Chapter 42
“You’re going to hit the disciples? What in the world are you talking about?”
Master Dongbyeok asked with a look that suggested,”What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Elder.”
“……”
“You’re roughly aware of the disciples’ level.”
“I know. The Dongdong brothers are talented. Especially Il-dong, not only is he strong, but he also has a strong fighting spirit. If he trains properly, he might become a master of external martial arts someday. Of course, it’s not an easy task.”
“That’s right. Not to mention Il-dong, Yi-dong and Sam-dong also have decent talent, so they’ll become masters someday.”
“But?”
“But, the other disciples are different. They’re old enough, and they’ve never trained in internal energy, so even if they train for a lifetime, becoming a master is a distant dream.”
“I agree.”
“That’s why.”
“What?”
“That’s why I have no intention of teaching the disciples with the usual training methods. The only way for them to become stronger in a short period is to endure training filled with hellish pain.”
Actually……
Half of my words are sincere, but the other half can be seen as an excuse.
Why?
Because I don’t know any normal, systematic teaching methods in the first place.
The reason I implement the ‘Asura-Naga Training’ method is because of my lack of knowledge, and the path of martial arts I’ve walked has only been that ‘hellish path’.
“The disciples are weak. Not just physically weak, but their spirits are rotten compared to the disciples of other sects. I intend to awaken those rotten spirits and instill a primal instinct in their bodies. For that, violence is necessary.”
“Violence…… Can you explain it simply? I don’t understand what you mean by teaching the disciples even by hitting them.”
“What do you think martial arts are, Elder?”
“Hmm…… I consider martial arts to be the training of the soul and body. In other words, it’s the process of refining one’s essence, energy, and spirit. Simply put, it’s one of the means for humans to achieve enlightenment.”
As expected……
From medicine to martial arts to Taoist magic.
Since he’s a man with vast knowledge, a meaningful answer came back.
But I shook my head.
“My thoughts are different.”
“What do you think martial arts are?”
“The essence of martial arts lies in fighting. In other words, it’s a collection of techniques solely for killing people: hitting, smashing, strangling, cutting, stabbing, and crushing.”
“……”
“That’s why I’m going to teach the disciples how to fight in a way that’s geared towards actual combat. For that, they need to get hit first. Get hit with fists, slapped, kicked, headbutted, and beaten with clubs. As they get hit like that, their survival instincts will awaken naturally. And those survival instincts will become the best weapon to protect their lives in times of crisis.”
Indeed……
How will Master Dongbyeok take it?
Actually, his thoughts might be different from mine, and even if they are, it doesn’t mean he’s wrong.
In fact, in my past life, I had heated debates with the school officials about this very topic.
Since there were people who didn’t agree with me even in a crazy group like the Demonic Cult, it’s highly likely that Master Dongbyeok won’t be persuaded.
“Huh huh! That’s an interesting theory. As expected, there’s nothing about you that’s the same as others.”
But.
His reaction seems positive?
“Now that I hear it, it’s not wrong.”
“Elder……”
“Come to think of it, martial artists have always been like that since ancient times. They used martial arts as a means of competition rather than a stepping stone to enlightenment. I understand your intentions, Sect Leader. In that case, I’ll make you some medicinal water and salve that are excellent for recovering from injuries right away. However, it’s a lot of work, so please give me a couple of disciples to help.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ve decided to take charge of the medical hall for the time being anyway. Treating the disciples is my job. Trust me, Sect Leader, and beat the disciples to your heart’s content. As long as you don’t kill them, I’ll take care of them. Since you’ve decided to use violence, teach them harshly.”
“???”
A doctor who heals people……
Is this okay?
◈ ◈ ◈
A few days later━.
“Brother.”
After the morning training.
Il-dong cautiously approached and opened his mouth.
Seeing his expression, it seemed like he had something important to say, so I listened.
“It’s Sect Leader-nim.”
“Ah, Sect Leader-nim. So……”
“What is it?”
