Falling.

Ryu Yongsun's hair was swept away from his face as Yeong-jeon's sword neared him.

He couldn't do anything.

And his legs began to tremble. However, he kept his footing steady.

'This is the...'

Wooosh!

"End..?"

Thud.

Yeong-jeon's sword stopped before it could make contact with him. Although the sword never directly struck Ryu Yongsun, he still fell to the ground.

"How was it?"

Yeong-jeon asked as he smirked, staring at Ryu Yongsun's surprised face.

"That's the Seven Lightning Stances. How do you feel?"

"Uh?"

Ryu Yongsun blinked a few times before speaking.

"You cheated."

"Huh?"

"You're supposed to do a thrust..."

Yeong-jeon smiled.

"..."

After taking in Ryu Yongsun's words for a while, his smile faltered and he started scratching the back of his head, chuckling softly.

"Well, I have my mishaps... Hehe..."

The disciples watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.

Yeong-jeon cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure after Ryu Yongsun's unexpected remark. He could feel the eyes of the other disciples on him, their suspicion evident.

"Ahem, sometimes the best way to teach isn't by following the exact steps," Yeong-jeon said, waving his hand dismissively. "What matters is the essence of the technique."

Ryu Yongsun, still catching his breath on the ground, furrowed his brows. "But-"

"Enough! Talking will only worsen your internal condition!"

'But I'm not feeling pain...'

"Brother Ryu Yongsun, stay and rest there for a while."

"..."

"You did great."

Ryu Yongsun smiled at Yeong-jeon's words as he finally lay on the ground, catching his breath. He felt somewhat refreshed even though he lost.

Maybe, it was because he's acknowledged?

'I did great...'

Before anyone else could react, Yeong-jeon turned to face the rest of the disciples.

"Now, who's next? Or do I need to pounce on all of you?"

The disciples exchanged glances, none wanting to meet Yeong-jeon's gaze. Despite Ryu's commendable effort, it was clear to everyone that Yeong-jeon was far above their current level.

Dong-rae gulped, his eyes flickering nervously between Yeong-jeon and Soo-yeon, who was already gripping her wooden sword with resolve.

Soo-yeon stepped forward confidently. "I'll go next," she announced, her voice steady.

"Soo-yeon is it?"

"Yes."

"You sure that this is not personal?"

Clench.

Soo-yeon's brows furrowed and she gripped her sword tighter as she assumed her stance.

"Of course not."

Yeong-jeon observed Soo-yeon's eyes as he took his stance, eyes narrowing.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

'It sure looks personal to me.'

"In case you forgot, I will be doing the same order of attacks as before."

"Will you keep your word this time?"

"...yes."

There was a slight delay in Yeong-jeon's response.

'That's a no for sure.'

Soo-yeon didn't believe Yeong-jeon's words. She took a deep breath, steadying her mind, her grip tightening around her sword.

Earlier, she observed Yeong-jeon and Ryu Yongsun. It was a few weeks since this dog arrived here, so she didn't see him fight except when they were getting beaten to a pulp.

'His attacks are too fast and powerful... but he's not doing some grandiose techniques... He's just doing normal slashes.'

Yeong-jeon is teaching them the Seven Lightning Stances. So, is this what the technique offers?

If that's true, then she'll do anything to learn it.

She made a promise after all.

'I'll show my father that I'm stronger. I'll come back stronger than all of them!'

Pah!

Soo-yeon, without warning, jumped into the air and aimed her sword at Yeong-jeon who was still standing idly.

"This is definitely not because you barged into my room before!"

Yeong-jeon looked up and saw Soo-yeon preparing to slash him in half.

'You made it sound as if you really did.'

Thud!

He calmly swayed his shoulder to the side, avoiding Soo-yeon's attack. The sword met the ground with a tremendous force, and the dust around them was pushed back.

"Don't just dodge!"

Soo-yeon's eyes followed Yeong-jeon's and she recovered her footing. After that, she immediately followed her earlier attack with a slash.

