Light Novel: Volume 1 Episode 6
Manhwa: Chapter 3-4
Chapter 2 Episode 6. Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same (3)
“You are being summoned to the True Martial Temple now.”
A boy, who looked to be barely twelve or thirteen, was staring at Dam-ho. It was Won Yul, a second-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
Though Won Yul was only two or three years younger than Dam-ho, there was a significant difference in their ranks. Dam-ho was a first-generation disciple, while Won Yul was a second-generation. To Dam-ho, he was a junior. However, the look in Won Yul’s eyes as he stared at Dam-ho was full of insolence.
The corners of Won Yul’s mouth twisted upward.
‘This cripple is supposed to be my Junior Uncle? I’ll never accept that.’
Dam-ho wasn’t aware of it, but his nickname within the Mount Hua Sect was crippled mutt— a dog that could not run. It was a mocking reference to his lame condition.
Many of the first-generation disciples believed that Dam-ho had simply been lucky to rise to their rank. The second-generation disciples, who were close in age to Dam-ho, refused to acknowledge him as their Junior Uncle.
The Mount Hua Sect prided itself on strength, especially in swordsmanship, for which it was renowned. Thus, recognizing someone like Dam-ho, who couldn’t properly wield a sword due to his innate physical limitations, was difficult for them.
Moreover, Dam-ho had very little interaction with the other disciples in the sect. Normally, a first-generation disciple would be expected to teach the second-generation disciples, but Dam-ho hardly ever showed himself. This led to misunderstandings among the second-generation disciples.
Many of the disciples thought that Dam-ho was receiving special treatment that he didn’t deserve. Although they had to respect him as a superior due to the hierarchy, they refused to call him Junior Uncle. This was a matter of pride for Won Yul and the other second-generation disciples.
Dam-ho stared at Won Yul for a moment. Won Yul, not backing down, stared back at him provocatively.
Suddenly, Won Yul flinched.
Dam-ho’s eyes were unusually deep and pitch black, containing no emotion toward Won Yul. Yet, Won Yul felt an inexplicable chill.
‘What…?’
Just as he was trying to figure out why—
“Let’s go.”
Dam-ho walked past him. As he did, the chill that had gripped Won Yul vanished as if it had been a lie.
‘Was it just my imagination?’
Won Yul tilted his head in confusion.
Meanwhile, Dam-ho was already walking ahead. Without much time to think further, Won Yul hurried to follow him.
‘Has it been almost a month?’
It had been nearly a month since Han Soyu told him about gathering at the True Martial Temple. During that time, Dam-ho had been so absorbed in mastering the Heavy Sky Heart Technique and Bamboo Leaf Hand that he had almost forgotten about it.
‘Junior Uncle Hyun-geom…’
He was curious about what kind of person Hyun-geom was, but at the same time, he felt regretful about losing the time he could spend practicing the Heavy Sky Heart Technique. Still, he couldn’t refuse to attend when the elder of the sect called for a gathering.
Dam-ho suddenly glanced up and looked around. Not long ago, the entire Mount Hua had been covered in white plum blossoms, but now, they were nowhere to be seen.
He missed the faint scent of the blossoms, but he didn’t feel any sense of loss. He simply felt regretful that so much time had passed already.
Meanwhile, a look of confusion appeared on Won Yul’s face as he followed Dam-ho. Initially, there wasn’t much distance between them, but as time passed, the gap grew wider and wider.
Dam-ho was clearly walking with a slight limp. Yet, the distance between them kept increasing. No matter how much Won Yul quickened his pace, he couldn’t close the gap.
In the end, Won Yul had to use his lightness skill, and only then was he able to catch up to Dam-ho. But by then, Dam-ho had already reached the front gate of the True Martial Temple.
Dam-ho glanced at Won Yul.
“Do I just go in from here?”
“Huh? Oh… yes, that’s right.”
“Thanks for guiding me. See you next time.”
Dam-ho stepped through the gate of the True Martial Temple. Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Won Yul muttered to himself.
“Did he learn some special lightness skill?”
He thought it was possible. Even though they often considered Dam-ho a crippled mutt, in the end, he was still a first-generation disciple.
“For him to receive such privileges, it must be because he’s a first-generation disciple, right?”
Won Yul bit his lip.
* * *
Inside the True Martial Temple, about fifty first-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect were gathered. For a large sect like the Mount Hua Sect, it was nearly impossible to gather all the first-generation disciples in one place.
