I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 44
Chapter 44
The Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Chapter 44
Ryang stared at me in silence for a moment before speaking in a nonchalant voice.
“Then it’s only natural that I, as your disciple, help with Master’s work.”
That was his way of telling me not to interfere anymore.
“…Right.”
I had no choice but to nod, and Ryang began to climb the stairs again with steady thuds.
Passing lightly by me, Ryang’s back grew more distant with every step.
I only wanted a little help, but for him to take over the task entirely….
“…….”
‘It’s a bit burdensome.’
There was only one reason Ryang would go to such lengths for me.
And that was….
In the late afternoon, as the sun began to set, I visited Ryang’s room after he had finished his daily routine.
“How was your day today?”
Ryang, who had been in an awkward posture doing something, slowly straightened his back and answered.
“Sparring with Senior Uncle Danhwi, external training, and running errands for Senior Uncle Hyeonhak….”
“No! Not that. I mean, how did you feel?”
“…It was fine.”
“That’s a relief!”
I sat down in front of Ryang with a beaming smile.
What I was about to do now would be affected by Ryang’s emotional state, so I needed to check.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes.”
Having done this several times, Ryang took his position familiarly.
He settled into a posture with his back turned toward me.
I took a deep breath and placed both hands on his back.
This was a classic movement for guiding inner energy.
Transmitting power through the body is a technique that can only be performed by peerless masters who have reached full mastery of heart arts, but….
“I’ll begin, Ryang. I’m counting on you again today.”
For me, who had learned the Harmony Heart Art—which prioritizes the free flow of internal force above all else—it wasn’t a difficult task!
The reason I could maintain the title of Ryang’s Master despite being unable to teach him swordsmanship or spar with him was entirely due to this skill.
I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated my senses on Ryang’s back beneath my palms. Beyond the warm skin and firm muscle, I could feel an energy writhing terrifyingly.
“…….”
To borrow Hyeonhak’s words, the state of Ryang’s body was like a ‘pond where muddy currents swirl.’
He said that I had to keep pouring in clean water to purify it, so that his body would become pristine enough that no one would ever know he had practiced Demonic Arts.
In this context, ‘clean water’ referred to the internal force that corresponds to a person’s innate origin qi.
But who in their right mind would pour out their origin qi—the very lifeblood of a martial artist—to heal someone else?
‘…Unless they have a sea of pure internal force like I do!’
“Whew.”
I took a deep breath and began to pour my internal force, which I could now control at will, into Ryang’s body.
The energy I held outside my dantian possessed a clear and pure essence, making it a perfect substitute for origin qi.
Naturally, the more I did this, the faster Ryang grew stronger.
Was it when I first guided his energy? Ryang had turned to look at me and spoke in a flustered voice.
‘…My internal force has increased tremendously.’
‘Really? That’s great!’
‘How did you do it? Are you okay, Soso?’
‘Huh? Why? I feel perfectly fine.’
‘…….’
I had tilted my head, pretending not to know what he was talking about.
Ryang met my eyes with a trembling gaze for a long moment before turning away without saying another word.
But no matter how young he was, Ryang was already a person of the jianghu who had been through all sorts of hardships. He likely knew exactly what I was giving him.
‘Martial artists would risk their lives just to find a spirit elixir!’
And he knew I was providing him with something worth even more than that.
‘That’s why he’s doing my errands and trying to stay on my good side, right?’
That must be the only reason Ryang was so devoted to me.
I nodded to myself.
‘Right. I’ll build up favor now… so that even if things go wrong later, he’ll think it’s better to keep me alive than to just swallow me whole.’
And if he ends up protecting me like Samok-seon said, that’s even better.
Though I had held Ryang’s hands tight and promised we would ‘survive together,’ it was just a promise between little kids not even ten years old.
I didn’t expect it to have a huge effect.
“Whew….”
I breathed deeply, settling my internal force.
I could feel Ryang’s energy becoming even purer and deeper.
My own internal force was also circulating wider and faster along the precise points of my meridians.
It was the result of training my own heart art while tending to Ryang.
Finishing a full circulation in an instant, I slowly pulled my hands away from Ryang’s back.
