Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 380: The Teachers Are More Excited

TL: FoodieMonster007

Go to northbladetldotcom!

"...Eh?"

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

"Wow, he acts like he owns the place..."

The Five Young Azure Dragons were taken aback by Namgung Su's sudden appearance. Not only was it surprising that he barged in without notice, but his out-of-context demand to 'join the White Team' was also completely incomprehensible.

"It seems you haven't heard anything yet." Namgung Su regarded the students one by one expressionlessly. "In this year's Blue and White Team Competition, Baek Suryong and I have decided to act as commanders for each team. I am in charge of the White Team, and Baek Suryong is responsible for the Blue Team."

""So...?""

Although Namgung Su had planned to act while Baek Suryong was away, he didn't intend to deceive the Five Young Azure Dragons. In fact, his plan was quite the opposite.

"I will give you an opportunity to defeat Baek Suryong," he said, tempting them.

""What?!""

The Five Young Azure Dragons' eyes shot wide open.

Hyonwon Kang dropped the cookie he was holding. "Are you telling us to betray our teacher?"

READ THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM, OR ELSE.

"That's a bit..."

"Weren't you two on good terms now?"

Namgung Su fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "You clearly don't understand Baek Suryong's feelings."

Hyonwon Kang stepped forward with a scowl, visibly upset. "We know him much better than you do, Mr. Namgung Su. Have you experienced being nagged and beaten by him every day? I can tell exactly where I'm going to get hit just by looking at his eyes!"

"Wonkang, I don't think that's something to brag about..."

"Senior..."

"You know where he's going to hit you, but you can't dodge it...?"

Ignoring his embarrassed friends, Hyonwon Kang folded his arms and glared at Namgung Su. "Anyway, we have no intention of betraying Mr. Baek even if you place a knife against our throa..."

THIS IS A NON-PROFIT TRANSLATION. ADS? WHAT ADS?

"Baek Suryong wants you to exceed his expectations," Namgung Su interjected.

"...Huh?" Hyonwon Kang blinked uncertainly.

Namgung Su strode closer to the students, his face serious. "What I mean is, he expects you, his students, to surpass him by any means necessary, even if it means opposing him sometimes."

"T-That's..."

"Was that not how Baek Suryong taught you? If not, say so."

"W-Well, you're not wrong, but..."

Hyonwon Kang was flustered. Namgung Su's argument felt a bit forced, but he couldn't think of a proper rebuttal. He was up against a Star Instructor who dealt with hundreds of students every day, after all. How was he supposed to win a battle of wits against someone like that?

THIS IS A FREE TRANSLATION. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SEEING ADS.

Namgung Su turned to look at the other students as well, his gaze so intense that lightning seemed to flash from his brilliant golden eyes. "Let me ask you all one question. Are you confident that you can defeat Baek Suryong even once before you graduate?"

"......" The five young Azure Dragons struggled to answer. Even though they trained diligently every day, Baek Suryong was growing stronger even faster than they were.

If things go on like this, we'll never be able to beat that smug bastard before we graduate!

Namgung Su continued, "Of course, the Blue and White Competition is not a martial arts competition. Inner arts are not permitted, and physical clashes beyond a certain degree are forbidden. However, it is still a contest. The objective is to form teams, defeat the opponents, and claim victory. If you join the Blue Team with Baek Suryong, you can easily win. But what meaning is there in such a victory?"

"......" The students were stunned speechless. While the Azure Dragon Festival was originally intended to be a fun and lighthearted sports day, Namgung Su made it seem as if it was a mock war.

"On the other hand, if you take a stand against your teacher, face him directly, and achieve victory..." Namgung Su paused, meeting each of the students' eyes. "If I were Baek Suryong, I would be extremely pleased."

"...!" The students, who had initially rejected the idea of betraying their teacher, began to waver.

Right. This isn't a betrayal.

It's an opportunity to defeat our teacher and have our growth acknowledged!

Noticing the students' growing indecision, Namgung Su delivered the final blow. "Besides... don't you want to see Baek Suryong grind his teeth in frustration after losing?"

"...!!"

Those words proved decisive. Who wouldn't want the chance to see Baek Suryong's smug expression crumble? Who wouldn't want to be the first to add defeat to the legend of the Azure Dragon Hero, who was making waves in the murim?

THIS IS A NON-PROFIT TRANSLATION. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SEEING ADS.

