Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: A Special Kind of Training
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Yihwa Manor.
An old, abandoned manor on the farthest outskirts of Gaebong.
It was originally the residence of a wealthy merchant a century ago, but everyone died when an epidemic broke out.
Being the site of an epidemic and far from the provincial capital, Yihwa Manor had fallen into complete ruin, untouched by human feet.
But at some point, dozens of men began to gather at the abandoned manor.
*Clang, clang.*
They repaired the collapsed pavilions and laid bluestone slabs in the front yard's garden.
After several days, the once-desolate interior of Yihwa Manor was transformed into a place respectable enough for people to stay.
“Hah, I'm dead tired.”
Won Se-mun, who had been engaged in a fierce sparring session with his squad members on the bluestone-paved training grounds, collapsed to the ground.
“Time for a short break!”
It was Bu Eun-seol's group and the Sa-yeong Squad members who had renovated Yihwa Manor.
Geol-wang, the Grand Elder of the Beggars' Sect, was not someone who could be assassinated just because one's martial arts were strong.
Moreover, assassinating their target, Geol-wang, required extensive preparation.
Bu Eun-seol first established a base on the outskirts of Yeoju, which bordered Gaebong, the location of the Beggars' Sect headquarters, to track his movements.
It's always darkest under the lamp.
While Gaebong was teeming with Beggars' Sect members, the bordering area near Yeoju was, conversely, almost devoid of them.
“Damn it, how long do we have to keep training? I think we're good enough already.”
As Won Se-mun grumbled, Han So-ung, who was sitting behind him, replied.
“Squad Leader. You know the Commander's personality, don't you? Let's just pretend we're dead and get on with it.”
“Urgh.”
Won Se-mun smacked his lips, gazing at the distant sky.
Once the renovations on Yihwa Manor were complete, Bu Eun-seol's first order was to enhance the squad members' martial skills.
To deal with Geol-wang, they first had to provoke the Beggars' Sect.
The Sa-yeong Squad members were individualistic and skilled, but they were not yet at a level to easily handle the vanguards of the Beggars' Sect.
“Damn it. Sparring is the easy part!”
Just then, ten squad members with slumped shoulders were trudging toward the training grounds.
It was Jo Nam-cheon and the members of the Third Squad.
“We have to get into iron coffins. Coffins filled with strange poisonous herbs, no less.”
The members of the Third Squad were not as powerful in martial arts as the First Squad, nor were they as swift as the Second Squad.
So, to capitalize on their unique traits, Bu Eun-seol had the Third Squad members learn the Black Poison Demonic Art, which he had obtained from Jeok-cheon-mak-ji.
The Black Poison Demonic Art strengthened the body with true qi, its power rivaling that of the Arhat Gang Qi.
Bu Eun-seol intended to transform the Third Squad members into a defensive unit for combat.
“But why does the Commander insist we train inside iron coffins? We could do that anywhere.”
As Won Se-mun asked, Jo Nam-cheon collapsed to the ground and said.
“He said there are many advantages to cultivating internal energy in an iron coffin.”
“Advantages?”
“The air is thin, and resisting the cold chill rising from the iron is supposed to toughen your mental fortitude.”
Jo Nam-cheon said with a sigh.
“Since learning the Black Poison Demonic Art will make us human shields... we need to harden our minds.”
“I see. That's not an easy task either.”
Just as Won Se-mun nodded, his shoulders slumping,
“Have some of this while you work.”
a young man in black clothes with greaves on his ankles appeared, handing out wooden baskets filled with snacks and water to the squad members.
His body seemed lean, but the resilient muscles occasionally visible were like a sharp blade. It was Heuk-pyo.
“Heuk-pyo. Aren't you tired?”
Won Se-mun pointed to the thick iron greaves on Heuk-pyo's ankles.
They looked like ordinary iron, but they were actually made of profound iron from the North Sea, said to be dozens of times heavier than iron.
The Second Squad members, including Wi Cheon-gyeong who had an exceptional talent for movement techniques, were all wearing greaves made of profound iron just like Heuk-pyo.
“I'm fine.”
Heuk-pyo scratched his head shyly.
“I'm just walking around with heavy greaves on.”
