Chapter 105: I'm Looking Forward To This

Chapter 105: I'm Looking Forward To This

“I’m warning you, if your petty squabbles tarnish the academy’s honor one more time, I won’t forgive either of you. Do you understand?” Noh Goonsang scolded, glaring at the two instructors seated before him and radiating a commanding presence so intense that it stifled the air itself.

“......”

The recent scandal, where an Azure Dragon Academy instructor was almost arrested, had only been quelled by Noh Goonsang’s timely intervention. After a long mediation, he finally persuaded the courtesan, Nan Hyang, not to press charges.

In truth, it was Baek Suryong who had secretly instructed Cheong Cheon and Nan Hyang to de-escalate the matter.

[Orabeoni~ I’ve repaid your favor. Come have a drink with me later. My treat.]

After playing her part to perfection, Nan Hyang had scribbled this message on a note and passed it to Baek Suryong as she left with a furtive wink.

Pung Jinho protested, “Principal, this is really unfair! This man spread false rumors in collusion with that courtesan to slander me...”

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Unleashing an aura so terrifying it seemed to crush the very breath from Pung Jinho, Noh Goonsang chastised, “Mr. Pung, do you really think I’m that clueless?”

“Principal, please...” Pung Jinho desperately pleaded, trembling at the revelation.

“Enough! I’ve confirmed that you two were at the nightclub that day. I don’t care about the specifics. What’s important is that you’ve brought disgrace to the Azure Dragon Academy!”

Pung Jinho’s face drained of color.

On the other hand, Baek Suryong, ever the picture of calm, bowed his head and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

How dare he still be so smug? He deserves to be torn apart! Pung Jinho seethed silently. Despite both being embroiled in the scandal, he suffered far more. His twenty years of teaching and his painstakingly built reputation were at stake, whereas Baek Suryong was merely a newcomer with nothing to lose.

Noh Goonsang’s frown deepened as he continued, “I’ve reviewed your lecture plans. The content is nearly identical, and the timing overlaps. What exactly is your goal? To outshine each other or to genuinely educate our students?”

“......” Both instructors could do nothing but hang their heads, unable to meet Noh Goonsang’s piercing gaze.

Clicking his tongue, Noh Goonsang laid out his decision, “Here’s what will happen. I’ll conduct a thorough review of your lectures over the next two weeks. Whoever scores lower will have their class canceled.”

“What?”

“Principal?”

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Shock registered on the faces of the two instructors, but Noh Goonsang remained unyielding, “The students from the canceled class will join the remaining one. Any objections?”

Both instructors quickly weighed the implications. Ultimately, confident in their abilities, they responded almost in unison.

“None.”

“Understood.”

Noh Goonsang dismissed them with a cold wave, “Good, remember my words. You can leave now.”

The two quickly stood and left the principal’s office.

As soon as they were outside, a chilling killing intent emanated from Pung Jinho as he turned to Baek Suryong. “Don’t think this is over,” he snarled.

Dropping all pretenses of civility, Baek Suryong replied with a sly grin, “Of course not. The fun is just beginning.”

Since they were now officially adversaries, they could finally be honest with each other. The two men exchanged cold smiles.

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“You’re getting overconfident after a single hollow victory. Do you think spreading a few rumors is all it takes to ruin me?”

“Wow, such killing intent. Are you planning to hire an assassin?”

“Why bother killing you? Making you regret your existence is much more appealing.”

“To think we were on the same page after all. I wasn’t going to let you off easily either.”

“You little...”

“I’ve heard he’s an exceptional student,” Baek Suryong replied smoothly, having memorized the names of all the prominent students in the Azure Dragon Academy. Seo Ri’ae’s son, Bang Baekhyeon, was not only last year’s student council president but had also upheld the academy’s honor at the previous Heavenly Martial Festival.

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Seo Ri’ae beamed proudly at the mention of her son. “He’s destined to become the Murim Alliance Chairman. Take good care of him.”

“That’s an admirable goal.” Baek Suryong nodded, impressed yet somewhat taken aback.

The Murim Alliance Chairman?

Traditionally, the top leader of the unorthodox sects was the Blood Demon, and the orthodox sects’ equivalent was the Murim Alliance Chairman. However, unlike the unorthodox sects which believed in the law of the jungle, becoming the Chairman of the Murim Alliance wasn’t determined by martial prowess alone, but also required a clean reputation, popularity, and political acumen.

In summary, becoming the leader of the orthodox was a much more difficult task than dominating the unorthodox.

This lady seriously wants her son to become the Murim Alliance Chairman?

Although he had not met Bang Baekhyeon and thus could not judge the boy’s ambition, Seo Ri’ae’s ambition at least burned fiercely like molten lava, in stark contrast to her icy demeanor.

Seo Ri’ae smiled dreamily. “The stronger the Azure Dragon Academy graduates in the Murim Alliance are, the better my Hyeon’s chances will be, don’t you think?”

Her vision stretched decades into the future, envisioning all of the academy’s graduates as her son’s future subordinates.

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Well, no need to dampen her dreams. Baek Suryong matched her smile with one of his own. “Certainly, with my dedicated guidance, the academy will soon produce many remarkable martial artists.”

“Thank you. Teaching your students well is the best way to support my son,” Seo Ri’ae giggled, seemingly pleased with his response. Baek Suryong is young, ambitious, skilled, and capable of standing up to Pung Jinho. He’s no ordinary person.

However, she wasn’t yet ready to fully side with Baek Suryong at the expense of alienating Pung Jinho.

“Regardless, the PTA won’t involve itself in personal conflicts between you and Mr. Pung. I hope everything resolves amicably,” she stated, declaring her neutrality.

Baek Suryong’s smile flickered briefly.

...No, this is enough. The PTA, Pung Jinho’s strongest connection, has now backed out. Additionally, I’ve developed a personal relationship with Seo Ri’ae.

Grasping the whole picture, he smiled again, saying, “Thank you for your consideration.”

“We’ll see each other again.” Seo Ri’ae waved him goodbye and walked away with graceful steps, leaving a chill in the air.

Baek Suryong waited until she was completely out of sight before sighing softly, “Wow. She’s definitely not your average woman.”

Her unnaturally obsessed eyes when she spoke about her son were unforgettable, and most importantly, they reminded him of something he had seen just recently.

Her eyes are the eyes of someone consumed by their inner demons.

Of course, he couldn’t be sure. It was nearly impossible to determine if a martial artist was plagued by inner demons just by their eyes. Moreover, her actions and speech showed no peculiarities other than an excessive obsession with her son.

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“...Well, it’s not my concern,” Baek Suryong concluded, then turned away, his mind filled with more pressing tasks.

First, Pung Jinho won’t dare act rashly for now.

Thanks to the courtesan Nan Hyang’s revelations, all the contempt once directed at Baek Suryong was now aimed at Pung Jinho. Coupled with Noh Goonsang’s stern warning, Pung Jinho would have to lie low for a while.

This meant Baek Suryong could move more freely.

“First, I need to fill my minimum class requirement.”

Five students. However, he wasn’t just looking to fill numbers, he intended to recruit students with the potential he sought.

Baek Suryong grinned, whispering to himself, “I’m looking forward to this.”

The next morning, Baek Suryong received a list from Tang Soso containing the names and necessary information of three individuals.

Translator’s Note: Releases will probably slow next week as I will be away on a business trip. Hopefully last week’s mass release can make up for it. Well, I might work on some chapters in the hotel room if I get bored, so fingers crossed...