Chapter 128
Late morning, around the Hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM).
"So-ah."
After the regular meeting ended, So-ah visited the Alliance Leader's office once again in the evening.
"Grandma."
It was because he had received an urgent summons from Abbess Hongryeon.
"Won't you sit for a moment?"
"Yes!"
Abbess Hongryeon poured So-ah, who had taken a seat, some personally brewed Longjing tea and spoke in a low voice.
"Even after the meeting ended, I had various conversations with the renowned masters."
"Aha..."
"But an unexpected thing happened. Most seemed to agree with the strategist's opinion, but a few stubbornly refused, saying they could never cooperate with the Demonic Cult."
"Hoo... I see."
So-ah let out a deep sigh.
'Good grief! What on earth is this about Unorthodox, Orthodox, Righteous, and Evil? Considering the practical benefits, the strategist's words are a hundred times right.'
It wasn't that So-ah didn't know the customs of the martial world.
For members of the Orthodox Path to cooperate with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would be an extremely uncomfortable matter.
However.
'If we wage an all-out war one-on-one with the White Lotus Cult, it will be the rising stars who die the most. Why can't the renowned masters see that?'
For So-ah, who usually took a pragmatic approach to life, it was incomprehensible.
Moreover, the Unorthodox, Orthodox, Righteous, and Evil that So-ah felt were truly just divisions of factions.
In fact, his sworn brothers, the Waterway King and the Pirate King, as well as Unorthodox Path figures like the Heavenly Demon or Wi-ji Chan, were superior in every way to those called the prestigious Orthodox sects.
'Still, it would be presumptuous of me to argue about it. It's ultimately Grandma Hongryeon's authority.'
It was when he was having such thoughts.
"But So-ah..."
Abbess Hongryeon continued.
"I think the same as the strategist. As long as the strength of the White Lotus Cult has not been measured, an all-out war will guarantee great sacrifices. I must prevent such a great bloodbath from happening during my tenure."
"You are right, Grandma Hongryeon. No, Alliance Leader!"
"Hoho. Just call me Grandma as usual. I like that better now."
"Haha, then I will."
"So, So-ah."
Abbess Hongryeon's voice turned quite serious.
Feeling a question, So-ah asked.
"Yes?"
"What you said at the meeting. Can you really bring about the negotiations with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
"I can't be certain, but if the Alliance dispatches a diplomat to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I will at least be the most suitable person. As I said, I have a close relationship with the vice-leader."
A deep smile appeared on Abbess Hongryeon's face.
"Hohoho. The more I think about it, the more I find you a mysterious child. Although you became the top disciple of the great God of War as an orphan, you make connections wherever you go. That too is a blessing from the heavens."
"Hahahat."
"Then let's do this."
"How?"
"It may take some time, but I will try to persuade the hardliners. If we reach a consensus after that, would it be alright to dispatch you to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult then?"
"Just leave it to me, Grandma."
"Alright. I don't know how reassuring it is to have you."
"Aww! You're gilding my face again."
"Hohohot."
"While you're persuading the hardliners, I'll go to my family's home. I've taken on a disciple, so I'm busy."
"Hoh. You've taken a disciple too?"
"Yes. It just happened. Hahaha."
"He must be a great talent."
"Actually, he's a huge dunce."
"Then why did you take him as a disciple?"
"Passion. I saw that the fellow's passion was top-notch."
"Passion... You really are the disciple of the great God of War, aren't you? To preach such a theory of perseverance. You are a truly interesting fellow."
Thus, the two tilted their teacups with smiles on their faces.
***
—Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Hoo..."
Upon returning to the cult, Wi-ji Chan cut off all communication with the outside world for two days and devoted himself to meditation.
That meditation was a virtual duel with a specific person, and that specific person was the three fallen monks he had seen in the forbidden area of the White Lotus Cult.
'If they hadn't let their guard down... I might not have won.'
He was able to learn this kind of meditation training thanks to his annual visits to the God of War's estate to receive bone-setting and massage therapy as a child.
And Wi-ji Chan himself knew the effects of this meditation training better than anyone.
'I am still lacking. I must become a martial artist who surpasses my father and grandfather!'
In the eye of his mind, the ruthless fists, palms, and kicks of the fallen monks unfolded.
