Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

While Baek Suryong enthusiastically discussed how he would abusetrain his students with the other instructors, Namgung Su went to talk to his father, who had come to see him off.

"Were you planning to leave without saying goodbye?" Namgung Cheon asked, looking at Namgung Su with a hurt expression.

Namgung Su bowed his head slightly, his face impassive as he mumbled, "I was going to leave quietly so as not to cause a commotion."

"Sigh…" Namgung Cheon couldn't help but shake his head at his third son's bluntness.

Well, that's just his personality, I suppose.

Unlike his elder brothers, who did everything in their power to win his favor, Namgung Su was always indifferent. Previously, Namgung Cheon had found the boy's lack of ambition distasteful, but now he felt the exact opposite.

Despite the chaos engulfing the Namgung Clan, his third son remained as cool and rational as ever… except for the fact that he was unusually eager to return to the Azure Dragon Academy.

Curious, the Namgung Patriarch remarked, "Many people have decided to support you in the succession war, including elders, corps commanders, and most of the ordinary martial artists. It's reached a state where even I, the Patriarch, can't ignore it."

Why aren′t you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

"And yet you still want to rush back to the Azure Dragon Academy?"

To say that Namgung Su saved the family from the Blood Cult attack wouldn't be an exaggeration. If he stayed a little longer to help with the aftermath, he would be able to solidify his position as heir, but still, Namgung Su was adamant on returning to the Azure Dragon Academy.

"Their attitude is precisely why I'm leaving."

Namgung Cheon's single eyelid trembled slightly. "Are you trying to say… that you have no interest in succeeding me?"

The succession war was not over yet, and his eldest and second sons were already planning their comebacks, doing everything they could to make amends for their mistakes, including visiting the martial artists they used to command and apologizing in person. If Namgung Su left now, his position would likely become precarious.

Namgung Cheon eyed his son with a hint of disappointment. If you give up now, I will never give you another chance.

After a pause, Namgung Su shook his head. "Now is the time for our clan to unite. We have no time to waste on petty matters."

"What petty matters are you talking about?"

"The succession war, of course. We can continue all that nonsense after our clan has recovered."

"…Hmm." Namgung Cheon fell silent, taken aback by his son's admirable rebuttal. Instead of putting his own interests first, he prioritized the family.

Nevertheless, he wasn't about to reveal his satisfaction.

"What if one of your brothers seizes power while you're gone?" he asked.

"If I were you, I wouldn't let that happen."

Namgung Cheon was dumbfounded. "…What? Are you asking me to take your side?"

If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

Namgung Su shook his head. "No. Before our family has fully recovered from this tragedy, you must not favor any one heir. Any internal strife during these difficult times would only cause more harm to our family."

"…So? What does that have to do with you being in such a hurry to leave?"

Namgung Cheon's lips twitched unconsciously. I think I understand Su's intentions, but what does all that have to do with him trying to sneak out without telling anyone?

"If I leave first, wouldn't that give you a reason to send my brothers back to school? At least, that's what I would do if I were Patriarch," Namgung Su explained.

"Hoho…" Namgung Cheon could only laugh helplessly.

He read my mind, huh? No, I'm the one who played right into his hands…

Currently, the Namgung Clan was rife with tension. There was the First Young Master's faction, the Second Young Master's faction, and now the Third Young Master Namgung Su's faction. For him, who needed to unite the family right now, this was a troublesome situation.

Thus, when he heard that Namgung Su was planning to leave, he decided that he would send his other sons away as well.

So this was all part of his plan. While I was fretting over what to do, Su found a simple solution to the problem and guided me to the answer.

I hate to admit it, but… he's a better leader than me.

Namgung Cheon sighed. Though his mind warned him against showing favoritism to any of his sons, it seemed that his heart had already made its decision.

Right now, he was secretly suffering from serious internal injuries that he may never fully recover from. Within a few years, he might be forced to step down as Patriarch.

Before that happened, he had to choose a successor, and lately, this third son standing before him had caught his eye.

