Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Translator: Penny
Chapter 16
Back to Normal Life (1)
When I returned to the inn after selling all the gold from the vault, Gwangdu was sitting at a table.
The moment he saw me enter, he snapped out of his daze and abruptly stood up. I expected him to rush toward me like a wild bull, his face alight with joy, but instead, he bolted out the back door of the inn.
"Just a moment, Young Master," a waiter murmured as he passed by. "That's his first meal since you left. He stayed up all night waiting."
I glanced at the table. Gwangdu had ordered the cheapest dish to save money, but it sat untouched, growing cold.
I asked the waiter to bring Gwangdu's favorite meal.
A short while later, Gwangdu returned, his eyes red-rimmed. He must have lost control of his emotions when he saw me, the tears spilling over.
"Another bowl of rice here!"
I wasn't particularly hungry, but I ordered it for him. He probably wouldn't be able to eat properly on his own.
"You bastard! How can you eat after sending the Young Master to his death?"
"If you don't eat on time, you get a stomachache. And let's get the story straight—who said I sent him anywhere?"
"I'm starving. Let's just eat."
We polished off all the newly prepared dishes and the extra rice.
Gwangdu patted his full stomach and said, "This is nice."
"Yeah, it is."
He meant it. With such delicious food and a full stomach, there was nothing in the world to envy. My gaze suddenly fell upon the leather pouch containing the bill, which I had placed beside me. A person's stomach only needs one good meal to be satisfied, yet Yang Gicheol lost everything to excessive greed.
"That's not true, right?"
"What is it?"
"The rumor that the Blood Hound killed the Yang Association Leader, stole his wealth, and fled. The martial artists who were here earlier were talking about it. That's not true, is it?"
"Did that really happen?"
"It's not true, right? Young Master didn't do it, did you?"
"But they're saying the Blood Hound did it."
"Right? Of course. How could Young Master possibly defeat the Yang Association Leader, let alone the Blood Hound? It must be a coincidence. You just happened to be there when it happened, right? Right... Bullshit! There's no way that's a coincidence! So, how did you really do it?"
"I told you I'd kill him."
"Good heavens!"
Gwangdu clapped a hand over his mouth, his face contorted with fear.
"You did it yourself, Young Master?"
"Yes. With my own hands."
"Then... did Young Master also steal the wealth the Blood Hound supposedly took?"
"Stealing? It's compensation."
"Compensation?"
"That bastard ordered the deaths of my parents, you, me, and everyone in our family. He wanted to wipe us out completely and seize everything we owned. If I had my way, I would have taken every last thing he possessed."
He meant it. He truly wished he could have taken even the chopsticks from the kitchen, but reality made that impossible.
"How much did you get? No, don't tell me. I don't want to know."
"Why not? I'll tell you if you're curious."
"No! I'm scared! They say those who know too many secrets are the first to die, right?"
"Heh heh heh."
"Stop that creepy laughter!"
When they converted what they'd taken from the bastard's vault into cash, it amounted to exactly thirty-two thousand nyang.
If I had stayed longer in the Yang Association and sold off more of their loot, I could have made a fortune. But I chose not to.
The wisest course of action was to make a clean exit. Greed could expose my true identity and invite unforeseen complications.
Before I left, Jeong Yeo discovered I was the disgraced heir of the Byeok Clan Sword School. Yet he didn't dare underestimate me. Among all the people he knew, no one else could have killed Yang Gicheol and the Blood Hound in one fell swoop. Instead, his fear of me deepened.
He believed I was a Hidden Dragon—a master of martial arts who had concealed his power while biding his time—and swore loyalty to me. Of course, I wasn't naive enough to trust such an impulsive pledge born of desperation. Maintaining a safe distance while exploiting him would suffice.
Since Gwangdu was deeply involved in this matter himself, there was no way he would reveal that I was the one who had done it.
Gwangdu asked, his voice trembling, "Did you really kill Yang Gikang?"
When I nodded, Gwangdu's expression darkened slightly. "Why? Do you feel sorry for that bastard after everything he did to you?"
"He was still so young," Gwangdu replied.
"Twenty isn't a child. And what does age have to do with right and wrong? Young or old, if someone does something that deserves death, they should die."
Even if we disregarded his attempt to kill me, what he had done to the maidservants alone warranted his death.
"I suppose so," Gwangdu conceded.
That's just how Gwangdu is. I admired his kindness. Living in a world where goodwill was a weakness and kindness was seen as foolish, I appreciated it all the more.
"I didn't kill him because of you. He tried to kill me that day. I was simply taking my revenge."
Having eased any potential guilt he might have felt, I stood up.
"Come with me for a moment."
I led Gwangdu into the forest behind the inn. We walked deep into the woods until we reached a secluded spot.
Gwangdu, his face etched with fear, glanced around and asked, "Is this the moment to say my last words?"
"What if it is?"
"Then... thank you for everything."
