Chapter 37

Chapter 037

When Jin Baek first saw it, he could not believe his own eyes.

‘Am I dreaming right now?’

It would not have been visible to ordinary people, but as someone who had spent long years in the dungeon, he could tell at once.

There was a miracle in human form standing there.

Bones and muscles that seemed capable of melting down and absorbing any Martial Art. An energy so pure that it would not fall short even when compared to the energy of great nature.

A talent bestowed by heaven itself was standing before his eyes.

‘I must secure that no matter what!’

Anyone with a discerning eye would have recognized it immediately.

Was this not like a jewel rolling around on the roadside?

The news that his grandson had been defeated, and that a daughter of Ortanis had visited, had long since been utterly forgotten.

Thinking only that he had to grab hold of that jewel, he forgot his age and ran out like an arrow.

“You! Become my disciple starting today!!!”

An offer made while casting aside even the dignity of a Lord.

Since ancient times, White Cloud Castle had been called the home of Martial Arts, a place countless Adventurers wished to receive teachings from.

And he, the Lord of White Cloud Castle himself, had personally offered this young man the position of disciple.

If this fellow was an Adventurer, then there was no way he would refuse—

“No…… I do not want to.”

CRASH!

Lightning struck Jin Baek’s head.

***

What was this old man saying out of nowhere at our first meeting?

When I immediately refused, the old man named Jin Baek looked as shocked as someone who had lost his country.

“Y-You do not want to!? If you become the disciple of me, Jin Baek, the Lord of White Cloud Castle, you will be able to study every Martial Art the Jin Clan possesses! Why do you say you do not want to?”

“Because I do not want to belong anywhere.”

What disciple was he suddenly talking about?

I had no reason to accept, and I refused any offer that would restrict the range of my movements.

“Your talent is not something that should be left to rot like this! You were born with the qualities to achieve Great Completion no matter what you learn, so why are you saying you do not want to……!”

As if frustrated, Jin Baek pounded his chest.

Even when I did not change my mind, his face turned red as he grew furious.

At that sight, the sounds of murmuring gradually began to rise around us.

“Did you see that? The Lord of White Cloud Castle personally offered to take him as a disciple!”

“Who exactly is he? Does anyone know?”

“I thought he seemed extraordinary from the moment he arrived with Lady Ortanis……!”

This was turning into area-wide Aggro.

At the voices I heard, cold sweat ran down my back.

At this rate, I had a feeling I would be flooded with countless requests for handshakes once this conversation ended.

“Young Master.”

“Hmm…… I will clear the room for now.”

Persica and Jin Sohwi tactfully sent everyone away.

Even the servants were dismissed, leaving the meeting hall empty in an instant, but Jin Baek’s force showed no sign of calming.

No, now that there were no eyes watching, it grew even more intense.

“You rascal! An elder is speaking, so why are you not answering?”

“Excuse me, please calm down a little…….”

“You must become my disciple! You are a fellow who must inherit the Martial Arts of White Cloud Zen Master and raise the name of the Jin Clan high……!”

“Grandfather, please come to your senses.”

In the end, Jin Sohwi, unable to keep watching, stepped in and soothed him.

It took a full thirty minutes for the dazed Jin Baek to regain his senses.

“……Very well.”

Jin Baek, who had finally regained his sanity, barely brought up the main subject, but his gaze was still fixed on me.

It was a gaze dripping with regret.

“You saved my grandson, I hear.”

“Yes. My name is Isran.”

“I am grateful for that. This lacking brat owes you a debt.”

Even at the words “lacking brat,” Jin Sohwi did not show any displeasure.

Rather, with a face that seemed to deeply agree, he clenched his fist tightly and muttered, “Krgh!”

“A reward should follow a favor. Is there anything you desire? If you say you will become my disciple, I will accept you unconditionally.”

“I told you I am fine—”

“Before that, may I say something?”

Before negotiations began, Persica cut in.

“You are Persica, are you? I have heard much about you. This is my first time seeing you in person.”

