“Why’s he acting like that?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Seems like it started after that talk about the Tang Clan lady.”
Gwak Du, Machilduk, and Gu Yeong lay sprawled on the ground, gazing at Han Seojin, who was splayed out flat in front of his shop.
Normally, Han Seojin hated looking like a beggar.
Right now, he was just a beggar. Lying comfortably on the ground.
It was like an old habit resurfacing.
As if he’d instinctively assumed the most comfortable position.
Gu Yeong smacked his lips.
Machilduk snorted.
“You think that’d be a flaw, brother? Seojin’s marriage prospects are fine either way. Hell, at his age, tying up with the Changhwa Merchant Group settles it. Look at him even now.”
He nodded toward it, and the three beggars’ heads turned.
Gathering village info this casually.
It was one of the Beggars’ Sect’s privileges.
There were a few women glancing at Han Seojin from afar as he lay there.
Gu Yeong, having checked their identities, clicked his tongue.
“...Tch. Those girls won’t do. It’d be a waste for our Seojin. They’ve got sharp tempers. Seojin would suit a more docile woman.”
“Does Seojin have the luxury to be picky? He’s already at that age.”
“Hey, now he can pick and choose.”
“See? Even you know his marriage issue’s solved, brother. What’s so big about him lying there?”
“I’m just saying. Besides, didn’t that guy already have a girlfriend? The other day, he was dressing her in Emei Sect robes in the basement and doing who-knows-what. Right, Brother Gwak Du?”
Gwak Du stared steadily at the sprawled Gu Yeong and Machilduk, then flicked their foreheads.
“Hey, you punks. We’re worried about Seojin, so why bring up women?”
“Ahem.” “...Mm.”
Gwak Du looked back at the sprawled Han Seojin.
His adopted son pulled off eccentric stunts every time, but they were always hard to understand.
“What the hell...”
...is he doing?
He definitely seemed off after hearing about Dang Soran’s prospective groom.
Did he have feelings for the Tang lady?
****
Cheongwol was passing time in the village market.
Lately, she’d been trying to get closer to everyone.
Especially the young women of the village—they were her main targets.
Han Seojin planned to keep living on Mount Emei.
But the problem was, after the Changhwa Merchant Group showed up, opportunistic suitors eyeing him had increased.
From Cheongwol’s perspective, their naked greed wrinkled her nose.
When did you ever care about Han Seojin?
You’re eyeing the money, not him.
As his closest friend, Cheongwol felt obligated to protect him.
She had to fend them off before he got hurt, oblivious as a fool.
On this Mount Emei, I’m the only one who saw you for you, Pavilion Master.
Rich or poor, I stayed close.
These girls approaching now are all after the money.
No decent woman left to bless your future with.
So stay away.
No—I’ll make them stay away.
Got it?
Someone spoke up.
“I’m so glad to be getting close to you lately, Lady Cheongwol.”
Cheongwol smiled too.
“It’s an even greater honor for me. Sorry I didn’t come find you sooner.”
Like bees around a flower, the village women swarmed Cheongwol.
“Oh my, oh my! Your speech is so...!” “I thought you’d be more intimidating!”
“Your skin is enviable, Lady Cheongwol.” “How are you so beautiful!”
Then, one woman teased as she spoke to Cheongwol.
“If I’d known we’d get along this well, I’d have approached you sooner!”
Cheongwol responded in kind.
“I’m a bit shy with strangers...”
She followed with intent laced in.
“...But thanks to the Pavilion Master’s help, I’ve overcome it some.”
“Pavilion Master?” “Pavilion Master? Which one...”
Cheongwol liked their questions.
It let her slip in the next line naturally.
“Oh, Han Seojin, the Pavilion Master. He runs the Leather Room on the village outskirts...”
Everyone’s expressions turned puzzled.
“Yes? You’re connected to the Leather Room Pavilion Master?”
“We’re friends. The villagers didn’t know much.”
It was permitted by the Sect Leader. Cheongwol had no qualms saying it.
Then, a few women Cheongwol had long kept in her sights shouted at the others instead of her.
Big-built Okryeon spoke.
“Oh, you’re friends with Seojin!”
Short Chu-bok whispered.
“Seojin? Oh, you meant Seojin. I see.”
Freckle-faced Bangran chimed in.
“I’m friends with Seojin too, but he really doesn’t suit you, Lady Cheongwol, right?”
...You’re the one who doesn’t suit him if you drop dead.
