Chapter 42 – Passion Effort Grit

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 42 – Passion, Effort, Grit

A sunny afternoon.

Over a hundred disciples gathered at the White Peak Sword Sect training grounds were honing their swordsmanship under the guidance of the three Head Instructors.

More precisely, they were learning the basic application of stably infusing true energy into their swords.

"Focus, focus!"

"Alright! One more time!"

"Steady your breathing, that's it!"

Amid the successive booming shouts of Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In.

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale-

The disciples lined up in rows began rotating their dantians while holding their swords and steadying their breath.

Energy channels responding in an instant.

The Conception and Governing vessels that vertically penetrated the body interacted to accelerate the energy circulation.

Orthodox faction internal energy methods take Water Rising and Fire Descending as their foundation.

It meant the circulation and harmony of the Conception and Governing vessels symbolizing yin and yang – water energy rising upward and fire energy descending downward.

Currently, through the mastery of the White Peak Intermediate Method, all the disciples' energy channels and acupoints were completely opened, making their true energy circulation process exceptionally smooth.

Therefore, the next goal was naturally sword wind application based on internal energy cultivation.

The sword study of being able to emit the energy on the blade like sharp wind.

For that, the first priority was to keep the true energy infused into the sword gathered without scattering.

But it wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Being an internal energy domain requiring high concentration and control, it seemed adaptation and mastery would take quite some time.

Still, they had to manage somehow.

Thanks to Cheol Ryu-heun, gaining twenty years' worth of internal energy was good, but if they couldn't handle that power precisely, it would be nothing but a shiny facade.

To make up for having fallen behind other sects at the starting line, they had no choice but to learn as quickly as possible.

Everyone knew that well, so they tried even harder.

Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In encouraged with booming voices.

"Have passion!"

"Pour in effort!"

"Show grit!"

With their fierce faces shouting like that, it somehow felt more like threats.

Meanwhile, Elder Yeop Hwon and Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk were practicing Mountain Coming, the first of the three techniques in the final chapter.

The swords of the two facing each other cut through the air ceaselessly.

Swish, swish-swish- swish-!

Standing at a fixed distance as if looking in a mirror, they thrust their swords while identifying points to fix and points to learn, one by one.

Though there was no clashing of blades, it was training almost in the form of sparring.

Hyeop Mu-geuk was busily moving his hands when he suddenly muttered to himself.

'Hmm, indeed, an ultimate technique is an ultimate technique.'

He seemed to newly realize that even just the introductory formulas of Mountain Coming weren't something that could be achieved in a short time.

But impatience was forbidden.

Sagong Woon in his lifetime had also taken about ten years to perfectly execute the three formulas of the final chapter.

Following his example and diligently training would yield good results – that mindset was most important.

'Now, again!'

Hyeop Mu-geuk moved the sword in his right hand quickly once more.

The movements of the ultimate technique Mountain Coming itself were extremely simple.

The same went for the remaining Mountain Spirit and Mountain Road.

So why was it difficult?

The reason was simple.

Because the subtleties of channeling internal energy were complex.

In truth, about eighty percent of the formulas in the final chapter consisted of explanations about that.

That was what ultimate techniques were like.

Because of high-level energy circulation essence, the power, form, and momentum of the energy released through the sword were of a different class from ordinary techniques.

Right now, Hyeop Mu-geuk and Yeop Hwon were working hard to grasp and master the complex flow of true energy hidden within those simple movements.

After some time had passed.

"Ah! I did it!"

As soon as one disciple shouted.

"Me too!"

"Finally, haha!"

"Wow! Heavens!"

Cheers erupted from here and there in succession.

All hundred-plus disciples had finally succeeded in stably maintaining the true energy infused into their swords.

The three Guyang brothers spoke with pleased expressions.

"Yes, passion has seen the light."

"What do you mean, it's thanks to the effort of sweating hard."

"Passion and effort are both included in grit."

