Let's Give It a Shot
“Everyone, have a cup.”
The ordinary martial artists gulped nervously.
It wasn't the alcohol—they were driven by a deeper longing.
Finally...
They hadn't come just to mooch a free meal.
They hoped that even a casual chat with Jeong Gwang might yield some small nugget of wisdom if they got lucky.
They rose as one, cupping their hands in respect.
The bushy-haired young man who had dashed out from the noodle shop joined them.
“What an honor!”
“Honor? Nah. Here, take it.”
Jeong Gwang poured drinks for dozens of martial artists one by one, then raised his teacup high.
Of course, his cup held liquor instead of tea, poured in advance.
“Let's drink till we drop!”
“...!”
“Oh. Was that too crude?”
As if.
The ordinary martial artists erupted in cheers.
“Whoa!”
“Drink till we drop!”
They downed their drinks in one gulp and crowded around Jeong Gwang.
“Let me pour you a cup of tea!”
“My turn next!”
Jeong Gwang's eyes flickered slightly.
He'd have to drink dozens of cups of tea.
He'd anticipated something like this, but facing it head-on...
Should I just ask for booze instead?
Too many people for that.
Whatever—he'd drink it and couldn't exactly silence them all afterward.
In the end, Jeong Gwang downed dozens of cups of tea.
“Ugh. My stomach's gonna burst.”
Everyone burst into laughter at his words.
It put them all at ease.
They knew he was different from disciples of other prestigious sects, but this unpretentious?
“Alright, sit down and eat.”
Jeong Gwang sat among them, chatting away.
The martial artists hesitated at first but gradually opened up, and soon everyone was chatting animatedly.
This should do it, Jeong Gwang thought as the mood ripened. He broached the subject.
“Stuck in Qinghai Province all this time, and now the Central Plains feels so complicated.”
“Haha, I imagine so.”
“The Murim Alliance is even worse. No clue how things work around here.”
The martial artists jumped in eagerly.
“I can help with that, at least a little.”
“Ask anything. I'll answer with all my heart.”
Jeong Gwang shrugged.
“Gotta know what to ask first.”
Their eyes lit up.
A flood of stories poured from their lips.
Jeong Gwang learned quite a bit.
Most of it was trivia he could take or leave.
“This is fun. Know anything about the alliance leader election? Like trends among the involved sects and families?”
The martial artists flinched.
He's straight-up asking for info on the leader election?
If word gets out I said something...
I'll get on the bad side of the parties involved. No reason to speak up.
The room fell silent.
A natural reaction.
But Jeong Gwang gave them a reason to talk.
“You've shared such great stories—I can't just listen and say thanks. In return, I'll teach you a few moves.”
“...!”
Who was Jeong Gwang?
A disciple of Kunlun, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
That alone perked their ears, but he outshone the Nine Dragons and Eight Phoenixes in martial prowess and had bested three of the Ten Supremes together.
This was their chance.
What they'd longed for was right in front of them!
“No comments? Guess you don't know.”
“We do!”
Their eyes blazed.
Endless tales spilled forth.
Jeong Gwang learned a ton.
Important stuff this time, not trivia.
Nice.
Plenty of useful tidbits.
Even Baek Seung-mu, listening beside him, still gaped in awe.
As Jeong Gwang smiled in satisfaction, the bushy-haired youth Jang I spoke up cautiously.
“Um... what will you teach us?”
“Basic training methods and a few practical forms you can use right away.”
A couple usable forms would satisfy them, but basics too?
Jang I and the others beamed.
Most were over thirty, so it wouldn't transform them overnight.
But foundations were key above all. Not Kunlun's secrets, but basics from the famed Jade Cloud Dragon?
It could build a base for real growth.
“Whoaaa!”
“Thank you so much!”
As everyone rejoiced, Jang I pushed his luck a bit further.
No way this chance would come again.
“...Are you teaching Life-Saving Ultimate Techniques?”
The room went dead quiet.
That's not asking—it's demanding!
Damn it, Jang I! Ruining a good thing?
If Jeong Gwang got mad and called it off, no one could complain.
They tensed, eyes fixed on his lips.
“I don't know any Life-Saving Ultimate Techniques. Even if I did, I wouldn't teach them.”
As expected.
Deep disappointment and anger flashed across their faces.
They glared daggers at Jang I...
“The jianghu's brutal—why focus only on surviving?”
His follow-up made their eyes bulge.
“Kill your foes. I'll teach you Life-Taking Ultimate Techniques.”
Jang I always rose early, but today he barely pried his eyes open.
His body felt like a waterlogged sponge, yet his gaze shone clear.
“Alright. Let's go.”
He swung his legs off the bed, and agony surged as his feet hit the floor.
“Ngh. Knew it.”
Deep breaths steadied him. After a quarter-hour of slow steps, the pain dulled, and walking eased.
He washed up, dressed neatly, and stepped out.
The biting dawn air filled his lungs, sharpening his mind.
“Son, heading out already?”
His weary mother stood behind him.
“Why're you up? Sleep more.”
“I'm fine. You were groaning in your sleep...”
Jang I gave a wry smile.
She was right—his body still screamed.
Just the first basic training method he taught, and I'm wrecked.
But he grinned to reassure her.
“Haha, too excited to sleep. Gonna be late. See ya.”
“Okay. Be careful. Don't overdo it.”
Something welled up in Jang I's chest.
You're the one overdoing it, Mom.
