Chapter 14 – The Beginning of the Martial World (2)
Moaning.
“Why are you suddenly smelling my hand?”
“Because it has a nice fragrance.”
Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head and approached me, pressing her nose against my hand.
“Hmm… I don’t really understand.”
“Well, of course. It’s your scent. They say people can’t really smell their own body odor.”
“……?”
Hong Yeon-hwa blinked her eyes as if she still didn’t understand what I was saying. But it didn’t take long for her to comprehend, and she jumped back in shock.
“S-Stop it! Why are you smelling that scent?”
Hong Yeon-hwa started rubbing my hand with her sleeve as if trying to wipe off something dirty.
Of course, just a moment ago, my hand was warming up against Hong Yeon-hwa’s chest.
It had such a wonderful fragrance…
After rubbing her skin until it turned slightly red, Hong Yeon-hwa confirmed the scent by sniffing it with her nose.
Unconsciously, I moved my fingers as I watched her close her eyes and sniff.
I tried to hold Hong Yeon-hwa’s nose with my bent index and middle fingers… but she ended up biting me instead.
“Ahh!”
I was startled and let out a scream, but it didn’t really hurt. I had controlled my strength, so it was more like a gentle nibble.
Hong Yeon-hwa smiled proudly and mumbled with a muffled voice.
“Heh! Did you think Lady Ah-ha would be the one to receive it?”
Each time she spoke, her moist tongue touched my fingers.
…Maybe this is fine as it is?
Of course, I couldn’t show that I was okay with it, so I apologized and promised not to do it again before I could be released from her grip.
This time, Hong Yeon-hwa wiped her sleeve not to remove the scent, but to clean her saliva.
Now that she seemed to be in a better mood, she swayed her shoulders and danced out of the room. I followed her out.
After that, the two of us cleaned the house together. It might be empty for a while… maybe even for a long time.
Of course, we didn’t meticulously organize everything so that we could use it again anytime. We just sorted out the things we needed to take with us separately.
Finally, after bowing in front of our master’s grave, we left our beloved home and descended the mountain path.
Due to waking up late, the sun was already slightly tilting. But neither I nor Hong Yeon-hwa cared. If we ran diligently, we would be able to reach the neighboring village before the sun set.
We sold some items we had prepared in advance to cover our travel expenses, said goodbye to the few people who had helped us, and immediately started running along the path.
I looked at Hong Yeon-hwa’s chest, which swayed rhythmically whenever she got tired, to gather my motivation several times.
Thanks to that, we barely managed to reach the neighboring village just before the sun set, as originally planned.
***
Creak.
“Welcome!”
As soon as we opened the door to the inn, a young-looking innkeeper greeted us.
“Are you two…?”
But after our eyes met, his voice gradually grew softer, and he started staring blankly at Hong Yeon-hwa.
I nodded my head and lightly tapped the hilt of my sword at my waist.
“Yeah. Two servings of noodles and dumplings… No, make it three servings of dumplings.”
“Hot! I-I apologize. I didn’t realize… Please have a seat. I’ll bring it out soon.”
Did he recognize us as martial artists from the way I held my sword? The innkeeper bowed his head apologetically.
How many times has this happened today?
In our hometown village, Hong Yeon-hwa received thorough protection as a martial artist. So even though people acknowledged her beauty, they consciously kept their distance.
But it’s different here. Hong Yeon-hwa’s dazzling beauty attracts attention wherever we go, and every time, we have to emphasize that we are martial artists to ward off unwanted gazes.
Most of the commoners don’t try to get involved with martial artists, so there haven’t been any major issues so far. But I can’t help but worry that it might become a problem later.
I tried to find a suitable spot to sit, but Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly pouted with a puzzled expression on her face.
“Did you see that just now? Everyone stiffened up in awe of my presence. Weakened and without any reputation, yet I’m still like this even in this insignificant place…”
“Huh?”
Did she think people were staring at her because of her presence and awe-inspiring aura?
Well, if Hong Yeon-hwa deliberately exudes that kind of energy, it’s understandable. But if she just stays still, there’s hardly any noticeable difference.
I may lack a bit in intuition, but I’m far superior to the commoners who haven’t learned martial arts.
But even for me, I have no idea how strong Hong Yeon-hwa’s internal energy is or what level she’s at.
Well, considering her original state, it’s only natural. It means she’s perfectly in control of her internal energy.
In other words, it means that the commoners don’t feel the typical pressure from martial artists when they’re around Hong Yeon-hwa.
That’s why I made a foolish comment, and Hong Yeon-hwa couldn’t help but make a helpless expression, shaking her head.
