Chapter 215

It hadn't been long since Han Seojin had gone out with the pocket money she'd given him, on a bright afternoon.

Dang Soran was buried in a pile of documents today as well, helping her younger brother Dang Jiun with his work.

"Sister, that's enough for today. I'll handle the rest."

"It's fine."

"Lately, the number of visitors has spiked. There are more and more challenging you to duels, too. You need to take care of yourself."

"That's why I'm here. You want me to deal with every single one personally?"

Ever since she'd reached the peak realm, the visitors had noticeably increased.

Some came seeking guidance, others for duels, and still more for drinks, marriage proposals, escorts, or favors for revenge—they all knocked on the door.

But one person couldn't shoulder it all.

So she holed up here, pretending to help her brother while keeping her distance from those seeking her out.

The moment she even got slightly acquainted with someone, that connection would drag on endlessly.

She already had her hands full just looking after Han Seojin; she had no intention whatsoever of getting entangled in more of the martial world's grudges.

"Still, isn't giving guidance the virtue of the strong?"

Dang Soran quietly let out a sigh.

That stubborn side of him was precisely why her brother was suited to be clan leader.

She knew he was right, but that didn't mean she wanted to live her life always doing the righteous thing.

"...Lately, I've been thinking it more and more. The martial world is far more heartless and cruel than I imagined. In a place that, recklessly making connections seems like the height of folly. I'm no Buddhist, after all."

"Is the martial world cruel?"

"What happened to the Namgung Family? They grew weak, were underestimated, let their guard down—and that's all it took. What about the Demonic Cult, mercilessly expanding its power? And our Young Master, buried in the ground just because he got close to me and Cheongwol? I never knew life could be held so cheaply."

"...Our Young Master?"

"We've been too oblivious, Jiun. We were born into the martial world, so this has always been our life... but we were still oblivious. Actually, Young Master Seojin was the first to realize its dangers. Now I get why he avoids getting involved in the martial world so much. Every visitor is a burden, he says."

"..."

"If you're the young clan leader of the Tang Clan of Sichuan, you should realize it sooner rather than later. A storm of blood might be coming before long."

"...As advice from a master, I'll take it to heart."

"Don't mock me."

"It's not mockery. I spoke out of turn. Stay in your room. I'll block all the guests."

"Thanks. I've been in so many duels lately that my hands are starting to hurt."

"Is that why you were training from the crack of dawn a few days ago?"

"...When?"

"Yeop-i came early and said you were training, so he came to me instead."

"............"

"...Sister, are you angry?"

"...Shut up. Just shut up."

"Yes?"

"I said shut up."

"Ah... um, yes."

Dang Soran fanned her flushed face with her hand.

Her brother didn't know what had happened that dawn, but hearing it from his mouth was another matter entirely.

She let out a deep sigh.

Just then, she'd been feeling a bit empty about the day.

Why was that?

"..."

...Come to think of it, it was because Han Seojin wasn't around.

Just granting him one day of freedom and being apart from him for that long had left her feeling wistful.

"...This is serious."

"Yes?"

"Jiun, I said be quiet."

"..."

Knock knock knock.

At that moment, one of the household staff knocked on the door.

"Come in."

As Dang Jiun spoke, the door opened. The servant Jang San bowed his head.

"Young Clan Leader. A guest has arrived. He wants to see Miss Soran..."

Dang Jiun waved him off.

"Tell him we're busy and can't meet."

"Yes, understood."

Jang San left, but returned before even fifteen minutes had passed.

"...He insists on meeting. He's arguing with the guards at the main gate."

Dang Jiun asked.

"Who is it?"

"He hasn't revealed his identity."

"You want us to meet someone whose identity we don't even know?"

"...Well... even I, who doesn't know much, can tell his presence is extraordinary. If we raise our voices more, it could turn into a big problem..."

"Did some old master from somewhere show up?"

"No, it's a young woman covered head to toe."

Only then did Dang Soran have a hunch about who it might be.

Knowing this day would come eventually, Dang Soran rose from her seat.

"Sister, you don't have to go—"

"—No. I'll go see."

Dang Soran sighed and said to Jang San.

"Show her in."

As she walked, Dang Soran fell into thought.

It was a contemplation of her fundamental longing for Han Seojin—how desperately she'd wanted him.

She wanted Han Seojin.

But there was always a vague fear that this desire might one day fade.

That was who she was. She'd lived her whole life that way.

The moment she grasped what she wanted, her interest would cool...

Even now, arrogantly, she could say she had him to some degree.

Finally, she'd caught him.

She'd made him live in the Tang Clan of Sichuan. Designated him as her exclusive servant... and even gone all the way with him.

He'd live here in the Tang Clan for a while longer. And they'd agreed to more playtime after.

That man had finally fallen into her grasp.

"—Hah."

But absurdly enough, her desire for Han Seojin showed no signs of waning—instead, it grew deeper.

It was the first time in her life she'd experienced something like this.

Normally, eating fills your stomach. Sleeping leaves you refreshed.

But even after having Han Seojin, she wanted him more.

Drink and drink, yet the thirst only deepened instead of quenching.

