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3.
Thanks to this, our group, who had been pushing ourselves too hard, were able to rest, and having nothing to do, I once again devoted myself to the training I had been putting off.
“I still don’t understand it, even after looking at it again. What kind of swordsmanship is this mess?”
Although it is said that there are as many unique martial arts in the world as there are people, Baekwoljecheonsamsik is particularly exceptional among them.
It consists of three techniques, but it cannot be viewed as merely three techniques.
Since the element that constitutes a technique is the movement itself rather than a sequence of regular movements, any movement can become a technique, and conversely, even if one follows a technique accurately, it may not be a technique.
“In that respect, is it similar to the Cloud Divine Technique?”
Although Yuunmun’s martial arts were ridiculed as being half-baked, this is not because they were lost or lost like those of Taeeulmun.
While martial arts were intact, the method of mastering them directly was not conveyed through written text.
Perhaps the transmission of the Cloud Divine Art was cut off at some point in the previous generations, and without complete teachings, the Cloud Divine Art degenerated into a half-baked martial art.
“At least I remember Master Baek’s movements in detail, so I can train on my own.”
Originally, martial arts like the Cloud Divine Art cannot be mastered alone.
It was also for this reason that Yelü Zai decided to perfect his martial arts through actual combat.
According to him, although he completed it too late, the martial arts were eventually perfected during his lifetime.
Just as he did with Moyong Jaehwa, Yelu Jae wanted to pass on to Yelu Ke the martial arts he had risked his life to perfect in his previous life, but…
“Ah! I don’t know! What am I supposed to do about that brat being so rude!”
Having shaken off my thoughts, I focused on my training once again.
The secret of the first move of Baekwoljecheonsamsik is extremely fast.
Ramen, the subtlety of the second technique is perfection
am.
It is closer to a defensive unit than an offensive one, but as mentioned earlier, it has no limits to its defense.
It means a technique that can be transformed into an attack at any time.
To be precise, it’s the concept of hitting with a shield.
This is not an expression I came up with, but something written in Baek Haegwang’s secret manual. [Block with your shield and strike with your shield. Then there is no need to draw your sword.]
There is probably no one in the world but the Demon Sword who would describe the Sword Barrier in such a way.
Although the leap was a bit excessive, the second technique was perfect.
It is a sword barrier that advances, not retreats.
The Demon Sword’s tendencies are clearly evident in his martial arts as well.
He was a man who believed that “the best defense is offense.”
I continued reading the secret manual of the White Moon Heaven-Slaying Three Forms in my mind. [There must be no gaps in the barrier. The hidden weapons of the Black Dao are so small that they are invisible to the eye. The barrier must be as hard as a diamond. The hegemonic path of the Shandong Yue Clan is so ferocious that its barrier is strong enough to blow an opponent away.]
Befitting a sword technique forged through hundreds, no, thousands of real-life battles, the secret manual is written intuitively without any abstruse language.
Inside, there were occasional records of battles against masters he had experienced, as well as detailed accounts of the duels in which he ultimately lost.
The description was so detailed and specific that I could picture the other person in my mind even though I hadn’t actually seen them.
“Alright. Shall we get started!”
I began to calmly turn the words organized in my mind into images. ‘First, I fill the gaps.’ My opponent is a former master of the Black Sword known as the Dark Demon.
He is an opponent who unleashes a ghostly barrage of “down needles,” a common tactic in the world of memorization.
I bring the demon created in my mind directly into reality.
Originally, to increase efficiency, one must engage in mental duels just as one learned the first technique, but that is too painful and has severe side effects.
Unless you are in a situation where you must use the second technique tomorrow, it is more important to proceed step by step.
Srrrr.
The Black Dragon Sword emits a clear sound and reveals its black blade.
The demon is waiting for me leisurely with both hands inside its sleeves.
After performing the first step, I immediately began to execute the second move of the Baekwol Jecheon Samsik.
Woong, woong.
The sound of the sword cutting through the air gradually grows sharper.
Eventually, the sword energy that had been leaving a trajectory in the air following the sword strike transforms into a dense net.
Hiss
– Hiss
-The dark energy leaves a trail once again through the dense mesh, and now there is not even a tiny gap left in the mesh.
It certainly looked that way.
“Aaaargh!”
