Chapter 66
The look in the other’s steady eyes didn’t match a teasing question; Yeil deliberately avoided that gaze.
Her feelings toward him were complicated—too mixed to simply sort into “like” or “dislike.”
But if she truly, sincerely harbored only negative feelings for him—
‘She probably would’ve killed him already.’
She did not voice that thought. As always with Jin Cheong-ak, she had to think about consequences. She didn’t want to carelessly drop her guard by speaking impulsively.
“…Well, fine. I didn’t expect an answer from you anyway. You’ve rested up enough — let’s get moving.”
Just as Jin Cheong-ak leisurely began to rise, Seol Seorin snapped her eyes wide open.
The woman shoved Jin Cheong-ak’s shoulder roughly as if she’d just woken from a nightmare, pushed her wet hair back slowly, and looked around.
“—Ah!”
The moment she met Yeil’s eyes her face melted into a smile.
“Yeil-nim, Yeil-nim! You came to rescue a girl after all…! Truly, for a girl there is no one but Yeil-nim!”
Jin Cheong-ak, whose hand had lightly flicked at the chest where Seol Seorin had touched, stepped back with an expression of satisfaction — obviously relieved to have avoided an annoyance.
Yeil pushed Seol Seorin away from her and answered coldly.
“You’re not a girl.”
“Oh? I, Seol Seorin, before Yeil-nim am nothing but a girl for all my life.”
Jin Cheong-ak clicked his tongue.
“You’re shameless to the point of having a nest of vermin in your conscience.”
Yeil pointed at him and said, “From now on, climb on Jin Cheong-ak’s back.”
“I refuse.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why?”
“Girls like Yeil-nim’s scent… It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, and you were even kidnapped — how could you send me into the arms of a strange man?”
“That’s right.”
“Until just now I was the one carrying you.”
“Please carry me!”
“Just carry me.”
Although Seol Seorin’s face was pure and beautiful like a blossoming pear-flower fairy, her physique was large enough to be compared to Seol-yeong, who was one of the taller men. Yeil was big, but Seol Seorin was bigger. Her flailing limbs were a nuisance whenever someone tried to carry or hug her.
“I won’t. It’s inconvenient to carry you.”
Not to be outdone, Jin Cheong-ak jumped in quickly.
“I don’t want to either.”
Seol Seorin covered her mouth with a bright smile.
“Since both of you don’t want to, then do as I please.”
After silently watching the two of them bicker, Yeil pretended to think for a moment and then used lightness skill to dash away in one breath.
“Ah! Yeil-nim!”
After that she ran without pause all the way to the Martial Alliance. From the sounds of the couple trailing behind her, they had reached some kind of compromise and were following along.
By the time the sun had fully risen, they had returned to the Martial Alliance. The inn they came back to was again crowded with people.
Because of ties to the Beggars’ Sect, the sight of beggars pretending to beg and peering around was especially noticeable.
[If it’s the Sword of the Moon and Sun… could it be that Moon Sword?]
Before leaving the inn, Gaechul — who had been staring at the back of the iron-faced brute lying in a blood-stained heap — wore a complicated expression.
[I don’t know how long it’s been since I heard that name, Ge-cheol hyung. Has that devil truly returned? If so, then the Red Dragon Black Sword and the Sarmak Sword…]
[Watch your words, brother. That’s not a name to be thrown around so easily.]
[Yes…..]
After restraining two beggar brothers, Gaechul approached Yeil and again performed a formal salute.
[My thanks are late. I am indebted to you, young martial hero. Our Beggars’ Gang will never forget your kindness!]
[You said your name is Gaechul?]
[That’s right. I’m Gaechul from the Shandong branch. If one day you come to Shandong I will…]
[Tenfold.]
[Tenfold? What do you mean?]
[Repay ten times. If you refuse, I’ll take that iron-faced bastard with me.]
Gaechul hesitated.
[…Ten times is a lot.]
[Goodbye.]
[W-wait! To say tenfold so specifically — do you want something in particular?]
[Not yet.]
[Our gang values trust. I can’t simply accept demands without knowing them. You must tell me precisely what you require for me to answer…]
Yeil cut him off and nodded toward Seol Seorin.
[Do you know who this woman is?]
[No.]
[She’s the owner of Chwihyangwon.]
Gaechul and the beggars behind him widened their eyes in surprise.
[You didn’t have an obligation to rescue her, but if the master of the garden learns the truth of today’s events, her resentment will naturally be directed at you. People are only human.]
[…Iron-faced Dog was beyond our skill. Even if we’d wanted to rescue her, we couldn’t have.]
[Would Hangryung’s leader think the same? The master values the Hangryung leader’s favored gemstones. If she wanted, she could bring up today’s incident and disgrace the Beggars’ Gang’s reputation. She could say you turned a blind eye to the weak when blinded by revenge. The shipmaster would be overjoyed.]
Gaechul closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and asked in an immediately weary voice.
[…So repaying tenfold will be enough?]
[No. Twelvefold. Apply the insult-of-arrogance charge.]
[W-what!]
[Shall we make it fifteenfold?]
Thus, Yeil received a promise of twelvefold repayment and handed the iron-faced brute over to Gaechul — much to Jin Cheong-ak’s regret that they hadn’t managed fifteenfold.
Sliding through the window back into the room, Yeil quietly parted her lips.
“Seol-yeong.”
Seol-yeong, who had been sleeping luxuriously with not a care in the world, sluggishly lifted his head.
“Ssshh. Miss? You’re back…?”
Screech —
It was a brisk strike, clean and without flourish.
“You filthy, rude bastard!”
At a noise like skin being torn, Seol-yeong’s eyes snapped open. Seol Seorin shoved her dripping hair back roughly and bared her teeth.
“How dare you drool and sleep in Yeil-nim’s room? You’re dressed like a servant and acting like you own the world!”
“Ugh…”
Seol-yeong writhed like a snake, recognized Seol Seorin’s face, and knit his brows.
“What the—sis… why are you like that?”
“Why? Because you nearly dragged me off to that old beggar. Yeil-nim saved me, you parasite. Stop wasting time and go fetch hot water!”
After arriving at the inn, Seol Seorin behaved with bluntness that made the “long-awaited reunion” feel meaningless.
“Hmm. So you’re that kid Yeil carried on his back.”
“Yes, yes! Nice to meet you! I’m Chang, attendant to Soyo-Agassi! I often heard of Seol Seorin from Seol-yeong! I was shocked because I’d never seen anyone as pretty as the miss….”
“You’re a clever little one. From now on watch what Seol Seorin does. Being with the little runt will help you serve Yeil… no, Miss Soyo.”
Seol Seorin personally undressed Yeil, brushed her off, and cleaned her. Even after being treated this way, she was resolute and inexhaustible — an impressive spirit and stamina.
Although Yeil hadn’t given any orders or requests, Seol Seorin instinctively seemed to know what Yeil needed.
“Bring out the most active clothes. What? You only brought two sets? Good heavens! A young lady from a prestigious family only brought two outfits to wear outside for more than ten days? Jewelry and ornaments? What? Only one box?”
“Ugh. Why are you suddenly beating me?”
“You can’t hit the kid, so you’ll have to take it!”
Yeil found Seol Seorin’s treatment somewhat bothersome, but did not stop her. Even if she objected, it would be useless — she’d only make her mouth tired.
