I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
I’m the Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 13
As I faltered and trailed off, Gwangeum, who had been staring intently at my face, clicked his tongue and waved a hand dismissively.
“Forget it. Why am I even talking to a brat like you whose head hasn’t even dried of its birth-blood yet…?”
He probably thought the situation was far too complicated for me to understand.
But… I actually knew it very well.
‘I was the one in charge of the world-building!’
Whether it was being the descendant of an annihilated sect, the child of a traitor, or being destined to inherit a forbidden secret manual…
In the brutal world of the Murim, I knew better than anyone that there were more than enough circumstances where simply being born was considered a sin.
I just thought he was an ill-mannered jerk, but I didn’t know he carried a burden like that.
Well, I suppose he became Cheong-ui Sanin’s disciple because he was that desperate.
Just like me.
“…….”
Somehow, I felt a sense of empathy.
I wasn’t sure if it would be any comfort to him, but I chose my words as carefully as possible.
“Um, Gwangeum-sahyeong, you know.”
“What.”
Despite his blunt response, I deliberately raised my voice to a bright tone.
“Well, you might be someone who speaks very meanly, is prickly, and doesn’t even say a single thank you to the junior brother who brings you breakfast even though you overslept. But, still, um…”
“…….”
Oh, damn it, there’s nothing to praise.
I quickly changed my tack.
“Ahem, well, I don’t know why being born is a sin, but… even if it is. It means Sahyeong is someone strong enough to bear that sin. It’s cool.”
Right. Just how strong must he be for Master to take him in as a disciple despite this personality?
“My goal is also to become strong enough to protect myself!”
I think I smoothed that over well enough.
Just as I was about to give a wide smile, thinking I’d succeeded.
“…….”
Gwangeum’s eyes narrowed to an ominous degree.
Then, he suddenly stood up from his seat and spoke.
“Get out.”
“Eh?”
Huh? So suddenly?
With a crooked smirk on his lips, Gwangeum spoke sharply.
“If power is your goal, why don’t you go tailing after Danhwi-hyung? Don’t hang around here.”
“No, I mean.”
This is unfair.
“I was just talking!”
I had good intentions!
I sent him the desperate puppy-dog gaze that had worked perfectly on Danhwi, Hyeonhak-sahyeong, and even Master. It was a child’s ultimate privilege.
However, the fierce glint in Gwangeum’s eyes didn’t fade at all.
“Yeah. That doesn’t work on me.”
“Ha!”
When I glared at him with narrowed eyes at his obnoxious remark, Gwangeum grabbed the back of my neck and hoisted me into the air.
Then, he began to stride toward the doorway.
“Ack! Sahyeong! I—breath—breath!!”
Completely ignoring my words, Gwangeum muttered.
“If Master was going to take in a new disciple, he should have picked someone a bit more useful. We’re already short-handed, so what are we supposed to do with a nuisance like this?”
His cold voice mercilessly stabbed at my chest…
“It seems you were trying to use your head and win my favor by bringing a tray every day….”
How did he notice my plan to worm my way in? Dammit.
“Nooo…. That was juuuust….”
I was unceremoniously tossed outside the door.
“Kyaa!”
“I told you, that stuff doesn’t work on me.”
Tumble. As soon as I rolled across the ground—without getting hurt—I jumped up and shouted.
“G-Gwangeum-sahyeong! Wait a minute!”
Looking down at me with a chilling gaze, Gwangeum said coldly.
“You are banned from Jinmyeonggak.”
It’s so unfair.
“This was my first time coming inside…!”
“Oh? Talking back? You’ve completely lost your sense of discipline.”
“No!!”
I’m really going to die of frustration…!
I thumped my chest with my fists because I felt so wronged.
Of course, regardless of my reaction, Gwangeum only said what he wanted to say.
“If you need the strength to protect yourself, …don’t cling to me; go beg Master.”
“…….”
My body froze involuntarily at the icy look in Gwangeum’s eyes as he said that.
After scanning me from head to toe, he gave a snorting laugh and tightened his grip on the doorknob.
“I don’t deal with useless brats. Farewell.”
“Gwangeum-sa…!”
Slam!
Without even waiting for the voice I barely managed to squeeze out, the door slammed shut.
