Chapter 42

Severed Meridians (1)

As Namgung Jun made his way back to the Changcheon Association's headquarters, he was lost in thought.

He was reviewing the shortcomings and areas for improvement from his recent mission, which naturally led him to reflect on the influence of the Changcheon Association.

They truly do have grounds to complain about a lack of manpower.

The world was endlessly vast.

There were countless demonic and unorthodox factions.

And there were far too few heroes.

The Changcheon Association could not possibly handle everything alone.

Furthermore, it was not only engaged in protecting the common people but was also contending against the enormous force known as the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult. Naturally, its manpower was stretched thin.

Of course, the Association maintained branches throughout the world and possessed the Ten Halls, an elite force stationed at headquarters.

Even so, there were obvious limits.

They said there are secret forces that assist the Changcheon Association. I wonder when I'll learn about them.

Namgung Jun gazed at the forest spreading before him.

He would likely spend the night there.

Creating a new sect—or perhaps a clan—by gathering like-minded people, as I did in my previous life, wouldn't be a bad idea either.

A force devoted to the ideals of chivalry.

A force that could shoulder one pillar of the martial world, much like the Three Sects and One Alliance.

The Three Sects and One Alliance did not influence the entire world the way the Changcheon Association did, but within their own territories, they fulfilled their responsibilities to the utmost.

Had they not existed, the Changcheon Association would never have been able to extend its reach so widely across the world.

In fact, the Association's activities were relatively sparse in regions governed by the Three Sects and One Alliance.

Unless a major incident occurred, the Association trusted them to handle local affairs and directed its resources elsewhere.

"A new pillar to support the orthodox martial world..."

Lost in his thoughts, Namgung Jun chuckled softly.

It was still a distant future.

For now, he needed to focus on the present.

Before he realized it, he had entered the forest and needed to find a suitable place to spend the night.

The smile on his face deepened.

Because he spotted a familiar figure beyond the grass.

Sunlight filtered through strands of jet-black hair.

Her neatly tied hair fell gracefully to either side, and her jawline was remarkably elegant.

Sensing Namgung Jun's presence, the woman's heavily lowered eyelids slowly lifted.

Perhaps because her pupils were such a deep black, the light gradually filling her eyes resembled stars emerging in the night sky.

"Jun?"

"I'm not familiar with anyone by that name."

"You never play along with my jokes."

Pouting slightly, Lee Seha soon broke into a smile.

She had noticed the two clouds embroidered upon Namgung Jun's sleeve.

"Looks like you've returned from a solo mission."

"Yes. I also completed my promotion successfully."

"I wasn't worried in the slightest. You're my disciple, after all."

Looking at him proudly as he sat beside her, Lee Seha asked,

"So, how was your first solo mission?"

"It ended rather smoothly. Though it left me with many thoughts."

"What kind of thoughts?"

As Namgung Jun explained what he had been contemplating while walking through the forest, Lee Seha nodded.

"That makes sense. It's not just because demonic and unorthodox factions are spread throughout the martial world. The biggest reason is that the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult is simply too powerful."

"Exactly. And unlike ordinary sects, the Association can't just accept anyone who wants to join."

Nodding, Lee Seha casually asked,

"So you're thinking about creating a new sect someday. Do you want to become independent in the future?"

"That's still far away. For now, I should remain devoted to the Changcheon Association. What about you, Master?"

"Me?"

Namgung Jun nodded.

Lee Seha stared into the distance for a moment before tilting her head.

"I don't know. I've spent my entire life thinking only about revenge against the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult... To be honest, I'm not even sure I'll be able to achieve that revenge while I'm still alive."

"The culprit was the Left Envoy of Radiant Shadows, correct?"

"Mm."

The one responsible for exterminating Lee Seha's clan, the Geukseon Lee Clan, had been the Left Envoy of Radiant Shadows of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.

One of the two envoys who served closest to the Cult Leader.

At present, Lee Seha had no means of confronting such an opponent.

Namgung Jun did not offer empty assurances that she could succeed.

Instead, he spoke of what lay beyond.

"You should think about what comes after revenge, Master."

"After revenge?"

"You'll need to rebuild your clan. Live while looking toward that future."

"That's true."

Chuckling softly, Lee Seha reached over and ruffled his hair.

"My disciple is comforting me now."

"It wasn't comfort. Just advice."

"That's the same thing."

Staring at him for a moment, she smiled brightly.

"Or maybe following the sect you create someday wouldn't be so bad. That way, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art would continue through my disciple's sect."

"I'll reserve a seat for you in the Council of Elders."

"What? The Council of Elders?"

Raising an eyebrow, Lee Seha lightly pinched his cheek.

Namgung Jun simply accepted it without avoiding her hand.

"Haa... It was a difficult mission, and I was exhausted even on the way back. But talking with you has helped ease my fatigue."

Stretching her long legs, Lee Seha extended her body.

As Namgung Jun caught the faint scent of blood lingering around her, he asked,

"Are your injuries alright?"

"You noticed?"

"Of course."

"This level of injury is practically routine for me. I'm fine."

"I'll change your bandages."

With practiced movements, Namgung Jun took out healing ointment and fresh bandages before unwrapping those around Lee Seha's arm.

He applied the ointment expertly over the wound and rewrapped it in an instant.

His skill was so refined that even Lee Seha, who silently watched the entire process, was impressed.

"Looks like those fellows from the Heavenly Sword Hall taught you well. You've become proficient so quickly."

"It's a simple task."

"I really did get myself an excellent disciple."

A warm smile spread across Lee Seha's face.

As Namgung Jun continued talking with Lee Seha, the sun gradually set.

"Master, I'll take the night watch."

"Will that be alright?"

"Yes. Compared to you, I'm perfectly healthy."

