Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Weight of Effort
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I only knew one martial art.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword.
But I couldn't teach it to them. It was a Demonic Cult technique, and there was also the risk of my identity being exposed.
I had taken them as disciples, but I had no intention of telling them everything.
It was dangerous for me, and a dangerous story for them as well.
It would be better if they never knew from the start. That way, even if my identity came out later, at least they could stay off the suspect list.
That meant I had to teach them some other martial art...
Fortunately, upon reaching the Transformation Realm, my perspective had broadened. As my realm advanced, paths to other martial arts became visible.
I wasn't a genius from birth.
Even so, it was as good as having learned that discerning eye through effort.
If I just had a suitable martial arts manual, I was confident I could teach it well enough. But for that, they needed at least the basic foundation in place.
Na-rin, who had innate external strength and superior physical abilities but couldn't contain internal energy.
Gwang-yang, who couldn't escape the realm of an ordinary person.
I prioritized conditioning their bodies through grueling training so they could learn martial arts.
I'm no genius. I can't create new martial arts.
Still, I could find martial arts that suited them.
"Run faster."
We pressed on steadily. Toward Qingcheng.
In the process, I drove the two relentlessly. Just as I had been driven.
Fortunately, I was different from other geniuses. That's why I knew better than they did just how far an ordinary person could go.
I could push Gwang-yang right to his limit.
I could see at a glance exactly how much load Na-rin needed for it to count as proper training.
Na-rin, carrying a log on her shoulder as she moved, was gasping for breath.
"I... I'm gonna die..."
"Endure it."
Gwang-yang had rolled on the ground several times despite carrying nothing. That initial thrill of excitement was nowhere to be seen in his eyes.
"Hah... hah..."
Still, I steeled my resolve.
Once I decided to teach them, I had no intention of doing it half-heartedly.
I planned to teach them at least as much as I had endured.
"Gwang-yang."
"...Y-yes..."
"Get up."
"...Yes...!"
Gwang-yang followed through on stubborn grit. His unexpected determination for martial arts helped solidify his foundation.
Na-rin was the same. She seemed to enjoy learning martial arts itself and carried out my orders without hesitation.
I had no intention of commenting on their talents one way or another.
But there was one thing I could say for sure.
At the very least, their attitude toward martial arts was serious.
Gwang-yang saw it as a lifeline.
Na-rin saw it as a way to get inside the fence.
It was impressive how well they were keeping up, better than expected.
"........."
Since I'm teaching them anyway...
I want to teach them even better.
I wonder if Master felt this way too.
Suddenly, I missed the First Demon.
"Move."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
...
A month of repeating training and travel.
We found a smithy in a mid-journey village on the way to Qingcheng. It had a solid reputation, making it a good spot to pick out suitable weapons.
"Pick something ready-made that suits you."
Na-rin's frame looked slender at a glance, but her strength and stamina were incomparable to others.
Gwang-yang was the same. The contours of the body he'd forged for this day, pushed to the limit, had split nicely. It was on a whole different level from before.
Eat, sleep, run, exercise.
The body born from repeating that had real presence.
They had far better conditions than I did. Their talents had just been buried in dirt, unseen-but once dusted off, they shone brilliantly.
So I had to pick weapons that matched those talents.
"Whoa... shiny... Gwang-yang, what looks good?"
"Sister, how about this one?"
I left the excited pair alone and scanned the smithy interior.
I didn't know much about metal. But if I ran my fingers over it and infused a bit of qi inside... I could roughly test how much it could withstand.
Not this one... not that one either...
"...Hm?"
This one's pretty good.
I called Na-rin over.
"Hand."
"Yes."
I fitted the gauntlet I'd picked up onto Na-rin's hand.
It was quite loose. But the excess could be adjusted. That's what a craftsman was for.
"Na-rin. You can't contain internal energy. But in exchange, your body is tougher than most lumps of iron. So when it's time to use your fists, it'll be better to face blades with bare hands than with a weapon."
"......"
"You need to learn how to use your natural body. And until you reach a certain level, it's good to have something to protect yourself."
"Is this it?"
"Yes."
She clenched and unclenched her fist curiously, then looked up at me and nodded.
"I won't take it off. Ever."
"Take it off when you sleep."
With the gauntlet on her hand, Na-rin could face blades without her skin being cut.
Next was Gwang-yang.
"Gwang-yang. You have several options. Tell me what weapon you want. You'll be able to learn just about anything... but remember, once you pick one, you stick with it to the end."
"...Th-then, like you, Master! I want to use a sword!"
"A sword?"
"Yes!"
