Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Why Is This Real?
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"Is this the place?"
A stranger's voice reached Gwang-yu's sharp ears.
One, two, three or more... That's no small number.
Gwang-yu, eyes closed as he gauged the footsteps, snapped them open at the presence of multiple people.
The sky had already been dyed red with sunset.
A group sneaking into this building at this hour?
Gwang-yu stretched his stiff body with a long yawn.
"They say the new aide lives in this building. The problem is the young leader's office right next door."
"The new aide is a six-year-old kid, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Six-year-olds aren't common in the cult, so even without a clear description, we'll recognize her. We'll stake out here and grab her when she comes out."
"Understood."
Gwang-yu focused on his sense of smell.
The scent of poison carried by the Tang Clan of Sichuan wafted through the air.
The Tang Clan rats, after all? Those cowards from the Tang Clan pulling dirty tricks. And they know the building's layout? Does the cult have a spy inside?
Gwang-yu grimaced, balanced precariously on a tree branch, then leaped high into the sky.
"What the? This guy?"
When his feet touched the ground again, Gwang-yu was right in front of the Tang Clan assassins.
"What are you staring at? Take him out before it gets noisy!"
As a Tang Clan assassin lunged, Gwang-yu snatched his throat with viper-like grip strength and slammed him into the ground.
"Urk... Gah!"
The assassin couldn't even scream properly, clutching his neck and vomiting blood.
"As long as I'm here, the only place you Tang Clan scum can set foot in the Heavenly Demon Cult is..."
Gwang-yu whispered low, his beastly golden eyes flashing as black spiritual energy poured from his hand, spread like a serpent's fangs.
"Right here."
The place Gwang-yu took me was a mountain near the Heavenly Demon Cult.
There was a large cave different from where the Golden Immortal Lotus had been, and outside it, the view of the mountains below unfolded like a painting.
And even at night, the moon and stars shine so brightly it feels like candles are lit.
It's my first time thinking the stars are twinkling.
No wonder there's that children's song about twinkly little stars!
I let out a small gasp of admiration at the star-packed night sky, something I never saw in the city where my past life's Park Dan-myeong lived.
With this beautiful scenery and cool breeze, it feels like all my worries are melting away.
"This is where I enjoy my liquor... no, my leisure. It's a secret spot I cherish, but since you're my first disciple, little bean, I'll share it specially."
Gwang-yu said it like he was bestowing a great favor, watching me gaze rapt at the night sky.
...A place to drink booze.
But I could see why Gwang-yu liked this spot.
It's the first time I've ever felt nature was so beautiful and awe-inspiring.
"We're training here? You said it's where you enjoy your leisure."
"I think resting is as important as training. Staring at the sky here makes even hardships fade away."
Classic Gwang-yu philosophy—loves fun and leisure above all.
"Alright, before I teach you, one question."
"What?"
"Have you ever had any other masters besides me?"
Suddenly asking about other masters?
To reiterate, my only teachers in my past life were kindergarten and school ones.
"Not really. Why do you ask?"
"Your qi flow was unstable this morning, but it seems a bit steadier now."
At Gwang-yu's words, I recalled what the Golden Immortal Lotus said right after the ritual to hide the flower seed's power.
"Hiding the flower seed's power is temporary. It'll naturally reveal itself again with time."
Looks like Yeon-hwa's spell wore off. Good thing it held until we got home.
I let out a sigh of relief and recounted the day's events.
"It's probably from today's training. Yeon-hwa taught me a qi circulation method."
A qi circulation method refers to any technique for moving, using, or accumulating qi in the body.
Today, I learned the basics from Yeon-hwa: dantian breathing and qi gathering.
Dantian breathing is literally breathing into the dantian— a method to build up qi.
I even got whacked with a fan for breathing wrong.
And qi gathering? Simply put, it's circulating qi through the body based on dantian breathing.
I can't control my inner energy freely yet, but consistent practice will let me wield qi at will.
No wonder the tangled feeling in my body lessened after training—it worked.
Knowing my efforts paid off filled me with quiet pride.
"I knew it. Little bean, taking another master behind my back? Bolder than you look."
Gwang-yu made a heartbroken face, like he'd caught his lover cheating.
Is that how it comes across? Well, I did learn from Yeon-hwa.
But to me, Yeon-hwa feels more like a nagging mom than a master...
Far from the master-disciple vibe.
"Don't say it like I betrayed a lover. It's pretty upsetting."
"I'd rather get cheated on by a lover. Love can be rekindled, but you can't replace your first disciple."
Gwang-yu values disciples over lovers... Surprising. With his free spirit, I figured women came first.
But whatever his priorities, I'm his first disciple.
That means I've become someone precious to him.
So I should return that trust.
A bit embarrassing, but...
Say it!
"Like I said before, you're my first master. My only one. As long as you don't die, I won't take another. Well... yeah."
I expected dramatics, but Gwang-yu just stared at me intently.
My face is gonna burn a hole through.
As embarrassment heated my cheeks, Gwang-yu broke into a radiant smile.
"So that's why everyone takes disciples."
Not his usual playful grin—this was genuine joy.
Seeing it, I knew I'd done right, embarrassment be damned.
"Then let's learn the martial forms properly. Treat this wooden sword like a real one and follow along."
I took the wooden sword Gwang-yu handed me.
It was as long as my body.
I've read about this in wuxia novels. Martial forms are techniques to manifest inner energy.
Today, as a true Heavenly Demon Cult member, I'm learning a martial artist's skill for the first time.
My heart swelled.
"What I'll teach you today is the Seven Demon Sword Forms. I'll demonstrate each one."
"Got it, Master!"
I widened my eyes, focusing on Gwang-yu's movements.
"First, Seven Demon First Sword."
Gwang-yu stepped forward, arm extending straight and powerfully, thrusting the wooden sword into the air.
It looks simple, but the sword cuts the wind with speed and precision.
"Next, Seven Demon Second Sword."
No sooner had he spoken than his sword slashed and thrust through the air in a flash.
"Seven Demon Third Sword."
Dropping low as if dodging an attack, Gwang-yu swung the wooden sword upward from below with force.
For a split second, I saw an illusion of the opponent being sliced.
Simple motions, but infused with his qi, they turned menacing.
No wonder he's called one of the cult's Eleven Elders.
"Seven Demon Fourth Sword."
Gwang-yu's eyes sharpened as he swung the wooden sword down from above, then thrust into the void.
In that instant, the previous forms connected with the fourth, etching into my mind like a single line.
What was that just now?
"It normally goes to Seven Demon Seventh Sword, but we'll stop here for today."
While I was lost watching his forms, Gwang-yu planted his wooden sword in the ground and leaned on it.
Can I really do this?
First time learning martial forms—worry crept in.
"Give it a try."
Gwang-yu gave me my first task.
Think of it like dancing?
In my past life, I could mimic even the insanely hard K-pop idol choreos after one watch—I've got a knack for kinesthetic learning!
"Here goes."
I stepped forward like Gwang-yu and executed Seven Demon First Sword.
...Huh? Why is this...
My body seemed to remember, flowing seamlessly from First to Fourth Sword without a hitch.
...working?