Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Not My Master, But Me? (1)
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Shweeeeeek!
The Finger Wind shot forward swiftly, striking the tree. It hadn't pierced clean through, unfortunately, but it left a clear, unmistakable mark.
"How was that, Master!"
"How was what... You're still far from proficient. I told you not to mistake sheer power for skill by pouring too much internal energy into it..."
Master shook his head slowly, but I didn't miss the faint, satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Where did this old man pick up tsundere antics from!
It had been a week since I started learning martial arts from Master.
In that time, aside from the breathing technique, I'd learned footwork, fist techniques, finger techniques, and palm techniques.
The footwork included lightness skills and even some kicking methods, so I'd basically covered all the ways to fight with my body.
Curious why I wasn't learning weapon arts like sword or saber, I asked, and Master cut me off firmly.
"Suppose you're in the middle of banging away and a fight breaks out. You gonna grab a weapon from right beside you and fight? Don't ever say something so pathetic again."
It was such a lecherously typical reason that I actually bought it.
Who thinks about fighting while pounding away, anyway? That's just how lechers are, right?
People entangled in relationships they can't flaunt openly.
Anyway, day by day, I was realizing just how valuable I was.
Even if one starts martial arts young, as long as they're alive, impurities—what we call turbid qi—inevitably build up in the body.
Clearing that turbid qi, widening and strengthening the meridians to channel large amounts of internal energy at once—that's circulation and energy cultivation. The end result is becoming a peak expert.
Conversely, since my body had no such buildup, it meant I was already at the peak expert level physically.
My body accumulated internal energy at a frightening speed, and I'd already reached first-rate level.
That's why Master spotted me at a glance. With no internal energy but fully open meridians, I didn't register on his energy sense.
But seeing me there, standing without a trace of presence, how could he not be startled?
Anyway, back to the point— a typical first-rate expert is the final stage an average person reaches after a lifetime of training. So yeah, I was definitely a diamond in the rough of the martial world.
God-tier world buff—thanks!
"Yun, don't overload your Finger Wind with excessive internal energy just to boost power. The true essence of finger techniques isn't raw force, but their light touch and versatility for all sorts of situations. Plus, it ties into lightness skills too..."
Meanwhile, Master switched between seeming satisfied and critical.
My internal energy grew in leaps and bounds thanks to my solid foundation, but mastering the movements to actually use it lagged behind.
This was purely a matter of human reflexes and brainpower.
Of course, Master had said it was plenty fast by normal standards, but it seemed slower than when he was young.
That's why he nagged whenever we had a breather.
"...and forms the foundation, so keep it in mind. Got it?"
"Yes, Master."
At first, his nagging startled me into trying to fix issues in one go, but now? Not so much.
A week in, I'd gained some confidence.
Unless I screwed up big time, he wouldn't crack my skull open or anything.
The saying "teacher and student as one" implies revering your master like a father—and vice versa, treating your disciple like a son.
From binge-reading genre novels, I'd half-feared he'd say "I don't need a disciple like you" and blow my head off if I slipped up. Took a few days to realize that wasn't how it worked in reality.
"The key to fist techniques is boldness. Unlike finger or palm arts, fists favor close quarters, which means higher risk of clashing directly with blades or swords. But shrinking back just puts you at a disadvantage—don't forget that. After a couple experiences, it'll be no issue, but to avoid unexpected setbacks early on, drill it into your head..."
"Master, aren't you hungry? The sun's already high."
"...you get. Yeah, go check if it's ready, you cheeky brat."
That's how I could wheedle my way in.
In the kitchen, Namgung Hye was cooking.
I'd figured a noble lady like her wouldn't know how, but surprisingly, her skills were solid.
Lucky for me—I couldn't cook over a wood fire yet.
This mountain house had everything you could need, surprisingly.
Hard to picture Master hauling all this junk up from the base, though...
"Ah, Young Master Kang. It'll be ready soon—does the elder need something urgent?"
"No, it's fine. I just came a bit early. He's... very fussy."
