Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 479: Someday

"Mr. Baek, what book are you reading?"
Baek Suryong was resting against a pillar on the porch, reading a book, but he looked up when he heard the familiar voice.
Wiji Cheon was approaching him with sparkling eyes, brimming with curiosity despite the beads of sweat on his forehead from practicing his swordsmanship.
Baek Suryong smiled warmly. More than any other student at the White Dragon Manor, Wiji Cheon aspired to become like him. This goal included not only becoming an exceptional martial artist, but also a martial arts instructor once he graduated from the Azure Dragon Academy.
Recently, the boy had been trying to understand and imitate what he usually did, from the way he prepared for classes to the methods he used when teaching.
At best, we'll probably go to one of their larger branches," Baek Suryong pointed out, even though he himself would have liked to visit one of the Nine Sects.
What baek suryong a weird kid. Despite having the makings of the world's greatest swordsman, he wants to be a martial arts instructor instead of venturing out into the jianghu and making a name for himself.
Chuckling, he showed the book to Wiji Cheon. "You mean this? It's a sign language manual."
"A sign language manual?" Wiji Cheon studied the book, which contained pictures of various hand gestures and their associated meanings. "Why are you suddenly learning sign language?" he asked.
"Nothing we learn is ever useless," Baek Suryong replied. "I might have to teach a deaf or mute student someday."
Wiji Cheon's eyes glittered with renewed respect for his teacher. "Wow! I've never thought of that possibility before!"
Baek Suryong patted Wiji Cheon's head, impressed by his attitude. Unlike a certain someone who was constantly scheming to mess with his teacher, Wiji Cheon was a model student.
"What are the others doing?" he asked.
Only Wiji Cheon, the final winner of this morning's student battle royale, was freed from chores. The others were all still hard at work.
Wiji Cheon smiled brightly. "Senior Sangwoong and Senior Yeo Min are cleaning the training grounds. Senior Wonkang and Suhyeok are helping the elder Mr. Baek prepare breakfast. The cooking is almost done, so you should come to the dining hall soon."
"Got it." Baek Suryong nodded and tucked the sign language manual into his pocket, planning to read it whenever he had a chance.
Suddenly, Wiji Cheon cocked his head in puzzlement. "By the way, has something good happened to you lately?"
The corners of Baek Suryong's mouth turned up slightly. "...Is it that obvious?"
He clenched his fists unconsciously.
There could only be one reason for his happiness.
"I hate you."
He had finally gotten the honest answer he hadn't received fifty years ago. One of his former trainees, who had always pretended to be emotionless, finally expressed his true feelings for the first time.
That means the Blood Demon's sorcery has been broken.
Just that fact was enough to make him ridiculously happy, though of course, he did not expect to be easily forgiven.
More importantly, even though the spell is broken, Number Four still seems extremely confused.
He sighed. Not even the Divine Azure Dragon Sword could predict how breaking the sorcery would affect Number Four's state of mind in the future. That was a problem.
Let me observe you for a while. I'll decide whether to kill you or not after that.
At least that sentence, written in neat handwriting, was the truth. Neither of them had lied during their brief exchange.
"...Mr. Baek? Are you okay?"
Baek Suryong snapped back to reality upon hearing Wiji Cheon's voice and let out a small laugh. "You know, someone told me that they hate me enough to want to kill me."
"And that's why you're in a good mood?" Wiji Cheon gave Baek Suryong a strange look, and took a step back from his respected teacher. No matter how much he admired Baek Suryong, there were aspects of the man that he felt he really shouldn't emulate. "A-Anyway, I'm going to go wash up! See you in a bit!"
"Hmm...? Okay." Baek Suryong stood puzzled as Wiji Cheon hurriedly left as if fleeing.
After a moment, he went to his room and grabbed the Divine Azure Dragon Sword and Crimson Moon. Despite being legendary weapons, neither scabbard was particularly ornate, so he could carry them both without drawing much attention.
