Day 7, early evening.
Today was a day of leisurely travel.
The roads were treacherous, and pushing ahead at a martial artist's pace would wear out the companions, so they had decided on this.
Cheongwol soaked a cloth in the nearby stream, wiped her body neatly, and washed her face with the cold flowing water.
Ever since her bond with Han Seojin had deepened, she had started putting more effort into her appearance.
She had never done it before, not even once, but now her looks constantly nagged at her.
She fiddled with her hair for no reason, and when she sensed him looking at her, she pretended not to notice while managing her expression.
She softened her eyes and let a smile play on her lips.
She angled herself to look beautiful for him.
Not long ago, she had even bought some powder.
Applying makeup as a nun felt somehow shameful, but she couldn't just let it go entirely.
In truth, even her senior sisters without exception used powder, so she was just a bit late to start.
Her master Soun had asked what change of heart had led her to use makeup upon seeing it.
But Cheongwol hadn't confessed her true feelings.
She merely said that now with her name widely known, she couldn't neglect her appearance.
Regrettably, Han Seojin hadn't noticed, which inexplicably hurt Cheongwol's feelings.
She had first learned that she could feel slighted over such trivial things.
Perhaps it wasn't Cheongwol who felt aggrieved, but the Cha Ha within her.
Even so, Cheongwol didn't dislike these changes in herself that had arisen.
She felt a bit more human, more natural.
She preferred this bothersome self over the mask-wearing Cheongwol.
She thought she could like herself a little more.
Cheongwol finished washing and returned to the group setting up camp.
Tang Clan retainers, Emei Mountain locals, and Emei Sect nuns were scattered about, each preparing for the night in their own way.
Dang Soran was off in the distance stroking a horse, and... Han Seojin was...
...
Nowhere to be seen.
He had never been one for crowds anyway.
Feeling a faint guilt, Cheongwol still sensed the trace of the loyalty incense.
The scent had faded considerably over time.
Even so, it was strong enough to detect at this close range.
Vowing never to apply the loyalty incense to him again if it ever disappeared, Cheongwol set off.
Surprisingly, Han Seojin was lingering not far from the stream where Cheongwol had washed earlier.
Unlike Cheongwol who had bathed downstream, he seemed to be spending time upstream, sitting comfortably by the water while giving his donkey a drink.
‘...Here? Is it?’
He was muttering to himself while peering at something alone.
Cheongwol couldn't bring herself to approach his peaceful figure and watched from afar.
“...”
A strange smile crept onto her lips.
A warmth stirred from deep in her chest.
She had first learned that just looking at someone could make her happy.
The more she recalled her hellish life in the Emei Sect, the starker the contrast.
Elders who only showed expectation.
A master and sect leader who demanded only suppression.
Senior sisters who envied and jealoused her.
Nowhere had she found herself.
Common folk on the road, not knowing her, fawned over the name ‘Cheongwol’ as if they knew everything about her, and grew disappointed if she was cold.
Yet from afar, women gossiped, men sexually harassed.
There had been no room to breathe.
But now there was.
Just approaching his side, or even seeing him from afar, made her feel alive.
His broad shoulders. His large back. His long hands.
...And his unkempt, uncombed hair. His scruffy beard. His frayed clothes—everything filled her
Just approaching his side, or even seeing him from afar, made her feel alive.
His broad shoulders. His large back. His long hands.
...And his unkempt, uncombed hair. His scruffy beard. His frayed clothes—everything filled her heart with joy.
She found it absurd herself, but just watching him sometimes made her nose tingle.
She couldn't understand why she was making such a fuss over merely looking at one person.
Yet gazing at him let her feel how much she had endured all this time.
This comfort she felt by his side was proof.
Like feeling the pain after battle excitement fades, realizing how hurt she was.
Only by his side did Cheongwol understand how hard it had been for her.
Watching him quietly from afar, she could sense what he was doing.
He was studying the acupoint manual.
He must have regained interest in martial arts after the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
If it were any other man doing that, Cheongwol would have pitied him for wasting time on something useless, but with Han Seojin, it was just endearing.
It amused her to see that man grunting as he tried to learn something.
Cheongwol cautiously approached him.
Stealthily, so he wouldn't hear.
Teasing someone wasn't like her usual self, but with Han Seojin, she discovered sides of herself she hadn't known.
“Wah!”
Cheongwol grabbed his shoulder and shouted.
Han Seojin jumped in shock.
Cheongwol covered her mouth and laughed for a good while at the sight.
Han Seojin looked flustered upon seeing her face.
“Why the sudden fuss? It's not like you... I thought you were Dang Soran.”
Cheongwol didn't answer. She didn't know why she was acting this way herself.
“Looking at the acupoint manual, Branch Leader?”
“...Hah, you scared me... Yeah. Acupoint manual.”
“Getting it at all?”
“Just looking. I get the theory, but... like you said, the more I learn, the more it feels like it's not practical martial arts.”
“Told you so.”
Cheongwol looked down at him and suddenly said,
“Branch Leader. Take off your upper clothes and show me your back.”
“What?”
