The Fortunate Sword God of the Zhuge Clan - Chapter 29

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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 29.
“Hm.”
After declaring he would break the Formation Pattern, Moo Hoon wandered the space drawing something, then let out a small sound of surprise.
“What is it? Something wrong?”
“Ah, I’ve broken the first Formation Pattern.”
“What?”
Dok Go Hyun’s mouth fell open at Moo Hoon’s casual remark.
“They said it would take about two hours….”
Moo Hoon had broken the first Formation Pattern in just slightly more than a quarter hour.
“Since it’s the first Formation Pattern, its structure requires only a basic understanding of the Eight Trigrams to locate the Gate of Life.”
“I see.”
Dok Go Hyun, who knew nothing of the Eight Trigrams, nodded quietly in agreement.
“Let us proceed. We should find the second Formation Pattern ahead.”
“Right, right.”
Dok Go Hyun slowly followed behind Moo Hoon as he led the way.
It was different now than when they’d climbed Cheongseong Mountain—now that they’d entered the Formation Pattern, the sensation was entirely transformed.
“Are Formation Patterns originally this easy to break through?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean, you unraveled it almost effortlessly.”
Of course, Dok Go Hyun knew better than that.
Though ignorant of Formation Patterns, he’d heard legends of the Eight Diagram Formation—how a few stones could trap thousands of soldiers inside, unable to escape.
Even if this Formation Pattern wasn’t on that scale, escaping it so easily had to be thanks to Moo Hoon’s mastery.
Dok Go Hyun’s question was born purely of admiration.
“Hmm, whether Formation Patterns can be broken easily….”
Moo Hoon tilted his head thoughtfully.
“My friend, do you understand the difference between a Formation Pattern and Formation Theory?”
“Huh? No—aren’t they the same thing?”
“I wouldn’t say they’re definitively different. But a Formation Pattern exists within the framework of Formation Theory.”
Moo Hoon smiled gently.
“To put it simply, a Formation Pattern is a problem, while Formation Theory is the concept that creates that problem and guides you toward its answer.”
“Oh… I see. Got it.”
Seeing Dok Go Hyun’s uncertain expression, Moo Hoon smiled knowingly.
“It’s like this: the Dok Go Sword Technique is a martial art that exists on its own, but it ultimately exists within the framework of martial arts, does it not?”
“Right. It’s definitely a martial art.”
“Exactly. And while all martial arts differ, they’re ultimately rooted in the human body. So if one masters sword techniques, one can relatively easily learn other martial arts—because one already knows how to move the body.”
“Oh… I’m starting to get it. So basically, Formation Theory is the big framework, and Formation Patterns are applications of that framework?”
Moo Hoon nodded at Dok Go Hyun’s response.
“I have studied Formation Theory my whole life. Because of this, when faced with any Formation Pattern, I can break it far more easily than others.”
Dok Go Hyun nodded, understanding.
“That means you’re a master.”
“Hmm? Does it follow like that?”
“It does. Our master once said that if someone makes something appear easy, it isn’t the task that’s simple—it’s the person who’s the master.”
“Hah-hah-hah!”
Moo Hoon burst into hearty laughter, stroking his smooth, beardless chin.
“Much obliged. Yes, when it comes to Formation Patterns, I may indeed be something of a master.”
In other matters, perhaps, but regarding Formation Theory and Formation Patterns, Moo Hoon had confidence enough to accept the praise without demurring.
“It’s not uncertainty—I’m saying you are. But where did you pick up that old-man way of speaking? Your father doesn’t talk like that.”
At Dok Go Hyun’s words, Moo Hoon chuckled softly.
Though he was somewhat conscious of his manner of speech, praise that pleased him drew out an even more old-fashioned response.
“It seems that spending all my time confined to a room, reading only the tales of ancient sages, has left me with no opportunity to acquire a younger tongue. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Dok Go Hyun shrugged.
“Well, there’s nothing to forgive. It’s not my concern anyway. Rather….”
Dok Go Hyun scratched his head awkwardly.
“If things go on like this, do I even have anything to do? I came as an escort, but I’m looking rather idle.”
“Ah, that isn’t quite so.”
“Hmm? Can’t you break through any Formation Pattern?”
“It’s not simply a matter of that….”
Whoooosh!
Just as Moo Hoon was about to say something, a fierce wind came howling toward both their faces.

And then, a sound like that of an ancient monster bird—not merely wind, but something far more sinister—echoed from all directions.
Screech! Screech!
“Damn it! What is this? Are monsters crawling out of the woodwork?”
Dok Go Hyun was visibly shaken, but Moo Hoon remained composed, his expression unmoved.
“No monsters will emerge. This is part of the Formation Pattern.”
“This is… a Formation Pattern?”
Moo Hoon nodded and turned to face Dok Go Hyun.
