Chapter 105 – Nobleman (2)
“Kohem. My sister’s husband and younger brother have just received new titles from Yongbong. They are called Samjae Geomryong and Myeongyeon Dobong… If my sister’s husband had just been a little more ambitious, he could have even won the championship! And also…”
Hong Yeon-hwa, like a proud parent, raised her chin and continued to boast about her husband and younger brother.
As I listened, I began to feel a little embarrassed and poked Hong Yeon-hwa’s side to stop her.
“Mmm…!”
Hong Yeon-hwa puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction. Fortunately, it wasn’t too serious, and when I let her bite my finger as she pleased, she calmed down again.
Mingwoljinin awkwardly smiled and nodded his head, as if he couldn’t quite adapt to Hong Yeon-hwa’s behavior.
“Is that so? I see. Anyway, what I saw then was just something that was transformed more powerfully in Sohyeop’s mind.”
Now that I think about it, I’ve seen the 24th Su Maehwa Swordsmanship, the Geumgang Budoong Shinbeop, and the Tangga’s memorization technique all once at the Yongbong Association.
I’ve never met anyone in a martial arts competition, but I’ve watched other people’s martial arts performances.
I’ve also seen the appearance of the Muryeom Myeongsuk who responded to the attack of the samaren’s female spies.
Although I only looked at Pang Soso on the stone, there were clearly masters from Hwasan and Sollim.
If I unconsciously remember what I saw then, I can roughly understand it if it is used in a movie.
“Is it convincing?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, what I was worried about has been resolved. Finally… if it’s called a trial, is there a reward when I win it?”
“That’s right. Would you like to focus on yourself for a moment? Then something will change.”
As Mingwoljinin said, I closed my eyes for a moment and observed my inner self.
The first thing I felt was a solid foundation.
It’s obvious, but my inner strength wasn’t evaporated like it was during the trial.
In fact, there was a considerable amount of inner strength… In fact, I already had a lot of inner strength before, and I had Muryeong Shin Gong, so even if I increased it here, it wouldn’t mean much…
“Huh?”
Just when I was disappointed that it didn’t match my hard work, I felt something uncomfortable.
“What is this…?”
For some reason, my blood vessels had widened and strengthened to nearly twice their original size. The toxins that had accumulated there were completely gone.
Was this why I felt light? It was like being born again.
However, the really surprising thing was what came next. I tried moving my inner strength to test it, and it was faster than I expected.
It wasn’t just because my blood vessels were in better condition. It was as if my inner strength itself was responding more sensitively to my will.
Chapter 105 – Nobleman (2)
Just to be safe, I spread the word about the trial to those around me, and my expectations were confirmed.
I could feel a much wider range more clearly than before.
I was originally lacking in not only swordsmanship but also the sensitivity of my inner energy.
I got a little better after reaching the peak, but until then, it was more efficient to strengthen my body and focus on my senses.
Now, could I even live with my eyes closed?
Excitedly, I let Hong Yeon-hwa know, and she started gently stroking my head with her fingertips.
The internal energy of others, especially in the brain, one of the most sensitive organs, should never be allowed in.
But Hong Yeon-hwa was an exception.
After a while of stroking my head, Hong Yeon-hwa smiled contentedly and nodded her head.
“It seems like the upper-level trial has opened.”
…
A moment of silence.
Then, everyone except Hong Yeon-hwa jumped up in surprise.
“What? The upper-level trial?”
“Huh?!”
“Wow! Is that even possible?”
Originally, the upper-level trial could only be opened after becoming a hyeongyeong.
But it’s open now?
I wasn’t the only one surprised; Pang So-so and Mingwoljinin also widened their eyes.
“…Why are you surprised, Mingwoljinin?”
Did he not know it was one of the trials of Mosanpa?
Mingwoljinin turned his head slightly under my suspicious gaze and coughed.
“Ahem. Except for Sohyeop, who passed the trial of the movie, the only one who passed the trial of Mosanpa’s founder, Jujon Ju Sun, is me, so I don’t know what kind of experience one has when passing the trial. I see. So that’s why Jujon-nim…”
Ju Sun Mohongok. He was originally an ordinary monk, but after passing the trial of the movie, he achieved rapid growth and eventually became known as Ju Sun.
After establishing Mosanpa, he left for the celestial realm.
There were many rumors about how it was possible, but if the upper-level trial had opened, it was entirely possible, according to Mingwoljinin, who explained it to me excitedly.
In summary, the upper-level trial was important not only in martial arts but also in Taoist magic.
Anyway, I felt like the conversation was getting too long, so I cut it off before Hong Yeon-hwa could give me a hint.
“I see. Well, it’s not common for someone to pass that kind of trial. You’re really amazing. I was just lucky.”
It wasn’t a lie since I wouldn’t have been able to get out of that situation without Muryeong Shin Gong.
But Mingwoljinin firmly shook his head at my humility.
Chapter 105 – Nobleman (2)
I made sure to inform those around me about the trial, and my suspicions were confirmed.
I could sense a much wider range than before.
Not only was I lacking in swordsmanship, but my inner energy sensitivity was also weak.
I improved a bit after reaching the peak, but until then, it was more efficient to strengthen my body and focus on my senses.
Could I even live with my eyes closed now?
Excitedly, I informed Hong Yeon-hwa, and she started gently stroking my head with her fingertips.
The internal energy of others, especially in the brain, one of the most sensitive organs, should never be allowed in.
But Hong Yeon-hwa was an exception.
After a while of stroking my head, Hong Yeon-hwa smiled contentedly and nodded her head.
“It seems like the upper-level trial has opened.”