"Why would you thank someone who's about to kill you?"
"Still..."
It was a joke, but Gwangdu's tone carried a hint of sincerity. Even if I were to kill him now, he would still be grateful.
"Gwangdu."
"Yes, Young Master?"
"From now on, I intend to teach you martial arts."
Surprise and excitement warred on Gwangdu's face, perhaps the most astonished reaction he'd shown since we first met.
"I'm not talking about some imitation martial art. I mean the real thing."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am."
"But the White Moon Sword Technique is a unique art..."
"Of course, I wouldn't teach you that. I'll teach you something you're allowed to learn."
After a moment of hesitation, Gwangdu spoke. "Even if I wanted to learn, isn't it too late? I'm already twenty-five."
"Leave that to me."
He was far too old to start learning martial arts by conventional standards. But I was his teacher, and I could more than compensate for his late start.
"Think carefully before you answer. This decision will not only change your life but could also mean the difference between life and death. Will you learn martial arts from me?"
Gwangdu didn't hesitate for long.
"I will."
"May I ask why you've decided this?"
"Of course, Young Master. Ever since you changed, and after everything we've been through... I don't quite know how to explain it, but I want to change too. Young Master, I want to become like you."
"Just one more question."
"Yes."
"Why are you so kind to me? I used to be a worthless piece of trash."
"Because I remember the man you were before."
"What?"
"When he was younger, he was such a kind person. He was always so good to me. There was this one time, when I was fifteen and Young Master was ten. I was terribly sick back then, burning with fever and losing consciousness. When I finally came to and opened my eyes, Young Master was dabbing my forehead with a cool towel. I still can't forget the worried look in his eyes from that day. Before that, and ever since, no one has ever looked at me with such genuine concern."
"You're so naive. To still be hung up on something so trivial."
"What might seem trivial to one person can be an unforgettable moment for another."
Gwangdu smiled brightly.
To think Byeok Ridan, whom I'd vaguely dismissed as trash, actually had a past like that... It's a bit surprising.
"What kind of martial art will I be learning?"
I had lived my entire life as the Foremost Person Under Heaven and the Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, mastering numerous formidable martial techniques.
Among them, the one I chose to impart to Gwangdu was none other than...
"The South Sea Seven Forms."
"The South Sea Seven Forms!" Gwangdu repeated the name several times.
The technique had come to mind when I saw the saber Gwangdu carried. It offered several advantages: it was relatively easy to learn for its destructive power, and it had long been lost to practical application, making it rare for anyone in the Martial Arts World to recognize it.
"From now on, memorize the cultivation formulas I teach you."
I began by imparting the South Sea Seven Forms' Cultivation Method. Gwangdu proved remarkably intelligent. After just a few repetitions, he had perfectly memorized the formulas.
"Clever fellow," I remarked.
"This is nothing special," Gwangdu replied, his face beaming with pride.
Next, I explained acupoints and Internal Force, teaching him how to circulate his qi by manipulating the Cultivation Method. The quick-witted Gwangdu grasped everything I taught him perfectly.
"For now, focus on diligently practicing the Cultivation Method. It will likely take at least ten days to properly circulate your qi. I'll teach you the Forms later."
Having never taken on a disciple in my previous life, I had never formally taught anyone before. I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.
"You can't become a martial arts master overnight."
"Of course not. Even sweeping the courtyard takes skill."
"How do you feel right now?"
"Great! I feel like I could fly away!"
"Never forget this feeling. Remember this very moment when you first began learning martial arts."
As I spoke, I was reminded of my own beginnings.
That exhilarating moment when I first learned martial arts. Though it was so long ago, that day remains vividly etched in my memory.
It's often said that teaching brings its own rewards. That in the process, the well of one's heart expands, filling with clearer, deeper waters.
I wondered what I would gain from teaching Gwangdu.
"Um, I know this might not be the best time to ask, given the circumstances, but... when did you learn this martial art?"
"A long time ago. I happened to have the opportunity."
Gwangdu stared intently at me. He must have been burning with questions: When? How? Why?
Give it up, kid. Compared to what you're about to see and experience, this is nothing.
"You're no longer my servant. From now on, you're under my command."
A surge of passion swept across Gwangdu's face.
"So, I'm now Young Master's right-hand man?"
"Perhaps... or maybe just his little finger."
"No, I'll be your right-hand man. I belong by your side, Young Master. I'll work myself to the bone to earn that position."
Gwangdu bowed deeply.
"I heard martial artists in the Martial Arts World bow like this after learning a new technique."
"Alright. I'll gladly accept your bow."
I had no intention of formally taking Gwangdu as a disciple. It was more like teaching a subordinate a single technique. Still, I supposed I could accept his bow of gratitude.
This journey had yielded three significant achievements: eliminating the potential threat of the Yang Association Leader, acquiring a substantial fortune, and most importantly, gaining Gwangdu, a loyal subordinate.
"Now, let's head home."