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Chapter 33
I felt a lump in my throat.
“Why? You said I have talent!”
Namgung Jeong, equally frustrated, shouted as well.
“Look at yourself! How many times have I taught you this already? By now, you should have memorized the basic moves and be practicing variations, but you keep messing up even the fundamentals!”
“Sniff…”
I had nothing to say and stared into space.
Actually, the sword techniques Namgung Jeong had taught weren’t that difficult. They were third-rate martial arts commonly found on the streets, and true to their reputation, the movements were simple.
Compared to other martial arts with 36 or 72 moves, this one had only three. I thought I could learn them quickly.
But the more I practiced, the more problems arose.
“Again! I said it’s a straight slash, not a diagonal! Why do you keep doing that?”
I had started altering the moves on my own.
It wasn’t intentional. My mind kept repeating the instructions as I’d learned them, but when my body executed the moves, I’d think, Wouldn’t it be better this way? and the directions would shift.
Naturally, Namgung Jeong was exasperated.
“I’ve told you countless times—changing it like that only exposes flaws!”
“B-But it feels better for my body this way. If I follow your method exactly, my movements become too big and I wobble…”
“Are you the Grandmaster? Just because it doesn’t suit you, you can’t arbitrarily change the moves! A true Grandmaster adjusts the technique to cover its weaknesses. You’re just messing it up!”
The situation worsened when we moved on to variations.
Variations, or byeonjo (變招), are improvised changes within a technique to adapt to the moment. If used incorrectly, they reveal weaknesses, so they must be memorized precisely—but I couldn’t understand this at all.
I timidly asked,
“Why do I have to memorize variations? Can’t I just adjust according to the situation? If there’s a set formula, wouldn’t it be easier for an opponent who knows the move to counter it?”
“Right, right. So our great Grandmaster can create other incredible variations besides the ones he teaches?”
“That’s not it…”
I scratched my head, and Namgung Jeong bellowed.
“A variation is designed considering all possible variables. Even if a top master can forget the standard moves and adapt freely, are you such a master? Stop whining and memorize it!”
This scenario repeated at least ten times.
Eventually, Namgung Jeong gave up.
“No use. You shouldn’t even think about holding a sword. If you keep this up, you’ll end up harming someone innocent.”
“Is it… that serious?”
“Do you think I’m joking? Sigh… It’s a shame to end like this. How about learning staff techniques or hand-to-hand combat instead?”
The techniques I learned this way were much easier.
I thought of them as extensions of my body, so controlling them was easier. Even if a movement slightly deviated, I could correct it quickly. With a sword, if you misdirect, you barely have time to recover.
Namgung Jeong sighed deeply.
“What a waste! What good is it if you have talent for staff or hand techniques? To continue my legacy, you must learn the sword. Seems I won’t have a disciple in this lifetime.”
I awkwardly tried to object.
“You told me to learn casually… I never agreed to be your disciple, did I?”
“Eh, I know, I know! I just thought I’d try coaxing you since you have potential. Passing on my legacy is such an honor!”
“Yes… of course…”
Honestly, I didn’t feel particularly honored, but seeing him sulk made me pity him a little, so I said something polite.
“Well, someday the Grandmaster will surely find a disciple who suits him perfectly. Someone better than me, without talent, will come along.”
“You’re not without talent… Eh, whatever. Enough about that. I’ll teach you one last thing.”
“Really? There’s more?”
Namgung Jeong grumbled at my puzzled expression.
“I was going to teach you a special final technique I devised for my disciples, but it’s a sword move, so that’s impossible. Still, since I’ve taught you this far, I’ll share one good move, not a final technique but useful nonetheless.”
“Really? What is it?”
“A technique you can use when your life is in danger. Used properly, it can save you—or seize the opponent’s life…”
Namgung Jeong grinned.
“Saving Life in One Move (Gumyeong Ilcho, 救命一招).”
Meanwhile, Wang Joo-geon, the soon-to-be rumor leader—or more accurately, the man destined to become one—was drinking at the pavilion in broad daylight.
