Chapter 63
##63fury. It'll be ten times as much.?
Grumbling.
When I opened the window, cold air seeped deep into my lungs. I feel like my clouded mind is slowly becoming clearer..
“Phew…….”
The old man took a slow deep breath and looked out the window..
My vision was hazy due to presbyopia coming on early, but I was still able to enjoy the early morning sunrise..
“That's good.”
The old man smiled brightly and looked down at the dawn of his hometown..
Men and women who left home early to make a living.
The streets were full of life with the voices of children chattering as they headed to the academy or military building..
Open the window and quietly watch the scene.
In the past few weeks since returning home, it has been the old man's pastime and one of his few pleasures..
At that moment, the window closed by itself..
“Elderly. Being exposed to cold air early in the morning is not good for your health..”
The old man clicked his tongue slightly at the voice that came from behind him..
When I turned around, I saw a blunt-looking woman wearing black military uniform approaching me..
“You are quite capable too. Do you disturb my pleasure every morning?.”
“For me, health is more important than the pleasure of the elderly..”
Despite her blunt appearance, the woman's voice was soft..
The woman approached the old man and put on his outer robe..
As if it had already been prepared, there was also a warm decoction on the table next to the bed..
“Please open the window.”
“If you take the medicine first, I will open it for you..”
“Wow…….”
Finally, after putting on her coat and taking a sip of the bitter decoction, the woman opened the window again..
The old man glanced at the woman and said.
“When I get back, I'll tell everyone that you didn't listen to me..”
“Then, I will also tell you that you did not take your medicine properly..”
“pure thing…….”
The old man was about to say something more but just laughed..
Even though he speaks rudely, he is a truly grateful child..
Even though it's an order, he follows me all the way to this place and takes care of me, and although he has a blunt face, isn't he always concerned about my health and taking care of me?.
“When I return, I will ask you to put me in a more important position..”
“……I was wrong, so please stop saying that..”
The face of the woman who had not even flinched when she said she would inform her turned a little pale. That sight was so funny that the old man laughed out loud..
The old man turned back out the window and looked at the street and said.
“I lived here until I slightly exceeded my terms. And I came back after decades. really… … A lot has changed.”
“yes.”
“Although it was my hometown, I thought I had no affection for it. My parents died when I was young, and I don't have many good memories..”
“……But is there a reason you chose this place??”
The old man was silent for a moment in response to the woman’s question. His eyes were filled with complex emotions as he looked at the street..
“Still, I guess hometown is hometown. When I heard that I had to go to nursing, this was the first place that came to mind..”
“I hope you get well soon and will be back soon..”
“……Look, black spirit. Honestly I don't want to go back to that bonanza.”
“…….”
Heukyeong didn't say anything and just looked at the old man's back..
Because it is presumptuous to say oneself like this or that..
Her role was to put the old man's mind at ease, take care of his health, and prepare for any possible danger..
“I'll bring you a meal.”
It was when the black spirit turned and was about to go down from the old man's room..
“hmm? Did something happen??”
Heukyeong turned again at the old man's voice..
An old man was leaning out of the window, looking outside..
Where his eyes were directed, people were gathered and chatting..
“Puhahaha! look at this!”
“Tsk. There are all kinds of strange people in the world.…….”
Starting with obvious ridicule and disregard,
“Future Ilta instructor? Are you an instructor at Cheongryong Academy? Who on earth is Baek Soo-ryong??”
“Haven't you heard that rumor? Why among the new instructors this time?…….”
“ah! That braggart who declared that he would make Blue Dragon Academy the winner of the Tianwu Emperor.?”
Reactions of curiosity and absurdity.
“Unconditionally guaranteed success? Isn't this just a scammer?.”
“The prestige of the Blue Dragon Academy has also fallen to the ground. How can you do this in such a low way?…….”
“A person who is a warrior does not even know how to be ashamed……!”
Even the fiercely burning anger.
The people gathered there were talking about all kinds of things..
That sight caught the old man's interest..
“What on earth is going on that's causing such a fuss? Genga with the appearance of martial arts exploits?”
The black spirit listened to the sounds outside and answered..
“It looks like a leaflet has been attached. A martial arts instructor named Baek Soo-ryong... … Looks like they're looking for a student to tutor..”
“In Moorim, do people usually get criticized like that for something like that??”
“……I don't think so..”
In fact, it was not common to look at a flyer and ask for a military tutoring service..
No parent would want to entrust their child to someone whose skills are not proven and whose identity is unclear..
So, it was common to get martial arts tutoring through personal connections..
‘If you are an instructor at Cheongryong Academy, your status is guaranteed to some extent.…….’
The name Baeksu-ryong often comes up on people’s lips..
After listening to what people were saying, it seemed like they were bragging and doing things to get people's attention..
‘It has nothing to do with the elderly..’
Heukyeong erased all thoughts of the name Baeksuryong. She was the type of person who didn't care about anything other than her work..
