Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 477: You're Gravely Mistaken

CREAK...
Baek Suryong opened the door to the old bookstore and stepped inside to the moan of old hinges. The space was filled with the scent of paper, which had seeped into it over many long years, and the dim interior was lit by only an oil lamp.
Hmm?
He was certain this was his first time visiting this bookstore, yet the atmosphere and the neatly arranged items evoked a sense of déjà vu. She bit her lower lip thoughtfully.
The reason for this feeling was soon revealed. A handsome young man with a cool demeanor leaned against a wall while reading a book, looking as if he had just stepped out of a painting by Artist Pung Wol.
"Namgung Su?" Baek Suryong muttered, bewildered.
Namgung Su looked up at the person who had called him. For a moment, his eyes widened in surprise. Although it was a subtle change that only someone as observant as Baek Suryong would notice, it indicated just how shocked he was.
"...Baek Suryong?" he groaned. There were never any other customers at this hour, so he always read here alone in quiet solitude. Yet here was Baek Suryong, whom he thought was recuperating at the White Dragon Manor, standing before him.
He narrowed his eyes and eyed Baek Suryong suspiciously. "What are you scheming? Don't tell me you tailed me?"
The cheerful grin vanished from Baek Suryong's face, and his jaw dropped, as if he had heard the most absurd thing possible. "What nonsense are you spouting? The joy I felt at running into a familiar face by coincidence is melting away."
The lantern's light flickered momentarily.
"Your voice is too loud." Namgung Su frowned and gestured with his chin toward a corner of the bookstore.
An old woman who appeared to be the owner was sitting there, dozing. A book lay on a small table in front of her, as if she had been reading until just a moment ago.
Baek Suryong clicked his tongue softly and lowered his voice. "It's past closing time. How could you make an old lady stay up so late just for you?"
"That's baseless slander. I pay a considerable monthly fee to make use of this place at night."
Indeed, most of the bookstore's income came from Namgung Su's wallet. This was his go-to place when he wanted to rest and read.
He strode over and snatched the book from Baek Suryong's hands.
Namgung Su examined Baek Suryong's complexion critically. "I heard you were back. You look better than I expected."
"I've been taking the medicine and eating the food you sent."
"Those remedies were made using the Namgung Clan's secret manual, so of course they're effective. Make sure to take them on time with a nutritious meal, according to the instructions."
Baek Suryong let out a soft laugh at Namgung Su's characteristically blunt yet considerate reply. With a playful air, he asked, "Just how many of those secret manuals does your clan have?"
"Having a long history also means owning a wide variety of secret manuals. Now, I'd like to get back to my book."
Namgung Su stuck his nose back in his book, making it clear he did not want his private time to be disrupted any further.
"If you're done talking nonsense, go home."
However, Baek Suryong wasn't finished. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Why don't you stop by the White Dragon Manor when you have time? We have a lot of backlogged work to discuss."
The room instantly frosted over, as if Namgung Su had unleashed an ice art.
"I don't discuss work with patients," Namgung Su shot back icily.
"As you can see, I'm almost..." Baek Suryong was about to say he was almost fully recovered, but upon seeing the gleaming golden eyes, he decided against it. "I'll be back to work in a few days, so let's talk then."
Namgung Su nodded silently, and their conversation ended there. In any case, this was not the ideal place for a conversation, as the dozing old woman had woken up and was now quietly scrutinizing the two of them.
"Don't mind me. I'll just find the book I need and leave."
"I wouldn't have minded you if you left me alone."
Baek Suryong brushed past Namgung Su and searched the aisles for the book he wanted.
"......" Namgung Su glanced at Baek Suryong once before refocusing his attention on his book.
Namgung Su sighed softly.
The only sound in the quiet, dimly lit bookstore was the rustling of turning pages.
"...Why are you following me?" Namgung Su grumbled irritably.
Baek Suryong replied shamelessly, "Our paths home just happen to be the same, don't they?"
Namgung Su furrowed his brow.
This bastard deliberately stuck around the bookstore until I left, and now he's denying it? How am I supposed to believe that?
"Do you have something to say to me?"
"...I should probably read a bit."
Baek Suryong pulled out the book he had bought at the bookstore and started reading. Though the dim moonlight was the only light source, reading in the dead of night was no trouble for the eyes of a peerless master.
Namgung Su sighed softly. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, go your own way."
"Why don't you stop bothering someone who's reading?"
Namgung Su stared at Baek Suryong, who was trailing him at a moderate distance, in disbelief. Eventually, he shook his head and turned away. "Whatever. Do as you please."
"If you want to back out, back out alone."
He began walking, pretending that Baek Suryong wasn't there. Approximately ten steps behind him, Baek Suryong ambled along, reading his book.
It was a strange procession. The two men didn't exchange a single word. They simply walked in the same direction.
"......"
"......"
"...What if, just what if..." Baek Suryong muttered to himself in a low voice.
Namgung Su stopped and looked back. Baek Suryong was still reading the book.
"I've been taking the medicine and eating the food you sent."
"What do you think would happen if we couldn't participate in the Heavenly Martial Festival?" Baek Suryong continued, his gaze still on the book, though his eyes looked somewhat empty.
To Namgung Su, his voice sounded strangely distant. He strode over and snatched the book from Baek Suryong's hands.
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?" he demanded fiercely. Lightning flickered in his bright golden eyes.
Baek Suryong replied nonchalantly with a light shrug. "Well, you know, it's just a possibility, isn't it?"
