NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 95
Chapter 95: You Are My Husband
In the martial world’s style.
The moment those words escaped Lee Cheol-soo’s mouth, the atmosphere froze cold.
Especially Cheon Sobin.
Her face had already turned stiff.
“Ho, noble sir, how…?”
Cheon Sobin’s expression twisted in disbelief.
That recent public confession was her best move, her ultimate card.
This gathering wasn’t just a mere assembly of the Gongdong Sect and Hangshan Sect members.
It included dignitaries from Shanxi Province—renowned masters from the martial world, as well as prominent figures and disciples from nearby regions, including the Huashan, Zhongnan, Peng family, Shaolin, and Beggar sects.
It was an understatement to say that the entire Orthodox Martial World and Central Plains were watching.
In such a place, she had confessed her feelings for him.
Whether the confession was genuine or not, it was a statement made by the heir of the grand sect’s Hangshan Sect in a public setting, not in private.
Therefore, her declaration practically solidified her engagement with Lee Cheol-soo.
Given the ripples it would cause, it was a move that could drag him into a corner alongside her, essentially dooming them both—a fatal gambit.
‘Just how…?’
However, Lee Cheol-soo’s response exceeded her expectations.
With exceptional eloquence, he twisted her confession into a lie, portraying himself as a man who admired only the Geumhu.
Suddenly, she became the test tube interfering in the romance between the Geumhu and Lee Cheol-soo.
She was toyed with by his silver-tongued words.
And thus, she confessed again.
No matter how flowery the words, the martial world reigned through strength.
Recently, their prestige might have lifted slightly due to victories in Orthodox Faction competitions, but the Gongdong Sect was still not on par with the Hangshan Sect.
So, if she insisted on her confession as the heir of the Hangshan Sect, Lee Cheol-soo had no choice but to concede.
And he accurately noted this weakness and produced an extreme solution.
Let’s resolve it in the martial world’s way.
What that meant was that they would compete in martial arts, and the winner’s word would bind the loser.
“If I win in the duel against you, Miss Cheon, then you and all disciples of the Hangshan Sect shall no longer contest my right to challenge Geumhu senior. As the rumors circulate in the martial world, I would have thereby proven my qualifications as the husband of Geumhu senior. However, if I lose and you win…”
Lee Cheol-soo’s gaze turned toward Cheon Sobin.
A weak aura swelled from his body. He was merely a top-tier martial artist. Even if they were on equal footing, it still stood to reason that there was about a half-step gap between himself, who had reached a mature top-tier stage, and Geumhu, who was already facing the peak wall.
She held the advantage.
Objectively, that was the case.
But now, an overwhelming aura of a dominating ruler rose from him, difficult to believe was emanating from a mere fifteen-year-old boy.
This was not the condensed energy built through martial arts. It was the presence of a power broker who had risen to the position above tens of thousands through countless conspiracies and schemes—akin to a prime minister reigning over the Beijing court, or a general dominating the northern front.
Lee Cheol-soo’s aura quickly filled the Grand Martial Arts Venue.
“…Then I will honor your wishes, Miss Cheon. Let’s duel right now, here.”
No one raised an objection to Lee Cheol-soo’s words.
Even Cheon Sobin, the party in question, did not.
His words carried an unspeakable authority that transcended depth.
Like the words of an emperor seated in the Forbidden City, governing all the people of the Central Plains.
As Geumhu’s hands trembled.
Thud.
Her legs gave way.
Geumhu languidly slumped into her chair.
“Ah, did Geumhu-nim…! Are you shocked?!”
“That would be quite natural. Tsk tsk. For a person of her stature, the heir of the grand sect, to privately profess feelings to a man in public, it’s certainly a loss of face. And now, Lee Cheol-soo has suggested resolving this challenge in the martial world’s way. I would be shocked too.”
“Indeed. It makes sense.”
The crowd buzzed, but it didn’t reach her ears.
Thump.
Thump, thump.
Geumhu’s heart raced wildly. She barely managed to pacify her flushing cheeks.
