Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Provisional Disciple
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“Okay, take that as given. Now that you’re my disciple, forget all that outdated nonsense like three bows or nine bows—just take this drink.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun stared blankly at Gu Ja-jin, who rambled on arbitrarily and held out an empty cup.
“Take it, I said.”
“Hey, hold on a second.”
“……?”
“Disciple? Who decided that on their own?”
“I did.”
“What?”
“Why not?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun was left utterly speechless, his mouth hanging open.
No, how could he spout such madness and act so brazen about it?
On my whim?
Everyone has their own desires and the right to express their will.
How could he decide a master-disciple relationship so unilaterally and haphazardly?
What’s the difference between this and some bastard yelling at a random woman on the street, “Bear my child,” and forcing marriage on her?
“Elder, there seems to be some misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”
“What I said earlier about paying the price was fair compensation for the damages.”
“I know.”
“What?”
“Is compensation such a big deal?”
“…….”
“I don’t need money. You’re enough.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s patience cracked slightly at the shameless expression and the dismissive wave of his hand.
“Look, Elder. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It doesn’t have to. I’ve decided, so you just follow.”
“…….”
Ah, it was like reciting scriptures to a stone pillar.
“What I mean is…….”
“Drink.”
“That’s not…….”
“I said drink.”
“…….”
His patience finally snapped under the relentless interruptions and the cup thrust toward him every time he tried to speak.
“You damn old fu—! What kind of senile ol’…….”
Crack!
“…….”
Crunch!
“…….”
The branches at his feet suddenly splintered, and a chill-inducing killing intent prickled his skin.
Yu Hyun clamped his mouth shut and widened his eyes toward Gu Ja-jin.
He was smiling. No particular pressure emanated from him.
Then?
Glancing sideways, he saw Chung-san gripping his sword with a face so cold it bordered on icy.
He’d been beaming just moments ago, but now tangible killing intent poured from him, surging as if ready to sever Yu Hyun’s life in an instant.
Was it because I almost mouthed off to this old man?
Fair enough.
Gu Ja-jin had saved him from near-death at age five when his throat was nearly slit, raised him, and turned him into a qi master. How deep must that loyalty run?
“Hey now! What do you think you’re doing?”
“…….”
As Yu Hyun froze under the overwhelming killing intent, unable to move, Gu Ja-jin scolded Chung-san with a displeased look.
“He’s about to become family. He’ll be your young master once he’s my disciple—how could you bare your killing intent so carelessly!”
“…….”
Chung-san pouted like a child despite his age, averted his gaze, and set his sword down. The vicious intent vanished as if washed away.
“Sorry about that. He’s got no backup when it comes to anything involving me.”
“…….”
You bastards!
Would you really try to kill someone over this?
If I can’t resolve the impending chaos in the martial world, will you take responsibility? Huh?!
I’ll hold back for now! But I won’t last long!
“Phew… Look, Elder.”
“Yeah?”
“Even so, becoming your disciple is a bit much.”
“…….”
“As I said, my father is a man revered by scholars across the land. He served as Imperial Tutor… and still teaches the crown prince… For someone like me to become an outlaw….”
Hoping against hope, Yu Hyun carefully watched not just Gu Ja-jin but Chung-san’s reactions as he spoke.
“Hmm, so? Your father’s an official, so you can’t become an outlaw?”
“Yes, exactly. I respect you greatly, Elder, but imagine if I became your disciple. My father’s disappointment would be immense. What greater filial impiety could there be? So…….”
“Hmm.”
As Yu Hyun poured all his effort into persuasion, Gu Ja-jin stroked his chin and nodded.
It worked. He’s buying it.
He’s not completely deaf— a little more convincing and……
Yu Hyun plastered on his slyest expression, scrutinizing every twitch in the face of the great enemy before him.
“Elder, please consider my position and…… on the disciple matter…….”
“Hmm, hmm…….”
