"Ah! It's cold!" The dawn on the mountain was distinctly different from that of the plains.
When the cold air met the moisture of the dawn, it created a chill that penetrated to the bones.
Braving the morning air, the three great disciples exited the Baekmaegwan and headed towards the training ground.
"I'm wide awake now."
"I'm awake, but my body isn't. The fatigue hasn't worn off..."
"You should have properly circulated your energy."
"I was circulating my energy all night!"
"Oh, really?"
As they exchanged meaningless banter, the three great disciples took out sandbags and stone bags from the makeshift hut set up on one side of the training ground.
"But how long do we have to keep doing this?"
"Well, until someone tells us to stop, I guess?"
"Who?"
"Do I look like I know?"
A certain figure appeared in the minds of the disciples. 'That monstrous guy.' 'The one who would drown in a cesspool.' Although they were all three great disciples, Cheongmyeong had already completely dominated them.
The training was so grueling that there were moments of rebellion, but ever since the last person who rebelled ended up smashed into the ceiling of Baekmaegwan, no one dared to oppose again.
After all, the first rebels, Jo Geol and the senior disciple Yoon Jong, were training silently, so how could anyone think of defying Cheongmyeong? From the beginning, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong were on a different level among the three great disciples.
No one even thought about surpassing them.
From their perspective, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong were also monsters, but there were even greater monsters in the world.
"But lately, isn't that guy a bit strange?"
"What do you mean?"
"He doesn't look well, and he hasn't been coming to training."
"... Isn't that right?"
In the beginning, Cheongmyeong had participated in the dawn training regularly, tormenting the other three great disciples in various ways, but recently, he had been absent.
"Could it be that the rumors are true?"
"What rumors?"
"I heard there's talk that he's fallen into a state of stagnation."
"No way! Really?"
"No, no. Think about it. He's getting thinner and more haggard, and his health isn't good, so he keeps skipping training."
"Hmm..."
"If he were someone who usually slacked off, it would be one thing, but that's not the case. He used to train three times harder than everyone else, so isn't it strange that he suddenly doesn't look like himself?"
"Now that you mention it, that does sound plausible."
A subtle atmosphere began to form among the three great disciples as they listened to the conversation.
"Then..."
And someone finally uttered the words that should never have been spoken.
"Isn't it okay if we don't train?"
"......"
The faces of the three great disciples hardened in an instant.
In fact, the situation was not the same as when they first started training.
At first, they had come to the training ground purely out of coercion, and each day felt like hell.
But now, they were beginning to realize that they were growing stronger through that training.
Although the method of training was unfamiliar, directly moving their bodies instead of just refining their energy and studying sword techniques, the effects were undeniable.
Their lower bodies had stabilized, and their sword paths had become clearer.
What joy could there be for a martial artist beyond becoming stronger? Their bodies were weary, but they were starting to understand the joy of training.
However, upon hearing those words, the feelings they had been suppressing began to surface. 'I can't skip every time, but...' 'Well, maybe just once...' 'Honestly, the training is a bit excessive.
It wouldn't hurt to cut back a little...'
Everyone's thoughts converged into one. 'If only Cheongmyeong weren't here!'
Even as they held their training tools and stood in the training ground, the murmurs did not subside.
The dawn training, which they had taken for granted, suddenly became a bit bothersome as doubts arose.
After all, they were all human, and such feelings were unavoidable.
"Look, he's not coming again today."
"It really seems like something's wrong."
"Then isn't it time to give it a try?"
The last remark was the final blow.
The reason the three great disciples had followed Cheongmyeong without complaint until now was precisely for three reasons.
First, they were not confident that they could defeat Cheongmyeong even if all three of them attacked together.
To be honest, they couldn't defeat him.
Second, Cheongmyeong was under the protection of the owner of Baekmaegwan, Ungeom.
If there was an opponent they couldn't handle, they had to resolve it through that higher authority.
But how could that higher authority side against Cheongmyeong? Lastly, Cheongmyeong was surprisingly reasonable.
In training, he pushed them hard without mercy, but he never bullied anyone or made them do personal tasks just because he was strong.
Thanks to that, life had become easier compared to when Jo Geol had been in charge of the three great disciples.
But now, one of those three reasons had collapsed. 'Isn't it worth a try?' 'He looked almost emaciated.' 'If we all work together, can't we win?'
A determined resolve began to flicker in the eyes of the three great disciples.
Jo Geol sighed as he watched the three great disciples buzzing with excitement.
"Senior."
"Let it be," Yoon Jong chuckled.
"They'll soon learn the reality."
At that moment, a creaking sound echoed.
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
The door of Baekmaegwan was opening.
At this moment, all the three great disciples were gathered here, meaning that only Cheongmyeong remained inside Baekmaegwan.
So, the one coming out of Baekmaegwan was naturally!
The door swung wide open.
And the three great disciples simultaneously closed their eyes and turned their heads.
"Ah! What is that?"
"It's blinding!"
A dazzling light swept past their eyes.
Those who cautiously glanced back at the door were all wide-eyed in astonishment.
Cheongmyeong was walking out.
It was definitely Cheongmyeong.
But the Cheongmyeong they saw now was not the same as the one they had seen just yesterday.
