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Chapter : 24
My Destiny – Status Window (24)
After spending a night in the hut,
we returned to Kaifeng.
Hye-gong headed for the Drunken Moon Pavilion (취월루).
It was the most expensive inn and guesthouse in Kaifeng, a high-class establishment used only by high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants.
“Stop!”
At the lavish entrance of the Drunken Moon Pavilion,
guards blocked Hye-gong and me, who looked like beggars.
“Do you have a reservation?”
“Move aside.”
The question from the doorman was just an excuse. They probably planned to block our entry under the pretext of a reservation.
Hye-gong ignored him and walked in, telling him to move.
“Stop them!”
The doormen shouted and surged forward, some apparently calling for reinforcements inside the inn.
‘This is ridiculous….’
It didn’t seem like we intended to pay for anything.
But to push in like this… surely they wouldn’t kill someone, right?
“Ughhh!”
“Ughhhhh!”
The guards rushing toward Hye-gong and me were suddenly pushed aside.
It seemed Hye-gong had used the mysterious Hugongseopmul technique to force them back.
I just needed to follow behind him.
Who could threaten a master at the Hwa-gyeong (Transformation Realm) level?
At least in Kaifeng, no one could.
“Stop! Who are you?”
A few steps into the luxurious interior, warriors in silk robes sprang out.
‘Their presence is extraordinary.’
As my perception had improved somewhat,
I could faintly feel the strength of the opposing warriors.
There were more than ten of them blocking our way, all apparently second-tier or higher martial artists like me.
Under normal circumstances, they could have handled most disturbances themselves.
But this “monk” is outside the norm…
“Ah, she’s not here today?”
Hye-gong’s sudden remark made the lead blue-silk warrior flinch.
The leader, dressed in blue, seemed to hesitate at Hye-gong’s words.
He slowly sheathed his sword and stepped back.
“You insolent brat! How dare you speak here…!”
Of course, not all of them were so restrained.
A black-silk warrior from behind lunged at Hye-gong like a moth to a flame.
Some people always act rashly to impress their superiors.
―Kwah-ji-jik-kung!
The attacker flew into the inn’s wall.
It seemed he was thrown just enough to avoid death.
He twitched, still barely breathing.
Did Hye-gong punch him? Or use Hugongseopmul?
I couldn’t see exactly, and neither could the other guards.
“May I ask your name?”
A single display of skill was enough.
The blue-silk leader clasped his hands respectfully and bowed to Hye-gong.
“Tell Hong-mae: she has two days. If she doesn’t come to see me within two days, I’ll annihilate the entire Bi-yeongmun.”
“…!!”
Hye-gong didn’t answer the name question but instead sought Hong-mae.
Threatening to destroy Bi-yeongmun if she didn’t come…
Wait, what? Hong-mae?
Hong-mae!
It was definitely Hong-mae!
The person the status window told me to find was Hong-mae.
The person Hye-gong was looking for was also Hong-mae.
Could it be the same person?
What’s Bi-yeongmun? Some organization like Hao-mun?
“Understood. I will deliver the message.”
Even under such a ridiculous threat, the blue-silk warrior bowed politely, showing he had no intention of opposing Hye-gong.
He seemed to have a rough idea of who Hye-gong was.
Even a changed face can’t hide everything.
The build was the same… the voice the same… and most importantly, the aura remained.
And now, looking for Hong-mae made it even easier to deduce something—there had to be a connection between Hye-gong and Hong-mae.
“While we wait, prepare two rooms for me and this guy immediately.”
“Yes. As you wish.”
The blue-silk warrior summoned servants to guide us to the rooms.
Two separate rooms, even!
I wondered if the upper class was really different…
That night, I would soon understand why.
“Kyah-hahaha! Hero! You’re so magnificent!”
“Krhahhahha. Pour me another cup.”
This monk was completely lost in revelry, enjoying the night with courtesans.
The sound carried from the next room.
I felt a little out of my mind.
‘He’s too distracted to notice me.’
He wouldn’t have time to monitor me while fooling around with courtesans.
I took out the precious Baekbo Sin-gwon manual.
I calmly read from the beginning, studying the subtleties of Baekbo Sin-gwon.
‘The charm of Baekbo Sin-gwon lies in its force projection.’
After several careful readings, that was my conclusion.
Baekbo Sin-gwon was a martial art that amplified power through the hands, capable of delivering devastating strikes through the air if mastered.
It was a good chance to leave behind past days when I had to cling desperately to opponents because I only knew Yeonhwanjang.
‘First move: White Dragon Emerges from Water (Baekryong Chul-su). Step forward with the right foot, pull the left hand, send energy from the Dantian through Imdok…’
I began studying the techniques in earnest.
I wanted to master Baekryong Chul-su quickly and finish Cheonsan Apjeong in this inn.
“Oh! Hero, your body is incredibly solid.”
“My body is like diamond. Want to check elsewhere?”
“Hohoho! Girls, today we’re in for a treat!”
“Indeed, sister!”
Damn it…
The monk must be amazing. The courtesans were completely distracted.
Three or four of them rushed in… a total chaos.
Focus. Focus.
This monk could play around like this because he was a master of the Hwa-gyeong realm.
I, a second-tier martial artist, had to remain disciplined.
Focus, again, Baekryong Chul-su…
“Kyah-hahaha!”
“Hohoho!”
“Krhahhahha!”
The noise from the next room pierced through the wooden partitions.
