Chapter 363
Jeong Ha-rin really only asked me about things related to martial arts.
To be honest, I thought Jeong Ha-rin had some other intention when she said she had something to ask me.
Like trying to get back at me for nagging her last time, or trying to seduce me...
But, she showed no such signs at all.
She really asked about the things she had been curious about in a serious and calm manner, and I, without realizing it, became immersed in the conversation with her from a certain point.
"In Miss Jeong's current situation, the most important thing is ultimately the circulation of internal energy. Since it's true that you've been lazy in your martial arts training until now, to make up for that, it's important to increase the circulation of internal energy and the total amount of qi by circulating your qi for at least one shichen a day. If you want to go a little faster... asking your grandfather for an elixir and a point-pressing bloodletting is also a kind of method. Originally, it's not something he does for just anyone, but would he not listen to his pretty granddaughter's request?"
"Yes, pretty granddaughter?"
"Yes. The Alliance Leader adores you so much, Miss Jeong. If he had loved you a little less when you used to hang out with your bad friends, you would probably have been confined in the Martial Alliance and forbidden from going out."
"Ah, so that's what you meant..."
"Anyway, after talking with you just now, I know for sure. Miss Jeong... you also have very good aptitude. If you just keep working hard like this, you'll be able to rise to the ranks of a master in no time."
I said to her in a slightly serious voice.
Her skill right now is just ambiguous.
If she stops without developing further from this skill, she won't jump into the harsh martial world, but will live in luxury as the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader who has learned a little martial arts, and if she crosses this line, she will have to walk the path of a martial artist in earnest.
Because it is the natural order of things that if you have great power, you are inevitably bound by the fate of a master.
Perhaps the reason the Alliance Leader had not forced her to train in martial arts until now was because he wanted her to remain a granddaughter who was always protected and loved.
"Miss. Now is the time to think seriously. If you learn more martial arts from here... from then on, you really have to live as a martial artist. Do you want that to happen?"
At my question, she didn't hesitate for long and immediately nodded her head.
"Of course. I had already made up my mind about that before I started training in martial arts."
Jeong Ha-rin always has a slightly playful expression and a relaxed smile.
But now, her expression looks more serious than anyone else's.
Is that Jeong Ha-rin's real expression?
In my past life, I had fallen for that pretty face at first sight, but in this life, I had never thought that face was pretty.
On the contrary, I had even felt that it was detestable.
But her serious expression, which I was seeing for the first time... made me realize anew why I had fallen for her in my past life.
Because I had almost blurted out that she was pretty without realizing it.
"Alright. Then now, try asking your grandfather seriously. Just that alone will solve most of the many problems you have."
"Thank you for your advice."
After that, I talked with her a little more.
Around the time the moon rose high in the sky. We decided to get up.
Because I also had to go back to the inn soon and wait for the Alliance Leader, and it was also time for Jeong Ha-rin to go home.
"Today's conversation was enjoyable. I will be cheering for you from afar to become a better martial artist in the future."
"Excuse me, Dojang Unhwi..."
"Yes?"
"By any chance, can we talk like this often in the future? I don't have any other intentions. You taught me so well today... I think it would be more helpful for me to learn martial arts if I gathered the things I don't know, the things I can't ask others, and asked you occasionally."
She said that with wavering eyes.
In fact, I also know what she means by saying that.
It means she wants to continue her connection with me even if it's like that.
"Yes. Let's do that next time if we have a chance."
I didn't completely push her away.
Because I would be frequenting the Martial Alliance in the future anyway, and if Jeong Ha-rin also becomes a master, we will have many chances to meet, so if I draw a line here, it will definitely be very awkward to see her in the future.
But... that doesn't mean I want to leave her any room when I don't have any feelings for her.
"But Miss Jeong. I am going through the busiest time of my life right now."
"Yes?"
She seemed to be flustered for a moment at my sudden words, but she soon looked me straight in the eye and listened to my words.
As expected, since she is smart, it seemed she had figured out what I wanted to say with just the first word.
"And the most important thing is that it will get even busier in the future. So I'm not free enough to take time out for personal feelings."
"Ah..."
"The reason I said I would meet and talk with you next time, Miss Jeong, is because I thought that if you cultivate your aptitude and that martial art well, it could be a great help to the martial world."
"......"
She couldn't answer anymore and was just looking at me.
Although I could see her wavering eyes getting moist, I steeled my heart and continued, "I don't know if you misunderstood, but the reason I said you could stand next to me if you train hard in martial arts and your skills improve was also for that reason. Right now, I need comrades. Comrades who can punish evil and protect the martial world..."
