My Disciple Has Changed It
Paeng Gang-hwi inwardly scolded himself for grumbling that Kunlun was such a remote backwater it was hard to even see a woman there.
As it turned out, every woman in Qinghai Province seemed to have gathered here. And without regard for age.
Heh heh.
His heart warmed at the sight of the beauties mixed in among them.
But he didn't like that they'd all come for the sake of a pretty boy Taoist.
Hmph! What's so great about a little gigolo like that? A real man should have a bold frame and rugged looks.
It was as if he were describing his own appearance while gazing into a bronze mirror.
Not that it was unreasonable. The men of the Hebei Paeng Clan all shared that view of male beauty.
The only normal one was his uncle, Paeng Su-won.
Whoa. To think such a beautiful youth exists in this world.
Unlike the famously fierce men of the Paeng Clan, he was tall and refined, with a gentle demeanor.
Because of that, he'd been teased a lot as a child, but once he came of age, he'd been more popular with women than anyone else in the clan.
That was why he could truly appreciate just how ridiculously handsome the young Taoist Jeong Gwang was.
A young Taoist with looks like that already. What will he be like fully grown? He's in for a rough life, that's for sure.
A life full of ups and downs, no doubt.
The kind every man dreamed of living.
And the greatest genius of all time?
If Heo Cheong was telling the truth, he was a perfect being.
No way.
Paeng Su-won chuckled inwardly.
Parents always think their kids are the cutest. Heo Cheong was no different—a total doting master.
Just then, that doting master spoke up in a voice laced with laughter.
"I'd love to introduce you now, but it'll take a while, so bear with me. In the meantime, let me tell you about my disciple."
The curious Paeng uncle and nephew perked up their ears.
And soon regretted it.
"...And so Taishang Laojun himself... no, Lingbao Tianzun... hmm, that's a bit weak. Right, Taishang Laojun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Yuan shi Tianzun joined forces to let Jeong Gwang, who was alone in the mountains, meet me. That's how it all began. And then..."
Paeng Su-won, forcing himself to endure for the sake of his friend's dignity, finally couldn't hold back and interrupted.
"Is it a long story?"
"Very. So, the real story starts when he was five..."
"Look, Heo Cheong. We've come a long way and I'm beat. Mind if we rest first?"
"Oh, right. How absent-minded of me. Haha. Of course, rest up and recover your energy. That way you can hear all about my disciple."
The Paeng uncle and nephew cried out in unison, horrified.
"No, that's not..."
"We don't need to go that far..."
"Come, come. This way. You too, Paeryong."
Heo Cheong guided the Paeng pair to their quarters, then headed off to wash up.
Left alone in the room, uncle and nephew sank into their own thoughts.
A gigolo like that. The greatest genius ever?
Probably exaggerated, but he must have talent. Testing him could reveal Kunlun's current level...
For once, their thoughts aligned perfectly.
Time to put him in his place.
Have Gang-hwi spar with him.
Heo Cheong offered them food with his usual affable smile.
"It's rough fare, but dig in. Not bad at all."
The Paeng duo stared blankly at the table.
It was beyond rough—positively barren.
They expect us to eat this grass?
Even for a Taoist sect, this is frugal.
Surprisingly, it tasted decent.
But it was still grass.
After a few perfunctory bites, Paeng Gang-hwi sighed.
Paeng Su-won immediately scolded him.
"What are you doing? Mind your manners."
"But Uncle, how can I eat this...?"
"Hey! 'This'? Where do you get off saying that?"
"......"
"Apologize. Now."
Heo Cheong intervened as Paeng Su-won kept pressing.
"Enough. It's not that big a deal."
"Sorry about that. My nephew's manners are lacking—forgive him."
"Haha, no worries. Mountain food is tough to stomach anyway."
Despite his words, Heo Cheong was devouring it like a man possessed.
"...Your appetite's grown, hasn't it?"
"Hm? Wha? Everyone'sh doin' it."
His mouth was stuffed, garbling his speech, but Paeng Su-won caught the gist.
Everyone?
Glancing around, Paeng Su-won was mildly shocked.
