Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 60

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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 60. The Haowen Sect’s Entry Method
Late December.
Right City, Seonpyeong Bang, in the Seosi region.
The Seosi Tavern.
The Seosi Tavern was popular among Haowen disciples because the drink prices were cheap.
Late at night, Jeommun disciples Im Jeong and Gwak Beom met at the Seosi Tavern after finishing their day’s work.
The two of them shared roasted pork and turbid wine while lamenting their circumstances.
It was Im Jeong who spoke first.
“Sigh! Even when I try to learn something, there’s never time for it. By the time I finish work and fumble around, it’s already seven in the evening. I’ve heard some of those guys train from morning till night, but I can only manage one hour. With things the way they are, I don’t know if I can ever get proper at this.”
“Same here. I wish I’d been born ten years later, damn it.”
“Ten years? Why?”
“Then I could’ve gone there and done nothing but train. I don’t understand how those kids from there are as pathetic as we are.”
The “there” Gwak Beom was referring to was the Terracotta Army Tomb.
Both men, well into their twenties, were self-taught rather than graduates of the Terracotta Army Tomb.
“Their natural talent must’ve been poor.”
“Ah, if I’d gone there, I’d have a position by now.”
While the two of them were making idle remarks,
three men and one woman walked through the tavern door and took seats in the inner room.
Im Jeong, who had glanced at the woman without thinking, quickly turned his body and hid his face.
At his strange behavior, Gwak Beom looked around cautiously and asked,
“What?”
“Hey, don’t look around. It’s Yi Cheongwol of the Crimson Eyes.”
At those words, Gwak Beom quickly lowered his head.
Yi Cheongwol of the Crimson Eyes was a master of Yukhap Bang, and for some reason, she was always desperate to torment Im Jeong whenever she saw him.
She would nag at him with words, and the moment his attitude displeased her even slightly, she would resort to violence.
The only reason Im Jeong was still alive was because she hadn’t used a killing technique.
The movements of Im Jeong and Gwak Beom’s hands as they ate and drank quickened.
They were thinking of finishing quickly and leaving.
But that thought didn’t last long.
Jeon Jo, Yi Cheongwol’s subordinate, approached and struck the back of Im Jeong’s head without mercy.
“Ugh! Why would you do that?”
“You bastards, what are you doing without greeting our Village Master? Do you really want to die?”
At Jeon Jo’s harsh rebuke, Im Jeong and Gwak Beom hurried over to Yi Cheongwol and bowed their heads.
“Im Jeong offers his respects.”
“Gwak Beom…….”
Yi Cheongwol cut off Gwak Beom’s words.
“Never mind you. Im Jeong, you pretended not to see me? Have you obtained some great fortune in the time between now and then?”
“I didn’t want to disturb the Village Master’s pleasant time…….”
“You’ve already spoiled my pleasant time. How will you make amends?”
Yi Cheongwol fixed Im Jeong with an odd gaze.
In ordinary circumstances, Im Jeong would have prostrated himself without hesitation.
But since learning the Heaven-Earth Blade Method, his confidence had risen somewhat.
“What would it take to ease the Village Master’s displeasure?”
As he asked back, Yi Cheongwol’s face went rigid.
“How stiff your neck’s become. So you’ve found something to rely on after all. Jeon Jo.”
At her call, Jeon Jo stepped forward at once.
“Yes.”
Yi Cheongwol’s eyes turned toward Im Jeong.
“If you can withstand three of Jeon Jo’s moves, my mood might improve. What do you say?”
“I’ll give it a try.”
“Jeon Jo, you heard him? This foot soldier from Haowen says he can withstand three of your moves. Seems we’ve been underestimating Haowen all this time?”
“Village Master, may I kill this bastard?”
“You’d commit murder in Jangan Seong? Can you handle the aftermath?”
“…….”
Jeon Jo’s gaze slipped away from the Village Master’s stare.
Unlike the great masters of the martial world, when small-time thugs committed murder, they would be hunted down by the authorities.
“Just keep him alive.”
“Yes!”
Jeon Jo and Im Jeong faced off against each other.
The other patrons of the Seosi Tavern turned their attention to Im Jeong and Jeon Jo.
It was Jeon Jo, the stronger of the two, who moved first.
His fist shot toward Im Jeong’s face like a thunderbolt.
Im Jeong twisted his torso slightly, slipped the punch, and countered.
In that same instant, Jeon Jo’s fist opened wide, raking across Im Jeong’s face as it passed.
Screee—
Blood sprayed from Im Jeong’s cheek where fingernails had caught skin.
Almost at once, Im Jeong’s fist hammered down on Jeon Jo’s shoulder.
Jeon Jo’s upper body lurched, and he stumbled back half a step.
Though Im Jeong had taken the wound, it was Jeon Jo’s face that flushed crimson.
