NOVEL NEXT chapter 8
8 – Episode 8 Little by Little.
1.
Passing Paeng Ochun, she arrived at the annex where Janglo stayed and had a conversation with him.
“Have you stopped pursuing Gaju?”
“Yes. A new goal has emerged.”
“Hmph. That’s a good idea. Your mother is disqualified as a person and as a woman.”
“hahahaha…”
I didn’t have any thoughts to refute nor any arguments to counter because it was true.
“…….So, you’re not the one who defeated Gaju?”
“Yes.”
Although my mother may not know as a person, she stands among the strong as an inhumane.
“Do you know that Nam Gungsuhyun was split in half and killed?”
“……”
“You didn’t know, huh? They say he polished his martial arts and reached the 4th stage. He was split in half by her right there when he tried to attack her.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Nam Gungse, a renowned master of martial arts. Although it’s annoying, it’s the appearance of someone using martial arts within the influence of the greatest power in the world, which Nam Gungsaya has created.”
Nam Gungyeon waited for the next words with a tense expression.
“They call it the Golden Generation. Is this really a coincidence? Or does it imply the disasters that will occur in the future?”
The elder spoke while looking at the birds chirping outside the window.
“Be cautious of the Ma sect. Regardless of Nokrim or anything else, the Ma sect has deeply penetrated the world.”
“Yes.”
“I had a guess, but are you really planning to leave Nam Gungsae?”
“Yes.”
“Become a commoner, huh? You’ll end up as a fugitive.”
It wasn’t particularly scary. It might be because Grandma Jang Myeongsun showed such overwhelming strength.
“During my absence and your mother’s recovery in bed, I entrust Nam Gungsae to you.”
“Sigh. To bring out the old days again. This is… “
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh well, your grandmother once ran away and returned from Nam Gungsae.”
“…Really?”
It was an unheard-of story. Since we only talked about our mother with swords, and our father wasn’t an inhumane, it was natural.
“In the end, the bird returns to its nest.”
“……..”
“It’s instinct. Return safely.”
It was a tone that assured she would come back. I didn’t really want to deny it.
“I will go and come back, Elder.”
“I’m counting on you again in my old age. This… “
“I apologize.”
“Oh, by the way, your grandmother once escaped and came back from Nam Gungsae.”
“…Is that so?”
It was an unheard-of story. Since we only talked about our mother with swords, and our father wasn’t an inhumane, it was natural.
“In the end, the bird returns to its nest.”
“……..”
“It’s instinct. Return safely.”
It was a tone that assured she would come back. I didn’t really want to deny it.
“I will go and come back, Elder.”
2.
“Ugh, tsk.”
“Grandma.”
“Why. What. Why is there no irritation when a little parasite like you comes in?”
hahahaha.. Grandma seemed quite angry.
“Eunho!”
“What Eunho! Why doesn’t that lazy girl come running?!”
Judging by the sound of her approaching footsteps suddenly faltering, it seemed that she ran like a puppy and abruptly came to a stop.
“Ahem.”
“Did you organize everything properly?”
“Of course. I’ve got enough money and also brought the tickets given only to those who leave Namgoongsega*.”
“Can’t you use them just when you’re out of Namgoongsega?”
When Grandma asked, Eunha hesitated slightly before replying. It seemed she was quite cautious of Grandma’s reaction.
“Well.. Since that place is enormously vast, I thought it would be useful until news of me leaving Namgoongsega spreads…”
How cunning, using a scam exploiting an era without devices like telephones. Eunha also had this aspect to her.
“Grandma, where are we going?”
“To the volcano, Jegalsaega*, or the port city. Choose.”
“I think the port city would be nice.”
Eunha expressed her concern cautiously.
“Eunho. The sailors have wild temperaments like male beasts. They won’t directly attack as long as your grandmother and I are there, but their manner of speaking could be hurtful.”
“It’s alright. I want to eat fish.”
With a cheerful tone resembling a tap on the forehead, Grandma groaned.
“Eunho has always been like this since I’ve known her. She’s truly unreasonably straightforward!”
Since Grandma had some place to visit and it was acceptable for us to decide slowly, we leisurely walked.
3.
“Huff…huff.”
“Gulp.”
“That parasite. That brat just swallowed her saliva after seeing Eunho. Should I make her swallow a pebble instead of saliva?”
“Huh? Why did she swallow saliva after seeing me?”
“Ah… she didn’t swallow it!”
*Note: The names “Namgoongsega” and “Jegalsaega” are fictional terms in the original text and their meanings are unknown.
Walking, Eunho felt as if his spine was frozen. Although Eunho had a pretty open attire, it was still an ordinary short-sleeved shirt and shorts. In the world of reversed gender roles, this outfit was almost never seen.
As sweat formed on his neck, Eunho’s skin resembled a ripe peach; one would want to lick it. His body reacted by quickly heating up, and his lower abdomen pulsated.
“If you emit a female scent just once, I’ll break your bones,” said a voice filled with threats. Was his life in danger because of those words? Somehow, he managed to calm down the excitement.
“Um…Eunho. Are you okay? You look so exhausted.”
“What?”
He might have managed to calm down the excitement, but the dark thoughts didn’t disappear altogether. Gently, as if speaking to an overly innocent Eunho, Jang Myung-soon whispered so that others wouldn’t hear.
A brief silence ensued.
The blushing Nam Goong-yeon-ha seemed to want to apologize first, saying she felt embarrassed.
However, it seemed that Eunho’s cheeks were burning red, not hers.
The moment it became evident that there was a response from this pure-hearted man, it felt so overwhelming that tears seemed ready to burst forth.
“Gal!”
*Crack!*
With the jolt of his spine splitting in half, Yeon-ha’s consciousness ceased.