Jeong Ha-rin couldn't even look at me anymore and lowered her gaze.
I also can't look at her straight.
To be honest, it was the first time in my life that I had said something like this to someone, and to a woman at that, so it was a little difficult for me to say.
"So from now on, I will treat you as a comrade, as a comrade who wants to protect the martial world together."
I said that and got up from my seat.
No matter how much I had steeled my heart, I wasn't at the point where I could watch a woman cry.
Although it might seem cowardly, I thought I should leave the place.
"Then I'll be on my way. Have a good... night."
A final farewell without expecting an answer.
And I immediately turned around and was about to leave the tea house.
"Dojang Unhwi!"
But I heard a voice calling me urgently from behind.
I had no choice but to turn around and look at her again.
Jeong Ha-rin also got up from her seat and slowly walked towards me, and said right in front of my nose.
As if she had sorted out her emotions in that short time, the expression that seemed like she was about to cry until a little while ago was gone.
"Comrade. Alright. For now, I'll start as a comrade."
"For now?"
"You're not planning to live for the martial world your whole life, are you, Dojang Unhwi? I think you have some goal. I don't know what that goal is, but..."
I was inwardly impressed by her, whether it was her five senses or her guess.
"When you achieve that goal, you won't be able to make the excuse that you don't have time. Then I... will work harder than now... and help you achieve that goal, Dojang Unhwi. If I can be of even a little help, won't you be able to achieve your goal even a day sooner?"
"Miss. And actually..."
"Let's stop there."
"......?"
"I'm not okay at all right now. But I'm pretending to be okay, to the point where my legs are trembling. So for today, just this far... I'll hear the rest of the story next time."
She, who had said that, passed me and headed to the door first, continuing, "It's hard to hold on any longer... I'll go out first. Today was really... thank you. For answering my questions, and for saying we'll meet again. Then I'll see you next time."
Jeong Ha-rin, leaving only those words, left the tea house.
I, looking at her departing back, couldn't move for a long time and just stood there, and then I barely came to my senses and moved my steps. To go back to the inn.
When I was about to leave the tea house door.
"Excuse me... sir...?"
Someone spoke to me in a very cautious tone.
Wondering who it was, I turned my head and saw that it was the owner of the tea house who had been talking with Jeong Ha-rin when I first came in.
"Yes? What is it?"
Then she hesitated and barely opened her mouth.
"I didn't mean to listen, but I happened to hear you two talking."
"Ah, I see."
"Miss... she seems very strong on the outside, but on the inside, she's a very gentle and lonely person."
I knew that to some extent.
Because people who are generally lonely tend to meet many people and create various gatherings.
"But it's the first time I've seen the miss speak so seriously. So I hope you'll think carefully about what kind of heart she had when she said that."
"Yes. I'm already thinking carefully. It seems Miss Jeong has a good connection by her side. Then I'll be on my way."
I, thinking that Jeong Ha-rin had taken good care of the people around her, was about to leave the tea house.
"Excuse me..."
But she stopped me again.
Wondering what it was this time, I looked at her, and she stealthily opened her mouth.
"How should I calculate the tea price?"
"Ah... how much is it?"
"Two silver coins."
"Two silver coins?"
Although I was surprised that a cup of tea cost one silver coin, I, who had come to my senses, took out the money pouch from my bosom and paid for the tea.
"Thank you, customer. Please come again."
After receiving the money, she saw me off with a brightened face, and I, on that road, left the tea house and returned to the inn.
Although I felt as if I had been had by Jeong Ha-rin for some reason... I didn't feel bad.
It was thanks to the thought that, as she had said, I had gained a strong comrade who could be of great help in the future.
***
Jeong Ha-rin, who had returned to her room in the Martial Alliance, felt a surge of emotion as she was alone.
Although she wanted to cry, and she wanted to shout out of frustration... she folded those emotions tightly and put them away in a corner of her heart.
Although there was no one watching, so no one would say anything if she cried, she still didn't cry.
Because she knew it herself, not anyone else.
"Just you wait. Next time... I'll make sure you can't speak so coldly."
She, muttering to herself as if making a promise, did not collapse and got up from her seat.
And then she sat down in a cross-legged position and began to circulate her qi to skillfully manage the circulation of internal energy that Unhwi had said she lacked a little while ago.
She had decided to become stronger.
It seems that to catch Unhwi's eye, she has to be strong first.
Even if it was not love but camaraderie or friendship, she was fine with it.
For now, what she could do was to train in martial arts.
No one knew yet that another master would be born in the future.
(End of Chapter)