Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Loach and Catfish (2)
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At Old Three's declaration that he would pass down the Anti-Dragon Palm, gasps of astonishment erupted from those around him.
"Hah, the Anti-Dragon Palm—you mean the Beggar Gang's famed ultimate technique, the Eighteen Anti-Dragon Palms?"
"...I-it seems like it?"
"G-go for it, Brother Yong-un!"
"The professor said that if he went with you, he'd be able to bring along Junior Eon, but it turns out he was planning to teach you the Anti-Dragon Palm?!"
It was in that order: Wu So-rung, Yin Xia Lian, Yin Ha-seong, and Jin Gyeong-ryong. Even Jin Gyeong-ryong hadn't expected Old Three to make such a proposal.
And then Jeong Hyeon directed a question at Old Three.
"What Professor Old Three means is... you're saying you'll take Young Master Eon as your direct disciple?"
In response to Jeong Hyeon's question, Old Three scratched his ear and replied.
"I'd like that, but I reckon the Eon Family brat would refuse."
The Eon brothers and sisters were stunned for a moment by Old Three's words but soon nodded in agreement one by one.
Jin Gyeong-ryong, who had no idea why they were nodding, widened his eyes.
"Refuse to become Professor Old Three's direct disciple? But what's with this atmosphere where everyone's accepting it? Do I not know something...?"
At Jin Gyeong-ryong's words, Old Three blew on the pinky finger he'd just pulled from his ear and spoke.
"Phew! Jin boy, why so surprised? That Eon Family punk turned down even the Martial Alliance Leader wanting him as a disciple. No way he'd covet a spot under an old beggar like me."
"M-Martial Alliance Leader?! You mean he rejected the proposal from Great Hero Gong Son-mu-geol, the Nine Phantoms Sword?!"
"No way... ...Huh. But looking at your reactions, it's... true?"
Jin Gyeong-ryong's eyes widened to the point they looked ready to pop out at Old Three's words.
And for some reason, the Eon siblings looked proud.
- ...Why are these guys acting proud of my accomplishments?
Tell me about it.
Well, anyway.
Corrections had to be made.
I released my hand from the teacup I'd hastily covered when Old Three blew out his earwax and spoke up.
"You're saying things that might get twisted. What Professor Old Three said isn't entirely accurate. I didn't outright reject the Alliance Leader's offer."
"If you hadn't rejected it, Gong Son-ge would be stuck here, or you'd have gone to the Martial Alliance. You're the only one here, so doesn't that mean you rejected it?"
"It wasn't phrased as taking me as a disciple. Specifically, he asked if I had any interest in learning the Heonwon Sword. I just said I'd visit if I ever felt inclined."
"Same difference, you punk."
Old Three snorted at my words, the Eon siblings looked proud of me again, and Jin Gyeong-ryong kept muttering, "What is all this?"
In the midst of that, I spoke up once more.
"However, Professor Old Three knowing the full context and still offering to teach me the Anti-Dragon Palm means you're willing to pass it on even if I don't become your disciple, right? Is my understanding correct?"
"That's right."
Old Three's curt affirmation flipped the room once again.
"...?!"
"Brother Yong-un! Say you'll do it!"
"...!"
"Uh, Young Master Eon? E-even to me, this seems like there's no reason to refuse?"
"P-Professor?! Teaching the Eighteen Anti-Dragon Palms without even the disciple rites?!"
Old Three turned to Jin Gyeong-ryong, who had spoken last.
"What? Feeling greedy, Jin boy? I'd teach you too if I could, but not just anyone can learn it. Your aptitude and internal energy nature have to match."
"How can you say that?! I've never even thought of such a thing. Besides, didn't you already refine my footwork for me?!"
"Tsk tsk. True, if your mindset was twisted, I wouldn't have bothered refining your footwork. Your Yue Dao techniques aren't something to be ashamed of if you train diligently, so don't go eyeing other things recklessly."
"I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, that's not what I meant."
"Ah, but if you're not tempted, why so shocked? I taught you that footwork without disciple rites either."
"That's not the same! The Eighteen Anti-Dragon Palms are the Beggar Gang's supreme ultimate art, aren't they?!"
Well, Jin Gyeong-ryong's doubt wasn't unfounded.
The Gang's supreme ultimate art was the technique passed down to successors, and it was commonly known as the Dog-Beating Staff Method or the Anti-Dragon Palm/Eighteen Anti-Dragon Palms.
"Ah, that's what you meant. People think the Dog-Beating Staff and Anti-Dragon Palm are the Gang's supreme arts, but that's a misconception. Precisely, only the Dog-Beating Staff Method—which uses the Gang's sacred relic, the Dog-Beating Staff, and consists of forms to reclaim it if ever lost—is the true supreme art. The Anti-Dragon Palm is merely a guardian technique to protect the Gang inside and out."
Old Three's explanation was spot on.
Of course it was—he was an active beggar.
No Gang Leader had failed to inherit the Dog-Beating Staff Method, but due to various circumstances, a few in this novel's setting hadn't received the Anti-Dragon Palm.
"Thus, if one's character is upright, they have the bearing of a righteous hero, and their aptitude and internal energy nature match, it's not against Gang rules to teach outsiders. There are plenty of precedents. When the world is safe, the Gang is naturally safe. Of course, non-disciples don't get all eighteen forms."
Master clicked his tongue at Old Three's words.
- No wonder he said he'd teach the Anti-Dragon Palm, not the Eighteen. He's pulling some sneaky trick. If you're going to teach, teach it all properly—instead, he's leaving gaps by holding back a few forms. Beggars are always so petty like that.
