Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Limits of Assassination Martial Arts (4)
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People's drive for self-improvement.
In other words, the mindset to advance and grow manifests itself in different ways for everyone.
Some do it for their own glory.
Some to feel their martial arts growing stronger.
Some to impress women.
Or to gain recognition from family or their group.
While personal motivations play a key role in fueling that drive...
"You're here."
...it reaches its maximum effect when there's a rival to surpass, a wall to overcome, or an object of admiration.
Among the students taking swordsmanship and basic courses...
Geum Sihyeon had quietly become that very figure.
"Geum Sihyeon! Looking as relaxed as ever today."
"Oh, Namgwan. You skipped last class—were you under the weather? Or were you off chasing skirts?"
"Haha, as if someone like me could chase skirts. I had some business and stepped away from the academy for a bit. And it's Namgwan Su, not just Namgwan."
"Still, 'Namgwan' has a nicer ring to it than 'Cadet Namgwan,' don't you think?"
The first to greet Geum Sihyeon was Namgwan Su from Zhejiang's Four Sword Sect.
Soon, people began gathering around him.
"Better than being called 'Sex Maniac' like me, though."
"Honestly, shortening 'Sexual Harassment Maniac' to 'Sex Maniac' is pretty malicious..."
Though he had the quirk of calling people by whatever nicknames he fancied...
The third young master of Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress had subtly risen from being shunned as a merchant's son to enjoying the full support of warriors from mid-to-small sects.
There were complex reasons for this.
Naturally, the top factor was his martial prowess.
Excluding Cheon Luri, who had already reached the Peak realm as a first-year cadet, he was the first among them to attain that level—a respect that welled up from there.
One might think it was all thanks to talent and genius...
But those who observed him with faint jealousy saw...
Circulating qi and training right after waking.
The passion to approach instructors after class and ask about techniques.
He occasionally showed up at places like the National Martial Tournament, but fundamentally, he diligently honed himself shuttling between the training grounds and practice hall.
With talent backed by tireless effort—an ideal figure—plus a bold personality and impartial treatment of everyone...
Few could remain unmoved by such a sight.
Even...
"Oh. Pretty boy. Looking sharper than usual?"
"Ah... uh, G-Geum Sihyeon. It's you."
When dealing with Nangong Sang, who had returned after more than a week of disciplinary action...
He treated him with a sly grin, as if completely forgetting the guy had tried to cut off his arm.
The epitome of magnanimity!
"If it were me, I'd treat him like an arch-enemy..."
"Is he just that broad-minded, or that carefree?"
"Definitely... If I want to solidify my position as young master, I need to learn that demeanor..."
Of course, no one noticed Geum Sihyeon leaning in close to Nangong Sang and whispering a few words softly into his ear.
Even after class began...
"Alright, everyone saw that, right? Male cadets, you all have bigger frames than me on average, so use Geum Sihyeon Cadet's posture as a reference—it'll help."
As Instructor Moyong Seol said...
Geum Sihyeon's sword traced a clean, flawless arc.
A stable center of gravity from well-trained lower body.
Coupled with an upper body moving as naturally as if he'd been swinging a sword for ages...
"Whoa..."
"Heard his family is loaded too. Once you pin him down, heh heh..."
"Gotta admit, he's got some appeal in the looks department. Mmm."
Even among the female cadets, Geum Sihyeon's popularity was steadily rising.
"Girl, haven't you heard the rumors? The Demonic Cult's young leader marked his territory hard. You sure about that?"
"He's still just a kid. Flat as a board up top."
Of course, there was one owner risk holding back a full stock surge.
And...
Moyong Seol's brow twitched imperceptibly.
"...Cadet Hahu Ryeon? Could you focus on the class?"
"Ah, y-yes...!"
Her superhuman hearing caught even the whispers.
Thus, Hahu Ryeon, who dared mention chest size, paid the price with brutal one-on-one drilling.
Another peaceful day at Hundred Flowers Academy.
"Alright, that's it for today! Good work, everyone."
"Thank you, Instructor!"
Finally, the class that had bound the unparalleled genius dancing down from the heavens like some wild herb ended.
"Geum Sihyeon. Class is over—drinks in Hundred Flowers Market today?"
"Sorry, I've got other business."
"Off to train again? I should take a page from your book..."
The guys, awed by my genius, made the tempting offer for drinks in Hundred Flowers Market.
But I had other plans today.
The reason I planned the Ice Queen Duo analysis project...
Instructor-nim's been acting strange lately.
Her subtle ogling isn't new, so that's whatever.
But her usual neat virgin bun is gone—who knows where she tossed it.
And of all things...
At twenty-eight years old, she's sporting twin tails dangling from her head like some outrage...!
