The Vajra Arhat's appearance was that of a monk straight out of a painting.
Though he worked for the Murim Alliance after leaving Shaolin Temple, his bluish-shaven head seemed to prove that he was still a disciple of the Buddha.
His expression, filled with ease and compassion, wore a faint smile reminiscent of a Buddha statue.
Was he trying to hide the overwhelming pressure his body, trained to the extreme, naturally exuded? His robe was quite loose, concealing the shape of his form.
The robe itself looked a bit worn, but it was neatly kept without any noticeable stains or wrinkles, as if it were tended to daily.
If I had to compare, it felt like possessing the External Arts of a young Great Master Gakjeong and the temperament of Great Master Jeonghyeon at the same time.
It was no wonder he was being mentioned as the next Vajra Guardian.
But even that Vajra Arhat couldn't help but furrow his brow at the words that followed.
"In plain terms, I'm asking whether you've been possessed by a demon."
"…"
The Vajra Arhat stared at me as if I were a demon.
Sigh. That wasn't it.
Even I had to look a little apologetic. But this was necessary. Thanks to it, I now knew that the Vajra Arhat had nothing wrong with him at the moment.
This was the best possible outcome for me. I'd learned that the Vajra Arhat wasn't nursing a grudge over past events, but that he would fall into a Killing Heart because of what was to come.
…Instead, my reputation seemed to be plummeting in real time, but there was nothing I could do about that.
The Vajra Arhat's face clearly showed his fluster, along with a hint of indignation. He pressed his palms together and spoke.
"Namu Amita Buddha… I do not know why the White Moon Sword Lord would ask such a question, but I harbor no shame before the Buddha. Nor before myself."
"Is that so? Then I must have been mistaken."
"…"
When I nodded with a straight face as if nothing had happened, the Vajra Arhat let out a hollow laugh.
He sighed briefly and continued.
"If that is all your business, would you permit me to take my leave? It seems there are other benefactors waiting for me."
"Ah, you mean the ones gathered at the training ground."
"Yes. Though I hardly deserve it, they all came looking for me at this busy hour of the morning, so I would not like to send them away empty-handed."
"Hardly deserve it, you say. Among martial artists who have reached a high level, few look down at those below them, and even fewer reach out a hand to those who follow behind. You are doing a fine thing."
That was sincere.
Whether of the Orthodox Sects or the Unorthodox Sects, the higher one's realm, the more arrogance tends to creep in. No—this is not limited to martial artists; it is a phenomenon seen often in other fields as well, so one might as well call it human nature.
Even so, to help not only those close to you but even strangers you barely know is surely a fine thing.
It is no wonder the Vajra Arhat has such a good reputation.
Whether that sincerity reached him or not, the Vajra Arhat's expression softened slightly, and he gave a small bow while keeping his hands pressed together in the prayer gesture.
As befits one who has cultivated the External Arts, his frame was so large that even a small movement looked enormous.
"Thank you. Then I'll be on my way."
With a brief farewell, the Vajra Arhat turned back toward the training ground. Following behind him, I headed to the training ground as well. Among the martial artists diligently training even without anyone watching over them, I drew my sword.
"?"
The Vajra Arhat blinked. I shrugged my shoulders at him.
"I was just feeling a bit restless. Thought I'd swing it around lightly. Is it not allowed for me to use this training ground?"
"Th-that's not it, but…"
It hadn't been long since he had regained his composure, yet the Vajra Arhat's expression twisted strangely once more. But soon, he opened his mouth blankly.
Now, he began staring at me with a look that was outright pitiful.
What kind of ending has this all come to, anyway? I'm not particularly curious.
Still, this was only the reaction of the Vajra Arhat, who until moments ago had been accused of being possessed by a demonic aura.
The other martial artists gathered here, on the other hand, seemed rather welcoming of me.
"Uh… a newcomer? No, he could be a guest of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Seeing that he uses a sword, he's probably far from the direct line."
