Chapter 161: Chun-bong PTSD (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 161: Chun-bong PTSD (1)
Seo-jun returned to the Namgung Clan’s villa with Hwangbo Hye-ji.
Perhaps Namgung Myeong's comforting words had helped; she looked significantly better than when he had first found her, though calling her complexion "good" would still be a stretch.
For the rest of the day, he simply made sure she ate well and rested.
The next day arrived, marking the third day of the quarterfinals.
On the second day, Hye-un had dueled Tae-byeok and emerged victorious. Today's highlight was the match between Un-baek and Yang So-hong.
To everyone's surprise, Yang So-hong claimed the victory.
—The winner...! Yang So-hong of the Dragon-Tiger Sect...!
Since Un-baek was a friend, Seo-jun had gone to watch the duel in person.
Luck had played a massive role in the outcome. In terms of pure skill, Un-baek was slightly ahead, but a desperate, gambling spear thrust from Yang So-hong had seized the momentum and secured the win.
"A true dragon rising from a shallow stream."
A Rising Star from a small-to-medium sect no one had ever heard of defeating a Plum Blossom Swordsman of the Mount Hua Sect?
Luck or not, building up that level of skill in the first place was impressive.
"Are you really one to talk?"
Admittedly, Seo-jun wasn't exactly the best person to be making that comment. When Chun-bong shot him a flat look, he simply shrugged.
"I’m the exception. Even I’m terrified of my own talent."
"...That is seriously irritating."
After making plans to grab drinks later that evening with the disappointed Un-baek, Seo-jun returned to the villa.
And so, the Hwangbo Hye-ji Rehabilitation Project began.
"Alright, my Peak Realm friends."
Chun-bong, Namgung Su-ah, Namgung Myeong, and now Hwangbo Hye-ji.
Facing the four Rising Stars, Seo-jun made his declaration.
"Come at me. I have my own training to do anyway, so we might as well do it together."
The final match of the quarterfinals would be between Chun-bong and Jegal Hwi. As a warm-up, Seo-jun intended to face the group using sorcery and formations.
Hwangbo Hye-ji looked around with a hesitant expression. "So suddenly...?"
"When your head is full of complicated thoughts, the best cure is to move your body."
"I suppose that’s true, but..."
She still seemed reluctant. She kept her head bowed, clearly self-conscious about the scar near her mouth that hadn't fully healed yet.
Remembering how spirited and confident she used to be, Seo-jun felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Come here for a second."
At his call, Hwangbo Hye-ji cautiously approached. Seo-jun reached out a hand.
"Ah...!"
She flinched. A moment later, Seo-jun’s thumb lightly brushed over the scar on her lip.
Her eyes darted around erratically. She clearly didn't understand what he was doing.
Instead of explaining, Seo-jun drew his sword and held the flat of the blade up so she could see her reflection.
"It’s all healed, right?"
"H-how...?" Her eyes widened in shock.
No matter how high one’s cultivation realm was, this shouldn't be possible. Even if it wasn't a deep wound, to erase a scar with a single gesture?
It felt less like martial arts and more like the Mystical Techniques wielded by Immortals.
"Just a little trick."
It was the result of his ongoing research into his own regenerative powers. While he had failed to uncover their exact source, he had figured out a way to use his internal energy to accelerate the physical regeneration of a specific area.
Of course, it wasn't capable of mending major injuries like the miraculous healing magic described in myths, but it could close small wounds and erase scars in an instant.
"Lady Hwangbo, do you see? He may be my elder brother, but he truly is an extraordinary man. Why not do as he says?"
"Ah... Yes, alright..."
With her consent obtained, all that was left was to work them to the bone.
"Hey, you come here too." Seo-jun called out to Hwangbo Jun, who was watching from a distance.
"Why me?"
"She’s from your clan. Once this is over, you should be the one to guide her through your family’s martial arts."
"I suppose that makes sense."
