Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Translator: Penny
Episode 13
Heavenly Star Pavilion, Lower Class
Though divided by skill level, this was where children aged ten to twelve gathered to receive basic training.
During a break, several children with the Zhuge surname gathered in one spot.
"That bastard... he's the real piece of trash, right?"
"Yeah. The Head of Byeongju Hall's son. He's the one who beat Mungi to a pulp."
"Mungi's still recovering in the infirmary."
Rumors had been circulating within the Zhuge Clan:
The Head of Byeongju Hall's son was an irredeemable piece of trash, showing no respect for superiors or inferiors.
"Damn it, the lowly bastard is acting so arrogant."
"Exactly."
"But his skills are quite impressive, aren't they? Mastering the basic form of the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps in just one day?"
"Nonsense. Do you really think it was just one day?"
"Huh?"
"The Head of the Byeongju Hall secretly taught him. The Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion incident was the same. How could a mere seven-year-old beat up a ten-year-old like Mungi? It's absurd."
"But the Chief Instructor seemed quite surprised."
"Hmph! My uncle from the Byeongju Hall has always been a silver-tongued devil. The fact that the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion incident was swept under the rug proves it."
"So we were deceived?"
"Of course. How can a martial artist win an argument against a scholar?"
"But he doesn't seem like the type to lie."
"You don't know what kind of person my uncle from the Byeongju Hall is, do you? He adores my aunt. That's why he's so sensitive about his background."
"Hmm..."
"Imagine how much worse it must be for his own child, born with that lowly blood."
"Could that be it?"
"Are you doubting my words?"
Zhuge Munho, who had been leading the conversation, frowned, and the children quickly waved their hands in denial.
"No, of course not... Your words are always right, Munho."
"Tch."
"...Sorry."
Zhuge Munho clicked his tongue, and the children lowered their heads, their faces crestfallen.
It was a clear demonstration of who held the upper hand.
"Anyway, we need to crush him soon."
"Will you do it yourself?"
"You think I'd leave it to you? So you can end up like Mungi? You've barely mastered the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps..."
On the day his first class ended, Zhuge Munhyeon returned home before dinner and asked, astonished at the table laden with food, "What's all this?"
"What do you think? It's a celebration your mother prepared for you after your first successful class."
"No, even so, is this really necessary?"
"Don't you know your mother? She's been preparing this all day. She says you'll need plenty of energy for martial arts training."
Zhuge Munhyeon sighed at his father's words.
Even if it's a lot, this is excessive. It's not my energy that's the problem—it's my weight!
But there was someone at this joyous gathering who shouldn't have been there.
The only people staying at the manor were his parents, his personal attendant Sohye, and Zhuge Munhyeon.
All other workers returned to their quarters after their shifts ended.
So why...?
"Master Han, what brings you here?"
"What brings me here? I invited him."
"Invited him?"
"Of course. Isn't he your first literary tutor?"
"Ah..."
At his father's words, Zhuge Munhyeon narrowed his eyes.
His ulterior motive was so obvious it was almost insulting to pretend not to see it.
"Is that really the only reason?"
"Ah, well... you see..."
"That's odd. The book sticking out of that cloth looks like a Formation manual."
"Ah, you noticed?"
At Zhuge Munhyeon's words, his father chuckled awkwardly.
"You haven't given up yet, have you? I really have no intention of becoming a Formation Master, you know?"
"Oh, who said anything about that? I have no such thoughts at all. It's just... there's no harm in reading it, so I thought you might want to take a look. And if you have any questions, you could ask me..."
Seeing his father sweating profusely as he explained, Munhyeon couldn't help but sigh.
Even after I explained it so clearly...
"Why don't you just listen to your father for once?"
"..."
"After all, what harm could come from learning more? Think about it. Is there any rule that says the Strongest Under Heaven can't be trapped within a Formation? If you ever face such danger, the knowledge you gain now could be invaluable. After much deliberation, I've concluded that..."
Well, his reasoning made sense.
It had happened often enough in reality.
But Munhyeon had never been trapped in a Formation and nearly died.
A countermeasure?
