Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 478: Fortunately, I Learned That Phrase Today

Baek Suryong was stunned. This reunion came far too soon. He had prepared himself for the possibility of meeting his former trainees again in the near future, but he never expected it to happen so soon.
WHOOSH!
A gust breezed between the two men, who stood about twenty paces apart. For peerless masters, this was a distance at which they could take each other's lives in an instant.
Baek Suryong mumbled under his breath, "I'm sure you were badly injured too..."
Baek Suryong's eyes widened in shock. This was something he had never considered.
He sighed as he regarded his former student, but Number Four's face was an expressionless mask, impossible to read.
He had thought he would have at least a month, even with the most pessimistic estimate. He figured the two injured apostles needed time to heal and come to grips with the truth about him before they were able to dispatch forces to the Azure Dragon Academy.
So why?
He expanded his senses to the fullest to see if he was being surrounded, but couldn't detect anyone else nearby.
To steel himself, he gulped down the remaining liquor.
"...Did you come alone?" he asked softly.
"......" Number Four remained silent.
Baek Suryong sighed. Beneath the slightly lifted black bamboo hat, the young man with deep-set eyes studied him curiously, probably because this was his first time seeing his real face. After all, the last time they met, he had been wearing the face of Maeng Ryonghwi.
STEP.
Number Four took a step forward.
"Not here," Baek Suryong said sharply, reacting with instinctive ferocity like a desperate mother wolf raising her hackles to protect her cubs.
The White Dragon Manor was close by. If a fight broke out, Baek Muheun would arrive in less than fifteen minutes, and all the students would wake up. Mae Geuklyom or Namgung Su might come running as well.
He didn't want them to be caught up in his karmic retribution.
"...Let's go somewhere quiet. It won't do you any good to be surrounded. Even if we fight, let's do it far from here."
Baek Suryong slowly backed away, trying to lure Number Four to a less populated area.
However, Number Four did not move. He remained in the same position after taking that single step, observing Baek Suryong's anxious expression with great interest.
"This isn't a lie. Follow me. I'll do whatever you want then..."
Number Four shook his head, indicating he would not follow. He didn't initiate a fight either.
Baek Suryong bit his lip in frustration.
What does he want?
RUSTLE!
Number Four took something out a palm-sized notebook from his pocket. As if he had written what he wanted to say in advance, he opened it and showed it to Baek Suryong.
Follow me.
Baek Suryong stared blankly at the notebook. Compared to the past, the handwriting was remarkably neat.
Did he practice his calligraphy extensively before learning sign language?
Number Four returned the notebook to his pocket and began to walk away. It was a signal for Baek Suryong to follow.
"...Fine."
Baek Suryong followed Number Four to the outskirts of the city. He couldn't rule out the possibility that he was walking into a trap, but the plan seemed too clumsy to be one.
Besides, Number Four had no reason to set a trap now that he knew Baek Suryong's identity. There were many easier and more effective ways he could corner his old teacher.
Baek Suryong knew because he had taught him himself. Although Number Four had a large frame suited for external arts, he was incredibly intelligent. He just didn't show it often.
Why did he come alone? How long has he been here? Did he wait until I was alone? His injuries... are they fully healed?
Baek Suryong's heart pounded from anxiety. He had wanted to think alone so badly that he even left the Divine Azure Dragon Sword at the White Dragon Manor. If a fight broke out now, he would be at a great disadvantage.
Still, now was not the time to dwell on regrets.
"Let's avoid people," he repeated.
Number Four glanced back at Baek Suryong and gave a small nod.
The two peerless masters easily avoided notice. After walking through winding alleys and avoiding main roads for about an hour, Number Four stopped in front of their destination—a small, shabby tavern that remained open late into the night.
"Well, look at these handsome young men! Honey! We've got customers!"
"Come sit over here. Can I get you some drinks?"
The tavern's owners, a friendly couple with no connection to the murim, greeted the two men with warm smiles.
After more than fifty years, instructor and trainee sat facing each other with a single table between them. Casually ordered liquor, dumplings, and noodles sat on the worn table, but neither of them touched the food.
""......""
