Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: They Say People Only Change When They're About to Die
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The moment I burst into the dorm room, I leaped through the darkness onto my bed.
Clatter! At the racket, a few light-sleeping martial siblings cracked their eyes open and glanced my way before relaxing and drifting back off.
Finally sprawled out spread-eagle on my long-lost bed, I managed to calm my still-pounding heart. No way Uihyeon had noticed, right...?
From the bed to my right, Biyeong cracked one eye open and grumbled in a voice thick with sleep.
"At least change into sleepwear before you crash. I'm not even asking you to wash up."
"Tch, too much hassle."
"Your clothes are covered in dirt. You're gonna get it all over the bedding too."
"Ughhh, I can't hear you."
I plugged my ears and rolled around on the bed until the door suddenly flew open, freezing me in place. Damn it, shoulda kept my ears open. Then I could've heard the footsteps and pretended to be asleep.
"Biyeon, you still up?"
It was Uihyeon, heading straight for me after spotting my movement.
"I'm too worried about Martial Uncle Uiseong to sleep. Did you find him?"
I tilted my head innocently, playing dumb. Perfect excuse, if I do say so myself. A gentle hand ruffled my hair.
"He came back on his own two feet. Looks like I need to give that kid Uiseong a piece of my mind for keeping our disciple up all night. But seriously, what have you been doing? Still not changed into sleepwear?"
Pretending not to hear, I flopped back onto the bed. Uihyeon chuckled helplessly, brushed the dirt off my clothes, and pulled the blanket over me as he asked casually,
"You didn't happen to go outside and come back in, did you, Biyeon?"
My throat tightened at the two-syllable name instead of my usual one-syllable nickname. Was this some advanced psychological warfare...?
Did he know I'd snuck out and was just waiting for me to confess?
Had he sensed my presence while I was hightailing it after Martial Uncle Uiseong? Or maybe he picked up on the chill from outside when he touched my head?
Or was it just a casual probe?
My mind raced. Alright, fifty-fifty odds: busted vs. in the clear.
What I needed to say here was...!
"Hey, senior brother. Don't wake the kids. Come out quick before you disturb everyone."
A voice cut in from right beside me, and Uihyeon whipped around in alarm. An arm shot out, lightly messing up my hair.
"Kiddo, this martial uncle's escapade is over. Go back to sleep, no worries."
What acting chops. Martial Uncle Uiseong grinned slyly, playing it like we'd never crossed paths outside. I had to admire it.
Uihyeon's sudden distraction with Uiseong made him forget his question to me.
As Uiseong tugged him along, Uihyeon stood from where he'd been perched on my bed and tucked the blanket up to my neck.
"Get some sleep. You must be beat from the martial exchange."
His hand patted rhythmically, and my eyes slid shut. Once the hand withdrew and the door clicked shut, I let out a sigh of relief.
Whew, close call. I hadn't even figured out what to say, but the timing was impeccable.
* * *
Rustle. A faint sound nearby snapped my eyes open out of habit.
Yawning in the pale dawn light filtering through the window, I blinked slowly. Spotting Biyeong just rising from her bed, I asked,
"Where you headed?"
"To train. One of the Wudang disciples showed me the sparring ground yesterday. Said it'd be empty during the Dragon-Tiger Assembly mornings, perfect for uninterrupted practice."
"I'll come with."
I grabbed my sword from where it leaned against the bed and hopped down, but Biyeong snatched it from my hand and shoved me toward the washroom.
"You can't wander the Jasogung looking like that filthy mess. You'd shame Mount Hua, junior brother."
When I emerged cleaned up, I stuck out my tongue at the fresh clothes laid out on my bed. Was Biyeong junior sister my mom or something?
Chewing on a rice cake as I stepped out of the dorms looking spick-and-span, Biyeong walked beside me and remarked in a tone of fresh surprise.
"You know, you've been showing up religiously for dawn training lately. Up early today to tag along too."
"I'm more shocked you're training even in someone else's sect."
I had no choice—gotta suck up that Jasodan spiritual energy daily. But she was a born cultivation fanatic, diligently practicing even as a guest here.
"You're a natural genius, junior brother, so you wouldn't get this impatience. But the second you slack, you're left behind."
"I'm a bit of a prodigy, yeah. Heh."
