Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

When Goatee revealed his true identity, everyone except Baek Suryong and Namgung Su were completely taken aback.

"Huh?"

"Namgung Myeongjin? You're from the Namgung Clan?"

"Why would you do this…?"

Ak Yeonho, Myeong Il'oh, Jaegal Soyeong, and Kwak Duyong stared at Goatee in disbelief. Who would have thought that this frivolous opportunist was the second-in-command of the Heavenly Ears, the Namgung Clan's intelligence organization?

Namgung Myeongjin clasped his hands together in a formal greeting. Though his face was unchanged, his tone and gestures now radiated the dignity of a martial artist from a prestigious family. "First of all, I apologize. Mr. Baek Suryong was right. I deliberately provoked you in the presence of the Vermillion Phoenix instructors to see how you would react."

The four new Azure Dragon Academy instructors straightened up, suddenly worried that they might have blundered.

"Why did you do that…?"

"S-Surely no one has been eliminated yet, right?"

Namgung Myeongjin shook his head reassuringly. "The new instructor training will begin in two days as planned. I approached you undercover to observe you and submit a report on what kind of training would be appropriate for you."

""Phew…""

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Smiling gently, Namgung Myeongjin continued, "However, since Mr. Baek Suryong figured out who I was, my plan went awry."

"Does that mean that your report is incomplete because of my actions?" Baek Suryong asked.

Namgung Myeongjin shook his head. "No, not at all. We took into account that someone might discover us, so the report will actually be more comprehensive now."

"That means I'm not the first to notice you Heavenly Ears."

"Yes. A number of instructors who arrived earlier also caught on to us," Namgung Myeongjin replied casually, making it seem like Baek Suryong finding out his identity was no big deal.

In reality, though, very few new instructors had noticed the presence of the Heavenly Ears.

I scolded my subordinates harshly when their covers were blown. Never thought I'd get caught myself…

Namgung Myeongjin had been confident in his disguise and acting, but Baek Suryong still saw right through him. Moreover, he was the only new instructor who had explicitly identified the observer as an agent of the Heavenly Ears. As the deputy commander, this hurt his pride quite a bit.

Nevertheless, Namgung Myeongjin wasn't angry at all. On the contrary, he was even more fascinated by Baek Suryong.

I'd heard that the Azure Dragon Hero was someone to watch out for, and he certainly didn't disappoint. If anything, he might even be more skilled than the rumors suggest.

The other instructors are no slouches either. The Azure Dragon Academy might actually be the dark horse here.

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Of course, it was still too early to jump to any conclusions. Although none of them had a reputation as stellar as that of the Azure Dragon Hero, there were many outstanding individuals among this year's new instructors.

"I didn't think the main family would send you, of all people," Namgung Su suddenly said, staring intently at Namgung Myeongjin.

Namgung Myeongjin snapped out of his thoughts, stood up, and bowed respectfully to Namgung Su. "Greetings, Third Young Master. Please forgive me for not paying my respects earlier due to my mission."

"It's alright. It couldn't be helped." Namgung Su nodded indifferently and sipped his tea.

A sudden suspicion crept into Namgung Myeongjin's mind.

Could it be…? Did Third Young Master inform Baek Suryong about me to boost the Azure Dragon Academy's reputation? While it's not uncommon for a young person to be a skilled martial artist, seeing through my disguise requires experience that only comes with age.

Hmm… Now that I think about it, wasn't it the Third Young Master who insisted that the Azure Dragon Academy participate in this training?

Namgung Myeongjin was not the type to let his curiosity go unanswered. Without hesitation, he sent a telepathic message to Namgung Su to see if he could uncover anything suspicious.

[Third Young Master, did you perhaps give Mr. Baek Suryong some kind of hint?]

This was a rude question to ask a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan, but as the deputy commander of the Heavenly Ears and a prominent member of the branch family, Namgung Myeongjin was in a position to demand answers from Namgung Su. After all, even though Namgung Su was the patriarch's son, he was merely a concubine's child with no chance of becoming the successor.

[…Are you questioning my dignity?]

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[I would appreciate your honesty. The main family's new instructor training course is a very important event.]

Namgung Su clicked his tongue in disgust. The five new instructors, noticing that the two Namgung Clan members were exchanging thoughts telepathically, fell silent and waited patiently for their conversation to end.

[Baek Suryong probably figured out your identity long before I did.]

[…Excuse me?]

[That guy has razor-sharp eyes and uncanny instincts, so don't test him carelessly. I have no desire to see a family member be humiliated.]

Namgung Myeongjin's eyes widened in disbelief. Although he was the child of a concubine, Namgung Su was just as prideful as his two older brothers. For him to admit that Baek Suryong's perception surpassed his own…

[Let me be clear. I'm just here as an escort teacher. I won't give any special treatment to the Azure Dragon Academy's new instructors.]

