The Lesson from the Western King’s Capital
Shuaak—
Five weeks. Cheongtong’s wooden sword carved the air like a single brushstroke on a canvas, flowing with graceful elegance. Dressed in a simple white robe that looked untouched by time, his movements were so beautiful they could have been painted into a painting itself. It was precisely the image one would expect from a sword cultivator of the immortal order.
Puff—
In the blink of an eye, Junior, who had taken multiple strikes to his vital points, collapsed to the ground, his strength completely drained. Despite the agonizing pain that burned like fire, he only grimaced; not a single groan escaped his lips.
“You did well. We’re stopping here for today. Good work.”
“...Thank you, Uncle.”
Junior swallowed the pain rising to his throat and bowed deeply. Cheongtong, who had already stepped away from their spar, walked over to where Amerk was watching them both with a satisfied smile.
“Huff! Thanks. You gave me valuable time just for my son.”
“No need to thank me. Your son is Hani, and my son is too.”
Even after their spar ended, Junior kept training alone. Cheongtong watched him and let out a soft sigh.
“We of old couldn’t measure up to that kid. Not even close. I thought the world’s opinion—that the next ‘The One’ would be him—was just empty talk. Hah.”
Feeling a rare surge of pride, Amerk laughed heartily and patted Cheongtong’s back.
“Still, he trains with real diligence. Is he hoping to surpass his father? At the welcoming ceremony? Out of all his peers, no one could ever stand against him.”
“Huff! It’s not about the welcoming ceremony. I think he’s worried about His Highness the Grand Duke’s disciple.”
“The Grand Duke? Crow’s Duck? That’s special? His disciple.”
“Not just any disciple. He’s my son.”
“You were a disciple of Crow’s Duck? My son.”
“What? You really don’t know a thing about continental affairs?!”
Amerk’s frustration grew with every answer he received. His lips felt dry.
“Don’t get too worked up. The fact that we Seven Pillars aren’t paying attention is proof of how peaceful the continent has become lately.”
Cheongtong caught Amerk’s scolding with ease and gently stroked his long white beard.
“However, I wonder how long that peace will last.”
“Don’t use your Ineung!”
Boom—
“Ouch!”
Teraden, who had unwittingly activated his Ineung and been slammed hard by Crow’s Duck, let out a yelp.
“Eh, uh… wait. I feel like my appendix just burst.”
“You’re being too dramatic. Snap out of it, you brat! This Grand Duke doesn’t want to make you soft like the Seven Pillars!”
Teraden, caught in a lie, clutched his side with an aggrieved expression.
“I already have the habit of pulling out my Ineung. What can I do if it comes out without thinking?”
“That’s exactly why I want you to break that habit. Hwigwang is like a poisoned chalice for someone as green as you.”
After speaking, Crow’s Duck poked at various parts of Teraden’s body. Teraden felt as if he were being smashed apart.
“Hwigwang is nearly a Gweonneung—something you could count on one hand how many people in history have possessed. Did you think you, a mere baby, could handle it without a hitch?”
“...Ugh...!”
“The reason you’ve survived using Hwigwang so recklessly is because you’re a descendant of Arirang. Keep using it like that, no matter how blessed you are by Arirang’s blessing, you’ll break down soon.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Build up Cheneung that can withstand Ineung use for the remaining time. If you do that, by the time we reach Gukhak, you’ll have changed so much you’ll be dizzy. Here, for now, follow my orders and stop using Ineung. Understood?”
“Sigh, I can’t help it. I understand.”
“Good. That’s enough training for today. Any questions?”
“Ah, can I ask one question?”
A lightbulb lit up in Teraden’s head.
“What is it?”
“What is Gaya like?”
Gaya? Suddenly? Teraden’s question left Crow’s Duck narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
“Gaya? The land of the goblins?”
“Is there another Gaya?”
“Hmph.”
Crow’s Duck felt annoyed at Teraden’s impudent reply and was about to knock him out when he noticed Teraden still clutching the spot he had hit earlier. He decided to let it slide this once. He was a generous Grand Duke, after all.
“From ancient times, the goblins of Gaya were masters of Cheneung. Especially their leaders—people whose strength I would have to swallow my tongue for. But why do you ask about Gaya?”
“It’s said that Lan-nim and I are heading there together.”
“The Seven Pillars? Sending that kid to those dullards who have a reputation for being ignorant? You must have really steeled your resolve. How amusing. I, the Grand Duke, couldn’t lose either! Starting tomorrow, I’ll triple your training volume!”
“What? Wait. What kind of nonsense is this? Why is the fire spreading to this side?”
“Have you gone mad?”
“You? Everything I’m saying is for your own good. What? Mad? Come here.”
Crow’s Duck erased his smile and snapped his fingers. Teraden yelped and stumbled backward.
