Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: An Unexpected One Achieves Enlightenment
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"Listen well. Strip away all the unnecessary branches from the incantation, and it boils down to one essence. To put it plainly, it means that even though the mountains are high, they stand beneath the heavens, and even though the waters are deep, they flow above the ground. The Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique aligns perfectly with this principle."
Nangong Mubaek stood there in a daze, lost in thought at my words.
'He truly has talent. Look at how he's grasping the imagery right away.'
A moment later, Nangong Mubaek opened his eyes, and for an instant, a blue light seemed to flicker within them.
"Ah! I think I finally get it a little. Finally. It was all so hopeless before, like I couldn't see even an inch ahead."
Nangong Mubaek repeatedly executed the form, falling into a trance.
I spoke to him as he did.
"Nothing is greater than the heavens. The sky embraces all things. That is the vault of heaven. It advances endlessly and spans without limit. That is unfettered."
Nangong Mubaek let out an exclamation at my words.
"Excellent! Wonderful! Enlighten me more! Grant me insight! Scholar Cheon! Give me enlightenment!"
His cry was filled with desperate longing.
As Nangong Mubaek executed the form, he attained enlightenment and brimmed with ecstasy.
"A bird flying in the sky has no prescribed wingbeats. To fly freely through the heavens, it simply spreads its wings. It just surrenders to the wind. The Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique is perfected only when you release yourself endlessly and without limit into freedom."
Nangong Mubaek trembled at my words.
I laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Perhaps among your brothers, Young Master Nangong Mubaek will master the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique the fastest. You've lived freer than anyone, as a playful scoundrel you've tasted that freedom—surely you understand it."
Nangong Mubaek nodded.
My words must have struck home.
He had truly lived like a wild stray dog, utterly free.
"Ah, my days as a scoundrel have led me to enlightenment! I haven't lived in vain. It wasn't the life I intended, but in the end, it wasn't wasted!"
Was he not entirely proud of his scoundrel ways?
I laughed heartily at Nangong Mubaek, who had uttered such an unexpected realization.
Beyond the Moonlit Eastern Gate, an elderly man trembled.
'Ah! I thought I had grasped the essence of the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique, but I hadn't. My enlightenment was lacking. This thrill coursing through me proves it... Burdened by the responsibilities of family head, my vision had narrowed. I couldn't comprehend the technique's essence because I wasn't free.'
Nangong Hak closed his eyes gently.
He could now revisit the incantation he had thought perfectly mastered.
Nangong Hak left the spot immediately.
To a quiet place, to consolidate his newfound insight.
Tears welled up in Nangong Mubaek's eyes unbidden.
As the incantation deepened his martial understanding by a step, his spirit resonated in response.
Never before in his life of training had he shed tears of.
'What is this emotion?'
Nangong Mubaek wiped his tears, bewildered.
'This feeling, like something that bound me around the neck has peeled away... Is this true freedom?'
He had lived like a scoundrel partly to feel that freedom.
He had rejected and denied everything around him.
Deep down, he knew he shouldn't, yet he acted out like a thirsting man.
Speaking recklessly, acting recklessly, abandoning himself recklessly.
Watching Nangong Mubaek, I felt inwardly pleased.
'He's following the same path as Pang Soun. A bit faster, perhaps?'
It had taken Pang Soun a full year to reach this point.
By then, the energy of the Big Dipper had reached its peak.
Among the Big Dipper's seven stars—Tammang, Mungok, Geomun, Nokjon, Yeomjeong, Mugok, Pagojun—Pang Soun was born under Nokjon's influence.
The Heavenly Martial Sacred Body naturally carried strong Pagojun energy, inclined toward self-destruction, but Nokjon's energy had extended his life.
Yet that too wouldn't last much longer.
To extend it further, I needed to activate and absorb Nangong Mubaek's Mugok energy.
When I found the method to extend the Heavenly Martial Sacred Body's lifespan in an esoteric Buddhist text, I dismissed it as mere legend.
But seeing it relieve Pang Soun's pain and prolong his life, I had no choice but to believe.
That I possessed the Pagojun energy of the Heavenly Martial Sacred Body.
That it had manifested so strongly it blocked the body's meridians.
This was why I had to elevate Nangong Mubaek's realm.
