Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Something's Off About This Child-Rearing Story
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“The first five seconds of Plum Blossoms by the Roadside?”
Oh, she recognizes it? Well, that explains why she gave me that advice. Jinyul nodded as she stroked her chin and looked down at me.
“I don’t know who told you, but to replicate it at this level... You’ve got some real talent.”
A faint smell of blood wafted from Jinyul’s body as she stepped lightly into the room.
Looking closely, her disciple robes and the bundle in her hand were stained with blood.
What’s that? It’s not from some unorthodox sect thug, is it?
I stared blankly at the bundle after tossing my wooden sword carelessly to the floor, and Jinyul didn’t hesitate to untie the knot, revealing what was inside.
“There was a pair of spirit beast pythons in a cave on Sentinel Peak. This is their inner core. I brought it to present to the Sect Leader.”
Oh, so this is an inner core. Barely restraining my urge to touch it, I wiggled my fingers, and Jinyul grabbed my hand, guiding it toward the core.
She let my fingertips brush against it for a tactile experience, then retied the bundle.
“I left one spirit beast python in that cave for you. Hurry and grow up to claim its inner core.”
Huh...? She’s not handing it to me—I have to catch it myself?
“I only killed the male of the pair, so by the time you’re grown, the remaining female will be brimming with venom.”
...And it’s not just any python, but a pissed-off spirit beast one that’s lost its mate?
In typical child-rearing romance fantasies, side characters hand over precious treasures and artifacts on a silver platter, but here I have to forage for my own?
Man, this place is hardcore Sparta. It’s practically the lion cub cliff-push education method.
This must be the spicy appeal of wuxia, where the protagonist rolls in brutal training from toddlerhood.
Still, an inner core from a spirit beast python has to have insane effects. Tempting... Wonder how old I’ll need to be to snag it.
Jinyul burst into hearty laughter at my lip-smacking, praising the young one for already knowing the value of an inner core. She firmly placed the wooden sword in my hand and made a request.
“Come on, show me that form again?”
I’d already demonstrated it over a dozen times in front of the elders, so what’s one more?
The fussing cheers after each move were annoyingly over-the-top, though.
From my seated position with my butt planted, I raised the wooden sword straight up and assumed the stance. I’d swung it so much that I could trace its arc with my eyes closed now.
As I flawlessly completed the first five seconds of the form, a soft smile curved Jinyul’s lips. The scar followed the rising corner of her mouth, twitching along.
“You’ll need to grow a bit more before I’d call that crude technique talented, but it shows real promise.”
Hey, crude technique? She’s the first to say it so bluntly to my face.
Well, it’s like barely finishing algebra simplification—how can anyone judge my full skill yet?
“Now I finally understand what my master meant. He said he saw potential in me when I was bashing neighborhood thugs with a stick...”
Jinyul chuckled lowly to herself, ruffling my hair lightly before meeting my eyes. I blinked at her serious gaze.
“May your talent prove a blessing to you.”
I nodded slowly at the sincerity in her voice, laced with the bitterness of one who’d received envy, jealousy, and loneliness as the curse of her own gifts.
For now, in this brutal five-star difficulty wuxia world, just being a talent-stacked munchkin protagonist is a massive blessing. I have zero intention of becoming a Nine Great Sects extra who gets smacked down by the hero and exits stage left.
“You’ve already exchanged greetings, I see.”
“Ah, Sect Leader. You’ve arrived.”
I whipped my head around at the warm voice. There stood the Sect Leader, gazing at us both with kindly eyes.
Jinyul bowed in respect and offered the bundled inner core politely.
“My master asked me to deliver this to you.”
“No need to gild that guy’s face. Does your master strike you as the type to bother with such things?”
The Sect Leader chuckled heartily as he accepted the bundle. Jinyul scratched her head sheepishly, as if he’d hit the mark, then deftly changed the subject.
“The child’s name is Biyeon, right? He’s standing on two legs now, so he must be around one year old. When’s his birthday?”
“...Birthday?”
The Sect Leader froze. So did I. Yeah, when is it? I only remember my previous life’s birthday.
“Don’t most kids like this take the day they first arrived at Mount Hua—or something like that—as their birthday?”
Oh, right. My eyes sparkled as I looked up at the Sect Leader, who merely stroked his beard in thought. He kept muttering the same line on repeat, like hitting a loop button.
“Hmm, the day he first arrived... Yes, the day he first arrived...”
Looks like he doesn’t remember. Watching him sweat coldly, I brought the wooden sword to my mouth and flopped flat on the floor.
And that was why the elders had gathered in the Sect Leader’s office.
“I remember it was about five months ago, but... what day exactly?”
“Since we’re meeting here instead of Lotus Pavilion, it doesn’t seem to have been any major meeting, so there’s no specific record.”
Elder Mujin glanced up from the meeting logs and turned his head sharply.
