Chapter 463
Chapter 463
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 463
Chapter Title: I'll Handle It
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Seo Jin-ha, who had been wandering the martial world as Bu Eun-seol’s shadow, was greatly surprised.
He had always expected something like this might happen.
That Bu Eun-seol’s identity would be exposed, or that he would fall into a crisis… a situation where he would have to urgently summon his shadow.
‘I was always mentally prepared.’
Receiving Bu Eun-seol’s emergency summons through the Soul Obliteration Unit’s intelligence network, Seo Jin-ha followed his friend’s request.
He briefly stopped by the Demonic Cult to retrieve something, then hastily departed, unleashing his movement technique.
*Swish!*
It was a technique taught to him by Bu Eun-seol, one remarkably similar to the Extreme Speed Shadowless Art.
Although he was only at the Five-Star realm, Seo Jin-ha’s figure shot across the sky, cleaving through the air.
‘And spiritual herbs, of all things.’
Bu Eun-seol had requested the mystical spiritual herbs stored in the Demonic Cult’s treasury, offered as tribute by the Sea of Clouds Azure Spirit Palace.
He had brought a staggering thirty *geun*.
In terms of value, it was well over three hundred thousand nyang.
‘Why on earth would he want thirty geun of this?’
Seo Jin-ha couldn’t understand, but he followed the order, packing a large amount of the herbs before setting off.
After running day and night, he finally arrived near Chimju.
*Swish!*
He executed his movement technique, heading toward Geumwang Mountain in a single breath, and soon saw the silhouette of a man in white robes.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
‘There he is.’
Spotting Bu Eun-seol, Seo Jin-ha used the Cloud Dragon Reversal Art and landed stealthily in the bushes where he was hiding.
「Bu Eun-seol!」
As Seo Jin-ha sent a telepathic message, Bu Eun-seol looked toward the bushes and spoke.
“It’s fine to speak normally. There’s no one else around here.”
“Is that so?”
After another sharp scan of the surroundings, Seo Jin-ha asked with a grave expression.
“What in the world happened? Why the emergency summons?”
Seo Jin-ha trailed off, unable to hide his shock.
Bu Eun-seol’s complexion was extremely poor, and his brow was furrowed in distress.
‘Something is still unresolved.’
Seo Jin-ha had completely mastered Bu Eun-seol’s expressions and manner of speaking, so he could tell his friend’s state just by looking at his face.
“The situation is serious.”
Bu Eun-seol said, glancing at a distant estate.
“I need your help.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing Bu Eun-seol’s gaze fixed on the Jongri family estate, Seo Jin-ha smiled as if he understood something.
“It’s about a woman, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Hahaha. You may be good at other things, but you’ve always had trouble with women.”
Seo Jin-ha breathed a sigh of relief.
He had thought it was something incredibly serious. To think it was such a trivial matter.
‘Well, from his perspective, I suppose it is a serious situation.’
A smile still on his face, Seo Jin-ha thumped his chest and said.
“Don’t worry. That’s my specialty.”
“A relief.”
At Seo Jin-ha’s dependable display, Bu Eun-seol nodded and took an envelope from his robes.
“What’s this?”
“The details are written in here.”
Seo Jin-ha took out the letter and began to read. In an instant, his eyes wavered like ripples on water.
This was no trivial matter.
Just as Bu Eun-seol had said, this was a truly serious problem.
“You want me to do this?”
“I have an emergency meeting with Hall Master Yeonseong today.”
“Then you can just do it tomorrow.”
“The meeting will continue until that old man of Bukgung changes his mind. If I miss this timing, something irreversible will happen.”
Bu Eun-seol stared at Seo Jin-ha with a desperate expression.
Then, he narrowed his eyes and nodded.
Unable to withstand that persistent gaze, Seo Jin-ha had no choice but to nod in return.
***
The Jongri family estate was in an uproar.
The very person who had deceived Jongri Sa-hyeon, known as the Needle King, and his granddaughter Jongri Sa-yu, and turned the entire family upside down, had come to them of his own accord.
“I am Bu Eun-seol, Lord of the Martial Soul Order.”
Bu Eun-seol.
No, it was Seo Jin-ha, disguised as Bu Eun-seol, who clasped his hands respectfully toward the guard.
“I have come to see Elder Needle King and offer my apologies.”
