Chapter 64
“That’s right. Nothing is impossible in the Jianghu.”
“Sir……”
“I believe in you.”
That’s why……
The wisdom that comes with age is truly remarkable.
It would be common sense for Master Dongbyeok to be more pessimistic about the current situation than the Dongdong brothers or Yeon-u, who should be full of youthful spirit.
However, the reality was the opposite.
Master Dongbyeok agreed with my words, and at that moment,
“Sect Leader…… No, Older Brother! I will also trust in you.”
Il-dong, who had been unable to shake off his anxiety, seemed to have made up his mind and spoke with determined eyes.
Soon after,
“Eh! What’s the worst that could happen, other than dying? I’ve come this far trusting Older Brother, so let’s trust him until the end.”
“Me too. It’s not like we have any brilliant ideas anyway. Haha.”
Il-dong’s words became the catalyst.
Yi-dong and Sam-dong also agreed with resigned expressions.
“Older Brother.”
This time, Yeon-u spoke with a meaningful expression.
“Yes, Yeon-u.”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Whether Older Brother’s choice is the right one. I still think it’s right to consult with my father and Grandmaster and resolve the situation through joint efforts.”
“……”
“However, I hope my thoughts are wrong.”
“……”
“You must win.”
At the same time, Yeon-u suddenly bowed his head to me.
I was momentarily stunned, not knowing how to react, but at that moment, not only Yeon-u but also Il-dong, Yi-dong, and Sam-dong bowed their heads to me with clasped hands!
“Older Brother! We wish you victory!”
“You will win, Older Brother.”
“We believe in you, Older Brother!”
Ah……
Of course, I’m going to win.
What’s gotten into these guys?
It’s embarrassing.
I swiftly flicked a Praying Mantis Chestnut onto the heads of the four of you with lightning speed.
Bam, bam, bam, bam!
“Ouch!”
“Ow!”
“Ugh!”
“What the heck was that……”
“Shut up!”
The Dongdong brothers cried out in pain, and Yeon-u glared at me, but I cut them off and spoke again.
“Winning is a given. Of course, Yuk Gwang could be stronger than me, and in fact, that’s likely the case. But even so, I’ll win somehow. So stop worrying needlessly. It’s presumptuous of you.”
Master Dongbyeok burst into laughter at my bold declaration.
“Huh-huh. As expected of the Sect Leader.”
“Sir……”
“I also have a request.”
“……”
“Win.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“……”
I left the Sect Leader’s room and walked aimlessly for a while.
As I passed through the marketplace, I watched the merchants hawking their wares, and when I crossed Chang’an Bridge, I stared blankly at the frozen lakeside, lost in thought.
Then suddenly, I wanted to see the bamboo forest, so I climbed Mount Guangyang. Since I walked leisurely without using the Light Body Technique, the red sunset over the western ridge came into view.
‘……’
Only then……
Did I realize that I was about to face a truly daunting task.
The Cult of the Evil Path, Guardian Messenger Yuk Gwang.
Objectively, Yuk Gwang is definitely a master.
Of course, Baek Gui-ho, Noh Ho-yeong, and Noh Jeong-ju, whom I’ve faced so far, were all masters in their own right, but Yuk Gwang was clearly different, a master of the Jianghu acknowledged by everyone.
And this view is the consensus regardless of the distinction between black, white, righteous, evil, or demonic……
‘I’ve really met my match this time.’
It was highly likely that I would face the worst struggle since my reincarnation.
However.
‘Even so…… This is an opportunity.’
This duel was an unparalleled opportunity for me…… and for the Dawn Heaven Sect.
If, as per the terms of the duel, my victory over Yuk Gwang would clear all ties between the Dawn Heaven Sect and the Cult of the Evil Path?
It was clear that this event would be the catalyst for the Dawn Heaven Sect’s future success.
“Alright…… Let’s go.”
So I will go.
Whether it’s Yuk Gwang or Yuk Shireol.
No matter who the opponent is, I will not run away, and I will win by any means necessary.
I will definitely win.
But……
‘Can I do it?’
Suddenly, such a question popped into my head.
Indeed……
Can I, as I am now, defeat Yuk Gwang?
‘Or……’
As the saying goes,
The most effective way for a martial artist to overcome anxiety is through ‘training.’