“Eh? You want me to come over?”
Teraden answered with a serious face.
“...Please save me.”
That brat’s mouth was really something.
Life in Gaya meant endless training with Danju and Cheneung, plus sparring with Lan. It had been roughly ten days since they arrived.
After about ten days, I finally adapted to their training.
“Three more!”
“...You said there were only twenty-five at the beginning, didn’t you?”
“Exactly! But add three more! You can do it!”
After living among the goblins and clashing with them, I realized their inner world was far rougher and more aggressive than their tough exterior suggested.
“Sorry! I miscalculated the weight! I should have put 100 jeong on each side for 200 jeong total, but I accidentally put 200 jeong on one side!”
“No wonder it felt so heavy.”
“It weighed a whopping 400 jeong! You’re amazing!”
“I thought the bar was only a little under 100 jeong. So adding the bar makes it 500 jeong? Does Grandfather help with the weight?”
“Yes! It’s 500 jeong! Another calculation mistake!”
“...”
In a nice way, I was straightforward; in a harsh way, a little dim-witted... No. Dim-witted was too harsh. Thick-headed? Yeah, that fit.
After finishing Danju training, I went to the place outside Gaya where Lan always sparred with me. Lan, who had already been waiting, greeted me warmly.
“That friend of yours... I don’t know if you’re holding back, but I hope the training hasn’t been too hard on you.”
“It’s fine. The pain proves how much I’m growing. If anything, I’m grateful.”
At my answer, Lan’s mouth and eyes curved into gentle smiles at the same time.
“Shall we begin?”
“Please do.”
Whoosh—
A gust of wind crossed between us, and today’s spar began as usual.
Thwack!
I planted my feet and launched straight at Lan, then immediately turned and extended my leg to probe his reaction.
Boom.
When my extended leg collided with Lan’s raised arm, a sharp crack echoed through the surroundings.
Lan blocked my attack without even flinching and grabbed my leg, hurling me away.
After thrashing around several times, I did a mid-air somersault and landed lightly on my feet, then quickly checked where Lan was. He was still waiting in the same spot.
Ten days of sparring. During that time, Lan hadn’t moved an inch in response to my attacks.
This pride was a little stung.
Even though the slope here was steep, Lan received my attacks while remaining as rooted as an ancient tree and never budged.
But Lan wasn’t just passively blocking. The moment I showed the slightest opening—when my focus slipped or my posture broke—he would strike with lightning speed and precision.
Whoosh! Crack!
The air bursting from Lan’s fist grazed my cheek. The compressed air struck my eardrums with a sharp whoosh and snapped a nearby tree like a twig.
Using only the upper arm muscles and reaching this level? How could pure Cheneung produce such power...
Startled by the power, I stared blankly at the broken tree. Lan seized the opening and followed up with another swing.
I barely dodged the entire barrage and closed the distance again.
“Ha!”
Boom!
The follow-up attack packed with full power was wiped out by nothing more than two of Lan’s fingers.
“Your training is still modest, but your growth is far beyond my expectations.”
Growth beyond expectations. Blocking a full-power punch with two fingers and then... what?
Whoosh! Boom!
Lan nodded in satisfaction and threw another fist.
When his fist slammed into my body, every bone in me shuddered as if an earthquake had erupted inside.
“U, ugh...!”
Lan stepped back slowly, lowered his fist, and spoke.
“Lan-nim, do you remember what I told you about Cheneung before leaving Seo-Wangdo?”
Leaving Seo-Wangdo... after the attack? About Cheneung...
“...There are many strong warriors on the continent who are considered the best without Ineung.”
“Yes, that’s correct. There were those who were the strongest in the previous generation despite lacking Ineung—such as the Sword Immortal, who was the 5th Seat of the Seven Pillars and the son of the Machine Duke Amerk.”
“I’d like to hear more about the two of them.”
“They were the two closest to the ‘The One’ of the previous generation.”
“The One...”
“Originally, ‘one’ means the beginning and the start of everything. Since Arirang was first called ‘The One,’ the name given to those who now stand at the peak or apex of the continent is also ‘The One.’”
Apex...
“I digressed a bit, but what I wanted to say is that, just like the two I mentioned, you can reach the peak with nothing but Cheneung. I wanted to remind you once more.”
His warm advice brought a smile to my lips.
“I’ll remember it.”
“I’ve talked too much. Lan-nim, I have one assignment for you.”
“An assignment?”
“Reach Cheneung that can completely withstand my one strike. That is the task here in Gaya. How is it? Pretty easy, right?”
Lan’s words were carried away by the whistling wind as he vanished.
“Wait...!”
Feeling an ominous premonition, I rushed to call Lan back, but the burning pain behind my ear marked the end of my memory.