***
“......Sa-hyung, what are you doing?”
I was looking at Geum-pyo, whom I vividly remembered dying in my memories.
“Geum-pyo......”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yes?”
Geum-pyo hurriedly rummaged through his chest and pulled out a small pouch.
“Did you, by any chance, sneak my yeot?”
“.......”
What kind of thoughts was I living with, to be like that?
“......Anyway, I’m sorry.”
“The yeot is properly here....... Ah, seriously, what is it?”
I apologized to Geum-pyo, who I hadn't been able to protect in my previous life, let out a small sigh of guilt, and asked.
“Isn't it class time right now? Why did you come here instead of being in class?”
Geum-pyo said with an absurd expression.
“You’re the one who asks that while lying on the wooden bench.”
“I have a bit of a headache.”
“That excuse has been going on for a week already.”
“Has it already been that long?”
But I had been busy in my own way.
From this moment on, I had to ruminate on the various catastrophes that would occur in the future, and I had to find out why the Tae-eul Sect would fall and when the problems started.
“I was busy in my own way......”
“......That posture doesn't sound credible at all.”
“It’s the truth, I was worrying about the future of our sect.”
My sect, the Tae-eul Sect, was a small sword sect near Hefei in Anhui Province.
Its history was long, but it had no traditions, and while it had many martial arts, its actual martial power was weak.
Parents comparing large martial arts academies with the Tae-eul Sect would choose the academies most of the time.
If one had to find an advantage, it was that the Tae-eul Sect provided one meal a day and occupied one of the "Baekpalbong" (108 Peaks) of the Murim Alliance.
‘The biggest mystery is how we even got onto the Baekpalbong.’
Our sect, which had neither martial power nor wealth, had never been pushed out of the Baekpalbong, even though we had never once offered a bribe to the higher-ups of the Alliance.
If one maintains the position of "Baekpalbong," one can be somewhat free from territorial disputes or armed struggles with other martial sects.
Regardless of the justification, it was a principle that if a war between sects occurred, the Murim Alliance would side with the "Baekpalbong."
Therefore, the Tae-eul Sect could be somewhat free from the fierce competition among sects in the wild-like Hefei.
However, since we were effectively destroyed because of this "Baekpalbong" position, it couldn't necessarily be seen as a good thing.
How could I navigate through this contradictory situation.......
“......Sa-hyung!”
“......Hmm?”
“The Tae-eul Sect is fine, so stop worrying and get up.”
“......How could a sparrow know the deep intentions of a stork.”
“The Dang-ju of Busaeng-dang is looking for you.”
“Why is that human looking for me?”
“......No matter how much you dislike him, calling the Dang-ju ‘that human’ is a bit......”
The current Dang-ju of Busaeng-dang was not a person of the Tae-eul Sect.
To be precise, he was affiliated with the Gyerong Merchant Group and was the younger brother of the Merchant Group Leader. His only boast was that he was a secular disciple of Mount Hua.
But why was such a person acting as the Dang-ju in the Tae-eul Sect?
It was because the Leader of the Gyerong Merchant Group had planted him as a monitor, fearing that his son, who had become a secular disciple of the Tae-eul Sect, might learn the "bad martial arts" of the Tae-eul Sect.
This contradictory story, which lacked any probability, was explained by the "Special Admission to the Murim Academy," one of the privileges of the "Baekpalbong."
The first step to success in the Murim Alliance: admission to the Murim Academy.
However, the regular admission process was incredibly difficult.
So, the precious young master of the Gyerong Merchant Group, who was pampered like a flower, had entered the insignificant third-rate Tae-eul Sect as a secular disciple to enter through the special admission granted to the Baekpalbong.
The impoverished Tae-eul Sect granted most of their demands to receive support from the Gyerong Merchant Group.
“If I call such a human ‘that human,’ then what should I call him?”
Geum-pyo chuckled as if it were refreshing.
“Anyway, he said you must attend today.”
“Hmm...... Did he say they would hold a spar today?”
“......The atmosphere seems to be that way.”
