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“Looks like we have some company waiting for us!”

As we reached the gate of Hangu Pass, just as Namgung Hwan said, there were indeed people waiting. They were martial artists clad in blue clothing, standing by the gate. When they spotted Namgung Hwan, they immediately bowed.

“The Heavenly Sky Team greets Young Master!”

The Heavenly Sky Team seemed to be an elite force of the Namgung Clan. I took a moment to assess the roughly twenty men present, noting that more than half of them were first-class experts. With this kind of power, they could easily wipe out any minor sect in a day, which left me quite astonished.

Namgung Hwan addressed the leader of the Heavenly Sky Team.

“Why didn’t you come to greet us at Guanzhong?”

“I apologize. If we entered Guanzhong, the other six great families would be overly concerned. It was an unavoidable measure to avoid friction.”

“Is that really your honest opinion?”

“……”

“Hmph.”

Namgung Hwan turned his head with a wry smile, while the leader of the Heavenly Sky Team stood silently. I could sense some sort of conflict between them, but now wasn’t the time to pry.

Namgung Hwan took Jin So-cheong’s hand and said, “Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you and Baek Woong, I wouldn’t have made it out of Zhao Family Estate alive.”

“No, you took the risk to come find me at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. That’s what I’m grateful for,” she replied.

It seemed they had their own bond of friendship. I was curious as to why Namgung Hwan had taken only Mo Yong-yeon with him while being pursued by the martial artists of Jianghu, and what the relationship between him and the Heavenly Sky Team was. But I couldn’t just ask outright, so I held my tongue.

Namgung Hwan then grabbed my hand and declared, “Young Hero, I truly thank you. If you ever come to the Namgung Clan, I will treat you as my lifesaver. Please do visit.”

“No need for such formalities…” I replied, glancing at Mo Yong-yeon. Oddly enough, she hadn’t said much or acted differently throughout this ordeal. It was as if she were quietly following Namgung Hwan as if it were the natural thing to do.

‘She could have easily faced the risk of being assaulted, yet she remains so calm?’ I felt a sense of discomfort. No matter how strong-willed a woman may be, it was bizarre not to show any signs of fear or distress when dozens of martial artists were out to harm her. It was as if she believed such things would never happen.

“Stay safe then.”

“Ah, you too.”

After their farewells were done, Namgung Hwan and Mo Yong-yeon set off with the Heavenly Sky Team, disappearing into the darkness. Despite their fatigue, they were clearly trying to shake off their pursuers. As I watched their figures fade away, Jin So-cheong turned to me.

“I suppose it’s time for me to head back, my disciple.”

He seemed completely ready to acknowledge me as his new disciple without any doubts. In the past, I felt like a mere experiment he kept for convenience, but now he seemed genuinely pleased.

I felt a hint of pride swell within me as I said, “Senior, may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Today’s events feel very strange. It’s odd for the Namgung Clan’s Young Master to roam without protection, just with a Heavenly Yin Body, and the Heavenly Sky Team must have arrived at Hangu Pass before us but didn’t come down to escort him.”

“……”

“Do you know something?”

As I trailed off, Jin So-cheong fell silent for a moment before answering.

“It’s not our place to meddle further. I’ve honored my friendship with Namgung Hwan, and now he must navigate his own affairs. Regardless, I doubt things will get too tangled up any further.”

“Are you aware of the full circumstances behind today’s events?”

“Do you want me to tell you?”

“Yes, I do.”

Jin So-cheong ran his fingers through my hair playfully and chuckled.

“Alright then, how about a wager?”

“A wager?” I asked, intrigued.

“If you can withstand a hundred blows from me in the spear technique during our duel, I will share what I know.”

I was slightly taken aback. “That… seems unreasonable.”

“What do you think? It would be a good training opportunity, wouldn’t it?”

Feeling competitive, I decided against backing down. Jin So-cheong wasn’t just a senior to me; he was practically a master who had taught me nearly everything about my martial arts. His overwhelming talent and abilities dwarfed mine, so I couldn’t resist the chance to engage in a challenge with him.

“Fine! Let’s do it!”

We hurried back to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, arriving just as the lights of the lanterns began to flicker. Despite the fatigue, my master, Samjeol Lee Kwang, had to be informed quickly.

“I’ve returned!”

“Welcome back,” he replied.

Samjeol Lee Kwang was reading a book by the lantern’s light in Waryong Hall. He closed the book and addressed Jin So-cheong, “Seems like you’re a bit late.”

“I was helping a friend, which took some time.”

