Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

""Haaaap!""

At the crack of dawn, the Murim Alliance Main Training Ground echoed with powerful shouts as a hundred people thrust their fists simultaneously, the wind from their punches pushing back the morning breeze.

Like flowing water, they immediately rotated their bodies like spinning tops and followed up with a high kick, their legs raised above their heads.

WHOOSH!

For a moment, a whirlwind swept through the Murim Alliance Main Training Ground.

Even though the hundred martial artists were practicing the basic external arts that everyone who joined the Murim Alliance learned, the sight of so many experts moving as one was still quite the spectacle.

Despite the simple movements, a tremendous air of excitement and anticipation filled the vicinity.

"Put your full effort into each and every movement! Anyone who performs the basics carelessly will be considered to be disrespecting me, your instructor!" Baek Suryong bellowed sharply as he walked among the trainees.

THWACK!

"When you step forward firmly, advance about half a step more."

"Yes, sir!"

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THWACK!

"Lower your center of gravity more and relax the power in your fist."

"Understood!"

SMACK!

"Who told you to sneakily use inner arts?"

"I'm sorry!"

Thwack-thwack-thwack sounds echoed without rest as the Black Dragon Pointer, which had previously been used to discipline the Emperor and the Azure Dragon Academy students, fell just as impartially on the bodies of the Murim Alliance warriors.

Opposite Baek Suryong, Namgung Su was also correcting the martial artists' postures, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. "Anyone dissatisfied with the training is welcome to excuse themselves. Are there any volunteers wishing to be excused?"

""None!""

As one would expect from someone from the prestigious Namgung Clan, Namgung Su's speech was polite and courteous, but for some reason, more martial artists were afraid of the Lightning Dragon Hero compared to the Azure Dragon Hero.

"Are you sure there are none? Very well. Then I will assume everyone agrees and increase the training intensity."

""Wait…!!""

In just a few days, the two martial arts instructors had taken control of the Five Corps martial artists, to the point where no one dared raise objections or rebel during the training.

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Though, that was only to be expected.

The Azure Dragon Hero and the Lightning Dragon Hero were benefactors of the Murim Alliance. Notably, the Azure Dragon Hero had received apologies from the commanders of the Five Corps, and the Chief of the Beggars' Gang had even declared him an Honorary Beggar.

It had reached the point where some were already trying to align themselves with the Azure Dragon Hero, saying he was the likely next Chairman of the Murim Alliance.

That wasn't even all.

"That's enough for today. You're dismissed."

""Thank you for your hard work!""

Martial artists were drawing numbered tickets to participate in Baek Suryong's daily exclusive, one-hour dawn training, limited to the first hundred arrivals.

The real reason? Those who received guidance from the two instructors had visibly improved in just a few days.

Even the most prideful martial artists, who had initially dismissed the duo as mere instructors who taught kids at an academy, changed their minds after receiving personal guidance from the Azure Dragon Hero and the Lightning Dragon Hero.

"Certainly, the Alliance's martial artists are a lot more advanced than our students."

"It's harder to correct their old habits, though."

"Rather than correcting their old habits, wouldn't it be better to maximize their strengths?"

"That's realistic, but…"

When the short dawn training ended, Baek Suryong and Namgung Su discussed the day's training as they headed out for breakfast. Normally, they would have eaten at the Murim Alliance dining hall, but today, they had plans to dine outside.

""Oppas!"" Jaegal Soyeong and Namgung Mi called out, waiting for them in front of the Murim Alliance main gate, all dressed up for a day out.

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Examining Baek Suryong's complexion, Jaegal Soyeong asked, "I heard your internal injuries were severe. Are you feeling better now?"

Baek Suryong grinned and nodded. "I'm almost fully recovered."

"This is some restorative medicine my father prepared for you."

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Baek Suryong accepted the bundle of restorative medicine Jaegal Soyeong offered. Just by the smell, he could tell that top-quality medicinal ingredients were used to make it. "Please be sure to pass on my thanks to the Jaegal Patriarch."

"My father also asked me to invite you to visit the Jaegal Estate…"

Baek Suryong shook his head firmly. "Sorry, but that might be difficult."

"Ah, please don't worry about it. I only mentioned it because Father kept nagging at me." Jaegal Soyeong smiled brightly, looking relieved.

Still, she could tell that something was off about Baek Suryong.

…His demeanor feels different from normal?

This wasn't the usual confident, relaxed-looking Baek Suryong. Although he was smiling now, should she say that he seemed lost in thought somehow?