You ought to read this at northbladetldotcom.

"Actually, there is one more reason…" Namgung Su suddenly added.

Confused, Namgung Cheon asked, "What reason?"

Namgung Su replied with an awkward smile, "…I really am busy. I have to go back and prepare for my classes."

"W-What? Puhahaha!" Namgung Cheon burst out laughing, tears welling up at the corners of his eyes. For the first time since the incident, he broke out in genuine mirth.

Was that Su's attempt at a joke? Hahaha! No ordinary person would get it!

After a while, when he finally calmed down, the Namgung Patriarch looked at Namgung Su with a gentle expression. "Very well. If you're really going to use teaching as an excuse, then you had better win."

Y aren′t you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

"Huh?"

"Lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory at the Heavenly Martial Festival and prove your ability to the world. If you do that…"

As there were many ears listening, Namgung Cheon conveyed the rest of his message telepathically.

[I will make you my successor.]

"……"

For a while, father and son gazed at each other in silence.

Namgung Su didn't say anything. He simply clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Understood."

Namgung Cheon nodded, then stroked his youngest daughter's hair. "Mimi, make sure to always listen to your brother at the Azure Dragon Academy, okay?"

"Okay, Father!" Namgung Mi nodded energetically.

Namgung Su's eyes widened in shock. Eh? Wait, what did he just say? Mimi? At the Azure Dragon Academy?

"F-Father? What are you talking about…?" he began, when his mind finally registered the sight of Namgung Mi dressed in a thick travelling coat with a bag slung over her shoulder. Feeling his heart sink, he stuttered, "Y-You don't mean…"

Namgung Cheon nodded brazenly. "I'm entrusting Mimi to you. Take good care of her."

"…This is the first time I'm hearing about this." Namgung Su grit his teeth. He badly wanted to refuse, but his opponent was the notoriously stubborn Namgung Patriarch.

This is a free translation. You should not be seeing ads.

"That's because I was originally planning to discuss this with you today morning, when I suddenly discovered you trying to sneak out."

Namgung Su looked at Namgung Mi with a troubled expression. "I don't have time to look after a child while I'm working."

"……" Little Namgung Mi, barely ten years old, fidgeted under her brother's gaze.

Sighing, Namgung Cheon sent Namgung Su a telepathic message. [The main family estate is still unsafe. Since we don't know what other evil arts the Blood Cult might use, don't you think it's too dangerous to leave your little sister here?]

[Still…]

[Mimi's trauma won't go away if she stays here. I heard she's been having nightmares every day, and she only feels safe when she's with you.]

"……" Namgung Su glanced at his youngest sister. Even though she was the daughter of a noble martial family, she had already seen more horrors than someone her age should.

He knew about the nightmares. After all, she came to his room every night, whining and begging to sleep with him.

If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

He thought she was slowly getting better, but it seemed that he was wrong.

"Oppa…" Namgung Mi clasped her small hands together and looked up at Namgung Su with puppy dog eyes.

Namgung Cheon joined in the pleading, [I don't plan to leave her with you for long. Just take care of her for a few months until she feels better.]

In the end, Namgung Su caved in and nodded. "…Alright."

He reached out and held his sister's small hand.

This is a non-profit translation. Ads? What ads?

"I promise I'll be a good girl, Oppa. I won't cause trouble," Namgung Mi said, smiling brightly.

"I'll take your word for that. By the way, you're limited to one candy a day."

"No, that won't do… I need at least three a day!"

"Don't even think about it."

While the siblings negotiated over candy, Namgung Cheon approached Baek Suryong.

"Mr. Baek Suryong, could you spare me a moment?"

"Yes?" Baek Suryong turned around.

Spying the young instructor putting his hand in his pocket and fumbling with the gratitude tokens inside, Namgung Cheon chuckled, "I didn't bother to prepare a gratitude token for you. Our family will always be ready to help whenever our greatest benefactor calls. Instead… I'd like to give you something else."

"I've already received more than enough…"

Namgung Cheon pulled an item from his pocket. In a hurry, he had grabbed one of the Namgung Clan heirlooms.

