When the carriage arrived at the lodging, we roughly organized our things. In the empty lot in front of the lodging, Zhuge Xiaohui and Seop Maeng stood facing each other.
"The one I wanted to fight was you, the best under heaven, not her..."
"Even if you fought Taejin-nim, the gap in level is so wide that you wouldn't gain anything. It would be better to fight ."
"Hoo... I have no choice. Fine."
And so their sparring began. Naturally, if they just fought, Zhuge Xiaohui would win. Because Zhuge Xiaohui was at the early Profound Realm, while Seop Maeng was at the peak of the Transformation Realm. Though only one level apart, the difference between the Profound and Transformation Realms was large. However, Seop Maeng was a figure who had been tempered through many battles, so depending on how Zhuge Xiaohui acted, Seop Maeng might land a blow.
'Hmm... It's a battle between grunt-work muscles and gym muscles.'
As the sparring began, as expected, Zhuge Xiaohui was pushing forward. Seop Maeng, apparently not expecting Zhuge Xiaohui's martial prowess to be this high, was busy blocking with a surprised face.
"Ugh!!"
Clang! Clang! Clang! Swish~!
When Zhuge Xiaohui's sword narrowly cut Seop Maeng's clothes, he quickly created distance.
As the situation cald down for a mont, Seop Maeng looked at his cut clothes and said.
"Well, well... You seem quite young, miss, yet already at the Profound Realm... As expected of the best under heaven's disciple."
She wasn't his disciple but his servant, but because Cheon In-ji had introduced her as such, they seed to think she was his disciple.
"Is it over already?"
"Not yet. It's far from over."
Now, Seop Maeng also took a proper stance and began to engage in the sparring seriously. He too seed to have realized that Zhuge Xiaohui was not an easy opponent.
They began to fight again, and like before, Seop Maeng just blocked and deflected Zhuge Xiaohui's attacks. However, due to the difference in level, he couldn't block or deflect them comfortably.
Clang!!
"Keugh!"
"Let's stop now. The difference in skill is obvious."
"Not yet. I can't back down like this."
Although Seop Maeng said that, the sa situation only continued. Then, eventually, Zhuge Xiaohui's sword dug into Seop Maeng's shoulder.
Stab!
"Krgh!"
But Seop Maeng grabbed the sword piercing his shoulder with his other hand, then quickly raised a kick toward Zhuge Xiaohui's wrist holding the sword. Zhuge Xiaohui, thinking she had won and not imagining such an attack, was flustered, let go of the sword, and stepped back. But Seop Maeng, seeing that, followed through to the end and swung his sword, stopping it just near Zhuge Xiaohui's neck.
"I won, didn't I?"
"Keugh! To fight so fiercely in a spar... I never imagined it. I lost."
When Zhuge Xiaohui declared defeat, Seop Maeng sheathed his sword, pulled the sword embedded in his shoulder, threw it back to Zhuge Xiaohui, and then slumped down on the spot.
"Hah... This is hard. I wish I could have a drink..."
At that, I took a bottle of liquor sold in the One Piece universe from my inventory and threw it to him.
"Is your arm okay?"
"It's fine. For beating soone at the Profound Realm, this is cheap."
"I see."
Seop Maeng took a sip of the liquor I gave him and admired it.
"Kyah~! This is excellent liquor! Thank you for the gift."
Then he stood up and slowly walked back the way he ca.
Watching him leave, I went to the dejected Zhuge Xiaohui and flicked her on the forehead.
Flick!
"Ow!"
"Losing to an inferior in level. Good going."
Rubbing her forehead where I hit her, she made an excuse.
"I never imagined he'd co at like that. If we fought again, I'd win!"
"There is no 'again.' If that had been a real fight, your head would be cut off and rolling on the ground."
"That may be true, but..."
Zhuge Xiaohui seed to want to say sothing more, but I cut her off and spoke.
"He knew his opponent was superior, so he was determined to create an opportunity even at the cost of his own body. But you got careless after landing a single blow. You didn't even realize that was what your opponent was aiming for. Your attitude toward the spar itself was different. Got it?"
"Yes..."
When I stated the facts, Zhuge Xiaohui could no longer make excuses.
After that, we went into the lodging and rested. The Heavenly Demon Cult had assigned us maids in advance, so there was no particular discomfort. They even brought us our als.