"Not at all! I know you've been in the dark due to your secluded training until a few days ago, but to think it was this bad!"
"Hey, stop scolding him and just tell us who he is."
"Oh my! If he's wearing the Tang Clan's green robes, uses a sword, and is treated politely by this elder, then he can only be the Great Hero, the White Moon Sword Lord!"
"Huh?!"
Though I tried to speak quietly, the whispers came through as clearly as if spoken right next to me to this body that had undergone Bone-Exchange Rebirth.
And through the mouths of those who had actually overheard from right beside me, the news spread to the other martial artists.
No matter how much a Transcendent Peak martial artist helps with training, it's not like an instructor who can look after many people at once.
Most of those gathered here had yet to find their own path.
Some were rising talents, while others were older but still desperately in need of learning.
Perhaps that was why. The eyes of those who learned my identity began to sparkle.
"Could it be that the White Moon Sword Lord also intends to learn martial arts from the elder?"
"Talk sense. His weapon is different, and his martial level is even higher."
"Then why on earth…"
"If you ask me, maybe he's trying to show us a bit of favor, just like this elder…"
The anticipation kept growing. Had he finally given in? A rising talent nearby approached cautiously.
She looked around my age, or perhaps a bit younger. Her martial robes were soaked in sweat, and aside from the fact that she belonged to the Murim Alliance, there was no insignia indicating which group she was from.
She was likely a trainee who hadn't yet been assigned to a proper Martial Force Unit, or had just joined and wasn't yet treated as a full member.
"Um. You're the Great Hero, the White Moon Sword Lord, right?"
"That's right."
"By any chance, are you also going to teach us alongside this elder?"
"Hm. If it's just a little, I don't see why not…"
I turned my gaze and examined the woman who had spoken to me.
Her bone structure was ordinary. But judging by the calluses and blisters on her fists, her effort was anything but ordinary.
Right. Her fists.
"Do you primarily use Fist and Leg Art?"
"Pardon? Yes!"
"I'm sorry, but I don't know much besides the sword."
"Ah."
"But if you promise to transfer to the Seomun Clan later, I can teach you a few things. And if the opportunity arises, you might even learn directly from Senior Seomun Hwa-rin."
"The Seomun Clan, not the Sichuan Tang Clan…?"
"That's right. Even now, I can guarantee you the position of vice-captain… no, if things go well, even captain."
Only then did the woman's expression show a hint of interest as she asked in a carefully restrained voice.
"What captain position are you talking about?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'll have to think of a name from now on."
"…"
"Ah, the Seomun Clan doesn't have a building yet either, so once we build a house later, I'll contact you separately."
"…No. It's fine."
He refused firmly and returned to his seat. Seomun Hwa-rin seemed to be slowly trying to rebuild the Seomun Clan, so I thought I'd lend a hand and try to recruit him early, but to think it would fail right away. As expected, trying something I'd never done before wasn't a good idea.
My inner sulking lasted only a moment. This time, perhaps because the Vajra Arhat was a fist artist, the few swordsmen among them crept closer.
"Um, excuse me…"
"Your stance is wrong. Because you're overly wary of your opponent's attacks, your shoulder will stiffen when you swing the sword. Naturally, your waist will also rotate at an angle, and in turn, your legs will wobble from failing to hold your center of gravity. Am I wrong?"
"Y-you're right! But how… I haven't even finished speaking, let alone settled into my stance."
"Everyone who couldn't see something like that is dead."
"Is Sichuan Province really that dangerous a place…?"
"No. I was talking about Zhejiang Province."
"…?"
I cleared my throat and continued, addressing the boy who was tilting his head in confusion.
"Ahem. At any rate, this is a matter of mindset, so the solution is simple. Either you correct it over a long period through small-scale real combat and training, or you reach a point where you can brush off most dangers through a single intense experience. Which do you prefer?"
"I'll take the latter."
The swordsman answered seriously, his dazed expression gone. He must have decided this was a stroke of fortune and steeled his resolve to seize it while he could.
