Chapter 125: Chun-bong Divine Art (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 125: Chun-bong Divine Art (3)
Chun-bong Divine Art.
A martial art created solely for Chun-bong herself.
The mere thought of it made her heart race. But even setting that aside, the Chun-bong Divine Art was no ordinary technique—just as she had come to expect from her brother.
In fact, it was impossible to separate the two. Such an incredible technique was likely only possible because he had tailored it perfectly to her—her body, her meridians, her mental imagery, and everything in between.
"Mmm...!"
Bubbling with excitement, Chun-bong drew her sword.
That single strike her brother had shown her earlier—she finally understood it.
She had called it "splendid," while Su-ah had described it as "heavy and simple."
Both of them were right.
Yet, at the same time, both were wrong.
Swaaaaak—
The sword, swung lightly downward, sliced through the air. Seeing this, Seo-jun gave a wide smirk.
"You’re already getting the hang of it, aren’t you?"
"Yep!"
Chun-bong giggled and looked at Namgung Su-ah.
"How was it?"
"It was splendid. Was that a Changing Sword technique?"
"No, if I had to categorize it, it’s closer to an Illusion Sword."
"Oh... was it?"
Chun-bong was impressed all over again. To think that even a martial artist of Namgung Su-ah’s caliber couldn’t see through it immediately.
"To be precise, you saw exactly what you wanted to see, Unnie. What I actually performed was the Mount Tai Pressure Peak."
"Huh? Mount Tai Pressure Peak?"
"Yeah. But, you know... with a little Chun-bong Divine Art sprinkled in."
The Chun-bong Divine Art was not a sword style. If anything, it was closer to an auxiliary art.
When its principles were infused into her movements, they produced an effect akin to an illusion. It took the image of Chun-bong held in her opponent’s mind and forcibly imprinted it onto their senses.
If she were to master it, she could likely weave it into every single movement, achieving a true Shifting Form and Position in the most literal sense.
It was an utterly absurd martial art.
This was especially true considering that creating illusions wasn't even the primary purpose of the Chun-bong Divine Art.
Chun-bong was currently practicing the Azure Cloud Divine Art, but because she hadn't perfectly harmonized with the technique, there were gaps in her execution.
The main goal of the Chun-bong Divine Art was to bridge those gaps.
But it didn't merely fill them—it was a Divine Art-level technique in its own right.
"When I swung my sword, your subconscious expectations were reflected in your eyes. It didn't matter how I actually swung it."
"How is... something like that even possible?"
"I wouldn't know either, would I?"
Chun-bong and Namgung Su-ah both turned to stare intently at Seo-jun.
He gave a proud nod and spoke.
"Though it is a single action, perception changes depending on the observer. Thus, it is all a matter of the mind."
It was a martial art born from the enlightenment found in a single cup of coffee.
"Right. So how did you actually implement that into a martial art?"
Seo-jun looked a bit troubled by Chun-bong’s question.
"I just wove the inspiration into the technique. To fit you perfectly."
"I’m asking how."
"Well, since the sword styles you usually use are on the flashier side, I just did this and that, and...?"
If he had simply created a technique based on his inspiration without incorporating it into the Chun-bong Divine Art, it probably wouldn't have reached this level.
It was a martial art born of pure serendipity—the perfect alignment of a vivid, fresh burst of enlightenment and the unique constraint of tailoring it for one specific person.
Just as a possessor of the Extreme Yang Body could learn Yang-attribute arts easily and quickly, he had created a martial art that perfectly resonated with Chun-bong’s very nature.
"Actually, I can use it too, but it probably won't be as powerful as when you do. It really was tailored specifically to your body."
Hearing this, Chun-bong slapped her forehead.
"I seriously can’t wrap my head around this. How do martial arts just pop out of you like this?"
"You curious?"
"Yeah."
"I’m curious too. It’s so easy, so why can’t anyone else do it?"
"Oh..."
Chun-bong raised her sword high.
"Since I need to get used to it anyway, shall we go for a round of sparring?"
