Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Translator: Penny
Episode 17
Yeo Mungi woke up much later.
"Ugh..."
"Oh? You're awake?"
"...?"
A voice filled with surprise.
Yeo Mungi sat up, his eyebrows twitching, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Where am I? Why am I lying here? I was definitely studying Formations in my room...
His head felt heavy, as if a part of his memory had been erased.
"Are you alright?"
A familiar voice reached his ears.
The man approaching him, his expression gentle with concern, was...
"H-Hall Master?"
"Yes."
Yeo Mungi shot to his feet, whipping his head around to survey his surroundings.
The Hall Master's office? But why am I here...?
"Ah, you don't remember?"
"Huh?"
"Hmm, they said there shouldn't be any issues with your head..."
Zhuge Doyun, his voice laced with worry, glanced at someone and scolded them.
"You brat! Why did you hit him? You gave him a concussion!"
"That's not how it happened! I didn't do it on purpose. He suddenly came up behind me... and I only hit him in the face. The concussion happened when he fell..."
"Ha! So it's the victim's fault now?"
"That's not what I meant! It was purely a reflex action."
"I swear, you're going to drive me to an early grave. Why do you keep doing this? Huh? I thought you'd finally calmed down... but you come to my workplace and start beating up a perfectly healthy kid the moment you arrive!"
"It was a mistake! How many times do I have to say it?"
"Shut up, you brat! Who punches someone by mistake? If you make two mistakes like that, you could kill someone!"
"Well... sigh."
Zhuge Munhyeon, tired of his father's constant scolding, gave up arguing and sighed.
It's true I threw a punch. Not that I was entirely wrong to do so.
Yeo Mungi, who had been blinking through their conversation, suddenly stared intently at Zhuge Munhyeon.
A memory that had vanished in an instant now flooded back into his mind.
A fist flying at me out of nowhere... Ah, I must have lost consciousness then.
Finally realizing what had happened, he understood that the boy was Zhuge Doyun's son.
Ah, so that's it. The Hall Master's son. That's why he was at Byeongju Hall... Wait, what?
As Yeo Mungi calmly processed their relationship, his eyes widened in shock.
Wait a minute! If he's the Hall Master's son...?
"You... don't tell me? That good-for-nothing?!"
"..."
His outburst was met with silence.
Then, a moment later:
"Are you out of your mind? Who are you calling a good-for-nothing?!"
Zhuge Munhyeon's eyelids twitched as he glared, raising his fist.
"Hey! You brat! Stop it right now!"
"But he started it!"
"He? He's three years older than you! Besides, he's not exactly wrong, is he?"
"Father!"
"Sit down!"
"..."
Scolded, Zhuge Munhyeon glared at Yeo Mungi and pouted.
"With such a fiery temper... I worry about you, Munhyeon. When will you ever calm down?"
"I'm calm as long as no one provokes me."
"Sure you are."
Zhuge Doyun sighed and shook his head at his son's dismissive turn.
Meanwhile, Yeo Mungi, caught between the father and son's quarrel, couldn't make heads or tails of the situation.
It felt like a battle between adolescence and midlife crisis.
"Please understand. He's a good kid, but he has a temper sometimes..."
"Ah, my apologies. I misspoke first..."
"Nonsense. More importantly, how's your health?"
"I'm fine."
"That's a relief."
Despite his son's outburst, Zhuge Doyun smiled and patted Yeo Mungi's shoulder.
So that was Zhuge Munhyeon...
"Ah, now that I think about it, you must have trained together at the Heavenly Star Pavilion?"
"Yes, briefly."
"You must have some unpleasant memories of my son."
At Zhuge Doyun's bitter smile, Yeo Mungi's mind flashed back to that shocking day.
Seven-year-old Zhuge Munhyeon.
Their time training together at the Heavenly Star Pavilion hadn't been long.
From the start, there was a clear distinction between direct and collateral branches of the clan. Moreover, due to his young age, he received separate training from the Instructor.
But on that fateful day...
The Junior Class trainees of the Heavenly Star Pavilion witnessed an astonishing sight firsthand:
Zhuge Munhyeon, five years younger than Zhuge Munho, the Patriarch's son, beating him into a bloody pulp.
Even now, the mere thought of that terrifying gaze sent shivers down their spines.
Afterward, he was banned from the Heavenly Star Pavilion, and rumors swirled about him:
His exceptional talent for martial arts.
And his cruel nature.
Soon, the nickname "Bastard" became far more widely known than his actual name.
Yet...
"I only have good memories of him," Yeo Mungi said.
"Huh?"
"...?"
The father and son exchanged puzzled glances.
"Actually, no one else seemed to notice it."
"What are you saying?"
"There was a rule stating that everyone was equal, but in practice, descendants of collateral branches often ran errands for those of the direct lineage, as if it were their natural duty. After all, they were born into it."
