Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 33. You know what I’m saying, don’t you?
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop drained the last of their wine and rose from their seats.
They left the tavern and began walking along the main road.
About an hour had passed.
Dan Bulwi stopped before the grand gate of Gosan Manor, its nameplate gleaming above.
“It’s the estate of a childhood friend from my hometown. I became a martial artist, but he made his fortune in commerce.”
“I see….”
Dan Yeop, who lived in a cramped quarters, found himself briefly dreaming of such wealth.
Dan Bulwi knocked, and moments later an elderly servant cracked open the door, peering out with cautious eyes.
“Who might—oh my! Aren’t you Dan? The Dan I know?”
The old man hurried them inside with anxious courtesy.
Once they had entered, he quickly barred the gate behind them.
“Is your master at home?”
The servant bowed low in response to Dan Bulwi’s question.
“I’m afraid the master is away on business and not at the manor at present.”
“I heard he retired last year. He’s gone on a business trip?”
“I’m not privy to the details, sir. Perhaps you should ask the young mistress?”
Just then, a young girl emerged from the inner quarters and greeted them.
“Uncle Dan, you’ve come?”
“Indeed. Your father went on this business trip?”
With the young mistress now present, the old servant quietly retreated.
“Yes, his old trading company asked him to help out just this once.”
As she spoke, the girl—Seol Yeonhui—glanced sideways at the young man.
There was more she wanted to say, but the presence of an unexpected visitor kept her quiet.
Dan Bulwi smiled and introduced Dan Yeop to her.
“This is my adopted son, Dan Yeop. He’s three years your senior. Dan Yeop, this young lady is my dear friend’s only daughter—her name is Yeonhui.”
Seol Yeonhui greeted him first.
“I’m Seol Yeonhui. Please, call me Yeonhui—and speak comfortably with me, brother.”
“Dan Yeop… it is.”
When Seol Yeonhui smiled brightly at him, Dan Yeop found he couldn’t bear the awkwardness and turned away.
“You’re older than I am, so please don’t speak so formally with me, brother.”
“I… yes, of course.”
At her request, Dan Yeop reluctantly nodded.
He understood that if he persisted with formality after she’d asked so plainly, the atmosphere would turn strange.
Only then did Seol Yeonhui add a few more words, turning back to Dan Bulwi.
“Father knows the Baekwol Kingdom well, so the company asked him to lend his expertise.”
“So he’s gone to the Baekwol Kingdom?”
“Yes, two weeks ago.”
“Then he won’t be back for at least a month.”
From Jangan City to the Baekwol Kingdom by carriage was a good twenty days each way.
If he had business to attend to, he wouldn’t return for at least a month.
“That’s likely.”
“I understand. I came to use the Training Ground, if you permit it?”
“Of course you can! Since you’re here, at least stay for lunch. Father would scold me terribly if I let you go without eating.”
“Haha! Very well. I’ll see you in a bit then.”
“Yes.”
Seol Yeonhui bowed respectfully to Dan Bulwi and then disappeared into the inner quarters.
As they walked toward the Training Ground, Dan Bulwi spoke to Dan Yeop.
“My friend’s wife fell ill and passed three years ago, so he retired to care for his daughter. Had he not stepped back, I would never have set foot in this place.”
Dan Bulwi’s expression seemed tinged with bitterness.
“Is there a reason you can only visit when he’s retired?”
“Because I belong to Hao Moon. If someone in a position of influence in a trading company is seen receiving members of Hao Moon, there would be endless whispers and suspicion.”
At Dan Bulwi’s words, Dan Yeop’s mouth turned dry.
A sect that kept even childhood friends at a distance….
Shortly after, they reached the Training Ground.
On a rack at one end of the Training Ground hung swords, sabers, staffs, and other weapons.
Dan Bulwi spoke to Dan Yeop, who stood uncertainly nearby.
“Fetch a saber.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop took a saber down from the rack.
“A merchant, yet you keep weapons in the Training Ground……, and quite a lot of them, I gather?”
“I procured them for Yeonhui.”
“Is that child studying martial arts?”
“She’s been training at Hyeonmu Gwan since she turned ten. It’s been five years now, hasn’t it? Come, show me what you’ve accomplished. How far have you progressed with the Baekryu Sword Method?”
