Yongdam Room.
This was the place where the key figures of Yongcheon Pavilion typically gathered to hold meetings.
The headmaster was seated at the highest seat, while the first-year instructors sat facing each other across the table.
On one side sat the Deputy Head of the Sub-God Hall, attending as a reference.
Instructor Cheon Semyung, also known as the Lightning Blade, clicked his tongue and spoke up.
"If someone is that shaken, they shouldn't be an instructor in the first place."
At his words, a few instructors chuckled quietly.
Deputy Hall Master Jinbaek responded with a bitter expression.
"Of course, I acknowledge that Instructor Sa's personality is somewhat timid. But how can proper teaching be upheld if students so blatantly disrespect their teacher?"
"Hall Master, let's speak frankly. Instructor Sa isn't just 'somewhat timid'—he's outright spineless. You know well that respect cannot be demanded; it must be earned."
At Cheon Semyung's retort, Yeo Unjin nodded in agreement.
He was the instructor in charge of teaching fist techniques.
"He's right. The truth is, Instructor Sa lacks the necessary aptitude. And even now, he's only an assistant instructor, not a full one."
"That's exactly my point. The assistant instructor position doesn't suit him. I think it would be best to appoint someone new."
"That sounds like a good idea. Do you have someone in mind?"
At Yeo Unjin's question, Cheon Semyung paused briefly before replying.
"I recommend Maeng Sondeok , the Invincible Divine Spear."
The others exchanged glances.
Despite the flashy nickname, the name wasn't familiar to their ears.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Cheon Semyung quickly added,
"Hero Maeng is staying in a village not far from the main pavilion. He dislikes revealing his strength to the world. That's why I believe he's the perfect candidate for the assistant instructor position at Yongcheon Pavilion."
Only then did Yeo Unjin nod in agreement.
"In that case, we must bring him in at all costs."
Listening to their exchange, Jinbaek let out an internal sigh.
It was obvious that this Maeng Sondeok fellow had struck some sort of under-the-table deal with Cheon Semyung to secure the position.
It was heartbreaking to see Yongcheon Pavilion—once a place of great prestige—rot this far.
Of course, not all the instructors and staff had fallen so low.
There were still a few who didn't approve of what was being said.
But those people rarely spoke up.
Even if they made a few comments, they'd fall silent if they weren't heard.
They didn't want to create conflict with people like Cheon Semyung or Yeo Unjin.
In the end, Jinbaek could no longer hold back and slammed his hand on the table as he stood up.
"Is this meeting about dismissing Instructor Sa? I came thinking we were here to decide how to discipline the students who committed an unforgivable offense."
The murmurings quieted down at his sharp rebuke.
Jinbaek turned his gaze toward Headmaster Ju Yucheon, seated at the head.
Ju Yucheon calmly stroked his long beard and spoke.
"Those students will be given three days of confinement."
The instructors nodded one by one, as if in agreement.
"That may be a bit harsh, but I believe it's the right decision."
"Three days should be enough for them to reflect on their actions."
"I agree as well."
Still standing, Jinbaek trembled slightly.
This place was rotten—utterly rotten.
The instructor had almost been put in danger because of some disrespectful students, and all they got was three days of confinement?
Jinbaek was about to speak again when Cheon Semyung beat him to it.
"What do you think about appointing a new assistant instructor for spear techniques, Headmaster?"
The headmaster slowly closed his eyes.
Everyone watched in silence, waiting for his words.
"That's also a matter that has been raised before. And it's undoubtedly damaging to the reputation of this pavilion that one of its instructors was assaulted by some street thugs. Therefore, we will take this opportunity to appoint a new assistant instructor for spear techniques. We'll allow a period of fifteen days, and during that time, Instructor Sa's classes will be suspended."
Jinbaek asked with a hollow expression.
"Then, do you plan to take no further action against the thugs who humiliated a pavilion instructor?"
"Hall Master, there's no benefit in escalating this issue. How can we interfere in every street scuffle that occurs?"
At Cheon Semyung's response, Jinbaek shut his mouth tightly.
Cheon Semyung turned to Ju Yucheon with a faint smile.
"Headmaster, how do you plan to select the new spear technique instructor?"
"First, we'll take recommendations. Then we'll hold interviews."
Jinbaek quickly stepped forward.
"No matter what, shouldn't Instructor Sa be given a chance to defend himself?"
