"Has that guy still not arrived?" The question was asked casually, but Akyunho felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.
This was because the person asking was the student supervisor, known for instilling fear even in the other instructors at the Qinglong Academy, and this was already the third time he had asked.
"Haha. He'll be here soon."
Akyunho replied awkwardly, receiving a piercing gaze from Maegyeongnyeom.
Maegyeongnyeom frowned, seemingly displeased with the answer.
"You've been saying the same thing since earlier. Didn't you just say you don't even know where he is right now?"
"Well, um..."
Akyunho felt wronged. 'Why am I being grilled when the late one is my own grandson!' He had many complaints, but he could only respond awkwardly to the student supervisor.
"He said he would be away for personal reasons for a few days..."
"Is he running away because he lacks confidence?"
"…That is absolutely not the case."
"Hmph. We'll see."
Watching Maegyeongnyeom's back as he walked away to the other prospective instructors, Akyunho let out a deep sigh. 'If he gets any later, it will really be dangerous...'
The practical exam for new instructors at Qinglong Academy had already begun.
Up ahead, the applicants for the new instructor positions were taking the stage, conducting demonstration lectures for selected students.
"Hmm. According to the principles of Taiji..."
"Each sect interprets Yin and Yang and the Five Elements slightly differently, and accordingly, there are differences in how they explain their secret arts. In this case..."
"The Blood Sect's predecessor was the Celestial Demon Sect, which disappeared hundreds of years ago. The first leader of the Blood Sect gathered those who opposed the relocation decision of the Celestial Demon Sect..."
Everyone was diligently presenting their martial arts theories or occasionally stepping down from the podium to demonstrate their skills.
However, the students' reactions were mostly indifferent or mischievous, one or the other.
"Yawn. I'm so sleepy."
"Wow, is that all the instructor can do?"
"Wait a minute. What you just said seems overly biased and personal, doesn't it?"
Akyunho swallowed hard as he watched the brazen students. 'Wow, these kids are no joke these days.' Among them were students who were not much younger than Akyunho.
However, unlike Akyunho, who practiced martial arts without complaint as instructed, the students at Qinglong Academy immediately questioned anything they found unreasonable or unsatisfactory. '...
I’m a little envious, too.'
On the left side of the podium, the head of Qinglong Academy, the deputy head, and existing instructors were taking notes and evaluating the new instructor applicants.
"Hoo..."
After returning from his demonstration lecture, Akyunho handed a water bottle to Myungiloh.
"Hyung, you did well. How was it doing it yourself?"
"Don't even mention it. The kids were glaring at me as if they wanted to tear me apart, and I had to watch the instructors' expressions... Did I make any mistakes?"
"You did the best among everyone I've seen so far."
It was a bit of an exaggeration, but Myungiloh's demonstration lecture had indeed been quite stable.
"The students and instructors will probably give you good evaluations."
With that, Myungiloh sighed in relief and looked around.
"By the way, has Baek Hyung still not arrived?"
"Not a word from him."
"This is serious. He really needs to come now..."
Before long, it was Akyunho's turn, and the next in line was Baeksuryong.
The two looked anxiously toward the entrance of Qinglong Academy.
Kiiing...
A stray dog was whining and relieving itself next to the main gate, but there was no sign of a person.
"…Still not here."
Maegyeongnyeom, who had briefly gone to check on the students, approached the two.
Disappointment was evident on his face, and a subtle anger seeped into his voice.
"Just like his father, huh..."
A chilling aura emanated from Maegyeongnyeom's body.
The sudden cold made the instructors waiting for their turn shiver.
Maegyeongnyeom said coldly, "Given that he hasn't shown up yet, it means he has no intention of coming. I will consider Baeksuryong's application as disqualified."
"Wait a minute!" The words slipped out before Akyunho could stop them.
Stepping forward, he met Maegyeongnyeom's gaze like a sharp sword and swallowed hard. 'Damn it! What is he doing that he's so late!'
Blaming Baeksuryong in his heart, Akyunho tried to buy as much time as possible.
"Student supervisor! Hyung will be here soon. Please wait just a little longer."
