Chapter 47: Chun-bong’s Fierce Battle (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: Chun-bong’s Fierce Battle (1)
“I can’t do that.”
Silence followed the curt refusal.
After a moment, the sound of someone clearing their throat drifted through the door, and an unfamiliar man spoke.
“Then I shall wait. Will you come out when you are ready?”
“Ah, yes.”
Having answered, Seo-jun turned and poked the cheek of the snoring Chun-bong.
“Hey, hey. We have a guest.”
“Mmm… What guest…?”
“How should I know?”
“Who visits this early in the morning…?”
Seo-jun glanced out the window. No matter how he looked at it, the sun was high in the sky.
“It’s broad daylight.”
“Ugh…”
Chun-bong finally dragged herself out of bed.
Seo-jun did a quick check of his own clothes. He was still wearing the thin, casual outfit he’d worn for his walk yesterday.
“Chun-bong, where’d my clothes go?”
“Those…? They were basically rags, so I threw them out.”
“Wait, then what am I supposed to wear?”
“You have those other clothes I bought.”
“Those are back at the inn.”
“Oh, right…?”
She was clearly still half-asleep.
Scratching his head, Seo-jun gave up. Whatever. He’d already gone for a walk in this outfit; it didn't really matter now.
He roughly wiped the sleep from Chun-bong’s eyes, helped her slip into her outer robe, and pulled the door open.
“Huh?”
“I am glad to see you seem to be in good health.”
Wait, it's this guy.
The voice had felt strangely familiar, and it turned out to be the exact voice from his fragmented memories.
Was it Jong-in?
It was that bastard—the Super Peak Elder of the Mount Hua Sect.
As Seo-jun’s hand instinctively drifted toward his sword, a soft chuckle came from behind Jong-in.
“Don’t be so guarded, Young Hero. The Elder didn't come with ill intentions.”
“Oh… we meet again?”
“Hehe, it’s a pleasure.”
The Three-Headed Witch gave a light wave. Seo-jun nodded back in greeting and glanced over his shoulder into the room.
Chun-bong was practically nodding off while standing up.
“Hey, Chun-bong. You have to wake up.”
“Uuugh…”
Rubbing her eyes, Chun-bong peered at the guests through half-lidded slits.
“Uh…?”
Then, she froze.
Her eyes snapped wide open. She fumbled at her face, realized it was already far too late to hide, and let out a long, defeated sigh.
Elder Jong-in seemed to already know her identity, and that woman had seen her face as well.
Chun-bong quickly switched into her formal, high-society mode and asked, “Ahem! So… what brings you here…?”
“As I mentioned before, I came to offer compensation for my sect’s mistake. I also wish to offer some unsolicited advice, as it seems this young friend knows far too little about himself.”
At Jong-in’s words, Seo-jun scratched his head.
“Well… if you know it’s unsolicited, why bother giving it?”
“……”
The conversation died again. Since Seo-jun already disliked the man, his words didn't exactly come out dripping with warmth.
At this rate, they weren't going to get anywhere.
Shaking his head, Seo-jun pointed outside.
“Shall we step out and talk for now?”
*
Stepping outside, Seo-jun took a fresh look at the building he’d been staying in.
It was quite a stylish structure, featuring a wooden plaque with calligraphy so heavily stylized and cursive that he couldn't read a single word of it.
After staring blankly up at a small plum tree planted nearby, Seo-jun spoke.
“So, what is it?”
“First… I would like to clear up some misunderstandings.”
Jong-in launched into a long-winded explanation.
Essentially, he claimed he’d been so startled that he’d jumped onto the Martial Arts Arena without thinking. Then, when Seo-jun approached with terrifying momentum and grabbed his wrist, he’d instinctively released his Qi.
“Ah, I see.”
Did that even make sense? And even if it did, who jumps onto a tournament stage and tries to rip off someone’s veil?
Something felt entirely off.
“First, please accept this.”
Jong-in held out a wooden box.
Seo-jun’s eyes widened at the strange, potent sensation he felt through his Qi Sensing.
“This is…”
When he cracked the lid open, a rich, fragrant scent wafted out. It was the distinct scent of plum blossoms.
He looked up at Jong-in, who gave a solemn nod.
“It is a Plum Blossom Pill. I brought it to treat your internal injuries.”
“Oh my, you shouldn't have.”
Seo-jun quickly tucked the Plum Blossom Pill deep into his robes.
He’d entered the Martial Arts Tournament specifically to win a Plum Blossom Pill anyway, so there was absolutely no reason to refuse one when it was being handed to him on a silver platter.
“But why did you come?”
When he directed the question at the Three-Headed Witch, she let out a small laugh and removed her bamboo hat.
A cascade of black hair with a faint blue tint spilled down her shoulders.
His first thought was that she was a head-turning beauty—the kind that would make ten out of ten people on the street stop and stare.
However, her narrow, squinting eyes looked incredibly suspicious, giving off the distinct impression that she’d be exceptionally good at stabbing someone in the back.
Hmm?
His head felt itchy. It was that nagging feeling of having forgotten something important.
What was it? Was his mental state weird because he’d dug up old memories yesterday for the first time in a while?
His intuition screamed that his memories of that day weren't the whole picture.
He tried to recall them, but parts were hazy, as if shrouded in a thick fog.
That woman—was there something about her? Or was it just some kind of PTSD?
His brow furrowed involuntarily as a sudden wave of nausea washed over him.
Well… it probably wasn't anything big.
Seo-jun wiped his face with his hand.
“My… I didn't expect this kind of reaction.”
“No, I just got dizzy for a second. More importantly, even with the hat off, I still have no idea who you are.”
“I suppose so. I haven't been very active externally.”
He probably wouldn't have recognized her even if she had been, but he just nodded for now.
“Ah, right.”
“I am Namgung Su-ah.”
“Ah, okay.”
Namgung Su-ah tilted her head curiously at his lackluster response.
Instead, the real reaction came from beside Seo-jun.
“Namgung? What is the Namgung Clan doing here?”
It was Geum Chun-bong, still operating in her polite mode.
At her words, Jong-in gave a hearty laugh.
“This child came looking for me after you headed to the physician. She said she had a small connection with you and wanted to help. However, since the matter was already resolved and there was no need for extra assistance, we ended up coming together by chance.”
“Aha…”
Chun-bong nodded, her expression practically screaming suspicion.
Unfazed by her reaction, Namgung Su-ah asked, “May I ask for your names?”
“Yes.”
“Pardon?”
“I said you may.”
Chun-bong’s answer was prickly. Seo-jun chuckled and affectionately stroked Chun-bong’s head.
“This is Chun-bong, and I’m Lee Seo-jun.”
“So you are Young Hero Lee? Are you aware that Hwaeum County is buzzing with stories about you lately?”
“No?”
“Aha…”
Namgung Su-ah looked awkward as the conversation hit another stilted wall.
Jong-in stepped forward with a small smile.
“I have something I wish to discuss with these children privately. Could you wait a moment?”
“I only came because I was worried about his condition, so there is no need for that. I shall take my leave now, so please, speak freely.”
“I understand. You may go.”
Namgung Su-ah bowed slightly, placed her bamboo hat back on her head, and departed.
Seo-jun had no idea why she’d even bothered coming if that was all she was going to do.
“Let us go inside for a moment. I have something important to say.”
Seo-jun also had no idea why they’d come outside in the first place if they were just going to go right back in.
“Ah, I almost forgot.”
Just then, Namgung Su-ah, who he thought had left, returned.
She pulled something from her robes, approached Seo-jun, and held out her hand.
“This is the Namgung Clan’s secret Golden Wound Medicine. I’m quite proud of its effectiveness. Please take it as a gift.”
Seo-jun held out his hand with an uncertain expression.
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing.”
As she smiled demurely, a thin, faint thread of internal energy escaped from between her lips.
Seo-jun instinctively tried to dodge, but realizing the energy was taking the form of sound, he simply let it brush past his ear.
[Elder Jong-in is a black-hearted man, so be careful.]
It was a Voice Transmission, a secret message delivered through Qi.
When Seo-jun stared blankly at Namgung Su-ah, she gave a small wave.
“I’ll see you again, then.”
*
After Namgung Su-ah truly left and they sat back down in the room, Jong-in spoke up.
“You said your surname is Lee?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
Stroking his beard, Jong-in closely observed Chun-bong’s expression.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke, as if the words were difficult to force out.
“First, please do not misunderstand. I am not saying this with any ulterior motives.”
“Sure, whatever.”
“It is embarrassing to say this after I promised not to pry into your identities, but I already know this child is of the Divine Sword Geum Family.”
Clack—
As Seo-jun gripped the hilt of his sword, Jong-in hurriedly waved his hands in the air.
“I have no ulterior motives! It is simply that one sees many things upon reaching the Super Peak Realm! I only spoke of it because it felt strange for us to both be agonizing over a fact we already know!”
“And?”
Ugh… Jong-in’s eyebrows twitched.
“How did I end up…”
Seo-jun understood perfectly.
At that level of cultivation and that age, becoming an old fogey was inevitable.
With high status and great power, what was there in the world that he couldn't do? When that kind of absolute authority was added to a mindset hardened by decades of age, a person couldn't help but become a stubborn old fogey.
At least this guy was a Taoist; Seo-jun couldn't even begin to imagine what the temperaments of the other grandpas running around the Murim would be like.
Wait.
Didn't she say he was black-hearted?
He couldn't take Namgung Su-ah’s words at face value, but it might be a premature judgment to use this man as the gold standard for all Taoists.
Who knows?
Maybe deep inside the Mount Hua Sect, there were perfectly well-aged Super Peak Taoist grandpas laughing and peacefully playing Go.
Well, regardless, it was true that he needed to be careful.
If this old man got pissed and suddenly drew his sword, it would be incredibly dangerous no matter how you sliced it.
Let’s restrain ourselves a bit until the time comes when I can beat him up.
