Chapter 212

“Hmm, I wonder if this time it’s going to be a hit or miss.”

As I rubbed my head, I thought maybe I was pushing it a bit too far by sticking my tongue out in front of my Master.

Every time I stood before him, it felt like my mouth had a mind of its own, spilling out everything from the trivial to the downright inappropriate.

“At this rate, my disciple’s head is going to flatten… Am I going to end up with a headache?”

“Don’t worry, your head is tough enough to withstand any nonsense—hmm. By the way, I hear Shintu is eyeing your master position?”

“Well, he wasn’t all that bad. He did share some training techniques… and I made sure to decline his offer firmly.”

I tried to defend Cheon Yu-hak, but honestly, wasn’t my situation just about taking without giving back?

“Wow, the audacity of suggesting two masters to a disciple who’s already got one. That’s some thick skin! I should really check my own face.”

“If I can just talk it out…”

“What did I say? Let’s see your face first.”

“Ah, no!”

Flustered, I stumbled over my words. Sure, Cheon Yu-hak was making silly attempts, but it felt like there was no hope left, and maybe I’d blurted out too much.

Just then—

“Qing Ah! Why is this taking so long… Oh, hello, is that you, Madam?”

“Nan-ah! I haven’t arrived yet, so let’s pretend you didn’t see me.”

“I’ll tell them Qing Ah is eating separately due to an important guest. The young girl will be leaving now.”

Suddenly, Tang Nan-ah appeared and then vanished just as quickly. The only person among my peers who treated Seomun Sulin comfortably was me.

After verifying Tang Nan-ah’s face when the door opened, I figured she wouldn’t be of much help.

“Alright, lead the way.”

“Yes…”

At this point, all I could do was hope that the suspicious-looking book-selling man that I presumed to be Shintu used his wits and ran away.

But how could even a seasoned master like Seomun Sulin not recognize the boldness of a notorious figure sneaking in?

As Shintu was lying around, lost in thought, the heavy thuds of someone walking could be distinctly heard—those thudding footfalls were unmistakably mine.

Next to that, a light and delicate sound of footsteps, which almost made even Cheon Yu-hak miss it, broke through the heaviness; it was the step of a celestial maiden.

What could she have forgotten? Though unspoken, we had unofficially agreed that this was our ‘meeting place.’

Did she just happen to drag a friend along, without a clue?

After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided there was nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing wrong had been done, so I stood up and composed myself.

By the time Qing arrived, instead of the book-selling man lounging about scratching his belly, it was Cheon Yu-hak wearing a serious expression.

“Well, you’re finally here, ahem.”

Cheon Yu-hak, adopting a serious tone, noticed Seomun Sulin and adjusted his demeanor.

“I am Cheon Yu-hak from the Hall of Literature. I have formed a brief acquaintance with this child. If it’s not too much trouble, could you kindly share your esteemed name with this unworthy student?”

His tone was dripping with pretense.

Yikes. The corners of Qing’s mouth turned downward.

Receiving that, Seomun Sulin smiled faintly.

Cheon Yu-hak’s expression lit up in a way that felt utterly unsettling, and the way he looked at her was even more disconcerting.

Keeping her smile, Seomun Sulin said, “Hall of Literature’s Cheon Yu-hak, huh? Do you happen to know a certain Daoist named Osan-ja? A rather ridiculous fellow with two missing teeth—one on top and one below.”

Cheon Yu-hak’s expression stiffened.

“T-that esteemed person…?”

“Did he not tell you what happened to his front teeth?”

“Are you referring to the top or the bottom?”

“Did he mention which? What did he say?”

“The top one was lost when Great Master Muhak sparred with him, and he got too involved in the fight to hold back whatsoever.”

Seomun Sulin’s smile deepened.

“And the bottom?”

“I’ve heard he was so immersed in his martial arts that he collided with a passing egret while jumping over a wall…”

“Now, that sounds like a curious incident. I quite vividly recall smashing the egret myself.”

Seomun Sulin, hitting her knuckles against her punch, grinned.

“To be truly embarrassed—how disgraceful it is to break one’s teeth against the Great Master, but to act cowardly in front of a woman and tell lies to your disciple, tsk tsk.”

Cheon Yu-hak’s face grew serious.

“Furthermore, to be in a transcendent state while jumping and colliding with a bird? That would surely make even the egret laugh!”

“And you’re saying your esteemed name is…?”

“I am Seomun Sulin. I hear my disciple has caused quite the envy among others.”

Cheon Yu-hak shot a look of betrayal at Qing. It was a gaze that felt like the kind a loyal confidant might give after being betrayed by a long-trusted member of court.

Qing awkwardly averted her gaze.

With a smile, Seomun Sulin asked, “So, care to defend yourself?”

“Oh, I beg for mercy! I have committed a grave sin!”

Cheon Yu-hak suddenly prostrated himself onto the floor.

Sure, compared to Tang Nan-ah, who was graceful, this might have lacked the same finesse, but considering the difference between an adult man and a young girl, it still felt like a significant move.

“However, if I had not laid eyes on your esteemed disciple, I would not have known the true talent of the world—no, the world’s number one talent! How could anyone with the intent to teach simply neglect what lies before them?”

“Was that truly how you felt?”

“At a young age, having already achieved a considerable skill level, with astounding instincts and an extraordinary pace in learning, is there any other individual in this world who can compare? My hasty temperament made it is hard to concede, yet I simply couldn’t sit back.”

