Heir to the Wolf's Blood (1)
'Wh-what the hell is this?!'
I woke up that morning doubting my own eyes. Maybe because I'd absorbed the energy of the Immovable Bright King, my dantian felt heavier than usual, but that was nothing compared to the shock I was in.
...My morning wood wouldn't go down.
Blood was rushing there with enough force to poke a hole through my pajamas. Embarrassed but needing to check my condition properly, I stripped naked and stood in front of the mirror.
My body had always been toned from martial arts training, but today it looked even more solid. And then— I glanced downward.
There it was, standing ramrod straight, asserting itself more aggressively than ever. It had always been decent before, but now it was thicker, harder. Stronger.
...Honestly, good or bad? If I had to pick, obviously good! But complicated!
Was this how Peter Parker felt after getting bitten by that mutant spider and turning into a superhuman overnight? A subtle mix of feelings.
Great power comes with great responsibility. So what kind of responsibility was I in for now?
Spider-Man's tough stories flashed through my mind. A life full of trials and tribulations, enough to make you bite your fist and cry.
...Did I have to go spinning my arms in the middle of the street~ dancing and winking at girls?
I closed my eyes and imagined it—it was so funny that my mood lifted. Hmm~ Not bad, actually? As long as I'm having fun, right?
I loved the Spider-Man series anyway. Eternal masterpieces in my heart.
Watch over me from the heavens, Spider-Man. I'll become the Spider Dancer of the murim world.
"Young master~ Young master~ Are you up? Time for breakfast."
The delicate, pretty voice of a maid right outside my door snapped me back from fantasy to reality.
I checked my reflection. My natural-born appearance. Buck naked. Big trouble.
"That's weird? I heard a sound. Young master, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine! Don't come in! You can't come in!"
It was a desperate shout for both our sakes, but maybe because of my usual antics, she didn't take it seriously.
"...You're joking again, right? Really~ If you're late, the lady will scold you. Come on out."
Slide~ The curtain that had protected us was pushed aside helplessly, and our eyes met.
The maid's gaze slowly drifted downward.
Slide... The door closed silently again without a word.
Her footsteps faded away.
In the heavy silence and wordless consideration, I stared into the mirror with devastated eyes.
I looked down. No shame at all—it was still raging skyward in fury.
'...I want to crawl into a rat hole.'
But anyway, I had to go eat, so I shed tears getting dressed.
"Young master! Young master!"
After breakfast, I was taking a light stroll in the courtyard to aid digestion before training when I saw Jang Sambung come running breathlessly.
"What's up? Why are you like this?"
"The rumor spread among the maids. That the reason your leg thumps when you walk is 'cause your dick's so big it thumps—is that true?!"
I raised my staff and whacked Jang Sambung on the head.
"Eek?!"
"You think that's true?! You bastard!!"
One hit wasn't enough to vent my anger, so I hit her again.
"Eek?!"
"Shut your mouth and go make them zip it!"
No wonder I'd felt the maids glancing at my legs earlier. The rumor had already spread.
God, please don't let it reach my mom or Yeomhwa's ears.
I'm shameless, sure, but I still have pride. Strangers hearing weird rumors is one thing—family hearing them is a whole different level of humiliation.
I just couldn't stay home anymore, so thump-thump, I headed for the mountains staff in hand.
I needed to consult Mukgang about the changes in my body quick, and learn how to control the heavy Bright King energy settled in my dantian.
Jang Sambung watched Mancheon's retreating back as he thumped away with his staff. She let out a quiet sigh.
...Why does this uncomfortable cripple wander around so much? Can't he just stay home quietly?
Actually, I don't care if he wanders. But why are all the murim folks he meets peak Transformation Realm level?
The Eight-Foot Old Monster, Zhuge Monster Dragon, and now even the Immovable Bright King Mukgang.
Each one could wipe out a mid-sized sect single-handed if they wanted.
Being a bodyguard is a life-risking job by nature, but from the guard's perspective, it's hell.
She tracked his fading figure with her eyes, sighed again, erased her presence and footsteps, and followed at a careful distance so as not to be noticed.
Mukgang nodded calmly with his usual stoic face after hearing my various embarrassing tales.
"The changes in your body are proof that your accumulated inner energy is fusing well with the Bright King's energy. Think of it as your growth spurt coming early and relax."
"...But that morning energy is too vigorous—it's kinda troublesome."
"Normally, you'd learn to control it through meditation first, but since you took a shortcut, the energy is rampaging along your blood flow on its own. Tame your mind and body through meditation."
"...Meditation's not my strong suit."
According to Mukgang's explanation, the Immovable Bright King's energy was a convergence of yang qi, so absorbing it boosted basic physical abilities and warded off demons and illness.
Plus, my Quanzhen Orthodox Inner Cultivation Method was influenced by Buddhism, so it meshed perfectly with the Bright King's energy—no risk of qi deviation.
Good to know there were no issues with my body. Now, while Jang Sambung shut the maids up, I could focus on training.
"Normally, you'd master the Immovable Heart Method through unshakable meditation first, then learn the Immovable Bright King Step. But things went backward, so now I'll teach you the Immovable Heart Method."
"Uh... so I have to meditate again?"
Mukgang nodded without hesitation at my question.
"The core of the Immovable Bright King's teachings is seated meditation. From now on, you'll train alone. Don't forget that."
Mancheon's eyes widened at Mukgang's words, which sounded like he was leaving any minute.
"I haven't fully mastered the Immovable Bright King Step yet. Can't you teach me a bit more before you go?"
Mukgang shook his head firmly.
"Today, I'll teach you the Immovable Heart Method and the second form of the Immovable Bright King Step, then leave. I've stayed in one place too long."
...I hadn't even known there was a second form to the Immovable Bright King Step. Learn two things in one day?
This guy treats people like sponges. Thinks we'll absorb everything he throws at us.
When teaching someone, most masters serve side dishes, set the table, show how to use chopsticks and spoons. Mukgang? Just tosses a hunk of meat and says eat it yourself.
"What if I can't learn both today?"
To my obvious question, Mukgang replied in his usual infuriatingly calm voice.
"Aren't you Sima Mancheon, the genius who deceives even the heavens, boldly inscribed on the Bright King's name tablet? I figured you could handle this much."
Somehow, I'd discovered one thing my masters had in common. They only call me a genius when it suits them.
Villainous teachers toying with their disciple's heart.
I lifted my head, puffed my chest, stood tall. Swept back my hair. Imagined peak confidence. Boiled up my self-assurance.
"Daring to challenge the genius of Sima Mancheon, deceiver of even the heavens... You've got some guts."
I stared down Mukgang's calm eyes with a calm face armored in confidence, as if it was nothing. Countered boldly.
"Two, three, ten—doesn't matter. Go ahead and teach. I'll learn it all."
And at that moment, in the Sima family kitchen.
Yeomhwa was meticulously preparing ingredients one by one for a delicious lunch bento to deliver to her brother training hard in the mountains when she overheard it.
"This morning... whisper whisper... young master... naked...."
"Oh my god... his leg... whisper whisper... three...."
Unfortunately, she'd caught the maids' hushed gossip.
'Eh...? Ehhh...?'
Her mind froze at the vulgar, crude talk. She found herself listening in.
She should yell at them to stop mocking her beloved orabeoni's 'thing' with words.
But heat rushed to her head, her mind went blank. Her ears turned red, face burned.
Her throat clogged; no words came out.