Chapter 17
The hall was as quiet as a tomb.
Everyone focused solely on the conversation between Ju Yu-cheon and Sa Bigang.
Ju Yu-cheon asked.
“So what are the conditions?”
“There are three in total.”
“Go ahead and speak.”
“First, as you yourself said, Dean, I cannot forgive those who have slandered and humiliated me. Therefore, if it is determined that I have not learned Demonic Arts, please strip Instructor Yeo Un-jin of his qualifications for slandering me, and instead appoint me as Student Supervisor.”
People began to murmur.
Some thought Sa Bigang’s demand was quite harsh, but the majority felt his request was reasonably justified.
And why wouldn’t they? Even if he had no intention of actually causing harm, hadn’t he been subjected to a surprise attack?
Moreover, attempting to brand him with the disgrace of being a ‘demon’ in front of all these people—it would be fortunate if he wasn’t demanding a fight to the death.
The problem was whether this would violate the Hall Rules given the Dean’s character.
Everyone waited for the Dean’s response.
Finally, Ju Yu-cheon nodded.
“Very well. If you have not learned Demonic Arts, I will strip Instructor Yeo Un-jin of his qualifications. According to the Hall Rules, when someone causes considerable disturbance within the hall, their instructor qualifications can be revoked depending on the severity. Also, I do have the authority to appoint Student Supervisors, so it’s not impossible.”
“B-but Dean! I was simply trying to reveal that this bastard is a demon…!”
Ju Yu-cheon turned his gaze toward Yeo Un-jin, who had hastily stepped forward.
“Then you have nothing to feel wronged about, do you? You must have acted so recklessly because you were so confident. Conversely, if it’s confirmed that Instructor Sa is a demon, naturally he would have to step down from his instructor position. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to avoid punishment beyond that either.”
Since these were all reasonable words, Yeo Un-jin could no longer argue.
‘Right, it doesn’t matter anyway. Didn’t I see it clearly with my own two eyes? He said I was lying to him, but isn’t the one really lying that bastard? Heaven knows, I know, and that bastard knows! There’s no need for me to be anxious!’
Even so…
‘Damn it, but why am I feeling uneasy?’
Yeo Un-jin ground his teeth.
An indescribable sense of crisis was slowly tightening around him.
“What’s the second condition?”
“From now on, education for the Special Purpose Class will proceed entirely at my discretion. I believe today’s misunderstanding also arose because other instructors harbored doubts about my teaching methods. So if it’s revealed that I’m not a demon, please refrain from interfering with my teaching methods whatsoever. Unless there’s clear wrongdoing, I ask that you acknowledge my methods.”
“But that requires reviewing the Hall Rules…”
“There’s nothing that violates the Hall Rules. If you look at Article 17, Section 2, ‘Instructor Guidance,’ it states: ‘When a homeroom instructor deems it necessary, they may freely change their teaching methods with approval from superiors.’ I believe you could approve based on this provision.”
“Hmm.”
After a brief contemplation, Ju Yu-cheon nodded with difficulty.
“I understand. I’ll accept it.”
As time passed, Yeo Un-jin felt increasingly suffocated by an inexplicable anxiety.
‘There’s no need for me to be anxious. I… but why am I so uneasy…’
Then, at the moment when his gaze met Sa Bigang’s directly,
“…!”
Yeo Un-jin’s pupils shook violently.
It was only for a brief moment, but there was mockery in Sa Bigang’s gaze as he looked at him.
Not an expression shown outwardly.
Literally just the look in his eyes. Something like an inexplicable sixth sense.
‘Right! I’m uneasy because of that bastard! That bastard… there’s something about him! He shouldn’t be so confident! But why is he acting like nothing’s wrong?’
Yeo Un-jin took deep breaths, trying not to lose his composure.
Thinking that perhaps it was Sa Bigang’s bluff.
Meanwhile, Sa Bigang opened his mouth again.
“Then, let me state the final condition.”
“Speak.”
“If Instructor Yeo Un-jin’s qualifications are stripped, there will be one Head Instructor position vacant, so please select someone I recommend. I’ll decide the military branch at my discretion.”
This was an unexpected condition.
Not only Ju Yu-cheon but many of the gathered people tilted their heads and whispered among themselves.
“A recommendation?”
