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Chapter 3: Human nature and human beings)

Chapter 3: Human nature and human beings)

“hmm.”

I fell silent..

That face wasn't very nice..

‘What should I do??’

I didn't want to stand out, but I also didn't have any intention of losing..

Still, I tried to win on the first day..

This is because if they are perceived as being at the bottom, in the worst case scenario, their emergence as the next powerhouse may be delayed..

Isn't the decisive reason for relying on Yeonhwagak because Kangho's departure is faster and more free than that of ordinary disciples?.

In order to do that, the volcano faction had to show inaction that was acceptable and acceptable..

It is difficult to perceive that one is too weak..

“Hahaha, you became as frozen as ice when you saw my son! Well, it has to be that way.!”

I heard Zhao Muyang's laughter from above..

“Death penalty, if you don’t mind, how many moves should I give in??”

Bang Cheol-sam asked with a wry smile..

‘tenacity……’

Joo Seocheon thought to himself..

No matter how much you lower your voice, you cannot avoid the ears of the experts.

“are you okay. But did I tell you to stop talking??”

Bang Cheol-sam is twelve years old..

Like Luo So-wol, his skills were recognized from a young age and he was promoted to office right away..

However, unlike Luo So-wol, his personality was not very good..

He had talent since he was young, and perhaps because he was the descendant of Elder Hwasan Oh, there were many people around him who praised him..

Jo Mu-yang, who has a good nature, did not say a single bitter word as if she cared for Bang Cheol-sam..

As a result, I grew up as a typical political faction member..

“I heard that Joo Sang-sang was active a couple of years ago, but honestly, I think that's a bit exaggerated..”

Bang Cheol-sam didn't pay attention to Joo Seo-cheon's criticism and spoke informally..

“Even a few guys can handle the current country..

Since ancient times, if you are a sailor, you have to show off your skills whether on a ship or anywhere else..

If you can't do that, it's because you're weak. Heng, these are all excuses for losers.!”

Bang Cheol-sam laughed and snorted..

“Do you mind if I tell it to Nine Winds??”

Even the Fourteen Swordsmen of the World could not demonstrate their skills on a ship..

“That's all proof that the death penalty lacks skills. I have no eyes to see. If I hadn't shown my skills in the first place, how would I have beaten the world's greatest expert??”

“Huh.”

Joo Seocheon hit his knee..

“I didn't know that. That's really great logic.”

It was quite persuasive.

“I can't believe you have a shorter mindset than me, a priest.!”

Bang Cheol-sam leaned back and smiled cheekily..

“This is why Sister Nak So-wol takes pity on the executioner and takes care of him.!”

Bang Cheol-sam stopped laughing and got angry..

“Yes?”

Joo Seocheon tilted his head..

“The death penalty is a person who has no sense. So, stop bothering Sister Nak’s house and leave as soon as possible.!”

“……ah.”

I was wondering what I didn't like about Bang Cheol-sam's enemy's young gaze earlier, but now I think I understand..

“I don't know why this person is more famous than me..”

Bang Cheol-sam showed a dissatisfied expression..

The emotion on his face was clear jealousy..

“That's because I'm better than you.”

Joo Seocheon answered without changing his expression..

“gibberish!”

Bang Cheol-sam was running around and screaming..

He was mad and denied that Joo Seocheon was greater than him..

“I am the elder of Hwasan Five, the grandson of Myeongsuak, and I came to Yeonhwagak at the age of nine! But he's better than me?”

‘This is so childish.’

That's right kid.

“joy.”

Joo Seocheon lived very quietly even after his return..

Even if there was an exchange, it was only Nak So-wol and Jang Hong and Jang Seo-eun, who are no longer out, so no one saw martial arts..

Don’t they say that Kangho’s rumors are always exaggerated?.

He was not seen well, and as time passed, Su Lin Guchae's performance was gradually forgotten, and questions were raised about his skills..

In particular, the Four Great Disciples who still viewed him unfavorably reacted in this way, and Bang Cheol-sam was the most representative of them..

“Still, it's a death sentence, so I'll show you my mercy..”

Bang Cheol-sam openly ignored Joo Seo-cheon..

“If you can't even land a single blow on a priest, where will you be walking around with your face in shame? ha ha ha!”

Bang Cheol-sam stood in place and provoked..

“Heomi……”

Joo Seocheon was speechless..

“Ah, tsk.”

Youngjin clicked his tongue and shook his head from side to side..

“Ibosho, Elder Joe. Isn’t it a bit out of etiquette??”

