Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Sharpshooter
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With that, training to prepare for long-range weapons commenced.
The trainees had scattered across the wide area, each practicing hitting targets with their chosen tools.
Na Shin-su's words hadn't been wrong.
In the renowned orthodox sects, evaluations of hidden weapons, darts, or archery were quite low.
They were seen as underhanded tricks emphasized only by unorthodox sects or those lacking in proper martial arts.
Some even dismissed them as lowly tactics comparable to groin strikes in sparring.
However, there were sects that openly encouraged hidden weapon techniques, chief among them the Sichuan Tang Clan.
As is well known, the Sichuan Tang Clan made poison their primary weapon.
Thus, needle-like hidden weapons or short darts that could deliver poison were a perfect match for them.
On the other hand, archery was an essential skill for imperial soldiers.
Given their tendency toward group battles rather than duels, archery with long-range weapons was an extremely effective offensive tactic on the battlefield.
As such, trainees from those two organizations were showing off their exceptional skills without exception.
The other sects and clans had their own hidden weapon or dart techniques, but their proficiency was average at best.
Moreover, places like Shaolin, Wudang, the Ten Scholars Society, the Joyang Sect, the Hebei Peng Clan, and the Zhuge Clan had no specialized long-range weapons, so they struggled even more.
Unless they'd made separate time to practice, that is.
Thwack.
An arrow lodged into the head of a straw-and-wood dummy, quivering violently.
Han Ibi watched in admiration.
"That's impressive! When did you learn archery?"
So Eun-ri replied with her usual cool expression.
"I learned it on my master's orders while staying at Wudang. He said nothing beats it for maintaining composure."
'You're already plenty composed. Too composed, even...'
Han Ibi changed the subject.
"Hmm, but they don't seem to be keeping their composure very well."
He was looking at Wudang's Yang Je, Yeom Gyeong-bin, and Pyo Seung-ja practicing darts from a distance.
They kept missing the target, retrieving their daggers, and scratching their heads in frustration.
"Did you see them while you were at Wudang?" Han Ibi asked.
So Eun-ri shook her head.
"My master and I often stayed separately from Wudang. And with their massive size, it's hard to know all the disciples."
"I see..."
Just then, Heo Son-dam's voice came from nearby, walking with the Tang Clan instructor Dang Hyo-bi.
"Young Master Zhongli. Is something the matter?"
Han Ibi startled and replied.
"Ah, no. Nothing at all."
Then Dang Hyo-bi asked.
"What sect are you from?"
"My junior sister and I are both from Qingcheng Sect."
Dang Hyo-bi's expression turned slightly disdainful.
"Qingcheng Sect... From what I know, they don't have specialized hidden weapons. What do you plan to use for the test?"
Han Ibi said.
"I'm using darts, and this junior sister here has experience with archery."
Dang Hyo-bi replied without lowering his slightly curled lip.
"Then I'll look forward to the performance of you two Qingcheng youngsters. I sincerely hope you don't tarnish Sichuan's reputation."
Indeed.
The Sichuan Tang Clan, Qingcheng Sect, and Jeungseong Sect had long been rival sects in Sichuan Province.
Though Qingcheng had shrunk considerably in recent years.
Feeling a bit indignant, Han Ibi replied loudly on purpose.
"Yes, sir! Understood. We'll do our best, Instructor Dang."
"Argh, this is hopeless. Do we really need this crap to fight the Demonic Cult? Is it even helpful?"
Gil Son-rok grumbled as they returned to the dorms.
Shaolin's Hyeon joined in.
"Damn it. If I have to come to this Murim Alliance dump twice more, I won't live to see it."
Guo Yuan-hui laughed and said.
"To earn the title of Little Dragon of the Five Peaks at the Great Murim Alliance, you gotta endure this much."
Gil Son-rok replied.
"Brother Guo can say that so easily because you know archery. And you're not even really in the Murim Alliance. Anyway..."
He turned to Han Ibi.
"...why haven't you practiced at all today, Brother Zhongli? You chose darts, but I didn't see you even hold one."
Han Ibi said.
"Do darts have to be thrown to be effective? I'm doing mental focus training my way, so don't worry."
Gil Son-rok smirked.
"Whether Qingcheng or our Joyang Sect... we're both hopeless at this. I get it—you're scared of embarrassment."
Han Ibi neither confirmed nor denied, just smiled.
Guo Yuan-hui laughed again.
"Are you two showing off because you scored some points in mechanics? Slack off like that, and your rivals will catch up fast."
Then Hyeon bellowed, raising his fist.
"Come to think of it, damn it. As the only one from Shaolin, I'm taking the biggest hit here. Aren't true martial artists supposed to fight with bare fists? Hey, Gil layman. If you're a real warrior, let's do bare-knuckle fighting. Bare-knuckle!"