While he was at it, Seo-jun figured he could properly observe the Hwangbo Clan's fist techniques and finally finish the improvements to the Tyrannical Power Ghost God Art that he had been putting off.
That old man Pae Jin-gwang ought to be able to use Fist Qi at least once, shouldn't he?
* * *
"Hieee...! Hueee...!"
Hwangbo Hye-ji lay sprawled on the dirt, her body twitching with exhaustion. Eventually, she managed to lift her head with great effort.
"Die...!"
She watched Geum Hee vigorously swinging her wooden sword. Did that girl never get tired?
They had been sparring for four hours already. Yet, the girl named Geum Hee seemed to have boundless energy left, swinging her sword with a bright giggle.
"Haa... haa... How can she have that much energy...?"
Hwangbo Hye-ji panted for breath. Namgung Su-ah gracefully sat down beside her.
"Geum Mae loves playing with Seo-jun. It’s rigorous training for us, but to her, it’s just a fun game."
Namgung Su-ah brushed back her sweat-soaked hair.
Watching her exude such effortless elegance even in this exhausted state, Hwangbo Hye-ji stared at her blankly.
"Lady Namgung, um... isn't this hard for you?"
"Me? Of course it’s hard. Look at all this sweat."
"No, I mean..." Hwangbo Hye-ji hesitated for a moment.
Though she had lost to Su-ah in the quarterfinals, she held no grudge. If anything, she felt a sense of camaraderie toward her. When martial artists clashed with all their might using swords and fists, they often communicated more than they ever could through mere words.
Encouraged by Namgung Su-ah’s gentle demeanor, Hwangbo Hye-ji tentatively revealed her inner thoughts.
"You know, things like... the heavy expectations of the clan... or the expectations of your mother..."
"I don’t have a mother."
"Ah...! No! I'm so sorry, that’s not what I meant...!"
As Hwangbo Hye-ji flailed in a panic, Namgung Su-ah chuckled.
"I know. I’m just teasing. But to answer your question—honestly, I’m not sure. I don’t really find the expectations of those around me to be a burden."
"Is that so?"
"If anything, there are times when I feel pathetic for failing to meet my own expectations. Though, that's not exactly the kind of worry I can go around complaining to others about."
"Up we go," Namgung Su-ah said, pushing herself to her feet.
Out on the field, Namgung Myeong and Chun-bong were currently being toyed with by Seo-jun.
It was time for reinforcements.
"Want to go together?"
"...Yes."
Hwangbo Hye-ji pulled herself up, a new spark of vigor in her eyes.
It was time to fight against the self-proclaimed Jegal Seo-jun...
* * *
Seo-jun worked Hwangbo Hye-ji to the bone.
Even when the sparring session was winding down, she seemed to have a sliver of stamina left, so he generously provided her with some extra training.
"Alright, on 'one,' say 'I.' On 'two,' say 'can do it.' One!"
"I...!"
"Two!"
"Can... do it...!"
Strangely, the harder he pushed her, the more a faint smile played on Hwangbo Hye-ji’s lips.
Honestly, it was a little terrifying.
Currently, Seo-jun was sitting cross-legged on Hwangbo Hye-ji’s back while she did push-ups. Since he was actively using the Mystique of Adhesion to drastically multiply his weight, this was absolutely not a situation that should evoke joy.
And yet, through his Qi sensing, he could distinctly feel the corners of Hwangbo Hye-ji’s mouth curling upward into a grin.
Was she the type of martial artist who actively enjoyed the agony of training? It felt like she would just keep pushing herself to the brink even if left completely alone...
The more he learned about her, the less he could understand Hwangbo Seo-rin. What on earth was that woman so dissatisfied with that she felt the need to torment this girl so ruthlessly?
"Hieee...!"
Seo-jun stood up, catching Hwangbo Hye-ji by the collar just as her arms gave out and she was about to collapse face-first into the dirt.