“Uh- huh, you're still young so you might not know. And they are taking some care to ensure that the death penalty does not damage their reputation.?”

Zhao Muyang shamelessly came out with his neck held straight..

“He may be a little spoiled at a young age, but he is a good child by nature. Look at that consideration. I'm so touched.”

“It's miracle logic!”

I thought Yeongjin was the descendant of that dynasty..

“Even though I was so considerate, I can't help it because they don't even seem to listen.!”

Meanwhile, Bang Cheol-sam changed his posture and showed a warlike attitude..

The wait was really just a moment..

It seemed like I had no intention of seeing it in the first place..

Bang Cheol-sam glanced at the spot where Nak So-wol was..

‘I will humiliate you in front of Sister Nak’s residence.!’

Bang Cheol-sam didn't like Joo Seo-cheon attracting Nak So-wol's attention..

A good opportunity has come..

I was planning to disappoint Joo Seocheon by showing him failing poorly..

Plus, you could show how cool you are..

Bang Cheol-sam thought of an ideal future..

Nak So-wol looks at the fallen Joo Seo-cheon with disgust, runs to her, and hugs him, saying he's so cool..

“flaw.”

My mouth was torn all the way down to my ears..

I don't know why, but my saliva was dripping..

“He's just crazy..”

Joo Seocheon expressed his honest feelings..

“haha!”

Bang Cheol-sam laughed like a great man even after hearing Joo Seo-cheon's curse..

“From now on, I will squeeze out all your tears and snot.!”

Bang Cheol-sam shouted excitedly and threw himself away..

‘huh?’

The momentum was so strong that I thought an attack was coming right away..

However, it was a much different movement than expected..

It started straight from the front, but took a gentle bend and changed direction along the way..

I wondered if they were aiming for the rear or the side, but that wasn't the case either..

I don't know what he was thinking, but he didn't attack and just circled around himself..

The step method is better than the familiar Five Elements Plum Blossom..

I could tell what the level was just by looking at it briefly..

It's roughly around eight stars..

“How can this be? At the age of twelve, the Five Elements and Plum Blossoms are eight stars.!”

“Elder Muyang Cho is not pampering you for nothing. He seems like a bit of an unlucky guy, but his martial arts skills are definitely great.?”

“Look at that movement without any unnecessary elements..”

Admiration flowed from the audience..

Everyone looked surprised..

The Five Elements Plum Blossom is a method of rising in its own way..

In the case of ordinary disciples, the moment they achieved this, they were already middle-aged..

The training period was long and the level of difficulty was high..

Still, the method had many uses and was excellent..

It was a martial art where everyone tried to become successful as quickly as possible..

It was admirable that it had already achieved eight stars out of twelve..

‘You'd be shocked if you knew that I had made the Five Elements Plum Blossom a long time ago..’

There was a time when I showed it briefly while dealing with a number of enemies, but at that time it was not a time to properly examine the method..

“hmm… ah.’

Now I understand why Bang Cheol-sam is like this..

‘Did you want to brag like that??’

Bang Cheol-sam views Joo Seo-cheon as much lower than himself..

I didn't even think about it being a threat..

This was proof of that..

If you don't look at me funny, I wouldn't show you such fancy movements for show..

He was using his opponent to brag about how much he had achieved to the examiner and Luo So-yue..

‘You really are a child..’

Joo Seo-cheon laughed inwardly..

‘You were completely overwhelmed by my walking skills.!’

Bang Cheol-sam smiled triumphantly when he saw Joo Seo-cheon sitting still..

If it weren't for the fact that I was doing my best to use the step technique, I would have laughed at it a long time ago..

It was a shame I couldn't do that..

‘You can't help but be overwhelmed out there..’

‘If you're not at the level of Luo So-wol, you won't be able to deal with him..’

‘A few decades later, I will become Elder Hwasan Oh, following in the footsteps of Elder Myeong Soo-ak. I should tell my students to take care of themselves..’

The thoughts of the people here were similar..

Everyone thought that Joo Seocheon was overwhelmed..

It's not that I look at you in a funny way..

What Bang Cheol-sam showed was that great..

‘Um, you put too much effort into it..’

Joo Seo-cheon was worried when he saw Bang Cheol-sam..

‘It's not easy to win when it comes this far. In moderation, should I trade a hundred dollars and win??’

If everyone in the audience heard this, they would have been dumbfounded..

Joo Seocheon was in trouble as he held his sword and let it hang down..

Meanwhile, Bang Cheol-sam was also lost in worry..

‘What kind of herbivore should I finish off with??’

