NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Warm Tears
This is absurd. Why is my nickname…?
The fan letters from the disciples of the Gongdong Sect that would have piled up, the images of them sleeplessly admiring me throughout the night—gone in an instant.
It can’t be happening.
It just can’t…
“This Young Master? You don’t look well. Are you still…?”
I heard Seoharin’s voice close by.
I shook my head.
“I’m fine.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Seoharin said quietly, her head bowed down.
“I’m sorry. My talisman didn’t help… because this Young Master… was hurt…”
She spoke in a subdued voice.
Is she talking about that talisman that’s supposed to protect against knives? Trusting a cheap talisman sold on the streets, I guess Seoharin is still just a child.
Swish.
I naturally held Seoharin’s hand and pulled out the talisman from my robes.
“I’m fine. The talisman worked. Just look at this small injury I got despite being hit with Sapa’s post-stimulation indicator. Isn’t that proof? It’s all thanks to your concern, Seoharin.”
Seoharin’s eyes trembled at my words.
Her face flushed a bit.
“…Thank you for protecting me.”
She spoke bashfully.
“…I owe you a great debt, Young Master. What you said before the martial arts contest was… all sincere and true. I crossed the line.”
Seoharin spoke to me with a trembling voice.
Her expression remained blank. Is she not used to showing emotions? She seemed a bit awkward.
Was it about that time when she suddenly tried to create a given fact?
Well, that could happen.
I’m a man after all, so I don’t sweat the minor faults of a woman.
“I’m fine. Have you thought about formally joining our sect?”
“…Yes. My father and I agreed that once you recover, I will officially join the Gongdong Sect.”
I cheered inwardly at Seoharin’s words.
I couldn’t let the most beautiful woman in the Orthodox Faction join another sect.
“It’s all thanks to you, Young Master. I’m not sure how I can repay this kindness…”
Just when the mood between Seoharin and I was getting good…
Clunk.
The door swung open.
“Disciple! You’re awake?”
Yujinhwi walked in along with Jeonyeong, who was wearing a pleased expression behind her.
“Disciple, how’s your health? Are you all better now? Right?”
Swish.
My senior approached me, the scent of wildflowers brushing against my nose.
“I was so worried…!”
Hug.
My senior pulled me into a tight embrace.
Ugh.
Another hug—just as I predicted.
I expected it, but it still doesn’t feel great.
“I thought something terrible happened to you… Disciple…”
Sniff.
Her shoulders trembled.
Warm moisture reached my chest.
No, it’s tears.
Everything’s fine, but this isn’t right. I gently pulled my senior away.
“Senior, ah, it hurts… still…”
“Really? I’m sorry…”
As I pretended to be in pain, my senior stepped back, apologizing.
Phew.
I’m glad I’m the patient.
I sighed inwardly as I thought.
But hearing my senior’s voice made me feel like I was finally home.
*
‘Young Master…’
As my senior reunited with Lee Cheol-soo, Seoharin bit her lip.
Thoughts of that day before the martial arts contest flooded back.
The day she visited him, thinking of using her body as a bargaining chip.
Lee Cheol-soo reprimanded her instead, saying that it was enough for the Gongdong Sect’s name to rise through victory, willing to stake his life to protect it.
And he proved his words in the martial arena.
Seoharin heard it. Lee Cheol-soo defeated two post-stimulation indicators from the Heukryongbang and even landed hits on the Black Dragon.
He was injured in the process.
He truly kept his word.
‘…’
Seoharin’s heart raced.
Unfamiliar emotions. First-time kindness. The first fluttering feelings and unfamiliar sensations surged in her heart.
Her face turned crimson.
Seoharin lowered her head.
‘Thank goodness the Young Master didn’t see.’
The words Lee Cheol-soo spoke echoed in her mind.
To love oneself and cherish her own body more.
Recalling those words caused her heart to race even faster.
Just as he said, Seoharin resolved to join the Gongdong Sect.
But…
‘…Young Master, didn’t you challenge Geumhu to a duel?’
Another piece of news surfaced in her mind.
Lee Cheol-soo had purportedly challenged Geumhu to a duel.
Seoharin’s gaze darkened.
Her eyes hollowed.
‘Why… did you reject my proposal, yet… why…’
A sense of unjustness welled up.
She didn’t feel lustful thoughts.
After all, this Young Master had said that. At first, she was skeptical of his words. Rated as an extraordinarily beautiful woman, it didn’t make sense for a man not to harbor lust.
But for him to challenge Geumhu in such an impressive, albeit worst, way? Seoharin never dreamed of it.
‘Why…’
Seoharin bit her lip.
A shadow passed over her face.
‘So it seems you prefer mature women…’
The difference between her and Geumhu was only that Geumhu presented herself as a mature woman.
‘…If I grow a bit more…’
Seoharin’s eyes shifted toward Lee Cheol-soo, who was conversing with her senior.
Fortunately, inter-sect marriages were not forbidden; in fact, some sects encouraged it.
Moreover, once she joined, she would always be close to him, right?
So…
‘…Once I turn of age, I will make sure the Young Master sees me.’
By all means.
She didn’t want to hand him over to anyone else.
Seoharin bit her lip, thinking that.
A murky light filled her once-empty gaze.
*
Seoharin’s ceremony for gaining a master quickly wrapped up.
Just like when I joined, she offered three bows to the family tablets of Jucheon Sword Sect and the sects, followed by three bows to the Master, and wrote her name in the documents to officially become a disciple of the Gongdong Sect.
Then, in a gathering at Jucheon Sword Sect, I explained the next plan.
“…So, we’re going to duel with the Seomun Family.”
I explained the story about the duel and Seomun Cheong-ha at Seomun Seka with slight embellishment, and Jeonyeong let out a murmur.