The expression on the thoroughly tattered Hwangbo Hye-ji wasn't bad at all. It seemed like he could restore her to her original, spirited state if he just worked her half to death like this for a few more days.
Of course, once she was in better shape, he planned to begin the real hellish training in earnest, so he wasn't entirely sure if this recovery was actually a good thing for her...
"Chun-bong!"
"What."
Chun-bong, who had already washed up and changed, trotted over.
"Take care of her."
"Why did you turn the poor girl into a literal rag?" Chun-bong grumbled as she hoisted the limp Hwangbo Hye-ji onto her back.
Seo-jun grinned and gave Chun-bong’s head a vigorous, affectionate rub. "Aww, our Chun-bong is so kind."
"I know, right?"
"Go have some 'girls' talk' with her and Su-ah."
"Girls' talk...?"
"You know, go gossip and chat."
"Aha." Nodding in understanding, Chun-bong walked away with Hwangbo Hye-ji still draped over her back.
The training ground, which had been bustling with chaotic energy just moments ago, fell completely silent.
Seo-jun sat back down on the ground and fell into deep thought regarding fist techniques.
‘I think I have the general feel of it...’
The specific fist technique itself wasn't the important part. What mattered was that Seo-jun had grasped the underlying sensation of how the Qi flowed during the strikes.
What he was currently contemplating was an improved version of the Tyrannical Power Ghost God Art. Since Pae Jin-gwang would be the one actually using it, the old man could handle creating the specific physical movements himself. However, if Seo-jun didn't establish a solid foundational framework for the martial art he was trying to outline, a proper technique would never emerge.
Having closely observed Hwangbo Hye-ji’s fist techniques all day, Seo-jun began to compose the oral chants in his mind, letting his intuition guide the flow of Qi.
‘This would fit perfectly into the framework of the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms.’
Before long, Seo-jun had conceptualized a fairly satisfactory martial art. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his robes.
"Hey! Old man! Why don't you come out here for a second?"
It was time to give him a gift.
* * *
To put it simply, it was a spectacular failure.
‘What is wrong with this guy, seriously?’
He had successfully managed to imbue Pae Jin-gwang’s fist with Fist Qi. Pae Jin-gwang himself had been startled, practically jumping for joy upon seeing the dense Fist Qi enveloping his hand.
But it was completely meaningless.
The very moment the old man actually threw a punch, the sheer physical force of the motion shattered the Fist Qi.
‘His own physical punch shatters his own Fist Qi...’
Seo-jun couldn't even fathom how much raw, monstrous power had to be packed into that punch for such a thing to be physically possible.
In the end, Seo-jun had no choice but to send a dejected Pae Jin-gwang away, promising to call for him again later. That look of subtle, lingering disappointment on the old man’s face...
It left a massive scratch on Seo-jun’s pride.
"If I can’t even figure out how to coat that old man’s fist in Fist Astral Qi, I’ll change my damn name."
Maybe Namgung Seo-jun or Geum Seo-jun would sound okay?
Clicking his tongue, Seo-jun headed toward the Red Moon Pavilion. It was where Hyeon-wol, the Henan branch leader of the Hao Sect, resided, and it also happened to be one of the most famous courtesan houses in Henan.
After glancing around the bustling street outside the Red Moon Pavilion, Seo-jun soon spotted a familiar figure.
"Brother Un-baek! Over here, over here!"
Un-baek of the Mount Hua Sect approached Seo-jun with a hollow, self-deprecating laugh.
"Goodness. I came hoping to drink a celebratory toast, but it looks like I’ll be drinking to drown my sorrows instead."
"Hey now, what kind of talk is that for a Dragon? Before long, the martial world will probably be calling you something like the Plum Blossom Dragon, right?"
"Haha! Hearing that from the Jin Gi-jae-cheon himself makes me feel quite a bit better!"