“Bring… bring me alcohol! Wine…!”
“Oh my, what could make our dashing rumor leader so upset?”
Wang Joo-geon scoffed at the gisaeng serving him, grinding his teeth.
The reason for his foul mood? A few days ago, Namgung Jeong, the junior head of the Namgung family, had appeared.
How dare the Namgung family… try to humiliate me…!
He’d disliked Namgung Jeong from the start. Growing up, he’d heard of Namgung Jeong’s reputation as a prodigy in swordsmanship, and all the praise and high potential reports had undermined Wang Joo-geon’s confidence.
Namgung Jeong had even interfered when Wang Joo-geon tried to train a servant, helping the servant instead.
At the time, Wang Joo-geon had no choice but to retreat, but when he later realized that man was Namgung Jeong, he was stunned.
They were scheming to humiliate me from the start…!
Wang Joo-geon was furious but could do nothing. If he punished his servant, Namgung Jeong would bring up his own servant, revealing the incidents between him and the Namgung family.
So he had to suppress his anger.
But Namgung Jeong’s arrogance didn’t end there.
He went everywhere, drawing attention and leaving Wang Joo-geon, even as a guest, feeling ignored.
Moreover, overhearing their interactions with the Namgung family head revealed something noteworthy.
“Has Ari’s condition improved?”
“Yes, it’s really a relief. Not fully cured, but seeing her complexion better than before puts my mind at ease…”
“Good, good! I must visit her. Before, I never dared, because she’d make such a fuss whenever anyone came…”
Hearing such familiarity, Wang Joo-geon instinctively sensed something.
Could it be…?
Perhaps the bride was already decided.
It made sense. The deep friendship between the Namgung family head and the So family head was well-known. It was only natural that they’d want to marry off the daughter.
Then Wang Joo-geon’s position? He was like a dog chasing a chicken…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”
He imagined the So family head’s fake, friendly smile, and Namgung Jeong’s arrogant, dismissive face.
But Wang Joo-geon’s rage ultimately focused on one person—the root cause of all this, the arrogant woman who never treated him as a man: So Yeon-ri.
It’s all because of her. If she had accepted me earlier, I wouldn’t be humiliated. How dare a mere woman disgrace a man?!
After stewing, he suddenly grinned.
But that ends now.
“Have you prepared what I told you last time?”
The gisaeng understood and took a small bottle from her bosom, filled with a clear liquid.
“This is the Menghon-yak (朦昏藥). Even a small dose paralyzes the whole body and gradually causes unconsciousness. It’s colorless and tasteless, so no one would notice if added to wine or tea.”
“Good, with this…!”
“Sir, may I suggest something regarding this plan?”
Startled, Wang Joo-geon paused, annoyed, but replied in a calmer tone.
“What is it? Speak.”
“Instead of acting immediately after giving the drug, how about hiding for a while with her first?”
“What?”
The gisaeng’s sweet voice whispered.
“Acting right there would be harder to manage. If anyone finds out about the drug, it could anger the rumor leader. By hiding and lighting the Dongbang Hwachok later, using a small amount of the drug multiple times wouldn’t be a problem. Spending a few days together in hiding would ensure she accepts you as her husband.”
“…”
Wang Joo-geon considered it.
Indeed, acting immediately could earn So Yeon-ri, but would not avoid the So family head’s wrath.
The So family head’s anger wasn’t scary, but Wang Joo-geon feared his father would be told. If his father knew he drugged the So family daughter…
Yes, this is safer.
Better for So Yeon-ri to accept him voluntarily.
“Hahaha, clever girl! But how do you know all this when I’ve said nothing?”
“The streets are full of rumors about who the daughter is to marry. Surely you’ve heard? Still, it’s a shame you won’t be serving such a handsome man…”
“Eh, a person can’t live on meals alone. One must enjoy snacks too. Come, come up here!”
“Kyaaa!”
Laughter never ceased in the gisaeng house.
