Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: I'm the Teacher, You're the Student
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Nangong Mubaek extended the manual with eyes full of great resolve.
I glanced at the title of the manual, then looked at his face.
‘Is he insane?’
The Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique was one of the Nangong Family’s two supreme arts, a swordsmanship hailed as one of Murim’s pinnacles alongside the Emperor Sword Form.
It was a name as widely renowned as the Mount Hua Sect’s 24 Plum Blossom Sword Techniques or the Wudang Sect’s Tai Chi Fist.
It was the very sword art that had elevated Nangong Hak to one of the Three Great Swordsmen of the World.
In the Nangong Family, direct descendants who reached around the age of thirty learned the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique once they hit a certain level of proficiency.
And it was a sword art they had to contemplate for their entire lives.
‘Come to think of it, Nangong Mubaek’s just hit around thirty. With his talent and decent achievements, they must have given him the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique. Is he seriously expecting me to figure this out on my own?’
I picked up the book and asked,
“Isn’t this the Nangong Family’s secret supreme art? Is it really okay to show this to an outsider so casually?”
“No, it’s not. But I can do it. Because I really want to learn it. Faster than any of my other brothers.”
Nangong Mubaek made no effort to hide his ambition. Even a playboy scoundrel had his ambitions.
In some ways, scoundrels like him flaunted ambitions far beyond their capacity just to draw attention.
Oblivious that it was a straight path to downfall.
“Scholar Cheon worked at the Murim Alliance. You wouldn’t go blabbing about this sword art everywhere. You know the laws of Murim.”
Of course.
If I did, my head would end up rolling under a Nangong Family blade, quiet as a mouse.
“That’s true, but...”
“Just read the incantation and interpret it for me. I only want to know if it matches my own take. You know my learning is shallow—I’m scared I might’ve gotten it wrong.”
He was honest at times like these.
Of course. He knew full well that faking it here could lead to qi deviation and a quick death.
I nodded.
“Very well. Since it’s Young Master’s request, I’ll give it a shot. But...”
No sooner had I spoken than Nangong Mubaek jumped in.
“I know. Scholar Cheon doesn’t work for free. I’ll pay you the money you love so much. If you make progress with this sword art, I’ll give you three hundred taels of silver in banknotes.”
That wasn’t what I’d meant at all. He jumped to conclusions without even hearing me out.
‘Jackpot. Money’s always welcome. Somehow, I’m raking in more than I did back in the Murim Alliance’s Inspection Unit.’
I replied with dignified restraint.
I didn’t want to come off as too mercenary.
“It’s not that I demand compensation, but if Young Master insists on offering, I won’t say no.”
“The whole world knows Scholar Cheon’s a greedy miser, and here you are playing humble.”
Suddenly regretting those three hundred taels, he started sneering.
I piled on.
“Since you call me a miser, while we’re on the topic, you’d better give me half upfront as contract money.”
“What? You!”
“If not, no deal.”
As I set the manual down and rose to leave, Nangong Mubaek wrinkled his nose.
With a deep sigh, he stomped into his room and emerged with the banknotes.
“I’m the one asking the favor, but damn, Scholar Cheon, you’re an irritating bastard. Not an ounce of pliancy in you.”
“Why not find that pliancy at a pleasure house?”
Unable to retort, Nangong Mubaek flung the banknotes at me and stormed off.
“Hey! You unlucky scholar prick! Trip in the road and smash your damn nose!”
His curses echoed from beyond the Moonlit Gate.
Still, the fact that he wasn’t hurling abuse right to my face like old times was impressive progress.
The incantation of the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique was beautiful.
A poem extolling heaven and earth and nature—a song, mainly, praising the heavens.
“Seeing the forms’ movements really lets you grasp the incantation’s meaning precisely.”
Sometimes, embodying the incantation’s intent birthed the form itself. The 24 Plum Blossom Sword Techniques worked that way.
Though the Plum Blossom Sword Techniques reigned at the pinnacle of illusory swordsmanship, truly understanding the incantation made the movements crystal clear.
But there were times, like with the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique, when the incantation alone didn’t evoke the forms.
Which was why I looked forward to Nangong Mubaek’s training tomorrow.
“Haah!”
Kiais weren’t necessary.
They disrupted the breathing.
Higher martial arts demanded conserving even a single breath, regulating it with the mind.
But Nangong Mubaek, all flash and no substance, was wasting breath pointlessly.
“Kyah!”
“Hueup!”
He seemed convinced that was the mark of a true master.
Finally fed up with the racket, I spoke up.
“This sword art demands you conserve every breath. Kiais just scatter your inner energy.”
“Hup!”
Mid-kiai, Nangong Mubaek clamped his mouth shut and stomped in frustration.
I’d seen the Plum Blossom Sword Technique forms before, but the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique was martial arts on another plane entirely.
The Plum Blossom Sword Techniques flowed soft as plum petals drifting on the wind, dazzlingly ornate at a glance.
If they evoked an over-adorned beauty, the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique felt noble and majestic, like an eagle soaring through the open sky.
Its offense struck swift and razor-sharp, like an eagle plummeting to snatch a fish from the depths; its defense swept bold and free, like the same eagle gliding effortlessly.
A moment later, Nangong Mubaek caught his breath and lowered his wooden sword.
“This can’t be!”
He stared at me in shock.
“What’s wrong?”
“I could never finish even one form before—always ran out of breath. Today’s the first time I completed it fully.”
I’d only griped about the annoying kiais, but it’d actually worked. I had to stifle a laugh.
It revealed just how much inner energy he’d been burning on those shouts.
Still, I played it off as intentional.
“The incantation tells you to conserve your breath. Common sense for advanced martial arts, no? You can’t afford to waste even one.”
