Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

CHIRP! CHIRP!

The chirping of birds heralded the break of dawn, and soft sunlight streamed through the windows.

"Mmm…" Hyonwon Kang slowly opened his eyes to greet the new day.

His entire body throbbed with pain from the previous night's grueling training. Every time he thought he was starting to get used to it, Baek Suryong would raise the intensity, leaving him without a single morning free of aching muscles.

Today, however, Hyonwon Kang woke up cheerfully, as if pain was a foreign concept to him. Before he knew it, his laughter erupted uncontrollably, like the giggling of a madman. "Hehehe…"

Tidying up his bedding earlier than usual, he stepped out onto the training ground. Knowing he'd be drenched in sweat soon enough, he didn't take a bath, simply washed away his eye boogers with some water.

After a while, the other students lodging at the White Dragon Manor began to appear at the training ground one by one.

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"I can't believe this day has finally come…"

"This isn't a dream, right?"

"The world looks so beautiful…"

All five students exchanged deeply moved expressions. Although it was a dawn like any other and the same familiar training ground, to them, it felt as if the whole world was painted in extra vibrant colors today.

"Ah, the air feels so warm today," Geo Sangwoong remarked, smiling as he exhaled a puff of white breath into the chilly morning air.

"Hehe, let's go get drinks tonight," Ya Suhyeok chimed in, already excited at the thought of alcohol.

"It's not going to be canceled at the last minute, is it?" Yeo Min fretted, worried that their sudden good fortune might disappear.

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"I had a nightmare last night… Mr. Baek told us to pack our bags because he's taking us along…" Wiji Cheon murmured.

Everyone instantly glared at him sharply.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Don't jinx it!"

"Shoo! Shoo! Someone go get the salt!"

"Ahem! Attention, everyone!" Hyonwon Kang shouted. Normally, as the ringleader of the White Dragon Manor students, he would have quelled such a riot, but today, he couldn't contain his excitement either.

Grinning from ear to ear, he raised his fist high and declared, "Hehehe… Rejoice, my comrades! It might feel like a dream, but this day has finally come. Today, after having endured so much for so long… Our teacher is finally leaving for the new instructor training!"

""WE'RE FREE!""

All five students raised their hands and erupted in a chorus of cheers, with nobody more ecstatic than Hyonwon Kang, who looked even more excited than the day he was elected Club Union President. At long last, the day had come for Baek Suryong to leave for the Namgung Estate.

"Mr. Baek said he would sleep at the academy and depart directly from there, so we can train on our own time from now onwards! Let's take it easy today! Hahaha!"

Since Baek Suryong was not at the White Dragon Manor, the students celebrated openly with repeated cries of "We're free!" right in the middle of the training grounds.

Hyonwon Kang even danced with joy. "Ahaha! We're free for almost half a month! Freedom! Of course, we shouldn't neglect our training completely, but surely one day of rest can't hurt, right?"

So elated was Hyonwon Kang that he didn't notice his peers suddenly falling silent, and since he just so happened to be facing the opposite direction as them, he was totally oblivious to the appearance of a person behind him.

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"Uh, Wonkang…"

"Senior Wonkang…"

"Maybe tone it down a bit…"

"Dude, don't cross that river…"

Behind you, you idiot! The students frantically hinted to Hyonwon Kang, but in his excitement, he failed to catch on.

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"What do you mean, 'tone it down'? I'm already holding back as it is! Ahh, I feel so relieved. Just thinking about all the beatings we've suffered makes me want to grind my teeth. I used to be smart, you know, but getting hit on the back of the head by that guy every day has lowered my intelligence!"

While it was true that Hyonwon Kang got hit more than the other three combined… there was a good reason for that.

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Hyonwon Kang continued excitedly, "Didn't they say that all the new instructors at the Five Great Academies would be attending the training? Damn, I hope they'll humiliate that guy so that he'll realize…"

"Realize what?"

"That there's always a bigger fish… EEEEEEK!"

Hyonwon Kang slowly turned around, feeling his heart sink. Standing there, arms folded, was Baek Suryong, the very man who was supposed to have spent the night at the academy and left directly from there.

"M-Mr. Baek…?" Hyonwon Kang stammered, cold sweat dripping down his back. "I-I thought you were departing directly from the academy. Why are you here…"

"I stopped by because I forgot to pack some things. I guess I lacked some tact?"