“Uihyeon, do you perhaps remember?”
All eyes turned to Uihyeon, who held me. I stared at him intently too.
Would the very person who found me—and my guardian—recall the day I first arrived here?
“Well, I’m not really sure...”
Uihyeon gave an awkward smile and shook his head.
Even you, Uihyeon...! I’d trusted at least you to remember the day you picked me up at the Mount Hua Sect’s main gate...!
In child-rearing romances, they commemorate every little thing. First long sleep, first steps, first time calling ‘dada,’ and so on.
But they can’t even remember my first day at Mount Hua. Not that I remember either.
Maybe it’s because these martial artists obsessed with the sword lack that delicate touch.
I abruptly wriggled out of Uihyeon’s arms, took a few steps, then plopped down on the floor with a thud. The elders’ eyes widened in surprise.
“Wasn’t he crawling just a bit ago? When did he start walking?”
“Hah, children grow so fast day by day.”
Seriously, are these elders interested in me or not? How long ago did I start walking?
They’d been all sparkly-eyed when I was swinging the wooden sword wildly.
At least put half that legendary Two-Arms Peak effort into tracking a kid’s normal development milestones.
I let out a puff of breath, and Elder Mujin clapped his hands.
“Then let’s make today Biyeon’s birthday!”
“Yeah, once they start walking, it’s their first birthday!”
I shot a cold, dead-eyed glare at the agreeing elders.
What’s this rootless birthday? Can you confidently explain later why today’s my birthday if I ask?
It’s not that they lack delicacy—they have none at all. And am I really 12 months old? Is walking the marker for one year old?
Whether I flailed my limbs in protest or not, the elder gentlemen arbitrarily set my birthday and chuckled in satisfaction.
The person involved had no say, but since I couldn’t speak yet, it was as good as none.
Uihyeon got swept up in the heartwarming mood too, petting me and saying crap like, “Today’s your birthday, Biyeon.” So I just gave up thinking about it.
And just like that, my birthday was set for today.
Not the day I was first picked up at Mount Hua, not my first steps, not even my first wooden sword swing—but the day they held a meeting wondering when I first entered Mount Hua.
Child-rearing romance protagonists getting showered with dresses, dolls, toys, and celebrating every absurd milestone flashed through my mind, making me even sadder. And my toy is just one wooden sword? For real?
Damn it, this won’t do! Send me to [I’m the Golden Child of the Duke’s Family] right now.
Looks like I flubbed filming [I’m the Golden Child of Mount Hua Sect]. Or maybe [Mount Hua Sect’s Genius Swordsman Who Swung a Sword Before Even Walking?] At least that.
Turns out the genre wasn’t romance fantasy but light novel after all.
Should’ve realized when they were reading Strategy of the King’s Grandchildren to a baby eating pureed food for mental training.
This place is doomed.
Wait, if you’re setting today as my birthday, shouldn’t you at least throw a party? Or do a doljabi ceremony?
Just “birthday today, done”?
“Happy birthday, little one.”
“Grow up quick and become Mount Hua’s pride and joy swordsman.”
I let the elders’ warm birthday greetings flow in one ear and out the other, forcing a hollow laugh. Second-life vibes are hilarious.
After making a lap in the elders’ arms, soaking up their blessings, I flopped exhausted onto the office floor. Uihyeon scooped me up, bowed, and we left the Sect Leader’s office.
“Birthday means tasty food, right, Yeon-ah?”
“What? Today’s Biyeon’s birthday? How’d I not know? Sorry, Biyeon. Your martial uncle’s been negligent.”
Uigang, passing by, rushed over at Uihyeon’s words and shook my hand vigorously with his big paw.
No need to apologize. I just found out too. It’s a birthday jury-rigged 10 minutes ago, so no guilt.
“Why’s the kid’s birthday today? Wasn’t the day we picked him up five months ago yesterday? Did a kid guardian come by and tell you or something?”
Then, a familiar voice chimed in unexpectedly. Everyone’s eyes widened at the surprising words.
Uihyeon, apparently uneasy about settling on such a half-assed birthday, asked urgently.
“You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. It was my birthday that day.”
Uiseong continued with a leisurely smile.
“No one among my martial siblings remembered, so I was celebrating alone, feeling all lonely, when suddenly I heard you’d picked up a baby. I remember it clear as day, boo-hoo.”
He even mimed wiping tears while making crying sounds with his mouth.
Whatever. My ears latched onto “five months ago yesterday.”
Oh my god. Someone actually remembers.
I gazed at him, overflowing with gratitude.
Uiseong stopped his crying act when our eyes met, scratching his cheek with a bewildered look.
“Kid, why’re you staring like that...?”
Hey, delinquent disciple. I won’t forget your功劳 for keeping my birthday from becoming “the day they met about when I first entered Mount Hua”!
Of course, choosing you as my master needs some thought.