LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 48
Chapter 48: Morning Energy Training
Before I knew it, the sun had set and the moon was rising in the evening.
In a remote corner near the restroom of the Gongdong Sect Main Base, Yujinhwi was facing Seoharin.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Yujinhwi had been worried that the disciple who went to the restroom was taking too long.
Afraid something might have happened, she decided to check on the disciple herself.
However, what Yujinhwi discovered was the sight of the disciple and Seoharin engaged in a conversation.
Upon seeing this, Yujinhwi instinctively suppressed her presence.
“······Tonight, at this gentleman’s quarters······.”
“······the esteemed partner of the gentleman······.”
Hearing bits of Seoharin’s words through her senses made Yujinhwi bite her lip.
Partner.
For her, endowed with the heavenly curse that made it impossible to bear children as a woman, such a position was something she could never even dream of.
No one in the world would welcome a barren woman as a partner.
Thus, she couldn’t live as a woman for her entire life.
Realizing this fact while looking at Seoharin hit her hard.
Although she had prepared herself for it, still······.
Yujinhwi bit her lip upon seeing the gleam in Seoharin’s eyes.
With platinum blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, Seoharin was a rare beauty even in Yujinhwi’s eyes.
Any man would covet her as a partner.
Looking at her figure, it seemed she could easily bear children if she matured.
“Yujin-gentleman?”
“What did you talk about with the disciple?”
Yujinhwi spoke while suppressing the emotions that were bubbling up inside her.
As the future leader of the Gongdong Sect, she shouldn’t be swayed by personal feelings.
She thought so, but she kept breaking down in front of Seoharin.
“Well, that is······.”
Seoharin trailed off.
Although she couldn’t cook, she possessed almost every skill except that, making her close to a jack-of-all-trades.
Yujinhwi had been particularly fixated on Lee Cheol-soo. Moreover, Seoharin had developed an inexplicable sticky sentiment for Yujinhwi.
Yujinhwi began to change after meeting the disciple.
Adding onto that, the gaze in which Seoharin scrutinized Yujinhwi was the reason she refrained from making any business proposals to her.
From her perspective, if Yujinhwi revealed everything about her conversation with Lee Cheol-soo, it could stimulate Yujinhwi’s inner demons.
That wasn’t what Seoharin hoped for.
If the martial arts contest ended with a victory for the Gongdong Sect, Seoharin was nearly determined to join the sect.
For that to happen, Yujinhwi had to perform well in the contest. Furthermore, she needed to maintain a good relationship with Yujinhwi, who would become her senior disciple in the future.
However, Yujinhwi had shown a tendency to become sensitive whenever the topic of the disciple or Lee Cheol-soo came up.
So she decided to speak as gently as possible.
“······the girl said she wishes to become your partner.”
Partner.
She had guessed it, but hearing the word she didn’t want to struck Yujinhwi’s heart with turbulent waves.
Yujinhwi clenched her fist.
‘Partner, is it?’
And that too, suggested first by Seoharin rather than the disciple.
Why?
Why at a time like this······.
As numerous thoughts raced through Yujinhwi’s mind, Seoharin added on.
“However, this gentleman rejected the girl’s proposal… saying a woman should not fully entrust her fate to her husband.”
He rejected it.
Upon hearing that fact, Yujinhwi’s expression slightly eased.
Her heart skipped a beat.
‘Indeed, the disciple… isn’t easily swayed by temptation!’
Any ordinary man would have succumbed to Seoharin’s proposal.
But the disciple was different.
The disciple would not be shaken by a woman’s allure.
‘Disciple······. Sorry for doubting you······.’
Just as Yujinhwi was reflecting on her momentary doubt of the disciple, Seoharin’s voice reached her ears.
“The gentleman said that even as a woman, one can determine their own fate. If the girl wishes to forge her destiny, he advised her to join the Gongdong Sect after the martial arts competition. He said your esteemed family and master wouldn’t oppose it…”
Joining the Gongdong Sect.
Upon hearing these words, Yujinhwi’s eyes widened briefly before settling down.
The disciple was right.
If Seoharin wanted to join, then Seo Da-in and the master would also not oppose it.
Long before the disciple suggested the solution of the martial arts competition, both Seo Da-in and the master had decided to let Seoharin enter the Gongdong Sect.
Moreover, the Gongdong Inn, while it operates as a branch, was essentially the last cash flow for the collapsing Gongdong Sect—a family-like existence. Yujinhwi had no reason to oppose Seoharin’s inclusion.
“That makes sense.”
Thus, Yujinhwi could only nod her head in agreement.
Following the disciple, now she would have a junior sister.
If it were a year ago when she was training alone in the Gongdong Sect, she might have purely rejoiced. But not now.
The only reason the disciple rejected Seoharin’s proposal and suggested joining was this.
‘Once again, it’s for the sake of the sect.’
Rebuilding the sect couldn’t be achieved solely by becoming an absolute expert herself.
The reason the Gu File Bans were still called reputable sects despite lacking absolute experts was because of the traditions of the sect and the seniors who protected it, along with countless disciples who followed them.
Thus, to rebuild the sect, they had to open the gates and accept disciples.
However, currently, no one was willing to join the Gongdong Sect.
Perhaps even if they won the martial arts contest, the real talents might avoid entering the Gongdong Sect.
In that sense, even if she didn’t have martial skills, Seoharin’s trustworthiness was proven, and her diligent personality made her a valuable asset.
The disciple must have seen through this point.
‘The disciple······. Doesn’t act for himself.’
It had been a year, yet still.
A bitter smile crept onto Yujinhwi’s face.
Indeed, without a senior disciple, the disciple couldn’t do without her.