The other Taoists, young and old alike, were shoveling it down like madmen.
What a bizarre sight. Taoists eating like this.
The only one eating with any grace was Heo Cheong's disciple, Jeong Gwang.
Chopsticks once.
Chew chew. Gulp.
Chopsticks again.
Chew chew. Gulp.
He ate so elegantly that if those women from earlier were here, they'd scream and cause another uproar.
Even his eating is beautiful.
In truth, Jeong Gwang was just picking at it because it still wasn't great.
But at least...
It's gotten a bit edible.
Introducing rigorous training to Kunlun had required tons of changes, but the biggest headache was the diet.
They needed meat to recover energy and strained muscles from intense practice, yet all they had was grass.
Let's eat meat.
The Taoists had opposed it fiercely.
Anything but that!
Why?
Kunlun is a Taoist sect!
You're sneaking it anyway, aren't you?
Ahem! That's just when we were kids and still growing!
Your skills aren't grown either, so eat up.
...W-well, no!
Whatever. Jeong Gwang could just eat it himself anyway.
Fine, keep eating like this.
...Y-yeah. L-like this...
He remembered it clearly, like yesterday.
Their relieved eyes had looked so forlorn.
Fortunately, a member of the Jade Dragon Protection Squad had worried that their Jade Dragon couldn't survive on this slop and started supplying skilled cooks and ingredients recently.
The result was this much-improved spread.
Already starving from brutal training, and now it actually tasted good—small wonder the Taoists were going wild.
Maybe hunt some wild boar.
Jeong Gwang set down his chopsticks, resolved.
Paeng Gang-hwi grumbled inwardly.
This guy's barely touched it either, so why pick on me?
His animosity grew.
Nothing about the kid appealed to him, starting with his looks.
Just then, their eyes met.
Oh? Not averting your gaze?
Even as Paeng Gang-hwi glared, Jeong Gwang held steady.
What an insolent punk. Stuck in the mountains so long he's forgotten fear.
He bared his teeth in a grin.
Definitely needs a beating.
But he changed his mind soon after.
Too small and young for real ferocity.
Just teach him some manners.
Start with an apology...
He stood and bowed to Heo Cheong.
"Sorry for my rudeness."
"Haha, no harm done. I'm the one sorry for the poor food."
Paeng Su-won's eyes sharpened as he watched.
That arrogant kid makes him apologize and he does it meekly?
He sent a transmission at once.
-What are you up to?
-I want to test Kunlun's martial arts, so I was asking.
-...That could work.
-...Pardon?
-But don't injure him badly.
Stunned by the unexpected permission, Paeng Gang-hwi soon swelled with pride.
They want to see Paeng Clan prowess in action.
Nothing held him back now.
A bold voice rang out.
"Paeng Gang-hwi of the Hebei Paeng Clan requests to witness Kunlun martial arts."
"Hm. After such a hard journey, how can I refuse? Let's exchange a few moves."
"Not to you, Daoist."
"Eh? Then...?"
Paeng Gang-hwi turned from the puzzled Heo Cheong and glared at Jeong Gwang.
"Little brother. I challenge you to a spar."
"What? With Jeong Gwang?"
Heo Cheong tried to intervene in shock, but Jeong Gwang answered swiftly.
"Sure."
The small training ground.
Jeong Gwang and Paeng Gang-hwi faced off.
Oh no, what now?
Heo Cheong paced anxiously until Paeng Su-won's transmission reached him.
-Don't worry. Gang-hwi won't harm your disciple. He's even forgoing his sword for bare hands.
Meant to reassure his friend, it embarrassed Paeng Su-won inwardly.
His nephew was quite a bit older and one of the Nine Dragons, Murim's top young talents—going hard on the kid felt excessive.
Still, he wanted to verify the skills Heo Cheong praised so effusively, so he'd watch.
Show us Kunlun's strength. Be strong. That's the whole point of coming here.
For personal curiosity and his mission both.
But Heo Cheong's worry wasn't that.
-Su-won.
-Yes?
-I'm worried about your nephew right now.
-...?
Meanwhile, Jeong Gwang recalled what he knew of the Hebei Paeng Clan.
