Children Of Emei Sect (4)

Today, it seemed like training was replaced by cultivation time.

It was natural that normal training wouldn’t happen. Five of the instructors were dead, and the rest were in such a bad state after being beaten by that man.

Yu Jinsan had a chance to first collect information through talks with Cheong Pung.

Information about the structure and instructors in this place, as well as various training methods and rules. Among them was some shocking content.

-Only 100 of them can be members of the troops?

Cheong Pung, who was sitting cross-legged next to him, nodded.

-Yes, Grandpa. Also, I heard that 50 people will be selected separately, and if you are included, you can become a reserve member.

Given the circumstances, the reserve members would be the ones carrying out the mission of kidnapping and training kids from all over the Central Plains for the next troops. Like the guys who attacked the Yu family to kidnap his granddaughter.

‘Anyway, if they didn’t make it into the 150, then they wouldn’t be surviving, right?’

It was said that seventy percent of kids were destined to die. Moreover, to be a member of this place, could a kid have a normal life then?

These were kids who hadn’t yet lost their innocence. He could never let that happen again.

Yu Jinsan closed his eyes for a moment and was lost in thought.

‘All the kids here can use sword qi. If we take over the armory first, it would be worth a try.’

Of course, there was a prerequisite that the kids must unite. It might not be possible now, but it was something worth trying if more people followed.

And one more thing.

The most important thing was to outwit their leader, the warden. Even if they attacked that guy red robe in a group, they couldn’t scratch him.

-How did you get your friend to escape? You couldn’t possibly outrun the warden.

-There are times when he is away.

-For how long?

-He always comes back the next day.

If what Cheong Pung said was true, that day was a chance.

-How did you figure it all out?

-On days when the warden isn’t there, there’s no training, and the instructors gather together to eat something.

Yu Jinsan looked at Cheong Pung with an expression of pride.

To have investigated so meticulously in such an environment. This guy wasn’t the usual smart one.

-Your brain is as sharp as your martial arts. Not as good as my granddaughter, but still good.

-Does Grandpa have a granddaughter?

-Yes, she is three years younger than you. If she were here, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.

Cheong Pung, not understanding the meaning, tilted his head.

-Is she strong?

-You cannot even imagine. She couldn’t come because she is currently in the middle of secluded training, but if she were here, they would all be dead.

-Woah…

Was it because he met someone to rely on? Although their meeting was short, he began to trust Yu Jinsan, and it wasn’t like Yu Jinsan disliked him either.

When the day got a little dark, Yu Jinsan got up.

-I will go take a look around, so wait.

-Where are you going?

-We might have a chance, so I will take a look.

His goal was to learn the structure of the place by taking advantage of the instructors’ lack of supervision.

He was confident that he wouldn’t be discovered if he just avoided where the warden stayed.

He had nothing to worry about since he had confirmed the approximate location through Cheong Pung.

-I will come with you.

-It could be dangerous.

-Don’t worry. I am the best at stealth here. I wouldn’t cause trouble.

Yu Jinsan had already noticed. The children were even being trained to kill.

If Cheong Pung was the most talented and smart, he could be of help. He thought so and nodded.

-Be careful. And if something goes wrong, run.

-Yes.

The only places where children were allowed to move were the barracks and back rooms.

The two secretly looked around and moved.

Fortunately, there wasn’t a single instructor in sight.

There were three barracks arranged in the shape of 品, and in the center was a tent with all four sides closed.

The soft mumbling of adults could be heard.

-The tent is where the instructors stay and keep watch. But something seems a bit odd.

-What’s odd?

-Usually, they would patrol in shifts around now. But seeing everyone gathered there, I think today is the day.

-The day without the warden? I heard he left two days ago?

-I’m not sure either. I haven’t experienced anything like this before…

They needed to get closer to learn more.

Minimizing their presence, the two slipped into the shadow of the barracks and began to move slowly.

They couldn’t ignore the martial arts skills of the instructors, so they dared not get too close.

The two stopped walking where they could overhear the conversation.

“I haven’t seen number 18 since yesterday. Anyone?”

“I guess he went on an errand for the warden. Don’t worry about it, and just drink.”

Yu Jinsan remembered ‘Number 18’ on the clothes of the man he had killed in the mountains. It seemed that the reserve members who didn’t join the troops were also assigned numbers.

And he noticed another thing. When they mentioned the word ‘warden,’ there was a hint of dissatisfaction in their voices.

‘Since the superior is away, colleagues normally gather and talk behind their backs.’

Otherwise, how could they dare to talk like this so freely?

And drinking alcohol?

The tone of their conversation wasn’t friendly; it felt like there was killing intent present.

“All because of those damned bastards. How do we make them pay?”

“When training starts tomorrow, let’s start from there.”

They were upset about their friends dying and being beaten by the warden.

So, they had to vent their frustration at someone.

“We won’t have a chance tomorrow, though? Because the warden said he would invite warriors from the Emei Sect as new instructors.”

“Are you sure?”

“I heard it myself. It seemed like you would like this? Now you don’t have to sneak out and have a hot time with those wenches.”

