The Invincible Commander – Chapter 15

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HwasanSect

[Translator: Chyluck]

[Proofreader: Chyluck]

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Chapter 15

The roof, day by day, shed its wear and transformed into something new.

Alongside it, the Seoga manor’s daily life was gradually changing.

Despite Sohyang’s constant refusals, people began visiting to help with tasks.

Perhaps it was the frail nature of common folk, leaning on the strong out of weakness.

But for Sohyang, who’d gone from a life of respect to one of neglect and back again, it was different.

For twelve years since the manor’s fall, she’d raised her child alone, scraping by with menial labor amid indifference.

Had she lived peacefully as a noble’s daughter, she might’ve taken such kindness for granted, but now she knew its value.

“Oh, my lady, leave this to us.”

“No, I should help.”

At carpenter Im Gil-hyeon’s words, Sohyang smiled, rolling up her sleeves.

With Jeongyang’s wife, she prepared and served meals.

Even outside mealtimes, she didn’t rest, carrying tiles when she could.

“Goodness, my lady…”

People, seeing her, regretted neglecting the manor despite past debts of gratitude, feeling guilty.

They tried to make up for it by doing more.

The Seoga manor was slowly creeping back into people’s hearts.

Not for gain, but with genuine desire to help.

Yet Sohyang knew.

If their strength waned, attitudes might shift again.

She had to adapt.

Cherish the present and move forward.

Cheon Sinwoo taught her that.

This was her chance.

To build a foundation for Chang’s better future.

And, as Chang said, they needed someone to protect them.

So she stepped back.

No longer denying their martial heritage, she embraced it.

Stubbornness was a luxury.

The manor’s changes stemmed from her shift in heart.

Amid the bustle, one task she never skipped:

“Open your book.”

“Yes.”

Chang’s education.

She’d been teaching him the Analects lately.

If he was slow or lazy, she didn’t hesitate to discipline him.

Though it pained her, she was uncompromising about learning.

But—

“Chang, why are you distracted?”

“Sorry.”

“Hmm…”

Frowning at her son’s lack of focus, Sohyang wondered.

Was it the manor’s changed atmosphere?

Perhaps.

It had always been just them.

He wasn’t used to the clamor, and she’d often left him to read alone while she worked.

“Chang.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to attend a school like other kids?”

She asked gently.

She’d considered it before.

Her father, Seo Jinjoong, believed even a martial clan’s daughter shouldn’t neglect learning.

She’d had a private tutor for elementary studies.

A woman’s fate was to marry, and for a martial clan’s daughter, elementary learning was enough.

Most martial sons didn’t go beyond it either, as training consumed their time.

But though Sohyang accepted their martial roots, she didn’t want Chang to be a martial artist.

Elementary studies were just groundwork.

To build higher, he needed advanced learning: the Four Books—Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean—and the Five Classics—Poetry, History, Changes, Rites, Spring and Autumn Annals.

She could handle elementary studies, but the Analects stretched her limits.

It was time for school.

She knew she couldn’t support his progress alone anymore.

With Cheon Sinwoo restoring the manor’s esteem, the timing was perfect.

“Let’s stop for today.”

“What?”

“With your mind elsewhere, how can the text sink in?”

“Sorry.”

Her words felt like a scolding, and Chang looked glum.

“No, Chang.”

“…?”

“When studies tire you, rest is good. How can anyone study daily? Things are better now, so let’s go to the market and get paper.”

“For what?”

“When I couldn’t focus, I drew. If it suits you, it might help.”

“Oh…”

“Rest today. No, take a few days off from studies to clear your mind.”

“How many days?”

“Yes.”

Sohyang smiled, stroking his head.

She’d look into schools during his break.

She had a few in mind to entrust him to.

“By the way, Sinwoo hyung’s amazing, right?”

“Hm?”

“Everything’s changed since he came.”

Sohyang smiled at Chang’s words.

“Yes, he’s remarkable and kind.”

“And a good person.”

“Yes, a good person.”

“He’ll never harm the manor.”

“…Maybe. You never know with people.”

Sohyang shook her head, smiling.

She’d seen too many people change to fully agree.

She’d watched retainers steal and flee.

People turn their backs on the manor.

Villains become virtuous, regretting their lives.

Even her own change, embracing a former enemy…

People are unpredictable.

“But I can’t deny he’s good.”

“Right?”

“You seem to like Young Master Cheon.”

“Yes. I want to learn from him, as you said.”

“Good. There’s no high or low in learning. Absorbing good influence from such a person will help your life.”

“Yes, Mother!”

Chang’s lively reply made Sohyang smile warmly.

But she didn’t know.

A dream she hadn’t anticipated was growing in Chang’s heart.

“Rest now.”

