Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 293: I Hereby Declare...

TL: FoodieMonster007

The day after the duel, workers bustled about early in the morning, loading luggage onto carriages. The sturdy wagons, emblazoned with the insignia of the Murim Alliance, were filled with all sorts of supplies, while Alliance martial artists meticulously inspected the cargo.

"That was an excellent duel. It gave me a lot to think about."

"Thank you."

While everyone else was occupied, the Murim Alliance Chairman met up with Baek Suryong, who had come to see him off, to discuss the previous day's duel.

"By the way, that ice art of yours… it wouldn't be an understatement to call that a divine art. Why didn't you use it right from the start?" Yayul Hwang asked casually.

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Baek Suryong sighed, "To be honest, I wanted to keep it hidden. If I could have won with just my sword, I would have."

Yayul Hwang flashed him an odd stare. "…Would you mind telling me what martial art it is?"

Baek Suryong smiled wryly. "Sorry, but I can't say."

"Hmm… Well, it can't be helped." Although he was disappointed, Yayul Hwang nodded. It was a taboo to pry too deeply into another's martial arts. "You're not hiding any other martial arts, are you?"

Baek Suryong stared at Yayul Hwang in disbelief. "If I were, why would I tell you?"

Yayul Hwang grinned. "That's a shame. If the Heavenly Martial Commander had fought properly from the beginning, I could have seen more of your hidden skills."

"Was that the real reason you arranged the duel?"

"I can't say it wasn't." Yayul Hwang chuckled mischievously and patted Baek Suryong's shoulder with hands the size of a pot lid. It was a gesture of familiarity, even though a normal person would have suffered a dislocated shoulder from the impact.

For a moment, Baek Suryong unconsciously opened his mouth to retort, but in the end, he simply smiled.

The more I see him, the more he reminds me of Master Maeng.

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That towering frame, that monstrous strength, that overbearing personality. If their faces resembled each other even slightly, he would have suspected they were blood relatives.

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Besides, even though he hadn't yet witnessed the peerless fist technique that had earned Yayul Hwang the title of Fist King, he didn't seem any weaker than the Maeng Ho'ak of the past.

He's around the same level as the Blue Sky Sword King, if not higher. What a monster.

"The next time we meet, you might already be one of the Ten Supremes," the muscle monster suddenly remarked.

Baek Suryong shook his head. "I think it's too soon for that."

"Too soon? Hah! That must be the most arrogant display of humility I've ever heard!" Yayul Hwang roared, his booming laughter startling the carriage horses into stomping their feet. ꞦåŊ𝐨βЁs̩

After laughing heartily for a while, he finally quieted down and looked Baek Suryong in the eye.

"Well, you do have the right to say that," he added in a serious tone.

The duel between the Azure Dragon Hero and the Proud Sword of Mount Hua had defied all expectations. Many had predicted a close match, but to their surprise, Baek Suryong had one-sidedly overwhelmed Cho Cheonsang.

Even after the duel ended, the entire city was abuzz with talk of the duel throughout the night. Within ten days, rumors would spread across all of murim via messenger birds.

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Yayul Hwang chuckled, "Regardless, I don't put much faith in empty titles like the Ten Supremes or the Hundred Grandmasters. Too often, reality doesn't match the reputation."

The murim was full of eccentrics, and it wasn't uncommon for reclusive masters to suddenly emerge and shock the world. Conversely, many so-called grandmasters turned out to be nothing more than hollow shells.

Baek Suryong is definitely the real deal, though. In fact, he's so skilled that it's suspicious.

Until now, Yayul Hwang suspected that Baek Suryong might be connected to the Blood Cult. No matter how strange and unpredictable the murim was, the sudden miraculous rise of the Azure Dragon Hero was outrageous.

However, watching Baek Suryong's duel had dispelled most of his doubts.

His swordsmanship is unmistakably that of the orthodox sects, and his ice arts seemed related to the North Sea Ice Palace. Neither has anything to do with the Blood Cult.

Although the reason the Ice Palace closed itself off decades ago remained a mystery, tying it to the Blood Cult seemed like a stretch.

He might have hidden more martial arts, but at least, I didn't detect any sign of demonic arts.

Yayul Hwang breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, his fear that the Azure Dragon Hero was involved with the Blood Cult turned out to be nothing more than paranoia.

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Observing Yayul Hwang's expression carefully, Baek Suryong grinned inwardly.

It seems I've finally shaken off his doubts. Everything worked out exactly as planned.

Throughout his duel with the Proud Sword of Mount Hua, he had primarily used the Unlimited Sword. Then, at the very end, he pretended to reluctantly use the White Ice Divine Art like it was his ultimate trump card.

The Unlimited Sword was based on the swordsmanship of the Moyong Clan, while the White Ice Divine Art belonged to the North Sea Ice Palace. An old master of Yayul Hwang's caliber could hardly fail to recognize them.

