I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
I am the Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 6
“What?”
“Hup.”
I clamped both hands over my mouth.
There are exactly two things in this world that can never be taken back: water spilled on a sandy beach, and words already spat out.
“…….”
My eyes grew round as I darted my gaze between the three people in the room.
The first to speak, wearing an utterly bewildered expression, was Danhwi.
“You… you never said anything like that to me. Was I wearing a human skin mask? No, this is my real face.”
Wait, you guys use human skin masks too?
No, that’s not the point right now.
Danhwi looked quite pathetic as he scowled and fumbled over his own face. However, it was true that his features were exceptionally flashy—the kind of face that would easily get someone called a ‘pretty boy’ in the jianghu.
Even the physician who had treated me had a rugged, masculine charm.
But the Master’s face was, well… it was the pinnacle of pure beauty.
From his long, straight neck to his sharp jawline. From his neatly set lips to his keen eyes that seemed to hold the moonlight itself.
He looked as if a celestial immortal from a painting had stepped off the silk.
I asked cautiously.
“A-Are you perhaps a celestial immortal…?”
What if he’s a Murim master who has already ascended to divinity?
When I asked with a dead-serious expression, Danhwi shouted once more.
“Ugh, stop it. Master doesn’t fall for flattery like—”
“Be quiet, Danhwi.”
“…Yes.”
…It wasn’t flattery, it was the sincere truth, but seeing the atmosphere soften, it seemed to be working.
‘Pfft.’
I hid my smirk behind my hand and shot a sly look at Danhwi.
He narrowed his eyes and mouthed the word, ‘Brat.’
In the meantime, the Master approached with footsteps light as feathers and sat beside me. The physician spoke up respectfully.
“Her muscles were stiff, likely from the shock, but they have loosened now. She is very healthy.”
“Her martial arts?”
“There are no signs of her ever having practiced.”
A chill ran down my spine. Wait, they even checked for that?
“It seems she isn’t a spy, Danhwi.”
At the Master’s words, I kept my mouth shut and continued to read the room.
After a few minutes of silence, a gentle voice broke the stillness.
“So, child. You wish to become my disciple?”
“Yes, Master!”
“Are you speaking falsehoods out of fear of your situation? You could simply keep that elixir for yourself.”
“No! I don’t need it!”
“Then, do you know who I am?”
“No!”
The Master tilted his head.
“Is there truly someone who enters a sect as a disciple without knowing anything about it?”
“Yes!”
I answered loudly and energetically. That someone is me.
Beside us, Danhwi let out a scoffing laugh and nodded.
“I told you, she’s no ordinary fool.”
“Hehe.”
I gave a goofy grin, adding credibility to his words.
This man… considering he picked me up when I collapsed and had me treated…
His heart was far too soft compared to the title of ‘Murim’s Hidden Mastermind’ that I had arbitrarily given him.
Even if that was just my delusion, it was clear he was showing me excessive kindness.
So, if I—the officially certified fool—act like a complete idiot, he’ll feel too uneasy to kick me out, worrying I might die in a ditch somewhere, right?
Just accept me as your disciple already!
“…….”
I wasn’t sure if my silent pressure was working, but after a moment of contemplation, the man suddenly gestured to me.
“Come here.”
“Yup.”
I wiggled over and sat right next to him.
“…….”
The Master flinched slightly, his shoulders twitching as if a puppy had just plopped its butt down right against him. He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking again.
“…Once you set foot in the jianghu, every day will be grueling. It is a world far too harsh to jump into just because it looks grand. You are still too young to live in such a world. Even so, are you prepared?”
“Yup.”
I nodded immediately.
I know better than anyone that life isn’t easy. After all, I was the one who wrote the story for 《Descent of the Heavenly Demon: Submission of Ten Thousand Demons》.
Players cheer for stages that are not just difficult, but cruel. They call them horrific, but secretly, they crave it.
The harsher the world, the brighter the player character shines at the top.
