Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 63

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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 63. The Successor of Cheongeomryu
In the Gangho, there exists a mysterious sect as formidable as the Owak Geompa—perhaps even more renowned for its mastery of the blade alone.
It is the Geomgak, called the Foremost Sword Sect Under Heaven.
Though Geomgak represents the Geomnamdо region and the lands beyond, it had long withdrawn into remote mountains, severing all ties with the world.
This was true even though it was a worldly sect, not a Buddhist or Daoist order.
Only disciples who passed through nine trials at Geomgak were permitted to leave the sect, and the difficulty of each gate transcended the imagination of ordinary people.
Those who passed all nine gates earned the title of Foremost Swordmaster of the Age.
Yet in any organization, there are always those who break the rules.
Among the disciples who challenged the gates but failed, not a few had fled for personal reasons.
However, they all spent their lives concealing their origins at Geomgak.
Go Geomhaeng was one such person.
As the only son of his line, when his father passed away, he attempted the nine gates but failed at the sixth.
Yet unable to abandon his widowed mother, he slipped away from Geomgak in the dead of night.
After his mother too had passed, he became a wanderer, drifting through the Gangho.
Geomgak housed many schools of swordplay, and Go Geomhaeng had trained in the Cheongeomryu.
Since his master’s passing, he was now the sole successor of that lineage.
Precisely because of this, though he had wandered the Gangho for more than twenty years, few ever connected him to Geomgak.
Go Geomhaeng held back against Dan Yeop, believing the Cheongeomryu wasted on one so young, keeping his technique light.
Even so, this was a blade wielded by a master trained at Geomgak.
The power and subtle changes woven into each strike matched the technique of the Owak Geompa.
Clang—clang!
Dan Yeop whirled his Hoengdo back and forth, blocking the incoming strikes.
Each impact sent tingling through his hands, yet he felt no signs of internal injury.
‘I have to thank Simma for this.’
He too was a martial artist who had cultivated the Naewoe Gong.
He understood the strange power dwelling within his own body.
He had asked Simma several times through the Baekchup what it truly was, but Simma never answered.
Foul and treacherous as it might be, he reasoned it was not harmful, and let the matter rest.
After all, circulating his Daejucheon or Sojucheon remained difficult, but channeling his power through his limbs or the Hoengdo was possible enough.
As Dan Yeop’s mind wandered for a moment, Go Geomhaeng’s blade shifted.
Whisssh—
The sword tore through empty air with a sound like rending silk.
Startled, Dan Yeop brought the Hoengdo down with all his strength against the blade.
Crack!
The sound of shattering ice echoed as the Hoengdo flew backward into empty space.
The wanderer and master Go Geomhaeng proved several times stronger than rumor had suggested.
Sensing danger, Dan Yeop pivoted to the side using the Secret Flowing Step and unfurled the third form of the Seven Wounds Blade Method.
With the Samsang Giran, he sought to shatter his opponent’s blade energy.
His Hoengdo, shrouded in pale blade aura, flew toward Go Geomhaeng.
Whoosh!
Confronted by this unexpected blade aura, Go Geomhaeng’s eyes widened.
‘What!’
He flicked his sword in elaborate patterns to block the Hoengdo.
As blade and saber collided, a sharp sound of impact rippled outward in all directions.
Bang-bang-bang!
The standing furniture shattered, and even the walls trembled.
Crash! Rumble—
The sect leaders of Yukmun hastily withdrew, putting distance between themselves and the two combatants.
Though Baek Chogong, the sect leader of Jeommun, and Dan Bulwi were astonished by Go Geomhaeng’s martial prowess, the others could not tear their eyes from Dan Yeop.
They had thought he was merely Dan Bulwi’s adopted son and the nominal head of his faction, yet here he fought on equal terms with the fearsome Go Geomhaeng!
Go Geomhaeng’s expression too was one of shock.
That Dan Yeop, barely into his late teens, could channel blade aura—it was remarkable.
He paused, lowering his sword, and spoke to Dan Yeop.
“Your name is Dan Yeop? Your martial skill is truly outstanding. I would believe it even if told you were a joint successor of the Owak Geompa.”
“I am grateful for your words, but I am native to Haowen.”
Unlike Go Geomhaeng, who had been brought in from outside, Dan Yeop emphasized his native roots.
He had lived at the Terracotta Army Tomb since he was four, so it was no mere boast.
