Chapter 89: Observation Class (6)

The surprise scenario took place at the Hanshin Inn.

It was a two-story building with an open courtyard, and the scenario unfolded on the second floor, in a room overlooking the main street.

“That spot looks good.”

“Hehe, shall we go?”

*Thud!*

Several observers leaped onto the roof, vying for the best vantage point.

They were all skilled martial artists, competing with each other’s movement techniques to secure the best seats.

*Whoosh!*

Sagong landed gracefully on the edge of the roof, his light movements a testament to his mastery.

He looked around and projected his voice with internal energy.

“Most of you are aware…”

“That demonic spies have been active in various regions recently.”

“We’ve designed this surprise scenario to warn you against these treacherous individuals who disguise themselves as comrades and stab you in the back.”

Oh, so he was talking about the Heavenly Destruction Society’s traitors.

But it seemed that they were going to gloss over it for now and just call them “demonic spies.”

‘Well, it makes sense.’

The Murim Alliance wasn’t ready to face the Heavenly Destruction Society yet.

Sagong continued,

“Thankfully, Student Cheongsu has detected the traitor’s presence.”

Student Cheongsu?

Jegal Tan explained, “That’s Cheongsu, the chief disciple of the Wudang Sect.”

“Ah.”

He remembered hearing that name when he was searching for his wife.

‘Even the waiter, who didn’t know martial arts, sensed his extraordinary aura.’

He was a handsome young man with a gentle demeanor, carrying a sword.

‘Wait, if he’s here…’

He thought of another troublesome individual, and sure enough…

“Gasp! Sister Tang Ae-hui?”

He had been right.

A woman with a sharp gaze, wearing an ornate butterfly hairpin, was sitting next to Cheongsu.

‘I didn’t expect to see her here.’

He tried to pretend he didn’t know her, but…

‘Gasp!’

Tang Ae-hui’s sharp eyes darted towards him.

He gulped.

Her lips moved slightly, and Tang Gan, who was standing next to him, clutched his head and collapsed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Is something wrong?”

Eon Ho-seung and Namgung Yun-ho asked, and Tang Gan, clutching his head, whimpered, “Ugh… it’s nothing… it’s nothing… just…”

He couldn’t form a coherent sentence, but Cho Un-hwi, who had eavesdropped on their conversation using his supernatural hearing, sighed in relief.

‘You’re embarrassing the family? I won’t let you off the hook if you fail again?’

She was furious, as the eldest daughter of the Tang Clan.

Well, they hadn’t met in this life yet, so it was understandable that she didn’t recognize him.

The unexpected reunion was quickly forgotten as Sagong shouted,

“Therefore, I commend Student Cheongsu’s keen observation and declare a surprise scenario!”

“However, some of the observers and students might not have noticed the traitor’s presence yet.”

“Student Cheongsu, please explain how you detected the suspicious signs.”

Cheongsu, who had been sitting at a table, stood up as all eyes turned to him.

The handsome young man bowed to the crowd and began to explain in a solemn voice.

“The first thing I noticed was his stride. He’s using the True Word Sword Technique, but his stride is too wide.”

“True Word Sword Technique?”

“It’s a sword technique of the True Word Sect.”

Im So-jeong answered Baek Ri-seol’s question.

There was no need for further explanation, as murmurs of understanding rippled through the crowd.

“The True Word Sword Technique is characterized by quick attacks and retreats.”

“So they instinctively shorten their stride when they walk?”

“What a keen eye. He’s truly the pride of the Wudang Sect.”

“Indeed.”

“Instructor, you’re not being very helpful.”

Baek Ri-seol puffed out her cheeks, wanting to hear a more detailed explanation. Cheongsu continued,

“However, I couldn’t be sure. He might have been practicing other martial arts as well. But then I saw the calluses on his hands, the black stains on his sleeves, and the bulging veins, and I was certain.”

He pointed at a man standing aggressively at the entrance of the inn.

“He’s using the Black Shadow Poison Demon Hand!”

Gasps of admiration filled the air.

Eon Ho-seung and the twins looked intimidated.

“He’s unbeatable.”

“He’s a genius of the Wudang Sect. He’s good at everything.”

“We were born too early. How are we supposed to compete with a monster like him?”

Cho Un-hwi, looking at the three students wallowing in self-pity, thought, ‘The real monsters are the ones who recreated this scenario in such detail.’

They had even recreated his stride, calluses, and veins. Their dedication to realism was terrifying.

Regardless of his thoughts, Sagong was satisfied with Cheongsu’s explanation and moved on to the next stage.

“Perfect! Perfect!”

He clapped his hands enthusiastically and shouted, “Now, let’s see how these young heroes of the Murim perform in a real-life situation!”

*Roar!*

The crowd cheered as the young heroes’ performance began.

***

The role-playing began with the demonic practitioner, whose identity had just been revealed, delivering his lines.

“Hehehe→. You’re→ just a bunch of→ green→ righteous→ brats→.”

Baek Ri-seol giggled.

“Hehe, he sounds like he’s reading a book.”

“I know, right? His acting is terrible.”

She agreed. It seemed that he had been chosen for his skills, not his acting abilities.

‘Demonic techniques are difficult to recreate.’

The villain continued to deliver his lines awkwardly.

“Oh→? There’s even→ a pretty→ girl→.”

He even threw in a line that was sure to anger the students.

As expected, the top students who were participating in the surprise lesson stood up resolutely.

