Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Intensive Training Week (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wang Wu's intervention had a tremendous effect.
He leaned his broom against the wall, telling everyone not to worry, and stepped out. Less than an hour later, he returned and said,
"It should be fine from now on."
And just as he said, peace returned to the swamp.
It wasn't perfect peace.
The difference was that instead of swarming in chaotically and causing a ruckus like before, they now came quietly and in perfect order, each holding a numbered ticket.
That alone was a significant change.
'What kind of trick did he pull?'
For Chu Un-hwi, who could only think of something like the "Flames of Purification" as a solution, this was truly astonishing.
'I can't handle someone who deceives people with a smile.'
Already, praises for the Poison Bee Sword Guest Wang Wu were spreading among the instructors.
Rumor even had it that the Silver Hall Master was deeply moved by his visit.
"How about it? Isn't this old man somewhat useful?"
Everything was fine, but there was one minor issue.
"How did you even get all the way to the swamp?"
The mock training ground was restricted to the assigned instructors only.
"Haha. Don't worry. I have the Silver Hall Master's permission."
"......"
The item in his hand was none other than an access pass stamped with the Silver Hall Master's seal.
"Is this something you can just get that easily?"
"Nothing is impossible with time and effort."
"...You didn't pull any shady tricks, did you?"
Wang Wu smiled faintly as he swept the broom back and forth.
"I merely made a small proposal."
"A proposal? What kind?"
"It's not hard to tell you, but you'll find out soon enough without me saying."
Why not leave it as a pleasure for later, then?
'What pleasure for later.'
Chu Un-hwi wanted to snap back, but unfortunately, he didn't have the time right now.
"Instructor. Instructor Sa-young has arrived with her students."
"Oh, really?"
There were already people lined up neatly at the swamp entrance, awaiting permission.
Surprisingly, the once arrogant and noisy students were standing perfectly straight.
Seeing how none of them hid their admiring gazes toward Wang Wu, Chu Un-hwi realized.
'They look like baby bears staring at a honey jar on a shelf.'
And sure enough.
The moment permission was granted, the instructor rushed over to Wang Wu like a flying arrow and bowed deeply.
"I'm Sa-young. It's an honor to meet you, Elder Wu."
"Honor? I'm just a lonely old man growing old alone."
"A senior of the martial world, the one who carries the legend's lineage, and so humble. I've learned much."
"Haha. I'm grateful you see it that way."
From beyond the instructor, who kept bowing nonstop, came the students' whispers.
"It's a place watched by a Kunlun senior."
"Isn't he the one who swore to live for the martial world's true heroes?"
"If only we could catch his eye."
It was clear they were all trying to show their best sides.
Only then did Chu Un-hwi guess Wang Wu's proposal.
'He lured them with martial arts.'
And stolen ones at that.
For someone who had never even dug up a single iron coin, it was enviable beyond words.
The training proceeded quickly and solemnly.
Part of it was because everyone was on their best behavior, but the students visiting the swamp were originally above average in skill anyway.
'From the looks of it...'
To somehow catch Wang Wu's eye, the senior instructors had apparently handpicked and sent their top talents.
Thanks to that, the assistants were the ones who got busy.
"Next is swamp training. There's a spot set up inside."
"Brother Jegal! I made the traps and tools!"
"Oh my. Who wants to experience Sichuan mountain poisons?"
"Darn. This won't do. Need to make a new one."
The four of them bustled about, carrying training equipment and leading the students.
Watching idly, Chu Un-hwi let out a big yawn.
"Worth bringing him along."
One well-grown achievement tree was worth ten slaves.
The training ended when the sun dipped behind Silver Hall's walls.
As dusk fell, everyone returned looking exhausted.
"The thirty-fifth group has just left."
"Whew. I'm beat."
Watching them cross names off the visitor log, Chu Un-hwi asked,
"Thirty-five groups? Doesn't that mean we're done for today?"
He was thinking it was time to pack up, but then thunderous news struck.
"Unfortunately not. One more group left."
"Huh? It's not on the list?"
And overtime past quitting time, no less!
"Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim urgently requested it."
"A senior instructor?"
That was odd.
He was so busy and stubborn that he'd never personally taught before.
Jegal Tan added an explanation.
"Instructor Jang always emphasizes the importance of mock training. He calls talented students aside for personal lessons."
"For free? What a hassle."
It wasn't bad to have some teaching passion.
"It's good to be motivated, but isn't it tiring everyone else out? The guy's no good."
"......"
The surroundings fell silent for a moment.
Returning gazes were sharp, souring his mood.
"What? Why!"
"Anyway, we can't help it this time. It's a special request."
"This is tyranny. Instructors can refuse unreasonable demands from senior—"
"He said he'd deduct ten penalty points."
"We'll accept."
Of course.
