Chwi Geol-gae visited the Murim Alliance after a long absence.
As an Elder of the Beggar's Sect and a prominent figure within the Murim Alliance, he was rarely seen due to his incurable wanderlust. His sudden appearance caused quite a stir.
"Elder Chwi Geol-gae has honored us with his presence! You should have sent word!"
A middle-aged man in academy robes hurried over the moment Chwi Geol-gae arrived.
This was Seon In-hyeok, the White-Robed Judge.
His nickname stemmed from his ghost-like mastery of the Judge's Brush.
Yet beneath his fierce methods lay an unwavering moral compass, making him an ideal mentor for the Murim Alliance's future generations.
Chwi Geol-gae replied, "I came because I have a favor to ask."
"Ha ha! Elder Chwi Geol-gae requesting a favor? What could it possibly be?" Seon In-hyeok chuckled.
"I also have some questions."
"You have questions for me?" Seon In-hyeok was genuinely curious.
It was only natural. The Beggar's Sect was an organization acutely sensitive to information circulating throughout the Jianghu.
With an estimated hundred thousand disciples operating in every corner of the martial world, their intelligence network was often said to surpass even the Myeongcheon Pavilion, the Murim Alliance Leader's personal intelligence arm, in speed and accuracy.
So, for such a figure to visit with a question...
"Nothing urgent. I heard you've been appointed Chief Director of the New Martial Arts Academy?"
"You've heard the news, then."
"Just overheard it passing by. A well-deserved promotion. Congratulations."
"Haha. Thank you."
The New Martial Arts Academy.
Established by the Murim Alliance to cultivate the next generation of martial arts masters.
For years, the academy had gathered talented children from various sects, raising them to become common inheritors of the Murim Alliance's shared martial arts traditions.
To be appointed Director of the New Martial Arts Academy, responsible for nurturing the next generation of martial masters, was truly a great honor.
"This year's cohort is particularly exceptional, with many outstanding talents."
"I heard the Namgung Clan sent their Young Master."
"You're referring to Namgung Yong-ho, the Little Sword Dragon, aren't you? But that's not all. The Nine Sects have also sent some remarkably talented individuals. The Wudang Sect even sent their Chief Disciple, and the Five Great Clans have sent their direct descendants as well."
"An unprecedented boom, indeed."
"In the peaceful Jianghu, there's no better place to gain experience and forge connections than the New Martial Arts Academy, wouldn't you agree?"
"Of course."
Seon In-hyeok suddenly grew curious. He couldn't quite grasp why Chwi Geol-gae had specifically mentioned the New Martial Arts Academy.
"Speaking of which, since you said you had a favor to ask... is it related to the Academy?"
"Indeed."
"While I can recommend promising candidates to the Academy, they must undergo a fair and impartial evaluation. The New Martial Arts Academy only accepts the most meticulously selected talents."
Seon In-hyeok spoke with utmost seriousness.
Fair and impartial evaluation.
The cornerstone of the New Martial Arts Academy's principles—fairness—could not be compromised, regardless of the applicant's status, even if they were an Elder of the Beggar's Sect.
Fortunately, Chwi Geol-gae shook his head.
"Don't worry. I'm not recommending a Student. Are you perhaps short on Instructors?"
"Instructors?"
Seon In-hyeok's tone softened.
A man of inherently noble character, he disdained personal favors, but Instructors were a different matter.
The more Instructors, the better.
The Academy, operating under the noble mission of nurturing future talents, always suffered from a shortage of staff.
Even Instructors of moderate skill struggled to manage the proud Rising Talents, and the Academy demanded exceptionally high qualifications, so applicants were few.
Salaries were another issue. The positions were considered honorary, resulting in meager compensation. For these reasons, the Academy perpetually suffered from a shortage of qualified personnel.
"Even a junior position would do. Please grant me this favor."
"If it's an Instructor recommendation, I should be the one making the request. Is this perhaps a martial artist who has earned a distinguished title?"
"No."
"Perhaps a scion or disciple of a prestigious clan?"
"Not that either."
"We can't carelessly admit someone lacking in skill."
"His skill isn't bad. He's twenty-five years old, and his martial prowess is at the First-Rate Master level."
First-Rate Master at twenty-five?
A remarkable talent.
Reaching the First-Rate Master level requires mastering a single sword technique and being able to manifest sword qi.
