Chapter 42: Is There Anything You Want to Ask Me?


    Do you have any idea how nervous I was back there? Because of you, Hyung-nim, I MMMMPH!


    Youre hurting my ears. Just shut up and eat, I said, stuffing arge dumpling into Ak Yeon-Hos mouth.


    Myeong Il-Oh sipped his wine and giggled, Dont me him. If Yeon-Ho hadnt asked the examiners to dy your turn, wed be throwing a constion party for you right now.


    Nom Zats wight, you sood sank me! Ak Yeon-Hoined even as he chewed on the dumpling, then shot me what he thought was a fierce look.


    Unfortunately, with his pretty boy face, he looked cute rather than scary.


    I smirked and refilled his cup, saying, Isnt that why Im treating you to drinks now?


    After getting back from the demonstration lecture, the three of us gathered in my room and ordered room service to celebrate.


    Anyway, what were you doing that made you sote? Myeong Il-Oh asked.


    This is a non-profit trantion. Ads? What ads?


    Recalling the grueling past few days, I let out a long sigh. Dont remind me. I went to meet some friends


    My n to cure Wiji Cheons Qi Deviation ande to Nanchang with Wiji Yeol and Wiji Cheon was good in itself. However, they were both wanted criminals by the Murim Alliance, and there was the possibility of us being tracked by the ck-cloaked man who had given Wiji Cheon the fake Unlimited Sword, so we had no choice but to avoid the main road and go on a long hike across the mountains. If that wasnt bad enough, even when we finally arrived in Nanchang and I summoned Cheong Cheon from outside the city with a smoke signal, making fake identities for the Wiji n duo and obtaining passes to enter the city took much longer than I had expected.


    Well, I couldnt tell Ak Yeon-Ho and Myeong Il-Oh the whole story, so I simplyined about going to help an acquaintance and ending up having to endure a terrible ordeal.


    Thanks to them I was forced to practice my movement arts to death on the way here, I sighed again, shaking my head.


    Myeong Il-Oh smiled wryly and looked at Ak Yeon-Ho. Yeon-Ho here thought that you were busy scouting out possible locations for the White Dragon Academy.


    White Dragon Academy?


    Didnt you mention that if you failed the exam, you would build the White Dragon Academy across the road from the Azure Dragon Academy and surpass them within ten years? Man, you should have seen the look on the Headmasters face when Yeon-Ho told him about that


    Ahem! Hey, would you mind not talking about someone elses embarrassing history? Thats already in the past! Ak Yeon-Ho interrupted.


    I refilled his wine cup again as thanks and said, Aww shucks. Its my treat today, so drink to your hearts  wees you.


    Heehee, I wont say no to such a generous offer. Here, you drink too, Hyung-nim.


    Suddenly, Myeong Il-Oh asked worriedly, By the way, you two havent forgotten about the duel tomorrow, have you?


    The practical exams for new Azure Dragon Academy instructors consisted of two parts, and the first was the demonstration lecture they had finished earlier. The second part of the exam was a duel with one of the existing instructors that was scheduled to take ce the next day.


    It wasnt mandatory to win the duel, but winning definitely gave an applicant a huge advantage. Unfortunately, since the duel pairings were traditionally decided by the Principal, they would not know the identities of their opponents until right before the exam, preventing the applicants from investigating and analyzing their weaknesses.


    <em>The Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, Noh Gun-Sang Even back when the Blood Cult was active, he was already known as one of the top hundred martial artists in the orthodox murim and was renowned for killing countless masters of the Cult.</em>


    <em>Although we were enemies during that turbulent time, for some reason, hes being surprisingly friendly to me now. Does he want something from me? Even though Im currently a total nobody with nothing of value?</em>


    Read this at , or else.


    Hmmm Well, I am indeed handsome andpetent


    Wow, seriously Hyung-nim? Youre praising yourself out loud? Myeong Il-Oh clicked his tongue in mock amazement.


    I refilled his wine cup and confidently said, Its just a duel. Whats the big deal?


    Thats right, its just a duel! It doesnt matter who the opponent is, all I have to do is beat them to a pulp! Ak Yeon-Ho blurted.


    Having reached the three-star level of the Heaven Defying Divine Art, I wasnt too worried about the duel, and Ak Yeon-Ho was also a peak-level master in his own right.