"Haha…"

"Wonkang. And the rest of you."

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"Y-Yes?"

Baek Suryong's mouth curled up into a smile that sent shivers down the students' spines. At the same time, his eyebrows twitched, the veins on his neck bulged, and a strong wave of energy radiated from beneath his feet. "You're slacking off just because I was gone for a few hours? What were you saying? You're free? I can't believe I thought of you as my beloved students!"

"M-Mr. Baek!"

"It's not like that…"

"We were just taking a short break!"

Hyonwon Kang wasn't the only one whose face had drained of color; everyone was scared out of their wits.

We were too careless!

We should have waited until Baek Suryong left town to celebrate!

The consequences of letting their guard down at the last moment were grievous.

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"Freedom? Freeeedom? You like freedom, right?" Baek Suryong rolled up his sleeves and bared his teeth. Despite his handsome face making even that look picturesque, to the students, he resembled a demon from hell.

"Okay, I'll grant you your freedom. Freedom from this mortal world full of suffering," he said, smiling kindly.

Step by step, he advanced toward the petrified students, brandishing the Black Dragon Pointer and Moon Shadow in each hand.

"P-Please spare us!"

"We were just following Senior Wonkang's lead!"

"Hey! Why are you guys pushing all the blame on me!"

The sound of pigs squealing as they were being slaughtered echoed beyond the walls. It was another peaceful day at the White Dragon Manor.

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"You said you'd be back shortly. What took you so long?" Ak Yeonho asked.

Baek Suryong dusted his palms, rubbing off a crumbly residue that looked suspiciously like dried blood. Flicking the stuff on the floor, he replied casually, "Oh, I was just helping the kids with their morning training."

"Hyung-nim, you truly are a merciless fiend…" Myeong Il'oh gasped.

"I-Isn't that blood?" Jaegal Soyeong asked, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief.

The two, being the kind of people who packed everything they thought they might need, carried large backpacks for the long journey.

On the other hand, Baek Suryong, who liked to travel light, shrugged. "I'll be gone for half a month, so I made sure to work them hard beforehand. I also gave each of them an assignment."

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After the morning training, he had given each student a task to complete by the time he returned.

"If you don't finish it by the time I get back, I'll really set you free from this world."

Since he had firmly threatened encouraged them, Baek Suryong was confident that the students would train diligently during his half month absence.

Cheong Cheon will take over teaching Defense Against the Unorthodox Arts while I'm away, and I've also contacted the Rehabilitation Sect and the Valley of Evil to remain on standby in case of an emergency. Did I miss anything?

Baek Suryong took a moment to think about whether he had missed anything, but in the end, he felt confident that everything was accounted for.

Smiling, he said, "I'm ready. Shall we go?"

Together, the four rookie instructors headed to the Principal's office. Their plan was to greet Noh Goonsang, meet Namgung Su, and then leave for the Namgung Estate.

As they walked, Myeong Il'oh sighed softly, "In the end, it seems we're the only new instructors taking part in the training."

"And it's all because of Suryong-hyung," Ak Yeonho complained.

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"What has that got to do with me?" Baek Suryong asked.

Myeong Il'oh explained, "Word on the street is that the other academies are determined to retaliate against the Azure Dragon Academy because of you, the Azure Dragon Hero. After all, as the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Anyone thought to be associated with you is bound to become a target for bullying and repression. Knowing that, who in their right mind would willingly walk into the hornet's nest? "

Baek Suryong snorted, recalling how a few days ago Namgung Su had gathered the new instructors for a briefing session.

"I trust you've all heard the rumors. The Namgung Clan will not be held accountable for any unfortunate incidents that may occur during the training. You are responsible for your own safety."

Frightened by the warning, most of the new instructors withdrew their applications, leaving only four brave souls.

"I prefer it this way. Don't you think the trip will be much more relaxing and enjoyable with just the four of us? It's not like we're going to a gang fight and need reinforcements," Baek Suryong laughed.

"…I'm already dreading how badly we're going to be harassed by the other teachers."

"Sometimes, I really envy your ability to remain unshaken no matter what happens."

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"You're not going to purposely drag us into any brawls, right? Right?"

Seeing Baek Suryong's carefree attitude, Ak Yeonho, Myeong Il'oh, and Jaegal Soyeong sighed deeply, worried for the future. Still, in the end, they cast aside their worries and concluded that as long as they were with Baek Suryong, they could tackle anything.

