NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 114
Chapter 114: The Adorable Spirit
The expression on Dang Yeong-ryeong’s face turned strange as she heard my words.
She approached me quickly, resting her arms on her waist and looking up at me.
“Oppa. What did you just say? Calling the cute spirit a quack?”
I felt my jaw drop as her words soared into the heavens.
What? Cute? Spirit?
It’s already absurd that this old hag, who’s over fifty, is calling me oppa, but now she’s also declaring herself cute in third person!
She must have lost her marbles.
And claiming she isn’t a quack was downright shameless.
Memories of my past life came rushing back.
That day, after receiving the fraudulent prescription for the transformation of flesh and bone.
In my previous life, I had sufficiently rewarded Dang Yeong-ryeong. Not only did I give her ten gold coins in the Emperor’s name, but I also conferred honors and titles upon her.
Even after it was revealed that her prescription was a scam because I wasn’t growing any limbs after the transformation, I didn’t take back the rewards given to her. How magnanimous I was!
Yet here she was, brazenly arguing that she wasn’t a quack, boiling over in excitement.
“Ah, it seems I misspoke. I was reminded of some quack who couldn’t even fix a castrated man… Seeing you refer to yourself as a spirit, I guess you’re the world-renowned TCM doctor, Dang Yeong-ryeong! It’s an honor to meet the divine Dr. Dang. And for someone who has reached the age of fifty to call me oppa? I am quite flattered.”
I gracefully stepped back while bowing to her.
Of course, subtly hinting that it’s ridiculous for an older lady to call a younger guy oppa was just a cherry on top.
As I spoke, I noticed Dang Yeong-ryeong’s eyes narrow slightly.
She took a step back, crossing her arms, and said,
“Hmph! You’re right, oppa! I am the world’s best TCM doctor! Hohohoho!”
Hearing the title “divine” made Dang Yeong-ryeong a bit jolly.
After all, she didn’t really like the title “quack” too much.
In the Martial World, the character for “quack” represents a weirdo. Who would enjoy being called a lunatic?
Well, it’s really a case of her own making.
After all, she’s a quack who can’t even fix a castrated man. The title “quack” is too generous.
Just as I was deep in thought about that…
“…Sajae!”
A familiar voice came from afar.
Woosh!
Then came the familiar sensation of being embraced. It was my younger sister, whom I hadn’t seen in a year.
“Sajae… I missed you…”
I knew this would happen.
As expected, she started to sniffle in my embrace. The scent of wildflowers, unique to her, wafted up to my nose.
Normally, I would be freaking out about this hug.
But perhaps it’s because there’s a slight chance my younger sister is female or maybe because I’ve spent so long with her that I’ve formed a bond, I wasn’t horrified like before.
I gently patted her back and said,
“I missed you too, Uje.”
“Yeah. Have you been well?”
“I have. How about you?”
I released her from my embrace and said,
“I’ve been doing well! Hehe. I was really worried about not seeing you!”
Wiping her tears with her sleeve, she sent me a telepathic message.
[Sajae, I finally reached the Stage of Transcendence! I’ll keep it secret for now, but just you know. And I’ve made some improvements to our sect’s martial arts over the past year while roaming the Martial World. I’ll teach you the techniques later at our inn.]
Hearing her message, I was genuinely shocked.
What? Stage of Transcendence?
To achieve it at seventeen is a faster accomplishment than the previous swordmaster, Yujinhwi.
In my past life, Yujinhwi broke through to the Stage of Transcendence at twenty-five, becoming legendary in the Martial World.
That was already an unprecedented speed, making him the greatest genius.
And now, she’s reaching it in her teens?
Unless you’re a reincarnator like me, it’s nearly impossible.
‘Turns out she’s a Heavenly Body after all.’
Buying into the swordmaster craze was undoubtedly the right move.
Soaring high already. I feared to think about where she might peak.
Thinking this, I sent her a telepathic reply.
[Sajae, congratulations on achieving your breakthrough. It seems our sect has finally produced an unparalleled expert worthy of all the accolades!]
[Sajae, you can’t die! You said to hide three-tenths of your power in the Martial World, remember? Exposing your abilities now would only invite jealousy and suspicion towards our sect. Just keep it between us.]
