I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 109

< A Wealthy Lay Disciple 1 >

“Then please impart your supreme martial art, Master. I will ensure your reputation remains untarnished.”

Kwon Jung-won chuckled and shook his head.

“You don’t even know where you are right now, do you?”

“Pardon?”

“This is Mount Hua.”

“Mount Hua…? The Mount Hua Sect?”

“Yes, that Mount Hua of the Nine Great Sects.”

Kwon Jung-won recounted everything that had happened from the moment Jo Gwang-yun was struck by the sword and collapsed to when he opened his eyes.

“So, I essentially swallowed Mount Hua’s ultimate treasure, the Jahashindan [a mystical elixir or treasure that embodies Mount Hua’s essence].”

“Indeed. You devoured eighty years of Mount Hua’s history in one gulp. Heh heh.”

“Eighty years…”

He would have felt less burdened if it were eighty thousand *geun* [a Korean unit of weight, approximately 600 grams] of gold.

Money, regardless of the era, is the most excellent measure that can accurately and objectively inform everyone of its value.

Even if the nature of Gangwon-do in South Korea is magnificent, each South Korean thinks of its value differently—some as a golf course, others as the autumn foliage of Seorak Mountain.

However, the economic value of Gangwon-do, which amounts to 150 trillion won, including 19 trillion won for forest water storage, 7 trillion won for forest water purification, and 18 trillion won for air purification, is the same for everyone.

However, time and history are values that are difficult to convert into money.

Jo Gwang-yun, well aware of the Mount Hua Sect’s prestige, was at a loss as to how to repay the eighty years of Mount Hua’s history.

“Therefore, the martial art you must learn and practice is not my skill, but Mount Hua’s skill.”

“Yes? What…? Are you saying that I, who am not a disciple of Mount Hua, should learn Mount Hua’s martial arts?”

“Making the world know that Mount Hua’s plum blossoms are superior to Wudang’s Tai Chi is also included in the price of taking the Jahashindan.”

He would have been more comfortable if that were the case.

Isn’t the history of a *Kangho* [martial arts world] sect ultimately created by the accumulation of time spent pursuing strength?

Jo Gwang-yun met his master’s eyes and carefully asked.

“Are you alright with this?”

“With what?”

“With your disciple learning a martial art other than your own.”

“It doesn’t matter what martial art you learn.”

“I understand what you mean, Master.”

As Jo Gwang-yun emphasized the title of Master, Kwon Jung-won smiled and stood up.

“Let’s go down now. The people you need to greet must be waiting eagerly.”

* * *

Jo Gwang-yun bowed deeply to everyone, including the Mount Hua Sect Leader, his disciples, and even Noh Hye-gwang, without exception.

“My training is short, so I don’t know any other way to show my sincerity. I will not forget your grace.”

As soon as Jo Gwang-yun finished his greetings, the Sect Leader cleared his throat briefly and gestured to Noh Hye-gwang.

Noh Hye-gwang, seeing the Sect Leader’s blinking eyes, was clueless and stared blankly until the Sect Leader bit his lower lip tightly and turned his gaze fierce.

Only then did Noh Hye-gwang grasp the Sect Leader’s intention and let out a short sigh. It was an order to say what needed to be said as the next Sect Leader.

Noh Hye-gwang opened his mouth, swallowing his embarrassment.

“Of course, you should. If you don’t know gratitude, you’re no different from beasts. A man’s revenge is not too late even after ten years, but gratitude should be repaid quickly and often whenever the opportunity arises! If you are a real man!”

None of the Mount Hua elders were unaware of the meaning of these words, and their faces turned red.

There was no way Jo Gwang-yun, who was quick-witted, would not know the true meaning of these words. Jo Gwang-yun responded with the words the Sect Leader wanted to hear.

“Of course. In the future, if Mount Hua needs strength or money, I will mobilize everything I have to help. And… I have quite a lot. Please don’t hesitate to let me know whenever you need anything.”

The Sect Leader’s face brightened as if he had heard the answer he wanted to hear.

“Well, if you want to show that much sincerity, I won’t refuse.”

Noh Hye-gwang was mortified by the Sect Leader’s unnecessary words, who should have kept his mouth shut until the end.

The best way to hide embarrassment is to change the subject.

