Chapter 17

Chapter 16. Is it because of me that the volcano erupted? (1)

"Huuuuk!"

Yunjian's eyes, which were staring at Chingming, were dazed.

'He looks like an ordinary child, doesn't he?'

But this child is definitely not an ordinary child.

'Is it really okay?'

His thick martial robe was completely soaked with sweat. Even though he was just standing still, sweat droplets were falling from his sleeves.

His face, flushed with blood, looked as if it might burst at any moment, and his legs, drained of strength, were trembling. Even his lips were quivering.

"Ah, do you want to sit down?"

Yunjian, who valued etiquette and norms as if they were his life, unconsciously offered Chingming a seat.

There was no choice.

It's like when you see a dog drenched in rain, anyone would want to reach out a hand. To be frank, Chingming's current state looked even more pitiful than a rain-soaked dog.

"Ah, it's fine. Rather, could I have some water...?"

"Someone, go and fetch some water! Right now!"

"Yes!"

One of the children, who had been cautiously observing, quickly ran to fetch water.

"Alright. That... "

But Yunjian closed his mouth again.

'What should I ask?'

He had called out, but he didn't know where to start. This absurd situation was a first for him.

"What exactly is going on here?"

So, he had no choice but to ask the obvious.

Chingming, who received Yunjian's question, glanced around and then spoke calmly.

"It's nothing much."

"…What?"

"Everyone decided to do morning exercises together starting today. I didn't realize it was the first day and overdid the exercise a bit. It must have been because everyone was so enthusiastic."

So enthusiastic?

Yunjian glanced at the children behind Chingming. The children were tightly closing their mouths and frantically waving their hands.

But as soon as Chingming slightly turned his head, the children's hands quickly dropped.

'Look at this?'

It was an absurd situation. Whatever was happening, one thing was clear: all the third-generation disciples were thoroughly intimidated by this child.

Yunjian was not someone who lacked perception. He had been dealing with children for almost ten years. Now, he could mostly figure out the situation just by seeing how the children's eyes moved.

No, even if he hadn't reached that level, it would be strange not to notice the situation.

'The disciples of Huashan... '

Scared of a new recruit?

Yunjian's head tilted slightly to the side.

'No, no.'

Thinking about it, these children's skills were not low at all. Most children of the same age from other martial arts schools wouldn't even be able to hold their heads up in front of them.

Even if they were mediocre, they were still from Huashan.

So, it wasn't that these children were pitiful, but that this kid was unusual.

"Did you say morning exercises?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You brat."

Yunjian said firmly.

"There are rules in the Bai Mei Hall. Who said you could reduce your sleeping time and practice?"

Even with a slight hint of anger, there was no change in Chingming's face. He maintained a calm expression and spoke as if it were no big deal.

"Then I won't do it."

"…What?"

"I thought practicing would be helpful. But if you say it's not allowed, I won't do it."

"…."

Wait, that's not right?

Yunjian was slightly flustered. This was not the reaction he had hoped for.

"You, you thought practicing would be helpful?"

"Yes."

"Why did you think that?"

A hint of absurdity appeared in Chingming's eyes.

"Then, is it not helpful?"

"…."

"…."

A slightly awkward silence passed between them.

'Ugh.'

Yunjian, inwardly groaning, moved his lips. As if understanding all of Yunjian's feelings, Chingming spoke first.

"Uncle, you teach us martial arts, so that should be enough. But I thought we should also make efforts on our own. All martial arts ultimately come from the body, so if we can train our bodies, it should help with our sword skills."

It was a sound argument.

There was nothing to criticize.

"You're right."

Yunjian also readily acknowledged this.

"But, is it right to force training through coercion?"

"Coercion?"

Chingming glanced back and smiled.

"Uncle, why would I coerce my senior brothers? When I said I wanted to practice, they all wanted to join me."

Nonsense.

It was an obvious lie.

But to pursue this lie, he would have to say, "Did you bully your senior brothers into joining you?"

However...

'Can't say that.'

It would be like saying everyone should die together.

The third-generation disciples would become idiots who couldn't handle a new recruit, and Yunjian would become a super-idiot for teaching them.

And Chingming would become a villain for bullying and beating up his senior brothers.

If he said that, everyone would be ruined.

"…"

Just as Yunjian was trying to find words to say, Chingming quickly spoke.

"As long as it doesn't affect other training, it can be a good method. At least, results will be visible in about a month."

'Hmm?'

While talking about training, there was a hidden meaning.

A month.

It meant, "Leave me alone for a month." It implied that he would achieve solid results.

'Look at this kid?'

It didn't sound like a child. He was using the kind of subtle language that experienced martial artists use.

