Chapter 2: If Something Changes, Something Remains the Same

The first thing Damho did when he woke up at dawn was to prepare breakfast for Master Hyunso Jinin. He washed the rice and mashed a few vegetables.

His movements were incredibly skilled, as he had been doing this for quite a long time.

Master Hyunso Jinin neither ate much nor was he picky about his food. As a devout Taoist, he refrained from eating any food that was too aromatic or against the teachings. This made Damho's preparation tasks relatively simple.

Damho quickly prepared the meal and entered Master Hyunso Jinin's room. The master was already up, engrossed in reading the Taoist scriptures.

"Master, it's time for your meal."

"Has it already been that long?"

Master Hyunso Jinin closed his scripture and smiled.

Damho set the meal in front of Master Hyunso Jinin. A bowl of rice and a few side dishes made from vegetables, it was a humble meal.

"It looks delicious. You've worked hard since morning."

"Not at all, Master. Please eat."

"Alright!"

Only after Master Hyunso Jinin picked up his chopsticks did Damho begin his meal.

Both the master and the disciple maintained silence.

The only sound in the room was the echo of the two eating.

Master Hyunso Jinin spoke only after he finished his meal. He wiped his mouth and began to speak.

"Hoya."

"Yes!"

"I had a good meal. Thanks to you, I am living a life of luxury."

"No, Master. It's my duty. Without you, I wouldn't be here."

If Master Hyunso Jinin hadn't saved him five years ago, Damho wouldn't exist today. Even when many from the Hwasan Sect ostracized or subtly mocked him, only Master Hyunso Jinin treated him with genuine kindness.

To Damho, Master Hyunso Jinin was more than a master; he was like a parent. That's why Damho's attitude towards him was always one of utmost respect.

"Hoya."

"Yes?"

"Do you desire to master martial arts?"

"Yes!"

Damho answered without a moment's hesitation. Seeing this, Master Hyunso Jinin let out a soft sigh.

"I'm sorry for my incompetence, causing you to suffer."

"Not at all."

"I apologize."

"Master, please don't say such things."

"Do you know that I am a scholar?"

"Yes!"

"Do you know what a scholar does?"

"They study the scriptures of Taoism..."

"That's what everyone thinks."

"Is that not the case?"

"Do you know who my master was?"

"Wasn't it Master Cheongungja?"

"Correct. My master was Cheongungja, who was hailed as the greatest martial artist of the Hwasan Sect."

Cheongungja, now a legend, was the greatest martial artist of the Hwasan Sect in his time. It was because of him that the Hwasan Sect enjoyed its golden age.

He was a martial arts fanatic, so much so that he handed over his position as the chief disciple to Ilgungja and devoted himself to martial arts.

"When I first became a disciple of my master, everyone had high expectations. They all thought I was a genius. It was natural. If the disciple of Cheongungja, who was famous throughout the world, wasn't a genius, it wouldn't make sense. But then the unthinkable happened."

A bitter smile appeared on Master Hyunso Jinin's face. It was a smile that seemed both bitter and indifferent.

"Unlike my genius master, I didn't have much talent in martial arts. I could understand it to some extent in my head, but my body wouldn't follow. It was impossible from the start to inherit my master's martial arts."

Damho held his breath.

This was a story he had never heard before, despite being together for five years.

"My master was like the sun in the sky, and I was a mere possessor of mediocre talent. Naturally, there were many rumors within the Hwasan Sect. I was also curious why my master chose me. So, I asked him. Why did he accept me as his disciple? Do you know what he said?"

"..."

"'What Hwasan needs now is not a person with strong martial arts, but a person with a strong heart. A person who can preserve the spirit of Hwasan and pass on its spirit to future generations. Hyunso, you must fulfill this role.' He said that and recommended the path of a scholar. Do you understand his words?"

Damho shook his head.

The Hwasan Sect was walking the path of Taoism, but it was a martial arts sect. It was one of the nine great sects, and it was still regaining its former glory.

How could Cheongungja, the greatest martial artist of the Hwasan Sect, recommend the path of a scholar to his disciple?

A scholar is literally a person who walks the path of a Taoist through scriptures. They seek the truth.

But in the Hwasan Sect, which is now more of a martial arts sect than a Taoist sect, the position of a scholar doesn't fit.

How could the Hwasan Sect, one of the nine great sects, be just a simple Taoist sect? How could Cheongungja, the greatest martial artist of the Hwasan Sect, recommend the path of a scholar to his disciple?

