Heal the Senior Brother (3)
'He truly reached the Super Peak realm!'
After the treatment from Hyeon Yucheon concluded, Eum Ji-myeong—the Flash Light Flying Gentleman—slowly circulated his energy and inspected his martial arts.
The results were truly astonishing.
Not only had the levels of the various techniques he had cultivated advanced, but the most impressive part was...
"My internal energy is so vast?"
Eum Ji-myeong stared at his own hands in shock, as if gazing at someone else.
It had felt unfamiliar at first, but after a few days, he wielded his original martial arts with ease.
There was more cause for encouragement.
Before, his sickly pallor had drained his complexion, and he couldn't shake the sense that he looked prematurely aged. But now, everything had changed.
—Second Sect Leader—no, Acting Sect Leader! You've grown young again!
The rumor had even spread among the young warriors of the Demon Sword Sect.
In truth, after consuming the Ice Knot Grass, his skin had become smooth and clear, the harmful energies within his body were purged, and above all, his mental affliction had completely healed—bringing a newfound brightness to his expression.
"Senior Brother, if you're feeling up to it, how about a light spar?"
As always, Hyeon Yucheon visited that day to check on Eum Ji-myeong's condition and made the suggestion.
"Haha, I'd be more than grateful if you would."
Not yet formally inaugurated as sect leader, Eum Ji-myeong spoke casually to his junior brother with a smile.
He knew Hyeon Yucheon was stronger than him.
'Sparring with my junior brother will be a great learning opportunity for me.'
There was no reason to refuse.
"I'll use the Demon Sword Sect's Formless Myriad Things Heart Method and Formless Flash Quick Sword."
Typically, when fellow disciples from the same sect sparred, they would declare in advance which techniques they intended to use.
It was to prevent accidents and because, in a friendly bout, victory or defeat mattered little.
"I'll use the Demon Sword Sect's Demon Sword Heart Method and Flash Light Spirit Sword Method."
Eum Ji-myeong followed Hyeon Yucheon's lead.
Among the Demon Sword Sect's prized sword arts, this Flash Light Spirit Sword Method was the one he favored most and felt most confident in.
To define the Demon Sword Sect's Flash Light Spirit Sword Method simply: it was the Formless Flash Quick Sword—which only the sect leader could master—with the formless energy removed, retaining about half the power.
In other words, it was incredibly fast but had clear limitations.
'The Flash Light Spirit Sword Method...'
The moment he heard it, Hyeon Yucheon recalled his master's memories.
—Our sect's Flash Light Spirit Sword Method is called a degraded version of the Formless Flash Quick Sword and is often undervalued.
But... if mastered properly, you could proudly claim to be among the top three swift swordsmen in the martial world.
And Eum Ji-myeong, the Flash Light Flying Gentleman, was the one who had trained this Flash Light Spirit Sword Method more diligently than anyone else in the Demon Sword Sect.
"Are you ready?"
Nod!
Eum Ji-myeong nodded at Hyeon Yucheon's question.
Whoosh!
Snap!
The moment their eyes met, neither hesitated—they crossed swords simultaneously.
Eum Ji-myeong showcased swift sword paths with his sharp true blade, while Hyeon Yucheon blocked them with invisible formless sword energy.
'Indeed, fast!'
Their initial exchanges were evenly matched.
Hyeon Yucheon gaped in admiration at the sight.
Since venturing into the martial world, had anyone ever kept pace with his speed to this degree?
No matter how he thought about it, no.
Of course, he'd only faced weaklings so far.
—Flash Light Extreme Swiftness!
Eum Ji-myeong's relentless assault followed.
True to his status as the Demon Sword Sect's sole Super Peak master besides Hyeon Yucheon, his sword was viciously fast.
Whoosh, whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
The not-so-wide training ground was instantly filled with the shadows of Eum Ji-myeong's blade.
But it didn't last.
—Formless Linked Bullets!
Hyeon Yucheon, well-versed in the Flash Light Spirit Sword Method, countered with fluid adaptability.
He knew its weaknesses intimately.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
Invisible formless sword energy fragments burst from Hyeon Yucheon's supple hands, and the two exchanged fierce blows several times.
The result!
Slide...
Eum Ji-myeong failed to fully block the Formless Flash Quick Sword and was pushed back, his robe slightly torn.
Anyone could see Eum Ji-myeong had been outmatched, and Hyeon Yucheon had shown mercy.
"Well. I can't beat you after all, Junior Brother."
Even reaching Super Peak couldn't close the gap, but Eum Ji-myeong felt joy over frustration.
The reliability reminded him of their master, bringing a smile despite defeat.
"May I offer a humble suggestion?"
Hyeon Yucheon asked cautiously.
Though poised to become sect leader, they were alone, and Eum Ji-myeong was his senior—he showed respect.
"You're welcome to say anything."
Reassured, Hyeon Yucheon spoke.
"Senior Brother's Flash Light Spirit Sword Method is truly exquisite. The speed is remarkable, and the variations that confuse the eye with blade shadows are superb. But... it lacks weight amid the swiftness."
Flinch!
Eum Ji-myeong startled at the words.
They echoed the critiques he'd always heard from his master, the Demon Sword Fiend Cheon Baeksang.
