Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Translator: Penny
Episode 38
The distance between Yungjungsan and Wudang wasn't great.
The Maintenance Team chose to travel by land.
Just as they had done at the Yanghyeon Branch, they needed to transport a large amount of equipment for maintenance, requiring them to travel with fully loaded carts.
While they could have used waterways, the multiple transfers of cargo would have been too cumbersome.
Since they had plenty of time and the roads were well-maintained, the journey was comfortable. More importantly, the region was under the protection of the Wudang Sect, eliminating any threats from bandits, pirates, or Heretical Factions.
Occasionally, ruffians might appear at rest stops, but even dozens of such thugs would be no match for Zhuge Munho.
"Are you coming too?"
"Yes."
Zhuge Munhyeon frowned, noticing Sayo and several Beggar Disciples among the group.
"Why?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? Where the needle goes, the thread follows."
"What?"
"Oh, never mind."
Sayo covered her cheeks, feigning embarrassment.
Did she just call him a needle? Are they... like that? Is Aunt from Byeongju Hall going to end up with a beggar for a daughter-in-law?
Gwan Hwipyeong whispered.
Those brats... No, seriously! Why do they keep making pointless, nonsensical remarks that cause misunderstandings?
"Do you want to die?"
"I apologize. I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"Should I loosen your muscles and joints instead of trying to lighten the mood?"
"I won't do it again."
Sayo flinched, startled by the sincerity in his eyes, and immediately apologized.
"Be careful."
"Yes!"
"So, why are you following me? Shouldn't you be helping the Purple Ghost Branch Head consolidate our forces right now? The Wudang Sect isn't exactly known for its openness to outsiders, is it?"
"Actually, it's not because of the Wudang Sect's presence in Gyunhyeon, but because of Danggangu."
"Danggangu?"
"Yes. I heard the Young Master will be visiting his maternal family there briefly. Some of the scattered Beggar Disciples have been living as vagrants in that area."
"Vagrants? Beggar Disciples?"
"They have no choice. They need to survive somehow."
"Hah, the world's truly gone to hell. It feels like just yesterday they were bragging about being the Gate of Chivalry."
"Huh?" Sayo tilted her head, puzzled.
Gate of Chivalry. That's what the Beggar's Sect used to call themselves. A very long time ago... But after they scattered, no one ever said that anymore. What did "just yesterday" even mean? He's only fifteen...
"Young Master, you sometimes say things that don't make sense."
"Huh?"
"It's been decades since the Beggar's Sect called themselves the Gate of Chivalry. You speak as if you remember that time."
"Ah...!"
Zhuge Munhyeon finally realized his mistake.
Damn it, I just blurted that out without thinking. What if this sharp-eyed Beggar's Sect woman suspects something? She'll start digging around, and I can't just kill her to silence her. Should I cut out her tongue instead?
He was deep in thought, wrestling with the dilemma, when her voice interrupted him.
"Did you read that in a book?"
"Huh?"
"The Head of the Byeongju Hall mentioned that you enjoy reading and have read quite a lot."
"Ah... yes, that's right. Something like that."
"I figured. After all, the Zhuge Clan's Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion has all sorts of books."
"Exactly. That's why I know so much about the past."
He forced an awkward smile, but it seemed to have worked.
Phew...
"Oh, by the way, I heard you spoke your first words on your hundredth day. 'Mommy, food,' very clearly."
"Huh?"
"And I heard you mastered the Thousand-Character Classic by the age of three. That's truly remarkable! They say you even pretended to be less intelligent than you were, just to avoid outshining your elder brothers too much, right?"
"What?"
He was stunned.
How did she know that?
Even for the Beggar's Sect, uncovering such personal details from over a decade ago should have been nearly impossible.
And this interpretation is so biased and overly flattering.
"Why are you so surprised? Information about Young Master is a top priority for us."
"Still, how could you possibly know something like that?"
"Sohye, the maid, told me."
"What? Sohye?"
"Yes. When I mentioned that Young Master had saved my life, she went on and on with praise... She talked for nearly four hours straight."
"..."
"She even said you had such a strong digestive system as a child that you needed twelve diaper changes a day..."
"Shut up."
