Surviving as a Cripple in Murim – Chapter 7

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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Autumn passed, and winter arrived.

Mastering the Seventy-Two Emptiness Illumination Fist had been successful. Since it was originally a Taoist martial art, it synergized well with the Orthodox and Upright Internal Energy Cultivation Method I had learned, allowing me to learn it quickly. The problem was that I still hadn’t succeeded with the Golden Goose Technique.

It wasn’t that I had failed to learn it. I just hadn’t managed to successfully execute the technique yet. In terms of mastery, I was already about 99 percent there. Once that remaining one percent was filled, I could perform it at any time.

‘It’s definitely better to extend the staff first, then my left foot.’

Like a pole vaulter, I would plant the staff, propel my body forward, concentrate internal energy into my left foot, kick off the ground, extend the staff again… and repeat this process.

Sigh… No. Still, to effectively draw power from the staff planted on the ground, a running start is necessary. Wouldn’t it be better to lead with my left foot after all?

Inside my room, I chewed on dried meat, neglecting my studies, running mental simulations on how to perfectly execute the Golden Goose Technique. Then, my older brother knocked on the door.

Sima Rang, the eldest son of the Sima family. Eight years my senior, our relationship wasn’t particularly close or distant; we were simply cordial.

He had loved studying since he was young, spending all day inside his room poring over scriptures and books. Aside from mealtimes, we rarely saw each other.

One notable characteristic was his skin, so pale it was almost translucent, and his kind nature. Despite the fact that I was a reincarnated individual and remarkably bright, which undoubtedly led to comparisons that might have caused resentment, he never spoke a harsh word to me.

“A guest of Father’s has arrived. Let’s go greet him together.”

“Ah… Yes! I’ll be right out.”

I grabbed my staff and followed my brother to the reception room. As we walked, matching our strides, he suddenly spoke.

“Your leg seems much better these days. I’m glad.”

“Yes, well, it’s all thanks to the care of our parents and you, Brother.”

My family was unaware of my martial arts training. It wasn’t that I couldn’t tell them, but doing so would necessitate explaining my Master, which I wanted to avoid. Now that I think about it, it wasn’t that I couldn’t tell them…

For reasons unknown, my Master concealed his identity. It was likely connected to his collection of various martial arts techniques. That benevolent Master of mine. Surely he wasn’t hiding his identity because he had committed some crime.

“We’ve received intelligence that a martial arts criminal is hiding in this village.”

My body stiffened at the words of the unfamiliar man coming from outside the reception room.

My brother, seemingly uninterested in the conversation, remained outside the reception room with his head bowed, waiting for the conversation to end so as not to disturb our father and his guest. However, I couldn’t ignore the words I’d heard. Using my internal energy, I enhanced my hearing to its limits and focused on their conversation.

“He single-handedly crushed Mount Hua, stole the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and seized the Emperor’s Sword Style from the Sword Dragon of the Namgung Clan. Even the Yang family of the Unorthodox Sects suffered at his hands, losing their secret family technique, the Yang Family Six Harmonies Spear.”

“Huh… Such a monstrous individual exists in this village?”

“It’s just a rumor. Still, I was worried, as you live in this village, so I came to tell you.”

“I’m glad I have such a good friend. But what is this person’s motive for committing such acts?”

“I don’t know. All we know is that he’s an eight cheok (1 cheok = 25cm) tall, ugly old man. If only the Grandmaster of Shaolin, the only one who has had a personal conversation with him, could tell us something, but he’s in secluded meditation, so we haven’t been able to learn anything.”

“Hmm… eight cheok tall… I don’t recall seeing anyone that tall in this village.”

“If you do happen to see him, don’t approach him under any circumstances. I can still vividly recall the head of the Hebei Peng family, a man of imposing stature, writhing like an insect and begging for his life.”

“Huh… If you saw him yourself, how are you still alive? Are you a ghost standing before me right now?”

“Well, despite stealing martial arts techniques from various sects, he doesn’t actually kill people. But if you foolishly challenge him, you’ll be crippled. He’s a truly strange individual.”

An eight-cheok tall, ugly old man. My Master. It all made sense now. Why he hid his identity, his vast knowledge of martial arts—it all clicked into place.

I had suspected he was no ordinary person, but to think he was a martial arts criminal…

Even I, ignorant of the martial arts world as I was, had grown interested in it through my training, and through Jang-sam’s stories, I understood what a martial arts criminal was.

He was like Dong Zhuo from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. An evil and powerful enemy, so wicked that he forced the various factions, each acting in their own self-interest and constantly betraying one another, to unite against him. A public enemy.

My mind went blank. After exchanging brief, perfunctory greetings with Zhuge Biyeong, the Vice-Captain of the Flying Dragon Unit of the Martial Alliance, and a guest of my father’s, I returned to my room.

The person I took as my Master was a martial arts criminal. What do I do now?

In the dead of night, when most people were asleep, owls hooted or perhaps they were horned owls, but that wasn’t important right now.

Avoiding the eyes of the servants, I slipped out and stood alone in the backyard, staring up at the imposingly high wall.

