Chapter 86: Observation Class (3)

“Let’s see… the first class is…”

The day he finally received his first assignment and escaped from the corner of the training ground…

Cho Un-hwi felt dizzy as he looked at the countless buildings beyond the training ground.

“Damn it, why is this place so huge?”

He had set out confidently, with the encouragement of his Dongcheon Hall colleagues.

But he got lost less than fifteen minutes after leaving the training ground.

“Let me see… the map…”

He looked at the map he had been given, but he felt exhausted just trying to decipher the countless landmarks and densely packed building names.

“Instructor, Instructor, this is the training ground we came from.”

“Huh? We’re not back. We’re lost.”

“Instructor, didn’t you say that partings between martial artists should be brief? It looks like we’re parting twice.”

They had returned to the entrance of the training ground, and the Dongcheon Hall instructors, who had been waving goodbye enthusiastically, now looked awkward as they asked, “You’re back already?”

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing.”

Damn Shinmu Academy.

It was not only ridiculously large but also incredibly complex.

Even leaving the small training ground was a challenge.

Jegal Tan stepped forward.

“I know the way.”

“Jegal…”

“Yes?”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“…You told me not to show off.”

“I meant… why didn’t you say so earlier and save me from this embarrassment?”

“…I apologize.”

Mo Yong So-hye whispered to Baek Ri-seol as Jegal Tan bowed apologetically.

“Wow, that’s harsh. Didn’t he say, ‘Don’t show off and get out of my way’?”

“He said, ‘Just follow me,’ so confidently.”

It couldn’t be helped.

He had wanted to appear like a reliable instructor.

And he hadn’t expected the map to be so useless.

‘What kind of map is this?’

Most of it was blacked out for security reasons, making it impossible to decipher.

“This is hopeless. It was a mistake to even try.”

“Instructor, that’s a terrible attitude for an educator.”

He ignored Mo Yong So-hye’s protest.

Cho Un-hwi said, “We’re going to the mock training ground.”

“There are many different mock training grounds. Do you know which one we’re going to?”

“Well, the map just says ‘high-level mock training.’”

Jegal Tan sighed and said, “…I have a rough idea.”

“Lead the way. I’m exhausted.”

***

They followed Jegal Tan for four hours.

They passed through five checkpoints and over a hundred buildings.

‘These crazy bastards.’

What were they thinking, building an academy this big?

Not only was the scale overwhelming, but the extravagance was also ridiculous.

Buildings with glittering golden tiles.

Elegant houses built on the water.

Pleasure boats gliding through the canals.

‘They’ve created a paradise.’

But this was just the beginning.

***

What happens when you encounter something that’s beyond your comprehension?

“Wow, this is amazing.”

First, you gasp in awe.

“This is incredible.”

Then, your jaw drops, and your eyes widen.

“Now I understand why Dongcheon Hall is looked down on.”

Finally, you’re overwhelmed by a sense of inferiority.

Cho Un-hwi, who had always been confident in his abilities, was now humbled by the sight before him.

“Heeeek…”

He had thought that nothing in the world could surprise him.

But this was beyond anything he had ever imagined.

“What the hell is this?!”

Why was there a street inside the academy?!

And the buildings looked lived-in. They were clearly real structures.

They had just been in a courtyard with a sand floor, and now they were in a small city.

He looked up at the signboard hanging above the entrance.

*- Kaifeng Prefecture.*

There was a smaller inscription below it that read ‘Mock Training Ground.’

‘This is a real city.’

He gaped at the training ground, which was far beyond his expectations.

Jegal Tan said, “Hmm, this training ground is modeled after Kaifeng Prefecture.”

“Kaifeng Prefecture? The one in Henan Province?”

Baek Ri-seol simply said, “That makes sense,” but Mo Yong So-hye was also shocked.

“Henan Province is at least a month away on horseback!”

“That’s why they recreated it as a mock training ground.”

“I can’t believe they built such a detailed replica.”

“Euncheon Hall’s craftsmen are very skilled. There are many interesting things here.”

Cho Un-hwi’s lips twitched as Jegal Tan continued.

“Jegal…”

“Yes, Instructor.”

“Don’t tell me there are more of these.”

“I know of five. They’ve recreated the streets of Beijing, Sichuan, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xiapi.”

Jegal Tan rattled off the locations.

“They’re all important locations in the Murim.”

“They’re also areas with a lot of real-life incidents, so the students can train in a realistic environment.”

“It’s also interesting to see how they’ve recreated the different scenery of the east, west, south, and north.”