“Don’t you dare emit a male scent recklessly, Eunho. The bugs are getting riled up.”
Although Eunho couldn’t see Yeon-ha hanging on Jang Myung-soon’s shoulders like a sack, he pretended not to notice due to that ominous sound.
…
* * *
《Heaven and Earth: Child of Solitude》
Jang Myung-soon’s task was to write a letter to the lord for the first time in 12 years.
After adopting the young Eunho, Jang Myung-soon disappeared from the martial arts world as if to cover her tracks. However, somehow it was known that she sent letters to herself.
At the management facilities of the martial world located in the village, monitoring the nearby dojo or influential forces related to the sect, every facility under surveillance contained the lord’s letters.
“Wh-what are you looking at? Stop staring.”
The caretaker stammered while gazing at the overwhelming figure that seemed to transcend the human race.
Alone, Jang Myung-soon might have shown restraint, but upon seeing the caretaker glancing at his grandson, mercy was nowhere to be found in him.
He asks the other male manager to bring him Mangju’s letter.
The manager, after confirming o impressions, brings the letter.
***
Young Master.
The Supreme Elders miss you very much. You must be aware of how big of a deal this year’s Martial Arts Competition is. It is impossible for Mangyo not to participate in such a huge event.
To be precise, we will make efforts to sabotage the event.
There are many important details that cannot be included in this letter. We hope that by attending this year’s Martial Arts Competition, you will not only break the confidence of the Mangyo people but also share vital information with them.
***
Besides that, there were several minor pieces of information and courteous expressions.
“Enho, our grandchild. Go to the teahouse and have a cup of tea.”
Smiling as he handed over a small sum of money, Jang Myeong-soon wrote the letter.
“Grandmother. It seems that you are in a good mood.”
Without answering, Jang Myeong-soon let out a chuckle.
On the other hand, Enho…
‘Isn’t this a date if it’s just the two of us?’
Jang Myeong-soon firmly warned Namyung Yeon-ha about not having such thoughts.
“If you interfere, I’ll kill you.”
Yeon-ha nodded vigorously, trembling. Even though she didn’t seem to be trembling on the outside, I could feel it.
.
.
.
ㅡAnd Chew..
Crazy.
……Wow.
I can feel people muttering quietly. I only found out about this about two years ago.
Some people spit out curse words filled with desire, some people swallow their words, some people simply admire.
It’s ironic that they’re all admiring while I can’t even see my own face.
“Enho, stand by my side.”
Yeon-ha, who seems to be on high alert for some reason.
No. It might be just a delusion but..
‘Is it because of me?’
I subtly pressed down on my pounding heart out of curiosity.
Since I only pressed gently, the pain that followed was minimal. I could feel the dilemma of whether to hold my hand or not, as if contemplating. It felt somewhat cute.
“Come.”
“…!”
I was startled, even though I knew. Have I become accustomed to this world’s man, even to the point of my heart?
The reason for my surprise was the temperature of his warm hand, hotter than I had expected.
And surprisingly, it was soft.
Usually, when honing swordsmanship, regardless of gender, hands become rough and tough. But Namyung Yeonha’s hand feels oddly soft.
“……….”
The perceived warmth felt like it was protecting me from the women around.
As if pretending to be lovers.
As if fluffing up its fur to appear larger, like a cat, I chuckled.
“…..?”
“Thank you, Yeonha.”
.
.
.
Should I hold his hand? Should I say something?
I dislike the sticky gazes of the women around us. Unlike the tightly packed men, Eunho is more open.
He shows off his arms and legs to the point where the onlookers feel embarrassed.
But that doesn’t mean Eunho is asking you to look!!
Various emotions swirl in my heart.
“……….”
Although he doesn’t say anything, my inner thoughts resemble a cackling goose.
Like the others, I also focus on Eunho’s arms and legs. I feel a hint of guilt for looking at his exposed collarbone… guilt for seeing innocent Eunho with tainted eyes.
The second thing is his hand. I notice the dirty gazes from those lowlifes.
However, I quickly despair, realizing that I am no different.
Simultaneously, as I realize this, a stubborn desire blooms within me.
I want to prove that I am different from those vultures watching Eunho from a distance, swallowing my breath.
It is that pale and slender hand. If I hold his hand now under the pretext of protecting him… how good would it feel, and how fulfilled would my heart be?
I didn’t know I was this kind of person.
Now, here, I want to hold Eunho’s hand and prove that he is mine.
Doubtful. Doubting whether I should keep holding Eunho’s hand or not.
In the end, I held it.
*Snap.* *Snap.* Eunho seemed surprised as his shoulders trembled, but he soon fell silent.
There was a moment of silence. Eunho walked elegantly and gracefully, but in the eyes of those who viewed him with dirty eyes, I growled and fiddled with their chin with my other hand.
As we were walking along, Eunho spoke.
Holding the hand that we tightly grasped…
“….?”
What does he want to say? Is it disgusting…? Who does he think he is, trying to act friendly?
Although I knew Eunho wouldn’t say such things, since I held a man’s hand freely, I had nothing to say even if I heard those words.
But…
“Thank you, Yeonha.”
Eunho blushed slightly and chuckled softly, like snowflakes falling.
Ah…
Today, perhaps I can die in front of Grandma Jangmyeongsun… No, in front of my mother-in-law.
If he suddenly starts using informal language and laughs like that, I have nothing to say…
I could only watch him.
In the first place, what is there to be thankful for? It’s because of desire. I want to show off that I am different from those who only look.
But I didn’t deny it. After all, they say if you stay still, you might lose even half.
The more I saw Eunho smiling softly, the more strange it felt, as if a strange sensation was pressing on my lower abdomen.