NOVEL NEXT Chapter 202
Episode 202: Major Announcement
The Heavenly Horse Hall was beautifully restored.
A cold-hearted man was staring with a bleak gaze at the stunning scenery of the courtyard.
He was Baek Murang, the leader of the Heavenly Horse Church and one of the Three Supreme Beings.
The face of Yujinhwi flashed through his mind.
‘The Heavenly Body, her achievement is truly astounding.’
Yujinhwi of the Gongdong Alliance.
The owner of the Heavenly Body.
Her talent had already surpassed even that of the Heavenly Horse. The Heavenly Horse was convinced of this. After all, Yujinhwi was already presumed to have transcended Hwakyung’s Wall and reached Hyun-gyeong’s level.
Reaching Hyun-gyeong in her teens?
The Heavenly Horse, who had maintained an overwhelming talent since birth, naturally believed that the place of the world’s best belonged to him. But now, he couldn’t be so sure.
Before turning twenty, Yujinhwi, the Heavenly Body, had made the impossible possible and reached Hyun-gyeong.
The Heavenly Horse couldn’t assure a victory against her.
“Hu, huhuhuhu, hahaha, hahahahahaha!”
That’s why he was delighted.
The fact that an opponent who dared to discuss victory and defeat had appeared. The joy of finally being able to engage in a proper martial match with all his strength lit up the eyes of the Heavenly Horse.
The purpose of inviting the Orthodox Faction and the Demon Faction to the Heavenly Horse Ceremony had already been fulfilled at that moment.
‘The Heavenly Body Yujinhwi will undoubtedly challenge me.’
There was a grudge between the Gongdong Sect and the New Religion. Not just any hatred, but an insatiable grudge.
To solve the issue of that grudge, Yujinhwi would definitely challenge him.
After all, she was the direct disciple of the Gongdong Sect’s leader.
To settle the grudge with the New Religion, she had to duel the Heavenly Horse himself.
The reason he mentioned a duel as a means to resolve the grudge with the Gongdong Sect was to engage in an unrestricted martial competition with the Heavenly Body.
The Heavenly Horse was convinced that this future would surely come.
He vividly recalled Yujinhwi’s eyes turning cold when he mentioned the grudge.
That gaze was electrifying.
He was looking forward to the future where he would clash with the Heavenly Body. That look gave him satisfaction about the coming future. Thus, he willingly let Yujinhwi go without a word.
After all, she would definitely return.
For now, Yujinhwi was just at the threshold of Hyun-gyeong. There was a clear difference between her and the Heavenly Horse, who had reached the pinnacle of Hyun-gyeong. She was still not ripe enough.
So, the Heavenly Horse planned to wait until Yujinhwi reached the peak of Hyun-gyeong and sought him out for the resolution of their grudge.
For a proper duel, he could wait as long as needed.
‘I’ll wait. Heavenly Body.’
The eyes of the Heavenly Horse sank deeply.
He had confirmed the long-desired achievement of the Heavenly Body, but he wasn’t that truly happy.
If it were the Heavenly Horse before realizing humanity, he would have felt the greatest joy.
But not now.
‘…Is this due to that brat, the Goeryong, teaching me about love?’
Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo.
Currently, the Heavenly Horse had more interest in the Goeryong than the Heavenly Body.
Lee Cheol-soo, despite having the traits of a cunning person, was also rather proficient in martial arts, and enjoyed exploring human emotions, making him hard to define in one word.
The Heavenly Horse could not fathom what Lee Cheol-soo was thinking. He couldn’t read anything from his expressions and glances.
‘What kind of person is he?’
He was far more concerning than the Heavenly Body. Besides, wasn’t he the guy that his daughter seemed to like?
That might have been why he was so troubled.
Just then, when the Heavenly Horse’s thoughts shifted from the Heavenly Body Yujinhwi to the Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo…
“I’m here, Father.”
The voice of his daughter echoed in his ears. The Heavenly Horse turned his head.
There she was.
A slender girl with striking blonde hair and wall-eyed gaze, Baek Cheon-hwa.
“I heard you were looking for a girl. What’s the matter?”
Baek Cheon-hwa spoke with a stiff voice. But her heart raced, pounding like a drum.
“I heard that you plan to challenge the Goeryong again.”
The Heavenly Horse said.
Challenge.
At those words, Baek Cheon-hwa flinched. Lee Cheol-soo. She was determined to earn his recognition. Yet, he had left just like that.