Only by raising his realm could the Mugok star's energy activate.
Gazing at Nangong Mubaek, who trembled in intense emotion, I said,
"Let's end here for today. Higher martial arts must seep in like water—gradual enlightenment is key. Rushing it all at once isn't beneficial."
"How would you know, Scholar Cheon? You're no martial artist."
"Well..."
I had already experienced it through Pang Soun, but I couldn't very well spill that.
"Scholar Cheon is right. Hasty meals lead to indigestion."
Well now, he could say something sensible too. There was a change in him.
More importantly, he no longer seemed awkward or disgusted by using honorifics with me.
"Rest today, and we'll continue tomorrow. Young Master Zhuge Dowon arrives then, so best to retire early."
"Hmph. Whether Zhuge Dowon comes or not."
Nangong Mubaek paid little mind to Zhuge Dowon, toward whom he harbored a subtle inferiority complex.
That moment of enlightenment had elevated him a step.
"No visitors today unless I say otherwise."
I smiled watching Nangong Mubaek issue orders to the attendants and servants before retreating to his room.
'In the past, even this small achievement would have sent him carousing at a tavern or brothel. He's maturing a little.'
As I passed the Moonlit Eastern Gate on my way back to my quarters, I caught an unfamiliar scent.
Ever since my Heavenly Martial Sacred Body manifested, my sense of smell had surpassed that of a dog.
'Hm!'
It was a scent I remembered clearly.
'The family head was here.'
My mind sharpened.
If the family head had come and witnessed all this, it was no small matter.
'He might summon me any moment. Better prepare.'
I washed my face and straightened my attire.
"Scholar, why adjust your robes at dinnertime?"
Eunbi asked curiously while preparing wash water and clothes.
"Someone's bound to call for me."
"What about dinner, then? Shall I serve it now?"
"Wait a bit."
Just then.
"Scholar!"
A guard from Nangong Mubaek's residence arrived.
"What is it?"
"The family head sends word to join him for dinner."
"Understood. I'll go now."
"Just like that?"
"I'm already prepared."
"Ah. Then let's go."
Eunbi tilted her head as Scholar Cheon walked away.
"Does Scholar Cheon have precognition? How did he know the family head would call? Do smart people just know these things?"
Eunbi soon chalked it up to his brilliance and dismissed the puzzling thought.
Dinner with the Nangong Family head and matriarch.
I had dined alone with the renowned Murim Alliance Leader multiple times.
The alliance's strategist, elders, veterans—figures at the pinnacle of the martial world, whom a mere scholar could only look up to.
Though those meetings were essentially to hush up or cover scandals uncovered by inspections, rubbing shoulders with such luminaries made this dinner with the Nangong Family head feel less tense.
"Come in."
Entering the family head's quarters, the head and matriarch were already seated at the table.
"Good evening?"
She was a middle-aged woman who perfectly fit the term "beautiful matron."
I had investigated key figures before my assignment to the Nangong Family.
Her name was Jeon Ian, daughter of the Gimtian Escort Agency—one of Hubei Wuhan's three great agencies.
While Nangong Hak wandered the rivers and lakes incognito, he worked briefly at the agency and fell in love with her.
She had rejected marriage proposals from other great families to wed him, causing quite the stir.
Rumors even flew that she had "bought" Nangong Hak with money.
"This is my wife."
"Pleased to meet you, Matriarch."
"Husband, why did you lie to me?"
"Lie about what?"
"You said Scholar Cheon was handsome."
"Eh? Isn't he?"
Nangong Hak faltered at his wife's words.
He wasn't used to her witty retorts.
I understood her intent and simply smiled.
"Surely he doesn't look ugly to your eyes, dear?"
"Hohoho, no—it's not that he's handsome, he's strikingly handsome. Haven't seen a fine man like this in ages."
"Ah, that's what you meant. You startled me."
Nangong Hak chuckled awkwardly.
"Sorry for taking your evening."
"Not at all, Family Head. It's an honor to be summoned."
The two smiled warmly at my polite greeting.
"I've heard Scholar Cheon was quite famous even in the Murim Alliance?"
Jeon Ian's words drew a wry smile from me.
"I had a notorious reputation."