“Yes. It is an honor to meet you, elder.”

It seemed that although they knew of each other, this was their first time meeting.

Well, Persica had graduated from the Selection Grounds only recently, so that was not strange.

More importantly, Persica’s attitude was a spectacle.

‘She knew how to be polite?’

She was the kind of girl who usually started with casual speech as soon as she met someone, so I had thought she was just as unequipped with manners as that Mage.

Still, she was capable of using polite speech toward an elder.

What a surprising discovery.

“It seems something happened at the Gigantia Nest. I would like to hear about that first.”

Persica was focusing on the incident we had encountered itself rather than the reward.

As if the reward could come afterward.

‘Come to think of it, that is where we need to go too.’

Enlil’s Pilgrimage Route.

The shortest rapid-growth route: clear the Demonic Regions on the first and second floors, then head straight to the third floor. 

Among the Demonic Regions we needed to visit was South Spirit Mountain, the Gigantia’s nest. 

“If you are talking about South Spirit Mountain, I cannot tell you because it is a matter of the House.”

“Then please at least tell us whether entry is possible.”

“Hmm?”

At the word “entry,” Jin Baek’s eyes shone.

“Are you trying to enter a Demonic Region?”

“Yes.”

“What business do you have in such a dangerous place?”

“We are following Enlil’s Pilgrimage Route.”

Jin Baek and Jin Sohwi’s eyes widened at the same time.

“……I never thought there would still be people nowadays doing such an outdated training route. Who told you about that?”

“Gordon suggested it.”

“Good grief…… That old-man-like brat even chooses methods like an old man.”

As if he knew Gordon, Jin Baek clicked his tongue and then shook his head as he answered.

“I am sorry, but South Spirit Mountain and its surrounding area have currently been designated as a restricted zone. You will not be able to enter until we discover the cause of the centipedes’ rampage.”

“Then please include us in the investigation into the cause.”

“Did I not say that is a matter of the House?”

A matter of the House.

At those words, Persica gave Jin Sohwi a look.

Then, after letting out an “Ah!” of realization, he hurriedly spoke.

“Grandfather. In truth, Sir Isran wished to receive instruction in the White Cloud Sword Method as his reward.”

“What did you say? Our House’s Martial Arts?”

“Yes. If he learns the House’s Martial Arts, could he not be considered, to some extent, one of the House’s people?”

Ah.

So this was it.

I felt like I understood now why Persica had volunteered to step in first.

‘Come to think of it, during the meeting earlier, there was talk of a southern entry ban.’

She had probably guessed it the moment we met Jin Sohwi, then gained certainty through the meeting earlier.

That was why she had asked about this issue before I named my reward.

That way, she could solve the issue of us being outsiders by linking it to my reward.

‘If it had been me, I would have just taken the reward and ended it there.’

If we had learned about it later and brought it up then, we would definitely have had to pay more somehow.

Persica solved that simply by slightly adjusting the order of events.

‘No wonder this rich girl insisted on saving them.’

It seemed Persica had already looked this far ahead back then.

Once again, I felt that she was an elite of a prestigious family and well-versed in the ways of nobles.

She often acted clumsy, but she was definitely quick-witted in this sort of area.

“Hmm…… The White Cloud Sword Method.”

Jin Baek’s reaction was not particularly bad either.

After all, he had seen my talent and wanted to make me his disciple.

“Very well. You said your name was Isran?”

“Yes.”

“If you successfully enter the White Cloud Sword Method, I will allow it.”

Successfully enter? Was that different from simply learning it?

Jin Sohwi answered that.

“The White Cloud Sword Method is divided into three Martial Arts: Buddha Patriarch, Direct Pointing, and Mind Essence. Among them, the first, Buddha Patriarch, is made up of twelve forms in total, and entering the method means mastering the first of those forms.”

Buddha Patriarch, Direct Pointing, and Mind Essence?

For a moment, my shoulders flinched.

“Hm? What is wrong?”

“……It is nothing.”

Those names were certainly familiar……

All of a sudden, the fact that this was a swordsmanship created by a Possessor felt very real.