Seated, Geumhu lowered her head. Her hands, resting gently on her lap, clutched at the hem of her dress.
‘Master did not abandon me…’
The words Lee Cheol-soo had just spoken echoed within her ears, swirling around in her mind.
‘M-Master… has you, has chosen me…’
He had chosen her.
His recent words rang constantly in her head.
‘Master… has chosen… me… not Cheon Sobin…’
Master had effectively rejected Cheon Sobin’s confession.
He even tried to persuade her disciple for the sake of their faces with the Hangshan Sect.
Even after failing, he did not retreat.
He sought to face her. He intended to prove his qualifications through the martial world.
To become her husband.
The joy from that thought was overwhelming.
It felt like a dream. Master did not turn her away. Despite the age difference, the status difference, and the awkward relationship between the Gongdong Sect and the Hangshan Sect.
Ignoring all these barriers of reality, he once again declared to make her his woman.
In just one year—a time that could feel long or short—his heart had remained unchanged.
The realization filled her with delight.
So thrilling it was, that Geumhu felt she might burst into tears.
‘Please forgive your servant for doubting your true intentions…’
At the same time, Geumhu felt embarrassed.
For a moment, she doubted Master’s feelings toward her. She thought he would abandon her, would choose Cheon Sobin. She had felt ugly jealousy toward her disciple.
The thought embarrassed her to no end. She felt so guilty toward Master.
Geumhu couldn’t bear it.
‘Indeed, this sin… I may not be able to repay it all in one night… heh heh. It seems there’s no choice but to stay by Master’s side for a lifetime, repaying with my body…!’
A gentle blush rose to Geumhu’s otherwise expressionless face.
After the marriage, she would spend every day together with Master, giving all her physical and mental self in repayment.
Fortunately, it was a hot sunny day, so her blush didn’t seem strange.
‘Master… how many times have you embarrassed me and captivated me? Each time, my fondness for you deepens… you are indispensable to me.’
Her affection for Master grew. How could she not like such a man who met her heart so sincerely?
As Geumhu silently squealed inside while trying to maintain an expressionless facade, she looked at the Grand Martial Arts Venue.
In stark contrast, So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin ground her teeth and trembled her hands.
Rejecting Lee Cheol-soo’s proposal in front of everyone was out of the question.
Moreover, since Lee Cheol-soo had cleverly turned the rumor she had spread around, instantly transforming this impromptu match into a venue for testing qualifications to challenge the master.
For the sake of the sect’s face, and furthermore, for her ultimate goal—her master’s happiness—Cheon Sobin could not refuse Lee Cheol-soo’s challenge.
Cheon Sobin bit her lip.
Meeting face to face with Lee Cheol-soo, his aura was indeed extraordinary. But she too was a legendary figure in the Orthodox Martial World. She was confident she wouldn’t lose.
No, she had to win. Absolutely.
With that thought in mind, Cheon Sobin drew her sword.
“…Alright. I accept.”
The moment Cheon Sobin’s words ended.
A smirk danced on Lee Cheol-soo’s lips.
*
“Hehe.”
A manly chuckle escaped my lips.
Good.
I succeeded in turning the tide in my favor. The stage couldn’t be better. While not as grand as the Orthodox Faction competition, it was still a much larger stage than the last match against Seomun Seka.
The Orthodox Martial World was watching.
This time, I had to wipe out the stigma of the Gongdong Color Association and the dual-colored sword.
How much I had suffered because of that damned nonsense over the past year!
For this day, to change my alias, I trained day and night, relentlessly practicing the Demon Sword Technique as if in a real battle.
And now it was time to showcase my skills against So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin, washing away my disgrace and rebirthing as the popular Gongdong Sword Association’s Lee Cheol-soo!
“What’s with that gloomy laugh? It’s unsettling!”
So Geom-hu mocked my manly laughter.
“What do you mean, sinister laugh? The sparrow knows not the lofty ambitions of the swan. Today… ”
While glaring at So Geom-hu, I discoursed the fable of the swan and the sparrow, as documented in the celebrated history book Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian, while employing the Three Yin True Formula and Minor Yang Heart Method.
