Chapter 316

Chapter 316
## Chapter 316. The Cold Wind of Late Winter (4)

—

In reality, swapping out the instructors and head instructors at this juncture carried very little weight for So-un Jin. Even if the grading system shifted from a relative scale to an absolute one, his stellar marks were hardly going to plummet to the bottom. Moreover, his true destination was the White Wolf Pavilion. Given that he wasn’t aiming for the highly coveted Blue Dragon Pavilion or Red Dragon Pavilion, things would remain perfectly fine as long as his evaluations weren’t sabotaged to the point of banishment to a minor regional post.

“What do you find so amusing?”

The query was drenched in icy hostility. Wanting to avoid pointless friction, So-un dipped his head slightly.

“My apologies.”

Yet, the instructor pressed further, his gaze boring into him as if attempting to drill a hole through his skull.

“I demanded to know what you find so amusing.”

Since nothing they did now really mattered, So-un attempted to brush it off. However…

“I asked what was funny! Are you going to answer or not!”

So-un couldn’t help but think that when someone acted this ridiculous so openly, staying silent without laughing was an impossible ask. He lifted his slightly lowered head once more.

“I am unsure of your exact motives, but watching you desperately try to cheapen this entire class is rather comical.”

“What did you say?”

“While it is true that the prior class garnered immense attention due to So-a Yong, I cannot agree with the notion that our current group is deficient compared to our predecessors.”

It was undeniable that the spotlight on them was dimmer than on the previous generation. The prior group boasted several individuals who were already renowned before stepping foot inside the academy. Yet, this current group also possessed plenty of figures like Il-gak, who would go on to achieve great fame during the Great War between Justice and Evil. Despite this, the instructor insisted their caliber was lacking. As So-un delivered his calm, unwavering reply, the instructor’s expression twisted in rage.

“You claim to not know the reason?”

The man’s head tilted at an odd, mocking angle.

“Do you genuinely not understand?”

“I do not.”

He had been irritatingly repeating the exact same nonsense for a while now…

“The reason is none other than you.”

Pardon? What sort of ridiculous claim was this now?

“Because you deceitfully snatched the position of Representative, the overall standard of this academy has degraded.”

So-un was temporarily rendered speechless by the sheer absurdity of the statement. Yet, the instructor seemingly misinterpreted this stunned silence as intimidation, continuing his tirade with a smug, arrogant grin.

“With the Academy Representative being of such low quality, the standard of instruction has naturally plummeted alongside him, which will ultimately inflict a heavy wound upon the entire Martial Alliance.”

He spoke as if So-un were the source of all original sin, a thief who had pilfered what rightfully belonged to others.

“Since the founding of the Martial Academy, there has never been a collection of garbage quite like this session.”

He cast a sharp glare at So-un, before shifting his eyes elsewhere.

“Watching you pathetically flounder against a single pupil from a mere third-rate sect makes my blood boil to the point of sleeplessness.”

He scanned the academy students hailing from the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans with absolute disdain. Then, his eyes locked onto So-un once more. A clear malice—a desire to thoroughly break him before he could mature any further—radiated from the man.

“Then again, it makes sense given how incredibly deceitful you are. Word reaches me that you recently demolished the Jeon-deung-mun by fabricating charges of sorcery against them.”

To label it a fabrication when the Execution Pavilion had already taken official action proved the man had zero intention of listening to anything So-un said. The fact that the Tae-eul Sect was viewed with contempt wasn’t a new development either. Objectively speaking, it truly was a minor, fragile sect. Even if he chose to overlook that bias…

“Seriously, what absolute garbage have you been spewing this whole time?”

“…What?”

So-un concluded that permitting such thoughtless slander and mockery was allowing the man to cross a line. And when dealing with someone who steps over the line…

“Ah, tell me, are you perhaps a member of the Cheong-seong Sect who happens to practice sorcery yourself?”

“What did you say?”

An unhinged counterattack was always the most effective response.

—

“You… you unhinged lunatic!”

“Is my assumption incorrect?”

“Where do you get off uttering such absolute horse sh—”

“Why have you become so incredibly agitated? Ah, is it because you actually practice sorcery? Are you truly a disciple of the Cheong-seong Sect? Do your pupils happen to turn pitch black as well?”

“…!”

Observing the man fly into a frantic rage under So-un’s verbal pressure, it became glaringly obvious that he did indeed hail from the Cheong-seong Sect. Had he belonged to any other sect, he wouldn’t have reacted with such explosive fury in the first place.

