Chapter 12 – Baek Ri-seol (1)

Baek Ri-seol strutted onto the training ground, her hands on her hips and her chin held high.

“Instructor Cho?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“I’m not just going to learn from anyone. I’m special. I deserve the best.”

Cho Un-hwi patted the pouch of jewels in his robe and nodded eagerly.

“Alright, then tell me. What makes you so special?”

“I’m handsome?”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not interested in your affections.”

“Sigh.”

Baek Ri-seol pressed her fingers to her forehead dramatically.

“Fine, let’s get to the point. I’m developing a special technique, a technique that’s only been passed down to me within my clan.”

“Oh? That’s impressive.”

“Impressive? It’s more than impressive! It’s extraordinary! I’m not just the treasure of the Muhan Branch I’m the only one in the entire clan who’s been allowed to learn this technique.”

She puffed out her chest proudly.

“Which means I’m a genius.”

Ryeong-ryong, her maid, clapped enthusiastically.

Cho Un-hwi joined in, clapping slowly and unenthusiastically.

“Amazing. Incredible. A true genius. You’re the best.”

“Hehe, I’m glad you understand.”

She twirled around, her excitement growing.

“So, what can you teach me, Instructor Cho? What can you offer someone as special as me, the jewel of the Baek Ri Clan?”

“Hmm, I’m pretty good at everything.”

“You’re arrogant, but I like it. It’s special.”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“What’s your specialty? Swords?”

“I’m pretty good with swords.”

“Can you use other weapons too?”

“I’m also good with sabers.”

“Swords and sabers? Can you use any other weapons?”

“Of course.”

Cho Un-hwi puffed out his chest.

“I’m particularly skilled with swords, sabers, spears, staffs, and bows.”

Baek Ri-seol’s face fell.

It was understandable.

It was difficult enough to master a single weapon, let alone multiple weapons.

Only amateurs boasted about being proficient in all weapons. True masters knew that it took decades of dedicated training to master even a single weapon.

Claiming to be skilled in multiple weapons was a sure sign of mediocrity.

Baek Ri-seol’s face turned red.

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Of course not. I’m a terrible liar.”

“You just lied about being handsome!”

“That wasn’t a lie.”

He lifted his fringe slightly, revealing his face.

Baek Ri-seol froze, her finger pointing at him.

(TLN: lol good one)

“Miss?”

Ryeong-ryong’s voice snapped her out of her trance.

She cleared her throat, her face still flushed.

“F-fine, I believe you.”

“Thank you for your trust.”

“But if you can’t help me with my training, I’ll fire you without hesitation!”

“My, my, this employer is quite demanding.”

“Answer me!”

“Yes, My Lady!”

They finally began their training.

***

Cho Un-hwi lay on a boulder, watching Baek Ri-seol practice her swordsmanship.

Namgung Yun-ho approached him, his face grim.

He had witnessed the entire exchange between Cho Un-hwi and Baek Ri-seol.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You could get fired! It’s against the rules to poach students from other instructors.”

“Relax, Ghost Boy. You have nothing to worry about.”

“The Baek Ri Clan is not to be trifled with. If you cross them, you’ll regret it. It won’t just be about returning the money.”

Namgung Yun-ho was genuinely concerned.

He might not like Cho Un-hwi’s personality, but he respected his skills and appreciated his guidance.

He was grateful for the way Cho Un-hwi had helped him, and he wanted to repay the favor.

But Cho Un-hwi just smiled.

“Don’t worry about me.”

He hoped the instructor was right.

He had grown accustomed to Cho Un-hwi’s unorthodox training methods, and he didn’t want to go back to the way things were before.

***

The first day passed without incident.

Baek Ri-seol spent most of the time bragging about her special sword technique and the Baek Ri Clan’s generosity in allowing her to learn it.

“The technique I’m learning is called the Supreme Invincible Unparalleled Sword Technique!”

(TLN: Baek Ri minato named it)

It was a rather… self-aggrandizing name.

She puffed out her chest proudly.

“It’s an incredibly powerful technique, but my genius intuition tells me that it’s not complete. I think the transitions between the third and fourth forms, and the sixth and seventh forms, need some work.”

“I thought you said it was a special technique? How can a special technique be incomplete?”

Baek Ri-seol hesitated for a moment.

Then, she raised her voice and declared, “Because I’m special!”

“Alright, show me this… Supreme Unparalleled Sword Technique of yours.”

“It’s the Supreme Invincible Unparalleled Sword Technique!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“Prepare to be amazed!”

She struck a dramatic pose, her sword raised high.

“Are you sure it’s okay to show me this… Supreme Unparalleled Sword Technique?”

“It’s the Supreme Invincible Unparalleled Sword Technique!”

She stomped her foot, correcting his pronunciation.

“It’s fine. It’s all part of the process of perfecting the technique. I’m willing to share it with you, because I’m magnanimous.”

“Sure, whatever you say.”

They spent the rest of the day watching Baek Ri-seol practice her bizarre sword technique.

The next day, Baek Ri-seol continued to practice diligently.

But she wasn’t making any progress.

She even tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her face.

“That was an evasive maneuver!” she declared, as blood trickled from her nose.

She picked herself up and resumed her training.

Cho Un-hwi clapped his hands.

“I’m getting bored.”

He turned to Ryeong-ryong, who was watching the training session with a basket of snacks.

“Can I have some snacks?”

***

On the third day, Baek Ri-seol’s training continued.

Cho Un-hwi still showed no signs of actually teaching her anything.

In fact, he seemed more interested in the snacks that Ryeong-ryong had brought.

