Chapter 14: The Peak Realm
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: The Peak Realm
Fortunately, it seemed he could stop worrying about Chun-bong’s physical condition for a while.
With a much lighter heart, Seo-jun inspected the bundle he’d looted from the Black Tiger Sect—specifically, the contents of their safe.
"Ooh, nice..."
First off, there was a significant amount of silver. It wasn't a sum to scoff at, even if it had been scraped together by a back-alley Black Path gang. With this much, he could live comfortably for several years without lifting a finger.
Alongside the silver were land deeds and a few martial arts manuals.
However, after skimming through the manuals, Chun-bong shook her head.
"They’re trash. Don’t even bother looking at them."
Curiosity got the better of him, so he flipped through them anyway. He was convinced almost immediately.
"Wow, they really are trash."
"Did you think I was lying?"
"I mean, you never know. The Three Talents Sword Art is actually pretty useful, so I thought these might have some hidden value."
"The Three Talents Sword Art is a proven martial art, okay?"
She explained that even if a technique was common and widespread, there was a reason it had survived for so long without major changes.
Hearing it put that way, it actually made sense.
"Hmm."
Regardless, he was rich now.
Seo-jun fought back the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth and tucked a few silver taels into his pocket.
"Hey, Miss Geum. Want to go shopping?"
"Sho... what?"
"Let’s go buy some stuff."
"Buy what? Just because you have money doesn't mean you should waste it."
Seo-jun thought for a moment and nodded.
"Clothes... and maybe a sword for you? We should buy some food, too."
He glanced around at the state of their house, which looked like it was on the verge of collapsing. He’d grown fond of the place in his own way, but honestly, he was starting to worry he might actually get crushed to death in his sleep.
"What about moving?" Seo-jun asked. "Wouldn't it be okay to just live at the Black Tiger Sect’s place?"
"What are you going to do about the corpses there?"
"Ah, right."
"Besides, that place is too big. What are the two of us going to do with a place that size?"
Seo-jun tapped his lips, his brow furrowed in thought, before his eyebrows shot up. He had a good idea.
"Let’s start with the clothes."
* * *
After giving themselves a thorough scrubbing at home, Seo-jun and Chun-bong headed to the market. It wouldn't feel right to put on brand-new clothes if their bodies were still dirty, after all.
"No, but seriously, it’s weird."
Seo-jun buried his nose into the crown of Chun-bong’s head.
"You’re not using some secret perfume on your own, are you?"
Naturally, Chun-bong recoiled in horror, flailing her arms.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
"You’re the only one who smells good."
"It’s probably because I underwent Marrow Cleansing and all that stuff when I was little."
Since there were no impurities in her body, there was no reason for her to smell bad. She mentioned that the pleasant scent was because one of her ancestors had integrated the nuances of the Fairy Art into the Azure Cloud Divine Art.
"The Fairy Art? Is that the one that makes you beautiful?"
"That’s the one."
"Hmm."
Seo-jun’s eyes scanned Chun-bong from head to toe.
"It doesn't seem to have much of an effect on chest grow—Agh!"
He got smacked. He knew he deserved it, so he didn't have much to say in his defense.
Watching Seo-jun pout, Chun-bong let out a long sigh.
"Haaa... Forget the chest talk. More importantly, how did you actually do it?"
"Do what?"
"You turned Yin energy into Yang energy. Did you achieve enlightenment regarding the principles of Taiji? I’ve been thinking about it, and there’s no other way."
"Taiji?"
Like thermal equilibrium? Probably not.
Seo-jun shrugged. "You know what Yin energy feels like, right?"
"Of course. What I handle is close to Yin energy."
"And you know what Yang energy is like, too?"
"I mean, yeah?"
"Then isn't that enough?"
Yin energy is quiet, and Yang energy is active. If you just beat up the quiet guys until they get active, doesn't that make it Yang energy?
"Right?"
"What kind of bullshit is that? You think that would actually work?"
"It did work, though."
"Well... that’s true... But why did it work?"
While Chun-bong was busy contorting her face in confusion, they arrived at a clothier. The shop mainly sold fabric, but it seemed they had ready-made clothes as well.
