Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation-Chapter 452: Emergency Training (2)

Seol-Hwi’s gaze, as he was stepping outside, lingered in one spot.

He saw Hyuk Jin, who was standing idly at the corner, wiping away tears.

Pretending not to notice, Seol-Hwi approached him.

“You’ve come.”

As Seol-Hwi approached, Hyuk Jin hurriedly tidied himself and showed his respect.

Despite that, his bloodshot eyes couldn’t be completely concealed.

“Did you perhaps hear the conversation with the elder?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop…”

“I know. Even speaking quietly, it’s enough to be heard outside in such a worn-out building.”

Seol-Hwi responded as if it was no big deal.

Then, as he looked at Hyuk Jin for a moment, Hyuk Jin let out a deep sigh and confessed his feelings.

“The truth is, my master has gone through many untold hardships. He wished to teach many disciples in the main sect, but he didn’t get the chance. Then, in his later years, he made the mistake of taking someone like me as a disciple, and he’s suffering hardships that weren’t meant for him.”

Hyuk Jin’s voice carried a deep-seated resentment.

Having spent a long time in Qingcheng, he knew Cheong Heo’s skills well.

It’s hard for him to endure this situation where his own shortcomings are even more apparent.

“I don’t quite understand.”

But Seol-Hwi wasn’t swayed by such emotions.

“…Pardon?”

“Aren’t you, Taoist Hyuk Jin, a representative of Qingcheng? What’s wrong with that?”

“Taoist, as you’ve seen for yourself, I can’t even represent Qingcheng, let alone be a common… commonly seen…”

“A common?”

“……”

Hyuk Jin couldn’t finish his sentence.

He knew that if he called himself a common master, it would make his master’s position even more difficult.

It seemed as though Cheong Heo, who brought along average skills, was being dismissed as an ordinary Taoist.

“Taoist Hyuk Jin.”

Seol-Hwi called out, as if consoling Hyuk Jin, who had his head hung low.

“I know how Taoist Hyuk Jin can be recognized by the Qingcheng Sect.”

“Is that true?”

Hyuk Jin asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“However, the process will be more difficult than expected. Even so, if you wish, I can assist you.”

It was at that moment.

Thud.

Without warning, Hyuk Jin fell to his knees.

“Great taoist, I will do anything. Although I am not recognized in Qingcheng, there is one thing I can boast of: my faithfulness and sincerity in keeping promises. I can assure you of that.”

‘I know. I know you better than anyone else.’

Seol-Hwi nodded, reminiscing about the distant past.

Hyuk Jin was among the most diligent even in Qingcheng.

Among the many people in Qingcheng, he was one of the few whom Seol-Hwi had trusted.

If asked how diligent he was, it could be said that his sincerity was enough to move the heart of the stern Cheong Heo.

“Then let’s do this. Tomorrow morning, come to the cliff where you can see Moonlight Lake at a glance. There, I will teach you how to be recognized by Qingcheng.”

“The cliff of Moonlight Lake… you mean?”

“Yes. That’s all for now.”

With that reply, Seol-Hwi passed by Hyuk Jin.

Hyuk Jin, who thought he was just going to hear the content, looked puzzled, but Seol-Hwi did not bother to explain further.

Because it’s something he had to experience for himself.

The next morning.

At the cliff overlooking Moonlight Lake.

In a small clearing overlooking the lake, Seol-Hwi and Hyuk Jin stood facing each other.

The expressions of the two facing each other were somehow peculiar.

One was brimming with confidence, while the other seemed slightly tense and stiff.

“Well, from today, I am Myung Hwi, tasked with teaching the techniques for Hyuk Jin to be recognized at Qingcheng.”

“What? Teaching?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Hyuk Jin appeared noticeably flustered.

He had expected to receive some instruction, but it was sudden to be taught by someone from Wudang, not Qingcheng.

Seol-Hwi further explained to him.

“Last evening, I informed taoist Cheong Heo that I would be responsible for your education, and received permission. Do not worry. I am already familiar with the basic skills of Qingcheng Sect, so there will be no difficulty in teaching.”

“Oh, but…”

“And.”

Before his opponent could object, Seol-Hwi continued with a firm tone.

“From the perspective of education, I will be like your master, so for convenience, I will speak informally. Do you have any objections?”

Hyuk Jin shook his head.

“No, not at all. I just have one curiosity.”

“Go ahead.”

“While I am grateful for the teaching, why is it necessary for a master from Wudang to step forward…?”

“Isn’t it because I understand Qingcheng’s martial arts better than you do?”

“What?”

Hyuk Jin’s expression hardened at the remark about understanding Qingcheng better.

But since his master acknowledged it, he couldn’t say anything even if he felt displeased.

Moreover, the man in front of him continued the conversation too nonchalantly.

“Well, since it’s come to this, I’ll speak informally. And before we start, I’ll pose a question. What do you think is the meaning of training?”

A serious question devoid of any humor was met with an equally serious response from Hyuk Jin.

“…It’s to become stronger.”

“Then what does it mean to be strong?”

“It means not easily losing, no matter who you face.”

“Then what must be done to not easily lose to anyone?”

“…One must train.”

“Train what?”

“One must train the body and mind through Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts.”

“That’s incorrect.”

“…Pardon?”

Seol-Hwi decisively drew a line here.

“Mastering Qingcheng’s martial arts is different from training the body and mind.”

“That’s not true! Qingcheng’s basic martial arts include many exercises to enhance physical strength. And as a Qingcheng disciple, it’s natural to train using Qingcheng’s martial arts.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Then let’s verify it.”

Hyuk Jin was inwardly shocked by the Taoist’s resolute words.

He couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What on earth is he thinking?’

Snap.

In the meantime, Seol-Hwi broke off a nearby tree branch.