“Who is he planning to recommend? And deciding the branch freely—does that mean it won’t be a fist technique instructor?”
“Well, there’s not just one fist technique instructor, so it doesn’t matter, right?”
After a moment, an answer came from Ju Yu-cheon’s mouth.
“That’s not possible.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it violates the Hall Rules. Up until now, your demands haven’t greatly violated the Hall Rules. But unconditionally hiring someone based on recommendation clearly violates the Hall Rules.”
“Very well. Then how about you interview the person I recommend and then decide?”
“Hmm. If it’s to that extent, I’ll accept it.”
“I’m grateful for your consideration, Dean.”
Sa Bigang performed a cupped hands salute.
Finally, all conditions had been accepted.
People looked back and forth between Sa Bigang and Ju Yu-cheon with tense expressions.
Ju Yu-cheon picked up the Demon Detection Cinnabar and approached Sa Bigang step by step.
“Then, may I test you now?”
“Very well.”
“For everyone’s satisfaction, I intend to apply it directly to your forehead myself.”
“That’s fine.”
Sa Bigang simply closed his eyes.
Ju Yu-cheon dipped the Demon Detection Cinnabar on his index finger and slowly applied it to Sa Bigang’s forehead.
According to Yeo Un-jin’s words, Sa Bigang had been using Demonic Arts until just moments ago.
In other words, if the Demon Detection Cinnabar was applied now, less than one Shijin later, red spots should definitely appear.
‘Now you’re finished!’
Yeo Un-jin clenched his fists and glared at Sa Bigang’s forehead as if trying to bore through it.
Not only that, but everyone’s gaze was fixed on Sa Bigang’s forehead.
Ju Yu-cheon also stepped back three or four paces and stared at his forehead.
An atmosphere as taut as a pulled thread.
If red spots appeared, all the people here would draw their swords and point them at Sa Bigang simultaneously.
Therefore, Ju Yu-cheon was also prepared to draw upon his Internal Energy if necessary.
But…
‘Appear! Come on! Appear! Hurry!’
Yeo Un-jin chewed his lips anxiously as he waited.
His tightly clenched fists were drenched in sweat.
But no change appeared on Sa Bigang’s forehead.
‘Damn it! Why is the effect so delayed? Hurry up and appear!’
Yeo Un-jin was anxious beyond measure.
Cheon Se-myeong and his group felt the same.
For all of them, each moment felt as long as an eternity.
When that agonizing half-moment had passed.
“Ahem!”
When Ju Yu-cheon cleared his throat, everyone in the hall flinched.
This showed how anxiously they had been concentrating solely on Sa Bigang’s forehead.
“If there’s no reaction after one Gak, I’ll judge that Instructor Sa is not a demon.”
No one raised objections.
Rather, they thought one Gak was quite generous with time.
If Yeo Un-jin’s words were correct, red spots should have appeared immediately upon applying the Demon Detection Cinnabar.
But Sa Bigang’s forehead showed no change.
Since the Dean himself had applied it rather than the person involved, there could be no trickery.
The person who couldn’t accept this result more than anyone was Yeo Un-jin.
His pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
‘This, this can’t be! This can’t be! Those martial arts I saw were definitely not righteous martial arts! That bastard definitely learned Demonic Arts! Why… why…!’
Yeo Un-jin, his mind in chaos, ended up thinking thoughts he shouldn’t have.
Driven by impatience, he jumped up and shouted toward Ju Yu-cheon.
“Dean! Something seems strange! I definitely… cough, saw it! Really… Dean, did you apply the Demon Detection Cinnabar to that bastard’s forehead?”
Deep wrinkles formed on Ju Yu-cheon’s forehead.
“Are you now doubting me as well?”
“N-no, that’s not it, but… isn’t it strange? That bastard definitely used Demonic Arts! But why… why…! This can’t be! Or maybe the Demon Detection Cinnabar was defective…”
“According to records so far, Demon Detection Cinnabar has never shown results contrary to fact.”
“B-but… definitely that bastard…! Let, let me apply it! I’ll apply it directly to his forehead!”
“That’s not possible!”
Ju Yu-cheon burst into an angry roar.
When his voice, filled with Internal Energy, reverberated thunderously through the hall, some people staggered back hesitantly.
Yeo Un-jin looked devastated.