From the next day, I sparred with Zhuge Xiaohui using various martial arts. She seed very surprised.
"Gasp! This is the Huashan Sect's martial art!"
"You're careless again. Whether I use the Huashan Sect's martial art or the Jongnam Sect's martial art, I am still your opponent. Focus."
"Ah, yes, yes."
After sparring like that, we ate. In the afternoon, Cheon In-ji ca with Seop Maeng. Seop Maeng seed to have been properly treated, as bandages were visible on his upper body through his clothes. Cheon In-ji, as befitting the forr leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, had his hair neatly arranged and wore luxurious clothes.
"Hohoho, Zhuge Xiaohui. I heard you got hit by Seop Maeng yesterday?"
"Don't even ntion it. I got scolded so badly for that."
"You deserved it. You lost to an inferior."
The two seed to have beco close, having sparred on the way here.
Cheon In-ji asked .
"Have you been uncomfortable staying here?"
"No. But staying here all the ti is stifling. So, starting tomorrow, I plan to look around a bit, including sightseeing in the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"That's a bit difficult. Of course, if you insist, no one could stop you, but I hope you'll consider our position as well."
Cheon In-ji thought for a mont, then continued.
"Hmm... Then let's do this. I'll assign soone to guide you. He will show you around and also tell you which places are off-limits. Please refrain from going there."
"Fine. Let's do that."
After talking with us for a while, Cheon In-ji sparred with Zhuge Xiaohui and taught her martial arts. Seop Maeng, having enjoyed the liquor he received yesterday, asked for another bottle, so I gave him one. He was very pleased.
"Well then, see you later. I'll send soone tomorrow."
"Okay. See you later."
"Forr Leader, farewell."
The next day, Seop Maeng ca alone. It turned out that the person Cheon In-ji was sending was Seop Maeng himself.
"Well then, let's go. I'll show you around."
Following Seop Maeng, we looked around here and there. First, we went to the market. Like in the Martial Arts Alliance, people were doing business and haggling.
"There are many unique ornants. Does the Heavenly Demon Cult have many artisans?"
Zhuge Xiaohui looked around at an ornant shop and asked Seop Maeng.
"So are made here, but so co from outside. It's not like we don't trade with the outside."
"I see."
We had lunch at the market and then went to the village where ordinary cult mbers lived. There was nothing particularly special. But Zhuge Xiaohui seed rather surprised by the ordinariness.
"Truly, there's nothing different from us."
"What exactly were you expecting?"
"Oppressed people, or bloody battles..."
"Didn't you hear what the Forr Leader said when we ca here?"
"That's true, but I thought the Heavenly Demon Cult would be different."
Seop Maeng, overhearing our conversation, was also incredulous.
"Huh, really... Now I understand why the Forr Leader ordered to show you the village."
Continuing to follow Seop Maeng, everywhere I pointed, he said no. In fact, I was deliberately pointing only to important places in the Heavenly Demon Cult. To more easily and legally tour the Martial Arts Pavilion where Cheon Un-woon was training.
"What about there?"
"Good grief, that's also off-limits!"
"You can't even tell what kind of place it is?"
"I can't."
"This is ridiculous. If this is how it is, it wouldn't be bad for us to look around on our own?"
When I scowled and spoke, Seop Maeng scratched his head, looking very troubled.
"Hah... This is crazy. Don't be like that. Wait a mont. I'll find so decent places to show you."
At the right mont, I pointed to the nearby Martial Arts Pavilion and said.
"Instead of that, how about over there? It looks like a place where many people are training. Wouldn't that be alright?"
"That place is... Hmm... Is it possible? Let go ask."
Seop Maeng went into the Martial Arts Pavilion and returned shortly.
"That place is called the Martial Arts Pavilion. It's where the young talents of the Heavenly Demon Cult are educated. You can't observe today, but there will be an exam in two days. I've received permission for you to observe then. So I hope you can wait until then."
"I see. Fine."
I took a bottle of liquor from my inventory and threw it to Seop Maeng.
"Well then, that's enough sightseeing for today. This is for guiding us."
"Oh~ Thank you."
The day ended like that. We returned to the lodging, ate, and rested. The next day, I just focused on Zhuge Xiaohui's training. On the promised day, following Seop Maeng's guidance, we went to the Martial Arts Pavilion.
