That Chun-bong... She was acting a bit strange yesterday, but today, she’s downright ecstatic.

“Giddy-up!”

Usually, she’d be embarrassed to ride on my shoulders, but today, she was confidently commanding me as if she were a seasoned jockey, skillfully guiding her steed, Seo-jun.

“Neigh!”

Well, it’s good. When Chun-bong smiles, it lifts my spirits. Naturally, I got more into the role, and before I knew it, I had transformed into a fine stallion.

A flying stallion, even.

With countless eyes on us from below, I galloped through the streets of Hefei with abandon.

Occasionally, a martial artist from the Namgung family would notice us and come over to caution us.

“Using Qinggong in the city is—Oh, Young Master?”

“Hello there.”

“Ah, playing with your little sister, I see! I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything.”

“Much obliged!”

Ah, the taste of privilege.

I grinned and knelt down as we reached our destination.

“We’re here!”

“So?”

“Well, aren’t you going to get down?”

“Why should I?”

She clung to my head and didn’t seem interested in getting off.

“You think you can keep doing this?”

“Of course.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I’m cute.”

“Correct, Geum Chun-bong!”

With no other option, I carried her on my shoulders as we entered a large tent.

By the way, she had already eaten three sticks of Bing Tanghulu.

“Everyone, take your seats! This is a rare opportunity!”

The crowd’s buzz and the host’s booming voice filled the air. I bought our tickets, found our seats, and we settled in.

Most were standing-room only, but there are few things money can’t buy.

Once we secured one of the few seats, Chun-bong finally hopped off my shoulders.

‘Oh, right…’

I hadn’t checked in with the Grand Overseer yet.

After handling the monster outbreak, I had gathered quite a few Inner Cores, so there was no need for more medicinal herbs. I could just get paid in cash…

“Think they’ll give me a lot?”

“They’ll give you plenty. Do you know how much a Supreme Martial Artist is worth?”

“Is that so? But wouldn’t it be cheaper for them to just use their own men?”

I wondered if they’d be better off saving the money, but Chun-bong shook her head firmly.

“The Namgung family has loads of money. They’d actually be grateful to pay with cash instead.”

“Oh…”

According to her explanation, they rake in tons of money from just the Yangtze River alone in Anhui, not to mention the fertile farmland to the south.

“Enough! No more learning, please!”

“That’s basic knowledge, you moron!”

“Me, foreigner. Common sense? Don’t know it.”

“Ugh, seriously.”

As I continued rambling, the lights in the tent suddenly dimmed. Then—

Boom!

With the music, dazzling lights illuminated the inside.

“Wow!”

“It’s starting!”

Following Namgung Sua’s recommendation, we had come to a circus.

Lions leaped through fiery hoops, and baby elephants balanced on large balls.

One performer juggled nine swords, then tossed them all in the air.

Thwack-thwack!

All nine swords landed on apples positioned atop a woman’s head.

“Wow!”

“Impressive!”

Honestly, I wasn’t that thrilled. The animal acts were somewhat entertaining, but the human acrobatics didn’t look that difficult to me.

What kind of Supreme Martial Artist couldn’t do that?

So, half-heartedly watching the circus, I sneaked a glance at Chun-bong.

“Wow!”

She clapped her little hands, laughing brightly.

Suddenly, I found myself very interested.

“Well done!”

I shouted and started watching Chun-bong more than the circus itself.

After what felt like a short yet lengthy time, the circus ended, and Chun-bong climbed back onto my shoulders, letting out a satisfied sigh.

“That was fun!”

“Yeah, I enjoyed it too.”

“Right?”

“I even saw drool at the corner of your mouth.”

“What…!”

She quickly wiped her mouth with her sleeve, startled.

I laughed and led her to our next destination.

The standard dating course. What comes after the show?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure. It’s probably a café, but since neither Chun-bong nor I particularly enjoyed tea, we headed straight to dinner instead.

Dinner was, of course, an all-out meat feast.

In the top floor of the guesthouse, surrounded by greasy dishes, I felt like I was truly living the high life.

Wiping oil from Chun-bong’s face as she ate messily, I took the chance to pinch her cheeks a little, selfishly enjoying the moment.

Then, out of nowhere, a sense of gloom crept over me.

“Sigh…”

As I played with her cheeks mid-meal, I let out a sigh, and Chun-bong’s eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m feeling down.”

“Why all of a sudden…?”

She blinked, rolling her eyes, as if worried she’d done something wrong, but it wasn’t that.

“These cheeks… I won’t be able to touch them for months?”

It might not even be just months. Chun-bong’s plump cheekiness is still an unknown factor, so it could be forever.

“Who cares if you lose some cheek fat? Just end it already!”

“Ouch! Don’t say that kind of stuff!”

She slapped me, a bit harder than usual.

“Don’t even joke about that! I’m really nervous here!”

“Sorry.”

I apologized, pressing her cheeks firmly, and she sighed.

“Geez.”

“Alright, alright. I’d never leave my precious Chun-bong.”

She looked me straight in the eye. Her lips quivered as if she wanted to say something, then she let out a deep sigh, puffing out her cheeks.

“…Can I trust you? Big brother?”

“Of course!”

Seriously. I’d never do something stupid like that.

 

‘When should I seal the deal?’

Following Seo-jun, Chun-bong walked in silence.

Today had been a lot of fun, but Seo-jun seemed a bit unstable.

She hadn’t been apart from him for more than a few days, so she felt a bit anxious, but it seemed like he was even worse.

