Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Sword Formations
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A month had passed since they began training.
'Still, training all day every day has improved their stamina quite a bit.'
Cheonhwi sat down on the ground and gazed at each of the resting disciples one by one.
The disciples' stamina had improved dramatically compared to when they first met.
Of course, it still wasn't quite to his satisfaction...
'But now we can finally get started.'
Cheonhwi smacked his lips.
"Alright, let's move on to the next training."
The resting disciples jumped to their feet.
"Really?"
"Finally..."
"At long last... Sniff! We're finally doing proper martial arts training!"
Tears welled up in the disciples' eyes.
They were tears of joy.
'Finally, no more horse stance!'
'Every morning, I thought the muscle pain would kill me!'
'Wah, no more running!'
Cheonhwi spoke as he watched them.
"Before we start, let me ask you one thing. What do you think is the fastest way to get stronger in a short time?"
Everyone looked puzzled at the sudden question. But soon, a few disciples raised their hands high and answered.
"Elixirs, right?"
"Advanced martial arts, I bet."
Excited responses came from here and there.
Most were just saying what they wanted Cheonhwi to teach them.
'I didn't ask for nothing.'
But contrary to their sparkling expectations, Cheonhwi wagged his index finger side to side.
"Elixirs? You've already eaten so many Dark Fragrance Pills, and you want more?"
"Gasp!"
In an instant, all the disciples who had answered elixirs glared at the first offender.
As the flustered disciple waved his hands in denial...
"First, digest the Dark Fragrance Pills you've already eaten. You haven't even properly handled those, and you're looking for more elixirs?"
Cheonhwi came to his rescue.
"Haha, yeah, right."
"I agree."
The disciples, fearing they'd have to eat more Dark Fragrance Pills, patted their chests in relief.
Cheonhwi smirked at them.
He'd make them eat more later anyway.
No matter how mild the poison, it builds up over time and causes problems.
That's why Cheonhwi planned to adjust the ratio when making a new batch of Dark Fragrance Pills. And when that time came, he'd have them take it again—but that was for later.
As the disciples, unaware of his thoughts, smiled in relief, Cheonhwi turned to a second-generation disciple who had given a different answer.
"And advanced martial arts?"
"Yes!"
The second-generation disciple who had answered nodded eagerly, eyes shining.
'If I learn martial arts from Senior Uncle Cheonhwi, I'll be like Senior Brother Jeokgeom or Junior Sister Seollan...'
Just imagining it brought a goofy grin to his face.
But...
"With your skills? At your current level, even learning advanced martial arts would just make you a kid holding a good weapon."
The second-generation disciple's smile shattered and froze at Cheonhwi's sigh-mixed words.
As Cheonhwi methodically refuted each one, everyone fell silent, unable to respond.
"Hmm, nothing else?"
Cheonhwi scanned the disciples, but...
"......"
No answer.
"Sigh, you don't even know this."
Cheonhwi shook his head.
"The fastest ways to improve are steady basic training and gaining real combat experience. That's it, just those two."
The disciples pouted.
'Who doesn't know that?'
'I thought it was something amazing.'
Who didn't know basics and combat experience were key?
They had just hoped Cheonhwi might have some other method.
As the disciples couldn't hide their disappointment, Cheonhwi grinned and spoke.
"And when you're gathered like this in a group, there's one more method."
Everyone's eyes lit up then.
They finally sensed they were about to learn something.
"It's battle formations."
"Ah...!"
"Battle formations!"
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes at the disciples, their eyes sparkling with short exclamations.
"Even if each individual's skill is mediocre and useless, a formation hides their weaknesses and maximizes their strengths."
This was the first thing Cheonhwi thought of when he heard about the combat units.
With a formation, even these lacking guys could combine their power to make at least one decent fighter.
"I'll teach you formations, so first, Seollan and the No Flower Squad, step forward."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Seollan and the No Flower Squad lined up before Cheonhwi.
"Remember this well. You're the center."
"Understood."
"You stand at the Yin-Yang origin, and the rest of the squad divide into the four directions and eight trigrams..."
Cheonhwi explained for about an hour.
The longer the explanation, the more the No Flower Squad looked at him in awe.
