Surviving as a Rival in a Martial Arts Novel

Chapter 26 – Forced Apprenticeship (02)

In the end, I, who was a junior instructor, ended up learning swordsmanship.

I wasn’t proud of being a junior instructor, so there was no reluctance in learning the sword. However, it was uncomfortable learning it from Chugum, the head examiner.

‘But I have to become stronger quickly.’

Even if I learned martial arts from my master, who was at best an intermediate level among top-notch experts, and had already fallen below my level, it didn’t make a significant difference in the upcoming confrontation with the high-ranking members of the Heukwoldang.

No matter if it was the martial arts of enemies or vendettas, I was willing to learn anything to become stronger, to protect Saema, and others, and to survive.

“Ha, this guy is clumsy.”

I wasn’t a complete novice when it came to wielding a sword. At least, I had some knowledge of the Blue Heart Glass Swordsmanship.

It was a modification of my master’s Blue Heart Glass Swordsmanship, originally a sword technique, turned into a martial art. It was somewhat familiar to me.

It’s like in old games, when increasing one stat proportionally raises another – a kind of synergy.

“Haah… Haah…”

But now, knowing the Blue Heart Glass Swordsmanship was actually hindering me. While swinging the sword, if I operated the Blue Heart Glass Gong, I involuntarily used the Blue Heart Glass Swordsmanship instead of the Ongnyangcheon Swordsmanship.

It was like having a blank sheet of paper during exercise would be better than developing a mediocre habit. If I continued with this awkward habit, it would take a long time to correct.

Even after training for nearly ten years, the Blue Heart Glass Swordsmanship, which I had practiced diligently, was the first to be wielded, and in that moment, Chugum seized the opportunity to stab his branch into me.

“Kkuuuaaah!”

The blood drawn by Chugum’s stab wasn’t physically dangerous, but it was a bloodstroke that inflicted extreme pain. Even if I made a slight mistake, it would mercilessly stab, causing intense pain lasting around 15 minutes.

“A technique made for self-defense or children. Isn’t it embarrassing?”

“Kuk……!”

I was frustrated but couldn’t argue.

In the first place, the Blue Heart Glass Gong itself wasn’t a particularly profound martial art, and it was only modified to be easier and lighter to save the unhealthy Saema and protect their well-being. It had clear limitations.

Like Ban Kyu-sung, the fellow who couldn’t become a first-class expert even after learning the martial arts of his mediocre master and realizing it himself, modifying and ascending to the realms of excellence, zenith, and ultimate zenith, unfortunately, I was not a genius of that caliber.

‘What if I had originally chosen Yeon Cheongha…’

Even if I possessed the Five Elements of Yeon Cheongha, there was no way to confirm the content since it wasn’t Yeon Cheongha.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

Enduring the pain of his arm being severed, clenching the sword with gritted teeth, the trembling hands due to pain prevented me from executing proper swordsmanship.

“If it hurts, I can teach you the Heukwol Hyeolma Rasimgong, which alleviates pain. It can quickly increase your inner energy and contribute to skill improvement.”

Mocking me in that manner, even if I ignored it and raised the sword again, the thought of me submitting by asking for Heukwol Hyeolma Rasimgong would not even cross his mind. It was just a matter of messing with my temperament and raising my irritation, so I simply ignored it and lifted the sword again.

“Hmph! A talentless person only has malice.”

Although he said that, it seemed my choice of raising the branch while smiling was to his liking.

Swinging the sword, swinging, and swinging.

In this place with a profound sense of melancholy, even the flow of the sun seemed distorted, making it feel like being covered in mist every day.

Only occasionally, when the sun rose high, could I see the rising and setting sun, and while confirming the meals brought periodically by Chungum and the recovery of my arm, I could only realize that a considerable amount of time had passed.

“This time, it’s the feast of the arm.”

The feast of my left arm, the Golden Moon Bright Sword.

Although it meant brightly illuminating the beautiful moon like silk, since I was swinging the sword in the mist, I couldn’t feel the reflection of moonlight or any other special effect.

But as I exchanged blows with the wooden stick that Chungum regularly brought, one, two, three strikes in a row… I gradually realized that I was getting more accustomed to Okrangcheon’s sword.

“Let’s stop for today and loosen the bandage on your left arm. In the afternoon, I’ll bring a physician.”

“…”

I silently loosened the bandage on my left arm.

When Chungum brought an old man referred to as a medical sage from outside (even though it was someone sheltering nearby in the Simsan Valley), he would examine the condition of my left arm, apply herbs, and it became a routine.

I couldn’t tell the exact timing, but it seemed like I had been changing herbs and bandages about once every two weeks. It had already been six times.

“At least three months.”

Since the incident with Sacheon Blood Clan, I had some time to spare, but I couldn’t help feeling more and more anxious.

The Black Moon Society had openly attacked the Sacheon Blood Clan early on, and now they had even escaped with the Ninth Clan Leader, Chugum. I couldn’t be sure what would happen next.

“If possible, I hope we can defeat Chugum as soon as possible and return…”

But first, I had to recover and achieve the Okrang Heavenly Sword.

Not only was there a reason why Chugum wouldn’t let me go, but if the Black Moon Society started to reveal themselves due to Chugum’s escape, the teenage clan leaders would start moving.

