Chapter 40: I Wont Use Qi


    The unexpected arrival of the final new instructor candidate left everyone speechless.


    Sorry Imte. Im Baek Su-Ryong, he said.


    His clothes were covered in dust, and his body reeked of gunpowder.


    Baek Su-Ryong brushed off the dust, then smiled and asked, The demonstration lectures arent over yet, right?


    A flurry of replies ensued.


    Hyung-nim!


    Baek-hyung!


    Y-You damned punk!


    Ak Yeon-Ho, Myeong Il-Oh, and Mae Geuk-Lyom, who had been anxiously waiting for Baek Su-Ryong, shouted at the same time. All three of them looked like they wanted to rush over and reprimand him, but before they could do anything, Kwak Cheol-Woo yelled, Candidate Baek Su-Ryong, why are you sote?


    Something important came up, and I was dyed.


    Then what the hell was with the way you came here?!


    I was pressed for time, so I borrowed the power of gunpowder I flew around five hundred feet through the air, and Im a little dizzy.


    You used e-explosives?


    Read this at , or else.


    An acquaintance of mine is an expert in explosives, so asked him for help


    Ugh Exasperated, Kwak Cheol-Woo buried his head in his hands, feeling a headacheing on.


    Beside him, Namgoong Su red at Baek Su-Ryong coldly. Is that the attitude ater should have?


    You asked, so I answered.


    Namgoong Sus icy gaze shed with Baek Su-Ryongs nonchnt expression.


    Seeing this, Kwak Cheol-Woo shouted, Theres no question about it, youre eliminated


    Puhahaha! Damn, youre funny! Noh Gun-Sang, the principal of the Azure Dragon Academy roared, cutting off Kwak Cheol-Woo mid-sentence. The old man, well over eighty years old, burst into tears withughter.


    I havent seen such an entertaining sight since bing the principal of the Azure Dragon Academy. Young Master Baek, are you ready for your lecture?


    P-Principal, no! Weve already decided to eliminate him


    I am the Principal.


    Noh Gun-Sang silenced Kwak Cheol-Woo with a reminder of his authority, then looked back at Baek Su-Ryong with childlike eyes. Young Master Baek, something seems to have changed since thest time I saw you. I presume you have an exciting presentation lined up?


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    Yeah, Ill definitely show you something good. Baek Su-Ryong grinned confidently and surveyed the audience.


    About ten students were staring at him with puzzled, curious, or outright hostile expressions.


    <em>Oh? I see some familiar faces.</em>


    Hyonwon Kang was ring at him like a ferocious beast, while Peng Sa-Hyuks eyes glittered with murderous intent.


    And then there was the girl with the sparkling, passionate gaze.


    <em>Wasnt she the vice president of the student council?</em>


    Tang So-So was staring at Baek Su-Ryong just as intensely as the previous two (but somehow felt more dangerous).


    Even herbreathing was a little rough.


    <em>Err, whats with her? Im scared!</em>


    Baek Su-Ryong avoided meeting Tang So-Sos eyes and walked over to the students.


    Since this is an Outer Arts ss, Ive prepared a hands-on lesson so that we can have some fun together.


    As Baek Su-Ryong approached, the students tensed. Despite being thest candidate, Baek Su-Ryong was not intimidated, but rather rxed andid back.


    STEP, STEP.


    This is a free trantion. You should not be seeing ads.


    As he walked, not only the students and instructors around the lecture tform, but also the students in the dormitories opened their windows one by one and stuck their heads out to watch him.


    MURMUR MURMUR.


    Whats going on? Whats themotion?


    A demonstration lecture? They havent ended yet? Whats so interesting about that


    Hes thest applicant, and he flew in.


    Heflew in? Are you talking about the legendary martial art, Walking on Air?


    No, its not like that


    Eh? Thats the handsome teacher fromst time!


    The eyes of the entire school focused on one individual.


    Noh Gun-Sang felt a little envious. <em>It that a talent Or is it intentional?</em>


    Baek Su-Ryong smiled gently and said, Since this is a hands-on ss, I should give out prizes to the top participants, right?


    His voice wasnt very loud. However, his enunciation was clear and easy to understand. His bodynguage was not exaggerated, but every hand gesture and every movement of his eyes piqued the viewers  wees you.


