Chapter 10
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Reluctant Master and Disciple
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“Since you’ve never studied martial arts, I thought it best to start with the basics. This Six Combinations Fist is…….”
“…….”
Hey.
The Heaven-Earth Divine Book wasn’t good enough, and now it’s Six Combinations?
Even a passing dog would be baffled, and Yu Hyun wore a dumbfounded look.
Oblivious to his feelings, Dam Cheon-u went on to explain the meaning of Six Combinations in exhaustive detail.
Something about Six Combinations this and that…… The energies of heaven and earth being such and such……
“Haa…….”
Yu Hyun let out a deep sigh, as if the ground might cave in, and Dam Cheon-u paused, blinking.
“Oh dear, was my explanation too difficult?”
“Hm, it seems it was a bit. No matter how exceptional Hyun’s comprehension is, this is all new to him. Explain it more simply.”
“Hm, you’re right. I tend to overestimate my brother-in-law…….”
“…….”
Amid their serious exchange, another deep sigh escaped Yu Hyun’s lips.
What am I to do with these two clueless fools……
After a long while.
Having listened blankly to Dam Cheon-u’s explanation to the end, Yu Hyun asked,
“Anyway, I get it. But brother-in-law.”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you explaining all this to me in such detail?”
“Well, you see…….”
He trailed off, exchanging a sly glance with Father, and Yu Hyun had a bad feeling.
What is it? What’s he trying to say?
Yu Hyun narrowed his eyes, and Dam Cheon-u spoke.
“Truth is, seeing your interest in martial arts, Father-in-law and I discussed it, and I’ve decided to take you as my disciple.”
“Di…… What?”
Yu Hyun’s brow furrowed sharply.
“Martial master.”
“…….”
“Oh my, oh my. Is this your first time hearing the term?”
As if he hadn’t?
“Heh heh, it’s only natural for Hyun to hear it for the first time.”
“Seems so, Father-in-law.”
“…….”
Right hand, left hand?
Did you rehearse your lines outside?
You two are quite the performers.
“Hyun, a martial master is someone who teaches you martial arts.”
“……No, I didn’t ask because I didn’t know that.”
“Heh heh, no need to worry. You might not know, but your brother-in-law is quite capable in that field.”
“…….”
“He even trains the escorts of our clan’s merchant caravans and the guards of the escort agency under our Yu Clan Manor. He’s exceptionally skilled, so just learn without worry. Do you think I’d entrust you to him if he weren’t up to it?”
Yu Seong-hwan winked, and Dam Cheon-u shrugged proudly. Yu Hyun was left speechless.
Good grief, this is ridiculous……
Fine, Dam Cheon-u isn’t just some ordinary guy.
The original Yu Hyun had dismissed him as someone who got nagged by his father-in-law daily and dragged around by his sister.
Utterly dismissed him.
But Dam Cheon-u wasn’t someone deserving of such treatment. After all, he was the direct heir of the Dam Clan Manor, Hubei Province’s top martial family.
Yu Hyun had heard plenty about the Dam Clan Manor before.
A house with history and tradition, holding its ground amid the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families that dominated the righteous martial world.
There was even a prevailing view that if they’d focused on the martial world instead of the military, they’d be one of the Six Great Families, not Five.
Though he’d become Yu Clan Manor’s son-in-law through political marriage, Dam Cheon-u’s own skills were no slouch.
From the faint energy he sensed, he was clearly above Guard Huang.
But even so, he was merely at the realm of intent. For someone like that—his own brother-in-law, no less—to be his martial master?
There had to be something to learn for him to serve as one.
It wasn’t surprising that Yu Hyun inwardly lamented endlessly.
If anything, he was a joint successor to the six absolute beings who would be called the strongest in the righteous sects in the distant future.
Right now, his inner energy was lacking and losing weight was urgent, but the knowledge and insights on martial arts in his head were second to none in the martial world.
He could go spar with the current head of the Dam Clan Manor and still earn a bow of respect—what was there to learn from anyone?
This was like a village dog reciting a bit of poetry and trying to teach Confucius.
“Hey. Father, brother-in-law.”
“Yeah?”
“What?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun was about to explain everything from start to finish and refuse, but he clamped his mouth shut at their eagerly shining eyes.
A father desperate to do anything for his son.
A brother-in-law eager to prove his worth to Yu Seong-hwan and Yu Jeong-hye through this chance.
……Damn it, how can I refuse like this!
He wasn’t even confident he could persuade them.
What could he say?
That he wasn’t really Yu Hyun, but a wastrel from Hwiam Hall who came from the future to prepare for the coming calamity?
They’d flip the house upside down, claiming something was wrong with his head, and Jang Se-yong and the household staff would pull all-nighters again for a while.
Show his skills, then?
His doting father would brag to the whole neighborhood without question.
And if rumors spread?
Interest would spike in the Yu Clan Manor son who suddenly mastered martial arts out of nowhere, and the Beggars’ Sect, obsessed with digging into others’ business, wouldn’t let it slide.
Having a father favored by the Emperor might prevent real trouble, but it’d be a hassle for sure.
Then every action from now on would be constrained.
……Fine, this works out better. Let’s build some foundation now.
If anyone asks, say Dam Cheon-u taught him, and if they ask what arts, say the Heaven-Earth Divine Book bestowed by the Emperor.
It’s not a lie, right?
