"What kind of external martial arts class is this!" A burly man spoke in a huffing voice.
He was Yang Ilak, the external martial arts instructor at Cheongryong Academy.
Yang Ilak pointed his thick fingers at Baek Suryong, who was deftly dodging the students' attacks.
"Without proper teaching, you just tell them to push him out of the circle? And you even bet money on it? Is external martial arts some kind of joke? It's a sacred study to train the body...!"
"Instructor Yang, please calm down."
"... Yes."
Only after Namgung Su spoke did Yang Ilak stop huffing.
However, his fierce gaze still lingered on Baek Suryong.
"I cannot acknowledge such a frivolous person as an instructor. First of all, someone claiming to practice external martial arts shouldn't be so slender!"
With that, Yang Ilak flexed his thick body.
The muscles on his thick arms and chest bulged.
"Ahem! A body should be like this for students to trust and entrust their bodies. Not some scholarly-looking guy..."
In short, he was suggesting that Baek Suryong be eliminated from consideration.
"Instructors, am I wrong?" Some instructors nodded in agreement, sharing the common trait of being wary of Namgung Su.
'Instructor Namgung must be quite upset.
Someone else is getting attention instead of him...'
'How does a newcomer plan to survive in society by standing out like that...'
'He's offended the top instructor, so even if he gets in, he won't last long.'
The quick-witted instructors agreed with Yang Ilak's words, calculating that it wouldn't be difficult to eliminate Baek Suryong if all the instructors opposed him, despite student evaluations being considered from this year.
"..."
However, Namgung Su, whether unaware of the instructors' gazes or pretending not to notice, was staring intently at Baek Suryong.
Thinking he had swayed public opinion, Yang Ilak addressed everyone.
"It seems a decision has been made. Let's stop this joke of a class and..."
"Did you say that young man doesn't know external martial arts? That's not how it appears to me."
A quiet voice, yet one that no one present could ignore, interjected.
Yang Ilak awkwardly turned to look at No Gunsang.
'Damn it, why is the overseer meddling so much this year?'
The overseer, who usually stayed silent during the new instructor entrance exams, was unusually involved this year.
Yang Ilak cautiously spoke.
"Overseer, as I mentioned..."
"Instructor Yang, let me ask you something. Must one have a large build and many muscles like you to teach external martial arts?"
"... Not necessarily, but the body doesn't lie. Someone who has trained in external martial arts for a long time has a good physique and naturally teaches better."
No Gunsang nodded.
"That's also true. However, people like me, who are old, or women, don't gain much muscle even with the same training. Also, too much unnecessary muscle reduces flexibility and makes it difficult to move quickly."
"Speed also comes from muscles!"
"Haha, that's not entirely wrong either."
No Gunsang smiled gently, as if soothing a child, at Yang Ilak's muscle-centric view.
"What I'm saying is that the muscles required vary depending on the martial arts learned, and what one excels at depends on their innate physique and personality. External martial arts aren't just about increasing muscle."
"..."
Though his words started softly, No Gunsang's gaze was stern as he concluded.
Yang Ilak dared not retort.
Even though he was an external martial arts instructor at Cheongryong Academy, No Gunsang was a legendary figure often mentioned among the top hundred masters of the orthodox sects for decades.
"In my view, Baek Suryong's external martial arts have reached a considerable level. Do you disagree, Instructor Yang?"
"That is..."
The old man's clear eyes looked directly at him.
Yang Ilak felt as if a blade was at his throat and couldn't lie.
He swallowed hard and spoke.
"... Above average."
"Above average, you say... Haha. I look forward to your classes this year, Instructor Yang."
"..."
Yang Ilak bowed his head like a mute who had eaten honey.
However, he hadn't accepted it in his heart.
He immediately sent a sound transmission to Namgung Su.
[Instructor Namgung, are you just going to stand by? The overseer is siding with that brat.
Please say something.
If you say a word, even the overseer...]
[Why should I?]
The unexpectedly cold response startled Yang Ilak, who was about to turn his head toward Namgung Su.
[Don't move your head recklessly.
Are you planning to announce to everyone that you're sending me a sound transmission?]