“Yes.”

As Sohyang left, Chang smiled.

“Training in the rear garden, right?”

Like ripples in a child’s heart, he found small courage and rose, heart pounding.

His distraction stemmed from this.

He’d seen Woosaeng return daily, clothes tattered, as if in a fight.

He said Cheon Sinwoo was training him.

At first, Woosaeng struggled, but his expression changed over time.

Sometimes, he even begged to train.

Chang was curious.

About their training.

He knew where but hadn’t dared go, aware his mother disliked martial artists.

She’d hate him learning martial arts.

But with Cheon Sinwoo…

“It’ll be fine.”

He hadn’t decided to learn, just watch.

Mother said to rest, not to avoid anything.

Rationalizing, Chang hurried.

Kids his age think alike without being taught.

Yearning for the imagined.

Flying, shooting palm blasts.

The martial artist’s life.

He’d seen Cheon Sinwoo fight thugs.

Leaving his room, Chang’s steps matched his racing heart.

What would it look like?

Really…

Thud!

“Guh!”

“…”

At the rear garden, peeking through the gate, Chang saw a shocking scene.

Woosaeng’s massive body arced through the air, crashing into the ground under Cheon Sinwoo’s punch.

“You idiot! How long will you lie there? Dodge or take it, but counterattack! How many times do I have to say it?”

“Yes, big brother!”

“Here I go!”

With a shout, Cheon Sinwoo’s kick flew, and Woosaeng rolled swiftly to stand.

Chang marveled at such movement, but Cheon Sinwoo’s was far faster.

To young Chang’s eyes, he seemed to leap through space.

Thwack!

Kicked, Woosaeng’s body soared again.

“Huh? Oh no!”

It was toward the gate.

As the huge figure loomed, Chang, frozen in shock, squeezed his eyes shut and curled up.

Instinct to lessen impact.

Thud!

A loud crash sounded nearby.

But Woosaeng didn’t hit him.

“Young master?”

Cheon Sinwoo’s puzzled voice made Chang open his eyes.

No Woosaeng, just Cheon Sinwoo crouching, looking at curled-up Chang.

“Oof.”

Woosaeng had crashed elsewhere.

Spotting Chang, Cheon Sinwoo, startled, had used explosive energy to rush over and kick Woosaeng away.

“What are you doing here?”

“Uh?”

“Shouldn’t you be studying with my lady?”

“Yes.”

“She values that time, so why…”

“She said to rest.”

“What?”

“She said I wasn’t focusing, so rest a few days.”

“Oh…”

Cheon Sinwoo nodded, understanding.

To him, Chang was a scholarly prodigy.

Reading the Analects at twelve.

Even illiterate, he knew its difficulty.

Confucius’s words.

Not just because he’s his son—he’s a genius.

Deep learning would make him a high official.

That was Sohyang’s wish, and Cheon Sinwoo agreed.

Or a merchant, needing learning too.

Anything but martial arts.

That harsh world—how could he send Chang there?

Nonsense.

Holding a sword means stepping into a life where death looms.

What parent would send their child to such danger?

Sohyang and Cheon Sinwoo opposed it.

“So why are you here?”

“Oh, I was… curious. Pure curiosity, you know?”

“What?”

“Like, why’s Woosaeng hyung always a mess? What are you two doing… that sort of thing?”

Chang’s quick excuse made simple Cheon Sinwoo nod, laughing without suspicion.

“Pfft, a mess. Total rag, right?”

“Yes.”

Relieved at Cheon Sinwoo’s understanding, Chang sighed inwardly.

“Can I watch?”

“Watch?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

He hesitated but saw no harm in watching.

“Sure. Sit over there.”

“Yes!”

Thrilled, Chang scurried to sit on a pillar’s base stone.

Heart pounding, he watched wide-eyed.

Feeling his gaze, Cheon Sinwoo took a deep breath.

Why did this make his heart race like mad?

Showing training to his son.

He opposed him becoming a martial artist but wanted to look cool.

Not as a father openly, but to say, “This is who I am.”

Since he’s young, safely, up close.

“Woosaeng! What are you doing? Get over here!”

“Yes, big brother!”

“Now, you attack! I’ll counter.”

“Me first?”

“Yes! Any attack! Hurry!”

“Yes!”

Woosaeng, eyes fierce, clenched his fist.

Whoosh!

His massive fist sliced the air with a gust.

He had to dodge stylishly.

Step left, then a cool, powerful strike!

As he stepped back, ready to move—

“Right?”

“…?”

Chang’s sudden voice froze Cheon Sinwoo.

What did he say?

And then—

Thud!

Woosaeng’s hammer-like fist slammed into Cheon Sinwoo’s face.

…Right on the nose.