WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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Episode 31: Disciple of the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster (1)
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“Southern Heavenly Swordmaster!”
“Good heavens...”
“He became that man's disciple?”
Even I was a little bewildered by the uproar.
I knew the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's reputation was immense, but people's reactions were astounding for someone who had supposedly vanished fifteen years ago.
He truly deserved to be called a legend.
- Wow. Is he really that famous?
- Ahem. That is only natural.
The Southern Heavenly Steel Sword cleared its throat proudly.
It had every right to be proud.
This was the first time I had seen Clan Head So IkHeon, who had always been stern and angry around me, stare with his mouth hanging open in surprise.
“That is impossible. It cannot be.”
So YeongHyeon, who had accused me of learning an unorthodox art, began denying reality.
Of course. He would not want to believe it.
I glanced at my younger sister.
The child who always wore a sullen expression like an angry cat was staring at me with wide eyes.
Now she finally looked her age.
“Is it... is it truly so? Are you really Great Hero Hoh JongDae's disciple?”
Hengshan One Sword, Jo CheongUn, asked me again.
The suspicion that had filled his face moments ago had completely vanished.
Then I heard the Southern Heavenly Steel Sword's voice in my head.
- Come to think of it, I remember now.
‘What is it?’
- Humans have trouble recognizing faces because of aging.
‘Have you met him before?’
- Yes. The Taoist before you was once helped by my former owner in Gubei, Yunnan, over twenty years ago.
‘Really?’
Oh. This was entirely unexpected luck.
I had not known that Jo CheongUn had a connection to the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster.
Then again, even if he was now called Hengshan One Sword, he would have been nothing more than a young rising talent over twenty years ago.
Swish.
I gave Jo CheongUn a fist-and-palm salute and spoke with the chivalrous spirit of a proper rising talent from the force of justice.
“Master often spoke of you, Great Hero. It is an honor to meet you like this.”
“Is that true?”
What?
Was he really the same person from moments ago?
The rigid force of justice member from before was gone. He was looking at me with sparkling eyes like someone standing before a martial artist they admired.
“Master often spoke of the friendship you formed in Gubei, Yunnan, over twenty years ago. He praised you highly, saying you would become a hero who would illuminate the martial world of the force of justice.”
“Well, now.”
Jo CheongUn suddenly scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
I had not expected him to be this pleased.
In an awkward voice, Jo CheongUn asked me, “Great Hero truly spoke of this Taoist in such a way?”
So he was weak to praise.
No, perhaps he simply admired the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster that much.
Just then, someone approached us.
She wore a white headcloth over Taoist robes. It was Hengshan Heroine Jo IlHye, a woman who must have been quite beautiful in her youth.
“Senior martial brother.”
“Junior martial sister. Senior Martial Uncle is alive. He is alive.”
Jo CheongUn spoke with overwhelming emotion.
His moved voice left me feeling strange.
I had heard that the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster was a role model even among the force of justice, but I had not expected him to command such respect from later generations.
“So Brother So was truly his disciple.”
Jo IlHye spoke to me in surprise.
“This junior, So WoonHwi, greets Hengshan Heroine.”
At my respectful greeting, she hastily gave me a fist-and-palm salute as well.
I was slightly taken aback. She held considerable seniority in the martial world, yet she treated me so politely.
“Why are you doing this? Please treat me comfortably.”
“If you are truly the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple, then you are of the same generation as us. How could I not?”
What?
What was that supposed to mean?
The Southern Heavenly Steel Sword answered my question.
- My former owner was also acquainted with their master, a Taoist named Hoh SimHang. I recall that the young Taoists of the Hengshan Sect called my former owner Senior Martial Uncle.
Wait.
Hoh SimHang was the current sect leader of the Hengshan Sect.
Ah, so that was why.
Those who had formed friendships with the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster back then would now be senior enough to lead a sect.
Those of the force of justice were more sensitive about etiquette and seniority than those of the force of evil.
Step.
Jo CheongUn, still visibly moved, also gave me a fist-and-palm salute.
Then he bowed deeply and apologized.
“Forgive me. This Taoist has a foul temper, and I became needlessly agitated upon hearing the words unorthodox art. Even though I am past forty, I am still so shameful.”
He even rebuked himself.
Hengshan One Sword was more honest about his emotions than I had expected.
“No, Senior...”
“Do not call me Senior.”
“Pardon?”
“Your master was called Senior Martial Uncle by my fellow disciples and me. How could you call me that? Call me Senior Martial Brother Jo.”
