Book 10 Chapter 3

Byureon vs. Binggeom (Ice Sword)

- Thunder and Ice

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

With a thunderous roar that shook heaven and earth, a white wave of light filled the ground!

Even amidst the dazzling white flash, like the light of a scorching sun, Byureon did not close his eyes.

The distance between the two had now become zero due to this clash. In other words, they were superimposed within each other's range.

In a decisive battle against a supreme master, blinking while within the opponent's range was tantamount to inviting death. Unless one had spare lives, it was a taboo that absolutely must not be broken. It didn't matter if it rained, wind blew, or a storm raged.

The one who closes their eyes first dies first. That was all there was to it. Life and death were decided in an instant. Therefore, masters place significant importance and effort on training their eyesight to not miss any of the enemy's movements under any circumstances. What use is an overwhelmingly powerful martial art if one dies without ever being able to use it? Literally, a momentary lapse could cost one's life. Had Byureon blinked even for a moment in this dazzling white light, he would have already fallen under Binggeom's blade.

However, Byureon had been trained in an eye technique since childhood that allowed him to maintain his vision and gaze under any circumstances. Thus, even amidst this scorching halo of light, he could keep his eyes open and clearly observe Binggeom's every move. Of course, Binggeom had also undergone similar training in eye techniques. Moreover, closing one's eyes while unleashing one's own technique was the act of a complete fool. Securing vision was the priority in any situation. That was the fundamental principle of martial arts.

Binggeom's sword pierced through the pure white halo of light and thrust towards Byureon's face with dazzling speed. The speed was so swift and formidable that it could be called the essence of swift sword techniques. But Byureon was also a person who was "all about speed." He had never lost in terms of speed to anyone except one person.

With unmatched speed, he twisted his body agilely. He did not believe that Binggeom's current attack would end with a single strike. Of course, he knew better than anyone that he would be subjected to two or three continuous strikes.

SWISH! WHOOSH! SWISH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

It was as expected. A cold sword energy, as if it had frozen moonlight, flew towards Byureon's throat and chest. Not only that, but sword lights of extreme cold also shot towards the other four vital points. Every single one was a fatal pressure point that could not be neglected.

"Hey, you damn bastard!"

Yeomdo, squinting his eyes due to the blinding light, cursed. It was problematic in many ways for Binggeom, the Grand Master of Cheonmu Academy, to unleash such a fatal killing technique on Byureon, who was merely a student. It was something that should not happen given his status, but as his attacks kept failing, he forgot to hold back.

Although he always appeared calm and cold, he was human and knew how to get angry. Instead of expressing his anger in a crude and low-class manner with words, he expressed his intentions directly through actions. Seven stars shone brightly amidst the dazzling white halo of light.

Ice Spirit Water Flow Sword (Bingnyeong Suryu Geom)

Sword Cold Qi (Geomhan Gi) Five Profound Arts (Oui)

Extreme Light White Fierce Phantom Dance (Geukgwang Baekryeol Hwanmu)

North Pole Seven Star Blade (Bukgeuk Chilseong In)

It was a peerless technique that unleashed seven sword energies resembling the Big Dipper from the mysterious aurora, like a silky ribbon draped across the sky of the North Sea, to ravage the enemy. Seven streams of cold sword energy scorched towards Byureon's vital points. Binggeom was confident that further attacks would not be necessary. This technique was overwhelmingly strong, even by his own standards.

Byureon didn't even have time to curse, "Damn it!" He had to pour all his energy into dodging Binggeom's formidable ultimate technique, saving even the time to get angry.

Phoenix Dance (Bonghwang Mu) Five Profound Arts (Oui)

Chapter of Illusory Absolute Shadowlessness (Hwanjeol Bulyeong)

Moon Shadow Flying Wings (Wolyong Biik)

Lingering Mist (Janmu)

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

Seven streams of ice-blue sword energy pierced through Byureon's entire body, etching the Big Dipper onto the ground. Yeomdo's eyes widened as if they would tear open. In his eyes, Byureon clearly looked like a skewer, his whole body pierced by seven spears.

"No way!"

Binggeom was also shocked. He hadn't expected him to be hit so directly. …However, no blood splattered.

Like mist scattering at the dawn, Byureon's shadow disappeared before Binggeom's eyes.

"What?"

*Swoosh.*

Byureon's body, which had vanished like a mirage, reappeared right in front of Binggeom's nose. How close was it? So close that Binggeom could count the pores on Byureon's face. It was an uncanny, wondrous movement technique, like heat haze.

"No… How can this be!"

Binggeom doubted his own eyes. What momentarily appeared on his retina was clearly agitation. Byureon's right hand was clenched into a fist. Binggeom, his eyes wide, twisted his body sharply to escape his attack. Attacking Byureon, who had already completed his attack preparations, was too short a distance and too little time. Given the speed Byureon had shown so far, he might be slower. At this very moment, Byureon received a high evaluation from Binggeom, though he himself was completely unaware of it.

*Swoosh.*

Cutting through the wind with a formidable speed that seemed to cleave even light, Byureon's fist shot out.

