NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 155
Chapter 155: Orthodox Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicator
Months after the Yongbong Society concluded.
Finally, the group and I departed from Hanam and arrived at my longed-for home, the Gongdong Sect Main Base.
“Finally, we’ve arrived.”
The towering figure of Gongdong Mountain came into view.
Like the alias Seorae Jeil-san, the beautiful and familiar scenery passed by.
I had thought of it in my previous life, but I still couldn’t understand why the Central Plains were so vast. It took months just to return.
It’s no wonder they talk about the continent’s vastness on the internet.
Seomun Cheong-ha, Seoharin, and Sahyeong had a sparkle in their eyes.
“Wow! This is the Gongdong Mountain where oppa and Yu-hyung stayed!”
An unexpectedly annoying voice echoed beside me.
It was Dang Yeong-ryeong, who had become a “guest” of the Gongdong Sect, acting like a child, gasping in excitement. I’d really like to smack her head for being so childish.
I should quickly raise my level and give that damn quack a flick on the forehead.
“Let’s go, Senior Dang.”
I took the fussing Dang Yeong-ryeong along as we ascended Gongdong Mountain.
As we utilized our lightness skill to ascend, the wind whispered past my ears. The scenery whizzed by like a speedboat. Soon, the familiar mountain gate came into view.
The Gongdong Sect.
The majestic sign hung above the gate was now clearly well-kept compared to when I first arrived at the Gongdong Sect.
All thanks to the blood, sweat, and tears I had poured into rebuilding the sect with the money I earned through hard work.
I stood in front of the mountain gate, creaking it open as I entered.
“I’m back, Master.”
“You’ve returned?”
Beyond the gate, the now considerably restored royal chambers of the Gongdong Sect were bustling with life.
It was Jeonyeong, the current leader of the Gongdong Sect.
As always, he had a stoic expression, but his gaze softened as he looked at us.
“Cheolsu, I heard you elevated our sect’s reputation by winning the Yongbong Society. Truly commendable.”
Jeonyeong said to me in a slightly proud voice.
“Thank you for acknowledging my insignificant accomplishment, Master.”
“Wira and Linia also traveled far. Well done, Cheong-ha.”
After exchanging greetings, Jeonyeong’s gaze lingered on Dang Yeong-ryeong.
He must’ve seen in the letter that she decided to be a guest of the Gongdong Sect, but seeing her in person for the first time seemed to shake him.
“Dang Seon…”
“Not Seon! Call me Yeong-ryeong! I’m of age!”
Interrupting Jeonyeong, Dang Yeong-ryeong flailed her arms, shaking her twin tails.
When will she ever stop that silly coming-of-age concept?
“Ah, understood.”
“Yeong-ryeong! I like the Gongdong Sect! The mountains are nice, the water is nice! The royal chambers are better than I expected! I’ll rely on you from now on!”
“I’ll also be in your care.”
The exchange continued between the master and the quack.
After our reunion wrapped up, I sent everyone off to their respective lodgings, and finally had a one-on-one meeting with my master in Hyeoncheon Palace after a long time.
“Hmm. Thank you again for the long journey.”
Swish!
Jeonyeong poured me tea, not the cheap herbal tea we used to drink, but respectable green tea.
I politely accepted the tea he poured and sipped.
“I’ve heard about the Yongbong Society through my sources. You fought naked against the Sword Dragon in the finals…”
As soon as I heard that, I barely managed to swallow the tea with superhuman control and responded.
“… It was an unavoidable incident during the duel. I apologize for causing you concern, Master.”
“No, it’s fine. In the chaotic martial world, anything can happen. Ripping one’s clothes doesn’t even count as an accident. I won’t blame you for such a trivial issue. More importantly, Cheolsu, you’ve won the Yongbong Society, elevating our sect’s reputation among the Nine Provinces and Eight Monarchs!”
A genuine smile appeared on Jeonyeong’s face.