A shadow of worry fell on Geum-pyo’s face.
Legalized violence occurring under the name of sparring.
Sparring class was currently the class that the disciples of the Tae-eul Sect hated the most.
“Tsk. A guy who claims to be a secular disciple of Mount Hua, that’s all he can think of.”
I slowly raised my body.
They weren't faces I particularly wanted to see, but I couldn't just stand by and watch my junior disciples getting beaten up.
<><><>
Crack.
“Argh!”
As soon as I entered the Busaeng-dang, I saw one of the disciples of the Tae-eul Sect clutching his head and rolling on the floor.
Sa-ryeon quickly ran out, examined the fallen child’s wound, and glared at Gye Cheol-yeong.
Gye Cheol-yeong, perhaps misunderstanding Sa-ryeon’s gaze, smiled triumphantly.
“How is it? Cool, right?”
That idiot, seriously. Tsk tsk.
I approached the child whom Sa-ryeon was supporting.
“Let me take a look.”
Fortunately, there was no wound.
Originally, a head wound was scarier if it didn't bleed, but there was no way the current Gye Cheol-yeong had that much strength to begin with, so there was no need to worry too much.
“When you get home, apply a cold stone compress. That will help settle the bump.”
“Ah, yes.......”
The child wiped the tears from his eyes and bravely returned to his seat.
“What is this, you said you had a headache. Are you okay now?”
I shook my head at Sa-ryeon’s question.
“No, I came out because my head got even more complicated.”
“Yes?”
I averted my gaze from Sa-ryeon and said to Gye Yeon-seung, the Dang-ju of Busaeng-dang.
“How about you stop the sparring class here?”
“What?”
“It seems quite a few junior disciples have already been hurt.”
More than half of the disciples sitting in their seats were clutching their heads, shoulders, or arms.
Every one of them had been assaulted under the pretext of sparring.
“Jin So-un, are you appearing late only to say such nonsense?”
“Isn't the sparring just to show off how great Gye Cheol-yeong Sa-hyung is anyway?”
“What!”
I looked at Gye Cheol-yeong, who was standing triumphantly next to Gye Yeon-seung.
“And Gye Sa-hyung. No matter how much, really how much Sa-ryeon lacks judgment, do you think she would like a scumbag like you? You dream too big.”
“Jin So-un, how dare you!”
Just as Gye Cheol-yeong’s face turned bright red and he was about to jump at me.
Gye Yeon-seung raised his hand to stop him.
“Are you saying that’s all you see in this sparring?”
Fire burned in Gye Yeon-seung’s eyes. Whether it did or not, I continued.
“I don’t know what on earth you’re teaching at Busaeng-dang these days. Isn't it just physical training and sparring class every day?”
“That is all for actual combat.......”
“At this rate, I think it would be better to practice forms alone.”
“What.......”
Gye Yeon-seung’s face also turned red as if it would burst.
“How dare you say that in front of me, a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?”
“Aren't you a secular disciple, not a regular disciple? Just like Gye Sa-hyung, a sword technique learned by paying ‘money’.”
I just told the truth, but Gye Yeon-seung looked even angrier for some reason.
I guess that’s why they say the truth is also a form of violence.
“Th-this guy!”
Killing intent slowly spread from Gye Yeon-seung’s body.
Sa-ryeon and the junior disciples, of course, and even Gye Cheol-yeong felt instinctive fear and stepped back.
But strangely, I wasn't afraid at all. It’s not like my martial arts were higher than Gye Yeon-seung’s, either.
‘Well, compared to the bastards I experienced in my past life, this killing intent is just child’s play.’
Satisfied, I continued to speak.
If I can’t beat them with martial prowess, beating them with words is the Sojeongdae way.
“Honestly, I wish you and Gye Sa-hyung wouldn't do things like this. Then, at the very least, only I and the junior disciples would be able to learn the martial arts of the Tae-eul Sect.”
“Ha, haha. You think learning from me is worse than learning from the Dang-ju of the Tae-eul Sect?”
