Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: First Lessons
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They say time flows faster than anything else.
It had already been over two months since Jeokgeom and Seollan began attending to Cheonhwi.
Crackle— Crackle—
Thanks to them, perhaps, the two finished their hunt even before sunset and had already started a fire.
'Finally feeling a bit more lively.'
Cheonhwi was stroking his chin while watching them when Jeokgeom and Seollan suddenly perked up and exchanged glances.
'Senior Brother! Hurry up and say it!'
'I know, Junior Sister. Just wait a bit.'
After conversing with Seollan through their eyes, Jeokgeom began gauging Cheonhwi's mood.
All they had learned in that time were hunting and grilling meat.
Of course, they had grown because of it.
To the point where they could confidently say they wouldn't feel pressured or tense no matter the situation.
They had hunted without fail every single day for two months, so it was only natural.
Now, they wanted teachings.
Teachings on martial arts.
But...
'Will Martial Uncle grant our request?'
It was hard to bring up.
While hunting—no, while serving Cheonhwi and receiving his guidance, the two had realized something.
That he was precocious beyond his years and possessed an enormous ego.
Especially shocking while attending him was his relationship with Grandmaster Hyeondo.
At first, they hadn't understood their conversation when they met, so they didn't grasp the situation. But now they did.
'He was discussing martial theory on equal terms with Grandmaster Hyeondo, not as a student.'
They had been astonished at first.
Grandmaster Hyeondo was called Mount Hua's greatest expert. For him to discuss martial arts with Cheonhwi, who was only fourteen...
Moreover, hadn't Cheonhwi only recently been hovering between life and death?
But soon, they acknowledged it.
No, they had no choice but to acknowledge it.
They had witnessed Cheonhwi immediately demonstrating the martial arts that Grandmaster Hyeondo explained.
And that was not all.
The Sect Leader, who had visited once, and Grandmaster Hyeonryeo, who had come several times, had inquired after his well-being.
From their expressions and tones when looking at Cheonhwi, his beloved status was evident.
Exceptional talent, martial prowess, and prestige.
He was not called Mount Hua's treasure for nothing.
Through this process, the two thought they had done well to attend him, but...
'He hates anything bothersome.'
There was no shortage of tasks.
They had to fetch water even for the horses, prepare clean robes every day, and sudden orders would come.
Like fetching salt, for example...
'If we ask for teachings, he might chase us away as too troublesome.'
Having observed Cheonhwi for two months, the two were cautious.
Thus, they hemmed and hawed without saying a word when Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed like threads as he watched them.
'Oh ho.'
After two months together, he instantly grasped their intentions.
'Looks like they've developed some ambition now.'
Their agonized thoughts were as clear as if laid out on his palm.
Just then, Jeokgeom steeled his expression and carefully spoke to Cheonhwi.
"Martial Uncle, we've gotten used to hunting now..."
"You want to learn martial arts?"
Their faces bloomed at Cheonhwi's words, which pierced their thoughts.
"Yes, yes!"
"That's right!"
Cheonhwi looked at the expectant pair.
'They've attended me all this time.'
It was a request he would have ignored as bothersome before, but recalling the much more comfortable life now, he pondered briefly.
Not to the extent of what Gui-Ma and Bi-Ma did in the past, but their service had made daily life far easier.
He enjoyed delicious meals, they brought clean robes every time, and faithfully fetched water.
Having all the troublesome chores handled was quite satisfying.
'Shall I teach them a little?'
Struck by a whim, Cheonhwi met the eyes of the two staring eagerly.
"Fine."
Their faces lit up in an instant.
Scanning the expectant pair, Cheonhwi first approached Seollan and spoke.
"You've gotten used to footwork, right?"
Seollan nodded.
"It's improved from before."
"Is that so? Show me."
Seollan immediately clenched her fists and channeled her Jade Maiden Heart Art's internal energy into her feet.
Kwachik!
Her footprints imprinted into the dirt ground as she moved swiftly.
"When did she get this good..."
Jeokgeom exclaimed in admiration at Seollan's footwork. Previously, her footwork had lagged far behind her swordsmanship.
Yet to display footwork comparable to her sword art after just twenty days was astonishing.
As Jeokgeom was greatly surprised,
"Hoo, how was it?"