"A First-Rate Master at twenty-five? As a martial artist, he's undoubtedly exceptional. However, the New Martial Arts Academy boasts many outstanding students. He's not quite ready to teach higher-level classes."
First-Rate Master is certainly a respectable level for a martial artist.
Yet among the disciples of illustrious sects like the Nine Sects and One Faction or the Five Great Clans, there were many who achieved far more rapid progress.
Chwi Geol-gae replied promptly, "Doesn't matter."
"In that case, there's no problem."
After a moment's hesitation, Seon In-hyeok continued.
"I hear they're short on instructors at the Copper Hall. Would a junior instructor position there be acceptable?"
Copper Hall.
The New Martial Arts Academy is fundamentally divided into four halls: Divine, Gold, Silver, and Copper.
Those with the highest achievements are classified as Divine-grade, followed by Gold, Silver, and Copper in descending order.
In essence, this meant Chwi Geol-gae would be responsible for the lowest-ranked students.
Chwi Geol-gae nodded.
"Not bad. Building my skills step by step might be a good approach."
Seeing Chwi Geol-gae's ready acceptance, Seon In-hyeok let out a sigh of relief.
Even though he was renowned as the White-Robed Judge, he was still dealing with an Elder of the Beggar's Sect.
Locking horns with Chwi Geol-gae, who commanded the Hundred Thousand Disciples and manipulated continental intelligence, was hardly a pleasant prospect.
"Haha! I'm glad you're satisfied. Then how about we share a meal together for old times' sake? We've just received a shipment of excellent wine."
"Heh heh. That's music to my ears."
As he followed Seon In-hyeok, Chwi Geol-gae recalled:
Cho Un-hwi.
The bizarre man he'd encountered recently.
After parting ways, Chwi Geol-gae had activated the Beggar's Sect's intelligence network to investigate. The results left him utterly astonished.
His residence.
His origins.
His parents.
Even his family lineage—nothing could be traced.
It's as if he dropped from the sky out of nowhere, isn't it?
The only thing they'd uncovered was that he was extraordinarily wealthy. One beggar claimed to have seen the branch manager of the Continental Bank—said to be the richest man in the world—rushing out barefoot to greet him.
Just who is he, exactly?
An enigma.
Precisely because of this inscrutability, Chwi Geol-gae had accepted the man's proposal.
To keep tabs on him, it was essential to keep him within sight.
And so, in a corner of the Murim Alliance, the new instructor for the New Martial Arts Academy was appointed.
A massive fortress wall, five zhang tall, loomed before him.
Above the gleaming white wall, the Divine Martial Flag fluttered proudly, signifying the New Martial Arts Academy.
Cho Un-hwi felt a surge of emotion as he gazed at the flag waving majestically against the azure sky.
Finally, I've arrived.
It had taken him five long years to prepare for this moment.
"Let's see... I think I'm in the right place..."
He walked for a while, counting the towering pavilions visible above the wall.
Finally, he stood boldly before the main gate.
Chae-aeng.
"Who goes there?"
"No unauthorized entry allowed."
Cho Un-hwi reached into his inner robe.
As the gate guards narrowed their eyes, he withdrew a silk scroll and presented it.
"I am Cho Un-hwi, the new instructor."
"New instructor? The entrance ceremony was just the day before yesterday...?"
"Heh heh. I was delayed by some personal matters. Family affairs can be complicated."
"Such things happen sometimes."
The gate guard examined the letter of recommendation and lowered his spear.
"Everything checks out. You may enter."
"Thank you! Heh heh."
"Once inside, report to the Academic Affairs Office. They'll issue you a temporary access pass."
Academic Affairs Office.
It was a type of administrative office responsible for handling the major and minor affairs of the New Martial Arts Academy.
There, I met Goatee, who stamped documents with a thud-thud while rattling off instructions in a monotonous voice.
"Your assigned residence is the Copper Hall."
Copper Hall, huh?
So I'd be an instructor managing students of the same rank—a position I'd heard of before.
"Your monthly stipend is ten taels of silver."
What a paltry sum.
I regretted not inquiring about the stipend beforehand. Still, I probably would have come even if I had known.
"There's no overtime pay."
Damn you, Murim Alliance!
Trying to squeeze free labor out of people. The rich get richer, huh?
"For now, this is a temporary position. If you cause no trouble, we'll consider full-time employment after three months."
"A temporary position?"
"That's right. We occasionally get individuals with explosive tempers."
The New Martial Arts Academy was the cradle of the Orthodox Murim.
They wouldn't hire someone as a formal instructor without proper vetting, would they?
But to openly question my character to my face like this... isn't that going too far?
"Are you conducting a background check or something?"
"Well, that too, but..."
The Administrator sized Cho Un-hwi up and down before continuing, "Sometimes, overcome by youthful passion, students and instructors form improper relationships. Dreaming of a fiery romance between instructor and student, perhaps?"
"Hic."
"If caught, the punishment is immediate execution. Keep that in mind."
"...I will remember that."
Be careful, be careful.
Cho Un-hwi nodded stiffly, his head craned forward like a turtle. The Administrator finally stamped the appointment letter with his seal.
"Congratulations. From this moment forward, you are an instructor at Copper Hall."
"Thank you."
"I urge you to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to the future of the Jianghu."
And so, Cho Un-hwi became a Silver-Ten-Nyang Instructor.
Copper Hall.
In the hall where the Copper Hall instructors had gathered, an oppressive silence hung in the air.
This was due to the man tilting a teacup in one corner.
"He's quite late," the middle-aged man muttered, his crimson-bladed greatsword radiating malevolent energy. He stood with his arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on the view outside the window.
The instructors exchanged glances, their eyes conveying unspoken questions:
Damn it. What's going on here?
Why has Elder Blazing Fire Mad Blade come himself?
Just who is this newcomer?
Ten Great Blade Masters of the Jianghu.
Blazing Fire Mad Blade Ma Gil-sang.
A figure invariably mentioned when listing the ten strongest blade masters in the Jianghu.
Renowned for his fiery blade techniques, he unleashed infernal strikes the moment his blade was drawn.
He particularly hated Demonic Cultists and loathed Heterodox Faction Members. Not long ago, he had even cleaved Han Seong-don, the Insidious Great Demon who had been wreaking havoc in the Heterodox Faction, in half on the spot.
The instructors were on edge because they couldn't fathom why such a formidable figure had come to their humble academy.
The Copper Hall.
Despite its grand name as the New Martial Arts Academy, it was little more than a dumping ground for children who barely made it into the academy and lacked any real talent.
A figure of his stature would never normally take interest in the Copper Hall. Even the prodigies in the Gold Hall, let alone the Divine Hall, were barely worthy of his notice.
So why had he personally come all this way just to see a new instructor?
"Excuse me, Great Hero Ma," Copper Hall Director Chunghyeon finally ventured, unable to contain his curiosity.
Having seen him several times while visiting the Murim Alliance, Chunghyeon was the first to muster his courage.
"Aren't you the Director of the Copper Hall? As the owner of this place, feel free to speak comfortably."
"I can't possibly speak casually to a senior of the Jianghu."
"My apologies. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Then why did you come at all?
Chunghyeon, his eyes darting around, finally opened his mouth.
"Was it really necessary for you to come here personally?"
"Is it so strange for a Murim Alliance official to visit the New Martial Arts Academy?"
That's not what I meant.
"Surely it wasn't necessary for you to come all this way just to see a newly appointed Instructor?"
"I came because I had a request."
A request?
Who could possibly dare to make a request of the Ten Great Blade Masters of the Jianghu?
"Could he possibly have a powerful backer?"
"No, that's not it."
"Perhaps a hidden child of a noble family, someone who shouldn't be publicly known?"
"Absolutely not."
This is so frustrating.
Ma Gil-sang met Chunghyeon's gaze with an apologetic expression. "I can't go into detail. I'm sorry."
He's just burning me up inside and then smoothing it over with words.
Part of me wanted to flip the table and shout, "Why?!" But I knew that sword lying quietly nearby would strike like lightning if I did.
"Hmph. W-well, I guess there's no choice."
Chunghyeon retreated, sweating profusely.
Having received an indirect order to leave, even the Copper Hall Director couldn't push further.
Rank is the ultimate bully.
Just burning inside...
Thump-thump!
A loud commotion erupted outside as the doors of Copper Hall swung open violently.
"Greetings!"
A slender young man burst in with a resonant voice that echoed through the hall.
"New Instructor Cho Un-hwi! I've been ordered to assume my post at Copper Hall as of today!"
The long-awaited newcomer had finally arrived.