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Chapter 29
Yang-hwi gathered his thoughts.
‘Lady Eumhu doesn’t seem entirely closed off to the idea of taking on a disciple.’
Combining what he knew of the future with her current demeanor, it was a certainty.
That meant if he could simply prove that Jegal Seolha was worthy of being a disciple, the current situation could be overturned.
‘She said she would never take someone as a disciple unless they were a good person.’
The Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Sect was a mysterious martial sect. But ask a hundred people, and all hundred would call it a righteous school known for its uprightness and honor.
That’s because the sect was founded on the pursuit of the Dao of the immortals—and one path within that Dao was to save all living beings.
‘There’s no point arguing morality with Lady Eumhu.’
Debates over good and evil, orthodox and unorthodox, have persisted for ages, and even now, no clear conclusion has been reached.
Any logic you present can be refuted—and likewise, you can refute others. It’s an endless cycle.
So—
‘Then all I need to do is present logic that can’t be refuted.’
A grin crept onto Yang-hwi’s face as he clasped his hands in a respectful martial salute toward Eumhu.
“This one is Yang-hwi of the Baek Clan. I humbly ask if I may offer an opinion in your presence.”
“You may.”
“Thank you for your permission. I wish to ask just one thing.”
“You, who desire a child to grow up to be a virtuous person... Are you a virtuous person yourself, Lady Eumhu?”
A statement that could’ve easily come across as insolent.
Compared to Jegal Seon’s expression, frozen in pure shock, Eumhu simply paused, lost in thought.
“Looking back on my life... there is not a single drop of ink that stains me. So yes, I dare call myself a virtuous person.”
“My second question: If Lady Eumhu believes Seolha can grow up to be a virtuous person, would you be willing to take her as your disciple?”
Eumhu nodded.
“It so happens that I am in search of a disciple. There’s no reason I cannot accept her.”
Yang-hwi exclaimed boldly.
“Then you must take Seolha as your disciple!”
“Young Master—are you playing word games with me?”
“Perish the thought.”
As Eumhu’s elegant brows furrowed, Yang-hwi gave her a cheeky grin and quickly continued.
“If you do not take her in, Seolha will continue to live a life of pain. So I ask you—if you knowingly turn away from a child’s suffering, can you still call that virtuous?”
The furrow in Eumhu’s brows eased, but she said nothing. She merely stared at Yang-hwi with quiet intensity.
“Before I became a son of the Baek Clan, I was a beggar who lived under the sky as his only roof. The Clan Lord Baek Mu-ryang, now my father, once said this to me.”
‘To save your suffering, I will become your father.’
“You said yourself you seek to guide a child to grow up right. But the thing is—growing up right isn’t solely the child’s responsibility.”
‘The teacher and father are as one, Lady Eumhu!’
An old proverb discussing the revered roles of father and teacher.
It speaks of the gravity of their guidance. But viewed another way, it highlights the responsibility held by those who raise and teach children.
“If you can’t be sure that Seolha will grow up to be a virtuous person just because she’s a Jegal, then the solution is simple. Lady Eumhu can stay by her side day and night, teaching and guiding her.”
Put simply—Yang-hwi’s words meant this:
It’s a master’s duty to raise their disciple well. If you do your part, that’s all that matters!
“……”
Even after he finished speaking, Eumhu didn’t react for a long while.
She simply stared at Yang-hwi in silence, her deep, penetrating gaze at odds with the delicate appearance of a young girl.
And then—
“…This is getting bothersome. I think I’ll just end it here.”
Eumhu’s expression vanished, as if washed clean by water.
She extended a finger toward Jegal Seolha, who was still kneeling.
To the eye, it looked like one girl simply flicking her finger at another.
But the result was anything but simple.
Tiiing!
A clear, ringing sound, far too pure to believe it came from just a finger flick.
“Damn it!”
An overwhelming sense of danger surged to its peak. Yang-hwi moved on reflex.
Time seemed to slow. He could feel the sound waves erupting from the tip of Lady Eumhu’s finger.
It was more than just sound—it was a torrent of murderous energy potent enough to obliterate a young girl outright.
And he knew instantly.
‘I can’t block this with my current skills.’
Even so, Yang-hwi threw himself in front of Jegal Seolha, spreading his arms wide to shield her.
In each hand, without even realizing, he now held a pair of chopsticks.
Heaven-Shrouding 108 Sword, Third Form—
Realm of Phoenix Wings.
Heaven-Shrouding 108 Sword, Fifth Form Variant—
Scattering of Phoenix Feathers.
The Heaven-Covering 108 Sword Arts were composed of six core techniques based on the principles of the Six Harmonies, with eight variations added to each form, totaling fifty-four unique techniques.
Among them, Realm of Phoenix Wings was the most optimal defensive form available to him right now.
Yang-hwi executed the technique simultaneously with both chopsticks.
‘It won’t be enough to block everything…!’
But still, he couldn’t just stand by and let Seolha die.
Which meant—he had to stop it.
He steeled his resolve and brought the tips of his chopsticks to meet the devastating energy carried on the sound wave—
Whoooosh!
A gust of wind blew past, whipping his hair into the air.
What moments ago had felt like energy that would reduce the two of them to blood and dust… suddenly transformed. The atmosphere was filled with a beautiful rhythm.
Cling, clang! Cling, clang!
Yang-hwi turned toward Lady Eumhu.
He may have been thirty-eight inside, but in that moment, even Yang-hwi couldn’t help the dumbfounded expression on his face.
“…What… was that?”
“You thought someone who dares call herself a virtuous person would really kill an innocent child?”
