Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Translator: Penny
Chapter 29
On the Threshold of Spring (4)
In the early hours, with the moon's lingering glow still visible, I was running along the lakeshore.
My daily physical training, without a single day missed, was now yielding tangible results.
Anyone could see the difference in my physique, and the actual changes were even more profound.
The reason people fail in physical training is their inability to overcome critical junctures.
These junctures arise repeatedly.
Throughout my past life, I faced numerous critical junctures in my martial arts training.
There were times when the hardship was so overwhelming that I wanted to abandon everything. Looking back now, I wonder how I ever endured those moments.
While some junctures arise from sheer exhaustion, others stem from different challenges.
Overwhelmed by lethargy and apathy, I lost all motivation to do anything. I wished there was a reason, but everything just felt tedious and loathsome. This Heart Demon was far more difficult to overcome than mere physical exhaustion.
Having weathered countless trials before, the recent training felt effortless. In fact, I eagerly anticipated each session.
I knew Byeok Ridan would face his own trials, but I was confident he would overcome them.
I stopped running and gazed at the lake. The faint morning mist added an air of mystery to the scene.
Channeling Internal Force into my kick, I sent a small log lying by the shore flying into the lake with a splash.
Thud.
The log soared through the air and landed in the water.
I immediately launched myself toward it.
Landing lightly on the log, I sprang into the air. In mid-air, I swung my sword downward.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Splash!
The water parted. Though it quickly rejoined, a keen observer would have noticed the water splitting in a tilted cross shape—the First Form, Instantaneous Mark.
Peeeeeeeeeeeee!
Whirr! Whirr! Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!
This time, the water swirled into a vortex, forming a whirlpool—the Second Form, True Life Mark, had been unleashed.
Despite executing the First and Second Forms in rapid succession, I remained suspended in mid-air.
Before I could fall, the Third Form, Limitless Mark, erupted.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A pillar of water surged upward like a Heaven-Shaking Thunder exploding.
The Limitless Mark was a technique capable of obliterating an entire area.
Thwack!
I kicked off the log and soared back into the air.
I unleashed three consecutive Forms, exhausting all twenty years of my internal energy.
The purpose of this relentless practice was singular: to achieve mastery. The Forms had to flow as naturally as breathing, as effortless as the air filling one's lungs.
They had to become instinctive, not conscious.
This is why the Forms of true masters move faster than thought.
After expending all my internal energy, I stepped onto the log.
Losing my balance would mean plunging into the frigid water.
But I maintained perfect equilibrium. Standing there, I began circulating Qi and regulating my breathing. In any posture, in any situation, I could circulate Qi and regulate my breathing.
After completing the First Cycle of True Qi circulation, one-third of my internal energy had been restored. By the Second Cycle, half was recovered, and by the Third Cycle, two-thirds. After finishing the Fourth Cycle, my twenty years of accumulated internal energy was fully restored.
Restoring internal energy wasn't difficult. The real challenge lay in increasing its total capacity.
To achieve this, I continued my rigorous training regimen without fail.
Growing my internal energy nine times faster than ordinary practitioners, it increased noticeably each day.
In addition, I dedicated significant time daily to physical conditioning. Just as rapidly as my internal energy accumulated, my body grew stronger and more resilient.
I needed to become even stronger.
After completing my training, I returned home.
As I washed up and returned to my room, Gwangdu was waiting for me.
"I heard Master Song and Miss Song came yesterday?"
"That's right."
"Did you have a drink with Miss Song alone?"
"No. We parted ways immediately."
Gwangdu looked disappointed.
"You should have at least had a drink with her. Catch up on old times. You earned so many points this time too."
"I didn't earn those points for her."
"Same difference. Ah, it seems it's time for Young Master to receive some special training. I'll teach you how to handle women!"
"Before the training, let's verify something first. Have you ever held a woman's hand?"
Gwangdu flinched at my sudden question.
"Isn't that a rather insulting remark?"
"What about kissing? Not counting anything before you were ten."
Gwangdu flinched again.
"Of course I've kissed! I'm quite good at it, you know... Ugh, do I really have to say this? If I set my mind to it, women just... ugh..."
This kid's a virgin!
I smirked meaningfully, and Gwangdu shook his head vehemently, as if to deny it absolutely.
Laughing, I flung the window wide open.
The maidservants passing by wore lighter clothing, and spring grasses were beginning to sprout in the garden. The biting cold that had gripped the land had finally begun to loosen its grip.
"Looks like spring's finally on its way."
"...No, it's not. It's really not."
"Hahaha."
The long winter had passed, and spring had already arrived, stepping boldly into the scene.
The Byeok Clan Sword School was brimming with renewed vitality.
The resolution of their debt issues had finally given them room to breathe.
Jeong Yeo, the Yang Association's new Association Leader, had persuaded his father that the debt could not be collected. In the end, his father accepted this argument, agreeing that the Former Association Leader should pay the price for attempting to annihilate the Byeok Clan Sword School.
I was the Byeok Clan Sword School's only weakness, and now that weakness was gone.
As rumors spread that Byeok Ridan had regained his senses and that his debts had been settled, everything began to fall into place.
New opportunities and support from various quarters started to improve the school's situation.
We also recruited additional Sword Guard members.
With the funds I had provided last time, we had already added twenty new Sword Guard members. This time, we recruited thirty more.
I heard that over two hundred applicants had gathered for the thirty positions, a testament to the martial artists' respect for Father and Seo Jung.
