‘What the hell is this…?’Seol Yeong, the First Disciple of the Mangye Mount Hua Sect and instructor of the third-generation disciples, could only grimace at the unfolding chaos.BANG!"Ugh!"With a loud crash, yet another third-generation disciple was sent flying, tumbling to the ground some distance away."Uuurgh…"The fallen disciple twitched momentarily before going limp, completely unconscious.“Hiiik…!”“Again?!”“How many is it now…?”The remaining disciples quaked in fear. By now, the unconscious had piled up into a small mountain in the corner of the training ground—more than ten.Seeing this, Seol Yeong covered her face with her hand."…We’re doomed."Her mind raced, but no solutions came to her.‘How did it come to this?’The answer was clear:‘I should never have brought him here.’Bringing this absurd monster into the training grounds was a monumental mistake."Next."The person standing at the center of the chaos—the source of her headache—spoke casually.“Hiiik…! N-no way!”The next disciple in line tried to flee, but—“What do you mean ‘no’? This is a great opportunity! Get over here!”“Waaaah! Master, help me!”"…"Seol Yeong watched silently as the disciple was dragged back by the scruff of his neck.Even escaping wasn’t an option.FWOOSH!The training grounds were surrounded by an inexplicable barrier of flames, radiating an intense heat that deterred anyone from attempting to leave.Clearly, this was the work of Gu Yangcheon, to ensure no one could run."Pick up your sword.""Please… spare me…""Huh? You call yourself a swordsman, but you can’t even lift your weapon? What’s wrong with your head? Should I help you draw it?"“Hiiiiiik…!”"Goddammit."‘What kind of person is he…?’Seol Yeong was horrified by the forced sparring sessions.When the first disciple was knocked out, she’d been surprised but tried to dismiss it.‘That disciple did provoke him first…’Curious about his skills, she had given him the benefit of the doubt. But now…‘What the hell is this?’Seeing it firsthand was entirely different. More than ten disciples had fallen unconscious, and yet—‘He hasn’t even moved a single step.’Gu Yangcheon hadn’t budged from his original position. He dodged every attack while standing still and finished each fight with a single, decisive strike.It was overwhelming.Could she pull off something like ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) that?‘Definitely not.’Seol Yeong was realistic about her abilities. Perhaps Gubong, who had earned the sect leader’s favor, might stand a chance. But even he…‘Gubong lost to him.’She hadn’t witnessed the fight herself, but the aftermath spoke volumes. Even bathed in moonlight, Gubong had been defeated and left in tatters.When she visited him later at the infirmary, his state was pitiful.‘How could anyone get beaten that badly?’She had wondered how it was possible.BOOM!"Ugh!"Now she understood.This is how he did it.Another disciple collapsed, and Gu Yangcheon casually tossed the unconscious body to the side."Next."Dusting off his hands, his calm demeanor was utterly terrifying."M-master…""Please, save us…!"The disciples cast desperate looks at Seol Yeong."…"She responded to their pleas with silence, refusing to meet their eyes."Master…?!""Master!""Can’t you hear me? Next."“AAAAHHH!”Fear and betrayal filled the disciples’ expressions.The fear was directed at Gu Yangcheon, but the betrayal was aimed at Seol Yeong.‘I’m sorry, everyone.’Despite the guilt gnawing at her, Seol Yeong remained silent. Was it because she was scared of Gu Yangcheon? No.Was it because she wanted to show the disciples a “new wind,” as she had said earlier? Partly.‘I didn’t mean for it to be like this…’This wasn’t just a “new wind.” It was sheer violence.Not only was his method excessively brutal—‘Why does he look like he’s enjoying himself…?’He was clearly having fun. It was evident from the expression on his face. Gu Yangcheon was thoroughly enjoying tormenting the disciples.‘I really messed up bringing him here.’As realization dawned, she remembered her earlier conversation with the sect leader.When she had asked for permission to involve Gu Yangcheon, the sect leader had smiled unusually brightly.She should have known better. That kind of smile always meant he was scheming something.‘Of course.’He must have anticipated this. That smile made perfect sense now.