The scholar is literally a person who walks the path of a Taoist through scriptures. They seek the truth.

But in the Hwasan Sect, which is now more of a martial arts sect than a Taoist sect, the position of a scholar doesn't fit.

Even in the past, the position of a scholar in the Hwasan Sect was almost useless. Only because Master Hyunso Jinin was a disciple of Cheongungja did he receive this much respect. If not, he wouldn't have even had a proper place to stay.

"At first, I resented him a lot. The disciple of Cheongungja, the greatest of Hwasan, a scholar."

The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

The martial artists of the Hwasan Sect were disappointed in Cheongungja's decision, and they looked at Master Hyunso Jinin with pity. Thus, Master Hyunso Jinin walked the path of a scholar and arrived at today.

"I spent countless sleepless nights. Even while reading the scriptures, I couldn't quell my anger. But then, as time passed, the flames of anger in my heart gradually subsided. And I realized. It's not necessary to master the sword to reach Tao. There are many ways to realize Tao. Only then did I vaguely understand why my master led me to the path of a scholar."

Damho silently looked at Master Hyunso Jinin. He had never known that his respected master had such a past.

"Most people think that a scholar is simply a person who studies scriptures, but that's not true. A scholar of Hwasan has the responsibility to fully record and systematically classify the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect and pass them on to future generations."

"What do you mean?"

A look of confusion appeared on Damho's face. It was the first time he had heard such a thing.

"A scholar not only studies scriptures but also

has the responsibility to fully record and systematically classify the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect and pass them on to future generations. In the worst-case scenario, if the Spirit Treasure Palace, which stores the martial arts of Hwasan, burns down, or a rare martial art is lost, they must memorize all the martial arts. That's the true duty of a scholar."

Damho's eyes changed.

He had never known that the position of a scholar was like that until today.

"I didn't know that the true duty of a scholar was such."

"The current chief disciple doesn't know this either. The previous chief disciple passed away before he could tell him."

"Why didn't you tell the chief disciple? If he knew, you would have been treated better."

"Do I need to say it? All I need to do is find a worthy successor and pass on my knowledge. Knowledge is usually passed on quietly."

"Master."

Master Hyunso Jinin smiled kindly.

"More importantly, Hoya."

"Yes!"

"You don't have to stick to one path. Being a scholar isn't a bad choice."

At Master Hyunso Jinin's words, Damho bit his lip. He was instinctively rejecting the path of a scholar. But Master Hyunso Jinin smiled as if he had expected it.

"Yes, it's not like you to sit and study scriptures or organize martial arts books in your head."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. If you're so determined, I won't try to change your mind."

"Master."

"Hwasan's martial arts don't suit you. Hwasan's martial arts are so complex that even people with perfect legs can't easily master them. Especially for you, with your leg condition, it's impossible to achieve great success. Do you understand?"

"But I will never give up."

"You're not the type to give up. If you were, you would have died five years ago. Hoya!"

"Yes!"

Suddenly, Master Hyunso Jinin reached out and stroked Damho's head. It was an unexpected action, but Damho didn't avoid Master Hyunso Jinin's hand.

The touch of Master Hyunso Jinin's hand on Damho's head was incredibly warm.

"I believe in you."

"..."

For a moment, Damho's shoulders tensed.

A surge of warmth welled up from within his chest. He was taken aback by this emotion, which he couldn't understand himself.

Master Hyunso Jinin removed his hand from Damho's head and stood up. Damho stared blankly at him.

Master Hyunso Jinin took out an old book from a cabinet behind him.

"Take this."

"What is it?"

"It's something I found by chance while organizing the scriptures in the Spirit Treasure Palace a long time ago."

Damho took the book.

It was so old that the cover was ragged like a rag, and it looked so fragile that it seemed it would break if he applied a little force.

"It's called 'Zhongtian Xinjue'."

"Zhongtian Xinjue?"

A look of doubt crossed Damho's face. It was a name he had never heard before.

"You've never heard of it, have you? I felt the same when I first found it. When I looked up the records, it turned out to be a heart method created in the early days when the Hwasan Sect settled on Mount Hua."

"But why is it called Zhongtian Xinjue?"

Damho asked with a puzzled expression.

The name of a martial art usually reflects its characteristics.

The name Zhongtian Xinjue gave off a sense of heaviness. It felt different from the Hwasan Sect's martial arts, which boasted of diversity and unpredictability.

