CRD 25

Chapter 25

 Even the Strong Can Be Overpowered (5)

Jingwang, who had been quietly watching Moyongbi, slightly lowered his head and shouted again.

“Two!”

“Hah!”

The members of the Fire Sword Squad swung their real swords in succession. They didn’t care at all that Moyongbi was nearby.

“Hoo?”

Moyongbi didn’t feel offended by their attitude.

On the contrary, he thought it was rather commendable. After all, training should never depend on anyone’s gaze.

It was actually his own fault for letting his mind run ahead and getting in the way.

“At least their mindset is not bad.”

Meanwhile, two of the squad members kept glancing at him.

Though their gazes were a little unruly, it was impressive that they quickly refocused on training.

“Right. First, I should figure out what kind of training this is. Looks like they at least have some fighting spirit.”

Crossing his arms with a thoughtful look, Moyongbi observed their training carefully.

He watched for some time.

Gradually, the serious expression on Moyongbi’s face began to change.

Shhrik! Shhrik!

With each swing of the sharp swords through the air came a strange, unpleasant sound.

Jingwang shouted again.

“Horizontal Sword Style, twelve-form continuous sequence!”

The squad lowered their stances and began swinging their swords side to side.

Their earnest gazes and the sparkling sweat on their faces reflected the sunlight.

They were full of energy and dedication. Among them, some looked so absorbed in their swordsmanship that their expressions became dazed.

Moyongbi’s mouth dropped open.

“…What exactly are they doing?”

Was it really acceptable to execute such unrefined sword techniques with such solemnity?

The vertical-to-horizontal swings were already shocking, but the horizontal sword style was truly unbearable to watch.

Sure, it might be enough to face third-rate thugs or mediocre fighters. Among them, a few seemed stronger and more flexible than the rest.

But in the end, it was still the same poor skill. What good is strength and flexibility if you can’t actually use it?

Even the downward strikes were sloppy.

“They swing like that? Their wrists will break at this rate!”

It wasn’t just that.

Shhk!

Even the sound of stabbing through the air carried an awkward, crude quality.

The thrusts were clumsy, and their point attacks were overloaded with unnecessary force.

In short, both the slashing and stabbing techniques were off.

“What kind of basic training is this… Don’t they realize something is wrong?”

There are many martial arts, some with extremely complex forms.

But no matter how elaborate a form may be, if the foundation is weak, its true power cannot emerge.

A sword is primarily a weapon for thrusting, but it can also slash depending on the situation. Thrusting and slashing are the essence of swordsmanship.

The Fire Sword Squad members simply lacked that foundation.

“Hah!”

Moyongbi muttered under his breath.

“Can they even swat a fly properly?”

Jingwang’s eyes twitched.

This whisper was only audible to him, not the swordsmen under his instruction.

“Enough.”

At Jingwang’s quiet command, the swordsmen stopped moving.

Not all of them in perfect unison, since their focus varied. It was a disorderly pause.

Jingwang looked at Moyongbi and asked,

“Young master, do you think there’s a problem with the Fire Sword Squad’s training?”

It was almost insulting that he had to ask.

“Problem… hah, problem.”

Still, there was no displeasure in Jingwang’s face. He seemed willing to accept any critique if it was justified.

Moyongbi exhaled deeply.

“Could you tell me how the daily training in the Fire Sword Squad is conducted?”

Some of the swordsmen frowned.

Even if they tried to hide it, Moyongbi’s expression of incredulity was clear. For those working hard in training, it was maddening.

Jingwang’s voice was blunt.

“We rise at the hour of the hare, warm up with a half-hour mountain run, then follow it with breathing exercises. Afterward, breakfast, then physical training in the morning, and sword training after lunch.”

“Hmm?”

“After dinner, except for the guards standing watch, everyone has personal training time. Once a month, we enter mountain training.”

Apparently, the day Moyongbi had arrived coincided with the squad’s mountain training.

Moyongbi nodded.

“Their stamina seems solid.”

That was genuine.

Unlike their sloppy, poorly grounded sword techniques, their cardiovascular endurance was commendable. After all, without stamina, no martial skill can be performed effectively. At least they understood the importance of physical strength.

“But stamina alone isn’t everything.”

Jingwang’s eyes deepened.

It was hard to read his thoughts. He was the type who rarely showed emotions.

“Do you think there is an issue with our sword techniques?”

“Yes.”

His blunt answer immediately stiffened the swordsmen.

“In what way?”

Moyongbi chuckled to himself. Every aspect is a problem; everything is wrong!

He tried to explain but sighed again.

