Chapter 968
Chapter 968
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 968
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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The door of an old house creaked open, and a single woman stepped out.
"You've arrived. I've been waiting. But there are more guests than I expected."
She was dressed in a pristine white robe. Not a single wrinkle marred the fabric, and aside from her hands and face, no skin was exposed. She was impeccably dressed.
Yet an undeniable voluptuousness seeped through her clothes. Just as Namgung Seol had described, her breasts were larger than Namgung Rin's, and her hair cascaded down to her thighs. Her face was perfectly proportioned and stunningly beautiful. Her beauty rivaled Namgung Rin's and Miryeong's—it clicked into place all at once.
Honestly, she didn't look any stronger than me at first glance. She seemed like an ordinary beauty. That's precisely why I tensed up. It meant I couldn't properly gauge her power.
"Greetings, Lady Nakwol! I'm Namgung Rin!"
"It's been a while!"
Namgung Rin clasped her hands in a formal salute, while Namgung Seol beamed brightly and waved.
Miryeong let out a sigh. She offered her own salute, showing proper respect.
"I'm Miryeong. What an honor to meet someone of your caliber here!"
Then, in a quiet mutter:
"...To think there's someone who can stand toe-to-toe with Mother in terms of looks."
I couldn't just stand there while everyone else greeted her.
"I'm Sung Yu-jin, Namgung Seol's husband."
Lady Nakwol glanced over all of us and nodded.
"I'm Wei Yu. People call me Lady Nakwol. Come inside first—have some tea."
Lady Nakwol, Wei Yu.
Her voice was serene. No trace of irritation or anger, no warmth or annoyance. Her reaction was unexpected.
What can I say? I'd imagined her as more stern, or hot-tempered. At the very least, some eccentric vibe. Living alone in these mountains, she had to be a bit of a weirdo, right?
'But in person, she seems more level-headed than most people.'
We followed her inside. Her home was spotlessly tidy. It felt a bit empty—spacious, even—but that made sense in a place like this. She brought out a kettle and teacups.
Wei Yu gripped the bottom of the kettle and circulated her inner energy. A wave of heat rose, and soon the water inside bubbled. She was boiling it with her qi.
"These are leaves from tea I grew myself. Nothing compared to White Crane Silver Needle or Dragon Well, but it won't disappoint."
We sipped the green tea. It was good. Even for my picky palate, it hit the spot—no need to mention the others.
Wei Yu took a sip of the steaming tea and spoke.
"First, let's make this clear. I set three conditions for the Namgung family, and they accepted them."
"Yes, that's right."
Namgung Seol replied. Unlike her usual dazed expression, her face was now resolute, her eyes gleaming fiercely.
"The first condition is that you become my disciple."
Those born with Severed Meridians share a few traits: exceptional looks and astonishing martial talent. But that talent only shines once the condition is cured.
Namgung Seol shot to her feet. She performed a deep nine-prostration bow toward Wei Yu, her small frame completing the ritual flawlessly.
"Master. Please take care of me from now on."
"The feeling's mutual. The second condition is support from the Namgung family. Spiritual herbs will make your training far more efficient. That's on them. The third is that your husband stays here until you reach a certain level. It's not so much my whim as a necessity for the treatment. Even with the Yin-Yang Illumination Great Law, it won't be cured in one go."
Wei Yu's gaze turned to me.
"Sung Yu-jin, was it? Mind if I check your body? The Namgung family probably confirmed it already, but I'd like to see for myself."
"Of course. What do I need to do?"
"Give me your hand."
I extended my hand. She sent a thread of qi into me.
"They found the right one. Immense yang energy... and you're even blessed with star qi."
Wei Yu withdrew her hand without hesitation. Her eyes sparkled with interest as she looked at me.
"No master? Why not become my disciple?"
"...I heard Lady Nakwol doesn't take disciples lightly."
"That was true before. But I've had a change of heart lately."
"What kind of change?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Are you taking just anyone now?"
Wei Yu chuckled in disbelief.
"Hardly. I'm quite picky about talent when it comes to disciples."
"I have no such talent."
"Don't even joke about that. Someone born with star qi saying something so absurd? You'd deserve a slap."
Star qi.
She must mean the Heavenly Star system.
"Need more time to think?"
I stared straight at Wei Yu. More time? No need. The answer was already clear. This unparalleled beauty before me was a powerhouse rare in this world. Passing up the opportunity would be idiotic.
I stood and performed the nine-prostration bow to her.
"Your disciple, Sung Yu-jin, greets his master!"
Wei Yu nodded in satisfaction as she accepted the bow, then gulped down her green tea.
"Mm. Two disciples in one day—today's a good one."
Her gaze shifted sideways. Namgung Rin's eyes shone with anticipation.
"Daughter of the Namgung family, eh? I can guess why you're here. I'll teach you a thing or two."
"Thank you!"
Namgung Rin replied. But her excitement faded into mild disappointment. She'd hoped to be invited as a disciple too.
"Sorry, but two disciples are enough. No plans to take more."
"Ah... yes...."
