I Became The Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 9.
Yoo Baek-jun wiped away the sweat dripping down his face.
Looking around, he noticed that the people who had been noisily watching and chattering had already left.
‘It seems they’ve gone to rest since it’s dawn.’
Checking the time, he realized it was indeed the case.
It wasn’t that the disciples here were neglecting their training or anything like that.
Training required adequate rest as well.
‘It’s just that this body, fueled by the Heavenly Martial Body and the effects of the elixir, is going wild—that’s what’s strange.’
Yoo Baek-jun glanced at Han Seong-ah.
She had approached him quietly and handed him a towel and water.
Wiping his sweat with the towel, he asked,
“What do you mean by ‘what’s the point’?”
“I’m referring to Yoo Kang-ho. He’s someone who has trained under the family’s grandmasters for a long time.”
“Hmm, so?”
Han Seong-ah hesitated, unable to continue. Seeing her like that, Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
“Are you trying to ask why I’d embarrass myself by fighting when I’m just going to get crushed anyway?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
“It is, isn’t it? Admit it.”
Han Seong-ah coughed awkwardly, and Yoo Baek-jun gulped down the water loudly.
“Do you think I’d challenge him to a fight without any plan? There’s a method to it, that’s why.”
“And that method… is martial arts?”
A deep curiosity lingered in Han Seong-ah’s eyes.
What exactly was she curious about?
‘Han Seong-ah is a rather unusual figure for an instructor of the Sword Saint family.’
Normally, members of the Sword Saint family showed no interest in anything outside swordsmanship.
But Han Seong-ah was different.
She was interested in other combat techniques and wanted to use them to grow stronger.
‘Like magic, for example.’
However, due to her position as an instructor, she had to suppress those interests.
But now, the family’s successor was openly practicing martial arts.
It was only natural her curiosity would be piqued.
“This is the Sword Saint family. We are not allowed to learn or even attempt to learn anything outside swordsmanship. So why are you using martial arts…?”
“Who decided that?”
“Huh?”
Yoo Baek-jun scoffed.
“The Martial God of the past mastered swordsmanship, martial arts, spearmanship, archery, every combat art. So why does the Sword Saint family, which he founded, only use swords?”
“That’s…”
Han Seong-ah was at a loss for words.
The Sword Saint family had a strange distortion.
The Martial God practiced all forms of martial arts, yet his successors insisted on swordsmanship alone.
‘Well, it’s not like there’s no reason.’
It was simple.
The Martial God had only left behind swordsmanship. He recorded his own sword techniques but left no martial arts for other weapons.
That swordsmanship was the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique.
‘They couldn’t just use common martial arts floating around. So they stuck to the sword techniques and footwork left by the Martial God.’
Thus, the current Sword Saint family was born.
No one knew why the Martial God had done that. After all, he was a figure who never even appeared directly in the game.
But,
“I have no intention of following that.”
He had no plans to limit himself to swordsmanship.
“Instructor Han Seong-ah. I’m a greedy person.”
Yoo Baek-jun looked at her as he spoke.
“To grow stronger, I’ll learn anything and use everything. That’s what the successor of the Sword Saint—no, the Martial God—should do.”
“Even if it’s something other than the sword?”
“Yes. Didn’t the Martial God do the same? He trained in swordsmanship, martial arts, spearmanship, archery… He mastered every martial art and used them all to grow stronger.”
Yoo Baek-jun shrugged.
“Is there any reason we shouldn’t do the same?”
At his words, Han Seong-ah wore an expression of realization before falling deep into thought.
Yoo Baek-jun waited patiently.
“…I see. It’s only possible because you’re the young master, unbound by the family’s training methods.”
Emerging from her thoughts, Han Seong-ah nodded. Then, looking at Yoo Baek-jun, she made an offer.
“If you’d like, though I may not be much help, I can assist you in your training.”
Yoo Baek-jun’s eyes gleamed.
