CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 37: HUNT BEGINS

"We should get some rest. Dawn comes early, and the journey home won’t be a comfortable one."

Juhwa Gyeongcheol’s words echoed in Jinmu’s mind as he watched the three young masters disperse to their respective quarters from his concealed observation position. The evening was deepening, and shadows were beginning to stretch across the pavilion grounds in ways that would provide excellent cover for what he was planning.

Six hours until dawn. Six hours to execute the most complex copying operation I’ve ever attempted. But there’s a crucial limitation I need to work around. My copies can’t simply touch the targets to copy their techniques like I can. They need to observe the techniques being actively used.

He returned to his quarters where his thirty-six remaining copies were waiting for new instructions. The duplicates stood in organized formation, their identical appearances and masks creating the obvious problem he needed to address immediately.

"The young masters have seen the masked tournament participant," he said to his assembled copies. "If they encounter identical masked figures tonight, they’ll immediately connect the incidents to me. We need to modify your appearances."

His consciousness flowed into appearance alteration—HEAVENLY COPY-PASTE TECHNIQUE: FACIAL MODIFICATION.

Each copy’s features began shifting subtly, creating variations in age, build, and facial structure that would make them appear as different individuals rather than identical duplicates.

"Remove your masks as well," Jinmu instructed as the transformation completed. "Tonight you need to appear as ordinary pavilion personnel or visiting martial artists, not as a coordinated force."

The copies complied, revealing faces that now ranged from youthful to middle-aged, from scholarly to warrior-like, each one carefully crafted to blend into the pavilion’s current population without attracting unwanted attention.

Perfect. No one looking at these copies would immediately recognize them as duplicates. But more importantly, they understand their limitations. Unlike me, they can’t copy techniques through simple contact. They need to force demonstrations.

"Listen carefully," Jinmu continued, his voice carrying the weight of tactical necessity. "Your copying ability requires direct observation of active technique use. This means you must create scenarios that force your targets to demonstrate their full capabilities, not just casual displays."

The copies nodded in understanding, their shared consciousness making them immediately aware of the operational implications. Tonight would require elaborate deceptions designed to push each young master to use advanced techniques under combat conditions.

"Group assignments," Jinmu declared. "Alpha Group, twelve copies, target Juhwa Gyeongcheol. Your mission is to force him to demonstrate fire-based cultivation techniques. Remember, passive flame generation won’t be sufficient. You need him using active combat applications."

The designated Alpha copies acknowledged their assignment, immediately beginning to plan scenarios that would require their target to use advanced fire techniques against multiple opponents.

"Beta Group, twelve copies, target Seoryeon Baekho," Jinmu continued. "Body cultivation and ice techniques require physical confrontation to observe properly. Create situations that force him to use his enhanced physical capabilities and defensive techniques."

The Beta Group copies began moving toward their equipment preparations, understanding that their target would require the most direct approach to provoke meaningful technique demonstrations.

"Gamma Group, twelve copies, target Eunwon Jinseong," Jinmu concluded. "Lightning cultivation techniques need speed-based challenges. Force him to use electrical enhancement for both offense and defense."

The final group acknowledged their assignments and began dispersing toward their operational areas. But before they left, one of the Alpha copies raised a concern.

"The observation requirement means we’ll need sustained engagement," the copy pointed out. "Brief demonstrations won’t provide comprehensive copying opportunities. Are we authorized to maintain extended confrontations?"

He’s right. Unlike my ability to copy through touch, which is instantaneous, the copies need time to observe and analyze the techniques being used. This will require much more elaborate scenarios than I initially planned.

"Extended engagement is authorized," Jinmu confirmed. "But remember, these are allies, not enemies. Push them to use their techniques, but avoid causing permanent injury. The goal is intelligence gathering, not assassination."

The copies nodded and began their final preparations for deployment. Within minutes, all thirty-six had left the quarters and were moving through the pavilion complex toward their respective targets.

Each group needs to create scenarios convincing enough to justify the young masters using their full capabilities. This isn’t just about provoking casual technique use. They need combat-level demonstrations to copy anything meaningful.

Jinmu remained in his quarters, using the mental connection with his copies to coordinate their activities while maintaining the appearance of being uninvolved in whatever incidents might occur during the night. The shared consciousness allowed him to experience their observations directly, which would be crucial for understanding what techniques were successfully copied.

The first reconnaissance reports began filtering back as the three groups reached their operational areas and began initial assessment of their targets.

