Even today, after finishing his daily routine, So-ah meditated for about half a shichen in a deserted bamboo forest and then headed to his residence.
“Phew, I’m so busy.”
Recently, So-ah had been accumulating fatigue due to excessive work.
Every day at the hour of the Tiger, he would prepare the medicinal water, guide the ‘threshing’ training, and then, after three sessions of stamina training, he would perform massage and healing arts on the students and handle the backed-up office work, and it would be late at night.
On top of that, he even meditated, so in fact, So-ah slept for less than one shichen a day.
‘Teaching people is this hard. Grandpa must have had a hard time too.’
He suddenly thought of his grandfather.
It was a moment when he once again realized how great and deep his grandfather’s grace, who had guided him all day long, was.
“Grandpa. I’m doing well, right? Right?”
He muttered softly, looking up at the night sky.
—Hoho, our So-ah always does well.
For some reason, it felt as if his grandfather’s voice was ringing in his ears.
‘Grandpa. I will definitely repay your kindness.’
So-ah clenched his fist.
Before he knew it, he couldn’t even feel the fatigue that had accumulated in his body.
‘Just trust me. Junior Sister, Junior Brother.’
Recently, Moyong Hwa and Moyong Su’s stamina and senses had been improving by leaps and bounds.
So-ah vowed to definitely make Moyong Hwa and Moyong Su into masters and make the family, which had relied on only one person, Moyong Cheon, into the strongest martial family that no one could look down on.
Because he thought that was the only way to repay his kindness.
While thinking that, he felt a presence.
Soon, a bright voice brushed past his ears.
“So-ah!”
It was a familiar voice.
So-ah also answered with a pleased look.
“Brother Gu-yang!”
He was none other than Gu-yang Seon.
“Brother. Why did you only come now? You must have known that I became an instructor at the academy.”
“Sorry. I’ve been busy. I was so busy.”
“Aww! What’s so busy about the Martial Alliance’s Cheonmun-gwan?”
“Haha, don’t say what you don’t know. There are so many strange things happening these days.”
“Let’s go inside first.”
“Alright.”
So-ah took Gu-yang Seon into the annex and soon brought out a bottle of wine.
***
“Have a drink.”
“Let’s do that. Congratulations on becoming the most famous person in the martial world. Cheers!”
—Clink!
The two clinked their glasses and tilted them.
So-ah remembered the bamboo leaf wine that Gu-yang Seon had bought him when he had first set foot in the Jianghu.
As time passed, and this time he was treating him to wine, a strange feeling arose.
“By the way, what do you mean by the most famous person in the martial world?”
“What do you mean? Don’t you know that the news of your duel is shaking the entire Jianghu?”
“Yes?”
“The academy is one thing, but the Martial Alliance is also buzzing with that all day long. In a few months, there probably won’t be a single person in the Jianghu who doesn’t know your name. I heard that even Master Yong-gak of Jongnam and Grand Master Gong-seung of Shaolin, who are called the top masters of the Orthodox Path, were astonished when they heard your story.”
“They didn’t even see the duel…”
“It was reported in quite detail. Even the content of the duel.”
“Aha.”
“Young Master Namgung performed the Emperor Sword Technique, the highest martial art of the Namgung Family, but you blocked it as if it were nothing and knocked him out in one blow, right? At this rate, even the deceased esteemed God of War would be terrified. Haha.”
“It’s nothing special.”
“Nothing special? Among them, there are rumors that you would win even if you fought against the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. This is an incident that could turn the entire martial world upside down.”
So-ah’s face turned red.
‘I went easy on him… was it that big of a deal?’
So-ah, perhaps embarrassed by Gu-yang Seon’s praise, quickly changed the subject.
“Ah! There was something I really wanted to ask you when I met you.”
“What is it?”
“So, Brother Gu-yang…”
So-ah explained in detail the things he had experienced after unfolding the <Map of the Ghost Valley Mountain Manor>.
The passage about the trials of the first, second, and third rooms written on the parchment, and the incident where the parchment turned to ashes with a green flame the moment he read it.
Above all, the sandstorm he had seen in his dream and the impregnable fortress in the middle of the desert with the signboard of the Ghost Valley Mountain Manor.