Help with training—this was the first reason he had trained in a place where people could see him.
‘Free skills!’
It was an event called <Han Seong-ah’s Curiosity>.
If he trained using a skill other than swordsmanship, Han Seong-ah would approach and initiate a conversation.
However, the conditions were a bit tricky.
—Train with a non-swordsmanship skill. Choose dialogue options that pique her interest.
And lastly, possess outstanding talent.
Even if he trained with a non-swordsmanship skill, if his talent seemed lacking, she would simply walk away.
But now, he had the Heavenly Martial Body.
‘I’m the epitome of talent. You think you can just ignore me? Huh?’
Moreover, if he built a good rapport while training, he could even make her his personal instructor.
Yoo Baek-jun suppressed a grin.
“You do know, right? I’m practically an outcast in this family. If you teach me, you’ll also…”
“I’m already something of an outcast in the family myself. Since we’re both in the same boat, does it really matter?”
Han Seong-ah tilted her head.
Other instructors would make excuses and flee if Yoo Baek-jun asked for training.
Right now, she was the only one who could teach him skills—Han Seong-ah, who marched to her own beat and didn’t care about others’ opinions.
Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
“I’d welcome your teaching anytime. What do you plan to teach me?”
“Martial arts… I don’t know much about it. But I think I can help you with Mind techniques.”
“Mind techniques? Perfect.”
This family had quite a few talented individuals who excelled in areas other than the sword.
Though their talents had never been fully realized.
‘Han Seong-ah has incredible magic talent.’
She had traits related to magic.
It meant she had the potential to become a magic swordsman like Yoon Song-ha.
Perhaps because of that, she was skilled in handling magical power and was a specialist in Mind techniques.
‘Traits… Once things settle down, I should go find that item.’
An item that veterans of Heroes Road always sought, no matter which route they took.
It was called the ‘Observer’s Eye,’ and it allowed the user to see others’ traits.
‘I’ll have to make a trip to the secular world soon.’
Yoo Baek-jun looked at Han Seong-ah.
“It’s the same as the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique used by the family, but modified to my own style. Would you like to sit down?”
“Sure.”
Yoo Baek-jun sat on the floor.
Then, Han Seong-ah placed her hand on his shoulder. Her magical power began to flow into his body.
“You’ve used the Three Disasters Mind Technique, right? Try moving your magical power with that in mind.”
Yoo Baek-jun did as she instructed.
As he guided his magical power according to the Three Disasters Mind Technique, Han Seong-ah’s magical power also began to move.
“Hmm!”
Her magic seized him and forcibly guided it, circulating it slowly throughout his entire body in a specific pattern.
‘She’s teaching me how to regulate my breathing.’
Yoo Baek-jun focused on the movement of the magic she guided, memorizing every detail without missing a single thing.
Han Seong-ah withdrew her hand.
“This is how you should move it. It might take some time, but if you’re patient, you’ll eventually understand.”
“I’ll try it right now.”
“Yes, I’ll assist you.”
Han Seong-ah placed her hand on Yoo Baek-jun again.
Under her watchful gaze, Yoo Baek-jun slowly began to employ the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique.
“Haaa…”
He inhaled the energy around him and started moving it, recalling the motion from earlier.
His body began to glow faintly with a blue hue.
“……!”
Han Seong-ah’s eyes widened as she watched.
Through their connected hands, she could feel how Yoo Baek-jun’s magical power was moving.
‘It’s identical.’
To the technique she had demonstrated just moments ago.
He was executing the breath regulation of the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique. After seeing it only once perfectly.
‘Is this even possible?’
Han Seong-ah questioned herself.
He was someone who had been isolated from the family’s training methods.
With no instructor to teach him, he had even learned techniques like the Three Disasters Mind Technique on his own.
So, there was no way he could have known the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique.
‘But this flow of magic, the way he moves it… It’s like someone who’s trained in the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique for years.’
