Chapter 43

Seon Woo Baek quickly bent backward, narrowly dodging Go Seung’s blade, then spun his body and closed the distance in a single motion. “Ten Thousand Skies Supreme Wave!” Craack—! “Gahk!” This time, he attacked with full force. Unlike before, the blast exploded with a powerful shockwave that launched Go Seung’s body into the air. Seon Woo Baek crossed his arms and struck in a whirling motion toward the airborne Go Seung. “Heaven-Breaking Taiyi Strike!” The energy wave released from his crossed hands spiraled rapidly and struck Go Seung. Boom—. Whoooosh—. The qi blast that hit Go Seung’s body exploded on impact, sending a fierce wind rippling out in every direction. Thud—. Go Seung’s massive body slammed straight into the ground. “Is it over?” Jolt—. “Hah!” Even after being hit with a full-power combo, he stood back up. Was his endurance just that monstrous? With blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Go Seung spoke. “Damn it... I admit it...” Thud—. Leaving only those words behind, Go Seung collapsed where he stood. Seeing him fall again, Seon Woo Baek let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his brow. Clap, clap, clap—. “Impressive. I didn’t think you’d finish it this quickly. Truly impressive.” Gwak Pyeong approached, smiling brightly as he clapped. “Not at all. I still have much to learn.” “Even humble too. I like that.” “Allow me to check on Senior Go Seung briefly.” “Go ahead.” Gwak Pyeong looked at Seon Woo Baek with eyes full of affection. He was perfect. That considerate heart. That respectful attitude toward his seniors. That overwhelming strength, defeating the top intermediate student despite being a lower-classman. Everything about him was flawless. Looking more closely, even his skeletal frame was excellent. A build perfectly suited for mastering martial arts. To Gwak Pyeong’s eyes, Seon Woo Baek was a treasure. If that kid succeeds me, the glory of Baekyeong Martial Academy will last even longer. After checking on Go Seung, Seon Woo Baek took out a pill from his robes, placed it in Go Seung’s mouth, laid him down gently, and returned to Gwak Pyeong. “What did you give him?” “Just an Internal Injury Pill.” “I see. With that, you've proven it. You have what it takes to be the next top student of Baekyeong Martial Academy.” “Thank you.” “Tomorrow, I’ll officially declare you as my successor. From now on, you’ll need to form your own faction with your own people.” “Understood.” “I’ve heard you already have a group forming?” “Yes. I’ve found some people who are a good fit.” “What’s their potential like?” “Not bad. One of them could even be compared to me.” “Oh? You mean there’s another talent on your level?” “Yes. He’s just a quiet type, so he doesn’t stand out much.” “A friend named Gok Yang-u?” “No, his name is Jang Un.” “Jang Un? Never heard of him. But you’re saying he’s your equal?” “That’s right.” “These lower-class students are truly incredible this year. If things go well, we might even win the next Academy-Wide Martial Clash.” “I intend to do my best.” Seeing Seon Woo Baek speak of his ambitions with such confidence, Gwak Pyeong burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Even your mindset is perfect! Hahahaha!” Gwak Pyeong laughed heartily, genuinely overjoyed. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll begin personally training you.” At those words, for the first time, Seon Woo Baek looked troubled. “I’m sorry. I’d prefer to train on my own.” “Is there a reason?” “Yes. I have my own training method... If I change it, everything I’ve built up until now might fall apart.” Seon Woo Baek’s personal training method. It was Yeon Woo Jin. More than losing progress, what truly terrified him was being cast aside by Yeon Woo Jin. “Hmm. So that’s why you rejected my offer before?” “Yes. I’m sorry.” “No need to apologize. You created your own method and proved it works. I understand.” “Thank you for understanding.” “Heh, this isn’t even a favor. If you ever need anything or feel inconvenienced, come see me in the upper division anytime.” “Thank you.” “I’ll send someone to escort that big guy home, so don’t worry. Go on now.” “Then I wish you a restful night.” Even at the end, Seon Woo Baek