Chapter 70 – There is no regret, there is no regret (3)
The martial arts of the righteous sects are fundamentally based on Taoist and Buddhist ideologies. Naturally, the Nine Schools, which also embraced the teachings of Taoism and Buddhism, could only be classified as a righteous sect.
They mostly established themselves in treacherous mountainous areas deliberately to avoid being contaminated by the secular world. Thanks to this, they fortunately did not fall into corruption.
Instead, they were quite reluctant to take action on most matters. Of course, this might be different if there were contributions to be made to the martial arts world or if villains were oppressing the common people.
Otherwise, they tended to step back and observe the flow of events. This may be why the Nine Schools were perceived as inferior to the Five Great Families.
Naturally, the young disciples of the Nine Schools harbored dissatisfaction, but whenever they expressed it, they were met with loving discipline and accused of having lingering attachments to the secular world.
It was quite extraordinary for the Nine Schools to openly intervene this time. Why would these old individuals with heavy rear ends, who rarely move, act now?
Among the numerous peaks of Mount Mudang, there is an elderly man alone on the highest peak, Cheonjubong, swinging his sword with dignity. With a gentle expression but robust muscles.
His name is Jang Wongok, a man with an unmistakably extraordinary presence. As the leader of the Mudang Sect, he was also the one who prompted the Nine Schools’ direct involvement.
The reason for his change of heart was simple. He had met an unexpected individual and heard an astonishing story that he could never have imagined.
‘Actually, it would be more accurate to say I was shocked.’
The person Jang Wongok met was none other than Mu-wol, the leader of the Unorthodox Sects. A genius who reached the peak of martial arts at a relatively young age and a witch who purged his own brothers.
Even Jang Wongok, who had been through numerous hardships, never expected him to visit the Mudang Sect in person. And the letter he brought was equally unexpected.
If this letter is true, something terrible beyond imagination is happening in the current martial arts world. Something that would be irreversible if they continued to stand by and watch as usual.
[How long do you intend to stand by and just watch?]
[Are you asking us to betray the Namgung Family?]
[That’s not it. I’m just asking you to see with your own eyes and judge for yourself. Who is more right.]
‘To think that I would live to see the day when the unorthodox sects speak so boldly. This is truly lamentable.’
Just a few decades ago, the unorthodox sects were mere chaff that couldn’t even match the footsteps of the righteous sects. After all, martial arts originally developed from Taoist and Buddhist philosophies.
Naturally, the righteous sects greatly developed while the unorthodox sects were destined to fall behind. After all, how far could the unorthodox sects go when they even kindly accepted common thieves?
That’s what he thought. Until the infamous villain, the Sword Demon, appeared and swept through the righteous sect martial arts world with force. Although the legend of the righteous sects, the Sword God, did not belong to any particular sect.
It is almost an established theory that the Sword God’s beginnings were in the Mudang Sect. But the overwhelming martial prowess that fought on equal terms with the Sword God at such a young age, even overwhelming others at the peak level.
This inflicted a great wound on those who proudly identified with the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance at that time. Of course, even Jang Wongok, the leader of the Mudang Sect, was no exception.
But Jang Wongok chose to overcome that wound and shock by training his martial arts. Of course, even he did not escape doubts and suspicions in his younger years.
However, as a result of grinding his teeth and working hard, he was able to become the leader of the Mudang Sect and one of the top five masters in the righteous sects. His pride was very high.
But now, not only has the Sword Demon reappeared, but apparently, although his methods were wrong, the Sword Demon was trying to root out a great villain that was targeting the martial arts world at that time?
Of course, it was nonsensical, but considering the existence of the Sword Demon who fought on equal terms with the Sword God at just twenty years of age was even more nonsensical in Jang Wongok’s opinion.
So he chose to meet with Mu-wol, the leader of the Unorthodox Sects Alliance, and hear his story in person. And that was why Mu-wol sought out Jang Wongok of Mudang among the many sects of the Nine Schools.
He judged him to be the only one with whom dialogue was possible in the Nine Schools, which were particularly rigid about maintaining cursed traditions among the righteous sects, and in reality, Mu-wol’s judgment was not wrong.