“Like last time, I'll check your body. Trim your acupoints too.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Well... You're showing interest in that, so I figured I'd help. And now I'm a peak expert. It'll be totally different from before.”
“...”
“Branch Leader, how many peak experts are there in the Central Plains? Don't you know what a huge opportunity this is? Just having ties to me is impressive enough...”
She even hyped herself up to persuade him.
She couldn't understand why she was doing this herself.
But she couldn't hold back the blooming feelings.
She craved any sensation connecting her to him.
Han Seojin didn't deliberate long.
As if keeping his promise to fully trust Cheongwol, he shrugged off his clothes and bared his back.
“...Well, no harm in getting help.”
Cheongwol gulped as his back came into view.
She hadn't felt it before, but Han Seojin's body was growing more beautiful to her.
Her body reacted on its own, a strange heat rising in her lower abdomen.
...well, no harm in getting help.
Cheongwol gulped as his back came into view.
She hadn't felt it before, but Han Seojin's body was growing more beautiful to her.
Her body reacted on its own, a strange heat rising in her lower abdomen.
No thoughts in her head, yet the flush came.
“...Wol-ah?”
“Ah, yeah. Uh... I was startled seeing the points on your back.”
“You get startled over that.”
Hiding her agitation, she sat behind him.
She placed her hands on his broad back.
“Close your eyes and focus now, Branch Leader.”
“Got it.”
Concealing her illicit excitement, she slowly channeled her qi into his body.
He must have done some circulation training bit by bit, as a faint energy stirred in his dantian.
A qi different from hers or Dang Soran's.
Han Seojin's unique qi.
Unconsciously biting her lip, Cheongwol began mixing her qi into his.
“...Hoo.”
Han Seojin let out a faint groan, sensing the oddity.
Cheongwol poured qi into his acupoints, feeling him
Unconsciously biting her lip, Cheongwol began mixing her qi into his.
“…Hoo.”
Han Seojin let out a faint groan, sensing the oddity.
Cheongwol poured qi into his acupoints, feeling him.
He had never felt so close.
This sensation of slowly becoming one with him.
She hadn't known it could feel this good.
At the same time, her feelings for him piled up endlessly.
Memories of their time on Mount Song surfaced.
The truths they shared. That walk. The brief kiss on her forehead.
Cheongwol opened her eyes while gradually transferring qi to him.
Sweat began beading on his back.
His nape looked so enticing.
Unable to hold back, Cheongwol leaned toward him bit by bit.
Just briefly. Very briefly.
On his neck, like last time... He wouldn't hate it.
…No, he wouldn't, right? If he accepted the kiss willingly, she'd melt with joy.
“…!”
But Cheongwol sensed someone approaching and slowly withdrew her qi.
As the energy faded, Han Seojin opened his eyes.
...no, he wouldn't, right? If he accepted the kiss willingly, she'd melt with joy.
…!
But Cheongwol sensed someone approaching and slowly withdrew her qi.
As the energy faded, Han Seojin opened his eyes.
…Done?
…Y-yeah.
She shoved her unfulfilled desire deep inside herself.
Cheongwol eyed the intruder coldly.
It was Mugyeol.
Dinner is ready.
He said.
But Cheongwol instantly knew Mugyeol had come on Dang Soran's orders.
…Yes, thank you.
But it didn't matter.
Han Seojin had cut off Dang Soran, choosing her.
No need to show hostility.
She had won. That wouldn't change.
****
Dokgo Jinmuk watched for an opportunity.
Blending in as a Tang Clan retainer, he eyed chances to approach Han Seojin.
But it wasn't as easy as it sounded.
The closer he got, the clearer it became: Cheongwol and Dang Soran circled Han Seojin ceaselessly.
Not always glued to his side.
Sometimes from afar, sometimes near.
Either way, their attention was on Han Seojin, meaning he was the safest person in this group.
A being drawing steady interest from two peak experts.
How to approach him?
Tok.
Dokgo Jinmuk watched Han Seojin during dinner as always.
Tok.
“...”
A pine cone flew from afar, bonking his head and falling.
Han Seojin sighed in exasperation, as if enlightened or accustomed, and pathetically glared one way.
There was Dang Soran, munching food innocently after throwing it.
Dokgo Jinmuk let out a hollow laugh at the sight.
A peak expert using martial arts like this for pranks.
She was putting effort into tossing pine cones unnoticed by the group to get his attention.
Considering Han Seojin's low skill, he shouldn't know who threw it... but from experience, he instantly pegged the culprit.
Han Seojin shook his head and picked up his chopsticks again.
Then Dang Soran flung another pine cone at lightning speed, nailing his nose precisely.
Tok!
“Ow!”
His nose must have stung, as Han Seojin clutched it and glared at Dang Soran.
Dang Soran couldn't eat, stifling laughter.
Dokgo Jinmuk was utterly confused.
What was their relationship?
Why torment him like this?
Had Dang Soran tamed her heart demon with this?
It seemed insufficient for that.
“…”
Had Dang Soran tamed her heart demon with this?
It seemed insufficient for that.
“...”
He didn't bother understanding.
Once he took Han Seojin, everything would resolve.
