Chapter 39 – Still the Same

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 39 – Still the Same

The workers, including Tae Sa-ja, entered the training grounds in time for the morning roll call assembly.

Gaunt cheeks, protruding cheekbones, and sunken eyes… Everyone's faces looked like skulls.

It was the aftermath of forcing themselves through all-night work starting the night before last.

Though they had slept continuously from when they lost consciousness yesterday until this morning, the fatigue that had penetrated deep into their bodies hadn't easily subsided.

On the other hand, the disciples appearing one by one moved with vitality.

They should be tired from their first all-night training experience, yet somehow each one's eyes were brightly sparkling.

There was one reason – the energy circulation meditation they had performed before falling asleep.

In other words, the White Peak Intermediate Method's mastery had reached its peak, strengthening their recovery abilities.

"My body recovered like magic. How about you?"

"Same here. Honestly, I thought I wouldn't even be able to open my eyes this morning."

"I feel like I've overcome some limit through this all-night training."

"Heh, I'm once again made to realize the importance of internal cultivation in supplementing stamina."

Tae Sa-ja, who had been quietly listening to the disciples' conversation, clenched his fist and said quietly.

"Look at that. Aren't you envious too? That's why starting from today, we need to work even harder and more diligently. Even cutting into sleeping time. Only then can we gain the Sect Master's recognition and be reborn as proper martial artists."

At that, the remaining ten workers screamed internally.

Ha! What are we supposed to do with that crazy passion? Should we just gang up on him?

Work and all that is fine, but a person still needs to sleep! We're already about to die from rage because of that crazy horse that goes around smashing walls!

But.

On the other hand, they couldn't deny that – unlike their bandit days – a desire for martial arts study was growing.

It was natural.

They had all already seen it with their own eyes.

Setting aside the strange and peculiar training methods, in just a few days, all the disciples had gained twenty years' worth of internal energy and made great progress in their mental cultivation.

And what about the executives?

Elder Yeop Hwon, who had been practically half-paralyzed for eight years, quickly recovered completely and gained new enlightenment called Seven Energies Returning to Origin. Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk, the only existing master, advanced his martial prowess with Five Energies Returning to Origin.

Moreover, even Head Instructors Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In had mastered the incomplete White Peak Dew-Presenting Method and leaped up several levels.

The workers naturally had such thoughts.

If they gritted their teeth and endured here, then received Cheol Ryu-heun's teachings, the dream of becoming a proper martial artist of the rivers and lakes wouldn't be so distant…

The current White Peak Sword Sect, unlike before, had everything it needed.

There were various treasures, elixirs that most people couldn't obtain, and the young genius Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun who surpassed Sagong Woon in his lifetime.

For former bandits, wasn't this better than what they deserved?

Especially seeing Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun's unfathomable abilities, even the most grueling worker's life seemed worth enduring.

Because if they later formally joined, there was a very high possibility they would gain achievements like fortuitous encounters, just like those disciples there.

With such thoughts, the workers steeled their hearts.

Yeah, let's just go for it! Whether it turns out well or badly, let's just try!

Ah… But let's at least get some sleep.

What's the point if we die of exhaustion while working?

At that moment, Guest Retainer Number One Ye Woon-rang appeared at the training grounds and exchanged light greetings with the disciples and workers.

None of them yet knew.

That Ye Woon-rang was a successor who had inherited part of the teachings of the Dragon Martial Gate, a leading power of the previous martial world generation.

They only knew what Cheol Ryu-heun had introduced yesterday – that he was a first-rate swordsman on par with Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk.

Ye Woon-rang didn't specifically reveal his background either.

Since Cheol Ryu-heun hadn't particularly asked him to, and it would be burdensome if he got unnecessary attention, he decided to just bury his hidden story.

Thinking that until he mastered the Four Dragon Sword Forms' essence, he just needed to be faithful to his guest retainer role.

Having appeared at some point, the three Guyang brothers approached and stood beside Ye Woon-rang.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

Led by Guyang Cheon's genteel voice, Ye Woon-rang turned his head and flinched.

'Oh!'

It was intimidating as always.

The utterly fierce impression of the three Guyang brothers.

