Chapter 8: The Abandoned Martial Hall
Jin Gwangung's sudden answer left me speechless.
The Elders' Lecture Gathering wasn't important only to the Elders themselves.
All of Kunlun's major figures paid attention to it.
And he wanted to send someone he had met for the first time today...
as his representative?
Jin Gwangung.
This old monster really has lost his mind.
For a moment, I genuinely wondered if old age had finally destroyed his brain.
Elders' Lecture Gathering or whatever.
I shouldn't get involved in unnecessary trouble.
I only had one goal in this life.
The Righteous Alliance.
And Moyong Cheonhwi.
Revenge against them.
That was why I had regressed.
Every minute and every second mattered.
Using what I knew from my previous life, there were countless things I needed to claim before others could.
And although I wasn't completely sure yet...
it seemed I had even gained the incredible opportunity to transcendently acquire martial arts in this life.
I couldn't waste my precious regression time getting dragged around by some insane old man's games.
First...
I had to change his mind.
I lowered my head respectfully.
"First Elder Jin Gwangung."
"Kunlun is filled with outstanding disciples far beyond someone like me."
"How could someone as lacking as I possibly become your representative?"
"That's true."
To my surprise, Jin Gwangung immediately agreed.
"Kunlun has plenty of excellent brats."
"Any of them would probably perform far better as my representative than you."
"Hehehe."
That was surprisingly reasonable.
Maybe bringing me here had been nothing more than a drunken impulse.
Then I only need to persuade him a little.
I spoke politely again.
"Then perhaps you could select another excellent disciple instead of me..."
"None."
"...What?"
"There isn't anyone I can bring."
"What do you mean?"
"How can there be no one?"
Jin Gwangung cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
"Didn't I explain earlier?"
"The representative must be chosen from among the disciples managed by each Elder."
"Yes, which means you can choose from your disciples..."
I suddenly stopped.
Something clicked in my head.
I cautiously asked.
"...Don't tell me you don't have any disciples."
"...I don't."
"Not even one?"
"I said I don't!"
Jin Gwangung glared.
"You have eyes, don't you?"
"Do you see anyone else here besides this old man and yourself?"
"..."
I was stunned.
How could he have no disciples at all?
The place might be called the Abandoned Martial Hall...
but its leader was still one of Kunlun's First Elders.
Apparently he read my expression.
Jin Gwangung coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem!"
"You little brat! What are you thinking?"
"Do you think I'm making you my representative because I couldn't find even a single disciple?!"
"..."
"A Taoist is supposed to devote himself to self-cultivation."
"I've simply been too busy cultivating myself to train younger disciples."
"It's absolutely not because nobody wanted to come under me!"
"..."
"What's with that expression?"
"You don't believe me?!"
He kept rambling while staring at me.
Unlike earlier, even his gaze seemed slightly less confident.
Unbelievable.
He really doesn't have a single disciple.
More importantly... what exactly does this Abandoned Martial Hall do?
It had the title "Hall."
That meant it should perform some kind of important duty within the sect.
At the very least, there should have been someone managing operations or assisting Jin Gwangung.
Come to think of it...
Even before regression, nobody knew which Hall Jin Gwangung actually led.
I also couldn't remember hearing anything about him training disciples.
He was such an eccentric figure that everyone probably accepted it without thinking too deeply.
"Anyway!"
Jin Gwangung pointed at me.
"I've decided you're coming under me."
"You only need to be grateful."
"You've received the glorious opportunity to stay beside this old man!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"..."
What exactly was glorious about this?
It looked more like every Kunlun disciple had wisely avoided the giant pile of trouble named Jin Gwangung.
How did that pile of trouble end up landing on me?
When I remained silent...
Jin Gwangung's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Why aren't you answering?"
"What?"
"You don't like the idea of coming under me?"
His gaze changed instantly.
Madness rapidly filled his eyes.
And it wasn't only his expression.
The muscles in both arms suddenly swelled, making his sleeves shift.
I had a very strong feeling that delaying my answer any longer might get me killed.
"N-No!"
"First Elder Jin Gwangung! It is an honor!"
"I was so overwhelmed by the thought of receiving your teachings that I couldn't answer immediately!"
"Hehehe."
His eyes curved happily again.
"Naturally."
"Being noticed by this old man is a rare fortune and blessing that might come only once in your entire life."
How can one person's emotions change this quickly?
Still...
this situation wasn't entirely bad.
His personality was more than a little strange...
but Jin Gwangung was powerful enough to be one of Kunlun's First Elders.
If I became his disciple and learned high-level martial arts from him...
it would be an incredible opportunity.
And I have my martial-art acquisition ability.
I could become strong even faster.
Once I thought about it that way, everything began looking more positive.
Becoming Jin Gwangung's disciple could help me reach my revenge against the Righteous Alliance and Moyong Cheonhwi sooner.
This time, I spoke sincerely.
"First Elder... no."