He was called Jin Ryeon, was he? This person…… might have been from the same country as me.

“Anyway, the condition is that I learn the basics, right?”

“That is right.”

“How long does it take to enter the method?”

“Hmm…… Assuming one has talent, around a month.”

I looked at Persica for a moment.

This might mean completely losing a month. Would she accept that?

“I do not mind. Even if we hunted somewhere else, it would easily take more than a month anyway. And……”

Then she grinned and added,

“I do trust that irritating talent of yours.”

“…….”

Persica was in favor.

“Then it is decided.”

The negotiation was concluded.

As of that day, I would be taught the sword method of White Cloud Castle.

***

Immediately after Isran and Persica left to be shown the rooms where they would be staying,

Jin Sohwi asked Jin Baek in a subtle voice.

“You allowed it more easily than I expected. I was prepared to persuade you for at least two or three days.”

“Because I saw that fellow’s talent.”

Jin Baek still could not forget the shock he had felt when he first saw Isran.

“That boy was born with it. He was born with heavenly talent.”

The boy himself did not seem to know it, but he carried within him explosive potential that should not exist in this world.

A mass of talent so extraordinary that it was hard to believe he was real.

If one had even the slightest eye for people, one would be unable to endure not teaching that boy.

“So the White Cloud Sword Method is bait.”

“Ho ho.”

Jin Sohwi realized that this was Jin Baek’s aim.

The time it took to completely master the first form of Buddha Patriarch was one month, assuming abundant talent.

However, that was a story limited to those who had been exposed to White Cloud Castle’s Martial Arts from a young age.

‘This is his first time coming to White Cloud Castle. It will take at least more than a month.’

No matter how outstanding his talent was, physical limits could not be helped.

It would take quite some time just for him to understand what the sword method was and internalize it into his body.

Jin Baek intended to make him a disciple of the Sect by any means necessary during that time.

“Ortanis’s checks will likely be severe.”

“Hmph. Did they say those two are betrothed or something? From the look of it, they are merely friends. Bringing over a fellow like that is nothing.”

“Would that not offend Ortanis?”

“That much is worth enduring.”

A great noble, and a member of Trinity at that, was worth risking a strained relationship with.

Jin Baek was certain that Isran possessed that much value.

‘There is enough time.’

Jin Baek’s eyes shone fiercely.

While Isran stayed here, he would make that boy a disciple of the Sect no matter what.

***

The lodging where we would be staying from now on was provided by White Cloud Castle.

‘Is this a room or a playground?’

It was excessively wide for one person to stay in, each piece of furniture was top-class, and several attendants were assigned as well.

They even said this was not the best room.

‘So it really was true that they are rich.’

In terms of scale alone, it was not inferior even compared to Ortanis’s great mansion.

Scratching my head, I spoke to Persica.

“Sorry. I dragged you into this because of me.”

“It is fine. As I said, if we went somewhere else, it would easily have taken two or three months. One month is a bargain.”

And thanks to that, we found good lodging too—Persica added that and threw herself onto the bed.

Perhaps because it was high-class, even though she dove onto it, there was no sound of the mattress sinking.

But that is my bed.

“Even if we emptied out all the money we earned on the first floor, we would not be able to get a better room than this in White Cloud Castle.”

“Hmm…… I suppose that is true.”

On top of that, we had also agreed that they would provide us with all kinds of conveniences while we stayed at the camp.

If nothing else, it was certain that they were paying great attention to us.

“The elder seems completely taken with you, so extract as much as you can from them. This place is incredibly rich.”

“What a way to put it…….”

“More importantly. Hmm…….”

Persica, who had been staring at me, tapped her chin.

“If the Head of the House reacted that strongly, your talent really must be remarkable.”

Then she gave a faint laugh.

“Somehow, I think I understand why Gordon said he would teach you.”

“Was it not so I would help you?”

“Do you think that wooden block would move for something as simple as that?”

“…….”