What joy… these fools were going wild.
Ah… I couldn’t concentrate.
Damn monk.
Go ahead and get yourself killed.
Damn it.
“Follow me.”
The next afternoon, the blue-silk warrior came for us.
Hong-mae had arrived.
Not a courtesan? Someone important in a sect?
I was curious but hesitant to ask.
Deep in the inn’s inner quarters, through two courtyards, we were led to a secret pavilion.
The servants opened the sliding doors.
Following Hye-gong, I entered.
A strikingly pale young woman sat slanted in an antique chair.
“Indeed. It’s the Chief.”
[Mission accomplished.]
[No rewards can be claimed at this time. Reward acquisition is postponed.]
[A new mission has arrived.]
As Hong-mae recognized Hye-gong, the status window appeared in midair.
Luckily, it appeared behind him, so he didn’t notice.
“Heh heh. How’s my face?”
“Hmm… not my type.”
“Why? Too fierce?”
“Hohoho, why did you do it knowing that?”
“Lack of skill.”
“I know someone skilled. Shall I introduce them?”
“No. A rough shell will do.”
“Understood. But why did you urgently seek me?”
“Information on Jurhtagen.”
“Ah… Even if we know everything here, it’s hard to get information on outsiders…!”
―Vroooom.
Energy spheres appeared. Ten of them. Golden orbs floated toward Hong-mae.
A primal threat, impossible to block, hovering near her face, radiating menace.
“Hong-mae.”
“Yes… Chief.”
“Bi-yeongmun can also be considered an enemy of our Shaolin, right?”
“…….”
Hong-mae didn’t answer.
“You leaked the locations of loyal Southern Song masters collaborating with the Mongols, disrupting our efforts to unite. You know well how many Shaolin disciples were sacrificed due to your schemes.”
“Sorry. They were too powerful at the time…”
“Right. I understand. Back then, you probably thought we’d remain forever under Mongol hooves. That’s why I didn’t crush you immediately.”
“Thank you for your benevolence, Chief…”
“No flowery words. You have three days. Find Jurhtagen’s location.”
“Yes… understood.”
Southern Song? That was over 120 years ago…
‘How old is this monk?’
Masters in the Hwa-gyeong realm apparently rejuvenate with age.
He looked middle-aged, but hearing him now, he must be over 120.
Damn…
Even villages celebrated at 100 years old.
And this monk is in perfect health. He could probably live 200 or 300 years.
Martial arts are truly unmatched—skill, authority, health, longevity…
A total win-win.
“Then, be at ease.”
Hye-gong waved and turned.
The energy spheres threatening Hong-mae vanished instantly.
‘This mission was easier than expected!’
I did nothing.
Hye-gong summoned Hong-mae himself, and I just followed. Heh heh heh.
“Stay here and rest for a few days.”
“Yes, brother.”
Back in the room, Hye-gong summoned courtesans again.
Three or four servants brought girls in. Their excited expressions before entering Hye-gong’s room were a sight.
This monk was crazy about women.
“See you again today, hohoho.”
“We’ve been waiting, Hero~”
And it began again.
It didn’t matter. Thanks to this, I completed the mission and could endure everything.
‘He’s too distracted with women… I can claim my rewards without him noticing.’
While Hye-gong was nearby, I couldn’t claim status window rewards. Masters are too perceptive.
Now? He’s too distracted.
The courtesans repeatedly called him, and he was too busy to notice.
‘Status window.’
[One postponed reward is available.]
[Do you want to claim the postponed reward?]
‘Claim now!’
[Select one reward:]
- Ghost Shadow Misty Step (Gwiyoung Miribo)
- Whirling Misty Glass Step (Seonhoe Mirijongbo)
- Arhat Step (Nahanbo)
What is this?
Ah… the reward said “select,” meaning I could choose myself!
Ghost Shadow Misty Step… sounds like a flowing, evasive style. Out.
Whirling Misty Glass Step… confusing spinning step. Out.
Then only one left: Arhat Step (Nahanbo).
I had heard of it. Shaolin’s step technique.
I already had Banya Divine Skill and Baekbo Sin-gwon.
Adding Nahanbo? I’m practically a Shaolin disciple. Heh heh heh.
Decision made.
“Nahanbo!”
Excited, I shouted it aloud.
―Pababbabbat!
Another rainbow-colored energy burst!
[Nahanbo (Arhat Step)]
The crisp Nahanbo manual appeared on the floor.
‘Finally, I’ll have a proper offensive step technique!’
Goodbye, Janggwaebo.
Reaching for the manual, suddenly—
“……!!”
It shot into the air.
‘What…!’
Looking up, Hye-gong floated above the ceiling, wearing a faint smile…
That expression said it all: “Fool, you fell for it.”
He had been monitoring me, even while fooling around.
Or maybe he pretended to be distracted.
I was too careless.
A monk over 100 years old, his depth of strategy is exceptional…
Sigh… mistake!
―Chrrrrr
Hye-gong scanned the Nahanbo with Hugongseopmul.
“Nahanbo…”
He floated it midair, descended calmly, and stood in front of me.
“Tell me.”
Tell him what? Why I have it? About the status window?
Be specific, you monk.
“What… heugh!”
A massive suction force pulled me in.
―Thud!
His enormous hand gripped my neck.
Like a rat in a jar.
“All of it.”
No tricks. Spill it all while you still can, or your neck is next.