[Understood.]
I could tell she had been through the grind in the Martial World by her keen advice.
After all, the treasures of the Martial World, along with the tips, were truly useful.
Just then, as I received her telepathic message, another familiar voice echoed next to me.
“Eungong. Long time no see.”
Turning my head, there she was.
A mysterious beauty with silver hair and sparkling silver eyes—Geumhu.
“Cheon Sobin is here too. Good to see you.”
Swish.
As soon as Geumhu arrived, Cheon Sobin quickly slipped behind her.
Seeing my younger sister’s reaction, Geumhu turned her gaze back to me, about to say something…
But she looked to Dang Yeong-ryeong instead, who seemed much younger than her.
“You must be Dang-unnie? What brings you here?”
“Wha-what did you say? You, don’t tell me, it’s about the Spirit?!”
Dang Yeong-ryeong’s face turned pale.
This year’s age of Dang Yeong-ryeong was fifty, while Geumhu was forty-eight.
So naturally, Dang Yeong-ryeong was older by two years.
Besides, since they’re both masters in the Orthodox Faction, they were quite familiar with each other.
Geumhu calling her “unnie” was due to Dang Yeong-ryeong’s younger brother, Dang Cheon-gi, being the same age as her.
“Right. Other than here, who else would call you unnie?”
Tsk.
Lightly smiling at Dang Yeong-ryeong, Geumhu caught her off guard, making her retreat behind me.
“Dang it!! Who says I’m older?! I’m not Geumhu-unnie’s sister! Right, you, oppa?!”
“Uh, if you ask me…”
Caught between two prominent figures of the Orthodox Faction, my younger sister wore a troubled expression.
Look at the quack getting flustered. Now that’s a sight for sore eyes.
Yeah, Geumhu really is my future wife!
“You’re making Eun Gong uncomfortable, unnie. How about we stop the teasing?”
“Tch. Not my sister!”
Hearing Geumhu’s words, Dang Yeong-ryeong stumbled back from me, looking like she lost her edge against Geumhu.
After Geumhu skillfully diffused the situation, she looked at me with a warm smile.
“Great to see you again, Eungong.”
“The pleasure is mine, Geumhu-senpai.”
I bowed to her while Geumhu returned the gesture, giving me a light smile.
Compared to a year ago when she had an emotionless expression, her features were much more alive now.
“Eungong, where do you plan to stay?”
The Yongbong Society isn’t just attended by the six major sects of the Gu Dae Mun faction.
Many mid-tier sects that hold decent status in the Martial World sent their elite members and prodigies to participate.
Because there is no better opportunity to shine in the Martial World than the Yongbong Society.
Naturally, the hosting sect of the Yongbong Society must provide accommodation for all.
But not every sect opts for the general accommodations provided.
The larger sects tend to reject the common lodgings offered and often book high-class inns or entire villas.
Not just the top sects but even some mid-tier sects that have ample funds or status tend to do this.
So usually, the sects that stay at the provided lodgings are those with low status or no money—like the Good-for-Nothing Faction.
Of course, the Gongdong Sect, being a penniless no-name faction, wouldn’t have any choice but to stay at Shaolin Temple.
“I plan to stay at the Shaolin Temple Guest Hall.”
The Shaolin Temple, being the number one orthodox sect, operates the largest guest hall in the Martial World.
It could comfortably accommodate countless guests attending the Yongbong Society.
Despite the fact I would have to endure eating nothing but vegetarian dishes in the temple while smelling incense ( sniff sniff ), I had no choice since my sect is broke.
Most of my collected funds were spent on improving our meals and repairing the royal chambers.
“Well, how coincidental. We’ve decided to stay at Shaolin this time as well.”
Geumhu smiled slightly at my words.
Cheon Sobin, who had been hiding behind Geumhu, pouted her lips.
Coincidental?
A large sect like Hangshan wouldn’t decide not to arrange proper accommodations and instead stay at Shaolin?
Is this a green light?
‘Or maybe she has something to discuss with Sinseung, which seems more accurate.’
It’s way too early for a green light, so this seems like the better option.
But still, I’ll take it. It’s easier to build rapport with Geumhu by running into her often.
