Cho Un-hwi had grown quite close to Yeo Mae-hong.
Ever since the day they broke through the wall together, they had been spending a lot of time together.
The more he got to know her, the more he realized she was a solid and reliable person.
She was knowledgeable and had a determined personality. Most importantly, for Cho Un-hwi, who knew next to nothing about the New Martial Arts Academy, she was a true savior.
"The Copper Hall has a total of twelve pavilions and thirty rooms."
"Behind the Copper Hall is the training ground reserved for instructors."
"In the central grand training ground, group training sessions are held twice a week, each lasting two hours."
After walking non-stop for half a day, Cho Un-hwi had barely managed to tour the Copper Hall and was completely overwhelmed.
"Didn't you say the Copper Hall was one of the smallest?"
"That's right. It's one of the smallest."
"This is considered small?"
What Oda saw was a breathtaking pavilion complex, comprising no fewer than five grand halls.
Within these halls were numerous art studios for aspiring painters and tea rooms where students could while away their time. As for the training grounds, both large and small, Oda lost count after three.
Yeo Mae-hong explained, "I've heard the Silver Hall is twice the size of the Copper Hall, and the Gold Hall is more than three times larger. As for the Divine Hall... well, it's beyond comparison."
"Why would they build them so massive?" Oda asked.
"Most students train in martial arts, but not all become martial artists. There are also academies for studying arts like poetry, calligraphy, and painting, as well as military strategy. It's not called the 'Cradle of Orthodox Martial Artists' for nothing."
"They should just raise my monthly stipend instead!" Oda grumbled.
If I could just pry off a few of those roof tiles, I'd earn several times more!
As I wept from the depths of my heart, Yeo Mae-hong asked, "You won't get lost anymore, will you? By the way, have you gotten acquainted with the Students yet?"
"Students?"
"I mean, have you introduced yourself to the Students you'll be working with?"
Working with? Students? Introductions?
I tilted my head, and Yeo Mae-hong's face paled.
"Don't tell me... you haven't been assigned to any Students yet?"
"Students? I've only been running errands for those ugly Instructors."
Especially Yeom Gwang. Or Yeom Gwang. Or someone like Yeom Gwang.
Yeo Mae-hong seemed genuinely surprised.
"It's been ten days since you entered the Copper Hall, and you haven't even seen your assigned Students?"
"No."
No matter how hard I thought, I couldn't recall ever seeing them.
Whenever I trudged into the Copper Hall, Yeom Gwang, his face perpetually scowling, would toss me trivial errands. That was all.
Hearing this, Yeo Mae-hong asked, "What kind of tasks have they been giving you?"
"Cleaning the Training Ground, watering the orchids in the backyard, and occasionally repairing broken wooden training dummies."
"Ugh! That's the Administrator's job, not an Instructor's!"
"Is there a difference?"
"Of course there is! We're Instructors! Instructors who teach the Student Path!"
She shouted, then quickly covered her mouth with her palm and apologized.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry at you, Instructor Cho."
"It's alright. I understand."
Thanks to her outburst, he realized something was wrong.
Yeom Gwang must be up to something.
He knew Yeom Gwang disapproved of him. The scheming in his eyes was practically visible whenever he looked at him.
But why didn't he assign me any Student Path students?
The answer soon came.
"What? You're making the Student Path students spar each month?"
"Exactly. An instructor's ability is measured by how well they teach martial arts. Regularly pitting the students against each other is the best way to verify their progress."
I had to admit, it was a fairly efficient method.
Comparing monthly progress would keep both instructors and students diligent in their teaching and learning.
The problem was...
"Performance evaluations?!"
The threat of being dismissed for poor results loomed large.
And I don't even have any students to teach!
My vision darkened.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Chunghyeon grimaced as Cho Un-hwi stomped into the room.
"What's the problem this time?"
"Director, what's going on?"
"What do you mean, 'what's going on'?"
"Why haven't any students been assigned to me?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Chunghyeon tilted his head and turned to Yeom Gwang. "Chief Instructor Yeom, what's the situation? Didn't you handle the assignments?"
Yeom Gwang clicked his tongue inwardly.
Tsk. How did he find out?
The plan had been simple: as Chief Instructor, he controlled student assignments. He'd stall by giving trivial excuses, then use poor performance as grounds for dismissal.
