Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Lee Seo-jeong (4)
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I could already picture Useongil's face if he went off saying he'd fight hard for the good of the jianghu martial world, only to end up handling the sect's finances instead. But don't worry. The household staff would love it. Life for Nakbang Scholar's wife and children was bound to be tough. Money might not be everything, but it would make their lives abundant.
Bang!
The door flew open, and his younger brother rushed into the inner quarters. Mujin sat in the main hall, looking at him.
"What is it?"
"What do you mean, 'what is it'? You really have to ask?"
"He's tied up a few more days."
"You still should've gone easy on him."
"I did go easy."
"That was going easy?"
"I didn't handle him like you would. Is that what you wanted?"
It ended in one strike, so the pain was brief. Even if he remembered it, it wouldn't linger. It was hard to give better treatment than that.
"Not that, but... the shock must've been huge."
"You're underestimating her too much. Think like that, and she'll turn the tables on you soon enough. Honestly, talent-wise, she's way above you. You know that, right?"
"You always have to say it."
"That's why I'm saying it. Masters aren't born from talent alone."
His brother's talent was nothing to scoff at, but coldly speaking, Lee Seo-jeong's was higher. Still, for a martial artist, talent was just one factor on the path to mastery. The higher the talent, the easier the climb, but the end result? Who knows.
Of course, statistically, talent mattered a lot.
"She'll break through another wall soon enough."
"You serious?"
"Dead serious. That's what talent is."
"Doesn't feel real."
"That's why you need to be the hard worker type."
"So you're saying I'll keep getting beat."
"Stagnate, and you'll get hit even harder."
Muho scowled.
He'd come to argue, but ended up getting lectured instead. And he couldn't even rebut—it all rang true. Separate from his fondness for her, he didn't want to give her any openings. It was a matter of pride as a martial artist, beyond gender.
"You become the jianghu's supreme as Pine Tiger Sect's leader."
"Weren't you calling me an absolute master before?"
"Be an absolute master and the supreme too."
"Damn it. Just how much do I have to do?!"
"That's the duty of an heir."
"Is this why you made me heir?!"
"Whoa, you've been whining more lately. That's not like you. Get serious. Have some dignity."
Dignity be damned—he was about to be crushed under duty.
Muho seethed at how irresponsible his brother was being. The promise he'd made five years ago, staking the family, burned in his bones. He shouldn't have done it. That needless promise had him cornered now.
"If I didn't have a brother like you, I wouldn't even get to talk back. Back in the day, no way."
"Damn it!"
He had to admit what was true.
His brother might be a free spirit, but he was right. Without his guidance, he wouldn't stand a chance against even this kid.
'A man relies on his fists.'
The strong take it all.
Want to deny it? Look back at history.
Poke, poke!
The sensation on her cheek snapped her back to awareness. Her recovering consciousness lifted her eyelids. Her blurry vision smeared things together, but a pair of cute, round eyes gazed down at her.
"Ah!"
"Uncle, sister's awake!"
Thud thud thud!
Before Lee Seo-jeong could even acknowledge it, the girl bolted outside calling for her uncle. For her age, she was remarkably steady on her feet. Still, running off before she could respond?
It was awkward.
Lee Seo-jeong sat up first. A teapot and cup sat beside her. She tilted the pot and drank. The cool water cleared her mind.
As she tried to assume a meditative posture, her body cried out a little. Lingering effects of the impact.
For now, she circulated minor heavenly cycle energy to check her body. She'd taken internal injuries, but a short meditation healed most of it.
The physical pain seemed worse than the internal damage—stiff muscles, meridians, and bones screamed as her consciousness returned. Her body retained the memories, dragging the past back to the surface.
Huh!
Lee Seo-jeong realized she didn't even need to review the spar. She hadn't done anything.
Just one strike.
And the match was over.
It defied all common sense. Even after draining her stamina and inner energy against Young Master Muho, she'd gained enlightenment. She hadn't fully internalized it yet, but she was worlds better than before—yet she couldn't react, couldn't even find an answer before blacking out.
What the...?
Honestly, it was hard to believe.
Her master always said the jianghu was vast, full of eccentrics like grains of sand. Never get arrogant; act with caution in all things. Hesitation ill suits righteousness, but recklessness must be guarded against. She never forgot those teachings.
Yet few in the jianghu matched her achievements. Even the so-called Anhui Five Evils were sloppy compared to their reputation.
But this man... what was he?
Impossible to predict within reason.
Creak!
As her thoughts dragged on, Muho opened the door right on cue.
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Thank you for your concern. Sorry for the trouble."
"Trouble? Nonsense."
"Really?"
Lee Seo-jeong wanted to ask, but hesitated. It was a new feeling, one she'd never had before.
Did he sense it?
Muho smiled and told her the truth. He'd gotten word from his brother, so it was fine.
