Chapter 463
Seo Jin-ha, who had been roaming the martial world as Bu Eun-seol's shadow, was greatly startled.
He had always expected something like this to happen eventually.
That Bu Eun-seol's true identity might be exposed, or that he might fall into danger—situations where he would urgently summon his shadow, Seo Jin-ha.
'I was always mentally prepared for it.'
Having received Bu Eun-seol's emergency summons through the Death Soul Squad's intelligence network, Seo Jin-ha stopped by the Demon Hall as requested, retrieved something, and then hastily departed, unleashing his movement technique.
Tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu!
It was a movement technique strikingly similar to the Ultimate Speed Shadowless that Bu Eun-seol had taught him.
Though only at the Five Stars Realm, Seo Jin-ha's figure sliced through the air as he shot forward at tremendous speed.
'And then there's the spiritual herbs...'
What Bu Eun-seol had requested were the mysterious spiritual herbs offered as tribute by the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, piled up in the Demon Hall's warehouse.
The amount he had brought was a staggering thirty jin.
Converted to currency, it far exceeded three hundred thousand taels.
'Why on earth did he need me to bring thirty jin of these?'
Seo Jin-ha couldn't understand, but he had obediently packed a large amount of herbs before activating his movement technique.
Traveling day and night, he finally arrived near Chimju.
Tsu-tsu-tsu-tsut!
The moment he unleashed his movement technique to reach the vicinity of Gold King Mountain, the shadow of a man clad in white robes came into view.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
'There he is.'
Spotting him, Seo Jin-ha executed the Cloud Dragon Flip movement technique, landing stealthily near the bushes where Bu Eun-seol stood.
「Bu Eun-seol!」
When Seo Jin-ha sent a telepathic transmission, Bu Eun-seol glanced toward the bushes and spoke.
"You can just speak normally. There's no one around here."
"Is that so?"
Seo Jin-ha scanned the surroundings once more with sharp eyes before asking with a grave expression.
"What's going on? Why the sudden emergency summons?"
Mid-sentence, he couldn't hide his startled expression.
Bu Eun-seol's complexion was extremely poor, and his brow was deeply furrowed.
'There's something unresolved weighing on him.'
Having completely mastered Bu Eun-seol's expressions and speech patterns, Seo Jin-ha could tell his state just by looking at his face.
"It's a serious situation."
Bu Eun-seol stole a glance at the distant manor before speaking.
"I need your help."
"Hmm."
Noticing Bu Eun-seol's gaze fixed on the Jongri Family Manor, Seo Jin-ha let out a knowing chuckle.
"It's a woman problem, isn't it?"
"It is."
"Hahaha. You've always struggled with anything related to women, haven't you?"
Seo Jin-ha brushed off his chest in relief.
He had thought it was some grave crisis—but it turned out to be such a trivial matter.
'Well, for him, it must be serious.'
Suppressing his laughter, Seo Jin-ha patted his chest and declared:
"Don't worry. That's my specialty."
"That's a relief."
Bu Eun-seol nodded at Seo Jin-ha's dependable demeanor before pulling an envelope from his robes.
"What's this?"
"The details are written inside."
Seo Jin-ha opened the envelope and read its contents. Instantly, his eyes wavered like rippling water.
This was no trivial matter.
Just as Bu Eun-seol had said—this was a seriously grave problem.
"You want me to handle this?"
"I have an emergency meeting today with the Yeonseong Hall leader."
"Then do it the next day."
"It's a continuous session until the Northern Palace Elder changes his mind. If we miss the timing, something irreversible will happen."
Bu Eun-seol stared at Seo Jin-ha with desperate eyes.
Then, narrowing his gaze, he gave a slow nod.
Unable to withstand that persistent stare, Seo Jin-ha reluctantly nodded back.
The Jongri Family Manor was in an uproar.
The very person who had deceived Jongri Sa-hyeon, known as the Needle King, and his granddaughter Jongri Sa-yu, turning the Jongri household upside down, had now come of his own accord.
"Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol, greets you."
No—it was Seo Jin-ha, disguised as Bu Eun-seol, who clasped his hands respectfully toward the guards.
"I've come to pay my respects to the Needle King and offer my apologies."