Yayul Hwang burst out laughing, "Hahaha! To think that a young supreme master like you would appear in these troubled times. I guess this is exactly what they mean when they say, 'Heroes arise in times of chaos'! Also, are you sure you won't come with me?"

He was a straightforward man. Once he decided someone was an ally, he treated them with open goodwill.

Baek Suryong shook his head. "As I told you before, I have other matters to attend to."

"That's a shame. If you came along, convincing the other Five Academies would be a piece of cake." Yayul Hwang clicked his tongue, genuinely disappointed.

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The Murim Alliance delegation was going to visit all Five Great Academies. If the Azure Dragon Hero was part of this delegation, convincing the other academies would be much easier.

Unfortunately, Baek Suryong already had plans for the break.

Yayul Hwang sighed, "Well, if it can't be helped, then that's that. In any case, I'll mention your name often. Don't blame me if someone comes looking for you later."

"…Just don't make things up."

"Haha! Did you forget? I'm the Murim Alliance Chairman! There's no way I would stoop so low!"

"…I have my doubts about that, but I'll take your word for now," Baek Suryong reluctantly conceded.

The Vermilion Phoenix Academy and the White Tiger Academy, both of which were indebted to Baek Suryong for rescuing their new instructors at Namgung Estate, would probably support the proposal without issue. Taking the Dark Heaven Goddess' goodwill into account, he felt that the Black Tortoise Academy was unlikely to oppose them as well.

That left the Heavenly Martial Academy as the biggest problem.

"Chairman, what's the delegation's planned route?" Baek Suryong asked.

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"We'll head south to the Vermilion Phoenix Academy, west to the White Tiger Academy, north to the Black Tortoise Academy, and finally back to the central Heavenly Martial Academy."

"Leave the Black Tortoise Academy to me. I have business there anyway."

"If you do that, it'll help me a lot. And…" Yayul Hwang, who had been grinning widely, suddenly became serious. At the same time, a transparent qi barrier enveloped the two of them.

Baek Suryong immediately stiffened. "Why did you suddenly raise a qi barrier?"

"I want the Azure Dragon Academy to become the new center of the Five Academies," Yayul Hwang declared solemnly.

Over the past few days, he had carefully observed the Azure Dragon Academy's instructors and students. It was only natural, since they would one day fight alongside the alliance against the Blood Cult.

What he saw had shocked him.

"Some of your students are quite exceptional. More than anything, I like that their eyes are filled with confidence, unlike before."

From Yayul Hwang's perspective, the Azure Dragon Academy was filled with both skilled instructors and excellent students. It was hard to believe that this was the same academy that had finished last in the Heavenly Martial Festival for ten consecutive years.

"I'll give you the Murim Alliance's full support. With you helming the current Azure Dragon Academy, we should be able to keep the principal of the Heavenly Martial Academy in check."

The principal of the Heavenly Martial Academy was one of the Ten Supremes and a towering figure in the orthodox murim. Whether it was the Murim Alliance, the Nine Sects One Gang, the Five Great Clans, the Ten Great Companies, the Five Great Academies, and even the Imperial Court, every major power in all of murim had at least one Heavenly Martial Academy graduate in a key position.

That gave the principal of the Heavenly Martial Academy so much power that even the Murim Alliance Chairman could not easily confront him.

Despite that, Yayul Hwang intended to task Baek Suryong with keeping such a man in check.

"I'm not asking for much. I just want you to help me make sure the Murim Alliance and the Five Great Academies don't clash unnecessarily. At the very least, Vermilion Phoenix Academy and White Tiger Academy will support you."

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Baek Suryong considered Yayul Hwang's request seriously. If it's only that much, then…

"Chairman, how would you describe the principal of the Heavenly Martial Academy?" he asked.

"A man whose true thoughts are inscrutable."

That one sentence was enough. An ally whose goals were unclear was just as dangerous as an unknown enemy. To defeat the Blood Cult, all of murim needed to unite as one.

On that point, Yayul Hwang and Baek Suryong were in complete agreement.

Baek Suryong nodded. "I understand. I'll help you."

"Kuhaha! Suddenly, I feel as if I've gained the support of an entire army!" Yayul Hwang laughed loudly.

Baek Suryong smirked. "Besides, once we win the Heavenly Martial Festival, the Azure Dragon Academy will become the center of the Five Academies whether anyone likes it or not."

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"Hmm. Winning, huh…"

Yayul Hwang hesitated. Personally, he felt that winning would be difficult. Even the average student at the Heavenly Martial Academy was on another level. Still, he didn't think there was any meaning in saying such things to Baek Suryong.

In the end, he simply said, "I look forward to it. Let's just hope the Blood Cult doesn't act up before them."

"I hope so too, but that's up to fate."

The two men exchanged knowing smiles. Now that they had spoken candidly, it finally felt as if they had truly formed an alliance.

