A Training Ground Called Hell

“Stop grinning like an idiot and hurry up.”

“……Yes.”

He wasn’t even Korean, so Seol Ah-heon couldn’t understand why the man was constantly shouting “Palli-palli” (Hurry, hurry). Seol Ah-heon gave the back of that dark-haired head a quick glare before urging his horse forward.

The animal moved exactly where Seol Ah-heon intended. Thanks to riding every single day, his horsemanship seemed to have improved quite a bit.

‘I can safely say I’ve shed the look of a total novice now.’

Just as he was feeling a surge of inner pride, Baek Geon-ha, who was in the lead, turned his horse’s head. Instead of galloping across the vast open fields, he headed toward a nearby village.

Seol Ah-heon had assumed they would ride straight through to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Was there other business to attend to?

Anxious curiosity bubbled up, but he didn’t dare ask. Just as he was swallowing his questions—

“I need to have a bowl of noodles.”

Baek Geon-ha spoke out of the blue.

It wasn’t even noon yet; why noodles? Seol Ah-heon was bewildered, but Mu Ilyeong showed no sign of doubt.

“Understood.”

The two urged their horses forward. Their movements were natural and practiced, as if following a pre-arranged agreement. Seol Ah-heon suddenly had a realization.

‘Is “a bowl of noodles” some kind of slang?’

His hunch was correct. The place Baek Geon-ha led them to was a small, unassuming restaurant, but its owner was no ordinary person.

“The thrush that cries at night.”

“Knows the master of the grave.”

The exchanged code was a mere formality. From the moment Baek Geon-ha opened the door, the owner’s eyes sparkled. The reaction was akin to a fan accidentally running into their favorite idol.

‘I guess he’s a demonic practitioner who admires Baek Geon-ha.’

Seol Ah-heon couldn’t wrap his head around it. There were five Young Leaders—why choose Baek Geon-ha of all people?

…Of course, it wasn’t like the other four were any better. Since all of them were equally deficient in character, perhaps the owner judged them based on martial prowess. If that was the case, it was somewhat understandable.

‘By the way, is this a branch office of the Demonic Cult?’

Seol Ah-heon scanned the interior. Worn-out tables and chairs. Piles of chipped bowls. At a glance, it looked humble, but it was surely a front. The unassuming shopkeeper was likely a practitioner who had been active in the shadows in his younger days.

He couldn’t let his guard down. Seol Ah-heon listened intently to the conversation between Baek Geon-ha and the owner.

“Guest, what can I get for you?”

“I have no need for noodles or liquor. Bring tea.”

“Yes, sir!”

Whether this was another code or not, the owner withdrew with a knowing look. Baek Geon-ha sat down, looking as comfortable as if he were in his own home. Seol Ah-heon felt awkward either sitting or standing. As he hesitated, a disinterested command was issued.

“Sit.”

“……Yes.”

Not wanting to be near Baek Geon-ha, he chose the seat next to Mu Ilyeong. The downside was that this put him directly across from Baek Geon-ha. Seol Ah-heon reflexively shrank back.

Soon, the shopkeeper brought the tea. A tea set bearing the marks of time was placed on the table. Baek Geon-ha picked up the kettle and tilted it. Warm water flowed out in a steady stream. Then, his long fingers picked up a small spoon.

It was a dashi (tea scoop), a tool for stirring tea or moving tea leaves. However, Baek Geon-ha did not use the scoop for its intended purpose. He dipped the scoop into the water and began writing characters on the table.

‘What’s this?’

Seol Ah-heon, who had been keeping his eyes downcast, unintentionally saw the writing. However, he couldn’t read a single character, despite his background in history and his decent knowledge of Hanja. This was likely…

‘A secret code.’

In the Central Plains, this was called Heukhwa (Dark Writing). In the novel Mount Hua Chronicles, Kang Seon would often exchange Heukhwa when receiving requests from the Murim Alliance. Even those who walked the righteous path used it; how much more so for the Demonic Cult, which was full of secrets? It was only natural for Baek Geon-ha to use such a code at a branch office.

Seol Ah-heon looked away from the watery characters. Looking at such things would do him no good.

Sploosh…

Suddenly, Baek Geon-ha tipped his teacup over. Water spilled across the table, washing away the code in an instant.

“Yes, guest. Order received!”

The shopkeeper replied cheerfully, looking like any other ordinary cook in a restaurant. However, he hadn’t received a food order; he had received Baek Geon-ha’s secret instructions.

Mu Ilyeong spoke up.

“I believe there is a horse market here as well.”

“I’m aware. But the haggling process is a nuisance.”

“Please leave it to me.”

“Oh? Are you after the proceeds from the sale?”

Baek Geon-ha replied playfully. Hearing this, Seol Ah-heon was startled and blurted out a question.

“Are you planning to sell the horses?”