"...Do you have to be so indirect about wanting to stab your brother?"
"Will you let me stab you then?"
After a moment of thought, Seo-jun spread his arms wide.
"Fine...! If my Chun-bu-i wants to...!"
Chun-bong charged immediately.
A dropkick? Seo-jun smirked and closed his eyes.
'A Chun-bong dropkick is more like a reward, anyway.'
However, the impact didn't come at the expected timing.
Seo-jun peeked one eye open.
"Huh...?"
Chun-bong was standing right in front of him, staring up at him.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"...Thank you."
Peck.
A soft sensation landed on his cheek.
"Gah...!"
Seo-jun clutched his chest and collapsed.
"You have done well, Geum Chun-bong... To think you would land such an unexpected attack... You may descend from the mountain now..."
"Shut up."
Hmph. Snorting, Chun-bong walked away with light, bouncy steps.
The tips of her ears were bright red, betraying her fierce embarrassment. The sight of her scurrying away was nothing short of adorable.
"The world’s most filial daughter..."
My precious Geum Chun-bong...!
Seo-jun clutched his aching heart and staggered to his feet.
"I almost ascended to heaven just now..."
"Hehe, really?"
"Really."
Namgung Su-ah, who had been giggling softly, took a large stride toward Seo-jun.
"What about this?"
Peck.
A pair of lips touched his other cheek.
Startled, Seo-jun grabbed both of his cheeks.
"I-I can see it..."
"See what?"
"The Celestial Realm..."
"Pfft, what is that even supposed to mean?"
Namgung Su-ah boldly stepped closer and linked her arm with his. Indeed, the soft sensation pressing against his arm was absolutely not of this world.
"...I see. This is the Celestial Realm."
"Ahahaha!"
Namgung Su-ah laughed brightly and led Seo-jun along, her arm securely linked with his.
Chun-bong, who had fled, was likely waiting for him in her room, feeling restless. They would have to head back soon, but until then, she could have Seo-jun all to herself.
Humming a tune as they walked, she spoke softly.
"It feels like a dream."
"Right now?"
"Yeah. I used to only imagine things like this vaguely."
Walking along a moonlit path with light steps. A lover with her arm linked through his. A night where her steps naturally slowed the closer they got to their destination, simply because she didn't want to go home.
Was "lover" the right word? She had her doubts, but it didn't matter.
She just loved this moment so much.
"I wish days like this could continue forever. Let’s finish this war or whatever quickly, so the three of us can just stay together."
"That sounds good."
"Right? Then, how many children should we have?"
"Wait..."
At his startled reaction, Namgung Su-ah burst into laughter again.
She loved how this incredible man, who looked like he could achieve absolutely anything, would get so flustered by a single comment like that.
It made her feel like she was someone truly special.
But time flowed heartlessly, and the dreamlike moment eventually came to an end.
Their slow steps finally stopped, and Namgung Su-ah let go of Seo-jun’s arm with a look of deep regret.
"...See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
"Sleep well."
"You too."
"You have to dream of me, okay?"
"An erotic dream might be a bit..."
"You can just have a wholesome one."
"I’ll try."
Seo-jun chuckled and cupped Namgung Su-ah’s cheeks, giving them a light squeeze.
"Hey, we’re in the same building anyway. Why act like I’m going somewhere far away?"
"Mmm... Just because. I’m sad to say goodbye."
Namgung Su-ah lowered her gaze slightly. Today, unlike her usual self, her tone and behavior were laced with a certain spoiled sweetness.
Seo-jun moved as if possessed.
Peck.
When he kissed her lightly on her exposed forehead, Namgung Su-ah’s body froze.
"U-uh...?"
"Goodnight."
"Y-yeah..."
With her face turning beet-red, Namgung Su-ah gently touched her forehead with both hands. Her expression was completely dazed.
The counterattack she received after always being the one on the offensive seemed super effective.
Seo-jun smirked. "Don’t do anything weird and go to sleep quickly, okay?"
"Okay..."
"Geez, why did you suddenly break?"