Step.

Yeong-jeon pushed himself off Soo-yeon's reach with his foot. His eyes carefully studied hers.

The movement Soo-yeon showed was seamless like a river, her wooden sword cutting through the air with precision and speed. Each movement was driven by a deep, burning determination, and Yeong-jeon could sense it.

'She's not bad,' he thought, his body moving almost instinctively to avoid each strike. Her attacks weren't wild; they were disciplined, calculated, and relentless. But there was still something missing.

"Is this how you repay me for barging into your room?" Yeong-jeon teased, his smirk never leaving his face as he dodged another well-aimed attack.

Soo-yeon's eyes narrowed. "This is exactly what you deserve!"

"So it is personal then."

"N-No it's not!"

Yeong-jeon chuckled, watching the flowing strikes falter for a moment.

'Her talent is a candidate for the best in the world. If Ryu Yongsun and her clash blades, they would be almost equal.'

'Almost.'

Soo-yeon gritted her teeth and attacked again, this time with a downward slash aimed straight at his shoulder. Yeong-jeon deflected the blow with a swift movement, his wooden sword barely grazing hers.

"Fight me, you coward! Stop dodging!"

"I am fighting."

Their wooden swords clashed, and Soo-yeon could feel the force of Yeong-jeon's calm but firm stance. Unlike her, he wasn't giving it his all. It was like a dance performed by the two.

If a random onlooker saw this spar, they would think that Soo-yeon was deliberately missing.

'Two inches!'

'My sword is two inches away from his body again!'

It seemed as if it was Ryu Yongsun who was fighting again.

Soo-yeon's sword couldn't ultimately reach Yeong-jeon. And could only strike the space between them.

Her frustration mounted as she threw another series of strikes, each one met with a parry or a dodge that only heightened her sense of futility.

Tak! Tak! Tak!

Yeong-jeon's sword swatted away Soo-yeon's lightly. But Soo-yeon's flow of attacks was unending and she kept her strikes sharp and clear, driving Yeong-jeon to the edge.

Or so she thought.

Soo-yeon's breath quickened as she poured everything into her attacks, but the frustration of never landing a hit weighed on her.

It has only been a month since she came here, and yet, she was regarded as the greatest talent of this sect.

Every time she missed, she felt a sharp sting against her pride. How would you feel if someone younger than you bested you?

'I will land a hit!'

Is it their large gap in talent?

"You'll never get away!"

Her instincts controlled her movement, each swing done by her muscle memory as her eyes rolled back.

White.

'That's!..'

Yeong-jeon's eyes went wide as he saw Soo-yeon's white eyes.

'Martial trance!'

Martial trance is a state where a fighter loses consciousness and starts moving in pure instinct

Those who truly desire something will achieve this state of mind. However, it is commonly found in martial artists

It is said that whoever reaches the end of this trance will achieve euphoria and a higher sense of understanding. Enlightenment, some might say.

However, those who reach enlightenment this way are all martial artists who honed their bodies for years.

In comparison, this way is faster than sealing yourself away in the mountains.

'This brat can't handle this state with that weak body! I have to end this!"

Soo-yeon's eyes had glazed over, pupils narrowed in focus, completely lost in the flow of combat. It was a dangerous state for someone still so inexperienced, but her instincts were guiding her now, allowing her to fight with a fluidity he hadn't seen before

Dash!

She lunged at him again, her movements more precise, her strikes faster. The intensity of her energy surged, and Yeong-jeon knew he had to act quickly.

'Fuck! Then I have no more choice then...'

Yeong-jeon extended his sword toward the tip of Soo-yeon's sword as he dropped the sword in his other hand.

Shoook!

The sword came in contact with Yeong-jeon's palm. But to everyone's shock, after hitting the strike, Soo-yeon stood there motionless.

'I took a gamble. You wished to strike me, then, I let you strike me. Now, that martial trance is useless.'

Yeong-jeon held out his two fingers as neared the idle woman.

