Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 139

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 139

Gwang Han looked at Woon-hwi with an expression of speechlessness.

“Funeral…? Setting that aside, I said earlier that I wanted to take that fellow as my disciple, but what’s your intention in deliberately expressing this as a request?”

“There’s no particular intention. If I had to say, it would be to firmly establish priorities.”

“…Were you planning to send him to me from the beginning?”

“Yes.”

“…This fellow is quite frightening, isn’t he?”

Woon-hwi slowly walked over and stood between Cheon Pung and Gwang Han.

“When you obtain the Divine Spear, you will see the path toward the realm of absolute mastery. However, that comes not from the spear itself, but from the soul and spirit of the one who created it. And senior, you must pass that enlightenment on to Cheon Pung.”

Woon-hwi, who had been looking at Gwang Han, shifted his gaze toward Cheon Pung.

Woon-hwi’s gaze was very warm.

“This is not a simple transaction. I am opening a path for Cheon Pung, and I am giving you, senior, an opportunity to understand the true meaning of absolute mastery.”

“…True absolute mastery…”

“The martial arts and techniques of the world must be passed down through generations to shine. What you have sought for so long was ultimately the realm of absolute mastery, and now that you know what is truly precious in the process of finding that realm, don’t you need a suitable successor to carry it on?”

Gwang Han fell silent for a moment. Deep insight gleamed in his eyes.

“If the location of the Divine Spear you told me about is real… And if your words that made me realize the true meaning are correct…”

“Absolute mastery ultimately lies in passing it on, senior. The true meaning of encompassing heaven and earth, past and future, signifies the continuation of unending teachings. The moment your 73 years of life and the 400-year wish of your predecessors are passed on to Cheon Pung, another meaning of absolute mastery will be completed.”

A light of admiration flashed in Gwang Han’s eyes.

“From absolute mastery to absolute mastery, and that absolute mastery to yet another absolute mastery… Yes, each person would have a different meaning of absolute mastery. Absolute mastery encompasses everything about a person. Yes… the endless flow of teachings… Good. Really good.”

Gwang Han had never seen anyone with such depth and insight at the mere age of seventeen in his entire life.

No.

That’s not right.

He probably wouldn’t see such a person even until the moment he died.

“I have… made up my mind. I will grant all of your three requests, no, four requests.”

Gwang Han accepted, but.

Cheon Pung looked at Woon-hwi silently with reddened eyes.

A conversation was needed between the two.

* * *

Everyone around had given them space.

It was time for just me and Cheon Pung, the two of us.

Tears were already glistening in the corners of Cheon Pung’s eyes.

“…Branch Master… are you… abandoning me?”

I shook my head.

“Does it look like I’m abandoning you?”

“…If that’s not it, then why are you sending me to that person… I can do better. Really… I can do better. If you just entrust me with anything, I will definitely accomplish it. Even if I have to sacrifice this life, I will definitely accomplish…”

“Cheon Pung.”

“…Yes…”

I reached out and gently brushed his shoulder.

“When I’m away from my position, I consider two people who could take my place. You know one of them.”

“…It would be Manager Seong.”

“Right, he’s the person I trust most and has the highest level among those by my side. But if even Manager Seong had to leave his position, who should take that place?”

“…Isn’t it… Ju So-ah?”

“No. I always thought of you.”

Cheon Pung’s eyes widened greatly.

I’m not lying right now.

I’ve said it from the beginning. There’s no one like Cheon Pung for the position of Branch Master or Deputy Branch Master.

His sense of responsibility is tremendous, and his strength is also tremendous.

He has the boldness to push through whatever he’s entrusted with.

And.

“You must have felt that the great sword didn’t suit your hands. Isn’t that right?”

“…How… do you know…”

“How could I not know? You’re my person, aren’t you?”

“Branch Master…”

“It wouldn’t have mattered up to the level of Jucheon Gyeong. But after entering the Flame Qi Four Stages, there was a big change in your movements. You no longer use the sword like a sword. Yet the reason you held onto the sword was to follow in my footsteps, wasn’t it?”

“Ah…”

“Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

Cheon Pung lowered his head. Tears flowed down from the corners of his eyes and dripped onto the ground.

“You don’t need to follow behind me. Go your own way. Your hands were born for the spear, not the sword. Your divine power is the same.”

The wind blew, making the hem of Woon-hwi’s daopo flutter. He looked up at the sky for a moment and continued speaking.

“Everyone has their own path. Your path is the path of the spear. Gwang Han will be the best guide who can show you that path.”

In the distant future, Gwang Han reaches the Great Void Formless.

When it comes to spears, Gwang Han’s mastery is superior to mine.

Because I’m a swordsman.

Cheon Pung knelt down right there and opened his mouth while sobbing.