“Young Master Seok…… Will he be alright?”
Il-dong’s face was filled with worry as he asked.
For the past few days.
I had literally dragged the disciples into the depths of h*ll, pulled them out again, and repeated the process, leaving them on the verge of death.
When the mindless beating training followed the physical training, some of them shed tears and expressed their desire to leave the sect, but with my roar,”Leave your heads behind if you want to go,”such protests disappeared like a lie……
Now, most of the disciples had given up on being human and were focused on training, so I felt a sense of accomplishment.
But,
“What about Yeon-u?”
“Look at Young Master Seok’s daily routine. He’s going through more than twice the hardship compared to the other disciples. Do you think anyone doesn’t know that you hit Young Master Seok more during the beating training, Sect Leader-nim? Moreover, don’t you take only Young Master Seok for a night run when it gets dark? He’ll die at this rate. If he were a member of the Dawn Heaven Sect, it would be one thing. But if you kill the young master of a martial arts family like the Seokga Estate while training him? Oh dear! We’re done for, done for.”
The moment I heard those words, I was so dumbfounded that I kicked Il-dong’s butt.
Whack!
“Ouch! What was that for, again? Please stop doing that. I’m the Vice Sect Leader too, Vice Sect Leader. If you keep doing this, I won’t have any authority in front of the other disciples……”
“Il-dong.”
“Oh, come on! You cut me off again.”
“You stupid bastard.”
“Why, you stupid…… I mean, Sect Leader-nim.”
“Sigh. Do you have a brain or not?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind…… You’re originally a brainless guy. It’s my fault for asking even though I knew.”
“No, I mean, what are you talking about?”
“Il-dong. What do you think it means that I’m only harsh on Yeon-u? It means I’m favoring him. It means that I, the Sect Leader, am taking better care of Yeon-u than the other disciples. Huh? Do you understand?”
“Ah…… Beating someone up, teasing them, driving them mad…… Making them feel disgusted. If that’s favoritism, I’d rather not have your love, Sect Leader-nim.”
“Shut up. The reason I’m harsh on Yeon-u is that he’s keeping up well. If I treated the other disciples the same way I treat Yeon-u, their bodies wouldn’t be able to handle it and they’d die. But Yeon-u, not only did he grow up eating all sorts of good things like elixirs and tonics since he was young, but he also cultivated the Mount Hua Sect’s internal energy technique, so he has pure internal energy cultivated in his dantian. In other words, he’s on a different level than you guys, who have no foundation.”
“What? Are you belittling our disciples right now? As the Sect Leader?”
“So stop worrying about things that are none of your business and focus on your training. Is this the time for you to be worried about Yeon-u? You pathetic fool.”
“Ha! You’re really speaking without thinking. I’m working hard, you know?”
“Alright. Then I’ll give you a test in a week. It’s been a month, right? I told you to maintain the Nature Meridian’s breathing posture at all times, even subconsciously. If I don’t see any remarkable improvement, consider yourself dead.”
“Wh, what do you mean by that?!”
“That’s all.”
After giving Il-dong a warning, I approached Yeon-u, who was staring blankly at the sky in the corner of the mountain peak.
What should I say.
It hasn’t been long, but Yeon-u’s atmosphere has changed considerably.
If he was a carefree, optimistic young master from a wealthy family, a promising young martial artist, and a good-natured person before, now Yeon-u’s eyes are filled with malice and evil……
‘He’s in perfect condition for training.’
He was in the most suitable state to be pushed, and martial arts improve by leaps and bounds during this period, so Yeon-u would learn a lot from this journey into the martial world.
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Are you tired?”
“No.”
“Oh……!”
“……”
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Are you…… Sulking?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying, you must be feeling frustrated and angry because I’m only pushing you hard.”
“Brother. What do you take me for? I’m not that kind of idiot. Actually, thanks to you, I’ve realized a lot in the past few days. How weak-minded I’ve been living until now.”