…
A moment of silence.
Then, everyone except Hong Yeon-hwa jumped up in surprise.
“What? The upper-level trial?”
“Huh?!”
“Wow! Is that even possible?”
Originally, the upper-level trial could only be opened after becoming a hyeongyeong.
But it’s open now?
I wasn’t the only one surprised; Pang So-so and Mingwoljinin also widened their eyes.
“…Why are you surprised, Mingwoljinin?”
Did he not know it was one of the trials of Mosanpa?
Mingwoljinin turned his head slightly under my suspicious gaze and coughed.
“Ahem. Except for Sohyeop, who passed the trial of the movie, the only one who passed the trial of Mosanpa’s founder, Jujon Ju Sun, is me, so I don’t know what kind of experience one has when passing the trial. I see. So that’s why Jujon-nim…”
Ju Sun Mohongok. He was originally an ordinary monk, but after passing the trial of the movie, he achieved rapid growth and eventually became known as Ju Sun.
After establishing Mosanpa, he left for the celestial realm.
There were many rumors about how it was possible, but if the upper-level trial had opened, it was entirely possible, according to Mingwoljinin, who explained it to me excitedly.
In summary, the upper-level trial was important not only in martial arts but also in Taoist magic.
Anyway, I felt like the conversation was getting too long, so I cut it off before Hong Yeon-hwa could give me a hint.
“I see. Well, it’s not common for someone to pass that kind of trial. You’re really amazing. I was just lucky.”
It wasn’t a lie since I wouldn’t have been able to get out of that situation without Muryeong Shin Gong.
But Mingwoljinin firmly shook his head at my humility.
“Lucky? That’s nonsense. I’ve never seen anyone as talented as you, not even in Sohyeop. In fact, I used to think that the latter part of the trial in Mosanpa was all about enduring a desperate situation.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It wasn’t until I saw Sohyeop’s trial that I realized passing the trial wasn’t about enduring the situation until it was over, but about overcoming the desperate reality and putting an end to the trial yourself.”
I had been thinking wrong all this time, and Mingwoljinin sighed heavily, looking at me with a serious expression.
“Training oneself and leading oneself to a higher place, overcoming one’s old self. That is the ultimate goal of all Taoists. That’s why I sincerely think Sohyeop is amazing. You could even say I respect him.”
“Uh, um, thank you.”
As the senior of the martial arts world praised me, I felt incredibly embarrassed… Wait, now that I think about it, Hong Yeon-hwa seems to be looking at me with a strange expression.
“Ahem, ahem.”
In fact, Hong Yeon-hwa had a slightly smug expression on her face as she stroked my head.
What kind of comment was that?
How much did I fear Hong Yeon-hwa? When our eyes met, she looked at me with a bewildered expression, and Mingwoljinin laughed awkwardly and spoke up.
“Um. There was an unexpected event in the middle, but I came here for a reason. According to the will of the late Sa Jo, we will welcome Sohyeop, who passed the trial of the movie, as a nobleman of our Mosanpa. You can stay here comfortably.”
“Yes, thank you….”
While I was showing a subtle reaction, Pang So-so, who was more excited than me, asked Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Hong Unni. Hong Unni. Originally, the upper-level trial is only open when you become a hyeongyeong, right? So, did Jin-ga pass the hyeongyeong trial?”
I could see Hong Yeon-hwa’s lips curling up into a smile as she answered.
“No, he hasn’t. But he’s already surpassed the level of a hyeongyeong.”
The room fell silent once again, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.
I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, but at the same time, I felt a sense of pride.
I had come a long way since the beginning of my journey, and now I was being recognized as a nobleman of Mosanpa.
As I looked around the room, I could see the admiration and respect in everyone’s eyes.
It was a strange feeling, but also a satisfying one.
I was about to say something when Hong Yeon-hwa interrupted me.
“Jin-ga, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Sa Jo left a message for you. He said that you should continue to train hard and strive to become the strongest Taoist in the world.”
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.
“I will. I won’t let Sa Jo’s legacy go to waste.”
As I spoke, I could feel the energy in the room shift, and I knew that everyone was feeling the same sense of determination that I was.
We were all united in our goal to become the strongest Taoists in the world, and nothing was going to stop us.
With that thought in mind, I stood up and looked around the room.
“Thank you all for your support. Let’s continue to work hard and make Mosanpa the strongest Taoist sect in the world!”
As I spoke, everyone in the room cheered, and I knew that we were all on the same page.
Together, we would become the strongest Taoists in the world, and nothing would stand in our way.
“It’s true, but since you have the Lady, you will eventually reach that level,” Hong Yeon-hwa said confidently.
“Ah….”
Pang So-so nodded absentmindedly at Hong Yeon-hwa’s words. He probably thought that if it was Hong Yeon-hwa, it was possible.
“The Lady is more concerned about what you have realized than the trials you have faced. They say that the experiences you have had in the trials scatter like bubbles, but is the realization worth it?”
“I’m curious about that too. …Can you guys back off for a moment so I can concentrate?”
Since the moment I opened my eyes, Hong Yeon-hwa and Pang So-so had never left my side.
The solid softness I could feel on my side and the breath on my ear were really distracting.
Can I concentrate in this state…?
I tried to push them away, but Hong Yeon-hwa buried her face in my chest as if she wouldn’t let go.
“The Lady won’t leave for a while.”
“Then can you back off for a moment, So-so….”
“Jin-ga, cheer up!”
Pang So-so even put her arm around my waist and grinned.
“…Let’s just try it!”
I tried to ignore the sensations on both sides and focused my mind inward.