"The sword of Hwasan is fierce and ever-changing, and it's famous throughout the world. But was it always like that? The martial arts of the Hwasan Sect in its early days must have been heavy, like the rocks of Mount Hua. But as hundreds of years passed, many changes occurred, and it evolved into its current form."

Master Hyunso Jinin had not personally learned martial arts. However, as a scholar, he had organized and memorized numerous martial arts books, so his understanding of martial arts was quite profound.

"There are things in the world that never change, but there are also things that change over time. The martial arts of the Hwasan Sect can be considered the latter. They were refined, changed, and advanced according to need... and that's how the current Hwasan Sect's martial arts were created. Everyone wants something new. But does that mean that old things are necessarily useless? I don't think so."

At this moment, Master Hyunso Jinin was thinking of his master, Cheongungja.

Cheongungja was a genius.

He had perfected the martial arts of Hwasan, and the martial artists of the Hwasan Sect wanted to be like him. The current state of the Hwasan Sect could be seen as being trapped in the lingering influence of the extraordinary existence that was Cheongungja.

Cheongungja wanted the disciples of the Hwasan Sect to find something different from him. That's why he might have made his only disciple, Hyunso Jinin, walk the path of a scholar.

"Hoya, the old teachings of Hwasan are fully contained in this Zhongtian Xinjue. I don't know what you'll find in it, but I'm sure you'll be able to get what you want."

"Master."

"If you can't get what you want from the current Hwasan, then find what you want from the old Hwasan."

"Yes..."

Damho held the Zhongtian Xinjue tightly in his arms.

No one could know for sure whether he could find what he wanted in it. But just the warm consideration of Master Hyunso Jinin made Damho feel as if he had gained the whole world.

Seeing Damho like this, Master Hyunso Jinin smiled.

'Yes, this will do.'

***

Damho went into his room and carefully opened the old book.

As he turned the cover, the faint words 'Zhongtian Xinjue' were written on the paper. Damho paused for a moment and ran his fingertips over the words.

'Zhongtian Xinjue.'

Damho carefully turned the next page.

Mount Hua is tall and straight.

Its form is like a sword, but beware, people.

Mount Hua may take the form of a sword, but it is a rock mountain in itself.

It can maintain its straightness because it carries a heavy weight.

Heaviness comes first, and lightness follows.

The mind should always be heavy and not easily shaken.

The sky seems empty, but it is full, and its heaviness can encompass the earth.

The human mind is also like the sky. If it can contain heaviness, it will not be shaken by any wind.

Damho took each phrase to heart as he turned the pages.

The mind reflects the sky - hold the image of the sky in your mind,

The heart weighs as much as the sky - hold the weight of the sky in your heart.

When the mind moves, it can control the sky.

A heavy heart moves the sky.

The forgotten martial arts of old Hwasan were revealing themselves before him.

***

Damho went outside.

His face had become quite pale over the past few days. It was because he had been engrossed in the Zhongtian Xinjue.

Master Hyunso Jinin's room had not been opened once while Damho was engrossed in the Zhongtian Xinjue. He knew that Damho was lost in thought.

When Damho came out, he looked much more refreshed. It was because he saw some possibility in the Zhongtian Xinjue that he had been longing for.

There was nothing clear yet. There was no guarantee that he had achieved what he wanted. But the fact that even a hint of possibility existed made his heart race.

"Huh!"

When Damho took a deep breath to drink in the fresh air,

"Disciple!"

A clear voice suddenly rang out.

He turned his head to see a woman with a graceful aura. There was only one woman in Hwasan who had such an aura.

"Disciple."

It was Han Soyu.

She approached him.

"What's up?"

"Nothing."

"Then why didn't you show up?"

"Huh?"

"You were climbing Mount Hwasan every day, and I was worried because I didn't see you for a few days."

"Oh, I had some business."

"Really? You're not sick, are you?"

"No."

Han Soyu stared intently into Damho's eyes. Damho didn't avoid her gaze. Then, Han Soyu smiled.

"I guess it's true? That's a relief."

"Is that why you came?"

"I also had a story to deliver, so I came for both reasons. You haven't heard yet, have you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"No one seems to have informed you."

A slight furrow appeared on Han Soyu's brow. She looked at Yeonhwabong with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Master."

"Ah, sorry. Soon, all the primary disciples will gather at Jinmugung."

