Cheongmyeong's gaze slowly moved from left to right.
Those who met his eyes all averted their gazes, not daring to make contact. 'Don't look him in the eye.' 'That guy has it out for us today.' Just looking at Cheongmyeong's restless eyes made it clear that anyone who got caught would not return home unscathed.
The three great disciples desperately turned their eyes away from Cheongmyeong.
"I..."
A voice that sounded like it came from hell escaped Cheongmyeong's lips.
"I can't stand losing to those Jongnam bastards."
His eyes sparkled with madness. 'He's going to wet himself.' 'How can someone like him come in here...' 'Is it because it's a full moon today that he's gone crazier than usual?'
"A person has their pride. How can we lose to Jongnam?" Even if everyone else accepted it, Cheongmyeong could not acknowledge that fact.
Losing to Jongnam, who had done nothing wrong, would keep him awake at night, and to be beaten by those wicked thieves who stole the Plum Blossom Sword Technique? It would be a miracle if he didn't die from rage.
"The seniors must win. I'll make it happen."
"......"
Everyone was desperately trying to escape Cheongmyeong's clutches.
But when so many people gathered, there was bound to be at least one who lacked awareness.
"But..."
It was Jo Geol.
He asked with a look of pure confusion, "What did you mean earlier? That we should just die?"
"Oh?" Cheongmyeong smiled at Jo Geol's question.
"Senior, come out."
"...... Me?" Jo Geol pointed to his own face with his finger.
"Yes."
"......"
Jo Geol glanced around.
The other seniors nodded at him with satisfied smiles.
A wave of betrayal washed over Jo Geol, and his mouth opened slightly. 'You traitors.' Where had all the brotherhood gone? Before Cheongmyeong arrived at Hwasan, they had shared a strong bond of helping each other, but when had this place become so harsh?
"Come out quickly. Hurry."
"B-Big senior."
Jo Geol looked back at Yoon Jong one last time.
He cleared his throat and nodded.
"Go on."
"This bastard..."
He couldn't bring himself to say anything more.
In the end, Jo Geol, with his head hung low, walked out like a cow being led to slaughter.
Yoon Jong seemed to see a leash around Jo Geol's neck.
Cheongmyeong looked at Jo Geol as he stepped forward.
"You said you wanted to get stronger, right?"
"...... That's right."
"Actually, this might sound a bit strange..."
Cheongmyeong grinned.
It felt eerie to see someone holding a sword smile on a moonlit night.
"The seniors are already strong enough."
"...... Huh?"
"The training you've done so far hasn't been in vain."
Jo Geol furrowed his brow.
"But you said we still can't compete with Jongnam?"
"Well, that's true."
Cheongmyeong pondered. 'Did Lee Songbaek say that Jongnam's second disciple is relatively strong?' Judging by how the other seniors treated Lee Songbaek, he certainly seemed to be one of the stronger ones.
If he used that as a standard to gauge the level of the three great disciples...
'It seems similar to what I thought before.' Jo Geol could compete, and Yoon Jong needed luck.
But the other three great disciples would never win.
Of course, the outcome of a match could change drastically depending on one's physical condition and luck on any given day, but unless heavenly luck was on their side, it was hard to imagine the three great disciples of Hwasan defeating those of Jongnam.
"But that's not because the seniors are weak."
"...... Then?"
"You've built your bodies, but you're still doing the same things as before."
"Eh?" The body? Jo Geol lowered his head slightly to look at his own body. 'It has changed.' Thanks to following Cheongmyeong's training and taking elixirs, the three great disciples had become as solid as those from the Shaolin.
Just looking at their well-defined muscles brought a smile to their faces.
Of course, it wasn't just for show.
They all felt that their bodies had become several times stronger compared to the past after adapting to the training.
Their swords had become incredibly fast and strong, and their lower bodies were as solid as rock.
"But doing the same things... what's wrong with what we're doing now?"
"I'm about to tell you that."
Cheongmyeong grinned and approached Jo Geol.
The sound of Cheongmyeong's sword scraping against the ground was grating to the ears.
Jo Geol swallowed hard as he watched Cheongmyeong approach.
"Senior."
"Yes?"
"Why do you think we learn the sword?"
"Well..."
The answer already existed in Hwasan.
Through the sword, one masters the body, and ultimately reaches the Dao.
In the sect, the sword was merely a means to reach the Dao. 'But he wouldn't want that answer.' If he said that, he would surely be scolded for giving a cliché response.
So...
"Isn't it to defeat our opponents?"
"Ha!" Cheongmyeong clapped his hands.
"To think such an answer would come from your head! Truly remarkable. It’s a typical answer from someone who doesn't fit the image of a Daoist."
...
I should have just given a cliché answer.
Cheongmyeong nodded.
"Half of that is correct. It is to win. So how do we win with the sword?"
"Don't we just need to get stronger?" Jo Geol answered boldly, realizing that no matter what answer he gave, he would be criticized.
"That's right."
But this time, surprisingly, Cheongmyeong readily accepted Jo Geol's answer.
"You need to be stronger. If you're stronger than your opponent, you win. But this has a slightly different meaning."
"...... It's a bit hard to understand."
"It's simple."
Cheongmyeong smiled brightly and raised his sword.
"Now, from this moment, you and I will spar. Use every technique you have. I will only make one downward strike."
"...... Really?"
"Yes."
Jo Geol narrowed his eyes. 'Is he underestimating me too much?' Having had numerous experiences with Cheongmyeong, Jo Geol knew better than anyone that no matter how hard he tried, it was impossible to defeat Cheongmyeong at this point.
But this was a different story.
No matter how big the gap was, losing to Cheongmyeong, who was only using a downward strike, would be a matter of pride. 'I have to show how strong I've become.' Jo Geol gritted his teeth and lifted his wooden sword.
