Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Divine Martial Academy New Instructor
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Beggar Elder had dropped by the Murim Alliance after a long absence.
As an elder of the Beggars' Sect and a renowned figure in the Murim Alliance, he was someone rarely seen due to his insatiable wanderlust, so people were quite surprised.
"Elder, you should have sent word if you were coming in person."
No sooner had Beggar Elder appeared than a middle-aged man in scholar's robes came rushing over.
White-Clothed Judge Seon In-hyeok.
He had earned his nickname for wielding a single judge's brush with ghostly skill.
Yet despite his ruthless hand in combat, he was a man of upright character and impartial justice, dedicated to training the next generation of the Murim Alliance.
Beggar Elder replied.
"I stopped by because I have a favor to ask."
"Haha. For Beggar Elder to have a favor to ask—what could it be? I'm curious."
"There's something I'm wondering about, too."
"Something you're wondering about to me?"
Seon In-hyeok was genuinely puzzled.
And rightly so, for the Beggars' Sect was an organization extremely sensitive to information across the jianghu.
With over a hundred thousand beggars active in every corner of the land, there were even rumors that their intel network outpaced the Murim Alliance Lord's direct intelligence arm, the Bright Heaven Pavilion.
For such a man to visit with questions of his own...
"It's nothing major. I heard you've been appointed as the Chief Supervisor of Divine Martial Academy?"
"You've heard already."
"Picked it up along the way. Quite the promotion. Congratulations."
"Haha. Thank you."
Divine Martial Academy.
It was an institution created by the Murim Alliance to cultivate promising young experts.
They had been gathering talented children from various sects and raising them as alliance warriors for years now.
To take the helm of Divine Martial Academy, which nurtured the next generation of talents, was a tremendous honor.
"This year's recruits are particularly outstanding."
"I heard the Nangong Family sent their heir."
"You're speaking of Little Sword Dragon Nangong Yong-ho. And that's not all. Even the Nine Great Sects sent some fine talents. Wudang sent their senior disciple, and the Five Great Families dispatched direct descendants."
"An unprecedented boom."
"In this peaceful jianghu, there's no better place than Divine Martial Academy to gain experience and build connections, is there?"
"True enough."
Suddenly, Seon In-hyeok grew curious.
He couldn't fathom why Beggar Elder had brought up Divine Martial Academy specifically.
"But you have a favor to ask me—something regarding the academy?"
"Exactly."
"I can recommend talent for the academy, but they must go through fair screening. Divine Martial Academy only accepts the cream of the crop."
Seon In-hyeok spoke sternly.
Fair screening.
This fairness was the foundation of Divine Martial Academy—no exceptions, even for a Beggars' Sect elder.
Fortunately, Beggar Elder shook his head.
"No need to worry. I'm not recommending a student. Aren't you short on instructors by any chance?"
"Instructors?"
Seon In-hyeok's tone softened.
By nature virtuous, he disliked favoritism, but instructors were a different matter.
'The more instructors, the better.'
An academy run for the greater good of fostering future talents was perpetually short-staffed.
Average instructors struggled to handle the prideful young elites, and the required skill level was high, deterring applicants.
Pay was an issue too—honorary positions with meager salaries. Chronic talent shortages were the norm.
"Even an entry-level position is fine. Do me this favor."
"If it's an instructor recommendation, I'd be the one begging. Does he have a nickname?"
"No."
"A scion or disciple from a prestigious house, perhaps?"
"Not that either."
"We can't hire just anyone without the skills."
"His skills are solid. Twenty-five years old, first-rate expert level."
Twenty-five and first-rate.
Impressive stock.
First-rate meant mastering a sword style deeply enough to manifest sword qi.
"First-rate at twenty-five is solid for a warrior. But Divine Martial Academy's students include many prodigies. He's a bit iffy for upper years."
First-rate was decent for a warrior.
But among disciples from stellar sects like the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families, many advanced far faster.
Beggar Elder replied promptly.
"Doesn't matter."
"Then no problem."
Seon In-hyeok pondered briefly before continuing.
"Bronze Hall mentioned needing instructors. How about a junior instructor there?"
Bronze Hall.
Divine Martial Academy was divided into Divine, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Halls.
The highest achievers in Divine, then Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
In short, it oversaw the lowest-ranked students.
Beggar Elder nodded.
"Not bad. Building skills step by step is fine."
With Beggar Elder's ready agreement, Seon In-hyeok sighed in relief.
No matter his fame as White-Clothed Judge, crossing a Beggars' Sect elder—who commanded a hundred thousand beggars and gripped the continent's intel—was unwise.
"Haha. Glad you're satisfied. Shall we share a meal after so long? Some fine liquor just arrived."
"Heh heh. Music to my ears."
As he followed Seon In-hyeok, Beggar Elder thought of him.
'Chu Un-hwi.'
The bizarre man he'd met recently.
After parting, he'd mobilized the Beggars' Sect's network to dig, but came up empty.
Residence.
Origins.
Parents.
Not even a family name.
'Like he dropped from the sky.'
The one thing learned: he was loaded.
