Chapter 79 – Kang Sohyup…! (1)

Soap.

As I thought about leaving this house soon and going to Sorimsa, I racked my brain for something to do, but all that came to mind was soap.

Isn’t soap commonly used in alternative history novels? Improved hygiene, reduced mortality rates, and a population boom leading to national strength!

Especially in this era where sanitation in mountain temples cannot be guaranteed, it seems safer to have them washed even a little bit.

I don’t know the exact recipe, but isn’t it just mixing ashes with waste cooking oil?

How to mix it? That’s something you all can argue about.

“Son, are you lost in thought?”

“No, mother!”

But I can’t watch that all day, so I occasionally drop by the kitchen to check, and now I was practicing martial arts with my mother.

As I pushed away the force coming towards my shoulder, the punch I threw was caught in the middle and pulled back towards me.

I pushed the pulled hand away and landed on the ground, dodging the attack aimed at my side by twisting my body.

Blocking all long-range attacks like tension or wind, and only engaging in close combat with my body.

“Do you know how to move?”

“Yes, better than before.”

I see. It was only a month of practice, but I know what my mother wanted.

Practicing means increasing the flexibility needed to occupy a position and fight with weapons or hands.

If you want to increase your instinctive judgment when moving weapons or hands, according to the teachings of Sabu or Peng Yeon-hwa, you need to increase the time to decide on an attack itself.

My mother’s teachings aimed to buy time with rituals and divine arts to avoid falling behind in a fight with the enemy.

It’s hard to say which teaching is superior, but ultimately, if you’re a martial arts master, it’s better to be good at both.

“Yeah, our son has really improved a lot.”

In fact, it was the first time I felt that my skills had improved while practicing with my mother. I always felt I had improved when I practiced alone.

“To be a complete first-class master, all techniques must move organically in the end.”

“Organically…”

The end of a first-class master is to understand the meaning of fasting and move freely with hands and feet.

Only then can you step on the path of a climax master. What my mother said meant that I met the minimum requirements.

“What about a climax master?”

“Huh?”

Everyone said that if you understand the meaning of fasting and move freely with your hands and feet, you can reach the end of a first-class master.

But I’ve never heard of how to become a climax master.

Chapter 79 – Kang Sohyup…! (1)

Soap.

As I thought about leaving this house soon and going to Sorimsa, I racked my brain for something to do, but all that came to mind was soap.

Isn’t soap commonly used in alternative history novels? Improved hygiene, reduced mortality rates, and a population boom leading to national strength!

Especially in this era where sanitation in mountain temples cannot be guaranteed, it seems safer to have them washed even a little bit.

I don’t know the exact recipe, but isn’t it just mixing ashes with waste cooking oil?

How to mix it? That’s something you all can argue about.

“Son, are you lost in thought?”

“No, mother!”

But I can’t watch that all day, so I occasionally drop by the kitchen to check, and now I was practicing martial arts with my mother.

As I pushed away the force coming towards my shoulder, the punch I threw was caught in the middle and pulled back towards me.

I pushed the pulled hand away and landed on the ground, dodging the attack aimed at my side by twisting my body.

Blocking all long-range attacks like tension or wind, and only engaging in close combat with my body.

“Do you know how to move?”

“Yes, better than before.”

I see. It was only a month of practice, but I know what my mother wanted.

Practicing means increasing the flexibility needed to occupy a position and fight with weapons or hands.

If you want to increase your instinctive judgment when moving weapons or hands, according to the teachings of Sabu or Peng Yeon-hwa, you need to increase the time to decide on an attack itself.

My mother’s teachings aimed to buy time with rituals and divine arts to avoid falling behind in a fight with the enemy.

It’s hard to say which teaching is superior, but ultimately, if you’re a martial arts master, it’s better to be good at both.

“Yeah, our son has really improved a lot.”

In fact, it was the first time I felt that my skills had improved while practicing with my mother. I always felt I had improved when I practiced alone.

“To be a complete first-class master, all techniques must move organically in the end.”

“Organically…”

The end of a first-class master is to understand the meaning of fasting and move freely with hands and feet.

Only then can you step on the path of a climax master. What my mother said meant that I met the minimum requirements.

“What about a climax master?”

“Huh?”

Everyone said that if you understand the meaning of fasting and move freely with your hands and feet, you can reach the end of a first-class master.

But I’ve never heard of how to become a climax master.

“You’ll know as you go. Don’t think too hard…”

Since she didn’t explain it to me, maybe not knowing is a good thing. I’m curious, but… I guess I’ll have to trust her for now.