    Its good that youre both so rxed Myeong Il-Oh, whose skills were roughly equal to the current Azure Dragon Academy instructors, sighed, feeling a bit lonely.


    You have only yourself to me for not working harder on your martial arts, I teased.


    Ak Yeon-Ho giggled, Yup, heeheehee Anyway, Hyung-nim, why did you have to go and be so cool back there?!


    <em>Fuck, I forgot how easily this guy gets drunk.</em>


    Ak Yeon-Ho snuggled up next to me, smirking deviously. Did you see the looks on the girls faces when you cut the de Wind in half? They were ecstatic. You must have enjoyed listening to all their swooning too, right?


    Get off me before I cut you in half as well. I pushed Ak Yeon-Ho away in disgust and stood up.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    He floundered for a bit, fell on his butt, then looked at me with teary eyes. Where are you going, Hyung-nim?


    Im going to the toilet. Are you going to follow me there?


    Ak Yeon-Ho blushed. Boo, what are you saying, so embarrassing Hurry up, okay? I cant wait anymore!


    You, do you know what <em>youre</em> saying?


    <em>This is just a drunk dude babbling nonsense, right? Right.</em>


    I sighed and turned to Myeong Il-Oh, Il-oh, hold him down so he doesnt follow me.


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    Ill try, but Im no good at martial arts, so it might be difficult.


    <em>Shit, this guy is surprisingly petty, too.</em>


    I decided to ignore them and went to the toilet to relieve myself, but on my way back, I suddenly sensed a familiar qi behind me. I slowly turned around


    GULP.


    Even during my demonstration lecture, I was absolutely confident, but right now, I couldnt help but shiver nervously as I stuttered, G-Grandpa?


    Youve gotten careless. Do you think youve already passed? An old man with an icy gaze as cold as the northern wind red at me.


    All of my drunkenness disappeared in an instant.


    Damn bastard, your love of alcohol reminds me of your father Mae Geuk-Lyoms eyebrows and forearm muscles twitched.


    I immediately erased all hints of arrogance and gave my best impression of a humble and polite grandson. Haha, I was just having a drink to relieve myself of the days fatigue By the way, what brings you here, Grandpa?


    Why, have Ie to a ce I shouldnt?


    You ought to read this at .


    No, of course not


    Your grandfather came all the way here to visit you, but you havent even offered me a seat.


    Hey, waiter! Bring me a pot of tea! Grandpa, this spot has the nicest view of the outside scenery, please take a seat. I said.


    While waiting for the waiter to arrive, I wiped the table with my sleeve to show my sincerity.


    Mae Geuk-Lyom sat down with a sour look on his face and stared hard at me for some time before finally asking, Are you hurt anywhere?


    ?


    That technique you used to cut the de Wind earlier didnt look like something your body can handle.


    As expected of a master swordsman, Mae Geuk-Lyom instinctively knew that the Sword Unification I used earlier was quite taxing on my body. Fortunately, I had been practicing the Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest diligently, so although my muscles were aching, I wasnt actually injured.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    If I was, I wouldnt be drinking right now.


    Dont worry, Im okay.


    Dont get overconfident just because youre young, Mae Geuk-Lyom scolded, before letting out a small sigh. You know, your mothers health wasnt good. Even after taking her to all the best physicians in the gangho, I couldnt find a way to cure her sickness. When I first saw you, you looked a bit frail, and I suspected that you might have inherited her illness


    Even though Mae Geuk-Lyom was trying his best to appear nonchnt, I could see that there was a deep sense of regret hidden in his eyes.


    Anyway, take this. It wille in handy someday. Mae Geuk-Lyom pulled something out of his chest pocket and handed it to me.


    It was a pill, neatly wrapped in paper. It emitted a faint fragrance, and one nce was all it took for me to realize how precious this medicine was to him.


    I felt a pang of conscience and tried to return the pill to him, As you can see, Im really healthy, so


    If someone your senior gives you a present, just shut up and ept it.


    Okay then Thank you. I epted his gift. Continuing to refuse him would be impolite of me.


    Having achieved his objective, Mae Geuk-Lyom stood up. Now that thats done, Im leaving.


    <em>Wait, you havent even touched your tea yet!?</em>


    Already? Why dont you have something to eat


    I have a lot of work to do, and you should drink in moderation.


