Before the four-day tournament truly began in earnest, Cheongwol sat in the meditation hall, steadying her mind.
The quarterfinals and semifinals would be held in turn, divided into morning and afternoon sessions.
Now, only eight powerhouses remained.
The next opponent Cheongwol had to face was Mukyong, who had claimed the title of Dragon in the previous tournament.
However, Cheongwol’s thoughts were directed not toward Mukyong, but toward another man.
'Tomorrow, come out here at night just like this.'
“...Hoo.”
A massive ripple stirred in her serene mind.
At first, she had been delighted simply by the fact of the promise itself, but as time passed, a delicate tension more intricate than joy began to well up.
The place he had called her to was outdoors. What if someone saw them?
Even now, with her eyes closed…
'Cheongwol! Cheongwol! Cheongwol!'
'Cheongwol! Cheongwol! Cheongwol!'
…the voices of those calling her name on the faint breeze reached her ears.
They were the voices of the spectators who had already filled the arena, counting down the moments to her match against Mukyong.
And yet, for her…
She, who was revered by all… in front of Han Seojin…
“...Hoo.”
Did they know?
That the Cheongwol they loved was a illusory figure she had painstakingly created through all her hardships.
That the real Cheongwol was not a lofty and benevolent once-in-a-millennium nun, but a being filled with anger and pain.
That in front of the one man who understood this, she could no longer remain lofty… and became obedient.
She herself felt the sweet shiver of immorality from that gap.
Though she had denied it, she too had lived overly conscious of others’ gazes.
Of course, had she not always lived as a benevolent nun, mindful of people’s eyes?
Thus, even knowing that playing with Han Seojin was a gamble that could shatter everything she had built, Cheongwol now understood.
She could not do without that play. She could not do without Han Seojin.
So, even as fear trembled through her already, her body was steadily heating up.
And it was still a full day away.
-Derrk.
At that moment, the door to the meditation hall opened.
Senior Disciple Hye-yul called to her.
“Cheongwol. Come out now. It’s time.”
“...Yes.”
Cheongwol rose from her seat.
“That...”
The moment she passed by Hye-yul, she spoke.
“...Did you meet that man well?”
“Yes?”
A faint wariness bloomed, but Hye-yul continued.
“Yesterday, the Leather Room owner seemed to be looking for you, so I told him where you were. You didn’t do anything foolish, did you?”
“...”
“...You’ve gotten close to him lately.”
At those words, Cheongwol felt all the resentment she had built toward Hye-yul slowly melt away.
Did she know? That her action yesterday had saved her.
Cheongwol bowed her head to Hye-yul.
“Wh-what are you doing, Cheongwol?”
“Senior Disciple. Thank you truly.”
Hye-yul, flustered, slowly nodded.
Cheongwol said sincerely.
“...Really.”
.
.
.
Before she knew it, Cheongwol had ascended the stage.
Amid the cheers of countless people, she quietly gazed toward Han Seojin.
Their eyes met from afar. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end.
Until now, during the tournament, their eyes had never met.
He had always avoided her gaze, or been talking with the Beggars’ Sect beggars beside him, or with Ga Yeong.
But not now.
Just as if he intended to keep yesterday’s promise, he did not avoid her gaze at all.
“...”
“...”
In that difference, she sensed the fact that Han Seojin had feared her.
It had not been coincidence that their eyes never met before—he had been avoiding her.
But now, his eyes seemed to convey a message.
Even if afraid, he would face her.
That unspoken resolve quickened Cheongwol’s breath.
The hot shiver running down the back of her neck deepened her addiction to him.
It felt as though she was finally facing the true Han Seojin.
Even amid tens of thousands of people, she felt as if only the two of them remained in the world.
Mukyong also took the stage.
He rolled his stiff neck and said.
“I’ve been waiting a long time, young lady. I knew a day would come when we’d test our skills like this. Remember? The day at the inn in the capital when you beat me senseless.”
Mukyong chuckled lightly.
“But don’t think of me as I was that day. I’m ready.”
Cheongwol nodded. Of course she shouldn't think of that day.
The attacks she had unleashed on Mukyong then had been a surprise. Since it wasn’t a serious bout, Cheongwol had no intention of letting her guard down.
Instead of replying, Cheongwol gripped her wooden sword tightly.
Suddenly, another worry bloomed in a corner of her heart.
It was a concern that arose only after she fully realized Han Seojin had feared her.
If she showed an even stronger side here, wouldn’t he fear her more?
“Begin!”
The announcer signaled the start, but Cheongwol remained rooted in place, lost in that worry.
“...Young lady, are you looking down on me now? You should prepare yourself.”
Even Mukyong seemed puzzled, clearly asking amid the massive cheers.
Cheongwol hesitated briefly before asking.
“By chance.”
“Hm?”
“...By chance, what happened to Young Master Namgung-no, Clan Leader Namgung?”
Han Seojin was Namgung Yeon’s sponsor.
Now, the fact that she had subdued him in one exchange on the first day weighed on her mind.
Had even that stoked his fear?
Mukyong paused for a moment, then answered.
“...I haven’t seen him since the first day either. He seemed quite dejected after you subdued him. For a man to be like that over... No, maybe that’s exactly what men are like.”
“...”
Really, was it okay to go further here…?
Cheongwol closed her eyes briefly… then raised her sword.
No. Show Han Seojin fear.
Han Seojin had said he would always fear Cheongwol, no matter what.
Removing his fear, responding to his trust—that was Chaeha’s role.
Cheongwol just needed to stay as she was. She needed to be the unyielding nun.
“...I’ll end it quickly.”
Cheongwol whispered.
Then, her body shot forward like an arrow.
****
“Yes! How great was that!”
Gu Yeong Uncle roughly ruffled my hair, showing immense satisfaction.
“How great, I say! You saw it too, right? That refreshing figure of the young lady—!”
I had let Gu Yeong Uncle know that things were resolved and we’d made up.
The uncle, who had been turning his head away sharply whenever I approached while sulking, finally faced me after hearing that.
And then the spar with Mukyong unfolded.
Just as Uncle said, I saw it too.
Today, Cheongwol bloomed elegantly.
Not frantic to suppress her opponent as before, but soft and supple.
As she deployed the Shaoyang Sword Technique, she deflected and twisted away each of Mukyong’s attacks.
And each time she filled the gaps with her own sword, Mukyong’s flustered expression excited everyone.
Now, a late-stage twenties expert participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly for the first time had defeated the previous tournament’s Dragon.
Gu Yeong Uncle kept ruffling my hair.
“You did well, kid. Well done!!”
Gwak Du Uncle was also excited, patting my back and laughing.
During the lunch break after the quarterfinals, the two uncles were so thrilled they were already drinking in the daytime, enjoying the day.
“Hoo.”
But I stood up.
“Hm? Where are you going, Seojin?”
“Uncles, enjoy your meal. I have some business to attend to.”
And with that, I moved my steps.
My thoughts were not on Cheongwol’s spar, but on the promise with Cheongwol.
Tonight, SM play with Cheongwol. That’s what we’d agreed on.
And since this time it would be a day of clashing true hearts without hiding anything, I too was tense.
I couldn’t name this ticklish, poking sensation.
Excitement? Anticipation? Fear?
I knew my role was important.
As I walked the streets, I carefully took in the village scenery here and there.
Wherever I went, Cheongwol’s name echoed.
“Man, that’s why you can’t tear yourself away from martial artists! Is there anything more thrilling than a suddenly appearing skilled latecomer?”
“The Thousand-Year Flower is the Thousand-Year Flower for a reason! Didn’t I tell you all along?”
“How often do you get to see a nun holed up in Mount Emei? Anyway, I came here right this time. To think I’d witness it with my own eyes.”
“Mom! Can I grow up to be as cool as Nun Cheongwol too?”
“Of course. Be good and listen to Mom, and you can be anything!”
It felt strange.
It was as if I was no longer seeing the Life-Pursuing Ghost Cheongwol, but another woman.
That small difference was stirring massive echoes within me.
After confirming Cheongwol’s prestige everywhere like that, I arrived at the gambling den.
Bang Biyeon Uncle burst into laughter upon seeing me.
“Young Hero Han, I lose. Who would’ve thought Mukyong would fall like that…! After seeing Young Lady Cheongwol’s face a few times, I momentarily forgot why she’s called the Thousand-Year Flower.”
Uncle pointed to the back of the gambling table.
“The payout’s high this time. Half a chest of gold coins piled up. Take it if you’re claiming.”
“Who’s her next opponent?”
“Young Lady Cheongwol? Let’s see, it’s Kunlun Sect’s Yi Shin young hero.”
“Then bet it all on Cheongwol.”
“...You really intend to go all the way. Fine, no more objections—I’ll place it!”
“...Hoo.”
Tension keeps building.
Not tension about gambling.
Tension about tonight.
I cleared all my chips.
...How would Cheongwol come to me tonight?
****
After successfully advancing to the finals, Cheongwol attended the drinking party among the martial artists.
Though the tournament was over, Cheongwol’s heart raced ever faster.
Her mind was entirely occupied elsewhere.
This was a gathering to celebrate the finalists.
Mukyong, who had lost to her in the quarterfinals, raised his cup and shouted.
“It’s not over yet, but it was a joy meeting you all! Young Lady Cheongwol, Young Lady Dang Soran! I look forward to your splendid performances tomorrow!”
-Bang!
With a loud crash, the martial artists clinked their cups together and raised a raucous cheer.
Cheongwol tilted her teacup, quietly filling her stomach.
Even this was preparation for tonight.
She barely had time to worry much about her final opponent, Dang Soran.
Above all, though Dang Soran had reached the finals, she sat quietly withdrawn, and Cheongwol could roughly guess why.
Not knowing Han Seojin’s marriage was fake, she seemed to grow thinner by the day.
...Not Cheongwol’s concern.
She reacted subtly even to the feel of her uniform brushing her skin.
Her body had been overly heated and strange for a long time.
The laughter and conversations of people sounded like distant noise.
In the center of her mind, a single thought repeated.
Soon. Soon, with hearts laid bare to each other… the play with Han Seojin would begin.
Here. In Songshan. When all eyes were most intensely upon her, they would play.
Time dragged slowly.
Cheongwol exchanged light words with those approaching in her benevolent guise, forging bonds of friendship, but in about an hour, she would forget all their faces. So detached was she from everything unfolding before her.
Atop the table, she greeted people with nun-like poise, but beneath… she crossed her legs slightly, enduring tension unbefitting a nun.
Who would have thought she’d feel such excitement in the midst of daily life.
The moment awaited all day was almost here.
As Cheongwol quietly filled her stomach, she caught sight of herself in the wall mirror.
The subtle light in her eyes, her faintly flushed cheeks, an inexplicable smile.
...If she weren’t a nun, anyone might have suspected she was lost in strange thoughts.
But no one knew.
What she had promised to do with one man tonight—none of them knew.
Only he and she knew that promise.
That thought alone sent shivers to her very toes.
Then, one by one, they began staggering off, drunk.
Dang Soran, who had sat quietly throughout, also rose.
“...”
“...”
With weary eyes, she stared at Cheongwol for a moment before quietly departing.
As Dang Soran left, even more set down their cups.
Night was falling over Songshan.
Realizing it was nearly time for her to leave, Cheongwol steadied her trembling legs and stood.
Feeling the gazes upon her, she said.
“Today was enjoyable for all. I hope we have another chance to strengthen our bonds like this.”
“Nun! Take care!”
Everyone bid her farewell in their own words.
Cheongwol whispered to them with one last smile.
“...Amitabha.”
She exited the luxurious inn with quiet steps.
To Senior Disciple Hye-yul, who left with her, she said.
“...I have a place I need to go to briefly. I’ll go and come back.”
Hye-yul nodded.
“Yes, go carefully.”
Then Hye-yul led her fellow disciples away.
Even in Songshan’s lower village, people were gradually returning to their homes.
The streets, once packed, were emptying.
Cheongwol slowly made her way toward the promised spot.
“Nun!!! You were truly amazing today!”
“Young lady, if there’s another chance, come to our inn! We’ll prepare a fine meal!”
Cheongwol bowed to them with a smile, continuing onward.
-Step... step... step...
Her steps, at first slow and steady.
-Step. Step. Step.
Grew faster as her body’s excitement heated.
As she realized the awaited moment had come.
-Step. Step. Step. Step.
Her breathing quickened too.
Today was the day Cheongwol as Cheongwol had shone. The hidden Chaeha longed to breathe.
-Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Before long, Cheongwol was running at a brisk pace.
She could bear it no longer.
She wanted to see Han Seojin, who hadn’t avoided her gaze until the end from the spectator seats.
Even as everyone recognized her, Cheongwol ran toward one place.
She wanted to tell Han Seojin quickly that he needn’t fear her.
“Haa... Haa...”
Finally, at the promised spot, she spotted a silhouette.
She would recognize that back anywhere.
How long had he waited here?
Had he... anticipated this moment like her?
Did he know how hard it was for her to hold back now?
Not far from Songshan’s lower village.
The place where she had bared her heart to Han Seojin.
“Da...”
She tried to call out loudly, but was it nerves? Her throat caught briefly.
Cheongwol swallowed, steadied her pounding heart, and called to him.
“Shop... owner. I’m here.”
-Swish...
Han Seojin turned around.
He had changed into neat clothes.
At his handsome appearance, Cheongwol’s breath hitched.
He let out a deep breath before saying.
“...I’ve been waiting, Chaeha.”
At those words, the nun who had shaken the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly exhaled a trembling breath.