LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 62
Chapter 62: I Will Make You My Woman
The moment Lee Cheol-soo’s declaration echoed through the Martial Arts Arena, a death-like silence hung in the air.
Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.
No one among the gathered martial artists was unaware of the meaning behind the challenge to her.
Her words from thirty years ago at the Yongbong Society were just that legendary.
Even Jeonyeong, who usually maintained a stoic expression, along with Yujinhwi and Seomun Cheong-ha, and even the master of the Heuksaryongbang, Gwangma Dodgun, were all in shock.
But perhaps the most shocked was So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin, who idolized the master.
Her face turned pale, and her cheeks trembled.
“A challenge? Did that disciple from the Gongdong Sect just say he’s challenging the Master?”
“To propose a duel to the Master during the gathering of the righteous and the wicked!”
“I can’t believe it!”
“Has it really been years since someone dared to do this?”
Whispers started to fill the arena.
As silence began to shatter, murmurs of disbelief spread throughout the Martial Arts Arena.
Yet, Lee Cheol-soo’s expression remained unshaken.
His gaze was fixed directly on the master.
The master’s hands trembled slightly under his intense gaze.
‘A challenge.’
It was unimaginable.
In the last ten years, since she inherited the mantle of the headmaster of Hangshan Sect, no man had dared to challenge her.
That was partly because she was of an age past marriage, but more importantly, she was the headmaster of Hangshan Sect.
As a master of the Guji Palhwang, one could not recklessly issue a challenge for political reasons; an innocent personal issue could easily escalate into a conflict between sects.
No sect wanted to create bad blood with Hangshan Sect over a trivial challenge.
Ultimately, the only ones who could escape this freedom were the unmatched martial masters who roamed the world without sect affiliation, and among them, there wasn’t one master who could defeat her.
Her status as Hwakyung’s Mastery was merely icing on the cake. In the orthodox martial arts world, all masters of similar caliber were either married or adhered to vows of celibacy.
Even if a married master were to take her as his wife, they must secure her as a legitimate wife, not a secondary consort. Yet, due to the political nature of marriages in the martial arts world, this was virtually impossible.
Ten years without a challenger had evolved from a complex web of reasons.
Moreover, there was not a single man left who viewed her as a woman. All these circumstances made her feel like a flower on a cliff, someone not to be reached.
On top of that, she had unwillingly become the idol of all female masters in the martial world. To challenge her now would invite the ire of all the other women of the martial world.
At the age of 46, she was well past the age of marriage. In an era where women were expected to marry young and have many children, this was even more of a hindrance.
To the men of the orthodox martial world, she had become a toxic asset with no benefits.
Of course, she herself longed to leap over all those walls and await a worthy challenger to rescue her from her solitary hell.
But today.
A boy had thrown down the gauntlet at her.
‘Ah…’
Thump.
The frozen heart of the master began to race.
Of all the sects, it was the Gongdong Sect.
A sect that was at odds with Hangshan Sect. For such a disciple to publicly announce a challenge in a mixed gathering of good and evil was tantamount to declaring his ambition to marry her, the master of the martial world.
He disregarded all political obstacles and the risks that came with the challenge, boldly defying her while expressing his feelings.
How manly was such a confession?
Perhaps this situation was precisely what she had longed for.
The master’s hand trembled, quivering with joy.
Ten years.
It was the first challenger in ten long years.
She had prayed nightly, soaking her pillow, begging for someone, anyone, to challenge her.
In the master’s eyes, hers met Lee Cheol-soo’s.
Looks weren’t important. After living alone for thirty years, she had given up many ideals of appearance. She only wanted someone who felt human.
In truth, upon closer inspection, Lee Cheol-soo’s features were sharp, but he seemed rather good-looking as well.
What she valued most was his courage. A man who had the bravery to break through all obstacles and save the foolish girl, Eun Seol-ran, bound by her own declaration.
His eyes burned with youthful vigor. Just like she had thirty years ago in the Yongbong Society.
Her cheeks flushed. Just then, her breath quickened.
“W-What are you doing?! We haven’t even seen the duel’s results yet, and you dare to challenge the Master?! Do you know the weight of the word ‘challenge’? The Master is the head of our sect. Challenging her is equivalent to facing the entire sect! Are you intending to forge enmity with our sect? If it’s because I was rude earlier, I apologize, so please withdraw even now!”