“To this form.”
Dan Bulwi made a gesture for Dan Yeop to proceed.
Dan Yeop unfolded the Baekryu Sword Method slowly.
His movements flowed seamlessly from the first form, Water-Heaven Descent, through to this form, Water-Thunder Gathering.
Having completed Water-Thunder Gathering, he did not stop.
Though he had never studied it, he naturally transitioned into the third form, Water-Wind Obscurity.
Following the incantation “where water and wind meet, all grows distant,” the sword energy extended in all directions with each movement of his blade.
At the momentum of that swift, unbounded swordwork, Dan Bulwi found himself uttering a soft hum of approval.
“Mm!”
No one knew better than he that Dan Yeop’s martial talents were unremarkable.
Yet this swordwork was no inferior to that of the gifted Dan Yeop.
‘Does the distance between two people narrow with each shared moment?’
There was no other way to explain the dramatic transformation in dull-witted Dan Yeop.
Dan Yeop completed Water-Wind Obscurity and sheathed his blade.
“The fourth form—I haven’t learned it yet.”
“If you manifest another personality once more, the Baekryu Sword Method will be complete. I see it with my own eyes, and yet I still find it hard to believe.”
“I don’t quite believe it myself.”
Dan Yeop scratched his head, looking sheepish.
Each time he woke from sleep, he gained these fruits freely, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed on the other hand.
“Show me the Cheonji Sword Method as well.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop unfolded the Cheonji Sword Method in a spirit of earnest cultivation.
The first form, Heaven-Thunder Falling Slash, flowed gracefully into the second, Horizontal Scatter Mountain Severance, and then the third, Wind-Cloud Mutual Transformation.
Dan Bulwi found Dan Yeop’s swordwork beautiful.
He felt an almost uncanny spell; he could not tear his eyes away.
‘A spell from the martial arts of Point Gate—that should be impossible…….’
Perhaps it only appeared so because his own martial cultivation had advanced.
For some reason, Dan Yeop’s swordwork was so beautiful and dignified that it did not seem to belong to Hao Moon at all.
With Wind-Cloud Mutual Transformation, Dan Yeop came to stillness.
Dan Bulwi began to applaud, speaking warmly.
“Splendid, absolutely splendid! So the saying ‘he has perfected the Cheonji Sword Method’ was no mere exaggeration.”
“You are too kind, sir.”
Though Dan Yeop offered a modest reply, his heart swelled within.
It felt like only yesterday he was hearing himself called a blockhead, and now to receive such praise!
At that moment, Seol Yeonhui approached and spoke to both of them.
“Uncle, and brother—dinner is ready. Shall we go together?”
Dan Yeop returned his sword to its stand and followed Dan Bulwi behind Seol Yeonhui.
During the meal, Seol Yeonhui asked Dan Yeop a question.
“Brother, would you perhaps need a place to practice?”
“That would be welcome.”
Dan Yeop nodded.
He himself was constrained by the attention of the household, but considering his inner demon, this was a good opportunity.
“Then come to Gosan Manor whenever you have time and train there.”
“Are you truly certain it would be alright?”
“Of course it would. You’re our uncle’s adopted son—it’s only natural.”
At the mention of being adopted, Dan Yeop laughed awkwardly.
Such a reaction was natural for someone as passive and easily embarrassed as he.
“Then I’ll gratefully make use of it.”
Dan Yeop accepted Seol Yeonhui’s offer.
When his inner demon trained, his own martial cultivation rose along with it; there was no reason to refuse.
“Don’t mention it—we needn’t speak of such things between us. I’ll tell Grandfather Yu as well. Even if I’m not home, please feel free to use the place freely.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Now, I told you not to say thank you.”
“Ah, well…….”
Overcome with emotion, Dan Yeop’s eyes grew slightly red.
When he first met Dan Bulwi at the market, he had never imagined a day like this would come.
Having a place to sleep and work was already a blessing, but to be able to train in martial arts at Gosan Manor—it felt like a dream.
After finishing their meal, Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop returned to the Training Ground to continue practicing the martial arts of Hao Moon.
