Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Ways of Nang-ya-gak
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At that moment, Bu Eun-seol felt the gut-wrenching pain gradually fade.
Dang Cheong, who had stepped forward at some point, was deflecting the torrent of formless energy.
“That’s enough.”
Looking at Wi Hyeok-gun, Dang Cheong scratched his messy hair.
“We have to take one of them back to our sect anyway, don’t we? Since a volunteer has conveniently stepped forward, we have no choice but to accept.”
The formless energy pouring from Wi Hyeok-gun was so potent that even the masters gathered here could not dismiss it lightly.
But Dang Cheong’s expression was as peaceful as if he had run into an old friend while out for a stroll.
“Hmm.”
Wi Hyeok-gun, who had been staring intently at Dang Cheong, raised an eyebrow.
‘Dang Cheong…’
Nang-ya-gak was known as a doomed sect, both because of its small number of members and because its disciples were prone to dying at the drop of a hat.
The only reason it held a firm place among the Ten Demonic Sects was that the martial prowess of each individual member was formidable.
“Hmph.”
Staring fixedly at Dang Cheong, Wi Hyeok-gun let out a cold snort.
“If you’re taking him, then go. My sword might just draw itself if you linger.”
“I thank you for your understanding, Brother Wi.”
As if nothing had happened, Dang Cheong casually led Bu Eun-seol out of the Hall of Demonic Spirits.
“Hmm.”
Once outside, Dang Cheong looked at Bu Eun-seol and asked nonchalantly.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Enduring is not always the answer. From now on, if someone asks, speak honestly.”
He then took Bu Eun-seol’s wrist.
Instantly, a searing heat coursed through his entire body, and he felt as comfortable as if he were floating on a cloud.
‘He’s healing me.’
Bu Eun-seol stole a glance at the side of Dang Cheong’s face as he circulated his internal energy.
He had a sturdy build and the face of a wealthy playboy who had never known a day of worry.
But in reality, he was a master of the realm, capable of effortlessly blocking the formless energy of the Demonic Path’s greatest swordsman.
“Ha, there really is no trace of you having learned martial arts.”
Releasing his wrist, Dang Cheong asked Bu Eun-seol.
“I heard you learned Ya-su-do without any prior martial arts training. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is.”
A flicker of pride passed through Bu Eun-seol’s eyes as he nodded.
Until now, everyone he had met in the Hellish Isle had been astonished to hear he had learned Ya-su-do.
But Dang Cheong’s reaction was different.
“This is troublesome.”
“Pardon?”
“That would mean the only martial arts you’ve learned so far are the basic techniques of our sect and the Hwa-u Sword Sect that you picked up on the Hellish Isle.”
Looking down at Bu Eun-seol, Dang Cheong sighed.
“You’re in for a tough time.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“To put it simply, our sect’s martial arts are a synthesis of the strengths of countless disciplines scattered throughout the martial world, adapted for practical use.”
His narrowed eyes shifting to the distant sky, Dang Cheong continued.
“In other words, to learn our sect’s martial arts, one must diligently train from a young age, conditioning the body and building a solid foundation.”
Bu Eun-seol’s gaze was fixed on Dang Cheong’s face, his expression puzzled.
“But since you’ve never properly learned martial arts before… you will have to train several times harder than the other disciples.”
“The harder I work to learn, the more deeply it will be ingrained in me than if it came easily.”
“Hahaha. I look forward to seeing it.”
Taking a deep breath, Dang Cheong looked at Bu Eun-seol.
“Shall we get going?”
He clapped Bu Eun-seol on the shoulder with a faint smile.
“To Nang-ya-gak.”
***
Nang-ya-gak was originally located in the barren lands of Xinjiang.
However, when the Demonic Palace—the martial alliance of the Demonic Path—was established in the Changsha region, Nang-ya-gak also advanced into the Central Plains.
Geom-mi Mountain.
This mountain, famous for its rugged terrain, was home to Nang-ya-gak, known for having the most practical martial arts among the Ten Demonic Sects.
“We’re here.”
Dang Cheong, who had been walking over the harsh mountain terrain as if it were flat ground, muttered.
A magnificent mountain villa stood tall about halfway up the mountainside.
From a distance, it resembled the headquarters of the Green Forest, but up close, its grandeur and scale were incomparable.
‘So this is Nang-ya-gak.’
Following Dang Cheong inside, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened.
He had expected the solemn and quiet atmosphere of the Demonic Palace, with its numerous pavilions.
But upon entering, he was greeted with a scene resembling a small village.
“What is this…”
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t help but look bewildered.
People in all sorts of attire were walking by, and they showed no particular reaction to seeing Dang Cheong.
Moreover, few carried weapons, making it look, at a glance, like a clan village.
“Are you surprised?”
As if reading Bu Eun-seol’s mind, Dang Cheong smiled faintly.
“Unlike other sects, our sect lives by the principle of self-sufficiency.”
Most demonic sects controlled the area around their base as their territory and dominated the local commerce.
But Nang-ya-gak had no interest in anything other than honing their martial arts and didn’t build up a power base, so they had no source of income.
As a result, most of Nang-ya-gak’s masters lived a self-sufficient life, moving between Geom-mi Mountain and the nearby villages.
“By any chance, do you have to be old to enter Nang-ya-gak?”
Bu Eun-seol suddenly asked an odd question.
Among the people filling Nang-ya-gak, there was no one his age; the youngest seemed to be men well past their coming-of-age.
“The young elites of our sect, the division and unit leaders, are currently away.”
“No. I mean people my age.”
“Well, before… there were many young disciples who came, having heard the legends of Nang-ya-gak.”
Dang Cheong cleared his throat and fell silent.