"I feel like I've heard that same line four times now. So when is he coming? Is he planning to show up after the exam is over?"
Akyunho let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly, I don't know when he will arrive. Something must have happened. But he would never run away."
"How can you be so sure? You haven't known him for that long."
"That's..."
Akyunho paused, recalling Baeksuryong's brazen face.
The face that had said he would build Baekryong Academy across from Qinglong Academy and surpass it within ten years if the interviewers disqualified him.
"…This is for the future of Qinglong Academy."
"The future of Qinglong Academy?"
"Hyung said that if he was disqualified, he would build Baekryong Academy across from Qinglong Academy. He said that in ten years, the students of Baekryong Academy would beat the students of Qinglong Academy."
"Hah. What?"
"If you disqualify him now, he might start looking for a place to build it starting tomorrow."
The absurdity of that statement made the surrounding prospective instructors burst into laughter.
Even the student supervisor, who seemed like he would never move an inch, twitched his lips.
Maegyeongnyeom muttered, trying to suppress his laughter, "You have a big and bold spirit, just like my daughter."
"What?"
"…It's nothing."
Akyunho couldn't understand the sudden change in mood, but it was at least not a bad sign.
Maegyeongnyeom spoke in a slightly softened voice.
"I've already been very lenient. If he doesn't show up by the time it's his turn, I will have no choice but to disqualify him."
"Uh, student supervisor."
At that moment, Myungiloh cautiously spoke up beside Akyunho.
"Could you possibly delay Baeksuryong's turn a bit?"
As expected, Maegyeongnyeom's eyes lit up with anger.
"What nonsense. Do you think this is a joke?"
"That's not it..."
"If you say something like that one more time, you all..."
At that moment, someone watching their argument from a distance interrupted.
"Is there a problem?"
As everyone turned to the new voice, Namgungsoo of the Three Swords and Gwakcheolwoo of the Flame Sword were walking over.
Namgungsoo, aware of the gazes on him, clasped his hands behind his back and smiled gently.
"Since the students seem to be quite tired, we decided to take a short break."
"…."
The appearance of the top instructor of Qinglong Academy made most of the new instructor applicants look at him with admiration or jealousy.
However, Akyunho felt neither.
He looked at Namgungsoo with an uncomfortable gaze. 'Why is he here?'
Namgungsoo didn't even glance at Akyunho and asked Maegyeongnyeom, "Student supervisor, is there a problem with your work? I came because I was worried it was noisy."
"Worried? What for?" Maegyeongnyeom waved his hand dismissively and continued in a flat tone.
"It's nothing serious. We were just discussing whether to disqualify an applicant who hasn't shown up yet or to wait a bit longer..."
"Is that applicant Baeksuryong?"
"…That's right."
At that moment, a gentle smile appeared on Namgungsoo's lips.
Akyunho and Myungiloh found it very ominous.
"Oh dear. It seems something urgent has come up. Surely he didn't run away because he was afraid of the demonstration lecture... And he wouldn't have run away to avoid being humiliated in a sparring match either..."
"…."
The mockery was clear, even if it wasn't said outright.
Akyunho, Myungiloh, and Maegyeongnyeom all felt veins popping on their foreheads simultaneously.
"He didn't run away."
"Hyung is not that kind of person."
"…He says he isn't."
Namgungsoo seemed a bit flustered by Maegyeongnyeom's cold gaze, but he still managed to speak.
"Hmm. Then let's do this. Since it seems there has been an accident with the Baeksuryong applicant, how about we push his turn to the very end?"
"But that would create an imbalance..."
Maegyeongnyeom tried to raise an objection, but Namgungsoo preempted him.
"Of course, this is assuming that the applicant who is originally last agrees to it."
"I, I'm fine!" The applicant, who had turned pale, raised his hand and shouted.
"I will yield! I will yield as much as you want!"
"…."
With the applicant being so proactive, Maegyeongnyeom found it hard to say anything further.
Namgungsoo quickly took control of the situation.
"Then let's do that. Deputy Head, I apologize for taking the initiative... But our Qinglong Academy should show a bit of leniency to the applicants, don't you think?"
