MTL NOVEL Chapter 32
“Would you not like some, sir?”
Gayoung Jin asked while tearing into a chicken leg.
Lately, her constant craving for chicken legs reminded me of her overly exhaustive work ethic, which made me worry.
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, come now, eat together. Our new chef is exceptionally skilled in preparing chicken legs.”
“I truly am fine.”
I had just finished lunch. Even if I hadn’t, I wasn’t particularly hungry.
However, it seemed she was adamant about feeding me something.
With a tearing sound, Gayoung Jin tore off a piece of chicken and offered it to me.
“Do you think I don’t know which foods you prefer, sir?”
“I eat anything.”
“Then why are you drooling so much?”
“…”
“Glug.”
Refusing my lord’s kindness too much wouldn’t be proper.
“…Then I shall indulge in just one bite.”
“Hehe.”
Absolutely, this isn’t because I want to eat the chicken leg.
It’s merely improper to refuse food offered by my lord.
“I knew you would.”
As I reached out my hand, she hastily retracted the meat.
Why again?
“Here, let me feed you.”
“Ha…”
“Does that mean you don’t want the chicken leg?”
No matter what, I was once the foremost man in Zhongyuan. Isn’t she looking down on me too much?
But wait, the food will cool down if left like this.
“Hehe, wouldn’t it have been better if you had agreed sooner?”
Yes, this is merely an act to maintain the integrity of the food prepared with care by the chef.
It’s definitely not because I want to eat the chicken leg despite my pride.
“…”
The chicken entered my mouth on Gayoung Jin’s tongs.
Churp…
Her fingers, which had been in my mouth, came out covered in sauce from the chicken leg.
‘Can one interact so casually when one has a secret admirer?’
Gayoung Jin seems to be treating me too familiarly. I should talk to her about it some time.
…Lately, her behavior makes me have unrealistic thoughts, but that’s all just my imagination.
“Did you know? Your eyes light up when you eat chicken legs.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s the most handsome sight.”
“Then I shall try to keep that light in my eyes.”
“But sir, your eyes always seem so hollow.”
“If that’s what you wish, my eyes can always be replaced.”
“Ah… What you just said was too dangerous…”
With a red face, Gayoung Jin took another bite of the chicken leg.
“Om…”
It looks like she’s nibbling on her thumb and forefinger instead of the chicken leg.
With her eyes closed, she licked her fingers as if savoring something. I informed her of today’s schedule.
It feels like I’m gradually surpassing the role of a guard, becoming more of an advisor.
The family also treats me with that level of respect.
“After you finish that, please come to the training ground. You need to practice today.”
“Again, again? Uh…”
“Yes, and after two sessions of practice, there’s a meeting planned with the Jin family executives.”
“!!”
“Also… today’s practice will be a bit rough. You’ve been struggling to adapt to the axe, haven’t you? I thought to personally spar with you to improve your proficiency.”
“Being trained roughly by sir? On the contrary, I like it…”
“…I really mean it rough, so best be prepared.”
“Yes, yes!”
Her sudden burst of enthusiasm.
I don’t know how far her enthusiasm will carry her.
When I first introduced the new “Chentian Bing Yan Yue” to her, I expected smooth sailing.
No matter how talented Gayoung Jin is, switching a lifelong weapon is difficult.
Upon reconsideration, she is the one who’s been dealing with people rather than firewood.
I even thought of remaking the “Chentian Bing Yan Jian,” but…
– Nephew! Didn’t you say you weren’t in a relationship with our descendent?
Because of Woo-yong Jin’s enraged protests, who’s holding onto my body and wouldn’t let go, I had to abandon the idea.
– Do you mean to say that nowadays young folks who aren’t dating are engaging in indirect kisses? Tsk… What a disgraceful martial world this has become…
‘It’s not like that. Stop making things up.’
– What is it not? You were slurping away so nicely. The reason our martial arts deteriorated was probably because of this…
‘How dare you comment on my life after intruding without permission?’
– Hmph, true, as a future son-in-law, I can trust you with our descendant…but still, try not to make things scandalous. You know how annoying that can get, right?
‘I’ll take care of it in my own way. When do you plan to leave my body?’
For some time now, this spirit, Woo-yong Jin, has been squatting in my mind without paying rent.
I thought about driving him out, but…
– What’s this, nephew thinking about now? To treat your father-in-law this way?
‘…’
After hearing his circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to drive him out. Not only is he a senior in the martial world compared to me, but the fact that he, like me, fell due to his younger brother keeps bothering me.
– Also, didn’t I tell you? Your body might be fine, but your soul is utterly shattered.
‘That’s excessive interference. And can you clarify your honorifics? Are you referring to me as “nephew” or “you”?’
– Such things aren’t important. What’s crucial is that your soul is on the verge of collapsing.
‘My mind is fine.’
– That’s your opinion. Would you say someone who went mad and ran around after countless attempts to save the martial world through regression due to some schemes and feeling alienated is reasonable? Someone who endured over ten thousand years?
‘…I’ve come to realize it’s futile.’
– No, your mind was already broken from the start. It was like a wall with cracks that would collapse at any moment, finally crumbling due to the matter with your younger brother.
‘What do you expect me to do about it now?’
– I have no intentions of saying anything. Just remember that I’m the one holding your soul together.
Since he delved into my memories after entering my body, I’ve increasingly felt peace of mind.
