Chapter 25 — The Beginning
Jin Gwang-ung spread his pillar-like arms and grabbed my shoulders firmly.
“The robe looks quite good on you. Now you finally look like a proper Daoist.”
The strong smell of alcohol wafted from Jin Gwang-ung’s mouth.
I didn’t even need to ask. He had clearly spent the entire week drowning himself in drink at some pleasure house.
A sigh almost escaped me, but I kept a straight face and answered respectfully.
“Thank you, Master. It’s the clothes you personally chose for me.”
“Krahahaha! Yes, as expected, you know proper etiquette. It was worth teaching you.”
Worth teaching? You disappeared for an entire week without showing your face once.
Does this eccentric old man seriously believe he’s a great master?
Jin Gwang-ung narrowed his eyes and whispered to me.
“By the way… I assume you’ve prepared properly for the Great Assembly of Elders?”
His grip on my shoulders tightened slightly.
“I expect good results today. I even gave you my cherished sword. If you end up tarnishing this old man’s face… you know what that means, right?”
“….”
Just how much was this man expecting from me?
He threw me a single sword and now he wants me to win?
Any normal disciple would have cried and begged, “Master, why are you doing this to me?”
But I was not a normal disciple.
I was Han Mujin — a man on his third life after regression!
I had never planned to simply participate as a proxy in this Great Assembly of Elders.
I would win without fail.
I would tear off the Blood Physician Butcher Baek Cheong-woo’s mask of hypocrisy and save Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon.
I looked him in the eye and spoke firmly.
“Master, you can rest easy. I will show you something proper today.”
“Krahahaha! Yes, that’s the spirit! That’s how a real man should answer!”
Satisfied with my response, Jin Gwang-ung laughed heartily while patting my shoulder.
I played along with his mood as we walked toward the spectator seats and sat down side by side.
A short while later—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of drums reverberated throughout the training ground.
At the same time, Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon, seated at the head of the spectator area, slowly rose to his feet.
“All those gathered for the Great Assembly of Elders, lend me your ears.”
The long-awaited Great Assembly of Elders had finally begun.
***
“All those gathered for the Great Assembly of Elders, lend me your ears.”
Every person in the training ground turned their attention to Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon.
His low but resolute voice echoed across the arena.
“The Great Assembly of Elders was originally a gathering where Kunlun’s First Generation Elders exchange their martial insights. However, today the Elders themselves will not compete.”
He turned his gaze toward the proxies seated in the spectator area.
“Instead, through the martial demonstrations of the proxies each Elder has taught, they will reveal their achievements and martial will. Through these demonstrations, we will determine who stands above the rest.”
The Sect Leader’s eyes swept over each of the proxies one by one.
Every time his gaze landed on them, the young martial artists’ eyes burned with competitive spirit.
“There are three criteria for today’s evaluation. The completion of the demonstrated martial art, the harmony between inner energy and technique. And finally… the length of time each proxy has trained under their respective Elder.”
He paused briefly to catch his breath.
For a very short moment, the Sect Leader’s gaze seemed to brush over me.
Then he continued.
“It is important to show depth through long years of training. However, achieving great results in a short period of time not only reflects the proxy’s talent, but also the excellence of the master’s guidance. Therefore, the training period will also serve as an important standard of evaluation.”
‘So that’s why.’
I unknowingly nodded.
One question that had been lingering in my mind was finally answered.
The reason Jin Gwang-ung had chosen me — a mere Affairs Hall member — as his proxy.
‘Short training period, great achievement… That was it.’
If Jin Gwang-ung didn’t send a proxy, he would lose even his position as Head of the Abandoned Martial Hall.
Given his extremely eccentric personality, who would dare enter his tutelage?
That was when I happened to catch his eye while demonstrating the Three Absolute Palms at the Martial Training Hall.
The core evaluation criterion of the Great Assembly of Elders was ‘achievement relative to training period.’
Even if I, who had only recently become his disciple, showed just a minimum level of accomplishment, I could still receive a high evaluation under that standard.
