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The next day, I was out at dawn, greeted by the cold morning air and the blush of the distant sunrise.

I folded my arms while staring at the sign of the Iron Blood Gate in front of me. Hanjin-seong’s words from yesterday echoed in my mind.

[The Twin Gate Sect, called the Iron Blood Great Sword, is a symbol and pride of the Luoyang martial families. Their influence exceeds that of mere martial families, even situated at the capital. Thus, the Clan Leader wishes for you to trample them down.]

[I don’t quite understand the meaning. Please elaborate.]

[The Twin Gate secretly allied with the Nine Great Sects and the family has extended its reach into the Twelve Joules. The Clan Leader is greatly displeased with this.]

I was taken aback by that.

[The Iron Blood Gate and the Great Sword Gate? The family reaching for the Twelve Joules? For real?]

[They have been predicting turbulence in the martial world for years and have been active for survival. While I’m not completely sure, they know something huge is about to explode in Luoyang. They’re building rather close ties to outside forces, not just token alliances.]

Hanjin-seong, who explained this, continued quietly.

[So far, they’ve disregarded their actions, but they want you to go wild to gain experience. It serves as a warning not to act recklessly.]

It seemed Hanjin-seong explained a lot but really didn’t say anything at all. I had to interpret the hidden intentions behind his words. After briefly pondering, I concluded that the Han Clan aimed to redirect the attention of the Jianghu elsewhere.

They wanted to use me as bait to keep the true objectives of General Hwang Yeon and the Fire Spirit Techniques or the White Lotus Sect hidden.

Having spent a long time next to Mangnyang, such tricks were easy to infer. However, I wouldn’t embarrass myself by directly asking Hanjin-seong. Whether true or not, he wouldn’t give me a straight answer. In a relationship where we utilize each other, the best strategy is to hide as much as possible and guess the other’s intentions.

And here I stood today.

‘It doesn’t feel good to act according to someone else’s intentions.’

There’s nothing worse than moving like an underling.

Yet, I accepted this situation for two reasons. First, if I was going to uncover the White Lotus Sect’s secrets, I had to earn their goodwill and trust thoroughly. Depending on the situation, I might even be willing to engage in some kind of purge.

Secondly, the Twin Gate Sect had some old grudges. I still vividly remembered how I once challenged the Iron Blood Gate in a sparring match, only to end up losing my head without a chance.

Even back then, like now, I rushed in boldly from the early morning.

It was a long time ago, but that memory was fresh in my mind. I calmly observed the gatekeepers in front of me and thought, ‘It’s also crucial to control my own grievances.’

Mangnyang advised me that throughout life, I would accumulate countless grievances, but I should never forget them while keeping a corner of my mind calm. Getting angry would reveal a weakness, which could lead to dire consequences. Moreover, recklessly killing an opponent might invite an unbearable backlash.

With that thought, I was able to clarify my goals.

I’ll take the high road!

If I tried to pay back the grudge awkwardly, I would surely mess up big time. Instead, I decided to let it slide quietly this time and plan for a much stronger revenge later. Concluding my thoughts, I approached the gatekeepers.

“I am Baek Woong. I am here to apply for a sparring match at the Iron Blood Gate.”

“… Sparring? Haha, this is rich…”

The two disciples exchanged incredulous looks, and one of them grinned as he said, “I’ve seen plenty of fools like you, and honestly, this is a foolish choice. Do you know how many have ended up as jokes after trying to challenge our Iron Blood Gate?”

“……”

Just like back at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. As I echoed the same words from then, they threw back the same responses. Sure, they had slightly different tones, but it was close enough. I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Is there a way to turn this situation to my advantage?’

For now, their shared reaction meant less uncertainty for the future, so I felt somewhat relieved and retorted, “Is deciding whether or not to accept the sparring up to you?”

My fierce reply made one of the gatekeepers stiffen. He headed inside while saying, “Fine. Wait a moment. I’ll see you through the proper procedures.”

“I’ll wait.”

One of the Iron Blood disciples scoffed at my answer with a gruff voice, “Don’t act tough for nothing. You’ll end up bitten off more than you can chew.”

I had heard that before. So instead of getting angry, I smirked and replied, “Not bitten off. I’d just lose my head.”

“You think you can afford that wisdom now? How many lives do you think you have?”

The gatekeeper mocked me, but I returned the grin. “More than one.”

“……”

The gatekeeper looked like he didn’t want to engage any further, but I was calm. I knew that even without getting aggressive, I could easily lead them into my intentions. A few moments later, an Iron Blood disciple came out and said, “Hey, come inside. I’ll guide you to the sparring area.”