It was depth and internal energy operation utterly different from the formations they knew, drawing constant gasps of admiration.
Finally, Cheonhwi finished and asked.
"Got it all memorized?"
Seollan and the No Flower Squad nodded immediately.
"Understood."
"Hm? You understood right away?"
"Your explanation was excellent, Senior Uncle."
Seollan smiled as she replied.
She too had been captivated, ears open, absorbing every word.
Cheonhwi's explanation was that clear and simple.
"Good, then."
"But Senior Uncle, what's the name of this formation?"
"Name? Haven't decided yet."
"Pardon?"
Seollan and the No Flower Squad, along with everyone around, looked dumbfounded.
Didn't that mean it wasn't an existing formation, but one he had just created?
"Too lazy to think of one, so let's call it the Martial Flower Sword Formation."
"......"
As Seollan and the No Flower Squad gaped, Cheonhwi moved his feet.
"Next, Rain Sword Squad."
At those words, Jeokgeom and the Rain Sword Squad rushed forward, eyes shining.
"You called?"
Jeokgeom replied with tension, and Cheonhwi explained another formation.
Then he taught one to the Flame Spirit Squad as well.
A short while later, the disciples who had escaped the nightmare of endless basic training laughed.
"Great!"
"Heh, battle formations!"
"Let's try it!"
Soon, the three combat squads bustled into action...
"Like this?"
"Control your energy more..."
"From there, to the left..."
Cheonhwi shook his head.
It was so ridiculous, a sigh escaped him.
What good was teaching them formations?
They didn't know how to do it properly and hadn't even thought to try.
"Sigh, stop for a moment."
In the end, Cheonhwi halted them.
"At this rate, you won't master the formations; it'll just drag on."
Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
The disciples' faces froze like statues at that twisted smile.
"You'll learn through real combat."
With those words, Cheonhwi drew his scabbard and slung it over his shoulder, stepping forward.
Whoosh—
"......!"
In an instant, Cheonhwi stood before Jeokgeom, lips curled higher.
"Rain Sword Squad first."
Jeokgeom sensed something ominous from the approaching Cheonhwi and quickly turned, shouting.
"Prepare the Flying Sword Formation!"
No sooner had the order been given...
Tadadak!
The Rain Sword Squad hastily formed up.
With Jeokgeom at the center tip, the squad lined up behind him uniformly.
It was as if the entire Rain Sword Squad's power poured solely into Jeokgeom.
"Good formation."
The Flying Sword Formation mimicked a sword's shape.
All power focused on the tip and center, Jeokgeom, while the squad resonated to support it.
It ignored directions and defense.
Pure offense.
'Not bad for something made in a hurry.'
Cheonhwi nodded.
It felt a bit sharp and rough for a righteous sect's formation.
But it had to be.
After all, he had referenced the Mad Wind Sand's Wind Cloud Four Directions Formation and the Divine Cult's Fighting Demon Ten Directions Sword Formation.
Then.
Fwaaaah!
The Flying Sword Formation exuded tremendous momentum.
Perhaps from twenty synchronized energies.
A fierce aura spread around them, layers of heavy pressure making it hard to approach.
"Good initial momentum. Let's see if it's the real deal."
Cheonhwi properly gripped his scabbard.
Just a posture change, but no one could look away.
The stance Cheonhwi took was the Heavenly Flow Sword's basic form.
A fundamental sword art everyone learned upon entering Mount Hua, already mastered by all.
Yet everyone stared, mesmerized, forgetting to breathe.
Even Jeokgeom, closest and spars with him often, was entranced.
Then Cheonhwi's eyes curved.
"How long are you going to space out?"
He pushed off the ground with his toes.
"......!"
Jeokgeom's eyes widened.
Cheonhwi, who had been in front, suddenly loomed larger—right before him.
Swoosh—
Cheonhwi swung down his scabbard.
From above to below, slashing toward Jeokgeom's crown.
Heavenly Flow.
Flow of heaven.
It meant wind.
The freest thing in the world, sometimes becoming a storm that brings disasters...
And Cheonhwi infused that meaning.
Into this scabbard, this Heavenly Flow Sword.
