Martial Arts Ain't Anything Special-Chapter 124: Chunbong Divine Art (2)

Jibaek explained the Murim Alliance’s position to Seojun.

In short, it boiled down to this:

The Alliance didn’t hold much authority during peacetime, but when war broke out, that changed completely.

Soon, they’d be making a major public announcement, and after that, the Alliance would wield considerably more authority. Failures similar to last time, like delayed reinforcements and all, wouldn’t happen again.

Jibaek recited this like he was reading from a script. To Seojun, he didn’t seem particularly attached to the Alliance.

Being in a similar situation himself, Seojun asked casually.

“So what’s the actual compensation?”

“The Alliance is willing to grant whatever you request, within reason.”

“My request, huh...”

That was tricky.

A martial artist might ask for spirit pills, secret techniques, or subordinates... But Seojun didn’t need any of that.

After all, wasn’t he the son-in-law of the great Namgung Clan?

The Murim Alliance was a formidable federation of various sects, sure, but what could they offer that the Namgung Clan couldn’t?

He’d already put off claiming any compensation from the Namgung Clan simply because he couldn’t think of anything he wanted.

“I really don’t need anything.”

“My goodness... Such humility... Had you joined Shaolin, you’d surely have risen to greatness.”

Hyeun, who had been repeatedly trying to drink the tea Seojun had made, gently put down his cup and nodded.

“Indeed. I thought so during our previous meeting as well—you have a noble spirit. A true model for the martial world.”

“Oh, come on. Compliments won’t get you anything either.”

As Seojun grinned, Jibaek also smiled.

“That’s why the Murim Alliance has a different form of compensation in cases like this.”

“Oh yeah? What kind?”

Authority. In light of the current unrest, the Alliance is restructuring... forming special squads and units. If you wish, you could likely become a squad leader.”

Squad leader? What was he, unemployed?

Seojun grimaced and waved a hand dismissively.

“Ugh... that’s not great. Isn’t that just giving me more work rather than compensation?”

“True, authority in wartime might be considered a reward, but if you’re not interested, I’ll inform the Alliance.”

“You can really do that?”

“Of course. Something unwanted isn’t compensation at all.”

“Huh. That’s fair.”

Nodding in satisfaction, Seojun suddenly had another thought:

Wouldn’t it be better if they just gave me a ‘get out of jail free’ card?

He had a feeling he’d end up cracking some Alliance elder’s skull one of these days.

But asking for a pardon outright would be like screaming, “I’m going to cause trouble soon~”, so he kept that to himself.

“Was that everything you came to tell me?”

“Yes, that’s the full message.”

That’s it? It felt more like a courtesy visit than anything important.

“Would you like to see our Chunbong before you leave?”

“Chunbong...?”

Jibaek tilted his head, puzzled. But Hyeun’s face lit up in recognition.

“I see you’re still close. It would be my honor.”

He rubbed the side of his bald head, recalling the last time they met.

“You can look forward to it.”

Grown-up Chunbong. Anyone seeing her for the first time would be stunned.

*Seojun flung open the door and shouted.

“Chunbong...!!!”

His loud voice echoed throughout the villa.

Moments later, Chunbong came trotting over from somewhere.

“What is it now?”

“Our Chunbong...!”

Seojun rushed over and scooped her up from under the arms.

“I called you out to show you off.”

“Sigh...”

Having grown used to this, Chunbong let herself be held like a trophy without complaint.

Seeing her, Hyeun’s eyes widened.

“My goodness...! They say children grow quickly, but you’ve truly grown in the blink of an eye!”

“Well... I guess.”

Recognizing Hyeun, Chunbong scratched her soft cheek.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has... Most Adorable Under Heaven.”

“What...”

Chunbong twitched. Someone other than Lee Seojun had just said that ridiculous title out loud...!

“Wait, how do you even...?”

“This benefactor told me, last time.”

Hyeun smiled warmly and slightly bowed his head.

It wasn’t so much a greeting as a posture emphasizing his bald head.

“It’s sudden, but... would you like to touch it again?”

“Well... I won’t say no...”

Pat, pat.

Chunbong tapped his smooth head, then blinked in surprise.

“Oh...!”

“How is it?”

“You’ve improved.”

“Since that day, I realized this could bring people joy. So I started taking care of it properly.”

Seojun thought to himself:

Is this man really the reincarnation of Buddha?

His heart is as vast as the Pacific Ocean.

Moreover, listening to the conversation between Hyeun and Chunbong was quite a spectacle.

“You know your stuff. As someone who maintains my own cheeks, I can relate.”

“Oh... So you, too, follow the Buddha’s teachings.”

“Well, I don’t let other people touch them, though. Export is strictly prohibited. My brother’s the only authorized handler.”

“Cherishing all sentient beings is a virtue of Buddhism, but a sibling bond that close would surely please Buddha himself.”

He couldn’t make sense of this conversation.

Jibaek stood nearby, equally lost, an awkward smile on his face.

“...It’s been a long time since I saw Hyeun smile like this. That young lady must have a real gift for making others happy.”

“What? No—no, monk, your insight’s basically Buddha-tier. You nailed it.”

Before they knew it, the whole afternoon had slipped away.

*“Now that I think about it, Shaolin’s not a bad sect.”

Seojun sat atop the roof, leisurely brewing the last of his coffee.

If he didn’t find more soon, this would be his final cup.

A shame. He really should look into resupplying. But... where would he even ask?