He'd always just brute-forced his way out.
As the Demonic Cult's ancient proverb went: "If the body suffers, the mind finds peace."
"Hey, Munhyeon. Why don't you at least show some interest? Your father wouldn't go to such lengths if it weren't important. Your talents clearly extend beyond martial arts... Who knows? You might even be born with the aptitude for the Ten Absolutes!"
"The Ten Absolutes?"
"Yes."
This was absurd.
Poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, martial arts...
The term "Ten Absolutes" didn't necessarily refer to ten specific skills, but rather to someone proficient in a wide range of disciplines.
My father certainly has grand ambitions.
Even with his memories of a past life, he wasn't quite at that level.
Everything except martial arts had been mere hobbies. They seemed impressive for a seven-year-old, but they certainly didn't warrant the title "Absolute."
Still, seeing his father's bright, expectant gaze, he felt a sense of obligation as a son to show some interest.
Though, of course, any effort would ultimately serve his own training.
"Hah, good, good. Then, is there perhaps a Formation for practicing the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps?"
"Huh?"
"I figured it would be good to practice the Footwork in advance."
"But doesn't the Heavenly Star Pavilion handle that?"
"They do, but their training process seems fixed. I can't ask them to teach me in advance, and it's not good to neglect what I've already learned. It would be ideal to have a suitable sparring partner, but I can't exactly practice by fighting with the kids."
"Well, that's..."
"We need to review what we've learned, right? Plus, practicing like that might even spark some interest in Formations."
At this subtle suggestion, Zhuge Doyun and Han Siheon's eyes widened, and they answered simultaneously:
"There is! There definitely is! It's called the Limitless Myriad Forms Formation!"
"Hall Master, the Limitless Myriad Forms Formation? That's premature. If you need something, the Demonic Dream Formation would be better."
"The Demonic Dream Formation? Hmph, you fool! That could trigger an Inner Demon! Are you trying to kill my son?"
"No, but to suggest a formation as complex as the Limitless Myriad Forms Formation..."
"Enough! What about the Heavenly Bewildering Phantom Formation? It doesn't involve materialized attacks."
"That's not bad, but what about the Eight Directions Extreme Bewilderment Formation?"
"Hmm? That's not bad either."
The Head of the Byeongju Hall was clearly excited. At this rate, he seemed ready to unveil every formation in the Byeongju Hall's arsenal.
"Father, Master Han!"
"Hmm?"
"What is it?"
"Which formation is easiest to deploy?"
"The Heavenly Bewildering Phantom Formation."
Han Siheon nodded vigorously in agreement with the Head of the Byeongju Hall's words.
"Then let's go with that. I'll start practicing tonight. I'm actually quite intrigued by formations."
"Really?"
"...Should I not?"
His father's expression suddenly turned stern, and he shouted in alarm, "Chief Han! Why are you still here? Hurry and set up the Heavenly Bewildering Phantom Formation in that open area over there!"
Before he could finish speaking, Han Siheon was already setting up the formation.
Perfect. What better training ground could there be? I can practice my footwork against illusions without needing to spar with real people. Why didn't I think of this in my past life? Studying formations and training in martial arts at the same time? How perfect is that? Of course, I have no intention of becoming a Formation Master. I should definitely use this more often. After all, he's my first Master. I can't just tease him, can I?
"Oh, and Father..."
"Hmm?"
"Could you perhaps get me some iron weights to wear on my arms and legs?"
"Iron weights?"
"Yes. I think they'd be helpful for building strength in my limbs. Preferably the kind I can wear under my clothes."
"Hmm..."
"About two 근 (1.2 kg) each should be enough."
"You mean you want to carry a total of eight 근 on your body? What if you injure your wrists or ankles? You're still growing—what if the weight stunts your growth?"
His father's face was etched with worry.
It's only eight 근.
This was the minimum weight he'd considered, given that his body hadn't been properly trained yet and considering his young age.
And if his wrists or ankles couldn't handle that much weight, wearing them would be pointless.
"Munhyeon, who on earth uses such a crude training method?"
This was the Demonic Cult's traditional training method.
