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From that day on, Seong-cheol’s daily routine included learning the Dokgo family’s vision swordsmanship, Dokgo Ye-geom, from Ye-ryeong.

That said, Ye-ryeong wasn’t formally trained to inherit the family’s swordsmanship either. What she had learned was merely the most basic 72 stances.

“The most important aspects of Ye-geom are speed and precision. You shouldn’t just swing your sword without thought. You must control each muscle in your body to swing your sword in a perfect arc, as if you could repeat the same trajectory even after a thousand swings.”

The image of a man in his late thirties teaching a sword to a thirteen-year-old girl seemed quite peculiar, yet Ye-ryeong looked rather fitting as a teacher. Under such a mentor, Seong-cheol made remarkable progress.

Even if he could only practice Dokgo Ye-geom briefly at dawn before Jang-woon coughed, Seong-cheol maximized that short time to its utmost efficiency.

As a result, six months later, Seong-cheol had already surpassed Ye-ryeong’s achievements.

“Hm, as your inadequate master, I have nothing more to teach you. You may now leave.”

“…Really? Then I should start packing my things right away.”

“No, don’t take my joke seriously! If I leave, I’ll have to handle all the household chores by myself…!”

In that six-month span, their relationship progressed considerably. The way they exchanged playful banter and laughed heartily would make anyone who saw them believe they were a close father-daughter pair.

In a way, that wasn’t entirely wrong. Of course, they weren’t actually related, but they were filling the voids in each other’s lives much like a family.

Seong-cheol thought of the daughter he had left behind in his original world.

Ye-ryeong thought of her father who had perished in the Great War.

Each time they recognized that the other saw a different person in them, an uncomfortable feeling flashed in their hearts…

However, they were captivated by the sensation of finally finding a connection that had long been absent in their lives. It didn’t take long for them to begin relying on each other’s presence.

If time continued to flow as it was, they would truly fortify a relationship akin to that of a father and daughter.

However.

A bolt from the blue suddenly struck their peaceful and secretive daily lives.

“Looks like you’ve been having some fun before dawn lately.”

It was a surprise attack. During dinner, which was as ordinary as any other, both Seong-cheol and Ye-ryeong froze at Dokgo Jang-woon’s words.

“…….”

“…….”

They turned their gazes toward each other. Anxiety flickered across Ye-ryeong’s face. Just as she was about to speak, Seong-cheol stepped in first and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, elder! I was not satisfied with your generous grace and selfishly asked the young lady to teach me the sword! It’s all my fault!”

“N-no! Uncle is not at fault! I was the one who meddled with his training!”

The sight of the two desperately defending each other drew a faint smile from Dokgo Jang-woon’s face. Shaking his head, he said,

“In just six months, your bond has grown quite strong. I wonder why Ye-ryeong said you’ve been neglecting this old man. I’m feeling rather left out, granddaughter.”

At Jang-woon’s playful remark, the tension between the two eased slightly. Given the mood, it seemed he wouldn’t scold them too harshly.

“Whoever was at fault between you two remains uncertain… but it’s impossible to gather spilled water. It would be pointless to argue about it now.”

Despite the family’s swordsmanship leaking out into the outside world, Dokgo Jang-woon’s demeanor remained oddly calm.

That made sense, as if Ye-ryeong and Seong-cheol had grown close over the past six months, Jang-woon and Seong-cheol also shared a similar bond.

Over those six months, Jang-woon had learned the kind of person Seong-cheol was. He was good and righteous. At least he wouldn’t commit wicked deeds with the Dokgo sword simply because he was intoxicated by power. Hence, Jang-woon didn’t feel the need to scold him severely.

However.

“Yet a promise is a promise.”

Jang-woon had made it clear. There would be no teaching Seong-cheol the Dokgo sword.

“Had it been any other family, anyone who tried to steal the family’s vision martial arts would rightly deserve the severest punishment. But considering our relationship, I won’t take action this time. However, Seong-cheol, you must leave this place by tomorrow.”

“…Yes, understood, elder.”

“Wait a moment, Grandpa! Uncle didn’t do anything wrong! I asked him to teach me!”

