Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Change (2)
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'This much should be fine without me stepping in.'
-Don't underestimate the Beast Master.
Who doesn't know that?
However, martial arts don't improve overnight. It requires time for tempering and training. And he'd been granted ten years. There was no need to rush.
If it really doesn't work out, there's always the best option of the thirty-six stratagems.
-Is that something the War King should say?
'I'm kidding.'
Getting all serious... A person needs to have some leisure. First, he had to spend the remaining twenty years meaningfully. It would be ridiculous to return only to kick the bucket without even enjoying time with his family.
For now, enjoy it. If things fall apart, oh well.
'Why?'
He couldn't understand it. Though flustered, as a martial artist, he had to prepare for contingencies. Even if there was no malice, he himself had let his guard down.
'Coincidence?'
Dismissing it like that would ease his mind, but it left an uncomfortable feeling somewhere. It was partly due to his usual temperament. For someone who pursued perfection, this was a problem he absolutely had to solve. He couldn't move on without resolving the issue at hand.
'Something feels different.'
His brother that day was distinctly different from the brother he knew. Yet he didn't suspect an imposter. No matter what anyone said, they were blood brothers, the only ones sharing their lineage. Besides, what gain would there be in disguising as his brother?
To get cursed at a lot and live long?
Still, it felt unfamiliar.
The gaze and expression weren't feigned.
The sincerity made it all the more bewildering.
He knew his brother's feelings. But what could he do? He himself couldn't ignore their father's expectations. He pitied his brother for the constant comparisons, but for the family's sake, he had to step up. That accumulation had become the root of discord between brothers.
'I turned away.'
At first, because they shared blood, he'd tried to approach. But the more he did, the colder his brother pushed him away. He understood his brother's heart. Yet sometimes anger flared. Being human, he couldn't keep approaching endlessly.
The rift had deepened to the point of resignation that things could never return to how they were.
Yesterday, it was the sparkling gaze of their childhood brother.
The one that showed grand ambitions toward the world.
Back then, his brother had been the epitome of innocent, vibrant genius. But was the world so forgiving? Within Cheongyang, maybe, but step outside, and the harsh disparity in strength was evident.
It wasn't just his brother's issue.
'Even I...'
The family's martial arts alone weren't enough. Talent had clear limits. Both the arts and the instructors.
Even so, they couldn't be overhauled. Improving or revising martial arts required reaching the Grandmaster level. Creating new ones demanded ascending to the pinnacle. Discussing innovation without fully mastering the family's arts would be laughable.
'Still, I won't give up.'
The family called him a genius. It'd be a lie to say it wasn't burdensome. Logically, it didn't make sense. He was just giving his all without yielding to the given circumstances. He knew better than anyone that failing to do so would lead to falling behind and decline.
On the surface, the family seemed fine.
It looked like maintaining the status quo would suffice. But while the family stagnated, the surrounding landscape was changing rapidly. New sects were emerging, expanding their influence.
Even if unaffected now, they could upend the balance anytime. Scrambling to fix things then would be too late once the tide turned.
'Has brother come to his senses?'
He hoped so.
Of course, he didn't want to burden the eldest with responsibility and weight. That role was enough for him alone. To do that, he had to surpass his walls.
Shaking off his thoughts, Muho entered the inner quarters and faced an unfamiliar sight.
"Whoa, my girl! So spirited!"
"Daddy, this is fun. More, more!"
"That's my girl, so brave."
"Of course. I'm gonna be the strongest martial artist!"
"You bet. I'll make you the strongest."
Mujin lifted Mijoo onto his shoulders. She should have been scared, but she laughed innocently. Her wriggling, flapping like a kitten was unbearably cute. Her round eyes didn't blink once.
"......Daddy...... Father...... We have to train!"
"You gotta fly too, son."
"......Can't I fly later?"
"Such a scaredy-cat."
"......That's not it...... Eek!"
Taejin flinched, trying to dodge his father's hands, but it was futile struggling. At eight years old, could he evade the War King's grasp? The outcome was decided.
Daddy wins.
Only daddy's coercion remained. Sweating coldly, Taejin counted in his head for reassurance.
"......Good now?"
"Not yet."
"......Why?"
"You're the big brother."
"......Sis~~~!"
He tossed his son and daughter into the air alternately with one hand. It looked precarious like acrobatics, but to Mujin, it was simple play.
The sensation in his fingertips maintained balance. He was abusing training time as interaction with his kids. He was dead certain they'd love it.
Hee hee, my cute little ones.
Aaah!
Kekeke!
Unlike his bold youngest, his faint-hearted eldest wriggled cutely. That too gave Mujin a novel experience.
He'd never played with kids his whole life. But from now on, it would be different. He intended to live as a father spending time with his children.
'Just try blocking my path.'
He wouldn't let anyone disrupt this peaceful family life. Even the slightest harm, and he'd bring calamity. This was the War King's vow and resolve.
Touch me if you think you can handle my wrath.
Swish!
Muho, who had half-entered the inner quarters.
Mujin noticed first. His senses weren't fully sharp yet, but they honed daily. Soon, he'd regain his former acuity.