“We have no way to judge your martial arts yet since you haven’t even started, so let’s see how your inner energy moves. We can also check the effects of the Jahashindan.”

Noh Hye-gwang wanted to know the most 궁금한 것부터 알고 싶었다 [Korean: wanted to know what he was most curious about].

“I am sorry, but I have not yet learned how to use my inner energy to move my body.”

Not only Noh Hye-gwang but everyone else looked disappointed. Wasn’t this the guy who absorbed Mount Hua’s energy for a whole day? It was dumbfounding that such a guy didn’t know how to use inner energy.

At this moment, Kwon Jung-won smiled and said.

“It’s not difficult. Just as your muscles use strength when you need it, inner energy will naturally come out when you need it. Give it a try. I’m curious too.”

Kwon Jung-won threw the sword hanging from his waist.

“Swing that sword as if you’re going to cut this guy in half with one strike.”

Kwon Jung-won also pushed Noh Hye-gwang’s back.

“You draw your sword too. And block the sword that guy is swinging down. You have to feel it with your body.”

Jo Gwang-yun grabbed the sword in a daze, but Noh Hye-gwang drew his sword as if he was delighted.

“It doesn’t make sense for me to cross swords with the Mount Hua’s best swordsman. Please tell me an easier way.”

“What? Cross swords? Hahaha.”

Noh Hye-gwang burst into laughter when he saw Jo Gwang-yun, who was flustered, trying to step back.

“Crossing swords is something that will only be possible a hundred years from now… Did you hear what Master said? Just think of it as splitting me in half and swing the sword vertically. That’s enough.”

Jo Gwang-yun gripped the sword tightly with his trembling hands and then released the force again.

The habit from when he trained in the Danhon Sword Technique before meeting his master came out naturally. His head had forgotten, but his body remembered.

“Oh ho. He’s not a complete novice by the way he’s holding the sword?”

Noh Hye-gwang swung his sword leisurely and seemed a little surprised as he looked at Jo Gwang-yun’s wrist.

It was fortunate that the only thing he had learned was the Danhon Sword Technique.

Isn’t it a simple sword technique that pursues quick strikes? He thought he could at least swing it once.

Jo Gwang-yun stood in front of Noh Hye-gwang with his sword in hand. As he lightly lowered his head, Noh Hye-gwang muttered in a low voice.

“If you’re still weak after taking the Jahashindan, our Mount Hua might die of frustration. So squeeze out every last bit of strength and give it your all.”

“I will.”

Jo Gwang-yun slowly raised his sword.

When the sword reached its peak, he struck down with all his might.

When Noh Hye-gwang raised his sword above his head to block Jo Gwang-yun’s sword, his arms tingled.

The eyes of everyone watching that moment widened.

They thought he would block the sword lightly, but they didn’t miss the fact that Noh Hye-gwang’s wrist was slightly bent.

The most surprised was Jo Gwang-yun.

It felt as if an invisible energy was rushing into his body like a tide and then receding like an ebb tide to his wrist. And it wasn’t just a one-time thing, but continuously like waves.

Moreover, his body was shaking. He could also feel energy rapidly circulating throughout his body. This wasn’t the blood that his heart was pumping out. It was as if there was another heart deep in his lower abdomen that was emitting energy.

As he became accustomed to the changes in his body, the surprise disappeared, and joy replaced it.

He put more strength into the two hands holding the sword and pressed down on the sword.

A cracking sound rang out from under their feet.

The bluestone that was densely laid on the floor of the training hall began to crack, and soon the bluestone around their feet turned to powder.

It was clear at a glance that Jo Gwang-yun was giving it his all. His outer robe fluttered because of the swirling energy.

However, Noh Hye-gwang was as still as a statue, and the flow of energy was not revealed.

Kwon Jung-won couldn’t help but admire Noh Hye-gwang.

The efficient operation of conveying that enormous energy that he was pouring out with all his might only through the sword without a single grain of waste. How many people can do this?

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Noh Hye-gwang began to push back Jo Gwang-yun’s sword little by little.

Seeing this, Kwon Jung-won felt a pang of regret. His disciple only knew how to pour out energy but didn’t know how to 收 거두는 법 [Chinese: shōu gé tóu de fǎ – the method of withdrawing/reaping]. Moreover, looking at that expression, which seemed to be enjoying himself as if he were playing, he didn’t even seem to have any intention of withdrawing his sword.

