Chapter 320 : Let’s Become Stronger
Abbess Jeonghye blinked repeatedly as she stared at Jin Seong-un.
Even for someone like herself, who had spent an entire lifetime cultivating martial arts, the heart art was extremely difficult to comprehend—yet Jin Seong-un calmly claimed he had mastered it “just because.”
He truly felt like a bizarre existence.
An awkward silence briefly settled over the room.
Abbess Jeonghye found herself at a loss for words, while Jin Seong-un felt strangely embarrassed, as though he had accidentally bragged.
After some time passed like that—
“What exactly happened to Noble Enchantress? Do you perhaps know?”
Abbess Jeonghye suddenly asked.
Jin Seong-un answered as though surprised.
“So you’re already convinced history was wrong.”
Abbess Jeonghye gave a bitter smile.
The history of Noble Enchantress she had known since childhood was utterly evil and monstrous.
Yet after personally attempting to cultivate even a fraction of the heart art Noble Enchantress supposedly created, she realized something.
“How could someone who handles such qi possibly be evil? I have witnessed not only the Emei Sect’s arts, but countless forms of internal energy. Never before have I encountered qi so pure and clear.”
Though she had failed to fully comprehend the Women’s Moon Heart Method, Abbess Jeonghye was still someone who had polished martial arts throughout her entire life.
She understood better than anyone that the qi contained within a heart art inevitably resembled the nature of its creator.
Jin Seong-un summoned pure white Women’s Moon Qi above his palm.
Pure admiration and stubborn determination simultaneously surfaced across Abbess Jeonghye’s face as she gazed at it.
Jin Seong-un spoke:
“Yes. Master Noble Enchantress was this kind of person.”
“Master?”
“Ah… well, I inherited her true teachings. And through a fortunate encounter, I once met her directly as well.”
As always, he vaguely glossed over the details.
Yet instead of doubting him, Abbess Jeonghye simply nodded naturally.
At its core, the Emei Sect was still a Buddhist sect.
They were people who believed in reincarnation, hell, and the possibility of becoming enlightened beings themselves.
Thus, the idea that Jin Seong-un and Noble Enchantress had somehow become connected through a fortunate encounter was not especially difficult for Abbess Jeonghye to accept.
Observing her reaction, Jin Seong-un continued calmly:
“Master Noble Enchantress was unquestionably a good person. She treated the sick without asking payment, cultivated flower gardens, and taught her disciples.”
His explanation flowed vividly.
Because he had personally seen and experienced those moments through Noble Enchantress herself, he could describe them in remarkable detail.
The life of Noble Enchantress.
The existence of Grand Duke Wang.
The tyranny of King Zhou of Shang and the atrocities committed by the villainess Nine-Tails Fox.
Throughout the explanation, Abbess Jeonghye merely nodded quietly from time to time with a composed expression.
“And so, I intend to set things right.”
That was Jin Seong-un’s conclusion.
Master Noble Enchantress herself would likely be satisfied simply passing the Women’s Moon Heart Method on to the Emei Sect.
But now that he knew the villainess Nine-Tails Fox still rampaged through the current era, he could not simply ignore it.
Silence lingered for a while.
Abbess Jeonghye seemed lost in deep thought.
“So the fake Moon Command Sect Leader was truly that Nine-Tails Fox.”
“That’s what I believe.”
“And your intuition that she survived is probably correct.”
A monstrous being that had existed for two thousand years.
If she could disappear simply because Saber King severed her head, then she never would have survived until now.
“The Emei Sect will gladly participate as well.”
Jin Seong-un felt a strange emotion.
He knew the history of Master Noble Enchantress.
He knew her disciples later founded the Emei Sect.
And now, the successors of that lineage were declaring they would help restore Noble Enchantress’s honor.
Just as Lee Seo-won sought to restore the Myriad Gold Pavilion.
Just as Chae Seo-ryeong sought to restore the Falling Blossom Manor.
“There is one problem, however.”
At those words, Abbess Jeonghye stared directly at Jin Seong-un.
He continued:
“No matter what, I must pass the Women’s Moon Heart Method on to the Emei Sect. But I have no confidence in writing it down as a martial arts manual.”
He had never imagined that even the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect would fail to learn the Women’s Moon Heart Method simply because of insufficient martial talent.
Abbess Jeonghye coughed awkwardly.
In truth, her talent was by no means lacking.
She was a martial artist who had risen to the position of Sect Leader among the Nine Sects.
The problem was simply that the difficulty of the Women’s Moon Heart Method far exceeded common sense.
“It is too early to feel disappointed. If the problem is merely insufficient comprehension, then there is still hope. Great hope, in fact.”
True to a deeply cultivated Buddhist nun, rather than despairing before reality, Abbess Jeonghye immediately searched for another possibility.
---
Jin Seong-un and Abbess Jeonghye headed toward the training grounds to find her eldest disciple, Seo-wol.
Seo-wol was the greatest genius the current Emei Sect possessed.
Abbess Jeonghye even claimed her talent was something bestowed by heaven itself.
After walking for some time, they soon heard loud commotion nearby.