After pondering gravely for a long while, Gu Ja-jin slowly rose.
Did it get through?
As Yu Hyun looked up expectantly, he bared his teeth in a brilliant grin.
“…Wanna go again?”
“…….”
The bony fist rose slowly.
So frail, so slender—it seemed it would shatter a boulder with a mere tap.
Yet if even one landed, Yu Hyun would be kneeling before King Yama beyond Mount Naihe.
“Worms say your Shadow Concealment is pretty decent.”
“…….”
“Not just anyone can do that. Takes innate talent. So you were fated to be my disciple from the start.”
“…….”
“Practically destiny.”
“…….”
“And holding your own against Chung-san, who’s reached the Metaphorical Gang realm? Absurd. It shatters the boundaries martial artists have set for cultivation stages. Near-fraudulent talent, once-in-a-millennium stuff.”
“…….”
“Would you let a gem like that slip away?”
Yu Hyun fell silent before Gu Ja-jin’s winking face.
He’d gotten the message loud and clear: no escape.
Metaphorical Gang, though? Impressive for an outlaw bodyguard……
Knew he was Gang realm, but True Intent of Gang? Metaphorical Gang level?
As Yu Hyun sat stunned in silence, Gu Ja-jin spoke again.
“Heh heh, my patience is thin to begin with, yet you drag out your deliberations. No helping it. Guess I’ll shorten the time for you…….”
“Time…… What? Wha…….”
The moment Yu Hyun’s face went blank, Gu Ja-jin unleashed a flash of light and lunged at him.
Swinging that scrawny fist.
“Ah, w-wait, hold ooon…….”
Splat!
“Argh!”
Thud, smack! Crack! Smash!
“Gaaah! Eeeeek!”
* * *
“…….”
“…….”
Yu Hyun knelt demurely before Gu Ja-jin, who sat astride a tree branch sipping liquor, looking every bit the bashful bride.
Both eyes were black and swollen, and the cloth stuffed in his nose was soaked with blood.
“So? Decided?”
“…….”
At Gu Ja-jin’s words, Yu Hyun flashed the world’s most innocent smile, sly as ever.
“G-give me a little more time…….”
“Oh? Want me to cut your thinking time short again? Heh heh, I salute your lofty integrity.”
“……!”
As Gu Ja-jin braced to rise again, Yu Hyun’s puffy eyes flew wide open.
“I’ll do it! I will! I said I will!”
“…….”
Gu Ja-jin sat back down with a beaming smile at the desperate shout, veins bulging in his neck.
“Well, why didn’t you decide sooner, you rascal…… Broke my heart beating my future disciple.”
“…….”
Sure it did.
Eyes gleaming with mania—he was in absolute ecstasy. Thought he was about to dance.
But……
No choice.
It hurts.
Hurts like hell in the vulgar sense.
The Righteous Six Saints? Their so-called “lessons” were nothing compared.
Lost consciousness several times—couldn’t even count how many rounds with the grim reaper.
Fuck, that criminal geezer. Not an ounce of mercy, not even under his nails.
Beat the crap out of the kid he picked as disciple?
Be honest. Chung-san’s the only one who lasted. The rest all dropped dead.
……Whatever.
Fine, disciple it is. Done.
Already got six masters—what’s one more? Refuse and get beaten to death.
But!
“I have a condition.”
“Condition?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, out with it.”
“Make it provisional.”
“Pro……visional?”
“Yes.”
“…….”
Fine, provisional disciple.
If word got out he’d become the Yangtze outlaws’ young master, the fallout for his clan aside, the orthodox sects wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole.
That’d complicate everything.
Already missed Huang Deok-sam thanks to Gu Ja-jin showing up.
Still needed the second spirit beast’s info from him.
He’d told everyone to scatter while dragging Yu Hyun along, so Huang Deok-sam was probably at the Justice Alliance by now.
That bastard’s the root of this mess—they wouldn’t let him slide.
