"What's the meaning of this?!"

The disciples were outraged. And they glared at the dog who dared call himself 'their teacher'.

At the question, Yeong-jeon shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Simple, I will teach you brats this."

He pulled out a handbook with the title 'Seven Lightning Stances', shocking everyone present.

"Where the hell did you get that?!"

"That's the handbook older brother In-su presented earlier…"

Yeong-jeon smirked. Of course, they will be flabbergasted. The situation was like if a beggar pulled out a gold bar in front of everyone.

"The one and only~"

The tone the dog expelled was mocking, getting on the nerves of the other disciples. Some opened their mouths to complain.

"You?! A newcomer teaching us the martial arts of the sect he just joined two weeks ago?!"

"If it was body training, I would understand, but this? No!"

A master who has experience with teaching should be the only one teaching the children martial arts. Yeong-jeon wasn't exactly that...

Dong-rae watched as the others' complaining piled over Yeong-jeon. What had gotten into this man's brain? Why did he want to teach them this martial art that they didn't even know?

'Either way... Something will happen... For better or for worse.'

Yeong-jeon, who was letting the disciples shout complaints at him, held his wooden sword and pointed it towards the complainers.

"Uh..."

The complaints went quiet and the disciples slowly inched away.

"I will be changing our regime."

The technique Seven Lightning Stances contains slashes, stabs, and blocks. If you master these three elements, you are considered a master swordsman.

To be able to run, you must learn to walk.

It is the same with martial arts.

To swing fast, you must learn how to swing properly.

Accumulated effort will bring a man to success. Everybody knows that, but only a few are able to put up the work.

Clench.

Yeong-jeon tightened his grip on his sword.

There are two ways to learn this technique.

The gentle way, where you'll memorize the manual thoroughly, meticulously analyzing every minute detail and slowly adjust their swings and thrusts accordingly to their knowledge.

Although precise, this method will take time.

'Two weeks...'

'There's only two weeks...'

His gaze lingered on the scared disciples.

'With that method, it'll take ages to teach those numbskulls.'

'But!'

There's a method that is as effective, if not more effective than memorizing volumes of books.

'I only have to make their bodies used to it.'

"Brothers!"

Yeong-jeon shouted, shaking the disciples and stopping them from inching away further.

"If any of you lose to the Wudang disciples, I will singlehandedly break all of your bones!"

"Ack!"

"Hiik!"

They shuddered, their skins crawling as they heard Yeong-jeon's words.

"Worry not! I will make it so we won't lose to Wudang or even anyone!"

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"H-How?.."

One of the disciples muttered.

"How?" Yeong-jeon calmly repeated. "Simple. One of you, grab a sword and step forward."

"..."

The disciples' eyes went to Dong-rae in an instant.

'You joined the same day as that demon; it's no coincidence you brought him here!'

'Since you brought this demon, you'll have your consequences!'

'Sometimes, sacrifices must be made...'

"Kuk..."

Dong-rae's mouth went wide as if he clearly read what the disciples were thinking behind their eyes.

'And you dare call yourselves my brothers?!'

"I'll go first."

"Oh?"

Yeong-jeon let out a small gasp, not expecting anyone to go by their own will.

The other disciples, including Dong-rae, turned to where the sound came from.

Ryu Yongsun stood firmly, holding a wooden sword in his hand. He opened his mouth and spoke.

"Can I go first?"

Yeong-jeon extended his other hand slightly.

"Of course. I welcome anyone."

The disciples' eyes narrowed at both of them.

"Ryu Yongsun will die."

"Of course. In front of this demon, no one will survive."

"Don't jinx it. We'll have to fight him too."

The disciples let out a heavy sigh.

Ryu Yongsun stepped forward, his grip tightening around the wooden sword as he faced Yeong-jeon. The air around them grew tense, the other disciples watching with wide eyes, holding their breaths. Yeong-jeon studied Ryu for a moment, recognizing the determination in his stance.

'This brat is impressive. Such a strong will.'