*Thwack!*

For a moment, Binggeom felt an intense pain erupt from his chest, surging like a wild horse. He barely managed to suppress a scream. He still had his pride.

"Hahaha… He's a monster, alright, damn it!"

Yeomdo muttered with a bitter tone. He hadn't expected Byureon to be capable of such a high level of body-lightening technique. To be honest, his current speed didn't match Binggeom's, so he hadn't experienced the extent of Byureon's speed.

"Damn it! It looks like I won't get through tonight without a drink."

Yeomdo muttered, his face contorted. His mouth tasted bitter. However, his gaze remained fixed on the battlefield. Binggeom's face was ashen, severely hardened. The unbelievable reality instantly darkened his complexion. Yeomdo found solace in his expression.

"Huff, huff, huff!"

Binggeom, a man of unwavering composure, was breathing heavily.

"Tch!"

A low groan escaped his tightly frozen lips. He clutched his chest. The pain was so intense that he almost collapsed to his knees. Binggeom shot a cold, icy glare at Byureon. Byureon felt like he was being pierced by Binggeom's ice-like gaze. Binggeom seemed to want to turn Byureon into a gnarled, hole-ridden old tree in a garden or a decorative bonsai. Of course, creative freedom should be guaranteed, but individual rights could not be infringed upon. Wait, was this a separate issue?

Byureon's instantaneous leap and ghost-like movement technique were beyond belief, too abnormal to be considered human.

'How could someone like this be the protagonist of such a ridiculous rumor?'

Binggeom couldn't understand. It was unbelievable that the majority of people at Cheonmu Academy had not acknowledged Byureon's skills, attributing them all to divine intervention and heavenly luck. The skill Byureon had shown was genuine. Otherwise, how could he still be moving so vibrantly, no, so energetically, under his blade without yielding? Moreover, now he was counterattacking…

Byureon's counterattack this time sent a chill down Binggeom's spine.

'Everything was conveyed incorrectly from the start. Or perhaps he's the most cunning person in the world. It's astonishing that he's only revealed this much of his true strength after nearly two years. What possible reason could there be for that? Does he have a purpose he needs to hide?'

Byureon had never intentionally done so, but Binggeom had already concluded his own interpretation.

'What kind of sinister ulterior motive does he harbor to so desperately hide his true self? Is he a spy for the Black Sky Alliance? Or, could it be! An agent of the Heavenly Tribulation Order?'

Sorry to Binggeom, but Byureon had never desperately hidden his identity. He had simply acted slightly cunningly, very rationally, and a bit intelligently according to his usual motto. He just deliberately didn't get involved when he shouldn't have, and didn't hold back much when he was angry. He simply acted boldly according to his heart. That was all.

However, Binggeom, unaware of this background, naturally misunderstood, and Byureon, who couldn't read his true intentions, had no way to resolve his misunderstanding. Of course, it was questionable whether he would have resolved it even if he had known.

Thus, Binggeom fell into the fallacy of hasty generalization, relying on misunderstanding, prejudice, and his own intuition.

'What is his true identity? A thief, an assassin, a recognized master, an agent, a secret shadow?'

With myriad suspicions wildly swarming and churning his brain, even he, who claimed to be possessed of sharp reason, could not easily reach a conclusion. The more he thought, the more he felt lost in a labyrinth. But that was no longer a significant issue. Binggeom had already made a decision.

'This guy is definitely someone who will harm Cheonmu Academy. Therefore, I will surely eliminate him with my own hands today.'

A brutal killing intent, like an ice pick, began to emanate from Binggeom's body.

"Whoa, why is that damn guy suddenly like this?"

Yeomdo, watching Binggeom, was dumbfounded by his sudden change in demeanor. He was bewildered. Why was this guy suddenly emitting such a brutal killing intent as if he would devour people?

"Are you trying to end it all tonight? Hey! You damn ice block! Why are you suddenly emitting such a fierce killing intent? Why?"

Binggeom didn't even bother to respond to Yeomdo's waterfall of questions. He simply gave a cool dismissal.

"Grrr, this damn guy…"

Yeomdo's face began to flush with anger. He was on the verge of losing his temper.

However, Binggeom didn't have the luxury of responding and getting distracted. He had decided to exert his full strength.

Binggeom did not contemplate defeat.

The fight that had begun could not be stopped. The battle between the two grew more intense. It seemed as if the god of war would not let them go until blood was drawn.

*Swoosh.*

Binggeom, having resolved to fight to the death, calmly raised his sword and brought it to his centerline. Then, Binggeom's body disappeared, and only the sword seemed to exist in the world. It was as if the sword and he had become one.

"Union of Body and Sword! It's not a skill anyone can perform."

Yeomdo muttered.

Union of Body and Sword! A state where the body and sword become one, allowing the sword to be wielded freely like one's own limbs. It was one of the ascending stages of becoming free from the sword. While many who walk the path of the sword reached this stage after passing certain levels, and there were countless individuals at Cheonmu Academy who had reached this realm, few could display the Union of Body and Sword so clearly. The realm Binggeom was showing now seemed to have reached beyond the Union of Body and Sword to the realm of the Union of Heart and Sword.