“I may have mentioned it in passing, but this Formation Pattern consists of ten gates in total.”
“Ten? Of these?”
“Indeed. These gates are fundamentally based on the Eight Trigrams. When you add Yin and Yang to the eight trigram gates, you arrive at ten in total. Formation Patterns with this structure typically take the form of a trial. You cannot pass through unless you possess Mind, Technique, and Body in equal measure.”
Moo Hoon raised his hands to cover both ears and struggled forward a few steps to survey his surroundings.
“The first three of these gates are designed to test the mind of those who enter the Formation Pattern.”
“What? I can’t hear you!”
Moo Hoon pushed through the wind again, moving closer to Dok Go Hyun as he spoke.
“Just as before, they make you lose your way, but the crucial thing is the will to find the Gate of Life without being shaken by this noise and tempest!”
“Will?!”
“Yes. And we two already possess will in abundance!”
Moo Hoon raised his finger, pointing to himself and to Dok Go Hyun.
“Don’t we also possess sufficient technique and body?!”
“…I’m not sure I follow you?!”
“It’s simple!”
Moo Hoon raised his finger, indicating a direction he had calculated beforehand.
“Carry me and run in that direction! As you go, the wind and sound will grow stronger and stronger, but you must not retreat even once until the wind stops! Can you do it?!”
At last, a smile played across Dok Go Hyun’s lips.
“If that’s all, it’s simple!”
Dok Go Hyun hooked Moo Hoon under one arm, carrying him as though he were a mere sack of grain.
“Ready? Here we go!”
“No problem! Right… ugh!”
Bang!
Dok Go Hyun’s body shot forward like an arrow, accompanied by a thunderous boom.
‘This… I didn’t expect it to be quite…’
Battered by the headwind, the already frail Moo Hoon nearly lost consciousness—yet Dok Go Hyun’s face broke into a brilliant grin.
Despite being struck full-force by the wind, his body felt far lighter than usual.
“This is incredible! Amazing!”
Neither Moo Hoon nor even Dok Go Hyun himself realized it, but as he ran, his body seemed to merge seamlessly with the landscape of the Formation Pattern itself.
It was proof that the completed Dok Go Sword Technique, perfected through mastery of the Wave Breaking Technique, had brought Dok Go Hyun’s mind and spirit to the true Peak State, transcendent of mere martial cultivation.
A warrior who reaches the Peak State begins to achieve harmony with nature itself, and becomes indifferent to the petty rules of the mundane world.
Thus, the wind and roar that intensified as they neared the center could not stop Dok Go Hyun’s footwork.
And so.
Crack.
“Ah.”
In an instant, Moo Hoon and Dok Go Hyun arrived at a place where neither wind nor sound could be heard.
“The wind has stopped at least, but we took the right path here, didn’t we?”
Dok Go Hyun set Moo Hoon down carefully as he asked.
Thud!
“Cough! Cough! Ugh! Ugh…”
At the same moment, Moo Hoon collapsed face-down, coughing violently as though he might retch.
“Hey! Are you alright? Damn, I ran too fast, didn’t I? I’m sorry!”
Dok Go Hyun rushed to help Moo Hoon to his feet in alarm.
“I’m… fine. It was faster than I expected, but thanks to you, we arrived earlier. Ugh…”
With Dok Go Hyun’s support, Moo Hoon managed to catch his breath and stand.
As Moo Hoon steadied his breathing and surveyed the area, he nodded in approval.
“Good. We came straight through. This is the right place.”
“Really? Good thing. You look like you couldn’t do that twice, so I’m relieved.”
“Ha. Yes, that would be wise.”
Then Moo Hoon walked a short distance before sitting down and pulling out the Formation Master’s Brush.
“From now on, we will break through the second Formation Pattern, but there is something I must tell you beforehand.”
“Another challenge coming? Don’t worry. My condition is optimal right now. Once I felt myself running just then, I understood.”
“Good. But this time it may be somewhat more difficult. So prepare yourself in advance.”
Moo Hoon calmly began drawing the Formation to open the Gate of Life.
“That’s all? What emerges from it?”
“Falling rocks.”
At Moo Hoon’s answer, Dok Go Hyun let out a soft chuckle.
“Falling rocks? A few pebbles won’t stop me now.”
“Pebbles, yes—though they are stones. A boulder the size of a house will likely come down.”
“Hm?”
Dok Go Hyun’s expression hardened slightly.
“A boulder the size of a house falling? Can I even block that?”
Moo Hoon shook his head and smiled.
“Appearances suggest so, but it’s merely an illusion. The true danger lies within—a Gate of Life in the falling pattern, quite small. In reality, it’s probably no larger than gravel.”
“Ah, so that’s how it works? I was wondering.”