His words caused a commotion among those nearby.
Hengshan One Sword, an eccentric of the Hengshan Sect, was telling me to call him senior martial brother as though we were longtime friends. Who would not envy that?
Even I nearly laughed at this unexpected stroke of luck.
Still, I had to control myself.
I put on a hesitant expression and said, “How could I possibly call you that...”
“If you speak like that, what will become of my position?”
Jo CheongUn subtly gestured toward the people around us.
“Junior martial brother So, do not feel so burdened.”
Hengshan Heroine Jo IlHye casually called me junior martial brother.
As though I could not refuse their request, I answered cautiously.
“Would that truly be acceptable?”
“Did I not say it would be?”
At Jo CheongUn's words, I gave a faint smile.
“Understood, Senior Martial Brother.”
“Hahahahahaha! What a joyous day.”
Jo CheongUn laughed heartily at my words.
He usually kept to himself and rarely spoke with others, so I had not expected this side of him.
He seemed truly pleased to have formed a connection with me, the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple.
How could I let this chance pass?
“It is fortunate that Senior Martial Brother was here to clear up the misunderstanding. I nearly ended up branded as an evil man who learned an unorthodox art.”
“Who would dare place such a disgraceful accusation upon the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's successor?”
At that, I subtly turned my head.
So YeongHyeon was staring back at me in panic.
Because of my words, he had become a shameless man who had falsely branded the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple as an evil man who learned an unorthodox art.
“T-That is not what I meant. I only...”
“Enough!”
Someone interrupted his excuse.
It was Clan Head So IkHeon.
So IkHeon walked toward us.
Ever since it had been revealed that I was the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple, his feelings seemed incredibly complicated.
That was understandable.
He was the one who had never treated me as a person and had cast me out of the clan.
In a way, it was like an abandoned son passing the state examinations and returning home in glory. He could hardly be pleased.
‘Hoo.’
Anger surged through me at the sight of his face.
If he had acted with responsibility and authority, Mother would have been treated differently.
I did not know what reputation he held in the martial world, but as the head of a household, he was a failure.
Still, anger was not always the answer.
To achieve my purpose, I had to appear favorable toward him.
Thud.
I dropped to my knees and bowed.
“Your son pays his respects to Father.”
“...”
No response came after I bowed.
The same thing had happened before my regression.
I had greeted Clan Head So IkHeon in the same manner back then.
- What did he say?
‘He threw me out, saying he had never had a son like me.’
There had not been the slightest hesitation.
The moment I bowed, those words had come out of his mouth.
Yet now, he said nothing.
Remaining prostrate would also violate the etiquette of greeting, so I slowly rose.
As I stood, Clan Head So IkHeon spoke heavily.
“...It has been a long time. I am glad you are unharmed.”
I sneered inwardly.
With Hengshan One Sword and the Hengshan Heroine present, he was greeting me, even if only for show.
Still, perhaps he had some conscience left. He did not speak with a smile.
“Ahem.”
Hengshan Heroine Jo IlHye stepped in.
She knew YeongYeong and had ties to the main household, so she likely understood something of the relationship between Father and me.
“Clan Head, you are truly blessed. Your youngest son has become the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple. Is that not cause for congratulations?”
Perhaps to change the mood, she deliberately elevated Clan Head So IkHeon.
Of course, beneath that was also an effort to raise me up.
It likely meant that, on such a good day, everyone should be pleasant to one another.
“Thank you for your words, Heroine Jo.”
Clan Head So IkHeon lightly clasped his hands in greeting.
Yet his expression remained unchanged.
He subtly gestured toward his two sons lying collapsed on the ground, then spoke to me in a grave voice.
“I heard what happened. However, you went too far.”
It seemed he had learned the full story in the meantime.
Likely while I had been exchanging words with Hengshan One Sword.
I answered without concern.
“I apologize. My two elder brothers became emotional and threatened my life, so I had no choice but to use excessive force in self-defense.”
What a shame.
I had justification on my side.
Why else would I have caused such a scene before so many witnesses?
It was to ensure he could not defend them here.
How would he respond?
“...I see. I will reprimand your brothers later for their mistake. We must attend to our guests now, so we shall speak again later.”
He was certainly different from So JangYun and So YeongHyeon.
Older and more experienced, So IkHeon knew how to handle things.
He was trying to pass over the matter by naturally saying he would reprimand them later.
But how could I let such a hard-won opportunity slip away?
“Father, you have not asked why I returned to the main household.”
A crease formed on Clan Head So IkHeon's brow.
