The Rising Martial Arts Genius

Chapter 8: Trial

Blue Star Sect’s Footwork Technique

The light footwork of the Blue Star Sect was said to be no less than Mount Hua’s Secret Fragrance Steps.

While sparring with the two disciples of the Blue Star Sect, Jang Woo-hyun managed to steal the movements of Blue Star Sect’s Footwork Technique.

Their movements quickly sorted themselves in his mind, and he began to understand the basics of footwork.

When viewed as flat, the basics of footwork are in four directions.

Of course, it can be further divided into eight or sixteen directions, but the most fundamental directions are forward, backward, left, and right.

Front, back, left, and right.

The front is for attacking, the sides are for dodging, and the back is for retreating.

The White Tiger Step of the Tiger Form Sword, which he was currently learning, was a simple, one-directional footwork focused solely on advancing and attacking.

In contrast, Blue Star Sect’s Footwork Technique did not lean in one direction.

It moved according to the situation, adapting to the attack, and leaving all possibilities open.

It might be the most basic footwork.

Blue Star Sect’s Footwork Technique was a martial art that matched the Blue Star Sect’s sword, which stayed true to the basics.

Naturally, it was far superior to the White Tiger Step.

From Blue Star Sect’s Footwork Technique, Jang Woo-hyun saw the fundamentals of footwork and began to grasp how to move forward.

***

“Do you really not know?”

A sharp-looking young man in his twenties squatted in front of Go Sang-mook and asked again.

The man’s name was Gal Pyeong.

He was the grandson of Gal Yoon, the elder of the Cloud Sword Sect, and the one who brought Asura Sword Sect to their door.

“Y-Yes! I swear, I don’t know! A person, no, a scoundrel suddenly appeared and did that to the Elder and Sect Leader!”

“Unbelievable. My grandfather put so much effort into this, and some random guy came and destroyed everything.”

Gal Pyeong was the only one aware of Gal Yoon’s plan.

A few years from now, when he returned, he planned to take over the Cloud Sword Sect.

But when he came back a bit earlier, his grandfather was already dead.

Not only that, but the Sect Leader of the Cloud Sword Sect was dead as well.

“Pyeong, what will you do now?”

“Hyung-nim.”

A young man in flashy clothes approached Gal Pyeong’s side.

“I’m not sure. I need to find the guy who caused this mess, but since he has no known connections, I’m not sure how easy it will be.”

“Don’t worry. I, Sang Mun-cheon, will help you. I’ll take care of everything, so let’s wrap this up.”

Sang Mun-cheon was a newly appointed sub-sect leader of the Asura Sword Sect.

Originally, he was only a candidate for the position, but with Gal Pyeong’s help, he managed to defeat his rivals and secure the position.

Since then, the two had become sworn brothers.

“If it’s Gui Province, then the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect should handle it. Chief Choi.”

At Sang Mun-cheon’s call, a man with a blank expression stood behind him.

“Put in a request with the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect. Have them track down the one responsible for what happened to the Cloud Sword Sect. And… make sure to bring him back alive.”

Sang Mun-cheon, who had another agenda in mind, gave an order to bring the killer back alive under the guise of helping Gal Pyeong.

‘Not even half a year into training in martial arts, and he’s already on the verge of becoming a first-rate martial artist? And at thirty?’

This was written in a letter he found in Gal Yoon’s room.

Even he, who had been called a genius since childhood, couldn’t have achieved that.

But still, it piqued his curiosity.

That’s why he ordered the man to be brought alive.

‘It’s probably not true, but the guy must have something special.’

Although he felt sorry for his sworn brother, if the guy had real talent, it would be a waste to just kill him.

Since he had eliminated or been killed by quite a few sect members while competing for the sub-sect leader position, Sang Mun-cheon was in need of talented people.

If the guy had a special talent, he planned to make him his subordinate.

There were various ways to achieve that.

Thinking something completely different from Gal Pyeong, Sang Mun-cheon spoke.

“Oh, and get rid of everyone here.”

With Sang Mun-cheon’s second order, the Cloud Sword Sect disappeared from the martial world that day.

***

In Sichuan Province, three major powers had long established themselves.

The Blue Star Sect on Mount Qingcheng, the Emei Sect on Mount Emei, and the Sichuan Tang Clan, one of the Five Great Families.

To avoid conflict with these existing powers, the Demon Extermination Sect had no choice but to settle in a remote area, not in the heart of Sichuan.

A small village on the border between Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces.

That village was completely transformed when the Demon Extermination Sect settled nearby.

The small village disappeared, and a new city was built.

This was something neither the Nine Sects nor the Five Great Families could easily accomplish.

It was possible because the imperial family was backing the Demon Extermination Sect.

Jang Woo-hyun entered the newly created, pristine city.

At the end of the main road stood a high wall.

And inside that wall was a large complex of buildings—the sect that had been established to face the Thousand Demon Sect, the Demon Extermination Sect.

From what he had learned, there were two ways to enter the Demon Extermination Sect.

The regular entrance exam and the special entrance exam.

The regular exam was held at set times, and the difficulty was low, allowing most to be accepted.

Even those without martial arts training could enter and be taught martial arts.

The special exam could be taken at any time, but it was much more difficult, and passing it was rare.

Naturally, the number of people aiming for the special exam was very small.