Jin Gwang-ung had clearly been aiming for exactly that.
‘So that’s why he didn’t pay much attention to me.’
He probably hadn’t held high expectations for me from the beginning.
He had simply wanted to fill the proxy position for appearances’ sake.
Yet he still pressured me with “Don’t tarnish my face,” just in case I performed poorly.
‘That damn old man. So he really didn’t expect much from me.’
I grumbled inwardly, but surprisingly, I didn’t feel much resentment.
After all, I hadn’t really cared about his pressure either.
Today, on this stage, I planned to show everyone exactly who I was.
“Then, let the proxies demonstrate everything they have learned without reservation.”
With those final words, Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon sat back down.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The drumbeats once again shook the training ground.
A short while later, the name of the first proxy to demonstrate was called.
***
“First Generation Elder Na Gwang-do’s proxy, disciple Myeong-jeon, step forward.”
At the Sect Leader’s call, Myeong-jeon, who had been seated in the spectator area, carefully stood up.
He glanced around nervously before walking briskly to the center of the training ground.
Standing in the middle, Myeong-jeon swallowed hard enough for his Adam’s apple to visibly move.
He then bowed deeply to the Sect Leader and the Elders.
“Disciple Myeong-jeon will now demonstrate everything I have learned.”
His voice sounded confident, but the slight tremor in his fingertips gave away his nervousness.
However, he soon steadied himself and assumed a stance.
The surroundings fell into complete silence.
‘What is he planning to show? Palm techniques? Or a movement art?’
I watched Myeong-jeon closely as he stepped forward without any weapon.
A moment later—
Shwaaaaaaaa.
A powerful gust of wind swirled around his feet.
The hem of his pants fluttered wildly from the strong current.
A small whirlwind seemed to form at the spot where he stood.
Myeong-jeon steadied his breathing and planted strength into his toes.
“Ha!”
In an instant, his body shot forward as if sliding across the ground.
He unleashed his movement technique, darting freely across the training ground.
His movements were so fast they were difficult to follow with the eyes, and remarkably intricate.
He moved at such speed that faint afterimages lingered in the air.
And those afterimages multiplied with every step he took.
The faint traces connecting in the air resembled thin chains of small clouds.
“Ohh…”
Short gasps of admiration escaped from the spectator seats.
Encouraged by the reactions, Myeong-jeon increased his speed even further.
He crisscrossed the training ground, and the number of afterimages grew to five, then six.
Before long, it created the illusion that multiple versions of Myeong-jeon existed simultaneously in the center of the arena.
I watched him with my arms crossed.
I could tell what movement technique he was using.
Kunlun Cloud Step.
One of Kunlun’s representative movement arts, modeled after clouds that freely roam the vast sky and remain unshaken even by storms.
It was said that those who mastered the Kunlun Cloud Step to the highest level could move through the sky as freely as clouds.
‘But right now… it looks more like mist being swept by the wind than actual clouds.’
Myeong-jeon’s movement technique was fast and flashy, but it lacked the true freedom that the Kunlun Cloud Step sought.
Instead of freedom, only a precarious instability that looked like it could collapse at any moment was visible.
And just as I expected, the flashy display didn’t last long.
The speed at which Myeong-jeon was frantically executing his technique suddenly dropped noticeably.
At the same time, the afterimages filling the air faded away in an instant.
I saw him breathing raggedly, his face flushed red.
“Huff… Huff…”
Even while gasping for breath, Myeong-jeon continued forcing his movement technique.
‘He’s reached his limit.’
He was clearly pushing himself despite having already exhausted his inner energy.
He leapt high into the air and spun once.
Realizing he had no inner energy left, he seemed determined to end with a flourish.
He tried to land stylishly while leaving afterimages, but—
Thud!
His feet failed to land properly, and he lost balance.
His body staggered forward.
In a precarious moment, Myeong-jeon quickly dropped to one knee to dissipate the impact.
“Such a shame…”
Disappointed sighs filled the spectator seats.