The group soon arrived at the Principal's office, where they noticed a plump bladesman waiting. He was one of their fellow new instructors.

"Huh? Didn't you just say that only the four of us were going?" Baek Suryong remarked, furrowing his brow as he tried to remember who the bladesman was. "What was your name again… Ah, I know! You're Go Hyeokdu, right?"

"I'm Kwak Duyong! How can you not get a single syllable of my name right?!" Kwak Duyong shouted indignantly.

"Sorry. It's been a while, so I forgot your name. Since I haven't seen you around lately, I thought you got fired," Baek Suryong apologized with a face that said he wasn't even the least bit sorry.

"Who got fired? I'm working hard under Granduncle… I mean, the Vice Principal."

Since Kwak Duyong was related to Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo, there were some rumors that he got in through connections when he joined the Azure Dragon Academy. However, after Baek Suryong caused a whole string of major incidents, people quickly forgot that he even existed.

Curious, Baek Suryong asked, "So, why are you here? Are you going to the training too?"

"I can't miss an event like the new instructor training," Kwak Duyong declared confidently, puffing out his chest.

Baek Suryong studied the man closely, frowning. He didn't know what had happened during the time they hadn't met, but Kwak Duyong seemed to have changed a lot.

"Hmm… You've lost quite a bit of weight, and your physique has become reasonably decent," he noted.

"You…"

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Just then, Noh Goonsang's voice boomed from inside the office. "If you're all here, come in."

The five new instructors entered the office. Noh Goonsang and Namgung Su were already inside, and had apparently been talking before their arrival.

"I'll keep this brief," Noh Goonsang said as he stood up. One by one, he met the eyes of each new instructor, before finally settling his gaze on Baek Suryong.

Hohoho, I wonder what sort of chaos you're planning to unleash this time, Mr. Baek Suryong?

Smiling, he announced, "I'll cover for you youngsters, so go teach those fools who dare look down on our Azure Dragon Academy a harsh lesson."

""Yes, sir!""

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"I will be your escort. From now on, you will be traveling to the Namgung Estate as representatives of the Azure Dragon Academy. Please make sure to preserve your dignity and watch your words and actions throughout the journey and training course," Namgung Su added plainly.

""Yes, sir!""

The four new instructors, minus Baek Suryong, nodded with tense expressions.

"Then, Principal. We'll be off," Namgung Su said.

Noh Goonsang nodded. "Hoho, I entrust them to your care."

Namgung Su bid Noh Goonsang farewell, then turned to leave. "Let's go."

The instructors left the office and stepped out of the building. To their surprise, a crowd of well-wishers was waiting outside. They included Baek Suryong's students, who they all thought were still resting in the White Dragon Manor, as well as many members of the Student Council and the Club Union.

"Mr. Baek! Go and show them who's boss!"

"Just treat them the way you treat us!"

"Don't forget to bring back souvenirs for us!"

Even the students who had bonded with the other new instructors showed up to see them off.

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"Mr. Ak Yeonho! We'd love to have some private lessons when you return!"

"Ms. Jaegal Soyeong! We'll diligently review the formations you taught us!"

"Mr. Myeong Il'oh! Please spar with us again sometime!"

Ak Yeonho, Myeong Il'oh and Jaegal Soyeong were deeply touched by this unexpected display of support.

"Why are you guys…"

"You guys…"

Baek Suryong smiled, clapping his teary-eyed juniors on the shoulders. "Aren't these kids just the cutest? When did they plan this? Since they're even cheering for us, we absolutely can't let them down, right?"

Everyone nodded firmly.

Only Kwak Duyong, who hadn't received any personal encouragement, looked dejected.

Feeling sorry for him, some students shouted kindly, "Mr. Kwak Duyong, you too, hang in there!"

Kwak Duyong's face instantly lit up. "Hahaha! Thank you! I'll definitely bring honor to the Azure Dragon Academy!"

And so, with the cheers of their supporters ringing in their ears, the Azure Dragon Academy instructors set off with a renewed sense of purpose.

Their destination? The Namgung Clan Estate.

Little did they know, this training course would go down as a legendary chapter in murim history.

Translator's Note: Wave goodbye to the kids for a while, it's time for the adults to shine!