“It’s a good way to experience different cultures.”

He was spouting logical nonsense.

Cho Un-hwi suddenly remembered his conversation with Dokgo Yul.

“Jegal, is there a training ground that recreates a forest and a river?”

“Ah, you’ve heard of it. They’ve recreated a swamp, a grassland, a riverbank, a coniferous forest, a jungle…”

“Whyyyyy?!”

He had wondered why the extraordinary Dokgo Yul had been complaining about searching the academy.

Now he understood.

It was because of this insane scale that defied all common sense.

‘You want me to find my wife in this place?’

It had taken him in Dongcheon Hall six months to search. He couldn’t imagine how long it would take to search all of Euncheon Hall.

As he was feeling dejected, Jegal Tan explained why the mock training grounds existed.

In short…

First, the students of Euncheon Hall were all from prestigious clans and families.

Second, because they came from such privileged backgrounds, they often lacked common sense.

Especially those who had spent ten, twenty, or even thirty years training in the mountains, like the disciples of the Nine Sects.

Third, when they went out into the Murim, they were often scammed or tricked, suffering serious losses.

So what did the first Headmaster of Shinmu Academy decide to do?

– Let’s build real villages to teach these precious talents.

‘You idiot!’

He understood the intention, but the method was wrong.

‘If they don’t know anything about the world, send them out on errands!’

‘Don’t just teach them martial arts, take them for walks like dogs!’

‘Don’t waste money building these ridiculous things!’

It was hopeless.

He was starting to understand why the Murim Alliance had fallen.

They had wasted their money on such absurd projects.

‘If you have money to spare, raise our salaries!’

He was frustrated.

The Murim Alliance’s crazy obsession had made it almost impossible to find his wife.

‘Damn the Murim Alliance.’

He didn’t care anymore.

He hoped the Heavenly Destruction Society, or whatever they were, would destroy this insane organization.

As he was lamenting internally, he heard a smooth voice.

“Have we arrived?”

He looked up and saw Gwak Jong-geun, dressed in a crisp uniform.

“Hehe, you’re here sooner than I expected. I thought you’d be wandering around for a while.”

“…”

“You look like you’ve finally realized the greatness of Euncheon Hall.”

“…Yes.”

“Come inside. We have some special students attending today’s class. They’re all top students. And there are observers too. You’ll experience the difference once again.”

Gwak Jong-geun shrugged and walked inside.

Cho Un-hwi, already feeling defeated, followed him sluggishly.

***

Inside, a group of students were lined up neatly.

They all looked like model students. Except for a few…

“You guys, come over here.”

Eon Ho-seung, Im So-jeong, the Jeok twins, and Tang Gan approached him.

Gwak Jong-geun said condescendingly, “You’ve all failed the mock training every time. Watch the top students’ demonstration carefully and reflect on your shortcomings.”

He then added, “Good luck, temporary instructor.”

He walked away, towards a group of elders, and everyone’s eyes followed him.

***

The group that had been left behind looked at each other awkwardly.

“…”

“…”

“…”

An uncomfortable silence.

Fortunately, a small platform was set up beyond the line of students, and an old man with white hair walked onto it.

“Now, now, let’s begin the mock training.”

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The sound of drums filled the air, signaling the start of the training.

***

The old man stood on the platform, chuckled, and said, “Some of you might know me, but for those who don’t, let me introduce myself.”

He cleared his throat and projected his voice with internal energy.

“I’m Sagong, the one in charge of the Kaifeng Prefecture mock training.”

He paced back and forth on the platform and continued,

“I have high hopes for the young talents who will lead the righteous faction in the future.”

“But the Murim is a dangerous place, filled with schemes and conspiracies.”

“You can’t survive just by learning martial arts.”

He wasn’t wrong.

But that didn’t mean they had to build a ridiculous training ground like this.

“Especially those of you gathered here today, disciples of the most prestigious sects in the world.”

“You might be confident in your abilities in a fair fight, but you need to know that the world is vast and there are many cowardly people out there.”

“I hope you’ll learn something from today’s lesson.”

He pointed at the mock training ground and rang a bell.

*Clang! Clang!*

The sound of the small bell, amplified by his internal energy, echoed through the air.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The sound of war drums followed, heightening the tension.

It was quite a dramatic performance.

‘What is he planning?’

He couldn’t even guess.

“Begin!”

The old man shouted, and a group of people rushed into the mock training ground.

They quickly took their positions and started chattering.

Cho Un-hwi was horrified.

‘These crazy bastards.’

How far were they going to take this?

His lips twitched as he watched.