Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

To be honest, there was little Seonwoo Jin stood to gain from challenging Hyonwon Kang to a duel, and most of the Bladesmanship Research Society (BRS) executives shared that sentiment. Seonwoo Jin was still the overwhelming favorite in the election, so even if he won the duel, it wouldn't benefit him much.

However, if the opposite happened…

The executives shuddered at the thought, but hesitated to speak out.

Seonwoo Jin's eyes gleamed with a crazed intensity as he declared, "At the end of the day, the essence of a martial artist is martial arts. If I display overwhelming martial prowess against Hyonwon Kang, his cheap tricks won't work anymore."

But what if you lose? The executives desperately wanted to challenge his confidence. If Seonwoo Jin lost, Hyonwon Kang would immediately gain equal or even greater prestige than Seonwoo Jin.

After all, the students of Azure Dragon Academy were martial artists at heart. They couldn't help but admire and be attracted to someone stronger.

We gain nothing if he wins, but if he loses, it could cost him the election!

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Even so, the BRS executives kept their worries to themselves. Merely suggesting the possibility of defeat would wound Seonwoo Jin's pride. Besides, he was already furious about the posters that had been put up today.

In the end, they each nodded in agreement.

"That sounds like a good idea."

"We've held back until now because it wasn't worth the effort."

"President, please crush that guy in front of everyone."

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Normally, Seonwoo Jin wouldn't have chosen a risky move like a public duel, even if he was confident of winning. After all, in a duel, one could lose to a hidden trump card prepared by one's opponent. Unfortunately, the current Seonwoo Jin wasn't in a state to make calm judgments.

Hyonwon Kang! I'll crush you thoroughly in front of everyone.

He couldn't forget how Hyonwon Kang had humiliated him during the campaign, the damaging content of the posters, or the looming threats from Baek Suryong. Anger and fear simmered inside him, building up to an unbearable degree.

Should I sever one of his arms during the duel? Would that cause too much trouble? Maybe I can make it look like an accident…

At the very least, Seonwoo Jin had no intention of letting Hyonwon Kang leave the duel stage unscathed.

His eyes filled with killing intent, Seonwoo Jin asked, "Any objections? Feel free to speak your mind."

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Naturally, no one dared object. None of the executives truly believed that Seonwoo Jin would lose, anyway.

I feel oddly uneasy, but unless something goes horribly wrong, the result is obvious.

It would be another matter if the opponent was Peng Sahyuk, but there's no way Hyonwon Kang can beat Seonwoo Jin.

Even if that delinquent got stronger lately, there's no way he can defeat the President.

There was no doubt that Seonwoo Jin was one of the top ten prodigies of the Azure Dragon Academy, and even the egotistical Peng Sahyuk acknowledged his blade techniques. No matter how much Hyonwon Kang trained recently, it wouldn't be enough.

No matter how they looked at it, they couldn't find any reason why Seonwoo Jin would lose this duel. Rather, they were more worried that Hyonwon Kang would refuse it. That delinquent was hardly the type to back down from a fight, but hadn't he recently sustained serious internal injuries and wasn't fully recovered yet?

A sinister smile spread across Seonwoo Jin's lips. "Do not worry. I'll see to it that Hyonwon Kang won't be able to avoid it."

That night, Seonwoo Jin ordered all the slanderous posters around the Azure Dragon Academy to be taken down and replaced them with a formal duel challenge addressed to Hyonwon Kang.

I am Seonwoo Jin, the President of the Bladesmanship Research Society.

Recently, tensions between myself and student Hyonwon Kang have intensified ahead of the Club Union President election, causing unease among the student body. For that, I apologize. The posters that contained unverified rumors were taken down last night, and I swear on my honor that none of them are true for either party.

From this moment forward, I vow to engage in fair competition.

To this end, I formally challenge Candidate Hyonwon Kang to a friendly duel at the date specified below. As orthodox martial artists, I believe that facing each other in combat is a far better way to uphold our convictions than slandering each other behind the scenes.

I await your response, Candidate Hyonwon Kang.

