Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Warrior's Oath
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Yeoseol was the kind of child who brimmed with energy after just one night of sleep.
"Big brother, what are we learning today?"
Right after breakfast, Yeoseol was already clamoring to train in martial arts, which tugged at my heartstrings.
Lately, she'd been focusing more on her cultivation than anything else and was genuinely enjoying it.
It made me feel a pang of sympathy, knowing how far removed she was from the things most girls her age loved.
'Yeoseol's nothing like ordinary girls at all. Her roots run much deeper. This isn't the time to get sentimental.'
I taught her the Ghostly Scholar's martial arts, the ones I knew best.
The Ghostly Scholar's techniques relied on spirit energy, so no ordinary martial artist with a typical constitution could ever unleash their full power.
'So why can Yeoseol use them? Because of her Ice Sacred Body? Is the Ice Sacred Body similar to the Seven Stars Seven Origins constitution?'
Even pooling all my knowledge, I couldn't unravel this mystery.
I simply lacked the data and information.
'If she doesn't have Seven Stars Seven Origins spirit energy, then maybe some other spirit energy is strong in her. But what kind? Or do Ice Sacred Bodies naturally come with potent spirit energy?'
With no techniques or records on channeling spirit energy as internal energy, I had no choice but to speculate from basics.
'Yeoseol can draw in natural qi to use internal energy and even pull out spirit energy. I'll observe her more closely and analyze.'
I realized it would take time to fully grasp Yeoseol's condition.
After finishing training with Yeoseol, we all gathered for lunch.
"Did you rest well?"
Nangong Cheolung greeted me.
Nangong Hwajun and Nangong Pyo also bowed to me before taking their seats at the table.
They must have risen early for training since dawn, as a sharp aura emanated from their bodies.
"I slept well."
Nangong Hwajun asked me,
"Scholar Cheon, when do we leave? We can't stay here forever."
It was inevitable that Nangong Family warriors would feel uneasy lingering long at Present Heaven Gate, the unorthodox factions' stronghold.
The locals' gazes weren't exactly friendly.
"Let's discuss it after we eat."
Yeoseol was staring hungrily at the food.
"Understood."
As we finished the meal and sipped tea, Gwanryongjin's voice came from outside the door.
"Scholar Cheon."
"Ah, Hero Gwanryong. Come in."
I ushered him into the room.
"Everyone's here."
"Care for some tea?"
Gwanryongjin shook his head at my offer.
"No, thank you. I'll just deliver what the Supreme One sent and be off. I'm in charge of security for the sixtieth birthday tournament, so things are busy. Unorthodox youngsters have been pouring in since today."
"Ah, that sounds tough."
I accepted the documents he handed over.
"I heard these are the land deed and bill of exchange."
"Why bring them yourself, Captain? You could have sent a subordinate."
"The Supreme One chose me because of our personal connection. And there's one more thing—too precious to entrust to just anyone, so I came personally."
Gwanryongjin pulled a silver box from his bosom.
I recognized it immediately and glanced at him.
"Isn't this a Dragon Blood Pill?"
"Correct. I received one myself when I was appointed captain. Dragon Blood Pills are awarded for major achievements or promotions to captain rank and above. Congratulations, Scholar Cheon."
"This must be the one the Supreme One promised when I met him."
"Ah, he mentioned it was to replace the spirit pill the Little Captain ate."
"Ah!"
I recalled the secret inner dantian that Mak Jmong had devoured last night.
'What a windfall out of nowhere. Thanks, Mak Jmong.'
Once Gwanryongjin left, Nangong Cheolung spoke up.
"They're already handing over the land deed? They must really want to tie down Scholar Cheon."
"No other way to process it this quickly."
Nangong Hwajun replied before adding,
"Where's the land the Gate Lord gave?"
I murmured as I examined the deed.
"Hwaryeong County. That's near Poyang County by Poyang Lake."
I knew the local geography like the back of my hand.
Nangong Pyo let out an exclamation upon seeing the deed.
"Whoa, 50,000 pyeong? That's a tenth of Hwaryeong County!"
Considering major families usually held 30,000 to 50,000 pyeong at most, this was enormous.
"Big brother, are we landlords now?"
"Well, you could say that."
Land in my name—it wasn't just generosity; only an unorthodox faction could pull this off.
Such extravagance was unthinkable in the orthodox martial world.
'But is it really okay to accept land this size?'
Nangong Pyo responded indifferently.
"Honestly, if Scholar Cheon returns to his main family or something goes wrong, won't they just take it back? Isn't it all for show?"
Nangong Cheolung retorted,
"Why? Sell it then. Or Miss Yeoseol can inherit it."
"If you fail to reform Little Captain Mak Jmong, they'll reclaim it, right?"
Nangong Pyo glanced at me and said,
"Maybe. But handing it over now shows they trust Scholar Cheon."
Nangong Cheolung spoke as if voicing my thoughts.
