Chapter 180: New Chun-bong (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 180: New Chun-bong (1)
“I’m only going to say this once, so listen up.”
“I’m always listening to what you have to say, Geum Chun-bong.”
“I love you.”
“Huh?”
“Live with me. I’ll treat you right.”
Seo-jun’s eyes darted around the room.
“But we already live together…?”
“…Do you want to die? You know exactly what I mean.”
Chun-bong’s sharp gaze pierced right through him.
Seo-jun couldn't find the words and simply kept shifting his eyes.
She loved him? Of course, he loved Chun-bong too. She was his precious little sister. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her.
But no matter how dense or socially inept he might be, he understood the weight behind her words.
This wasn't the love of a family member. It was the love between a man and a woman. She was talking about having three kids and living happily ever after.
“…….”
He didn't know what to say.
‘Can’t family members do this?’
Even he wasn't that much of an idiot. He knew saying something like that would only hurt her.
‘You’re my sister and I’m your brother?’
That was basically the same thing. He couldn't say that either. Chun-bong might get hurt and start sobbing on the spot.
Then…
‘Great. Shall we go spend some quality time together?’
Lee Seo-jun, you’ve finally lost your goddamn mind. He felt like he should just go drown himself in a shallow puddle. Not that he’d actually die from that, of course.
“Ummm….”
As Seo-jun continued to let his eyes wander in a panic, Chun-bong let out a short laugh.
“I know. I know you don’t see me as a woman.”
“No… I know you’re a woman, but…”
“…Why don’t you just shut up? I really feel like killing you right now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Seo-jun clamped his mouth shut. Chun-bong steadied her trembling lips and puffed out her chest as best she could.
“But how long do you think you can keep that up? I am Geum Chun-bong. The Cutest in the World.”
“…….”
“One day, you’re bound to fall for me. I might just be a cute sister to you now, but once I grow up a little more, you won’t be able to think like that anymore.”
Chun-bong huffed. Her legs were shaking. Trying her absolute best not to show it, she took a step closer to Seo-jun.
She saw his trembling eyes filled with panic and his awkwardly upturned lips. Internally, Chun-bong felt a wave of relief wash over her.
‘Yeah. This is enough for now.’
She was satisfied just knowing he didn't look disgusted. Things might be a bit awkward for a few days, but… she believed it wouldn't last long.
Because of the bond they shared.
Chun-bong reached out. She grabbed Seo-jun by the collar, and he didn't resist. She pulled him toward her with all her strength.
Seo-jun’s upper body was dragged forward. Chun-bong closed her eyes. Then, she leaned her head in—
Peck.
And once more.
Peck.
When she cautiously opened her eyes, she saw Seo-jun staring back at her with a completely blank expression.
Chun-bong touched her own lips. She could still feel a faint warmth.
‘…I must be crazy.’
Where did she suddenly find the courage to do that…?
No, she actually knew exactly why. Realizing she could truly lose her brother had made her feel a bit rushed.
But she didn't regret it. She had zero regrets about taking this step.
Because it was Lee Seo-jun. Because he would never drift away from her.
Chun-bong gave a playful smirk.
“Hey.”
“…Yeah?”
“Ddyu-tya-tta.”
“D-Ddyu-tya-tta…?”
“Good. Watch yourself.”
Chun-bong patted Seo-jun on the shoulder and leaped off the roof.
Tap—
Her movements looked effortless at a glance. At least, they did until she disappeared from Seo-jun’s sight.
Scuttle! As soon as she was out of his view, Chun-bong moved faster than she ever had in her life. She dashed straight back to her room and immediately dove under the covers.
“Ugh, uuuuh…. Aaaaahhh!!”
Thump, thump, thump, thump! The blankets shook violently, looking as if they were about to tear under Chun-bong’s frantic kicking.
“I-I’ve really lost it…!”
Thump, thump, thump!
After flailing around for a long time, Chun-bong panted, trying to catch her breath. Then, a very important fact suddenly occurred to her.
‘He and I share the same room.’
Chun-bong’s eyes shook uncontrollably.