“It is already a mistake that an outsider learned the family’s swordsmanship. And as you said, Seong-cheol isn’t at fault, so isn’t it already reasonable to expel him?”

“But…!”

Compared to the composed Seong-cheol, Ye-ryeong reacted more emotionally. It wasn’t that she valued Seong-cheol more dearly or felt greater regret. It was simply that Seong-cheol, as an adult, knew how to hide his feelings, whereas Ye-ryeong could not.

“…But in the past, you accepted disciples outside the family. Why is it that they could, but Uncle Seong-cheol cannot?”

“…That was indeed the case. After the Great War, all the heirs of the Dokgo sword perished, and in a desperate attempt to preserve the family’s martial arts for future generations, I engaged in that foolish endeavor. Yet, it was all in vain.”

After losing both sons in battle, Jang-woon had received numerous disciples to pass on the family’s martial arts. However, none had proven satisfactory to him.

Dokgo Ye-geom required a special talent to master its intricacies. But among the countless martial artists who sought to become his disciples, none possessed the necessary skill.

Even his two sons had only possessed incomplete talent; hence, it was somewhat expected. At that juncture, Jang-woon cleanly gave up.

Dokgo Ye-geom. The pinnacle of martial arts refined by generations of the Dokgo family, finally perfected in his generation.

There would be no one to inherit it. It was destined to vanish from this world with his demise.

“…I understand what you are trying to say. You told me I had no talent and only imparted the most basic stances. However, Uncle is different!”

“Oh? In what way is he different?”

“If it were Uncle, I’m sure he could perfectly inherit Dokgo Ye-geom! So please, just give him one chance!”

At Ye-ryeong’s pleading, Jang-woon turned to Seong-cheol.

Indeed, the internal energy that had accumulated in his body over the past six months was surprisingly stable and refined. Considering the time, it was a significant achievement. Seong-cheol would rank among the talented martial artists.

Yet, it was different.

The talent Jang-woon required was not that of a martial artist. Ye-ryeong didn’t realize this. Hence, her desperate pleas sounded to Jang-woon simply like childish whining from his granddaughter.

“Grandpa…”

As Jang-woon remained unmoved, Ye-ryeong looked at him as if about to cry. However, Jang-woon was resolute, eyes closed, arms crossed.

“…”

Seong-cheol, who had been watching the whole situation unfold, thought. He had learned enough about swordsmanship. Although it was merely the most basic stances, they were still the techniques of the Dokgo family. With this power, he wouldn’t have to be beaten by street thugs and live a miserable life.

Thus, he thought he had achieved his original objective. Considering the affection the Dokgo family had shown him, it was only right to leave cleanly. That was his conclusion.

However.

“Elder.”

When he regained his senses, Seong-cheol found himself already speaking.

“Would you grant me the opportunity to prove myself?”

“…Hoh?”

What bold words! Jang-woon opened his eyes wide and stared at Seong-cheol.

“By prove myself, you mean?”

“To see if I truly possess the talent to inherit the Dokgo sword. I wish for you to observe and assess it directly.”

“You underestimate your own abilities and are being reckless. While I can overlook Ye-ryeong’s childish behavior as my granddaughter’s whims, your words carry more weight. Can you bear the weight of what you say?”

“I will give it a try.”

“Hmph.”

A laugh escaped Jang-woon’s lips.

It wasn’t a warm laugh; it was incredulous.

He thought Seong-cheol was a righteous and good person, but was it merely an illusion borne from his earlier weakness? Was Seong-cheol merely another foolish person getting drunk on newfound power?

“Very well. Then I shall grant you the opportunity. Let us spar. If you truly have the right to inherit the Dokgo sword, I will pass everything about the family onto you myself. However, if not, I will break your spirits and cast you away.”

“Fine.”

“Uncle!!”

As the conversation took a drastic turn, Ye-ryeong clutched Seong-cheol in an attempt to intervene. But Seong-cheol simply shook his head.

The Seong-cheol of old would never have taken such a reckless challenge. For him, the most important things were survival and returning to his hometown.

But.

Over the past six months, a new desire had blossomed in Seong-cheol’s heart.

It was a universal desire held by every martial artist.

He wished to ascend to a higher realm as a martial artist and prove his strength.

