The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

"Mmm...!"

Gu Jucheol, who had been lying on a soft bed, carefully opened his eyes.

Gu Jucheol, who had been looking around for a while, realized that this was the infirmary within the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

"Did I lose?"

Gu Jucheol, who had realized his defeat, could not hold back his laughter.

"Kekeke... ugh! It seems... I was beaten properly."

It was even difficult to laugh due to the pain all over his body.

Because of this situation, Gu Jucheol found it even more difficult to hold back his laughter.

"I don't know how long it's been."

Had he ever fainted since he had gotten the title of Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword?

No, he hadn't.

There were no martial artists in the unorthodox faction who were so affectionate as to spare an opponent who had fainted.

This was the same for the orthodox faction.

It was natural, as the world of the martial world was a place where sloppy mercy would return as a blade.

"Are you awake?"

At that moment, Gwak Myeong, who had appeared as the door opened, showed a happy expression.

"How long was I asleep?"

"You were asleep for about a week, until today."

"Hehe... I've shown you a disgraceful sight."

"Fortunately, there were no major injuries. However, it seems you have consumed too much mental energy."

Gwak Myeong calmly sat down next to the bed where Gu Jucheol was lying.

"What happened to Sohyun?"

"He is sleeping and resting well in the next room. It seems his body has already recovered, but this damn brat is still feigning illness."

"Yes... that's like him."

Gwak Myeong, who was nodding his head as if in agreement, changed his gaze.

His gaze sank low.

"Now that the Elder has come to his senses, I must hear it. What on earth happened in the Dark Cave?"

"It's just as you saw. I was defeated by Jin Sohyun twice."

"You were defeated twice?"

Once was a number that could be understood.

But not twice.

How could Gu Jucheol, who was one of the legendary Seven Vicious Demons and had been called the Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword, the number one master of the unorthodox faction, have been defeated twice by Jin Sohyun, who was no different from his grandson's age?

Gwak Myeong sent a strong gaze, as if he needed an explanation.

Gu Jucheol, whose face was tingling, asked for water, and Gwak Myeong hurriedly poured water into a cup and handed it to him.

Gu Jucheol, who had barely wet his throat, said with a bitter smile.

"I was defeated in a fight of martial arts, and I was defeated in a fight of will... so it's right that I was defeated twice."

"Did you give it your all, Elder?"

"At first, I held back to draw out Jin Sohyun's true strength."

'So that's it. There's no way Elder Gu would have been defeated by a mere next-generation talent.'

Gwak Myeong believed that Gu Jucheol had been injured while being considerate of Jin Sohyun.

But his thoughts were wrong.

"And then I tried to kill Jin Sohyun."

Gwak Myeong, who was shocked at Gu Jucheol's continued words, hurriedly asked.

"D-Did you give it your all?"

"Yes. I even unfolded my qi and sincerely tried to kill Jin Sohyun. But... the brat who had been running away all along suddenly came at me first. That's when I realized. That he had gotten used to me."

"He got used to you...?"

"In that short time, he saw through all my movements, including my saber technique and movement technique. He also figured out what my weaknesses were and used them to defeat me."

Gu Jucheol's gaze burned hotly, as if he were recalling that time.

"That brat was waiting. He saved his internal energy and thought of a way to defeat me, and he observed me to execute it. And all of that... was so that he wouldn't kill me. You arrogant brat!"

Although he was calling him an arrogant brat, Gu Jucheol's pupils were filled with pride.

"He was looking for a way to completely subdue this Gu Jucheol."

"...I can't believe it."

"It must be so. Even I, who experienced it myself, can't believe it."

"..."

Gwak Myeong was at a loss as to how to accept this situation.

Gu Jucheol was not a person who would just spout nonsense.

Gwak Myeong knew that best.

So all his words must be true.

And yet, how could he believe it?

He was a brat who had trained for only six years under the Flying Sword Hero and had the title of Slothful Young Master due to his lazy nature in his hometown.

And such a lazy bum had subdued Gu Jucheol, who had given it his all.

If all of this was not a coincidence, then Jin Sohyun was a talent who could become the number one under heaven.