"My brother's an absolute master."
"Ah! I see."
"But it's a secret."
"Not much of a secret if you're telling me."
"That's why everyone around him suffers. But what can you do? The weak have it rough."
It was Muho's complaint, growing more frustrated thinking of his brother.
After hearing it...
Pfft!
Lee Seo-jeong couldn't help but laugh. Calling a peak absolute master weak? Absurd. She couldn't keep her usual cool.
"Ah, sorry."
"It's fine. He really is a punching bag for me."
"Then I'm in the same boat."
"...That wasn't what I meant."
"Me too."
Feeling a strong sense of camaraderie loosened her tongue. Badmouthing someone together breeds fellowship. It went beyond gender.
"An absolute master at that age... unbelievable."
"Even watching from up close, I can't believe it. Doesn't make sense."
"Some kind of fateful encounter, maybe?"
"I wondered that too, but he hardly goes out. What do you call it? Total homebody."
"Why's that?"
"Total sis-con and daughter fanatic. Poor me, his worthless nephew. Should've been born a girl."
"Getting discriminated against, huh."
"But Mijoo's so sly, she always wins out."
They were unfamiliar people to Lee Seo-jeong. But she didn't take absolute masters lightly. Pine Tiger Sect was a major power thanks to him alone.
Absolute masters were called one-man armies.
Crushing a whole sect? No big deal. Look at the known ones on the continent—they ruled famed great sects. Sure, some were independents, but never dismissed as mere individuals.
"How's your body?"
"Better now."
"Want a rematch? Brother said come anytime."
"Honestly, can't even think about it. I'm not like you, Young Master Kang."
She'd given her all, and still got nothing. A rematch wouldn't change that. Not even a hint of what to learn.
'The discrimination is real.'
He said he went hard on his brother because he was family, but it was necessary for growth. She, on the other hand, got nothing. Made her a bit resentful.
"Before you go, brother wants to see you."
"Sparring's still out."
"Not for sparring, I think. And don't expect an apology—he's not the type."
"Not expecting one."
Lee Seo-jeong didn't think she deserved an apology. He'd done his best in his own way. Whining about it would undermine her as a martial artist.
Still, she was curious.
After recovering, Lee Seo-jeong toured the sect a bit and realized it wasn't ordinary. The martial artists' levels weren't low, but uneven. Centered on the absolute master Mujin, the leader, vice leader, and a few others were high, but the elders were average.
She figured it out while touring with Muho. The younger ones picked up the new techniques fast; the elders hesitated even after accepting them.
It was something they'd overcome in time.
Before leaving Pine Tiger Sect, Lee Seo-jeong met Mujin.
He waited at the spot where he'd sparred with his brother.
"Heard you had something to say."
"You want the Ice Crystal, right?"
"...!"
The unexpected question stunned Lee Seo-jeong. It felt like he knew everything, sparking suspicion. But nothing seemed off. For an ice arts practitioner, the Ice Crystal was a priceless elixir, rivaling Shaolin's Great Return Pill.
"Yes. But why bring it up?"
"I know where it is."
"What?"
"Grant me a favor later, and I'll tell you the location."
Caught off guard, her voice trembled unlike usual. Felt like seeing a ghost.
"...What are you?"
"Don't like it? Feel free to go."
Mujin didn't hold her back. Believing or not was her choice. Even if she didn't, nothing he could do. Blindly grabbing it would show her naivety anyway.
If she believed, he'd accept it.
She was a future absolute master, opposed to the Demonic Cult of the Demon God. Speeding up her Ice Crystal acquisition would trouble them more. For another safeguard, he'd give it freely... well, not his to give. Just handing it to the rightful owner early.
Lee Seo-jeong eyed him suspiciously.
But there was a reason he'd let her lie around for days... With her meticulous nature, she'd judged the sect herself. Her teaming up with his brother to trash-talk him was a surprise, though.
Regaining composure, Lee Seo-jeong asked back.
"What if it's not there?"
"Then we'll spar."
"Shameless."
"I could even teach you."
"Fine. But don't forget."
"This kid keeps promises too. I don't live at a loss."
Mujin's indifferent smile chilled her spine. No mere threat. She'd never felt this from her master. Maybe he was stronger than she thought. Knowing her master's true power only deepened the mystery.
"Where?"
"Beyond the Jade Gate Pass."
"The Great Desert."
"Yes."
Hard to believe.
She'd assumed the Ice Crystal was somewhere in the North Sea. Didn't make sense. Could one form in that scorching desert? If it's a trap? Suspicion was natural.
"A true Ice Crystal doesn't change over time."
"I'll trust you this once."
Mujin gave the exact location, then saw her off. When she returned an absolute master with the Ice Crystal, it'd be a sight.
'Heh heh heh.'
His brother's future looked bright.