"Jinmugung?"

Jinmugung was a symbol of the martial power of the Hwasan Sect. Any disciple who had an enemy within the Hwasan Sect naturally desired to enter Jinmugung. However, the threshold of Jinmugung was high and narrow, not a place that just anyone could enter.

Among the primary disciples, only a very few could come and go as they pleased in Jinmugung. Naturally, Damho was not yet allowed to enter.

"But why Jinmugung?"

"Master Hyungeom has finally emerged from seclusion. He has ordered all the primary disciples to gather."

Han Soyu's face flushed slightly. She was that excited.

Hyungeom Jinin was the lord of Jinmugung. And he was also recognized by all as the best of the Hwasan Sect in the current era.

Six years ago, he went into seclusion to organize his enlightenment. This was before Damho had joined the Hwasan Sect. Therefore, Damho had only heard stories about Hyungeom Jinin and had never seen him in person.

A man who had reached the pinnacle of Hwasan swordsmanship.

When a sword unfolded from his hand, it was said that plum blossoms bloomed.

Some people said,

If it's the current Hyungeom Jinin, he would have a martial power comparable to that of the Heavenly Bow of the Stone Year.

Such high praise was given to Hyungeom Jinin.

"He's gathering his disciples?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"Perhaps he intends to bestow his profound insights upon his disciples?"

Han Soyu's face was flushed.

Receiving teachings from Hyungeom Jinin, the best swordsman of Hwasan, was as good as a great opportunity. That's why the entire Hwasan Sect was buzzing right now.

"Not just the primary disciples. It seems he plans to see the secondary disciples and the inner disciples separately later."

"Hmm!"

"So, Master, you should prepare well too. Who knows? If you catch his eye, he might pass on a profound insight suitable for you."

There was a lot of meaning in her words.

Damho nodded silently. At his reaction, Han Soyu chuckled.

"You're always so stoic... Well, I'm off. I'll send someone to call you later."

"Thank you, Master."

Han Soyu waved her hand and walked away.

Damho watched her retreating figure for a long time.

Among the many people in the Hwasan Sect, Han Soyu was one of the few who looked at him as he was. There was no pity or sympathy in her eyes. She looked at him as a fellow disciple of the Hwasan Sect. For that, he was grateful.

"Master Hyungeom..."

Damho looked at the peak of Wundae Peak. It was hidden by the bushes and not visible, but somewhere on the peak would be Jinmugung. And in there would be Hyungeom Jinin.

He didn't know what teachings Hyungeom Jinin would give, but Damho didn't have the energy to worry about that right now.

The meeting with Hyungeom Jinin was something that hadn't happened yet, so there was no need to get excited about it prematurely.

First, Damho filled a sandbag on his left ankle. He was about to resume the task he had stopped halfway when he unintentionally obtained the Heavenly Heart Secret. He was about to climb and descend the mountain again.

With the sandbag on, he descended the mountain. Descending the steep valley of the mountain was harder than climbing. If he misplaced his foot, he would fall.

Even the normal people found it hard to descend that path, but Damho went down at a fast pace. Having a disability in his leg was not a problem.

Five years of hard work had greatly developed Damho's sense of balance. Thanks to that, he was able to descend the mountain safely.

Damho took a moment to catch his breath. Once his breathing had calmed down somewhat, he began to climb the mountain again.

Descending required a high sense of balance, and climbing required strong muscular strength and cardiopulmonary capacity. Damho gritted his teeth and climbed the steps one by one.

Time passed, and Damho's entire body was soaked in sweat. It was even harder with the sandbag on his left ankle, but Damho did not stop climbing the mountain.

When he finally arrived at his dwelling, Damho was exhausted. He lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

"Heuk, heuk!"

His mouth was dry, and his heart felt like it was about to burst. His muscles all over his body were screaming in pain. But Damho forced himself to get up.

After catching his breath for a moment, Damho began to stretch his body this way and that. He was about to practice martial arts in his exhausted state.

The first thing he unfolded was Jukyeopsu. It was the martial art that anyone who focused on the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect would learn first.

First, he unfolded the initial form of Jukyeopsu, Bamboo Leaf Breaks the Sky.

Shush!

Damho's Jukyeopsu was sharp. His hand cut through the air, and his waist spun like a top.

Then the second form, Flying Leaf Travels a Thousand Miles, was unfolded.

Damho's hand movement was like a wave, but the momentum that emanated was extremely sharp.

