Chapter 12. Entrusted Training
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"H-hic, are you saying we should attack the Black Water Society?"
Han Sa-gwang’s voice stammered, clearly shaken.
"Those caught in the middle are always the most vicious. Tell me, have the Black Water Society bastards seized control of small brothels or inns, leaving them in a state where they can neither live nor die?"
"Gasp."
Han Sa-gwang now looked as if he were staring at a ghost.
-He’s a master, a real master. This wicked Evil Path bastard. Is this from personal experience?
'Not that I’ve ever done such a thing.'
"As you said, they are trash. They pick all sorts of fights and throw their weight around. They even harass commoners who haven't learned a lick of martial arts."
"You lot were likely trash that others wanted to chew to death, so don't be so judgmental."
"……!"
I saw the humiliation rise on Han Sa-gwang’s face.
"Why? Does my comment offend you?"
"……To be honest, it does."
"Are you going to claim it’s unfair? That you had no choice back then?"
"That is, um."
I glared at Han Sa-gwang.
"Chief Han, what is this nonsense about pickpocketing? Is a proper martial arts sect supposed to survive on such petty, filthy deeds? It’s nothing more than a game of house played by a few neighborhood thugs."
"……."
"You are a Branch Master of the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance; you cannot continue to engage in such petty criminal acts."
"……I know what shame is. But what are we to do when our skills are lacking?"
Making it possible is the virtue of a true leader. Just as Alliance Leader Jong once did.
"You have me, don't you? Do I look like I lack the skill compared to the Black Water Society leader?"
Han Sa-gwang’s eyes wavered.
"I dare not measure the Branch Master’s skill."
"If someone of your level could measure it, that would mean I’ve only reached that far."
Han Sa-gwang straightened his posture respectfully.
"What must I do? Please, give me your guidance."
"From now on, we must secure proper businesses, operate them, and carve out our own territory."
"But—"
"You mean to say there are already owners?"
"That is correct."
"If you lack the strength to protect it, you must step aside. Isn't that the logic of the martial world?"
"……!"
I rose from my seat.
"Chief Han, gather the members in the training yard. First, I must elevate your pathetic skills."
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— — —
A vacant lot that was more of a yard than a training ground.
The former Iron Fist Chamber members, now the Yeongneung Branch members of the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance, looked at me with eyes full of expectation.
"Sect Leader."
"No, it’s Branch Master."
"Branch Master."
"Yes."
"Are you going to teach us the martial arts of the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance as well?"
"No?"
"Pardon?"
"You haven't even built your bodies yet, so what martial arts? Have you lost your minds?"
"……!"
"You don't even deserve to hold a sword. First, plant your heads in the dirt."
*Thud, thud, thud!*
Like chickens pecking for feed, the branch members planted their heads into the ground in unison.
"This posture is optimal for training the neck muscles, the body's center, and the core. Maintain it."
"Ughhhhh!"
"Chief Han, you may beat anyone whose knees touch the ground."
"Understood."
I ignored the branch members, whose legs were already trembling, and spoke with Han Sa-gwang.
"Once you can plant your heads for an hour, I will teach you the Three Talents Sword Technique from scratch."
As if these bastards could just snatch up martial arts for free.
-You’re brutal. Did you teach like this when you were an instructor?
'Compared to back then, I’m being very merciful.'
The Tiger Instructor of the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance—that is who I am.
'I intend to raise their skills at least enough so they aren't getting beaten up by the Black Water Society.'
Otherwise, what reason would I have to go through the trouble of taking these people in?
"Um, Branch Master."
Han Sa-gwang, who had been watching the heads planted in the dirt, spoke cautiously.
"We have already learned the Three Talents Sword Technique."
"Shut up, Chief Han. Do you even know what a proper thrust is?"
"……I suppose not."
I called out to one of the men who had been planting his head at the front.
"You there, get up and answer me."
The man gave an answer as dim-witted as his face.
"I-isn't a thrust just a thrust?"
"Is that so? Do you all think the same?"
"……."
Some silences are affirmations.
"Everyone, get up."
"……!"
The branch members stood up with sheepish expressions.
"Which one of you brushed off the dirt without my permission?"
"I apologize."
I pointed to the man who had answered.
"Vertical strike, horizontal slash, forceful thrust. Do it."
The sword form he hesitantly displayed was truly pathetic.
"How amateurish. Do you think you could even properly skin a rabbit with swordplay like that?"
I drew my sword and demonstrated the same movements. However, to the eyes of others, the difference would be as vast as that between a third-rate technique and a peerless sword form.
"Oh……!"
"Do you see what’s different?"
"I don't really know."
"It’s a bit different, but……."
"If you could recognize that, you wouldn't be neighborhood Evil Path thugs."
"……!"
First, I intended to properly renovate the mentalities of these pathetic third-rate thugs.
"You’re all flabby, let alone having muscle. You only know how to drink and cause trouble, yet you don't know how to swing a sword—what kind of martial artists are you?"
"……."
Hearing my insulting words, the men wore expressions of fear mixed with rising anger.
"Are you offended?"
"No."
"Then manage your expressions properly."
"I apologize."
I stood the man who had swung his sword like an idiot in front of me and corrected his foot placement, the degree of his knee bend, the alignment of his waist and back, the way force is transmitted, and his wrist usage.
"Do it again."
This time, he unleashed a sword form distinctly different from before.
"Oh!"
"Whoa!"
The branch members’ eyes widened as they witnessed the difference.
"When slashing horizontally, use your waist to twist, and when striking down, you must cleave through like lightning splitting the sky."
I continued to speak while correcting their repetitive motions.
"You swung too wide just now. Keep recovery and counterattacks in mind."
"Yes!"