Just then, Baek Muheun's voice echoed across the manor, "Suryong! Hurry up and come eat!"
"I'm coming!" Baek Suryong shouted back.
Minutes later, he sat with his family and students around a wooden table and enjoyed a normal breakfast. The students, hungry from their morning training, wielded their chopsticks like weapons of war, while the adults dined gracefully and engaged in small talk.
He could only hope that his colleague, who always seemed so cheerful, would someday be able to do the same.
"Are you going back to work already?" Mae Geuklyom grumbled, glaring disapprovingly at his grandson. Baek Suryong was neatly dressed in his blue martial arts uniform for the first time in a while.
Baek Suryong left the grumbling Hyonwon Kang behind and parted ways with the students.
Baek Suryong grinned and nodded. "My body's too restless to wait any longer. I also feel bad for the other teachers who had to cover for me while I was away."
Baek Muheun shook his head, sighing. "You have a lot more to feel bad about. You know what state your body was in. How can you go back to work after only resting for a few days? Don't you feel sorry for your poor body?"
"I never thought that being too responsible and diligent could be a problem. At times like this, it would've been better if you took after your lazy and debauched father a little..."
"Father-in-law, Suryong doesn't take after Yakbing either, does he? Who do you think this part of him
really
resembles, hmm?"
"...What did you just say?"
"Please, just admit it already. I recently saw her school records, so I know everything. Yakbing played hooky more often than anyone else back in the day."
"How dare you slander my daughter, you scoundrel!"
"Why are you two fighting again?" Baek Suryong sighed. As expected, the in-laws' civility was only momentary. Within seconds, the two men initiated a dazzling chopstick duel across the dining table.
He had grown used to this sight over the past few days, so he didn't bother trying to stop them. Instead, he simply reached in and snatched side dishes from between their clashing chopsticks.
From time to time, whenever he thought he felt a familiar gaze from afar, he glanced outside the White Dragon Manor.
...It would be nice if we could eat together.
He finished his meal, hoping against hope that someday, that dream could come true.
After breakfast, he left the White Dragon Manor with his students.
"Let's go!"
"From now on, don't go off to fight alone, hyung-nim," Ak Yeonho quipped playfully. "Call me, too.
Today was the day he finally returned to work at the Azure Dragon Academy.
"See you later!"
"Don't any of you dare slack off during class, especially you, Hyonwon Kang."
"Why me again?"
"If I hear one more time about you dozing off in class, I'll forbid you from training alone at dawn. Did you think I wouldn't notice that you've been waking up an hour early by yourself?"
"No..."
Baek Suryong left the grumbling Hyonwon Kang behind and parted ways with the students.
Not even ten minutes passed before he encountered a welcome face.
"Hyung!" Ak Yeonho cried out, kicking up a cloud of dust as he came running toward him. Face filled with worry, he asked, "Are you all better now?"
While Baek Suryong was recuperating at the White Dragon Manor, his fellow new instructors had taken turns visiting him. To keep their visits a secret from prying eyes, they had even taken care to visit him separately.
Baek Suryong grinned and nodded. "As you can see, I'm all better. How are things going at the academy?"
"Work? There's always a lot of it these days. The Heavenly Martial Festival is less than two months away, after all."
The pair walked side by side, chatting casually.
Ak Yeonho was friendly and well-connected, which made him a valuable source of news. Thanks to him, Baek Suryong was already mostly up to date with the things that had happened while he was away.
"I heard the Principal's contemplating who to choose as his successor."
"Who are the possible candidates?"
"There are three candidates within the Azure Dragon Academy: Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo, Mr. Pung Jinho, and Mr. Mae Geuklyom."
I know that both Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo and Pung Jinho long for a promotion, but Grandpa?
Baek Suryong blinked in surprise. "My grandfather too?"
He took a deep breath, steadying himself.
I know that both Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo and Pung Jinho long for a promotion, but Grandpa?
