Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Translator: Penny
Episode 4
Ding, ding!
The lute string, plucked by small, delicate hands, resonated with a clear, ethereal sound.
"Ah..."
Sohye, who had been hanging laundry, unconsciously paused and let out a soft sigh of admiration.
It was like the distant mountain breeze rustling through pine needles, or the sensation of clear, cool water flowing through a narrow valley.
Ding!
The next note spread like ripples from a raindrop falling into still water, drawing passersby to halt and listen intently.
Ting-a-ling!
The resonant sound lingered deeply, striking a chord in the heart.
A satisfied smile bloomed on Baek Suhyeon's lips as she closed her eyes.
"My Lord, isn't Munhyeon's talent truly extraordinary? Each note he plucks is as serene as a breath and as free as the wind."
"Y-yes, that's right," Zhuge Doyun replied, his expression oddly conflicted despite agreeing with her poetic sentiment.
His seven-year-old son sat on the veranda, plucking the lute. His musical talent was extraordinary; even the Artist Family's musicians praised him endlessly.
Yet the academic brilliance he had displayed before, speaking fluently at a hundred days old and reciting the Thousand-Character Classic and Elementary Learning by age three, had vanished without a trace.
It wasn't like he had fallen from a persimmon tree while playing. Instead, his son had become a dullard overnight, like a flower that blooms only to be frozen by a sudden frost, its flowering abruptly halted.
Having mastered Elementary Learning in a single leap, Zhuge Doyun had begun teaching him the Mirror of Mind and Body. Yet after four years, the boy had barely reached the halfway point, struggling with just this one text.
He had tried comforting and scolding, but neither approach yielded any progress.
Ah, perhaps it was just a fleeting spark, as others had warned.
He couldn't blame the boy.
To scold him for neglecting his studies and indulging in frivolous pursuits would be akin to insulting his mother.
Baek Suhyeon. The daughter of a musician, she was both The Foremost Beauty of Dangang and Dangang's Foremost Musician.
He had fallen for her at first sight and, despite his family's opposition, had persuaded them to allow the marriage, arguing that innate talents varied among individuals and could not be dismissed as trivial.
How could he now criticize his son for inheriting that very talent?
He could only feel a deep sense of regret.
"How was it?"
"Absolutely magnificent. Your performance made me feel as if I were floating among the clouds. This mother is deeply moved."
Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at his mother, who was wiping away tears, and then turned to his father.
"Father?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you... not like it?"
Seeing his son's crestfallen expression, Zhuge Doyun glanced at Baek Suhyeon and waved his hands in alarm.
"N-not like it? I was simply lost in contemplation and hadn't yet offered my critique. This father is overjoyed to have heard your performance."
"Phew, that's a relief. I've been worrying about how to please you, Father."
"Worrying? How could you say such a thing? Nonsense!"
"Actually... I sensed you were quite disappointed recently because my studies haven't been progressing as well as they should."
"Hmm?"
"I don't know why I'm like this either. I just want to do better..."
As his son's expression grew increasingly crestfallen, Zhuge Doyun's face became stained with panic.
"Munhyeon, why would you say such a thing? I've never once been disappointed in you. Have you forgotten? The reason I first fell in love with your mother was because of her lute playing."
"..."
"How could a person's aspirations be limited to scholarship alone? If each of us cultivates our innate talents to their fullest potential, that too deserves recognition. I've always supported you, my son."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Baek Suhyeon smiled at Zhuge Doyun's words.
Naturally, all of this was part of Zhuge Munhyeon's meticulously crafted plan.
It was when I was five years old. As I pondered how to avoid disappointing my father and bring joy to my mother, I heard her playing the lute and knew this was it. I would reveal my musical talent.
He had heard countless stories of his parents' love through Sohye.
Lute playing? How hard could it be?
Though he hadn't reached mastery, there was a time when he had been fascinated by music.
The Sound Arts were a form of martial arts, after all, and he had learned anything that might lead to enlightenment.
In any case, after learning to play the lute, his delicate fingertips developed calluses, but through relentless practice, he eventually achieved a respectable level of proficiency.
Haa... It's truly difficult to be a good son.