After a few repetitions, a usable Three Talents Sword Technique was quickly formed.
"Bring some firewood."
"Yes!"
The branch members brought the firewood as if flying.
"Try cutting it with your sword."
"Hiyahhh!"
The firewood split with a *crack* at the force of the sword strike.
It was as if it had been struck by the axe of a skilled woodsman.
"Whoa!"
"How is it?"
"I-I can't believe it. Everything I’ve done until now was child's play."
With the testimony of the person involved, what more was there to say?
-Have you worked as a snake-oil salesman during your wanderer days? Your salesmanship is quite extraordinary.
'Quiet.'
I maintained a solemn expression and looked around the group.
"This is what sword technique and martial arts are. Do you understand a little now?"
"Yes! Sect Leader!"
"I told you, it’s Branch Master, you idiots."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"What am I supposed to accomplish with such ignorant bastards?"
"We apologize!"
The faces of the branch members, shouting in unison, were now filled with respect.
"Now, plant your heads again."
"Thank you!"
The Yeongneung Branch members of the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance planted their heads in the dirt with bright expressions.
.
.
.
I quietly called Han Sa-gwang over and whispered.
"Chief Han."
"Yes, Branch Master."
I handed him the silver coins I had looted from the Secret Pavilion assassins and instructed him.
"Use this money to feed them meat until they’re full today."
"Ah!"
"However, alcohol is forbidden. What kind of martial artists in training drink alcohol?"
"……B-Branch Master."
"Why? Is it not enough?"
"No! I just didn't expect you to take care of us like this……."
I chuckled.
"Is there a place with good food?"
"There is! It’s called the Dragon Gate Inn; the exterior is shabby, but the chef’s skills are truly amazing."
"Clean them out of whatever they have."
"Understood!"
Han Sa-gwang ran off with a moved expression. Seeing that, it felt like there was no dignity left for a leader.
-You’ve got them wrapped around your finger quickly. You finished taking over in just one day?
'It’s not like I’ve only been a Chief Instructor for a day or two.'
Show undeniable skill, instill anticipation and a sense of efficacy, and use the carrot and stick appropriately.
That was enough to take control of an organization.
'I will teach Han Sa-gwang the Ten Thousand Calamities Ghost-Extinguishing Art, the Eighteen Swords of Ten Thousand Calamities, the Stone-Shattering Fist, and the Moon-Piercing Gale separately.'
-So, is that guy going to pass the teachings down to the ones below him?
'In the style of the Nine Great Sects, you could say he’s becoming a second-generation disciple to teach the third-generation disciples.'
-Isn't that just you trying to get the job done without lifting a finger?
'If possible, use the term "entrusted training."'
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* * *
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While Mok Ju-gyeol was changing the Iron Fist Chamber’s sign to the Ten Thousand Evil Alliance’s Yeongneung Branch and Han Sa-gwang, who had been promoted to Chief, was spreading the "love" to the branch members, Second Young Master Jong Wi-ryang’s side began to watch Mok Ju-gyeol’s movements with a much more serious attitude.
"His capability is extraordinary."
"I agree. He is definitely not from a background of ordinary wanderers."
The Hall Master of Education read the report thoroughly before reaching a conclusion.
"I cannot shake the feeling that this is truly a strange coincidence. He showed off his skills as if to be seen, and the moment Dam Yun-sang took the bait, he caused an incident. In the process, he even obtained the title of Branch Master of Yeongneung County; how could such a thing come to pass?"
It had to be an act carried out in anticipation of Jong Wi-cheon’s side’s reaction.
"He even intercepted the assassins’ night raid as if he had been waiting for it, and he sent them back without taking their lives. It is a very mysterious way of handling things."
The more they reviewed it, the clearer Mok Ju-gyeol’s intentions became.
"He deliberately hid his strength to observe the Alliance. To confirm the tendencies of each faction."
That the result was a choice to antagonize the faction of the most powerful First Young Master was a judgment whose intent was impossible to fathom.
"Could he not be a spy from another sect?"
The Hall Master of Education shook his head.
"What kind of spy would act so conspicuously?"
"Then, are you saying all of this is truly part of a solo martial arts journey that Mok Ju-gyeol is undertaking?"
"Perhaps that is the case."
The leader of the Four Great Evil Alliances, who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Peerless Fortress, had also built countless legends in his youth by dominating the Northern Martial Arts of the righteous path.
"There are as many strange people and masters in the martial world as there are grains of sand. Nothing is impossible."
"But wouldn't it be impossible to take over Yeongneung County by himself?"
The Hall Master of Education nodded.
"It’s an absurd story. He isn't some supreme master, after all."
Although they had raised Mok Ju-gyeol’s intelligence rating due to this incident, they certainly did not consider him a major player.
"He might be able to seize control of one or two insignificant organizations. The problem is what comes after."
Could he dare to swallow up organizations like the Black Water Society or the Iron Thread Fortress?
"That is also my thought."
The Hall Master of Education commanded his subordinate.
"We need someone to continue reporting on Mok Ju-gyeol’s movements."
"I will arrange it immediately."
"I shall go and report this matter to the Young Master."
The letter delivered by Ma Cheon-bo had stopped at the Hall Master of Education’s desk.
'I cannot disturb the ears of the Young Master, who is currently training under a trivial name.'
However, the Hall Master of Education had kept a close watch on news of Mok Ju-gyeol.
And today, Mok Ju-gyeol had finally surpassed the threshold he had envisioned.
"The Second Young Master is still young."
Therefore, he needed a talent he could trust with tasks, someone who could grow alongside him.
Just as the Mok Ju-gyeol of his past life had been to the First Young Master.
"It would actually be better if he fails. If I take him in and bestow a favor upon him, it will be easy to turn him into the Second Young Master’s blade."
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