Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 378: I Just Knew It Would End Up Like This

TL: FoodieMonster007

Dawn broke on an early autumn day, and a cool wind began to blow. Since it was still too early in the season for the leaves to begin changing colors, the White Dragon Manor's scenery had not changed much.

Kicking off the ground, Hyonwon Kang roared, "True Beat Up Baek Suryong Ultimate Technique, Eighteen Hells! Get into formation!"

"...Do you brats even know what a real battle formation looks like?" Baek Suryong lamented as fierce waves of qi surged at him from every direction.

The air around him felt dense and heavy, as if the palm of an unseen giant was crushing him from above.

Baek Suryong smirked in satisfaction at the pressure his students were putting on him. After many group battles, their understanding of team tactics had increased much more than he had expected.

I can't be careless anymore.

WHOOOOOSH!

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Geo Sangwoong and Ya Suhyeok charged at him from the front and back simultaneously. Unlike previously, when they relied only on brute strength to attack recklessly, they were now focused on restricting his movements.

At the same time, Hyonwon Kang came crashing down from the left like a thunderbolt, while Wiji Cheon, who had concealed his presence, attacked from the right like a blurry ghost.

CLANG! CLANG!

A shower of sparks erupted as the Black Dragon Pointer collided first with the Black Dao and then with the flawlessly timed Soul Sword, but that wasn't the end of it.

CRACKLE...!

Frost formed on Baek Suryong's sleeves. Yeo Min's ice qi was growing more intense by the day. Now, her White Ice Divine Art was at least as powerful as that of most North Sea Ice Palace masters.

"Not bad..." Baek Suryong commended. The joint attack performed by his five students was now outstanding enough to defeat even a considerable master without difficulty.

Unfortunately for them, he was no ordinary master.

"...but you're still a long way from reaching me," he added.

Grinning wickedly, he lifted his foot slightly and stomped down hard.

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RUMBLE!

The training ground shook as if struck by an earthquake. Immediately, Geo Sangwoong and Ya Suhyeok lost their balance and swayed to the sides.

"Watch out!" Hyonwon Kang shouted, but it was already too late.

Baek Suryong had already rushed at Geo Sangwoong, his left palm extended.

"Kugh!"

As Geo Sangwoong was sent flying back from a palm strike to the chest, a momentary opening was created in their perfect joint attack formation.

"Senior Sangwoong!" Ya Suhyeok cried out, gritting his teeth in frustration even as he threw a punch at his teacher.

Spinning around, Baek Suryong easily deflected the Ya Suhyeok's fist to the side, then ducked inside his guard and kicked his chin.

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WHAM!

Ya Suhyeok fell backward, his eyes dazed and unfocused. Nevertheless, a victorious grin spread across his face.

From the beginning, his role had been to act as a shield, hiding the attack behind him while pretending to rush in recklessly.

"Now!"

Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon, who had been hiding behind Ya Suhyeok's broad back, shot out at the same time and struck, a potent sword qi and blade qi enveloping the Soul Sword and the Black Dao respectively. Their eyes burned with ferocity, as if this was the moment they had been waiting for all along.

Baek Suryong rolled his eyes. Just from their gazes, one would think they were fighting their parents' murderers, not their teacher.

"Don't hold back, stab him!" Yeo Min screamed in encouragement, also attacking Baek Suryong from behind.

None of them were worried about accidentally hurting their teacher. No matter what attack they used, they knew it was impossible for them to truly injure Baek Suryong.

Most importantly, they absolutely had to land a meaningful attack on him today!

"You guys... Aren't you strangely motivated today?" Baek Suryong tilted his head and stared blankly at his students' attacks, which were already within arm's reach.

Hyonwon Kang's Black Dao aimed for his left shoulder, and Wiji Cheon's Soul Sword targeted his right waist. From behind, Yeo Min swung her folding fan, aiming for his back. Blocking all three wasn't a problem, but if he handled it as usual, it seemed he couldn't avoid having a part of his sleeve torn.

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Why are they trying so desperately just to tear my sleeve today?

Baek Suryong was puzzled, but now that he had noticed his students' nasty scheme, he had no intention of meekly letting them succeed.

WOOONG!

The White Ice Bangles flew off his wrists as if they were alive and knocked the Soul Sword and the Black Dao aside. At the same time, he spun around and struck Yeo Min's shoulder with his Black Dragon Pointer, sealing her acupoint and subduing the fastest and most troublesome opponent.