Even while explaining, So-ah thought it was a strange incident and found it fascinating.
“So-ah.”
“Yes?”
“You’ve really obtained a rare treasure.”
“A rare… treasure? It just had incomprehensible words written on it, without any geographical features.”
“In my judgment, that map contains a considerable amount of magical power. It’s amazing that it self-ignited as soon as the owner read it, but it’s also amazing that it dominated your dream. That’s only possible if the magical power of the person who originally created the map is outstanding.”
“Ah… so it’s related to magical power.”
“That’s right. But who gave you such a precious thing?”
“Grandpa Wi-ji.”
“Grandpa Wi-ji? Are you perhaps… talking about the dead Heavenly Demon?”
“Yes.”
At that, Gu-yang Seon said with a somewhat surprised face.
“So-ah. It would be better not to tell anyone else about this story.”
“Why?”
“There have been some strange things happening in the martial world recently. There are rumors that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is involved behind the scenes.”
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
“Yes. It’s not certain yet, so we need to investigate more, but the movements of the Unorthodox Path are unusual.”
“Ah!”
“It’s not good for your position if the story about the map spreads, so keep it to yourself for now.”
“I’ll do that for now. But what did the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult do…”
“Are you curious?”
“Yes. I have a deep connection with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I received a lot from Grandpa Wi-ji, and the young cult leader, Brother Chan, is like a brother to me.”
He felt worried.
If a misunderstanding arose between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Martial Alliance, it was clear that he would be in a difficult position in the middle.
“It’s just suspicions for now. I’ll let you know first when something becomes certain.”
“Yes, Brother. Please do.”
‘I should go and see Brother Chan when I have time. How much stronger has Brother Chan become by now?’
Even in the midst of that, So-ah was suddenly curious about Wi-ji Chan’s prowess.
Because now, among his peers, only Wi-ji Chan could be compared to So-ah.
***
“You have always followed my words when it comes to martial arts since you were young, haven’t you? But why did you make such a decision?”
White Martial Academy, Head Instructor’s Office.
Only the Head Instructor, Namgung Won, and his son, Namgung Mun, were seated in the room.
“That’s why. I have never once disobeyed my father’s teachings. I did not neglect my training even in the hellish pain of my body being torn apart, and as a result, I was able to learn the Emperor Sword Technique.”
“But why…”
“I made this decision because I felt something, so please grant me your permission this time.”
“Mun-ah! No matter what, I am not pleased that you, the head of the Heaven Division, are entering the Human Division as a student and training under Jin So-ah.”
“Father.”
“…”
“As I am now, I cannot catch up to Instructor Jin no matter what I do.”
Namgung Won’s feelings were mixed.
He was a son he had raised like a precious treasure.
At the age of ten, he had mastered all the basics of swordsmanship, and at the age of fifteen, he had completed the Boundless Azure Sky Sword Technique up to the 12th star. When he reached his prime, he was a son who could perform the Emperor Sword Technique, the highest martial art of the family.
But such a son was blocked by a wall that he could not overcome and was trying to do something crazy, so he just wanted to stop him.
But
“I will promise. I will never be frustrated. If I cannot catch up to Instructor Jin, I will watch and learn from his side and do my best in my own way.”
“Mun-ah…”
“And someday, I will challenge him again. So please trust me.”
Namgung Won felt a hot passion and fighting spirit in his son’s eyes.
‘Jin So-ah… what on earth are you…’
There is no parent who can win against their child.
In the end, Namgung Won could not stop his son.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Namgung Mun performed a respectful cupped fist salute and then left the head instructor’s office.
***
“Gentlemen! Good morning.”
It was still a faint dawn.
But the students of the Human Division had woken up from dawn without fail and were neatly lined up in the center of the training ground.
‘Don’t give me that ‘good morning’ crap.’
‘Only you would be good.’
‘Ah, how much of a hell will it be today?’
‘By the way, why is he out here?’
‘What the…’
The students lightly ignored the greeting and moved their gazes to stare at a man standing next to So-ah.
Just then.
“Don’t you even greet your instructor who is like the sky?”
So-ah’s eyebrows drew into an eight-character shape.
The quick-witted Han-baek urgently opened his mouth.
