Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 374: To Be A Group Leader (2)

TL: FoodieMonster007

The moment they saw Baek Suryong being attacked, Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon moved instinctively.

""Mr. Baek!""

Logically, they knew that Baek Suryong would never fall to a surprise attack. For him, a frontal assault during a conversation was literally a daily occurrence. In fact, it was something they themselves did every day.

However, when they saw the stranger attack Baek Suryong, the two boys couldn't help but remember what he had casually mentioned a while ago.

> "It seems that the Blood Cult has dispatched an assassin after me. You all be careful, too, just in case. If you spot anyone who seems even slightly suspicious, notify me immediately."

Although Baek Suryong had mentioned it as if it were no big deal, they took the warning to heart.

That bastard!

An assassin from the Blood Cult!

The two boys' hair whipped wildly in the wind as they charged toward the assailant. Just as the attacker's fist struck Baek Suryong's chest, however, he extended his hand.

PABABAK!

The assailant's punches were quick and precise. Each blow was short and sharp, targeting only the vitals.

However, Baek Suryong stood his ground and deflected all the attacks with one hand. He even had time to turn his head and stare at the approaching Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon in puzzlement.

As expected of Mr. Baek!

There's no way he'd be defeated by some assassin!

Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon felt a little relieved. Still, they didn't let their guard down completely. Assassins were individuals who would not hesitate to use any means, including poison or hidden weapons, to kill their target.

Let's go!

Yes!

The two boys quickly exchanged glances. Having performed countless joint attacks together, they kicked off the ground at the same time without even needing to communicate.

BOOM!

The ground caved in as the boys accelerated once more.

"Hmm?" Only then did the assassin (?!) notice their approach. Turning around, he saw the two boys rushing at him like madmen, and his jaw dropped in shock. "W-What the...?"

WHOOSH!

Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon scattered to the left and right, aiming to distract their opponent as they drew their Black Dao and Soul Sword like lightning. It was a perfect combination attack.

If only my group members could match my timing like this!

If only my group members could coordinate with me half as well as Senior Wonkang...

In that brief moment, Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon had the same thought.

SWISH!

A moment later, the Black Dao was pressed against the man's throat, while the Soul Sword's tip lightly rested on his chest.

"I-I surrender!" The assassin raised his hands in surrender.

Finally, Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon got a proper look at the assassin's (?) face.

Huh? He looks familiar...?

The face looking at them with a bewildered expression was clearly...

"Aren't you... the Group Six leader?"

"Senior Mok Hyungwoo?"

Mok Hyungwoo, the leader of Group Six, smiled awkwardly and scratched his stubbly chin. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "I think there's been a misunderstanding. Can you put those pointy things away?"

""......""

Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon looked at Baek Suryong with confused expressions.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" Sighing, Baek Suryong used his Black Dragon Pointer to brush aside the students' weapons and smacked both boys on the head.

WHACK! THWACK!

"No, well, I came here to ask you something..."

"I saw someone suddenly attack you, so I thought it was an assassin..."

Baek Suryong regarded the two rascals, who were holding their heads as if he had wronged them, in disbelief. "What kind of assassin is stupid enough to launch a surprise attack in the middle of an open training ground?"

""......""

Baek Suryong sighed. He could guess why these two had come looking for him at such a late hour.

Out of my five kids, only the two of them lost in the group mock battles.

Given that Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon had the strongest competitive spirits among his students, he could only imagine how disappointed they must be. Furthermore, since it was their first time leading a group, they must have been frustrated when things didn't go as planned.

He had fully expected this, and to some extent, he had even intentionally orchestrated such a situation. Still, he hadn't expected them to ask for help so soon.

"For now, let's go to my office. You too, Mok Hyungwoo."

"Understood." Mok Hyungwoo, who had been hovering around awkwardly, quietly followed behind the three.

As Baek Suryong was promoted to an official instructor, he had been assigned a new office. Today, though, was the first time students had come to visit him there.

"It's messy..."

"Why is there so much trash?"

All sorts of documents were scattered about, seemingly disorderly yet strangely systematic. There seemed to be some underlying order that only the office's owner could recognize.

The only decoration in the clutter was Artist Pung Wol's painting, "New Moon White Ice Dance," hanging on one wall. Though, If Artist Pung Wol were to see this, he would have strangled Baek Suryong for hanging his masterpiece in a pigsty.

"Just sit somewhere," Baek Suryong said, roughly clearing the guest table.

The three students sat down, separated by an awkward distance, while Baek Suryong went to boil water for tea.

Wiji Cheon bowed to Mok Hyungwoo and apologized, "Senior, I'm truly sorry about earlier."

"Haha! Don't worry, I know you only did that because you thought I was an assassin."

"But why were you fighting with Mr. Baek?"

"I asked if he could take a look at my martial arts," Mok Hyungwoo explained, scratching his stubble awkwardly. The calluses on his palms and forearms, visible through his martial arts uniform, appeared extremely rough. "As you know, our group is weak. I figured we wouldn't be able to avoid last place if we just let things be. For that reason, I came to Mr. Baek, risking being rude. I just felt I had to do something as the group leader."

"Ah..."

Although their circumstances were different, both of them had similar motivations.

Hyonwon Kang tilted his head. "But didn't you use a spear during the mock battle? You were using fist techniques earlier."

"I learned this and that in the military. The reason I didn't use a spear earlier was..."