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—Seonwoo Jin

A duel challenge had been posted at the main gate of the Azure Dragon Academy, drawing the attention of students on their way to class and instructors arriving for work.

"Looks like Seonwoo Jin is preparing for a showdown. Well, after being falsely accused, it's no wonder…"

"You know the Club Union started it first, right? Even though Hyonwon Kang's known as a delinquent, he's nowhere near as much of a scumbag as the posters made him out to be."

"Whoever wins this duel becomes the President, right?"

"Then why have an election? Those guys are just mad at each other and want to settle things with their fists."

"The result will influence the election though…"

"Hyonwon Kang won't turn this down, will he?"

"Since when has that guy ever backed down from a fight?"

"By the way, who do you think will win?"

"Well…"

"Hyonwon Kang?"

"Seonwoo Jin?"

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The academy was abuzz with talk of the upcoming duel. A clash between two students competing for the position of Club Union President was already enough to get people talking, but the fact that both wielded daos only heightened the excitement. With Peng Sahyuk having departed for the Heavenly Martial Academy, some even speculated that the victor of this duel would claim the title of the top bladesman at the Azure Dragon Academy.

"Woah, this atmosphere is no joke."

Arriving at school early in the morning, the White Dragon Manor students marveled at the heightened atmosphere of the academy. They, too, had seen the duel challenge posted at the main gate.

However, among them, Hyonwon Kang was conspicuously absent.

"This is the prime spot today, so let's set up shop here," Geo Sangwoong suggested, rubbing his palms like a greedy merchant as chose a spot near the biggest poster, unpacked a large bundle he had carried on his back, and pulled out a long folding table.

"Yaaawn… Do we have to start so early? I didn't get enough sleep…" Ya Suhyeok complained, yawning widely as he placed a large bundle no smaller than Geo Sangwoong's on the table and unwrapped it to reveal a large wooden box.

Opening the box, Yeo Min casually asked Wiji Cheon, "By the way, have Senior Wonkang's internal injuries fully healed yet?"

Inside the box, hundreds of rice balls lay neatly arranged, emitting a savory yet slightly pungent herbal scent.

"I think he's much better now," Wiji Cheon replied, helping Yeo Min to take out the rice balls and arrange them neatly on the table.

As the aroma from the unusually fragrant rice balls filled the air, curious students began to gather nearby.

"That damned Seonwoo Jin really couldn't have picked a better date," Geo Sangwoong muttered sarcastically, clicking his tongue as he glanced at the challenge date.

The date that Seonwoo Jin proposed for the friendly duel was the day before the Club Union President election.

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"Looks like he wants to humiliate our favorite delinquent, but let's see who gets embarrassed in the end, huh?" Geo Sangwoong grinned.

Then, with a flourish, the heir to one of the Ten Great Companies began to show off his skills.

"Step right up, folks! Medicinal rice balls made with miracle herbs from deep in the mountains, courtesy of the Medicinal Cooking Research Society! ALL FREE-OF-CHARGE! But only for the first 100! Only 100 people will get these miracle herbs for free! First come, first served! Get your rice balls now!"

As the words "free" and "first come, first served" echoed through the crowd, students flocked to the stall. Handing out the rice balls, the White Dragon Manor students didn't miss the chance to promote their cause.

"Enjoy your miracle herbs!"

"Support the Medicinal Cooking Research Society!"

"Don't forget to vote for Hyonwon Kang!"

In truth, this wasn't something that Hyonwon Kang had asked for, nor was it something that Baek Suryong had instructed them to do. The four students had volunteered to support Hyonwon Kang's campaign while he was training and willingly prepared the rice balls in the wee hours of the morning, in stark contrast to the BRS executives who couldn't even speak their minds because they had to watch Seonwoo Jin's mood.

Before they knew it, the White Dragon Manor students had handed out all the rice balls, and they sent the students off with a promise to return.

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"We'll be back tomorrow! Please cast your vote for our reformed delinquent!"

At their cheerful farewell, smiles spread on the faces of the students who had popped a rice ball into their mouths.

…As for why Hyonwon Kang was missing, it was because he was currently undergoing special training with Baek Suryong.

