NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 144
Chapter 144: Girl’s War
Grab!
Upon hearing that, Geumhu’s expression turned strange. What was it when she was being attacked for getting older, and now suddenly wanting to hold hands?
Geumhu Eun Seol-ran sat on the opposite side.
Plop, plop.
There were already snacks on the table.
Pour, pour.
Jeoksawol poured tea into the teacup in front of Eun Seol-ran. It was high-quality luxury tea. Geumhu stared at Jeoksawol without sipping the tea and said,
“Just now, you should realize that the words of Lady Neung are completely sarcastic. Yet, what is the reason that Lady Neung asked the girl for cooperation?”
Geumhu especially emphasized the word “girl” while questioning Jeoksawol.
Hearing Geumhu’s words, Jeoksawol clicked her tongue internally. “Girl,” she said. At the age of forty-eight, she was acting foolish. However, she hid her expression. To defeat Jin Soso, Geumhu’s cooperation was necessary.
With a calm voice like Neungwolhyang’s, Jeoksawol began to explain.
“······the girl went out to Deungbong County today and coincidentally saw this so-hyup with One Sword Play Jin So-so.”
So?
One Sword Play Jin So-so.
Geumhu also knew a bit about her. She was a mysterious young female who had a close relationship with Yujinhwi, her older brother-in-law.
She had only heard that thanks to her older brother-in-law’s arrangements, she was participating in this Yongbong Jiyeon with Lee Cheol-soo.
That was all Geumhu knew. She didn’t really care beyond that. The one to pay attention to was Neungwolhyang, not One Sword Play.
“Did you see the beauty of One Sword Play Jin So-so? She is indeed the most beautiful in the world, a beauty that rivals even the legendary Jeoksawol.”
However, the words from Neungwolhyang made Geumhu’s heart flutter slightly.
The most beautiful in the world, Jeoksawol.
Referred to differently as a transcendent beauty. Geumhu had heard the rumors about her beauty and was well aware of it. Transcending the ordinary, to the extent that she’d be dubbed a celestial being, Jeoksawol’s enchanting beauty had long surpassed earthly beauty and was said to have reached the realm of mythical allure.
Numerous talented individuals from the Orthodox Faction had betrayed their sect and revolted for her beauty or had plunged into the Sado Family.
Yet a beauty parallel to Jeoksawol…
The fact that such a stunning figure was beside Lee Cheol-soo made Geumhu’s brows narrow.
But soon, she calmed her flustered heart.
No matter how stunning the beauty beside him, her lord Lee Cheol-soo would never waver.
She believed that. Lee Cheol-soo had reassured her like that.
So? Jin So-so only accompanied this so-hyup due to her relationship with the Gongja.
Jin So-so said to the girl,
As Jeoksawol interjected Geumhu, she stared directly at her with piercing crimson eyes and said,
“…The Gongja has singled out Jin So-so as a candidate for this so-hyup’s wife.”
At that moment, Geumhu’s silver eyes wavered.
Her white hand trembled slightly.
Yujinhwi… has introduced… a woman to the lord…? A young beauty of celestial proportions… as a candidate…?!
Geumhu’s mind spiraled into confusion.
She trusted Sangong. He might give his body to another woman but wouldn’t give his heart away.
But Yujinhwi was different. Thinking back, she realized she hadn’t spent any close moments with him.
Could it be that my older brother-in-law has…?!
That wouldn’t be possible. Geumhu thought. Her gaze fell on Neungwolhyang. This might have been that goddess trying to cause discord between them…
“If you don’t trust the girl, you are welcome to verify it yourself and come back,” Jeoksawol said, looking at Geumhu.
She smirked internally. She had already anticipated that Geumhu would doubt her.
However, upon seeing One Sword Play Jin So-so, Geumhu would have no choice but to ally with her.
Jeoksawol was confident of that.
Upon hearing Neungwolhyang’s words, Geumhu’s brows narrowed. She felt a chilling sense of being controlled like her mind was read.