My muscles are already tightening severely, and sweat is gushing from my whole body.
A large sword barrier the size of a jang engulfs him as if to swallow the demon whole.
Just then, the demon sneaks out one hand from inside its sleeve and swings it around.
The feather needle shot out in an instant.
In front of the seemingly perfect membrane, the three feather needles appeared as if they would be helplessly blocked.
but.
Shhh
“Before I knew it, three feather needles were targeting the vital points and burrowing into the sword barrier. ‘If this were a real battle, I would already be dead.’ I was certain I had perfectly sealed the gap in the barrier, but the Dark Demon found that opening and struck down the feather needles. ‘Again.’ We repeated the duel twenty-three times like that, but I could not even get past five moves.”
“Gasp, gasp, gasp.”
It may be partly due to the physical exertion, but performing the second technique itself is so strenuous that I get out of breath very quickly.
On top of that, although it wasn’t quite a mental duel, just having to clearly visualize my opponent consumed so much mental energy that I felt like my head was on fire.
“Oh my, this is tough…”
After exhaling a hot breath, I lay down haphazardly on the floor and reviewed the duel.
The sword membrane that clearly seemed flawless.
And the demon’s feather needle that pierced through it.
“……
To target the gap in the sword’s trajectory—a monster is indeed a monster.
Considering that even such a monstrous being eventually died without living out their full lifespan, there is still a long way to go.
I comforted myself as I was sinking into despair.
“Don’t be impatient. You have walked the right path so far. Just keep going like this.”
As I was gazing at the clear sky for a moment, a familiar voice was heard.
A voice that repeats exactly what I said.
“…….”
I turned my head, frowning deeply, and saw that the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers had somehow gotten behind me.
How long have you been here?
Eunho stretched out his arm, spread his palm wide, clenched his fist tightly, and lowered his voice.
A playful smile plays on Eunho’s lips as he delivers his meaningful lines.
I arrived just as you were saying that.
I haven’t beaten this guy up as much lately, have I?
My fists were itching, so I glared at them, then was a little surprised.
Wait, has the achievement of the spiritual path I taught those bastards already reached this level?
Just as I was feeling proud of myself without realizing it, Eunho’s voice interrupted again.
He was bowing his head, even gripping his fist tightly.
“May I ask you a question, Senior Brother?”
“No. If you intend to tease me, don’t even think about opening your mouth.”
I’m just asking out of curiosity.
What’s with that expression?
His face looked quite serious, so I eventually allowed him to ask the question.
What is it?
“Have you perhaps gone through puberty?”
His eyes sparkle like a child who has found candy, as if his previous polite attitude has vanished.
Do you perhaps feel like rebelling against adults, or do you feel like you have become an evil being hiding a secret?
Or do you feel like you will become a hero who upholds justice and practices cooperation?
Wow, seriously, it looks like you haven’t been getting hit as much lately.
Let’s see how far this goes.
“It feels like a dragon is writhing inside me, and if I open my hand, black energy seems like it will burst out………”
Eunho.
“Ah! Senior Brother, I understand everything. We’ve all been through that, too. Brother Geumpyo, walking on air atop the wall…..”
I jumped up from my seat.
“asleep!”
The first move of the Baekwol Jecheon Samsik, Geuk-kwae, extended powerfully from the hand. Once inside the dormitory, we chatted while drinking tea and eating the snacks brought by the Gold, Silver, and Dong brothers.
“What brought you to the market?”
“Dongryong’s sword has cracked again, you see.”
“Hmm?”
Dongryong’s sword, which has already been changed for the second time.
Dong-ryong received a sword as a gift from the Murim Alliance when Gyeonsungsaja visited in the past, and he also received the Namgung Family’s Changgung Sword as a gift during the Jeongsi period.
Both swords could be considered good compared to ordinary ones, but it seems even that was not enough for Dong-ryong. ‘It’s no wonder. He wields the sword in such bizarre ways; how could the sword possibly withstand it?’ Ordinary swords are crafted to strike a balance between thrusting and slashing.
Therefore, most of them focus on the blade’s rigidity and are designed with an iron core inserted in the center to make them even harder.
Because Dong-ryong uses the entire blade freely, the load acting on the sword is becoming increasingly severe.
I told the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers.