Binggeom's sword tip rotated behind his waist. His stance was wide. This was equivalent to using a powerful technique. Had he judged that he couldn't win properly without taking a stance?

'No way, no way, no way!!!!'

An unexpected curse spewed from Yeomdo's mouth like a waterfall. Yeomdo knew too clearly what posture Binggeom was taking. Therefore, he couldn't resist the hot curse surging from the depths of his heart.

"Hey, you! That's cheating!"

Yeomdo jumped up and down in surprise. Yeomdo had been given the runaround by this technique in the past, and it was a terrifying technique that still made him shudder. It was not a suppression technique but a killing technique. It was a technique that should not be used in sparring matches aimed solely at suppression.

'Is that ice block crazy?'

This was an action uncharacteristic of Binggeom, who, with all his emotions frozen and encased, had only his reason left.

'…Or has he already noticed Byureon's true strength?'

It was a monstrous killing technique that could only be escaped after unfolding the ultimate defensive technique, the Wall of Flame.

"Hey, you son of a bitch! Are you planning to use that?"

Yeomdo shouted at the top of his lungs, his eyes wide.

Yeomdo knew this cheap and despicable technique better than anyone. It was a technique Binggeom used only when facing mortal enemies. A phantom technique that hadn't been unleashed for nearly ten years, and a highly malicious and deeply antagonistic technique that had inflicted a fatal wound on Yeomdo 20 years ago, playing a decisive role in his defeat. It was not a technique to be used against a mere student. That's how secret, terrifying, and vicious it was.

Even if the opponent was a monster disguised as a student, it was absolutely unacceptable to use such a thing just because the troublesome item showed no signs of dying with ordinary means.

'Has the young master pushed him that far? To the point where he has to unleash the seal of his secret technique?'

Binggeom's eyes froze like the north wind and snow.

*Woooooong!*

Binggeom's beloved sword, Bingru, began to shine with a blue, chilling light.

"Damn it! Hell! Rotten!"

Yeomdo took a sharp breath. His eyes widened infinitely.

"Dangerous!"

Yeomdo shouted. However, Byureon could not properly hear the sound.

Ice Spirit Water Flow Sword (Bingnyeong Suryu Geom)

Supreme Profound Art (Geuksang Oui) Secret Sword (Bigeom)

Shadowless and Traceless Flying Moon Blade (Muyeong Muheun Biwol In)

Twin Moons (Ssangwol)

As Binggeom swung his sword like the wind, two strands of blue light split the air before him.

"Huh?"

Byureon tilted his head.

Compared to the grand movement, there was nothing significant that happened around him. The sword wind did not split the earth, nor did the sword energy cleave the sky in two. Nothing happened at all. Only a blue flash momentarily flickered and disappeared.

"What did you just do?"

"……."

Binggeom offered no response. He still glared with sharp eyes, pointing his sword tip at Byureon.

"……???"

Byureon felt increasingly bewildered.

Just then. With a startled sensation, Byureon took half a step back.

*Screech.*

A cold, chillingly eerie sensation brushed past his arm. The hem of his clothes was cut, and his flesh was revealed underneath. Fortunately, there was no wound. It was a close call.

'There was no sound at all…'

It happened unconsciously.

It seemed that instinct—especially Byureon's instinct—shone in moments of crisis. Survival instinct seemed to operate like a momentary flash of brilliance in the most extreme situations.

Allowing the invisible, formless, soundless blade to cut his clothes could be blamed on the incompetence of his instincts and senses, but it was praiseworthy that it preserved his neck from being severed and prevented him from bleeding.

"This is… He dodged that? I can't believe it!"

Binggeom's face showed disbelief. It was a technique that had never failed before. He had never imagined that this secret art would fail against a young whippersnapper like Byureon.

"How did you do it? That's a very mysterious technique."

Byureon had also never experienced such a never-before-seen technique. He hadn't even perceived the moment he was attacked. He had dodged purely by intuition—an instinctive sense of danger. He had almost been cut for real. All he remembered was the cold, chilling feeling at the moment his clothes were cut.

"You don't need to know."

Binggeom replied coldly.

"You despicable bastard! Using that cheap trick! Are you trying to kill me?"

Yeomdo, his face red with anger, shouted at the top of his lungs. It was natural for him to be enraged. He had been frequently exposed to this attack in the past. Not only that, but he had been hit multiple times.

Yeomdo firmly believed that this was a technique that perfectly revealed Binggeom's vile, contemptible, and sinister nature. More solid than an impregnable fortress, and more steadfast than a diamond.

It was only five years ago that he was able to develop a technique that could block this extremely despicable, cowardly, and immoral—as Yeomdo put it—"Triple Despicable Unmatched" technique.

The formless, traceless executioner of death, unseen and therefore impossible to block.

The fact that Byureon only sacrificed his clothes was a miracle.

"Using the Despicable Single Move, what kind of ill will do you have?"

Despicable Single Move was Yeomdo's own name for the Shadowless and Traceless Flying Moon Blade. It was a name born from his bitter past when he was hit by this technique, meaning it was the most despicable technique in the world.

"Despicable Single Move? What is that?"

Byureon asked, his nerves on high alert, sensing the enemy's presence. He acted as if he still had plenty of leeway.