Yayul Hwang dispelled the qi barrier. "Well, that was a fruitful conversation. Visit the Murim Alliance sometime."

"Of course. As the Chief Instructor, I should stop by and train some people at least, right?"

"!!!" Several martial artists of the Heavenly Martial Corps flinched. After witnessing firsthand how their Commander had been trashed, even Baek Suryong's offhand comment was now enough to make them shrink back.

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Only said Commander, Cho Cheonsang, laughed cheerfully, "Puhaha! My entire Heavenly Martial Corps looks scared stiff!"

"You fool. They way you're acting, it's like you were the one who won the duel," Yayul Hwang muttered, clicking his tongue in disbelief. He'd expected the sting of defeat to linger for a while, but to his surprise, the young man actually looked rather happy.

"There's no shame in losing to someone stronger than me," Cho Cheonsang explained, looking at Baek Suryong with clear and bright eyes. "Chief Instructor. Thank you for showing this frog in a well just how vast the world truly is."

Baek Suryong, whose soul was thoroughly stained by small-minded pettiness, blinked in shock and horror at Cho Cheonsang's pure, untainted gaze and reverential tone. He could tell that the Heavenly Martial Commander's attitude did not stem from fear, but from a true acceptance of his defeat.

It was unsettling.

"…Good. Keep training hard," he finally choked out.

"Yes! Please continue to guide me in the future!"

Watching the awkward exchange, Yayul Hwang grabbed his stomach and laughed heartily.

[As you can see, he's actually a genuinely nice boy.]

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[It seems that way. He's remarkably talented, too.]

Baek Suryong could count on one hand the number of people he had met in his past and present lives who possessed such natural talent. The next time they met, Cho Cheonsang's swordsmanship would undoubtedly be even more polished.

The next time we fight, he might actually pose a real threat.

As the two men chatted amicably, before they knew it, the last of the luggage was being loaded onto the wagons.

"It's time for us to go," Yayul Hwang said, exchanging parting words with Noh Goonsang and the Murim Alliance's Jiangxi Branch Leader as well.

"Safe travels."

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Compared to the Murim Alliance's noisy arrival, the farewell was short and simple.

He stormed in as if he was going to tear the academy apart, yet now he's leaving with a hero's sendoff.

Baek Suryong kept a reasonable distance as he watched the delegation make their final preparations to leave.

"Mr. Baek!" A familiar voice called out from one of the wagons.

Baek Suryong turned toward the speaker. Bang Baekhyun was standing next to Jaegal Sojin, waving at him.

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When their eyes met, Bang Baekhyun bowed his head.

He looks a lot better now. Looks like things went well with his mother.

In the end, Bang Baekhyun decided to enter the Omniscient Bureau, just as they had discussed.

Baek Suryong gave him a slight nod in response.

Finally, it was time for the Murim Alliance to leave.

Looking over the large crowd that had gathered to see him off, Yayul Hwang said, "Thank you for seeing us off so warmly. Once again, I pledge that the Murim Alliance and the Azure Dragon Academy will stand together as allies against the threat of the Blood Cult."

The Murim Alliance leader, Yayul Hwang. A giant with a commanding presence. The man with the strongest fists in the world. It was only natural that everyone listened attentively when he spoke.

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"Through yesterday's duel, I have confirmed that the future of the murim is bright. Regardless of the outcome, whether it was the Azure Dragon Hero or the Proud Sword of Mount Hua, both young warriors were truly outstanding."

Yayul Hwang directed his gaze toward Baek Suryong.

Baek Suryong's heart skipped a beat. His instincts screamed, warning him that something terrible was about to happen.

He was right on the money.

Smiling meaningfully and infusing his voice with inner qi, Yayul Hwang declared loudly, "I, Yayul Hwang, the Chairman of the Murim Alliance, hereby declare—Baek Suryong, the Azure Dragon Hero, is worthy of claiming a seat among the Ten Supremes!"

It was an earth-shattering statement that would send shock waves throughout the entire murim.

Those who had spent the previous day gossiping and debating the outcome of the duel screamed in unison.

"Azure Dragon Hero! Azure Dragon Hero! Azure Dragon Hero!"

"The birth of a new member of the Ten Supremes!"

"The Murim Alliance Chairman has acknowledged the Azure Dragon Hero as his equal!"

"Uwaaaaaah!"

The city's excitement roared louder than any festival, surpassing even the deafening cheers of the night before.

And at the center of it all stood Baek Suryong.

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"Haha, hahaha…"

Surrounded by countless eyes, Baek Suryong could only laugh awkwardly.

This insane motherfucker…

He shot a deadly glare at Yayul Hwang, but the man spun around on his heel and pretended not to see him.

"Kuhahaha! Then, I shall take my leave!"

With that, the Murim Alliance's delegation departed from the Azure Dragon Academy.

At long last, the long-awaited school vacation had begun!

Translator's Note: School vacation arc next week!