But the old man she served was not like that..
“I wonder what they wrote that made them go crazy. Go get that piece of paper..”
At that moment, Heukyeong felt uneasy about the old man's bright eyes, but she had no right to refuse the old man's orders..
“……yes.”
The figure of the black spirit with his head bowed disappeared from the room..
After a while, Heukyeong quietly took one of the jeonjibs posted on the street and handed it to the old man with an uneasy expression..
“I glanced at it on the way home, but there was no need to see it.…….”
“Give it to me quickly.”
The old man took the leaflet that Black Young had brought and read it as if stealing it..
<Cheongryong Academic Center Accelerated Entrance Exam Class Recruitment!>
<Incredible price! Guaranteed unconditional success!>
<Future Ilta instructor! Individualized learning led directly by Baek Soo-ryong, current Cheongryong Academy instructor!>
<Contact us now!>
“…….”
silence for a while.
The old man read through the contents, rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and then read it again..
I thought I read it wrong because of my presbyopia..
But no matter how many times I read it, the content remained the same..
“Hehehe…….”
The extremely frivolous phrases were something only cheap drug dealers would write, and his confident tone went beyond arrogance to the point of making him look like a clown..
A soft smile appeared on the old man's lips..
“This guy seems to be really tight on money. Isn't it? It must not have been easy for a self-respecting warrior to put up a leaflet like this..”
“…….”
Aren’t warriors like corpses without their pride?.
When the old man was young, he admired the martial arts people who scolded the world..
How much I envied the boys and girls heading to the Blue Dragon Academy with swords at their waists..
Back in the days when I was a college student heading to the academy with a bookcase full of books, I would unconsciously shrug my shoulders when I came across devoted disciples heading to the Cheongryong academy..
Nowadays even decent experts have to bow their heads in front of the old man..
“It’s martial arts tutoring… … . Heh heh. Sounds fun..”
“Elderly. no way…….”
Heukyeong looked at the old man with a puzzled expression..
she knows the old man's character.
He said he was now weak and had come to his hometown for treatment, but once he started to be stubborn, it was difficult for anyone to stop him..
Sure enough. The old man spoke with a kind, yet ominous smile that Black Young felt was very ominous..
“I want to go outside for the first time in a while, so get ready..”
“Are you really going to go there??”
Heukyeong’s gaze was directed at the paper the old man was holding in his hand. There was also an address written there..
Baekryongjang, a large manor near Cheongryong Hall.
That was the place where the old man walked today..
“Don't worry. I'm thinking of just taking a look..”
It was hard for Heukyeong to believe what he said, but the old man's eyes were sparkling like a child's..
* * *
<Baekryongjang>
That's what was written on the manor's signboard in handwriting worthy of a warrior..
The gate was left wide open.
This was so that students who saw the flyer and came for consultation could enter comfortably..
However, even though the sun was already high in the sky, few people came for consultation..
“It's just flies..”
Taaak!
I struck Heonwon River's Jodong-ari, who was talking unluckily, with my sword sheath..
“evil! Why are you hitting me?!”
“Don't just open your mouth and keep your posture straight. Look at this. My posture is already falling apart?”
I stabbed Heonwon-gang here and there with the sheath of his sword..
He was training in the Nokrim Eighteen Styles that I taught him, and his learning speed was surprisingly fast..
I asked after pointing out a few incorrect postures..
“Is it true that you put up the flyers properly??”
When I narrowed my eyes and asked, Heonwon-gang jumped up and said that it was unfair..
“I ran around like a stray cat in the early morning and stuck up 100 pieces of that embarrassing paper.!”
“I also put it all together..”
Wi Ji-cheon, who was sweating and practicing martial arts swords next to the Heonwon River, also nodded..
I corrected Wi Ji-cheon's posture and said,.
“okay. Even though I don’t trust that idiot, I trust you, Cheon..”
“Why do you discriminate against me?…….”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? It's a good thing if you didn't secretly drink alcohol..”
“I said I quit drinking.!”
“Jodong-Ari.”
Taaak!
Heonwon- gang concentrated on the Nokrim 18 formulas with his Jodong-ari swollen, and Wijicheon slowly unfolded his martial arts sword..
I pointed out their postures and looked at the wide open gate..
Tsk. I had a bitter taste..
‘At best, I even took a vacation..’
My co-workers were shocked to see me taking leave less than a month after joining the company, but it was more important for me to get a tutor right away..
Because you need quite a bit of money to obtain elixirs that will improve your performance and to make a sword,.
‘We need to save at least three people.…….’
I couldn't understand why no one came to visit me..
“Was there not enough publicity? I should have added a little more provocative text.…….”
“If that were the case, it would have been reported to the government office for false advertising..”
“Suryong, no, I think you are good at teaching, but you have no talent for business.…….”
“Seeing that you guys are starting a club, does it seem worth doing? yes?”
It was the time when I was going to class while looking for the two guys..
