"Hey."
"Huh?"
Ungeom lowered his head and glanced at the boy walking beside him.
'This kid's quite bold.'
Anyone placed in a new environment would naturally feel cautious. A child entering an unfamiliar place like Hwasan should be terrified, but this boy showed no such signs. His sluggish steps radiated annoyance, not nervousness.
Ungeom observed Chung Myung with a curious gaze. Suddenly, Chung Myung asked,
"When was Baekmaegwan established?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I heard most martial sects teach through master-disciple relationships."
"Hmm."
"But everyone's gathered there, which seems a bit odd."
Ungeom's eyebrow twitched.
'He's hitting a sore spot.'
Traditionally, Hwasan also followed the master-disciple system. New disciples would be paired with a senior, who would strictly teach them Hwasan's laws. These relationships formed the foundation of the great Hwasan sect.
This system collapsed due to Hwasan's decline.
"It's not strange. They just thought it was more efficient."
"Then does even the sect leader stay at Baekmaegwan?"
"...No."
Chung Myung nodded slightly. Ungeom frowned at his reaction.
'What a strange kid.'
This answer wouldn't have satisfied most, but Chung Myung seemed to accept it and lost interest.
'What exactly did he understand?'
New disciples were all sent to Baekmaegwan, meaning Ungeom, as its overseer, was the first to assess them. He'd seen many children, but this one felt different. Not exactly childlike in his composure.
'An interesting kid has joined.'
While Ungeom pondered, Chung Myung was thinking something entirely different.
'They've fled.'
He could roughly guess the situation.
Hwasan's population had drastically dwindled. Compared to the era when he charged into the Ten Thousand Mountains, the number of third-generation disciples had plummeted. If even half remained, Hwasan wouldn't be this empty. In other words...
'Most of them left Hwasan.'
The decline wasn't sudden. But as a sinking ship loses passengers, disciples left one by one, leaving few to teach.
It's manageable if those without disciples leave. But when long-standing members with disciples abandon the sect, the remaining disciples have nowhere to go. Other masters can only take so many.
Thus, this system emerged as a last resort. Gathering disciples in one place for group training reduced the need for many masters.
"Tsk."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
'What does it matter?'
Change from the past isn't inherently bad. Unlike his rigid past self, Chung Myung was pragmatic. Results mattered more than tradition. If Baekmaegwan helped sustain Hwasan, so be it. Though it left a bitter taste...
'The children who had to create Baekmaegwan must've been heartbroken.'
Understanding their pain made Chung Myung a bit melancholic.
'No. This isn't the time for such thoughts.'
Others could wallow in sadness. Chung Myung's task was to restore Hwasan to its former glory, not be swayed by emotions.
'Three training grounds, huh.'
Before him lay the three training grounds. A large open space with a high platform at the top, filled with young children.
'Huh?'
Chung Myung tilted his head.
There were more third-generation disciples than expected. Compared to the past, it was a handful, but considering Hwasan's current state, they'd recruited quite a few.
"Draw swords!"
"Hyaaah!"
At the command, swords pointed forward in unison.
'Huh?'
Chung Myung watched curiously. Hwasan was known for its free-spirited nature. While criticized for being too secular, it wasn't due to neglecting Taoist teachings. They believed forcing Taoist principles contradicted the Tao itself.
Thus, large-scale training sessions were rare. Respecting individuality was Hwasan's way.
'Fascinating.'
Seeing over a hundred disciples practicing the same sword form was intriguing.
Even Chung Myung had only experienced such training when learning the Seven Stars Sword Formation with his seniors. And that involved just seven people.
"Sheathe swords!"
Whoosh!
A hundred swords flipped in unison, gleaming.
Chung Myung couldn't help but exclaim,
"Wow..."
"Impressed?"
"..."
Ungeom's lips curled into a faint smile.
"No need to be amazed. Train hard, and you'll be like them soon."
"...Uh-huh."
Chung Myung's response was odd, but Ungeom assumed he was too awestruck to speak properly.
Of course, Chung Myung was thinking the opposite.
'What on earth are they doing?'
His eyes narrowed further.
"Thrust!"
The children in uniforms lunged forward, thrusting their swords with precision and force.
"Um..."
"Yes?"
"What sword technique is that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ah... the sword style."
Ungeom nodded in understanding.
"The technique your seniors are demonstrating is called Yukhap Sword."
"Yu, Yukhap?"
