Chapter 83
The next day.
“Heh… hehe.”
‘That human…’
“Hmph… hehe.”
‘As much as I like it, is he openly rubbing it in?’
“Puhaha!”
“Ahem! Instructor Jin. How about you restrain yourself a little?”
It was around noon.
The academy conference room was filled with officials from within the academy and even personnel from the Martial Alliance.
In the midst of this, So-ah kept laughing and finally, unable to hold it in, burst into a loud laugh.
At that, Instructor Cheong-il, who was seated next to him, scolded So-ah with a face as if he had eaten shit.
‘Hoho! It’s understandable that his feelings are twisted.’
Eun Min-min, who was in charge of the Human Division along with So-ah, thought inwardly with a smirk as she looked at the other instructors who had dark faces like Cheong-il.
It was only natural.
Because the result of yesterday’s duel was beyond surprising, it was close to shocking.
20 wins, 10 draws.
The report card of the Human Division was a monumental one that no one could have imagined.
Of course, one could not gauge the absolute superiority or inferiority of martial arts by the win rate.
Since it was not a life-and-death duel, there were many who did not use their secret techniques, and due to the nature of the evaluation duel, it was closer to a kind of informal sparring where the facilitator’s discretion was heavily involved.
But clearly, this win rate meant a lot.
The key to the victory of the Human Division students was simple.
With tenacious stamina, when the opponent moved once, they moved twice, three times, to find an opening, and persistently dug into that opening.
The value that So-ah had emphasized until his mouth was dry, but which most had sneered at and ignored.
The so-called values of ‘infinite stamina’ and ‘body remodeling’ had been perfectly proven to have a great impact on the outcome of a match.
On the other hand, the instructors of the Heaven and Earth divisions, who had recorded a disastrous win rate despite having excellent resources, must have felt like they were sitting on a bed of thorns…
Not only would they be ashamed, but for the instructors whose student’s performance was directly linked to their personnel evaluation, even their positions would be in jeopardy.
In that moment.
—Creak.
The door of the conference room opened and two people entered the room.
It was none other than the Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, and the Head Instructor, Namgung Won.
At that, all the officials stood up at once and performed a cupped fist salute to the two.
“Martial Alliance Leader. Head Instructor. Welcome.”
“You are all gathered.”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s start the meeting now.”
***
It was not a heavy or silent atmosphere.
Because the expressions of the Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, and the Head Instructor, Namgung Won, were not dark.
Thanks to that, the instructors of the Heaven and Earth divisions were able to participate in the meeting, having been somewhat freed from the pressure.
“It was a surprising duel result. To think that the Human Division, which was evaluated as the weakest, would record such a win rate. Hoho, Chief Instructor Jin’s contribution is immense.”
Ha Won-sang glanced at So-ah and let out a hearty laugh.
As he said, So-ah’s contribution was truly great.
He had transformed the weakest Human Division students into the strongest students, thus creating a result that perfectly matched the academy’s founding purpose of nurturing capable new officials.
“You praise me too much. I just did what I had to do.”
“Hoho. You don’t have to be so humble. I remember when you were appointed as the chief instructor. At that time, not only the officials within the Martial Alliance, but also the opposition within the academy was fierce. It was an appointment that would not have been possible without the full support of Chief Hong In-geol and the Sword Empress.”
“Haha, that’s right.”
So-ah smiled slightly.
Looking back, the personnel appointment of his ‘chief instructor appointment’ at that time was not just unconventional, but shocking.
“But that appointment was truly appropriate. Although your actions are renowned for being strange, you have proven it with results, from the mission in Henan to the final duel evaluation, so now no one will be able to doubt Instructor Jin’s qualifications.”
“Martial Alliance Leader…”
So-ah’s voice sank softly with a special emotion.
In the first place, the position of academy instructor was not what So-ah had wanted.
But it was a choice he had to make for the Moyong family, which was on the verge of collapse after his grandfather’s death…
Thanks to that choice, now no famous family or sect in the Jianghu could ignore the Moyong family.
