Multiverse , Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 423: 423 Return to the Volcano 9

"It’s not an initiation ceremony. I’m your master."

"I see..."

He seemed quite shocked by my words.

"Then, the young lady next to you is..."

"Ah, she’s a disciple of Mount Hua who entered before you. She’ll be your senior disciple sister."

"Th, I see..."

He held his head with both hands, looking flustered.

I couldn’t tell if he was unable to accept reality or regretting joining Mount Hua.

After all, it would be hard to accept that someone who looked his age was his master, and a brat about ten years old was his senior disciple sister.

"You’ve come a long way, so rest today. Training starts tomorrow, so come to the training ground in front of Baekmigwan at the hour of the Rabbit (5 AM)."

"Huh? Ah... yes, yes."

I told him that, but judging by his expression, I wasn’t sure if he understood.

The next day, Yui-seol and I came out first and waited, but he did show up, so he was at least diligent.

"What are we going to do at this hour..."

"What else? Run. You need stamina to learn anything. Yiseol, let’s start."

"Yes, Brother."

When we started running, Dong-ryong (Baekcheon) also began to follow.

"Phew... ugh..."

After running for almost an hour without stopping, Dong-ryong started falling far behind, and Yui-seol, though breathing heavily, was managing to keep up, having gotten somewhat used to it.

"Hah... hah... Do we have to do this every day?"

After finishing the run, Dong-ryong, completely exhausted, lay sprawled on the training ground and asked, panting.

"Yes."

"I see..."

"You’re not used to it yet, but you will be soon. And it’s not that fast, anyway."

That was true.

I had adjusted the pace for Yui-seol’s sake.

"Rest a bit, eat, and come back out."

"Yes..."

After breakfast, I took Yui-seol back to the training ground.

This time, he was waiting for us, having come out early.

I handed a wooden sword to both Dong-ryong and Yui-seol.

"Here, take these. From today, you’ll both learn the basics, from how to hold a sword to how to swing it. First, hold the sword with both hands and take your stance."

When I said that, the two took their stances, and I carefully corrected each finger position.

"In that stance, you’ll do horizontal slashes, vertical slashes, and thrusts. I’ll demonstrate first, so watch closely and follow along. Don’t dismiss the basics. All sword techniques start from here."

"Yes, sir!"

I demonstrated horizontal slashes, vertical slashes, and thrusts with precise form.

This was the basic Samjae Sword Technique.

"Do each of these 100 times before lunch. Don’t slack off. Focus as much as possible and swing accurately each time. That way, you’ll improve faster."

"Understood."

I watched them swing and corrected their postures when they wavered.

Here, Yui-seol’s strength showed—she displayed incredible focus and swung each time with sincere effort.

She was truly a child with remarkable concentration.

"I never knew swinging a sword could be this hard..."

After training, Dong-ryong, his hands trembling from the exertion, said that.

"The fact that you’re tired is proof that you were focusing and swinging properly. You did well."

There was no training in the afternoon, as that was when the other masters taught the younger disciples their studies.

At a long-established sect like Mount Hua, education was essential.

It would be unthinkable for a Mount Hua disciple to go somewhere and be unable to read a document.

In the meantime, I was creating an easy-to-understand book on acupuncture points.

To learn internal energy techniques, they needed to learn about the points first.

It didn’t take long, since I only needed to make one and copy it using [Matter Copy].

While I was making the book, the Sect Leader suddenly came to visit.

"Sect Leader, you’re here."

"I see you’re making a book on acupuncture points. May I have a look?"

"Yes, feel free. Since I’m in a teaching position, I’ve been working hard on it out of a sense of responsibility, but I’m not sure how it turned out."

With my permission, Hyeonjong sat down and began reading the acupuncture point book I had made.

"This is remarkable. You’ve made it so easy to understand that it sinks right into the mind."

"I’m glad to hear you say that."

"By the way, once this book is complete, would it be alright to use it as a Mount Hua textbook?"

"Yes, that would be fine. That’s what I made it for."

"Thank you. And I’ve been watching today’s training—since the 2nd-generation disciples haven’t all gathered yet, you can take it easy."

Now Hyeonjong finally revealed the purpose of his visit, which was essentially to ask me to lower the training intensity.

He must have felt sorry seeing Dong-ryong and young Yui-seol unable to even use their chopsticks properly at lunch.

"I am taking it easy. I’m just having them run to build basic stamina and teaching only the Samjae Sword Technique. I haven’t even started strength training yet..."

When I said that, Hyeonjong was the one who became flustered.

"I, I see."

