The Indomitable Martial King Chapter 8

“is it? Tsk.”

Reppenhardt, who was looking at Gerrard with regret, secretly looked away.

‘it’s crazy? Grow bigger from here?’

In fact, he did not practice physical growth breathing techniques at all. While he pretended to do it every day, he instead focused on gathering his magic power through magical meditation. Even now, he is already well over 20 centimeters taller than the average height on the continent. I never had any intention of wanting to grow further from here. What he pursues is a wizard who is physically healthy and skilled in martial arts, not a walking stone statue.

‘You can’t throw away the last bit of humanity you have left, can you, Master?’

Gerard clicked his tongue in disappointment and then stood up. It was unfortunate, but as someone who had lived for a long time, he understood well that not everything in the world goes as planned.

‘Even if it’s small, it just has to be strong enough, right?’

The two moved to the frozen lakeside. In the bitter cold of midwinter, the lakeside in the mountains was frozen solid with ice thicker than 1 meter.

Standing at the edge of the lake, Gerrard motioned to Reppenhardt.

“Then let’s see the final results. “Begin!”

“Yes, Master.”

Taking a breath, Reppenhardt took a step forward. He tried to calm his racing heart and put all the enlightenment of nothingness he had learned so far into his fist.

“Calamity Horn.”

With a soft word, Reppenhardt flew into the air. And then the golden aura explodes, hitting the frozen lake like a meteor.

“Taaaat!”

I raise my fist. The waves of Aurors continue one after another. One, two, three… … .

‘four!’

With four aura ripples wrapped around his body, Reppenhardt struck the frozen lake. The entire lake is distorted and a huge hole caves in. The earth trembles and waves of light converge on his fist.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Four loud roars rang out, and ripples hit the lake one after another.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak!

Countless ice cubes the size of houses flew into the air. The gushing water hit the air like a waterfall flowing backwards, then turned into rain and fell in all directions. Reppenhardt, who had committed great destruction in an instant by reducing the water volume of the lake by a third, was floating in the air again due to the recoil of the shock.

‘I did it! 4-stack Calamity Horn!’

A look of joy that could not be hidden appeared across his face. Amid the pouring water and ice shards, he laughed cheerfully.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Clap clap clap… … .

For the first time, his master applauds. This clearly acknowledges the current status of Reppenhardt. A feeling of pride flowed through my whole body.

Gerard smiled warmly as he looked at his student who had returned to his place.

“Okay, at this rate, I won’t go anywhere and get beaten up.”

If Reppenhardt, who can swing a steel sword with his bare body and punch a hole in a cliff with his bare fists, cannot get hit anywhere, it would never be a place for people to live. But Reppenhardt did not bother to argue. Now that he had finally achieved his goal, he was only enjoying the pleasure of success.

Looking at his student’s excited appearance, Gerard let out a soft voice mixed with satisfaction and regret.

“It’s time to go out into the world… … .”

☆ ☆ ☆

Gerard was sitting solemnly on top of a simple floor made of roughly carved logs. And in front of him, Reppenhardt was kneeling respectfully.

“You’ve worked hard so far, student.”

Gerard stroked his beard and spoke slowly.

“Reppenhardt, you have reached this point and now your life is yours. Live the way you want. It doesn’t matter whether you are a good person or a bad person. Live the life you want. “That is the reward for the practice we have done so far.”

In Jim Unbreakable, there is no flashy talk like other martial arts texts that say you need to cultivate both your martial arts and your heart together. This unwritten mindset was that those who worked hard to gain power deserved to enjoy life as much as the reward for their efforts.

And Gerard, no matter what he said, did not really think that his student would become a petty villain. Haven’t we always said that those who know their own pain also understand the pain of others?

‘There are not many people on the continent who feel their pain as keenly as we, Mumun.’

So he wasn’t worried at all about his disciple’s mentality.

“But keep three things in mind.”

And Gerard cleared his throat for a moment. It was a new feeling. What his master said 60 years ago, he is now saying to his disciples.

