Chapter 81: Enemy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Enemy (2)
That brat Chun-bong. She had been acting a bit strange yesterday, but today, she was absolutely bursting with excitement.
"Giddy up!"
Usually, she’d be embarrassed to ride on my shoulders, but for some reason, today she had transformed into a seasoned jockey, expertly steering the steed known as Lee Seo-jun.
"Neigh!"
Well, whatever makes her happy. When Chun-bong laughs, I feel good too. Naturally, I poured my soul into my equine acting, and before long, I evolved into a legendary steed.
A flying horse, no less.
Under the gazes of countless pedestrians below, I galloped through the streets of Hefei to my heart's content.
Occasionally, a martial artist from the Namgung Clan would spot us and approach to issue a warning.
"Using lightness skills in the city is strictly—! Oh, Young Master?"
"Ah, hello there."
"I see you’re just playing with your younger sister! I’ll pretend I didn't see anything."
"Thanks!"
Ah, the sweet taste of authority.
I grinned and bent my knees as we reached our destination.
"We’re here, princess."
"So?"
"You have to get down now..."
"Why should I?"
She had her arms and legs wrapped tightly around my head, showing zero intention of letting go.
"You think you’ll get away with this?!"
"Obviously."
"And why is that?!"
"Because I’m cute."
"Correct answer, Geum Chun-bong!"
Left with no choice, I walked into the massive tent with Chun-bong still perched on my shoulders.
For the record, she had already devoured three sticks of tanghulu up there.
"Step right up! Please, take your seats! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
The air buzzed with the hum of the crowd and the booming voice of the barker. I purchased our tickets and headed inside.
Most of the audience had standing-room tickets, but there are few things in this world that money can’t buy.
As I settled into one of the premium seats, Chun-bong finally climbed down from my shoulders.
Ah, come to think of it...
I still haven't stopped by to see the Chief Steward.
Since I managed to harvest quite a few inner cores while dealing with the monster wave, I didn't really need spirit herbs anymore. I should probably just take the rest of my compensation in cash...
"Do you think they’ll give me a lot?"
"Probably. How much do you think the going rate for a Super Peak martial artist is?"
"Is that so? But wouldn't taking such a hit be a loss for them?"
If the cost of hiring a Super Peak martial artist was that high, wouldn't it be more profitable to just deploy their own clan members? As I pondered this, Chun-bong shook her head firmly.
"The Namgung Clan is filthy rich. They’re actually grateful when they can just settle things with money."
"Oh..."
According to her explanation, even putting aside their other businesses, they raked in an astronomical amount of wealth just from controlling the stretch of the Yangtze River flowing through Anhui.
And since the southern bank of the Yangtze was a major granary region, the revenue generated from there was equally staggering.
"Stop! No more studying!"
"This is basic common sense, you idiot!"
"Me, foreigner. Common sense? No know-y."
"Sigh, what a load of crap."
As we bickered over nonsense, all the lights inside the tent suddenly vanished. And then—
Ba-bam!
Flashy lights illuminated the interior along with a sudden burst of music.
"Whoa...!"
"It’s starting!"
The place Namgung Su-ah had recommended was a circus.
Lions leaped through rings of fire, and baby elephants balanced themselves atop giant balls.
One performer juggled nine swords before suddenly hurling them all at once.
Thud-thud-thud!
All nine swords landed perfectly in an apple resting on a woman’s head.
"Whoa...!"
"Incredible!"
To be honest, I was underwhelmed. The animal acts were somewhat entertaining, but the human acrobatics didn't seem all that difficult.
Couldn't any Super Peak martial artist do at least that much?
So, I watched the circus with a bored expression until I stole a glance at Chun-bong.
"Wow...!"
Chun-bong was smiling brightly, enthusiastically clapping her small hands together.
Suddenly, the show started getting interesting.
"Nice job!"
After shouting out an impulsive cheer, I shifted my focus entirely to watching Chun-bong.
Time passed, feeling both fleeting and long.
As the circus ended, Chun-bong crawled back up onto my shoulders and let out a satisfied huff.
"That was fun!"
"Yeah, I enjoyed it too."
"Right?"
"You were even drooling a little."
"What...!"
Startled, Chun-bong quickly wiped the corners of her mouth with her sleeve.
Chuckling, I headed toward our next destination.