In short, those who remained here were the ones who had survived Nang-ya-gak’s grueling training.
Averting his gaze from Bu Eun-seol, Dang Cheong spoke again.
“Soon, when the Sect Leader returns… many will seek out our sect again.”
“The Sect Leader isn’t here?”
“He is in seclusion.”
“I see.”
As Bu Eun-seol nodded blankly, Dang Cheong pointed to a corner at the far end of the village.
“Hmm, this place should do.”
It was a cozy house surrounded by a bamboo fence.
However, it seemed no one had lived there for a long time, as part of the brushwood gate was broken and sections of the outer walls had crumbled.
“It’ll need a little work.”
Dang Cheong pointed to a blacksmith’s forge not far from the empty house.
Piled there were not only various tools but also different kinds of lumber.
“I hear you’re skilled enough with your hands to make a fake rock out of wood.”
‘He was watching everything from the start.’
Bu Eun-seol finally understood.
He now realized the Sal-gwi hadn’t just been watching the third gate; they had been observing all the boys from the first gate to the very last.
‘No wonder… they decided on the Jeon-in without hesitation just by listening to the Sal-gwi.’
The Sip-ma-jeon-in competition, for all its fierce selection process, had felt somewhat lacking in its final selection of the Jeon-in.
But now it made sense. The Demonic Palace had been meticulously observing the trainees from start to finish.
“That is Elder Wang Geol, the blacksmith. We call him Master Cheol.”
Just then, Dang Cheong pointed to a muscular old man hammering iron inside the forge.
“He makes not only weapons but all sorts of tools. If you need anything for the repairs, just ask Master Cheol.”
When the man’s eyes met Bu Eun-seol’s, he sent a gaze as fiery as the inside of a furnace.
“For your information, despite his appearance, Master Cheol is the kindest and most knowledgeable person in our sect. You can ask him anything.”
It was hard to tell if he was joking or being serious.
Dang Cheong spoke to Bu Eun-seol nonchalantly.
“Well then, you may begin the repairs.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
From the way he stood there, it seemed he intended to see for himself just how skilled Bu Eun-seol was.
“Understood.”
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol walked into the forge and pointed to a table where tools were neatly arranged.
“Is it all right if I use the tools here?”
Wang Geol glared at Bu Eun-seol with smoldering eyes.
“Do as you please.”
Contrary to his expression, his voice was gentle.
It seemed Dang Cheong’s words weren’t a joke after all.
“Thank you.”
Picking up the tools, Bu Eun-seol began to repair the house.
*Clank, clank.*
With every movement of his hands, the old or broken parts were neatly fixed.
Bu Eun-seol was skilled enough to build a coffin by fitting pieces of wood together. Before long, the crumbling little house was neatly repaired.
*Dig. Scrape.*
After finishing the house, Bu Eun-seol began to dig a hole in the ground in front of it.
As the pit grew deeper, Dang Cheong narrowed his eyes.
‘That fellow Sa-u. It seems he passed down the teachings of Gong-pa-sim-an as well.’
He had discerned that by digging the pit, Bu Eun-seol had mastered the method of expanding his Ya-su-do senses.
‘So he doesn’t consider even the inside of Nang-ya-gak to be safe.’
A satisfied smile spread across Dang Cheong’s lips.
He was thoroughly pleased with Bu Eun-seol’s cautious attitude.
“You’re quite skilled. With that talent, you won’t ever have to worry about going hungry.”
“By the way, is there no initiation ceremony for Nang-ya-gak?”
“Initiation ceremony?”
“You know, things like bowing at the ancestral shrine or being taught the sect’s rules.”
To enter the Wudang Sect, one had to bow at the Zhenwu Hall, and to enter the Shaolin Sect, one received the precepts from the abbot.
And in most demonic sects, one became a disciple by gaining the approval of the sect leader.
Afterward, it was customary to be taught the sect’s rules or be assigned duties.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
But then, Dang Cheong said something shocking.
“Unfortunately, you cannot yet be called a disciple of Nang-ya-gak.”
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened.
He had overcome life-threatening trials and finally become a Sip-ma-jeon-in to arrive at Nang-ya-gak… only to be told he wasn’t a disciple?
“It means that while you have become a Sip-ma-jeon-in, you have not yet become a disciple of Nang-ya-gak.”
“Why is that?”
Dang Cheong spoke in a low, solemn voice.
“Because there are no weaklings among the disciples of Nang-ya-gak.”
It was a strange thing to say.
Looking into Dang Cheong’s eyes, Bu Eun-seol could somewhat understand his meaning.
He was not yet strong.
And if he gradually grew stronger, he would one day be acknowledged as a disciple of Nang-ya-gak.
“If I just become strong, can I become a disciple of Nang-ya-gak right away, without any other procedures?”
“Hahaha. If by procedures you mean empty formalities, then yes. We have none of that here.”
Dang Cheong said with a look full of pride.
“Each and every disciple of our sect is Nang-ya-gak itself. There is no need to force oaths or a sense of belonging.”
This time, even Bu Eun-seol couldn’t quite accept it.
Nang-ya-gak’s philosophy was completely incomprehensible for a martial arts sect.
“Stay for a while, and you will come to understand. You will see the greatness of why our sect, despite maintaining such small numbers, is counted among the Ten Demonic Sects.”
“Then what should I do here from now on?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Dang Cheong smiled faintly.
“Train in the martial arts. So that you can be acknowledged as a disciple of Nang-ya-gak. Everyone here is your master.”
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t hide his surprise.
Did that mean he could learn martial arts from all the masters within Nang-ya-gak?
But as he stared at Bu Eun-seol’s excited face, Dang Cheong added one more thing.
“However, whether they teach you or not is their decision.”