Just like how you don't think about ghosts on an ordinary night, but after watching a horror movie, you start sensing their presence everywhere.
Cheongwol wasn't meekly staying put on Mount Emei somewhere in the Central Plains, and that thought crushed me with an overwhelming pressure.
It was the kind of pressure that made my stomach churn.
I found myself glancing around instinctively.
No one's watching me, right?
She wouldn't pop out disguised as a courtesan like she did in Chengdu last time, would she?
Bang Biyeon wasn't actually some middle-aged guy but Cheongwol in disguise, was he?
It felt like a super entertaining hidden camera prank was unfolding.
I could picture someone suddenly pressing a sword to my throat while grinning, saying not "You've been pranked," but "Having fun, Young Master?"
"Yes? Young hero, you alright?"
"No... Just a moment..."
My heart was pounding so hard I could barely stay seated in the tavern.
It felt suffocating, like I was trapped.
I stepped outside to get some air.
"Haa..."
As soon as I was out, the racing negative thoughts came to a halt.
Right. What's the proof Cheongwol is chasing me?
She could just be looking for Dang Soran, plain and simple.
She met Yeongcheon, after all. She might be wandering the outskirts, wary of Demonic Cult groups.
Or maybe she's rejoined the Demonic Cult.
Or perhaps she left in rebellion because she felt unjustly grounded.
Plenty of possibilities.
"..."
But my instincts and gut were mocking my rationalizations.
Come on, you know that's not it.
You already know the answer.
What the hell are you doing not bolting right now?
Whatever the case, from Cheongwol's perspective, this is it.
I vanished, saying I had business.
And right then, Dang Soran vanished too.
Gone together. For a whole month.
"...Damn it."
No. Why should I even care?
Did I commit a crime? What business is it of that woman's who I travel with or what I do?
Huh? Even if I go wild with courtesans, sucking and biting and having fun, who the hell is she to bitch about it?
...But on the flip side, what can I even do?
If Cheongwol comes chasing with her Extermination Sword, innocent or not, what then?
I can't just tell King Yama it was unfair and ask to be sent back.
...That damn bitch!
Why the hell does she demand purity from me just because she's all pristine and virginal!
Having spanked Dang Soran's ass made me feel guilty, which only scared me more.
And the fact that we'd been together for a month was real, so it stung even harder.
Cheongwol had that once-every-ten-days limit, while Dang Soran was glued to me every day—anyone would be pissed at that double standard.
"..."
I squatted down on the ground.
In the end, my conclusion was one.
...Part ways with Dang Soran quickly.
It's still salvageable.
Then, I sneak onto Mount Emei, dodging Cheongwol's eyes.
When Cheongwol returns to Mount Emei after that, I can just play it off with, "Heh heh, little hero! Been busy, have you?"
But keeping the fact that I was tangled up with Dang Soran for a month a secret is the right call, no matter what.
"Well, well, if it isn't Young Master Han!"
That's when someone stepped in front of me.
I looked up to see Bang Biyeon, right on time.
"Heh heh, with that haircut, you look even more dashing! Almost didn't recognize you! Handsomer than I thought, too!"
I shook off thoughts of Cheongwol and stood up.
Matching his cheerful praise, I played along.
"I cleaned myself up properly to show some manners."
"What manners? Merchants deal in goods, money, and reason."
"Haha, that's still advanced talk for me, just playing merchant. Still, thank you for the compliment."
"Right, shall we head in? I gave it some thought, and I think we'll make great partners."
.
.
.
"...So, we'll start with the delivery and see the response. Already got a brothel interested. Let's watch how it goes."
It felt all fuzzy and warm.
Things were going better than I'd expected.
"You'll need to manage them carefully. Leather's leather, and given the use, sweat can make them smell fast if not aired out. Dry them well on sunny days, and oil them regularly so they don't crack—"
"—Well, they're leather clothes, so yeah. Don't worry too much. Even without your fretting, I'll drill the care instructions into the brothel. Young Master Han, about these outfits... how long to make more if we ask?"
"A full set for arms and legs? About three days..."
Bang Biyeon's brow furrowed ever so slightly.
"That's a bit of an issue. Demand might spike suddenly. Consider hiring more leatherworkers. Might be premature, but think about it."
"Yes. I'll consider it."
Bang Biyeon's kindly smile slowly faded.
"...Now, onto the important part."
"I'm listening."
"I want an exclusive contract with you."
"Exclusive?"
"Yes. I'd prefer you not sell this to other merchants. Beyond not selling, keep the very existence of it secret."
"...Why?"
"There aren't many outfits, so we go high-end. It'll be for special VIP receptions only."
Bang Biyeon lowered his voice and continued.
"Brothels sell dreams. We want this outfit to spread by word of mouth only, subtly. Only those who've seen it will talk. 'That brothel's got something incredible.'"
"...Oh."
"That secretive vibe will draw crowds eager to verify the rumors with their own eyes. Reception fees will rise, demand for the outfits will grow. With our trading company backing it, we can sell each piece for a premium. Assuming it catches on, of course."
I nodded, listening quietly.
"But if you sell this secret outfit everywhere, it messes up the high-end strategy. Sure, for you it's just selling goods either way, no big deal. But let's go with the win-win. We'll take good care of you in return."
My ears perked at "take good care of you." No downside for me.
"Really?"
"A man's word is proven by actions. Get up."
Bang Biyeon stood and said.
"Pardon?"
"I'll show you our trading company."
.
.
.
.
Bang Biyeon led me into the street lined with his shops.
"From here to that end. All our stores."
"...Wow, sir. You're even more impressive than I thought."
The long street was packed with every kind of shop.
Merchants shouted their wares inside, while others loaded and unloaded donkeys and carts.
The bustling street brimmed with life. I was overwhelmed by it.
"Young Master Han, know how one merchant wins another's heart?"
"No idea."
"Show sincerity first. I'll show mine upfront, so think if you can reciprocate someday... Take your time. Now, pick three or four things you like here. As a gift for our budding friendship."
"Yes? Oh, no... That's too much."
"Do I seem stingy with a coin or two? Anything else, maybe, but I want you on my side. Just for dreaming up... those outfits, I can sense your extraordinary talent."
...Man, this uncle knows how to play the game? He's going all-in on me right away.
Not sure if it works in the Central Plains, but it ate well in the modern world.
Tight leather boots reaching the thighs gave lines like wearing skinny jeans.
Ignoring a man's pride in the Central Plains is rude too.
I didn't want to pass up this chance.
Not just random generosity, but a "let's do well together" gift.
"Shall I pick then?"
"Haha, that's the spirit of a true man. Show me your ambition."
****
*Knock knock.*
Dang Soran knew who it was but played dumb and asked.
"Who is it?"
'It's me, Lady Dang.'
"Come in."
Dang Soran steeled herself and let him in.
Han Seojin entered, hair cropped short.
Dang Soran felt her heart race.
No mistake. His face kept advancing deeper into her chest, step by step.
He's not handsome? He definitely shouldn't be...
No matter how much she repeated it, her heart thought otherwise.
"Wh-what's the matter?"
Han Seojin approached with a long sigh.
"Lady, first, send a letter back to the Tang Clan of Sichuan quick."
"Why?"
"The whole Central Plains is in uproar thinking you've gone missing! Even if you wanted to spite me, you can't worry everyone around you like that, right?"
"Oh... Is that so? I had no idea..."
"And tomorrow, we each head home. Time to go back."
More than the news of her "disappearance," his follow-up words shook Dang Soran's heart harder.
Part ways? This suddenly?
...I'm not ready yet?
I want to see that face a bit more...
A month together, yet she still felt regret.
And the abrupt end to it all didn't sit right.
"Why? We could travel together a while longer before splitting."
"No, no. Lady, head back to Chengdu soon. The Clan Leader must be worried sick. Won't it just drag on if you're with me?"
"..."
...Dang Soran caught the impatience in Han Seojin's voice.
"Is something wrong? Why the sudden rush...?"
"What reason? Just feels like time to go home."
She quickly guessed why and pressed.
"...Because of Cheongwol."
"Huh? No, that's not..."
Han Seojin averted his eyes.
That confirmed it.
"Why stick to that promise so rigidly? If it was supposed to take a month, does it have to be exactly a month? Things come up; it can take longer."
It irked her.
He'd brushed off her desperate plea to be his retainer, yet clung to Cheongwol's promise like iron.
At her whining, Dang Soran said.
"Fine. No. At least to Sichuan together. I don't wanna walk. Give me a ride on the donkey."
"Lady—"
"—Honestly! After helping find the Detoxification Immortal Root like this! You don't think one playtime settles the bill, do you? Or what, got what you wanted, so scram? Should've escorted me to Chengdu at least!"
"..."
"Slept on filthy ground for a month for you, ate dog food slop, and this is the thanks? Forgot who I am? To hire me like this, you'd need five years' work for Young Master!"
Sure, following Han Seojin had been her choice, so she saw the injustice on his face, but Dang Soran ignored it completely.
"I'm so wronged I can't part. Together to central Sichuan! Then I'll go!"
"..."
"Answer me!"
Only then did Han Seojin nod awkwardly.
"...Fine."
Puffing in frustration, Dang Soran spotted the bundle in his arms.
Changing tack, she tilted her head and asked.
"...What's that?"
...A gift?
That might cheer her up.
Come to think, he'd gotten the leather knife last time; her turn now.
And he'd found the Detoxification Immortal Root.
"Oh, this...?"
That's when Dang Soran spotted it among the items: a hair pin.
Han Seojin wouldn't use a hairpin. It had to be hers.
"..."
Her fierce anger snuffed out; Dang Soran's lips twitched.
Heart racing at the gift—it'd been ages.
Thought she'd lost interest in possessions.
Traces of this journey felt so precious.
Her heart pounded wildly too, but she feigned ignorance.
Those who've received gifts know: act utterly shocked and moved. So for now, play it cool.
But how to wear that hairpin? Grow her hair out?
But Han Seojin shattered her hopes.
"...It's nothing."
"...Pardon?"
The hairpin vanished into his bundle.
Stunned briefly, belated realization hit Dang Soran.
...Ah.
...A gift for Cheongwol.
A new kind of emotion stabbed at Dang Soran's chest.
Sticky, viscous. Deeply negative.
"Oh... I see."
She smiled, but felt her heart demon writhing.
She wanted it.
Someone else's, she coveted it again.