“Oh, right. I heard you're the Black Whirlwind who attacked the Blood Poison Valley with the Commander in the past, Heuk-pyo.”
Just then, Jo Nam-cheon looked at Heuk-pyo and gave him a thumbs-up.
“To have qinggong skills comparable to Wi Cheon-gyeong at such a young age. That's really impressive.”
Heuk-pyo's qinggong was so exceptional that his skills were on par with Wi Cheon-gyeong, who possessed the best qinggong among the Sa-yeong Squad members.
That was why he was wearing profound iron greaves of the same weight as Wi Cheon-gyeong.
“It's nothing, really.”
Heuk-pyo said with an embarrassed smile.
“Please, take your time. I'll tidy up the weapons here.”
Then he turned and began to organize the things the squad members had left in disarray, one by one.
“Leave it. We'll do it later.”
Won Se-mun waved his hand dismissively, but Heuk-pyo wiped away beads of sweat and didn't stop.
“It's alright. I have nothing else to do until the Young Master arrives.”
“I'd rather do it. I've already finished my training quota with the squad leader for today.”
Just then, Han So-ung, who had been drinking cool water, shot to his feet and said.
“You should get some rest. You've been doing chores all day.”
The other Sa-yeong Squad members chimed in.
“That's right. Rest up.”
“Us big brothers will tidy up soon after we rest a bit.”
The Sa-yeong Squad members were always eager for a fight and had not an ounce of social grace.
Yet, as they looked at Heuk-pyo, a gentle smile graced each of their lips.
For a wanderer, Heuk-pyo was remarkably cheerful, polite, and intelligent.
Not only that, he never shied away from menial tasks, was skilled in martial arts, and was diligent.
Because of this, even the members of the First Squad, composed of the roughest men in the Sa-yeong Squad, adored Heuk-pyo like a younger brother.
*Creeak.*
Just then, four men walked out from the central pavilion of the manor.
It was Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin, and also Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong were former Sip-ma-jeon-in, treated not as Sa-yeong Squad members but as Bu Eun-seol's close friends and allies.
“Commander.”
Won Se-mun and the other squad members waved from their seated positions.
“The Vice Commander and the friends are here too.”
Although there was a hierarchy, Bu Eun-seol didn't expect trivial courtesies beyond following his orders.
This was why the squad members treated Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin freely and comfortably.
“Is the training finished?”
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Jo Nam-cheon nodded.
“We've finished.”
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he observed the damaged bluestone slabs on the training grounds.
Two months had already passed since they began training at Yihwa Manor. A long time, yet also a short one.
But the squad members had not slacked off for a single day, training their martial arts fiercely.
And their presence had grown by leaps and bounds, to the point where their increased skill was palpable.
“I see.”
Bu Eun-seol also nodded as he looked at the squad members, who were radiating a sharp aura.
“The preparations are almost complete.”
At that, Won Se-mun's face lit up as he said.
“Are we finally getting started?”
But Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“There is still important training left.”
“Training?”
“That's right.”
The squad members looked at each other, their mouths agape.
Their training so far had been life-or-death sparring sessions that simulated real combat.
In fact, several members had even suffered serious injuries.
And yet there was still important training left?
“Among the Nine Sects One Union, the Beggars' Sect has the widest influence and employs a diverse range of martial arts. Moreover, their large numbers are matched by a deep roster of experts.”
Bu Eun-seol's expression grew increasingly solemn.
“You must all become even stronger than you are now.”
“So, what is this important training?”
To Jo Nam-cheon's question, Bu Eun-seol replied in a low voice.
“Fight viewing.”
The Sa-yeong Squad members' expressions turned bizarre.
He called it important training, and they had been incredibly tense, but it was just fight viewing?
Just then, Wi Cheon-gyeong calmly asked again.
“Commander, are you telling us to watch a fight?”
“That's right.”
Bu Eun-seol turned and looked down at the seated squad members.
“From now on, you will watch one sparring match a day. Afterward, you are free to use the remaining time to train your martial arts with any insights you've gained, or to rest.”
He then said with a solemn expression.
“However, if your skills haven't improved after a month, you will no longer be a Sa-yeong Squad member. Because you will likely have died in battle against the Beggars' Sect.”