Come to think of it, Gordon had not taught me swordsmanship, but he had shown it to me without hesitation.

Even though he must have known I would imitate it.

“In any case, go receive your training properly. I will move separately in the meantime.”

“Understood.”

***

The next day.

As planned, I headed to the Training Grounds to learn the White Cloud Sword Method.

For reference, the person who would teach me was Jin Sohwi.

“You are my benefactor, so is it not proper for me to step forward personally?”

He felt responsible and readily made time for me.

Personally, I had thought Jin Baek, who had talked about making me his disciple, would teach me, but since I had not given a firm answer, it seemed he had sent Jin Sohwi for now.

“As I said before, the White Cloud Sword Method is divided into three Martial Arts. Among them, the Buddha Patriarch that Sir Isran will learn can be called the foundation and skeleton of the White Cloud Sword Method.”

He gently gripped his sword and took his stance.

He stepped lightly as if gliding, then spun sharply and danced a sword dance.

“This is the swordsmanship that marks the beginning of the White Cloud Sword Method. Buddha Patriarch, First Form, ‘Rising Cloud.’”

His sword surged upward, becoming a gentle torrent like the mist of rising clouds.

Each time the sword danced, Jin Sohwi’s words were added.

Long ago, their ancestor, White Cloud Zen Master, founded a Sect named “White Cloud” in order to lay the foundation of Martial Arts and spread them widely.

He wished to transmit the enlightenment he had gained to his descendants, and his will was forged into the form of swordsmanship.

That was the White Cloud Sword Method.

It was the foundation of Martial Arts forged in the form of swordsmanship.

“…….”

I took each and every one of Jin Sohwi’s following movements into my eyes.

As if absorbing the dance called a sword method, I engraved it into both eyes.

My eyes and mind unraveled the study called swordsmanship in an instant, and glimpsed the true meaning within it.

“Ah.”

At that moment, I could not help but let out a sound of realization.

This was a technique I knew.

Although the sword method itself was new to me, I could immediately see what it had been created for.

This was a sword method for unfolding a build I had created.

The stances and movements. The gestures of the hands and feet. The embroidered trajectories of the sword.

I could tell what each of those elements had been born to contain.

A bolt of lightning called astonishment struck my mind.

Among the many builds I had conceived and spread, this was one build related to the Magic Swordsman.

This was a technique made by a Possessor who took that build as a motif, in order to supplement his own power and unfold it more strongly.

“Sir Isran?”

Jin Sohwi, who had already finished displaying all the forms, called me.

I could not hear him.

I merely raised my sword as if entranced and tried following the movements Jin Sohwi had shown me.

‘It is familiar.’

My posture settled very naturally.

It should have been swordsmanship I was trying for the first time, yet it felt familiar, as though I had performed it tens of thousands of times.

A build into which my advice had melted. A sword method for unfolding it.

I pierced through and saw clearly the will that White Cloud Zen Master had tried to unfold. Since I knew that it originated from me, there was no reason I could not see through it.

[White Cloud Sword Method: Buddha Patriarch]

[First Form – Rising Cloud]

SWISH!

My sword cut through the air like a cloud.

“Wh…… at……?”

With only a single attempt.

I succeeded in performing all the forms Jin Sohwi had shown me.

“H-How can this be……?”

He asked in a dazed voice, while I had not even shed a single drop of sweat yet.

“Could you perhaps have learned the White Cloud Sword Method before?”

“This is my first time.”

In the first place, I was an apprentice.

Before this, I had not even been able to come here.

“But I think I understand the principles of this swordsmanship.”

I did not know White Cloud Zen Master, but I knew what kind of will he had held when he created this sword method.

Since I understood the will, there was no reason I could not unfold it.

And if I had grasped the essence of the sword method, then the path I had to take next would naturally become visible.

“In that case, the sword method that follows should be this.”

I continued the movement that had stopped.

My insight passed beyond the first form and stepped into the realm of the “next” that I had not yet learned.

“The se…… second form!?”

Before I knew it, I had begun to unfold the Second Form, which I had not even learned.