Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Translator: Penny
Chapter 32
My Beginnings (3)
First, I recruited twenty Sword Guard members.
Recently, positive rumors had been circulating about the Byeok Clan Sword School, so over a hundred people gathered when they heard about the recruitment. Since I made it clear that this was for the Minor Sword Guard I was running, the turnout was smaller than the last Sword Guard recruitment.
Still, the number far exceeded my expectations. Many who had been rejected during the previous recruitment returned, along with plenty of new faces.
Gwangdu grew excited as he surveyed the martial artists gathered in the rear garden.
"Young Master! It looks like over a hundred people have come!"
The age range was diverse, and surprisingly, quite a few women were present.
"Will you be selecting women too?"
"If they're capable."
"Oh! Let's pick them all! Let's recruit all the women!"
"You're that fond of women?"
"Aren't they great? It's better than being surrounded by nothing but men."
My reason for wanting to recruit women isn't what you think. Running the Martial Arts Alliance has made me keenly aware of the importance of female martial artists. When conducting critical operations, their ability to disguise themselves in various roles—as married couples, mother-daughter pairs, or even siblings—proves invaluable.
In short, investing in them is worthwhile in many ways. Of course, we'll need to evaluate them fairly and select only those who demonstrate genuine skill.
"Alright, let's begin."
One by one, the candidates stepped forward to demonstrate their Forms.
We skipped the sparring matches. A single glance at how they wielded their weapons was enough to gauge their skill level.
From the applicants, we initially selected forty promising candidates.
Each of these forty underwent individual interviews.
While a few words can hardly reveal a person's true nature, my extensive experience meeting people allowed me to form a reasonable assessment.
"Why do you wish to join the Sword Guard?"
The answers varied widely, from the blunt "to earn money" to the aspirational "to become a renowned martial artist" and the sentimental "because I respect my father."
In truth, I paid little attention to the specific answers themselves.
I focused on whether the person was telling the truth. Liars were easy to spot, and even if their words weren't outright lies, answers given simply for the sake of answering were equally obvious.
I chose those who spoke from the heart over those who were merely eloquent. Even highly skilled candidates with overly abrasive personalities were rejected.
As I had told Gwangdu earlier, the most crucial quality for a Sword Guard member was a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging could only develop when members could get along well with one another.
I would continue to expand the Sword Guard. Those who excelled among these recruits would eventually become Captains and Squad Leaders. My vision extended beyond a single Sword Guard; I planned to build ten, even twenty, such units in the future.
That afternoon, I stood before the twenty Sword Guard members who had passed the final selection. Eighteen were men, and two were women.
I made no attempt to conceal my aura. Instead, I projected an even more imposing one. As this was our first meeting in a superior-subordinate relationship, I saw no need to hide my presence.
In a Martial Arts organization, a good leader isn't necessarily a kind-hearted one. A good leader is skilled, composed, and capable of protecting their subordinates.
"I know you've heard various rumors about me," I said.
The rumors likely ranged from me being a complete scoundrel to having turned over a new leaf.
"There's only one thing I want to say: forget everything you've heard. From now on, judge me based on what you see and experience for yourselves."
"Yes, understood!" The Sword Guard members' voices rang out powerfully. They had already sensed that my aura contradicted the rumors.
I was the person with the most subordinates in the Martial Arts World.
Yet this was my first time facing lower-ranking martial artists like this. Having risen directly from the Foremost Person Under Heaven to Alliance Leader, I had never had to lead such a group before.
Can I truly lead them well? My heart pounded with anticipation.
Just as teaching Gwangdu had been my first experience as an instructor, leading these subordinates directly was also a first for me.
"I will never forget this day."
To them, it might have sounded like a routine remark, but it was my sincere vow.
I would make this day be remembered as the beginning of history.
"Now, let's select the Squad Leaders."
Everyone tensed. Their entire lives would change depending on who became their Squad Leader.
I walked toward a young man standing among the assembled group.
"Gwanhwi."
"Yes!"
He was someone I had been keeping an eye on.
His name was Gwanhwi, and he was twenty-three years old. He had been an instructor at a martial arts school before volunteering, and his foundation in martial arts was solid.
What caught my attention was his answer during the interview.