Chugum, the inspector of the Supreme Martial Arts, was the Ninth Clan Leader.

Of course, numbers were not absolute power in the Black Moon Society, but those with fewer numbers generally had stronger martial skills. No matter how much I fought, I couldn’t even make it into the top six.

“To face those guys… I can’t rely on my martial skills right now.”

No matter how highly I thought of myself, the achievement of the Okrang Heavenly Sword I was currently using was below 2 stars.

With this level, if I met a teenage clan leader, I would be killed on the spot. If it wasn’t someone unusual and less involved with the Black Moon Society like Chugum, I would definitely be either killed or used as a hostage, becoming a real cuckold, attacking the woman I loved.

“I still need more training.”

While thinking that, I was called by Yuno, who had finished checking my wounds and was absentmindedly poking at my hand.

“That’s enough. From today, you can take off the bandages.”

As I tensed up at the thought of applying cold herbs again, I looked at the one-eyed doctor with curiosity and asked.

“Don’t I need to apply the herbs anymore?”

“No need anymore. You’re also a master at the peak, so can’t you heal these wounds on your own?”

After hearing those words, I looked at my left arm that had been treated with herbs for the past few months.

When I changed the bandages, my arm looked like a honeycomb, all torn up. But now, after removing the herbs, there were scars here and there, giving it a gruesome appearance, but at least the flesh wasn’t being torn apart and it was healing well.

“Tsk! How shameless of that Okmyeoncheongeom guy to suddenly rush to raise a disciple.”

“I am not a disciple. I have a separate master.”

“Ha! Learning Okrangcheongeom, which is his signature weapon, and claiming not to be a disciple. What an audacious guy.”

“I am learning by observing.”

Upon hearing my audacious words, Uino had a gaze that saw both Chugum and Nana as the same person.

“Wow… a guy who doesn’t understand what I’m saying. Move your fingers then.”

After confirming that the fingers of my left arm moved separately, the one-eyed old man, whose lap emitted a musty smell, threw me an ointment.

“This will heal your wounds quickly. Well, there might be some scars left, but a martial artist like you won’t complain about such small scars, right?”

Given that my arm had completely transformed into a pulverized state, just functioning properly was a great relief. So, without questioning the doctor, I obediently took the ointment.

“Hmm! Instead of gratitude, why don’t you bring some valuable herbs?”

“I will repay you generously once I escape from here.”

“I have never seen someone like them who don’t reward any of those guys.”

Although he said that, he carefully explained how to apply the ointment, even applying it thinly to the ends of my shoulders, which my hands couldn’t easily reach. Then, he picked up his own travel bag.

“Okmyeoncheongeom, you! Hurry up and send me home!”

“Is it already over? You’re faster than usual.”

“Yes. Now that I’m fully healed, if you suddenly pretend to have an armache and complain, I’ll just beat you up.”

“That guy is so tough. He doesn’t even complain when his arm is cut off.”

‘But it hurts for me too…?’

I was just quietly enduring because showing pain in front of the enemy would only reveal my weakness.

“Then, take the old man from the back room to his home and come back to play with the sword.”

While the investigation was on hold, I unraveled the bandage on my left arm, feeling the sensation for the first time in a while. I moved my fingers.

“No issues with movement.”

Being a peak master, I knew I had some recovery ability, but still, it was impressive how my fingers had fully recovered without any functional damage.

Although I couldn’t fathom his identity, Doctor Euno undoubtedly possessed tremendous medical skills.

“Now, can I truly learn the post-Consummation of the Ancient Oak Heaven Sword?”

After the Consummation, maintaining balance and harmony in the body became crucial, making it impossible to cast the sword while my arm was bound. In fact, other Oak Heaven Swords required the use of both arms to balance and unleash their full power, so the sensation would be different from what I experienced so far…

Sararalak…

Raising the sword, I slowly wielded the first form of the Oak Heaven Sword, the Ice-Cold Sword, causing mist to gather around. As I swung the sword downward, dew began to collect on the blade.

It was like a modern refrigerant dehumidifier, cooling the surrounding moisture. Although it didn’t emit cold air like Ice Mastery, lowering the sword’s temperature made it sturdier, enhancing its effect.

“Uh…!”

Accustomed to wielding the sword with only my right arm while the left was bound, I inadvertently let my left arm dangle when both were intact. However, recalling the movements demonstrated by Chugeom, I placed my left arm where it should be and found it easier to balance.

Buwoong!

The sound of the sword slicing through the air intensified, and the mist gradually retreated. From the first form to the arm form, using the Oak Heaven Sword I had learned so far, I swung, and as I did, my inner energy followed, making my body more lively, like dancing a spirited dance.

“To someone watching, it might look like I’m drunkenly humming and dancing.”

Yet, there was strength in these movements, infused with the aura and subtleties of the Oak Heaven Sword. Even if it was called the Oak Heaven Blade instead of the Oak Heaven Sword, it was powerful enough to shatter surroundings, resonating with the terrain.

Srrrlrrrk…

Until something ominous emerged from beyond the mist.

“Chugeom… Did you think hiding here would keep our Black Moon Sect from finding you…?”

In the mist, a monstrous figure clad in black, with spider-like limbs extending, revealed itself.

In the midst of the absence of the Chugum, a tracker from the Black Moon Faction revealed themselves.