It was certainly Cheongmyeong, but...
'Why does he look so fresh?'
'His face is shining with oil!'
'Did he find some wild ginseng to eat?'
The three great disciples doubted their own eyes.
Just yesterday, he had looked so emaciated that it wouldn't have been surprising if he had collapsed and died at any moment.
But now, the Cheongmyeong before them looked so healthy that he seemed to be dripping with oil.
'He's done for.'
'He's lost it.
He should just train.'
'He must have had a good dream.'
The three great disciples sensed that their dreams had flown far away.
"Ahem."
Cheongmyeong walked over to the training ground and stood before the three great disciples, speaking in a somewhat serious tone.
"Everyone."
"......"
"I cannot help but feel sorry for you all. Due to my poor health, I have been unable to attend to your training. I take full responsibility for this."
"...... Ah, no."
"It's okay. That can happen!"
"We're fine! Really, we're fine!"
Sensing that something strange was happening, they desperately shouted.
But Cheongmyeong merely shook his head with a serious expression.
"No. Even though you all train so diligently without me, I have failed to meet your expectations. This is clearly my mistake."
The atmosphere turned strange. 'This can't be right.' 'Why is he saying such things?' Still, it didn't seem like a bad situation...
"But!"
"......"
Cheongmyeong declared firmly with his bright eyes, "While I cannot undo my mistakes, I can make up for them! If training has been lacking, then we simply need to train more!"
'That bastard...'
'I'll drown him in a cesspool...'
"Just kill me instead. Just kill me!"
Small curses began to spill from various corners, but Cheongmyeong paid them no mind.
"So, I hope you all remember that the future of the volcano lies in your hands and that you will dedicate yourselves wholeheartedly to training. Now, for the time being..."
Cheongmyeong gestured upwards.
Everyone's gaze turned upward.
They saw the towering Yeonhwa Peak.
"......"
"Go."
"......"
"First come, first served. The last half will have to go again."
"......"
"Not going?"
At that moment, someone suddenly dashed out like lightning.
The identity of the one heading towards Yeonhwa Peak at a terrifying speed left the three great disciples in shock.
"Senior disciple?"
Yoon Jong, the senior disciple among the three great disciples, was running towards Yeonhwa Peak as if his feet were on fire.
Someone was quickly following behind him.
Of course, it was Jo Geol.
"No, senior! Without any loyalty!"
"Hey, run! Hurry!"
"If you’re late, you’ll have to go again! Run!"
Only then did the remaining three great disciples snap back to reality and start running towards Yeonhwa Peak.
"No! How can he change so much overnight!"
"How would I know?"
"Senior! You said it was worth a try earlier!"
"A gentleman must know when to seize the moment! This is not the time!"
"A gentleman can freeze to death! You little brat!"
"What did you say?"
"Senior! Senior! You're falling behind! Please run! Senior!"
The three great disciples scrambled up Yeonhwa Peak with all their might.
Cheongmyeong's training would not end with the passage of time.
They couldn't even eat until their quota was fulfilled.
After climbing Yeonhwa Peak twice and completing their quota, they would end up walking on their arms instead of their legs that day.
So everyone was running with all their strength!
"Even ghosts aren't careless! What are they waiting for to catch him!"
"It looks like a ghost will catch him!"
They all ran and ran, shedding tears of blood.
No matter what they did, now that Cheongmyeong had regained his health, they had no chance.
The first attempt at rebellion was neatly suppressed before it even began.
Watching the backs of the three great disciples climbing Yeonhwa Peak with determination, Cheongmyeong chuckled softly.
"Such adorable little ones."
How dare they dream of rebellion.
His heightened senses, sharpened as he reached a new level, caught every word exchanged among them even within Baekmaegwan.
"Well, that's fine."
Cheongmyeong had been like that in the past too.
Those who obeyed and followed without question had their limits.
While the volcano might prefer such individuals, Cheongmyeong did not.
He was inherently a rebellious spirit.
However! There was nothing uglier than someone who complained without the skills to back it up.
For a martial artist to gain a voice, the first and foremost requirement was skill, and the second was skill.
"I will create that skill."
Cheongmyeong smiled brightly.
While it was important to regain his former prowess, no matter how strong he became, he could not restore the glory of the past volcano.
A sect could not be swayed by the strength of a single person.
For thousands of years in the martial world, countless individuals had risen to become the best in the world through their own strength.
But while their fame might be passed down, their successors could not leave their names in the world.
In the end, for a sect to maintain its lineage and spread its fame, all its members must be strong.
The reason Shaolin is called the number one sect in the world is not because it has the number one martial artist.
Even sects with the number one martial artist cannot defeat Shaolin in a sect-to-sect battle.
Even in the past, during the peak of its glory, the volcano was said to be inferior compared to Shaolin.
'Not this time.' Cheongmyeong's eyes sparkled.
In the past, he could only follow the ways of his master and seniors, but this time, he could rebuild the volcano from the ground up in his own way.
It would be a difficult and arduous journey, but the end would be higher and more magnificent than before.
Of course, whether the senior disciple would be pleased with that volcano was another question.
"If you're wronged, just come back to life."
After a long time of chuckling, Cheongmyeong cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "The last one will have no food today!"
It was a wickedness that would make even demons weep.