Baek Cheon-hwa.
He stirred her heart, saved her at his convenience, and then disappeared into the Central Plains without a word, caring not a bit.
‘What a bad guy.’
Baek Cheon-hwa bit her lip.
How could he be so heartless? Shouldn’t he at least look back once? Ever since Lee Cheol-soo vanished, Baek Cheon-hwa felt an emptiness. His presence grew larger in her heart.
The Heavenly Horse observed Baek Cheon-hwa’s face. He took note of the myriad emotions flickering in her gaze and complexion.
Baek Cheon-hwa spoke.
“Yes, I must ensure I am recognized by him…”
“Enough with the clothing talk.”
The Heavenly Horse cut her off.
Clothes.
Being torn and left naked in the middle of a martial arts competition, it would be a shame as a woman. As her father, he couldn’t simply stand by.
“The Goeryong is not a trivial opponent. If you truly wish to earn his acknowledgment, you must fully master the Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique.”
The Heavenly Horse said.
His gaze turned to Baek Cheon-hwa.
The Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique.
From a minor demon to the seat of Two Horsemen, it was the culmination of everything he had experienced before becoming the Heavenly Horse, Baek Murang.
It was the crystallization of Baek Murang’s entire life, so he thought no one but himself could master it. Therefore, he never passed it on.
Conveying the Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique to Baek Cheon-hwa was a whimsical decision. Yet, she exceeded his expectations, quickly achieving mastery of the technique. She even refined the Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique into swordsmanship.
The Heavenly Horse could not deny it. Though not to the level of the Heavenly Body, Baek Cheon-hwa had enough talent to pique the Heavenly Horse’s interest.
“I shall teach you. Draw your sword.”
That’s why he would teach her himself.
Not for his daughter’s dreams, but for his own interest as the Heavenly Horse.
He rationalized his thoughts, but a subtle smile lingered on his lips as he looked at her.
Seeing that smile made Baek Cheon-hwa’s heart race.
Finally.
The day she would not only earn her father’s recognition but also receive his teachings had come. She was confused whether it was a dream or reality.
All thanks to that Lee Cheol-soo. So, she needed to earn his acknowledgment soon.
Thinking of Lee Cheol-soo, Baek Cheon-hwa drew her sword.
Immediately after, an explosion of energy echoed throughout the Heavenly Horse Hall courtyard.
*
After setting up for the ceremonial banquet…
The schedule for the Geumhu’s duties was set.
In the morning, they sat at the mountain gate, thinking of Sangong, waiting for his arrival.
In the afternoon, they visited the Gaebang Hwajeong-hyeon Branch to hear news about Sangong.
In the evening, they did chores like cleaning the grounds of the Gongdong Sect, then served as the companion of her father, Jeonyeong.
Thus, the Geumhu waited for news about Sangong while keeping their mind busy.
When they heard about the chaos in the Demon Sect, they barely managed to restrain themselves from rushing over as they learned that a high-ranking member from the Heavenly Alliance was already protecting Sangong.
Instead, they rolled beads and prayed to Buddha for Sangong’s safe return.
On this day too, as she thought about Sangong, Eun Seol-ran was waiting at the mountain gate.
She sensed a familiar presence approaching.
‘Sangong?!’
It was the aura of Sangong. The Geumhu jumped up. Her heart raced wildly. She quickly tidied up her hair and attire.
She knew Sangong was on his way back, as it had been heard through the Gaebang. But she hadn’t expected him to come so soon.
Thump.
Sangong was coming. After months of waiting and seasons passing, he was finally coming. The man she longed to see was at hand.
The thought paralyzed the Geumhu’s rationality. Her face turned bright red. Thump thump. Her heart raced continuously.
‘Should I go down the hill to greet him? No, it’s right to welcome him at the gate. I am Sangong’s wife after all.’
Meeting her husband at the entrance was the proper duty of a virtuous wife, wasn’t it?
Thus, the Geumhu, with her hand resting on her heart, awaited Sangong. Time felt like an eternity, and finally, she spotted Sangong approaching.
Leading the party proudly, Sangong returned to the Gongdong Sect.
‘Ah, my Sangong. You’ve become even more handsome and manly in the time I couldn’t see you. I’m falling for you all over again! Kyaa!’
The Geumhu internally squealed. Lee Cheol-soo, growing more dignified and manly with each passing day.