Yeomdo replied, still unable to hide his displeasure.

"On that guy's sword, Bingbaek, there are always dewdrops called Bingru on the blade. They call it the sword's tears, hence Bingru. It's about gathering that Bingru to create an invisible, formless blade. A 'rotating surface' of transparent ice!"

Binggeom's sword blade, except for the edge, was covered with a thin layer of ice formed by flatly freezing Bingru.

And he could freely adjust whether the blade was covered or exposed by internal energy. The depth of the wound inflicted on the opponent changed depending on whether the blade was exposed or hidden above the ice. Life and death were in Binggeom's hands.

The Shadowless and Traceless Flying Moon Blade was a technique that sent this flat ice towards the enemy without form or sound.

It was natural for Yeomdo to grind his teeth. The memories associated with it were unforgettable.

"Be careful! The malicious aspect of it is that it doesn't end after one pass! It continuously circles the target, tormenting the opponent until they are subdued. It's truly a damn, despicable technique!"

It seemed the grudge was etched so deeply into his bones.

"An invisible, soundless blade of ice… Hmmm! Then I can see it."

Byureon said confidently with a broad smile. His answer was so refreshing that it felt like it would actually happen.

But how?

Both Yeomdo and Binggeom seemed surprised by his overflowing confidence.

Binggeom found the words irritating and couldn't simply dismiss them. His technique being countered was a matter of his honor.

"Do you think that's possible? Recklessly saying you can do what you can't do is mere bluffing, not courage."

Binggeom's words were extremely sharp. However, Byureon did not lose his smile. His elevated confidence was clearly still present.

"If it doesn't exist, I wouldn't know, but if its existence is certain, I can capture its very presence by maximizing not only the five senses but also the sixth sense."

It was as if saying, "Do you not even know something so simple?"

Seeing the unseen!

That was the teaching of the Birae Sect, and the realm of the Holhwanggyeong made it possible.

When it came to fighting, Byureon never lied. He had, however, subtly hidden the truth.

"Try it if you want, I won't stop you."

"Alright."

Byureon answered readily.

'He's really going to do it? But how?'

Yeomdo still looked at Byureon with a suspicious gaze. As expected, no matter how much he looked, he didn't find his face likable. But now he was on Byureon's side. If he could mess with Binggeom, if he could tarnish his pride, he didn't care what happened.

"Huff!!!"

The action Byureon took was enough to shock both of them. Byureon boldly closed his eyes. It was a suicidal act in their eyes, but Byureon did it. Without any hesitation.

'Is he, is he crazy?'

Yeomdo's eyes widened. It was understandable. Binggeom also wore an expression of disbelief.

"Even if you close your eyes, you won't be able to perceive sound."

Binggeom said coldly.

He thought Byureon would rely on hearing, like any other person. However, what Byureon was about to do was on a different level. He closed the eyes of his body, but the eyes of his mind remained open.

Then… As he maximized his senses, the faint trajectory of a transparent blade began to appear, as if responding to his will. Like two crows gathered by the smell of a corpse, they hovered around him. The transparent blade drew an elegant curve, unfitting for crows searching for death, as it circled Byureon.

There were two Flying Moon Blades. One drew a large arc, and the other drew a small, fast arc, allowing for a time-delayed attack.

*Swoosh.*

Byureon's body, which had been still like a post, moved slightly forward. Then, the Flying Moon Blade drawing a small arc grazed his back. However, by a hair's breadth, it failed to achieve any result. By stepping forward a moment ago, Byureon had already moved out of its trajectory.

"Unbelievable!"

Binggeom's eyes widened. It was something he couldn't believe unless he saw it with his own eyes.

Despite closing his eyes, Byureon felt no inconvenience at all. Instead, he could clearly feel the presence of the two Flying Moon Blades circling him, drawing silver lines. They seemed to be circling his body like two swallows. Drawing elegant spiral trajectories…

Once again, the ice Flying Moon Blades were flying towards him, drawing their usual spirals.

'Then it won't be able to move at a right angle!'

Byureon moved his body in a direction perpendicular to the trajectory of the Flying Moon Blades. That was the safest position he could think of.

However, that was a fatal oversight.

It was Byureon's biggest mistake to make such a definitive judgment. It was a vice that a martial artist should avoid to make a hasty conclusion based on only one aspect. That carelessness immediately put him in danger.

Binggeom skillfully exploited that gap.

"Foolish act!"

*Poof!*

The Flying Moon Blade, which had been flying in a curve, changed direction abruptly at a right angle like a swallow in flight. Its speed also increased dazzlingly.

The two ice blades, in directions Byureon had never anticipated, instantly turned and pierced into his front and rear.

If Yeomdo could see this, he would surely have shouted:

"Using Qi to control the sword!"

This move was clearly a variation of controlling the sword with Qi. Otherwise, there was no way to suddenly adjust the Flying Moon Blades that were beyond his control and circling in the air.

"Haaap!"

Byureon displayed a movement that seemed almost impossible for a human body. The movement he showed in an instant was so fast that it was almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

His body seemed to momentarily stop in mid-air at the moment of crisis. The two formless, traceless Flying Moon Blades remained terrifying beings to Byureon's body, like the hands of a grim reaper. Moreover, their speed was threatening enough to take a human life.

