episode_0044

There are things people want to say, but they are so overwhelmed that their words get stuck in their throat, and all they can do is mumble.

That’s exactly how Paengdaesan felt.

Cheong chuckled.

“This is too much. Was our friendship really like this, San?”

“Ha…”

In Cheong’s opinion, jokes should be enjoyable for both parties. It’s important to stop just before crossing the line that might slightly upset the other person. If the other person’s feelings are hurt, it’s no longer a joke but an argument. So, it was right to stop at this point. Acting coy would only provoke more annoyance. The ability to gauge this precise line was truly a natural talent that Cheong possessed.

Let him sober up a bit.

Cheong changed the subject.

“But why is our friend here drinking alone? Can I join you for a drink?”

Cheong reached out for the overturned glass on the table.

Changbin’s hand trembled as he hurriedly grabbed the bottle and poured the drink into the glass with a polite demeanor.

“Oh, here…”

“No, why are your hands shaking like that?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. Just a bit of tremor…”

Tremor? What’s this? Was he not a master?

It’s not surprising that every group of travelers had a peak martial artist among them.

Cheong waved it off nonchalantly and tapped the table.

“Here. Have a drink too.”

“Oh, okay.”

Changbin quickly emptied his glass and extended it forward.

It seemed like his tremors were quite severe. It was difficult to pour the drink along with the shaking.

But Cheong was a master of the late stage.

One of the greatest qualities of a late-stage martial artist was the ability to pour a drink cleanly even in a trembling glass.

It was said that when reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, one could pour a drink even in a flying glass.

This was why masters were revered throughout history.

“Cheers, since we’re meeting again.”

“Cheers…”

Cheong downed the clear liquor in one go.

It was a strong white liquor that made the scent rush through the nose.

Indeed, these rich noble sons didn’t drink ordinary liquor.

The fiery liquor that entered his empty stomach ignited a fire.

Cheong shivered.

“Ha, that’s good.”

Long and slender fingers picked up a dried fish.

Midwon’s beautiful hands were famous throughout the land.

It was said that the shape of the hand was a condition for beauty.

As he absentmindedly stared at those white fingers, Paengdaesan suddenly snapped back to reality.

But wait, was the hand shape always like that?

Suddenly, as he examined the beauty and shape of the hand, he noticed a familiar touch.

Rebirth.

When reaching the late stage, the body was reconstructed, and the inherent beauty far surpassed the norm.

“Have you reached the late stage?”

Cheong replied as he chewed on the dried fish.

“Not really. I’ve gained some small insights.”

It was indeed a small insight, but it was an insight that everyone present was well aware of.

It was the insight needed to reach the late stage.

Cheong had achieved a peculiar growth by first reaching a certain level and then supplementing it with insights later on.

Only Cheong himself was impressed by this fact.

Oh, so gaining insight is noticeable?

Of course not.

“Did you undergo rebirth or something? Or maybe learn some special martial arts?”

“Special martial arts?”

Cheong’s expression turned dumbfounded, pretending not to know anything.

“Oh.”

Paengdaesan muttered softly.

It had been a while since he had forgotten about this ignorance.

“I mentioned it because your face seemed different.”

“Oh. I’ve learned a few martial arts. It’s for becoming prettier.”

“You learned fairy arts? Just now?”

“Wow! You know about fairy arts!”

“What on earth are you talking about… sigh.”

The efficacy of the easily obtainable fairy cosmetics was in the whitening of the skin and teeth, the sparkle of the eyes, and the removal of useless wrinkles.

Of course, this was the essence of the beauty of the central plains, so its function could be considered quite remarkable.

It was also the refinement of the central plains beauties.

However, fairies who cultivated the form of beauty in this way were truly rare.

Would they be on par with the visions of the women’s gang factions, famous for their beauties?

The Shinnyeomun, Jujakmun, Cheonhwajeondang, Hwanhigung…

Or would they be at the level of the female magicians of the Bukhaebingung, where even men turned into women due to the side effects of their magic?

“This time, the master has appeared. Recognizing the genius of this body. He asked for my help so insistently that I had no choice but to become his disciple.”

“What a rude thing to say. Well, forget it. The master must have understood and taught you. Anyway, you took a master?”

“Oh. You’re talking about Seomunsurin. Did he give you his surname too? That’s why I’m Seomuncheongim.”

*Clank.*

Suddenly, a sound of spilled alcohol came from the side.

*Clank, cough, cough…*

When strong alcohol over fifty degrees spilled, it was a disgraceful sight, no matter how skilled or refined one was.

Changbin coughed severely, her eyes reddening.

But she managed to compose herself somehow.

“Soldier, are you talking about the Grandmother Seomunsurin, the head of the Shinnyeomun…?”

