Chapter : 90
Yeonhwa counted the numbers.
Five days had passed since departing from Infinity, and a similar amount of time would still be needed ahead.
What could have been covered in five or six days was now taking exactly twice that.
Thinking this way made her body feel even more stifled and uncomfortable.
Seeing Yeonhwa like that, Museong asked,
“Shall we stop the carriage for a while and rest outside?”
“No.”
Yeonhwa answered immediately.
At first, she had disembarked without thinking. Someone recognized Museong, and then noticed Yeonhwa.
Then came the shout, “Geomju!” loud enough to make her ears ache.
People swarmed from all directions, and Yeonhwa, unaccustomed to this kind of situation, froze in place.
If Tak Museong hadn’t stepped forward to manage the crowd, escaping would have been nearly impossible.
Since her cultivation level had risen, she still wasn’t fully accustomed; to anyone other than a top-tier master, others felt as soft and fragile as tofu or eggs.
She couldn’t let anyone touch her carelessly.
Tak Museong, seeing her reaction, didn’t push further either.
He had never liked crowds gathering around Yeonhwa.
Time passed, and the sun reached the peak of the sky.
They could endure it themselves, but the carriage driver and the bodyguards needed a moment to rest and eat.
When the carriage stopped, Yeonhwa dismounted.
Others had been flustered earlier when trying to secure lodging at Jamganghyeon due to the crowd, so this break was taken in the mountains.
Even in the mountains, it was only a low hill—essentially a public clearing arranged for travelers to rest—neatly shaded and comfortable.
Yeonhwa stretched her body while observing those around her dispersing and tending to their tasks.
Tak Museong looked at her admiringly, then frowned as he checked on her physical condition.
A moment later, Yeonhwa looked down the road.
It was only much later that others sprang up and began to take their positions in alert.
“There’s no danger.”
Yeonhwa reassured them.
Soon after, the face she had most wanted to see appeared down the road.
“Eheeng, eheeng, ehiheeng!”
She wanted to see Jeokrye too.
But she couldn’t take her eyes off the rider on the black steed running alongside Jeokrye.
As soon as Yu Geonmyeong heard that Yeonhwa was returning to the Murim League with Tak Museong, he moved immediately.
When he tried to leave the League with Jeokrye and the rider on the black steed, more and more people insisted on accompanying him.
Yu Geonmyeong refused, saying it wasn’t necessary; leading such a large group would only waste time.
Eventually, only Ji Wonhyeong, a few members of the Changsu Squad, and Yu Geonmyeong left the League.
They chased her route without pause and finally met Yeonhwa.
Yu Geonmyeong jumped off his black steed without even thinking of stopping his horse.
He ran and embraced her.
He buried his face in the nape of her neck, inhaling deeply several times to confirm her presence before finally speaking.
“You’re late. Why were you so late? I’ve waited so long.”
He complained.
Yeonhwa tilted her face and pressed her cheek against his.
Warmth passed between them.
“I’m sorry. I tried to return as quickly as possible, but something came up. Still, I asked that some news be sent so you wouldn’t worry… Did Brother Museong explain everything to you?”
Yu Geonmyeong stiffened at her question.
It almost sounded like he ground his teeth quietly.
Yeonhwa, puzzled, tried to pull back to see his face, but he tightened his hold.
Shaking his head, he said,
“No. Don’t go.”
“I’m not leaving. I’m right here.”
Yeonhwa gave up trying to pull away and leaned against him, thinking she must have misheard.
After a short while, Yu Geonmyeong calmed enough to speak.
“Do you know the three most famous characters in the Murim League and the world these days?”
“Really? Surely it’s not Geomju…”
That was two characters.
Namgung Yeonhwa’s name had four.
Feeling it probably didn’t concern him, Yeonhwa felt a bit embarrassed for overestimating herself.
Then his voice came again.
“Iphwahyeong.”
Yeonhwa’s shoulders twitched.
