Diverse Paths
When it comes to traveling, the preferred method for martial artists is none other than light-footedness. Only those at the Peak Stage can travel faster than a horse, but most martial artists prefer to walk.
Using horses or carts means you have to take care of them. Considering the fatigue from managing a horse, the burden, and the chores involved, it’s way easier to just walk.
Oh, speaking of carts…
“Ugh! Let’s turn back! Older Brother!”
“Wait a sec! I don’t need to ride…”
“What do you mean! Walking while we have the Bicheongmacha? Let’s go!”
“Ahhh!”
Tang Do-gyeong returned to the Tang Clan in the Bicheongmacha. In the end, one more person’s blood stained the cart’s wheels.
I hope we can see Tang Do-gyeong alive again.
Anyway, me, the Black Cat, and Hyeok Gi-rin were heading to the Jeomchang Faction after purchasing a cart. Both of them were people who could travel comfortably as long as there were no eyes on them.
Well, the real reason for getting the cart was that Hyeok Gi-rin went on a shopping spree for things to give his brothers.
“Hehe, so you see!”
“Ah, indeed!”
I had no idea what they were talking about, but those two seemed happy. The Black Cat’s favorability toward Hyeok Gi-rin was quite high. It was the first time I’d seen the Black Cat show interest in anyone besides me…
Hyeok Gi-rin and the Black Cat seemed to get along quite well. It had to be tough for the cross-dressing Hyeok Gi-rin to have same-gender friends, and the Black Cat also couldn’t easily make same-gender friends due to influences from the lunar cycle.
Even if I didn’t dissect it too much, it looked like their friendship was deepening.
Would the Black Cat get to understand the joy of having company through this?
“Hmm…”
I rubbed the back of my neck. I felt guilty because the Black Cat seemed to be taking a backseat these days, focusing only on my training. Maybe I should ask Hyeok Gi-rin for the basics of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword and then request the Black Cat to oversee her training for a while.
Anyway, those two were enjoying their time as girls, while I drove the cart, using their chatter as background music.
“Oh, we’ve arrived.”
The first impression of the Jeomchang Faction was just… well, ordinary. If it left a deep impression, it had to be the mountain of Sunam that held the Jeomchang Faction. The mountain itself looked like any other, but anyone who had trained in martial arts could feel the strong Qi emanating from it.
“Big Brother! You’ve returned!”
“Hmm. I’m back. Older Brother, Cheong-mun. Have you all been well?”
“What could happen in the main sect? How about you, Big Brother?”
“Yeah. We’ll catch up later, but let’s open the gate for the guests.”
I suddenly became curious.
How much does the Jeomchang Faction know about Hyeok Gi-rin being a girl? Miss Yeo Il-ye seemed to have an inkling… Well, that was for the Jeomchang Faction to sort out.
“First, let’s go greet the Sect Leader.”
“Understood.”
The guest house for visitors is usually located on the outskirts of the sect. In contrast, the building used by the Master, the Sect Leader, is typically situated in the center of the sect.
“Big Brother! You’re back!”
“Hmm. It’s been a long time.”
As we passed along the way, the disciples of the Jeomchang Faction greeted Hyeok Gi-rin’s return with enthusiasm. We reached the Sect Leader’s hall while receiving curious looks from the disciples.
“Sect Leader, the Great Disciple Hyeok Gi-rin has returned with her benefactors, Miss Yeo Il-ye and the Sacheon Outcast.”
“Let the guests in.”
The Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Faction, Heo Gong-seo, who wields the Absolute Cloud Sword, was probably at Peak Stage.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the renowned Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Faction. As a Sacheon Outcast, I request your understanding for not disclosing my name.”
“I’m pleased to meet the Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Faction. Please understand that I cannot disclose my name for the same reason.”
“Haha, of course. I am Heo Gong-seo, the Sect Leader.”
It was highly likely that Heo Gong-seo already knew the names of me and the Black Cat, but for now, I chose to respond generally. It was a matter of protocol to keep my identity a secret in such a setting.
“I’ve heard much about you two. You’ve provided great help to our Il-ye.”
“It’s merely a coincidence that we’ve crossed paths.”
“Is that so… That too is a connection. And this connection has brought you here now, hasn’t it? Primordial Celestial Master…”
Heo Gong-seo recited a verse and continued.