Hwoong!

The next form was the last form of Jukyeopsu, Leaf Pierces the Sun. Damho's hand cut through the air like a flash of lightning.

Damho's movements as he unfolded Jukyeopsu were graceful. Yet, a sharp momentum extended like a blade.

Damho's movements returned to the beginning. He unfolded the first form, Bamboo Leaf Breaks the Sky, once again.

The air rippled as the second form, Flying Leaf Travels a Thousand Miles, and the third form, Leaf Pierces the Sun, followed in quick succession.

Damho repeated Jukyeopsu, forgetting the passage of time.

The biggest feature of Jukyeopsu was that it could be unfolded without any special footwork. At first, Damho unfolded Jukyeopsu without moving his legs at all, sticking them to the ground.

When Jukyeopsu reached its peak, Damho began to move his legs cautiously.

One step forward, and then one step back.

A monotonous movement back and forth, it could not be called a sophisticated footwork. He used his lame left foot as a pivot and stepped forward with his right foot. If the elders of the Hwasan Sect saw it, they would have issued a reprimand for such terrible footwork. But for Damho now, this was the best he could do.

Thud!

Each time he stepped on his left foot, Damho's face twisted slightly.

He might have healed from his visible injuries, but he still felt pain. However, Damho

tried hard to ignore the pain he felt below his knee.

'This level of pain can't stop me.'

Damho stepped on his left foot even harder.

Thud!

Suddenly, his momentum changed.

Jukyeopsu turned into Bokhogwon. The sharp momentum became heavy.

Bokhogwon was a martial art created by imitating the movements of a tiger. Now it was known as a common martial art that the inner disciples mainly learned, but in fact, Bokhogwon was a very well-made fist technique.

Damho had a question.

'Are the teeth and claws the only weapons of a tiger? Is biting and scratching really the best attack for a tiger?'

Damho thought not.

'That huge body is the tiger's biggest weapon. The animals that become prey can't move because of the dizzying and intimidating feeling when that heavy weight flies. Then Bokhogwon should also not simply swing hands and feet, but make the most of the human body.'

Shush!

Damho's fist cut through the air.

To bring out the strong momentum of Bokhogwon, strong leg strength was needed. That's because it had to withstand such a strong recoil.

Damho's footwork remained unchanged. Advance forward, and quickly retreat backward.

When Bokhogwon reached its peak, Damho's movements suddenly changed. His fists stretched out in all directions.

Yukhapgwon.

Along with Jukyeopsu and Bokhogwon, it was one of the most basic fist techniques of the Hwasan Sect. The changes were monotonous like other fist techniques, but it contained a fierce momentum.

Forgetting his fatigue, Damho fell into a trance and unfolded the three fist techniques in succession.

Among the many martial arts of the Hwasan Sect, Damho was most absorbed in these three basic fist techniques.

Over the past five years, he had practiced every day, so now he could unfold these three fist techniques even with his eyes closed. Damho unfolded these three fist techniques with all his heart.

There was no one in the Hwasan Sect who practiced these basic fist techniques as diligently as Damho. Most people naturally wanted higher-level martial arts, and there were quite a few such martial arts in the Hwasan Sect.

"Huuk!"

Only the sound of Damho's ragged breathing and the splitting of the air echoed in the training ground.

And so, Damho's time passed.

When night fell, Master Hyunso Jinin returned to their dwelling to find Damho, who seemed on the verge of passing out, asleep on the wooden floor.

Master Hyunso Jinin wasn't surprised. He had seen this sight every day for the past five years. Instead, he looked at the traces left on the ground.

Footprints remained in the training ground. Damho's footprints, forming a straight line.

Master Hyunso Jinin looked at Damho with pride. Damho was still deep in sleep.

He carefully sat next to Damho and began to massage his legs.

"Repetition can bring boredom, but overcoming that boredom and repeating training can strengthen a person, my boy."

Master Hyunso Jinin carefully massaged Damho's legs.

Over the past five years, his skills in acupressure and blood circulation had reached a considerable level. He loosened the tight parts and gently massaged the joints.

Especially, he paid the most attention to Damho's left foot. Since it wasn't in a normal state, it was more tightly knotted.

Master Hyunso Jinin's hand, massaging Damho's left foot, was warm. Perhaps feeling his warmth, a smile appeared on the face of Damho, who was sleeping as if he had fainted.

