Iwha Manor.
It was an old, abandoned estate located at the far edge of Kaifeng’s outskirts.
Originally, over a hundred years ago, it was home to a wealthy merchant engaged in trade, but a plague swept through, killing everyone. As a place tainted by disease and far from the city, Iwha Manor had become a complete ruin, untouched by human presence.
Yet, at some point, dozens of men began to gather at this abandoned estate.
Clatter, clatter.
They repaired the collapsed pavilions and laid bluestone slabs in the front garden. After several days, the once desolate interior of Iwha Manor transformed into a place suitable for habitation.
“Phew, I’m exhausted,” Won Semun said, collapsing onto the bluestone-paved training ground after an intense sparring session with his team.
“Take a break!” he called out.
The ones who had restored Iwha Manor were Bu Eunseol and the Death Shadow Corps warriors.
The Beggar Sect’s Supreme Elder, Geul Wang -or also known as Gu Hongcheong- the Beggar King, was not someone who could be defeated by martial prowess alone.
Moreover, eliminating him required extensive preparation. Bu Eunseol had chosen to establish a base near Yeoju, close to Kaifeng, where the Beggar Sect’s headquarters was located, to track Geul Wang’s movements.
The darkest place is under the lamp.
While Kaifeng was teeming with Beggar Sect disciples, the border area of Yeoju had surprisingly few, making it an ideal location.
“Damn it, how long do we have to keep training our martial arts? Isn’t this enough?” Won Semun grumbled.
Han Seowung, sitting behind him, responded, “Team Leader, don’t you know the Leader’s personality? Just assume we’re dead and get on with it.”
“Ugh,” Won Semun sighed, staring at the distant sky.
Once Iwha Manor’s restoration was complete, Bu Eunseol’s first order was to enhance the warriors’ martial skills.
To deal with Geul Wang, they first had to confront the Beggar Sect.
While the Death Shadow Corps warriors were strong-willed and skilled, they weren’t yet capable of easily handling the Beggar Sect’s front line.
“Damn it, sparring would be easier!” Won Semun muttered.
At that moment, ten warriors from the third team, led by Jo Namcheon, trudged toward the training ground, shoulders slumped.
“We’re going into iron coffins,” Jo Namcheon groaned. “Coffins filled with bizarre poisonous herbs, no less.”
Unlike the first team, who excelled in martial prowess, or the second team, who were swift in movement, the third team lacked such strengths.
Thus, Bu Eunseol had them train in the Black Poison Demon Art, acquired from the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, to capitalize on their traits. This art transformed the body’s vitality into formidable strength, rivaling the Arhat Steel Energy.
Bu Eunseol aimed to turn the third team into defensive warriors for battle.
“But why does the Leader insist we train in iron coffins? Couldn’t we practice anywhere?” Won Semun asked.
Jo Namcheon, collapsing onto the ground, replied, “Training in an iron coffin has benefits. The thin air and cold metal resistance toughen your mental fortitude.” He sighed. “Since mastering the Black Poison Demon Art makes us human shields, we need to harden our minds.”
“I see. That’s no easy task,” Won Semun nodded, his shoulders slumping.
“Here, have some snacks,” a young man in black, wearing ankle weights, said, distributing baskets of food and water to the warriors.
Though lean, his visible muscles were as sharp as a blade. It was Black Leopard.
“Black Leopard, aren’t you tired?” Won Semun asked, pointing to the heavy iron ankle weights.
They appeared ordinary but were made of mysterious iron from the North Sea, dozens of times heavier than regular iron. The second team, including Wi Cheongyeong, who excelled in movement techniques, wore these weights, as did Black Leopard.
“I’m fine,” Black Leopard said, scratching his head shyly. “It’s just wearing heavy weights and moving around.”
“Come to think of it, Black Leopard, weren’t you the Black Whirlwind who fought at Blood Poison Valley with the Leader?” Jo Namcheon said, giving a thumbs-up. “To have movement skills rivaling Wi Cheongyeong at your age—impressive.”
Black Leopard’s exceptional agility matched Wi Cheongyeong, the Death Shadow Corps’s top movement expert, which is why he wore the same heavy weights.
“You flatter me,” Black Leopard said with a shy smile. “Eat slowly. I’ll clean up the weapons here.” He began tidying the scattered equipment.
“Leave it. We’ll do it later,” Won Semun said, waving his hand, but Black Leopard kept working, wiping sweat.
“No, I’ve got nothing else to do until the Young Master arrives.”
“I’ll do it. I’ve finished my sparring quota for today,” Han Seowung said, standing after drinking water. “Rest. You’ve been doing chores all day.”
The Death Shadow Corps warriors chimed in.
“Yeah, take a break.”
“We’ll clean up after a quick rest.” The Death Shadow Corps warriors, typically rough and unsociable, all wore warm smiles for Black Leopard.
Unlike most mercenaries, he was polite, intelligent, and uncomplaining, with excellent martial skills and diligence. Even the rough first team warriors treated him like a younger brother.
Creak.
