Day in and day out, rumors about Cheongwol shook Mount Emei.
“Did you hear? Unbelievable... Cheongwol Junior Sister has been put under confinement!”
“Cheongwol Junior Sister?”
The next day.
“Cheongwol Junior Sister and Soun Junior Sister had a huge fight?”
“Nah, don't believe it! There's no way those two would do that!”
The day after that.
“I heard the wall of the Emei Sect's Bokho Temple crumbled a bit! And it was Cheongwol Junior Sister again!”
“Huh...”
The one who first spread the news wouldn't be out of place getting treated like a Hao Gate informant—the stories were that unrealistic.
But I was the only one breaking out in cold sweat at those reports.
I knew Cheongwol was exactly the type to do such things, and I had a vague idea why she was acting out like that.
And like Cheongwol, I was going mad myself.
We needed to meet to resolve it, but I could practically hear her boiling with rage from afar, and I couldn't even approach.
Cheongwol hadn't come looking for me either, whatever her reason.
Confinement? Cheongwol wasn't the type to care about that.
She was just not coming to find me.
Did I make a wish on a monkey's paw or something?
I'd hoped she wouldn't come looking for me, but not like this...
Honestly, just thinking about the situation made me want to hop on that donkey and bolt.
But acting on that felt all wrong.
The reason I'd survived this long was because I'd always trusted my instincts, and right now, they were telling me not to run.
Inside Mount Emei, Cheongwol wasn't seeking me out, but the moment I stepped outside, she'd definitely come for me—that was the feeling.
And when she did, one hand gripping a sword, the other clutching Dang Soran's head—that chilling premonition.
Or maybe the instant I left Mount Emei, Cheongwol would just up and vanish to the Demonic Cult.
Was that overthinking it?
“...”
...Probably not.
For starters, it was weird that Cheongwol had rejected Yeongcheon's offer.
One of the Demonic Cult's Seven Heavens, and Cheongwol hadn't joined the Demonic Cult?
...What, so she was going to become the Emei Sect Leader instead?
That made even less sense.
In my view, Cheongwol was teetering on a razor's edge right now.
I could feel it.
It was like some unknown thread connected our senses.
“Uncle, hurry and make our rope already.”
Honghwa showed up at my shop again today, making my already tangled head even more of a mess.
“Huh? Stop fiddling with the leather and make ours.”
“Hey. If you're gonna distract me, go home. Adults are working.”
“What adult are you? Real adults are like Cheongwol Junior Sister—people who can handle their own share.”
“You don't see me handling mine?”
“Nope.”
What the hell had been up with the last few days?
Should I smack her to make her leave?
But since she was already here, I asked anyway.
“Honghwa.”
“Huh... Yeah!”
“Is that news for real? About Cheongwol Junior Sister.”
“Tch. More accident talk.”
“Spit it out already.”
“Which one?”
“The one about crumbling the Bokho Temple wall and fighting Soun Junior Sister.”
“Hmm... It's a secret.”
“Just tell me.”
Honghwa glanced around before answering.
“...To some extent, yeah. I told you, right? Her accidents are getting scary lately. Probably because she's taking Sect Leader disciple lessons now.”
“Sect Leader disciple lessons?”
“Cheongwol Junior Sister is going to be the Emei Sect Leader someday. The training must be intense.”
...So that's it.
She was pissed because of me, shaken by Yeongcheon, and on top of that, taking Sect Leader disciple lessons?
“...”
...How did things end up like this?
My head was too jumbled.
For one, I still couldn't believe it.
That SM play might actually have helped resolve her heart demon.
The altered future hadn't sunk in yet.
But if not SM, what else could it be?
It really seemed to be helping with her heart demon.
“...”
In other words... if I kept up the SM play.
Could it mean Cheongwol would stand on the protagonist's side and lend her strength?
Could the monster who slaughters people disappear?
...Depending on my actions?
I let out deep sighs for a long while before finally making up my mind.
Whatever the case, I couldn't keep things this awkward with Cheongwol.
“...Honghwa.”
“Yeah?”
“Could you tell Cheongwol Junior Sister... the Leather Room owner has something to pass on?”
“Give it to me. I'll deliver it.”
“I have to hand it over personally.”
“...Cheongwol Junior Sister is a nun, so she keeps trying not to get too close—”
“—It's not like that. Please.”
Honghwa hesitated a long time before nodding.
Let's just talk first.
We had to meet to do anything.
If I stayed put doing nothing, something big was really going to happen.
It felt like being the frog in the boiling pot.
I had to jump out before it heated up more.
Who knows.
It might all be my misunderstanding?
Maybe Cheongwol wasn't mad at me?
.
.
.
“The accident girl says go die?”
Fuck.
Big trouble.
****
Late at night.
In a pavilion open to the surroundings, Cheongwol had lit a single stick of incense and was quietly immersed in meditation.
A long-cooled teacup sat alone before her.
And watching over her, a hand-sized Buddha statue.
Meditation that had started from morning.