“Hmm… I see. Cheolsu. But your opponent is Seomun Cheong-ha, known as one of the best fighters among women; she might not be as great as the Black Dragon from Heukryongbang, but she’s still a promising post-stimulation indicator. Do you think you can win?”
“If I thought I would lose, I wouldn’t have suggested the duel. And through the victory in this orthodox faction competition, our sect has proclaimed its revival in the martial world. Now that the Seomun Family has just begun to spread its wings, it’s only natural for them to try to hold us back. Before they make a move against our sect, we need to take action first.”
I expressed the necessity of containing the Seomun Family.
Though the Gongdong Sect has proclaimed its revival, it still lacked many essentials to truly be considered revived.
In reality, even after winning this contest, the pressure from the Seomun Family kept the large trading guilds and shops in Gansu from moving. At most, only a few small to medium guilds and shops had contributed donations to the Gongdong Sect.
This couldn’t go on.
The Gongdong Sect needed more funds. Enough to buy a whole stockpile of vitality potions.
“…Alright. Since we’ve agreed, we can’t back down. If that’s what you wish, then I allow it. It seems I’ll be using the martial arts competition document again.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t neglect your training. I’ll go guide Hae-rin now. Let’s go.”
“Yes, Master.”
As Jeonyeong took Seoharin and left, only my senior and I remained in Jucheon Sword Sect.
“…Disciple.”
My senior approached me.
“A duel with the Seomun Family… you don’t have to push yourself too hard. Next time…”
She bit her lip.
With her handsome face, she looked like a scene from a commercial. I waved my hand at her words and flashed a business smile.
“I’m fine, Senior. And it’s time for me to stand on my own. In this duel, I will prove I’m not a burden to our sect.”
I said, looking at my senior.
To change this awful nickname from ‘Gyeohyeop’, I needed to showcase a contrasting performance.
Surely, that issue during the duel was causing me difficulties.
I need to exhibit restraint next time. Fortunately, Seomun Cheong-ha isn’t a match for Wi Soryeon, so I should be able to manage without pushing myself.
‘I need to raise my level to first class quickly.’
First class.
The minimum standard for hearing the title of ‘Gosu’ and a realm where one can use sword energy under limited conditions.
I must reach a rank where I can earn the title of “Yongbong”, allowing me to shine in the Yongbong Society and gain popularity among the beauties of the orthodox faction!
This upcoming duel with the Seomun Family would be a stepping stone for the Yongbong Society to be held two years from now, when I’ll be in my prime youth.
I will definitely change my nickname from ‘Sword Dragon’ to ‘Joint Sword Dragon’ in the Yongbong Society.
Sword Dragon, huh!
What a name that is, it sends hearts fluttering even at the sound of it!
A sexy man who wields a sword, the essence of a ‘Sword Dragon’.
If I gain that title, I’m sure I’ll become an instant idol in the martial world.
Laughing inwardly, I thought.
“Just don’t push yourself too hard, Disciple.”
“I understand, Senior. Where’s the Black Dragon?”
“She’s staying at the old Sayeonghoe Manor in Hwajeong County, why do you ask?”
I chuckled at my senior’s words.
“…I need to collect a debt.”
Alright, now it’s time to collect my winnings from the sapa’s finest post-stimulation indicator, the Black Dragon.
*
After receiving permission to go out from my Master, I stopped my senior from following me and headed down to Hwajeong County alone.
Not only to meet the Black Dragon but also to collect the martial arts contest betting money today.
Thinking of the minted silver made my heart flutter.
Today, even the whispers of the wind seemed refreshing.
Sliding down Gongdong Mountain, I made my way to the old Sayeonghoe Manor where Wi Soryeon stayed.
The sign of Sayeonghoe was long removed, and two guards who looked like members of the Heukryongbang were standing guard in front of the manor.
“Who are you?!”
The guards frowned upon seeing me.
Well, I can’t blame them.
They lost a duel they absolutely couldn’t lose.
Whatever their feelings, it wasn’t my concern.
“I am Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Sect. I’ve come to meet the Black Dragon.”
“…Double Color Saber! What right do you have to be here?!”
I couldn’t help but manage my expression at the following words.
Double Color Saber?
What the heck is that ridiculous nickname?
“Double Color Saber? Are you talking about me?”
“Who else could it be? How dare you act rudely in front of our Sect Leader! Can you really call yourself a proper disciple of the orthodox faction?!”
“…These bastards are risking my blood pressure this early. Am I in a righteous sect or a sapa? Want me to show you what the Double Color Saber is made of?”
I could still hold back until they mentioned my nickname.
After all, there’s a good meaning hidden in the concept of ‘xia’!
So what if they’re weird? It still means ‘hero’, right?
But what? Color Saber? These sapa bastards really? How dare they associate me, a master of the Color Spectrum, with such a ridiculous title!
I’m not that crazy brainwashed Colorful Horse.
However, if such a horrific nickname and false rumors keep circulating in the martial world, then with the concept of ‘Three Men Make a Tiger’, the ladies might mistake me for the Color Spectrum Master and interpret me as the ‘Colorful Horse’.
If that misunderstanding accumulates, my grand plan to change my nickname to Sword Dragon in the Yongbong Society might go down the drain.
It could throw a wrench into my ten-year plan of heroism.
This is a serious issue.
Just as I set my hand on my sword…
“Mr. So Bangju commands you to enter. Know it as an honor.”
Creeeak.
The gate opened as one of the guards spoke to me.
“Just you wait!”
I glared at Wi Sa and stepped inside the manor.
Alright.
It’s finally time to hear “Brother” from that arrogant, prideful post-stimulation indicator, the Black Dragon Wi Soryeon.
Brother.
A title that makes my heart flutter no matter how often I hear it.