Chapter 35: Operation Matchmaking (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 35: Operation Matchmaking (4)
Wang Dae-san’s martial arts.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Seo-jun nodded readily.
"I’d love to."
A martial art passed down through generations held immense significance to a family, regardless of its objective value. Offering to teach it to an outsider was not something done lightly.
"Thank you, Benefactor."
"No, thank you."
While Seo-jun could roughly copy a martial art just by seeing it, that was merely scratching the surface. Take the Clear Flow Sword, for instance. It looked identical on the outside, but technically speaking, calling it the exact same martial art was a bit of a stretch.
That was only natural, and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, martial arts required a process of personal adaptation. Furthermore, simply adopting the general flow of internal energy and the external mental imagery provided a massive boost to one's martial progress. Whether he ended up actively using the specific technique or not, it was bound to be helpful.
However, being taught directly was an entirely different story.
It was an opportunity to understand the creator’s original intent. Unlike the techniques where he had to fill in the blanks himself, this was a chance to perceive a martial art through someone else’s eyes.
"I ask just in case, but have you already mastered a Divine Art, Benefactor?"
"Uh… why do you ask?"
"Usually, a Heart Method of that caliber has such a distinct color that it doesn't harmonize well with other martial arts."
"Ah, if that’s the concern, it’s fine."
Who was he?
Lee Seo-jun, the martial arts master. The man who could execute the 24-Move Plum Blossom Sword Technique even while using the Yellow Cloud Divine Art. Sure, he hadn't actually tried it yet, but… it would probably work out.
"Then all is well. I, Wang Dae-san, shall do my utmost."
* * *
After seeking permission from Grandmother Chun, the two used the empty backyard as their training ground.
About an hour passed.
Wang Dae-san stared blankly at Seo-jun, who was casually whipping a tree branch through the air, making it whistle.
Wang Dae-san had a fair amount of experience teaching disciples. Even Jang Yu-ho, So-ryeong’s guard, had reached the first-rate stage with his help. He took great pride in his talent for instruction.
'But it shouldn’t be like this…'
Wang Dae-san watched Seo-jun with a dazed expression.
Originally, he had only intended to teach his benefactor the Wang Family Blade Technique. As for the Heart Method, he figured there was no point since the Benefactor already practiced his own.
However, the Benefactor’s talent far exceeded his wildest imagination. He had only given a rough explanation of the blade technique, yet he couldn't fathom why the Benefactor’s internal energy flow felt so identical to his own.
"Like this, right?"
"Uh… yes, precisely."
"Hmm."
The Benefactor rubbed his chin in thought for a moment, then held out his hand.
"Can I borrow that for a second?"
"The saber? Of course."
The moment the weapon was handed over, the Benefactor immediately coated it in Blade Qi.
"Heh…"
Blade Qi and Sword Qi were similar yet fundamentally different, just like the saber and the sword. Because of that, no matter how proficient one was with Sword Qi, it usually took time to emit a stable Blade Qi…
"Ah, I think I get it now."
Get what? The moment Wang Dae-san’s expression twisted in confusion, Seo-jun’s blade moved.
Swoosh—!
The blade cut through the air with fierce precision. Unlike a sword, these movements were specialized for hacking and slashing. His blade technique, which had felt strangely out of place until now, suddenly clicked perfectly into position.
"B-Benefactor…? What was that just now…?"
"Once I tried using Blade Qi, it started making sense. Should I call it the Unity of Body and Blade?"
"No, no… that’s not how it works…"
One achieved the Unity of Body and Blade through enlightenment of the technique; one did not use the Unity of Body and Blade to gain enlightenment of the technique.
This was like saying that because your thirst was quenched, you must have drunk water—regardless of how you actually quenched it. It sounded plausible at first, but then how on earth did he quench the thirst? By swallowing his own saliva? Did that mean if you just swallowed saliva for a week, you wouldn't die of thirst?
Yet, Wang Dae-san had just witnessed such a miracle right before his eyes. Since the absurd had been proven true right in front of him, Wang Dae-san began to rationalize it.
