SWNOVELXO Chapter 156
Chapter 156: Mushy Mushy
At the age of 62, the top figure of the Evil Faction is partaking in the Post-Stimulation Indicator tournament as a side character.
Is this really a good idea?
Cognitive dissonance is hitting hard.
“Chew chew. What’s wrong with you, my friend?”
Hong Chwi-gae, who was munching on snacks, asked me while staring.
I shook my head.
Well, there are merits to Jeoksawol’s arrival. The current Demon Sect is truly an unknown territory. Even in my past life, I had never set foot in the Demon Sect even once.
There’s the physical distance, of course, but the Demon Sect holds a grudge against the imperial court that drove them out of the Central Plains, making it even more so.
The imperial court considers the Demon Sect a potential enemy and has been diligently gathering intel, but since the Demon Sect is a closed-off organization, the information available is bound to be limited.
Moreover, according to Sinseung, the influence of Hyeolgyo (Blood Sect) still lingers in the Demon Sect.
For now, Jeoksawol is an ally of the Heavenly Alliance and a master of Unfathomable Techniques, so handling unexpected situations should be easy.
With that in mind, it doesn’t seem bad to use her as insurance.
“······No, but why exactly are the Evil Sect’s Post-Stimulation Indicators coming to Gansu?”
Gansu Province is indeed near Xinjiang, where the Demon Sect is located, and it borders the Heavenly Mountains.
The Silk Road trade route starting from Dunhuang in Gansu travels via Xinjiang and the Heavenly Mountains to Central Asia and Persia.
It’s no wonder Gongdong Mountain is a crucial military stronghold against Xiyong (Western Barbarians).
However, Qinghai would’ve been closer to the Demon Sect. After all, it wasn’t a coincidence that they attacked the Kunlun Sect when the Demon Sect invaded the Central Plains.
The case from 50 years ago when they feigned movement towards Kunlun and ambushed Gongdong was just an odd anomaly.
Yet, why are they coming to Gansu instead of Qinghai?
“They say they’re coming to join this little hero and You Little Hero heading toward the Demon Sect, representing the White Path Martial World. It’s been a while since we got that information, so by now, they should be arriving.”
“Normally, working with the Evil Faction would be unthinkable, but going to the Demon Sect is a special case… I should meet them at the main base of the faction once,” I said.
Naturally, the orthodox and evil factions don’t get along. However, it’s different when dealing with the Demon Sect. There have been instances of temporary cooperation against the Demon Sect, so what I said isn’t particularly strange.
“Understood. Then I will convey your message to the Evil Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicators.”
Upon hearing my words, Hong Chwi-gae stood up.
After sending off Hong Chwi-gae, I informed my master that I had invited the Evil Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicators, and my master accepted my proposal.
And just a few days later, they arrived at Gongdong Sect.
*
On the day they arrived at Gongdong Sect.
That day, I was diligently practicing squats and the Horse Stance in front of the mountain gate.
Even though I had already reached an exceptional level, I never skipped my external training.
A healthy body houses a healthy mind! Inner power merely assists in Cloud and Rain Pleasure; the true power of the body is the foundation of Cloud and Rain Pleasure.
So, I couldn’t afford to skip the solid lower body training. As I continued to repeat squats, I sensed an unfamiliar presence in the distance. Could it be Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon?
To complete my daily training, I kept squatting and soon started to make out a figure at the base of the mountain.
A black bob cut made a striking impression, that after two years had grown from a somewhat boyish smile to an emerging beauty clad in black martial attire—Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon.
And,
There was a smaller figure than Wi Soryeon, who almost looked like a 15-year-old, sporting long twin-tails in a splendid palace outfit.
No way.
Could it be?
I inwardly shouted, “No way!” as I began the final set of squats. Swish. Like a martial artist, with a swift move, Wi Soryeon had reached me in no time.
“Well, it’s been a while.”
Seeing the beads of sweat from my rewarding training, Wi Soryeon’s face flushed slightly. I had no idea why that was happening.
“First time seeing external training, huh?”
“The external training is as remarkable as ever. Lee Cheol-soo.”
Wi Soryeon, catching my gaze, averted her eyes as she spoke.
I finished my last squat and wiped the sweat from my neck with a towel as I responded.
“Didn’t we promise you’d call me brother?”
“Ugh!?”
Wi Soryeon flinched at my words.
Her ears turned red.
“Have you already forgotten our promise after not seeing me for two years? Or did you think I’d let that slide?”
The Martial World values the settling of debts thoroughly.
To become a great warrior, even the smallest favor must be repaid twice over, and grievances must be repaid in kind.
And two years ago, during the Orthodox Faction Competition, Wi Soryeon lost. As repayment for that defeat, she was supposed to call me ‘brother,’ so if she’s still a martial artist, she should call me ‘brother’ without forgetting that promise.
“Th-That’s…”
Flustered, Wi Soryeon stammered as her body trembled.
While wearing black martial clothes with a silver dragon embroidery representing Heukryongbang, she tightly clenched her fist at that moment.
“Soryeon Unni! What’s got you so embarrassed?!”
A little girl with black and red two-tone hair tied in twin-tails stared at Wi Soryeon, puffing up her cheeks.
The mysterious girl was under 160 cm, while Wi Soryeon towered over her at over 175 cm, akin to a model.
“W-What’s embarrassing? I’m not feeling any such emotions!”
Wi Soryeon vehemently denied it, her face red.
“Hmm. Sis Wi, is that really true? Then would it be okay if I called you brother as well?”
The pink-eyed little girl turned her gaze towards me.