Master Hyunso Jinin only removed his hand after confirming that Damho's knotted muscles had relaxed.

"Phew!"

Master Hyunso Jinin exhaled deeply and got up.

The night was deep, but his work was not yet done. He took out a book from his bosom.

The Heavenly Yin Connection Book.

It was a book that had been stuck in the Hwasan Sect's Spirit Treasure Palace.

He had read that book a long time ago, but he took it out again for Damho.

Master Hyunso Jinin read the Heavenly Yin Connection Book until dawn. Beside him, Damho was deeply asleep.

***

Damho got up.

"Uhm!"

He felt refreshed as if he had taken a bath. Damho, who had stretched for a moment, found Master Hyunso Jinin sleeping next to him.

"Master again..."

He knew without checking. Master Hyunso Jinin had done acupressure and blood circulation for him.

Next to Master Hyunso Jinin was a book he had never seen before. Damho closed the book and carefully moved Master Hyunso Jinin into the room.

Only after making sure that Master Hyunso Jinin could sleep comfortably did Damho go outside. The night sky was still full of stars.

The wind carried the scent of plum blossoms. Damho started his internal energy cultivation on the wooden floor filled with the scent of plum blossoms. He had been studying the Heavenly Heart Secret for the past few days, but this was the first time he was actually using it.

A path that no one had seen in hundreds of years was open in front of him.

Damho didn't know what was at the end of this path.

The wind full of the scent of plum blossoms gently caressed his body, but Damho was unaware of such a fact.

The Heavenly Heart Secret was not a method that could quickly build up internal energy. It was not as varied as the Small Clearing Heart Method that the primary disciples learned.

As the name suggests, the Heavenly Heart Secret was heavy. If the internal energy operated by the Small Clearing Heart Method was light and superficial like the wind, the internal energy operated by the Heavenly Heart Secret was sticky and slow like a swamp. So it was not easy to operate.

Sweat beads had already formed on Damho's forehead. But the cool wind blew and quickly cooled him down.

Damho lost track of time as he delved into the Heavenly Heart Secret.

When Damho opened his eyes again, the sun was hanging over Yeonhwabong. He had started his internal energy cultivation in the early morning, and it was already morning.

After finishing his internal energy cultivation, Damho lowered his head.

"It won't be easy."

If it had been another method, he would have done at least three weeks' worth of cultivation in that time. But Damho could only do one week's worth of cultivation in that time. It meant that it was three times slower to build up internal energy than other methods. But because it was denser, if he could build up the same level of internal energy, he seemed to be able to exert a more powerful force.

The problem was how to build up the same level or more internal energy as others.

Damho lowered his head.

"I'll have to cut down on sleep."

Sleep less than others, and work harder on internal energy cultivation. That was the conclusion Damho came to.

After that day, Damho cut down on his sleep.

He slept for only one hour, got up and devoted himself to internal energy cultivation all morning, climbed the volcano in the morning to train his body, and spent the afternoon and night honing the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect that he knew.

That's how Damho's time passed.

***

"Please enter Jinmugung now."

A boy who looked about fourteen years old was looking at Damho. It was Wonyul, the second primary disciple of the Hwasan Sect.

There was only a two or three-year age difference between them, but there was a big difference in their status. Damho was the first primary disciple, and Wonyul was the second primary disciple. Damho was his senior. But the light of defiance flickered in Wonyul's eyes as he looked at Damho.

The corner of Wonyul's mouth twisted upward.

'How can this cripple be my senior? I can never accept it.'

Damho didn't know, but his nickname within the Hwasan Sect was "Dog That Can't Run". It was a term mocking his disability.

Among the primary disciples, many considered Damho to be lucky to be at the same level as them. The secondary disciples did not acknowledge Damho, who was around their age, as their senior.

The Hwasan Sect pursued strength. Especially, they were famous for their swordsmanship. It was not easy for them to accept Damho, who could not properly display any swordsmanship due to his birth condition.

Above all, Damho had almost no interaction with the other disciples of the Hwasan Sect.

Normally, a primary disciple should teach the secondary disciples, but Damho was hardly seen. This caused misunderstandings among the secondary disciples.

Many disciples thought that Damho was receiving special treatment without deserving it. They reluctantly respected him because of the hierarchy, but they did not call him senior. That was the pride of the secondary disciples, including Wonyul.

Damho stared at Wonyul for a moment. Wonyul did not avoid his gaze and looked back provocatively.

