Dear Sisters
Sometimes, there are people born with a constitution specialized for a specific martial art. The most representative examples would be the Extreme Yang Body or the Yin-Yang Body. Of course, being born with it and having a vessel capable of sustaining that constitution are two entirely different matters, but such individuals do occasionally appear. In that sense, although Tang Hwi had seen many martial artists with such constitutions throughout his numerous reincarnations, the woman before him was rare even among them.
'The Five Elements Body. I’ve only seen it three times in my life.'
The fact that her hair and pupils were dyed in such a shade of pink was likely a side effect of the Five Elements' energy intermingling. If one were to call it a side effect, it was indeed one.
"I have come from the Zhuge Clan. My name is Jegal Hye."
"I am Tang Hwi of the Sichuan Tang Clan. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Seonbong (Immortal Phoenix)."
Information about her surfaced from Tang Hwi’s past memories. To be precise, it wasn't something he had seen personally. Having returned after hearing only rumors because he had been eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Yongbong Jihoe (Dragon and Phoenix Gathering), Tang Hwi knew little about Jegal Hye.
'They say her martial talent is lacking, so she refined it by grafting it onto formation arts. That’s why her nickname contains the character for "Immortal" due to her dazzling sleight of hand.'
From Tang Hwi’s perspective, that was complete nonsense. 'Lacking martial talent? She is a genius of the ages who surges forward terrifyingly the moment she learns martial arts related to the Five Elements.'
Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth—the Five Elements. Therefore, the Five Elements Body shines the moment one learns martial arts related to these elements. Martial arts inherently belong to the Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and a Five Elements Body that has mastered such arts can attack using the principle of mutual generation and overcoming.
'The opponent takes double the damage, while the damage they inflict on her is halved. It’s a nightmare for anyone fighting her.'
It would be maddening to be on the receiving end. To feel like you’re being hit with devastating force, while the opponent doesn't seem to care much when you strike them.
'Why did Seonbong come to see me?'
It was embarrassing to say it himself, but there was no reason for her to personally come to meet him—a "useless" person who had been eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Yongbong Jihoe. Tang Hwi had no clue why she had sought him out.
"I happened to have business in Sichuan, and since I was invited, I stopped by... The Master of the Poison Medical Pavilion was telling me something interesting."
"Ah. Are you talking about the termination of the maintenance contract for the formation? If it’s a matter of money, it would be better to discuss it with the Pavilion Master."
"No. I have no complaints about terminating the maintenance contract. Honestly, I come on business trips to Sichuan for the sake of a friendly relationship with the Tang Clan; I’m not exactly short on money."
"Then what is the problem that brought you to me?"
"That is...!"
Jegal Hye opened her mouth as if to snap back, but then covered it with her fan, looking aggrieved. Tang Hwi tilted his head at her gaze, which seemed to ask if she really had to say it herself. Why was she sending him such a look?
'Hostility? No, it’s more like desperation mixed with a competitive spirit... It’s confusing.'
Soon, Jegal Hye, her face flushed with shame, spoke in a resentful tone.
"The formation I created—you improved it. How on earth did you do that?"
"Ah. So you were the one who crafted that formation. Now I understand."
'I heard it was made by the Zhuge Clan, but I thought the level of completion was a bit high. So it was made by someone with the Five Elements Body.'
He guessed that the effect had been enhanced by unconsciously infusing the energies of Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth into the elements that composed the formation. Perhaps the reason the maintenance costs were high was that she lacked experience and hadn't considered durability. Tang Hwi finally understood why she had been so obsessed with maintenance despite the high quality of the formation.
"Don't change the subject. The Master of the Poison Medical Pavilion told me. That you improved the formation so that there would be no need for maintenance requests anymore."
"...I see."
It was fine that he had improved it, but why did the old man tell the woman in front of him that it was him? 'Pavilion Master, you old man... are you surprisingly loose-lipped?'
Jegal Hye seemed to have a lot of pride regarding formation arts. But since Tang Hwi had improved her masterpiece, she seemed unable to stay still because her pride was wounded. After all, formation arts were what she had dug into because she lacked talent in martial arts, so it was effectively the same as having her work dismantled. There were almost no formation masters who would stay still after having their work improved. To put it bluntly, if a complete stranger improved and used one's own martial arts, one might even issue a challenge for a life-or-death duel. Formation arts were no different.
"So when I saw it myself, I saw that you had made the stability and maintenance semi-permanent by aligning it with the Five Elements. How were you able to graft the Five Elements onto it? The humid environment of the Southern Barbarians shouldn't suit the harmonious Five Elements, so how on earth...?"
"Lady."
Tang Hwi smiled brightly at Jegal Hye, who was asking almost as if she were interrogating him.
"Why should I tell you that? Do you perhaps have no conscience?"
"......"
Jegal Hye looked like she had a lot to say. But perhaps the blood of her clan couldn't be deceived. Soon, as if she had realized something, she regained her composure, and her face, now cold and devoid of emotion, was like that of a strategist.
