Chapter 74 : The Three-Cloud Training Corps (3)
Chapter 74 - The Three-Cloud Training Corps (3)
Among the lectures of the Three-Cloud Training Corps, the most important was, as a matter of course, the lecture on analyzing the fighting power of the Unorthodox and Demonic Paths and acquiring their counter-methods.
Ordinarily, the Two-Cloud members of the Training Corps would have been busy devoting themselves to learning the information and counter-methods put forth by the Elder Council and the Ink Scent Division.
But there was a Two-Cloud who had broken away from that flow.
It was precisely Namgung Jun.
While others were learning the counter-methods, Namgung Jun was creating new counter-methods.
The scribe and Elder Gwon, who were watching that sight from the side, could not contain their admiration.
“Even though I am seeing it with my own two eyes, I cannot believe it.”
“Sword Talent. No, can this simply be evaluated as a talent?”
Elder Gwon looked at Namgung Jun with an astonished expression.
Reverse-engineering based on the secret verses, the forms, and the sword path.
Was such a thing really possible?
Of course, it was limited to sword styles, but it was the established view that Namgung Jun’s counter-methods were effective.
This would surely be of great help to the Clouds of the Azure Sky Society who had to face the Unorthodox and Demonic Paths.
For now, it stopped at sword styles, but if he were to encounter more diverse enemies and build up his experience, might he not be able to create counter-methods for other types of martial arts as well?
“I look forward to the future Namgung Jun, who will have experienced numerous Unorthodox and Demonic Paths and will have drawn up various kinds of counter-methods.”
Elder Gwon, who was watching Namgung Jun engrossed in recording the new counter-method in a secret manual, asked the scribe.
“Because of this matter, will there perhaps be a disruption in Namgung Jun’s completion of the Training Corps?”
“Not at all. It will be separately added up as a meritorious deed, and bonus points are also being awarded within the Training Corps, so there is no need for such a worry. And I understand that Young Hero Namgung is also devoting himself to the theoretical studies on his own.”
At the scribe’s words that he was not showing a lazy appearance in the other teachings either, taking out his own time, Elder Gwon’s smile deepened.
“He is a great blessing to the Azure Sky Society.”
Elder Gwon looked at Namgung Jun’s side profile with proud eyes.
……
The theoretical lecture period of the Three-Cloud Training Corps had ended.
Now was the time when they had to take a written test based on what they had learned so far.
The Two-Cloud members had to obtain a score corresponding to a passing grade in all nine subjects.
Otherwise, they would have to take a re-test a day later, and if they failed even that, they would be expelled from the Training Corps.
Perhaps because there were some difficult subjects mixed in, there were those who were discharged after being unable to pass the bar even after the re-test.
“Young Hero Namgung. Incredible.”
Heo Il looked at the list of those who had passed.
The list of passers was arranged in order of their scores, and Namgung Jun was in a position where he was in the top five.
Considering that he had spent a separate amount of time creating new counter-methods, it was a very surprising result.
“And on top of that, doesn’t creating a new counter-method also apply as bonus points in the Training Corps? At this rate, the top position is in the bag for you, Young Hero Namgung.”
“Since Senior Heo is here, I cannot let my guard down.”
Namgung Jun looked at the name that had been posted on the very first line of the list of passers.
The Heavenly Sword Hall’s Heo Il.
The one who had obtained the highest score on the written test was precisely Heo Il. It was a score that was almost perfect.
Heo Il, who had been looking at his own name following Namgung Jun’s gaze, shook his head.
“No. I am still lacking in the Martial. To be skilled in both the literary and martial arts! Is that not a phrase said for Young Hero Namgung?”
It was then.
The instructors shouted toward the Two-Cloud members who were gathered in front of the list of passers.
“The martial test will also be held in one shichen (2 hours)!”
“So that everyone may participate in a state of perfect readiness.”
The Two-Cloud members, without even a moment to enjoy the joy of having passed, immediately began to perform their Qi circulation or warm up their bodies.
While doing so, they shared their opinions with each other on how the martial test would be held.
“Doesn’t the content of the martial test differ according to the Hall Master who was in charge of the respective Training Corps?”
“That is correct. I am curious as to what it will be like this time.”
“They say that the Dark Blade Hall Master, who was in charge of the last batch, said that if you could block his assassination attempt, you would pass.”
“What? How could one handle that?”
