Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Translator: Penny
Chapter 12
Zhuge Clan, Heavenly Star Pavilion.
Standing at the entrance, Zhuge Munhyeon gazed at the signboard and sighed.
"What are you doing? Hurry inside."
"..."
"Your father has already spoken to the Pavilion Master."
Another sigh escaped his lips.
Yet his father's efforts were truly commendable.
The Zhuge Clan's descendants began their scholarly pursuits at a young age, only starting martial arts training at ten.
Here at the Heavenly Star Pavilion, they would build their foundations until adulthood at sixteen, then branch out according to their talents and desired paths.
Seven-year-old Zhuge Munhyeon.
Given the Zhuge Clan's strict adherence to tradition, they would never have easily granted such permission, as was typical for scholarly families.
His father must have pleaded relentlessly, all for his son's sake.
Though ultimately futile, his devotion to Munhyeon's future was admirable.
What's the harm? Learning other martial arts can only be beneficial. Wasn't he the type to leap out of bed at the mere mention of martial arts? This could be seen as a good thing.
"Munhyeon, what's wrong?"
"Huh?"
"You're just standing here, hesitating to go in."
"Just... it's a very emotional moment."
"That rascal..."
"I'll go in now."
"Alright. I wish I could join you, but parents aren't allowed inside..."
Seeing his father's wistful expression, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled.
"Don't worry."
"Worry? What worry... But, you know... don't pull another stunt like you did at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion."
"..."
"Try to restrain yourself. You understand what I mean, right?"
His father's anxious expression suggested he had suffered greatly after the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion incident, though he never explicitly said so.
After all, hierarchical order exists for a reason.
"I'll do my best."
If only no one would bother me...
But Zhuge Doyun, overjoyed by his son's words, gave him a firm push on the back.
Zhuge Munhyeon reluctantly knocked on the Heavenly Star Pavilion's gate.
Thump! Thump!
The gate swung open, revealing the interior.
A burly man in black robes stood beyond the gate, his gaze sweeping over the pair before he greeted Zhuge Doyun.
"Head of the Byeongju Hall, we've been expecting you since we received word of your arrival."
"Ah, Ganghu. It's been a while."
"Yes."
After the exchange of greetings, Zhuge Doyun turned to his son.
"Munhyeon, pay your respects. This is Yu Ganghu, Instructor of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. In the Martial World, he's renowned as 'Fierce Fist' for his exceptional skill. He'll be overseeing your foundational training from now on."
"Zhuge Munhyeon," Munhyeon said, bowing stiffly at his father's urging.
Fierce Fist, huh? He looks like he could crush boulders with ease.
"I'll take you inside now."
"Thank you."
"I'm merely following the Pavilion Master's orders."
"Ah, that's..."
"It's alright. I didn't mean to blame the Head of the Byeongju Hall. But from now on, please adhere to the Heavenly Star Pavilion's regulations."
"I understand. And I apologize. If I've offended you, please forgive me."
"I'll take you up on that drink later."
"Of course. Just say the word."
"Yes."
Yu Ganghu bowed stiffly, then glared coldly at Zhuge Munhyeon. "Follow me."
"...Yes."
That kid's going to face a cold wind for a while.
Zhuge Munhyeon followed Yu Ganghu into the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
As expected, the threshold was too high for a seven-year-old.
"Munhyeon."
"...?"
"You need to do well. Remember, Father will always be on your side."
It's not like I'm going on some long journey... Anyone watching would think I'm being drafted for war.
Thud!
The door slammed shut as he turned, and another world opened up before him.
For some reason, he felt a sense of relief.
Until now, he'd always been so concerned with being a good son to his parents that he'd been too cautious to act freely.
"What are you doing?"
"..."
"If you miss your father, you're free to leave right now. Otherwise, hurry up and follow me."
Zhuge Munhyeon frowned slightly at Yu Ganghu's cold tone, which he maintained throughout.
Is this kid always so quick to anger? Why is he being so frosty?
The interior of the Heavenly Star Pavilion was surprisingly quiet.
The grounds consisted of only two training grounds flanking the main path and a central manor.
Perhaps because it was still early, no trainees were in sight.
Yu Ganghu, walking ahead, spoke without turning around.
"From now on, you will be learning martial arts in the lowest-ranked class at the Heavenly Star Pavilion. Therefore, there are rules you must strictly adhere to."
"Please tell me."
"First, do not flaunt your noble lineage or family status within the Heavenly Star Pavilion."
Exactly what I wanted. Just like any other discipline, martial arts should be judged solely on skill.
"Second, obey the Instructor's orders."
"...I will, as long as the orders are reasonable."
"Third, never violate the established hierarchy. I've already heard your story. If another incident like the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion occurs, I will show no mercy, and it won't be as easily dismissed as before."
At these words, Zhuge Munhyeon stopped walking and stared intently at Yu Ganghu.
"Why aren't you answering?"
"If you know about the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion incident, you must also know the full story... Your words just now sounded like you're saying we should endure even if someone insults our parents."
Only then did Yu Ganghu halt and turn around.
He chuckled softly at the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon staring back with wide, unwavering eyes.
Quite bold, isn't he?
Yu Ganghu had already heard rumors about him.
Talent in scholarship and music? Impossible.
Such things failed to capture Yu Ganghu's attention.
He only remembered the name Zhuge Munhyeon because of a story he'd heard during a drinking session with Gwon Nosik, a guard at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion.
"Well, he even dodged the Suppressing Hand and the Core Strike, you know? And he's only seven years old!"
