NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84
Chapter 84: My Master?!
Seomun Cheong-ha, holding the receipt, executed her light steps toward Gongdong Mountain while lost in thought.
Up until now, she had considered Lee Cheol-soo nothing more than a shameless colorful horse.
From their first meeting, during the Orthodox Faction Competition, and now in this martial arts contest, he had seemed to indulge in lewd behavior.
It’s not that she didn’t acknowledge her defeat, but she was in no mood to understand his actions.
Their first encounter had been the worst possible.
The expectations she had for Lee Cheol-soo as a knight had turned into utter disappointment.
Lee Cheol-soo was a wild man of dubious reputation who did not fit in with the Gongdong Sect. She had assumed he would undoubtedly provoke her.
In her mind, Lee Cheol-soo had already been labeled as a colorful horse. She thought that his public advances toward Geumhu were just that—blatant disregard for propriety, trying to pursue the most beautiful woman in the Orthodox Faction.
But after meeting Neungwolhyang,
Seomun Cheong-ha reflected on Lee Cheol-soo’s actions again.
With a deeper look, the attitudes of Gongdong Sect Leader Jeonyeong, her older brother Yujinhwi, and her sister Seoharin towards Lee Cheol-soo did not resemble how one would treat a wild man.
On the contrary, Jeonyeong, Yujinhwi, and Seoharin had treated him overly well.
If Lee Cheol-soo had truly been the wild man they all accused him of, such behavior would have been impossible.
‘Neungwolhyang’s attitude was similar…’
The number one courtesan in Sichuan, Yeonhee Neungwolhyang.
Seomun Cheong-ha knew well who she was. There was no way she wouldn’t know.
Because of the rumors of a love triangle between Lee Cheol-soo, Seomun Cheong-ha, and Neungwolhyang, she had learned about Neungwolhyang’s identity.
Neungwolhyang was the only heavenly-grade courtesan of Baekhwa Pavilion, the most prestigious courtesan house in Sichuan.
She was a flower on a cliff, renowned all over the Central Plains, adored by all scholars of elegance.
The future most beautiful in the world.
A haughty beauty known for never calling anyone a gaga (like a title).
When she read the information, it seemed to make sense.
But today, the moment she laid eyes on Neungwolhyang in person, Seomun Cheong-ha was shocked.
A beauty with an exquisite charm that could stir the hearts of even other women, impossible to describe in words.
That same beauty struggled to win Lee Cheol-soo’s heart and ended up clinging to him.
Just as the rumors said, calling him gaga.
If Lee Cheol-soo had been a wild man, that would have been ludicrous.
No man would turn down the advances of a beauty with the kind of charm that made any man fall for her.
‘Could it be… I’ve misjudged Lee Cheol-soo all this time…?’
Seomun Cheong-ha’s eyes shook.
All the circumstantial evidence pointed to one conclusion.
Lee Cheol-soo was not the wild man the rumors suggested. In contrast, he was the complete opposite.
The moment she realized that,
everything Lee Cheol-soo had done began to replay in her mind.
He had proposed a martial arts contest against the huge gang Heukryongbang to protect a small inn, won against two Heukryongbang post-stimulation indicators, and even delivered a sharp strike to the top post-stimulation indicator, Heuksaryong.
To reclaim the honor of the faction, he threw down a challenge against Hangshan Sect and their leader, Geumhu, instead of appealing to Gongdong Sect.
Furthermore, he had even applied for a martial arts contest against her to block the influence of her own Seomun family of Gansu.
Plus, the fact that he was a top-level martial artist too.
Lee Cheol-soo was just the knight she had hoped he’d be.
In fact, when their clothing was ripped during their last combat, hadn’t he hurriedly removed his outer garment to cover her naked form?
Thinking back, not a trace of lust was found in his touch or gaze.
It was all just her misunderstanding.
‘Then, what have I… done…?’
Seomun Cheong-ha’s face flushed red.
An overwhelming sense of shame surged within her.
He had treated her like a servant from the beginning. If she had been in Lee Cheol-soo’s shoes, she wouldn’t have been nice to someone who continuously misunderstood her.
“What on earth have I done…?”
Seomun Cheong-ha’s heart raced.
Now that all misunderstandings had been resolved, she realized it was she who had been in the wrong.
In fact, Lee Cheol-soo embodied the knight she had admired so much.
If he wasn’t a knight for rising up to restore the fallen sect and opposing evil on behalf of the powerless people, who would be considered a knight?
Moreover, hadn’t he risked himself by using her as bait to rebuild the sect?
‘How much… had he suffered…?’
She suddenly recalled that Lee Cheol-soo was an orphan.
The scene of the poor Gongdong Sect.
From the perspective of Seomun Cheong-ha, who had grown up well-off, it was unimaginable to consider how hard Lee Cheol-soo must have struggled in such a dire environment.
‘Geumhu must’ve seen this in Lee Cheol-soo too…’
Seomun Cheong-ha knew Geumhu well, having had a close relationship with her.
Geumhu didn’t easily take anyone’s side, especially if that person was a man. For Geumhu to support Lee Cheol-soo in the martial arts contest meant she had recognized his true worth long ago.
The feeling of the outer garment Lee Cheol-soo had draped over her resurfaced.
His scent was brought back to her senses.
A strange emotion began to blossom within her heart.
Seomun Cheong-ha’s face turned red.
“Ugh, anyway, it’s fine! Now that I know…”
She just needed to apologize.
With that thought, Seomun Cheong-ha dashed toward the corner of the main base where she had met Lee Cheol-soo.
Tap tap.