Soon, Hyeop Mu-geuk and Yeop Hwon, having stopped their hand movements, looked at those disciples with pride.

"Heh. My prediction was spectacularly wrong. I thought it would take at least three or four days."

"Hahah. Isn't it because everyone built a good foundation when Sect Master Sagong was here? That had formed into buds and is now starting to bloom little by little through Sect Master Cheol's hands."

"Yes, watching Sect Master Cheol lately… I often feel as if his great shadow is fully cast over this place. How should I put it, like some guardian spirit who reincarnated to protect our sect."

"Indeed, I can relate. His presence is that tremendous."

Hyeop Mu-geuk recalled Cheol Ryu-heun's previous words.

-My current martial knowledge has reached a supreme level that can fathom the essence of all martial arts in the world. So even if more amazing things happen from now on, just take it in stride.

It was true.

In just a few days, it had been one amazing thing after another.

'He even created the formulas for new ultimate techniques this very morning… Heh, perhaps the Sect Master will one day reach an unprecedented realm…'

Suddenly, the main gate over there was thrown open and the subject of their conversation appeared.

It was Cheol Ryu-heun.

Hands clasped behind his back, he walked over and asked.

"What's with all the cheering?"

Guyang Cheon, still with a pleased expression, put his hands together and answered.

"Ah, yes, Sect Master. Actually, everyone achieved initial results. Without a single exception, on the blade…"

"Did they succeed in emitting sword energy?"

Simultaneously with Cheol Ryu-heun's casual question, the expressions of the three Guyang brothers and the disciples stiffened.

'O-Out of nowhere?'

Sword energy, what sword energy?

They hadn't even entered the stage of emitting sword wind yet.

Following the natural order, they had only just learned the method of strengthening sword power by infusing true energy.

What Cheol Ryu-heun just said was like suddenly telling a baby bird to fly.

Guyang Cheon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Um, Sect Master… It hasn't even been one day, so sword energy emission is…"

"Exactly."

"Pardon?"

"Even if you all managed to emit sword energy right now, it still wouldn't satisfy me – so what's the big deal about just maintaining the true energy infused in a sword?"

"…"

"Five days."

"Huh? What…"

"Teach them so that everyone can at least emit sword wind."

"Gaaah! W-Within five days… you mean?"

"Yes. Push hard. Until we achieve the final goal, even a brief moment to catch our breath is a waste."

"However…"

It wasn't as easy as it sounded.

To fully master the technique of strengthening sword power by infusing true energy would take at least ten days, yet he was telling them to go beyond that and train them to emit sword wind within five days…

"There's no such thing as impossible. Those guys all gained twenty years' worth of internal energy overnight, so what's the problem?"

Urk, that's different!

That happened because of your fortuitous-encounter-like arrangement!

Guyang Cheon and the others could only protest internally.

At that moment, a dry voice reached their ears.

"You'll have to do it. That is, if you don't want to suffer through ten thousand whole-body twists."

The faces of Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In went pale white.

This is insane.

Ten thousand whole-body twists, he says.

That was basically telling them to die if they failed.

Forget ten thousand – just one thousand alone would literally twist and kill their whole bodies…

"Well, if you die, I'll at least bury you somewhere over there."

Cheol Ryu-heun's emotionless voice and emotionless expression.

The three Guyang brothers looked at his eyes and felt their hearts sink.

That, that, he's serious!

He'll bury us like garbage!

The terrified three, without any more thought, barked orders at the disciples as if threatening them.

"Damn! All of you lack passion! Come, come, this is no time to be grinning! Get in position now!"

"Effort is also lacking! Everyone, prepare to spit blood and put in effort after effort!"

"Where has your grit gone! Cheering prohibited! Idle chatter prohibited! Breathing is also prohib… No wait, you can breathe."

Gah, what's he saying! He was praising us just a moment ago! We heard everything!

The disciples, bristling internally, gripped their swords again and launched into training while channeling their internal energy.