"Ugh, that's cowardly!" Yeo Min complained.

"If you think it's unfair, you can use telekinesis too." Grinning smugly, Baek Suryong swung his Black Dragon Pointer in an elegant arc.

BONK! THWACK!

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The Black Dragon Pointer landed on the tops of Hyonwon Kang's and Wiji Cheon's heads, signaling the end of the sparring session.

The two boys crumpled to the floor, clutching the new bumps on their heads and glaring at Baek Suryong like they were about to die of frustration.

"Damn it! I was planning to make you roll on the floor and humiliate you this time...!" Hyonwon Kang whined.

Baek Suryong smirked evilly. "You're a hundred years too early for that."

SMACK!

The Black Dragon Pointer created yet another bump on the head of Hyonwon Kang, who had run his mouth for no reason.

"Okay! That's it for today's morning training!" Baek Suryong turned to go wash up and prepare for school as usual.

""......"" (｡>﹏<) ( •̯́ ^ •̯̀) (｡•́︿•̀｡) ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀) (ó﹏ò｡)

Baek Suryong sighed. He could feel the pleading eyes of his students on his back. Glancing behind him, he asked, "What's with you guys today? Did you cause some trouble?"

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Everyone's gazes focused on Hyonwon Kang. It was only at times like these that he was treated as a leader.

Pressured, Hyonwon Kang began hesitantly, "That's not it..."

"Spit it out. Just what is it?"

"We were originally planning to tell you after at least cutting your sleeve..."

Baek Suryong rolled his eyes. No wonder their joint attack was so much more daring and creative than usual. They want something from me!

Hyonwon Kang asked softly, "You know the Azure Dragon Festival is starting soon, right?"

"The Azure Dragon Festival?"

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The Azure Dragon Festival was the Azure Dragon Academy's autumn festival. While the Heavenly Martial Academy's Heavenly Martial Festival was a martial arts tournament where prodigies from the Five Great Academies gathered to compete, the Azure Dragon Festival was a local cultural festival where martial artists and non-martial artists mingled and had fun.

The Azure Dragon Festival lasted for two days and was organized entirely by students under the direction of the Student Council and the Club Union. During the festival, students would set up stalls within the academy or rent buildings to host performances and exhibitions for all guests regardless of whether they were martial artists or ordinary people.

Finally, Baek Suryong caught on to his students' desires. "You want me to let you play without training during the Azure Dragon Festival?"

"We're not saying we'll play all day, we were just wondering if you could give us a little more free time... As you know, I am also the Club Union President..."

"......" Baek Suryong folded his arms and stared sternly at Hyonwon Kang.

"......" Hyonwon Kang flinched and watched his reaction nervously.

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The other students were similarly anxious. They had been training nonstop since the beginning of the semester and were eager for an opportunity to kick back and unwind.

Baek Suryong sighed. A cultural festival, huh?

He wasn't personally interested in such events, but he did think that the students needed an outlet to release their accumulated stress and fatigue. Besides, with the festivities going on all around them, there was no way they could focus on training.

In my past life as a Blood Cult instructor, I would never have accepted such a ridiculous request...

Baek Suryong smirked faintly as he scanned his students, who were looking at him with puppy-dog eyes. "Fine. During the festival period, you are exempted from all training except for morning training."

""YESSSSS!"" The students jumped up and down with joy.

"However!" Baek Suryong warned, "I will immediately catch any of you who cause trouble. Don't get too out of hand just because it's a festival. Behave properly."

""Yes, Mr. Baek!""

"Good. Make sure you keep your word."

Baek Suryong smirked faintly as he hurried to get ready for work. The Azure Dragon Festival was an event for the students. As an instructor, he had to work as usual.

...Or so he thought.

As soon as Baek Suryong arrived at the Discipline Committee, he was met by an extremely grumpy Mae Geuklyom.

"Grandpa, are you in a bad mood because of the Azure Dragon Festival?" he asked gingerly.

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"...Do you know how many students are caught for inappropriate fraternization during the Azure Dragon Festival every year?"

Baek Suryong shook his head. How the fuck would I know that?

Mae Geuklyom sighed deeply. "On average, there are more than twenty cases, and the trend is rising. That's why, at this time of year, our Discipline Committee must always be on high alert."

"......"

Mae Geuklyom continued, "Illicit relationships aren't the only problem. During the Azure Dragon Festival, students tend to get overly excited, resulting in several times more incidents and accidents than usual. Not to mention, with guests coming in from outside... Damn, I remember now. Thirty years ago, your father and mother also..."

