Star Instructor, Master Baek

Chapter 189: Hide and Seek (2)

TL: FoodieMonster007

What's this? He looks the same on the outside, but I feel as if he's become an entirely different person.

The more Baek Suryong stared at Baek Muheun, the more confused he became. Even though this man was technically his father in this life, everything about him felt different. His eyes, his expression, even the way he carried himself had changed drastically.

How should he put it? There was a new light in Baek Muheun's eyes, a relaxed, unburdened quality that hadn't been there before. In the past, even though he always put on a cheerful front, the memory of a young wife lost too soon and the dark prospect of a son slowly dying of an incurable disease had always cast a dark gloom over him.

Not long ago, whenever he looked at me, I could always see the guilt, anguish, and helplessness haunting him. Now though, that shadow has lifted. Standing before me is a man as light and free as a bird, as if nothing can hold him back anymore. Perhaps, that's also why he's finally overcome the wall that hindered his martial arts.

Before Baek Suryong left the Baek Academy, Baek Muheun had been a first-rate martial artist who had remained stuck at the threshold of the peak realm for over a decade. At present, however, he seemed to not only have crossed that threshold, but also reached the pinnacle of the peak realm, becoming a master standing at the very top of the murim.

Unable to hide his amazement, Baek Suryong asked, "Did you have a lucky encounter on a remote mountain somewhere? I suspect you've been doping on miracle herbs."

"That's my line. Did you fall off a cliff and happen upon the legacy of a legendary martial master or something?" Baek Muheun shot back.

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"Well, after what I heard about the amazing Azure Dragon Hero who singlehandedly destroyed the Valley of Evil, I just had to come here and see you for myself."

Like Baek Suryong, Baek Muheun couldn't help but be awed by his son's impressive transformation. When he had left the Baek Academy, Baek Suryong had hardly any inner qi, so he was constantly worried that the boy would be bullied by other instructors or even the students at the Azure Dragon Academy.

To his utter shock and disbelief, however, the rumors he'd heard about his son on the road to Nanchang painted a picture that was the exact opposite of what he'd imagined.

His frail and sickly son Baek Suryong, an up-and-coming absolute martial master? No matter how hard he thought about it, it sounded far too outrageous to be true.

He had to hear the truth straight from the man himself.

In a serious tone, Baek Muheun asked, "Are you the new instructor who boldly claimed that he would lead the Azure Dragon Academy to victory in this year's Heavenly Martial Festival?"

"Yes."

"Did you also win a bet against the Star Instructor Namgung Su and take over one of his classes?"

"That's right."

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"You… Did you really kill one of the Ten Great Villains in the Valley of Evil and earn the title of Azure Dragon Hero?"

"Wow, rumors sure do spread quickly!" Baek Suryong shrugged, nonchalantly acknowledging all of his accomplishments.

Baek Muheun's jaw dropped. "Did you scoop up all the remaining miraculous encounters in the murim? How the heck did a frail child on the verge of death become a supreme grandmaster in just a few months?"

"You should know that martial arts secrets are never shared lightly, even with family," Baek Suryong replied, brushing him off.

Flabbergasted, Baek Muheun shook his head and sighed, "Fine… At least, I can't deny that you've become unbelievably strong."

"So have you, Dad."

Father and son exchanged glances, marveling at each other's remarkable progress.

"Anyway, long time no see, you unfilial brat," Baek Muheun chuckled.

Baek Suryong retorted with a smirk, "You must have had a hard time running and hiding from your father-in-law these past few days."

"Seeing as you absolutely refuse to lose an argument, you must really be my son. Come, sit next to me." Letting out a small laugh, Baek Muheun plopped back down and gestured to the spot beside him.

With a sigh, Baek Suryong went over and joined him.

Together, father and son sat side by side on the dormitory rooftop, watching the clouds drift by.

"So… how did you sneak into the academy? Outsiders are prohibited from entering," Baek Suryong asked.

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With their many sharp-eyed masters and watchful guards, the murim's Five Great Academies were places where even the most skilled assassins dared not tread, yet here sat Baek Muheun, casually drinking as if he owned the place.

Taking a sip from his wine bottle, Baek Muheun laughed, "After observing from the outside for a few days, I noticed that not much has changed here compared to thirty years ago. Whether it was then or now, there's always a hole somewhere that students use to sneak out. Kids of every generation are all the same."

"Geez…" Baek Suryong sighed. "Or should I say, as expected of the worst delinquent in Azure Dragon Academy history?"

Baek Muheun beamed with pride. "I have always been a master of hide and seek. Even back then, your grandfather couldn't catch me eight times out of ten, and I was able to successfully escape from the dorms at night."

"What about the other two times?"

"Well, I got beaten nearly to death… but I didn't die, so it's all good, right?"

"What the hell…?" Baek Suryong clicked his tongue, looking at his father as if he were a foolish student.

