Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Duelist’s Workshop

A few days later.

Dao Yuetian, who had set out alone from Donglan-hyeon, arrived in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province.

Upon arriving at the agreed-upon location, he met the woman who had been waiting for him.

“I am So-hyang from the Nanning branch of Haomun. Are you the leader of the Duelist’s Workshop, Dao Yuetian?”

“Yes.”

In response to Dao Yuetian’s answer, the woman who introduced herself as So-hyang tilted her head and asked.

“But did you come alone?”

“Yes.”

“Y-you’re going there alone?”

“Yes.”

After the same answer was repeated for the third time, So-hyang showed a reluctant reaction.

“No matter what, isn’t it a bit… dangerous to visit Guryongbang alone?”

“I am going there to talk. There’s no need to bring someone along just for that, is there?”

“But what if the conversation goes wrong?”

“It will be the same. Even though our sect has recently grown, it still can’t match Guryongbang’s power. It’s more likely to succeed if I escape alone than if I fight with my subordinates.”

“Ah…”

Finally understanding his intention, So-hyang nodded.

It seemed he hadn’t come alone without any thought.

‘As expected, he’s like Donglan-hyeon’s branch leader said.’

Despite the name Duelist’s Workshop, he seemed to cherish his subordinates and the people around him quite a bit.

“Shall we go then?”

With her mind cleared, So-hyang guided Dao Yuetian to Guryongbang.

“This is Dao Yuetian, the leader of Duelist’s Workshop, here to meet with the leader of Guryongbang as promised today.”

So-hyang introduced Dao Yuetian to the gatekeeper of Guryongbang on his behalf.

The gatekeeper’s reaction was similar to So-hyang’s.

“Are you really the leader of Duelist’s Workshop?”

Though he didn’t say it out loud, his face clearly showed disbelief that Dao Yuetian had come alone.

“Yes.”

In response to Dao Yuetian’s calm answer, the gatekeeper, who looked reluctant, eventually decided to let him in.

“Please wait a moment. I will call someone to guide you.”

After a while.

An elderly man who appeared to be a chief officer came and guided Dao Yuetian somewhere.

So-hyang, who had guided Dao Yuetian here, returned, feeling her duty was done.

“Please, go in.”

Dao Yuetian arrived at a large hall located in the middle of Guryongbang’s grand estate, and as soon as the chief officer finished speaking, he opened the door.

Inside were dozens of rough-looking men with the fierce aura typical of martial artists from the dark sect, staring at the entrance.

However, Dao Yuetian had already spent four months establishing the Duelist’s Workshop and dealing with the dark sect forces.

If he was easily frightened, he would have failed long ago and ended up as a corpse.

With an indifferent expression, Dao Yuetian ignored their stares and walked inside.

After scanning the surroundings, he calmly spoke.

“It seems the leader hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Do you think our leader would wait for a leader of a newly formed sect whose name we’ve never even heard of?”

“Just wait there. He will be here soon.”

The people waiting inside the hall replied in a sharp tone.

Dao Yuetian stood still without reacting to their blatant display of intimidation and waited quietly.

Swoosh.

A middle-aged man entered the room through a different door near the head seat, not from the entrance where Dao Yuetian had come in.

The man, with long, tidy hair but scars all over his face and body, sat down on the vacant head seat as if it was the most natural thing in the world and turned his gaze to Dao Yuetian.

Just locking eyes with him made Dao Yuetian feel like he was facing a tiger.

The pressure was incomparable to the dozens of men who had been glaring at him earlier.

Yet, even under such pressure, Dao Yuetian stared back at the man with an impassive face.

“Hahaha. You’re quite the capable one.”

As if pleased with his demeanor, the man burst into hearty laughter and spoke.

“I am Pae Jin-seong, the leader of Guryongbang.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Dao Yuetian, the leader of Duelist’s Workshop.”

“I was curious since I heard it was a sect that has been growing rapidly recently, but it seems you’re younger than I thought. So, what brings you here? Are you here to declare war?”

“If I wanted war, there would be no need to come here personally, would there?”

“If you’re not here for war, then why are you expanding your territory towards us? I don’t understand.”

The Duelist’s Workshop was located in Donglan-hyeon in the northern part of Guangxi Province, while Guryongbang’s base was in Nanning, the central part of the province.

However, as one of the Seven Pillars, their territory was not confined to Nanning.

Starting from Nanning, the surrounding counties were all under Guryongbang’s control.

The expanding territory of Duelist’s Workshop from Donglan was now about to touch the territory of Guryongbang.