After all, those coming to the Demon Extermination Sect were not usually skilled in martial arts.

Aiming for the special exam, Jang Woo-hyun headed straight for the Demon Extermination Sect.

When he reached the main gate, martial artists stopped him.

“Halt. You don’t appear to be from the Demon Extermination Sect. What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to take the entrance exam.”

“Exam? It’s not the exam period… Ah! Are you here for the special exam?”

It had been so long since someone had come for the special exam that the gatekeeper was slightly surprised.

When Jang Woo-hyun confirmed he was there for the special exam, the gatekeeper raised his hand and pointed to a building.

“Do you see that building over there?”

It was a building protruding from the sect’s wall, quite a distance from the main gate.

“The special exam is held over there. I wish you good luck.”

After bowing in response to the gatekeeper’s greeting, Jang Woo-hyun headed toward the building he had pointed out.

He had walked a few steps when someone, after speaking with the gatekeeper, approached him from behind.

“Are you here to take the special exam too?”

Turning his head, Jang Woo-hyun saw the face of a man in his late twenties with small eyes and a stubby nose.

“My name is Hwang An. I came to take the special exam as well. I saw you at the inn and decided to follow you.”

Even though Jang Woo-hyun hadn’t replied, Hwang An continued to speak on his own.

“You must be confident in your skills. The special exam of the Demon Extermination Sect is just in name; it’s rare for anyone to take it.”

As they walked, Jang Woo-hyun glanced sideways at him and muttered a word that came to mind.

“Hao Sect?”

“Hm? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“If not, then Beggar’s Sect?”

Unlike when Jang Woo-hyun mentioned Hao Sect, when he said Beggar’s Sect, Hwang An’s body flinched slightly.

“Hmm, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Got it.”

The situation was similar to the novels Jang Woo-hyun had read before arriving in this world.

Typically, the people who babbled like this were either members of Beggar’s Sect or Hao Sect, both known for dealing in information.

So he took a guess, and Hwang An’s reaction confirmed it.

“Looks like a cliché. Or is it just expected?”

“What are you talking about?”

Hwang An asked, frowning, but Jang Woo-hyun ignored him and laughed to himself.

It was cliché, but in a way, it was also natural.

The Demon Extermination Sect wasn’t a typical sect of the martial world.

It would make sense for the existing powers to pay attention to it.

Moreover, he was one of the rare applicants for the special exam, so it wasn’t surprising that he attracted attention.

At first, Jang Woo-hyun thought about distancing himself from Hwang An, suspecting ulterior motives.

But he quickly changed his mind.

Since he still lacked knowledge about this world, he figured he could use Hwang An to his advantage.

‘He seems to be from Beggar’s Sect, so he might be useful in some way.’

After all, they were beggars who dealt in information.

“Hwang Hyung, you’re here for the exam too?”

“Weren’t you listening to what I said?”

“Then let’s take it together. Ah, my name is Jang Woo-hyun. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

As they continued talking, they arrived at the building the gatekeeper had pointed out.

Upon entering, they saw a large space with a long, high desk at the far end, where a man was seated.

The man, seemingly idle, was nodding off.

Jang Woo-hyun approached and knocked on the desk.

“Ah! I wasn’t asleep!”

The man, startled, jumped up and straightened his posture.

Then, after glancing around, he spotted Jang Woo-hyun and Hwang An and widened his eyes.

“W-What can I do for you?”

“We’ve come to take the exam.”

“Exam?”

The man, looking confused, tilted his head for a moment before he came to his senses.

“Ah! The special exam! My apologies, it’s been so long since someone came for the special exam that I forgot. Please fill this out first.”

He handed them a piece of paper and a small brush, and both Jang Woo-hyun and Hwang An began to fill out the required fields.

[Name – Jang Woo-hyun
Age – Thirty
Affiliation – None]

At one section, Jang Woo-hyun paused.

– It’s better to hide the duration of your martial arts training. If people discover your talent, some will envy you and others, like Gal Yoon, will try to use you. Your path will become more difficult. So hide your skills as much as possible, and extend your training period as much as you can. Aside from me, no one knows how long you’ve been training.

This was advice Yang Hyo-myung had given him during their last meeting.

He was right.

Jang Woo-hyun’s talent was not normal.

That’s probably why Gal Yoon had acted so rashly.

Although he couldn’t yet hide his martial arts skills, he would if he figured out how.

‘I remember hearing that in the martial world, one should always hide at least 30% of their skills.’

It was a well-known saying.

Just as the saying went, it was best to conceal your skills when possible.

After briefly organizing his thoughts, Jang Woo-hyun filled in the section on his training period.

[Training period – Fifteen years.]

[Weapon used – Sword.]

After filling in a few more sections, he handed the paper to the receptionist, while Hwang An glanced over it with quick-moving eyes.

“Warrior Jang and Warrior Hwang, both of you. Please have a seat and wait a moment, and I’ll guide you to the exam hall shortly.”

With those words, the receptionist disappeared through a door at the back.

Not long after, he returned with a middle-aged man sporting a goatee.

“Greetings. I’m Cho-su, the examiner. If you’re ready, we can begin the exam right away… Is that alright?”

Jang Woo-hyun turned to ask for Hwang An’s opinion, and just as he did, their gazes met in midair.

Without saying a word, both nodded.

With that, the special exam for entry into the Demon Extermination Sect began.