The Murim Academy entered a temporary fifteen-day recess out of consideration for the personnel injured in the Sichuan incident.

Thanks to this, our group, who had been pushing ourselves too hard lately, could finally get some rest. Having nothing else to do, I threw myself back into the training I had been putting off.

"Even after looking at it again, I still don't understand. What is with this ridiculous sword technique?"

They say there are as many unique martial arts in the world as there are people, but the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms was exceptionally peculiar even among them.

It was composed of three forms, but it couldn't be viewed simply as three forms.

Since the elements making up the forms were not a series of movements with regular patterns but the movement itself, any motion could become a form, and conversely, following the form perfectly might not result in a form at all.

"Is it similar to the Flowing Cloud Divine Art in that sense?"

Although the Flowing Cloud Sect's martial arts were mocked as half-baked, it wasn't because the martial arts had been lost or forgotten like the Taiyi Sect's.

While the martial arts were intact, the method of actually learning them couldn't be conveyed through text.

Most likely, the transmission of the Flowing Cloud Divine Art had been severed at some point in the past, and without proper teachings, the Flowing Cloud Divine Art had deteriorated into a half-baked martial art.

"At least I can train by myself because I vividly remember Master Baek's movements."

Originally, a martial art like the Flowing Cloud Divine Art couldn't be learned alone.

This was also the reason why Yayul Jae thought he would perfect his martial art through actual combat.

According to his words, he perfected it a bit too late, but he did eventually complete the martial art in his lifetime.

Just as I had done for Moyong Jaehwa, I wanted to pass on to Yayul Geuk the martial art Yayul Jae had risked his life to complete in my past life, but...

"Ah! Whatever! What am I supposed to do when that little brat is so utterly disrespectful!"

Shaking off my thoughts, I focused on my training once again.

If the profound mystery of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms' First Form was Extreme Speed, then the profound mystery of the Second Form was Perfection.

It was closer to a defensive technique than an offensive one, but as mentioned before, it didn't limit itself to defense.

Meaning it was a form that could freely transform into an offensive technique.

"More accurately, it's the concept of bashing them with a shield."

This wasn't an expression I came up with; it was written in Baek Haegwang's secret manual.

[Block with the shield and bash with the shield. Then there is no need to separately draw your sword.]

The Sword Demon was likely the only person in the world who would describe a sword barrier like this.

It was a bit of a leap, but the Second Form's Perfection wasn't a sword barrier that retreated, but a sword barrier that advanced.

The Sword Demon's disposition clearly showed in his martial arts.

He was a person who believed 'the best defense is a good offense'.

I continued to read through the secret manual of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms in my head.

[There must be no gaps in the barrier. The Underworld's hidden weapons are small enough to be invisible. The barrier must be as hard as diamond. The Shandong Ak Clan's tyrannical saber is fierce enough to blow away anyone who blocks it.]

Befitting a sword technique created through hundreds, no, thousands of real battles, the secret manual was described intuitively without obscure characters.

Within it were occasional notes on his battles with experts he had encountered, and it even detailed the sparring matches he had ultimately lost.

The descriptions were so detailed and meticulous that I could vividly picture the opponents in my mind without ever having actually seen them.

"Alright. Shall we begin!"

Calmly, I began translating the letters organized in my head into imagery.

'First, I close the gaps.'

The opponent was a previous-generation Underworld expert known as the Dark Ghost.

An opponent who unleashed Cow Hair Needles, commonly used in the world of hidden weapons, like a phantom.

I brought the Dark Ghost I conjured in my mind directly into reality.

Originally, to increase efficiency, I should have engaged in imagery sparring like I did when learning the First Form, but the pain of that was too severe and the side effects too strong.

Unless it was a situation where I had to use the Second Form tomorrow, progressing step by step was far more important.

SHING.

The Black Dragon Sword let out a clear ring as it revealed its pitch-black blade.

The Dark Ghost waited for me leisurely, both hands tucked inside his sleeves.

After taking the starting stance, I immediately began to execute the Second Form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

WOOSH. WOOSH.

The sound of the sword cutting through the air gradually grew sharper.

Soon, the Sword Qi leaving trails in the air along the sword's edge transformed into a dense net.

SWISH— SWISH—

Once again, Sword Qi left trails through the dense net, until not even the slightest gap remained within it.

At least, it certainly looked that way.

"Aargh!"

Already, my muscles were cramping severely and sweat poured from my entire body.

