Chapter – 06
Honestly, the word academy had sparked a bit of expectation.
But when Moyong Jin actually saw the Moyong Academy, he was slightly disappointed.
“This is supposed to be an academy…? This is more like an abandoned house.”
Nestled quietly on the outskirts of Jeongso Village, the Moyong Academy was far too small and unimpressive to be called a place that taught martial arts.
The small inn right next door looked two to three times larger than the academy itself.
The training yard was all broken; unless one looked closely, it just seemed like a pile of stones. The fence meant to block outside eyes had rotted in parts, leaving holes everywhere.
And at the very end was the main building of the academy.
“Main building” was too generous a term.
It was nothing more than a tiny shed, with a pile of decaying wooden boards stacked beside it.
The only relief was that there were more students than expected.
‘Eight students in this cramped academy? Maybe it’s because Father learned the P’ang family techniques… That might be why some kids came.’
The P’ang family techniques weren’t something just anyone could master.
The P’ang family was the most renowned clan in Hebei, and the power it wielded in this area was extraordinary.
Even learning the basics of the P’ang techniques could make one more likely to be employed by the clan.
Because of that, even such a shabby academy drew students.
Moyong Jin hid atop a large tree right next to the academy, secretly watching his father teach the children.
Moyong Hyeok’s techniques weren’t bad at all.
The P’ang family’s style was aggressive and highly practical. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the P’ang family was among the best in martial arts.
“Third-rate… no, in teaching the basics, he’s practically first-rate.”
Literally.
His father’s skill may have been third-rate, but in terms of teaching, it felt above first-rate.
His form was perfect, meticulous in teaching the fundamentals, and he paid close attention to each child individually.
As a mentor, he was an ideal instructor.
Now Moyong Jin could understand how his father managed to support him through this run-down academy.
And at the same time, he could also understand why his father was considered third-rate.
He was too straightforward, too precise.
He only used what he had learned, and when performing techniques, his body was rigid—he didn’t think beyond what he had been taught.
“Father is so straightforward it’s almost tragic. If he’d had a proper teacher, he could’ve reached the pinnacle with ease.”
Thinking this, he felt a twinge of guilt.
If he, as Cheon Gi-rin in a past life, hadn’t destroyed the main building, his father might have met a great teacher and become an outstanding martial artist.
What happened after the main building was destroyed wasn’t his doing, but he intended to uncover it in this life as Moyong Jin.
…That is, if he remembered.
As Moyong Jin quietly observed his father, suddenly—
Bang!
The academy door shattered with a loud crash, dust billowing everywhere.
“Still haven’t learned your lesson, huh?”
Emerging from the dust was a man with a thin frame wielding a massive sword.
His name was P’ang Yi-jong.
To the casual eye, he looked like a gangster, but he was one of the “Three Masters” of the Hebei P’ang family.
Moyong Jin immediately recognized him.
This was the very man who had turned his father, Moyong Hyeok, into a “Wungmyo Bandit.”
‘Usually, P’ang family members are known for their strong physiques, but this one’s frame is small. Still, the sharp aura and the massive sword suggest he’s mastered the Honyun Thunder Sword technique. Not at the pinnacle, but at least first-rate.’
The Honyun Thunder Sword (混元霹靂刀) was one of the P’ang family techniques—a ruthless, thunder-and-lightning-style combat method.
It was normally suited for those with a strong build, but P’ang Yi-jong’s body was too thin.
‘Looks like he was forced to master it due to internal clan strife. Even with a frail body, he wants to prove he can wield Honyun Thunder Sword. Immature.’
Just like people have different bodies suited to different things, martial arts also depend on one’s physique.
Even though he was one of the Three Masters, Yi-jong only reached first-rate because this technique didn’t suit him.
‘Better watch carefully.’
“Daring to teach our family’s techniques in this remote village without permission? I warned you yesterday! Stop this academy immediately!”
“Why are you doing this, Master Yi-jong? I clearly received permission from Elder P’ang Gi-mun.”
“How dare you invoke our uncle’s name?! I anticipated this, so I sent word to him yesterday. And this is his reply.”
Yi-jong drew a small scroll from his robes and threw it to Moyong Hyeok, who carefully opened it.
On the scroll were just three characters, with P’ang Gi-mun’s seal:
「知不得.」
Zhī bù dé. – “I know nothing.”
“I… Is this really a letter from Elder P’ang Gi-mun?”
“Are your eyes just for decoration?! Can’t you see our uncle’s seal?!”
