.’

Jang Cheol-sim said, “If you’re going to teach, it’s better to teach students with good backgrounds. Mediocre students won’t get you noticed.”

“It sounds like you’re asking me to handle the most dangerous bombs.”

If he had to teach, he would prefer well-behaved students who wouldn’t cause trouble.

“I won’t deny that. But that’s not the only reason.”

Jang Cheol-sim shook his head.

“Do you really think the decent students will pay any attention to you?”

“Why not?”

“You know nothing about Euncheon Hall.”

Jang Cheol-sim’s tone turned cold.

“Most of the students are from prestigious clans and families.”

“Do you think those proud students will even notice an instructor from a nameless rural sect like you?”

He wanted to say, ‘Why not?’ but then he remembered the arrogant brat from the Namgung Clan.

‘He had no skills, but his ego was through the roof.’

Come to think of it, even the so-called geniuses of Euncheon Hall were mostly flawed.

‘If their top student is like that…’

Maybe the special needs students would be easier to handle.

He reached a logical conclusion and quickly agreed.

“Alright, I’ll teach them and see how it goes.”

“Good choice. You’ll soon realize how generous I’ve been.”

***

After Cho Un-hwi left…

Gwak Jong-geun, who had been silent, said, “Senior Instructor, are you really going to entrust him with such an important task?”

His shoulders slumped.

He was clearly disappointed that his students were being handed over to that nobody.

Jang Cheol-sim chuckled.

“Instructor Gwak, you’re missing the bigger picture.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you really think those Dongcheon Hall nannies can handle those students?”

“Well…”

Gwak Jong-geun shook his head, thinking about the students.

“It won’t be easy. They’re all so unruly.”

Eon Ho-seung and the twins were always fighting and causing trouble.

And then there was Im So-jeong, who was always sleeping and skipping class.

Even Tang Gan, who was known for being picky, was the most well-behaved among them.

Jang Cheol-sim said, “Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi is going to have a harder time than you.”

“…But even if the instructor is incompetent, the assistants are all from prestigious families.”

He had been shocked when he first learned about their backgrounds.

He wouldn’t have been worried if it had been an instructor from a rural sect, but he didn’t know what would happen if the students sided with the instructor.

But Jang Cheol-sim’s answer was simple.

“Are you saying you’re so incompetent that you’re afraid of a few kids?”

“N-no, sir.”

“Well, I understand your concern. But don’t worry. I’ll give you a few of my students. They’re all talented and well-trained, so they’ll help boost your performance.”

Gwak Jong-geun’s face brightened instantly. That would give him a huge advantage in the performance competition.

“Really?”

“I have a lot to prepare for the Murim Excursion.”

Jang Cheol-sim added, “And this could actually be an opportunity for you.”

“An opportunity?”

“You can use the students to find out the temporary instructor’s weaknesses.”

“Ah…”

Use the students to spy on Cho Un-hwi.

It was an unexpected strategy.

“It’s not a bad thing if they improve quickly.”

Students from prestigious families improved quickly.

It was only natural that those who received ample support from a young age would progress faster than those who were struggling to make ends meet.

That’s why he had been reluctant to give up his talented students.

But Jang Cheol-sim pointed out something else.

“The more they improve, the higher their standards will become. What will happen when they realize that their instructor is incompetent?”

“…They’ll try to replace him.”

“They’ll look for someone more capable. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Gwak Jong-geun finally understood Jang Cheol-sim’s intentions.

‘This is poison for him. He’s giving me a chance to redeem myself while repaying his favor.’

He could already imagine the students abandoning the rural instructor and flocking to him.

“Thank you for your valuable lesson.”

“Tsk, tsk, I have to explain everything to you.”

“I’m ashamed of my incompetence.”

He had a lot to learn from the experienced instructor.

‘That poor bastard is going to suffer soon.’

Gwak Jong-geun’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.