‘…Damn it.’What could she do? Surely this couldn’t continue."Pay attention to your forearm. Is that the angle you’re supposed to swing at? No? Should I fix it for you?"Gu Yangcheon smacked the disciple’s sword, causing it to fly out of his hand. As the disciple bent to retrieve it, Gu Yangcheon struck him under the chin, knocking him out."Your lower body’s unstable. You know that, right? Charging in like that just begs to get hit. Should I grant your wish?"He drove his knee into the disciple’s face, toppling him instantly."Your stomach’s exposed. If you’re going to defend, do it properly. And if your block’s going to fail, you’d better focus on dodging instead. What are you thinking, giving flesh to take bones? That’ll just get you killed."Another disciple collapsed, clutching his abdomen after vomiting.It went on like this.Each fallen disciple received a ruthless critique.‘It really is guided sparring.’Seol Yeong couldn’t help but marvel.Despite his violent methods, Gu Yangcheon pointed out every flaw and area for improvement, targeting those weaknesses in his attacks.The disciples would undoubtedly learn from this—though at a painful cost."Your lower body’s too weak! Are you trying to compensate for it with sheer willpower? What’s the point if you don’t have the basics down?!"“Ughhh!”"…"Though it was impressive, it was equally terrifying.Finally, after a long while—"Next."Gu Yangcheon scanned the surroundings, his expression irritated. This time, there were no screams or protests."Huh? Oh."Realizing the situation, Gu Yangcheon nodded."No one left?"All the disciples were either unconscious or too frightened to move."Ah… I still have more teaching to do—or should I say, more beating to give."He glanced at Seol Yeong with disappointment."Are there any more disciples?""…No."Even if there were, she wouldn’t bring them here."A little more and I’d feel better, though.""Feel better…?""Just a little more beating—I mean teaching—and I’d feel completely refreshed.""…"He wasn’t even bothering to hide it anymore.Realizing the extent of her mistake, Seol Yeong forced a dry smile.As she suppressed her inner turmoil—"If there are no third-generation disciples, how about the second generation? Do you have any of them around?"Gu Yangcheon’s suggestion made her freeze."…Ah, the second-generation disciples… They’re currently away on missions.""Oh, missions? Wait… What?""Yes?"Gu Yangcheon furrowed his brow mid-sentence."What did you just say?""What…?""What did you call this place?""The Mount Hua Sect.""Not that. The other thing you just said.""Oh."Realizing something, Seol Yeong tried to speak but was interrupted."You called it the Abyssal Chasm."The voice didn’t come from Seol Yeong but from behind Gu Yangcheon. He turned sharply to look.BOOM!"Arghhh!"A fist slammed directly into the crown of Gu Yangcheon’s head, eliciting a scream. Staggering from the pain, he wobbled unsteadily. Watching this, Seol Yeong couldn’t help but find it satisfying.But only for a moment.Recognizing the figure behind him, Seol Yeong immediately straightened up and bowed in respect."Sect Leader."The one who had appeared was Shin Noya. He waved a hand in acknowledgment to Seol Yeong and then glared down at the crumpled Gu Yangcheon."You little bastard."His opening words were pure venom."How many times have I told you to stay out of trouble? And yet, you’ve gone and caused a mess again! When are you going to grow up?"Gu Yangcheon, clutching his head, glared back at him."Trouble? What the hell are you talking about? You’re the one who gave me permission, and I did exactly what you wanted!""Permission? Permission to beat my disciples senseless, you idiot?!""I didn’t beat them; I gave them a light tap because they’re so cute!""A ‘light tap’? Keep that up, and you’ll kill someone!""…"Their shouting match was far from civil. Seeing the two hurl insults at each other, Seol Yeong was at a loss for words.The once-fierce Gu Yangcheon was now yelling back like a petulant child, though he quickly dodged whenever the sect leader raised a hand.And the usually reserved Shin Noya was now spouting words as though he had an endless supply of them.‘I see…’Seol Yeong suddenly understood something.‘No wonder Gubong hated him so much.’Watching them now, it was all too clear.Though they seemed to be arguing fiercely, Seol Yeong, who had known the sect leader for a long time, could tell—he was enjoying this.‘Of course.’That’s why he was smiling so brightly earlier.As Seol Yeong nodded to herself in understanding—"Ah! Dammit!"Gu Yangcheon screamed as he took another hit.    **************   "Ugh… it hurts."Rubbing his throbbing head, Gu Yangcheon walked away. He felt like a lump was forming where he’d been struck.He barely managed to escape before Shin Noya could deliver another blow.His entire body ached. How could it hurt this much after just a few strikes?‘That old man’s fists are no joke.’It wasn’t just "spicy"—it was enough to leave a lasting sting."Ugh…"He had fled, but he didn’t even get to ask the questions he wanted to.‘The Abyssal Chasm, huh?’The source of all things, the place where demonic beasts poured out through the Magyeong Gate, and where Kurung ruled.Another world within this vast domain.‘Never expected this.’The term "Abyssal Chasm" had conjured images of a dark, desolate wasteland. Yet this place was breathtakingly beautiful.‘So that’s why Kurung was here?’That would make sense, but—‘Then why are there people living here?’A place where extinct beings were said to gather. Yet they’d built a castle here and even formed the Mount Hua Sect?The process and the outcome made no sense to him.He’d wanted to ask Shin Noya about it, but avoiding another beating had taken priority.Eventually, he arrived back at the village he had entered earlier. He had things to investigate there."Hey."He stopped and turned, addressing Cheonma, who had been quietly following him."…?"Cheonma tilted her head, her expression innocently puzzled."What happened to protecting me? You said you’d keep me safe, and yet you just sat back and watched me get beaten up."Where was the confidence she’d shown when standing up to the Blood Demon? Now, she’d done nothing but watch from the shade.Cheonma blinked, as if she didn’t understand what he was talking about."Ugh…"He sighed, realizing how childish his complaint sounded."Never mind. Why am I even talking to you?"It wasn’t worth getting worked up over. Shaking his head, he continued walking.Why was he so irritated? Maybe it was because he was busy and didn’t have time for this nonsense.‘Let’s just focus on what I need to do.’With that thought, he moved forward again—"Are you done being jealous?"He froze. Slowly, he turned to face Cheonma, his expression hard."…What?""Jealousy.""What kind of nonsense are you spouting?""Earlier. You were jealous.""Jealous of what? Who?""You weren’t?""Of course not—"He stopped mid-sentence, his mouth clamping shut."…"Oh, damn.A sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.‘Could it be…?’Was that why he’d been so annoyed and irritated?‘…Was I jealous of the disciples?’Of the Mount Hua Sect disciples that Shin Noya had created?He, who had barely received any teachings, compared to them, who seemed to have had plenty?Was that what had made him jealous?"Dammit. That’s just stupid."He let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. Admitting it felt like swallowing broken glass.‘Don’t be ridiculous.’How old was he? Was he really getting jealous over something like this?If that were the case—‘I’m no better than Gubong.’The thought made him cringe.‘I can’t accept that.’Even as he tried to deny it, a nagging feeling crept up from deep within."Ugh… this is ridiculous."The realization was mortifying. If it was true, then this was the most embarrassing thing he’d ever felt.Frustrated, he turned his back to Cheonma."…Sigh."He let out a deep breath, running a hand over his face. Adjusting his body temperature to ensure he wasn’t visibly blushing, he quickly changed the subject."Forget it. Did you notice anything strange while you were out yesterday?"It was a clumsy attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere.Cheonma remained silent for a moment before responding,"Ah."As if recalling something, she spoke."Someone was watching me.""…That could happen. Were they from here?""No, outside.""Outside? You went outside the Abyssal Chasm?""Yes."Her calm reply made Gu Yangcheon stare at her. She’d been outside the Abyssal Chasm?"And someone out there was watching you?""Yes.""…Were they one of the people here?""No.""…"Someone from outside had been watching her?His earlier embarrassment vanished, replaced by a chilling sensation."And what happened after that?""They disappeared.""…"They had been watching her—and then vanished.That alone was enough to tell him something wasn’t right.But—"Why are you only telling me this now?"Cheonma tilted her head, as if puzzled by the question."You didn’t ask.""…"Closing his eyes, he pressed his fingers against his eyelids.‘I want to go home.’For the first time in a long while, he genuinely missed Zhongyuan.

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