"Incredible, Benefactor…! You are undoubtedly a genius sent from the heavens!"
"Oh, come on, it’s not that big of a deal."
"No! I, Wang Dae-san, guarantee it! In the near future, your name will shake the world! The entire Central Plains!"
Caught up in his excitement, Wang Dae-san even began to have strange thoughts.
At this rate, shouldn't I just teach him the Heart Method too? A genius like this could probably master it on his own. In fact, he’s probably at his lowest point right now; if I teach him, won't it become a great blessing for the Wang Family later on?
"Benefactor! Would you like to try learning this as well?"
This was the story of how Wang Dae-san willingly offered up everything he knew, a mere two hours before he was completely stripped bare of his martial arts.
* * *
"Oh, this is actually pretty good. Right, Mister?"
"It is… remarkable."
Clap, clap…
The hollow sound of applause echoed in the backyard. Wang Dae-san looked haggard, reeling from the fact that it had taken less than a day to pass on everything he knew.
Regardless, Seo-jun was in a fantastic mood, thoroughly pleased with his new knowledge. He felt that if he took the time to reflect on the Wang Family Blade Technique and melt it into his Primordial Unity Divine Art, it would be incredibly helpful.
"Ah, I should probably get going now. If I leave her alone any longer, I think Chun-bong will actually get sulky. I’ll be off then."
"…Mmm. Go ahead."
Seo-jun waved and left the backyard.
When he reached the room where he had stayed last night and peeked inside, he saw Chun-bong curled up on the floor, fast asleep.
'She’s out cold.'
Judging by the soft, rhythmic snores mixed in with her breathing, she was in a deep sleep.
Quietly slipping out of the room, Seo-jun stood in the courtyard, lost in thought.
There was still a considerable distance to their next destination, the Mount Hua Sect. However, according to what he’d heard from Mae-wol, there was still plenty of time before the martial arts tournament, so there was no need to rush.
So now, he had to consider something else.
Setting Seong Yi-hyang aside, what should be done with the other women? Would they return to their respective villages?
After a brief deliberation, Seo-jun decided to just go and ask. He headed toward their room.
Tap, tap.
He knocked on the sturdy paper door, and a voice answered from within.
"Yes!"
The door opened shortly after, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Ah, Benefactor!"
It was the woman who had been the first to speak when they met at the mountain fortress.
"Oh, you look much better."
"Hehe, I suppose so. I’ve escaped that hellish place, after all."
The other women’s expressions weren't quite as bright as hers. How many people could pull themselves together immediately after such an experience? If anything, this woman’s mental fortitude was simply exceptional.
"What do you all plan to do after this? Are you thinking of returning to where you used to live?"
"Most likely. It’s not far from here anyway, so it won't be a difficult journey."
"Aha."
So that was settled.
"Is Seong Yi-hyang inside by any chance?"
"Yes. Shall I call her for you?"
"That would be great."
"One moment."
The woman disappeared for a moment and returned with Seong Yi-hyang.
"I hope I’m not bothering you while you’re resting?"
"Not at all. What is it?"
"Can we talk for a moment?"
"Yes."
He led her out into the courtyard. Seo-jun hesitated for a moment, then spoke up just as she began to stare at him expectantly.
"You like that man, don't you?"
"P-Pardon…?"
"I can tell just by looking. It seems he has feelings for you too."
At the sudden romantic consultation, Seong Yi-hyang’s eyes trembled slightly.
"W-Why bring that up all of a sudden…?"
"Why else? I told you earlier."
He couldn't bring himself to say 'Operation Matchmaking.' Even he knew it was a stupid name for a plan. It certainly wasn't a name to be uttered aloud.
"But… if I did that, I would only be a burden to him…"
"Why? Is he married?"
"Yes…"
"What?"
Really? Then what was that vibe earlier?
As Seo-jun stood there completely flustered, Seong Yi-hyang spoke hesitantly.
"It has been some time since his wife passed away…"
"Ah, is that so? You scared me."
