Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Martial Arts Instructor
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“The family head treated the young man very well, and the young man respected the family head in return. But the family head had a daughter, and she and the young man fell in love. The family head liked the young man so much that he permitted their marriage.”
The squad members had no idea why Se Yeong was telling this story.
But tales of romance between men and women piqued everyone's interest, so they listened closely.
“The problem was that the second most powerful and influential man in the family was in love with the family head's daughter. Ambitious as he was, he couldn't accept it. In the end, he assassinated the family head and attacked other families to expand his territory.”
Se Yeong paused for a moment and posed a question.
“If you were the family head's daughter, what would you do?”
Paeng Se Gi answered first.
“What's there to think about? I'd charge in and wipe them all out.”
“Se Gi's right. I'd rush over and cut that bastard's head off on the spot.”
Se Yeong smiled at their responses.
“But there was a complication. The daughter had been married for several years by then and already had young children. So her husband stepped up instead. He wiped out the enemy's followers and severed the limbs of the enemy himself to complete his revenge.”
“Why just cut off his limbs and let him live? I'd have taken his head in one swing.”
“He believed making him live in lifelong agony was the crueler revenge.”
Se Yeong was revealing his grandfather's past.
But none of the squad members realized it.
“If several families were wiped out, word would spread like wildfire through the martial world. I haven't heard any such rumors.”
Se Yeong brushed off Yi Cheon Yeong's comment with a laugh.
Ha ha ha...!
“It's a very old story. Very... old.”
The Alliance Leader had long looked down upon the martial world from on high.
There had been no invasion from the Demonic Cult, no experts or organizations threatening enough to worry about. He had the entire martial world at his feet.
But the delegation from the Four Evils had delivered a massive shock to him.
It wasn't that there were no threatening experts—he simply hadn't known about them.
In truth, the unorthodox brute who had clashed with Han Se Yeong wasn't that big a threat.
But the White Master, sovereign of the unorthodox sects, had to be stronger than that thug, which quietly gnawed at him.
“For the Four Evils to send a delegation and provoke us like this, it seems the unorthodox sects are finally making their move on the martial world in earnest.”
The Strategist shared the Alliance Leader's concerns.
“I think the same, Alliance Leader.”
“Is there a good way to wipe them out?”
Why wouldn't there be?
If the Five Absolutes of the Martial World marched on the Four Evils together, they could crush them in one fell swoop.
But that wasn't realistic.
It was impossible to gather all Five Absolutes in one place, and the Four Evils wouldn't just sit idly by sucking their thumbs.
Above all, no one knew how many more formidable experts the Four Evils might have.
“What we must do now is bolster the Murim Alliance's forces.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“First, I'll select outstanding experts from the martial artists who participated in this tournament and assign them to the Patrol Squad and Demon Subduing Squad. Additionally, we should recruit young prodigies from famous sects and families, including the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, into the Elusive Squadron. Prestigious sects and families with grand ambitions will send their prodigies without complaint.”
The Strategist's plan sounded perfectly reasonable at first glance.
No, it seemed like the best possible strategy.
“Do as you suggest, Strategist.”
“There's one more request.”
“Speak.”
“Please assign martial arts instructors to the Elusive Squadron members.”
The Alliance Leader stared at the Strategist for a moment before speaking unexpectedly.
“Is this at Han Se Yeong's request, Strategist?”
The Strategist was genuinely surprised.
When Han Se Yeong had spoken up, the Alliance Leader and the martial world's elders had been fully focused on the unorthodox expert.
Moreover, he and Han Se Yeong had been close, while the Alliance Leader was far away.
Yet he had recognized Han Se Yeong's voice.
Hiding his surprise, the Strategist cleared his throat.
“Not solely because of Han Se Yeong. Among the Elusive Squadron members, there may be some prodigies with ample martial world experience, but there are likely more with little. Assigning experienced martial arts instructors would minimize needless sacrifices.”
'That guy's somehow getting under my skin.'
Han Se Yeong was as arrogant and conceited as his skills were exceptional.
Just thinking of Se Yeong's face made the Alliance Leader's heart race oddly.
Not in a pleasant way, but the uneasy pounding when confronting something ominous.
“Where is this Han Se Yeong's family from?”
“I don't recall precisely, but it's said to be a small warrior family at the foot of some mountain. However, the one who recommended him is none other than the Forest Lord of Healing Forest.”
Hmm...
The Alliance Leader sank into deep thought with a grave expression.
If recommended by Healing Forest's Forest Lord, his background was impeccable.
The Forest Lord was known for her upright character and hatred of evil—she wasn't one to be swayed by bribes or threats.
“Handle that as you see fit too, Strategist.”
“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
As the Strategist left the room, the Alliance Leader fell back into contemplation.
'Martial arts instructor... instructor. Right. I can summon that person.'
The longsword won from the tournament wasn't as fine as Blood Ghost Mother's blade, but it was still an excellent weapon.
Shing...
Se Yeong drew the sword and lightly flicked the blade with his finger.
Ting...!
The blade vibrated, ringing out with a clear metallic tone.
Hearing it, Yi Cheon Yeong lowered his sword from his training and approached.
“It sounds like a truly fine sword.”
Se Yeong glanced at the sword in his hand.
Yi Cheon Yeong's sword was good too.