Therefore, as an extra, the wisest course of action in this world where the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions run wild is to find a master capable of protecting me and hide in a safe corner.
‘And that master is you!’
I looked at the Master with sparkling eyes and spoke.
“You’re incredibly strong, aren’t you? Master Danhwi was strong, so his Master must be twice as strong, right?”
“…….”
I swallowed hard and began to pour out the words I had prepared.
“I think that no matter how one lives, they eventually get caught up in the jianghu.”
“…….”
“Living as a beggar, I saw taverns get trashed every day, people getting shaken down for money, and fights in the streets. Even if you live a normal life, it can all end in an instant.”
“That is true.”
I heard Danhwi agree from a few paces away.
Thanks for the cover fire.
I stared straight into the Master’s eyes, which were as clear as a deer’s, and drove the point home.
“So, I… I don’t want to die weak. I want to become strong. And then I want to help people who are weak like I am now.”
This part was an exaggeration to gain favor.
“Even that dawn… I wanted to be strong. Then I thought I could help Master Danhwi with his errands. Master Danhwi was doing errands for you, right?”
“…….”
“Hehe.”
The Master’s eyes began to waver, if only slightly.
How about that? Aren’t I just the most precious thing?
Now for the finishing blow!
“And, one last thing….”
“…Last thing?”
After keeping my eyes locked on his, I suddenly feigned shyness and looked down.
“Out of everyone I’ve seen so far, I think you’re the coolest and the strongest. That’s why I want to be your disciple.”
When I looked back up at the Master with a bright smile, his elegant mask had cracked slightly.
Perfect! Surely…
…Huh? He doesn’t look happy.
It passed in a flash, but a very complicated expression had crossed his face.
What was that emotion?
As I tilted my head in confusion, he regained his composure instantly and reached out to me.
“Give me your hand.”
“……!”
This is as good as an approval!
There was an unspoken rule among martial artists not to touch each other’s bodies recklessly.
This was because one could read the opponent’s energy pathways in that brief moment.
Of course, I hadn’t learned martial arts yet, but inspecting someone’s body directly like this was something only done between those as close as master and disciple or sworn brothers.
In other words, he was now inclined to take me in.
“Here it is!”
I hurriedly held out my hand.
“Let’s see now….”
Unlike his ethereal beauty, the Master’s hands were scarred and calloused, as if they had been broken and healed countless times. Moreover, they were as large as pot lids.
When I placed my hand obediently on his, he began to trace from my palm to my wrist with his fingers.
…Now, it’s time to scratch the lottery ticket.
Being born with the right ‘martial arts spoon’ is vital.
The ‘master spoon’ depends on the master being great, but the ‘martial arts spoon’ is purely based on my innate talent, so it’s incredibly important.
Natural talent is an element beyond effort.
There’s a reason why people in online martial arts hobbyist forums say, ‘Most people in the jianghu will never rise above being third-rate warriors.’
A shining raw gem is very rare.
‘Please let it be me….’
Then it’ll be a bit easier to survive. And the Master will have something to be proud of.
Tense, I subconsciously held my breath.
“…….”
“…Pfft.”
After a few seconds, the Master let out a soft chuckle.
“Why are you holding your breath?”
“…Can I speak?”
“Of course.”
I stammered out.
“Well, I heard that if you speak recklessly while someone is inspecting your body, something might go wrong and you could die….”
Wasn’t there a setting like that?
“Where on earth did you hear such a thing?”
If not, then whatever.
I threw the Beggars’ Sect under the bus again.
“Well, I, since I was Sogae… a beggar of the Beggars’ Sect….”
“You were a member of the Beggars’ Sect?”
“No! I hit the Branch Leader on the head and left!”
“Well done. You’ve certainly picked up some frightening stories.”
What, so it was all just a bluff?
I smiled like a fool, relieved.
“Hehe, so it was all a lie.”
At that, the Master’s expression turned serious.
“No, of course, things can go wrong.”
“…Huh?”
What?
