Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

Nestled at the base of Mount Tianzhu in Anhui Province, the Tianzhu Inn buzzed with activity. Situated at the gateway to the Namgung Clan's territory, it drew in travelers from all corners of the jianghu, who always brought with them a flurry of rumors.

"Once again, the Namgung Clan is organizing a training course for the new instructors at the Five Great Academies!"

Lately, everyone had been talking about the Namgung Clan.

What kind of faction were they? Among the countless martial arts families in the murim, they were the most powerful. Rumor had it that their influence even rivaled that of Shaolin and Wudang, the twin titans of the jianghu.

It was no wonder, then, that news of the Namgung clan's activities grabbed everyone's attention.

"I heard that even Master Namgung Jaehak, the Blue Sky Sword King, will be giving lectures at this year's training course," a man with a goatee proclaimed, immediately capturing half the inn's attention.

"Really? Isn't the Blue Sky Sword King the former Patriarch of the Namgung Clan?"

"Exactly. He's easily among the top three of the Ten Supremes, and maybe even number one."

"Wow! So a legendary figure like him will be guiding the new instructors?" a young man who looked like a country bumpkin exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Trust me, my information is reliable," Goatee assured, his eyes gleaming. "One of my close friends works as a servant for the Namgung Clan."

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"Can you tell us more?"

"Mind if we join you?"

Several curious folks quickly gathered around Goatee's table.

He grinned, looking around at them. "I'm happy to share what I know, but all this talking has made me thirsty."

"Waiter! Bring a bottle of Bamboo Leaf Green over here!"

"I'm positively famished too."

"And some roast duck as well!"

Goatee stroked his beard smugly, but his shameless behavior instantly turned away half of the listening martial artists. Concluding that he was all talk and no substance, they figured that wherever there were crowds, there were bound to be unfounded rumors.

"That just goes to show how seriously the Namgung Clan is taking this training course this year. Want to know why? It's because the Heavenly Martial Academy has announced that they will not be attending the course."

"What?"

"Why?"

Half of those who had dismissed Goatee now looked back at him. If the news of the Heavenly Martial Academy's withdrawal was true, then this was a significant enough event to rattle the entire murim.

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Feigning obliviousness to the renewed attention, Goatee shoveled some food and drink into his mouth, then continued, "It's obvious, isn't it? There may be Five Great Academies, but the Heavenly Martial Academy has reigned supreme for decades. By refusing to participate in the Namgung Clan's training course, they're basically making a statement that 1) they have nothing to learn from the Namgung Clan, and 2) they don't want to be regarded as being on the same level as the other academies."

"What arrogance!"

"Still, to drop out of a training course organized by the Namgung Clan…"

Those listening, even those eavesdropping from a distance, couldn't help but nod in agreement. Only a small group sitting in a corner of the inn tensed up uncomfortably, though their reaction went unnoticed by most.

"What a shame. Without the Heavenly Martial Academy, this year's training course won't be as exciting as last year's," someone said in disappointment.

Goatee shook his head. "No, on the contrary, a much more interesting situation will unfold."

"Oh?"

"Now that the Heavenly Martial Academy is out of the picture, only the other four academies remain, and frankly speaking, they're all equally mediocre."

At this dismissive remark, the already tense figures in the corner clenched their fists and radiated a subtle killing intent.

Completely unaware of the danger nearby, Goatee rambled on. "Now, feeling their pride wounded, the four academies will compete even more fiercely to outdo each other, thinking they have a real chance at the top spot."

"I suppose…"

The listeners nodded again. In the absence of the Heavenly Martial Academy, the remaining academies would be desperate to prove themselves, if only to salvage some of their tarnished pride.

"So, which academy do you think will come out on top this year?"

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"That's a tough question. I need a bit more wine to help me think clearly…"

"Waiter! Bring more Bamboo Leaf Green here!"

Refilling his cup, Goatee continued, "I've lived in Anhui Province for over twenty years, and have seen countless instructors from the Five Great Academies come here for training. Some of them are now Star Instructors…"

"Get to the point!"

"Tsk, tsk. Impatient, are we? Fine, I'll give you my unbiased opinion."

Goatee began his 'unbiased' assessment of the Five Great Academies. Thanks to his captivating way of speaking, almost everyone in the inn was now hanging on to his every word.

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"First, the Vermilion Phoenix Academy has been the runner-up in the Heavenly Martial Festival for five years running. They're undeniably the second-best academy in the world, producing exceptional prodigies, and no one can dispute the skill of their instructors either."

He glanced around the inn, his eyes briefly meeting those of the fuming figures in the corner.

"…However, they are incredibly arrogant and think that they're the only ones who can rival the Heavenly Martial Academy, but the truth is that the other academies are quickly catching up. If they don't acknowledge this reality, they will stagnate."

CRACK!

The sound of splintering wood echoed through the inn, but hardly anyone noticed.

"Second, the Black Tortoise Academy has a secretive, almost mystical air. They are the most isolated from worldly affairs, and I've heard that they like to delve deeply into unorthodox studies such as foreign martial arts, formations, sorcery, ancient artifacts, and even necromancy."

"N-Necromancy?"

"Of course, it's purely theoretical. They wouldn't actually dare to create jiangshi."1

"That's true…"

"Anyway, they're a reclusive bunch, so they're probably not going to send many instructors to this training course. I doubt they care much about the outcome too," Goatee chuckled, taking another sip of wine. Despite his frivolous appearance, he seemed to possess considerable knowledge of the jianghu.

