Bu Eunseol was able to graduate from the intermediate level in just one month.
Unmatched Thunderbolt.
It took Bu Eunseol a whole month to master Cheon Un-gwang's unique martial arts technique and learn the purification of the sword. Compared to the fact that he mastered the nearly impossible Beast Way in just half a month, this was an enormous amount of time.
‘It was really hard.’
As Bu Eun-seol walked toward the advanced hall, he felt overwhelmed for the first time.
Over the past month, he had not merely mastered sword techniques. He had also learned the theories of orthodox martial arts that he had never studied before. He had to cram into his head the essence of advanced martial arts, which would normally take years to master, all within a single month. The agonizing and painful process was so intense that it was difficult to put into words.
Click.
When Bu Eun-seol opened the door to the upper chamber, he wore a peculiar expression. Surprisingly, the upper chamber resembled a study hall for scholars rather than a military chamber. The interior, shaped like a semicircle, had a high podium, with tables and chairs arranged below it.
On the platform stood an old man with white hair tied up in a bun. He was Dan Cheon-yang, the head of the upper-level office.
“My name is Bu Eunseol.” When Bu Eunseol’s gaze met Dan Cheonyang’s, he bowed respectfully with his hands together.
“I have been training under Cheon Un-gwang, and today I have been promoted to the advanced level.”
“I've heard about you. You're a talented martial artist with considerable skill.” Dan Cheonyang smiled and pointed to an empty seat.
“Please sit down. We were just about to begin anyway.” As Bu Eunseol sat down, he felt the piercing stares of the other trainees around him.
‘It's different.’ Bu Eunseol could feel it.
The gaze of contempt that had followed him endlessly until now had disappeared. Now, he only felt curiosity, awe, or envy. And the reason was because he had killed Byeok Hansung with a single strike.
‘Is that all it takes?’ Bu Eunseol felt a wave of disgust. Was cleaning a corpse something to be scorned, while a martial artist cutting down a person was something to be revered and praised? Bu Eunseol, who had been training in martial arts solely for revenge, could not understand this cruel and ruthless world of martial arts.
“Then let's begin today's study of the Dharma.” Dan Cheonyang, who had been glancing at Bu Eunseol, spoke in a low voice while standing on the podium.
"Since we have a new trainee, let me explain the song and the seven teachings of the Hwa Wu Sword once again. ‘Power throughout the body,’ 'Standing upright,‘ 'Chest in, back straight,’ 'One strike, no hesitation'...
The Hwa Wu Sword Art, which destroys everything with a single strike, was no different from the sword techniques of other martial arts schools. In other words, it was interpreted as placing great importance on the fundamentals.
‘So that's how it is.’
Bu Eunseol, who had been listening intently to Dan Cheonyang's lecture, narrowed his eyes. If he hadn't learned Mu Hak's theory and Ascending Sword techniques at the intermediate level, he would never have been able to understand these teachings.
The teaching lecture continued for about half an hour.
“Let's end today's teaching interpretation here.” Dan Cheonyang closed the book and said as he descended from the podium with a stooped gait.
“The five who were reprimanded by the elder earlier, and you who have just joined us, follow me.” Noticing Bu Eunseol's puzzled expression, Dan Cheon-yang said in a gentle voice. “There's no need to be nervous. We're going to the training ground to practice sword techniques.”
Stepping outside, they saw the training ground with its blue stone tiles. The sun was warm, and a cool spring breeze was blowing from somewhere.
It was peaceful.
If Bu Eunseol hadn't gone through the Second Trial or if he hadn't fought a life-or-death battle with Byeok Hanseong in the intermediate gate...
Even Bu Eunseol might have been intoxicated by the leisurely and peaceful atmosphere of the advanced gate.
‘Soon, it will demand blood again.’ I can guarantee it.
Once the martial arts training is over, all this peace will vanish like a bubble.
“Come closer.” Dan Cheonyang noticed Bu Eunseol lagging behind, lost in deep thought, and beckoned him. “The time for learning is limited. Let go of your distractions.” Dan Cheon-yang seemed to be looking into Bu Eunseol's mind.