"Hah."

Lee Seha did not refuse her disciple's goodwill.

Lying down on a blanket, she turned her head toward Namgung Jun.

She stared at him intently, but Namgung Jun pretended not to notice and kept his gaze fixed in the opposite direction.

Eventually, Lee Seha dragged out his name in a drawn-out voice.

"Jun."

"Yes, Master."

"I can't sleep. Tell me an interesting story."

"Please go to sleep."

Under the gentle starlight, the voices of master and disciple continued softly into the night.

***

"Welcome!"

The master and disciple, who were returning together to the Changcheon Association headquarters, decided to rest at an inn.

"I've wanted to come here with you at least once. Perfect timing. The cook here is truly a master."

"If you're praising him this highly, then I have high expectations."

Lee Seha seemed to have visited the inn several times before and ordered with practiced familiarity.

As an endless stream of dish names flowed from her lips, Namgung Jun's shoulders twitched slightly.

"Master, haven't you ordered a little too much?"

"My disciple, your health isn't in the best condition. You need nourishing food."

"..."

Before long, the waiter began carrying dishes over with both arms full.

Yellow Chicken Soup (Hwangigyetang)—a whole chicken simmered with bamboo shoots and mushrooms.

Smoked Ham Stir-Fry—salt-cured pork thigh stir-fried with mountain vegetables and tea leaves.

Red Fruit Shrimp—shrimp braised in soy sauce, stir-fried over high heat and balanced with sugar.

Soyogye—fried chicken glazed with honey, then slowly simmered in a medicinal broth containing wild ginseng, atractylodes, and goji berries.

Milk-Broth Huai King Fish—a soup of fish and pork simmered in chicken stock until the broth turned milky white.

It was a veritable feast.

"Heh. Since it's your first time here with me, I decided to splurge a little."

"I'm not sure we can finish all of this."

"It's fine. If there's any left over, I'll eat it."

At a glance, there was enough food for more than seven people.

Nevertheless, Namgung Jun simply nodded.

Lee Seha tore off a chicken leg from the Soyogye and placed it onto his plate.

"Go ahead and try it."

When Namgung Jun moved his chopsticks, the meat separated effortlessly from the bone.

The flesh was remarkably tender, and because it had been cooked with numerous herbs and seasonings, a rich blend of flavors lingered in his mouth.

"It's delicious."

Seeing his eyebrows twitch slightly, Lee Seha burst into a satisfied smile.

"Guess I'll start eating too."

After taking a few bites of the smoked ham stir-fry to whet her appetite, she truly began.

Her chopsticks and spoon moved without pause.

Food continuously disappeared into her mouth, yet she chewed so quickly that her cheeks never even puffed out.

At most, they swelled slightly for a moment before returning to normal.

Watching her, Namgung Jun stopped eating and stared blankly in amazement.

If the inn's cook was a master of cooking, then Lee Seha was a master of eating.

"I never knew you enjoyed food this much, Master."

When Namgung Jun asked with genuine admiration, Lee Seha elegantly wiped her lips and replied,

"Before I met you, eating delicious food was my only joy in life."

"Then I suppose I'll have to learn the locations of many skilled cooks."

Lee Seha nodded with satisfaction.

"That's right. You've gained another responsibility as my disciple."

Judging from the pace she was eating, there would be no leftovers.

In fact, Namgung Jun began to suspect there might not even be enough.

Worried his own share might disappear, he finally started eating in earnest.

The occasional clinking of dishes echoed through the inn as the master and disciple enjoyed their meal.

Then—

THUD!

"Yeojin!"

A woman who had been quietly eating at a neighboring table suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

Her lips had turned blue, and her entire body trembled violently.

The convulsions were severe.

To Namgung Jun, however, the sight felt strangely familiar.

That woman... could it be?

His eyes narrowed.

Of all times...

The man accompanying her hurriedly stood and grabbed her wrist to check her pulse.

The woman groaned in pain while the man's expression grew increasingly grim.

Just as he pulled out an acupuncture case from his robes—

BANG!

The inn's doors burst open.

A group of martial artists stormed inside.

Their wolf-like eyes swept across the inn before quickly landing on the collapsed woman and her companion.

"There they are!"

"Looks like her condition is acting up. This is our chance!"

"Secure the Red Pattern Fire Ginseng first!"

As the martial artists rushed forward, the man drew several acupuncture needles from his case and shouted,

"You beasts!"

Apparently deciding that needles alone would not suffice, he pulled out five jade bottles from within his green sleeves.

The charging martial artists immediately hesitated.

They seemed wary of the jade bottles in his hands.

The man in green hurriedly spoke.

"We obtained the Red Pattern Fire Ginseng first! It's medicine meant to save my younger sister! Why do you keep trying to steal it?"

Though he pleaded desperately, the martial artists paid him no mind.

"My friend, you must be young and unfamiliar with the jianghu. Just because you found something first doesn't make it yours."

"The owner is the one who manages to keep it until the end."

"A Red Pattern Fire Ginseng would greatly increase one's internal energy. There's no reason for us to watch it be wasted saving some girl we've never even met."

"Hand it over now, and we'll spare your life!"

The martial artists slowly advanced.

It was clear they had no intention of negotiating.

"You shameless scoundrels!"

The hand gripping the jade bottles trembled.

His attention seemed focused less on the approaching martial artists and more on the woman suffering behind him.

Just as the martial artists prepared to charge—

Crackling blue lightning erupted from both sides.

"Stop."

"Honestly, there are far too many rotten people in the martial world."

Master and disciple rose from their seats at the same time and stepped in front of the man and woman.

As Namgung Jun and Lee Seha released their azure lightning aura simultaneously, not a single person in the inn dared move.