Hinting I'd dodged the nagging, Namgung Hye let out a cute giggle. She really was pretty.
Mentally tough, too—kidnapped by some nameless old man out of nowhere, now cooking away.
After a short wait, a neat table was set. Extra serving besides Master's and mine.
"Young Master, about Mother..."
She asked with a worried look.
All Namgung Hye knew was that the two had been kidnapped, held separately, and escape meant the other wouldn't survive.
Master hadn't let them meet.
"Yes, I'll tell Lady Namgung she's safe and sound."
Seeing her unable to treat me harshly just because I'd been a tad friendly made my conscience twinge.
But what could I do?
I was on the kidnapper's side—and soon to be a perp myself.
Leaving Namgung Hye's relieved smile behind, I carried the food to the thatched hut a ways off.
Normally, deliver to Master first out of courtesy, but he didn't care about that.
Why make two trips for a tiny time difference? His logic.
On the way, I practiced Dragon Ascending Footwork—reached the isolated cabin in a flash.
I cleared my throat.
"Lady Eon, I've brought your meal."
"...Wait a moment."
The door opened soon after, Eon So-young greeting me with a weary face.
Master said she could come and go as long as she didn't stray far, but I'd never seen her outside. Must be really stressing.
"Thanks, I'll eat well."
She took the food and turned away. No energy for talk.
I spoke to her back.
"Lady Namgung asked me to pass on her regards—she's doing well."
"...Thank you."
She'd know it was her daughter's cooking once she ate, but she'd never once asked how she was faring.
I got it, though.
Namgung Hye saw me as just the mystery old man's disciple. Eon So-young saw me as the lecher who'd eventually rape her. Can't blame her for the difference.
Unless you're some Joker-level psycho, how do you tell a daughter "I'm gonna fuck your mom"?
To master Ascending Immortal Art to the final stage, dual cultivation—sex—is essential.
A man with yang nature unites with a woman of yin nature, maximizing the circulation effect.
Thankfully, no Master supervising the deed, but post-practice, I'd have to demonstrate to him how the pure yin energy flows inside (then out of) the partner.
Master had offered Namgung Hye, but I insisted on Eon So-young. Three reasons.
One: No skill to soothe a first-timer through cultivation.
Two: Owe her a debt, kinda—didn't want to harm the source if possible.
Three: I'm a hardcore MILF fanatic.
Yes. Eon So-young was a near-perfect MILF.
Body ripe and voluptuous from overflowing feminine hormones, yet honed by martial arts with no excess fat, and grown children (key point).
Inherited beauty passed to Namgung Hye as standard, plus breathing exercises kept her early-forties age looking mid-thirties.
A top 0.1% MILF chance no modern guy could dream of—kick it away, and you're no fanatic.
Hadn't touched her till now due to lacking internal energy.
Against upper first-rate Namgung Hye, mid-peak Eon So-young needed deeper reserves for the art.
Even sealed, she held at least first-rate power—Master's words.
Which means? What's my current level again?
First-rate. Yeah.
Stormy sex unlocked starting today.
Late evening.
Eon So-young tossed and turned on her bed mat. Exhaustion weighed heavy, yet sleep evaded her.
Worries plagued her: daughter's treatment, what the Blood Demon planned, her clan's fate.
Plenty to torment her.
Circulation might ease the fatigue, but her energy stayed silent.
Better than a common housewife, sure, but sealed senses meant no scanning surroundings—more mental strain than expected.
Still, to seize any escape chance, she maintained stamina.
Forced down meals, light stretches for fitness.
Sleep was trickier—sleepless nights like this were common.
When she wanted to wash, they'd prepare if asked. But without request, Blood Demon's disciple brought warm water daily.
Felt suspiciously like prepping ingredients, creepy. But his innocent smile made blunt refusal awkward, so she accepted.
He'd be infamous someday, but hadn't harmed her yet—better than his master, she thought.
Was that why?
Creaaaaak
At the door opening, Eon So-young thought her dread had arrived—then locked eyes with Kang Yun.
First sensation: betrayal.