Multiverse , Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 432: 432 Return to the Volcano 18

In contrast, the atmosphere at Jongnam was very poor.

"Even after feeding them so many elixirs, they can’t perform as expected. Tsk tsk..."

Seeing the elder casually say such things, it seemed he didn’t even understand what the problem was.

The future of Jongnam looked bleak for at least a hundred years.

"Victory for Jongnam’s Lee Song-baek!!!"

"Ah... I lost again."

But Mount Hua couldn’t keep smiling either.

Because after Baekcheon, Mount Hua suffered consecutive defeats.

After Jin Geum-ryong, the Jongnam disciples who stepped up all displayed powerful techniques, blooming sword flowers based on their abundant internal energy.

On the other hand, Mount Hua had no disciples who could bloom plum blossoms except for Cheongmyeong, Baekcheon, and Yui-seol.

In the end, they couldn’t overcome the difference in internal energy and suffered repeated losses.

Fortunately, as the matches entered the middle stages, the level of Jongnam’s disciples also dropped somewhat, and Mount Hua was able to take advantage of that gap to secure consecutive wins again.

"Wow!! With this, it’s 6 wins out of 10 matches, so we won the 2nd-generation disciple competition!!"

As Jogeol clenched his fist in joy, Cheongmyeong glared at him with fierce eyes and spoke.

"What did you say??? Won??? You call 6 wins a win??? I’m speechless... Even one loss to someone like Jongnam is a disgrace to Mount Hua! Listen well, fellow disciples. From now on, if you lose again, I’ll consider it a lack of training, so deal with it yourselves!"

"T, that’s..."

Seeing Jogeol flustered by Cheongmyeong’s threat, it was clear how much Cheongmyeong had been pushing the 3rd-generation disciples.

Just then, Unam stepped back into the center of the training ground and shouted.

"The next match will be the 3rd-generation disciple competition!"

At that shout, Yoon Jong, the senior disciple of the 3rd-generation, spoke nervously.

"It’s finally our turn."

"Alright! I’ll go first. Watch closely, fellow disciples. I’ll show you why the basics are important."

As Cheongmyeong stood up and grabbed his wooden sword, Yoon Jong, looking incredulous, urgently stopped him.

"You fool! According to the assignment, you’re last! Get a grip!"

"Ah, I don’t care about that. As expected, the strongest one should go first."

"Hah... Here we go again."

Yoon Jong, looking like he had a headache, pressed his forehead and gave some sort of signal to the 3rd-generation disciples.

Then all the 3rd-generation disciples rushed in to subdue Cheongmyeong.

Funny enough, since this happened so often, Yoon Jong seemed to have arranged a separate signal with the 3rd-generation disciples.

"Grab him!!"

"Don’t let this bastard go!!"

"Get a grip, you crazy bastard!!"

"You can’t do this, you fool!!"

But unlike before, the 3rd-generation disciples couldn’t stop Cheongmyeong, whose internal energy had increased after taking the elixirs.

"Ugh!"

Bam!!!

Cheongmyeong shook off the 3rd-generation disciples, leaped, and landed lightly on the training ground.

"Next one, come out!!!"

When Cheongmyeong shouted that, the Mount Hua disciples couldn’t hide their bewilderment, and Jongnam looked on as if wondering who this crazy person was.

"Go, U-ryang. Do not show the disgrace your senior disciples did."

"Understood, Elder."

The Jongnam 3rd-generation disciple named U-ryang confidently stepped onto the training ground and stood before Cheongmyeong.

Then he introduced himself.

"I am Seon U-ryang, a 3rd-generation disciple of Jongnam."

"I don’t care about that. Just attack."

U-ryang frowned at Cheongmyeong’s attitude.

"Mount Hua is a Taoist sect, isn’t it? Don’t they teach manners there?"

Cheongmyeong looked at him with a pitiful expression and spoke.

"Manners can freeze to death. Are we going to meet before a war, shake hands, have a drink, and then fight? Stop the nonsense and just attack. I have a lot to show you."

Realizing that further words were pointless, U-ryang took his stance and tried to attack Cheongmyeong.

But Cheongmyeong easily dodged the attack and counterattacked.

What Cheongmyeong did was simply a downward strike.

The problem was that the downward strike was so clean it was almost perfect.

It was as if he was showing the very essence of a downward strike.

Thwack!

"Ugh!"

U-ryang, hit on the shoulder by Cheongmyeong’s downward strike, groaned in pain while clutching his shoulder.

