Manhwa/38

**Episode 38**TranscriptGallery

## English Release

Season 1

The **38th chapter** of the webtoon was released in Korean on Naver Webtoon (Series) (2021), and later in English on Webtoons (2022).

Cheongmyeong goes on to challenge the other disciples, and reinforces the importance of the fundamentals. He chastises Jo Gul for even entertaining the thought of defeat by those Zhongnan riff-raff, and orders the disciples to start with 10 000 downward swings with their wooden swords. In a flashback, the elders are worried about the Plum Blossom Sword Saint's prowess being lost, but Cheongmun explains that he cannot bring himself to expose a greenhorn to apprentice under such a sadist master. In a deserted spot in the middle of the night (1-3 AM), Cheongmun simulates the battle against Cheonma and practices his sword techniques. Peeking from behind a tree is Iseol, who witnesses the petals naturally coming off his techniques.

## Summary

Cheongmyeong makes his downward swing, forcing Jo Gul down on the ground in fear: *How does it feel to die?* He calls for the next opponent, but since no one steps forward, he decides to launch at them instead. Cheongmyeong asks them why they didn't block his attack, when they knew he was going to use a downward swing. Jo Gul explodes as he says Cheongmyeong is so fast and powerful that he did not have time to think, so Cheongmyeong asks him why he began overthinking then if he already knew. Jo Gul realizes he's not relying on incredible speed or fancy techniques, and is merely swinging his sword in a straight line, quickly and precisely without any unnecessary movements, despite how it felt in the moment.

Yunjong realizes that he wants them to focus on fundamental sword strokes that use their enhanced strength as basis, instead of trying to learn fancy techniques that they aren't able to fully master at this point. Cheongmyeong confirms and also tells them to add the spirit of a "*mortal blow with each strike*," where they aim to make a second strike unnecesary. This is the mindset that they will die if they aren't able to defeat their opponent in a single attack.

Cheongmyeong then asks what the point is to defeat an enemy without using Mount Hua's techniques, so Cheongmyeong reminds him what the first strike in the Sword of Six Elements is: A downward swing. He reinforces the importance of the fundamentals; He argues that they should not put the cart before the horse, and that they first need to perfect the techniques they've already learnt. Jo Gul wants him to promise them again that they will at least avoid humiliation, and Cheongmyeong chastises him for even entertaining the thought of losing to those Zhongnan riff-raff. He orders them to grab their wooden swords and that they'll start with 10 000 downward swings.

In a flashback, other elders are beseeching Cheongmun to make the Plum Blossom Sword Saint take on an apprentice in order to pass on his invaluable prowess to future generations. However, Cheongmun cannot bring himself to allow somebody to suffer under Cheongmyeong's sadism, who still believes that there's nothing like a good old-fashioned beating to teach a trainee. Back in the present, Cheongmyeong thinks to himself that he's not trying to built a glorious legacy for himself, but to build an indomitable spirit that will endure within the sect long after he's gone. Cheongmyeong walks off to a deserted spot in the hour of the ox (1-3 AM).

There's no guarantee that somebody worse than Cheonma won't arise. As such, Cheongmyeong needs to transcend beyond his previous level of attainment and the path laid out by his predecessors; to find his own way to surpass every known limit. In his mind, he simulates the fight against Cheonma, and practices how to defeat him single-handedly this time. Peeking from behind a tree trunk, Iseol witnesses the scene of falling petals coming off Cheongmyeong's technique.

## Appearances

Cheongmyeong

Jo Gul

Yunjong

File:Jonghak.pngJonghak

FlashbackCheongmun

FlashbackChun Ma

Yoo Iseol

* Unnamed Huashan disciple
* Unnamed Huashan disciple
* Unnamed Huashan elder
* Unnamed Huashan elder