* * *
Seo-jun stood on the roof for a long time even after Chun-bong left, blankly touching his lips.
‘One day, you’re bound to fall for me.’
She was right. What man couldn't Chun-bong seduce if she actually set her mind to it?
Even if it were Pae Jin-gwang, whose brain was made entirely of muscle, Chun-bong could probably wrap him around her little finger within days if she wanted to.
—Hey, old man! Ddyu-tya-tta!
Suddenly imagining Chun-bong flirting with Pae Jin-gwang, Seo-jun’s eyes flashed dangerously as he etched Pae Jin-gwang’s name into the Death Note in his mind.
‘Pae Jin-gwang, that bastard is dead.’
The next time he saw him, he was going to beat him within an inch of his life.
After agonizing over the situation for a while, Seo-jun cautiously headed toward their room.
Creak—
He opened the door slightly to peer into the quiet interior. There was a bulge in the blankets. Sss— phew…. It was the soft, rhythmic sound Chun-bong made when she was asleep.
Seo-jun used Shadowless Under the Moon to silently cross the room and carefully lie down next to her.
He looked at the tattered blankets, which looked like they’d just been through a hurricane, and then at Chun-bong’s slightly sweaty forehead. He reached out his hand.
“There, there, our Chun-bong.”
No matter what happened, he had no intention of leaving her side. Unless Chun-bong herself grew disgusted and told him to get lost.
But, well.
‘That’ll never happen.’
Seo-jun smiled contentedly, hugged Chun-bong tight, and closed his eyes.
* * *
“Hey.”
He opened his eyes. He saw Chun-bong glaring down at him.
“Is this really appropriate after what happened yesterday?”
Under Chun-bong’s sharp gaze, Seo-jun averted his eyes.
“But… I sleep so much better when I’m holding you….”
“Be quiet.”
Peck—
Chun-bong quickly kissed him, then scrambled out of bed and ran outside.
She sounded incredibly happy, letting out a little giggle as she went.
“…Good heavens.”
The world had changed overnight. After staring blankly at the ceiling for a while, Seo-jun finally got up.
“Hmm….”
He briefly immersed himself in the Qi Spirit Scripture. Wooo— the surrounding Qi resonated with his own. Using the Sword Control Art, Seo-jun moved the sword sitting in the corner of the room and seamlessly fastened it to his waist.
For the time being, he planned to get used to his higher realm through casual methods like this.
‘Anyway, it looks like Chun-bong is doing okay….’
It was in a completely unexpected way, but she actually seemed to be in better condition than usual.
Of course, things had become a bit difficult for him… but couldn't he just act like he usually did?
‘First, I should contact my father-in-law.’
To get stronger as quickly as possible, Seo-jun planned to head to the Demonic Cult soon.
To do that, he needed to grasp some concrete information about the Cult. Additionally, it would be best if he could get some advice on martial arts from his father-in-law.
—To make my daughter cry….
Slice!
Seo-jun reflexively rubbed his neck, feeling a sudden chill. No way. That wouldn't happen.
* * *
As soon as he sent word, he received permission to visit.
Seo-jun dressed appropriately and headed to the Family Head’s hall.
“Welcome, son-in-law…”
There stood Namgung Jin-cheon, looking exactly the same as always. But Seo-jun’s eyes were different than before. The moment he reflexively sensed Namgung Jin-cheon’s aura—
Shiver—
Seo-jun rubbed the goosebumps that rose on his arms to calm them down.
‘…This is truly ridiculous.’
Was this man really in the same Transcendent Realm as Corpse-Blood Filling Heaven? It felt like even ten versions of Corpse-Blood Filling Heaven wouldn't be able to touch a single thread of Namgung Jin-cheon’s clothes.
“Ho… You’ve changed beyond recognition…”
“Is that so? I don’t feel like the gap has narrowed at all.”
“Come now, son-in-law… I have practiced martial arts for many years; what would become of me if I were caught up to so easily…? Please, take your time following me…”
Seo-jun chuckled at those words. It was quite a funny joke.
“Hmm…?”
…It seemed Namgung Jin-cheon was being entirely serious. Even so, Seo-jun didn't have the confidence to catch up to his father-in-law overnight.
