NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 96
Chapter 96: So Cool – Illustration
Kukwakwa kwa kwa kwa!!
Maru suppresses Malu.
The rough and violent legacy of the Demon Sword Technique flares up in the form of a black sword energy, piercing through the weakness of the Moon Return Sword with the sharp thrust of the Demon Sword Technique.
“Cough!”
So Geom-hu bites her lip. Her feet move. The mysterious footwork of the Hangshan Sect’s Flowing Cloud and Water unfolds before my eyes.
With a graceful step, So Geom-hu avoids my fatal blow, and a silver sword energy blossoms from her sword.
The Supreme Absorption Technique of the Hangshan Sect. The Moon Maiden Sword, which is said to be passed down only to the Sect Leader and their disciple, shows itself.
“The Moon Maiden Sword, huh!”
“Ha-ha! Today, I get to witness the Moon Maiden Sword of the Hangshan Sect. Amitabha.”
“Amida Buddha. The skill of this junior from the Gongdong Alliance is truly astonishing. I feel enlightened today.”
“With the depth of both their achievements, they truly are the pillars of the Orthodox Faction Martial World. I look forward to the Yongbong Society a year from now.”
I heard the murmur of the martial artists around me.
“It’s over now!”
A ray of light shines in So Geom-hu’s eyes. She looks confident.
Surely, she thought she could win after revealing the Supreme Absorption Technique.
But the current situation, where she was forced to bring out the Moon Maiden Sword, was precisely as I had led her into.
The Moon Maiden Sword was indeed a remarkable secret technique. It was on par with the Primordial Unity Technique of the Mount Hua Sect and the Taijitu Sword of the Wudang Sect, accessible only to the leaders and successors of the sects.
However, the term “Supreme Absorption Technique” also meant that the initiation was exceedingly difficult, and mastering it was painstakingly hard.
In other words, no matter how great the Supreme Martial Arts are, if proper training doesn’t accompany it, they are no more than beautiful but useless trinkets.
Of course, if I had been an average practitioner, the moment she drew the inexperienced Moon Maiden Sword, I would have lost.
But I was a legendary master in my previous life, renowned as the number one in the Hwanggung.
As I observed, So Geom-hu’s Moon Maiden Sword appeared flashy and strong at first glance, but in the eyes of someone who reached the level of insight, it looked like a sponge full of holes.
Watching the silver sword energy of the Moon Maiden Sword, I summoned the Reverse Flow Blood Technique.
Kukwakwa kwa kwa kwa!!
The energy of Yin and Yang was amplified as it passed through the control of the Primordial Unity Technique, flowing back through the blood meridians, enhancing my power.
A strong black sword energy flared up from my steel sword imbued with enhanced power.
In that state, I unleashed the Ultimate Move of the Demon Sword Technique I had practiced countless times, a strike that united offense and defense.
Whizz.
The black sword light pierced through the silver sword energy of the Moon Maiden Sword, grazing past the ribbon binding her hair.
Swish.
As her hair was scattered like a mess, my steel sword had already reached just in front of her Adam’s apple.
Drip.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down So Geom-hu’s forehead.
“The victor of this martial contest is Lee Cheol-soo of the Gongdong Alliance.”
The voice of the sword master rang in my ears as I straightened up.
Yes.
It was my victory.
With the sword master’s declaration, I retracted my sword and released the operations of the Reverse Flow Blood Technique.
Cough.
I swallowed the blood that rose up to my throat.
Now was not the time to feign weakness as I had with the Black Dragon during the faction competition; it was time to act strong.
I, Lee Cheol-soo, defeated So Geom-hu, a disciple of the Hangshan Sect, not Yujinhwi, renowned for the Heavenly Body.
I had to mark a perfect period at the climax of the underdog rebellion storyline.
So Geom-hu’s eyes trembled.
Her hands shook.
“Master, do you plan on crushing a girl’s feelings this far? H-hic….”
She hung her head low.
Tears fell from her eyes. Absolute victory in the martial contest, indeed.
But it didn’t matter.
Crying signified the last desperate struggle.
I looked at Cheon Sobin and said, “Even if Lady Cheon tests me like this, my unwavering heart towards Senior Sword Master will never waver. After all, I won this martial contest, and I have proven my qualifications as a challenger to Senior Sword Master in front of the Hangshan Sect and the righteous factions. I understand that you might not be pleased with me, but it is over now. So you may cease this unnecessary confession of love.”
As I said this, I pulled out a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to Cheon Sobin.
“So stop crying. The spectators are watching.”
Sniff, hic… Hwaaaah!
Receiving my handkerchief, Cheon Sobin ran out of the Grand Martial Arts Venue, tears streaming down her face.
I had no clue what was happening.
Did she really hate me that much? Or was she just shaken by the defeat? I didn’t care.
Having proven my challenger qualifications through this impromptu martial contest, the Hangshan Sect had no reason to block me from challenging the Senior Sword Master anymore.
I turned my gaze towards the sword master.
Our eyes met, and she flinched slightly.
A faint blush crept onto her pale face, usually cold as ice.
I said to her, “Senior Sword Master, wait just a moment. On the day I turn a man, the day I believe I have surpassed you, I shall bring you down with my sword and make you my woman. You shall never escape from me.”
I delivered the lines I had practiced countless times with a determined expression, projecting a masculine, deep voice unlike the girlish tone of my former self during my eunuch days.
Yes.
This is it.
The horrible memories of trying to sound like a historical drama eunuch, no matter how much I practiced, are now behind me.
I have been reborn as a charming man with a honey voice, capable of captivating women.