Contrary to his calm demeanor, the guards’ eyes and expressions were frozen like a blizzard.
*Rumble.*
When a guard reported the news, the main gate opened, and numerous disciples rushed out, surrounding him.
Their expressions were all grim, their hands full of golden needles.
‘What a warm welcome.’
Just as the eyes of Bu Eun-seol—no, Seo Jin-ha disguised as Bu Eun-seol—flickered,
*Step.*
The ranks of disciples parted to the left and right, and an elderly man with graying hair strode through the opening.
He had the refined appearance of an immortal, but his eyes were wide with fury, and every step he took radiated killing intent.
It was none other than the Needle King, Jongri Sa-hyeon.
“Well, well, who do we have here? If it isn’t the great and noble Golden Righteous Divine Dragon, Young Master Baek?”
Jongri Sa-hyeon’s eyes were wide, his red gums fully exposed.
He looked as if he wanted to devour Seo Jin-ha in a single bite.
‘I’m completely entangled.’
Seo Jin-ha sighed inwardly.
The letter Bu Eun-seol had given him contained a simple summary.
While traveling the martial world in search of the Seven-Branched Demonic Sword, Bu Jan-yang, he had discovered that the Needle King knew of his past activities.
To gain the elder’s favor, he had used the name Baek Mu-seong to obtain information.
The problem was that Jongri Sa-yu had gone and fallen for Bu Eun-seol on her own.
When Bu Eun-seol didn’t seek her out for a long time, she went to the Murim Alliance to find him… and that was how his deception was exposed.
‘This won’t be easy to resolve.’
Seo Jin-ha heaved a deep, internal sigh.
He thought it was a simple woman problem.
But he had to quell the fury of the Needle King, a man known to wield the sharpest and thinnest weapons in the martial world.
And he also had to resolve the resentment of Jongri Sa-yu, who was said to have perfectly inherited her grandfather’s skills?
If he had known it would be this absurd, he would have ignored the emergency summons and never come here.
But what could he do? He had already thumped his chest and promised to take care of it… so he had to see it through.
“My apologies, Elder.”
Seo Jin-ha bowed his head respectfully once more.
“I have come to offer my deepest apologies.”
“Apologies?”
*Thud!*
Jongri Sa-hyeon stomped his foot, and the entire estate shook as a powerful wave of internal energy spread out.
“Thanks to you masterfully concealing your identity, that child, Sa-yu, was utterly humiliated at the Murim Alliance. Not only that, but rumors of her meeting a swindler have spread throughout the land, making her a laughingstock.”
Jongri Sa-hyeon’s face grew even more menacing.
“Sa-yu has been spending her nights in tears. And you think you can just apologize?”
In that moment, Jongri Sa-hyeon’s hand moved like a butterfly through the air, heading straight for Seo Jin-ha’s cheek.
Normally, Seo Jin-ha would have dodged the blow in an instant.
But he couldn’t.
—A thick skin, spiritual herbs, and extra patience.
The letter from Bu Eun-seol had clearly outlined the method.
When the people of the Jongri family became greatly angered, they were prone to losing control and slapping others…
And if one didn’t avoid it and took the blow, the matter could be resolved much more quickly.
‘I have enough patience to take one slap!’
Seo Jin-ha squeezed his eyes shut.
If he dodged this, he would never be able to appease Jongri Sa-hyeon’s anger.
*Smack!*
In an instant, silvery, glittering stars exploded in Seo Jin-ha’s vision.
Was it because the blow was filled with so much anger and resentment? He hadn’t used any internal energy or any cunning techniques.
But it stung like hell.
‘Why is his hand so punishing?’
The pain was so intense that Seo Jin-ha felt his eyes rolling back, but he managed to maintain a calm smile.
“Please calm yourself, Elder.”
Jongri Sa-hyeon was slightly taken aback by his reaction.
This man was the future leader of the Demonic Cult and the official heir of Nangyagak; his status was incredibly high.
He had naturally assumed he would dodge.
But to stand still and offer his cheek?
“You…”
As Jongri Sa-hyeon stammered in the face of the unexpected situation, Seo Jin-ha spoke with a smile.
“My actions were not for personal gain… they were a means to find the whereabouts of the former Vice-Lord of our Cult, the Seven-Branched Demonic Sword, Bu Jan-yang, as quickly as possible.”
