NOVEL NEXT Chapter 92
Chapter 92: For My Master
So Geom-hu hurriedly closed the book.
Reading any further would not be respectful to her master.
It was clear to anyone that this diary was a personal one, not meant for others to see. As a disciple, she shouldn’t pry into it carelessly.
And Cheon Sobin was now terrified of reading the diary any longer.
Just from the brief glimpse she’d stolen, it had been shocking.
But what if she read the whole diary?
So Geom-hu felt she couldn’t bear the weight of the truth.
So she closed it.
“This is…”
Her hands trembled.
Sangong, So Cheop.
She wasn’t foolish enough to not know who these words referred to in context.
She had been referred to as a gifted girl at the family estate even before joining the Hangshan Sect.
Her smart head had perfectly remembered the content of the Geom-hu diary she had momentarily glimpsed at, regardless of her own will.
“…My master…”
For over thirty years, she had vowed to stay independent and chose her own conquests.
The master she had idolized did just that.
In fact, her master had upheld the principle of not giving affection to any man until now.
With a cold face, no less.
Her master was an idol for all martial world female practitioners.
Yes, that’s how it was.
Yet to think that this icy master had written such an embarrassing diary was utterly unbelievable.
It couldn’t be true.
However, the handwriting matched perfectly with her beloved master.
This was indeed her master’s diary.
So judged her sharp mind.
Cheon Sobin’s hands shook.
“No, this isn’t right.”
There was no way that her master could truly have feelings for anyone, especially a boy more than thirty years younger than her. Speaking of someone whose disciple she referred to, and someone who was closer to her grandchildren.
Yeah.
Her master wasn’t wrong.
The grand premise in So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin’s mind distorted her thoughts.
The Geom-hu was not wrong.
If that was the case, then what had led her to deviate and tempt her…
“…That bastard Lee Cheol-soo, the damn Huahua Gongja, is the culprit…!!”
It was Lee Cheol-soo.
She should have noticed from the moment he dared to challenge her master in a public competition called Jeongsaji-jaeng, without knowing shame or humility.
Moreover, there were never-ending rumors surrounding this very man. From the prohibited precious daughter of the Seomun Family, Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha, to the number one courtesan of Sichuan, Yeonghui Neungwolhyang.
It was undeniable that the shameless Huahua Gongja Lee Cheol-soo was toying with the heart of a Geom-hu who had been independent for over thirty years.
‘My master has been deceived by that guy for sure…!’
Where his charm came from, she had no idea.
The one who received the title “Gaga” from Neungwolhyang, the flower on the cliff and the idol of all the fine gentlemen, was Lee Cheol-soo.
It might have been only natural for her naive master, who had been independent for over thirty years, to fall for the sweet-talking charm of a skilled and stylish man.
“I have to stop Lee Cheol-soo…!”
Cheon Sobin’s hands trembled.
Her cheeks quivered as she realized the ugly truth about Lee Cheol-soo. She couldn’t allow her master to fall into the hands of such a scoundrel. But since her master had directly acknowledged him as a challenger, there was nothing she could do.
All she could do was spread rumors to humiliate him.
If he had any sense of shame as a man, he would withdraw once he heard the rumors.
But Lee Cheol-soo was a shameless person who would even confess publicly at the Jeongsaji-jaeng.
He wouldn’t bat an eyelash at such rumors.
Besides, it would be impossible to reveal her master’s diary to the outside. This was a family secret, a secret of her master. For her, who had only peeked at someone else’s secret, leaking this information would be against etiquette and ruin the reputation of the Hangshan Sect.
What she had seen in the diary was not something to share with anyone.
Especially not with Lee Cheol-soo or her master.
If the shameless Huahua Gongja Lee Cheol-soo learned of this, he would exploit her innocent master even more blatantly.
So, eradicating the source of the problem was impossible.
“No…”
Impossible?
It might not be.
She bit her lip.
“…If I sacrifice myself in place of my master…”
Her body trembled.
Although she wasn’t as beautiful as her master, who was called the number one beauty of the Orthodox Faction, she was still quite a charming girl.