Therefore, with one month left until the duel with Yuk Gwang……
‘I should try the 3-No Training.’
I resolved to embark on the full-fledged 3-No Training.
The ‘3-No’ in ‘3-No Training’ stands for ‘No Division’, ‘No Thought’, and ‘No Martial Arts’. This 3-No Training is a training method I implemented a month before assassinating ‘Cheong Jin’, the Mount Hua Sect leader who was one of the Five Kings among the One Emperor, Three Sovereigns, and Five Kings in my past life. It’s an Asura h*ll training that is twice as difficult as the Asura-Naga Training.
In particular, compared to general training where mental cultivation and external/internal martial arts are trained separately, the 3-No Training is characterized by completing all processes in a day and training ‘without any thought’. This is a dangerous training method that pushes the body and mind to extreme exhaustion.
Even in my past life as the leader of the Assassin’s Guild, I never recommended this training to anyone other than myself.
Why?
Because the only person in the world with the superhuman mental strength and camel-like perseverance to endure the 3-No Training was ‘me’.
‘That’s not enough.’
On top of that, I came up with another brilliant plan.
What’s the difference between me in my past life and me now?
Not only in terms of internal energy but also in senses, I am currently far less sensitive than I was in my past life.
The foundation of a fighter, in my opinion, is ‘senses.’
Senses are like a blade. If you sharpen and sharpen it, it will eventually become infinitely sharp, but conversely, if you don’t hone it, it will become dull.
I was determined to maximize the ‘senses’ of the human ‘Jin So-cheon’ before the duel with Yuk Gwang.
Then, well……
I’ll find a way to win, no matter what.
Wouldn’t I?
◈ ◈ ◈
Dongcheon, Seokga Estate━.
『To the martial artists of the East.
On the 15th day of the third month.
A duel between Jin So-cheon, the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect, and Yuk Gwang, the Guardian Messenger of the Cult of the Evil Path, will be held in Chang’an.
This duel is intended to be a friendly match to resolve the unpleasant events between the Dawn Heaven Sect and the Cult of the Evil Path at once. However, paradoxically, the duel will be conducted in a ‘life-or-death’ format.
Even if one of them dies, neither side will raise any objections. If Jin So-cheon wins this duel, the Cult of the Evil Path will forget all past grievances against the Dawn Heaven Sect. Conversely, if Yuk Gwang wins, the Dawn Heaven Sect promises to disband and leave the Shaanxi region.
We hope for the participation of many martial artists, regardless of their affiliation with black or white. As this is a rare event in the Jianghu, we ask that you grace us with your presence.
February 17th.
Jin So-cheon, Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect, and Yuk Gwang, Guardian of the Cult of the Evil Path.』
“……What in the world is this!”
Seok Dae-bang, the Clan Head of the Seokga Estate, let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
What in the world.
What kind of person is Jin So-cheon?
He had heard through rumors that Jin So-cheon had recently shut down the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild and fought against Ju Yeong-cheon, the eccentric Daoist of the Wudang Sect.
Even then, he was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t speak.
And now what?
He’s going even further, having a duel with Yuk Gwang, a Guardian Messenger of the Cult of the Evil Path?
In a life-or-death match?
“I knew that Sect Leader Jin was extraordinary…… but isn’t this just out of this world……”
Clearly……
It couldn’t be pleasant to watch the growth of Jin So-cheon, who was close to his son.
But there’s a ‘limit’ to everything.
He had never seen or heard of anyone who acted as recklessly as Jin So-cheon, who had only entered the Jianghu a year ago.
And the end of such people was usually a tragic death or a bad ending.
‘Hmm……’
Seok Dae-bang couldn’t shake off the worry creeping into his heart.
At that moment,
“Huh…… Sect Leader Jin is making a move.”
Cheongmun Sword Master’s eyes, who was reading the letter with Seok Dae-bang, flickered with complex emotions.
“Dae-bang. It seems we underestimated Sect Leader Jin. I thought he might become a central figure in the Jianghu within a few years, but that thought was completely wrong.”
