NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 112
Chapter 112: Sister
Hubei Province.
A region where the Wudang Sect and the Zhuge Family, responsible for the Orthodox Faction Martial World, stand as two major pillars supporting it alongside Shaolin.
Deep in the hills, far removed from the official roads of Hubei Province, a beautiful woman sat cross-legged in a cave, completely nude.
Yujinhwi.
She was known by two names: the Gongdong Alliance and Ilgeumyuhee. Her eyes suddenly flashed open.
A momentary glimmer lit up her eyes before fading away.
Hoo.
Yujinhwi let out a quiet sigh.
She looked down at her expanded chest. At seventeen years old, she would have already been married if she were a common woman, and her body had transformed from that of a girl into that of a woman.
With beautifully rounded breasts, a slender waist like a fine willow, and a voluptuous backside.
Beauty of the nation.
Her looks and grace rivaled Jeoksawol, the Most Beautiful in the World, and they illuminated the dark cave.
‘I’ve succeeded in the Transformation of Flesh and Bone.’
Yujinhwi closed her eyes and opened them.
Around her body lay torn clothes and expelled waste, mingled together in a pile of filth, emitting a horrible stench.
Transformation of Flesh and Bone.
This was the phenomenon experienced by martial artists who reach the Stage of Transcendence, and Yujinhwi had experienced it too.
In this stage, one opens the Middle Dantian to establish the groundwork for a mini-universe, allowing for the use of thoughts and manipulation of power freely.
Therefore, upon reaching this stage, one’s body would naturally undergo a transformation, optimized for the martial arts and insights they have cultivated.
Yujinhwi’s nude form, now complete from her transformation, radiated beauty akin to that of a celestial being.
Hoo.
Yujinhwi exhaled.
‘With this, I can protect my disciple.’
Over the past year, she had undergone countless battles in the Gongdong Alliance and faced life-or-death situations in Ilgeumyuhee, gaining insights and endlessly refining her martial arts.
Finally, she had reached this ultimate stage.
‘No longer will I have to entrust my disciple to someone else’s hands.’
Especially to Geumhu.
There would be no more handing her disciple over to him.
Now, she could protect her precious disciple with her own hands.
As Yujinhwi reached out, extra clothing and a sword floated from a corner of the cave, landing neatly in her grasp.
It was a natural display of the technique of summoning items through thought.
The energy driven by her thoughts endlessly surged through her newly transformed body.
Once Yujinhwi, donned in black martial attire, transformed into Ilgeumyuhee, she stood up.
“Is it over already?”
Swish.
A figure appeared at the entrance of the cave.
With dark green hair and striking green eyes, the girl, appearing to be fifteen but actually in her seventies, stood there, looking younger than Yujinhwi.
This was Dang Yeong-ryeong, a master of the Central Martial World, who had made a name for herself in the underworld.
“That’s right, Senior Dang. Please check my pulse.”
As Yujinhwi extended her wrist, Dang Yeong-ryeong took her pulse.
“What’s the result?”
Yujinhwi shook her head as Dang Yeong-ryeong opened and closed her eyes.
“It’s as it is.”
At her words, Yujinhwi’s shoulders slumped slightly.
“I see…”
Yujinhwi rubbed her abdomen gently.
Despite her physical reconstruction, her body still bore the same flaws.
The renowned Dang Yeong-ryeong, known as the greatest doctor of the world, diagnosed her as infertile through her pulse. Her diagnoses were never wrong.
It felt as if a thin thread of hope had been completely snatched away.
“…It seems overcoming a heavenly curse by human effort is impossible.”
The heavenly curse.
For her, the Heavenly Body was almost a punishment from the heavens.
“Don’t give up. There must be a way, Sister Yujin.”
Dang Yeong-ryeong’s words prompted Yujinhwi to dust herself off and stand tall.
“Thank you, Senior Dang.”
Yujinhwi bowed deeply.
Her connection with Dang Yeong-ryeong had started about three months ago.
In the process of defeating the notorious killer Houngsimmajo in Hunan Province, Yujinhwi had sustained life-threatening injuries.
Houngsimmajo was a master at the pinnacle of martial arts, almost reaching the wall of Transcendence, and was higher in skill than Yujinhwi, who was only beginning her journey.
Ultimately, Yujinhwi, possessing heaven-bestowed talent, managed to defeat Houngsimmajo but was heavily injured during the struggle and was washed away by the waves of Dongjeong Lake.
It was Dang Yeong-ryeong who found and treated the injured Yujinhwi by the lake.
As the greatest skilled practitioner of her time, she recognized Yujinhwi’s talent for the Heavenly Body during the treatment and discovered that she sometimes disguised herself as a man.
Since then, she had taken it upon herself to accompany Yujinhwi, driven by a strong curiosity as a doctor regarding the Heavenly Body condition, as they journeyed together.
Of course, it was premised that the fact Yujinhwi and Ilgeumyuhee were the same person remained a secret from others.
“Thanks. But really, I owe more to you, Yeong-ryeong. Whenever I see you, I’m genuinely amazed. Even you were surprised that I could break through the wall of Transcendence just hearing a simple clue from you!”
Dang Yeong-ryeong’s eyes sparkled.
As she said, Yujinhwi’s talent was astonishing, far beyond mere simplicity.
She had merely thrown Yujinhwi a slight hint.
Yet, from that hint, Yujinhwi had immediately gained insight and entered the cave to break through the stage of Transcendence.
A talent so incredible that even she was shocked.
Dang Yeong-ryeong felt a burning desire to see where the limits of this bright talent and the Heavenly Body lay.
“Thank you for your teachings, Senior Dang.”
As Yujinhwi bowed again, Dang Yeong-ryeong shook her head.
