Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha.

They were the twin elders of the Wudang Sect and masters of the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method.

Having mastered the subtleties of Tai Chi within the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method, which operates and harmonizes two cultivation methods, they were authorities in cultivation method research.

Beings who were revered as precious researchers beyond being treated as masters wherever they went.

And now, those two were bickering right in front of me.

“Yield to me. You always took the delicious things first since we were young.”

“Hmph, that’s the fault of the slow one.”

Watching the old men fight so childishly made me feel even more distressed.

In the end, they stopped arguing with each other and turned their arrows on me.

“Instead of this, let’s just have the person himself choose.”

“That’s what I want.”

““Who will you choose?””

‘This is a headache.’

If I had my way, I would have wanted to refuse both of them. As far as I knew, both of them were considerable eccentrics.

According to the standard guide, since they were old masters who I wouldn’t have much to do with, it was better to be careful of proposals like suddenly becoming a disciple.

How many cases were there where they took you in as a disciple and then locked you up in the mountains or put you through training close to torture?

It was a world full of landmine-like masters anyway.

‘There’s no harm in being careful.’

But I can’t just refuse them outright. How can a mere junior student get on a professor’s bad side in less than a semester?

Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to make the most of this situation.

“I don’t know the masters well yet…”

When I answered hesitantly, Maeng Ha replied as if he had been waiting.

“That’s a good point. As for me, I am an elder of the Wudang Sect and also a researcher who is considered the best in cultivation method research!”

“That’s the same for me. When it comes to the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method, there is no one like me. If you wish, I can teach you any existing cultivation method.”

Then, they began to show off their strengths and achievements.

As I listened, it was a tempting offer. To think they would teach me any cultivation method.

‘It’s about time to move on to the next stage of the Reverse Heaven Cultivation Method.’

Since the great success of the Three Talents Cultivation Method was near, it was now time to learn another cultivation method.

I, who was observing their favorable reactions, suddenly asked.

“Can you also teach me the Six Harmonies Art?”

“Of course.”

“Of course. You’ll do well no matter what you learn. But how about a Wudang-side cultivation method? I think the profound cultivation method of the Wudang Sect would suit you.”

The two masters who proposed as if they had been waiting. I made an excuse and beat around the bush.

“I want to have various experiences. Can I learn a cultivation method from each of you once?”

“Then your acupoints will be twisted. It’s better to…”

“It doesn’t matter to me! A great teacher is one who can correct a disciple no matter what path they take. At my level, whether it’s the Six Harmonies Art or the Tai Chi Cultivation Method, it’s all possible.”

“What? I can do that too.”

And so, they began to fight among themselves.

‘Good.’

I was in a difficult situation since I couldn’t enter the secret manual library due to the disciplinary action, so it was a relief.

“Then is it possible?”

I looked at them with an innocent expression.

“Of course.”

“Of course!”

And so, throughout the class, the two old men competed, showing off their abilities boisterously, and I was able to easily learn the essence of the Six Harmonies Art.

‘Is this the Six Harmonies Art, the basic cultivation method of the Huashan Sect?’

I opened my eyes, feeling the pure qi flowing gracefully along my acupoints.

As per its performance of purifying the whole body’s energy, it certainly had the effect of making the energy itself pure.

Although it was slow, its stability was outstanding, and I was able to accumulate high-purity internal energy as if squeezing fresh fruit juice in a press.

‘Amazing.’

A graceful yet upright cultivation method. And yet, it had a protean potential.

‘Is this the cultivation method that becomes the basis of the splendid martial arts of the Huashan Sect later on?’

In the [Martial Arts] written by the Heaven-Shattering Demon, the difficulty of learning was said to be low, so I had taken it lightly, but the more I knew, the more profound it was.

Perhaps it was natural since it was the martial art of one of the Nine Sects One Union.

“So what do you think?”

“What are you asking? Of course, I’m better.”

Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha bickered and asked.

‘I can’t decide yet.’

They were human libraries from which cultivation methods would pop out if you just stood still. I couldn’t miss a single one of them.

I first cupped my fists in the Wudang Sect style, as if I were ashamed.

“I am still lacking and have not understood your esteemed teachings. It would be rude for me to judge with my short insight right now, so would you please wait?”

Until I’ve milked all the remaining cultivation methods.

But contrary to that sinister mindset, my posture was quite polite, and because of that, Maeng Ha and Maeng Dong had no choice but to back down with a groan.

“Fine. I’ll teach you throughout the class from now on.”

“If you have any questions, you can come and find me anytime.”

“Heh, when are you going to do your research?”

“I can always make time for our disciple. Unlike you.”

The commotion that continued again. Just then, the bell signaling the end of the class rang, so I first gave them a proper greeting and then withdrew.

“Thank you for your kindness. I have a prior engagement, so I will be leaving first.”

And then I quickly left the classroom.

Then, the group of junior students who had been gathered in the corridor split in all directions again.

‘Well, it’s convenient.’

I decided to think of it positively.

Thanks to the rumors, I wouldn’t be bothered by annoying provocations like before.

All that was left now was to return to my dorm and reflect on today’s teachings.

Until an unexpected person approached.

“You seem to be interested in the martial arts of Huashan?”

A handsome man with a neatly arranged ponytail and princely, gentle features showed an interested expression and pretended to know me.

Baek Cheong.

The second-place entrant in the entrance exam, and the person who was considered the closest to the current top student position after I was demoted.

“I’ve become interested recently.”