He was probably dying to know what I was planning, this son he had discarded and who resented him.
I gave him a fist-and-palm salute and spoke to his puzzled face.
“Father, grant this son the position of representative for the main household's rising talents.”
‘!!!’
The instant I spoke, So IkHeon's eyes shook violently.
* * *
The main household's Guest House.
Two hours had passed since that incident.
We were now having a late lunch at the Yiyang So Clan's Guest House.
Smack. Chomp.
SaMa Yeong glanced at Jo SeongWon with displeasure as Jo SeongWon made every imaginable sound while eating.
Perhaps because Jo SeongWon had once been a beggar from the Beggars' Sect, the noise was especially loud.
It was more like devouring food.
“You do not need to be refined, but could you at least stop smacking and spilling food everywhere?”
Jo SeongWon replied casually to SaMa Yeong's rebuke.
“Do not be so harsh. Is this not eating heartily?”
“Heartily, my foot. I want to hit you.”
Jo SeongWon watched SaMa Yeong warily.
At first, Jo SeongWon had challenged her after they became fellow squad leaders, unaware of her skill. Ever since being beaten senseless, their pecking order had been firmly established.
Jo SeongWon muttered in a discouraged voice.
“For a beggar, this is rather dignified.”
But after one glare from her, Jo SeongWon fell silent and ate properly.
The habit was being corrected.
After scolding Jo SeongWon, SaMa Yeong smiled sweetly at me.
“Senior martial brother, you must be hungry. Please eat plenty.”
As her attitude was so obviously different, Jo SeongWon silently copied the shape of her mouth in mockery.
Shing!
“You want to die, do you not?”
“...I am sorry.”
Seeing Jo SeongWon still acting up after being treated like that, the fellow was impressive in a way.
- Perhaps that is simply how beggars are.
Exactly. Since leaving the Blood Cult, Jo SeongWon had gradually returned to the way they used to be.
The SoDam Sword asked me,
- What do you think will happen?
‘Who knows.’
Even I could not know for certain.
Clan Head So IkHeon had avoided answering on the spot.
I had wanted to press him further, but that had been difficult because the Hengshan Heroine intervened.
Still, he would have no choice but to hand over the representative's position among the rising talents.
That was why I had broken So JangYun's wrist and So YeongHyeon's shin.
There was still some time before the event, but he would not take the reckless risk of sending them into a martial contest as soon as their injuries healed.
- That is true.
By evening, there would likely be some sort of conclusion.
A small banquet would be held for the Hengshan Sect's guests. I would find out then.
- Still, he truly does not treat you like a son.
The SoDam Sword complained for a simple reason.
The attendants guarding the entrance to the Guest House were not ordinary servants. They were people trained in Martial Arts.
They were watching us.
That was why SaMa Yeong called me senior martial brother even when only the three of us were present.
- Would it not be better to tell them to replace them with ordinary attendants, like SaMa Yeong said earlier?
Naturally, SaMa Yeong had found this unpleasant.
There was no way we would fail to notice servants trained in Martial Arts.
Putting such attendants outside the door was not much different from openly declaring that they were watching us.
‘No. We should leave them for now.’
This was a kind of display.
Regardless of whether I was the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple, this was Yiyang So Clan territory. They had deliberately stationed attendants trained in Martial Arts to make that clear.
- Petty.
‘Cunning, more like.’
This was the Clan Head's warning to me.
It also meant that he was watching, so I should not rashly do what I had done earlier.
It seemed he was quite angry that I had left his two sons in that condition.
More importantly, YeongYeong was late.
We had planned to eat lunch together and talk about all the things we had missed.
But she had not come, so we had waited before beginning our meal.
- Do you think something happened?
That was impossible.
With the Hengshan Heroine around, who would dare touch YeongYeong?
‘Hm?’
Someone approached the door.
Judging by the light footsteps, it was a woman.
The three of us naturally turned toward the door.
Knock, knock.
A woman's voice came from outside.
“Young Master, I am an attendant from Peony Hall. I have come to convey Madam's invitation.”
“Peony Hall?”
SaMa Yeong looked puzzled.
Hmm.
I had not expected Peony Hall to make a move.
- What is Peony Hall?
‘You heard her say Madam.’
Peony Hall.
It was the residence of Lady Yang, the lawful wife of Clan Head So IkHeon of the Yiyang So Clan.
Had it not been for the position representing the rising talents, it was also a place where I wanted to settle old scores.
I had suffered much because of her.
Lady Yang, mother of my two brothers, was calling for me.
* * *
Peony Hall, where red peony blossoms filled the garden.