“You’re curious about what she was like in her prime, aren’t you? Whatever you imagined, I can assure you it was even more than that.”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s subsequent monologue was about how even the most powerful martial artists couldn’t move a muscle when she used the Heavenly Demon’s Martial Arts Manual.
It was an intriguing story, but I found more joy in watching Hong Yeon-hwa swinging her legs on the chair, looking proud as she reminisced about the past.
And then, suddenly, I became curious about one thing.
“You know, now that you mention it, how far have you recovered?”
“Hmm?”
Her innocent tone seemed to imply why I suddenly asked such a question.
Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head from side to side as if trying to gauge something, and soon opened her mouth.
“Well, if we’re talking about my internal energy, I’ve recovered to the level of a top-notch expert. Of course, even at this level, I have confidence in defeating most formidable opponents.”
“Oh… Impressive. With that level, there’s no need to sneak around quietly.”
“Sneak around quietly? Is there a need for that? There’s no one here who would target me, and the public order is good, isn’t it?”
Is the public order good?
Of course, this is the northern region directly influenced by one of the Five Great Clans, the Peng Clan.
There are still some troublemakers around, but it’s also a place where they have to be cautious and active, so the public order is relatively good.
However, I can’t completely relax. There are plenty of martial artists who would draw their swords if provoked.
If luck is against us, we might get entangled with a master from the Sa Clan, who roams alone like a lone wolf.
It’s just that for Hong Yeon-hwa, who has lived in a world where the balance has collapsed and powerful individuals wreak havoc, this seems to be a peaceful world.
Looking around with slightly softened eyes, Hong Yeon-hwa responded firmly.
“For now, it should be fine. But your appearance stands out too much.”
“Huh?”
“You’re too beautiful.”
As if she heard an embarrassing remark, Hong Yeon-hwa flapped her arms and protested.
“What, what are you saying?! Are you making fun of me again…?”
“It’s not about that. It’s the problem. This place is relatively safe, but if you’re as beautiful as you are, it can cause problems. Remember that guy earlier? He wasn’t amazed by your dignity or presence, he just froze because he saw someone unbelievably beautiful.”
“What…? That can’t be true!”
“Think about it. The people who reacted strangely when we arrived… They were all men, right?”
“W-Well, that’s… Then, what about my dignity…?”
“Your attempt to talk about dignity was cute.”
“Ugh…!”
Hong Yeon-hwa, who placed her ample chest on the table, covered her flushed face and kicked her feet.
After a while, she seemed to calm down a bit and took a deep breath.
“Phew… So, that’s why you asked about my recovery.”
“Yeah. With that level, there’s no need to cover your face. Anyway, this is the territory of the orthodox sect, so the members of the martial clans will be cautious.”
“Well… Based on my experience, even the orthodox sect can’t be trusted completely…”
“Well, not all members will be clean. But they won’t openly engage in any mischief, so don’t worry too much.”
“Hmm… If you say so, then I guess that’s how it is.”
Just as we finished speaking, the ordered noodles and dumplings arrived. Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes sparkled as she sat in front of the piled-up dumplings, her previous attitude completely disappeared.
Cutely blowing on the half-split dumplings, she ate them, but her speed was far from cute. She greedily devoured three-quarters of them on her own before finally finishing her meal.
And then, we rented a room at the inn.
It was a room of subtle size, not too small nor too big. The bed was just big enough for two people to lie down if they squeezed together.
Since something like that happened with Hong Yeon-hwa yesterday, I felt a little tense. But I was also looking forward to it.
Glancing at Hong Yeon-hwa, who was sitting on the bed and patting her satisfied belly, I couldn’t help but think, “Isn’t today not the right mood?”
Well, it’s understandable. After all, yesterday was our first night together, so it might be a bit much to do it again right away. Besides, she was definitely swollen when I saw her in the morning.
As I was thinking about that, I suddenly noticed that Hong Yeon-hwa was staring at me intently.
“Here should be fine. My lord. I realized that you couldn’t properly use the martial arts I showed you before.”
“Ah… You mean the Muryeong Divine Art? I tried to do it, but it didn’t work well.”
No matter how strongly I made up my mind internally, there was no change in the movement of my internal energy when facing an opponent like Cheokan Geumgwi.
Seeing me scratching my head in frustration, Hong Yeon-hwa opened her mouth in a serious tone.
“A man who becomes the husband of the Lady must have the appropriate level of skill. From now on, I will assist you in your martial arts training with all my might.”
I’m happy about it, but what exactly does she plan to do?
