Martial Arts Ain't Anything Special-Chapter 126: The Primordial Step (1)

Seojun led Hyeonwol to a suitable room.

Namgung Suah, either not wanting to interfere or perhaps wanting to escape, excused herself to train. Pae Jingwang followed along, claiming he was bored.

“To get straight to the point, the intel on the Blood Crow Sect isn’t very reliable. They’re extremely secretive, so even after digging through every scrap of intelligence, the results are pretty thin.”

“Blood Crow Sect? Why are you suddenly interested in them?”

When Pae Jingwang asked, Seojun raised a finger to his lips.

“Old man, shh.”

Clicking his tongue, Pae Jingwang fell silent.

“The info I brought is what I consider reasonably credible. I’ve got the rest too, but it’s closer to hearsay, so take it with a grain of salt.”

Hyeonwol pulled out two scrolls from his robe.

One held the carefully vetted intel; the other was filled with less reliable rumors.

As he handed them over, Hyeonwol rattled off a summary:

The sect’s location, structure, fighting force, the sect leader’s realm, their main martial arts, the formations likely installed around their headquarters, and the likely tricks they’d employ.

Seojun was impressed by how Hyeonwol delivered all of this information in a single breath.

“Damn, you’re really smart. How’d you memorize all that?”

“It’s my job. I’d be a disgrace if I couldn’t manage this much.”

Hyeonwol grinned. Pae Jingwang, who’d kept quiet until now, spoke again.

“So why’re you going after them?”

“I’m going to wipe them out. They keep sending assassins. It’s getting annoying.”

“My goodness... what idiots. Of all people to mess with.”

“What about me?”

“If you don’t know, let’s keep it that way.”

Pae Jingwang smirked. Watching the exchange, Hyeonwol muttered, half in awe,

“I see you’re quite close with the Fist King as well.”

“Huh? You knew who he was?”

“I’d have to quit this line of work if I didn’t.”

“Oh, I figured you didn’t recognize him since you didn’t react.”

Seojun chuckled and tapped the table. A ripple of inner qi buzzed from his fingertips, producing an odd vibration.

A maid arrived promptly with tea.

Sniff sniff.

After inhaling the aroma, Seojun nodded.

This is why you let experts handle these things.

The tea he had made last time was just bitter water.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

The maid bowed deeply and withdrew.

Once the door closed, Seojun tucked the scrolls into his robe and pulled something else out.

It was a wooden token. A badge symbolizing the branch leader of Douyin Township, which he had received from Madam Maewol of the Red Moon Pavilion during his time in the back alleys with Chunbong.

“Oh, what’s that?”

“You know what this is, right?”

“Of course. A township-level branch leader’s token. Why didn’t you show this when we first met?”

“Didn’t think I needed to.”

Recalling that meeting, Hyeonwol nodded with a strange expression.

“That’s true.”

“So... is it actually useful?”

“Well... not really. For someone like you now, it’s more of a formality. You’re Heaven-reaching True Qi, aren’t you? You could just grab any branch leader by the collar and get what you need.”

“Come on, don’t make me sound like some thug.”

As Seojun grumbled, Hyeonwol chuckled.

“Other than that... well. To be honest, the bonds between Hao Sect branches aren’t that strong, so it doesn’t mean much. Though other branch leaders might show you some favor.”

“Do they give discounts and such?”

“That’s up to the branch leader. While we’re at it, take this too.”

Hyeonwol took out another token from his robe.

Not a wooden token but a metal one.

Was this the difference between the poor back alleys and wealthy Henan?

“That’s a provincial-level branch leader token. Might come in handy.”

“Provincial? Wait, you were the Henan province branch leader?”

“You didn’t know?”

“You’re more impressive than I thought.”

“That’s rude.”

Hyeonwol snorted and tossed the token. Seojun caught it effortlessly and slipped it into his robe.

“Thanks.”

“No need.”

“If anyone bothers you later, let me know. I’ll quietly deal with them.”

“...Are you serious?”

“Half. I’ll at least rough them up for you.”

With a laugh, Seojun leaned back, propping himself up with his arms.

“So, is our business done?”

“That’s right.”

“Then let’s have a little fun before you go.”

“Haha, now that’s the spirit.”

Hyeonwol stayed for nearly two hours before taking his leave.

*The Dragon Phoenix Tournament preliminaries were fast approaching.

Seojun, overseeing Chunbong and Namgung Suah’s training, suddenly flopped onto the floor with a groan.

“This insane Central Plains... No matter how I think about it, it’s too damn big.”

Namgung Suah, who’d recovered from her embarrassment and returned to normal, approached with a smile.

“Why? Is there somewhere you want to go?”

She gently lifted Seojun’s head and laid it on her thigh with a soft thud.

As she chuckled and stroked his hair, Chunbong narrowed her eyes.

“...Why are you two so close all of a sudden? What happened while I was gone?”

“Tut-tut, Sister Geum. We didn’t eat anything delicious without you.”

“Suspicious...”

Chunbong trotted over and plopped down directly on Seojun’s stomach with a scowl.

“So what’s wrong with the Central Plains being vast?”

“It’s a pain. Takes forever to get anywhere.”

“You’re such an idiot. You’re good at something, remember?”

“Good at something?”

Seojun paused to think.

Martial arts, spellcraft, trolling people, flirting...

“I’m good at lots of things.”

“This bastard...”

Irritated, Chunbong bounced her butt on his stomach.

