Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 29 – At the Threshold of Spring (4)

In the early hours with the dawn moonlight still lingering, I was running along the lakeshore.

The physical training I had been doing without missing a single day was now showing clear effects.

Anyone could see that my body looked different, and in reality, it had changed even more.

The reason people fail in physical training is that they can’t overcome the hurdles.

Hurdles come multiple times.

Regarding martial arts training, I faced several hurdles throughout my previous life.

There were many times when I wanted to give up everything because it was too hard. Looking back now, they were moments so difficult that I wonder how I managed to overcome those tough hurdles.

There are hurdles that come from difficulty, but there are other hurdles too.

I became lethargic and languid, not wanting to do anything. It would be better if there was a reason, but I just felt annoyed and disliked everything. This demon of the heart is even harder to overcome than physical hardship.

Having experienced overcoming various hurdles, this recent training wasn’t difficult at all. Rather, I looked forward to the training time.

Hurdles would come for Byeok Ri-dan too, but I was confident he could overcome them well.

I stopped running and looked at the lake. The hazy dawn mist added to its mystique.

With a kick infused with inner force, I kicked a small fallen log next to the lakeshore.

Splash.

The log flew and fell into the lake.

I immediately leaped towards the log.

After lightly stepping on the log, I kicked off into the air. In mid-air, my sword swung downwards.

Swish!

Slash!

The water split. Though it quickly merged back together, if someone with keen eyes had been watching, they would have seen the water split in a tilted cross shape. It was the first form, Flashing Blade.

Whoosh!

Swirl!

This time, the water swirled and created a whirlpool.

The second form, True Name Blade, had been executed.

Despite consecutively executing the first and second forms, I was still suspended in mid-air.

Before falling, the third form, Blade of the Infinite, was executed.

Shiiiiik!

Boom!

A water column shot up as if a thunderbolt had exploded.

The third form, Blade of the Infinite, was a technique that blasted away an entire area.

Tap!

I kicked off the log and soared into the air again.

I continuously executed the three forms until I used up all my twenty years of internal energy.

The purpose of repeating this training is just one thing: to become familiar. The forms should come out as naturally as breathing. People don’t feel any discomfort in their normal breathing.

Forms should be the same.

They shouldn’t come out consciously, but as naturally as breathing.

That’s why the forms of true masters are faster than consciousness.

After pouring out all my internal energy in one go, I stood on the log.

If I lost my balance, I would fall into the cold water.

But I was maintaining perfect balance. Standing there, I began to circulate my qi. I can circulate qi in any posture, in any situation.

After one cycle of circulating true qi, one-third of my internal energy was recovered. After two cycles, half was recovered, after three cycles, two-thirds, and after completing four cycles, my twenty years of internal energy was fully recovered.

Recovering internal energy isn’t difficult. What’s difficult is increasing the total amount of internal energy.

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That’s why I’m constantly continuing to train even now.

Because I was increasing it nine times faster than normal people, my internal energy was growing day by day.

In addition, I was spending a lot of time each day on physical training. My body was becoming solid as fast as my internal energy was accumulating.

I need to become stronger.

After finishing training, I returned home.

After washing up and returning to my room, Gwang-du was waiting.

“I heard Clan Leader Song and Miss Song came yesterday?”

“They did.”

“Did you have a drink with Miss Song separately?”

“No. We parted ways immediately.”

Gwang-du made a regretful expression.

“You should have at least had a drink. To catch up on things. You scored a lot of points this time too.”

“I didn’t score those points for her.”

“It’s the same thing. Ah, this calls for special education for you, young master. Let me teach you how to handle women!”

“Before the education, a confirmation first. Have you ever held hands with a woman?”

Gwang-du flinched at my sudden question.

“That, that’s too dismissive of me, isn’t it?”

“What about kissing? Excluding anything before age ten.”

Gwang-du flinched again.

“Of course I have. I’m really good at it… Oh my, should I say this? If I set my mind to it, oh, women just…”

This guy is a virgin!

When I smiled meaningfully, Gwang-du shook his head firmly as if to deny it absolutely.

I laughed and opened the window wide.

The clothes of the passing servants had become lighter, and spring plants were poking their heads out in the flower garden. The fierce cold had now subsided.

“Looks like spring is coming.”

“…It’s not. It really isn’t.”

“Hahaha.”

The long winter was gone, and spring had suddenly approached.

The Byeok Clan Sword Manor became more lively.

They could breathe easier now that the debt problem was resolved.

Jeong Yeo, the new leader of Yang Minor Faction, persuaded my father that they couldn’t collect the debt, and eventually my father accepted it. He accepted the persuasion that it was punishment for the previous leader trying to annihilate the Byeok Clan Sword Manor.

The only weakness of the Byeok Clan Sword Manor was me, and now that weakness was gone.

As rumors spread that Byeok Ri-dan had come to his senses and the debt was resolved, everything started to go well.

New jobs and various sponsorships came in, improving their financial situation.

And additionally, they recruited more sword squad martial artists.

With the money I had given last time, they had recruited about twenty new sword squad members, and this time they added thirty more.

They say two hundred people gathered for the recruitment of these thirty positions. It showed the martial artists’ respect for my father and Seo Jung.

On the day of recruiting the sword squad, I heard that my father and Seo Jung drank all night. It was said to be after a long time, which means they must have been very moved.

Mother was still busy boasting about her child.

