The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel

The severe cold that had penetrated through collars and frozen flesh gradually faded away with the cool spring breeze blowing.

The cold in the north was still as chilling as a blade that seemed to cut just by brushing against it, but in Henan, spring flower seeds were already drifting in the air.

This meant that the martial arts competition hosted by the Murim Alliance would soon begin, and also that new names would appear.

In particular, because the Demon Cult was participating in this martial arts competition, it was drawing more attention than ever before.

Moreover, with all of the Four Dragons and Four Flowers that the Righteous Sect boasted of participating, Luoyang was truly a festival venue.

However, in contrast to the atmosphere in Luoyang, the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song had a funeral-like atmosphere.

While all of the Nine Renowned Sects and Five Great Clans had expressed their intention to participate in this martial arts competition, only Shaolin hadn’t expressed any intention to participate.

Most sects had initially conspired to boycott the martial arts competition after hearing that the Demon Cult would participate, condemning Namgoong Baek’s decision.

However, led by Wudang, Emei, Qingcheng, and Kunlun, followed by Zhongnan, Diancang, and Kongtong, they quietly expressed their intention to participate.

Shaolin and Mount Hua shouted at their decision, asking how they could hold the sacred martial arts competition together with the Demon Cult, their mortal enemy.

Especially Mount Hua, considered the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, persuaded the Mount Song Sect at the foot of Mount Song to declare they would stand with Shaolin.

But as time passed, Mount Hua completely flipped their attitude and made the strong move of saying they would send Cha Yeonhwa, their First Beauty whom they had kept tightly wrapped up and not let out.

Because of that, the Mount Song Sect that had been persuaded by Shaolin had to bear Shaolin’s resentment, and when all the remaining Five Mountains Sword Sects followed Mount Hua and said they would participate, it was maddening from Shaolin’s perspective.

Especially for Shaolin, which was the core of Buddhism and whose goal was always to believe in Buddha and go to paradise.

To do that, they had to shake off worldly troubles and evil deeds, and naturally had the belief of unconditionally keeping their word once given, like an oath carved in stone.

For such a Shaolin to now say they would participate too-

‘Ah, then we’ll participate too.’

If they put one foot in like that, it wouldn’t be strange for people all over the world to laugh at them. But if they shouted that they wouldn’t participate, they didn’t have the confidence to openly defy the Murim Alliance.

As a result, unable to do this or that, Shaolin was just beating their wooden fish gongs.

* * *

The place where they should gather every morning in the Buddha hall to listen to Buddha’s words was full of sighs these days.

Especially Monk Noyul, the leader of the Shaolin sect, was going crazy as his troubles only increased in a situation where he should be shaking off worldly concerns and ascending to nirvana.

“Sect Leader, do you intend to just stay still like this? If we delay any longer, we’ll only look more foolish. How about expressing our intention to participate even now?”

“What are you saying, Elder Gu? Are you telling the Sect Leader to reverse Shaolin’s righteous decision like some petty ruffians?”

“Then what should we do?! If we just wait quietly without participating in the martial arts competition like this, who will recognize us? It’s not enough to just beat wooden fish gongs. Elder Cho, do you want Shaolin to remain at the bottom of the Nine Renowned Sects forever!”

“Urgh…!”

Elder Gu with fierce eyes clicked his tongue.

“Currently, Shaolin hasn’t produced any figures among the Four Dragons and Four Flowers. In the world, they just disparage us, saying Shaolin is only included in the Nine Renowned Sects because we’ve endured for a thousand years. In a situation where people are even saying the true master of Mount Song is the Mount Song Sect, not us, what’s the big deal about going back on our word once?”

He hurriedly approached Monk Noyul and sat down in front of him. Monk Noyul’s mouth was tightly closed as he sat in meditation with his eyes closed.

“Sect Leader. We must send someone even now.”

At the voice mixed with a sigh, Monk Noyul finally opened his eyes. He stared intently at the Buddha statue, then let out a deep sigh.