Yu Geonmyeong continued, soothing her.
“Mureong conveyed news of you to Ji Gongja in just three characters. I was behind him among many Murim League members, and Ji Gongja received the message from the person closest to you.”
The ridicule Yu Geonmyeong had heard before was something he had never experienced in his noble upbringing.
Yet just knowing Yeonhwa was safe was enough to ease his chest.
Though still somewhat angry, receiving news this way made it feel worthwhile even if the same thing happened again.
Yu Geonmyeong explained what Tak Museong had done, watching Yeonhwa’s expressions.
Once they returned to the Murim League, she would find out anyway, and by bringing it up himself first, he wanted to lessen the weight of the matter.
Yeonhwa accepted his consideration.
She decided not to feel overly apologetic.
Yet independently, she felt there were matters that still needed to be addressed.
After parting from Yu Geonmyeong and greeting Ji Wonhyeong and the others, she immediately went to Tak Museong…
Yu Geonmyeong’s gaze darkened.
In the past, he would have kept his distance awkwardly, but now he approached freely, visibly angry.
Yeonhwa pointed at him, then at Ji Wonhyeong, and finally spoke to Tak Museong, clearly siding with him, yet Yu Geonmyeong didn’t want to see her so close to Tak Museong.
He stepped forward, embracing her from behind, pressing his forehead to her shoulder.
A heavy aura radiated, but he held steady.
“My head hurts. While you were gone, I couldn’t eat or sleep at all.”
Yeonhwa raised her hand, brushing his hair.
Worried his forehead on her shoulder was hot, she placed her palm on her cheek.
“You don’t have a fever, but if you feel very unwell, go inside the carriage and lie down. Unlike a normal carriage, it’s spacious enough to rest properly.”
Yu Geonmyeong shook his head at her suggestion.
Her hair tickled his neck as she smoothed it.
Then Yeonhwa remembered Tak Museong standing in front of her.
“You should rest too, Brother. I have much to discuss with the others about Namgungjang. Also… do I need to ride the carriage when I leave?”
Tak Museong recalled Jeokrye.
He realized she wanted to ride a horse instead of the stuffy carriage, but he shook his head.
“You can’t. It’s still too much for you to ride while traveling.”
Having worried over her condition in the carriage the entire journey, Yeonhwa no longer insisted.
In truth, she knew he wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Seeing Yeonhwa ask Tak Museong permission even for this, Yu Geonmyeong’s gaze hardened.
But he soon concluded it couldn’t be helped.
As he moved with Yeonhwa toward Ji Wonhyeong, Tak Museong slowly unclenched his fists.
The energy gathered in his palms sparked like flames before dissipating.
Without a comparison, he had been the closest to Yeonhwa, but with someone else appearing, he was immediately pushed back.
Tak Museong clearly realized the difference between a brother and a lover.
His gaze never left Yeonhwa.
Yu Geonmyeong, who had noticed from the start, shielded her with his body, and Ji Wonhyeong kept her attention by continuing to talk about Namgungjang.
It wasn’t difficult—just a few stories from Namgungjang were enough.
“What? Not only did the Family Head declare the withdrawal of my sub-family head position, but if Namgung Hyechan in prison was unsuitable, he would even adopt Namgung Hyeju?”
“Since some time ago, Hyeju often visited the Family Head’s residence. It seemed she was plotting something. But after Iphwahyeong was known, both have been quiet.”
“Impressive, if impressive at all.”
Though not feeling the need to praise her, Yeonhwa resolved to tidy up Namgungjang as planned upon returning.
“If everyone’s rested, let’s depart.”
As Yeonhwa tried to continue talking with Yu Geonmyeong holding her hand, Tak Museong spoke.
Yeonhwa needed to ride the carriage, while Tak Museong had to escort Jeokrye and the black steed outside.
Still, they exchanged glances and brief words through the carriage window.
Tak Museong didn’t interfere—he feared if he intervened, he might end up killing someone.