‘I also worked hard.’
So-ah praised himself inwardly for a change.
Because he had been running like a restless post horse until now.
Completely changing 30 lower-class students was no big deal.
The several months of exploits, such as subjugating the Great Desert Mad Wind Sand single-handedly and carrying out Wang So-yeong’s request, would be remembered as unforgettable memories, and the experience of the <Ghost Valley Mountain Manor> he had gone through in the process became an opportunity to develop himself once again.
Also, he was happy that he could share the internal dan of the Sun Fire Carp with his junior sister and junior brother, and from the matter of securing the family’s finances after wiping out the Triad and restoring the Liaoning commercial district with the help of the great man Bao, to the clash with the Green Forest General Fortress Lord, Jang Beon-pal. And through that, overcoming the huge difference in seniority and becoming sworn brothers.
After experiencing a series of exploits that would only be passed down in legends, So-ah could not help but feel a sense of profound change.
Just then.
“Anyway, Chief Instructor Jin has worked really hard. You will become a role model for many Orthodox Path martial artists. Therefore, I hope you will also serve as the chief instructor for the next term of the academy. Don’t you think so too, Head Instructor?”
Ha Won-sang’s question was directed at the Head Instructor, Namgung Won.
At that, a strange expression that was hard to read appeared on Namgung Won’s face.
‘Will the Head Instructor use Instructor Jin again?’
‘He has no intention of doing so at all.’
‘The Head Instructor is a conservative person. He won’t just watch Instructor Jin’s crazy actions.’
The instructors glanced at Namgung Won and thought so.
As it was, a rumor was circulating within the academy that there was a frequent conflict of opinion between the father and son over the matter of Namgung Mun joining the Human Division due to So-ah’s strange trick.
But.
“It will have to be so. Chief Instructor Jin’s contribution is unique, and his ability has been proven by the student evaluation results alone. I believe his reappointment is appropriate.”
Surprisingly, Namgung Won praised So-ah’s contribution and came to his defense.
‘What’s with that stubborn old man?’
Even So-ah was so surprised by Namgung Won’s reaction that he tilted his head.
“Keke! Then I’ll take it that Instructor Jin will also serve as the chief instructor for the next term.”
The Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, was pleased.
But in that moment.
A firm statement flowed from So-ah’s mouth.
“I intend to resign from my position as instructor at the end of this term’s graduation.”
‘Gasp!’
‘What?!’
‘This is getting strange.’
All the people’s eyes widened.
In particular, the Head Instructor, Namgung Won, had a look of astonishment, as if he had never imagined that So-ah would refuse the position of chief instructor.
“Instructor Jin. Why is that?”
Ha Won-sang asked with a clearly disappointed expression, and So-ah spoke seriously.
“I appreciate the consideration, but I have a lot to do.”
“Instructor Jin…”
“Our family has existed as one of the Five Great Families of the Jianghu, relying on my grandfather alone. But after my grandfather passed away, many forces of the Orthodox Path tried to step on our family and raise their own status.”
So-ah’s words made the atmosphere in the room sink heavily.
Although it was somewhat blatant, it was the truth, and no one could deny that part.
“Now I intend to work for the prosperity of my family. I have learned a lot by looking at famous families such as the Namgung Family, the Seo-mun Family, the Sichuan Tang Clan, and the Zhuge Family. The direct and collateral blood relatives of the above families number in the thousands, and the number of external disciples and affiliated martial arts schools is countless. Of course, their finances are also strong, and their systems are so solid that they are not inferior to the Nine Great Sects.”
At So-ah’s words, Ha Won-sang stroked his beard and nodded.
At that, So-ah spoke again.
“On the other hand, our family has a very small number of people. Therefore, I intend to do my best to gather the blood relatives of the Moyong family scattered throughout the Central Plains, establish external disciples and affiliated martial arts schools, and secure finances so that the Moyong family can stand firm.”
