Chapter 15

Chapter 14. Bankruptcy, you bastards! (4)

The next morning at dawn.

Rumble.

Chungmyeong quietly observed his body.

Dantian.

The dantian, once small and weak, had now taken a proper form. The energy accumulated within had grown to a size that could be clearly perceived.

Rumble.

Even as he inhaled, the gathered energy resonated, purifying his body.

Clear and pure energy.

Transparent and clear energy, which Chungmyeong, who had lived for decades with his inner strength, had never seen before, was now gathered in his dantian. Although the size of this inner strength was not large enough to exert great power at the moment, if this clear energy continued to accumulate, it would eventually become more powerful than any other inner strength in the world.

"…When."

After finishing his energy circulation, Chungmyeong's face contorted.

To exert great power, freeze to death. The Huashan Sect is about to go bankrupt, and when will this situation change?

Suppressing the rising anger, Chungmyeong began to analyze the situation.

'Let's summarize.'

The problems with Huashan are countless. If one were to list them, all the paper in Huashan would not be enough. However, the most critical issues were three.

"No money, no martial arts, and no talent."

Then it's doomed.

Even thinking about it vaguely was terrifying, but now that he had organized his thoughts, his stomach churned even more violently.

So, what's the biggest problem among these?

'Talent.'

Chungmyeong's thoughts were straightforward.

Money can be earned, and martial arts can be taught. Of course,

'Where did you get this martial arts technique from?'

Not hearing it and naturally moving on is not an ordinary feat, but that's just a matter of process.

However, talent was something Chungmyeong could not handle.

He couldn't just run to the market and kidnap talented children to save Huashan. And talent cannot be seen just by looking at the surface.

If it were that easy, the famous sects would be scouring the land for talented children.

'So, I have to make use of what I have.'

Chungmyeong clenched his fists.

What good would it do to complain about the lack of resources? The priority is to make the best use of what is available.

The third-generation disciples' talents are not outstanding, but if they lack, they can be filled, and if they are broken, they can be fixed.

"Of course, I didn't have any disciples."

Old memories surfaced.

When he reached the age where he should take on disciples, the headmaster asked him.

- Chungmyeong.

- Yes, Headmaster.

- It's time for you to take on disciples. How do you think you should teach them?

- What's difficult about it?

- How?

- Just beat them. Even a dog will walk upside down after being beaten enough. Humans are better than dogs, right?

- …Let's talk about this later.

And the headmaster never brought up the topic of disciples again.

"I didn't expect to take on so many disciples at once."

Chungmyeong's lips curled up. If someone saw his smile, they would undoubtedly call it evil.

* * *

"…I'm so tired I could die."

"Why do we have to gather so early in the morning?"

"Senior, isn't this a bit too much?"

Yoon Jong closed his eyes.

'Just be quiet, you brats.'

The discipline of Huashan is strict, but these children have not completely shed the ways of the secular world. They come from families that, while not noble, are well-off in their regions, so they cannot endure discomfort and are not used to patience.

Thus, they are already complaining and grumbling just half a day after the beating.

Yoon Jong slightly raised his head to look at Jo Geol. At least Jo Geol seemed to understand the situation and kept his mouth shut.

Indeed.

The other children are not completely oblivious to the situation. That's why, despite their complaints, they all gathered without missing a single person at this early hour.

Yoon Jong looked at Baegmae Hall with a troubled gaze.

'Where did such a monster come from?'

The image is vivid.

Chungmyeong, looking like a demon, swung the legs of a chair and instantly knocked out over thirty children.

Shiver.

Just thinking about it sends a chill down his spine.

"…But who is he, really?"

This question reflected everyone's thoughts.

"He's supposed to be really strong."

"None of us even touched him."

"There were over thirty of us. Could the senior masters do that?"

No one knows.

But what is certain is that none of the third-generation disciples can even mimic his skills.

"Since he just joined yesterday, he must have learned martial arts elsewhere, right?"

"Hey, even if that's true, how can that be possible? We haven't been idle all this time."

Everyone was confused and bewildered by the situation.

Even Yoon Jong, who is older and has lived in Huashan the longest, couldn't grasp the situation, let alone the other children.

"Should we try to attack again?"

"…"

No one knew who said it, but this statement heightened the tension.

"Is it possible?"

"We might have been caught off guard last night…"

"What if we fail?"

"…"

It was a chilling suggestion. Everyone turned their heads. Jo Geol, standing in a fixed position, was the one who spoke.

"If you don't want to get beaten to death, just shut up and do as you're told."

"…Senior Jo Geol."