Yeah.
The So Geom-hu before me didn’t understand my grand purpose—the heroic ambition of ten-year breadth.
KUKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAK!
As the yin and yang energy burst forth from my dantian, it surged roughly through my meridians, and I controlled my energy using the Primordial Unity Technique.
My head grew cold while my dantian felt hot. The balance of yin and yang harmonized instantly, and the characteristic explosive power of the Gongdong Sect filled me.
“I, Lee Cheol-soo, will surely declare my status as Geumhu Eun Seol-ran’s husband after defeating Miss Cheon in our duel!”
Samcheosacheop, Wine Pond and Meat Forest, Cloud and Rain Pleasure, Heroic and Colorful!
My desires coalesced into the flowing clouds and elegantly carried my body toward So Geom-hu. I naturally swung my sword according to the principles of the Demon Sword Technique.
“Whose husband are you claiming to be! You are NOT my husband! Not my Master’s beloved!”
So Geom-hu, startled by my declaration, flushed as she blocked my Demon Sword.
The proud Moon Return Sword of the Hangshan Sect was unleashed with fervor.
Shwing!
The clash of black and silver sword lights shook the Grand Martial Arts Venue.
To look cool, I had my sleek, black hair glisten in the wave of energy.
I smiled and continued my onslaught.
Shwing!
The black sword light and shimmering silver danced chaotically in the air.
The Demon Sword Technique was a strong offensive style, meanwhile being a swordsmanship with integrated offensive and defensive capabilities. Naturally, the further I pushed my attack, the more powerful it became.
“I’ll get you!”
So Geom-hu gritted her teeth. Her Moon Return Sword was unleashed, accompanied by a graceful silver light reminiscent of moonlight, flowing like waves before my eyes.
Specialized in defensive counters, as Hangshan Sect’s Rising Supreme Technique, it showcased a seamless unfolding of sword light and shadow.
If it were a year ago, I might have been startled in this very moment had I not fought Geumhu.
Of course, I wouldn’t have lost. Just like during my duel with Seomun Cheong-ha, if I applied the Nine Transformation Sound White Bird technique, victory would have been mine.
But winning like that would leave nothing but scars—such victories were merely Pyrrhic victories.
The Nine Transformation Sound White Bird. Mixing that fruity martial art risked tearing Cheon Sobin’s clothes again.
After all, I had been wrongfully labeled by the Color Association for tearing Seomun Cheong-ha’s outfit during my fight with her.
And to rip Cheon Sobin’s clothes again in front of the watching Orthodox Martial World?
‘That cannot happen. Absolutely not.’
If I did, I would become the Gongdong Color Demons instead.
Needless to say, my ambitions of becoming the beloved of the Jianghu wouldn’t just vanish into the void!
That was unacceptable.
I am not a color demon. I am an ultimate practitioner of the color spectrum. Where would you find a righteous and pure hero like me? It’s unjust!
In my lifetime, I must see the pile of fan letters from the martial world’s beauties stacked neatly in front of the Gongdong Sect’s mountain gate.
To do that, I had to rightfully defeat So Geom-hu this time using the supreme technique of the Gongdong Sect.
Indeed, So Geom-hu’s strength was impressive for her age.
‘But compared to the Moon Return Sword wielded by Geumhu a year ago… it’s merely child’s play.’
The Moon Return Sword that Geumhu wielded was literally an impenetrable wall. There was no room for flaw.
But So Geom-hu’s Moon Return Sword was different. My senses, honed to the level of Xianjing, whispered to me. There was a weakness here.
I gripped my sword. Rawr. The sword cried out. It felt almost euphoric, as if the sword had become a beloved part of myself.
Yes, this was it.
Smirk.
A smile crept onto my face.
My relentless path of the Moon Return Sword’s defensive maneuvers was momentarily disrupted by a strange but extremely effective trajectory, leaving a dark streak in the air.
“?!”
The instant So Geom-hu’s pupils wavered.
Flash!
A streak of black brilliance descended upon the Grand Martial Arts Venue.