Once, he had climbed a cliff using only his fingertips, a massive iron ball chained to his waist.
Feeling the limits of his body and then surpassing them—this wasn't mere brute force, but a profound training method.
"You won't do it for me?"
"That's not what I meant..."
"Now that I think about it, Formation training isn't really necessary..."
"Let's visit the Blacksmith tomorrow."
"Thank you."
His father was such an easy man to understand.
What was it about Formations that made him so obsessed?
He looked like his life depended on it.
From that day forward, Zhuge Munhyeon's daily routine became firmly established.
He began each day by cultivating Internal Energy through Qi Circulation and Breathing Regulation. This was a slow process, showing no immediate improvement.
When he asked if there was a Formation that could accelerate the accumulation of Internal Power, the Formation Master chuckled and dismissed the idea.
There's no such thing.
Afterward, he would train at the Heavenly Star Pavilion in the morning.
His routine consisted of astonishing Yu Ganghu, who, after witnessing his abilities, became obsessed with teaching him everything he knew.
Fierce Fist? Pfft!
Returning from the Heavenly Star Pavilion, he would eat dinner, recite a few lines of poetry for the Literary Tutor, and then practice Footwork within the Formation, which the Formation Master was desperate to teach him. The day flew by in a blur.
Physical training?
Thanks to the Iron Weights his father had procured, every moment of movement became training—even lifting a spoon.
Every day, he collapsed into bed, exhausted, but the thrill of becoming stronger outweighed the fatigue.
Then...
"Munhyeon."
"...?"
It was during a break on one of the days he began training with the other trainees in the advanced course of the Heavenly Mechanism Evasive Steps.
"Look at this guy, staring like that. I'm Zhuge Munho."
A boy with an air of unwavering confidence addressed him.
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been resting in the shade, looked up at him.
Zhuge... So who is that supposed to be? This brat thinks I'll know him just from his name? He needs to tell me which family he's from for me to recognize him.
"Ha, this kid... You should greet your cousin right away when you see him."
"..."
"I'm five years older than you."
Twelve years old, he said.
Munhyeon still didn't know what he wanted from him.
Is he going crazy because I didn't greet him?
"Tsk, tsk. You really haven't learned a shred of etiquette, have you?"
Zhuge Munhyeon bristled at the mocking tone, but he restrained himself.
He's truly grown as a person.
In the past, he would have punched the speaker in the face, kicked him a few times until he was kneeling, and only then started talking.
"Go fetch some water."
"Water?"
"Yeah. It's usually the youngest one's job."
"Hmm..."
Zhuge Munhyeon glanced around.
Five people.
They must be his cousins, all around the same age.
He'd seen them gathered together many times during his time at the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
And their mocking expressions made it clear this was just an excuse to pick a fight.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhuge Munhyeon silently rose to his feet.
As he stepped out of the shade and began walking away, Zhuge Munho smirked triumphantly.
That brat's still just a seven-year-old kid.
Contrary to expectations, however, Zhuge Munhyeon didn't go to fetch water. Instead, he plopped down in another shady spot nearby.
Feeling utterly humiliated, Zhuge Munho's face flushed crimson.
The other kids are watching...
"If you want water, go get it yourself! Why are you bossing others around like that? A kid your age should be learning cute things like 'I can do it myself!' instead of picking up such nasty habits," Munhyeon muttered under his breath.
Zhuge Munho overheard the muttered remark.
"You little bastard! What did you just say?!"
Zhuge Munhyeon glanced up irritably at Zhuge Munho, who had stormed over in a furious rage.
"It's obvious you heard everything. Why bother asking again?"
"You little bastard!" Zhuge Munho grabbed Zhuge Munhyeon by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
His grip was surprisingly strong.
Dangling helplessly, Zhuge Munhyeon stared intently at the hand gripping his collar.
I could snap that wrist in an instant!
But he knew he couldn't just start fighting his clan brothers recklessly anymore.
Still...
To be grabbed by the collar like this? Me, who's never backed down from a fight in my life? If I want to legally beat him...
"Hmm, this is a challenge to a duel, right?"
📝 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