The massive sword barrier, ten feet wide, descended upon the Dark Ghost as if to swallow him whole.

At that moment, the Dark Ghost slipped one hand out from his sleeve and flicked it with a SWISH.

Cow Hair Needles were fired in a flash.

Before the seemingly flawless sword barrier, the three Cow Hair Needles appeared destined to be helplessly deflected.

However.

FWOOSH—

Before I knew it, the three Cow Hair Needles pierced through the sword barrier, aiming straight for my lethal acupoints.

'If this were a real battle, I'd already be dead.'

I was certain I had perfectly sealed all gaps in the sword barrier, yet the Dark Ghost had found an opening and sunk his Cow Hair Needles through it.

'Again.'

I repeated the sparring twenty-three times like that, but I couldn't even last five exchanges.

"Hah, hah, hah."

Partly because I was moving my body directly, but primarily because executing the Second Form itself was so exhausting, I quickly ran out of breath.

On top of that, although it wasn't quite full imagery sparring, the mental toll of vividly drawing the opponent was significant enough to make my head feel like it was on fire.

"Ugh, this is tough..."

Exhaling a hot breath, I sprawled out haphazardly on the ground and reviewed the spar.

A sword barrier that seemingly had no openings.

And the Dark Ghost's Cow Hair Needles that pierced right through it.

"... To aim for the gap in the trajectory left behind by the sword, a monster is indeed a monster."

When I considered that even a monstrous existence like him died without living out his natural lifespan, I knew I still had a long way to go.

I consoled myself as my mood threatened to sink.

"Do not be impatient. You've walked well up until now. You just need to keep going like this."

As I was looking up at the clear sky for a moment, a familiar voice drifted over.

"Do not be impatient. You've walked well up until now. You just need to keep going like this."

A voice mimicking exactly what I had just said.

"..."

Frowning heavily, I turned my head to find the Geum-eun-dong Brothers standing behind me out of nowhere.

"... Since when were you guys here?"

Eunho extended his arm, spread his palm wide, then clenched it into a tight fist before lowering his voice.

"Do not be impatient. You've walked well up until now. You just need to keep going like this."

A playful smile tugged at the corners of Eunho's mouth after he delivered the dramatic line.

"... We arrived right when you were saying that."

"..."

'I've been beating this punk a little less lately, haven't I?'

My fists itching, I glared at them, only to be slightly surprised.

'Wait, has their mastery of the Turtle Breath Footwork I taught them already reached this level?'

Just as I was unconsciously feeling proud, Eunho's voice cut in again.

The rascal was even bowing and cupping his fists in a salute.

"Eldest Senior Brother, may I ask you something?"

"No. If you're going to make fun of me, don't even think about opening your mouth."

"I'm just asking out of curiosity."

'What's with that expression?'

His face looked quite serious, so I eventually permitted the question.

"... What is it?"

"Have you hit puberty by any chance?"

"..."

Wherever his polite attitude from a moment ago had gone, his eyes were now sparkling like a child who had just found candy.

"Do you suddenly feel the urge to rebel against adults, or feel like you've become an evil entity hiding a dark secret?"

"..."

"Or do you feel like you're going to become a hero who protects justice and practices chivalry?"

'Wow, he really hasn't been hit enough lately.'

'Let's see how far he goes.'

"Like a dragon is squirming inside you, and if you open your hand, dark energy will burst out..."

"... Eunho."

"Ah! Eldest Senior Brother, I completely understand. We've all been through it. Geumpyo hyung even tried walking on air off a wall..."

I leaped up from my spot.

"Die!"

The White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms' First Form, Extreme Speed, shot out from my hand exhilaratingly.

* * *

Returning to the dormitory, we chatted while drinking tea and eating the snacks the Geum-eun-dong Brothers had bought.

"Why did you guys go to the market?"

"Because Dongryong's sword cracked again."

"Hmm?"

This was already the second time Dongryong had replaced his sword.

In the past, when the talent scout visited, Dongryong received a sword as a Murim Alliance grant, and during the standard exam, he was gifted a Cangqiong Sword by the Namgung Clan.

Both weapons were fine blades compared to ordinary swords, but it seemed even those weren't enough for Dongryong.

'It's unavoidable. He uses his sword in such a bizarre and extraordinary way, how could any sword withstand it?'

Normally, a sword is forged to strike a balance between stabbing and slashing.

Therefore, mostly the focus is on the edges, and an iron core is inserted into the center of the blade to make its structure sturdier.