They carried regret over the imperfect finish.
At that moment, Myeong-jeon quickly raised his head and cupped his fists.
Forcing a bright smile on his sweat-drenched face, he shouted.
“It may have been lacking, but please look favorably upon it!”
He skillfully wrapped up the performance as if there had been no major mistake.
Watching him, I muttered inwardly.
‘Not bad. That kid’s pretty sharp for his age.’
He had managed to turn a moment that could have been seen as a failure into something passable with his expression and tone.
Myeong-jeon bowed with cupped fists and quietly looked toward Na Gwang-do.
Na Gwang-do sat with his lips pressed tightly together, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
His face was expressionless, but his eyes clearly showed deep disappointment.
The other First Generation Elders had similar expressions.
None of them looked particularly impressed or amazed by Myeong-jeon’s demonstration of the Kunlun Cloud Step.
“You worked hard. Myeong-jeon, return to your seat.”
At Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon’s words, Myeong-jeon quietly lowered his head.
His steps as he returned to the spectator seats looked somewhat heavy.
And immediately after, it was time for the next proxy.
“First Generation Elder Yu Gwang-cheol’s proxy, prepare yourself.”
At the Sect Leader’s call, all eyes turned in one direction.
Yu Seol-ah, Explosive Sword Yu Gwang-cheol’s granddaughter and proxy, sprang up from her seat.
A long sword was already firmly gripped in her right hand.
She lightly tapped the sheath, grinned, and turned to look at Yu Gwang-cheol beside her.
“I’ll be back, Grandfather.”
“I trust you won’t make any mistakes.”
Yu Gwang-cheol replied indifferently with his arms crossed.
Though his tone was dry, his eyes toward his granddaughter contained subtle expectation and affection.
“Don’t worry. As the granddaughter of Explosive Sword, I’ll show everyone properly today.”
Yu Seol-ah nodded and walked toward the training ground with firm, confident steps.
Though her face still had some youthful fullness, the way she held her head high was more spirited than anyone else’s.
Reaching the center of the training ground, she paused for a moment, gripping her sheath and steadying her breath.
Then, in a clear voice directed at the Sect Leader, she declared:
“Disciple Yu Seol-ah will do her very best today!”
After paying her respects, she slowly drew her sword.
Clang.
A clear ringing sound echoed as the silver blade flashed under the sunlight.
Yu Seol-ah raised her sword upright and straightened her posture.
Her eyes, as they swept across the spectator seats, were filled with bold confidence.
“I will begin!”
With a short shout, Yu Seol-ah’s body leapt into the air like a released spring.
At the same time, the sword in her right hand sliced straight through the air.
Chwaaaaaak.
A gleaming silver line was drawn across the empty space following the tip of her blade.
The silver trajectory created by the sword soon scattered softly and faded away.
It looked like snowflakes gently dispersing in the wind.
“Snowflower Sword Art… To have reached such a level at such a young age is impressive.”
A murmur of admiration escaped from Sect Leader Cheon Gwang-cheon, who was seated in the head position.
Yu Seol-ah immediately followed with her second movement.
She swung her sword in rapid succession.
The silver trajectories overlapped in the air, and unlike before, the stacked sword lines did not scatter easily.
Just as snowflakes piling up create thickness, the layered sword traces formed a solid, unyielding presence.
Everyone in the spectator seats watched her swordplay with expressions of awe.
I did the same.
‘Snowflower Sword Art. It lives up to its reputation.’
The Snowflower Sword Art.
A secret sword technique of Kunlun modeled after the snowflakes falling on the highest peaks of Kunlun’s snow mountains.
It was a powerful sword art that slowly constricted the opponent’s breath with cold, serene snowflake-like strikes before exploding with the force of a storm to overwhelm them.
I focused on the fierce flow of sword momentum unfolding from Yu Seol-ah’s fingertips.
A short while later, she executed her third form.
Yu Seol-ah spun once in the air and swung her sword with ferocity.
Multiple silver sword lines shot out in all directions.
