I was out of it.
A few days had passed, but that sensation still wouldn't leave my mind.
The soft, petite tips of Cheongwol's breasts... that kept stubbornly standing up on their own.
They had been so defiant, like their owner's mouth.
They refused to yield to my fingers, yet they were thrilled and excited.
I looked down at my fingers.
So, these fingers had touched them.
That meant it wasn't a dream.
And I'd done it right in front of Muwol Satae.
In the original novel, the Life-Pursuing Ghost Cheongwol made tens of thousands of Demonic Cult followers kneel with her icy dignity.
Even the original story's side characters trembled in fear at the mere two words "Cheongwol."
The moment her name came up, the atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.
...And I'd touched those nipples.
I really was a sadist, and Cheongwol was a masochist.
I had no idea how I was still alive or why I was living like this.
But what scared me more was that the pounding in my chest was growing stronger than the fear.
I recalled Cheongwol choosing me over Muwol Satae, leaning on me.
Her feminine moans that she'd tried to hold back but couldn't.
I'd never even imagined Cheongwol could make sounds like that.
At that moment, she wasn't the Life-Pursuing Ghost Cheongwol—she was my masochistic bitch Cheongwol.
I'd been swept up in the situation at the time, but the more I dwelled on it, the faster my heart raced.
...I wish she was ugly instead. Why was a murderer so beautiful, making things this hard for me.
"...Haa."
I couldn't even make leather clothes, just staring blankly at my rough fingers.
These had touched that breast... right here, those tips...
Who would've thought I'd ever touch a woman's breasts.
That my first time would be kneading the breasts of someone so stunning—no one could match her beauty.
"..."
In the end, possessed by some demon, I brought those two fingers that had tormented Cheongwol to my lips without thinking.
"...Mm."
I didn't know why I was doing this. But somehow, it made that day feel even more vivid.
This was... the feeling...
"...Ah."
At that moment, I locked eyes with her—mouth agape.
It was Cheongwol.
Fuck.
I awkwardly pulled my fingers from my lips, but Cheongwol, who'd played along with me, couldn't misinterpret my actions.
Her face flushed noticeably, her expression frowning as if annoyed.
Her eyes were saying, *Why are you doing this in broad daylight, you pervert?*
With no excuse, I pretended not to see and picked up the leather knife.
"...Ahem."
Cheongwol cautiously approached and spoke as if she hadn't seen anything either.
"Huu... It's been two days, Shopkeeper."
.
.
.
"Alright, then."
I finally accepted.
"Really?!"
Cheongwol responded with noticeably bright eyes.
It felt out of place.
To the point where I wondered if she'd start jumping up and down in joy right there.
Nothing was as surprising as the fact that Cheongwol was a masochist, but seeing this girlish side was always fresh.
Even setting aside the Cheongwol from the novel, the one I'd seen going back and forth to Emei Mountain for ten years wasn't like this.
Proud, cold, aloof... yet outwardly kind with a gentle smile.
That was Cheongwol, playing the part of a stereotypical nun.
But I couldn't see that now.
It felt like she'd shed the mask of the good nun, and the real woman Cheongwol had burst out.
Younger, more fitting for her age.
It really hit me that she was two years younger than me.
"You're really giving up on going to Zhongqing?"
"...Yeah."
I'd decided to give up going to Zhongqing.
The reasons were complex.
One was... sure, I had no family on Emei Mountain, but that didn't mean I had no family-like bonds.
Saying goodbye to the uncles weighed on me.
I'd been prepared to part with the uncles, but that was all to run from Cheongwol.
Lately, though, that resolve was shaking.
...No, honestly, could I even run from Cheongwol now...?
I'd touched her nipples.
That soft yet firm feeling still lingered on my fingertips.
"Shopkeeper, really? You're not lying?"
"The Sect Leader said she doesn't mind. I'll stay on Emei Mountain."
I still couldn't fully trust Cheongwol's vow not to kill, but my confidence that I could stop her was growing.
It was ridiculous, but the real Cheongwol was taming her heart demon with SM play.
I couldn't deny it anymore.
That killer ghost might really vanish depending on my choices.
Above all, Zhongqing wasn't safe to begin with.
In the original, wasn't that where Cheongwol became one of the Demonic Cult's Seven Heavens and killed Dang Soran and Dang Jeokcheon?
Intense battles unfolded there beyond just Cheongwol.
Zhongqing turned into a land of death.
If Cheongwol fell and became one of the Seven Heavens, fleeing to Zhongqing would be pointless.
If she didn't become one of the Seven Heavens, staying on Emei Mountain was fine for now.
