Episode 368: Return to the Martial Arts Academy
Creeeeak.
The long-closed door groaned open, its hinges protesting loudly.
Footsteps echoed.
A man stepped through the doorway, squinting slightly as the sunlight poured over him.
An intense aura radiated from his entire being.
“Inhale… exhale…”
He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he surveyed his surroundings.
“The air is crisp.”
He murmured to himself, smiling as he took in the familiar yet slightly changed landscape: patches of melting snow, bare branches, thin ice on puddles, and students walking by, their breath visible in the cold air.
Everything felt both familiar and a bit foreign.
It was only natural. He had been in seclusion for months, training intensively.
Looking down at his hands, he smiled with satisfaction. Never before had he felt such fulfillment from his training.
This time, everything was different.
‘It seems the sword suits me better than the path of the Dao.’
He had long suspected that the sword might be more fitting for him than the Dao. This training had confirmed it.
Especially the new technique he had mastered, the Swift Wind Circulation Sword Technique, felt perfectly suited to him.
He felt as if he could take on even the most formidable opponent and emerge victorious.
Just then, a student came running up to him.
“Instructor Deung, you’re back!”
“Yes, how have you been?”
Deung, hearing a student’s voice for the first time in a while, replied with a relaxed smile.
The student nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, Instructor Cheon is looking for you.”
“Is that so? I’ll head over soon.”
After the student left, Deung looked up at the winter sky.
“This winter will soon be over.”
**
The sound of tea being poured filled the room.
Once the maid had left, Cheon looked at Deung with a contemplative gaze.
“It seems you’ve had a revelation.”
“Thanks to you. I’ve truly grasped the sword this time.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it. Didn’t I tell you? The sword suits you better than the Dao.”
“Indeed. I wonder why it took me so long to realize it. It’s almost frustrating to think of the wasted years.”
“Well, at least you’ve found the right path now. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. But what did you want to see me about today?”
Cheon took a sip of tea before responding.
“The world has changed a lot.”
“Indeed. I was so absorbed in my training that I didn’t realize winter is almost over.”
“I’m not talking about the seasons.”
“Then…?”
Cheon began to recount the events that had transpired.
Deung’s expression shifted with each revelation, especially when he heard about the betrayal of the righteous alliance by the Blood Sect and their alliance with the Demon Sect. His anger was palpable.
When Cheon spoke of the demons summoned by the Demon Sect, Deung’s disbelief was evident.
Finally, Cheon summarized the situation.
“Because of all this, the alliance has established the Demon Extermination Academy in Wuhuan. They’re providing significant support.”
“An organization to counter the Demon Sect and their demons. The purpose is clear.”
“Indeed. With the revelation of the demons’ existence, many skilled warriors are expected to join.”
“That makes sense.”
“But they’ll need many instructors as well. That’s why they’ve requested support from our academy.”
“Ah…”
Deung nodded in understanding, looking at Cheon with a hint of anticipation.
“Are you suggesting…?”
“Yes. If you’re willing, I could recommend you.”
“Really? Isn’t the Demon Extermination Academy one of the most important institutions for the alliance?”
“Indeed. It receives far more support than our academy.”
“To think you’d recommend me for such a prestigious place…”
“You’re not only skilled in the Dao but now also proficient with the sword. You’re an exceptional talent.”
“You’re too kind!”
“No need to be so modest. The only issue is the head of the academy…”
“Does it matter who the head is? It’s a place anyone would want to join.”
“Well, that’s true. Many are undergoing entrance exams, both for students and instructors.”
“To think you’d recommend me for such a place. I’m truly grateful.”
“Even if I write a recommendation, you’ll still need to pass their evaluation. It’s not guaranteed you’ll work there.”
“Of course. The rest is up to my abilities. With your support, I’ll do my best. Leave it to me.”
“Very well. But the head of the academy…”
“Haha! You know my nature. I adapt well anywhere. Don’t worry.”
“But the head…”
“It’s fine! I can adapt to anyone!”
Deung interrupted, eager and a bit anxious about missing this opportunity of a lifetime.
Seeing this, Cheon decided not to press further and nodded.
Instead, he called out to someone outside.
“Bring the item.”
Shortly after, an attendant entered carrying a long sword case.
As the attendant placed it on the table and stepped back, Deung’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What is this?”
“A gift from me.”
“A gift…?”
“Please, accept it.”
With a hint of anticipation, Deung opened the case.
Inside was a sword that looked valuable at first glance.
“This is…”
“The Misty Purple Spirit Sword.”
“Gasp! Isn’t that one of the top thirty swords in the martial world?”
“Yes. I received it as a gift long ago. Consider it a farewell gift to commemorate your mastery of the sword and your new journey to the Demon Extermination Academy.”
“Such a precious gift… for me?”
“Please, don’t refuse.”
“Thank you! I’m overwhelmed by your thoughtful gesture.”
Deung stood up and bowed deeply.
Cheon waved his hand with a gentle smile.
“Don’t make it sound like I’m boasting. Just use it well and become a great instructor at the academy.”
“Of course!”
Deung replied energetically, his eyes gleaming as he admired the sword before him.
**
Deep within a dark cave, masked figures exuded a suffocating aura.
At the highest point of the cave, the leader of the Demon Sect sat with eyes closed.
An ordinary person would suffocate from the aura within moments.
Finally, the leader opened his eyes and spoke in a heavy voice.
“Report.”
