Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 75

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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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Chapter 75. Janggan’s Division Leader Yu Dae-ung
Dan Yeop gripped Go Jwaryeong until the training session ended.
Each time Dan Yeop cursed, Go Wonbang, the Seonmun Sect Leader, flinched.
It felt as though the abuse was directed at him.
The Seonmun masters threw themselves into training until sunset, yet regrettably could not master this fundamental technique.
Once Dan Yeop had stowed his Hengdo, he addressed the Seonmun masters.
“Unfortunate. We’ll make another attempt tomorrow. I have faith in Seonmun’s hidden strength.”
Go Wonbang, the Sect Leader, hastened to speak.
“Instructor Dan! Teach us one fundamental technique per day, as you do for Jeomun. The Jincheon Jido-beop doesn’t seem to be a method that completes in a single day.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll proceed as you suggest. From tomorrow onward, I’ll teach only one fundamental technique daily. Thank you for your effort.”
The moment Dan Yeop’s words ended, the Seonmun masters collapsed onto the ground with relieved sighs.
Shortly after Dan Yeop left Ansik-heon, Go Jwaryeong hurried after him.
“Instructor Dan Yeop!”
Dan Yeop stopped and furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“Go Jwaryeong, can’t you tell the difference between public and private?”
“My apologies! Instructor.”
The Dan Yeop of the past did not exist in Go Jwaryeong’s mind.
Throughout the day, Dan Yeop had demonstrated the Jincheon Jido-beop countless times before the Seonmun masters.
Most involved only fundamental techniques, though once or twice—to display true power—he had infused them with the Tae-eul-gi.
And of course, his qi had manifested.
From that moment on, Go Jwaryeong revered Dan Yeop as heaven itself.
“What is it?”
“How can I become as strong as you, Instructor?”
“Train until you grow strong. If you still don’t, then your training is insufficient.”
Of course, it was a lie.
Dan Yeop’s personality had fractured due to the side effects of the Bunsim-gong, and one fragment of that personality had met the venerable Jeok Songja and entered the Tae-go Sect.
In short, he had grown strong through a continuous chain of fortune.
Since he could not reveal this, he had given a fundamental answer instead.
Go Jwaryeong nodded vigorously, his face alight with admiration.
“Yes! I will train until I grow strong! I respect you, Instructor!”
Dan Yeop adjusted the Yeonan-gyeong that had slipped slightly down his nose and turned to leave.
Alone, Go Jwaryeong muttered as though entranced.
“Damn! That’s impressive.”
***
Dan Yeop walked along a snow-covered road and rolled his eyes.
He sensed someone watching him.
‘What is this?’
Yet he casually entered a side alley.
For a prodigy like Dan Yeop, such improvisation was no difficult feat.
As Dan Yeop vanished from sight in the side alley, the man rushed forward using the Gyeongsin-sul.
The man came to an abrupt halt as he bounded into the sparsely populated alley.
Before him stood Dan Yeop, waiting for him.
Dan Yeop studied the middle-aged man carefully.
His tattered clothes and unkempt hair made him look every bit the beggar.
“Gaebang?”
The middle-aged man grinned wickedly and spoke.
“Tsk! I thought you were some green recruit fresh to the martial world, but so this is what Haowen produces? Well, I am Yu Dae-ung, Division Leader of Janggan. Some call me the Wind Cloud Beggar. Though I notice you speak sparingly?”
“I don’t see why I should be polite to someone who trails behind others.”
Since Dan Yeop bore no ill will toward Gaebang, he quickly raised his tone of address.
“That’s just how Haowen and we operate, isn’t it? You all poke your noses into others’ business whenever you’re bored, so what are you complaining about?”
Dan Yeop was exasperated by Yu Dae-ung’s brazenness, but since the man spoke truth, he did not argue back.
“Why did you tail someone like me, a martial world novice?”
“Well, naturally because you’re supposedly a martial arts instructor for Jeomun. How can Haowen ever tell? What’s the criterion for appointing an instructor? Background? Money? Or perhaps looks?”
“I’m curious as well. How about we answer each other’s questions?”
“Fair enough. You answer first. How did you become an instructor?”
