Chapter 34

Between the towering stacks of books, the low murmur of voices drifted through the room. “That’s it! So then?” “If I modify this part here, I think the equation will line up correctly.” “Hmm... but isn’t there a chance the formula might still break down?” “I’ve outlined that issue over here.” “Let me see. Yes, yes... Oh-ho!” Reading the annotated book, Sama Cheon couldn’t stop himself from exclaiming. “Hah... You organized all of this yourself?” “I was just putting things in order, and it turned out that way.” “Hahaha! Incredible! Absolutely incredible!” Sama Cheon looked at Yeon Woo Jin with a gleam of affection in his eyes. Found him! My successor! Hahaha... Grinning nonstop, Sama Cheon kept flipping through the pages Yeon Woo Jin had compiled, reading them again and again. The documents had been arranged systematically, in a way even the Military Division scholars could understand. If those bastards had half this kid’s brain, I wouldn’t have to suffer like this. He’d been alone in his struggle for so long. But now he wasn’t. Not with Yeon Woo Jin here. Wearing a pleased expression, he scanned the last of the books until he reached one more volume. “What’s this?” “Ah, I rewrote the Thousandfold Thunder Array Formation in my own style.” “Your own style?” “Yes. I was just bored and fiddled with it a bit. You don’t have to read it.” The Thousandfold Thunder Array Formation, reinterpreted in Yeon Woo Jin’s style? Like hell he wouldn’t read it. Afraid the boy might take it back, Sama Cheon hastily opened the book and began reading at a furious pace. As he read silently for a while, his eyes widened in shock. He glanced between the book and Yeon Woo Jin. “Did... did you seriously make this yourself?” “Yes. It’s still pretty rough, though.” “Rough? Do you even know what that word means?” “I think so.” “No, I don’t think you do. The ‘rough’ you’re talking about and the one I know clearly mean two different things.” “I’m pretty sure they’re the same.” “No /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ way. If this is rough, then the rest of the Military Division are a bunch of useless worms! There’s a limit to humility, kid.” “Thank you for the compliment.” “Hah...” Sama Cheon stared intently at the pages. “It’s perfect. This is the true Thousandfold Thunder Array Formation. A shifting hell of a thousand transformations...” There was only one way out. You’d have to soar high above the heavens to escape the formation’s grasp and relocate beyond its range. Otherwise, you’d be tormented to death by the endlessly changing illusions within. Sama Cheon’s mind raced. If it were me, how would I deal with this formation? No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t find a way out. The so-called path of life was a trap. “It’s a Path Where Survival Means Death, twisted so that only by choosing the Path Where Death Means Survival does the real exit appear.” “Wow. You’re incredible. You figured that out right away.” Yeon Woo Jin sounded genuinely impressed. Sama Cheon puffed up proudly and stroked his beard. “You brat, I’ll have you know I’m the Military Strategist of the Martial God Sect, hahaha!” To break through this formation, one would have to charge into danger with the resolve to die. Only then would the way out reveal itself. Talking with Yeon Woo Jin was enjoyable. More than that, he’d solved the very formation that Sama Cheon had agonized over for years. Looking at him with affectionate eyes, Sama Cheon spoke warmly. “I want to take you in as my disciple. What do you think?” “Huh?” “What? You don’t want to?” “Well... I’d have to get permission from my grandfather first.” Sama Cheon stared at him, stunned. Did this boy know who he was? He was second-in-command of the entire Martial God Sect. Who would dare oppose him taking on a disciple? Any sane person would throw a celebration. He figured Yeon Woo Jin had no idea how rare and monumental an opportunity had just landed in his lap. “Hah! Don’t worry—I’ll get his permission for you.” “Hmm... Alright. I’ll talk to Grandpa and give him a heads-up.” “Good. I’ll drop by the Infinite Archives soon, then.” “Please let me know