Fortunately, my father wasn't narrow-minded, and my plan worked. I sighed inwardly, but it was enough to have brought peace to my parents' hearts. They had taught me the love between parents and children, and it was only right that I reciprocate.
And now, the time had come.
For seven years, he had waited, basking in his parents' love and devoted care.
The love he had never received in his previous life had been more than sufficiently fulfilled.
Since they were bound by familial ties, he knew he would continue to be cherished.
Now seven years old, his head reached below his father's chest.
Perhaps due to his privileged environment, he was taller than average for his age.
Having concealed his true nature while reading books and playing the lute for years, he was now restless and could no longer bear it.
It was time to subtly bring up the main point.
Those born with the full support of their families, managed from the womb and blessed with privileges like Marrow Cleansing and Bone Washing from birth, develop naturally strong physiques. They can start martial arts training even as toddlers without harm. But for someone like me, who grew up freely and unrestrained, attempting such a thing would be disastrous. How could I even consider martial arts training with a body whose internal organs hadn't fully developed? There's a proper time for everything, including cultivation. That time arrives when the bones have matured and the body achieves its first internal and external balance—at the age of seven.
He had already secretly refined his breathing to strengthen his meridians, ensuring his qi circulated evenly throughout his body. But now, he needed formal training.
Yet the Zhuge Clan forbade martial arts instruction until the age of ten.
Fools... They don't even realize they're missing their chance. There's no way they'd listen to a seven-year-old child. I have no choice but to act myself.
"Father?"
"Hmm?"
"I have a request."
"Go on. After such a wonderful performance, I should give you a fitting reward. How about we go to the market? We could have a rare family meal out, and you can get your favorite sweets."
"S-sweets..."
He flinched momentarily.
Damn this body, damn this childish instinct.
But he gritted his teeth, looked his father in the eye, and said what he truly wanted to say.
"I want to go to the library."
"The... library?"
At last, I've shaken off the allure of those sweet treats. It might not seem like much, but overcoming a seven-year-old's instincts is like scaling a massive wall.
"Yes, I've heard there are countless books in the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion."
Suddenly, his father's eyes lit up. He was so excited that his heavy breathing was clearly audible.
Good for him. After neglecting his studies for so long, his son suddenly wants to enter the library...
"Is your request truly to enter the library?"
"Yes. How can a young man of seven neglect his studies? Father is so busy with official duties, and my progress has been slow. I thought that if I could access the library and explore its diverse collection, I might regain my interest."
"Ah, ha..."
"I'm still too young to access the Library, they said. I need an adult's permission and a companion."
"That's right."
The Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion.
The Zhuge Clan's Library, housing tens of thousands of books, boasted one of the largest collections in the Central Plains. From classics and engineering to formations, miscellaneous studies, and history, it contained virtually every subject imaginable.
"Munhyeon, I'm truly impressed by your ambition. However, if you wish to study, your father is here, and I can even arrange for a tutor if you prefer."
"No, thank you. I want to try learning on my own."
"On your own?"
"Yes. I already know the basics of reading. I want to explore different books and find a field of study that truly resonates with me."
"Hmm..."
Zhuge Doyun frowned thoughtfully at his son's words.
Why is he hesitating? He could just say 'Alright' and be done with it.
Watching this scene unfold, Baek Suhyeon stepped in to support her son's request.
"My Lord, please grant his wish. Can't you see how much he wants this?"
"..."
"The reason children are forbidden from entering the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion is the fear they might damage the books stored there. But what kind of child is Munhyeon? He's more mature than other children, so much so that he doesn't even play pranks."
"Well, that's..."
Seeing Zhuge Doyun hesitate despite his inner delight, Baek Suhyeon turned to her son and said, "Munhyeon."
"Yes, Mother."
"All the books in the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion are precious. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Of course. I only intend to read them quietly."
"See, My Lord?" Baek Suhyeon urged, siding with her son. After a moment's contemplation, Zhuge Doyun unfastened the token hanging from his waist and handed it over.
"Hmph, fine. I understand. This is the Token of the Head of the Byeongju Hall."
"...?"