“Nah, it’s nothing special. By the way, didn’t you say we were heading to the Yongbong Society soon? Didn’t you promise to meet your significant other there, Sister?” Giggle
Yujinhwi’s face flushed behind her mask at Dang Yeong-ryeong’s words.
“No, not that! What do you mean significant other? That’s… No, it’s just a meeting with my disciple!”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Dang Yeong-ryeong squinted her eyes.
She clearly knew who Yujinhwi had feelings for.
How could she not, with emotions so easily displayed on her face?
Her disciple.
Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Alliance.
In the underworld, referred to as the Twin Color Swordsman, and privately acknowledged as part of the Gongdong Color Association.
Yujinhwi liked him.
It was only because of her physical flaws that made her unable to give birth and her status as a disciple meant to inherit the Gongdong Sect that she chose to disguise herself as a man.
‘What kind of guy is he?’
After traveling together, Dang Yeong-ryeong had grown quite fond of the polite, kind-hearted, and righteous Yujinhwi and slightly resented the unseen Lee Cheol-soo.
No matter how careless men could be, how could he show such indifference towards such a beautiful, kind-hearted disciple who harbored feelings for him?
She resolved to say something if they met.
“But still, since Yeong-ryeong is on our side, feel free to say anything if you hit a wall! Ahem! Understanding the heart of a patient is also vital for a physician. A troubled heart can lead to a troubled body! So make sure to always take care of yourself, Sister!”
“Understood.”
Yujinhwi still had her cheeks flushed as she rose from her seat.
“Okay! Then let’s set off! We’re going to meet the one you care for!”
Upon seeing her, Dang Yeong-ryeong laughed playfully and shouted, arms crossed.
“No, I told you it’s not like that! Senior!”
Following this, Yujinhwi’s voice echoed through the cave as the girl and woman stepped out, walking down the roadway.
Their destination was the Shaolin Temple in Hanam Sungsan.
The place where the Yongbong Society would take place.
*
Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.
The famous saying goes, “Above there is Heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou,” which alludes to this city being among the wealthiest and most beautiful even in the Central Martial World.
Suzhou, a vital transportation hub intersected by the Grand Canal, connecting Beijing, Hangzhou, Jiangbei, and Jiangnan, naturally developed its commerce, reflecting its opulence.
As expected from a city overflowing with wealth, Suzhou’s entertainment district resembled a bustling capital city from the Song Dynasty, a city that never sleeps with lights that remained lit through the night.
In essence, the center of indulgence in the Central World, Suzhou.
This was where the Hao Mun main branch was located.
An information faction established by all sorts of riffraff, the only one that could stand toe to toe with the Beggar Sect, Hao Mun.
On the rooftop of the twenty-story building named Hongwollu was where the leader of Hao Mun resided.
He was there.
Baek Myeon-am-gun, the absolute master who had reached the stage of Transcendence and one of the foremost figures in the underworld.
On his table, a letter lay waiting.
“Hmm. Another invitation to Huajeong County.”
It was a letter from his master, Jeoksawol.
Summarized, the content of the letter was simple.
She would be leaving Huajeong County for a while to attend the Yongbong Society and requested that he keep an eye on Huajeong County in her absence.
Naturally, the reason for attending the Yongbong Society was for her beloved, the Twin Color Swordsman, Lee Cheol-soo.
Baek Myeon-am-gun, despite being the master of Hao Mun and a supreme master in the martial arts world with a horde of beautiful youths under his command, had no choice but to obey his master’s order.
His white mask shook as he thought about spending the night with the newly acquired young servant he had welcomed that day.
He let out a sigh.
“…My master’s love needs to materialize soon…”
Otherwise, wouldn’t he have to go around dragging this burden with him?
Having surpassed forty, and as the leader of Hao Mun, what kind of situation was he in?
While his master’s grace was like the heavens, this situation was a bit much.
But then again, it was his master and, well, her first love.
Sigh.
Baek Myeon-am-gun swallowed his complaints and got up.
He had to set off immediately if he wanted to reach Gansu within the agreed time.
*
Gongdong Mountain.
In front of the Gongdong Sect’s main gate.
I, along with Seoharin and Seomun Cheong-ha, stood with Jeonyeong, who had a serious expression.
“As I mentioned yesterday, unlike the previous competition, only you two, as the direct disciples of our sect, will participate in the upcoming Yongbong Society. I would love to join, but I can’t leave our base unattended, plus there will come a time when both of you must stand out as martial artists in the world. You can think of this as a rehearsal for that moment. The distance from Gansu to Hanam is quite far. Always conduct yourselves as disciples of the Gongdong Sect wherever you may find yourselves. The martial world is full of dangers, so be cautious at all times. When you meet Yujinhwi at Shaolin, be sure to convey my regards.”
Jeonyeong scolded us at length.
It felt like a parental figure worrying over excited children before a school trip.
Having never experienced such parental care, I felt an unexpected tickle in my chest.
“Cheol-soo, listen up. You’re the only man in our party and the most senior. As a man and a senior, make sure to take good care of the ladies, and in case of emergencies, remember that you can contact the main base through the Beggar Sect.”
“Understood. Master.”
I returned the bow.
Hearing that, Jeonyeong smiled faintly.
After finishing his instructions to Seoharin and Seomun Cheong-ha, he waved us off.
“Then have a safe journey. May you make our sect’s name known across the world.”
With those final words, I clutched the Yongbong Society invitation given by my master and left Gongdong Mountain with Seoharin and Seomun Cheong-ha.
Months passed since we left Gongdong Mountain.
Finally, we arrived at the Shaolin Temple in Hanam Sungsan, where the Yongbong Society would be held.