NOVEL NEXT Chapter 112
Anyway, this whole situation has come to an end.
The city, which was devastated, is gradually recovering with the manpower being deployed, and all the various quarantine procedures are finally over, so we can take a breather.
The best part is that our Dahoebang’s influence has grown tremendously.
By working hard on the city’s reconstruction and taking on all sorts of tasks, we have sucked in manpower and capital as well.
In response, Galbijong wanted to showcase his capabilities to the fullest and restructured the organization, and it turned out to be quite effective.
In conclusion, our Dahoebang has become a sect that combines the typical martial arts sect with the likes of the Haengdo Sect and Dahoebang. What’s truly amazing is that this kind of sect is something unique that you can’t find anywhere in the Central Plains.
“Hahaha! Since we took over what Dahoebang and Haengdo Sect were doing, our profits have skyrocketed!”
Galbijong laughed heartily with delight.
Just as he said, we have indeed become just that kind of sect.
Many people who used to work in Dahoebang and Haengdo Sect have joined us, so the system was applied very quickly, and the reforms were swift.
These days, our Dahoebang is taking on all sorts of tasks in the city, sending our members to carry out work, protecting businesses, and even teaching martial arts skills; we’re basically doing everything.
“Things have changed a lot.”
The folks who used to work in Haengdo Sect and Dahoebang were mostly day laborers. But now, with the restructuring into our Dahoebang, they’ve essentially become permanent staff.
I can’t believe I’ve become the head of such an organization; it’s quite touching.
“Hehehe… now the government has decided to completely entrust the demon subjugation requests to our Dahoebang.”
“What? They’re giving everything to us?”
“Originally, since Haengdo Sect could no longer function, the government realized it’s easiest to throw these requests to our sect.”
“Looks like we need to increase our administrative staff.”
Requests from various government entities are flooding into Dahoebang, and we’re dispatching our members appropriately and raking in profits.
If this continues, it’s going to be smooth sailing.
Currently, we’re teaching martial arts in Dahoebang, but I think that area still lacks quite a bit. It wouldn’t be bad to grow the organization more and invite outside masters to become our martial arts instructors.
Ultimately, the most important thing in this martial arts world is power.
“Jaemi Son. Once our finances are a bit more solid, let’s try inviting some outside masters. We’ll have them take on the role of martial arts instructors and train our members.”
“That’s a great idea… Looks like we’re about to get a lot busier.”
I’m sure we will.
So that’s how it went as I wrapped up my work and headed home.
“Geunhyeop. You’re back?”
Serin, who was training in martial arts, greeted me.
“Yeah. Where’s Hayoung?”
“She’s replenishing the talismans. Well then, let’s start today’s martial arts training.”
“Oh boy, being the head of an organization is quite the challenge.”
Doing work and martial arts training as well. There’s no time.
“That’s why the clan masters of each clan are electing a total commander to operate under.”
“To delegate all the work to the total commander.”
“Yes. But really, is there anything to worry about? Galbijong will handle everything well, and he’ll end up being the total commander anyway. Jaemi Son is clever, so he can handle that work too.”
“Hehe, that’s true.”
The two of them are like treasures.
When I first saw Galbijong, I thought he was a crazy guy, but now he’s turned into an indispensable force. I can’t even imagine running this sect without him.
“Now, let’s start the martial arts training. Follow my lead.”
“Got it.”
So I began my training with Serin.
This is my daily life nowadays.
“Geunhyeop, to be honest, it’s really impressive. Not only the amount of inner power but also your skills have been improving rapidly. It’s hard to believe that you were a third-rate wanderer just a short while ago; you’ve become so sharp.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. I’m still just at the beginning level of a peak martial artist, but I’ve never thought my talent was lacking. Although I’ve achieved results quickly as I’ve been consuming elixirs and receiving specialized training from a young age, if I lacked talent, I wouldn’t have reached this level.”
Serin said with a serious face.
“But Geunhyeop… you’re just an average wanderer and not even from a clan. Even if you gained great fortune, your training time has been extremely limited. But now…”
What kind of evaluation will I get?
“To be honest, your level isn’t as high as mine, but I’d say you’ve reached the level of a top-tier martial artist.”
“Top-tier?!”
“Yes. Top-tier. After all, didn’t you defeat the extreme realm?”
Wow!
I’m a top-tier martial artist!
“This kind of speed is truly remarkable. Perhaps Geunhyeop might catch up to my skills sooner or later.”
“Wow!… If that happens, you’ll have to learn from me, Serin! I’ll teach you everything for life!”
“What are you talking about?”
As Serin has taught me, I’ll teach her back.