I followed him to the sparring arena. The dormitory housing hundreds of disciples and even a fitness room were set up. It felt like an old memory, yet the grand sight reminiscent of a training ground came back to me vividly. As I entered the wooden-floored arena, flavored with the scent of incense, numerous junior disciples were waiting.

I completely understood what would happen next.

“Hey –!!”

Suddenly, the Iron Blood disciples let out loud shouts. It felt less like shouting and more like a spirit call aimed at crushing my spirit. The sound echoed through the wooden structure, and, indeed, it was very loud. A typical martial artist would likely feel overwhelmed if they lacked training. This was clearly the Iron Blood disciples’ attempt to suppress my energy.

Ohh… Ohh…

However, unlike before, I didn’t respond back with my Lion’s Roar. I was confident it wouldn’t make a difference, and it was clearly a provocation meant to bait me. Instead, as the echoes faded, I calmly gazed at the white-cloaked man sitting across from me and asked, “Sword Hall Master Gyo Joon. Is it customary for the Iron Blood Gate to act this way before a sparring match?”

“……!!”

Upon meeting my gaze, the white-cloaked middle-aged man, Sword Hall Master Gyo Joon, appeared startled, as did the junior disciples. Even though the Sword Hall Master had established a solid reputation in the martial world, I had called him out directly. Yet, he rapidly composed himself and stepped forward.

“I apologize. Our disciples were rude, merely testing whether you belonged among the crowd.”

“Among the crowd?”

“No, you dismiss my presence as though I’m of no worth for you. You must surely possess an impressive level of internal energy and experience.”

Gyo Joon, who objectively observed the situation, sighed.

“At such a young age, you’ve reached considerable martial prowess. You seem to be from a prestigious family, yet how can you act so rudely in a sparring session?”

I replied bluntly, “I am not here to discuss with you. You’d best back off before you embarrass yourself.”

From what I remembered, he wasn’t a bad person. He was just an ordinary martial artist fulfilling his role, and I didn’t want to make his life miserable.

“……”

The Sword Hall Master hesitated as if considering his next move. Just then, one of the rowdy junior disciples, seemingly the leader, shot up and yelled, “Are we letting this arrogant brat go? Let’s rush him and take him down!”

“Ohhhhh – !!”

With a rush, over fifty junior disciples pulled out their wooden swords and charged at me. Considering the fact I appeared to be a mere teenager, it seemed unbelievable how they were so boldly displaying collective violence. Even if my martial arts didn’t seem like much, dozens of grown men wouldn’t be easy to disregard.

Yet, I felt as if a swarm of flies was attacking me. I thought none among them could properly use martial arts.

In that moment, I resolved not to draw my sword.

In that moment, I decided not to move my left foot.

In that moment, I meant to subdue them all within three seconds.

Swish, swish, swish!

The Soul Removal Technique created splitting shadows. At lightning speed, I approached each of the fifty or so disciples in crucial positions, moving my hand lightly while not even shifting my left foot, I began to disable them. Occasionally, I’d strike the neck of a particularly arrogant one with my hand blade, knocking them out. It was an application of Thunder God Lineage’s light body technique and swordplay.

Thud!

When the three seconds of action concluded, the flood of junior disciples that charged at me suddenly stopped as if time had frozen. The eerie silence flowed visibly, and in the next moment – they collapsed like a pile of rubble, unable to let out even a scream, neatly passing out.

Crash!

“Hah… Hah…”

Now, standing firmly in the area, there was only Sword Hall Master Gyo Joon left. He stepped back, clearly struggling to believe what had just unfolded. Fear was vividly etched on his face.

“A… A peak expert! W… Why is a master like you here…”

“Great way to warm up. Where are the elders and sect leader of the Iron Blood Gate?”

“……”

While Sword Hall Master Gyo Joon was frozen in place.

“A Half-Transition Master? Impressive indeed.”

“Sect Leader!!”

I turned to look at the entrance.

There, I saw a middle-aged man draped in a fur coat with an intimidating aura, followed closely by six martial artists. The middle-aged man’s energy was manifest enough to perceive physically, and the six martial artists radiated considerable presence.

Trailing behind them were more wearing swords, just like Sword Hall Master Gyo Joon.

‘The Sect Leader of Iron Blood Gate and the six great elders.’

Normally, the Iron Blood disciples would cheer upon their arrival. I had once felt immense pressure and desolation at their appearance. But now that I faced them again, the version of me from the past seemed pitiful.

Was I really afraid of such a meager threat?