Seollan, having unleashed her best current footwork, looked at Cheonhwi with expectant eyes.
A moment later, Cheonhwi spoke.
"The basics are there."
The response was curt compared to her expectations.
As Seollan began to look dejected, Cheonhwi recalled her footwork.
'Not advanced footwork.'
Cheonhwi scanned Seollan from head to toe.
The internal energy accumulated in her lower dantian had strong yin qi, but her footwork was simplistic.
Observing her, Cheonhwi asked.
"Any other footwork?"
Slightly embarrassed by his piercing gaze from top to bottom, Seollan collected herself and answered.
"Other footwork?"
Seollan tilted her head.
Footwork was a martial art overwhelming to master even one. Another footwork?
"The only footwork I've learned is Fine Willow Drift..."
"Just one?"
Cheonhwi looked at her pitifully, then sighed and spoke.
"Sigh, then forget that Fine Willow Drift or whatever from now on."
"Pardon?"
Cheonhwi stood before the flustered girl.
"From now on, I'll teach you footwork that suits you."
"B-but Fine Willow Drift was taught by the Martial Training Pavilion Lord..."
"Is that so? Then never mind if you don't want to."
As Cheonhwi turned, thinking 'Good riddance,'
"I-I'll forget it!"
Seollan cried out urgently.
"Really?"
Cheonhwi paused his turning body regretfully and stared intently at Seollan.
'So what would suit her?'
First, he recalled footworks matching her internal energy.
Immortal Cloud Resting Lone Peak?
No. She could perform it with her current energy, but inefficient. Better not to learn it.
Then Dark Fragrance Drift? No, doesn't match her current sword art.
Then what?
After cycling through several footworks in his mind and discarding them,
'In the end, only that one.'
Finally, one remained.
Finishing his thoughts, he met the eyes of the tense Seollan watching him.
"The footwork you'll perform from now on is Jade Ring Wondrous Step."
"J-Jade Ring Wondrous Step?"
Seollan's eyes shook violently.
Jade Ring Wondrous Step was a footwork learned by elite disciples, and in current Mount Hua Sect, only Hyeonryeo knew it.
"But I haven't even received my dao name yet..."
"Don't worry about that."
Cheonhwi cut her off.
"The Jade Ring Wondrous Step I'll teach you now is different from that one."
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
"You'll see."
Cheonhwi interrupted her.
With that, he moved.
Step—
In an instant, he trod all directions.
In the blink of an eye, his footwork became varied. In a flash, dozens of footprints imprinted where he had stood.
Deep like a swamp, soft like water.
Vigorous like fire, swift like thunder.
Shifting like wind, steadfast like a mountain.
The Jade Ring Wondrous Step he had demonstrated before blossomed into otherworldly beauty infused with internal energy.
"Th-this is Jade Ring Wondrous Step...?"
Seollan's eyes widened in bewilderment.
She instantly understood what Cheonhwi had meant earlier.
The Jade Ring Wondrous Step Cheonhwi performed was completely different from the one she knew.
Soft and strong.
And.
"Beautiful..."
Not just her—Jeokgeom beside her was equally entranced.
He hadn't paid attention to footwork before, but this was shocking, like a hammer to the back of his head.
"Infinite Buddha..."
Jeokgeom involuntarily bowed.
Cheonhwi's movements were like an immortal dancing on earth.
As the two were entranced,
Tap.
A moment later, his feet, ceaselessly treading all directions, stopped.
He then spoke to the dazed Seollan.
"Now, you try."
Seollan's head tilted sideways.
"Pardon...?"
Snapping out of it, she let out a deflated sound.
Seeing this, Cheonhwi realized his mistake.
It was merely Jade Ring Wondrous Step to him, but advanced footwork to them.
Suddenly recalling a method he had seen once before, he lifted his foot.
"Wait a moment."
As he spoke, he infused internal energy into his foot, imprinting clear footprints into the dirt.
'This!'
Seollan's eyes widened.
She stared intently at Cheonhwi demonstrating the basic method of learning footwork, determined not to miss a thing.
A moment later, after imprinting a total of sixty-four footprints, he nodded.
"Remember the sequence?"
"Yes!"
"Then follow them exactly."
"Understood!"
Seollan replied vigorously and slowly followed the footprints with a resolute expression.
