Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Junior Sister's Admiration
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Je-gal Seol-ha stared at Yang-hui, who had his sword pressed against Black Death Sword's neck, with a slightly dazed expression.
‘...Really. Senior brother is just so amazing.’
Even now, Yang-hui's heart image was clearly visible in Je-gal Seol-ha's eyes.
A rock that looked tough and resilient despite being covered in wounds and scars.
Or perhaps, something like an egg cradling a hidden potential.
He was called senior brother, but they were the same age.
How could someone the same age possess such a sturdy heart image?
‘The person who... pulled me out into the world. The person who gave me the courage to step forward.’
After the manifestation of her Heavenly Punishment, her father's embrace had been her entire world.
But after meeting Yang-hui, she had learned to take her own steps.
And upon encountering Master Yin-hu, she had even gained hope of escaping her Heavenly Punishment.
Naturally, Je-gal Seol-ha couldn't help but harbor one particular emotion as she looked at Yang-hui.
Admiration.
‘I trained so hard under master's teachings, trying to catch up to him.’
It hadn't even been a year since she became a disciple of the Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Sect, yet she had already mastered the basics.
Master Yin-hu had said it was an achievement so swift that even looking back through generations, it could be counted on one hand.
‘And yet, I'm falling even further behind.’
Reaching second-rate realm at just nine years old.
This was something even heirs of the world's top prestigious sects couldn't easily achieve.
At best, around ten years old—and even then, barely scraping the entry level of second-rate.
Even those who received prenatal qi baptism and began learning martial arts from the moment they could toddle had that as their limit.
In a way, it was only natural.
A child's intellect can't match an adult's, and mastering martial arts requires exceptional intellect.
‘I want to become like senior brother.’
Children naturally grow by following in the footsteps of those who have gone ahead.
To Je-gal Seol-ha, Yang-hui was an object of admiration—someone she wanted to emulate.
The recent duel replayed in her mind.
-Die!
-What the fuck!
-Aren't you ashamed to beg a kid for mercy?
-Kill me? You can't even do that. All talk, no action.
The paragon jewel of the Je-gal Clan. Her experiences with people were already rare due to her Heavenly Punishment.
To such a Je-gal Seol-ha, Yang-hui's words and actions...
Seemed so unfamiliar... yet so cool.
‘He's deliberately talking like that to not lose in momentum, right?’
No. It's just a habit that stuck from rolling as a wanderer.
‘To spew whatever he wants at such a scary old man without flinching.’
In terms of mental age, he was similar to Black Death Sword.
His inaction had once been even greater.
‘He's strong. Incredibly strong—so much that it's hard to believe he's the same age as me. Senior brother is.’
In this way, Je-gal Seol-ha naturally developed a slight misunderstanding and misconception about Yang-hui.
It was because of all the extraordinary things he had shown and accomplished so far.
And the current situation only fueled it.
‘Against someone much older and a greater expert... he fought and gained enlightenment. He fused master's teachings into his own martial arts.’
It was no ordinary feat.
It was something so remarkable that only legendary heroes from old tales could achieve it—a story without any shortcomings.
And the one line he uttered while pressing his sword to Black Death Sword's neck.
-How does it feel, old timer, to lose to a green kid like me?
Yang-hui's words were deeply etched into Je-gal Seol-ha's mind.
‘So cool.’
Without realizing it, Je-gal Seol-ha moved her tongue and lips.
“What the fuck...”
Unfortunately, no one heard Je-gal Seol-ha's tiny whisper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A month after the duel with Black Death Sword.
In that time, Yang-hui focused on fully integrating his new enlightenment into the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords.
The new enlightenment he named Bright Resonance.
Its essence lay in using every sound a sword could produce as a medium for sonic arts manifestation.
‘If I perfectly fuse it into Peakless Bright Resonance, it alone would grant favorable matchup advantages against other martial arts.’
The reason second-rate Yang-hui had triumphed over first-rate expert Black Death Sword.
Matchup advantage.
Every martial art has its counters.
Just as Art A counters Art B, which in turn exploits weaknesses in Art C.
‘Slow, flowing arts are weak to sharp principles. Flowing arts can be pierced by swift ones.’
With each having distinct traits and flows, a rock-paper-scissors dynamic was inevitable.
‘If I infuse Bright Resonance into every technique, I can hold matchup superiority against most martial arts.’
To achieve this, he needed to tweak each technique slightly and alter the overall flow.
Even with memories and insights from his past life, it was a grueling task that couldn't be finished in a month.
But.
“That's an interesting idea, young hero. How about trying it this way?”
By Yang-hui's side was Pa-cheon Yin-hu, one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords.
An absolute being who had reached the transcendent realm beyond even what he had touched in his past life.
“Your sword is fast yet heavy. You've blended opposing principles well. In sonic terms, like this.”
Chara-lang, doong!
As Yin-hu snapped her fingers, a low, heavy tone followed in rapid rhythm.
The melody evocatively resembled the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords.
“That's the feel, right? Got it?”
“Yes. Thank you, Master.”