“If you’re honest with yourself, I won’t pry further.”

Samjeol Lee Kwang let it slide just like that. Watching him made me envious. Normally, such things would merit a slew of questions, but he trusted his disciple implicitly. It was admirable how that kind of faith could empower a student.

He then continued, “I presume you’ve heard the story. A disciple from the Thunder God Lineage has come seeking my teachings.”

“Yes. They assisted me a lot,” I replied.

Samjeol Lee Kwang nodded with a warm smile. “As you can see, they possess remarkable internal power. In time, you both could revitalize the Thunder God Lineage together. Aim for being the best in the world!”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”

The phrase “the best in the world!” made my heart race. It’s a word that every martial artist dreams of, but hearing it from a peak expert like Samjeol Lee Kwang carried a sense of grounding reality. I truly felt that under his guidance, I could become the best in the world.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have a good night.”

We bowed respectfully and stepped out of Samjeol Lee Kwang’s presence. As we walked the dimly lit halls of the martial school, Jin So-cheong spoke quietly.

“You and I, our bodies are still not warmed up from earlier. How about we do our duel now?”

“Can we keep on training until I win?”

“Of course!”

“Then it’s decided.”

We left Waryong Hall and headed toward the sparring arena. After igniting lamps to fill the room with light, we both assumed our stances, each wielding a wooden spear. We both utilized the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms.

Jin So-cheong said, “Just so you know, you can use all your internal power without holding back.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? I mean, this training hall could end up in ruins!”

“Don’t worry. I just want to see your skills.”

At this point, I was nervous I might cause chaos if I used too much internal power. Yet, once I stood three paces away from Jin So-cheong with the training spear in hand, I realized my worries were unwarranted.

“……!!”

My whole body felt as if it were being pierced by needles. Jin So-cheong stood firmly in his position, yet I felt completely exposed, my vital points were wide open, and his spear seemed to be hovering dangerously close to my heart. Even if I had the best internal power in the world, I was utterly defenseless against him. The moment I considered swinging my spear, I could almost see his spear slicing through me under the training hall’s faint glow.

This had nothing to do with spear versus sword; it was a different level completely.

‘What the…?! I’ve consumed Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng THREE times!’ But I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. It was ludicrous. I had consumed what would be a once-in-a-lifetime fortuitous encounter for most, yet I was still unable to defeat Jin So-cheong! And according to my memory, he had just reached the pinnacle level last time, making this situation even more bewildering.

Was this not more than the pressure I felt in front of the elder of the Iron Blood Gate?

Sweat poured from my palms as I gripped the spear. I moments away from a verbal chastisement that seemed to echo through my mind. An uneasy energy constricted my breath.

“Gah…!!” I could no longer endure it. Even contemplating a different direction to move felt impossible, as every time I tried, it seemed his spear would instinctively follow my every motion.

No. It was hopeless. There was no way I could rely solely on internal power here.

“…I concede.” In the end, I couldn’t move an inch and simply admitted my defeat. It was only then that Jin So-cheong relaxed his pressure. He leaned his wooden spear against the rack again and apologized,

“Sorry, disciple. I didn’t intend to show off my skills on the first day, but your state was too dangerous for me not to intervene.”

“Dangerous?” I asked, puzzled.

Clack. After returning my spear, I sat cross-legged before Jin So-cheong. Regardless of the duel’s outcome, I sensed that he had something significant to say, hence suggesting this wager. Jin So-cheong nodded thoughtfully at my inquiry.

“You likely think this: if I only improve my control over Qi and martial arts, I can immediately become a top-tier expert! … Right?”

“… I can’t deny that.”

Jin So-cheong sighed, showing a genuine concern.

“But that’s a mistaken belief. No matter how exceptional your internal power might be, your body remains human. Those who only rely on Qi without intention risk facing the cruelest realities, much like standing naked against a storm in the North Pole. It’s a truly unfortunate situation.”

“……?”

Intention? What could be so important about that? I cocked my head, utterly lost. Until now, I thought he was discussing the principles of martial arts, more specifically, speed. As I hesitated, Jin So-cheong chuckled.

“You may interpret my warnings as defensive criticism. However, beginning tomorrow, if you start one-on-one tutoring with our master, your mindset will be easily read by him. He is not one to show disappointment openly, and there’s a real risk you could find yourself without any clues, spinning in circles from then on. That’s why I wanted to point this out.”

That indeed sounded perilous. Unlike Jin So-cheong, who was enthusiastic about teaching, Samjeol Lee Kwang was accustomed to training geniuses and was more likely to neglect a learner who faltered. Perhaps that was the consequence of his own natural genius.