In this moment, she fell in love with Sangong once again.
A faint smile crept across the Geumhu’s normally expressionless face. Her cheeks turned rosy.
“You’re here! Eungong!”
The Geumhu exclaimed. If it were her way, she would have dashed over to hug Sangong tightly, wanting to bury his face in her ample bosom.
‘Next, as expected, after a long absence, I must share a steamy encounter with him. Kyaa!’
Sharing love intimately with her husband, who just returned from his long journey, was also the duty of a wife.
Someday, later on, she would do just that.
But not yet.
She wasn’t even officially a couple yet.
With incredible willpower, the Geumhu restrained her immediate desire to hug the man.
“You’re the Geumhu senior. It’s been a while.”
Sangong’s voice resonated in the Geumhu’s ears. Her heart raced madly.
His voice was so sweet. The Geumhu felt a strange flutter in her belly.
“Waa! Mama, Papa! And a beautiful older sister!”
A cheerful voice rang in her ears. The Geumhu turned her head. There was Sosumahu, with gray hair flailing, looking at her with innocent eyes while pulling the sleeve of Heuksaryong.
Sosumahu Baek Rijiak.
The fact that she was regression, acting as Sangong’s daughter, was something the Heavenly Alliance’s informants had told her.
The Geumhu approached Sosumahu and smiled.
“So you’re Jiyagi. Nice to meet you! Thank you for calling me sister. I’m Eun Seol-ran.”
After all, she was a child accepted by Sangong’s party. She couldn’t be a rivalry. Therefore, as Sangong’s wife, it was only courteous that she treated her well.
Unless the personality of the great demon Sosumahu became apparent.
“Sister Eun! Pretty name!”
Sweeping her hair, Sosumahu smiled.
Hearing her name and being called older sister made the Geumhu’s heart feel light.
Now at an age just a year shy of thirty, no one would address the exquisite master of the White Path Martial World and the leader of the Hangshan Sect as sister. Most were too nervous and fussy with their respect.
Thus, being called sister felt special. It was as if she had returned to her youthful years, twenty years past. Back then, there were many younger ones calling for her.
Feeling pleasant, the Geumhu raised her head just then.
A pair of red eyes entered her line of sight. Immediately, the unparalleled beauty who could rival anyone in the world graced her vision.
The number one of the Demon Faction, Yeomwang Jeoksawol.
The most beautiful in the world stood before her.
“Geumhu. I’ve heard news, but I can’t understand. You should be with the Hangshan Sect, so why are you here in the Gongdong Sect, casting aside your duties? Isn’t the Orthodox Faction supposed to value their duties above their lives?”
Jeoksawol said to the Geumhu with a sneer on her face.
“I’m merely tidying up the house as a woman, waiting for Eungong, who will soon be my husband.”
The Geumhu replied in a calm voice, staring back at Jeoksawol.
She continued.
“Rather, isn’t it you, Yeomwang, who has been busy as a Sado Family leader? Is it truly okay to remain in the White Path while neglecting affairs of the Martial World?”
Hearing the Geumhu’s words, Jeoksawol’s face hardened.
Her hand trembled slightly.
‘This young girl, not even thirty, speaks so cockily…!!’
Geumhu.
That little brat had constantly ruffled her feathers since the Orthodox Faction Competition. Though she held her hand during the Yongbong Society event while disguised as Neungwolhyang, the annoyance lingered. Just as she was about to unleash…
“Both of you calm down.”
A familiar voice echoed.
It was Yujinhwi.
With Yujinhwi’s intervention, the tension between Jeoksawol and the Geumhu dissipated. The two girls, drained of energy, averted their gazes from each other, huffing.
Soon after, Yujinhwi turned to the Geumhu and bowed.
“Thank you, Geumhu senior, for watching over our faction in my and my master’s absence.”
“No, Yujin-gongzi. It was my duty.”
As she accepted Yujinhwi’s bow, the Geumhu smiled.
‘Kyaa! I got praised by my dear brother-in-law! Sangong will surely be pleased! Fufu.’
Despite her calm demeanor and words, inside she felt joy like a girl.
Looking at the Geumhu and everyone, Yujinhwi spoke.
“Oh, and there’s something important I need to tell everyone. So…”
Yujinhwi’s gaze swept across the crowd before locking onto the disciple.
Yujinhwi’s determination hardened.
She smiled faintly.
“…After the meal, I’d like everyone to gather.”