Chapter 9
Not long ago, Wi Cheonso was following the trail of a sacred relic that had vanished from the treasury of the Cheonsin Sect.
In the course of his search, he happened upon Cheonsang Lake, which bordered the far end of Yeoram Valley (Hot Rock Valley) at the southwestern edge of Mount Cheon. Cheonsang Lake was the second-largest lake on the mountain, and he had approached it on the thought that the heat emanating from Yeoram Valley might make it an advantageous place to conceal a relic.
No matter who it was, even Wi Cheonso could not enter the territory of the Yeomhwa Clan—the masters of Yeoram Valley—without concrete evidence. So he merely lingered around Cheonsang Lake.
That was when it happened.
From the direction of the gorge’s cliff, he thought he heard a woman’s voice.
And the next instant—
He saw a woman in white fall into the water.
The moment he grasped the situation, Wi Cheonso leapt into the lake without thinking.
The woman’s body was sinking toward the depths.
Without even knowing who she was, Wi Cheonso swam toward her.
Cheonsang Lake was deep, and its waters were icy cold. Moreover, the clothes the woman wore would grow heavy once soaked, and if things went wrong, she might never make it back to the surface.
So Wi Cheonso reached out his hand toward her.
The woman did not move at all, as though she were simply waiting for the dark blue lake to swallow her whole.
When Wi Cheonso finally reached her, her tightly shut eyes opened.
Her unfocused gaze fixed on him, and strength entered her limp arm.
Though the bubbles made it hard to see clearly, her lips unmistakably formed a word.
—Baek-a.
In that instant, Wi Cheonso’s eyes widened.
It must have been a coincidence. Or perhaps he had seen it wrong.
The moment he grasped the hand she had extended toward him, her eyes closed again.
Thanks to that, Wi Cheonso was able to retrieve her from the depths of the lake.
It did not take long to carry her out of the water. Fortunately, her chest was still rising and falling, albeit faintly.
But her lips were pale, and her body was shaking violently.
The situation was dire.
His subordinate, who had been waiting by the lakeside, was greatly startled when he saw the woman Wi Cheonso had pulled out.
“My lord. Did you jump in knowing who she was?”
“Who is she?”
“Judging by her hair color, she appears to be the young lady of the Jeok Clan of Seolsan, currently staying as a guest with the Yeomhwa Clan.”
That was when he first learned of Jeok Heerin.
Why had this woman uttered the name “Baek-a”?
Was it coincidence?
Though Wi Cheonso delivered her to the Yeomhwa Clan, he could not shake his doubts.
Later, he encountered her again on Bukhyang Road.
When she collapsed under the pressure of killing intent, he brought her to his hidden residence and observed her the entire time she slept.
‘She looks frail…’
Just like the first time he saw her, she was so thin her collarbones stood out sharply.
Skin as pale as though it had never known sunlight, unusually slender wrists—her movements looked so fragile that she reminded him of a young fawn that had only just learned to walk.
And yet, with that body, she had stood against Heullyeong Doma.
‘And what’s more…’
Though it had been only for an instant, the woman had evaded Heullyeong Doma’s attack with astonishing speed.
For a brief moment, it looked as if her movement had completely stopped.
‘She used a movement technique beyond imagination.’
Was it even possible for an ordinary woman to use such a technique?
The Yeomhwa Clan had kept her carefully hidden, never letting her out—so it seemed the daughter of the Jeok Clan of Seolsan truly possessed some special power.
When she finally awoke after remaining motionless for a long time, she immediately burst into tears.
He did not know the reason, but it felt as though she had released a sorrow she had long been suppressing.
She was a woman shrouded in secrets.
He found himself curious about what she was hiding.
That was why, when she opened her eyes, he deliberately removed the demon mask and revealed his identity.
He wanted to see how she would react once she knew who he was.
Despite having clearly met his gaze beneath the lake, she did not remember him.
‘Is that the truth? Or does she simply wish to avoid being entangled with me?’
The corner of Wi Cheonso’s lips lifted slightly.
‘It doesn’t matter. In the end, she’ll remember me.’
Whether it was interest or fear made no difference. As long as she remained on Mount Cheon, she would inevitably come to know who he was.
Wi Cheonso covered his handsome face with the demon mask once more and picked up the sword that had been leaning beside the table—a divine weapon personally bestowed by the Cult Leader.
As he strode out the door, his red robe fluttering, a subordinate followed at his side.
“My lord. Will you personally interrogate Heullyeong Doma?”
“Yes. It’s certain that he had obtained the sacred relic.”
“I will make the preparations.”
The subordinate was just about to withdraw when—
“By the way, when is Lady Jeok’s wedding?”
“There’s less than a month left.”
“I’m very curious as to why the Heavenly Lord has not permitted Lady Jeok’s marriage until now.”
“Shall we look into it?”
“Yes. Quietly.”
