Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: A Thousand in One Step
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Time flows like running water, never reversing direction, though its speed varies with countless factors.
For example, concentration.
The time felt by Yang-hui, who poured all his spirit into that single step, crawled slower than usual.
'A single step equal to a thousand.'
He took a step forward.
From the moment a person toddles their first steps as a baby, they take hundreds of millions of them in a lifetime.
But this step was different.
'I must turn one into a thousand.'
One and a thousand can never be the same. In sheer scale, there's a tenfold difference between the two numbers.
But what if he split that one into a thousand fragments and forged a single one anew?
'For me right now... that's impossible.'
The reason was simple.
He had captured the divine wonder of Eumhu's technique in his eyes and stolen its essence.
Yet her realm was far too lofty to grasp everything in a single glance.
'But... yes, ten should be possible.'
He didn't know the profound energy circulation method of her movement art.
He might not have even stolen the form if he hadn't learned it while passing the wooden puppet test in the Silent Sound Five Passes.
But now that he knew the form...
'I can create it. My own step.'
Yang-hui had vast experience stealing the forms of countless martial arts and devising fitting profound energy circulations to match.
Based on the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, he had the skill to connect meridians and meridians, forging paths of inner power to support the movements.
'One Step Ten? No, that feels too imitative. Better to call it Qi-cheon-bo.'
Qi-cheon-bo (器千步)—the Vessel Thousand Steps. A step that molds a vessel to hold a thousand.
It was a movement technique born on the spot, fusing the stolen essence of Eumhu's One Step Thousand with his own inspirations.
The moment Yang-hui completed that single step...
"...!"
Yang-hui felt a swell of pride as he met Eumhu's wide-eyed stare.
'Lady Eumhu, feel free to be even more amazed.'
The achievement, talent, and prowess he had just displayed was a divine skill that would astonish even the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords standing beyond the heavens.
"Since Lady Eumhu has bestowed teachings upon this junior for the sake of future generations, I took the liberty of showing off a little as a disciple should. Are you satisfied?"
"...".
At this moment, Eumhu was genuinely stunned.
'His innate talent has surpassed even my expectations.'
One Step Thousand (一步千). A single step containing a thousand.
Here, a thousand could mean a thousand variations.
Or a thousand advances.
Or even a thousand footfalls.
The key was containing a thousand in one step.
That was the profound secret and essence of the Sacred Sound Jade Command Sect's secret divine movement, One Step Thousand.
In her three steps, Eumhu had infused three thousand changes, illusions, and motions.
It was the distilled essence of her enlightenment in the myriad transformations of creation and the forward march of time.
'Merely a fragment, yet that child clearly read my enlightenment. And he even embodied it.'
Even a dog at a schoolhouse recites poetry after three years—but a dog is still a dog.
Could a dog truly master the Thousand Character Classic?
Of course not.
And this wasn't even the Thousand Character Classic that a five-year-old learns, but the Four Books and Three Classics that burden even adults.
The gap between the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords and ordinary martial artists was like that.
How much greater was the gap with an eight-year-old child?
"Young hero. I have no choice but to acknowledge you."
Just moments ago, Yang-hui and Eumhu had made an unspoken wager.
Eumhu sought to thoroughly mold her disciple into a successor worthy of the Sacred Sound Jade Command Sect.
Yang-hui, even as a disciple, prioritized staying at the main clan due to his secular status.
"Your talent makes me want to yield to your will, even against my own intentions."
Eumhu had demonstrated the divine skill of Phantom Shift to break Yang-hui's resolve.
Yet Yang-hui had countered by flaunting his own talent, forcing her to concede.
'A victory over one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords.'
Even so, no smugness welled up in him.
The only emotion he felt was awe toward his master, who had packed the world's transformations into three steps.
Yang-hui offered a formal clasped-hands bow to Eumhu, treating her with the respect due a father.
"I am deeply moved that my master cherishes this disciple so."
He called her master and himself disciple.
A thread of fondness bloomed in Eumhu's heart.
Her admiration for his talent was now joined by his courteous demeanor.
"Confident yet not arrogant. Truly the makings of a martial artist."
