Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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"Huff... Hah."
I let out a shallow breath.
'How many times has it been now?'
I couldn't remember clearly. I was sure I'd counted up to eight thousand, but it wouldn't come to mind anymore. I knew I just needed ninety-two thousand more, but the moment I thought about it, my mind felt like it would crumble, so I forcibly pushed the thought away.
At my side, Instructor Yun Gwang watched me with the eyes of a hawk. He struck my calf with a wooden sword and shouted.
"Get it together! Your footwork's off."
"......!!"
I felt like I was about to collapse. My body recovered instantly thanks to my near-infinite internal energy, but my mental strength was nearly depleted. And that made sense—I'd been executing Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship nonstop for three days and nights without a single break. I'd never imagined starting with training this brutal.
'I want to rest.'
I'm sleepy. My stamina shouldn't be depleting at all, yet I kept dozing off. If I could just stop this madness and lie down for a bit to recover, I'd be happy. As I staggered, Instructor Yun Gwang sneered.
"I heard you were a new instructor, but you're just here to get kicked out, huh? Hahaha."
"What did you say...?"
"I've been an instructor for years, but I've never seen training this insane. Just give up already."
Instructor Yun Gwang was apparently a renowned first-class expert from around Guanzhong. But at a young age, he'd ventured out and suddenly lost to Lee Gwang. Impressed by him, he'd given up all his Jianghu activities to become an instructor in the Thunder God Style. Having been a prominent expert, his speech carried arrogance and frivolity.
'But that guy's skills are the real deal...'
I swallowed a groan inwardly.
The two instructors upholding the Azure Dragon Martial Hall alongside Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong—Yun Gwang and Ji Pyeong. What they had in common was that they were originally first-class experts and later-generation prodigies from Guanzhong, and as Thunder God Style instructors, they were exceptionally strong. From an outsider's view, they were at the entry level of peak expert.
Even I now had no guarantee of taking down Yun Gwang in a hundred breaths. I gritted my teeth.
"I'm not giving up! Shut up and watch."
"Hmph, you've got some spirit for a kid. Fine, keep going."
Yun Gwang smirked and resumed monitoring my form. Jin So-cheong, Yun Gwang, and Ji Pyeong would smack me with wooden swords the instant my 'form' was even slightly off. They must have been ordered to do so by Lee Gwang.
Shiiik
I rallied my will again and pushed on to ten thousand.
"Switch. Ji Pyeong."
"Mm."
By then, the third day was ending, and Yun Gwang switched with Instructor Ji Pyeong. Unlike the somewhat flippant Yun Gwang, Ji Pyeong was a steadfast man who looked like a dull ox. He simply watched me quietly with calm eyes, showing no sign of speaking.
Thwack
"Urk."
Ji Pyeong watched in silence, then struck whenever my form slipped. Even though I quickly shielded myself with internal energy, the pain was intense, leaving me stunned. A normal adult man would die from a single such blow.
'Is this bastard trying to kill me?'
But Ji Pyeong, with his ox-like steadfast face, was unreadable. I had to endure even harder than before. My hands felt blistered from swinging the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship so much, but I bore it and kept slashing.
My mind felt like it was turning white. This was truly the limit. I just wanted to collapse and sleep. No, even without sleeping, just lie down for a moment. My body was screaming its limits. I couldn't even remember how many times anymore. At this point, death seemed better.
That's when Ji Pyeong spoke.
"If you want to quit, say so anytime."
"......?"
"Ten万 times is impossible. At this rate, your ligaments will snap or your muscles will tear completely, and you won't be able to live as a martial artist. Enough."
It was the first time I'd seen the taciturn Ji Pyeong speak so much. But I soon realized it was his genuine concern. To him, this training was just shortening a martial artist's life with no benefit, so he pitied me and advised accordingly. My mind cleared in a flash, and I replied.
"I'm doing it!"
"...Fine. Then continue."
Ji Pyeong shut his mouth again and monitored me.
Even as my mind teetered on the edge, my body moved on its own, and stray thoughts gradually faded. Once the hardship surpassed a certain point, it was like my head was floating— no thoughts at all.
Soon Ji Pyeong's shift ended, and in the dead of night, Jin So-cheong took over. Seeing me standing in a pool of sweat, he said.
"Wait a moment."
Splash!
He suddenly scooped cold water from a bucket and doused me. As I stared at him in bewilderment, Jin So-cheong said flatly.
"How many times have you done it now?"
"About twenty-six thousand..."
"You're too slow. If you don't go faster, you'll die from this training, Junior Brother."
"What...?"
Jin So-cheong tore open some dried rations he'd brought and said with a hum.
"Master has his reasons for this training. But it's half a gamble. He believes in your potential, believes you'll overcome it, and is betting on you to advance a step. So trust without doubt."
"I don't care about that. I decided to do it, so I'll finish."
"Remember this. The key to this training is 'precise and fast.'"
Jin So-cheong seemed to have given me a hint.
'Has Jin So-cheong done this training before?'