Of course, the Sect Leader and six elders were formidable experts. The Sect Leader was surely a peak expert, while at least three of the elders stood at the edge of peak mastery, with a couple more close to it. In terms of martial forces, they were undoubtedly a powerful organization.

Yet – compared to the formidable opponents I had faced up to now, they were lacking tremendously. The oppressive pressure I felt when meeting Jin So-cheong or Lee Kwang was overwhelming. When I fought for my life against colossal beasts or monsters beyond imagination, they seemed almost tranquil by comparison. Hence, even as I faced what were once the elite of Iron Blood Gate, I felt no fear whatsoever.

Gazing at the Sect Leader of Iron Blood Gate, I said, “Sect Leader. Care to have a match with me?”

The elders beside him glared at me with contempt, but some of them who had stepped into peak mastery regarded me with a serious gaze. They instinctively felt I wasn’t merely speaking frivolously when I challenged the Sect Leader.

Among them, the one most capable of objectively gauging my skills was undoubtedly the Sect Leader himself. As he unnoticeably engaged in a contest of wills with his intent and internal barriers, realizing he’d start to get overwhelmed, he took half a step back, his expression revealing his acknowledgment of being inferior to me.

Finally, the Sect Leader sighed.

“Have you come from the Nine Great Sects? The only Half-Transition Master I know of is the Bright Dragon.”

It seemed he mistook me for a Half-Transition Master. I stared at him for a moment before replying, “You don’t need to be curious about my origin. How will you respond to my challenge for a sparring match?”

“Do you wish to extinguish my clan?”

“Didn’t I clarify? This will be a friendly match,”

I said, smirking.

“Unlike some sects who would dishonorably behead a wandering hero under the guise of a friendly match.”

“……”

The Sect Leader appeared at a loss. After all, a presumed Half-Transition Master he had never met before was mocking them. I smiled broadly and continued, “So, what will you do? Are you considering doing anything dishonorable to protect the reputation of the Iron Blood Gate against me?”

The Sect Leader shook his head.

“Even if I lost to a master like you, I’d have no reason not to accept it. End it, please.”

Understanding he had long since resigned to defeat, he slowly stepped forward. I looked at him thoughtfully and spoke again.

“That’s quite arrogant.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re merely not worthy of my attention, so you ought to retreat as a courtesy.”

“What…”

“I won’t say this again. Before I inadvertently take your life, unite with the six elders and come at me.”

His expression turned from confused to furious as he stammered, “You better not regret those words!”

Swish, swish, swish!

Moments later, the Sect Leader joined forces with the six elders surrounding me. They accepted my blatant call for cooperation without hesitation. With the justification set, they would now try to kill me by any means necessary. I smiled at the imposing formation bristling around me.

Then, glancing at Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong, who was pivotal to the alliance, I said, “You’ll be the last one I take down.”

“……?”

The reason I proposed such an audacious cooperation was that I imagined Lee Kwang from Azure Dragon would have effortlessly handled something like this. I needed to establish my standing in the world of peak experts firmly.

About three hundred and fifty seconds later.

“Gah!!”

The Sect Leader was sent flying from a Bowing Sky Slash, tumbling through three walls.

“W… why is the space twisting there?”

He staggered, looking at me with a gaze filled with despair before collapsing. A competitive spirit burned within him, leading him to push forward until the end, but the joint attacks disintegrated completely due to the Bowing Sky Slash, leaving him at the mercy of the Thunderclap and Soul Removal Techniques. Then, constantly using Thunderclap, it was only natural for my endurance and explosive power to surpass his.

I felt like I had won rather easily.

And excluding one of the six elders from Iron Blood Gate, all lay unconscious. The last remaining one was none other than Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong.

I approached him slowly and said, “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on killing you.”

“… That’s hard to believe.”

Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong muttered with narrowed, round eyes.

“I’ve only seen a handful of masters like you in the Nine Great Sects and just a few in Twin Gate. How could a supreme being of the world provoke such bizarre conflict?”

I chuckled. “I told you. I gained profound enlightenment from you all. I wanted to share that insight.”

“Enlightenment?”

“What martial world really entails was taught to me quite harshly.”

I held no grudge against Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong because he had fought honorably one-on-one, winning with skill rather than trickery. Moreover, the death I experienced then shattered my idealistic view of the martial world, paving a significant path for my growth thereafter.

Boom!

Finally, Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong couldn’t hold on any longer and fell.

I had easily brought him down using an application of the Wudang Sect’s techniques.

‘Is this the end of the Iron Blood Gate’s hunt?’

With assurance, I concluded I had reached a state of mastery in the martial world.

 

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