Like this, whenever Yin-hu had time while guiding Je-gal Seol-ha, she would refine Yang-hui's martial arts.
The advice from a warrior who had surpassed Super Peak into Flower Realm—or perhaps beyond—was worth more than a thousand gold.
And it wasn't limited to swordsmanship.
“Principle Harmony Six Unions Art, was it?”
“Yes, Master.”
Even amid days fusing his enlightenment, Yang-hui never neglected his daily basics.
Training his body with Principle Harmony Six Unions Art and developing his meridians with Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art.
“Excellent form. A child's day is like a month in the future, so basics can never be overpolished. But young hero, your foundation seems deep yet narrow.”
After a moment's thought, Yin-hu imparted the basics of the Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Sect's martial arts.
“I can't teach the core true arts, but widening your foundation should be fine.”
The Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Sect had roots deep enough to rival the world in sonic and lightness arts.
As a result of receiving a portion, the Principle Harmony Six Unions Art evolved from body-tempering gymnastics into a kind of divine movement technique.
“How about calling it Six Harmonies Body Refining Art?”
Six Harmonies Body Refining Art. Harmonizing the six unions' principles to temper the body.
A movement art disguised as a basic exercise. A skill for handling the body.
‘As expected of one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords. To even create such martial arts.’
Accumulating internal energy through movement, with principles for agile body control, making it usable as lightness skill or footwork.
It was basic yet versatile, branching in multiple directions.
“Thank you for your grace, Master. I'll make the Six Harmonies Body Refining Art the Baek Clan's foundation and pass it down through generations.”
Though he had passed on Heaven-Covering 108 Swords and Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, the Baek Clan's martial arts were still lacking.
No fist techniques at all, and no intermediate bridging arts.
Now, Baek Clan members could start with Principle Harmony Six Unions Art to build the basics, then use Six Harmonies Body Refining Art to choose their path forward.
‘It even shares principles with Ghostly Heaven Steps, perfect as a lightness foundation too. Truly a great boon.’
He looked at Yin-hu with newfound respect.
He often forgot due to her fifteen-year-old appearance, but she was truly an absolute of the world.
‘...But, hmm. Suddenly curious.’
“Master. May this disciple ask one question?”
“Go ahead.”
“If I may, how old are you?”
Yin-hu's fingers, weaving melodies through the air, abruptly stopped.
...In that instant, Yang-hui felt a chill and tensed his entire body to the extreme.
“Young hero.”
“...Yes, Master.”
Yin-hu smiled sweetly.
“I'll impart a lesson.”
“I listen intently.”
“Excessive curiosity invites disaster, and asking a lady's age is rude.”
“I-I'll remember that.”
A gust blew, and Yin-hu vanished.
Only then did Yang-hui exhale.
“Whew, thought I was dead.”
She wouldn't kill her disciple, but the momentary pressure from Yin-hu was real.
Seemed like he had touched her reverse scale.
‘...Her age was the reverse scale. Well, that's... humanizing, I guess.’
A sudden thought occurred.
They say upon shedding the mortal form, one gains the ideal body they envision.
Perhaps returning to youth was similar?
‘Then master's ideal body is...’
Up to there.
Better not think further.
He shook his head vigorously, banishing the stray thought.
“Senior brother.”
“Whoa, you scared me.”
Je-gal Seol-ha had poked her head out from somewhere.
The previous situation and thoughts had been so engrossing he hadn't sensed her approach.
“Junior sister. What is it?”
“Got bored training. Came to play with you, senior brother.”
“Ah.”
Talented, diligent, and willful, but still just a nine-year-old kid.
At that age, boredom struck often—it was natural.
“Wanna play?”
“That too. Can you check my martial arts?”
Better to ask Yin-hu for that.
Hmm, wants to show off?
“Sure. Show me.”
“Yes!”
Je-gal Seol-ha clapped right in front of Yang-hui's face.
In that instant, a wave of energy burst forth with the clap.
“You little!”
Thanks to holding his sword, he immediately vibrated Bright Resonance to defend.
Almost got ambushed.
“What the hell, no manners? I'll smack you!”
Even as Yang-hui raised his hand, Je-gal Seol-ha replied nonchalantly.
“What's wrong? I figured senior brother could block it easily.”
Her face held a conviction bordering on blind faith.
When she trusted him that much, it was hard to argue.
“Anyway. Why so sudden?”
“It's sending qi via sound, but it feels too slow.”
Sound was inherently the fastest attack medium.
Like an arrow loosed—sound was even faster than a shot arrow.
“Riding qi on sound doesn't make it automatically fast. The speed comes from the sound itself—your qi control speed is separate.”
With simple advice, Je-gal Seol-ha beamed brightly.
“I see. Thanks, senior brother. But one more favor.”
“What's that?”
“You'll descend the mountain soon, right?”
“Yeah. Already been two months here.”
A deep regret clouded Je-gal Seol-ha's face.
Yang-hui, a peer who appeared amid days of just training with Yin-hu, had been a special joy in her routine.
After pursing her lips briefly, she continued.
“The favor is this.”
What Je-gal Seol-ha held out was a single letter.