“I'm sorry.” When Bu Eunseol bowed his head, Dan Cheon-yang smiled.
“There's no need to apologize to me.” In the vast training ground, which seemed to be about 300 pyeong in size, six trainees, including Bu Eun-seol, gathered in a circle, and at the center stood Dan Cheonyang in a hunched posture.
“Today, let’s talk about ‘No Sword, Yet Better Than a Sword.’” Dan Cheonyang picked up a thin branch tucked into his waistband.
Suddenly, behind his gaunt and hunched figure, a presence reminiscent of a massive mountain arose.
“According to Instructor Cheon, you’ve only just begun learning sword techniques… no, martial arts, right?” Dan Cheon-yang’s gaze remained fixed on Bu Eunseol.
“Is that true?” Bu Eunseol nodded without hesitation.
“Yes.” At that moment, the expressions of the trainees standing around changed.
The one who had killed Byeok Hanseong, a disciple of the Asura Sword Sect, with a single strike, had only just begun learning martial arts?
—Unbelievable!
But they had to believe it. If they lied in front of Dan Cheonyang, the elder of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, they wouldn't just lose their place in the Ten Demon Sect, they wouldn't even be able to make allies in the Demon Martial Arts World.
'This is troublesome.' Feeling the gazes pouring in from all sides, Bu Eunseol's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
―I must not draw attention to myself.
The truth Bu Eunseol had learned after passing through the Second Trial was that he must never draw the attention of other trainees. Being the center of attention meant becoming a target of suspicion.
“Hmm. I see.” Regardless of whether the trainees’ gazes shifted or not, Dan Cheonyang kept talking to Bu Eunseol.
“Then, do you know anything about the martial arts principles of ‘No Sword, Yet Better Than a Sword’?”
“I don’t.”
“I see. Then let me explain it simply.” Dan Cheonyang smiled faintly and glanced at the tree branch as he continued calmly.
“No Sword, Yet Better Than a Sword literally means a state where one can defeat someone wielding a sword even without a sword. In other words, it is a state where there are no restrictions on wielding swords, whether one has a sword or not.” Perhaps because he was talking about profound sword techniques, Dan Cheonyang's voice gradually grew stronger. “To reach the realm of ‘swordless swordplay,’ the boundary between the arm and the sword must disappear. Is there anyone here who can guess what this means?”
Only then did Dan Cheonyang take his eyes off Bu Eunseol and look at the other trainees around him. But no one answered. Most of the martial artists valued practical combat, and there was no place to discuss the principles of swordsmanship or the realm of martial arts.
“Isn't it similar to the meaning of ‘sword hand unity’ or ‘sword and spirit as one’?” After a long silence, a boy with an iron sword on his back spoke up, and Dan Cheonyang smiled lightly.
“It's a little different from that. Sword-body unity means using the sword as freely as your own flesh and blood, while Union of Swordsmanship means reaching a level where your body itself becomes a sword.” Dan Cheonyang's gaze fixed on Bu Eunseol once again.
“What do you think? Can you guess the meaning of the arms and sword becoming one?” Bu Eunseol remained silent.
But Dan Cheonyang patiently and persistently waited for Bu Eunseol's answer.
“In my opinion...” Breaking the long silence, Bu Eunseol slowly opened his mouth.
“Isn't it about mastering the boundary between existence and non-existence?”
It was an ambiguous answer. However, Dan Cheonyang smiled meaningfully when he heard the answer.
“You really are a beginner at sword fighting, aren't you?” All the trainees laughed at Dan Cheonyang's words.
“He pretended to be a great swordsman, but he was just trying to cover it up with a plausible answer.”
“Seeing Dan Cheonyang say that, it seems he really is a beginner.” Hearing the trainees whispering, Dan Cheonyang looked at Bu Eunseol and said in a voice that was barely audible. “How else could one comprehend the enlightenment of a peerless swordsman who has been fighting for his life for decades?”