Simultaneously.

'Eep!'

Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In also flinched upon facing Ye Woon-rang's face.

Same age, my foot – no matter how he looked, he appeared like an elder they should show proper respect to.

Thus, it seemed adapting to each other's appearances wasn't easy at all.

Guyang Cheon soon cleared his throat and spoke again.

"Ahem, ahem! Sorry for unintentionally startling you. Anyway, your esteemed visage still transcends time. What can be done? We'll gradually adapt."

Not to be outdone, Ye Woon-rang clasped his hands behind his back and said.

"Ahem! Well, we're in the same boat. Even your three esteemed visages are still enough to make goblins cry. Will we ever adapt?"

Thus, invisible sparks began to fly crack-crack-crack between them.

Suddenly, an indifferent voice struck their ears.

"Stop the pointless face-off and line up."

It was Cheol Ryu-heun's voice, having appeared on the platform.

As Hyeop Mu-geuk and Yeop Hwon stood behind him, everyone gathered in an orderly manner and aligned in five rows.

"Skipping roll call."

Cheol Ryu-heun spoke briefly, then waved the booklet in his hand.

"This is the original White Peak Sword Manual. Starting today, everyone is to memorize all the formulas in this book."

At that, everyone looked at him with puzzled faces.

Guyang Cheon, at the front, spoke up as if perplexed.

"Um, S-Sect Master! When you say all formulas, surely you don't mean…?"

"Yeah, that 'surely.' I mean including the three techniques of the final chapter."

"…!"

Everyone, including Guyang Cheon, reacted with utter shock.

But Cheol Ryu-heun just said what he had to say regardless.

"The Mountain Martial Association freely wielding the three ultimate techniques of the White Peak Sword Manual – how about that? Isn't it thrilling just to imagine? You need to be at least that level to properly be called elite swordsmen of our sect."

"…!"

The disciples were speechless.

A Mountain Martial Association armed with the three techniques of the final chapter – it was something they had never even dared to think about.

It was indeed thrilling.

If all members of the Mountain Martial Association reached a level where they could freely execute the three ultimate techniques, it would be no exaggeration to call them an invincible group.

Was that what Cheol Ryu-heun meant when he previously mentioned 'the current martial world's premier ultra-elite swordsman group'?

"All you need to do is follow what I tell you. I plan to proceed with formula study in the mornings and sword training in the afternoons for the time being, so keep that in mind."

Cheol Ryu-heun then pointed at Ye Woon-rang with his chin.

"Come somewhere with me after breakfast."

"Pardon? Ah, yes. Understood. But where are you planning to go?"

"You'll know when we get there."

Cheol Ryu-heun spoke half-heartedly and then vanished in a flash to the other side.

Right after, the three Guyang brothers dashed toward the platform.

"Chief Supervisor, Elder! But is it really alright to reveal the final formulas of the original like this?"

"I think it would be better to dissuade the Sect Master!"

"Yes, that's right! If the contents happen to leak, it would be truly troublesome!"

Hyeop Mu-geuk rather smiled and responded.

"Don't worry too much. A new secret manual surpassing the existing White Peak Sword Manual has been created."

The eyes of the disciples, including the three Head Instructor brothers, widened greatly.

What's he talking about now?

This time, Yeop Hwon calmly explained with a gentle smile.

"Several powerful ultimate techniques that will make our sect's future even brighter have been born. Last night, through the Sect Master's hands."

A silent shock shook everyone's minds.

'G-Good heavens…!'

What, can ultimate techniques be created that easily? In just one night? No, isn't that way too fast?

But they couldn't not believe it.

Because they had direct experience until now.

Meanwhile.

The workers, including Tae Sa-ja, were once again convinced.

That's right, this is it!

Their hearts were completely set!

The only place where we'll lay our bones is White Peak Sword Sect!

If we work like crazy, the opportunity to learn superior sword studies will definitely come!

Their faces, which had looked like skulls from extreme fatigue, filled with life as if nothing had happened.

The success story of low-ranking former bandits becoming first-rate orthodox swordsmen.

Tae Sa-ja and the others all burned their passion together toward that dream.