More shocking: back then, he'd dismissed them as nagging.
Flash!
Now was different.
A spark ignited before his eyes at Hyeon Yucheon's words, followed by a small epiphany.
Smirk.
Watching calmly, Hyeon Yucheon smirked.
He knew the feeling well from his own experiences.
'I love that state of total immersion too.'
He vividly recalled the day he'd forgotten the sun rising, moon setting, and seasons changing, lost in the sword.
Gazing at Eum Ji-myeong, who swung his blade aimlessly in enlightenment, oblivious to his surroundings, Hyeon Yucheon thought:
'Senior Brother Eum will grow even stronger.'
He hadn't known before.
The joy of watching someone he cherished grow powerful.
Now he understood clearly.
"And our Demon Sword Sect will grow stronger too."
This was merely the prelude.
A few days later, Hyeon Yucheon—the reborn Demon Sword Young Master—held his inauguration as Demon Sword Sect leader.
The simple, provisional ceremony was modest.
Though the beginning was humble, every Demon Sword Sect disciple believed the end would be glorious.
They had agreed to keep information about the new Demon Sword Sect Leader, Hyeon Yucheon, strictly secret.
Though the Murim Alliance's surveillance on the Demon Sword Sect had loosened lately, they remained vigilant about the Demon Sword Fiend's martial arts. Thus, the fact that Hyeon Yucheon had inherited Cheon Baeksang's legacy was the utmost secret.
"Congratulations, Sect Leader. You're officially our leader now."
Though abbreviated, Hyeon Yucheon emerged as the dignified Demon Sword Sect Leader.
Eum Ji-myeong smiled and congratulated his junior brother.
"Senior Brother, it's overwhelming. Please call me comfortably."
Hyeon Yucheon pretended to groan playfully.
"Hahaha, alright. But in official settings, I'll use formal address. Even as eldest senior brother, one must show respect to the sect leader."
Eum Ji-myeong was more steadfast and tradition-bound than expected.
Next, he briefed the new sect leader on the Demon Sword Sect's troop situation.
"As you know, due to many disciples' departures... our current effective forces are just you and me, Elder Jeong, and the young Demon Sword Sect warriors led by Little Light Demon Gyeon Jong-o."
Discussing troop numbers sobered Eum Ji-myeong instantly.
He felt ashamed.
'I wanted to hand over only the good parts...'
Passing on the sect's dire straits tore at his heart.
He'd received so much from Hyeon Yucheon yet could offer nothing whole—it saddened him.
"Mm."
Hyeon Yucheon let out a deep groan.
But he didn't give up.
"Are there any forces or personnel we could absorb or ally with for our Demon Sword Sect?"
Eum Ji-myeong answered eagerly.
"Our eldest senior brother is in the massive Sapa faction Blood Dragon Room, taking the elite Flash Demon Sword Unit with him. We must recover them... and the retired elders' veteran experts... Ah!"
Suddenly, something occurred to Eum Ji-myeong.
"Come to think of it, after Master's disappearance, there's a sect expert wandering Central Plains searching for him: the Black Wolf Three Swords, the Cheon brothers."
In the past, when the Demon Sword Fiend Cheon Baeksang shook the world with his fame, shadows always guarded him like loyal phantoms.
They were the Cheon brothers, dubbed the Black Wolf Three Swords. Those who despised the Demon Sword Sect mocked them as three loyal hounds, but...
—For the Sect Leader, we three brothers would gladly become dogs!
Far from offended, the brothers smiled contentedly, shocking the world.
There was another marvel about them.
"All three brothers are outstanding Super Peak masters, especially unmatched in VIP protection, right?"
Hyeon Yucheon knew of them too.
From his master's memories, of course.
Cheon Baeksang had praised them:
—Heroic souls who would dive into boiling water for me!
Cheon Baeksang's assessment of the Black Wolf Three Swords was spot-on.
Originally orphans who met as ronin and swore brotherhood.
Though their names and surnames differed, Cheon Baeksang granted them his own family name, forging their bond as sworn brothers.
Perhaps because of that.
Known for extreme stoicism and rare emotional displays, they reportedly wept bitterly the moment Cheon Baeksang vanished.
To the Black Wolf Three Swords, he was father, mother, master, and senior brother all in one.
"That's right. They roam Central Plains even now, searching for Master despite the sect's decline."
The pain of seeking a dead master in the living world was like an eternal thirst no drink could quench.
There was only one way to find the Black Wolf Three Swords and free them from torment.
"Junior Brother must find them, reveal the truth about Master... and take them in, giving the Black Wolf Three Swords new hope to live."
Eum Ji-myeong's words rang true.
Central Plains opinions or even the Demon Sword Sect mattered little to them.
Their sole concern was the Demon Sword Fiend Cheon Baeksang.
Urgent priority: inform them of his death's truth and that Hyeon Yucheon had inherited all his memories and knowledge.
'Junior Brother resembles Master more than anyone.'
Eum Ji-myeong was certain.
The wandering Black Wolf Three Swords, lost without Cheon Baeksang, would surely return to the Demon Sword Sect upon meeting Hyeon Yucheon.
For Hyeon Yucheon embodied young Cheon Baeksang—and far surpassed him—ensuring unwavering loyalty.