'If you just wished to kill me earlier, then it would be a huge problem.'

Tak! Tak! Tak!

Yeong-jeon struck three points in Soo-yeon's neck.

"Kuak!..."

"There."

Yeong-jeon caught Soo-yeon and slowly lowered her onto the ground.

"Uh..."

Soo-yeon's vision was blurry and the three points she was struck on throbbed in pain lightly.

"That hurt..."

Slowly, her vision returned to normal, focusing it on the man in front of her.

"I lost..?"

Yeong-jeon spoke in a calm but firm tone.

"Yeah, you lost."

"..."

"You did well. Stay put for a while."

"I will get you, next time..."

"Hehe..."

"Now, who's next, huh?"

Yeong-jeon turned to his back, looking at the disciples who were only watching.

"You seriously thought that I will only spar with those who volunteered?"

The disciples started to inch back as they stuttered.

"Choi Hyeon got beaten... I survive that..."

"You!"

Choi Hyeon shot a glare at the disciples who used his name.

"A-Anyone up for it..?"

"N-Not me... I'm still digesting my food..."

"We ate 6 hours ago! You're not digesting anything!"

"M-Maybe I'm not! But I won't fight that demon!"

Tapping his foot on the ground aggressively, Yeong-jeon scoffed as he pointed his sword toward the retreating brats.

"Fine then."

He took a deep breath, making the disciples stop on their tracks. After that, he glared at them with cold eyes. However his smirking face was the opposite.

Now, it looks like he is suppressing his anger.

Anger?

More like he is suppressing his excitement of being able to beat these brats till half-dead.

"Don't worry."

"Uh?"

"You don't have to come to me... Because I will pounce on all of you!"

"Eek!!"

"Ackkk!!!"

"Everyone, run!!"

"Run for your lives!!!"

Dash!

Yeong-jeon leaped onto the air and his eyes scanned the scattered disciples who were running in fear.

"Don't go running now, brothers!"

"Don't you dare call us that!"

"Yeong-jeon! I guided you here, remember? Please be gentle!"

"You guided him here?!"

Yeong-jeon chased after the fleeing disciples with a wicked grin, his steps swift and precise as he leaped from one spot to the next. The sound of panicked footsteps echoed through the training grounds as they scattered in all directions, trying to avoid his reach.

"You're all too slow!" Yeong-jeon shouted, his voice carrying a playful edge despite the terrifying energy he exuded.

One by one, the disciples felt his presence closing in on them. Dong-rae, who was one of the slower ones, turned his head to see Yeong-jeon barreling toward him like a storm.

"First strike! Prepare!"

"Eeek!!"

From the sidelines, Soo-yeon and Ryu Yongsun watched the chaotic scene unfold, still recovering from their intense bouts.

"He really enjoys this, doesn't he?" Ryu Yongsun said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Soo-yeon nodded, still catching her breath. "He's... relentless. But that's what makes him terrifying."

Clench.

Ryu Yongsun grabbed his sword and stood, pushing his knees as he does so.

"What're you doing?" Soo-yeon asked as she looked up.

"I'm fighting him again."

Soo-yeon’s eyes widened as she watched Ryu Yongsun steady himself, determination lighting up his face despite the obvious fatigue from his previous fight.

"You're serious?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Ryu Yongsun nodded, gripping his sword tightly. "I can’t just sit here and watch. If I want to get stronger, I have to face him again. I won’t run away."

Soo-yeon blinked in surprise but then smiled, nodding in approval. She admired his resolve, even if it bordered on reckless.

"Then, I guess I can't lay here, slacking off, no? Maybe it'll work if we paired up."

"He's on his third strike by now. Then, it'll be a thrust. Keep that i mind."

Ryu Yongsun spoke sternly, keeping his eyes on Yeong-jeon as he mercilessly struck the disciples who were running away.

Soo-yeon looked at him with a half opened mouth.

'He spoke like a calculative army general...'

"F-Fine... Thrust, yes? I remember. Let's go."