Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 51

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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 51. What do you think of Dan Gyotdu?
Under Son Jiheon’s persistent coaxing, Dan Yeop finally opened his mouth.
“I’ll ask the Sect Leader, and if he permits, I’ll teach you. I’m almost certain he will.”
Given Haowen’s standing, there was no reason to refuse.
If anything, he’d be pleased to have ties with the son of a high official.
“I’m grateful. You’re not just my friend—you’re my savior.”
“Don’t come crying to me later saying you won’t learn once you hear what school it is.”
“Ha! Put your mind at ease. Even if it were Nognm, I wouldn’t mind.”
Nognm was the most notorious outlaw faction that shook the entire empire.
If the righteous sects were led by Oaksgeompa, then the outlaws were led by Nognm.
One might mistakenly think Nognm was numerically inferior compared to Oaksgeompa.
But that wasn’t the case.
Nognm was a coalition composed of eighteen mountain strongholds and water strongholds.
So in sheer numbers, it actually commanded three times as many as Oaksgeompa.
“Well, we can talk about that later.”
Soon after, Dan Yeop and Son Jiheon headed to the inner quarters for supper.
Over drinks that followed the meal, Son Jiheon confessed to his grandfather that he and Dan Yeop had drunk Baekweolmyeongjuv the night before.
Son Yubaek did not scold his grandson for secretly drinking the precious wine.
After all, he had intended to use that wine for Dan Yeop and his grandson anyway.
Dan Yeop spent the night comfortably, lingering over drinks with Son Yubaek’s family until late.
***
The next day.
After breakfast, Dan Yeop returned to the Byeolchae and paused in thought.
Normally, he should have been awakening his Simma by now.
The more often he awakened his Simma, the higher his Naegong grew, so he had been rousing it every other day.
But now that he was teaching Baek Yuhwa, the desire to do so had faded.
‘My martial skills have already reached the level where people call me a Gosu, so that should be enough.’
Besides, since breaking through the wall, his confidence had swelled.
Even without awakening his Simma, managing as a Gyotdu should pose no hardship.
Dan Yeop decided not to practice Naegong while teaching Baek Yuhwa.
Having firmed his resolve, he left the Byeolchae to head toward Jipdanhyang.
***
Every day, Dan Yeop taught the masters of Jeommun at Anshekheon.
There is a saying: teaching is learning.
As he taught the Jeommun masters, his understanding of the Heaven-Earth Blade Method deepened.
There is a great difference between knowledge gained effortlessly through Simma and knowledge gained through deliberate reasoning.
Without realizing it, he was gradually ascending to higher realms as he reasoned through the logic of the Heaven-Earth Blade Method.
By the fourth day, the Jeommun masters had grasped the Heaven-Earth Blade Method.
Feeling no further need for demonstrations, Dan Yeop gathered the Jeommun masters.
“It seems you have all mastered the Heaven-Earth Blade Method now. Your future progress depends entirely on your own effort.”
Then Baek Chogong, the Sect Leader, spoke.
“You’ve worked hard. Now, would you demonstrate the Jinbaekryudobeop for us? If we think it’s learnable, we’ll begin tomorrow. If it seems too difficult, we’ll rest a few days before starting.”
During those few days of rest, he planned to teach the Jincheongidobeop to his disciples.
Dan Yeop nodded readily.
Soon he stepped into the center and unfolded the Jinbaekryudobeop.
As profound depth was added to the White Willow Blade Method, already famous for its numerous variations, the Jeommun masters exhaled deeply.
Though desire flared, learning the Jinbaekryudobeop one technique per session like the Heaven-Earth Blade Method seemed impossible.
Moments later, Dan Yeop sheathed his Hoengdo and approached Sect Leader Baek Chogong.
“How was it?”
“We’ll need to rest. Let’s say we’ll resume training five days from now, to be safe.”
“Understood.”
After his exchange with Dan Yeop, Sect Leader Baek Chogong turned to face the Jeommun masters.
“Everyone heard that, yes? Training in the Jinbaekryudobeop will begin five days from now. Until then, the Village Masters should return and instruct your disciples. Five days should be enough to transmit the Heaven-Earth Blade Method, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes.”
“That should suffice.”
The Village Masters answered with confident voices.
Originally, the Heaven-Earth Blade Method and White Willow Blade Method were entirely different in substance and intent.
