Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Training
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#045 Training
Southern Heaven Palace.
The main headquarters of the southern martial world and a mid-sized corporation of this era, boasting a fifth of the Nine Dragons Fortress's power.
What set them apart from other factions was that they were a state-owned enterprise, founded with the backing of the old Namo Kingdom, which once ruled the southern lands.
I guess it was a hobby for the successive kings of Namo, who loved martial arts and were masters in their own right.
I heard they did a lot of good things at first, like leading the defense against foreign invasions and being the first to step up and eliminate demonic masters whenever they appeared.
But one day—to be precise, the day the Namo Kingdom lost its war with the Empire and its capital was besieged.
The Southern Heaven Palace's attitude changed completely.
They betrayed their homeland and sided with the Empire.
Thanks to them, the Namo Kingdom collapsed from within and was utterly destroyed without even putting up a fight.
The problem didn't end there.
The Empire that conquered Namo also fell into decline and lost its control over the southern lands.
The emperor at the time, just as he had done with the Lord of Nine Dragons, bestowed a title upon the master of the Southern Heaven Palace and entrusted him with administrative authority over the southern region of Yunnan.
In other words, the entire southern region became the Southern Heaven Palace's world.
The Southern Heaven Palace then reigned as the hegemon of the south, growing by sucking the lifeblood of the tribal peoples.
Just like how ten thousand southern tribesmen were dragged into the Battle of Diancang.
And these southern tribes were the biggest obstacle to the Nine Dragons Fortress's conquest of the Southern Heaven Palace.
But if those same southern tribes have now rebelled against the Southern Heaven Palace...
It means this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Nine Dragons Fortress to conquer them.
It also means there's a ten-out-of-ten chance a war will break out.
‘Should I run for it?’
I considered it for a moment, but soon shook my head.
‘No. Finding a new job is a one-way ticket to failure.’
The money I've saved up isn't enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life.
In the end, I'd have to join another organization, which isn't a good option.
To get a job with a comparable salary, my only choice would be to join the Martial Emperor Fortress, a collective of sword fanatics.
‘The very thought is horrifying.’
In the end, there's only one answer.
Prepare to survive the war.
* * *
“Hmm…”
The first thing I did was organize my items.
I sat on the edge of my bed and inspected my belongings.
The first thing that caught my eye was the Dragon Scale Armor.
When I first got it, I thought it was completely useless.
When I found out it was a rare item, I was thrilled at the thought of selling it for a high price.
But if a war breaks out, that changes everything.
Forget selling it; I should be wearing it all day long.
‘This is as good as an extra life.’
The second item I checked was the Black Lotus Gauntlets.
“They're pretty damaged.”
They were torn and cracked in several places from the intense battles they'd been through.
If I kept using them like this, they would surely fall apart before long.
‘I need to get them repaired.’
I guess I'll have to take them to the blacksmith inside the fortress.
Lastly, the black robe.
It was the protective robe that Baek Mu-ha had put up as a prize at the Heavenly Dragon Society when he tried to humiliate me by suddenly starting a duel.
I hadn't gone to pick it up because I didn't want to run into his damn face, but with a war on the horizon, I couldn't afford to be picky.
I had to grab everything I could and figure out how to survive.
My impression of the robe I picked up was...
‘Not bad.’
I didn't know what kind of leather it was made from, but its defensive power was strong enough to block a sword without qi infused in it, and it was quite light, making it comfortable to wear.
The fact that it was a robe, covering a large area, was also a plus.
‘And this is just a third-class item? Just how good are the second and first-class ones?’
I guess the big earners are rich for a reason.
Thinking of the wealthy White Dragon Hall naturally brought to mind the Black Dragon Hall, which was gradually opening up.
‘I wonder how the Black Dragon Martial Hall is doing.’
They need to do well for me to get my dividends...
‘I suppose I'll have to call a shareholders' meeting.’
For an emergency management review, of course.
* * *
After spending a fortune to get the Black Lotus Gauntlets repaired, I stepped outside, clutching my aching heart.
‘Ugh! The repair fee is too expensive.’
At this rate, when will I ever achieve my dream of having three wives and four concubines?
Feeling frustrated, I considered going for a drink but decided against it.
With war imminent, I needed to check on my martial arts.
Training for the first time in almost two years.