Jaegal Soyeong glanced towards Namgung Su. If she could notice it, there was no way he wouldn't.

However, Namgung Su showed no particular indication that whatever plagued Baek Suryong was important, instead changing the topic, "I'm hungry. Let's go get breakfast."

"I'm hungry too!" Namgung Mi replied, eagerly holding her brother's hand, overjoyed to see him again after several days apart.

Anticipating a commotion on the streets, Baek Suryong and Namgung Su did the smart thing this time and put on human-skin masks so that no one would recognize them.

Even so, wherever they went, they could hear passersby talking about the Azure Dragon Hero and the Lightning Dragon Hero.

"I heard the Azure Dragon Hero defeated a Blood Cult Elder? Isn't this the second time already?"

"I heard that too. They say he fought alongside the Lightning Dragon Hero this time."

"Heh. He has both powerful martial arts and a handsome face… It makes one resent the unfairness of the world…"

"Did you also hear that the Azure Dragon Hero became an Honorary Beggar of the Beggars' Gang? They say the beggars of the Beggars' Gang will yield their rice bowls to their benefactor…"

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"That's not particularly enviable. It's not like the Azure Dragon Hero is a beggar…"

"…Doesn't having the title of Honorary Beggar make him a beggar?"

"I-Is that how it works?"

Arriving at a famous restaurant in Wuhan, the group could hear talk about themselves coming from all directions. Despite the early morning, most seats were already taken.

"Let's go up to the third floor. I rented the whole restaurant under the Jaegal Clan's name," Jaegal Soyeong said, naturally taking the lead as if she had been here many times.

While waiting for their meal, the group caught up with each other, sharing what they had done lately.

When Baek Suryong told the story of his fight with the Blood Cult Elder, Namgung Mi balled her small fists, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Wow! My Oppas are heroes who saved the Murim Alliance!"

Namgung Su scowled as he wiped off the food that had dribbled out of his sister's mouth as she spoke. "Mimi. Didn't the family teach you not to speak loudly at the table?"

"B-But…"

Leaving Namgung Mi to receive an etiquette lesson from her brother, Jaegal Soyeong asked Baek Suryong, "So, will you be staying at the Murim Alliance?"

Baek Suryong shook his head. "No, I've already spent too much time at the Murim Alliance as it is. Since I've recovered from my injuries, it's about time for me to leave."

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"When are you heading off?"

"Tomorrow," Baek Suryong replied without hesitation.

Jaegal Soyeong and Namgung Mi's eyes widened.

"Tomorrow?"

"So soon?"

"……" Namgung Su too turned away from his sister and glared at Baek Suryong as if he was hearing this for the first time.

Pressured by the intense stares, Baek Suryong shrugged. "I can't stay here until the vacation ends. My original business wasn't here anyway, and I'm quite a bit behind schedule."

Baek Suryong's original destinations were Shaanxi and the North Sea Ice Palace. Visiting both places would consume most of his remaining vacation, and he would likely have to rely heavily on movement arts if he wanted to do more than just travel around.

After a moment of silence, Namgung Su asked, "Are you planning to go alone?"

"Yeah. I need to keep a low profile this time."

"Low profile, yeah right…" Namgung Su shook his head. He couldn't believe Baek Suryong's words about keeping a low profile, as the man seemed doomed to attract incidents and cause chaos wherever he went.

However, seeing Baek Suryong's determination, he couldn't exactly insist he wanted to tag along.

In the end, he simply nagged, "Don't be late coming back."

"Whatever you say…" Baek Suryong chuckled.

Namgung Su furrowed his brows. It was the same confident laugh as usual, but for some reason, he could sense that it was less genuine than before.

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Before leaving Wuhan, though, Baek Suryong had one last matter left to resolve. He headed to the Chairman's office and rapped on the door.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Come in… Oh, it's you, Junior," Ryu Seol said, carelessly tossing aside a document she was reading. Since Moyong Jun was incarcerated, she now had to take care of the Acting Chairman's work by herself… or not.

Beside her sat Moyong Jun, his hands in cuffs.

Moyong Jun sighed, looking at Ryu Seol in exasperation. "Hey. You should finish with the documents you were looking at before putting them down. If you don't organize them properly, how will you find them later?"

Ryu Seol's expression suddenly turned serious. "How dare a traitor peek at the Acting Chairman's paperwork?"

"What are you suddenly talking about? Until just a moment ago, you were asking me about this and that…"

WHAM!