"Oh, of course. Namgungsoo, do as you please. The head won't mind anyway."
Gwakcheolwoo, who had followed Namgungsoo, nodded vigorously, saying, "Yes! That's right!"
'No matter how much of the top instructor of Qinglong Academy he is... he doesn't seem to know who the real superior is.' Namgungsoo quickly received approval from the higher-ups and turned to Akyunho with a smile.
"It seems fortunate for the Baeksuryong applicant. He wasn't running away but had some personal matters that delayed him. Since we've shown this much consideration, he should be able to arrive on time, right?"
"……."
Akyunho glared at Namgungsoo without answering. 'He was aiming for this from the start.' The last turn.
If Baeksuryong still hadn't arrived by then, he would be branded a coward in front of everyone, and even if he did come, he would have to endure the immense pressure of performing a demonstration lecture under countless gazes.
The burden of performing a demonstration lecture increases the later it is done.
This is because the fatigue of the students and instructors who have already listened to the lectures accumulates, and the evaluation standards rise accordingly. 'On the flip side, being last means that the better you do, the deeper the impression you leave...'
However, showing that level of skill was difficult even for instructors who had taught students for over ten years.
A sly smile crept onto Namgungsoo's lips. 'There’s no way a country bumpkin who has only taught kids in a village has that level of skill.'
Namgungsoo did not forget what Baeksuryong had said to him during the interview. - What if I crush you here with my external energy? At least he had some guts.
He never expected him to be such a coward that he couldn't even show up for a demonstration lecture.
But he had no intention of forgiving him for running away. 'Everyone at Qinglong Academy will know that you are a coward.
I will make sure of that.' Even if he showed up late and performed the demonstration lecture, it wouldn't matter.
He would make sure to humiliate him so that he couldn't stand in this city again.
Namgungsoo smiled brightly.
"Personally, I am very much looking forward to the Baeksuryong applicant's demonstration lecture. I hope he arrives on time."
With a gentle smile on his lips, Namgungsoo turned and returned to his seat.
"……."
Akyunho, Myungiloh, and Maegyeongnyeom stood side by side, glaring at Namgungsoo's back, each saying a word.
"At this point, Hyung must come and show them what he's made of."
"He will definitely come."
"…That grandson of mine. If he doesn't come, he better be ready to die by my hand."
Time passed indifferently, and even as the last turn drew closer, Baeksuryong did not appear.
"Hahaha! So back when I was studying at Zhuque Academy..."
Gwakduyong slapped his thick chest as he spoke.
Most of the students sitting in front of him looked horrified, but some listened with interest.
The instructors sitting at the instructor's desk whispered among themselves as they evaluated Gwakduyong.
"Gwakduyong applicant. Surprisingly good at teaching."
"If it weren't for the Zhuque Academy stories, he would seem fine. He has a wealth of knowledge about various techniques."
"Though he brags a lot, he has a way with words. The female students may dislike him, but the male students seem to respond surprisingly well."
Amid the unexpectedly positive reviews, the deputy head, Gwakcheolwoo, cleared his throat and blushed.
"If it's because of me, everyone can stop now."
Gwakduyong was Gwakcheolwoo's distant cousin.
He had been an outstanding student who could have studied at Zhuque Academy in his childhood, but due to an incident, he had completely abandoned martial arts for a while, becoming a sore spot for his family.
He had reluctantly submitted an application at the request of his cousin, who wanted him to get his act together, but he never expected to pass the interview and even conduct a demonstration lecture.
"It's not because of the deputy head, but he truly has the qualities of an instructor. Please don't judge him too harshly just because he's family."
Namgungsoo said with a gentle smile to Gwakcheolwoo.
Feeling embarrassed, Gwakcheolwoo coughed awkwardly.
"…As long as he doesn't get drunk, he's a decent guy. The problem is that most of them are drunk."
"Is there any reason you can't quit drinking?" Gwakcheolwoo hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Twenty years ago, he was a survivor of the Cheonju Peak bloodbath."
"Ah..."
In an instant, everyone's expressions darkened.
