Star Instructor, Master Baek

Chapter 26: Do You Guys Know the Contents of the Practical Test?

After the sixteenth group interviews ended, Kwak Cheol-Woo clicked his tongue and said, How could such an arrogant punk exist? Him? An outer arts expert? Bah!

Mr. Nam-Goong, dont worry about it. That fool was just desperate to attract attention.

Since the start of the interviews, Kwak Cheol-Woo had been carefully observing Nam-Goong Sus expressions. Although he was much older and had a lot more experience in the murim, the Three Absolutes Sword Nam-Goong Su was the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy. Every semester, not only would numerous students line up to take Nam-Goong Sus classes, even those from outside the academy would submit requests for private tutoring. He was so popular, the other Five Great Academies had already sent Nam-Goong Su several job offers over the last few years.

Although Im glad and relieved that Mr. Nam-Goong choose to stay on at our Azure Dragon Academy humans are fickle creatures. If we dont do our best to accommodate him and lose our best teacher, then the Azure Dragon Academy will likely be kicked out of the Five Great Academies.

I think that young mans name was Baek Su-Ryong? I wanted to let him pass as he was highly recommended by the Flying Eagle, butthat interview couldnt have gone any worse than it did. Of all things, he went and pissed off our Star Instructor, so even if we passed him, his future will be bleak.

There are a lot of people out there who want to destroy Mr. Nam-Goongs good reputation by challenging you. Its really unreasonable, so I hope you dont pay it any mind

Nam-Goong Su said nothing, as if he was in deep thought.

Sweating bullets at Nam-Goong Sus continued silence, Kwak Cheol-Woo nervously continued, Are you offended that I stopped the fight earlier? But if you had hurt him, Im sure hed be out there spreading bad rumors about you. Its not your fault

That young man didnt seem like the kind of person who would do that, Noh Gun-Sang suddenly welcomes you.

Principal Kwak Cheol-Woo glared at him for a moment as if he wanted to argue back, but the old mans authority was absolute, both as his superior at work and in martial arts.

Noh Gun-Sang giggled and thought about the events that had just transpired. If the Vice-Principal hadnt stopped him, he would have continued insisting on fighting. Was that what you were thinking, Mr. Nam-Goong?

Yes. He was getting too ahead of himself, Nam-Goong Su coldly replied.

Noh Gun-Sang grinned mischievously and shot him a knowing look, asking, Then why didnt you stop him first? Are you curious to find out more about his skill in the outer arts?

Despite being seen through, Nam-Goong Sus aloof expression remained unchanged. I dont gain anything from stopping him, and it was I who provoked him first.

So, what youre saying is, you turned it into a stress interview on purpose?

Nam-Goong Su nodded and confidently said, Yes, I wanted to rile him up so that when he loses to me, he wont be too embarrassed and can blame it on his own rashness.

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

That was the natural attitude and pride of a peak-level martial master who was also the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy. Even in that situation, he didnt want to humiliate an inferior martial artist.

Impressed by Nam-Goong Sus composure, Kwak Cheol-Woo praised him again, saying, Not only are you strong, Mr. Nam-Goong, youre also very considerate. Even in the face of those horrible insults, you endured it to preserve the other persons dignity Youre a fine example to the other teachers!

No, Im the one at fault for antagonizing the interviewee. Ill need to work on improving my self-discipline so that such things dont happen again.

No no no, didnt you only do it out of concern for the future of our Azure Dragon Academy? Besides, in my opinion, that man isnt fit to be an external arts instructor at all, Kwak Cheol-Woo made another attempt to curry favor, but Nam-Goong Su expressionlessly shrugged off his flattery.

Meanwhile, Noh Gun-Sang folded his arms and also recalled the young man who had just left. Baek Su-Ryong, huh? His keen, sharp eyes and carefully calculated tone of voice left a strong impression on me. Although he didnt appear particularly strong to me, for some reason, I cant help but feel nervous in front of him

Do the two of you think that we should reject Baek Su-Ryong? he asked.

Yes, Kwak Cheol-Woo answered immediately.

Nam-Goong Su briefly glanced at Noh Gun-Sangs expression, then nodded, saying, I agree with the Vice-Principal that we should reject his application What about you, Principal?

Until now, Noh Gun-Sang hadnt intervened in their final decisions on who would pass the interview. The most he did was laugh while randomly asking questions about the applicants pasts. However, this time, he declared with finality, Ak Yeon-Ho, Myeong Il-Oh, and Baek Su-Ryong pass the sixteenth round of interviews.

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What? Why? Kwak Cheol-Woo exclaimed, his eyes widening with surprise. A moment later, as if hed realized how rude hed just been, he lowered his head and said, Apologies for my rudeness, Principal.

With glittering eyes like an excited child, Noh Gun-Sang laughed, Hohoho, dont worry about it. Im just curious about Mr. Baek Su-Ryong, thats all. When you get to my age, you dont often meet someone whose strength and personality you cant gauge after a short conversation. Its been decades since the last time I ran into a situation like this.

Nam-Goong Su sulkily blurted, Ive never heard you praise someone so much before, Principal.

Oh, I wouldnt call it a compliment. Not yet. Mr. Baek Su-Ryong might just be an unusually eccentric person. Anyway, Ill need to see more of him to confirm it.

Is that so Nam-Goong Su fell silent for a while, then softly mumbled, You wont change your mind even if I dont agree with you?

Nope. Why the long face? Does it bother you?