The more the stories about the previous batches came out from here and there, the darker the expressions of the Two-Cloud members became.
It was because they had become afraid of what the content of the martial test that the Martial Conquest Hall Master would put forth might be.
For, depending on the content of the test, the number of personnel who could complete the Training Corps might be extremely reduced.
“What do you think, Senior Heo.”
“Hmm. I do not know either. If it is the disposition of the Martial Conquest Hall Master, the content of the test may be quite extreme.”
Time flowed by quickly, and at some point, the time when the martial test would be held had approached.
The Martial Conquest Hall Master and the instructors revealed themselves before the Two-Cloud members who were on standby in the training ground.
“I will now announce the content of the martial test.”
Everyone focused on Ha Mujung’s statement.
“The content is simple. It is to endure the joint attack of the instructors until one ke (15 mins) of time has passed.”
As the gazes of the Two-Cloud members turned toward the instructors, Ha Mujung’s detailed explanation continued.
That everyone would endure the joint attack of the instructors was the same, but there was a different point.
It was that the Two-Cloud who was taking the challenge could decide the number of instructors who would step forward for the joint attack.
From a minimum of two to a maximum of five.
As the score would differ according to the number of instructors one could handle, the personnel who were aiming for the top position would surely try to handle as many as possible.
“Then let us begin.”
Following Ha Mujung’s command, the martial test began to proceed, starting from the earliest numbers.
The majority faced the minimum number of personnel, two instructors.
Since those who had achieved excellent results in the martial test were already decided, there were many who were aiming for the rank advancement itself by completing the Training Corps, rather than for the first or second position.
“Contrary to my expectations, the content of the test is straightforward.”
“Indeed. To think I was nervous for no reason.”
Namgung Jun and Heo Il watched as the other Two-Cloud members faced off against the instructors.
The key was to endure, not to win.
For that reason, the majority of the Two-Cloud members assumed a defensive posture, and they succeeded in enduring.
Of course, there were also a fair number of people who failed, unable to endure even two instructors.
The joint attack of the instructors was just that exquisitely timed, and there was no mercy in their actions.
“Heo Il of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
Along with Ha Mujung’s command, Heo Il’s turn approached.
“I shall uphold the honor of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
Heo Il, who had smiled brightly at Namgung Jun, threw out a single sentence and then headed for the center of the training ground.
Heo Il, who had looked at the instructors standing before him one by one, assumed his starting stance and opened his mouth.
“I will face four instructors.”
As the choice to face four instructors came out for the first time, a look of interest began to appear in Ha Mujung’s eyes.
Until now, the Two-Cloud members who had chosen three instructors numbered only four.
“Is it finally getting a little interesting?”
Ha Mujung, who had been muttering while looking at Heo Il, nodded his head.
He had been in the middle of feeling bored as the majority of them were choosing the safe option.
At such a time, as Heo Il had made a bold choice, his gaze was naturally drawn.
‘It seems he has quite a hidden move, but it looks like handling four will be overwhelming.’
Ha Mujung, who had been gauging Heo Il’s bearing, leaned his body forward.
By the looks of it, it did not seem that he had chosen four out of simple arrogance. He surely had something he had thought of in his own way.
The Martial Conquest Hall Master took out a new stick of incense and then lit it with the Samadhi True Fire.
“Begin.”
As soon as Ha Mujung’s command fell, the four instructors rushed toward Heo Il.
In that interval, Heo Il was gulping down the alcohol from his gourd bottle.
Heo Il, who had drunk his fill and drawn his sword, immediately threw his body forward.
With his sword held straight out in front.
Ch-ch-chang!
The five weapons became fiercely entangled.
Heo Il preemptively cut off the offensive that was pouring in from four directions with his peculiar footwork and Swift Sword.
The ankle of Heo Il, who had swung his sword to both sides and deflected the sword strike from the front, spun softly.
Just as he seemed to be widening the combat distance as if to slip away, a Swift Sword style using his exceptionally long blade danced wildly.
The drastic control of that speed made the feet of the Three-Cloud members who had rashly chased Heo Il become tangled.
‘Senior Heo. It seems he is now using the Lightness Skill from the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection as his main style.’
He was Heo Il, who had gallantly declared to his senior brother that he would walk his own path.
Heo Il was slowly shaking off his old habits and martial arts and filling himself with his own new strengths.
BAM!