    This is a non-profit trantion. You should not be seeing ads.


    Fine, Ill stop drinking today.


    Mae Geuk-Lyom stared at me for a moment, then added, Dont hate the student who broke the rules of your game. Ive already scolded him enough. He just got caught in the moment and


    I smirked and replied, Dont worry, Im not so petty that I would bully a student.


    <em>Although Im definitely petty enough to get revenge on the instigator.</em>


    Unaware of my true thoughts, Mae Geuk-Lyom nodded in approval. Very well.


    Ill walk you back to the academy


    No need. Dont waste your time. Mae Geuk-Lyom refused my offer with a stern re.


    I bowed to send him off, saying, See you tomorrow, Grandpa.


    Without a word, he turned around and strode out of the inn.


    I watched him go, then looked at the pill hed given me. It doesnt look like the type that needs to be eaten right away


    Huh, I didnt realize you two were rted, someone suddenly said.


    You ought to read this at .


    I spun around, startled. <em>Someone came this close to me without alerting me? How Oh, its him.</em>


    The Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy, the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva Noh Gun-Sang stood behind me, smiling like a gentle, kindly saint.


    I apologize. I didnt mean to eavesdrop. The atmosphere seemed serious, and I didnt want to interrupt Hohoho, the man who was once called the Devil by the unorthodox sectsughed bashfully.


    I sat down across from Noh Gun-Sang, my vision of him only slightly obscured by the steaming tea. He picked up his teacup, slowly savored the aroma, and took a sip.


    Mmm, this is delicious. I wonder if tea is something that tastes better as one ages? I seem to prefer it more and more, hemented, a slight frown on his face.


    Should I order wine instead?


    Heehee, its okay. I know its quite a chore for a youngster like you to drink with an old man like me.


    No, I


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    Who taught you martial arts? Noh Gun-Sang suddenly asked, bringing an end to the small talk.


    I narrowed my eyes. <em>Is he onto something? Well, even if he is, I have nothing to lose. I havent used any Blood Cult martial arts in front of him or done anything suspicious.</em>


    I answered confidently, My father.


    Was your father once a student at the Azure Dragon Academy?


    Yes. I heard that he was the academys worst delinquent around thirty years ago.


    Cough! Cough! Noh Gun-Sang choked on his tea.


    Perhaps my answer was too blunt for him.


    After some time, he smiled and continued asking, Why did you wait so long to reveal yourself to the gangho?


    It was a question that could be interpreted in several ways, but I suppose what he wanted to know was: If youre that strong, why havent you made a name for yourself in the murim yet?


    It was apliment from one of the top hundred martial artists, so I replied with a grateful smile, When I was younger, I was too weak and sickly to fight, and when I grew older, I realized that risking my life just to see who was stronger is meaningless.


    Hohoho Noh Gun-Sangughed heartily. Did you know? Im actually someone who enjoys peace and boredom.


    Well, everyone has their likes and dislikes. I much prefer teaching over fighting, and if I can make a living from it, then all the better.


    You ought to read this at .


    In short, you simply dont want to get involved inthe ganghosplicated web of intrigue, right?


    Something like that.


    Noh Gun-Sang pondered my words deeply for a while, then said, You know, you arent the first person like that who has applied to the academy as an instructor. Some of them were afraid to take a human life, and some were afraid to lose their own. I do not condemn them or look down on them.


    I appreciate your understanding


    But you are not like them. Suddenly, Noh Gun-Sangs gaze sharpened to the point where it could piece a persons heart. You dont strike me as someone who is afraid of shedding blood, rather


    Somehow, I get the feeling that youre someone who has shed so much blood that youre tired of it. Hohoho. Noh Gun-Sang smiled and looked straight at me.


    I didnt avert my gaze. It wasnt like he could figure anything out just staring at me.


    Our eyes met, and there was a moment of silence.


    After sizing me up to his satisfaction, Noh Gun-Sang looked away. He took another sip of his tea and said, Thats all I wanted to ask you. Is there anything you want to ask me?


    <em>Yes.</em>


    I immediately answered, Tomorrow, I want you to let me fight Namgoong Su.


    Noh Gun-Sang broke intoughter as if he already knew what I would say.


    <strong>Trantors Note:</strong> Just recovered from the flu, ughand still coughing.