Chapter 136: The Disciple’s Disciple-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: The Disciple’s Disciple-1
The Three Great Inherited Martial Arts of the Orthodox Sect.
These three arts support the Orthodox Sect and strive to maintain peace throughout the world.
Their lineage is maintained strictly through single-successor inheritance, and they are characterized by the fact that they do not belong to any specific clan or family.
Because of this, it is said that one must abandon their original identity to become a successor of one of these three arts.
The arts are as follows:
The Ice Wheel Art.
A martial art that suppresses the opponent by pushing Yin energy to its limit, infusing weapons with a frigid chill.
The Thunder Wheel Art.
A martial art that suppresses the opponent by imbuing hidden weapons with the power of lightning or by seizing control of the surrounding space.
The Flame Wheel Art.
A martial art that suppresses the opponent with fists and kicks after raising the aura of flames through internal energy.
And according to my master, Namgung So-yu, it is the most magnificent and superior of the three... or so her explanation went.
To start with the conclusion: I have become Namgung So-yu’s disciple.
Before my master could even argue against the Grandmaster’s absurd proposal, the procedure was carried out with lightning speed.
The Grandmaster gave me a look, and I immediately performed a deep bow on the spot, sealing our bond as master and disciple.
The ceremony was over in the blink of an eye, like roasting beans on a lightning bolt.
In layman's terms, you could call it a snatch-and-grab.
Anyway, Namgung So-yu, who had taken on a disciple she never wanted, spent a week sulking and barely spoke a word.
Not just to me, but to the Grandmaster as well.
Two weeks have already passed since I joined the Flame Wheel Art group.
They have no fixed residence; they travel across the country, living by solving the troubles of the regions they pass through.
As a result, we spent more nights camping outdoors than sleeping in proper inns.
When there was no particular work to do, the Grandmaster would call my master over to teach her more about the Flame Wheel Art.
Following my master’s words that I wasn't yet at the stage to learn the Flame Wheel Art, I’ve been investing my time in building basic physical strength and internal energy.
I had some doubts about whether this was the right curriculum, but since the Grandmaster watched my training from the side without saying anything, I decided to trust it.
So, I wake up in the morning and perform Energy Circulation Breakfast beside my master.
Since I’m still a beginner, I can’t do Energy Circulation Lunch or Energy Circulation Dinner yet.
...Maybe my brain is starting to rot from boredom.
Anyway, to speak of my current progress, I’m still at the toddler stage, so even performing Energy Circulation Breakfast according to the internal energy cultivation method isn't easy.
That’s why my master stays by my side, watching and helping me with the circulation.
Once the circulation is finished, we eat a simple breakfast.
The Grandmaster prepares the meal, carrying the deep meaning that we should spend the time we would have used for cooking on more training instead.
After breakfast, the dishes are my responsibility.
Originally, it was my master’s job, but since I’m the one with the lowest seniority, I volunteered, thinking it was only right.
Of course, there was also the fact that my master was giving me silent pressure with her sidelong glances.
While I do the dishes, the Grandmaster calls my master to check her progress and engages in a brief sparring match.
I watch them over my shoulder, and once the dishes are done, I proceed with the physical training my master assigned me on my own.
It’s mostly things like running or lifting heavy objects.
After spending time like this, we move on to another location.
We usually start moving around the afternoon and begin setting up camp as the sun goes down.
This time, however, we found an abandoned thatched cottage to stay in, and the Grandmaster declared we would stay here for three days.
Today is the second day of our stay in the cottage.
"Have you swept the yard?"
As I was lost in thought after finishing my physical training, I heard my master’s voice from behind.
"I was just about to start."
In truth, I hadn't even picked up the broom yet, but I bought some time with empty words.
"Hmm..."
My master, seemingly dissatisfied with something, crossed her arms and looked at me askance.
"Fine. Today, I will teach you... no, I shall teach you the most basic technique of the Flame Wheel Art: Ignition."
