Chapter 59: Henan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: Henan (2)
The Namgung Clan as their next destination. It was an idea that had been brought up before.
Staring blankly at Namgung Su-ah as she leaned her face in close, Seo-jun eventually nodded.
"Sure, why not. That actually sounds better."
Could he really trust the Wudang Sect? It would be one thing if an elder or two turned out to be lackeys for the Black Lotus Union. But what if the Sect Leader himself was secretly a traitor?
He didn't know exactly how strong the Wudang Sect Leader was, but even Seo-jun had no intention of going toe-to-toe with him right now.
If things went south, he’d have to fight, of course... but for now, avoiding trouble was the best course of action.
On the other hand, the Family Head of the Namgung Clan was Namgung Su-ah’s father, making him at least somewhat trustworthy.
Wouldn't the Namgung Family Head—the father of an acquaintance—be a safer bet than the Wudang Sect Leader, a total stranger?
"Really? Fufu, thank you. You won’t regret this."
"...Hearing you say that suddenly makes me feel like I’m going to regret this immensely."
"No, really. I have one Azure Heaven Pellet left over from my own share. I’ll give it to you."
"Wait... why?"
He knew she had awakened some... new tastes after taking that punch to the stomach. But seeing her cling to him like this, acting as his personal guarantor of safety, he couldn't help but suspect an ulterior motive.
"In exchange..."
"Yes?" As expected. Seo-jun stared intently at Namgung Su-ah.
"Just once, please pretend to be my lover in front of my father."
"Pardon...?"
"You know my age, right?"
"Yeah, well. You said you were twenty-seven."
"Exactly. Honestly, you could say I’m already past my prime."
While Murim warriors tended to marry late, twenty-seven was still considered pushing it by any standard. Seo-jun listened and more or less understood the situation.
So, in the end, this was all part of Namgung Su-ah’s 'last dance.' You could even call it her last-ditch effort at playing the maiden.
"Did you enter the martial arts tournament just to find a husband?"
"Huh? No! It’s not like that. If it’s meant to be, won’t it happen naturally?"
"Aha..."
Seo-jun nodded, his expression making it abundantly clear he didn't believe a word she said.
Namgung Su-ah’s blue eyes reflected his face. It wasn't the pale blue often seen in Westerners, but a deep, dark azure, like the furthest reaches of the night sky.
He hadn't known human eyes could hold such a color. They were like gemstones, and Seo-jun found himself staring blankly into them.
"They’re very beautiful."
"...What?"
"Your eyes. They look like jewels."
"Ah..."
Namgung Su-ah stepped back slightly, her blue eyes hiding behind her eyelids once more. Her cheeks flushed a faint red as she asked with a strange, half-doubting expression.
"Really?"
"Yes. Didn't your parents ever tell you that?"
"They did. Only my parents."
Namgung Su-ah traced the skin around her eyes.
"Other people... well. It is a bit alien, isn't it? Some find it creepy, saying it feels like I’m looking right through them."
Saying that to a member of the Namgung Clan? That person must have been incredibly brave. Or perhaps they were in a similar social position.
Seo-jun smacked his lips.
"Well, anyway, let’s head to the Namgung Clan for now. It’s not like it's completely out of our way."
"Ah, yes..."
"I’m planning to stop by the Hao Sect on the way. Is that okay?"
"Of course. I’m the one tagging along, after all."
"Tagging along, my foot."
Seo-jun poked at the campfire and looked back at Namgung Su-ah. Meeting his pitch-black eyes, which flickered with the red light of the flames, Namgung Su-ah couldn't help but gulp.
"Thanks for the other day. For fighting alongside Chun-bong."
"Yes..."
Thump, thump. Her heart raced.
* * *
The next morning.
"Ugyaaak...!"
Chun-bong, stretching refreshingly as she woke up, spotted the man and woman sitting together amicably.
Whoosh! With fire in her eyes, Chun-bong charged at them.
"You two ate something delicious without me!"
She peeked her head over Seo-jun’s shoulder... but something was strange.
It didn't feel like the usual sensation. The height of his shoulder, the thickness of his torso, even the way he felt against her—it was all different.
Wondering what was going on, Chun-bong stared blankly at Seo-jun’s face and gaped in shock.
"You, you..."
"Oh, you’re up, Chun-bong?"
"Youuuuuu...!"
"There, there. Let’s eat."
Seo-jun picked Chun-bong up and sat her down. However, Chun-bong couldn't take her eyes off his face.
"You, you...! You’ve aged!"
"Hey, brat! That’s a weird way to put it!"
"Why did you get so big?!"
"I didn't get that much bigger..."
Whether it was his height or his face, it wasn't a massive transformation. It was just that his somewhat boyish appearance had shifted into that of an undeniable man.
"Fufu, Geum Mae. What do you think? He’s become quite dashing, hasn't he? The young hero became a man last night."
"What...?!"
Her face turning beet red, Chun-bong unleashed a flurry of Meow-Meow Punches.
"What did you do last night...!"
"Ah, this? This is what they call Bone-cleansing and Body-changing."
"Bone-cleansing and Body-changing...!"
"Ooh!" Impressed, Chun-bong began to feel Seo-jun’s body here and there.
"Certainly... so this is a body suited for martial arts?"
"Hey, Miss Geum. There are people watching. Where are you putting your hands?"
"It’s not like I’m touching anywhere weird!"
Aing.
"Ugh, you little...!"
Seo-jun chuckled and served Namgung Su-ah’s mystery dish into Chun-bong’s dedicated bowl. Chun-bong snatched it up and immediately began replenishing her nutrients.
"Yes, eat up. Eat a lot and get nice and plump."
"Bullshit."
Munch, munch. Chun-bong glared at Seo-jun while chewing. Namgung Su-ah giggled at the sight.
"Looking at you two like this, you really seem like father and daughter."
"Oh my." Then, as if realizing something, she widened her eyes and covered her mouth with her sleeve. "Then does that make me the mother, Gaga?"
"No, sister. 'Gaga' is a bit much."
Calling me 'older brother' when she's older than me...
"'Seo-jun-rang' sounds a bit strange, though."
"You can just call me by my name."
"Like, 'Seo-jun-ah'?"
"Hmm..." Namgung Su-ah thought for a moment, then smiled coyly. "Seo-jun-ah, come into your big sister’s arms—"
"Cut the crap! Just stop! Stop! Please, just stop! Okay?!" Unable to watch any longer, Chun-bong exploded.
"Aw, is our Chun-bong upset?"
"You too! Stop playing along with her!"
Gweeeng?
"Gyaaaaak...!"
Anyway, it was time to depart.
* * *
The group slightly altered their route toward Hubei, heading through Henan toward Anhui.
Seo-jun had wondered if the Hao Sect, being an Evil Sect, would even have a branch in Henan, but Namgung Su-ah told him that the Hao Sect was everywhere.
It was quite surprising to hear that the Hao Sect even operated in Kaifeng, the backyard of the Beggar Sect—the premier information network of the Righteous Faction. It seemed they were treated more as a neutral group between the Righteous and Evil factions rather than a purely Evil Sect.
"But if we’re passing through Henan anyway, couldn't we just place a request with the Beggar Sect?" Namgung Su-ah asked.
Seo-jun shook his head.
"The Hao Sect is better than the Beggar Sect."
"I heard the Beggar Sect is better in terms of information accuracy."
"They’re beggars. The Hao Sect people at least have real jobs. How can you trust information from people whose whole profession is just lying around doing nothing...?"
"Um... Young Hero? You must never say that in front of the Beggar Sect, okay?"
"Of course. I’m a very polite person."
Chun-bong, cradled in his arms, snorted.
"Polite, my ass. Who was the one who said, 'Wow, look at those tits'?"
"The Lee Seo-jun of the past is dead. The Super Peak Realm Lee Seo-jun has been born anew...!"
"Good grief."
Anyway, they traveled hard. But Henan was nowhere in sight.
"Hey, you said Henan was close...!"
"It is close."
It was 'close' by Central Plains standards.
They stopped at a decent-sized city along the way to buy clothes and a sword, but there was still no sign of Henan. In the end, they had to travel for several more days.
Upon finally arriving in Henan, the group decided to secure an inn first before looking for the Hao Sect.
"Rooms?"
At the innkeeper's question, Seo-jun answered.
"Uh... two, please."
"I don't mind sharing a room."
Ignoring Namgung Su-ah’s comment, Chun-bong spoke up.
"Two rooms. No meals needed."
"Here are the keys."
After paying and taking the keys, the group dropped their luggage in their rooms and immediately headed out to the streets.
Though they were near the edge of Henan, it was a fairly large city—perhaps because Mount Song, home to the Shaolin Temple, wasn't far away.
"The Hao Sect... how do we find them here?"
Seo-jun scratched his head as he stared blankly at the bustling crowds.
"Most Hao Sect branches hang a black flag."
"How are we supposed to spot that in this crowd?"
"Fufu, let me, your senior, show you the ropes."
Namgung Su-ah, who had been quietly observing the people, suddenly moved.
Swish—
It was a footwork technique that was both linear and impeccably smooth in its transitions. While Seo-jun was admiring her lightning-like movement, Namgung Su-ah dove into the crowd and snatched a child’s wrist. It was a street urchin who had just attempted to pick a pocket.
"Shit...! Let go!"
The child thrashed about, but the people around them didn't pay much attention. The kid quickly fell silent, however, upon seeing the object Namgung Su-ah pulled from her robes.
"Do you know where the scary adults are? I have a gift for a good child."
A silver tael sparkled in Namgung Su-ah’s hand. The child gulped and rolled his eyes.
"That... there’s an alley across from that house over there. If you go inside..."
"What a good boy."
The child snatched the silver tael, smiled brightly, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Great Hero! Oh! But there are really scary people there, so you have to be careful!"
"Thank you. Hide that well in your shirt and go buy something delicious."
"Yes!"
The child scurried away, and Namgung Su-ah approached with a smile.
"See?"
Seo-jun clapped.
"But couldn't you have just asked him for the Hao Sect’s location directly? Aren't pickpockets usually part of the Hao Sect?"
"Children often don't know the specifics. And isn't it nice to do a good deed while we’re at it?"
Namgung Su-ah smiled slightly as she stroked the greatsword at her waist.
"Oh..."
Seo-jun whispered into Chun-bong’s ear.
"So she means she’s going to go and slit the throats of all those 'scary adults,' right?"
"Yeah. You be careful, too. She’s a scary woman."
"Heh...! A scary big sister...!"
"Ugh...! Just die already!"
Bam, bam, bam!
He got hit.
Chuckling, Seo-jun scooped Chun-bong up into his arms. Was it because his body had grown? Holding her felt much more stable and comfortable than before.
"Let’s go, Geum Chun-bong...! For today only, we are Righteous Faction heroes...!"
"Sure, sure. And tomorrow we’ll be public enemies of the Murim, right?"
"What...!"
That wasn't it at all.
He wanted to live a long, long time with Miss Geum Chun-bong.