“Let’s take a break for a moment. Are you going to the kitchen again this time?”

“Yes, mother.”

During the break from training, I went to the kitchen. When I got there, an old woman named Sibi greeted me.

“I made it as you instructed, but… is this seokgam (a type of natural soap)?”

“…Yes?”

I couldn’t hide my embarrassment at Sibi’s explanation.

Wait, soap already existed? I’ve been washing with bean powder until now?

According to Sibi, who seems to know a lot, a variety of soaps and substitutes are being made here with various ingredients.

It’s a luxury item that’s expensive, but Un Soyoung wasn’t someone who couldn’t afford it.

No, in alternative history novels, there’s definitely no soap in the Joseon era…! It’s a product that even the king would say, “Wow, amazing!” and use…!

Is it just that it didn’t exist in Joseon?

“I’m sorry for causing you unnecessary trouble. If you have a use for it, please use it, and if not, you can just dispose of it.”

“No, sir. And please feel free to speak comfortably.”

I nodded my head.

It sounds good to be called sir, but ultimately, that’s all it means. He’s just a person with no meaning other than being Un Soyoung’s husband, a pillar husband.

I didn’t like the idea of being disrespectful to an elder on that subject.

“Someone I saw using ash to do laundry made me think of it… I’m sorry.”

“It’s really okay. This kind of effort is not even an effort.”

It seems like apologizing anymore would just make this person uncomfortable.

“Well, I’ll go now. Take care.”

Maybe I should just tell Un Soyoung to have Sandal ready and wash with something cheap, whether it’s soap or not.

What if I get the baby with dirty hands and get sick! It might have a bad effect on the mother and the baby!

As I opened thedoor to leave the kitchen, I saw Kang Sohyup standing outside.

“Ah, Kang Sohyup…!”

I was surprised to see him here. I haven’t seen him since the day I left the palace.

“Un Soyoung asked me to come and check on you.”

“Check on me?”

I couldn’t understand why Un Soyoung would send Kang Sohyup to check on me.

“Yes, she said you might be feeling lonely and wanted me to keep you company.”

Lonely? I didn’t feel lonely at all. I was busy practicing martial arts and making soap.

But Kang Sohyup’s presence made me feel a little uneasy.

“Thank you, but I’m fine. I don’t need any company.”

I tried to politely decline his offer, but Kang Sohyup didn’t seem to take the hint.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk. It’s a beautiful day outside.”

I didn’t want to go for a walk with him, but I didn’t want to be rude either.

“Okay, let’s go.”

As we walked, Kang Sohyup started talking about his life outside the palace.

“I’ve been living in a small village near the palace. It’s peaceful, but it’s also boring.”

He seemed to be complaining about his life, but I couldn’t relate. I was used to living a simple life in the mountains.

“I envy you. You seem to be content with your life here.”

“I am. I don’t need much to be happy.”

Kang Sohyup looked at me with a strange expression.

“You’re different from the other women I’ve met. You’re not interested in fashion or makeup.”

I didn’t know how to respond to his comment. I didn’t care about those things, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.

“I guess I’m just not interested in those things.”

Kang Sohyup suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.

“You’re so innocent. It’s refreshing.”

I tried to pull away from him, but he held me tightly.

“Let go of me!”

I struggled to break free, but Kang Sohyup’s grip was too strong.

“You’re so pure. I want to corrupt you.”

I felt disgusted by his words. I didn’t want anything to do with him.

“Let go of me, you pervert!”

I kicked him in the shin, and he finally let go of me.

“You’ll regret this.”

Kang Sohyup walked away, leaving me alone on the path.

I felt violated and disgusted by his actions. I didn’t want to see him again.

Ah-hyun led Namgoong Hye, keeping in mind her mother, who was in charge of the kitchen.

[It was something I thought of when I saw someone using ash water to do laundry… I’m sorry.]

As soon as they approached the kitchen, they both froze at the sound of a man’s voice coming from a place where only a woman should be.

He was here, that man.

Ash water, ash water.

It was nothing special, but for some reason, that word kept itching at the back of her mind.

Even as Ah-hyun pulled her arm to hide, Namgoong Hye was lost in thought and saw the man’s face as the door opened.

The man who always asked about her mother’s well-being.

The man who comforted her, telling her not to worry because her mother was doing well.

The kind man who personally washed her mother’s sweat-soaked blankets.

And the man who betrayed her by violating her mother.

“Kang So-hyup…!”

Namgoong Hye clenched her trembling hands around her sword.