Among the third-generation disciples, Jo Geol, known for his skills, was trembling.

'What lunatics.'

What?

Attack again?

One punch to the jaw and being stuck in the ceiling would make anyone think twice. Jo Geol was confident in his abilities. Even though Huashan had declined, Jo Geol was a genius who would be recognized in any sect.

Ultimately, martial arts are learned by people. Even without proper instruction and excellent martial arts, he was confident he could handle a disciple from a famous sect.

That confidence was shattered by a single punch that sent him flying over the vast sea.

He is not someone who can be judged by ordinary standards.

"Then why did he tell us to prepare these things?"

The third-generation disciples looked at the strange tools in front of them, tilting their heads.

"Right. What are they for?"

A long wooden pole, a large and sturdy bag that could fit a person's head, and.

"Sand and gravel? Why do we need to prepare these? And what's with the jumping stilts?"

"Who knows."

While everyone was murmuring, the door burst open.

"…"

Silence fell.

The chattering stopped, and everyone's eyes focused on the door. Soon, Chungmyeong shuffled out.

But his expression was clearly annoyed and irritated.

'Why are you annoyed?'

'If you're annoyed, don't call us!'

Shuffling out and stopping, Chungmyeong lifted his head and scanned everyone.

"Everyone here?"

"Yes!"

"Be quiet. You'll wake the senior masters."

"…"

Thud. Thud.

Chungmyeong cracked his neck and spoke indifferently.

"Anyway, we're going to be living together from now on. I don't know how things will turn out, but we might end up being brothers for life."

'I'll die before I go home.'

'I'll leave the mountain. I'll leave the mountain no matter what!'

This statement made even those who had decided to dedicate their lives to Huashan as true disciples change their minds.

"But from what I see, you guys…"

Chungmyeong smiled.

"Are too weak."

"…"

"…"

To those who practice martial arts, the most humiliating and disgraceful word is "weak." Even those who planned to return to secular life after learning martial arts could not tolerate this word.

"Ugh."

But the problem was that there was no room for argument.

The person who said this had knocked out over thirty people without even being touched. Even if he said the sky was red, no one could deny it.

"Anyway, I think the same. Martial arts are not everything in life. But you came to Huashan to learn martial arts, right? So, you should try to become strong. Right?"

"…"

"From now on, we'll practice together every morning. Sound good?"

There's no way it could be good. Damn it!

Looking at the shameless Chungmyeong, someone raised their hand.

"Go ahead."

"Do we have to do this?"

Chungmyeong looked at the questioner with a blank expression and then turned to Yoon Jong.

Yoon Jong, who was frozen, hesitated before speaking.

"Not everyone was there at the time…"

"Oh, right."

There were those who didn't get hit.

Some didn't participate in the initiation ceremony. They might have heard about it, but that's not enough to understand the situation.

"Can those who don't want to do it go inside?"

"But you're new, why do you keep speaking informally? You should show respect."

Chungmyeong nodded in agreement.

"Right. People should show respect. In that sense, I have no intention of getting stronger or practicing. Hands up!"

In a group of a hundred, there are always a few who don't get the hint. A few raised their hands, and a few more followed suit.

About a dozen.

"Good, good. Martial arts are not everything in life. So, you can go inside."

"Can we go in?"

"Sure."

Yoon Jong and Jo Geol's faces turned pale.

'You idiots. He said 'go inside,' not 'go in with us!''

'You're walking into hell on your own. Oh, Lord. Please save these kids.'

The clueless children smiled and entered Baegmae Hall. Chungmyeong followed, smiling.

Click.

The door closed neatly.

"…"

No one dared to speak, just staring at Baegmae Hall.

Contrary to expectations, no screams or shouts were heard.

But.

'That…'

Yoon Jong saw it clearly. The large Baegmae Hall was shaking slightly. It was obvious what was happening inside.

After a short moment.

Creak.

The door slowly opened again.

And the children, with faces like they had seen a ghost, sprinted out at full speed. They quickly returned to their original positions and stood in a fixed stance.

"Tsk."

Chungmyeong, cracking his neck, spoke again.

"Anyone who doesn't want to practice."

"No one!"

"Be quiet. You'll wake the senior masters."

"No one."

"Ugh."

Chungmyeong clapped, seemingly moved.

"I'm very pleased with your enthusiasm to become strong. The future of Huashan is bright. So, I will do everything I can to make you strong."

"…"

"Let's start."

Looking at the rising sun in the distance, Yoon Jong clenched his eyes.

Whether the future of Huashan is bright or not, their future is as dark as can be.