‘Ah…!’
‘So he’s saying he has ambitions.’
‘He wasn’t just a person with strong martial arts!’
Whether the repercussion of So-ah’s words was significant, the people in the room let out an inward sigh.
It was a moment when a strange ripple arose in their hearts.
“Of course, before that!”
“…”
“I also intend to reflect on my own martial arts.”
At the same time, So-ah’s voice also changed to a much lighter tone.
“Hah… as expected of the God of War’s disciple. Despite his martial arts being so outstanding, he intends to reflect on his martial arts again… So, are you planning to go into seclusion for training?”
Ha Won-sang, as if he couldn’t stop him, shook his head and asked.
At that, So-ah curled up the corners of his mouth and nodded.
“I’m not sure, but in some form, I will advance my martial arts by one step.”
“Scary. Keke! A really scary master will appear.”
“Aren’t I scary now?”
“What? Hahahaha!”
“Haha!”
Ha Won-sang burst into a loud laugh at the joke So-ah had made to lighten the mood.
But some of them could not take So-ah’s words as a pure joke.
In particular, Jong Jin-do, who had once experienced ‘shitting blood’ through So-ah, would have been even more so…
‘How much stronger is he trying to get? He’s a really scary human. Ugh, what a disgusting brat!’
***
The meeting continued for a long time.
It was understandable, as it was a meeting that dealt with everything from the evaluation of nearly 100 students, to matters concerning the next term’s students, the reappointment of instructors, and the appointment of new officials.
Although they were not matters that could be dealt with all at once, as a result of coordinating their opinions quite sincerely, the Martial Alliance and the academy reached an agreement on several matters today.
First, as they were the first graduating students of the academy, as many people as possible would be appointed as new officials.
Among them, in the case of the Human Division, which had received considerable scores in both mission performance and duel evaluation, all members would be appointed as officials.
Second, instead of making the students who were not appointed as officials repeat the next term, they would be given the opportunity to serve as members of the Martial Alliance, and would be given the qualification of an official according to their future contributions.
Third, from the next term of the academy, all students, regardless of the Heaven, Earth, or Human divisions, would go through the training process of ‘infinite stamina’ and ‘body remodeling’.
Of course, most of the matters were heavily influenced by So-ah’s words.
The officials, from the moment the meeting began, could not help but be surprised by So-ah’s unreserved speech and unexpected logic.
So much so that even the instructors, who had usually regarded So-ah as just a ‘crazy human with strong martial arts,’ were speechless.
In particular, when he insisted on appointing as many students as possible as officials, while also giving even the students with poor grades the opportunity to serve as members without repeating a year, everyone was pleased.
Whether they liked them or not, they were the students they had taught, and since many of them were the children of high-nosed famous families, the extreme measure of making them repeat a year could have caused a backlash.
After finishing the meeting like that…
So-ah, in front of the chief instructor’s residence, which he would have to vacate in a few days, looked at the countless stars in the night sky for a while.
At that, numerous thoughts came to mind.
At the same time, a cool night breeze brushed against his cheek.
‘Grandpa. I’m doing well, right? Right?’
Suddenly.
And it was a night when he missed his grandfather particularly.
And…
‘Grandpa Wi-ji too… Brother Chan too. And the North Sea girl, So-yeong too. I miss them all.’
—Pop!
So-ah, who had been holding a bottle of bamboo leaf liquor in one hand, opened the cap and drank it down in one gulp.
“I’ve been so indifferent. After I resign as instructor, I should go and see Brother Chan… and So-yeong too.”
Of course, before that.
‘I have to crush that monk’s head first. What? He passed the Arhat Hall? He’s my lifelong rival? Keke. How dare that damn monk, without even knowing his place, hey, you!’
The corners of So-ah’s mouth rose sinisterly.
The Great Master Gwang-won.
Now, the duel with him remained.
(End of Chapter)