New Scene?

"Don't get smart with me..."

Her face flushed red then paled, Minamoto no Raikou seemed flustered and annoyed. She directly drew one of the twin swords from her waist, the red blade, seemingly stained with blood, glinting with cold light.

"Anyway, no matter what, you provoked me first!"

"But from my perspective, it's the same thing... And talking is one thing, but don't get physical. Why are you drawing your sword?" Gu Mo twitched the corner of his mouth again. What kind of situation was this? After all, from his perspective, she was the one who inexplicably mocked and attacked him first. Wasn't this just a never-ending loop?

Hmm, it seems like it could actually be resolved, as long as I remember to be careful with my words and actions in the future, and not petty seek revenge even when I have the chance... Wait, that's not right. If I did that, wouldn't I have been insulted for nothing?

After seriously considering it, he felt it was better to maintain this fated time loop. Otherwise, it might cause some troublesome paradoxes, and whether he was afraid of trouble or not, he didn't want to actively court it... Yes, that's it!

"Enough nonsense, let's practice! Your mind isn't on the path of the samurai at all. Even though you've made progress in the path of Onmyoji, this kind of practice alone isn't enough to make you a competent warrior!"

She suddenly raised the treasured sword in her hand, the sharp, blood-colored tip pointing directly at him. Minamoto no Raikou spoke with a cold voice, "Since that's the case, let your body remember! Nothing is more effective than pain to make you grow faster."

"..."

"..."

Wasn't that sentence a little easy to misunderstand?

And saying it so righteously, "Nothing is more effective than pain," why does it feel like you're just trying to find an excuse to beat me up because you're embarrassed and angry?

"Then, please instruct me."

Gu Mo was silent for a moment, but finally sighed and nodded. He also gripped the handle of the wooden sword tightly with both hands, focusing his attention completely. While trying to recall the moves he had practiced before, he prepared to face the coming storm.

He still cherished this kind of opportunity very much. And although Minamoto no Raikou always held a certain vengeful attitude towards him, sparing no effort to attack him, when it came to teaching him skills, she was actually quite serious about it.

Facing his decisive choice, a flicker of appreciation flashed in the depths of Minamoto no Raikou's eyes, but then she snorted coldly and put away her smile, her well-proportioned body suddenly leaning forward! At the same time, the blood-colored blade in her hand made a low whistling sound as it cut through the air, drawing a scarlet red arc like lightning!

At first glance, it looked almost like a scene of blood gushing like a waterfall!

"Hey! Wait! At least switch to a different sword!"

At this moment, Gu Mo quickly stepped back a few steps, urgently calling for a halt. His eyebrow twitched incessantly as he looked at the treasured sword in Minamoto no Raikou's hand. Although it was only one of the twin swords, only one had been drawn.

However, although the weapon in her hand was not Doji-giri, the legendary spirit sword that was said to slay demons, it was not much inferior. Its predecessor was named Kumo-giri, originally Hizamaru, also a legendary spirit sword, one of the two famous swords wielded by Tada Mitsunaka of the Minamoto Clan to guard the realm.

He just didn't know why it had been reforged into twin swords now.

If this was a real confrontation, then in terms of weapons alone, Gu Mo was already at a great disadvantage. He looked at the practice wooden sword in his hand, then looked at the treasured sword in the other party's hand, his eyes clearly showing a hint of suspicion.

Minamoto no Raikou, who was just about to launch a charge, almost stumbled. She gripped the sword handle in frustration and glared at the guy opposite her, "It's just practice, does it make a difference what weapon I use? If we're being honest, I could beat you down with my bare hands!"

"Ahem, since it's still practice, let's start with wooden swords... And the psychological pressure you're giving me with this is too great. Isn't that also an advantage?"

Gu Mo shook his head very quickly. Of course, he knew it didn't matter what Minamoto no Raikou used, just like high-level players could crush new players whether they used equipment or not. But that was the principle; in reality, he had to consider his psychological pressure.

Sister, can we take this step by step? We're starting with real swords in the first practice. I can't even imagine what you'll take out later!

"Troublesome guy! Look at that demon! You're much worse than her!"

Minamoto no Raikou took a deep breath, sheathing her sword, and then went to the weapon rack on the side to pick up a wooden sword specifically for dojo practice.

"Yeah, yeah, but I'm not a demon, what can I do? Please understand..." Gu Mo nodded like a pecking chick. Although the Idiot System was very powerful, he was still just a human being at the moment, at most with better physical strength and healthier than average people.

Comparing himself to Hidechiyo now, was this overestimating himself or underestimating Axiu?

Minamoto no Raikou gritted her teeth, feeling a wave of frustration and annoyance. How could this person not care at all? Most adult men would be unable to accept being told they were inferior to a woman. Then, regardless of whether they could or not, they would absolutely refuse to say they couldn't, and would have to prove themselves.