Cheongwol mulled it over inwardly.
Chu-bok spoke again.
“But I knew Seojin would make it big. I even cheered him on sometimes.”
Bangran.
“Seojin’s been staring at me lately. Maybe he suddenly likes me?”
Okryeon.
“Yeah. I should go see Seojin later. It’d be nice to eat together after so long.”
“That’s weird. I’ve never seen the Pavilion Master mention any of you.”
The women fell silent in an instant.
Those whispering lies couldn’t budge before the truth.
Cheongwol’s lips still curved in a smile.
“To be honest, I’m really close to the Pavilion Master.”
She continued.
“So I’m a bit worried. Things got chaotic around him after linking with the Changhwa Merchant Group... Please help him navigate this safely.”
At her kind words, spoken as a nun, they lowered their eyes one by one.
Cheongwol felt satisfaction as they did, whispering.
“...You will, right?”
Then, a spirited voice from afar.
‘Dumplings!! Get your dumplings!!’
Cheongwol’s eyes turned that way.
Her expression slowly hardened.
It was Ga Yeong.
Cheongwol stared long at the earnest woman diligently selling dumplings.
...For a really long time.
****
N-no, don’t.
Go find the young lord? Go find Dang Soran?
“...Haa.”
But what would I even do if I went?
Tell them those guys are weirdos, don’t marry?
...What right do I have?
I can’t forget my place just because I chatted a bit with Dang Soran.
I’m a commoner in the Central Plains.
Dang Soran... is nobility among nobility.
Getting involved won’t end well.
Even if I can’t stop Dang Soran from coming to me, me going to her is asking for stones.
A noble seeking a beggar is their whim.
But a beggar barging in on a noble gets beaten senseless.
Last time, I luckily only talked to Dang Soran alone, so I could ask the favor.
...Now she’s in the Tang Clan of Sichuan’s fold?
Plus, I’d have to insist she not marry those weirdos?
On what grounds?
They’re candidates the Poison King racked his brains to choose—how dare I object?
Objectively, where else would you find people like that?
Young and rich, Wi Cheon-sang.
Strategist, Jegal Yong.
Namgung Family young lord, Namgung Yeon.
For Dang Soran of marriageable age, no better matches exist.
I heard they even added one more standout figure.
The kind where it’s weird he’s still single.
Gathering three like that as candidates simultaneously? Dang Jeokcheon must’ve put in real effort.
Even one match talk is rare—three at once?
Such amazing people just as candidates?
“...”
...But to my eyes, knowing them all, they look different.
Demonic Cult spy, Wi Cheon-sang.
Cowardly bat, Jegal Yong.
...And Namgung Yeon.
“Haaaaah...”
It’s all because of what I did.
My flapping wings brought this storm to the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
If she links with Wi Cheon-sang, the Tang Clan of Sichuan becomes too vulnerable to the Demonic Cult’s Seven Heavens follower, Baek Sa-hyeon.
If with Jegal Yong... when the righteous-demonic war breaks out, he’ll scheme for his own safety out of fear. That alone’s an unacceptable risk. Jegal Yong was the most frustrating character in the novel.
Namgung Yeon... ha. What the hell’s with him?
Train like a protagonist, damn it... don’t waste time.
You’ve got far to go. Did you eat the Detoxification Immortal Root?
“Huaaaah... fuck.”
If the Tang Clan of Sichuan falls... can the righteous factions win the righteous-demonic war?
Sure, the Demonic Cult side might see Cheongwol defecting.
...But without the Tang Clan of Sichuan, can the righteous win?
Especially since no one matches their prowess in one-against-many battles.
Not just Poison Phoenix Dang Soran, but Poison King Dang Jeokcheon and young lord Dang Ji-un all shine.
Doesn’t this mean they could all retire at once?
The Demonic Cult knows how thorny the Tang Clan of Sichuan is in war.
If they crumble this early... doesn’t Namgung Yeon lack time to grow?
My breath tightens.
How many lives has this shaken?
Like the trolley dilemma.
Five people tied to one track. Pull the lever to switch, or they die—but switching kills one other person.
Ignore it, five die, hands clean.
Act, five live, one dies... responsibility on you.
But here, I’m the reverse trolley.
Train’s heading for the lone person’s track, so I squeeze my eyes shut.
Then the lever flies and pulls itself from my hand.
I didn’t mean to change fate, but it keeps twisting on its own, piling up casualties.