Nam-Goong Su locked gazes with Noh Gun-Sang. Trapped between the two, Kwak Cheol-Woo tried to say something, but Nam-Goong Su quickly gave in and turned away from Noh Gun-Sang.

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

I see. If the Principal thinks that he deserves a re-evaluation, then Ill carefully observe him again, too I hope youre right about him being more than he seems, he conceded with a faint smile that did not reach his eyes.

Good. If it still irks you, just think of it as sacrificing a little of your time for the future of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Nam-Goong Sus eyebrows twitched with irritation, but he remained silent.

Desperate to quell the tension between his superior and their best teacher, Kwak Cheol-Woo immediately shouted, Group Seventeen, please enter!

Hyung-nim, dont you think that you went too far? Ak Yeon-Ho nagged.

What do you mean? I answered in a deadpan voice.

Ak Yeon-Ho leaned in close to me and whispered, Why did you provoke the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy? What if he takes offense at your rudeness? Fortunately, the Vice-Principal helped to defuse the flames

I knew he would get in my way, I interrupted, smirking.

What? Ak Yeon-Ho stared at me blankly.

Place yourself in the Vice-Principals shoes. If you were him, would you have allowed the best instructor in the academy to fight a mere applicant? The school gains nothing if Nam-Goong Su wins, and if he loses, it would be a huge embarrassment.

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Wait, you did all that on purpose?

I had to, for the sake of leaving a strong impression on them.

Of course, if it was just outer arts, I was confident of winning against Nam-Goong Su. Master Maengs Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest wasnt the best outer arts technique in the world for nothing, you know?

Winning the fight was my Plan Bbut unfortunately, Plan A worked and Kwak Cheol-Woo intervened. Still, that pissed off look in Nam-Goong Sus eyes was just priceless Hes probably making excuses about holding back and not wanting to hurt and humiliate his opponent right now

Pfft, scaredy-cat. If we had fought, the most I would have done was dislocate your wrist.

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Well, I had plenty of time to get back at him, and since my goal was to become the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy, I had no doubt that wed clash time and time again.

Ill make your life a living hell I muttered, grinning evilly.

Ak Yeon-Ho looked at me like I was being absurd and asked, I dont get where your confidence comes from Have you ever thought that you might actually fail the interview?

I might fail the interview? Me? I pondered it for a moment, then replied, I will build a new martial arts school next to the Azure Dragon Academy, and call it the White Dragon Academy.1 Within ten years, my students will wipe the floor with the Azure Dragon kids.

Thanks to Old Man Heos inheritance, that was an option I could consider, and a fairly inviting one at that. The only problems were the number of students I could attract, and if I could earn enough within a short time to pay for the life-saving spiritual medicine I needed.

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One thing was for sure though, compared to working for the Azure Dragon Academy, starting out on my own would definitely be financially rough in the first few years.

Well, if they fail me, then the interviewers must all have a bad eye for people, and I have no intention of working for blind fools.

At least you have a backup plan

By the way, Im willing to hire you as a founding instructor of my White Dragon Academy without an interview

Hyung-nim, Ill support you from afar instead.

Suddenly, as we chatted nonsense and walked out of the Azure Dragon Academy, one of the other applicants approached us and said, Hello, Im sorry to interrupt your conversation, but

I turned around to see an affable-looking young man with cropped hair. He was shorter than average, but his body was as well-built as a sturdy rock. Not considering Ak Yeon-Ho, Kwak Cheol-Woo seemed to like him the most out of the Group Sixteen interviewees.

This guy, I think he said his name was Myeong Il-Oh? Hes the friendly type who can get along with anyone, and his skills are no joke either. Perhaps I should consider hiring him at my White Dragon Academy?

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Im Myeong Il-Oh from the Shandong Myeong Family Manor. Do you remember me, Young Master Ak? Weve met before.

Ak Yeon-Hos face flushed with panic as he stuttered, Ah, uh Im sorry, but I dont remember When did we meet?

We last met at Miss Yeon-Hwas twentieth birthday party.

Oh At that time?

Ha ha, dont worry, you probably dont remember me as there were a lot of people there, and I only saw you from afar. Also, that was years ago.

Yeah, it was

Although both the Ak Clan and the Myeong Family Manor were situated in the Shandong Province, the Myeong Family Manor was just a minor landlord while the Ak Clan ruled the entire province. Hence, it was mandatory for Myeong Il-Oh to learn the names and faces of the Ak Clan members, while the opposite was optional.

Its quite a rare coincidence to meet someone from the same hometown here, so do you want to grab a meal together? Itll be my treat.

Er, that Ak Yeon-Ho peeped at me out of the corner of his eyes.

Why the fuck are you looking at me?

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W-What do you think, Hyung-nim? he muttered.

Oh, is he hesitating because of me?

I dont care. You decide, I replied.

Please join us too, Master Baek! The more the merrier, hahaha! Also, the way you stood up to those bigoted interviewers was just sooo impressive! Myeong Il-Oh exclaimed with a genuine smile that would brighten up anyones day.

Just like that, he tagged along with us as if he had always been a part of our group.

By the way Myeong Il-Oh looked around cautiously, then whispered, Do you guys know the contents of the practical test?

Translators Note: I changed a couple names and terms after re-reading the raws for this series and catching up to the latest chapters (600+, midway through the Heavenly Martial Festival Arc, dont expect the manhwa to get there for a few years). Shouldnt alter the reading experience too much.

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