Perhaps because the sect’s restoration had been his lifelong wish, he had become much more cheerful than usual.
“With this, we’ve taken another step towards rebuilding the sect. It’s all thanks to you, Cheolsu.”
“Thank you for your flattery.”
While I was pleasantly chatting with my master, he suddenly mentioned another topic.
“… I heard Huya revealed her gender to you and Harin.”
“That’s right. I had no idea Sahyeong was a woman…”
I said, staring at my master. It was clear that transforming Sahyeong into a man had been his decision. I couldn’t quite grasp his reasoning.
In the chaotic martial world, being a man was undoubtedly more advantageous, especially since Sahyeong was a disciple of the leader. It was much more beneficial if the one who would eventually rebuild the fallen sect were male rather than female.
So, he must have dressed her like a boy.
“I gave Huya a choice. Whether to reveal her gender to you and Harin, or hide it. I didn’t want to burden her with every decision…”
He said seriously, his expression turning bittersweet.
“… But after receiving her letter, I regret forcing my little Huya into dressing as a man. I want to apologize.”
During my first life, Sahyeong had lived as a man until I died.
I couldn’t fathom what Sahyeong felt during that time.
Having experienced numerous trials, I still couldn’t understand her true feelings.
Though we hadn’t met very often, even when we did, I felt that she resembled a doll rather than a real person.
Though revered in the martial world as a great hero, she felt more like a marionette than a hero.
She was inherently kind, yet felt somehow hollow.
That’s the impression Sahyeong had left on me.
It was utterly different from the emotional person she seemed to be now.
“… That’s not something for me to say. You should tell her directly.”
“Right. Cheolsu, you’re correct. I need to speak to Huya directly…”
My master trailed off.
Today, for some reason, his shoulders looked unusually small.
In my previous life, Sahyeong rose to the top and ultimately restored the Gongdong Sect.
Was he happy then?
That’s something I wouldn’t know.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small bag, placing it on the table.
A brown elixir emanated a refreshing fragrance.
It was the Grand Rejuvenation Pill from the Shaolin Temple.
“This is…”
“It’s a Grand Rejuvenation Pill for you, Master. The Divine Monk provided it.”
“For such a precious item… Can I accept this?”
“I have another one that I won as a prize in the Yongbong Society, so it’s fine. Don’t worry since the other disciples took the pills too.”
Hearing my words, Jeonyeong carefully picked up the Grand Rejuvenation Pill with trembling hands.
“This is the secret manual of Primordial Unity Energy Technique that Sahyeong restored and the secret manual of Demon Subduing Nine Heavens Sword that she personally created.”
I pulled out a book from my possession. It was the manual I had written for the Primordial Unity Energy Technique and the Demon Subduing Nine Heavens Sword.
“… Thank you.”
Tears trickled down his cheeks.
Tears from a man? That’s not something I wanted to see much.
“It’s only natural for a disciple to do this.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
After I exchanged final greetings with my master, I exited Hyeoncheon Palace and took up my post at the entrance.
Shortly after, I sensed a auspicious energy wave from inside Hyeoncheon Palace. Once the energy stabilized, I opened the palace doors and stepped inside.
There sat my master in a meditative posture. When he opened his eyes, dawn shone brightly for a moment and then faded away.
Through the power of the Grand Rejuvenation Pill, Jeonyeong had broken through to the pinnacle of the energy channeling.
“Congratulations on your great achievement, Master.”
“Thank you. Now, I need to take a bath. If guests arrive while I’m bathing, make sure to welcome them on behalf of our sect.”
My master instructed me.
Perhaps because he had broken through to the energy channeling, his clothes were covered in grime.
I nodded.
But guests?
Would there really be guests?
I thought that while sending my master off to bathe, I sat guard outside Hyeoncheon Palace, munching on some snacks for guest reception.
Then.
“Leader! Leader! I have news to deliver! I’ve come all the way up the mountain to share this!”
They say when you talk about a tiger, it appears. A familiar voice echoed from afar.