The standard date course. What usually comes after a movie?
Actually, I didn't really know. I think it was a cafe, but since neither I nor Chun-bong were particularly fond of tea, we went straight to eat.
The meal was, naturally, a full-course meat feast.
As greasy, savory dishes were laid out across the table on the top floor of the inn, I felt like this was what a successful life looked like.
I wiped the grease off Chun-bong’s mouth as she ate messily, and I even managed to satisfy my own selfish desires by sneaking in a few squeezes of her squishy cheeks.
Then, the gloominess arrived without warning.
"Sigh..."
I stopped eating and let out a deep sigh while squishing her cheeks, causing Chun-bong to widen her eyes.
"What’s wrong?"
"I’m depressed."
"Why all of a sudden...?"
Chun-bong’s eyes darted around. She seemed worried that she had done something wrong, but that wasn't it.
"To think... I won't be able to touch these cheeks for several months...?"
Maybe it wouldn't just be a few months. The "cheek-plumpness index" of a grown-up Chun-bong was still an unknown variable, so it might be forever.
"Fine, whatever. If those cheeks lose their fat, I’ll just die! Life won't be worth living!"
"Hey! Stop it! You crazy bastard!"
I got smacked. Harder than usual.
"Don't even joke about that! You have no idea how anxious I am!"
"Sorry."
As an apology, I gave both her cheeks a firm squeeze, making her sigh.
"Good grief. Seriously."
"Hey, it was a joke. Where would I go and leave my Chun-bong behind?"
Chun-bong looked me straight in the eyes. Her lips twitched as if she wanted to say something, but then she let out a heavy sigh and puffed out her cheeks.
"...I can trust you, right? Oppa."
"Of course!"
I was serious. I had no intention of doing anything stupid and leaving her behind.
* * *
When should I... make it official?
Chun-bong thought blankly as she walked beside Seo-jun.
Today had been truly fun, but Seo-jun’s state of mind seemed a bit unstable.
Since she hadn't been away from him for more than a few days since they first met, she was also feeling anxious deep down, but Seo-jun seemed to have it even worse.
Thump, thump. Her heart beat with unease.
She wondered if it was right to enter secluded training while leaving her brother looking so anxious. A sense of guilt washed over her, making her wonder if she was being selfish for thinking about "making it official" in this situation.
A single sentence that could completely change their relationship.
Why was it so hard to simply move her lips and make a sound? Her chest felt so tight it was hard to breathe.
"Chun-bong."
"Yeah?"
Suddenly, large hands lifted her up.
The familiar sensation of floating was followed by the feeling of being held tightly in his arms. As she pulled back slightly, their eyes met at a distance where they could feel each other's breath.
"Is something wrong, Chun-bong?"
"Me? Aren't you the one with something wrong?"
Seo-jun grinned at Chun-bong’s blunt reply.
"I’m just worried I’ll be lonely without you."
Chun-bong instinctively looked away. The tips of her ears were burning.
"...Hey."
"Yeah?"
"...Oppa."
Seo-jun’s eyes widened.
Chun-bong took a deep breath. Her fingertips were trembling. She only had to say one thing. But she was too anxious to bring herself to say it.
What if their current relationship fell apart?
Her anxiety grew uncontrollably, and only bleak futures popped into her head.
Actually, she could be satisfied with things as they were. Brother and sister. A relationship where they were more precious to each other than anything else in the world.
What if she ruined everything with unnecessary words? Clutching her pounding heart, she squeezed her eyes shut and leaned her head forward.
Peck.
Opening her eyes slightly, she saw Seo-jun touching his forehead.
He had a foolish expression on his face. His smile looked like it would reach his ears. Both of them were the exact same.
"Don't do anything weird while I’m gone, and wait for me quietly."
For now, this was enough. This felt like it would be plenty.
Even if it was just a coward’s excuse, there was no way her brother would ever leave her.
There was plenty of time, and plenty of opportunities.
"Oppa, you hear me?"
"Yep!"
* * *
A kiss from Geum Chun-bong...!
I hummed a tune, touching my forehead once every minute.
"Mmm-hmm~. Whoa!"
I suddenly snapped my head up and lifted Chun-bong high into the air.
"Everyone, look...! My Chun...! Glargh...!"
My bragging was cut short as her palm smacked against my lips.
