Chapter 267

Sama Chun-bong always feels lonely.

Yeah, loneliness.

It’s because he was gifted with an extraordinarily sharp mind.

What looks easy at a glance leaves others floundering and bewildered.

So he has no one to stroll with.

It’s just too lonely.

Even when I simply walk, oh so slow, dragging my feet like a tortoise, there isn’t a single soul following me.

That’s right. The only crane among the sparrows. No matter how much I flail about with their little steps, I can’t even match one long stride of the crane.

Even if the sparrows flap their adorable wings a thousand times, they won’t catch up to a single flap of the crane’s wings.

That graceful crane is me…

“Ah, truly lonely.”

At that, Deputy Commander Gang Ji-hwang clicked his tongue.

“Look at him, getting all sentimental again. If you’ve got nothing better to do, why not draft some martial arts instructors from the Yijeong Muhak Institute?”

“Did you not see what’s on the desk? I’ve already filtered through some. Heh, with your skills, you might be pulling an all-nighter tonight. Heh heh.”

Veins popped on Gang Ji-hwang’s forehead.

If he can’t even do his job, at least he can get some heckling in.

He hasn’t seen a bit of productive work, yet everything he asks for is piled on the desk like a ghost waiting to haunt him.

Sama Chun-bong once again perched by the window of the military building, gazing outside with what he thought was a sorrowful look (or at least he imagined it).

“I think, perhaps, this foolish, same human… No? Aren’t we essentially different? If they are human, then I am a divine being; if I am human, they are monkeys…”

Gang Ji-hwang shook his head.

“It’s all the fault of the commander.”

“Why should it be my fault if the kid was born a bit quirky?”

“Giving him a name like that, is it any wonder he turns out a bit off? In my view, it’s because he doesn’t like his name.”

“What’s wrong with Chun-bong? Chun, just hearing it makes me think of beautiful spring flowers blooming. And Bong? Do I really need to explain whether Fenghuang is a good name or not?”

“Did you really have to combine them like that…”

“Good thing plus good thing naturally means even better, right? Adding a good name to another good name just amplifies the greatness.”

“Hmm. I wonder if Sama Chun or Sama Bong are all that great either. At least it’s clear the commander shouldn’t have named them.”

“Hey, Pil-deok is fine.”

“Hmph.”

Gang Ji-hwang shut his mouth tight.

That guy, Sama Pil-deok, last time he was drinking, seriously asked if joining the Gu Daemun sect would earn him recognition.

Regardless, Sama Chun-bong was engrossed in his own world.

I’m like a crane, majestically solitary, but I also need a partner to move forward together.

Sometimes I feel lonely too…

“Okay. If that’s the case, just maybe…”

Sama Chun-bong thought of the rising new Divine Dragon of the Zhengpai martial arts world.

First of all, she’s an incredibly beautiful person.

With cat-like eyes and lips forming a soft pout, physiognomy suggests she’s a spoiled brat and stubborn to boot, hardly listening to others.

But so it must be.

The genius child’s world is filled with a unique frustration that only geniuses feel, too filled with it to ever seek understanding from others.

Yet despite that, she possesses great ability.

This shares a commonality with me, both being a century’s genius who possesses beauty and skill at the same time.

That doesn’t mean she neglects her duties.

Unlike commoners, she fulfills the boundless duty of a genius granted by the Goddess herself, not proclaiming her great achievements to the impoverished, as she strives to benefit the world widely.

Just like me!

Sama Chun-bong’s eyes sparkled with energy.

“Perhaps, perhaps…!”

Furthermore, the Goddess has a wicked sense of humor.

After crafting someone so perfect, she had to add a single, fatal flaw, a useless disgrace of flesh for no reason—what a prankster she must be.

The Divine Dragon shares the same suffering.

Now I ponder whether the Goddess had no choice but to add weaknesses out of the absolute balances of the world, not allowing someone too perfect to exist, leaving her with the tears of imperfection.

A mark of genius, or perhaps the pain of genius!

If that’s the case, my own flaws have an even greater reason!

“Yeah, no matter how much I may be, I need someone to shoulder the burdens with me…”

Sama Chun-bong hesitated not.

He had absolute certainty in his judgment and never thought it would be wrong.

Sama Chun-bong hopped nimbly down from the window.

—-

Mo Yong Joo-hee writhed on the floor.

Qing understood that feeling well, having also been a victim of such impacts.

After a hit or two, you realize that the phrase “your mind goes blank” is spot on, as you find yourself rolling on the floor like a pure white sheet of paper.

But, wasn’t it time to rise again, having perfectly controlled his strength?

The feel transmitted through her fist, specifically the second knuckle of the middle finger, was perfect. Her scalp wasn’t torn, nor was her skull damaged.

What Qing overlooked was that she had never built up any resistance to such impacts, while for him, it was just another day at the office.

For Mo Yong Joo-hee, it was truly a new world.

The weapon of weapons, signaling humanity’s doom, she faced a true destructor.

And so, Qing looked down at Mo Yong Joo-hee, who was writhing on the floor, noiselessly screaming.

Something, what to say, the sight of her squirming…

It felt so pitiful, yet I couldn’t help but keep watching.

Unbeknownst to Qing, her lips were already forming graceful and soft lines.

“Stop whining and get up.”

“It’s not whining! Aagh…”

“Come here.”

Qing patted his knees invitingly.

Mo Yong Joo-hee obediently crawled back into his embrace, and he gently pressed and soothed the site of impact.

