Dan Cheong blinked several times. It was because he couldn’t make sense of what Baek Yeon had said in such a short time.
“What do you mean, trust this boy?” At Dan Cheong’s question, Baek Yeon replied calmly.
“This boy’s talent is truly unparalleled. With this level of ability, he will surely pass the test required by the Demon Sect.”
“Even if we set aside the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, do you think Kang Yangcheon, that cunning fox, would handle things fairly?” Dan Cheong waved his hand dismissively, as if the idea wasn’t even worth considering. “He’ll surely pull some dirty tricks to kill this boy.”
“Of course,” Baek Yeon responded, his expression unchanged. “Knowing their demands are unreasonable, Majeon has chosen the test location to be within their own grounds.”
“Whether it’s Majeon or White Horse Temple, what does the location matter?”
“The Demon Sect’s goal is merely to save face for the White Horse Temple’s master, who is grieving over his grandson’s death. If they truly intended to kill this boy, they wouldn’t have summoned him to their territory.”
“No way,” Dan Cheong said sternly. “No matter how exceptional this boy’s talent is, he’s still a fledgling. I absolutely cannot send him to the Demon Sect.”
“Deputy Leader,” Baek Yeon said with utmost seriousness. “If you reject this proposal, the main sect will face a series of troublesome events that will require your direct intervention.”
“Do as you please. Don’t concern yourself with it.” At that moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“I will go to Majeon.”
“This is not the time for you to act recklessly,” Dan Cheong warned.
“It’s not recklessness,” Bu Eunseol replied, glancing briefly at Baek Yeon before continuing. “If they truly intended to harm me, they wouldn’t have relayed the message through Master Baek.”
“So, you’re saying you’ll go to the Demon Sect and take their sham of a test?” Dan Cheong asked with a sigh.
Bu Eunseol responded calmly.
“All they want is to save face. They’ll likely think killing a novice like me would only damage their reputation.”
“Hmm.” Dan Cheong let out a low groan.
Perhaps, as the boy said, the Demon Sect was only summoning him for appearances. But Dan Cheong didn’t want Bu Eunseol to take risks because of the unreasonable demands of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect and White Horse Temple.
“This was bound to happen sooner or later,” Baek Yeon interjected. “They’re not the kind to give up just because we reject their proposal. It’s better to accept their demands now, when they’re being unreasonable, and ensure they can never raise objections again.”
“And if something happens to the boy?” Dan Cheong asked.
Baek Yeon paused to collect himself before responding.
“It’s your duty, Vice-Sect Leader, to look at the bigger picture and not let emotions cloud your judgment.” A brief silence fell over the Clear Bright Pavilion.
In truth, Nangyang Sect had no desire to kill outstanding warriors or great masters for some grand cause. They had simply lived their lives refining their martial arts, flowing like water. But Bu Eunseol, a prodigy of unparalleled talent, had been chosen not as one of the Ten Demon Sect Warriors but as the successor to Nangyang Sect. It was only natural for their hearts to be drawn to him.
“I, too…” Bu Eunseol stepped forward again. “I, too, am a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.”
Those were the same words Dan Cheong had spoken earlier. Hearing Bu Eunseol echo them, Dan Cheong felt an indescribable sense of pride.
‘This kid might just overcome everything.’ With a low sigh, Dan Cheong looked at Baek Yeon.
“Is the test all they want?”
“Yes,” Baek Yeon confirmed.
“Then convey this: if he passes the test, the matter with the White Horse Temple’s master will be overlooked, and the Hwa Wu Sword Sect’s unreasonable demands must be withdrawn.” A commanding aura, capable of splitting mountains, surged from Dan Cheong’s eyes as he continued. “If either of these conditions is not met, the entire matter will be null and void.”
***
Clear Breeze Pavilion
This was the residence of Dan Cheong, the Deputy Leader of Nangyang Pavilion. Surrounded by a meandering stream, the pavilion was framed by large trees, exuding a serene yet relaxed atmosphere that perfectly mirrored Dan Cheong’s languid demeanor.