“How dare you! You foul-mouthed…”

“We won’t let you get away with this.”

“You’ll regret your insolence.”

Mo Yong So-hye, nervous, tapped her foot as she watched the dramatic scene unfold.

“Sister, look! He’s got everyone’s attention.”

“He does. So what happens next? Does he throw hidden weapons from his sleeve or release poison?”

“Maybe he’ll throw darts.”

“Or maybe there’s an attacker hiding under the floorboards.”

That wouldn’t happen.

‘They’d all be dead if that happened.’

He had taught them too much too soon.

He felt a pang of guilt.

As expected, the scenario unfolded predictably.

A pure martial arts battle.

*Clang!*

Cheongsu leaped onto a table, drawing his sword.

“Take this! My Black Shadow Poison Demon Hand!”

His blackened hands unleashed dozens of palm strikes, clashing with Cheongsu’s sword.

*Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!*

As the sounds of metal clashing filled the air, Gwak Jong-geun shouted to the students who were watching,

“Pay attention! You must always keep your sword close at hand to defend against attacks!”

“Remember Murim Common Sense, Inn Edition, Chapter 1, Rule 15!”

“Those who are unfamiliar with the Black Shadow Poison Demon Hand, refer to Appendix, Demonic Sect Edition, Entry 128!”

The other students didn’t just stand there as Cheongsu attacked. They joined the fight, showing off their Shinmu Sword Technique and other sword techniques.

“I’ll take the left!”

“Don’t let him escape!”

Some used swords, others used sabers, coordinating their attacks with Cheongsu and skillfully cornering the villain.

*Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The villain, sweating profusely, struggled to defend against their relentless attacks.

Cho Un-hwi, watching the scene, understood why they had chosen an instructor with terrible acting skills to play the villain.

“He’s quite skilled for his age. Most instructors would have been defeated instantly.”

Four pairs of eyes looked at him, asking, “Really?” But there was another reaction.

“Cheongsu is not only a skilled swordsman, but he’s also incredibly bold.”

“That’s right. We’re twins, so we’re good at coordinated attacks, but we can’t move as seamlessly as they do.”

“It’s all thanks to Cheongsu’s leadership.”

“And with Sister Tang by his side, they’re truly invincible.”

Invincible, my ass.

Cho Un-hwi teased the four students who were praising Cheongsu, “Are you guys weaklings?”

They exploded.

“Weaklings?! How dare you!”

“You’re just from a nameless sect.”

“That’s right! He’s a prodigy who’s almost at the peak level at the age of twenty!”

“Sister Tang could crush you with one finger! Don’t talk if you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Cho Un-hwi taunted them, “Weaklings, weaklings.”

“Ugh.”

The surprise training was becoming one-sided.

Fortunately, the villain, who had been on the defensive, started using the terrain to his advantage, avoiding a direct confrontation.

Gwak Jong-geun, who was running around between the students, was also busy.

“See? Kicking a chair can also be a strategy.”

“He’s constantly moving with his back to the wall to avoid being surrounded.”

“Look, if you swing your sword recklessly in a confined space, it’ll bounce off the walls or get stuck.”

“And if you’re unlucky, you’ll be counterattacked, like him.”

“Be aware of your surroundings, even when you’re fighting a villain. And don’t forget to speak politely.”

It was Tang Ae-hui who ended the battle.

“Tang Ae-hui, joining the fight.”

She touched her butterfly hairpin and flicked her finger.

The villain, who had just pushed over a table, knocking down two students, gasped as her slender finger moved.

“Gasp!”

*Whoosh!*

He twisted his body to avoid the chilling projectile.

*Thud!*

But it was too late.

He collapsed, startled by the projectile that had grazed his ear.

His eyes darted around, finally landing on the throwing knife that was embedded in the wall, trembling.

“I-I surrender.”

The students cheered as the instructor raised his hands in defeat.

“Amazing! She defeated the instructor.”

“Wow, that was incredible.”

“I still have a long way to go.”

The students were buzzing with excitement and competitiveness.

*Clang! Clang!*

Sagong’s bell signaled the end of the mock training.

***

The ending was surprisingly educational.

The students, who had been scattered around Kaifeng Prefecture, gathered together, and the instructors, who had been playing their roles, returned.

They made the students review the lesson, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses and suggesting areas for improvement.

Gwak Jong-geun, who had been busy running around and greeting the observers, approached them.

He puffed out his chest, acting like he owned the place.

“So, what do you think? What was it like to observe a real Euncheon Hall class?”

“It was impressive.”

Especially their insane dedication to realism.

Gwak Jong-geun, oblivious to his thoughts, replied proudly, “This is what practical teaching is all about.”

“…”

“As you’ve heard from the senior instructor, your job is to train those kids into competent martial artists.”

“That’s what I’ve been told.”

“It won’t be easy. Especially those who prefer to fight alone instead of cooperating. And those who lack the ability to read their surroundings.”

“…Is that so?”

“But don’t give up. Even if you’re just a temporary instructor, you’re still a member of Euncheon Hall.”

Cho Un-hwi observed Gwak Jong-geun, who had regained his arrogance now that the disciplinary action was over.

“You can go now. I have other matters to attend to.”

Gwak Jong-geun, acting like the busiest person in the world, rushed off to join a group of observers who were inviting him to dinner.

“He’s a busy man.”

Cho Un-hwi shrugged as he watched him disappear from sight.