Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Internal Strife (1)
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“You have an excellent son.”
“...You flatter me.”
No parent ever wishes for their child to fail.
Yet even with such excessive praise for his son, Kang U-gyeong wore a reluctant expression. The more they talked, the more he wondered if this was truly the son he knew. On top of that, this unexpected visitor claimed he wanted to serve as the sect's protector.
What in the world has that boy been up to out there!
The burly man was an existence Kang U-gyeong wouldn't even dare to look up at. His status far surpassed that of the Pine Tiger Sect. He was one of the top martial artists in the entire martial world—so why on earth would he volunteer to become a protector for such a minor sect?
Anyone could see something was off.
If he wanted a sensible answer, he had to suspect ulterior motives. But Kang U-gyeong already knew his son's pitiful martial prowess all too well. The unfilial wretch who claimed it was all for his father's sake while endlessly nagging him.
Ugh!
His head throbbed.
Things had been peaceful lately with the boy wandering outside, but now he'd sent this overwhelming figure to torment his father. At this rate, he needed to have something substantial to offer. The Heavenly Divine Spear wouldn't join just any sect. If his skills turned out to be lackluster, it would be utter humiliation.
This was a real headache.
But refusal was impossible.
Gwak Yunbaek was an absolute powerhouse outside the Twenty-One Strongmen of Shenzhou, the pinnacle of the Six Strongholds' experts. Who would dare underestimate the weight of his name? Kang U-gyeong couldn't fathom how his son had drawn in someone like this.
It couldn't be his magnanimity or character, could it?
His martial arts might have grown incomparably stronger than before, but it was still just a superficial shell. Deep down, he was as petty and narrow-minded as ever—definitely his son.
“How do you know Jin?”
“He's my lifesaver. It's embarrassing to say it myself, but I am one of the Six Strongholds' elite. Yet his character, which doesn't boast despite that, is something I could never emulate.”
No way.
Who the hell did he meet?
His son was as far from a great man as could be.
He suspected maybe he'd mistaken him for someone else.
Taken literally, it sounded like a con. His son had been swindling decent heroes left and right.
Then what did that make him?
The father of a con artist. He couldn't very well say, “My son is a fraud, so snap out of it and sober up.”
“His martial arts have even reached the realm beyond the heavens. Oh, don't worry—I'll keep it a secret.”
“I'm grateful for your kind words.”
It was hardly a secret anymore. He couldn't claim to know everything, but what he did know was infuriating enough, at least usually.
And the situation was grave.
An ominous anxiety crept in that his son's martial prowess might be far greater than he'd imagined.
Should I be happy about this?
He recalled the years of relentless harassment under the excuse of testing his father's skills. The boy had said he'd stop after enduring just three exchanges, but it might never end until death.
Creak!
His wife brought tea. It was Tieguanyin, a type of oolong. He wasn't much for tea, but he drank it with her since she enjoyed it.
“I hope it suits your taste.”
“The aroma is superb. It's Tieguanyin from Anxi in Fujian Province.”
“You can tell just from the scent?”
“It's one of my favorites, madam.”
“I'm glad to hear that. Please, talk comfortably.”
His wife politely excused herself.
Kang U-gyeong had to decide what to do with this man.
The elders had been reluctant too. If he was giving up an elder position, they'd have to offer the seat of head elder. They seemed relieved when he said he'd settle for protector.
“Sect Leader, you must be blessed by fortune.”
“Pardon?”
“With such a refined wife and outstanding son? I regret the years I spent solely on cultivating my martial arts.”
“I live each day in gratitude.”
It wasn't wrong, but he wanted to correct it. If he knew the son's true nature, he wouldn't say that.
Yet as a father, he couldn't badmouth his own child. Especially not to someone so blindly infatuated with the boy.
Our son is a wastrel... ugh!
Kang U-gyeong fobbed him off appropriately and directed him to lodgings. Prolonging the conversation held no appeal.
“May I take a look around the sect?”
“Of course. Feel free.”
“Thank you.”
“I'll assign someone to guide you.”
Gwak Yunbaek thanked the sect leader and left the room to tour the sect's grounds.
There weren't many noteworthy martial artists.
Kang U-gyeong's achievements paled in comparison to Mujin's. The son had surpassed his father in astonishing fashion. For such a small sect to produce a talent like him was truly remarkable.
But he soon realized that judgment was mistaken.
In the inner courtyard's training ground.
A boy was swinging a sword. It was basic, yet the harmony of offense and defense was astonishingly perfect. His footwork was especially masterful. Most boys his age training martial arts focused on flashy moves, but he was refining his steps. Footwork was the foundation of all martial arts, after all.
Yet putting it into practice was notoriously difficult.
His speed was accelerating. The Three Talents Swordsmanship of Heaven, Earth, and Man was common, but few grasped its essence. He understood the principles and embodied them.
Heaven and I.
I and the earth.
The divine unity of three in one.
Clang!
The boy halted and looked his way.
Huh, he sensed my presence.
The higher the realm, the subtler the internal energy control. One could create minute differences and erase traces. He hadn't blocked it perfectly, but the boy's detection of that faint aura marked him as exceptional.
“Who are you?”