Moreover, unlike her master, she was of the same generation as Lee Cheol-soo. There was a minor problem of being a year older, but still, he was a guy.
He’d prefer a woman closer to his age.
“I have to stop him.”
For her master’s sake.
So Geom-hu could do anything. Even if it meant offering her body to a man.
Even if she fell into hell, as long as her master reached paradise, she was ready to throw herself into the flames of the Eight Heat Hells.
So Geom-hu bit her lip.
“As long as I can protect my master.”
She could willingly offer herself to Lee Cheol-soo. It was a life her master had saved. To repay her master’s kindness, that alone wouldn’t be enough.
So it was okay.
This was not a strategic marriage. This was her choice. A choice to save her master. A choice to protect her master. A choice to repay her master’s kindness.
So Geom-hu’s eyes blazed.
“If all the women are okay with it, then fine. I’ll take my master’s place. Lee Cheol-soo. You will never touch a single hair on my master.”
With her resolution, So Geom-hu’s eyes were set ablaze.
If she became Lee Cheol-soo’s woman, then he would have no choice but to give up on her master.
Then he would have to serve her master like a mother-in-law.
If she sacrificed herself, everyone could be happy; everything could return to its rightful place.
So Geom-hu came to this conclusion while biting her lip and returned the diary to its original state.
*
Climbing the mountain with the Gongdong Sect group, the Geom-hu desperately controlled her facial muscles to maintain a neutral expression.
Yet her heart raced on.
‘Sangong is walking next to me right now. Sangong… How is it that you have become even more handsome in just a year… My heart is already racing for you…’
Using her martial arts that had reached the Stage of Transcendence, the Geom-hu discreetly stole glances at Lee Cheol-soo’s figure, so that the Hangshan Sect disciples and Gongdong Sect group wouldn’t notice.
He had distinctly grown taller since a year ago, his muscles firmed beneath his robe, and he was even better looking than before.
He was here, looking more charming than the image she had imagined each night before falling asleep.
‘Sangong, I want to capture as much of your figure as possible.’
The Geom-hu smiled inwardly.
From today onwards.
For the next half-month, Sangong would be staying in Hangshan.
She would be able to see him as she did that day a year ago.
She could chronicle his footsteps and growth in her diary.
She could witness his abilities.
That thought made the Geom-hu’s heart flutter.
The arduous mountain path continued, but her steps felt as light as a feather, and her heart raced as if walking on clouds.
How much time had passed?
A signboard inscribed with the word Geom-gak came into her view.
The entrance of the Hangshan Sect.
The Geom-gak signboard was a relic brought back by the twenty-something Geom-hu, the first and last leader of the Hangshan Sect, during the Blood Sect Incident when the Geom-gak was ablaze.
Someday, when they reclaimed their headquarters at Geom-gak in Zhejiang Province, it would be hung at the entrance.
Thud.
The Geom-hu stood before the entrance.
She spotted the Gongdong Sect group and the disciples accompanying them as guides.
Thud.
Her heart raced again. Finally, it was time to gaze at Sangong without restraint.
During this brief moment, she would fully take in his figure.
‘Kyaah!’
The Geom-hu silently screamed in joy as she looked at Sangong and the Gongdong Sect members.
“Welcome to the Hangshan Sect.”
Creek.
As she spoke, the massive gates swung open.
Beyond the gates stood the Golugeogak, stretching endlessly against the backdrop of the sea of clouds, befitting a prestigious lineage which took first place amidst the Gudaimun Sect.
The overwhelming scale of the Hangshan Sect reminded Seoharin and Yujinhwi of the glorious Gongdong Sect.
While Lee Cheol-soo, who had used the Forbidden City like his home, Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha, a lady of the precious Seomun Family, and Jeonyeong, who had extensive experience navigating the martial world, had all seen this before, it was Seoharin and Yujinhwi’s first time ever stepping outside Gansu Province until this venture to Hangshan.
Although their size rivaled that of the Seomun Family in Lanzhou, unlike the Seomun Family estate situated in the urban center, the Hangshan Sect headquarters was set amidst a castle of clouds atop steep cliffs, contributing to its mystical appearance.
