Episode 156

A month passed.

The training for the members continued, and there was a slight change in Baek Yu and Eun Geum’s evaluation.

Chak!

First of all, the person who stood out the most was Imugi.

He had previously received a low grade but had now risen to a middle grade. His skills were a lot better than they were before.

Swish!

Specifically for that blade technique that he did.

The main reason for his improvement despite not having much physical or internal energy was he could now use the blade properly.

The techniques used by him now looked significantly more concise and efficient.

This was because, as he gradually got used to his blade, he was able to use his techniques more freely.

He was able to utilize a variety of techniques and even modify the movements as needed, and in the end, he had grown to the extent that everyone looked interested.

“That… is that not the technique that the sect uses?”

Eun Geum who was watching Imugi asked.

They had all decided to stay here and stood in as opponents for those they were training.

“Yes, the Demon Spirit Blade technique is Elder Baekhon’s. It is one of his most difficult techniques.”

Answered Baek Yu.

Normal blade usage and blade techniques were different as the latter has an order in movements.

And they were movements with a meaning behind it.

There are also those techniques in which the actions change suddenly according to the opponent’s reaction.

However, that is for general martial arts.

“Actually, the guidance method is a bit different from what the general blade techniques are. There are dozens of movements combined into this one technique and I would have never imagined it to be done this way.”

As Eun Geum said, this method, this technique was unique.

For example, when it was said that a certain technique is wielded and executed, dozens of movements coexisted in the single movement of Demon Spirit Blade technique.

Like a technique within a technique, like half wielding and half attacking.

Normally the unnatural movements are considered good, and it would be better to counterattack or learn from it.

However, this technique was continuing to link one movement to another without leaving a gap in between for even a second.

Depending on the situation, a very short execution of blocking and retreating or instant counters would be impossible.

The reason is that the technique has 64 movements.

And the fact that there are 64 movements in one technique shows how versatile this martial arts technique was.

“With this, there are three in high grade.”

As Eun Geum, who was training them, said, the first two were Jeok Song and Yorim.

And then came the unexpected rise in Imugi.

Unfortunately, Seo Ryeong was in the middle and Yong Jin was still rated low.

“Then we will end here for today.”

When Baek Yu and Eun Geum called the end of the training session and left, the members collapsed.

It was because of the non-stop training starting from morning going all the way until evening.

“Ugh, how do I…”

Yong Jin was the one who sighed the most. Even with the continuous training he was unable to improve the skills which made him feel bad.

“This is normal.”

Seo Ryeong mumbled sitting right next to him.

It wasn’t to point at him but accurately stating the reality.

“That brat Imugi. That man of all moved to High. Going up with the blade technique! There surely has to be a reason that his master hated him.”

Imugi was once hated because of his attempt to mess around with women. And then he asked Seol-Hwi to go find the one who ran.

This was definitely something not many knew about.

“And it is a different martial arts technique from what we learned.”

At Yorim’s words, the others nodded their heads.

The technique they learned was the Unified Elimination technique used by their squad.

Of course, Seol-Hwi did give them an additional two techniques, but they lacked the internal energy and understanding to use them properly.

Swish!

“Huk!”

On the other hand, did something happen?

Imugi didn’t stop his training.

He continued to add movements and tried to make his own martial arts.

Seeing this, Jeok Song said,

“But what is the captain up to? Did he go to someone?”

Yong Jin said,

“I don’t know. We haven’t even seen him in his room.”

“He must be training,”

Said Seo Ryeong.

And the puzzled gazes fell to her when she continued to speak.

“Because he has to climb up to Peak Demon to fight the Supreme Pavilion Lord.”

“Isn’t he already at that level?”

“I thought so too.”

At Jeok Song’s words, Seo Ryeong shook her head.

“He is close to it, but the difference is huge in being at the level and being below it. Everyone has experienced it, right?”

They understood it. Even when they were now at Super Master level, they could feel the difference amongst themselves.

To be precise, the Peak Demon level is a stage which means one was now a demon.

In addition to that there are beginner, middle, and extreme levels in the Peak Demon level.

Three stages.

Just because one touched Peak Demon did not mean anything.

“Uhh, I did a good job.”

“Uhh.”

“Good job.”

Imugi who was done had approached them.