The flowers bloomed only around this time of year, and by chance, they were in full bloom.
Seeing them soured my mood.
They reminded me of Lady Yang, making me want to burn every last one.
The attendants working at Peony Hall gave me strange looks the moment they saw me.
- What is wrong with them?
‘The rumors must have spread.’
Two hours was enough time for rumors to spread throughout the manor.
The attendants of Peony Hall had all been brought by Lady Yang from her family home, and every one of them knew Martial Arts.
They were only Second-rate or third-rate, though.
“This way...”
Following the attendant sent by Lady Yang, I entered Peony Hall.
The moment I stepped inside, revulsion coiled around my entire body.
What could she possibly want to say to me?
Creak.
The inner chamber opened, revealing a beautiful middle-aged woman seated before an antique table.
That woman with the narrow eyes was Lady Yang.
‘Advanced.’
I knew she had learned Martial Arts.
Yet from the presence she gave off, she possessed Advanced martial prowess.
She truly was from a martial family.
- Why is her face so white?
I nearly snorted at the sight of her face, caked with white powder to conceal her wrinkles.
Swish.
I only gave a slight nod.
It could be considered rude, but I had no desire to show her respect.
Not while I still remembered the humiliation Mother had suffered.
“You have come. All of you, withdraw.”
“Yes, Madam.”
At Lady Yang's quiet order, the attendants in the inner chamber withdrew.
She sent away even the attendants. What was her intention?
She rose and approached me.
Her face was firm, as though she had made some great resolution, but I could not understand why.
Thump.
‘!?’
Then she suddenly fell to her knees.
I frowned at the utterly unexpected action.
“Why are you doing this?”
She looked up at me and spoke.
“I heard what happened. I hear you have inherited the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's teachings. Congratulations on your fortuitous encounter.”
Ha!
She had fallen to her knees merely to congratulate me?
I could roughly guess her intention.
Lady Yang spoke to me in a grave voice.
“I know our relationship has not been good. I will not deny it.”
“...What are you trying to say?”
“I will be direct.”
“...”
“If you wish, I can kneel here and apologize tens, no, hundreds or thousands of times.”
That proud woman said she could apologize to me.
The woman who had despised me for having the filthy blood of a lowborn, who had slapped me every time she saw me.
Lady Yang spoke with determination in her voice.
“So please, do not covet YeongHyeon's position.”
Ah...
Just as I expected.
Yes. Whether villainous or not, every mother in the world had the same heart.
She had called me to protect her son's position.
“Is that why you called me here?”
At my cold voice, Lady Yang pleaded.
“If you wish, I can give you enough wealth to live comfortably for the rest of your life. I can also support you in establishing your own household. So please, do not covet my son's position.”
She seemed determined to persuade me somehow.
The position of the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's disciple truly was significant.
She had lowered herself and pleaded this desperately because she felt that threatened.
“Hoo.”
A sigh escaped me.
To think a person's attitude could change this easily.
This was a sight I could never have dreamed of before my regression.
But the resentment I had carried for so long would not be shaken by a single kneeling apology.
I firmly drew the line.
“I am sorry, but I will pretend I did not hear that.”
Then I turned to leave Lady Yang's inner chamber.
She hurriedly stood and blocked the door.
“Do not be like this.”
“That is what I wish to say to you.”
Lady Yang bit down hard on her lip.
Then, with difficulty, she opened her mouth.
“Tell me what you want. I will grant you anything.”
She would grant whatever I wanted?
I stopped and looked at her.
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes.”
Her face brightened as though she had grasped a lifeline.
I spoke to her.
“Then can you bring Mother's spirit tablet here, register her as the principal wife, and bow in apology for six hours every day for ten years?”
Lady Yang's face froze at my demand.
Naturally.
To recognize the mother she had scorned as lowborn as the principal wife, then bow in apology for ten years on top of that, would tear her pride to shreds.
After remaining silent with her face twisted, she barely managed to speak.
“If I truly do that... will you not covet my son's position?”
What profound maternal love.
How wonderful it would have been if she had shown even a fraction of that feeling while Mother was alive.
In the end, she only provoked me.
I smiled and walked toward her.
Then I brought my face near her ear and spoke in a chilling voice.
“Would you do it, you bitch?”
‘!!!’
Her face flushed at my harsh curse.
“You! You! How dare you!”
As she tried to rage, I said,
“The day I suffered Ki Rampage twelve years ago, your attendant brought me my Elixir.”
At those words, her face turned pale.
Why? Did you think I would not know?
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