It sounded hoarse, as if it came with a hint of alcohol.
I could tell without looking.
It was Hong Chwi-gae.
The Three Teachings Practitioner’s leader from the Gaebang Hwajeong-hyeon Branch had arrived at the Gongdong Sect.
I stood up and used the lightness skill to approach the gate.
Creak!
As I opened the door, I found a tattered beggar, his red face glowing from drunkenness, leaning on his staff like a hiking pole.
“Eh? Isn’t this the renowned Orthodox Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicator, Sword Dragon? Hahaha! It’s been a while!”
Upon spotting me, Hong Chwi-gae greeted me joyfully. The typical beggar stench tickled my nose, yet I didn’t feel bad at all.
Sword Dragon.
Yes, that’s me, hahaha. A smile crept onto my lips. Not to mention the title Orthodox Faction’s Post-Stimulation Indicator!
I had all the titles that could capture a woman’s heart.
“Indeed. Hahaha. I am none other than the Sword Dragon! What brings you to our sect? My master isn’t here right now, so I’ve been entrusted to act as the leader in his absence.”
I said cheerfully, inviting Hong Chwi-gae inside.
I had a good guess about what he was here to discuss.
The Gaebang typically serves as the eyes and ears of the Orthodox Faction. The fact he came without me requesting information meant that another sect or the Martial Alliance had employed the Gaebang as a messenger.
In this case, it must be the Martial Alliance, and the content probably involves a message sent to the Gongdong Sect from a higher-up in the Martial Alliance as they engaged with the Cheonma.
“Acting leader? That works! Anyway, it’s related to you, Sword Dragon.”
Thud.
I led Hong Chwi-gae into the courtyard and closed the gate.
I guided him to the reception hall. The hall, which used to be half-collapsed like a haunted house when I first joined, had now been completely restored to a proper building.
I sent a message to Seomun Cheong-ha to bring out refreshments as I guided Hong Chwi-gae into the guest room.
“Hmph. Here you go!”
Slide…
Seomun Cheong-ha entered with a sullen face, slamming the refreshment tray onto the table before glaring at me, snorting, and leaving.
“Help yourself.”
Chomp chomp.
Hong Chwi-gae devoured the snacks and sighed deeply.
“Whew. Now I can breathe again.”
“What’s the news?”
Upon hearing that, Hong Chwi-gae began to speak.
“The Cheonma has accepted your proposal. For the Post-Stimulation Indicators visiting Cheonsan of the Black and White Paths, absolute safety has been promised in the name of the Cheonma.”
Just as the Divine Monk had predicted.
The Cheonma accepted my proposal. This meant I had no choice but to visit the Demon Sect now.
“The alliance has decided to expand its support for the Gongdong Sect. The Gansu branch of the Martial Alliance will be replaced soon. Since the Grand Alliance leader personally issued the notice, you can trust it.”
The Grand Alliance kept its promise to me. The Martial Alliance announced its support for the Gongdong Sect. The replacement of the Gansu branch was only natural since the current one was closely tied to the Seomun Family.
“And lastly, the Sado Family has also accepted the Demon Sect’s proposal. The Post-Stimulation Indicator from the Evil Faction known as Black Saryong Wi Soryeon and the second disciple of Baek Myeon-am-gun, Yeon Sowol, are coming to Gansu to head to the Demon Sect.”
However, this final news was beyond my expectations.
It was expected that Wi Soryeon would participate.
But I didn’t see the involvement of Yeon Sowol coming.
Moreover, the fact that they were coming to Gansu was absolutely absurd.
After all:
Yeon Sowol.
Widely known as the second disciple of Baek Myeon-am-gun…
She was the third character of Jeoksawol, following Hwa Myeon-ho-gyeom and Yeon Hee Neungwolhyang.
Wait, another Jeoksawol? And now she’s a Post-Stimulation Indicator?
How old is she to be a Post-Stimulation Indicator?
What’s going on?