Myth of Martial Arts - Chapter 9
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 9
To yield before a master of the Wa Seon Gyeong was no shame at all.
“Very well. I shall accept these two application forms.”
Jang Wook took the enrollment applications from Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon.
Then, as if performing magic, he drew a blank application form from his sleeve and smiled warmly as he handed it to Mu Jin, whose expression had grown rigid.
“This is for the Mu Clan Patriarch. Please sign.”
Mu Jin swallowed hard, meeting Jang Wook’s warm gaze, then clenched his teeth and signed his name.
“Excellent. From this moment, the Mu Clan Patriarch is now part of Changung Academy.”
As Jang Wook smiled and collected Mu Jin’s application, a system voice sounded in his mind.
“Mission complete. Will you accept your reward?”
‘I accept.’
“Reward ‘Five-Star Aptitude, Three-Star Grade Lower’ has been granted. Host, please confirm.”
In the next instant, dizziness flooded Jang Wook’s mind.
When the dizziness faded, Jang Wook sensed something had shifted fundamentally.
The most striking change was that the world now appeared far more vivid to his eyes.
Many problems that had seemed opaque before were now simple, solved with ease.
Jang Wook checked his status window.
【Jang Wook】
【Sex: Male】
【Age: 23】
【Constitution Aptitude: Common Bloodline, Three-Star Grade Lower】
【Five-Star Aptitude: Three-Star Grade Lower】
【Special Aptitude: Pill Crafting (One-Star)】
【Cultivation Method: Extreme Flawlessness (Mortal-tier Lower, two stages total, trainable up to Gyeseon Realm 2nd Stage, average zero flaws per stage)】
【Martial Arts: Dragon Phase Realm (Spirit-tier Lower, 231 flaws), Falling Leaf Sword Technique (Spirit-tier Lower, 285 flaws)】
【Cultivation Realm: Gyeseon Realm 2nd Stage】
【Abilities: Insight, One-Star Alchemy】
Having opened Insight to verify his current attributes, Jang Wook felt even more satisfied, his face breaking into a radiant smile.
In the early stages of cultivation, Five-Star Aptitude’s role is inferior to Constitution Aptitude, but as one progresses deeper, its importance becomes incomparably greater than Constitution Aptitude.
The higher the grade of a martial art, the more demanding its requirements for Five-Star Aptitude.
At the peak, one can even comprehend the laws themselves, sense the mysteries of heaven and earth, and allow the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth to permeate the body.
Of course, such matters were still a distant future. Jang Wook hadn’t even reached the Wa Seon Gyeong yet.
“I… Director.”
Mu Jin’s expression grew complicated. He hesitated for a long moment before speaking carefully.
“Could you keep the fact that I’ve become a student at Changung Academy secret for a while?”
The shame of becoming a student at the same school as his own son and daughter was still difficult for Mu Jin to accept.
Jang Wook heard this and offered a mysterious smile.
“Whether you tell anyone depends on your future conduct. As for tuition…”
“Just name the price, sir!”
Mu Jin hurried to laugh, speaking hastily.
“Three million Hwang Bi—I’ll have Mu Muk deliver it tomorrow without fail. Every last coin.”
Though it pained him, Mu Jin didn’t hesitate at all to win Jang Wook’s favor.
“Stop that. Do I really look like the sort of man who uses his power to oppress people and cunningly extort their wealth?”
Jang Wook shook his head as he spoke.
“As promised—ten thousand Hwang Bi per year is the tuition. Nothing more.”
Ten thousand Hwang Bi per year meant the three of them would cost only thirty thousand Hwang Bi total.
After a moment, Jang Wook fell into thought before speaking.
“I have no need for Hwang Bi at present. Instead, find me an Elixir Furnace. And some medicinal herbs as well…”
After thinking briefly, Jang Wook drew a blank request form from his garment and, taking up his pen, wrote the names of medicinal herbs, their quantities, and other requirements on the back.
“Here are the herbs you’ll need. The quantities are written here.”
Mu Jin took the form and glanced at it out of curiosity, his expression shifting to surprise.