A wave of reluctance washed over me.
‘No. The slightest difference could get me killed.’
My will to live led me to the training grounds.
And so, the training began.
*Thud.*
I stomped my foot and moved my arms and legs.
Each movement, extending a hand or bending a leg, was imbued with internal energy, creating sonic booms.
*Fwoosh. Fwoosh.*
The sand scattered across the training ground swirled around my body and shot into the air.
*Boom. Whoooosh.*
As I threw another punch, a tree in front of me shook, shedding its old leaves.
After training like that for about fifteen minutes...
“Hoo.”
I stopped my movements and caught my breath.
That was what's called one full cycle in meditation.
Despite it being just a single circulation, my body was overflowing with vitality.
At the same time, I could feel that my internal energy had increased slightly.
“It's been a while... *pant*... so it's tough... I'm dying.”
Just as I was about to grumble and sit down.
*Fwoosh.*
I felt a fiery killing intent right next to me.
*Swish.*
The moment I turned my head, I witnessed a hand slicing through the air toward me.
“Hup!”
I quickly executed the Three Yang Hands to parry the blow.
*Clang, clang, clang.*
After a few clashes, I barely managed to deflect the hand.
*Swoosh!*
A terrifying sonic boom erupted from the hand as it passed by my ear.
It was powerful enough to have blown my head clean off if it had connected.
There was only one person in the Outer Hall who possessed such formidable martial arts.
“...Hall Master?”
“You've improved a little.”
“Are you trying to kill a subordinate you haven't seen in ages?”
“I was just checking the martial arts of a subordinate I haven't seen in ages.”
“So, how was it?”
“I don't know what happened, but your internal energy has deepened. Your movements have gotten faster, too.”
Bukgung Baek's words made me momentarily furious.
That was right.
This man had ordered me to escort Lee Jeok-ha and then hadn't given a damn about me.
Even though I had submitted written reports on everything that had happened.
“...I see.”
I suppressed my rising anger and replied.
“You seem to have a complaint.”
“Not at all. How could a subordinate like me harbor any complaints against the great Hall Master? I'm just veeery well aware that if I die following orders, there's nothing to be done about it.”
“...Your words seem to have thorns.”
“Not at all. I need to train, so would you mind stepping aside?”
“As I recall, this is a training ground for everyone...”
“Then I'll go somewhere else.”
I was about to leave when Bukgung Baek's voice reached me.
“At your level, you won't gain anything by training alone.”
“Didn't you see earlier? When I went *swoosh!*, the heavens and earth were remade!”
“...I don't know about remaking the heavens and earth, but I thought I saw some sand move a little.”
“That's because you weren't looking closely. A wind blew and a tree broke.”
“Didn't the wind just blow on its own? The tree is fine.”
“Hah, to think that Hall Master Bukgung, the renowned Ten-Hand Heavenly Conqueror of Sichuan, could be so shortsighted. What are my martial arts? They are divine techniques created and bestowed by the Fortress Lord himself. Of course, they cannot be perceived by the eyes of a mere mortal.”
“Do you want to die?”
“...No.”
Bukgung Baek chuckled and continued.
“I'll help you.”
“With my training?”
“Yes. Wouldn't that be better than doing it alone?”
It was an obvious statement.
No matter how vast the world, those who reached the peak, the limit of human potential, numbered less than a thousand.
Those who stepped into the realm of the transcendent, called superhumans, numbered less than a hundred.
And those who reached the state of transformation, where one's martial power touched the heavens, numbered less than ten.
In such a world, receiving guidance from a transcendent master was a fortuitous opportunity that money couldn't buy.
To make a comparison, it would be like getting MMA lessons from a fighter ranked 7th in the UFC.
And for free!
What was there to think about?
“Hall Master, I will never forget your grace until the day I die!”
Of course I had to accept.
“Your attitude seems different from before.”
“How could that be? This subordinate has never, not for a single moment, forgotten his respect for the Hall Master.”
“...Alright. Then let's begin the training.”
I went and stood before Bukgung Baek, ready to attend the 'Introduction to Martial Arts' lecture from the star instructor himself.
And then.
*Fwoooosh.*
His hand, shrouded in a black aura, lunged at me.
“...!”
A strike with a different feel from before.
There was no time to think. No, my body reacted first to the thick killing intent.
