I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
The Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 52
Learning mechanisms and formations turned out to be ridiculously difficult.
Since the Namgung Clan was involved, it didn’t seem like Gwang-eum would have to head down to handle the mission himself.
‘Well, then. I suppose Danhwi will be the one suffering again this time.’
I was speaking as if it were someone else’s business while taking a huge bite of a dumpling.
“Huh? Why would I suffer? You’re the one going.”
“……?”
I looked up at Danhwi, my cheeks puffed out and full.
Why me? I only finished my first mission a few weeks ago.
Meeting my eyes, Danhwi curled his eyes into a mischievous smile and ruffled my hair vigorously.
“Has Master not told you yet?”
“Whaaat…?”
I’m really going?
Danhwi isn’t the type to joke around using Master’s name.
I quickly swallowed the dumpling in my mouth and asked.
“For real?”
“Yeah. Gwang-eum said that you should be able to operate mechanisms of that level by now, so it’s fine to send you.”
“……!!”
Gwang-eum…!
I could feel his spite in recommending me for a difficult mission involving mechanisms and formations.
Going on missions is good for gaining experience, but still….
‘He always threatened me, saying it would be ages before I could handle mechanisms on my own!’
As I clenched my fists and trembled with rage, Ryang, who was beside me, gently took my hand.
“Soso Master…….”
“Ryang….”
As expected, there’s no one but Ryang.
Just as my eyes began to well up and I turned to look at him, Ryang pressed another dumpling into my hand.
“Please have another dumpling.”
“……Okay.”
He thinks I’m like this because I haven’t eaten enough.
I glared at the dumpling Ryang offered before quietly accepting it.
“…….”
There was no reason to refuse a delicious dumpling, after all.
Nom. I took a big bite of the warm dumpling and let out a deep sigh.
Right, I have Ryang, who prepares delicious meals every time I return from a mission, so I’ll be fine. I won’t starve this time either.
‘It’s just a slightly tricky and difficult mission…….’
Still, let’s do our best!
“It can’t be helped. Ryang, I’ll be counting on you again this—”
It was just as I was turning to Ryang, steeling my resolve inwardly.
“Huh? I’m keeping Ryang with me.”
“What?”
Danhwi smiled brightly and pulled Ryang close to his side.
“He’s my disciple!”
“Right. And I’m keeping your disciple with me.”
“Why?”
“This fellow needs more training with me.”
“Then you’re saying I should go alone…?”
As I spoke, a sudden sense of injustice washed over me.
Why are you taking someone else’s disciple and training him as you please?!
Of course, it truly didn’t matter if I went alone on this mission.
In the first place, I was the only one who had learned mechanisms and formations from Gwang-eum.
But there’s a difference in feeling between choosing to go alone and being pushed out the door by everyone else!
“I don’t want to! I want to go with Ryang this time too!”
As I hopped up and down in protest, Senior Brother Hyeonhak spoke nonchalantly while bringing out a fresh tray full of dumplings.
“The Murim Alliance will be providing quite a bit of support this time, and since the Black Way isn’t involved, it will be safe.”
“No, but still…….”
“The more people there are, the easier it is to be discovered. It is only right that Junior Sister Soyoung goes alone.”
“……!”
For Senior Brother Hyeonhak to speak so firmly.
My shoulders slumped.
I had no further pretext to keep pestering them.
That was the reason why I was currently inside the secret passage within the treasure vault depicted on the map.
Even after officially receiving the mission from Master, I had confirmed several times if it was truly a solo mission.
‘Am I really going alone?’
‘Yes. Go and come back safely.’
‘…Understood……’
If even Master, who cared about my safety more than anyone, said it was fine for me to go alone, I knew it would be safe, but…
‘Why am I so anxious?’
An inexplicable sense of unease continued to linger.
Perhaps it was because of Yongyong, who had crawled into my arms just before I left for the mission.
“Yongyong-ah. Why did you follow me?”
The Imugi in my arms, Yongyong, tilted its head.
As I thought, giving it a name was a good idea. How affectionate.
Though Danhwi had been horrified when he heard it….
‘You’re going to name an Imugi “Yongyong”?’