Alpha Group had positioned itself around the eastern guest quarters where Juhwa Gyeongcheol was continuing his evening practice sessions. The fire-based cultivator was alone in a courtyard, working through forms that generated controlled flames and heat distortions.

"Target is demonstrating basic flame manipulation," the Alpha Group leader reported through their mental connection. "But these are practice forms, not combat techniques. We need to create a threat significant enough to justify advanced fire cultivation responses."

Basic forms won’t be sufficient for copying. The copies need to see the complete combat applications, the advanced techniques that only emerge under pressure. That means creating genuine threats that require genuine responses.

Beta Group had established observation positions around the northern courtyard where Seoryeon Baekho was engaged in what appeared to be meditative body cultivation. The massive young master sat motionless, but his presence was creating visible effects on the local environment.

"Target’s passive cultivation is affecting ground compression and local temperature," Beta Group reported. "But body cultivation techniques require active demonstration. We need him to engage in physical confrontation to observe the combat applications."

Passive cultivation shows potential but not technique. The copies need to see him actually using his body enhancement in combat situations. That means creating scenarios that require overwhelming physical responses.

Gamma Group had found Eunwon Jinseong in the western gardens, where electrical energy was flickering around him in patterns that suggested restless energy rather than focused cultivation.

"Target is generating ambient electrical discharge but not using formed techniques," Gamma Group observed. "Lightning cultivation requires active application. We need scenarios that force him to use electrical enhancement for specific purposes."

Ambient discharge is just energy leakage, not technique. The copies need to see him actively directing and controlling lightning for combat applications. That requires challenges that justify electrical technique use.

The initial intelligence confirmed what Jinmu had suspected. Casual observation wouldn’t be sufficient for the copies to acquire meaningful technique knowledge. They would need to create scenarios that pushed each young master into combat mode.

"Alpha Group, initiate threat escalation," Jinmu instructed through their mental connection. "Create fire-based dangers that require active suppression techniques."

Alpha Group began implementing their prepared deception. Several copies positioned themselves near the pavilion’s ancient library while others approached storage areas containing valuable scrolls and artifacts. But instead of simply creating small fires, they began using techniques to generate flame patterns that would require sophisticated countermeasures.

The lead Alpha copy created controlled fire spirals using basic techniques—FLAME BURST IGNITION

.

Multiple small fires erupted in patterns that suggested coordinated arson, with each flame designed to spread in ways that would threaten irreplaceable cultural treasures.

The smell of smoke and the sight of organized fire patterns immediately drew Juhwa Gyeongcheol’s attention. His practice session stopped abruptly as he analyzed the developing situation.

"Coordinated arson," he said to himself, his voice carrying clearly across the evening air. "Multiple ignition points, pattern suggests trained fire-users rather than casual vandalism."

Good. He’s recognizing this as a serious threat that requires serious response. That should provoke the kind of technique demonstrations that the copies need to observe.

"Beta Group, initiate physical confrontation protocols," Jinmu directed the second team. "Create scenarios requiring overwhelming strength and defensive capabilities."

Beta Group had prepared a more direct approach for their target. Instead of stealth, they would present themselves as a group of intruders who couldn’t be dealt with through normal security measures.

Eight of the Beta copies approached the northern courtyard openly, carrying weapons and moving with the kind of coordination that suggested military training. Their objective was to create a situation where normal martial artists would be overwhelmed, requiring Seoryeon Baekho to use his advanced body cultivation techniques.

The copies arranged themselves in attack formation and began advancing on their target’s position with obvious hostile intent.

Seoryeon Baekho’s meditation was interrupted by the sight of multiple armed opponents approaching his location. His eyes opened slowly, and when he assessed the situation, his expression shifted from calm to serious.

"Eight opponents, armed, coordinated approach," he observed quietly. "This isn’t random banditry. Someone sent professionals."

Perfect. He’s treating this as a legitimate threat that requires his full capabilities. That should trigger the body cultivation techniques that the copies need to see.

"Gamma Group, initiate speed challenge protocols," Jinmu instructed the final team. "Create scenarios requiring electrical enhancement for both offense and defense."

Gamma Group’s approach was the most sophisticated of the three operations. Instead of obvious threats, they began moving through the western gardens using advanced stealth and speed techniques, creating the impression of intruders who possessed supernatural capabilities.

The copies used shadow arts and coordination to appear and disappear throughout the garden area, creating multiple simultaneous contacts that would be impossible for normal opponents to achieve.

Eunwon Jinseong’s restless electrical energy immediately responded to the presence of multiple high-speed intruders moving through his vicinity. Lightning began flickering more intensely around his position as his cultivation automatically adapted to combat conditions.