“······Do you find me unsatisfactory, Yujin-gentleman?”
But even so.
Yujinhwi felt a bit awkward about Seoharin.
Of course, if she accepted her as her junior sister, she would have to treat her well, but her affection didn’t match that of the disciple.
Marriages between junior and senior siblings were relatively common.
Besides, Seoharin, unlike herself, was a proper woman who could bear children.
Right now, the disciple may have repelled Seoharin’s seduction, but could he continue doing that once she became his junior sister?
‘······No way.’
Imagining the sight of the disciple and Seoharin together, Yujinhwi’s hands trembled.
She didn’t want to see such a scene.
Indeed, Seoharin still lacked the qualification to become the disciple’s partner.
Even if she became a junior sister.
But there was no way to prevent her from becoming a junior sister, so the only option was to verify whether she had the qualifications to be the disciple’s woman as a senior sister.
Yujinhwi thought this way and said with a trembling voice.
“Of course not. It’s not like you’re not a person; if it’s Seoharin’s entry, it’s always welcome.”
Seoharin lowered her head.
“Thank you.”
But she didn’t miss the flicker of countless worries passing through Yujinhwi’s gaze.
‘Indeed······.’
Something’s off.
Just as Seoharin thought that, Yujinhwi announced to her, “Tomorrow, I will depart for Lanzhou with the disciple.”
“You’re going to the Seomun Family.”
“Right. Since it will be a long journey, Seoharin, make sure to stay safe here with the master.”
“Understood. I will serve the esteemed family well.”
As Yujinhwi turned to leave after hearing Seoharin’s words, a smile graced her lips.
Seoharin couldn’t join this journey as she hadn’t trained in martial arts.
Thus, the journey to the Seomun Family would only involve Yujinhwi and the disciple.
It felt like a victory.
Thinking that made her heart flutter.
“Well then, I will take my leave.”
After saying her goodbyes, Yujinhwi leaped away, disappearing as the sound of whoosh followed.
—
The next morning, after Wi Soryeon had visited and shared a deep conversation with Seoharin.
As always, I felt the pleasant heaviness of the world’s energy, and combined with Kegel exercises, I rose from my seat to take a meditative posture.
“Hmm, haah.”
Upon executing the morning energy training, the natural energy that flowed in through my breath coursed through my meridians following the Minor Yang Heart Method.
Thud!
I started the Energy Circulation Method along with the Kegel exercise.
The stimulated pelvic floor muscles meeting the Minor Yang Heart Method’s yang energy flooded me with vitality from the morning.
Feeling a pleasant stretch, I completed my exercises and stood up from my place.
‘Indeed, morning is for energy training.’
All the fatigue was swept away, leaving me feeling refreshed.
I checked the bundle I had packed the day before, and just as I was about to gather my thoughts and open the door…
“Did you cough, esteemed gentleman?”
Creak.
As the door opened, Seoharin’s doll-like face appeared before me.
Since I had already sensed her presence, I didn’t panic and greeted her.
“Yes. Did you sleep well last night, Seoharin?”
“Yes.”
Seoharin bowed her head.
“I heard you’re leaving for Lanzhou today.”
“Yes. Is there anything you wish for?”
Lanzhou City is the largest city in Gansu Province, where all goods from Gansu gather.
There’s no comparison with Hwajeong County, which is no more than a rural marketplace.
“······Nothing in particular.”
“Got it.”
I put on my shoes and stepped out to the porch.
There were many things I needed to do before I left.
I needed to say goodbye to the master, and moreover, there were tasks to handle before visiting the Seomun Family.
“Yujin-gentleman.”
Just as I was about to tidy my clothes one last time before departing.
Seoharin’s voice called out from behind me.
I turned my head.
There stood the dazzlingly beautiful platinum blonde girl, shining under the morning sky.
A hint of vitality filled her otherwise vacant eyes.
Seoharin smiled faintly and bowed her head.
“Take care on your long journey, and have a safe trip.”
An awkward smile.
But it felt nice.
That’s right, people should smile and enjoy life.
I nodded while looking at her.
“Got it. You take care too.”
After finishing my greetings, I leaped towards Hyeoncheon Palace.
Upon reaching Hyeoncheon Palace, I encountered the disciple.
“Disciple, you’re late.”
Unlike usual, the disciple wore an oddly sulky expression.
Why the sudden shift?
“I’m sorry. I was chatting with Seoharin for a moment······.”
After hearing my words, the disciple kicked a stone on the road.
He looked at me and asked, “Seoharin? Oh, I see. What were you talking about…?”
Why the sudden interrogation?
I took a step back and replied, “We exchanged greetings. I told her to take care as I was leaving for a long journey…”
“I see… oh, got it.”
The disciple nodded at my words.
His face brightened up instantly.
I felt as if the weather changed from low-pressure to high-pressure suddenly.
I didn’t understand why he was acting like this.
Well, I didn’t need to understand the heart of a man in detail.
After all, he was merely a business partner.
Ignoring the disciple’s behavior, I said, “Then, disciple. Let’s go say goodbye to the master.”
“Understood.”
We headed into Hyeoncheon Palace to say our goodbyes to the master.
After we finished our farewells, I sent the disciple off, and in my private audience with the master, I obtained the personal letter I needed for my plans.
“Disciple! Hurry up!”
Carefully placing the letter into my bundle, I arrived at the gate, where the disciple was waving at me with a joyful expression.
“Let’s depart, disciple.”
Clap!
As I spoke after momentarily pausing beside him, the disciple nodded with a smile.
“Yeah!”
At that moment, we both leaped down the mountain, beginning my first journey into the martial world.