Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Running Through the Sky (4)
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In just a few movements, I had grasped the essence of the lightweight technique, stealing the soul of Wo So-ryeong—who would one day become the world's swiftest—and even drew the name "Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Steps" from his lips.
But traditionally, lightweight techniques weren't martial arts that became one's own simply by comprehending their secrets.
Moreover, with limited time for practice, choices and focus were essential.
I immediately began pondering how to master the Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Steps in my body.
"Normally, I'd prioritize body techniques—training to move your body and legs into optimal positions in any situation, like you did, So-ryeong—and treat lightweight techniques, which control the body's weight, as secondary. But since the exam is just crossing the wooden bridge within the time limit, I plan to prioritize lightweight techniques first. What do you think, Teacher Wo?"
As I opened with those words...
"T-Teacher? That's too heavy a title."
Wo So-ryeong seemed troubled for a moment, then reverted to the form of a lightweight technique instructor, nodding in agreement.
"You're right on a separate note. Hm. I think we could train like this..."
He gathered a heap of stones from the nearby bushes, piling them beside himself and me, then picked one up and began drawing lines on the training ground's flagstones.
"The planks used on wooden bridges are usually about this wide, right?"
"Yeah."
"And with Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Steps, Brother Eon, you jump about this distance per stride?"
"Keep going."
"These stones I picked up are what we called crumbly rocks or friable stones back in my hometown of Southern Jiang. Even a tiny bit of force crushes them. They're practically clumped dirt. We place them at the landing spots."
"Oh. Land on them without breaking them, got it?!"
"Yes. As expected, you catch on quick. If you can manage that, it should be akin to leaving no trace even on snowflakes."
If Wo So-ryeong were the only one advising me, I'd have to debate if his words held merit, but I had my master.
-Step on Snow Without Trace. Considering the traits of Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Steps, it could indeed reach that realm, albeit limited. But can you achieve it by tomorrow?
The proclamation of the world's swiftest and the Sword Demon.
No need for further deliberation.
"Let's start right now."
With that, I dove into serious training to ingrain the Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Steps into my body.
Thud!!!!!!
The process was anything but easy.
My mind held the perfect movements and the moment I'd stored internal energy flawlessly, and my body remembered that sensation, but the myriad habits built up over time didn't vanish instantly like chopping off a fish's head.
Crack!!!!!!
At first, out of ten attempts, six or seven shattered the friable stones.
So-ryeong and my master voiced their concerns.
"...Brother Eon. If I may be so bold, isn't aiming for the Step on Snow Without Trace realm right away too much? The exam is running across the wooden bridge on Single Cliff Precipice. It could be dangerous. You're already well within passing range, so no need to push this hard..."
- That Wu lad has a point. I know your drive well enough, but reconsider once more.
But I felt myself progressing, so I could speak firmly.
"So-ryeong."
"...Yes?"
"Don't distract me. Either go down or fetch more stones."
My master too.
You got mad talking about footwork, ranting about those snout-faced fools, but are we to let Heaven-Splitting footwork lag behind Wudang's Pure Cloud Steps or Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms?!
- ...True enough. But your safety comes first.
Ah, enough.
I can do it.
I can.
Thud!!!!!
Under that resolute will, I confirmed failures.
Correcting bad habits based on them, I kept trying.
Crunch!!!!
From six or seven out of ten shattering, it dropped to four or five at some point.
Crick!!
Four or five quickly became one or two.
And as the sun dipped lazily toward the west...
I surpassed the realm of jumping ten times without breaking a single stone.
"!"
- ?!
I even reached the stage of balancing on one foot.
- ...You pulled it off?! Ha. Hahaha! Where did this monster roll in from to join the Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect?!
My master at my waist seemed to grin broadly.
So-ryeong's jaw dropped once more.
"C-Congratulations!"
"Thanks. The training method, quickly gathering and placing the stones—it was a huge help. All thanks to you."
"No!"
"Nah?"
"Yes. I suggested it based on your genius, but honestly, I doubted it could happen in such short time. Yet you did it!"
"Hm. Since you insist otherwise, one thing."
"...Yes?"
"I won't yield on the evening palace rice porridge. Big brother's starving?"
- ...Yield that much at least!
Among the many peaks of Mount Wudang stands a place called Open Furnace Twin Peaks.
Open Furnace Twin Peaks.
As the name suggests, twin massive summits, each topped with a broad plateau like the open lid of an incense burner.
Ah, of course.
"Standing side by side" is said from afar, gazing up at Mount Wudang from below.
From the left peak's standpoint, the right peak was about a hundred zhang (roughly 300 meters) away. With four wooden bridges spanning the gap between the twin peaks behind him, a Taoist with an immortal air, appearing around fifty, spoke.
"Greetings! This humble one is Han Young, a Taoist of Kunlun, researching and teaching various subjects at the Righteous Martial Academy! Having passed the previous three gates, I assume the examinees are well familiar with this gate's format!"
