Ji-baek explained the situation with the Martial Alliance to Seo-jun.
In summary, it went something like this:
Under normal circumstances, the Martial Alliance doesn’t hold much power, but that changes during wartime. Soon, there will be a major announcement from the Alliance, and they’ll be granted considerable authority. They assured that there wouldn’t be any delays in support like last time.
As Ji-baek rattled off the information as if he were reading from a script, Seo-jun got the impression that he didn’t feel much of an allegiance to the Martial Alliance.
Since Seo-jun felt similarly, he asked casually.
“So, what exactly is this reward they’re offering?”
“They said they’ll do their best to accommodate whatever it is you wish for, young hero.”
“What I want?”
That was a real conundrum.
As a martial artist, the usual rewards would be an elixir, martial arts techniques, or maybe a sacred weapon… but Seo-jun didn’t really feel the need for any of those.
After all, he was the son-in-law of the Namgung Clan.
Sure, the Martial Alliance was powerful, being a coalition of multiple sects, but could it really offer him anything that the Namgung Clan couldn’t?
Even within the Namgung Clan, there wasn’t anything he particularly desired, so he had set the reward matter aside for the time being.
“I really don’t need anything.”
“Hah… How can you be so humble? If you’d been in Shaolin, you’d have surely become a great monk.”
Hye-woon, who had been attempting to drink the tea Seo-jun brewed, nodded as he set down his cup.
“Indeed. I thought as much when we met last time; your heart is truly righteous. You are, without a doubt, a model for all martial artists.”
“Oh, stop it. No need to flatter me; I’m not giving anything away.”
Seo-jun chuckled, and Ji-baek gave a small smile as well.
“In that case, there is a reward prepared by the Martial Alliance just in case of situations like this.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Authority. Since it’s wartime, the Martial Alliance will expand, creating various units and squads. If you wish, you could be appointed as a squad leader.”
A squad leader? Why would I want that?
Seo-jun grimaced and waved his hands dismissively.
“Ugh… that’s a bit much. Isn’t that just another way to put me to work, rather than a reward?”
“In wartime, holding such authority within the Martial Alliance is indeed a reward… but if that’s how you feel, I’ll convey it to the Alliance.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“A reward that the recipient isn’t interested in isn’t really a reward, is it?”
“Mm. Good.”
Satisfied, Seo-jun nodded, then had a sudden thought.
‘Rather than a weird reward, can’t they just give me some kind of immunity?’
He had a feeling that one day he’d end up needing to crack a Martial Alliance martial artist’s skull.
But outright asking for immunity would be like announcing, “I’m going to cause trouble soon~,” so he held back.
“Is that all you had to convey?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
Didn’t seem like much. It felt like Ji-baek had come by just to pass along a message while visiting for fun.
“Then, would you like to see our Chun-bong?”
“Chun-bong…?”
Ji-baek tilted his head in confusion, but Hye-woon immediately understood and smiled softly.
“It seems you’re still getting along well. I’d be honored.”
Hye-woon rubbed his head as if recalling the times it had been affectionately patted.
“You won’t be disappointed.”
The ever-growing Chun-bong. Anyone seeing her for the first time would be shocked.
Seo-jun flung open the door and shouted.
“Chun-bong…!!!”
His loud voice echoed through the villa.
Soon, Chun-bong came walking out from somewhere with a slight bounce in her step.
“What’s up?”
“Our Chun-bong…!”
Seo-jun ran over, slipped his hands under her arms, and lifted her up high.
“I called you over to show you off.”
“Geez…”
Chun-bong, used to this treatment, calmly let herself be observed.
Seeing her, Hye-woon’s eyes widened.
“Wow…! Kids do grow up fast, but she’s really grown up in the blink of an eye.”
“Well, yes, she has.”
Recognizing Hye-woon, Chun-bong scratched her soft cheek.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has, esteemed young lady of unparalleled talent.”
“What…?”
Chun-bong flinched. She never expected anyone besides Seo-jun to use that nickname…!
“Wait, how do you know about that?”
“You mentioned it last time, young hero.”
Hye-woon smiled warmly and bowed slightly, almost as if to draw attention to his bald head.
“Out of nowhere, but would you like to feel it?”
“Uh… not going to turn it down…”
Chun-bong tapped Hye-woon’s bald head and her eyes widened.
“Oh…!”
“Well, what do you think?”
“You’ve improved.”
“Since that day, I realized that even this could bring happiness to someone, so I started taking care of it.”
Seo-jun thought to himself.
‘Is this guy really a reincarnated Buddha?’
His heart was vast, as if it could rival the Pacific Ocean.
And just listening to the conversation between Hye-woon and Chun-bong was quite the spectacle.
“You get it. I, too, understand the importance of self-care, as I manage my cheeks myself.”
“Hah… you’re practicing the teachings of the Buddha, young lady.”
“Oh, but I don’t let anyone else touch them. To avoid cheek damage… it’s strictly off-limits to anyone but my brother.”
“To love all beings is a teaching for those who walk the path of Buddha. Since you two siblings care for each other so deeply, even Buddha would be pleased.”
He didn’t understand a word of it.
Seo-jun glanced at Ji-baek, who, apparently thinking the same, laughed quietly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Hye-woon smile so brightly. It seems that young lady has a talent for bringing happiness to others.”