At those words, the squad members' eyes glinted like beasts.
They had no fear. Their only fear was to waste their days and be buried in the ground before they could even take flight.
Now that their time had come, as they stretched and prepared to soar, there was no room for fear.
“So, whose sparring match are we supposed to watch?”
At Wi Cheon-gyeong's question, Bu Eun-seol looked at Hyeok So-jin.
“From now on, you will spar with Heuk-pyo once a day in front of the squad members.”
Hyeok So-jin tilted his head.
“By sparring... do you mean I should teach Heuk-pyo martial arts?”
He had already served as a martial arts instructor at Muhasuyu-jeong.
Therefore, he knew better than anyone that teaching someone had the same effect as refining one's own martial arts from the basics.
“I said sparring. One that simulates a real battle.”
“But to spar with Heuk-pyo...”
Hyeok So-jin couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
While Heuk-pyo was a martial talent with exceptional gifts, his skills were still far from being a match for his own.
“His martial prowess may not match yours, but Heuk-pyo has experienced countless real battles during his life as a wanderer. You could say he's been roaming the Jianghu since he was a child.”
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
“Improving one's martial prowess at the Transcendent Realm is ultimately a matter of enlightenment. By sparring with Heuk-pyo, who employs a variety of tactics, you will surely gain something.”
“Understood.”
Hyeok So-jin nodded without further complaint.
Bu Eun-seol's words had always been right. This sparring with Heuk-pyo would also be time well spent.
“Then what should I do?”
Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening silently, asked, and Bu Eun-seol answered immediately.
“You will fight.”
“Fight? Again?”
Myo Cheon-u's shoulders slumped.
For two months, he had fought Yu Un-ryong every single day without rest.
Thanks to that, his skills had improved dramatically, but they had now reached a point where they could dodge each other's moves with their eyes closed.
And now he was being told to spar with him again?
“From now on, you'll fight me.”
Myo Cheon-u's face brightened at Bu Eun-seol's words.
“With you? That sounds great.”
“Both of you.”
“What?”
Bu Eun-seol looked back and forth between Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u and said.
“I mean both of you attack me at once.”
“What did you say?”
As Myo Cheon-u jumped in surprise, Yu Un-ryong said coldly.
“I appreciate that.”
In the past, Yu Un-ryong would have been offended, his pride wounded, and would have either gotten angry or refused the offer.
But now he knew.
He knew how outstanding Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess was. And that sparring with him would be another opportunity to make a leap forward.
“Oho, Yu Un-ryong!”
Seeing that Yu Un-ryong didn't fly into a rage, Myo Cheon-u's jaw dropped in astonishment.
“You've really changed.”
Myo Cheon-u clapped his hands and said.
“For a rock-headed guy with nothing but pride to change like this? I've really lived to see it all.”
“Shut up.”
While the two were bickering, Won Se-mun raised his hand.
“Commander. May I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“So, are we only supposed to watch the Vice Commander's sparring match? Or can we watch your match as well?”
Bu Eun-seol said nonchalantly.
“It doesn't matter. The choice is yours.”
“Really?”
“But you'd be better off watching the Vice Commander's match. My sparring won't give you any insights or enlightenment.”
Won Se-mun nodded.
The squad members with lower martial skills would not yet have the ability to appreciate the profound subtleties of Bu Eun-seol's techniques.
“Then let's begin at once.”
Bu Eun-seol turned and walked toward the rear garden.
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong nodded and followed him.
Then, Hyeok So-jin, Heuk-pyo, and the squad leaders' eyes gleamed as they followed. Even the other squad members began to move in a line.
Come what may, they wanted to first see the sparring match between Bu Eun-seol and the Sip-ma-jeon-in.
*Whoosh.*
In the rear garden of Yihwa Manor was a dense bamboo forest.
But because the squad members often trained here, about two-thirds of the bamboo grove had disappeared.
Bu Eun-seol stopped in the center of the clearing in the grove and spread his hands.
“Let's begin.”
At that, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong simultaneously raised their true qi.
Bu Eun-seol versus Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
The three men, former Sip-ma-jeon-in who had once fought with their lives on the line, were about to engage in a two-on-one showdown.