"Notoriety for rooting out corruption and graft? That's worthy of respect. Who would champion justice if doing right brought only finger-pointing? I support you, Scholar Cheon."
"Thank you, Matriarch."
We chatted amiably through the meal. Over dinner, we discussed poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music; the conversation continued with tea.
Jeon Ian's scholarly depth surprised me—greater than many giant-born scholars.
"Even scholars may know poetry and calligraphy but not painting or music, yet Scholar Cheon is versed in all."
"No, merely a hobbyist's interest."
As our exchange paused, Nangong Hak seized the moment.
"How is it? Is my youngest worth teaching?"
The main topic at last—I smiled inwardly.
"Indeed. Lately, he studies scholarship with me every other day."
"Oh! That's heartening. Thank you, Scholar Cheon. I won't forget your merit. Truth be told, I've been deeply worried he'd go astray for good."
Nangong Hak bared his sincere heart, and suddenly Jeon Ian dabbed tears with a handkerchief.
"Sniff, as a mother, seeing my child veer wrong before my eyes yet failing to correct him—I've been wracked with guilt."
Nangong Hak comforted his wife.
"How could I not know your efforts to set him straight? Don't say that. He was just an exceptionally stubborn stone."
No amount of discipline could have fixed Nangong Mubaek's case.
It wasn't rotten character; he was simply born under the Big Dipper's Mugok energy, driven to madness.
Absorb that madness, and he'd return to normal.
But Mugok's energy was like fruit that needed proper ripening before harvest.
Only then could it be absorbed without issue.
"Worry not. After a year studying with me, he'll surely find the right path."
I subtly took credit with polite flattery.
"Excellent! My judgment was spot on! The inspection leader hounded me to bring you here. Had I given up, my youngest might have been lost forever. Truly fortunate."
"Your foresight saved our Mubaek. I truly thought he was done for. Sniff."
Jeon Ian suddenly grasped my hand.
"Forgive my outburst, but I'm just so grateful. Like my own son. That's alright, isn't it?"
Her heartfelt thanks warmed my own heart.
No discomfort at all.
Had I longed for a mother's affection so long? The warmth of her palm evoked memories of my mother's embrace, long forgotten.
Jeon Ian must have harbored much silent grief.
Otherwise, she wouldn't bare her emotions before a stranger.
"The moment our Mubaek sheds his scoundrel stigma, I'll reward you greatly, Scholar Cheon."
"Husband, wouldn't Scholar Cheon suit our Munseol?"
I startled at that.
Nangong Munseol was Nangong Mubaek's older sister by a year, with equal notoriety.
A fierce woman thriving in the alliance's martial units, famed for her ferocity.
She'd grapple and duel any she deemed strong, showing endless respect to the mighty while ignoring the weak entirely.
Suitors seeking family prestige approached only to flee in terror.
This Nangong Munseol was one to avoid in the Nangong Family.
Back at the alliance, we'd clashed a few times, but luckily, as a scholar, I escaped her notice.
"Hm, Munseol has her eye on some man lately—let's see."
Meaning he was strong enough she dogged him for spars.
"Oh? Then shall I look among our main branch daughters? You're just the scholar I'd love to bring into the family."
Gaining her favor was nice, but her enthusiasm was overwhelming. Mothers always latched onto promising men.
Sensing my unease, Nangong Hak hinted to his wife.
"Dear, I have private matters to discuss with Scholar Cheon alone. Would you excuse us?"
Jeon Ian glanced at me, then spoke firmly.
"About the youngest?"
"Related."
"Husband, I'll listen too. Anything concerning our youngest. Please allow it."
She usually deferred to Nangong Hak's requests.
But not now—she was stubborn.
"I won't stand by like before and regret it. I'll endure whatever it is."
Seeing her resolve, Nangong Hak relented.
"...Very well."
Jeon Ian straightened; Nangong Hak's voice sank low.
"Enough personal talk. Let's discuss official matters. Scholar Cheon."
The mood shifted; I replied calmly.
"Speak."
I met Nangong Hak's icy gaze steadily.
"What possessed you to take the family secret technique's incantation? Do you truly not grasp that it's a matter of life and death?"
Killing intent rippled through the air.
The prior warmth vanished, utterly extinguished.