I decided to accept Jin So-cheong’s goodwill and not distort his words. His prowess was something I had just witnessed firsthand, so it made sense to embrace it fully.

“Umm… While I can’t deny that I see things that way, I still don’t understand what you mean by intention?”

Kuuhh! I summoned my internal power, exuding my killing intent. Typically, just feeling this would send ordinary folks into a frenzy. Yet, Jin So-cheong waved his hand, indicating otherwise.

“No, that’s not intention. If I had to put it into words, it’s merely a symptom of the Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence overflowing due to your current state… you could consider it a form of Qi too.”

“Are you suggesting that a human can influence this world solely through will?”

“Precisely! That’s the higher level of Muwak. Once you transcend the basic techniques of Qi and internal power, experts then begin to duel on an entirely different plane. While the basics can’t be discounted, they open up new pathways distinct from those of lesser experts.”

In that moment, it dawned on me: ‘Jin So-cheong has stepped into that arena as well!’ And Samjeol Lee Kwang was a true master who had reached that realm long ago. Only now did I comprehend the staggering sense of discomfort I had felt in the presence of Samjeol Lee Kwang’s formlessness.

Whether it was Samjeol Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong, I had found they had both entered territories that could not be measured simply by conventional martial arts classifications.

I also realized that even if I had refrained from intervening that day, Jin So-cheong could have handled those first-class experts alone. This is because, in the original timeline, he never suffered any injuries or faced death. So today’s events were separate from my earlier involvement.

In short – this meant that historically, Jin So-cheong had single-handedly defeated more than ten first-class experts all on his own! He was merely trying to gauge the situation until things got serious.

Jin So-cheong suggested, “From here on out, after finishing your training each day, continue to challenge me in this same way. It will surely aid you immensely in enhancing your martial arts.”

“Yes.” I had no reason to refuse, so I immediately agreed.

‘With the wooden spear duel lasting for 100 counts, that shouldn’t take too long.’

We chatted about some casual topics, said our goodbyes, and turned in for the night. I was pretty worn out, so I washed up and fell fast asleep.

The next day, I began receiving teachings from Samjeol Lee Kwang. He showed up early in the morning at Waryong Hall, leading me to a special training room set aside just for us.

“It seems you’re leaning toward honing your sword technique among the skills of our Thunder God Lineage. Do you like the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique?”

I scratched my head awkwardly. “Yes. I know the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms is the strongest, but spear techniques just don’t suit me…”

“So you’re aware that swordsmanship is generally the weaker martial art. It’s commendable you understand that.”

“……”

He flat-out declared swordsmanship to be weak, and I had no retort for that. After all, Samjeol Lee Kwang was a master beyond Jin So-cheong, a three-fold expert who could rival any sword or spear user. It was utterly ridiculous for a beginner like me to have an opinion. Yet, noticing my flustered expression, he chuckled gently.

“While I do not wish to belittle martial arts, reality is reality, and one ought to recognize it. Historically, there has never been an occasion where a spear was weaker than a sword. Furthermore, realize that spear techniques developed from battle arts, whereas swordsmanship evolved from self-defense techniques.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Naturally, once you reach the pinnacle of your abilities, swords and spears will occupy equal ground. But until that happens, it’s wiser to prioritize spear techniques and learn swordsmanship from there, as it will maximize your talent and conserve time.”

“Does talent also diminish over time?”

Without hesitation, he nodded, “Talent isn’t infinite. It will gradually exhaust itself within finite time and capacity. This is why many bright prodigies fade into mediocrity as time goes on. The truth of life is to gather as many skills as possible while young.”

“Yes, understood.”

“You’ve already grasped the fundamentals of the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms. From today, I will teach you advanced spear applications and help you correct your martial flaws.”

Thus, after years apart, I resumed my martial training at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School under Samjeol Lee Kwang’s guidance. I diligently started replaying the spear techniques from the very beginning, learning three advanced techniques known as Thrusting, Striking, and Surging.

“Practice this technique at least five hundred times a day from today.”

From dawn to dusk, I practiced like my life depended on it, pouring with sweat so profusely that droplets fell from the tip of my nose.

After that day’s training, I sought out Jin So-cheong to initiate our wooden spear duel. Yesterday, I couldn’t move a single step against his pressure, but today, I figured things would go differently and steeled myself.

I stood across from him, gripping the wooden spear.

“……”

However, just like before, I was frozen in place, feeling like a bug caught in a web. The moment I thought of making a move, I realized that a single motion would probably cost me my life. Confused, I sat down there, deep in contemplation.

