Chapter 35

That night, Jeok Leegeon visited Jeong Charyeon's room.

As she opened the door, Jeok Leegeon barged in like a dam breaking.

What was with this visit lacking any sense of urgency?

"Even if I'm a member of Jianghu, I'm still a woman."

"I thought you didn't like being treated like a woman."

"That's different! And coming to visit so late at night, regardless of gender, is rude!"

"Aha--"

That was it. He distastefully gulped down the tea she had poured on the table to drink.

"Delicious."

"Of course. My mom made it herself."

"Your mother seems like a good person."

Why was he complimenting someone else's mother? What about his wonderful mother?

"Your younger sibling is cute too."

What's wrong with him?

"I want to build a harmonious family like this too."

Jeok Leegeon stared at Jeong Charyeon.

Why are you looking at me?

Jeok Leegeon sighed, uncharacteristically.

"Having a good family is really difficult."

Jeong Charyeon was originally a positive person. She believed that if a man and a woman met, fell in love, and worked hard, they could definitely build a good family.

Just like her parents, whom she had watched her whole life.

In comparison, Jeok Leegeon was negative.

"If you get married, there are so many things you have to lose."

"For example?"

"Freedom, for one."

Jeong Charyeon didn't say anything for a moment. It was an issue she had never seriously considered.

"Freedom. Is that important?"

"Of course. You've never lost it, so you don't know how precious it is."

"Is that so?"

"For example, imagine that starting tomorrow, you have to cook, do laundry, and clean from morning. During the time you used to read books, practice Martial arts, and take walks."

I don't like that example.

"But..."

Jeong Charyeon paused.

"It's a morning for someone you cherish, washing the clothes they'll wear, and cleaning the space you share with them. I think it's as important as reading books, taking walks, and practicing Martial arts."

Jeok Leegeon stared intently at Jeong Charyeon.

"Are you sure that feeling won't change?"

"I don't know what will happen in the future. But at least that's what I think right now."

Then Jeok Leegeon grinned.

"That's why I like you. You're smart and family-oriented."

"What?"

Is that an insult or a compliment?

Jeok Leegeon put down the teacup he had been sipping from and stood up.

"Let's go!"

"Where?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"At this hour? I don't know what it is, but let's go tomorrow. It's late."

"Don't put off today's work until tomorrow. It's an unchanging truth for success. Of course, it's an abandoned truth that almost no one follows. Let's at least save that guy. Let's go!"

"It's your business!"

"It could become our business. How can we know the future?"

Before she could finish telling him to refrain from saying such absurd things, Jeong Charyeon was dragged out by Jeok Leegeon.

Because it's him.

That was Jeong Charyeon's true feeling. If it weren't for Jeok Leegeon, she would never have come out together on this late night. At least he had the knack of making this secret night outing not worrisome.

The two walked side by side on the night road.

"Where are we going?"

Jeok Leegeon took out a large piece of paper from his chest and handed it to her.

Jeong Charyeon unfolded it and saw a map of Infinite. It was a map that depicted the terrain quite accurately. The locations of important Sects were all recorded on the map.

"The land prices in Infinite have risen quite a bit this year due to the influence of the Martial Arts Tournament."

"Really?"

I wonder if the land prices of our Righteous Sword Sect have also risen a bit?

Thinking that, Jeong Charyeon chuckled. It was a thought that didn't suit her usual self at all.

"Look here."

The place Jeok Leegeon pointed to was the outer region of Infinite.

"From this hill as a starting point, a green forest called Pungsanchae is encamped. It's the place with the cheapest land prices. The land prices can't rise."

"So?"

"I bought land there."

"What?"

Jeong Charyeon was so surprised that she stopped walking.

"Why?"

"To build a house."

"What?"

Jeong Charyeon was even more surprised. She never thought that Jeok Leegeon would think of building a house in Infinite.

"Why?"

"Why? Is there a separate reason why people build houses? They build them to live in."

"Why are you trying to build a house in a place like this?"

"The land is cheap. I need a large plot of land."

Just how big of a house is he trying to build?

"What about Pungsanchae?"

"As for them, either chase them out, or if they beg, give them some taxes and let them watch the gate. Go and see."

"What?"

Oh, my head. Talking to this guy is really dizzying.

"You have the money to buy land and build a house?"

"I have some money saved up."

Ah, he had the money he received from Spring Breeze? But with that amount of money, can he buy land and even build a house? He said he was building it big?

"But is there really a need to build a house? Isn't it cheaper to just buy one?"

"No. I'm going to build a special house."

"What kind of house?"

"Curious?"

Honestly, Jeong Charyeon was curious. She was even looking forward to what kind of absurd things he would do.

"You'll find out when we get there."

"Where are we going?"

In the meantime, the two were heading out of the outskirts of Infinite.

"I'm telling you, you'll find out when we get there!"

Half an hour later, Jeok Leegeon and Jeong Charyeon were standing in front of a small thatched house.

"Where is this?"

"The house of the old man who will build the house for me."

"What?"

"Have you heard of Master Goong, Divine Hands?"

"Ah! I've heard of him. Isn't he the most skilled craftsman in Infinite?"

"As far as I know, he's the most skilled not just in Infinite, but throughout Honam and Buk."

"Then is this his house?"

Jeok Leegeon nodded.

"Are we going to visit him now?"

"Yeah."

"Are you crazy? At this hour?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"This is rude. Even if he was going to do it, he won't now."

"I think differently."

What kind of absurd things is he going to say again?

"When it's night, people become a bit more emotional, right?"

Not everyone is like that!

"Besides, how bored would an old man be at this hour? He's probably scratching his back right now, right?"

Ah! That's just your thought.

Knock knock knock!

