"That would be just wonderful, Master Hae-Hyuk!"
"I recall your sect emphasizes on training your disciples in the forging dao?"
"That is right. While we don't restrain the possibilities of our disciples, we do promote forging as a discipline a bit more"
"Then, how about some hammer fighting techniques? I can recall a few that might be right for your sect"
"Would it be alright to ask Master Hae-Hyuk for more details?"
"Of course, Sect Leader Ton Young. I am willing to give you the full manuals for five techniques. Two offensive techniques, two defensive techniques and one movement technique. Would you be interested?"
"Interested? Very interested! ...Though it is not that we doubt your excellence but we would still like to have a small demonstration of said techniques"
"That's perfectly fine, I wouldn't have wanted it otherwise. Why don't we move to your training grounds tomorrow morning and we can discuss it further over there?"
"Of course, master Hae-Hyuk, that would be perfect. Until then, let us enjoy the banquet. Not to brag but our fried dolphin pipers are to die for"
"I can't wait to taste them"
As the banquet ended, Hae-Hyuk brought back Jin and Min-Su to the villa. As they arrived, Min-Su asked his Master about trying to breakthrough to the spiritual realm. There were now in safe territory after all and no variables would be endangering them. But his Master refused: "Not for now, Min-Su. For one, I would like to oversee the both of you at the same time and I believe that little Jin has yet to put his trust in me fully. Secondly, you are aware of the tournament and I would be really disappointed if you lost and we had to part ways. Breaking through will imply a brand-new change to your very self and might be detrimental to your battle capabilities"
Min-Su wasn't very satisfied but he could only suck it up. His Master's words held true. If he broke through now, he might have a hard time tomorrow if he fought. The changes that would happen to his body would probably make it so that he would need a few days to adjust after all. Jin had a different mindset. He was, just like Hae-Hyuk said, not yet completely trusting the man.
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As Hae-Hyuk chased away his first disciple, he motioned for Jin to sit with him for a moment so they could discuss.
"What did you think about the banquet? Are you still not ready to accept me as your Master?"
"Not yet, I haven't seen much. You know people from this sect and they treat you with a lot of reverence. But that doesn't mean you can rival the Twenty-Two Suns Sect in my opinion"
"Hm, it makes sense. Any Elder from that sect would likely enjoy the same welcoming here. Your opinion will be different tomorrow though. Go rest for now, tomorrow morning, I will show you a bit of my worth"
"Alright"
The next morning, just as the sun rose, Hae-Hyuk was bringing his 'two disciples' with him to the hall they dined yesterday. The sect master was waiting for them along with a few of the very top brass of his sect. After some pleasantries, the sect leader led the group towards the training grounds for the elites of his sect. It was a vast plain completely deserted and stretching far and wide. There were a lot of craters and marks, witnesses of the many techniques and trainings performed here.
The Sect Leader introduced it as 'our small garden to train' but it was nowhere near small. Jin couldn't help but ponder whether there really was a need to go so far for training grounds...As he pondered the question, he was elbowed by Min-Su who whispered to him: "Now you will see for yourself how amazing Master is" and while Jin wasn't quite sure he would, he still nodded to him.
On the other hand, Hae-Hyuk went straight to the crux of the matter: "Then, how about I start demonstrating? Bear in mind that all five techniques I will show are foundational techniques" to which all elders nodded and expressed appreciation.
Then, under the eyes of everyone, Hae-Hyuk took out a simple iron hammer from one of his spatial rings. It was a very average iron hammer with nothing special to it. And it was enough to show the real worth of a technique. Hae-Hyuk decided to first introduce the attacking movements.
He straightened forward his right arm who held the hammer and began to infuse spiritual energy into it. After a moment, a phantom of the hammer seemed to cover the real one before it was launched forward and exploded on the ground a little further. It did not stop there however as it kept rebounding five more times. Hae-Hyuk then turned to the elders who seemed to have liked what they witnessed.
Hae-Hyuk didn't bother explaining further as he took a new stance to demonstrate the next technique. Once again, he pushed the energy into the hammer but this time, he brought the hammer up before speedily moving it downwards. The hammer hit the earth with a strong sound and the earth split for two meters before him. Then, at the end of the split, a small explosion happened.
Once again, the elders were satisfied and a few even clapped. The Sect Elder was also relatively approving of both. They weren't awe-inspiring but they were what they needed right now. Foundational techniques for their new disciples.
After this, Hae-Hyuk went on to demonstrate the three other techniques. Once done, he asked the group whether they were interested by buying the manuals and they expressed their intent to. That's when a few sentences that stunned Jin were uttered by Hae-Hyuk: "Let's go with the usual rate of 1000 Gold and 100 pills of similar grade to the technique for each manuals"
And the Sect Leader didn't even bother negotiating as he shook Hae-Hyuk's hands and affirmed with a smile: "Deal!"