For a moment, Wonyul flinched.

Those unusually deep and black eyes, there was no emotion towards Wonyul in them. But Wonyul felt an inexplicable chill.

'What?'

When he tried to find the reason,

"Go."

Damho passed him by. As if it were a lie, the chill disappeared instantly.

'Was it my imagination?'

Wonyul tilted his head.

Meanwhile, Damho was walking away. Wonyul had no time to think and hurriedly followed Damho.

'Has it been almost a month?'

It had been almost a month since he heard from Hansoyu that he would gather in Jinmugung. During that time, Damho had completely forgotten about it while practicing the Heavenly Heart Secret and Jukyeopsu.

'The Sword Immortal.'

He was curious about what kind of person he would be, but on the other hand, he was sorry to have his time to practice the Heavenly Heart Secret taken away. But he couldn't not go when the leaders of the sect were gathering.

Damho suddenly looked around. Not long ago, the plum blossoms that had dyed the entire volcano white were no longer visible.

He missed the faint scent of plum blossoms, but he didn't feel sorry. He was just sorry that time had passed so quickly.

On the other hand, a bewildered look appeared on Wonyul's face, who was following Damho. At first, there was almost no difference, but as time went by, the distance between him and Damho grew.

Damho was clearly limping as he walked. But the distance between them kept increasing. No matter how fast he walked, the difference with Damho did not decrease at all.

In the end, Wonyul had to use his lightness skill. Only then could he barely catch up with Damho. But by then, Damho had almost arrived at the main gate of Jinmugung.

Damho looked at Wonyul.

"Can I just go in like this?"

"Eh? That... Yes."

"Thanks for guiding me. See you next time."

Damho stepped into the heart of Jinmugung. As he moved further away, Wonyul muttered under his breath, watching his retreating figure.

"Did he master some special lightness skill?"

The thought crossed his mind. Despite their dismissive attitude towards Damho, he was still the first primary disciple.

"Is this the privilege of being the first primary disciple?"

Wonyul bit his lip slightly.

Inside Jinmugung, about fifty first primary disciples of the Hwasan Sect had gathered. For a massive sect like the Hwasan Sect, gathering all the first primary disciples in one place was nearly impossible.

The first primary disciples were the backbone of the sect, leading the way. They were assigned to various temples or palaces, teaching disciples or performing official duties.

Because of this, it was the first time for most of the first primary disciples to gather in one place. At least, as far as Damho knew.

Although many first primary disciples were present, no one dared to speak. The atmosphere was solemn, dominating the hall.

As Damho entered, Mookyeong, the grandmaster, gave a slight smile in acknowledgment. Given the tense atmosphere, Damho simply bowed his head in response.

A few people acknowledged him, some looked at him with pity, and others frowned as if they were uncomfortable.

But Hansoyu was different. She looked at Damho with a soft smile. Damho also bowed his head to her.

Creak!

At that moment, the rusty hinges of the gate to Jinmugung screamed as the door opened, and a middle-aged Taoist walked out.

At first glance, he seemed ordinary, but the Taoist exuded a sharp aura like a well-forged sword.

The Taoist's gaze swept over the first primary disciples. The moment their eyes met, the disciples felt a chill as if they were standing naked in the middle of a snowy field.

Damho was no exception.

Chills ran up his spine and the back of his hands. His lips trembled involuntarily.

The middle-aged Taoist didn't say a word, but Damho recognized that he was Hyungeom Jinin, the master of Jinmugung and the top martial artist of the Hwasan Sect. No one else could exude such an aura.

Finally, the middle-aged Taoist spoke.

"Nice to meet you. I am Hyungeom."

"We greet Master Hyungeom."

The voices of the first primary disciples echoed throughout Jinmugung. Their voices were filled with respect for Hyungeom Jinin.

After the storm passed, Hyungeom Jinin spoke again.

"I gathered you all here because of the order of the Sword Immortal. The Sword Immortal wishes for me to pass on as much of my knowledge to you as possible."

The disciples were momentarily shaken.

If they could receive even a bit of Hyungeom Jinin's knowledge, they could make significant progress. But the voice of Hyungeom Jinin that followed was enough to cool their enthusiasm.

"However, I don't need several people who are slightly better than others. I only need one outstanding person."

Hyungeom Jinin's eyes shone sharply.

