Chapter 52
Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: No Need for a Teacher
"By any chance, are you thinking of becoming my disciple?"
"Father?!"
Cheon Woojin, standing beside him, wore a look of utter shock at Cheon Seonwoo's words.
I was a bit surprised myself.
'The Martial Emperor wants to take a disciple?'
What kind of person was the Martial Emperor, Cheon Seonwoo?
After founding the Cheon Clan in the past, even when countless people came begging to be accepted as disciples, he took on no one.
And the words he left while refusing them shook the entire martial world.
-Those with exceptional talent have no need for a master, and those lacking talent are not worth teaching.
A statement that made fools of every martial artist who had a teacher.
But since he was the World's Greatest Martial Artist of his era, and it was true that he had mastered his arts alone without a master, no one made a big fuss about it.
'In truth, the only ones Cheon Seonwoo ever taught directly were his family.'
And even then, only his son and granddaughter—his direct bloodline.
So, him taking a disciple was something entirely unprecedented.
As I pondered for a moment, Cheon Seonwoo spoke again.
"If you're disappointed by my son's skills alone, then I can teach you personally..."
I hurriedly waved my hands at his words, which sounded like he was ready to demonstrate his power right then and there.
"No, that's not it. I already know the old master's skills well enough without experiencing them firsthand."
"Then why are you hesitating like that?"
Why hesitate?
Because there's nothing left for me to learn, even as his disciple.
'I already know the entire Celestial Apex Sword Art.'
Besides, the Celestial Apex Sword Art wasn't a perfected martial art.
Unlike other arts with long histories built up over time, it was created by a single genius named Cheon Seonwoo.
As a result, the Celestial Apex Sword Art continued to be refined and evolved over time.
And,
'I know the Celestial Apex Sword Art from about thirty years in the future.'
The version I knew was the one Cheon Seonwoo would develop over the next thirty years.
Considering that, it was more like Cheon Seonwoo should be my disciple.
Learning martial arts from him would be utterly pointless.
The only upside might be having the Martial Emperor as backing...
'But getting into a master-disciple relationship just for that is way too much hassle.'
Cheon Seonwoo wasn't the type with a lenient personality, and the thought of serving him for life as his disciple was an absolute no.
It might even cause issues with going to meet Moyong Hui right away.
The cleanest option was to part ways here.
'But I doubt he'll let me go that easily...'
A glint of greed flashed in Cheon Seonwoo's eyes.
For someone at the Profound Realm or higher to show that meant he'd drag me off by force if needed.
After racking my brain for excuses, I decided to play the mad genius card.
"I acknowledge the old master's exceptional skills... but they don't seem quite good enough to be my teacher."
"What did you say?!"
A look of utter bewilderment.
Before he could draw his sword, I quickly followed up with an explanation.
"What could I possibly learn if I became the old master's disciple?"
"Why, the Celestial Apex Sword Art that I created, of course..."
"Is that Celestial Apex Sword Art the same sword technique that guy used?"
As I pointed at Cheon Woojin with my scabbard, Cheon Seonwoo cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, as you know, my son is still at a low realm, but if he achieves great completion..."
"Hm, mind if I give it a try?"
Since I was already playing crazy, might as well go all in.
If he'd misjudged me as a prodigy, I'd just lean into that judgment harder.
I drew my sword from its scabbard.
And began swinging it through the air.
Celestial Apex Sword Art
Skies Beyond the Heavens
I perfectly replicated the first stance Cheon Woojin had shown earlier.
The sword split into a total of seven branches.
Seeing it, Cheon Seonwoo's eyes widened as if they might tear.
"How did you...!"
How? Because it was a technique I already knew.
But without showing a hint of it, I tilted my head and spoke.
"It was something like this, right? But if it were me, I'd execute it like this."
Celestial Apex Sword Art
Skies Beyond the Heavens
The sword that had split into seven branches moments ago now divided into just three.
The number decreased, but the power and speed intensified in compensation.
'This is the refined version Cheon Seonwoo develops in the future.'
Cheon Seonwoo himself, the creator, would surely recognize the advantages of this subtle difference.
As expected, he gaped in shock, his mouth hanging open in a way that didn't suit him.
"What is this...!"
But it wasn't over yet.