But not checking was out of the question. Without saying a word, Geumhu stood up, exited the room without a bow, and left. Her footsteps quickened. The moment she exited the guest hall, Geumhu activated Hwakyung’s Transparent Defensive Qi and headed toward the Shaolin Temple Main Gate.
At the end of her vast perception, she caught a trace of Lee Cheol-soo. Geumhu moved stealthily. Swish. Her steps went toward the mountain path of Sungsan.
Right there, Geumhu discovered it.
Under the moonlight, she saw Lee Cheol-soo walking on the mountain path, holding hands with a young, beautiful maiden beside him.
Having ascended to the stage of transcendence, Geumhu knew that if she tried to conceal her aura, the peak master Lee Cheol-soo wouldn’t notice. She observed them with held breath, hiding her presence.
Geumhu’s hand trembled.
With moonlight cascading, she caught a glimpse of black hair shimmering like ebony in her field of vision. Pale skin that gleamed like light and perfect features appeared. Neungwolhyang wasn’t lying. She had thought she wouldn’t lose out on beauty anywhere she went.
The title of the most beautiful in the Orthodox Faction wasn’t given without reason. She truly was the most beautiful among countless beautiful women of the Orthodox Faction. However, at the moment she faced One Sword Play, her pride in her appearance crumbled.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. This woman made even Geumhu, as a woman, momentarily mesmerized. It was not of earthly beauty. It felt like looking at the legendary goddess, Hange.
How can such beauty exist in the mortal world…?
Moreover, she seemed quite familiar with Lee Cheol-soo, holding his hand. Geumhu bit her lip.
That beauty is Jin So-so?
Additionally, she was easily twenty years younger than her.
Yet such beauty…
At that moment, when Geumhu was lost in thought, her eyes met those of One Sword Play. It was a coincidence, Geumhu wanted to believe. She was hiding her aura, so there was no concern about being discovered…
Except that wasn’t it. One Sword Play’s gaze was precisely directed toward where Geumhu attempted to hide her aura. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
At this point, no matter how obtuse Geumhu was, she couldn’t miss the intent.
It was a blatant provocation. Geumhu’s expression twisted.
[Geumhu-senpai. I didn’t expect to see you here.]
And she even threw the first strike.
One Sword Play… so she was more than just a peak master?
Known publicly as Supreme One Sword Play might just be an underestimation of this young woman.
Yet, the level she sensed from One Sword Play now exceeded just excellence.
Not only had she detected Geumhu’s concealed presence as a master at the stage of transcendence, but she even sent a telepathic message.
Geumhu had never learned special martial arts specialized in aura detection. Thus, she had to see her as a similar master at the stage of transcendence.
However, as far as she knew, One Sword Play had only reached the post-stimulation indicator of her youth.
But as a martial master at the stage of transcendence… for her to attain that level in her youth, it was nothing short of heavenly talent. Perhaps…
Has she been disguising her age?
A mysterious master who had undergone transformation of flesh and bone could be hiding their age while accompanying Yujinhwi.
Geumhu thought so. Her expression grew serious.
A mysterious expert whose identity, age, and level were all hidden, staying beside Yujinhwi? It could potentially threaten the safety of the Gongdong Sect.
[Who are you to be with Eungong so closely?]
Geumhu sent the telepathic message. Upon receiving her telepathic words, Yujinhwi wore a sultry smile.
[Let me introduce myself. I am Jin Soso, a martial scholar who will soon rely on the Gongdong Sect, thanks to Young Master Yujinhwi’s guidance.]
[For a master at the stage of transcendence to pretend to be a martial scholar and a post-stimulation indicator, it’s ridiculous. Isn’t it embarrassing to hide your age next to Eungong and act flirtatious?]
[It’s not pretending. I never hid my age. The girl’s age is simply… youthful. You don’t have to believe me. I’m not trying to gain recognition from Geumhu-senpai. I just wanted to share the truth.]
Upon hearing Jin Soso’s telepathic words, Geumhu’s silver eyes became dazed. Could she really be as young as she claimed? A master at the stage of transcendence? Her eyes and tone were too confident to be lying. A response without hesitation.