‘…Who asked for your help?’
– Hmm? You ungrateful…! Do you think I’m helping you for fun?
Both Gayoung Jin and Woo-yong Jin, despite their different methods, have a way of healing others. Their connection as descendants feels apparent.
“But sir, isn’t learning new martial arts just before the Seven Flowers Contest dangerous? Shouldn’t you proceed as usual?”
After licking every last bit of sauce from her fingers, Gayoung Jin asked.
Perhaps she’s anxious due to challenging new horizons.
– No way! Now that the lineage of Chentian Bing Yan Yue is finally being properly maintained, what kind of nonsense is that?
Woo-yong Jin shouts loudly, audible only to me.
His point isn’t entirely off.
For some reason, Gayoung Jin’s very bones are suited for wielding the great moon weapon.
Though they have been somewhat altered due to long years of using a sword.
“No, we must switch your martial arts now.”
“Yes… If that’s what sir says…”
“Take a long view. The upcoming Seven Flowers Contest is but a bright fish. You must not be distracted by the fish and miss the beauty of the ocean. Aren’t you aiming for the Five Great Families?”
“Alright… Just stop already…”
Though I don’t want to pressure Gayoung Jin excessively, since I know her dream is the Five Great Families, I will do my best to assist her.
Having witnessed many people surrender to immediate laziness and comfort only to regret later, I dislike the idea of my lord, Gayoung Jin, meeting such a fate as her advisor.
“I need to change into appropriate training attire.”
“Yes.”
“Please head to the training ground first. I’ll be right there.”
As Gayoung Jin left to change her clothes and I was left alone.
Of course, only “externally.”
– This is good! Teacher and student, sir and miss, lord and advisor. What a picturesque scene!
‘She’s still an unmarried young lady. What are you implying?’
– Tsk tsk, isn’t it normal for a teacher to become a husband and an uncle to become a partner?
‘If you keep this up, I’ll imprison you in the Moonlight Division again.”
– Haha! Bold words against your father-in-law!
‘Weren’t you supposed to belong to the Moonlight Division? Does staying in someone else’s body for too long not concern you?’
– You see, even I don’t fully understand, but strangely, after being in your body for a few days, I can’t leave.
‘…What?’
– Hmph, wasn’t it said that a person’s destiny is unpredictable? Mine is ghostly destiny.
‘Just a moment, wait a moment…’
Can’t leave my body? What kind of ridiculous situation is this?
I’ve never encountered this, nor could I have imagined it.
Is Woo-yong Jin squatting inside my body? Two souls co-existing in one body?
And it continues?
– Even I’m confused. Not being able to cross over after death and becoming a parasite in my future son-in-law’s body, isn’t that ridiculous?
‘…’
– Nonetheless, be grateful. Do you realize how terrible the state of your soul is? It should collapse immediately, but I’m forcibly keeping it together. Don’t you think you should be thankful?
No matter how much he rambles on, it all goes in one ear and out the other.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of absurd feeling. Not since being cast out of the Namgung family.
– It’s not because I see you as a son-in-law. I’m doing this because you, as a hero of the martial world, have inspired me with your history and actions deeply. Consider it praise.
‘How generous you are…’
– Life is inherently chaotic. How can someone like you, who’s lived chaotically thus far, be troubled by something like this?
‘Ha ha…’
A silent sigh deepens.
Is the white mask prepared as a countermeasure against Su-a Namgung during the Seven Flowers Contest?
Annoyingly, with my worry, the human skin mask still hasn’t been procured.
*
“Lord Sect Leader, it’s time to depart.”
With a flicker—
Responding to a subordinate’s call, a woman slowly opened her eyes that had been closed in deep meditation.
Her snow-white eyebrows revealed themselves as her eyes opened, showcasing pupils equally as pale.
It was a gaze colder than ice, colder than any frost imaginable, scanning the world beneath her.
Her perch atop the highest peak of Kunlun Mountain was so lofty it could take in the entire world, and her vision so sharp it could cover it all—thus manifesting this divine might.
“Already this time?”
The female, known as the ‘First Woman of Zhongyuan,’ stood up gracefully.
Those awaiting her at the mountain’s foot, the highest rank among Kunlun Sect’s martial artists, all bowed profoundly upon her standing.
“I’m not a divine being. There’s no need for such exaggerated courtesies.”
Utilizing her internal energy from dozens of Zhangs away, she gently tilted their heads, then descended through the air.
The snowy peak and her, dressed fully in white from her hair to her clothing, presented an illusion so perfect they almost merged into their surroundings.
“Is everything prepared?”
“Yes, yes! The carriage and horses are all ready!”
“All you need to do is board the vehicle!”
In response to her inquiry, robed warriors, all pointing in one direction, responded uniformly in their haste to attract her attention.
Of course, though known as ‘Iron Maiden’ instead of her usual title, she cast not a single glance their way.
“Good. Then let’s be off.”
Under the respectful attention of the martial practitioners, she walked lightly—her steps so ethereal they left no mark even on the snow.
The martial practitioners watched in awe.
“Be diligent and continue your practice while I’m away.”
With a final gentle reprimand, she entrusted herself to the carriage.
“Let’s go.”
The moment her words were spoken, the carriage began to shake and move.
“To the Seven Flowers Contest.”
Jade Flower, one of the ‘Three Heroes’ alongside Sword Sage and Holy Monk, was descending into the martial world.