Chapter 11: Her Choice

“Eh..?”

“Wait a moment….”

I couldn’t bring myself to stop him with the cold demeanor that left without hesitation.

I wanted to ask if his skills had rapidly improved, but with that expression…

‘…What should I do?’

He had been by my side since we were kids, but this was the first time I saw such an expression.

It wasn’t his usual bright smile or warm gaze.

It was an ice-cold expression…

No, it wasn’t cold.

It wasn’t cold; rather…

It was an expression of complete indifference.

My whole body trembled.

From my toes to the top of my head.

“Hmph! Acting all cool! But it’s just Jin Sojin. It won’t be long before he comes to ask us for help.”

“Do you think so?”

Dang So-yeong spoke firmly, but deep down, I had the feeling that this time was different.

“Don’t even think about going to find Jin Sojin. It’ll just make him worse!”

I couldn’t respond immediately.

Before long, members from Yeolcheondae (열천대) and Hwacheondae (화천대) were walking toward us.

Yeolpaegum’s disciple, Gwon Jeong-gyeom, waved his hand and spoke.

“Han Sojeo, what will you do? If you plan to follow him, I won’t stop you. Though I’m not sure he’ll accept you.”

“Go ahead, do what you want. It’s a shame, but we can always look for others.”

Seon Woo-jeong raised the corner of his mouth slightly, shrugging his shoulders.

He seemed to have the attitude of “there’s nothing to regret.”

He probably knew that since Jin Sojin had already dissolved the Jincheondae, there was nowhere to return to.

‘So despicable and pathetic.’

The masters ranked 4th and 9th in the Hakwon, powerful enough to be counted among the strongest, and the chances of beating them in Zhongyuan were almost nonexistent.

In my mind, I remembered the brief clash between Sojin and Namgungjin.

A momentary exchange,

I finished my thoughts and shook my head several times.

It was as if I was trying to shake off my feelings.

‘Sojin seems to have gotten stronger…’

I didn’t know how or why, but that alone wasn’t enough.

Although avoiding Namgungjin’s initial moves was impressive, the attack had too many openings.

Jin Sojin lacked the most basic internal energy, which was the most crucial part for a martial artist.

What could he achieve with a power lower than second-rate?

Most people in Zhongyuan prioritize enlightenment and experiences above all else.

‘And in reality, that’s somewhat true…’

But even if one were the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, if their dantian was destroyed, they wouldn’t be able to use martial arts. Internal energy is the most fundamental element.

A person who can’t walk can’t run.

As someone who grew up with him, I knew him better than anyone.

Jin Sojin…

He had learned the Chen Blood Great Sword Technique (陳血大劒法) and the Jin Qi Dao Ri Method (進氣道日法) from the Guangdong Jin family, but he still hadn’t reached the 5th level of Jin Qi Dao Ri.

‘Something is wrong.’

In order to gain an advantage in the martial arts tournament, this could be part of the Namgung family’s plan to make the enemies let down their guard.

To be frank, Namgungjin’s strength isn’t great—it’s the family that is strong.

She also wanted to support Sojin, but reality wasn’t so easy.

‘…Should I visit Sojin?’

She hesitated.

Despite everything, they had known each other for a long time.

Since childhood, she had watched him, especially.

Jin Sojin was such a lovable man.

But even though she wanted to support him, she couldn’t help but feel no guilt about abandoning him.

Since the disbandment of Jin Cheon-dae, his skills wouldn’t even allow him to become a mid-level warrior.

Being expelled from his family might actually be a stroke of luck for him.

Luckily, he wouldn’t have to bear any burdens.

He just needed to wait and endure for a little while.

Sojin had her, after all.

“You made the right choice.”

Joo Han had already made up her mind and was standing behind Seon Woojeong.

“Dang Sojeo, Namgungjin is in a rather precarious position in the academy due to today’s incident. If things go wrong, he might face a dangerous situation. What do you think? How about joining Yeolcheondae? We can prepare a spot for you.”

But Dang Soyeong snorted and shook her head.

“No, I’ll have to speak with Namgung Gongja separately.”

It was quite a rude response, but Gwon Jeonggyeom didn’t mind.

“Well, I won’t stop you. Just remember, opportunities don’t always come.”

“Hmph!”

Dang Soyeong clicked her tongue and smiled, then walked out of the hall.

“What a shame.”

‘Right, opportunities don’t always come.’

She snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing his words.

Gwon Jeonggyeom was willing to go to any lengths to recruit capable individuals, even if it meant some minor disadvantages, in order to defeat the successor of the Wulin Alliance.

If he could defeat the successor of the Wulin Alliance in the next martial arts tournament, these special privileges would disappear.

“I’ll join Yeolcheondae.”

“A wise decision.”

The members of Yeolcheondae welcomed their new teammate.