The moment Chun-bong stepped into the shop—thwack!—something flew through the air and hit her in the head.
"I’ve got nothing to give to beggars! Get lost before you get my merchandise dirty!"
Chun-bong touched her cheek. Leftover soup from a meal trickled down her jawline.
"Dammit..."
Her face flushed red with indignation. Tears even seemed to be welling up in her eyes. What must it feel like to grow up in a renowned noble family only to be treated like this? He didn't know for sure, but he was certain it felt like absolute shit.
"Hey."
Crash!
With a single kick from Seo-jun, a display stand was smashed to pieces.
What is the Murim? It’s a world overflowing with people who resolve shitty feelings with brute force as if it were nothing. This was a principle Seo-jun had realized early on, despite having only recently started his life in the Murim.
If you don't want things to get ugly, just don't do shitty things. He didn't understand why so many people failed to grasp that.
"This bastard made my sister cry?"
"I-I’m not crying... And what’s with this third-rate thug behavior? Stop it."
"Hush!"
Seo-jun drew his sword, sheath and all. Seeing this, the shopkeeper flinched.
"Y-you brat! This shop pays protection money to the Azure River Sect! Do you have any idea what the consequences will be?!"
"Azure River Sect? What kind of literal-who sect is that?"
He didn't know who they were, but he didn't think there would be any problem with cracking this guy’s skull open.
"Come here, you bastard."
"You filthy beggar...!"
Whoosh!
Cornered, the shopkeeper hurled a bowl. The contents traced a parabola through the air. If you were eating, you should have just finished your meal quietly.
Swish—
Seo-jun spread his internal energy wide from the tip of his scabbard. It was only about the size of a palm, but as he swung the scabbard, the afterimage left behind remained in the air like a membrane.
"A... Sword Curtain...?"
For some reason, Chun-bong, who was standing behind him, looked stunned, but Seo-jun didn't pay her any mind.
Splatter!
The thrown bowl hit the protective barrier, and its contents sprayed outward. Bright red soup spread across the curtain and slid down. The smell was terrible. I can't believe he threw this crap.
"U-uh..."
The panicked owner slumped to the ground.
"I-I didn't realize you were a master... Please, have mercy just once..."
"Hey, buddy."
"Y-yes!"
"First, you need a beating."
He thrashed him thoroughly.
* * *
"Ah, what am I to do with this merciful heart of mine?"
"You did well."
"Huh? Really? I thought you’d nag me."
"Why would I? That was actually pretty mild."
The shopkeeper hadn't lost his life, none of his limbs had been severed, and he hadn't even broken a bone. Ending it with just a beating was definitely on the moderate side.
"I was just worried you’d kill someone again."
"What, am I some kind of serial killer? Just killing people left and right?"
"Weren't you? That’s surprising."
"What? You little..."
As they walked along bantering, Seo-jun and Chun-bong’s attire had been transformed into something much cleaner. They were clothes taken from that clothier. He’d taken a few for free as the price for his ocean-like mercy.
Seo-jun stretched his arms wide.
"Now, let’s go buy a sword."
"A sword for me?"
"Who else? I already have mine."
"Is it not broken? You seemed to use it pretty roughly."
"Did I?"
Shring— Seo-jun drew his sword without hesitation.
"Eek...!"
People walking down the street recoiled in terror.
"Hey, you idiot! Don't just draw your sword in the middle of the street!"
"Whoops...!"
Chun-bong grabbed Seo-jun’s hand and dragged him away. Only after they reached a secluded corner did she let go and inspect the condition of his blade. She nodded, looking surprised.
"It’s perfectly fine. That’s strange."
"It’s because I’m good at using it."
"I suppose that’s true."
What? At the unexpectedly honest response, Seo-jun scrambled backward in shock, causing Chun-bong’s eyes to narrow fiercely.
"What, you bastard? Why? What?"
"Who are you?! You’re not Geum Chun-bong!"
"Shut your trap."
Chun-bong lunged and threw a punch at Seo-jun. Has she lost her mind?
Clack!