The two invisible trajectories and one person's body crossed at one point.

*Paba-ba-bat!*

His body spun furiously like a top in mid-air and then landed lightly on the ground. Byureon remained still for a moment after landing.

No blood dripped. In the original scenario, blood should have drenched the ground. Even Yeomdo agreed with that fact. But their expectations were shattered.

Byureon knelt down, his hands crossed over his chest. His forearms were crossed to his sides, resembling an inverted cross, with only his index and middle fingers extended straight. This was the same for both hands.

A cold chill flowed from his index and middle fingers.

"No… This is impossible! This is a dream. This is a nightmare!"

Binggeom had never used so many words to express surprise and shock in his entire life. This was clearly the first time.

"How is it?"

Byureon looked at Binggeom with a triumphant smile. In his hands were the two ice blades he had sent flying, now held powerlessly.

"How… How did you do it?"

Yeomdo was just as bewildered. The shadow of the nightmare that had tormented him so much had been completely crushed by Byureon's left and right fingers. Yeomdo's bulging eyes looked as if they would pop out and roll onto the ground. Fortunately, that didn't happen. The members of the Vermillion Bird Sect should be thankful to God for not having to see Yeomdo's terrifying face without eyes.

*CRACKLE!*

Ice crystals shattered from Byureon's hands, and fragments of transparent crystals sparkled, reflecting in the sunlight.

In front of a master, when the opponent traps you within their range, you cannot even blink. The moment your eyelids cover your eyes is the day your life ends in this world. In that regard, Binggeom could be said to have been uncharacteristically careless. Seeing his secret art broken, he fell into a momentary state of panic.

Binggeom's momentary panic created a small opening in his body. Byureon was not foolish enough to miss that instant. Countless white flashes of light drew trajectories from Byureon's hands. Byureon was a very fair person. As evidence, he was now unleashing the same technique he used when he defeated Yeomdo. The phantom technique that evoked the nightmares of summer!

Three Summertime Beatdown Fist Style (Sam Bok Gut-dae Kwonbeop)

Middle Summertime Beatdown (Jung Bok)

Infinite Consecutive Beatdown (Muhan Yeonhwan Gut-dae)

*Paba-ba-bat!*

Silver sand glittered dazzlingly before Binggeom's eyes, playing tricks on his mind. His defensive instincts were paralyzed by this nightmarish technique. That was the end. It was a perfect defeat.

"…It hurts! I… I lost."

This one sentence was the last bit of strength Binggeom could muster.

"Kuurk!"

And then he collapsed on the spot and lost consciousness. He had received too immense a mental shock.

At this moment, he must have forgotten the promise he made, that is, to grant three requests. Otherwise, he would not have so easily admitted defeat. By the time he recalled this fact, the boat had already left the harbor.

He genuinely wished he wouldn't have to open his eyes again… he thought.

Binggeom did not open his eyes again until a long time had passed. That waiting time felt like a thousand years to Yeomdo. And as Yeomdo had wished, Binggeom's eyes finally fluttered and opened with a slight twitch. He seemed to not fully understand his current state, blinking several times and looking around.

"You're awake?"

Binggeom was unlucky enough that the first person he saw upon waking was Byureon's face. And next to him was Yeomdo's even more unlucky face, further souring his mood.

Binggeom jumped to his feet. Only then did he understand the situation he was in.

"You seem to have regained your senses. Shall we get down to business?"

Byureon said with a sinister smile. He swore that he had never seen such an ominous smile in his entire life.

"So, now you must fulfill your promise. Surely the renowned Binggeom Master of the martial arts world wouldn't disgrace himself by going back on his word to a young man like me?"

Byureon said with a sweet smile.

"Of course."

Binggeom, who had always guarded his integrity like his life.

A man's word is worth a thousand pieces of gold! A single utterance from two mouths makes one a child of two fathers! It was his usual principle that a man speaking with one mouth saying two different things was impossible. However…

Byureon extended a single finger forward and placed it in front of Binggeom's eyes. He spoke words of immense significance with a smiling face, without changing his expression and without any hesitation.

"Then I shall state the first condition. The first condition is that you, Master Binggeom, become my disciple. Easy, isn't it?"

Upon hearing the first condition Byureon presented, Binggeom felt an intense impulse and conflict to shatter his lifelong beliefs for the first time in his life.

"Nonsense! Impossible!"

He shouted. It was a natural reaction. Of course, Yeomdo had gone through the same process, so Byureon was not flustered. Byureon calmly retorted, as if genuinely unaware of the reason.

"Why?"

"Naturally, it is impossible. It is an impossible event."

"Did someone legislate that it is impossible?"

"Th… That…"

Of course, there was no such legal clause. Binggeom had no retort.

"There are surprisingly many people in this world who revere those younger than them as Senior Uncle or Fourth Uncle. In this martial arts world where lineages exist, it is a very common occurrence, so it's no longer surprising. It's just daily life."