She hadn't known such an abyss existed within her.

Through him, she'd learned she was someone capable of wanting and obsessing over something this much.

All the wealth and power she possessed now felt like dust. Nothing mattered before her longing for him.

In a life where everything felt empty, she'd finally found something she didn't want to lose.

Could ordinary people understand how much she didn't want to let go of such a being?

It was something precious she'd found after long suffering.

Originally, she hadn't planned to go this far.

Whenever Cheongwol visited, she'd planned to step aside and let them have time together.

She could steadily win Han Seojin's heart from behind the scenes.

...But not anymore. No, not now. She didn't want to yield even a little.

Just imagining Han Seojin and Cheongwol talking stirred a sticky jealousy in her chest.

Thinking of him smiling because of Cheongwol sparked flames in her heart.

Even she, who could brush off anything with a light heart, couldn't smile at that.

She knew he treasured Cheongwol more, which made it worse.

It felt like a weakness being poked. Inferiority wouldn't allow it.

So she felt no regret at all for the wish she'd made to her father.

If anything, it felt like a bargain for such a heavy desire.

"Why are you here?"

Dang Soran stepped out the main gate and spoke the moment she saw Cheongwol.

Even Cheongwol's eyes widened in surprise at the cold tone.

She gave brief instructions to the guards.

"Would you mind going inside for a bit? Close the main gate, too."

"Ah, yes."

As the guards closed the gate and went inside, Dang Soran asked again.

"Yeol, why are you here?"

"...Well..."

"I told you not to come. Haven't you heard that all the martial world's public enemies have been captured? Rather, the only news is that countless black path forces are plotting in Sichuan..."

Cheongwol's lips twitched beneath her veil.

"Just two months."

"...Has that much time already passed?"

"Please call him. I'll just see his face and go."

"You talk like you've left something here."

"...Senior, what's with this attitude? You weren't like this when the sect leader first entered the Tang Clan."

"The situation has gotten worse, so I have no choice. Why have you come after just two months?"

"I don't want to argue. Isn't two months a long wait? I've checked the surroundings. It's safe around Sichuan."

"You don't know that for sure. And Young Master is busy. Go back."

She issued a clear order to leave. Cheongwol's gaze grew sharper.

"...I'll go once I confirm the sect leader is safe."

"He is safe. There."

"I'll be the judge of that. But is the sect leader even inside?"

"Do you not know that your visit puts Young Master in danger? What judgment is that? And he is inside. Just busy."

"..."

"Come back in a month. I'll let you see him then."

Cheongwol let out a hollow laugh.

"Why do you get to permit that, Senior?"

"I'm the one looking after Young Master's safety. Or should I really send him out to you right now? Will you keep him safe on Mount Emei?"

Cheongwol had no reply to that.

Of course. There was no way she could protect Han Seojin on Mount Emei.

She couldn't safely keep him in the Emei Sect's quarters, nor stay by his Leather Room every day.

Muwol Satae wouldn't allow Cheongwol to cling to him day and night.

A nun couldn't show such emotions toward a man.

It was Cheongwol's weakness that Dang Soran held. Her feelings for Han Seojin were far from ordinary.

"Come back in a month, got it?"

With that, Dang Soran turned and entered the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

She calmed the sticky emotion churning inside.

She had to suppress the jealousy that bloomed the moment she saw Cheongwol.

The nun Han Seojin treasured.

Treasuring a nun, of all things. Han Seojin was something else.

Not just any nun—the Emei Sect Leader, no less. Couldn't he see where this was headed?

"..."

Dang Soran knew she was being ugly. But that proved how desperate she was. How could she not act this way when she wanted him so badly it hurt?

Handing him over easily would be more frustrating—more foolish.

She didn't want to regret it later.

She didn't owe Cheongwol anything to repay in the first place.

The one thing Dang Soran was grateful to Cheongwol for was introducing her to Han Seojin. Just that.

And she was repaying it by protecting him.

****

Cheongwol quietly withdrew.

Because she'd noticed one thing.

...Han Seojin wasn't inside the Tang Clan of Sichuan right now.

She couldn't understand how, but it was fact.

She couldn't sense his presence.

The Tracking Fragrance had faded long ago. But at close range, she could detect his energy with ghostly precision.

Above all, this was her specialty: concealing or sensing energy.

No one could match her.

That's why she swallowed her anger at Dang Soran's words and took a step back.

Arguing to summon someone who wasn't even there was pointless.

And so she entered a nearby inn with a view of the Tang Clan's main gate to kill time.

When the waiter asked if she wanted anything, she ordered just one small dumpling and sat still.

A long time passed. The dumpling dried up, but she didn't touch it.

Her appetite meant nothing when fiercer desires raged.

She considered just leaving, but the ground seemed to hold her fast.

Dang Soran wasn't entirely wrong. It was too early to see him already.

But enduring had its limits.

...So, just see his face and go. At least his face.

How long had she sat like that? The sun set, and the blue moon rose.

The waiter hesitated before approaching her.

"Time to close. Please leave."

"..."

Miss...?

At that instant, Cheongwol's head turned toward the street.

