Chapter 3 : Cloud Sword Sect

Chapter 3: Cloud Sword Sect

Oh Chu-sam, a gatekeeper of the Cloud Sword Sect, frowned as he looked at the approaching man.

Although the man carried a sword, his appearance was disheveled and dirty.

It seemed like he hadn’t washed for days, with his hair greasy and his face shining with oil.

Judging by the sword, the man seemed to be a martial artist, but his attire screamed that of a wandering warrior.

And not just any wandering warrior—one with no money and a bad temper.

Sometimes, men like this would come to the Cloud Sword Sect, asking for help.

One of Oh Chu-sam’s duties as a gatekeeper was to turn such people away.

They were always weak, and since Oh Chu-sam himself wasn’t that skilled, he tried to avoid conflict with them whenever possible.

A few coins were usually enough to send them away without any fuss.

But this one was different.

This man was walking straight toward the gate, his eyes fixed on the sect, and didn’t seem like he would leave so easily today.

“Do you have business with the Cloud Sword Sect, warrior?” Oh Chu-sam asked.

The man nodded and continued walking slowly.

“Stop right there…”

Oh Chu-sam, still watching the man closely, began to sense something was different about him compared to other wandering warriors.

His walk alone was different.

Most wandering warriors either approached hesitantly, sneaking glances around, or came swaggering with overconfidence.

This man did neither.

His posture was upright, and his steps were filled with power.

Even to Oh Chu-sam, who wasn’t highly skilled in martial arts, it was clear that the man’s movements were perfectly balanced.

“Is this the Cloud Sword Sect?” The man’s voice was deep and polite.

Oh Chu-sam instinctively stepped back and answered, “Yes, it is.”

At his answer, the man reached into his clothes and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

“I’m here to meet Elder Gal Yoon, on the recommendation of Yang Hyo-myung, the Hall Master of the White Tiger Martial Hall.”

“Elder Gal Yoon?”

Surprised by the unexpected name, Oh Chu-sam accepted the letter from the man, feeling dazed.

After a brief moment of confusion, Oh Chu-sam quickly said, “Please wait here for a moment,” and ran inside the sect.

He hadn’t judged the man wrong.

This was no ordinary wandering warrior.

Not long after, Oh Chu-sam reappeared and led Jang Woo-hyun somewhere within the sect.

It was a small building that appeared to be for guests.

There, Jang Woo-hyun bathed with the help of a servant, changed into new clothes, and was then taken to meet Gal Yoon.

The Cloud Sword Sect wasn’t a famous sect, but they owned several businesses, so they were financially comfortable.

This was evident in the sect’s appearance.

For a sect with little reputation, the Cloud Sword Sect was quite large.

After being led to a location far from the bathhouse, Jang Woo-hyun finally met Gal Yoon.

An elderly man with sharp, upturned eyes—this was Elder Gal Yoon of the Cloud Sword Sect.

“Nice to meet you. I am Gal Yoon of the Cloud Sword Sect.”

“I am Jang Woo-hyun,” Jang Woo-hyun replied, bowing his head awkwardly as he greeted him.

“Please, have a seat. Hall Master Yang isn’t the kind of man to lie, but still, the stories I’ve heard about you are hard to believe.”

Gal Yoon’s thoughts were understandable.

Anyone would feel the same.

Jang Woo-hyun had been learning martial arts for less than half a year, yet he was already on the verge of becoming a first-rate martial artist.

On top of that, he had started learning martial arts at the age of thirty, not from a famous sect, but from a small martial hall in the countryside.

“I’m quite curious. If it’s not too much trouble, could you show me your skills? If you’re tired, we can wait until tomorrow.”

“I’m well-rested, so I don’t mind.”

“Very well, then. Let’s head outside.”

“Hahaha.”

After teaching Jang Woo-hyun a few martial arts techniques, Gal Yoon couldn’t help but laugh.

Yang Hyo-myung hadn’t lied.

It was perfect.

Jang Woo-hyun had nearly mastered everything Gal Yoon had taught him after just one day.

Gal Yoon had met many people over the years, but he had never encountered someone like this before—not even in his youth.