“Ooh, what’s this?”

“These are snacks from the Muhan Branch.”

She opened a beautifully lacquered wooden box, revealing an assortment of delicate pastries and sweets.

Cho Un-hwi popped a pastry into his mouth and sighed with contentment.

“These are exquisite! They’re nothing like the cheap sweets you find on the street.”

He sampled each pastry, offering his expert opinion.

“Ah, this one has walnuts.”

“Ooh, this is so sweet!”

“This place is amazing!”

Namgung Yun-ho, who was watching the spectacle with a mixture of amusement and concern, nudged Cho Un-hwi.

“Want some?”

“…No, thank you.”

What was he doing?

Even Ryeong-ryong was starting to worry.

“Um, Instructor Cho, are you sure Miss Baek is going to be alright?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Cho Un-hwi replied simply, “She’ll be fine.”

He didn’t offer any further explanation.

On the fifth day, Namgung Yun-ho could no longer stand by and watch.

“Instructor, this isn’t right,” he said.

“What now?”

“Are you just going to watch her train all day without offering any guidance?”

“Observing a student’s progress is part of an instructor’s duty.”

Easy for him to say.

But Namgung Yun-ho had a reason for speaking up.

“That sword technique is useless. If she keeps practicing it like that, she’s going to injure herself.”

He was right.

Baek Ri-seol’s sword technique was far from being a legendary technique. It was barely even a technique at all.

“Her internal energy cultivation and swordsmanship are completely out of sync.”

“I know.”

Most martial artists practiced techniques that complemented each other.

If they practiced a fast sword technique, they would cultivate their internal energy in a way that allowed for quick bursts of power. If they practiced a slow sword technique, they would cultivate their internal energy in a way that emphasized endurance and stamina.

The martial arts styles of the major clans emphasized balance and harmony between internal energy cultivation and swordsmanship.

“And the way she’s swinging her sword so wildly, without any regard for form or technique, is going to damage her tendons and muscles.”

“I know.”

But Baek Ri-seol’s sword technique was completely unorthodox.

Her internal energy cultivation was erratic, and her swordsmanship was unpredictable and chaotic.

It was like trying to run a marathon while breathing like you were sleeping.

It was a recipe for disaster.

“And you’re just going to let her continue?”

“Yep.”

Namgung Yun-ho sighed in defeat.

Cho Un-hwi grinned.

“You’re right, it’s a terrible technique. But she’s still managing to hold her own.”

He patted Namgung Yun-ho’s shoulder and looked at Baek Ri-seol with admiration.

“She’s a tough one, isn’t she?”

“I agree that she’s a hard worker, but I think it’s more accurate to call her stubborn. She’s clinging to a flawed technique.”

Cho Un-hwi smacked him on the back of the head.

“Namgung, you need to stop focusing on people’s weaknesses. If you want to survive in the Murim world, you need to learn to appreciate their strengths.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

He returned to the shade of a tree and lay down, resuming his nap.

Another day passed.

On the sixth day, Baek Ri-seol finally snapped.

“Instructor!”

She stormed over to Cho Un-hwi, her face flushed and her hair disheveled.

“Why are you just sitting there watching me?!”

“Nom nom nom.”

“Ugh!”

She stomped her foot, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Do your job!”

“I am doing my job.”

Cho Un-hwi protested, but even Ryeong-ryong, her loyal maid, was starting to lose patience.

“We’re confiscating your snacks.”

“And you don’t need any more honey water.”

“Miss, let’s go back to Instructor Yeo tomorrow.”

As they gathered their belongings, Cho Un-hwi suddenly clapped his hands together.

“Ah!”

“What? It’s too late to change your mind.”

“Really? That’s a shame. I think I just figured out the secret to the third form…”

“What?!”

Baek Ri-seol’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Don’t try to trick me. I’m the precious daughter of the Baek Ri Clan, the treasure of the Muhan Branch. If you lie to me, there will be consequences…”

“Try using two swords.”

“What?”

“The third form wasn’t meant to be performed with a single sword. Try wielding two swords.”

“But the swords will clash if I do that.”

“Namgung.”

“Yes, Instructor!”

Namgung Yun-ho handed Baek Ri-seol his sword.

She hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly took the sword.

“Point the tips of the swords towards the ground.”

“Stand on one leg as you execute the form.”

“The key is to transfer the rotational force from the sword tips to your foot.”

Baek Ri-seol, confused but intrigued, followed his instructions.

She had tried countless times to master the third form, but she had always failed.

Swish!

She moved gracefully, her body swaying like a willow in the wind.

As she swung her arms, her swords spinning in perfect unison, her posture became more stable.

The only problem was the clashing of the blades.

Clang!

“Huh?”

“Gasp!”

As the swords collided, sparks flew, and the blades bounced off each other.

It was like watching a bird spread its wings.

Swish!

“I… I did it.”

Baek Ri-seol stood on one leg, her arms outstretched, her eyes shining with wonder.

She had finally mastered the third form.

She looked at Cho Un-hwi, her gaze filled with gratitude.

“It’s like a crane taking flight. I would call this form ‘White Crane Ascending’.”

Cho Un-hwi grinned.

(TLN: so today is probably the last i post 2 chaps a day and the daily posting will be going till the end of this month than I go with 5 chaps a a week

But on the bright side puting the previous milesstones in mind we got 69 (nice) folks putting this novel on reading list and 7 votes above 3 on Nu so tmrw you guys get 2 bonus chaps all in all you get 3 chaps tmrw enjoy :D)