“Aah…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee involuntarily let out a sound.

The cool touch of his hand stroking her head was incredibly tender. And there was the soft voice whispering in her ear.

“Okay. Now that we’ve both suffered greatly, there’s no grudge left, right?”

“Th-this isn’t—”

“And today, you’re going to stay over.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee adamantly shook her head.

Qing noticed her hand lingering against her hair, hmm, is that a bump?

“I’m okay. If I just act a little spoiled, it won’t help. I’m trying to hold on as much as I can. So—”

It was a rather brave thing to say.

But also a foolish one, so Qing interjected.

“C’mon. You’re saying you’re okay but your eyes are losing focus. Didn’t you say you couldn’t sleep alone? Truth is, I’m the same way. I can’t shut my eyes if I’m all by myself.”

“Why not? You’re strong like Young Lady Seomun, and now you’re a Supreme Martial Artist… but you’re genuinely strong of heart…”

“Not a chance. I get scared and feel distressed too. But I still believe if I hold on, something good will come. If I manage to endure, surely good days will arrive.”

It was a realization gained from crossing walls.

I was terrified as if something monstrous lay beyond those walls, but once I got over, I only found a distant road extending ahead.

Still, I feel anxious, but what if when I close my eyes, this all ends as a dream, or what if I end up in some cave in the lands of Liaoning? That fear just doesn’t go away.

But what can I do? I must endure.

Enduring will eventually let me reach the state of Supreme Martial Artist, rising through the realms of transformation until I smash through Unyeonjeong’s status window and reach the conclusion.

Besides, if I can’t sleep alone, then just sleep together.

“There’s no need to force yourself to endure harsh methods. If there’s a way to feel comfortable, we should take it. For now, we should just hold on, right?”

“Thank you, really, for being so kind to someone like me. It’s too much kindness for someone so humble and flawed.”

Why does she have such low self-esteem?

Or was it always like that?

Thinking back, it seems like it has been from the start.

People who have confidence in themselves rarely showcase inferiority complexes like that when comparing themselves to others.

From the beginning, she really was just a flawed and humble person.

But if you delve into it, even Uncle might have started out flawed, but he was actually nurtured kindly in knowing that his younger sister wasn’t the very bad influence he thought.

Yeah, I too, from the beginning, er, well, I was a respected lady physician all along.

Not a flawed person nor a humble one.

The mountain lived for its own pride from the start, and Namgoong Shin-jae was just too grounded, but from the beginning, he was a well-meaning playful guy.

Hmm, so who else is there?

Someone truly flawed and humble?

Grandpa has dementia, so that’s excusable.

Even if he’s a simple guy, he’s still admirable.

Seolga was exceptional from the moment we first met.

Just thinking about it fills me with confidence—he’s the best intellect in the neighborhood!

When I think of my fate, both my master and the former master were terrific. Or else, even if they had faults, it was never both sides who were at fault.

“Surely, Mo Yong Joo-hee had some level of that too.”

“Lady Seomun?”

“Just kidding. It’s fine. Right now, she may seem utterly pitiful, but what’s really important is that she strives to become a better person, isn’t it? If today is worse than tomorrow, just taking one step forward, you’ll find yourself looking back at a significantly grown self before you know it.”

Qing mustered some confidence from information he’d heard somewhere.

“Right now, truly pitiful…”

It was then.

– Deputy Commander? No matter what, don’t just barge into the Muchen Pavilion like this…!

– Ugh, step aside. I’m going in, and you lot have no say in the matter. Go fetch me some snacks.

– Ah, the famed Seven Banners of the Yingguang Party…!

– Ha, as if you’re worthy of watching. Don’t hold onto precious people unnecessarily. You lot just drool over snacks you serve to guests, right? Here. Eat and get lost.

Just as the commotion outside became apparent, the door of the Muchen Pavilion’s guest room swung open with a loud bang.

At the center of the open door stood a grand woman, leaving Qing wondering what was happening now as he took in the chaotic visitor.

She may be beautiful at least. But wait, isn’t she a bad one?

She looks exactly like a villain!

Her eyes were half the size of an ordinary person’s, with the whites showing everywhere.

This was classified as a terrible sign in physiognomy, referred to as “four whites,” known for being one of the worst shapes for human eyes—like a beast’s eyes.

They were said to belong to someone whose heart is as dark as the gaze suggests, cruel and devoid of humanity.

Yet, the world is a messy place—she’s incredibly beautiful despite her wickedness.

Even her attire is outlandish.

Red silk with gold embroidery, um, what’s this? Something impossible to define, wearing patterns that glitter and shine brightly.

It’s a flamboyant and extravagant ensemble, truly exquisite.

“Oh! So here you are, Young Lady Seomun? I am Sama-rang, a wise woman who’s known as the climate of wisdom. But, what’s going on here? Geomhwa, why are you here? And why are you seated on Young Lady Seomun’s lap?”

“You—”

“No, I suppose it doesn’t concern me. After all, the criminal wouldn’t understand it anyway. Young Lady Seomun? Hello, I’m Sama-rang, the climate of wisdom…”

Ignoring Mo Yong Joo-hee like she didn’t exist, she went on to greet in a weird way.

“Oh, hello.”

In a daze, Qing greeted her back.

Um, does she really call herself wise or such things?

I mean, her name says it all!

Wait, I almost forgot my manners.

“Zhinang Hyunhwa!”

Admittedly late, but Qing was at least practicing the unwritten rules of the martial arts world.

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