"Why do you want to join the Sword Guard?"
"I want to succeed as a Martial Artist."
"Do you think joining our Sword Guard will guarantee your success?"
"May I speak frankly?"
"By all means."
"I've heard rumors that Captain Herb has changed—from a complete mess to a decent person. I want to learn his secret. If I can change like that, I believe I'll be able to succeed in the future."
His words were as bold as they were confident.
Of course, it wasn't just this answer. For a twenty-three-year-old, his martial arts foundation was remarkably solid, and he answered all other questions logically and concisely. Moreover, he spoke only when necessary, avoiding unnecessary chatter.
"From now on, you will be the Squad Leader of our Minor Sword Guard. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Yes! Please entrust it to me."
Gwanhwi answered without hesitation.
"Good! That's all for today."
I led them to their quarters and assigned them rooms. For now, there was ample space. During the Byeok Clan Sword School's peak, it had housed far more people.
As I left the quarters, Gwangdu was waiting outside.
"What are your thoughts?"
What words were needed?
"Let's have a drink."
Just as my father and Seo Jung had done, I drank late into the night with Gwangdu.
It was a promising start.
The next day, full-fledged Sword Guard training began.
Thanks to Seo Jung's advice, I was able to devise a proper training plan.
Each Sword Guard member possessed their own martial arts techniques. My role was simply to guide them to unleash the full potential of their skills.
I established clear rewards and punishments, the most crucial elements in governing an organization.
Those who achieved excellent results in training received praise and rewards. I personally awarded cash prizes and even purchased high-quality weapons and armor from the Iron Workshop as prizes.
Conversely, those who fell behind faced penalties.
However, these punishments were never humiliating. They remained within reasonable limits that everyone could accept, and they were designed to motivate individual improvement.
After establishing these clear principles and applying them consistently, the atmosphere among the Sword Guard members improved significantly.
In my experience, the most crucial thing in any organization is principle. Subordinates don't struggle because the work is hard; they struggle because of superiors who lack principle and constantly change their minds.
Of course, while training them, I never neglected my own training.
I never forgot:
The most important thing was me.
I knew better than anyone that the moment I fell, everything would collapse in an instant.
No matter how well I trained the Sword Guard, it would all be for naught if I died.
Just consider the enemies I've faced.
No matter how elite and well-trained their forces were, once I beheaded their leader, they crumbled easily. After all, even the most ferocious beasts, once their heads are severed, can only thrash wildly before dying.
Thus, my path to strength serves not only my own ambition but also the well-being of all.
"How do you maintain such incredible stamina?" Gwanhwi asked, panting heavily after a grueling training session.
"You'd have the same stamina if you ran, rolled, and trained for six hours every dawn," I replied.
"Six hours of stamina training every day?"
"To achieve any great success, there must be a period where one buries effort in time."
"Buries effort in time? What do you mean?"
"It means there must be a time when you become obsessed with one thing, focusing all your energy on it. A time you can later look back on and say, 'I truly worked hard back then.' You said you wanted to become a successful martial artist, didn't you? Then bury your effort in time. The deeper you bury it, the greater your future success will be."
"Rock will achieve even greater success."
Gwanhwi's eyes sparkled. I knew he would be running from dawn tomorrow.
"Thank you for your guidance," he said, bowing deeply before sprinting off.
As I watched Gwanhwi with a satisfied expression, Gwangdu, who had slipped up beside me unnoticed, spoke up quietly.
"Aren't you being a bit too friendly?"
"What do you mean?"
"You never said anything like that to me earlier."
"Did I?"
Gwangdu looked incredulous.
"That's really unfair!"
"Jealous?"
Gwangdu flinched, his expression faltering.
"Jealous? I'm a man! A real man who's done it all!"
"Don't worry. He's not funny, is he?"
Gwangdu's face only hardened further.
"If that's not funny, then I..."
I didn't answer, turning and walking away. Even without looking back, I could imagine Gwangdu's expression.
"Young Master, you've changed!"
I intended to pit Gwangdu against Gwanhwi in a competition.
As people grow closer, they tend to lose the tension in their relationship. Eventually, this leads to mistakes. I believe it's best to maintain a certain level of tension, even with those closest to you.
