Chapter 71
“Brother Yi-dong. Today, our 2nd Unit will win.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Yi-dong. I’m still older than you. How can I possibly lose?”
“Whether it’s long or short, we’ll have to see to find out. Heh heh.”
“Come on, you rascal. Kekeke.”
“2nd Unit members. Are you ready?”
“We’re ready!”
“1st Unit members. Alright~ Let’s go.”
“Let’s goooooooo!”
Competition is an efficient system that maximizes human ambition.
Having experienced it countless times, I knew better than anyone how much competition helps improve martial arts, and that’s why I divided the disciples into groups of 10 to compete. The effect was unparalleled.
“1st Unit, you guys! We’re going to win today!”
“No way, you bastards.”
Tuddadadadadada━!
The 1st Unit, led by Yi-dong, and the 2nd Unit, led by Sam-dong, engaged in b*oody brawls during their actual combat training sessions.
One day, they would have bare-handed sparring matches……
Another day, they would use wooden swords, and on yet another day, they would choose their own weapons. The win rate was neck and neck, and the disciples’ martial arts improvement rate increased compared to before.
‘Competition is good, but…… It’s because I taught them well.’
Furthermore.
To be honest……
The reason why the disciples, who didn’t even know the first thing about martial arts and relied solely on their health, simplicity, and ignorance, became drastically stronger in a short period of time was.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was thanks to Master Dongbyeok’s ‘So-yun Elixir’.
The ‘So-yun Elixir’ was an elixir that was incredibly effective even for ordinary people who were unfamiliar with internal energy cultivation.
Of course, there are many elixirs in the world with far stronger properties than the So-yun Elixir, but.
How should I put it……
If we were to look for an elixir that is reasonably priced, has no side effects, and can be taken regularly by our disciples right now.
Perhaps, the So-yun Elixir would be the only one?
“Hey, hey. Gil-bok. Keep your movements short, short. Oh! Seung-bok, you rascal. Didn’t I tell you? When you use leg techniques on the upper body, you have to lower your gaze. That’s how you can deceive your opponent. How many times do I have to tell you?”
“……”
“Yi-dong, Yi-dong. You ignorant fool. Improvise, improvise. How can your attacks be so straightforward? How many times do I have to teach you? Those of you who are still inexperienced need to diversify your attacks as much as possible. That’s how you can land a clean hit, even if it’s just one. Or you can focus on maximizing your speed. How can you hit your opponent by swinging around like a slowpoke? Tsk tsk.”
“……”
“Kang Sam-dong. Are you an idiot? Or a fool? Or are you just crazy? No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand that clumsy footwork of yours. Oh dear. And you want to become some kind of master with that? If that’s the case, just give up now and go into the mountains to cultivate your Tao and become a Taoist priest, or shave your head and become a monk. That would be better.”
“……”
I kept nagging the disciples even while they were fighting with all their might.
But after doing this for about half a month, the disciples stopped reacting at some point, which was a positive sign.
From the beginning, the reason I was running my mouth was to get on their nerves.
This was a concentration enhancement training to fully immerse themselves in battle even in the worst situations. At first, the disciples’ faces would turn red at my nagging, but now they had completely adapted and treated me like I was invisible, and I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
‘……Well done.’
I……
was grateful to the disciples.
They had endured my ‘Asura-Naga Training’ without complaint.
“Gentlemen. The blood and sweat you shed now will become your lifeline in times of crisis. Run, swing, and scream. If you’re tired, even if you have to s*it blood, don’t stop moving. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, and strong martial arts can only be achieved through relentless training.”
Suddenly, I was overcome with an unknown thrill as I watched the disciples struggling.
So, I said something solemn to boost their morale, but……
“Ah, please be quiet.”
“I’m exhausted, why are you suddenly talking about making resolutions?”
“Even good words get old after a while. That damn mental strength, relentless training…… Just stop it already, Sect Leader!”
These bastards’ reactions……
Are they really crazy?
Leaving everything aside.
Which Sect Leader in the world gets treated like this by their disciples?