“This is… an Elixir Formula?”
“Whether it’s an Elixir Formula or not is none of your concern.”
Jang Wook regarded Mu Jin coolly.
“Calculate the price. If thirty thousand Hwang Bi proves insufficient, I’ll find another way.”
Mu Jin didn’t dare accept additional payment from Jang Wook and hurriedly nodded his head.
“This amount is more than sufficient.”
“Then I’ll leave this matter in your hands. If there’s nothing else, you may go now. And come back tomorrow for your lesson.”
Jang Wook waved his hand to dismiss the group, his eyes showing not a shred of compromise.
“And I hope this is the last of it. If you cause another disturbance about withdrawing next time…”
Mu Jin’s face went pale. A chill ran down his spine.
“I wouldn’t dare, sir.”
Mu Jin trembled, cold sweat beading on his skin.
* * *
After sending Mu Jin and his son away, Jang Wook wasted no time heading straight for the Library Pavilion. His steps were light as wind.
Though he had frightened Mu Jin for the moment, Jang Wook knew that without quickly raising his own strength, he would eventually be exposed. Time was not his ally.
The moment he stepped into the Library Pavilion, Jang Wook cleared his mind and began revising his cultivation method.
The follow-up training method for “Extreme Flawlessness” began to take shape.
From the tip of his brush flowed the principles of heaven and earth.
* * *
“Father, today…”
On the way home, Mu Muk spoke to Mu Jin. His eyes were full of questions.
“Muk, I know you have many questions in your heart. But the Director is a person our Mu Clan cannot afford to offend.”
However, Mu Jin waved his hand to silence Mu Muk, speaking gravely. His voice carried traces of fear.
“Remember this always. Whatever the Director commands, you must obey without question.”
Though he had left Changung Academy, he still addressed Jang Wook as the Director, revealing how profound his reverence ran.
After a moment, Mu Jin added:
“And speak to no one of what happened today.”
Mu Muk, though brimming with questions, nodded obediently.
“Understood, sir.”
* * *
The next day.
Jang Wook had not emerged from the Library Pavilion since entering it yesterday afternoon, finally stepping out the following morning with an exhausted face.
Yet on that weary face bloomed an undisguised smile.
Had he not been weak from hunger, he would surely have laughed aloud three times over.
After more than ten hours of relentless work, he had finally completed the Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage training method for “Extreme Flawlessness.”
The principles of heaven and earth danced at his fingertips.
【Extreme Flawlessness: Mortal-tier, Middle Grade, six stages total, maximum cultivation possible up to Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage, average zero flaws per stage】
With this cultivation method, he could soon train up to Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage, achieving a qualitative leap in strength.
Should he face Mu Jin again, he could win with confidence.
Most importantly, upon reaching Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage, he would be able to deploy martial techniques—a moment stepping into the realm of immortals themselves.
Combined with the mysterious power of Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage and the Spirit-tier martial arts “Dragon Phase Realm” or “Falling Leaf Sword Technique,” even a master at Gyeseon Realm 9th Stage might be felled in an instant.
He felt a delicious satisfaction imagining their arrogant faces twisted in terror.
But regrettably, the Library Pavilion held only Mortal-tier Lower Grade and Mortal-tier Middle Grade cultivation methods.
Even after thoroughly searching the Library Pavilion, Jang Wook could find no cultivation methods of higher grade.
And so he’d managed to perfect the training method for ‘Extreme Flawlessness’ only up to Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage, and anything beyond that required seeking a different path.
The cultivation methods of the Library Pavilion alone were clearly insufficient.
“It seems I’ll need to visit Sinwang Academy and Unsan Academy before long.”
Jang Wook clearly remembered that most of the Library Pavilion’s cultivation methods and martial arts had been stolen by these two academies. His eyes gleamed coldly.
“The time has come to settle that old debt.”
But there was no need to rush now. First, he must heighten his own strength. In the meantime, his vengeance would cool and grow all the sweeter for it.
After finishing a quick breakfast, Jang Wook thought the hour still early and entered cultivation in the bedroom of Hyang Sa So Geo.
Subtle spiritual energy began to swirl around him.