Then, Baek Cheong laughed.

“Hahaha, really? All my fellow disciples said it was boring. You’re peculiar.”

“You’re not so different yourself.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been scanning me from head to toe since a while ago, like a pervert.”

I blocked the guy’s internal energy, which was fluttering like petals all over my body, and at the same time, I raised my mana.

If he was going to pull a cheap trick, I was planning to respond right away.

Then, Baek Cheong showed a surprised look and then scratched his cheek and apologized.

“Sorry. I was just so curious. As you know, you’re the most famous among the new students this time, right? And Professors Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha are also paying attention to you.”

But I didn’t believe his words obediently. Because this guy was also a psycho when you got to know him. Especially when it came to martial arts.

“Then we’ve seen all there is to see of each other.”

I shot at him coldly as I passed by.

It’s better to keep talented people close, but this guy is hard to handle. It was better to keep a distance.

“Yeah, then see you next time.”

When I looked back, Baek Cheong was waving his hand.

He was a strange guy, as expected.

* * *

The next class was [Practical Combat Practice]. The very lecture where Baek Yuhwan was the professor.

It was also the class I was most worried about. Because here, I had to use my body openly.

Usually, it was a class where students fought each other, or an instructor became a sparring partner, and Baek Yuhwan would give advice in between, but today was different.

Because all the junior students who were taking [Basic Martial Arts Lecture] led by Namgung Dohyeok at the same time were also gathered.

Since all the junior students were suddenly gathered, everyone was silent, but they had a look of wonder.

Just then, Baek Yuhwan came forward and said.

“From next time, we will have a friendly exchange match between the intermediate and junior students.”

At the shocking announcement, the students began to murmur in an instant.

‘Is it finally time?’

The friendly exchange match, one of the can’t-miss events.

It was called a friendly exchange and exchange, but in reality, it was an extension of the ranking battle where the senior intermediate students would crush the junior students.

‘Of course, it won’t be so easy this year.’

Baek Cheong, Peng Geun-u, and Baek Hasin, who were shining their eyes with different expressions, already looked full of enthusiasm.

“This year too, we will select five representatives from each student body and have them face each other. The standard is by grade!”

At Baek Yuhwan’s words, I sighed in relief inwardly.

‘It was a good thing I was eliminated from the top student position.’

Although it wasn’t intentional, thanks to stepping down from the top student position, I wouldn’t be included among those five.

Who would give the position of a representative to a scoundrel who had just been disciplined?

It was a relief that I wasn’t dragged into a place where I would just get beaten up.

‘Of course, I’ll get it back soon.’

As I was thinking so, Baek Yuhwan began to call out the names of the representatives.

“Baek Cheong, Peng Geun-u…”

But even after waiting, the name that should have been called was not called.

Instead, a name that shouldn’t have been called was called.

“Lastly, Zhuge Cheonwu! These five are the representatives. Prepare so that you won’t be embarrassed in front of your seniors.”

With those words, Baek Yuhwan turned around and then disappeared from the spot, creating a gust of wind.

“Well, I knew you would be chosen.”

“As expected, you’re amazing!”

Soon, Lee Huimun and Gu Dong, who were making a fuss, approached this way.

“As expected. If you need a sparring partner, let me know.”

And even Peng Geun-u, who approached in a friendly manner.

But despite the reactions of those around me, my face was still stiff.

‘What happened?’

Baek Hasin wasn’t called.

No matter how early it was, and even if it was a time when his prominence wouldn’t be greatly revealed, the fact that Baek Hasin was not included among the representatives was strange in itself.

‘Did Baek Yuhwan pull some strings?’

No. Usually, when selecting representatives, the result reflects the overall grades of the other professors and the personal evaluation of the instructors.

That means that currently, Baek Hasin did not make it into the TOP 5 with his pure skills, and that also meant that Baek Hasin might not be able to overcome the trials that lay ahead.

“……”

‘Why did it become like this?’

A variable.

But I could vaguely know the cause. This was also something I had been worried about from before.

‘Baek Hasin is not a player.’

He doesn’t have a guide. Naturally, he doesn’t have a status window or a save/load function.

Perhaps it’s natural that he’s weak.

Because it’s a world where a talented person can fall at any time.

In fact, hadn’t I also failed several times in the middle?

‘I was too complacent.’

The belief that he would grow up well on his own was partly due to my lack of realistic ability, but it was also optimism.

Because I was busy just growing myself.

But besides that reason, there was another reason for Baek Hasin’s lack of growth.

An undeniable reason.

Right now, it can’t be like the original work.

And most of all, the biggest variable that was different from the original work was here.

‘Me.’

Zhuge Cheonwu is originally a villain. A third-rate villain who bullies Baek Hasin out of some kind of inferiority complex.

And he was also a villain for the protagonist’s growth, who gets beaten by the awakened Baek Hasin and then exits.

But I was possessed, and currently, Baek Hasin was showing a different path from the original work, little by little.

In fact, there had been signs from before.

That I had obtained the recommendation plaque-related opportunity that Baek Hasin was originally supposed to get.

That Baek Hasin’s ranking had dropped by one step because I had become the top student at the time of admission.

And the other big and small incidents I had committed must have affected Baek Hasin like a butterfly effect.

“Damn it.”

It was the feeling of the reality that I had been trying to ignore approaching.

‘It’s because of me.’

The variable that was me was making Baek Hasin weak. Whether I wanted it or not.

My mind became complicated. I had to overcome this situation somehow.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep