Chapter 63: What if I Paid You Ten Times as Much?


    CLACK!


    An old man threw open the window, inviting the crisp morning air into his lungs. Gradually, the fog in his mind dissipated, leaving rity in its wake.


    Hoo Taking deep, deliberate breaths, the old man fixed his gaze on thendscape outside. His vision was blurred from presbyopia, but he could still see well enough to appreciate the sunrise.


    Good. A broad smile graced his lips as he watched the townspeople embark on their daily journeys. Men and women left their homes, venturing out early to earn a living. The streets echoed with the chatter of children on their way to schools and martial arts academies.


    In the few weeks since his return to his hometown, this had quickly be a habit for the old man, and one of his few pleasures.


    Suddenly, the window mmed shut of its own ord.


    Old man, its not wise to be out in the cold so early, a voice called from behind him.


    The old man clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned around, only to see a stern woman dressed in a ck martial arts outfit approaching him. Dont you think youre being rather rude to the elderly by bursting into my room and interrupting me?


    Your health is more important than your amusement, the woman replied, her voice surprisingly soft in spite of her severe appearance.


    She helped the old man into his robes and ced a steaming decoction on the table beside the bed.


    Open the window, please.


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


    Ill open it as soon as youve taken your medicine.


    Eh The old man grudgingly took a sip of the bitter brew.


    Only then did the woman relent and open the window.


    When I get back, Im going to tell everyone how disobedient you were, the old man grumbled.


    And Ill tell them you refused to take your medicine.


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


    Ugh The old man groaned, on the verge of an outburst, but he stopped himself. The womans words may have been harsh, but her concern for him was undeniable. After all, not only had she apanied him on this journey, but she had also carried all of his luggage for him, all the while maintaining her stoic facade.


    When I return, Ill see to it that youre given more important duties.


    The womans face paled. I apologize, so please dont say that.


    The old man chuckled at the sight. The woman had remained impassive even when he threatened her, but when he offered to reward her, she panicked.


    He turned back to the window and looked out at the street.


    I lived here until I overstayed my wee. Then, after decades, I returned. Its almost funny how much things have changed.


    Yes.


    I thought this was home, but now that I think about it, it never really was. Both my parents passed away when I was a child, and I dont have many fond memories of this city.


    Then why did you decide toe here?


    The old man fell silent, a mixture of emotions in his eyes. After a while, he said, Because regardless, this is my hometown and the first ce that came to mind when they told me I needed to recuperate.


    Im sure youll recover soon and return to office.


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    You know, Shadow. I really dont want to go back to that den of vipers.


    Shadow held her tongue and studied the old mans back. This was not the time for her to speak. Her job was to ease his mind, look after his health and protect him from danger.


    Ill go get you something to eat. Shadow moved to leave the old mans room.


    Hmm? Whats going on? the old man suddenly eximed.


    Shadow stopped in her tracks and turned around. The old man was leaning halfway out of the window, peering intently at a boisterous crowd gathering below.


    Puhahaha, check this out!


    Tsk tsk, I guess there are all kinds of weirdos in the world


    The Azure Dragon Academys Future Star Instructor? Who the hell is Baek Su-Ryong?


    Havent you heard the rumors? Hes one of the new instructors


    Ah, you mean that braggart who said hed lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory in the Heavenly Martial Festival?


    Guaranteed eptance? What a fraud!


    The Azure Dragon Academy must have really fallen from grace for them to hire such a person


    What a disgrace to martial artists!


    The spectacle caught the old mans attention. Whats all the fuss about? Some kind of murim conspiracy?


    You ought to read this at .


    Shadow enhanced her hearing with inner qi. Looks like someone put up a flyer. A martial arts instructor named Baek Su-Ryong is looking for students, she replied.


    Does this kind of thing usually cause such amotion?


    Not really. Its just notmon to see a flyer advertising private martial arts lessons. Most parents prefer to entrust their children to proven and reputable instructors through personal connections.


