With the mindset that showing any reaction would mean death, Cheongwol suppressed her expression.
However, she couldn't do anything about the blue energy rising from her body.
Her internal energy explosively raced through her entire body.
For Cheongwol, merely suppressing it was all she could manage.
...I told you I wouldn't do it, Owner.
We agreed to do it only with me.
What's that?
Why did you treat Dang Soran even more roughly than me?
Where are you? At least make an excuse. Show up in front of me and apologize quick-
Cheongwol regained her senses upon seeing the medicine container cracked in her hand.
Dang Soran, wearing a faint smile as she stuck out her buttocks.
Had Han Seojin also watched Dang Soran in such a... feminine and vulnerable state?
Had he smiled while seeing it?
Had he complimented Dang Soran, saying she was pretty even while looking at her?
“...Ah.”
Cheongwol grabbed hold of her senses once more.
The sticky ointment trickled down her hand.
Cheongwol quietly took a deep breath.
Getting angry here wouldn't change a thing anyway.
Traces were already left on Dang Soran's body, and there was no way to undo it.
Wouldn't getting angry just make Dang Soran smug?
Cheongwol hardened her face coldly and spoke to Dang Soran.
“The eldest daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan, beaten by a lowly commoner and bragging about it... Are you that proud of submitting to a man? If you really think about it, you were just assaulted—”
“—I was cherished.”
“...”
At Dang Soran's words, a spark flew in Cheongwol's barely suppressed heart.
More than anything, Cheongwol had felt it herself, so she knew what those words might mean.
Han Seojin's play was certainly violent, but Cheongwol knew there was affection underlying it.
Violence permitted mutually through trust.
The mere fact that Dang Soran had realized this made her dislike it.
And that affection was more vividly etched onto Dang Soran's body.
Cheongwol bit her lip, then retorted flippantly.
“...No? It can only be called cherishing if it's based on trust. What you got, Senior Dang, was just violence.”
“...”
“You've only met him twice—where was there even time to build trust?”
Dang Soran awkwardly lowered her martial robes.
Then she asked.
“What about you?”
“I clearly have deeper trust than you, Senior—”
“What reason do you have to be cherished?”
“...Pardon?”
“Aren't you just taking without giving anything to the Young Master? The Young Master was starving in the holy city.”
Thwack—something struck Cheongwol's head and passed by.
...The Owner was starving? He gave me dangho to me...
Cheongwol opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out.
Because, just as Dang Soran said, she had no memory of ever doing anything for Han Seojin.
Whenever she went to him bare, he took care of everything.
How much had she only received? That small realization rippled massively within her.
She hadn't been unaware that he was poor.
She was the one who had walked all the way to the holy city to resolve that poverty.
A shame fundamentally different from what Han Seojin gave her found Cheongwol.
She wanted to boast about buying him a leather knife, but more than anyone, Cheongwol knew that one thing couldn't repay everything he'd given her.
At a loss for words, Cheongwol carefully set the medicine container on the floor.
“Put the ointment on yourself.”
With that, she turned her back and fled the lodging like she was running away.
“...”
She killed her emotions and moved her feet.
Her steps gradually quickened until she finally left the Emei Sect temple at a rapid pace.
She was heading deep into the mountains.
Before she knew it, her sword was smoothly sliding out of its sheath.
Rage and shame boiled up, too hard to contain without releasing.
Soon, as if vomiting it out, Cheongwol channeled internal energy into her sword.
A small pine tree entered the path of the Extermination Sword and was sliced down.
“Ugh!”
Even that wasn't enough to calm her anger, so Cheongwol had to swing her sword for a long while.
She couldn't even pinpoint who she was angry at.
Dang Soran, who had shown her all this?
Han Seojin, who had betrayed her?
...Or herself, swaying like a reed at just one provocation?
Herself, wanting to be cherished without any reason to be, just as Dang Soran said?
Frustrating.
Cheongwol gritted her teeth and swung her sword.
...I'm frustrated, Owner.
****
Second day after fleeing the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
“Nah, that won't work.”
Wi Chang shook his head.
We were at the stables.
Because I'd accepted his proposal.
Become a traveling merchant, scout around, and slip away—that was the suggestion.
It gave me an excuse to leave Mount Emei, and I could make some money on the side, so it was good for me too.
“Weren't you looking for a natural way to slip out? But showing up with a flashy horse pulling a luxurious carriage would look suspicious.”
“Right?”
Before my eyes, magnificent horses were lined up.
Sleek muscles, proud postures.
The finest steeds of the Central Plains were arrayed in front of me.
And this Wi Chang brother was telling me to pick one decisively, but how could my eyes not spin?
But our goal was clear.
To leave naturally, without suspicion.
It had to be a fitting means of transport.
“A donkey's better.”
Wi Chang's finger passed over the horses, pointing to a donkey huddled in the corner.
“It can pull a cart just the same, and even without one, it's great for carrying loads. Sturdy, eats little. Do you know how much shit horses produce? Donkeys are easier to manage.”
Next to the horses, the donkey looked even more shabby.
It somehow resembled my own sorry state perfectly.
“...”
