The Alliance Leader's Reward
"Well done. You seem like a young friend who hasn't even properly learned any martial arts yet, but it must have been quite the ordeal."
"Not at all, sir. I simply did what needed to be done."
At Seong-il's modest reply, the Alliance Leader smiled gently and turned to Hyemyeong.
"Could you step outside for a moment? I'd like to finish speaking with this young friend first, then I'll have a separate talk with you."
"Ah! Yes, of course, Alliance Leader."
Hyemyeong bowed quietly and left the room. Once he was gone, the Alliance Leader addressed Seong-il again.
"That aside, you've done something important for the Alliance. We can't send you away without a proper reward. You said your name was Muhak? Is there anything you desire?"
"Well... I didn't do it with the expectation of any reward..."
The Alliance Leader shook his head at Seong-il's hesitation.
"That won't do. Even if you acted purely for the greater good without any thought of compensation, failing to offer suitable recognition would damage the Alliance's reputation."
"How wonderful it would be if every martial artist were as righteous as you. But since that's impossible, clear rewards and punishments are necessary to guide those of lesser character."
"Moreover, if we failed to reward someone who accomplished such a great deed, petty minds would slander us and undermine the Alliance's authority."
"Even if refusing the reward was your own choice. Depending on one's perspective, it could be misinterpreted as us forcibly taking something from you."
"Therefore, I ask again. Is there anything you want? As long as it's not an unreasonable demand, the Alliance is prepared to grant nearly anything to repay your contribution."
The Alliance Leader's gaze remained fixed on Seong-il as he posed the question. Seong-il fell into deep thought.
'Hmm... what should I ask for? An elixir? A martial art? Or perhaps an exceptional weapon?'
When Seong-il remained lost in contemplation for a long while without deciding, the Alliance Leader chuckled warmly.
"Heh heh... It seems you truly weren't thinking about claiming any particular reward."
"Yes... My only thought was that I needed to deliver that wooden box as quickly as possible."
The Alliance Leader nodded with evident satisfaction.
"Then shall this old man choose something for you?"
"Really? It would be an honor!"
'I was already getting a headache trying to decide what to ask for. If he's willing to pick something good himself, that's perfect.'
Looking at Seong-il, the Alliance Leader beckoned him closer.
"First, come stand beside me for a moment."
"...?"
Without understanding why, Seong-il naturally moved to the Alliance Leader's side. Once he was close, the older man silently grasped his wrist.
"Ah!"
His movements were lightning-fast. Seong-il couldn't resist even if he'd wanted to. The Alliance Leader checked his pulse, then regarded him with a peculiar look.
"Hmm... Didn't you say it had been about three months since you entered the sect?"
"Yes? That's correct..."
"For only three months, the inner energy within your body is at the level of someone who's trained for four or five years."
"!!"
The Alliance Leader had sharply pointed out the inconsistency in Seong-il's story. Since he couldn't reveal anything about the Dual Cultivation technique, Seong-il could only remain silent.
"Hmm... Moreover, I've never seen inner energy this pure before. The aura is remarkably clear, so it does seem to be a Taoist sect's mental technique... but are you truly only three months into your training?"
Seong-il broke into a cold sweat internally. Since things had come this far, he decided to brazen it out.
"I'm sorry, but my inner energy has nothing to do with this recent blood disaster. My master strictly forbade me from revealing its origin..."
"I apologize, but I cannot explain why my inner energy is so advanced compared to my training period. However, I can state one thing with absolute certainty: I have not accumulated this power through any wicked sorcery."
Though calling it 'wicked sorcery' does sting my conscience a bit... There was some initial friction with my partners when I first started practicing the Dual Cultivation technique...
But ultimately it was achieved through mutual consent, so it's not exactly a lie.
The Alliance Leader seemed taken aback by Seong-il's audacity. However, since it was the dying wish of his old comrade Cheongmyeong Jin'in, pressing the matter was difficult. Moreover, he couldn't detect any evil energy within Seong-il's inner power, so he couldn't interrogate him too aggressively.
"Hmm... Is it a secret technique from your sect?"