I, Mok Jimyeong,
was a man who saw things through to the end once started.
"And he used this stance earlier too..."
The sword flashed, stabbing at a single point.
It was the Single Flash that Cheon Woojin had used before.
"If it were me, I'd slash instead of thrust."
Celestial Apex Sword Art
Single Flash
This one was also a refinement Cheon Seonwoo would make himself in the future.
Cheon Seonwoo, who had been exclaiming in admiration until moments ago, now stood speechless.
I turned to him and spoke again.
"I understand that the old master has a high realm and great skill... but I have no need for a teacher. Teachers are only for those lacking talent."
In truth, I had zero talent, but who cared?
I just had to pretend otherwise.
At my arrogant words, Cheon Seonwoo let out a groan.
"So you truly possess heaven-sent talent after all..."
What I'd just done wasn't something achievable through mere exceptional talent.
Replicating a technique seen once and instantly improving it on the spot?
If that were possible, why would martial arts or stances even exist?
But,
'By that logic, Cheon Seonwoo's own talent defies reason too.'
Cheon Seonwoo was someone far beyond normal common sense.
His very statement—"Those with exceptional talent have no need for a master"—wasn't something a sane person would say.
"Therefore, while the old master is skilled, he seems insufficient to be my teacher."
Ugh, who would've thought I'd say something like this to the Martial Emperor?
My chest swelled with emotion.
But I kept my composure as best I could, managing my expression.
'If I slip up here, I'm screwed.'
Just play the arrogant genius.
Push through steadfastly.
"...I admit it. You're far too exceptional to need a master. It's the first time in my life I've been so awestruck by someone's talent."
"Everyone who sees me thinks the same."
"...However, you could stand to learn a bit of humility."
"Hm, the old master doesn't seem particularly humble himself..."
At my words, Cheon Seonwoo's eyebrows shot up in an inverted V.
But recalling his own behavior toward me, he didn't argue back.
'The Martial Emperor isn't exactly humble either.'
Even his son, Cheon Woojin, beside him, nodded slightly in agreement.
"Father's personality is indeed a bit far from humble..."
He clamped his mouth shut at Cheon Seonwoo's sharp glare, but it was too late.
"Son, we'll talk later."
Cheon Seonwoo's forehead pulsed faintly with a vein as he spoke softly.
He sighed, composed his expression, and turned back to me.
"However, to my embarrassment... my narrow mind makes it hard to fully believe even after seeing your talent. Could you try replicating this one as well?"
Cheon Seonwoo drew his sword before me.
I flinched for a moment but quickly steadied myself, realizing it was a test.
Heat haze rose from Cheon Seonwoo's sword.
And then,
Suuuung—
His sword traced dozens of trajectories in an instant.
This was a stance Cheon Woojin hadn't been able to perform earlier.
'Heavenly Thunder.'
The seventeenth stance of the Celestial Apex Sword Art, and the most perfected one.
A stance that required at least the Flower Realm to even imitate.
Cheon Seonwoo looked at me with gleaming eyes, as if asking if I could do this too.
I let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"An excellent stance. Doesn't seem to need much changing. But if I were to refine it... I'd infuse it with far more internal energy."
As soon as I finished speaking, I began channeling my energy.
The harmonious energies created by the Blissful Creation Art gathered into the sword I held.
Wuuuung—
The hazy sword aura gradually sharpened.
And soon, it began to sparkle as if infused with starlight.
'Since the base requires sword aura to form a gang.'
Cheon Seonwoo had performed the stance using only sword aura, as if testing me.
Thus, what he showed was incomplete.
'I'll make sure he never wants to test me again.'
The perfect stance unfolded from my hand.
First, from below to above.
My sword left trails of sword gang light in its wake.
By the time those trails faded,
Kururung—!
A thunderous roar echoed loudly—something absent when Cheon Seonwoo had performed it.
Celestial Apex Sword Art
Heavenly Thunder
Like a bolt from a clear sky.
The dozens of sword gang swings struck down at a single point like thunder itself.
Kuwaaaang!
Even after reducing the power at the end, the erupting dust made Cheon Woojin nearby cough.
And Cheon Seonwoo, who had prompted the demonstration...
"That talent grasps not just the form, but even the true intent..."
muttered to himself with a dazed expression.