Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

WHOOOSH~

A chilling wind swept across the summit of Mount Tianzhu, where the escort instructors of the Four Academies were gathered.

They surveyed the mountain below. Night had fallen, shrouding everything in darkness, but as martial artists with inhumanly keen senses, they could still make out the movements of the new instructors through rustling leaves and occasional flickers of light.

"Looks like they'll start arriving in about fifteen minutes," Namgung Hak announced. Although he was the eldest son of the Namgung Patriarch, he had gentle features and a neat appearance. If not for the sword at his waist, he could easily be mistaken for a scholar.

"Don't act so smug, and don't talk like you're the only one who can see something so obvious," Namgung Heok, the second son, retorted. Unlike his brother, he was built like an ox and had eyes that could cut steel.

"What did you just say?"

"Did I say something wrong?"

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Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok were rivals in more ways than one. Not only were they the Star Instructors of the Vermilion Phoenix Academy and the White Tiger Academy respectively, they were also locked in a fierce competition to become the next Patriarch of the Namgung Clan.

Next to them, a cute little girl scolded, "Seriously! Why do you two always start fighting every time you meet? If you keep it up, I'm going to tell Daddy."

The little girl's name was Namgung Mi. At only ten years old, she was the youngest of the siblings and the overwhelming favorite of their father, the Ironblood Swordsman Namgung Cheon.

The moment their little sister puffed out her chubby cheeks and grumbled, the two grown men locked in a battle of wills wavered. They knew how much their father adored her. If they upset Namgung Mi, Namgung Cheon's wrath would undoubtedly descend upon them.

"Mimi, we weren't fighting…"

"Ahem! That's right, we were just talking. This is how me and Hyung-nim communicate, so please understand, okay?"

Placing her hands on her hips, Namgung Mi spoke primly, "Even though we're family, we don't see each other often, so get along, okay?"

"Okay."

"Yeah, yeah."

Two grown men humbled by a little girl. The sight was almost comical. However, until the official successor of the Namgung Clan was chosen, Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok had no choice but to accommodate Namgung Mi's feelings.

Sighing, Namgung Hak turned to Namgung Su. "Su, why are you so quiet?"

"I'm busy watching the base of the mountain," Namgung Su replied curtly, but Namgung Mi sidled up beside him.

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"Hey, Su-oppa, Su-oppa," she nudged.

"I'm working. Don't bother me."

"But I'm hungry."

Sighing, Namgung Su pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and popped it into his sister's mouth. He didn't know why, but ever since she was little, she had the habit of following him around everywhere despite him treating her like a pesky insect.

"There you go," he said.

"Hehe! Thank you, Oppa."

Namgung Mi happily munched on the candy.

Seeing the youngest's blissful expression, Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok were flabbergasted.

This kid. She was indifferent when I gave her expensive jewelry…

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Why does a mere piece of candy make her that happy?

Unlike them, Namgung Su treated the youngest so coldly that their father, who transformed from the Ironblood Swordsman into the Softhearted Familyman whenever he was with his daughter, would be absolutely furious if he saw it.

"It's late, so you should go home now."

"I've learned martial arts too!"

"It's bedtime for kids."

"Mimi is not a kid anymore. I've learned martial arts too!"

"So troublesome…" Namgung Su sighed, furrowing his brow.

Namgung Heok casually placed a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder. "I heard that one of the new instructors at the Azure Dragon Academy is quite exceptional. Was his name Baek Suryong?"

At first glance, it seemed like a friendly gesture, but the strength in Namgung Heok's grip was enough to make most people scream.

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Nevertheless, Namgung Su's expression remained completely unchanged as he replied, "Yes.

"Well, since you even staked your career to include him in this training, he must be remarkable. He'd better do well."

"He will."

"……" A vein bulged on Namgung Heok's forehead at the continued curt replies, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled. "You must be nervous, right? If Baek Suryong performs poorly, everyone will think that you have no eye for talent."

Namgung Su brushed off his brother's hand. "Thank you for your concern, but that won't happen."

"Ha!" Angered by his younger brother's rude dismissal, Namgung Heok leaned in closer and whispered, "By the way, I heard you told Father that you would lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory at the Heavenly Martial Festival?"

"……" Namgung Su sighed inwardly. The Namgung Clan was riddled with spies and informants, most of whom were loyal to either Namgung Hak or Namgung Heok, the two strongest contenders for succession. Given the circumstances, it was not surprising that word spread quickly.