If the Heaven-Earth Blade Method was a placid lake, the White Willow Blade Method was a flowing river.
But Dan Bulwi had transformed the lake into an ocean and the stream into the Yellow River.
Still, since the Heaven-Earth Blade Method had fewer variations, it was not particularly difficult to grasp once one began.
Of course, achievement itself falls to the individual.
As the Sect Leader, Vice Sect Leader, Hall Master, and Village Master discussed the schedule ahead, Dan Yeop stepped back.
Im Song and Baek Yuhwa, excluded from the elders’ conference, approached him hesitantly.
After a moment, Im Song opened his mouth carefully.
“If you have time, Gyotdu Dan, I’d like to treat you to a drink…….”
Just as Dan Yeop was about to refuse, Baek Yuhwa stepped in.
“Come with us, Dan.”
Dan Yeop nodded as if he couldn’t refuse.
“Very well.”
While the elders held their meeting, the three of them left Anshekheon.
***
Early evening.
Two men and a woman entered Hwaunyun Lounge, a famous tavern in Seonpyeongbang.
Im Song, Baek Yuhwa, and Dan Yeop.
Once the three had settled by the window on the second floor, a server approached.
Im Song ordered with practiced ease.
“Two bottles of Manrichun and one bottle of Grape Wine from Western Regions, and for appetizers, bring roasted lamb, flatbread, and dates.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll bring them right away.”
The server hurried off as if on wings.
With the server gone, silence fell among the three.
Im Song, sensing he should lift the mood, opened his mouth.
“The twelfth month is already half gone in the blink of an eye. It seems I’ve just grown older without accomplishing anything.”
Baek Yuhwa, who had been nodding absently, suddenly recalled what her uncle Baek Chogong, the Sect Leader, had said when he visited home last night.
“Yuhwa, what do you think of Gyotdu Dan?”
“What? What do you mean, Uncle?”
“Why are you so startled? From what I can see, there’s no one quite like Gyotdu Dan.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve been watching these past few days, and it seems he treats you quite well. Men are creatures who regard women like cattle or chickens if they have no interest. But Gyotdu Dan doesn’t treat you that way, does he? Or am I wrong?”
“What’s there to treat me well for? I’ve only received instruction in martial arts.”
“Do you truly believe that with your current level of Muui, you grasped the Heaven-Earth Blade Method at the same pace as the Hall Masters and I?”
“Isn’t that possible?”
“If Gyotdu Dan hadn’t stayed by your side and taught you with such care, it would have taken several more days.”
“Uncle, I am the top student among the third-generation disciples…….”
“Even so, you’re still a frog at the bottom of a well. No matter that the Heaven-Earth Blade Method is built upon the Heaven-Earth Blade Method itself, it’s not an art you could master in four days on your own.”
“…….”
“Be grateful to Gyotdu Dan. I don’t know what his intentions are in treating you so well, but the fact remains that you’ve received special treatment.”
Having thought this far, Baek Yuhwa glanced furtively at Gyotdu Dan.
‘Is it true?’
But his expressionless face revealed nothing.
Just as Im Song was beginning to feel awkward with no one responding to his words, the server arrived with the alcohol and appetizers.
Im Song picked up a wine bottle and poured into Gyotdu Dan’s cup, speaking as he did.
“This is the Grape Wine from Western Regions that’s popular these days. It’s a fruit wine made by fermenting grapes, and the taste is exquisite.”
“Ah, yes.”
Dan Yeop answered tersely, then sipped the grape wine.
Im Song filled his own cup and Baek Yuhwa’s as well.
It was then, as Im Song drank the wine and spoke of trivial things, that a group of martial artists climbed to this floor.
Im Song recognized one of them and spoke in a low voice.
“They’re from Sahaebang.”
Im Song added an explanation, sensing Dan Yeop didn’t understand.
“They’re one of the top five heterodox sects in Gwannaeido.”
Only then did Dan Yeop nod as if he understood.
“We should finish up quickly and leave.”
There was no benefit in sharing a space with people like Sahaebang, so they should avoid it.
The three increased their drinking pace.
Sahaebang, true to their nature as a heterodox sect, paid no mind to the eyes of others around them.
A middle-aged man with a mole on his cheek spoke.
“You all heard that Heukseonbang ran rampant through Gwannaeido last summer, right? Know why Hyeonmugwan pretended not to notice?”
