Chapter 301: Who's Messing With My Kid? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 301: Who's Messing With My Kid? (2)
Ask anyone about the purpose of the Heavenly Dragon Academy, and they would tell you it was the greatest military institution in the land.
Founded by the very core of the Orthodox Sect—the Murim Alliance—it had maintained its position at the pinnacle for centuries.
Given that most of its students hailed from noble clans or major sects, the academy served as a natural hub for forming connections. Even a simple conversation here could prove invaluable. When hundreds of young prodigies competed in the annual Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament just to build such networks, attending the Heavenly Dragon Academy offered comparable benefits.
Although the primary motive for many attendees had shifted over time, the academy did not skimp on educating these prodigies.
Not that it’s much different from what you’d learn in your own clan.
Why were the noble clans and sects considered ‘noble’ in the first place?
Because they had maintained their status over generations, growing stronger all the while. Each possessed their own unique training methods and accumulated knowledge.
It would be a stretch to claim the academy’s curriculum was superior to what one learned at home. Everyone knew this. Yet, the clans and sects insisted on sending their heirs here.
Why? Because graduating from the Heavenly Dragon Academy was an achievement in itself.
The academy was established centuries ago, around the time the Blood Demon vanished and the Gate of Demons still stood. With demons still a rampant threat, the Orthodox Faction united to create this military institution.
Of course, they didn’t teach martial arts here.
The young prodigies had already mastered their respective clan and sect techniques. It would have been absurd for the academy to teach them an entirely new style, especially since one’s martial path was dictated by their innate specialization.
Learning a new martial art from scratch? My ass.
The academy’s leadership and instructors changed with each term, and the Murim Alliance primarily employed its own unified martial arts—techniques that were meaningless to anyone outside the Alliance.
So what did the students actually learn?
Well, they learn how to beat up demons.
There was a reason students were grouped by specialization. They studied the ranks, types, characteristics, and combat methods for dealing with various demons. Even the Unorthodox Faction engaged in similar training, incidentally.
Cramming all this knowledge into a few years made the education quite worthwhile.
Whether from a clan or a sect, if you were a martial artist who had cultivated qi, you had a duty to fight demons.
Though soon, we’ll be fighting other humans instead of demons.
I was referring to the calamity looming on the horizon.
Anyway, this was why I didn’t find much value in being here.
Fight demons? How many had I slaughtered and absorbed using my Demonic Absorption Art in my past life? Considering I’d battled red-level demons—which hadn’t even appeared in this timeline yet—I was likely stronger than the instructors here.
As for building connections? All that would become meaningless once the Heavenly Demon made his move. Connections? My ass. Half the people in this room would end up as Demonic Humans, whether captured by the Heavenly Demon or willingly joining his ranks.
“Woocheol.”
I killed time leaning back in my chair, then spoke to the guy beside me.
“…Y-Yes, brother.”
He was a martial artist with black hair and a massive build—Pe Woocheol, my roommate. The same guy who’d fainted after I punched him in the chin yesterday. After he came to and tried to pick another fight, I gave him a proper beating. He’d been much more agreeable since.
Communication is vital, after all. And physical contact is a form of communication, right? I’m sure he got the message.
“We’re in the same group, huh? I’m very happy.”
“…”
“Woocheol?”
“That’s right. I am happy as well.”
Hehehe.
Pe Woocheol, built like a giant, offered an awkward smile. He was clearly forcing it, but with a face as intimidating as mine, his smile wasn’t exactly welcoming.
So there are three groups total.
The close-combat martial artists were divided into three groups. Those who used bows or other unique weapons were sorted elsewhere. Sword users had twice as many groups, a testament to their numbers.
Oddly enough, Tang Soyeol had ended up in one of the sword groups. Well, I suppose daggers could be classified as swords… but even she seemed confused by the placement. Something to tease her about next time we met.
As I waited in my seat…
Slide—
The door opened, and the person we’d been waiting for finally entered.
A middle-aged man with a blue band around his arm and a physique rivaling Pe Woocheol and Hwangbo Cheolwi. An instructor of the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
“It’s nice to meet you all.”
His voice, infused with qi, boomed through the room, complementing his imposing presence. His control suggested a martial artist who had transcended the Peak Realm.
Who is he?
With his level of strength, I should have heard of him—especially if he was a close-combat specialist.
“Ugh…”
“Kegh…”
Some of the young prodigies began groaning under the pressure of his qi. He was establishing dominance, and it was working. The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably.
The instructor swept his gaze across us, his eyes fierce.
He’s filtering us.
He was gauging our strength. I glanced at Pe Woocheol beside me. He was frowning but didn’t seem overly affected.
Oh? This bastard is better than I thought.
Impressive. Given that I’d knocked him out with one hit, I hadn’t expected much, but he knew how to hold his ground. A few others—four guys and one girl besides Woocheol—were also enduring or deflecting the pressure. I didn’t recognize them, but they clearly had skill.
When the instructor’s gaze finally landed on me, he flinched. His pupils dilated and quivered.
So he noticed.
I’d been hiding my strength fairly well, but he was sharper than I’d anticipated.
Should I reveal a bit more?