“In the first place, isn't there nothing to learn? Secular disciples shouldn't pass on the sect’s martial arts to others. Moreover, you have zero actual combat experience.”
“Ugh.......”
Gye Yeon-seung began to tremble.
Sa-ryeon came close to my side and whispered.
“What are you doing, Sa-hyung! Are you crazy?”
“I don’t know, it’s the truth.”
Oh well, I don’t know anymore either.
A future filled only with obvious despair.
I, who can do nothing.
Perhaps if I were to die here after being struck by Gye Yeon-seung’s sword, wouldn't Gye Cheol-yeong have no choice but to leave the Tae-eul Sect?
Then, perhaps a disciple of the Tae-eul Sect might be able to go to the Murim Academy through special admission.
‘Well, would anything change if one person went like that.’
Even if I go to the Murim Alliance as a low-level warrior, all I can do is be a meat shield.
Still, to take a leading role in the Great War of Righteous and Evil, I must enter the Murim Academy.
In the first place, I must not let Gye Cheol-yeong, who is trying to enter the Murim Academy to succeed in the Murim Alliance, take the opportunity.
“Phew...... So that’s what you thought? Good. You must have said that because you have that much skill. Come out right now! Prove it in front of Cheol-yeong!”
This is how it is.
If the end of every argument is an exercise of force, there is nothing left to say.
If this were the past, I would have tucked my tail between my legs by now.
‘Phew, I need to show him a lesson once.’
Even if it’s a meaningless venting of anger, wouldn't it become meaningful if it makes me feel better?
I held out my hand to Sa-ryeon.
Sa-ryeon hid the wooden sword behind her back and said.
“......Sa-hyung, if you fight now, you’ll really get hurt badly. Just apologize.”
“I haven't done anything wrong, so why apologize?”
I snatched the wooden sword from Sa-ryeon’s hand and stepped forward.
“Jin So-un! Take the opening stance!”
“What opening stance do I need to deal with Gye Sa-hyung...... Just start.”
I carried the wooden sword on my shoulder and signaled that I was ready.
Perhaps because he didn't like my cocky reaction, Gye Cheol-yeong’s expression wasn't much different from Gye Yeon-seung’s.
“Jin So-un! What kind of attitude is that toward the Dang-ju!”
“Sa-hyung, let’s start quickly.”
“You deserve to be taught a lesson.”
Gye Cheol-yeong began to unfold an opening stance that was not of the Tae-eul Sect.
‘Samyeonggeom (Three Shadow Sword), a sword technique I was hit with disgustingly often in my past life.’
It was a martial art learned by inviting Heon Won-su, a wanderer who made a name for himself in Shaanxi Province.
I memorized the forms and techniques the moment I saw them, but in my past life, I didn't have the ability to dodge and counter them.
But now, I had a shining career as a former low-level warrior of the Murim Alliance and a meat shield belonging to the Sojeongdae, opposing various martial groups of the Demonic Cult, including the Heavenly Demon Black Sword Unit.
I wouldn't be hit unilaterally by the twenty-year-old Gye Cheol-yeong.
“Start!!”
As soon as Gye Yeon-seung’s words fell, Gye Cheol-yeong stepped on his footwork and shot forward as if sliding.
It was definitely not the footwork of the Tae-eul Sect.
Gye Cheol-yeong’s first move was intentionally aiming for my eyes.
Like a wanderer’s sword technique, the sword energy was rough, and the momentum was ferocious.
The young disciples of the Tae-eul Sect had no choice but to be flustered.
‘However.’
Compared to those Demonic Cult bastards crazy about murder, this is all just child’s play.
Moreover, Gye Cheol-yeong lacks the spirit of a Heon Won-su who put his life on the line, and he lacks the desperation to succeed in one technique.
Even if it is the same martial art, it unfolds completely differently.
I didn't need to use the other martial arts I obtained in my past life.
The Socheongeombeop (Small Heaven Sword Art), which all the children of Busaeng-dang would know, was enough.
Tap.
I struck Gye Cheol-yeong’s sword with the flat of my blade and poured out the third technique of the Socheongeombeop.