Anyway, this is the end of today’s dance..

Next time is tomorrow, so you can recover your exhausted inner strength with a fortune breakfast..

‘Plum blossom landscape)?’

In terms of sword technique, Nanhwasu was a plum blossom sword, and plum sansu was somewhere between Yukhapgeom or Nakyeong sword and Maehwa Yeonglonggeom..

Nanhwasu is really basic, so it's excluded..

It's not cool..

I naturally thought about doing plum blossom landscape, but the regret remained..

It was because of the flowerless hands that passed by..

It hasn't been long since Bang Cheol-sam began training in Hwaseongmuyeongsu..

To begin with, the plum blossom landscape was not yet successful..

So, I needed to force myself to learn the Oxidized Muyeongsu..

Bang Cheol-sam learned it a little early because he begged Jo Mu-yang..

However, that doesn’t mean that Jo Muyang taught Hwaseongmuyeongsoo without thinking..

Plum blossom landscape was approved almost entirely..

‘Okay, let's use oxidation-free water.!’

It was a decision I could make because I thought the other person was not at all a risk..

If the opponent has even the slightest strength, do not use oxidized martial arts that you are not familiar with..

If I made a mistake, I could have faced repercussions..

Paaat!

Once the decision was made, action was quick..

Finally, I stopped the show-off style and went on the attack..

Bang Cheol-sam closed the distance between him and Joo Seo-cheon in an instant..

It was so soft, like a falling flower..

It was also so fast that not even a shadow was visible..

“yes!”

Jo Muyang, who was watching, jumped up from her seat..

It was such a perfect herbivore that even he cheered..

The transition and connection were very smooth and threatening..

“oxidized water!”

Exclamations erupted here and there.

Among all the handcrafts of Hwasan, the only one that is so smooth and quick is Hwasan Muyeongsu..

Everyone recognized it at a glance.

‘It's over!’

Aim for the chest with your hands upright.

It flew away with the wind splitting it in two..

It was a gentle movement.

Both Bang Cheol-sam and the spectators had no doubt that Hwaseong Mu-yeong-su's herbivory would be correct..

but.

“Wow, I'm surprised.!”

Ju Seo-cheon was also surprised when Hwaseong Mu-yeongsu appeared..

He knew it too, but it was his first time dealing with him in person like this..

In my past life, when I danced with the same four great disciples, they all used normal sword techniques..

Since you have little experience, it is natural to be surprised..

As a result, I reflexively gained some strength..

Joo Seo-cheon raised his sword to block Hwaseong Mu-yeong-su..

In the meantime, he blocked Bang Cheol-sam with the side of his sword to prevent him from getting hurt..

Crackling!

“uh?”

Bang Cheol-sam was embarrassed. He couldn't understand what was happening at all..

The hand that contained all the energy was broken and the four fingers were bent in strange directions..

Just when I was about to come to my senses and be astonished, I saw a flat sword body coming down from above my head..

“Kuek!”

‘Bang Cheol-sam was stuck to the ground like a frog with the sound of something hitting him..

“……”

The crowd was silent.

‘Unbelievable……’

Joo Seocheon lamented..

‘i am so strong.’

I can see the sun going down behind the garden..

“Wireaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Zhao Muyang's screams spread to every corner of the volcano wave..

“Elder Joe, shut your mouth. My ears are falling.”

Youngjin frowned and got irritated..

In front of him, Bang Cheol-sam, who had lost his mind, was lying with foam in his mouth..

The first day of the Lotus Sword Meeting has ended..

Five people lost, five people won.

Among the losers, the only one who lost his mind was Bang Chil-sam..

“I wasn't seriously hurt. I just passed out, so if I sleep well and wake up, I'll be fine..”

Yeongjin, as his name suggests, is a magician..

But when you say medicine, isn’t it naturally connected to medicine?.

It wasn't as good as a proper clinic, but I was able to get treatment..

‘Joo Seocheon, that guy. Why are you bringing up a storm every day? Hehehe.’

Youngjin laughed to himself as if it was fun..

On the outside, it looked like Jo Mu-yang, whose eyes had rolled back, would not stay still..

“He must have used some kind of hex! Otherwise, Cheolsam wouldn't be defeated so easily.!”

Zhao Muyang was very angry..

“Huh!.”

Youngjin made a dumbfounded expression..

He was about to say something, but before he could, Haksong came out..

“Don't say anything that doesn't make sense. That child deceived the eyes of Geomseon, the Ten Chairs of Heaven, and the Five Elders of Hwasan.?”