“Master……”
“Not a few years, but right now, in just one year. He has established himself as the center of Shaanxi. Is there anyone in Shaanxi who doesn’t know Sect Leader Jin these days? Especially with the recent closure of the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild, Sect Leader Jin is making Shaanxi known throughout the entire Jianghu, so soon there will be no one who doesn’t know him.”
“Master…… I think so too.”
“However……”
“……”
“This time, it will be a crisis for him as well.”
“Master……”
“I don’t know what Yuk Gwang is thinking, agreeing to a life-or-death duel with a young man like Sect Leader Jin…… but with the name of the Cult of the Evil Path on the line, he will undoubtedly go all out. And the martial arts of Yuk Gwang that I know are not inferior to the elders of the Nine Great Sects or the Eight Great Families.”
“Is Yuk Gwang that strong?”
“That’s right. Of course, he’s not among the strongest of the Cult of the Evil Path’s Guardian Messengers, but even so, becoming a Guardian Messenger is not by chance, but by skill. I think it’s unreasonable for the current Sect Leader Jin to defeat Yuk Gwang.”
“Then…… Master, do you think Sect Leader Jin will lose and the Dawn Heaven Sect will be disbanded?”
Seok Dae-bang asked with a worried voice.
Then, Cheongmun Sword Master shook his head.
“That’s not it.”
“What?”
“Of course, based on what I think and the common sense that any martial artist would have, Sect Leader Jin is no match for Yuk Gwang. However, that’s just an assumption and common sense.”
“……”
“Sect Leader Jin has always been a man who transcends common sense and creates miracles.”
“Ah……”
Seok Dae-bang deeply resonated with Cheongmun Sword Master’s words.
He also didn’t think Jin So-cheon could defeat Yuk Gwang.
However, Jin So-cheon had always defied such expectations, and somehow, they both had a small ripple of faith spreading in their hearts that he might create a ‘miracle’ this time as well.
“Dae-bang.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think this will do.”
“What do you mean?”
“This duel is no longer a duel between Jin So-cheon and Yuk Gwang, but a duel between a rising sect of the Jianghu and the Cult of the Evil Path. How can we just stand by and watch? I’m going to leave now and visit my main sect and the Mount Zhongnan Sect.”
“Then……?”
“The Martial Alliance will also hear the news, but it will be difficult for them to organize a front and send people with only a month left. In that case, shouldn’t I at least bring the Daoists from my main sect and Mount Zhongnan to support Sect Leader Jin?”
“Master. If that happens, it will be a great help to Sect Leader Jin.”
“Then I’ll see you at the Dawn Heaven Sect in a month.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheongmun Sword Master left the Seokga Estate.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Sect Leader……”
“Are you sure about this?”
“You’ve been cultivating mental techniques all night, focusing on external martial arts in the morning, and now you’re going to spar in the afternoon? And such a brutal…… spar at that!”
I……
I invited all of my disciples and even the instructors from nearby martial arts schools, intending to start the ‘3-No Training’ right away.
Furthermore, not only did I have heavy steel bracers and anklets dangling from my wrists and ankles, but I also wrapped iron weights all over my body, making my movements extremely sluggish.
“Gil-bok. Bring me the cloth.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Then, I covered my eyes with a long black cloth.
The disciples and instructors were astonished by my appearance, and their surprised voices reached my ears.
“Is that even possible?”
“Is he really going to spar like that?”
“This is……”
If it were only our disciples, I would have started the spar without a word of explanation, but……
Since I had also invited instructors from nearby martial arts schools, it seemed like a brief explanation was necessary.
“Listen carefully, everyone. From now on, I will spar with 50 of you barehanded. The first round will be barehanded sparring, the second round will be wooden sword sparring, and in the third round, I will provide you with real swords while I continue to fight barehanded. This training is not only for my personal martial arts development but also for the improvement of your martial arts skills. Therefore, attack me with the intention to kill me with all your might. If you plan to hold back or go easy on me, abandon that thought. Because.”
“……”
“I can easily defeat you weaklings even with my eyes covered, my body bound with iron, and using only my bare hands.”
First, I provoked them by scratching their pride with all my might.
“You…… You dare say such things!”
“Hey, Sect Leader. You better be ready.”
“Die, Sect Leader!”
Fortunately, the provocation seemed to work, as the disciples and instructors from other schools charged at me, yelling curses.
“Come at me, you weaklings.”