Opening thus, Han Young pointed to the wooden bridges behind him.
"But out of excessive caution, I must say one thing. This gate tests crossing the wooden bridges to the best of your ability! Plank thickness varies by points. You there, in the bamboo hat?"
"Yes?"
"What happens if you step onto a bridge beyond your lightweight skill?"
"The planks will break."
"Correct. This gate carries such risks."
"...No safety measures?"
"Would you seek safety devices facing cruel demons or vicious unorthodox foes in the jianghu?!"
"...Ah, sorry."
"However. This is where the Orthodox Jianghu nurtures its buds. Truth be told, we've set up a silk net below. But with strong winds and thick fog today, I can't guarantee safety. Compared to prior gates, gauge your ability conservatively. And I recommend the examinee who just spoke remove his bamboo hat. Wind could affect it."
Indeed, the entry gate was mere waiting, the inaction gate involved wooden weapons or drawing bows.
The disruption gate held no real danger.
Those who misjudged and got trapped in formations were rescued by aides after time, mechanisms used paint-tipped arrows instead of poison.
Prior gates were somewhat removed from true peril.
This one, however, could send you plummeting a thousand zhang with one misstep.
'Yet they emphasize danger while erecting that at the test site.'
Here's the fun part.
The supervisor urges conservative point selection based on ability.
Yet on the right, where examinees gathered, stood a blackboard with rankings.
'Blatantly pushing non-passing folks to overreach, while scaring them?'
This setup was designed to pressure examinees outright.
'Interesting.'
Anyway.
As I amused myself with the proctor's intent, Han Young's mouth opened again.
"Any more questions?!"
"......"
"None? Then let the exam begin. Examinees wait on the left peak, follow the sub-supervisor and aides' guidance by overall ranking order. I'll wait on the right peak to return exam passes to those who cross."
Finishing, Han Young twirled his whisk—whoosh—and dashed across the bridge marked "Five Points" to the right peak.
- ...Called a Kunlun snout-face, yet he wields Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms quite convincingly.
Considering my master's usual attitude toward Taoists, that was high praise.
Indeed, Han Young's steps were like a dragon parting clouds.
Unhesitant in his run, dignified in posture, his fluttering robes evoked a dragon's whiskers.
But the attention of all on the left peak fixed on Han Young's every step only briefly.
One woman spoke.
All eyes shifted instantly to her.
Seeing their gaping mouths, they'd fallen to the charms of Hubei Province's top beauty, but my mind raced differently.
'Zhuge Seolji.'
The Zhuge family's Little Martial Strategist, called Little Zhuge Liang for his brilliant mind, with peerless martial talent, bearing the family's hopes.
From "Murim Academy's Sword Genius" to key figure as the brains of the protagonist generation.
'And currently holding the top examinee ranking.'
She'd show White Crane Steps, rivaling Han Young's Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms, Wudang's Pure Cloud Steps, and Wo So-ryeong's Shadowless Wind?
How long had I focused on Zhuge Seolji's every move?
"Number 1234. Examinee Zhuge Seolji, ready?"
"Yes."
"I'll blow the horn. Take it as the start signal."
"Yes."
The assistant professor acting as sub-supervisor finished and blew the horn.
Squeak-
Instantly, Zhuge Seolji bolted across the five-point wooden bridge like an arrow.
Swoosh-
Her run differed from Han Young's feel.
Where Han Young tore through clouds and mist between peaks, Zhuge Seolji glided leisurely atop them, perhaps.
Anyway.
Sightseeing others' runs ends here.
Exams by ranking order, so next was me.
I loosened my joints, awaiting my number.
Then murmurs rose from behind.
"Oh yeah, current overall second is a third-rate warrior, right? Will that guy pick a five-point bridge too? Young Master Danmok, your thoughts?"
"No way. He'll go for three, no, two points. Having to watch a third-rate's flailing after Professor Han Young's Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms and Lady Zhuge's White Crane Steps—my eyes will rot."
Since we prepared by ranking, excluding me and next-ranked Jeong Hyeon, most were first-rate warriors. Being outranked by me bruised their pride, it seemed.
A few disparaged me; honestly, I itched to teach them a lesson.
"Come on, isn't that too harsh? He has a solid nine points accumulated."
"Heard he's a wastrel kicked from his family. As third-rate, he must've bombed inaction."
"Hm, true."
"Disruption had some trick, sure."
"Haha, let's say."
"Lightweight? But that's the flower bloomed from body control and internal energy use. His top ranking ends here. I stake my fortune."
But mid-exam, and their pitifulness tugged a bit, so I memorized faces, thinking to let it slide this once.
Then familiar voices rang out...
"Heard that? Your words are quite harsh."
It was Jeong Hyeon.
"Hey, you from Danmok family or whatever! I accept your full fortune bet? No takebacks!"
Yin Ha-seong.
"Mind if I bet too? I'm on Brother Eon. Yes."
Wo So-ryeong.
...No.
I was gonna let it slide, why step in now?!