[I-I'm sorry.]
Feeling the cold killing intent in the tone, Yang Ilak felt a cold sweat run down his back.
Then, Namgung Su's sound transmission came again.
[Handle minor matters yourself.]
That was the end.
Namgung Su focused again on Baek Suryong's class, leaving Yang Ilak to stew alone.
'Handle it myself? Damn it, how?'
With a head filled with muscles, interpreting the top instructor's words wasn't easy.
'Damn it, it's all because of that guy.'
Yang Ilak glared at Baek Suryong with eyes full of killing intent.
Baek Suryong was deftly dodging, blocking, and even counterattacking all the students' attacks.
Honestly, even if he were in that circle, he wasn't confident he could do as well.
Moreover, his good looks were capturing everyone's attention!
'Damn it, if that guy becomes an external martial arts instructor, my position is at risk.'
Yang Ilak gritted his teeth.
He had to eliminate that pale guy somehow.
Wasn't there a way to ruin that class? Or, it would be good if he got injured enough not to participate in the next practical exam, the sparring...
Just then, a student caught Yang Ilak's eye.
"Ugh, damn it..."
Unluckily hit in a vital spot by a scabbard, a male student was still groaning on the ground.
As the student staggered to his feet, Yang Ilak sent him a sound transmission.
[So Juhan, use your internal energy.]
[What?]
The student's name was So Juhan.
He was an ordinary guy with average talent and family background, who didn't even try hard, yet enjoyed women and alcohol under the guise of being a Cheongryong Academy student.
He had some interest in building his body through external martial arts, so Yang Ilak had seen him a few times in his classes.
They got along surprisingly well and had even gone to a brothel together a few times.
[Use your internal energy to attack him.
Yes, send a blade of wind.]
[What? But...]
[Don't worry about the consequences.
I'll take full responsibility.]
[...]
[He's just an applicant.
Do you think you'll be expelled from the academy for injuring him? At most, you'll be suspended for a few days.]
[Still, that's a bit...]
When So Juhan hesitated, Yang Ilak's expression twisted.
[Or should I report to the head instructor that you went to a brothel as a student?]
[But, but you went with me, Instructor!]
[Who do you think the head instructor will believe, you or me? At most, I'll get a few months' pay cut, but what about you?]
So Juhan's face turned pale.
After Yang Ilak threatened him a few more times, So Juhan finally nodded.
[Alright, I understand.]
[Good.
Wait for my signal.]
Yang Ilak watched the sparring, waiting for the perfect moment to bring down Baek Suryong.
Then, he briefly made eye contact with Baek Suryong.
'Heh, I'll soon crush that smug face.'
The opportunity soon came.
"Die!"
"Argh!"
Pang Sahyuk and Heon Won-gang, known for their pride, attacked Baek Suryong from both sides.
Though they didn't use internal energy, their momentum was as fierce as if they were fighting to the death.
Yang Ilak immediately sent a sound transmission to So Juhan.
[Now!]
So Juhan gritted his teeth and sent a blade of wind.
The blade of wind accurately pierced between Heon Won-gang and Pang Sahyuk's attacks.
"A blade of wind?"
"What are you doing!"
"Brother! Watch out!"
The startled instructors and students shouted.
Only Yang Ilak clicked his tongue in disappointment.
The blade of wind's power was weaker than expected.
'Tch, at most, a couple of bones will break.'
Well, it didn't matter.
If his bones broke, he wouldn't be able to participate in the second practical exam, the sparring, tomorrow.
"Damn it!"
Feeling the blade of wind coming from behind, Pang Sahyuk turned his fist, which was aimed at Baek Suryong, to the side.
His rock-like fist slammed into Heon Won-gang's side.
Thud!
"Ugh! You bastard..."
"Be grateful, you punk. If not for me, you'd have been stabbed in the back."
Heon Won-gang was flung to the side, and the rebound sent Pang Sahyuk flying in the opposite direction.
As the two dodged to the sides, the blade of wind pierced between them.
Even with the blade of wind approaching, Baek Suryong remained standing in the circle.
Yang Ilak's lips curled into a sadistic smile.