Far off, a man whose face was hard to make out was walking toward them.

But at that moment, a smile rose to Cheongwol's lips.

Cheongwol paid for the dumpling and stepped out of the inn.

Even without seeing his face, she knew it was him from his gait alone, from afar.

No chance of mistake.

Han Seojin, staggering back after a good drink.

Exhausted from the day, he panted like a drunkard.

Had he run into the Ghost Soul Society that was after him? Seeing him safe eased the tension in her shoulders.

She'd seen his face, so she should go—but no. Just help him back.

He'd collapse on the street like that.

Humming a tune, Cheongwol slowly approached the stumbling man.

A bit of irritation rose.

Her two months had been hell, yet he seemed to have had a good time.

Or should she feel relieved?

Seeing him comfortably in Dang Soran's care mixed relief and jealousy into a tangle.

Cheongwol reached his side and naturally supported him.

With her face fully covered, he didn't recognize her.

"Whoa, who might you be?"

Two months since their last contact. His body felt good.

Cheongwol planned to escort him safely inside the Tang Clan and leave.

The rest of her pent-up desire could wait for the day Dang Soran promised, a month from now.

Han Seojin might not even be happy she'd come.

No letters from him at all. She didn't want to hear him complain about putting him in danger by showing up early.

"I'll support you. You're quite drunk."

But at that moment, Han Seojin pulled away sharply.

"...Hey now! This body belongs to someone. Where do you think you're going!"

Tch, he shouted, shaking her off. At his words, Cheongwol's blood ran cold.

She'd never seen him so firm. Her killing intent surged dangerously.

"Someone?"

Han Seojin sniffed and whispered through half-lidded eyes.

"Yeah, someone."

"...What's her name?"

"Me? Han Seojin."

"No, your someone's name."

Who had he met while she was gone? If Dang Soran's name came up, she didn't know what she'd do.

Phew, Han Seojin sighed and whispered.

"...Chaehande?"

He laughed like he'd made a wicked joke—uh he he.

Zing...

But Cheongwol felt chills on her arm. Joke or not, it was the first time a single word stirred such feelings.

With those words, all the anger from the day—from the two months—vanished in an instant.

"Huh...? What."

Just then, Han Seojin shuddered and looked around. Shivering as if cold.

But Cheongwol had no attention to spare.

"..."

She'd meant to quietly return him to the Tang Clan and leave, but now she couldn't.

A desire a nun shouldn't feel welled up.

She bit her lip, suppressing the pleasure. It felt like compensation for the past two months.

Swish!

Cheongwol supported Han Seojin again.

"I'll take you to your lodging. Follow me."

"...Hey, I told you, this body belongs to someo—"

"—I know. But you'll collapse on the street like this."

Cheongwol supported him... and led him as she pleased.

She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help it. The five precepts a monk should keep didn't even cross her mind.

Han Seojin staggered after her. No moment had ever made leading him this easy.

"Is this... the right way? Feels wrong."

"Yes. Don't worry."

That fact stimulated her dark desire. Liquor... sometimes so useful.

"...No? Let go, I can manage..."

Sensing something off, Han Seojin stirred. Cheongwol quietly infused qi into his body.

To make his blood flow faster.

Soon, whether from heightened intoxication or not, Han Seojin leaned his full weight on her.

"You're from the Tang Clan, right? I can tell from your clothes. Don't worry, I'll get you home."

"Hmm...? Well, then..."

"...Why did you drink so much?"

"Been a while... got in the mood..."

"Must have been nice."

"You bet it was."

Cheongwol didn't go far. She took him straight into the same inn where she'd had the dumpling.

Not far from the Tang Clan's gate, Han Seojin noticed no difference.

With her support, he relaxed more and more, his weight pressing down.

"...How much for the night?"

Cheongwol asked quietly. Her tone shifted in urgency.

The waiter must have gone home; the innkeeper stepped up.

The innkeeper eyed Cheongwol and Han Seojin oddly.

He'd seen plenty of men dragging in drunk women, but a woman dragging a man? First time.

Cheongwol caught the look and felt a twinge of embarrassment. But desire overrode it.

"Four coins a night, iron each."

Cheongwol paid and dragged Han Seojin to a room.

Thud!

She closed and locked the door.

Cheongwol tossed Han Seojin onto the bed.

Feeling the comfort immediately, he started snoring and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Cheongwol was busy gazing at his face. Time alone with him, uninterrupted.

Good thing she'd endured the embarrassment. That's why she'd seized even this moment.

"...Hoo."

Hot breath escaped her.

Cheongwol glanced at the blue moon watching her, then closed the window.

Swish...

Quietly, she climbed onto the bed and laid his head on her thigh, stroking his hair.

Seeing him after two months made him feel even more precious and endearing.

'-...Hey now! This body belongs to someone. Where do you think you're going!'

That voice echoed inside her relentlessly.

"...Sect Leader, you shouldn't do this. A body with an owner, dragged here so easily?"

Cheongwol let slip an irrepressible smile and pulled down her veil.

"Punishment, got it?"

Then she leaned down toward Han Seojin.