    <em>Well, if were talking about an Azure Dragon Academy instructor, then his skills should be guaranteed, but this Baek Su-Ryong seems to be quite the attention seeker. Anyway, this has nothing to do with us</em>


    I wonder what he wrote? Bring me a copy of the flyer, the old man ordered.


    <em>Unfortunately, he seems to think differentlyand whats that strange look in his eyes?</em> Shadow felt a little uneasy, but she had no choice but to obey.


    Yes, she said resignedly, before walking out of the room.


    A few minutester, she returned, holding a crumpled piece of paper. I read through it on the way here, but its really nothing worth


    Give it to me. The old man snatched the flyer from Shadows grasp and unfolded it.


    Silence hung in the air. The old man read and reread the message, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand to make sure his eyes werent ying tricks on him.


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    Hehe he suddenly broke intoughter. The frivolous tone and exaggerated ims on the flyer were amusing, like the work of someone desperate, broke, and willing to do anything. This fellow must be pretty hard up, dont you think? It cant have been easy for a martial artist to put up such a flyer.


    Many children fantasized about bing martial artists, and in his younger days, the old man had been no exception. Every time he walked past the Azure Dragon Academy students on his way to school, he would look at them with envy. The confidence they exuded made him unconsciously bow his head, feeling like he was beneath them.


    Even now, when the most aplished martial masters had to bow before him, that feeling never went away.


    Martial arts lessons Teehee. Sounds intriguing.


    Old man, you cant be serious Shadow persuaded. Once he made up his mind, it was difficult to dissuade him, so it was now or never.


    The old man smiled kindly, sending shivers down Shadows spine.


    Im going out for a change, so get ready.


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


    What? Shadows eyes wandered to the flyer in the old mans hand. There was an address on it: the White Dragon Manor, arge estate near the Azure Dragon Academy.


    Dont worry, Im just going to check it out, The old man said, his eyes sparkling with childlike excitement.


    Shadow was horrified.


    <White Dragon Manor ()>


    The manors sign boasted bold, warrior-like handwriting. The gate stood wide open, inviting anyone who had seen the flyer and sought instruction. However, despite the fact that the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon, no one had shown up all day.


    The only things passing through the gate are flies.


    THWACK!


    I smacked Hyonwon Kangs cheek with the hilt of my sword like I was swatting a fly.


    Ack! Why did you hit me?


    Stop yapping and straighten up. Your form is slipping, I said, poking Hyonwon Kang with the scabbard and correcting his stance. He was practicing the Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest, which he had learned surprisingly quickly.


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


    Hey, did you really put the fliers up like I told you to? I asked, eyeing Hyonwon Kang suspiciously.


    Hyonwon Kang fumed and jumped in frustration. What the hell? I ran around like a stray cat at the crack of dawn just to put up a hundred of those embarrassing flyers, and yet youre using me of not doing my job!


    Me too, I posted them too, Wiji Cheon added. He was practicing the Unlimited Sword next to Hyonwon Kang and was already drenched in sweat.


    I adjusted Wiji Cheons posture and nodded. Okay. I dont trust this delinquent, but I trust you, Cheon.


    Why are you discriminating against me?


    Are you asking me because you really dont know? Anyway, Ill be satisfied as long as you dont smuggle alcohol into my house.


    Ive quit drinking!


    SMACK!


    Did I say you could turn around?


    With a swollen nose, Hyonwon Kang went back to practicing the Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest, and Wiji Cheon methodically went through the moves of the Unlimited Sword.


    As I criticized their stances, I looked at the wide-open gate and sighed, Even though Ive already applied for time off


    My colleagues were appalled that I would be taking a leave of absence less than a month after I started working, but it was more important for me to secure a job as a private tutor, as I needed money for elixirs to improve my Heaven Defying Divine Art and to forge my sword.


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


    I should be able to get at least three students so why hasnt anyonee yet? Did I not advertise enough? Maybe I should have added more oomph


    If you did that, youd be reported to the authorities for false advertising.