As soon as she grabbed the sword, her years of training in Changgung swordsmanship flowed naturally from her hands.

Kang Yoon, who had been making a surprised face at the sudden attack on his chest, struck the sword with a fist full of power.

The force of his punch shook the sword, and Namgoong Hye almost dropped it.

‘How…?’

She was sure that when she first saw him, he didn’t have any inner strength.

Since then, she couldn’t tell if her own inner strength had been refined, but she had accumulated some training.

But to be overwhelmed by herself, a first-class master?

“Namgoong So-jeo, wait a minute, let’s talk…!”

“Shut your dirty mouth!”

How could they talk about anything? Especially about the sexual topic of violating her mother!

Changgung swordsmanship was a basic swordsmanship learned in the Namgoong family, but the Changgung swordsmanship that unfolded in Namgoong Hye’s hands was a sharp taste with appropriate changes and power.

The sword energy that rose in four directions threatened Kang Yoon’s vital points, and Kang Yoon, who avoided it with a defensive technique, continued to speak.

“Please, listen to me. I would never…”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Unlike the precise swordsmanship that flowed like a textbook, Namgoong Hye’s heart shook like a piece of debris thrown into a stormy sea.

Her mother had this man’s child.

Her loving mother hugged this man like a pillow.

She couldn’t help but feel like she would collapse if she didn’t swing her sword, even if it was just a sword.

Sometimes she moved unpredictably to aim for the man’s weak points, and sometimes she tried to block his movements with a fast-moving sword.

However, Kang Yoon was one step ahead of her.

His flexible movements restrained her stiff sword, and his powerful strikes easily blocked her fast-moving sword.

Even though she was probably equal to him in skill or even one step ahead of him in the intricacies of swordsmanship, Kang Yoon effortlessly disarmed Namgoong Hye’s sword with just the right moves.

The difference in their inner strength was that significant.

It was frustrating that even though she was attacking with precision, he was only focusing on defense and yet she couldn’t land a single blow.

“You bastard… How could you do that to my mother…!”

Namgoong Hye was furious. She had never felt such intense hatred towards anyone before.

To Namgoong Hye, the world was beautiful when she was born as the illegitimate daughter of Namgoong Se-ga, and being captured by the monster was the first time she experienced despair.

But the man who appeared before her as a disciple of the monster was not hope, but not despair either.

He was the man who destroyed the pillar in her heart like it was a joke, just when her heart was barely holding on like life support.

“I can never forgive you!”

“Hye-ah!”

Namgoong Hye’s sword stopped abruptly.

She didn’t want to see it. If this man disappeared, it felt like the bad dream would end and her mother would return to her old self.

But she couldn’t bear it if she didn’t draw her sword, even though she knew it wouldn’t change anything.

However, her mother, who came into her view, was beautiful.

The hands that caught the incoming boat and the way she cherished the life inside it were truly that of a woman.

Namgoong Hye’s mother was a woman she didn’t know.

“Sniff…”

She didn’t want to cry in front of this man, but if she didn’t, it would be too miserable.

Namgoong Hye couldn’t stop the tears that flowed out.

Eon So-young cautiously approached her crying daughter.

Even if her feelings for her deceased husband, Namgoong Tan, were revealed, her love for the daughter they had together was separate.

Namgoong Hye was still a daughter who resembled Eon So-young a lot, and half of the blood that flowed in her body was Eon So-young’s.

“Hye-ah…”

As Namgoong Hye hesitated, Eon So-young gently embraced her.

Eon So-young didn’t know what to say.

Should she apologize? Should she tell her to take care? Should she admit that she was wrong?

No words could comfort her daughter’s heart.

She just stroked her back gently, waiting for Namgoong Hye’s tears to subside.

After a while, Namgoong Hye’s tears seemed to have stopped.

“Hye-ah…?”

As she tried to look at her face after letting go of her arms, this time Namgoong Hye held onto Eon So-young.

“Mother…”

Eon So-young felt a faint resentment in Namgoong Hye’s voice, and it pained her heart.

After all, what could her daughter have done wrong?

Even though death was near, it was her own fault for allowing her heart to be swayed by another man, despite having a husband. Or perhaps it was her young husband’s fault for desiring such a woman.

When she shifted her gaze towards Kang Yoon, who was standing there like a puppy waiting for attention, Namgoong Hye, who had been burying her face in her forehead, lifted her head.

“Mother… Please explain.”

“…”

“What happened, and what are we going to do from now on?”

Kang Yoon’s complexion turned pale.

“Please make me understand…”

Could he really make her understand? Eon So-young thought it would be difficult.