Her heart pounded, her anxiety growing. Was it right to enter seclusion with him so uneasy? Was she being selfish, focusing on marking her claim now?

She could say something that might change their relationship entirely.

Yet, the thought of uttering those words felt overwhelming, as if they’d suffocate her.

“Chun-bong.”

“Hmm?”

He lifted her up suddenly, his strong arms wrapping around her.

With a familiar sensation of weightlessness, she found herself nestled close, and as she leaned back slightly, their eyes met.

“Is something bothering you, Chun-bong?”

“Me? I think you’re the one with an issue.”

He chuckled at her curt response.

“I’m just worried I’ll be lonely without my dear Chun-bong.”

Chun-bong looked away, her ears burning.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“…Big brother.”

His eyes widened, and Chun-bong took a deep breath. Her fingertips trembled. She just had to say one thing, but the anxiety made it impossible.

What if it ruined their relationship?

Anxiety bubbled up, with frightening futures playing in her mind.

She could be satisfied with things as they are. A brother and sister who mean the world to each other.

But could a few words ruin it all? She held onto her racing heart, closed her eyes, and leaned forward.

Smooch—

Peeking through one eye, she saw Seo-jun touching his forehead, his expression ridiculous, as if he’d just hit the jackpot.

Neither could help but smile like fools.

“Don’t do anything weird while I’m gone, alright?”

For now, this much was enough. It was all she needed.

Even if she was being a coward, she knew Seo-jun wouldn’t disappear on her.

There would be plenty of time and opportunities ahead.

“Okay, big brother?”

“Of course!”

 

Geum Chun-bong’s kiss…!

Seo-jun couldn’t help touching his forehead every minute, humming to himself.

“Mmm~ Hah!”

He threw his head back and raised Chun-bong up.

“People of the town…! My Chun—Oof…!”

He was promptly silenced by a slap to his lips.

Chun-bong sighed and shook her head.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Hey, Geum Chun-bong! Show some respect for your big brother!”

“Shut up.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He quieted down.

As they walked through the streets, laughing, they heard a faint shout.

“Offering Fengyou Pills, made by the Mosan Sect!”

Chun-bong perked up.

“What did he say?!”

She grabbed Seo-jun’s sleeve and bolted.

“Hurry! Run!”

“Wait, isn’t that a scam?”

“Just shut up and move!”

Fengyou Pills—pills that supposedly enhance the chest. Sexy dynamite, Geum Chun-bong.

“No way…”

Seo-jun found himself dragged through the crowd.

“You’re in luck today! These Fengyou Pills are rarely produced, even by the Mosan Sect. By a fortunate chance, I crossed paths with a Daoist from Mosan…”

The vendor’s voice echoed, and the crowd buzzed with interest.

Naturally, Geum Chun-bong was the most interested.

“Are you sure these are from the Mosan Sect? I haven’t heard of them making Fengyou Pills.”

“They certainly are, miss! I’ll show you proof!”

The vendor gestured to a woman beside him.

“This is my wife! She used to be as flat as a cliff!”

“Oh…”

“But look now!”

At his signal, Chun-bong’s gaze went to the woman’s chest.

Boom. The word that summed it all up.

Cliff, that is, a chest as steep as a precipice, which Geum Chun-bong knew all too well.

“How is this possible?!”

“See for yourself! I’ll sell them to you, miss, for just two taels of silver!”

“Two taels…!”

Chun-bong tugged at my sleeve.

With a sigh, I stepped forward.

“Are you two together? Lucky guy, having such a cute girlfriend!”

“Yeah, Chun-bong is adorable.”

“Exactly! And now, with the Fengyou Pills…”

I leaned in and whispered into the vendor’s ear.

“I won’t allow it.”

“P-pardon? But big chests are—”

“Shut up.”

My icy glare made the vendor avert his eyes.

I stepped in front of the woman. A chest enhanced by Fengyou Pills? Nonsense.

Rip—

“Ahh! Wh-what are you doing?!”

Her garment tore, and she quickly covered herself, but it was too late.

Thud, roll…

Her detachable chest piece fell and rolled across the ground.

“It’s just padding.”

Chun-bong stared blankly at the woman’s chest. Though bare skin wasn’t visible, it was clear.

Pat-pat.

A flat expanse, not much different from hers.

Chun-bong looked at the vendor with empty eyes.

“You… crushed my dreams…”

Chun-bong’s rage covered the sky.

 

“Thank you…! I’m sorry! I’ll never do this again!”

In the end, Chun-bong forgave the vendor.

Watching his wife tearfully beg, Chun-bong sighed and shook her head.

“I’ll let it slide this once since you’re my kind.”

“T-thank you…!”

The vendor, who had brazenly scammed in front of the Namgung family estate, was let off.

After finishing their date, Chun-bong announced upon returning to the Namgung estate.

“Let’s get it done right away. If I keep putting it off, I’ll never do it.”

Seo-jun agreed, unable to hide his sorrow.

The Great Operation to Cure Chun-bong’s Blocked Meridians.

It had two main goals.

First, to restore Chun-bong’s health, and second, to carefully examine the energy within her and identify the intruder’s qi.

With his Absorbing Soul Technique, he was confident he could now pinpoint the culprit’s qi.

‘Whoever it is…’

One day, he would find someone with similar energy.

Seo-jun swore.

Even if it took him across the Six Great Clans, he would erase that person’s existence.

No matter how long it took, no matter how much blood was spilled, he would ensure that name would never again be heard in Zhongyuan.