His training over the past six months had turned Seong-cheol into a martial artist. Realizing this, Jang-woon nodded.

“There’s no need to prolong this. Step forward. Let’s see what you can do right now.”

“Understood.”

Before Ye-ryeong could stop them, the two of them strode to the courtyard. Jang-woon handed Seong-cheol his sword, saying,

“Coincidentally, this is the only properly balanced sword left. You shall wield it.”

“And what about you, elder?”

“For me, this will suffice.”

Jang-woon pointed to the shabby wooden sword Seong-cheol had been practicing with. It was hardly fitting for a spar, in both weight and shape.

However.

-Squeak!!

The moment it was in Jang-woon’s hands, that old wooden sword transformed into a deadly weapon. As Seong-cheol watched the fluid motion, the real sword in his grip looked like a mere wooden stick.

“The first move, I will concede. You may come at me first.”

“…I shall learn a move.”

Even after saying that, Seong-cheol found himself unable to charge in hastily.

The pressure weighing down on him was palpable now, something he hadn’t noticed when he boldly declared his intention to prove himself. It pressed down heavily on his shoulders.

“Huuh…”

Shaking off the pressure with his exhale, Seong-cheol lowered his stance and raised his sword high.

-Whoosh!!

In an instant, Seong-cheol charged forward. He made a sweeping arc with his sword from the bottom, executing one of the basic 72 stances, the Ground Slice.

-Clang!!

Yet, naturally, his sword was easily blocked. Even though the wooden sword and true sword clashed, they produced a metallic clang that made Seong-cheol re-evaluate who stood before him.

“Is this all you can do?”

“No, it is not!”

-Squeak!!

Before he could respond, Seong-cheol immediately transitioned to his next movement. This time, he wielded another one of the basic stances. Just before he could fully unleash it, Jang-woon’s wooden sword struck his wrist.

-Thwunk!!

“Ugh?!”

Seong-cheol nearly lost his grip on the sword but managed to cling onto the hilt just in time. He tried to swing his sword again, but it was blocked swiftly by Jang-woon again.

-Thwunk! Thwunk! Thwunk! Thwunk!!!

This back-and-forth occurred more than ten times. Aside from the very first attempt, Seong-cheol failed to even complete a single swing.

‘So it is. I was foolish. The elder is someone who has seen the pinnacle of Dokgo Ye-geom. Of course he would easily understand all the basic movements. What use is swinging following the stances when he can read them clearly?’

That much was true. Yet it was only half the answer. The essence of Dokgo Ye-geom lay just a step further than the fact Seong-cheol had realized. Unbeknownst to him, he had yet to comprehend it.

-Squeak!!

Unaware of this, Seong-cheol would abandon the stances.

“Hmph.”

-Thwunk!!!

“Crk?!”

However, what remained for someone merely taking their first steps would be utterly insufficient. Seong-cheol floundered as the precision of his movements crumbled under the barrage, making Jang-woon click his tongue.

There was assuredly talent. But it remained as talent only as a martial artist. For a mere six months to achieve this level? Perhaps he even surpassed Jang-woon’s own sons.

However, that didn’t equate to talent needed to inherit the Dokgo sword.

“If you have nothing more to show, we might as well wrap this up.”

-Gooo!!

An intense aura began to flow from Jang-woon. At the same time, the once-reactive Jang-woon now launched his first offensive.

-Wham, crash, crash, crash, crash!!

The strikes poured down like a storm. Although the speed was not particularly fast, Seong-cheol could see it adequately with his own eyes. He was likely adjusting the attack speed based on Seong-cheol’s level.

Even so, Seong-cheol was unable to respond. What appeared chaotic from the outside was, in fact, precisely calculated, effectively neutralizing Seong-cheol’s defense and escape routes. It felt as if he were trapped within a storm made of blades.

This showcased the essence of the Dokgo family and the true form of Dokgo Ye-geom.

Seong-cheol admired its grandeur while keeping his eyes wide open so he wouldn’t miss even the slightest movement of Jang-woon’s sword.

‘Huh?’

Then, Seong-cheol suddenly felt something amiss.

‘If you can realize it, then try to realize! If you truly have the talent to inherit the Dokgo sword!’