Gil Son-rok waved him off.
"Ugh, don't say that, Monk Hyeon. If I get hit by those iron fists, I won't even have bones left to pick up..."
"Fine by me. Since it's come up, let's spar right now."
"Oh man, Monk. What are you saying? My stomach's suddenly hurting bad—I think I need the outhouse. You should meditate in the spare time."
With that, Gil Son-rok bolted outside.
Han Ibi, who had been chuckling at the sight, suddenly grew serious in thought.
There was a reason he hadn't thrown any darts.
Han Ibi and the rest of the 'passing' crew were under invisible scrutiny.
So he saw no need to reveal his abilities early.
No matter how much it was dismissed as a low-class cart driver's skill, dart technique was still dart technique.
Han Ibi believed he had above-average proficiency.
Thus, it was better to focus on creating trump cards against real threats like the Sichuan Tang Clan or the imperial troops.
His earlier mention of mental focus training was half-joking, half-serious.
Because his current goal was improving accuracy.
Specifically, with the dart skill active in his status window, he was pouring all his effort into minimizing the sway of the crosshair reticle.
Having advanced it to level 5, the shake had reduced, but it was still far from "sharpshooter" territory.
So, practicing to steady the reticle was a matter of life and death.
That was Han Ibi's current training.
And its results would show in the practical session starting tomorrow.
Instructor Dang Hyo-bi addressed the trainees.
"I have something to tell you all in advance."
The young men's eyes turned to him.
"The first test will involve hitting stationary targets. Darts and hidden weapons at three zhang distance. Bows at ten zhang."
Jo Tae-gyeong of the Ten Scholars Society raised his hand.
"Different standards by weapon—isn't that unfair?"
Dang Hyo-bi snorted.
"Fair? Hahaha. You gonna complain to the King of Hell after dying to the Demonic Cult? Unfair? I make the calls."
The room fell deathly silent at his firm words.
He continued.
"We'll select twelve people through the stationary target test first. Then verify ability on moving targets."
As murmurs rose, he added.
"Those who fail the first test..."
He scanned the youths.
"...will train with long-range weapons every evening after dinner for half a shichen until education ends."
Discontented voices erupted.
"Fine. If that's not enough, make it a full shichen daily."
Silence filled Hyungseol Hall like a blizzard.
Ami Sect's Wang Cheong-rin asked.
"What about those who pass the second test?"
Dang Hyo-bi glanced at her.
"They'll do combat simulation training."
Her eyes widened.
"Combat simulation? What's that?"
He smirked disdainfully.
"If you make it that far, I'll explain. If you pass, that is..."
The youths gathered in the wide clearing behind Hyeonseo Pavilion.
With it being outdoors, Dang Hyo-bi bellowed.
"Alright. The real combat moment is here. Out of concern, I'll say it again: choosing weapons is free. If you want to switch, now's your last chance. Anyone changing weapons?"
No response.
"No one?"
The youths replied in unison.
"No, sir."
"Good. Time constraints mean ten at a time. Group by your chosen weapon."
With Heo Son-dam and assistants' help, he divided them arbitrarily.
Most chose darts, then hidden weapons; few bows.
Han Ibi was in the third dart group.
Each got five darts, hidden weapons, or arrows.
The first two groups each had four passers.
Watching the targets, Han Ibi thought.
'Man... those targets look brutal. What is this, North Korean army training...?'
Yes.
What lay ahead wasn't a target board.
It was a life-sized human dummy.
Made of beast hide stuffed with firm straw, from the looks.
Two red-painted spots: head and heart.
Hit those for full five points.
Legs or abdomen: three points.
Elsewhere: one point.
Miss: zero.
Cutoff: fifteen points.
No idea how they set the scoring, but...
Anyway, Dang Baek-mun from the prior group got perfect twenty-five with hidden weapons, earning applause.
All straight to the heart...
No better spot for spreading poison.
Namgung Wu-hee of the Namgung Clan also passed with impressive twenty-three.
Unexpected, given their lack of hidden weapon expertise.
Even Dang Hyo-bi showed interest.
Now Han Ibi's turn to throw for passage.
He took deep breaths, stepped beyond the line on the ground.
To his right: Jeungseong's Guk In-rang.
Left: Kunlun's Ban Bang-geun.
Ban Bang-geun smirked arrogantly at Han Ibi.
"Let's see Qingcheng skill today."
Without even looking, he whipped his right arm.
Han Ibi was shocked, checking the target.
Thud. Right in the dummy's head.
"Five points!"
A young Tang Clan assistant shouted.
Ban Bang-geun chuckled.
"Why hasn't Young Master Zhongli started? Forgot the time limit?"
Then he spun, throwing another dart.
(Continued next time)