DKM 22

Feeling shy under Soseo’s gaze, I became despondent.

“Sorry. I really want to tell you, but…”

“No, it’s okay. Just tell me later when you’re ready. Myoryeong, are you packing well? If there’s anything you need, feel free to tell me anytime.”

Myoryeong, who had been sitting on the bed watching the two of us for some time, nodded.

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

“Then I’ll be going now. Let’s have a cup of tea tomorrow after breakfast.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Soseo closed the door and left. As soon as the door shut, Myoryeong immediately questioned me as if conducting an interrogation.

“What reason could it be that you couldn’t answer him earlier?”

“…”

Staring silently at the closed door, I lowered my head again.

“I really can’t do it.”

“I’m asking why you won’t just say—”

Before Myoryeong could finish, I wailed.

“How am I supposed to say that a kid who used to be so tiny grew too much and I need time to adjust!”

“…”

I recalled a cousin I used to be close with who had grown significantly in the time we hadn’t seen each other, making things awkward. No matter what he looked like, Soseo was still Soseo. If Soseo heard this, he’d definitely feel hurt, right?

“To be awkward over something like this… I really am a problem.”

“…The biggest problem right now is that you’ve made a man develop expectations without even realizing it.”

I’m truly terrible. Soseo wouldn’t have felt awkward even if I had grown taller than him. Still, we’ll be together during the trip, so I’ll adjust, right? I let out deep sighs.

“Oh, speaking of the martial arts tournament, is that goal of yours still the same?”

“Of course.”

“No, but do you really think you’ll be able to meet someone?”

“I’m eighteen now. My side is feeling lonely. Even Grandfather said he’d cheer me on.”

“…”

As mentioned before, it was said that a huge number of people gather for the martial arts tournament. The moment I heard Soseo’s explanation, I had an intuition.

This was my chance to meet my other half.

It has already been five years since I suddenly dropped into this world. There is still much to study, but I know quite a bit now. It’s about time to move toward my goal. I clenched my fists.

This time for sure, I will become the small and precious baby hamster of my future girlfriend.

If possible, I hope she’s a cool woman—beautiful, sharp, and very ambitious, like my seventh favorite romance fantasy female lead. I love ambitious women. I beamed with a goofy grin, and Myoryeong clicked his tongue.

“Wanting to meet a beautiful and ambitious woman. That is absolutely impossible.”

“…I know! But they say it’s good to dream big!”

“Still, I think it would be possible if you just changed one character.”

“What character?”

“If you change ‘woman’ to ‘man’…”

“You can’t change that!”

Just as you’d expect from a BL fan…! Myoryeong was consistent as always today.

“The martial arts tournament is an event hosted once every three years.”

“Once every three years?”

“Originally, it was held every six years. Mastering martial arts takes a very long time. However, starting from the last tournament, it changed to every three years. Opinions arose that since the power of the unorthodox faction and the Demonic Cult had grown, skills needed to be checked more frequently. Most of the orthodox faction agreed with that opinion.”

“Is this your first time participating this year?”

“Yes. During the last tournament, I wanted to focus on my training, so I didn’t even go to watch. But I’ll definitely participate this time. I think I can achieve a decent result. Oh, and…”

Soseo, who had been explaining the martial arts tournament in detail to Myoryeong and me, spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“The venue is located where the sect that won the previous tournament is based.”

“Then has it ever been held in Hebei because the Paeng Clan won?”

“Of course. It has. But last time, the winner came from the Wudang Sect. So right now, we are…”

Soseo unfolded a map and pulled me close to his side. Leaning on Soseo’s shoulder, I peered at the map. Soseo pointed his finger at a region called ‘Hubei.’

“We are heading to Hubei, where the Wudang Sect is located.”

“The name is similar to Hebei. The Wudang Sect is one of the sects in the Nine Great Sects and One Union, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Come to think of it, back in the day, just hearing the name, I thought the Wudang Sect was a sect created by actual shamans who exorcised ghosts. But now I know very well that it’s a sect completely unrelated to those shamans. I heard the Wudang Sect is famous for a sword technique called the ‘tai chi sword.’

“Where was it held last time?”

“In Sichuan.”

“Then that means the winner came from the Sichuan Tang Family, one of the five great families.”

“That’s right, why?”

Anyone watching would think only the Nine Great Sects and One Union and the five great families participate in this tournament. Since they represent the orthodox faction and have many powerhouses, it’s only natural, but it felt a bit bitter. Since it’s a tournament where many people gather, there must be many who struggle to participate just to make their sect known. Yet, only those who are already famous achieve good results.

“Where do we stay in Hubei? What should we do while the tournament is going on?”