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"What are you thinking? Are you starting to covet the successor's position now that you've gotten older?"

"……"

Namgung Heok's eyes gleamed with the ferocity of a predator. For more than a decade, he had been locked in a bitter struggle with his older brother for the position of heir to the Namgung Clan. Allowing the third son, a mere concubine's child, to intrude was unacceptable.

Fixing Namgung Su with a warning look, he said, "Su, you're chasing after a pipe dream. It's best if you give up this idea immediately. If you dare to enter this race without knowing your place…"

Seeing the thick killing intent in his second brother's eyes, Namgung Hak intervened, "Enough! Su may be the third son and a concubine's child, but he is still our brother. How can you treat our younger brother so harshly?"

"Says the hypocrite who pretends to be on Su's side while pointing out that he's the son of a concubine."

"What did you just say? You're really pushing it today!"

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok scowled at each other, their intense auras crackling and sizzling in the space between them.

"Oppas! I told you not to fight!" Namgung Mi shouted, trying to stop them.

This time, however, the two men paid no attention to her. The clan's martial artists were constantly observing and evaluating which one of them was better suited to inherit the position of patriarch, so this situation was bound to reach their father's ears sooner or later. Retreating without good reason was not an option.

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"Heok, shall we spar? It's been a while," Namgung Hak asked icily.

"Gladly. I'd like to see how much your Infinite Heavens Sword Technique has improved, Hyung-nim."

"I'll make sure you feel it deep in your bones today."

As the two faced each other, taking identical stances, a cold voice doused the heated atmosphere.

"I have no interest in the successor's position," Namgung Su declared. He had never once wanted to become he Patriarch, and that hadn't changed.

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok turned around at the same time to see their youngest brother looking at them with disdain.

Namgung Su continued, "I want to lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory at the Heavenly Martial Festival, not become the Patriarch of the Namgung Clan. Unlike you two, who use this job as a stepping stone to become Patriarch, I actually take pride in being a teacher."

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"What?"

"You arrogant bastard!"

The fierce aura they emitted immediately locked onto him, but Namgung Su simply sneered as if he found his foolish brothers' petty bickering laughable. "Unfortunately, if you two keep up this pathetic display, I fear that I will be forced to assume the position of successor myself."

"What did you just say?"

"Hmph, you're finally showing your true colors."

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok were both angry and bewildered. Since childhood, Namgung Su had always been a quiet, obedient and inconspicuous person, and that hadn't changed much over the years. Just when did he start speaking with such vitriol?

Namgung Su scoffed. "Are you so blind that you don't even realize what's most important right now? The new instructor training course is currently underway, so kindly take your successor competition someplace else."

"Hah! Look at you, getting all high and mighty."

"Do you honestly believe you're on the same level as us just because they call you a Star Instructor? It's only the Azure Dragon Academy. Don't delude yourself into thinking that you're our equal."

Namgung Su snorted. His brothers were always the same, looking down on him for being a concubine's son while pretending otherwise. They never missed an opportunity to belittle or exclude him.

Now that I think about it, my situation is similar to the Azure Dragon Academy's, he mused. Perhaps that's the real reason why I chose the Azure Dragon Academy and grew so attached to it.

Well, I won't hold back any longer.

He smiled, asking, "If you're so confident, how about making a bet with me?"

"A bet?"

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"Are you serious?"

"Yes. Let's bet on which academy achieves the best results. Naturally, I'll bet on the Azure Dragon Academy."

Namgung Su didn't say who, but which academy. In other words, he was betting that the Azure Dragon Academy's average score would be the highest among the four academies.

Namgung Hak smirked. "If it's a bet, what are the stakes?"

"How about the winner gets to slap the losers once?"

"What did you say?"

"You crazy bastard! Fine! Let's do it!"

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The two were stunned at first, but eventually nodded. For a martial artist, being slapped by someone was the ultimate humiliation. Neither of them believed they would lose, and this was a golden opportunity to humiliate the other brother who was competing for the position of successor.

No matter how good that Baek Suryong guy is…

On the whole, our new instructors are much more skilled.

Thus, the bet was made among the three Namgung brothers.

Namgung Mi looked up at Namgung Su with a face that seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Oppa…"

"I'll give you more candy, so don't tell Father about this."

