DKM 21

We opposed him strongly, but Soseo remained adamant.

“I’ve stopped caring about how others see me, but in exchange, I’ve found a goal. I feel like I need to train incredibly hard to achieve it.”

“No, but what on earth is this goal…?”

“I wonder. Why don’t you try and guess?”

“Not to that extent… Young Master, I’ll be rooting for you. Though I’m not sure how things will turn out.”

What could the goal possibly be? I was curious, but Myoryeong didn’t seem to care much. I could tell by the way he cheered for Soseo without a shred of sincerity. Soseo continued.

“Until I reach a certain age, I plan to grit my teeth and train to build up my internal energy, and once I hit a limit, I intend to enter secluded cultivation.”

“…”

Our faces turned red again as words we didn’t recognize came out. Soseo looked as if he had forgotten something.

“Ah, sorry. Let me explain what internal energy is first.”

And so, Soseo’s explanation began once more. He said internal energy refers to the energy that Martial Artists accumulate inside their bodies through long years of training. He added that almost anything could be done with internal energy—making the body light to move quickly, or crushing objects as hard as stone. I thought it would be easier to understand if I viewed it as a concept similar to mana in fantasy novels. And secluded cultivation, as the name suggests, meant training alone in a sealed space without meeting anyone.

“That’s why I don’t think I’ll be able to look after visit our siteyou two as I do now. But it’s [Read on Read BL Novels]okay. I’ll give [unauthorized copy]the old man strict instructions to take good care of you.”

“…”

“The old man seems to like you both, so it’ll be fine. So, cheer up.”

“…No, but.”

I spoke, recalling Soseo’s explanation from a moment ago.

“You said that during secluded cultivation, you can’t meet anyone.”

“Yeah, why?”

“I’m already worried. What if I miss you?”

“…”

The room fell abruptly silent. Soseo, who had been staring at me without a word, suddenly bolted upright. I asked with bewildered eyes.

“Where are you going?”

“…To train.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t let my plan waver already. I have to clear my mind of distracting thoughts somehow.”

With that, Soseo left the room, leaving us stranded. Not quite understanding the situation, I just stared blankly at the open door. Then, a loud thud sounded beside me. I turned my head in surprise. Myoryeong was repeatedly punching the wall. After pounding the wall for a long while, Myoryeong melted down like a slime.

“…I don’t even know anymore.”

“…Myoryeong?”

“I hope he gets a hundred boyfriends. Of course, if he actually does, I’d be happy… It’s fine, I like polyamory too. But he’s my precious friend. Ah, my head hurts.”

I feel bad for Myoryeong, but since I am destined to become the small and precious baby hamster of my own future girlfriend, that is absolutely impossible. I feel like I’ve mentioned this several times already. BL is BL, and this is a wuxia world. It’s a problem that Myoryeong seems to be confusing the genres more and more. Does he want to see BL that badly? I felt sorry for him. All while I had no clue what goal Soseo had or what Myoryeong was thinking.

And so, five years passed.

4. Who Will Win?

“Myoha, really, you can’t?”

“No, I can’t.”

Ah, I’m busy. So busy. I replied while scrubbing bowls vigorously by the well. Jae-ryong, who said he had worked here since birth, spoke pleadingly.

“I’m telling you, if you just set up the meeting, I’ll handle the rest!”

“My answer remains the same. Instead of spending time on me, why don’t you ask him yourself?”

“That’s because he says he hates it whenever I ask for some of his time.”

“Then he’ll probably say he hates it even if I’m the one who tells him.”

“No, seriously, why does he hate me? Does he have someone else in mind?”

“It’s definitely not that.”

“Then what the hell is it?!”

I answered immediately.

“You hate clingy people too, don’t you, hyung?”

“Ah, that’s true. I absolutely can’t stand clingy people.”

“Right? It’s just like that.”

“I really can’t stand clingy people… Are you calling me a clingy person right now, you brat?!”

It was just as hyung suddenly grabbed me by the collar. A thunderous command fell from behind.

“Everyone is busy, so what on earth is this behavior!”

“Gasp…!”

It was Grandfather Jang. The grandfather approached us with his hands behind his back, and hyung immediately let go of my collar and bolted. I quickly supported the grandfather.

“Grandfather, why did you come out? Your back isn’t doing well.”

“I’m fine, you rascal. Don’t treat me like a patient. I’m still sprightly. By the way, where is your brother?”

“He’s in his room. He says Jae-ryong hyung clings to him every chance he gets, and it’s annoying.”

Despite saying this, the grandfather did not shake off my arm. The grandfather and I chatted as we walked around the house. He patted his bent back and looked at me.

“When did such a small and young child grow up like this…?”

“I grew up healthy thanks to your love, Grandfather.”

“Ho ho, such cheesy words.”

Now, all that was left was to check near the entrance. As we turned the corner, we saw servants with a cart parked right in front of the entrance. The grandfather took me over and asked.

“Is the repair finished?”

“Ah, yes. It’s been repaired very cleanly.”

“And the items ordered yesterday?”

“They will arrive soon.”