As Seo-jun scratched his chin awkwardly, Namgung Jin-cheon gave a faint smile.
“Anyway… You must be curious about the Demonic Cult…?”
“Yes.”
“I will tell you everything I know… But before that.”
Namgung Jin-cheon’s eyes turned cold. Seo-jun’s body stiffened.
‘What? Am I screwed?’
Harboring a guilty conscience, Seo-jun swallowed hard.
“You said you were going to the Demonic Cult yourself…? However, no matter how capable you are, I cannot allow you to head there without any plan… That would be a dog’s death…”
“Phew.”
“…?”
Seo-jun let out a heavy sigh of relief.
“I have a way.”
Since it was his father-in-law and no one else, there was no need to hide it.
Seo-jun covered his face with his hand. At the same time, he set the circulation path of the New Primordial Unity Divine Art to reverse and performed a Disguise Technique.
Slide—
When Seo-jun’s hand dropped, the figure of Cheon Seo-jun stood there.
“Will this be enough?”
“Heh…”
Namgung Jin-cheon marveled at the perfect disguise.
“Even the Heavenly Demon would take you for a demonic practitioner…”
“That’s a compliment, right…?”
“Of course… However, be careful of one thing…”
Namgung Jin-cheon took a sip of the tea he had brought down with Void Object Grasping before continuing.
“Someone at a similar or higher realm than me… if they have seen both your current appearance and your original appearance, they might be able to tell you are the same person…”
“What? How?”
He had perfectly changed both his physical appearance and his internal energy, so how could such a thing be possible?
“Your soul does not change… Those who can see the dimension called the Hierarchy of Souls, or the Hierarchy of Life, can recognize your soul… Even so, if they only see that specific appearance, they won't suspect you are anything other than a demonic practitioner…”
“Shit.”
You can see souls when your realm gets high enough? What was he supposed to do about that?
Seo-jun clicked his tongue. Then he suddenly asked a question.
“Are there other demonic practitioners at that level in the Demonic Cult besides the Heavenly Demon?”
“Well… I suspect there might be… In fact, the Demonic Cult has the highest number of masters…”
It was thanks to the Demonic Arts. Those who practiced Demonic Arts could reach high realms incredibly quickly. The trade-off was that, in most cases, they would either self-destruct or be subjugated after turning into bloodthirsty madmen.
“Ah, so you’re saying Demonic Arts are efficient, but they’re also efficient at making you lose your mind?”
“Exactly… I’ve heard that in the case of Demonic Arts, even those who aren't qualified can attempt the leap from Super Peak to Extreme Demon… Though they say ten out of ten fail…”
At Namgung Jin-cheon’s words, Seo-jun made an internal guess.
‘If you practice Demonic Arts, most of them probably have zero patience.’
And a shortcut is laid out right in front of those impatient demonic friends? Most of them would probably just try it and cross the River Styx together.
“Even though they have many masters, they are impossible to control, so their actual power isn't much different from the Righteous or Evil Factions… Many of them die in infighting or self-destruct… However, the probability of encountering a master within the Demonic Cult is significantly higher…”
“I’ll have to be careful.”
“Indeed… Especially, be careful near the Heavenly Demon’s Imperial Court, the very heart of the Demonic Cult…”
Namgung Jin-cheon’s eyes held a cold, sharp edge.
“Within a radius of about 100 li around the Imperial Court, the Demonic Qi is stabilized by the influence of the Heavenly Demon…”
“What? 100 li?”
A radius of 100 li would be roughly 5,000 square kilometers. He recalled Seoul being about 600 square kilometers.
“Yes… That is the range of his influence, even if the Heavenly Demon isn't conscious of it…”
“That’s just ridiculous.”
“The demonic practitioners near there are often relatively sane. And above all, it is where the elites armed with absolute faith reside…”
Tap, tap. Namgung Jin-cheon tapped the table. His gaze, unusually sharp, seemed to pierce through something far away.
“Be careful of them… For they are the Ten Thousand Ghost Army, the strongest army in the Murim…”