“It’s hard to describe.”

Jingwang’s face remained unchanged, but the swordsmen reacted differently. Some smiled quietly, others clicked their tongues. As expected, seemed to be the expression.

“I will resume training.”

He clearly decided there was nothing more to hear from Moyongbi.

Naturally. Considering Moyongbi’s past blunders, simply treating him politely was already the minimum courtesy.

“Prepare for the vertical sword style again! Six seconds of the first part, then six seconds of horizontal sword style. Keep your wrists tight!”

Then Moyongbi spoke.

“That won’t do.”

Jingwang glanced at him again.

Even though the reckless young master had interrupted several times, there was no anger. He didn’t show emotion at all. He seemed to think expending energy on Moyongbi was meaningless.

“Young master,”

Jingwang respectfully bowed his head.

“Recently, we haven’t been able to complete all our assigned training. We apologize, but we wish to focus on our practice.”

He was politely telling him to stop wasting time.

“That won’t work.”

Neither Jingwang’s impassive tone nor the swordsmen’s sulky attitudes mattered.

Moyongbi pointed at a swordsman.

“You. Hand me your sword.”

The swordsman’s face froze.

Martial artists never entrust their weapon to another lightly; it is taught to be an extension of life itself.

Of course, Moyongbi was the eldest son of the Moyong family, their superior, but… did that mean a weak, drunken troublemaker like him could demand a sword?

“These guys…”

Their eyes were all the same. If it were up to them, they’d probably curse him out.

Actually, in their minds, voices like “Who does he think he is?” or “I’m already tired enough, go away!” echoed like phantom sounds.

Ugh.

…Now I understand.

Honestly, if I were in their place, I’d be annoyed too. If this reckless young master asked for my sword, I’d probably be furious. I might have even struck without thinking about hierarchy.

For a moment, his internal martial energy nearly flared, but luckily, he quickly calmed himself.

“What? You won’t hand it over?”

The swordsman’s tone was defiant.

“That is impossible.”

Goooosh.

Moyongbi felt his inner energy boiling like a cauldron. It seemed as if the lid trembled and slowly lifted.

He pressed his temples with his fingers.

“Why?”

“This is a real sword. If someone unskilled handles it, they could get hurt.”

A few swordsmen snickered at that.

Sometimes the conviction of the weak can shatter even the pride of the strong.

Unexpectedly, Jingwang did not stop the squad. He simply observed Moyongbi with a deep gaze.

“Oh, really?”

Moyongbi smiled slyly.

“So that’s why your bodies are in such a state.”

“Huh?”

“From wrists to shoulders, waist, knees, I could hear your joints cracking like thunder. You store your energy in your dantian without realizing that your body is falling apart?”

“……?!”

“Do you have any wounds on your thighs? Seems like you’ve cut yourself by swinging the sword recklessly.”

The swordsman’s expression changed dramatically.

It wasn’t just anger—they were embarrassed. Following Moyongbi’s observations, his left thigh bore six sword scars. He had struck his own leg during vertical sword practice.

They couldn’t believe how this reckless young master knew, and being publicly criticized stung their pride.

“You are too harsh!”

“Why? Can’t you acknowledge the facts? From the way you reacted, you clearly hit yourself a few times, didn’t you?”

“Young master!”

“So, will you hand over your sword or not? If you’re going to keep dodging because you’re afraid of getting hurt, that’s fine—just stay out of the way.”

The swordsman’s face turned bright red. He seemed ready to strike Moyongbi.

Then, a voice spoke.

“I will give it.”

All eyes turned.

A young man in neat dark clothing stepped forward, appearing slightly older than Moyongbi.

He was Gwanhyeon (關賢), the senior-most member of the Fire Sword Squad.

“Thank you.”

“No, it is nothing.”

Gwanhyeon drew the sword from its sheath and handed it to Moyongbi with a bow.

Phew.

Moyongbi had almost exploded in anger, but fortunately, there was someone disciplined enough to act correctly.

Still, his anger hadn’t fully dissipated. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t teach properly.

He planted the sword into the ground and tilted the scabbard.

“Come in.”

The swordsman was flustered.

“You mean now?”

“Are you blind? Who else would I be talking to? I’m talking to you right now.”

“So… you want to spar with me?”

“Don’t you want to know how pathetic that duck-butt sword style of yours really is?”

The swordsman’s mouth fell open. He was too stunned to even get angry.

Moyongbi tilted the scabbard again.

“And just so you know, don’t be arrogant enough to think you can mirror me exactly with your scabbard. You’ll be using the real sword.”