"Ah..."
"But after what happened with your son, this harmful custom temporarily disappeared. The Pavilion Master strictly forbade it. Well, it didn't last long, though."
Yeo Mungi spoke with a hint of satisfaction, but Zhuge Doyun's expression grew heavy.
He was reminded of the clan's chronic flaw: the limitations imposed by status.
No matter how exceptional their abilities, descendants of collateral branches received few opportunities. Even those with talent were forced to yield their potential, and despite being barred from high positions, they were still expected to demonstrate unwavering loyalty.
If the higher ranks were like this, how could the lower ranks be any different?
Many began to leave.
Perhaps the decline of the clan wasn't due to the times, but rather a consequence of their own actions.
"By the way, did you teach your son the Eight Trigrams Formation?" Yeo Mungi asked, glancing at Zhuge Munhyeon, who was sulking with his head turned away.
"Huh?"
"He recognized the Scaled Landscape immediately. He even seemed to be considering how to break it."
But then...
"What? He recognized the Eight Trigrams Formation?"
"Yes?"
"Munhyeon! Is that true? Did you really recognize the Eight Trigrams Formation?"
Zhuge Doyun's startled question widened Yeo Mungi's eyes.
"You didn't know?"
"I never taught him."
"Ah..."
Yeo Mungi's mind went blank for a moment.
So he recognized something he'd never been taught, just by looking at it?
"Well, it wasn't that impressive anyway. It's still incomplete, after all..."
"You? Heh, really?"
"I'm already part of the Byeongju Hall now, aren't I?"
"Heh heh heh."
Zhuge Doyun couldn't hide his satisfaction at his son's words.
When he first heard that Munhyeon had cracked the Nine Palaces Formation in a mere quarter of an hour, he had merely thought it impressive. But to recognize the Eight Trigrams Formation?
To possess such innate talent—to understand what he had never been taught—meant that with proper training, Munhyeon would undoubtedly surpass him.
No wonder I'm greedy. No wonder.
"So, what should I do now? When do we go to Wudang?"
"Wudang?"
"Yes!"
Zhuge Munhyeon no longer intended to conceal his abilities.
He would earn recognition as a member of the Byeongju Hall.
And he would definitely go to Wudang.
"Why would you go to Wudang?"
"Huh?"
"You little rascal! Did you think we'd send an apprentice who knows nothing to Wudang? Everything has its proper order."
"...Huh?"
"Let's see... Ah, perfect! I was just returning from the Main Hall Meeting, where we urgently discussed matters requiring immediate resolution."
Zhuge Doyun pulled a map from his robes and handed it to his son.
"You know the Yanghyeon Branch, right?"
"...Yes, I do. I've heard it borders the Honyeon Faction."
"Exactly. But recently, heavy rains triggered a landslide that damaged the Formation."
"So?"
"Go there first."
"..."
Zhuge Munhyeon stared intently at his father.
"Go there, observe, listen, and gain experience. We'll discuss Wudang later."
"..."
How disappointing. Blood ties should be the strongest of all connections—academic, regional, and familial... What's the big deal about just letting me go to Wudang?
"So, if I go there, quietly gain experience, and return, you'll send me to Wudang?"
"We'll see how you do."
"You promised."
"Hush! What promise? I said we'll see how you do."
"Fine. I just need to observe and report back, right?"
"That's right."
"Understood."
What's so hard about that? It's not like they're sending Wudang reinforcements right away anyway, are they?
The Honyeon Faction—a thorn in the Zhuge Clan's side. How long have I endured this? Getting beaten for cursing my mother was ridiculous, and getting beaten for winning a sparring match was even worse... Just you wait. Do you think I'll just observe and report back? This young master will seize this opportunity to charge into enemy territory with a sword in hand, tearing through their ranks like a raging beast. I'll make sure they say, "That's how you raise a son!"
"It's perfect that Mungi is coming along too."
"Yes! I'll definitely make a name for myself!"
"A name? Heh, you're still just an apprentice. Just go and observe the Formation repairs and learn."
"Yes! I... wait, what?"
"Hm?"
"No, it's just... I think there's a word here that's different from what I expected."
"What is it?"
"Earlier, you said 'Formation repairs'..."
"Yes."
"...Not war?"
"War? Ha ha ha! The Byeongju Hall's mission is to maintain the Formations."
"..."
"Your talent is exceptional, so learn as much as you can. I'll recommend you as an apprentice and send you. Heh heh heh, you're a promising one."
He had truly hoped, just in case.
But what could he do?
If that was the Byeongju Hall's mission, then that was it.
And so the Conservative Core was formed.
It consisted of scholars from the Byeongju Hall, tasked with maintaining the Formation, and warriors from the Black Tiger Corps, who served as escorts.
"Even so, Formation maintenance? They could have at least assigned us escort duty."