Dao Yuetian responded calmly to Pae Jin-seong’s question, who was smiling like a predator.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“On the contrary. I am here to propose an alliance, not war.”

“An alliance… You’re saying something amusing. How can you talk about an alliance when we’ve never even met?”

“The name of Guryongbang is known throughout the continent, so it’s not necessary to meet to know.”

“Heh. So, what did you see in us to propose an alliance?”

“Because Guryongbang doesn’t cross the line.”

“Line?”

When Pae Jin-seong frowned and asked, Dao Yuetian replied.

“Duelist’s Workshop was established to protect the common people of Guangxi Province who are suffering from exploitation. We have grown in size because there are many people we need to protect.”

“Hahaha. You hypocrite! You’re definitely a righteous sect’s hypocrite!”

As soon as Pae Jin-seong finished speaking, the subordinates around him were about to draw their weapons.

But Dao Yuetian remained calm.

“I have no intention of pretending to be a hypocrite. I also collect protection fees from those we protect, and I don’t intend to justify that. The line I’m talking about is not the line between the righteous and the dark sect.”

“Then what line are you referring to?”

“The last line a human must keep. To not kidnap children and sell them into slavery, to not abduct women and sell them into brothels, and to protect them from despicable places where humans eat humans.”

After finishing his words, Dao Yuetian paused to calm the atmosphere and added his final words.

“And this applies to Guryongbang as well, doesn’t it?”

That was why Dao Yuetian had specifically sought out Guryongbang for a meeting. More precisely, it was why Mu-jin had recommended Guryongbang to Dao Yuetian and Baek Ga-hwan.

Among the Seven Pillars, only two, Haomun and Guryongbang, maintained this minimum line.

While they might commit crimes for survival or collect protection fees, they did not involve themselves in kidnapping, drugs, slave trading, or cannibalism.

“Hoh? It seems you know quite a lot about our Guryongbang.”

After Dao Yuetian finished speaking, Pae Jin-seong’s lips curled into a crooked smile.

Since Nanning was a capital city, there were many vested interests, and numerous dark sect factions were vying for power.

During such times, new dark sect factions continued to visit Nanning from outside, further plunging the lives of the common people of Nanning into despair.

It was then that the first leader of Guryongbang emerged and united the nine largest factions, including the one he belonged to, Gui Changmoon, successfully protecting Nanning from external dark sect forces.

Since they valued tradition so highly, even though they were a part of the shadowy forces, Guryongbang had a solid foothold in Namnyeong.

And because Pae Jin-seong, the leader of Guryongbang, also had an extraordinary pride in Guryongbang, he smiled with satisfaction.

However, he was not a foolish man who would be swayed by flattery to make decisions.

“So, you propose an alliance with our main faction as long as we haven’t crossed any lines?”

“That’s right.”

“Then what do you plan to do with those who have crossed the line? I’m asking about places like Nokrim, Heukcheonhoe, and Salgak.”

“You’re asking the obvious. We will fight them.”

“Hahaha. Then, what will you do if you encounter the Pacheon Sword Emperor, known as the sky of the shadowy forces?”

“We will fight.”

“And if it turns out that we ourselves have crossed the line?”

“We will fight then, too.”

“Haha, you’re just thinking about fighting.”

“That’s why we are the Tusinbang. We will gather only those who are mad about fighting and form a group. But the fights should be between warriors, not involving innocent people.”

“Hahahaha. You are a fearless young man. Do you really think you can stand against me or the Pacheon Sword Emperor?”

Pae Jin-seong, who burst into loud laughter, saw Dao Yuetian smiling for the first time since he arrived.

“Isn’t it precisely because I’m young that it’s possible? Even if I can’t win right now, in five or ten years, I will definitely reach that level.”

“Haha, I like your spirit. But as a warrior, shouldn’t you prove your worth with skill rather than words? Show me if a newly established group like yours has the ability to demand an equal relationship with us.”

With those words, Pae Jin-seong looked at a man in the hall, who stood up and drew his sword.

“I am Mak Geo-hak, the leader of the Sword Dragon Pavilion of Guryongbang.”

True to his nature as a member of the shadowy forces, Mak Geo-hak charged at Dao Yuetian immediately after introducing himself.

In fact, the mere act of introducing himself was a sign of respect unusual for someone from the shadowy forces.

As soon as Mak Geo-hak swung his sword at Dao Yuetian, a black flash burst out, and Mak Geo-hak’s sword was cut in two.

Looking at the black sword already at his neck, Mak Geo-hak swallowed hard and spoke.

“…I admit my defeat.”