"Still, you're my disciple's sister and carry the Namgung name. I'll teach you properly."
"I'll do my best!"
Even without official disciple status, proper guidance from a transcendent expert was fortune enough.
Next, Wei Yu's eyes landed on Miryeong.
"...Never thought I'd run into a fox here."
"How could I stay behind when my husband was coming?"
"Husband?"
Wei Yu glanced at me, then scanned us all. Namgung Rin's cheeks flushed slightly, and Namgung Seol grinned ear to ear.
"You're not going to kick me out, are you?"
"Tempting, but I can't chase away my disciple's wife."
Wei Yu looked at me.
"Quite the playboy, aren't you? Well, too late for me to meddle, and no reason to anyway...."
Her tone brimmed with disapproval, despite her words.
"Fox. If you want to stay, you'll earn your keep."
"Ugh. No weird chores, please."
"A skilled sorceress makes things much easier. Could be a blessing. But there's a problem."
"Problem?"
Namgung Seol asked.
"Housing. I built a place for the disciple couple—enough for two. Three would be cramped; four, outright uncomfortable. So you two build your own."
She pointed at Namgung Rin and Miryeong. Rin nodded without protest, but Miryeong frowned.
"Why not just squeeze in together? We're practically skin-to-skin anyway. No need to bother with a new house."
"Follow my words if you want to stay. Otherwise, head down the mountain now."
Miryeong shot me a pouty look, sticking out her lower lip.
"...Fine. We'll do it."
Then Wei Yu turned to me.
"Yu-jin. You handle dinner."
"...I'm terrible at cooking."
"Doesn't matter. You'll learn step by step. For tonight... just grill some meat. Preparing meals is a disciple's duty. Reminds me of the old days. Back then, I didn't even dare step on my master's shadow."
"......"
I gave a wry smile. I was starting to get a read on Wei Yu. She was old-school strict.
"Namgung Seol. You handle the chores."
"Master. When do we start the Yin-Yang Illumination Great Law?"
Namgung Seol asked eagerly. She was desperate to shake off that damned Nine Yin Severed Meridians as soon as possible.
"No rush. We'll begin once you're ready."
"Ready?"
"Your body's far too frail. You need basic stamina and knowledge first."
Wei Yu addressed us all.
"Now, get to your tasks."
???
Stepping out of Wei Yu's house, I headed to the kitchen. Arms crossed, I surveyed it. Supplies in one corner, a wood-fired stove. No spices in sight. "Grill meat" probably meant hunt a beast and roast it.
'What a hassle. And they'd probably hate my cooking anyway.'
I decided to cheat. Pull premade food from inventory when the time came.
Leaving the kitchen, I spotted Miryeong and Namgung Rin staring at the ground near the house we'd share with Seol, deep in discussion.
"Miryeong-unnie. Can't you use sorcery to make a house?"
"You think building a house is easy? Sorcery can't just magic one up. Well, something simple like this..."
Miryeong flicked her hand. Earth surged up, forming a crude house. Just piled and solidified dirt.
"Rin, you want to live in that?"
"It's... too much. Damp and musty. A cave would be better. Should I chop some trees?"
"Trees won't help. We have zero architecture knowledge. The two of us can't manage it."
"...We should ask Lady Nakwol for help."
"She won't just hand it over. She'd teach us how, like 'give a man a fish' style."
"Probably... but we can't keep being a burden."
"Rin. Hubby's our answer."
"Hubby?"
"Yep. Honey!"
Knowing I was watching, Miryeong ran over and hugged me tight.
"Honey! Help us! We might end up sleeping outside!"
She clung to my neck, pressing her ample breasts against me. The soft, plush sensation brought a smile to my lips.
"Want a tent?"
I groped her firm, perfect ass. Always a delight.
"Tent in this weather? I'd catch a cold!"
Hard to argue. The high altitude made the evening chill bite.
"Hold on."
I could fetch stuff from other worlds. A little effort, and this was solved.
'Can't let my girls suffer. Might as well go big—a killer house.'
I thought of a container home. Modify a shipping container, done. But I found something better: a prefab house.
As the name implied, bring materials and assemble. Time-consuming, but Miryeong's sorcery could speed it up.
'Better than buying in reality... I'll squeeze the dwarf slaves in the Baekhwan world. More reliable.'
I whipped the dwarf slaves in Baekhwan world hard. A week later, they delivered. Dwarves were the ultimate slaves.
Back in Radiant Ascension Path world, I unpacked materials in a good spot.
"First, dig the foundation a bit."
"Like this?"
Miryeong cast sorcery. Exactly as hoped—handy stuff. I directed her while watching the dwarf assembly video. No need for fine details; materials were prepped chunky.
"Put that wall there... Wait. Reinforce with rebar and concrete, they said. Can you solidify it with sorcery?"
"Easy!"
"Rin. Hold that tight."
"Got it, oppa."
Three hours later: a two-story house, perfect for five.
'Nothing beats modern comfort.'
I grinned at it. Interior bare, but essentials like beds, table, wardrobes included. AC later.