“You learned martial arts from Dan Bulwi?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm! Though Dan Bulwi and you have the right to instruct others, you have not yet reached my level. Since I am a master, why not you and Dan Bulwi settle for being masters as well?”
It was a comment born from Go Geomhaeng’s generosity toward his junior.
He could not afford to position himself below both Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop.
But Dan Yeop refused his proposal.
If he had already lost to Go Geomhaeng, that would be one thing—but he saw no reason to surrender before the outcome was known.
“If I fall in the match, I will abide by your words, Master Go.”
“Then there’s no help for it. From now on, I’ll be using the secret technique. Steel yourself.”
In the end, Go Geomhaeng resolved to employ the Cheongeomryu.
Ordinary methods simply would not suffice to overwhelm his opponent.
Soon he burst forward like an arrow, his blade weaving in dazzling spirals.
Whish-whish-whish—!
Dan Yeop, braced and ready, countered with the Jincheonji Dobeop.
Among its forms, he chose the third: Pungun Sanghwa.
‘Wind and cloud in harmony’—that was the principle, and he meant to meet any change with this form.
Clash! Clash! Clash—!
This time, Go Geomhaeng’s blade met the Hoengdo and stopped.
But the sword that rebounded sprang upward before falling straight down again.
It was Heogong Chammol, the secret technique of Cheongeomryu.
Wrapped in a blade-light blue as the sea, the sword seemed poised to cleave heaven and earth in two.
Shrieee—!
For the first time, Dan Yeop felt a terror so acute his hair stood on end.
Even blocking with the Hoengdo, he would be cut through entirely.
‘I can’t block this!’
Then it happened.
Almost without thinking, his body slid sideways as if of its own accord.
Nearly in the same instant, Go Geomhaeng’s blade bisected where Dan Yeop had stood.
Wheee—!
In that moment, a sound of breath escaped Go Geomhaeng’s lips.
“What—?”
In truth, he had anticipated what Dan Yeop might do.
Either he would raise the Hoengdo bluntly to block, or subtly twist his blade to slip past—some method like that.
Of course, the outcome would have been the same regardless.
But Dan Yeop had done nothing at all.
When struck by extreme terror, the body sometimes freezes.
Go Geomhaeng assumed this was what had happened to Dan Yeop.
Overwhelmed by the formidable blade-light of Heogong Chammol, such a thing was possible.
Go Geomhaeng had no wish to kill Dan Yeop, but a sword has no eyes.
In the end, he cut him down.
But soon he realized what he had severed was a phantom.
‘How is this possible—’
Meanwhile, Dan Yeop was equally astonished.
The moment death flashed across his mind, his body moved of its own volition.
It was the footwork of the Suwol Shinhaeng, though he did not know it.
Regaining his senses, Dan Yeop’s eyes caught Go Geomhaeng’s retreating form.
Without hesitation, he thrust the Hoengdo forward.
Just before the blade struck his back, Go Geomhaeng spun around with the speed of thunder and swung his sword.
Clang—!
As the Hoengdo was flung into empty air, Dan Yeop descended smoothly, much as Go Geomhaeng had done moments before.
The motion mirrored his opponent’s, but this was the first form of Jincheonji Dobeop: Cheonroe Nakcharm.
A strand of blade-light fell toward Go Geomhaeng’s head.
Hiss-hiss-hiss—!
Alarmed, Go Geomhaeng threw himself clear using the Unjung Yubo.
Like a figure drifting through clouds, his body evaded the falling light and fled.
Go Geomhaeng retreated three paces before turning to face Dan Yeop again.
His own breath had grown rough, yet the other’s expression remained unchanged.
‘This is impossible.’
At such a tender age, already at the level of Geomgi Sangin—the stage where blade-light wounds the body—it was beyond belief.
Even seeing it with his own eyes, he could scarcely credit it.
Since fleeing Geomgak, this was the first time he had been cornered like this.
His heart had been thundering in his chest since the moment before.
The elders of Owak Geompa had been beneath his notice, yet here he was, struggling desperately against a mere boy—the Gyoodu of Haowen.
‘Dan Bulwi must be even stronger than Dan Yeop.’
The moment that thought crossed his mind, his chest sank and his fighting spirit crumbled.
There was still the Cheongeom Manri technique he hadn’t yet revealed, but he no longer wanted to fight.
Considering his age and experience, this was his defeat.
Having reached that conclusion, Go Geomhaeng heaved a long sigh and slowly lowered his sword.
In that same moment, Dan Yeop’s mind was equally troubled.