The Righteous Six Saints arts he’d practice anyway were from the future, so no one in this era could recognize them.
If they ask how his skills grew so fast…… Say he was a natural genius, and it only bloomed later. Muddle through.
Yeah, they say the wishes of the dead must be granted—might as well fulfill these two’s.
They’re family now, and they’ll hand over all of Yu Clan Manor’s wealth to him later……
“Brother-in-law.”
“Hm?”
Having steeled his resolve, Yu Hyun stood abruptly, and Dam Cheon-u and Yu Seong-hwan tilted their heads in confusion.
“Please receive my bow.”
“Uh, uh?”
“Informally, we’re brothers-in-law, but now that you’re my master, we’re also master and disciple. You deserve a proper bow.”
“…….”
He seemed to wobble as he rose, then collapsed forward in a clumsy prostration. Dam Cheon-u’s jaw dropped.
“Y-You?”
“H-Hyun!”
Even Yu Seong-hwan’s eyes went wide as he stared at the prone Yu Hyun.
The wastrel who acted like the world revolved around him knew manners?
My precious son, whom I wouldn’t trade for the apple of my eye, is now polite too—no flaws left.
Though their thoughts differed, their shock was the same.
“Hyun. Was that why you chased away all the scholars I called to teach you? I had no idea you were so devoted to martial arts…….”
“It’s probably my brother-in-law’s deep consideration, worrying it might hurt your feelings if he spoke the truth.”
“Heh heh, I see. So that’s how it was. Indeed, no one knows Hyun’s filial piety better than I.”
Dam Cheon-u patted the emotional Yu Seong-hwan, who was on the verge of tears, and looked at the still-prostrated Yu Hyun.
“…….”
Why’s he still down there?
He bowed, we know his heart—time to get up……
“Brother-in-law? It’s time to rise…….”
“Yes, excess in courtesy is no virtue. Get up now.”
“……Brother-in-law.”
“……?”
“Please help me up. I can’t get up. Can’t breathe.”
“…….”
Don’t look at me so pitifully.
What can I do with legs like noodles?
* * *
Shuuuk!
“Argh! That’s not it either!”
Paak!
“No! I said no!”
Whirlik, pak!
“Ehey!”
Amid the nonstop nagging, Yu Hyun’s chubby cheeks bunched up in irritation.
It had been ten days since he started training under Dam Cheon-u.
His methods were clumsy and his martial knowledge lacking, but Yu Hyun had thrown himself into the lessons sincerely.
Despite knowing better ways, his earnest attitude made him follow every instruction to the letter.
However……
“How can you be so inept! Bird-Dragon Probes Sea isn’t like that! How can you not even manage the first stance!”
“…….”
Dam Cheon-u shook his head in exasperation at Yu Hyun’s form.
The very first stance of Six Combinations Fist: Bird-Dragon Probes Sea.
A dragon with two legs—like a phoenix—seeking the sea.
Its literal meaning aside, “Probing Sea” meant moving nimbly like a bird sailing over the ocean, keeping balance freely.
Grand words for a simple stance: a few foot shifts, arms spread, one leg raised to attack in all directions.
He could do it blindfolded.
The problem was that damned dividing motion.
Dam Cheon-u had split the stance oddly, blocking him from the starting form.
Just lower the leg and flow to the next……
Why!
Why on earth!
Stand on one leg maintaining balance for no reason?
Does he think this body can do that?
“Again! Just the dividing motion!”
“…….”
At the sharp bellow, Yu Hyun halted and glared at Dam Cheon-u.
This is getting ridiculous.
For ten days now, an hour each day, thousands of reps of just that first motion of Bird-Dragon Probes Sea.
Any more, and his right knee, bearing this massive frame, would pop out entirely instead of finding balance.
Since the fifth day, he couldn’t walk properly without overnight steaming, so personal practice was out of the question.
“Argh! What are you doing! Are my words not reaching you, disciple!”
“…….”
The forceful command made irritation surge again.
Master, my ass.
He’d played polite with yeses and yeses, complying meekly……
But he couldn’t take back calling him master.
“Brother-in-law.”
“Master!”
“…….”
Dam Cheon-u kindly yet curtly corrected him, and a vein throbbed at Yu Hyun’s temple.
“Yes, Master. Let’s just approximate it and move on. Accuracy matters, but what’s key is smoothly incorporating variations and feints, right?”
“Argh! Have you ever seen such an ignorant brother-in-law!”
“…….”
Dam Cheon-u’s voice rose to the heavens.
“You, who don’t even know the ‘martial’ in martial arts, dare say that? As the saying goes, whether scholarship or martial arts, a solid foundation leads to great attainment!”
“…….”
“How can you skip to the next without mastering the basics? Tsk tsk, so inept—how will you ever learn martial arts…….”
“…….”
“You’ll give up so easily and live your whole life in that fat body!”
Yu Hyun’s patience finally snapped, his fists trembling.
Fine, basics. Basics are important.
But those words are too much.
What, ignorant? Don’t know ‘martial’?
Inept? Live fat forever?
Are you cursing me?
I might die from this weight, and you’re cursing me now?
Feels like he’s gotten cocky from the good treatment lately, acting like the world’s top master.
He could understand it as Dam Cheon-u venting past grudges like Guard Huang, but the anger boiled over.
Leave him be, and he’d repeat this pointless hour daily……
Fine.
Ten days is plenty generous.