LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 66
66: Blood Still Not Dried on the Head
Hearing Jeoksawol’s scolding, Guijeagal and Baek Myeon-am-gun flinched.
[Why on earth is Lord Yeonju acting like this?]
Baek Myeon-am-gun heard the mental transmission of Guijeagal Samahak in his ear.
Feeling his words, Baek Myeon-am-gun’s insides bubbled with anger.
[What an oblivious person! Didn’t I say I’d tell her later?]
Baek Myeon-am-gun already knew.
What sort of disaster would unfold if the Master heard this news.
So he had chosen a day when she would be as comfortable as possible to report it, but the oblivious general had spilled the beans early.
[No, I just… I really didn’t expect Lord Yeonju to genuinely… to have feelings for such a young boy… ….]
Baek Myeon-am-gun’s mental transmission was replied with an excuse from Guijeagal Samahak.
He was a genius of strategy, famous throughout the world, yet even he couldn’t believe that Jeoksawol would genuinely have feelings for such a young disciple of the Gongdong Sect.
So far, she had refused all suitors with a cold heart.
Among them were young masters from prestigious families in Beijing, renowned warriors from the Orthodox Faction, and even the beloved Gentlemen of all women.
But Jeoksawol had decisively sent them away.
And now, she had fallen for a brat.
One with an age difference of over 40 years.
It was only natural to find it hard to believe.
‘Ah, human hearts are hard to measure!’
Who would have thought that the winds of spring would blow into Lord Yeonju’s heart.
Samahak felt self-reproach, but it was already too late.
[Anyway, that’s that, but you must act. We need to cleverly navigate this matter. After all, you are Lord Yeonju’s favorite disciple.]
Baek Myeon-am-gun squeezed his eyes shut at Samahak’s mental transmission.
Lee Cheol-soo.
He thought he was a decent match.
But why on earth did he say that to Geumhu… It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand logically. To rebuild the Gongdong Sect, they had to overcome the Hangshan Sect.
To declare that intention, there was no choice but to challenge Geumhu.
But why.
Why do that…
It was already spilled water.
He had to salvage it as much as possible.
Baek Myeon-am-gun spoke with a trembling voice.
“Um… Master. Geumhu is already forty-six… that’s not exactly young…”
“My disciple. Is that what you call an argument?”
Jeoksawol’s red eyes turned towards Baek Myeon-am-gun.
Baek Myeon-am-gun flinched.
He remained silent. Because even he thought it was a poor excuse.
Geumhu might be 46, but it was an unchangeable truth that Jeoksawol was older, at a ripe age of 60.
Seeing his expression, Jeoksawol sighed.
She waved her hand.
“Both of you, out. I want to be alone.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Understood, Lord Yeonju.”
Obeying a signal, Baek Myeon-am-gun and Samahak withdrew.
Creek, thud.
The sliding door closed, leaving Jeoksawol alone in the special room.
Jeoksawol, ensuring sound could not escape from the special room, trembled with an unsteady hand.
“Those damn bastards… the worst bastards in the world…”
Jeoksawol’s shoulders shook.
It was humiliating.
How dare any man…
How dare he forsake the world’s most beautiful woman and play with another woman?
Just by showing her face, she had made men with wives and lovers fall head over heels and ruin their families.
But why…
“How dare they disturb this woman’s heart like this…”
Jeoksawol trembled in the raging torrent of emotions she had never experienced in her 60-year life.
Her heart ached as if it would tear. Jeoksawol’s eyes quivered with the unfamiliar pain.
Emotions surged.
Anguish. Frustration. Jealousy.
Thump, thump.
Her heart raced.
Drip, drip.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
‘I… I’m crying? Because of a man…?’
Hurriedly, Jeoksawol wiped her tears with her sleeve.
The great Yeomwang Jeoksawol, a woman with no blood or tears, reigning over men, was now crying over a man.
This was unacceptable.
Jeoksawol bit her lip.
It was all because of that brat.
“How dare he play with a girl so much younger than me…”
The sight of Geumhu’s smiling face made her even angrier.
Jeoksawol bit her lip again. She had nowhere to retreat to now. Anyways, Geumhu was likely at Mount Hengshan and wouldn’t be seen often. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?
In the meantime, she would steal his heart. Perhaps even his body. All of it.
The female beauty of Sichuan, Neungwolhyang, would ensnare Lee Cheol-soo in her skirts.
Until now, she had never failed to capture a man’s heart. Lee Cheol-soo’s heart would be hers without a doubt.
Even if she married, Geumhu would never possess his body or heart.
‘It will definitely be so.’
She would not remain a fragrance-less peony.
Jeoksawol clenched her fist vowing this.
Thump, thump.
Her heart raced.
*
Xinjiang Tianshan.
A magnificent range of snow-capped peaks stretching endlessly, home to vital trade routes known as the Southern and Northern Xinjiang roads. This vast land had one master.
The Heavenly Horse Church!
The greatest and single largest force in the martial world, ruling over 100,000 demons, making up a pillar of the Orthodox Faction along with Jeongsama.