“What. Seriously, monk! Your enlightenment is practically Buddha-tier? Spot on.”
Talking like this, time just flew by.
“You know, Shaolin actually seems like a pretty decent sect.”
Seo-jun sat on the roof, leisurely sipping his coffee.
This was his last supply. Unless he found more, he wouldn’t be able to drink it anymore.
What a shame. He should find out where he could get some.
“Each sect has its own characteristics, but good people are good people, and bastards are bastards.”
Chun-bong subtly distanced herself from Seo-jun. That coffee… such an evil drink.
Fearing that even just smelling it would keep her awake, Chun-bong kept a safe distance and took out her bottle of green tea.
As the sweetness spread through her body, the corners of her mouth lifted.
This was true happiness.
Namgung Su-a watched Chun-bong’s delighted expression and took the coffee Seo-jun handed her.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. How’s training going?”
“Good. My great-granduncle is teaching me passionately. I think I’m starting to understand a bit of what you mentioned.”
“Oh, so it might really be soon?”
Seo-jun grinned as he raised his cup, and Namgung Su-a chuckled, clinking her cup against his.
Clink
A clear sound.
As they chatted while sipping coffee, their bodies grew relaxed.
Seo-jun enjoyed the scent of coffee.
A cup of coffee under the night sky.
A quiet conversation between the three of them.
What more could happiness be? Each of these moments was pure happiness.
Seo-jun nodded thoughtfully and then stood up.
“Exactly.”
Happiness wasn’t far away.
Just having coffee together like this felt like he owned the world.
But for some, this time would only be dull, or worse, unbearable.
One’s perspective shapes one’s experience, even of the same activity.
Grasping a sudden inspiration, Seo-jun drew his sword.
He started to demonstrate what seemed like a haphazard, playful sword form.
When he added his inspiration to it, Chun-bong and Namgung Su-a gasped in awe.
“Oh, that’s really flashy.”
“Hm? Isn’t it more solid and understated?”
“What? How could that be understated?”
“Huh…?”
The two women looked at each other in confusion.
Seo-jun grinned at the result he’d wanted.
“There we go, Chun-bong. An improved version of the Chun-bong Art.”
Chun-bong still hadn’t fully mastered Cheongun Art.
Naturally, there was a slight gap between Cheongun Art and Chun-bong, and normally, Chun-bong Art would fill that gap.
But in this moment, it evolved slightly.
Instead of merely filling the gap, it became a martial art in its own right, designed specifically for Chun-bong.
“Huh? So what was that just now?”
“The Chun-bong Art.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well… it’s the Chun-bong Art?”
“Argh…! You’re so frustrating!”
Chun-bong jumped up and down. Seo-jun laughed, reciting the chant under the moonlight like poetry.
Listening, Chun-bong seemed entranced, then sat down to meditate.
She had clearly gained something.
Namgung Su-a, on the other hand, felt a strange dissonance, unable to even consider trying the Chun-bong Art.
Looking at Seo-jun in confusion, he casually laid his head on her soft thigh.
“You shouldn’t try it, Nuna. One wrong move, and you’d immediately go into qi deviation.”
“Oh… so it’s really the Chun-bong Art?”
“Yep. I created it from the ground up to suit Chun-bong’s physical attributes, martial arts skills, and mental image. It’d be hard for anyone else to master it.”
“What about you?”
“I created it, didn’t I?”
“Right, that makes sense.”
Namgung Su-a smiled softly, stroking Seo-jun’s head as he lay on her lap.
“You really know everything about Chun-bong, don’t you? To create a martial art just for her.”
“Mhm. You could say that. I probably know Chun-bong better than she knows herself.”
“Then… would you like to get to know me better, too?”
Namgung Su-a leaned down. Her face was hidden by the mountains, but the approaching peaks and her breath made it hard to miss.
“…to the very depths.”
With her seductive voice, her hand gently caressed Seo-jun’s body.
A shiver ran through him.
Seo-jun quickly bounced back and escaped.
“Whoa, well, usually, in these things… we, uh, hold hands first… take it step-by-step…”
“Hm? What?”
“…make a baby?”
“Oh, I was just thinking we’d have an open talk and share our thoughts.”
Namgung Su-a’s eyes narrowed playfully. Her blue eyes, filled with mischief, peered at him.
“But if that’s what you want…”
“Nuna…!”
Chun-bong, now finished with her meditation, suddenly sprang to her feet.
Namgung Su-a chuckled.
“Oh my, that was quick.”
“What would you have done if I hadn’t been?”
“Mm, maybe… made a baby?”
“Eeeeek…!”
Chun-bong flailed.
“Are you out of your mind!?”
“Golden Sister.”
Namgung Su-a spoke in a slightly more serious tone.
“I’ll be thirty soon. Truthfully, it’s already a bit late.”
“Uh… I see…”
“At this rate, I’ll be a grandma soon.”
Feigning tears, Namgung Su-a pretended to wipe her eyes, making Chun-bong think seriously.
“Thirty…? That’s like totally—”
“Golden Sister?”
The chilling look in Namgung Su-a’s eyes made Chun-bong gulp.
“W-well, I almost said that…”
Using a technique she’d learned from Seo-jun, Chun-bong quickly deflected and changed the topic.
“Anyway, about this Chun-bong Art!”