"To see how someone uses their whole body, it's best to see how they use their fists and feet. Here, drink up," Baek Suryong interjected, answering on behalf of Mok Hyungwoo as he brought out tea and snacks on a tray. Sitting down opposite the students, he told Mok Hyungwoo, "To put it simply, your skills weren't bad."

"Thank you!" Mok Hyungwoo's face lit up.

Baek Suryong recalled his unusual background once more.

Thirty years old, huh?

Mok Hyungwoo was nearly twice the average age of the Azure Dragon Academy students. Additionally, he learned all of his martial arts in the military rather than in a sect or academy.

"That's not to say you're amazing either. Your martial arts are passable."

Mok Hyungwoo bit his lip slightly and his face clouded over ever so slightly. "Haha. I am trying my best in my own way... but it seems I am still lacking."

"Do you really think what you're lacking is effort?" Baek Suryong asked bluntly.

Mok Hyungwoo fell silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I know I don't have any talent, but can I really not make up for it with effort?"

"Hmm…" Baek Suryong grinned. He liked that answer.

He had seen plenty of guys get angry or storm out at the same question. Compared to them, Mok Hyungwoo was self-aware, and that meant there was plenty of room for improvement.

There were a few more things he was curious about, but they weren't topics to bring up in front of the other students.

Nodding, he said, "Wait a moment."

"Yes."

Baek Suryong turned toward Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon. "So, why are you two here?"

"Because of the group activity.

Initially, Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon answered cautiously, frequently glancing at Mok Hyungwoo. Later, however, they became heated and started criticizing their uncooperative group members.

"I'm telling you, it would be better to do it alone, without those jerks!"

"I agree. They're trying to make me do everything. How is this a group assignment?"

Baek Suryong sighed. After listening to his students' stories, he realized he had underestimated the severity of the situation.

"Hmm..."

Unfortunately, he didn't have any particular advice to offer. In the old Blood Cult, everything was based around a strict hierarchy. Anyone who dared to disobey their superior was immediately executed. If you didn't like it, you just had to become stronger than your superior and slit their throat.

Naturally, this method was impossible at the Azure Dragon Academy, one of the Five Great Academies of the orthodox.

He clicked his tongue. "Anyway, the problem with you orthodox brats is that you're raised too gently."

"Huh...?"

"What the fuck? Why are you talking like a villain again?"

Baek Suryong fell into deep thought. He could easily solve the problem by calling the students over and warning them, but what would be the point? The students might bow to his authority and cooperate for now, but it would surely backfire later.

It was better to let the students work out their problems themselves and grow by overcoming challenges together.

Even if he helped, all he could do was give advice.

"Pfft!" Suddenly, Mok Hyungwoo, who had been listening quietly to the conversation, snorted.

Hyonwon Kang frowned. "You find our situation funny?"

"Well, this might be a bit rude, but is this your first time working in a group?"

Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon nodded gloomily.

Mok Hyungwoo had to hold himself back from laughing out loud. The fact that the most elite students from the Azure Dragon Academy were struggling with just one group assignment struck him as absurd.

Baek Suryong looked back and forth between his two students and Mok Hyungwoo.

Oho? If it's these three...

Mok Hyungwoo was twice the age of the other students and was experienced with society. On the other hand, the two rascals were so skilled in martial arts that they had no equal among their peers, yet they struggled to get along with students outside the White Dragon Manor.

"Mok Hyungwoo, do you have a lot of experience leading a group?"

"Over the past four years... I think I've been a group leader about seven or eight times."

"Eight times?!" Hyonwon Kang's eyes widened in horror as if the mere thought of that number was unbearable.

In contrast, Wiji Cheon looked at Mok Hyungwoo with eyes full of respect. "That's amazing..."

"It's nothing much. I've been the group leader since my first year because I'm the oldest." Mok Hyungwoo chuckled bitterly, scratching his beard.

"This is perfect!" Baek Suryong exclaimed. "Wiji Cheon, Hyonwon Kang. You two are going to learn how to lead from Mok Hyungwoo."

Mok Hyungwoo's jaw dropped in shock. "Pardon?"

"In return, you ask these two to spar with you."

"...Huh?"

Baek Suryong smirked and gulped down his tea. "This way, you can all make up for each other's shortcomings. Everyone wins. Besides, I am busy with many things. I don't have time to give one-on-one instruction every time a student seeks me out."

Mok Hyungwoo nodded. He knew this all too well and had come prepared to be rejected by Baek Suryong. In fact, he thought it was an honor to have exchanged moves with him, even if only briefly.

Now, though...

Do I really get to spar with these two? In return for just teaching them how to be better leaders? Isn't that a little unfair to them?

He sincerely believed that this arrangement was unfavorable to Hyonwon Kang and Wiji Cheon. Any martial artist would wish for the opportunity to receive practical sparring guidance from an outstanding expert. For him, sparring with Wiji Cheon and Hyonwon Kang, two of the strongest students, was like a miraculous encounter.

On the other hand, all he could offer were a few simple pieces of advice.

"I don't think I'll be of much help..."

"PLEASE, SENIOR!"

"...Huh?"

Contrary to Mok Hyungwoo's expectations, the two juniors looked at him as if he were holding out a lifeline. Actually, ever since they had heard that he had been a group leader eight times in four years, they had looked at him with sparkling eyes as if he were a hidden master.

"Please guide us, Senior!"

"Senior Mok, please teach us how to whip those pesky group members into shape!"

"Huh? Is it really okay...? Just for something like this...?"

""Of course!""

Mok Hyungwoo nodded, looking dumbfounded.

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