Yeo Mae-hong. That bitch is behind this.
Ever since she started hanging around that attention-seeker, this mess has erupted.
"Well, there's always a way," Yeom Gwang replied, feigning ignorance.
"Actually, I was planning to assign the Students. The problem is, they don't seem to think much of Instructor Cho."
"How can they judge me when they've never even met me?"
That loose-lipped bastard.
Yeom Gwang quickly added, "I carefully selected promising talents for Instructor Cho, but perhaps that's precisely why they're offended. They say it's beneath their dignity to learn from someone without a reputation."
"Is that so?"
It wasn't an uncommon occurrence.
After all, the instructors at Crap Hall—no, Copper Hall—were notorious for their mediocre skills.
In truth, many students found the instructors' skills lacking and often chose to invite external Peak Masters for private lessons or spend their time practicing independently.
"Even so, shouldn't we at least give Instructor Cho a chance to prove himself?"
"I overlooked that, sir. I'll take immediate action."
"Listen here, Chief Instructor Yeom. These daily accidents are giving me a headache. You know what my dream is, don't you?"
"To escape this storm-ridden Copper Hall and retire peacefully in the Silver Hall, sir."
"Exactly. Since being assigned to the Copper Hall, I've lost half my hair. Please, spare my remaining follicles any further torment."
Yeom Gwang bowed his head, seeing the man nearly in tears.
"Instructor Cho, follow me."
Yeom Gwang, who had summoned Cho Unhui to the backyard, spat, his weight shifted to one leg.
"Couldn't keep your mouth shut for even a moment?"
What should I do about this?
Should I just punch him?
A single, decisive strike is a good way to get someone to listen.
Just as his dark nature began to surface, Yeom Gwang tossed something at him.
"These are the Students you'll be responsible for."
"All of them?"
The roster listed roughly twenty names—a considerable number.
"Normally, you'd be responsible for all the Students. The New Martial Arts Academy, the cradle of Orthodox Martial Artists, prides itself on fair procedures."
He emphasized "fair procedures" as he spoke.
"Well, if you can manage it, that is."
Having received the roster, Cho Un-hwi sought out the students.
Ten days had already passed.
Approximately twenty days remained until the martial arts competition.
But with so many students to assess, skills to evaluate, and training strategies to devise, he needed to act swiftly.
The problems began immediately.
"Young Master Gu? He hasn't reported in."
"He hasn't?"
"He's been absent due to personal matters."
What's going on here?
Cho Un-hwi steadied his resolve.
Right. The Copper Hall allows for plenty of free time. Such absences must be common.
But this was just the beginning.
"Ah, never mind. I'm not interested. I plan to train under Instructor Yang of the Hundred Iron Fists."
"I'm focusing on Staff Arts. I have no interest in group training, especially since it's not a family martial art."
"My senior master is personally instructing me. Is the instructor stronger than my martial uncle?"
One excuse after another. Despite spending the entire day searching, Cho Un-hwi couldn't find a single student willing to train with him.
It wasn't just a lack of enthusiasm.
Most of them reacted as if they were looking at something utterly disgusting.
What have I done?!
As I scratched at the floor in frustration, Yeo Mae-hong approached.
"Did you succeed in recruiting the Students?"
"Well, about that..."
After hearing the story, she sighed deeply.
"So the rumors were true after all."
"Rumors? What rumors are you talking about?"
"It seems Chief Instructor Yeom has been inciting the Students to spread slander about Instructor Cho."
According to her, Yeom Gwang had been manipulating his close Students to spread malicious rumors:
He's incompetent.
He demands bribes, so be careful.
He's a pervert, so stay away.
That sort of thing.
"A pervert?! Who's trying to ruin my chances with women?!"
"You're getting angry at the wrong thing!"
Wrong thing?!
This was incredibly important!
After all, the only reason I joined the New Martial Arts Academy in the first place was to reunite with my former lover.
"I can't let these baseless rumors spread any further."
I don't want to be expelled before I find my lover, who must be hiding somewhere.
"Why is he doing this to me?"
"Chief Instructor Yeom is the type to either promote those with exceptional talent or ruthlessly drive out anyone he dislikes."
"I understand the latter, but what about the former?"