"Ugh!" Struck in the solar plexus, Moyong Jun bent forward like a cooked shrimp, writhing in pain and gasping as if he couldn't breathe.

"Don't fabricate things if you don't to die." Ryu Seol said, calmly getting up from her seat and approaching Baek Suryong with a bright smile. "Please, take a seat. Want some tea?"

Baek Suryong asked in disbelief, "I heard Moyong Jun was here… but what the hell are you two doing right now?"

Ryu Seol cleared her throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ahem! As you can see, I'm this guy's guarantor. Since he's a major criminal, isn't it best if I keep him right beside me at all times to prevent him from escaping or committing suicide? So, I decided to watch him myself until the old Chairman returns."

"And the other Commanders approved that?"

Ryu Seol snorted derisively. "I'm the Acting Chairman, which bastard dares to say anything? Until the old Chairman comes back, I'm the highest authority in the Murim Alliance."

"Just lock me up in prison…" Moyong Jun groaned from behind.

Ignoring the guy as usual, Ryu Seol sat down. "So, what brings you here? You haven't shown your face for several days."

"There's something I want to ask Moyong Jun."

"…Should I leave?"

Baek Suryong shook his head. "It doesn't matter if you stay. It's something that will become known eventually anyway."

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A short while later, Moyong Jun sat facing Baek Suryong with a tense expression. They both had questions for each other.

Baek Suryong began, "Have you ever heard the name Moyong Dan?"

That was the name of the Sword Saint's son. He needed to first confirm if there was a chance he might still be alive.

"Moyong Dan…" Moyong Jun thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It's the first time I've heard that name. However, if it's a distant branch family member, it's possible I wouldn't know of him. Shall I look into it for you?"

"No, if you don't know, it's fine."

As it was an answer he had somewhat expected, Baek Suryong wasn't greatly disappointed.

Looks like he really is dead.

The Sword Saint wasn't from a branch family. If Moyong Jun didn't know his son's name, it likely meant he had died at the hands of the Blood Cult.

He frowned bitterly, then continued asking, "How is your body's condition?"

"It's surprisingly comfortable. My qi and blood have found balance, and the qi deviation has also disappeared. However…" Moyong Jun hesitated, but it was obvious he wanted to ask Baek Suryong something.

Baek Suryong answered the unspoken question, "You're curious how I know the Unlimited Sword's qi meditation method, aren't you?"

Moyong Jun nodded. "…Yes."

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Baek Suryong took a deep breath. Ever since the moment he decided to save Moyong Jun, he had braced himself to answer that question. "Do you know who the creator of the Unlimited Sword is?"

"The Blood Cult said that it was a martial art created by one of my ancestors, but I don't have any evidence…"

"The Sword Saint Moyong Hon."

"The Sword Saint?" Moyong Jun tilted his head in confusion for a while. Finally, he let out an exclamation, "Ah! I heard that the Sword Saint was a powerful swordsman of the main family decades ago, and he was even referred to as one of the Three Great Swordsmen. So he's the creator, huh?"

"The Three Great Swordsmen?" Baek Suryong repeated, his eyebrow twitching.

Wrong, wrong wrong! The Sword Saint was, both in name and reality, the world's strongest swordsman of that era! Back then, that fact was acknowledged by all the other swordsmen, including the other two Great Swordsmen!

Why? Because the Sword Saint defeated them and 'broke' their swords, that's why!

Few knew about the duels between the Three Great Swordsmen simply because the victor, the Sword Saint, didn't wish for the result to become widely known.

Baek Suryong said firmly, "The Sword Saint was the strongest swordsman of that era by a mile. No, he might even have been the world's strongest."

"The world's strongest…" Moyong Jun's face went blank with shock. The more he heard, the greater his curiosity grew until he couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "…Chief Instructor, how do you know that?"

Even now, the public burned with questions about the Azure Dragon Hero Baek Suryong, especially since nothing was known about his martial arts techniques. Everyone wanted to know just what divine technique allowed him to become strong so quickly.

However, since he had never spoken of it himself, they could only speculate.

Well, this was a problem I had to address eventually.

After various worries and calculations, Baek Suryong decided to reveal a small fragment of the truth.

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"That's because… I'm actually the Sword Saint's disciple," he replied.

Both Moyong Jun and Ryu Seol's eyes shot wide open in surprise.

Right here and now, I'll reveal that I possess the true Unlimited Sword…and by doing so, I'll also send a message to my dear former trainee, the First Apostle.