His pride was wounded—he had allowed Haowen a blow.
“You bastard!”
Jeon Jo lunged at Im Jeong like a tiger that had tasted its own blood.
Under that assault, Im Jeong’s movements turned defensive.
The stubborn nature hammered into his bones by Haowen awoke belatedly.
His earlier confidence evaporated, replaced by desperate blocking.
Yet Jeon Jo’s attacks were not something that mere defense could withstand.
Soon his fists began to land solidly on Im Jeong’s body.
Thump-thump-thump—
From that point on, Im Jeong curled his hands over his head and took the beating.
Just before Im Jeong lost consciousness, Yi Cheongwol stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Only then did Jeon Jo stop his barrage and withdraw.
So absorbed had he been that his shoulders heaved with ragged breathing.
Im Jeong, who had been crouched, simply collapsed where he sat.
Something flickered in Yi Cheongwol’s eyes as she watched.
She then spoke to Gwak Beom in a deliberately cold tone.
“Take him out.”
Gwak Beom hoisted the limp Im Jeong and left the Seosi Juga.
***
The next day.
U Seong, Seonpyeong Bang.
Ansik Heon, the central hall of Jeommun.
Dan Yeop began teaching the Jin Baekryu Dobeop again to the Hall Master, Village Master, and Sect Soldiers.
The Jin Baekryu Dobeop, which had the White Willow Blade Method as its root, consisted of four forms.
Yet the progress of the Jin Baekryu Dobeop was painfully slow.
The Jin Cheonji Dobeop had some easier aspects, but being grounded in Jeommun’s Dokmun Mugong—even if only in form—could be grasped without undue strain.
The Jin Baekryu Dobeop was different.
As a Dokmun Mugong of Seonmun, it was far from easy for Jeommun’s masters.
True, the arts of the six schools had become known to one another thanks to the Terracotta Army Tomb, but they had merely consulted them; none had trained in them professionally.
Haowen’s arts were splitting hairs.
Had the White Willow Blade Method been essential to the Martial Realm, Jeommun would surely have spared no effort to master it.
It was more intricate than the Heaven-Earth Blade Method, yet not so superior as to be indispensable.
Jeommun’s masters used the White Willow Blade Method as reference only, never treating it as an essential art that could replace the Heaven-Earth Blade Method.
Though Dan Yeop taught the Jin Baekryu Dobeop late into the evening, not a single form did Jeommun’s masters grasp.
Compared to the speed at which they had learned the Jin Cheonji Dobeop just recently, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Jeommun’s masters had foreseen the results to some degree, yet they could not hide their disappointment at the meager outcome.
Sect Leader Baek Chogong sheathed his blade and muttered under his breath.
“What makes this so difficult? The White Willow Blade Method was nothing like this……”
Vice Sect Leader Mok Unsaeng spoke up.
“Indeed. This is merely my feeling, but it seems the Jin Baekryu Dobeop is nearly as difficult as the Owak Geompa.”
“And what of our Jin Cheonji Dobeop?”
“Of course, our Jin Cheonji Dobeop is also remarkable, but in terms of subtle transformation, if I may say……”
“So our Jin Cheonji Dobeop lacks subtlety? Is that something the Vice Sect Leader should be saying? What difference is there between the White Willow Blade Method and the Heaven-Earth Blade Method?”
“The White Willow Blade Method and Heaven-Earth Blade Method were similar, but upon evolving into the Jin Baekryu Dobeop, it seems to have undergone a complete transformation, so to speak.”
Vice Sect Leader Mok Unsaeng gauged Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s reaction carefully.
Yukmun took considerable pride in their own Dokmun Mugong.
And now that Mok Unsaeng was praising the Jin Baekryu Dobeop, Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s heart could hardly be at ease.
In the end, Sect Leader Baek Chogong asked Dan Yeop directly.
“Dan, is the Jin Baekryu Dobeop truly superior to our Jin Cheonji Dobeop?”
Dan Yeop replied in an impassive tone.
“Everything has its purpose. The same is true of martial arts. If Jin Cheonji Dobeop is an entry-level technique, then Jin Baekryu Dobeop comes next, or so I believe.”
“What! You’re saying our Jin Cheonji Dobeop is nothing but entry-level?”
Baek Chogong’s face twisted, and Dan Yeop added an explanation.
“It’s also the foundational art. There’s no technique quite as suited to laying roots as Jin Cheonji Dobeop. Going forward, all Haowen disciples should be initiated into Haowen’s arts through Jin Cheonji Dobeop.”
Words matter in how they’re framed.
Call it simple and it tastes bitter on the tongue, but speak of “roots” and “entry-level techniques” and suddenly it feels monumentally important.
Baek Chogong seemed to think the same, for his expression brightened at once.