“…”
“Although a single word of apology cannot suffice… I hope you will understand that my actions were not born of personal sentiment and find it in your heart to forgive me.”
It was an impeccably polite and respectful apology.
Then, Seo Jin-ha presented the thick bundle he had been carrying on his back.
From it, an indescribably clear and refreshing fragrance began to waft out.
‘This fragrance?’
Jongri Sa-hyeon’s eyes widened.
He could tell just from the scent alone.
It was the spiritual herb he had been so desperately searching for.
Wasn’t this the fragrance of the Profound Pole Immortal Spirit Grass from the Sea of Clouds Azure Spirit Palace, an herb that had become impossible to obtain since the palace was absorbed by the Demonic Cult?
“Hmph.”
Jongri Sa-hyeon grunted heavily.
The heir to the Demonic Cult, a force that shook the martial world, had bowed his head in apology and even taken a slap.
On top of that, he had brought a gift that was very much to his liking… his anger couldn’t help but begin to dissipate.
‘Well, it’s true he lied about his name, but all he did was ask about the whereabouts of the Seven-Branched Demonic Sword. And Sa-yu… well, she was just acting too hastily on her own.’
“Ahem.”
After a dry cough, Jongri Sa-hyeon nodded discreetly to a disciple standing beside him.
Understanding the signal, the disciple quickly took the bundle.
After clearing his throat several more times, Jongri Sa-hyeon spoke in a much softer tone.
“I may be one thing, but Sa-yu’s anger will not be so easily appeased. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Of course. If you grant me the opportunity, I will meet her in person to offer my apologies.”
Seo Jin-ha clasped his hands with an expression of utmost sincerity.
Since he was playing the part of Bu Eun-seol.
He intended to handle it properly.
“Hmph.”
As if he had no other choice, Jongri Sa-hyeon gestured to a disciple.
“Guide him to where Sa-yu is.”
Jongri Sa-yu trembled at the sight of the person standing before her residence.
She had sworn that if they ever met again, she would draw her sword and kill him.
But now that he had actually appeared before her again, all her resentment melted away like snow.
From the moment she first saw his face, she had thought it was fate. She thought she had met someone worth dying for.
It was only the fact that such a person had deceived and toyed with her that had been so painful.
*Huff, huff.*
Breathing heavily, Jongri Sa-yu approached, channeling all her resentment.
Channeling all the sorrowful, tear-filled nights.
Channeling all the feelings she hadn’t been able to express.
She swung her hand and slapped Seo Jin-ha’s cheek with all her might.
‘Alright, a woman’s hand shouldn’t be too bad.’
Just as Seo Jin-ha lightly squeezed his eyes shut,
*CRACK!*
An indescribable impact sounded, and the heavens and earth began to spin.
‘Gahhh!’
Turning his body away, Seo Jin-ha let out a silent scream as his eyes began to roll back into his head.
Was it because her hand was filled with the icy fury of a woman scorned?
Or was it because she honed her golden needle techniques by handling acupuncture tools every day?
Or could it be that the Jongri family had a secret martial art specifically for slapping people?
The hand of Jongri Sa-yu, who looked so delicate and gentle she couldn’t wring a chicken’s neck…
Was several times more punishing than that of Jongri Sa-hyeon, the man known as the Needle King.
‘Ughhh.’
Seo Jin-ha had to bite his lip hard to suppress the urge to writhe like a squid.
He turned back and bowed his head with all sincerity.
“I am sorry.”
He hadn’t even tried to act, but his eyes naturally welled up with moisture.
“You.”
Jongri Sa-yu, who hadn’t expected him not to dodge, said in great alarm.
“Why didn’t you avoid it?”
Seo Jin-ha looked at Jongri Sa-yu with his thoroughly moistened eyes.
“You suffered great humiliation because of me. How could I hesitate to accept a single slap?”
“Do you think that will make me forgive you?”
He had anticipated such a reaction.
With a sorrowful expression, Seo Jin-ha began to recite the words he had prepared in advance.
“Though our paths may be different, I… no, this one has been pursuing the factions that create Human Pills and Artificial Inner Cores, striving for the peace of the martial world. The matter of the Seven-Branched Demonic Sword was also an extension of that work.”
“So deceiving me as Baek Mu-seong was for the good of the martial world?”
