Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Little Child's Initiation Guide
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Han Ibi was humming a little tune to himself, burning through his internal energy with the Eagle's Eye Technique on something so utterly pointless—all in the hopes of stumbling upon some fortuitous encounter.
- Qingcheng Basic Heart Method
- The Mindset of a Martial Artist
- Directory of Jianghu Sects
He started rifling through the most useless books, ones he figured no one would ever bother looking for, but came up empty-handed.
About half an hour passed like that, with stacks of books piling up around him from his browsing, yet still no real gains.
'Ugh, damn it. Did I strike out? What's wrong with me lately? Has my luck finally run dry?'
The drain on his internal energy was starting to add up, too.
Han Ibi finally threw in the towel and released the Eagle's Eye Technique.
His vision snapped back to full, vibrant color. If anything, that felt more awkward now.
That's when one particular book caught his eye.
- Little Child's Initiation Guide
What the...?
Early education was a universal thing, no matter the nation or era.
It wasn't strange at all for promising young kids to join the martial sects of the jianghu.
So, a book like this existing? No doubt about it.
But what snagged Han Ibi's attention was the scrubbed-out marks on the cover.
Looking closer, it seemed like someone had deliberately erased the character for "Wudang."
Bok Yeon-hwa had spent most of her life at the Wudang Sect, but she bore no grudge against them.
There was no way she'd bring a Wudang book out here.
'Something fishy's going on here.'
Han Ibi snatched the book from the very bottom of the bottom shelf.
He flipped through the pages with a quick rustle.
Eh... pretty ordinary stuff.
How to teach heart methods to kids. When to start sparring for best results. The effects of strength training on growth, and so on.
Disappointed, Han Ibi went to slide it back into place.
'But why's the back end so thick...?'
Something felt off. Suspiciously so.
Han Ibi pulled the book open again.
It had a silk cover, but age had loosened it up, so a gentle tug revealed the insides easily enough.
'Jackpot. There's definitely something here! Hell yeah.'
Han Ibi scanned the contents.
Then a mix of shock and disappointment washed over him all at once.
This wasn't some fortuitous encounter or secret manual...
It was just a jumble of random notes Bok Yeon-hwa had scribbled in her youth.
The tiny, cramped handwriting screamed efforts to save every scrap of space.
Made it easier to hide that way, after all.
Han Ibi rustled through the notes again from the top.
They were packed with records of her time studying at the Wudang Sect.
- ...Senior Brother Tak is a fine, handsome man and all, but he just feels like an older brother to me. Nothing more, nothing less.
People whisper behind our backs that we might end up together, but I don't really get it. And I don't want to, either.
Still, who knows? Maybe it happens someday. Things don't always go the way we plan...
Han Ibi's eyes nearly bugged out at that part.
He'd personally jacked into Song Myeong-cheon's body and seen the scene firsthand.
Bok Yeon-hwa had played dumb, but... she'd actually been wrestling deeply with her feelings for Tak Bu-yong.
No way...
'That sly old fox... Keeping all this bottled up inside while acting like a total airhead on the outside. She even fooled me!'
Han Ibi flipped ahead a few more pages.
The notes continued at about weekly intervals.
Shockingly, they even covered the time she'd briefly returned to the Qingcheng Sect with Tak Bu-yong and the others.
So... she'd carried this journal with her everywhere.
- ...Back at Qingcheng Sect today. My heart feels like it's about to burst. Home after so long—it's pure comfort itself.
I want to come back. I want to come back. I want to return here so bad it hurts.
I want to grow old here with my family and sect siblings, carefree, just enjoying the years together.
But I know I can't. Staying at Wudang is the path for my father and the sect.
Father told me again today to devote myself to Wudang. Should I finally give in and commit fully...?
Or maybe... marry Senior Brother Tak for real...?
Ah, all these thoughts—can't sleep...
Then, after a little gap, another note. Looked like she really hadn't slept.
- ...Qingcheng's in tough shape, it seems. Only one new disciple in ages.
Age seems about right, but his behavior is so damn clumsy. Face all red from the start, stammering away... Honestly...
The notes cut off there.
Han Ibi remembered it well.
Song Myeong-cheon had complimented her there, called her beautiful. Like a fairy descended from heaven...
'So that's it. That comment was the seed of their tragic, heartfelt romance. No wonder they say you gotta watch your mouth...'
No fortuitous encounter, but way more intriguing. Han Ibi kept digging through the journal.
'Wha... what the hell...'
Song Myeong-cheon's name started popping up sporadically...
Midway through, it was half the entries...
By the time she left Qingcheng, the pages were plastered with it.
Her master had completely stolen her heart.
This was the raw, aching inner turmoil of a young, beautiful woman trying to treat him as just a fellow disciple and friend.
And soon after, she'd be sent far away. No promise of return...
The fear of that parting was fossilized throughout the journal.
Smudged blotches here and there...