Then Cheongmyeong spoke.

"Stop exaggerating. I went easy on you because I have a lot to show you."

"Damn! How did I get hit? It was clearly a slow attack..."

U-ryang, with an expression of disbelief that he had been hit by such a simple attack, readjusted his wooden sword and continued his assault.

"Haap!!!"

Thwack! Thump! Smack! Smack!

"Agh! Ugh! Huff! Ugh!"

But the result was the same.

Cheongmyeong simply used basic sword techniques: downward strikes, thrusts, slashes, and blocks, all basic forms.

"Th, this can’t be... How can he do that with only Yukhap Sword..."

Yoon Jong and Jogeol, who were watching, immediately recognized the sword technique Cheongmyeong was using.

It was Yukhap Sword, the first technique they learned upon joining Mount Hua.

He was overwhelming his opponent with only that basic sword technique.

Thump, thump, thump!

"Aaaack! Stop hitting! I surrender! I surrender!"

"Hah... I haven’t even used Nakwha Sword yet... You have no perseverance."

Having already been battered, U-ryang had no strength left to resist.

He cried out his surrender repeatedly, and Cheongmyeong finally lowered his wooden sword and sighed.

What awaited Cheongmyeong as he came down from the training ground was not congratulations.

The 3rd-generation disciples were more interested in what had just happened than the victory or defeat, and they swarmed him with questions.

"How did you do that? How did you beat him with only Yukhap Sword?"

"Right, how on earth did you do it?"

Cheongmyeong waved his hand as if annoyed and spoke.

"If you try it, you’ll know. Anyway, Yoon Jong, do you die if you lose?"

"This bastard, always so cocky... Do you have anything more to say? Like the characteristics of Jongnam’s martial arts."

"If I tell you, can you use it? Just roughly hit them when you see their heads."

Yoon Jong thought for a moment, then grabbed his wooden sword and spoke.

"Alright... I’ll try."

The result was different from Cheongmyeong’s time.

A fierce exchange continued for several rounds, but Yoon Jong, who launched much heavier and more precise attacks than the Jongnam disciple, eventually secured the victory.

Waaaaah!!

"We won!! Yoon Jong won!!"

"As expected, senior disciple!!"

When Yoon Jong returned, the 3rd-generation disciples were overjoyed, unlike with Cheongmyeong, probably because he was the senior disciple who always looked after them well.

Jogeol, who was next in line, asked Yoon Jong.

"Any advice..."

"Jogeol, our training wasn’t in vain. Just go out. As Cheongmyeong said, you’ll know once you go out."

"R, really?"

"Yeah."

Even after Yoon Jong, the situation didn’t change much.

All the 3rd-generation disciples continued their winning streak against Jongnam.

Thump!

"Ugh!"

Thud.

"Wow!! We won again!!"

"That’s 4 consecutive wins!!"

"At this rate, we might get a clean sweep!"

Then Yoon Jong asked Cheongmyeong.

"How can there be such a difference?"

"Didn’t you feel something was off during sparring?"

At Cheongmyeong’s question, Yoon Jong thought for a moment and answered.

"Hmm... Something did feel off. Should I say the weight of their techniques was lacking? Or that they were clumsy..."

"You’ve got it. That’s exactly it. Jongnam’s disciples have learned too much for their age compared to what they should be learning."

"Isn’t learning more and mastering it a good thing?"

Cheongmyeong clicked his tongue and began to explain.

"Tsk, martial arts is like building a tower. How high you can build depends on how solid the foundation is. But those guys built the 2nd and 3rd floors before even finishing the 1st. And now they’re belatedly reinforcing it. What do you think happens when a tower built like that collides with a tower that has a perfectly built 1st floor?"

"...It collapses."

"Right. The basics of martial arts are one thing: using your body perfectly to strike your opponent accurately. From that foundation, roots grow, a trunk rises, and branches spread. Faster, more accurate, and stronger. The training we’ve been doing so far was to focus on that foundation."

Cheongmyeong pointed at the Mount Hua disciple fighting in the training ground and continued.

"Look, the difference between a Mount Hua disciple and a Jongnam disciple. A stable lower body, clean sword path, the ability to calmly observe everything. And above all, the focus to put all your strength into a single strike. At your age, that’s enough. With just that, you can beat anyone your age."

"I see."

Then Jogeol, who had been listening from the side, asked a question.

"Then, if it’s that easy, why didn’t other sects do it?"

"Easy? Did you think your training so far was easy?"

