Master Swordsman’s Stream - Chapter 45

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 45

To join a faction, one had to pass a simple examination.
“Each sect has different requirements, I see.”
Seo Jun confirmed the details of the trials through the viewers’ explanations.
First and foremost, the Huashan Sect’s test was to slice down falling plum blossoms.
In his previous life, there had been no such tests or training, but having already encountered media from this world, Seo Jun found the Huashan Sect’s trial to be clichéd yet entertaining.
“The Namgung Clan is just pure grinding, isn’t it?”
Swinging a sword in the same posture a thousand times.
The game was literally putting gamers through actual training.
Seo Jun let out a helpless laugh.

-It’s way too much, so I chose Huashan instead.
-These people complain even when the game trains them
-If your form is off too many times, you have to restart
-This is the path of the Righteous Faction!
-No shortcuts allowed

If the count doesn’t register when your form is off too much?
Then it might actually become real training, which could be fine.
Damn, I’m convinced.
“And the Beggar Sect has all sorts of things going on.”
Collecting money by begging from village NPCs—who would’ve thought.
It makes sense for the Beggar Sect, where beggars gather, to have players do practical work.
“And they even confiscate what you beg for? Really now? This is supposed to be the Righteous Faction?”
Seo Jun shook his head in disbelief as he climbed the stairs.

-Hahahahahaha
-Don’t mock the Beggar Sect
-A wandering minstrel has arrived

“The Dang Clan throws Hidden Blades, you said?”
The Dang Clan was a family of poison and hidden weapons.
Though typically portrayed as Righteous Faction, the brutal nature of their methods led the game to classify them as Unorthodox Faction as well.
In his previous life’s memory, the Dang Clan had firmly belonged to the Righteous Faction.
‘Though I only joined for the profit back then.’
The fact that he could defect to the Unorthodox Faction at any time made it somewhat fitting.
“Throwing Hidden Blades is fine. The poison is what I’d be worried about.”

-Who poisons the player lol
-You can’t poison them when they’re just entering
-So you poison them later?
-Players who join the Dang Clan figure it out for themselves lol

I see.
But I still don’t understand why his previous world is showing up here as wuxia fiction.
‘There might’ve been someone like me before.’
There’s no reason to assume he was the only one who remembered a past life.
Seo Jun looked upward.
As he and the viewers chatted about the various sect trials, the peak finally began to come into view.
Confirming that he’d arrive soon, Seo Jun turned his head to the side and read the chat.
“Green Forest is holding a boulder for a long time? That’s also rather….”
Green Forest, written with characters for “verdant” and “forest,” was a band of mountain outlaws.
As soon as he read the chat about the Green Forest’s trial, Seo Jun thought it suited them perfectly.
And lastly, the Assassination Unit’s test was to find the undercover Unit members hidden within the village.
After reviewing everything, he felt confident he’d made the right choice selecting the Demonic Cult.
No matter how far he climbed, his view had been nothing but stairs, but now it began to change.
The sect finally came into view.
Upon reaching the summit, Seo Jun turned around to survey the path he’d climbed.
“It took a full five minutes.”
Five minutes in a game is quite substantial.
And while one might think the time isn’t that impressive, whatever processing the game had done made the summit’s altitude genuinely high.
The village below fit perfectly into view.
“It’s this high? Wait, so Lightness Kung Fu works? Then why didn’t anyone tell me until now…. No, why would I expect anything from you all?”
Seo Jun laughed dejectedly.
How had no one mentioned it while he was climbing?
Their unity is really something!

-Ah lol you’re supposed to figure it out yourself
-You wasted five minutes, right? That’s gotta sting lol
-And they complain even when you try to coach them lol
-A broadcast where the viewers and streamer try to mess with each other!

Fair enough.
It was his own fault for not asking ahead of time.
He resigned himself and turned again.
The Demonic Cult’s main gate came into view.
“There’s no gatekeeper at the entrance. Can I just go in?”
Arrogant.
That was his first impression—the gate stood wide open, as if daring anyone to enter.
But the viewers seemed to interpret it differently.

