The Time for the Tiger to Grow, 2 Years (1)
It's done.
"That's a man!"
"Now this is entertaining!"
For the record, I didn't do a damn thing.
You goddamn martial world misfits!!
Ha ha...
I was so deflated that laughter leaked out.
"Finally getting a match with the Second Young Master?"
"But who said two years? Make it a quick year or so."
The troublemakers were the most energetic of all.
I'm going insane.
With Namgung Je-cheon gone, new lunatics had appeared.
At least I could handle our Lunatic.
If I'd tried to rein these guys in, they might've turned on me instead.
"Quiet, all of you."
The rowdy crowd fell silent at that.
Good. At least they listen to me.
The deed was done anyway, and a proxy duel with my second brother was unavoidable.
My participation wasn't part of the plan, but what could I do?
The water was spilled.
No putting it back in a broken bowl.
"Who said two years?"
Right, I'd just sworn not to dwell on the past.
To look only forward.
But I needed to know the face of the one who'd lit and fanned this spark, or I'd never rest easy.
Might need to give them special affection later.
"Amitabha."
A familiar Buddhist chant rang out.
"It was me."
I turned to see Ilseon Dosa.
So it was you, baldy.
His shiny dome seemed extra gleaming today for a reason.
Ilseon Dosa inwardly marveled at Namgung Daeso's fierce glare.
Ha! As expected!
He'd figured Daeso would deny it vehemently once he knew.
Right after Daeso collapsed yesterday, one of Yi-gong's faction had come.
After hearing the rough situation between Daeso and Yi-gong, they'd made this call.
His eyes are already burning with passion!
What fighting spirit!
Two years wasn't long for a martial artist.
But to Ilseon Dosa, Daeso's current condition was perfect for training.
As if someone had deliberately arranged it.
Daeso's eyes burned hotter with desire.
I'll smash that baldy's head someday!
Ilseon Dosa admired it.
Ha! His hostility keeps rising!
I clenched my fist tight.
No. Once, twice, three, four, five times—to vent properly!
Their gazes crossed.
Incredible! I've never felt hostility like this!
Ilseon Dosa bowed his head reverently, conveying his feelings directly.
He's too much for me.
Daeso was exerting extreme patience.
He had no idea why the baldy was suddenly bowing, but he was barely controlling the arm itching to smack the back of his head.
Mujikja watched from the side.
Tsk tsk.
Having walked a different path from Ilseon Dosa, Mujikja saw the situation clearly.
The lifelong Shaolin devotee probably wouldn't notice.
Those trembling arms of the young master.
Two years from now...
In truth, Mujikja hadn't stopped Ilseon Dosa then, which was as good as endorsing it.
Perfect stage.
To announce Namgung Daeso's debut to the world.
Win or lose, so be it.
"Let's start right now. Two years is short."
I relaxed my arm and spoke.
My real goal was the Young Clan Lord tournament.
A proxy duel? Just a roadside pebble.
No stopping for a big rock.
Smash it or go around.
Keep moving forward.
Everyone responded vigorously.
"Yes, sir!"
I frowned at the sight.
Damn it, they only listen now.
* * *
Ten days had passed since Namgung Jung met Namgung Daeso.
Few in the clan knew the full truth yet, but whispers of Cheonryongjeon began slithering through the ranks.
Everyone craved the rumors' truth, but curiosity went unsatisfied.
The parties—Namgung Jung and his aides—kept silent.
And Daeso holed up in his hall, refusing to emerge.
Some occasionally peeked inside.
They always faced disheveled middle-aged men.
Today was no different.
"Who're you? Why sneak around someone else's house?"
"Ahem! No, just passing by—heard a weird noise."
Then it came.
"Die!! You evil ghosts!! I'll tear you wretched bastards apart and burn every last piece! Heh heh heh heh. Hyaah!!"
Horrific curses echoed from within.
"Nothing."
"But there was a sound..."
