Martial Arts Ain't Anything Special-Chapter 35: The Great Mating Operation (4)

Wang Daesan’s martial arts.

Seojun nodded enthusiastically after thinking about it.

“I’d be happy to.”

A martial art passed down through generations, regardless of its actual value, holds tremendous meaning for members of that family.

Teaching it to an outsider was not something to be done lightly.

“Thank you, Benefactor.”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

While he could roughly copy martial arts by sight that would only be scratching the surface of it.

For example, the Clear Flowing Sword looked similar on the outside but upon closer examination calling it the same martial art wouldn’t be quite right.

This was natural and not necessarily a bad thing.

After all, the process of martial arts requires adapting it for oneself.

Simply understanding the flow of inner qi and its visualization was already a huge help in improving martial arts. Whether he used this technique or not, the knowledge alone would definitely be beneficial.

But it was different when learning directly.

It was an opportunity to explicitly understand the creator’s intentions. This was a chance to see martial arts from another person’s perspective unlike when he had to fill in the gaps himself.

“If I may ask, Benefactor, have you learned a divine art?”

“Uh... why?”

“Cultivation techniques of that level are of such deep color that they don’t mix well with other martial arts.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem then.”

Who am I?

Lee Seojun, the MUGONG Master. The man who can perform the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique with the Yellow Cloud Divine Art.

Of course, I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure... but it should work, right?

“In that case, so be it. I, Wang Daesan, shall do my best.”

*They asked for Granny Chun’s permission and used the empty backyard as a training ground.

About half an hour passed.

Wang Daesan blankly watched Seojun swinging a branch in the air.

He had quite a bit of experience teaching disciples.

Even So-ryeong’s guard, Jang Yuho, had reached first-rate with his help, so he could pride himself on being quite talented at teaching others.

But this is something else...

Wang Daesan stared at Seojun dazedly.

He had originally intended to teach their benefactor the Wang family blade techniques passed down through generations.

There was no point in teaching the cultivation technique since he already had one.

But their benefactor’s talent far exceeded his imagination.

He had only loosely taught the blade techniques, but for some reason, he couldn’t understand why the inner qi felt similar to his own.

“Am I doing this right?”

“Uh... yes.”

“Hmm.”

Their benefactor pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, then held out his hand.

“Can I borrow that for a moment?”

“This blade? Of course.”

When he handed over the blade, their benefactor immediately wrapped it in blade qi.

“Huh...”

Blade qi and sword qi were similar yet different, just like how blades and swords were similar yet different.

Therefore even if one could use sword qi, it should take some time to emit stable blade qi...

“Ah, I think I get it now.”

Get what? As Wang Daesan’s expression twisted strangely, Seojun’s blade moved.

Swoosh!

The blade cutting through the air was fierce.

It was the movement of a blade specialized for cutting, unlike a sword. His technique which had felt oddly out of place until now had suddenly found its proper form.

“B-Benefactor...? What was that just now...?”

“When I used blade qi, I kind of just understood. Should I call it unity of body and blade?”

“N-No... That’s not how it works...”

You achieve insight and then unity of body and blade, not achieve unity of body and blade to understand blade techniques.

This was like saying that because you drink water to stop being thirsty, if you stop being thirsty somehow, it’s the same as drinking water.

It sounds plausible at first, but then how exactly did you quench your thirst?

By swallowing saliva? So if you just swallow saliva for a week, you won’t get thirsty?

Indeed. Wang Daesan had just witnessed such a miracle right before his eyes.

When the unthinkable was proven before his eyes, he started to convince himself.

“Magnificent, Benefactor...! You must truly be a genius sent by the heavens!”

“Now now, you’re exaggerating.”

“No! I, Wang Daesan, guarantee it! In the near future, Benefactor, your fame shall spread throughout the Central Plains!”

The excited Wang Daesan even started having strange thoughts.

At this rate, maybe I should teach him the cultivation method too? Surely a genius of this level would use it well? If anything, this might be his lowest point, so teaching him now might bring great fortune to the Wang family later?

“Benefactor! Would you like to learn this as well?”

This was two hours before Wang Daesan’s resources were completely depleted.

*“Oh, not bad at all. Right, old man?”

“Magnificent... indeed.”

Clap clap... The empty sound of applause echoed in the backyard.

Wang Daesan looked pale at the fact that it took less than a day to teach everything he knew.

Seojun, on the other hand, was in a good mood from gaining new knowledge.

He felt it would be quite helpful to later reflect on the Wang family blade techniques and incorporate them into the Primordial Divine Art.

“Ah, I should probably get going now. If I leave her alone any longer, Chunbong might really get upset. Well then, I’ll be off?”

“...Yes. Please take care.”

Seojun waved goodbye and left the backyard.

After arriving at the room where they stayed last night, he peeked in to see Chunbong curled up sleeping on the floor.

Sleep well.

He could tell by her soft snoring between her steady breaths that she was in deep sleep.

Seojun quietly left the room and stood blankly in the yard.

There was still quite a distance to their next destination, Mount Hua Sect. But according to what he heard from Maewol, there was still plenty of time before the martial arts tournament, so there was no need to rush.

So now he had to think about what to do next.

Setting aside Seong Leehyang, what about the other women?

Will they return to their respective villages?

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

After that thought crossed his mind, Seojun decided to just ask them and started walking.

Knock knock, he tapped on the paper door and a voice responded.

“Yes!”