Both his back and my hands were drenched in sweat.
“…All done!”
“Thank you again today.”
Ryang calmly adjusted his clothes and gave me a slight bow.
It seemed he intended to enter cultivation meditation immediately to settle the increased energy.
“Yep. Good work. I’ll be going now, then!”
I should hurry back and sleep.
Since I had practiced my heart art alongside him, my meridians felt completely clear, and my whole body felt as relaxed as if I’d had a full-body massage.
Just as I was about to leave Ryang’s room.
Grip.
“Soso. Wait a moment before you go.”
Ryang gently caught my wrist.
What is it?
I stopped in my tracks and turned back to look at him, only to find him staring at me with a strange expression.
“Yeah?”
“By any chance, have we… met somewhere before?”
“Uh… in Hwangun County?”
That was the first time I’d ever seen Ryang.
But Ryang shook his head.
“No. Before that.”
“Hmm.”
I tilted my head.
There was no way.
What reason would a slave of the Demonic Cult and a beggar of the Beggars’ Sect have to cross paths?
“Think carefully.”
“Uuuuugh….”
But because of Ryang’s earnest voice, I racked my brain.
I crossed my arms and thought until my head felt hot, but soon a clear conclusion formed in my mind.
‘There really isn’t any.’
“No?”
“…I see.”
Only after I denied it twice did Ryang hesitate and let go of my hand.
“Understood. Then, good night.”
“Wait! Ryang.”
This time, I was the one to grab his wrist.
“But why? Did you ask because you feel like you’ve seen me somewhere?”
If you’re going to make someone curious, you have to give them a reason.
If we really had met before, Ryang might know the source of my internal force.
But Ryang shook his head quickly.
“…It’s not that, but.”
“But?”
“Every time you guide my energy…. I get this ticklish sensation.”
“Huh?”
A ticklish sensation?
As I asked back with wide eyes, the tips of Ryang’s ears began to flush a deep red.
“It just feels like… something I’ve experienced before…….”
“…….”
“So, um. Could you let go of my hand?”
“Ah.”
Only then did I realize I was gripping Ryang’s hand far too tightly.
Did it hurt?
“Sorry!”
As I hurriedly let go, Ryang pushed me out the door as if he were chasing me away.
“…It’s okay. Then, …good night.”
With not just his ears but his cheeks flushed red, Ryang bid me farewell.
Thud!
And the door closed.
“…….”
Outside, it was already a pitch-black night.
I stood blankly in front of Ryang’s door, scratching my head.
“Really now….”
He wasn’t red-faced because he was angry, was he?
While I was worrying about that, a familiar voice drifted from right beside me.
“Why are you coming out of there at this hour?”
“Senior Brother Danhwi!”
Turning my head, I saw Senior Brother Danhwi standing there with his hands on his hips, wearing luxurious sleeping robes and narrowing his eyes.
A master of Danhwi’s caliber would have easily heard everything that happened inside with his keen senses.
I was appalled by his blatant pretense of asking.
“I was helping him drive out the demonic energy while circulating his qi!”
But I could be just as bold.
I answered brightly with a cheerful smile.
“Good grief.”
Danhwi let out a smirk and ruffled my hair roughly with one hand.
“If you’re done, go to bed already. Doing too much meditation isn’t always a good thing.”
“But I thought it would be good if Ryang could drive out the demonic energy quickly…….”
I tapped my toes against the floor and peeked up at Danhwi.
“Is Ryang learning well?”
I had asked Ryang too, but hearing it from the teacher was a different matter.
Danhwi pondered for a moment at my casual question before answering.
“His learning speed is fast. His talent… I’ve never seen talent like that before. I’ll have to teach him more to be sure, though.”
“Wow.”
Of course he is. He’s the Heavenly Demon, after all.
Unaware of my inner thoughts, Danhwi added with a mischievous grin.
“Unlike a slowpoke like you. Should I call it a god-given gift for martial arts?”
…Why did he have to add that part?
“…I’m so glad to hear that!”
As I answered through gritted teeth, Danhwi cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh? Are you clenching your jaw?”