I considered teasing him by unleashing a fraction more power but decided against it. Instead, I simply smiled.
“Ahem.”
Regaining his composure, the instructor looked away. “I am Cheol Hwanho, Vice Captain of the Murim Alliance’s Blue Dragon Army.”
Oh?
The name sparked recognition. So that’s who he was.
“The Vice Captain…?”
“Cheol Hwanho… the Orthodox Blue Fist…!?”
Murmurs spread through the room. Cheol Hwanho, the Orthodox Blue Fist—a relatively famous martial artist, though more renowned for his position in the Blue Dragon Army.
But I knew him for another reason. I studied him with a serious expression.
The Sword Demon’s underling.
A smirk touched my lips as I remembered. The Sword Demon, that madman who secluded himself on a mountain to train in the martial arts his master left behind—a man consumed by hatred and insanity. I’d never found his location in my past life, but he would emerge in a few years.
And one of the lackeys who followed that maniac was Cheol Hwanho. I hadn’t recognized his face—the Sword Demon’s followers wore masks—but the name clicked.
I’d heard he was part of the Murim Alliance.
But the Vice Captain of the Blue Dragon Army? Intriguing. It was almost laughable that even someone of his stature would become a Demonic Human.
“I will be your instructor for the next half-year.”
Half a year. Considering our time at the academy lasted only two years, it was both short and significant.
“Any questions?”
His greeting was blunt, the polar opposite of Qinghai Sword’s approach. I liked it.
A few hands went up.
“I have a question.”
“State your name.”
“I am Cheon Il-Seon from the Cheon Il Clan.”
“I will not answer your question. Only state your name when introducing yourself. You should know that.”
He cut the student off immediately. A move meant to emphasize that ranks held no sway within the academy walls…
…But is that even possible?
I remained skeptical.
“I am Hyo Woonbyuk. May I ask why the Vice Captain of the Blue Dragon Army has come to serve as an instructor here?”
This one was smarter, stating only his name before the question. Direct and to the point.
Cheol Hwanho smirked after a moment’s thought. “I had some free time, and I was curious to see if there was anyone noteworthy here.”
“…Does that mean you plan to recruit for the Blue Dragon Army?”
“I will not be answering further questions.”
He deflected the query, but his response was telling. By avoiding a direct answer, he fueled the hopes of those dreaming of joining the Blue Dragon Army. A few eyes gleamed with ambition.
Personally, I had no interest in joining some Murim Alliance army, but the Blue Dragon Army was among the elite. It was the very unit where the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin, had once served as captain. Only the strongest of the Orthodox Faction were accepted.
The instructor’s reaction carried weight. I was probably the only one unimpressed.
He answered a few more questions—what we would learn, why his tenure was only six months. He promptly shut down any personal inquiries.
It seems he wore his army’s blue band intentionally.
Whether to motivate the young prodigies or scout for recruits, it made no difference to me.
“I will stop taking questions now.”
He cut off the remaining raised hands. It was time.
I’d never had the chance to be taught by an academy instructor in my past life, having failed the entrance exam. This was a first for me.
Whispers circulated as the students relaxed during the Q&A, but the atmosphere tightened again instantly.
“For your first lesson,” Cheol Hwanho continued, his qi still pressing down on us, “other instructors may start with theory, but I am different.”
The thought of listening to theoretical lectures bored me to tears.
“A martial artist gains true experience by fighting demons, not by studying theory.”
Crack.
The sound came from his arm.
“Unfortunately, I cannot bring a demon here for our first session.” He smiled, his combat qi and expression turning hostile. “Therefore, I will act as the demon. Your task is simple: deal with me.”
I tilted my head. A fierce start indeed. He planned to take on nearly twenty of us alone. I hadn’t expected the first lesson to be like this.
Isn’t this a bit reckless?
I understood his intention, though. As he finished speaking, the same question hung on everyone’s faces.
-He’s going to fight all of us at once?
That had to be it. Even if he was strong, the Vice Captain of the Blue Dragon Army, doubt lingered. Cheol Hwanho aimed to shatter that doubt. It wasn’t a bad strategy—nothing wakes people up like a harsh reality check.
And he was certainly strong enough to pull it off.
However, there was one variable he hadn’t accounted for.
“Instructor.”
Amidst the strained breathing, someone raised a hand casually and spoke. Me.
“…!” The instructor looked startled. No one was supposed to be able to speak so easily under such pressure.
“I have a question.”
“…Did I not say I would not accept any more questions?”
“Even if it’s an important one?”
He frowned as I smiled. “Your name?”
“Gu Yangcheon.”
He showed no reaction to my name. He already knew who I was.
“What is your question?”
“It’s nothing too complicated—”
This situation put me in a good mood. Although the academy required a two-year stay, I planned to leave after one. To do that, I needed to navigate some tedious procedures. But the current scenario was ideal.
“Can I do it myself?”
“…What?”
He frowned, clearly angered, but that was fine. Amused, I continued smiling.
“The demon hunt you mentioned. I’m asking if I can handle it alone.”
Understanding dawned, and Cheol Hwanho’s combat qi intensified. I’d struck a nerve. Of course I had—implying I needed no help was a direct challenge to his authority and strength.