"I was hoping that last defeat taught you some humility and urgency, but I aimed too high."
"They say people only change when they're about to die."
"Lose to the Namgung heir a few more times, junior brother. You'll figure it out on your own."
"Hmph, next time I'll win."
I flashed a confident grin at Biyeong, who sighed and shook her head.
"But won't you get tired running nonstop like that?"
"Better than being too weak to do anything, wallowing in apathy, and giving up on life."
The cynicism on Biyeong's face was identical to what I'd seen on that cliff during Selection Hell.
I could feel the hatred and contempt in her eyes, so I shut my mouth and said no more.
She must've seen plenty of lives like that before escaping the brothel in Daeryeo.
Following Biyeong's lead brought us to an empty sparring ground. Correction: a sparring ground with two boys.
Wudang had its own cultivation maniacs like Biyeong, huh.
"Ah, Junior Sister Biyeong! I was worried you'd get lost, but you found it alright."
"Don't call me junior sister. Regrettably, I'm a disciple of a Daoist sect just like yours. Not some worldly girl."
"Aha, my apologies, Junior Hero."
The third-generation Wudang disciple who'd approached beaming at the sight of Biyeong quickly corrected himself after her rebuke.
Judging by his vibe, he wasn't out here at dawn for training. Yeah... this must be what they mean by more interested in girls than rituals.
A Daoist chasing skirts already—his potential was yellow as can be. Wudang's future looked mighty grim. Boundless Buddha have mercy.
Did he miss the look on Biyeong's face screaming she'd clobber him with her sword for interrupting her training?
Or were love goggles making that demon glare look welcoming?
Whatever the case, he kept yapping away at a clearly annoyed Biyeong.
"You barely got to see the Jasogung last time fussing over Mount Hua's grand senior disciple. Wanna postpone training a bit and let me show you around?"
"No. You're in my way. Move along?"
"Then how about a light spar? I'll go easy—"
"We go all-out in every match. Or are you saying I look so weak you'd only fight if Junior Hero holds your hand? That pisses me off."
"No, that's not— Fine, I'll give it my all then..."
I'd settled into a cross-legged seat in a good spot and put off even qi circulation to watch the toothpick-versus-shield showdown. It was more amusing than pitiful, every advance bouncing off Biyeong's iron wall.
This was Mount Hua's iron defense!
"I prefer solo training. You do the same, Junior Hero."
Done bothering with him, Biyeong turned away curtly and drew her sword. The third-generation disciple stared longingly at her back before slumping off the sparring ground.
Dude, if you're out here, at least train before you go. Heading back now makes your real purpose way too obvious.
Showing some training effort might've earned him a smidge of favor. Tsk tsk.
"No wonder that guy's out in the dawn chill when it's not even his duty."
A low voice from the side made me glance up.
The breeze rustled his neatly tied ponytail. It'd been short four years ago—when'd he grown it out?
I stared blankly, searching his unfamiliar face for buried familiarity, until his slightly down-slanted eyes curved into a smile.
I eyed Baek Geon indifferently and tossed out a question instead of a greeting.
"You out here trying to pick up girls like that guy?"
"As if. Here to train."
He plopped down beside me despite claiming that, grinning as he added,
"But I can't swear that's why I'm here right now."
"Yeah? Tough road ahead, like you just saw. Good luck. I gotta circulate my qi now."
"Huh?"
Baek Geon looked flustered, but before I could close my eyes, he hurriedly clarified.
"I can guess the misunderstanding, but it's not that."
"Got it. Train over there if you want. Quietly, if possible. Mess up qi circulation and you get qi deviation, right?"
I pointed toward Biyeong, and he chuckled softly under his breath.
"You're the same in this regard."
"Hm? Did I tell you to scram back then too?"
I'd never pull that on Baek Geon, the ultimate timid sect outcast—not like with some arrogant Namgung Seheon young master.
"You didn't even see me off, saying you needed to sleep in. Hurt my feelings back then."
His already droopy eyes sagged further.
So what'd he want from me?
"Uh... sorry about that."
"So make it up to me."
Gonna ask for money? I turned to him without hiding my wariness, and suddenly his face loomed close.
Just a fist's distance away, our faces inches apart. Startled for a split second—
"With your time right now."
His lips quirked up mischievously in a whisper.