"Big brother, now we have land too. We could live there."
"Sure. Buy a manor and settle in."
"Yay! We have our own house and land!"
Yeoseol threw her hands up in cheer.
Cheongyo and Songran smiled at the sight.
"Now we won't have to worry about the landlord. Entertaining him is exhausting."
I gave a wry smile at Yeoseol's words, thinking of the "landlord" she meant.
"As for what I was saying earlier—the three of you can leave with Cheongyo after the birthday banquet performance. What do you think, Miss Cheong? No need for separate escorts."
Cheongyo fell silent at my words.
'Is this even worth hesitating over? Traveling with three Nangong Family first-rate masters is safer than strangers, even if they're escorts.'
Sensing my gaze, Cheongyo gave an awkward smile and replied.
"Ah, I was lost in thought. Sorry, Scholar Cheon. Last night, Ran and I discussed this thoroughly."
She seemed hesitant, so I pressed gently.
"Speak freely. I want to accommodate Miss Cheong's wishes as much as possible."
Cheongyo took a deep breath and spoke.
"Could I live on the land you received, Scholar Cheon? Ran agrees."
The unexpected request made me probe her sincerity by checking her blood flow.
It was quick from tension, but nothing suspicious.
"Returning to Celestial Pleasure House isn't bad, but now I just want a normal life."
I empathized with her dilemma.
"It's because of the Provincial Commander, right?"
Cheongyo nodded sadly.
"He wants me, but so do his deputies and everyone below. Avoiding him doesn't work."
Songran chimed in.
"Sister's been suffering because of them. The pressure's too much to bear."
"Even here, suitors will come for you, Miss Cheong. You're too exceptional—who wouldn't covet you?"
"That's why—why not take me as your household performer?"
Household performers were courtesans raised within a family, a tradition from the Han and Northern-Southern Dynasties.
They earned less since they were tied to one household.
When I pointed that out, Cheongyo said,
"I have more than enough saved to last a lifetime. I want to teach talented girls alongside Ran."
Having Cheongyo, who got along so well with Yeoseol, stay wouldn't be bad.
Songran was a concern, but with her backstory and no hostility, I could watch her.
"Here's the deal. Stay as household performers for now. Leave anytime if you wish, or stay as long as you like."
Cheongyo rose and bowed deeply to me.
"Thank you for your consideration."
Despite her fame still rising, she showed no greed for glory.
As I watched, I placed the silver box on the table.
"This is Present Heaven Gate's famed spirit pill, the Dragon Blood Pill. Properly assimilated, it grants five years of internal energy. I want to give it to you three for all your hard work escorting us."
"Pardon?"
Nangong Cheolung, Nangong Hwajun, and Nangong Pyo stared at me wide-eyed.
"The Nangong Family has Vault of Heaven Pills, but you three can't receive them."
Their faces fell as they nodded gloomily.
"We're branch family. We never get Vault of Heaven Pills."
Vault of Heaven Pills were reserved for direct descendants.
"That's why I'm giving you this. Share it, and you'll each gain at least one to two years of internal energy—a huge boost for you."
At this level, one or two years of cultivation could create massive gaps.
It would aid their Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique practice and earn them recognition in the family.
"Escorting you was our duty. We can't accept."
Nangong Cheolung said firmly, eyes resolute.
"This is a token to bind our fates. Can't we exchange gifts like this?"
Yeoseol or I could have used it, but it might hinder Yeoseol's growth.
Absorbing specific energies wasn't ideal for someone who used natural qi.
My secret dantian already drained others' energy to boost mine—no need for pills.
Plus, I had an extra one now.
The three exchanged silent transmissions, then stood, cupped their fists, and bowed to me.
Nangong Cheolung spoke solemnly.
"Though we bear the Nangong name and blood, we pledge our lives to you, Scholar Cheon. Call on us anytime you need our lives. We will serve to the end."
A warrior's oath.
And a Nangong Family warrior's oath was no light matter.
Pledging their lives when I needed them stirred my heart.
"How could a mere spirit pill buy your lives? Just come drink with me when I'm lonely—that's enough."
The three Nangong warriors bowed deeper, eyes filled with emotion.
Their faces set with grim resolve, as if swearing an unbreakable vow.
The women, initially awkward at the men's solemnity, soon looked moved.
"That's so cool."
Inspired, Yeoseol jumped up and bowed to me.
"Big brother took good care of me, so when you're old and weak, I'll give my life to care for you."
"Hahaha! No need for such bows between family. Family bonds are deeper than life."
Cheongyo and Songran gazed enviously at our exchange.
They had no one they could call family.
"I'll take care of Cheongyo sister and Songran sister too. You're like family to me."
Even knowing Yeoseol spoke innocently, Cheongyo and Songran looked at her with misty eyes.
Being seen as family seemed the greatest comfort.
"Thank you, Yeoseol. You're like family to me too."
Cheongyo's voice trembled with emotion.