Noh Gun-sang stared blankly at the resignation letter presented by Gong Sun-su.
"To resign right after enrolling... This is a first for me."
"Hehe. I seem to be setting new records at the Qinglong Academy," Gong Sun-su chuckled lightly as he sat across from Noh Gun-sang.
Sensing the bitterness hidden in that laughter, Noh Gun-sang quietly asked, "Aren't you disappointed?"
"…I am disappointed. Very much so."
Gong Sun-su gazed at the Qinglong token placed on the table along with his resignation letter.
Since he had submitted his resignation, he also had to return the Qinglong token.
"However, I cannot be so shameless as to train in martial arts while watching the country rot due to treacherous officials."
While Gong Sun-su was absent, the powerful figures in the imperial palace had been keeping a close watch on the emperor, greedily vying for power.
The emperor was wise and intelligent, but still lacked the experience to deal with the seasoned power players.
This was the reason Gong Sun-su had to go to the imperial palace.
"Even though I resign, I still wish to contribute to the development of Qinglong Academy from afar."
"If it's a contribution..."
The Qinglong Academy that Gong Sun-su had seen was a treasure trove of talent, with many potential dragons stirring within.
However, due to the lack of achievements over the past decade under the Celestial Martial Emperor, the students' confidence had dwindled, and financial support was gradually decreasing.
Gong Sun-su intended to break this vicious cycle.
"Director, please do not worry about financial issues starting this year."
"Hehe..."
The financial support for Qinglong Academy would soon be more abundant than that of any other major academy.
It was something that could be achieved with just a few words from Gong Sun-su.
Noh Gun-sang was left in a daze by this sudden stroke of fortune.
"Hehe... I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"This is all I can do. I hope my fellow students who passed together will continue to take pride in Qinglong Academy."
"..."
After looking at Gong Sun-su for a moment, Noh Gun-sang suddenly tore up Gong Sun-su's resignation letter right there.
Rip!
"Why...?"
"Gong Sun-su, new student."
Noh Gun-sang's tone changed abruptly as he addressed Gong Sun-su.
"I will process your case as a leave of absence, not a resignation."
"Excuse me?" Noh Gun-sang pushed the Qinglong token back towards Gong Sun-su on the table, refusing its return.
"Once your matters in the imperial palace are settled, you shall return."
"…"
"You will need to take a simple re-examination. If you neglect your health, I will not accept you back, so keep that in mind."
"Hehehe..."
A return to school.
Gong Sun-su was already sixty-five years old.
In five years, he would be seventy, and in ten years, seventy-five. 'Can I settle the matters of the imperial palace within five years?' There was no way to guarantee that.
However... no matter if it took five years or ten years, what did it matter? Gong Sun-su found himself smiling.
"I understand. I will not neglect my training."
Receiving the Qinglong token once more, Gong Sun-su cherished it in his arms and stood up.
"... I will take my leave now."
"When you return, Qinglong Academy will be very different from what it is now."
"Hehe. I look forward to it."
After bowing his head slightly, Gong Sun-su turned and left the director's office.
Years later, a legendary returning student would grace Qinglong Academy.
"It truly is farewell now."
On the outskirts of the city, Gong Sun-su was exchanging final goodbyes with Baek Su-ryong, who had come out to see him off.
"Am I causing you trouble? It’s the day of the entrance ceremony, so everyone must be busy."
Unlike Gong Sun-su, who submitted his resignation right after attending the entrance ceremony, the other new students were fully occupied with class assignments.
Baek Su-ryong, an interim instructor, should have been running around in a frenzy, but he was calmly seeing Gong Sun-su off.
Baek Su-ryong grinned and said, "I got permission from the director. It’s nice to slack off when everyone else is busy, right?"
"Tsk tsk. What will you do if the other instructors end up hating you?"
"I’m already hated plenty."
Baek Su-ryong chuckled as he recalled Nam Gung-su’s gloomy face from earlier that morning. 'What class should I steal from him?' With Wi Ji-cheon having enrolled as the top student, Baek Su-ryong was the winner of their bet.
The reward for his victory was to take over one of Nam Gung-su's popular classes this semester.
'Weapon class? External martial arts? Internal martial arts? It would be best to choose a common class for all grades...' He hadn’t decided yet, but it was a happy dilemma nonetheless.
"…Looking at your expression, it seems you’re plotting some mischief against the students again."
"Such a pity. I wish you could have been part of that plan too."
At Baek Su-ryong's words, Gong Sun-su smiled gently.
A few moments ago, those words would have sounded bitter, but now they did not.
He had found a new goal.
"I'll come back and take your class later. So don’t get on anyone’s bad side and stay at Qinglong Academy for a long time."
"I will try my best."
Only the two of them were around.
Wi Ji-cheon had to stay at the academy for his schedule, and Heon Won-gang was not in a condition to come out that far.
So after attending the entrance ceremony, he was sent back to the clinic.
He had sent Heuk Yeong to meet Cheon Geom.
The troops of Cheon Geom and the Golden Guard would arrive here within half an hour at the latest.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about, just the two of us after sending Heuk Yeong away?" At Gong Sun-su's question, Baek Su-ryong smiled brightly.
Although it was Gong Sun-su who had sent Heuk Yeong away, it was Baek Su-ryong who had secretly requested it.
"I thought we could chat a bit before you leave. Shall we sit over there for a moment?" At the start of the mountain path leading out of the city, the two of them sat facing each other in a small pavilion.
"You’ve worked hard for a little over a month."
