186 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

EP.186 Chapter 19 - Blue Ocean, Father and Son (6) * * * From the very beginning, he was extraordinary. Zhuge Byeok realized this fact when he was just five years old. “Are you telling me you understood all of this?” “Yes, the core of the formation is based on the element of wood (木) within the Five Elements theory. It is possible to unravel it by channeling the energy of fire (火), which acts as its weakness.” “Ha...!” His understanding of formation techniques was exceptional. His comprehension of literature was exceptional. His grasp of martial arts was exceptional. He was a prodigy (神童). Zhuge Byeok knew, through an exceedingly objective lens, that he was categorized as such. Because of this, his childhood faced no difficulties. The world presented itself to him in the warmest of forms. “I’ve finished studying the foundational texts.” “Byeok, it's astonishing that you've completed your elementary studies at just six.” “Can I move on to the next level?” “Haha, sure. If it's what you want, there's nothing you cannot achieve.” A life too easy to live. There was only one thing that was difficult for Zhuge Byeok. It was emotions. “The Young Lord has already reached first-rate!” “Not only that! His understanding of formations is astonishing! Do you know? There are even people in Hubei who call him the reincarnation of Confucius!” “Haha! Such luck and prosperity for the family!” The praises of the masses followed. Expectations cascaded upon him. However, Zhuge Byeok could not fully accept them. To be precise, he didn’t know how to respond to their praise. He had concerns. And it was only after seven days and nights of pondering that Zhuge Byeok’s superior intellect derived a conclusion. ‘Ah.’ Zhuge Byeok realized he was a man who didn’t know how to react correctly to the emotions of others. Thus, he was a man incapable of forming deep relationships with others. With that realization, Zhuge Byeok began to view the praises directed towards him differently. “Isn't it amazing? He's still just a teenager, yet he's already mastered the art of unwavering resolve. They say no one in the family has seen a change in his expression!” “A prodigy is not called a prodigy for nothing!” It was a hollow echo. A joy that could not reach Zhuge Byeok, a happiness he couldn’t return to them. Zhuge Byeok was plunged into anguish. Acknowledge that he had a problem was a challenging task, even for him. Many would call it the wandering of immaturity. Yet, no one acknowledged that fact. To many, Zhuge Byeok was merely a great prodigy. Those days continued until he turned fifteen, an age considered mature for learning. Unbeknownst to anyone, Zhuge Byeok’s inner world was decaying and rotting. His emotions started to wither away. With nowhere to comfort his heart, he often found himself alone. In an attempt to escape his worries, he took solace in alcohol. In the midst of those days, Zhuge Byeok met someone. “Why do you look so downcast?” Even more than three decades later, Zhuge Byeok distinctly remembered that day. It was at a restaurant in the land of Wuhan in Hubei, during the period when he was learning about the affairs of the Murim Alliance, sitting alone to embrace solitude, when a woman approached him. “Is the food not to your taste, sir?” The concerned eyes that looked at him. And her scent. “...Why.” “Hmm?” “Why do you think I’m in a bad mood?” He had never expressed his emotions before. Thus, he had never looked into the emotions of others. It was surprising. How did this woman understand so well what no one else knew about his inner world? The woman replied. “It’s obvious from just looking.” Her gently raised eyes curved elegantly. Her slender, sharp facial features rounded slightly as she smiled. “I have an eye for people. Now, sir, is the food not to your liking?” Her existence was a shock to Zhuge Byeok. Her words, warmth, and gaze were the most unfamiliar experiences Zhuge Byeok had ever encountered. Zhuge Byeok was indeed foolish that day. “What is your name?” Answering the question of ‘Is the food not to your liking?’ with ‘What is your name?’ labeled him nothing less than a fool. “A name, you say?” “Yes, your name.” It might have been unfortunate now. That she revealed her name. “My name is Yeon. Go Yeon.” Go Yeon. That name became etched like a brand in Zhuge Byeok’s being. * The first woman to recognize his emotions. To Zhuge Byeok, she was more lethal than the extreme poison of the Sichuan Tang Family. It could be called an addictive condition. Zhuge Byeok sought her out daily, like a man with thorns in his mouth if he didn’t converse with her. Even on her days off. “…Sir.” “Is today a day off?” “You look happy?” Zhuge Byeok eventually realized that Go Yeon had a generous nature. Indeed, how else could you describe a woman who welcomes a man who bothers her even on her days off with a smile? “Yes. What would you like to talk about today?” Go Yeon always initiated conversations with such words. Then Zhuge Byeok would speak about various incidents within the Alliance. Of course, within the limits of what he could share. "There was someone in the internal martial artist selection match who grabbed their opponent's hwar." "My word. You say that with a smile?" "I found it absurd." This must be happiness. This must be the essence of human life. Zhuge Byeok concealed his identity as the daughter of the innkeeper built a relationship with him. And alongside the passage of time they shared, his feelings grew. Until one day. “But sir, when do you plan to reveal your identity?” “Identity, you say.” “Oh, you’re startled. I wonder if you’ve ever planned to keep it hidden. You stop just short of boasting every time, which makes me terribly curious.” Why does it feel so joyous to face someone who cannot be deceived? *Terms and Interpretations Not in the List:* 1. **Go Yeon(고서연)** - A woman Zhuge Byeok met. Recognized as a significant person who understood his emotions. No gender specified explicitly, but implied female due to linguistic context and interaction. Alternate translations could include “Ko Yeon,” but “Go Yeon” aligns with general pronunciation guidelines. 