Reincarnation of the Cloud Dragon - Chapter 11

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This chapter is translated by Falnar Novels Team.
Support us by reading on our official site: https://falnarnovels.com
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Chapter 11.
“So you’re the glutton who’s been exchanging every single rice cake for food?”
To her provocative question, Yun Cheon met her gaze without flinching and responded with apparent bewilderment.
“How I use my rice cakes is none of your concern.”
“…!”
Yalü Hee’s face stiffened momentarily at his unexpectedly cold retort.
She let out a short, forced cough and spoke with deliberate sharpness.
“Hmph! So much for being a vessel that holds a blade. You don’t even use rice cakes for training—you just waste them on food. I was planning to shatter that shallow foundation of yours once you mastered martial arts, but this is tedious.”
A faint smirk played at the corner of Yun Cheon’s mouth at her response.
As one might regard a petulant, immature child.
‘So she’s the daughter of that Demonic Cult member who protested to the instructor. She clearly hasn’t accepted it.’
Yun Cheon was not one to fall for such provocation.
“There will be an evaluation at Qian Mo Cave anyway, so we can confirm our abilities then. Stop concerning yourself with me.”
His response was cold and dismissive.
One of the Twelve Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
For Yalü Hee, the treasured daughter of the Guang Feng Yalü Family, this was the first time she had ever been dismissed.
“…What is this! I was actually taking an interest in you, and you act as though you’re something special? How arrogant!”
Just as Yalü Hee was about to strike back at the thought of being disregarded, Yun Cheon continued.
“You and I are different. From birth, you’ve eaten fruits others brought to you and cultivated your inner strength. I have not.”
It had been the same during my time at Kunlun.
While massive sects and martial families expanded their power with money gathered from all corners.
Kunlun was self-sufficient in the borderlands—producing our own grain, herbs, everything.
In fact, it was almost strange to find such conveniences available through rice cakes here in the Demonic Cult.
“Before you plow a field, you must first till the earth. The reason it seems foolish to you is simply because you’ve never cultivated anything from barren ground.”
“…What would you know! I’ve trained in martial arts since childhood, and I’ve worked so hard to earn my family’s recognition….”
“You know nothing of me either, do you?”
Yalü Hee, who had been about to protest, found herself studying Yun Cheon’s body anew.
If his body were soil, it was barren land indeed.
Beyond merely gaunt, it was a frame one might mistake for that of a sickly invalid.
‘Up close like this… his physical condition is truly unbelievable, isn’t it? Did he really endure on that Cliff and face those Snake and Scorpion Ink Family wretches with a body like this?’
At that moment, Yu Ha, who had been observing, interjected with casual amusement.
“Oho, how interesting. The esteemed daughter of the Yalü Family is showing interest in a mere student?”
Among the shabby martial robes, his jet-black silk garment stood out distinctly.
The ease and refinement emanating from his bearing hinted at his background.
“If word of this spreads through Qian Mo Cave, everyone will think you’ve fallen hard for this fellow.”
At his words, she fixed him with a lethal glare.
“Hmph, I merely wanted to confirm whether he truly possessed the qualities to defy the instructor. He might become my rival, after all.”
“Oho, so the mighty Guang Feng Yalü Family holds a captured student in such high regard?”
“….”
Yu Ha accepted Yalü Hee’s piercing gaze with casual indifference and shrugged.
“My apologies. Truth be told, I have business of my own as well.”
With that, he turned his gaze toward Yun Cheon.
“If you have no objection, I’d like to observe Ma Chung’s instruction.”
Yun Cheon glanced back at Ma Chung.
I watched as the corners of his mouth twitched upward involuntarily before settling back into a dignified expression.
‘Ma Chung seems pleased by the disciples’ attention.’
Since I wouldn’t be displaying Kunlun’s martial techniques, there was no particular issue.
However, I was not one to grant permission so easily.
“Two observers, then? I’ll reduce it to half the daily instruction fee. Each of you owes me one silver token.”
“What?! You want us to pay you for observation, not even the instructor? Are you serious?”