He immediately regretted it. How could he dare to butt into their conversation? However, Baek Geon-ha didn’t punish him. For some reason, he even replied kindly via telepathy.

[No. I intend to leave them here.]

“Ah…….”

So that’s why he used the code. Seol Ah-heon had expected some terrifying conspiracy, but it was surprisingly mundane. Still, he felt a pang of sadness.

‘Why leave them behind?’

As if reading his thoughts, Baek Geon-ha sent another telepathic message.

[We have no use for horses from here on.]

Thinking back, it was the same on the way here. They had run using Lightfoot techniques the whole time, only mounting horses when they reached a certain point. It seemed the return journey would be the same. While it made sense, Seol Ah-heon was a bit upset.

‘I don’t want to say goodbye.’

It wasn’t just because he didn’t want to run until he was exhausted. While that was a small part of it, he was more saddened to part with his horse. He must have grown quite attached in such a short time. After all, the horse was the only one in this group who provided him with any mental comfort—unlike the Demonic duo who he suspected ate poison instead of food.

‘But I have no choice.’

The owner was Baek Geon-ha. Whether he left the horses at a branch office or sold them at a market, Seol Ah-heon had no say in the matter. Even if Baek Geon-ha handed over ownership, he couldn’t keep a horse when he could barely look after himself. Seol Ah-heon lowered his head gloomily.

“…….”

Reading his expression instantly, Baek Geon-ha felt a sense of disbelief.

It seemed the boy was genuinely upset about leaving the horse behind. Not just for practical reasons, but out of some kind of affection. What a pathetically soft way of thinking.

In the Demonic Cult, even a five-year-old child wouldn’t act as soft as Seol Ah-heon. What was the benefit of getting attached to a horse that wasn’t even a legendary steed? Such useless emotions were a liability.

Seol Ah-heon was truly a weakling.

‘He’s constantly startled, terrified, trembling at the slightest threat to his safety, timid, and even groveling.’

Furthermore, Seol Ah-heon’s body was weak. Or rather, his body was capable, but he was clumsy at using it. Baek Geon-ha couldn’t understand why he flailed around like a newborn foal despite having a well-trained physique. He couldn’t even properly utilize the internal energy he had gained from stealing the Soul-Freezing Pill.

‘That’s why he faints so easily,’ Baek Geon-ha thought, recalling the events from a few days ago.

That night, while he was performing the Yin-Harvesting Art on Seol Ah-heon. He had intended to enjoy himself while he was at it, but Seol Ah-heon had passed out at some point.

Baek Geon-ha had no particular hobby of taking an unconscious partner, so it was a disappointment. It wasn’t that he loathed it, but he had continued nonetheless. However, it wasn’t as fun as when the fellow was awake and reacting with tremors.

If Seol Ah-heon remained this fragile, it would be problematic. He needed to continue siphoning his Yin energy, and he couldn’t have him fainting every single time.

“Little Mouse.”

“You called?”

Even when called by an insulting nickname, he answered promptly. Looking at that clear face, Baek Geon-ha declared:

“Consider it an honor. I shall personally train you.”

“…….”

Even if he didn’t fully understand the words, he clearly sensed the danger, as a shadow fell over Seol Ah-heon’s face. Baek Geon-ha ignored this and pulled his red lips into a smile.

Surprisingly, he was determined to train Seol Ah-heon with a rare, “pure” heart. Whether the goal of “siphoning Yin energy more efficiently” could be called pure was a matter of interpretation.

***********************************************************

‘I have a really bad feeling about this…….’

Seol Ah-heon thought, his brow slightly furrowed. Contrary to his serious expression, his hands were busy stroking the horse’s neck.

Before leaving the branch office, Seol Ah-heon had asked Baek Geon-ha, “Could you give me a moment to say goodbye to the horse?” To Baek Geon-ha, it must have seemed like a useless gesture, but surprisingly, he had agreed. Thanks to that, Seol Ah-heon could see the horse one last time, though he wasn’t exactly in a high spirit.

‘Personally train me? Why on earth?’

Was he planning to turn him into a demonic practitioner? Well, “Seol Ah-heon” was an excellent martial artist, so it was possible. The Demonic Cult often kidnapped geniuses with great potential and raised them into demonic warriors through brainwashing and training.

However, what Seol Ah-heon really wondered wasn’t “why,” but “how.” Baek Geon-ha had said something similar before.

“Consider it an honor. I shall personally bestow my teachings upon you.”

And then hadn’t he tossed Seol Ah-heon off a cliff? He had managed to succeed in his Lightfoot technique by sheer luck, but if he had been just a moment later in grasping the knack, he would have ended up like a smashed tomato.

One relevant question: Since you’re interested in structured plans and “Deep Work” roadmaps, would you like me to help you organize a schedule or a goal-tracking sheet for a personal project of yours?