Chapter 308: Youthful Spirit

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Gongse Dan-yeong’s deer-like eyes rippled like waves.

‘W-wife…?’

Her eyes mixed with surprise and embarrassment.

Of course, Mun Bin also had an expression where bewilderment and awkwardness crossed.

“S-Sect Master Cheol! Wh-what are you suddenly saying…”

When his face reddened and he stuttered, Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged with an apathetic face.

“What, you said you two wanted to mate with each other, didn’t you?”

At those words, Gongse Dan-yeong’s jade countenance flushed hot.

“Oh my!”

What’s with this person! Saying such things so freely… wait, but did Young Master Mun, who seemed so innocent, really say that? It sounds a bit crude, but the feeling isn’t bad…?

Mun Bin, his face equally scarlet, hurriedly waved both hands.

“Huk! Sect Master Cheol! M-mating, you say! N-no! Wh-when did I ever say such a thing…!”

“You said you two became a couple.”

“Yes, correct! I only said up to there…!”

“That’s the same thing – what’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“Um, th-that’s not necessarily the same thing! I mean…”

“Be quiet. You’re annoying.”

“…”

“Well, whether you mate or just hold hands and sleep, do as you please.”

Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent gaze then shifted to Gongse Dan-yeong again.

“Precious time is flowing away. If you trust me, just follow.”

Meeting his gaze, she recalled the words she had just heard.

-It won’t take long. Just one night will do.

It couldn’t be a lie.

Yes, if it was Cheol Ryu-heun, it was undoubtedly possible.

Mun Bin beside her proved that.

Because he had completely awakened the unfathomable divine powers of the Ink Divine Robe – Human-Transformation Technique and Ghost-Scale Technique – through Cheol Ryu-heun.

Was that all?

He had even acquired the sword learning of Ghost-Transformation Sword God Jongli Yung who was an Unorthodox warrior two hundred years ago, and the sword learning of Ink Sword Sage Heuk Ya who was the first owner of the Ink Divine Robe one thousand years ago.

As a result, Mun Bin had participated in the great battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult, displaying rapidly risen martial prowess and spreading his martial fame.

And currently, he had established himself as a formidable rising star at a level that commanded the entire Unorthodox Jianghu of Jiangnan.

Gongse Dan-yeong suddenly recalled when he came back after obtaining new power.

-You must have been surprised, right? I couldn’t believe it at first either.

-Wow, I never imagined you would awaken so quickly! Just what is Sect Master Cheol’s ability… I’m curious. What method did he use?

-It was a kind of secret realm, perhaps. I went to a place called Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground that Sect Master Cheol told me about and awakened the potential of the Ink Divine Robe.

-Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground?

-Honestly… I nearly died.

‘Then I too…’

A premonition that the process after consuming Blue Bird Divine Flower would be difficult.

‘Well… of course it would be dangerous.’

That’s right.

All matters naturally came with a price.

Nothing was obtained for free.

One thing was certain – the growth in martial prowess would be proportional to the danger and pain.

‘Let’s do it!’

She had made up her mind.

And.

“Yes!”

She answered firmly as if expressing her resolute will.

Indeed, she should.

Because in reality, this was no different from a once-in-a-lifetime fortune.

‘No matter how hard the series of achievement processes may be… it’s fully worth enduring.’

She newly admired.

Regarding the existence called Cheol Ryu-heun.

An unpredictable figure who turned connections into fortune of the ages.

He had said it would take only one night to gain great enlightenment.

Who in the world could utter such a definitive statement?

Before she knew it, Cheol Ryu-heun had sat to one side and spoke while crossing his arms.

“From now on, pluck the petals one by one and consume them. With small intervals between, chew them finely and swallow.”

“Yes, I’ll begin.”

Gongse Dan-yeong nodded as she answered, then plucked one petal from the Blue Bird Divine Flower.

TOK.

At that moment, Mun Bin’s intimate Sound Transmission was heard.

At that moment, Mun Bin’s sweet Sound Transmission flew in.

Simultaneously, Gongse Dan-yeong’s expression completely changed.

When Mun Bin put on an embarrassed expression, a smile formed at the corners of Gongse Dan-yeong’s lips.

At those words, Mun Bin wore a smile of true happiness.

* * *

“You look happy.”

Seol Pan-gyo turned his head back at Namgung Sang-rin’s quietly spoken words.

“Ah… yes. I suppose it showed too much on my face.”

He answered with an embarrassed expression while practicing with his sword in one corner of the training grounds.

That’s right.

As Namgung Sang-rin said, he was happy.

Because his internal power level had rapidly risen through Cheol Ryu-heun previously.

Of course, the process had been extremely painful.

To the point where he thought he’d rather just die.

That was understandable.

Because the blessing of pain arranged by Cheol Ryu-heun, that is, the fortune of Reconstruction of the Body, had been Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing.

It was the first time in his life he had experienced such extreme agony.

Through a continuous process of flesh being torn away and bones twisting, he could barely even breathe properly.

Still, he had endured again and again and finally seen it through.

That fruit was sweet.

His very body, including the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and Twelve Standard Meridians, had reached a new realm.

Also.

The energy increase resulting from that had brought strengthening of the various sword technique subtleties he had mastered.

Currently, he had become several times stronger than before, but he didn’t rashly feel satisfied.

He still thought he had a long way to go.

He had already keenly realized through his Discourse on Swords with Mae Yak-bang.

That the results of all matters originated from self-reflection.