Though it was just basic hand movements, for a seven-year-old to evade an adult's attacks was truly remarkable.
Upon investigation, it turned out the boy had never learned martial arts.
In other words, it was pure talent.
Yu Ganghu secretly looked forward to the day Munhyeon would enter the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
But then, Zhuge Doyun, the boy's father, visited his younger brother Zhuge Dohyeong, the Master of the Heavenly Star Pavilion, to persuade him that his son possessed innate talent for martial arts.
With the world in turmoil, wouldn't it be wise to start his training early if he had such potential?
Naturally, Yu Ganghu was consulted.
Admitting a seven-year-old into the Heavenly Star Pavilion would violate the clan's established rules.
But because his name was Zhuge Munhyeon, Yu Ganghu agreed.
He decided to accept him and see how he fared.
"Why aren't you answering? If I must endure even in such a situation, I'll just leave now."
That brat... Doesn't he know how much effort the Head of the Byeongju Hall put into getting him into the Heavenly Star Pavilion?
"Even if I did, wrong is still wrong."
"Hmph."
Yu Ganghu's lips curved into a faint smile at the boy's resolute answer.
This one was different from the other young masters of the Zhuge Clan.
Even ten-year-olds usually cowered under his gaze and imposing physique, but this boy stared back defiantly, boldly stating his mind.
Perhaps that was why Yu Ganghu saw him as more straightforward than impudent.
"Who said you had to endure? I'm merely saying that if we must determine right from wrong, it must be done through a martial contest."
"A martial contest?"
"Indeed. Scholars persuade through logic, while warriors persuade through strength."
"Hmm, that's an unusual statement for someone teaching the descendants of the Zhuge Clan. Isn't it more important to have the moral high ground?"
"Of course. That's why I say, if you believe you're right, then act accordingly."
"Well, if that's the case..."
To enforce one's will through martial combat. That should suffice.
He had no intention of provoking conflict, but he wouldn't shy away from it either.
So, a formal duel is all it takes, huh?
Yu Ganghu felt a strange curiosity at Zhuge Munhyeon's confident grin.
He's utterly audacious. His expression radiated unwavering confidence in his ability to win a duel. He's as intriguing as I've heard. Let's hope his talent lives up to the hype.
Yu Ganghu chuckled inwardly just as...
"I have a question for you."
"Speak."
"Does the teaching method change depending on how quickly we learn?"
"What do you mean?"
"For example, if I master things too quickly and have extra time, would you teach me something new?"
"What? Hahahaha!"
Yu Ganghu couldn't contain his laughter, the absurdity overwhelming him.
This is beyond absurd.
He had never heard such a thing in all his years teaching children.
How could someone who hasn't even started learning yet presume to know what kind of training they'll undergo and confidently predict their own rapid progress?
"That won't happen. For now, we'll focus on individual training to bridge the gap between you and the other children, but we won't exceed the daily curriculum. You'll train according to the established schedule."
"Hmm, then what do we do after the day's training is finished?"
"What?"
"I was wondering if we could go home early."
"Hah!"
Yu Ganghu was dumbfounded.
This kid hasn't even started training yet... Is this recklessness? Or arrogance?
Yu Ganghu's face darkened, and he replied curtly, "If you finish early, you're free to leave."
"Really? That's a relief."
Zhuge Munhyeon sighed in relief, patting his chest.
For now, mastering the Minor Heavenly Star Art took priority.
While he could quickly expand his repertoire of techniques through his vast mental library of experience, Internal Power was different.
There were no shortcuts.
It accumulated only through dedicated practice.
Still, having walked this path before, he would likely progress faster than others.
Thus, the training began. Considering Munhyeon's young age of seven, Chief Instructor Yu Ganghu personally oversaw his instruction, ensuring he kept pace with the other children.
But...
"Can I go home now?"
"..."
In just one day, Yu Ganghu realized that Zhuge Munhyeon's words weren't just childish bravado.
The boy had flawlessly executed all ten basic movement techniques of the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps—the first thing cultivators learn—in just half a day.
Even ten-year-olds who had started training months earlier were still stuck on the fourth form, the Shifting Position Wandering Form...
"Is there anything else I need to learn today?"
"Huh?"
"If there is, let's get on with it. I can't neglect my studies because of Father."
Yu Ganghu was speechless.
Impulsiveness? What kind of impulsiveness are you talking about? Consideration? He's the kind of person who doesn't need such things in the first place. This man is a genius. He's the one heaven sent into the world to master martial arts. Not only did he immediately grasp the complex Mnemonic Verses after a single explanation, but after just a few practice sessions, he flawlessly replicated the movements. And he did it on bare ground, not on a training area with footprints deliberately marked to guide practitioners.
Yu Ganghu, now thoroughly agitated, stared blankly at the footprints Zhuge Munhyeon had left behind, huffing through his nose.
Getting impressed by just the basic form?
"Instructor?"
"Hmm?"
"If you have nothing else to say..."
"Ah! Yes, yes. You may return now."
"Thank you," Zhuge Munhyeon said.
Yu Ganghu, unable to maintain his earlier cold demeanor, had already made a promise.
He could only marvel at Zhuge Munhyeon before him, finding him both astonishing and wondrous.
To think there would be someone who could master the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps in just one day.
Of course, this astonishment wasn't shared by everyone training at the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
And he's so young...
For children at that age, even a single year's difference felt significant. Yet this boy was a whole three years younger!
To the children who hadn't even finished their first day of training, and who were constantly scolded for their poor performance, Zhuge Munhyeon was nothing more than an object of envy and jealousy.
📝 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