"Right, right! Let's hurry and eat, then go plundering, ack! No, go to work!"

"Yes, Boss! Oops, Senior Brother!"

* * *

There were two famous merchant guilds in Baizhou, the city adjacent to White Peak Sword Sect.

One was the Azure Hound Merchant Guild, the other was the Red Cat Merchant Guild.

It was no exaggeration to say that those two completely controlled the main goods supply network for each shop in Baizhou's markets.

The Azure Hound Merchant Guild, with its name meaning Blue Dog, was a fairly traditional guild that had maintained its power for over fifty years.

Conversely, the Red Cat Merchant Guild, with its name meaning Red Cat, was a newly risen commercial force that had rapidly emerged in the past ten-odd years.

As the saying goes about the relationship between dogs and cats, the two were rivals engaged in fierce competition over Baizhou's market share.

With names that were confrontational from the start – Dog and Cat – and their bases situated facing each other with just one street in between, it was clear their competition would never end unless one side collapsed.

Upon arriving in Baizhou, Cheol Ryu-heun quietly stopped near the main gate of one of those merchant guilds.

"Sect Master, is this the destination?"

Ye Woon-rang, who had been following alongside carrying a bundle, also stopped and looked at the large signboard hung above the main gate.

Azure Hound Merchant Guild.

Cheol Ryu-heun answered indifferently without changing expression.

"No, just something from a few years ago came to mind again."

"Pardon?"

"I was turned away at the door by that guild master back then."

"My, such a thing…"

Before becoming the Divine Martial Sword, Cheol Ryu-heun had once visited this place seeking medicinal herbs to use for Yeop Hwon, whose illness had deepened, only to be driven out after hearing humiliating and disgraceful words.

It was something Sagong Woon hadn't known about, so the Divine Martial Sword had been completely unaware.

However.

Now, having been revived by borrowing Cheol Ryu-heun's body, those memories had been completely transferred.

Two years ago.

The Azure Hound Merchant Guild had hoarded practically all of the most-sold medicinal herbs at the time.

As more and more people looked for those herbs, they had cornered the market to create scarcity and then planned to resell at high prices.

White Peak Sword Sect's financial situation was tighter than ever, and knowing this well, Cheol Ryu-heun had personally visited the Azure Hound Merchant Guild to request just the amount he needed at a fair price.

But what returned was only contempt and cold treatment…

-Hah, why should I care about White Peak Sword Sect's circumstances? Our guild is not a place where some brat swordsman from a fallen faction can just come and haggle. Even if the White Gate Sword Gentleman himself came, nothing would change.

-Oho, do you think begging will work? You well know that most of our guild's customers are major martial families and sects! As they say, the world is a place where people of matching status must associate – I have nothing more to say, so get out at once.

-You there, escort him outside. Didn't I tell you never to let people from impoverished martial sects whose power has waned inside! Tch… There's nothing to gain anyway, only more trouble. Did you all understand?

The words Choe Tan, owner of the Azure Hound Merchant Guild, had spat directly to his face.

Furthermore, the whisper he heard just before leaving the inner room was also engraved in his mind.

-He's no different from a beggar. How dare he come here…

The Divine Martial Sword, now Cheol Ryu-heun, recalled that incident and muttered barely audibly.

"Debts must be repaid."

At that moment, the Azure Hound Merchant Guild's main gate suddenly opened with a creak, and a group walked out.

Four martial artists with swords at their waists, and a man in his fifties with an obese build draped in yellow silk.

Ye Woon-rang recognized it at once upon seeing.

The fat middle-aged man in luxurious yellow attire was clearly the owner of the Azure Hound Merchant Guild.

The four sturdy martial artists on either side were most likely his retainers and bodyguards.

Choe Tan, the Azure Hound Guild Master who had spotted Cheol Ryu-heun, hesitated in his steps and opened his eyes wide as if surprised.

"Oh! Wait, you are…"

Meeting his gaze, Cheol Ryu-heun immediately threw out a curt voice.

"Still the same. That ugly mug worse than our three Head Instructors."

The three Guyang brothers, a mysterious one-win.