“Is it really that difficult to simply state, ‘That is not the case’? Truly, when a person is dishonest, it manifests entirely on their face.”

“…Are you aware of the sheer weight of the nonsense pouring from your mouth right now?”

“Have I uttered a single falsehood?”

“You are actively framing an innocent instructor…! Do you honestly believe a transgression like this will be overlooked?”

So-un Jin intentionally let out a booming, theatrical laugh.

“Did you not just finish swaying the crowd with your own false claims, Instructor? Why is it that my words constitute a crime while yours do not?”

“When did I ever—!”

“The assertion that this is the absolute worst class in history. Are you prepared to guarantee that statement?”

So-un turned his gaze, scanning the expressions of the gathered academy students. The majority of them looked deeply displeased. Regardless of their personal distaste for So-un, none of them fancied being branded as inferior, making their irritation entirely predictable. Naturally, the momentum of the room began drifting in So-un’s favor. Keeping his eyes anchored on his peers, he continued to speak.

“Instructor, you have entirely invalidated every ounce of effort these individuals have poured in during their time here. Yet you claim my deception is the true offense?”

“That is…”

“Does my status as the Representative serve as definitive proof that this session is a failure? Ah, just as a reminder, I bested Il-gak in a fair duel.”

In an instant, every eye in the lecture hall snapped toward Il-gak. For some reason, Il-gak’s bald head flushed an intense, burning red. The instructor ground his teeth, his voice laced with venom.

“That victory was merely the result of you concealing the private tutelage you received from the Academy Director.”

“Oh? Are you suggesting a martial artist is obligated to broadcast every single technique they possess? Is that the standard of education over at the Cheong-seong Sect?”

“….”

“In that case, please enlighten us regarding every martial art you have acquired in your life, Instructor. Furthermore, detail the exact killing strike you utilize to end an enemy’s life.”

“… shreds of silence.”

He couldn’t possibly do so. The ancient wisdom of the Jianghu always dictated that one should conceal thirty percent of their true capability. The truly paranoid would argue for hiding seventy percent. So who did this man think he was fooling? So-un Jin gave a casual shrug.

“Everything the instructor has spouted is nothing short of utter nonsense.”

“…!”

The eyes of the instructor and the students alike widened to twice their size. Even given the circumstances, they felt this was stepping past the boundaries of propriety. So-un was well aware of that, but he crossed the threshold with full intent. He knew it was the exact spark required to push the man over the edge.

“In all likelihood, after replacing the instructors and head instructors for some hidden agenda, you chose to scapegoat the academy students, didn’t you? That is the sole reason you are standing there squeaking out such garbage.”

*Grit.*

My word, how terrifying; he was going to grind his teeth down to dust at this rate. However, if he anticipated that So-un would silence himself out of fear, he was sorely mistaken.

“And that hidden agenda is, most likely…”

So-un turned his head once more, locking eyes with the academy students—specifically targeting the descendants of the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans.

“Because they are terrified that their incompetent juniors won’t be able to keep up. They are frightened that if the rankings become disorganized, individuals outside of the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans might seize the primary positions.”

“…!”

The faces of the instructor and the elite students flushed a brilliant crimson. A few scattered individuals shot So-un looks of pure venom. But really, what of it? They already despised him anyway. If they intended to continuously dump filth onto his path, they needed to be prepared to get splashed by that very same muck.

“It must be wonderful to belong to the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans. Even if your performance at the academy is completely mediocre, your seniors will swoop down from above to diligently pull you up the ranks.”

So-un Jin flashed a bright, mocking smile at the elite contingent.

“What an incredibly fair and righteous Martial Alliance we serve.”

Just as the disciples of the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans routinely displayed arrogance toward others, a reciprocal resentment existed among the remaining students. These were the members of the One Hundred and Eight Peaks and various unaligned practitioners. Regardless of the absolute truth, the optics of the situation perfectly mirrored So-un’s words. The looks directed at the instructor, which had initially been steeped in intimidation, rapidly morphed into pure disdain. Recognizing the shifting tide, the instructor spoke with a chillingly stern expression.

“…As rumors suggested, your tongue is dangerously deceitful.”

He attempted to rally the crowd by painting So-un’s words as a fabrication, but the damage was done. So-un had already planted a seed of doubt in the minds of the academy students. Moving forward, no matter what the instructor claimed, the students would interpret reality through their own biases. Case in point, murmurs of discontent were already rippling through the crowd.

“Typical behavior from those Nine Sects bastards…”

“Do they truly need to resort to such underhanded lengths?”

