Chapter 23. Can You Reserve an Acupoint Sealing?

Hugong turned his gaze to his two younger brothers.

“You two must have been telling Young Lady Ban an interesting story.”

“Brother, Young Lady Ban is being humble. The knowledgeable one is Young Lady Ban. She was telling us a story about acupoint sealing, and it was so interesting that we were just busy listening.”

Ban Gyoin waved her hand and laughed.

“Hoho, you praise me too much. I was just rambling on.”

“Rambling? Oh, by the way, eldest brother. Do you know what weapon the Cheongwolmun Sect Leader uses? Try to guess.”

Bumong suddenly gave a quiz.

The sect leader, Ban Gwang, had come without any weapon at all.

This could also be seen as Ban Gwang’s consideration to avoid any misunderstanding.

But Hugong had already read the traces on Ban Gwang’s right thumb and index finger, and the joints, while facing him, so he knew the answer.

– A brush.

To be honest, it was unexpected.

Just by looking at his appearance, the weapon that seemed to suit Ban Gwang was a hammer.

His bizarre laughter, his loud voice that sounded like he had drunk a bowl of lava, and even his physique, a hammer suited him so well that it wouldn’t have been out of place if he were standing next to the Green Forest King with a hammer. But unexpectedly, it was a judge’s brush.

Well, the beautiful Guchunhyeopnyeo’s unique weapon was an iron rod (a steel club), and she went around beating people with it, earning her the nickname ‘Iron Rod Witch’, so appearance wasn’t everything.

“I wonder.”

“He uses a judge’s brush. It’s a brush made of iron. Isn’t it amazing that he seals acupoints with it?”

“Oho, so the sect leader is a master of acupoint sealing.”

“Yes, eldest brother, I’m thinking of joining the Cheongwolmun on this occasion and learning the secret of acupoint sealing.”

Laughter bloomed at Bumong’s joke.

In the meantime, Ban Gyoin’s curiosity was growing.

She had felt it when they had met last time, but it was even more certain today.

No matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t find any sign of depression or a dark shadow on the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library.

On the contrary, even though this was only the second time she had seen him, his complexion was bright and his words and actions were so natural that they were likable. He didn’t put on airs as if he were something, and even when he spoke comfortably once in a while, it didn’t feel light. His presence emanated without showing off.

What was most surprising was that, just like their last meeting, the Eldest Young Master was strangely leading the conversation and the atmosphere.

He didn’t talk much. Just by appropriately chiming in, casting and moving his gaze, or changing his expression, the atmosphere naturally flowed around the Eldest Young Master. His smile was full of leisure, and his reactions were also diverse.

Moreover, didn’t these brothers seem to have a good relationship?

‘What on earth was that rumor?’

“Young lady? Young Lady Ban?”

“…Pardon?”

Ban Gyoin reacted late because she had been deep in thought for a moment.

The one who had called her was the Second Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library, Yun.

“Haha, it seems I have asked a question that is difficult to answer.”

“That’s…”

It seemed rude to say she hadn’t heard, so Ban Gyoin hesitated, and a voice of salvation came. It was the Eldest Young Master.

“You rascal, isn’t it natural that Young Lady Ban is in a difficult position! Acupoint sealing is not something you can leave behind, so how can you make the effect appear a few hours later!”

“Hehe, well, that would be a bit much.”

Beomyun scratched his head, saying his imagination had gone too far.

‘Ah, so that was the question. Can the effect of acupoint sealing appear a few hours after it has been sealed?’

At the Eldest Young Master’s scolding, Ban Gyoin understood the question and found her smile.

“I’ve heard that it’s not entirely impossible. Of course, it would be impossible for our sect and in general.”

“It’s possible?”

Yun and Bumong’s eyes widened.

“I remember my father saying that among the legendary advanced acupoint sealing techniques, there is the Delayed Acupoint Technique (後穴法). Just as you asked, even though the acupoint has already been sealed, the result appears much later. It’s a strange thing. It’s like it’s been reserved.”

“Wow, so it’s possible.”

“Brother, what should we do? The young lady says it’s possible.”

“Hohoho!”

Ban Gyoin burst out laughing.

When the Second Young Master spoke teasingly, the Eldest Young Master had ‘ahem’ed and tried to show his discomfort.

Ban Gyoin immediately took the Eldest Young Master’s side and began to smooth things over.

“But the Eldest Young Master’s words are not entirely wrong. The Delayed Acupoint Technique is literally just a legendary advanced technique, and there is no revealed information about who, when, or how it was performed.”

“Even if it’s a legend, it must have been known because someone performed it. Don’t you think so, brother?”

“A-ahem.”

The Eldest Young Master’s cough grew louder.

Then, as if he were angry, he scolded his younger brothers.

“You two seem to have taken a liking to teasing me. I don’t even want to see you, so both of you get lost.”

Even though it was a reprimand, his exaggerated and feigned expression was clearly visible, so Yun and Bumong immediately understood the meaning. Their eldest brother wanted to talk to Young Lady Ban separately.

“Oops, then we’ll run away now. Let’s go, Bumong.”

“Yes.”

When they were left alone, Ban Gyoin had a faint smile on her face. A hint of shyness also appeared.

“What is the Eldest Young Master curious about?”

Hugong burst out laughing, liking her intelligence.

“Haha, I want to ask about the Seomun Family. Please tell me everything you know about the direct line of the family head, and the families or sects that have a strong connection with the Seomun Family in the northern part of Anhui, or any hostile forces. I want to resolve this controversy amicably, but I have been cooped up inside and know nothing about the Seomun Family.”

