Chapter 29: Who?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: Who?
“...Sit. We still have more to discuss.”
Her voice was so cold, it felt as if a winter wind had blown in from somewhere.
Bu Yeon-ha’s eyes, fixed on me, held a mix of incomprehension and a hint of anger.
But I didn’t sit. I remained standing, staring straight back at Bu Yeon-ha.
“I already told you I have nothing more to say.”
“...”
“...”
A silent standoff.
Neither of us carried weapons, but the trained body of a martial artist was a weapon in itself.
Moreover, we were close enough to reach each other with an outstretched hand.
‘If it comes to a physical confrontation…’
I tensed my body slightly, preparing for the worst.
Because the person before me was a martial artist so well-trained, it was hard to believe she’d retired from the front lines due to an injury.
“Hmph—”
Bu Yeon-ha broke the silence first, letting out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry. I got a little carried away.”
What am I doing, acting like this with a kid…? Bu Yeon-ha muttered to herself, her intensity softening.
Then she rose from her seat and offered me a polite Fist Salute.
“I formally apologize. I never intended to threaten you.”
“I accept your apology. I won’t bring this up again later.”
“...Thank you.”
Her mind seemed incredibly complex; the relaxed, gentle smile that had always graced Bu Yeon-ha’s face vanished, replaced by a stiff, expressionless look.
‘That’s probably her usual expression.’
Personally, I thought this look suited her much better as a martial artist.
Bu Yeon-ha asked me once more.
“Are you really refusing?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t want to change the terms? Let me know if there’s anything you want. We’re not saying it has to be these exact terms for the contract.”
Bu Yeon-ha said she would try to adjust the contract, taking my requests into maximum consideration.
At this point, I couldn’t understand why she was showing me so much interest, but my answer remained unchanged.
“I don’t need anything.”
I looked straight into Bu Yeon-ha’s eyes, clearly conveying my intentions.
“And I haven’t been contacted by any of the Eight Great Sects besides the Changcheon Sword Sect. I’m not trying to weigh different offers; I simply have no desire to join any sect.”
“...Strangely, hearing that makes me feel a little relieved.”
Bu Yeon-ha nodded, as if finally accepting it.
Then she picked up her briefcase and said, “I’m sorry if I took up your training time. Shall I drive you home?”
“It’s fine. I’ll go by myself.”
I refused, knowing she’d obviously try to subtly meet my parents if we went home together.
And so, we left the cafe together.
Even as Bu Yeon-ha got into her limousine, she offered me a ride, and I refused once more.
“Um, Team Leader.”
But then, I suddenly grew curious.
What if the situation earlier had escalated into a physical confrontation…?
Imagining the worst-case scenario that hadn’t happened, I couldn’t suppress my curiosity and spoke.
“If it’s not too rude, may I ask just one thing?”
“Sure. Ask anything you like.”
Her face showed a hint of expectation, but what I was curious about wasn’t related to the contract.
“How strong would you say you are within the Changcheon Sword Sect, given your skill, Team Leader?”
“What…?”
She wore an expression that asked, ‘Why are you curious about that?’, but soon answered readily.
“I’m a First-Rate Expert in the later stages. I’ve been with the Changcheon Sword Sect for five years, and though it sounds like bragging, I was one of the most promising talents among my peers. Even though I’ve moved to the Scout Team due to an injury… I’d say I’m at least above average, wouldn’t you agree?”
I could tell her words were a mix of confidence and humility.
“And…”
She hesitated for a moment, looking as if she was debating whether to speak, then continued.
It seemed her intention was to leave me with the best possible impression of the Changcheon Sword Sect.
“Once my injury is fully healed, I plan to return to the sword division. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m slacking off in my current work. I always give my best to my duties on the Scout Team.”
“It seems so.”
Though it was a short time, the Bu Yeon-ha I saw seemed like someone passionate about her work.
So much so that my image of the Changcheon Sword Sect had improved slightly because of her.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Yes. Fully.”
No wonder she seemed excessively strong for someone not part of the martial force.
Bu Yeon-ha was an elite talent who had followed an elite path even within the Changcheon Sword Sect.
Her Musculature was clearly top-tier at a glance, and her Constitution must have been at least Grade 2.
“You don’t mean…”
Noticing something in my satisfied expression, Bu Yeon-ha narrowed her eyes and looked at me.
“I’ve been meeting people every day since I joined the Scout Team, you know? After nearly three years of meeting martial artists, I can pretty much tell what they’re thinking just by their expressions.”
“And?”
“You’re thinking you could probably hold your own against me right now, aren’t you? Am I right?”
…Her perceptiveness is astounding.