when you’re coming. That way, I can make sure Grandpa is free that day.” “Why wait? Let’s set a date today.” “Today?” “What? Is that a problem?” “No, it’s fine. I’ll tell him today.” “Hahaha, good. See you this evening, then.” “Yes, sir.” Sama Cheon chuckled as he left, already thinking about how he would raise his new disciple. He had not the slightest doubt Yeon Woo Jin would become his. After all, what grandfather in his right mind would turn down Sama Cheon himself? **** “L-Lord Martial God Sect Leader...! What brings you here...?” Sama Cheon had strolled into the Infinite Archives with a light heart, only to be stunned by an utterly unexpected figure. “Didn’t you ask to see me?” “M-me, sir?” “Hey, just talk to me like usual.” Sama Cheon shot a sideways glance at Yeon Woo Jin. The look meant: Is it really okay to talk so casually in front of him? “Yeah, it’s fine. Just be normal. He knows everything anyway.” The Martial God Sect Leader, Yeon Cheon-baek, was speaking casually with Yeon Woo Jin. Comfortably. As if he’d known him for years. What the hell was this situation? Sama Cheon was confused. Did Cheon-baek already take him as a disciple? No—that couldn’t be. He would’ve told Sama Cheon first. Always had. “Ahem. Fine, I’ll speak normally then. But seriously, what are you doing here?” Yeon Cheon-baek and Sama Cheon were lifelong friends, closer than brothers. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see me?” “Me? Want to see you?” “Yeah. I heard you wanted to take Woo Jin as your disciple.” “Our... Woo Jin?” “Why? Got a problem with me calling my grandson by name?” “Wha—what did you say?!” Sama Cheon recoiled in shock as Yeon Cheon-baek pulled Yeon Woo Jin into a one-armed hug. “My grandson, Yeon Woo Jin. Honestly, you should’ve been paying better attention when I introduced him.” “What... What the hell are you talking about?!” “You misheard him as Yeom Woo Jin, not Yeon Woo Jin, didn’t you?” “W-what? He’s not Yeom?” “Nope. You chased the wrong dog. Our Woo Jin’s surname is Yeon.” At Yeon Cheon-baek’s words, Sama Cheon realized exactly where things had gone wrong. “So it wasn’t Yeom Woo Jin... it was Yeon Woo Jin all along?” “That’s right.” “You already knew about your grandson’s talent?” “Isn’t that obvious? When I heard you wanted to take Woo Jin as a disciple, I figured this would happen.” “Haah...” “Our Woo Jin’s a sharp one. Hehehe.” Seeing Yeon Cheon-baek laugh so blissfully made Sama Cheon’s eyes widen in shock. “You still know how to laugh like that?” “I’m human too, you know.” Sama Cheon kept staring at Yeon Woo Jin. “Stop gawking, you’ll wear the boy out with your eyes.” “I want to make him my disciple! Let me have him. I’ll pass down everything I know!” At that, Yeon Cheon-baek stroked his beard and looked at his grandson. “And what do you think?” “Hmm... I do want to learn from him.” “Hahaha! Do you now? Then go. Learn everything that old bastard has. Strip him down to his underwear if you have to.” Yeon Woo Jin grinned brightly and turned to Sama Cheon. “Grandpa gave me permission.” “Hahh... Why do I feel like I’ve just been played by a pair of scheming grandsons?” “What’re you saying? It’s been forever since the two of us had a drink. Let’s sit down and share one for old times’ sake.” “Heh, now that’s something I can get behind.” “You’re going to be my grandson’s teacher—of course I’ll treat you to a drink.” “Can’t believe the day has come where you treat me. Guess living long has its perks.” “Take good care of my grandson.” “You have my word!” **** From the very next day, Sama Cheon ran straight to the underground archive the moment he opened his eyes. The grandson of the Martial God Sect Leader was now his disciple. And that disciple’s talent was something to be envied. Sama Cheon looked like a kid who had just been given a priceless treasure, bounding toward the archive with a thrilled expression. But as he stepped into the underground chamber— A loud commotion echoed from inside. “Speak clearly! Who did you make clean this place?!” “I really did it all myself.” “You little shit! You plan to lie until the end, do you? You still don’t realize how serious your