Chapter 3 – Brush with Death(3)
Filial piety is the foundation of all virtues. Those who respect and revere their parents are courteous to others and do not act arrogantly. This can truly be called a model for the world.
As the young master of the Murong family, one of the five great families and a prestigious clan, Murong Hyun certainly knew Confucius’s Classic of Filial Piety. However, with apologies to Confucius.
He could no longer stand by and watch his father’s, no, the family patriarch’s outrage. If you fear the pain and don’t cut out the rotten flesh, eventually the other flesh will fester until it’s irreversible.
At first, Murong Hyun hesitated to cut ties because the man was his blood relation and parent. But eventually, he steeled his resolve, and one of the reasons was his younger sister Sua.
Despite being only sixteen years old, Sua had already mastered the second class of martial arts and was eyeing the first-class. Her talent was truly heaven-sent.
However, the real issue lay elsewhere. While martial artists typically thrive on competitive spirit, Sua was excessive to an extreme. No, it wasn’t competitive spirit but cruelty.
“Stop! Didn’t I tell you to stop!”
“Kheuk…!”
“Your opponent has already lost consciousness! Yet you still try to use techniques on someone who has fallen, do you truly intend to kill them?!”
Murong Hyun was horrified as he stopped Sua, who was not only mocking her fallen opponent but was about to use martial techniques. However, Sua was undaunted and retorted confidently.
“Unnecessarily grown branches suck nutrients from the great tree. Isn’t it better for the family to prune these branches before the great tree falls?”
Sua’s neck was so stiff with arrogance bordering on hubris that it seemed it might break someday. With the situation like this, how could her brother Murong Hyun not be worried?
Of course, one could argue it’s better than showing unnecessary mercy to an enemy and getting killed, but the problem was that Sua behaved this way even toward members of her own family.
Already, no one her age could match her, and even Murong Hyun, who had stepped into the first-class, found it increasingly difficult to defend against Sua’s cruel techniques. It wasn’t a matter of skill.
No matter how much of a genius Sua might be, the barrier between classes are absolute. For Murong Hyun, who had already entered the first-class, defeating Sua wouldn’t be too difficult if he used his full strength.
The problem was that doing so might unintentionally leave deep scars on Sua. Considering Sua’s cruel personality, perhaps a proper disciplining would be appropriate, but…
Murong Hyun couldn’t bring himself to do that to his adorable younger sister, four years his junior. And above all, Sua’s ferocity was absolutely not her fault.
“You’re right, Sua.”
“Father, you’ve arrived!”
“Yes, your brother should understand you. He’s just too weak.”
“But my brother is also a proud martial artist of the Murong family who has achieved remarkable accomplishments at a young age, isn’t he?”
“……”
Children are mirrors of their parents. What child is born inherently evil? She simply became like this because she saw and learned bad things.
‘It’s more my fault for not guiding Sua on the right path and just watching from behind. How can I blame only Sua?’
Though he felt disillusioned watching Sua being corrupted under the family head’s personal guidance, at first, he believed there must be a reason since it was the family head’s doing.
But the reward for his faith was bitter betrayal. It was foolish of him to think that with proper results, their minds would eventually align. From the beginning, there was never any intention to listen.
If even the young master like himself was treated this way, how would it be any different for Sua? If this continues, she might become a murderer who kills people at the family head’s word. That must be prevented at all costs.
“Before carrying out our plan, I want to entrust Sua to Master Mu-myung.”
“Forgive my presumption, but can this Nameless person be trusted?”
“I understand your concern. However, Master Mu-myung is a highly skilled expert who hides his abilities and name in seclusion. If he harbored ill intentions… I would no longer be in this world.”
“I don’t understand. Is it necessary to risk sending the young lady elsewhere? Wouldn’t it be better to protect her within the family?”
Naturally, there were quite a few who opposed Murong Hyun’s decision. It means there are many martial artists who care about Sua, regardless of everything else. But this was something he absolutely could not compromise on.
“Though we dress it up with words like ‘greater good,’ in the end, it’s family killing family. I don’t want to see Sua family members spilling each other’s blood.”