"...Of course we want to see it!"

"Just once..."

"If it's possible..."

The students nodded, looking mesmerized.

Namgung Su extended his hand. "I will help you. History will remember you as the first students to defeat Baek Suryong."

"...Let's do this."

"What the hell, it's not like we'll die, right?"

"That's right! This isn't betrayal, it's growth!"

A barely noticeable smirk formed on Namgung Su's expressionless face at the sight of the Five Young Azure Dragons trying to rationalize their betrayal.

Just as I expected.

The Five Young Azure Dragons were basically Baek Suryong's direct disciples. Recruiting them would not only weaken Baek Suryong, but also greatly strengthen his own forces.

The moment he conceived the plan, he had sprung into action. Sure enough, leveraging his experience as a Star Instructor, his quest to recruit all five naive kids was a great success.

"If you have made up your minds, sign this document." Namgung Su handed out application forms for the Blue and White Team Competition.

The Five Young Azure Dragons signed the documents as if under a spell.

WHY AREN′T YOU READING THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM?

Namgung Su collected the applications and said flatly, "I'll be in touch soon."

He turned around and quickly left the White Dragon Manor.

The entire recruitment process, from his arrival to his departure, had taken just over fifteen minutes.

"I feel like I was possessed by a ghost..."

"We did the right thing, right?"

"What if Mr. Baek gets angry?"

"If we tell him what Mr. Namgung Su said, he should understand, right? Probably..."

Finally, they began to consider the consequences of their actions, but it was too late to undo the damage.

That evening, Baek Suryong returned to the White Dragon Manor and handed out application forms for the competition, completely unaware of what had happened.

"Alright, everyone sign here. I'm planning to crush Namgung Su's stuck-up nose in this competition, so you should all join the Blue Team..."

"......" The students froze, their eyes trembling.

"......" Baek Suryong narrowed his eyes. Something was strange. "Why the long faces? Did something happen?"

Y AREN′T YOU READING THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM?

"W-Well, the thing is..."

"M-Mr. Baek, please stay calm and listen to the end. Mr. Namgung Su came by earlier..."

Hyonwon Kang and Geo Sangwoong nervously recounted the story of Namgung Su's visit, carefully observing Baek Suryong's reaction at every turn.

"What? Namgung Su?"

Baek Suryong initially tried to hear his students out calmly, but midway through, his jaw dropped in disbelief. By the time they finished, he was smiling serenely, as if he had reached enlightenment.

"So... you all decided to join the White Team? All of you, without a single exception?"

IF YOU′RE SEEING THIS, YOU ARE AT THE WRONG PLACE.

"Mr. Namgung Su said this doesn't count as betrayal!"

"He said that if he were you, he would be extremely pleased..."

"He asked if we wanted to see you lose..."

"Why did you mention that, you fucking idiot?!"

The students stepped back stealthily, their faces pale. They thought Baek Suryong would be angry, but he smiled like a Buddha and shook his head instead.

"Dear kids, as Namgung Su said, I will be truly happy the day you defeat me."

""Mr. Baek...!""

THIS IS A NON-PROFIT TRANSLATION. THERE ARE NO ADS.

"We'll definitely, definitely win!"

"We'll show you how much we've grown!"

Smiling with satisfaction, Baek Suryong drew his sword before his emotional students.

SHING!

"But happy is happy."

As the Divine Azure Dragon Sword reflected the moonlight, a chilling killing intent seeped from it.

"And betrayal is betrayal."

Sometimes, when one's anger surpasses a certain level, they become calmer. Baek Suryong was in such a state right now.

"You fell for Namgung Su's sweet talk and betrayed me? Hah, as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished... You ungrateful little shits..."

"P-Please spare us!"

"Run away! He's lost it!"

""SENIOR WONKANG SUGGESTED IT!""

"WHY ME AGAIN?!"

READ THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM, OR ELSE.

"All of you, don't you dare move!"

That night, a symphony of screams echoed continuously through the White Dragon Manor, never dying down.

With the Azure Dragon Festival set to begin the very next day, Baek Suryong called a strategy meeting with Tang Soso at the Blue Team Headquarters (also known as Baek Suryong's office). Their expressions were as serious as those of a general and his strategist going to war.

"Our army is in a precarious position. Namgung Su struck first and recruited the Five Young Azure Dragons. I underestimated him," Baek Suryong lamented.

