Chapter v9c19

At the gruff shout, those who stepped forward were Hyo-ryong and Bi Ryu-yeon. It was their turn next.

‘Come to think of it, is this the first time we’ve directly crossed swords?’

Hyo-ryong was slightly nervous. Although they had always been close since the beginning of their training, they had never directly confronted each other like today. Because of Bi Ryu-yeon’s unique characteristic that one could not gauge his true strength by merely watching, Hyo-ryong had always been curious about his abilities.

‘Should we give it a try?’

What was known yet unknown was Bi Ryu-yeon’s true power. Hyo-ryong still couldn’t determine Bi Ryu-yeon’s limits, but he was certainly amazed by the seemingly deceptive displays of prowess he occasionally showed. Would he reveal a part of that today? Hyo-ryong braced himself for the challenge.

“Come on!”

Hyo-ryong shouted confidently.

“Don’t regret it!”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s response came.

Whoosh!

Bi Ryu-yeon stepped onto the rope as light as a feather.

His movements were such that one couldn’t feel the weight at all. Hyo-ryong felt embarrassed by his own heavy movements.

Clang!

Hyo-ryong finally drew his sword towards his friend.

“Start!”

The match began with the gruff signal.

No matter how he thought about it, Bi Ryu-yeon’s claim that this was his first time practicing seemed false. The way he moved on the rope was too smooth to believe that. While others showed awkward movements in this unfamiliar training, there was no such awkwardness in Bi Ryu-yeon. He seemed like an expert among beginners.

“Is this really your first time practicing like this?”

“No! It’s definitely the first time!”

Bi Ryu-yeon responded without hesitation.

“You move too well for a first-timer!”

Hyo-ryong still seemed suspicious.

“I don’t have a hobby of receiving private lessons from a grumpy old master!”

“Right… You’re the one who would refuse even a beautiful master for private lessons!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

Bi Ryu-yeon affirmed without hesitation. However, Hyo-ryong’s suspicions were not completely cleared by Bi Ryu-yeon’s refreshing answers.

In any case, Bi Ryu-yeon easily dodged the sword technique that Hyo-ryong managed to maintain his balance with. Moreover, he showed no sign of panic.

Occasionally, he would wrap his foot around the rope to add or slow down elasticity, teasing Hyo-ryong. It was like playing hide and seek with a blindfold on, and of course, Hyo-ryong was ‘it’.

“Come on, try again! It would be boring to end it like this.”

Bi Ryu-yeon stood firmly on the vulnerable rope hanging in mid-air, as if he was rooted to the ground like a pine tree.

Hyo-ryong’s sense of balance and movement were commendable, but they were nothing compared to Bi Ryu-yeon’s. Bi Ryu-yeon’s agility on the rope was something that drew admiration from those around.

He commanded the rope as if it were a part of his body. While others were desperately trying to maintain balance as part of their struggle, his movements were on a different level.

Hyo-ryong aimed his sword at Bi Ryu-yeon, but his balance was thrown off by the rope coiling around his ankle, and he repeatedly failed.

Finally, Hyo-ryong admitted his defeat.

“Bi Ryu-yeon! I’ve lost.”

He had to acknowledge the loss.

“Is that all? You can’t give up here.”

Bi Ryu-yeon displayed an expression of nonchalance.

‘It wasn’t a lack of skill. Definitely more than ordinary! He’s not an ordinary guy.’

A gleam flashed in the gruff man’s eyes.

Contrary to the rumor of being a mere lucky man, Bi Ryu-yeon definitely had more than ordinary skills. It seemed that his coming this far wasn’t just due to luck. The gruff man had to significantly revise his evaluation of Bi Ryu-yeon.

“Should I take a closer look? Maybe he could become a new variable.”

The gruff man decided to withhold his hasty judgment of Bi Ryu-yeon for the time being. There was still time. Whether Bi Ryu-yeon was just all talk or truly the real deal, who would survive to the end, would be determined later.

Clap, clap!

“Stop! Victory goes to Bi Ryu-yeon. Come down!”

The gruff man clapped his hands twice. For now, he decided to mark Bi Ryu-yeon as someone to watch. After a day’s work had ended, the gruff man returned to his quarters, always alone. However, he had never once felt lonely or desolate. Such luxurious emotions were too heavy for him to feel, given the burden he carried. Therefore, he had no leisure to feel them.

The results of today’s special training were better than expected. It seemed promising enough not to give up. However, he was not completely satisfied yet. His dissatisfaction with the current members still lingered in his heart.

“We’re still far off!”

He couldn’t be satisfied with this level. From his perspective, what had been achieved so far was something anyone could do. To surpass that, another trial was necessary. However, that trial was internal, and there was no clear way for the gruff man to help with it.

“But there’s potential!”

The presence of potential meant that there was no need to give up before even trying. It meant they had the room to become even stronger.

Now, the sword of vengeance was in his hand. How to forge it depended entirely on his ability. Just as iron is forged in fire and tempered on the anvil to become stronger, so can humans become stronger through the tempering of trials. The one holding the hammer was the gruff man.

“Is the intensity of the training too weak? Hah! Of course, this wouldn’t count as a trial.”

According to the gruff man’s philosophy, there couldn’t be a trial without the threat of death. This was only the beginning. There was still a long and arduous path ahead. How many would be able to pass through the trials and tribulations?

“They can’t die at this level! There’s still a long way to go! Make it more entertaining for me! Hehehe.”