Bam-bam-bam!
In an instant, the wooden sword caressed various parts of Gye Cheol-yeong’s body.
“Kuk!”
Gye Cheol-yeong, eyes wide open as if he had come to his senses.
I swung the Socheongeombeop again and drove Gye Cheol-yeong into a corner.
“Huck.......”
“......Wow.”
“That’s Socheongeombeop, right?”
Surprised gasps burst out from the children at the familiar technique.
On the other hand, Gye Cheol-yeong was flustered, unable to properly respond to each one, even though it was a familiar technique.
Eventually, he failed to continue the technique and left an opening.
“I see an opening. Sa-hyung!”
I struck his head with all my might.
Crack!
A scream rang out with the sound of something breaking.
“Arghhh!”
Gye Cheol-yeong dropped his sword, clutched his head, and began rolling on the floor.
“Kuaaaagh!”
After a moment of silence, the children of the Tae-eul Sect began to scream.
“““Waaaaaah!”””
“Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!”
Gye Yeon-seung, who was examining Gye Cheol-yeong, unleashed a murderous atmosphere and shouted.
“Everyone, back to your places!”
The children, who felt fear from the adult’s aura—an adult with strong martial arts at that—returned to their places and gulped.
“Argh, my head!”
Gye Cheol-yeong, who was touching his head, felt a foreign object, lowered his hand, and looked.
A hand stained red.
Gye Yeon-seung also saw that and glared at me as if to kill me.
“What happened!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I asked how you beat Cheol-yeong.”
“I won with Socheongeombeop.”
“Samyeonggeom against mere Socheongeombeop.......”
Gye Yeon-seung, who was about to speak, stopped abruptly.
No matter how much the Gyerong Merchant Group controlled the Tae-eul Sect, there was a line that should not be crossed. Gye Yeon-seung barely kept to that line.
“There is a big difference in form between Samyeonggeom and Socheongeombeop. I asked how you bridged that gap.”
Gye Yeon-seung asked, beating around the bush.
To put it simply, it was a fundamental question of how the Socheongeombeop, which was nothing more than a basic martial art, could defeat the Samyeonggeom, which had even created peak experts.
“Where in the world is there an ‘absolute’?”
As I spoke, a realization struck my head, and I came to my senses.
-The Demonic Cult will return.
-The Murim Alliance will be destroyed by the Demonic Cult.
-The Tae-eul Sect belongs to the Murim Alliance, so it will be destroyed together.
-In the midst of that, I, who has an unnecessarily good memory, will be used here and there and die.
Is this also an ‘absolute’ thing that will not change?
“Seeing that you can’t answer properly, you must have used a trick, right?”
I frowned at the nonsense I heard from Gye Yeon-seung while I was lost in thought.
“......What kind of nonsense is that again?”
“The gap between basic sword techniques and advanced sword techniques cannot be bridged. This is common sense for those who practice martial arts.”
“Do they teach you to make such excuses at Mount Hua when your skills are lacking?”
“This guy dares......! Take back those words right now!”
“Was I wrong?”
“Good! Then bridge that gap against me.”
“.......”
Contempt filled the eyes of Hong Sa-ryeon and the junior disciples.
No matter how favorably you look at it, isn't this an adult picking a fight with a child?
“Are you serious?”
“I will naturally not use Internal Energy and will only deal with you using techniques. Why can't you prove it?”
“Before that, shouldn't we take Gye Sa-hyung to a doctor?”
Gye Cheol-yeong, who had been screaming that it hurt, perhaps hoping Gye Yeon-seung would take revenge for him, stopped crying and shook his head as if nothing were wrong.
“I, I’m fine.”
Hey man, you’re still bleeding.
“I’ll ask again. Can’t you prove it?”
Perhaps I had been pickled in defeatism before even starting.
Clearly, my situation is a desperate one, not much different from my past life.
But decisively, aren't the ‘me’ of my past life and the ‘me’ of now clearly different?
As I said, where is there an ‘absolute’?
If everything had been decided, it would have made no sense that our Sojeongdae caught the Protection King of the Demonic Cult in the first place.