Before she could stop him, Jeok Leegeon knocked on the door of Old Go's house. Because it was night, the sound spread everywhere. Jeong Charyeon felt sorry for no reason.

Creak.

Old Goong opened the door.

From the attitude of opening the door without even asking who it was, she could guess his hasty and hot-tempered personality. In fact, he had quite an eccentric personality. Even now that he had accumulated quite a bit of money, he lived alone without even hiring a servant.

"What's the matter?"

"Please build a house for me."

"Crazy bastard."

Slam!

Old Goong slammed the door shut mercilessly.

Jeok Leegeon took out a few pieces of paper from his chest and slipped them under the door.

"Please take a look first."

No reply came from inside.

Jeong Charyeon teased him slightly.

"Not everything in the world goes the way you want it to."

"It does. If I set my mind to it."

"Where does that confidence come from?"

Jeok Leegeon stared straight into her eyes and asked seriously.

"You've never really believed in yourself, have you?"

"What?"

It seemed like a meaningless question, but Jeong Charyeon's heart wavered.

It was a question that felt so unfamiliar that she thought maybe that was the case.

"Do you know the best way to become a master?"

"....."

"It's believing. It's a belief that's a little different from just vague belief. It's not a belief that I'll vaguely become one. It's a fierce and combative belief. A belief that I can definitely cut down that bastard. A belief that I will definitely overcome the blocked limits."

I know that too. But...

Clearly, Jeok Leegeon was telling a story that was a little different from the belief she knew.

It's not as easy as it sounds, is it?

Creak.

Then the door opened again.

Goong glared fiercely at Jeok Leegeon through the crack in the door.

"Who's work is this?"

"Mine."

Goong was startled.

After staring at Jeok Leegeon for a while, he opened the door without saying a word. The two entered. The house of the best craftsman in Hobuk was decorated more simply than expected.

They sat facing each other across a small low table.

Even after entering the room, Goong was silently looking down at the paper Jeok Leegeon had given him for a long time. Jeong Charyeon saw that it was an architectural blueprint. Jeong Charyeon asked in a whispering voice.

"Did you really draw this?"

"No."

What? Why are you answering that so loudly?

"There's an expert, a very great one."

The blueprint was exactly the one Hwa Mucheol had given him.

Goong was still looking at the blueprint.

Soon, Goong took his eyes off the blueprint.

"Here, what are these empty spaces in various places here?"

"They are places where Array Formation and mechanisms will go."

"Indeed."

Goong focused on the blueprint again.

Soon, Goong's stiff attitude changed.

"Honestly, I've never seen such a great architectural drawing in my life."

He said, sighing with excitement.

"I'm already excited."

It seemed like he was imagining the completed building.

"Who is this house for?"

"Me."

Was it because he thought it was a little unexpected?

"Then who calculates the cost?"

"Me too."

Goong seemed a little surprised.

"The amount will be enormous."

"How much will it cost?"

"Well, it depends on the conditions. It completely depends on what materials you use and how long you take."

"Use the highest quality materials."

"How long?"

"The shortest period."

Goong looked down at the blueprint again.

"Even if I mobilize all possible laborers and do day and night work... it will take at least two months. It's time that's possible because it's me."

Goong's pride was felt. Jeok Leegeon asked again.

"If you calculate it that way, how much will it cost in total?"

"If so..."

Goong counted on his fingers and calculated something.

"It will cost at least fifty thousand Myeong."

Jeong Charyeon gasped and let out a breath. The amount was so large that she laughed.

But Jeok Leegeon didn't hesitate.

"Okay. Let's make a contract like that."

Then he took out a bundle of bills from his chest and put them up.

"Here's an advance payment of fifty thousand Myeong. Please start work immediately."

Goong was surprised and asked.

"Shouldn't we write a contract first?"

"I don't need that kind of thing."

"How do you trust me? What if I run away with this money?"

The two's eyes met in the air.

Jeok Leegeon smiled and said.

"Don't you want to build a house like this?"

At those words, Goong smiled, revealing his teeth. It was a smile that didn't need words.

Jeok Leegeon and Jeong Charyeon left Old Go's house.

Jeong Charyeon was in a bit of shock.

"Where did you get that much money? Did you steal it?"

"I told you, I have some money saved up."

"No way!"

"Is the amount too big?"

"Of course."

Wow! Jeong Charyeon realized for the first time that she could carry such a large amount of money in her chest.

"Why do you think that just because you can't earn it, I can't earn it either?"

"Well..."

"In the end, that's also a manifestation of selfishness."

Even if what you say is right, fifty thousand Myeong is too much money.

"There's a Jianghu you don't know."

He had said something similar before. There's a world I don't know. What kind of Jianghu is he talking about?

"Okay, everything's fine."

Jeong Charyeon took a deep breath and calmed her mind before asking again.

"You said it's a house you're going to live in?"

"Yeah."

"But why are you building such a big house?"

Moreover, he clearly said that he would install mechanisms and Array Formations.

Jeok Leegeon looked up at the sky and said seriously.

The most surprising answer since they met came out.

"I'm going to establish a Sect."

"What?"

She thought she had misheard. But she hadn't misheard, and it wasn't a joke. Jeok Leegeon's eyes, looking up at the night sky, were shining seriously.

"The strongest and coolest Sect in Jianghu."

"You're really..."

Jeong Charyeon couldn't define Jeok Leegeon.

Then Jeok Leegeon's gaze turned to behind her shoulder.

Jeong Charyeon turned around and saw someone walking towards them.

It was Kwon Hyuk-gi, the one who had taken her father and her to Spring Breeze.

Seeing Kwon Hyuk-gi's fierce eyes, Jeok Leegeon grinned.

"I told you? People become emotional at night."