Ch.236Side Story 2: When I Met Him (10)

#02_When I Met Him_10

“So I learned various martial arts while being tossed around by Grandpa Cheonma and Brother Sunwoo Dan. That’s when I awakened my sixth sense too.”

“Without Eliya, you wouldn’t have met Dexter, huh?”

“I wouldn’t have been able to stop the Chief Commander either, and the Earth might have been split in half.”

Dexter shrugged as he finished telling the four women about how he learned martial arts.

“So it’s been several years since you’ve seen this Grandpa Cheonma?”

Jesse, who had taken Dexter’s place in the pilot’s seat, asked while spinning around in the chair.

“It’s been about 10 years, I think.”

“Have you contacted him at all?”

“Yeah, but not recently. Been busy, lots going on. I sent him a letter about three years ago, but haven’t been able to keep in touch since then because of various things.”

“You’re a bad disciple, aren’t you?”

Himena, who was in the ship’s kitchen, said as she handed Dexter a sandwich.

“That’s why I’m visiting now that things have settled down. He was my first master after all, so I should at least introduce him to my lovely wife.”

Judy, who was sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea, smiled gently at his words.

“Didn’t you say your master only had eyes for one woman?”

“That’s right. He only looked at Grandma Hyeolbong.”

“Then why couldn’t Dexter do the same?”

“That’s such an obvious question.”

At Dexter’s response, all four women turned to look at him simultaneously.

“Because I wanted all four of you.”

“So you took all of us?”

“Of course. Why would I give what’s mine to someone else?”

“My goodness, ‘what’s yours’ he says.”

“Don’t you think you’re being quite shameless when you say things like that?”

“Shameless? It’s just natural.”

Dexter chuckled as he saw the incredulous expressions on Judy and Himena’s faces, then turned his gaze toward the front windshield.

The Central Continent was getting closer.

As the blue planet similar in size to Earth filled the windshield, Dexter pointed toward a continent with prominent mountain ranges.

“That’s the Central Continent.”

“The geography is definitely a bit different from Earth, isn’t it?”

“It’s like they took just the Asian part and stuck it there?”

“Waaang.”

Dexter was about to show Jesse the location of Singyo when he heard a strange sound from behind and turned around.

Emily, who was sitting at the very back, was hunched over with her head bowed low, leaning against her chair.

“…Aren’t you curious about the Central Continent?”

“I heard there are no cars there.”

Emily raised her head to answer Dexter, revealing a large tub of ice cream on her lap. While the other three women had been talking, she had been focused solely on eating chocolate ice cream with a spoon.

“But, um, there is one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“I heard there were thieves in the Central Continent called ‘Shintu.’ Is that true?”

“Oh, yeah. There was someone at Singyo who was called a disciple of Shintu. What was his name… Gyogang… Ryong, I think?”

It had been so long ago that he couldn’t remember the details clearly.

As Dexter tried to recall the old story, he looked forward again and said:

“This isn’t the time for that story. Everyone needs to change clothes now. There are Central Continent clothes I prepared in the cargo hold, so put those on.”

“Central Continent clothes?”

“We’re going to meet Grandpa Cheonma, and if we go in Earth clothes, he’ll be quite shocked. Especially if he sees what Emily and Jesse are wearing now—he’d be absolutely horrified.”

Emily in her thin sundress and Jesse in her tank top and short shorts were wearing the most revealing outfits among them.

Dexter pointed toward the ship’s bedroom area and said:

“We’re landing in 15 minutes, so there’s no time to hesitate.”

“Are these the clothes?”

Jesse pulled out a large box from the cargo hold and opened it, revealing a collection of exotic garments.

“Where did you get clothes like these?”

“Who else but Eliya?”

“I’m telling you, Eliya seems incredibly thorough.”

While the four women went to the bedroom to change, Dexter quickly changed into a martial arts uniform from the Central Continent.

‘It feels strange wearing this after so long. Makes me feel like I’m twenty again.’

The last time Dexter had communicated with Cheonma, he’d heard that Cheonma had stepped down from the position of sect leader, and Sunwoo Dan had taken over.

‘I think Brother Sunwoo Dan married a stunning beauty after becoming Cheonma. I wonder how they’re doing.’