First-generation disciples were the main power behind the sect, and they were responsible for teaching disciples or performing official duties at various temples or palaces.
Because of this, it was the first time that so many first-generation disciples had gathered in one place. At least, as far as Dam-ho knew.
Although a large number of first-generation disciples were gathered, not a single person spoke. The solemn atmosphere dominated the room.
When Dam-ho walked in, his Senior Brother Moo-kyung gave a slight smile in acknowledgment. Given the atmosphere of the place, Dam-ho silently bowed his head in greeting.
Some people acknowledged him, while others looked at him with pity. Still, there were those who frowned in displeasure.
But Han Soyu was different. She looked at Dam-ho with a soft smile. Dam-ho nodded to her in return.
Creak!
At that moment, the rusty hinges screamed as the doors of the True Martial Temple opened, and a middle-aged Taoist priest walked out.
Although he looked ordinary at first glance, a sharp aura was radiating off of him like that of a finely-honed sword.
The Taoist’s gaze swept over the first-generation disciples. As soon as their eyes met his, the disciples felt a chilling cold, as if they were standing naked in the middle of a snowy field.
It was the same for Dam-ho.
Goosebumps and a chill crept up along the backs of his hands and spine. His lips also trembled uncontrollably as he stood there.
The middle-aged Taoist said nothing, but Dam-ho instinctively knew that this was Sage Hyun-geom, the master of the True Martial Temple and the strongest martial artist in the Mount Hua Sect. No one but him could emanate such energy and command such a powerful presence.
The elderly Taoist finally opened his mouth.
“Nice to meet you. I am Hyun-geom.”
“We give our greetings to Junior Uncle Hyun-geom.”
The voices of the first-generation disciples echoed loudly through the True Martial Temple. Their voices were filled with respect for Sage Hyun-geom.
After the storm-like greeting subsided, Sage Hyun-geom spoke again.
“The reason I have gathered you all here is by the order of the sect leader. The sect leader wishes for me to share as much of my insights as possible with you.”
Immediately, the first-generation disciples became agitated.
Many of them believed that if they could obtain even a small portion of Sage Hyun-geom’s enlightenment, they would be able to make tremendous progress. However, Sage Hyun-geom’s next words were enough to chill their excitement.
“But I don’t need several people who are slightly better than the rest. I need just one exceptional individual.”
Sage Hyun-geom’s eyes gleamed sharply.
He had entered the Mount Hua Sect at an age when he was barely able to walk, and for over fifty years, he had walked the path of the sword. Even as his senior brothers and other martial brothers, who had entered the sect around the same as him, became distracted by worldly matters or neglected their martial arts, he remained solely devoted to the way of the sword.
A swordsman who lived by the sword and would die by the sword.
For Sage Hyun-geom, whose ultimate goal was to attain the realm of immortality through the sword, he had no need for mediocre talents.
All he needs is one exceptional person capable of inheriting his insights and legacy.
“I will hold a test. The one person who passes this test will become my direct disciple. It doesn’t matter if they are a first-generation disciple, a second-generation disciple, or even an outer disciple. If they demonstrate exceptional talent, they will become my disciple and inherit everything.”
Wooong!
Sage Hyun-geom’s declaration was shocking, to say the least.
It meant he intended to break the traditional importance of hierarchy and rank that most sects valued highly.
If an outer disciple were to become Sage Hyun-geom’s disciple, they would become a first-generation disciple overnight. It was an extraordinary upheaval.
The expressions of those who had been smiling confidently until now stiffened. Even Moo-kyung and Un-gyeong, the de facto leaders among the first-generation disciples, were no exception.
They too hadn’t expected that Sage Hyun-geom would propose such extraordinary conditions.
Moo-kyung, representing the first-generation disciples, asked on behalf of everyone.
“May I ask how you intend to choose your direct disciple, Junior Uncle?”
“Why, are you interested too, Moo-kyung? You’ve already begun learning Violet Mist Divine Art1, so you shouldn’t need my insights.”
Moo-kyung was a disciple of Sage Hyun-cheon, the sect leader of the Mount Hua Sect. Since he was already the confirmed successor and next leader of the sect, it was certain that he had begun learning Mount Hua Sect’s ultimate martial art— the Violet Mist Divine Art.
Moo-kyung smiled.
