NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46
Chapter 46: It Must Be Magic
As I showcased my acting skills worthy of a thousand trophies, the eyes of Wi Soryeon shook intensely.
A heavy silence descended around us.
“Disciple, did you really find it delicious?”
It was Sahyeong who broke the silence.
He hesitantly spoke to me.
“Hmm.”
Master cleared his throat, stroking his beard.
Seoharin, behind me, bit her lip.
“N-No way. You, you actually enjoyed that…! It must be magic! There’s no other explanation!”
And perhaps in shock from the smoke that rose to the heavens, Wi Soryeon showered me with compliments, claiming it was magic.
Magic, huh.
Who would’ve thought I’d receive such high praise?
In the martial world of the medieval era, calling someone’s skills “magic” was equivalent to saying “You’re as messed up as modern-day gaming.”
Translated, it would roughly mean, “Your martial arts skills are truly extraordinary! I could never defeat you.”
“Magic? What nonsense is that? It was a carefully crafted meal by Seoharin. The depth and taste easily rival that of the imperial palace’s feast!”
Of course, I had tasted the imperial palace’s feasts in my previous life, and comparing it to Seoharin’s delicacies was like comparing a mountain of treasures to a speck of dust.
Saying this, I picked up the charred piece of coal-like substance again, popped it into my mouth, and smiled with superhuman acting skills.
“Does my smile still look like a falsehood crafted by magic?”
“······W-Well…”
Wi Soryeon’s shoulders drooped under my smile.
At my level of acting, even the eyes of Jeoksawol would struggle to see through it.
Let alone Wi Soryeon, who was still at a novice level, it was impossible for her to see through my performance.
“A, no…”
Wi Soryeon spoke in a small voice.
“Then shouldn’t I sincerely apologize to Seoharin? For earlier, when I threatened her. You’re not considering going against your own words as the master of the Black Dragon Clan, are you?”
“Absolutely not! No way!”
As I lightly poked at the dignity of the master, Wi Soryeon leaped up.
Coughing slightly, she looked at Seoharin and said,
“Ahem. I sincerely apologize for my reckless actions that frightened you and made inappropriate remarks. In the name of Heuksaryong, the master of the Black Dragon Clan, I deeply apologize, Seoharin.”
With a polite manner, she bowed her head to apologize.
Seoharin shook her head slowly.
“I accept your apology. I’m fine. So please, don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Wi Soryeon and Seoharin exchanged polite greetings.
Watching the scene, I chuckled.
After that matter was settled.
“I received your response. I accept your proposal to join your clan.”
“Thank you.”
Finally, the exchange of letters between Jeonyeong and Wi Soryeon came to an end.
Wi Soryeon, after receiving Jeonyeong’s response, bowed her head.
“It’s getting late. It wouldn’t be right to let a guest, who traveled all the way from Sichuan to Gansu, suffer the night dew. Although this place is humble, why don’t you stay for the night?”
Even though the Black Dragon Clan and the Gongdong Sect were enemies, Wi Soryeon, as a host, had to offer accommodation.
Though it seemed unlikely for someone of her stature to stay in such a dilapidated place.
“I appreciate your words, but I’m fine. I can’t impose on your clan. I’ve already secured a room at the inn down the mountain, so please don’t worry. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Take care.”
“Wish you safe travels.”
After exchanging goodbyes, Wi Soryeon stood up.
Her gaze briefly lingered on me and Sahyeong.
The moment our eyes met, dark as coal, she turned her head, opened the door, and left the reception hall.
As I felt her presence swiftly disappear from the main base of the Gongdong Sect, I sat politely and listened to Master’s words.
“The time has been set. Everyone must not neglect their training until the martial arts contest. Especially Cheolsoo, be careful with your recently healed body.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Master.”
Sahyeong and I nodded.
Seeing this, Jeonyeong stroked his beard with a serious expression.
“Now it’s time to write to the Seomun Family. Huya, you…”
Jeonyeong was planning to send Yujinhwi.
What? Sending bright-eyed Sahyeong, who was like a naive sheep, to a place like the Seomun Family, rife with political scheming?
Given they hold daily rap battles against us at the Gongdong Sect, trying to figure out how to exploit us, it’d be a disaster for Sahyeong if he stepped into their den of thieves.
“Absolutely not.”
It wasn’t just because Sahyeong was cute.
If the Gongdong Sect, still in its formative stages, got caught up in the schemes of the Seomun Family, I’d face serious difficulties in fulfilling my grand plans for the next decade.
Thus, I had to go to the Seomun Family myself.
For the sake of my Wine Pond and Meat Forest as well.
Biting back the stomach pain from the side effects of consuming Seoharin’s delicacies, I spoke up.
“I’ll accompany you to the Seomun Family.”
If I asked to replace Sahyeong, it was obvious they’d question why someone just recovered from their injuries would travel such a long distance.
So I had to say I’d go together.
“Cheolsoo, you?”
“Yes. This trip to the Seomun Family is essentially Sahyeong’s first journey into the martial world. I wish to accompany him during his first expedition as his disciple. As one mind, one body, my body has already healed completely, so it’s fine. I won’t neglect my training on the way.”
There are two types of persuasion: rational and emotional. Here, emotional persuasion would be more effective.
Mentioning our brotherhood would hit the mark.
Well, the concept of “one mind, one body” wasn’t entirely incorrect. We were in the same boat business-wise and not physically engaged, but Sahyeong and I were aligned in interests.
