Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Principle Harmony Six Unions Art
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The Principle Harmony Six Unions Art lived up to its name. It harmonized two opposing forces—internal and external energy—while drawing in natural earthly qi from the six directions of convergence, enhancing both body and qi simultaneously.
"In other words, the harder you push your body, the more accumulated qi you can build. So quit slacking and bend deeper, little one."
Drenched in sweat and trembling violently, Baek Heon-so barely managed a reply.
"But, big brother... it's too hard... I feel like I'm going to die..."
Yang-hui, holding the same posture right beside him, responded in a steady voice despite his shaking body.
"When it comes to physical conditioning, you're better than me. At the very least, you should endure more than I can."
"Ugh... y-yes...!"
He was from a martial family, but still only seven years younger. As long as Yang-hui endured beside him, Baek Heon-so refused to give up.
Like a fledgling bird imitating its mother, he struggled to copy Yang-hui.
But even Baek Heon-so had one gripe.
"Big brother, ngh, why doesn't Yeon-ie have to do it like us...?"
Unlike the two brothers practicing the Principle Harmony Six Unions Art in a posture designed to maximally stress their bodies, Baek Yeon-yeon's training next to them looked as light and graceful as a dance.
"Don't envy her. Yeon-ie's a girl—that suits her better."
The Baek Clan's Heaven-Covering Three Swords pursued the profound principles of speed and sturdiness.
In other words, they embodied two distinct directions.
"Yeon-ie has limits to how sturdy she can become in her girlhood."
Once one transcended realms and used internal energy to compensate for physical deficiencies, it wouldn't matter at all.
But getting to that level was key, which meant training methods had to differ.
"But we're different. To swing a sturdier sword than anyone else, we need the sturdiest bodies first."
"But, ngh, Father... didn't teach us... like this..."
"He watched and acknowledged my method as correct."
"Ngh... too... hard..."
Finally, Baek Heon-so collapsed in a heap.
Yang-hui, who had summoned every ounce of willpower to endure with his untrained body, also sprawled out on the training ground in a giant X at the same moment.
A satisfied smile lingered on Yang-hui's lips.
'Still, the kid's got some real grit.'
For a seven-year-old to push his body to its absolute limits in a single session was no small feat.
Even most adults without innate perseverance couldn't even approach their limits, let alone reach them.
The issue was that in his previous life, he'd squandered that grit on jealousy and resentment.
"Well done, So. Rest a bit, then we start again."
"Hah... hah... y-yes..."
Even looking half-dead with exhaustion, Baek Heon-so never said he wanted to quit.
It was brutally tough, but big brother was never wrong. If he said do it, then he could do it.
Before long, Baek Heon-so had come to hold that conviction.
That was when it happened.
"Young master Hui. A guest has arrived."
"Ah, Chief Steward."
An uninvited guest had come calling for Yang-hui.
Not that he minded—it was literally an uninvited guest.
"Younger brother, didn't we still have unfinished business? No word for over a month, so I came myself."
"Oh right, we did."
He'd remembered all along.
When raiding the Blue Serpent Gang's secret lair, he'd lured Gu-ak with the promise of making Jeong In his wife.
He just needed time, so he hadn't gone right away.
'This should be enough marinating.'
Unable to bear waiting any longer, Gu-ak had come straight to Baek Clan Manor instead.
Proof he was plenty desperate.
"Brother Gu!"
Hiding his inner calculations, Yang-hui flashed a bright smile and lunged at Gu-ak, smeared in sweat and dirt.
Gu-ak naturally recoiled in disgust.
"Younger brother, what the hell!"
"Got too excited seeing you."
A lie. He just wanted to muck up those glossy silk robes.
"You were training martial arts, I see."
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Gu-ak knew full well the caliber of Baek Clan Manor's hereditary arts.
But he wasn't so insensitive as to blurt out to their faces that diligent practice still had hard limits.
Yang-hui, however, instantly read between the lines of Gu-ak's trailing hum.
"You're thinking there's no point wasting effort on arts with built-in limits, right, Brother Gu?"
It was a natural assumption. Gu-ak had reached the first-rate realm at a young age.
Not just innate talent, but top-tier arts and bone-shattering effort on top.
"...Ahem. No. The Baek Clan's arts have rock-solid foundations—mastering them wouldn't be a bad thing at all."
He stopped short of saying they could lead to realm breakthroughs, and that was the truth.
You could see it from Baek Mu-ryang himself: despite never skimping on training amid his duties as clan head, he remained at the second-rate level.
'Well, they are great for building foundations.'
Otherwise, he'd have resorted to extreme measures to pass on the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, and the two arts he'd personally devised to Baek Mu-ryang.
"Let's head to my quarters. Follow me, Brother Gu."
"Got it."
Once in his room with Gu-ak, Yang-hui summoned a maid to prepare tea.
"Please wait just a moment—the tea will be out shortly."
"Hmm."
Gu-ak looked distinctly displeased, his eyes darting around the room.
Yang-hui caught on immediately.
'Ah. He doesn't want to bare his weaknesses where there might be listening ears.'
Black path types always grew uneasy in untrusted situations.
"Younger brother, skip this—come with me. I'll treat you and show you a nice spot."
Less "treat" and more "let's talk where I control the space."
Yang-hui didn't care where they talked, so he agreed readily.