"Don’t worry. I won’t push them too hard."

"Okay..."

Several days passed, and a few more joined as 2nd-generation disciples.

I put them through the same regimen, but added one more thing: since the acupuncture point book was complete, I had them read and memorize it.

I would occasionally quiz them on the points, and if they couldn’t answer, I made them run a few extra laps.

As a result, they must have been dying.

After a month of this, and as the number of 2nd-generation disciples increased, I began teaching the most basic internal energy technique, Yukhap Gong.

Even though it was basic, it was dangerous to be interrupted while learning, so I called each of them in, in order of their admission, and taught them individually while forming their dantians.

"Yukhap Gong is an internal technique you can easily find in the marketplace, isn’t it? Can’t we learn a different one first?"

Yui-seol had learned without suspicion and formed her dantian, but Dong-ryong was the problem.

"You don’t understand. It’s true that Yukhap Gong, being a basic technique, accumulates less internal energy. But because it purifies the practitioner’s body, the earlier you learn it, the easier it becomes to reach higher levels. So don’t doubt it, just do as you’re told."

"R, really?"

"Yes. If you really can’t trust it, just form your dantian and move on to the next technique. Of course, you’ll be the only one at a disadvantage."

"...I see. Understood. For now, I’ll accumulate internal energy with Yukhap Gong."

"You should have said that from the start."

But aside from Dong-ryong, a few others said the same thing.

So I had to repeat myself several times, which was quite tiring.

There was a reason Yukhap Gong was treated this way.

In the past, a certain Mount Hua ancestor had argued, "Nurturing life should not be just for Taoist temples, but should be done for everyone in the world," and had boldly made it public.

As a result, even though it was Mount Hua’s basic technique, it came to be called one of the "Three Great Street Martial Arts," along with Yukhap Fist and Samjae Sword.

Of course, it was done with good intentions, but ironically, that was why it now faced such suspicion.

Anyway, aside from the newcomers, most had begun to form their dantians, and I started incorporating strength training accordingly.

From that point on, the real hellish training began.

I even made dumbbells, barbells, and pull-up bars myself to train their strength in a more systematic and scientific way.

Of course, I adjusted Yui-seol’s regimen to suit her physique.

The daily routine started at 5 AM with breathing exercises to solidify their internal energy.

Then from 6 to 7, they ran, followed by breakfast.

After that, they endured grueling physical training and had to finish swinging the Samjae Sword 100 times before they could eat lunch.

Of course, those who hadn’t yet formed their dantians were an exception.

Like before, they first built basic stamina through running, then practiced the Samjae Sword 100 times, and studied acupuncture points afterward.

"Ugh... this is truly hell..."

"I feel like I’m going to die..."

"Still, I’ve lost some fat and gained muscle."

"True. That’s definitely happening."

They were starting to notice changes in their own bodies, and the complaints that had been common at first began to subside.

Another month passed, and now all of them had successfully formed their dantians, so they received the same training, and instead of Samjae Sword, I taught them Yukhap Sword.

But here, another problem arose: Ungeom, a 1st-generation disciple, started to interfere.

"Master Jin, Mount Hua now teaches the True Yukhap Sword instead of the old Yukhap Sword. Unlike the old one, the True Yukhap Sword is a fast and agile martial art. So from now on, it would be much better to teach the True Yukhap Sword instead."

"No. Basics need to stay basic. It’s true that the True Yukhap Sword is stronger than the original. But teaching it now is like forcing the Analects on children who haven’t even learned the Thousand Character Classic. If they learn the True Yukhap Sword, they might get ahead of others for now. But without a solid foundation, they’ll only end up limiting their own potential for growth."

"Th, that can’t be..."

Even after I said that, Ungeom didn’t believe me.

"Then, from the Samjae Sword Technique to Yukhap Sword, Nakwha Sword, and up to the Chilmae Sword, I suggest you review Mount Hua’s martial arts again. That’s all I have to say."

"Understood. I’ll do that."

Ungeom seemed slightly offended by my words.

But what could I do? What I said was the truth.

Anyway, I taught for another month, and after being here for three months, I prepared to return to the manor.

I planned to come back to Mount Hua around this time next year.

"You’ve worked hard."

"Not at all. Teaching also gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own martial arts."

"I’m glad you think that way. Then, see you next year."

"Goodbye, Sect Leader."

I also exchanged farewells with Yui-seol.

"Brother, I’ll see you next year. Give my regards to Father."

"Yeah, remember what I told you?"

"Yes, I remember. Not to learn any other internal techniques."