"…Okay."

After putting another candy in Namgung Mi's mouth, Namgung Su looked down the mountain and let out a small sigh. He had made that bet purely on impulse. Baek Suryong's influence seemed to have rubbed off on him in all the wrong ways.

Still, I feel incredibly refreshed.

Suddenly, a beam of light pierced the darkness and gently landed on a rock at the summit.

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The Blue Sky Sword King had arrived.

Standing leisurely with his hands behind his back, he looked no different from when they departed from the Namgung Clan.

The Namgung siblings ran over and greeted him.

"""Grandfather."""

"Grandpa!"

Looking around at his grandchildren, Namgung Jaehak smiled gently. "Have you been waiting? The new instructors will be arriving soon, so let's watch together."

"Yes!"

Soon after, Baek Suryong was the first to appear, just as everyone had anticipated.

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"Hmm? Who is that slung over his shoulder? Is it an injured Azure Dragon instructor?" Namgung Heok asked.

The Blue Sky Sword King smiled bitterly, but didn't answer.

Trailing behind Baek Suryong was Sama Yeong, her clothes tattered and worn like those of a beggar. Further back, instructors from the Vermilion Phoenix Academy and the White Tiger Academy followed, sprinting one after another. A short distance away, the instructors of the Azure Dragon Academy moved in unison, running as a group.

"…Hmm."

"Hmph. Not bad."

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok frowned as they took in the scene. The Azure Dragon Academy was farther ahead than they had expected.

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However, that wasn't the most shocking thing. For some reason, Baek Suryong, who had been leading the charge, came to an abrupt halt right before the finish line.

"What's that guy doing?"

"Why did he stop all of a sudden…"

They tilted their heads in confusion, but when Baek Suryong put down the person he was carrying, an alarming thought crept into their minds.

"Don't tell me…"

"That guy…"

Just as they feared, Baek Suryong drew his sword and pointed it at Sama Yeong.

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"What are you doing!?"

"You asshole!"

Namgung Hak, the Vermilion Phoenix Academy's escort instructor, raged as if he was about to charge forward, but at the last moment, he restrained himself and turned to the Blue Sky Sword King. "Grandfather, isn't this cheating?" he asked.

The Blue Sky Sword King shook his head and laughed helplessly, "Hohoho, it can't be called cheating if there's no rule against it."

"Even so…"

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Baek Suryong and Sama Yeong clashed.

Finding herself hindered at the final stretch, Sama Yeong spat, "You goddamned son of a bitch!"

Although the Namgung siblings were too far away to hear everything clearly, they were able to catch bursts of crude expletives and occasional mentions of Baek Suryong's parents.

Namgung Heok muttered in disbelief, "What's the Azure Sky Sword Brigade doing? Why aren't they stopping him?"

"…Look at Baek Suryong's feet," the Blue Sky Sword King sighed.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to Baek Suryong's feet, specifically to the person he had just dropped to the ground and was stepping on. Those clothes looked very familiar…

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok's eyes widened in shock as they stared vacantly at Baek Suryong like he was a total lunatic.

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"Don't tell me…"

"Did he take someone from the Azure Sky Sword Brigade hostage?"

"Hohohoho…" The Blue Sky Sword King could only let out a hollow laugh. He finally understood why Baek Suryong had insisted on being at the very front. It was never about his personal glory. From the beginning, the young man had planned to intercept the other competitors right before the finish line to ensure the Azure Dragon Academy's victory.

"RUN!" Baek Suryong shouted to his colleagues.

SWOOSH!

At his command, the Azure Dragon instructors released the inner qi they had been conserving and charged forward, quickly overtaking every competitor in front of them.

As the last of them passed Sama Yeong, Baek Suryong knocked her back and turned around, smirking. "See you later, suckers!" he teased.

"You bastard!"

In the end, the Azure Dragon instructors all crossed the finish line at the same time, claiming first place together.

"We're first!"

"Hahaha!"

"We won! We won!"

The Azure Dragon instructors celebrated, hugging each other in joy.

Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok watched them in a daze.

Placing his hands over Namgung Mi's ears, Namgung Su said plainly, "By the way, that guy's only just getting started."

The eldest and second son of the Namgung Clan unconsciously wiped cold sweat from their brows. Despite their youngest brother's efforts to hide it, the faint smile on his lips betrayed his amusement.