Yalü Hee immediately objected to my proposal.
“You’re becoming a distraction during my instruction time. If you don’t like it, you can request instruction from Ma Chung directly instead.”
“….”
My words were undeniably true.
Both Yalü Hee and Yu Ha were more interested in me than in Ma Chung’s instruction.
They had both learned considerable techniques from their families and had reached the first rank.
While instructors were said to be perfected masters among the first rank, they were still merely first rank—there was no pressing reason for these two to crave every word from any individual instructor.
“Outmaneuvered.”
Yu Ha laughed heartily and readily produced his silver token.
“Here, I’ll cover Yalü Hee’s share as well.”
After handing over the token, Yu Ha approached me and formally introduced himself.
“I’m Yu Ha. What’s your name?”
At that question, my eyes darkened momentarily.
An orphan’s memory held no name.
I had no desire to lose my identity beneath another’s name.
With my resolve hardened, I answered quietly.
“Yun Cheon.”
A brief silence flowed through the corridor.
Yu Ha silently repeated the name in his mind.
‘…Yun Cheon. Yun Cheon, then.’
Decades ago, a legendary swordmaster who alone had withstood the Demonic Cult’s main force.
The last supreme swordsman of Kunlun.
It was the same name he had once seen in historical records.
The body of the man who had driven back the Demonic Cult’s main force with a single blade was never found.
‘An amusing coincidence.’
Unlike Yu Ha, Yalü Hee seemed unmoved by the name.
She merely nodded and repeated it to herself.
The contempt that had filled her eyes had vanished, replaced by curiosity coiling within them.
Once the situation was settled, Ma Chung spoke with a pleased smile.
“To the Training Hall, you young ones. If you wish to observe, follow along.”
* * *
The air in the Third Training Hall was crisp and cool.
Yalü Hee and Yu Ha positioned themselves in a corner, maintaining a respectful distance.
“Now then, let the instruction begin!”
Ma Chung stood at the center of the Training Hall, facing Yun Cheon.
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
‘…Heh heh. If this brat demonstrates results, those watching will surely be captivated by my teachings as well.’
Yun Cheon was no longer an arrogant whelp who had mocked him—he was now a product of Ma Chung’s investment.
“The Crimson Wind Kick is a destructive leg technique. Moreover, it is highly unconventional. Most masters rely primarily on their hands or weapons held in their hands.”
Ma Chung cleared his throat grandly and began his explanation with solemn authority.
“Therefore, mastering leg techniques is equivalent to acquiring a weapon that others do not possess.”
Yun Cheon nodded as he listened to the explanation.
“Of course, there are inherent weaknesses that accompany such mastery. When one leg is devoted to offense, balance becomes precarious. Thus, practitioners of leg techniques must condition their lower body to the point where they can maintain stability on a single leg.”
Having outlined the fundamentals of his martial art, Ma Chung immediately issued an instruction to Yun Cheon.
“First, I must assess how well your lower body can endure! Assume the horse stance!”
The perfect posture materialized vividly in my mind.
I immediately adopted the stance.
But my body betrayed my will.
‘This wretched body truly is garbage….’
Despite the flawless form my mind commanded, my skeletal legs began trembling almost immediately.
Cold sweat poured from my forehead like rain.
‘The posture is perfect… For such a stance to be ingrained in the body, the lower body should have been sufficiently trained. Yet, what is this discord?’
Just as beads of sweat gathered at my chin began forming small puddles on the floor, Ma Chung’s command finally came.
“Enough! Already at your limit! Your lower body—indeed, your entire frame—is utterly frail! From now on, we shall begin each session with fundamental conditioning.”
Though I swayed unsteadily, my gaze remained perfectly sharp and unwavering.
“When learning techniques, it is most effective to first push the body to its limits, thereby shedding ingrained habits. Do not harbor resentment.”
I nodded as though this were obvious.
“Now I shall teach you the fundamental forms and incantation of the Crimson Wind Kick.”
As Ma Chung’s lips moved, the transmission of sound pierced directly into my ears.