Wi-ji Chan, who was searching for an escape route while swimming through the air with the Heavenly Demon Overlord Step, dug into the most certain and fatal weakness with the Sword Control Art.
The sword aura, which could slice black iron like tofu, struck the fallen monk's chest,
his arm,
and severed his neck.
'Hoo...'
Only then did he end his meditation and open his eyes.
'Now I must go see my father.'
Wi-ji Chan, having regained vitality in his exhausted mind and body, thus headed to the conference room of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The task of persuading the cult's elders and the cult leader still remained, but his heart was strangely uplifted at the thought of slaughtering the demonic creatures that should not exist in the world.
***
A few days later, in Liaoning—
When did So-ah most keenly feel the realm he had achieved?
It was when he was performing the Swift Realm Step.
Of course, he would only truly feel the achievement through real combat, but since he now possessed an internal energy that was as inexhaustible as the great sea, he was able to execute the Swift Realm Step while pouring out his internal energy like water.
'As expected, the more money and internal energy you have, the better! The more the merrier. That's right.'
The excited So-ah created the strange phenomenon of arriving in Liaoning in just a few days.
It was a speed that was not inferior to the Heavenly Demon Overlord Step, of course, or even the Eight Great Dragon Steps of Kunlun, which was always considered the number one lightness skill and footwork in the martial world.
***
<Cheong-a-ru>
So-ah arrived at <Cheong-a-ru> before the Moyong Family estate.
Yuk Jeong-ran greeted So-ah with a cheerful face.
"Oh my?! Who is this? It's the hero of the martial world, Young Master Jin!"
"What hero, Young Lady Yuk. Haha."
"Hohohot! Of course, you're a hero. I heard you did something amazing again this time?"
"Pardon?"
"I heard you brought back the antidote from Yunnan for the poisoned key figures of the Martial Alliance."
"Your information network is something else..."
"Kalkal. I meet with the chief steward once every two or three days because of the ice spirit stone distribution issue. I heard it from him."
"Hahaha, I see."
The two, who had met after a long time, laughed and shook hands.
In that moment.
"Kik!"
A strange sound came from inside So-ah's travel bag.
"...?"
At that, Yuk Jeong-ran stared at So-ah with a questioning gaze.
"Ah! Young Lady Yuk. Shall I show you something interesting?"
"What is it?"
"Just a moment."
Then, So-ah suddenly pulled something out of his travel bag...
"Kik-kik-kik!"
It was none other than Geomdung, the great ape (gorilla) he had brought from the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons.
"His name is Geomdung. He's a mysterious animal that can't be seen in the Central Plains. Have you heard of him? He's also known as a great ape."
At that.
"Kyaaaak!"
Yuk Jeong-ran suddenly screamed.
'Huh?!'
But So-ah soon realized that the reaction was a sign of affection.
'Kikil... She's probably fainting from the cuteness, right?'
As expected, Yuk Jeong-ran's eyes were sparkling with affection, as if she were looking at a very pretty and handsome baby boy.
"Would you like to hold him? He's so full of charm."
When So-ah offered, Yuk Jeong-ran, without even answering, gently picked up Geomdung.
"Oh my! Look at these hands and feet. They're so small and cute!!"
Geomdung, as if he had sensed Yuk Jeong-ran's goodwill, buried his face in her chest and began to frolic around.
"Kik-kik!"
"Kkyareureu! Ah! So pretty!"
The sight was like a mother adoring her baby.
Suddenly, So-ah thought,
'Hmm... should I try to set Young Lady Yuk up with someone? Kekekek.'
He had such a thought.
***
The reason So-ah visited Cheong-a-ru before the Moyong estate was because he wanted to know the well-being of the two children he had rescued from Lord Nam's house.
As expected, the children greeted So-ah with bright faces.
"Little ones. How are you? Are you doing well?"
"Young Master!"
"Young Master Jin!"
Bright spring flowers bloomed on the children's faces.
The shabbiness had disappeared without a trace, and with their clean clothes and soft skin, they looked just like the son and daughter of a rich family.
"Young Master! You used to call me oppa, hyung?"
"Jeong-ran nuna told us to call you Young Master!"
"Jeong-ran unni told us how amazing you are, Young Master!"
Only then did So-ah guess the situation and curl the corners of his lips.