“Naturally, because my martial skills are outstanding. Now I will ask: you said you’re Division Leader of Janggan—can you prove it?”
Yu Dae-ung laughed and spoke.
“Hahahaha! Now that’s a proper question from a martial world novice. I’ll spend some of my good will for this fresh-faced chick. Look carefully at my clothes. What do you see?”
“There are patches here and there?”
“Ah! Keen eyes indeed. You’ll survive long in the martial world. That’s right. We call ordinary Gaebang beggars the Rough-Cloth Beggars. They wear tattered clothes, you see. They can stitch patches, but they can’t embroider them. But mine are embroidered, aren’t they?”
“Ah, is that so?”
“When you patch clothes like this and sew them together, such a beggar is called a Patched-Clothes Beggar. Only those who’ve undergone the Splitting Fire can patch their garments with additional cloth. This is a genuine secret—you can add one more patch every three years. I’m telling you this especially, just for you.”
Dan Yeop, who had been counting the patches sewn onto Yu Dae-ung’s garment, asked as if to confirm.
“Then if the Splitting Fire master has added five patches, does that mean he’s been a Splitting Fire for fifteen years?”
“Precisely. Remember this—in Gaebang, clothing is the very mark of a person’s station.”
“Ah! So ragged clothes mean a regular beggar, and fine clothes mean a Splitting Fire?”
“Now it’s my turn. Are you also from the Byeongmatong?”
“Yes. You seem to know quite a lot about me.”
“Don’t underestimate Gaebang’s intelligence network. There’s nowhere the beggars’ eyes can’t reach.”
“I have a question too. I’d like to know about the ranks above the Patched-Clothes Beggar.”
“Those ranks? Well, anyone can see they’re impressive-looking beggars. There are the Ragged Beggars and the Filthy Beggars.”
“You should tell me their stations as well.”
“The Ragged Beggars are the elders, and the Filthy Beggars are the sect leaders and the protectors of the dharma.”
“So the filthier you are, the higher your rank?”
“Of course. A beggar must look like a beggar to truly be one.”
“Wisely spoken.”
“My turn now. I noticed skilled masters from Amun and Jeomun and Yukmun coming and going. Are you and Dan Bulwi teaching them martial arts?”
“Yes, my turn? Is it that Cheon Do-hoe isn’t catching Hyeol Je, or can’t?”
……
Yu Dae-ung hesitated at that question too.
Studying Dan Yeop with a strange look, Yu Dae-ung asked, “Do you think it’s possible that Cheon Do-hoe simply doesn’t want to catch Hyeol Je?”
“Isn’t that obvious, given Cheon Do-hoe’s capabilities?”
“Hmm! I’ve never thought about it that way, but you’re not entirely wrong. However, if you want to live a long life, don’t say such things to others.”
Dan Yeop looked at Yu Dae-ung with fresh eyes.
It seemed he was concerned for Dan Yeop’s safety.
“I understand. Thank you for the advice.”
“If you’re grateful, then tell me what martial arts you and Dan Bulwi are teaching.”
“Haowen’s martial arts, naturally. What else would it be?”
“Haowen’s martial arts? Are you absolutely certain it’s not the martial arts of some other sect?”
“Yes, I could even swear an oath if needed.”
“If you and Dan Bulwi are teaching the martial arts of another sect, you could face great calamity in the future.”
“You mean Cheon Do-hoe won’t let it slide?”
“Cheon Do-hoe doesn’t want to see Haowen grow. Of course, neither does our Gaebang.”
“Gaebang is a rival, so I understand that, but why does Cheon Do-hoe resent Haowen’s growth so much?”
Before long, the two had stopped asking questions one at a time and were simply conversing.
“Currently, Haowen is like a dog on a leash. But if Haowen grows, it will snap that leash and gain freedom, won’t it? The more strays there are, the more trouble Cheon Do-hoe has.”
“Is Gaebang perhaps a stray as well?”
“To be honest, Gaebang would love to join Cheon Do-hoe. But since Oaksak Geompa won’t accept us, we live as strays. Hehehehe.”
Yu Dae-ung laughed with self-derision.
From this, it seemed clear he had many grievances about Gaebang’s situation.
“Has Hyeol Je returned to Kangnam?”