Two things make them famous.
First: innate divine strength, massive builds, and hot tempers.
Looking at Paeng Gang-hwi, he couldn't help thinking, Yep, checks out.
They were called the most bold and hearty clan in all Baekdo Murim.
Behind their backs: muscle-headed pigs.
Second: saber arts.
Leading with Five Tigers Severing the Gate Saber, Mixed Origin Thunderbolt Saber, Heaven-Earth Chain Ring Soul-Seizing Saber, and countless other ultimate techniques—a saber specialist family.
Hold on.
That's for masters. This guy's just a greenhorn.
Too much overthinking from being cooped up in Kunlun. He scratched his head.
Paeng Gang-hwi taunted him.
"Little brother. Don't worry—I'll go easy. Heh heh."
Going easy, followed by that sinister chuckle.
Enough to offend anyone, but Jeong Gwang was honestly glad.
From earlier, the guy reeked of Heavenly Demon Divine Cult types.
The kind who pick fights with those they dislike and brawl it out.
Guys like that only straighten up after a good thrashing—which was why he'd accepted the spar.
Honestly, it was just an itch for a real fight after so long.
How hard to hit him?
Master's friend's nephew—practically a stranger—so breaking a few limbs should be fine.
Opportunities like this were rare in Kunlun. Maybe slice off some flesh thinly?
"I'll use Chain Ring Overlord Fist. What will you counter with, little brother?"
Paeng Gang-hwi's words killed his mood.
These righteous faction types even announced their techniques before a fight and asked the opponent. Hopeless.
And now he was in the righteous faction. The self-loathing was real.
He vowed to beat the guy half to death to soothe the pain.
"Cloud Chasing Fist."
Jeong Gwang stood lopsided on one leg, elegantly raising one hand.
He extended his index finger and beckoned.
"Come on."
The Paeng uncle and nephew gaped in disbelief.
Moments later, Paeng Gang-hwi barely managed to speak.
"...What the hell are you doing?"
"Starting stance."
"......"
A vein bulged on Paeng Gang-hwi's forehead.
A proper starting stance showed respect to the opponent and revealed your style's traits—yet this was street-thug nonsense?
Paeng Su-won thought the same and muttered unwittingly.
"That's a starting stance?"
"...Ahem. Y-yes, it is."
As Heo Cheong defended it, they stared, and he hurriedly explained.
"Look closely. It's different from what you're thinking."
It was different, certainly.
Exuding a cool, relaxed freedom.
But calling it "what you're thinking" meant Heo Cheong knew it resembled thug posturing too.
"Heo Cheong. As I recall, Cloud Chasing Fist is swift yet heavy. Its stance should be nimble yet majestic..."
"My disciple changed it."
"...What did you say?"
Heo Cheong's expression grew solemn.
His back straightened like a great tree, chest broadening like a plain.
Where have I seen that pose?
Paeng Su-won's memory was spot on.
Heo Cheong's mouth opened, unleashing absurdity.
"My disciple, the greatest genius of all time, restored and improved Kunlun martial arts."
"Nonsense!"
Unable to contain his shock, Paeng Su-won shouted—just as his nephew's fist shot out.
"Take this!"
Useless words aside, the timing, form, power—flawless Chain Ring Overlord Fist!
So perfect Jeong Gwang might get badly hurt. As Paeng Su-won moved to stop it,
Thwuck.
Jeong Gwang elegantly deflected the fist with his beckoning left hand's index finger.
Thud.
His right foot advanced half a step, stamping the ground with dignity.
Crack!
Flawless execution, no flaws in timing, form, or power!
His right arm folded as his elbow rose gracefully, stabbing Paeng Gang-hwi's side.
"Gaaahhh!"
An unavoidable chain strike, plain to see!
With a bone-cracking sound, Paeng Gang-hwi screamed and flew back as Jeong Gwang's form surged forward.
"W-what?!"
Paeng Su-won gasped.
Like a dragon chasing clouds!
True to his Jade Dragon moniker, even Jeong Gwang's voice rang clear and beautiful.
"Keep your mouth shut tight!"