"Nothing. Got it?"
"...Yes."
The bandit-like man smiled mildly at the outsider.
It looked even more suspicious.
"Go on now. My turn's coming up. And you."
"Y-yes?"
"I remember your face. No more loitering next time. Clear?"
"Y-yes!"
He grinned.
"Good. Off with you."
The bandit-like man turned back inside, face alight with excitement.
Waiting for his turn felt eternal.
* * *
They say you learn while teaching.
Tell that to Namgung Daeso, and he'd probably rage and deny it.
-Teaching? You mean beating?
Whose bullshit is that?
Daegari!
Ahem, the last bit was his nickname, thanks to his big head.
Fifty of them, in fact.
"My hands are itching."
The bandit-like man—Daegalbak No. 1—felt himself growing, bit by bit, while instructing Daeso.
-Hey, Daegalbak No. 1. Something's off here.
Come check. Doesn't this feel more natural?
He'd been shocked then.
Thought his late master had clawed out of the grave.
Daeso had described a lost essence of Wolryeong Martial Arts, pre-unfolding.
"Daegalbak No. 1! What're you doing? Come on! Or I'll skip to No. 2."
The cute young master from ten days ago was gone, but Daegalbak No. 1 figured a man needed this grit.
"Coming right away!"
* * *
Hoegumgak.
Deputy Lord Namgung Don stared in disbelief at the item in his hands.
"What is this?"
"Homework."
"Right. Not why I asked."
Back from a short vacation, body weary but heart healed by his cute, clever son.
Plus, freed from that headache Geum Dondong.
Then a fresh-faced young woman appeared.
On the Lord's orders, again.
How to take this?
Couldn't defy his brother.
He questioned her, learned it was her first time, and assigned homework.
Impossible in a short time: grasping Hoegumgak's money flow structure.
Basic for living here anyway.
"You really finished it?"
"Yes."
"That should've taken a month at least?"
Even with his aids.
Reviewing them alone took ten days.
Full understanding? Separate beast.
Samhyang replied casually.
"Compared to the herb books Ilhyang gave me to read when bored, it's thin."
Ilhyang? One of the maids she works with?
Ilhyang often bought dull herb tomes from the market.
Samhyang read them for mountain herbs and food, memorizing key parts.
"Still, funnier than Ihyang's books."
Ihyang? Another maid?
Ihyang brought even duller tomes: Laozi this, Mencius that, Confucius blah.
Barking classics when bored.
-Samhyang, listen up! We're the Youngest Young Master's maids.
Can't be illiterate, right?
Nights, she'd burn the midnight oil studying.
Problem: lessons continued post-literacy.
Nothing else to do.
No night hikes, no market cash, booze only maybe on the master's birthday—stuck reading in her room was easiest.
"Next one, please."
"Uh, sure."
Namgung Don decided on a real challenge.
"New contract came in recently."
Namgung Clan stayed tight with Tianxia Jeonjang.
"Since you're connected, give it a shot."
Family fights are fiercest.
Get pushed around outside, learn naturally.
This world ain't easy.
Samhyang replied unchanged.
"Got it. Deadline?"
"Hmm... With business trips, about six months."
By then, chaos sorted, basics learned.
"Ah... Then I won't see the Youngest Young Master for a while."
"Yeah, probably."
Samhyang's face shifted slightly, but Namgung Don shrugged it off.
"Understood. I'll pack and head out."
"Good. Escort coming—go with him."
"Yes."
Samhyang turned to prepare.
Namgung Don smiled meaningfully.
Six months: optimistic for flawless speed.
Could an untraveled girl pull it off?
Not critical contract—failure fine, perfect initiation rite.
"Don't think me cold. Once sorted, I'll teach you myself."
Two years, he'd said.
Enough to function here.
Moments later, Samhyang left with a warrior, steeling herself.
"Six months? Too long! I hate not seeing the Youngest Young Master that much!
Finish in one month."