But around mid-afternoon, Dan Yeop grew anxious and headed back to the Yangs’ Cloth Shop early.
***
Dusk was falling over the city.
Just as Dan Yeop was about to start sweeping the Cloth Shop, someone walked in abruptly.
It was Na Geumryeong from Jinbo Sangbang.
The shop proprietor rushed to greet her with great enthusiasm.
Only then did Dan Yeop learn the young woman’s true identity, and he was deeply startled.
Na Geumryeong was, without question, more beautiful than any woman he had ever laid eyes on.
The Three Beauties of Byeongma Chong would pale beside her.
He knew that his inner demon called her by an affectionate name, yet the words refused to leave his lips.
Na Geumryeong spoke to the thoroughly cowed Dan Yeop.
“Let’s talk for a moment. Come with me.”
Without another word, she turned and walked ahead.
This time Dan Yeop didn’t even inform the household master—he trailed after her like a lamb being led to slaughter.
Na Geumryeong led him to the Tea House near where they’d gone yesterday.
By coincidence, they were seated at the same table.
Na Geumryeong ordered tea with practiced ease.
When the tea service arrived a moment later, she steeped the leaves and poured the fragrant liquid into empty cups, just as she had the day before.
Her movements were grace itself.
Dan Yeop stood transfixed, watching the steam rise from his cup.
A subtle sweetness tinged with bitterness drifted upward.
As he breathed in the aroma deeply, Na Geumryeong spoke.
“Bu Gang and I don’t concern ourselves with wealth or station.”
“Ah, yes…”
Finding her presence overwhelming, Dan Yeop found himself resenting his inner demon in his heart.
“But matters of sect allegiance are different. You know that both Bu Gang and I belong to Hyeonmu Gwan, don’t you?”
“Yes…”
“Especially Bu Gang—he’s one of Hyeonmu Gwan’s brightest prospects. Even our master and the grand master have taken notice of him.”
………
“Bu Gang takes great pride in Hyeonmu Gwan, and so he cannot do anything that would bring shame to the sect. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
Na Geumryeong assumed that someone as perceptive as Dan Yeop would grasp her meaning.
But the man sitting before her was not the one from yesterday.
“…Pardon?”
“Sigh! You don’t understand? So you’re going to play it this way?”
Na Geumryeong’s eyes flashed with displeasure.
Flustered, Dan Yeop averted his gaze without thinking.
To her, the gesture seemed the height of cowardice.
‘So this is what happened to Bu Gang—he truly fell victim to Hao Moon’s cunning.’
The thought hardened her resolve to sever ties completely.
“Bu Gang is soft-hearted and struggles to speak harshly. That’s why I asked to see you.”
Dan Yeop ventured a glance at her face, uncertain what she meant.
In that instant, Na Geumryeong’s voice turned cold.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from Bu Gang.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Dan Yeop fully comprehend her words.
‘Ah—all that talk about sects. She was saying that because I belong to Hao Moon, we can never be compatible.’
Suddenly, he recalled a conversation with Dan Bulwi.
―My friend withdrew from the Jianghu three years ago when his wife fell ill, so he could care for his daughter. If he hadn’t retired, I would never have set foot in this place.
―There’s a reason you only visit if he’s retired?
―Because I’m a member of Hao Moon. How could it look good for a Hao Moon member to frequent the home of someone who holds high rank in a merchant house?
That was the position of Hao Moon in the Jianghu.
A shame and contempt he’d never felt before now gnawed at his core.
“I understand.”
“Bu Gang doesn’t know that I’ve met with you. So don’t resent him. If you’re going to resent anyone, resent me instead.”
“I don’t resent you.”
Yet his expression had turned rigid and cold, belying his words.
Na Geumryeong’s own heart grew heavy at the sight.
But for the sake of her gentle brother, she had resolved to become the villain.
It was to prevent her brother from being drawn into scandal, should word get out.
“Thank you. And I’m giving this to you as a promise to keep your word.”
Na Geumryeong set a money pouch on the table.
Dan Yeop did not refuse.
‘If I’m to sever ties with Hao Moon, then showing them what it means to be a member of Hao Moon feels only fitting,’ he thought.
“My gratitude.”
And so he became a member of Hao Moon.

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