“Huh, the more I think about it, the funnier it gets. Yes, I look forward to that.”
“Great! Now let’s get back to training!”
“Yes!”
Serin, a peak master, never speaks lightly. If Serin judged my martial arts abilities that way, then it’s true.
In reality, my skills have been steadily improving at a terrifying pace. With overwhelming inner power backing it up, I’m experiencing explosive growth.
I might become a peak master soon.
“Ahh.”
After finishing the training, I was soaked in sweat from head to toe.
“You did well today, Geunhyeop.”
Serin also looked incredibly alluring with her clothes completely drenched in sweat. Her slightly damp hair clung to her face, making it very tempting.
“What are you staring at? Did you finish training and immediately start having lewd thoughts? You naughty one.”
With a sly smile, Serin moved closer to me.
“Serin, the way you’re acting is making me think some inappropriate thoughts.”
“I find it hard to understand. Then I’ll go wash up…”
“Finished with training?”
Hayoung came out.
“Did you finish the talismans?”
“Ahh, my shoulders feel sore like crazy. Are you going to wash up? Let’s go in together. Once we’re done, you can massage my shoulders.”
“Huh? You’re asking Geunhyeop, who just finished training, for that kind of labor? As a wife, you’re supposed to massage your husband’s shoulders before asking him to massage yours.”
“What’s that? He’ll just act like he’s massaging but only touch my chest.”
“Busted!”
“Geunhyeop, if you go to the bedroom, I’ll massage your shoulders. So forget about Hayoung’s chest.”
“That’s too harsh…!”
Anyway, let’s wash up.
We all went into the bathroom together.
“Ugh, it’s a pain not being able to use hot water. By the way, that Four Fairies girl hasn’t shown up yet? The Golden Guards just left, too.”
Said Hayoung as we got into the tub.
Ah, but seriously.
Is this PTSD?
Every time the Four Fairies is mentioned, I flinch automatically.
“Well, if she were someone who easily showed up, she wouldn’t have become a national menace. If she had shown up, wouldn’t we all be dead by now?”
“That’s true. Honestly, it’s better not to see such a vicious witch.”
They have no idea.
Which is why they can chat about it so casually.
“Right. There’s nothing good about seeing such a scary witch. Just living an average life with good things is enough of a challenge.”
“Hehe, what are you saying?”
I also got into the tub.
“Anyway, it’s a relief she hasn’t shown up. Really. Thinking about the terrible things that witch has done, we wouldn’t know what would happen the moment she revealed herself. We all might have had to run away!”
“Yeah. I think so too. Just the recorded history of her atrocities makes her one fearsome witch.”
Wait.
History?
“Come to think of it, when did the Four Fairies get her notorious reputation? During the Ming Dynasty? Or was it during the Yuan Dynasty?”
Since there was the Yuan Dynasty before the Ming, could the Four Fairies be from the Yuan Dynasty?
“The Yuan Dynasty, what are you talking about?”
Hayoung scoffed.
“According to some theories, it goes all the way back to the Sui Dynasty.”
“What?! The Sui Dynasty?!”
Are we really talking about the Sui Dynasty?!
“Eulji Mundeok from Goguryeo?!”
“What? What? They say there were such barbarian states around that time, but how do you know that?”
“I just heard about it.”
“Wow! That’s impressive. Why does she know so much?”
Hayoung expressed her doubts, but that’s not the point right now.
“So, is the Four Fairies a figure from the Sui Dynasty?”
“That’s the theory.”
“In fact, there are no detailed records. Some claim she was from the Tang or the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, or the Song Dynasty.”
So there are conflicting opinions, huh?
“But if she really is from the Sui Dynasty, doesn’t that mean she’s nearly a thousand years old? Is that possible?”
“No wonder they call her a fairy.”
“…”
Is she just not a Fairy after all?
“Of course, no one knows the truth. But one thing is certain: records exist of her notoriety during the Yuan Dynasty and also the Song Dynasty. It’s highly likely she appeared during the Song or the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.”
“So she’s an incredible witch. A fairy who’s hundreds of years old? And with malicious intent? She might even be notorious until the next era after the Ming.”
While two women positioned themselves in front and behind me in the tub and said that, my head was filled with shock and terror.
If the Four Fairies is indeed a figure from the Sui Dynasty… that would mean my stepmother is a thousand years old!
And on top of that, it would mean I was heavily involved with such a Four Fairies!
Crazy!
If I train martial arts for a thousand years, wouldn’t I be like a demon? The great general Koketemur from the Yuan Dynasty? He’s just an ordinary person. So I need to watch out for the Demon King.
It’s just terrifying… I feel like I’m going crazy.