In the training ground of the Martial Arts Pavilion, several students were standing in groups. Holding shields and swords, they seed to be taking an exam in the form of group battles.
'Hmm... It's the second-level exam of the Martial Arts Pavilion.'
Having co as observers, we sat by the window on the second floor of the main building and watched. Seop Maeng explained various things about the Martial Arts Pavilion.
"The exam is very important for the students. From the mont they enter the Martial Arts Pavilion, it's a thorough survival-of-the-fittest competitive system. Their ranks within the Heavenly Demon Cult are also determined here."
"Then, what if soone is injured and can't properly show their skill, but later, after graduating, their martial arts skill dramatically improves?"
"There are such unfortunate cases, but with that kind of talent, they might be able to rise in rank later. However, they would likely have a hard ti being suppressed by those who advanced earlier. It's still better to get good grades here and start from a high position."
"I see."
While we were talking, the exam began. It was a thod where, under the command of a leader per group, they would form formations, clash with the opposing team, and try to break them. For this exam, it was very important for the leader to accurately grasp the abilities of their group mbers and devise a strategy.
The exam was conducted with real swords, like actual combat. Because of that, many injured people appeared. Seeing that, Zhuge Xiaohui frowned.
"Still, they are young boys and girls. The exam is a bit too harsh."
"What are you saying? Enemies don't go easy just because you're young. And weren't you the one who wanted a bloody battle?"
"I didn't want that."
Just then, Seop Maeng pointed below and said to us.
"This one will be interesting. My disciple is coming out."
Seop Maeng's disciple was none other than the protagonist of Nano Machine, Cheon Un-woon. Recognizing Cheon Un-woon's talent from the beginning, Seop Maeng took him as his disciple and helped him in various ways. He was like a benefactor to Cheon Un-woon.
"We will definitely win!!!"
"Let's win!!!"
Cheon Un-woon was boosting his group mbers' morale before the match. I chuckled at the sight.
"His level is still low, but he's an interesting fellow."
Then Seop Maeng said to warily.
"Don't even think about it. He's my disciple."
"I have no intention. Even teaching one talentless one is hard enough."
At that, Zhuge Xiaohui scowled and glared at . She knew that the 'talentless one' I ntioned was herself. I ignored that and watched the match.
The first attack was initiated by Cheon Un-woon's opponent team, led by Cheon Won-ryeo.
Cheon Won-ryeo was a pretty girl with brown hair tinged with a slight red hue. She was the protagonist's half-sibling. There were various circumstances here. Currently, besides Cheon Won-ryeo, several of the protagonist's siblings were taking the exam in the Martial Arts Pavilion.
All of those siblings were children of the cult leader, but since the exam was connected to the succession struggle, regardless of being siblings, they were all rivals and desperate, so the competition was fierce.
Cheon Won-ryeo took the lead and attacked with a 'Arrowhead Formation.' The Arrowhead Formation was an arrowhead-shaped formation, designed to break through in one go, relying on one's own martial arts. In contrast, Cheon Un-woon ford a 'Fish Scale Formation' and also took the lead. The two formations began to clash.
The Fish Scale Formation is similar to the Arrowhead Formation but has slightly lower breakthrough power. Instead, it's a triangular formation that allows for flexible responses. The problem here is that since both formations have strong breakthrough power, if the leader, Cheon Un-woon, is pushed back, his group could be pushed back all at once. So victory depended on how well Cheon Un-woon could hold out.
"Zhuge Xiaohui, look over there. There's another one like you."
"Huh? What do you an?"
I pointed to Cheon Won-ryeo and said.
"A girl who, without knowing her opponent's ability, gets careless and rushes in recklessly."
"Are you saying that student called 'the disciple' will block her?"
"Yeah."
As I said, Cheon Won-ryeo infused her powerful inner energy into her shield and struck down at Cheon Un-woon, but Cheon Un-woon also raised his shield and blocked the blow, holding his ground. People were surprised at the sight. It seed no one had expected Cheon Un-woon to block Cheon Won-ryeo's strike.
"Keugh!"
The party herself, Cheon Won-ryeo, was also flustered and montarily pulled her formation back. Then Cheon Un-woon quickly ordered a change to a 'Diagonal Formation.' As the na suggests, it's a formation where troops are arranged diagonally.