Baek Muheun chuckled, "And now my son is the one hunting for naughty students as part of the Discipline Committee. How ironic. Ahh, life really is full of surprises."

"…I must take after Mom more than you," Baek Suryong said dryly.

"Your mother? Hasn't your grandfather told you how wild Yakbing was in her youth?"

"What?" The corners of Baek Suryong's mouth twitched. Now that he thought about it, Mae Geuklyom hadn't told him much about his mother.

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Baek Muheun's expression softened dreamily. "Yakbing was a woman who lived as if every day was her last. Although she was weak and sickly, she was so spirited that even your grandfather was helpless against her. As for other men? Don't even bother thinking about it. Just the fact that she tamed me, the notorious Handsome Prince, should say it all, right?"

As Baek Muheun spoke, his gaze wandered over the Azure Dragon Academy campus, lingering on places filled with fond memories. The well-trimmed lawns where he and his wife had once enjoyed long dates together, the hidden escape routes near the dormitory, the lake where he'd proposed…

"Mae Yakbing was a truly remarkable woman. With that small, frail body of hers, she bravely stood up to her harsh, cruel fate. Meeting and marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"……" Baek Suryong listened in silence. As his father reminisced, for a moment, he thought he saw a trace of the sorrow that had once consumed the man.

Baek Muheun looked back at his son, smiling wryly. "It must be the lovely weather and the alcohol. I'm getting too sentimental."

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"You never had any intention of remarrying, huh?" Baek Suryong sighed.

Baek Muheun leaned closer to his son. "Hoho, as a matter of fact, this exact spot where we're sitting right now is where your mom and I had our first kiss. Even then, Yakbing was the one who made the first…"

"Ugh, stop it. You're grossing me out!" Baek Suryong interjected, scooting away in disgust.

Seeing him, Baek Muheun laid back down and rolled around, laughing.

The two fell into companionable silence for a while, watching as a flock of migratory birds flew across the azure sky.

Finally, Baek Suryong broke the silence, asking, "Are you going to leave without meeting Grandpa?"

"I haven't decided what to do yet," Baek Muheun replied, yawning lazily while using his arms as a pillow. "Don't worry about it, this dispute is only between me and him."

You haven't decided? Have you even given it any thought…? Baek Suryong sighed, "Because of you, he follows me everywhere I go, and even at home, he's always breathing down my neck, like I'm a target for surveillance. Spare a thought for your son, will you?"

"You cheeky brat. I just said I haven't decided yet," Baek Muheun argued back, closing his eyes.

…Is he planning to take a nap?! Exasperated, Baek Suryong decided it was time for answers.

"So, why did you suddenly come here, anyway?" he asked.

Baek Muheun looked at him through half-lidded eyes. "Why are you asking me that? Didn't you read the letter I sent?"

Awkwardly scratching his cheek, Baek Suryong admitted, "I've been, uh… a little busy lately. Was there something really important in the letter?"

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"Of course there is. The reason I temporarily closed down the Baek Academy and traveled all this way is all written there."

"What is it?"

Baek Muheun sat up, and his expression turned grave. "Before that, let me ask you one thing. Do you remember anything from before the accident?"

Baek Suryong froze. The 'accident' referred to the day the original owner of this body had collapsed while practicing demonic arts. On that fateful day, the real Baek Suryong had died, and his soul—the soul of a former Blood Cult martial arts instructor—had awakened in this body.

For a moment, Baek Suryong wondered if he should come clean, but in the end, he decided it was too late to spill the beans.

"Well, bits and pieces…" he lied.

Baek Muheun studied him for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember what day tomorrow is?"

Baek Suryong shook his head. "No. What day is it?"

"It's Yakbing's death anniversary."

A shadow fell over Baek Suryong's face. Since Mae Yakbing was the mother of this body, he wanted to regard her as his real parent, just as he had done with Baek Muheun.

"Oh… Are you planning to hold the memorial here?" he asked.

"So you really don't remember anything… Yakbing never cared much for solemn events like remembrances. Her last wish was for us to go on a vacation together and enjoy ourselves whenever the anniversary of her death came around. She said… she said that she'd definitely come along with us in spirit."

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"……"

"That's why… Every year around this time, I would take you on a fun trip somewhere."

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember at all…" Baek Suryong began, when suddenly, memories that shouldn't exist flooded into his mind.

A much younger Baek Muheun, wrapping his warm hand around his own tiny fingers. Soaring mountains, winding rivers, passing towns, the sound of a child's laughter filling the air… and the quiet sorrow that clouded his father's eyes whenever he looked up.

"Suryong, this was your mother's favorite flower."

"It smells so nice!"

What's going on? What are these memories?

His head felt like it was spinning, and agitation flickered across his face.

Noticing his son's obvious distress, Baek Muheun quickly tried to soothe him. "Suryong! It's okay. You don't have to force yourself to remember if it's painful. This isn't the only reason I'm here. There's something I have to give to you."

"You brought something for me?"