If she didn't... well, the remaining six, I guess.
They could still spark war, so I might need to flee someday, but maybe I could afford to wait.
Judging by this Cheongwol's vibes alone, I might live safely on Emei Mountain forever.
Lately, it felt like more women were tempting me.
Waving at me and such?
If I seduced one properly, maybe I could live happily ever after... nah.
Touching Cheongwol's nipples had weirded me out.
Could I even start a family around Cheongwol?
...Whatever. That wasn't a worry for now.
Staying on Emei Mountain for the time being was more important.
"Shopkeeper!!"
Suddenly, Cheongwol hugged my head.
She embraced me as I sat, covering me.
Her breasts softly touched my forehead.
A fragrant body scent wafted over.
"..."
I froze, blinking.
Oblivious to the awkwardness, Cheongwol beamed happily.
"Yeah! What's the reason to leave Emei Mountain? You can just stay here!"
This was our playtime distance.
Not daytime distance.
We'd gone as far as nipples, so what boundaries, but dropping the sadist mask, this shocked me.
Seeing me flustered and frozen, Cheongwol seemed to snap out of it and pulled away.
Her neck flushed red as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Ah, no... why react like that all of a sudden..."
"...People can see. Let's keep that stuff for night."
...My words had been weird just now too, but I said what needed saying.
Cheongwol cleared her throat and nodded.
"Got it. Oh, right, Shopkeeper. Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Dang Soran's getting married?"
"Shouldn't you call her Senior Dang Soran?"
"Anyway. Did you hear?"
I let out a long sigh.
"Haaaaah..."
My head had throbbed so much when the uncle told me.
Every time something deviated from the original, I knew it was the butterfly effect I'd caused.
Dang Soran, who was alone until slaughtered by Cheongwol, getting married?
To who? How much would things change?
...No telling what headache it'd bring next.
"...Why the sigh?"
Cheongwol asked in a calmer tone.
"Just."
"Why? Aren't you happy for Dang Soran? It's worth celebrating."
"It is."
"...Right?"
Cheongwol smiled brightly again, pulling a chair over and sitting beside me.
She rested her arms on her knees, leaning way toward me.
"When we get the chance later, let's go congratulate her together."
"Do we have to? She'll manage fine."
"Maybe."
"Did you hear who the groom is?"
"No, not yet. Why?"
...Why? Dang Soran wouldn't settle for some nobody.
The world's protagonist would show up.
...What if a landmine Demonic Cultist who worships you appears later?
Might scream "Moon Supreme Invincible" or something.
Even if not you, one worshipping the other Seven Heavens.
What then if they tangle with Dang Soran?
"Did Dang Soran say she's getting married?"
"Of course. Why else would the news spread? Seems she's ready to welcome her husband."
"That's weird..."
"...So why the lukewarm reaction?"
"...Enough. I have work, so go."
"What? Already? Just quit."
"..."
"...Fine. I'll be quiet while you work."
I continued with Cheongwol's cheap leather knife.
Ugh, this shitty knife. Gotta break it someday and toss it.
Cheongwol watched me quietly, then whispered.
"...So when do I get my gift?"
"..."
"Fine. I'll really be quiet now."
.
.
.
"Who did you say?"
A few days later, Gwak Du Uncle said, picking his nose.
"Three candidates."
Gwak Du Uncle listed the names of men Dang Soran might marry.
Checking the butterfly effect I'd caused.
First.
Sangpyeong Merchant Group's leader, Wei Tian-shang.
Was there anyone in the Central Plains as young and wealthy as Wei Tian-shang?
But my head throbbed the moment I heard the name.
...That guy's a lackey of Baek Sa-hyeon, sect leader of the Death Soul Sect—one of the Demonic Cult's Seven Heavens. Probably still kissing ass behind the scenes.
He might look like a successful merchant now, but inside, he's rotten to the core.
...Already laying groundwork with the Tang Clan of Sichuan?
"Next?"
"Jegal Family's second son, Jegal Yong."
Shiiit...
The bat who betrays the Murim Alliance to survive, siding with the enemy.
Wudang Sect gets wiped out because of Jegal Yong's betrayal.
Yeongcheon gets revenge, and even the Sword Sovereign dies. The Jegal Family survives, but Hubei Province becomes a wasteland.
No coward or frustrating bastard like him in the novel.
Groveling at the feet of the protagonist, Namgung Yeon, until she executes him.
Poison King. Is this the best you can do?
"...Last one?"
"Namgung Family's eldest son. Namgung Yeon."
I closed my eyes.
...The other two, fine, but why Namgung Yeon?