A training ground was packed tightly with younger generation martial artists causing an uproar.
Apparently, a sparring match was underway.
Though the Heavenly Dragon and Phoenix Gathering had not officially begun yet, gathering hot-blooded youths together naturally led to such things.
The two approached the training grounds.
And the moment they saw the scene unfolding there, both could only gape in shock.
“You bastard, how dare you call me—!”
Seomun Ak threw a punch at someone.
Thud! Thud!
The sounds of fists landing echoed as blood splattered through the air.
Yet the one receiving the blows was clearly no ordinary person either, because he simultaneously drove his own fist into Seomun Ak’s ribs.
Crack, crack.
Disturbing noises rang continuously from Seomun Ak’s ribcage as well.
The Hebei Peng Family’s eldest son, Peng An-cheol, and Seomun Ak were literally rolling across the sparring stage together.
Several younger generation martial artists hurriedly tried to separate them.
However, the match had been conducted under a strict agreement not to use inner power at all.
If those trying to stop them suddenly used inner power, the two fighters might stubbornly escalate and begin using theirs as well.
Which meant they had to physically separate them through raw strength alone.
Unfortunately, there was no one present capable of separating those two giant men without using inner power.
Tang So-yeon clung desperately to one of Peng An-cheol’s arms, while Hwa Myeong had climbed onto Seomun Ak’s back trying to restrain him.
But every time the two moved, Tang So-yeon and Hwa Myeong merely flailed helplessly through the air.
‘Where’s Young Hero Seo?’
Jin Seong-un hurriedly looked around.
Seo Yu-gyeom, the one person most capable of stopping the situation, sat atop a tree clutching his stomach and laughing hysterically.
Meanwhile, Seo-wol pretended to intervene while secretly kicking Peng An-cheol in the legs whenever she could.
“…….”
After letting out a sigh, Jin Seong-un stepped forward and simultaneously grabbed both Seomun Ak’s and Peng An-cheol’s wrists.
Kwa-deudeuk.
“Let go right—!”
Seomun Ak turned with a ferocious expression toward the person grabbing his arm.
Then the moment he realized it was Jin Seong-un, his expression immediately vanished.
However, Peng An-cheol clearly had no intention of stopping. Soon, the Hebei Peng Family’s distinctive yellow qi began rising from his entire body.
Kugugugung—!
The elder nuns who had heard the commotion finally began rushing over from every direction.
But upon seeing that Abbess Jeonghye had already arrived, none of them intervened.
Ironically, Abbess Jeonghye herself also showed no intention of stepping in. She merely stood with her hands clasped behind her back while watching Jin Seong-un.
Peng An-cheol violently raised his inner power.
The domineering and valiant aura unique to the Peng Family shook even the surrounding air.
“Hup!”
Holding his breath, Peng An-cheol forcefully tried to yank his wrist free from Jin Seong-un’s grip. The moment he freed himself, he intended to throw a punch immediately.
Of course, it remained only a thought.
Contrary to his expectations, his wrist would not budge in the slightest, as though trapped between immovable boulders.
Jin Seong-un said nothing.
He did not release any aura.
He merely stared at him with calm eyes.
That fact felt like cold water pouring directly over Peng An-cheol’s head. He himself was operating nearly his full inner power, yet the other man suppressed him effortlessly without even releasing qi.
“This isn’t a sparring match.”
Peng An-cheol’s face was already drenched in blood, while Seomun Ak, now that his excitement had faded, seemed to finally feel the pain from his broken ribs and stood hunched over slightly.
Jin Seong-un turned his head toward Seomun Ak.
Seomun Ak attempted to pretend ignorance, but Seo Yu-gyeom, who had been spectating the entire time from the beginning, casually explained instead.
“They were fighting over that nun over there.”
Jin Seong-un briefly looked toward Seo-wol.
For some reason, Seo-wol looked completely confident as she stood with one hand planted firmly on her waist while staring directly back at him.
A sigh escaped Jin Seong-un naturally.
He could more or less guess how the situation had unfolded.
“Seo-wol.”
Suddenly, Abbess Jeonghye called out to her.
The previously confident Seo-wol immediately shrank her neck slightly.
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Seo-wol hurried over to Abbess Jeonghye with quick little steps.
Abbess Jeonghye stared at her with an icy expression before speaking.
“Explain everything in detail.”
“I was speaking briefly with Young Hero Seomun when that Peng bastard came over and interfered. He even mocked me, saying a nun was playing at men’s games.”
“I-I never said that!”
Peng An-cheol exploded in protest.
Everyone naturally turned to look toward Seo Yu-gyeom, who still lounged lazily atop the tree branch.
Apparently, he had quietly watched the entire fight from there from the very beginning.
“That big guy did start the trouble first. He also made some sleazy comments asking what kind of relationship the two of them had. Though he didn’t specifically mention ‘playing at men’s games.’ Anyway, the nun threw the first punch. And Seomun Ak couldn’t hold back anymore after watching, so he jumped in.”
Abbess Jeonghye looked back toward Seo-wol again.
Seo-wol coughed awkwardly.