Despite his composed demeanor, the guards' eyes and expressions had frozen over like a raging blizzard.
Rumble—
As soon as the guards relayed the message, the great gate swung open, and a flood of disciples rushed out, surrounding Bu Eun-seol in an instant.
Their faces were all hostile, and their hands tightly clutched golden needles.
'What a warm welcome.'
Just as Bu Eun-seol—no, Seo Jin-ha disguised as Bu Eun-seol—felt his pupils tremble—
Whoosh!
The disciples' formation split left and right, and from between them, an elderly man trudged forward with heavy steps.
Though his features were as clear and refined as an immortal's, his eyes were stretched wide as if about to tear, and every step he took radiated killing intent.
It was none other than the Needle King, Jongri Sa-hyeon.
"Well, well, who do we have here? If it isn't the illustrious Golden Upright Divine Dragon, Young Hero Baek?"
Jongri Sa-hyeon's eyes bulged, his crimson gums fully exposed.
He looked ready to devour Seo Jin-ha in one bite.
'I'm completely tangled in this now.'
Seo Jin-ha inwardly sighed.
The envelope Bu Eun-seol had handed him contained a simple message:
While searching the martial world for traces of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang, he had learned that the Needle King Jongri Sa-hyeon knew about his past deeds.
And in the end, to win the Needle King's favor, he had sold the name "Baek Mu-seong" to obtain information.
The problem was that Jongri Sa-yu had foolishly fallen for Bu Eun-seol.
She had gone to the Martial Alliance in search of Bu Eun-seol, who hadn't sought her out for so long... and in the end, the fraud had been exposed.
'This won't be easily resolved.'
Seo Jin-ha inwardly let out a deep sigh.
He had thought it was just a simple matter involving a woman.
But now he had to quell the rage of the Needle King—renowned in the martial world for wielding the most delicate and deadly weapons—
And resolve Jongri Sa-yu's resentment, who had perfectly inherited her grandfather's legacy?
Had he known it would be this absurd, he would have ignored the emergency summons and never come here.
But what could he do? He had already pounded his chest and declared he would fix it... so now he had to fix it.
"My apologies, Elder."
Seo Jin-ha bowed his head respectfully once more.
"I've come to offer my deepest repentance."
"Repentance?"
BOOM!
As Jongri Sa-hyeon stomped his foot, the entire manor trembled, and a powerful shockwave of Internal Energy rippled outward.
"Thanks to you concealing your identity so cunningly, my Sa-yu was humiliated before the entire Martial Alliance! Not only that, rumors spread across the land that she had been fooled by a swindler, turning her into a laughingstock!"
Jongri Sa-hyeon's face grew even more fearsome.
"Sa-yu has spent every night since then in tears. And you think a mere apology will suffice?"
At that moment, Jongri Sa-hyeon's hand fluttered through the air like a butterfly—then shot straight toward Seo Jin-ha's cheek.
Under normal circumstances, Seo Jin-ha would have dodged that slap in an instant.
But he couldn't.
—A sturdy face, spiritual herbs, and a little extra patience.
The envelope Bu Eun-seol had given him contained a surefire method.
The Jongri family had a temperamental flaw—when enraged, they couldn't control their anger and would inevitably strike the offender's cheek...
And if one endured it without dodging, the matter could be resolved much faster than expected.
'I've got enough patience to take a single slap!'
Seo Jin-ha clenched his eyes shut.
If he avoided this strike, there would be no way to placate Jongri Sa-hyeon's fury.
—SMACK!
For a moment, silvery stars burst across Seo Jin-ha's vision.
Was it because the slap was filled with such wrath and resentment? No Internal Energy had been used, nor any cunning technique—
Yet it hurt terribly.
'Why does his hand sting so much?!'
Though the pain was enough to make his eyes roll back, Seo Jin-ha maintained a composed smile.
"Please calm yourself, Elder."
Jongri Sa-hyeon was slightly taken aback.
This man was the future leader of the Demon Hall and the rightful heir of Langya Pavilion—someone of exceedingly high status.
He had fully expected him to dodge.
Yet here he stood, offering his cheek without resistance?
"You..."