Then, facing Hyuk Jin again, he spoke.

“Alright, I’ll attack once, so try to block it.”

“Pardon? Yes.”

Although he didn’t understand the sudden decision to attack with a branch, Hyuk Jin felt that the opponent’s stance with the branch seemed clumsy.

“But with this…”

“Don’t worry. This will be enough training for someone like you.”

Ssshh.

With the situation unfolding this way, Hyuk Jin unsheathed his sword without further questions.

Even so, he couldn’t fathom what the Taoist monk was trying to teach him.

He knew his opponent was skilled, but there was a significant difference between a real sword and a tree branch.

Isn’t it true that branches get cut immediately just by being struck against each other?

“Alright, let’s begin.”

Seol-Hwi, assuming a stance of readiness, faced Hyuk Jin.

He swiftly swung the branch without any special motion.

Swish!

“Ah.”

Hyuk Jin was frozen in place.

Even though the branch had swiftly moved and stopped right in front of his head, he couldn’t react, let alone defend himself.

It was incredibly simple, yet the opponent’s attack was so fast it defied common sense.

“Was it too sudden? Then let’s try it a bit slower.”

This time, Seol-Hwi deliberately raised the branch. He took a stance indicating he would slash rather than stab.

And as soon as he finished speaking,

“Here I go.”

Whoosh!

The branch swung downward, and Hyuk Jin hastily retreated.

This time, he managed to avoid it without being hit.

But then,

“Your stance has collapsed.”

“…What?”

“You avoided it, but since your stance broke, you can’t say you countered it properly. You understand that well, don’t you?”

Seol-Hwi emphasized his point here.

“Look. How is it? Did you need the Qingcheng martial arts to counter my attack just now?”

“…!”

At those words, Hyuk Jin’s eyes widened.

Earlier, he mentioned that the basic Qingcheng martial arts involved a lot of training to enhance stamina and mental strength.

But just now, there was no time to even utilize Qingcheng or anything else.

He was too busy trying to respond to the overwhelming speed.

Seol-Hwi spoke.

“Why? Do you feel wronged? Do you want to argue that it’s because you’re actually skilled, and your point is valid?”

“That is…”

Even here, Hyuk Jin found himself at a loss for words.

If he wanted to make an excuse, he should have at least evaded using the Qingcheng footwork when retreating.

However, just now, he was so preoccupied with dodging that he couldn’t even pay attention to his collapsing stance.

Seol-Hwi spoke again.

“Now. When you see someone thrusting with a sword, the usual reaction is to retreat. And blocking a thrusting sword? This requires very quick reflexes. But it’s a bit different from those who use martial arts.”

Seol-Hwi continued to speak.

“Using martial arts means being able to dodge a thrusting sword while simultaneously closing in on the opponent for a counterattack. Because if you retreat, you miss the opportunity. Also, while blocking allows you to execute a technique, there are so many strategic plays that make direct confrontation difficult.”

“Ah…”

“In the end, whether it’s Qingcheng or anywhere else, to execute a technique—”

Seol-Hwi said, moving a branch.

“You must go beyond dodging and approach the opponent. Only then can you use the Qingcheng techniques you desire. The essentials I’ve emphasized are necessary to achieve what I’ve mentioned earlier.”

Seol-Hwi pointed to his own eyes.

“The eyes that see, and the reaction speed. To do this properly, you need to have a strong foundation of lower body strength. This is why the body and mind take precedence over martial arts.”

Hyuk Jin couldn’t respond.

All the words were so logical and persuasive.

“From today, you will prioritize that training. Training that strengthens your body and mind.”

“What kind of…”

Only then did Hyuk Jin ask.

To which Seol-Hwi gave a short answer.

“Physical training.”

That evening.

Seol-Hwi welcomed Training Hall Leader Jin Mu as he entered the room.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Knowing that, you still brought me here.”

“Ah, it seems there’s a slight misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding! How about switching bodies with me? With your skills, you could easily deceive everyone with reverse techniques….”

The voice of the Training Hall Leader was filled with dissatisfaction.

Why are there so many events?

And why are there so many Taoist temples in Qingcheng?

Every time he went, he had to listen to a long speech about history or something.

“But, is the work going well?”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Despite his complaints, he showed interest in what Seol-Hwi was doing.

To be honest, he was interested not only in Seol-Hwi himself but also in Qingcheng.

In a way, wasn’t Qingcheng’s martial arts like a massive wall that appeared before him when he reached the Supreme State?

“Hyuk Jin is now at the beginning stage. However, he has accumulated considerable insights, so if we teach him one by one, he’ll grow in the blink of an eye.”

“I never doubt whatever you do, but do you know? The problem isn’t the second-class disciples’ martial arts right now.”

“What? What do you mean….”

The Training Hall Leader continued with exaggerated gestures as if he had expected this, and as if it would have been a disaster without him.

“Yesterday, you see, a message came from the Kunlun Sect and the Kongtong Sect. From what I heard, it was about selecting the top warrior among the three sects.”

“The top warrior?”

When Seol-Hwi looked puzzled, the Training Hall Leader spoke with a frustrated expression.

“Yes, the top warrior of the sect. Before determining the disciples’ skills, they want to select the master who represents the sects. They want me to observe it.”

Seol-Hwi looked puzzled.

In the past he remembered, there was certainly no such proposal.

‘Could the presence of the Training Hall Leader in here have influenced this….’

It was possible that the presence of the Wudang Sect’s top warrior here had an influence.

“So, does Qingcheng Sect agree to it?”

When Seol-Hwi asked, the Training Hall Leader nodded.

“They said they would.”

“……!”

It was exactly as the Training Hall Leader had said; the issue wasn’t the current second-class disciples’ martial arts competition.