The first lesson began at dawn.
I woke to ice-cold water splashing across my face.
"Get up," Master said, already dressed and holding an empty bucket. "We're starting."
I sputtered, wiping water from my eyes. "Master, the sun isn't even—"
"In the Jianghu, your enemies won't wait for you. Move."
Five minutes later, I stood shivering in the training clearing behind our cottage. The morning mist was so thick I could barely see Master standing ten paces away.
"For six months, I let you learn by yourself," Master said, his voice unusually serious. "You observed and comprehended, which proved your talent. But that's not enough to keep you alive in this chaotic world. Today, you learn the difference between understanding a technique and mastering it in combat."
He drew his sword—a plain jian with a worn handle, nothing like the legendary blades described in stories. But the moment it left its sheath, the air itself seemed to hold its breath.
"Attack me."
I blinked. "Master?"
"You've seen my sword forms dozens of times. You claim to understand them. Prove it. Attack me with everything you have."
My hand went to my training sword. Everything I have? Against a Transcendent Realm master?
『 WARNING: Power Gap Too Large 』
『 Master's Combat Power: 89,000 』
『 Your Combat Power: 340 』
『 Survival Chance: 0.3% 』
Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, system.
But Master was waiting, his stance relaxed but somehow perfect. I took a breath, channeled my qi, and launched forward using the Mountain God's Footwork.
Fast. Faster than I'd ever moved before. The mist parted around me as I closed the distance in one breath, my sword thrusting toward Master's center mass—a technique I'd seen him use while skewering fish.
His sword moved.
I didn't even see it.
I was on my back five meters away, my training sword lying in the grass beside me.
"Again," Master said.
I got up, retrieved my sword, attacked again.
This time I tried a feint, followed by a horizontal slash—
On my back again.
"Again."
Vertical strike from above—
Back down.
"Again."
Attempted to use Sword Intent to enhance my blade—
Flat on my ass before I even got close.
"Again. Again. Again."
For two hours, I attacked. But i didn't even land a single hit. I didn't even make Master take a step. He simply stood there, his sword casually deflecting every strike, every technique, every desperate combination I threw at him.
By the time he finally said "Stop," I was on my hands and knees, gasping for air, my arms trembling.
"Do you understand now?" Master asked quietly.
"I... I don't... understand..."
"Wrong. You understand the techniques. What you don't understand is combat." He sheathed his sword and sat down cross-legged. "Come. Sit."
I crawled over and sat, still trying to catch my breath.
"You've learned my sword forms by observation. Your comprehension is indeed extraordinary—perhaps the best I've ever seen. But knowing how to move a sword and knowing how to fight are completely different things."
He picked up a stick and drew in the dirt.
"A technique has three levels. First: Form. You've mastered this—your movements are nearly flawless. Second: Application. Understanding when and how to use each technique in real combat. You barely understand this. Third: Intent. Infusing your will and understanding into every strike, making the technique truly yours. You haven't even touched this."
The stick drew circles in the dirt.
"For the next three months, I will beat these lessons into your body. You will attack me every morning until you can't stand. You will defend against my attacks every afternoon until you collapse. And every evening, you will meditate on what you learned until your mind can hold no more."
"That sounds—"
"This is how the Heavenly Sword Sect trained me. I nearly died four times during my training. With your talent, you might only nearly die twice." His expression softened slightly. "But you'll emerge from this able to survive the Jianghu. That's worth any amount of suffering."
[DING!]
『 SPECIAL TRAINING INITIATED 』
『 "Three Months of Hell" 』
Day 1/90 Progress:
Morning Combat Training: COMPLETE
Afternoon Defense Training: PENDING
Evening Meditation: PENDING
Current Status:
Body Condition: Exhausted
Mental State: Determined
Master's Satisfaction: 15%
Warning: This training will push you to your absolute limits!
I looked at my trembling hands, then at Master's calm face.
"Master... why now? Why not train me like this from the beginning?"
His expression darkened. "Because I'm a coward. I thought if I didn't train you properly, you'd stay mediocre. Stay safe. Stay hidden from the Jianghu's attention." He met my eyes. "But you're not capable of being mediocre. You're going to shine whether I want you to or not. So I might as well make sure you shine bright enough to blind anyone who tries to hurt you."
My chest felt tight. "Master..."
"Enough sentimentality. Rest for one hour, then we begin afternoon training."
He stood and walked toward the cottage.
"Dam-ho"
"Yes, Master?"
"Make sure to survive."
One Week Later...
I felt like iwas dying.
Every muscle screamed in my body. My meridians burned from constant qi circulation. I had bruises on top of bruises, and I was pretty sure my left shoulder was dislocated.
But I was also getting stronger.
