Chapter 438
Chapter 438
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 438
Chapter Title: What's Left? (2)
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The new trainee recruits who had joined the joint training.
They were masters belonging to each faction's core strike forces.
Among them, Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Guard, Shaolin's Arhat Monks, and Kunlun's Cloud Dragon Sword Guard were renowned throughout the world.
Even the strike forces from minor sects who participated with great significance in the Heavenly Martial Tournament were, in truth, individuals who strutted proudly in their own territories.
Having the pride befitting their fame, their attitudes as trainees carried undertones of big and small dissatisfactions.
"It's already the second day of this bizarre gymnastics and climbing up and down Wudang Mountain... How long do we have to keep doing this?"
"From what I know, the minimum is a month. They say the later-generation disciples from Sichuan and Shaolin's disciples did about that much."
It wasn't incomprehensible.
Though they had reluctantly joined the training since the leaders permitted it, deep down they must have thought, Is this really where I should be?
"Hang in there, Hyangran! When else will we surpass those lofty seniors if not now?!"
"Uooooh!"
However, this joint training also included the re-enrolled students from the Righteous Martial Academy.
"Hyangran! With the seniors here together, can we show ourselves lagging behind?"
"No, we can't!"
Those who had rolled under me for as little as a few months or as long as three years showed outstanding performance in every training event without fail.
"Yun-guk. This student council president doesn't expect great things. But we can't come in last, right?"
"Yes, sir!"
They also displayed the competitive spirit that had been passed down since the academy's founding.
"Who are we?!"
"The Azure Staff that produced Eon Yong-un!"
"How should the Four Great Dormitory cadets of the Righteous Martial Academy be positioned?!"
"Die! Plummet to the bottom!"
"Let's go!"
At first, sparks flew only among the cadets of the four great dormitories.
But warriors by nature harbored a competitive spirit incomparable to ordinary people.
Thus, the sparks jumping between the four great dormitory cadets soon spread to the new trainees.
"They call these things on our wrists and ankles 'mysterious iron shackles'? We Plum Blossom Sword Guard have plenty of leeway. The slopes of Wudang Mountain can't even be called treacherous compared to our Mount Hua. We could add one more each."
Before long, those who had been grumbling were volunteering to increase the training intensity themselves.
"Mount Hua's terrain is steep, sure, but how does it compare to our Kunlun or the Ten Thousand Great Mountains? We Cloud Dragon Sword Guard ran those rugged ridges like flying. We'll add two more each."
As a result, a bizarre scene unfolded where I had to restrain the trainees.
"...Those seniors? Today's afternoon training requires considerable mental fortitude. You can't exhaust yourselves from the morning."
"Is that so? Anyway! Prepare something at least twice... no, three times tougher than for the re-enrolled students! We have our pride! We can't do the same training as those fresh-faced kids!"
"Mm. Understood. I'll keep that in mind."
After sending back the horde of trainee representatives who had come clamoring,
Dang Ok-gi shook her head watching their backs.
"Erecting their pride over something like that? They're hopeless."
She soon turned her gaze to me and asked,
"So... you're really increasing the concentration of the guardian smoke bombs for the afternoon training?"
"Yeah. These trainees all have exceptional internal energy, and they have direct or indirect experience handling poisons. Five times? No. Let's just go maximum strength."
That way, they could also taste the infamous poison fog of the Righteous Martial Academy.
Chiiiiiik-
"Guh. Keokhuk. Th-this is the 'mental fortitude' training...?"
"Not 'guh'! When you realize you've been exposed to the poison mist, you shout the alert so other allies can react swiftly!"
"P-poison attack! Poison attack!! Poison attack!!!"
With the help of exchange students from the Crimson Dragon Palace, during the poison-tasting drill,
Tchweeeeeeng!!!!!!
They truly confronted their own shortcomings.
"...I thought that simply honing swordsmanship, accumulating internal energy, and pursuing enlightenment was enough for a warrior's path."
"Indeed. It's been a long time since I've felt my own deficiencies like this."
"In a way, it connects to the process of overcoming the Heavenly Martial Tournament's trials... Did the seniors who hosted it assign those tasks to make us feel this very sensation?"
Once the trainees committed sincerely to the training,
Naturally, they could shorten the time for the academy's spirit-imprinting gymnastics and extend the sessions on countermeasures against demonic arts.
They could also grant the trainees appropriate rest periods.
"Today's training ends here."
"...Ends? No first-place prizes or afternoon schedule?"
"Yes. When I was first immersed in the sword, the Alliance Leader and instructors taught me that rest is important too."
"R-right, of course! Absolutely!"
"You've followed well so far, so we'll schedule proper rest days in the remaining program. Rest if you want, or the library and training halls are open for personal cultivation."
"Woo! Long live Eon Yong-un!!"
"Long live? Don't jinx it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I had much to do, even though the trainees were given rest.
Beyond the instructor role, I had duties as student council president.
Especially today, my maternal grandfather was returning to Taewon.
Thus, to fulfill my duty as a grandson, I headed to the guesthouse where he was staying.
The grandfather, already packed, was reading a sheet of paper from Senior Ye Hae-su.
"Heh heh. The title choices always captivate people's eyes, no matter when."
It seemed he had shown him the draft of the upcoming newsletter in advance.
Standing on tiptoes to peek, it showcased Senior Ye Hae-su's usual flair.
『The Reason Visitors to the Heavenly Martial Tournament Were Shocked! The Sword Emperor's Nickname for Eon Yong-un Before the World's Renowned Experts Shakes the Iron Spear Valley!』
Feeling my face heat up, I cleared my throat hastily.