"Come in if you're here. Hesitating at the threshold like that'll chase away fortune? Our house doesn't have much to spare. Can't afford to lose it."
"......Ah! Brother, the kids!"
How do you expect me to look away?!
Muho's face was a mess of worry for the flying children. It didn't suit his title of Impartial Sword. Had his brother always been this emotionally rich? He'd been too ignorant of his sibling.
'......No!'
Even if his eyes couldn't follow, they stayed aloft. Kids or not, descending from that height wouldn't be light. A full half-zhang (1.5m) up.
"Don't worry, they love it."
"Taejin doesn't seem to."
"Mijoo does."
"......That's......!"
He'd said no favoritism between son and daughter.
In reality, affection for his daughter was stronger. Taejin's face crumpled at the blatant bias.
'......Father, I hate you!'
Daddy had become gentler, but it wasn't better than before. Amid it, he couldn't even show it because of his indiscriminately happy sister. He had pride as the big brother. Irritation boiled at his father's antics tarnishing his dignity as a son.
"Light, so light. Our kids."
"Brother, enough already. They'll get hurt...... No, with your fingers...... Eek!"
His precious nieces and nephews, whom he wouldn't mind putting his eyes out for.
Mijoo enjoying it was one thing, but Taejin stuck out sorely. Even in the sect, Taejin's talent was verified. If he got hurt like this, the Pine Tiger Sect's future would darken. Unlike his brother, who benefited from idling quietly.
"Call me brother. Makes me sound old."
"No. As direct lineage, I must set an example for all."
So rigid, just like before. That's why he'd nagged his brother's rigidity. He was like that too, but living that way wouldn't bring happiness. He didn't want his own brother unhappy.
"Keep it up, and I'll go astray again. It'll be your fault, but you'll still refuse?"
"Brother!"
"Think about it. If you call me comfortably, things'll calm down. Refuse, and I might cause trouble. What'll it be?"
"Do you promise?"
"Yes. From now on, call me brother. Drop the honorifics too. Speaking formally between brothers creates distance."
"Got...... it. Brother."
His temperament seemed changed, but the stubbornness hadn't. Muho sighed. It was unlike his usual deference as the family eldest. He wasn't one to be dragged around by his brother.
'Different.'
The label "troublemaker" might be imprecise, but his brother was always angry. Inferiority from what he lacked bred impatience. He tried not to see it, but it showed.
Yet the current brother showed no impatience or rivalry.
Hiding it with effort?
But he was playing well with the kids...... Huh?
There was a reason for the unease.
Even for kids, they looked too light. Muho sensed it wasn't mere coincidence. Exquisite, perhaps. Tossing and catching flowed like water.
"......Daddyji (Daddy+Father), I gotta go train~~~ Uncle...... save me!"
"I'm hungry!"
Who knew "daddy" could feel so good?
Back then, it sounded old-fashioned and lame.
He'd been immature.
Now mature, he'd do better.
Mujin wanted to keep hearing it, but couldn't ignore his son's plea, so he let them go. It was mealtime for Mijoo too.
His brother was here, so time to stop.
"Again later!"
"Yeah, Taejin too?"
"......Pass."
"Strong denial means yes."
No, take it literally!
Taejin bolted over the threshold. Mijoo toddled after. She seemed about to fall but kept balance well. In truth, it wasn't mere play; he'd infused true energy to steady their bodies. Soon, his son and daughter would taste daddy's greatness.
"Mijoo! Fists are worth a hundred nyang, Mijoo! Feet are a million nyang! Huzzah!"
Mujin was purely satisfied watching Mijoo punch and kick on the way out.
Now alone with his brother in the inner quarters.
Mujin eyed his brother, back to his usual expression. By old memories alone, they weren't close. He'd nitpicked everything. But reflecting, his brother was right despite the stubbornness.
As the elder, he hadn't set an example, always showing shortcomings. No rebellion would be natural. He'd wanted to surpass his brother even once. But reality only distanced them, leading to despair.
'Win or lose, what does it matter.'
Wasting time on vain fame had led him astray. They'd said not to strut without skill. Wearing ill-fitting clothes, pushed by others' gazes. Unfettered, life would've lacked nothing.
'Not this time.'
Honestly, he didn't want the position even if offered. Managing an organization was distant from him. Even as War King, he preferred solo. Never minded groups. Life was survival of the fittest. Caring for others wasn't habitual.
"What brings my heavy-bottomed brother to seek me? This brother is mighty curious."
"Nothing special. You just seem changed."
Blood is thicker than water, huh?
Sharp instincts.
"I have."
"I hope it's sincere, but honestly, I don't buy it."
"I'll stay home, no more trouble. Call me to the hall next time."
Mujin's goal.
World at peace, no need to fret. Even if danger looms, let others handle it. He hoped no one would bother him. He'd fought plenty, killed countless. Time to hole up and rest.
"That's not what you mean by holing up."
"Always so serious. Why so grave about everything? Live playfully. Dull guys aren't popular with girls."
It was unfamiliar to Muho.
When was the last casual chat with brother? Excluding early childhood, probably today.
"Sorry for all this time."
"......Why?"