“……Anyway.”
The situation now seemed roughly clear.
Even the surrounding younger generation martial artists of the Orthodox Path looked embarrassed, as though ashamed they were witnessing something so childish.
Around then, Peng Ji-yak, one of the Peng Family elders, stepped forward and dragged Peng An-cheol away by force. Soon afterward, she bowed toward everyone and said:
“I apologize for failing to properly discipline my nephew and causing such a disturbance. I am sorry.”
“……No. Since our Seo-wol struck first in the end, how could this be solely that child’s fault? I shall instruct the Medicine Hall to send medicine and ointment.”
Abbess Jeonghye apologized in return.
And so, the incident was temporarily settled.
Immediately afterward—
Abbess Jeonghye grabbed Seo-wol and dragged her straight toward the office.
Since Jin Seong-un also had business there anyway, he awkwardly followed behind the two while reading the atmosphere.
Upon arriving at the office, Abbess Jeonghye immediately picked up a switch.
Startled, Seo-wol hurriedly exclaimed:
“J-Jin Seong-un is here too!”
“You’re embarrassed by that, yet not embarrassed by rolling around punching people before all the guests?”
“That’s not what I meant…….”
“Enough! Why is it that every time you open your mouth, excuses pour out first!”
Seo-wol tightly shut her mouth.
Yet the more she thought about it, the more wronged and resentful she seemed to feel, because her lips continuously twitched.
Watching her, Jin Seong-un hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Sect Leader, perhaps it’s not my place to say this, but… Young Hero Seomun is no longer the kind of man who throws punches carelessly. Nor is he someone who would deliberately reveal his strength before the sparring matches begin.”
Jin Seong-un knew Seomun Ak well.
He was undoubtedly waiting for the perfect moment to reveal all his strength before everyone.
And the target was probably Peng An-cheol.
There was no reason to fight pointlessly in the dirt where no one watched when he could instead display his power during an official match before a full audience.
Deep furrows formed between Abbess Jeonghye’s brows.
Regardless, Jin Seong-un was both a guest and a benefactor. It would be improper to lightly dismiss his words.
“If you feel wronged, then explain.”
“In truth, Young Hero Seomun and I were walking while talking, and then we overheard voices coming from that Peng bastard’s quarters. He was saying things so vulgar and filthy about the Emei Sect nuns that I can’t even repeat them aloud.”
“And then?”
“Young Hero Seomun became furious and tried to storm inside, but I stopped him. Just as Young Hero Jin said, we could simply deal with him during the sparring matches.”
Thus, the two of them tried hard to ignore Peng An-cheol’s obscene remarks and leave the area.
Seo-wol herself was hardly mild-tempered either, so she had already exercised tremendous restraint.
But then Peng An-cheol came outside personally and continued provoking them, and eventually she could no longer suppress her anger.
“What exactly did he say?”
At some point, Peng An-cheol had already been downgraded to “that bastard.”
Even Abbess Jeonghye could no longer respect someone who dared utter filthy remarks toward the Emei Sect nuns.
When Seo-wol hesitated, Abbess Jeonghye urged her again.
Eventually, Seo-wol leaned close and whispered something into Abbess Jeonghye’s ear.
Jin Seong-un, whose senses were extraordinarily sharp, awkwardly coughed, while Abbess Jeonghye’s face gradually flushed red with shock and fury.
After finishing, Seo-wol spoke:
“I intentionally didn’t mention that part. There’s no proof. And without proof, things would just get resolved the Murim way again.”
“The Murim way.”
It sounded impressive, but ultimately it simply meant the logic of power deciding everything.
The current Emei Sect was not especially strong.
After all, even their strongest expert—the Sect Leader herself—had ultimately failed to reach the Huajing Realm.
But the Peng Family was different.
They possessed countless powerful experts. Especially their Family Head, Saber King, who had already reached the Huajing Realm more than a decade ago.
“So I figured… since I can’t exactly fight the entire Peng Family, I’d just beat up Peng An-cheol during the sparring matches instead. But then that bastard suddenly came provoking us, and things escalated.”
Abbess Jeonghye stared quietly at Seo-wol.
What exactly had she shown this child all this time?
The Murim way.
The logic of power.
Neither statement was wrong.
But the traditions and integrity of the Emei Sect held values even higher than that.
Yet despite thinking so, Abbess Jeonghye found herself unable to speak easily.
Seo-wol would someday inherit the position of Sect Leader. Feeding her only idealistic and theoretical teachings would itself become hypocrisy.
A Murim faction needed strength.
Only then could it truly uphold its principles.
After pondering for a long time, Abbess Jeonghye finally turned toward Jin Seong-un.
Embarrassing discussions unsuitable for outsiders had already been exchanged freely, yet Abbess Jeonghye no longer regarded Jin Seong-un as merely an outsider.
Soon, she spoke.
“I leave it to you.”
She meant that she wanted him to properly teach Seo-wol the Women’s Moon Heart Method.
Jin Seong-un also nodded.
Because if Seo-wol could truly accept it, that would be exactly what he wanted as well.
“Let’s become stronger.”