“You must be Taejin. I'm Gwak Yunbaek.”
“Are you... the great hero Gwak, the Heavenly Divine Spear?”
“That's me.”
Gwak Yunbaek revealed his connection to Mujin and praised Taejin's achievements.
Taejin was shocked that someone spoke so highly of his father. The more people knew his father outside, the more gossip spread. People's attitudes swung to extremes.
What the hell has Dad been doing out there?
Taejin lived well in the peaceful sect without his father. But he never neglected training. If he lagged behind Brother Cheol-ho when Father returned, hell would begin. He always thirsted for growth. Even Gwak the hero's praise didn't sway him.
His resolve is no ordinary thing.
Unaware of his thoughts, Gwak Yunbaek saw Taejin differently for not being swayed by flattery.
“Oppa!”
A child ran toward Taejin calling him.
She was so doll-like it was hard to tell if she was human. She must receive all the sect's affection.
“My little sister.”
“I'm Kang Mijoo, Grandpa!”
Despite being a stranger, she stretched out her arms with sparkling big eyes demanding a hug. Gwak Yunbaek couldn't refuse. The word “Grandpa” from her lips tugged at his heartstrings today more than ever.
Here we go again.
Taejin, knowing Mijoo's fox tricks, grimaced inwardly. That gesture, those movements, that expression—it was pure possessiveness. She was determined to make it hers.
She didn't target just anyone, though. Somehow instinctively, she picked winners.
She can't know about Master Gwak.
Taejin was awed by Mijoo's talent for turning the Heavenly Divine Spear into a grandfather and winning a granddaughter's love. If that counted as a skill, it was scarier than martial arts in some ways.
Imagine being disarmed the moment you saw her, then ambushed defenseless. She looked young and cute, but she was a little demon.
Yet Taejin couldn't reveal the truth.
I'd be the one dying.
He'd be branded the brother badmouthing his sweet sister, and even if it was true, Father wouldn't let him off.
“Your blood flows unimpeded, and your energy is so pure. Haha, you're better than me already.”
“Mijoo just does her best.”
There it was—the third-person self-reference.
Using her own name to double the cuteness. A forbidden speech pattern no normal person should attempt. Anyone else trying it would make you gag. It only worked because Mijoo did it.
Imagine Brother Cheol-ho saying, “Cheol-ho just trains hard!” You'd puke up every braised quail egg from fifteen years ago and still feel sick.
Why does that crap work?
Taejin had tried it once experimentally and got beaten so badly by Father he nearly vomited. It was repulsive to normal people.
“Grandpa, am I doing well?”
“Your basics are solid.”
Good grief, anyone would think they were real grandfather and granddaughter. Blood is thicker than water, but Mijoo could turn a first-time acquaintance into her grandpa.
Meow, meow!
A cat prowled around Mijoo. It always circled her meticulously. If danger came, it'd go “Rawr!” Like her, it was shamelessly endearing.
“That's So. Daddy brought her.”
“Ho, a spirit beast.”
She looked like a plump, fluffy kitten, but Gwak Yunbaek saw through to So's true nature. A feral glint flashed in its lazy yellow eyes.
He's raised his children well.
Today, Gwak Yunbaek particularly reflected on his childless life and sighed. But watching the affectionate Mijoo melted away such regrets like snow in the sun.
“Greetings, Hero Gwak.”
“It's you.”
Gwak Yunbaek couldn't hide his inner surprise at Muho's calm demeanor as he arrived to instruct Taejin. Brothers who had both scaled the wall of mastery.
“How about a spar?”
“I know a good spot.”
For Muho, facing a master like the Heavenly Divine Spear was a dream. The sect had no one to match him. His brother was such an absurd monster he was useless as a benchmark for his own growth.
Bro, stay out of this.
For the family.
Really for me, though.
A cloudless, high blue sky.
Mujin lay on the eaves, basking in the pouring sunlight. Occasionally warming in the sun kept one healthy and long-lived. It relaxed the mind too.
He lay spread-eagled with his head on a pillow.
At mealtime, a bell rang, and four maids set out a feast that could break the table. Sichuan specialties cooked with spicy seasonings whetted the appetite.
“The hospitality is fine, but the stares are uncomfortable.”
Mujin was staying in the Jinyuan Pavilion, used for honored guests. With no recent VIPs, he had the whole place to himself. Quiet and uncrowded—perfect.
Whoosh, leap!
In the wide clearing of Jinyuan Pavilion, Cheol-ho was immersed in fist technique training. Even in someone else's home, he stuck to his duties.
He could have grown arrogant with his dramatic improvement, but mentioning Taejin always ignited his fire.
“Balance matters when using your feet, but maximize your fist technique's nature.”
Balance and moderation sounded good, but martial arts weren't completed by equilibrium alone. Extremes and variables were key too.
Even with eyes closed, Mujin tracked Cheol-ho's movements by sound alone.
His hearing was sharp.
Cheol-ho never complained during training. His master pinpointed strengths and weaknesses like a ghost, guiding precisely. He hated to admit it, but the teaching quality surpassed his first master's. Simple yet piercing the core.
“Visualize your opponent and find your best option. Lions target weaknesses in beasts—they don't charge blindly.”