Flustered by the unexpected reaction, Jongri Sa-hyeon stammered. Seo Jin-ha smiled faintly and spoke.
"My actions were not for personal gain... but merely a means to uncover the whereabouts of the former Deputy Hall Lord—the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang."
"Though mere words cannot atone for my wrongdoing... I beg you to understand that I acted not out of selfish emotion, and to grant me your forgiveness."
It was an impeccably polite and respectful apology.
Then, Seo Jin-ha presented the thick bundle he had been carrying all this time.
And from within it, an indescribably pure and refreshing fragrance began to rise.
'This scent—?'
Jongri Sa-hyeon's eyes widened.
Just from the aroma alone, he recognized it.
The spiritual herb he had been desperately searching for—
The Mysterious Ultimate Immortal Spirit Herb from the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, which had become nearly impossible to obtain after the sect's absorption into the Demon Hall!
"Hmm."
Jongri Sa-hyeon let out a deep hum.
The heir of the Demon Hall—a figure capable of shaking the martial world—had bowed his head in apology and even taken a slap to the face.
On top of that, he had brought such a perfect gift... It was only natural for his anger to quietly dissipate.
'Well, lying about his name was wrong, but all he did was ask about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's whereabouts. As for Sa-yu... well, she was just too hasty in her actions.'
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, Jongri Sa-hyeon subtly jerked his chin toward a nearby disciple, signaling with his eyes.
Understanding the cue, the disciple swiftly retrieved the bundle.
After several more deliberate coughs, Jongri Sa-hyeon spoke in a noticeably softened tone.
"This old man might be willing to let it go... but Sa-yu's anger won't be so easily quelled. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Of course. If given the opportunity, I will meet her in person and offer my apologies."
Seo Jin-ha clasped his hands together with utmost sincerity.
Since he was already playing the role of Bu Eun-seol—
He might as well see it through properly.
"Hmph."
Jongri Sa-hyeon waved a hand at his disciple as if resigned.
"Take him to where Sa-yu is."
When Jongri Sa-yu saw the figure standing before her quarters, her entire body trembled.
She had sworn that if she ever saw him again, she would draw her sword and kill him.
But now that he was truly before her again, the resentment she had harbored all this time melted away like snow.
From the moment she first saw his face, she had believed it was fate.
She had thought she had met someone worth dying for.
But the fact that such a person had deceived and toyed with her was what truly tormented her.
Huff... Huff...
Jongri Sa-yu approached with ragged breaths, pouring all her pent-up resentment into this moment—
The bitter nights she'd spent drowning in tears.
The words she could never bring herself to say.
And with all of it gathered in her palm, she struck Seo Jin-ha across the cheek with all her might.
'Well, a woman's slap is nothing much.'
The instant Seo Jin-ha lightly squeezed his eyes shut—
WHACK!
An indescribable impact resounded, and the heavens and earth spun violently before his eyes.
'Ghk—!'
Twisting his body, Seo Jin-ha let out a voiceless scream as his eyeballs rolled back white.
Was it because of the woman's icy, seething grudge?
Or perhaps because she spent every day handling needles, honing her Golden Needle Art?
Or—was there some secret family martial art in the Jongri Clan specifically for slapping cheeks with professional precision?
Jongri Sa-yu's hand, delicate and lovely enough that it seemed incapable of even wringing a chicken's neck...
Was several times fiercer than even the Needle King Jongri Sa-hyeon's.
'Huuu...'
Seo Jin-ha had to bite his lip hard to suppress the urge to writhe like a squid.
Then, turning back to face her, he bowed his head deeply in sincerity.
"I'm sorry."
He hadn't even tried to summon any particular emotion, yet his eyes moistened on their own.
"You—"
Jongri Sa-yu seemed utterly taken aback, as if she had never expected him not to dodge.
"Why didn't you avoid it?"
Seo Jin-ha gazed at her with eyes now thoroughly damp.
"You suffered great humiliation because of me. How could I hesitate to take a single slap?"
"Do you think that'll make me forgive you?"
He had anticipated such a reaction.
With a sorrowful expression, Seo Jin-ha began reciting the words he had prepared in advance.
"Though our paths diverged, this Lord... no, I have been pursuing factions that create Human Blossoms and Artificial Inner Elixirs, striving for the peace of the Martial World. The matter of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was merely an extension of that duty."