Baek Su-ryong took out the alcohol and cups he had prepared.
It was expensive liquor he had bought the day before.
Gong Sun-su's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh. You’re actually letting me drink the liquor you give. You haven’t let me touch it until now."
"So I prepared it especially. Is it alright to have a drink before you go?"
After a month, Gong Sun-su's eyes sparkled as he replied, "Of course. Just in time, there’s no one here to nag me. Is that why you sent Heuk Yeong away first?"
"That’s part of it."
Like two mischievous boys plotting a prank, the two men exchanged smiles and began to clink their cups together.
"Ah! This is good."
"It’s expensive liquor, you know."
There was no need for many words between them.
Memories became the snacks, and the breeze blowing through the pavilion and the swaying bushes became their song and dance.
After enjoying the scenery for a moment, Gong Sun-su spoke up.
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"Cheon-yi is gentle-hearted, so keep a close watch on him. Those who envy his talent will try to belittle him and make his life difficult."
"I understand."
"Gan-yi is deeply loyal and strong-minded, but his temperament is fiery, which is concerning. While a firm hand is good, sometimes you should also comfort him gently."
"I will keep that in mind."
Baek Su-ryong nodded as he listened attentively to Gong Sun-su's words.
Gong Sun-su was the teacher of the current emperor.
While he could not compare to Baek Su-ryong in teaching martial arts, there was no one in the country who could match him in wisdom and in teaching virtue and propriety.
"…I hope there are no aftereffects for Gan-yi."
"He is a sturdy lad; he will recover quickly."
Gong Sun-su nodded with a bitter expression as he poured liquor into Baek Su-ryong's cup.
"By the way, do you have any thoughts about getting married?"
"Cough!" Baek Su-ryong spat out the liquor at the unexpected topic.
Suddenly marriage? His mind raced.
Without needing to think long, he realized who Gong Sun-su was hinting at.
"I have no thoughts on that."
"You’re just too perceptive. What’s wrong with our Heuk Yeong?"
"Have you asked her opinion?" His words were meant to refuse, but Gong Sun-su's eyes sparkled as if he had caught a lead.
"It seems you’re not completely uninterested? If our girl likes you, would you consider meeting her seriously?"
"No..."
"This isn’t a joke, so think about it."
"..."
Baek Su-ryong fell into thought for a moment.
Meeting a woman, getting married.
It was a future he had never envisioned in his past life.
Back then, just surviving day by day was a struggle.
'What about now?' Compared to fifty years ago, the world was much more peaceful.
The Blood Sect, which had dreamed of unifying the martial world, had been destroyed, and the influence of the demonic factions had significantly diminished in this peaceful era.
However, Baek Su-ryong knew that this peace would not last long. 'The Blood Sect has not disappeared.' He had already noticed several signs.
Perhaps they had formed an even greater force than imagined, and their resurgence might not be far off.
If the Blood Sect were to rise again...
Baek Su-ryong replied with a serious expression, "I’m sorry, but I don’t wish to marry at this time."
"…It seems there’s a story behind that."
Observing Baek Su-ryong's expression, Gong Sun-su did not press further or inquire in detail.
As they chatted, they soon found the liquor bottle empty.
"Oh no. The liquor is all gone. Did you only bring one bottle to share?"
"This amount is just right. Besides, we have a guest now."
"A guest? Has Cheon Geom already arrived?" Baek Su-ryong smiled as he looked over Gong Sun-su's shoulder.
Following his gaze, Gong Sun-su turned his head.
A familiar face was trudging toward them.
"Won-gang, is that you?" It was Heon Won-gang.
The pale-faced Heon Won-gang waved his hand upon spotting the two.
Gong Sun-su stood up to greet Heon Won-gang.
"What brings you here, senior? You’re not well yet..."
Heon Won-gang scratched his head awkwardly.
"I felt stifled just staying at the clinic. Plus, I have a gift for you."
"A gift?" Heon Won-gang reached into his robe and pulled something out.
Gong Sun-su felt a surge of gratitude that nearly brought him to tears. 'What a kind-hearted lad...'
Despite being so pale from taking a blade for him, he was here looking out for him instead of harboring resentment.
"What gift could it be?"
"I thought I might not get another chance to give it to you."
Heon Won-gang revealed a short dagger, painted black.
It was a plain dagger with no patterns, so dark that its shape could hardly be discerned in the shadows.
With a bright smile, Heon Won-gang playfully pretended to stab Gong Sun-su with it.
"Oh...?" Even at that moment, Gong Sun-su felt no threat.
The dagger extended toward him bore no malice or killing intent.
He merely thought it was a gift being given to him.
Clang! The blade ricocheted sideways, and Heon Won-gang, who had just moments ago appeared to struggle to walk, swiftly retreated.
Thud.
Gong Sun-su collapsed to the ground.
The fear of death and shock from moments ago rushed back to him.
"Why, why...?" Gong Sun-su shouted as he looked at Heon Won-gang's expressionless face.
"Why did you try to kill me?"
"Calm down, sir."
At that moment, Baek Su-ryong stepped in front of Gong Sun-su.
He was the one who had just blocked Heon Won-gang's attack.
"That guy is not Heon Won-gang."
"What do you mean...?" As Gong Sun-su was taken aback, Heon Won-gang's expression changed oddly.
"How did you know? I stole Heon Won-gang's speech, gait, and even his scent."
The assassin disguised as Heon Won-gang, Qilsha, asked.
"Because I was waiting for it."
Baek Su-ryong replied with a white smile.