At that moment, the trainees' eyes flickered like waves.
Given the situation, doesn't Bu Eunseol's story seem quite reasonable?
“I was only guessing.”
“Huhuhu. That could be.” With a satisfied smile, Dan Cheon-yang spoke to Bu Eunseol in a low voice.
“Aren't you curious why I've been asking you so many questions?”
“Yes.”
“While you were at the intermediate level, all the trainees here learned the first technique of the Hwa Wu Sword, Formless Mystery. And now they've moved on to sword theory.” He walked closer to Bu Eun-seol and spoke in a cold tone, unlike before.
“But because you suddenly joined in the middle, I am in a difficult situation. Do you understand what I mean?” Bu Eunseol nodded.
Until now, he had been fortunate enough to receive one-on-one guidance from Jingak and Cheon Un-gwang. However, the senior officers were selected for their potential to master the true Hwa Wu Sword. There could be no exceptions to this education.
“If you cannot immediately understand and follow what I am asking now, I will expel you on the spot.” Dan Cheonyang looked at the five trainees behind Bu Eunseol with a sharp gaze. “The same goes for you. Even though you have come to the upper ranks, you have not properly mastered the sword techniques of the main text.”
A heavy silence, like a lump of lead, hung over the vast training ground.
“If you cannot immediately understand and grasp the sword theory I am explaining today, you must leave the martial arts hall immediately.”
Bu Eunseol finally realized why Dan Cheonyang had called the five trainees and himself aside.
‘He wants to confirm whether they are worthy of being in the advanced class.’
The Hwa Wu Sword Gate, known as the “First Sword Gate of the Demon Realm" had a learning process for sword techniques that was by no means easy.
“It seems you have understood the principles of No Sword, Yet Better Than a Sword to some extent... First, let me ask you a question.”
Flash!
A flash of lightning flashed, and before he knew it, Dan Cheonyang had pressed a tree branch tightly against Bu Eunseol's forehead.
“If I had been holding a long sword, your brow would have been pierced by the sword tip.” He then withdrew his hand and asked Bu Eunseol,
“If you were suddenly attacked like this, but you had no sword in your hand, how would you perform the sword technique?”
“If I had no sword in my hand...”
“Let me make it clear that this is a question based on actual combat. If you give a vague answer, it would be better not to answer at all.” A sigh escaped Bu Eunseol's lips.
Exchanging sword techniques felt easier than surviving in a fierce battle and competition. Then, he suddenly met Dan Cheonyang’s sharp gaze.
“If this were a real battle…” Even without a sword, Dan Cheonyang could easily pierce his head with that thin twig.
“I don’t have a sword. I don’t have a sword…” Bu Eunseol nodded, realizing something.
“You said the opponent is definitely holding a sword.” And with a confident expression, he stared intently into Dan Cheonyang’s eyes. “I will use the opponent’s sword. That is the swordless sword technique I can perform right now.”
Swish.
And Bu Eunseol reached out his hand toward the twig Dan Cheonyang was holding with a lightning-fast movement.
“That's a hasty conclusion.” Dan Cheonyang smiled and lightly struck Bu Eunseol's wrist with the technique of “Shattering the Void.”
“?” However, Dan Cheon-yang's technique did not fully unfold.
Bu Eun-seol, who had anticipated his movement, had already darted into his embrace.
“……!” Dan Cheon-yang opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
As an elder of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, his skill was far superior to Bu Eunseol's, like the difference between heaven and earth. Nevertheless, Bu Eun-seol was able to close the distance because of his keen eyesight, which allowed him to predict moves with just a glance at hand movements.
And because of his terrifyingly sharp Beast Way skills.
“Huhu...”
After keeping his mouth open for a while, Dan Cheonyang burst into laughter.
“HAHAHAHA!” Pointing at Bu Eunseol's face as if he had discovered something amusing, he laughed heartily and said,
“You pass.”
He patted Bu Eunseol on the shoulder and nodded.
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