Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Miraculous Pool
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“…….”
Something was happening. Something big.
Yu Hyun gaped toward the other side of Hwiam Hall’s wall.
It was one unbelievable event after another, leaving him unable to collect his thoughts.
First, the day before, he’d nearly drowned, barely regaining his senses when a woman named his older sister came to see him.
He’d known he had an older sister with a big age gap. All the memories of the body’s original owner had been injected into his mind.
According to those memories, his sister—Yu Jeong-hye—was a nag, ugly, and irritating woman……
But when they met face-to-face, even knowing she was blood, she was so beautiful he nearly confessed his love on the spot, future of the Central Plains be damned.
And they were twenty years apart!
It made him see his brother-in-law in a new light.
The guy wasn’t much to look at, so what luck did he have to end up with such an elegant woman, graceful in every gesture?
Anyway, her personality was nothing like the memories etched in his head.
She was kind, gentle, her soft voice conveying deep affection for her little brother in every word.
No, what the hell was the original owner? Why had he cherry-picked only the worst traits to remember about someone this perfect, like a fairy……
……Ah, his real sister.
Realizing that afresh explained the insane discrepancy in an instant.
Yeah, yeah, he got it.
No matter how pretty or kind, she was his blood sister. His damn sister……
He nodded vigorously several times, mustering all his strength to sit up.
Sister or no, training was urgent right now.
Whether it was indigestion or all the water he’d gulped, after days of nonstop walking, the tiny bit of weight he’d lost felt like it had ballooned back.
Anxious, he hurried to call Guard Huang when suddenly she glared fiercely and snapped at him.
If he was thinking of going to the valley, forget it. Absolutely not.
No, sister. I get you’re worried about safety, but what choice do I have?
It’s life or death for me and the martial world!
They argued back and forth for a while.
She let out a deep sigh and calmly asked if he really had to go swimming.
When he insisted yes, she stared silently for a long time, patted his shoulder, and stood.
She’d handle it, so wait a few days, she added.
Having no clue what she meant, he just nodded vaguely.
“……And that was yesterday.”
He’d opened his eyes at dawn, eaten as little as possible, and rushed toward the valley.
Namsan Housewife fretted over how little he ate, but he let it slide.
The table was packed with meat, veggies, and over twenty side dishes—he’d wolfed down everything except the rice bowl.
Even then, he’d snapped out of it just in time to stop at one table’s worth.
This damn body went insane at the sight of food……
Still, cutting from his usual two-plus tables to one was huge progress.
He could trim portions gradually…… Anyway, the sun was well up; time to start training.
Yesterday, his lack of intel on the valley had him flailing pathetically, but now he was good. He’d practiced the water technique’s breathing method all night, so depth was no issue.
Despite Yu Jeong-hye’s earnest plea, he couldn’t skip training.
Six months. He had to lose the weight somehow and head to Anhui Province.
Survival aside, the martial world’s fate rested on him.
Steel ing himself again, he dragged his body out energetically.
But……
“Is there a war or something……?”
The noise hit him the moment he stepped out. At first, he thought his father—who treasured him like life itself since he’d come to his senses—was throwing another feast.
The guy had spent his life on scholarship…… Well, if he was excitable, sure.
Feast this, feast that. Good for the locals.
But this was too many people for a feast.
A hundred? No, a thousand?
The open lot beside Hwiam Hall was packed tight, no room to step, like every villager nearby had shown up.
The men clutched pickaxes and shovels, women and even kids gripped tiny sickles……
“Alright, let’s begin!”
“…….”
At Vice Steward Ha Saeng’s shout from the crowd’s center, everyone sprang into action.
Thud, thud-thud, stab, stab-stab, scoop, scoop!
Pickaxes struck earth, shovels hauled dirt.
Stretchers bustled everywhere, carting soil and rocks outward until a massive pit formed in the lot.
Damn. Nothing beat manpower.
Not even an hour in…… They could move mountains at this rate.
“Next! Stone!”
Rumble.
Men shoved a pile of rocks into the pit, and those waiting inside surged out.
Half stacked them to build an inner retaining wall, securing it tight; the rest laid flat stones on the bottom—smoothly, efficiently.
“Stonemasons!”
Clang, clang-clang! Clang!
At the next order, masons rushed in with hammers and chisels, hacking away like mad.
“What the hell are they building?”
Yu Hyun muttered, head on the wall, face full of questions, when Guard Huang approached with a grin.
“What else? A swimming pool.”
“Huh?”
“A swimming pool.”
“……?”
Yu Hyun stared blankly at Guard Huang.
What did he just say? Building what?
“Huh? Why the face?”
“…….”
“Lady said she gave you advance notice.”
Suddenly, her parting words clicked.
She’d handle it, so wait a few days…… She meant trust and wait?
Yu Hyun’s eyes widened as far as they could.
“No need to trek to the valley for swimming anymore, Young Master.”