Suddenly, Cheon Sobin, who had been sitting behind her, jumped to her feet and shouted.
“That’s right! This is nonsense! The Gongdong Sect was once part of the Gudaimun Sect, but is now a fallen faction! How can a disciple from such a sect issue a challenge?!”
“Does he even understand the Master’s standing to dare utter such a challenge? This is utterly ridiculous!”
The crowd stirred in agreement with Cheon Sobin’s words.
Seeing such reactions, the master felt a chill in her heart.
Twelve years ago, during a time when challengers numbered only one or two a year, the men who once attempted to challenge her had also retreated at words like these.
“The Master is a great elder of the orthodox martial world! Considering the hierarchy, he’s practically your senior! And you dare to challenge?”
So Geom-hu, Cheon Sobin, stood up, sneering as she gazed at Lee Cheol-soo.
Hearing her disciple’s words, the master sighed inwardly.
Of course.
That boy was likely just impulsively saying things driven by a moment of bravado.
Like all previous challengers, he would certainly hesitate because of their respective statuses.
Men tended to prefer younger women. Especially at that age, he’d likely fancy a girl closer to his own age, perhaps someone like Cheon Sobin, his disciple.
The mention of her senior put a metaphorical nail in the master’s heart.
The relationship between a master and a disciple was akin to that of a parent and child. Even though it wasn’t that sort of relationship, she felt like she was old enough to be Lee Cheol-soo’s mother.
If she had married earlier, she might have had a son just about his age.
‘Have I really become this old…?’
It was a reality she wished not to face.
If only she could turn back time; she would never have said such things back at the Yongbong Society.
At that moment, as dark clouds crossed her face, Lee Cheol-soo smiled.
“Of course I know. Cheon Sobin. To challenge the Master means that I intend to win against her and become her husband. This decision is not because of your rudeness. The two matters are separate. I am speaking seriously regarding this challenge.”
A silence fell again at Lee Cheol-soo’s words.
Life returned to the master’s eyes.
“My purpose is to rebuild the sect. I will become an adult, defeat the Master in this duel, restore the sect’s honor, and make Eun Seol-ran my woman. And what does age or status matter in a man and woman’s meeting, if their hearts are in sync? If one is a true man, he should understand how to embrace a woman entirely. Did you not say that age and status should not matter when issuing a challenge?”
Upon hearing Lee Cheol-soo’s declaration, Cheon Sobin’s expression drained of color.
On the contrary, the master’s heart began to race once more.
Neither age nor status mattered.
A true man would embrace a woman wholly.
Most importantly,
‘He said he will make me his woman…’
Her hands trembled.
What a long-absent, raw confession this was!
But that made it even more wonderful.
This boy, unlike other men, did not waver even after hearing reality.
He had boldly declared his challenge, disregarding the martial world hierarchies and merely wanting her.
More than anything, he was treating her as a woman.
That thought ignited a fire in the master’s heart.
“If in the process, it means facing all of Hangshan Sect, then yes, I would gladly do so. I actually wish for it. For the sake of restoring the sect’s honor… I will need to clear the enmity with Hangshan Sect to be recognized as the Master’s husband by the entire orthodox martial world. So, I have no intention of withdrawing my challenge.”
“B-But… Master! Shouldn’t you seek permission first?!”
Just as Cheon Sobin’s words came to an end, the master opened her mouth.
“Gongdong Sect’s disciple Lee Cheol-soo…”
Everyone fell silent at the master’s address.
Even Cheon Sobin, who had spoken as if she were the master, fell silent.
Even the crowd on the rogue side turned their gazes toward the master.
Her gaze met Lee Cheol-soo’s.
From the fiery look in his eyes, she could sense his desire for her.
A naked aspiration to claim her as a woman.
The determination to remove all obstacles in his path.
And the courage to disregard reality.
There he was, a challenger she thought she would never see again.
Her heart raced violently, fearing it might be heard outside.
With superhuman effort, the master controlled the blood rushing to her face, managing to suppress her blush.
This was it.
If not now, she might end up alone like that infamous Jeoksawol, living and dying without a partner.
She despised that potential ending.
She needed to seize this opportunity.
With such thoughts, the master spoke.
“… I will accept your challenge.”
Cheon Sobin’s face turned pale at the master’s words.
The entire arena stirred with confusion.