And Jang Woo-hyun wasn’t young.

At thirty years old, he was learning martial arts for the first time.

Yet, he was picking them up with ease.

Although there were some minor shortcomings, they were to be expected—after all, Jang Woo-hyun had only been practicing martial arts for less than six months.

“He’s a genius.”

Gal Yoon didn’t know for sure, but he imagined this was how the elite disciples of prestigious sects were nurtured.

Bam!

The force contained in Jang Woo-hyun’s punch was impossible to ignore.

No one who saw it would believe he had just learned that technique today.

He was that outstanding.

Gal Yoon’s eyes gleamed with greed as he watched Jang Woo-hyun.

‘If it’s this young man…’

He thought that his long-held dream might finally be within reach.

The only reason he had bothered associating with a small martial hall master like Yang Hyo-myung was because he had a plan.

After watching Jang Woo-hyun for some time, Gal Yoon came to a decision.

“Jang, my young friend.”

“Yes, Elder Gal.”

“That’s enough for today. I have something for you. Follow me.”

When they reached Gal Yoon’s quarters, he retrieved a small wooden box from a corner of the room.

“What is this?” Jang Woo-hyun asked.

“Open it.”

Inside the wooden box was a small pill wrapped in paper, and the faint smell of herbs filled the air as soon as the box was opened.

“Why are you giving this to me…?”

Even though Jang Woo-hyun didn’t know much, it was clear to him that the pill was something special.

It was far too valuable to give to someone he had only just met.

“I’ve been saving it for someone special. I’ve never met anyone worthy of it until today, but now I have.”

“This seems like something too valuable for me to accept. I don’t deserve it.”

“It’s fine. Even if I take it now, it won’t do me much good. It’ll benefit you much more.”

“But this is too much…”

Jang Woo-hyun tried to refuse, feeling overwhelmed by the excessive kindness.

“Ah, when an elder gives you something, you should accept it. If you feel uncomfortable, you can do me a favor later.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I haven’t thought of anything yet. If you’re worried, you can just think of it as paying me back when the time comes.”

Gal Yoon called him gently, with a subtle expression.

“Yes, Elder Gal.”

“I’ve never had the chance to properly raise a disciple in all my years. But now, I’ve met you and can offer you this. Don’t feel burdened. It’s just a small favor from an old man before he dies.”

Hearing these words, spoken with a kind smile, made Jang Woo-hyun’s chest tighten with emotion.

He had suffered, thrown into a foreign world all alone.

But ever since he started learning martial arts, it seemed like nothing but good things had happened to him.

“Then I will gratefully accept it.”

“Take it here. I’ll stand guard for you. It’s not a miraculous pill, so the results may not be earth-shattering, but at your level, you should still see some effect. Don’t worry about any side effects.”

“Yes.”

Rejecting such boundless kindness seemed wrong, so Jang Woo-hyun unwrapped the paper and chewed the pill before swallowing it.

The pill slid down his throat.

Soon after, he felt the pill’s effects.

Its energy spread through his entire body, and he began circulating his Qi.

He closed his eyes and slowly guided the energy from his Dantian, allowing it to flow through his body.

The energy from the pill merged with his internal Qi.

But before long, Jang Woo-hyun sensed something strange.

‘What?’

Instead of the tingling sensation he had expected, a sharp pain began to rise from his stomach.

The energy started to move upwards, passing through his chest and climbing toward his throat, eventually reaching his head.

“Kuh!”

A sharp pain pierced his skull, as if something was stabbing him from the inside.

“You should know something.”

Gal Yoon’s soft voice whispered beside him.

“There was a worm in that pill you just ate. It’s called a ‘Blood-Brain Worm.’”

The worm Gal Yoon spoke of was a type of insect used in special rituals.

It was typically used to control or torment people by inflicting them with unbearable pain.

The worm Gal Yoon had fed Jang Woo-hyun was for control and domination.

“I don’t intend to kill you. It’s just a necessary step. You’re going to help me, whether you like it or not. With your talent, you’ll be of great help to me. And if you cooperate, I’ll make you my true disciple and pass down everything I know. Just don’t resist.”