After agonizing, Dokgo Jinmuk set a date.
He decided to execute the plan tonight.
This was southern Shaanxi.
Head northwest with Han Seojin, and the Kongtong Sect would appear.
Beyond Kongtong to Qinghai, and from there, finding the Ming Cult wouldn't be hard—so slipping away here was most effective.
To take Han Seojin, one condition sufficed.
Dang Soran and Cheongwol not focused on him.
And honestly, in this lax situation, it was easier than eating cold porridge.
Dokgo Jinmuk finished eating, stretched his neck, and boldly approached Dang Soran.
He suppressed his presence and fiddled with his human-skin mask one last time.
Reaching her, Mugyeol, stuck by her side, blocked him.
“What is it?”
Mugyeol was someone Dokgo Jinmuk had to watch.
Harmless one-on-one, but a nuisance tool in this group.
Dokgo Jinmuk smiled and said,
“Nun Cheongwol asked me to pass a message to the lady…”
“…Cheongwol?”
Dang Soran reacted.
Mugyeol stepped aside, and Dokgo Jinmuk leaned close to whisper to Dang Soran.
“At Hai hour tonight (9-11 PM), she wants to meet you alone by the stream, Nun Cheongwol said. Downstream.”
From observation, Dang Soran and Cheongwol were in a subtle rivalry over Han Seojin.
They wouldn't cling to that man without reason.
This must tie to how their heart demons led them to peak expertise.
Sure enough, they seemed to have unfinished business… and Dang Soran nodded without suspicion.
Next was Cheongwol.
Approaching her was tenser than Dang Soran.
Despite Dang Soran winning the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, the pressure from Cheongwol felt stronger.
Perhaps because he sensed she enjoyed killing, like him.
Birds of a feather recognize each other—even with the human-skin mask, his identity might slip.
Thus more cautiously, Dokgo Jinmuk approached Cheongwol and said,
“N-Nun. Our lady sent me to relay a message to you.”
“…”
Cheongwol looked down at him coldly.
He couldn't help but be startled by that expression.
It was utterly different from the gaze she'd shown near Han Seojin lately.
As cold as ice, he felt from this young nun the same aura as from Yeongcheon.
The more so, the more curious he grew about Han Seojin, who influenced her thus.
“…Speak.”
Fortunately, Cheongwol hadn't pierced his identity.
Dokgo Jinmuk bowed his head to hide and said,
“At Hai hour tonight (9-11 PM), she wants to meet you alone by the stream, the lady said. Downstream by the stream.”
Cheongwol paused as if mulling it over, then nodded.
“...Understood.”
****
What would they discuss? Cheongwol sat by the stream, waiting for Dang Soran.
The moon hung high in the sky. Gazing at it sometimes recalled the day she lost her parents.
That evening with blood-red sunset. Her parents attacked by bandits then.
Blood as red as the sky splattered everywhere. That red was her parents' lives.
Cha Ha, whose name meant beautiful sunset, should have died there too.
That was when Muwol Satae appeared.
After the bandits' long slaughter, as their eyes turned to Cha Ha.
The nun who subdued them all with one sword.
When she defeated them all and saved Cha Ha, the same moon shone.
Cha Ha set, Cheongwol rose.
How long had she mulled those words?
Seeing this moon always brought them back.
She had thought it the right path.
“...”
Seeing this moon always brought them back.
She had thought it the right path.
“…”
Cheongwol smiled.
Only recently had she realized it wasn't.
All because of Han Seojin.
She let out a deep sigh.
Whatever conversation with Dang Soran, she was prepared.
“Wait long?”
Dang Soran's voice soon echoed.
Cheongwol slowly turned to her.
“…No. I just arrived.”
They shared awkward silence.
Many entanglements, yet still awkward with each other.
Perhaps not awkwardness, but hostility.
Anything but, Cheongwol refused to yield to Dang Soran.
The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly defeat still lingered in her.
Enlightenment just came late; now she had confidence again.
She was a peak expert too. No more losing to Dang Soran.
“...”
“...”
They silently stared at each other for a long time.
Finally, Cheongwol couldn't hold back and spoke first.
“So?”
“What?”
“There must be a reason you called me. What did you want to talk about?”
“...What are you saying? You called me.”
“No? I didn't.”
“Then why are you out here?”
“Because my senior called me...”
They tilted their heads.
Neither understood the situation.
But mulling it over, an endless unease crept in.
The initial discomfort grew serious, then terrifying.
Who would do this?
Why?
For what?
“...”
“...”
The deeper the thought, the greater the anxiety.
Cheongwol recalled Dokgo Jinmuk who had approached her.
They were interested in her.
With her performance at the recent Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, she was undeniably in their sights.
In truth, two peak experts clustered in this remote place.
They had left what they were supposed to guard to come here.
Cheongwol's mind raced.
And what she and Dang Soran were guarding... what was that precious...
Her heart sank with realization.
Pak!
Without a word, the two warriors leaped into motion.
“Haa... haa...!”
Cheongwol felt her blood run cold.
Could fear bloom this instantly?
She shook her head.
No.
...It can't be.