“Are you inside??”
With a soft voice, an old man with a not-so-good complexion and a woman wearing black military uniform came in through the gate..
Out of habit, I looked at the two people closely..
The old man had a strong back, a clear voice, and a clear voice. He was walking slowly with a cane, and his complexion was not very good, so it seemed like he had a health problem..
It seemed like he had not studied martial arts in earnest, but the atmosphere that had ingrained him was unusual..
‘You're not an ordinary person..’
My gaze passed the old man and turned to the woman in black uniform following him..
‘That one is also above average..’
A strong stubbornness was felt in the harsh eyes and tightly closed lips. I was prepared to move my body at any time..
Then the old man looked at me and opened his mouth again..
“This is Baekryongjang.?”
I don't know what it was, but the moment I saw him holding today's paper in his hand, I put on a business smile and stepped forward..
“welcome. Please sit over there first..”
“I saw the flyer and came to get some advice.…….”
“Are you looking to take care of your grandchildren? It would have been better if you came together... … . How old are you??”
As I sat across from the old man, I assumed he was here to provide tutoring for his grandson or granddaughter and asked..
But at that moment, the old man smiled playfully like a child..
“Not my grandson. I was wondering if I should get some counseling..”
“……yes?”
“Elderly!”
The woman in black uniform behind the old man seemed more surprised than me..
“You stay still. Because it's just a consultation.”
The old man waved his hand to stop the woman in black, then looked at me carefully and asked:.
“Teacher Baek. Even an old man like this can enter the Blue Dragon Academy if he receives tutoring from the teacher.?”
“Are you serious??”
“How does it look??”
I looked into the old man's eyes. The old man also looked into my eyes as if he had nothing to worry about..
Although I couldn't figure out the old man's exact intention just by looking at him for a moment, I could tell that there was seriousness hidden in the playfulness..
“……I think you're serious..”
“Heh heh. For now, I'd like to get some counseling. I understand that there is no age limit for admission to the Blue Dragon Academy..”
The minimum age required to enter the Blue Dragon Academy is fifteen, but there is no limit to older age..
However, usually people over the age of 20 did not want to enter the museum..
There are often 'manhakdo' who enter the museum after the age of 30, but that is also a very rare case..
“Elderly. Excuse me, how is the spring and autumn this year??”
“I’m sixty-five this year..”
You've been qualified to enter the building for 50 years..
When I looked at him with those eyes, the old man chuckled in embarrassment and tapped the floor with his cane..
“Age is important in learning?”
Age is not important for learning itself, but it has a very important influence on the outcome..
It's not for nothing that people start martial arts from a young age..
It is a clear fact that the more you enter martial arts when your body is flexible and free of energy, the more advantageous it is..
In some cases, late initiation can be overcome due to innate qualities or a special constitution, but in my view, that was not the case for the elderly..
‘First of all, I’m too old..’
No matter how tight I am for money, it doesn't mean I'm not..
The look in the eyes of the woman in black glaring at me from behind the old man is also burdensome..
“Elderly. Sorry but that will be difficult.”
The old man looked disappointed at my words, and the woman in black looked grateful..
But the old man still seemed to have some regrets..
“……What if I give you ten times as much??”
“yes?”
“If you let me into the Blue Dragon Academy, I will pay the tutoring fee ten times as much..”
The playfulness disappeared from the old man's eyes. He was looking straight at me and asking seriously..
‘ten times?’
The tutoring fee I set is 300 silver nyang..
Ten times three thousand nyang.
It is an amount that does not require saving other students other than the elderly..
if possible…….
“please give me your hand.”
I held the old man's pulse and took a pulse..
To better feel the flow of energy inside my body, I closed my eyes and looked slowly..
After looking at it for a while, I slowly opened my eyes..
“I'm sorry, but it would be difficult even if you gave me ten times as much..”
The old man's expression darkened at my words. He sighed softly and said.
“Is that so too?…….”
“I'm telling you this just in case, no matter who you consult with, they will tell you the same thing. If I can't do it, no one at Blue Dragon School can do it..”
“Heh heh. He's arrogant, but somehow I feel trustworthy. okay. That would be ridiculous... … . Thank you for your advice..”
The old man stood up. When I turned around, my shoulders looked droopier than when I first came through the front door..
I saw off an old man leaving Baekryongjang..
“Sorry I can't help you.”
“Rather, I am sorry for asking too much..”
“Ten times… … . It's a lot of money, but it's difficult to do with that much money..”
“I guess so. In the world, it's all about money... … . What the hell?”
The old man must have sensed something strange in what I just said, and turned to look at me..
I just said, 'It's difficult with that kind of money.'.
“What does that mean?…….”
I smiled and nodded..
Isn’t bargaining the basis of trading?.
“Give me twenty times as much. Then, I will make you the oldest person to pass the Blue Dragon Academy history..”
The old man's eyes were shaking wildly as he looked at me..
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