[On the first step, carry the wind. On the second step, carry blood. Let the axis of rotation rest upon the waist, and release the centrifugal force at the tips of the feet….]
A brief yet essential incantation.
I had already witnessed the movements.
Upon hearing the incantation, every motion and flow of energy in the Crimson Wind Kick unfolded in my mind like a single painted scroll.
‘Hmm… Indeed, not a poor technique. The claim that one can glimpse perfection is no mere falsehood.’
Once the transmission of the incantation concluded, Ma Chung asked.
“Shall I recite it several more times?”
“I have committed it all to memory.”
“…Your memory is quite remarkable.”
Ma Chung had already witnessed this youth’s monstrous talent with his own eyes.
‘A true monster.’
He nodded and immediately transitioned into demonstrating the movements.
“Now I shall show you the technique. Recall the incantation I just taught you and observe carefully!”
Whoosh—
His feet tore through the air with a thunderous sound.
“This is the first form of Blood Wind Kick, the Lightning Leg! You pivot at the waist and swing your legs like bolts of lightning!”
Yalü Hee, who had been watching the instruction, murmured to herself.
“What is that boy thinking? He clearly chose the wooden staff and wooden sword, yet now he’s receiving instruction in leg techniques?”
She was absorbed in observing Yun Cheon’s movements, her sharp eyes scrutinizing every detail.
“Surely he must be lacking even one leg pad for the tuition fee….”
In the midst of it all, her true thoughts slipped out as an inadvertent whisper.
Yu Ha smiled with evident interest.
‘As expected… he’s quite attentive, isn’t he?’
Regardless of Yalü Hee’s murmuring, Yun Cheon paid it no mind.
He simply watched Ma Chung’s form once and replicated it exactly.
Swish—
Though his body could not match the power, the underlying principle was reproduced flawlessly.
Having heard the incantation as well.
Ma Chung, along with Yu Ha and Yalü Hee who had been observing, widened their eyes in astonishment.
“Impressive indeed! Then the next form is the Wind Heaven Kick that follows immediately. Like its name suggests, it’s a leg technique that rises skyward like wind.”
He demonstrated an even more advanced sequential form, yet Yun Cheon replicated Ma Chung’s movements perfectly without difficulty.
Yalü Hee, watching this unfold, murmured involuntarily.
“…This is absurd! He learns the entire form from watching it just once?”
The resourcefulness he had shown in the test thus far was remarkable, but the caliber of talent he displayed now was of an entirely different order.
At that moment, Yun Cheon, breathing heavily, posed a question to Ma Chung.
“Kyoto. When transitioning from the first form, Lightning Leg, to the second form, Wind Heaven Kick, the shift in center of gravity and its connection seem unnatural. Is this intentional?”
“…How could you possibly know that?”
Ma Chung’s face was painted with shock.
A chronic weakness inherent in his martial technique.
A mere boy who had not even properly learned martial arts had identified it with precision.
A cold bead of sweat trickled down his spine. He could no longer regard Yun Cheon lightly.
‘If I grow careless, my true level will be exposed. But… this boy’s talent is genuine!’
Ma Chung’s eyes burned with fervor.
“…Ahem, well observed! I had intended to explain once you mastered all the forms….”
Rather than teaching the forms one by one, Ma Chung explained the sequential connections of all the forms before finally gaining Yun Cheon’s understanding.
‘Blast it all! In a single day, he’s absorbed the entire Blood Wind Kick sequence….’
* * *
“…Since this is your first day, we shall conclude here. Tomorrow we shall proceed with greater intensity!”
It was at that very moment.
Ya Jin, the senior instructor, who had been watching from the darkness, appeared silently before Yun Cheon.
At his emergence from the shadows, Ma Chung’s expression hardened.
Ya Jin swept his gaze up and down over Yun Cheon’s condition, then spoke in an icy voice.
“Ma Chung, Kyoto—you’ve completely drained the boy’s energy reserves.”
“That is… well….”
Ma Chung fumbled for an excuse in his panic, but a faint smile played at the corners of Ya Jin’s mouth.