Chun-bong sighed and shook her head.
"Why is this guy such a moron...?"
"Hey! You, Geum Chun-bong! How dare you speak like that to your elder brother!"
"Shut it."
"Yes, ma'am."
I shut up.
We were walking down the street with silly grins on our faces when we heard it.
— These are Breast Enhancement Pills made by the Mosan Sect!
At the faint sound of the vendor's voice, Chun-bong’s head snapped up.
"Wh-what did he say...!"
She grabbed my sleeve and started running.
"Hurry! Hey! Run!"
"Wait, isn't that obviously a scam?"
"Just shut up and move!"
Breast Enhancement Pills. Pills that make your chest bountiful. Sexy Dynamite Geum Chun-bong.
"I don't want to..."
I was dragged along and buried in the crowd.
"You’ve stumbled upon a truly rare opportunity today! Even the Mosan Sect only produces a few of these Breast Enhancement Pills a year! I happened to cross paths with a Taoist from the Mosan Sect by pure chance...!"
As the merchant shouted enthusiastically, the people around him began to murmur with interest.
The one showing the absolute most interest was, of course, Geum Chun-bong.
"Are you sure those are really from the Mosan Sect? I’ve never heard of them making Breast Enhancement Pills."
"It’s true, young lady! I’ll show you the proof!"
The merchant brought forward a woman standing behind him.
"This is my wife! Her chest was originally so flat it was like a sheer cliff!"
"Ooh..."
"But now! Look!"
At the merchant’s gesture, Chun-bong’s eyes flew to the woman’s chest.
Plump. That one word explained everything.
Chun-bong, the owner of a chest like a sheer cliff herself, let out a gasp of sheer admiration.
"How can this be...!"
"What do you think! These pills were difficult for even me to obtain, but for a beautiful young lady like yourself, I’ll give you a special discount! Only two silver taels!"
"Two... two taels...!"
Tug, tug. Chun-bong pulled on my sleeve.
I let out a sigh and stepped forward.
"Are you her lover? You’re a lucky man! To have such a beautiful partner!"
"Our Chun-bong is pretty cute."
"Exactly! But now, with these Breast Enhancement Pills...!"
I leaned in and whispered into the shouting merchant’s ear.
"I can't allow that to happen."
"Wh-what...? But a chest is supposed to be large..."
"Shut your trap."
The merchant’s eyes darted around under my cold gaze.
I strode over to the woman. Her chest grew after taking those pills? Bullshit.
Rip!
"Kyaak...! Wh-what are you doing!"
The woman, her clothes torn, hurriedly tried to cover herself. But it was too late.
Thud—roll, roll...
The woman’s detachable breasts fell out and rolled across the dirt.
"It’s just padding."
At my words, Chun-bong stared at the woman’s chest with a blank expression. Her bare skin wasn't visible, but the truth was obvious nonetheless.
Pat, pat.
A flat wilderness, no different from her own chest.
Chun-bong looked at the merchant with hollow eyes.
"You... you crushed my dreams..."
Chun-bong’s rage pierced the heavens.
* * *
"Thank you...! Thank you...! I’ll never do this again!"
Surprisingly, Chun-bong forgave the merchant.
After watching the merchant’s wife beg in tears, Chun-bong just sighed and shook her head.
"I’m letting you off just this once because we’re comrades."
"Th-thank you...!"
The merchant, who had been daring enough to run a scam right in the Namgung Clan’s front yard, was safely released.
After finishing our date and returning to the Namgung estate, Chun-bong made an announcement.
"Let’s do it right now. I feel like if we keep putting it off, I won't be able to go through with it."
I agreed, though I couldn't hide my heavy heart.
Operation Chun-bong Meridian Healing.
There were two main objectives.
The first and most important was for Chun-bong to become healthy. The second was to closely examine the energy within her to identify the culprit’s signature.
Now that I had mastered the Star-Absorbing Great Art, I felt confident I could pinpoint the culprit’s energy.
I don't care who the hell it is...
Someday, I would find the bastard with that exact energy.
I made a vow.
Even if they belonged to a great sect on the level of the Six Great Clans, I would erase their very existence.
No matter how long it took, no matter how much blood I had to get on my hands. I would make absolutely sure of it.
Their name would never be heard in the Central Plains again.