On the day of the Sword Guard recruitment, I learned that Father and Seo Jung had stayed up all night drinking. It had been a long time since they'd done that, which must have meant they were deeply moved.
Mother, as always, couldn't stop bragging about her children.
The rumor that I had turned over a new leaf was all thanks to my mother. Everyone I met talked about my transformation and praised me for it. She had willingly played the fool for my sake.
I was delighted.
It pleased me that my reincarnation had given someone new meaning and hope.
Gwangdu was completely absorbed in his martial arts training.
Having started late, he seemed to lose track of time, spending nearly all his waking hours practicing.
"Let's spar today," I said.
Gwangdu was startled by the word "spar."
"Why suddenly? Are you upset about something lately?"
"Heh heh heh."
"Don't laugh like that!"
"Now, draw your sword."
Gwangdu was shocked.
"You mean with real swords?"
"What, you thought we'd use wooden ones?"
"Shouldn't we?"
I fixed him with a serious gaze.
"If you promise never to draw that sword outside these walls, then yes, we can."
Gwangdu understood the meaning of my words. It was a necessary step to becoming a true Martial Artist.
In these peaceful times, opportunities for real combat were rare.
Even in ordinary sects and martial arts schools, real-sword spars were forbidden except for those who had trained for many years. Mistakes were a concern, but the greater risk was that participants might become too excited and harm their opponents. This made practical combat experience all the more crucial.
Gwangdu's hand trembled as he drew his sword.
"I'm scared, Young Master."
"Of course you're scared. You've drawn a sword and pointed it at another person. It's natural to be afraid."
"Yes!"
"But you can't let fear make you tremble."
I didn't know how Gwangdu would take it, but every word I spoke contained insights into martial arts that I had gained through experience.
While teaching Gwangdu, I was the one who truly learned and gained the most.
Relaying the words forced me to reexamine their meaning.
Take the phrase I just spoke, for example:
When I hold a sword, I feel a sense of comfort and relief.
But now, I realize it's time to reflect on the trembling I felt the first time I drew my sword and pointed it at a person. My bokgi (復棋, "replaying the game") is an effort to forge a path different from the one I've walked before.
"I'm afraid you'll get hurt, Young Master."
"Don't worry. Think of me as your enemy and attack with everything you've got."
"Yes!"
Gwangdu unleashed the First Form, but he held back, afraid of harming me.
"Properly! Keep your eyes open!"
Gwangdu mustered his strength and swung his blade again.
I deliberately countered with just enough force to meet his strike, creating a clash.
It was to give him the most realistic sense of actual combat.
Clang! Clang clang clang!
After several clashes of sword and saber, Gwangdu's movements immediately crumbled. He closed his eyes.
"Open your eyes! Closing them means death! Focus on your stance!"
"Yes!"
Gwangdu gritted his teeth and unleashed another Form.
Again, the sword and saber clashed, producing a crisp, ringing sound.
Six Forms passed in this manner.
As I deflected the final Form, I sent my sword flying straight toward Gwangdu's face.
"Huh!"
The razor-sharp blade of my sword halted just inches from Gwangdu's nose.
"This is what it truly feels like to fight."
"...Yes, Young Master," Gwangdu's voice trembled. This first real combat experience would undoubtedly become an unforgettable moment for him.
As I retrieved my sword, Gwangdu collapsed back into his seat.
I sat down beside him.
"Gwangdu."
"Yes?"
"If you're scared, you can stop learning. There's no need to push yourself."
A moment of silence passed before Gwangdu calmly voiced his thoughts.
"Young Master, I want to see this through to the end. I enjoy learning martial arts. I was terrified earlier, but part of me was also thrilled. I was happy to be fighting."
It was the first time in a long while I'd seen Gwangdu so serious.
If giving up easily is a habit, then refusing to give up must be a talent.
"Then you should see it through to the end."
"Yes. I will. Young Master, you won't abandon me, will you?"
"We'll see how you do."
"You're doing that again."
Just then,
Drip, drip, drip.
"Huh?"
A single raindrop fell from the sky, quickly followed by a downpour.
"It's raining! Spring rain!" Gwangdu exclaimed, gazing up at the sky with a look of pure joy. "I guess spring is finally here."
Standing side by side in the rain, I felt an inexplicable sense of happiness. I hadn't felt anything when the first snow fell, yet this spring rain stirred my heart. I found myself eagerly anticipating spring, wondering what the future held.
"Yes, spring has truly arrived."
A few days later, carried on the spring breeze, news arrived:
"The new Alliance Leader has been announced!"
The news we had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Who is it?"
"The Heavenly Blade Gate Sect Leader has been chosen as the new Alliance Leader."
"What?!"
I was utterly stunned. In all my past lives, I couldn't recall ever being so shocked.
"Nonsense!" I roared, startling Gwangdu.
"Why?"
Why? Because it's Ma Bonggi. I swear I never once considered him for the position of new Alliance Leader.
Ma Bonggi is the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Blade Gate, the same man who once disguised himself as Ma Yeongchung. He's notorious for his complicated—no, downright promiscuous—relationships with women.
If his problems were limited to women, it might be one thing. But he perfectly embodies the saying, "See one, know ten."
He's greedy for money and power, with a sinister and cruel nature.
That man has become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader? He's supposed to succeed me?
"Are you sure you heard correctly?"
"Yes, sir. The entire marketplace is buzzing with the news."
Gal Saryang would never have chosen Ma Bonggi. Nor could he have failed to prevent Ma Bonggi's selection.
I stared toward the Martial Arts Alliance in the distance.
"Something's gone terribly wrong."