Jogeol, flustered, responded.

"Ah, no. I didn’t mean that, but conceptually it seemed easy..."

"Really? Then can you live your life spending more than half of each day studying, maintaining proper conduct with the remaining time, sincerely serving your parents, not deceiving the weak, not coveting wealth, showing proper respect upward while not losing respect downward, treating friends sincerely, and being loyal to your country?"

"...I, I can’t."

"Why can’t you? If you keep all that, you’d become a gentleman."

Then Jogeol spoke with a look of realization.

"Ah... It’s like everyone knows how to become a true gentleman, but very few can actually live by those conditions their whole lives."

"Right, that’s it. Now you understand? Always strive and strive again. Nothing is more important than effort. The sages constantly demand endless effort and striving. Why? Because people can’t do it. Train like you’re going to die, push yourself to the limit every time, strive and strive again. If you can actually do that seemingly impossible thing, you’ll crush someone like Jongnam overwhelmingly."

"So that’s how it was..."

While Cheongmyeong and the kids were talking, Mount Hua had already achieved 7 consecutive wins.

Thanks to that, even the 2nd-generation disciples were cheering for the 3rd-generation disciples.

"Go!!"

"Win!!"

"Push them!!!"

Then I spoke as if talking to myself.

"I’ve gained a lot too. Since Jongnam used the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique that they stole here, its restoration will be faster."

Cheongmyeong, now realizing that fact as well, clapped his hands and agreed.

"Oh! That’s true. This is quite amusing, isn’t it? Getting back what was stolen like this."

"You’re right."

"Still, that doesn’t mean I can forgive Jongnam."

It was satisfying that Jongnam suffered humiliation in front of numerous influential figures at this Hwajong Meeting, but that wasn’t enough to quell Cheongmyeong’s anger.

Unless there was a special variable, Cheongmyeong was highly likely to become the best in the world in the future.

Moreover, in the world of Return of the Mount Hua Sect, the deeper the internal energy, the longer the lifespan, and Cheongmyeong, even at the age of 82 during his Plum Blossom Sword Master days, maintained an appearance no different from someone in their 30s.

Therefore, as long as Cheongmyeong lived a long life, Jongnam’s future could only become bleaker.

’Tsk tsk, no matter how much Cheongmyeong hates them, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed. Well, I suppose it’s their own doing.’

While I was thinking that, Mount Hua’s 3rd-generation disciples continued their winning streak and eventually achieved a clean sweep.

Woooooah!!!

"We won!!!"

"We won!!!"

"That’s 10 consecutive wins!!"

All the Mount Hua disciples rose from their seats, cheering and savoring the victory.

Although they recorded 4 losses, with an overwhelming record of 16 wins out of 20 matches, it was safe to say that Mount Hua had completely dominated Jongnam.

Hyeonjong approached Elder Sama and offered words of consolation.

"This time, luck was simply on our side. Jongnam also has many outstanding disciples, so at the next Hwajong Meeting, we might face a difficult match."

Elder Sama, grinding his teeth in frustration, spoke.

Grrr...

"I admit defeat at this Hwajong Meeting. But don’t forget that this does not mean Mount Hua has surpassed Jongnam! A mere sparring match like this changes nothing!"

"I suppose so. Mount Hua still has a long way to go."

At that, Elder Sama, unable to contain his anger, crushed the armrest of his chair with his grip strength alone, then stood up abruptly and shouted to the Jongnam disciples.

"We’re leaving!!"

As Elder Sama stormed off first, the disciples hurriedly gathered their belongings and followed him.

Seeing that, Cheongmyeong said in disbelief.

"L-look at that... Leaving the sect’s disciples behind and going first himself. I’ve never seen such a pathetic person."

Yoon Jong, startled by those words, hurriedly covered Cheongmyeong’s mouth and looked around.

"You fool! What if someone hears you!"

Cheongmyeong pushed away Yoon Jong’s hand and spoke.

"What? I’m not wrong."

"Hah... Let’s not talk."

But Yoon Jong’s concern was almost overblown.

The Mount Hua disciples were cheering at the top of their lungs, drunk on the joy of victory, and the Jongnam disciples were too busy preparing to leave to pay any attention to their surroundings.

So it seemed only a few nearby heard Cheongmyeong’s words.

"Sect Leader! Could I have a word!?"

"Don’t push! Wasn’t I here first!?"

"I just want to discuss a deal with Mount Hua, so clear the way!"

After Jongnam left, the influential figures who had come to watch were in an uproar.