    Suryong-hyung, I mean, Mr. Baek, youre good at teaching, but not at self-promotion


    Since the two of you are criticizing me, does that mean that youre the experts? Should I leave it to you then, huh?


    Excuse me, is anyone home? Suddenly, an elderly man and a woman d in a ck martial arts outfit stepped through the gate.


    I instinctively appraised both of them. The old mans back was straight and his voice authoritative, but hisplexion was less than ster. <em>Someone in a high position. A court official, perhaps?</em>


    The woman exuded a powerful presence, was guarded and ready to spring into action at a moments notice. <em>An extraordinary warrior, stronger than most martial artists. Must be a bodyguard.</em>


    <em>Put these two together and theyre not your average folks. Wait, is that the flyer hes holding?</em>


    The old man looked at me and asked, Is this the White Dragon  wees you.


    Yes, sir! Wee! Please have a seat over there. I put on my best salesman smile.


    I saw your flyer and thought Id ask


    Are you enrolling your grandchildren? Its too bad theyre not with you today. How old are they?


    The old man grinned yfully. No, Im not here for my grandchildren. Im the one applying for the ss.


    Pardon?


    Old man! The woman in ck gawked at the old man in disbelief. For some reason, she was even more surprised than I was.


    However, the old man ignored her and asked me, Mr. Baek, do you think its possible for an old man like me to pass the Azure Dragon Academy Entrance Examination under your tutge?


    Are you serious?


    Do I look like Im joking?


    I stared into his unwavering eyes. No, youre not.


    Hoho. Anyway, I hear theres no upper age limit for the Azure Dragon Academy.


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    He was right. You had to be fifteen to apply to the Academy, but there was no upper age limit. Still, they rarely epted students in their twenties, let alone the elderly.


    Forgive me for asking this, but how old are you, sir? I asked.


    Sixty-five.


    <em>Youve been eligible for admission for fifty years, why are you only applying now?</em> I gave him a skeptical look.


    He chuckled and tapped his cane on the floor, As the saying goes, its never toote to learn, right?


    <em>True, age shouldnt be a barrier to learning, but it matters for results. At his age, itll be impossible to reach a high level no matter how hard he trains.</em>


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    Martial arts required youthful flexibility and an untainted body. Innate talents or a special constitution might make up for ate start, but not for the elderly.


    <em>Also, that bodyguard is ring at me with beady eyes, as if urging me to hurry up and reject the old man.</em>


    Im sorry, sir, but itll be difficult, I squeezed out.


    Disappointment immediately clouded the old mans face, while the woman in ck sped her hands in gratitude.


    What if I paid you ten times as much?


    What?


    If you can get me into the Azure Dragon Academy, Ill pay you ten times more than the amount stated here.


    I hesitated. <em>The standard fee is three hundred silvers. Ten times that is three thousand. If I take him in, then I wont need another student, but</em>


    Please give me your hand, I asked.


    When he held it out, I touched his wrist, feeling his pulse and sensing his qi.


    After a minute, I opened my eyes. Im sorry, but even with ten times the fee, I cant do it.


    The old mans face darkened. I see he sighed.


    You ought to read this at .


    Also, I dont want to discourage you, but if I cant do it, no one else can.


    Hehe. Arrogant, but believable. I knew it, its ridiculous Thanks for the advice though. The old man stood up, his shoulders slumped more than when he entered the White Dragon Manor.


    I followed him outside and apologized, Im sorry I couldnt help.


    No need to apologize. I asked for too much.


    Ten times Its a considerable sum, but with just that amount, its impossible.


    Of course. With just that amount, its Wait. What did you just say? The old man looked back, noticing my odd phrasing. If I heard you correctly, then


    I grinned and nodded. Give me twenty times and Ill make you the oldest student at the Azure Dragon Academy.


    The old mans eyes flickered wildly with joy.