At that moment, Hyeop Mu-geuk, standing beside Cheol Ryu-heun, looked around and asked.

"Sect Master, but why did you come back alone?"

It was because Ye Woon-rang, who had gone out with him in the morning, was nowhere to be seen.

"The guest retainer has been dispatched to the Red Cat Merchant Guild."

"Pardon?"

"There's something I assigned him separately. To earn his keep."

His demeanor clearly said he couldn't be bothered to explain further, so don't ask.

Reading the mood, Hyeop Mu-geuk responded with a smile.

"Yes, whatever it is, it's surely something that will help our sect."

It seemed to be related to securing large quantities of rare minerals, which had been mentioned in passing this morning.

"The Elder and Chief Supervisor should move the broken stone tablet outside the main gate. I'll take care of the rest."

At that, Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk tilted their heads.

Huh? Why? – their expressions said.

Cheol Ryu-heun paid no mind and began walking away, remarking casually.

"It'll be needed soon for some true education."

Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk, staring blankly at his retreating figure, grew curious.

Hmm? True education? With a stone tablet? To whom, when, how, why…?

What could it be?

They had a premonition that the subject of this true education was going to have a very rough time.

* * *

Within the Azure Hound Merchant Guild grounds, the luxurious inner room of a pavilion.

"What?"

Guild Master Choe Tan's eyes widened in disbelief.

It was because he had just received a report about Cheol Ryu-heun's bundle immediately upon returning here after taking care of business.

The man in his twenties standing in front spoke again.

"A passerby happened to witness the scene. The sight of an enormous amount of treasure spilling onto the ground…"

The identity of the young man giving the report was none other than Choe Yeon, the Young Guild Master who was Choe Tan's only son.

"Hmph."

"However, I think it would be better to take it with a grain of salt. Rumors tend to get exaggerated as they pass from one mouth to another…"

"You said the Red Cat Merchant Guild has already agreed to some kind of deal?"

"Yes."

"Who told you?"

"I had one of our workers who is somewhat friendly with a worker from that side approach casually and find out. According to him, it's a contract concluded under Guild Master Hui's lead."

"Nothing else?"

"Apparently, by Guild Master Hui's order, the finest dishes were served, showing Sect Master Cheol extreme hospitality… But that worker didn't see it directly, he said."

"Sect Master, my foot – he's just someone with negligible power!"

Choe Tan sneered like that, then his gaze deepened.

"Living this long, you really see everything. To think someone leading a beggar-level group would suddenly show up with some bundle and immediately sign a contract with the Red Cat Merchant Guild… Anyway, there must be something. Otherwise, that Hui woman wouldn't readily agree to a contract…"

"Ah, and the middle-aged swordsman who came with Cheol Ryu-heun is staying at the Red Cat Merchant Guild."

"Is that true?"

"Yes, Father. I double-checked that, and I also heard they're planning to depart on a trading caravan with the Red Cat Merchant Guild people soon. Most likely, he's been assigned escort duty and that's why he remained here, isn't it?"

At that moment, Qidiao Gon, who had been listening silently, spoke meaningfully.

"Guild Master, this works out perfectly."

"Hm?"

"This is a good opportunity to send an appropriate person to White Peak Sword Sect to find out about internal affairs."

"Ah, exactly. The master we saw earlier is going to be here for a while, so…"

"Yes, he's conveniently vacated the premises for us to investigate, so to speak. Moreover, among our guild's customers, aren't there people who can come and go from White Peak Sword Sect without much trouble?"

No sooner had Qidiao Gon finished speaking than Choe Tan stroked his thick chin and smirked.

"Heheh. Right, right. We can send him. Let's use this chance to find out White Peak Sword Sect's internal situation and that swordsman's identity. If there's nothing to worry about, I'll make him pay the price for the rudeness he showed me today."

Choe Tan then looked at Choe Yeon standing before him and commanded.

"I'll write a letter – you go there immediately and meet the Sect Master."

"Yes, Father."