Still… the happiness in his heart was hard to hide.

Smiles kept spreading across his lips.

But that wasn’t a smile of happiness about martial achievement.

“I’m happier than ever, as Young Master Namgung says. But this is…”

“Yes, I understand what you mean. It must be the feeling of having been recognized by Sect Master Cheol.”

“Haha. Yes. Days like this do come. Honestly, it was faster than I expected though.”

“It’s a bit fast, but not unexpected.”

“Pardon?”

“Early on, Sect Master Cheol had already decided to cultivate Young Master Seol, who had entered as a form of repentance.”

“Wait, have you… heard something?”

“Young Master Ximen told me before. When they encountered the Heavenly Demon Cult Grand Prelate’s party back then, about the contents of the conversation between Sect Master Cheol and Azure Heaven Sword Sect’s Sect Master.”

“Ah…”

“At that time, they say such words were exchanged. First, Azure Heaven Sword Sect’s Sect Master started by saying…”

-Perhaps if you search every corner carefully, there will be more. Those who possess special bodies…

-Of course. Creating talents where there were none – isn’t that the nature of the two-hundred-year cycle age of chaos? So Pan-gyo is no exception.

-Oh? Pan-gyo too…?

-Didn’t you see the caliber of this sect’s guests through today’s battle? Guests are also properly members. It means I don’t teach halfheartedly.

-Th-then…!

-I plan to develop Pan-gyo as well. Though it depends on how well he keeps up.

-Thank you, Sect Master Cheol!

-Don’t mention it. However, there is absolutely no special treatment. If I don’t see potential for development, I will decisively issue an eviction order.

-Of course! Heo heo heo! You may beat him to your heart’s content.

Hearing those words, Seol Pan-gyo somehow felt a lump in his chest.

“The two of them… had such a conversation. I had no idea.”

At that, Namgung Sang-rin smiled gently.

“They deliberately didn’t tell you. Hoo, just in case…”

Seol Pan-gyo, grasping the hidden meaning, smiled back and said softly.

“I see. So I wouldn’t become complacent…”

“Now I see it was unnecessary worry. With such a firm mindset. I’m feeling a bit sorry.”

“Haha, not at all. I’m a fellow who easily falls into complacency. It’s only proper to always be on guard.”

“Like Azure Heaven Sword Sect Master’s words about beating you?”

“Hahaha. Yes, I’m a fellow who needs that.”

Meanwhile, Hae Su-yeon and Mae Yak-bang approached and stood nearby.

Two beauties standing side by side like that evoked a beautiful painting.

“Ah, are you finished?”

When Namgung Sang-rin turned his head and asked, Hae Su-yeon smiled brightly with her eyes.

“Hoo hoo. Yes. We’ve also finished our training.”

Following that, Mae Yak-bang spoke with an impressed expression.

“Wow… Young Master Seol, since achieving Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing, the quality of your sword path has completely changed. I saw it just now.”

Seol Pan-gyo grinned and sheathed his sword.

“Lady Mae is also showing surprising development.”

“Thank you. Now we can both somewhat earn our keep to some degree. Though of course it’s lacking by Sect Master Cheol’s standards.”

Soon Cui Lan also joined them.

“Sisters, how do I look?”

Hae Su-yeon patted her shoulder and responded.

“Truly amazing. It wouldn’t be wrong to call you the second coming of Butcher Bodhisattva.”

Mae Yak-bang beside her also added with a warm smile.

“I myself was called a sword genius, but compared to you, even talent is nothing.”

But Cui Lan’s reaction was lukewarm.

“That’s not what I was asking about.”

“Hm?”

“Then?”

At Hae Su-yeon and Mae Yak-bang’s questions, Cui Lan pointed at her own face.

“My makeup, my makeup. Does it look good? I put in a lot of effort since it’s the day we leave for the Shiwan Mountains.”

But the two women were silent.

“…”

That was answer enough.

Failure!

At that moment, the bell announcing noon rang.

TTAENG, TTAENG, TTAENG, TTAENG…

Simultaneously with that sound, the personnel who had been training at the grounds all stopped their movements.

But suddenly, the air in the hall sank heavily.

TAK, TAK, TAK…

It was because of the aura emitted by the figure who had entered the training grounds.

Gal Jung-heon.

Along with him, Head-Severing Yama Seop Pyo also appeared in the hall.

‘Uut!’

The personnel at the training grounds flinched.

The martial prowess of those two had become even higher after consuming Bodhidharma’s Great Restoration Pills.

The fearsome intangible aura amply proved that development.

It was like feeling the appearance of a demon god of the netherworld and a death god of hell.

Before long, the two stopped beside the guests.

“Are you leaving after lunch?”

At Gal Jung-heon’s words, Namgung Sang-rin put his hands together.

“Yes. We should go to the meeting place and wait for Sect Master Cheol. Everyone has packed their luggage in advance.”

“Good. Elder Yeop and Chief Supervisor Hyeop are currently in closed-door training. Skip the farewells.”

“Understood.”

“The young dragons that the Nine Great Sects have painstakingly cultivated are also coming there, right?”

“Yes, and also from the Unorthodox side… since it’s our first meeting, expectations are high.”

“Good. Go and fully unleash your youthful spirit. Also…”

Gal Jung-heon scanned the guests’ faces and let out a soft voice again.

“Don’t show mercy if you meet the enemy again. So they can truly feel the potential of the Jianghu’s talents.”

At those words, Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon and the others spoke in unison with resolute expressions.

“Of course.”