The Destination Is… The Bedroom
The Murim Alliance was founded by the successors of the greatest martial artist in history—the man who ended the long, bloody era of war and brought peace to the world. Even today, countless people knock on its gates, hoping to join. Whether they possess talent or not, they strive to enter not only because the Alliance is the greatest power in the Central Plains, but because it is a magnet for those who yearn for strength. It is only natural; after all, the official "Greatest Martial Artist in the World" is the Alliance Leader, and the prospect of protecting the peace of the Murim by their side is a dream worth chasing.
Among the many organizations under the Alliance, the Phoenix Hall—composed solely of women with the most exceptional talent—stands out as one of its representative groups.
"Young Lady, how about this weekend?"
"No, Young Lady, if you come to our estate…"
"An estate isn't much to look at, is it? I have a wonderful…"
She glanced at the pathetic men surrounding her. They gathered around, pestering her without a shred of shame. 'Ugh… why are these the only kinds of people around me?' She didn't want to admit it, but a sigh escaped her lips at the reality that only men inferior to her own brother ever flocked to her.
With the Blood Demon appearing in the Blood Sect and the evil factions clearly stirring, it was infuriating that they were so idle, only concerned with currying her favor. "Disappear." She didn't say it twice. As the men tucked their tails and vanished at her cold, chilling aura, she let out a scoff at their rat-like behavior. 'Nothing but pathetic men.'
To escape this situation, she had asked her father to let her venture into the Murim, but all she received in return was an order to remain in confinement. He had even told her she would soon be expelled from the Phoenix Hall. "……Hmph." He had simply told her to prepare for enrollment in the Righteous Martial Academy. 'He wants me to mingle with those brats?' The thought of spending time with those snot-nosed young masters… but it was certain that she would be forced into the academy if things continued this way. It was a matter her pride could not tolerate. 'What should I do?' As she pondered, a brilliant idea flashed through her mind. "Let's run away."
In the morning, I woke up and headed to the courtyard to loosen my muscles. Of course, I had always stretched and trained every day upon waking. Now that I had entered the first stage of the Sun and Moon Yin-Yang Divine Art, such physical training didn't hold much meaning, but consistency is key! Besides, it was about the mood. As I finished my morning training, Mei, who had already woken up, watched me and asked, "Oh my… Gihu, are you training?"
"Yes, well… I am a martial artist, after all. Morning training is essential!"
I caught a glimpse of her gaze lingering on my abs. I heard her swallow a small gulp as I resumed my training. 'I think I earned some unexpected points here.' As I continued to train shirtless in the courtyard, Mei watched with great interest. Had the herbs been effective? The bruises on her face had already vanished. The dazed look in her eyes, as if she were bewitched, was incredibly arousing. That vacant expression, as if she might start drooling, meant she was completely captivated by me. I feigned ignorance and said, "Mei, is something wrong? You’ve been staring for a while…"
"Y-yes? Oh, no, it’s nothing!!"
The way she hurriedly shook her head was adorable. "Mei, I’m getting a bit hungry. Do you happen to have something to eat?"
"Yes! Of course, I have some simple snacks! Please, come inside."
After finishing a harmonious breakfast with Mei, I left the house and decided to look around the village. According to my original plan, I should have left for Tianjin, but that feeling that had been calling out to me bothered me. 'Even if it’s not for long, it’s right to stay in this village for a while…' The reason I wanted to go to Tianjin was to gather information from the Beggars' Sect headquarters. If I were lucky enough to obtain the necessary information here, it wouldn't be a bad idea to skip Tianjin and go straight to recovering my hidden opportunities.
I spent some time roaming the outskirts of the village. Unlike the evening, the village in the daylight was quite atmospheric and decent. However, the abandoned houses and shattered buildings scattered here and there gave off a gloomy vibe, and the lack of vitality in the villagers passing by made it clear that if they continued to suffer from the bandits, it would soon become a ghost town. 'It seems like it was a good village once… what a shame.'
I spotted what looked like the best house in the village. It was clearly the village head's residence. As I walked toward it, I found some beggars hanging around. 'Were the Beggars' Sect guys staying here?' As I approached, one of the beggars asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm a martial artist passing through. Is the village head in?"
The beggar scanned me from head to toe and said, "Hmm, a beginner… did you focus on external training? What is your sect?"
'Asking for my sect right off the bat? What the hell is wrong with this guy?' In the Murim, fights break out just from bumping scabbards, but was it okay for righteous sect members to act like this? Did he see me as a low-level fighter? Since I wasn't a "true" martial artist from the novels, I didn't feel offended, but it was obvious the beggar was looking down on me. As I stared at him, another beggar beside him hurriedly started making excuses.
"Young Master, I apologize. We are disciples of the Beggars' Sect who came to support the village from the Tianjin headquarters. This friend is just like that, so please understand. My name is Juta."
'Even these second-rate beggars are looking down on me. Is hiding my cultivation level not all that good?' Should I leak enough internal energy to appear like a first-rate master next time? I bowed politely and said, "I am Son Gihu of the Sa-geom Sect."
"Sa-geom Sect? Where is that?"
Juta, who was standing next to him, scolded him upon hearing that. "You ignorant fool… you're a member of the Beggars' Sect, which deals in information, and you don't even know that? That’s why you can’t get past the second-rate level."
"Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden?"
"The Sa-geom Sect was one of the renowned sects in Hebei, and you don't know that? Ugh."