Has the Ice Queen Duo finally devoured the supreme expert Moyong Seol...!
This is a loss for the entire martial world.
So what I'm doing is definitely not stalking.
It's for the gallery, the future of the martial world, and peace.
With grim resolve, I simply concealed my presence and waited for Sis Seol to leave the training ground.
Soon enough...
She emerged with her usual slightly cool, drowsy eyes.
I took a deep breath.
Imagination is always one's strongest self.
Chugwi Eunhyeong Trace—activate ON.
With the Baihui point warming up...
Even in broad daylight, I savored my body melting into the air.
Then slowly tailed Sis Seol, gradually closing the distance.
First to tenzhang range.
Fortunately, she showed no sign of noticing my silver stealth technique yet. Once the area cleared, she started humming and skipping along merrily.
Suspicion deepened.
She even had a blue flower-shaped hairpin in her hair.
Any witness would peg her as a total nutcase.
How could I, as her disciple, overlook this?
As expected, Sis Seol suspiciously skipped the Northern Emperor Courtyard—staff dorms—and headed to Hundred Flowers Market.
I kept tracking, releasing and re-engaging Chugwi Eunhyeong in spots beyond her qi sense.
Even top-tier martial arts have weaknesses.
Chugwi Eunhyeong strains the Baihui point, so full deployment like this maxes at 30 minutes continuous.
Never tested beyond, but it'd probably fry my brain.
Even now, my crown tingles warmly.
Need to avoid overload until I achieve my goal.
[Narang Sojeo: Young master brooo~]
[Narang Sojeo: It's us]
[Narang Sojeo: When are we studying evil faction arts?~]
[Narang Sojeo: I'll buy yummy food!!]
My silenced smartphone buzzed with an adorable, praiseworthy study request from Narang Sojeo.
But everything has its order.
I sent a quick reply and kept tailing Sis Seol.
Arriving at Hundred Flowers Market, she wandered everywhere, thinking loose hair would fool people—snacking, browsing trinkets, enjoying her hobby for a while.
She'd spin around randomly with her phone, snapping pics or maybe gallery posting.
Eh.
This seems like just unwinding.
Maybe relieving instructor stress. My mind eased a bit—then...
"...?"
Moyong Seol headed next to Full Flower Garden.
A spot famous for couples on dates or secret trysts.
She even spun 360 degrees at the entrance, filming with her camera.
Hmm.
Hmmm.
Hmmmmm...
Probably cracking down on illicit fraternization.
Composing my subtle emotions—having rested enough in the bustling market—I cranked my brain back up and slipped in after her.
Ability test seemed wrapping up anyway.
But I was curious why Moyong Seol entered there.
The outside sweltered in summer heat, but inside felt eternal spring.
Not quite ten thousand blooming flowers, but nameless summer blooms everywhere warmed the heart.
Fortunately, Moyong Seol—no, Sis Seol seemed there for healing.
She strolled leisurely, snapping pics here and there.
"Ahh, dear. It's still daytime~"
"What matter day or night when our love has ripened so?"
......
My stealth was so perfect...
I witnessed lovey-dovey nonsense I wanted to yell at them to stop.
But not faces I knew, so I held back.
Still, tone it down in public.
"Hm?"
Did Sis Seol share that upright faction sensibility?
She turned, frowned at the scene, and strode over.
"You cadets? No crossing lines here."
"H-Hiiik...! Instructor Moyong...!"
"S-Sorry! So sorryyy...!"
Lovely sight.
...But since it was a somewhat secluded spot...
Sis Seol got much closer than I'd anticipated.
For a second, I thought her supreme qi sense caught me.
"Hmm. These flowers are blooming so prettily~"
She murmured coquettishly to herself...
*Click—*
Then whipped out her smartphone for a selfie.
Good, she hadn't noticed.
But I absolutely couldn't risk moving and getting caught.
I held my breath using some half-baked breath-holding technique.
This too shall pass.
This too shall pass...
*Click—*
*Click click—*
Right in front of me.
With a flower like her hairpin as backdrop, Sis Seol immersed herself in selfie trance for ages.
Wish she'd leave now—right then...
"Hmm, this should do."
She muttered again and finally moved.
Forward.
Forward, forward...?
Eh?
Sis Seol's hand...
Shot forward and touched my cheek as I crouched.
"Next time, coming together openly might be nice too~?"
"......"
"Mm, but a cadet and instructor coming privately is a bit tricky here. Kinda disappointing, right?"
Sis Seol pressed a finger to her lips with a bright smile, as if no reply needed.
She patted my head once...
And turned away humming, as if nothing happened.
......
What the...
When did she notice...?
My heart raced like arrhythmia, spine chilling.