Yunjian, feeling a sense of camaraderie, probed gently.

"A month. That could be possible. But the training doesn't seem simple. Can the children keep it up for a month?"

"The determination of my senior brothers is so high that I naturally want to emulate it. Even with the tough training, none of them complained."

He tried to provoke a reaction, but no one spoke up. It was as if he was telling them not to worry.

'Where did such a kid come from?'

Yunjian couldn't hide his astonishment. Chingming turned and smiled at the third-generation disciples.

"Isn't that right, senior brothers?"

"…Well, well."

"We can do it. We can."

"…We did our best today."

Chingming turned again.

"Given the high determination of the senior brothers, how can the results of the training not be good?"

The kids' faces were turning green.

He was speechless with frustration. But his mind was rapidly working.

So, Chingming's words meant that although only a day had passed, he had already completely taken control of the third-generation disciples and intended to use that control for training.

And if he had any other intentions, they would become clear in a month.

'What a kid.'

The more he listened, the more absurd it seemed. How did such a monster suddenly appear and take control of the children?

But...

'From my perspective, it's not a bad thing.'

As the head of the Bai Mei Hall, his biggest problem was the difficulty in securing enough time for training.

Huashan was always short of manpower.

Originally, the Bai Mei Hall was not something he could handle alone. At least ten instructors were needed. But now, only three people were dedicated to the Bai Mei Hall.

As a result, his day was spent dealing with the children, and his growth as a martial artist had stagnated. If this kid could take charge of the children's control, it would be a great help to him.

"I have one more question."

"Yes."

"Since it's not easy for you, why do you insist on morning training?"

Chingming tilted his head.

"Disciple, I don't understand what Uncle means."

"Hmm?"

This kid couldn't suddenly not understand, could he?

"Joining Huashan means learning the sword, and learning the sword means becoming stronger, right? To become stronger, training is necessary. Expanding one's sword skills and further spreading Huashan's name is the natural duty of a disciple who has received Huashan's grace."

"…That's right."

"Of course, with the teachings Uncle gives, I can become strong enough. But with more effort, the speed can be increased. To make the most of my efforts, it's natural to save even sleeping time."

"…That's true."

It meant there was no need for any other reason for training.

'When the head of the sect said he wouldn't accept any more disciples, what made him change his mind?'

If this kid was around, it might be worth raising him.

His talent hadn't been confirmed yet, but with this much enthusiasm, even without talent, he could achieve results. And even if he couldn't become a top expert, influencing other children positively would be a good thing.

"…The training looks very tough?"

"It's the first day."

"Still, it looks tough."

"People become stronger the more they are pushed."

Yunjian's lips trembled.

'This kid is something.'

It matched Yunjian's philosophy! A kid with such a philosophy could be pushed for a while. After all, there had always been a hierarchy among the children, regardless of their distribution.

"What's important in dealing with senior brothers?"

"Etiquette. I will follow the words of the eldest brother as if they were the words of heaven."

It meant he wouldn't look down on the seniors and would respect the eldest brother to maintain the hierarchy. Each answer pleased him.

Yunjian nodded and looked around. The children, who couldn't grasp the situation, looked at him with trembling eyes.

"Ahem."

Yunjian cleared his throat to dispel the awkwardness and slightly avoided their gaze.

"I am very moved that you all 'voluntarily' started morning training."

"Uncle!"

"Master!"

Shouts of shock and confusion echoed, but Yunjian ignored them.

"If you continue to train steadily, you will definitely achieve good results. This child seems to know the training methods well, so do your best."

'It's over.'

'Wow, he's just abandoning them.'

'Look at how he avoids eye contact.'

Despair filled the faces of the disciples, who had understood Yunjian's thoughts.

"Make sure to eat breakfast on time and come to the morning training. I'll be going now."

Yunjian was about to turn away but stopped.

"Ah, right!"

Of course!

Even in the Bai Mei Hall, would they really abandon...

"Since it will interfere with training, you don't need to come for the morning greeting anymore. Training is the priority. Yes, that's it."

Yunjian laughed and quickly turned away.

The disciples, without realizing it, reached out their hands, but Yunjian disappeared like a mirage, leaving them in despair.

"…"

Snap.

At that moment, a chilling sound of a neck being snapped echoed.

It was Chingming. He slowly turned and smiled.

Though it was a gentle smile, the veins on his forehead made the smile's meaning unclear.

"Uncle, please save me?"

"…"

"Really, senior brothers, I'm not going to kill you. Come in for a moment before eating. I have something urgent to discuss inside the Bai Mei Hall."

"…"

"Hurry."

"…Yes."

It was the moment when dreams and hopes disappeared from Huashan.