A figure with a purple-painted face stepped forward.
“As you instructed, we’ve dispatched followers to ten locations in the central plains. The rituals will commence tomorrow.”
“There must be no mistakes.”
“Of course. Once successful, we’ll conduct a grand ritual at the descent site.”
The leader nodded slowly.
“By then, the martial world will be in chaos, too preoccupied to notice us. But the ritual at the descent site will take over half a year, so proceed with utmost caution.”
“Understood.”
“They’ll be desperate to find traces of our sect.”
“We’ve prepared diversions. Several decoys are in place.”
The leader nodded faintly and changed the subject.
“What about Sabikang?”
“The righteous alliance has established an academy. It seems Sabikang is leading it.”
“An academy? What kind?”
“An institution to train forces against our sect. It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Demon Extermination Academy.’”
“The Demon Extermination Academy… how amusing.”
The leader chuckled, and the purple-faced figure continued.
“They’re currently recruiting students and instructors.”
“This could be an opportunity to observe him closely.”
A raspy voice interjected.
A figure with a silver-painted face stepped forward, his slender frame and eerie expression unsettling.
The leader’s gaze shifted to him, and the silver-faced figure spoke in a chilling voice.
“What if I infiltrate as a student?”
“You, personally?”
The leader asked, surprised, and the silver-faced figure smirked.
“It would be hard to find someone more suitable than me.”
“True.”
The leader nodded in agreement.
“Very well. But don’t overextend. This is a critical time, so focus solely on reconnaissance.”
“Understood.”
The silver-faced figure bowed deeply, his eerie smile never fading.
**
A clear melody drifted on the wind.
In a valley unseasonably filled with blooming flowers, the beautiful tune seemed to make the butterflies dance.
The melody harmonized perfectly with the picturesque landscape.
As the tune reached its crescendo, the wind picked up, rustling the petals and leaves.
Butterflies and bees took flight, bringing the scene to life.
Anyone witnessing this would be utterly captivated.
The melody and the scenery blended together like a masterpiece.
As the music reached its peak and then gently descended into silence, the butterflies and bees that had been dancing in the air settled calmly onto the petals. The swaying flowers and grass seemed to feel the lingering notes of the fading music, moving only slightly in response.
Ding. Ding.
The final note rang out, signaling the end.
Even the gentle breeze seemed to be enveloped in the stillness.
It was as if all of nature held its breath, savoring the echoes of the finished melody.
The delicate hands that had been playing the instrument returned softly to rest on her lap.
The one who had played the melody, perfectly complementing the picturesque scene, was none other than a girl known as “Jonya.”
Sitting in the pavilion, she slowly opened her eyes, and the world seemed to exhale, with the breeze picking up again, petals fluttering, and butterflies taking flight.
Her voice, cold and indifferent, emerged from her small lips, a stark contrast to the beautiful music she had just played.
“What a dull and tedious performance.”
Though the voice was hers, it felt as if it belonged to someone else entirely.
With a faint smile, she apologized to herself.
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. It suited your youthful spirit well enough.”
“Youthful? That’s hardly a word for someone who’s lived nearly a hundred years.”
“Hmph! To someone like me, who’s lived for centuries, your life is but a fleeting moment.”
“True enough. But is there music where you come from?”
“Wherever there is sound, music must exist.”
“I’d like to hear the music from your world.”
Anyone watching might have thought the girl had lost her mind. But her eyes were too clear and cold for that.
She gazed down at the instrument and spoke softly.
“Very well. I’ll play it for you.”
In an instant, her eyes sharpened.
And then,
Drrrring!
Thud! Bang!
Her hands danced wildly over the strings, as if performing a frenzied dance.
The music that poured from the instrument was chilling, enough to make one’s hair stand on end.
Drrrrung! Thang! Thang!
As the performance reached its climax, a fierce wind whipped through the surroundings.
Soon, the butterflies and bees lost their strength and fell, and even the blooming flowers began to wither.
Drrrring! Thang!
When her fingers plucked the strings and lifted into the air,
“That’s enough.”
She stopped abruptly, her voice low.
She chuckled softly.
“Didn’t like it, did you?”
“No, it was quite something. But… ruling humans with sheer force alone is a difficult task.”
Drrrrung.
A clear sound resonated once more.
As the gentle music flowed, the weakened butterflies and bees took flight again, and the wilting flowers began to bloom anew.
“Humans are more complex than they seem.”
“That’s why they’re such fragile beings.”
She contradicted herself, stopping her performance.
She stood up.
Someone was approaching the pavilion.
It was the leader of the Ma-ryeong Sect.
“How are things progressing?”
She asked calmly.
The leader bowed his head and replied.
“Everything is proceeding without a hitch.”
“What about the selection of the descent site?”
“We’ve chosen Mount Qilian in Gansu Province as the final candidate.”
“And Sabigang?”
“We believe they’re establishing a school in Wuhan to oppose us. I’ve sent someone to infiltrate them.”
“I see. Very well.”
The leader bowed deeply and withdrew.
After a long pause, she spoke again.
“Isn’t Mount Qilian in Gansu a bit too far?”
“But the descent ritual is no easy task, taking over half a year. We have no choice but to endure.”
She continued her self-dialogue.
“True. But Sabigang keeps bothering me.”
“He’s just a weak human.”
“Yes, just a human. But…”
She murmured, narrowing her eyes.
“There’s something about him… a familiar scent. I can’t quite place it, but…”