“I’m not reproaching you. Excellent work.”
Ya Jin left his brief praise hanging and shifted his gaze toward the swaying Yun Cheon.
“You’re in the perfect state for my instruction. Only when the body’s strength is exhausted and nothing remains but willpower and instinct does a killer’s true sense finally awaken.”
His voice was glacial,
“So then—shall we test your talent as a killer?”
Yalü Hee’s eyes widened at the proposal.
Another lesson while reduced to such a state that her legs trembled with exhaustion?
It was madness by any measure.
Yet a faint smile bloomed at the corners of Yun Cheon’s mouth.
“I accept gladly.”
“Hm, good.”
Ya Jin nodded with evident satisfaction.
“Ah, one thing—my instruction permits no observers. Only you, Yun Cheon, will follow me.”
The principal figures vanished from the Training Hall in an instant.
Ma Chung and Kyoto soon departed as well, leaving only Yalü Hee and Yu Ha behind.
It was Yalü Hee who broke the silence.
She asked curtly, feigning indifference.
“Why did you observe Kyoto’s instruction anyway? He didn’t seem all that impressive.”
Yu Ha shrugged at her question and countered, “It wasn’t because of Kyoto. I’m interested in Yun Cheon. Isn’t that true for you as well?”
“It’s not because of Kyoto. I’m interested in Yun Cheon. Isn’t it the same for you?”
“…Hmph, what are you talking about?”
Yalü Hee answered tersely and turned her head away, though her mind churned with questions about Yun Cheon.
‘Still absurdly weak… yet he’s capturing the attention of two Kyotos without even a faction backing him….’
A mischievous glint flickered across Yu Ha’s eyes as he read her thoughts.
“If you’re that curious, why not ask him directly? How did he win over two Kyotos without faction support?”
“I have no interest in such tricks! I’m leaving!”
Struck by his words, Yalü Hee spun around as though fleeing and rushed from the Training Hall.
Alone now, Yu Ha’s eyes lost their playful gleam.
In his gaze, Qian Mo Cave appeared as a vast Go board already decided, stagnating and rotting.
Yet just now, a single stone no one had anticipated was placed in the very center of that dead board.
One move that would overturn everything and begin a new game.
“Yun Cheon… could he be the hidden dragon who will overturn this stagnant Qian Mo Cave—this sect?”
* * *
Ya Jin, the senior Kyoto, led Yun Cheon toward a massive iron gate that was normally sealed shut.
“This is a special training ground for honing one’s senses.”
As the iron gate opened, absolute darkness—permitting not a single ray of light—swallowed them whole.
A space utterly severed from the world.
Ya Jin’s voice, having already melted into the darkness ahead, echoed coldly against the walls.
“Your first trial. Reach the far end without a sound. If you’ve truly stolen my shadowless steps, you should manage it.”
Yun Cheon carefully steadied his breathing and lifted his feet.
Though his body was drained from his instruction with Ma Chung, his five senses had instead been honed to razor-sharp clarity.
Crackle—.
The sensation beneath his toes.
‘…Dried leaves?’
As his vision gradually acclimated to the darkness.
Scattered leaves and small pebbles on the floor began to reveal themselves faintly.
In that very instant.
Whoosh—!
With the sound came a whisper of air brushing the fine hairs of his cheek.
‘Killing intent!’
Rather than dodge the incoming object, Yun Cheon instead reached toward its trajectory.
Snap—!
His hand cut through empty space and seized something with perfect precision.
What lay in his palm was the solid texture of wood.
“…What!”
In the darkness, Ya Jin’s voice carried astonishment for the first time.
“Your eyes shouldn’t even have adjusted to the darkness yet. Beyond mere evasion… you caught the wooden ring that Kyoto threw?”
In the pitch-black darkness, Ya Jin’s breathing grew ever so slightly ragged.
“What in the world… what manner of creature are you?”

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This chapter is translated by Falnar Novels Team.
Support us by reading on our official site: https://falnarnovels.com
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