"Hup!"
Jeokgeom belatedly came to his senses, hastily drawing his sword and channeling energy.
Clang!
The sword deflected the scabbard.
But Jeokgeom's legs trembled.
'H-Heavy!'
The terrifying weight in Cheonhwi's Heavenly Flow Sword crushed him, even with the squad's power.
'This is Heavenly Flow Sword...?'
Jeokgeom's pupils shook.
Heavenly Flow Sword was just simple slashes, swings, and thrusts.
But this was different.
'So variable!'
Jeokgeom bit his lip, then shouted.
"Hah!"
His trembling legs steadied, energy revitalizing his body.
At the same time, he roared.
"Full advance!"
Instantly, the Rain Sword Squad raised their energy.
Twenty powers, including Jeokgeom's, erupted, spreading an aura incomparable to before.
"What momentum!"
"This is the new formation...?"
The watching disciples swallowed at the skin-prickling sharpness, excitement surging inside.
'Then our formation too...'
'We can do that too...'
That was when.
Jeokgeom raised his sword.
The tip precisely pointed at distant Cheonhwi.
"Here I come."
Jeokgeom half-closed his eyes.
Guided by the others' energy, his eyes held an unusual cold, rational gleam that faded.
Sword energy rose from his blade.
Thick, red strands intertwined into one.
Fwaaah—
Dozens of plum blossoms bloomed in the air, scattering fragrance.
Then Jeokgeom's sword surged through them, and the blossoms fell.
Falling Petals Sword Art!
His most familiar and confident technique.
'Oh? Look at this.'
Cheonhwi chuckled.
Perhaps from the vast energy.
Confidence emanated from Jeokgeom's sword.
"Good momentum, but you're too excited. The formation leader must stay cool and rational. Instinct exposes weaknesses."
Cheonhwi drew his scabbard diagonally.
It swayed like a faint breeze.
But Jeokgeom and the Rain Sword Squad forgot to breathe.
'I-Impossible!'
The scabbard loomed like a massive mountain.
"Pouring more energy into a form doesn't make it stronger. It's the intent within that matters."
The descending Falling Petals shattered against the mountain.
Thud!
The scabbard stabbed Jeokgeom's chest.
Bam!
A gust blew Jeokgeom flying.
He tumbled three zhang back, sprawling on the ground.
The Rain Sword Squad, losing their center, knelt one by one.
And then.
"Urk!"
"Cough!"
They vomited.
The formation's collapse shook their internals.
In the sudden chaos.
"Don't try to do it alone. You're the center, not everything."
Cheonhwi said softly.
"First time, so I'll let it slide. No second chances. I'll check again soon. If you clash again and it's the same?"
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
His icy gaze pierced Jeokgeom struggling up and the squad wiping their mouths.
"Rain Sword Squad, no sleep tonight."
"......!"
Declaring it, Cheonhwi turned to the spectating disciples.
"Before the Rain Sword Squad gets their act together, next..."
"We'll go first."
Before he finished, Cheonhyang and the Flame Spirit Squad stepped forward with resolute faces.
"Good choice."
Cheonhwi smiled, raising his scabbard.
"Better to take the hit first anyway."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Late evening after all training ended.
As the sun set and the moon peeked over the mountainside, Cheonhwi undid his cross-legged pose and spoke.
"You're late."
"You monster. How do you notice even while meditating?"
Cheon Ig-ae grumbled, emerging from the dim darkness.
"Got the info?"
"No greeting, straight to business. Tch, whatever."
Cheon Ig-ae grumpily pulled a paper from his bosom.
"Info on the Shinju Four Evils here."
Cheonhwi took the paper.
It briefly listed the four factions' names, leaders, and experts.
"That's it?"
Cheonhwi half-closed his eyes, meeting Cheon Ig-ae's gaze.
"Where's the backing faction?"
"Wait on that. Still investigating; not clear yet."
"Beggars' Sect, and it takes this long."
"How fast do you want it? Takes time. But I brought the key info you'll care about most, so relax."
"What's that?"
Cheon Ig-ae's face turned serious.
"Today, the Shinju Four Evils are holding a meeting."