"You must keep that in mind."

"I know."

I didn’t see the others.

That was understandable. I had pushed them so hard with training that I had even earned the nickname "The Silver-Haired Demon."

And somehow, word of my exchange with Ungeom had spread, and the 1st-generation disciples avoided even asking me to teach them, occasionally sending me openly disapproving looks.

They probably thought I had insulted them.

But ironically, Ungeom himself didn’t seem bothered, which was amusing.

Of course, I didn’t care about such looks either.

I returned to the manor, handed over the acupuncture point book I had made so it could be used there as well, and simply rested.

Then, after 11 months, I returned to Mount Hua.

The atmosphere was quite different from when I left.

The worn-down gate had been repaired, and a new plaque reading "Great Mount Hua Sect" had been hung.

I wondered if they had used the money I donated to renovate.

When I announced my arrival, Unam came out to greet me warmly.

"Oh~ You’re here, Master Jin. Have you been well?"

"Yes, I’ve been fine. But has something happened at Mount Hua?"

"Ah, you’re asking about the plaque. It’s a bit embarrassing for me as a 1st-generation disciple to say, but Mount Hua and Jongnam hold a regular sparring match every ten years for mutual development. Coincidentally, last year was that year. I’m ashamed to say all the 1st-generation disciples lost. However, the 2nd-generation disciples fought hard and won all their matches, so the overall result was a draw. Thanks to that, we received support, paid off our debts, and were able to renovate the sect to some extent."

"So that’s what happened."

I had completely forgotten about the ’Hwajong Meeting.’

They hadn’t mentioned it at Mount Hua either.

So I hadn’t paid any attention to it, and I never expected things to turn out this way.

"Moreover, the 1st-generation disciples have also started training in the same way as the 2nd-generation, only with different martial arts. In the end, they’ve admitted that your method was correct."

"I see."

"Let’s not stand here. Please come in."

Led by Unam, I entered the sect and suddenly heard someone shout.

"Kids!! Today we’re crushing our lower bodies!!"

Woooh~~~!!!

I looked over and saw the 1st-generation disciples training with the equipment I had made.

Since it was afternoon, the 2nd-generation disciples were in their study time, so the 1st-generation were using the equipment.

Moreover, their bodies looked great.

They must have been training consistently since the Hwajong Meeting.

’Did I make a mistake teaching them modern fitness? Ugh... the nightmare of Tanjiro...’

Anyway, I greeted Sect Leader Hyeonjong and unpacked in my room.

Burst!

"Brother!"

"Yiseol, it’s been a while."

Thump!

"Ugh!"

Yui-seol must have heard I had arrived, as she ran to me and hugged me.

She had changed a bit over the year—she had grown taller and was becoming more beautiful, which was nice, but her muscles were as solid as any man’s.

With that body, she suddenly ran and crashed into me, momentarily taking my breath away.

It was fine for now, but I worried that her figure might become ruined as she grew.

This was a bit of a problem.

"Is Father doing well?"

"Ugh... He’s doing well. Anyway, I’m glad you look healthy."

Yui-seol and I spent time catching up on what had happened.

Then, at dinner time, we moved to the dining hall, and as soon as I entered, all the 2nd-generation disciples rose from their seats, cupped their fists, and greeted me loudly.

"Welcome, Master Jin!!!"

They were probably doing this to acknowledge my training through the Hwajong Meeting and to express their gratitude for my teaching.

I might have been moved by the sight, but honestly, I was happier that there were no more disciples questioning my training methods.

That would make teaching much easier.

Above all, I hated having to explain things.

After that, eight years passed.

In that time, all the 2nd-generation disciples had graduated from Baekmigwan and received their Taoist names, reaching the level of training beyond Nakwha Sword to the Chilmae Sword.

But Yui-seol was a little different from the others.

While the other 2nd-generation disciples had progressed from Yukhap Gong to Socheonggi Gong and then to Chilseong Gong as they learned the Chilmae Sword, Yui-seol remained with Yukhap Gong.

That didn’t mean she lacked internal energy.

Whenever I had time, I would use [Matter Copy] on elixirs obtained from Nanomachine and feed them to her, and thanks to that, her body was accumulating pure energy.

Of course, this was all intentional.

I also used the [Effortless Transformation] spell to gradually transform her body into one that could maintain a slender figure while possessing great strength, like ’Kanroji Mitsuri’ from Demon Slayer.

Thanks to that, I was able to prevent her physique from being ruined by training, but the side effect of greatly increased appetite couldn’t be helped.

"Brother, chicken."

"Yes, yes."