Four men emerged from the manor’s central pavilion: Bu Eunseol, Hyeok Sojin, Myo Cheonwoo, and Yoo Unryong. Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong, former Ten Demon Warriors, were treated as Bu Eunseol’s friends and allies, not Death Shadow Corps members.
“Leader,” Won Semun and the others waved casually from their seated positions. “The Deputy Leader and your friends are here too.”
Despite their hierarchy, Bu Eunseol didn’t care for petty formalities beyond his orders, so the warriors treated him and Hyeok Sojin casually.
“Finished sparring?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Jo Namcheon nodded. “All done.”
“Hm.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed, observing the damaged bluestone slabs.
Two months had passed since they began training at Iwha Manor—a long yet short time. The warriors had trained relentlessly, their aura noticeably stronger.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding at the warriors’ sharp presence. “Preparations are nearly complete.”
Won Semun’s face lit up. “Are we finally starting?”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “One crucial training remains.”
“Training?” the warriors asked, exchanging glances.
Their training had been life-or-death sparring, with some sustaining serious injuries.
What more could be left?
“The Beggar Sect is the most widespread of the Nine Great Sects, using diverse martial arts and boasting many masters,” Bu Eunseol said, his expression growing solemn. “You must become even stronger.”
“What’s this crucial training?” Jo Namcheon asked.
Bu Eunseol replied in a low voice, “Watching fights.”
The warriors’ expressions turned strange. They’d braced for something intense, but just watching fights?
Wi Cheongyeong calmly asked, “You’re telling us to watch fights?”
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol said, looking down at the seated warriors. “From now on, you’ll observe one sparring session daily. Use the remaining time to refine your skills with what you’ve learned or rest as you wish.” With a stern expression, he added, “But if your skills don’t improve in a month, you won’t remain Death Shadow Corps warriors. You’ll likely die in battle against the Beggar Sect.”
The warriors’ eyes gleamed like beasts. They feared not death but wasting time and being buried without soaring.
Now, ready to take flight, fear was absent.
“Whose sparring are we watching?” Wi Cheongyeong asked.
Bu Eunseol looked at Hyeok Sojin. “You’ll spar with Black Leopard daily in front of the warriors.”
Hyeok Sojin tilted his head. “Sparring… to teach him martial arts?” Having served as an instructor at Muharyeon, he knew teaching refined one’s own skills.
“I said sparring, as if in real combat,” Bu Eunseol clarified.
“But sparring with Black Leopard…” Hyeok Sojin hesitated.
Though talented, Black Leopard was far below his level.
“His martial prowess may not match yours, but he’s experienced countless real battles as a mercenary, roaming the martial world since childhood,” Bu Eunseol explained calmly. “At the Transcendent Realm, improvement lies in enlightenment. Sparring with Black Leopard, who uses varied techniques, will yield insights.”
“Understood,” Hyeok Sojin nodded, no longer objecting.
Bu Eunseol’s words were always right, and this sparring would not be wasted time.
“What about me?” Myo Cheonwoo asked.
“Fight,” Bu Eunseol replied instantly.
“Keep fighting?” Myo Cheonwoo’s shoulders slumped.
For two months, he’d sparred daily with Yoo Unryong, improving drastically but reaching a point where they could dodge each other’s moves blindfolded.
“From now on, with me,” Bu Eunseol said.
Myo Cheonwoo’s face brightened. “With you? That’s great.”
“Both of you,” Bu Eunseol added, glancing between Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong. “Together.”
“What?” Myo Cheonwoo exclaimed.
Yoo Unryong said coldly, “Thanks for that.” In the past, Yoo Unryong’s pride would have led to anger or refusal.
But now he knew Bu Eunseol’s unparalleled prowess and the opportunity to grow through sparring with him.
“Well, Yoo Unryong!” Myo Cheonwoo said, astonished. “You’ve really changed.” Clapping, he added, “A stubborn rock like you, transformed? What a sight.”
“Shut up,” Yoo Unryong snapped.
As they bickered, Won Semun raised his hand. “Leader, may I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Are we only watching the Deputy Leader’s sparring, or can we watch yours too?”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly, “Doesn’t matter. Your choice.”
“Really?”
“But watching the Deputy Leader’s sparring is better. Mine won’t offer you any insights or enlightenment.”
Won Semun nodded.
The warriors, with lower skills, couldn’t yet grasp the subtleties of Bu Eunseol’s martial arts.
“Then let’s begin,” Bu Eunseol said, heading to the back garden.
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong nodded and followed, with Hyeok Sojin, Black Leopard, team leaders, and warriors trailing behind, eager to watch Bu Eunseol and the former Ten Demon Warriors.
Whoosh.
The back garden of Iwha Manor had a lush bamboo forest, though two-thirds had been cleared from frequent training.
Bu Eunseol stopped in the clearing’s center, spreading his hands. “Let’s start.”
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong simultaneously surged their inner energy.
Bu Eunseol versus Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong.
Three former Ten Demon Warriors, once fighting for their lives, were about to engage in a two-against-one duel.
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