Chapter 56: Special Training
Yu Gwangcheol didn't speak immediately.
He stared at my face for a while, as though considering something.
Then, at last, he opened his mouth.
“Han Mujin... if I had to describe you in one word, I'd say you're skilled.”
Skilled?
What exactly did he mean by that?
“Your movements have no unnecessary waste.”
He continued,
“The tip of your sword doesn't shake.”
“Your breathing is stable.”
“And your techniques flow smoothly.”
Then he added,
“I've heard you've only been properly holding a sword for a few months.”
“And yet, despite not even being twenty, you already wield it with that level of proficiency.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“That is undeniably an impressive achievement.”
Everything so far had sounded like praise.
But what he really wanted to say came next.
“However...”
His voice dropped.
“You're merely skilled.”
“The sword path you display doesn't seem to contain your own martial art.”
“...Pardon?”
Yu Gwangcheol slowly exhaled.
“Martial arts naturally carry traces of the person who practices them.”
“Their understanding.”
“Their temperament.”
“Their qi.”
“Even their habits.”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“But I couldn't see any of that in your sword path.”
He sounded genuinely confused.
“It's too neat.”
“Too smooth.”
Then he added quietly,
“Almost as though you're simply pulling out a pre-made mold and using it exactly as it was created.”
“It feels like you're reproducing something standardized.”
I couldn't answer.
No immediate argument came to mind.
Yu Gwangcheol rubbed his chin and muttered,
“Strange....”
“I truly don't understand it.”
“You can display a sword path with such proficiency, and yet none of your own understanding is contained within it.”
"..."
I couldn't help being impressed by Yu Gwangcheol's insight.
He had understood this much after crossing swords with me only once.
And in truth...
he was right.
A large portion of my martial arts had come from the martial arts comprehension granted by my awakened ability.
I hadn't obtained every piece of understanding through blood, sweat, and countless repetitions.
Rather...
the framework of the martial art had been injected into me almost instantly.
Yu Gwangcheol had noticed exactly that.
After watching me think in silence, he spoke again.
“Martial arts without your own understanding will eventually hit a wall.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Even if those martial arts contain the supreme principles of True Immortal Cheongun, the strongest under heaven.”
Then he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Put your own thoughts and will into your current sword path.”
“If you don't...”
“you'll soon experience your limit.”
He looked directly at me.
“Understand, Han Mujin?”
The advice struck hard.
I bowed my head.
“I'll remember it.”
“Thank you for the profound teaching.”
Yu Gwangcheol gave a slight nod, then turned away.
I quietly watched his back.
As expected...
his insight and teaching truly befitted one of Kunlun's greatest masters.
I repeated his words inwardly.
Hyeongwon and Yu Seola were also quietly reflecting on what they had been told.
A brief silence settled over the training ground.
Then...
“U-Um... Elder?”
Someone spoke hesitantly.
It was Myeongjeon.
“You still haven't said anything to me yet.”
He looked at Yu Gwangcheol expectantly.
“Do you have any advice for me?”
Yu Gwangcheol paused.
“Hm.”
“Advice for you....”
“Yes!”
Myeongjeon straightened.
“Please tell me!”
Yu Gwangcheol looked him over once.
Then casually said,
“You...”
He paused.
“Work hard.”
"...Pardon?”
“You're lacking in too many areas.”
“So just work hard.”
Myeongjeon's face crumpled.
“No, Elder.”
“I mean, couldn't you say something about my momentum, or my flow, or something like that—”
“Didn't I just tell you?”
Yu Gwangcheol cut him off.
“Work hard.”
Then he turned his gaze away.
Myeongjeon looked utterly wronged.
But he couldn't exactly complain to a First Elder.
So he simply opened and closed his mouth a few times.
Then muttered quietly,
“Why...”
“Why is it always only me....”
I silently nodded to myself.
Myeongjeon really had no presence.
Not to First Elder Yu Gwangcheol.
Not even to Sect Leader Cheon Gwangcheon.
But those stray thoughts didn't last long.
“Now then...”
Yu Gwangcheol spoke.
“It's time to begin the real special training.”
The atmosphere in the training ground instantly changed.
The relaxed mood vanished.
Hyeongwon raised his spear.
Yu Seola adjusted her grip on her sword.
Even Myeongjeon looked around nervously.
I unconsciously swallowed.
What exactly is he planning to make us do?
Instead of answering...
Yu Gwangcheol slowly raised his right hand.
“Come in.”
The short command, reinforced with internal energy, rang through the training ground.
At the same time...
footsteps came from the entrance.
At first, I thought only a few people were approaching.
But it wasn't one or two sets of footsteps.
There had to be dozens.
And the sound wasn't chaotic.
Every step matched.
Same pace.
Same stride.
Perfectly ordered.
A group soon entered the training ground.
They wore gray uniforms.
But more and more kept coming.
One row entered.
Then another.
Then another.
And another.
They continued filing inside...
straight toward us.
They lined up neatly behind First Elder Yu Gwangcheol.
Their presence was anything but ordinary.
Each one carried the aura of cultivated internal energy and real combat experience.
Yu Seola whispered,
“...They're from the Geoncheon Guard.”
Hyeongwon added,
“About half of them are from the Martial Discipline Office too.”
Myeongjeon's eyes went wide.
“G-Geoncheon Guard?”
He looked around in alarm.
“And even the Martial Discipline Office?”
His voice rose.
“Don't tell me the Demonic Cult invaded or something?!”
Yu Gwangcheol looked over the martial artists lined behind him.
Then turned back toward us.
“One hundred martial artists.”
“From the Geoncheon Guard and the Martial Discipline Office.”
Myeongjeon looked ready to cry.
“E-Elder...”
“Why are all of them here?”
He swallowed.
“Nothing serious happened, right?”
Yu Gwangcheol answered calmly.