I directed a question at Master.
'Hm? From the way you're listening, it sounds like you think it's worth learning, Master?'
- Is there any reason to refuse? You think I'm some kid?
'Aren't you?'
- ...?
'?'
- ???
'Ahem. Well, it's not becoming a disciple, and it's not swordsmanship, so yeah?'
- I'll acknowledge what's worth acknowledging. Considering your academy life ahead, the beggars' palm techniques have their merits.
'You think so?'
- Yes. Truth be told, with a sword in hand, you rarely need it, and once you master the Heaven-Splitting Divine Art, just channeling internal energy into your palms would make Anti-Dragon or Loach Palm irrelevant to opponents. However.
'However?'
- In academy life, there'll be times you set aside your sword, and people who need proper discipline—like that Bo-jun punk last time.
'Huangbo-ga-seong. Be careful with that.'
- ...After calling him that a hundred times yourself? Anyway, the Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect's martial arts don't have half-measures. Unless you're fine killing everyone, learning the beggars' palms will be useful. Don't worry about my feelings—take it if you think you need it.
That was when it happened.
Just as I'd confirmed Master's stance almost by accident.
Old Three spoke to me.
"So, will you join Qingzhu Hall or not?"
If Old Three had asked, "Will you follow my will?" I'd have said yes.
But the question was whether I'd join Qingzhu Hall, and there were still two prerequisites left.
"If you make two additional promises to what you've said so far, I'll join Qingzhu Hall."
"You punk! Even a three-day starved beggar wouldn't suck the marrow like this. Two more promises on top?! I want to, but I got nothing left!"
"They're not difficult requests. Things you can easily do, Professor."
"...Ugh. Let's hear them."
The first was arranging for Yin Xia Lian to meet the Sword Empress.
Originally, Yin Xia Lian would join Yun-guk Hall and catch the Sword Empress's eye by chance.
But with the original plot twisted so strangely, relying on chance wasn't wise.
'Of course, the form will differ from the original.'
Using Old Three as a card made ensuring Yin Xia Lian met the Sword Empress straightforward and certain.
"First, have the Yin lady here show herself to the Sword Empress once."
At my words, Yin Xia Lian's eyes widened into circles.
"Y-Young Master Eon?"
Old Three furrowed his brow and tilted his head.
"Not difficult, you said, but you want me to get your friend in as the Sword Empress's disciple? Her heart's not my business, and isn't the proposal too much? With everyone calling you top student and me inviting you here, are you making the professors look like fools?"
"I never said make her a disciple. My request is simply to show Yin lady to the Sword Empress."
"Just an introduction? What's that supposed to mean...? Hm?! No way...?"
"From what I've overheard, the Sword Empress's unique Botamun martial art requires a rather specific constitution."
"...Not extreme yin, not ordinary. The amount of yin energy flowing must be exactly double that of a normal person. Is that girl like that?"
That's how it was in the original.
But I couldn't show I knew too well.
"How could a murim ignoramus like me declare it so? I once checked Yin lady's pulse. Her hands were much colder than a normal person's, and her pulse beat slower. Yet she says she's never been seriously ill. That's why I asked to have her seen once."
I deliberately spoke without full certainty.
Then Old Three spread his grimy palm and spoke to Yin Xia Lian.
"Yin girl, give me your wrist."
That was it.
After briefly checking Yin Xia Lian's pulse, Old Three cleared his throat and swallowed, then turned to me.
"...Fine. I'll take this girl to the Sword Empress. So, what's the last request?"
"Teach me the Anti-Dragon Palm first."
"...?"
"I'll learn the Anti-Dragon Palm first, then fill out the Qingzhu Hall application."
How could I trust a beggar punk?!
They're pros at eating and running.
At my words, Old Three gaped blankly for a moment, then stared at Jin Gyeong-ryong beside him as if it made no sense.
"...Jin boy."
"Yes, Professor."
"I'm not following right now, but is this Eon Yong-un punk saying that after I teach him the Anti-Dragon Palm to lure him in and he joins, I might change my face...?"
"...B-boldly speaking, yes, it seems so."
With Jin Gyeong-ryong confirming it, Old Three put his hands on his waist, ready to rage.
"Has this punk only lived getting scammed?! You Eon Family brat! I'm a professor, you think I'd go back on my word to a freshman like that?!"
But no chance.
I shook my head firmly.
"I haven't only lived getting scammed, but you definitely scammed me once, Professor. You said you wouldn't use one hand in the entrance exam, but used both, didn't acknowledge it, spouted nonsense, and insisted on more fighting?"
"...There were reasons for that."
"No grave without excuses. Did you or didn't you? Yes or no."
"...Ahem. Fine, I did."
As the conversation reached that point, cold stares from everyone turned to Old Three.
"P-Professor? Is what Young Master Eon says true?"
"...I was pretending to be a patient then and didn't notice, but there was such an incident?"
Jin Gyeong-ryong and Wu So-rung sought confirmation.
Jeong Hyeon nodded and affirmed it.
"It definitely happened."
"Heh, and then you got attacked by those dropouts after? And you broke through that too? Brother Yong-un, what in the world?!"
Yin Ha-seong made a fuss, while Yin Xia Lian calmly withdrew her wrist from Old Three, who had been checking her pulse.
The innkeeper, who had been about to post Old Three's signature on the wall, hesitated with a sharp intake of breath.
With them at my back, I twisted the corner of my mouth upward.
"Teach me the Anti-Dragon Palm first."