"Yes."
Having been struck before, Sayo immediately fell silent at the mere change in Zhuge Munhyeon's expression.
Damn it, why did Sohye have to bring up such pointless stories...?
But why should he be surprised, knowing her personality?
She probably got carried away.
Always feeling sorry for him being constantly scolded, she often picked fights with others who criticized him.
And when someone praised him, she would beam with delight.
Well, whatever. Who cares who knows? He wasn't living in hiding like a spy, and there was no harm in childhood stories being circulated.
"But why are you walking? Everyone else is riding in carriages or on horseback..."
"I'm training."
"Training... Ah!"
Sayo, initially puzzled, quickly realized the reason when she noticed the footprints on the ground.
It seemed the Beggar's Sect wasn't just for show.
"Hmm, judging by how well it's concealed, you must be wearing armor or greaves beneath your robes. If the footprints are this deep... even accounting for Young Master's weight, you must weigh well over 150 geun..."
"Ho? Not bad."
"It's basic for a Beggar Disciple. This is our profession, after all."
He spoke casually, but this was no ordinary skill. Beggar Disciples specialized in tracking techniques. Following people was their job. Yet even so, inferring the shape and roughly estimating the weight from a mere glance was beyond the capabilities of ordinary deduction.
So she's a successor of Cheonhwan's lineage... This woman is no ordinary talent. If things go well, the Beggar's Sect might truly benefit greatly from her. Though she hasn't yet experienced her Awakening, a moment of enlightenment could transform her into the future of the Beggar's Sect. No, I'm certain. It's my own intuition, after all. Hmm, should I give her a little nudge?
But then...
"What are you writing down?"
"Huh?"
"You stopped talking to scribble so intently. What's that about?"
"Ah, well... it's just..."
"Are you writing about me?"
"Ha ha ha!"
Sayo quickly backed away, frowning at his suspicious glare.
Is this for real...? She's certainly quick on the uptake, especially after realizing I'm wearing the Iron Weights.
"Haa... Never mind. More importantly, how far have you mastered the Drunken Steps?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Just tell me."
"It's a Form called Wind-Floating Willow Body... You probably wouldn't understand even if I explained."
"Hmm... Wind-Floating Willow Body, like a willow branch swaying in the breeze. That's Counter-Footwork, right? Used to evade attacks and launch counterstrikes."
"Right... Huh?"
Sayo, who had been nodding unconsciously, startled and looked up.
She vaguely remembered now.
He had fought Cheonhwan before.
He had been quite captivated by his footwork, arguing with him at length after the battle and even trying to adapt it to his own martial arts.
"But if you've mastered Drunken Steps, why don't you combine offense and defense? Last time I saw you, you only used the footwork."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you know? Tsk tsk, your training is a mess. Zui is the footwork, and Li is the Logic Attack Method. That's why it's called Drunken Steps. Among its techniques, Wind-Floating Willow Body probably pairs well with attacks that exploit an opponent's weaknesses. If the Mnemonic Verses weren't fully transmitted, you might achieve decent results by focusing your efforts in that direction."
"..."
"And since Drunken Steps relies on the unsteady gait of a drunkard, you need to maximize its effectiveness by using variations. Don't try to attack directly; instead, confuse your opponent with a mix of techniques, and their attack will become clear."
Sayo stood frozen, her mouth agape.
Zhuge Munhyeon's words resonated deeply with her master's occasional musings: "Could the original Drunken Steps have looked something like this?" In fact, Munhyeon's insight seemed even more profound, as if he had pierced to the very core of the technique.
More than that, for a fleeting moment, he had radiated the aura of a seasoned master who had transcended ordinary realms.
"What are you doing? Just going to stand there?"
"Huh?"
"You keep drifting away from the procession."
"Ah!"
At his words, Sayo, who had been frozen like stone, scrambled to catch up with the group.
"Young Master, how do you know about Drunken Steps?"
"Know? I just recognize it from the name of the form."
"Y-you can do that?"
"Yeah. At least, I can."
"That's impossible. You're only fifteen..."
Sayo muttered in disbelief, prompting Zhuge Munho, who enjoyed taking sides, to chuckle and say, "Munhyeon's probably telling the truth."