A horrifying thought, but I shook my head. If so, he wasn't human but an incarnation born for martial arts. Even with near-infinite internal energy endlessly recovering my stamina, it was this grueling—how could a normal human do it?
But I decided to take his advice. To execute Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship precisely and quickly, I focused harder. My concentration already far exceeded my limits, yet it felt like bugs crawled in my brain.
My vision blacked out briefly.
I'd passed out from exhaustion. I snapped back and swung the wooden sword again.
By thirty-five thousand, the fourth day was nearly over.
Now I was so drained I could barely distinguish who was watching. I just sensed a black shadow yelling and striking me. My eyes fluttered, forms blurred, but I kept going.
"Hey, snap out of it!"
Splash!
Yun Gwang doused me with cold water. I'd apparently stood there, mind blank for a moment. Hit by the chill, I mechanically swung again. I heard Yun Gwang mutter in disbelief.
"Crazy bastard... Keeps going just because he's told to? Insane..."
Am I insane?
I repeated his words and kept swinging. The sword path of Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship faded, and my hand felt like a single sword. In that strange sensation, I briefly recalled the past.
Death. Slaughter. Defeat. Helplessness.
I'd felt them too much over decades.
And Mang Ryang died.
Because of my foolish choice, because I was powerless.
If I stay weak, it'll repeat.
'I'm weak.'
I'd never even pondered why. Born in a congenital weak position. Decades of being robbed and crushed in a hopeless life. I'd lived dominated by helplessness.
So I endure.
I won't let go.
I've lived the easy, rotting life enough to be sick of it. And each time, I felt my limits. Realized the harsh truth: you gain nothing without sacrificing something of yourself.
The only thing I could afford to give up now was sloth.
If I quit midway, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang would tire of me and abandon me again. Then my vow to Mang Ryang would be empty, and I'd spin my wheels in stagnation, living indifferently as before.
I hate that. I won't let go.
Now I must grasp.
Even staking my life desperately.
Thus entered the fifth day. On the fifth, Ji Pyeong came and looked worried. For that stone-faced man's face to show such expression, I must have looked pitiful. But too numb to care, I just counted inwardly.
'55,321... 55,322...'
Exactly halfway.
'Halfway...? Only half?'
My resolve nearly broke. After this hell, still double again? Do it all once more? Unthinkable for a human. But I gritted and endured.
No reasons left to endure.
Just endure.
My hand sprouted a sword. Time slowed gradually, my body syncing. Entranced by the glowing sword tip in darkness, I passed the 55,623rd execution of Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship.
'I won't give up.
Won't give up.
Absolutely won't give up.'
Muttering like a mantra.
Because I...
"Master. This seems insane."
On the morning of the eleventh day, Jin So-cheong finally voiced his opinion.
Triple Excellence Lee Gwang, eating breakfast at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, glanced at him. His prized disciple Jin So-cheong's face was stiff, chopsticks still.
Lee Gwang, munching stir-fried veggies, said.
"It's insane, sure. But why?"
"That kid will die."
Jin So-cheong said wearily.
Indeed.
By common sense, Baek Woong would die soon. A normal human would collapse from exhaustion, get tetanus or bruises from blows, or die from dehydration. Or muscles and ligaments would tear, crippling him forever.
Truthfully, Jin So-cheong trusted his master's method. Thought there was reason behind the mad ten万 swings. But as shifts passed, it felt wrong. He'd clearly seen Baek Woong's face deteriorating in real-time amid the mindless repetition.
Triple Excellence Lee Gwang, savoring breakfast, said.
"He has to die. Otherwise, no point."
"What?!"
"Baek Woong has desperation. And I realized its cause is lack of talent. Inexplicable how he's mastered Thunder God Style to that degree at his age, but he desperately lacks the wit to comprehend and embody supreme martial arts."
"......!!"
"Probably reached that level despite lacking wit due to incomprehensibly vast internal energy. But that's poison, so I must kill it before worse habits form. The sooner, the better."
Kill it.
Understanding, Jin So-cheong said in a trembling voice.
"You're forcing him into self-forgetfulness?"
"If not killed that way, he'll stagnate there forever."
Jin So-cheong crossed his arms.
"Plus, the kid has something suspicious. Through this training, I want to test his will. Whether, despite that suspicion, he can be accepted as Thunder God Style heir."
"But... but that's too..."
"Enough. If you're that worried, come see with me."
Finishing breakfast, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang headed to the training ground with Jin So-cheong. Only instructors and above entered this ground, reeking pungently. The stench came from the boy standing center.
Whoosh
Whoosh—
Baek Woong still swung his sword. But his eyes were half-dead, dazed, movements mechanical and slow. Like a living skeleton wielding a blade.
But spotting Baek Woong's movements, Jin So-cheong was shocked.
'He's forgotten himself! And drawing out latent power.'
Lee Gwang asked Instructor Yun Gwang on guard.
"How many left now?"
"Just... 150 left."
Silence fell.
"...Good. Let's watch."
Jin So-cheong noticed his master's eye twitch slightly in his flat response. The flicker suggested even Triple Excellence Lee Gwang was a bit flustered. Meaning even he hadn't expected completion.