With every strike, Jang-woon hammered Seong-cheol’s body mercilessly. Though the wooden sword was blunt and hence did not cut him, had it been a true sword, Seong-cheol would already be sprawled on the ground, butchered to pieces.

-Squeak!!

How long had it been?

After finishing a flurry of strikes, Jang-woon attempted to swing his sword again. No, he was just about to.

-Whoosh!!

Seong-cheol, who had been coiled in tension, suddenly launched a strike aimed squarely at Jang-woon’s wrist. The sharp blow forced Jang-woon to retract the sword he was preparing and retreat a step.

“…Hoh.”

That was somewhat unexpected. Had Seong-cheol’s skills actually increased significantly over the past six months? Jang-woon pondered this while swiftly advancing again.

-Squeak!!

-Whoosh!!

However, once again, just as he was about to swing, Seong-cheol’s sword arrived first, cutting through the path Jang-woon had aimed for. Jang-woon deftly sidestepped, feeling an unsettling tension arise.

‘Could it be… No, that’s not it. It must’ve been pure luck. That path was one I could’ve read easily with a little more focus.’

At that moment, a fleeting thought crossed Jang-woon’s mind: Did Seong-cheol genuinely possess any talent to inherit the Dokgo sword? Yet, he forcefully suppressed this thought, swinging his sword instead.

And.

Seong-cheol took a step forward, eyes locked onto the blade.

‘I see.’

He dissected the movements of Jang-woon’s sword one by one. The movement of his feet on the ground, the bending and straightening of his knees, the sturdy posture of his hips and shoulders, and the motion of his arms.

If he could break down everything, he could predict the trajectory of the sword. Seong-cheol swung his sword, a half-beat quicker than what he had anticipated.

-Whoosh!!

Seong-cheol’s blade sliced through the air as Jang-woon stepped back. An expression of certainty now graced Jang-woon’s face instead of discomfort.

One instance could be dismissed as coincidence. Even two times could be acknowledged as mere luck.

But three times was not mere chance. With something that had occurred thrice, surely a correlation arose. Jang-woon gazed at Seong-cheol with a look of disbelief.

‘Could he truly have the talent?’

Dokgo Ye-geom was the first strike of the preemptive assault. A style focused on reading the opponent’s intended attack, blocking it, and subsequently launching a flurry of unending strikes to obliterate their escape routes.

Thus, even though Dokgo Ye-geom has its basic stances, once mastered, one must discard those stances. They serve only as a guideline, and one must freely wield their sword based on the opponent they face.

Consequently, the talent necessary for mastering it was neither speed nor profound internal energy.

What was required were two things: a quick and accurate intuition to read the opponent’s movements, coupled with judgment that could derive the most suitable counteraction from such information.

-Squeak! Squeak!!

In the midst of the exchange with Seong-cheol, Jang-woon thought, astonished.

His first son possessed a keen intuition but lacked judgment. The second son, conversely, had excellent judgment but poor intuition.

Had they learned a different sword technique, they might have flourished as renowned martial artists in their own right. However, with the Dokgo sword, they were but half-baked talents, thoroughly insufficient.

There was a hint of regret in his heart.

Yet thankfully, both sons had been able to complement each other’s shortcomings.

Even after his demise, should the two continue to hone their skills together, perhaps one day they might raise a talented descendent who could inherit the true form of Dokgo Ye-geom.

However, both sons were swept away by the bloodshed of the Great War and died.

There were no successors. No one with even a modicum of the talent they possessed had appeared.

The lineage of Dokgo Ye-geom came to an end. Such were the conclusions Jang-woon had made long ago.

And yet.

-Squeak!!

How regrettable it was that one had inadvertently emerged.

A person with the perfect talents Jang-woon had long sought.

-Caw!!!

Jang-woon’s sword deflected Seong-cheol’s. A powerful swing came forth without him being aware he was using all his strength. Seong-cheol’s sword flew helplessly and struck the ground.

“Gah…! Hah…! Hah…!”

When the exchange of blows finally ceased, Seong-cheol relaxed, panting heavily. Although Jang-woon had sparred within Seong-cheol’s limits, it had still felt like a life-or-death struggle for him.