'This should be sufficient.'
Watching her, Cheonhwi turned.
Jeokgeom, who had been equally entranced, tensed as their eyes met.
'...An incredible footwork.'
His heart pounded with anticipation.
Then Cheonhwi spoke.
"List the martial arts you're learning."
"Plum Blossom Qi Art, Falling Petals Sword Art, and Five Elements Plum Blossom Step."
Looking at the briskly responding Jeokgeom, Cheonhwi furrowed his brow and said.
"Good. Demonstrate."
"Understood!"
Jeokgeom shouted loudly and drew his sword.
He then unleashed a flurry of sword arts.
"Hah, hah. How was it?"
Having poured all his strength into the sword art, Jeokgeom caught his breath and looked at Cheonhwi.
Just then, Cheonhwi spoke.
"A complete mess."
Expecting praise, Jeokgeom's mouth gaped open at the opposite response, as if struck by a hammer.
"A complete... mess...?"
Tsking at his dismayed expression, Cheonhwi clicked his tongue.
"Tch, you can't even digest it properly."
"...What do you mean?"
As soon as the question ended, Cheonhwi snatched the sword from Jeokgeom's hand.
"Heop!"
Jeokgeom's eyes bulged as he exclaimed in shock at having his sword taken.
'Incredible disarming technique!'
Ignoring Jeokgeom's surprise, Cheonhwi raised the snatched sword high.
Taking the same stance Jeokgeom had shown earlier, he lightly said.
"Watch closely. This is proper Falling Petals Sword Art and Five Elements Plum Blossom Step."
Shweaeak!
The raised sword slashed down like lightning, tearing the air with a burst of sound.
Pang!
Jeokgeom's hair scattered in the wind pressure and delayed shockwave.
"Th-this is Falling Petals Sword Art and Five Elements Plum Blossom Step...?"
Staring in disbelief, Jeokgeom looked at Cheonhwi.
Then Cheonhwi tossed the sword back.
Jeokgeom flailed and caught the flying sword in panic, and Cheonhwi commanded him.
"Saw it?"
"Y-yes!"
"Can you follow?"
"I'll try!"
With vigorous resolve in his eyes, Jeokgeom swung following Cheonhwi's form from moments ago.
But Cheonhwi immediately corrected.
"Infuse internal energy here."
Nodding, Jeokgeom gritted his teeth and followed the advice.
"What are you doing? Focus on footwork too."
Cheonhwi continued pointing out flaws.
After about twenty corrections,
Jeokgeom's sword swings were much improved from before.
"Hm, finally getting decent."
Muttering, Cheonhwi stepped back from Jeokgeom, now fully focused on the martial art, and glanced sideways.
This side had improved too.
Seollan beside him was lost in trance, following the imprinted footprints.
Still, it'll take quite some time.
As Cheonhwi roughly estimated the time for them to familiarize with the martial arts,
"Hm?"
He suddenly whipped his head around.
He tilted his head at the familiar presence approaching this place.
'Why is that one here?'
At that moment, Jeokgeom and Seollan also snapped out of it.
"Martial Uncle?"
"What's wrong?"
"Something came up."
Seollan and Jeokgeom were quite flustered by Cheonhwi's unusual head tilt—he who was usually indifferent or annoyed—and followed his gaze to the hill.
A moment later, as the sunset crested the hill beyond, a head appeared, approaching.
Soon, with the sunset behind clearing, an old Daoist appeared, making Jeokgeom and Seollan gasp.
"Th-Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion Lord?"
"Grandmaster Hyeoncheong?"
They could hardly contain their shock at the arrival of Hyeoncheong, lord of the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion, who had never once left it.
"This junior disciple greets Grandmaster."
"This junior disciple greets Grandmaster."
Jeokgeom and Seollan hurriedly composed themselves and bowed politely.
"Hoho, yes, good to see you."
Approaching Hyeoncheong smiled softly at the two surprised to see him.
Then Cheonhwi approached and asked.
"What brings you all the way here?"
Hyeoncheong's expression hardened as he lowered his hand at Cheonhwi's direct question to the point.
Erasing his usual carefree demeanor, he stared straight at Cheonhwi with utmost seriousness and spoke.
"Can you spare me a moment?"