The rumors about my reformation were all thanks to Mother. She talked about and praised my changes to everyone she met. She willingly became a doting parent for my sake.

I was happy.

I liked that my reincarnation was becoming a new meaning and hope for someone.

Gwang-du was immersed in martial arts training.

As they say, one doesn’t know the night passes when learning martial arts late, he invested almost all his time in martial arts training.

“Let’s have a sparring match today.”

Gwang-du was startled at the mention of sparring.

“Why so suddenly? Have you been upset about something lately?”

“Hehehe.”

“Don’t laugh like that!”

“Come on, draw your sword.”

Gwang-du was shocked at my words.

“You mean with real swords?”

“Were you thinking of using wooden swords?”

“Shouldn’t we?”

I looked at him with serious eyes and said,

“If you promise never to draw that sword outside that wall, then it’s okay.”

Gwang-du understood what I meant. That this was a process he had to go through to become a real martial artist.

In fact, in peaceful times like these, there aren’t many opportunities to experience real combat.

Even in regular sects or martial arts schools, real sword sparring was prohibited for those who hadn’t trained for a long time. Not only because of accidents, but also because one might get excited and hurt the opponent. The importance of real combat experience is emphasized even more these days.

Gwang-du’s hand trembled as he drew his sword.

“I’m scared, young master.”

“Of course you should be scared. You’ve drawn a sword and pointed it at a person, it’s natural to be afraid.”

“Yes!”

“But you shouldn’t tremble because you’re afraid.”

I’m not sure how Gwang-du will take it, but each of my words contained my insights on martial arts.

While teaching Gwang-du, I was the one who was feeling and learning more.

As I conveyed the words, I reflected on their meaning again.

Even just that last statement.

I feel a comfortable sense of security when I hold a sword.

But now I feel it’s time to think about the trembling I felt when I first drew a sword and pointed it at someone long ago. My recollection is an effort to take a different path from before.

“I’m afraid you might get hurt, young master.”

“Don’t worry, think of me as an enemy and come at me.”

“Yes!”

Gwang-du executed the first form. He couldn’t exert its full power for fear of hurting me.

“Properly! Open your eyes wide!”

Gwang-du gathered his strength again and swung his sword.

I deliberately clashed with him, parrying his forms with appropriate strength.

It was to give him the feeling of real combat as much as possible.

Clang! Clang clang clang!

After the sword and blade clashed a few times, Gwang-du’s movements immediately crumbled. He closed his eyes.

“Open your eyes! You’ll die if you close them! Pay attention to your posture!”

“Yes!”

Gwang-du gritted his teeth and executed the form again.

Again, the sword and blade clashed, creating crisp sounds.

Six forms passed like that.

I deflected the last form and immediately thrust my sword towards Gwang-du’s face.

“Gasp!”

My sword with its cold sharp edge stopped right in front of Gwang-du’s nose.

“This is what real fighting feels like.”

“…Yes, young master.”

Gwang-du’s voice trembled. Surely this first real combat experience will be an unforgettable moment for him.

As I withdrew my sword, Gwang-du collapsed in his place.

I sat down next to him.

“Gwang-du.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re scared, you can stop learning. There’s no need to force yourself.”

A moment of silence passed. Gwang-du calmly expressed his thoughts.

“Young master, I want to go all the way. I like learning martial arts. I was very scared earlier, but on the other hand, I was happy. I was happy that I was fighting.”

It was a serious Gwang-du I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Yes, if giving up easily is a habit, then not giving up is also a talent.

“Then you should go all the way.”

“Yes. I will. Young master, don’t abandon me!”

“We’ll see how you do.”

“There you go again.”

Just then.

Plop, pitter-patter.

“Huh?”

Drops of rain fell from the sky one by one, then soon turned into rain.

“It’s raining! It’s spring rain!”

Gwang-du looked up at the sky with a moved expression.

“I guess real spring is coming now.”

Standing side by side in the rain, I felt an inexplicable joy.

Even seeing the first snow didn’t affect me.

But this spring rain makes my heart flutter.

I look forward to spring. I was curious about what would unfold in my future.

“Yes, it’s spring now.”

A few days later, a piece of news flew in on the spring breeze.

“The new Alliance Leader has been announced!”

The long-awaited news had finally arrived.

“Who is it?”

“They say the head of the Heavenly Blade Sect has become the new Alliance Leader.”

“What?”

I was truly shocked. Really, even throughout my past life, I don’t think I’ve been this surprised more than a few times.

“Nonsense!”

Gwang-du flinched when I burst out in anger.

“Why?”

Why? Because it’s Ma Bonggi. I had never once considered Ma Bonggi for the position of the new Alliance Leader.

Ma Bonggi is the head of the Heavenly Blade Sect, the very one who had disguised himself as Ma Yeongchung before. Ma Bonggi, whose relationships with women were not just complicated but downright messy.

If it were just women issues, it might be understandable, but he was a person who perfectly fit the saying “you can tell everything from one thing.”

He was greedy for money and power. His personality was treacherous and cruel.

Such a person has become the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader? Succeeding me?

“Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong?”

“No, the entire marketplace is in an uproar with this news.”

There’s no way Gal Saryang would have chosen Ma Bonggi. There’s also no way he couldn’t have prevented Ma Bonggi from being chosen.

I looked towards the direction of the Martial Righteous Alliance far away.

“Something’s not right about this.”