『 PROGRESS REPORT 』
Day 7/90 Complete
Improvements:
Combat Power: 340 → 680 (DOUBLED!)
Sword Mastery: Lv. 67 → Lv. 82
Footwork Mastery: Lv. 71 → Lv. 88
Sword Intent: Beginning Stage → Intermediate Stage (BREAKTHROUGH!)
Foundation Establishment: Stage 2 → Stage 4
Combat Results:
Times Defeated by Master: 847
Times You Landed a Hit: 0
Master's Satisfaction: 38%
Achievement Unlocked: "Stubborn as a Mountain"
I lay in the grass after the morning session, staring at the sky. Master sat nearby, looking completely unbothered despite spending two hours beating me senseless.
"You're improving faster than I expected," he said. "At this rate, you might actually land a hit on me before the three months are up."
"Really?" I turned my head, excited despite the pain.
"No. But it's good to have goals." He smirked at my expression. "However, you did force me to take half a step back this morning. Impressive."
Half a step. Against a man who hasn't moved his feet in seven days of fighting. I'll take it.
"Master, can I ask you something?"
"You're going to anyway."
"Why did you choose fishing? Of all the things you could do as a hermit, why fishing?"
Master was quiet for a moment. "Because fish don't have expectations. They don't care if you're a legendary Sword Saint or a nobody. They just... exist. It's peaceful."
"Do you miss it? The Jianghu?"
"Sometimes. Mostly I miss the people I fought alongside. But the politics, the bloodshed, the endless scheming..." He shook his head. "No. I don't miss that."
"Then why send me into it?"
"Because unlike me, you still have ideals. You have the chance to be better than I was—to be the kind of martial artist the Jianghu actually needs." He stood and stretched. "Now get up. Afternoon session starts in five minutes."
I groaned but forced myself upright. As I did, my danger sense suddenly flared.
Someone's coming.
Master's eyes sharpened. He felt it too. "We have visitors. Multiple. High cultivation levels." He glanced at me. "Stay behind me and don't speak unless spoken to."
Three figures emerged from the forest path—two men and one woman, all wearing the distinctive azure and white robes of the Murim Alliance. The woman leading them was young, maybe early twenties, with sharp features and sharper eyes. Her cultivation aura made my skin prickle.
Golden Core Realm. And not early stage either.
[Heaven's Eye Activated]
[Namgung Seol]
Age: 23
Cultivation: Golden Core Stage 7
Talent: S+ Rank
Title: "Ice Phoenix of the Namgung Clan"
Relationship: Neutral (Curious)
Threat Level: High
[Analysis: Granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Chairman. Extremely talented genius. Highly perceptive. Current mission: Investigate rumors of Sword Saint's disciple.]
"Sword Saint Baek Cheon-ho," the woman said, bowing respectfully. "It's an honor to finally meet you. I am Namgung Seol of the Namgung Clan, representing the Murim Alliance."
Master didn't bow back.
"The Alliance knows where I live now. Wonderful. What do you want?"
"Direct as ever, I see." She smiled slightly. "We've detected Transcendent-level qi signatures in this region. The Alliance Chairman sent me to investigate and extend an invitation to the upcoming Recruitment Festival."
"Not interested. I'm retired."
"We're not inviting you, Sword Saint." Her gaze shifted to me. "We're inviting your disciple."
The two men behind her tensed slightly, hands moving closer to their sword hilts. My danger sense was screaming now.
Master's aura exploded outward as a warning. The pressure made the trees around us groan. Both guards stumbled back half a step. Even Namgung Seol's expression tightened.
"My disciple is not ready for the Jianghu," Master said coldly. "Come back in five years."
"With respect, Sword Saint, that's not your decision alone to make." Namgung Seol's eyes met mine. "Young man, what's your name?"
I glanced at Master, who gave the slightest nod.
"So Dam-ho, young... miss?" I wasn't sure of the proper form of address.
"Just Namgung Seol is fine. How long have you been training under the Sword Saint?"
"Six months, though proper training only started a week ago."
Her eyebrows rose. "Six months. And your cultivation level?"
"Foundation Establishment Stage 4."
The guards behind her exchanged shocked glances. Even Namgung Seol's composure cracked slightly.
"Foundation Establishment Stage 4 in six months. That's..." She studied me intently. "May I ask what your talent grade is?"
『 WARNING: Revealing true talent grade may draw unwanted attention! 』
"Average, I think?" I said honestly. "I just work hard."
Master made a sound that might have been a suppressed laugh.
Namgung Seol's eyes narrowed. She clearly didn't believe me, but she also couldn't call me a liar without proof. "I see. Well, So Dam-ho, the Recruitment Festival is in two and a half months. The greatest young talents from across the region will gather to compete, form connections, and potentially join major sects. Given your... impressive progress, I believe you would benefit greatly from attending."