"Huh?"
"That kid's talent is sky-high. Even we're sometimes amazed. Actually, the clan's... well, anyway, it's true. Even the elders of the Zhuge Clan acknowledge his abilities, so you'd be wise to listen to him."
"..."
Sayo blinked at his endorsement, then quickly retrieved the hidden paper.
If even the Zhuge Clan members were this eager...
"Wait, wait a minute! What did you say earlier? Drunken Footwork is for movement, and Logic Attack Method is for offense... What about the variations?"
"You weren't listening properly the first time."
"I'm sorry. Could you explain it again?"
"Hmph, never mind. Trying to write it down while walking might make you trip over a rock. Let's just stick to questions and answers for now. I'll show you the detailed movements later when we rest at the Blue Horse Inn."
"R-really?"
"Take it or leave it."
"No! Of course not! You promised!"
"That's right."
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled softly at Sayo's almost pleading tone.
Revealing the intricate details of a clan's martial arts to outsiders was practically taboo.
But he knew she had been yearning for this knowledge all along.
For a woman to survive in the Beggar's Sect, a place known for its harshness, meant she must truly care for the sect.
Well, helping her a little wouldn't hurt. I had a decent connection with that Cheonhwan fellow. Thus, I've decided to assist the Beggar's Sect—or rather, Sayo. If she grows stronger, it will greatly benefit the Zhuge Clan as well. Moreover, when I eventually seek a proper Ascension Method, having a reliable Beggar Disciple will be advantageous. Hmm, speaking of which, the Danggangu Beggar Disciples are living as ruffians... Since I'm already helping out, should I assist them too? It would improve security in my maternal family's territory and help the Beggar's Sect expand slightly.
It seemed like a worthwhile endeavor.
Dealing with ruffians would only take five days, and Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong needed practical combat experience anyway.
A day after setting out for Wudang, the procession halted at a fork in the road.
Zhuge Munhyeon planned to temporarily leave the group to visit his maternal relatives in Danggangu.
"Munhyeon, you must reach Gyunhyeon within five days."
"I will."
"If you fail to rejoin us after Wudang grants permission to enter the mountain, it'll be for nothing..."
"Seriously, I get it already! Gyunhyeon in five days, Blue Horse Inn. Right?"
"That stubborn temperament of yours..."
Baekmu sighed and nodded, suppressing a wry smile.
He would have scolded anyone else, but he had grown fond of Munhyeon during the month he spent teaching him the basics of Mechanisms.
Unlike others who might have dismissed the training as mere digging or carpentry, Munhyeon had followed silently without complaint.
His diligence was remarkable for his age.
It made Zhuge Munhyeon feel an inexplicable urge to teach him everything he knew...
"Go now. Your maternal grandfather must be waiting."
"I will. See you in five days, then."
"Very well."
After seeing off the main procession, Zhuge Munhyeon and his group headed toward Danggangu, where his maternal family resided.
As the two groups gradually separated, until only those who knew Zhuge Munhyeon's true nature remained, he turned to them.
"Alright, then... shall we run?"
"Huh?"
"I'm bored of walking."
At Zhuge Munhyeon's words, Zhuge Munho immediately prepared to run, while Gwan Hwipyeong wore an incredulous expression.
This madman can't even handle walking properly. He's completely deranged, utterly mad. He should just marry a beggar woman!
The group, who had been grumbling, froze in disbelief when Zhuge Munhyeon pulled out the Silver River Staff he had hidden in his back.
Did he really choose a metal club out of all the weapons available for this? How utterly ruthless.
But...
"If you're slower than me... you'll feel the heat on your backside."
Terrified, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong immediately bolted into a sprint, their heavy Iron Weights clanking as they ran.
"About time."
Zhuge Munhyeon smirked and quickly chased after them.
Whack!
Zhuge Pyeong let out a yelp after a forceful slap on his rear and surged ahead of the group, his pace quickening dramatically.
See? They could have done it all along, but they didn't. No wonder I have to push them so hard. Even if they can't quite reach the level of "Blue surpassing indigo," to achieve "renewal day by day," they need to diligently increase the intensity of their training.
📝 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