Baek Suryong walked toward Cho Il, who looked back at him in dismay.
He's not deviating from my expectations at all.
He had been observing Cho Il since the moment he stepped out of the carriage. Knowing that Cho Il was a Blood Cult spy, he figured that he would not leave quietly.
Sure enough, Cho Il slipped away from the Principal's Office, found a secluded area, and deployed a concealment technique. Had he not noticed, the spy might have infiltrated the academy's key facilities or harmed someone.
A cold smile played on his lips. "Why so quiet? You look like a thief with a guilty conscience."
Baek Suryong walked toward Cho Il, who looked back at him in dismay.
Cho Il stiffened for a moment but quickly pulled himself together and bowed in greeting. "Cho Il of the Heavenly Martial Academy greets the Azure Dragon Hero. I implore you to give me a chance to clear up this misunderstanding."
Even now, he could sense Cho Il cautiously sizing him up, trying to gauge the severity of his injuries.
Baek Suryong scoffed. Cho Il's polite tone and disciplined posture were the very model of an orthodox prodigy. He even reeked of the hypocrisy common to such men.
Just as Cho Il had once induced qi deviation in Geo Sangwoong using the Soul Reaping Demonic Art, Baek Suryong had planted a similar seed of trauma within him.
"A misunderstanding..." he muttered, stopping in his tracks with an amused smile.
He had already guessed what Cho Il and Mae Geuklyom had discussed. Predicting an opponent's thoughts was simple for him.
He was probably planning to assess the damage to the Azure Dragon Academy and pull some trick when he found an opportunity.
Even now, he could sense Cho Il cautiously sizing him up, trying to gauge the severity of his injuries.
Baek Suryong thought about his former student who had returned to the Blood Cult of his own free will.
I should just play along for now.
"What could I have misunderstood?" he asked.
Cho Il let out an exaggerated sigh of relief and scratched the back of his head. "I wanted to see the Azure Dragon Academy in its normal state," he said, looking flustered. "Not a staged performance for outsiders, but rather, how the students actually train and study. I couldn't contain my curiosity and acted shamefully."
Baek Suryong grinned.
His face turned red, as if he were truly embarrassed. He bowed and apologized, adding that he had been scolded many times at the Heavenly Martial Academy for his excessive curiosity.
"If you're ready, let's begin."
"Did the Heavenly Martial Principal order you to do this?" Baek Suryong asked lightly.
Cho Il waved his hands frantically. "I swear, I acted entirely on my own! Even though the Azure Dragon Academy is our strongest competitor at this year's Heavenly Martial Festival, our Principal is not the kind of person who would order me to spy on you!"
By frankly admitting his fault and apologizing, he naturally elevated the Azure Dragon Academy's status.
Baek Suryong smirked. Cho Il seemed to have received decent spy training from the Blood Cult. Still, to a former Blood Cult martial arts instructor familiar with the entire training curriculum, the act was rather laughable.
The problem was the method.
"So you were just a curious student."
"Once again, I sincerely apologize. I've shown an unsightly side of myself in front of a peerless martial artist I've always respected."
Cho Il answered, "The courage and sacrifice that the Azure Dragon Hero showed against the vile Blood Cult made the hearts of students like me pound. I always hoped I would get to meet you in person."
"You're quite terrible at flattery."
"...Pardon?"
"What could I have misunderstood?" he asked.
Baek Suryong resumed walking toward Cho Il, causing the latter to gulp as the distance between them narrowed.
"You said you respect me?" Baek Suryong asked languidly.
Cho Il answered, "The courage and sacrifice that the Azure Dragon Hero showed against the vile Blood Cult made the hearts of students like me pound. I always hoped I would get to meet you in person."
His expression changed with every word, like a mediocre Beijing opera actor.
A cold smile played on his lips.
To Baek Suryong, though, it was a ridiculous farce.
I can't just let a guy who walked right into the trap go.
The problem was the method. Since Cho Il had likely received spy training, ordinary interrogation would not work. He might also have had a restriction placed on him by the Blood Cult's sorcerers.
Fortunately, he had ways to nullify all of that. The Blood Demon Eyes would probably make the brat spill everything, but he could couldn't use them carelessly. His inner Blood Demon might try to take over his body again, so the Heaven Defying Divine Art was a last resort.
There were other ways, though.
Baek Suryong spoke to Cho Il, carefully observing his expression and subtle movements. Reading an opponent's mind through careful observation was his specialty.
To Baek Suryong, though, it was a ridiculous farce.
Look at this guy.
In the darkness, a large man sat quietly in the lotus position, bound tightly by dozens of dark iron chains.
Cho Il shifted his center of gravity slightly forward and tensed his legs. He pretended not to look around him while glancing discreetly. All signs pointed to one conclusion.
His expression changed with every word, like a mediocre Beijing opera actor.
He's looking for a chance to ambush me? Is he insane?
Then again, from Cho Il's perspective, it might seem worthwhile. His complexion made him look like a patient in need of bed rest. He was worn out from working late every night on Heavenly Martial Festival preparations and squeezing in time to guide students. To an outsider, he might easily appear to still be suffering from severe internal injuries.
My internal injuries healed a long time ago, though.
He could kill Cho Il and expose the young cultist's identity right here and now, but it wasn't worth it. Doing so would only cause the Blood Cult to become more reclusive after its devastating losses in the recent clash.
Fortunately, he had ways to nullify all of that. The Blood Demon Eyes would probably make the brat spill everything, but he could couldn't use them carelessly. His inner Blood Demon might try to take over his body again, so the Heaven Defying Divine Art was a last resort.
Instead...
Baek Suryong smirked, having organized his thoughts. "I guess I misunderstood. A promising prodigy from the Heavenly Martial Academy wouldn't resort to something like thievery."
"I leave for a moment and you've already caused trouble," , a voice rang out from behind him.
"Of course not, sir. This was clearly my mistake. Once again, I apologize..."
"I feel bad just sending you off. How about I give you pointers?"
"!" Cho Il's eyes gleamed with greed for a moment. "...Are you serious?"
Baek Suryong nodded. The little punk's true intentions were clearly written all over his face.
He must be thinking how to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
To help Cho Il make his decision, he unfastened the Divine Azure Dragon Sword and Crimson Moon and placed them on the ground, effectively disarming himself.
With each stomp and explosion of air, Baek Suryong identified the marital arts Cho Il had learned and his factional affiliation. The young man had no idea that with every punch he threw, he was giving Baek Suryong more information.
"Fist Tyrant Cho Il. I was curious since I've heard that you're a talented fighter who might one day compete for the title of the world's greatest fist. Let's have a light spar."
He smiled. A man with ulterior motives would never refuse such temptation.
With a rusty groan, a massive iron door swung open.
As expected, Cho Il feigned hesitation for a moment before taking a fighting stance.
Baek Suryong smirked.
"I would be honored to receive your guidance."
Baek Suryong spoke to Cho Il, carefully observing his expression and subtle movements. Reading an opponent's mind through careful observation was his specialty.
"If you're ready, let's begin."