Thud.
The Geom-hu’s heart raced confidently as she showcased their headquarters.
‘Sangong must surely love the scenery here…’
To the Geom-hu, if the Gongdong Sect was like her in-laws, then the Hangshan Sect was her parental home.
Sangong had taken his first step into her parental home.
In preparation for today, So Geom-hu had ordered a thorough cleaning of the nooks and crannies of the headquarters; however, she still felt a bit anxious.
Glance.
The Geom-hu’s silver eyes scrutinized Lee Cheol-soo’s demeanor.
Fortunately, his expression remained calm and composed.
‘As expected of Sangong. Even a calm demeanor is awesome. Hehe, the startled expressions of my other relatives and Seoharin are cute too.’
The Geom-hu thought this inwardly and continued leading them with a neutral expression.
“The reception hall is this way.”
Upon arriving, the reception hall of the Hangshan Sect boasted grandeur surpassing that of an ordinary high-class inn.
And the accommodations designated for the Gongdong Sect group were the separate wing, reserved for only the most esteemed guests.
“This separate wing will be your gathering place. I’ve hung the nameplates of the guests in advance, so please check. Thank you for your long journey.”
“Thank you for the hospitality, Geom-hu. We shall not forget your kindness.”
“No, thank you, Jeonyeong. I’m grateful you accepted our invitation.”
Hastily responding to Jeonyeong’s words, the Geom-hu bowed her head.
Her master Jeonyeong was practically her father-in-law.
It was only natural that she should show great respect.
Before leaving, the Geom-hu gave one last glance at Lee Cheol-soo’s expression. Noticing satisfaction in his gaze toward the lavish separate wing, the corners of her mouth trembled with joy.
Her heart brimmed with elation.
At the same time, she felt heartbroken by the thought that they would have to part ways.
‘It seems Sangong is happy with the accommodations. Sangong, I must now be apart from you. As much as I want to see you more… I’ll wait to see you again tomorrow.’
The Geom-hu swallowed her tears inwardly as she bid farewell.
“Please consider this place your home and relax as you recover from your travels. Now, I must take my leave.”
The Geom-hu turned her head, taking in Lee Cheol-soo’s figure for the last time.
Thud.
Her heart raced furiously.
*
After the Geom-hu and the Hangshan Sect disciples retreated.
We ate the dinner provided by the Hangshan Sect and then retired to our rooms.
The separate wing was enormous, comparable to a villa, allowing us all to have personal rooms.
‘Thank goodness I have my own room.’
Otherwise, I would have had to share with Sahyeong.
Sleeping in the same bed as a man? Such a thing was inconceivable to me.
As I thought about this while lying on the bed, I began my Kegel exercises.
Perhaps it was because I had traveled quite a distance from Gansu Province to Shanxi Province.
Or perhaps it was due to not stopping my Kegel, jerk, and hanging exercises even during my travels.
Fatigue had accumulated in my body.
My eyelids were starting to droop.
I unconsciously proceeded with my Kegel exercise while slowly closing my eyes.
My senses dulled as I felt myself drifting into the depths of darkness.
“…Wake up!”
A strange voice rang in my ears.
What the?
I was just about to sleep!
Who the hell was waking me?
“Wake up!”
The unfamiliar voice sounded distinctly feminine.
Wait, a woman’s voice? At this hour? In my personal room?
Moreover, I felt something heavy on my stomach.
Heavy?
A chill ran down my spine as I abruptly opened my eyelids.
My vision sharpened instantly, and I was able to identify the source of the voice.
“You’re awake now.”
A girl around my age with striking two-tone hair, silver intertwined with black, looked down at me blushing as she sat on my belly.
No way.
Cheon Sobin had snuck into my room at midnight and was now sitting on my stomach?
What kind of insane situation is this?
“Hey, you…”
“I’ll say this just once. Listen carefully!”
Just as I was about to say something, Cheon Sobin sharply interrupted me.
She placed her hand over her heart, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then stared at me intently.
Her lips parted.
“…Let’s have Cloud and Rain Pleasure. With me. Right now.”
What?