He thinks he’s so great just because he got the last word!
“…….”
Left alone in front of Jinmyeonggak, I looked up at the firmly closed door with resentment.
“Ugh….”
I brought food to a guy who overslept, and this is the disaster I get in return?
I stood up, dusting off my bottom.
Then, staring at the closed door, I muttered softly.
“See you tomorrow.”
Still… you’re going to eat the food I bring tomorrow morning anyway.
My prediction was shattered to pieces.
“I have good news. From now on, you don’t have to wake up early in the morning.”
The next morning, Eldest Sahyeong Hyeonhak said this to me as I entered Buyonggak.
“Saje Gwangeum said he would come to pick up his own meals personally.”
“O-Oh, no. Why…?”
“Actually, that’s how it was until our youngest Saje arrived, so don’t take it to heart. Saje Gwangeum also feels more comfortable being alone.”
Although Eldest Sahyeong Hyeonhak spoke softly as if to comfort me, the meaning was clear. I no longer had a way to approach Gwangeum.
“Ugh….”
I walked out of Buyonggak dejectedly and sat down in front of the pond where the Ten-Thousand-Year Carps swam. Then, I clutched my forehead.
Was it really worth all this? Is saying someone is strong that much of an insult?
No matter how much I knew about martial arts games, I hadn’t lived in the actual Murim for long, so it was hard to know what was considered polite or what the unspoken rules were.
“Whew.”
…Should I just close my eyes and give up on Gwangeum?
‘He doesn’t seem to come down from his private pavilion, Jinmyeonggak, very often anyway.’
While I was doing the mindless basic physical training Master ordered, he would occasionally pass by with a look that suggested he was watching a primitive monkey. But basically, he didn’t go out much.
“…….”
No, but thinking about it makes me annoyed again.
“I should have at least pulled a clump of his hair out before leaving.”
I muttered wistfully and sat down properly by the pond.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Carps, perhaps thinking a human shadow meant food, gathered and puckered their mouths.
“Want some food?”
At first, I thought they were a bit gross, but after watching them, I’ve grown fond of them.
I grabbed a handful of feed rolling around in my pocket and scattered it over the water’s surface.
Chomp, chomp.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Carps busily ate the feed made from high-quality medicinal herbs.
Watching the bubbles rising on the water, I muttered weakly.
“Even you guys like the person who feeds you….”
How can Gwangeum be like that?
“…Alright.”
I soon finished my brief deliberation and clenched my fists tight.
“I give up!”
The answer was clear.
In social life, you can’t always please everyone.
If I could do that, I would have ended the Orthodox-Demonic Great War long ago instead of clinging to Master’s pant legs.
Therefore, it’s about selection and focus!
My goal is to survive in this dangerous Murim world. To do that, I must not be kicked out of this safe house, which seems to be the only peaceful and comfortable place….
“As long as Master continues to dote on me…. Ah.”
But there was one small problem.
“Mmm, this is a bit troubling.”
To be honest, it wasn’t like Gwangeum’s words were entirely wrong.
Danhwi and Eldest Sahyeong Hyeonhak, and even Gwangeum, each had a role to play here. But I didn’t have a designated task yet.
I wondered if it was natural since I was only eight years old, but still, I had to find my usefulness eventually.
It felt like the reason Gwangeum treated me so poorly was because he thought I was a worthless brat.
However, the current Cheongsanbong seemed perfectly fine as it was. Danhwi handled Master’s errands, Hyeonhak-sahyeong mostly handled matters within Cheongsanbong, and Gwangeum dealt with things I wouldn’t know about, so there were no gaps.
…Why did Master take me in as a disciple?
“Phew….”
Right. I was the one who begged him.
Just as I was letting out a sigh.
Lick.
“……Huh?”
Something licked my finger, which was resting on the ground.
Looking down, I saw a white lizard staring at me with round eyes.
Then, it stuck out its pink tongue and licked my finger a few more times—lick, lick.
“…A lizard?”
It was a lizard about the size of my palm.
In the past, I would have jumped up in surprise, but after experiencing life as a beggar, a lizard is now no different from a very cute cat to me.
When I just stared quietly, the lizard began to actively explore my body.
And then.
“Oh? Hey, wait.”