I'd thought picking a luxury sports car would be fun, but being told a compact car is more realistic.
I knew he was right, but... my lip still jutted out.
“...The horses are pretty, though.”
“Then pick one. A horse.”
When Wi Chang said it coolly, I panicked and waved my hands instead.
“Ah, no. Just saying.”
Now that he was actually offering one, the practical problems he mentioned came to mind.
'Owner, what's with this horse? Where'd you get it? Got a backer now? Planning to run off? Want me to cut its ankle tendons?'
...It was a chilling imagination that felt like it wouldn't end in mere thoughts.
I headed toward the donkeys.
The horse trader approached and explained to me.
“This one's the best here. The ratio of thigh thickness to ankle thickness is perfect, and even after loading it heavy for ages, it didn't shake at all.”
Wi Chang nodded too.
“Young Master. This donkey seems the best.”
Outside, Wi Chang called me Young Master instead of noble.
Just being called Young Master made the horse trader's eyes sparkle as he looked at me; calling me noble would only cause a fuss.
“I don't know much, so... yeah, go with that.”
Even so, actually getting a donkey made my heart race.
Thump thump.
“Pet it. Even lowly beasts need bonding.”
Following Wi Chang's words, I slowly stroked the donkey's nape.
...Softer than I thought.
Looking closely, it was kinda cute too.
At first, its gums showing fully creeped me out, but now it oddly grew on me.
In my excitement, playful thoughts bubbled up endlessly.
Should I name it Cheongwol? Honestly, it'd relieve some stress.
Could smack its ass like Cheongwol's and order it to hurry.
“...”
...Nah. If she found out, I'd really die.
Keep it to imagination.
“...Sigh.”
Anyway, when I get back to Mount Emei, I'll have to play with Cheongwol again.
What to do this time.
Just thinking about it makes my head feel like it's gonna explode.
I can do plenty, but finding the right line is always the hard part.
She always approaches grumbling about some complaint, so matching her mood on the spot is tough.
It's grumbling, but if I slip up, she could take my head, so it's even scarier.
...Man, what kinda relationships do I get into.
Who knew the SM I love would torment me like this.
...Or maybe, that's why I'm still alive.
While I pondered, Wi Chang paid for the donkey, and the horse trader handed me the reins.
With the stocky, sturdy donkey, we left the stables.
As Wi Chang and I chatted about this and that, we ran into Uncle waiting for me from afar.
Gwak Du Uncle gaped in shock at the reins in my hand for a while.
Guess I should explain roughly to Uncle too.
He'll worry and nag, so maybe dodge it a bit.
I adjusted my grip on the reins slightly and turned to Wi Chang.
“I'll head back now.”
“Yes, safe travels.”
“...You really don't want anything from me?”
“Nothing but your safety. Really. Not a single thing.”
...Won't fully trust it, but I'll take the assurance.
“Got it. Thanks anyway.”
“Oh, noble one. If we ever need something from you, just give word to the Hao Gate member staying on Mount Emei. We'll do our best to fulfill anything.”
“Knew there were Hao Gate folks on Mount Emei, but hearing they're really there gives me chills.”
“Ahaha... We live by information—what can we do?”
“So? Who do I tell?”
“There's a young dumpling shop girl. Name's Ga Yeong, plump and—”
“—What??”
I yelled in surprise.
Then, quickly lowering my voice, I asked.
“Ga Yeong's with the Hao Gate??”
“You know her? Well, small village...”
Not about knowing—before Cheongwol, she's the only woman I got familiar with?
Whoa, scary for real.
Murim's scary.
The more I know, the less I wanna know.
I stuck out my tongue and bid Wi Chang farewell again.
For now, head home, sort things out... then travel around with this donkey.
In that sense, this donkey's my lifeline.
I'll treat you well. Let's get along.
“Hup.”
With that, I mounted the donkey.
The donkey immediately looked displeased, but since it didn't speak, it wasn't certain.
I approached Uncle.
“Uncle. Hop on.”
“...What's this now, Seojin? Damn it, stop giving me worries. Who'd you get tangled with this time!! How'd you meet that grand hero?!”
“...Explaining would just get me nagged, so no need to know. Just know it was the best choice from my position.”
“How is this the best—”
“—The Poison King has his eye on me?”
“Argh!”
Uncle swung his staff at my head again.
As always, I deliciously rolled aside and took the hit.
If I rolled on the ground, Uncle would let me off.
But even after time passed, Uncle showed no reaction.
Just quiet after the strike.
“Uh, Uncle?”
“-Ptoo!”
Uncle spat on his own hand.
Shit. Big trouble.
It'd been a while since Uncle's serious mode.
“...Seojin. You little shit.”
Uncle gripped his saliva-slick staff tight so it wouldn't slip.
“W-wait a sec.”
“Have I been too soft on you lately? Yeah, if it's broken, gotta beat it back into shape, right?”
“Ah! Bone! You hit my bone!”
“I know, that's why I hit it, you punk!”
Then Uncle really beat me until dust flew.
The sadist's dignity crumbles.
From afar, it felt like Wi Chang was watching me with shocked eyes.