Chapter 148

The sound of raindrops falling from the sky echoes in the garden pavilion.

Namgung Cheon forcibly changes the location, causing Sososo’s eyes to tremble slightly.

‘Why now, Grandfather? When did you arrive?’

Sososo’s mind races at Namgung Cheon’s unexpected intrusion.

Without any special background, it’s unclear how Sima Mantian, an outsider, can use the Namgung Family’s secret martial art, Cheonroe-gi.

But that’s not important right now.

Sososo sends a secret message to Sima Mantian while keeping an eye on her grandfather, Namgung Cheon.

[I don’t know how you suddenly gained the ability to use Cheonroe-gi, but please don’t reveal it to Grandfather yet. I’m fine with you learning all of Namgung’s martial arts, but Grandfather might think differently. Be careful.]

I nod subtly, pretending to sip tea in response to Sososo’s worried message.

I don’t know what Namgung Cheon is thinking, but there’s no need to bring up a potentially explosive topic right now.

Let’s start smoothly here.

I set down the teacup and, like any late-stage martial artist, bow respectfully to the senior’s invitation.

“The aroma of the tea is excellent. Thank you for your generous hospitality.”

“Haha! Calling a simple cup of tea generous hospitality? You’re making this old man blush.”

I smile faintly at Namgung Cheon, who bursts into hearty laughter.

“The value of a cup of tea depends on who pours it.”

Namgung Cheon laughs again.

“The rising tiger of the martial world! It feels good to be praised by a young hero like you.”

Each harboring their own thoughts, the two engage in a superficial exchange of compliments.

Listening to the falling rain, I smile while observing the other.

Only Sososo, caught between her lover and her grandfather, watches nervously.

“…Hahaha.”

She glances anxiously at the two.

Namgung Cheon wouldn’t have arranged this meeting just for small talk.

And as Sososo expected, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, he brings up a sensitive topic.

“Did you know? There are rumors that our Sososo is involved in a romantic relationship with you. Is it true?”

Sososo chokes on her tea, coughing violently.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Only the sound of rain and coughing fills the air.

Namgung Cheon gazes at Sososo and me, water dripping from her lips.

‘Is this his real goal? Or is he testing me?’

I don’t know what Namgung Cheon is thinking or what his intentions are, but…

I glance down at Sososo, who is clearly flustered.

…I step in.

I reach out to Sososo, sitting beside me, and pull her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“Be careful.”

“S-Sima Gongja!? Not now!”

I take out a handkerchief and gently wipe her lips, as if handling a baby.

“That’s right, we are in that kind of relationship. But ‘romantic relationship’? You should phrase it properly.”

I meet Namgung Cheon’s sharp gaze without flinching.

“You already know, Grandfather-in-law.”

Grandfather-in-law – the term for one’s wife’s grandfather.

I hold Sososo’s delicate body tightly, flaunting our relationship.

Naturally, both Sososo and Namgung Cheon’s eyes widen.

“……!!”

“Hah!”

Namgung Cheon’s expression changes at my softened retort, knowing full well that Sososo is a woman disguised as a man.

‘Look at this guy?’

He raises an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Regardless, you’ve caused harm to our family. What do you think about that?”

And once again, the young man before him answers without hesitation.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

“How so?”

“Put it on my tab. I’ll repay it in the future.”

“…What?”

For a moment, Namgung Cheon looks baffled at the audacious response.

“You called me a young tiger earlier. That’s not quite accurate.”

Sima Mantian’s greedy amber eyes gleam.

“I’m still a cub. And I’ll grow much bigger.”

Rawr! I’m a baby tiger! Gonna grow big and strong!

“Punishing me based on worldly evaluations is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. So, put it on my tab.”

He shamelessly pushes the conversation in his favor.

“I, Sima Mantian, will never forget the Namgung name.”

With that, he calmly sips his tea, leaving Namgung Cheon astonished.

“……Huh.”

Is there anyone among the late-stage martial artists who can be this bold in front of him?

What kind of confidence is this? Is he crazy?

No, being this shameless while sane is also a talent.