D*mn it!
◈ ◈ ◈
When I subdued the Boar, the leader of the Green Gang……
I became a celebrity in Sodam Village.
When I defeated Baek Gui-ho, the leader of the Black Society……
I became known as a hero not only in Sodam Village, but also in Chang’an.
When I defeated Noh Ho-yeong and Noh Jeong-ju……
I finally made a name for myself not only in Sodam Village and Chang’an, but throughout Shaanxi.
And……
After winning the duel against the Sixth Guardian, I.
I began to be called a hidden master of the entire Jianghu, not just the Sect Leader of a small, insignificant sect.
━Sect Leader. ……Please accept my son as your disciple. I’ve heard a lot about your reputation. It turns out you’re not just the best in Chang’an, but you’re famous throughout Shaanxi…… No, throughout the entire Jianghu…… I’ll pay any amount of tuition, so please take charge of my son’s training.
━Sect Leader. My daughter has dreamed of becoming a Sword Master since she was little, and these days she’s been begging me to send her to a martial arts school. As it happens, I’m a local figure who’s been doing business in Chang’an for over 10 years, you know? If you just let my daughter join, I’ll do my best to help the Dawn Heaven Sect’s business. Can’t you make an exception?
━Sect Leader! I, Jang Gil-ung, have always dreamed of becoming a martial artist. I couldn’t even dream of learning martial arts because I was busy making a living, but I’ve saved up quite a bit of money from working at the docks for the past few years. I’ll pay the entrance fee, so please let me become a member of the Dawn Heaven Sect!
Because of that, the number of applicants hoping to join the Dawn Heaven Sect is overflowing every day.
Actually……
The most important thing for a sect’s growth is the number of disciples.
In other words, ‘the number of heads’.
First of all, having a large number of disciples is advantageous when getting into disputes with other sects, and in the Jianghu where swords and blades clash, the number of heads is directly related to combat power. So, it’s only natural that the more disciples a sect has, the more respect it receives.
However……
Initially, I had no intention of increasing the number of disciples in a short period of time.
Right now, I was busy enough teaching the original disciples, and recently, I’ve also been teaching So-yun martial arts, and I had to cut back on sleep to check my own martial arts as well.
I thought it would be better to have a small number of elite disciples rather than a large number of mediocre ones, which would be good for the future growth of the sect.
But I changed my mind.
It was because of the advice from Master Dongbyeok, Yeon-u, and the disciples……
「Sect Leader. Think about it. Building a strong foundation is important, but if the sect wants to continue growing…… The number of disciples is competitiveness. Besides, the resources you received from the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild are running out due to excessive construction, expansion, land purchases, and the cost of producing So-yun Elixir. You need to accept new disciples to breathe some life into the sect and start businesses under the name of the Dawn Heaven Sect. Of course, I will continue to perform cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery to contribute.」
「Brother! The Dawn Heaven Sect is no longer a small, insignificant sect in the countryside. You defeated a Guardian Messenger of the Cult of the Evil Path! They say you should strike while the iron is hot, and now is the time to expand our influence. Honestly, with your skills, you could create a sect larger than our Seokga Estate within a few years.」
「Sect Leader. What was the reason we created the Dawn Heaven Sect in the first place? Wasn’t it so we could all live a good life? So, don’t hesitate and accept new disciples. We can collect tuition fees from them, and like other sects, we can build restaurants, inns, and shops to make some profit. Honestly, all the sects in Chang’an collect protection money from merchants and large trading companies, and we’re officially the best sect in Chang’an now, aren’t we? And. You were originally someone who was crazy about money.」
I couldn’t refuse their advice.
Of course, I’m the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect, and the Dawn Heaven Sect is always ‘mine’, but.
Rather than being a stubborn, self-righteous leader, I am a wise sage who always seeks ‘reason’, a master of ‘flexibility’ who listens to the suggestions of my subordinates, and a model of ‘pragmatism’ who produces the best results.