"Show it to the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion Guard. I'll secure permission from the Pavilion Master. But you must bring Sohye with you. I trust you, but others won't."
"Thank you, Father."
Zhuge Munhyeon eagerly accepted the token, his face beaming brighter than ever.
Of course, his true intentions differed slightly from what his parents imagined.
What he really wanted was an Elementary Martial Arts Manual.
He had already memorized countless martial arts techniques, but all of them were Demonic Arts.
Well, if I'm leaving the Zhuge Clan anyway, I might as well learn them now. But running away at seven years old? Absurd. The Martial World is a treacherous place. I'd likely die before even blooming. That's how the Orthodox Factions operated.
He vehemently rejected the martial arts of the heretical sects.
What if traces of Demonic Art were discovered, arousing suspicion? They would immediately sever my limbs, sever my meridians, and cripple my inner energy... Ugh, I don't even want to think about it. And what reason did I have to go to the Demonic Cult anyway? Their connection had ended with death. I should focus on living my new life to the fullest. Above all, I have good parents and three square meals a day, and I even carry a trace of the clan's direct lineage. The name "Zhuge Clan" bothers me a little, but what did it matter?
"Well done, Munhyeon. Your mother is always so proud of you."
"Yes, Mother."
Baek Suhyeon gently embraced Zhuge Munhyeon.
It was warm and comforting.
An indescribable emotion filled his heart.
Why would I ever return to the Demonic Cult when I have this? I truly love being a Zhuge.
"Welcome. I've received word from the Pavilion Master."
The Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion Guard bowed respectfully as Zhuge Munhyeon presented his token.
"May I enter?"
"Yes, but your access is limited to the first floor. You must also bring an attendant."
"Thank you."
Zhuge Munhyeon thanked the guard and stepped over the pavilion's threshold.
Why did they make this threshold so high?
His short legs struggled, reminding him of his young age.
"Young Master, you know you absolutely mustn't damage any of the books, right?"
"I know."
"Absolutely not."
"Seriously, I get it!"
"My life depends on it! Why else would they make me accompany you? If a book gets damaged, you might just get a scolding, but I'll be flogged."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen. Would I ever cause trouble for Sohye?"
"I know, but I'm still worried."
"Ugh, really..."
Zhuge Munhyeon sighed and shook his head at Sohye's concern.
Watching this exchange, the Guard couldn't help but smile.
How could a servant speak so freely to their master, even if he's only seven years old?
In the Zhuge Clan, a scholar's family that emphasized strict adherence to propriety, such familiarity was unheard of.
This scene clearly demonstrated how Zhuge Munhyeon truly treated Sohye.
"Well, this is the first time I've ever envied a servant."
Come to think of it, the Head of the Byeongju Hall, Zhuge Doyun, and his wife were the same.
They treated their subordinates with genuine sincerity.
The Guard wondered if it was due to their origins.
They were unlike any other Zhuge couple.
Typically, those who inherited the Zhuge name would enter into strategic marriages with families of equal standing, such as the children of the Major Merchant Houses or the Sowmun Faction.
But Zhuge Doyun defied his clan's opposition and insisted on marrying the daughter of an Artist Family.
This marriage would have been impossible had he not been the only cultivator in the Zhuge Clan's history to successfully recreate the Eight Trigrams Formation.
Yet Baek Suhyeon never gained the clan's approval and struggled to connect with its members.
She was treated as a sort of family shame.
"I wonder if another uproar is brewing. Things had finally calmed down after rumors spread that he was just a flash in the pan, a dullard who quickly faded away..."
Zhuge Munhyeon.
How envious must the other Zhuge, who prided themselves on their own genius, have been of the sheer brilliance he displayed?
"Haa... If the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion becomes a playground for the young masters, it'll be a real headache..."
The Guard grew inexplicably anxious.
If word spread that Zhuge Munhyeon had entered the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion, it would naturally draw attention. Other children, still too young to be granted access, would inevitably come seeking entry as well.
That wasn't the problem.
If they damaged the books, they would be held accountable.
The real issue was that no matter how noble their lineage, children were still children.
Still struggling to control their emotions, they often spoke without thinking, leading to quarrels and even fights.
📝 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