NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 165
“…which is why I’ve come to the Martial Alliance.”
“Hmm, it sounds like a story that could be written into a novel and sell quite well.”
“Does it?”
“Of course! The meeting between a stranded Colored-Eyed Person and the youngest disciple of the Hainan Sword Sect’s Sect Leader! And then the ensuing tale of romance that blossoms from their fateful encounter—surely, it would make the hearts of many young ladies flutter.”
Is that so?
I scratched my head at Seo-ryeon’s response, which was more positive than I had anticipated. It felt a little awkward to receive such continuous praise in person, and I hadn’t expected her reaction to be this enthusiastic.
It wasn’t easy to dismiss her response as merely superficial, especially since she was genuinely fixated on my story, her eyes sparkling all the while. If this was all an act, she certainly had the makings of a successful opera actress.
Moreover, as someone with heightened perception, I could detect even subtle changes in expression, making it even clearer that her response was authentic.
“I wish I could experience that kind of love, but it seems impossible.”
“Haven’t you already given up on that, at least halfway?”
At my words, a faint, bittersweet smile crossed her face.
Freedom or love.
It’s hard to have both; you must choose one.
You might lose both if you try to grab for two rabbits at once.
At the very least, opting for freedom would be the wiser choice for her.
Love… it sounds nice, but finding it is incredibly difficult. I consider myself lucky to have met someone who appreciates me so much—it’s like trying to pluck the stars from the sky. Especially in these times…
Because even freedom in the Central Plains is limited. Ultimately, even martial artists live under the laws of the Central Plains and cannot disregard them.
Once you reach the level of a true master, the situation might improve slightly, but Seo-ryeon seems to be plateauing at a first-class level. That’s still quite an achievement, but Hye-ryeong has reached the peak, and Mok-kyeong, despite being somewhat incomplete, has already stepped into the realm of superlative excellence.
It won’t be long before she fully enters the supreme level.
Her inability to advance beyond her current level is only due to the injuries sustained from overexertion during intense battles.
“Great Hero Wi, how did you meet Lady Dan? Was there a thrilling story there as well?”
“Miss Mok-kyeong and I… we don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“Oh, but… oh, I see now. That’s how it is.”
What has she concluded all by herself? With her seemingly content nod, I scratched my head, understanding that somehow she’d pieced it together.
Certainly, women seem to have their own ways of sensing things.
“Great Hero Wi, you are a sinful man.”
“I never expected to hear such words in my lifetime. I thought I was destined to die a painful death on the battlefield.”
“In the Central Plains, there’s an old saying that ‘life is full of unexpected twists.’ You, Great Hero Wi, seem to embody that saying quite well.”
“…It fits a little too perfectly, and it’s sorrowful.”
To come from a hellish battlefield to the relatively idyllic Central Plains. Somehow, I even acquired a lover.
If I could only manage to handle the Demonic Sect properly, the rest of my life could be spent in comfort.
If no one decided to bother me, that is.
“Great Hero Wi, should we head back out?”
I guess it’s time to go. We’ve been here for about half an hour. Nodding at Seo-ryeon’s suggestion, I stood up.
This “date”—what would that be called in the language of the Central Plains?
Regardless, having paid the bill, I stepped out of the teahouse with Seo-ryeon.
For some reason, she appeared happier standing beside me now than when we came in.
“Where should we go now?”
“I’m not very familiar with the geography of this area.”
“Haven’t you wandered around with Lady Lin?”
“Well, sort of, but only part of it. Other than shopping for necessities, I haven’t explored too many places.”
“Then let me show you one of my favorite spots.”
A favorite place…
I wondered where she planned to take me. Following her lead as she started walking, we strolled through the bustling streets of Wuhuan. After a while, she stopped in front of a small building, slightly removed from the busy parts of town.
“This is it.”
“What is this…?”
“One of my favorite places.”
A bookstore.
Amongst the various smells wafting through the air, a faint scent of musty, thick paper drifted toward us. Inside the small bookstore, a middle-aged man dressed in elegant scholar attire was quietly flipping the pages of a book.
“This is one of the few places where I can come without worrying about my father’s reproach.”
A place where she could come without worrying about her father’s watchful eye.
