Chapter 15 – Opportunity

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 15 – Opportunity

The disciples all wore blank expressions without exception.

The Elder can rise from his sickbed? Just like you, Sect Master Cheol, suddenly woke up like a miracle ten days ago?

It was hard to believe on the spot.

In fact, they had long given up on Elder Yeop Hwon's recovery.

The reason was simple.

Over the years, dozens of physicians had visited here, but without exception, they had all failed to find a clear solution and given pessimistic diagnoses.

And yet for Cheol Ryu-heun to suddenly speak as if he could cure that body left everyone bewildered…

However, it was also hard to completely dismiss it as nonsense.

Today, Cheol Ryu-heun had clearly proven that his talent was at an immeasurable level.

They had all seen it with their own two eyes.

That was why they couldn't casually ignore his words.

There was a good chance he had other abilities he hadn't deliberately revealed.

While the disciples were thus half-believing and half-doubting, Hyeop Mu-geuk gazed at his lord with eyes full of conviction.

'Yes, he probably has some kind of plan! Just like he achieved Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing in what was like a fortunate encounter!'

By now, he had reached the point of absolute trust where he would believe anything Cheol Ryu-heun said, even if he claimed to make soybean paste from red beans.

Then the youngest of the three Head Instructor brothers, Guyang In, gauged the mood and spoke up.

"Um, Sect Master, what kind of treatment method exactly…?"

At the same time, Cheol Ryu-heun cut him off as if annoyed.

"I'm going now."

"Pardon?"

"I'll tell you the details tomorrow. I'm a bit busy before going to sleep tonight too."

"But…"

At that point, Hyeop Mu-geuk restrained Guyang In with a gesture and responded on his behalf.

"Yes, Sect Master. Understood. Now, everyone move to the training grounds."

Then, as he slung the unconscious Eul Sa-jeok over one shoulder and strode off, the rest followed, forcibly suppressing their curiosity.

Right after everyone disappeared beyond the garden exit.

Slide.

Cheol Ryu-heun walked forward and approached the cart where the horse was positioned.

"How long are you going to sit there looking like you've lost your soul?"

Snapping back to his senses, Tae Sa-ja hastily jumped off the cart and prostrated himself flat on the ground.

"You've probably guessed my identity?"

At Cheol Ryu-heun's quiet question, Tae Sa-ja quickly bowed his head.

"Y-Yes! I thought according to the widespread rumors that you were still lying unconscious… F-Forgive me! I failed to recognize the true nature of such a formidable person! P-Please spare me!"

"Who said anything about killing you?"

The startled Tae Sa-ja rolled his eyes around.

"Ah, then surely… Are you planning to hand us over to the authorities?"

"Of course not."

When Cheol Ryu-heun reacted indifferently, Tae Sa-ja cautiously raised his head.

"Pardon? Th-That's not it either? Sorry. I'm a bit slow-witted…"

"Didn't you hear me say I'd use you as workers earlier?"

"…!"

Looking at the other's indifferent expression, Tae Sa-ja realized for certain.

'That crazy bastard is serious! He really intends to use us as workers! Why does it have to be us of all people!'

Soon, Cheol Ryu-heun crouched down in front of him and asked.

"What, are you dissatisfied that I brought you here?"

"N-No, I'm not."

Tae Sa-ja answered reluctantly while flaring up internally.

'Damn, at least say it right! What? Brought me here? You just beat us up and dragged us here!'

"You seem to be blaming me. I can hear your inner thoughts."

At Cheol Ryu-heun's words, Tae Sa-ja's heart lurched, and he vigorously shook his head.

"Goodness, how could I dare…!"

"Who was it again that attacked me first, saying every Tom, Dick, and Harry acts like a martial artist?"

"…!"

Tae Sa-ja had nothing to say.

In truth, everything that had led to coming here was entirely his own fault.

He never imagined that the opponent he had looked down on as just some kid could be such a tremendous master, capable of easily splitting a famous swordsman like White Snake Head Sword in two.

Thinking about it now, it was sheer luck that his neck was still attached.

'Damn! To think my luck was so bad that I carelessly provoked such a monster…'

He felt fresh regret.

By foolishly attempting one robbery, he had ended up coming here to rot away as a worker.

Suddenly.

Grab!

Cheol Ryu-heun moved his left hand and firmly pinched the hair near Tae Sa-ja's ear.

"Ow ow ow ow, ow ow ow ow ow!"

"Are you deaf? Don't you know who was wrong first?"

"Ouch… I know, I know! I-I brought this upon myself by overstepping without knowing my place!"

Hastily answering while shedding tears, Tae Sa-ja barely held back the curses that nearly escaped him.

'You bastard! God… It feels like my entire temple is on fire! Just slap my cheek instead!'

Cheol Ryu-heun blew away the few strands of hair that had come out in his hand and stood up again.

"I don't care if you blame me or curse me in your head. As long as you just follow my orders well."

Tae Sa-ja quickly straightened up and answered as if shouting.

"I'll keep that in mind! Just being allowed to live with all my limbs intact is more than I could ask for!"

Then he quietly calculated in his head.

Judging by the treasures and elixirs he had seen among the luggage loaded on the cart, White Peak Sword Sect's financial situation seemed quite wealthy, contrary to the rumors.

Right.

It was definitely a quality faction.

If so, whether as a worker or whatever, he wouldn't have to worry about not getting paid.

'Since the situation has come to this, staying here for a while might not be so bad. Let's think positively. I have nowhere else to go besides the mountain hideout anyway… Hmm, let me just close my eyes and work for a few months! Then after I save up some money, I'll wait for the right time and escape…'

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun's voice suddenly reached his ear.

"Just so you know, from now on, you can't leave without my permission."

Tae Sa-ja's heart lurched again.

'What the, that guy! He's scary!'

Those words just now were a warning that he would do well to abandon any plans of escape early on.

It was as if he could see right through him.

Come to think of it, it was the same when they first met.

Cheol Ryu-heun had immediately seen through the fact that he had never killed a person before.

'That's no ordinary perception! Is it some kind of sixth sense that only masters can exercise? Anyway, if I get on his bad side…'

If he were caught trying to escape, he would most likely meet a gruesome end like Gul Ma-hun.

"If you really want to escape, try it tonight."

At Cheol Ryu-heun's flat voice, Tae Sa-ja was terrified.

"I-I'll bury my bones here! Please give me any work! I'll do my best to complete it!"

"It's just chores, so you don't need such grand resolve. For now, food and lodging are provided free. But don't expect any wages."

"What?"

Tae Sa-ja's face visibly contorted.

This damned guy says he won't pay money.

He's wealthy enough to feed Thousand-Year Immortal Ginseng to a mere horse as fodder.

Is he saying that since we're former bandits, we should just do unpaid labor without complaint?

Damn it, if this is how it's going to be, why not just make us write a slave contract too!

"You look disappointed. Earlier you said just being allowed to live with all your limbs intact was more than you could ask for?"

"I'm sorry! This is just how my face is… It-It's fine."

Though he said that, his face looked anything but fine.

"Think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance at rehabilitation."

"Yes! Absolutely! I will work hard every day with the mindset of atoning for the past wrongdoing of plundering others' property, and reflect on my bandit days!"

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun said meaningfully.

"Well, who knows. If you all work enthusiastically, my heart might be moved and I might teach you first-rate martial arts."

Tae Sa-ja's ears perked up.

'What!'

He hadn't misheard.

He had definitely said 'first-rate martial arts.'

Unexpected words.

Bandits are bandits, but for an orthodox faction high-level swordsman to transmit martial arts to a gang that was no different from neighborhood third-rate ruffians?

And moreover, for a master who had sent Thousand Snake Gang leader Gul Ma-hun, called White Snake Head Sword, to the afterlife with just a few sword slashes, to personally teach?

"Th-Those words just now… Are they t-true?"

"At the very least, you could become stronger than the snake head who died by my hand."

Tae Sa-ja's mouth fell open.

'Good heavens…!'

A thrilling sensation coursed through his body.

To think that he could become a master surpassing even Gul Ma-hun – wasn't this literally a fortunate encounter that could completely change his entire life?

For a lowly bandit who had already passed thirty, where else could he get such a great opportunity?

If he served Cheol Ryu-heun like this and learned first-rate martial arts, he would no longer have to be treated as a weak small fry.

Greatly moved, Tae Sa-ja prostrated himself deeply.

"Master!"

Cheol Ryu-heun's emotionless response followed.

"Who's your master? Go do your bowing at your ancestors' graves."

At that, Tae Sa-ja scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Ah… B-But still…"

"Don't get excited for nothing. Everything will be decided after watching how you all behave from now on."

"Yes! Understood! Everything has its proper order! Please watch over us! I swear my loyalty right here!"

"Yeah, whatever."

Cheol Ryu-heun turned and walked away while giving instructions.

"Wake those guys up and move the luggage."

Soon, as he disappeared into the building beside the garden.

Dash!

Tae Sa-ja hurriedly climbed onto the cart and began enthusiastically slapping the cheeks of his unconscious subordinates.

"Wake up! You slave bastards! This is no time to lie around getting rained on! You have to work like your lives depend on it! Ahahaha!"

* * *

A large residence within White Peak Sword Sect.

A seventy-year-old man with disheveled white hair lay on a bed, gazing out the wide-open window.

It was Elder White Mountain Sword Excellence Yeop Hwon.

'My… For such a thing to happen…'

Moments ago, he had heard about the series of events through a disciple sent by Hyeop Mu-geuk.

It was a shocking fact.

He never imagined that the martial prowess of Cheol Ryu-heun, who had been in a vegetative state for the past six months, would be outstanding enough to kill Gul Ma-hun, a famous swordsman in this region.

According to what he heard, it seemed to be several levels above the late Sagong Woon.

He was curious about many things.

What kind of enlightenment had he gained in just ten days, and when had he mastered the ultimate techniques of the White Peak Sword Manual's final chapter, and what was that single-sword charge martial art that had overwhelmed the Thousand Snake Gang…

'In any case, heaven hasn't abandoned this sect yet.'

Just yesterday, when he had conversed with Hyeop Mu-geuk, he had worried about the enemy's movements and the sect's safety, but that turned out to be mere needless worry.

A faint smile appeared on his sickly face.

'Heheh. Sect Master, are you watching? This sect has once again been granted an opportunity for a great leap forward.'

Thus, Yeop Hwon thought of the late Sagong Woon while listening to the sound of rainwater leaving the eaves.

He was grateful, and he felt sorry.

He could never forget until his dying breath the image of him working tirelessly in every way possible to cure his body, which was practically incurable.

'Sigh… It's regrettable. If only I too could miraculously recover…'

If only that could happen, he would be able to contribute to the sect's revival alongside Cheol Ryu-heun, the new Sect Master.

Suddenly, the door burst open and a figure stepped in.

It was Cheol Ryu-heun, having changed into different casual clothes.

At the same time, Yeop Hwon turned his head and brightened.

"Ah! You've come?"

But Cheol Ryu-heun barely acknowledged the greeting before coming to stand beside the bed.

"It's time."

"Pardon?"

"I'll need to strip your clothes off first."

"Wh-What do you mean…"

Yeop Hwon was quite flustered.

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun, with an expressionless face, waved a small bundle he was holding in one hand.

"You need to rejuvenate, don't you?"