“You dropped your sword. You know what that means to a swordsman.”

Of course he knew. Dropping your sword in battle equated to death for a swordsman. One couldn’t disgracefully turn their back to pick it up. Seong-cheol accepted it cleanly.

“I lost, elder.”

“Indeed, so don’t drop it next time.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…Excuse me? Elder, what did you just—”

Just a beat late, when Seong-cheol voiced his confusion, Jang-woon abruptly turned away.

“From tomorrow onward, let all chores be entrusted to Ye-ryeong. You need to concentrate on training and should not let other matters distract you.”

“Elder? Are you saying—do you mean, surely—”

“Why do you act so oblivious? I’m saying you passed! I will accept you as a disciple! I’m saying I’m willing to teach you! What’s the matter? Are you dissatisfied?!”

“N-no! Absolutely not!”

In a moment of bewilderment, Seong-cheol’s heart swelled with overwhelming emotion.

“Thank you, elder!!”

Before long, Seong-cheol was bowing deeply to Jang-woon on the ground. Watching that, Jang-woon clicked his tongue before breaking into a pleasant smile.

“From now on, you should call me Master, not elder.”

*

After that, Seong-cheol began his rigorous training in the Dokgo family techniques under Jang-woon.

The training process was anything but smooth. For Jang-woon, Seong-cheol was akin to his final opportunity. There was no mercy in his teachings, and Seong-cheol had never gone to bed whole and unbruised.

Nonetheless, the results of the training were evident. Under a proper master, Seong-cheol’s progress exceeded any common expectations. It was hard to believe that he had first begun martial arts at the age of thirty-six.

Thirteen years later, when Seong-cheol turned forty-nine…

“The sparring has concluded! The winner is Dokgo Seong-cheol of the Dokgo family! Therefore, the champion of this martial arts competition is Dokgo Seong-cheol of Dokgo Ye-geom!”

Seong-cheol won the martial arts competition organized by the Murim League. Although it was only a competition for the lower tier disciples of various sects and clans, Seong-cheol’s victory stirred up quite a commotion in the martial world after a long absence.

Indeed, it was remarkable because a notable martial artist had arisen from the Dokgo family, which had been on the decline since the Great War twenty years prior. While some doubted Jang-woon’s decision to adopt an outsider as his disciple, none could challenge the significance of Seong-cheol’s achievements and stature.

Following the event, Seong-cheol earned a nickname.

The Lesser Sword Saint.

In the martial realm, those esteemed for their swordsmanship are referred to by the title “Sword Saint.” While Seong-cheol indeed possessed formidable sword skills, his title remained “Lesser Sword Saint,” as it was awarded based on a competition comprising secondary disciples and had not yet been validated by the higher echelons.

However, among those who referred to him this way, many thought it wouldn’t be long until Seong-cheol truly became a “Sword Saint,” considering his talent and growth rate.

This was a boon for the righteous martial world, which had seen its next generation dwindling since the Great War. Yet not every righteous martial artist welcomed Seong-cheol’s existence with open arms.

Seong-cheol’s exceptional talent and the sudden rise of the Dokgo family infuriated others.

It was not a welcome turn of events for various family clans, particularly for Namgung Hwan, the lord of the Namgung family, regarded as the strongest among the Five Great Clans.

“Dokgo Jang-woon, that old man… I thought he had settled down in peaceful retirement, yet he’s been raising a tiger cub behind the scenes.”

Since the Great War, the power of the righteous martial world had sharply declined, and the Namgung family was no exception. In comparison to the glorious heights of the past, their present status felt utterly flimsy.

Hence, Namgung Hwan was determined to elevate the Namgung family to a position above merely the Five Great Clans, seeking the foremost seat in the world of righteous martial arts. To accomplish this, he proudly sent his three sons to the martial arts competition, but the results were clear.

“That’s quite annoying. Truly, it is quite bothersome. Those Dokgo fools…”

If only they were gone, his clan could once again grasp the reins of the martial world.

“…Though I don’t want to, if something bothers me it must be dealt with.”

After deep contemplation, Namgung Hwan arrived at a decision.

In that resolution, there was scarcely a trace of justice or ethics, as fervently espoused by the righteous martial artists.