[…I understand.]

Ending the telepathic exchange, Namgung Myeongjin smiled calmly and said to Namgung Su, "You're late, Third Young Master."

"What do you mean? I believe we will arrive right on schedule."

"All the other new instructors have already reached the estate. Your group is the last to arrive. Most people come a few days early to ensure that they aren't delayed by unforeseen circumstances on the road."

Jaegal Soyeong tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean, we're the last? What about those Vermilion Phoenix instructors from earlier…?"

"Since they disgraced the Vermilion Phoenix Academy in front of numerous witnesses, they'll probably be sent home. Not to worry though. The Vermilion Phoenix Academy has no shortage of new instructors, and the rest have already arrived at the estate."

"……" All of the new instructors were stunned speechless by Namgung Myeongjin's words.

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Namgung Myeongjin stood up. "It's getting late, so please rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, I'll personally escort you to the main estate."

"Do new instructors normally get an escort?" Baek Suryong asked.

Namgung Myeongjin grinned. "This is a special privilege we only reserve for those who have discovered our identities. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Namgung Myeongjin bowed politely and stepped outside. Returning to his room, he organized the information he'd gathered from observing and interacting with the Azure Dragon Academy instructors.

I thought only the Azure Dragon Hero was noteworthy, but…

Ak Yeonho and Jaegal Soyeong seemed capable of teaching students at any of the Five Academies, and Myeong Il'oh and Kwak Duyong weren't bad either. Who would have thought that the Azure Dragon Academy, considered the weakest of the Five Great Academies, had this level of talent…

Of course, the Azure Dragon Hero is the one I need to be most cautious of.

He couldn't measure Baek Suryong's martial prowess at all. Not only that, the man's perception was even sharper than that of Star Instructor Namgung Su, and he knew how to sway public opinion in his favor.

Namgung Myeongjin recalled the brief smile he saw on Baek Suryong's face when he mocked the Vermilion Phoenix instructors.

Let's think this over again. Despite knowing that I was from the Heavenly Ears, Baek Suryong waited until the Vermilion Phoenix instructors started harassing me before he intervened. That means, he didn't take action because he couldn't stand injustice… Hmm? Wait a minute…

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A chilling thought crossed Namgung Myeongjin's mind.

Could it be…? Baek Suryong purposely used me as an excuse to pick a fight with the Vermilion Phoenix's instructors? To set up a situation where he could humiliate them in front of a crowd?

Goosebumps rose on his arms. He rubbed them and glanced back at the room he'd just left.

Baek Suryong. A man who possesses both powerful martial arts and a cunning mind. No wonder the previous patriarch told me to keep a close eye on you.

As a matter of fact, he had received secret orders to keep a close watch on the Azure Dragon Hero. These orders came from the Namgung Clan's former patriarch, the Blue Sky Sword King Namgung Jaehak.

"I want you to personally observe Baek Suryong and report back to me in private."

"Yes, sir!"

Although Namgung Myeongjin didn't know the exact reason, Namgung Jaehak had shown significant interest in Baek Suryong. Now that he had witnessed his extraordinary abilities firsthand though, he could see why.

Namgung Myeongjin's eyes narrowed coldly.

I'll have to watch his every move closely as we travel to the main estate.

The next day, under the guidance of Namgung Myeongjin, the Azure Dragon group began their journey to the Namgung Clan Estate.

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Namgung Myeongjin proved to be an excellent guide. As a member of an intelligence organization, he was knowledgeable and eloquent, so during the two days they spent traveling to the Namgung Estate, he shared many interesting tales to liven up the boring journey.

"The new instructor training course lasts one week and is divided into theory and practical sessions. In the theory classes, you'll mainly learn teaching methodologies. There will be several different seminars going on at the same time, and you can attend whichever one you are interested in. For practical training, everyone gets together for sparring, mock battles, and similar activities. I think you'll find it very interesting. After all, this is the only event besides the Heavenly Martial Festival that brings together instructors from all five academies."

Whether he was naturally sociable or because Baek Suryong had uncovered his identity, Namgung Myeongjin answered all their questions.

"How will our performance be graded?" Ak Yeonho asked.

Smiling proudly, Namgung Myeongjin replied, "Masters from the main family who have been instructors at the Five Academies for over ten years will conduct the evaluations. The criteria will be transparent, so you don't have to worry about any bias."

"Oh…"

"Also, this year, there will be a special prize for the instructor with the best grades."

"A prize?"

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The new instructors' eyes lit up at the mention of a special prize.

Namgung Myeongjin grinned, pleased by the reaction. "You will be allowed to learn one Namgung Clan martial art of your choice. In addition, our former patriarch, the Blue Sky Sword King, will also give you a private lesson."

