Chapter 39: Sorry, Im Late!

Chapter 39: Sorry, Im Late!

That punk still hasnt come?

Although the question was asked in passing, Ak Yeon-Ho broke out in cold sweat. The person who had asked the question was the headmaster of the Azure Dragon Academy, who was famous for intimidating even his fellow instructors, and this was the third time he was repeating himself.

Haha, hell be here soon, Ak Yeon-Ho awkwardly laughed, even as Mae Geuk-Lyom glared daggers at him.

Mae Geuk-Lyom frowned, not liking Ak Yeon-Hos answer. Youve been saying the same thing for a while now. Admit it, you dont even know where he is, do you?

T-That

Ak Yeon-Ho felt wronged. Why is he picking on me when its his own grandson whos late! Sadly, as much as he wanted to complain, he couldnt bring himself to do it in front of the terrifying Headmaster.

Y arent you reading this at ?

He just said that hell be away for a few days due to personal reasons he stammered.

Did he run away because he lost his confidence?

No, definitely not.

Hmph, well see, Mae Geuk-Lyom snorted, then left to talk to the other prospective instructors.

Ak Yeon-Ho sighed. Things might get really dicey if he shows up late

The practical examination for new instructors at the Azure Dragon Academy had already begun. In front of Ak Yeon-Ho, the first batch of instructor applicants stood on the podium, giving a trial lecture to selected students.

Uhm, according to the principles of Taiji

Every sect has a slightly different interpretation of the Yin Yang and the Five Elements, so there are differences in how to read and understand their martial arts manuals. In this case, its best to use

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which disappeared centuries ago, is the predecessor of the Blood Cult. Back then, the first Blood Demon united those who opposed the Heavenly Demons decision to migrate

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The instructors eagerly gave their lectures, sometimes even stepping down from the podium to demonstrate their martial arts.

The students reactions, however, were generally either cold or taunting.

YAAAAWN, Im getting sleepy.

Wow, is the instructor only at that level?

Wait, what you just said. Isnt that too biased and personal?

At the sight of the unruly students, Ak Yeon-Ho gulped. Seriously, are kids these days all like this? They arent much younger than me, are they? Im a little envious of them

Unlike Ak Yeon-Ho, who practiced martial arts as he was told, the students here at the Azure Dragon Academy didnt hesitate to ask questions or make rude comments if they didnt understand or like something.

On the left side of the lecture hall, the Azure Dragon Academy principal, vice principal, and existing instructors busily scribbled down notes as they evaluated the new instructor applicants.

Hoo Myeong Il-Oh let go of the breath he was holding as he finished up his lecture and walked back toward Ak Yeon-Ho.

Ak Yeon-Ho handed a water canteen to him and praised, Good job, Il-Oh hyung. How do you feel?

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Dont make me remember it. The kids clung on to my every word as if they were going to bite my head off the instant I made a mistake, and the instructors were glaring at me from the side Hey, I didnt mess up, right?

Your lecture was the best so far. Im sure the students and instructors will appreciate it, Ak Yeon-Ho said. He was exaggerating it a bit, but Myeong Il-Ohs lecture was definitely one of the more outstanding ones.

Myeong Il-Oh heaved a sigh of relief, then looked around and asked, By the way, is Baek-hyung here yet?

No. I havent seen hide nor hair of him.

I hope nothing bad happened to him. He really should have returned by now

Before they knew it, Ak Yeon-Hos turn was nearing, and Baek Su-Ryong turn was right after his. The two young men nervously looked toward the entrance of the Azure Dragon Academy.

WHOOSH

If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

There was no sign of anyone, except for a dog grunting and defecating by the main entrance.

He still isnt here, huh. Mae Geuk-Lyom, who had briefly gone to check on the students, approached the two. There was a hint of disappointment on his face, and a trace of anger in his voice.

Like father, like son, it seems Mae Geuk-Lyom mumbled, releasing a chilly aura.

The instructors who were waiting for their turn shivered.

Mae Geuk-Lyom added icily, Since he still hasnt shown up, Ill have to assume that hes not keen on the job. Candidate Baek Su-Ryong is rejected.

W-Wait a minute! Ak Yeon-Ho objected without thinking.

As Mae Geuk-Lyoms sharp gaze swept over him, he gulped and inwardly cursed, Fucking bastard, why the hell are you so late! Now I have to buy time for you

Headmaster, Su-Ryong hyung-nim will be here soon, please just wait a little longer.

Ive heard you say that four times, so when will he come? After the exam is over?

Ak Yeon-Ho sighed. Honestly, I dont know when hell come. Hes not a person who would run away, so something unexpected probably happened.

How can you be so sure? You havent known him for long.

Thats Recalling Baek Su-Ryongs shameless face as he declared that he would build the White Dragon Academy in front of the Azure Dragon Academy and surpass it in ten years if the interviewers failed him, Ak Yeon-Ho hesitated.

Im saying thisfor the future of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Y arent you reading this at ?

The future of the Azure Dragon Academy?

Su-Ryong Hyung-nim said that if you failed him, hell build the White Dragon Academy across the street from the Azure Dragon Academy, and ten years from now, his students will beat the crap out of the Azure Dragon Academy students.

Hell what?

If you disqualify him, youll know that Im telling the truth tomorrow.

BWAHAHA! Having overheard the conversation, several of the prospective instructors burst out laughing at the absurdity of Baek Su-Ryongs declaration.

