Chapter 276
Chapter 276
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 276
Chapter Title: The Chosen Two
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The next day.
The secondary disciples of Mount Hua, having eaten a simple breakfast, dragged their heavy bodies out into the courtyard.
"Ugh... My arms won't even lift..."
"I could barely hold my chopsticks properly."
"I woke up and my back pain feels even worse."
There wasn't a single part of their bodies that felt fine.
The first day had been climbing and descending the peak.
And the second day was nothing more than repeatedly swinging swords downward.
At a glance, it might seem like incredibly simple training, but for those involved, it was a time akin to hell.
They had repeated the same posture and motion thousands of times.
Even seasoned martial artists who trained external arts daily would find their muscles struggling to endure it.
"Finally, the last day."
"I wonder what we'll do today."
"Please, let it be something easy..."
On the first day, lacking motivation, Hoe-gang's recounting of Hyeok Mulin's prowess had sparked expectation and resolve in them.
However, Cheon Sumyeong's training on the second day had utterly crushed that will.
Now, they wished more than anything for this agonizing training to end as quickly as possible, rather than seeing Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Sumyeong's swordsmanship.
At that moment.
Gasp—
Their breaths caught.
Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Sumyeong had appeared right in front of them.
The secondary disciples had already reached the point where just seeing those two warriors' faces made them automatically shut their mouths and assume a posture of attentive listening.
Hyeok Mulin, standing before them, looked over the gathered group and spoke.
"You've worked hard for the past two days. Today is finally the last day."
Gulp.
All of them stared tensely at Hyeok Mulin's lips.
What kind of training would they face today?
The first day had been grueling enough to feel like death, but the second had been even worse.
Given the progressively intensifying training, the third day was likely to be even more severe.
The secondary disciples prayed with one heart that it would be light training.
"Today's training is..."
And Hyeok Mulin granted their earnest wish.
"Rest."
"...Pardon?"
"Excessive training can become poison instead. Since you've diligently participated for two days, I'll grant you rest as the finale."
"Hurray...!"
At the unexpected declaration of rest, they embraced each other, unable to hide their joy.
At that moment.
"However."
Hyeok Mulin quelled the commotion.
"Two of you are excluded from rest. You will continue training today."
"...!"
"The first is Hoe-gang. Step forward."
Clench.
At Hyeok Mulin's call, Hoe-gang gripped his fist tightly, swallowing his joy as he stepped out.
In truth, while everyone else cheered at the rest announcement, he had been equally disappointed.
When would they next have the chance for a master like Hyeok Mulin to visit their sect and teach swordsmanship?
Having firmly resolved to learn everything he could from this opportunity, he couldn't hide his regret at the rest declaration.
But being selected as one of the two to continue training filled him with great satisfaction.
Seeing the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon chosen, the secondary disciples offered their congratulations.
However, they didn't envy him in the slightest.
Improving skills through more training sounded good, but right now, they could barely twitch a finger.
"And the second is..."
Hyeok Mulin, glancing over the secondary disciples, continued.
"Hoe-ak. Step forward as well."
"Hoe-ak?"
Whoosh.
The secondary disciples' gazes turned simultaneously to Hoe-ak, standing at the very back.
Receiving their puzzled looks, Hoe-ak himself wore a bewildered expression.
"Me...?"
Hoe-ak couldn't understand why he had been picked, and the other secondary disciples felt the same.
If the first choice was the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon, it made sense as selecting a skilled one.
But Hoe-ak wasn't a standout swordsman even in the Mount Hua Sect.
The same went for the current training.
On the first day, under Hyeok Mulin's training, he had managed an upper-mid ranking pass, but the second day had been utterly miserable.
His sword swings were middling at best, generously speaking.
He was far below not just the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon but even other secondary disciples.
'Cult Leader, what are you thinking?'
Cheon Sumyeong, equally puzzled by Hoe-ak's selection, turned his gaze to Hyeok Mulin.
In truth, Hoe-ak wasn't even memorable in his mind.
And for Cheon Sumyeong to not remember him meant he fell short of standards—not just barely, but as a swordsman entirely inadequate.
Cheon Sumyeong couldn't fathom what Hyeok Mulin was thinking in choosing him.
And as the person himself, Hoe-ak, stood there dumbfounded, equally uncomprehending.
"What are you waiting for? Come out."
"Y-yes, sir!"
At Hyeok Mulin's words, Hoe-ak hurriedly moved.
Finally scrambling forward, he stood beside Hoe-gang.
No matter how he looked at it, this spot didn't feel like it belonged to him.
"The rest of you, rest. Giving your fatigued bodies proper recovery is an important part of training, so don't neglect it—focus on resting."
"Yes, sir!"
"Dismissed."
The secondary disciples, whose training had ended far more easily than expected, left the courtyard with bright faces.
Now, only four remained.
Hyeok Mulin turned to Cheon Sumyeong and said,
"We'll train in the martial hall."
"Then I'll stay here."
"Understood. Come to the martial hall at sunset."
After briefly settling the location and time with Cheon Sumyeong, Hyeok Mulin turned and said,
"Hoe-ak, follow me."
"P-pardon? Yes, sir!"
As the two headed into the martial hall, Hoe-gang watched Hyeok Mulin's retreating figure, unable to hide his disappointment.