"If what the Elder says is true, this is not the time to sit back and watch. We must mobilize all the resources that the Martial Arts Alliance can mobilize to grow Jin Sohyun..."

"The Heretic's Path Alliance is after Jin Sohyun."

"Why is the Heretic's Path Alliance after that child...?"

"Not only that, but also the Nameless Pavilion and the sects of the unorthodox faction... it would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire unorthodox faction is after Jin Sohyun."

"This is not the time. We must inform the Martial Arts Alliance of this fact at once."

"Stop it."

"...What? But at this rate, isn't Jin Sohyun in danger?"

"Have you forgotten the purpose of the special selection team?"

"Well..."

Gwak Myeong's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me! Are you planning to use Jin Sohyun, Elder?"

"The fact that the Heretic's Path Alliance has even moved the Nameless Pavilion to aim for Jin Sohyun's life means that they have recognized his strength to some extent. Use Jin Sohyun. Make him a special sword and send him out into the world. Then the others will be safe."

"Isn't that too harsh? If Jin Sohyun were to lose his life, the orthodox faction would suffer a tremendous loss."

He was a talent who would become the number one under heaven in the future.

Gwak Myeong's thought was that he should not be lost in this way.

At Gwak Myeong's anxious appearance, Gu Jucheol laughed.

"Don't worry, Daoist Temple Master."

"How can I not worry? He is a genius who will surpass the White Moon Divine Lord. It's not enough to hold him in our arms and raise him safely, but to throw him as prey to the unorthodox faction... I cannot understand."

"Unless the entire unorthodox faction comes out, Jin Sohyun will be safe."

"What...?"

Gu Jucheol lay back down on the bed.

"No... unless the entire martial world comes at him to kill him."

The Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword, instead of the ghost-face, said with a meaningful smile.

"That brat won't die."

***

Gwak Myeong, who had finished his conversation with Gu Jucheol and had left the sickroom, headed to the next room.

Just then, a young woman who was coming out of the sickroom discovered Gwak Myeong.

"Ah, Daoist Temple Master. You've come."

"How is Jin Sohyun's condition?"

The woman, who was a doctor, had a troubled expression.

"There seem to be no other injuries... but he is still groaning, saying he is in pain."

"Hmm... you've worked hard. I'll take a look."

"Yes."

As the doctor left, Gwak Myeong opened the door of the sickroom and went inside.

Inside, Jin Sohyun was lying with the blanket pulled up over his head.

"How is your body?"

"It hurts. The place where Elder Gu hit me still throbs... and it's hard to even move a single finger due to the muscle pain. I think I'll have to recuperate for about a month to get better."

"You have to recuperate for that long?"

"Yes... Elder Gu is a great master, after all."

"Yes. It is truly a pity."

At the words 'pity', Jin Sohyun slightly lifted the blanket and peeked out with his eyes.

Gwak Myeong deliberately avoided Jin Sohyun's gaze and showed a sad expression.

"Elder Gu has been on the battlefield for a very long time and has gotten a chronic illness. He was a person who should have recuperated for the rest of his life in a place with good water and good air, but he came all the way here, dragging his sick body, for the next-generation talents of the Orthodox Martial World."

'Why did he push himself so hard when he was so sick?'

Jin Sohyun felt a sense of guilt for no reason.

In the first place, the reason Gu Jucheol had sparred with him was because of Jin Sohyun's will.

"Is... Elder Gu... alright?"

As Jin Sohyun asked worriedly, Gwak Myeong showed a sorrowful smile.

"Elder Gu... hoo... he must be feeling at peace by now."

"What do you mean by that?"

"He gave his all for the Orthodox Martial World until the very end. So..."

Gwak Myeong looked up at the sky.

As if he were missing the dead.

"He must have found peace."

"What!?"

Jin Sohyun's figure shot up.

Jin Sohyun, who had rushed to Gwak Myeong's side in an instant, asked with wide-open eyes.

"Did Elder Gu pass away!?"

"You said your body was not well, but is it alright to push yourself like this?"

"That's not what's important right now! Ugh...! I definitely avoided all the vital points, and I avoided any fatal injuries..."