"Do you want to get stronger?" Yeong-jeon asked as soon as Ryu Yongsun took his stance.

"...yes."

Ryu Yongsun gripped his sword tight. It was hard to understand, but ever since this man took hold of them, their strength miraculously increased.

Do you want to get stronger?

Almost everyone will say yes without a second thought. Everyone has their reasons to get strong.

But every time Ryu Yongsun thought about his reason, his heart beat faster, and a vision of his grandfather's figure appeared.

'Grandfather, may your light guide me from the heavens...'

Yeong-jeon set his wooden sword on the ground, leaning his weight on it.

"Keep these words in mind."

"..."

"I will, firstly, do a downward slash, then a slash to the left, then an upward slash, then thrust, and, lastly, slash right."

"...?"

"Got it?"

"Why are you telling me this?"

Ryu Yongsun asked as he glared at the madman watching him as he leaned on his sword.

"To be honest, all of you are pretty strong already... But."

"But?"

Yeong-jeon looked down for a moment then glanced at Ryu Yongsun.

'If the Wudang is still as strong as in the past, then these brats stood no chance.'

"If you fight Wudang without a proper martial art, all of you will face defeat."

"But! I don't plan on letting you all lose!"

Clench!

"Anyways, let's not mingle anymore and start sparring."

Ryu Yongsun wasted no time as he took his stance immediately after he heard Yeong-jeon's words.

'If I keep in mind the moves he'll do, maybe, I'll have a chance.'

"Are you planning on keeping your word?"

"Of course. Five attacks, memorize it well."

Yeong-jeon straightened up, no longer leaning on his sword, and took a stance that radiated calm yet overwhelming confidence.

"First attack," Yeong-jeon called out calmly.

Ryu Yongsun braced himself as Yeong-jeon swung his sword down in a fluid motion. It was fast, but not as fast as Ryu had anticipated. He blocked it with his sword, the wooden blades clashing with a loud crack.

'Is he holding back?...'

"Second attack."

Without warning, Yeong-jeon slashed to the left, but this time, the speed increased. Ryu barely managed to block it, his arms trembling from the impact.

'No, it's growing stronger and stronger...'

"Third attack."

Yeong-jeon's upward slash came quickly, and Ryu had to step back to avoid being knocked off balance.

'Now! His sword is lowered!'

Swing!

Ryu Yongsun swung his sword horizontally. It was swift and soft, strong but calm. Now that Yeong-jeon was not in his stance, his chance to attack had come.

Tak!

Yeong-jeon's sword met Ryu Yongsun's. And for a moment, the time slowed down for Ryu Yongsun.

Wooosh!

Holding his sword tight, Ryu Yongsun slashed downward, putting all his strength in his arms.

A smirk crept on Yeong-jeon's face.

'Unrelenting, unending chains of attacks. If he was born at the same time as me, he would've been the strongest swordmaster behind me, of course.'

-Please, stop being arrogant... Especially in a fight.

'Oh come on, father, you should rejoice, I'm praising someone.'

-Praising someone and then immediately putting yourself above them.

Step.

Yeong-jeon took a step and avoided Ryu Yongsun's sword narrowly, an inch away from his body.

"First slash, again."

His sword swiftly lowered toward Ryu Yongsun with a strength that seemed to carry an entire mountain.

Ryu Yongsun's eyes widened as the sword came rushing into him. It felt heavy, even though it hadn't met his body.

The speed was beyond what Ryu Yongsun could perceive. It was all too late, and Yeong-jeon's blade was only a few inches from his forehead.

Wooosh!

In a flash, Yeong-jeon's sword halted just before it struck Ryu Yongsun's forehead. And the dust around them was swept away.

Ryu Yongsun’s legs trembled, but he stood his ground, gripping his wooden sword tightly. His breathing was ragged as he looked at the sword atop his forehead.

It was like looking at a mountain that you couldn't traverse.

'I did so much to get strong... And this is all I could do?'

'I wouldn't accept this!'