***

“You have to go on a long journey again.”

Hugong said his farewells in front of the mountain gate.

Behind him stood Yun, Bumong, and the guard team.

“Kwalkwalkwal, Eldest Young Master! I will invite you once the sect’s event is over.”

“I must have been an uninvited guest who came suddenly, but thank you for welcoming me so warmly. I hope to see you again.”

The father and daughter also said their farewells.

When they had walked for a while and the people of the Cheonhwa Library were out of sight, the sect leader, Ban Gwang, spoke in a suggestive tone.

“Gyoin, about the Eldest Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“Wasn’t he a bit strange?”

“Why?”

“Kwalkwalkwal, he seemed fine, but he laughed strangely. With a ‘ppuppu’ sound. But he didn’t seem to be aware of it while laughing like that.”

“…”

Ban Gyoin stopped and looked at her father silently.

“Kwalkwalkwal, what’s wrong?”

“Father.”

“Kwalkwal, what’s wrong that your face is full of worry?”

“…”

“Kwalkwal, you’re even sweating on your forehead.”

“Let’s go quickly.”

“Kwalkwalkwal, we have to go together. Did something happen?”

***

‘The Cheongwolmun is done, so the only one left is the Seomun Family.’

Late at night, as he slowly walked around the courtyard, Hugong organized his thoughts.

Even if it was just the Seomun Family, it didn’t mean it was easy.

The power of the Seomun Family, a prestigious family and one of the ten great families of the martial world, which had been built up for generations, could not be ignored.

Right and wrong didn’t matter.

What was more useless in the martial world than the truth?

The truth can always be distorted.

So shouting to be believed just becomes whining.

It just makes you look ridiculous.

Ask the Martial Alliance for help?

It just makes you laugh.

Fame and power can perform many tricks.

Therefore, if you look at reality coldly, there is no way to confront the Seomun Family.

Everyone knows that. The Seomun Family will also think so.

‘But… that belief is also the only way.’

Life is a paradox. When belief becomes arrogance, a gap is created.

If you squeeze into that gap and aim your sword accurately, you can bring down the Seomun Family.

If you think about it differently, the weapons this side has are also sufficient.

The chief steward, a living piece of evidence.

The arrogance of the Seomun Family.

The extraordinary formations and mechanisms within the Cheonhwa Library.

Beomhang’s vast knowledge and talent.

And the experience and ability of the former Martial Alliance Leader.

‘Ahem, I need to develop my abilities a little more…’

If you add one more thing to this, you need an outside accomplice.

If that happens, a pretty cool picture can emerge.

Of course, until the picture is complete, every process must be handled smoothly without a single mistake.

As he was contemplating and reviewing the plan in detail, he must have looked quite serious. There were three people who had been following him from behind for a while.

“Bumong, it seems our brother is completely smitten.”

Yun whispered in a low voice.

Bumong nodded his head.

“I know, right? It seems our eldest brother keeps thinking of her.”

“Who?”

Songhwa whispered and chimed in on their conversation.

Bumong tilted his head.

“Songhwa, you call yourself the eldest brother’s shadow, but you’re so clueless.”

“Could it be that the person he’s smitten with is Young Lady Ban?”

“Of course. Hasn’t he been in a daze like that ever since Young Lady Ban left?”

Songhwa stared at Bumong and Yun.

For some reason, her expression was pitiful, and the two young masters felt a little displeased.

“What’s with that pathetic face?”

“I’m sorry, young masters, but have you two never dated a woman?”

“W-well, no.”

Yun and Bumong stuttered.

Songhwa chuckled.

“If anyone is smitten, it’s probably Young Lady Ban. On the other hand, the Eldest Young Master is not interested at all.”

“H-how do you know that!”

“Hmph, I know everything. Women know easily. If you two had ever dated even once, you would have known.”

Yun and Bumong’s faces turned pale.

Songhwa smiled faintly.

“I’m not trying to tease you, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Then why is our eldest brother so serious?”

“That’s too easy.”

Was this a woman’s intuition? The two younger brothers had been barking up the wrong tree, and he had snorted at their words, but Songhwa was different. It seemed she was seeing through him correctly, so Hugong unknowingly perked up his ears.

‘She’s not a shadow for nothing.’

Songhwa’s mouth opened.

“Is our Eldest Young Master an ordinary person? He must have been thinking of a profound plan on how to deal with the Seomun Family. And then he got stuck and fell into another worry.”

“Another worry?”

“Yes, that’s right, a late-night snack.”

“A late-night snack?”

“He always said that when you’re stuck, there’s nothing like a late-night snack. But now he must be worried about what to eat for a late-night snack.”

Songhwa’s attitude was very confident.

Yun and Bumong clenched their lips to hold back their curses.

Of course, Hugong also turned pale.

Who on earth did he trust?

‘I shouldn’t have trusted a shadow…’

After being frozen for a moment, Hugong strode back to his quarters.

And a little while later, he called for Yun separately.

“Brother, did you call for me?”

“Yun, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Please tell me anything.”

“I’ll give you two days. Your ability should be enough. Extend the external formation of the main library beyond the cliff.”

It was an unexpected thing to say, and he didn’t see any reason to do so, so Yun tilted his head.

“Brother, may I ask the reason?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just trying to strengthen the defense in case of an emergency. And I will be in meditation for a few days, so be aware of that.”

“…Yes.”