Chapter 124: Chun-bong Divine Art (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124: Chun-bong Divine Art (2)
Ji-baek briefed Seo-jun on the Murim Alliance's current situation.
To summarize: In times of peace, the Alliance's authority wasn't particularly strong, but wartime was a different story. The Murim Alliance would soon make a grand announcement, after which they would wield considerably greater power. There would be no repeat of the last incident where reinforcements failed to arrive on time.
As Ji-baek delivered the information like he was reading from a script, Seo-jun got the distinct impression that the monk didn't feel any strong sense of belonging to the Alliance.
Since Seo-jun felt much the same way, he asked casually, "So, what’s this reward you mentioned?"
"The Alliance stated that if there is anything you desire, Young Hero Lee, they will do their utmost to provide it."
"Something I want?"
That was actually quite a dilemma.
A typical martial artist would ask for spirit herbs, martial arts manuals, or perhaps divine weapons... but Seo-jun didn't feel a pressing need for any of those.
After all, wasn't he the prospective son-in-law of the great Namgung Clan?
He understood that the Murim Alliance held significant power as a coalition of various sects, but was there anything they could provide that the Namgung Clan couldn't?
Even within the Namgung Clan, Seo-jun hadn't found anything he specifically wanted, so he had put his rewards on hold.
"I really don't need anything."
"Ho... to be so free of worldly desires... If you had entered the Shaolin, Young Hero Lee, you surely would have achieved great enlightenment."
Hye-un, who had been trying and failing to take a sip of the tea Seo-jun had brewed, quietly set down his teacup and nodded.
"Indeed. I thought so during our last meeting as well, but you truly possess a righteous heart. You are a paragon for all martial artists."
"Oh, stop it. Flattery won't get you anywhere."
As Seo-jun grinned, Ji-baek also gave a thin smile.
"The Murim Alliance has prepared a separate reward in case of such a situation."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Authority. Since it is wartime, the Murim Alliance will be expanding its ranks and forming various units and squads. If you wish, Young Hero Lee, you could likely take the position of a Unit Leader."
A Unit Leader? Why me?
Seo-jun waved his hand in disgust.
"Ugh... no thanks. Isn't that just giving me more work instead of a reward?"
"Having that much authority within the Murim Alliance during wartime is indeed a reward, but... if that is your wish, I shall relay it to the Alliance."
"Is that really okay?"
"A reward that the recipient does not want is no reward at all."
"Hmm. Good."
Nodding with satisfaction, Seo-jun suddenly had a thought.
Instead of some weird reward, couldn't they just give me an absolute pardon or a free pass?
He had a sneaking suspicion that he might end up cracking the skull of a Murim Alliance martial artist at least once in the future.
However, asking for a pardon out of the blue would be like advertising, 'I'm going to cause trouble soon!' so he held his tongue for now.
"Is that all you had to say?"
"It is."
It really wasn't much. It felt like they had just stopped by to hang out and delivered the message as an excuse.
"Then, do you want to see our Chun-bong before you go?"
"Chun-bong...?"
Ji-baek tilted his head in confusion, but Hye-un understood immediately and wore a faint smile.
"It seems you two are still on good terms. It would be an honor."
Hye-un rubbed his bald head vigorously, as if the memory of having his scalp massaged was coming back to him.
"You should look forward to it."
Chun-bong's growth spurt. Anyone seeing her for the first time was bound to be surprised.
* * *
Seo-jun threw open the door and shouted.
"Chun-bong...!!!"
His loud voice echoed through the villa.
Soon, Chun-bong came waddling out from somewhere.
"What is it?"
"Our Chun-bong...!"
Seo-jun rushed over, tucked his hands under her armpits, and hoisted her into the air.
"I called them over to show you off."
"Sigh..."
Accustomed to this treatment, Chun-bong hung there quietly, allowing herself to be put on display.
Hye-un’s eyes widened when he saw her.
"My...! They say children grow fast, but you've grown up in the blink of an eye."
"Well... I suppose so."
Recognizing Hye-un, Chun-bong scratched her soft cheek.