‘Why can’t I move? Before I can even act, every one of my moves seems to be preempted. What is the principle behind it?’

While I pondered, Jin So-cheong interjected, “Disciple, feel the distance not with your eyes but with your instincts.”

His words seemed significant, yet I failed to grasp their meaning, resulting in yet another failed attempt. If I were the kind of genius who could understand something with just a single piece of advice, I would have conquered the world by now.

“It seems there’s nothing else to be done. For now, let me assist you with what you’ve learned today.”

As my attempt to improve faltered, Jin So-cheong smiled wryly and kindly began to further explain the techniques I had just learned. Listening to him, I felt these were clearer than what I had understood from Samjeol Lee Kwang.

‘Perfect, I can do this!’

It was truly foolish to think I could progress entirely through self-study.

Now that I was training this way, I would certainly attain the pinnacle of the peak masters in the future!

“Disciple, while I don’t wish to say this,…”

Three years later, one day, Jin So-cheong and I faced off in the training hall, both gripping wooden spears. Yet, I found myself standing there, my spear dropped. It had already been three years since I had rejoined the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, and I could barely manage to last eighty counts.

Jin So-cheong sighed heavily. “You lack talent, disciple.”

And that was undeniable.

Three years after our wager, I was still unable to withstand a hundred counts in a wooden spear duel against him. Even with all my internal power on the line, I was trapped by his anticipation, often overwhelmed before I could initiate any movement. While it was a relief that my martial skills had greatly improved, allowing me to now perform the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms and Thunder Shadow Sword Technique at a level far beyond my past self, I still couldn’t escape this feeling of stagnation.

However, about a year ago, Samjeol Lee Kwang had stopped directly teaching me one-on-one. He seemed to have lost interest once he realized I was an ordinary talent, even if he initially tried hard to teach me. Now, it seemed he was pushing me to learn from Jin So-cheong instead. It left me feeling quite dejected, but I held onto my resolve as I nodded in acceptance.

“The Grandmaster’s judgment is correct.”

“I’m sorry. But if you ever have questions while training, come to me anytime. I’ll help however I can.”

Before I could leave, I asked, “One last thing… What happened on that day three years ago?”

Jin So-cheong replied, “As our final day draws near, I will share what I know.”

“Okay.”

“To be honest, the events of that day were a result of Namgung Hwan’s own actions.”

“What? His own actions?”

The following explanation was shocking.

“He possessed a high level of vanity and arrogance, which made him inadvertently reveal the secret regarding his Heavenly Yin Body fiancée, Mo Yong-yeon, during a drunken night out.”

“……”

The very one who spilled the secret about her being a target of overt harm was Namgung Hwan himself! Stunned, I listened as Jin So-cheong sat down in the training hall and continued.

“Mo Yong Clan exploded with anger and immediately sought to break off the engagement with Namgung Hwan. However, the head of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Hwan’s father, hastily sent him and Mo Yong-yeon into Jianghu to buy some time. They rushed off without any escorts to protect them. That’s how he ended up seeking me out.”

Jin So-cheong struck me as quite the chivalrous man. It was likely that, while all Namgung Hwan’s friends turned down offers to help, Jin So-cheong was the only one to step up.

“What about the Heavenly Sky Team not coming to escort Namgung Hwan right away?”

“It was probably due to inner struggles within the Namgung Clan. Competing siblings in the clan would have had a hand in this, likely thinking it was fine for him to face danger.”

“……”

“Still, they did eventually come to his aid, but now Namgung Hwan is likely embroiled in fierce competition for succession within his family.”

I was beginning to understand what transpired that day. But one thing still didn’t sit well with me.

“That day, wasn’t Mo Yong-yeon far too calm for a woman about to face such a threat?”

“Hmm… Maybe it’s because she genuinely loves Namgung Hwan.”

“What? Love?”

“If not for her love, how could she possibly trust the one who revealed the secret to her danger and travel alongside him through Jianghu? Though it seems incomprehensible, she sincerely trusted and loved Namgung Hwan, despite the risk,” he mused.

“……”

That seemed impossible to fathom. Regardless of Namgung Hwan’s good looks, could she truly harbor such feelings? It had to be one of the strangest things I’d ever come across in my life. At the same time, it made me feel pity for Mo Yong-yeon. Unlike her, Namgung Hwan didn’t strike me as the kind of man to dedicate that level of purity to one woman.