"What did my parents do?"

"...It's nothing." Mae Geuklyom shook his head. Although his grandson was a grown man nearing thirty, he couldn't bring himself to tell him what he had seen.

At that time, Baek Muheun had rushed onto the stage where a performance was in progress and, in front of a large crowd of hundreds, had daringly forced his lips on...

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"...Anyway, it's all that bastard's fault. My daughter did nothing wrong."

Are you sure? From what I've heard about Mom's personality, I would think she was the root of most of the chaos...

Baek Suryong badly wanted to tell Mae Geuklyom, who was denying reality, the hard truth, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead, he simply nodded in agreement. "Of course. Everything is Dad's fault."

"Indeed. Your father is an incorrigible playboy who deserves death."

Having agreed on a fact that a certain someone would find very unfair, the grandson and grandfather pair resumed their discussion.

"I've decided to work closely with the Student Council this year. If something happens, the children will contact us, so keep that in mind."

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"I will speak to the Club Union since Wonkang is the President. Though, the SRS are the ones with real authority..."

"In any case, let's work hard to reduce the number of incidents during the Azure Dragon Festival."

"Understood!"

After the festival discipline meeting ended, Baek Suryong headed to his office.

As he walked, he saw that preparations for the Azure Dragon Festival were already in full swing. Temporary tents and structures were being erected on the grand training ground. Students were coming and going with large bundles and backpacks. Freshly painted banners with letters that hadn't yet dried were being put up. The sound of students practicing for their performances filled the air.

[The entire academy seems excited,] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword remarked. By now, she had recovered most of her energy and could speak to him again.

Baek Suryong patted the sword's hilt. [Do you feel anything strange?]

[Nothing particularly special. Are you worried about the assassin?]

Baek Suryong nodded. [There's no better environment for an assassin to hide in than a festival.]

He had not forgotten that the Blood Cult had sent an assassin to kill him. He had deliberately left himself vulnerable several times, but his opponent was taking no chances. So far, he hadn't noticed anything suspicious.

However, this time he was confident that the assassin would undoubtedly strike.

If he doesn't move even with such a good opportunity, he's not qualified to be an assassin.

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When the Azure Dragon Festival began, a huge crowd would flock to the academy. No self-respecting assassin would miss this opportunity.

Unfortunately, another terrifying entity found Baek Suryong before the assassin did.

Shortly after he arrived at his office, Tang Soso from the Student Council paid him a visit.

"There's something I absolutely must ask of you, Mr. Baek!" she pleaded.

"Rejected," Baek Suryong replied instantly. He didn't even want to hear the details of the request.

Unfortunately, Tang Soso was not one to be discouraged by a simple refusal. Beaming, she said invitingly, "You know how on the first day of the Azure Dragon Festival, us students are divided into the Blue and White Teams to compete in various events?"

"So?" Baek Suryong tilted his head. He thought he might have heard something like that from his colleagues a while ago, but he wasn't interested, so he had let it go in one ear and out the other.

Tang Soso continued, "This year, we've decided to have most of the teachers participate. Would it be possible for you to take on the role of the Blue Team's Commander?"

Baek Suryong shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not."

"Is it really not possible?"

"I'm not so free that I can take part in your little games."

Baek Suryong was telling the truth. He was busy with a mountain of work with his class and the Discipline Committee, and he didn't have much interest in the festival itself either. Most importantly, he had no intention of playing kids' games.

Tang Soso smiled mysteriously. "But... Mr. Namgung Su has already agreed."

"...Who? What?"

"Mr. Namgung Su has agreed to take on the role of the White Team Commander."

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"......" Baek Suryong's eye twitched subtly.

Tang Soso did not miss that. It was time to cast her bait.

"If you refuse to be the Blue Team Commander, people who don't know better might think you're avoiding Mr. Namgung Su because you're afraid of losing to him," she taunted.

"Ha! Do you think I'd fall for such an obvious trick?"

"......" Tang Soso grinned triumphantly.

I've got him hook, line, and sinker.

Contrary to Baek Suryong's words, she could see him tapping the desk impatiently with his fingers.

"...You said Namgung Su is in the White Team?"

Baek Suryong sighed. He knew Tang Soso was out to entice him, but sometimes, one had no choice but to consciously walk into a trap.

Translator's Note: Okay, I confess, I added the emoticons. They aren't in the raws. We are all upset at the sudden timeskip.

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