Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: One Step Thousand
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Ten days of waiting for his daughter and young cousin who had entered the Pure Sound Five Barriers.
Je-gal Seon, who had been fidgeting restlessly—shaking his legs in a manner unbecoming the young master of a great clan—suddenly shot to his feet...
then glanced around and meekly sat back down.
"......"
To the right of where Je-gal Seon directed his gaze, a girl dressed as a female server—Yin-hu—was elegantly sipping her tea.
'I want to go check on Seol-ha's condition. But......'
"......"
Je-gal Seon couldn't bring himself to voice his inner thoughts.
He hesitated, afraid it might come across as whining.
Despite her childlike appearance, Yin-hu was someone estimated to be over a hundred years old.
In terms of seniority, she was of the generation before the previous one—a true elder.
In truth, urging one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Supremes was no easy task.
"......"
His legs trembled incessantly. The vibration from his well-trained body, befitting the young master of a great house, transmitted through the floor to the entire inn.
His gaze fixed constantly on the door, occasionally flicking to Yin-hu before snapping back.
This was a silent outcry. No, an outcry without sound.
Yin-hu, savoring the aroma of her well-brewed tea, let out a sigh.
"Young Je-gal. It's only been ten days. Even if you go now, you'd just see them fumbling through the first or second barrier at best."
As soon as Yin-hu finished, Je-gal Seon jumped in eagerly.
"But Lady Yin-hu. Seol-ha and Yang-hui were thrown in without even rations... for the initiation rite. It's been a full ten days. Seol-ha doesn't have the stamina to endure such a prolonged trial."
"That's why I sent Young Master Baek with her."
"But Yang-hui is just a child too."
"A child who saw through your identity as the Insightful Je-gal's young master, despite possessing no special gifts."
"......"
While Je-gal Seon searched for a retort, Yin-hu continued first.
"If you're worried about them starving, don't be. I've arranged for beasts to enter the Pure Sound Five Barriers' interior."
"There's no food inside?!"
From Yin-hu's perspective, it was meant to ease his worries, but Je-gal Seon was horrified.
"We can't just sit here! The children might be wandering on the brink of death from hunger!"
"A person can survive half a month without a single meal."
"That's for adults! Seol-ha and Yang-hui are only eight years old!"
"If one dreams of the martial path, they must cultivate the ability to secure sustenance anywhere."
With that, Yin-hu leisurely sipped her tea again.
It seemed she had no intention of checking on the children.
But Je-gal Seon could endure no longer.
This was the first time he'd been separated from Je-gal Seol-ha for so long—not to mention his daughter trapped inside the inadequately secured mechanisms. He couldn't stretch out his legs in peace as a father.
Unable to hold back, Je-gal Seon shot to his feet and offered Yin-hu a respectful clasped-hands bow.
"Lady Yin-hu. This Je-gal humbly begs you. Please, at least let me glimpse the children from afar."
"......Haa."
Yin-hu gazed at him for a moment before sighing in resignation.
His persistent nagging stemmed from pure goodwill, which softened her resolve.
"Young Je-gal. You win this round."
Je-gal Seon's face lit up as he watched Yin-hu rise.
"Hm? Already?"
"What's wrong, Lady Yin-hu?"
Her eyes widened slightly. Subtle though it was, her expression neared surprise and admiration.
As if to say, 'Well, would you look at this kid?'
Yin-hu sat back down.
"This is unexpected. No need to go out now."
Moments later, Je-gal Seon understood her meaning.
As a master worthy of the title himself, he sensed two presences drawing near.
'No way...... already......!'
"Father!"
Je-gal Seon unleashed his full-body lightness skill the instant he spotted Je-gal Seol-ha bursting through the inn door, charging forward to scoop his daughter into his arms.
"S-Seol-ha! How are you out already...... No, more than that—you're speaking! Your voice is back!?"
"So much happened! Father, I love you!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yang-hui, who strolled in leisurely behind, glanced at the joyful father-daughter reunion before turning to Yin-hu.