“Just do as usual, as usual. But aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“Hmm, not particularly? Why?”

“Then let’s stay like this until we reach Hubei. I’m a bit anxious.”

“Soseo, you’re nervous. Alright.”

As I nodded, Myoryeong, who was sitting opposite us, sighed. It’s okay, we won’t bring shame to Soseo’s name. While leaning on Soseo, I reached out and squeezed Myoryeong’s hand, giving him a look of encouragement, but Myoryeong’s expression didn’t soften until we reached Hubei.

“Myoryeong, let’s have a cup of warm tea once we go inside.”

“…Just get out quickly. You have to get off first.”

“Ah, right.”

As Soseo helped me out of the carriage as usual, a clear voice drifted down from above.

“Soseo! Paeng Soseo!”

I looked up without thinking. And the moment our eyes met, my eyes practically rolled back in my head.

“Come up quickly! You cute thing!”

From the second floor of the inn where the Paeng Clan was to stay, a young lady dressed in purple silk was looking down at us. I thought to myself: that lady’s name must be ‘Cute.’ Because the moment I saw her, the word ‘cute’ almost popped out of my mouth automatically. How could a person be as dainty and lovely as a rabbit? As soon as the lady went back inside, I held Myoryeong’s hand and hopped with excitement, then Soseo whispered in my ear.

“That person is exactly sixty years old this year.”

We froze on the spot.

“Then that’s the… the thing I’ve only heard about…”

“Yes, it’s ‘returning to youth.’”

Returning to youth is when the body becomes young again upon reaching a high level of martial arts. I asked in a trembling voice.

“Really sixty? No matter how I look at her, she looks our age.”

“Yes, she’s sixty. So don’t go getting distracted…”

Myoryeong and I shouted simultaneously.

“Even better!”

“I love it!”

“…What?”

Myoryeong and I chattered away, recalling that person’s face.

“What a shame. If only I were 20 years—no, 10 years older, I would have confessed.”

“Ah, I want to dedicate my life to that person.”

“…”

Ordinary people can never understand the heart of a fan. Soseo looked at us with a face of utter confusion before heading inside. We quickly stopped our fangirling and followed Soseo. I recall being told that for a martial artist who is old or exceptionally skilled, one should say ‘Great Hero’ instead of ‘Young Hero,’ right? On the first floor of the building, the young lady—no, the Great Hero—who was waiting for us welcomed us with open arms.

“How long has it been, Soseo. You’ve become quite gallant in the meantime.”

“It has been a very long time.”

“How about it? Do you now feel like calling me grandmother? Soyu called me grandmother the moment I told him to, but I wonder when you will open your heart to me.”

Soseo smiled brightly.

“You are as consistent as ever, Grandmother.”

“Hmm?”

The Great Hero’s eyes widened. Soseo asked.

“What is it, Grandmother?”

“Hoo…”

The Great Hero stroked her chin.

“You are overflowing with a composure that is incomparable to back then. To think I would see you smiling so comfortably.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Of course. Before, your smile was truly artificial, but now…”

The Great Hero trailed off and snapped her fingers.

“You look happy in your life.”

“Grandmother, really.”

The two shared a brief hug. We watched the scene with heartwarming eyes. Seeing the Great Hero up close, she was even more cute and lovely. As expected, when a beauty is next to a beauty, the heart-warming effect is doubled. The Great Hero pointed to us.

“Are those cute siblings behind you the children serving you?”

“Yes. Now, you two, greet her.”

“I am Jegal Sehyun of the Jegal family. You two are just as cute as Soseo.”

The Great Hero pulled our cheeks with her elegant fingers. To be called cute by a cute person… I’m so happy…! My heart naturally felt fluffy.

“Now, a hug for this old woman from both of you!”

“…Grandmother.”

“Hmm? Why is that?”

For some reason, Soseo, whose complexion had grown darker than before, spoke with a slight curl of his lips.

“I have a lot I want to discuss with Grandmother. I also have a letter that my mother asked me to deliver to you.”

“Hmm? Really? I’d love that. Let’s go up to the second floor. I can ask these children for tea, right?”

“Of course you can. Myoha, please prepare the best tea leaves.”

“Leave it to me, Young Master.”

Soseo and the Great Hero walked up the stairs while talking.

“By the way, where is Soyu?”

“He departed a few days later than I did because of his training, so he will arrive the day before the tournament.”

“Are Seoyu and Soha doing well?”

“…Thanks to your concern, they have improved a lot.”

“That’s wonderful, truly wonderful.”

It seems the Great Hero is close not only with the Madam but also with the Gaju. I found it very fascinating.

“To meet someone from the Jegal family as soon as we arrive.”