“Load them onto the cart as soon as they arrive. And make sure to check the wheels several times.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The servants nodded. Watching them, the grandfather spoke.

“It really is just around the corner now.”

“Yes, it really is.”

“…By the way, you, is that goal still the same?”

At the grandfather’s question, I immediately put on a serious expression and nodded.

“Yes. It is.”

“…Right, give it your best.”

“Thank you for your support, Grandfather. Once I achieve my goal, I’ll let you know first.”

“Suddenly, I feel tired. I should head back to my room.”

“Ah, I’ll take you straight there.”

After taking the grandfather to his room and confirming he was lying on the bed, I brought the dishes I had washed back to the kitchen. The lady gave me my favorite red bean cakes, saying thank you. As soon as I received them, I popped one in my mouth and drew water from the water jar, and my face was reflected on the surface. I had turned eighteen, but I was still round and cute.

“As expected, I have the look of a romance-fantasy female lead’s younger brother.”

Specifically, the position of the one who follows the female lead around because he likes her and admires her every single action. I could really do that role well. I gripped the gourd tightly. It had already been five years since I possessed a character in Tales of the Martial Arts World, but I still hadn’t been able to let go of my lingering attachments. And honestly, I still wasn’t sure if I suited the wuxia genre. Of course, I knew more than when I first arrived in this world, but it was because there was still so much to study.

“Myoryeong, I brought snacks.”

“Wow, thanks.”

“I’ll leave them here, so eat them later.”

Myoryeong, who had been lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, waved his hand. I set the plate of cakes on the table and sat on the floor. This was because both of us had grown larger over the five years, making it impossible to lie side-by-side on the narrow bed. Myoryeong spoke with a look of utter exhaustion.

“You ran into that Jae-ryong fellow again, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I did. He asked me to set up a meeting for you.”

“You refused, right?”

“Of course.”

“Ugh, I really can’t stand the sight of him.”

“I can’t stand Gi-hun either.”

“Agreed.”

Gi-hun was the same age as Myoryeong and was a servant who had chased after Myoryeong just like Jae-ryong hyung. Thanks to the grandfather’s warning, he had stopped chasing him, but whenever he happened to run into Myoryeong, he would look at him with sad eyes. Every time that happened, we had to barely restrain ourselves from poking one of Gi-hun’s eyes. It was because it was too ridiculous how he acted like a tragic male lead who had been forced to part with his beloved lover.

“Still, we only have to endure a few more days.”

“Right, in just a little while, we can go somewhere where those guys aren’t. Just thinking about it feels so refreshing.”

“…”

I rested my chin on the bed and looked at Myoryeong. Myoryeong, who was about to look at the ceiling again, looked down at me with a puzzled expression.

“Um, Myoryeong.”

“What?”

Should I say this? I hesitated before opening my mouth.

“About Soseo.”

“What about Young Master Soseo?”

At that moment, Soseo’s voice was heard from beyond the door.

“Myoryeong, Myoha. May I come in?”

“Yes, of course!”

Wow, speak of the devil. I quickly shut my mouth, and Myoryeong got up from the bed. When Myoryeong opened the door, a man peeked his head in.

“Sorry for interrupting your rest.”

“No, it’s fine.”

While we were still round and cute even as we aged, Soseo was not. During his secluded cultivation, Soseo had changed a great deal. He still had a calm and neat aura, but Soseo was now a beauty bordering on a handsome man. He had grown taller than me, too. Of course, he was smaller than Soyu, but comparing him to Soyu was simply unfair. Perhaps because Soyu truly resembled the Gaju, his physique was literally as large as a house.

“But what brings you here?”

“We have to leave soon for the martial arts tournament. I came because of that.”

“Ah, right…”

To put it simply, a martial arts tournament is a place where Martial Artists compete to see who is the strongest. I heard that not only the Nine Great Sects and One Union representing the orthodox faction, but other Sects also attended with fierce determination to make a name for themselves. Grandfather Jang told me that since everyone would be sensitive ahead of such an important event, I should stick close to Soseo.

“Is the travel preparation going well?”

“Yeah, I’ve packed almost everything.”

“If there’s anything you need, tell me anytime.”

“…Okay.”

I hadn’t yet adjusted to the grown-up Soseo, and now I had to stay by his side; I unconsciously started to worry. Having avoided Soseo’s eyes, I gathered my courage and looked up. As soon as I did, I saw Soseo’s face with a bright smile.

“You’re finally looking at me.”

“…Ah, sorry. I was avoiding you too obviously.”

“It’s okay.”

Soseo took my hand.

“It’s enough that you’re looking at me now.”

“…”

“But why can’t you meet my eyes? Did something happen while I was in secluded cultivation?”

At those words, my heart throbbed. I stood still, my hand held by Soseo.

“That is…”

As expected, I couldn’t say it. My voice trailed off, and I shut my mouth again. However, for some reason, Soseo’s eyes looked even more expectant.

“Do you not want to say it here?”

“…No, it’s not that. I just feel like I’m not mentally prepared yet.”

“Is that so? I’m really curious about the reason why.”