    It was like watching a well-choreographed sword dance.


    The more Noh Gun-Sang looked at Baek Su-Ryong, the more he admired the young man.<em>Coming from a small town, hes probably never been at the receiving end of so much attention before. If so, then why does he look sofortable, like hes done this countless times before?</em>


    <em>Its like watching Mr. Namgoongs ss.</em>


    Suddenly curious about Namgoong Sus expression, Noh Gun-Sang turned his head to nce at him, only to find that Namgoong Sus had stiffened up.


    Even the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy couldnt take his eyes off of Baek Su-Ryong.


    This is a non-profit trantion. There are no ads.


    Since its our first ss, Ive prepared a simple prize to liven things up.


    A prize?


    Baek Su-Ryong unsheathed his sword and drew a circle with a five-foot radius on the ground around himself. You have two minutes. Using only outer arts, force me to take one step out of this circle. If you do, Ill give all of you a hundred silver coins.


    !! Everyones eyes widened. A hundred silver coins was enough to feed an ordinary family for a year. Even if they were the children of rich murim ns, they could nevery their hands upon such arge sum.


    Eh?


    Is that true?


    Then youre only using outer arts as well?


    Baek Su-Ryong nodded. Of course. If you make me use inner qi, I will also recognize that as my defeat.


    The students exchanged looks with each other, reluctant to make the first move.


    Baek Su-Ryong tapped the floor with his sword sheath and said, You only have two minutes, so the sooner you start attacking me, the better


    Hmph. Sounds interesting. While everyone was still hesitating, the troublemaker brat from the Hyonwon n rushed forward.


    WHOOSH!


    Baek Su-Ryong grinned as Hyonwon Kangs fist flew at his face. I just knew youd be the first one to charge in!


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    The next moment, Baek Su-Ryong reached out at lightning speed, grabbed Hyonwon Kang by the cor, and mmed him into the ground.


    CRASH!


    Keuk! Hyonwon Kangnded on his back and bounced once beforeying down, motionless.


    Take a short break ande back when you feel better. Baek Su-Ryong pushed the groaning Hyonwon Kang away with his foot, then looked at the remaining astonished students.


    What? Did you think making money is easy?


    WHAM!


    Keuaaak! Fuck! After receiving a flick to the forehead, Hyonwon Kang stumbled and fell, but he immediately jumped back to his feet.


    Tsk tsk, this is what happens when you dont pay attention to your footwork. Remember that feeling when you were counterattacked, I clicked my tongue even as Peng Sa-Hyuks kick came flying in from my side.


    BAM!


    I swung my sword sheath to block the attack, then kicked Peng Sa-Hyuk to throw him off-bnce.


    Ugh!


    I mmed the scabbard into the open side of Peng Sa-Hyuks body, knocking himpletely off his feet, then lifted the leg I kicked him with and struck his chin with my toes.


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    BOOM!


    As Peng Sa-Hyuk flew into the air, Tang So-So, who was hiding behind the tall boy, threw her hidden weapons and pounced on me simultaneously, aiming for mutual destruction.


    There was a very creepy, crazy look in her eyes.


    Teacher! Please hit me on the forehead too! she shrieked.


    <em>Is this her idea of advanced psychological warfare?</em>


    I swung the scabbard and swept the hidden weapons aside, then took a step to the side to avoid the girl with a strange fervor in her eyes. As she whizzed past me, I smacked her in the back and pushed her far, far away.


    WHACK!


    As Tang So-So slid off the lecture tform, she turned around and shouted furiously, Why!? Why did you push me away? Give me a chance, I only need one strand of hair!


    Why do you want myhair?


    To put in my pillow!


    <em>As expected of a daughter of the Sichuan Tang n. Shes known for her vicious temper and persistence but it seems she also has a knack for psychological warfare. I absolutely cant let her get near me. Nope, never.</em>


    While I was distracted, a boy whose name I didnt know attacked me from behind.


    Good thinking, but you have too many wasted movements.


    I spun around and swung my scabbard. The punk tried his hardest to dodge, and then


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    THUD!