Lady Eumhu’s gentle smile gave away the truth.
Jegal Seon, who had been frozen mid-lunge by her formless energy, remained locked in place.
The flow of energy—slower than it needed to be, slow enough that even a current martial artist could’ve defended against it.
‘She got me.’
“It was a test, wasn’t it?”
“I was curious. A clever young master who could see through my disguise—what kind of heart does he have?”
The moment Eumhu snapped her fingers, Yang-hwi had moved in front of Seolha without a second’s hesitation, willing to risk his life.
“Young Master… No, young hero. You’ve proven yourself to be a virtuous man.”
“I really thought I was going to die.”
“That’s the only way to draw out sincerity.”
“…You’re awfully cruel.”
It wasn’t the kind of thing one should say to a Heavenly Martial Supreme, but he couldn’t help himself. Fortunately, Eumhu just laughed softly.
“But I must admit, I was surprised. I only intended to watch what you’d do, yet you even attempted to neutralize the attack. Truly, you deserve to be called a once-in-a-generation genius.”
Yang-hwi responded in a grumbling tone.
“Well, I’m glad you’re satisfied. But I don’t see what testing my character has to do with taking Seolha as your disciple.”
“That’s because I intend to take you as a disciple as well.”
“…Excuse me?”
Yang-hwi’s eyes widened.
‘Me? Just like that?’
She wasn’t just going to show him a technique—she meant to formally accept him as an outer disciple?
In his past life, he had never even received teachings from one of the top hundred martial artists, let alone a Heavenly Martial Supreme.
‘Is this heaven’s reward for doing a good deed?’
Seeing the confusion written all over his face, Eumhu answered before he could ask.
“It’s an old, wicked habit of mine. When I see a brilliant child, I just want to put my mark on them.”
In other words, his talent had impressed her enough that she wanted to forge a bond.
‘So it’s my fault for being amazing, huh?’
Still, hearing that from someone who looked like a fifteen-year-old girl… it felt a little strange.
As Yang-hwi entertained those thoughts, Eumhu waved a hand, dispelling the formless energy that had frozen Jegal Seon.
Jegal Seon immediately dropped to his knees once more.
“Thank you! Thank you, Lady Eumhu! I shall never forget this grace, even in death!”
His face was awash with joy.
“Child of the Jegal Clan… Father of the girl who may become my disciple… It’s too early for thanks. I said I might accept her, but she must first prove her worth.”
Before Jegal Seon could respond, Jegal Seolha leapt to her feet.
“Lady Eumhu—no, Master. What must I do to be accepted?”
“My sect has a ritual to verify a disciple’s aptitude. It’s called the Five Halls of True Sound.”
The initiation of the Sound Jade Spirit. Judging by the name, it seemed like one had to pass through five trials.
“The Five Halls are designed so that even those without martial training can pass. It’s a test of potential, nothing more. However…”
Eumhu trailed off as she stepped forward and placed a hand on Seolha’s shoulder.
“I wasn’t planning on accepting a disciple. So the preparations aren’t complete… and the risk is significant. You may lose your life. Even so, do you wish to try?”
A short while ago, she might have hesitated.
But now, Jegal Seolha had already shattered the shell surrounding her.
“If you’ll give me the chance, I want to try, Master.”
A response filled with quiet resolve. A flicker of satisfaction curved Eumhu’s lips.
“I cannot toss a child who may become my disciple into danger without protection.”
She turned to Yang-hwi.
“As you said earlier, it’s the adult’s duty to guide the child. Isn’t that right?”
Yang-hwi suddenly felt nervous, but still replied,
“Yes… Lady Eumhu.”
“I said I would take you as an outer disciple. You may not call me ‘Master.’ ‘Teacher’ will suffice.”
“…Understood, Teacher.”
“Then I now give my third outer disciple a command—protect the one who may become this sect’s true disciple. Young hero.”
In short, she was tossing Seolha into a not-yet-safe version of the Five Halls… and Yang-hwi’s job was to be the safety net.
‘Well, that’s not too hard. Might even earn a debt from the Jegal Clan.’
Then again—why did he feel so uneasy?
He got his answer right away.
“Now that we’re being honest, your sharp tongue gave me quite the trouble, young hero. And since I’m now your teacher… I think I’m allowed to be a little mischievous.”
A chill ran down Yang-hwi’s spine—equal to the one when she’d snapped her fingers earlier.
“Teacher, before you do anything rash, I have something to—”
“Shh.”
Before he could move, formless energy gripped Yang-hwi and Jegal Seolha, pinning them in place.
Fwooooom!
In a split second, the world flipped upside down and spun violently.
When Yang-hwi regained his senses, the inn had vanished—and mountains stretched in all directions.
Tense and on high alert, Yang-hwi quickly noticed something.
‘The energy around here is distorted… especially near that cliff.’
“Where… are we?”
“This is the entrance to the Five Halls of True Sound I’ve set up here on Mount Gokyeol.”
“The entrance…?”
Eumhu’s gaze turned toward the cliff.
And Yang-hwi suddenly realized what she was about to say.
“No way…”
“I told you, didn’t I? The safeguards aren’t complete yet.”
And in that moment, Eumhu shoved both Yang-hwi and Seolha off the cliff.
“I hope you’ll succeed, Seolha. And I’m counting on you… young hero.”
Whooooosh!
Yang-hwi and Jegal Seolha plummeted off the edge.
“KYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“THIS CRAZYYYYYY WOMAN!”
As their screams echoed into the sky, Eumhu let out a soft smile.
“If they make it back… I’ll need to fix that boy’s potty mouth.”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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