'Ugh. Just thinking about being tossed in out of nowhere makes me want to......'
He itched to lash out, but...... Yin-hu was a supreme expert beyond even his previous life's reach.
'Control the expression. Control it. If she sees through me, I'm toast.'
Yang-hui offered Yin-hu a respectful clasped-hands salute.
As a bonus, he flashed a grin brimming with the sense of accomplishment and triumph befitting a boy who'd conquered a grueling trial.
"Master. Your disciple reports successfully passing the Pure Sound Five Barriers."
Yin-hu eyed him silently for a moment before speaking.
"Unexpected. I figured with Young Master Baek along, they wouldn't die...... but I thought it'd take at least a month."
"I'll take that as praise for my unexpectedly outstanding talent."
"True enough, but hearing it from your own mouth feels strange."
That was when it happened.
"Yang-hui."
Je-gal Seon strode over, hoisted Yang-hui up, and crushed him in a bear hug.
"Thank you. Truly. For helping our Seol-ha and suppressing her fiery energy. I'll never forget this grace."
It seemed he'd learned about temporarily sealing Seol-ha's condition with the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art.
"No, Uncle. It was possible only due to our clan's techniques; I did nothing noteworthy."
"Nonsense. I owe you a tremendous debt despite your youth. I'll repay it without fail."
In just ten days, Je-gal Seol-ha had transformed beyond recognition from her former self.
Children adapted quickly, of course—but for Je-gal Seon, it was the brightest smile he'd seen on his daughter in years.
As grateful as he was—in other words, squeezing Yang-hui like a rag—he finally set him down.
'Ow, my chest hurts.'
As Yang-hui rubbed his chest and coughed lightly,
"Hm. Enjoyed the reunion sufficiently?"
An intangible aura slowly filled the inn.
Yang-hui's eyes involuntarily tracked Yin-hu's figure gliding to the center.
"Je-gal Seol-ha. Baek Yang-hui. Stand before me."
Yang-hui scurried over first, followed by Seol-ha, who snapped out of her embrace with her father and hurried after.
"Outer-sect disciple, Seol-ha of the Je-gal Clan."
"Yes."
"Lay-sect disciple, Yang-hui of the Baek Clan."
"Yes, Lady Yin-hu."
"I hereby declare that you have passed the initiation rite of the Sacred Sound Jade Command Sect. Congratulations—you've earned the right to become my disciples."
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Lady Yin-hu!"
Seol-ha showered her with endless gratitude, eyes brimming with joyful tears. Yang-hui felt his own surge of accomplishment.
'Lay disciple means no full arts inheritance, but still—disciple of one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Supremes. Plenty to gain.'
What to ask for? Sound arts were likely direct-disciple only, so lightness skill?
Just gaining the right to call Yin-hu his master was a massive boon.
The Baek Clan could even claim one of the Ten Supremes as backing.
"Quiet. I ask you both: Do you still wish to become my disciples?"
"Yes."
"This girl desires it with all her heart!"
"Then both of you, perform the nine prostrations."
Je-gal Seol-ha and Yang-hui promptly kowtowed nine times.
"Thus, we three are bound in a master-disciple bond thicker than blood, proclaimed before heaven, earth, and the spirits."
Yin-hu's gaze shifted to Je-gal Seon.
"Young Je-gal. Father of my disciple. Depart for home today. Henceforth, Seol-ha stays with me. Contact with Je-gal Clan members limited to once a year."
Though suddenly separated from his daughter, it was a pre-discussed matter.
Je-gal Seon nodded with a stern expression.
"I shall obey... Honored Master's words."
Watching this, Yang-hui suddenly realized:
If Seol-ha could only see clan members once a year...... what about him?
'Same boat would be a huge problem.'
"Lady Yin-hu—no, Master. Does this apply to lay disciples too? Only once a year to the main house?"