“Hmmm.”

“However, your esteemed disciple has been so devoted to your teachings that he has rejected all divine skills, so I have let go of my ambitions. Your unwavering resolve truly moves me, and I simply wished to extend a little assistance…”

“Very well.”

Seomun Sulin interrupted Cheon Yu-hak.

Cheon Yu-hak cautiously glanced at Seomun Sulin.

“If your acceptance means you wish to forgive me, or… do you mean to take my disciple?”

“Were there any women among the merchants? Then it’d be good to have a visit. Although you may be annoying, I’ve heard you are the Hall of Literature’s elite, so you might not be a total waste after all.”

It was a surprisingly refreshing agreement.

Cheon Yu-hak blinked in surprise at the unanticipated praise.

“Thank you! I will strive not to bring shame to your disciple!”

Seomun Sulin laughed, “That’s how it should be. Disciple! What are you doing? Don’t you dare fail to properly greet your small master!”

“Oh, Master!”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it? I do have a rough familiarity with the divine skills of my merchants, and there’s not a single improper skill among them. Why would I stop you from taking on another master while the divine skills come to you so easily?”

“I’m fine, really. I only need you as my master. I’m not so keen on the divine skills…”

Cheon Yu-hak looked disappointed, while Seomun Sulin gently stroked Qing’s hair.

“I appreciate you saying that. It truly is rare to see a disciple not losing their mind over coveted divine skills. You have brought me great fortune in my later years.”

“Hehe…”

“However, I initially intended to authorize you based on your character. Since you’re from the Hall of Literature, your knowledge alone is enough to be a master in itself.”

Cheon Yu-hak’s expression swelled with pride again.

Eventually, Qing performed a deep bow of respect.

The customary three bows to a master typically go like this: once to the clan and founder, once to the master’s masters, and then once to the master themselves.

However, since there wasn’t a specific master for merchants, and former merchants usually retired to continue their original trades, no particular courtesy was established. Thus, it was merely one deep bow for the master.

Cheon Yu-hak was all smiles.

Then, suddenly taking a cautious glance, he asked—

“By the way, Master, what happened to my master, Osan-ja, and his front teeth…”

“Why? Do you want to know?”

“Yes. A disciple should know their master’s business, right?”

Seomun Sulin snickered.

It was clear what her intentions were—she was teasing him.

“It’s nothing special. There was a guy who foolishly tried to sneak into the Divine Maiden Sect, stealing underwear no less, and he got punished quite harshly. After a good thrashing, he barely managed to escape.”

The reason she punched him was simple: her principle was that all perverts deserved punishment.

Realizing he might just die if he took any more hits, Shintu mustered every ounce of strength to flee. With his divine skills being the best in the realm and a plethora of evasive techniques at his disposal, even Seomun Sulin would have a hard time keeping up.

However, there was no way Seomun Sulin could ever forgive someone who dared to storm the Divine Maiden Sect and snatch her disciple’s underwear.

And so began a relentless chase, with the former merchants running out of places to hide, ultimately seeking refuge in the Shaolin Temple.

However, in underestimating the bonds formed among those of our clandestine sect, the former merchant who had just taken another blow from Muhak found himself tied up in front of Seomun Sulin.

“Are you saying your master was accused of stealing a woman’s underwear?”

Cheon Yu-hak’s eyes lit up with intrigue, wearing an expression that seemed to take pleasure in his master’s embarrassment.

With a chuckle, Seomun Sulin wrapped things up, “It turns out the underwear stolen from my disciple sparked a wave of unrest across the martial world because it was a legendary treasure map. I figured it probably wasn’t worth my time, so I decided to let it slide.”

Today, I’d finally get to enjoy some time with my disciple, so my little master can start more thorough training sessions tomorrow.

As Seomun Sulin spoke, she and Qing shared a quiet dinner together.

After some hesitation, Qing finally spoke up, “Master, I really didn’t need to accept another master.”

To that, Seomun Sulin smiled lightly.

“It’s alright. The world will never know, so what’s the fuss?”

Seomun Sulin wasn’t someone to let things slide easily. After weighing her options, she decided this was the right course of action.

For now, the identity of the merchant is a secret.

After all, whether present, past, or future, the identity of each merchant must remain hidden from the world. That’s because in a single generation, there can’t be more than a handful of masters and disciples, at most like four: the master, disciples, and the master’s disciples.

So, Qing wouldn’t have to spill that she had two masters, nor could Cheon Yu-hak brag about how he had Seomun Sulin’s disciple.

Of course, even if their identities were exposed, it’s still not a big deal.

Being a merchant would provide a great sense of pride among the women of the Central Plain, and based on Qing’s allocation, who would dare say anything otherwise?

However, if she were to inherit the name of the merchant, that would come with responsibilities.

To ensure dangerous items don’t fall into dangerous hands, to protect the rivers and lakes from the shadows…

Seomun Sulin thought it was a noble pursuit and didn’t foresee many issues arising from it.

Moreover, the future world’s number one would have no reason to resort to petty theft. After all, wouldn’t it be simpler to just go and take it by force?

Plus, given that she experienced the merchant’s techniques firsthand, learning them would only benefit her in the long run.

Considering all angles, it was all beneficial for her.

Thus, there wasn’t a single reason for Seomun Sulin to oppose it.