However, because Dongryong freely utilized the entire blade, the stress placed on the sword continually worsened.

I instructed the Geum-eun-dong Brothers.

"For now, use the supplies issued by the academy. Once a sword is cracked, you never know when it'll break."

"You mean the standard Blue Steel Sword? That won't last long in Dongryong's hands."

"It's fine. Just use it temporarily, and I'll get him another sword soon."

"Another sword?"

The Vajra Indestructible Iron, Wind Paulownia, and Blood Sea Jade I received through the Mantong Bureau had been sent to the Taiyi Sect via an escort agency commissioned by Wangga Manor.

It would take some time for the smithy to be completed, but I sent them early hoping Jang Dowon would familiarize himself with the materials even a little bit beforehand.

The shorter that time was, the sooner the Red Light Sword would emerge into the world to shine.

And if I gave the Black Dragon Sword to Dongryong, he would never need to change his sword again.

Setting everything else aside, the Black Dragon Sword, forged from Vajra Indestructible Iron—second to none in terms of durability—would suit Dongryong perfectly.

"Just keep that in mind for now. If the supplied sword breaks, buy a new Blue Steel Sword from the market and use that."

"Yes..."

Dongryong bowed his head as if he had done something wrong.

I patted the kid's head.

"This is happening because you are exceptional, so I don't consider it a waste of money in the slightest."

"Really?"

Dongryong immediately smiled, delighted like a puppy.

As I was chatting with my junior martial siblings for the first time in a while.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Representative Jin, it's Jang Ujae."

Before I could even answer, Jang Ujae entered the room, greeted the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, and looked at me.

'I didn't make any plans with him, did I?'

"What brings you here?"

"... Well, I have something to tell you regarding our friend Yayul Geuk."

I sent the Geum-eun-dong Brothers out and spoke with Jang Ujae privately.

"After you left, Representative, I kept an eye on Yayul Geuk."

Even though I hadn't specifically asked him to, Jang Ujae was handling things on his own accord.

'Looks like I'm a really good judge of character.'

Unlike me, who was feeling pleased, Jang Ujae took a breath and spoke with a cautious expression.

"It's just... Yayul Geuk hasn't been looking very good lately."

"Not looking very good?"

"Yes... Up until before, he didn't have any injuries on his face, at least. But recently, the wounds on his face keep increasing, and he barely speaks anymore."

'It hasn't been long since that incident, did Ak Jupyeong harbor malicious intent in that short time?'

"Previously, if I asked him what was going on, he'd immediately start cursing. Now, he just keeps his mouth shut and only lowers his head during class."

"..."

"About three days ago, when I tried asking him in detail..."

Jang Ujae's face looked like he was heavily debating whether he should say it or not.

"I pulled at his sleeve and caught a glimpse inside his clothes... and there wasn't a single unbruised spot on his skin."

"Haa..."

Jwa Daegi, who had served in the military up North, once said that while military violence was short and clean, the violence of martial artists was relentless and messy, making it far more terrifying.

Furthermore, as martial artists possessed profound knowledge of the human body through their studies of martial arts, they would know better than soldiers how to inflict the most agonizing pain on a person.

Something began to boil violently in my chest.

"Where is Yayul Geuk right now?"

"I haven't seen him for two days."

"Is that so?"

I stood up from my seat.

Jang Ujae immediately stood up as well.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I should go and meet him first."

'That damn little brat.'

'Why are both he and his brother exactly the same in driving people crazy?'

* * *

When I entered the eight-person dormitory, a commotion broke out among the academy students who were enjoying a relaxing time thanks to the temporary suspension of classes.

"It's the Black Flame Dragon!"

"Why is Jin Sowoon in an eight-person dormitory?"

"It's not even like the people he hangs around with are here?"

I ignored them and stepped into Yayul Geuk's room.

"Hup!"

"W-What the!"

The academy students sharing the room with Yayul Geuk jumped up in shock.

I glanced around the room and reassured them.

"It's nothing. I just came to see someone. Yayul Geuk is here, right?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want that lunatic...?"

"I heard he was here, so I came."

Seeing a guy covered head-to-toe in a blanket on one of the beds, I walked over and yanked the blanket off.

A bewildered voice immediately rang out.

"W-What the?"

"Eh?"

Contrary to my expectation that he would be crying under the covers, a face I had never seen before appeared.

"What the, who are you?"