It was true. If there was someone in a sect whose lineage was higher than yours, you had to respectfully call them Senior Uncle, even if they were younger. That is, let's say there are disciples Jia (甲) and Yi (乙) in a sect, ten and thirty years old, respectively. Both entered the sect at the same time, but unfortunately, their masters were different.

Jia, who was ten years old, entered as the Master's disciple due to his outstanding talent and potential, while Yi, who was thirty years old, lacked talent and entered as a disciple of Bing (丙), the Master's disciple. In that case, even if one was older and entered at the same time, Yi would have to call Jia Senior Uncle. There were no exceptions, and no refusals. That was the law of the martial arts world. It was not a special case.

"While you can call someone younger than you Senior Uncle, you say you can't call them Master? Where in the world is such an absurdity? Think about it. The idea that someone younger cannot be a master is merely a mistaken perception prevalent in the martial arts world and a widespread prejudice. Because it's rare, we sometimes forget that fact. It cannot be denied that the persistent and rigid teachings of Confucianism's emphasis on seniority have added to the fog. Yet, can someone younger not become a master to someone older?"

Binggeom was speechless and could not dare to retort to Byureon's eloquent speech. Byureon rejoiced inwardly.

"Of course, it's not something to think about. It's naturally possible. Now, we must learn to think more freely, flexibly, and rationally, breaking down the prejudices and bad habits prevalent in this society.

As the old saying goes, Confucius said, 'When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher!' The great, wise, and famous Confucius said that among three walking people, there is always one who can be your teacher. Also, someone less famous than him said that the path of learning is endless. And he said that even a ten-year-old boy has something to learn, even if one is over sixty. Yet, is it impossible for me to become the Master of the esteemed Master?"

Byureon's tone had now become accusatory. Binggeom himself didn't realize his voice had risen as he shouted "fallacy," but he had no words to retort. He was increasingly being swept up in Byureon's momentum without realizing it.

"There are no precedents? Who told Master Binggeom such a lie? What a wicked and heinous person… I worry about the future of the martial arts world."

It wasn't something to fuss over so much. Byureon looked directly at Binggeom and said clearly.

"There are precedents. If you wish, I can show you right now. I can present the evidence before your eyes in less than a breath. If I cannot show it, you may consider my condition null and void. What do you say?"

He spoke with confidence.

"Really?"

Binggeom asked with a surprised expression.

"Of course."

Byureon answered refreshingly without hesitation.

The answer was like rain in a drought for Binggeom. He cautiously looked around. However, since they had come to a secluded spot for their private duel, there was naturally no one else. The only person present was the unlucky Yeomdo, whom he had known for 20 years. Binggeom's gaze briefly lingered on Yeomdo's face before moving elsewhere with a shaking head.

'Surely not. What kind of person is Yeomdo that he would readily accept such an unreasonable condition? He'd rather choose suicide than accept such a cowardly and shameful life. No matter how much I dislike him, I must admit it.'

Binggeom was too sure of his preconceptions about Yeomdo. That was his fatal flaw. That was the final trap skillfully laid by Byureon.

"Fine! I accept. If you can show the evidence right here and now, I will serve you as Master forever."

Binggeom finally expressed his agreement.

Byureon smiled triumphantly. Of course, if he had pushed, he could have secured Binggeom as a disciple with just the initial condition. However, Byureon's hobby was to capture his prey with a more perfect snare and then let them fall into an inescapable quagmire. He wanted to put a definitive end to this matter.

"A man's word!"

Byureon started.

"Is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

Binggeom replied.

"One mouth, two words!"

"A child of two fathers!"

Byureon burst into hearty laughter. It was the laughter of a victor. A loser could never imitate such laughter.

"Hahahaha! Very well. Then, as promised, I will show you the evidence here and now. Undeniable and unforgeable, living, vivid evidence. Yeomdo!"

Byureon called out to Yeomdo loudly. However, since Yeomdo was right behind him, there was no need to call so loudly. This could be considered a form of staging.

"You called, Master!"

Yeomdo replied with a slight bow. It was a perfect opportunity to tease Binggeom, so his demeanor was filled with considerable reverence. Binggeom could not even dare to object.

"Hmph!"

His eyes, which had held cold frigidity, widened with shock and disbelief. Yeomdo found it very satisfying to see the ice-like guy bewildered, as if the sky had fallen. Byureon laughed with pleasure.

"Hahaha! That's great, Yeomdo. Now that you have a junior disciple, I hope you will work even harder."

"Of course, Master! I will educate him thoroughly."

Yeomdo replied vigorously. He was clearly holding back laughter that was about to burst out. He was undoubtedly inwardly ecstatic and cheering.

Binggeom, at this moment, wished he could faint, but he couldn't even do that at will.

"How is it?"

Byureon turned back to Binggeom and said. He had nothing to say to him. The best he could do was become a mute with his mouth full of honey.

"How… How could this happen…"

Binggeom couldn't believe it. His face was still full of disbelief. He scanned Yeomdo's entire body with intense eyes.

"Is there something on my face?"

Binggeom shook his head.

"Then why are you looking like that? It's unpleasant!"

Yeomdo said gruffly. Binggeom asked.

"Are you really Yeomdo?"