    Guh! The student whod been hit in the wrong ce crumpled to the floor, his hands sped around his groin and his eyes rolled back in his head.


    K-Keok! Why there


    I am so sorry. Rest assured though, I didnt hit you hard enough to pop it. I tapped him on the butt with the hilt of my sword, then gently pushed him away.


    A few more students lunged at me, but none of them could force me out of the circle.


    Hah Hah Huff


    Damn, hes as slippery as a loach


    If only I could use my inner qi


    The brats ground their teeth determinedly, but even so, they couldnt force me out of the circle.


    <em>Ive practiced this countless times in the Blood Cult, but ever since I developed this drill, Ive never been pushed out of the circle. At the time, I couldnt use inner arts at all due to my destroyed qi center, so I was ced in charge of almost all the outer arts sses.</em>


    <em>Still, these kids are strong enough that if they work together, its not impossible</em>


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    I looked at Hyonwon Kang, Peng Sa-Hyuk, and Tang So-So. All three of them were quite skilled. If they cooperated, they could pose a threat to my current self.


    There was only half a minute left.


    Hey, if you want to win, why dont you fight together? I suggested.


    I always fight alone.


    Wed have to be on the same level to work together.


    I cant stand the thought of cooperating with these guys


    I had no idea what their rtionship was like, but I could at least conclude that it wasnt great.


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    Okay, then prepare to get your asses kicked. Again. I smirked and put my left hand behind me to show that from now on, I would only be using one hand.


    I will not use my left hand for the rest of the game. If thats not enough, I also wont move my left foot


    Fuck you! Shut up!


    Led by the mad dog Hyonwon Kang, the students lunged at me from all directions, bursting with murderous intent.


    Kill him!


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    Push him out of there somehow!


    AHHHH! Shit!


    Unfortunately for them, the ragtag group wasnt much of a threat.


    SMACK! WHAM! BAM!


    I leisurely blocked, dodged, and counterattacked even as I maneuvered them into getting in each others way. As I familiarized myself with their movements, I even had time to observe the spectators.


    Wow! Whoaaa!


    Oh my god! That teacher is not kidding!


    I cant believe Peng Sa-Hyuk and Hyonwon Kang are being treated like that


    Cheers of glee and admiration poured in from the dormitory students sticking their heads out of their windows.


    <em>Heheh, this is nothing</em> I chuckled to myself, a little embarrassed.


    Finally, I nced at the instructors expressions.


    My eyes locked with Namgoong Sus.


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    With a face like hed just chewed on a piece of shit, he red daggers at me.


    <em>Damn, this dudes expression is hrious! Its like were having a snowball fight!</em>


    I smirked and nced at the other instructors. Noh Gun-Sang watched me with interest, while Kwak Cheol-Woo squirmed under Namgoong Sus furious gaze. The rest of them were either astounded or frustrated.


    <em>Hmm? Is that killing intent?</em>


    One of the instructors was staring at me with even more hatred than Namgoong Su. He had arge frame and a muscr body that literally screamed, Im an outer arts  wees you.


    I kept my attention focused on this man who wanted to murder me even as I fended off the students attacks.


    Suddenly, his lips twitched.


    <em>Is he using Sound Transmission tomunicate with someone?</em>


    Unfortunately, I couldnt tell who he was talking to. He was probably just hurling curses at me, but


    <em>Wait a minute, did he just look away for a moment?</em>


    Judging from his frown and clenched teeth, hed shot a nce at the person he was talking to


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    DIE!


    YAAAH!


    At that moment, Hyonwon Kang and Peng Sa-Hyuk attacked me at the same time.


    <em>These punks. They said that they didnt want to work together earlier, but now theyre sneakily doing it.</em>


    The wind from their swinging daos flew at me.


    <em>Oh? Whats this?</em>


    Dao Wind, an indicator of mastery that was one level below Dao Qi, wasnt a technique that could be used without inner qi.


    More importantly, it was a skill that could easily kill a person.


    Pfft! I failed to stifle augh. <em>Theyre trying to force me out of the circle somehow, even if it means cheating.</em>


    Ill show you brats why no one has ever beaten me at this game before, I muttered, drawing my sword.


    <strong>Trantors Note:</strong> The first half of the chapter is written in third-person.