Her sharp tailbone jabbed him square in the ribs.

“Oof...!”

“Just invent a new movement technique, idiot!”

“Huh?”

...Right. Now that she mentioned it, he was pretty good at creating martial arts too.

“Why didn’t I think of that...?”

This is why people need to talk things out.

When one path opens up, the others often get overlooked.

“Our Geum Chunbong...! You’re a genius...!”

Seojun sprang up and hoisted Chunbong high into the air.

Floating above the ground, Chunbong raised her chin proudly.

“Hmph. Just now realizing that?”

“That’s right! My Chunbubbie is a genius! I was being stupid!”

“Mm-hmm, good. Keep going.”

“Most Adorable Under Heaven!”

“That one’s getting old.”

“Adult Chunbong!”

“Say that again and I’ll kill you.”

Grinning, Seojun added “Create an awesome movement technique“ to his mental to-do list.

Come to think of it, while he’d learned movement techniques from both the Yellow Cloud Divine Art and the Supreme Force Monstrous God Style, he hadn’t really put them to proper use.

Yellow Dragon Crossing the Rosy Clouds was decent, but it wasn’t exactly built for speed.

What else do I have?

There were surely other techniques he’d forgotten.

Taking the opportunity to organize his thoughts, two more came to mind.

“Ah.”

“What now?”

“That Black Serpent martial art.”

“Why bring that up?”

“I meant to ask if I could copy it and use it on you later. Kept forgetting.”

Given Chunbong’s deep hatred for the Black Serpent, this was no minor request.

As expected, her expression twisted oddly.

“...Why would you want to do that?”

“Wouldn’t it be satisfying to throw it back in their faces?”

“...Hmm. You’ve got a point. Fine. Approved.”

“Nice.”

Then he remembered one more thing.

Seojun’s expression turned serious. He fixed his gaze on Namgung Suah.

Startled by the sudden intensity, Suah stiffened.

Trying to calm the heat rising in her cheeks, she cautiously asked.

“W-what...?”

“Big Sis.”

“Y-yes...”

“The time has come.”

Both women tilted their heads at the dramatic declaration.

Seojun announced:

“Today, we’re settling our arm wrestling rematch.”

He was ready.

With the Supreme Force Monstrous God Style finally stabilized, he could reclaim his lost honor.

Chunbong burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe it. You’re still hung up on that?”

“Of course. It’s important.”

Seojun lay down on the floor and took position.

“Come on, Big Sis.”

“Hmm... then shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

His lips curled into a grin.

There was no reason to decline a bet he would definitely win.

“Sure. What kind of bet?”

“The winner gets a wish from the loser?”

“Oh? What kind of wish?”

Fufu, Namgung Suah laughed and tapped her lips.

“A kiss.”

“What...”

Seojun’s eyes widened.

But his reaction was nothing compared to Chunbong’s.

“W-what—! A kiss!? On the lips!? Have you no shame...!”

She practically jumped in place.

Namgung Suah kept her eyes locked on Seojun’s.

“Well? What do you say Seojun?”

“Um...”

Maybe losing wouldn’t be so bad? He could always win next time...

“Can I decide later...?”

“Of course.”

Namgung Suah whispered with a suggestive smile.

“Any wish is fine. Really... anything.”

“Oh...”

Before he could fully process that, Suah grabbed his hand and locked into position.

There was no backing out now.

Chunbong stood between them as referee.

“Eek...!”

She glared at Seojun like she was reading his mind.

This bastard better not lose on purpose.

But this wasn’t something she could interfere with. If they wanted to kiss, what could she do?

All she could hope was...

“...Start!”

With Chunbong’s signal, both pushed with full force.

Namgung Suah gave it her all—veins standing out on her slender arm, and her face contorted to the point of looking somewhat ungraceful.

But her hand didn’t move from center.

A stalemate.

No, Suah quickly realized what was happening.

“Ah...”

Thud, Namgung Suah’s hand effortlessly touched the ground.

“Finally...!”

Seojun’s overwhelming victory.

Seojun leapt to his feet in triumph.

Victory at last. Honor restored.

A wide grin spread across his face.

“I’ll think about my wish and tell you later.”

“...Okay.”

Suah stood, brushing off her clothes. She looked briefly disappointed, but soon regained her smile and reached for her sword.

“Shall we continue training then...”

Before she could finish, Seojun stepped forward.

Startled, her eyes widened. Blue pupils trembled as they looked up at him.

He leaned in, and gently kissed her forehead with a soft smooch.

“This one’s on the house.”

“Eh...?”

Suah instinctively covered her forehead with both hands.

“Why, why do you always...”

Always catching her off guard...

Blushing furiously, she lowered her head, letting her hair fall to hide her face.

But the corners of her lips were lifted in a soft, unmistakable smile.

Chunbong, who had taken all this in, was thoroughly exasperated.

“W-what do you mean, ‘on the house’? Did you read that in a trashy romance novel!? Who says things like that!”

“Aww, does my Chunbong want a kiss too? Come here.”

“No thanks! Stay away!”

Chunbong stuck out her tongue and bolted.

She seemed quite upset. He’d have to make it up to her later.

Chuckling, Seojun brushed off his sleeves and leaned back with a stretch.

The moment of fun had passed.

Now it was time to get back to work.

A movement technique...

One focused purely on speed. Something that could let him leap across great distances in a single bound.

That would be his top priority for now.