Gwak Myeong's eyes narrowed in front of the muttering Jin Sohyun.

"For a brat who says he's in pain, you're quite lively. Your body also seems free."

"..."

Jin Sohyun, who had been excited at the news of Gu Jucheol's death, let his shoulders droop.

"Cough, cough! As expected, my body is still..."

Gwak Myeong grabbed Jin Sohyun, who was trying to crawl back into bed naturally.

"Can't you come out at once?"

"Ugh! How can a person who is a Daoist Temple Master deceive people like this!?"

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't feigned illness in the first place!"

"A-A month... no, just a week...!"

"Hmph! Get out of bed at once!"

"Just one day! I'll just lie down for one more day! Please!"

"Won't you let go of that hand at once!?"

Gwak Myeong was really at a loss.

"I'll just lie down for two shichen!"

Was this lazy bum, who was defending the bed with all his might, really a genius who would surpass the White Moon Divine Lord?

'No! You must become the proud future of the Orthodox Martial World, more than anyone else.'

"Please just let me lie down for one shichen!"

'You shouldn't be a thoughtless child who whines, saying you want to take a nap!'

Gwak Myeong had to desperately pull the future of the Orthodox Martial World out of bed.

"You shouldn't be like this!"

For some reason, Gwak Myeong's desperate voice filled the sickroom.

***

Bieunggaek, who had been looking at the map he had received from the Beggars' Sect a while ago, quickly put the map in his bosom when he felt a presence approaching.

The closed door opened, and a woman with red lips and white skin appeared.

Her alluring appearance pleased the eye, and the fatal scent of powder stimulated Bieunggaek's nose.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Yeohyang. I am the owner of this Horu Pavilion."

Yeohyang sat opposite Bieunggaek and smiled lightly.

'A smile that bewitches people.'

The gaze that looked at him and the movement of her lips.

Even a single gesture of Yeohyang was captivating.

If Bieunggaek had maintained the vigor of his youth, it would have been difficult to endure.

"For the number one divine thief in the Central Plains to come all the way here... is there a reason?"

"The reason I have come all this way is to buy information."

"If you want information, wouldn't it have been better to go to the beggars instead of us?"

"Hehe. The information I want to buy is information that the beggars cannot give."

"Hmm."

Just in time, the courtesans of the Horu Pavilion appeared and brought out liquor and cups.

Yeohyang poured the liquor into Bieunggaek's cup and offered it.

"This is the most expensive liquor at our Horu Pavilion."

"This is a pity. I don't drink with people I've just met."

"Is that so? As expected, it seems not just anyone can be the number one divine thief in the Central Plains."

Yeohyang tilted her cup and wet her lips.

"Unfortunately, this is a brothel. You can buy a wench or liquor, but you can't buy information."

"Is that so? That's a pity. I had some information that would be quite tempting... this makes it useless."

As Bieunggaek got up from his seat without any lingering attachment, Yeohyang's eyes sparkled.

"What kind of information do you have?"

"What would you do with that?"

Yeohyang crossed her legs and revealed her thigh.

At her alluring posture, Bieunggaek swallowed dryly.

"Many stories come and go in a brothel. From the mouths of vigorous men who are with liquor and a wench, stories that should not go outside flow out carelessly. Then we pick up those stories and store them preciously."

"And then?"

"Now it's the Elder's turn. There has to be something coming for something to go. Ah, is that a saying that doesn't suit a divine thief?"

"Hehehe! This is fun."

Bieunggaek sat back down and picked up the cup of liquor he had not held.

"Didn't you say you don't drink with people you've just met?"

Bieunggaek raised his head to the ceiling and then lowered his gaze to look at Yeohyang.

"Now that I've seen you twice, we're not strangers."

"Hoho! It seems the rumors are not false. To think you would try to steal even this girl's heart."

Bieunggaek, who had emptied his cup in one gulp, raised his index finger with a heated face and said.

"By any chance... have you heard of the disciple of Kang Cheon, who is called the second coming of the Ten-Armed Blood Ghost?"

At Bieunggaek's question, Yeohyang's gaze sparkled.

She leaned forward and moved her red lips to say.

"Interesting."

(End of Chapter)