Father, concerned about the rumors of a martial arts criminal possibly lurking in the village, had ordered the servants to securely lock all the doors and gates. I couldn’t use the back door, which I usually used. While I could ask Jang-sam to open it for me, that would defeat the purpose of secrecy. Someone might notice and expose my Master’s location.

So, I had to scale this wall. But could I do it?

Golden Goose Technique (금안공) – A light-foot technique that allows one to traverse slippery or steep surfaces with ease, soaring like a wild goose.

Telling a boy who couldn’t even run to soar like a goose. What a ridiculous Master. And what an incredible Master.

Even without my telling him about the Martial Alliance’s visit, Master would likely escape on his own. But why was I here, alone in the cold winter night, assessing the height of the wall and preparing to execute the Golden Goose Technique?

I sighed, loosened my ankles, and gripped my staff firmly.

I had learned much from him. The least I could do was see him off.

I looked at the wall. Then, I raised my head and looked up at the sky. Indeed, what goose would ever take flight while staring at a wall? I needed to look beyond the wall, to the vast expanse of the sky above.

I couldn’t recall whether my left foot or my staff moved first. Perhaps they moved simultaneously. It didn’t matter anymore which came first.

I had lived with my staff from the moment I learned to walk. Master was right. My staff was both my arm and my leg.

My left foot touched the wall first. I kicked off, propelling myself upward. But the distance wasn’t enough. I planted my staff against the wall. Kicked off again. Repeated the process.

I felt my internal energy flowing, and a cool, refreshing breeze enveloped me.

When I came to my senses, I saw the wall behind me. The same wall that had been in front of me moments ago. The only difference was that I was now on the other side.

I had scaled the wall. I had flown.

The bitter memories of past failures and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment surged through me like an electric current.

Suppressing the urge to shout, I used the Golden Goose Technique and raced towards my Master’s, eager to boast of my success. Strangely, after the first success, the subsequent attempts were remarkably easy.

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When I arrived at the abandoned house, I saw my Master as usual. But his demeanor was different. His burning eyes, filled with fury, were fixed on me.

“I know the Martial Alliance visited your home. The only reason you would seek me out at this late hour is because you’ve learned my true identity from them.”

Master’s aura was overwhelming, paralyzing me.

“You must have heard that I’m a martial arts criminal. Knowing that, why have you come to me? Don’t think you can evade my question with childish excuses like ‘Don’t expect logical reasoning from a kid this age.'”

As his words ended, I regained control of my head and neck. To immobilize someone with aura alone… was this also a martial art? If I had more time, I would have asked him to teach me. What a pity. But why was he so angry? The thought of my Master’s wrath sent shivers down my spine, but knowing this was our last meeting, I found the courage to speak boldly.

“I respect you as my Master. However, I will not tolerate your interference in matters I deem righteous.”

Master’s eyes widened at my impudent words.

“So what if the Martial Alliance has declared you a martial arts criminal? I was surprised, but it’s of no concern to me.”

Gathering all my internal energy, I resisted the oppressive aura that weighed me down. It was a futile gesture, but it was my way of expressing that I would not be intimidated.

“From what I’ve observed, you’re not some great villain deserving of the title ‘martial arts criminal.’ You’re simply an eccentric who loves to learn and teach.”

At some point, the oppressive aura had vanished. The fury in Master’s eyes had subsided.

“I came to you because I believe it is the right thing to do.”

Master’s large frame trembled. Looking up at the sky, he let out a quiet chuckle of delight, then turned to me with his usual benevolent expression.

“To act on what you believe is right… There’s nothing left for me to teach you. Would you walk with me for a while?”

“Yes.”

I instinctively knew that this would be my last conversation with my Master.

No dogs barked. No owls hooted. Even the moon hid behind the clouds. In the stillness of the night, only our voices echoed.

“Where do you plan to go?”

“I’m not sure. Somewhere far away. Perhaps I’ll visit the North Sea Ice Palace and learn the famed Ice Soul Palm. Or maybe I’ll sail to the Western Regions.”

As we talked, we reached the village gate. I noticed something white and looked up to see snow falling from the sky.

“This is where we part ways.”

“Yes. Thank you for everything, Master.”

We had said all that needed to be said. Master turned without hesitation and walked away into the falling snow. His departing figure, walking resolutely away, exuded the air of a true gentleman.

“Tell me your name.”

I hadn’t realized it before, but I seemed to have a sentimental side. At my unnecessary remark, Master looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, before turning slightly to face me.

“I did not reveal my name because I abandoned it when I chose this path.”

In the quiet night, Master answered my final question in his usual benevolent and firm voice.

“So, if you wish to remember me, remember me simply as the son (子) of the Kong (孔) family. Confucius (孔子).”

The wind blew. The snow swirled. I was speechless.

Just as he had appeared suddenly before me that first day, Master vanished into the swirling snow.

As I walked home alone through the falling snow, the clock struck midnight. I had turned eleven.

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Is that sun go kong? Lmao no 🤣