An ominous laugh leaked from the lips of his shadowed face.

“Tomorrow will be busy too!”

Hoping that the children would endure, the gruff man blew out the lamp. The life of the burning flame quickly extinguished with his breath. The only light that had shone was gone, and darkness arrived.

The fearsome eldest son of Heavenly Demon’s Pavilion was determined.

Not only Cheonmu Academy but also Heavenly Demon’s Pavilion were pouring their hearts into running towards the Hwasan covenent . The rivalry had always been a persistent drawing of parallel lines, with neither able to completely suppress the other. Therefore, both places were relentlessly driving their candidates, never allowing for complacency. Among those concerned about the Hwasan covenent , not all were solely focused on improving their own skills.

“We absolutely cannot lose. Defeat at the Hwasan covenent will not be tolerated. We must win at the Hwasan covenent by any means necessary. What we want is not defeat but victory alone! Do not forget that,” a person said in a stern voice to his subordinates. This person was known as the eldest son of Heavenly Demon’s Pavilion. He meticulously scanned the audience with a sharp gaze.

“Of course. How could I forget such an important matter? I’ve already made the arrangements,” someone replied.

“is that so?”

Faced with a somewhat cold response, the military officer Chisa Han couldn’t help but flinch, It was because his intuition sensed that his Lord wasn’t in a particularly elated state.

“I have already sent the command. The invisible hands we’ve planted on the other side must have already started moving. Rest assured, they will not be able to join the Hwasan covenent in their best condition.”

Chisa Han quickly responded.

“Hmm! Then I look forward to the outcome.”

While the response was not entirely satisfactory, it was enough for the moment.

‘Please rest assured. I will never disappoint you, my lord.’

Only then did a satisfied smile return to the lips of the eldest son. Chisa Han could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Now, he could be at ease.

‘Phew… that was nerve-racking.’

It felt like a decade had been shaved off his life, and recently, with nothing going right, his heart had been restless. He had to show results as quickly as possible. The eldest son was not a lenient man who would keep incompetent subordinates around for long.

‘What’s next?’

The eldest son proceeded with checking if there were any remaining items on the agenda. There was indeed one significant item left.

“Yes! Next is the matter of dealing with the investigator dispatched to Cheonmu Academy for Mount Wudang, regarding the investigation into the true circumstances of the blood incident.”

At the mention of the investigator, even the statue-like eldest son showed a slight reaction. He who seemed unshakable even if the sky fell was clearly perturbed now.

“An investigator, you say…?”

“Yes! It’s the fiancée of Gal Hyobong of the Blood Stream, Sa Jung Hwa Eun Seol Ran.’

At Chisa Han’s response, the eldest son’s straight brows twitched with displeasure. Although it happened in an instant, Chisa Han’s exceptional attentiveness did not miss it.

‘Seol Ran…’

The taste in the eldest son’s mouth suddenly turned bitter, an extremely unpleasant feeling.

“A fiancée. That is not a very pleasant term.”

That single phrase was enough.

‘Yes! My apologies!’

Startled, Chisa Han quickly stood at attention and responded.

From experience, he knew that in such situations, it was wisest to comply without question. However, he had also made a foolish move.

“Shall I eliminate her? Just give the command.”

The eldest son lifted his head and looked intently at Chisa Han. The myriad thoughts contained within that gaze made Chisa Han flinch. The look seemed to say.

‘Are you out of your mind right now?’

Chisa Han was certain of one thing that look was not one of kindness. How could a gaze that even contained a faint trace of murderous intent suddenly turn into kindness? It was nonsensical.

“Let’s wait and see how the investigator’s situation unfolds. It is not time to decide their fate yet.”

“Yes! Understood.”

Once again, Chisa Han did not argue and readily agreed.

“Good. You may go now.”

The eldest son signaled for Chisa Han to leave. Filled with relief, Chisa Han exited the heavy, tension-filled space. His heart, which had felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, now felt as light as a feather.

‘Phew… I survived.’

His heart still pounded wildly due to maintaining such a high level of tension.

Externally, the true thoughts of the eldest son were impenetrable, which was precisely what made him so formidable. Even though Chisa Han had been advising him for a long time, there were still moments when he felt a chilling fear. It was like carrying a cold ice blade at his side.

Therefore, it was impossible to completely guess his intentions based on his appearance, expression, or tone alone. However, that did not mean it was entirely impossible, because humans possess a sixth sense and instincts.

The sweat-soaked back of Chisa Han was a testament to those instincts sounding an alarm in his mind, an alarm that, as always, proved very useful.

The eldest son was always cool-headed, sharp, and without gaps. His perfection was so flawless and meticulous that it was almost terrifying.

‘He is someone I absolutely do not wish to oppose!’

Every time Chisa Han met the eldest son’s gaze, which was as dark as an abyss without light, his soul felt as if it was plummeting into an abyss. It was an eerie and terrifying feeling, one he did not want to experience a second time. From then on, Chisa Han made every effort to avoid direct eye contact with the eldest son.

To someone as seasoned in this field as himself, those eyes instilled fear! It was a pure fear, one that was not calculated but rather a primal fear that stimulated the very core of his being.

‘This is not of human origin…’

Chisa Han had no desire to be on the bad side of an adversary where defeat was already certain. To avoid the eldest son’s wrath, he had to think as hard as he could. That was the quickest way to save his neck.