“For now, use the supplies provided by the academy. You never know when a sword that is cracked might break.”
“You mean an ordinary Blue Steel Sword? That wouldn’t last long in Dong-ryong’s hands.”
“It’s alright. Just use this temporarily for now, and I’ll get you another sword soon.”
“A different sword?”
The Geumgang Mugwaecheol, Pungodong, and Hyeolhaeok received through Mantongbu were entrusted to the Wang family’s escort agency and sent to Taeeulmun.
It will take some time for the blacksmith shop to be completed, but I hope Jang Do-won gets at least a little familiar with the materials beforehand.
The shorter that time becomes, the sooner the time will come for the Red Light Sword to emerge into the world and shine.
And if you give the Black Dragon Sword to Dongryong, he will never have to change his sword again.
Even excluding everything else, the Black Dragon Sword, crafted from Diamond Iron that is second to none in strength, would suit Dong-ryong well.
“For now, just keep that in mind. If the swords used as supplies break, buy a new Blue Steel Sword from the market and use it.”
“yes…….”
Dong-ryong bowed his head as if he had done something wrong for some reason.
I stroked the guy’s head.
“Since this happened because you are outstanding, I actually don’t regret spending the money at all.”
Really?
Dong-ryong quickly smiles with delight, like a puppy.
I was having a conversation with my brothers for the first time in a long while.
Knock knock, knock.
“Representative Jin, this is Jang Woo-jae.”
Before I could even answer, Jang Woo-jae entered the inner room, exchanged greetings with the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, and then looked at me.
I haven’t made any plans with him.
“What’s up?”
I have something to tell you regarding that friend, Yelü Ke.
After sending the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers out, I had a private conversation with Jang Woo-jae.
I continued to keep an eye on Yalu Ge after the CEO left.
Even though I hadn’t specifically asked him, Jang Woo-jae was handling the work on his own.
It looks like I judged people very well.
Unlike me, who was satisfied, Jang Woo-jae took a moment to catch his breath and then spoke with a cautious expression.
“Well… lately, that friend Yelu Ke hasn’t been in very good condition.”
“You say it’s not good?”
“Yes… At least he didn’t have any scars on his face until now, but lately the scars on his face keep increasing, and he has also spoken much less.”
It hasn’t been long since then; has Ak Ju-pyeong been acting maliciously in the meantime?
The friend who used to immediately yell insults when asked what was wrong now keeps their mouth shut and just keeps their head down even during class.
“About three days ago, while I was asking in detail…….”
Jang Woo-jae had a look on his face as if he was agonizing for a long time over whether to speak or not.
“I tugged at the sleeve and glanced inside… and there wasn’t a single unharmed spot on the skin.”
“ha…….”
Jwa Dae-gi, who had served in the military in the North, once said that while military violence is brief and clean, the violence of warriors is persistent and messy, making it even more terrifying.
Moreover, given that studying martial arts gives them extensive knowledge of the human body, a warrior would surely know better than a soldier how to inflict pain on an opponent.
Something is boiling up inside my chest.
“Where is Yelu Ke now?”
I haven’t seen it for two days.
“okay?”
I stood up from my seat.
Jang Woo-jae also immediately stands up.
“What do you intend to do?”
I’ll have to go and meet them first.
You damn bastard.
Why are his brother and that guy so exactly the same at giving people a hard time? #Eight
As soon as I entered the dormitory, a commotion began to break out among the students who had been spending their time leisurely thanks to the temporary class cancellation.
It is the Black Flame Dragon!
“Why is Jin So-woon at the Eight-Man Dormitory?”
It’s not like this is a place where I’m always hanging out with the people I hang out with.
I ignored them and entered Yelü Ke’s room.
“Gasp!”
“W-what is this!”
The students sharing the room with Yalu Ke were startled and stood up from their seats.
I looked around the room and reassured them.
“It’s nothing. I came to see someone. Yalu Ke is here, right?”
“huh?”
“Why is that lunatic…?”
I came because I heard you were here.
Seeing the guy on one side of the bed with the blanket pulled up to his head, I approached him and threw the blanket back.
A voice filled with bewilderment was heard immediately.
“What, what is it?”
“Huh?”
Contrary to my expectation that he would be crying under the covers, a face I had never seen before appeared.
“Who are you?”