Watching the duel that ended in an instant, Pae Jin-seong laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! To think you’d mastered such a swift blade. It’s beyond my expectations.”

Then he spoke to Mak Geo-hak, who had faced Dao Yuetian.

“Sword Dragon Pavilion leader, I apologize. It seems I’ve caused you unnecessary disgrace.”

“It’s nothing, Master. It just reminded me once again of the vastness of the world.”

Pae Jin-seong was a leader who knew how to show respect to his subordinates.

After appropriately consoling the leader of the Sword Dragon Pavilion, Pae Jin-seong turned to Dao Yuetian again.

“It seems only I can handle your swift blade. What do you say? Shall we have a match?”

“Very well.”

“Indeed, you are worthy of being called a fighting demon. Good! This place is too small. Let’s head to the training ground.”

As the leader of Guryongbang rose from his seat and left the hall, Dao Yuetian followed, and the executives of Guryongbang accompanied them.

Soon, they arrived at Guryongbang’s large training ground.

Pae Jin-seong neatly tied his long hair, wrapped in a turban, and lightly twirled the spear he had brought.

“Come on.”

As soon as Pae Jin-seong finished speaking, or rather, just as he finished, Dao Yuetian charged at him.

When Dao Yuetian entered Pae Jin-seong’s range, the spear tip met his black sword with a clang.

However, despite colliding with a black sword made of ten-thousand-year-old steel, the spear didn’t break.

It wasn’t a divine weapon made of ten-thousand-year-old steel.

Though it was a spear worthy of being called a famous spear, it wasn’t comparable to the black sword.

Nevertheless, the spear endured because it was enveloped in blue spear energy.

After the first exchange, Dao Yuetian continued to close in on Pae Jin-seong.

He tried to close the distance while avoiding the spear attacks, but Pae Jin-seong’s spear techniques were at a level that matched his title.

Clang!

The unavoidable spear thrusts were always deflected by Dao Yuetian’s Swift Shadow Strike.

After several exchanges, Dao Yuetian’s impression of Pae Jin-seong’s spear techniques was simple.

‘They’re concise.’

The thrusts were only extended as much as necessary and immediately retracted. The concise movements were followed by an exceptionally fast series of thrusts.

Likewise, Pae Jin-seong was also gradually grasping Dao Yuetian’s characteristics through their exchanges.

‘He hasn’t reached the state of internal energy mastery yet. Cutting the Sword Dragon Pavilion leader’s sword in one strike must have been due to the power of that black sword.’

However, as a warrior of the shadowy forces, he wasn’t one to consider using a weapon’s power as dishonorable.

In the martial world, divine weapons often brought blood and disaster.

Having obtained and protected such a weapon meant he had the right to use it.

‘And that swift blade technique and the black sword are a perfect match. As if they were made for each other from the start.’

The two continued to exchange blows as if they were testing each other’s skills.

When Dao Yuetian finally managed to block or evade the spear strikes and close the distance, Pae Jin-seong shortened his grip on the spear, using quick thrusts to block Dao Yuetian’s Swift Shadow Strike.

Whoosh.

Not missing the very brief pause in Dao Yuetian’s sword strike, Pae Jin-seong quickly widened the distance with his footwork.

Just barely within the spear’s reach.

“Your footwork is impressive.”

“The essence of spear techniques is maintaining distance. How could I neglect footwork training?”

After a brief conversation, they clashed again.

As the black sword and spear collided with loud crashes, Dao Yuetian persistently tried to close the distance.

Pae Jin-seong occasionally gave ground but always used his footwork and spear techniques to widen the gap again.

After exchanging more than fifty blows, Pae Jin-seong spun his spear and spoke.

“I think that’s enough to confirm your skill.”

“Thank you for showing mercy. Guryongbang leader.”

“Hahaha. Since we are now on the same boat, the title ‘Guryongbang leader’ feels too formal, doesn’t it, Brother Do?”

It was a sign that he accepted the proposal for an alliance.

Pae Jin-seong had already been impressed by Dao Yuetian’s spirit and determination.

As the leader of a faction, he needed to confirm the other’s capability.

Having verified that they were indeed worthy allies, there was no longer any hesitation.

Understanding the meaning behind his words, Dao Yuetian responded with a smile.

“Then, I will call you brother from now on.”

“Hahaha. I have a brother I like very much. Everyone! We have a new friend in our main faction, so we should have a feast, shouldn’t we?”

At Pae Jin-seong’s shout, the executives who had been watching the duel quickly responded.

“We will prepare the table right away!”