Chapter 17
“Father!”
Unyeong ran toward Seol Jadan, who had just stepped through the winter gates of Yeonhongwon.
“Whoa there, be careful. You might trip if you keep running like that.”
Seol Jadan gently lifted Unyeong into his arms as she ran up to him, speaking affectionately.
Unyeong’s face turned red with embarrassment, but she buried her face into his chest to hide her expression.
‘In front of Father, I really feel like I should just be a child.’
Since that day—when Seol Jadan had cried and left without even entering the room—Unyeong hadn’t known how to face him.
But Seol Jadan had shown, through actions, that he had changed. And Unyeong was slowly adjusting to that.
If what Seol Jadan wanted was a young daughter, then Unyeong wanted to meet that expectation.
“Let’s see now. Today, my young flower is wearing martial arts attire. You look so pretty.”
“Yes. My nanny prepared it for me.”
Unyeong smiled toward the nanny, wanting to express her gratitude.
She was excited, as today marked the beginning of her martial arts training.
The nanny had gotten up early to help Unyeong get ready and had handed her a new training outfit.
As Unyeong touched the hem of her new robes, Seol Jadan glanced at the nanny, Shin Ongnyeo.
“You’ve gone through a lot of trouble.”
“Not at all. It was only proper preparation.”
Though the nanny brushed it off, Unyeong knew better.
The high-quality red silk martial arts uniform was trimmed with black silk on the sleeves, collar, and belt. Elegant floral embroidery had also been added—it was clearly made with great care.
Unyeong herself didn’t care what she wore as long as it fit, even if it was a rag. But clearly, the nanny didn’t share that mindset.
She couldn’t allow the noble young lady to wear just anything—even training clothes had to be luxurious.
“It’s really comfortable. I feel like I’ll be able to train hard in this.”
“You look like it suits you. I’ll have to reward the nanny.”
“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.”
Unyeong nodded vigorously in agreement with Seol Jadan’s comment.
Perhaps finding Unyeong’s behavior adorable, Seol Jadan smiled.
Unyeong looked behind Seol Jadan. Two people stood waiting—a middle-aged man, likely in his 40s, and a teenage boy.
Unyeong’s eyes widened when she saw the boy’s face.
Seol Jadan set Unyeong down from his arms and spoke.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Yeonga, greet them. This is Master Geum Cheongsan. He’ll be your martial arts teacher for a while. And beside him is his student, Bang Gijin. He’ll be assisting with your training.”
Geum Cheongsan was someone Unyeong remembered.
He was the head of the Hogadae, the elite guard responsible for protecting the Seol family estate. Though he held the title of ‘head,’ he essentially led the only armed force of the Seol family—making him a very important figure.
Since Seolwon Pyo Bureau’s escorts accompanied the trade caravans, the Hogadae typically remained stationed at the Seol estate.
There were martial arts techniques passed down to the guards of Seolwon Pyo and the Hogadae, based on the unique martial arts of a former leader, but they weren’t particularly advanced. So many guards had learned other styles.
The Hogadae was a mix of warriors who had studied in martial arts schools and those who had picked up third-rate street techniques.
Geum Cheongsan was from Honganhyeon and had only begun learning martial arts after joining the Seol estate. He was known as a first-class warrior—and Unyeong agreed with that assessment.
Seeing how far he had come with low-level martial arts, Unyeong could tell he must have trained intensely.
If he learned a proper “ascending” martial art, he would likely reach the pinnacle of martial achievement.
He was also the one who stayed by Seol Jadan’s side until the end during the bloodshed at the Seol estate. He was trustworthy and showed promise.
His age might be a slight concern, but ascending martial arts would help him break through his limits.
Unyeong straightened her posture and, placing her hands at her belly, gave a deep bow toward Master Geum.
“Hello, I’m Seol Unyeong. I look forward to learning from you, Master.”
“Oh my, young lady. There’s no need to bow like that. I’m only here to teach you the basics…”
Flustered, Master Geum waved his hands at the formal greeting from the direct daughter of the Seol family.
“But even if I learn just one thing from you, you are my teacher. I know nothing about martial arts, so it’s only right that I show proper courtesy.”