It was now time when everyone slept.
A cool night breeze tickled and passed through her hair.
But even that wasn't enough to soothe the deep discomfort in her heart.
Cheongwol was recalling the sight of Han Seojin she'd secretly glimpsed from afar before her confinement.
That unfamiliar donkey parked by the Leather Room.
He was trying to run again.
And the new leather sword in his hand.
The single 'Tang (唐)' character engraved on the hilt.
No need to ask him who gave it— it was obvious.
That fact alone was enough.
Proof that Dang Soran and Han Seojin had... played their 'game' again.
It also made the cheap leather sword she'd bought for him feel even more pathetic.
Come to think of it, even that had been purchased with silver from Dang Soran.
She couldn't feel more miserable than this.
Was there ever a moment as bitter as this for a possessionless nun?
'What have you done to deserve his affection?'
Dang Soran's words echoed in her ears.
Cheongwol still couldn't answer that question.
That's why.
She lacked the courage to go see Han Seojin herself.
It wasn't just anger— she was ashamed of herself.
She'd mocked his poverty, criticized his incompetence... but hadn't she been the one only receiving from him?
So when Honghwa appeared with Han Seojin's message, she was briefly excited but ultimately pushed him away with harsh words.
Her emotions weren't sorted enough to face him yet.
Right now, Cheongwol was waging a quiet battle with herself.
...Would things change if she went to Yeongcheon's group?
If she joined his faction, everything might be different.
She'd have material abundance.
She might never have to stand before Han Seojin feeling so pathetic again.
Like the dumplings he'd fed her, or the dangho.
She could make the poor him happy.
Cheongwol now knew she loved seeing Han Seojin's smile.
But now, she had no idea what to use to make him smile.
Especially since he hated murim folk.
Cheongwol shook her head at Yeongcheon's offer again.
Following him would be foolish.
She couldn't slaughter people just to become prosperous...
...But they're not precious to me anyway?
Killing them isn't even hard?
A world that's only brought me pain?
“...”
What would Han Seojin think seeing her like this?
He'd be so disappointed, right? She'd put in so much effort for her heart demon, and this was the result.
...I don't know. What's the point of thinking about it?
Even standing before him feels shameful now.
Before she knew it, Cheongwol's eyes were moist.
It wasn't tears from surging emotions.
It was frustration building up until it overflowed.
Han Seojin had changed her too much.
The old Cheongwol wouldn't have teared up so easily.
Now she hated Han Seojin too.
From today, no more meetings.
Being involved with him made her weak for no reason.
'The one person who accepts you uniquely?'
“...I hate it.”
Cheongwol whispered unwittingly.
Han Seojin was just talking big— he hated her too.
He was trying to run away.
And she was scared. Scared that he wouldn't grow as important to her as she was becoming to him.
She was gradually giving him space in her heart, but what if he wasn't?
So she'd give up before it deepened. Stop before they got closer.
And she was a burden.
He'd said he hated murim folk.
Quit while she could.
If she delved deeper here... she really wouldn't be able to let go of her friend Han Seojin.
She wouldn't forgive Dang Soran either.
“...Hoo.”
Since when?
When did that simple resolve to avoid Han Seojin become so hard?
That realization surprised even Cheongwol.
Like getting soaked in a drizzle, she'd given him so much space without realizing.
Stop it.
Stop now.
Think back to that light feeling when they first met. Back then, he seemed like a rolling pebble.
A single tear dropped quietly.
Wicked guy. Bad guy.
Promising it was only with me.
Yeah, get lost. I don't need you anymore either.
I hate you too. Always making me come to you.
If you hate me, just say it straight— why shake up my world like this.
“...Eung.”
...But it's hard. I miss you. The only place I can breathe is right by his side.
The one who accepts even my ugly side... is only...
...I'm lonely. In this cruel world with no one on my side.
...So let's stop.
It's already like this— getting closer would be unbearable.
Then, someone invaded her space.
Cheongwol calmly wiped her eyes.
Who it was didn't matter much.
“...I want to be alone. Please leave.”
Even if it was her master, the Sect Leader, her senior brothers, or one of the other juniors... she didn't want any of them.
But those footsteps ignored her words.
Irritation crept up on Cheongwol.
This wretched space.
Why, in the Emei Sect, couldn't she even breathe a little?
Was it that hard to say she wanted to be alone?
Cheongwol suppressed her heart once more.
Whatever the other said, just listen and let it pass.
And then, a shadow loomed over her body.
“...?”
...The shadow felt larger than expected.
The approaching figure was pressed way too close behind her.
In her strangeness, as Cheongwol turned to check—
A thick hand seized her throat in an instant.
“Guhk!”
Cheongwol stiffened in shock.
As she tried to awaken her violent internal energy—
“—Wol-ah.”
The familiar male voice that echoed from the Golden South region froze her body.
Cheongwol knew that voice all too well.
Goosebumps raced across her skin. Her dantian clenched shut on its own.
“Was my invitation to meet... a joke?”