Ack Bi and Cho Ah-ran’s eyes shook.
They had looks on their faces that said they could not understand what the words from Cheon Miryo meant.
“Did you just say he is your lover?”
Ack Bi looked at her and asked.
“Yes, lover. If it is one sided, isn’t it called as such?”
“Ah… that…”
Ack Bi looked at Seol-Hwi, unable to understand, and at the answer—
He had a look of “Do you understand what I am talking about?”
“That…”
Seol-Hwi sighed and paused for a moment. Where does he start to explain this?
No, it is a situation where one could not understand with just that.
“Old acquaintance?”
Seol-Hwi looked at her puzzled at the words of “old acquaintance,” but Cho Ah-ran skilfully made the conversation flow.
“Didn’t we meet three years ago at Unhai Palace in the northern part of Snow Mountain?”
“Ah… it might be. Did you use Blood Demon Hand martial arts?”
When Seol-Hwi agreed to that, Cheon Miryo intervened again.
“Uh? Ah-ran. You have seen this person?”
“Right. I know him well. I remember stopping by and seeing them a couple times in the Unhai Palace.”
“Really?”
Cheon Miryo went wide eyed, with them turning into rabbit eyes, as if she was curious. Seeing her like that, Cho Ah-ran smiled.
“Miss Cheon Miryo, do not worry too much. From what I remember seeing before, this man is a nice one.”
“Really?”
Cheon Miryo had a surprised expression at her words, and then exhaled for everyone to hear.
“Phew… thank goodness. I was worried about what would happen if he was a bad one.”
What is this situation?
He managed to read his master’s intention and responded right, but he could not figure out where this conversation was going.
With all that had been said he ended up as the other person’s lover, but it was one sided? And it was the same as saying she was worried when she continued this conversation, it made the situation look like he was a bad person who might have forced her into this.
Is she someone who is abnormal?
Then, for some reason, the thought that she might have a different mindset came into his mind.
It was then that he could see Cho Ah-ran glancing at him, like she was leaving it to him.
“Cheon Miryo. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other… could you give us a chance to talk?”
Cho Ah-ran looked at Cheon Miryo and said cautiously,
“Ah, right, okay. There are things I forgot to pack.”
She seemed a little embarrassed by this entire thing and walked to get out of there. And when Cheon Miryo was not around, Ack Bi spoke like he had been waiting for it to end,
“What happened?”
He did not seem to understand how things were.
“Ah. That. At first…”
Seol-Hwi explained everything that happened, starting from her sudden appearance, how she acted, and how she stared at him. He then explained that he revealed he was a servant to the Fourth Disciple and asked for her help all the way up until he kissed her to persuade her.
“You are insane!”
After hearing that explanation, Ack Bi raised his voice looking puzzled.
“Do you know what you did?”
“Master…”
“Listen. She has been practicing the Supreme Yin Qi Arts all her life. She is the one who changed the entire workings of Yin Qi as we knew it since she was young, and she knows this mountain like the back of her hand. Kissing someone like that, don’t you know what kind of effect that would have on her mental state?”
Ah…
It was then that he understood what he meant. The Yang Qi which men have might influence the woman.
But—
“T-that is not why she is reacting like that.”
Cho Ah-ran’s thoughts were different. She looked at Seol-Hwi and Ack Bi.
“Cheon Miryo went out to find a place which would help with her training. So, of course, I never heard of her meeting anyone or even having anyone close to her. So any information or feelings she might have about an ordinary lover would be completely lacking.”
“…”
“As a result, there is a high chance that she accepted the meaning of a kiss differently than us normal people. Seol-Hwi, I think the thought of having you as her lover for the rest of your life probably came from that.”
“But master, can one think of me as a lover all my life because we kissed just once? I am afraid I have other thoughts.”
It could be enough.
Could she see this situation simply as a “game”?
Then after thinking for a moment, Cho Ah-ran opened her mouth,
“Disciple, don’t you know it well?”
“Yes?”
“What was Cheon Miryo’s reaction after the kiss? If we look at that, we will be able to somewhat discern if this is true or not.”
“Ah…”
It was only then that Seol-Hwi began to recall Cheon Miryo’s actions.
Her reaction when he kissed her, Seol-Hwi’s wrist was being held for her to check his pulse.
-Ah, lies. If it was sincere then…
Beating emotions. He thought she liked it.
She was a master of White Light Body Demonic Martial Arts and a Supreme Demon with Supreme Yin Arts, but because of that, she was someone who was susceptible to small changes.
If such a person had only learned about human emotions, it would have been different.
But if one thought about it, who in the Demonic Sect would dare to do such a crazy thing like kissing her?
So it was safe to say that Seol-Hwi was the only man who might have shown his feelings for her.
“Then what do we do next?”
Seol-Hwi, who was listening, asked.
If that’s seriously her mistaking the situation, if that is why she was coming to help and the misunderstanding gets revealed later, they all had to be prepared.
“I thought about it, and it is best to go along with it now. Isn’t this a situation where we need her help?”
“Ah…”
“But, this is a double edged sword. The risks are clear. Because we still don’t know anything about the type of thoughts she is having now. When her thoughts are different from those of normal people then your life is bound to be in danger. You have no choice but to pay special attention so that you can control your emotions well.”
“I understand.”
Seol-Hwi learned that this situation was not in his favor.
He had to get 100 lives.
Or, it seemed that he would only know by experiencing this first hand whether she was someone who helped him or would instead be in his way.
I cannot believe this even after seeing it.
After going out of the cave, Seol-Hwi was still shocked. It was because of the movement of his masters and Miss Cheon Miryo, who were running ahead.
What light footwork is this…
In particular, the feet of Cheon Miryo did not even touch the ground.
It was called “Stepping Without Trace On Snow,” a technique where no footprints would be left behind.
Of course, for those present, it would be difficult to perform that, but she did not seem like she was even doing that.
They could tell by the fact that there were no footprints left when they stopped and stood still.
Just what level of Supreme Master did she reach?
Seol-Hwi, who had so many things to ask her, could only be silent.
He was worried that he would go against her intentions if he said anything.
“We camp here,”
Said Ack Bi who had stopped after finding a suitable area to camp.
As long as this was how much ground they covered, it seemed like they could rest for a day before arriving at the sect.
Wheeing
They did come from the top of the mountain, but it was still cold even with how far they had descended. Ack Bi and Cho Ah-ran dug through the ground and took a break. Seol-Hwi also made space for himself to lie down and rested there.
How many hours had passed now?
Seol-Hwi got up from the cold and came out. It was because he suddenly felt curious about Cheon Miryo.
“What are you doing here?”
On the top of a small hill, she was there standing with her back to a large tree.
At dawn, despite it being the coldest so far, she spoke with a calm expression,
“You’re awake?”
“Were you unable to sleep?”
“I normally don’t sleep.”
“Still you…”
Although she was wearing ordinary clothes, the weather was harsh.
What kind of training did she do for her body to be alright in this cold?
“Then why are you here?”
“Because this place has a good view of the surroundings.”
“On watch duty then?”
“You never know. There might be beasts coming in herds…”
“Then, you turned into an escort?”
“You might be my future husband, so of course I should…”
Ah, this is…
Seol-Hwi wasembarrassed and shocked.
Future husband.
Was it that easy to claim someone as a husband?
“Come over here for a second.”
She gestured towards Seol-Hwi, who was still contemplating on how to resolve this misunderstanding.
At that moment—
Shhh
Cheon Miryo carefully placed her hand on the face of Seol-Hwi. After not saying anything for a while, Seol-Hwi slipped away.
“Know what I am curious about?”
At that, she lowered her hand and continued.
“Usually the dantian opens from the lower to the middle to the upper, but why is the upper dantian open? Was it on its own?”
Seol-Hwi looked shocked at how she managed to guess his condition.
It reminded him of just how important and strong she was.
“…Right.”
“Why?”
“If I reached a level higher when I am still unprepared, it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to find my way through life. The fear of sinking into power not knowing to control it, lurks within my heart.”
“Looking at what you are saying, it seems like you reached Supreme Demon.”
“…!”
Seol-Hwi was wide eyed. He was genuinely surprised. How did she know that?
No, what did she see to make her think so?
“In addition, it must have happened because of the surroundings you grew up around and not your efforts. So you could not find another way. Right?”
“That… how did you know?”
“It is a phenomenon which many people experience after reaching the peak. My master also went through it.”
“Ah…”
“Martial arts is a means, it doesn’t define your path ahead. Enlightenment is divided into many paths, not a singular one. It means that the problem you are worrying about might be a useless one.”
“Miss…”
Cheon Miryo slowly looked up to the sky and said,
“There is no martial art which perfectly fits your hand. It is all about trying out different methods and choosing what to move ahead with. And everything needs to be in harmony with you. If you achieve it, you will be able to get where you want to be.”
They were the words of a smart person.
From that answer Seol-Hwi could think about how she managed to reach such a level.
“Then, you are already…”
“No, I still cannot find my harmony. Nor am I a vessel who can understand it.”
“…”
“But do not worry. I will help you, my possible husband, so that you can climb to a higher place.”
Cheon Miryo looked at herself.
Her eyes were so pure that there was not a hint of suspicion Seol-Hwi could feel.
“Even if the opponent you have—”
“…”
“To face is Heavenly Demon.”
This time, Seol-Hwi’s eyes shook.
Just who was she?
What was she thinking, and how far into the future was she looking for him?
He could not figure a single thing out.