‘Um, don’t you think it’s okay? It has “Yong” in it twice…. And dragons are good things……’
‘…Do as you wish.’
Anyway, as long as Yongyong liked it, wasn’t that enough? Yongyong had quite a personality if you watched closely, but since it didn’t show any particular dissatisfaction, it seemed fine with the name.
“Phew.”
I stopped my wandering thoughts and sat up straight inside the secret passage.
Actually, the episode regarding Yak-seon’s treasure map appeared in the game as well.
It was an episode where the Murim Alliance went through all the trouble of excavating it, only for Ryang to appear and snatch the Elixirs away….
‘Since Ryang is currently training hard with Danhwi at Cheongsanbong, I wonder how the story will unfold.’
It was then.
“Is it alright to open the entrance like this?”
“I told you it’s fine!”
“……!”
Oops, I heard the sound of people entering.
Hoo. Now it’s my turn to shine.
Since I’ve honed my skills enough for even Gwang-eum to acknowledge them….
I moved toward the entrance, concealing my presence to the absolute limit.
I just hope no one too greedy comes inside….
Six boys and girls stood facing each other.
The eldest among them had not yet reached the age of twenty, and the youngest had only just turned fifteen.
This was the era of the old Murim, before the Murim Alliance was even formed. A treasure map belonging to Yak-seon—who was said to have saved the lives of countless martial artists before ascending to heaven—had been discovered.
The reason only children had gathered despite this was because of the message written in the letters the Murim Alliance Leader had sent to each sect and clan.
[I address the youth known as the rising stars of the Orthodox Faction. This is an opportunity for you to claim the miracle medicine of Yak-seon through your own strength.]
It was a statement bound to pique anyone’s interest.
[The interior of Yak-seon’s Hidden Depository has not yet been investigated. As it may be dangerous, the treasures within will be equally precious.]
However, the words that followed were attractive enough to tempt any martial artist.
[Gather, those rising stars who wish to challenge themselves. You may keep whatever you obtain inside. Furthermore, while you are within, the Murim Alliance will take charge of guarding the exterior.]
[However, those entering are restricted to young lords or second-generation disciples and below. If one cannot demonstrate their skill even in times of peace, they cannot be called a martial artist when the world falls into chaos.]
…And so, only young prospects had gathered at this site.
In truth, if it was something left behind by Yak-seon, whether it be a manual or an elixir, there was a high probability it would be of the highest grade.
Therefore, there should have been more challengers, but.
‘How can one enter a place that hasn’t even been surveyed? What if the map was left by an Evil Emperor instead of the Medicine Immortal?’
‘Tell them my skills are still insufficient to go to such a dangerous place.’
‘The age doesn’t match. I’ve grown too old to be called a rising star.’
‘It is an attractive offer, but there is still time left until my sect’s seclusion is lifted.’
…Due to various reasons, many declined, leaving twenty challengers. Among them, six rising stars were finally selected through internal duels held by the Murim Alliance.
“You are the young priest I saw back then.”
“Ah, hello.”
Though they were young, their skills had already been proven, so rather than tension, a sense of confidence was visible as they stood before the door of Yak-seon’s depository.
Voices mixed with expectation and wariness drifted from here and there.
Someone toyed with their sword hilt, while another tapped the floor with their toe, regulating their energy.
At that moment, a heavy aura swept through the space.
The Alliance Leader had arrived, leading a squad of swordsmen.
“……!”
They had certainly heard that the Master of the Alliance’s Sword Pavilion would be coming, not the Alliance Leader himself.
The surroundings fell silent in an instant.
The great tree that firmly supported the Murim Alliance. A man called one of the strongest beings in the current martial world.
Yoo Baek-geon, the Murim Alliance Leader, walked out slowly.
“I see.”
He slowly turned his gaze toward the rising stars. His sharp yet heavy eyes lingered on each of them as if taking their measure.
“So you are the talents who will lead the martial world in a few years.”
As he spoke, he gripped his sword with his one remaining arm.
His firm fingertips brushed along the scabbard. Yoo Baek-geon’s momentum spread out like a wave.
“Since I couldn’t attend the duels, I should take this opportunity to see your skills for myself. I see a few familiar faces as well.”
“……!”
The six rising stars instinctively corrected their postures.