Locked in the thunder prison, being interrogated for info…… Damn, history hasn’t changed a bit.
Had to reach him in the prison before he spilled about the spirit beasts and get the second one’s location.
So he had to get to the Justice Alliance somehow.
“Hmm…….”
Gu Ja-jin furrowed his brow, pondering Yu Hyun’s condition.
Come on, decide already, old man. Patience isn’t just your issue?
This is a huge concession.
Me, son of a proper scholarly house, agreeing to be an outlaw boss’s disciple—you gotta give something.
“I’m still green and want to travel the world, learn from everywhere.”
“…….”
“So I’ll seek instruction later.”
“…….”
“If you announce me as your disciple, the looks won’t be kind.”
“…….”
“I’d end up a frog in a well, staring only at the Yangtze. So open the path. Let me gain experience and grow the Yangtze into a great river spanning the world.”
Yu Hyun’s words flowed like a clear mountain stream, seizing the momentum in this battle of words.
Did it land this time? Gu Ja-jin lowered his raised fist and nodded slowly, listening intently.
The world.
That word encompassing all beneath heaven.
Doesn’t it make your heart race just hearing it?
They call the Yangtze the river through heaven, and those dominating it, the Yangtze Water Dragons.
But the Yangtze has never ruled the world.
Just outlaws, criminals.
That’s how the world sees them.
Even he, the strongest Water Dragon Chief ever, never reached the world stage.
But this kid…… maybe.
Gu Ja-jin’s eyes softened as he gazed at Yu Hyun.
“Fine. For a disciple like you, I’ll bear that much. You’re the Yangtze’s future.”
“…….”
“But if your words are lies, I’ll take responsibility and wipe you, everything connected to you, and Yu Clan Manor from the world.”
“Absolutely!”
“A man’s word!”
“Heavy as heaven and earth!”
As Yu Hyun matched beats flawlessly, Gu Ja-jin grinned broadly and called to Chung-san.
“Chung-san!”
“……?”
“Spread my command to every Yangtze water stronghold right now.”
Chung-san and Gu Deok nearby dropped to their knees at Gu Ja-jin’s booming voice, bowing their heads.
“Yu Hyun is from now on our Yangtze’s young master. But no one speaks a word of it to the world. For my disciple, forget what happened on this waterway! If a whisper leaks, I stake my name on punishing them.”
“We obey!”
Gu Deok shouted, while Chung-san slammed his head in vigorous assent.
“Master! Accept me!”
Timely, Yu Hyun cried “Master!” and performed the rites. Gu Ja-jin’s face filled with boundless joy.
“Heh heh, my disciple. The one to brighten the Yangtze’s future.”
“…….”
As Gu Ja-jin’s hearty laugh echoed, Yu Hyun respectfully performed nine bows and downed the proffered cup in one gulp.
Somewhere on the endless waters of the Yangtze.
Water Dragon King Gu Ja-jin thus claimed the heaven-sent genius that fit him perfectly.
And Yu Hyun boarded the boat with Gu Deok at the oars, waving farewell as he leisurely headed to the Justice Alliance.
“Heh heh heh…….”
He’d once toyed with not one but six masters.
One geezer? Child’s play.
The sly smile creeping across Yu Hyun’s lips deepened.
Beaten into submission? You only know half the story.
This is all part of a meticulous strategy.
The Yangtze outlaws that’ll end up in Jugu’s hands anyway? I’ll swallow them whole first.
Cry in pain later, Jugu bastard.
Not saying it’s because I feared the beating.
“Keh heh heh, keh heh ha ha!”
Yu Hyun thus cackled—laugh or cry, who knew?—as he parted from Gu Ja-jin.
* * *
The next day, as Yu Hyun set off downriver to the Justice Alliance.
“You damned water ghost bastard!”
An old man appeared before the delighted Gu Ja-jin, who’d just gained a disciple.
His frost-white beard whipping in fury……