The Young Sect Leader's Realm
Thwack!
It was only upon reaching the fourth puppet that my wooden sword failed to shatter it.
Observing this, Instructor Do nodded in approval and spoke.
"Young Sect Leader. These wooden puppets were co-created by our sect's Blood Cloud Palace and Bright Spirit Palace to measure a martial artist's prowess. Though the exterior is finished with ordinary wood, the metal forming the joints and skeleton was forged using our sect's unique smelting techniques. They are designed to shatter only when subjected to strikes exceeding a specific threshold of force."
"...Hmm."
"Since you shattered up to the third puppet and were stopped at the fourth, you have surpassed the third stage and can be considered to have attained martial prowess corresponding to the entry level of the fourth stage."
Instructor Do's explanation continued.
"To compare this to the standard martial realms commonly spoken of in the Jianghu, the realms up to the third stage correspond to a Third-class Realm martial artist, while the fourth through sixth stages fall under the Second-class Realm."
That meant my current martial realm was at the entry level of the Second-class Realm.
I nodded, but hearing it described in mere numbers didn't immediately register. Perhaps because of terms like 'third-class' and 'second-class,' it felt somewhat underwhelming.
Fortunately, Instructor Do's subsequent explanation quickly cleared up my doubts.
"Even a Third-class Realm is a level that takes an ordinary person ten to thirty years of dedicated cultivation to reach. In the wider Jianghu, a martial artist at the late stage of the Third-class Realm would rarely find a worthy adversary."
"Even at the late stage of the Third-class?"
"Yes, indeed. You are only eleven years old, Young Sect Leader, yet you have already surpassed this realm. Your talent is truly unparalleled under the heavens."
Hearing Instructor Do's words, I couldn't help but let a pleased smile slip.
When he had simply said 'third-class' or 'second-class,' it hadn't quite sunk in, but according to his explanation, this was indeed a realm worthy of being hailed as a genius. It was likely thanks to cultivating the Scripture of the Dark Demon, which possessed an outstanding affinity with my introverted nature.
"The Second-class Realm, to which you now belong, spans from the point of surpassing the Third-class up to sixty years—one full cycle—of cultivation. Generally, this broad realm covers the transition from the introductory stages of internal energy to the mastery stages. It is comparable to an elder of a minor sect, or a second-generation disciple of a prestigious orthodox sect."
"I understand well."
For now, then, my goal should be to cultivate to the point where I can shatter that fourth puppet.
"What kind of training must I undergo to progress further from my current realm?"
"The state of coating a blade with internal energy to vastly amplify its destructive power is known as Sword Qi. Generally, once a martial artist can manifest Sword Qi, they are poised to transcend the Second-class Realm. Therefore, your goal, Young Sect Leader, must be to augment your internal energy while simultaneously learning how to wield Sword Qi."
"I see."
"It is not something that can be achieved overnight, but with your talent, you will surely attain it soon if you apply yourself diligently."
As I nodded, Instructor Do added cautiously,
"However, as I mentioned, these are merely rough classifications, so it is best to use them only as a reference. Naturally, in actual combat, countless variables come into play—such as one's mastery of swordsmanship, the profundity of their forms and ultimate techniques. It is by no means rare for a mid-stage Third-class martial artist to defeat an early-stage Second-class opponent."
Hearing his explanation sparked a sudden curiosity.
"Instructor. Regarding the time I broke your collarbone..."
"Ah, yes, Young Sect Leader. You refer to the moment the crimson glow of the Heavenly Killer Star manifested."
"At what realm would you estimate my prowess was at that moment?"
"Haha. Yes, indeed. Having received the blow firsthand, I know better than anyone."
Laughing heartily like a true martial artist, Instructor Do replied,
"At that time, your cultivation had not yet reached the level of manifesting Sword Qi, but your sheer, profound internal energy alone was easily comparable to at least the late stage of the Second-class Realm. To put it in simple terms, when you unleash the power of the Heavenly Killer Star, you already possess strength rivaling a first-generation disciple of a prestigious orthodox sect—or, within our own sect, at least a vice-leader of the Five Gates."