"How could I hold my head high after beholding the heavens? I shall engrave this too as a teaching from my master."
Eumhu's lips curved up just a bit more.
'Really, I keep noticing it, but this child speaks so eloquently.'
Sweet words, yet not flowery flattery.
Not cunning sycophancy, but utterly endearing—simply enjoyable.
Eumhu's heart softened further.
"Very well, young hero. I shall decree it."
"I receive your command, master."
"You may descend from Gokyeol Mountain where I reside at any time. However."
Yang-hui gazed steadily at Eumhu, awaiting her next words.
"That right may only be exercised with my permission and that of your senior brother, Seol-ha."
In other words, respect your master and do not disdain your senior brother.
In effect, he could stay at the main clan and visit Eumhu only when he needed instruction.
"Master's magnanimity is vast as the sea. This disciple thanks you sincerely."
Thus, master and disciple finally exchanged smiles, eyes meeting.
Meanwhile,
Jegal Seon watched Yang-hui with genuine admiration.
'At eight years old, he possesses the qualities to be called a hero. No, beyond that—a prodigy who could discuss the world itself.'
They said the young overlord Xiang Yu, at eight, declared he would master arts to defeat ten thousand men.
To Jegal Seon, Yang-hui's display moments ago was just like that.
A feat no mortal could achieve. One only a heaven-sent genius could perform.
'If my brother had asked me to take that child as a disciple back then and I'd accepted... I would have been utterly disgraced.'
That child was beyond his capacity to handle.
Who could stand before a Heavenly Martial Ten Lord and refuse to bend their will?
Jegal Seon, young lord of the great Jegal Clan and proud of it, had never once bent Eumhu's will.
And he felt no shame or humiliation in that fact.
Because it was only natural.
When Eumhu had shown Phantom Shift, he had simply been lost in shock and awe, not even attempting to capture its essence.
Because it was invisible to him, and he lacked the qualification to see it.
'That child is different. Truly different. My brother was right—the Baek Clan has truly nurtured a dragon.'
How would that child grow by the age of thirty?
Or forty? Fifty? To Unconfused Age or Distinguished Longevity?
Jegal Seon was certain. He could declare it.
'Heavenly Martial Ten Lords... no. The world's greatest.'
Even the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords, deemed supreme beyond the heavens, were merely the ten strongest in the world.
But that child would surpass the ten to claim the singular top spot.
...Provided he wasn't broken or snapped before reaching it.
'Yang-hui. I've found a way to repay the grace you've shown me.'
Jegal Seon resolved to begin an intelligence network centered on Baek Clan Manor and Yang-hui the moment he returned home.
He would spread the Baek Clan's name and that of its eldest son as the child desired, while ensuring no one grew wary too soon.
To prevent the child from being crushed prematurely.
'...And along with that.'
Jegal Seon glanced at his daughter, who had toddled over and was now patting Yang-hui affectionately.
Even knowing children that age preferred playmates over fathers, seeing the girl he'd held in his arms until recently act this way stirred a pang of sorrow.
'Still, whoever's daughter she is, she's precious.'
Any boy, no matter how young, would fall for her charms.
'When you find a dragon, you must cherish it.'
Jegal Seon smiled warmly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jegal Seol-ha remained at Gokyeol Mountain with Eumhu, while Yang-hui returned to Baek Clan Manor with Jegal Seon.
The moment Yang-hui reported the events of the past fortnight upon his return, chaos erupted in Baek Clan Manor, leading immediately to a meeting of the clan elders.
"So, Hui-ya."
Baek Mu-ryang, who had broken out of secluded training upon hearing the news, continued in a voice still trembling.
"You're saying you became the disciple of the Heavenly Martial Ten Lord, Venerable Pacheon Eumhu?"
"Yes."
It was the thirty-seventh time he'd heard that question since returning home, so Yang-hui's tone was nonchalant.
But Baek Mu-ryang, having heard the same answer thirty-seven times, reacted the same way each time.
He leaped with joy.
"This is wonderful. Truly wonderful!"
A few months ago, Baek Mu-ryang had sensed Yang-hui's talent and felt a deep self-loathing.
Because as clan head, there was nothing he could do for his son.