Dexter activated the spaceship’s camouflage mode from the cockpit and gazed slowly at Mount Shipmandae, the headquarters of Singyo, as the ground drew closer.

Looking at the scenery that hadn’t changed much in the past decade, Dexter surveyed the area near the Great Ancestral Hall where he had landed ten years ago.

As if anticipating Dexter’s arrival, there was a large open space near the Great Ancestral Hall that hadn’t been there before.

With flat stones laid on the ground, it almost looked like a training yard, but no disciple in their right mind would install a training yard next to the building that enshrined the Great Ancestor.

‘I bet Brother Sunwoo Dan set this up.’

Dexter figured it was the result of taking advantage of the fact that this was a restricted area where not just anyone could enter.

After landing in the open space, Dexter waited for the four women to emerge, and finally they came out of the bedroom fully adorned with accessories.

Dexter clapped his hands as he looked at Himena, who was the first to come out.

“Wow! You could easily rival any of the five great beauties of the Central Continent.”

“Oh, stop it. Don’t say such strange things.”

Few people dislike compliments about their appearance. Himena seemed pleased with Dexter’s praise, as the corners of her mouth subtly turned upward.

“There were name tags on each outfit, and when we put them on as labeled, they fit perfectly. They seem to suit us well.”

“They should. According to Eliya, they were made by a master craftsman from the Central Continent’s imperial family. But Jesse’s right, they do suit you all well.”

Dexter expressed his genuine admiration without any exaggeration.

Unlike Dexter’s martial uniform, the four women were wearing formal attire meant for important figures.

Each woman wore formal clothing with colors and designs that matched her personality—neither too flashy nor too plain.

They were just right.

“At least Grandpa Cheonma won’t have anything to say when he sees you. Grandma Hyeolbong might even like it.”

“…It feels like we’re meeting your parents.”

“Well, in the Central Continent, masters and parents hold similar positions, so that’s not entirely wrong.”

After saying this, Dexter opened the spaceship’s door and carefully stepped forward.

As the door opened and the fresh mountain air of the Central Continent filled the spaceship, Dexter smiled contentedly.

“It’s been a while since I felt this refreshing breeze.”

* * *

After Dexter’s group entered the Great Ancestral Hall, paid their respects to the memorial tablets, and returned, they found a stern-faced warrior standing in front of the hall, eyeing them with suspicion.

Setting foot on Central Continent soil again after ten years, Dexter smiled warmly as he exited the Great Ancestral Hall, unfazed by the warrior’s wary gaze.

“Who goes there!”

“Are you a member of the Talmyeongdae?”

“…I asked who you are!”

“My name is Dexter Hughes, disciple of former sect leader Grandpa Cheonma and fellow disciple of the current sect leader. If you tell him Deok disciple has arrived, that should suffice.”

Dexter made a light fist-palm salute to the Talmyeongdae member, whose expression changed as he recognized Dexter.

“A brown-haired foreigner… You must be Master Deok!”

Dexter briefly showed a puzzled expression at the unusual title, then welcomed the Talmyeongdae member with a look of sudden realization.

“I’m glad you recognize me, hahaha.”

The puzzlement was due to the title “Master.”

After Mayin of the Sahyeolryeon attacked Seonghwahyeon, Dexter’s identity had been revealed to the ordinary disciples.

The fact that Dexter was Cheonma’s disciple became known, and it seemed strange that Cheonma’s disciple didn’t hold any official position in Singyo.

As a stopgap measure, Sunwoo Dan had appointed Dexter as the master of Ungdaegwan, a training hall that only the sect leader and junior sect leader could use.

Since Ungdaegwan was a place that even the leadership couldn’t enter freely, Sunwoo Dan could appoint a master at will without raising questions.

“I will inform the sect leader. Until then, please wait at the manor on the mountainside.”

“The manor on the mountainside…?”

“Yes, the one with the junior sect leader’s preliminary training ground.”

Guided by the Talmyeongdae member, Dexter’s group went down the mountain path and entered the manor, heading toward the rear garden.

The rear garden had a pavilion in addition to the training ground, making it perfect for resting.

As Dexter’s group waited leisurely, they heard someone entering the manor, and Dexter jumped to his feet.

