Chapter 42- Honey Belly Sword (1)
In the martial arts world, there is the term called the ‘Hundred Great Masters.’
That name, which some evaluate as nothing more than a flashy but hollow title, is not an exaggeration to say it’s both a designation for young sprouts growing in the martial arts world and an encouragement from seniors who have walked the path before them.
For martial artists with ambition, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts mastery is almost always the goal. However, if everyone who had ambition could reach it, how would that be the end of the path?
In the martial arts world, it was extremely common for those once called geniuses to have their spirits broken by indefinite stagnation, and among them, not a few entered the wrong path.
Therefore, seniors who had walked that path before established a promise to encourage their juniors. That was the title of the ‘Hundred Great Masters’ meant to encourage young sprouts.
One hundred young martial artists who are capable and have the potential to reach the pinnacle. They are not determined by gathering in one place for a competition, but they are all masters with considerable reputations that cannot be ignored.
The mere fact of being predicted to have the highest possibility of reaching the pinnacle allows one to gauge how much expectation these young martial artists receive from the masters of the martial arts world.
However, in the current martial arts world, that meaning has been corrupted, and there are some who are content with just being among the Hundred Great Masters without striving further. In fact, that alone is not particularly problematic.
Those who settle become obsolete, pushed aside by those who advance.
That is the law of nature. Furthermore, the driving force of development.
But the biggest problem was…
That they themselves knew this fact all too well.
◇
After that incident, Sunmoo Academy officially apologized to Sua and Namgung-yeon. They also said they imposed appropriate disciplinary measures on the officials who had first attacked my disciples.
The one most surprised by this completely unexpected result was Namgung-yeon. Namgung-yeon, being from the Namgung family which is a pillar and the leader of the righteous sect martial art Alliance, knew for certain, though not in detail.
That high-ranking officials from the righteous sect personally apologizing is extremely rare, especially if the other party is not affiliated with the righteous martial art Alliance.
“What exactly happened?!”
“I just had a light conversation with them.”
“I-Is that so?”
Naturally, Namgung-yeon did not seem to believe my words. But I couldn’t tell him that four people had died, so I just smiled appropriately and let it slide.
However, what was important was that the instructors at Sunmoo Academy recognized Sua’s achievements in an official setting. A martial artist who has reached a certain level can gauge the level of their opponent.
“Such talent at the mere age of sixteen…!!”
“She is undoubtedly material more than worthy of being among the Hundred Great Masters.”
“Hundred Great Masters…?”
Of course, I knew well about the Hundred Great Masters. However, the concept of Hundred Great Masters varies greatly depending on the work—in some, they are portrayed as masters whom ordinary martial artists cannot approach.
Conversely, in others, they are just a power level measurements to highlight the protagonist’s strength. From this perspective, it seems that in this place, the Hundred Great Masters are closer to the latter.
‘Unable to even use sword energy yet called a Hundred Great Master… Or is this the typical exaggeration of martial arts novels?’
Either way, I don’t think it’s a particularly good influence on Sua. One should always be humble and continue to cultivate oneself, but being constantly praised like that tends to make one arrogant.
“I have no intention of being satisfied with this, Master.”
“I’m pleased to see you keeping yourself in check.”
“But Sua! Being among the Hundred Great Masters at that age is absolutely not common?!”
“Considering the path Master has walked, this is merely a small accomplishment.”
Fortunately, Sua’s mind had grown to the point where she could restrain herself without my explicit instruction. It seems her experiences with the Murong family served as a foundation.
“I don’t know what this is about, but does it mean sahjeo did well?” [TL/N:Sahjeo (사저) means a younger male fellow disciple in a martial arts sect.]
“Of course. You could say she has brought honor to the names of your master and all of you.”
“Forget about the Hundred Great Masters. There are more important matters.”
“Are you referring to the talks between the Murong family and the righteous martial art Alliance?”
“Yes. That’s not something we can just overlook.”
From what I hear, the Murong family, which had cut off exchanges with the righteous martial Alliance in the name of history and tradition, is now starting to interact with them again. Well, it’s something that has been mentioned often before.
“The issue is that Sunmoo Academy wants us to attend the meeting in person to enhance the occasion.”