Dull sounds of tearing air erupted in succession as the sword strikes of Heo Il’s Swift Sword and the palm forces of the instructors clashed.
“It seems none of you intend to go easy on me.”
Heo Il smiled brightly and soared into the air.
The sword that was drawn in a curve grazed past the fluttering hem of Heo Il’s robes with a hair’s breadth.
The other instructors poured out palm forces and sword winds toward the airborne Heo Il.
An intention to not give him a chance to land safely was visible.
“Ha!”
Heo Il let out a kiai and at the same time twisted his body in mid-air, thrusting his sword in succession.
After all is said and done, it comes back to the Sword.
It was a response that he would absolutely not have been able to show if he had not put his effort into the sword, even though his Lightness Skill was also important.
Heo Il, who had parried all the offensives that were rushing in from the ground, immediately landed and once again took his position.
“Heo-eo.”
“So he was hiding such a skill.”
“So it wasn’t for no reason that he guards the Azure Star Sword’s side?”
The other Two-Cloud members who were watching the duel let out their admiration.
Though Heo Il had not seized the upper hand, he had shown a flexible defense.
In particular, his circulation of his Lightness Skill, which was based on a delicate combat distance and speed, stood out.
The Swift Sword that Heo Il unfolded based on this was sufficiently threatening.
Thump!
The instructors stomped their feet powerfully in succession and poured out powerful strikes, and every time they did, Heo Il skillfully evaded them.
Though the joint attack of the four instructors was as outstanding as if they had matched their breathing many times, the sword style and footwork of Heo Il were also very solid.
‘Senior Heo’s skill has also improved a lot.’
A considerably grown appearance could be glimpsed, even when compared to the time of the competition.
Though he looked lax from his usual appearance, Heo Il was thoroughly elevating his martial arts.
KREANG!
As Heo Il endured better than expected, the instructors who were engaged in the joint attack exchanged glances and gradually began to draw up their power.
The number of times Heo Il also showed a precarious appearance increased, but he endured it one way or another.
Even in the middle of that, his unique, leisurely smile was the same as ever.
At some point, the incense had all burned down, and one ke had passed.
“Stop.”
As Ha Mujung’s command fell, the Clouds who had been holding the duel moved to widen the distance all at once.
Heo Il looked at the four instructors standing before him while pouring sweat.
As Heo Il was the first to politely perform a fist-and-palm salute, the instructors also clasped their hands and returned the courtesy.
“Magnificent.”
With Ha Mujung’s short evaluation, Heo Il’s martial test was finished.
A few of the Clouds who had watched Heo Il’s hard-fought battle competed against three, or even four, instructors, but there were also frequent cases of those who failed because they could not grasp their own skill level.
In essence, it was a test of not only their martial arts, but also their discerning eye to accurately grasp their own and the instructors’ skill.
Because of this, a rather considerable number of personnel were eliminated, unable to endure the joint attack of the instructors.
It was when the test was at some point reaching its final stage.
The gazes of all gathered in one place.
Everyone in this place was waiting for the boy swordsman’s martial test.
The Azure Star Sword, Namgung Jun.
A look of curiosity dwelled in the eyes of the instructors as well.
Just how many instructors would he say he would face?
Gong Jun-am, who was mixed in among the instructors, cautiously calculated Namgung Jun’s skill.
‘If it’s Namgung Jun, he could ably handle five and have some left over. But…’
Ha Mujung also asked with an expectant gaze.
“Namgung Jun. How many instructors will you face?”
Namgung Jun looked over the instructors before him and then lifted his head.
The place Namgung Jun’s gaze reached was Ha Mujung, on the platform.
“I wish to challenge you, Hall Master.”
A silence born of astonishment flowed through the grounds.
Not only the Two-Cloud members, but the instructors as well were the same. Only Gong Jun-am, who had anticipated this situation, twitched his eyebrow very minutely.
Ha Mujung, as if he too had guessed, rose from his seat with a face full of laughter.
“Yes. I was hoping for a situation like this.”
KWAAAAAANG!
The aura of Ha Mujung began to rage powerfully, like a waterfall shooting up in reverse.
The hegemonic aura unique to the Martial Supremacy Art covered the training ground.
Crackle!
In an instant, a lightning energy descended upon Namgung Jun’s entire body as well.
Namgung Jun, who had raised his Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art to its absolute limit, took a step forward with his hand on his hilt.