"What did you say?"

Yeomdo bristled. But Binggeom was calm.

"Are you perhaps wearing a skin mask?"

"What? You think words are just for show?"

"I can't believe how you've ended up looking like this. I thought maybe you were wearing a fake skin mask."

*Kyaooo!*

"You insolent bastard! Do you want me to break that smart head of yours?"

Yeomdo raged and spewed vulgarities. Seeing his extreme behavior, Binggeom could finally confirm.

'That scoundrelly, hasty personality, it must be Yeomdo.'

He suddenly felt as if his vision was darkening. His whole body lost its strength.

"…I lost. I accept your condition."

Then, Byureon frowned slightly, placing his left hand on his hip and shaking his right index finger left and right, clicking his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, that's not it."

Then Binggeom once again bowed in greeting and corrected himself.

"I… lost. …Master."

"I look forward to working with you in the future, disciple."

Byureon once again wore that characteristic smile of satisfaction. He still hadn't gotten used to the honorifics and the word "Master." Byureon said with a laugh that he had said the same thing to Yeomdo, and that he would get used to it soon, as it was an adjustment period. However, Binggeom couldn't feel any joy from his words.

"Ah! And about the remaining two conditions."

For a moment, fear spread across Binggeom's face.

'There are still more? And not one, but two?'

He was already overwhelmed just by accepting the first condition.

"Are there still more?"

If he were to receive any more shock than this, he felt it would be better to commit suicide. Byureon stared at Binggeom for a moment.

Byureon smiled slightly.

"I will collect the remaining two later. Wouldn't it be less interesting if I told you all at once?"

Binggeom felt the tension in his shoulders ease as if he could finally relax.

"Thank you. Master…"

"You're welcome! It's only natural. I'm a great Master who cherishes my disciples."

Binggeom thought once again that this must be a terrible nightmare.

The next day, when he got out of bed, Binggeom still couldn't wake up from this dreadful nightmare. Only then did he realize that this nightmare was reality. The despair he felt at that moment was a vastness he had never felt before in his life. He still couldn't feel the reality of the situation.

Then, why was Byureon hospitalized when he was the one who was apparently injured? And in the intensive care unit, where one could only be admitted for extremely serious conditions…?

This was Byureon's suggestion. After making Binggeom his disciple, Byureon said.

"Hmm… It would be best to be admitted to some clinic for now."

"No, who? He looks perfectly fine?"

Yeomdo asked. Even though Binggeom had been beaten up a bit, it wasn't to the point of hospitalization.

"Of course, me!"

It was said as if it was obvious why he was asking.

"No, why? Did you suffer a severe internal injury that's not visible?"

If so, for Yeomdo, that would be icing on the cake.

"Why? Are you going to celebrate alone? Sorry, but fortunately, I'm perfectly fine and energetic. So energetic that I can live for another 500 years without worry."

Byureon was very skilled at annoying people by saying things in a way that was irritating.

"But why?"

Not only Yeomdo, who asked the question, but Binggeom was also curious.

"Many people witnessed me going to have a martial arts match with Master Binggeom. Now I need to find an excuse to give others. If I walk around fine, no one will believe me, right? So, I need to show them the result they want. A result that everyone can accept!"

As expected, Byureon's brain worked very quickly.

"Is that really for that ice block?"

Yeomdo shot a suspicious glance. It was the result of the emotions formed over the time they had spent together.

"Of course! I'm absolutely not doing this because I hate attending classes. Nor am I doing it to neglect my guard duties. Of course, if I'm not there, Moyonghwi will have some trouble, but there will be good things too. Guarding a beautiful woman… You have to suffer when you're young, don't you?"

His answers were unwavering, but the content was full of things that were slightly concerning. He could have simply said, "I really hate studying, so I'll skip it for a few days." But he was still not being honest.

However, Yeomdo knew that it was pointless to find fault anymore.

"Do as you please!"

As the two agreed to Byureon's opinion, Byureon gave detailed instructions. First, it was decided that Binggeom would be the winner of this martial arts match. This would provide a justification for his hospitalization. Byureon's deep intention was that this would easily convince people and also save the disciple's face. He also calculated that by saving face, he could more easily make Binggeom accept the situation. Although this part was omitted from the explanation to the two, it was actually a plan that could yield a triple, no, a quadruple effect. The other one was the fact that while others would be sweating profusely during hellish training, he could lie comfortably in a soft bed.

Since Heo Ju-un, the Divine Hand of Cheonsu, might notice Byureon's feigned illness, a setting was added where he would be injured by Binggeom's unique martial art and treated with Binggeom's unique technique. He also specifically instructed Binggeom to exert himself and obtain a poisoned room.

Binggeom had no choice but to follow Byureon's words, whether he liked it or not. After all, he had sworn to take Byureon as his Master. Moreover, since his public image was being preserved, he had nothing to lose. Thus, Byureon was able to lie comfortably in a hospital bed with a perfectly healthy body.

For these reasons, Byureon had been hospitalized for the past few days. And from his current condition, it seemed he had no intention of being discharged for several tens of days.

Byureon was skipping classes with a very intelligent method. Also, although he was skipping classes, his night plans were clearly packed with make-up lessons.