In the training grounds of the White Dragon Manor, Baek Suryong and Hyonwon Kang stood facing each other, doing warm-up exercises.

"Did you see the duel challenge?" Baek Suryong asked.

Hyonwon Kang nodded. "Yeah. That asshole sure wrote a long message just to say he's itching for a fight."

"Will you accept?"

Hyonwon Kang's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. "Of course. I've been wanting to test myself against him for a while anyway. I've heard he's the strongest bladesman in the Azure Dragon Academy after Peng Sahyuk."

Baek Suryong finished his warm-ups and folded his arms smugly. "Think you can win?"

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Hyonwon Kang lifted his blade and flicked the side with his finger.

TING!

As the clear sound echoed, he grinned. "More or less."

"From what I saw yesterday, Seonwoo Jin is no pushover. It won't be easy to take him down," Baek Suryong remarked in a sardonic tone that made one wonder if he was worried about his student or subtly riling him up.

"……" Once, such words would have incited Hyonwon Kang, but no longer. Although his eyes still burned like molten lava, they carried a new lucidity and composure.

Baek Suryong continued, "I heard his martial arts rank among the top ten in your grade. When it comes to the blade, they say he's currently the best in the Azure Dragon Academy…"

Grinning roguishly, Hyonwon Kang raised his blade and pointed it at Baek Suryong. "Soon, he won't be the best anymore," he said, releasing an overwhelming wild aura.

WHOOSH!

His true nature hadn't vanished—it had merely been restrained and held in check. Now that it was unleashed, merely standing across from him felt like having one's entire body torn to shreds.

This kid… Though he did not show it, Baek Suryong was impressed. It had been a while since he had last felt the aura of the Asura Blood Heaven Blade, the supreme martial art left behind by the Crazy Demon. Hyonwon Kang's progress had exceeded his expectations.

"While I was stuck recovering, I thought long and hard about what wielding the blade means to me," Hyonwon Kang said, a refined madness flickering in his eyes.

"You've come a long way, punk," Baek Suryong praised.

Although he's still far from matching Master Crazy Demon, who perfected his blade technique through a hundred life-and-death battles, he seems to have properly inherited the will that Master left behind.

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Smirking, he reached out toward the weapon rack, and a blade hanging there flew into his hand. He had prepared a customized lesson for his student, who had an important duel coming up.

"I'll sharpen the blade that dulled while you rested. Let's start with quick-draw techniques," he said.

Hyonwon Kang nodded determinedly. "Got it! Please guide me!"

Baek Suryong lunged forward like a lightning bolt and swung his blade with blinding speed.

CLANG!

Hyonwon Kang barely blocked the first strike, but the second attack followed immediately.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Gritting his teeth, Hyonwon Kang blocked and deflected Baek Suryong's attacks coming from all directions. His martial arts uniform was soon torn and cuts appeared on his skin, but he pushed through the pain and concentrated fully on swinging his blade.

I can see it. It's becoming clearer.

At first, even following Baek Suryong's blade with his eyes had been difficult, but gradually, he got used to the rapid tempo and started trusting his instincts, sharpening his reflexes.

Three days passed like that.

Baek Suryong skillfully polished Hyonwon Kang's bladesmanship, restoring the edge that had grown dull during his hiatus.

SWOOSH!

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Finally, Hyonwon Kang spotted an opening in Baek Suryong's defenses. In an instant, he swiftly closed in on Baek Suryong, thinking, CUT HIM!

RIIIP!

A sliver of blue fabric fluttered to the ground, no larger than a fingernail, but to Hyonwon Kang, it meant the world. This was undoubtedly the best slash he had ever delivered.

"I… I really cut him…" Hyonwon Kang panted, staring down at his blade, hands trembling with a newfound sense of accomplishment.

"Well done," Baek Suryong commended, smiling faintly as he patted Hyonwon Kang's shoulder.

Fortunately, his dumb student hadn't noticed that he had deliberately let himself get cut.

Time flew by, and the day of the duel finally arrived.

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Translator's Note: I'm going on a hiking trip tomorrow, so there will be fewer releases this weekend, maybe 4-5 chapters.