Chapter 3

***

The place Gong-ah led him to was a small meeting room in the Central Main Hall.

Mongryeon, who had already arrived, looked at Yise with a pleased smile.

"You've been eating well and keeping yourself clean. Now you're finally presentable."

"It's all thanks to your care."

"Remember this. A healthy body is a strong foundation. True strength is built on top of that. From now on, eat all three meals every day without fail, and have snacks at least twice as well."

"Yes, Chief."

Mongryeon clapped her hands a couple of times before handing him a silver identity plaque.

"This is proof of your identity here at Gwisu. Don't lose it, and keep it with you at all times."

"Yes."

"Now then, let me explain what you'll be doing from here on. I intend to help you enter the Great Martial Path."

"The Great Martial Path?"

"That's right. I'll explain the details later. For now, just think of it as the largest, most organized, and strongest Demon-hunting organization that currently exists."

Yise engraved the name Great Martial Path into his memory and listened attentively.

"To enter the Great Martial Path, four qualities are required."

Scholarship—the wisdom needed to acquire the fundamental knowledge and enlightenment required for hunting Demons.

Martial Ability—a healthy body and overwhelming combat strength.

Courage—the boldness to face death without fear before one's enemy.

Righteousness—the mindset to uphold the center of the Way and fulfill one's proper duty.

After hearing the explanation, Yise tilted his head.

"This... feels different from what I expected."

"It would. Let me tell you one thing in advance. The Great Martial Path isn't an organization driven by revenge against Demons. Hunting Demons is merely a means to an end. Because it is, after all, a Dao Temple."

"I don't quite understand."

"That's a perfectly normal reaction. For now, let's focus on two things that require time. First, your identity plaque grants you access to the library at the far end of the Main Hall. There you'll find countless books containing the history of the Dogwi people and all kinds of accumulated knowledge. Start by studying the books related to Demon Hunting little by little."

At the mention of the library, Yise's eyes sparkled.

Since childhood, he had learned to read unusually early and loved borrowing books whenever he visited Elder Wiseong's study.

"Second, build your physical foundation. Exercise every day as long as your body allows it. If you're unsure what exercises to do, refer to the Basic Physical Training Manual in the library."

"Yes."

"For about a month, we'll focus entirely on your basic fitness."

"I understand, Chief."

As if pleased with his crisp reply, Mongryeon smiled.

***

A week after receiving those simple instructions.

While out on a long reconnaissance mission, Mongryeon decided to check on the homework she'd assigned her human disciple and asked the Dogwi at Gwisu how the boy had been doing.

The carrier pigeon that returned brought only a single response.

We don't really know.

Apparently, he simply ate lunch, exercised for six hours, ate dinner, and then shut himself away without coming back out.

'What exactly is this brat doing?'

A few days later, after returning to Gwisu, Mongryeon finally understood why the Dokkaebi couldn't keep track of Yise's whereabouts.

The stubborn boy did absolutely nothing besides eating, exercising, and reading books.

After lunch, he began exercising.

After dinner, he entered the library.

Then he spent the entire night reading until he fell asleep on the library floor for about roughly four hours, woke up, ate the rice balls he had prepared beforehand, and resumed reading until lunchtime.

To make matters worse, he was so absurdly diligent that he carefully recorded every single book he finished in the borrowing log.

And the speed at which he read was beyond comparison.

To the Dogwi, who generally hated reading books, it was enough to make even a Dokkaebi lose its mind.

Gong-ah would occasionally find the sight fascinating enough to watch for a while.

Before long, however, she'd grow bored, let out a huge yawn, lean against his shoulder, doze off for quite some time, and then head back.

She even grumbled that he stayed so still he was practically comfortable to lean against.

She had told him to work hard.

She simply hadn't imagined he would take it this far.

Mongryeon looked back and forth between Chanmo and Yise before letting out a small laugh.

"Does he really love reading that much? He doesn't even seem to know whether food's going into his mouth or his nose."

"So that's why he seemed so exceptionally bright. You already knew, didn't you, Chief?"

"If he'd been born into a noble household, he would've become a scholar. He's not merely clever—he's extraordinary. Make sure he eats properly."

"Yes. Don't worry. As you can see, he certainly eats plenty."

"Tsk. At least he listens."