“Though the main sect isn’t far from Majeon, it will take four days for the messenger bird to arrive,” Dan Cheong said to Bu Eunseol as they walked along a narrow path in front of the Clear Breeze Pavilion. “During that time, you have work to do.”
“Learning martial arts?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“You could say that, or you could say it’s not quite that.” It was an ambiguous answer.
But Bu Eunseol didn’t press for clarity. As always, he sought to find the answer himself.
“Then it might not be about learning new martial arts but refining what I’ve already learned.”
“Hah, close enough,” Dan Cheong said with a satisfied chuckle, though his expression soon turned bitter. “The martial arts of our sect pursue practicality, so they haven’t been systematically refined. Strictly speaking, they’re incomplete.” His voice was solemn as he explained the principles of their martial arts.
“Yet, our sect’s martial arts can be summed up in one word: ‘enlightenment.’ They can evolve infinitely through realization.” Looking down at Bu Eunseol, Dan Cheong sighed. “But there’s a paradox. No matter how exceptional one’s talent, you cannot completely ignore or skip the stages of martial arts mastery.” Having accepted their unreasonable demands, Dan Cheong had requested firm compensation from the Demon Sect.
And during the time it took for their response, he intended to impart martial arts to Bu Eunseol.
“Then, is there a martial art I can master in four days?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Of course not,” Dan Cheong replied, shaking his head firmly. “Our sect’s true martial arts are as profound and vast as those of Shaolin. No matter how great a genius you are, there’s nothing you can master in such a short time.” By then, Dan Cheong and Bu Eunseol had left the path and arrived at a wide field of reeds.
“Then what should I learn?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“It’s not about learning—it’s about observing.” As they spoke in riddles, two shadows dashed toward the bamboo grove.
Swish, swish, swish.
The two figures, dressed in distinctive martial attire with exposed forearms, darted through the reeds. One held a sword in his right hand, the other a broadsword.
Clang!
As their weapons clashed in midair, sparks flew in all directions.
Clang! Clatter!
The sword and broadsword danced like the ribs of a fan, intertwining chaotically.
“In a fight between masters, weapons rarely clash,” Dan Cheong said, observing the two men fighting with all their might. “Do you know why their weapons are clashing?”
Clang!
Watching the weapons collide again, Bu Eunseol answered calmly.
“Because they’re too close.” Indeed, the two men wielded their weapons tightly, engaging in close-quarters combat.
“Anything else?” Dan Cheong prompted.
Bu Eunseol studied the fierce battle once more.
Splatter! Splat!
Blood sprayed from their bodies each time the weapons grazed past. The blades they swung unleashed sharp, brutal killing moves.
“And because it’s not a performance… they’re fighting with true intent.”
“Exactly,” Dan Cheong said heavily, arms crossed. “This reed field and the bamboo grove beyond are where our sect’s masters hone their practical martial arts.”
“Practical martial arts…” Bu Eunseol echoed.
“Yes. Not some sloppy performance, but developing techniques through real combat.” Dan Cheong fixed his gaze on Bu Eunseol’s unfocused eyes. “For the next four days, you will stay in this reed field and bamboo grove, observing the battles of our sect’s masters.”
“Just observe?” Bu Eunseol asked, his expression one of confusion.
In four days, who knew what might happen at Majeon? And yet, he was told to leisurely watch masters fight?
“To master practical martial arts, you must reach a level where you can discern an opponent’s momentum and techniques just by observing,” Dan Cheong explained.
“Discern their momentum and techniques just by watching?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Yes,” Dan Cheong said, pointing to the two men fighting in the reed field. “You said their fight was a life-or-death struggle, but that’s only half true. What they’re doing is still a form of practice. It only looks like a bloodbath because they fully understand each other’s techniques and counter with lethal moves.”
He continued, “Practical martial arts isn’t about fighting recklessly. Before that, you must witness countless battles firsthand.” Speaking clearly to the attentive Bu Eunseol, he said, “Simply by observing, you must develop the ability to quickly discern an opponent’s information. That is the foundation of practical martial arts.”
“The ability to discern an opponent’s information…” Bu Eunseol murmured, his eyes narrowing.
Having not yet fully studied Nangyang Pavilion’s martial arts, he had thought practical martial arts were simpler. ‘So the foundation of practical martial arts isn’t about fighting but about quickly understanding and responding to an opponent’s information.’ Listening to Dan Cheong’s explanation, Bu Eunseol realized that practical martial arts were far more profound and intricate than he had imagined.
“If you reach that level, you can gain immense benefits just by observing others’ fights without engaging yourself,” Dan Cheong concluded, turning away. “As per the laws of the martial world, secretly watching others’ practice or battles is taboo in Nangyang Pavilion, as you can steal an opponent’s weaknesses or insights just by observing.”
With a stern voice, he added, “But given the circumstances, I will specially permit you to observe.”
“Thank you,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing deeply.
He finally understood the immense privilege Dan Cheong was granting him.
“Do your best,” Dan Cheong said, leaving the reed field with those final words.
From that day on, Bu Eunseol spent his time moving between the reed field and bamboo grove near the Clear Breeze Pavilion, observing the practice sessions.
Though called practice, the fights resembled real combat. For a martial artist who had reached the peak, merely watching such battles would yield tremendous insights. On the fourth day, the final day, Dan Cheong stood beside Bu Eunseol, watching the practice together.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Today’s practice took place in a dense bamboo grove.
Clang! Crack, crack, crack!
At the center of the grove, five warriors surrounded a single man. Remarkably, the man in the center deflected the attacks of the five opponents using only his bare hands.
Rustle.
The positions of the five warriors subtly shifted. Seeing this, Dan Cheong asked Bu Eunseol, “What’s the next move?”
“It looks like they’ll use Heaven and Earth Divide,” Bu Eunseol murmured, watching the battle.
As he spoke, the five swords rose toward the sky, preparing to unleash the first move of Heaven and Earth Divide.
Shing.
At the same time, the bare-handed man drew a short sword from behind his back—a medium-length blade used by assassins.
“What’s the next technique?” Dan Cheong asked.
“Based on his stance, he’ll likely use All-Encompassing Response to create a sword barrier.”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
As Bu Eunseol predicted, the man with the short sword swung it rapidly, forming a transparent sword barrier. ‘He’s doing well,’ Dan Cheong thought, glancing at Bu Eunseol’s profile, though he tilted his head in puzzlement.
‘But he’s too fast.’ To perform a sword technique, one must grip the sword; to execute a fist technique, one must clench a fist. Every technique has a starting point, and recognizing it is the first step in practical martial arts. Yet Bu Eunseol was discerning techniques with ease, as if he had long mastered the basics of practical martial arts. ‘Even a seasoned veteran who’s fought countless battles would need three months to learn to anticipate techniques like this.’ Dan Cheong couldn’t fathom how Bu Eunseol had so quickly grasped the art of reading techniques.
‘Well, since he’s doing well, I should praise him.’
“Not bad. It’s rare to grasp the basics of practical martial arts so quickly,” Dan Cheong said.
But Bu Eunseol shook his head with a gloomy expression.
“I only predicted their movements based on their muscles. I haven’t grasped the principles of martial arts to anticipate techniques.”
“What?” Dan Cheong asked, stunned.
Predicting movements based on martial arts principles was something only a master like Dan Cheong could do. Yet Bu Eunseol, unaware of this, was chastising himself for his perceived shortcomings. ‘Is he arrogant, or is it because he’s still new to martial arts?’ Dan Cheong wondered.
Bu Eunseol always managed to astonish those who taught him, and Dan Cheong was no exception.
‘I’m really looking forward to his future.’ As Dan Cheong secretly smiled with satisfaction, a figure approached rapidly with a whistling sound.
“Vice-Sect Leader,” the young man said, bowing.
His attire closely resembled the martial robes Baek Yeon had worn earlier.
“I am Biyun of the Peongan Corps,” he said, presenting a small letter from his robes. “A response from Majeon.”
“Hmm,” Dan Cheong said, reading the letter and nodding. “So it is.”
He turned to Bu Eunseol, his eyes gleaming.
“Majeon has agreed to all of our sect’s demands.” Bu Eunseol nodded with a resolute expression.
The time had come to head to Majeon.