'Even if he tries to step out of the circle, it's too late.
The blade of wind is faster!'
In a moment, that pretty boy would be screaming in pain with broken bones.
Yang Ilak did his best to suppress the rising corners of his mouth.
'Heh heh, let's see you struggle pathetically.'
But Baek Suryong neither stepped out of the circle nor hastily gathered internal energy in panic.
He simply smiled quietly and, with a natural motion, drew his sword and swung it.
A single stroke of the sword elegantly sliced through the air.
The sound came afterward.
―Swoosh.
The blade of wind was split in two.
The sharp wind turned into a gentle breeze, ruffling Baek Suryong's hair and clothes.
Everyone was left gaping at the picturesque scene.
"... What did he just do?"
"He cut the blade of wind with his sword..."
"He cut it, but..."
"But why..."
The motion of Baek Suryong drawing and swinging his sword was vividly etched in everyone's minds.
Though he had merely swung his sword, everyone was left in an inexplicable shock.
The higher the level of mastery, the greater the shock.
"!!"
Namgung Su and Gwak Cheolwoo stood up abruptly, and Ahn Yeonho trembled as if he had been struck by a sword.
Mae Geukryeom almost drew his sword without realizing it.
"..."
No Gunsang closed his eyes for a moment, to reflect on what he had just witnessed.
While everyone remained silent, Yang Ilak stammered as he spoke.
"... He used internal energy, didn't he?"
Yang Ilak mumbled, as if making excuses to the incredulous gazes of the instructors and students.
"Haha. To use sword energy to cut through a blade of wind in such a short moment, it was an excellent quick response. It seems a student couldn't control his rising bloodlust and used internal energy, but it's fortunate no one was hurt. I hope you can forgive that student with a generous heart. By the way, it was impressive. Though it wasn't external martial arts, that sword technique was quite... good."
Though it wasn't external martial arts...
Haha.
That phrase echoed like a refrain.
In other words, he was implying that Baek Suryong had used internal energy to escape the crisis in an external martial arts class.
It was a desperate attempt to belittle Baek Suryong.
But even that was futile.
"Did I use internal energy? Do you really think so?"
Baek Suryong asked with a gentle smile.
Some female students squealed, covering their mouths.
Yang Ilak blurted out.
"When you cut the blade of wind, you used sword energy..."
"I didn't use internal energy."
Yang Ilak resentfully looked at the person who interrupted him again.
No Gunsang, who had opened his eyes at some point, was looking at Baek Suryong with admiration.
"It was truly an astonishing skill, reaching the unity of body and sword. To execute such a perfect technique without using a single bit of internal energy and cut through a blade of wind... It makes this old man feel ashamed."
Given that the words came from a top hundred master, there was no room to doubt their sincerity.
Only then did people realize why they had been shocked by Baek Suryong's sword.
The next person to speak, surprisingly, was Namgung Su.
"... Many people think external martial arts are just about building strength and hardening the body, but the entire process of perfectly controlling every part of the body, including muscles and bones, and executing techniques according to forms can be considered external martial arts. The sword technique Baek Suryong just displayed..."
Namgung Su paused briefly.
Then, everyone's gaze, which had been on Baek Suryong, turned to Namgung Su.
'Look at this? That guy's quite something.'
Baek Suryong chuckled, and Namgung Su, who briefly twitched his eyebrows, respectfully clasped his hands and spoke.
"It was truly a magnificent display of external martial arts."
Even Namgung Su, the top instructor at Cheongryong Academy, acknowledged Baek Suryong.
Yang Ilak, who had suddenly become a fool, clamped his mouth shut with a flushed face.
"..."
"It seems the class can end here."
No Gunsang, looking around, spoke with internal energy in his voice for everyone to hear.
"This concludes the demonstration class. All applicants, thank you for your efforts. Please return and prepare for tomorrow's sparring."
"Thank you for your efforts!"
With that, all the demonstration classes ended, and the applicants dispersed, each returning to their accommodations.
Though the results of the demonstration class weren't announced, everyone knew who the star of the day was.
'Baek Suryong...'
All eyes were on one person.
Until his figure disappeared from Cheongryong Academy.