"You bastard! …Hebei? You mean that sect that was wiped out a while ago? I heard…"
The observant Juta hurriedly blocked the annoying beggar's words and looked at me. "Young Master, don't mind this idiot. You said you were looking for the village head? Unfortunately, he is not here right now."
"I've been watching you, and you're really asking for it! Juta, you want to settle our ranking right now?"
"You think I’m afraid to? I’ve been annoyed by being lumped in with an ignorant fool like you, so this is perfect!"
In an instant, they pointed their staffs at each other and entered a combat stance. "Now, now, please calm down. You seem to have energy to spare, so why don't you go back to patrolling?" They were truly overflowing with energy. Juta seemed like the only one I could talk to, but that was impossible in the current situation. I’d have to come back later. I bowed to them and returned to Mei’s place without much success.
On the way to her house, my sensitive hearing picked up an angry man's voice from afar.
"Money! Bring me the money!"
"I, I don't have any… you took it all…"
'What, is he back already?' I hurriedly approached Mei. As I got closer, the sight of a drunken man threatening Mei came into view. "What? You crazy woman! You didn't give me all the money you had!! I told you I’d win double and give it back!"
Mei was hiding a small pouch in her arms. "Th-this is the payment I need for the materials…"
"What kind of payment does a woman who sells herbs have! Ah… wait?"
The man’s eyes turned sharp. "You bitch…! Are you still making those perfume scraps? Who on earth buys that crap?"
"…Wh-what did you say?"
At those words, Mei looked dazed. The drunkard, acting as if he’d been struck, continued to rave. "How much money are you wasting making that cheap perfume! If you gave that money to me, I’d double it for you!!"
'Looking at him, he’s already spent all the money I gave her… how does he plan to double it?'
"Ch-cheap? Who do you think is feeding you right now?"
Perhaps because her husband's words were such a shock, she glared at him, raising her chin for the first time. "Are you crazy, woman! Who do you think you're raising your voice at? What’s with that look! I’ll show you!!"
I saw his hand move. This wasn't right. I quickly stepped between him and Mei. "Oh, oh…?" He let out a foolish sound, surprised by my sudden interference. I didn't miss the opening and continued, "Sir, is there a problem?"
"Oh, oh, ahem, it’s nothing, I just have a good opportunity and need some money, and since my wife was just watching, I gave her a piece of my mind. If things go wrong, wouldn't it be the wife's fault?"
'Does this bastard have no conscience? How is that her fault?'
"How much do you need?"
Thinking he’d found a source of money, his face brightened. "About five nyang would be nice… how about a generous hwan?"
'Is a hwan some neighborhood dog's name?' But for now, sending him away was the priority. It wasn't like I was short on funds… Mei, who was behind me, shouted, "Gihu, no! He’s just going to spend it on alcohol and gambling!"
"You bitch!!"
He tried to lunge at Mei, but I blocked him, preventing him from getting close. Seeing him ready to resort to violence over the slightest disagreement, I could tell how much Mei had suffered. "I’m fine. Sir, take this."
"Thanks!"
As soon as he took the money, he glared at Mei and said, "You just wait." He looked at her with a disgusting expression for a moment, but he seemed happy at the thought of using the money I gave him for drink and gambling, so he hurried off. His face was full of smiles. "Hehehe… wait for me! I’m coming!"
'Wow… is he that happy? I still have plenty of funds, but once I leave this village, the first thing I should do is raid the copper treasury.' With this, it was certain the husband would be at the gambling den until at least tomorrow morning. I stared blankly at the back of the husband—no, that bastard—as he left in high spirits. The happy expression, the unhesitating steps. I hadn't expected him to speak like that. The memory of her being happy when I gave her perfume in the past must have been a trick of nostalgia. I felt the last shred of hope in my heart disappear. So, the relationship improvement was just my own delusion…
"Mei?"
I lifted my head at the gentle voice calling me and looked at him. A confident face, blue eyes that seemed to pull me in. Seeing myself reflected in those eyes, I felt my heart beating faster and faster. Naturally, I began to compare the man in front of me with that bastard. 'What am I thinking? How ridiculous, how ridiculous…'
"…Gihu, thank you so much for helping me just now."
"Don't mention it. I should have stepped in sooner, but I hesitated because I was worried about what might happen to you if I intervened. I’m sorry."
How could he be so perfect… every word and action was designed to win my favor. How wonderful it would be to have a man like this by my side…
"It’s fine… thank you."
"I’m embarrassed. Let’s stop talking about this."
"I’m just sorry… sigh, because of that bastard."
Hatred was etched into her eyes as she thought of her husband. For Mei to react like this… what had I done? I couldn't have done this even if I tried! To turn the heart of a woman who had been devoted despite being despised until now… if this was a talent, then it was a talent indeed. I was truly dumbfounded. It had only been two days, but the result was understandable given the bastard's behavior. She must have reached the limit of her patience. It was amazing that Mei had stayed by his side until now.
'Should I just do it?'
"Mei, if that’s the case, please go on a date with me today."
"Eh, e-eh? W-well…"
Mei blushed, looking shy. "Don't think too deeply about it. It’s good for you that you helped me, and it’s good for me to get a tour of the village. It’s killing two birds with one stone."
"Y-yes… I understand."
"Then shall we go?"
I took her hand and led her away. The destination is… the bedroom.