*Thump.*
I instinctively slammed my foot down, using the repulsive force to execute the War King Step and barely escape his attack range, but...
“It's not over yet.”
His attack hadn't ended.
*BOOM!*
A kick flew at me with a sound like an 81mm mortar shell exploding.
I quickly rolled to get out of the kick's path.
Who cares if it looks a little pathetic?
My head was about to be blown off.
After barely dodging, I looked up to see Bukgung Baek with a strange smile on his face.
“Are you insane?”
“Only real combat can create a master.”
“Who came up with that kind of dogshit theory?”
We entered the modern martial arts era ages ago, yet he's still spouting this spiritual nonsense.
Whoever it was, they must have been a real idiot.
“My father.”
Oh, crap. I’ve put my foot in my mouth.
“When I said dogshit, I meant a legendary dog, like a guardian lion... ah, for fuck’s sake!”
*Swish.*
As Bukgung Baek's hand flew at me again, I immediately used the War King Step to get away.
*Thump.*
He also stomped his foot and caught up to me.
“Hah!”
The War King Step, faster than any other footwork over short distances, had been caught.
His movement technique was astonishing.
If I stood still, I'd surely be beaten to a pulp.
To shake Bukgung Baek, I threw a LITE version of the Explosive Death Force into the air.
*Rumble, BOOM!*
The force exploded with a sound that made me want to yell "frag out!"
I bought a moment of time and tried to use the War King Step again, but...
*Crackle.*
With a wave of Bukgung Baek's hand, the exploding force was instantly neutralized.
And.
*Thwack.*
His hand touched my chest.
“...!”
*KABOOM!*
An explosion occurred the moment I deployed my protective qi, and my body flew like an ICBM.
*CRASH. Ruumble.*
I shot straight through a wall, rolled three times, and finally came to a stop.
“*Cough.*”
I managed to get up and look around. It was the First Squad's pavilion.
The members of the First Squad rushed out at the sudden commotion.
“Sq-Squad Leader!”
“What's going on all of a sudden!”
“Everyone, grab your weapons!”
“It's an attack!”
It was the most humiliating experience of my life.
“Who was it? I'll tear them to pieces.”
Woo Je-jun, who had managed the First Squad splendidly in my absence, drew his straight sword and stood beside me.
“...That guy over there.”
*Step. Step.*
I pointed my finger at Bukgung Baek, who was slowly walking over, and Woo Je-jun discreetly backed away.
“Ahem, you were sparring. I have some work to catch up on, so if you'll excuse me.”
I glared at him, overcome by a sense of betrayal.
But punishing the traitor could wait.
For now, I got to my feet, determined to land a hit on the approaching Bukgung Baek.
“Our operating budget is already tight, and now you've broken a wall. Vice Hall Master Ga Rip will be thrilled.”
“I didn't break it."
"...?"
"You broke it with your back.”
As expected, this guy isn't normal either, I thought.
*Thump.*
I stomped my foot and charged toward him.
As expected, Bukgung Baek's hand flew at me.
There was no point in trying to parry it.
The moment I blocked it, I'd be sent flying.
“Hup!”
A momentary burst of speed.
It was to make him miss his target and prevent him from attacking.
*Fweee!*
With a chilling sonic boom, I slipped past Bukgung Baek's hand.
“Die, you son of a bitch!”
I unleashed the Explosive Death Force with all my might.
My fist, infused with even more internal energy than when I fought Mak Ju-gwang, was about to slam into his abdomen, but...
*Snatch.*
It was caught so easily.
“Instead of using your qi as it is, you create a force and detonate it to gain power... Impressive.”
Then, he raised his arm and waved his hand.
*Kra-koom.*
The force that had been trapped in his hand dispersed into the air with an explosive sound.
What? Am I dreaming?
As I rubbed my eyes at the surreal scene, Bukgung Baek spoke with a faint smile.
“There's room for improvement. I'll help with your training for a while.”
“No, that's okay.”
“There's no need to refuse. You getting stronger is a good thing for the Outer Hall as a whole.”
“But you're already so busy...”
“As it happens, I have nothing to do. This is perfect.”
Looking at Bukgung Baek's expression, which seemed to say he'd found a fun new toy, I thought.
I think I'm in deep trouble.