Then the Chief Elder stepped forward.

"For matters regarding deals, you should be speaking with me, the Chief Elder!! Now, follow me! There’s plenty of time, so let’s take it slowly!"

At that, the influential figures followed the Chief Elder.

With this, Mount Hua’s financial situation would likely improve even further.

After the Hwajong Meeting concluded, I began organizing the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique into a martial arts manual again.

Using the events at the Hwajong Meeting as an excuse, I restored nearly 95% of it.

At this rate, Cheongmyeong would probably come up with various reasons and eventually complete the remaining parts on his own.

"Brother, it’s almost completely restored now. Can we train with this from now on?"

Yui-seol asked, looking at the restored manual.

"No, we shouldn’t train with that sword technique anymore. Our mind technique was created based on Mount Hua’s internal energy technique, so we won’t end up like Jongnam, but other things are different. So we need to modify the techniques accordingly."

"I see. Understood. Then I’ll wait until it’s completed."

"It won’t take long, so don’t worry. I’ve learned a lot while making the manual too."

"Okay."

It was true that the Jeokmyeong Divine Art I developed didn’t have terrible compatibility with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but it couldn’t draw out 100% of its power either.

So I planned to revise the sword technique to match it after returning to the manor.

I handed the completed manual to Sect Leader Hyeonjong.

Hyeonjong examined the restored manual for a long time and was greatly surprised.

"Astonishing. I never thought you could restore it to this extent..."

"I gained a lot while staying at Mount Hua. That’s why I could restore it, but it’s true that it’s still a bit lacking."

"No, I think this is almost a perfect restoration. You’ve worked hard. Now Unyeol, Yui-seol’s father, can rest in peace as well."

Hyeonjong said that, wiping away tears.

"With this, my duties to Mount Hua are complete. So I’d like to take Yui-seol and return to the manor now."

"I see."

Hyeonjong suddenly stood up, politely cupped his fists, and bowed his head to me.

"Thank you sincerely for working for Mount Hua all this time. Our Mount Hua has received a great debt of gratitude from the Jin Manor."

I also cupped my fists to Hyeonjong and spoke.

"Not at all. I simply returned what should be returned. Please don’t think too much of it."

"No, it’s true. Mount Hua’s regaining of its martial arts and reputation is entirely thanks to the young master of the Jin Manor. From now on, no matter what crisis the Jin Manor faces, this Mount Hua will do everything in its power to help. I swear this as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

From his words, Hyeonjong seemed genuinely grateful to me.

So I also responded formally.

"I am grateful for your words. The Jin Manor also promises to cherish its relationship with Mount Hua and continue our friendship going forward."

"Thank you."

That concluded the discussion about the future of the two sects, but I still had more to tell him.

"Oh, and by the way, while I was training around Mount Hua, I found something."

"Hm? What is it?"

"It looks like an old grave, located in rather rough terrain with vines tangled around it, so I couldn’t examine it closely, but it seems to be the graves of Mount Hua’s ancestors. There was more than one grave, and it looked like a well-organized cemetery."

Hyeonjong seemed surprised by that.

"Such a place existed?! Then let’s go at once."

I said with a somewhat troubled expression.

"Sect Leader... As I said, it’s located in a rough area. I think the disciples’ help will be needed."

Indeed, the graves I had created before were in a place difficult for Hyeonjong to climb given his age and skill level.

Moreover, the person who actually needed to see those graves was someone else.

That’s why I said that.

"I see. Understood. I’ll gather the disciples."

Hyeonjong began to hurriedly gather the disciples.

Among them were Elder Hyeonsang, the 2nd-generation disciples, and some 3rd-generation disciples, and luckily, Cheongmyeong was also included.

Cheongmyeong must have been curious about the discovery of the graves as well.

"What’s going on?"

"I heard they discovered the graves of Mount Hua’s ancestors."

"Really? Then shouldn’t the Unja generation (1st-generation) senior disciples go?"

"The Unja generation senior disciples seem busy helping the Chief Elder."

"Ah, I see. But why are we told to prepare ropes and sickles?"

"I don’t know about that?"

The assembled disciples began to murmur in confusion when the order came to prepare sickles and ropes, and seeing this, the Sect Leader stepped forward and explained.

"Listen carefully, everyone! A place believed to be the graves of our ancestors has been discovered. We will go to verify its authenticity. And since it is located in very rough terrain, follow carefully and don’t get hurt."

"Understood, Sect Leader."