“Seriously, if they’re going to fix the system like this, why even bother holding a standard exam? They should just distribute the titles amongst themselves.”

This unrest wasn’t sparked solely by So-un’s declaration. He had merely provided a tiny spark to the deep-seated resentment and skepticism that had lingered in their hearts for ages. Growing the leaves and blooming the flowers was an individual endeavor. Exactly as it was unfolding this very second.

“From what I recall, there hasn’t been a single instance in our history where the entire roster of academy instructors was replaced simultaneously.”

“Doesn’t this imply that even if we successfully graduate into the Martial Alliance, we’ll face the exact same bias?”

“I heard rumors that attending the academy wouldn’t change our prospects, but this is…”

The collective fury regarding the institutional bias they had endured for so long spread like wildfire through the room. The descendants of the Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans, who had been glaring at So-un, now found themselves locked in a hostile staring match with the rest of the student body. Those who had originally watched So-un with a ‘look at this lunatic’ expression now directed their animosity toward the instructor. Realizing he had entirely lost control of the room, the instructor let loose a thunderous roar, heavily infused with internal energy.

“Silence! SILENCE!!!”

Unprepared for the sonic blast, several students hurriedly clamped their hands over their ears. The fractured factions turned their attention back to the front. Before long, the instructor fixed So-un with a deceptively calm visage.

“If my assertions are nothing but garbage… do you possess the means to prove it?”

Prove it? Prove what?

“I am asking if you can validate your claim. Prove that your capabilities genuinely reflect those of a top scholar.”

Ah, so he was opting for a direct, confrontational breakthrough.

“The historical top graduates of this academy possessed strength matching at least a Vice-Hall Master. I… happen to hold the capabilities of a Vice-Hall Master within the hierarchy of the Martial Alliance, so display your proof.”

Who did this man think he was tricking? I already possess documentation from the Man-tong-bu confirming your strength aligns with a full Hall Master. But what difference did it make? If the man insisted on diving headfirst into a pile of filth, so be it.

*Chae-ng.*

Without a moment’s hesitation, So-un Jin unleashed the Red Light Sword, unleashing a wave of suffocating malice. As a crimson glow crept along the edge of the Red Light Sword, a spine-chilling killing intent flooded the hall.

“Ugh…”

“Wh-what in the world…”

“What is this power…”

Even the students occupying the foremost benches winced, visibly struggling to withstand the oppressive aura. So-un aimed the cold tip of the Red Light Sword squarely at the instructor’s chest.

“I will provide your proof. Will severing one of your arms suffice, Instructor?”

As So-un took three deliberate, sweeping strides forward, the instructor retreated a step, raising a hand defensively. His eyes darted across So-un’s form for a brief moment.

“…As an educator, regardless of the provocation, I cannot allow the shedding of a student’s blood.”

What rubbish was he spouting now? Did he honestly harbor the delusion that he was capable of drawing my blood in this scenario?

“In that case, how do you intend for me to validate it?”

“…Let us settle it through internal energy—a direct clash of internal cultivation!”

“Hmm…”

So-un took a moment to ponder why these exact scenarios kept repeating themselves. It wasn’t as if he had deliberately masked his true prowess. Why did people continuously cross the line? Reflecting further, however…

“Ah.”

He realized he had never explicitly demonstrated the full extent of his capabilities either. Perhaps that omission was precisely why these individuals kept pushing their luck? Yes, that had to be it.

“What is the matter? Has fear gripped you?”

Did So-un’s temporary lapse into thought resemble anxiety to him? Naturally, from this gentleman’s vantage point, this arrangement felt like a guaranteed victory. In an active duel, a disparity in raw power could potentially be bypassed using sharper instincts or agility, but internal cultivation was a direct reflection of years accumulated. Under normal circumstances, no student could hope to match internal reserves with a seasoned elite of the martial world. If they were an ‘ordinary’ student, at least.

Suppressing the smirk that threatened to split his face, So-un Jin gave a firm nod.

“Very well, let us proceed. Shall I conclude this by shattering your dantian, Instructor?”

“…No, an internal energy clash is not meant to be a lethal—”

What could possibly be more definitive than breaking an arrogant opponent and leaving them writhing in their own blood? So-un’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

“Let us begin.”

So-un Jin sheathed the Red Light Sword and extended both palms out in front of him.

“….”

After a brief flicker of hesitation, the instructor composed his features and locked hands with So-un. His demeanor radiated supreme confidence.

“Feel free to unleash everything you have!”