Moreover, Neungwolhyang had suggested holding hands first. If she were a master at the stage of transcendence hiding her age, Neungwolhyang, still in her twenties, wouldn’t have brought that up.
So, could it be true? Compared to herself, nearing the age of fifty, she was indeed a young maiden?
If that were the case…
She couldn’t win. In age, youth, and beauty, she fell short entirely. Moreover, her martial arts level seemed comparable. With a quivering voice, she sent a telepathic message.
But why are you holding Eungong’s hand? Is it true that Young Master Yujinhwi has recommended Jin So-so as Eungong’s partner?!
Well, who knows? Hehe. By the way, Geumhu-senpai, haven’t we met after a long time? Aren’t you going to greet me?
Dodging the question, Jin Soso shifted the topic.
Geumhu’s hand trembled upon hearing her reply. Whether the rumor about being a partner was true or false didn’t matter. Just seeing Jin Soso’s attitude and her teasing smile made her heart realize where Jin Soso’s intentions lay.
That little girl dares to entice the lord…!
Exactly.
Jin Soso was trying to seduce the lord now. Holding hands was probably a tactic to flaunt her relationship with Young Master. The lord was a former orphan; his senior, Yujinhwi, was like family, and she had taken advantage of that weakness.
She was cunning to an extreme. Together, Geumhu realized why Neungwolhyang had proposed an alliance with her.
Regretfully, she knew she couldn’t defeat Jin Soso alone.
And now, she couldn’t even reveal herself to Lee Cheol-soo. After all, she had been secretly concealing her presence and peering at the lord.
If she revealed herself now, it would confirm her act of spying, akin to admitting to a fault. This could lead to Lee Cheol-soo’s resentment.
She didn’t want that. She feared being disliked by him. So she had to back down without leaving evidence.
…I’m busy right now. I’ll come by later to greet you, so no need for you to worry, Jin So-so.
Well then, I look forward to meeting you again later, Geumhu-senpai.
Even so, she couldn’t complain to her disciples. After all, as Geumhu, she shouldn’t fall for Lee Cheol-soo.
So all that was left…
Was Neungwolhyang. I’m unhappy about it, but…
There was no choice. Geumhu leapt away, filled with a deep sense of defeat.
She bit her lip. Wandering aimlessly while using the defensive technique, she arrived at Neungwolhyang’s room.
Geumhu caught sight of Neungwolhyang’s charming smile. The expression of someone who seemed to know everything was also there.
Geumhu’s face twisted slightly. But for now, she had no other options.
“Did you check it out?”
In response to Neungwolhyang’s question, Geumhu sat down, slurped down the now-cold tea Neungwolhyang had made, and, with a thud, put the teacup down, speaking.
“If cooperating like Wu-Yue is acceptable, then I’ll accept your proposal.”
“Thank you for accepting the girl’s proposal, Lady Geumhu.”
Upon hearing Geumhu’s words, Jeoksawol smiled.
In the deep of the night, the secret alliance forged between two young girls representing the Orthodox Faction in the Shaolin Temple Guest Hall.
*
Yujinhwi, who had sent Geumhu away, was laughing.
I’ve won.
He relished in the feeling of victory.
The shame of not being able to protect his disciple due to a lack of power flooded his mind.
When Geumhu had taught the disciple, and when she searched for the inheritance of the previous Geumhu with the disciple.
He hadn’t been able to do anything because he was powerless. He hadn’t reached the stage of transcendence.
But not anymore. He had finally reached the same level as Geumhu and could now look at her eye to eye.
Finally, he would be able to protect his disciple without depending on outsiders. The joy of that fact was overwhelming.
Yujinhwi laughed. The focus in his eyes dulled.
But he couldn’t be satisfied with just reaching the stage of transcendence. He needed to ascend to the realm of the boundary of life and death, and perhaps even overcome the potential for infertility. He had to become the greatest throughout history. He needed overwhelming power that could wipe out everyone, even if the whole world became his enemy, for the sake of his disciple.
I will protect my disciple.
Forever.
Only I.
Yujinhwi thought with a smile.
The moonlight hanging in the sky quietly settled on his shoulder.