The subjection of the weak was the creed of this demonic sect dominating the entire Xinjiang region.
At the heart of this robust organization, near a scale rivaling a small kingdom, was the Heavenly Horse Hall, where the Sect Leader resided.
Cheonma.
The apex of 100,000 demons, the supreme being of the demonic arts, and one-third of the ‘Three Lords of the World’.
He was worshipped as a living god in his sect, currently sitting in his hall receiving a report from his subordinate.
“Are you saying the Gongdong Sect has won?”
Dressed in black martial attire, a young man in his early twenties sat with a slouch, chuckling softly.
He was Baek Murang, the current Cheonma.
Having broken through to the realm of Hyun-gyeong at 30, he had beheaded the previous Cheonma and risen to that position, hailed as a genius in the history of the Demon Sect.
Now at 35, he was the youngest supreme master compared to the 60-year-old Jeoksawol and the 100-year-old Sinseung.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“…And the Gongdong Sect’s disciple is Cheonmuji-che, you say? So, Cheonmuji-che…”
Cheonma’s eyes narrowed.
He had been a genius since birth. Martial arts came too easily, and without experiencing the common pitfalls of demonic practitioners such as adverse mental states or heart conditioning, he reached great heights. Even the previous sect leader fell easily to him.
It was boring.
While the monks of the Orthodox Faction and the enchanting women of the demonic world were generally stronger, that was merely a consequence of differing journeys.
In a year or two, he would undoubtedly become the world’s number one.
The disparity in talent was just too overwhelming.
The world’s best.
What was there to achieve having acquired that title?
He had no genuine rivals. The world felt dull and tedious to the excessively easy-going Cheonma.
Amidst this boredom, he heard word that a disciple of the Gongdong Sect, Yujinhwi, was Cheonmuji-che.
Cheonmuji-che.
A prodigy gifted by heaven and a genius among geniuses. A future world champion.
Perhaps if the martial artist of Cheonmuji-che were to grow…he might have a worthy rival.
This monotony could be resolved.
A spark of intrigue appeared in Cheonma’s gaze.
“How much secret Gongdong Sect martial arts do we possess from the great battle of the Orthodox Faction?”
“Most of them excluding the Honwon Bidong technique. Half of them are not in perfect condition, though…”
“Then leak that information discreetly into the Central Plains.”
Cheonma laughed.
The fallen Gongdong Sect would be desperate to reclaim their martial arts.
If it’s conveyed that the Gongdong Sect’s secret arts are in his sect, Yujinhwi will inevitably visit.
That’s when testing would begin. Whether he’d be a worthy opponent or not.
Even if he didn’t visit, it would be fine. Gathering the Orthodox Faction to strike at the Heavenly Horse Church for a second great battle of the righteous and demonic path would also work.
Either way was good.
‘If Cheonmuji-che can relieve my boredom…’
That would be delightful.
A grin appeared on Cheonma’s face.
“Your command.”
The subordinate bowed deeply and took his leave.
*
Inside a cave filled with pitch-black darkness.
There, a crimson blood lake boiled like lava.
A lone warrior draped in red entered the cave adorned with night pearls and prostrated.
“Blood Demon Supreme! Blood Sect’s world! Long live! Long live! Long live! I greet you, Blood Demon Supreme.”
As soon as the warrior’s words ended, someone arose from the simmering blood pond.
A handsome man with long red hair and pale skin appeared.
It was the Blood Sect Leader.
Half submerged in the blood, he revealed his white upper body, and his blood-red eyes opened to look at the prostrating warrior.
“The Gongdong Sect has triumphed over Heukryongbang. And in that process… the Demon Sword Technique has re-emerged.”
The Blood Sect Leader raised his eyebrows at the warrior’s report.
“The Demon Sword Technique… has returned. Did that Sinseung kid return it?”
“No, Sinseung did not move. The disciple, Yujinhwi, is presumed to be Cheonmuji-che, and he might have obtained the Demon Sword Technique…”
“…Then did the Gongdong Sect find the Honwon Bidong? And Cheonmuji-che, you say…”
The Blood Sect Leader’s crimson eyes gleamed coldly.
“…Finally found him.”
A smirk appeared at the corners of the Blood Sect Leader’s mouth.
Boil, boil.
The blood in the pond reacted to his rising aura, bubbling more fiercely.
“…For the time being, keep an eye on the Central Plains…”
“Your command!”
Swish.
The Blood Sect Leader closed his eyes as he heard the warrior’s words.
Boil, boil.
The blood rising from the pond enveloped his body.
*
Forbidden City Hall of Peace.
Though a male-restricted area where the princess resides, even a eunuch, neither man nor woman, could freely enter.
An old eunuch with worn-out wrinkles prostrated before Taepyeong Princess.
“I pay my respects to Princess Taepyeong.”
Dongchang, Ucheop-hyung, trembled as he prostrated before the princess.
Taepyeong Princess Juga-yul.
At merely 9 years old, she had already recruited one of Dongchang’s two concubines as her subordinate.