"Multiple contacts, supernatural speed, perfect coordination," he said, his voice tight with controlled tension. "This is either an illusion technique or opponents who possess capabilities beyond normal parameters."

Excellent. All three groups have successfully created scenarios that their targets are treating as genuine threats requiring advanced technique responses. Now comes the critical phase.

In the eastern courtyard, Juhwa Gyeongcheol was responding to the Alpha Group’s arson threat with the kind of decisive action that would demonstrate his fire cultivation capabilities.

His body began to radiate intense heat as his cultivation flared to combat readiness—CRIMSON PHOENIX AWAKENING.

Controlled flames erupted around his form, not wild and destructive but precise and purposeful, creating a corona of fire that illuminated the entire area while leaving his clothing and hair completely untouched.

"First observation successful," the Alpha Group leader reported. "Fire-based body transformation technique acquired. Target is becoming living flame while maintaining human functionality."

Perfect. The copies are successfully observing and copying the techniques being demonstrated. But they need to push for more advanced applications.

Meanwhile, Seoryeon Baekho was rising from his meditation to confront the eight Beta copies who were maintaining their performance as coordinated attackers.

"Stand down immediately," he commanded, his voice carrying absolute authority. "You’re trespassing on Mugang Martial Pavilion grounds and threatening a guest of the sect."

The Beta copies responded by adopting more aggressive stances and beginning to advance, forcing their target to shift from verbal warnings to physical intervention.

Seoryeon’s massive frame underwent visible transformation—ETERNAL GLACIER FOUNDATION.

His skin took on a crystalline sheen as the temperature around him dropped noticeably, while his already impressive physical presence became even more imposing.

"Body cultivation with ice elemental integration observed," Beta Group reported. "Physical enhancement beyond normal parameters confirmed. Copying in progress."

Two groups successfully gathering intelligence. The approach is working, but they need to maintain the scenarios long enough to acquire comprehensive technique knowledge.

In the western gardens, Eunwon Jinseong was dealing with Gamma Group’s impression of supernatural-speed intruders with growing electrical activity.

"If you think speed alone will be sufficient advantage," he called out to his unseen opponents, "you’re about to learn why the Azure Thunder Hall has dominated lightning cultivation for three centuries."

His electrical cultivation reached full combat activation—STORM EMPEROR’S DOMAIN.

Lightning began crackling around his entire body in controlled patterns while his movements took on blur-like speed that made him appear to exist in multiple positions simultaneously.

"Lightning cultivation with temporal enhancement observed," Gamma Group confirmed. "Target is manipulating electrical current for both speed and combat applications. Advanced techniques being copied."

All three operations are proceeding successfully. The young masters are demonstrating exactly the kinds of advanced techniques that the copies need to observe for successful copying. But the real test will be whether they can maintain these scenarios long enough to acquire complete technique sets.

The night was still young, but already the copies were gathering intelligence that represented some of the most advanced martial knowledge in the orthodox world. The fire path, the body cultivation path, and the lightning path were all being revealed through carefully orchestrated combat scenarios.

But as the three simultaneous operations continued to develop, reports began filtering back that suggested the young masters’ capabilities were more formidable than anyone had anticipated.

"Alpha Group to base," came the first concerning report. "Target’s fire techniques are operating beyond expected parameters. He’s not just generating flames, he’s manipulating the fundamental properties of combustion itself."

"Beta Group to base," followed shortly after. "Target’s body cultivation includes capabilities that approach supernatural levels. Physical strikes are creating compression waves in the air."

"Gamma Group to base," completed the pattern. "Target’s lightning cultivation allows him to move and react faster than normal temporal framework. He’s existing partially outside normal time flow."

All three targets are more advanced than I anticipated. These aren’t just talented young martial artists. These are practitioners who have achieved levels of cultivation that approach the legendary standards described in ancient texts.

The realization sent both excitement and concern through Jinmu’s consciousness. If the copies could successfully acquire techniques of such advanced sophistication, the additions to his martial knowledge would be transformative. But it also meant that the young masters represented challenges that could potentially overwhelm even carefully planned operations.

From the eastern courtyard, Juhwa Gyeongcheol’s voice carried clearly as he began demonstrating increasingly advanced fire techniques: "Whoever you are, whatever your objectives, you’ve chosen the wrong target and the wrong methods. Let me demonstrate why the Hwagyeong Sword Sect is considered the pinnacle of fire-based cultivation."