2. **Zhuge Byeok(제갈벽)** - Within context, hinting affiliation with the Zhuge Family, whose exceptional skills and predicaments are emphasized, potentially refining alignment with intelligence and strategic capabilities famous within historical context. *Additional Context:* - Zhuge Byeok’s challenges in understanding and reciprocating emotions form a critical foundation for his interactions with Go Yeon. - The narrative presents the struggle of a prodigy with emotional acknowledgment and societal praise, highlighting the rare connection he forms with Go Yeon, who incidentally recognizes his feelings. *List Updates (if any):* - No changes necessary at this stage, but potential future context might clarify the connection of Go Yeon with other characters or affiliations. *Puns/Wordplay:* - There are no explicit puns or wordplay in the provided passage; the focus rests predominantly on narrative and thematic exposition. *Literal vs. Creative Interpretation:* - Literal translation captures character introduction and emotional struggle. Creative interpretation highlights metaphoric elements (e.g., thorn in the mouth) for conceptual clarity. Once again, did he try to boast about his status to her? Various questions arose in Zhuge Byeok's mind and then faded away. He simply said, "Just a little longer." Though Zhuge Byeok lived happily each day as he experienced interaction for the first time, he was still Zhuge Byeok. He knew well the things he should say and the things he shouldn't. To be precise, he feared that if she knew his origins, she might get scared and leave. "Hmm, then I'll wait." "Let's continue where we left off." "No, thank you. I don't want to hear about someone else's defeat. Instead, since you've interrupted my rest today, spend the day with me." It was a monumental day. Not only because it was his first outing with her but also because her hand reached out and overlapped with his. The heartbeat he felt at that moment was the reason. Her hands, full of calluses from doing hard work, though she knew nothing of martial arts, were rough and yet, when holding them, Zhuge Byeok felt his own breath tremble. At seventeen, Zhuge Byeok realized. He had fallen into a love from which he could never escape. ### First love is sweet and bitter. As someone once said, Zhuge Byeok’s love was very sweet and equally bitter. Because Go Yeon existed, it was sweet to be human. Yet it was bitter knowing he could not promise a life with her. The Zhuge Family, one of the Five Pillars of righteousness in Murim. As the scion born to lead the family, Zhuge Byeok knew that marriage was a matter of reasoning, not emotion. It didn't matter how powerful the family was. Choosing a partner worthy of the family's name was an unavoidable decision linked to their regional control. Someday, they'd have to part. The sweetness of the present would just become a fleeting memory. Yet, fearing a return to solitude, Zhuge Byeok merely avoided the matter. "Why do you look so downcast?" “Nothing.” At nineteen, Zhuge Byeok was a foolish man unable to express his youthful love. Just a coward seeking brief peace by leaning on her kindness. The reason this precarious relationship, despite its uncertainty, was maintained was twofold. Firstly, Zhuge Byeok still hadn't revealed his true identity. Secondly, Go Yeon refrained from probing into his identity out of consideration for him. "Does the meal suit your taste today? Ah, it does. You seem much happier." It was Go Yeon's smile. As he aged, he longed more for her smile and her presence. Zhuge Byeok could not bear to lose Go Yeon. Yet, unable to reveal his identity, he felt increasingly trapped. As he reached twenty, entering the age of maturity. “There will be a war.” A bloody conflict arose. The world turned into a place where everyone’s grief pierced the heavens, and the sweet memory of that day was about to fade away. Ironically, it became an opportunity for Zhuge Byeok. That's what he thought back then. Now, Zhuge Byeok had regrets. “…I must go to the battlefield.” He should not have done it. "If perhaps... you could wait for me. For me." He should not have said those words that day. If he hadn't, he might not have lost Go Yeon. [Proceed to the next chapter] *Terms and Interpretations Not in the List:* 1. **Five Pillars(다섯 기둥)** - An allegorical reference to prominent families or foundations within the Murim system, designed to emphasize Zhuge Family’s stature. Alternate translation: "Five Foundations", but "Five Pillars" better retains the metaphorical strength. 2. **Go Yeon(고서연)** - Further depicted within the narrative with emotional ties, reaffirming her role connected to Zhuge Byeok. It's consistent with the earlier familiarity displayed. *Additional Context:* - Zhuge Byeok's narrative exhibits the inner conflict between duty and personal emotions, highlighting his struggles in reconciling his obligations with personal desires. - The depiction of unspoken societal expectations and their influence on personal relationships is emphasized. *Puns/Wordplay:* - "Calluses" metaphorically parallels Zhuge Byeok’s rough and layered emotional estate, showcasing complexity beyond the surface. *List Updates (if any):* - No additional updates currently necessitated; however, potential future narrative reveals may further detail familial ties or character alignments. *Literal vs. Creative Interpretation:* - The interpretation primarily remains literal to preserve the emotional and context-heavy scenarios involving Zhuge Byeok and Go Yeon, while creative elements are utilized to convey emotion and broader cultural implications.