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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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From that day forward, Seong-cheol’s daily routine included learning the Dokgo Clan’s secret sword technique, Dokgoyegeom, from Ye-ryeong.
However, even Ye-ryeong hadn’t formally inherited the family’s swordsmanship. She had only learned the 72 foundational forms.
“Speed and accuracy are paramount in Yegeom. You can’t just swing it haphazardly. You must control every muscle in your body, ensuring that you can trace the same trajectory even after ten thousand swings.”
The image of a man in his late thirties learning swordsmanship from a thirteen-year-old girl was somewhat peculiar, but Ye-ryeong, despite her age, had the bearing of a proper instructor. Under her Guidance, Seong-cheol made remarkable progress.
Even though he could only practice Dokgo Clan’s secret sword technique for a short time before dawn, when Dokgo Jang-un was still asleep, Seong-cheol’s talent maximized the efficiency of those brief training sessions.
As a result, within six months, he had surpassed Ye-ryeong’s level of skill.
“Hmm, it seems this inadequate teacher has nothing left to teach you. You may leave now.”
“…Is that so? Then I should start packing.”
“D-don’t take my joke seriously! If you leave, I’ll have to do all the chores again…!”
Their relationship had also deepened significantly during those six months. They joked and laughed together, would appear to an outsider as a father and daughter with a strong, close relationship.
It wasn’t entirely inaccurate. While they weren’t actually father and daughter, they had formed a bond much like family, filling the void in each other’s lives.
Seong-cheol saw in Ye-ryeong the daughter he had left behind in his original world.
Ye-ryeong saw in Seong-cheol the father she had lost in the Battle of Jeongsa.
Every time they recognized this projection, a fleeting sense of discomfort would flicker in their hearts…
But the feeling of finally having the long-empty void filled was far more powerful, drawing them closer. It didn’t take long for them to become emotionally dependent on each other.
Given more time, they would likely have formed a truly deep bond, almost like a real father and daughter.
However.
A sudden storm erupted in their peaceful, secret routine.
“I see you’ve been engaging in some interesting activities before dawn.”
It was a surprise attack. During a typical evening meal, Dokgo Jang-un’s words froze both Seong-cheol and Ye-ryeong in their seats.
“…….”
“…….”
They exchanged glances, anxiety flickering in Ye-ryeong’s eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Seong-cheol bowed his head.
“I apologize, Elder! Despite your kindness, I was not content and asked My Lady to teach me swordsmanship! It’s all my fault!”
“N-no! Mister Seong-cheol isn’t to blame! I was the one who interfered with his training!”
Seeing them desperately defending each other, a faint smile touched Dokgo Jang-un’s lips. He shook his head.
“You two have become quite close in just six months. I was wondering why Ye-ryeong had been neglecting her old grandfather. I’m feeling a bit hurt, granddaughter.”
His playful tone eased their tension slightly. It seemed he wasn’t going to scold them too harshly.
“I don’t know which of you is more at fault… but there’s no point crying over spilled milk. It’s done.”
Despite the fact that his family’s secret swordsmanship had been leaked to an outsider, Dokgo Jang-un was surprisingly calm.
If Ye-ryeong and Seong-cheol had grown close over the past six months, so had Jang-un and Seong-cheol.
Jang-un had come to understand Seong-cheol’s character. He was a good and righteous man. He wouldn’t abuse the power of the Dokgo sword for evil. Therefore, Jang-un didn’t want to scold him too harshly.
However…
“But a promise is a promise.”
He had clearly stated that he would never teach Seong-cheol the Dokgo swordsmanship.
“In other clans, attempting to steal secret techniques would be punishable by death. But considering our relationship, I will overlook this transgression. However, Seong-cheol, you must leave this place by tomorrow.”
“Yes, Elder. I understand.”
“Wait, Grandfather! Mister Seong-cheol didn’t do anything wrong! I was the one who taught him!”
“The fact that someone outside the family learned our swordsmanship is a problem in itself. And as you said, since Seong-cheol’s transgression isn’t too severe, I’m only asking him to leave.”
“But…!”
Compared to Seong-cheol, who accepted his fate calmly, Ye-ryeong’s reaction was much more intense. It wasn’t that she cared for him more or felt more regret. Seong-cheol, as an adult, was simply better at hiding his emotions, while Ye-ryeong couldn’t contain hers.
“But you used to take disciples from outside the family. Why were they allowed, but not Mister Seong-cheol?”
“There was a time… After my sons died in the Battle of Jeongsa, I desperately tried to preserve our family’s swordsmanship. I made that mistake. But it was all for nothing.”
After his two sons died, Jang-un had taken on numerous disciples, hoping to find someone to carry on the Dokgo legacy. But none of them met his expectations.
Dokgoyegeom required a special talent to master its intricacies. None of the aspiring disciples possessed it.
Even his own sons had only possessed incomplete versions of that talent. In hindsight, perhaps it was an inevitable outcome. At that point, Jang-un had given up hope.
the Dokgo Clan’s secret sword technique, the pinnacle of martial arts, honed and perfected over generations, finally completed in his lifetime.