“The master is accepting a challenge? From a mere kid like him?”
“The compassion of the Master is as vast as the sea!”
“It’s clear he stands no chance against the Master!”
But the master’s ears were deaf to the murmurs around her.
All she could see was Lee Cheol-soo.
His face, his voice, continued to reverberate in her mind.
It was him.
The one who would challenge her once he came of age.
Her last opportunity.
The man who would become her husband.
‘What will I do now? I just said it out loud. What do I do? What if he can’t beat me even once he comes of age? Should I train him in swordplay? Or should I deliberately lose? Should I propose limiting our powers for the duel? How do I lose naturally? If this young lord becomes my husband, what should we do first…?’
Like a true master, countless thoughts rushed through her head even in this fleeting moment.
Already in her mind, she could picture herself after he became an adult, defeating her, and their lives together, raising children and living long together.
In her mind, she even envisioned their grandchildren.
Lee Cheol-soo took hold of his sword.
“Thank you, Master. Now I will prove it.”
Swish.
His sword, drawn from its sheath, glinted coldly in the sunlight.
“I will prove that I am worthy to be your husband. You there, disciple of the Heuksaryongbang, I yield the first strike to you. Come at me.”
“Hmph. How arrogant! You will regret it!”
Upon hearing Lee Cheol-soo offer his first strike, Jeong Ji-gyeong leaped onto the stage.
Jeong Ji-gyeong was feeling particularly irritable.
He had already looked down on the Gongdong Sect, and now this brat was not only challenging the Master but was treating himself like a mere opponent to prove himself?
A disciple from a crumbling sect dares to act like this?
“I will teach you your place!”
To yield the first strike, he would turn it into the sword’s grave and earn the favor of his respected master, the Heuksaryong.
Swoosh! Jeong Ji-gyeong vowed as he unleashed the Flying Dragon Transcendence, engaging his defensive technique.
At that moment, as the Nine Ultimate Dragon Cutting Blade’s indomitable energy surged forth, Lee Cheol-soo deftly used the Flowing Cloud and Water technique to gracefully evade Jeong Ji-gyeong’s attack.
Did he…?
With the intent to cripple him within ten strikes, Jeong Ji-gyeong had expected an easy win.
Even if they were of the same lineage, at best, he was only at the beginning stage of the second tier, while Jeong Ji-gyeong had perfected it; blocking his full power should have been impossible for the likes of him.
Yet, he evaded?!
As Jeong Ji-gyeong faltered in disbelief, Lee Cheol-soo vanished from his sight.
Flowing Cloud and Water.
The home turf technique of the Gongdong Sect. Before the collapse of the Gongdong Sect, the demon swordsmen had practiced it as part of their everyday routine.
Rejecting conventional forms, it was a new method, a technique, and a method of movement.
He skillfully intertwined it with the stealth techniques he had mastered in his past life, remaining unnoticed by others. At the second tier’s pinnacle, his level was far from enough to capture him.
“What the?!”
Jeong Ji-gyeong swung wildly, his movements filled with the fierce winds of battle.
At that moment, a silver flash pierced through the fray.
Shhhh…
A blade touched Jeong Ji-gyeong’s neck, scattering silvery brilliance. Lee Cheol-soo was grinning.
Combining the Hidden Form of Concealment with the Flowing Cloud and Water created peerless footwork that could beguile both escape and evasion, along with distractions.
“W-Wait…”
With a move to exploit Jeong Ji-gyeong’s blind spot, Lee Cheol-soo unleashed the Mysterious Heaven Sword technique.
Even if the wind is disruptive and chaotic, it mattered little. He had already penetrated its rhythm.
This Nine Ultimate Dragon Cutting Blade is such a waste of a grand name.
Even if weakened, she was still the Master of Hyeongyeong. Piercing through the flows of martial arts was child’s play.
“I won. I really did. Ho ho ho… wait. Hee hee hee.”
Lee Cheol-soo quickly corrected his humor to a more subdued tone.
His methods were those of an absolute master of Yin Cold Energy Circulation Method.
More reminiscent of a spy from the Dongchang than a martial artist, his underhanded tactics and unexpected victory left everyone in stunned silence.
“The winner is Gongdong Sect’s Lee Cheol-soo!!”
With that, Seomun Pyo’s declaration of victory rang out.
Thus, the rebellion of the Gongdong Sect began.