"It's simple: he doesn't want any rivals."
"Why does he dislike me?"
"First, he generally despises instructors younger than himself. He especially hates those who are assertive."
"The principles of the martial world have truly fallen into disrepute."
Cho Un-hwi, whose assertiveness had solidified into limbs, sighed.
"Are you alright?"
"Now that things have come to this, should I resort to dirty tactics too?"
"Don't even think about it. Fighting among instructors is grounds for immediate dismissal."
"But sneaking in for a few punches might be acceptable..."
Yeo Mae-hong chuckled at Cho Un-hwi's words.
"Come now. He may have a twisted personality, but his skills are genuine. He's a Peak Master."
"Peak or not, I plan to crush anyone who displeases me."
"I've heard he has deep connections within the Murim Alliance. Crossing him won't end well for you," Yeo Mae-hong warned.
"Shouldn't we focus on rescuing the students first?" she suggested.
"With Chief Instructor Yeom interfering, how is that possible?"
"That's why I've already found someone to help us."
Someone to help?
A radiant smile bloomed on her face.
To everyone's surprise, the person Yeo Mae-hong had brought was an instructor from the Silver Hall.
The woman, dressed in a silk uniform that shimmered with a glossy sheen, had large, striking eyes that sparkled with black and white clarity.
She immediately asked, "Is this him?"
"Yes, Sister."
"He's nothing like what I heard. I can't speak to his personality, but his looks are... lacking."
"Sister!" Yeo Mae-hong's face flushed crimson as she nudged the woman's ribs with her elbow. The woman burst into laughter.
"Heh heh heh. Even I have days like this. Let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Moyong Seonya, an instructor at the Silver Pavilion."
"I'm Cho Un-hwi, an instructor at the Copper Hall. Twenty-five years old, right in the prime of marriage for a martial artist."
"Heh heh..."
Moyong Seonya laughed heartily at his response, tears streaming down her face.
"There's one thing you said that's true: I am a cheerful person."
"U-unni..."
"I never thought I'd get the chance to tease the always-stern Yeo Mae-hong. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Young Master Gu."
She seemed quite close to Yeo Mae-hong.
Their relationship didn't seem like one or two years' acquaintance, and I grew curious about their connection.
"Do you two know each other?"
"Yes, Seonya-unni and I were classmates at the New Martial Arts Academy."
"I was wondering when I'd ever escape that tedious Academy, but I never imagined I'd end up becoming an instructor there."
So they were both graduates of the New Martial Arts Academy.
Now I understood how Yeo Mae-hong knew so much about the Academy.
"Has Chief Instructor Yeom always been like this?"
"That's right. He was notorious even when we attended the Academy. Everyone knows the rumors about him."
"But how has he managed to keep his Chief Instructor post all this time?"
"Chief Instructor Yeom is quite adept at managing his affairs. He regularly pays bribes to his superiors, so as long as he doesn't cross the line, there's no reason to dismiss him."
He's the classic type: weak to the strong and strong to the weak—a true "strong-weak" character.
"Either way, thanks to him, I'm about to be kicked out empty-handed. Is there any way to stop this?"
"It won't be easy. The best approach would be to somehow win over the students, but..."
Since Yeom Gwang has already intervened, that's the most difficult path.
"In the end, achieving a remarkable feat seems like the most realistic option. Young Master Cho, are you ready to write a legend?"
"A legend?"
"There's something no one has ever succeeded at before. If you manage it, it would make a truly groundbreaking impression."
"Sister, you don't mean..."
"It's exactly what I mean. What do you think? Groundbreaking, yet effective, right?"
"If you succeed, yes, but that person... I mean, he..."
Who could she possibly be talking about?
Under her questioning gaze, Moyong Seonya raised a finger.
"Namgung Yun-ho."
If he bears the Namgung surname, doesn't that mean he's a descendant of the most prestigious clan in the world?
The eldest son of the Namgung Clan is attending Copper Hall?
"Little Sword Dragon. He's Namgung Yong-ho's elder brother," she added.
Even the eldest son of the clan leader?
She continued, "The Namgung Clan's disgrace. A resident ghost of Copper Hall. Yeom Gwang's influence wouldn't have reached him."
all chapters ready to read at NovelsHub.org