He wiped his sweat off to look at Yong Jin.

“What? Have something to say?”

“How did you get stronger in such a short time?”

“Ah.”

Imugi fell into thought.

For the last month, Yong Jin was suffering due to being the lowest skilled person.

“All you have to do is not worry too much about the special techniques.”

“Special techniques?”

“Right, those divine weapons. You are always using them.”

Imugi continued speaking about the sword Yorim held.

“There, Yorim and Jeok Song showed the skills of the weapons. What about you? The moment you depended on that, your form and technique collapsed.”

Yong Jin turned to them.

“Then.”

“Right.”

Yorim and Jeok Song briefly agreed.

“These special techniques need to be your last resort and are the best that way. Instead, the basics is what everyone needs to focus on as their starting point.”

“Ah…”

It was then that Yong Jin realized what went wrong with his training method.

The special technique which they showed–at first the response was good and they seemed surprised.

But they didn’t get much evaluation on it.

“But did you people hear?”

Everyone turned to Imugi asking “what” with their eyes.

“Today, the captain and vice captain will have a match.”

“…Where?”

“I don’t know.”

Imugi smiled.

“But I am going to find out. Anyone else want to see?”

The crew all stood up as they were not going to miss out on a chance like this.

Shhhh.

There was an afternoon breeze.

At the mountain side two men were looking at each other.

“I heard you are training alone these days.”

Ma Taryong asked.

“I have nothing to learn from him now. After a few training sessions about the Supreme Pavilion Lord’s form, he doesn’t stop by often either.”

“Well, teaching you is something not many can do. Those people cannot further instruct you on what you already possess.”

“I guess so.”

After a brief greeting, Ma Taryong changed the topic.

“I do not know if there is much to gain from fighting me. There is a saying that the Supreme Pavilion Lord is already beyond the Peak Demon level. Hearing that, I think you will have a better chance elsewhere since you are stronger than me too.”

“I will learn a lot from you. You might not know it, but I haven’t yet touched the Peak Demon level.”

“Uh? Are you lying?”

Ma Taryong asked.

Not Peak Demon?

The skills he witnessed a while back were over Peak Demon and closer to Supreme Demon.

“You will know once we fight… actually it is the divine weapon that is assisting me…”

“Ah…”

Ma Taryong was convinced.

The fact that his dantian was restored showed how skilled the opponent’s energy was.

And his skills wouldn’t have been possible without the divine weapon.

“How about the vice captain?”

“Uh?”

“There is a rumor you are nearing the Supreme Demon… I am asking which level of Peak Demon did you cross?”

“Haha, I wouldn’t dare say that. I have been in the Peak Demon for 10 years now.”

“Uh? Ten years?”

“Yes, I lack in talent.”

He did say it, but Ma Taryong was someone different from others.

And Seol-Hwi heard he showed unnatural talent from an early age.

It was for this reason that he managed to quickly enter a group, due to the fact that his martial arts stood out the most as he became master level at the age of just 20.

Furthermore, before he was 30 he hit Super Master and then went to Peak Demon.

Despite being called a Peak Demon, it was said that he had to go through a lot to reach the start of that level.

It was only after hitting 30 along with such talent did he reach the level. But the real problem came after.

He had no further growth for 10 years.

No matter how strong his demonic attribute was he couldn’t break past the wall.

“Would you like to do it now?”

“Yes.”

“But, Captain. The…”

Ma Taryong looked at Seol-Hwi and tilted his head.

Because it was a different sword than usual.

“Ah, I told you. I unequipped the divine weapons to expose my true self.”

“Uh? You don’t have…”

“To make this fair.”

The reason why Seol-Hwi wanted this was to test his skills.

Seol-Hwi was not planning to use his special skills or the ability of his sword.

It is very likely that I will lose.

Seol-Hwi knew.

If he fought like this, he wouldn’t win.

Nevertheless, he had to do this.

He can only move to the next level once he knows his current self.

And he had to climb the next level before fighting the Supreme Pavilion Lord.

“Shall we start?”

“Yep.”

Shhh

The conversation ended and the fight began.

Seol-Hwi was reviving all his senses to know how Ma Taryong would move.

And at some point.

Pak

In an instant, Ma Taryong disappeared.

Footwork.