There would be no successor. It was destined to disappear with his death.
“I understand what you’re saying. You told me I lacked the talent, even teaching me only the basic forms. But Mister Seong-cheol is different!”
“Oh? How so?”
“He can master the Dokgo Clan’s secret sword technique! I know he can! Please, give him a chance!”
At Ye-ryeong’s plea, Jang-un looked at Seong-cheol.
Indeed, the internal energy he had accumulated over the past six months had become remarkably stable and refined. Considering the timeframe, it was a significant achievement. He possessed considerable talent as a martial artist.
However, it was a different kind of talent.
The talent Jang-un sought wasn’t simply that of a martial artist. Ye-ryeong didn’t understand this. Her desperate pleas sounded like nothing more than a child’s tantrum to him.
“Grandfather…”
Seeing Jang-un’s unwavering stance, Ye-ryeong looked at him, on the verge of tears. But Jang-un, refusing to indulge her, simply closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
“…….”
Seong-cheol, observing the situation, thought, I’ve learned enough. Even though it was only the basic forms, it was still the Dokgo Clan’s swordsmanship. With this much, he wouldn’t be beaten up by street thugs and live a miserable life like before.
He had achieved his initial goal. Out of respect for the Dokgo family’s kindness, it was time to leave. That’s what he thought.
However.
“Elder.”
He found himself speaking before he could stop himself.
“Will you give me a chance to prove myself?”
“Oh?”
What audacity. Jang-un’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Seong-cheol.
“Prove yourself? How?”
“To prove whether or not I have the talent to inherit the Dokgo sword. Let me show you.”
“You overestimate your own talent. I can overlook Ye-ryeong’s pleas as a child’s tantrum, but your words carry a different weight. Can you bear the consequences?”
“I’ll try.”
“Hmph.”
Jang-un chuckled.
It wasn’t a chuckle of amusement, but of disbelief.
He had thought Seong-cheol was a righteous man, but was that just a facade, a product of his powerlessness? Had he, too, become intoxicated by the little bit of strength he had gained?
“Very well. I’ll give you a chance. Let’s have a spar. If you truly possess the talent to inherit the Dokgo sword, I will personally teach you everything. But if you don’t, I will cripple your dantian and cast you out.”
“As you wish.”
“Mister Seong-cheol!!”
Alarmed by the escalating situation, Ye-ryeong grabbed Seong-cheol’s arm, trying to stop him. But he gently shook his head.
His past self wouldn’t have taken on such a reckless challenge. His priority had been survival, and returning home.
However,
Over the past six months, a new desire had taken root in his heart.
It was the universal desire of every martial artist.
The desire to reach a higher level of skill, to prove one’s strength.
The six months of training had transformed him into a true martial artist. Sensing this, Jang-un nodded.
“There’s no need to waste time. Come. Let’s spar, now.”
“Understood.”
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Before Ye-ryeong could intervene, the two men stepped into the garden. Jang-un offered Seong-cheol his sword.
“Coincidentally, this is the only properly sharpened sword I have. You use this.”
“Then what will you use, Elder?”
“This will suffice.”
Jang-un pointed to the old practice sword Seong-cheol had been using. It was clearly unsuitable for a serious spar, its weight and shape far from ideal.
However,
-Shing!!
The moment Jang-un gripped it, even the worn-out practice sword transformed into a deadly weapon. Seeing him wield it, the real sword in Seong-cheol’s hand felt like a mere wooden stick.
“I’ll concede the first move. Come at me.”
“I’ll gladly accept your offer.”
He had spoken confidently, but he hesitated.
An unexpected pressure, not present when he had boldly declared his intention to prove himself, weighed heavily on his shoulders.
“Hooo…”
He exhaled, releasing the tension along with his breath. He lowered his stance and raised his sword.
-Whoosh!!
He charged, his sword sweeping upwards in a wide arc. One of the 72 foundational forms of Dokgoyegeom, Earth Splitter.
-Clang!!
But it was easily blocked. The metallic clang of bamboo striking steel resonated through the air, a stark reminder of the difference in their skill. Seong-cheol was once again acutely aware of who he was facing.
“Is that all?”
“Not at all!”
-Shing!!
Seong-cheol immediately transitioned to his next move, another foundational form. But just as he was about to unleash it, Jang-un’s practice sword struck his wrist.
-Thwack!!
“Ugh?!”
He almost lost his grip on his sword. He tightened his hold and tried to attack again, but once again, Jang-un’s practice sword intercepted him before he could complete his move.
-Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!!
This exchange repeated itself over ten times. Aside from the first attack, Seong-cheol hadn’t been able to complete a single technique.
‘I was foolish. He’s mastered Dokgoyegeom. Of course he knows all the basic forms. He can see right through my moves.’
He was right. But it was only a partial realization. The true essence of Dokgoyegeom lay beyond this understanding. But Seong-cheol hadn’t reached that level yet.
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