Chapter : 75
Dan Li-cheong spoke to Yeonhwa.
“Our Pyo family will cover some of it—not a huge amount, but at least part of the burden.”
“Brother! We don’t have money either!”
When Dan Li-sang chirped, Yeonhwa let out a small laugh.
“You worry too much, little one. Don’t concern yourself with anything else about the Pyo family. Just make sure the compensation we are owed is confirmed. I won’t exclude myself, so ensure we receive everything properly. Understood?”
Because Yeonhwa spoke sincerely, Dan Li-cheong could only nod in agreement.
Yeonhwa and her group left like a storm, leaving the Dan Li siblings utterly drained.
“She’s not even remotely like what we had heard,” Dan Li-sang muttered, unable to take his eyes off the direction the carriage had disappeared. Dan Li-cheong nodded in agreement.
“So that’s why they say Namgung, Namgung.”
Even when it seemed all was lost, a single new leaf could sprout and cast a shadow again. That kind of resilience is the power only historical forces can wield.
The Dan Li siblings, impressed, were delighted at the thought of finally being able to stretch out and rest comfortably.
“Let’s get along with the Namgung family now. Seems like there’s a lot we can pick up from them on the side, hehe.”
“Do that, then.”
Dan Li-cheong replied cheerfully.
On the way back, Yu Geon-myeong sighed deeply while staring out the wooden window, and Yeonhwa asked,
“Why are you sighing?”
“It’s just… I feel like the number of people following you keeps increasing. At this rate, the space for me around you will gradually shrink, and eventually, I might get pushed aside and disappear.”
“That’s absurd. What are you talking about?”
“But I’m worried. People like you too much.”
Yeonhwa couldn’t help but laugh—it was the first time she’d ever heard such words.
“They don’t like me—they feel at ease because I seem ordinary.”
…Ordinary?
By what measure?
Yu Geon-myeong tilted his head, looking at a woman who was extraordinary from head to toe.
Seeing his confusion, Yeonhwa explained her thoughts.
“Think about it. I simply fulfill what any person should do, but in this martial world, there are countless people who disregard even that and act ruthlessly. So perhaps I stand out a little. That alone might make others trust me slightly more than they would someone else.”
Yu Geon-myeong thought, Isn’t what she’s done far too impressive to call it simple? He suddenly asked something that came to mind.
“Do I seem like that too?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean… do people feel safe around me and want to stay by my side?”
“I wouldn’t say they feel safe, but they certainly give up their comfort.”
“But I’m a person who seeks a stable life.”
“If that were so, you wouldn’t try to stay by my side. Someone once even called me a walking firecracker.”
“…Who said that?”
“I’m not sure who to start with, so let’s skip it. Anyway, do you agree with what I just said?”
“I understand your point, but I don’t agree. Isn’t it possible that your absence is more unsettling than the danger itself?”
Yeonhwa’s answer implied that she hadn’t given up comfort, but rather had found a direction more stable for herself. It wasn’t exactly an argument worth countering, and in some ways, it made sense, so she said,
“That could be true.”
“Yes, really.”
Hearing her accept it so casually, Yu Geon-myeong laughed heartily.
Seong Ha-ran, sitting opposite, thought the two seemed to forget his presence.
‘Still, that cold, blunt lady can smile and talk so much in front of that man.’
Meanwhile, the man, who has a kind face but doesn’t really allow anyone close, seems comfortable only with her.
‘They suit each other.’
Perhaps that’s why Seong Ha-ran asked,
“When will the two of you marry?”
“Marriage?”
“We already have a betrothal, but if you don’t marry soon, rumors will continue.”
“There’s a reason to delay. I think I mentioned it before.”
“I know. But considering everything, it might be better to marry quickly and stabilize your life first. Especially now, you’re not just the daughter of the family head—you’re the branch family head.”
The martial world has all kinds of people.
Two outstandingly beautiful people remaining merely betrothed will attract unwanted interference from many who want to intervene. Better not give them any opportunity for discord. Love, after all, is one of the most capricious forces—it can throw people to the depths and lift them to the heavens.
Yeonhwa and Yu Geon-myeong looked at each other.
If it had been at the time of their first contract, they might not have known—but as time passed, they realized how special they were to each other.
Yet…
Yeonhwa hesitated, unsure what to say, and Yu Geon-myeong spoke first.
“For her, love is violent. It’s given when unwanted, forced upon her, always making her want to escape. It’s the same for me. Love is intoxicating, ruthlessly manipulative, and yet irresistible.”
It was terrifying.
Yu Geon-myeong looked at Seong Ha-ran.
He knew Seong Ha-ran had known him since Namgung Seon-yu was alive and considered him close, so he spoke honestly.
“I’m not only talking about romantic love. Yeonhwa is uneasy with people’s emotions directed at her, and I’ve grown to despise emotions being exploited to manipulate others.”
Thus, simply being together made them happy, something they wanted to continue, though they didn’t know how to define it.
“This precious, beautiful thing can’t be the love we once knew.”
Yu Geon-myeong believed that Yeonhwa’s difficulty in recognizing her own feelings stemmed not only from the current complications but also from a deeper part of her nature—just as it was for him.
He looked at her.
Yeonhwa nodded at his gaze.
Seong Ha-ran, watching them hold hands and understand each other, thought,
‘Why did I waste so much effort meddling in their affairs?’
After all, he had never liked anyone since Seon-yu died. Compared to him, these two, seven years younger, had already found their partners. It was ridiculous that he had meddled.
“Thanks for breaking the ice; it’s something we’ll have to talk about eventually anyway.”
Yu Geon-myeong thanked him belatedly, but didn’t feel particularly proud.
“Right, it’s fine. As long as the two of you are happy.”
Seong Ha-ran hoped that soon the two would lie in bed, embarrassed by their own actions from today, and promised never to interfere in their relationship again.
“This journey back feels endless,” he muttered without looking at them.
Meanwhile, Lord Jo of Anrye Hyeonah repeatedly checked the items sent to him.
“Did they really bring twenty times the compensation?”
“You can check for yourself.”
When Foreign Affairs Head Seong Yeon-taek spoke, Jo frowned but took out the bundle wrapped in silk.
“Hah!”
Opening the lacquered, glossy wooden box revealed it filled with gold. The amount seemed correct.
Jo searched through the box and, finding nothing else, lifted it entirely to check the silk lining.
“Why isn’t there a letter? Sending only compensation is so rude!”
“What do you mean? I, the head of Namgung’s foreign affairs, personally delivered this.”
“But you’re not direct lineage, just a vassal family!”
Seong Yeon-taek, familiar with both government and martial world protocols, raised an eyebrow but calmed himself. If he hadn’t received prior instructions from the branch family head, this might have led to unnecessary trouble.
‘Even after delivering such an enormous compensation, his reaction is strange… is there some hidden agenda?’
Seong Yeon-taek narrowed his eyes at Jo.