“Well, I have no choice but to see with my own eyes and make a judgment. Fortunately, there’s an idle fellow in the Mudang Sect, so I’ll send him.”
Of course, he couldn’t speak so openly. The Sword Demon was an object of fear for the martial artists of the righteous sects, including the Nine Schools. So he spoke differently on the surface.
And quietly conducted an investigation in secret.
The conclusion could be drawn later.
â—‡
To conclude from the outset, Mu-myung’s hellish training showed much better results than expected. Not to mention Sua or Ma Kang, even Seolhwa belatedly awakened, and.
Whether it was due to the effect of the Spear-Sword Mind Technique, or for some other reason, Seolhwa’s physical abilities grew stronger with each passing day. Now, if we look solely at strength.
She reached a level almost similar to Ma Kang, who could freely wield a great sword. Naturally, stimulated by this, Ma Kang and Sua also continued their training.
They were able to achieve accomplishments commensurate with their efforts. In other words, this also meant that Namgung-yeon, caught among monsters, was the only one suffering miserably.
‘I’m dying… I don’t even know anymore.’
Normally, when someone who had been lagging suddenly surpasses you, one might burn with feelings of inferiority, but sadly, Yeon had no such luxury. Because it was just too damn hard.
In particular, Mu-myung’s training was much more arduous than expected, to the extent of ignoring the cold winter weather with falling snow. He would prefer to catch a cold and skip the training.
Strangely, despite being out in the harsh winter, there was no sign of catching a cold. Thanks to this, Yeon had no time to feel inferior and simply fell asleep.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Sua or Ma Kang showed no progress. If previously they had to use internal energy to use techniques, now they could.
Use some techniques on their own without necessarily using internal energy. They could now use techniques that required internal energy manipulation with mere strength alone.
“If we use internal energy in this state, the power would increase even more.”
“I’d like to try it, but… Master hasn’t permitted it yet.”
“I see, then shall we spar?”
“I have no reason to refuse.”
Sua and Ma Kang had now become so accustomed that they could spar with each other while wearing heavy weights. Of course, each time, Mu-myung would replace them with heavier weights from somewhere.
However, despite such excessive overwork, surprisingly no one got injured. Mu-myung judged this to be due to his special massage technique.
Once at the beginning of training and once at the end, Mu-myung gave his disciples massages directly. This is because he remembers the importance of stretching through his memories.
Certainly, that’s not wrong, but it’s not the whole reason. Mu-myung is unconsciously influenced by the Sword Demon’s memories. In other words, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Sword Demon is in his head.
[This is quite a good training method. I’ve been doing it since I was very young. But there’s something essential that this method inevitably requires.]
Mu-myung merely thought vaguely that he had read it in some web novel, but in reality, it was a method the Sword Demon had practiced since he was very young. Therefore, he knew well.
The fact that if done incorrectly, one could suffer irreversible injuries and become disabled. That’s why the master must directly use internal energy to help the body recover as much as possible.
Additionally, it would be much more effective if there were pills or herbs. Mu-myung was using that memory to help his disciples recover as much as possible in the form of massage.
Thanks to this, the disciples were surprisingly able to continue following Mu-myung’s training without anyone giving up or getting significantly injured. Moreover, Mu-myung’s own training was also progressing.
‘While giving massages, I’ve started to become familiar with the use of internal energy. In particular, I was able to identify the acupuncture points, and this can be used in combat.’
It was a situation where everyone was benefiting. Of course, from Namgung-yeon’s perspective, who was enduring this hellish training, it was truly hell itself.
As the winter the disciples were facing was coming to an end, an unexpected visitor came looking for Mu-myung. The person who knocked on the gate was a young man in a Taoist robe.
Sharply defined features under blue-black hair, certainly deserve to be called handsome. And the first words the young man uttered upon the door opening were.
“Can I have a meal?”
Upon hearing this, Mu-myung thought.
What is it? Is this a traveling performer?
Surprisingly, that was the first impression of the Mudang Sect.