"Even if a blade were pressed to my throat, I could never speak of our secret arts."
"I see... A secret technique..."
The Alliance Leader mulled over the word 'secret technique' that Seong-il had inadvertently let slip, then nodded.
"Very well. Since your energy is purely refined and it may indeed be a secret technique from your sect, it would be improper for me to keep questioning you."
"However, I have one more question. Besides the mental technique, did Cheongmyeong teach you any other martial arts?"
Seong-il nodded at the question.
"I didn't receive direct instruction, but right before the blood disaster, my master left me with a box containing the secret manual for the Taiji Sword Art. I've been training in that sword technique."
"Hmm... The Taiji Sword Art was Cheongmyeong's signature technique, so that's only natural. What else?"
"There is nothing else..."
"I see..."
The Alliance Leader stroked his beard thoughtfully, then stood and began pacing around the room, deep in contemplation. After a long while of pacing and consideration, he suggested they move to the training grounds.
"To offer proper guidance, I need to accurately assess your current skill level. Follow me for a moment."
"Yes? Of course..."
Seong-il followed without complaint. After walking behind him from the building for a short distance, they arrived at a quiet, enclosed training ground. The Alliance Leader dismissed the guards at the entrance to clear the area, then spoke to Seong-il.
"It was the Taiji Sword Art, correct? Could you demonstrate some forms for me?"
"Pardon...? But this is my sect's martial art..."
Seong-il looked bewildered at the Alliance Leader's suggestion, which seemed to violate the martial world's taboos. The older man smiled gently.
"I know. It's strictly forbidden."
"However, I was a close friend of Cheongmyeong's from our youth. We've fought back-to-back countless times against evil foes, so I've already seen his sword techniques many times before."
"So don't worry and show me. With your master gone, I'm probably the only one left who can check whether you're properly forming the shapes and training the sword method correctly."
At the Alliance Leader's words, Seong-il nodded and quietly took out a wooden sword.
"A wooden sword...?"
"Yes. I don't have a proper weapon yet."
"Puhaha! That's rather amusing. When you leave the Alliance, I'll gift you one of my swords. Look forward to it."
"Ah! If you're giving me a sword as a reward, I'd be grateful..."
"What are you saying? We can't possibly repay you for something as precious as the Blood God's seal with merely one sword. Consider it a gift from your master's old friend."
"Ah! Yes, thank you."
Having said that, Seong-il demonstrated the sword forms he had trained in desperately over the past two weeks.
"Hoo... Hoo... How is it, sir?"
Seong-il had poured his full effort into the demonstration. The Alliance Leader watched him silently for a long moment.
"How long have you been training?"
"It began about three days after my master passed away. Given the circumstances, I practiced whenever I had spare time while traveling."
"Oh..."
The Alliance Leader let out an impressed sound, then spoke.
"Remarkable. Though it's still somewhat crude, the forms are properly established. That sword art is by no means easy to learn..."
"To reach this level while training alone? The movements were a bit awkward, but the lack of unnecessary motions made it seem as if you'd received direct guidance from a master."
Seong-il flinched at the Alliance Leader's sharp assessment.
'Shit... Come to think of it, saying I trained alone was too much of a stretch, wasn't it?'
Seong-il quickly began making excuses.
"It's been less than a month since I started learning, but before that, I used to watch my senior brother practice every day. So in a way, it's similar to having received about three months of guidance."
"Ah... I see. That explains it..."
The Alliance Leader nodded as if everything made sense now. After pondering for a while, he finally spoke.
"In that case, while your martial talent isn't exceptional, your foundations are solid. Train with utmost dedication so that your master's name is not tarnished."
"Yes, I understand!"
The Alliance Leader smiled brightly at Seong-il's energetic response. After laughing for a moment, he spoke again.
"From what I can see, your mental technique and inner energy... well, they're so extraordinary that I needn't comment. As for your swordsmanship, consistent effort should bring you to a respectable level."
"However, from what you've said, it seems you haven't learned any footwork techniques or hand-to-hand combat arts. Is that correct?"
Seong-il nodded.
"Yes... There wasn't enough time, so I haven't received instruction in any additional martial arts."