My master shook her head vigorously as she corrected her speech.
After we formed our master-disciple bond, the biggest change was her manner of speaking.
Even the Grandmaster, who used to speak formally to me, now used informal speech since I had become a disciple of the Flame Wheel Art.
At the same time, she emphasized to me that I must show respect to my master with polite language regardless of age.
She also stressed to So-yu that a master’s authority comes from their conduct, so she must use dignified, formal language.
Since I had always used honorifics with my master anyway, it wasn't awkward or difficult for me.
However, my master seemed to be struggling quite a bit.
So, whenever she accidentally spoke in her original tone like this, her face would turn bright red, and she would glare at me.
...But why are you glaring at me, Master? It’s not my fault.
"Now, c-come here."
I stood where her finger pointed.
"What do you think Ignition is?"
She suddenly threw a question at me. It seemed she was trying to imitate the Grandmaster’s teaching style.
She looked a bit like a student teacher conducting her very first lesson, which was actually quite funny.
"Starting a fire."
Since she looked rather cute, I decided to engage in the lesson with a bit more enthusiasm.
"Y-yes. Now, watch my hand closely."
As I showed interest, my master let out a little "ahem" and raised her index finger.
Whoosh—
Without her seemingly doing anything, a clear flame sprouted from her fingertip.
"Oh...?"
"He-hem! See? This is the basic of basics of the Flame Wheel Art. It is called Ignition."
"So, creating a flame from your hand is Ignition?"
"To be precise, it is manifesting flames from the entire body. However, to utilize these flames later, it is most efficient to create them from the hands and feet."
"Doesn't it burn?"
"That which is created from one's own internal energy cannot harm the creator."
Her tone now carried a hint of the Master (Heavenly Demon) I used to know.
"Hmm, then the principle must be the same for the Ice Wheel Art or the Thunder Wheel Art."
"Oh...? You're quite bright, aren't you?"
I felt a bit offended because her reaction seemed genuinely surprised.
"If it's the same principle, the Ice Wheel or Thunder Wheel seem a bit cooler."
"Silence! How can a disciple of the Flame Wheel Art say such things?!"
"Ack!!"
My master’s fist slammed into the crown of my head, and my neck tucked into my shoulders like a turtle before popping back out.
"That hurts!"
"I hit you so it would hurt. Do not belittle the Flame Wheel Art, even as a joke."
"You have a lot of pride... I mean, you're very proud of it."
I said, rubbing my throbbing head. Is this going to leave a bump?
"Of course. You have no idea what a great honor it is to become the successor of an inherited martial art that supports the Orthodox Sect."
"But what are the criteria for becoming a successor? Is it like, being exceptionally strong compared to other kids your age?"
If that were the case, there would be no reason for me to be chosen.
"Hmm... probably not that. I wasn't particularly outstanding myself back then."
After pondering for a long time, my master finally spoke.
It felt a bit strange to see her admit her own shortcomings so easily.
The master I knew was someone brimming with self-confidence.
"My master said it’s about aptitude. I don't know the details myself."
"Then I must have the aptitude too."
"Well... I don't want to question my master’s choice, but... I'm not so sure..."
"Would it kill you to say something nice to your one and only disciple?"
Why is she being so annoying?
"Facts are facts. Now, stop talking nonsense and try Ignition yourself."
"Is there no theoretical explanation? You just show me the flame and that's it?"
When I asked back, dumbfounded by this unheard-of teaching method, my master simply shrugged.
As if to say she had shown me everything there was to see.
"Unbelievable..."
Grumbling, I extended a finger.
"In-ho..."
Seeing me, my master tilted her head and asked.
"...May I ask why you specifically chose to raise your middle finger?"
"Ah, in my neighborhood, this is a hand gesture that symbolizes a 'mountain.' I thought it would be easier to draw out internal energy this way."
"Stop talking nonsense and use your index finger."
"Yes, ma'am."
Tsk, she didn't fall for it.