Somehow, Namgung Su could tell that their conversation was anything but lighthearted. "Baek Suryong. Explain yourself clearly."
"Could you return my book? I had a hard time finding it."
"Explain. Yourself. Clearly. Now."
Baek Suryong looked at Namgung Su for a moment before sighing softly. "The Blood Cult's threat is growing, isn't it? The students could get caught up in it and be in danger. Given the situation, I started to wonder if it's right for us to be focusing on the Heavenly Martial Festival."
Namgung Su twitched. He had a feeling that Baek Suryong was hiding something. If not, there was no way the man would avert his gaze while spouting such nonsense.
Baek Suryong scratched his head awkwardly and stared up at the sky. "I know it's embarrassing for me to say this after boldly declaring that I would lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory, but I can't endanger the students. So, I'm just saying, we should think about it."
".….." Namgung Su scowled. Baek Suryong seemed to be trying to persuade him to give up on the Heavenly Martial Festival they had been preparing for nearly a year.
Baek Suryong tensed, waiting for an inevitable outburst. Contrary to his expectation, though, Namgung Su listened to the story calmly and didn't get upset.
The man slowly removed his black bamboo hat.
He sighed deeply. Namgung Su was the most difficult person to have this conversation with. He now knew just how much effort this man, as the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy, had put in over the past few years, and how much he had despaired whenever the students fared poorly.
"The Blood Cult's movements have been unusual lately. I think we might soon have to declare a temporary closure and evacuate the students. We won't be able to prepare for the Heavenly Martial Festival anymore, but that's better than someone dying, right?"
"......"
How could you make an old lady stay up so late just for you?"
"I know, if we pull out of the Heavenly Martial Festival now, the ignorant gossipers will tear us apart. They'll say that we're using the Blood Cult as an excuse after bragging about winning. Don't worry about it. I'll take all the blame. It's something I started, after all."
"Baek Suryong."
"I'm sorry. I know how hard you've worked, but no matter how I think about it, this is the best course of action..."
"You're gravely mistaken," Namgung Su snapped, cutting Baek Suryong off sharply.
"...About what?" Baek Suryong asked quizzically.
Namgung Su glared at him as if he were a pathetic worm. "Did you follow me just to say that?"
"Who are you calling a puppy that needs to go for a walk?"
Namgung Su roughly shoved the indignant Baek Suryong's book into his chest. It happened to hit his wound, but Baek Suryong said nothing, only winced at the pain.
"If you want to back out, back out alone."
"...What did you say?" Baek Suryong's eyes widened in disbelief.
Back out alone? Did this guy even hear a word I said?
"Do you think winning the Heavenly Martial Festival is just your goal?"
"That's..." Baek Suryong faltered, at a loss for words.
Namgung Su continued, "I understand what you're saying. As the threat of the Blood Cult grows, the students' safety is obviously the top priority. The Heavenly Martial Festival may even be canceled because of it. We might also be forced to give up due to other variables. Do you think I haven't considered that possibility?"
Eyes flashing with golden lightning, he glared at Baek Suryong. As the Star Instructor who had protected the Azure Dragon Academy for years, he scolded his junior as a senior should.
Namgung Su continued, "I understand what you're saying."
"Don't be arrogant, new instructor."
"......"
"You may have declared that you would lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory at the Heavenly Martial Festival, but that isn't your goal alone. All the instructors and students at the academy, myself included, are working toward the same goal. You don't have the right to make others give up on it."
Baek Suryong stood there dazed for a moment, then let out a hollow laugh. Despite the sharp rebuttal, his expression had actually brightened. "...Ha. You're right. I was being too arrogant."
"Being praised as one of the Ten Supremes seems to have made you forget your place. From now on, remember your position as a new instructor at the Azure Dragon Academy."
"Yes, sir. I understand, Mr. Namgung Su."
Namgung Su glared at Baek Suryong, who had reverted to his usual shameless self, and sighed. "If you're done talking nonsense, go home."
With those words, he whirled around and strode off. Not once did he look back.
Baek Suryong did not follow him any further.
"Good grief..."
He scratched his head as he watched Namgung Su's figure recede into the distance.
"He always has to act so cool by himself."
The fundamental problem had not been solved, but the conversation with Namgung Su did clear his muddled mind a little.
"Right. It's not a decision I can make alone."
He had been mistaken in thinking everything was his responsibility, so he had felt that he had to be the one to make the decision. He hadn't considered others' views at all. He had forgotten about the students and instructors of the Azure Dragon Academy and the many people who supported them.
"I'll have to talk with everyone soon."
He strolled toward the White Dragon Manor, looking slightly more relaxed.
SWOOSH!
Suddenly, a man in a black bamboo hat appeared, blocking his path.
Namgung Su glared at Baek Suryong, who had reverted to his usual shameless self, and sighed.
Baek Suryong's face hardened.
Since when... even though I'm not at my best, to think I failed to sense someone this close?
He secretly gathered his inner qi, warily eyeing his opponent.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The man slowly removed his black bamboo hat. He was a young man with a simple, unassuming appearance that contrasted with his sturdy build. However, his deep, penetrating eyes belied his outward age, and his tightly closed lips suggested a taciturn personality.
Baek Suryong shuddered as if struck by lightning. "You...!"
Although the man had used a bone contortion art to shrink his body, Baek Suryong recognized him at a single glance.
Standing before him was none other than his former trainee, Number Four.