The sharp streaks resembled a blizzard carrying the strong winds of the snow mountains.
Every time the fierce silver lines filled my vision, it created the illusion that both eyes and mind were freezing over.
“Haa!”
Exhaling a cold breath, Yu Seol-ah prepared her final strike.
She gathered strength in both hands, raised the sword high, and slammed it straight down into the ground.
Kwaaaang!
A crack split across the stone floor of the training ground.
Stone dust rose into the air.
Murmurs spread throughout the spectator seats.
Yu Seol-ah sheathed her sword while catching her breath.
Sweat dripped down her forehead, but her expression showed no sign of exhaustion.
Her eyes spoke clearly.
The bold confidence that she possessed the skill to stand on this stage.
I mentally reviewed the sword momentum she had displayed.
‘Attacking with strong momentum is an advantage, but it lacks delicacy. It’s still not enough.’
The Snowflower Sword Art was originally created by modeling the snowflakes fluttering on Kunlun’s snow mountains.
It needed to be as serene as a single snowflake, yet contain a hidden chill within — that was the true realm.
However, Yu Seol-ah’s swordplay was lacking.
She succeeded in overwhelming with fierce momentum, but she failed to incorporate delicate control and balance.
‘Still, reaching that level at her age is remarkable. She definitely has outstanding talent.’
Although Yu Seol-ah’s Snowflower Sword Art wasn’t perfect, considering her age, it was an impressive achievement.
Small murmurs continued among the spectators.
“As expected of Explosive Sword’s granddaughter.”
“She must have reached at least the third level of the Snowflower Sword Art. To already be at that level at her age…”
Explosive Sword Yu Gwang-cheol sat quietly listening to the praise directed at his granddaughter.
He tried to maintain his usual stern expression, but the corners of his mouth beneath his thick mustache kept twitching.
He was clearly trying to suppress a smile.
“Disciple Yu Seol-ah has given her all.”
Yu Seol-ah bowed once more to the Elders after sheathing her sword.
As she returned to the spectator seats, her face was filled with unmistakable confidence.
The unexpectedly high level Yu Seol-ah had shown slightly raised the atmosphere in the spectator area.
And that excitement immediately turned into anticipation for the next proxy.
“The next proxy, step forward.”
At the Sect Leader’s command, everyone’s gaze shifted to one side.
Under the attention of countless eyes, Hyun-kwon, the Junior Hall Master of the Hall of Martial Law, rose from his seat.
At that moment, Iron Lion Gwang-heon, seated beside him, spoke in a low voice.
“Hyun-kwon.”
As the master of the Hall of Martial Law, which enforced Kunlun’s laws, his single sentence was short but carried immense weight.
The excited atmosphere in the training ground instantly cooled.
“You are not only my proxy, but also the Junior Hall Master of the Hall of Martial Law. I trust you understand what that means.”
At his solemn words, Hyun-kwon bowed with cupped fists.
“Yes, Master. I will ensure the dignity of the Hall of Martial Law is not tarnished.”
Hyun-kwon’s answer was firm and resolute, unfitting for his age.
Iron Lion Gwang-heon stared at his disciple’s unwavering eyes for a moment before nodding in satisfaction.
“Good. Today, show everyone why you are the Junior Hall Master of the Hall of Martial Law.”
It was a strict command, but it also contained solid faith in his disciple.
“I will never disappoint you, Master.”
“Go then.”
Without further hesitation, Hyun-kwon walked toward the center of the training ground.
His steps were calm, yet overflowing with unshakable confidence.
As he walked, his gaze briefly brushed past me.
It was only a fleeting glance, but I clearly read the two emotions in his eyes.
A slight competitive spirit, and an even stronger sense of superiority.
It probably wasn’t just toward me.
It was likely his attitude toward all the proxies present.
The certainty that his skill was the highest among them.
I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
‘Look at this guy. Glare again, why don’t you.’
It seems I’ll have to teach those arrogant eyes a lesson and make them lower properly.