If Sahyeong floundered, it would be troublesome.
“Ho ho ho. Very well. Cheolsoo shall accompany Huya.”
As expected, Jeonyeong granted permission with a smile after hearing my words.
Sahyeong’s gaze sparkled with an intimidating intensity upon hearing my response.
Instinctively, I sensed trouble.
It had been over a year since I spent time with Sahyeong.
In that case, a flicker in her eyes meant a 100% chance that she’d attempt some skinship with me.
I definitely didn’t want to intentionally fall into such misfortune.
Grrrrr…
Just then, my stomach rumbled like thunder.
After consuming something as toxic as Seoharin’s dishes, my insides were in turmoil.
Clutching my stomach, I lowered my head, pale as a ghost, and said in a pained voice.
“I’ll follow Master’s decision. Master, I… I don’t feel well. I need to excuse myself to the restroom for a moment.”
“Ahem. Very well. Go ahead.”
“Disciple, be careful not to get worse.”
Saying this, Master coughed, while Sahyeong spoke with a worried tone.
And Seoharin, who quietly watched, lowered her head.
I bowed to them, then closed the door and quickly made my way to the bathroom, practicing Flowing Cloud and Water for my Defensive Technique.
Ugh…!
Dashing to the side, I swiftly took care of business and closed the door behind me.
“Phew.”
Time had flown, and evening fell with a red sunset painting the sky.
After relieving myself, my stomach had settled slightly, but the nagging feeling still persisted.
I had been squatting in the bathroom for quite a while.
At least squatting was a good position for lower-body training.
Feeling content with my strengthened core, I began Kegel exercises, thinking.
I should never let Seoharin cook for me again.
Just then.
“······Sir.”
Just like the saying, “Speak of the devil,” Seoharin suddenly appeared before me.
At her sudden presence, I swiftly utilized the Minor Yang Heart Method, channeling my inner strength to my face.
As the warmth enveloped my face, the pale color from my earlier ailment quickly returned to my cheeks.
“Are you okay?”
Seoharin’s vacant eyes turned towards me.
Why is she so hard to sense?
Was her reputation as a master of the Gongdong Sect’s Sound Technique due to her inherently weak presence?
Her pretty face faced me.
Being around the same physical age as me, and still not fully blossomed yet, she had enough beauty to rival any in the world.
Unlike my last life, where I didn’t have a drop of male hormones as a eunuch, I now possessed a healthy male body.
During this stormy period of adolescence, unnecessary male hormones began to surge.
Controlling my body with superhuman discipline, I spoke.
“As you can see, I’m fine. My complexion is normal and my internal injuries have long healed.”
I could tell why she approached me.
Following the recent incident with the pork, she likely realized the awful truth of her cooking skills.
However, she must have been curious why I had enjoyed that horrendous dish so much.
As I spoke, Seoharin’s transparent sky-blue eyes studied my face.
“I’m glad you appear well.”
Seoharin confirmed my well-being and then lowered her head.
“It’s all due to your caring attention, Seoharin. Thank you.”
In her response, I credited her for the careful care she had given me over the past week.
“It’s nothing. But by the way… Was what I made really… delicious?”
Seoharin asked me a question.
She seemed to be aware of her cooking’s awful reputation.
She still dared to ask me that.
I had to choose my words carefully.
Like in a game, I faced a significant choice that could affect the heroine’s favorability toward me.
I had to boost Seoharin’s favorability to prevent what had transpired before, where I had given her to Sahyeong.
How should I respond in this situation? In my modern life, I had zero interactions with women, and since being transported to the martial world, I had become a eunuch with no opportunities to converse intimately with women.
Thinking back, aside from the Empress, I had never had a deep conversation with any other woman. My circle only consisted of eunuchs or the Empress, who had dismissed her palace maids after rising to power.
As a result, I had never had a chance to speak to those palace maids.
At the time, being a eunuch, I held no interest in beautiful women. Now, I was reflecting—why did the Empress act that way?
Regardless, the key issue here was how I should respond.
Faced with a once-in-a-lifetime dilemma, I thought faster than when dealing with schemers from the political arena and deduced the optimal response.
“······It was delicious.”
“You don’t have to lie here. I know my cooking is lacking for a girl.”
As I spoke, Seoharin’s eyes darkened.
Her already expressionless face turned even more chilling.
“It’s not a lie. Of course, one could say it lacks in flavor. But the care you put into serving your guests with those snacks from the kitchen…”
I paused, and Seoharin’s gaze was now on me.
“…was delicious enough to rival the finest feast. Also…”
My words were interrupted, and Seoharin’s attention sharpened.
“The members of the Black Dragon Clan are not your real enemies, right? Giving that troublesome master of the Black Dragon Clan a run for his money was quite the experience.”
Perfect.
This was a model answer.
Indeed, my reputation for generating such elegant words had not faded, no matter how many criticisms I faced from the Empress or the elite scholars back in Beijing.
Just as I was reflecting on that,
“······Sir?”
Seoharin called out to me.
I confidently replied, “What is it?”
“Why are you being so nice to me? Perhaps…?”
Perhaps?
Seoharin trailed off, her voice dripping with suspicion.
This feels ominous.
Just as I thought that, Seoharin looked at me with quivering eyes and spoke softly.
“…Are you wishing to take advantage of my body…?”
What?