Chapter 2
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Reading the Dao to a Baby's Ears
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“True stillness brings clarity, and deeper stillness leads to the true Dao. Entering the true Dao is called attainment. Only one who comprehends it can spread the way of the sage far and wide.”
Listening to the slow, rhythmic recitation, I let out a big yawn—haaam. The soft mat beneath me made me want to roll around wildly since my back didn’t ache at all.
It had been about five months since this body was born. I could flip over and roll if I wanted, but right now, I was too hungry to move.
Instead of physical training, the Sect Leader was reciting Daoist scriptures to me for mental cultivation.
What was this, reciting sutras to a baby’s ear? Even that didn’t apply here.
“The unchanging, immovable true Dao can only be attained by one who has awakened to it. Do you understand, Biyeon? This passage captures the essence of the Dao.”
No clue. Essence of the Dao or whatever, I’m hungry.
It felt about mealtime. But crying for food would bruise the dignity of the intellectual remnant inside me.
The Sect Leader chuckled warmly, oblivious to my thoughts, as I smacked my toothless gums.
“The Dao of Mount Hua is like this. I eagerly await the day you take up the sword. If you wish to bloom the plum blossoms, remember well what I’ve said.”
Tell that to a baby not even crawling yet—it’d all vanish after a nap. Read my mind if you’re a Daoist.
And honestly, I preferred the Wudang Sect over Mount Hua. I wanted to learn the Pure Yang Limitless Divine Art and Taiji Harmony Sword. Tsk.
So cool—controlling two distinct internal arts with a single heart method, and that seamless Taiji sword pattern.
Maybe because the protagonist in my first wuxia novel joined Wudang. It’s canon that your favorite sect gets set by your debut wuxia read.
In that novel, Mount Hua was portrayed as the worldly, corrupt Daoists— the opposite of Wudang’s pure, upright priests.
So for ages, Mount Hua in my mind was the Shameless Mount Hua.
It was a cliché back in old wuxia: the rotten Nine Great Sects’ Mount Hua, chasing plum blossom flashiness, ignoring the protagonist, and getting wrecked.
Wonder what this Mount Hua’s like. The fine silk wrapping my body suggests they’re not broke, at least.
I wriggled my limbs, trying to flip over, then froze as hunger hit like a freight train.
“This time, I’ll read from the Dao De Jing. Books are the nourishment of the mind, so you must cultivate the habit of keeping them close from a young age.”
Hey, old man. Sure, books nourish the mind, but people die without real food.
No helping it. Screw dignity—I’m starving, so time to cry.
I drew in a deep breath for a mighty wail when, as if reading my mind, the door slid open with a rattle. In walked a very familiar face.
I’d seen him every day for a week, so I knew him well. The guy who’d picked me up in front of Mount Hua’s main gate.
Uihyeon, was it?
Since he’d found me, he’d become my full-time caretaker. Juggling training and baby duty must be tough, but he always smiled gently at me.
Food! Gimme food! I flailed my arms from my lying position, and Uihyeon scooped me up effortlessly.
“Biyeon, hungry?”
Too starved to nod at his kind question, I just puffed out a breath. No energy even for that.
He bowed to the Sect Leader, then slid open the door to my room next door.
The smell of food made me whimper involuntarily.
“Baa…”
Today’s meal: plain porridge with finely ground meat.
I chewed the food Uihyeon fed me and gulped it down eagerly.
Some dribbled down my chin before I could swallow.
Hating the sticky trail, I kicked my legs, and Uihyeon wiped my chin with a soft cloth right away.
With this meticulous baby care, looks like I won’t be neglected like in my past life.
I don’t remember my baby days, but my clearest childhood memory was a lonely kindergarten picnic.
Other kids had lovingly packed lunches; I showed up empty-handed.
I mooched rice and fried rice off my friends’ mats.
I’d mentioned the picnic a week ahead, so why didn’t my parents pack anything? It hurt and baffled me.
Hell, even a single kimbap roll from the cafeteria.
My parents neglected me from childhood till I was old enough to fend for myself. No way they cared for a high-maintenance baby.
Maybe that’s why this all-encompassing affection pouring from every direction felt awkward and strange.
Oops, flashback made me drool again.