“How could that be? I was merely stating that I was in pursuit of the Seven-Branched Demonic Sword for the peace of the martial world.”
His words flowed like a clear stream.
With a forlorn and lonely expression, Seo Jin-ha said.
“I dare say, I swear. I did not deceive you with any untoward feelings. In light of that, can you not find it in your heart to forgive me?”
“You didn’t have any untoward feelings?”
Jongri Sa-yu turned her head away with a pained expression.
“Because of you, I was greatly humiliated at the Murim Alliance, and rumors have spread that I’m a foolish woman who was played by a swindler. How will you take responsibility for that?”
Clear teardrops fell from Jongri Sa-yu’s eyes.
With her jet-black hair tied up and adorned with a white flower ornament above her ear, her sorrowful crying figure.
She looked as tragic and beautiful as a celestial maiden who had lost the feathered robe that would let her ascend to the heavens.
‘Hmm.’
Seo Jin-ha narrowed his eyes.
Although her fame and appearance were not widely known due to her limited activity in the martial world…
Jongri Sa-yu was undoubtedly one of the beautiful flowers representing the current era.
‘Being the Needle King’s granddaughter, her scholarship is beyond question, and she must possess outstanding martial arts and acupuncture skills.’
Why did all the people who cared for Bu Eun-seol act in the exact same way?
At some point, Seo Jin-ha had become a strict father-in-law, meticulously assessing whether Jongri Sa-yu was a suitable match for Bu Eun-seol.
‘The Jongri family has produced many government officials for generations, so their accumulated wealth must be substantial.’
“What are you staring at?”
As Jongri Sa-yu glared at him with a sharp expression, Seo Jin-ha nodded.
“Ah, no. It’s just… you are so beautiful.”
“What did you say?”
Jongri Sa-yu turned her head away with a look of great anger.
“How can you say something like that now?”
Even in her anger, her speech and mannerisms exuded grace.
Her habit of raising her hand when angry was a bit concerning, but…
Considering the great humiliation she suffered at the Murim Alliance, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
Besides, that fellow Bu Eun-seol could probably dodge even the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm of Shaolin, so…
The fact that Jongri Sa-yu’s hand stung a bit wouldn’t be a problem.
‘Ah, that guy. He’s engaged.’
The only obstacle was on Bu Eun-seol’s side.
He was already engaged to two peerless beauties.
‘Well, what’s the difference between two and three?’
Flowers become more splendid when gathered together, and beautiful women naturally flock to the heroes of the world.
Having made a radical decision that Bu Eun-seol would never make… Seo Jin-ha cleared his throat and spoke.
“I will do as you say.”
“What did you say?”
“If you tell me to die, I will die. If you tell me to kneel, I will kneel.”
Seo Jin-ha said with a burning gaze.
“I will do anything to appease your anger.”
“…”
“I am sincere.”
A volcanic heat seemed to pour from Seo Jin-ha’s wide eyes.
“I have always been sincere. So sincere that I did not even hesitate to hide my identity.”
It was utter nonsense.
But because he said it with such a serious, burning gaze, Jongri Sa-yu took a step back with a frightened expression.
“S-so?”
“What do you mean, ‘so’? I mean I will do whatever you ask.”
“Are you toying with me now?”
“Why would you think it’s a game?”
“Because…”
Jongri Sa-yu bit her lip.
“You are already engaged to two other women, aren’t you? So how could you possibly take responsibility for me?”
“An engagement is just an engagement. One never knows how things will turn out until the very end, isn’t that right?”
“What did you say?”
Ignoring Jongri Sa-yu’s dumbfounded expression, Seo Jin-ha shamelessly continued.
“However, right now I have too many matters to attend to.”
“Matters to attend to?”
“How can I start a family before the martial world is stable?”
Saying one couldn’t start a family before the martial world was stable was the kind of nonsense commonly spouted by the playboys of the Orthodox Faction.
But when Seo Jin-ha said it with a solemn expression, it sounded quite plausible.
“But what is more important is appeasing your anger.”
Seo Jin-ha’s tongue moved ceaselessly, smoothly, without rest.
“Tell me anything. I will do whatever you say.”
Weren’t those words an indirect expression of his feelings?
Jongri Sa-yu stared at Seo Jin-ha with a look of great surprise.
‘Huh.’