"He's not going," Master interjected.
"Master, maybe I should—"
"No."
An awkward silence fell over the clearing. Namgung Seol's expression remained pleasant, but I could sense calculation behind her eyes.
"Sword Saint, the Jianghu has changed since you left. New threats are emerging. The Alliance needs strong cultivators—especially those trained by legends like yourself. Your disciple could—"
"Could become a tool for the Alliance's political games? Could be recruited by a sect that values his talent more than his life? Could be challenged to death matches by arrogant young masters trying to make a name for themselves?" Master's voice was ice. "I know exactly what the Jianghu does to promising disciples. The answer is no."
"Then perhaps," Namgung Seol said carefully, "you should let your disciple decide for himself."
Everyone looked at me.
Oh no.
Master's expression was stern—he clearly wanted me to refuse. But Namgung Seol was right about one thing: I couldn't hide on this mountain forever. If the Alliance found us, others would too. And Master's training was specifically preparing me for the Jianghu.
『 DECISION POINT 』
Choice A: Refuse to attend (Master will be pleased, but political pressure will increase)
Choice B: Agree to attend (Master will be displeased, but you'll gain valuable experience)
Choice C: Compromise solution
I took a breath. "Young Miss Namgung, I appreciate the invitation. However, my master is right—I'm not ready. But..." I met her eyes. "If after three months of training, Master believes I'm prepared, then I'll attend. Not before."
『 CHOICE C SELECTED: Wisdom of Compromise 』
『 Relationship Change: Master's Satisfaction +20% 』
『 Relationship Change: Namgung Seol's Respect +30% 』
Namgung Seol smiled—a genuine smile this time. "A wise answer. You defer to your master's judgment while not closing the door entirely. I can respect that." She pulled out a jade token and tossed it to me. "This is an invitation token. If you change your mind, simply bring it to the Festival registration. It will grant you entry regardless of affiliation."
I caught it, feeling the cool jade against my palm.
"We'll take our leave then. Sword Saint, I hope you reconsider. The Jianghu needs more people like you." She bowed again, then turned to leave. Her guards followed, though they kept glancing back nervously until they disappeared into the forest.
Once they were gone, Master let out a long breath. "Well. That complicates things."
"Master, I'm sorry if I—"
"No. You handled that well." He looked at the jade token in my hand. "Better than I expected, actually. You showed respect to me while not making an enemy of the Alliance. That's... that's good political instinct."
"So I can go? After three months?"
Master was quiet for a long moment. Finally: "We'll see. If you can land one clean hit on me before then, I'll allow it."
One hit. After a week of trying, I hadn't even made him move his feet properly.
But looking at his expression—concerned but trusting—I understood. This was his way of making sure I was truly ready.
"Then I'll work even harder, Master."
"Good. Because starting tomorrow, I'm doubling the training intensity." He grinned viciously.
Meanwhile, descending the mountain...
"That boy," Namgung Seol said once they were out of earshot, "is far more talented than he realizes."
"You think he was lying about being average?" one guard asked.
"Not lying—genuinely doesn't understand how extraordinary he is. Foundation Establishment Stage 4 in six months with only basic training? That's not average. That's..." She paused. "That's possibly once-in-a-century talent."
"Should we report this to the Chairman?"
"Immediately. And tell him the Sword Saint has a disciple who's humble, politically aware, and monstrously talented. Every major sect will want him." She glanced back up the mountain. "Which means in three months, that quiet mountain is going to become very, very crowded."
"You think he'll come to the Festival?"
Namgung Seol smiled. "Oh, he'll come. That type always does—they can't help but test themselves against others. The question is: which sect will he choose?"
"Will the Namgung Clan try to recruit him?"
"Try? We'll do everything short of kidnapping." Her expression turned serious. "A disciple trained by the Sword Saint with that level of talent? He'll reshape the Jianghu. The only question is whose banner he'll do it under."
Back on the mountain...
I stood in the training clearing, jade token in hand, watching the sunset.
『 NEW QUEST AVAILABLE 』
『 QUEST: Land One Hit on Master 』
Difficulty: SSS
Time Limit: 10 weeks
Reward: Permission to attend Recruitment Festival, Master's Recognition, +3 Cultivation Stages, Legendary Technique Unlock
Progress: 0%
Master's Current Guard Level: Absolute
I tucked the token into my robe and picked up my training sword.
"Day 8," I muttered. "Only 83 more days of hell to go."
Somewhere behind me, I heard Master chuckle.
"That's the spirit, Dam-ho. That's the spirit."