“It’s an honor to stay alongside Geumhu-senpai.”
“I consider it an honor too, to stay with Eungong.”
When I doffed my hat, Geumhu smiled in response.
As the warm atmosphere blossomed between us, suddenly…
“Hmph! We’re leaving now, Sajae!”
Swish!
Cheon Sobin tugged at Geumhu’s sleeve.
“Isn’t the Young Master coming? We must enter Mount Sungsan now!”
From the opposite side, Seomun Cheong-ha grabbed my sleeve.
Just when the mood was starting to lighten up.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue as I was dragged away by Seomun Cheong-ha.
“Well then, I’ll see you again, Geumhu-senpai.”
“Yes, Eungong.”
With Geumhu’s reply, we parted ways with the Hangshan faction and headed up Mount Sungsan to check into our lodging.
*
Sungsan.
A renowned mountain that belongs to the Zhongyuan’s Five Great Peaks. Three peaks exist in Sungsan: Taeshilbong, Jungeukbong, and Sosilbong.
Shaolin Temple is located on the summit of Sosilbong.
I truly wonder why all those ancient sects are huddled in such hard-to-reach mountain valleys.
Along with the Gongdong Sect, Seomun Cheong-ha, and Dang Yeong-ryeong, we climbed for a while before finally arriving at the Shaolin Temple Main Gate.
“What’s this? Is this oppa already tired? Pathetic. Pathetic, I say.”
Dang Yeong-ryeong prattled in front of me.
Just like Cheon Sobin, I couldn’t really hit her.
“I’m not tired, senpai. But why have you joined us?”
I asked as I looked at Dang Yeong-ryeong.
Given her surname, she’s obviously from the Sado family, a master with notable skills.
Her younger brother, Dang Cheon-gi, was the current clan leader. Even though the Sado family was attending the Yongbong Society, I couldn’t fathom why the elder sister was trailing behind.
“That’s because I liked you, Hyung!”
Swish!
Dang Yeong-ryeong linked arms with my past life, Yujinhwi, and smiled.
I’m an oppa, and Yujinhwi is an older brother? What criteria is that based on?
Moreover, I think I recall Yujinhwi calling me oppa earlier, typically.
Well, I don’t need to bother figuring out the mentality of a quack with a title like “Goeui.” It would only make my head hurt.
She probably simply likes Heavenly Body after all.
“Understood. But if you’re joining our group, you have to follow our sect rules.”
“Of course! Hmph! I’ll listen to Hyung’s words!”
I decided to give up on how irritating her speech was.
I took Dang Yeong-ryeong with me as we stepped into the Shaolin Temple’s Main Gate, crowded with attendants for the Yongbong Society.
“Amita Buddha. It’s a pleasure to see you. From where do you guests hail?”
With only one arm raised in greeting, the monk of Shaolin Temple, wearing a unique hat, glanced at us, the list of participants and lodgers laid out before him.
“I’m Lee Cheol-soo of the Gongdong Sect. This is my sibling and younger sister.”
Upon hearing my words, the monk’s expression froze momentarily.
“So, you’re the siblings of the Gongdong Sect? Please wait a moment. The higher-ups requested that when two of our sect join, signal them.”
He placed his brush down and quickly vanished into the main gate with remarkable speed.
Someone requested a signal?
Who could possibly that be?
My mind filled with question marks.
Moments later, a monk appeared from the main gate, but this one looked much stockier and stronger.
With bulging eyes, he looked at me and my sister and bowed deeply.
“Amita Buddha. The Great Master wishes to see the siblings of the Gongdong Sect.”
Hearing his words, I stopped in my tracks.
There’s only one person in Shaolin Temple who’d be important enough to call himself the “Great Master.”
The foremost figure of the Orthodox Faction.
This year marks his hundred and second birthday.
The absolute master of Hyun-gyeong, revered throughout the Martial World.
He was the hero who defeated the legendary Cheonma in the infamous blood battle of Odae Mountain fifty years ago, turning the tide of the righteous sects during the great conflict.
The most revered figure in the Martial World whom every member of the orthodox faction respects.
The divine monk, Won-geuk Dae-sa.
He’s calling for me.