She must've cried buckets while writing this.
Suddenly, Han Ibi felt a surge of anger.
'Damn it! I thought they were both idiots, pure and simple—but turns out the only real moron was my master. He dropped all these hints! Sigh! How do you break a woman's heart like that?!'
Time had passed—a bit too much, making him antsy—but Han Ibi couldn't stop turning pages.
This beat "Anne Frank's Diary" or "Nanjung Diary" by miles for sheer entertainment.
- ...Departure's drawing near, but Myeong-cheon holes up in Jeolsak Valley for training, gone over twenty days now.
Something about gaining insights...
Begged him to tell me where before I left, but he just laughed it off as a secret...
Moon's blindingly bright, but my heart aches and aches and aches...
Ah... seriously...
His master was a total idiot.
Han Ibi almost cursed the dead guy without thinking.
'If he'd just acted right before all this mess blew up, none of this would've happened. Those two... hmm...'
Of course, her father the sect leader wouldn't have stayed quiet.
Han Ibi couldn't quite judge who'd been right.
That's when it happened.
Ffootsteps from outside. Voices—talking with Soeun-ri.
'Elder Bok!'
Han Ibi frantically tucked the silk cover back into the journal.
The door burst open.
His heart pounded like a drum.
Like he'd been caught red-handed stealing.
As she entered, Han Ibi managed to shove Little Child's Initiation Guide back in place.
'Phew.'
Han Ibi plastered on a smile.
"Elder, you're back?"
Bok Yeon-hwa replied.
"Yes."
But her eyes were locked right on the spot where Han Ibi had just slotted the book.
'Huh? Elder Bok couldn't have seen me touch that book...'
Glancing over himself, Han Ibi froze.
'Gasp!'
For a split second, his heart felt like it iced over.
The Little Child's Initiation Guide... was upside down.
Stuck out like a sore thumb among the others.
Cold sweat trickled down his spine.
'Shit. This is that "ice-cold sweat" they always talk about in novels. Now I get it.'
He saw Bok Yeon-hwa approaching slowly.
Han Ibi fidgeted helplessly, then stepped aside as she neared.
One moment felt like three years...
Bok Yeon-hwa stood before the shelf, staring at it blankly for a bit.
Then she bent down and pulled out Little Child's Initiation Guide.
Han Ibi's breath caught in his throat.
'What do I do... Run...?'
But without a word, she spun the book around and slid it neatly back in.
Properly this time.
'Ahaha. Gr-Grandma must've noticed, huh?'
Han Ibi figured he had to break the awkwardness somehow.
"S-So, what I mean is... I searched high and low for that 'Ghost Sect' or 'Demon Sect' or whatever, but no dice..."
"Found it."
Bok Yeon-hwa's voice was ice-cold.
"Pardon? You found the book?"
"Yes. Lent it to the library elder ages ago—forgot all about it. Came up in conversation at today's elder meeting."
"I-I see..."
"Yes."
"Got it."
"Then why're you still loitering here?"
Whoops, right.
Han Ibi flinched, forcing an awkward grin.
"Ahaha. Yeah, I just... thought you might have more tasks for me, so I was waiting around."
"Plenty of work. Plenty to worry about."
"Yes. Understood."
Right then, a sudden curiosity hit Han Ibi.
His master had pined for Bok Yeon-hwa until his dying breath...
Had she completely forgotten him?
So he tried a gentle probe, nothing too pushy.
"Um... Elder."
"What?"
"You know how each sect has..."
"Each sect?"
"Yeah. Like, why do all the sects have these famous lover swordsmen or husband-wife sword couples?"
"What nonsense is this?"
"Y'know, those insane joint techniques where they fight back-to-back..."
Bok Yeon-hwa scowled.
"What're you getting at?"
"I mean... heh heh heh. Back when you were a maiden here at Qingcheng, didn't you ever dream of pairing up with some fine young sect disciple and roaming the jianghu...?"
"Shut your mouth!"
She cut him off. Her tone was venomous, laced with fury.
"Looks like I've been too soft on you, letting you spout this drivel."
"No, no! I was just curious, that's all."
"Work's done? Then get the hell out. I'll call if I need you!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but packed with deep internal energy—it echoed through the tiny library like thunder.
A kid would've pissed themselves in fright.
Bok Yeon-hwa barked.
"Didn't you hear me? Scram!"
Han Ibi scurried toward the exit on tiptoe.
"Ai-yo, got it, Elder. No more dumb questions from me."
As he reached for the door handle—
"Wait."
Han Ibi whipped around in surprise.
Bok Yeon-hwa's face was stone-cold.
"Touch my things without permission again... and you'll regret it for life."
Gulp...
She knew...
Too sharp for your own good...
"Yes, Elder. I'll engrave your words in my heart."
"Good. Now go."
"Yes."
Han Ibi slipped out the door and hightailed it away.
(To be continued...)