Was it because she was the youngest daughter, or just because she was an aristocratic young lady? Clearly, she was highly regarded within her family. Didn’t that imply that the busy Alliance Leader took the time to keep track of where his daughter went?
If her father hadn’t cared about her whereabouts, he wouldn’t have bothered too much about where she went.
Ah, am I letting my 21st-century mindset show?
“Do you like reading books, Great Hero Wi?”
“For the past few years, I’ve only read martial arts manuals.”
“Oh, developing an interest in books might not be such a bad idea.”
“Could you recommend one for me?”
“Certainly.”
Naturally, we wandered into the bookstore and surveyed the shelves. Not the type of modern bookstore from the 21st century, but one that seemed to belong in medieval China.
The gathering of ancient books was almost reminiscent of a museum.
“Good to see you again, Miss Seo-ryeon. How have you been these days?”
“I’ve been well, Master Guan.”
“Ho ho, no need for formalities. Just call me old man.”
“I wouldn’t dare, Master Guan, you’re too youthful for that.”
The two seemed to know each other well, sharing cheerful conversation. When Seo-ryeon mentioned books, he abruptly closed the one he was reading, stood up, and approached me.
“Oh, so you’re the famous Lion Sword Hero that everyone’s talking about lately. The fortune-teller on the street corner said I would have good luck today. Did he mean meeting you?”
“Flattery.”
“Ho ho, it’s astonishing enough that you are a Colored-Eyed Person, but your command of the Han language is truly fluent.”
“I studied diligently to live in the Central Plains.”
“I’ve heard rumors that you were once a soldier before coming to the Central Plains. Could you be from a noble family, perhaps?”
“No, it was simply a matter of fortunate opportunities that allowed me to study.”
“I see.”
Having nodded, he turned his hands behind his back and gazed at the bookshelves before pulling out a book and offering it to me.
“For one new to reading, it is advisable to start with a book about a subject of interest. This contains the internal cultivation methods known as the ‘Heart Protection Technique.'”
“The Heart Protection Technique…”
“It’s not an exceptionally advanced cultivation method, but it’s rather famous as a way to promote well-being. Some say that a few families teach it alongside the Thousand Character Classic for the initial stages of martial arts practice.”
“A good introduction to the martial arts of the Central Plains… thank you, it’s a fine book.”
“To you, a Colored-Eyed Person and yet a martial artist of the Central Plains, this book seems fitting as an introduction to the cultivation methods of the Central Plains.”
“Thank you. As for the cost…”
“No, there’s no need. Take it as a keepsake. It’s not expensive even in the marketplace, so consider it a gift in commemoration of our first meeting.”
“But there’s no need to…”
“Great Hero Wi, it’s fine. He enjoys giving books as gifts to people he meets for the first time.”
“…Then I’ll accept it gratefully.”
“I’ll be heading back now. If you find any other books you’d like, feel free to bring them.”
With that, Master Guan returned to his seat and began reading again.
The Heart Protection Technique.
I can’t be sure how much it will help, but anything’s better than nothing when it comes to knowledge of the Central Plains cultivation methods.
I quietly tucked the old, worn book into my coat and started browsing the shelves with Seo-ryeon.
“Choosing books in this calm bookstore soothes the mind.”
“I see.”
“Novels authored by someone, treatises compiled by others, and even obscure martial techniques… every now and then, you stumble upon unexpected treasures. I think you should consider making this a habit, Great Hero Wi. It’s not bad.”
“I don’t have much time to read, unfortunately.”
“Ho ho, for a busy person like Great Hero Wi, that makes sense. For me, there isn’t much to do, so…”
“Is that so?”
“As a daughter of a martial family, there’s not much beyond martial practice and improving cultural refinement.”
Her face darkened at the mention of this.
Does she like it?
For a while, we walked aimlessly down the streets without saying a word.
Partly due to the heavy atmosphere, but also because she seemed lost in thought.
Still, I couldn’t let the awkwardness continue, so I carefully broached a new topic.
“Miss Seo-ryeon, you mentioned wanting freedom. If you could freely travel, what would you like to do first?”
“The first thing I’d want to do… I’d like to see the sea.”
As she said this, a smile I’d never seen before graced her face.