“The incantation says that? I’ve pored over it dozens of times—why didn’t I see it? Where does it say to conserve breath?”
I pointed to a line in the book.
“There’s that bit about connecting with the steadiness of an unflinching candle flame, right?”
“What about it? Means you’ve got to steady your body, control the shakes.”
“Why specify a candle flame?”
“Ah— an unflinching candle means no breath leaking out.”
I smiled faintly. Luckily, the passage did touch on breathing.
“Exactly.”
“That’s not even in the family’s official interpretation. As expected of a jinshi-level scholar? Impressive.”
Moments like this showed that even a scoundrel was still a martial artist at heart. His admiration rang pure and genuine.
“I’m seriously shocked. Scholar Cheon, you’re amazing. But... I somehow grasped the first form and pulled it off, but from this one on? Total fog. I can mimic the motions, but I don’t get the meaning behind them, so it’s not right. Why’s that?”
I sensed the moment had arrived.
Time to define our relationship.
“Then show it to me first, right here.”
“Show it?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“What, got a problem? Something wrong? I’m the teacher. You’re the student. Isn’t this how it’s supposed to be? You think the teacher should grovel before the pupil for any real learning to happen?”
“Hey! That’s how I’ve always done it!”
Nangong Mubaek shot me a faintly murderous glare.
“Is it? Then go find someone like that. I draw a clear line between teacher and student. I was just about to explain my take on the incantation from this form onward.”
I turned and muttered as I walked away.
“What a shame. Such a shame. Guess I’ll head to that other young master instead? Heard he’s been training the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique lately too.”
Muttering loud enough for him to hear, I headed for the Moonlit Gate—only to find Nangong Mubaek already blocking it, face awkward.
“Ah, seriously!”
“Step aside, Young Master.”
I said politely, but he replied,
“I’ll hear your take on this form’s incantation first, then decide.”
“Young Master has no business ethics. Like sucking on a frozen treat, then refusing to buy if it doesn’t suit your taste. Fair trade?”
“You! Scholar bastard!”
“Hmm! Wonder how far that other young master’s gotten with his interpretations.”
As I turned for the back gate, Nangong Mubaek called from behind.
“Fine! But only during training sessions.”
“Oh? The one direct Nangong descendant who might actually grasp the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique’s essence... and you’re haggling conditions?”
“That confident?”
“Confident in my interpretations, yes. Results depend on the practitioner’s talent, though.”
“I don’t think my talent trails anyone’s. Sure, I’m a scoundrel—but I’ve got exceptional martial bones.”
“Is that so? Congratulations. Then I’ll be going.”
“Damn it! You cursed scholar!”
“‘Damn it’ reminds me of Young Master Zhuge Dowon. Suddenly feels like I’ve got an appointment with him tomorrow.”
Having thoroughly gotten under his skin, Nangong Mubaek stomped his foot.
His face screamed he wanted to thrash me.
“Fine!”
I glanced back, and he jabbed a finger at me.
“You just want me to respect Scholar Cheon, right?”
“Exactly. And no cursing.”
“Cursing’s going a bit far.”
“Maybe I should hand the full interpretations to all the other young masters?”
Hearing my musing, Nangong Mubaek bellowed.
“Got it! I said I got it!”
“What was that?”
“Got... it.”
“Learning begins with respect for one’s teacher. Excellent start.”
“Argh, seriously! If I can’t even talk...”
As he started to flare up, I scowled, and he trailed off.
“Scholar, they say blessings come to those who endure, right?”
I could see him grinding his teeth.
“Precisely. Patience and mulberry leaves make silk robes. You’ll soon behold the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique draped in silk.”
“Then let’s hurry to the training ground.”
I stared flatly, and he flinched, adding,
“...please. Let’s go, please.”
Teetering on the edge of true insight, he kept starting and stopping as I strolled behind with hands clasped at my back, glancing back anxiously to wait for me.
“Walk faster, Scholar!”
Nangong Hak, curious whether his son was getting along with the scholar, slipped quietly into his youngest’s residence without telling a soul.
Moving without a whisper of presence, his steps were stealthier than any assassin’s.
Hearing what sounded like the two bickering over something, he sharpened his hearing with inner power.
He planned to scold his son if he’d been rude to the scholar.
“...”
But the conversation was strange.
His son—who only used honorifics with family elders or older brothers—was speaking politely to a mere scholar?
The boy known as a scoundrel for his rude tongue and blunt ways with everyone else.
It was astonishing to see such a child deferring so awkwardly to Scholar Cheon.
‘Does Scholar Cheon truly have some special quality no one else sees? I’d heard he reformed even Pang Soun, who was worse than my youngest—so I pinned my hopes on him, half-doubting. But he’s really changing my boy.’
Listening further, the topic turned to the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique, and he jolted in shock.
‘He handed the family’s supreme secret incantation to Scholar Cheon just to learn faster than his brothers? Has the boy lost his mind?’
No matter how fierce his competitive spirit, how could he so casually reveal a clan secret to an outsider?
Having witnessed it, Nangong Hak meant to swoop in, reprimand his son sharply, and give the scholar a stern warning.
Even someone from the Murim Alliance’s Inspection Unit should know Murim’s unwritten rules.
No matter how adept the scholar was at reforming his wayward son, this was unacceptable.
As his youngest executed the second form of the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique before Scholar Cheon, Nangong Hak tensed his legs to leap into the training ground—he couldn’t stand it anymore.
”Mountains rise, rivers flow—
heart settles deep as ocean currents!”
Nangong Hak, poised to vault the Moonlit Gate, froze solid at the words.
He’d contemplated the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique for over twenty years, only recently grasping this very insight.
And a scholar who’d barely arrived at the main household had unlocked it?
Goosebumps erupted into electric tingles racing through his entire body.