"So deceiving me as Baek Mu-seong was for the good of the martial world?"
"How could that be? I was merely tracking the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's whereabouts to ensure the Martial World's peace."
His eloquence flowed like clear water down a mountain stream.
Seo Jin-ha spoke with a desolate, lonely expression.
"I swear upon my honor—I never harbored any deceitful feelings toward you. Won't you forgive me, if only for that?"
"No deceitful feelings?"
Jongri Sa-yu turned her head sharply, her face twisted in anguish.
"Because of you, I was humiliated before the entire Martial Alliance! Rumors spread that I was a foolish woman tricked by a swindler. How do you intend to take responsibility for that?"
Clear teardrops spilled from Jongri Sa-yu's eyes.
With white floral ornaments pinned above her ears and her hair elegantly coiled in three sections, she wept bitterly—
Like a celestial maiden who had lost her feathered robe, unable to return to the heavens.
Beautiful, yet heartbreaking.
'Hmm.'
Internally, Seo Jin-ha narrowed his eyes.
Though she hadn't been very active in the Martial World, leaving her fame and beauty relatively unknown...
Jongri Sa-yu was undoubtedly one of the era's most stunning flowers.
'As the Needle King's granddaughter, her scholarly knowledge goes without saying, and she must possess exceptional martial arts and acupuncture skills.'
Why did everyone who cherished Bu Eun-seol end up doing the exact same thing?
Before he knew it, Seo Jin-ha had transformed into a strict father-in-law, meticulously assessing whether Jongri Sa-yu would be a suitable match for Bu Eun-seol.
'The Jongri Clan has produced many officials over generations, so their accumulated wealth must be substantial...'
"What are you staring at?"
Jongri Sa-yu glared at him with a haughty expression, and Seo Jin-ha hastily nodded.
"Ah, nothing. It's just... you're too beautiful."
"Wh-what did you just say?"
Her face flushed with anger as she turned away.
"Is that what you choose to say now?"
Even in her fury, her speech retained an air of dignity.
Though she did have a habit of raising her hand when angered...
Considering the humiliation she endured in the Martial Alliance, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Besides, if it were Bu Eun-seol, that brat could probably dodge even if Shaolin's Thousand-Hand Avalokitesvara Palm were unleashed—
So the fact that Jongri Sa-yu's slaps were particularly fierce wouldn't be an issue.
'Ah, right. That kid's already engaged.'
The real obstacle lay with Bu Eun-seol.
He was already betrothed to two peerless beauties.
'Well, what's the difference between two and three?'
Flowers only grow more splendid when gathered, and heroes of the world naturally attract beautiful companions.
Making a bold resolution—one Bu Eun-seol would never make—Seo Jin-ha cleared his throat and spoke.
"I'll do whatever you say."
"...What?"
"If you tell me to die, I'll die. If you tell me to kneel, I'll kneel."
Seo Jin-ha's gaze burned with intensity.
"If there's any way to appease your anger, I'll do it."
"I mean it."
His wide eyes blazed like an active volcano.
"I've always meant it. Enough that I didn't hesitate to conceal my identity."
"It was utter nonsense."
Yet as he spoke with burning sincerity, Jongri Sa-yu took a frightened step back.
"Th-then what?"
"'Then what?' I'm saying I'll do whatever you ask of me."
"Are you mocking me right now?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Because—"
Jongri Sa-yu bit her lip.
"You're already engaged to two women, aren't you? How can you talk about taking responsibility for me?"
"An engagement is just an engagement. Don't you think we should see things through to the end before judging?"
"What did you say?"
Ignoring Jongri Sa-yu's bewildered expression, Seo Jin-ha spoke shamelessly.
"Though right now, I have far too many matters to attend to."
"'Matters to attend to'?"
"How can I settle down before the Martial World stabilizes?"
Talk of not being able to start a family until the Martial World settled was the kind of empty drivel often spouted by the Righteous Faction's womanizers.
But when Seo Jin-ha said it with a solemn expression, it sounded oddly convincing.
"Still, the most important thing is easing your anger."
Seo Jin-ha's tongue moved endlessly, smoothly, without pause.