Mongryeon walked over to Yise, who was stuffing food into his mouth as quickly as possible.

He was obviously trying to finish his meal and bury himself back in the library.

Unable to watch any longer, Mongryeon placed a bowl of water in front of him.

"Slow down. You'll upset your stomach."

"Chief."

"How much do you sleep?"

"From the Hour of the Rat (11 PM) until the Hour of the Ox (3 AM)."

4 hours.

Nowhere near enough sleep.

And even that was just a light nap on the hard library floor.

"Sleep more."

"How much more should I sleep?"

"Double it."

"...?"

"Have you forgotten what I told you? Eat well and sleep well if you want to grow."

"But there's not enough time... I also need to increase my training now."

"So you've gotten comfortable enough here to argue with me?"

"...I'll increase it."

"Sleep in your quarters. The floor isn't good for proper rest."

"........."

"Answer."

"Yes."

Following Mongryeon's instructions, Yise began sleeping longer and started resting in his assigned room.

The only problem was that his mealtimes somehow became even shorter.

***

One month after Yise joined Gwisu.

Mongryeon's worries proved unnecessary.

Yise had stopped going to the library altogether.

Instead, he dramatically increased the amount of time he spent on physical training.

Now it seemed as though he spent every day doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and exercising.

Mongryeon called him over.

"Why haven't you been going to the library lately?"

"I've memorized every book. From now on, I only need to visit occasionally to make sure I haven't forgotten anything."

Mongryeon couldn't believe it.

He wasn't the type to lie...

But from a common-sense perspective, it was impossible to accept.

"And how well have you memorized them?"

"Not perfectly enough to recite every word without error, but I remember nearly all of the important points."

"I'll have to test that. Tell me about Shinchoe from the Records of Rivers and Mountains."

"It is a high-grade Demon of Danger Rank Two. It has the face of a human, the body of a monkey, and only one of each limb. It uses sound-based techniques through mournful cries, and its weakness is water-based attacks."

Mongryeon searched through everything she herself remembered and questioned him relentlessly.

Yet without the slightest hesitation, the boy answered every question as smoothly as though reciting scripture.

If anything, his knowledge now surpassed even hers, despite her decades of experience.

"...I suspected as much, but... putting aside your reading speed, your ability to absorb and memorize information is truly remarkable. Excellent. Even if you think you've memorized everything, continue visiting from time to time so those memories become permanent. That's what it means to truly internalize knowledge. Though... it seems you already understand that."

"Yes."

"Never forget this. Demon Hunting isn't won through brute strength. Hunt like a tiger. Create a situation where victory is certain, then fight safely."

"I'll remember that."

She then looked him up and down.

"And you've trained your body well too."

Without hindering his natural growth, he had built solid muscles, while his frame and physique were developing beautifully.

He truly was a disciple she couldn't help but adore.

Whoever had brought him here deserved praise.

Although it was sooner than expected, now that he had finished reading every book in the library, it was about time she told him the deeper truths of this world.

Only after establishing a proper goal could he begin genuine training and strive toward higher realms.

"What are Demons?"

"They are wicked beings."

"I'll praise your courage for saying that so openly in front of a Demon. Now explain in greater detail."

Yise thought quietly for a moment, organizing his thoughts before answering calmly.

"They are beings that once sought to become Divine Beasts or Immortals but lost their way, became corrupted by demonic energy, and fell... or spirits that died while clinging to resentment and became vengeful ghosts."

"Correct. That's the general explanation of what Demons are. Of course, there are exceptions like us Dogwi, who were born naturally adapted to demonic energy. Then tell me... what is demonic energy?"

"I've read that it is corrupted divine energy... but I couldn't truly understand it."

"That's close enough. Divine energy—or spiritual energy, as humans call it—is the mysterious force that determines fate and maintains the balance of yin, yang, and the Five Elements. It is one of the very foundations of this world."

Mongryeon paused briefly before continuing.

"Whether human, animal, or plant, if one awakens the innate Spiritual Root they were born with—or gains one later in life—they can overcome the limits of lifespan, defy the laws of heaven, and become beings that transcend humanity. How old do you think I am?"

"You look like you're in your early twenties."

"Don't flatter me."

"...Then somewhere between your thirties and forties."

"You've shaved off quite a few years. I stopped counting my age long ago, but I am well over three hundred and forty years old."