He had walked the path of the sword since he could barely walk, entering the Hwasan Sect over fifty years ago. Even when his peers became interested in worldly affairs or neglected martial arts, he walked the path of the sword alone.

A swordsman who lives and dies by the sword.

For Hyungeom Jinin, whose ultimate goal was to reach the realm of immortality through the sword, mediocre disciples were unnecessary.

What he wanted was an outstanding disciple who could inherit his knowledge.

"I will hold a test. Only one person who passes the test will become my direct disciple. It doesn't matter whether they are a first primary disciple or a second primary disciple. Even if they are a low-ranking disciple, if they show exceptional talent, they will become my disciple and inherit everything."

Whoa!

Hyungeom Jinin's declaration was truly shocking.

It meant he intended to destroy the hierarchy and distribution that most sects valued.

If a low-ranking disciple became Hyungeom Jinin's disciple, they would become a first primary disciple overnight. It was a tremendous breakthrough.

The faces of those who had been laughing leisurely stiffened. Among them were Mookyeong and Unkyeong, who could be considered the leaders of the first primary disciples.

They too had not expected Hyungeom Jinin to propose such radical conditions.

Mookyeong, representing the first primary disciples, asked.

"Master, how do you plan to choose your disciple?"

"Why, are you interested too, Mookyeong? You've already entered the Jaha Shin Gong, so you don't need my knowledge."

Mookyeong was a disciple of Hyuncheon Jinin, the Sword Immortal of the Hwasan Sect. As the next Sword Immortal, he had already entered the Jaha Shin Gong, the ultimate martial art of the Hwasan Sect.

Mookyeong smiled.

"Honestly, who wouldn't be interested in Master's knowledge? You are the best swordsman in the Hwasan Sect. But as you said, I have already entered the Jaha Shin Gong. I suppose the path of your martial arts would be different."

"You understand well."

"But the one who will inherit your knowledge, in other words, the sword that will represent Hwasan, how can I not be concerned?"

Hyungeom Jinin smiled. Mookyeong's words were reasonable.

"Everyone gathered here will perform a demonstration."

"So, the ultimate winner of the demonstration will inherit your knowledge, Master?"

"Think as you wish."

Hyungeom Jinin's ambiguous words made Mookyeong furrow his brows. But he soon laughed.

"I don't have the confidence to avoid disgracing my masters, so I'll step out."

"Do as you wish."

Hyungeom Jinin nodded.

He didn't want Mookyeong. Mookyeong had received a lot as the Sword Immortal's disciple. He was someone who was walking a different path, heading towards completion.

Even if he became a disciple, it would only be a headache.

The other disciples didn't step back, just looking at each other. Even though they already had their own masters, inheriting Hyungeom Jinin's knowledge was a great honor.

From a broader perspective, they were all from the same sect, so their original masters wouldn't oppose them inheriting Hyungeom Jinin's knowledge.

"We don't have time. We will start the demonstration now."

Hyungeom Jinin, as if he had prepared in advance, pointed out the opponents for the demonstration.

"First, Seomkyeong and Unkyeong. Get ready."

"Eh? Yes!"

Seomkyeong and Unkyeong, who were called out, came forward with surprised expressions. They hadn't expected to be the first to demonstrate.

Their faces were filled with tension.

Seomkyeong was affiliated with Geumcheon Palace, and Unkyeong was affiliated with Taepyeong Palace. They had learned martial arts together when they were young, but as they grew older and their affiliations changed, they didn't have the opportunity to compete against each other.

What they knew about each other was information that was already ten years old. They had to clash directly to know each other's current level.

'I must win.'

'I will inherit Master Hyungeom's knowledge.'

They were filled with fighting spirit. Their aura was transmitted to the other disciples.

When the two clashed, Damho flinched.

'This is an opportunity.'

Performing a demonstration alone and performing a demonstration against an opponent were different dimensions. They had no choice but to reveal their true skills, which they had been hiding until now.

Seomkyeong, who was using the Maehwakwon, tried to approach in any way, and Unkyeong, who was using the Chilseong Sword Method, tried to maintain distance in any way.

Watching the fight between a martial artist using fists and a martial artist using a sword, Damho was learning how to respond.

For Damho, who had been training alone, this was a golden opportunity. Damho focused all his attention to not miss a single moment of their duel.

The thought of inheriting Hyungeom Jinin's knowledge didn't cross his mind. Damho was engrossed in the duel unfolding before his eyes.

Every time the two clashed, his shoulders twitched.