It was from Mount Hua Sect, after all—no way it was shabby.
But after long, rough use, it had several nicks.
“What? Getting greedy?”
Ha ha...
Yi Cheon Yeong gave an awkward laugh at Se Yeong's question.
“I'm not so shameless as to covet another's possession.”
“Then you use it.”
Se Yeong casually offered the sword in his hand.
“......Pardon?”
Yi Cheon Yeong stared at him in confusion.
“I said you take it. What good is carrying multiple swords? You can only wield one at a time anyway.”
Yi Cheon Yeong, thrilled at the unexpected gift of such a fine blade, was overcome with gratitude.
“Thank you, Hero Han. Truly, thank you.”
He bowed repeatedly in thanks.
Watching this, Paeng Se Gi approached with an envious look.
“Must be nice getting a new sword. Brother, give me this iron club.”
Se Yeong shook his head at his brazen demand.
“No. And your prized weapon isn't this club—it's the saber at your waist.”
“Still, I really like this iron club. Give it to me, Brother.”
“Argh... this punk. I said no. I'll get you a good saber later, so hold out till then.”
Paeng Se Gi grinned ear to ear.
“You promised, Brother.”
“Got it. Everyone, gather around.”
Se Yeong stood and called the squad members together.
No sooner had he spoken than Sa Sa Un, who had been prepping vegetables, set down his work and came over.
“I'm going to teach you how to conceal your presence now, so watch closely. Especially you, Hahu Yeon—pay attention. It'll be a huge help for thieving.”
“Understood, Hero Han.”
The squad members, who had been staring at one spot, turned to look for Se Yeong.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
As Paeng Se Gi scanned around, he suddenly spotted Se Yeong standing by a nearby tree.
“Huh? Brother. When did you get there?”
“From the start.”
Se Yeong hadn't hidden behind the tree or a building.
He had been standing by the tree the whole time, but they hadn't noticed him right away.
“How is that possible, Hero Han?”
Hahu Yeon, the most interested, asked.
“Everything has its own unique energy. You think you're searching for me with your eyes, but all your senses were searching too. I emitted energy similar to the tree's to fool your senses.”
“But I've never felt a tree's energy before.”
Se Yeong nodded.
He was teaching them to conceal presence, but it was still a distant realm for them.
“Focus your senses on feeling the tree's energy. It'll greatly aid your qi circulation training too.”
“Understood, Brother.”
“Understood, Hero Han.”
The squad members all bowed in thanks.
Sa Sa Un bowed reflexively too.
But he was thinking something else.
'What the hell? This guy.'
He had watched all along, so he knew Se Yeong was teaching the squad martial arts.
But the teaching method was completely different from anything he'd seen or heard before.
'Should I believe this? Or not?'
Se Yeong paid no mind to his internal dilemma.
“I'll scout around the Murim Alliance grounds. Train hard while I'm gone.”
“Safe travels, Brother.”
The Murim Alliance warrior who recognized Se Yeong bowed politely.
“Greetings, Hero Han.”
Now, every warrior in the Murim Alliance knew who Se Yeong was.
In the martial world, strength and fame were power itself.
“Who are you here to see?”
“Just admiring this antique-looking building.”
“Understood. Please enter.”
The place Se Yeong was entering was one of the residences used by the martial world's elders.
The elders disliked bustle, so they restricted access for Alliance warriors.
But for Se Yeong, who had crushed the unorthodox delegation and upheld the Alliance's honor, the doors swung wide open.
Stepping inside, Se Yeong walked while examining the old building's exterior.
'It'd be great if I could check inside.'
As he thought that, an elderly warrior emerged from the door.
Se Yeong quickly concealed his presence and slipped inside right after the man exited.
'The outside looks incredibly worn, but the interior is lavishly ornate.'
The elder's room was filled with splendid ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy.
Whoosh...
While surveying the room, Se Yeong leaped up to the rafters.
Clunk...
No sooner had he hidden atop the beam than the elderly warrior reentered.
'Damn. He finished his business quick.'
The warrior sat in a chair and pulled a letter from his bosom, unfolding it.
Se Yeong peered down at it from the rafter.
His eyes darkened deeply.
'What the hell? This bastard.'
The letter begged him to somehow prevent the subjugation of Black Bear Stronghold.
Thud! Thud...!
“I wonder if the boy's doing well.”
The grandfather, lightly splitting firewood, gazed vacantly toward the Murim Alliance.
“What are you worrying for? The grandson's way smarter than you, old man.”
The grandmother walked out and shot down his worry.
Keol keol keol...!
The grandfather's proud laughter suddenly twisted into a grimace.
The grandmother's face hardened too as she turned toward the village entrance.
“He wouldn't come back without sending a letter...?”
“Something must have happened, Father.”
The father stepped into the yard, also staring at the entrance.
Moments later, a middle-aged man resembling the father entered the house.
Ha ha... ha ha ha...
“I'm back, Father.”
The middle-aged man gave an awkward smile and bowed deeply.
But the grandfather's voice was ominous.
“How badly are you hurt?”
The man glanced around nervously and mumbled evasively.
“Just a little, Father.”
“Show me.”
At the stern tone, the man undid his outer robe, exposing his chest.
A long diagonal gash across his chest oozed blood—it hadn't healed.
“Who did it?”