“First, it is good to accumulate wealth, but if possible, avoid gaining unrighteous wealth.”

Reppenhardt tilted his head.

“yes? “You said it’s okay to be a villain?”

Gerard chuckled. How can it be so similar? When he was coming down the mountain, he heard that noise and asked the same question. As expected, it seems like everything people think about is there.

“If you’re going to be a villain, be a high-quality villain. “If he is the successor to our clan, even if he becomes a villain, he should be a stylish villain.”

‘It’s a strange idea.’

Gerard continued, looking down at Reppenhardt, who clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Second, if possible, stand on the side of the wronged. “I said earlier that it’s okay to be a villain, but wouldn’t it be better to live with praise?”

As expected, the student again asks the same question as he did 60 years ago.

“The wronged one? Aren’t you on the side of the weak?”

Gerard smiled and repeated the answer his master had given him.

“Just because someone is weak doesn’t necessarily mean they are wronged. And since there are no people stronger than you in the world anymore, everyone is weak. Then, by what standard are you going to distinguish between the strong and the weak?”

When I heard it, it seemed plausible. Leffenhardt was convinced.

“And thirdly, this is actually the most important.”

Suddenly, Gerard’s expression became serious.

“Never allow Jim Unbreakable’s martial arts skills to break. This is the most important and greatest duty, so you must find a disciple and pass on this great teaching. Do you understand?”

Gerard spoke in a solemn tone and made a promise to his student. In fact, the first two were just side notes that were added because it was boring to just say one thing. There is only one truly important duty: to have disciples and continue the martial tradition.

Leffenhardt nodded seriously.

“Yes, Master. “I will definitely implement it.”

The answer was perfect, but his inner thoughts were a little different. To be honest, I didn’t think there would be much of a shame if these vicious teachings were cut off.

Moreover, considering the effort Gerard put into training him, raising a disciple was by no means an easy task. Not only is it hard work, but it also costs a lot of money, right? However, because of the unconditional affection Gerard showed for him, it feels a bit uncomfortable to openly oppose it.

So Reppenhardt decided to make a reasonable compromise.

‘If a child with qualifications appears, and if we have some free time after rebuilding the empire, then we will raise a disciple, Master. But I can’t make you any promises.’

Gerard smiled broadly, perhaps interpreting his student’s expression as the burden of someone carrying a serious responsibility.

“Hehe, there’s nothing to take too seriously. Do you think it will be that easy to find a child with materials that suit your taste? It took me 30 years to meet you. There is no need to stick to that job for the rest of your life. Just live your life and if you have a relationship, you will see a child with qualities. Don’t miss it. “That’s all I want.”

After finishing speaking, he threw away a bundle that Gerard had kept nearby.

“Take it, I roughly packed some clothes and travel expenses. “It will be enough to be used for a while.”

When the topic of money came up, Reppenhardt smiled happily and accepted the bundle. And he secretly opened the bag in his bag. I saw that it contained thirty silver coins. For a moment he was disappointed.

‘Eh? ‘Is it just a requirement?’

In fact, thirty silver coins is equivalent to half a year’s living expenses for a commoner, so it is not a small amount of money. but… … .

‘You have a lot of assets saved up, so let’s loose a little more, tsk.’

The Gerard he knew was quite wealthy. From a young age, Gerard traveled the continent as an adventurer, exploring various ancient ruins and selling the artifacts he obtained there, making a huge fortune. Even as he grew older, he did not neglect his investments through various merchants. Contrary to his appearance, this muscular old man was one of the ten richest men in Vasily’s kingdom. Although he set up a residence in this deserted place to keep an eye on his students so they wouldn’t escape, he actually had a nice mansion in the capital of the kingdom.

Gerard chuckled as he looked at Reppenhardt, who had a dissatisfied look in his eyes. He looked like he knew that would happen.

“Whether you are young or old, if you have deep pockets, you tend to become lazy. “If you don’t have money, you will have to use your fists, and won’t that help your skills develop further?”