“…This Cheon Pung will never forget Branch Master’s grace even in death. When I… when I was in Seol-ap, no one looked after me. But Branch Master…”

Cheon Pung couldn’t continue his words. Looking at his trembling shoulders, I said quietly.

“Stand up.”

At my words, Cheon Pung shook his head.

“I cannot stand up. Branch Master saw what was inside me. Something I didn’t even know myself… And you opened that path for me. How can I stand up? How can I raise my head?”

I placed my hand on Cheon Pung’s shoulder again.

“The flame that was inside you was yours from the beginning. All I did was show you what color that flame was.”

Cheon Pung slowly raised his head.

His face was full of tears.

“Do I… have to leave Branch Master now?”

A moment of silence flows.

I slowly nodded my head. Then tears flowed down from Cheon Pung’s eyes again.

“But Branch Master, I don’t want to leave your side… I really don’t want to leave.”

I smiled.

“It’s not leaving completely.”

“…What?”

“I will always keep your place open.”

I moved the hand that was on his shoulder to the top of his head.

“When you’re satisfied with yourself, when you judge that you can step on my shadow, return then. I will use you importantly.”

Tears poured from Cheon Pung’s eyes. Unable to hold back any longer, he began to sob.

“Branch Master… I will… I will definitely…”

Even without him saying the words, I could understand his emotions.

After my first regression, the first subordinate I received was Cheon Pung.

I don’t block the path my people should take.

Even if they idolize me and want to be like me, if that doesn’t help them greatly, I boldly address that issue.

That’s right.

Because they’re completely my people, not outsiders.

“On the day you return holding a spear, I look forward to seeing what light the tip of that spear will hold.”

Cheon Pung raised his head. In my expression reflected in his eyes, only one thing was contained.

Conviction.

“There is a realm that can never be reached with a sword. That realm will only open when a spear is grasped in your hands. Return as a dragon.”

Cheon Pung nodded while sobbing. He wiped his tears several times, but those tears didn’t stop.

“Branch Master… when I return… I will definitely meet your expectations. I swear on my life.”

I nodded and searched through my storage bag.

I hadn’t predicted this situation, but I had prepared in advance. What I took out was a large pouch. It contained 300 high-grade Divine Ginseng Smoke.

“When you train, when your body needs recovery, take them out one by one at your discretion and smoke them. They will be of great help.”

Cheon Pung received the pouch with both hands.

“Thank you!”

“Go.”

Then Cheon Pung performed three deep bows on the spot.

“I will definitely return. Definitely.”

Before long, Cheon Pung rose from his position and approached Gwang Han.

But after having a conversation with Gwang Han there, he came back toward me with tears flowing.

“Um… Master…”

“What?”

“…Where on Hwaseong Mountain… why didn’t I ask about that… he’s scolding me…”

I burst into laughter.

* * *

Gwang Han looked at the 7-foot tall man who was crying beside him.

This guy would become his third disciple starting today, and normally he would have scolded him to stop crying, but he thought he’d let it slide just for today.

He turned his head.

Seol Woon-hwi.

Seventeen years old this year.

With about three months left until the year passed, he would soon turn eighteen.

In all his life, this was the first time he’d seen such a monster.

Martial learning wasn’t something you could understand just by being smart.

Without going far, this could be explained just by looking at martial arts incantation formulas.

Even seemingly simple sentences contained dozens, hundreds, perhaps even thousands of profound principles.

Understanding all of that was impossible without equally rich practical experience.

His intellect was outstanding and his spirit was no joke either.

Looking at his hands, he seemed to use a sword, but if it were up to him, he’d want to make him use a spear right away.

The light flowing from him was so brilliant it was almost blinding.

But even for someone like him, there was ‘one threat.’ Though he himself didn’t seem to know.

So he sent a jeonum.

-Hey.

An answer came immediately.

-Is there something you forgot?

-It’s not that, but you know what?

-What do you mean?

-Well, there’s a saying. No matter how smart you are, you should know that beneath rouge-stained lips, a viper’s fangs may be hidden.

At those words, Woon-hwi showed a truly unexpected reaction.

He chuckled.

-…Well, well, this bastard was going to get his nose broken later by trusting only his own head? I don’t want to spell it out, so try interpreting it well once.

Woon-hwi’s smile remained unchanged.

With that same expression, he sent a jeonum to Gwang Han.

-They say foolish people only look at the palm, while the wise also examine the shadow. Senior, I’m looking at the shadow, and also the eyes beyond it.

At those words, Gwang Han’s eyes began to tremble greatly.

Ah.

This… it seemed he had been mistaken.

It was absurd.

-Wow… This cunning bastard. You knew everything and still placed her in that Medicine Hall?

-Yes.

-…Why?

-Why do you think?

-Don’t tell me because her skills are good?

Woon-hwi nodded his head.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————