“I will ask plainly. If your name is Lee, you are likely not a direct descendant of the Divine Sword Geum Family. Have you any interest in joining the Mount Hua Sect?”
Of course, given his lofty position as an Elder, it would be hard for him to just draw his sword for no reason, so a little provocation was fine.
“No, none at all.”
“…I see.”
“Was that the important thing you had to say?”
“It is in a similar vein. I say this because I covet your talent.”
“Oh…”
Was this one of those things?
The classic 'Murim sects are obsessed with me' trope.
That was a bit much.
“Anyway, to continue the conversation, I must first know if you are aware that you are a Killing Star.”
“A Killing Star… like a Heavenly Killing Star?”
“A Heavenly Killing Star?!”
Chun-bong bolted upright from her seat.
Jong-in quickly calmed her down.
“He is not a Heavenly Killing Star, so there is no need to be so surprised. I have not heard of such a baleful star rising in the last few decades.”
“Phew… thank goodness.”
“Is it a big deal if I’m a Heavenly Killing Star?”
At Seo-jun’s question, Chun-bong vigorously shook her head.
“It’s a huge deal. Usually, when a massive bloodbath occurs in the Murim, if you just guess it was caused by a Heavenly Killing Star, you’ll be right about half the time.”
“What.”
Seo-jun gave a polite look of surprise while his eyes darted around.
But I came from another world; does that even apply to me?
From what he’d heard, when a Heavenly Killing Star was born, a literal star appeared in the sky. In his case, if a star had appeared, it would have been in the sky above Earth, not the Murim.
Anyway, since good news was good news, he let it slide.
Jong-in continued his explanation.
“A Heavenly Killing Star literally receives the curse of a baleful star and becomes a madman obsessed with blood, but a Killing Star is a bit different. It can be innate or acquired.”
To summarize the explanation that followed, being a Killing Star basically meant you were a crazy bastard whose killing intent rushed to your head and made your eyes roll back.
So, could Jong-in’s words simply be translated as ‘You’re a crazy bastard’?
What a rude prick.
“So, what does being a Killing Star have to do with joining the Mount Hua Sect?”
“In a way, being a Killing Star can be seen as a form of Qi Deviation. Since you cannot control it yourself, wouldn't it be much easier with the help of a proper sect?”
“Hmm.”
“Above all, just like before, your inner demons could overflow when you attempt to break through to a new realm, leading to disaster. It would be better to be prepared in many ways.”
“Mhm.”
After thinking for a moment, Seo-jun shook his head.
“I’ll think about it a bit more for now.”
“…Is that so. I understand.”
Jong-in stood up. He then looked at Chun-bong and spoke in a calm, measured voice.
“As I said before, if you ever need help, feel free to seek me out. I will help as much as the reach of this humble Taoist allows.”
“Yes…”
With those final words and a short goodbye, Jong-in departed.
Seo-jun waited until he was completely gone before speaking.
“Do you know him?”
“No.”
“Then why is he like that?”
“I don't know!”
“Hey, what do you know?!”
“I don't know either, you jerk!”
Chun-bong lunged at him, unleashing a rapid-fire flurry of Meow-Meow Punches against Seo-jun’s stomach.
“If an Elder was coming, you should have told me!”
“I didn't know either!”
“Eeeek…!”
After swinging her arms wildly for a while, an exhausted Chun-bong slumped into Seo-jun’s arms, panting heavily.
“Anyway… hurry up and eat that.”
“This?”
Seo-jun pulled the wooden box from his robes.
“Yeah. You have to treat your internal injuries.”
“I’m already all healed up.”
“Eat it even if you are.”
“I was going to give it to you.”
Chun-bong’s eyebrows shot up.
“If you do what you did last time, I’m going to be really mad. It’s a spirit herb given to you because you were hurt. I can just win the tournament and eat that one, so you eat this.”
“Ummm…”
As Seo-jun hesitated, Chun-bong scurried back, covered her mouth, and retreated into a corner of the room, shooting him a sharp, defensive glare.
“I said I’m really going to be mad! Eat it now!”
“Okay, okay.”
There was nothing else for it.
If he tried to force-feed it to Chun-bong now, she looked ready to literally vomit it back up on the spot.
And thinking about it, this might actually be better.
Why should he trust what that old man gave him and feed it to Chun-bong?
Of course, killing him with poison would cause all sorts of trouble for the Mount Hua Sect, and since someone from the Namgung Clan had seen Jong-in hand over the medicine with their own eyes, the possibility of it being poisoned was extremely low.
If he’d wanted to kill him in the first place, he would have just cut him deeper with his sword during their clash.
Even if it was poisoned, Seo-jun could just detoxify it with his abilities.
And if he couldn't?
Well… that would be a shame.
Click—
As he opened the wooden box, a brilliant floral scent spread through the room.
Come to think of it, this was his first time actually eating a spirit herb. Suspicions aside, maybe it would provide some kind of clue toward enlightenment?
Seo-jun picked up the faint purple pill and tossed it into his mouth.
Gulp—
It tasted like purple.