Cheon Won-ryeo also ordered her group to form a Fish Scale Formation and tried to attack, but this ti Cheon Un-woon struck first, quickly expanding his Diagonal Formation into a 'Crane Wing Formation' and began to surround Cheon Won-ryeo's Fish Scale Formation.
"Don't panic! Prepare for attacks from left and right!!"
Cheon Won-ryeo hurriedly ordered a defense, but suddenly Cheon Un-woon shouted.
"Change! Arrowhead Formation!"
Then, Cheon Won-ryeo's group, flustered, was looking forward, expecting Cheon Un-woon's group to co from the front. However, Cheon Un-woon's group didn't follow that order and just surrounded Cheon Won-ryeo's group. The suggestion to change to the Arrowhead Formation was a false order to immobilize the opponent's group.
Once Cheon Un-woon's group surrounded Cheon Won-ryeo's group, he imdiately ordered. This ti, it wasn't a false order.
"Pressure!!!"
Then, the group mbers raised their swords and slowly advanced, beginning to push Cheon Won-ryeo's group toward the center.
"Damn... I lost..."
Thud! Thud!
Realizing the match was already decided when surrounded by the opposing group, Cheon Won-ryeo's group mbers lost their will to fight and threw their shields to the ground.
"What are you doing?! Why are you dropping your shields!!"
Cheon Won-ryeo shouted at her group mbers, but having already lost their will, they didn't listen to her orders.
Then, with an angry face, Cheon Won-ryeo charged at Cheon Un-woon alone, wielding her sword.
"You bastard!!! Die!!"
In response, Cheon Un-woon also threw away his shield, grabbed his sword with both hands, and fought back against Cheon Won-ryeo.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their skills were similar, but Cheon Won-ryeo's sword, consud by rage, didn't work against Cheon Un-woon at all. Instead, her arm was cut off by Cheon Un-woon's blow.
Swish!
"Aaaargh!!! My arm... My arm!!!"
Judging that the match was decided, the instructor raised his hand and shouted.
"Group 8 (Cheon Un-woon's group) wins! I announce that the students of Group 8, including the group leader, Student Number 7, have passed the second-level exam!"
Wah wah~~!!!
Just then, I used [Telekinesis] to pull the screaming Cheon Won-ryeo, along with her severed arm, up to the second floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion where I was. The cheering students beca so surprised that they fell silent. Even the instructors were flustered. All eyes were focused on , on the second floor, at that feat.
"Gasp!! Empty Air Grasping Object!!!"
"Impossible!! From that distance..."
Ignoring them, I examined Cheon Won-ryeo's severed arm.
"Hmm... It can still be reattached now."
Even Zhuge Xiaohui was surprised at that.
"Huh? It can be reattached?"
"Yeah."
Imdiately, I stabbed Cheon Won-ryeo's pressure point to knock her unconscious. Then, I took Seop Maeng's liquor and poured it on the wound to disinfect it. I took surgical thread from my inventory and began suturing using [Telekinesis]. I very ticulously reconnected the blood vessels, muscles, and skin. If she took good care of it, it seed she would be able to use her arm again without issue.
All of this was done in mid-air. Zhuge Xiaohui and Seop Maeng, amazed at the incredible skill, just stared with their mouths open.
"Hmm... It's done. Stop gaping and bring so bandages."
At my words, Seop Maeng snapped out of it and quickly went downstairs.
"Ah, okay. I'll be right back."
After a short wait, Seop Maeng brought clean bandages. I removed Cheon Won-ryeo's upper garnt, wrapped the wound tightly with bandages, and laid her on a table. Seop Maeng turned his head at that, but Zhuge Xiaohui watched for a mont, then asked .
"You don't care about this kind of thing at all, so why did you treat her?"
"I wonder? Maybe because her getting careless reminded of you."
At that, Zhuge Xiaohui sighed again and said.
"Hah... Really. I shouldn't have asked. It just gives a headache."
Actually, I did it to show off my presence to them. So that when I call for them at night, they would co out willingly.
Anyway, we watched the exam to the end, then were guided back to our lodging. Cheon Won-ryeo was carefully moved by the doctors stationed at the Martial Arts Pavilion. And since I had used Seop Maeng's liquor for disinfection, I gave him another bottle when we arrived at the lodging.
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