gave a courteous bow and left. To Gwak Pyeong, he couldn’t have looked more admirable. **** The next day. As expected, Gwak Pyeong officially named Seon Woo Baek as the next top student of Baekyeong Martial Academy. Even Go Seung, the current top intermediate student, acknowledged it. With that, Seon Woo Baek was now fully recognized as the academy’s successor. Now that it was official, the top students from each division naturally bowed their heads and entered his ranks. Gwak Oh of the Azure Dragon Division, Jin Jo of the Vermilion Bird Division, and even Heo Wook of the White Tiger Division, who had battled until the end for the top spot. Along with them came the students who had followed each of their leads. All of them now fell under Seon Woo Baek’s command. He had completely taken control of the lower-class students. At least, that’s how it looked on the surface. Believing a new era for Seon Woo Baek was beginning, they followed him. They tried to stick close to him, hoping to build a deeper connection. But Seon Woo Baek would vanish somewhere in a rush the moment classes ended, giving them no chance. “Where the hell does he run off to the moment class ends?” “It’s like he’s being chased.” “Maybe Senior Gwak Pyeong is summoning him?” “Could be.” “Guess we’re not even on Senior Gwak Pyeong’s radar anymore.” “Can’t be helped. If you’re bitter, you should’ve been stronger.” “Our role now is to support Woo Baek from his side.” At Heo Wook’s words, Jin Jo and Gwak Oh looked stunned. Heo Wook had always been proud and considered Seon Woo Baek his rival to the end—yet now he said something like that. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “No, just surprised to hear you say ‘support.’” “What, it’s the truth. On this land ruled by the Martial God Sect, bowing your head to the strong is natural.” “So you’ve accepted it completely.” “Yeah. I lost so one-sidedly it actually felt refreshing.” Heo Wook’s expression was genuinely content. Just then— “What are you guys doing here?” Gwak Pyeong, passing by, spotted them and spoke. “Greetings, sir!” “Alright.” “We were discussing what to do next.” “Next?” “Yes! About following Woo Baek.” “Ah! That’s a wonderful mindset. Truly, every one of this year’s lower-class students is delightful.” Gwak Pyeong smiled, clearly pleased. Then he glanced around and asked, “But where’s the main character, Woo Baek himself?” “Huh? Didn’t you summon him, sir?” “Hmm? Me? No, I didn’t.” “Every day, the moment class ends, he dashes off somewhere, so we assumed you’d called for him.” “He runs off somewhere in such a hurry every day?” “Yes.” “Hmm. Maybe he's going to train.” “Training?” “Yeah. He told me he does his own training every day. Maybe he dashes off like that to squeeze in a little more time.” The three of them were in awe after hearing Gwak Pyeong’s words. He wasn’t strong for no reason. “He’s got talent, and on top of that, he’s bleeding himself dry with effort. How could he not be strong?” At Gwak Pyeong’s remark, all three clenched their fists tightly. “You’d better work hard too. The more time passes, the further ahead Woo Baek’s going to pull.” “Understood!” “We’ll get going now!” Their expressions had changed. They must’ve realized something. Gwak Pyeong smiled and nodded. “Alright then. Go.” “Then, have a good evening!” As the three of them hurried off, Gwak Pyeong grinned. “How can every single one of this year’s lower-class students be so damn likable? Heh... I really can’t wait for the next two years.” **** Later. Seon Woo Baek was staring at Heo Wook, Jin Jo, and Gwak Oh with a troubled expression. “Wait... What do you mean you suddenly came all the way here?” “We said we want to train with you!” “Yeah! If we train with you, we’ll be motivated too. We’ll push ourselves harder. Please let us!” “We’re begging you!” The three of them pleaded desperately, while Seon Woo Baek stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do. “No, ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) it’s just that...” “Please, teach us the training method that made you so strong!” “We’ll do whatever you ask! Just please, teach us!” “We really want to get stronger! If we have to become your hands and feet, we will! So please, let us train like you do!” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to teach them. He couldn’t. Because his training method was Yeon Woo Jin himself. To bring them along, he’d need Yeon Woo Jin’s permission. “Hey! What are you doing?” Just then, Jang Un’s voice rang out. “Huh?” Startled, Seon Woo Baek turned toward him. “What are you doing? You’re late!” At Jang Un’s words, Seon Woo Baek looked up at the sky. Before he realized it, the sun had already started to set. “Oh no! I-It’s already this late...!” “Hurry up. I’m going on ahead.” Jang Un vanished in a flash, leaping away in one swift motion. Heo Wook, Jin Jo, and Gwak Oh stood there stunned. Their faces said it all—What the hell did we just see? Jang Un’s movement was clearly on another level. You couldn’t judge someone’s strength by footwork alone, but he was definitely above them. And they’d never even seen him before. Judging by his uniform, he was also a lower-class student like them. And yet someone they didn’t even know by name had just displayed that kind of movement? They say the martial world is full of hidden masters. Apparently, some of them were hiding among the lower-class students too. But what shocked them even more—was Seon Woo Baek’s reaction. “L-Let’s talk later, okay?!” “No! You’re not going anywhere!” As Seon Woo Baek tried to bolt, Heo Wook grabbed him. “L-Let go! Seriously, it’s urgent! I have to go!” “No! Not until you say yes!” As Heo Wook clung on, Jin Jo and Gwak Oh snapped out of it and latched on too. “L-Let go! I really have to go!” Seon Woo Baek’s voice was desperate. Heo Wook, quick to pick up on things, sensed something was up. He released Seon Woo Baek and spoke. “Sounds like something urgent’s going on. Let’s let him go for now.” At Heo Wook’s words, Jin Jo and Gwak Oh reluctantly let him go too. “Thanks! Let’s talk tomorrow—tomorrow!” With that, Seon Woo Baek sprinted off with everything he had. Heo Wook kept his eyes fixed on the direction he ran. “That guy from earlier went the same way. What’s over there?” “Over there? I’m not sure.” “There’s the Baekyak Temple, but it’s basically a ruin now. Nothing else out that way.” “Baekyak Temple?” “Yeah. Supposedly it used to be a pretty big temple before the Martial God Sect took over this territory.” “I’ve heard of it too. After it went under, no one goes there anymore. People say it’s haunted or something.” “Really? If it was that big, it must have a lot of open space, right?” “Probably, yeah.” “I see. I think I know where Seon Woo Baek trains.” “No way. You think he’s training at Baekyak Temple?” “I bet he is. It’s deep in the mountains, no one goes there, it’s got shelter, and a big open space for training. It’s a perfect spot.” “You’re right...” “Let’s go. We’ll find out once we’re there.” The others nodded in agreement at Heo Wook’s words. **** Near Baekyak Temple. Heo Wook and the others were cautiously approaching. Just then, they heard a voice. “You’re late. Now that you’re the top of the lower-class and the next heir of Baekyeong Martial Academy, I guess life’s getting easy, huh?” “N-No! It’s not like that, really. I had a reason. I swear.” “A reason? What kind of reason?” The voice of Seon Woo Baek trembled as he answered. It sounded like he was groveling to someone. Sensing something was off, Heo Wook and the others moved quietly to a spot where they could see the temple clearly—and hid, watching. What they saw left them stunned. Seon Woo Baek was kneeling with his forehead pressed to the ground, begging for forgiveness. And the person he was begging to... wore the same lower-class student uniform as they did. —What the hell? —What even is this? —I seriously don’t get it. The three of them stood frozen, unable to process what they were seeing. Seon Woo Baek kept pleading his case for being late, and during his explanation, he mentioned Heo Wook and the others by name. “It’s true! I was trying to get here quickly, but they wouldn’t let me go... U-Unnie, ask Unnie! He saw too! Right?” Seon Woo Baek turned to Jang Un with a desperate look. Jang Un nodded. “Yeah. He was with them.” Hearing that, Yeon Woo Jin let out a faint laugh. “Then those punks hiding up there on the hill must be the ones he’s talking about.”