Baek Suryong instantly changed his mind. "This is…? You don't mean…!?"

His eyes widened in disbelief. The item was a jade gratitude token, but it wasn't the Namgung Clan's. Instead, four characters were etched on it: 生死神醫 (Divine Physician).

Y aren′t you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

The gratitude tokens of the Sichuan Tang Clan or the Fire King were nothing compared to this.

The Divine Physician was the most renowned physician in the world and one of the Ten Supremes. After living for over two hundred years, his mastery of the medical arts was said to have reached the level of immortals.

Most importantly, he was the person Baek Suryong most desperately wanted to meet.

"If you ever meet the Divine Physician, this should come in handy."

"…Thank you." Baek Suryong carefully accepted the Divine Physician's gratitude token. "By the way, do you know where he is?"

Namgung Cheon shook his head. "He's an elusive figure, so meeting him isn't easy. Honestly, I wanted to use this myself many times, but I didn't get to because I couldn't find him, haha. Well, the Divine Physician is someone you can only meet through a special connection. Still, I have a feeling that if it's you, you'll definitely meet him sometime."

northbladetldotcom welcomes you.

"…I see." Baek Suryong nodded.

By hook or by crook, he would definitely find the Divine Physician. After all, he needed that person's help to raise his mastery of the Heaven Defying Divine Art and fully cure his Heavenly Yin Severed Meridians.

Now that I have the gratitude token, I just need to locate him.

Baek Suryong suddenly recalled the Dark Heaven Goddess's words.

"Soon, a great calamity will befall the Namgung Clan. When that happens, you will have to make a choice, and your decision will ultimately determine whether the event becomes a great disaster or a blessing for the world."

His martial arts had improved tremendously, and he had gained significant fame and countless connections from this journey to the Namgung Estate. So far, his choice had turned out to be rewarding for him at least.

Suddenly, the Namgung Patriarch whispered, "Psst! Please take good care of my son. He's still very lacking."

"Certainly, I'll guide him as much as I can."

This is a non-profit translation. You should not be seeing ads.

"FATHER!" Namgung Su scolded, scowling.

However, the two men just laughed.

"Oh my, it seems I've been keeping you for too long." Namgung Cheon turned toward the estate gatekeepers. "Our benefactors are leaving! Open the gates!"

The gates of the Namgung Clan swung open, and the Azure Dragon Academy instructors passed through.

The Namgung Clan Patriarch, the elders, and the unit commanders all came out to see them off.

Read this at northbladetldotcom, or else.

""We'll be going now! Goodbye!""

Namgung Su, Baek Suryong, and the other Azure Dragon Academy instructors bowed to the clan members and mounted their horses, with Namgung Mi sitting in front of Namgung Su.

When they were some distance away…

BANG!

Namgung Cheon stomped his foot, and all the members of the Namgung Clan who had come to see them off stood at attention.

Namgung Cheon inhaled deeply, then shouted, "The Namgung Clan will not forget the Azure Dragon Academy's kindness!"

He bowed respectfully to the leaving instructors, and all the members of the Namgung Clan followed suit.

"…!!"

The instructors turned around to look back at them, dumbfounded.

When the Azure Dragon Academy first came to the Namgung Clan, no one had expected anything from them. After all, for ten whole years, the Azure Dragon Academy had ranked last in the Heavenly Martial Festival.

They were a symbol of failure and mediocrity.

However, now… they were returning to the Azure Dragon Academy as the Namgung Clan's benefactors and heroes of the murim.

No, this is just the beginning, isn't it? Namgung Cheon mused, his instincts telling him that the storm called the Azure Dragon Academy was only just beginning to brew.

"I'm definitely going to attend this year's Heavenly Martial Festival," he swore to himself.

The Namgung Patriarch remained where he was until the Azure Dragon Academy instructors disappeared over the horizon.

Translator's Note: MIMI'S HERE! This is the end of the Namgung Arc. We start a new arc on Christmas Day.