“Well, Disciple Sua is, strictly speaking, also a martial artist of the Murong family.”
“My body and heart are all dedicated to Master.”
“Gasp!!”
What the hell is that gasp for?
Thanks to Sua’s ridiculous statement, my lifespan shortened a bit again today. Naturally, I was about to explain that it was a lie when at that moment, Seolhwa also raised her hand with sparkling eyes.
“Me too! Include me too!!”
“Of course.”
“M-Master, you have a secret that cannot be told to others.”
“That’s not it.”
As a result, I had to waste considerable time clearing up Namgung-yeon’s misunderstanding. Afterward, I gave Sua and Seolhwa a stern scolding. I told them never to say things that could be misunderstood by others.
“I understand what you mean.”
“I see, Master is being shy.”
“That’s not it. I’ll explain this part to you later.”
“I hope that will be a proper explanation. Anyway… What do you all plan to do?”
At any other time, I would have just declined out of laziness, but this matter is related to the Murong family. After that incident, our relationship with the Murong family was close to being partners beyond just collaborators.
“I am certainly a bit worried about Brother, but… I will follow Master’s will.”
“When you say that, how could I refuse?”
“Then…?”
“Let’s all go out for an outing after a long time.”
“Yay!!”
“To regard a meeting hosted by the Martial art Alliance as merely an outing, as expected of Master…”
And again, Namgung-yeon seems to have fallen into some strange misunderstanding.
But I was too lazy to correct him, so I just left it at that.
◇
Hundred Great Masters.
The weight and credibility that name carries are unimaginably heavy. Even commoners have heard of the Hundred Great Masters. How much more credibility would it have among martial artists?
Thanks to this, a martial artist who managed to put their name among even the bottom ranks of the Hundred Great Masters could be considered to have made it in life. They would receive sufficient respect anywhere, whether in a bureau or a sect.
Ma Kang, a man who was at the bottom of the Hundred Great Masters and had the title of Black Tiger Great Sword, was one of those martial artists who had taken full advantage of the title of Hundred Great Masters.
“…Ugh! The taste of alcohol is particularly bitter today.”
Roughly downing the alcohol in his cup at the inn, Ma Kang sighed. Despite his huge build and fierce-looking face, he was, surprisingly, carrying quite a number of worries.
In this damn martial arts world, it seems there are so many talented people.
Day after day, numerous prodigies and geniuses rise up and threaten his position. Especially that young female master from Hanam. Although it hadn’t been long so she didn’t have a title yet.
But a master who reached the first-class realm at just sixteen.
She would probably get a title soon.
Not only that, but other geniuses were also rising from the bottom, so naturally, the position reserved for someone like Black Tiger Great Sword Ma Kang, who was at the bottom of the Hundred Great Masters, would inevitably disappear.
In fact, Ma Kang was once a promising talent. His innate large build and the tremendous strength that came from it were suitable for learning martial arts. Thanks to this, not many could handle him.
However, as time passed, the situation changed. While geniuses and prodigies advanced one by one, for some reason, Ma Kang could only remain in place.
Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t train. He tried hard to practice in his own way and even humbled himself to find a master with great difficulty. Although all of it ended in failure.
“Time is cruel. Even though I was satisfied just standing in this position, now the one thing I have left will soon be taken away.”
“How can the Black Tiger Great Sword, a Hundred Great Master recognized even by the righteous sect, lament so?”
“…And who might you be?”
A woman with noticeable red hair like a peony, tied back and dressed in silk-like clothes, was now sitting across from him. Naturally, Ma Kang couldn’t help but be wary of her.
Although he was drunk, Ma Kang was still a first-class master who had his name listed at the bottom of the Hundred Great Masters. Yet he didn’t even sense this person approaching?
“At a minimum, you’re a first-class master like me. No, are you a peak master? But if you were a peak master, I wouldn’t fail to recognize your face…”
“Who I am is not important. What’s important is you.”
“What do you mean?”
At those words, the red-haired woman smiled. Her smile was so beautiful that even Ma Kang, who had never paid attention to women, felt his heart flutter for a moment.
“Don’t you want to rise to a higher place?”