It was a one-on-one teaching format, and realizing he hadn't been chosen by Hyeok Mulin himself was the reason.
"Ah..."
Hoe-gang's purpose in earnestly participating in the training was clear.
In truth, gaining a chance to learn was secondary.
He had simply joined the training with the wish to behold Hyeok Mulin's sword once more with his own eyes.
'That wish is now impossible.'
On the final day of training, he ended up paired with an unnamed elder instead of Hyeok Mulin.
As he swallowed his regret watching Hyeok Mulin depart.
"Did you want to go that way?"
Hoe-gang quickly turned at Cheon Sumyeong's voice and denied it.
"No, sir. It's truly an honor to receive your exalted teachings, Elder Cheon..."
Flinch.
Sensing a subtle, eerie atmosphere, Hoe-gang shivered and trailed off.
As he stood there gauging the mood without daring to continue, Cheon Sumyeong slowly spoke.
"Heh heh heh. Heh heh heh. Heh heh heh heh!"
How amusing, how amusing!
Swordsmen across the world would offer their fortunes for the Sword Lord's teachings.
Yet here, they were pushed aside for the young Cult Leader.
No matter that he hadn't revealed his identity—being relegated to second priority left Cheon Sumyeong merely amused.
"Hoe-gang, was it?"
Looking at Hoe-gang, Cheon Sumyeong soon wore a benevolent smile.
"I'll give you special instruction."
He was a swordsman who hadn't met Cheon Sumyeong's standards.
But that was only before receiving his teachings.
"Today, you will surpass the wall."
Even if it's a wall you can't cross, this lord shall make you do so.
"Hiiik...!"
At Cheon Sumyeong's declaration, Hoe-gang trembled like a rabbit before a tiger.
Glance.
Hoe-ak, meekly following behind Hyeok Mulin, stole a look at him.
Questions flooded his mind.
What would they do now? Why one-on-one training?
There were many curiosities, but above all.
'Why did he choose me?'
Unless he was a fool, he could tell from the situation that Hyeok Mulin had picked him.
But.
'Why?'
No matter how he pondered, Hoe-ak couldn't guess the reason.
He had done decently in the first training, but others had outperformed him.
And in the second sword-swinging session, he had only shown incompetence—no reason to be chosen.
As he walked with doubts swirling, Hyeok Mulin stopped in the center of the martial hall.
And turned to Hoe-ak.
"This is the first time seeing you up close."
Hoe-ak awkwardly bowed his head.
Truth be told, he felt both good and not good right now.
Conflicting emotions coexisted within him.
According to the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon, he was an extraordinary master, and receiving instruction from such a warrior was undoubtedly positive.
However.
'The problem is this damn body won't move.'
No matter how fine the feast, if you can't eat, it's useless.
Even with a banquet before his eyes, his accumulated fatigue made lifting chopsticks impossible.
As he wore an ambiguous expression, Hyeok Mulin noticed and walked behind him.
"Hyeok Hero?"
As Hoe-ak voiced his question.
"Kyaak!"
A sudden stabbing pain from head to toe made Hoe-ak collapse to his knees.
Tears welling, he tried to protest.
"What did you just—!"
But then.
"...Huh?"
Lifting his arms and looking at his palms, Hoe-ak let out a puzzled voice.
No pain. No agony.
The crushing pain and pressure that had weighed on his entire body vanished in an instant.
"How is this..."
As Hoe-ak panicked in confusion, Hyeok Mulin explained.
"I sealed a few acupoints. But this doesn't erase the pain—merely makes you forget it temporarily. Tomorrow, it'll come back doubled."
"Doubled...!"
At the prospect of even greater pain, Hoe-ak's face paled to an earthy hue.
But he soon composed himself.
'Still, being able to train today is something.'
Resolving positively, Hoe-ak's eyes gleamed.
At that moment.
"Before we begin today's training, there's one thing you must understand."
Hyeok Mulin informed him of the most crucial part of today's session.
"After completing today's training, you will duel Hoe-gang."
"Pardon?!"
At the sudden notice, Hoe-ak's eyes widened like saucers.
"A d-duel, sir?"
"Yes. And you must win that duel unconditionally."
Hoe-ak felt as if he'd been punched in the face several times.
Not just a duel, but he had to win no matter what.
No matter how he thought about it.
"That's impossible. Even setting aside my lacking swordsmanship, no secondary disciple can beat Hoe-gang."
Cheon Sumyeong's assessment was spot on.
Hoe-gang stood out prominently among them; not only could no one catch up to his prowess, there wasn't even anyone comparable.
Yet to beat such a Hoe-gang in one day—no, half a day.
Impossible, no matter how he saw it—Hoe-ak could only shake his head and hands.
"Hmm. I see it differently."
But Hyeok Mulin disagreed.
His swordplay was indeed poor.
Even basic downward chops looked unsteady.
Most secondary disciples were better swordsmen.
Yet the reason Hyeok Mulin chose him was clear.
"You."
Gazing intently at Hoe-ak, Hyeok Mulin spoke in a low,grave voice.
"Are of the Sondongak Clan's bloodline, aren't you?"
"...!"
After Hyeok Mulin's sharp words.
A profound silence descended, utterly still.