I’ve heard that even Jiegal Yang, Mo Yongbok, Noh Yushim, and Jaro, the Martial Alliance leader, favor him.

Now that I’ve talked to him, I understand why.

I want this man. I want to nurture him.

“I’ll acknowledge your guts.”

Namgung Cheon’s lips curl into a smile.

“And the two things I value most in a person are guts and ambition.”

His greedy, electric eyes reassess Sima Mantian’s worth.

“Grandfather-in-law… Hoho, I like that. Then I should treat you differently, shouldn’t I? Son-in-law.”

“Grandfather!?”

Sososo jumps up in surprise, but Namgung Cheon keeps his gaze fixed on Sima Mantian, speaking calmly.

“Sososo, go bring some refreshments. We can’t just serve tea and fruit to such a guest.”

Effectively telling her to leave, Sososo tries to protest.

“……!?”

I gently grab her hand to stop her.

After all, if I want to maintain my relationship with Sososo, I’ll have to talk to him sooner or later.

Even if Namgung Cheon is a strange person.

Surely he wouldn’t kill his granddaughter’s boyfriend? …Probably.

Sososo looks at me and Namgung Cheon with anxious eyes.

“…Understood.”

Biting her lip, she leaves the pavilion and heads back to the estate.

Whoosh- Whoosh-!

Listening to the intensifying rain, Sima Mantian and Namgung Cheon face each other.

“Hoho… Don’t be so tense. I sent Sososo away because I wanted to talk man to man.”

Suddenly, Namgung Cheon reassures Sima Mantian with a grandfatherly smile.

“Despite the royal family’s scrutiny, raising Sososo as a boy… I’ve always felt guilty. Lately, thanks to you, she’s been brighter. Thank you.”

Whether it’s sincere or not, since he’s being friendly, there’s no need to be hostile.

I drop my shameless expression and put on a polite demeanor.

“Not at all. I’ve also received much help from Sososo.”

“I view your relationship with Sososo positively. So, the questions I ask now are just to understand you better.”

Boom- Crash!

As lightning flashes, illuminating the world, Namgung Cheon gets to the point.

“Have you ever seen a dragon?”

“Huh?”

Completely unexpected, I wonder if he’s referring to my cute little dragon, Guhae, and respond in a flustered voice.

“Haha! I’m not teasing you. The dragon is a metaphor.”

Misinterpreting my reaction, Namgung Cheon laughs heartily and explains.

“The dragon (ambition) I speak of sometimes grows, sometimes shrinks. It exists when you say it does, and doesn’t when you say it doesn’t.”

“……….”

At Namgung Cheon’s vague words, I fall silent and ponder.

‘If it’s a metaphor… is it some kind of riddle?’

Something that sometimes grows, sometimes shrinks, exists when you say it does, and doesn’t when you say it doesn’t.

‘Could it be… a dragon (penis)?’

As much as I doubt it.

“Usually, it stays low and doesn’t even ripple the water.”

‘It must be a dragon (penis).’

As Namgung Cheon continues, my suspicion turns into certainty.

“But when the time comes, it rises suddenly, startling people.”

‘This is 100% about a penis!’

This is definitely a conversation only men can have.

But why? Why bring up penises all of a sudden?

Unable to grasp his intent, I remain silent.

“You must have a splendid dragon (ambition) too.”

Namgung Cheon smiles mysteriously and gives a secretive look.

“Won’t you show me your dragon (ambition) a little?”

Boom- Crash!

Lightning flashes, illuminating the world once more.

‘Show him my dragon (penis)?’

…A cold sweat drips down my temple.

The sensation of time slowing down in moments of crisis.

I quietly swallow under Namgung Cheon’s gaze.

The greatest crisis in the life of the genius Sima Mantian, who deceives even the heavens.

‘Guhae! Yeonghwa! Sososo noona! Master Wang Miaoyang! Poong Ran! Jang Sam! Mama! Papa! Help me!!’

I call out to my girlfriend, friends, and parents in my heart, but…

Whoosh- Whoosh-!

Only the merciless sound of rain responds.