"But are you really going to use a real sword?"
"Yes."
"...... Just to be sure..."
"Come on, don't worry."
Why wouldn't he give a clear answer? Jo Geol nodded with a reluctant expression.
He must have some plan.
"Can we start?"
"Oh?" As Jo Geol confidently raised his wooden sword, Cheongmyeong smiled subtly.
"It seems like you’ve gained some confidence."
"Thanks to the grueling training."
"Hmm."
Cheongmyeong also smiled as he raised his sword. 'Confidence, that's good.' Anyone who wields a sword must have confidence.
Those who do not believe in themselves find it hard to show their true abilities.
But...
'It's still a bit early.' If they were like chickens, he would acknowledge them, but the three great disciples were still just chicks.
It was natural for Hwasan to be excited as it rose with great momentum, but now was not the time for confidence; it was time to solidify their foundation.
He needed to let them know that.
Jo Geol glared at Cheongmyeong with sharp eyes.
If one only looked at his gaze, he could be mistaken for a top-tier swordsman.
"Prepare yourself!"
"Yes?"
"I have no ulterior motives! Hwaaaah!" Jo Geol shouted as he charged at Cheongmyeong.
The claim of having no ulterior motives was belied by the fire of ambition in his eyes.
His determination to land at least one hit was so evident that it was almost embarrassing. 'What did I do wrong?' If others heard this, they would surely laugh and point fingers, but fortunately, no one here had mastered mind-reading.
Cheongmyeong clicked his tongue and dodged Jo Geol's sword.
"Taaah!" But that was something he had anticipated, as Jo Geol's sword began to change in a dizzying manner.
The Falling Flower Sword.
Even though it had been less than a month since he started learning it, Jo Geol was skillfully executing the Falling Flower Sword.
Combined with the Seven Star Steps, the Falling Flower Sword was so splendid and intricate that even those who did not know swords would gasp in awe.
'He definitely has talent.' Cheongmyeong looked at Jo Geol with newfound appreciation.
In terms of innate talent for the sword, Jo Geol would not fall behind anyone in Hwasan.
With just talent alone, he would not lose to Lee Songbaek of Jongnam.
'But.' Cheongmyeong grinned.
Naturally, a growing sprout needs to be stepped on occasionally to grow better, right? This was not selfishness at all.
It was solely a desire for Jo Geol's growth.
Cheongmyeong gripped his sword tightly.
"You're doing better than I expected, aren't you? Senior?"
"...... Doing well?"
"Yes. It seems like Jo Geol is attacking unilaterally."
Yoon Jong smiled wryly.
"It may seem that way."
"Yes?"
"Even though it looks like he's attacking unilaterally, hasn't he not even touched your clothes?"
"Ah...."
While others focused on Jo Geol's sword, Yoon Jong paid attention to Cheongmyeong's movements.
Footwork? It wasn't even that.
He simply stepped back when Jo Geol approached and deflected when he struck down.
By taking just one step back at a time, Cheongmyeong was avoiding all of Jo Geol's attacks.
Watching closely, it felt less like a spar and more like a well-choreographed sword dance.
With each step he took, Jo Geol's sword seemed to intentionally miss Cheongmyeong, slicing through the air like petals in the wind. 'How much of his movements can I grasp right now?' Yoon Jong had only been able to spar with Cheongmyeong when he was hit or during joint training.
Although several months had passed since Cheongmyeong arrived at Hwasan, this was the first time he had closely observed Cheongmyeong's martial arts in action.
Thus, he realized how vast the gap was between Cheongmyeong and them.
"Yah!" Jo Geol gritted his teeth and swung his sword.
It wouldn't catch him.
It felt like fighting a ghost.
His sword filled the space with a flourish, like petals dancing in the wind, yet Cheongmyeong effortlessly dodged it.
Just a hair's breadth.
When he thrust, the sword stopped just an inch away, and when he swung down, it brushed past his shoulder by an inch.
And when he slashed, a mere nod of Cheongmyeong's head rendered all the changes his sword made useless.
It was hopeless.
He didn't even know how he lost when he faced Cheongmyeong before.
But this time was different, wasn't it? Even with all his strength, he couldn't even graze Cheongmyeong's clothes.
Jo Geol gritted his teeth and infused his internal energy into his sword.
"Uwaaaaaah!" Jo Geol's sword glowed blue.
"Sword energy?"
"Is the disciple using sword energy?"
The voices pouring in from behind did not reach Jo Geol's ears.
With only the thought of cutting down Cheongmyeong in his mind, he unleashed a desperate sword attack.
But...
"It's over."
In that moment, Cheongmyeong suddenly stepped forward and raised his sword above his head.
Jo Geol saw it.
The scene of Cheongmyeong raising his sword.
It felt like time had stopped, and in a world flowing slowly, only Cheongmyeong's sword moved at its own pace.
Like the wind blowing and water flowing, it was just a natural motion.
'What is this?' The sword, pointing directly at the sky, came to a halt.
And then...
Paaah! With a sound that could tear through eardrums, Cheongmyeong's sword fell above Jo Geol's head. 'I'm going to die...' Jo Geol couldn't even close his eyes as he stared at the sword descending towards him.
In an instant, the life he had lived flashed before his eyes.
Before he could even realize it was a life review, Cheongmyeong's sword struck his forehead.
Paaah! With a sound like a leather drum bursting, the sword came to a stop against Jo Geol's forehead.
Thud.
Jo Geol collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at Cheongmyeong.
Cheongmyeong grinned and spoke.
"How does it feel to die?"
"......"
How does it feel? It feels a bit shocking.
Uh... um.