‘In the end, this too must be Buddha’s will.’

He turned his body to face the elders and said.

“Call Ji Seok.”

At Monk Noyul’s words, the one who appeared was a huge man almost seven feet tall.

The man, who was overwhelming just to look at, was wearing monk’s robes with red cloth wrapped around his body.

“You called for me?”

“Yes, Ji Seok. I’m thinking of sending you to this Murim Alliance competition, what do you think?”

“Me?”

“Mm, we’ll be laughed at by the world for going back on our word, but what can we do? Not everything will be resolved by just keeping quiet. Though it’s a burden on you who will be participating, there’s no one else I can trust but you.”

At Monk Noyul’s calm voice, Ji Seok closed his eyes and bowed his waist.

“I will follow the Sect Leader’s will.”

Monk Noyul inwardly let out a deep sigh at his appearance, simply bowing his head without adding or subtracting any words.

In the end, it looked like Shaolin had also succumbed to the Murim Alliance’s will, with all of the Nine Renowned Sects expressing their intention to participate in the martial arts competition.

‘What exactly do you want, Namgoong…’

Monk Noyul’s heart grew heavy as he thought of the Murim Alliance Leader who was creating this situation behind the scenes.

* * *

The end of winter coincided with clothes becoming thinner.

Luoyang was filled with numerous people on the streets, as if to compensate for the winter that had been curled up in the intense cold.

Being an originally warm region, I could feel that spring was even closer than in Hubei just below.

This was naturally also a signal that my first tour was coming to an end.

As soon as we entered the Jinhua Pavilion located in Luoyang, Yoo Doha appeared as if he had been waiting.

“You must have had a hard time coming such a long way, Young Cult Leader. And I’m sorry I couldn’t attend to you on the side, Young Madam, as it must have been your first tour.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing for dumping all the work on you.”

Familiar faces could be seen everywhere, as if they had rented out the entire Jinhua Pavilion.

“Miss!”

“Kyaa!!”

I smiled at Joo Hwarin greeting me cheerfully and hugged Harang who was rushing in excitedly.

Harang skillfully clung to me and put my finger in his mouth, starting to suck. Is it still feeding on the pure energy dwelling in my body?

I stared blankly at Harang, then raised my eyebrows at his appearance that hadn’t changed at all since then.

When will this child grow?

As I looked around, I could see Demon Cult members participating in this martial arts competition everywhere.

Especially, most of them were the female masters who had participated in the recent Crimson Lotus Festival and the male masters who had participated in the Blue Immortal Festival.

Besides them, some young clan leaders or children of clan leaders from various families were also participating.

They seemed curious about my appearance holding Harang, staring at me blankly before hurriedly turning their heads at my gaze.

“By the way, Eun Do isn’t here?”

[I’m here.]

Eun Do’s voice transmission, whom I had been separated from for three months, pierced into my mind.

[It’s been a long time, Young Madam. I’m very glad to see you looking healthy.]

[Did you have a good time too, Eun Do? You sound good, so it seems your vacation was quite satisfactory.]

I couldn’t forget his answer when I said I would give him a vacation.

He asked with a blank face, ‘What’s a vacation?’ I felt sorry hearing his words that he had never rested once since entering the Demon Cult and working as an assassin until now, so I forcibly sent Eun Do on vacation, telling him to rest all at once for the time he couldn’t rest before.

[Thanks to you, I was able to rest well.]

[I’m glad.]

After sending a voice transmission with a bright smile, I looked down at Harang in my arms.

I smiled brightly at the eyes staring at me intently after sucking all the pure energy remaining in my body.

“Kyaha!”

Harang smiled cheerfully, clung to me and kissed my cheek with a smack, then immediately ran away as if his business was done.

“Ah, where are you going again!”

I smiled softly at the sight of Joo Hwarin hurriedly chasing after Harang, then looked at Hyuk Dojin.

He, who had been in conversation with Yoo Doha, turned his head at my gaze. As I approached him, Hyuk Dojin calmly opened his mouth.