They smiled, waved, and made various gestures.

“Han Sojeo, let’s get along well from now on!”

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime.”

“Am I the big sister? Nice to meet you!”

They were all top-ranking students.

‘Hmm, I wasn’t wrong…’

Did they know?

That this was the last chance given to them.

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

I saw something I shouldn’t have.

“Huh? W-wait, what are you doing right now? Me! Open the door quickly!!”

Despite it being a newly assigned accommodation, she somehow found it right away.

Moreover, this was the men’s dorm.

It was a waste of time to argue with random people, so I had intentionally come to the dorm to practice my energy cultivation instead of going to the training hall, but she managed to find her way here.

After finishing my practice, I planned to consume the elixirs I had gathered so far and continue cultivating the Yinyang Qi.

“Ha…”

She was utterly useless.

Thud, thud…

Her arm strength was impressive, as the door creaked every time she knocked.

I calmly began my energy cultivation.

“You… won’t regret this, will you? If you open the door now, I’ll forgive you, just this once.”

Her tone was high-handed, each word dripping with arrogance.

A woman with too much pride, that’s Dang Soyeong.

Based on her tone, she had clearly come to say nonsense.

I wasn’t a devil, though.

The moment I entered the main hall, if they had admitted their wrongs, I might have forgiven them with a generous heart.

But, as expected, she didn’t disappoint.

In some ways, it was impressive.

“Do you know how many missions I’ve solved for you and for Cheoncheondae?! Open this door right now!!”

If you asked when I was most flustered since coming to this world, it would be now.

‘This woman is serious…’

I couldn’t help but marvel at her audacity.

She was conveniently leaving out the part where she had received elixirs and wealth from the Jin family, only highlighting what benefited her.

From the start, without the help of the Jin family, she would never have reached her current level.

‘Is she insane?’

Her voice was so bold,

It vaguely reminded me of the nostalgia of traditional martial arts.

A place where you cut the throat of someone while smiling, a place where people steal from behind.

That’s the Wulin world.

I don’t understand why Cheon Sojin ever thought to forgive someone like her…

Because of that, he would get stabbed in the back again.

A true fool, that’s Cheon Sojin.

Thud, thud…

“Jin Sojin, later on, even if you kneel and beg, I won’t forgive you. This is your last chance!!”

As expected, nature doesn’t change easily.

Not only Dang Soyeong, but the other women were the same.

You make me come to this place again?

I reached for my chest again, but there was no cigarette.

To push a weak Cheon Sojin this far… this was a grave sin.

There wasn’t even any carbonated drinks here.

The strange spices in the Zhongyuan food didn’t sit well with me.

For dinner, I’d probably have to eat noodles again…

‘Does this make any sense?’

Life is a series of choices.

That means you need to stand in line properly.

She has already attached herself to Namgungjin.

A foolish choice. There’s no more chance left.

As for accepting her back like Cheon Sojin…

‘I couldn’t even make a choice and got dragged here.’

These are the big decisions you’ve made.

Endure with evil and grit.

Thud, thud…

“Open up!! Jin Sojin!! Are you ignoring me?”

I slowly retraced Dang Soyeong’s last moments.

Driven by her strong desire for martial arts, Dang Soyeong, who betrayed Cheon Sojin, eventually embraced the dark arts and became a Majin.

When she was cornered, she shamelessly begged for her life,

and the man actually granted it.

‘And then she was ambushed and suffered severe damage to her dantian.’

There was no trace of侠 (xia ke) in her, just a foolish act.

Just blindly showing mercy doesn’t make one a侠.

She kept being pampered, so of course, she’s becoming bolder.

Wooo—

Finally, after finishing my energy cultivation, I slowly opened my eyes and got up from my seat.

The games are over now.

The patrol time for the student dormitories was coming up soon.

Thud, thud…

“Open up!! Right now! Are you ignoring me?!!”

The knocking became so forceful that it echoed even louder.

I guess she thought I was underestimating her, because Dang Soyeong’s voice was now ferocious.

It was true that I was ignoring her.

But seriously, it’s so noisy.

Clank—

“Finally opened! But it’s already too late…!”

Through her violet-colored hair, I could see Dang Soyeong’s pale forehead.

BANG—!!!!!!!

“Ah, Aaaaaah!!”

Crash—

I immediately slammed the door shut.

“Ah…Aaaaaah!”

Slowly, I looked down at my clenched fist.

There are three things I’m most confident in.

The first is my perfect headbutt.

I’ve used this to smash the heads of many Majins.

It may seem simple, but it’s a refined technique with the element of surprise.

“W-what the hell is this? Now… ouch. You’re doing this to me, and yet… huff… sigh.”

Was it painful?

I hit her for it to hurt.

I hope it hurts more.

It feels so refreshing.