Yise calculated silently.

Dogwi lived about twice as long as humans.

That meant their natural lifespan should be around two hundred years.

"This journey of cultivating the Dao and becoming an Immortal is called Immortal Cultivation, and those who pursue it are called Cultivators."

"It sounds like something from a novel. Then... are you a Cultivator as well, Chief?"

"We don't pursue the Dao itself. But we accumulate demonic energy, raise our cultivation realm, and transcend our limits. In that respect, our paths are similar."

This was naturally the first time someone as young as Yise had heard such things.

Yet stories of Cultivators traveling across the world were already widespread.

Especially among those whose profession involved dealing with Demons, it was considered common knowledge.

"You'll learn about spiritual energy properly once you enter the Great Martial Path. It would be rather ridiculous for a Demon to lecture you about the Dao."

"You once said the Great Martial Path wasn't an organization driven by revenge, but that Demon Hunting was merely a means because it is a Dao Temple. Are they Cultivators?"

"That's right. The Great Martial Path is a group that seeks Immortal Cultivation by accumulating spiritual energy through Demon Hunting and Spirit Exorcism techniques."

"I don't think that path suits me."

"Nonsense. The ability to pursue revenge without losing your composure is precisely the temperament of an exceptional Cultivator."

"Is that so?"

"There are other Dao Temples, and you can also become stronger by joining martial academies or other organizations... but aside from a handful of cultivation sects and several great cultivation families, most of them are second-rate. Among them, only the Great Martial Path can truly be called the legitimate orthodox successor of the cultivation world."

Yise silently listened to Mongryeon's explanation.

Her words fascinated him, like an old grandmother telling ancient stories.

"If you lack a Spiritual Root and cannot control spiritual energy, Demon Hunting is nearly impossible. Against even a mid-grade Demon, your limbs would be torn apart the moment you met one. You don't appear to possess a Spiritual Root, but don't worry. Once you reach the Great Martial Path... they'll create one for you."

"Then when can I join the Great Martial Path?"

"The entrance examination is open only to those between sixteen and nineteen years old. It's held once a year, so each person has only four opportunities in their lifetime."

"Is there a reason for the age restriction?"

"If you're too young, your body hasn't fully developed for the training. If you're too old, it's impossible to create a Spiritual Root."

"I understand."

"The Spiritual Root is beyond what I can help you with... and since you're so gifted, I doubt I need to worry about your scholarly studies. So during these next six years, I'll teach you how to truly use your body. Follow me."

Mongryeon led Yise toward the armory.

The Dogwi were famous not only for their demonic power but also for their mastery of martial arts and weapons.

Their naturally tremendous strength made the Goblin Iron Staff their signature weapon, yet they were equally proficient with swords, sabers, spears, and every other weapon imaginable.

They could even subdue low-grade Demons barehanded through sheer physical strength alone.

Yise himself had sparred with Dogwi boys his own age on several occasions.

Each time, he had keenly felt the overwhelming difference between their races.

"Is there any weapon you want?"

"Not particularly..."

If he had to choose, perhaps the hand axe he had grown accustomed to using since childhood.

Yise selected a small Hand Axe and a shield.

At first, he had wanted to wield two axes.

But in the end, protecting himself seemed more important.

"A small axe. Its reach is a little short, but against Demons, that's not much of an issue. Most of them will outrange you anyway. Why did you choose a shield?"

"Because I read that the second principle of hunting is to protect yourself first, then attack the target."

"Good. Use that equipment as your standard loadout. But whenever you're hunting a specific Demon, prepare the proper secondary weapon in your shield hand. Just as you once carried a spear coated with bamboo-salt when facing Wadu Seosaeng. It seems you instinctively understand how to hunt Demons."

"Yes."

"Use those for now. I'll obtain much better weapons for you soon. We'll begin by teaching you how to move your body. Once you've mastered the fundamentals of hand-to-hand combat and kicking techniques, I'll teach you the Dogwi clan's secret arts—Dokkaebi Steps and Dokkaebi Senses—which can be used even without spiritual energy."

Yise nodded eagerly, his face filled with anticipation.

"For the record... my training is merciless."

"Please train me with the mindset that it doesn't matter even if I die."

"You've got quite the nerve."

Despite her words, Mongryeon's expression clearly showed that she liked his answer very much.