Why didn't this person fall for this at all? Taunting was completely ineffective...

She raised the wooden sword in her hand and pointed it directly at his nose, asking through gritted teeth, "Okay! Do you have any more questions now!!"

"No, let's start—" Gu Mo shook his head, and before he finished speaking.

A sharp aura seemed to lock onto him instantly. The wooden sword turned into a straight line, crossing the mere ten-odd steps between the two in an instant. The piercing sound of the wind seemed delayed, following belatedly, it was the sound of the atmosphere being torn and cut open!

Minamoto no Raikou seemed to be waiting for this "start," eager to give him an unforgettable experience!

By the side of the courtyard, Abe no Seimei, who was sitting quietly on the steps under the eaves of the long corridor, sighed.

So many years had passed, and she was still so petty.

However, Raiko still had a sense of proportion and knew what was important, so he didn't need to worry too much about any accidents happening.

Nearly another hour later.

The evening sky was so beautiful...

Lying on the ground, slightly panting, Gu Mo looked at the red sunset in the sky above the dojo courtyard, which seemed to be burning, and this thought inexplicably flashed through his mind.

"How is it, can you still stand up?"

The heroic Female Samurai walked up to him and glanced at him, finding that his breathing had become even again. He was only slightly panting now, unlike before when he was breathing heavily... His physical condition, although not as good as hers or some abnormal demon-like warriors, was still decent.

His strength isn't particularly great, but it's acceptable. At least his wrist strength is enough to swing a sword, unlike those weaklings who don't know the weight of a weapon and run out of strength in their hands after just a few swings when it comes to real combat...

However, his stamina is better, both in terms of endurance and recovery, which is much better than average people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to withstand this half an hour of high-intensity training.

She made this evaluation just by comparing him to the figure in her memory. This level was still far from enough. Of course, Minamoto no Raikou didn't think this was a big deal. When she was alive and at her peak, it was also when she was in her prime and full of vigor.

So she had no doubt that in at most another ten years, the person in front of her and that demon would definitely grow to a sufficient level... Something she herself could do, they had even greater natural advantages, so they wouldn't have to wait until when to become late bloomers, right?

"No problem..."

Sitting up from the ground, Gu Mo grimaced as he spoke. He felt pain all over his body, especially his arms, legs, and calves. But when he looked closely, he found that there wasn't even a single bruise on these areas. He didn't know what kind of clever technique or skill it was, because when the wooden sword hit him, it really hurt.

At the beginning, he was hit the most.

Even if his stance was slightly off, or his grip on the sword was a little wrong, he would immediately be struck by that elusive wooden sword from an incredible angle.

While causing pain, it also happened to correct his mistakes, making him truly remember what that posture and movement should be like. As time went on, his movements became more and more standard, as if he was measuring himself against a ruler every time.

Later on, he wasn't hit many times... Just as Minamoto no Raikou said, physical pain is often the most deeply remembered.

"You've truly entered the realm now. You've genuinely integrated the experience from the past half month of practice. It's not bad."

Looking at Gu Mo, who was carefully examining his body, Minamoto no Raikou let out a light snort. After a rare cold compliment, she immediately switched back to her disdainful mode: "Stop looking. My technique won't have any problems. Of course, if you're not at ease and want to apply some medicine, it's not impossible..."

"I think it's very necessary... Master Raiko, I'll trouble you with that." Gu Mo, who was sitting on the ground, immediately looked up, staring at her with a serious expression, nodding his head earnestly in agreement.

This was only right. And in this magical world, the commonly used medicines endorsed by such legendary figures, even if they were the "healing balm" type that's common in martial arts novels, would likely have attributes and quality. It would be a waste not to take advantage of this bargain!

"..."

"..."

"...Wait! I'll go and prepare the medicine for you now. I'll prepare a few extra doses; you'll need them later!"

Minamoto no Raikou took another deep breath and turned to leave.

Watching her retreating figure, Gu Mo chuckled a few times, then stood up from the ground, feeling a wave of soreness in his thighs.

He had indeed benefited greatly from this sparring session. Minamoto no Raikou was truly a good master, although her attitude was a bit awful... But in reality, during the actual training, she didn't have that retaliatory mindset. She was genuinely teaching him seriously, and the wooden sword was just like a teacher's ruler.

And she looked so skilled and experienced, it was likely that this was her usual training method.

But this was also normal. The occupational risks for warriors in this era were a bit too high. Compared to dying aggrieved and unwillingly on the battlefield, true warriors would definitely be more willing to endure more hardship and fatigue during training. Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime. The pain on the training ground is always better than the fatal injuries sustained during a life-or-death battle.

What Minamoto no Raikou wanted to tell him was this principle, so she probably couldn't stand his "delicacy" shown during this period.