Instructor Do's explanation made it easy to understand.
Yet, simply nodding and accepting it felt somewhat lacking.
"Does that mean you failed to defend against an attack of a mere late-stage Second-class level and allowed your shoulder to be shattered?"
"Haha. I suppose it does. My deepest apologies."
"Can I truly trust you to guide my cultivation, Instructor Do?"
"I grossly underestimated your capabilities, which was entirely this humble servant's blunder. But look at the bright side—have you not learned firsthand how fatal carelessness can be? Haha."
"What have you done so well that you find this amusing?"
"Ahem. Ahem."
I might be playing the part of the Young Sect Leader, but I shouldn't push Instructor Do too far. Let's leave it at that.
Instructor Do cleared his throat awkwardly a few times before his expression turned solemn once more.
"However, you must exercise caution, as it is said that if the crimson glow of the Heavenly Killer Star persists for too long, it can trigger a state of madness. Though, admittedly, I know very little about that phenomenon."
"I shall keep that in mind."
Hearing this explanation made the reality of being in a Murim world sink in once again.
I could also understand how a master like Instructor Do had ended up with a broken bone from my wooden sword. He had likely assumed the Young Sect Leader's martial prowess would be, at best, at the entry level of the Second-class Realm, leaving him completely unprepared.
Furthermore, I now knew that my level was higher than expected, and considering my young age, I possessed truly astonishing talent. Naturally, my shoulders squared with a bit of pride.
"Young Sect Leader. Everything I have explained thus far is mere theory. As I said, once you enter a real battle, all of this becomes meaningless. In the end, the one who stands over the fallen opponent is the stronger one. I only hope you keep this single truth in mind."
However, Instructor Do's parting words brought my floating ego crashing back down to earth.
The one who stands over the fallen opponent is the stronger one. It was an undeniable truth.
No matter how profound my internal energy was, in terms of real combat experience, I was barely a fledgling. While my introverted nature might be a heavenly gift for cultivating internal energy, there was no ignoring the possibility that it could act as a fatal weakness in actual combat.
"Instructor Do..."
"Yes, Young Sect Leader."
For once, I actually intended to say, 'Thank you for the wise words.'
But then... I spotted a group of people walking toward us from the distance.
"Spare me your obvious platitudes. I am not a man with time to waste on such trivialities."
"Hahaha. It was merely an old man's nagging. Please forgive me!"
And so, to preserve the Young Sect Leader's dignity and authority, I decided to postpone my gratitude for another time.
Crack!
A man of massive, robust build brought his hand down like a blade, splitting a thick log clean in half. It was the sound of Yeongho Bin chopping firewood.
"My Lord! You have graced me with your presence!"
Ever since he had volunteered to become the Young Sect Leader's slave, he had been playing the part with absolute devotion from the moment he opened his eyes until he went to sleep. He had even gone out of his way to procure and wear a slave's coarse tunic instead of his usual martial robes. Never mind the fact that a slave was entirely unnecessary here.
In truth, the wood-chopping Yeongho Bin was currently engrossed in was completely pointless.
'That's enough, just go inside,' I wanted to say.
But with the maids and guards watching us from the sidelines, I had to maintain my act as the ruthless Young Sect Leader.
"You useless fool! The logs are all different sizes! How do you expect me to stack them properly?"
"Ah! Forgive me, My Lord!"
"Does an apology end your servitude?"
Despite my harsh words, the firewood Yeongho Bin had split was of premium quality, perfectly uniform in both shape and size as if measured with a ruler. The guy certainly knew how to work.
Even in a slave's rags, his massive, towering frame exuded the gallant dignity of a seasoned warrior. He stood there, not even blinking, waiting for my next command. He was practically the gold standard of servitude...