"Shall we? But I need to get permission to head out, and wash up a bit."
Leaving Gu-ak in the room, Yang-hui first rinsed off the sweat and grime, then donned fresh clothes.
Then he made for the chief steward's quarters.
"Big brother!"
Turning toward the training ground at Baek Yeon-yeon's voice.
"Why'd you wash up already when training isn't done? Where are you going?"
Baek Yeon-yeon asked with wide-eyed curiosity. Baek Heon-so beside her stayed silent but clearly wondered too.
"Need to head out and chat with Brother Gu, Yeon-ah."
"Tch, going off to play by yourself?"
Her cheeks puffed out like steamed buns, drawing an automatic fond smile from him.
"I'll bring back heaps of sweet candies on the way home. Chicken skewers for you too, So."
"Really? Promise?"
"M-me too, promise, big brother."
Offering his pinky to his adorable siblings, Yang-hui halted before the chief steward's door.
"Chief Steward, it's Yang-hui."
"Come in."
The room was old and worn but spotlessly clean, the desk buried under documents and books.
Yang-hui took a quick look around before cutting to the chase.
"I'd like to step out briefly."
"Oh ho, what's the payout this time?"
"Pardon? Chief Steward... even you, linking every one of my moves to money is a bit much, no?"
"Then it isn't money-related?"
"It is."
"Knew it. I always trust you, young master Hui."
The direction of that trust felt a tad off, but being trusted felt good.
'I'll make sure it pays off, even if not right away. For the steward's sake too.'
Exiting the steward's room, Yang-hui returned to his own and beckoned Gu-ak.
"Permission granted. Let's go, Brother Gu."
"Good."
The moment they passed through Baek Clan Manor's grand gate, Gu-ak suddenly hoisted Yang-hui onto his shoulder.
"Lightness skill? But where to?"
Gu-ak tsked at Yang-hui, who dangled there utterly unfazed.
"Crimson Gang Leader's son has one destination. A bit early, but."
Gu-ak headed straight for Lake Shadow Tower, the Crimson Gang's grandest brothel.
Lake Shadow: famed landmark with the prime view of Lake Yeohang, forever packed with travelers and loafers.
"You've arrived, young master!"
"Everyone! Young master's here—come out and greet him!"
'Lord almighty. Black path goons calling him young master.'
It made Yang-hui's face itch just watching, but Gu-ak carried on like it was routine.
"Set up drinks in the flashiest room. Courtesans..."
Gu-ak shot Yang-hui a sleazy grin.
"As the proverb goes, 'men and women don't share seats past seven.' Meaning boys over seven can handle manly duties. Your call, younger brother?"
"Will Dad whip me? No courtesans—not even booze."
"Tch. If you say so, younger brother."
But the tray that arrived moments later was a full booze spread, bottles and all.
"See that teapot? You sip tea, younger brother. I've gotta drink."
"..."
'That's harsh. Chugging booze right in front of me and saying 'tea for you.' '
Backing down now after playing it cool would bruise his pride.
Dad would tan his hide if he found out, and booze wasn't good for a kid's body anyway.
'...Better not touch a drop until the vessel's fully formed. Yeah... definitely for the best...'
He knew it. He agreed.
But Yang-hui had spent over a decade as a wandering ronin in his previous life.
And ronins and booze? Inseparable.
Gulp.
Gu-ak smirked at Yang-hui swallowing hard.
Hilarious, this kid pretending to know the taste of liquor.
"Wanna try some?"
"...Pass."
"Got snippy there. You want it bad."
His expression soured right along with his tone.
"I'm outta here?"
"You leave after keeping promises. Don't forget—you still owe me payment after a whole month."
"People forget stuff, stingy... whoops, slipped out!"
Gu-ak's brow twitched.
"Daring to forget a deal with me, Gu-ak. Even after dragging Rang-rang into it."
Rang-rang. The name of the woman Gu-ak adored, defying his father's wishes.
He hadn't bothered learning her name in his past life—zero interest.
"Well, you showed up, so we're square, right? Desperate side always loses."
"Makes me wanna make you desperate."
"I could always tattle to Sister Rang that Brother Gu's bullying a cute little kid like me."
Gu-ak blinked for a second.
"Sister? Why's Rang-rang your sister?"
Yang-hui replied with a sly smile.
"If she's Brother Gu's beloved, doesn't that make her my sister too?"
"..."
Up till now, Gu-ak had gritted his teeth hearing his father and brothers call Rang-rang a "bitch" or "slut."
But someone else calling her "sister"? Instant heart-melter.
Did the kid know what he was doing, or was it clueless? Either way, no ordinary brat.
"Enough. Spill it already. How do I get Rang-rang my father's approval? He wants a political marriage."
"I know. And the fiancée's a direct-line lady from another faction—no room for concubines."
Meaning, the way things stood, Rang-rang couldn't be wife or concubine.
'In the end, Crimson Gang Leader kills Rang-rang. Blood Slaughter Union then storms the Crimson Gang.'
Rang-rang believed herself an orphan, but her father was out there searching.
A father with the pull to unleash the Blood Slaughter Union on the Crimson Gang—one of Akan County's ruling black path factions.
'How to spin this and turn him into a Baek Clan ally.'
After a moment's thought, Yang-hui spoke up.
"Brother Gu. Ultimately, the issue boils down to Sister Rang lacking any background, right? So..."