After this inspection, Gu Mo gently exhaled. To be honest, he wasn't really delicate; it was just that the two sides had different concepts and habitual lifestyles. This heroic Female Samurai thought this world was like this, so she insisted on teaching him what she believed was the most suitable way to survive.

But Gu Mo came from later generations, grew up in a peaceful country and a peaceful era, and for this Dungeon world, he was just a transient visitor. He didn't need to face such a world all the time. Under these circumstances, asking him to naturally adjust his worldview and accept a new way of life...

This was undoubtedly unrealistic.

He pondered, dragging his somewhat heavy and tired body to the pond in the courtyard. As usual, he washed his hands, then opened his Status Panel.

Under the Skills page, the list of skills displayed as "currently learning" had indeed changed. A new item had been added at the bottom.

—"Kendo Stance, Proficiency: 34/100."

This was the basic skill of Kendo that he had been practicing during this time. It wasn't the simple division into upper, middle, and lower stances like in games. It also encompassed various "kamae," the basic concept of which was to immediately make effective actions and responses, adjusting various body postures.

It hadn't been displayed before, but now it suddenly appeared, and the proficiency was filled up by one-third at once, which was a good progress.

Gu Mo thought about it carefully, then dismissed the feeling of joy. Because this should only be the level of "Martial Arts Novice," and he had already been practicing with Minamoto no Raikou every day for half a month before this.

It was only through practical training and pain today that he truly entered the realm. So strictly speaking, this was not fast at all, even ridiculously slow... After half a month of learning, the proficiency unlock option recognized by the System finally appeared. This speed was embarrassing to even mention.

But at least now the proficiency unlock option appeared, which meant that from now on, he only needed to practice repeatedly and grind for proficiency.

In this regard, the most difficult part was entering the realm, but as long as he truly understood it, and his understanding was deep and thorough, and he gained the System's recognition, then all that was needed was to spend time repeating the operations... Well, it was indeed a grinding System. The level of effort required in various aspects might just want his life!

Gu Mo, who was worried about his future, looked at the progress bar above with a slight sadness.

After the previous Onmyoji Magic cultivation, the proficiency of his "Fire Bullet Talisman" had also accumulated to 90+, and it was expected that he would master it tomorrow. By then, he would truly learn a mage-style attack skill and be able to shoot fireballs from a distance.

The only thing he needed to be careful about was that Abe no Seimei said he hadn't yet mastered special powers like Spiritual Power, so he couldn't directly use Onmyoji Magic. He could only rely on items – consuming stamina and spirit beforehand to draw talismans and carry them on his body.

Well, like the "Fire Summoning Talisman" and "Purification Binding Talisman," for him at the moment, they were more like item creation skills.

"Brother Gu Mo, Brother Gu Mo..."

A familiar loud shouting voice came from outside the dojo, interrupting Gu Mo's thoughts.

He closed the Status Panel that only he could see, nodded at Abe no Seimei over there, gestured, and walked out.

Just then, Tokichiro ran over in a panic, almost bumping into him. Gu Mo quickly steadied him. Since he had never seen the monkey look so flustered, Gu Mo's expression couldn't help but become slightly serious. He asked in a deep voice, "Don't be anxious, what happened?"

Could it be that the rogue villagers in the city were causing trouble?

Because of the immersive management during this time, he subconsciously associated it with this aspect. After all, many of his memories of simulation management were of the very painful rogue villager simulation manager.

"Yes, yes... Lord Dosan... Lord Dosan..."

The monkey was panting, his words intermittent.

Gu Mo's expression slightly changed, and his heart sank. Could it be that the old guy had finally come over to settle the score about him taking his precious daughter away? No, he had to quickly call Axiu over.

"Something's wrong with Lord Dosan's residence! The soldiers from the mountain have all run down, saying that there are Yokai causing trouble in the mountain!" Tokichiro, finally catching his breath, managed to finish in one go.

"..."

"..."

"Oh, I see." Gu Mo nodded, his expression calm.

"Bro- Brother Gu Mo?" Tokichiro opened his mouth. This reaction was a bit off. Why did he seem completely unconcerned? This was something happening in Sagiyama Castle. Strictly speaking, he would be implicated and held jointly responsible!

"Nothing, let me think..." Gu Mo waved his hand, thinking seriously.

Something happened in the Viper's Divine Realm now? He had no impression of this, and he didn't have the foreknowledge advantage of the plot, so he felt this seemed a bit off.

Could it be that the old guy's malicious plan was already in motion? Or was it that the large amount of Spirit Stones stored inside had a problem, attracting unknown Yokai? But no matter what, he did need to do something and go check it out.

So, this was the next new scene? It was actually the Viper's Divine Realm. He thought this new scene wouldn't be triggered until at least next year, and he should have missed it, because he had to leave the Dungeon and take a look outside anyway. It was impossible for him to stay in this world for years on end.