The very instant their palms pressed together and their fingers intertwined—

*Swaaaa—*

An immense, torrential tide of energy, akin to the roaring Yangtze River, surged through So-un’s palms. It possessed a dense, substantial weight, making it clear why this man had likely never been overpowered in a test of raw cultivation before.

“Heh-heh, how does it feel? Beyond the heavens, there exist greater heavens…”

So-un began circulating the Tae-eul True Scripture with full force. At that exact moment—

“…!”

The smug grin plastered across the instructor’s face completely solidified.

“Hup…!”

His arrogant boasting vanished instantly as his jaw clamped shut, forcing him to channel every ounce of his remaining strength. His internal energy, which had aggressively penetrated So-un’s Polar Gate (Geuk-mun), was suddenly forced backward, slowly but with unstoppable momentum.

“…!”

Desperately, he attempted to draw upon deeper reserves of cultivation, completely stripped of the ability to utter a sound, but his efforts were entirely futile. To begin with, he had attempted to measure things that existed on entirely different planes. No matter how grand the Yangtze River might be, it could never dwarf the boundless ocean. The foreign energy that had breached the Polar Gate, the Pool at the Bend (Gok-ji), and the Middle Mansion (Jung-bu) bypassed his Middle Dantian in a flash. It bored straight down toward his core, piercing through the Great Tower (Geo-gwol), Beam Gate (Yang-mun), Celestial Pivot (Cheon-chu), and the Sea of Qi (Gi-hae) in rapid succession. His energy, once resembling a roaring river, was completely swallowed by a maritime abyss, stripped of its vitality, and utterly subdued. Furthermore—

*Suuuuk—*

So-un Jin converted his internal force into a hostile current, violently disrupting the man’s meridians at whim.

“Gurgle… wheeze…”

Struggling for oxygen, the man gasped erratically, his face taking on a suffocating, parched appearance. The deep crimson mask of strain rapidly decayed into a bruised, blackened hue. Finally—

‘The dantian!’

So-un focused his crushing weight onto the energy enveloping the instructor’s core, steadily magnifying the pressure. Amidst the choking agony, a primordial terror of his core fracturing began to consume the instructor. Predictably, his face was a picture of pure dread.

“You spoke of a grave insult earlier, did you not?”

If So-un exerted a fraction more force here, the man’s core would disintegrate entirely. He maintained a perfectly casual tone.

“The true insult was perpetrated by your own actions, Instructor. Not merely against myself, but against every single student present in this session.”

Whether he retained awareness or not, the instructor’s eyes had rolled back completely. The spectacle of him spewing frothy saliva like a rabid animal was deeply pathetic. Yet So-un refused to relent just yet.

“The humiliation we endured. I shall return it to you tenfold.”

If he failed to make a definitive statement, these people would never cease crossing over. That specific boundary.

As he funneled more energy to constrict the core, the instructor’s limbs began to shake violently. He was on the absolute precipice of blacking out. At that critical moment, a faint, desperate plea leaked past the instructor’s lips.

“…St-stop…”

“What was that? Your voice is far too quiet.”

So-un marginally eased the suffocating vice around the dantian. The instructor gasped in a ragged, burning breath.

“…Pl-please, cease…”

“A simple request to stop does not constitute an apology.”

The instructor’s eyes snapped open in sheer desperation. Faced with agonizing pain, his survival instincts kicked his brain into overdrive. After a agonizing pause, he managed to force out the words.

“I… I implore you for your clemency.”

Hah, this fool still failed to grasp his situation. So-un immediately re-applied the crushing pressure to the core, raising the intensity.

“Ke-heok…!”

The instructor began hacking up bloody froth. So-un shifted his posture slightly to avoid the spray, intentionally raising his voice so the entire room could hear the exchange.

“Speak up, I cannot decipher a word you are uttering.”

“…Fo-forgive me! I-I was entirely in the wrong!”

The instructor begged with frantic, tear-filled eyes. Satisfied, So-un dismantled the pressure surrounding the core and recalled his internal energy entirely.

“Ugh!”

Due to So-un severing the connection somewhat abruptly, the instructor violently vomited blood before losing consciousness entirely, collapsing to the floor.

*Thud!*

So-un Jin stepped backward with practiced ease, avoiding the pooling blood.

“Tsk. It seems today’s instruction has been thoroughly cut short.”

So-un walked calmly back to his desk, gathered his belongings, and exited the lecture hall.

“….”

“….”

Within the confines of the room, a dead silence lingered, devoid of even the sound of breathing. Truly, he could not comprehend why the atmosphere turned so volatile the moment the academy term commenced.