“No need!”
The ever-present palanquin bearers echoed Guard Huang, nodding relievedly.
“…….”
Why so casual?
A swimming pool just popped up before your eyes?
While Yu Hyun floundered in shock, Ha Saeng called out clearly from outside.
“Water!”
“…….”
Splash, whoosh, splashhhh!
Endless lines of women tilted head-borne buckets, pouring water in sequence.
The pit soon sloshed full.
In an empty lot…… in less than half a day, a real swimming pool appeared.
He was too stunned to speak.
“Shall we take a look?”
“Huh?”
“It’s your private swimming pool, Young Master. You ought to inspect it.”
“…….”
Guard Huang beamed at the dazed Yu Hyun, who looked like his soul had fled, then called the bearers.
“Bring the palanquin.”
“Already prepared.”
“…….”
As if entranced, Yu Hyun let Guard Huang lead him aboard.
He sat, and the bearers—grinning ear-to-ear, even humming—headed for the pool.
“Young Master!”
“Hey, Young Master!”
As the palanquin approached, people beamed broadly, bowed, and parted the way.
No…… Why’s everyone so happy? Like they’re thrilled to do this for me?
That’s not it!
You’re all being overworked for a few coins from these crazy rich folks!
You should be pointing and gossiping!
“Ah, Young Master’s here?”
Ha Saeng approached as Yu Hyun dismounted, bowing politely.
“Y-yeah.”
“What do you think? Not fully done yet, but……”
“…….”
Yu Hyun stared vacantly at the pool before him.
It was possible, huh.
Even unfinished, it looked usable now.
“We consulted the Imperial Physician on design, since you aim to swim and lose weight. Filled to waist height for now, but we can add more if you want.”
“……Ha, hahaha.”
It was so absurd he could only laugh.
“We’re building an aqueduct too. In four or five days, water from the nearby valley.”
“A-aqueduct?”
“Yes. Stagnant water’s bad for the skin.”
“…….”
“Also, for nighttime swims, we’ll embed luminous stones in the floor here and there. Ready for official use in about ten days.”
“…….”
Are you insane, Vice Steward?
Aqueduct aside, embedding priceless luminous stones? For night splashing?
No, it’s great, but say it somewhere private.
They’re gossiping! My reputation’s tanking!
Glancing nervously at the crowd amid the Yu Clan Manor’s insane spending, Yu Hyun peeked at their reactions.
But…… what?
Why’s no one batting an eye?
“Th-the people aren’t overworked, are they……? Not a reservoir, just for a swimming pool……”
“Nonsense, Young Master. Overworked?”
“…….”
Before Ha Saeng could reply, nearby folk shouted.
“We’re doing this because we want to.”
“Exactly!”
“The Patriarch’s graces to us are endless. When he asks like this, we drop everything—even ten jobs.”
“Right. I brought my whole family except the newborn.”
“…….”
Y-you left the baby?
Crazy! Who’s watching the infant?
“My old mother……”
“My bedridden father……”
“…….”
Not a hint of anger; they boasted about dragging more people along.
Regretting they couldn’t help more……
“Ah, yeah…… Haha, hahaha.”
Yu Hyun scratched his head, sheepish, and cautiously told Ha Saeng.
“Must cost a fortune in wages.”
“Wages? Don’t be like that, Young Master!”
“Right!”
“We came to ease the Patriarch’s worries, even a little.”
“Exactly!”
He’d spoken out of concern, only to get scolded by the crowd.
“Hey! Who’re you raising your voices to? The Young Master was just considering your situations!”
“Ah, uh…… Sorry.”
The people who’d unwittingly pressured Yu Hyun shrank back at Ha Saeng’s rebuke.
“Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry about the money. They came willingly for the Yu Clan Manor, but we’ll compensate generously.”
“…….”
They wouldn’t skimp, sure, but generously to this many……
Yu Hyun gazed blankly at the mirage-like pool.
What the hell was his father?
By memory, a retired Emperor’s tutor living quietly as a local notable……
Local notable meant my body type.
No, it defied common sense.
What local notable mobilizes this many to build a huge pool in a day, line it with granite,
And add aqueducts, luminous stones……
For night splashing…… luminous stones……
“…….”
Yu Hyun shook his head hard, clearing stray thoughts, and sorted facts in his mind.
Whatever, point was: his father was loaded. Filthy rich, chest-swelling wealth.
And he was that rich man’s one and only late-born son.
Precious enough for a pool on demand.
Plus, the man poured affection like a river—people eyed the good-for-nothing him with fondness?
They said even ruined rich lasted three generations.
In other words.
“……Just breathing means a flower path.”
Muttering the conclusion, his eyes gleamed with desire.
Maybe don’t run?
Be a polite son, live rich alongside, train martial arts, save the world?
Yeah, why run?
Fatso? Pfft, so what……
But he’d still slim down.
Martial world aside, lifelong wealth needed health.