“The thought of me keeping it here and hanging out with those bhikkhuni makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“Anyway, you have to be careful. I heard one of them is as dreadful as the warden, not just in martial arts but also in personality.“

It was said that the Murim Alliance leader was Hwa Ryeong-sae, the sect leader of the Emei Sect, and that the Blue Dragon Troops only acted under her orders.

There was nothing odd with the Emei Sect helping them here.

The problem was the information about them joining tomorrow. Moreover, one of them was said to possess martial arts skills comparable to the warden? It felt too much.

And one more thing.

It seemed that the reason the warden had been away for so long was to meet those bhikkhuni. Then there would be no reason to wait here.

‘If not now, we might not even get this chance.’

However, they were not prepared for anything.

Yu Jinsan could take on three instructors alone. The rest would require the children’s help.

But who would believe in him and fight together?

He needed time to persuade them. Otherwise, they were bound to die in vain.

Then, a more ominous statement was heard.

“Let’s make them pay in advance, before the bhikkhuni come tomorrow.”

“Without reporting to the warden?”

“He isn’t here today, so let us all gather them first.”

This was truly the worst situation.

Yu Jinsan pulled Cheong Pung’s collar and moved somewhere.

As they hid behind the tree, Cheong Pung’s asked with a frightened look.

“Aren’t we going back to the barracks? They said there’s going to be a gathering now. It’ll be dangerous if we don’t go now.”

Yu Jinsan held Cheong Pung’s shoulder and made a serious expression.

“From now on, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

“Uh?”

“It seems there won’t be another chance starting tomorrow. I’ll help you escape from here.”

“…”

“Go to the place I tell you. Wait there, and my granddaughter will find you once she finishes her secluded training. She might have already come out by now.”

According to what Sima Hyeon said, it was a martial art that required enlightenment through meditation.

So, it might take a couple of days to learn, or it might take longer than he imagined.

But he was confident that Yu Seol, with her unique constitution and natural talent, would definitely be able to do it in a short time.

And with the Sword Queen helping her, she was already the best in Murim, having understood the universe and attained enlightenment at the age of 20.

“Let’s go together, Grandpa…”

Yu Jinsan shook his head.

Although they were kids he had just met, he couldn’t ignore them because he thought of his granddaughter.

Moreover, wasn’t it a place that was related to his family’s killers?

“Shouldn’t someone stay and protect the others? This isn’t the time to be stubborn, so move.”

Yu Jinsan pulled Cheong Pung and headed to the entrance of the training ground.

In front of the cave leading to the waterfall.

Two instructors were guarding the entrance with their backs turned. Yu Jinsan, who was hiding, explained Sima Hyeon’s residence to Cheong Pung.

-You can do it. You remember, right?

-Yes…

Yu Jinsan nodded and took a breath.

At that moment, a whistle came from somewhere, signaling a summon.

Now there was a bit of commotion; it was the perfect chance.

Tat!

He jumped out at once and targeted the instructor on the left, who was off guard.

“What is this…?”

The instructor opened his mouth, but it was too late to defend.

Because Yu Jinsan had already struck his waist with his palm.

The Yu Family’s Palm Technique.

Tak!!

“Kuak!”

It was a technique meant for high-power destruction.

The blow, which contained tremendous power, knocked him 6 feet away.

At that time, another one grabbed a sword and attacked him quickly.

“You insane one!”

The sword qi was rushing without mercy, making it difficult to block it with bare hands.

Yu Jinsan, who didn’t have a weapon, dodged by swaying his upper body, avoiding the attacks.

He didn’t need to prepare a counterattack; a small shadow was already sneaking up behind the opponent.

Kwang!

It was the sound of Cheong Pung’s fist hitting the opponent’s spine from behind.

“…Euk!”

The instructor’s movement halted right then, and Yu Jinsan didn’t miss the chance.

His sharp blade mercilessly struck the opponent’s throat.

Kuak!!

After killing two instructors in an instant, the two said their goodbyes.

“There are a few bhikkhuni guarding below the peak, but you should be able to pass through them.”

Cheong Pung had tears in his eyes as he moved.

“…Grandpa.”

Yu Jinsan picked up the sword of the instructor, who had fallen to the ground, and gave it to Cheong Pung.

“Don’t cry. Hurry up and leave. I have to go back quickly too.”

If other instructors were to notice the situation here, Yu Jinsan wouldn’t be safe either.

Since Cheong Pung knew it as well, he couldn’t hesitate any longer.

“I will come back.”

Yu Jinsan waved his hand with a calm smile.

“Don’t worry about this place and leave now.”

The back of Cheong Pung, moving away, looked sad.

After a while, the child vanished from sight, and Yu Jinsan also quickly turned his back.

‘I guess I will try everything I can.’

The reason he had sent Cheong Pung away was for precaution.

He believed that Yu Seol would quickly master the martial arts and come, but it was impossible to guarantee it.

Before finding another solution, he intended to try everything possible.

When he stepped back into the barracks, all the kids were in line. They all looked tired and exhausted.

And one of the instructors, who was standing behind him, spotted Yu Jinsan and glared.

“Where have you been?”

Yu Jinsan responded by slyly moving.

“I had a stomachache, so I had to go to the washroom.”

The instructor rolled up his sleeves and began to approach him as if he had been waiting.

“You, come here.”