“We don’t know.”
“It’s because even Haowen spent money with an elder of Hangsanpai. Heukseonbang is going to clean up Haowen in Gwannaeido, and they asked Jongnampai to put in a good word.”

“Really?”
“I heard it directly from a friend of mine in the Heukseonbang.”
“And?”
“An elder of the Hangsanpai moved the Jongnampai. The Jongnampai moved the Hyeonmugwan. Like water flowing downhill.”
“Ah! So the Hyeonmugwan are puppets of the Jongnampai, and the Jongnampai must obey the Hangsanpai?”
Knowing the relationship between the Hangsanpai and Jongnampai—both among the Five Peaks—it came as no surprise.
“Exactly. And so only the Haowen in Gwannaeido got caught holding the bag.”
“So in the end, whoever has connections to the Five Peaks wins?”
“When has it ever been otherwise?”
“Hearing that, the Hyeonmugwan’s position doesn’t seem so different from the Heukseonbang’s.”
“Right. They call themselves a great sect, but the Hyeonmugwan are just puppets on the Jongnampai’s strings. No pride, those fools. They grovel like servants to the Jongnampai while acting superior to everyone else. Kha-ha-ha!”
Before his laughter had finished, someone from the back room bellowed out.
“How dare you insult the Hyeonmugwan in Jangan City! Who are you wretches?”
The atmosphere turned cold in an instant.
One of the masters of the Sahaebang shot to his feet and fired back.
“Who is this rat that dares butt into our conversation? If you have confidence in your skill, show your face!”
“What? You’re saying the Sahaebang dared to insult the Hyeonmugwan? You bastards deserve to die!”
With curses trailing behind, an elderly man in his twilight years strode out with commanding presence.
It was Yu Musang, the Clear Void Sword of the Hyeonmugwan.
But Byeok Haemyeong, the middle-aged mantis-like master, didn’t so much as twitch.
The old men of the Hyeonmugwan’s skills fell short of their reputations.
“The Clear Void Sword? Can you handle me alone?”
Yu Musang, recognizing Byeok Haemyeong too late, ground his teeth.
“Hmph! Byeok Haemyeong! You seem to think you’re protected by numbers, but even if the entire Sahaebang came at me, I alone would be enough.”
For all his confident words, Yu Musang didn’t draw his blade.
He’d rushed out in a surge of anger, but he knew that if a real fight broke out, the disadvantage would be his.
A thin, bloody smile curled at the corners of Byeok Haemyeong’s mouth.
It was human nature to snap at the weak when you sensed their weakness.
Byeok Haemyeong rose from his seat and stepped toward Yu Musang with heavy, deliberate strides.
Pressed by the momentum, Yu Musang’s eyes wavered.
In the next instant, Byeok Haemyeong drew the Jikdo like lightning and slashed at Yu Musang.
“Drop dead!”
Yu Musang hastily twisted his body to dodge the blade.
Byeok Haemyeong pressed his advantage, slashing three times in rapid succession.
Whisk! Whisk! Whiiiisk—!
On the final stroke, blood sprayed from Yu Musang’s flank.
Fortunately, Yu Musang managed to create distance and quickly drew his own sword.
But having already taken a wound, his complexion was anything but good.
“An ambush! You cowardly dog!”
“Spewing nonsense, are you? You charge in and then cry foul? Why don’t you just beg for your life honestly?”
In the meantime, Byeok Haemyeong’s subordinates began to circle slowly around Yu Musang.
Deciding that the losses outweighed any gains, Yu Musang bolted sideways and hurled himself through the window.
Crash—!
As Yu Musang fled, Byeok Haemyeong and his men followed like hungry wolves.
The fight that had erupted so suddenly ended just as quickly, without resolution.
Dan Yeop stood staring blankly at the shattered window when Im Song’s voice reached his ear.
“Do you think what Byeok Haemyeong said was true?”
Dan Yeop, unfamiliar with the ways of the Gangho, offered no comment.
In his place, Baek Yuhwa spoke up.
“It’s probably not entirely made up. Strange though—before, the Hyeonmugwan and Sahaebang looked so formidable, but seeing them today, they don’t seem like much.”
Baek Yuhwa spoke those words that would have turned the Hyeonmugwan and Sahaebang red with fury as if it were nothing. Her eye for talent had already risen to such heights.

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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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