“B-but why… if I apply it, surely…”
“In the end, you’re doubting me as well!”
“N-no, that’s not it… I’m certain…”
“Right now you’ve completely lost your mind! If I let someone like you apply the Demon Detection Cinnabar, there’s no telling what kind of accident might happen. Moreover, even after I personally committed a discourteous act toward Instructor Sa in front of everyone, your refusal to believe this is nothing short of insulting me!”
Thud.
Yeo Un-jin collapsed to his knees powerlessly.
This couldn’t be happening.
If he could, he would have wanted to pluck out his own eyeballs to show them what he had directly witnessed.
A bitter wind blew.
Finally, Ju Yu-cheon pronounced judgment.
“One Gak has passed. As everyone has witnessed, as you can see, no red spots have appeared on Instructor Sa’s forehead. This proves that Instructor Sa has not learned Demonic Arts. Instructor Sa, please forgive my discourtesy.”
“Not at all. I understand that as Dean, you had no choice. I’m simply disappointed in Instructor Yeo, who tried to slander me with such absurd falsehoods.”
At those words, Ju Yu-cheon shot a cold glance at Yeo Un-jin.
‘No, no! That bastard’s words aren’t true! I’m telling the truth! You bastards!’
Yeo Un-jin shouted internally while looking around at the people.
Everyone’s gaze was filled with reproach.
Even Cheon Se-myeong and his associates.
Ju Yu-cheon spoke coldly.
“You have committed irreversible discourtesy! Suspecting a fellow instructor without grounds, even resorting to cowardly attacks, and causing confusion in front of many students! Moreover, telling lies and refusing to accept legitimately obtained results! Not one of these can be taken lightly! Therefore, I hereby strip you of your instructor qualifications!”
“D-Dean! This isn’t right! Something’s wrong! I definitely…!”
“Shut up! Don’t you dare address me carelessly with that filthy mouth!”
At this point, it was fortunate that Yeo Un-jin’s mind hadn’t completely collapsed.
Before he could continue speaking, Ju Yu-cheon thundered.
“What are you doing? If you have even the slightest conscience as a member of the righteous path, shouldn’t you apologize to Instructor Sa for the discourtesy you’ve committed?”
Yeo Un-jin turned his vacant gaze toward Sa Bigang.
Sa Bigang looked at him with a faint smile.
‘Why? Why can’t everyone else see that bastard’s mockery? Has he bewitched all these people with Demonic Arts? Can they really not see that evil smile?’
Meanwhile, Ju Yu-cheon was shouting something, but it just buzzed in his ears.
Finally, his gaze turned to Sa Bigang, who was slowly approaching.
‘Why is that bastard approaching?’
When Sa Bigang finally reached right in front of him.
“Instructor Yeo. I’m very disappointed that you even gave false testimony about me, but I won’t pursue it further. Ah, I also apologize for treating you harshly without recognizing you properly.”
“What… what…!”
Yeo Un-jin couldn’t manage to continue speaking.
The people in the hall were instead praising Sa Bigang for his magnanimity.
In the end, he had become the worst kind of person—one who commits wrongs and doesn’t even apologize.
Moreover, he had even received an apology…
Sa Bigang lightly patted Yeo Un-jin’s shoulder and whispered.
No, it would be more accurate to say it resonated in his mind.
[You should have done things in moderation. What kind of disgrace is this?]
Instantly, Yeo Un-jin’s head snapped up.
Sa Bigang smiled and walked away.
‘That, that bastard definitely just said to me…!’
But no one else heard those words.
Only Yeo Un-jin heard them.
In fact, this was something called ‘Carve’ among the 4th Circle magic of the Demon Realm—it was tantamount to directly carving language into the brain of a contacted target.
Therefore, no matter how skilled someone nearby might be at sensing energy, they couldn’t hear what Sa Bigang had conveyed.
At this point, Yeo Un-jin was truly on the verge of falling into Juhwa-ipma.
To the dazed Yeo Un-jin, Ju Yu-cheon spoke coldly.
“You will remain at this hall for the next ten years, performing community service! This is also punishment I’m imposing on you!”
Community service was putting it nicely—in reality, it was no different from being a servant doing menial tasks.
This was the same work Sa Bigang had done after being driven from his Assistant Instructor position.