Not just yesterday—every day.
Helpers came at mealtimes, but she handled the cooking.
If he dropped his pipe dream of becoming a master and helped, it'd solve everything...
One more time. Just once more, then rethink it.
Self-loathing surged, but he couldn't help it.
He desperately wanted to become a master.
“Ah, son? What's wrong?”
“Hold on, Mom.”
Jang I hugged her tight.
Her small, cold frame pierced his heart.
He gritted his teeth.
Check today. If not...
Moments later, he released her with an exaggerated grin.
“I'm off!”
“Oh, duh. The Jade Cloud Dragon, right? And young master Baek. Give them this.”
She held a small bundle.
“What's this?”
“Onigiri. Not much in 'em, but it'll fill empty stomachs.”
“...Just sleep in.”
“Made 'em quick. Yours too—eat on the way.”
Jang I hugged her once more and set off.
The Murim Alliance was far.
Pain throbbed everywhere, but he chewed onigiri and forced his steps.
He finally reached the alliance and headed to the training ground used by Kunlun Sect.
No one's here yet.
He was the earliest among the ordinary martial artists Jeong Gwang was teaching.
Huh? Someone inside?
A presence beyond the wall—he strained his ears...
“That's it for today.”
“Whoaaa!”
Roaring cheers erupted as Taoist elders in flashy robes vaulted the wall.
Th-that's Kunlun's robes! Unforgettable!
Boom!
The training ground doors flew open as middle-aged Taoists poured out, moving so fast they skimmed the ground.
What the hell?
Peering through, he saw young Taoist disciples collapsed on the floor.
Only Jeong Gwang stood.
“Oh? You're here.”
Jang I bowed hastily.
“Sorry, training. I'll come back later.”
“Nah, we're done. Wait a sec.”
Jeong Gwang glanced at the young Taoists.
“Not planning more, lying there like that, right?”
The corpse-like youths sprang up like Shifting Form Substitution.
“Huff. Huff. Junior brother, such words.”
“The Supreme Elder would be displeased. Time for scripture instead.”
“Then we'll...” Ngh.
The young Taoists limped off, politely greeting Jang I at the door.
He bowed back, puzzled.
That look... pity?
Before he could dwell, Jeong Gwang called.
“You're early—let's start. Huh? Junior brother. Up. Why're you down?”
Baek Seung-mu, one with the floor, groaned.
“S-senior brother... I can't get up...”
“No way your stamina's that low. You'll train with him too.”
“Hup! Already up!”
“See? Fine.”
“...Y-yeah.”
Observing, Jang I swallowed hard.
This is no joke.
Yesterday's “basics” were mind-blowing enough.
Today's vibe screamed even harsher.
“Come here.”
“Y-yes!”
As Jang I limped over, Jeong Gwang nodded.
“You've been practicing hard.”
“H-how'd you know?”
“I can tell. What's that?”
“Oh! Mom made snacks for you two...”
“Oho, nice.”
Jeong Gwang snatched the bundle and gripped Jang I's wrist.
The motion was so natural—not even fast—yet dodging never crossed his mind.
“Your inner energy's really thin.”
“...”
It stung anew.
“Better that way, though. Let's give it a shot.”
“...!”
He didn't know what it meant, but his heart raced.
“Ah, loosen muscles first.”
Jeong Gwang drew his sword.
The blade gleamed with chill that could freeze dawn air itself.
H-he gonna slice me?
As if.
Jeong Gwang tapped Jang I's body with the flat.
Thwack! Thud! Whack!
“Ack! Gah! Urk!”
Jang I took it without protest.
G-gonna die... Huh?
The beating ended abruptly.
Jeong Gwang nodded, inspecting him.
“Feels lighter, right?”
What nonsense...
Wait.
The soreness is almost gone!
The flat taps hurt more now.
Jang I gawked, stammering.
“H-how... how is this...”
“Chasing Palace Acupoint Strike, obviously.”
“...!”
Beat with a sword flat, and it's Chasing Palace Acupoint Strike?
isn't that hand-infused qi massage?
Absurd, but Jeong Gwang continued matter-of-factly.
“Last time. Your body needs to recover itself—keep this up, and recovery weakens.”
“...”
“Others arriving. Do the stretches I taught yesterday.”
“Y-yes!”
Jang I moved slowly, working his body.
Simple gymnastics, not profound arts—but each motion eased him, calming his mind.
Might be placebo...
Still, that's something.
A smile crept on.
He kept moving, watching Jeong Gwang with the gathering martial artists.
Jeong Gwang was uncanny.
A glance told if they'd trained, how much.
“Didn't do a thing I taught.”
“N-no, I did!”
“No lies. Go practice. Come back tomorrow proper, you're in.”
“M-me... Eek!”
Just a glare.
The youth fled sweating bullets.
Jeong Gwang sifted them relentlessly.
“Not hard, but some effort. What to do?”
“O-one chance, please!”
“Fine. Join young master Jang I for stretches.”
“Th-thank you!”
Latecomers got turned away cold.
Time passed.
Dozens dwindled.
Only seven left, including Jang I.
Jeong Gwang clapped, surveying them.
“Alright. Let's start.”
“Yes!”
“Junior brother. Here.”
“Huh?”
Baek Seung-mu stood puzzled beside him as Jeong Gwang introduced.
“Your martial instructor, Baek Seung-mu. Someday called the Golden Sword Hero.”