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Reaching into his clothes, Baek Muheun said, "Yes, I found this hidden in your room… Oh shit, I'm dead."

"Indeed."

"You knew long before I did, didn't you? Why didn't you warn me?"

"No, I was distracted, so I only just realized too."

"Do you seriously expect me to believe that?" Glaring at his son, Baek Muheun let out a deep sigh and stood up to greet the newcomer.

"So, you were hiding up here," Mae Geuklyom said coldly, landing lightly on the rooftop.

Straightening his disheveled clothes, Baek Muheun greeted, "Long time no see, Father-in-law."

Baek Suryong braced himself, anticipating a torrent of curses from Mae Geuklyom. To his surprise, though, the old man said nothing. Only the faint, ominous sound of a sword being unsheathed punctuated the silence.

"There's no need for words. Draw your sword," Mae Geuklyom commanded.

Baek Muheun sighed, "Must it be this way?"

"A swordsman speaks through his sword. You, too, are a swordsman. So convey your intentions with that splendid sword of yours."

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"Father-in-law…"

Mae Geuklyom wasted no more time. A sharp wind, slicing through the air like a blade, whipped around the old man, and in the blink of an eye, he stood before Baek Muheun.

CLANG!

Two swords clashed, and Baek Muheun stumbled back three steps.

"Three steps, hmm? So, you haven't been slacking off all this time," Mae Geuklyom remarked, his eyes narrowing as he sent wave after wave of sword qi across the rooftop, tracing intricate dots and lines through the air.

Gritting his teeth, Baek Muheun focused on defense. Even then, his clothes were ripped badly, and blood trickled from the thin scratches crisscrossing his skin.

"Father-in-law… Please, let's stop this and just talk," he pleaded.

"If you want to live, you should swing your sword instead of wagging your tongue."

Perhaps because he was slightly tipsy, Baek Muheun was more emotional than usual. Biting his lip in indignation, he spat, "Tell me. What exactly did I do wrong?"

"What? Are you seriously asking me that?" Mae Geuklyom roared with bloodshot eyes, his anger fueled by Baek Muheun's insolent tone and the scent of alcohol. Sharpening his killing intent, he lunged at his son-in-law again.

This time, Baek Muheun barely managed to dodge the attack, but it still left a small cut on his ear.

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This is dangerous. Baek Suryong watched the clash between his father and grandfather with a tense, steady gaze, ready to step in the moment things turned serious.

"Baek Muheun! I can never forgive you! Not only did you steal my daughter, you…"

"Shut up! I can't forgive you either!" Baek Muheun bellowed back.

"You dare… say you can't forgive me?" Mae Geuklyom halted his frenzied assault, though the battle was far from over. His face contorted into a demonic grimace, and the sword qi around his blade grew denser.

Holy shit! I have to stop them now! Panicking, Baek Suryong moved to intervene.

However, before he could do anything, Baek Muheun howled, "Mae Geuklyom! Where were you when Yakbing was dying? We sent you so many letters, but you never replied even once! And even after she left, why… Why didn't you come to her funeral? Was your pride more important than your daughter? Did you no longer care whether she lived or died because you'd already disowned her? Well? ANSWER ME!"

Mae Geuklyom shuddered, visibly shaken, and his sword qi flickered erratically, reflecting the turmoil raging in his heart.

Baek Muheun grit his teeth. "Do you think you have the right to blame me? You, who abandoned your daughter?"

At long last, Mae Geuklyom lowered his sword. Clenching his teeth so hard that it looked like they might break, he growled, "Watch your mouth, you bastard. I…"

"Do you really think I avoided you all this time because I was afraid of you? No, it's because I hate you."

"……"

"Until her final breath, Yakbing waited for you, hoping to see you one last time. Where the hell were you?"

"I…"

"If you want to kill me, go ahead. Spill my blood all over the academy your daughter attended. I'm sure a heartless man like you wouldn't hesitate."

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"……"

Baek Muheun mercilessly tore open Mae Geuklyom's old wounds. He was the one bleeding all over, yet somehow, it seemed that Mae Geuklyom was the one in greater pain.

Unable to watch any longer, Baek Suryong stepped between them and looked at his father reproachfully. "Dad, I think that's enough," he said softly.

Baek Muheun let out a long sigh. "Hah… I've probably had a bit too much to drink today. Emotions are running high, so I think it's best I leave now. Suryong, I'll come see you again another time."

Baek Muheun turned around and jumped down from the dormitory using movement arts. This time, Mae Geuklyom made no move to stop him. He simply stood there, staring blankly at the ground.

Before disappearing though, Baek Muheun sent his son a telepathic message, [Meet me at the lake east of the academy tonight. I have something for you.]

Baek Suryong quietly watched his father's figure fade into the distance. Beside him, Mae Geuklyom's eyes were still glazed over, lost in his thoughts.

Translator's Note: Oof, this arc is especially hard to translate, especially if I want to keep the emotions running high without sounding awkward because of the translation…