Jeoksawol might not be as tall as Wi Soryeon, but she’s a slender beauty close to 170 cm.
In contrast, the little girl in front of me was under 160 cm and, significantly, her chest size was a different story. Jeoksawol was close to overflowing, whereas the little girl barely reached the borderline of being ‘well-endowed.’
Though it was large for her frame, it was nothing compared to Jeoksawol’s size. But the Evil Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicator surely must be Yeo Sowol. There’s no way I could be wrong, having confirmed this directly from the Beggar Sect.
Could it be that Jeoksawol used the Bone-Wasting Technique on herself to reduce her size? Plus, her speaking style was different. Neungwolhyang and Ye Yeoryeong were similar enough to Jeoksawol’s original manner of speaking.
But Yeo Sowol was different. She used a typical refined lady’s manner of speaking.
Could it really be Jeoksawol?
Is that truly something a 62-year-old human would do? Of course, disguises and acting are foundational skills for a spy. But isn’t this just too much?
“Th-That’s…”
While I pondered all this, Wi Soryeon, still flustered, looked back at me to say,
“······O, brother······ is it okay?!”
After calling me brother, with her sleeves rolled up, Wi Soryeon got a bit huffy.
I chuckled, watching her.
“Yeah, good job. Keep doing that from now on. If you feel wronged, you should’ve won the Orthodox Faction Competition then.”
“Ugh······.”
Upon hearing my words, Wi Soryeon lowered her flushed face.
She had no retort for me either. I shifted my gaze towards the Post-Stimulation Indicator girl who was suspected to be Jeoksawol.
When our eyes met, the girl’s face turned red as she hid behind Wi Soryeon.
What’s with this?
“I heard there’s an Evil Faction Post-Stimulation Indicator accompanying Wi Soja on this trip to the Demon Sect. The now-master of Baek Myeon-am-gun, known as the rising star in Jiangnan, is it possible that Soja is the one known as Yeo Sowol?”
According to the code of ethics in the martial world, I attempted to introduce myself to Jeoksawol.
Upon hearing my words, Jeoksawol’s face flushed slightly, and she stepped out from behind Wi Soryeon, bowing respectfully as she spoke.
“Indeed, that’s correct. I am Yeo Sowol, the junior of Master Baek Myeon-am-gun, who is known among the followers of the Evil Faction as Huibong.”
With a charming smile, she respectfully greeted me.
So,
The name Yeo Sowol means that this little beauty in front of me is indeed Jeoksawol?
I was left utterly speechless.
“Thank you for inviting me to Gongdong Sect. Hehe. Actually, I have been fanatical about you since the Orthodox Faction Competition!”
Thud.
Jeoksawol grabbed my hands, her eyes gleaming.
Fanaticism?
And what’s with that infuriating tone? Does she wish to express that as she ages? My stomach started to churn even more.
“A-Um, thank you.”
“Hehe. I was captivated by your audacious and bold swordsmanship to the extent of the term ‘dual-colored swordplay’ being coined!”
Covering her mouth and giggling, Jeoksawol said.
I couldn’t understand what part there was to be enamored with.
At this point, isn’t she just spewing random words?
While harboring reasonable doubts, I led them towards the Gongdong Sect’s Mountain Gate.
“Welcome to our faction. Allow me to guide you to the Reception Hall. Seomun Cheong-ha!”
As I called out with a voice that carried my essence, Seomun Cheong-ha quickly ran over, landing gently in front of me with her graceful movements.
“Hmph! What is it this time?”
Dressed in extravagant martial attire matched for a personal attendant, Seomun Cheong-ha spoke in her usual curt tone.
“You have guests. Take them to the Reception Hall.”
“······Hmph! I see! So that’s the deal!”
Pouting in response to my words, Seomun Cheong-ha turned her head away.
What on earth was she expecting?
Seomun Cheong-ha’s gaze collided with that of Heuksaryong’s for a brief moment.
Now that I think about it, they surprisingly knew each other.
She had also witnessed the Orthodox Faction Competition.
Besides, they both endured the humiliation of losing to me; one now being a personal attendant, and the other having to call me brother for life.
“Everyone, follow me! I’ll show you to the Reception Hall!”
Seomun Cheong-ha stepped forward with quick strides.
I followed behind her, leading Jeoksawol and Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon. Soon, we arrived at the Reception Hall.
“Is this the Reception Hall? It’s like heaven has turned to chaos.”
The Reception Hall, which had been thoroughly renovated and restored to perfection, elicited a low murmur from Wi Soryeon.
After all, it was her first visit to Gongdong Sect in two years since the Orthodox Faction Competition. The Reception Hall she remembered must’ve looked like a haunted house, so her reaction was understandable.
“Hmph! The Gongdong Sect you imagined and the current Gongdong Sect are completely different!”
Seomun Cheong-ha countered after observing her reaction. Wait, isn’t she from the Seomun family? Why such pride in Gongdong Sect?
“Come in.”
Ignoring Seomun Cheong-ha’s words, Wi Soryeon looked at me and spoke. Seomun Cheong-ha pouted at the fact her words had been disregarded.
Arriving in the guest room of the Reception Hall, I placed the refreshments prepared by Seomun Cheong-ha on the table and sat down across from the two.
“Welcome to our faction. To get straight to the point, the date and participants for the Demon Sect trip have been decided…”
Just as I was about to speak,
“This little hero!”
Jeoksawol interrupted me.
What on earth does she want to say now? Just when I was feeling puzzled,
Thud.
Jeoksawol grabbed my hand, blushing shyly, and said,
“…I, in truth, have feelings for you. I want to be your woman!”
What?