Ucheop-hyung trembled at the sight of Juga-yul.
He could hardly believe that she, equipped with the tyrant’s ambition and cruelty surpassing even the current Emperor Honggwangje, was merely nine years old.
Princess Taepyeong Juga-yul was already perfected as a ruler. More so than her brothers.
“Report.”
“…The Orthodox Faction Competition has concluded with the Gongdong Sect’s victory.”
An unexpected victory for the Gongdong Sect.
Yet Juga-yul was unfazed.
It was too natural for her. The one who had placed her, a mere secondary-born princess, on the throne was Noya. The ultimate victor in the Beijing court could never fall to the hands of mere martial boors from the martial world.
If Noya initiated a fight, it was because he was absolutely confident of winning.
“And… Lee Cheol-soo has requested a marriage competition with Geumhu, which is currently causing a stir in the martial world.”
However, at those subsequent words, even the heavenly beauty Juga-yul could hardly contain her slight wavering gaze.
‘Noya… a marriage competition?’
She knew exactly who Geumhu was.
But for Noya to propose a marriage competition with her?
‘…Noya is proposing a marriage competition… Noya is…’
Not her, but another girl first… proposing to marry…
The focus in Juga-yul’s eyes began to fade away.
A terrifying force surged from within her.
‘How dare that naive little girl…! No matter how urgent the marriage, how dare she raise her tail in front of my Noya…! Uncouth!’
Noya couldn’t have been in the wrong. If Noya meant the sun, then that would be the sun, and if pointing at beans meant beans, then that’s beans. Noya never could be mistaken.
Hence, this was Geumhu, that damned girl, who audaciously was the first to swindle Noya.
Noya must have liked her kindness and couldn’t refuse.
Surely, Geumhu had been deceived by that little girl.
Flinch.
Ucheop-hyung’s body froze.
As one of Dongchang’s only two concubines, having cultivated the Vowel Preservation to utmost extremes, he was already a master at that level, yet he could only submit to the sovereignty of the princess.
‘…It is indeed true that Noya has been enchanted by Geumhu’s large bosom, has he not?’
Juga-yul caressed her chest.
While not exactly the best in the world, she was also considered a beauty not to be trifled with.
However, even she had one single weak point.
That was her breast size. It was more than average but certainly dwarfed in comparison to Geumhu’s ample bosom.
Having already known that Noya favored larger breasts, Juga-yul bit her lip.
‘I need to… make them a bit larger…’
Only then would Noya see her as a woman.
Juga-yul pledged this while her hands trembled thinking of Geumhu.
She was annoyed.
Frustrated. Her first was snatched away. That realization pierced her heart.
But she wasn’t just wallowing in despair.
She aimed to advance further, driven by that despair.
‘Really, I need to sort out the palace and meet Noya as soon as possible.’
If she could meet Noya…
Then Noya would surely notice her true feelings.
Juga-yul believed.
She and Noya were tightly and firmly woven together by an unbreakable bond.
In truth, it was a bond that could not be merely described as love or any such trivial emotion.
It was not something as light as merely wanting to be near Noya for marriage as with Geumhu.
‘…Everyone can just laugh heartily for now. In any case, being the youngest, that’s my seat too, as the official concubine position is undoubtedly mine. By nature, men usually prefer younger women.’
Juga-yul chuckled chillingly.
Jeoksawol, Geumhu Eun Seol-ran, and even future top beauties of the Orthodox Faction, Seoharin, all were older than her.
That’s right.
Juga-yul herself was the youngest among the candidates for that lord’s companion.
Therefore, Juga-yul didn’t care at all about the competition with those concubines.
Of course, her true age was 89, but she didn’t concern herself with such trivialities.
Ucheop-hyung trembled at that sight.
This was what had transpired in the Forbidden City.
*
My head hurts.
Flinch.
I felt sensations returning.
I lifted my eyelids.
“Are you awake?”
My blurry vision cleared as I heard a familiar voice.
A pretty girl with platinum blonde hair and a white complexion. Seoharin.
This was my room in the Gongdong Sect’s main base.
“Seoharin, I owe you again. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Three days.”
Upon my words, Seoharin spoke with a blank expression.
I asked her what had happened during my absence.
“The contest ended with the Gongdong Sect’s victory. They’re calling you and Yujinhwi the Gongdong Twins in the world.”
Seoharin spoke in her calm voice.
Gongdong Twins!
What a splendid title that was, enchanting enough to sweep any heart with just the sound of it!
Just as a smile began to form on my lips at Seoharin’s words…
“With two champions born in the Gongdong Sect, the first is Gongdong Shin-hyeop Yujinhwi, and the second is Gongdong Gwa-hyeop Lee Cheol-soo,” the world is saying…”
Hearing the latter part, my face stiffened.
What?
Gongdong Gwa-hyeop?!
Not Gwa-hyeop, but 괴협?!
Why does the term “Gwa” associated with the martial world’s notorious freaks get attached to my title?!
Ah, no…! Fuck!