Soon, a familiar young man and a captivating beauty appeared in the rear garden, and Dexter called out loudly.

“Brother Sunwoo Dan!”

“Disciple!”

Dexter approached with a broad smile, seeing Sunwoo Dan for the first time in ten years.

“Disciple, you’ve developed quite the muscles since I last saw you.”

“You too, Brother! You used to be so skinny, but now you look like the captain of the Talmyeongdae.”

“Hahaha! You’re over thirty now, but you haven’t changed a bit.”

Sunwoo Dan then looked at the four women standing behind Dexter and asked:

“Who are these lady warriors?”

“Ah, I should introduce them. These are my ‘wives.'”

“‘Wives’?”

Despite Sunwoo Dan’s surprised expression, Himena, who knew Central Continent etiquette, was the first to bow slightly and speak.

“Sect Leader Sunwoo Dan, also known as Cheonma, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Himena, Dexter’s wife.”

“I’m Jesse.”

“Um… I’m Judy…?”

“I’m Emily.”

“So you are Lady Seomun-na, Lady Geolseo, Lady Jujeok, and Lady Yemiryeo. As my disciple’s wives, there’s no need for excessive formality.”

“‘Soida’? Brother, your way of speaking has changed.”

At Dexter’s playful observation, Sunwoo Dan smiled.

“You rascal. I’m the sect leader now—I can’t speak as casually to you as I did ten years ago.”

While the two men conversed, the four women whispered among themselves.

“So those are our names in Central Continent style? What was mine again?”

“‘Geolseo,’ they said.”

“Then Himena’s name is Seomun-na?”

“I guess so? Emily’s name seems to have changed the least.”

“I like my Central Continent name.”

“Jujeok… it sounds interesting…”

Meanwhile, the woman beside Sunwoo Dan called to him softly.

“My lord.”

“Where are my manners? Yes, this is…”

“I am Jin Ran-ying, the new matriarch of Singyo.”

“Ah! Sister-in-law. As a fellow disciple, I should have attended your wedding, but I apologize for not being able to due to the distance.”

Dexter bowed his head to Jin Ran-ying, Sunwoo Dan’s wife, who waved her hands dismissively.

“Not at all, Young Master Deok. We heard you were living in a place far beyond our imagination, so it couldn’t be helped. Besides, the Golden Merchant sent wedding gifts on your behalf, which was more than enough.”

When Eliya’s title and the mention of gifts came up, Dexter nodded and casually brushed it off.

“It’s only right that I should at least send gifts if I couldn’t attend Brother’s wedding.”

Dexter knew that while the gifts weren’t as valuable as rare medicines like Daehwandan, they were still treasures of considerable worth.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two men realized they were still standing and moved to a space accessible only to the sect leader and Singyo’s leadership.

This was also nearby, so it didn’t take long to get there.

Seated around a circular table, Dexter’s group and the Sunwoo Dan couple drank tea brought by servants while conversing.

“So, I heard you completed your external energy cultivation using nanomibigi (nanobots). How did you manage that?”

“After continuous mental training, I found I could control my blood flow at will. Since nanobots work faster and stronger depending on blood flow, it was a perfect match.”

“Increasing efficiency through blood flow… Are there no side effects?”

“If I use power beyond my limits, I experience severe exhaustion.”

“That could be because you’re accommodating more qi than your body’s limits allow.”

“Oh, is that why? I hadn’t thought of that. I just left it alone, assuming it would heal naturally.”

“It’s good to trust your body’s natural healing ability. I’m glad what you learned at Singyo wasn’t in vain.”

“Of course. Singyo is the source of my power. This place is like a second home to me.”

Dexter grinned as he spoke, then realized that two important people were missing.

“Oh, right. How is Master? Is he well?”

“Officially, he stepped down from the sect leader position due to old age, but strangely, he seems more vigorous since retiring. A month ago, he even traveled to the Outer Martial World.”

Knowing how far the Outer Martial World was, Dexter clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Grandpa is something else. He’s an old man with a frail body, yet he went traveling again?”

“We’ve sent word, so soon…”

“Frail body? Old man? What insolence is this toward your master, you rascal!”

The door burst open with a loud shout from an elderly but powerful voice.