As he gently pushed her back into her room, she poked her head out slightly through the gap in the door.
"...Goodnight."
And then—pop—she quickly pulled her head back in and disappeared.
"Oho..."
That was certainly a fresh reaction.
High attack power but rock-bottom defense... She was basically a glass cannon, wasn't she?
Seo-jun grinned to himself.
'Maybe I’m actually a pro at romance?'
He felt pretty good about himself today.
*
The next morning.
Seo-jun jumped out of bed and stretched his body. Having had those kinds of dreams, his body felt quite stiff.
Beside him, Chun-bong was fast asleep, snoring softly.
After trying to use separate rooms for a few days, she had eventually given up and started sleeping in the same room again. She had slowly moved her belongings back from her room in the Namgung Clan estate, leaving it completely empty once more.
"Yawn..."
As he stepped out of the room while stretching, he saw Namgung Su-ah.
Seo-jun smirked and waved his hand.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Hehe, I feel so refreshed after a good night’s sleep, you know?"
Had she returned to her usual self overnight?
Looking at her closely, her cheeks were slightly flushed. Her fingertips were trembling a bit, too. Her face looked a little haggard, yet her complexion was bright—he had no idea what she had been up to last night.
'Hmm.'
The way she was pretending nothing was wrong annoyed him for some reason.
In technical terms, he was feeling a bit mischievous.
Swish—
Seo-jun’s figure blurred, instantly taking a position behind Namgung Su-ah.
"Huh?"
Namgung Su-ah reacted, but she didn't do anything except tilt her head in confusion.
Seo-jun grinned, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and rested his chin on top of her head.
"It doesn't look like you slept at all. What were you doing last night?"
"Mmm..." Blushing, Namgung Su-ah whispered. "Thinking about you...?"
Seo-jun flinched. He pulled away slightly and cleared his throat. His fingers curled inward from the sheer cringe.
There was a certain unbearable itchiness that came from this kind of atmosphere.
Struggling to compose his squirming body, Seo-jun gave an awkward laugh.
"Uh, well. That’s good."
"Hehe... is it?"
As they were exchanging awkward glances, a voice suddenly cut in.
"What are you two doing?"
Startled, Seo-jun turned his head. Pae Jin-gwang was staring intently at the two of them.
"...You scared me. What is it?"
"That’s what I want to ask. Did something happen between you two yesterday?"
"No, nothing. What would happen?"
"Hmm..."
Pae Jin-gwang looked back and forth between Seo-jun and Namgung Su-ah with narrowed eyes before letting out a sigh.
"What a rotten world. Just take it all, you brat. Go ahead and crush the leader of the Black Lotus Union, reach the Profound Realm, and while you’re at it, unify the Murim too."
"Yeah, yeah. That’s the plan. And maybe I’ll become the Heavenly Demon while I’m at it."
"...Are you crazy?"
"If I reach the Profound Realm and become the Heavenly Demon, who’s going to say anything?"
"Hmm. I suppose that’s true. Just don’t use my name when you do."
"I’m going to tell everyone the Heavenly Demon is the Fist King’s disciple, though?"
"That... might not be so bad, actually."
Stroking his chin, Pae Jin-gwang clicked his tongue.
"Anyway. Someone who says they’re your guest has arrived."
"Huh? A guest? I don’t have any friends."
"I can see why."
"Do you really want to get hit?"
"A spar? I’d welcome that."
"I meant a life-and-death duel."
"That wouldn't be bad either."
As they walked along bickering, Seo-jun happened to lock eyes with Namgung Su-ah. She gave him a playful, narrow-eyed smile.
Man. Scratching his inexplicably itchy cheek, he flung open the main gate of the villa.
"Who’s the guest...? Oh?"
"Ho, as expected of the Namgung Clan. Even their villa is impressive."
"You came in person?"
The guest, Hyeon-wol, gave a wide smile.
"One must take every opportunity to go on an outing, after all."
Now that Hyeon-wol was here... the countdown for those Blood Crow Sect bastards had officially begun.