I stared at Yeongho Bin, lost in thought.
'They said this guy is an unrivaled prodigy among his peers across all Five Gates.'
Yeongho Bin had reportedly belonged to the Gold Gate, one of the Five Gates that comprised the Sun and Moon Sect's martial forces deployed throughout the Jianghu. Driven by sudden curiosity, I asked,
"At what realm is your martial prowess?"
"You wish to know this humble servant's realm, My Lord?"
"Indeed. Last time, you collapsed from a single strike of my Finger Flicking Art, so I was unable to properly gauge your skills."
"It is deeply embarrassing to admit, My Lord, but this servant has only attained the late stage of the Second-class Realm."
Hmm.
Recalling Instructor Do's explanation, that meant Yeongho Bin, at the mere age of twenty, possessed strength on par with a vice-leader of the Five Gates, or a first-generation disciple of a major Jianghu sect. It also meant that without the power of the Holy Fire, he would have been an incredibly difficult opponent for me to defeat, even if I had unleashed the Heavenly Killer Star...
Yet, despite his youth, exceptional skill, and impeccable loyalty to the sect, this man had committed the grave sin of murdering a fellow disciple?
I pressed further.
"So, you killed your own superior?"
"...Forgive me, My Lord, but that man... he laid hands on an innocent woman..."
I had already learned about Yeongho Bin's past through Wusa. His parents had been nomadic slash-and-burn farmers. Though they worked tirelessly, they were so impoverished that they could rarely afford three meals a day. Consequently, Yeongho Bin had left home before he even came of age, wandering the Jianghu until he eventually found refuge in the Sun and Moon Sect.
Blessed with Herculean strength and a natural talent for martial arts from a young age, he was inducted into the Gold Gate, one of the Five Gates operating across the land. Though his skills were second to none, his lowly background meant he was constantly relegated to menial chores. Until that fateful incident occurred.
While the Gold Gate strike force Yeongho Bin belonged to was executing an external mission, the strike force commander used the cover of night to slip into the bedchamber of a local village woman. While everyone else turned a blind eye, Yeongho Bin stepped forward. He blocked the commander, and a fierce battle ensued. The commander, joined by five of his loyal subordinates, fought Yeongho Bin six-to-one. Yet, Yeongho Bin did not yield an inch. In the end, he slew his direct superior with a single stroke of his blade.
Although the subsequent investigation by the headquarters exposed the commander's crimes, Yeongho Bin's act of slaying his superior without due process could not be overlooked. And after that, as I had personally witnessed, he was escorted to the headquarters to await his execution, only to be ordered by the Sect Leader to duel me before the Holy Fire.
Before Yeongho Bin could elaborate further, I cut him off.
"Silence. Whatever your reasons, you have a history of violating our laws. That means you could commit mutiny against me at any moment, could you not?"
I pressed him, curious to hear his thoughts.
"The doctrine of the Sun and Moon Sect is to deliver salvation to all people, and I have dedicated my life to that cause. The Sect Leader and you, My Lord, are the guardians of our sacred doctrine. Therefore, this servant has no reason to ever commit such sacrilege against you."
"And what if I were to commit the exact same atrocity as the superior you slew?"
"If that were to happen..."
After agonizing over the question for a long moment, Yeongho Bin fell to his knees and pressed his forehead against the dirt.
"Forgive my insolence, My Lord, but should such a day come, this servant will risk his life to stop you—so that you may remain true to our doctrine."
"And after you stop me?"
"I shall then take my own life to atone for the sin of committing treason against you, My Lord."
"Hmph."
I scoffed, looking down at him.
Had anyone else in the sect overheard his words, he would have been executed on the spot for such treasonous talk. Yet, as I listened to him, a different thought crossed my mind.
"Cut the nonsense and just guard my quarters well."
"Understood, My Lord!"
No matter how I look at him, he's far too valuable to waste away as a mere slave...