Shortly after, the Sect Leader, Vice Sect Leader, Hall Masters, and Village Masters departed Ansik Heon ahead of the others.
Im Song, the Sect Soldier who had been watching for his moment, approached Dan Yeop hesitantly.
“Instructor Dan.”
“Yes?”
“About Jin Cheonji Dobeop.”
Even though he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, Im Song found it difficult to speak plainly.
“What about Jin Cheonji Dobeop?”
“Is it really nothing but an entry-level technique?”
Dan Yeop tilted his head, puzzled, when Baek Yuhwa cut in.
“Senior Im, where does that come from? Instructor Dan, do you know what he’s talking about?”
“I have no idea.”
Dan Yeop shook his head and turned his gaze to Im Song.
Only then did Im Song open his mouth.
“Last night, my brother…….”
Im Song recounted how Im Jeong had come back the previous evening after being beaten in the tavern.
“……Jeon Jo is merely a Bangdo under Village Master Yi Cheongwol of Yukhap Bang. The fact that Im Jeong was beaten one-sidedly by such a man has been bothering me. He’s learned Jin Cheonji Dobeop, but it seems to have made no difference…….”
“You’re being too greedy. How many days has it been since he learned Jin Cheonji Dobeop? I think I’ve mentioned this before—Jin Cheonji Dobeop may be easy to learn, but mastery depends on individual talent and effort.”
“Well, I suppose so, but…….”
“Do you know what Hwasan Pa’s entry-level technique is?”
“Yukhap Geom.”
“If someone learned Yukhap Geom and fought bandits the very next day, could they defeat them with it?”
“Of course not.”
“Merely imitating the forms of Jin Cheonji Dobeop doesn’t make you a master. I once severed the wrist of No Jingun, a Heukru Guardian, using Jin Cheonji Dobeop. Can you still say it’s nothing but an entry-level technique?”
“Ah! I was shortsighted. I thought simply learning the forms would bring instant improvement…….”
Im Song acknowledged his mistake.
To think he’d imagined that learning Jin Cheonji Dobeop for a few days would make him a master!
Reflecting on it now, his face burned with embarrassment.
“There are those who’ve become masters through Yukhap Geom. The same holds true for Jin Cheonji Dobeop. The old Heaven-Earth Blade Method would remain mere street-level swordplay even after a hundred years of training, but Jin Cheonji Dobeop yields infinite results according to one’s achievement. Please impart this understanding to your brother as well.”
“Yes!”
Im Song’s voice, now free from delusion, rang loudly through Ansik Heon.
Dan Yeop bowed awkwardly and turned to leave.
Baek Yuhwa, watching for his chance, broached the subject casually.
“Instructor Dan, do you have time this evening?”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop nodded readily.
For him, nothing was more important than time spent with Baek Yuhwa.
“Then, would you like to have dinner together?”
“Of course.”
Im Song interjected as he usually did.
“Sister Baek, can I join too?”
“Ah, well, yes, I suppose that would be all right.”
Baek Yuhwa replied with reluctance, though the oblivious Im Song grinned happily.
“Where should we go? Manri Hyang? Hwarag Won? Ok Nuchun?”
Names of famous restaurants poured from Im Song’s lips.
“Let’s go to Manri Hyang.”
Baek Yuhwa spoke with a certain coolness and strode ahead.
***
Manri Hyang.
While eating, Baek Yuhwa asked Dan Yeop casually.
“You seem to be in a good mood today?”
“Why?”
“The last time we met, you were too busy to linger.”
“Was I?”
“I got worried and asked Heukru about it, but he just said ‘I went and came back’ and rushed past. Must’ve been something really urgent?”
Dan Yeop knew that Baek Yuhwa had met with Sim Ma, so he brushed it off vaguely.
“A bit, yeah.”
“Was that urgent matter resolved well?”
“What urgent matter?”
“You said you had something pressing that day?”
“Oh, it worked out fine.”
Sensing that the conversation was skating over the surface, Baek Yuhwa didn’t press further.
The way he wasn’t avoiding her suggested they really had grown closer, yet something felt oddly off about it.
That was when Im Song murmured as if talking to himself.
“They say there’s a gathering on the first day of the first lunar month. It’ll be quite lively this time, won’t it?”
Dan Yeop tilted his head, wondering what Im Song meant, and Baek Yuhwa explained.
“There’s been fierce rivalry over leadership between Sect Leader Hong and Sect Leader Ha. This time, with the issue of the Deputy Sect Leader and the Instructors, it’s going to get much worse.”
“Ah…….”
An exclamation escaped Dan Yeop’s lips.
Sect Leader Ha had brought in the ronin instructor, yet Sect Leader Hong and Sect Leader Baek had appointed the Grand Instructor and the Instructors without consultation—it would’ve been strange if this passed quietly.

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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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