Chapter 290: The Three Joys of a Gentleman (3)

Originally, I had intended to do it myself, but redefining martial arts couldn’t be achieved overnight, so I decided to work together with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

It was also to provide a new goal for the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, who had recently entered a significant realm and were now lost in a sense of emptiness.

A martial artist could only progress when they had a clear direction to pursue.

Without motivation, one would lack willpower, and skill would stagnate.

Since they had learned most of the martial arts I knew, I expected that the martial arts redefined with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect would play a major role in the future of the Heavenly Central Sect.

“Your efforts will transform the martial arts of the main text into ascending martial arts.”

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect answered confidently.

“Yes, please leave it to us. Small Sect Leader, we’ll refine the main text to the point where even new trainees can master it within a month.”

Ha Cheollyeong, who had been listening closely to the conversation between the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect and their master, asked something that had long piqued his curiosity.

“Master, I’m sorry for interrupting. As I listened to your words, a question came to mind. What exactly is the difference between general martial arts and ascending martial arts that warrants them being categorized separately?”

He could never fully understand what the ascending martial arts—often spoken of by so many martial artists—truly entailed.

Were they the dazzling, grand, and destructive martial arts typically referred to as ascending?

It was a question Ha Cheollyeong had harbored for a long time.

Upon hearing the question, I quietly admired him.

‘Ha Cheollyeong is indeed a prodigy worthy of becoming the future greatest martial artist under the heavens. To question something others take for granted—has anyone ever asked this before?’

Most martial artists never bothered to distinguish the two. Since it had been that way for so long, they simply accepted it as natural. Even if they had doubts, they usually resolved them while learning the arts.

“Yes, that’s a good question. What do you think defines ascending martial arts, Cheollyeong?”

“I think they are martial arts that are complex and difficult to master but powerful in effect. That’s probably why even high-level martial artists seek them.”

“But would martial arts that are complex and difficult to learn truly be powerful? Those two traits are somewhat contradictory.”

“Then, are they martial arts capable of freely utilizing sword qi and enhanced qi?”

“That’s not entirely wrong either. But that’s only a partial aspect. What this master considers ascending martial arts is something else.”

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect and Ha Cheollyeong, all regarded as top-tier experts, listened intently to the words of their Small Sect Leader.

Discussions on martial arts from someone of Yong Hwarin’s caliber were not something one could easily hear even in exchange for gold.

“Even with the Three Talents Sword Art, you can manifest sword qi and enhanced qi. Then, should we consider the Three Talents Sword Art as ascending martial arts?”

My tone had already begun to mirror that of the Demonic Master.

Instead of providing answers directly, I led them to reflect and draw conclusions on their own.

“No. Even so, we do not refer to the Three Talents Sword Art as ascending martial arts.”

“Then, even if a martial art utilizes sword qi and enhanced qi, that alone does not make it ascending martial arts.”

At my words, Ha Cheollyeong fell deep into thought once more.

“Ah, could it be that ascending martial arts are those that are well-balanced in offense and defense?”

I smiled as I watched Ha Cheollyeong slowly arrive at an answer through his own thoughts.

‘Perhaps the Demonic Master also felt this same pride when teaching martial arts like I do now.’

I recalled the Demonic Master, who always seemed to find subtle joy in teaching martial arts.

“Yes, if offense and defense are balanced, it can be called a good martial art. But that alone is not enough to be called ascending martial arts. I will now demonstrate the Three Talents Sword Art and the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword—observe what makes them different.”

I slowly demonstrated the Three Talents Sword Art.

Then I proceeded to demonstrate the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword, and Ha Cheollyeong watched attentively.

“Well? Do you see the difference?”

Ha Cheollyeong nodded with an excited expression.

“I believe I’ve caught a glimpse of what you’re trying to convey, Master.”

“Then speak.”