A heavy silence hung in the air. Number Four stared intently at Baek Suryong from across the table, while Baek Suryong's lips twitched several times as he hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Finally, Baek Suryong asked awkwardly, "Have your wounds healed?"
Number Four's eyebrows twitched. He took out his notebook, pulled out a thin brush, and wrote down the question he wanted to ask in his neatly printed script.
Baek Suryong remembered this particular quirk perfectly. Number Four always twitched like this whenever he was feeling emotional.
I remember watching you die. How did you come back to life?
"...I didn't come back to life, simply regained memories of my previous life after reincarnating."
A qi sound barrier enveloped them. The middle-aged couple, who frequently glanced at their only two customers who strangely hadn't touched their food, couldn't hear a thing.
Number Four had many questions for his old instructor. Even after thinking about them the entire way here, they remained unresolved, so he cut to the chase.
What exactly did you do when you stabbed me?
Baek Suryong's expression darkened with anger toward the Blood Demon. "...So you didn't know? The Blood Demon cast sorcery on your heart. In order to break the spell, I had to touch your heart with my sword."
What kind of sorcery was it?
"I don't know the details either, but it was likely a type that forces loyalty to the Blood Demon, messes with your memories, and strengthens the... restraint you all received when you were young."
His words trailed off as he saw Number Four's intense gaze.
Number Four's eyes flickered at Baek Suryong's slight change in expression right before he said the word 'restraint.' He was reminded of his old instructor's pained face when he had revealed that his vocal cords were damaged.
Because of this, though, more questions arose than were answered.
Why didn't you kill me?
"......" Baek Suryong bit his lip so hard it turned white.
Number Four watched him in silence, his steely gaze demanding an answer. If the sword that had pierced his heart had gone just a little deeper, he would have died.
From his old instructor's perspective, it should have been a golden opportunity to end the fight. Yet, at that moment, his instructor had faltered and squandered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
There's no way he doesn't know that, so why?
Baek Suryong looked Number Four straight in the eye. "That's... because I didn't want to kill you."
Number Four scribbled in his notebook:
Why not?
"......" Baek Suryong's eyes glazed over. He didn't know what to say. He felt as if Number Four's earnest, sincere eyes were asking if any other destiny could possibly exist for them besides killing each other, and why he was saying such strange things after all this time.
I remember watching you die. How did you come back to life?
He sighed and averted his gaze for a moment, glancing out the window. The night was loud with the chirping of crickets.
After a moment, he turned his attention toward the table. The dumplings were already cold, so he poured some of the strong liquor into his cup and downed it in one gulp.
Number Four didn't wait for an answer. He didn't want to torment his old instructor with difficult questions. He simply wanted to clear up his doubts.
He scribbled in his notebook:
I heard your story after arriving here. You're still teaching martial arts.
The Azure Dragon Hero Baek Suryong was the most famous person in this city, and one could hear countless stories about him just by sitting in an inn. There were grand tales not only of his fights against the Blood Cult, but also of him teaching students at the Azure Dragon Academy.
So I became curious about your current students.
Baek Suryong let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
Number Four frowned at the sight. The old instructor he knew was a man without weaknesses. He could not be broken with threats or hostages; in fact, he was the one who taught them to mock hostage-takers.
Now, though, he felt like he could easily shatter the man's will.
He simply wanted to clear up his doubts.
The urge to test his theory suddenly struck him. He picked up a pair of chopsticks on the table and glanced at the tavern owners, who were still eyeing them.
Even ordinary chopsticks could become terrifying weapons in the hands of a peerless master. A single flick of the wrist was all he needed to pierce their throats.
Baek Suryong's heart sank. "Stop!" he demanded as he too picked up a pair of chopsticks, preparing to intercept Number Four.
For a while, tension hung thickly in the space between them.
"...They're just innocent commoners," Baek Suryong pleaded. "Don't touch them."
Number Four put the chopsticks back on the table. Just moments ago, his old instructor had seemed weak enough to be toppled by the wind, yet now he was warning him with eyes as cold and sharp as a blade.
You've changed.
Unaware that their lives had just been threatened, the owners muttered in disappointed tones, wondering if the food was not to their liking.
Baek Suryong remembered this particular quirk perfectly.