Of course, I feigned ignorance, shaking my head as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’
“Not at all. With my skill, I don’t think I’d be any match for you, Team Leader.”
“Well, not that much…”
“In a Betting Duel, that is.”
“What?”
“Well then, I’ll be going now!”
I bowed my head quickly, turned, and started running.
Soon, an exasperated voice came from behind me.
“Wait a minute. You can’t hold your own in a Betting Duel? Hey! What do you mean by that?!”
I pretended not to hear her voice and ran towards home.
*
“What kind of kid is that?”
Left alone, Bu Yeon-ha replayed the conversation she’d had with Ki Mu-hyeok in her car.
Until now, whenever she negotiated contracts with Rising Stars, she had never once lost the initiative to the other party.
Even arrogant Grade 1 Constitution Rising Stars would change their tune once they heard her name.
—Bu, Bu Yeon-ha? Didn’t you pass the License Exam with top honors back then?
—The one from the Changcheon Sword Sect…!
From then on, negotiations would naturally become smooth.
But Ki Mu-hyeok seemed to have no idea who she was.
Bu Yeon-ha muttered self-deprecatingly.
“Five years is quite a long time… But still, Bu Yeon-ha, you’ve really lost your touch, haven’t you?”
What’s more, what Ki Mu-hyeok said before leaving was even more outrageous.
“‘Can’t hold my own in a Betting Duel’? So he means it would be different in a real fight, doesn’t he?”
A hollow laugh escaped her, realizing she’d been thoroughly outmaneuvered.
Just a few years ago, she was the most promising Rising Star in the Changcheon Sword Sect.
Though she was currently working on the Scout Team until her internal injuries healed, she was such an outstanding talent that she was mentioned as a candidate for the next Sect Leader, and was called the future of the Changcheon Sword Sect.
“I wanted to recruit one last promising junior before returning to the sword division…”
Bu Yeon-ha was a perfectionist in everything she did.
Just because she planned to return to the sword division soon didn’t mean she ever slacked off on her Scout Team duties.
On the contrary, thanks to the incredible achievements she made as soon as she joined the Scout Team, she was promoted to Team Leader within a year.
And the only failure Bu Yeon-ha had experienced since joining this team was the recruitment of Ki Mu-hyeok just now.
Of course, she herself didn’t consider it a failure yet.
Zzzzt—
Just then, her smartphone vibrated.
Bu Yeon-ha checked the [Grandpa] displayed on the screen and pouted.
Then she answered the call.
“You’re spying on me, aren’t you? How did you know my meeting just ended?”
Her voice was a grumble, like a complaint.
It was a completely different side from the flawless martial artist Ki Mu-hyeok had seen.
Then, from beyond the smartphone, a warm, elderly voice was heard.
[Your voice doesn’t sound good. Was he less impressive than you thought, after meeting him in person?]
Bu Yeon-ha frowned for a moment, then spoke honestly.
“No. He was more than I expected. So much so that I felt greedy, wanting to take him on as my personal disciple, if you’d allow it, Grandpa.”
[Oh? Then isn’t that a good thing?]
“It didn’t go well. I was rejected.”
[You, Yeon-ha, failed to scout someone?]
Bu Yeon-ha bristled at the word ‘failure’ and glared at her smartphone as she spoke.
“It wasn’t a failure. It was just the first meeting, and there were some points that needed negotiation. Sect. Leader.”
Changing her address from ‘Grandpa’ to ‘Sect Leader,’ she briefly summarized her conversation with Ki Mu-hyeok.
[I had a hunch after watching the video, but he’s no ordinary person. Did you tell him I was interested?]
She had told Ki Mu-hyeok that one of the Changcheon Sword Sect’s elders was interested, but in truth, it wasn’t an elder but the Sect Leader himself who was interested.
An elder showing interest and the Sect Leader showing interest were on completely different levels.
Because if he became a direct disciple of the Sect Leader, it meant he could be a candidate for the next Sect Leader.
‘But with a Grade 4 Constitution, the chances of mastering the Changcheon Sword Technique are extremely low. I only did it to avoid giving him false hope…’
Bu Yeon-ha briefly regretted whether she should have been honest from the start, but soon shook her head.
“I didn’t mention that. I judged that mentioning an elder would be sufficient. And… it’s just my guess, but I think the outcome would have been the same even if I’d said the Sect Leader.”
Recalling Ki Mu-hyeok’s unwavering expression, Bu Yeon-ha was certain his mind wouldn’t have changed.
[I like him even more. The Korean Martial needs spirited youngsters like him!]
From beyond the smartphone, she sensed a hint of suppressed laughter.
[So, in your opinion, is he the kind of child worth bringing into the main sect, even if it means raising the contract terms?]