"Hmm... Then shall I teach you one of the footwork or hand-to-hand techniques I created? Of course, learning both would be difficult. I don't have time to guide you in both."
"Ah..."
Seong-il pondered the offer carefully.
'Hmm... What I need most urgently seems to be footwork, but learning hand-to-hand combat would let me get stronger faster...'
'Footwork? But would that even be useful in the real world? I can just take a car... Or would it be useful for escaping? This is tricky...'
'As for hand-to-hand combat... In modern terms, it's basically just martial arts fighting. Since I have weapons, it might not matter... Wait, no! That bastard Go Yeong-tae!!'
The memory of a problem from reality that he'd forgotten for so long suddenly surfaced, making Seong-il's blood boil. His anger was so intense that even the Alliance Leader could see the rage coloring his face.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
'Oops!'
Realizing he'd let his momentary anger show, Seong-il quickly made up an excuse.
"Ah... While thinking about martial arts, I remembered those Demon Sect bastards, that's all."
"Alliance Leader! Could you please teach me the hand-to-hand combat technique? While I'm very tempted by the footwork as well, from now on I want to become a man who stands and fights rather than running away!"
Seong-il dressed up his true desire—'Please make me strong enough to beat the crap out of Yeong-tae soon!'—in more noble terms. The Alliance Leader seemed to interpret his attitude as burning with vengeance for his master and senior brother, and nodded approvingly.
"Heh heh... An excellent mindset. Then come to this training ground every morning starting tomorrow. For the next seven weeks, I will personally teach you the martial art."
"Thank you!!"
Satisfied with Seong-il's polite demeanor, the Alliance Leader nodded and took out a book from his robe.
A secret manual personally created by the Alliance Leader in his youth. A unique hand-to-hand combat technique born from enlightenment gained while subduing evil foes.
"This is...!"
"It's the manual. If you're not busy today, read through it in advance."
"Mountain Shattering Divine Fist..."
Seong-il unconsciously muttered the name with a wide grin at this unexpected windfall.
"Heh heh heh... That technique is a unique art I created myself from the insights I gained while beating down villains in my younger days."
"It was originally just an unnamed hand-to-hand style, but gossips who love spreading stories gave it that name, and it spread among the people until it stuck."
"Unlike other secret techniques passed down from a sect, this is an original art I created myself. Therefore, you can learn it without feeling any debt toward me."
'In other words, don't feel awkward about learning it?'
Understanding the meaning behind his words, Seong-il nodded.
"Thank you!!"
After parting ways with the Alliance Leader, Seong-il followed the warriors' guidance to his assigned quarters. Fortunately, he was treated as a special guest and given an entire detached building to himself. He used his Induction to scan the surroundings, then secretly called out to Eun-wol.
"Hmm? Young master, how did you—"
"Shh! Shh!!"
Seong-il put a finger to his lips, warning her to be quiet. Startled, Eun-wol lowered her voice.
"...Why?"
Seong-il whispered directly into her ear.
"This is inside the Martial Alliance."
"....Have you lost your mind?"
"Ah... I needed some help. I've already checked the surroundings, so as long as we keep our voices down, it should be fine."
"...There are definitely going to be people watching. You've gone crazy, young master."
"...."
Seeing Seong-il fall silent, Eun-wol quickly hid herself under the bed. Then she gestured for him to come closer.
"For now, let's keep our bodies as low as possible so we don't cast any shadows. Why did you call me??"
"Ah... because of this."
"...What is this?"
She looked questioningly at the manual Seong-il had casually tossed over. He briefly explained his conversation with the Alliance Leader.
"Oh ho... So this is a unique martial art personally created by one of the top figures in the righteous martial world?"
Eun-wol's eyes sparkled as she looked at the Mountain Shattering Divine Fist manual. Seong-il calmed her down.
"I'll give it to you separately later if you want. For now, listen to what I have to say first."
"What is it...?"
"Starting tomorrow, I'm supposed to receive martial instruction as payment for delivering the Blood God's seal. He told me to study it in advance... Could you interpret it and explain it to me instead?"