He'd thought he was filming an episode of a soap opera for a second. Wait, no. Was concubinage not that big of a deal in this world? Anyway, it was a relief to hear the man didn't currently have a wife.
"Come on, follow me. You have to strike while the iron is hot with these things."
"Wh-What…!?"
"Hurry up."
Seo-jun grabbed Seong Yi-hyang’s wrist and led her away.
— Oh my, oh my.
He thought he heard strange whispers from the room behind them, but he chose to ignore them.
* * *
"Where is it?"
"Over there…"
Seong Yi-hyang didn't seem to hate the idea entirely, as she led him toward the man’s house without much resistance.
They arrived in front of the house.
After a moment’s thought, Seo-jun pounded violently on the door.
"Hey! Get out here right now!"
"W-What are you doing all of a sudden…!"
Yi-hyang panicked. Equally panicked, the man came rushing out of the house.
"W-What is going on?"
"Let’s go a round."
"Pardon…?"
The man wore a bewildered expression at the sudden nonsense.
"Do you not care what happens to Seong Yi-hyang?"
"What do you mean by—!"
The man’s jaw dropped in shock.
Seo-jun wrapped his arm around Yi-hyang’s shoulder and leaned his face in close. Startled, Yi-hyang flinched. It was a very satisfying reaction.
"Hehe, she’s a tasty-looking wench, isn't she?"
If there was one unexpected thing, it was the realization right then and there that his acting skills were absolutely terrible.
'…Am I screwed?'
He stole a glance at the man’s expression, but it didn't seem to matter. Red-faced with rage, the man charged forward.
"You despicable scoundrel…!"
He swung his fists with a clumsiness that clearly showed he had never learned martial arts in his life. Honestly, it was harder for Seo-jun to let himself get hit.
"Guaack…!"
Seo-jun purposefully threw himself backward and tumbled across the ground.
"Huff…! Huff…!"
Gasping for breath, the man rushed to Seong Yi-hyang, grabbed her shoulders, and asked, "A-Are you alright, Hyang-ah?!"
"Yes…"
"That bastard didn't do anything strange to you, did he?!"
"No…"
Seo-jun squinted one eye open from the ground and watched the two. Perhaps she thought it would be a waste not to take the opportunity he had laid out so perfectly? Biting her lip hard, Seong Yi-hyang suddenly threw herself into the man’s arms.
"H-Hyang-ah?"
"Mister…"
"…Yes."
"Do you think I’m… dirty?"
At her words, the man’s eyes widened, and he shook his head vigorously.
"What are you saying, Hyang-ah! I’ve never thought such a thing!"
"Then, could you even marry me?"
"W-What…?"
At that reaction, Seong Yi-hyang let out a weak, cynical laugh, her eyes downcast.
"See? There’s no man who would want a dirty woman like me."
"It’s not that! It’s just… our age difference…"
"That’s an excuse. Even the auntie at the Pan family’s house has a husband much older than her."
"That is…"
"Forget it. My father was right. I should have just died back there."
"Hyang-ah…!" the man shouted, closing his eyes tight. Then, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
"Mmph…!?"
Seong Yi-hyang’s eyes flew open in shock.
Having confirmed that much, Seo-jun sprang up from the ground.
"Bravo! See? I told you! I’m a total pro when it comes to romance!"
The startled couple jumped apart in a hurry. The man stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Seo-jun.
"Y-Y-You, what is the meaning of—?"
"Yes, yes. Congratulations on the engagement. I wish you a happy married life."
"W-Wait, what…?"
Operation Matchmaking! A grand success!
…It would have been nice if it ended there, but as was the way of the world, an interference appeared.
"Hold on! This cannot be!"
Mr. Seong burst out from the house next door, shouting.
"Deciding on a major life event like marriage without a parent’s permission! No matter how strong you are, where is the justice in this!"
Was this guy the neighbor? Perfect timing.
Seo-jun grinned broadly and drew his sword.
"Alright, alright! Now that the wedding is settled, let’s have the cutting ceremony!"