Guilt as guilt. Casualties as casualties.
“...”
No. Don’t go.
What could I even change?
Like I said, how to defy the Poison King’s choice.
How’s a guy like me supposed to wreck Dang Soran’s marriage talks?
The future changed, so maybe they have too?
“Hey, you punk.”
Then, an old man approached me as I lay sprawled.
The village head’s father.
“...Elder Yeom.”
Not exactly a welcome face.
No grandpa gripes like this old coot.
Central Plains full of great heroes, but also barbarians.
This grandpa’s a barbarian.
“Still can’t shake those beggar habits, huh? Sprawled on the ground again.”
“...Up we go. Need something?”
I brushed off the dirt and stood.
“Gimme a few straw ropes and a leather waterskin.”
“Oh? Finally buying a waterskin? Saved up some coin, eh?”
I pulled out the goods I’d made one by one.
“Whining about prices, but now you buy. Made ’em sturdy—use forever.”
“Rip and I’ll break your legs.”
“Here.”
“Yep.”
I counted the copper coins the old man handed over.
...Hopelessly short. Just rope price.
“...Elder. Short.”
“Pfft!!”
This age-forgotten geezer suddenly raised his voice.
“Have you seen such a shameless punk!”
“Yes?”
“Everyone saw you connect with the Changhwa Merchant Group’s head! Quibbling over a waterskin’s cost!”
...Fuck, here we go again.
“Elder. Materials, time, effort—”
“Such greed! Think of it as helping the village—give it free! You’ll be rolling in it soon!”
Dumbfounded, I glanced at Uncle Gwak Du.
Uncle Gwak Du, Gu Yeong, and Uncle Machilduk brushed off their butts to stand and help.
But someone beat them to it.
“Elder Yeom.”
Her clear voice sent chills down my spine.
Elder Yeom looked toward the voice too.
Cheongwol stood there.
“Whoa, Moon-girl. Listen, this stingy bastard—”
“Don’t call me ‘Moon,’ Elder Yeom. That’s for the Sect Leader, my master... and friends only.”
“...Hmph, ahem... khem.”
Classic strong-against-weak, weak-against-strong.
Elder Yeom awkwardly cleared his throat under her momentum.
First time seeing that guy speechless.
Dude thinks yelling wins anywhere.
“...Ch-Cheongwol. See, it’s like...”
“Pay the proper price. I won’t hear otherwise.”
Cheongwol spat it coolly without hesitation.
I stared at her, mildly surprised.
...She can say stuff like that?
Elder Yeom couldn’t even look at Cheongwol, just glared at me.
...His eyes darted, then he mumbled.
“...You wound me. I’ve watched you since you were small. Favoring this cheap punk over me—”
Cheongwol’s gaze sharpened.
I flinched in shock, but luckily, she didn’t reach for her sword.
Just spoke coldly.
“—Live long, Elder Yeom.”
Chills again at those words.
Threat?
I swallowed hard, but her hand stayed off the sword.
Couldn’t tell why it felt so impressive.
“...Keep this up, and Buddha might punish you.”
“...Khem.”
Face red from the young Cheongwol’s jab, Elder Yeom finally left with just the ropes.
“...Whew.”
Cheongwol sighed, looking at me.
The fierce glint from before was gone.
“You okay, Pavilion Master?”
“...Thanks.”
At the same time, watching her, I realized she’d changed a lot.
...Yeah. You’ve changed too.
Can I really do nothing?
...Not doing anything?
Even if I can’t do much, shouldn’t I at least try cleaning up my mess?
...No, but.
What excuse to approach Dang Soran with?
That was the biggest hurdle.
How to meet Dang Soran, already hard to see, now hotter than ever?
How’s a beggar summon a precious golden flower soon to be a bride?
Plus, the Poison King knows my face.
Run into him with his daughter-candidates around... no dagger? Dream on.
And yell those guys are weird, void the marriage?
Crazy?
While thinking, Cheongwol asked.
“Does that happen often?”
“Not often, sometimes.”
“Did I do good?”
“...Yeah.”
“...Then my gift? Honestly, I’ve waited a lot... I’m getting anxious now...”
That hit me.
Yeah, that’s it.
Heart knew, head hadn’t convinced yet.
I grabbed Cheongwol’s shoulder.
“Eek! P-Pavilion Master...?”
I said.
“...I’ll go catch one thief bitch.”
First things first.
Now that I have a reason, time to go.