"It's been a while."
"Yes. It has been a long time, Lady The Cutest in the World."
"Wh-what...?"
Chun-bong flinched. To think there was actually someone other than Lee Seo-jun who would utter such a title...!
"No, how did you...?"
"Young Hero Lee told me last time."
Hye-un smiled warmly and bowed his head slightly.
It wasn't so much a greeting as a posture designed to emphasize his bald head.
"It is sudden, but would you like to touch it again?"
"Um... I won't refuse..."
Pat, pat. Chun-bong tapped Hye-un’s bald head, and her eyes widened.
"Oh...!"
"How is it?"
"You've improved."
"Since that day, I realized that this could bring happiness to someone, so I began to maintain it diligently."
Seo-jun thought to himself.
Is this guy really a reincarnation of the Buddha?
His heart was as vast as the ocean.
Moreover, listening to the conversation between Hye-un and Chun-bong was quite a spectacle.
"You really know your stuff. As someone who carefully manages her own two cheeks, I can relate."
"Ho... so the young lady is also practicing the teachings of the Buddha."
"Ah, but I don't let other people touch them. Because of cheek-loss... I've strictly prohibited exports to anyone other than my brother."
"The teaching to love all sentient beings is merely a guide for those walking the Buddhist path. Since you siblings cherish each other so much, the Buddha would surely be pleased to see it."
Seo-jun had no idea what they were talking about anymore.
He looked at Ji-baek, who was standing idly by. The monk seemed to be thinking the exact same thing as he chuckled.
"It has been a long time since I've seen Hye-un smile so brightly. It seems the young lady possesses the ability to make others happy."
"What? No, Great Master! Your enlightenment is practically at the level of the Buddha. You're spot on."
As they chatted, time simply slipped away.
* * *
"Now that I look at it, the Shaolin seems like a pretty decent sect."
Seo-jun sat on the roof, leisurely brewing coffee.
This was the last of his supply. Unless he found a way to procure more coffee beans, he wouldn't be able to drink it anymore.
It was a shame. He really needed to look into it, but he wasn't sure who to ask.
"Every sect has its own colors, but good people are good people everywhere. And assholes are assholes."
Chun-bong scooted slightly away from Seo-jun. That 'cof-fee' thing was a truly wicked beverage.
Fearing she might not be able to sleep just from smelling it, Chun-bong secured a safe distance and pulled out some Celadon Incense.
Gulp. As the sweetness spread through her body, the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
This is true happiness.
Namgung Su-ah, watching the grinning Chun-bong with fond eyes, accepted a cup of coffee from Seo-jun.
"Ah, thanks."
"Don't mention it. How is your training going?"
"Good. My great-granduncle is teaching me with real passion. I think I'm starting to get a feel for the things you mentioned, Seo-jun."
"Oh, then a breakthrough might be coming soon?"
Seo-jun grinned and held out his cup. Namgung Su-ah chuckled and clinked her cup against his.
Clink—
A clear, ringing sound.
As they sipped coffee and shared trivial stories, their bodies grew relaxed.
Seo-jun quietly enjoyed the rich aroma.
A cup of coffee under the night sky.
The three of them chatting together.
What was happiness, really? Every one of these moments was happiness.
Seo-jun, who had been nodding along to their conversation, suddenly stood up.
"That's it."
Happiness wasn't far away.
Just the three of them gathering to share a cup of coffee could bring a sense of joy as if they owned the world.
Yet, for someone else, this exact moment might be dreadfully boring, and others might absolutely loathe it.
Even for a single action, the feeling changed depending on the subject; thus, it all depended on one's state of mind.
Seizing the swirling inspiration, Seo-jun drew his sword.
What he performed was a series of clumsy-looking sword paths that curved here and there, almost like a joke.
But as he layered his newfound inspiration over the movements, exclamations burst from both Chun-bong and Namgung Su-ah.
"Oh, that's incredibly flashy."
"Huh? Isn't it a heavy and simple sword style?"
"No, how is that simple?"
"Eh...?"