“To be honest, it would be strange if this disciple is not greedy for Junior Uncle’s insights. After all, Junior Uncle is the greatest swordsman in the Mount Hua Sect, but as Junior Uncle said, I’ve already begun learning the Violet Mist Divine Art. Naturally, this disciple’s path is bound to be different from Junior Uncle’s.”
“You understand well.”
“But the one who receives and inherits your insights will become the sword representing Mount Hua. How could I not be worried about that?”
Sage Hyun-geom smiled, as Moo-kyung’s words made sense.
“Everyone gathered here will participate in a martial contest.”
“So the final winner of the martial contest will inherit Junior Uncle’s insights?”
“Think what you will.”
Sage Hyun-geom’s vague response made Moo-kyung raise an eyebrow, but he quickly laughed it off.
“I don’t have the confidence to be humiliated by my fellow disciples, so I shall withdraw here.”
“Do as you wish.”
Sage Hyun-geom nodded.
He had no intention of choosing Moo-kyung. As the future sect leader, Moo-kyung had already received much. He was also a man walking a different path from his own, aiming for his own perfection and completion. Choosing him as a disciple would only cause unnecessary trouble.
The other disciples looked at each other cautiously but did not back down. Although they already had their own masters, inheriting Sage Hyun-geom’s insights would be a great honor.
In the grand scheme of things, they were all fellow disciples of the same sect, so their current masters would have no objection to them receiving Sage Hyun-geom’s insights.
“There’s no time to waste then. We will begin the contest now.”
Sage Hyun-geom, as if prepared in advance, began pointing out those who would face each other in the martial contest.
“First, Seom-gyeong and Un-gyeong. Prepare yourselves.”
“Huh? Yes!”
Seom-gyeong and Un-gyeong, who had been selected, stepped forward with expressions of surprise. They hadn’t expected to be the first to engage in the martial contest.
Their faces showed clear signs of tension and nervousness.
Seom-gyeong was affiliated with the Golden Heaven Palace, while Un-gyeong was from the Taiping Palace. Although they had trained together in their youth, as they grew older and were assigned to different places, they rarely had the opportunities to spar with each other.
What they knew about each other’s abilities was information from over ten years ago. Thus, the only way to gauge their current level was to face each other and clash directly.
‘I must win.’
‘I will inherit Sage Hyun-geom’s insights.’
Both were determined to give it their all. Their fighting spirit that was palpable went as far spread to the other first-generation disciples.
The two stood face-to-face in the training grounds in front of the True Martial Temple. The other first-generation disciples formed a circle around them, watching closely.
“Begin.”
At Sage Hyun-geom’s command, Seom-gyeong and Un-gyeong began circling each other, eyes locked in a glare.
Both of them inherited the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect. Although they couldn’t fully gauge each other’s strength, they had a good idea of what techniques the other excelled in.
“Hyah!”
The first to move was Un-gyeong, who unleashed the Seven Star Sword Technique.2 In an instant, a wooden sword flew toward Seom-gyeong’s chest.
Seom-gyeong evaded the attack using the Nine Palace Steps and dodged Un-gyeong’s strike. As the wooden sword missed, he retaliated with the Plum Blossom Fist.
Shh-shh-shhk!
The clearing was quickly filled with their shadows.
The two fighters used the entire clearing to its fullest, each trying to gain the upper hand. They displayed the advanced techniques of the Mount Hua Sect in quick succession, and their near-flawless movements elicited gasps of admiration from the other disciples.
Dam-ho blended in among the other first-generation disciples, watching the duel between the two. His eyes shone coldly.
‘This is an opportunity.’
There was a vast difference between training alone and sparring against an opponent. Now, they had no choice but to reveal their true abilities, which they had kept hidden closely until now.
Seom-gyeong, using Plum Blossom Fist, kept trying to close the distance, while Un-gyeong, with the Seven Star Sword Technique, tried to maintain distance.
As he observed the battle between a martial artist using fists and one wielding a sword, Dam-ho was learning how he should respond in such situations.
For Dam-ho, who had mostly trained alone, this was a rare and precious opportunity. He focused all his attention on the duel, determined not to miss a single detail.
The thought of inheriting Sage Hyun-geom’s insights wasn’t on his mind. Dam-ho was completely absorbed in the match unfolding before him.
Each time the two clashed, Dam-ho’s shoulders twitched in anticipation.
SoundlessWind21’s Notes:
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