A beggar had seen the Continental Battlefield branch chief—a man of vast wealth—chase him out barefoot.
'What the hell is his deal?'
Unfathomable.
That's why Beggar Elder had accepted his proposal.
To investigate, best keep him in sight.
And so, in a corner of the Murim Alliance, a new Divine Martial Academy instructor was appointed.
A massive wall fifty feet high.
Atop the gleaming white battlements fluttered the Divine Martial Academy banner.
Seeing it dance vibrantly against the blue sky, Chu Un-hwi felt a rush of emotion.
'Finally here.'
It had taken five long years.
Of preparation to reach this place.
"Let's see... looks like I came to the right spot..."
Counting the towering pavilions peeking over the wall, he walked on.
Until he stood boldly before the gates.
Ching.
"Who goes there?"
"No entry without permit."
Chu Un-hwi reached into his bosom.
As the guards' eyes narrowed, he pulled out a silk scroll and presented it.
"New instructor Chu Un-hwi."
"New instructor? Orientation was the other day..."
"Heh heh. Got held up with some settling. Complicated family matters."
"Happens sometimes."
The guard inspected the recommendation and lowered his spear.
"All clear. Enter."
"Thanks. Heh heh."
"Head to the Administrative Office inside. They'll issue your temporary pass."
Administrative Office.
The hub handling Divine Martial Academy's affairs.
There, a goateed clerk stamped documents dryly.
"Your quarters are in Bronze Hall."
Bronze Hall.
Instructors for Bronze-level students. He'd heard of it.
"Monthly pay: ten silver taels."
Severely underpaid.
Should've checked salary. Though he'd come anyway.
"No overtime."
Damn Murim Alliance.
Working people for free. The rich get richer, indeed.
"Temporary position for now. No issues, and we'll formalize in three months."
"Temporary?"
"Yes. Some hotheads slip in."
Divine Martial Academy was the cradle of righteous murim.
They wouldn't hire unvetted folk full-time.
But saying it to his face about instructor character? Overkill?
"Background check?"
"Something like that, but..."
The clerk eyed him up and down.
"Sometimes passions flare with students. Dreaming of fiery romances?"
"Ahem."
"Caught, it's instant dismissal. Note that."
"...Understood."
Be careful, careful.
Nodding stiffly, the clerk stamped the appointment.
"Congratulations. You're now a Bronze Hall instructor."
"Thank you."
"Serve the jianghu's future with all your heart."
Thus, Chu Un-hwi became a ten-tael instructor.
Bronze Hall.
In the gathering spot of Bronze Hall instructors, silence hung heavy.
Due to the man tilting a teacup in one corner.
"He's quite late."
A massive blade with a red-glowing edge, brimming with hostility.
A middle-aged man, arms crossed, staring fiercely out the window.
The instructors exchanged glances.
'Damn. What's going on?'
'Why's Flame Light Blade Demon here?'
'Who the hell is this newbie?'
One of the Ten Great Wanderer Swordsmen.
Flame Light Blade Demon Ma Gil-sang.
Always named among the jianghu's top ten strongest wanderers.
Famed for unleashing blazing blade arts once he drew his sword.
He especially loathed demons and unorthodox scum—recently bisecting the notorious Yin Yu Geom Ma Han Seong-don on the spot.
The instructors' tension stemmed from not knowing why he was here.
Bronze Hall.
For all its Divine Martial Academy prestige, it housed the barely-qualified, talentless kids.
Figures like him ignored it.
Even Gold Hall prodigies might barely catch his eye; Divine Hall at best.
Why visit personally for one newbie instructor?
"Uh, Ma Swordmaster."
Finally, Bronze Hall Master Chung-hyun stepped up, unable to contain his curiosity.
He'd seen him around the Murim Alliance a few times, so he mustered courage first.
"Aren't you Bronze Hall Master? As lord here, speak freely."
"Can't be casual with a jianghu senior."
"Sorry. No intent to discomfort."
Then don't come.
Chung-hyun rolled his eyes before speaking.
"Did you need to come here yourself?"
"Is it so strange for a Murim Alliance man to visit Divine Martial Academy?"
Not that.
"No need to come personally for a newbie instructor."
"I had a favor asked."
A favor.
Who could move one of the Ten Great Wanderers?
"Some major backing?"
"Not at all."
"Maybe a hidden scion from a great house, not to be revealed."
"Definitely not."
Frustrating.
Ma Gil-sang replied apologetically to Chung-hyun's face.
"Can't say details. Sorry."
Burning people's insides then brushing off.
He wanted to flip the table and yell 'Why?!' but that blade would strike like lightning.
"Heh heh. W-well, nothing to be done."
Sweating bullets, Chung-hyun backed off.
With the polite dismissal, even the Hall Master couldn't press further.
Hierarchy was a bully.
As impatience burned...
Thud thud thud.
A rough sound from outside, and Bronze Hall's door burst open.
"Greetings!"
A booming voice, and a lanky youth dashed in.
"New instructor Chu Un-hwi! Assigned to Bronze Hall starting today!"
The long-awaited newbie had arrived.