That’s not a question I should be asking…
Whoosh
I covered the guy’s face with the blanket again and looked around the room.
Then, one of the guys cautiously tells me.
“His seat is here. And he hasn’t come in since yesterday…….”
“You mean it didn’t come in?”
“huh.”
I examined the spot that Yelu Ke uses.
While the wardrobes and lockers of the other students were filled with various personal supplies, Yalu Ke’s seat contained only items received from the academy.
Even those were mostly worn out and tattered from long use. ‘Even the Open Sect members don’t live this poor.’ All he had were a few sets of martial arts uniforms received as supplies and the standard Cheonggang Sword.
Other than that, there was nothing suitable to speak of.
I barely managed to keep my expression from contorting.
“Hey. Kid, have you been going around getting your things stolen too?”
I saw the academy student who had told me the location of Yelü Ke and asked him, but he did not answer.
“I already know that Yelu Ke is being harassed. Did you guys perhaps side with him?”
“W-what are you talking about? Why would we?”
“Anyway, did you get your things taken or not?”
The student answers hesitantly.
“It wouldn’t have been taken away.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Just as his brow was about to furrow at the ambiguous answer.
Because I had nothing to begin with.
huh?”
An unexpected answer is heard.
“Well, we live here every day, so we know. We don’t know how broke they are. I haven’t even seen them leave the student center.”
I knew that Yu Un-mun was in a difficult situation, but I didn’t know that he didn’t even have the money to maintain a basic livelihood.
I have a really bad feeling about this.
Has he been acting strangely lately?
You can say anything.
Well, you know I’ve been getting beaten up by the Baekdohoe guys.
The student who was answering scratched his cheek.
The night before last, he suddenly apologized, saying he was sorry for everything that had happened.
“apologize?”
“Yeah, sometimes when I go to the market, I buy snacks and put them in his drawer.”
“however?”
Then they found it and threw it at me.
He’s a real lunatic.
As if it were no big deal, the student nodded and continued speaking.
“Well, yeah. Anyway, it seemed strange, so I asked him why, and he said his second older brother told him to.”
“Second brother??”
I don’t remember clearly because I heard it while half-asleep.
Were there more brothers between the two?
But how did a guy who never even leaves the school building hear the story from his second older brother?
“What is your name?”
“Me? Why the sudden?”
“just.”
Nam-eul-yong.
“Shinuibang Nam-eul-yong?”
Oh, when Nam Eul-yong, who would later rank among the top ten in Gangnam, attended the academy, eight
Did you use the dormitory?
Do you know me?
I made up a flimsy excuse.
Hmm, since I’m the student center representative?
Before he could express his doubts again, I took ten coins from my pocket and handed them to him.
“Keep half for yourself, and use the other half to take care of that crazy guy like before. If you keep refusing, you can keep the rest of the money.”
Just as I turned toward the door, a voice filled with bewilderment was heard.
What is your relationship with Yelü Ke?
Standing tall.
I stopped halfway to turn the doorknob.
Between, what kind of relationship… … .
In the depths of a vast sea of memories, the face of Yalu Zai, who stood blocking my path with a look of malice, rises vividly.
At that sight, a faint smile escapes me without me realizing it.
“I owe that bastard a favor.”
It’s damn hard to repay the favor. I left the dormitory and traced my memories of a past life.
Yelü Zai never mentioned his brothers separately.
And the story about having two or more brothers.
Although it was a sect that had been wiped out, he had great pride in the Yuun Sect and often boasted about it.
Whenever that happened, the members of the sect would mock them, calling them a ruined sect, and the fights always started that way.
Leaving aside the other younger sibling, why didn’t that person even mention the younger sibling who entered the academy?
The story of Yelu Zai and the current situation of Yelu Ke.
The stifling situation Yalu Geuk must have endured all this time, and even the words he left for Nam Eul-yong.
As I gathered and assembled the pieces one by one, something suddenly crossed my mind. ‘Shit…!’ I hurriedly drew up my internal energy and sent it to my feet.
pop.
Heaps of earth scattered in all directions, but regardless, I unleashed the Heavenly Solitary Spirit with all my might. ‘Damn it… why was I so complacent?’ If my ominous prediction is correct, Yelu Ke will die.
No, maybe it’s already dead.