‘This crazy old man… what the hell is he talking about?’

Of course, there was no such thing as free kindness, but Jang Woo-hyun had been too naive.

He had progressed too quickly and had become over confident, thinking he could handle any situation that came his way.

And now, this was the result.

How foolish he had been.

He had underestimated the martial world.

“I plan to use you to take over the Cloud Sword Sect. Originally, I had intended to wait for my grandson, but with you here, that’s no longer necessary. With your talent, it won’t take more than a few months.

I’ve been associating with that small-town martial hall master just in case something like this happened, and look at the luck I’ve had. Hahaha.”

From Gal Yoon’s words, Jang Woo-hyun could guess the whole situation.

This old man had always had his own sinister plans, and Jang Woo-hyun had been caught up in them by chance.

Gal Yoon’s association with the White Tiger Martial Hall’s master had merely been a preparation to find the right person.

And as soon as he found that person, he had struck from behind.

After just one day of meeting him.

Today, Jang Woo-hyun experienced the harsh side of the martial world.

“Grrrr…”

Even as Gal Yoon continued his story, Jang Woo-hyun did not stop circulating his Qi.

The energy rising to his head—the energy he had never before directed toward his head—he now pushed upward, slowly but steadily.

Meanwhile, Gal Yoon kept talking, and soft groans of pain escaped Jang Woo-hyun’s lips.

‘I can do this. I can do this.’

This wasn’t a confidence-building self-hypnosis.

It wasn’t a forced attempt to look at the situation optimistically.

This was certainty.

He was sure that, with his skills, he could overcome this crisis.

The Qi from his Dantian met the stinging energy in his body.

The two forces refused to mix.

The strange energy tried to drive out his Qi, but the Qi, having absorbed the strength of the pill, was far more powerful, grabbing onto the stinging energy and refusing to let go.

Before long, the Qi from his Dantian had pushed back the stinging energy and raced downward, quickly finding the source of the problem.

A worm nestled in his stomach.

The surging Qi latched onto the worm and dragged it up toward his throat.

‘You crazy old man, just wait!’

“Kaaaak! Ptuh!”

With a spit, Jang Woo-hyun expelled something along with a clump of blood.

It was a strange creature, resembling a pupa but with countless small legs, wriggling as it hit the floor.

Jang Woo-hyun and Gal Yoon’s eyes met, and in that brief moment, countless thoughts passed between them.

Without waiting to see who would move first, both of them acted simultaneously.

Clang!

Since Jang Woo-hyun had just finished his training, his sword was already at his side.

He drew it immediately, while Gal Yoon launched his signature fist technique.

“You bastard!”

Boom!

Jang Woo-hyun was too slow to complete his draw, and his sword met the full force of Gal Yoon’s attack.

The impact sent him flying backward.

Crash!

Jang Woo-hyun crashed through the door and tumbled across the ground, groaning as he rolled to his feet.

His head still throbbed with pain.

Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on his sword.

“Elder!”

“Elder Gal!”

The guards who had been stationed outside Gal Yoon’s quarters rushed over and quickly surrounded Jang Woo-hyun.

“The ingrate was blinded by greed for the elixir and attacked me! The nerve of this animal!”

Gal Yoon emerged from his quarters, shaking his arm as if it hurt.

“I treated him as an honored guest, and yet he dared to attack an elder of the Cloud Sword Sect! What a beast!”

Ignoring the accusations being shouted at him, Jang Woo-hyun assessed the situation.

‘Can I do this?’

He had just learned martial arts and had never fought anyone seriously.

In fact, he had never even sparred properly before.

But strangely, he didn’t feel like he was going to lose.

Was he afraid of drawing blood for the first time?

No.

There was no room for such thoughts when facing people who were trying to kill him.

If he didn’t kill them, he would be the one who died.

‘I can do this.’

The moment he shook off his doubts, he acted.

He stepped forward and spun around.

There were four warriors surrounding him, each of them slowly closing in.

Jang Woo-hyun swung his sword at them.