offense is!” “I swear it’s the truth.” “Lies! Do you think I’m going to believe a single word?! The materials here would take dozens of scholars at least a month to go through, and you expect me to believe you handled it all in a week?” Sama Cheon walked carefully toward the noise. There, he saw Yeon Woo Jin being chewed out by a scholar. “And you’re saying you even cleaned this place spotless on top of that? Just the cleaning alone would’ve taken a month! I never even expected you to organize the materials! I sent you here just to observe your consistency, and now you come back lying to my face?!” “I’m not lying. I really did clean and organize everything myself.” “Shut it! You need more than words, clearly! One last time—who helped you do all this?!” “I swear I did it all alone. Please, believe me!” “Enough! If blood must be spilled, then so be it. Don’t blame me—you brought this on yourself!” The scholar turned, face twisted with rage— And stopped dead in his tracks. Sama Cheon stood there, face burning red, as if his head might explode. The scholar, recognizing him instantly, dropped his head in panic. “Ah! L-Lord Strategist...! What brings you to such a humble place...?” “Your name?” “Bae Sang-pil, sir!” “Right, Sang-pil... Tell me, what exactly do you think you’re doing right now?” “P-pardon? Oh! That student? I’m sorry, sir. It’s my fault—I failed to instruct him properly. I’ll remove him at once.” “What? Who are you saying you’ll remove?!” “Eh? W-why are you so angry, sir...?” “That boy you’re threatening to remove? He’s my disciple.” “E-excuse me?! Wh-what did you say?” At those words, Bae Sang-pil’s eyes widened so far they nearly split his face. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Slowly, his head turned toward Yeon Woo Jin. Even now, his expression was one of disbelief. “Why? Hard to believe that kid’s my disciple?” “W-well, I just...” Before he could stammer further, Yeon Woo Jin spoke up. “Master, what brings you here so early?” “You brat—what, I need to schedule a time just to visit my own disciple? I come when I want.” Yeon Woo Jin smiled. But Sama Cheon didn’t smile back. Instead, he glared coldly at Bae Sang-pil. “Everything Woo Jin just told you is the truth. He cleaned this place, sorted the materials—all by himself. I’m the witness. Or are you saying you don’t believe me?” “N-no, sir! Not at all!” “Then you’ll need to pay the price for dishonoring my disciple.” “L-Lord Strategist! P-please...!” “Treating my disciple like trash is the same as spitting in the face of the Martial God Sect’s Chief Strategist. You think I can let that go?” Bae Sang-pil collapsed to the floor and grovelled. “Please, sir! I didn’t know! I’m begging you, forgive me just this once!” He shook and pleaded, bowing over and over until his hands were raw. Sama Cheon looked down at him silently for a moment, then crouched in front of him. “Do you even know who you picked a fight with?” “O-of course, sir! He’s your great and noble disciple! From now on, I’ll treat him with the utmost respect! Please, forgive this fool!” “Tsk. Even if I forgive you, once his grandfather hears about this, your life’s over.” “H-his grandfather?” It didn’t make sense. How could some librarian have the power to end his life? Did he mean Sama Cheon was going to act on his behalf? Bae Sang-pil stared blankly, unable to process what he was hearing. Sama Cheon clicked his tongue. “You idiot. You messed with the one person you never should have. Before he’s my disciple, he’s the grandson of the Martial God Sect Leader.” “W-wait. What? I must’ve misheard you...” Bae Sang-pil jerked his head toward Yeon Woo Jin, face frozen in shock. “You’re telling me... he is the grandson of the Martial God Sect Leader?” Bae Sang-pil didn’t even answer. His jaw just hung open, a line of drool dripping from his lips. “You were just threatening to beat to death the Sect Leader’s grandson. You get it now?” “T-that can’t be... I—I was told he was the librarian’s grandson...” “That ‘librarian’? He is the Martial God Sect Leader. And you probably still think the boy’s name is Yeom Woo Jin, right?” “Y-yes...” “It’s not Yeom. It’s Yeon.”