“However, if you fail to sever that Gate of Life immediately, you’ll be crushed beneath that house-sized boulder. Usually such formations remain illusion, but… this Formation Pattern wasn’t crafted by ordinary human reasoning.”
“What.”
Moo Hoon looked up at Dok Go Hyun with grave composure.
“I will locate the Gate of Life. So you must cut it without the slightest error—not even a hairsbreadth off.”
Sever a Gate of Life the size of gravel from within a boulder the size of a house?
It was a difficult request, but Dok Go Hyun grinned and nodded.
“Right, don’t worry. My current state is far from ordinary.”
“Thank you.”
Moo Hoon smiled in return and continued drawing the formation.
“Once you’re ready, say so. I’ll dismantle this Formation Pattern at once.”
“Then the boulder drops right away?”
“Certainly it will.”
“Good.”
Dok Go Hyun drew his sword and swung it a few times.
“I’m ready.”
Moo Hoon nodded and severed the Gate of Life of the second Formation Pattern.
Click—
At the sound, Moo Hoon gazed upward.
Dok Go Hyun followed his gaze and tilted his head back as well.
“…Damn.”
A boulder the size of a house was plummeting from the sky toward them.
“Where is this Gate of Life?”
“One moment.”
Dok Go Hyun felt a flicker of urgency, but Moo Hoon kept his composure, eyes fixed on the falling stone.
Within his mind, calculations proceeded at a speed no ordinary person could imagine.
‘Treat the boulder as a circle… divide it into eight sections, each corresponding to the Eight Trigrams.’
The boulder rushed toward their heads at tremendous speed, yet Moo Hoon’s thoughts remained steady.
‘The descent direction is northwest—the Qian Trigram. The current hour is the early morning watch, the yin period… yin means one position counterclockwise….’
In this split-second crisis, Dok Go Hyun pressed him urgently.
“Tell me where it is so I can cut! Damn it, I can’t see it! We’re going to be crushed!”
Sadly, Dok Go Hyun’s shout failed to reach Moo Hoon’s ears, lost in the depth of calculation.
‘From Qian to Dui… Dui is the yin trigram… its Gate of Life lies at one-third from the outer edge….’
Meanwhile, the boulder grew so close it seemed as massive as a mountain.
“Moo Hoon!”
“Lower left, one-third in!”
“What?!”
At Dok Go Hyun’s cry, Moo Hoon finally responded.
“At the lower left, one-third inward—that’s the Gate of Life!”
Dok Go Hyun examined the spot Moo Hoon had indicated.
“!”
Indeed, a Gate of Life too small to see with ordinary sight.
Only in the heightened perception of Peak State could Dok Go Hyun discern the hairline crack.
Without hesitation, Dok Go Hyun leaped toward the boulder.
In an instant, his vision filled entirely with stone.
Facing this moment, what bloomed in Dok Go Hyun’s heart was not fear, but amusement.
‘Drawing my sword at a house-sized boulder on just one word from him.’
Even as he chuckled at his own boldness, Dok Go Hyun swung his blade with precision at the exact spot.
Screech—
With the sound of something being severed, Dok Go Hyun landed on the ground.
And yet the boulder that had loomed so close moments before had vanished without a trace.
“…It’s really gone.”
Dok Go Hyun stared down at his sword with a somewhat dazed expression.
“A magnificent blade indeed. To sever that tiny Gate of Life with such precision—I am genuinely impressed.
“Hmm, there’s no need to make such a fuss. It was your brilliance in finding it that matters.”
Dok Go Hyun sheathed his sword, speaking with a hollow tone.
“I thought I’d grown strong, but looking at that boulder, I realize I’m not much at all. Will a day ever come when I can cleave stones like that?”
Moo Hoon nodded without hesitation.
“If you persist, I’m certain it will be possible someday. Perhaps sooner than you think?”
“Kekek. Your tongue is truly silver, isn’t it?”
Dok Go Hyun rolled his neck from side to side.
“So this makes three? And you’re saying there are seven more of these ahead?”
Dok Go Hyun’s expression already showed signs of weariness.
Moo Hoon’s lips curled upward at this.
“Indeed. Though I confess, ten seems excessive to me. Don’t you agree?”
“It is excessive, but what can we do? We signed a contract, after all. It must mean Gongcheong Stone Jade is that potent a remedy.”
Moo Hoon shook his head slowly, a faint smile lingering on his face.
“The world does not consist solely of problems without solutions. Most often, people fail to find an answer because they conceive of only one path forward.”
“…That’s a fine sentiment, but it was you who said there were ten Formation Patterns.”
“True. But with this, the matter changes entirely.”
Moo Hoon withdrew something from his robe and held it out.
“What is that?”
“A different path.”
A small stone received from Jang Seung Hu—one that still held a seed of power, not yet awakened into a Spirit Stone.
“A most ingenious solution that will compress the seven remaining trials into merely two.”

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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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