“When observing the Three Talents Sword Art, the sword extended only forward, backward, left, and right. But the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword had sword paths extending not just in those directions but also from various angles and spatial planes.”

I burst out into laughter at Ha Cheollyeong’s brilliance.

“Wahaha! This disciple is truly intelligent!”

Satisfied, I explained further.

“There are five axes in space—forward and backward, left and right, up and down, near and far, hidden and revealed. Ascending martial arts are those whose techniques are fundamentally structured around these five axes. There is no ascending martial art that does not fulfill all five.”

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, who had been listening, let out gasps of realization.

Though they had intuitively understood it, this was the first time they’d heard it articulated so precisely.

“Think about it. If a sword only comes from the front, back, left, and right, anyone could easily block it. But what if it came from above or below? Or from far away and then suddenly closed in? Or from where it wasn’t visible until the last second—could you block it so easily then?”

I raised my sword and continued.

“In the main text of the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword, the ‘Yeoigwancheon’ technique embodies the axis of near and far.”

As I moved with the sword, the blade repeatedly disappeared, only to emerge suddenly from behind my shoulder, bewildering the eye.

It became impossible to discern where the sword was striking from.

“Is this technique present in the Three Talents Sword Art?”

To my question, Ha Cheollyeong answered.

“No, Master. The Three Talents Sword Art mainly consists of slashing, stabbing, and cutting.”

“‘Hidden and revealed’ refers precisely to this.”

I then raised my sword once more and performed the Dragon Scale Finger Technique.

Sword qi surged from the blade and in an instant, extended in all directions.

It looked as though the scales of a dragon were blanketing the sky.

“Only when a sword technique begins and ends through all axes of space can it truly be called ascending martial arts. And both the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Sword remain faithful to such profundities. You must engrave this meaning deep within you as you train.”

Ha Cheollyeong lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment as if he had gained a great realization.

Yong Hwarin looked at him with affection, then turned away.

The rest was up to him.

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect also seemed deeply moved by the Small Sect Leader’s discourse on martial arts and expressed their admiration repeatedly.

Mu Iso looked at them and spoke.

“We must also take the Small Sect Leader’s words to heart. Putting into words what one knows is no easy feat. Nevertheless, the reason he defined things this way is probably to help us when we reorganize the martial arts in the main text. Good. Let us all do our best to revise the martial arts in the main text so even those stepping into martial arts for the first time can learn them easily.”

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect united in enthusiasm and rushed off to their quarters.

Demonic Master was still keeping watch over Deung Hwa-un.

He couldn’t let his guard down, not knowing what Deung Hwa-un might attempt.

However, Deung Hwa-un had been acting somewhat strangely of late.

She had been showing interest in Ha Cheollyeong.

Had it been anyone else, it would’ve been unremarkable, but since it was Deung Hwa-un, it aroused suspicion.

She would occasionally pass by as if by chance, offer him a word or two about martial arts, or stand at a distance watching Ha Cheollyeong train.

At first, Demonic Master didn’t take his eyes off her, thinking Deung Hwa-un might be targeting Ha Cheollyeong to get revenge on Yong Hwarin.

But as time went by, he realized that Deung Hwa-un’s gaze toward Ha Cheollyeong was filled with tenderness.

Apparently, Yong Hwarin noticed it too, for he came over to Demonic Master and spoke.

“Elder, do you not know why she’s showing interest in Cheollyeong?”

“Hm, I don’t know either.”

“Just in case, please warn her if she gets too close to Cheollyeong.”

“I will.”

“Oh, and I heard that you’ve been keeping Elder Ha company. Thank you.”

“No need.”

“Elder Ha also speaks informally to me now. Elder, you should drop the formalities too. Unjeong is like a younger sibling to me.”

“How could I speak so freely to someone who saved my life? Though I gained fame in the Demonic Path, I still believe in settling debts properly.”

“Elder, just the fact that you support me is more than enough. So please treat me as your junior. That way I won’t feel awkward when I visit you.”