"Hmm."
Ju Yucheon let out a thoughtful hum.
At the very least, he respected proper procedure and wasn't as corrupt as the other instructors, so he acknowledged that Jinbaek's argument had merit.
Just then, Cheon Semyung proposed,
"Then how about this? Let the person who passes the interview face Instructor Sa in a martial duel. That way, no one can object."
"Oh, now that's a good idea."
Yeo Unjin once again slapped his knee in agreement.
Jinbaek didn't like their attitude one bit, but he had no better options.
Purifying water that had already gone stagnant wasn't an easy task.
'Then again, I may not have the right to blame others.'
After all, the reason Sa Bigang became an instructor in the first place was largely due to his own influence.
Still, he could confidently say that, though Sa's martial arts might fall short, his character was second to none.
'Perhaps… that's the real problem.'
In the end, it was decided that the fate of Sa Bigang's position as an instructor would be settled in a duel fifteen days later.
***
Behind the Ho Yeon Pavilion , where students' practice weapons and various armaments were stored, a group had gathered.
A burly young man with a square jaw smirked and asked,
"Seriously? That really happened?"
He was Gok Bo-ok, eldest son of the rapidly rising Yongho Escort Agency, and its heir.
The Yongho Escort Agency had recently gained tremendous momentum and was now considered the biggest name in Honam.
As such, Gok Bo-ok had grown up without ever lacking a thing.
At his question, Yeon Wookyung, a handsome young man, nodded.
"I'm telling you, it really happened."
"You mean he actually started laughing?"
"Yeah. When they said they were going to punish you guys after the meeting in the Yongdam Room, he started laughing like a lunatic."
At Yeon Wookyung's words, Gok Bo-ok chuckled.
"That fool must've really believed we were going to get some serious punishment."
"Guess so. But in the end, we only got three days of confinement."
"Technically, not 'we.' You didn't get any punishment."
At that, Yeon Wookyung's gaze suddenly turned cold.
His expression was nothing like the one he showed toward Sa Bigang.
"So, you got a problem with that?"
As Yeon Wookyung's mood chilled, Gok Bo-ok quickly added,
"N-no, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just three days, no big deal."
Only then did Yeon Wookyung let out a small laugh.
Yeon Wookyung—the second son of the Dominant Sword Family.
His family, once known for their heroic exploits during the Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic Sects, now boasted influence rivaling the Five Great Clans.
Crossing his arms, Yeon Wookyung spoke.
"He probably knows what kind of punishment we received by now. I wonder what kind of face he's making. He might still be grinning like a madman. Heh."
"Haha. If he's laughing even when his neck's about to be cut, then he really is insane."
The students snickered among themselves.
Just then—
One of the students' expressions noticeably hardened.
"Uh… over there…"
"What? What is it?"
Gok Bo-ok furrowed his brow and followed the student's gaze.
A second later, his own expression stiffened slightly.
Finally, Yeon Wookyung also turned around.
'…The instructor?'
Standing about six paces behind Yeon Wookyung was none other than Sa Bigang.
'Since when has he been there? Did he hear us?'
But considering no one sensed his presence, he must have just arrived.
Sure enough, Sa Bigang tilted his head slightly and asked,
"What are you all doing here?"
At that moment, Yeon Wookyung hurried over to Sa Bigang's side, his face full of distress.
"I-Instructor!"
Sa Bigang glanced briefly at Yeon Wookyung, then turned his gaze toward Gok Bo-ok.
Meanwhile, Yeon Wookyung signaled to Gok Bo-ok with a discreet glance.
Gok Bo-ok's right lip curled up slightly.
It was an involuntary habit of his—a smirk that always surfaced before pulling a nasty prank.
"Oh, we were just chatting among friends. Why? Is there a problem?"
A provocative tone.
Behind him, the other students tilted their heads with scowls, lining up behind Gok Bo-ok like a wall of intimidation.
Sa Bigang silently looked into Gok Bo-ok's eyes.
'What, you think glaring is going to scare me?'
Gok Bo-ok scoffed inwardly and met his gaze without flinching.
But then—
'…What the hell? What's with those eyes?'
A chill ran down his spine.
An emotionless expression, eyes as cold as ice.
Like the gaze of a beast staring down its prey.
'Was this guy's stare always like this…?'
Gok Bo-ok involuntarily swallowed a dry gulp.
Just then, Yeon Wookyung grabbed Sa Bigang's sleeve.
"I-Instructor… please help me! I went to find you earlier, and now they're threatening me…"
He stopped mid-sentence, biting his lip as his body trembled.
An expression of fury and sorrow all at once.
A truly masterful performance.
Gok Bo-ok smirked and tossed out his next line.
"You're not seriously going to believe that guy, are you? We didn't do anything. See? There's no proof."
He spread both arms wide.
'Think carefully, Instructor.'
Gok Bo-ok smirked inwardly.
A flawless trap.
If Sa Bigang tried to scold them or intervene, Gok Bo-ok had no intention of letting it slide.
The man was just a spear technique instructor.
Among the instructors, he was the weakest. A late-stage inner disciple couldn't be easily taken down by him.
But right now, they outnumbered him by far.
If things escalated, Yeon Wookyung could simply change his story.
Claim the disgraced instructor, bitter over his dismissal, had threatened the students out of spite.
There were no witnesses, after all.
But then—
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"…What?"
Gok Bo-ok frowned.
"You seem confused, but I'm not an instructor right now. I've been suspended for fifteen days. So, whatever crap you all pull doesn't concern me. Heh."
At that unexpected response, Yeon Wookyung looked startled.
"But Instructor! They're harassing me—!"
"Out of my way. I'm in a hurry."
Sa Bigang's expression didn't change.
Everyone—including Yeon Wookyung—was left bewildered by his reaction.
'What the… is with this guy?'
Weak, overly righteous, and foolishly nosy—that was the Sa Bigang they knew.
Which made him easy prey for troublemakers like them.
But now…
'Tch. Looks like he's totally scared stiff. Thought I'd get to watch something fun.'
Yeon Wookyung let go of Sa Bigang's sleeve with no other choice.
But the truth was, Sa Bigang—who had lived through the future once—already knew a great deal about Yeon Wookyung and the other students.
'Just wait a little longer. One by one, I'll deal with you properly.'
He strode past them.
Just as he turned the corner—
"…Only for now."
"…What?"
Gok Bo-ok tilted his head at the voice.
Sa Bigang's eerie voice echoed faintly.
"I'm only letting it go for now. But when I become an instructor again, I won't forgive that arrogant tone or those smug antics. Then again… if you're curious, you're welcome to experience it for yourself."
With that, Sa Bigang grinned.
It was such a creepy grin that Gok Bo-ok instinctively flinched.
'What the hell? That lunatic…'
Even after Sa Bigang left, the students stood frozen in place, dazed.
Eventually, as his senses returned, Gok Bo-ok spat on the ground.
"That bastard. Did he go completely nuts from the shock? 'When I become an instructor again'? Does he seriously think he can win the duel with that level of skill?"
"Hahaha. Maybe he doesn't know who his opponent will be yet."
Yeon Wookyung chuckled faintly.
'Well… this should be fun.'
***
"Huff… huff… huff…"
Sa Bigang bent over, gasping for breath.
Only after a long time did he straighten his back and look out at the landscape before him.
On both sides loomed steep, jagged cliffs, with thick fog so dense that he could hardly see a step ahead.
A deep gorge where not even ghosts would dare tread.
'Exactly ten days, huh?'
He had run nearly without sleep for the past ten days to get here.
'Too slow.'
Recalling his days in the Demon Realm, this pace was like that of a snail.
And to be this winded from something so basic…
'Tch. What a useless body.'
How had he ever planned to survive with such a weak frame?
Only five days remained.
It had taken him ten just to reach this place—meaning he wouldn't be able to make it back in time for the duel.
But Sa Bigang wasn't impatient.
If anything, he stepped forward with anticipation in his stride.
How far had he gone into the gorge?
At some point, he stopped and looked to his right.
Beyond the thick underbrush, he saw the cliff wall.
'It was to the right, wasn't it?'
Without hesitation, he pushed through the brush and stopped before the cliff, then closed his eyes and slowly extended his hand.
As if focusing all his senses into his fingertips.
Then—
Squish.
A strange sensation tingled at his fingers.
It didn't feel like rock.
Sa Bigang opened his eyes.
A glint sparked in his gaze.
'Heh. I was right. Just wait. I'm coming to claim it.'
And with firm steps, he walked forward.
His body vanished into the cliffside as if it had been absorbed.