Seomun Cheong-ha landed lightly on the ruins.
In her line of sight appeared Lee Cheol-soo.
“Did you come?”
Hearing Lee Cheol-soo’s voice made Seomun Cheong-ha’s heart race.
Pouting her lips, she awkwardly avoided his gaze and took out the bundle of receipts from her clothes.
“Here! I did what you asked! Go, Gongja-nim…”
“…The amount is correct. Well done.”
Feeling Lee Cheol-soo’s praise, Seomun Cheong-ha shivered.
“You can leave now.”
Lee Cheol-soo waved his hand.
However, Seomun Cheong-ha’s feet wouldn’t budge.
She had to apologize for misunderstanding…
But when the words almost escaped her lips, they refused to come out.
Had she never properly apologized for anything, growing up as the youngest daughter of a prestigious family?
She couldn’t tell.
“…What are you still doing here?”
Seeing Seomun Cheong-ha hesitating, Lee Cheol-soo raised an eyebrow.
Hearing his prompt, she fidgeted with her lips before turning her head abruptly.
“…I-I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“I-I already know I should be apologizing! Hmph!”
After shouting out, Seomun Cheong-ha looked at Lee Cheol-soo and continued, “And what are you going to do about that incident during the martial arts contest?!”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
That day, she had shown herself naked in front of everyone.
Though she was a martial artist, she was also the cherished jewel of the martial arts clan. And to be humiliated that way in front of so many people meant her future was in jeopardy.
People would certainly point fingers at her.
Of course, this was just a flimsy excuse to change the topic from her earlier confession.
She had never uttered an apology before.
“That… I’m already taking responsibility, right?”
“What do you mean…?”
“You’re my personal dispute, which means as your master, I’m already fully responsible for everything about you.”
Seomun Cheong-ha’s eyes widened in shock at his unexpected answer.
Master?
How dare he claim to be her master, the youngest daughter of the Seomun family and Geombong?
Seeing Seomun Cheong-ha in confusion, Lee Cheol-soo smirked.
“I promise on the name of the faction that from now on… no matter what happens, I will take full responsibility for you until the end. As your master. As a man, I will clearly be accountable for what I do. Just like you, Seomun Cheong-ha. So don’t worry.”
Seomun Cheong-ha’s face flushed red upon hearing Lee Cheol-soo’s words.
She bit her lip.
This wasn’t the answer she expected. But…
The moment she heard him say ‘master,’ her heart started racing bizarrely.
She didn’t expect him to truly take responsibility. Especially not with the name of the sect backing it.
No, this must be his true self.
Being a knight, of course he would take responsibility for actions he took.
She bit her lip again.
“W-wait, did you steal Neungwolhyang’s heart like this too?! Is that it?!”
Seomun Cheong-ha yelled at Lee Cheol-soo.
“Hmph. I’m Seomun Cheong-ha of the Seomun family! I’m not like Neungwolhyang! How can someone like you be my master! You taking responsibility? That’s an age away!”
Spouting words she didn’t mean, Seomun Cheong-ha tried to hide her flushed face as she shot away.
Her heart was pounding hard.
*
After Seomun Cheong-ha left,
I licked my lips.
What do you mean I stole Neungwolhyang’s heart? Did Jeoksawol cook up yet another scheme?
Seriously, Seomun Cheong-ha has such wild delusions; it’s a problem. What on earth is she thinking?
Well, I’m still a broad-minded man.
It doesn’t matter who Seomun Cheong-ha is.
Regardless, once she becomes an adult, I naturally plan to take responsibility anyway.
“Hm. This is quite a hefty sum.”
I counted the bundle of receipts.
It was an enormous amount, nearing a thousand silver coins.
I was pleased.
After the two martial arts contests, I had made a decent profit. Now I needed to reinvest this money into the Gongdong Sect’s finances and quickly use it for energy-enhancing supplements and training facility upgrades.
If I did that, I could build up my energy and physique, preparing to become an alpha male by adulthood, right?
Everything is an investment in making me the alpha male of the future.
“Hehehe…”
I chuckled as I carefully tucked the bundle of receipts into my money pouch and began squatting while doing Kegel exercises.
It was time for my training today.
“Hoo, hoo.”
How long had I been alternating between squats and Kegel exercises?
My body was drenched in sweat like rain.
Before I knew it, the sun had set, and the moon began to rise into the darkening midnight sky.
Gulp.
The Kegel exercises had me feeling so aroused I thought my pants might burst.
Taking a look at my impressive fruit, I finally felt the fruits of my labor from the jerk exercises, Kegel exercises, and hanging exercises paying off.
As I gazed at my fruit with a satisfied smile, preparing to draw my sword and practice the Demon Sword Technique, I sensed a presence.
It came from outside, not from inside the Gongdong Sect main base.
And if it came from outside, it was likely an intruder rather than someone from the Gongdong Sect.
My brows furrowed.
Just like with Seomun Cheong-ha and Geumhu. Why is it always someone interrupting my personal training time?
What if I suffer energy loss and have to take responsibility for that?
Quickly calming myself down, I spoke.
“…Who’s there? Show yourself. While I’m still being nice.”
The moment my words finished,
Rustle.
A figure emerged from the bushes.
It was a female courtesan in revealing black attire, her face half-covered in burns.
Hwa Myeon-ho-gyeom, the colorful horse, Ye Yeoryeong.
Why was Jeoksawol here? And with Hwa Myeon-ho-gyeom, no less?
Just when I was flustered by her sudden appearance,
“Looks like your colorful horse training is still… still the same, Lee Cheol-soo.”
Her trembling voice echoed in my ears.