Upon second thought, Instructor Jang Cheol-sim was surprisingly considerate in unexpected ways.
'Yeah, let's accept.'
Ten penalty points covered a week of skipping out.
Upon acceptance, Jegal Tan sighed and continued.
"The good news is, no special prep needed."
"That's a relief."
Hauling gear and cleaning up was tough work.
Not that he planned to do any, and hadn't anyway, but standing around alone felt lame.
'Especially in front of Instructor Jang Cheol-sim.'
Not out of guilt.
He just didn't know how the nitpicker would rage at overworking the young assistants.
"Got it. Consider it buttering up the guy who controls my performance review."
Licking his lips at the sudden overtime, Chu Un-hwi muttered,
"Such a pain. Is this the bitter side of social life?"
Moyong So-hye seemed to mumble 'Don't take society lightly,' but Chu Un-hwi didn't hear.
Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim appeared over an hour later.
"Sorry. Previous training ran long."
He wanted to kick back with 'That's your problem,' but Chu Un-hwi held back this time.
'Ten penalty points recovery.'
Couldn't miss a week's slacking opportunity.
"Sign the visitor log here."
As Jang Cheol-sim wrote his name at the bottom, a subtle whisper came.
"You're lucky."
"How so?"
"Elder Wang told me not to say, but do you know how envious everyone is?"
Envious of what?
"Receiving the attention of Kunlun's successor. You must've saved a country in a past life."
Far from it.
'I wrecked a few countries.'
Unaware, Jang Cheol-sim spilled his thoughts.
"If I were you."
"No. Even envious, I wouldn't want to be you."
"Hah. Really. Tsk."
Chu Un-hwi thought as Jang alternated between envy and glares.
'So erratic. Pick one thing.'
Silently stamping the log, the students arrived.
"Senior Instructor."
All wore glossy uniforms.
"Impressive, right? My handpicked disciples from prestigious sects."
"Is that so?"
"I'd love to introduce them one by one to Kunlun's lineage bearer."
Jang Cheol-sim, wrinkles creasing his hooked nose with envy, said,
"But since the senior asked for time, no tantrums."
His eyes gleamed with desire despite the words.
After deep breaths to compose himself, Jang shrugged.
"Let's go in."
The students followed in a group.
"Instructor Jang. You've helped me greatly."
Wang Wu's words left Jang Cheol-sim visibly flustered.
"Elder Wang. How could the martial world not obey Kunlun's elder?"
"Haha. Grateful for the words."
"It's sincere. I hope you understand my heart."
The usually stubborn Jang Cheol-sim showed a soft side in the warm exchange.
He looked like a child meeting his idol.
After much chatter, Jang hardened his expression and turned.
"This is a demonstration for a martial world senior. Give it your all—no shortcomings!"
"Yes, Instructor!"
The senior instructor's lesson began.
Wasn't it candy-coated discipline?
Jang Cheol-sim's teaching was quite solid. He started with the essence of martial arts.
"Does anyone know the difference between Divine Martial Swordsmanship's early three forms and mid five forms?"
Like top students, they answered eagerly.
"The complexity of the forms."
"Early three require ten years of cultivation; mid five need twenty."
"Unlike the first half, the mid requires sword qi to execute properly..."
Impressive responses.
Jang countered,
"Then, what's the similarity between early three and mid five?"
Silence fell like they'd eaten honey.
The simple early three was for Bronze Hall kids.
Hard to link to the advanced mid five requiring real qi.
Some racked their brains.
"Wrong."
Jang summarized simply.
Then expounded fluidly what he knew.
"Think why they're bound under one name: Divine Martial Swordsmanship."
"If only differences, why group as one sword art?"
"Forget that before learning techniques, you must grasp the martial principles unifying them!"
Glancing back occasionally during the rebuke.
Nod.
Wang Wu nodded in agreement.
Whoosh—
He beamed like a child.
Then Chu Un-hwi understood Jang's late visit.
'This guy's here for senior's praise.'
Students as excuse?
For sect-precious Jang, Kunlun's successor Poison Bee Sword Guest Wang Wu was an idol.
Craved meeting but no chance; too proud to intrude, so he made this opportunity.
'Or the cheapskate wouldn't recover ten points.'
Buoyed by Wang Wu's approval, Jang shouted excitedly.
"Alright! Moving to advanced instruction today!"
With heat already blazing, Wang Wu feigned ignorance and egged on.
"Haha. Seeing the juniors' spirited forms is wonderful. Shall I watch?"
Elder Wang Wu is watching.
"Give it your all in training!"
Trapped, Jang yelled veins bulging.
'Gonna shake out every bit of skill, real or not.'
Forgot the saying to hide thirty percent in the martial world?
Then came a transmission from the one who'd egged Jang with one word.
[As expected, handling righteous sect newbies is easy.]
A remark befitting a former great villain.