Then he squinted his eyes and glanced at Yuk Jeong-ran.
'Jeong-ran unni, Jeong-ran nuna! Goodness! Hahaha.'
It was funny that Yuk Jeong-ran, who was in her mid-30s, was being called unni and nuna by the children, but since she had such a youthful face and outstanding beauty, it didn't feel out of place.
Therefore, So-ah chuckled inwardly and, without any particular comment, shifted his gaze to the children.
"Anyway, how are you guys doing?"
"Jeong-ran unni sent us to the academy, so we're studying!"
"She's also teaching us the abacus and gives us a lot of good advice!"
The children answered in excited voices.
'I can imagine. How well would Young Lady Yuk take care of them?'
So-ah was once again grateful to Yuk Jeong-ran.
To take in children she had never met before, feed them, clothe them, and put them to bed, all because of a single letter from him, was no ordinary feat.
Of course, she couldn't look after them like her own children, but since Yuk Jeong-ran was a wise and gentle person, she would not spare any guidance and encouragement so that the children could grow up well.
"Young Lady Yuk. Are you also teaching the little ones the abacus?"
"Hoho. When the children grow up, I'm thinking of entrusting them with administrative work. They are so smart that even the writing teacher is full of praise."
"As expected! Our Young Lady Yuk! I was worried that you might use the children for menial chores."
"Hohoho. Don't you think you're seeing me as too much of a bad person?"
"Is that so?"
"I'm not that kind of person, you know? And Young Hero Jin! What's wrong with people who do menial chores? The workers who do menial chores under me have better working conditions than most chief stewards in Shanxi or Anhui. Their monthly salary is never late, they are paid generously, and they are guaranteed one or two days off a week. At this rate, menial chores are not so bad!"
"Ah... you are absolutely right. Hahaha."
Yuk Jeong-ran's way with words was amazing.
So-ah, too, was not one to be pushed around when it came to scheming or talking, but he couldn't seem to beat her, so he realized his mistake and scratched his head.
And...
"Little ones!"
"Yes!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
So-ah bent his knees and met the children's eyes.
"You have to listen to your Yuk unni and nuna and study hard, okay? Got it?"
"Yes!"
"We got it!"
"And if there's anything you want to eat, or need, or want to have, just tell me anytime."
"Yes!"
"Hehet!"
"And finally...!"
"..."
"..."
"If anyone bullies you while you're living here, tell me. I'll make them shit blood."
"Shit bloood?!"
"What's that, Young Master?!"
"Hmm... never mind. Just pretend you didn't hear the last part. Hahahat."
***
"Keueung..."
'I wonder if he's going to get in trouble for that...'
'Shouldn't we stop him?'
'It's really brutal. What on earth did that child eat to have such an iron-willed determination!'
So-ah's disciple, Lee Baek, who had been running up the mountain from dawn until noon.
As if that wasn't enough, from the moment the sun was high in the sky until it got dark, Lee Baek was constantly refining the forms of the Six Harmonies Fist and the Three Talents Swordplay.
What was more surprising was that he did not shy away from such arduous training for a single day.
No matter how well a horse runs, if it cannot rest, it will eventually collapse.
It was not unreasonable for the senior members of the family to be worried.
Just then.
"I'm back!"
A resonant shout burst from beyond the main gate of the main building.
In that moment, all the figures of the family rushed out and threw open the gate.
"So-ah!"
"You're here!"
"Hohoho! You brat. I heard the news!"
They welcomed the great disciple, So-ah.
"Hahaha! Yes, yes. Have you all been well?"
As So-ah and the people were exchanging greetings, Lee Baek also quietly approached, wiped his sweat, and politely cupped his fists.
"Master. You have returned."
'Oh...!'
So-ah's eyes widened.
The determination in Lee Baek's face was surprising, but it was also because the body that had been so thin it looked like it would break had gained some muscle.
"Ooh! My disciple. You look more like a person now."
"Pardon?"
"Your body seems to have become more solid."
"Aha... yes, Master."
"Good. You won't die now."
"Pardon?"
Until then, Lee Baek had no idea what So-ah was trying to say.
"With your original body, you could have died just from building the foundation, so I only taught you a taste. But now that you look so sturdy... wow! You, I think."
"..."
"You can start the hell training now?”
(End of Chapter)