To be more precise, he was perfectly replicating her technique.
The magic that had circulated throughout his entire body now flowed toward Yoo Baek-jun’s dantian, settling firmly.
‘His dantian is huge! Is this why he could use footwork Technique all day?’
She couldn’t help but be astonished by the sheer size of his dantian.
Only now could she see that it was far larger than what one would expect from someone just beginning to practice Mind techniques.
And then there was this flawless physique.
“As if bestowed by the heavens…”
“Whew!”
The moment Han Seong-ah muttered those words, Yoo Baek-jun completed the circulation and exhaled.
His breath shimmered with blue magical power.
“How was it, Instructor Han Seong-ah?”
“Huh? Oh, yes?”
“My Mind technique. I did it the way you taught me. How was it?”
“Well…”
Han Seong-ah checked Yoo Baek-jun’s dantian.
The magic he had just absorbed was now fully settled within it.
Moreover, his body had been revitalized by the breath regulation.
He had perfectly executed the Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique.
“…Wow. It’s flawless.”
“Really?”
That was the only thing she could say.
Han Seong-ah stared at Yoo Baek-jun with a bewildered expression.
“Um, forgive my rudeness, but… Young Master, you’ve been evaluated as lacking talent until now, correct?”
“That’s what they said.”
“Who was it that made such an assessment?”
“My father.”
Han Seong-ah shook her head.
‘The family head evaluated someone with this level of talent as untalented? That can’t be.’
Her mind grew even more confused.
She steadied her swirling thoughts.
At least one thing was certain.
‘Young Master Yoo Baek-jun possesses extraordinary talent. Perhaps even greater than any of the direct lineage members of the family.’
It was the kind of talent that mesmerized those who witnessed it.
Han Seong-ah found herself wanting to watch this talent grow—preferably under her guidance.
“…W-well, for now, let’s continue practicing the Mind technique. It’s best to keep at it until you’re fully accustomed.”
“Sure. If I practice until tomorrow, I think I’ll master it. After that, is there anything else I can learn?”
“Hmm. Since you’ve been using footwork techniques, I know a lower-tier skill called ‘Swift Steps.’ It should also be helpful.”
“Nice.”
Yoo Baek-jun nodded in satisfaction.
Following Joo Jung-won, Instructor Han Seong-ah was now another tree willing to generously provide for him.
‘Free skills!’
To prepare for his upcoming promotion in the Book of the Martial God, he needed to save every point he could.
Yoo Baek-jun suppressed a grin.
“Keep teaching me, Instructor Han Seong-ah. Since it’s my first time learning, I might be clumsy, but I’ll do my best.”
“Cl-clumsy? No, I mean—yes. Understood. I’ll also do my best to instruct you.”
Han Seong-ah responded with a serious expression.
From then on, Yoo Baek-jun decided to focus intensely on training under her guidance.
* * *
On her way back, Han Seong-ah recalled what she had just witnessed.
‘The youngest of the Sword Saint’s family is too weak.’
That was why he was deemed unworthy of becoming the family head.
That had always been Yoo Baek-jun’s image, and the family members shared the same perception.
“Hmm, well.”
A faint smile appeared on Han Seong-ah’s lips.
The Sword Saint’s family was currently embroiled in a succession dispute.
Every senior instructor or master supported their preferred candidate.
The leading candidate is Yoo Tae-rang.
Next is Yoo Jung-yeon.
As for Yoo Baek-jun…
Frankly, he had no chance.
But with that level of talent in a family that valued survival of the fittest perhaps…
“…I never intended to support any successor.”
Whenever other instructors boasted about which successor they served, she had always scoffed.
But now, her thoughts had changed.
For the first time, she felt it might be worth supporting someone—someone who shared her perspective.
“If it’s Young Master Yoo Baek-jun…”
It didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“…….”
But it was still too early.
As she walked, Han Seong-ah began thinking about what to teach Yoo Baek-jun tomorrow.
