Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Translator: Penny
Chapter 11
Sitting across from his father, Zhuge Doyun, Baek Suhyeon remained oblivious to his cooling tea, lost in deep contemplation before finally speaking.
"Do you truly wish to learn martial arts?"
"Yes."
"But why?"
"Does one need a reason to pursue what they love?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"Actually, whenever I read any book, my chest felt constricted, like my blood wasn't circulating properly. But the moment I read the Minor Heavenly Star Art at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion, a thrilling sensation surged through my entire body. I knew instantly that this was it."
A seven-year-old complaining about poor blood circulation?
Zhuge Doyun wanted to dismiss it as utter nonsense, but Baek Suhyeon, sitting with her embroidery frame and glaring fiercely, left him groaning inwardly.
He possesses the rare talent for Formations! If I informed the Patriarch, the man would rush over immediately, carrying my son on his shoulders in joyous celebration. Formation Masters are highly prized talents even within the Zhuge Clan. Since ancient times, mastering formations required a comprehensive understanding of yin-yang principles, the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams, and proficiency in the I Ching, astronomy, and geography—a truly arduous field of study. But that's not all. If mere knowledge were enough, the Zhuge Clan, renowned for gathering the most brilliant minds in the world, would have no difficulty mastering it. However, innate talent is essential. This is a realm purely governed by aptitude. Consequently, only a handful of individuals in Byeongju Hall specialize in formations. Yet my son dismantled the No Affinity Formation—a formation he had never studied—simply by applying principles he had gleaned from books. This is news worthy of being announced throughout the entire Zhuge Clan. Damn it... I promised I wouldn't tell anyone. This is why I have to suffer in silence. Martial Arts, of all things! Born into the Zhuge Clan with such exceptional talent, how could he utter such an ominous desire? He should be wielding a brush, of course!
"Munhyeon, seven years old is too young to begin learning Martial Arts."
"I heard that other martial clans start teaching footwork as soon as their children learn to walk."
"Who told you that?!"
"I read it in a book at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion."
"Damn it! Why does the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion have books like that...?"
Zhuge Doyun cursed involuntarily at his son's reply, even entertaining the thought of setting the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion ablaze.
"Son, I'll ask you again: have you considered becoming a Formation Master?"
"Absolutely not."
"..."
"I will learn Martial Arts."
"You fool! Don't you know the limitations of our clan's martial arts? Achieving Minor Heavenly Star Art in the midst of this? Why are you even... ahem."
Zhuge Doyun, who had been scolding him as if he were about to suffocate from frustration, suddenly coughed, startled by a sudden chill.
He had sensed the icy gaze of the true power holder.
The needle in her hand radiated a murderous aura.
And she's not even from the Tang Clan... unless it's Sound Arts. Hmm, this could easily escalate into a marital spat.
Zhuge Munhyeon sighed, unable to bear the thought of his parents' harmonious relationship being strained because of him.
I must protect the peace of my family. This precious thing.
"Father."
"What is it?"
"Everything I'm about to tell you must remain a secret."
"Tch! Enough with these secrets already!"
Despite his father's anger, Zhuge Munhyeon remained unfazed.
"Promise me," he insisted.
"...Fine. Tell me what it is."
"Actually, I've mastered a Heart Method."
"Oh, really? A Heart Method... Wait, what?"
Zhuge Doyun, who had been shaking his head in disbelief, suddenly stared at his son with wide-eyed shock.
"A Heart... what?"
"Would you like to verify it?"
Zhuge Munhyeon rolled up his sleeve and thrust his wrist forward. Zhuge Doyun blinked in bewilderment.
"You wouldn't believe me anyway, so why not just take my pulse?"
"Y-you dare mock your father, you insolent brat! Tch!"
"Funny, you said you'd trust me earlier."
"Well... are you serious about this?"
"Yes."
Zhuge Doyun, still skeptical despite his son's unchanging expression, cautiously reached out and grasped his wrist.
As a martial artist of considerable skill, Zhuge Doyun would normally have sensed his son's aura without needing to touch him. However, Munhyeon had only recently formed his Core and lacked the time to cultivate significant Internal Power. Thus, a direct demonstration was necessary.
"Ugh!"
Zhuge Doyun abruptly released his grip, startled by what he felt as he channeled his Internal Power into his son's body.