Seo-jun effortlessly caught her fist and sheathed his sword.
"Whoa, that was dangerous."
"What’s dangerous about that for someone who’s reached the First-rate? No, wait. What was that earlier?"
"What now?"
"The Sword Curtain."
"Ah... that? I just felt like I could do it, so I did."
"God, I hate your talent so much." Chun-bong cursed and smacked her forehead. "Fine, congratulations. You’re a Peak Realm master now."
"...Peak Realm? Really?"
"Yes, you jerk."
"Hmm."
As Seo-jun rubbed his chin, lost in thought, Chun-bong’s eyes turned predatory.
"This guy... what is he going to say now?" she muttered.
"No, I’m asking because I really don't know."
"Yeah, what. Spit it out."
"Is martial arts really supposed to be hard? It’s super easy."
"...You son of a bitch!"
Chun-bong flew through the air and unleashed a kick. It was a fairly sharp technique. Seo-jun reacted quickly, dodging it before catching her by the waist and setting her back down on the ground.
"My, Miss Geum Chun-bong, you’ve become quite nimble, haven't you?"
"Just shut up."
Pouting, Chun-bong manifested a platinum-colored qi on her fingertip.
"Oh...?"
"I can use about as much power as a First-rate master now."
"What? You said you were seventeen. You were already First-rate before that?"
Hmph. Chun-bong snorted and lifted her chin.
"I was in the Peak Realm, actually. I told you, everyone around me hailed me as a genius and a prodigy."
Reaching the Peak Realm at fifteen—it was an event rarely seen in the long history of the Murim. The martial arts world had been quite stirred up back then, but in her current situation, it was all useless.
"Damn it all."
"Why are you getting gloomy again?" Seo-jun patted the top of Chun-bong’s head. "But wait, what? Peak Realm at fifteen? And you’re complaining to me? Is this some kind of high-level humblebrag?"
"Are you and I even the same? Whatever, let’s just go buy a sword."
Her mood suddenly plummeting, Chun-bong started walking ahead. Seo-jun quickly scooped her up from behind and hoisted her onto his shoulders.
"Wh-whoa...!?"
"Let’s go, Chun-bong!"
"W-wait...! Put me down, you bastard!"
"No can do~."
"Eek, let me dooooown...!"
Chun-bong gripped his hair so hard that quite a bit of it got ripped out. It was quite tragic.
* * *
Seo-jun finally arrived at the blacksmith’s with Chun-bong still perched on his shoulders. She was trembling, her face bright red.
Lee Seo-jun, you crazy bastard... Is he actually insane? She’d almost considered biting her tongue and ending it all right there to escape the judging stares of the people around them.
"...Put me down."
"Yes, ma’am."
Chun-bong climbed down from Seo-jun’s shoulders. Stepping back onto solid ground after what felt like an eternity felt strange.
She looked up at Seo-jun with a grumpy pout. Seo-jun just grinned and ruffled her hair.
"Ah, stop it!"
Chun-bong quickly scurried backward to escape his clutches. She didn't want to admit it, but his rough yet gentle touch actually felt a little nice. Though she pulled away as if she hated it, the fact that her mood improved slightly when he followed her just to ruffle her hair again was a secret she would take to her grave.
"Anyway, don't get too cocky. Realm and combat power are two different things."
A realm was a measure of how freely one could manipulate internal energy. In Lee Seo-jun’s case, his skill in handling internal energy was indeed at the Peak Realm, but his swordsmanship was only at the beginning of the First-rate.
Actually, even that made no sense. What? He caught a glimpse of the Unity of Man and Sword while using sword qi? No matter how many times she thought about it, it sounded insane. But she couldn't say anything, because his swordsmanship truly had improved drastically.
"Yes, yes, I understand perfectly, Teacher. Anyway, shall we go look at some swords?"
"Old man! Has it been a year?"
Watching Seo-jun boldly enter the blacksmith’s, Geum Hee pouted.
"He never listens to a word I say."
Despite her words, a faint smile played on her lips.
"...Hey! Wait for me, you jerk!"
Chun-bong’s short legs worked hard to chase after her brother’s retreating back.