"How are things on the instructors' side?" Tang Soso asked.

"I've recruited Ak Yeonho and Myeong Il'oh, but Jaegal Soyeong and Kwak Duyong have sided with the enemy."

"Miss Jaegal Soyeong is Mr. Namgung Su's second-in-command, so that can't be helped… but why Mr. Kwak Duyong?"

"He said he thought his presence would be a little more noticeable on that side."

"...That's actually a legitimate reason."

THIS IS A NON-PROFIT TRANSLATION. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SEEING ADS.

On one wall of the Blue Team Headquarters was a list of participants. When compared to the glamorous White Team roster, however, the Blue Team's was somewhat lacking in notable players. The difference in the students' martial prowess was particularly striking.

"The Five Young Azure Dragons are indeed the biggest problem. Regardless of the event, we lack students who can face them."

"I raised a bunch of tiger cubs..."

Baek Suryong glowered at the names of his students on the White Team's list. Although inner arts were not permitted in the Blue and White Team Competition, the side with superior martial arts had an undeniable advantage.

"Don't worry. For now, I've succeeded in recruiting Yoo Yiran."

Baek Suryong blinked in shock. "How did you manage to do that when Wiji Cheon is on the White Team?"

He knew the two were close, so he was surprised to hear that Tang Soso had recruited Yoo Yiran.

READ THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM, OR ELSE.

"Fufufu... That's a secret between ladies."

"What about the probability of her being a spy for the White Team?"

"Zero, so don't worry."

Tang Soso smiled cheerfully. Despite the Blue Team's circumstances, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Baek Suryong.

I'll show you that we can win even without the Five Young Azure Dragons. With my strategy.

The Blue and White Team Competition was the perfect opportunity for her to prove her worth. She planned to give it her all, defeat the Five Young Azure Dragons, and become Baek Suryong's new teacher's pet.

"There are still students who haven't decided whether to participate. I invited them for career counseling, so they'll be arriving soon."

Baek Suryong nodded approvingly. "Good. He who is not with me is against me. We cannot allow anyone to sit on the fence."

KNOCK KNOCK!

Just then, the first counselee arrived at the door.

THIS IS A NON-PROFIT TRANSLATION. THERE ARE NO ADS.

"Come in," Baek Suryong said.

Mok Hyungwoo cautiously opened the door and entered. "You were looking for me, Mr. Baek...?"

"I'll get straight to the point. Student Mok Hyungwoo, join the Blue Team."

Mok Hyungwoo had ten years of military experience, and his leadership ability was so impressive that Baek Suryong had taken note of it in class. This was a man he absolutely wanted to recruit.

However, Mok Hyungwoo just scratched his stubble reluctantly. "To be honest, I received the same offer from Mr. Namgung Su. I'm also taking his class."

"Did you already join the White Team?" Baek Suryong asked icily.

Mok Hyungwoo's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "N-No, I refused. I wanted to focus more on my personal training."

"If you join the Blue Team, I'll teach you a new spear technique."

Mok Hyungwoo's jaw dropped. "P-Pardon?"

Everyone in the murim knew that martial arts were not to be passed down carelessly, even among blood relatives. For Baek Suryong to offer to teach him a spear technique just for participating in a festival game was beyond his comprehension.

THIS IS A FREE TRANSLATION. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SEEING ADS.

To Baek Suryong, however, it really was no big deal. He knew numerous Blood Cult martial arts, and modifying and teaching one of them wasn't partifularly difficult.

I was planning to teach him a better spear technique when I saw an opportunity anyway.

Mok Hyungwoo lacked talent, but he was exceptionally diligent and tenacious. Baek Suryong had always valued that quality in him.

"A-Are you serious?" Mok Hyungwoo stammered.

Baek Suryong cocked his head. "Do I look like I'd lie about martial arts?"

"N-No, that's not it, but..." Mok Hyungwoo scratched his head, then said cautiously, "...This might be a bit rude, but isn't this Blue and White Team Competition just a sports festival? I don't quite understand why you're so serious..."

"It is a war that cannot be avoided, nor can I afford to lose. Just know that."

"......" Mok Hyungwoo swallowed dryly and nodded.

Baek Suryong handed him a participation form, and he quietly signed it.

"...Understood. I will bring victory with a do-or-die attitude," he said firmly, his eyes filled with the resolve of a veteran soldier.

