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**

I only knew one martial art.

Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword.

But I couldn’t teach it to those guys. It was part of the Demon Cult’s techniques, and there was also the concern of my identity being exposed.

I accepted them as my disciples, but I had no intention of revealing everything.

It was dangerous for me, and it was also a dangerous story for them.

If they remained ignorant from the start, even if my identity were to be discovered later, they would at least be able to avoid the danger.

That meant I had to teach them a different martial art…

Fortunately, my vision expanded as I reached the Huaxing stage. As my level increased, I began to see multiple paths to other martial arts.

I wasn’t a born genius.

Still, learning through effort was akin to gaining insight akin to that of a genius.

If I had a decent martial arts manual, I was confident I could teach it well enough. But for that, I needed to have at least the most basic techniques perfected.

Narin had strong innate physical abilities but could not hold internal energy.

Gwangyang couldn’t escape the realm of ordinary folks.

I prioritized training their bodies to learn martial arts.

I wasn’t a genius; I couldn’t create a martial art.

But I could at least help them find suitable martial arts for themselves.

“Run faster.”

We kept progressing. Toward Cheongsung.

I pushed the two of them relentlessly. Just like I had been doing.

Fortunately, I was different from other geniuses. Because of that, I understood much better how far an average person could go.

I knew exactly how far I could push Gwangyang to his limit.

I also understood how much weight Narin needed to carry for her training.

Narin was struggling with a log slung over her shoulder.

“I-I think I’m gonna die…”

“Endure it.”

Despite not carrying anything, Gwangyang had already collapsed to the ground several times. The cheerful vibe I had seen on his face earlier was nowhere to be found.

“Hah… Hah…”

But I stayed resolute.

Once I set my mind to teach them, I wasn’t going to do it half-heartedly.

I was at least going to teach them what I had learned.

“Gwangyang.”

“…Yes, yes…”

“Get up.”

“…Y-yes…!”

Gwangyang stubbornly followed. His unexpected determination for martial arts helped him build a solid foundation.

Narin was the same. Learning martial arts seemed to bring her joy, and she accomplished what I asked without hesitation.

I had no intention of commenting on their talents.

However, one thing I could clearly say was this:

At least their attitude toward martial arts was serious.

Gwangyang treated it like a lifeline.

Narin saw it as a means to enter the fenced area.

Their surprisingly diligent following was very admirable.

“…….”

Since I’m already teaching them…

I want to teach them even better.

Was this how my master felt?

I suddenly missed Ilma.

“Move.”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

…

A month passed, repeating training and journeys.

We found a blacksmith in a village on the way to Cheongsung. The word of mouth about this place was pretty good, making it suitable for selecting decent weapons.

“Choose from what’s been made.”

Narin’s muscles appeared delicate at first glance, but her strength and power were incomparable to others.

Gwangyang was the same way. The physique he had cultivated for this day had developed quite impressively; it differed completely from before.

Eat, sleep, run, work out.

After repeating just that, their bodies had come into shape.

These guys had conditions far better than mine. Their talent, though buried in dirt and hidden from view, shone surprisingly brightly once dusted off.

So I had to help them choose weapons that matched their talents.

“Wow… Shiny… Gwangyang. What looks good?”

“Sister. How about this one?”

Leaving the excited duo behind, I scanned the interior of the blacksmith shop.

I didn’t know much about iron. But by feeling it with my fingertips to test its inner properties… I could experiment roughly to see how much it could withstand.

Not this… Not that…

“…Hmm?”

This one doesn’t look bad.

I called Narin over.

“Hand.”

“Yes.”

I fitted a gauntlet on Narin’s hand.

There was more left over than I expected. But the remaining parts could be adjusted. That’s what a craftsman is for.

“Narin. You can’t hold internal energy. But your body is definitely harder than most iron. So when you need to use your fists, it would be better to confront with your bare hands rather than a blade.”

“……”

“You need to learn how to utilize your gifted body. And until everything reaches a certain level, it’s wise to have some means to protect yourself.”

“Is this it?”

“Exactly.”

She curiously clenched and unclenched her fist. Nodding at me while looking up.

“I won’t take it off.”

“Take it off when you sleep.”

With the gauntlet on her hand, Narin should be able to block any blade without cutting her skin.

Next was Gwangyang.

“Gwangyang. You have several options. Speak the weapon you want. As long as it’s reasonable… you can learn just about anything. But remember: once you take hold of it, you must learn it all the way.”

“…Then I want to use a sword, just like Master!”

“A sword?”

“Yes!”

That should suit him as well. I rummaged around to fetch a decent sword that fit him.

Though it was slightly long for him initially, it could be adjusted. After all, it was just hammering out parts of a finished product; it wouldn’t take too long.

I informed the blacksmith of the necessary requirements. The blacksmith fiddled with his chin, intrigued.