“I think I need to go into the Murim Alliance right away. There was an agreement on the schedule, but it seems to have been disrupted due to the weather in the north.”

“Then I’ll…”

“Sowol, you rest here. The scenery in Luoyang is nice too, so you can go sightseeing. Moreover, it’s called the Murim Alliance, but it’s difficult to receive kind gazes if you go there. I’ll negotiate alone and be back soon.”

I thought it would be better to go together, but I didn’t insist.

It was also because Hyuk Dojin was saying this out of concern for me, and as he said, showing my appearance would only draw attention unnecessarily.

“Alright. Be careful and come back.”

I quietly kissed his cheek and smiled brightly.

Hyuk Dojin also grinned and nodded, then disappeared with Yoo Doha.

As I was looking in the direction he disappeared, a voice came from behind.

“Now you’re showing a couple-like appearance even in front of people.”

I smiled and turned around at the familiar voice.

“Is that so? In Man Do’s eyes, was it not like that before?”

“Before, it was only when you two were alone. But now you don’t mind even if others see. Perhaps your journey together helped?”

I recalled the three-month martial arts world tour with Hyuk Dojin. All sorts of things happened, but what filled my mind wasn’t the beautiful natural scenery or the delicious food that pleased my palate.

“…”

“Hmm?”

“…It seems it did help.”

It was only the passionate lovemaking I shared with Hyuk Dojin almost every day without fail. I rubbed my heated cheeks and shook my head.

Man Do made a puzzled expression at my behavior. Trying hard to erase the embarrassing nights, I spoke with a nonchalant face.

“W-well, shall we go sightseeing in Luoyang a bit?”

“Ah! If it’s that, I’ll guide you.”

“Man Do, personally?”

He smiled brightly and took the lead. I quietly watched his enthusiastic back, then followed with a smile.

* * *

“Do you know about water banquet?”

“Water banquet?”

“There are twenty-four dishes that commemorate the achievements of Empress Wu Zetian, the first female Emperor, who achieved 24 years of peaceful rule. And this restaurant is very good at making water banquet dishes.”

Man Do smiled and entered a restaurant with elaborate red doors.

“Welcome!”

Receiving the cheerful waiter’s guidance, Man Do took a seat at the largest table.

He ordered dishes from the waiter, and not long after, wine bottles flew in before the dishes.

“Ah! By the way, the erguotou* here is delicious. Would you like some too, Young Madam?” (tl/n: Erguotou – a clear and powerful liquor that takes six months to produce, means “second distillation” or literally “head of the second pot”, indicating its level of purity)

“…”

I thought he seemed to know the restaurant well, and indeed it was a place with delicious alcohol. I stared blankly at Man Do smiling innocently, then chuckled and nodded.

As I was about to tilt the wine cup he handed me, the bamboo hat I was wearing on my head felt annoying.

I had been reluctant to take it off, wanting to avoid attention as much as possible, but I wondered if I really needed to do that even here. Everyone would see eventually anyway.

I glanced at Man Do, and he smiled as if saying it was alright. I raised my hand to untie the string of the bamboo hat and completely took it off, placing it beside me. I could feel the gazes around focusing on me at once.

I was used to people’s gazes looking at something strange.

Well, can’t be helped. As I was trying to ignore people’s gazes and tilt my cup, a group of people took seats on the opposite side of the round table.

Among them, a woman with long reddish hair and an alluring smile leaned her upper body forward and jerked her chin.

“We’re short on seats, so may we join you?”

She put her hand in her bosom and took out a round token, placing it on the table.

‘Snake.’

This woman is not from the Righteous Sect.

The thick poisonous energy rising from her whole body, the red blood vessel drawn long where the solar plexus point should be raised for Righteous Sect people.

[Golden Blood Sand Sect.]

“I’m Jeok Biwol. You’re Moyong Sowol, right?”

Her eyes curved beautifully into crescent moons.

“The wife of Young Cult Leader Hyuk Dojin.”