It would suit him too. I rummaged around and brought him a decent sword that matched.
It was a bit long for him, but it could be adjusted. Since we were hammering off parts from a finished product anyway, it wouldn't take long.
I told the craftsman the required modifications. The blacksmith stroked his chin with interest.
"You know swords well. Are you a martial artist?"
"Yes."
"Excellent adjustments. With these changes... it's almost like crafting a custom piece."
The finished weapons fit them perfectly. They swung them in the air, looking like kids full of joy.
I added one condition on top.
"Don't swing what you've been given just to take from others."
"Yes! Leave it to me, Master!"
"I absolutely won't!"
Their hearts seemed pure enough; they'd figure it out. Now I didn't even need to worry about their survival.
All that was left was martial arts. Suitable ones to teach them.
But finding them wasn't easy. Martial arts manuals don't just roll around on the ground. Most sold on the market were fakes anyway.
I didn't want to teach them the Three Disasters Swordsmanship either. Wielding it was like blindly stumbling into the unknown.
I had no desire to gift them that hellish path. So I needed to find something suitable...
Maybe check inside Sichuan Province. As I pondered, I suddenly sensed presences.
Not one. Several. And moving fast.
"Na-rin. Gwang-yang. Get behind me."
I stepped off the road. We came face-to-face with a group dashing along using lightness skills.
Martial artists. Sword wielders, no doubt.
The warrior in the lead placed his hand on his sword hilt. After eyeing me and the kids behind, he spoke.
"I'm Wi-gang of Qingcheng Sect. It's an urgent matter-mind cooperating for a moment?"
"Cooperate... you say?"
"We lost a criminal who escaped from Qingcheng. Has anyone passed this way?"
"No one like that."
"...You mean that?"
"I do. Feel free to search the surroundings."
"...Hmph."
The sharp gaze finally left us.
"Move out!"
The Qingcheng warriors departed. Gwang-yang patted his pounding chest.
"A Qingcheng criminal... they must've pulled off quite the escape from that famed Qingcheng Sect."
"Criminal means lawbreaker, right? Who's a criminal from Qingcheng?"
"No idea, sister. Chasing that urgently, must be a real villain."
"A villain."
Well, tagged as a criminal, it wasn't wrong. I extended my hands to Na-rin and Gwang-yang.
"Take up your weapons."
"Yes?! You don't mean help them, do you, Master?!"
"I'll follow your orders, Master, but..."
"It's not about Qingcheng. It's about us."
I drew Ebony still in its scabbard. For handling a disobedient kid without drawing the blade, the sheath was better.
I wonder when he'll start listening.
With a sigh, I tapped his shoulder with the scabbard. I called out toward the bushes.
"You just going to keep staring?"
"...Sharp senses."
---Thud.
The man who dropped down bared his teeth. An impure energy, utterly unlike orthodox qi, flowed from his body.
A lump of qi piled up haphazardly without thought. It advanced quickly, but...
The deeper it went, the more it wandered astray-that impurity was palpable.
"...Evil faction?"
"Damn, you really are sharp! Figured it out at a glance?"
The man guffawed and approached me. His massive build was a rare sight, bigger than mine.
"Sorry to do this to you... but I'm in a hurry. Leave all your stuff and I'll pretend I saw nothing."
"......."
"Counting to three. After that, no more words. Don't make me take it by force. My life's on the line, so I won't hesitate to reach out."
Criminal... huh.
I recalled Qingcheng's words. His ragged clothes, unkempt face. The chains dangling from his wrist caught my eye too.
Qingcheng Sect.
The symbol of integrity, who swore to the Murim Alliance to handle vile villains themselves that the Alliance couldn't contain, all while preaching justice.
Seems like trouble brewed there. I let out a sigh.
He looked like a sloppy wanderer, but still someone who swung fists decently. His qi roiled visibly over his knuckles.
Fist qi, huh...
"Starting the count now."
"No need to count."
I might've let him pass if I'd ignored it.
Since I didn't know the details.
But now that we'd crossed paths, I had no intention of letting it slide. He didn't seem inclined to let me pass either.
I sheathed Ebony again. After loosening my hands lightly, I turned to Na-rin.
"Na-rin. Watch. See how much you can do with external arts alone."
"This cocky bastard...!"
"Infusing internal energy definitely strengthens every technique. It's worlds apart from not infusing it. But that doesn't mean you can't win with just external arts."
"I'll rip your throat out!"
"M-Master! He's coming!"
I sensed the man charging. I turned and met his swinging fist.
"Remember this, Na-rin."
No techniques needed.
Just one fist was enough.
"Effort weighs more than anything."
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