Book 9 Chapter 13

A children's fight escalates into an adult brawl.

Maharyeong had nowhere left to retreat.

There was only one method left!

However, even after pushing Maharyeong this far,

regrettably, Biryu-yeon ultimately missed the opportunity to hear Maharyeong's apology.

What had been invested so far was rendered meaningless in an instant.

"Hahaha! Such animosity within the sacred academy… the atmosphere is quite ominous! How about we discuss this more gently?"

At the brink of conflict, with a great burst of laughter and bathed in the glinting sunlight, the person who appeared was none other than the senior instructor in charge of Baekgeomjo, Cheon Ik-geom, Yuk-gi-han. He had just rushed over after hearing about the commotion.

"Senior Instructor!"

Yongcheon-myeong thought the situation was turning awkward. He couldn't rashly draw his sword in front of a martial arts supervisor. Yongcheon-myeong had no choice but to withdraw his fighting spirit. It was a disheartening development, but there was no other way.

Just as he was about to draw his sword! A rough voice was heard from one side.

"Hmph! If a man draws his sword, he should at least cut something! Can you truly handle anything properly with such a disposition?"

The person who appeared, speaking roughly with cold sarcasm, was none other than Go-yak-han. Yuk-gi-han's face immediately showed clear displeasure.

"Your words that incite fighting are rather unpleasant to hear."

He quickly erased his displeasure, and with a face full of smiles, Yuk-gi-han spoke. But the reaction was cold.

"Hmph! I find your fake, rotten smile even more unpleasant and nauseating!"

Go-yak-han let out a sneer.

"Hoh! You speak too harshly. Are you not going too far?"

At Go-yak-han's barbed words, Yuk-gi-han immediately dropped his smile. He was, as always, an infuriating, damn old man. An old man whom he could never possibly like. However, he couldn't reveal his true feelings openly.

"I merely spoke the truth. When I see someone who is different on the inside and outside, I instinctively feel aversion, my stomach churns, and I feel disgusted. I suppose I must accept it as my fate."

He was indirectly calling the other person a disgusting hypocrite. The air between the two men began to cool.

"Those two, their ages are really something."

Watching the two men growl at each other like cats and dogs, Eun Seol-lan whispered.

"For starters, they are rivals, and have always been famous nemeses."

Even to Na Ye-rin, the two seemed irreconcilably incompatible. They were like oil and water. She couldn't figure out the exact reason. Apparently, one didn't need a reason or excuse to dislike someone.

"Senior Instructor Yuk! Are you here because you're playing around with your sword, or what business do you have here?"

He meant that a sword was not a plaything, and he shouldn't be dancing with it. Go-yak-han, still feeling his insults were insufficient, wasn't finished.

"Or are you here with the intention of using your specialty, charming women?"

With Go-yak-han's relentless barrage of insults, Yuk-gi-han's face contorted more and more. Yuk-gi-han's tongue, provoked by Go-yak-han's offensive, also turned sharp.

"Senior Instructor Go, weren't you too busy butchering people like a butcher to even perfect your sword techniques?"

He meant that a sword was not a murder weapon, and one's sword wouldn't be perfected just by increasing the killing intent.

As if unwilling to be outdone by Go-yak-han's taunts, Yuk-gi-han met him head-on.

'This unlucky, smooth-talking scoundrel!'

'This damn, ill-intentioned old man!'

Their gazes collided intensely, sparks flying. It was too late to turn back.

"Can I take that as a challenge?"

Go-yak-han said with a cold sneer.

"Of course. Since the children have all witnessed this, I can't back down now."

This meant he wouldn't run or hide. It was an arrogant attitude of "go ahead and try."

"We can't clash directly, so how about settling the score in the upcoming mid-term evaluation?"

"Ho? Are you talking about that, which was just decided in the meeting?"

"Yes! That's exactly it!"

The mid-term evaluation was one of the customary rites of passage for candidates of the Hwasan Kyuyak Jihoe. It was an intermediate stage to gauge their progress during their training in preparation for the Hwasan Jihoe, and it was a test that couldn't be taken lightly, as it also affected the final selection. Its influence was so absolute that some even said the mid-term evaluation was the final evaluation.

Some even called it not a mid-term evaluation, but a mid-term trial or a elimination test. It was that harsh and difficult an evaluation. Furthermore, judging by Yuk-gi-han's reaction, this mid-term evaluation seemed likely to be conducted in a rather unconventional manner.

"That's a very interesting proposal."

Yuk-gi-han also seemed intrigued by Go-yak-han's suggestion.

"Alright. Let's do that."

"Don't regret it! To beat this old man, you'll have to close down your hobby of charming women for a while?"

Go-yak-han subtly belittled Yuk-gi-han.

"I will never regret it. Hahahahaha!"

Yuk-gi-han showed his characteristic oily smile. Go-yak-han felt his stomach churn every time he saw that smile.

"Did everyone hear? You two should also resolve your petty feelings then! Do you understand?"

Go-yak-han's words were directed at Biryu-yeon, Maharyeong, and Yongcheon-myeong. It was clear that exercising the right to refuse was absolutely impossible. Go-yak-han's personality was usually not one to compromise.

"……"

Maharyeong and Yongcheon-myeong couldn't readily answer Go-yak-han's words.

"Why are you not responding? Do you have any complaints?"

"Ah… No. We will follow your instructions."

"Good! Then everyone disperse!"

Go-yak-han shouted fiercely, looking around. Only then did people begin to scatter, one by one.

However, no one leaving the scene harbored the complacent thought that this matter would be settled so peacefully. There were still mountains of lingering emotions that needed to be resolved.