Even the tightly clenched, seemingly immovable lips of Headmaster Mae Geuk-Lyom twitched. He stifled a laugh and muttered, That audacity of his is just like my daughter.

What?

Nothing.

Ak Yeon-Ho couldnt quite put a finger on Mae Geuk-Lyoms random mood swings, but it wasnt a bad sign.

In a slightly gentler tone, Mae Geuk-Lyom said, Ive already given him a lot of leeway. If he still isnt here when his turn comes, I wont have any choice but to reject welcomes you.

Myeong Il-Oh walked up next to Ak Yeon-Ho and cautiously asked, A-About that, Mr. Headmaster, would it be possible to make Candidate Baek Su-Ryong the last in line?

Mae Geuk-Lyoms eyes lit up with delight even as he contradicted himself, Nonsense. Do you think take this interview for a joke?

Thats not what I meant

If you suggest something like that one more time, youll be

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Kwak Cheol-Woo hesitated for a moment, then replied, He is the only survivor of the Central Heavenly Peak Massacre twenty years ago.

Ah Everyones expressions darkened, and the mood immediately turned somber.

Kwak Cheol-Woo waved his hand to lighten their heavy hearts, saying, Dont worry about it. Anyway, did all of you forget that were in the middle of evaluating the new instructor candidates right now?

Haha, yes indeed.

By the way, the quality of applicants is really high this year.

Everyone laughed and went back to focusing on the lecture.

When Kwak Du-Yongs turn ended, the next candidate stepped up to the podium.

Namgoong Sus eyes lit up. I heard that this person was from the Shandong Ak Clan.

My name is Ak Yeon-Ho, and I am from the Shandong Ak Clan.

After a short introduction, Ak Yeon-Ho gave a short self-introduction, then proceeded to give a live demonstration of his spear arts.

Y arent you reading this at northbladetl.com?

WHIZZ! WHOOSH! SWOOSH!

He swung his practice spear wildly, stabbing, slashing, parrying, and occasionally aiming for where an opponents vitals would be.

The students and teachers let out a collective gasp.

Namgoong Su narrowed his eyes. As expected of a disciple of a famous clan.

Ak Yeon-Ho finished his lecture without a hitch, and the next candidate went up to the podium. However, very few of the candidates after Ak Yeon-Ho stood out. Most were sub-par, and others mediocre.

The students and instructors quickly got bored.

In contrast, Namgoong Su was actually enjoying the wait. Were almost at the end.

Baek Su-Ryong. The peasant who had dared to provoke him in the interview. Namgoong Su was very much looking forward to his demonstration lecture, but judging by the fact that he still hadnt shown up, it was getting more and more likely that he had run away.

The final demonstration lecture will be on the basics of outer arts, and it will begin in a few minutes, so please be seated until then. Candidate Baek Su-Ryong, please come up to the podium!

One by one, the students who had signed up to observe the outer arts demonstration class took their seats.

Eh? Namgoong Sus eyes widened slightly with surprise. Peng Sa-Hyuk, the president of the club union, Hyonwon Kang, the infamous troublemaker of the academy, and Tang So-So, the vice president of the student council, were all sitting in the audience with shining eyes.

Why are those kids here?

Theyre not the ones taking the basic class.

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Yeah.

The other instructors seemed just as confused.

Kwak Cheol-Woo spent a minute checking the candidates documents, then shouted, Candidate Baek Su-Ryong, are you here?

There was no answer. Ak Yeon-Ho, Myeong Il-Oh, and Mae Geuk-Lyom looked nervously at the front door.

MUMBLE MUMBLE.

Bewildered, the students also began to murmur.

The corners of Namgoong Sus mouth curled upwards. With a hint of regret, he said, Well, well. Looks like hes not coming after all.

Thats a shame, we even switched his turn for him.

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Tsk tsk

In the end, it was all just empty boasts.

The instructors clicked their tongues, while the waiting students grumbled and complained. Namgoong Su sneered at the sight.

So this is all he amounts to.

Kwak Cheol-Woo put down Baek Su-Ryongs application documents and said, As a school, weve already done as much as we can for Candidate Baek Su-Ryong. As such, I declare that his candidacy has been withdrawn!

Suddenly, the Principal, who had been silently looking out the front door, interrupted, Vice Principal, please wait a moment.

Principal?

Something is flying here from over there.

What? Flying?

Kwak Cheol-Woo, Namgoong Su, and everyone elses eyes turned toward the sky.

WHOOOOSH!

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A small dot was soaring through the air toward the Azure Dragon Academy in a giant parabola at a terrifying speed.

W-What is that Namgoong Su stared at the scene with his mouth agape.

The dot grew larger and larger, until it finally revealed itself to be human.

A-A human cannonball?

Its going to land here! Move aside!

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Uwaaah!

The new instructor applicants panicked and scattered in all directions.

SWOOSH!

The newcomer, who was falling headfirst, did a perfect somersault in midair, then landed lightly on his feet.

TAP!

Whoa

A picture-perfect handsome young man swept his wind-disheveled hair out of his face.

Everyone stared at him, speechless.

Baek Su-Ryong looked around, smiled wryly and said, Sorry, Im late! Im Baek Su-Ryong.

The last of the new instructor applicants arrived with a more impactful grand entrance than anyone before him.

Translators Note: Sorry for the delays, Ive been busy with new home renovation stuff lately