“So?”
“I won’t live like that anymore.”
This kid……
His will is strong.
Perhaps I underestimated Yeon-u too much.
So, I,
“That’s cool, Yeon-u.”
“Huh?”
“I like seeing that side of you.”
“Ah…… Why are you saying that all of a sudden? Haha.”
“It’s funny. So, there will be no night run today.”
“R, really?”
“Instead.”
“Yes?”
“The canceled night run will be replaced with a night beating. Go to the medical hall as soon as you finish dinner, receive the Elder’s special treatment, recover, and participate immediately.”
“???”
“Prepare yourself mentally. I’ll do my best for my younger brother. You little…… To receive my favoritism like this. You’re a lucky guy.”
“This, m*therfucker!”
Oh……
Seeing him curse like a tough guy.
Yeon-u, this kid……
Seems like he’s still alive.
◈ ◈ ◈
Mount Guangyang.
It’s a space I really like.
It’s not that I like it because I’m immersed in the atmosphere of being a chivalrous warrior……
It’s just that the bamboo forest, how should I put it.
I like the bamboo that bends but doesn’t break, the mountain wind that blows through the trees, and the ancient elegance unique to the bamboo forest that soothes my heart.
Of course.
This is all an excuse.
Actually, in my past life……
I used to train in my own private bamboo forest.
Among the many peaks of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, on the most rugged ‘Wawon Peak’, there was a ‘forbidden zone’ that only the Cult Leader and I could enter. Beyond that forbidden zone was a long canyon.
I mainly cultivated the Nature Meridian in the bamboo forest that stretched beyond that canyon.
‘It was a place where there wasn’t a single person, not even a wild animal…… It was the best for concentration.’
But well.
This place isn’t bad either.
Empty carts rattle the loudest, and those with nothing to offer blame their tools.
A true craftsman doesn’t blame his brush.
For a ‘fighting craftsman’ like me to be picky about the time and place for training?
No way.
But……
‘This isn’t right.’
Still……
If I’m sitting cross-legged and cultivating internal energy in the mountains on a pitch-black night, and an unidentified figure approaches, emanating killing intent?
Wouldn’t the story be different?
‘Light Body Technique…… Breathing…… Energy pathways…… A master.’
That’s right.
He was a master.
Although my senses are so wide-ranging that I can observe an opponent from afar, my instincts recognized him as a master.
‘He’s no match for Blood Demon Blade Gwak Seong-ho…… He might even be stronger than Demon Slayer Baek Gui-ho?’
He must be an enemy.
If he weren’t an enemy, he wouldn’t be emanating killing intent like that.
Then who is he?
No……
Who is he?
But I didn’t care.
I just calmly sat cross-legged, closed my eyes, and waited for the opponent to approach.
As the waiting time gradually passed……
Shhhhhhh━.
The moment a sharp whistling sound grazed my ears.
I kicked off the ground with the Fast Whale Steps, dodged a streak of sword light that was about to cut through my body, opened my eyes wide, and stared at the target.
“As I’ve heard, Jin So-cheon.”
He was dressed in black.
From head to toe, he was all black, like an assassin, wouldn’t you say?
Moreover, his voice was so hoarse that the word ‘hoarse’ was an understatement. It was a chilling voice that made me wonder if he had swallowed a blade.
“Is your voice naturally like that?”
“……”
“Did you catch a cold and lose your voice, or have you been suffering from asthma for a long time and it’s gone bad? Anyway, our Medical Hall Master is one of the three greatest physicians in the world, so if you want, he can treat you. Of course, the treatment is expensive. One acupuncture session costs a gold ingot, so you might lose your fortune in exchange for regaining your health. So, which will you choose, health or wealth?”
“You’re a crazy bastard, just like the rumors say.”
“If you don’t like the choice, you only have one option left.”
“Hehe. Alright. Let’s hear that too.”
“Get beaten like a dog and die here.”
“……”
“By me.”