“I see, I understand. But aren’t there other places where the young lady could be entrusted? If we asked one of the five great families or even the Martial Alliance…”
“I initially considered that too, but I don’t think they would properly listen to the request of the Murong family, which unilaterally cut off relations with them.”
Above all, there was also a subtle expectation that Master Mu-myung might be able to guide Sua away from her cruelty. In any case, with Murong Hyun’s answer, even the opponents were convinced.
So he set out, bringing a token of gratitude for saving his life. However, Sua, completely unaware of the family situation, inwardly mocked Murong Hyun’s actions.
‘It seems my brother is worried about losing his position as young master to me.’
Since the family head had promised to personally teach her martial arts when the time was right, isn’t this just her brother fearing defeat at her hands if she mastered those arts and trying to preemptively prevent it?
Of course, Murong Hyun is definitely not an easy opponent. But that’s only because she’s still young. If they were the same age, or even if she just had two more years…
Would the result still be the same then? At least Sua herself didn’t think so. But even someone like Sua couldn’t help but be bewildered when they suddenly entered rough mountain terrain.
“Brother, I thought we were going to learn from a master no less skilled than those in renowned Orthodox Sect. So why are we going to this unfamiliar mountain…”
“You’ll see soon. Ah, there he is.”
“…Huh?”
Since her brother had praised this person endlessly, she had held some expectations, but the moment she looked where her brother pointed, even those expectations evaporated.
Who? Surely her brother wasn’t referring to that insignificant old man farming in the dirt field as the “master no less skilled than those in renowned Orthodox Sect”?
“Master Mu-myung!!”
Unfortunately, the young girl’s small hope was completely betrayed.
â—‡
On my way back after practicing martial arts until late at night as usual, I somewhat forcibly rescued someone who was being attacked. It turned out that person was none other than the young master of the Murong family?
To summarize this encounter in one phrase:
It could be called a ‘fateful meeting’.
Must a fateful meeting involve meeting an old man in rough mountains to learn martial arts? This kind of encounter can also be called fateful. In fact, considering the definition of fateful meetings in martial arts novels…
It wasn’t entirely wrong, and the reason was due to the connection with the Murong family. The situation seemed quite complicated, but anyway, I’m the one who saved the family’s young master.
This means I could potentially receive valuable medicinal ingredients that the family produces, such as elixirs or herbs that increase internal energy, as a reward. And if this connection deepens further?
Even if manuals or the family’s special techniques are out of the question, I might be able to learn some basic martial arts. Though they say there’s no hierarchy in martial arts, it’s a bit sad when your only skill is the Three Disasters Sword Technique.
‘And above all, I can gain connections with the Murong family. Then, when I eventually make my debut in the martial world, I can receive various forms of assistance.’
Throughout history, powerful connections are helpful everywhere. Especially for me, who has barely reached the first-class at the age of thirty, showing quite inferior talent.
The first-class is not low by any means, but these days, it seems like everyone starts with at least the peak-class. But reaching only the first-class by age thirty after training is quite underwhelming.
That’s why I endured that brat’s rude words and reluctantly sat down. They say younger siblings often grow to match their older ones, but her personality is truly terrible compared to young master Murong Hyun.
“I believe the master is somewhat aware of our family’s situation. Would you please take care of our Sua until this matter is concluded?”
“That’s not difficult, but… would the young lady be alright? Looking at her, I’m worried that life in these mountains might be too harsh.”
‘Just say no. Please!!!’
For the sake of maintaining my connection with the Murong family, I can’t refuse their request. But babysitting? Moreover, looking after a precious child with no manners.
Hearing my words, the girl named Murong Sua, who had been kneeling quietly beside Murong Hyun, raised her head. Her eyes, tinged with the blue color of jade, fixed on me.
“How could I pass up the opportunity to learn from a master whom my brother has praised until his lips went dry? However…”
“However?”
“If it’s alright with you, I would like to see a brief demonstration of your skills.”
I tried to avoid trouble but ended up with even more.