But something was strange.
Although both his cheeks were swollen from being slapped by Jongri Sa-hyeon and herself… his handsome and refined features, like a calm river, were still there.
But for some reason. Somehow.
That breathtakingly lonely and desolate aura of his had vanished.
It was like looking at a beautiful but bland sculpture…
Somehow, his charm had diminished, and the magnetic pull was completely gone.
‘Was I just harboring a momentary, childish feeling?’
Was everything she had felt until now just the fever of a first love?
Even being this close, face to face, her once-fervent affection seemed to be cooling instead.
“F-fine.”
Jongri Sa-yu took a deep breath and said.
“You may be a demonic practitioner, but you have handled the Human Pill and Artificial Inner Core incidents and saved many people.”
“In that case.”
Avoiding Seo Jin-ha’s intense gaze, she spoke firmly.
“Continue to strive for the good of the martial world, just as you are now. That will be my reason for forgiving you.”
Seo Jin-ha’s jaw dropped internally.
The matter was resolved much more easily than he’d expected.
He had successfully prevented the Needle King and his granddaughter from marching on the Demonic Cult.
‘Look! Bu Eun-seol, I did it!’
Suppressing the urge to look up at the sky and shout, Seo Jin-ha spoke with a profound gaze.
“And after that…”
“After that… I will think about it.”
Just because his charm seemed to have faded a bit didn’t mean she could easily find a suitor of his caliber.
His demonic origins were a huge obstacle, but… hadn’t the Young Mistress of the Divine Maiden Palace overcome that barrier?
If she set her mind to it, she too could surely leap over such an obstacle.
‘She took a step back. But she’s wise.’
What if Jongri Sa-yu had fallen for his words hook, line, and sinker?
Seo Jin-ha would have thought her a thoughtless woman.
But since she knew how to appropriately push and pull… he judged this personality to be suitable for capturing the heart of the block-headed Bu Eun-seol.
‘An outcome like this isn’t so bad.’
“I understand what you mean. Thank you.”
Seo Jin-ha bowed his head respectfully and clasped his hands.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Jongri Sa-yu felt a bit uneasy, as if she had been tricked, but she had no choice but to nod.
“Alright.”
Having resolved everything, Seo Jin-ha walked out of the Jongri family estate with a dignified stride.
Perhaps because everything was settled?
The pain he had been suppressing flared up, and his cheeks began to swell like steamed buns.
“Aigoo.”
He didn’t need to look in a bronze mirror to know.
His face must have become as puffy as a steamed bun, to the point of being unrecognizable.
But it was for his beloved friend, so he didn’t feel it was unfair.
“Can’t be helped. That guy can’t do anything without me.”
With a proud look on his face, Seo Jin-ha looked up at the distant sky and walked on with confidence.
But just then.
In the distance, dozens of martial artists were walking toward the Jongri estate.
It was none other than Hall Master Yeonseong, Yuk Cheong-a, and her subordinates. And with them was Bu Eun-seol, disguised as Seonwu Jin.
‘Hm?’
Yuk Cheong-a looked puzzled at the man with a face swollen like a steamed bun walking toward them.
But when he showed no reaction upon seeing her, a person bearing the insignia of the Murim Alliance, she too walked past him nonchalantly.
‘He must not be a martial artist.’
His cheeks were incredibly swollen, and his eyes seemed unfocused.
Yuk Cheong-a judged him to be an unremarkable person and passed him by.
「Don’t worry, I’ve handled everything. The Jongri family won’t be coming to the Demonic Cult.」
Just then, Seo Jin-ha, who was passing by Bu Eun-seol, sent a telepathic message.
Seeing Seo Jin-ha with his cheeks puffed out walk past, Bu Eun-seol sent a message back.
「You’ve worked hard. Later, I’ll treat you to a good drink…」
But at that moment, Seo Jin-ha suddenly turned around and smiled.
*Grin.*
Seeing that smile, revealing his white teeth.
Bu Eun-seol felt a chill run down his spine, as if a cursed doll had just smiled at him.
*A wider grin.*
Seo Jin-ha smiled brightly once more.
It seemed like a request to smile back.
Bu Eun-seol had no choice.
*A wide grin.*
He gave a big smile in return and turned away.
But the unsettling feeling only grew stronger. And he would only find out the reason why… in the distant future.