"That's a good mindset. Go back and wait for instructions."

"Yes, sir!"

IF YOU′RE SEEING THIS, YOU ARE AT THE WRONG PLACE.

Mok Hyungwoo left, and Yong Hosik, a first-year student, entered. Like Mok Hyungwoo, he was a student that Baek Suryong had paid special attention to in class.

"U-Um, you called for me, Mr. Baek...?"

"Student Yong Hosik. From today onwards, you are part of the Blue Team."

"Y-Yes?"

"You can speak with Mok Hyungwoo for more detail on the specifics."

Baek Suryong recruited Yong Hosik to the Blue Team unceremoniously, and the innocent first-year student became a member in a stupor.

Just like that, more and more students found themselves recruited in similarly mysterious fashion.

Tang Soso said, "While it's good that we have more members now, we need a skilled senior to truly close the gap. I've shortlisted a few candidates..."

Baek Suryong grinned slyly. "The most reliable senior of all will be here soon."

"Who?"

KNOCK KNOCK!

IF YOU′RE SEEING THIS, YOU ARE AT THE WRONG PLACE.

Someone knocked on the door, and a moment later, Tang Soso's eyes flew open. This was a turn of events that even she, the Student Council's strategist, had not anticipated.

"Senior Bang Baekhyun?" she exclaimed.

"Haha! It's been a while, Soso. You too, Mr. Baek Suryong!" Bang Baekhyun clasped his hands together in greeting.

Baek Suryong smirked evilly. He had received word from the Murim Alliance that Bang Baekhyun, who was interning at the Omniscient Bureau, would be returning to the Azure Dragon Academy for the Azure Dragon Festival.

"What brings you here, Senior?" Tang Soso asked.

Bang Baekhyun grinned. "I am here as an envoy from the Omniscient Bureau, on a mission to deliver an important agenda to the Murim Alliance's Jiangxi Branch, as well as to you, Mr. Baek."

He reached into his shirt pocket to take out a letter from the Murim Alliance Chairman, but Baek Suryong stopped him.

"Bang Baekhyun," Baek Suryong said seriously. "You haven't graduated yet, and you're not on a leave of absence, correct?"

"Of course. I am currently doing an internship, but... I believe my course credits are recognized."

"Then it's settled."

"Settled? What do you mean?"

IF YOU′RE SEEING THIS, YOU ARE AT THE WRONG PLACE.

Tang Soso clapped her hands in glee. "According to the regulations, there's no problem with you participating!"

"Good. From now on, you're part of the Blue Team."

"Could you please fill me in on the circumstances?"

Some time later, after hearing Baek Suryong's explanation, Bang Baekhyun's eyes glittered with excitement. "This sounds fun."

Although he had held himself back because of his mother's controlling nature in the past, he had always loved fun and chaos. He was not the type to miss out on such a spectacular event. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

As for why he was participating, well, he couldn't possibly disobey the Murim Alliance Chief Instructor, right? No senior in the Omniscient Bureau would dare say anything, right? Right?

"I will cooperate to the best of my ability," he said resolutely.

READ THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM, OR ELSE.

"Good. Now, the balance seems a bit more even."

With Bang Baekhyun joining the Blue Team, the balance of power between the teams was restored.

Baek Suryong sighed and rose from his seat. "I'll leave the rest to you, Strategist Tang.

"Yes! Please count on me!"

Baek Suryong concluded the strategy meeting and left the office.

Moments later, he ran into Namgung Su, who was walking in the opposite direction.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

Their gazes met, and sparks seemed to fly between them. As they got closer, the tension between them grew.

"Look who it is! If it isn't the Star Instructor who stole another person's students with his silver tongue?"

"I don't think that's something a teacher who abuses his authority for personal gain should say."

"What do you mean? I just called the students in for counseling. Counseling."

"Could it be a mere coincidence that all of those students later made their way to the Student Council to collect blue headbands?"

Y AREN′T YOU READING THIS AT NORTHBLADETLDOTCOM?

"I see you've already planted a spy, huh?"

SIZZLE! SIZZLE!

The sparks looked about to catch fire.

"Get ready to be humiliated."

"I shall enjoy watching your futile struggle, Junior."

The nearby students who had been watching with bated breath murmured as they saw the scene.

"Why does it seem like the teachers are more excited about this than we are...?"