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"Finally, the White Tiger Academy has been on the rise lately. Their results are steadily improving, and both their students and instructors are as fierce as tigers. If I were to bet on an upset, I'd put my money on the White Tiger Academy."

The audience nodded, pondering his words.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting one? What about the Azure Dragon Academy?" someone asked.

"Ah, that's because they're not worth mentioning at all." Goatee snorted, then reluctantly continued, "The Azure Dragon Academy has been dead last for the past ten years, so it goes without saying that they're the weakest of the Five Great Academies. I've even heard rumors that they'll soon be excluded from the Heavenly Martial Festival! Honestly, I'm surprised they were invited to this year's training. They must be thanking the gods for this miracle…"

"But I heard the Azure Dragon Hero beheaded the Bloody Ripper in the Valley of Evil…"

"Puh-lease… Who would believe such a tall tale?"

"Isn't it a bit too widespread to be dismissed as a baseless rumor, though?"

Goatee frowned. "Even if there's some truth to it, it's exaggerated. They probably ganged up on the Bloody Ripper or lured him into a trap. Think about it. Why would a master strong enough to kill one of the Ten Great Villains join the Azure Dragon Academy in the first place?"

"Good point…"

Seeing everyone readily accept his logic, Goatee suddenly rose to his feet. "Dear jianghu brothers! Since you have so generously shared your food and drink with me today, allow me to repay your kindness with a song."

All eyes turned to him in surprise, but Goatee simply cleared his throat and composed a short song on the spot.

"The prideful Vermilion Bird never bows its head,

"The mysterious Black Tortoise is a mirage instead.

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"The fearless White Tiger's roar shakes earth and sky,

"The spineless Azure Dragon hides where clouds float by."

As Goatee belted out his impromptu song with enthusiasm, the crowd laughed and clapped, until suddenly, a cold, killing intent filled the inn.

Two men who had been sitting quietly in the corner rose and strode towards Goatee.

"Shut your mouth."

"Your arrogance knows no bounds. How dare you spout such nonsense when you know nothing?"

Goatee gasped. "Who are you…?"

The men threw off their black cloaks, revealing crimson martial arts uniforms with the character for "vermilion" (朱) emblazoned on their chests.

Recognizing the symbol, Goatee froze in terror. "The Vermilion Phoenix Academy?"

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"That's right. We are new instructors from the Vermilion Phoenix Academy, on our way to the training course."

"B-But why are instructors from the Vermilion Phoenix Academy in a place like this… and only two of you…"

"Is that really important right now? What matters is that we heard your slanderous remarks."

The Vermilion Phoenix instructors' chilly sneers sent beads of sweat trickling down Goatee's forehead. In an attempt to defuse the tension, he forced a laugh, "Haha, it is said that even the Emperor doesn't mind being criticized behind his back. Surely, you two masters are magnanimous enough to…"

"Then why did you criticize us right to our faces instead of behind our backs, huh?"

"W-Well…"

"You've insulted our academy. Slice your own mouth, and we might forgive you."

"Alternatively, we can take this outside. Aren't you also a martial artist? Since you're publicly ridiculing our academy, you must be confident in your abilities, right?"

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Arrogance dripped from the words of the two Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors.

Isn't this a bit excessive?

They're every bit as arrogant as the rumors say.

Still, no one dared to intervene. In the orthodox sects, it was considered cowardly to turn a blind eye to an insult against one's sect, so even though the Vermilion Phoenix Academy wasn't a sect in the traditional sense, the instructors had every right to take offense at Goatee's words.

Goatee knew this as well, so he desperately pleaded, "P-Please forgive me, I won't do it again…"

"Will you come with us quietly, or do we have to drag you out?"

Goatee glanced around in dismay, silently pleading for help, yet the same people who had been entertained by his gossip now avoided his gaze.

"S-Someone, anyone, please…"

"……"

No one came to his aid.

Sniggering, one of the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors reached out to grab Goatee…

WHISTLE!

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When suddenly, a chopstick came flying from out of nowhere, startling him into withdrawing his hand.

"Who's there?!"

"Show yourself, coward!"

The two Vermilion Phoenix instructors drew their weapons and turned to face the source of the projectile—one of a group of six individuals in black bamboo hats seated at a table.

"Don't you think you're overreacting? People say things they don't mean when they're drunk. There's no need to maim someone over such a trivial matter," the chopstick-thrower said.

He stood up and removed his hat, revealing an extraordinarily handsome face that drew gasps of admiration from all around the inn.

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Of course, the two Vermilion Phoenix instructors found neither the man's interference nor the reaction caused by his appearance amusing. Most importantly, they didn't sense any particularly powerful aura from the man, he was just a good-looking commoner.

"Are you saying we should just ignore an insult to our academy?"

"Who are you to interfere?"

The handsome man grinned. "Me? I'm a Star Instructor at the Azure Dragon Academy."

"The Azure Dragon Academy?"

"A Star Instructor?"

The Vermilion Phoenix instructors stared at the handsome man incredulously, while a chorus of groans erupted from behind him.

"Oh, Hyung-nim…"

"This is so embarrassing…"

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"Insolent bastard. Who are you trying to impersonate?"

Baek Suryong scratched his head sheepishly. "Well, not yet, but it's inevitable. After all…

Glancing around the inn, he broke into a mischievous grin.

"…The Azure Dragon Academy is going to win this year's Heavenly Martial Festival."

And so, in the Tianzhu Inn, the heart of jianghu gossip, right under the nose of the Namgung Clan, Baek Suryong declared war on the Five Great Academies.

1. Jiangshi (殭屍): Chinese undead, could refer to zombies or vampires. ↩