“You know a lot about swords. Are you a martial artist?”

“That’s right.”

“Excellent adjustment. If you do it this way… it’s almost the same as making a standard product.”

The finished weapons fit them perfectly. They swung their weapons in the air, looking like joyful children.

I attached one more condition.

“Don’t swing what you have to take away from others.”

“Yes! Master! Leave it to me!”

“I absolutely won’t do that!”

They seemed to have a kind heart, so I believed they would do well. Now, I wouldn’t have to worry about their survival.

Now what was left was the martial arts. Suitable martial arts to teach them.

However, finding it was quite a challenging task. After all, martial arts aren’t just lying around. Most of the stuff sold in the market was fake.

But I didn’t want to teach them the tri-colored sword technique either. To wield this was akin to forcefully stepping into places unseen.

I didn’t want to gift them such a hellish road. So, I needed to discover appropriate martial arts…

Should I take a look around within the Martial Alliance? While pondering, I suddenly sensed a presence.

Not just one. Several. Moreover, they were quite fast.

“Narin. Gwangyang. Come behind me.”

I stepped aside. I faced a series of martial artists dashing towards me, using their martial arts techniques.

Warriors. And they were indeed armed with swords.

The warrior in the lead placed his hand on his sword. After noticing me and the two behind, he opened his mouth.

“I am a warrior of Cheongsung. In urgent circumstances, may I ask for your cooperation for a moment?”

“Cooperation…you say?”

“I’ve lost a fugitive from Cheongsung. Have they passed this way?”

“I haven’t encountered anyone.”

“…Are you speaking the truth?”

“I am being honest. Feel free to search the surroundings to confirm.”

“…Hmm.”

The sharp gaze eventually left us.

“Let’s move!”

The warriors of Cheongsung departed. Gwangyang wiped his startled heart.

“A fugitive from Cheongsung… Must be quite the evader if he managed to escape from that renowned Cheongsung faction.”

“If they’re a fugitive, that makes them a criminal, right? I wonder who would be the criminal of Cheongsung?”

“I don’t know, Sister. Considering they’re chasing so urgently, they must be a very cruel one.”

“Cruel, huh.”

Since they were labeled as a criminal, it wasn’t entirely wrong. I reached out my hands to Narin and Gwangyang.

“Draw your weapons.”

“Wha?! You really intend to help?! Master?!”

“I’ll follow orders if the Master commands…”

“This has nothing to do with Cheongsung. This is about us.”

I drew the Black Pearl from its sheath. It was easier to manage the one not listening to me with the scabbard.

I wondered when they would start listening to me.

With a sigh, I tapped my shoulder with the scabbard. I called out toward the underbrush.

“Aren’t you going to stop just staring?”

“…You catch on quickly.”

—Thud.

The man who landed revealed his teeth. The aura surrounding him was infinitely different from that of righteousness, radiating a nefarious energy.

It was a mass of energy piled up without any thought. His advancement in skill was indeed fast, but…

As he approached the end, I could sense the impurities beginning to fester.

“…Sapa?”

“You’re quite sharp! You recognized me at a glance?”

The man, chuckling, walked towards me. He was a hefty figure, a type you rarely see.

“Sorry for bothering you, but… I’m in a bit of a hurry. If you leave everything you have behind, I’ll let you go without pretenses.”

“…….”

“I’ll count to three. After that, I won’t say another word. Don’t make me take it by force. It’s my life on the line here, so don’t think twice about stretching out your hand.”

A criminal…

I recalled what the Cheongsung faction had said. His ragged clothes and unkempt face. The chains hanging around his wrists caught my attention as well.

Cheongsung faction.

The symbol of purity that swore to manage the malicious villains who failed to be confined within the Martial Alliance while speaking of justice.

I guess there’s been some trouble over there. I sighed.

Though he looked scruffy, he seemed like someone who could throw a good punch. The energy he had stirred visibly flickered above his fist.

Inner energy…

“I’m going to start counting now.”

“No need to count.”

Perhaps if left alone, I could have let him pass.

I didn’t know anything about him.

But since I was now entangled, there was no way I would let it pass. He seemed equally unwilling to let this go.

I sheathed the Black Pearl again. Then I relaxed my hand and turned to Narin.

“Narin. Look. There’s a lot to be done with external energy as well.”

“That cocky bastard, from where…!”

“Filling it with internal energy does indeed amplify the power contained in any technique immensely. It’s an astronomical difference compared to not using it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t win with just external techniques.”

“I’ll crush your neck!”

“Mas-master! In front of you!”

I felt the man’s presence rushing at me. I turned my body, prepared to meet the swinging fist.

“Remember this, Narin.”

You don’t even need fancy techniques.

Just one punch is enough.

“Effort is weightier than anything else.”

 

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