-The Demonic Cult lol so few people come that they just leave it open lol
-Just come in lol Please just come lol Begging you…
-What good is a big gate when there’s no one around

“Aren’t you all being a bit harsh on the Demonic Cult?”
The chat was full of pointed jabs.
The Demonic Cult received such treatment from people.
It was a sight he could never have imagined in his previous life.
Only he could’ve delivered such treatment.
And the Celestial Demon would have to witness this.

-This bastard….

He heard something like a phantom voice, but Seo Jun ignored it.
He was in the middle of streaming—there was no way he’d venture into idle chat now.
Seo Jun chuckled and walked through the gate.
The interior was vast—an entire village unfolded before him.
‘Since the Demonic Cult was more a massive force than a mere sect, it wasn’t strange that it formed a town.’
NPCs and players with usernames floating above their heads moved through the streets.
“Celestial Demon! Or rather, Seo Jun!”
Someone ahead was waving at him enthusiastically.
The username floating above his head—
Cheonha Number One Swordsman.

-Boss has appeared lol
-Swordsman… you’re really choosing the Demonic Cult…
-Free guide acquired

“Hello, Cheonha Number One Swordsman.”
Seo Jun approached and exchanged greetings.
“Celestial Demon, or rather, Seo Jun—hello to you too.”
“Call me however you’re comfortable. So, did you choose the Demonic Cult as well?”
Since the other had also left the Beginner Zone yesterday, it was a reasonable inference.
“Yes. I actually already joined.”
“Why?”
Despite what people said against it.
“Obviously because the Celestial Demon was coming! If I end up against the Celestial Demon, it’d be pretty… difficult, I thought.”
The Cheonha Number One Swordsman trailed off as he spoke.

-The boss really is a gem lol
-His brain is fried
-That guy’s actually smart?
-What viewers figured out over a week of watching, he understood after meeting for a day lol

“I figured you’d pick the Demonic Cult, so I came early and waited. Watched the broadcast too.”
“…I see.”
“You’re going to take the trial now, right?”
“Yes.”
“This way. I’ll show you around.”
Seo Jun followed behind the Cheonha Number One Swordsman as he led the way.
The testing grounds were near, and they arrived quickly.
At the Arena, Seo Jun could see a player wielding a sword and an NPC observing him from the front.
The Demonic Cult’s trial—or rather, the Entrance Examination—involved demonstrating martial prowess before the Cult’s elder, Baek Wi Gang.
By “martial prowess,” it didn’t mean some system in the game, but actually swinging a sword. The NPC would judge and assign grades based on his own assessment.
“I tried once myself and was told I was third-rate. Even third-rate gets accepted, but I want to retake the test. This time I’ll follow the strategy I prepared.”

-Cheonha Number One Swordsman (Third-Rate) lololololol
-Boss, why aren’t you keeping up the character act now
-You can only do character roleplay when you have the skills to back it up

“A strategy?”
“There are Sword Forms that other players have posted that get rated Supreme if you perform them right.”
“I see.”
That would give him insight into the AI’s evaluation criteria.
“Even with the same Form, the grade can differ depending on who’s executing it—it’s complicated either way.”
While Seo Jun nodded and listened to the Cheonha Number One Swordsman, a loud voice rang out from the Arena.
“You! First-rate! Now get out of my sight!”
An ornery old man kind of feeling.
“Celestial Demon, can I go first?”
“Sure.”
Seo Jun folded his arms and watched the Cheonha Number One Swordsman climb onto the Arena.
The Cheonha Number One Swordsman took a Fist Form stance, and Baek Wi Gang opened his mouth while stroking his beard.
“Why have you come again? I made your level clear. You want to retake the exam?”
“Yes.”
“Then show me what you’ve got.”
The Cheonha Number One Swordsman seemed to struggle recreating the Form from the strategy guide.
After an awkward performance, Baek Wi Gang spoke with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Oho. Your fundamentals aren’t wasted even on first-rate, and you have some talent for designing Forms.”