Yet this child, without any help, had brought back money, people, and now even secured his own master.
A master who was one of the world's top ten experts, no less!
"Congratulations, clan head. And to young master Hui. This means we can claim one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords as the Baek Clan's backing."
Everyone in the hall gasped in admiration at the steward's words.
"Then we needn't worry about clashing with Advance Teaching Gang. The Jegal Clan has been protecting us for now, but the future was uncertain."
"You're right, Gwak. Kahaha."
"How dare a group like Advance Teaching Gang challenge the might of a Heavenly Martial Ten Lord. This is solid backing."
Laughter filled the meeting hall.
But Yang-hui, rather than getting swept up, eyed the chuckling elders before turning to Baek Mu-ryang.
They smiled, but their expressions held unease.
'Father thinks the same, it seems.'
He raised his hand, drawing Baek Mu-ryang's gaze.
"Speak, Hui-ya."
"Father. Don't you think it's best to keep my status as master's disciple a secret?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Simple. The risks outweigh the benefits."
Yang-hui aimed for Baek Clan Manor to dominate not just Ak-an County, but all of Mu-ju within a maximum of ten years.
And for a righteous martial clan to expand its power, it needed a proper cause.
'You need fools who underestimate you and charge in, so you can crush them and take their scraps. If everyone cowers in fear, it's actually a problem.'
But voicing that inner thought outright felt off.
So Yang-hui offered other reasons.
"First, master may not tolerate us name-dropping her. Second, it might draw the eyes of massive unorthodox factions."
Baek Mu-ryang stroked his chin and nodded at Yang-hui's words.
"You're right. Even I had my concerns. What do you think, brother-in-law?"
Jegal Seon, deeply involved in this matter and present at the meeting, agreed.
"I too believe it would cause problems if word spread that Pacheon Eumhu took a disciple. We're even planning to keep Seol-ha's discipleship under wraps for a while."
In truth, Jegal Seon hoped Yang-hui's talent would remain hidden longer.
That way, the Jegal Clan could more securely cherish the dragon.
"Since brother-in-law agrees, we'll all keep matters regarding Pacheon Eumhu confidential."
"Understood."
"We receive the clan head's order."
"Then, the next item on the agen—"
As Baek Mu-ryang shuffled his papers, Yang-hui raised his hand again.
"Father. I have one request."
"What is it?"
"May I leave the clan for about a month on a trip?"
"Hm? You only just returned from Gokyeol Mountain not even a day ago."
"Not immediately. I'll rest a few days to recover, then head out."
"Tell me the reason."
"I mentioned this in a previous meeting. That our clan needs to nurture talents. There's one promising beggar kid I scouted back then—I thought I'd bring him along. And as a bonus..."
"Bonus?"
"I'll stop by Nam-chang to check on the contract progress at Baekji Old Books. If there's revenue, I'll collect it. So, I might need an escort."
"Oho!"
The steward's eyes instantly turned to gold coin shapes as he formed a circle with thumb and forefinger.
"Clan head! Young master Hui's reasons are all crucial—please permit it! What are you waiting for, Gu division head? Offer to escort him!"
"M-Me?"
The steward slapped the bewildered Gu-ak's back repeatedly.
"Money, money! Young master Hui, born under a lucky star for wealth, goes out once and brings back riches! Then even you, Gu division head, get freed from tedious duties!"
"Ooooh!"
Gu-ak immediately turned to Baek Mu-ryang and offered a clasped-hands bow.
"Clan head! This lowly Gu shall escort and safely serve young master Hui!"
With Gu-ak going this far, Baek Mu-ryang could hardly refuse out of worry for his son.
Besides, he needed to enter secluded training again soon.
"Very well. But be careful, Hui-ya."
"Of course, Father."
Yang-hui bowed his head, then briefly recalled a moment from his past life.
—Why bother digging into this younger brother's past?
—Just got kidnapped while begging for food and raised as an assassin, that's all.
—By the way, aaak! You drank all the liquor alone again, you damned—!
Chui-dal, oh Chui-dal. Chui of wretched and Dal of otter.
This big brother will come fetch you.
Yang-hui grinned mischievously.