"Ugh, forget 'Jin Gi-jae-cheon.' Just call me what you usually do."
Seo-jun chuckled and led the way into the Red Moon Pavilion.
Since the Red Moon Pavilion was a courtesan house, Un-baek had looked a bit hesitant at first. However, Seo-jun had no intention of drinking with courtesans pouring their cups in the first place. He didn't want the company, and besides, if he did something like that, Chun-bong would nag him to death.
"I know the owner here."
"The Pavilion Master?"
"This place is actually a Hao Sect branch, after all."
"Ah, that’s right. Are you on speaking terms with the branch leader?"
"You could say that. We’re actually quite close."
"That is truly surprising."
Since the Hao Sect leaned closer to the Evil Sect, high-ranking members of the Righteous Faction generally avoided associating with them. It was a matter of face and prestige.
"I don’t have any prestige to worry about, so it’s fine."
"You, without prestige? If you asked any fellow martial artist in Jianghu about the Jin Gi-jae-cheon, they certainly wouldn't say such a thing."
"Agh! Anyway."
Seo-jun and Un-baek headed to the VIP room on the top floor of the pavilion. Naturally, Hyeon-wol joined them, and the three of them began to drink. Hyeon-wol and Un-baek, both possessing plenty of social grace and tact, quickly became fast friends.
"So, I have a close martial brother named Un-jak. He was originally scheduled to attend the Yongbong Gathering as well... but he entered secluded training after gaining a sudden enlightenment, so he couldn't make it."
"Ho! That is a shame."
"It’s not all bad. He won't be able to earn a 'Dragon' title because he'll age out by the next gathering, but once he emerges from seclusion, he’ll surely earn a title even greater than that."
Seo-jun recalled hearing about this before. As he quietly poured himself another drink, Seo-jun suddenly brought up a new topic.
"Oh, by the way, have you two heard the rumors? About the Demonic Cult."
"You mean how their recent movements have been highly suspicious?"
Hyeon-wol nodded knowingly, while Un-baek tilted his head in confusion. The Mount Hua disciple didn't seem to know much about it.
"Word on the street is that if things go wrong, Jianghu might be plunged into a three-way war. What do you think?"
"Well... the intelligence and speculations of the Righteous Faction leadership will likely be more accurate than the Hao Sect’s network on this matter."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. Most of the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans have their own dedicated intelligence agencies, and the Beggar Sect is a core part of their alliance as well."
Un-baek, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.
"I did hear murmurs that demonic practitioners have been spotted operating around Gansu, Ningxia, and Shaanxi lately."
Hyeon-wol nodded in confirmation at those words. However, Seo-jun's reaction was entirely different.
"Really? I didn't know that."
Had he missed that crucial piece of information because he kept skipping the alliance meetings? As Seo-jun tilted his head, Un-baek elaborated.
"They aren't particularly powerful demonic practitioners, so it might not have been deemed important enough to bring up in the main meetings. I heard most of them are just small fry below the Peak Realm."
"Aha."
Seo-jun’s eyes sparkled with sudden interest.
In that case, it might be a fantastic idea to drop by that area when he had some free time and kidnap a demonic practitioner.
Come to think of it, he didn't actually possess a proper heart method for cultivating demonic arts. Technically, he had the Star-Absorbing Great Art and the Black Water Great Demonic Palm—generously donated by the 'Great Hero' Soul-Stealing Demon—but those were a bit too ambiguous to be classified as foundational heart methods.
The Black Water Great Demonic Palm was strictly an offensive palm technique, after all.
‘Found it. The sprout of the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons.’
If the words of that mysterious woman from the past were true, he definitely possessed a heaven-defying talent for demonic arts.
Would it be easier to hit the Extreme Demon stage first, and then break through to the Transcendent Realm later?
Seo-jun’s grand, wildly ambitious dreams began to take flight.
He made his decision. He would head out there right after Chun-bong’s quarterfinal match was over.