Perhaps competing with Gwanhwi would help Gwangdu maintain that tension.
This would push Gwangdu to improve himself, and in turn, strengthen our relationship.
Sure enough, the very next day, Gwanhwi began his dawn training.
The Sword Guard's regular training was already grueling, making personal practice even more challenging.
But Gwanhwi was no ordinary man.
He possessed a strong will and a fierce determination, coupled with an ambition to excel as Squad Leader.
Before heading out for dawn training, he quietly slipped into the Rear Garden where Gwangdu was practicing.
His suspicions were confirmed.
Gwangdu was already up at dawn, diligently training.
A smile crept across his face.
This will be good for both of them.
Yes, go mad. Only by going mad can you achieve anything.
Three days after Gwanhwi began his personal training, one of the Sword Guard members joined him for dawn training. Two days later, another member followed suit.
Thanks to Gwanhwi, a diligent atmosphere had taken root within the Sword Guard.
The Sword Guard was functioning even better than I had hoped.
The problem, however, lay with me. I currently possessed only about 3,500 nyang.
Considering the monthly stipends for twenty Sword Guard members and other operational expenses, I couldn't afford to relax.
As I pondered how to earn money, Chief Steward Jong paid me a visit.
Though he clearly had something specific to say, he began with irrelevant remarks.
"Are you managing the Sword Guard properly? You're not wasting money on unnecessary things, are you?"
"How could I be doing well? I've never managed money properly before."
"I knew it."
Chief Steward Jong clicked his tongue repeatedly, but his attitude was noticeably softer than before.
"Supporting others is harder than you think."
"It's true, now that I've tried it myself."
Chief Steward Jong shared various stories, grumbling and nagging as if scolding, yet each word was a piece of invaluable advice.
Just as I was about to stand up, he suddenly blurted out, as if remembering something.
"You asked me before, didn't you? If I knew any decent young fellows."
This was what I had mentioned to him when I went to inquire about the Shandong Merchant Guild.
"Do you still need someone?"
It was clear that this was the real reason he had come.
"Of course."
"There's one suitable fellow, but..."
"Who is he?"
"He's just a useless fellow who can barely do arithmetic."
That couldn't be true. If Chief Steward Jong had come all the way here to introduce him personally, he must be more than that.
"Go to Chuseong and find Gong Suchan."
Chuseong was located south of Qufu, not too far away.
"Thank you."
Chief Steward Jong waved dismissively and left, as if it were nothing.
"Don't waste your money!"
The next day, I left home early with Gwangdu.
"If I can't train today and Squad Leader Gwan catches up to me, it'll all be your fault, Young Master!"
"Are you worried?"
"Of course I am! I'm about to be discarded like a rabbit after the hunt!"
"Ha ha."
"You should be denying it, not laughing!"
Don't worry, you won't be caught up.
The South Sea Seven Forms that Gwangdu had learned were far superior to the martial arts practiced by ordinary martial artists. He just hadn't realized it yet because he hadn't sparred with anyone. Gwangdu was already stronger than all the Sword Guard members gathered for this mission.
Before departing for Chuseong, I bought Gwangdu two sets of martial attire.
"I'm buying these because you've been training so diligently lately."
Gwangdu grinned widely.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Even as he jumped up and down with joy, he carefully chose plain martial attire in a lighter shade than mine, ensuring his wouldn't stand out more than mine.
"I'm too precious about this outfit to wear it. I'll just hang it up in my room!"
"You like it that much?"
"This is the first time anyone's ever given me clothes as a gift."
A sudden surge of emotion welled up in my chest, but I kept it hidden. This was Gwangdu's first time drinking with me, his first time sharing a room with me, and his first time receiving a gift of clothing from me.
Yes, let's do all the things you've never experienced together.
I'll make sure you experience everything.
"By the way, who are we meeting?"
"Someone who might be responsible for our finances in the future."
"Whoa! They must be really important!"
Yes, they are important.
I wondered what kind of person Chief Steward Jong had recommended.
With that, Gwangdu and I arrived in Chuseong.
After asking around, we finally found Gong Suchan's house.
The place turned out to be a small, dilapidated thatched-roof hut.