"Yes. Specifically, True Yukhap Sword. A more practical version of the Yukhap Sword passed down in Hwasan. It's the foundation of all Hwasan martial arts."
"..."
"It's not easy to master, but with dedication, you'll see results. Join them at the back. It'll feel awkward at first, but consider today about getting a feel for it. Detailed instruction will come within the week."
Chung Myung walked to the back, looking utterly defeated.
'He must be intimidated.'
Ungeom frowned slightly.
'Kids these days lack spirit.'
Then again...
Ungeom glanced at the children.
It was natural for a young boy to be intimidated seeing his seniors train with real swords. Even the boldest kids trembled at the sight of real blades.
He'd get used to it, but it was best not to expect too much from him.
Meanwhile, Chung Myung was thinking something entirely different.
'What the hell are they doing? These lunatics.'
Practical?
Practical?
Are you kidding me?
What's an entry-level martial art?
It's the foundation taught to blank-slate beginners. Like teaching the alphabet before literature.
But teaching advanced techniques to beginners? Sure, they'll progress faster—briefly. But can they truly grasp the depth?
This is ruining them.
'Well, whatever.'
Desperation might justify such shortcuts. The Yukhap Sword wasn't as profound as the classics, but still...
"At least teach it properly."
"Huh?"
"What?"
His thoughts slipped out, drawing the children's attention. Chung Myung blinked, then shook his head. The kids stared at him, puzzled.
Just then, the second-generation disciple on the platform barked,
"Who's distracted during training?"
"Eek!"
"S-sorry!"
"All of you, horse stance!"
"Ugh!"
The children groaned, assuming the stance with swords balanced on their hands and knees bent. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
The second-generation disciple's gaze shifted to Chung Myung.
"You."
"Yes?"
"Why aren't you in horse stance?"
"I wasn't distracted."
"..."
"..."
The disciple glared, then nodded. He wasn't wrong.
"Continue! Sheathe swords!"
Commands resumed.
Chung Myung gazed at the sky as the second-generation disciple demonstrated on the platform.
The sky was so blue.
Not a cloud in sight—much like Hwasan's bleak future.
'How do I fix this?'
Becoming the world's strongest wasn't hard. He had deep experience and a long future ahead. Not becoming the strongest would be harder.
But Hwasan was different.
No money. No people. Martial arts in shambles. Rebuilding Hwasan as a third-generation disciple was harder than a worm becoming a dragon.
"Sigh..."
Just then, a sharp voice reached his ears.
"Hey."
"...Huh?"
"You're the newbie, right?"
"..."
'Newbie? Among third-generation disciples? How far has this sect fallen?'
"So?"
"We'll talk later. You're not getting off easy."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
"Fine, but answer one thing first."
"Are you insane? Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Just answer. Then you can do whatever you want."
"What?"
"What else do you learn here besides this?"
"This?"
"That Yukhap thing."
"After True Yukhap Sword, you learn Chilhyun Sword. Then, after graduating Baekmaegwan, you learn Socheong Sword Art."
"Socheong?"
"Yeah. After that, you can learn the Taeul Milri Sword, the essence of Hwasan's martial arts."
"...Taeul Milri Sword?"
"Yeah!"
"Taeul Milri?"
Chung Myung's eyebrow twitched uncontrollably.
No way.
It can't be.
"J-just one more question."
"What?"
"W-when do you learn the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art?"
"...What's that?"
"The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art! The essence of Hwasan's martial arts!"
The boy frowned.
"What are you talking about? Hwasan doesn't have that."
"...It doesn't?"
"Nope. Never heard of it."
"Gulp."
A strange sound escaped Chung Myung's mouth.
"T-the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art doesn't exist? And you're learning Taeul Milri instead?"
Blood vessels bulged in Chung Myung's eyes.
'Senior Brother.'
'The Taeul Milri Sword is too Taoist and weak. At this point, we might as well discard it. What do you think?'
'It's unusable. Let's discard it boldly.'
'But it's a legacy of our ancestors...'
'Then remove it from the curriculum to avoid confusing the disciples.'
'Hmm. That's a good idea. Let's do that.'
'Senior Brother.'
'The kids are learning Taeul Milri Sword.'
'Damn it all. Forget rebuilding Hwasan. I'll die of a stroke before that happens!'
"Who's causing a ruckus? You two, come forward now!"
"Ugh. You're dead later!"
"..."
A massive vein popped on Chung Myung's forehead.