Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: It Floats!
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Floats!
"Master, can I switch masters just for today?"
"S-switching... m-masters? Bean, are you planning to abandon me?"
My whisper left Gwangyu frozen like a stone, as if he'd taken a shock.
I knew it would be like this. If I said I'd change masters for life, I'd lose even that spirit snake.
"I was just kidding. Master, I'm not going anywhere, so snap out of it!"
I tapped the cheek of the still-rigid Gwangyu with my tiny hand.
His unfocused eyes sharpened on me, melting under my warmth.
"That was really a joke, right?"
"Of course it was! Where would I go without my crybaby master?"
"Bean!"
A sigh escaped me as I watched Gwangyu sniffle while cradling me preciously.
Who’s the kid here and who’s the adult...?
"How can a thousand-year-old elder cry over something this minor?"
"Minor? Losing my place as Bean's master would be as catastrophic as the world collapsing!"
Is it really that serious?
I might not get everything else, but seeing Master's gloomy face, I knew it was a big deal for him at least.
Well, honestly, after going through all sorts of things with him, I'd grown attached too.
"Fine, fine. Stop crying!"
"Stopped!"
Always so good at following orders, this master of mine.
"Now that the tears are gone, put me down."
"Got it."
Sniff. Gwangyu wiped his tears and set me down from his arms.
Now it's time to deliver my decision.
"Elder Orak."
I stepped forward to where Gwangyu and Orak—who had been watching us—stood and bowed politely.
"Thank you for the generous offer, but I want to uphold the bond of master and disciple I have now."
"Hmm, being rejected makes it all the more regrettable... Though if you'd jumped at the chance to be my disciple so easily, it wouldn't have been fun anyway."
Orak seemed to view even master-disciple bonds as mere playthings.
I felt it when we first met, but Elder Orak moves solely by what amuses him.
"I may not have claimed the spot as your master, but if you ever need my help, come find me anytime. I live right next to where the young cult leader stays."
What would Elder Orak gain by helping me? What's his reason for wanting to assist?
With his unique standards for action, even small favors from him felt suspicious.
"Would it be okay to receive your precious teachings when I'm not even your disciple?"
"Sure, no problem. I just want to see Gwangyu get jealous!"
That was your goal? Just how do these elders' minds work?
Gwangyu and Orak both.
I'd love to peek inside their heads if I could.
"I trust my disciple! The bond between Bean and me isn't some flimsy thing you can toy with easily!"
Gwangyu looked triumphant now that I wasn't leaving him.
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Orak. I'll come to you if I need guidance."
"See that... Wait, what? You're really planning to seek out Orak?"
Sorry, Master, but I can't pass up a chance at good teachings!
When would I ever get lessons from another elder?
His methods might surprisingly suit me, too.
"Master, you don't like seeing your disciple get a good opportunity?"
"N-no, it's not that...!"
Gwangyu hesitated, unable to say he hated it outright.
"Then it's fine for me to learn from Elder Orak, right?"
"Aaaah! I don't know anymore! Do whatever you want, Bean. But if that guy pulls any nonsense, even I won't stand for it!"
Orak responded to Gwangyu's warning with a wounded tone.
"Seeing me as some nonsense-puller hurts. None of my schemes have ever been pointless."
"See that? Bean, Orak's the type with a heart black as pitch!"
Gwangyu flared up spectacularly at Orak's provocation.
At this rate, it seems Elder Orak actually enjoys sparring with Master verbally.
They even seemed to get along.
"Then I'll head out for training."
"Yeah, see you later! Chirpy aide."
Staying between them might waste the whole day, so I excused myself from Orak first and left.
"Wait for me! Bean!"
Gwangyu noisily followed behind me toward the training grounds.
"Today, there's something I absolutely have to learn from Master!"
The moment we reached the training grounds, I cornered Gwangyu against the wall with my small body, full of vigor.
"What do you want to learn? Gonna act cute with your master?"
"This looks like acting cute?"
"If something this adorable isn't cute, what is?"
Gwangyu playfully pinched my chubby cheeks with a warm smile.
I was clearly threatening him!
Did this tiny body make it come across all wrong?
Acting cute to my master? How humiliating!
"Listen up, Master! I'm cornering you right now!"
"Cornering me, sure. With cuteness?"
"It's not cuteness, it's a threat!"
"Okay, if Bean says so!"
Master's smirking more than usual today—it's ticking me off!
But insisting it's not cute with this cute face wouldn't convince anyone.
I'll endure for the greater good!
"Master, teach me Void Step!"
The Void Step that Gwangyu had used upon arriving at the Demonic Cult was a technique for walking or running through the air.
I know it's a skill only those at high realms can pull off. But I need to master Void Step before Pipi comes find me again if I want to tail her secretly!
Whenever Pipi slept beside me, she'd vanish before I woke.
She's definitely heading to wherever sent the scroll about the mind-weakening poison cure and the Tang Initial Pill!
If I follow her while she's moving during my sleep, I can find both the pill and the cure—that's my plan.
With that in mind, I'll master Void Step by the end of today no matter what!
"Now that I think about it, I did promise to teach you Void Step when I took you as disciple. Sure! I'll teach you!"
Gwangyu accepted my demand casually, like it was no big deal.
"Is it possible to learn it by the end of today?"
"Not guaranteed, but... Bean can summon lightning from a clear sky—surely you can handle this?"
True. But I struggle with handling my internal energy...
Gwangyu showed a demonstration first, watching my suddenly faltering confidence despite my bold start.
"Let's start with light qinggong. Think of emptying yourself and focus! Lighter than a flower petal, lighter than the wind. Your body will naturally lift into the air."
Gwangyu effortlessly floated into the air and strolled around, but his explanation went right over my head.
Genius types are something else...
But emptying my mind? That I can do.
In my past life, after losing my parents in the accident, I had to empty myself to survive.
Greed, wishes, dreams—all luxuries I couldn't afford.
Empty myself, just like my past self did.
I closed my eyes and cleared my mind as I had when I was Park Dan-myeong.
"Bean..."
Then I heard Gwangyu call me softly.
If I'd succeeded, Master wouldn't be so quiet...
I had a feeling I knew the result without opening my eyes.
Ugh, come on! No way it'd work that easily!
It was the moment I opened my eyes with no real expectations.
"Wh-what?"
It worked??