‘So, I won’t run away while being scared like before!’
I raised my head and looked at Gye Yeon-seung.
“What if I prove it?”
“What?”
“What will you do if I prove it? It makes no sense for an adult to pick a fight with a child, yet the child gets no benefit from it, right?”
Gye Yeon-seung’s face hardened.
An expression that truly wanted to kill me.
“What do you want?”
What do I need right now?
If I’m not going to give up on the opportunity, I need time, more than anything else.
“If I win, please say that I have completed the Busaeng-dang course. I will no longer attend Busaeng-dang.”
“......Good.”
Gye Yeon-seung went to one side and picked up a wooden sword.
His momentum was so severe that it was clear it wouldn't end with just a broken arm.
I straightened my wooden sword.
Come to think of it, what Sect Leader Hong Mun-gi presented to the Gyerong Merchant Group was an ‘opportunity’ to enter the academy.
We also had an opportunity to compete with Gye Cheol-yeong for a ‘special admission spot’ at any time.
Nevertheless, the disciples of the Tae-eul Sect, including me, never thought to challenge that opportunity.
The result of giving up and failing to protect that was the destruction of the sect (myeolmun).
I cannot just sit still and reenact that horrible nightmare.
“Start!”
The sword technique Gye Yeon-seung, a secular disciple of Mount Hua, favors most is the Plum Blossom Sword Art, a specialty of Mount Hua.
In my head, the sword paths of the Plum Blossom Sword Art already began to appear one after another.
And the weaknesses of the sword paths that followed.
The peerless genius Jegal Cheon-gi created crushing techniques (pasoesik), advanced techniques, and demon-suppressing techniques suitable for each sect by studying martial arts, in order to make the martial arts of the Nine Sects and One Clan capable of countering the Demonic Cult.
However, the problem was that there was no way to deliver the Jegal Three Techniques to the Nine Sects and One Clan, which were split and scattered across the world.
Back then, I, who had the useless absolute memory ability, was entrusted with that task.
‘Even if my internal energy is lacking, there is no way Cheon-gi’s crushing technique won’t work.’
Gye Yeon-seung unfolds the Plum Blossom Sword Art.
I couldn't smell the plum scent because he didn't raise his internal energy, but each movement was elegant.
I immediately looked at the crushing technique of the Plum Blossom Sword Art that came to mind and stabbed at the weakness.
“You bastard!”
Just as I did to Gye Cheol-yeong, the moment Gye Yeon-seung’s wooden sword was about to strike my head.
Bam!
“Hup!”
Gye Yeon-seung, who dropped his sword in the air, hurriedly grabbed the wooden sword again.
“Wh-what is this.......”
The crushing technique of the Plum Blossom Sword Art unfolded.
Gye Yeon-seung unfolds the Plum Blossom Sword Art he is most confident in, but there is no way power could be put into a sword technique that has already been crushed.
Did he feel something strange?
I could feel internal energy flowing into Gye Yeon-seung’s wooden sword.
‘It’s already too late!’
The crushing technique of the unfolded Plum Blossom Sword Art crushed the Plum Blossom Sword Art where internal energy was being operated, and at the same time, struck Gye Yeon-seung’s sword away from him.
“!!”
The wooden sword flew out of Gye Yeon-seung’s grasp in an instant.
I struck his head hard, and he raised both arms to block his head.
Crack!
With a dull sound, the wooden sword that had escaped Gye Yeon-seung’s hand struck the wall hard, a beat too late.
Thud. Clatter.
Gye Yeon-seung’s wooden sword rolling on the floor.
Gye Yeon-seung, who barely managed to block the wooden sword with both hands.
Once again, silence wrapped around the Busaeng-dang.
“““Waaaaaaah!!”””
The disciples of the Tae-eul Sect jumped out in unison and surrounded me.
Gye Yeon-seung looked at his hands with eyes that couldn't believe it.
I slowly looked around.
This is clearly something that didn't happen in my past life.
‘Yes, it’s different from my previous life. Now, everything will be different.’