He wondered if he should help, but looking at the way Noh Hye-gwang was moving his sword, it seemed unnecessary.

His sword slowly rose, and eventually, the situation was reversed. Now, Noh Hye-gwang was pressing down on the sword, and Jo Gwang-yun had to bear the brunt of that momentum.

For the time it takes to drink another cup of tea, Noh Hye-gwang slowly withdrew his momentum, and Jo Gwang-yun also realized his intention and released his strength.

When it became completely calm, Noh Hye-gwang put away his sword and let out a long sigh.

“I stand corrected. A few years is enough, not a hundred years. Terrifying.”

The one word ‘a few years’ tells us that Mount Hua’s efforts have not been in vain.

Everyone was relieved like Noh Hye-gwang, but only Jo Gwang-yun was still dazed. After pouring out the swirling energy from his whole body, he felt refreshed as if he had completely removed the accumulated grime.

And it feels like new vitality is filling his body.

Kwon Jung-won was the only one who was carefully observing Jo Gwang-yun’s current appearance. Except for him, the rest were busy gathering around Noh Hye-gwang to check Jo Gwang-yun’s profound level of inner energy.

“How is it? Are you tired? Or did you feel like you could keep going?”

Jo Gwang-yun answered Kwon Jung-won’s question without hesitation.

“It didn’t seem like it would ever end. I feel like I can do it as much as you want right now.”

Kwon Jung-won clenched his fist at this answer. He finished the last confirmation.

Noh Hye-gwang, who came to Jo Gwang-yun’s side, smiled and put his arm around his shoulder.

“I will teach you directly. I have no intention of receiving the disciple’s courtesy. Just think of me as a medium for transmitting Mount Hua’s martial arts.”

Noh Hye-gwang glanced at the Sect Leader. The Sect Leader was still smiling, so it was as good as permission.

“Of course, you will become a lay disciple, but I have no intention of forcing you to fulfill your duties as a Mount Hua disciple.”

“Noh Dae-hyeop [Noh, the Great Hero]. But…”

“Ah…! Get rid of that Dae-hyeop title and just call me 형님 Hyung-nim [Korean: older brother]. Why? You don’t even want to become sworn brothers with me?”

Noh Hye-gwang was overjoyed, not caring about Jo Gwang-yun’s embarrassed expression.

“Think about it carefully. This body is none other than Mount Hua’s best swordsman. If you gather all the guys who want to become sworn brothers with me, you’ll have to line them up from here to the bottom of the mountain. And there are even more guys who want to learn a bit of my teachings. This is not an opportunity that comes easily.”

“I am really grateful just for your words, but…”

“Then that’s settled. Let’s see… For the basics of swordsmanship, you’ll learn the Six Harmony Sword Technique (六合劍法), and then you’ll master the Thirty-Six Divine Sword Forms of Plum Blossoms (梅花三十六神劍形) and the Twenty-Four Hand Plum Blossom Sword Technique (二十四手梅花劍法), and for footwork, 청운 Cheongun [Azure Cloud Steps] and 구궁보 Gugungbo [Nine Palaces Steps] should be enough.”

Jo Gwang-yun sighed and looked at Noh Hye-gwang.

“How long will it take to master all of that to the level of imitation?”

“Look at this guy. Imitation! You have to master it to the point where it’s passable. I’m teaching you directly.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I know you’re smart, and your bones are beyond question, and your inner energy supports you, so five years? Six years? That should be enough.”

“Are you saying that five or six years based on the standard of training in some deep training hall here in Mount Hua?”

“Of course. What else? Were you thinking of training while playing around?”

“No.”

Noh Hye-gwang was satisfied with Gwang-yun’s answer, but he had to listen to the end.

“I plan to train in my spare time. I will definitely keep my word that I will repay your grace. But it’s also my position that I can’t abandon all the work I’ve started and devote myself to martial arts training in the mountains for several years.”

Noh Hye-gwang’s face turned red as if it would explode at the word ‘spare time’. But Jo Gwang-yun’s words were not over yet.

“Since I have to train on my own, please give me a few textbooks… Ah, no… Please give me a handwritten copy of the martial arts book. Is it forbidden to take out even copies?”

< A Wealthy Lay Disciple 1 > End