Gwakcheolwoo hurriedly waved his hands to lighten the mood.
"Everyone, don't worry about it. Isn't it time to focus on evaluating the instructors?"
"Haha. Yes. That's right."
"By the way, the level of applicants this year is quite high."
Everyone shifted their attention back to the lecture.
After Gwakduyong's turn ended, it was the next applicant's turn.
Namgungsoo's eyes sparkled as he watched the young man stepping up to the podium. 'Was he from the Shandong Martial Arts Family?'
"This is Akyunho from the Shandong Martial Arts Family."
After finishing a brief self-introduction, Akyunho stepped forward with a spear and demonstrated.
Whoosh! Swish, swish, swish! The practice spear danced gracefully, stabbing, slashing, and striking, sometimes moving unexpectedly to hit empty spaces.
Gasps of admiration erupted among the students and instructors.
Namgungsoo narrowed his eyes. 'As expected of a child from a prestigious family, he’s quite good.' However, after Akyunho, there were no other applicants with impressive skills.
Most were below standard, some were average, and only a few stood out.
Most of the students and instructors began to grow bored with the demonstration lectures.
But Namgungsoo found this waiting time quite enjoyable. 'The last turn is coming soon.' Baeksuryong.
The country bumpkin who dared to provoke him during the interview.
He had been looking forward to his demonstration lecture, but seeing that he still hadn't arrived, it seemed he would ultimately not show up.
"The last demonstration lecture will be the basic external energy class! It will start in one moment, so students who wish to participate in the demonstration lecture, please take your seats. And Baeksuryong applicant, please come up to the podium!" Students who had applied to observe the basic external energy class began to take their seats one by one.
'Hmm?' Namgungsoo was a bit surprised.
Among the seated students were the president of the club union, Peng Sahyeok, the notorious troublemaker of the academy, Heonwon Gang, and the vice president of the student council, Dang Sosso, all of whom were shining with excitement.
"Why are those kids here...?"
"They're not students who should be attending the basic class."
"That's right."
Other instructors shared similar doubts as the moment of one moment quickly passed.
Gwakcheolwoo, checking the applicant documents, shouted, "Baeksuryong applicant! Has he not come?"
There was no response.
Akyunho, Myungiloh, and Maegyeongnyeom looked anxiously toward the entrance.
Murmurs began among the students, who also found it strange.
Namgungsoo's lips curled into a slight smile.
He spoke as if he felt pity.
"Oh dear. It seems he really won't be coming after all."
"What a disappointment. We even changed the order for him."
"Tsk, tsk..."
"Looks good on the outside, but empty inside."
The instructors clicked their tongues, and the waiting students began to grumble about what was happening.
Seeing their reactions, a thin smile appeared on Namgungsoo's lips. 'So that was all he was worth.'
As Gwakcheolwoo put down the documents he was holding, he said, "We've waited long enough. The academy has done its part. Baeksuryong applicant is disqualified..."
At that moment, the head, Noh Gunsang, who had been quietly looking outside, spoke up.
"Deputy Head, please wait a moment."
"Head?"
"Something is coming from over there."
"…What? Something is coming?" Following Noh Gunsang's gaze, Gwakcheolwoo, Namgungsoo, and everyone else looked up at the sky.
Swoosh! A small dot was flying toward Qinglong Academy in a parabolic arc.
The speed at which it sliced through the wind was truly terrifying.
"W-What is that...?" Namgungsoo gaped at the sight.
Moments later, the dot grew larger, revealing that it was a person.
"A... a projectile?"
"It's going to land here! Move aside!"
"Ahhh!" The new instructor applicants, huddled together, panicked and scattered in all directions.
Whoosh! The new type of projectile spun elegantly in the air before landing lightly on the ground.
Thud!
"Hoo..."
A strikingly handsome young man, like a painting, swept his wind-tousled hair back.
Everyone stood there, speechless, staring at him.
Baeksuryong, looking around, awkwardly smiled.
"Sorry for being late. I am Baeksuryong."
He made a stronger impression than anyone who had come before him, as the last new instructor applicant arrived.