Surprisingly, Ha Deokgong and Demonic Master got along well, often playing Go or sharing drinks together.

Since Ha Deokgong was older, he treated Demonic Master as a junior.

“Well, it can’t be helped. If that’s what Young Lord Yong wishes, I’ll speak casually.”

“Now I feel more at ease. I’ve instructed the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect to reorganize the structured martial arts to be used from the main text. If they come to you for help, please advise them even if it’s bothersome.”

“So telling me to speak casually was really a ploy to draw out all my martial arts knowledge, huh.”

“No, how could I have such thoughts?”

“Hahaha, just a joke. If I can be of help, I’d be all the more pleased. Don’t worry. I’ll share everything I’ve understood.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Don’t say such things.”

Yong Hwarin let out a small laugh.

‘He’s very different from the Demonic Master’s soul. Perhaps the Demonic Master changed after losing his family and wandering the Murim world alone. But now, as a father protecting his daughter, he no longer seems like someone from the Demonic Path.’

Still, Yong Hwarin was pleased to see Demonic Master changing in such a positive way.

“By the way, Young Lord Yong’s disciple seems to follow Deung Hwa-un quite well.”

“Yes, I think he feels a maternal affection from her.”

The two of them watched as Deung Hwa-un conversed with Cheollyeong, their eyes filled with concern.

Ha Cheollyeong, having grown up without a mother, felt motherly affection toward Deung Hwa-un, who was about the age of a mother.

Thus, they couldn’t stop Deung Hwa-un from approaching Ha Cheollyeong.

Moreover, Deung Hwa-un’s personality also seemed quite different from before, so they decided to observe a little longer.

At that moment, Baekseom and Deuksang called out from a distance using sound transmission, and Yong Hwarin excused himself from Demonic Master and stepped away.

“We’ve received a report.”

“Have you found her?”

“Yes, we successfully tracked her. However, there’s a powerful expert near her, so we couldn’t get close.”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s pursuing the Chaihua Sound Degenerate.”

“Is that so?”

It was unexpected. He had never heard of a woman from the Demonic Path punishing a Chaihua Sound Degenerate.

Such actions were typically carried out by righteous female warriors or knights-errant of orthodox sects.

“Let’s go.”

“I will guide you.”

Deuksang responded immediately.

Yong Hwarin shook his head with a smile.

“The Pavilion Lord should stay and guard the escort agency. Where do you think you’re going?”

Deuksang answered awkwardly.

“Staying in the escort agency is killing me. My body’s itching for a good fight, but even that’s rare these days—I’m going mad.”

It was understandable that Deuksang, a martial artist to the core, found it tedious being confined to the position of Escort Pavilion Lord, buried in documents.

Not letting Yong Hwarin interrupt, he continued quickly.

“Besides, things have been going smoothly even without me lately. A large number of warriors from the former Eunseong Sect have joined, along with many who handled administrative affairs. Thanks to them, there are no issues in operating the escort agency.”

Lately, the Sky Ocean Escort Agency had regained its former volume of escort goods. The amount had returned to the peak of its prosperity.

As a result, the revenue flowing in every month increased dramatically, with a large portion being sent to the Heavenly Central Sect.

At the Heavenly Central Sect, numerous guests had been recruited, and large sums were being spent to build or expand guest houses.

In some ways, Yong Gijung had more talent for management than martial arts.

He was praised for his ability to handle people and his outstanding strategic acumen.

That was why he could remain long-term at the Sky Ocean Escort Agency.

And their father could attend the Shaolin Temple Gathering with confidence in his younger brother.

While Deuksang was making excuses to Yong Hwarin, he gave a look to Baekseom, who chimed in as well.

“You should go with the Pavilion Lord. I’ll take care of the escort agency.”

“Understood. Then shall we go on a little outing together, Master of the Branch?”

“Sounds good.”

Deuksang grinned broadly.

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