" Abbot. What should I do?"
Muwol Satae sat facing the Murim Alliance Leader and asked.
The aroma rising from the teacup calmed her mind, yet the anguish over Cheongwol left a heavy weight on her chest.
Muwol Satae had laid everything bare before the Abbot.
Cheongwol's heart demon.
Her conflict with Cheongwol.
The existence of Han Seojin.
The energy settled in his dantian.
Their external relationship.
"It's not as if Wol-i has fallen in love, but I'm still worried. Everyone knows that if a nun takes a man into her heart, it ends in suffering—just as it would for a Shaolin monk who harbors feelings for a woman..."
The Abbot remained composed.
"She hasn't developed romantic feelings, has she?"
"If that were truly the case, Dang Sojeo wouldn't have sent that letter."
"There's no need to worry about things that haven't happened."
"...You speak so easily. What if it's already upon us? What if Wol-i is already smitten with that young master? Even if you had a child of your own, could you say the same to the Abbot?"
"Cheongwol isn't your child, so why do you worry like that?"
"Abbot! What if I have to cripple Wol-i's dantian and sever her meridians with my own hands? How can you tell me to just stand by and watch with a human heart! Are you saying it's foolish even to prepare for what hasn't come?"
"...What would you like to do, Satae?"
"I want to send Young Master Seojin far away, but even that isn't for me to decide. That's why I'm asking you."
"If I suggest a way, will you follow it?"
"...I'd have to hear it."
"Are you saying you'll swallow it if it's sweet and spit it out if it's bitter?"
"Curse me as you will. I'll endure the blame if it means showing Wol-i the right path. Yes, she won't like what I have to say. But if excommunication awaits at the end, I can't respect her choice, no matter what. I'd rather die than sever that child's meridians with my own hands... No matter how much I warn her, she won't listen!"
"..."
The Abbot chanted a sutra softly, then narrowed his eyes.
"You wish for the young man's happiness."
"Abbot... Please, no more of that..."
"He's of marriageable age. Why not bless the young man's future path? If it was mere friendship for Cheongwol... she'll bless him too, and if not, she'll understand the trial given to her. She's still young enough to attain enlightenment."
At those words, Muwol Satae’s expression softened.
It was the look of someone who understood the Abbot's proposal.
"Marriageable age..."
Muwol Satae repeated only those words.
Soon, she bowed her head as if performing a prostration.
"Thank you for your wise counsel, Abbot."
‘Abbot!’
At that moment, an urgent voice rang out from outside.
"Come in."
The incense lit earlier vanished in an instant with the gust of wind, and the stuffy air cleared.
Murim Alliance Leader Beophae faced the entering monk with a benevolent expression.
"What is it?"
"M-Monk. You must see this right away. It's news from the falcon."
Falcons rarely fly for messages.
Fierce and hard to handle, there aren't many of them. A martial artist would rather meditate than spend time training one.
Usually, news travels via escort agencies, sect disciples, or family retainers.
To deploy a falcon meant the matter was of utmost urgency.
Beophae took the letter with hands quicker than usual.
The gentle smile he always wore faded from his face.
"Six...?"
Beophae's eyes darted over the letter multiple times.
Line by line, he read and reread, his expression one of disbelief.
Finally unable to hold back, Muwol Satae asked.
"Abbot. What is it?"
The Abbot's trembling gaze turned to Muwol Satae.
He rose abruptly and shouted.
"Gather everyone. Right now...!"
****
A wife.
Hyungnim Wi-chang's words lingered in my head.
His remark that it was time to find a partner.
Was it because I'd witnessed Dang Soran's situation?
I'd forgotten, but suddenly I realized I was of marriageable age myself.
I usually tried not to think about it. I knew my bleak circumstances better than anyone.
Me, from a woman's perspective?
Just being an orphan made them think I lacked proper upbringing, so they shied away.
A beggar origin meant no savings, so dismissed.
My looks weren't outstanding either, adding to the issues.
Never made a decent friend growing up in the village—total loner.
Even those who watched over me had seen my ugly side, my incompetence, my poverty, my filth. In crude terms, my standing in the village was like that fool Ondal.
Hey, if you don't behave, I'll marry you off to Han Seojin!
The girls would cry and wail but obey.
That reputation was probably why Emei Sect's third-generation disciple Honghwa started teasing me.
Of course, that was long ago.
Things were different now.
I'd gotten somewhat wealthy.
Huh? Me, rich!
Money really boosts a man's confidence?
I was dazed, but grins crept up now and then, shoulders squaring proudly.
Anyone would react that way to a chest full of silver nyang.
Not just that—plenty of silk, bright future, soon manpower at my disposal...
Tying up with Wi Cheon-sang might not be all bad.
I might get to command his workers.
Ah, but only if they're decent. Only the innocent ones unaware of the inside dealings.
Shh, villagers.
You ignored me all this time?
Watch now. Yeah... money from selling that stuff, but it's not dirty money.
I'm rich too!
...So give me a daughter, anyone.
I'll make her truly happy.
I'll hide my sadistic tendencies well.
...Maybe smack her butt once in a while as she passes.
What couldn't I do for kids like rice cake toads?
A ray of light pierced my lonely, boring life.
Could I finally meet someone to love me?
I'm ready.
Ready to forget the past.
Even fool Ondal went from laughingstock to landing a fine woman.
Why not me?
I was even getting excited.
Buoyed by these thoughts, I roamed the village more proactively.
Luckily, rumors of the wealth I brought back in the cart had spread—Emei Mountain village women treated me positively.
Freckle-faced Bangran was my conversation partner today.
In a place where men and women keep distance! Just talking means something, right?
...The distance with Cheongwol and Dang Soran was weird from the start anyway.
"Tasty, Seojin-ah?"
Bangran had prepared my lunch and we met secretly on the village outskirts.
This has to be interest in me.
...Honestly, Bangran's not bad.
Not super pretty or gentle... but positive, and kind enough.
She even brought food. Men can't resist a woman who cooks for them.
Top tier for what I could hope for.
"Tasty. Where'd you get eggs?"
"Stole 'em from our hen this morning. For you."
"Really? You're so sweet."
"Might get scolded by Mom if caught, but whatever. One scolding's fine. But I just realized—your body's really fit?"
"From odd jobs."
"Odd jobs don't make you rich like that. You must've done something else. Hey, is it true you have a chest full of silver?"
"..."
"I-I said too much. Try the noodles, Seojin-ah. I boiled them hard."
"Wow, the smell..."
I sniffed in admiration.
"..."
...Nearly grimaced by mistake.
What's that stench?
Is this some elaborate prank?
"..."
But Bangran didn't look malicious, so I forced a smile and stabbed in my chopsticks.
Even for a beggar like me, this was a rare tough dish. Did she mess up the ingredients?
Then, my hand moving the chopsticks froze.
I looked down at my bowl.
A cockroach in the noodle broth.
Startled, it spewed yellow liquid, stinking even worse.
Even I eat bugs, but cockroaches are a no.
"Whew."
Honestly, survived.
Sighing in relief as I set down the bowl, I spotted Dang Soran far off, picking at her fingers.
With her dart-throwing precision, she'd lobbed the bug right into my food.
Bangran panicked.
"D-Dang Sojeo...!"
Dang Soran said impassively.
"Your name?"
"B-Bangran, milady."
"Do you like Young Master Seojin?"
Hey! How do you ask that!
Can't you see I'm building something here!
Bangran hemmed and hawed, unable to answer easily.
After a while, glancing at me, she took a deep breath.
"I-I do like—"
"—You need to know Young Master Seojin-nim's true nature."
Dang Soran said, looking our way.
I chimed in too.
"Soran Sojeo. Don't interfere, go aw—"
"—Interfere?"
Dang Soran seemed suddenly enraged.
"Did you just call it interference for me?"
Dang Soran pointed at me, addressing Bangran.
"Sojeo. This man's a pervert. Enemy of our Sichuan Tang Clan. Don't be fooled by his decent looks!"
Bangran glanced at me.
More than anything, she seemed puzzled by "decent looks."
Well, that was high praise in her book.
"Petty, small-minded, selfish, thinks only of himself. Choose him as a partner and you'll struggle your whole life. He'll order you to cook every day. Wash his clothes, massage him, command without care! I, the eldest daughter of Sichuan Tang Clan, guarantee it. He's more dangerous and filthy than any demon head! Snap out of it!"
I shook my head, whispering to Bangran.
"Don't believe her. She's mad at me for something."
"Mad about what? Dang Sojeo isn't the type to get this angry..."
Bangran asked with a troubled look.
...Damn. Ruined.
Then, Dang Soran wedged between us, prying us apart.
"What are you whispering! I said don't fall for it!"
Finally, Bangran stood.
"I-I'll go first, Seojin-ah."
Even taking my noodle bowl.
Her reaction made sense.
I was used to Poison Phoenix Dang Soran, but to outskirts girl Bangran, she was a huge figure.
Even without believing her, that anger made it awkward.
I looked up at Dang Soran to argue, watching Bangran leave.
"Dang..."
...But maybe because I kept looking at Bangran?
Sorry Bangran, but Dang Soran really was pretty.
****
Dang Soran looked down at the frozen Han Seojin.
Today, he was annoyingly infuriating.
Wanted to smack him. Torment him.
Only seeing him struggle would ease this frustration.
What? Bangran?
Who was that hag?
Ignoring me, but with a woman like that?
Any woman would do?
Well, matches his level.
This... slightly enriched beggar wouldn't get anyone better than that wretch.
Serves him right.
But that hag was innocent.
No reason for her to get caught in this pervert's clutches and suffer.
Watching over naive women so they didn't fall for him was Dang Soran's mission.
Han Seojin should live alone forever.
Since he ruined her marriage prospects and refused responsibility... fair to return the favor.
"What are you doing?"
Dang Soran finally snapped.
"What?"
"Ugh!"
Unable to hold back, she smacked his forehead.
"...??"
As Han Seojin grimaced in disbelief, Dang Soran snapped back to reality.
"Ah, not that..."
But she couldn't back down either.
"...What, trying to get with that girl?"
Han Seojin brushed his hair back calmly.
"...I'm of marriageable age too, so preparing isn't bad."
"You're thinking of marriage?"
"Should I stay single forever?"
His brazen attitude fueled her rage more.
"Ha. You're insane."
Dang Soran sighed.
"You ruined all my marriage talks, and now you'll live well alone?"
"Didn't you say you hated those marriage talks, Dang Sojeo?"
"Dang Sojeo? You called that girl Bangran all friendly, but me Dang Sojeo?"
"...Should I call you Soran?"
"No need!!"
"What do you want then..."
Dang Soran didn't know either.
What did she want?
She knew she wanted revenge right now, but not how.
Ignore him like he did her?
Then his clutches reach village women.
Keep tormenting like before?
Woken him from naps, tossed stones or bugs in food, sabotaged his meets—but Han Seojin just looked back blankly, unfazed.
No matter what, the frustration wouldn't lift.
Just wished he'd handle it himself.
In this confused state, Han Seojin asked back.
"Sojeo. How can I make it up to you."
"Huh?"
"Well, what apology do you want? It's been days following me to Emei Mountain and harassing me. Can't we reconcile and go our ways? You should return to the sacred capital."
Dang Soran stared blankly, then hardened her expression.
"You don't know why I'm mad?"
Truthfully, she didn't either.
"Because I ignored you during the fun?"
...That too, but not just that.
Cheongwol's triumphant expression flickered.
"You think that's all? Like your attention matters."
"...Ugh, annoying..."
Then, Han Seojin muttered.
Dang Soran's face flushed.
She knew it was true, yet couldn't stop.
"Fine. This isn't the end. Just starting. I'll torment you months, years like this."
Dang Soran turned to leave.
But Han Seojin grabbed her hand roughly.
Her heart skipped, trembling.
"...Doing this for more play?"
Han Seojin asked seductively.
The more he did, the stiffer she got.
"...Shall we play? Forgive me then?"
Her body tingled. That tempting depravity gnawed from her toes up.
But it felt humiliating.
Not some dog barking at displeasure then wagging at his word.
Now she was truly angry.
Dang Soran yanked her wrist free.
"Not that...!"
"..."
"...I have something specific to cool my anger. Think it over... bring the right answer."
...Something.
Something knotted in her heart, swelling unbearably.
****
Bangran entered her home.
She clicked her tongue.
Dang Soran ruined it.
Scared off by her words earlier, but considering Han Seojin's wealth, she shouldn't have backed down.
"Father, didn't work out."
She said entering.
"But they say Seojin's weird... He really that rich?"
No sign of life in the house.
Parents should be responding by now.
Bangran passed the kitchen, going deeper.
"Fath—mmph!"
Then, she faced an unexpected guest.
Cheongwol.
Motionless, sitting primly like a lady.
Around her neck... a decadently perverse collar.
Heart pounding, but no lone man or thug, so she calmed.
"S-Sojeo. You startled me. What brings you here..."
"..."
Cheongwol didn't answer.
Just sat silently.
Bangran tried continuing, then recalled her words.
Bluntly admitting eyeing Han Seojin's wealth.
...And Cheongwol called him a good friend.
"..."
Caught in ugly intent, Bangran bowed her head in shame.
Only then did Cheongwol rise.
Not a word.
Cheongwol approached slowly.
Bangran swallowed, tension unrelenting.
Cheongwol pressed close before her.
Felt her gaze on the crown of her head, but Bangran kept bowed.
“...”
“...”
What expression was Cheongwol making? Terrifying to find out.
"...You're no good."
With that short phrase, Cheongwol left the house.
What wasn't good, what she forbade— no specifics.
But facing Cheongwol's unfamiliar demeanor for the first time... Bangran just wanted to hide away.
****
"Right? It would be, yeah?"
"Yeah, kid."
Han Seojin sought Gwak Du with a bizarre worry.
Whether he could use all this money himself.
When did he hate beggar life and open the Leather Room?
When did he toil day and night, foraging mushrooms on the back hill?
Earning money only to agonize over it—beggar habits die hard.
But as if waiting for those words, Han Seojin's face brightened.
Soon, he fiddled fingers over the silver like calculating.
"This much... no, a bit more..."
"Why?"
"Huh? Ah... emergency fund. Never know when needed."
"You're gonna earn plenty anyway, what's the worry? Spend big at first. They say you become a spender by spending—change habits, kid."
He'd lived as beggar, but hated seeing Han Seojin poor too.
Nothing specific he could do, but felt morally sorry.
"That so? Yeah, then this too..."
Gwak Du enjoyed Han Seojin's face flipping with a word.
He sensed Han Seojin's life turning around—still shocking, but accepting gradually.
"...Uncle. Should I really build a new house?"
He asked with excited face.
Gwak Du grinned back.
"You rascal. Save for our drinks at least—"
The door burst open.
"Hyungnim!"
Machilduk and Gu Yeong.
"What's so urgent?"
"Hy-Hyungnim. Big trouble."
Gu Yeong said.
"Th-the Namgung Family... collapsed!"
Shock brought silence.
In the prolonged quiet, Han Seojin moved first.
Cautiously approaching Gu Yeong, he gripped his shoulder.
Shocking news, but Han Seojin's demeanor was odd too.
"...Where?"
Han Seojin asked.
"Namgung Family...! Namgung Family fell to the Yusin Sword Group's attack!!"
"...Not Kunlun Sect?"
"Why Kunlun?"
"...Huh."
Like a soul drained, Han Seojin plopped down.
Then urgently asked.
"Wh-what about Namgung Yeon?"
"Namgung Sogaju rushed back from Murim Alliance meeting...! Hyungnim, blood storm might—"
But at Namgung Yeon's news, Han Seojin blinked in relief.
"...Fuck, really... but wait just..."
"Seojin-ah?"
"Ah..."
As if finishing calculations, he eyed the silver chest.
Unclear why, but looked like he'd decided.
Han Seojin clutched his head, wailing.
"Aaah... really..."
"Seojin-ah...?"
"...Why is my life like this..."