'Master truly drove him to life or death.'
Caution toward other Thunder God Style?
Jin So-cheong didn't know it was because Lee Gwang, aware of Heavenly Spirit Pill-level invincible internal energy, inwardly wary of Baek Woong. Martial realm incomparable, but the energy's implications he knew well.
This felt like okay to die.
No—perhaps hoping for death?
Simultaneously, Jin So-cheong gazed at Baek Woong with awe.
'Endlessly recovering body with internal energy, maximizing potential. Survival instincts spread internal energy through the eight extraordinary meridians for recovery, raising absolute limits. That's why he endures what should kill a normal person.'
Where does such willpower come from?
Even with same internal energy, Jin So-cheong lacked confidence. His own talent meant no need, but it required brute willpower.
Wooooo—
Now ten-odd executions from ten만, those present saw brilliant light burst from Baek Woong's body, instantly fully recovering him. Accumulated bruises, wounds, ligament/muscle pain and tears—all vanished. The power of six Millennium Snow Ginsengs he'd consumed erupted in bizarre super-recovery.
"......!!"
Vast, majestic internal energy incomparable to before exploded from Baek Woong. Jin So-cheong couldn't believe it.
'The internal energy so far... was just a portion...?'
He'd thought Baek Woong's energy far exceeded a first-class expert's by a hundredfold. But child's body, clumsy with qi and intent, barely utilizing it. Still, he'd deemed it world-shaking, top under heaven.
But mistaken. What they'd sensed was the tip of the iceberg.
Rumble
The entire training ground shook; Triple Excellence Lee Gwang's expression soured, feeling the sword path shine. Even he wavered at this immense energy. He'd never imagined Baek Woong's true internal energy was ten times the surface.
Rooooar—
Qi from Baek Woong's body materialized, coiling. Relentlessly leaking to stabilize the body. Facing death multiple times, six Millennium Snow Ginseng portions latent power exploded. Triple Excellence Lee Gwang raised a hand to block the influence and muttered.
"A monster..."
Ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine.
...One hundred thousand.
Half-conscious in self-oblivion, Baek Woong's hand unleashed the hundred-thousandth Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship.
In that instant, heaven-dominating power never wielded before loaded the sword tip, splendidly extending. Seeing the vivid rainbow starlight cluster, Jin So-cheong cried in shock.
"Sword aura!"
Not from full enlightenment, but forming sword aura purely with internal energy qi! Incredibly inefficient, yet beautiful. Impossible for humans. Only supreme masters uniting mind, energy, body at pinnacle could. To forcibly weave it with mere internal energy—Jin So-cheong's shock was immense.
Fwaaa—
The sword aura's light cluster followed Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship path flawlessly. Hundred-thousand executions made it faster, more precise than any before. The flowing lightning spectacle was a galaxy.
Suddenly, Lee Gwang cried in exhilaration.
"Excellent!"
Thunder God Style
Secret Technique
True Thunder Void Annihilation!
Lee Gwang's spear cleaved utmost space-time. The Thunder God Style secret art that could sever heavenly lightning clashed with Baek Woong's sword aura, erupting massive qi wave. No sound, but ultrasonic frequencies birthed shockwaves repeatedly.
Rumble rumble boom
As shock faded, Baek Woong stood eyes rolled back, fainted.
"......"
"......"
Who wouldn't be solemn?
A mere early-mid teen boy endured impossible mad training. Moreover, the final sword aura manifestation was a martial artist's milestone. Even flippant Instructor Yun Gwang shut up, staring.
Triple Excellence Lee Gwang approached Baek Woong, placed hand on shoulder. His energy flowed, stimulating acupoints; soon he'd awaken.
"Uh, ugh, where...?"
As Baek Woong dazed, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang said calmly.
"Congratulations. You succeeded in the hundred-thousand repetitions."
"I see."
"Now you can study qi and intent for great progress."
"Wooooh!!"
Unconcealed joy lit Baek Woong's face. He'd thought he'd die mid-swing, but survived luckily and succeeded. Naturally, he didn't remember manifesting sword aura.
Gazing steadily, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang asked.
"What is it?"
"Pardon?"
He'd lost composure.
"What makes you so desperate? Not willpower for your age. Even a reversal hero would struggle; where does such brute force come from? What do you crave power for so badly?"
Lee Gwang's doubt was natural.
Baek Woong's willpower exceeded his common sense. Having seen his low talent and wit, he'd expected mere grit. But this was self-destructive resolve to die training.
In countless Jianghu journeys, Lee Gwang had seen such willpower once: in Grandmaster Myeongho of Shaolin, divine monk, transcendent resolve forgetting life.
Baek Woong's lips worked briefly.
Then he said.
"I don't want regrets."
Baek Woong still shouted inwardly.
Hell of eight reincarnations boils within.
I won't give up.
Won't give up.
Absolutely won't give up.
Because I...
Vowed to die and revive countless times.
Vowed to live through reincarnation!
============================ Author's Note ============================
Please give favorites, recommendations, and comments~ It gives me strength~