Zhuge Munhyeon, positioned near the middle of the group, had been appointed as an apprentice scholar of the Byeongju Hall.
But how could he feel disappointed when his grand ambitions were just beginning to take shape?
Even a thousand-mile journey starts with a single step.
He resolved to give his best as an apprentice scholar of the Byeongju Hall, steeling his resolve once more.
"Isn't that the good-for-nothing?"
"It is."
"But why is he in the Byeongju Hall?"
"Probably because he's the Head of the Byeongju Hall's son."
"But wasn't he supposed to have exceptional talent in martial arts?"
"Come on, he was only seven years old back then. Look at him—his posture is so clumsy. It must have been just a brief flash of brilliance."
"True. Remember how his academic talent fizzled out? All he did at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion was get into fights..."
"Whoa! He's looking this way."
"Ahem."
The murmuring of the young martial artists nearby twisted Zhuge Munhyeon's face into a scowl.
Those bastards... I can tolerate the trash talk, but this? Am I just an object to them? I'm already furious. Should I just start a brawl right here?
"Hold on, Munhyeon. Calm down."
"..."
"They're saying that because they don't know how deeply you understand Formations. Just ignore them. Getting involved with the Black Tiger Corps warriors would only cause trouble. They're completely unreasonable."
Yeo Mungi spoke soothingly, as if trying to comfort him.
Is that supposed to be comforting...? You're just as clueless as I am. I'm someone who could crush those fools in a few breaths, you know?
"Hey, but... are we really going to keep walking?"
"Why?"
"Well, since you're the son of the Head of the Byeongju Hall and still considered a direct descendant... wouldn't it be better to ride a horse?"
This was one of the reasons Yeo Mungi looked so awkward.
Unlike Yeo Mungi, who was riding a horse, Zhuge Munhyeon had been walking the entire time, just like the laborers.
"At least take a cart. Yanghyeon is quite a distance away."
"What?"
"I can't help but feel uneasy riding while you, the direct descendant, are walking..." Yeo Mungi said.
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled softly. "You seem to be under a serious misunderstanding."
"Huh?"
"What's so great about status? Strip it all away, and we're just people."
"..."
"Besides, I'm doing this because I want to."
"Because you want to?"
"This is all part of my training."
"Training?"
"Yes, I could ride a horse or take a carriage. But that wouldn't be training, would it?"
Yeo Mungi, the scholar, couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Walking is training? What exactly...?
But as he tilted his head in confusion, he finally noticed something.
Hidden beneath the tracks of cartwheels and horses' hooves, the footprints went unnoticed by others. But upon closer inspection, a curious observer could discern something unusual.
Unlike the others, these footprints were deeply imprinted, as if the person were carrying a heavy burden.
Strange, isn't it? To leave such deep tracks while walking unencumbered...
A sudden thought struck him.
"Could it be you? Are you still wearing those Iron Weights like back then?"
"Indeed. I've never taken them off since I started training in martial arts at the age of seven."
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and rolled up his sleeve to reveal the weights. Yeo Mungi couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Iron Weights...
They had been a brief fad.
Everyone who cursed Zhuge Munhyeon as a scoundrel still secretly yearned to surpass him, ordering and wearing the weights themselves.
Of course, he had been one of them.
But the trend quickly faded.
Living with over a dozen kilograms strapped to one's body proved far from easy.
Then, a sudden question struck him.
"Just how heavy are those things to leave such deep footprints?"
"Fifty geun (30kg)."
"F-fifty geun?"
Yeo Mungi was already startled, but the next words nearly made him fall off his horse.
"...per piece."
"...!"
Per piece? So... he's walking around with a total of two hundred geun strapped to his body?
"Don't be so surprised. This much is normal. You can't train properly with anything less."
"Ah..."
Yeo Mungi barely managed to hold onto the reins, staring blankly at Zhuge Munhyeon.
Two hundred geun... No wonder the footprints were so deep.
It was incredible he could even walk.
It wasn't just talent.
When Yeo Mungi first recognized the Eight Trigrams Formation, he had assumed Zhuge Munhyeon's innate talent stemmed from his Zhuge Clan lineage.
But now, he realized Munhyeon's efforts were equally significant—both in Formation studies and Martial Arts.
Yeo Mungi found himself seeing Zhuge Munhyeon in a new light, even developing a sense of respect.
Just then...
"Why is he still walking?"
"Who knows? How can we understand what's going on in that idiot's head?"
"True. Even the horse must hate having such a useless fool on its back."
"Heh heh."
The mocking laughter and jeers directed at Zhuge Munhyeon echoed from the crowd once more.
And then...
"Those fucking bastards! Who do they think they are, mocking him with their loose tongues?!"
Yeo Mungi's eyes flashed with fury as his fists trembled violently.
"What's wrong? Calm down," Zhuge Munhyeon said, surprisingly having to restrain the one who had been insulted.
📝 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