"Ahem."
Regardless, Grandfather smiled broadly and handed Ye Hae-su a pouch.
"Ye, Chief Editor. Use this for your scholars and artists under you where needed."
"Pardon? We have sufficient budget already."
"Nothing in the world is ever sufficient. Don't use any brush; get ones made from weasel hair. Do everything with the best. Buy tasty food with whatever's left."
"Th-thank you."
"Use it wisely and keep writing good newsletters. Help support Yong-un well, all you other cadets too."
He made requests one by one to my other siblings,
Then turned to Eon Yong-myeong.
"Your brother is your brother, and you are you. No envy, no intimidation. Walk your own path."
"Yes, Grandfather. I will."
"Good. Now that Yong-un stands tall as a sword master, you must uphold the Pearl Eon Family's fist lineage. Your role is weighty too. Isn't that right, Eon Steward?"
"Yes. Whether he's the right timber remains to be seen a bit longer, but Yong-myeong must work hard."
"Argh. Even empty words—he can't just say yes without adding that one line. Such a frustrating fellow."
"......"
After passing through Eon Yong-myeong and Father, Grandfather gazed at me.
"I'll be off now."
"Yes. I'll visit Taewon when I find time."
He gave me a plain farewell without special instructions, so I replied,
"No need. You have plenty to worry about already."
Grandfather shook his head and tapped the iron medal necklace hanging on my chest.
"When I entrusted this to you, didn't I say I was entrusting the world to you? Just focus on staying healthy and achieving your ambitions."
"Take care of yourself too, Grandfather."
"Of course. I'll live long to hear tales of you commanding the martial world forever."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While some at the Righteous Martial Academy shed snot, sweat, and tears, and others shared parting sentiments,
In the deep recesses of the Great Bashan Mountains, far west from Iron Spear Valley, at the Green Forest King's lair,
No Sam and Namgung Yun,
The two meeting after a long time, were catching up.
"Namgung Yun, you rascal! Been well?!"
"Yes. I've been fine."
"No need for modesty. As the eldest grandson of the Namgung family, how could you be fine in this dump?!"
Beside them, Green Forest King Do Jung-gwang was fuming.
"Exactly! Why's Yun sticking to my mountain stronghold like a parasite instead of his fancy estate? And you old beggar, what right do you have barging in like it's your house?! Is the Green Forest Stronghold a joke?!"
But No Sam and Namgung Yun ignored Do Jung-gwang's complaints and continued their talk.
"Was the Mangyeop Mountain issue resolved well?"
"Yes. The fortress called Blood Heaven Asura Palace had all its walls demolished. Traps dismantled, and the locals' sentiments soothed somewhat."
"I see."
"And you? How are you? The world's buzzing about that Yong-un kid again? Invincible Sword this, that? Stuck here, doesn't it itch?"
"...Itch? I've long set aside such petty jealousy."
"Ah, it's just my way of speaking. Weren't you itching to join the Heavenly Martial Tournament or something?"
"Setting aside jealousy doesn't erase rivalry. Truth be told, whether as a Righteous Martial Academy cadet or Namgung family member, I did want to participate."
"Why didn't you go?"
At this point, Do Jung-gwang erupted again.
"That's what I'm saying! Go now! Hey! Go with that old beggar No Sam! Get out of my house!"
Namgung Yun, ignoring him, gazed toward Iron Spear Valley,
Then at the nearby slash-and-burn villages visible from the Green Forest Stronghold, and spoke.
"But taking in the world with one's eyes seems important too."
At Namgung Yun's words, No Sam nodded benevolently,
And Do Jung-gwang muttered incredulously,
"Who am I even talking to?"
Only then did Namgung Yun's gaze brush over Do Jung-gwang.
"It's an important place in many ways. Moreover, with Eon Yong-un drawing all eyes, given his personality of layering schemes even in simple tasks, he's surely aiming for something else. All the more reason to fortify this place, no?"
"True enough. That's why I came straight here from Mangyeop Mountain. Anyway, let's discuss details inside."
Do Jung-gwang yelled once more.
"Why hold the meeting here without the host's permission?!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After seeing off Grandfather, I led my siblings back to the student council room and held a meeting.
"Cheon Jang-ho. Any movements from the Demonic Cult?"
"Doesn't seem like any notable activity."
Even with each faction's core strike forces—especially Kunlun's Cloud Dragon Sword Guard bordering the Ten Thousand Great Mountains—held here so long, no reaction.
That meant the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was opting for a war of attrition.
That won't do.
Even if manpower and resources favored the orthodox martial world,
If the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Leader Hyeok Ryeon-gang reached the realm called Heavenly Demon, the scales could tip in an instant.
I voiced my contemplations on drawing out the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult from their shell.
"Their silence gives us time to coordinate with other forces and raise personal prowess... but time is fair. Meanwhile, they'll solidify the young master's succession and tighten internal control. They'll strengthen ties with Brain Sound Temple and Solar Palace too."
At my mutterings, Yin Xia Lian nodded.
"Probably."
"Wait till they're fully prepared for a fair fight? Like that'll work?"
To my follow-up, she replied with a look of disbelief.
"...You're forgetting something. We're the righteous faction? Our banner is upright and just?"
- It's not forgetting; he never knew such words. Hae-yeon still doesn't get it after all that.
Master let out a hollow laugh while questioning.
- Hmm. But if they've hunkered down for real, do you have another way?
To Master's question, I shared the thought flashing in my mind.
What if I reveal to the world that I'm the successor of Master... that is, Sword Demon Wi Cheol-jin?