In fact, Gerrard was not the type of person to be particularly obsessed with money. However, Jim Unbreakable spent a huge amount of money to raise his disciples, so all previous kings had an obligation to diligently accumulate wealth from a young age. In fact, he had now lost more than half of the wealth he had saved while educating Reppenhardt.

“But still, thirty silver coins… … Tsk.”

Although he understood, Reppenhardt repeatedly clicked his tongue. The cost of the healing bath water he used during his training costs more than ten times this amount.

“Just take it, please. I would like to give more, but originally, in our Mumun, the travel expenses to be paid to the disciple when descending the mountain are set in advance. When I came down, I had 25 silver coins. Still, considering the rise in prices, I gave it at the market price.”

For some reason, as I spoke, I ended up speaking in a way that seemed like a servant’s guess. Gerard cleared his throat while stroking his beard.

‘Anyway, it’s our tradition to enter the Shem Taryeong during the touching scene of descending the mountain. Tsk.’

Anyway, it’s something I’m giving, so I should accept it gratefully. Reppenhardt joked with Gerrard as he packed his bags.

“Still, don’t you give a gift to the disciple coming down the mountain?”

“Hahaha!”

After laughing, Gerard took out a piece of parchment from his arms and threw it away. Leffenhardt asked while pretending to be.

“What is it?”

When I opened it, it turned out to be a map. A complex mountain topography was drawn on the parchment, with an X in the middle. At the top of the map, I could see the Settelad Mountains kindly written on it. The Setalad Mountains are a rugged terrain located in the northwest of the continent.

“If you have to go nearby later, stop by. “I have prepared a small gift for you there.”

“Master, Master… … .”

It seems that he wanted to take care of his students through this expedient method since he could not give them money due to his teachings.

‘Anyway, people are really good… … .’

For some reason, Reppenhardt’s eyes got hot and he tried to change the topic.

“By the way, what will Master do if I come down?”

Gerard opened his eyes wide.

“me?”

This was a temporary residence anyway, so I was curious about the Master’s actions after finishing his business. To be honest, I asked with the intention of avoiding him because I didn’t want to meet him until I went out into the world.

Gerard opened his mouth in a relaxed tone.

“Now that I’ve completed my life’s work, I guess I’ll take some time to wander around the world and rest for a while. And if I see a child with useful qualities, I will bring him in and teach him.”

“Wasn’t it our martial arts, one-man tradition? “Are you going to bring in more disciples?”

“Who said that our martial arts story is a one-man legend?”

Come to think of it, Gerard has never said anything like that.

It would be a miracle if only one person with the ability to withstand the original body training method emerged in one generation, so Jim Unbreakable could not afford to raise two disciples, but in fact, Jim Unbreakable was leaving the door wide open.

All you need is qualifications. I don’t look at character, lineage, family, or wealth. If you think about it, isn’t that an incredibly fair question? It’s just that if you come in, they’ll all die so you can’t let them in.

“Actually, I want to spread this good teaching across the continent, but everyone is so weak… … .”

‘Well, by that standard, there isn’t a single person in the world who isn’t weak… … .’

With a bitter smile, Reppenhardt stood up.

Now it was time to leave.

“Let’s go, Master.”

“Congratulations on your descent, disciple.”

A man’s breakup has to be cool. Reppenhardt walked away without saying a word. And he started running beyond the clearing. Soon, the loud footsteps got further and further away.

“Hahahaha!”

Gerard laughed brightly, waving his silver beard.

‘Master, I am finally able to return the favor I received from you.’

Gerard looked up at the cold winter sky. His master seemed to be smiling contentedly from above. He looked at his disciple’s back again.

The disciple’s steps slowly slow down as he runs.

I keep looking back as I go.

I could understand. I was able to keenly feel how his disciple, who finally gained power during that time of hardship and pain, was now descending the mountain. He also experienced that vague feeling of excitement and regret 60 years ago.

“Go, disciple!”

Gerard raised his fist and punched the air.

Kwaaaaang!

A golden aura arose from his entire body and soared high into the sky. Splitting the sky with a pillar of light, he blessed his disciples as they went out into the world.

Go, disciple.