Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Dawn Sparring Sessions
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The next day, early dawn.
Seollan came to his cabin before the sun had even risen, requesting a spar.
"You were screaming your head off yesterday, but here you are again. Did you feel something different when you woke up today?"
His words pierced right through her thoughts, making Seollan's cheeks flush red.
In just one day, her internal energy had grown noticeably.
And her swordsmanship had sharpened too.
"Your internal energy increases, you gain real combat experience, and you even learn rare martial arts theory that most people never hear. You'll probably never get training like this anywhere else. Actually, only I can provide it."
Cheonhwi began praising himself shamelessly.
Who else would teach so much in just one sparring session?
No one but him, he was sure.
"As I said before, this opportunity won't come again."
Seollan gave an awkward smile.
He was right, but hearing it straight from him made her unsure how to react.
"Then, let's begin."
With those curt words from Cheonhwi, the atmosphere suddenly shifted, tension filling the air.
"Hoo, yes."
Seollan steadied her breath and replied.
She had achieved remarkable growth in just one day, but the thought of getting hit like yesterday made her fingertips tremble slightly.
However, she quickly composed herself.
'Martial Uncle is right. There's no opportunity like this.'
Opportunity? It was beyond that.
For her—no, for any martial artist in the world—to spar daily with a master like Cheonhwi was an unprecedented stroke of fortune.
Smooth—
She raised her sword.
But the tip pointing at Cheonhwi was still quivering faintly.
Cheonhwi let out a smirk.
"Why are you so tense?"
With those words, he lifted his scabbard and beckoned her.
"This time, come at me first."
"Then I'll go fir—"
Seollan cut off mid-sentence, her eyes flashing as she swiftly drew her sword in one motion.
Chae-eung!
A sharp metallic ring echoed.
"...It won't work twice."
"At least your learning ability is better than some."
As Cheonhwi looked at Seollan with satisfaction for blocking his ambush.
Whirlic!
She pivoted on her left foot.
Unleashing Jade Ring Wondrous Step in an instant, Seollan swept her sword largely from left to right.
It was Falling Petals Sword unleashed with her full power.
Her opponent was none other than Cheonhwi.
How could she hold anything back?
'One strike. Just land one strike!'
Seollan's eyes sparkled.
She didn't dream of defeating Cheonhwi, not even a little.
What she wanted was simple.
To land one strike on Cheonhwi and surprise him even slightly!
'And learn some new techniques too.'
Strength entered her sword-grip hand.
The swung blade stirred an even fiercer wind as it reached Cheonhwi.
"Looks like you thought about it before bed yesterday."
"I can't keep getting beaten forever."
Cheonhwi grinned at her response.
'Definitely better than Jeokgeom.'
He liked it.
Normally, after a thrashing like yesterday, people wouldn't want to think about it again.
But Seollan was different.
She had faithfully applied what he'd taught her yesterday and avoided repeating the same mistakes.
That made her flaws stand out clearly.
'Tch. If only she had even half of Jeokgeom's talent, she'd shake the world.'
Seollan was versatile, but her martial talent fell short.
'Well, having talent and being lazy is far worse.'
Countless people flashed through his mind.
Many promising later-generation disciples had risen, but few became world-shaking masters.
The reason was simple.
Arrogance and complacency.
They grew content with their skills and slacked on effort, fading into obscurity.
'And died living in the past.'
Not just one or two.
Dozens came to mind in that brief moment.
'In that regard, Seollan is fine. No talent means no arrogance or complacency. Instead, she's full of effort and passion.'
Cheonhwi dodged the incoming Falling Petals Sword by simply twisting his waist slightly aside.
Then he raised his scabbard.
Puck!
It struck Seollan's left thigh.
"Kuk!"
Her balance crumbled in an instant.
But she endured the pain and raised her sword again.
And swung it wide.
"It's not over yet!"
Seollan charged again, but.
Puck! Puck!
An even fiercer barrage returned.
And with it, screams erupted just like yesterday.
"Kyak! M-Martial Uncle! G-Gently..."
"Gently? What nonsense."
Cheonhwi's scabbard moved more roughly, thudding against Seollan's entire body.
"This is all for your sake."
As the two were in the midst of their intense spar, visitors arrived at the cabin.
Damurin and Jeokgeom.
"Why is Senior Brother sparring with Seollan...?"
"When did Seollan get that good?"
They watched in astonishment.
Especially Jeokgeom, seeing Seollan's improved skills from yesterday, bit his lip.
'She's catching up.'
A sense of crisis hit him.
Seollan had grown in just one day.
Even he, who saw her daily, felt it clearly.
'I need to circulate my energy right away.'
Jeokgeom hurriedly sat cross-legged.
He wanted to watch more, but...
'No time.'
Alerted by Seollan's growth, Jeokgeom immediately began meditative breathing.
'I need to control my internal energy at will soon.'
During yesterday's session, he understood why Cheonhwi had ordered circulation.
Overdoing it was as bad as underdoing.
The Platinum Pill's energy had converted to internal energy, but his current level couldn't handle it.
Forcing it would only cause internal injuries.
Thus, Cheonhwi meant to master energy circulation and control during meditation—proper internal energy operation.
'Once I can handle my internal energy...'
As he focused solely on meditation, envisioning controlling the energy in his lower dantian later.