“Because you’ve helped Il-ye in numerous ways… I thought it best to invite you to express my gratitude.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“Our sect may not have the best hospitality, but the location of Sunam itself exudes pure Qi, which helps those training in martial arts. If you have the time, would you like to train your martial arts while absorbing the energy of Sunam?”
“Accepting the Sacheon Outcast as a guest… I’m worried I’d be a burden.”
“Hahahah! Not properly welcoming a benefactor would be a disgrace to the name of Jeomchang. Don’t worry about such things; feel free to stay comfortably.”
“I appreciate your excessive kindness.”
“Hmm… Great Disciple Hyeok Gi-rin, listen.”
“Yes! Sect Leader!”
“Since we have the two precious guests, take care of them sincerely. I’ll have my other disciples handle my other duties, so focus solely on hospitality. Do you understand?”
“Honor!”
Looks like I can continue learning from Hyeok Gi-rin; that’s not bad.
“You must be tired from your long journey. First, please unpack at the guest house and rest well.”
“Yes, Sect Leader. We will take our leave now.”
As we left the Sect Leader’s hall, Hyeok Gi-rin smiled lightly.
“Hmm. We’ll be training together for a while. Hehe. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Isn’t it us who should be looking forward to it? Since we can say you’re our temporary teacher?”
“Umm… I wouldn’t go as far as to say teacher.”
The Black Cat’s words made Hyeok Gi-rin flustered.
“Older Brother, I’m not sure if you had a great experience with Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin, but for me, it’s a first, and I’m quite excited! Honestly, I’ve never learned martial arts from anyone before.”
“So you’ve been self-taught all this time?”
“Hmm… well, not exactly, but… it’s true that I haven’t had anyone I could refer to as a teacher.”
“I see. In that case, with diligent practice here at the Jeomchang Faction, you might surpass the barriers!”
The desire ignited in Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes. The Black Cat giggled at Hyeok Gi-rin’s fiery determination.
“Well, reaching Peak Stage isn’t going to happen that easily… but let’s do our best?”
“Of course! Leave it to me!”
What a relief.
Thus, the first day at the Jeomchang Faction came to a close.
The serious life at the Jeomchang Faction was about to begin.
—
In martial arts, the term “mystical principle” often comes up.
So, what exactly do these mystical principles do?
Is swinging a sword with all your might enough to make it a strong sword? While it’s not entirely wrong, that’s only half the truth.
The initial stage is the beginning of martial arts. It’s the level where you sense Qi and go beyond accumulating it to actively use it. Once you reach the level of a first-rate martial artist and realize the mysteries of Qi, you’ll be able to process and utilize it.
The next question is: how do you process that Qi?
The methods of processing classify the mystical principles. When a sword technique embodies the mystical principle of strength, it means it includes a method for enhancing the sword’s power through internal energy.
The First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword contains four mystical principles.
Strength, Speed, Change, and Softness.
Consider that a typical first-rate sword technique usually focuses on only one mystical principle; this is indeed an ambitious sword technique.
“Typically, first-rate sword techniques concentrate on one mystical principle. In that regard, the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword… I can’t really recommend it, but do you have a reason for wanting to learn this martial art?”
Once a martial artist reaches the first-rate level, regardless of status or ability, they focus solely on one goal.
Reaching Peak Stage.
Reaching the first-rate level is something anyone can achieve with effort. Except for me from my past, of course. The time taken to reach that level might differ based on talent and effort, but everyone eventually gets there.
However, Peak Stage is different.
Peak Stage is a star that cannot be attained through mere effort.
Some may only reach that level through a once-in-a-lifetime flash of inspiration, while others may understand the principles just through training… but ultimately, there’s one conclusion.
Only those who truly understand the martial principle can attain Peak Stage.
That’s why most first-rate martial arts embody a single mystical principle.
Because even if you focus all your effort on understanding that one mystical principle, there’s no guarantee you’ll comprehend the martial principle needed to reach Peak.
Yet, the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword encompasses four principles, and I chose this martial art because of its unique characteristics.
“Yes. That’s correct. So, I’d like to ask for your guidance.”
“Very well. The path of a martial artist is one you carve for yourself! That resolve! That spirit! This Hyeok Gi-rin will do my utmost to assist you!”
“Yes!”
I replied fiercely.
It’s been 8 years since this Ho Cheon-an fell into the martial world and began crawling like a dog.
Finally, I am stepping into true martial learning.