Soon footsteps approached and the door opened.

“Ah, Benefactor!”

It was the woman who first spoke up when they met at the mountain fortress.

“Oh, you look better now.”

“Fufu, I suppose so. After all, we’ve escaped from that hell.”

The other women’s expressions weren’t as bright as hers.

But how many people could immediately recover after such an experience?

If anything, this woman had exceptional mental strength.

“By the way, what are your plans from here? Are you all thinking of returning to where you lived?”

“That seems to be the case. It’s not far from here anyway, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“I see.”

Well, that’s settled then.

“Is Seong Leehyang inside by any chance?”

“Yes. Shall I call her?”

“That would be great, thanks.”

“One moment please.”

The woman disappeared briefly and returned with Seong Leehyang.

“I hope I didn’t disturb your rest?”

“Not at all. What can I do for you?”

“Could we talk for a moment?”

“Of course.”

He took her out to the yard.

Seojun paused for a second and when she stared at him, he spoke.

“You like that man from earlier, don’t you?”

“P-Pardon...?”

“It’s obvious. He seems to have feelings for you too.”

Seong Leehyang’s eyes trembled at the sudden love consultation.

“W-Why are you suddenly talking about this...”

“What do you mean why? I mentioned it earlier.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say The Great Mating Operation. Even he knew it was a stupid operation name. It definitely wasn’t something to say out loud.

“But... I would only be a burden to him...”

“Why? Is he married?”

“Yes...”

“What?”

For real? The hell was that atmosphere earlier then? The spark?

As Seojun was taken aback, Seong Leehyang hesitantly said.

“His wife passed away a while ago...”

“Oh, is that so? Had me scared for a bit there.”

I thought we were about to film an episode of Love and War.

No, wait. Is taking multiple wives not a big deal here?

Well, it was still a relief to hear his wife was no longer around.

“Alright, come with me. When something like this comes to mind, you should act on it right away.”

“Wh-Whaaa!?”

“Quickly now.”

Seojun grabbed her wrist and led her away.

— Oh my, oh my

He thought he heard some strange sounds from behind, but paid it no mind.

*“Where are we going?”

“Over there...”

Seong Leehyang didn’t seem to dislike it too much since she guided him to the man’s house without much resistance.

Arriving in front of the house.

After thinking for a second, Seojun knocked roughly on the door.

“Oi! Get out here right now!”

“W-What’s going on all of a sudden...!”

Seong Leehyang was flustered, and similarly flustered, a man came running out of the house.

“W-What’s the matter?”

“Let’s have ourselves a scrap.”

“Huh...?”

The man made a strange expression at the sudden nonsense.

“Argh! I lurve the way ya bleed, Marine sir! Les’ have ourselves a scrap!”

“What in the...!”

The man’s jaw dropped open in shock.

Seojun wrapped an arm around Seong Leehyang’s shoulder and brought his face close. She shrank back at the sudden action. Her reaction was very satisfactory.

“Heheh, quite the tasty wench, ain’t she?”

If there was one unexpected thing, it was realizing at this moment that he couldn’t act for shit.

...Did I fuck up?

From the looks of the man’s expression, guess not.

The enraged man’s face turned red as he charged forward.

“You despicable bastard...!”

He swung his fists with a skill that anyone could tell had never learned martial arts, and honestly, it was harder to pretend to get hit.

“Ah. Ow. Ouch.”

Seojun went flying back and rolled on the ground.

“Huff...! Huff...!”

The panting man hurriedly ran to Seong Leehyang, grabbed her, and asked.

“A-Are you alright, Hyang!”

“Yes...”

“That bastard didn’t do anything strange to you!?”

“No...”

Seojun squinted and began to watch the two.

Perhaps they thought it would be rude not to take advantage of the situation he had set up?

Seong Leehyang, who had been biting her lips, suddenly threw herself into the man’s arms.

“Wh-What, Hyang?”

“Uncle...”

“...Yes?”

“Do you think I’m dirty...?”

The man’s eyes widened when she said that and shook his head.

“What are you saying, Hyang?! I’ve never thought such a thing!”

“Then will you marry me?”

“Wh-What...?”

At that response, Seong Leehyang smiled weakly and looked down to the side with a bitter expression.

“See? I knew no man would want a filthy woman like me.”

“That’s not it! It’s just... our age difference...”

“That’s just an excuse. Even Mrs. Pan has such an age gap with her husband.”

“That’s...”

“Forget it. Father was right. I should have just died there.”

“Hyang...!”

The man shouted and squeezed his eyes shut. Then he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

“Mmph...!?”

Surprised, Seong Leehyang’s eyes flew wide open.

After seeing them reach this point, Seojun got to his feet.

“Woohoo! Bravo! See!? Didn’t I tell you? I’m also a love expert!”

The startled couple quickly separated.

The man stammered and pointed at Seojun.

“W-W-What is this...?”

“Congratulations on your marriage. I wish you a happy married life.”

“H-Huh...?”

The Great Mating Operation is a great success—!

...is what I’d like to say, but as with all things in life, something got in the way.

“Wait just a moment! This cannot be!”

Seong burst out from the neighboring house and shouted.

“How can you decide on such an important matter as marriage without the permission of the parent! No matter how strong you are, this is unacceptable!”

This bastard was next door? Well, that works out.

Seojun grinned broadly and drew his sword.

“Alright then! Now that we’ve had the wedding, time for the cake cutting ceremony!”