Chapter 1118
“Euryaaaaaaat!”
Baek Cheon swatted away the flying throwing knives in one breath.
The venom, which was so strong that it could put a person into a coma just by brushing against them, was unable to overcome the force contained in the sword and was sent flying high into the sky.
“...I get the gist.”
“Right.”
Baek Cheon tightened his grip on his sword and looked at those standing before him.
“So, this training... it’s not just about adapting, is it?”
He learned this while fighting Tang Family, Namgung, and Nokrim. Despite all the battles, their actual combat experience was still lacking.
To be precise, they had ample experience in one-on-one combat but were severely lacking in experience with group battles. In particular, when several groups with different tendencies start fighting together, they can’t even demonstrate half of their abilities.
Perhaps this is what Chung Myung saw. That is why he had them do this training.
And this time, Chung Myung’s schemes had a definite effect. The more they fought, the faster they understood how to handle this chaotic battle. The saying that the body understands and moves before the mind understands is probably referring to this case.
Fine, that’s good. It’s all good. The problem is...
‘We’re not the only ones experiencing this.’
These yangbans are absorbing not only group battle experience, but also actual combat experience, all through this one training. They were getting stronger and sharper by the day.
So much so that Baek Cheon was often taken aback.
‘Is this how people felt when they watched us?’
Watching others grow visibly right in front of you is a very unique experience. Especially when you feel their growth with your own body while exchanging sword strikes, the emotions are amplified.
Watching someone growing up is both satisfying and evoking a sense of crisis. They were filled with a burning desire to never be caught up.
This was undoubtedly a good thing.
...If only their ‘skills’ were the only things growing.
“But... this is a little....”
Baek Cheon looked uneasily at the people slowly approaching him.
He could understand Tang Pae, who was approaching with a sinister smile while holding knives in both hands. After all, this training for Tang Family was all about defeating Mount Hua.
But....
“Hmm.”
Namgung Dowi, who approached with a slightly uncomfortable yet resigned expression, and...
“Huhuhuhu....”
Isn’t the case a little different for Im Sobyeong, who is approaching with a face that says, ‘Caught you, you little bastard’?
“Uh....”
Baek Cheon raised his hand cautiously. And he hinted at those who were approaching.
“Somehow... Don’t you think this is straying a bit from the original intent of the training...?”
“Huh?”
“...Wasn’t this supposed to be a chaotic battle?”
“Hahaha.”
The one who responded was none other than Im Sobyeong.
“Aigoo, it seems that our Baek Cheon Dojang is mistaken about something.”
“Yes?”
“...Does this still look like training to you? Hm?”
Baek Cheon shivered as he watched Im Sobyeong growling openly.
“No, well... if you think about it, isn’t this a training?”
But it seemed that Tang Pae had different opinions from that lowly Evil Sects bastard. Indeed, as expected of Sichuan Tang Family’s Sogaju....
“Training is training. But it’s only Mount Hua that gets to enjoy this training.”
“....”
No, that’s not it. Tang Pae is a bit colder. But... come to think of it, Tang Family probably has more ill feelings.
“Let us join in on the fun too... You’re really narrow-minded. Baek Cheon Dojang.”
“...Is that why you poisoned our food yesterday?”
“What?”
“Mount Hua seems to be taking a beating?”
Chung Myung chuckled at Tang Gun-ak’s words.
“These cubs been getting a bit too full of themselves lately. This is a good opportunity to deflate them a bit.”
“Haha.”
Tang Gun-ak laughed heartily and looked at Chung Myung.
“Haha, an amusing joke...”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence because Chung Myung wasn’t smiling at all.
“...Was that not a joke?”
“....”
“Kuhum.”
Tang Gun-ak cleared his throat softly. For a moment, he looked down on Chung Myung a little.
Chung Myung spoke nonchalantly.
“They’re just little brats, but they think they’re tough nowadays.”
“Think they’re tough, huh...”
Tang Gun-ak held back his grin.
Right now, Mount Hua is facing off against Tang Family, Namgung, and Nokrim all at once. Of course, they are being pushed back, and the three sects are not the full strength of each sect, but the important thing is that they’re still holding their own.
If you even call them kids, then where in the world are there people in this Jungwon who aren’t kids?
“I think your standards are too high.”
“The standard of Jungwon is excessively low.”
“Perhaps so.”
Tang Gun-ak, who had been looking at the training ground again as if he had said everything he wanted to say, speaking quietly without turning his eyes.
“Are you sure about this?”
It was the same question, but this time the meaning was different. And Chung Myung nodded as if he understood what he meant.
“It’s not something to hold back.”
“But the Jasodan is not an elixir to be wasted lightly. If used in Mount Hua, it could have a greater effect.”
“If consuming elixirs alone made someone the strongest, the emperor would be the mightiest in the world. Or maybe the merchants would be the strongest.”
“That’s true, but....”
What’s important is harmony.
There are limits to the benefits one can gain from elixirs. Generally, without consuming elixirs, one’s martial arts level is higher than one’s internal strength. That is why taking elixirs will dramatically improve one’s martial prowess.
However, beyond a certain level of internal strength, elixirs become less useful. If this were not the case, each sect would have concentrated their elixirs on their top masters, not their rising star disciples.
“Mount Hua has consumed so many that it no longer has much significance.”
“Of course, that’s true. Yes, that’s true. But....”
Tang Gun-ak turned his gaze and looked straight at Chung Myung.
“Those who will become disciples of Mount Hua won’t be the last, right?”
At those words, Chung Myung fell silent. Tang Gun-ak sighed softly and continued speaking as if he had made up his mind.
“As you know, ice crystals and jamokcho (Purple Wood/Tree Grass or 紫木草) are not produced infinitely. The production of ice crystals in the North Sea has already dropped drastically. Considering how much has been mined, we can only expect to obtain a minimal amount in the future, if at all. Otherwise, we might have to use lower-quality ice crystals.”
“Hum....”
“The same goes for jamokcho. In the past, jamokcho was not that hard to obtain. But now, doesn’t it only grow in certain places in Yunnan? It’s something that can’t even be cultivated, and its natural habitat is shrinking day by day.”
“Hmmm.”
Chung Myung scratched his head. What Tang Gun-ak said wasn’t wrong. Considering the situations in the North Sea and Yunnan, it’s clear that the Jasodan’s efficacy would soon be exhausted.
“The Jasodan you make this time might be the last. And you intend to give that precious Jasodan to them, not to the future disciples of Mount Hua?”
“....”
“There is no way that Sect Leader is unaware of this fact. And the disciples will soon realize it too. This isn’t a decision to be made lightly.”
Tang Gun-ak continued speaking with a stern face.
“If you use the Jasodan wisely, Mount Hua will be able to solidify its position as the best sword sect in the world, not only for the next generation but perhaps even for generations after that. However, if you use Jasodan like this, there will be no more elixir left to make Mount Hua shine for generations to come. Are you really confident that you won’t regret this decision?”
While listening, Chung Myung remained silent. He just had an expression on his face that made it difficult to guess what he was thinking.