He bit his lip. And everything turned dark, all he could see was himself and his opponent.

Without warning, Ryu Yongsun hurled an onslaught of strikes toward Yeong-jeon. However, it was all avoided.

'I always do my best in training and I couldn't even land a hit?'

The slashes never stopped and everything was chained smoothly.

It didn't matter anymore.

All he wanted was to land a hit.

One measly hit.

And yet, his sword couldn't even grace Yeong-jeon's clothes. All turned dark and he could only hear his heart and breathing.

Dong-rae watched the two in awe. He couldn't decide who to be more amazed at.

'Ryu Yongsun is attacking with such speed and power... However, Yeong-jeon is effortlessly dodging it...'

'Even though it's Ryu Yongsun who is in the offense, his attacks aren't landing...'

It was like watching a cat play with a helpless mouse.

'It has only been a few weeks since he joined... And yet, he was effortlessly avoiding those swift attacks as if he were a martial master...'

'If I were the one who is fighting there... Would I even land a hit?..'

'Yeong-jeon... how could you be so powerful?...'

"I'm next, don't bother."

At the sudden voice, Dong-rae snapped out of his focus and turned to his side.

Soo-yeon stood in front of everyone, already holding a wooden sword as she tapped her foot on the ground.

Slash!

Ryu Yongsun aimed at Yeong-jeon but only slashed the air between them.

'He's not even attacking me!'

As he continued his flurry of attacks, his breathing grew heavier, his attacks more frantic, but Yeong-jeon dodged each one with ease.

'No, no, I would rather die if I can't land a hit!'

Ryu Yongsun felt an uncomfortable feeling rising in him.

Is it the lack of talent?

Ever since he arrived here three years ago, he had been training without stop, abiding by the sects teachings.

It wasn't because it's his grandfather's dying wish.

No.

It is because he wanted to make something of himself.

To prove that he was worthy of his grandfather's legacy, to rise beyond the shadows of mediocrity. But now, as he slashed and swung with all his might, it seemed like all that effort was being mocked. Each step Yeong-jeon took, every calm movement to avoid Ryu Yongsun's attacks, felt like a direct insult to all the blood, sweat, and tears he had poured into his training.

Yeong-jeon dodged another wild slash and, without breaking a sweat, casually sidestepped.

At the sight, Ryu Yongsun felt something bubbling inside of him, rising, taking his senses.

Everything is dark.

And his sword is the only light.

"I won't let you away!!"

Ryu Yongsun screamed in desperation as he gathered all the strength he could onto his sword.

If a raindrop continuously pours down on a rock. Eventually, the rock will break and split.

Collective effort will soon bring a fruit of success.

Wooong!

Ryu Yongsun's thin tree began to bear fruit.

Wooong!

Flowers began to bloom.

The blade shone a bright light. It was like lightning, a striking, glowing color of qi.

"Sword qi?!"

"I didn't know he could do such a thing!"

"Ryu Yongsun already can produce qi to engulf his sword!"

The voices came from behind him.

But it was silent. There's only his sword to guide him through the darkness that swallowed him.

There, in the dark, he saw the glinting eyes of the man that had shown him helplessness. He swung violently toward that direction without stopping, his sword glowed, guiding him.

Ryu Yongsun, engulfed in the light of his sword, charged forward, pouring all his frustration and hope into his next attack. His heart raced, and his vision blurred, but all he saw was Yeong-jeon—the mountain he needed to climb, the obstacle he had to overcome.

With a primal scream, Ryu swung his sword down, a bolt of light that cut through the darkness of his mind.

Yeong-jeon's eyes sharpened, and just as the blade was about to connect, he stepped to the side, effortlessly avoiding the attack. His movements were swift yet graceful, like a leaf drifting in the wind.

Ryu Yongsun's eyes widened in disbelief. His sword, glowing with his qi, had missed its mark again. He stumbled forward, trying to regain his balance, but before he could recover...

From the heavens, a large sword was falling down in his direction.

"It will end with this."

Ryu Yongsun's eyes went wide.