I couldn't match the open-minded approach of the Namgung Clan, who would tell their disciples to go learn and come back stronger, nor could I help train countless people every day like the Vajra Arhat.
But occasionally, teaching a move or two to an eager junior like this was well within my ability.
A warm sense of pride welled up, and I couldn't help but tug the corners of my mouth into a grin.
"I won't tell you to swing your sword recklessly. Just try to withstand my killing intent."
"Wh-wait, hold on…"
For some reason, the opponent's face had gone a bit pale. And then.
Thud!
I had only concentrated the faintest sliver of killing intent, yet the man collapsed on the spot, foaming at the mouth.
A pity—it seemed he had plenty of drive but little else to back it up…
Still, once he woke up, he was bound to be better off than before.
Feeling a bit sorry for the terrified stares around me, I moved the fellow into the shade. As a bonus, I used Void Grasp to pluck some leaves from nearby trees and covered his eyes with them.
It wasn't quite high noon yet, but if he kept baking in the blazing sun, he might end up dehydrated.
I looked around at the rising talents, all frozen stiff, and asked.
"Does anyone else among the swordsmen happen to be stuck against a wall?"
A suffocating silence. A few more stepped forward after that, but… every single one either went flying off into the distance from a light parry, or had their spirit broken after a bit of advice.
They fell apart so quickly that at some point, no one approached me anymore.
So in the end, I had no choice but to swing my sword alone until the morning training session was over.
After the others left the training ground to have a somewhat late meal or start their own tasks.
After finishing my greetings with the Vajra Arhat, I returned to my room. There, Seol Ri-hyang was waiting, looking a bit more refreshed than usual—she must have washed up lightly after finishing her morning training.
"What's this? You're already back, Cheon Hwi?"
"Didn't I say it would be quick? Where are Tang So-wol and Senior Seomun Hwa-rin?"
"They're having some difficult discussion with the clan head, I think."
"Oh?"
Thinking back to yesterday's conversation, they were probably talking about the reconstruction of the Tang Jincheon and the Seomun Clan, and the support for it.
Originally, a retainer was someone who stayed with a clan, treated well in exchange for lending their strength when a task requiring their abilities arose.
But the things Seomun Hwa-rin had done for the Tang Clan while traveling with me were far beyond what could be called the work of a mere retainer.
So they were probably trying to send me off with something in hand. Even if not, they were likely thinking about maintaining a smooth relationship going forward.
As I nodded, Seol Ri-hyang crept closer and whispered.
"Hey, Cheon Hwi. So that means it's just the two of us now?"
"That's how it looks."
"Then…"
Trailing off, Seol Ri-hyang rubbed her forehead against my shoulder. She didn't have to say it—I knew exactly what she was getting at.
"I'd love to just hang around and chat, but there's something I need to think about right now."
"Tsk. What a waste. But what's got you so serious? Did something go wrong with what you were planning?"
"That's not it."
No matter how I looked at it, this was the Vajra Arhat who had been grateful to me for looking after the rising talent.
We'd grown a bit closer through this affair, so I'd have a reason to visit again next time.
If something happened down the road that twisted the Vajra Arhat's way of thinking, I needed to stay as close as possible to watch over him and stop it.
In that sense, today had been a fairly decent outcome. But.
"Listen carefully, and don't misunderstand."
"Mm-hm. I know you say things that get misunderstood a lot, so go ahead and say it."
Seol Ri-hyang brushed off my words as if they were nothing. To her, I finally voiced the concern I'd been carrying since we left the training ground.
"It seems I simply cannot understand those without talent."
"…"
"Even when I faced the wall of the Harmony Realm, I wasn't this lost."
"…Just go die."
Seol Ri-hyang, who had just reached Transcendent Peak, spoke with a stern voice. The look in her eyes, as if she were staring at something utterly detestable, was a bonus.
Was I seeing her through rose-tinted glasses?
This wasn't so bad either.