As the story came to an end, Jin So-cheong urged, “Disciple, don’t be discouraged, and keep making progress. Your skill is now on par with any leading master out there. Very few martial artists in Jianghu could rival you!”

“Yes, thank you.”

After parting ways with Jin So-cheong, I returned to my personal quarters. Leaning against the wall, I sunk into complex thoughts.

At the end of the day, the secrets of three years ago didn’t matter much anymore. However, the frustration stemming from my inability to defeat Jin So-cheong in the spear technique was infuriating. While I had made improvements, I still felt the weight of a colossal wall named ‘talent’ looming over me. Of course, I had achieved some personal successes compared to three years ago, yet standing next to two geniuses made me feel pathetically small.

Shortly after, Jin So-cheong spoke up, “Truth be told, the Grandmaster told me the other day not to dedicate time to you anymore, but instead focus on my personal training.”

“……”

From Samjeol Lee Kwang’s perspective, it probably looked like I was holding back Jin So-cheong’s talent. However, out of respect for our shared affiliation in the Thunder God Lineage, he had been lenient before, but now it seemed Jin So-cheong was expected to devote his time to training alone. Though I felt quite miserable over this fact, I clung to my resolve and nodded.

“The Grandmaster’s judgment is sound.”

“I’m sorry. But whenever you’re stuck in your training, come to me anytime. I’ll assist however possible.”

Before I left, I was curious, “Would you mind explaining what happened three years ago?”

Looking serious, Jin So-cheong replied, “As our last day here is nigh, I can tell you the truth.”

“Okay.”

“That day… honestly, it was a case of Namgung Hwan’s own actions leading to consequences.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The revelation was striking.

“He was more vain than you think and had a high regard for appearances. So, in an intoxicated moment, he accidentally revealed the hidden nature of his fiancée, Mo Yong-yeon’s Heavenly Yin Body.”

“Seriously? He’s the one who exposed it?”

Shocked, I listened intently as Jin So-cheong continued.

“Naturally, the Mo Yong Clan was furious and sought to break off the engagement with Namgung Hwan. But his father, the head of the Namgung Clan, hastily sent them out into Jianghu to buy time, so ultimately they were carelessly expelled without protection.”

Jin So-cheong truly had a noble heart, unwavering when all of Namgung Hwan’s other allies turned him down.

“What took the Heavenly Sky Team so long to arrive and escort him?”

“It had to do with sibling rivalries within the Namgung Clan. They reckoned he’d just have to deal with it.”

“So that’s the gist of it…” I felt like I finally grasped the flow of events that transpired that day.

However, what I couldn’t wrap my head around was Mo Yong-yeon’s extreme calmness in facing such threats.

“You see, it’s possibly because she genuinely loves him,” he answered.

“Love?”

“Why else would she choose to trust the person who revealed her secret and wander Jianghu alone with him? Admittedly, it’s a complex emotion, but it seems Mo Yong-yeon trusted Namgung Hwan and cared for him deeply, disregarding the risks involved.”

“……..” I couldn’t quite believe it. Could it be that even though Namgung Hwan was handsome, he had garnered such intense feelings of love? It stood out as one of the strangest occurrences I had ever witnessed. Meanwhile, I felt a twinge of pity for Mo Yong-yeon; unlike her, Namgung Hwan didn’t strike me as someone who’d remain loyal to just one woman.

And then, as the tale wrapped up, Jin So-cheong concluded, “Disciple, don’t let this dishearten you! Continue to grow. Your abilities are on par with any first-class warrior. I assure you, few in Jianghu could hope to match your skills.”

“Yes, thank you,” I affirmed as I departed from Jin So-cheong.

Returning to my private quarters, I leaned against the wall, enveloped in tangled thoughts.

Ultimately, the secrets from three years back felt trivial now. However, I was vexed by my continued inability to best Jin So-cheong in a spear duel. While I acknowledged my improvements over the years, realizing I still hadn’t reached a level where I could consistently win against him felt defeating. It was clear I had much progress to make, yet finding myself surrounded by two prodigies just aggravated the sting of self-doubt.

‘What do I do?’ I shook my head and resumed training. I had at least ten more years of practice ahead of me.

My frustration pushed me towards a different ambition.

[If you had sharpened your sword skills for ten years, I doubt I would have been your match.]

Those words of the swordsman who had decapitated me long ago came flooding back to my mind.

‘I shall make it happen.’ If I could grow strong enough to avenge my defeat at the hands of the elder of the Iron Blood Gate, it would surely diminish the frustration I felt now. With that resolve, I began crafting a renewed motivation for myself.

 

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