*Flap!*

It was the powerful flapping of wings that pulled Binggeom from the infinite nightmare back to the reality of the floor. Byureon, who had been lying in bed without any injuries, powerfully extended his left hand to the side, and the window silently opened wide. Through it, Urae-mae, the king of the sky with blue feathers, flew in and gracefully folded its wings, landing on his shoulder. Then it nuzzled his head, acting affectionately. Byureon laughed and accepted its affection.

"Ahahaha! Stop, stop! It tickles! I said it tickles…"

He seemed to have become more spoiled because he hadn't played with it properly lately, citing lack of time.

*Peep! Peep!*

Urae-mae's aggressive affection was directed at Byureon, so aggressive that it could have pecked his eyes with its beak. Even though it might have looked like someone being attacked by a bird of prey, Byureon didn't seem to care much.

"Isn't cold wind bad for a patient?"

Binggeom said in a chilling tone. His words were slurred as if his tongue was twisted.

'Ah! How can my disciples have so little affection and respect for their Master… Oh, what a pity!'

Byureon lamented the problems of the current era in his heart for a moment, then answered his question with a bright smile. Isn't it the duty of a Master to teach his disciples what they don't know?

"Usually, yes. But sometimes there are exceptions, aren't there?"

Of course, a fake patient was definitely an exception, but Binggeom, with his discernment, did not voice that statement.

"But what is it? Visiting a place that often smells of medicine, to the point where I sometimes want to cover my nose?"

"Just worried…"

That was, of course, not the truth. However, he needed a lot of courage and patience to steel himself to face reality. To get to where he was today, he had to control himself from hundreds of fierce desires to kill and dozens of intense desires to commit suicide. It was never easy.

"You are a wonderful disciple."

Byureon said with a smiling face, and Binggeom's heart ached at his words.

Disciple (弟子)!

"Keeeeeuk!"

It was a groan as if his heart was being squeezed. The sound still pained his chest every time he heard it, or rather, thought of it. He always felt a sense of incongruity. Even now, this incongruity that assaulted him seemed unlikely to disappear forever. He had not yet overcome the cold feeling and the unavoidable sense of disharmony that the word gave him. It was the greatest humiliation of his life. And he had not become accustomed to that humiliation like someone else. Not yet!

Byureon was not impatient in such matters. He liked perfection. Especially when it came to tricking others, as Yeomdo put it, he was particularly persistent.

"Don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing!"

Byureon said to Binggeom, who had remained silent for a long time, staring at him. He was still a thorough rationalist. He had no intention of changing that belief at the moment.

"Are you… are you feeling better now…?"

No matter how much they disliked each other, fellow disciples seemed to be fellow disciples. Perhaps it was because Yeomdo was repeating the actions he had taken in the beginning.

"Are you okay? Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be okay when I wasn't injured in the first place?"

His words were full of vitality, like the blooming spring. The warning sign hanging menacingly in front of his hospital room, "No Entry! Absolute Rest!", became meaningless and ashamed.

"Your complexion is too good, isn't it…?"

"Heh heh heh, do I need to look more haggard? Still, you're a critical patient… Heh heh."

Byureon seemed to find the situation very amusing.

"How did you manage to deceive Chief Heo's eyes so skillfully? No deception, no matter how clever, had ever escaped his eyes and his hands…"

Binggeom himself had not been confident that he could deceive Chief Heo, known as a divine physician, so perfectly. Yet, Byureon had done it as if to show off.

"It's not that difficult if you have perfect control over your own body."

Byureon said in his characteristic tone, as if it were no big deal.

"Didn't I tell you last time? I don't want to repeat what I've already said. It's inefficient."

"Is that the real reason you're here? Truly?"

He wanted to know the real reason Byureon was doing this. The reason he wasn't boasting about his victory, the reason he had disguised himself as a critical patient for it. He had come here despite the discomfort to understand the true reason and purpose behind it. It was laughable to demand a more sophisticated reason from Byureon, having lived too long in the world.

"Well, do you really need a reason beyond that? I needed a disciple, not fame for defeating a disciple. And when it's the hardest, I can avoid training, rest comfortably for twelve hours… Thinking about it, there are too many reasons. It really was an excellent choice!"

Byureon replied with a slight smile. It was clearly not a sarcastic smile. However, in Binggeom's eyes, it was not a trustworthy smile.

"I really want to know. Without understanding that, it's hard to accept this reality! Please tell me!"

Binggeom exclaimed emotionally, uncharacteristic of him.

"Oh dear! You're speaking too casually to your Master. Don't forget, from now on, you have to call me Master. That is the result of the martial arts match and the agreement between the esteemed Master and me!"

Although he was still smiling, his words were as sharp as a blade.

"I won't forget."

"Good!"

Byureon nodded.

There was nothing left to discuss. It seemed best for him to leave.

"Then I'll be going. Rest well."

"Goodbye. And next time you come, don't forget to bring a get-well gift. Grudges can accumulate over trivial matters between people, so always be careful, be very careful."

Byureon waved goodbye to Binggeom. It seemed Binggeom had been bothered by not bringing a get-well gift.