In that instant, the world’s spiritual energy, as if possessed of a soul, erupted into frenzy all around and rushed madly toward Jang Wook.
The spiritual energy’s rampage formed a powerful current of air, and the flowers, grasses, and trees nearby trembled and swayed ceaselessly.
‘Extreme Flawlessness’ was truly a cultivation method without flaw.
The moment Jang Wook began his cultivation, his cultivation realm broke through the peak of Gyeseon Realm 2nd Stage, and in scarcely the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he reached the peak of Gyeseon Realm 3rd Stage.
It progressed as easily as drinking water, with no obstacle whatsoever.
Seizing the momentum, Jang Wook immediately began cultivating the Gyeseon Realm 4th Stage method of ‘Extreme Flawlessness’, and then advanced through Gyeseon Realm 5th Stage and Gyeseon Realm 6th Stage.
At that moment, Mu Jin arrived at the academy, carrying a box in one hand, accompanied by Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon.
Wang Do, the steward who usually served Mu Muk, dismissed him with a vague excuse offered by Mu Jin.
Mu Jin did not wish to reveal to others the fact that he had become a student of Changung Academy.
Though Wang Do was hardly an outsider.
After several people waited in the courtyard for a long time but still saw no sign of Jang Wook, they called out on their own accord several times.
“Headmaster, Headmaster Jang!”
When no one answered for some time, suspicion arose in Mu Muk’s heart.
“It’s gotten so late—could he still be sleeping?”
“Muk, don’t speak so carelessly!”
Mu Jin was startled and immediately rebuked him.
“Headmaster Jang is one who handles all manner of affairs himself. We’re hardly in a position to critique him!”
Just as Mu Muk was about to object, Mu Heon Heon suddenly raised a slender jade flute to his lips and spoke in a low voice.
“Father, brother—listen.”
Whoosh… whoosh…
The few of them, now silent, immediately heard the sound of wind in their ears.
This wind sound was unlike that of ordinary natural wind.
It was extremely regular, as if someone had deliberately created it.
“Could the Director have made this?”
Mu Jin hesitated for a moment, then immediately led Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon in the direction the wind was blowing.
The source of the wind was none other than Hyang Sa So Geo, where Jang Wook was.
As they drew closer to Hyang Sa So Geo, the sound of the wind grew louder, and the flowers, grass, and trees on the ground began to sway violently.
All three of them — Mu Jin, Mu Muk, and Mu Heon Heon — felt refreshed in the gale.
It was like bathing in a thick concentration of Spiritual Energy.
Wait—Spiritual Energy?
Mu Jin drew in a sharp breath and opened his eyes wide.
“That’s it—it’s Spiritual Energy!”
This was no mere wind; it was a current of Spiritual Energy generated by the flow of energy itself.
Just how enormous must the reserves of Spiritual Energy be to form such a terrifying current of Spiritual Energy?
“Muk, Heon Heon—hurry, sit down and begin your cultivation!”
Mu Jin spoke to Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon at once, afraid to waste even a second. An opportunity this precious would likely never come again if they lost it now.
Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon understood the situation. Without a word, they immediately sat in cross-legged position just outside Jang Wook’s Hyang Sa So Geo and began their cultivation with complete focus.
Mu Jin felt somewhat relieved watching his siblings begin their practice.
Then he set down the two boxes he was holding and, likewise settling into a cross-legged position, concentrated all his attention on his cultivation, drawing the enormous Spiritual Energy around him gradually into his body.
After a time, as the surrounding Spiritual Energy grew increasingly sparse, Mu Jin and his companions ceased their cultivation and slowly opened their eyes.
The moment they opened their eyes, Mu Jin was startled to see Jang Wook looking at him with an expression caught between amusement and restraint, and he scrambled to his feet.
“Director.”
“Finished your cultivation?”
Jang Wook tossed out a remark in jest, then shifted his gaze to Mu Muk and Mu Heon Heon, nodding in satisfaction.
“Good. All three of you are here.”
That all three members of the family had become students of Changung Academy—thinking about it, it was truly an amusing thing.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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