The two women looked at each other, tilting their heads in confusion.
Seo-jun grinned at the desired result.
"There we go, Chun-bong. This is the improved version of the Chun-bong Divine Art."
Chun-bong had not yet fully made the Azure Cloud Divine Art her own.
Naturally, there was a minute gap between the Azure Cloud Divine Art and Chun-bong herself, and originally, the Chun-bong Divine Art was meant to bridge that gap.
But in this moment, it had evolved.
It was no longer just a supplementary technique to fill in the blanks, but a martial art that contained profound principles worthy of being called a Divine Art in its own right.
At the same time, it was tailored in every aspect to Chun-bong, making it a martial art that only she could learn without great difficulty.
"Huh? No, so what was that just now?"
"The Chun-bong Divine Art."
"I'm asking what it is."
"Uh... it's the Chun-bong Divine Art?"
"Agh...! You frustrating jerk, seriously!"
Chun-bong hopped up and down in frustration. Seo-jun chuckled and recited the oral chant, his voice flowing like poetry under the moonlight.
Chun-bong, listening to the chant as if possessed, soon fell into a deep daze of contemplation. Then, she sat down on the spot and began her breathing exercises.
She must have gained some enlightenment from it.
On the other hand, even after hearing the chant, Namgung Su-ah didn't dare try the Chun-bong Divine Art due to an inexplicable sense of dissonance.
As she looked at Seo-jun with a tilted head, he gently laid his head down on her soft thigh.
"Noona, you shouldn't try testing this. If you slip up, you'll fall into Qi Deviation immediately."
"Ah... so that's why it's the Chun-bong Divine Art?"
"Yeah. I tailored it from the start by considering Chun-bong’s physical condition, the martial arts she's learned so far, and even her mental imagery. It would be incredibly dangerous for anyone else to learn."
"What about you, Seo-jun?"
"I'm the one who created the martial art."
"Fufu, that's true."
Namgung Su-ah smiled softly and gently stroked Seo-jun’s hair as he lay on her lap.
"You really know everything about Geum Mae, don't you? To be able to create a martial art like this."
"Hmm. You could say that. I probably know more about Chun-bong than she knows about herself."
"Then... do you want to learn more about me, too?"
Namgung Su-ah leaned down. Her face was hidden behind the shadow of her great mountains, but with those twin peaks drawing closer and the sultry sound of her breathing, it was impossible not to notice her intentions even if he tried.
"...To the very, very deep parts."
Along with her sultry voice, her hand gently caressed Seo-jun’s body.
The fine hairs all over his skin stood on end.
Seo-jun sprang up, making an emergency escape.
"W-well, usually, you know. Right? You start by holding hands... and take it step by step..."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"...Baby-making?"
"Fufu, I just meant we should open up our hearts and talk."
The corners of Namgung Su-ah’s eyes curved beautifully. Her blue eyes, visible through her narrowed lids, stared intently at Seo-jun with a mischievous glint.
"But... if that's what you want, Seo-jun..."
"Unnie...!"
Chun-bong, who had finished organizing her enlightenment before they knew it, jumped up and shouted.
Namgung Su-ah just giggled.
"My, that was fast."
"If I wasn't fast, what were you going to do!"
"Hmm, baby-making?"
"Eekyaaaaaak...!"
Chun-bong threw a fit.
"A-are you crazy!?"
"Geum Mae."
Namgung Su-ah spoke with a slightly more serious tone.
"I'll be turning thirty soon. Honestly, even now is a bit late."
"U-uh..."
"At this rate, I'll become a grandmother before I know it."
Sniff, sniff. As Namgung Su-ah playfully pretended to wipe away tears, Chun-bong fell into serious thought.
"Thirty...? That's really a total old la—"
"Geum Mae?"
A chilling gaze. Faced with Namgung Su-ah’s overwhelming pressure for the first time, Geum Chun-bong couldn't help but gulp.
"—is what I almost said..."
Having survived the crisis using a deflection technique she learned from Seo-jun, Chun-bong quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, about this Chun-bong Divine Art!"