“Alright. Then let’s start accepting disciples from today. However, there are conditions. What is the Dawn Heaven Sect? It’s the place where Jin So-cheon is the Sect Leader and Master Dongbyeok, the best physician under heaven, is the Medical Hall Master. Although the Vice Sect Leader and the Unit Leaders are idiots…… Leaving that aside. We will accept disciples, but we will do it through a selection process. After all, ordinary people can’t endure the training process of the Dawn Heaven Sect. Therefore, I’m planning to conduct interviews with the applicants, and the criteria for the interviews are as follows: First, a venomous spirit. Second, the willingness to accept the rigid hierarchical structure of the Dawn Heaven Sect. Third is character. Of course, the character I’m referring to here doesn’t mean being endlessly kind and good. It simply means the ‘sense of obedience’ to even pretend to die if I tell them to. As an exception, if someone who wants to learn martial arts, has the will, and possesses a venomous spirit is unable to pay the entrance fee due to financial difficulties or family responsibilities, I will accept them.”
So, I gathered the opinions of the disciples and announced the final decision.
Honestly……
If I was only focused on immediate profits and ‘expanding the size’ of the sect, I wouldn’t have set such strict criteria.
I wanted to look ahead to the Dawn Heaven Sect six months, a year from now, rather than just tomorrow’s Dawn Heaven Sect.
The Dawn Heaven Sect is……
a home for many former ruffians and villain hunters, but.
It’s a ‘martial arts sect’ in the end.
Then, the disciples’ martial arts must be the priority, and the martial arts I pursue are ‘repetition of pain and trials’.
I judged that if I accepted just anyone, it wouldn’t last long.
Also……
“As you know, I’m someone who does everything ‘properly’. I’d rather not do it at all than start something and do it half-heartedly. It’s not my style, and it’s not something that can happen in the Dawn Heaven Sect. So, if we’re going to improve the sect’s finances, let’s do it right, do it right.”
“……Sect Leader. How do you mean specifically?”
“Think about it individually and submit it to me.”
“Huh?”
“Because I don’t know yet either.”
I gave the disciples ‘homework’.
Why?
Because I couldn’t think of a way to make money either.
If the number of disciples increases, the entrance fees will immediately boost our finances, but.
That’s only temporary. How much money would it take to feed, clothe, and house the increased number of disciples?
The Nine Great Sects and famous large sects have secular families and businesses to collect funds, but I can’t do such thuggish things.
Keep taking money from disciples who are doing as I tell them?
What kind of disciples are they?
They’re just students of a martial arts school……
Therefore, I and the disciples of the Dawn Heaven Sect had to find the answer to this ‘homework’.
Suddenly……
I remembered the time when I entered Chang’an penniless and sold the ‘Hundred-Year Lotus Seed’ with So-yun.
I felt it then, I felt it afterwards, and I still feel it now, but.
‘Money’ is definitely the more the better, and it’s always right.
“Sect Leader. There’s nothing to think about and submit. We have the young master of the best martial arts family under heaven, who is the best at making money.”
At that moment.
Il-dong suddenly spoke up and looked at Yeon-u.
Right.
Come to think of it.
The young master of the Seokga Estate, who is famous for his business skills, is a guest of the ‘Dawn Heaven Sect’, isn’t he?
Why didn’t I think of this?
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Tell me.”
“……What do you want me to tell you?”
“Your family is a martial arts family, so how do you make money?”
“Ah…… I’m not interested in making money, so……”
“But you must have seen and heard something.”
“Our Seokga Estate…… We run a pharmacy, teach martial arts, and collect tuition fees. We also run inns, taverns, restaurants, and recently started a transportation business.”
“By transportation business, do you mean an escort agency?”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Wow, they really do everything, don’t they?”
“What?!”
“Never mind.”
“???”
“Anyway……”
That’s great!
“From now on, when you address me, call me the best businessman in Chang’an, the living economic legend of Shaanxi, the money-crazy money goblin, the money-grubbing miser……”
“……”
“Call me the best escort under heaven, Jin.”