-Oh?
-Is that praise?
-Those Forms are verified though
-It’s a form designed by countless players in the first place
-Is it Supreme then?
-So what’s the result?

“Second-rate!”

-Hahahaha
-He went up one rank lol
-Congratulations!
-Is the Demonic Cult always like this? lol
-Baek Wi Gang is giving me PTSD…
-I was third-rate too

“Snerk.”
When his eyes met the descending Cheonha Number One Swordsman, Seo Jun fought to suppress his laughter.
His expression was far too dejected.
“Cheonha Number One Swordsman, it’s fine. Really. Low ranks don’t matter as long as you can play through the game, right?”
Higher ranks gave bonuses at the start, but those could all be filled in as lower-ranked players progressed through the game.
The only real issue was the “[Second-Rate Cultist]” title next to the nickname.
It wasn’t exactly a public execution.
“….”
“And if it really bothers you, you can always try again.”
“True. Yeah. I agree. Haha. Seo Jun, if you follow this Form, you’ll definitely get Supreme, right? Your fundamentals are solid?”
“Probably? Should we give it a try?”
“Yes. Let me see your demonstration.”
“Alright.”
Seo Jun headed for the Arena.
“Wait. I didn’t even tell you what Forms to use?”
“I’ve already memorized them all.”
Thump-thump.
As he climbed onto the Arena, Baek Wi Gang was waiting.
“I haven’t seen you before. You’re here to join the Demonic Cult?”
“That’s right.”
“You want to take the exam?”
“Yes.”
“Good. But why are you speaking to me, the Cult’s elder, in such an informal tone?”
“Because I am the Celestial Demon.”
“You fool!”

-Just straight up claiming to be the Celestial Demon lol
-Well, the username is literally Celestial Demon lol
-This guy’s crazy lol

“I truly am the Celestial Demon.”
Without blinking an eye, Seo Jun began his character act.
Mimicking the Celestial Demon was truly….
fun.
“Damn it, seems some strange fellow has come to the Sect. Show me your martial arts.”
“Very well. I shall grant you the honor of broadening your understanding through witnessing my prowess.”
“Hm….”
Seeing Baek Wi Gang no longer responding, Seo Jun realized it was time to begin.
Seo Jun first drew the Basic Sword from his waist.
Then, imagining the Forms the Cheonha Number One Swordsman had shown him, he began moving slowly.
What are Sword Forms?
What you can do with a sword is simple.
Thrust and swing.
And Forms add the adverb “how” to these simple motions.
Vertically.
Horizontally.
Swiftly.
With weight.
‘The deeper you go, the more complex the Forms become.’
Deceiving the enemy’s eye, suppressing their attack, and cutting.
Piercing at a point the enemy cannot help but avoid.
Defending in a way that leads to the offensive.
However, even such Forms are not omnipotent.
‘As one’s understanding of the sword deepens, one will see how to counter any Form.’
There is no perfect Form. There is only the next better one.
The Cheonha Number One Swordsman’s Forms were no exception.
And so.
Seo Jun began to move.
‘I need to vary it.’
Only slightly.
Narrowing the angle of the sword swing by just a fraction, stepping forward with an extra inch, lowering his stance—
It was trifling.
But these subtle changes, informed by the Deep Understanding from his previous life, transformed the sword into something far more complete.
A sword without an opponent is incomplete.
Yet the sword Seo Jun wielded into empty space was flawless.
‘Even the Celestial Demon himself had less understanding of the sword than I do.’
Would the AI truly comprehend this?
Had it reached such heights?
He was genuinely curious.
Soon, Seo Jun’s blade completed all ten Forms the Cheonha Number One Swordsman had shown him.
Seo Jun sheathed his sword and looked at Baek Wi Gang.
“Hm….”
Baek Wi Gang stared at him in a daze.
Evidently shocked, he seemed unable to open his mouth.
Seo Jun addressed him.
“So then, how was the Celestial Demon’s technique?”
Soon, a system notification chimed.
“You are….”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————