“He’s wandering through Kangnam. So whether he’s not being caught or can’t be caught—I don’t know myself. How could anyone catch a vagrant who sleeps at one house and eats at another?”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“This is just personal curiosity, but was it you who killed the Chained-Heart and the No-Shadow Killer at Heuk-ru?”
“The Chained-Heart is dead?”
Dan Yeop, who had severed both wrists of Chained-Heart No Jingeon, hadn’t known if he’d actually died.
“With both wrists severed, he starved to death. Heuk-do doesn’t take care of people who’ve become useless.”
“Well, I only cut off the Chained-Heart’s wrists. My father killed the No-Shadow Killer.”
“I was in doubt, but to think you severed the Chained-Heart’s wrists! Now I see you’re a truly formidable person.”
“I was trying to keep him alive. I couldn’t die to someone who was attacking me to kill.”
“Be careful. Right now, since Heuk-ru is keeping quiet about it, few people know. But no secret lasts a lifetime. If Cheon Do-hoe learns of your martial prowess, the pressure on Haowen will only intensify.”
“But why would Oaksak Geompa masters concern themselves with Haowen?”
Dan Yeop, who had been scorned merely for his connection to Haowen, couldn’t understand.
“Didn’t I tell you? They hate to see the strays multiply. Do you know why Oaksak Geompa turned a blind eye when Haowen expanded into Hadongdo?”
“Why?”
“Because they knew it would fail anyway. When someone’s determined to lose, there’s no reason to stop them.”
“Ugh, that’s frustrating.”
“But what do you think will happen if it becomes known that Guan Nei and Haowen have the strength to unite all ten branches of Haowen?”
“You don’t think they’d kill me for that?”

“They have their pride, so they won’t do it openly at first. But making you a public enemy of the martial world is hardly a difficult task for the Oaksak Geompa.”
In that moment, Dan Yeop recalled Hyeol Je.
Son Yu-baek had also said that Hyeol Je was first branded a great hero.
“Like Hyeol Je?”
“…….”
Yu Dae-ung, who had been silent without committing himself, changed the subject.
“I’ll withdraw my hand from you. Then I might send someone else from the main organization. It’ll irritate you, but don’t use an assassination trap. If you do, things will get truly exhausting.”
“Did you know I’m a vicious dog like Hyeol Je? I’m a kindhearted person.”
“I’m speaking in earnest. Even if a disciple of the Gaebang gets brazen, think it’s only because he lacks sense.”
“Yes, I’ll take your concern to heart.”
“Well! This conversation has gone on longer than necessary. I should take my leave now. If fate allows, we may meet again.”
Yu Dae-ung departed, hurrying away before Dan Yeop could even offer his farewell.
As Dan Yeop turned back the way he’d come, his heart felt heavy.
It was one thing that his temperament had starved to death, but he’d never imagined that the Gaebang would be watching him like this.
“Life isn’t easy.”
When Son Yu-baek mentioned Hyeol Je, he’d thought that was simply how things were.
But hearing Yu Dae-ung’s words today, a chill ran through him.
A lie, when spoken by enough people, becomes believed.
That’s why there’s the saying about three men creating a tiger.
If the Oaksak Geompa pinned a crime on him?
He might end up killing members of the Oaksak Geompa out of sheer frustration, traveling from place to place.
Then he’d become another Hyeol Je.
“How dreadful.”
Shuddering, Dan Yeop vanished into the darkness.
***
That night, Dan Yeop recorded his meeting with Yu Dae-ung in the Baek-cheop.
He documented his thoughts about the Cheon Do-hoe in meticulous detail.
It was a precaution he took so that his foolish younger self wouldn’t fall into the grasp of the Cheon Do-hoe.
As he read over what he’d written, Dan Yeop muttered absently.
“I don’t know who the real villain is.”
Writing so cautiously about the Oaksak Geompa, the very pillar of the orthodox sects!
How could he not seem like a vicious dog waiting in the wings?
Shaking his head in dismay, he climbed onto his bed and sat in lotus position.
Then he entered deep cultivation of the Iwon-gwi-il-gong.
The Tae-eul Bonwon Yeonseong-gyeol-do was important, but first he had to extinguish the fire falling right before his feet.

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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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