“Yes, our Yeonga is absolutely right. One must give their best in learning and show full respect to their teacher.”
“Yes, Father.”
As Seol Jadan supported Unyeong’s statement, Master Geum gave in and nodded.
“And nice to meet you too, Warrior Bang. I’ll be in your care.”
“Huh? Ah—y-yes! I’ll do my best as well, young lady!”
Unyeong smiled brightly and greeted Bang Gijin too. Startled, he hurriedly bowed in response.
Though he was still young and likely just a student under Master Geum, Unyeong had called him a ‘warrior.’
‘Wait a minute—Bang Gijin the Mad Dog was here at the Seol estate? That’s surprising… Did he leave after training under Master Geum? If I didn’t know he was here, he must have left soon after…’
Unyeong had a past connection with Bang Gijin.
Back then, he was a member of the Hyunmu Squad under the Murim Alliance—a strike force made up of warriors from humble backgrounds or drifters. As such, it was full of rough, hot-headed men.
Among them, Bang Gijin was infamous. People called him the “Mad Dog of Hyunmu.”
Unyeong had often worked with the squad since her background was also not well known.
—“Tch, those bastards tricked me with talk of teaching me ascending martial arts, only to use me as a meat shield. Whether it’s the Alliance or whatever, they’re all the same—just exploiting people.”
One day, while on a mission, Bang Gijin had approached Unyeong alone and vented.
—“But you still learned ascending martial arts, didn’t you? The Hyuncheon Sword Technique isn’t bad.”
—“Yeah, sure, I learned it. But it’s just first-class martial arts. All the best stuff is kept secret.”
—“True, there’s better stuff out there.”
—“Right? I mean, let’s be honest. Stronger enemies keep showing up, and they’re hoarding those damned ascending techniques. What’s the point? What good is it if all of Murim disappears?”
Though his words were bitter, his face showed regret.
Unyeong saw in his eyes the thirst for martial achievement.
—“Want me to help?”
Maybe it was just a whim.
Unyeong, too, had her own reasons for needing to grow stronger—so she understood him.
It was rare for her, back then, to take interest in others.
—“Y-you’d really do that?”
—“Sure.”
That was how it began.
Unyeong helped review Bang Gijin’s martial arts and guided him in modifying the Hyuncheon Sword Technique to suit him.
Thanks to that, he was able to reach the peak level he had longed for.
It helped that his natural talent wasn’t bad—and Unyeong’s depth of martial knowledge was profound.
‘Hmm… I’ll have to think about which ascending martial arts to teach the Seol family guards. If I start teaching Bang Gijin now, he’ll reach a higher level faster. And once word spreads that I’m passing on ascending martial arts to regular warriors, more martial artists will come flocking.’
Warriors were people who lived and died for martial arts.
Once they set foot into that world, they always wanted to grow stronger and climb higher.
That’s why they obsessed over superior techniques and spiritual elixirs that increased inner power.
Unyeong had seen countless people throw their lives away for such things.
‘Even those damn Celestials… In the end, all the atrocities they committed were for the sake of getting stronger…’
Ascending martial arts would serve as bait to gather good warriors.
Unyeong looked at Bang Gijin and smiled brightly—no, even brighter.
He’d given her such a useful clue. She was grateful. Besides, Bang Gijin was a skilled warrior.
With every capable hand needed, it would be best if Bang Gijin stayed with the Seol family.
‘No need for him to wander through Murim and end up with the Alliance. That’s such a tiring life. If he grows strong here, it’s a win-win for both of us.’
Bang Gijin, however, felt a strange chill at the young lady’s radiant smile.
“Master, what shall we begin with?”
“W-well then… let’s start by assessing your stamina. I know you’ve improved a lot, but it hasn’t been long since you got out of bed… Then we’ll move on to feeling external energy.”
“Okay, great! My stamina’s much better now.”
Unyeong replied cheerfully and innocently to Geum Cheongsan.
And then it began.
The teacher was left speechless. The observers were stunned. And her training partner was left in despair—all because of Unyeong’s calm, matter-of-fact remarks.
“Ohh. So you do it like this?”
“Huh? Is this supposed to be difficult?”
“I can do it.”
“That was easy.”
A legend was born.