He was relieved to have escaped the crisis, but the fact that his body had moved of its own accord weighed on him.
‘What if Simma suddenly breaks loose in everyday life?’
It was an absurd thought, but after what had just happened, it didn’t seem impossible.
‘Maybe I should find a skilled exorcist and have a purification ritual performed.’
Lost in these scattered thoughts, he heard Go Geomhaeng’s voice reach his ears.
“I acknowledge my defeat. You and Dan Bulwi are more than worthy of serving as Gyoodu and Chief Gyoodu. And Sect Leader Hong, what happened earlier was the fault of our instructors. It arose entirely from prejudice toward the Chief Gyoodu and Gyoodu. Please forgive us.”
Sect Leader Hong Sogwang and Sect Leader Baek Chogong, who had been listening numbly, nodded vigorously.
“Oh goodness, forgive? There’s nothing to forgive. It was just a misunderstanding.”
“These things happen in life. I understand completely.”
They dared not reproach Go Geomhaeng.
Rather, they were wary because his martial prowess proved far greater than they had known.
After sheathing his sword, Go Geomhaeng approached Ha Soran.
“Sect Leader Ha, I’m sorry I failed to live up to your expectations.”
“Not at all. I should be apologizing to you. You’ve worked hard. I had no idea Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop were so exceptional.”
“For the unity of the Ten Schools, I think this turned out well.”
“I agree.”
Yet despite her words, Ha Soran’s expression was not bright.
She served as interim Chief Sect Leader, but going forward, she would have to watch the faces of Sect Leader Hong Sogwang and Sect Leader Baek Chogong.
With the important matter settled, Ha Soran summoned the courtesans.
From the adjoining chamber, the lively songs of entertainers began to ring out.
As the atmosphere warmed, Dan Bulwi arranged a separate gathering with the instructors.
Whether they liked it or not, they would be living together from now on, so he sought to foster goodwill.
Dan Bulwi filled the empty cups on the table with wine and spoke.
“Let’s forget what happened before and do well together going forward. If Haowen thrives, your reputations will rise as well.”
Unjung Gaek and Han Wol Geom, so arrogant at first, now responded smoothly and graciously.
“Wisely spoken, sir.”
“Indeed. Let’s make Haowen a faction as prominent as any other.”
Soon after, the instructors, the Gyoodu, and the Chief Gyoodu raised their cups in a toast.
Just as people say they grow close through conflict, the wall between the instructors and the leadership quickly crumbled.
The instructors naturally began calling Dan Yeop the Gyoodu and Dan Bulwi the Chief Gyoodu.
After a round of drinks, Unjung Gaek carefully broached a new subject.
“Chief Gyoodu, might we instructors also learn the Jinsam Dae Dobeop?”
“Why? Are you interested in learning it?”
“To be honest, watching your martial contest with the Gyoodu stirred my ambition. We’ve become family, yet not knowing the Jinsam Dae Dobeop ourselves seems strange.”
Dan Bulwi smiled warmly.
Martial artists, regardless of age or gender, all hunger for martial skill.
This was nothing new.
Hadn’t he himself once asked Dan Yeop to teach him martial arts?
“Of course. Since you’re instructors, you should certainly learn it. Starting tomorrow, go to the training grounds at either Amun or Jeommun and begin your lessons. Though I wonder if Geomgak’s methods will suit you, Han Wol Geom and Go Geomhaeng, given your use of the blade.”
At this, Han Wol Geom spoke up.
“Blade and saber are fundamentally the same when you understand them. When there’s no blade, we train with branches. A saber is a hundred times better than a branch.”
“Ah! No wonder you’re from Owak Geompa — your perspective is profound. If all three of you wish to deepen your understanding of Haowen’s martial arts, you’re welcome to join. As you say, you’re all family now.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re grateful. We’ll come learn from you. Please don’t turn us away as a nuisance.”
Unjung Gaek and Han Wol Geom rose with humble deference.
Apart from everything else, Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop’s martial prowess surpassed their own.
Once the conversation began to wind down, Dan Yeop rose from his seat first.
The strange power he’d experienced earlier had left his mind unsettled, and he wanted to go home and rest.
As he crossed the front courtyard to leave Hwaewolru, Dan Yeop encountered three young men.
Judging by their fine silken robes, they looked like the offspring of wealthy families gathered for their social circle.
When his eyes met one of theirs, an awkward smile crossed Dan Yeop’s face.
‘Na Bugang?’

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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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