After watching them for a moment, Number Four moved his brush again.
I haven't told anyone who you are.
Baek Suryong's eyes widened in shock. This was something he had never considered. "...Why?"
Number Four paused his brush. He didn't know the exact reason himself, and the answer 'because I was curious' felt somehow inadequate. He paused to think for a moment, then wrote:
As long as you don't reveal my identity to anyone too, no one will die.
Baek Suryong nodded. "...I won't say a word."
It was a strange promise. As long as both sides kept their true identities a secret, nothing would happen for now.
Let me observe you for a while. I'll decide whether to kill you or not after that.
Baek Suryong was inwardly relieved. Although he could not understand why Number Four suddenly appearing and saying such things, being able to converse with his old student like this felt like a dream come true.
"Are you planning to stay in this city?" he asked.
Number Four nodded.
Baek Suryong's expression softened, appearing both worried and pleased at the same time. "There are a few spare rooms at the White Dragon Manor... No, never mind."
His words trailed off as he saw Number Four's intense gaze.
"Before that, there's something I want to ask you..."
He started to speak, but the words would not come. To steel himself, he gulped down the remaining liquor. There was a question he had desperately wanted to ask his former trainees if he ever got the chance.
Soon, the strong scent of alcohol wafted from his hesitant breath.
"Do you... hate me?"
Number Four stared down at the notebook for a moment. Finally, he set the brush aside and answered in sign language.
It was a whim. Since his old instructor didn't know sign language, no matter what he said, the man wouldn't understand.
Nevertheless, Baek Suryong reacted with surprise and relief. "...Fortunately, I learned that phrase today."
Number Four tilted his head in confusion for a moment, when he noticed the book tucked inside Baek Suryong's shirt pocket.
Could that book be...
"I'll learn more next time, so you won't have to use a notebook." Baek Suryong stood up from his seat. "I'm afraid we'll have to end the conversation here tonight," he apologized. "I can feel the presence of a doting father approaching."
In the distance, he could sense Baek Muheun rushing toward him. Apparently, he had come out to find his son who stayed out later than expected.
"If you have anything you want to ask me, you can come find me anytime."
Number Four did not stop the departing Baek Suryong. He listened quietly to a man outside the tavern shouting, "Suryong! Suryong!", followed by the voice of his old instructor making excuses, and finally the fading sounds of bickering as they vanished into the distance.
Even after Baek Suryong left the tavern, he remained seated, staring blankly at the spot where his old instructor had sat. He replayed their conversation in his mind piece by piece.
They hadn't talked for very long. Though some of his questions were answered, he was only left with more puzzling ones.
"Did you two have a fight or something? You both looked so serious," the husband suddenly asked, gesturing for permission to clear the dishes.
Number Four nodded.
"Young man. Are you unable to speak, by any chance?" the wife asked.
Number Four nodded again.
The hardy middle-aged woman clicked her tongue and looked at him in pity. "I have a relative who can't speak either. Life must be hard for you, young man."
Number Four rose from his seat, took out a gold coin, and offered it to the couple.
They were flabbergasted.
"Oh my! We don't have change for such a large sum!"
"Who pays for dumplings, noodles, and a bottle of liquor with a gold coin?"
Despite the couple's objections, Number Four placed the gold coin on the table. He didn't need change.
As he was about to leave the tavern, however, the husband grabbed his arm. "How can we just let you go like this? It's getting late. I'll give you our best room, so please stay the night. Don't worry, we won't charge you extra."
His wife chimed in from the side, "Do that. You look like you're from out of town. Even if you try to find an inn now, there aren't many places open at this hour."
Number Four hesitated for a moment before nodding. It wasn't as if he had anywhere else to go.
A short while later, he entered the room the couple had provided and lay down on the clean but old and shabby bed.
He repeated the sign language he had shown his old instructor into the empty air.
His shadow stretched long behind him.
"I hate you."
He just couldn't understand why his old instructor had brightened up at those words.
Translator's Note:
There are fewer updates this weekend as I am busy fixing the translation codes (python-gemini has a new sdk and the old one is deprecated) and the website backend needs updating (you might see some stuff break at times).