“I… No, I swear, I really—”
“Enough noise! Leave now, or I’ll destroy this place myself!”
With that, a wave of energy surged from Yi-jong, flashes of yellow lightning flickering—typical of someone versed in Honyun Thunder Divine Skill (混元霹靂神功).
The students were startled and began to cry, and Moyong Hyeok hurriedly ushered them outside.
“Oh, you’re coming too? From this moment, Moyong Academy is closed.”
“No! This place is my life and my son’s lifeline. Moreover, it embodies my life’s dedication. I will not retreat.”
Holding a chipped sword, Moyong Hyeok stood his ground.
Though third-rate, his steadfastness radiated a quiet strength.
“Is that so? Then I have no choice… I’ll kill you and destroy the academy!”
Yi-jong’s sword fell with thunderous force, lightning crackling along it.
It carried immense power, leaving Moyong Hyeok no chance for defense. Even if he tried to block it, Yi-jong was confident he could shatter Moyong Hyeok’s counterstrike—and rightly so.
But he couldn’t complete his Honyun Thunder Sword strike.
“Ehh!”
A child’s voice rang out from behind.
Yi-jong suddenly felt unbearable pain in his groin.
Crack!
Something seemed to break, and Yi-jong froze.
His eyes bulged, his body trembled as if electrified, and he couldn’t even scream properly.
“Are you broken? Hopefully not completely.”
The child, instead of worrying about breaking something, seemed concerned whether it was broken enough.
That child was Moyong Jin.
Even in shoes, his toes were pointed and precise, showing how accurately he struck.
Without hesitation, Moyong Jin kicked Yi-jong to the ground.
Yi-jong collapsed, frothing at the mouth, seemingly unconscious.
“Jin… How did you get here…?”
“Father, you turned Wungmyo Bandit-level serious. How could I just stay home? I followed secretly.”
“Why would you do this! This man is P’ang Yi-jong of the Hebei P’ang family’s Three Masters! If he seeks revenge…”
“That’s my responsibility, Father. If you had faced that strike just now, you wouldn’t have survived. Are you going to risk your life for this shabby academy?”
“Shabby? This academy is my life! I dedicated my whole being to it, to save you! I cannot abandon it!”
Moyong Jin knew his father’s feelings well.
But that’s why he had to tell the truth.
“Sigh… You were worried he would harm me, right? But if you had died protecting this academy, what would have become of me? Losing you and the academy together. If you hadn’t insisted, I wouldn’t have struck Yi-jong. Do you understand what that means?”
Moyong Hyeok fell silent. His son’s words were completely correct, leaving no room for argument.
Seeing his father’s solemn face, Moyong Jin gave a faint smile.
‘His emotions really show on his face.’
“Still… I thought it was cool that you stood up to Yi-jong. Truly martial-like and impressive.”
“Yi… Yi-jong, not Yi-jong… hehe… yes, impressive… hehe.”
Seeing his father blush at being called impressive, Moyong Jin turned his gaze back to Yi-jong.
“Now, that’s enough admiration for the Wungmyo Bandit. Let’s discuss how to deal with this Yi-jong.”
“Yi-jong, not Yi-jong…”
“Shall we secretly bury him in the back mountain? I know paths where no one goes.”
“How do you know such places? I told you not to go to dangerous areas… But burying a mountain man seems extreme. That’s the kind of thing rogue sects do.”
“If we die, what difference does it make if it’s orthodox or rogue? Yi-jong’s behavior is rogue-like.”
Ahem…
They were now in a small shed behind the academy.
Since discussing this openly outside could be dangerous, Moyong Jin had removed Yi-jong’s sword and tightly tied him to a pillar with ropes, like a spider’s web.
Only his head peeked out; he still hadn’t regained consciousness.
“Or maybe throw him into Yanghae River? It’s not deep, but the current is strong. Tie him to a small rock, and he can’t swim back. Bigger rocks would be more secure, but it might be too much for just the two of us.”
“Son… where did you get such information? I told you to stay home…”
“Well, children never do as parents say. Even if you tell me to stay home, I still wander around.”
“…That… may be true…”
Of course, that was a lie. Moyong Jin had stayed near the house, but he thought a little deception was better than risking suspicion.
Watching him, Moyong Hyeok felt a strange sensation.
Even in this chaotic situation, his son appeared calm. In fact, he almost seemed to enjoy it.
Every time they discussed how to deal with Yi-jong, Moyong Jin’s eyes sparkled.
“Using poison or burying him both work… hmm, which would make people say we handled it best?”