"The Core... it's..."
"Yes."
"H-how is this possible...?"
"Didn't I tell you I read the Minor Heavenly Star Art?"
Zhuge Munhyeon's expression seemed to ask, How many times must I repeat myself? But for Zhuge Doyun, this revelation was utterly astonishing.
"So, you're telling me... you read a martial arts manual and formed a Core on your own? That's utterly unbelievable!"
A nod.
"Minor Heavenly Star Art...?"
"Yes."
"Hah..."
Zhuge Doyun couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
How could I not believe it? I felt it myself. A Core has formed within my son's body. And he claims to have achieved this solely by reading a martial arts manual, without any guidance. What a predicament... no, what a shocking revelation! It means my son was born with innate talent for martial arts.
As Zhuge Doyun gazed at his son, he unconsciously swallowed hard.
Even with innate talent, how many could truly achieve such a feat on their own?
No, does such a person even exist? Ah, heavens... Why are you doing this to me? It's almost frightening now. My son is far too extraordinary. Even possessing just one exceptional talent would be considered remarkable, but four? The Central Plains teems with extraordinary individuals, but I can confidently say I've never heard of anyone born with such prodigious gifts as my son. It's far more likely that such a person simply doesn't exist.
"You... are you hiding something else?"
"Huh?"
"What kind of secrets are you keeping? Formations, martial arts... and now you've created your own Core!"
Zhuge Munhyeon smiled faintly and reiterated his intentions with unwavering clarity.
"Father, I will master martial arts."
"..."
Now, he could say nothing more.
How can I say no? How can I deny what I've already seen? Becoming a Formation Master isn't just for the clan's sake; it's also because his talent would be wasted otherwise. But if he possesses such extraordinary talent—enough to create a Core on his own, without any instruction...
"Hmm."
Zhuge Doyun gave no answer, his expression heavy as he rose from his seat.
"Father!"
Munhyeon called out, but he didn't respond.
He simply left the room in silence, his face grave.
That damn... No, wait—is my son learning Martial Arts really such a serious matter? I'm promising to live as a Zhuge! I might even become the Strongest Under Heaven! If someone from the Zhuge Clan—a family known for producing strategists—were to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, it would be the perfect union of brush and sword. It would mean our clan could dominate in every field! What could be better? Honestly, some people just don't know how to seize opportunities even when fortune is handed to them on a silver platter. No wonder he's been the eternal second-in-command.
"Munhyeon."
"Yes, Mother."
"Don't be too upset. Your father must be in shock."
"Is this really such a shock?"
"Your father takes more pride in being a member of the Zhuge Clan than anyone else."
For the first time, Zhuge Munhyeon pursed his lips at his mother's words.
Pride, my ass... It's just his second-in-command mentality. Maybe I should just run away as soon as I come of age.
"Don't worry. I'll try to persuade your father. If this is what you truly want, then it shall be done. I'll always be on your side."
Her radiant smile eased the bitterness in his heart.
With a mother who supports me like this, how could I not repay her kindness? Just you wait. Father's permission? I never expected his help in the first place. I simply informed him of my decision, expecting him to respect our father-son bond.
Zhuge Doyun emerged from the manor, his face etched with frustration.
Martial arts... A path the Zhuge Clan had never walked. Their ambition lay in governing the world through cunning strategies, not brute force. "Only the ignorant rely on physical strength. A true gentleman uses his mind," they had always believed. But the world has changed. With no clear distinction between righteous and wicked, warlords had risen across the land, each vying for dominion. The Zhuge Clan, who had long believed the pen was mightier than the sword, found their influence waning as they were squeezed between these warring factions. Their once vast interests were gradually eroded, lost to rival powers. Their former glory as one of the Five or Seven Great Martial Clans was now a distant memory. They could barely hold onto their foothold at the foot of Yungjungsan Mountain. This is an age that demands strength. How could they not see it? But it's too late to cultivate martial prowess. I haven't put in more than the bare minimum effort in that area, and perhaps due to my lineage, no talented descendants have been born.
"Heh heh, really... that young one."
His son's ambition was truly peculiar.
It was too astonishing to dismiss as mere youthful folly, given the innate talents his son possessed.
Could this be the will of Heaven?
But how could mortals ever fathom such lofty designs?
"Man proposes, God disposes."