“Haha. Oh, instructor who is like the sky. It’s because the body remodeling training yesterday was so hard that we have no strength. We were just about to greet you!”
At that, insincere flattery poured out.
“That’s right! Instructor, did you have a good night?”
“I even dreamed of you, Instructor. Ha… haha.”
So-ah, knowing the students’ hearts well, smiled and joked.
“Now you’re like students. If the greeting had come out a little later, I was going to half-kill you today, but you’ve avoided a disaster, haven’t you? Hahaha!”
‘Instructor Jin seems even crazier today.’
‘Did he eat something wrong?’
‘Ugh, I was almost screwed.’
In that moment, So-ah continued to speak.
“Today, a special guest has come. You all know who this friend is, right?”
So-ah pointed to the man standing next to him.
The man was none other than Namgung Mun.
Namgung Mun fidgeted with a flushed face.
“N-Nice to meet you all, students of the Human Division.”
At that awkward appearance, Han-baek asked.
“What brings Young Master Namgung here? Surely you’re not thinking of training or something?”
In principle, since Han-baek and Namgung Mun were both students, it was right to speak informally, but since Namgung Mun was older and his martial arts were truly unrivaled, most students used honorifics.
Just then.
“That’s right.”
The one who received Han-baek’s question was not Namgung Mun, but So-ah.
“Yes?!”
“What did you say?”
“Why on earth would Young Master Namgung…”
The students murmured.
In particular, Tang Il-gi, who was from the same Heaven Division as Namgung Mun, looked at Namgung Mun with a pale face.
‘Hah…’
Namgung Mun felt like he wanted to hide in a mouse hole.
Because he had usually treated the students of the Human Division as if they were his subordinates.
“What are you so surprised about? It’s just one student enrolling.”
But So-ah said bluntly, as if it were no big deal.
“Does that make sense? Young Master Namgung is the head of the Heaven Division.”
“Huh? Han-baek, your words are short.”
“Oops! No… that’s not what’s important, is it really true?”
“It’s true!”
“Yes, sir!”
As So-ah frowned, Han-baek was startled and answered loudly.
“Student Namgung Mun?”
This time, So-ah’s question was directed at Namgung Mun.
“Yes, Instructor Jin.”
Namgung Mun’s attitude was completely different from before the duel.
From the moment he had decided to enter the Human Division, he had long since abandoned his useless pride.
“Formally introduce yourself first.”
Namgung Mun took a step forward with courage.
Then he let out a sigh and, with a solemn face in an instant, opened his mouth.
“Although it is surprising, I have decided to receive training from Instructor Jin in the Human Division with you all from today.”
At that, the students’ eyes widened like lanterns.
But the surprise was only for a moment.
A few mischievous people, including Han-baek (Paeng Seong-un, Seok Won, Eon Yeong-je, etc.), let out a sinister laugh and muttered.
“Then Young Master Namgung… no, Namgung Daemun and we are in the same position?”
“I guess we can’t use honorifics anymore.”
“Of course. What’s with the honorifics between fellow division members? Then that Namgung Daemun would be more uncomfortable.”
“Hey, hey! Still, what’s with Namgung Daemun, Namgung Daemun.”
“Wasn’t his name Namgung Daemun?”
“You crazy dog… no, isn’t it just Instructor Jin who calls him that?”
“Aha!”
It was getting worse and worse.
It was impossible to describe Namgung Mun’s current shame and bewilderment in words.
‘What… what kind of crazy things are these?’
Namgung Mun felt like he wanted to shout at them.
But his wish could not be continued.
“What are you doing?”
It was because So-ah’s cold gaze and chilly voice came out.
“What?”
“You brat, you should line up next to the students. You’re clumsy on your first day?”
“Oops… I understand.”
Although Namgung Mun was dumbfounded, he first approached Han-baek’s side and joined the line.
At that, So-ah took out a club from his bosom.
“Today is the day a newcomer has come, so we will train thoroughly with the newcomer as the main focus. Anyone have a complaint?”
“Of course not.”
“None.”
“There is no reason for it to exist.”
“Good, then let’s begin!”
So-ah curled up the corners of his mouth.
Until then, Namgung Mun had thought that So-ah was giving him preferential treatment.
—Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!
At least, until the club-beating began.
(End of Chapter)