Everyone's eyes widened at the Namgung Clan's unprecedented generosity.

"What?"

"A Namgung Clan martial art?"

"A-Are you saying that the Blue Sky Sword King will personally guide us?"

The Blue Sky Sword King, Namgung Jaehak, was one of the greatest masters among the Ten Supremes, perhaps even the greatest. To learn one of the Namgung Clan's martial arts and receive direct instruction from him was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any martial artist.

"Of course, the Infinite Heavens Sword Technique and the Royal Sword Style, which can only be taught to direct descendants of the Namgung Clan, are excluded."

"We wouldn't even dream of learning those two anyway."

"The Namgung Clan has many other divine arts besides those, right?"

"Wow, to think we can learn a divine art…"

"And even receive personal instruction from the Blue Sky Sword King!"

Filled with excitement, the new instructors chatted nonstop.

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Namgung Myeongjin watched them with a satisfied smile, but when he noticed that Baek Suryong alone appeared unimpressed, he frowned slightly.

Could it be that he doesn't like the prize?

Baek Suryong's eyes had sparkled when he first heard that there was a prize, but as soon as he found out what it was, his interest faded.

Namgung Myeongjin edged closer to Baek Suryong. "Me. Baek Suryong, are you not interested in the prize?"

"I've already learned many supreme martial arts and divine arts, so I would rather have money instead."

"I-Is that so? Hahaha…"

Namgung Myeongjin, who had mastered controlling his expressions while working in intelligence, laughed on the outside, but inside he was seething.

How arrogant! As if the Namgung Clan's priceless divine arts could be replaced by mere money!

Smiling, he added, "The main family has countless martial arts, each more exquisite than the last. Surely there must be one that you desire, Mr. Baek."

"Well, none of the Namgung Clan's martial arts interest me…" Baek Suryong began, but his voice trailed off as his gaze drifted to Namgung Su. "…Actually, now that I think about it, there is one Namgung Clan sword technique that I'm curious about."

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"Haha, I knew it! With your skills, Mr. Baek Suryong, you're definitely a promising candidate for first place," Namgung Myeongjin flattered.

Much to his chagrin, however, Baek Suryong only gave him a casual nod.

"Well, even before you told me about the prize, I was already planning on winning first place. Still, it's a nice bonus."

"Haha, is that so…?"

Namgung Myeongjin's eye twitched. If there was one thing he had learned about Baek Suryong during their two days together, it was that the man was infuriatingly confident.

And I can't even fault him because he has the skills to back it up, damn it…

Looking around, he noticed that the other new instructors hardly reacted. That could only mean that such behavior was typical for Baek Suryong, and they had already grown accustomed to it.

Just then, Namgung Su, who had been riding ahead, reined in his horse. "We're here," he said softly.

At last, they had arrived at the Namgung Clan, the world's strongest martial clan.

Giddy with excitement, Myeong Il'oh and Kwak Duyong stared blankly up at the massive signboard, squaring their shoulders and blinking furiously like country bumpkins arriving in the city for the first time in their lives.

"So this is…"

"…The world's strongest martial clan!"

The majesty of the Namgung Clan Estate was overwhelming. The main gate was wide enough for five carriages to pass side by side, and a dozen guards with formidable auras stood guard. It felt more like a fortress than a family residence.

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"…It's huge."

"It feels even larger than it did the last time I was here."

Even Ak Yeonho and Jaegal Soyeong, who came from prestigious families themselves, were awed by the Namgung Estate's grandeur.

Once again, only Baek Suryong remained unfazed.

Eh, it's much smaller than the Blood Cult.

Considering the Blood Cult of the past was an organization powerful enough to singlehandedly challenge all of the orthodox sects, he had little reason to be impressed by the (tiny?) Namgung Estate.

However, Namgung Myeongjin, unaware of this, made his own assumptions.

There's no way he wouldn't be shaken by his first visit to the main estate. How disciplined must his mind be to hide his emotions so perfectly…? As expected, he's an unreadable man. I mustn't let myself be fooled by his cocky facade.

Determined not to let his guard down, Namgung Myeongjin stepped forward and announced, "The Third Young Master and five guests from the Azure Dragon Academy have arrived!"

With two members of the Namgung Clan in their group, the party passed through the main gate without much ado. Still, once inside, they had to walk a long way to reach the lodgings that had been prepared for the new instructor training course.

"You'll have to dismount your horses here. I'll guide you to your lodgings."

After passing through the main gate, they followed Namgung Myeongjin to a dormitory reserved for the instructors of all five academies.

"This is it. The instructors who arrived earlier are all staying here, so please greet them and make yourselves comfortable. The official training will begin tomorrow…"

"I'll kill you!"

A gruff shout rang out from inside, followed by a violent surge of qi and the sounds of combat.