Planning and scheming are the domain of humans, but the ultimate outcome rests with Heaven.
Yet how could one expect Heaven to grant success without even planning or scheming?
The world was already stirring. Warlords across the land were gathering their forces, seeking to reclaim past glories.
The Zhuge Clan, too, had to begin preparing for its own grand ascent.
"As a father, how could I possibly stand in my son's way?"
Zhuge Doyun's deeply troubled expression suddenly brightened.
I must fulfill my duty as a father. How could I not support my child, who possesses a heaven-sent talent? And how could I expect my son to grow up exactly as his parents wished? If a child seeks to develop their innate talent, it is surely a parent's duty to help them.
With this resolve, the heavy stone weighing on his chest seemed to vanish, leaving him feeling lighter than air, his steps now effortless.
"Alright. Go ahead and try. Let's see what you can do."
He had decided to support his son's dreams.
What if he reaches the limits of his talent? Then it would be our role as parents to guide him toward a new path.
But just then...
"Hall Master! What happened?"
Han Siheon, who had been barred from entering by Baek Suhyeon's displeasure and had been pacing anxiously outside, scurried over.
"Has this man been waiting for me all this time?"
"Ugh, I was so anxious I could barely stand it."
"You're acting like... anyone would think you're Munhyeon's father."
"Don't change the subject. Did you persuade him? Will he learn the Formation?"
"Hmm."
Despite Han Siheon's persistence, Zhuge Doyun remained silent, quickening his pace.
"Hall Master! Say something! He's a natural genius with the Formation. You know as well as I do that such talent is invaluable to the clan."
Zhuge Doyun finally spoke, responding to Han Siheon's exasperated outburst.
"Chief Han."
"Yes!"
"You know the saying, 'A man's word is as heavy as a thousand gold pieces,' right?"
"Who doesn't?"
"Then do you know what happens if you break it?"
"Huh?"
"My pepper's falling off."
"...Huh?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
Seeing Han Siheon's bewildered expression, Zhuge Doyun burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Just a joke. But I'll keep my promise. Don't breathe a word about my son."
"Who said anything? You're the one spouting nonsense... So, what happened? Did you persuade him?"
"No."
"Huh?"
"I've decided not to make him do it."
"Not make him do it?"
"I can't force my son to do something he doesn't want, just to satisfy my own ambitions, can I?"
Han Siheon had to stop walking.
Not make him do it? Even after witnessing his talent firsthand?
"Hall Master, how can you say that? That's indulgence! He could become the Foremost Formation Master Under Heaven!"
"Enough. He doesn't need to do any of that."
"Huh?"
Zhuge Doyun cut him off sharply and strode away, leaving Han Siheon utterly dumbfounded.
What happened to the determination to persuade his son?
"Where are you going?"
"Heavenly Star Pavilion."
The Heavenly Star Pavilion was where the young descendants of the Zhuge Clan learned martial arts from the age of ten until their coming-of-age ceremony.
Despite their emphasis on scholarship, the Zhuge Clan remained a martial family. Basic martial arts training was mandatory.
After that, progress depended entirely on individual effort.
"Why? Did the Master of the Heavenly Star Pavilion ask you to fix a formation?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I need to ask a favor regarding my son."
"Huh?"
"That's all. You can go now."
Han Siheon stood rooted to the spot, watching Zhuge Doyun's retreating figure disappear into the distance.
My son... what about him? Wait a minute! Could he have actually fallen for that ridiculous "Strongest Under Heaven" nonsense? The Hall Master wouldn't be crazy enough to...
The next day, despite knowing he was confined to the manor, his father insisted on taking his son to the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
"Hahaha, Munhyeon!"
"Yes?"
"This father has already arranged everything."
"What do you mean?"
"You should start training at ten, but I pleaded with the Master of the Heavenly Star Pavilion to register you early so you can begin your martial arts practice."
"Huh?"
"Hahaha! Why are you so surprised? Go on, make your dreams come true. This father will always support your ambitions."
His father laughed heartily and patted his head.
So... he wants me to train martial arts with a bunch of kids? Sigh, why does he always do things without even asking me...?
He could only rub his throbbing temples at his father's overwhelming kindness.
"You seem so happy, son. Why are you crying?"
"..."
Ah, seriously... if only I hadn't seen that back then...
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny