"I'm sorry."
Cheongwol, kneeling before me, kept whispering it.
"Sect Leader, I'm sorry..."
It was a kind of admission.
To call it words squeezed out by my command... the play was already over by then.
It was no different from her simply accepting it in the afterglow.
Sorry, but I think I'm a pervert after all.
Sorry, but it felt good to be tormented... that's what she was saying.
It was a betrayal of the Sect Leader, just as I'd intended.
During the play, I kept forgetting somehow.
That her looks were unmatched anywhere in the Central Plains, that her breasts were large and soft despite her being a nun...
That she was destined to become one of the Demonic Cult's Seven Heavens, worshipped by even more lunatics than now—and I just felt like a masochist mare realizing her own tendencies.
I bit my lip.
Who could stay unexcited watching a masochist say it felt good to be tormented without permission?
It was partly for my own pleasure that I tormented her, but this exact scene was one of the situations I'd dreamed of.
I already knew Cheongwol was a masochist.
But hearing it from her own mouth felt entirely different.
So, an instinctive reaction I couldn't control flowed from my body.
With my lip still bitten, I placed my hand on Cheongwol's head as she admitted that harsh truth.
Cheongwol's eyes widened slightly, accepting my stroking hand.
But the door was opening.
Muwol Satae, who had waited so long for our conversation to end, was finally coming in.
"Urk...!"
I snapped back to my senses.
If this got found out, I was dead.
My lower body, flushed with blood.
I'd never imagined getting hard in the face of terror named Cheongwol...
Maybe because it was the first time I'd rolled the perky tip of a woman's breast between my fingers.
Or because Cheongwol admitted with that humiliated, exhausted expression that it felt good.
Or just bewitched by her stunning beauty, or maybe because I was sexually frustrated.
It was just standing rigidly at attention.
Even the terrifying situation of Muwol Satae entering couldn't cool me down.
And above all, with the exhausted Cheongwol leaning against my crotch of her own accord, that sensation alone kept me from going soft.
There was clothing in between, and it wasn't intentional... but...
...Pressing my crotch against the face of a beautiful masochist—wasn't that a basic sadist's desire?
In this horrific, precarious situation, I couldn't tell how many fantasies I was tasting, even if just a little.
It felt like trying every drug right before death.
...Snap out of it!!
I saw Muwol Satae’s wrinkled hand gripping the opening door.
Honestly, my reins had loosened a bit too, so if I gave in to desire, I'd risk it all to step forward and press deeper into Cheongwol's face. Right now, it was just barely touching, leaving me wanting more.
And I was curious about the expression that would appear on Cheongwol's face then...
But that was just a pipe dream—reason was yanking me back hard.
A sadist has to control their desires.
Think of it as her calling the safe word, and stop.
Otherwise, my life was really over.
"Ugh...!"
I hurriedly pushed away Cheongwol, who had been leaning against my crotch.
"What exactly are you sorry for...?"
Muwol Satae was stepping inside.
I whipped my body around backward at the same time.
My lower half showed no sign of calming... if Muwol Satae saw this, I was done for.
A man with a full hard-on in front of the Sect Leader's prized disciple, slumped powerlessly?
I’d have no defense even against Muwol Satae’s Extermination Sword, not just Cheongwol’s.
And the moment the door fully opened, I heard the Sect Leader gasp sharply.
"M-Moon...!"
Muwol Satae grabbed Cheongwol's shoulder in shock and knelt down.
I had no idea how Cheongwol would respond.
Let's each fend for ourselves...!
****
Muwol Satae was startled as she entered the house.
Han Seojin, turning away coldly.
Before him, on her knees, was Cheongwol—like a daughter to her.
She had never seen the proudly raised Cheongwol slumped like this, especially not in front of a man, so she couldn't help but be shocked.
She had always strived to be a strong, independent female knight.
But this sight was a huge departure from that.
"M-Moon...!"
Above all, in that moment of intense worry, Muwol Satae forgot her dignity and wrapped her arms around Cheongwol's shoulders.
"Why... why are you like this...!"
But Cheongwol hid her expression.
Her only response was repeating the same words.
"I'm sorry, Sect Leader... I'm sorry..."
"So what is..."
Tremble, tremble... Cheongwol's body shook intermittently.
She was shivering sporadically, as if cold.
This reaction was also new, heightening her worry.
Muwol Satae gently placed a hand under Cheongwol's chin, drawing her face toward her own.
"..."
And then her breath caught.
Moist eyes. Half-lidded gaze.
Glossy lips. Wet hair clinging to her face.
Relaxed expression. Flushed cheeks...
She had always been a beautiful child, but now there was something instinctively stimulating about her.
Muwol Satae had seen her for so long, yet she was struck anew by just how beautiful she was.
Muwol Satae snapped to attention.
"...Were you crying?"
"..."
Cheongwol gave no answer.
She just averted her eyes, as if feeling guilty.
How long had it been since she'd seen Cheongwol cry?
And the child she once was crying versus the fully grown woman now—it felt entirely different.
She wanted to ask Cheongwol more, but the mood wasn't right for answers.
So Muwol Satae could only speculate.
She had pressed Han Seojin about moving to Zhongjing.
And after a long conversation, this was the result.
Han Seojin turning away coldly, Cheongwol crying before him.
...Did he say he was leaving? Is that why Cheongwol was like this?
This man, not all that special compared to Cheongwol, leaving makes her cry like this?
Just how much had she given her heart to him?
"..."
...But if so, drawing the line now might be fortunate.
There was no greater pain for a nun than harboring feelings for a man.
Muwol Satae helped Cheongwol up.
"...Rise."
Cheongwol showed no sign of moving.
That made Muwol Satae even more resolute.
The Emei Sect's prized disciple must not give her heart to a man like this.
"I said rise...!"
At the slight scolding, Han Seojin flinched.
Cheongwol staggered to her feet.
Thus, Muwol Satae supported Cheongwol as they moved to leave the house.
"C-Clan Leader..."
Cheongwol kept turning her head back, calling for Han Seojin.
Han Seojin flinched and turned his head each time.
The more she did, the faster Muwol Satae moved.
"...Thank you for the wise choice, Young Master Seojin."
With those final words, she crossed the threshold.
"Satae."
Then, Han Seojin called out to Muwol Satae from inside.
The atmosphere was different from when they had met earlier.
Curious just what conversation could have reversed them like this.
Han Seojin let out a deep sigh, seeming to debate whether to speak.
After a long silence, he finally opened up.
"By nature, I really hate being ordered around."
"..."
"It might seem like you're giving me a choice now, but I can sense the implicit pressure."
"...It's a misunderstanding. I have no such—"
"—That's why I'm telling you. It doesn't matter where I live, but I haven't made any decision yet."
"..."
Muwol Satae froze, then turned toward the Emei Sect.
****
Hao Gate Sichuan Branch, Drunken Cloud Pavilion basement.
The Sichuan Branch Leader, Jin Gon, pounded Wi Chang's shoulder excitedly.
"Yes, you were right. This is truly real...!!"
Wi Chang accepted Jin Gon's ecstasy with an awkward smile.
There was only one piece of news heating up Chengdu right now.
Dang Soran had finally overcome her Heart Demon.
Even during her spar with Cheongwol on Emei Mountain.
Even when she showed her face at the Hidden Dragon Society.
Rumors had spread that she'd beaten her Heart Demon, but it wasn't confirmed.
Participating in such official events might not have been her choice anyway.
And even when she appeared, she sometimes wore that hollow expression.
But now, everyone in Chengdu was relieved.
In a situation with no schedules or duties... after a long disappearance, Dang Soran had returned full of vitality.
Dang Soran strolled Chengdu's streets with a smile, greeting countless people.
Everyone began to relax one by one at her bright smile and words.
Despite being raised so preciously under the spotlight.
She wandered here and there like just another Chengdu resident, bringing happiness to people's faces.
Elders treated her with respect.
She played with children like one of them.
She chatted amiably with peers, and people proudly thought, that's the daughter Chengdu raised.
They said even the Poison King's smile couldn't grow bigger.
The disappearance everyone worried about? No big deal.
During that time, she continued her training.
And at the end, she gained enlightenment and overcame that Heart Demon.
She wouldn't show such an ugly side again.
But thanks to Wi Chang, the Hao Gate knew.
During Dang Soran's disappearance, the Leather Room owner on the outskirts of Emei Mountain... Han Seojin had vanished too.
...And the moment Han Seojin reappeared on Emei Mountain, Dang Soran returned.
Han Seojin was already suspected of being the Heart Demon healer.
Was their simultaneous disappearance coincidence?
Was the vanishing of Dang Soran's Heart Demon coincidence too?
No.
It couldn't be.
Coincidences aligning multiple times become inevitability.
That meant Han Seojin was the Heart Demon healer.
Jin Gon received this intel with rapture.
"Yes, I believed it! Wi Chang! I always thought you'd accomplish something big someday...!!"
"Ah, haha..."
"Send men right now to compile a list of those afflicted with Heart Demons. If the Hao Gate Lord hears this absurdity...! Me, you...!!"
Who would hate luck rolling in whole?
A Heart Demon healer.
An unheard-of existence.
No need to make Han Seojin step forward publicly.
Even if he wasn't on Hao Gate's side.
Just the rumor that Hao Gate discovered this healer...
...Hao Gate's prestige would soar endlessly, and sects desperate for that info alone would line up.
No need for proof. People cling to rumors when desperate.
Even the Poison King had publicly said he'd pay a fortune to heal Poison Phoenix's Heart Demon back then.
It was info that shattered the power order.
"Wi Chang, stay close to that noble from now on! You must! I'll spare no resources, so serve him as you wish!"
"..."
But the more Jin Gon praised, the darker Wi Chang's expression grew.
He hadn't reported it to Jin Gon, but actually, he'd lost Han Seojin's parcel back then, making his position ambiguous.
He had no idea how to get close again.
'...Shit...'
A ridiculous crisis hitting at life's turnaround chance.
Wi Chang gulped down the premium liquor given to him.
Normally he'd savor each drop, reluctant to swallow, but now only this quenched his thirst.
Should he summon him to Chengdu for proper hospitality?
Or support Han Seojin's escape plan?
What would bring them closer...
Then, someone pounded roughly on the door.
Jin Gon shouted irritably.
"Who dares interrupt our brothers' time!"
Even being elevated from deputy to brother twisted Wi Chang's guts now.
It was another deputy, Heo Yo.
'Branch Leader! Have you heard the latest from the Tang Clan of Sichuan... No, it's info I just brought, so of course not! You must hear it quick. May I come in?'
Jin Gon clicked his tongue and said,
"Come in!"
Heo Yo shoved his burly body into the room.
He glanced at the lavish spread with jealous eyes toward Wi Chang.
In the past, Wi Chang would have glared back, but not now.
"So?"
Now fully on Wi Chang's side, Jin Gon treated Heo Yo dismissively.
Heo Yo frowned but delivered the info.
"Branch Leader. You know Poison Phoenix of the Tang Clan of Sichuan, Dang Soran, overcame her Heart Demon."
"Of course. Who in Chengdu doesn't?"
"That's what's led to this. Not confirmed yet, but..."
"...?"
"The Poison King seems to be planning to marry off his marriageable Poison Phoenix now...! Says he'll find a match just for her..."