"That is...!"
Damurin widened her eyes.
The seemingly random beatings followed a pattern.
'From earlier, he's pressing and striking points along the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and the Grand Circulation of Plum Blossom Qi Art with his sword tip.'
To restore Cheongo's Taiyin Lung Meridian Body, she had studied countless acupoints and now read every spot Cheonhwi targeted.
'Could it be Pursuing Meridian Blood Points...!'
The moment Damurin realized Cheonhwi's intent, the scabbard fell from above.
Ppak!
A dull thud rang out.
Seollan, struck squarely on the crown of her head—Baihui point—with the scabbard, collapsed backward.
Thud—
Cheonhwi looked down at the unconscious Seollan with a gentle smile.
"Teaching her feels rewarding."
Despite fearing the hits, she swung without hesitation.
She even burned with more fervor.
Tell her one thing, and she learned ten—perfect from a teacher's perspective.
'A bit tiresome and exhausting, though.'
Cheonhwi rolled his shoulders.
Pursuing Meridian Blood Points required delicate internal energy control and strength adjustment.
Too hard, and it could damage the meridians or cause injury; too soft, and the effect wouldn't manifest.
'Well, no choice. Better to push a little since we started, rather than half-ass it.'
Faster was always better.
Especially for inaction.
He, who had reached transcendent heights, knew better than anyone how gaps widened over time.
'Only way is to make her grow fast.'
Cheonhwi turned his head.
And spoke to Damurin, who had been quietly watching from earlier.
"Perfect timing. I was debating whether to go find you myself. You came on your own."
Damurin's face lit up instantly.
She was thrilled he was seeking her, whatever the reason.
"What is it?"
"Want to learn martial arts from me?"
Damurin's mouth gaped open.
The unexpected offer left her speechless.
"Don't want to?"
"N-No!"
Damurin jumped in surprise and replied.
"But why martial arts all of a sudden...?"
"I need a master."
Cheonhwi said flatly.
But hearing it, Damurin's heart pounded.
"You think I can become a master?"
"You can, easily."
A smile crept onto Damurin's lips.
His high regard and trust felt good.
"Great!"
"But it'll be tough. You okay with that?"
"No problem. How could anyone become a master without paying a price?"
"Really?"
"Yes! For mastery, I'll endure any hardship."
Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
"Funny how female disciples are always more passionate."
Cheonhwi glanced at Jeokgeom.
Jeokgeom, in meditation, flinched as if stung.
"First, let's check your skills."
Cheonhwi raised his scabbard.
He cracked his neck side to side, loosening up, then spoke.
"I'll yield the first move. Come at me."
Damurin nodded.
As she reached to draw the White Lotus Sword gifted by Hyeonryeo.
Ppak!
The scabbard smashed her crown.
"Kyak!"
Damurin clutched the bump on her head, staring at Cheonhwi with shaky eyes.
"S-Senior Brother?"
Unable to predict the sudden ambush, she stammered in panic, and Cheonhwi grinned.
"Can't fall for that."
With those words, he raised his scabbard.
And as he drew up his internal energy.
Kung!
An immense pressure crushed Damurin.
'Even Father doesn't have this kind of presence...'
Damurin's face paled.
The overwhelming aura choked her more than any master she'd seen.
Then Cheonhwi's eyes half-opened.
"For now, just endure one day realm."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Around that time, dark clouds hung over Mount Hua.
After the joint operation with Mount Chungnam failed, not only the Sect Leader and elders but even the disciples felt the gravity of the situation.
Especially the Plum Blossom Sword Guards who had moved with the Martial Training Pavilion Lord—they were angrier than anyone.
"The Pavilion Lord protected us and got hurt."
"Even Jeokgeom was injured..."
They burned with vengeance.
Having been saved at the cost of the Martial Training Pavilion Lord and Jeokgeom's severe wounds.
Meanwhile, in Cloud Amidst Pavilion, the Sect Leader and elders were deep in conference.
"Mount Chungnam took heavy losses too, so we'll join hands again. Any objections?"
Unlike before, no one opposed.
The Sect Leader, seeing the elders silently agreeing with closed eyes, spoke.
"Next item."
Everyone's gazes sharpened.
The very reason for this meeting—concerning Mount Hua Sect's future.
"We shall establish a martial force unit in our sect. All in agreement?"
The elders' expressions grew complicated.
A martial force unit was unprecedented in Mount Hua history.
Plum Blossom Sword Guards had handled missions until now.
But this incident made them realize.
The need for a unified martial force that moved as one body.
"Agreed by all, then."
As they nodded, Hyeonhae raised a question.
"One thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
"Who does the Sect Leader have in mind for unit leader?"
"Until recently, I considered the Martial Training Pavilion Lord for supreme commander..."
The Sect Leader trailed off, his gaze turning to the Pavilion Lord opposite him, right arm wrapped thickly in bandages.
Sighs and groans rippled through the room.
"He's in no condition now, so perhaps appoint someone temporary supreme commander."
"Who?"
All eyes fixed on the Sect Leader.
Curiosity lit their faces.
It made sense—even temporary, the supreme commander of Mount Hua's martial force unit.
No ordinary pick.
Slowly, his lips parted, letting slip a name most hadn't anticipated.
"Cheonhwi."