“This is just my gut feeling, but…”
Recalling her meeting with Ki Mu-hyeok once more, Bu Yeon-ha said with a meaningful smile.
“I have a feeling that this might be the time when Ki Mu-hyeok’s name is most undervalued.”
[No need to hear more. If that’s your judgment, then raise the terms.]
“I don’t think mere terms will be enough. I’ll take my time and try to persuade him.”
[Alright. I’ll trust you and wait.]
After ending the call with the Sect Leader, Bu Yeon-ha started the limousine.
Then she opened her tablet and began reviewing the information on Ki Mu-hyeok from the beginning again.
“That kid really sparks my competitive spirit.”
She had no intention of rushing to contact him again immediately.
After all, if the Changcheon Sword Sect couldn’t do it, no other Eight Great Sect would be able to persuade Ki Mu-hyeok.
“Because I’m a woman who doesn’t know how to give up.”
Bu Yeon-ha muttered that their next meeting would be different from today’s, and began rewatching Ki Mu-hyeok’s video on her tablet.
*
Late at night.
Choi Geon went up to the rooftop and gazed in the direction Ki Mu-hyeok had left, after saying, “See you tomorrow!”
“...Looks like he won’t be coming.”
Choi Geon muttered in a bitter voice.
He, too, had watched the video on YouTube of Ki Mu-hyeok fighting Yaksha Sword.
‘For a kid without even a license to show such potential…’
Since Choi Geon knew the Eight Great Sects well, it wasn’t hard to guess what had happened to Ki Mu-hyeok afterward.
Surely, several of the Eight Great Sects would have shown interest in the boy, and if they moved quickly, they would have already made contact.
‘They’ll offer irresistible terms, trying to bring him into their sect.’
Considering the prestige of the Eight Great Sects and what they could offer, even someone with no prior inclination would be swayed.
Compared to that, all an old, washed-up swordsman could offer was a few lessons.
Even if Ki Mu-hyeok had changed his mind overnight and joined one of the Eight Great Sects, he had no intention of blaming the boy.
‘In fact, for the boy’s future, that would be the right thing to do.’
However, the sense of loneliness in his heart was something he couldn’t help.
“...It’s quite chilly. Winter will come early this year.”
Choi Geon, muttering to himself while looking up at the night sky, came down from the rooftop and sat cross-legged in his living room.
The sword honed within his heart wavered restlessly today, but he focused his mind, trying to calmly control his body and spirit.
Just then, he startled and opened his eyes.
“What?”
Because he felt Ki Mu-hyeok’s presence not far away.
But he wasn’t alone; he was approaching with two unfamiliar presences.
Could he have revealed his location to the Eight Great Sects?
“Surely not…”
Choi Geon uncrossed his legs, slowly stood up, and picked up the back scratcher lying to one side.
For a moment, the old swordsman’s eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
A moment later, Ki Mu-hyeok and the two unfamiliar presences stopped in front of the villa.
And then, he felt Ki Mu-hyeok alone ascending the stairs.
‘Has he come to say a final goodbye? Or is he trying to sell me out to the Eight Great Sects?’
Choi Geon turned his head and briefly looked at the side dish container on the sink, which he had washed clean to return.
Knock-knock—
“Master. Are you inside?”
“It’s open.”
The front door opened, and the confident boy from yesterday stood there, looking somewhat uncomfortable as he gazed at him.
“I apologize for visiting so late.”
“...”
Choi Geon deliberately watched Ki Mu-hyeok apologize to him with an indifferent expression.
Though they hadn’t formally established a master-disciple relationship, it was a talent he had wanted to teach just one last time.
If he had known he would feel such profound disappointment in just a single day… he would never have let him into his heart.
Choi Geon let out a low sigh and said, “...If you have something to say, say it.”
Ki Mu-hyeok clearly seemed to be glancing nervously at someone.
The cause was undoubtedly the unfamiliar presences waiting downstairs.
“Well…”
Which sect, indeed, had swayed this child’s heart?
The Golden Glory Sect, whose hobby was buying up Rising Stars with chaebol money?
The Changcheon Sword Sect, arrogant in their belief that they were the best with the sword?
Or perhaps the Taiji Sword Sect, which needed to expand its influence within the Alliance…
Just as Choi Geon was recalling the faces of those who had raised their voices to expel him from the Martial Alliance, one by one.
The hesitant Ki Mu-hyeok said with an embarrassed expression, “My parents are waiting outside right now.”
“...What?”
“They insisted on meeting you, Master, so they came along. Could you please meet them just once?”
“Who?”
“My parents.”
Choi Geon’s eyes widened, and he hastily began looking around his messy room.