"Tell me anything. I'll do whatever you say."
Wasn't that an indirect way of expressing his feelings?
Jongri Sa-yu stared at him with wide-eyed shock.
Huh?
But something felt off.
Though his cheeks were swollen from being slapped by both Jongri Sa-hyeon and her... his face, still as beautiful and striking as a rushing river, remained unchanged.
Yet somehow, inexplicably—
That suffocatingly lonely, desolate aura around him had vanished, hadn't it?
It was like looking at a beautiful but lifeless statue—
Somehow, his charm had dulled. The pull she once felt was entirely gone.
Was it just a fleeting, childish infatuation?
Had everything she'd felt until now been nothing more than a feverish first love?
Even with his face so close, the heat of her affection was cooling instead.
"F-fine."
Jongri Sa-yu took a deep breath.
"You may be a demonic practitioner, but you resolved the Human Blossom and Artificial Internal Core incidents. You saved countless people."
"Then—"
Avoiding Seo Jin-ha's burning gaze, she spoke firmly.
"Keep striving for the Martial World as you are now. That's the reason I'll forgive you."
Seo Jin-ha's mouth nearly fell open.
Unexpectedly, things had resolved easily.
He had, in the end, prevented the Needle King and her from storming the Demon Hall.
See that, Bu Eun-seol? I did it!
Suppressing the urge to shout at the sky, Seo Jin-ha gazed at her with profound eyes.
"Then, after that—"
"After that... I'll think about it."
Even if his charm had faded slightly, a groom like him wasn't easy to come by.
True, his Demonic Path origins were a major obstacle... but hadn't the Divine Maiden Palace's Young Palace Lord overcome that very hurdle?
If she put her mind to it, she could leap over such an obstacle too.
She pulled back a step. But wisely so.
What if Jongri Sa-yu had tumbled headlong into his words?
Seo Jin-ha would've thought her a woman lacking restraint.
But knowing when to push and pull... that was precisely the kind of personality suited to ensnaring a blockhead like Bu Eun-seol.
This outcome isn't so bad.
"I understand. Thank you."
Seo Jin-ha bowed respectfully, clasping his hands together.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Jongri Sa-yu felt vaguely unsettled, as if she'd been tricked, but she had no choice but to nod.
"Very well."
Having resolved everything, Seo Jin-ha strode out of Jongri Manor with unshakable confidence.
Perhaps because all was settled?
The pain he'd suppressed flared up, and soon, his cheeks swelled like steamed buns.
"Oof."
He didn't even need to check a copper mirror to know—
His face had likely puffed up beyond recognition.
But for the sake of his dear friend, he didn't mind much.
"Can't be helped. That guy needs me, after all."
With a proud expression, he gazed at the distant sky before resuming his confident stride.
But then—
Dozens of martial artists were approaching Jongri Manor in the distance.
Among them were Yeonseong Hall's leader Yuk Cheong-a, her subordinates, and Bu Eun-seol, disguised as Seon-u Jin.
Yuk Cheong-a arched an eyebrow at the sight of a man with cheeks swollen like buns walking toward them.
But when he showed no reaction to the Martial Alliance's insignia she bore, she passed by indifferently.
Must not be a martial artist.
With his puffy cheeks and relaxed gaze, he hardly seemed noteworthy.
Yuk Cheong-a dismissed him as insignificant and moved on.
"Don't worry. It's all settled. They won't come from Jongri Manor to the Demon Hall."
Just then, as Seo Jin-ha brushed past Bu Eun-seol, he sent a voice transmission.
Bu Eun-seol, watching Seo Jin-ha pass by with his swollen cheeks, transmitted back:
"You worked hard. Later, let's have a proper drink—"
But then—
Seo Jin-ha suddenly turned and smiled.
Grin.
At the sight of his bright, toothy grin,
Bu Eun-seol felt as if a cursed doll had just smiled at him—his back turned icy, a chill running down his spine.
Griiiin.
Seo Jin-ha flashed another radiant smile.
Almost like a request to smile back.
Helpless, Bu Eun-seol—
Grin.
Forced a big smile in return before turning away.
But the unease only deepened. And the reason for it... would only become clear much later.