“Ugh……”

“Elder Cho, I know you like Sason. But keep in mind that sometimes that love can be too much and ruin it..

I need you to know that you are your own worst enemy..”

Bimu's victory and defeat seemed to be largely due to Bang Cheol-sam's arrogant behavior rather than Ju Seo-cheon's strength..

I deliberately twirled around with the Five Elements Plum Blossom, and then unfolded the Oxidized Muyeongsoo, which is incomplete and has large movements..

“No, no matter what, how can you do it with just one blow?……”

“Anyone who sees it will know that it is carelessness and arrogance. If you don't teach it well later, you will ruin your child, so I ask you to behave properly..”

Haksong gave harsh advice..

Woo Il-moon walked holding his back..

‘He's still a kid that needs to be watched a little more..’

There are about three great disciples that caught my eye at the Lotus Sword Association..

There was no need to worry about Naksowol, and Bangcheolsam was immature and only had a little time to grow..

The last one was Joo Seocheon..

To put it bluntly, it's not that I'm particularly worried because it's so good..

It was just an unknown sense of familiarity..

I was surprised that he was defeated in one blow in Bimu today, but that was largely due to Bang Cheol-sam's flashy behavior..

That's why I wanted to see the results of the match tomorrow..

There's really no reason, it's just pure curiosity..

And the next day.

This curiosity really ends up being just curiosity..

“lost.”

With the declaration of defeat by the person in charge.

* * *

The next day, the bracket came out. It was not a win by default as Joo Seocheon had hoped..

Also, the matchmaking partner was optimal..

“I miss this again.”

It was the moon of Nakso.

A few years ago, I faced someone like this during a candidate screening..

“lost.”

Joo Seocheon surrendered without any hesitation..

“…… yes?”

Luo Sowol smiled softly and then looked embarrassed..

Not only her reaction, but also the reactions of those around her were the same..

“explain.”

The examiner, Wi Ji-gyeol, asked.

“Yesterday, I used up a significant portion of my body's internal energy to respond to Priest Bang Cheol-sam's attack, and I also suffered some internal injuries as I was suddenly pulled out..

It hasn't fully recovered, so even if you fight the Naksamae, it won't take long for your body to take a toll..”

“i get it.”

Wijigyeol nodded, saying, “I see.”.

“Is that really what happened?.”

“Wouldn't it be impossible to block Bang Cheol-sam's attack with average skills?.”

“Although the movement was obvious, it is still a separate thing from the body following it. If you want to block or avoid it and counterattack, it won't end..”

“Above all, isn't the opponent now that Luo So-wol? I can't deal with you in such an imperfect state..”

“Okay, but I don't like it. It's not that the judgment is bad, but if you're a leader, shouldn't you fight with the risk of losing?.”

“That's right, it doesn't suit this Yeonhwageomhoe that elects plum blossom swordsmen..”

“I looked back at what happened during the time of Shulin Jiuzhai, but it seems like the martial arts skills are decent enough, but the courage is lacking at all..”

I heard whispering from the audience..

In this way, the first round of the second day ended in vain..

Nak So-wol looked like she wanted to say something to Joo Seo-cheon, but she couldn't because she was scheduled for the next meeting..

Joo Seo-cheon was eliminated as is..

The Yeonhwageomhoe continued..

The winner is Nak So-wol.

Finally, after a fierce fight, victory is achieved..

“Oh my, that stupid bastard! You've been boasting about your skills before, but I thought I could do that.!”

Young-jin, who was secretly looking forward to Joo Seo-cheon's performance, lamented while nervously pulling his hair out..

“Good job.”

When Joo Seo-cheon was eliminated and moved to the stands, Yoo Jeong-mok welcomed him with a gentle smile as always..

“Sorry, Master..”

Joo Seo-cheon apologized to Yoo Jeong-mok with a look of regret..

“Are you apologizing for something you did wrong??”

“Of course, I was only a disciple of Master and went to the Lotus Sword Association.……”

“done. 'Cause I know what you're thinking.”

Yoo Jeong-mok bent his knees and was at eye level with Joo Seo-cheon..

“Yesterday's child was amazing, but I don't think you were at the point where you suddenly increased your strength and suffered internal injuries..

Your physical condition must have been normal..”

The teacher noticed his disciple's blatant lie..

It was normal up to this point.

“If I knew you, you would have competed on equal footing with that kid..

However, no matter who wins, it will be detrimental in the next fight since it will consume a lot of internal energy..”

Yoo Jeong-mok had a strange misunderstanding..

yes?

Joo Seocheon made an expression that made some noise..

However, Yoo Jeong-mok continued speaking with an expression of confusion..

“I already knew you weren't interested in plum blossom inspection, so there's no need for you to worry about me anymore..”

I once dreamed of inspecting plum blossoms.

I still had regrets, so I saw potential in my student and tried to raise him as a plum blossom swordsman..

However, as I spent time with my student, I began to notice that he seemed to have no interest in inspecting plum blossoms..

I couldn't say I wasn't greedy..

I wanted the student to surpass the teacher and become more proud..

But I didn't want to do that..

I didn't want to force my teacher's goals and dreams..

Yoo Jeong-mok wanted Joo Seo-cheon to think for himself and walk the chosen path..

“Why is that story suddenly……?”

“There is no need to pretend not to know. Since I am not interested in the Plum Blossom Sword Association, there is no need to work hard at the Yeonhwa Sword Association..

Isn’t that why you gave up the opportunity to that child??”

no.

“It's not.”

I reflexively responded to an unexpected and absurd guess..

“Okay. There's no need to lie like that. It's nice to see that you don't care about face and are considerate of your sister-in-law..”

Yu Jeong-mok hugged Joo Seo-cheon and patted her back..

“Well, it's not really.”

Joo Seocheon even stuttered..

I'm definitely not interested in plum blossom inspection..

No, beyond not being interested, I never wanted to go in..

That's all.

I didn't show that kind of consideration..

In the first place, far from being equal to Luo Soyue, there was a huge difference in skill..

I surrendered because I thought I would make another mistake like I did with Bang Cheol-sam..

“There is no need to be ashamed. You are truly my proud student..”

Yu Jeong-mok was proud with tears in his eyes..

“……”

Joo Seocheon was about to say something but closed his mouth..

Although it was a strange misunderstanding in many ways, it was still overlooked without much doubt..

just accepted it.

I didn't feel at peace because I felt like I was lying to my teacher..

* * *

“Was it my fault?……”

Woo Il-moon muttered while holding his back..

There was a slight look of disappointment on his face..

I've seen a lot of martial artists in my life, but this was the first time I felt close to a child for no particular reason..

So I was expecting something, but it was just a feeling..

It's just that he was a slightly outstanding child..

In this way, as Joo Seo-cheon had planned, he was able to calm Woo Il-moon's curiosity without awakening it..

However, this incident led to some strange misunderstandings, just like what happened with my teacher..

“You're still humble..”

Gu Feng came and smiled slightly and patted my head..

“……yes?”

Without thinking, 'What is this?' I almost muttered,.

“Didn’t you do that when you were with Jang Hong and Jang Seo-eun and their children?.”

never been like that.

“Even though his martial arts skills were superior to his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, he humbled himself rather than boasting..”

no.

“Ah, yes……”

When I saw those eyes that said they knew everything, I was at a loss for words..

There was some strange misunderstanding, but I decided to just give up..

“I look forward to the time when you go to the river again in the future..”

Gu Feng went away under a strange illusion..

“I feel like I pooped and didn't wipe after myself.……” 

I felt really uncomfortable.

It's not that it's bad or anything, but it feels weird to leave behind a perception that I really didn't intend..

Moreover, the nine winds were not the last..

“Meet the elder!”

Elder Hwasan Oh came to see us..

Surprisingly, it was not Yeong-jin, whom I often talked to, but Shim Ok-ryeon..

“……”

Shim Ok-ryeon looked down at Joo Seo-cheon in silence..

‘what?’

There was no emotion on his face..

Even if I try to find out what's going on, I can't figure it out..

Even though I mobilize all my experiences and memories from my past life, I still have no idea..

He is that cold of a person..

“Joo Seocheon.”

There was no emotion in the voice..

“……Don't forget your debt.”

Shim Ok-ryeon looked down at Joo Seo-cheon for a while, then turned around..

“Thank you.”

With those words, Shim Ok-ryeon left..

Joo Seo-cheon looked at the back and was dumbfounded when he realized it too late..

“Are you really saying thank you for being considerate of Sason? Huh, I get all kinds of weird misunderstandings..”

I am in a position where I have been revived for the sake of Luo Sowol..

It's not really like that, but everyone mistook it that way..

“Well, it's not a bad feeling..”

It's still uncomfortable, but I've stopped laughing and laughing..

Just hearing that I am grateful to that iron blooded swordsman is enough..

“execution!”

Satisfied, I tried to move on..

I saw someone coming from far away..

“Why on earth before……”

It was the moon of Nakso.

“also?”

Joo Seocheon sighed..