'She realized that this is like a martial artist asking another martial artist to reveal their secret techniques.'
It was a rudeness for which she could have been challenged to a life-or-death duel for being insulted.
"I apologize. I was so impatient that I committed a discourtesy. Young Master, will you accept my apology?"
"I will accept your apology."
"Thank you for your forgiveness. If it is not a discourtesy, could you tell me what I must do for you to teach me? If there is something you want, I will accommodate it as much as possible."
This time, she was polite and desperate. It was hard to just push her away when she was asking so desperately without being rude.
"Why are you so eager to know? Honestly, the Zhuge Clan is the best in the Central Plains when it comes to formation arts."
"...Must you know?"
"If you want, there are many conditions under which you could learn better things, so I don't understand why you are obsessed with the formation I made. It’s unlikely, but if by any chance you intend to misuse this formation, wouldn't I be disgraced? At the very least, I should know the reason you are trying to learn this."
"Haaah. I cannot explain the details, but... after seeing the formation you improved, I gained a small enlightenment."
"Oh. Congratulations."
Gaining enlightenment from looking at a formation is rare. It is not uncommon for a talented inferior to gain enlightenment from watching a master's martial arts, but gaining enlightenment from a formation was even rarer. As Tang Hwi congratulated her with genuine surprise, Jegal Hye blushed. From her perspective, she was merely a latecomer who had gained enlightenment after seeing his formation.
"I say this now, but thanks to your formation, I gained the foundation for enlightenment. Thank you for this. I will definitely repay this grace."
"Although I improved it, the fact that you gained enlightenment from it is purely due to your own effort and talent. You may accept the gratitude, but there is no need to go as far as calling it a great grace."
"That is a difference in values, so let’s move on. More than that, the reason I am asking for your teaching is that although I gained enlightenment, it is only half an enlightenment."
Tang Hwi tilted his head at Jegal Hye’s statement, as if he didn't understand. Enlightenment is enlightenment. What on earth is a "half-enlightenment"? However, he could understand from her subsequent explanation.
"How should I put it? It feels like my body has learned it, but my head hasn't understood it. It doesn't make sense that my body learned a formation that should be based on my innate talent... but explaining it this way is my limit."
It was a strangely rambling explanation, but Tang Hwi understood it well.
'I see what it is. Because of her Five Elements Body, her body gained enlightenment after seeing the Five Elements I mixed in, but her intellect couldn't accept it because she lacks martial arts related to the Five Elements.'
Perhaps she noticed his hunch.
"Do you perhaps have an idea? If you do, please tell me. I... I must become stronger."
"For now, in terms of positive and negative, you will get a positive answer from me."
"Then-!"
"Lady, how about we discuss this separately later? Right now, this is a banquet to celebrate my sister, and as the general manager in charge of this banquet, I am not free. I don't mean to say I don't understand that you are in a hurry, but work has its proper order."
The meaning of Tang Hwi’s words was simple. I’m really busy right now, so let’s have a separate conversation later. Let’s have a serious talk then. Jegal Hye, realizing his sincerity, bowed her head politely.
"I have been holding onto someone who is very busy. I apologize, Young Master. Then, I will make an official request to the Tang Clan regarding this matter later."
"I would be grateful if you did. Until then, please enjoy the banquet to your heart's content."
"Yes. Then, I will take my leave."
He let out a soft laugh as he watched her turn away quietly. 'She appears like the wind and disappears like the wind.'
A woman who is a member of the Zhuge Clan with the Five Elements Body, yet craves martial power. He laughed, thinking he had met someone more interesting than he thought, and began to walk around the banquet again. If there was something that seemed lacking, he had the people of the Secretary Pavilion fix it, and if a problem arose that the martial artists couldn't solve, he mediated appropriately. As he was walking around like that—
"Ah! Brother, were you still working?"
"It’s Ga-in. What brings you here?"
"My aunt... the Pavilion Master said that rest is also important and told me to enjoy the banquet. I am a free woman for three days! Ahem."
The Amsugak (Hidden Weapon Pavilion), where they study the use of hidden weapons, is not a sinister place. Rather, it’s a place overflowing with affection.
'Because it’s a place where hidden weapon geeks gather.'
Perverts who, upon seeing a cool-looking or highly functional hidden weapon, puff their cheeks and turn red as if they can't control themselves. That was the evaluation Tang Hwi made after seeing the Amsugak.
Tang Ga-in, who approached naturally and linked her arms with his, subtly rubbed her breasts against his forearm.
"Sister would be very jealous if she saw this."
"Anyway, Ga-hui sister is scheduled to appear without her veil tomorrow, which is the second day. From then on, she will be by Brother’s side, so... I want to monopolize you even for now!"
Then, when people's gazes were subtly diverted away from the siblings, Tang Ga-in subtly pulled his arm, causing his hand to touch her crotch.
"Please take responsibility for me here, Brother♡"
"......"
He almost stood up right there.