Yin-hu nodded as if it were obvious.
"Didn't you say it yourself? Raising disciples into sages is the master's duty."
This was karma indeed. His own persuasive logic boomeranged back, leaving him speechless.
'But I have too much to do at home. Can't get dragged off.'
Without foreknowledge, he'd happily accept tutelage—but that wasn't an option.
His mother would pass in a few years; he needed to secure a skilled physician as a retainer. He also had to periodically supply novels to the Baek Book Merchant Group.
'Above all, I was about to go fetch that Chui-dal rascal soon. Can't have my feet bound.'
Anything else might flex, but rescuing Chui-dal had a hard deadline.
Miss the timing, and who knew when he'd meet him again.
Yang-hui smacked his lips and looked at Yin-hu.
"Master. How about this?"
"Hm, Young Baek."
"Yes, Master."
Yin-hu smiled faintly at him.
"Planning to persuade me with that silver tongue again? Go on, try."
"......"
Put like that, he had nothing.
But no matter how he thought about it, sticking to the clan long-term beat being hauled off with her.
Quit the discipleship?
'Huh? That might just work.'
The moment Yang-hui grinned slyly, Yin-hu sensed a faint ill omen.
And that premonition became reality.
"Master—no, Lady Yin-hu."
Back to "Lady."
"One question. As a lay disciple of the Sacred Sound Jade Command Sect, what teachings would I receive?"
Even Yin-hu, whose realm was such that claiming enlightenment in the Dao wouldn't raise eyebrows, couldn't conceal her shifting expression this time.
The intent behind his question was too blatant to miss.
"In other words, prove my worth as your master?"
"How could a mere child make such a demand? I'm just asking."
Not "disciple," but "child." Polite phrasing, same thrust.
In the end, Yin-hu burst into laughter.
"I am the Heaven-Shattering Sound Witch, foremost of the Heavenly Martial Ten Supremes. And you question my qualification as master? Hahaha! Do you think yourself worthy to pose such a question?"
Gazing at her still-smiling face, Yang-hui grinned once more.
"Yes. My talent is precisely the sort to make the Heaven-Shattering Sound Witch smitten enough to take me as lay disciple on the spot."
"Hahaha, hahahaha!"
The inn filled with the girl's bright, lively laughter.
Soon, momentum infused the laugh, shaking the entire inn like an earthquake.
Then, all quaking halted abruptly.
"Can't deny your words. Very well. Let's do this."
Yin-hu took a step forward.
Yet her figure remained in place as well.
In other words, there were now two Yin-hus.
"Form-Shifting Position-Change!"
Je-gal Seon bellowed in shock, his voice nearly shredding his throat.
Shifting form to swap positions. Changing position to manifest dual forms.
Thus, Form-Shifting Position-Change.
They said mastering Shaolin's supreme lightness skill, Linked Flower Nine Steps, to the pinnacle allowed nine phantom forms.
Only one at the absolute apex of lightness skills—no, transcending even that—could casually unleash this divine technique, which Yin-hu performed as naturally as breathing.
"Young Baek. Here's my proposal."
Yin-hu stepped forward again, her figures becoming three.
In unison, the three Yin-hus smiled.
"Become my disciple, and you'll learn the Sacred Sound Jade Command Sect's secret lightness skill: One Step Thousand. What say you?"
"......"
Yin-hu exuded the confidence that Yang-hui would beg discipleship.
Everyone else in the inn thought the same.
Inevitably so.
The technique she'd displayed was irresistible to any martial artist.
But.
Instead of kneeling to pledge himself, Yang-hui calmly closed his eyes.
'One Step Thousand. One Step Thousand.'
He imprinted the transcendent realm beyond mortals.
He'd witnessed a divine skill demanding awe and reverence.
But. But.
Currently utterly unreachable...
'A single step... equaling a thousand.'
The instant Yang-hui opened his eyes and took one step forward.
"......!"
Yin-hu's eyes widened to their limit.