Of course, I do not imagine that the infamy of the Dual-Colored Sword and the Gongdong Color Association will be washed away by this.
This current scenario is merely laying the groundwork for the Yongbong Society that will happen a year from now.
The Yongbong Society.
A gathering of the post-stimulation indicators of the Orthodox Faction Martial World, a festival overflowing with youth and romance.
I will reclaim the name of Sword Dragon at the height of the Yongbong Society and transform into the true popular idol of the Martial World.
I will lay the cornerstone of the decade-long Hero-Hot Guy saga.
The moment I caught the eyes of the sword master, she flinched.
Her expression, usually so impassive, bloomed with a faint smile like the spring breeze.
“I will wait, junior.”
A simple, brief sentence.
That was enough for me.
I will definitely make her my woman and a member of the Samcheosacheop.
In the moment our gazes collided in mid-air.
“Lee Cheol-soo of the Gongdong Alliance defeated So Geom-hu?”
“Ha-ha! I never imagined that someone like me would take down the disciple of the Hangshan Sect… Amitabha.”
“The status of the Gongdong Sect is on the rise day by day. At this rate, reclaiming our former glory may just be a matter of time.”
“Hmmm. I heard that this junior engages in obscene behavior during martial contests against women, but since he hasn’t done so this time, perhaps the rumors of the Color Association are baseless.”
“Truly, we are akin to the pillars of the Orthodox Faction Martial World. The claims of the Dual-Colored Sword by the heretical faction seem to be mere rumors.”
“Still, a man’s conduct is his conduct, so we’ll have to keep an eye on this junior’s future actions.”
I heard the chatter of the spectators.
Everyone was surprised by the unexpected result of me, not the sword master, defeating Cheon Sobin.
There was also suspicion regarding the Gongdong Color Association’s reputation, as I concluded the contest without tearing my opponent’s clothing.
It was truly a satisfactory outcome.
Alright. I need to successfully polish my image all the way to the Yongbong Society.
“… So you defeated Lady Cheon, huh? For an obscene fellow, you’re quite capable.”
“I’m frustrated. How could someone like you defeat the Gongdong Color Association…?”
“Why did So Geom-hu confess to that colored horse?”
“How dare you… such a rude provocation towards the sword master….”
On the other hand, the disciples of the Hangshan Sect were gnashing their teeth at me.
Well, they were all fans of the sword master.
So I could understand their reactions. Let them chatter all they want.
After all, I completely obliterated any grounds for the Hangshan Sect to obstruct my qualifications as a challenger through my victory in this contest. So Geom-hu had personally lost.
In the end, she will become my woman.
I threw one last glance with a cold yet charming smile, tossing my luscious black hair aside as I headed to the designated seats of the Gongdong Sect.
Wow. Am I not just too cool today?
Hehe.
*
Aside from the unexpected impromptu martial contest, the first day of the competition was completed without a hitch.
After the competition. Hangshan Sect’s Main Base, Wol Eun Pavilion.
‘Today, the senior gentlemen… defeated Sobin and once again proposed to me. Senior gentleman… You don’t have to be so particularly passionate about me… I’m really moved…’
Scratch, scratch.
The sword master took a pen and began recording today’s events in her secret diary.
The words the senior gentleman had spoken after the contest lingered in her mind.
‘Kyaah, senior gentleman. You say I am forever bound? I am already your captive, you know. There’s no way I would stray from the embrace of my beloved senior gentleman…’
Hehe.
A fresh and warm smile blossomed on the sword master’s face, which always seemed so cold.
Her heart raced like mad.
Her face turned as red as a boiled crab.
‘How can your voice be so delightful, dear senior gentleman?’
To have made her heart flutter like this from the very first day.
The only man who could thaw the frozen heart of the sword master was none other than the senior gentleman.
Thinking this, the sword master lightly struck her flushed cheeks, chuckling like a schoolgirl.
Scratch, scratch.
With that, she concluded today’s entry, tidying up her writing utensils, and placed the dried diary into a chest, locking it away.
Click.
Just as she finished organizing the chest.
“Master, it’s your disciple Cheon Sobin. May I come in?”
A voice from outside reached the sword master’s ears.
Upon hearing her disciple’s voice, the sword master quickly managed her expression. Her previously flushed face turned completely white in an instant. The smile, reminiscent of a spring breeze, transformed into an emotionless mask reminiscent of a winter storm.
Returning to the form of the icy beauty, the sword master quietly said, “Come in.”
Slide.
As soon as she granted permission, the sliding door opened.
On the other side stood her disciple, So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin.
With luscious black hair interspersed with silver, a stunning beauty in her late teens.
The moment Cheon Sobin entered, the sword master’s gaze sank heavily.
The memory of So Geom-hu confessing to Lee Cheol-soo was still vivid in her mind.
Even after losing the contest, the image of So Geom-hu repeatedly trying to confess her feelings lingered.
Though the senior gentleman had not forsaken her, it did not erase the actions taken by So Geom-hu.
“Why did you… say such things to that gentleman during today’s contest?”
The sword master’s voice quivered slightly.
Receiving the cold gaze from her master, So Geom-hu lowered her head.
“Could it be that you truly have feelings for that gentleman?”
Her hands shook.
She had absolutely not to lose in this contest. But…
Cheon Sobin had not yet given up.
The phrase from the section of her diary she had once spied on still echoed in her mind.
‘You better not lose!’
The master had written in the diary that she would definitely lose to that scoundrel.
Such an incident was something she absolutely would not allow, even if it meant high levels of humiliation.
Biting her lip, Cheon Sobin stared at her master and said, “Yes, Master. I… I have feelings for that gentleman.”