"...Even if the Principal offers my grandfather the position, he'll probably refuse," he added.
Considering Mae Geuklyom's character, the probability of him refusing the principal position was very high. After all, if he had desired authority, there was no way a man like him would still be Headmaster.
"Still, the Principal seems to be pushing hard for Mr. Mae Geuklyom. Whether it's public acceptance or teaching ability, Mr. Mae has it all."
"Well, of course he does. He's the best candidate," Baek Suryong said proudly. "It's just a matter of whether Grandpa wants to do it or not."
Ak Yeonho rolled his eyes at his friend's sudden display of pride in his family. "Anyway, the students have been really excited about the school trip lately. I heard the location is going to be announced soon," he chirped excitedly, eyes sparkling.
The school trip was the biggest event of the school year before the finals and the Heavenly Martial Festival. However, Baek Suryong had little interest in the trip itself. Something else about Ak Yeonho's words bothered him more.
"The location for the school trip still hasn't been decided?" he asked.
"It's been finalized, but apparently, the announcement will be made later than usual due to security concerns. I think only the Principal and the teacher in charge know the exact location."
Grinning, Ak Yeonho said, "Anyway, it's great to have you back, Hyung-nim. The Azure Dragon Hero belongs at the Azure Dragon Academy."
"Who's in charge? I can just go and ask them discreetly."
"Mr. Namgung Su."
"Fuck." Baek Suryong sighed. Of all people, it just had to be the one guy who wouldn't open his mouth even if tortured.
"You too. Don't go suffering alone either, you damn punk."
"Originally, the plan was to go to the Namgung Clan this year, but that's become difficult."
"True..."
The Namgung Clan had sustained significant damage from the Blood Cult's attack. Although they seemed to be recovering, it was simply not possible for them to host an external event.
"That's why there's so much speculation among the kids right now. Word has spread that they might get to visit one of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans."
Ironically, this was both Ak Yeonho's and Baek Suryong's first school trip. Neither of them had attended school before, so they didn't know what to expect.
Baek Suryong rolled his eyes at the overly excited Ak Yeonho. "Why are you so excited about a short vacation?"
Ak Yeonho's mouth twitched. "You said the same thing during the festival, yet you were the one who had the most fun..."
"Ahem! This is this and that is that."
"Hyung-nim. The hair you pulled out during the cavalry battle hasn't even fully grown back yet!"
The two instructions crossed the grand training ground, bickering all the way.
Finally, they reached the fork in the road where their paths diverged.
"It's good to be back. When we have time, should we call Il'oh and Soyeong and throw a party?"
"Yep! I'm up for that anytime!"
Baek Suryong nodded. As always, Ak Yeonho appeared bright and cheerful.
Since they had gotten to know each other, he had rarely seen the man without a smile on his face. Ak Yeonho was a surprisingly sensitive and observant person who always paid attention to the emotions of those around him, making sure never to cross any personal boundaries.
For some reason though, the shadow hidden behind Ak Yeonho's smile bothered him a lot today.
"From now on, don't go off to fight alone, hyung-nim," Ak Yeonho quipped playfully. "Call me, too. The point of having colleagues if not to help each other out?"
"...Huh?" Ak Yeonho was stunned. The Baek Suryong he knew would never say something like this.
Baek Suryong met his friend's gaze evenly. "You're hiding a lot of secrets, aren't you?"
For a moment, Ak Yeonho's eye twitched, but he quickly composed himself and laughed awkwardly. "Haha. I don't know what you're talking about. I have to prepare for my class, so I'll get going!"
Pretending to be clueless, he spun around and headed for his office.
Nevertheless, Baek Suryong did not miss the fact that he was stiffer than usual.
"...Talk to me whenever you're ready," he said to his departing friend.
Ak Yeonho flinched barely perceptibly.
"I'll wait as long as it takes," Baek Suryong added.
Everyone had secrets they couldn't easily share.
Didn't it take himself a long time to honestly face his own past?