"... Isn't that my line to a—"

SWISH—

I tossed the blanket back over his face and looked around the room.

At that moment, one of the guys cautiously informed me.

"His bed is over here. And he hasn't come back since yesterday..."

"He hasn't come back?"

"Yeah."

I inspected the spot they said Yayul Geuk used.

While the other academy students' closets and lockers were filled with various personal items, Yayul Geuk's spot only contained the supplies provided by the academy.

Even those were mostly worn out and frayed from long use.

'Not even Beggars' Sect disciples live with so little.'

All he had were a few sets of supplied martial robes and the standard issue Blue Steel Sword.

Other than that, there was nothing of real substance.

I barely managed to control my scowling expression.

"Hey. Was this guy getting his things stolen too?"

"..."

I asked the academy student who pointed out Yayul Geuk's spot, but he didn't answer.

"I already know Yayul Geuk is being bullied. Did you guys join in on it too?"

"W-What are you talking about? Why would we?"

"Anyway, were his things stolen or not?"

The academy student hesitated before replying.

"They probably weren't stolen."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Just as my brows were about to furrow at the vague answer.

"Because he never had anything to begin with."

"... Huh?"

I heard a response I hadn't expected.

"Well, we live with him every day, so we know. We know how completely broke he is. I've never even seen him step outside the academy."

I knew the Flowing Cloud Sect was in bad shape, but I hadn't realized they lacked even the money for basic living necessities.

'I have a really bad feeling about this.'

"Has anything been weird with him lately?"

"..."

"You can tell me anything."

"... Well, I'm sure you know he's been getting beaten up by the White Path Council kids."

The responding academy student scratched his cheek.

"The night before last, he suddenly apologized to us, saying he was sorry for everything so far."

"Apologized?"

"Yeah, whenever I'd go out to the market occasionally, I'd buy snacks and put them in his drawer."

"And?"

"Then he'd find them and throw them right back at me."

"What a total lunatic."

As if it were no big deal, the academy student nodded and continued.

"Well, yeah. Anyway, it was weird, so I asked him why he was acting like that, and he said his second oldest brother told him to."

"Second oldest brother??"

"I heard it in my sleep, so I don't remember it that well."

'Was there another brother between the two of them?'

'But how could a guy who never even steps outside the academy hear something from his second brother?'

"What's your name?"

"Me? Why all of a sudden?"

"Just 'cause."

"Nam Eulyong."

"Nam Eulyong of the Divine Physician's Faction?"

'Oh, so Nam Eulyong, who would one day be ranked among the Top Ten Fists of Jiangnan, stayed in an eight-person dormitory during his academy days?'

"Do you know me?"

I smoothly made up an excuse.

"... Well, I'm the academy representative, right?"

Before the guy could question me again, I took out ten taels of gold from my robes and handed it to him.

"Keep half for yourself, and use the other half to look after that lunatic like you used to. If he keeps refusing, just keep the rest of the money yourself."

Just as I turned to head for the door, a puzzled voice reached me.

"... What is your relationship with Yayul Geuk?"

I stopped in my tracks.

Halting just as I was about to turn the doorknob.

Relationship, what relationship...

From within the vast sea of my memories, Yayul Jae's face clearly surfaced—his face full of spite as he blocked my path.

A faint smirk unconsciously leaked out at the sight of it.

"I owe a bit of a favor to that bastard's older brother."

'It's so damn hard to repay a debt of gratitude.'

* * *

I left the dormitory and sifted through the memories of my past life.

Yayul Jae had never specifically mentioned his brothers.

Let alone the fact that there were more than two brothers.

Even though his sect was destroyed, he had immense pride in the Flowing Cloud Sect and would frequently boast about it.

Whenever he did, the Minor Orthodox Unit members would tease him about it being a ruined sect, and fights always started like that.

Why would a person like that never even mention his younger brother who had entered the academy, let alone his other brothers?

Yayul Jae's story and Yayul Geuk's current situation.

The suffocating circumstances Yayul Geuk must have endured up until now, and the words he left with Nam Eulyong.

As I gathered the pieces and put them together one by one, a sudden realization flashed through my mind.

'Fuck...!'

I hastily circulated my internal energy and sent it to both my feet.

BOOM.

A mound of dirt exploded in all directions, but caring little about it, I unleashed the World-Traversing Lone Footwork with all my might.

'Damn it... why was I thinking so complacently?'

If my ominous premonition was correct,

Yayul Geuk was going to die.

No, perhaps he had already died.