Feeling the stickiness on my chin, I scrunched my face. Uihyeon chuckled softly and wiped it with careful strokes.
My skin dry and fresh, I relaxed my brow and beamed.
Meeting my smile, Uihyeon’s eyes crinkled as he smiled back. Aww, his smile glows. Gentle hot guy supreme…!
I polished off the bowl in no time, but still peckish, smacking my lips. Uihyeon wiped my mouth with the cloth.
He picked me up, patted my back to burp me, and stroked it softly.
“Baby, nap time now?”
He laid me on the mat and covered me with a light, soft blanket.
Yawning long under his steady patting, I drifted off.
Uihyeon sat watching a moment, then rose quietly, holding his breath.
But his efforts were ruined as the door rattled open again, followed by a booming shout.
“Uihyeon! Training time!”
My eyes snapped open. Uihyeon plopped down in panic.
Patting me again, he gritted his teeth and scolded the man at the door.
“Senior Brother Uigang, Biyeon was just falling asleep.”
“Nooo, I didn’t know it was nap time…”
“Now you’ll remember. This time is always Biyeon’s nap time.”
I peeked sideways to see a familiar burly guy sheepishly scratching his head.
One of those who checked on me often, stamping his face in my memory.
Our eyes met, and he grinned awkwardly, his voice melting cutely despite his looks.
“Aigoo, our Biyeon. Did this uncle wake you?”
“He doesn’t even have a master yet—what uncle?”
“When Biyeon becomes your disciple, I’ll naturally be his uncle.”
“Senior Brother, that’s not set in stone. He’ll choose when he grows up.”
“Fine, fine. Anyway, big trouble. We gotta hit the training grounds now or we’ll be late, but I woke the baby.”
For fidgeting Uihyeon patting me and foot-stomping Uigang, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.
There, mood strike. I’ll play good baby.
Uihyeon sighed in relief, stroked my head, and tiptoed out.
The door barely shut when I lifted my eyelids. Clear-headed, I blinked a few times.
Damn, wide awake now.
I flipped my lying body easily, lifted my butt in the air, knees on the floor, palms down.
The classic crawling pose.
Pushing the slightly ajar sliding door wide enough to squeeze through was easy. It just budged.
I crawled across the polished floor, tumbled down the stone steps, and landed safely in the spotless courtyard.
Palm on the dirt, I blinked, pondering.
Made it down… but where to?
One week since Mount Hua took me in.
My world was just the Sect Leader’s room and mine.
Outdoor time was rare: Uihyeon carrying me to the training grounds for sun a few times.
The black history of bursting into tears amid the crowd rushed back.
Which way was the training ground? Earth’s round—crawl far enough, something’ll turn up.
Sleeves over palms and fabric on knees scraping dirt, I crawled hard. But before leaving the yard, my head bonked a leg.
“Wah, what the—!”
I looked up blankly at the startled shout.
A guy a bit younger-looking than Uihyeon. His face hovered between boy and youth, still boyish.
Sharply upturned eyes added a roguish vibe to his impression. His sloppy ponytail tempted me to yank it.
No way I’d forget a face that handsome. So, one of the types not interested in me—never visited once.
I just blinked, and he dangled me up with one hand, face-to-face.
“Hey, kid! How the hell did you get out here? Who dumped you on the ground?”
Then why’re you wandering alone during training? Skipping?
Failed escape soured my face pouty.
“…No way you came out alone.”
Squinting around, he spotted the treacherous steps I’d conquered and shook his head—impossible, he thought.
What crazy bastard…
Muttering, he sighed, readjusted me comfortably, and headed toward my room.
“Abua!”
“Ow! This brat’s got some grip!”
Yanking his ponytail in frustration, he yelped and gently pried my hand free.
“What, don’t wanna go back?”
I nodded vigorously. He scratched his cheek, stopped, and asked bluntly.
“You didn’t crawl out here to see Senior Brother, right?”
“Hawung.”
None of your business—just baby babble meaning I wanted out. Somehow, he interpreted and asked again.
“Want me to take you to Uihyeon Senior Brother?”
Destination was the training grounds anyway. All roads lead to Rome—better being carried than crawling.
I nodded, and without hesitation, he turned with me in arms, clicking his tongue.
“Tch, no skipping training today.”
Knew it, slacker.