“Every sect has its own flavor, but good people are good people—and assholes are just assholes.”

Chunbong subtly edged away. That co-ffee thing. A truly wicked beverage.

Even just the scent might keep her up all night, so she established a safe distance and fumbled to take out her sugarcane drink.

Gulp. As the sweetness coursed through her, her lips curled into a smile.

This was real happiness.

Namgung Suah, watching Chunbong with a soft smile, accepted a cup of coffee from Seojun.

“Ah, thank you.”

“No problem. How’s your training going?”

“Good. Great Granduncle’s teaching me with great enthusiasm. I think I’m starting to understand what you meant before.”

“Oh? Then maybe soon?”

As Seojun grinned and raised his cup, Namgung Suah chuckled and tapped hers against his.

Clink-

A clear, gentle sound.

They sipped their coffee, talking idly. It completely relaxed their bodies.

Seojun quietly savored the aroma. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Coffee beneath the stars.

Casual conversation among the three of them.

Isn’t this happiness?

Each passing moment... this was happiness.

Nodding to himself, Seojun suddenly stood up.

“That’s it.”

Happiness wasn’t far away.

Just the three of them gathered, sharing coffee like this... it made the world feel like it was already theirs.

Of course, to some it might seem dull. Others might even hate it..

Same action, different perspective. It all depended on the heart of the beholder.

Riding that fleeting surge of inspiration, Seojun drew his sword.

What followed was a strange display... a crooked, almost playful sword path, far from elegant.

But the moment his intent flowed into it, Chunbong and Suah gasped in amazement.

“Oh, it’s so vivid!”

“Wait... isn’t that just a heavy, straightforward sword?”

“No, how is that simple?”

“Umm...?”

They glanced at each other, tilting their heads.

Seojun, pleased by their reaction, grinned.

“Perfect. Chunbong, this is the revised Chunbong Divine Art.”

Chunbong hadn’t fully internalized the Blue Cloud Divine Sword yet.

Naturally, there was a subtle disconnect between her and the technique. Originally, the Chunbong Divine Art had been designed to bridge that gap.

But now, something had changed.

This wasn’t just a support technique anymore. It was a full-fledged martial art containing principles worthy of the title Divine Art in its own right.

Yet every inch of it had been tailored to fit Chunbong alone. No one else could use it easily.

“Huh? Wait, what was that just now?”

“The Chunbong Divine Art.”

“That’s what I’m asking! What is it?”

“Um... it’s the Chunbong Divine Art?”

“Argh...! This infuriating bastard, I swear!”

Chunbong stomped in place while Seojun laughed and began reciting the technique’s verses, as if reciting a poem under moonlight.

Enthralled, Chunbong quickly fell deep into thought. Then she sat down and began circulating her qi.

She had clearly grasped something.

Meanwhile, Namgung Suah, despite hearing the verses, felt a strange sense of dissonance.... As if the technique simply wasn’t meant for her.

As she tilted her head and looked over, Seojun casually lay down, resting his head on her soft thigh.

“Big Sis shouldn’t try this one. One misstep and you’d go straight into qi deviation.”

“Ah... so that’s why it’s called the Chunbong Divine Art.”

“Yeah. From the start, it was built for Chunbong’s physique, her previous techniques, even her mental imagery. It’s not something others can just pick up.”

“What about you, Seojun?”

“I made it, didn’t I?”

“Fufu, that’s true.”

Namgung Suah smiled and gently stroked his hair.

“You really do know everything about Sister Geum. Even enough to craft a martial art just for her.”

“Mm. You could say that. I probably know more about Chunbong than Chunbong does.”

“Then... would you like to learn more about your big sis, too?”

Suah leaned forward. Though her face was hidden behind the massive mountain range, the approaching peaks and her breath made her intent abundantly clear.

“...Very deeply.”

With a seductive voice, one hand gently caressed Seojun’s body.

Goosebumps rose across Seojun’s skin.

He immediately scrambled back in a panic.

“W-Whoa! Usually this kind of thing starts with... you know, holding hands? Like, step by step...”

“Hmm? What?”

“...Baby-making?”

“Fufu. I only meant we should have a heart-to-heart talk.”

Her eyes curved in amusement. Through her narrowed gaze, those teasing blue pupils fixed on him like a predator playing with her prey.

“But... if that’s what you want, Seojun...”

“Big Sis...!”

Just then, Chunbong sprang up, having just completed her enlightenment.

Namgung Suah just chuckled.

“My, that was quick.”

“Of course it was! What would’ve happened if I wasn’t quick!”

“Hmm, baby-making?”

“Kyaaaaah...!”

Chunbong exploded.

“A-Are you crazy!?”

“Sister Geum.”

Namgung Suah spoke in a slightly more serious tone.

“I’ll be turning thirty soon. Actually, I’m already a bit late.”

“U-umm...”

“At this rate, I’ll be a grandmother before I even become a bride.”

She let out an exaggerated sob, pretending to wipe away tears. Chunbong, despite herself, began calculating.

“Thirty? That’s really quite middle-ag—“

“Sister Geum?”

A cold gaze. Faced with Suah’s overwhelming aura that she’d never seen before, Geum Chunbong couldn’t help but swallow hard.

“I-I almost said...”

Barely dodging death with one of Seojun’s signature evasive maneuvers, she quickly changed the subject.

“A-Anyway, about this Chunbong Divine Art!”