“Oh! You know our master!”

“No, please, lower your voice…”

“Oh. This friend is from Dodom?”

Cheong looked at Changbin in amazement.

Seomunsurin had said that if there were any rude monks or lowly men who caused trouble, they should call out their names to their disciples.

Even if the monks of the Jangmun came, they wouldn’t be able to be disrespectful to their disciples.

“No, Geomu. Geomu, the greatest swordswoman of women, and the disciple of the sword master, has obtained the sword.”

“What? Didn’t I say that?”

“No, you didn’t. I thought Geomu’s swordsmanship was extraordinary. The successor of the world’s greatest swordsmanship and the disciple of the sword master becoming friends through the sword. Such an amazing fate…!”

“Is that such a special thing? If you give meaning like that, then all relationships are extraordinary.”

“So, Geomu must have reached the level of swordsmanship, right?”

“Swordsmanship? I don’t know. Oh. But she can fly with her sword.”

The terror of the nuclear honeycomb falling from the sky was something you could never understand unless you experienced it.

“Sword flying! Have you really reached that level? Oh. If I could meet you once and see your amazing swordsmanship, I would have no more wishes.”

“That might be difficult.”

Nangung Shinjae gasped for breath as if he were about to die.

Cheong roughly replied, and a rough voice flowed in.

“Nangung, are you in the middle of a conversation? So, did you mention the Shinnyeomun?”

“No. An outsider. I also had my reasons for not joining, but the master said it was okay.”

“Uh-huh.”

Paengdaesan groaned.

It seemed that the statement that the grandmother had asked him to become a disciple was not a lie.

If the highest-ranking elder of the gang insisted on making him a disciple, it was understandable.

At a young age, entering the peak of the late stage of a woman’s life.

Even if only half of the grandmother’s reputation was known to the public, it was a convincing story.

“But why is that guy, no, Nangung, traveling with you?”

“Because she’s Geomu?”

“What exactly is this Geomu? Well, I can guess roughly…”

“We were going to see the volcano. Geomulbyeok? She said it was worth seeing. She’s curious about the volcano itself.”

“No, even if you say it lightly. Well, forget it. No. Wait a minute.”

Paengdaesan’s eyebrows twitched.

“What about the other companions?”

“There are none?”

No other companions?

Paengdaesan’s expression darkened.

“Are we really traveling alone right now?”

“Seems like it.”

“Even though I know your personality well, are you really traveling with a man from outside with a woman’s body?”

Cheong chuckled and replied, “From what I see, our friendship doesn’t care about that. In this world, there are only those who carry a sword and those who don’t, right?”

“Indeed. In this world, there are only two kinds of people. Perhaps my sword, no, even my heart understands, so I can be called ‘Jigeom’ now.”

“Jigeom.”

They were talking about the story of Jigeom and Baek A, the legendary owners of the deepest friendship in Chinese history.

Their level of friendship was such that they could communicate through music without the need for words.

Since then, the closest friend who understands one’s heart was called ‘Jigeom.’

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

Paeng Daesan’s voice lowered a tone as he resumed the conversation.

Cheong raised his hand. “Wait! Stop! What’s wrong? Are you still upset? Why are you still standing there? Hyeok Yeonghoe? Right? You can’t just let them off the hook. The weaker side should yield.”

“That wasn’t the point…”

Paeng Daesan’s voice returned to its original tone.

Come to think of it, is there really a need to be concerned?

What does it matter who this crazy woman is traveling with?

And as they said, the man with the sword turned out to be the least harmful man to a woman in the world.

Even if they traveled together, they probably just sparred all day.

He was a guy who didn’t have much else on his mind.

“Anyway, we’re heading to the volcano?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect timing. I was on my way back to the volcano with Changbin hyung.”

“Huh? Want to come with us?”

Paeng Daesan’s eyebrows twitched.

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

“No. I’m fine with it…”

Cheong turned his head.

Changbin desperately reached out his hand, shaking his head slightly before subtly bowing his head when he felt my gaze.

“Just ignore him. He’s the eldest in the Jangnyongji Club who has always wished to travel with a woman, so just think of it as granting him one wish.”

“Well, Paeng Ah, even so. But I’m the eldest in the Jamryongji Club, so…”

“Then enjoy some delicious wine. It’ll be even more enjoyable with a woman around, don’t you think?”

“Hmm.”

It seemed like a way to boost his spirits.

Changbin quietly lifted his glass.

“So, have you secured accommodations?”

“No. We came here because it seemed nice, but the women had built a wall. I thought our mountain would be here.”

“So you didn’t secure accommodations. Then let’s do it now.”

And he called for the innkeeper to quickly arrange a room.

Indeed, having a good friend is something else.

Especially when he’s just a rich young man.