Chapter 69
“…Suul. Bring more alcohol.”
Seolwon Inn, famous for its xiangyu mushroom dishes, was bustling as always.
A drunken man, occupying the best seat in the center, shouted loudly.
The sound echoed throughout the inn, causing the dining guests to frown.
However, upon seeing the man, clearly too drunk to control his body, they simply avoided eye contact.
“Suul. Bring me the alcohol here, right now!”
The man, unable to pronounce properly due to his intoxication, was Seol Jacheong, the cousin of Seol Jadan.
Rumors had spread throughout Hongan-hyeon that Seol Jacheong had committed a major offense at Seol’s family estate and had been expelled from Naewon.
Within Hongan-hyeon, everyone knew the Seol family and had received their help at some point. The Seol family and the Seolwon guild were deeply tied to the daily lives of ordinary people.
Moreover, everyone knew that one could not even take ten steps without stepping on the Seol family’s land in Hongan-hyeon.
Yet, it was true that little was publicly known about the direct members of the Seol family. Somehow, internal matters rarely reached the outside world.
Nevertheless, rumors of Seol Jacheong being a ruffian had spread quietly, as he frequently caused trouble under the cover of the powerful Seol family’s reputation.
“Oh, my lord, you’ve already had quite a lot today. How about stopping here?”
A quick-witted inn attendant, Jeomsoi, ran to Seol Jacheong’s side, her expression showing concern.
“Hey! Bring the alcohol, Suul!”
With a crash, Seol Jacheong jumped up from his seat and overturned the table. Bottles, dishes, and food scattered everywhere.
“Ahhh!”
“Oh my! What’s happening?”
Nearby diners screamed and quickly moved out of the way. Fortunately, no one seemed hurt.
People who were eating gradually got up and left, knowing from experience that avoiding a ruffian’s rampage was the wisest course of action.
“You, why aren’t you listening to me when I said… bring the alcohol?”
Seol Jacheong swayed unsteadily but grabbed Jeomsoi by the collar.
“P-please… have mercy, my lord!”
Jeomsoi’s face turned pale, tears falling freely from her eyes.
“Answer me! Did you hear me?”
Seol Jacheong refused to let go and continued his drunken tirade.
“Enough, brave sir. He’s surely understood by now.”
A man approached Seol Jacheong and spoke gently.
“Who… are you?”
“Haha. First, let him go, and have a drink with me. How about it, brave sir?”
“B-brave sir?”
Seol Jacheong twitched his mouth at the unfamiliar title.
“Yes. Who else would you call a man so bold, if not a brave sir?”
“Ah… yes. I am… a brave sir. Hic.”
After hiccupping, Seol Jacheong tossed Jeomsoi aside.
“Ahh!”
Jeomsoi shouted but rolled skillfully on the floor, knowing from experience that lying flat was the safest tactic against a bully.
“Who… are you, brave sir?”
“Haha. Let’s go somewhere quiet and talk.”
The man didn’t reveal his name but smiled and beckoned Jeomsoi.
“Jeomsoi, is there a quiet room nearby?”
“If you go upstairs to the second floor, the first room is empty. It’s been cleaned nicely; you can use it.”
“Good, thank you.”
The man smiled at her and placed a pouch of coins in her hand.
“Thank you very much.”
Jeomsoi bowed sincerely, though she often expressed thanks when receiving money.
“Also, can you bring some food and alcohol to that room?”
“Of course. I’ll bring it right away.”
As Jeomsoi bent down to leave, the man whispered quietly:
“Fill the bottles with water. He’ll be too drunk to tell the difference.”
“Y-yes, I will.”
Jeomsoi nodded brightly and quickly disappeared toward the kitchen.
The man looked coldly at Seol Jacheong leaning on his shoulder and pulled him up to the second floor.
This man was Mo Jongbaek, who had entered Seolwon claiming to become a martial arts instructor but was now settled in as a guest.
“Miss, this is the cloth the young master instructed you to use to cover your eyes.”
Hyang-ah handed a black cloth forward.
“Really? Brother gave this to me?”
“Yes, miss. He said he wanted to surprise you.”
Uncertain, Wonyoung stared at the cloth, while Hyang-ah smiled brightly.
“Hurry, miss.”
Hyang-ah waved the cloth in front of Wonyoung, urging her on.
“Alright, alright.”
Wonyoung sighed and took the cloth, tying it behind her head. It felt far too elaborate for just seeing the completed martial arts hall.
“Miss, can you see?”
Hyang-ah waved her hand in front of Wonyoung, who grabbed it instinctively.
“Ah? Miss? Can you see?”
Surprised, Hyang-ah spoke in a high voice.
“No, I can’t see. I just felt your hand moving.”
Wonyoung shook her head.
With ki-sensing activated, it was easy to detect objects even when invisible. Everything alive carried ki—it was simply felt.
For Wonyoung, ki-sensing was a natural sixth sense.
“Really?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
As Wonyoung stepped forward, Sogyo, watching nearby, extended her hand.
“Miss, take my hand.”
“Thanks.”
Wonyoung didn’t actually need help, but she held Sogyo’s hand anyway.
“Careful. There’s a door right ahead.”
“Alright. I’ll be careful.”
Walking while holding Sogyo’s hand was a strange but pleasant experience. She had never done this before, but it felt nice.
Wonyoung focused only on walking, ignoring her other senses and ki, trusting everything to Sogyo.
Where Sogyo led, she could trust completely. In the past and now, Sogyo would never harm her.
After some time, Wonyoung forgot she was even walking.
She existed only in complete darkness. It felt both vast and confining. Eventually, nothing was perceptible—only she existed in this perfect space.
Wonyoung lost awareness of her own existence.
She felt standing, sitting, lying down, sleeping, dreaming—all at once.
She felt both seeing everything and seeing nothing, breathing and not breathing, yet was not suffocated.
Nothing forced her, nothing obstructed her.
She felt completely at ease.
And she naturally knew what this was:
A microcosm.
Yes, this was called a microcosm.
Another universe within Wonyoung. Or the very form of her mind.
During her time as a swordsman, Wonyoung had to remain constantly alert, even sleeping with ki-sensing active. She never knew when an enemy might appear.
But now, it was different.
She knew this was the safe interior of Seolwon, and that the hand guiding her belonged to Sogyo.
Only here could she close her senses and ki and see a new world.
She briefly wondered if she might glimpse a state never experienced before.
Could she?
She was slightly unbalanced. Her ki-sensing was advanced, but her body and inner power were insufficient.
Yet desire surged. No, she had to forget even this desire to attempt it. Only then could she achieve completeness.
So she erased all thoughts.
She erased her senses, ki perception, and desire, existing purely as she was.
“…Sogyo-unnie.”
Hyang-ah frowned upon seeing Wonyoung suddenly sit cross-legged after walking well.
“Shh. Go inform the young lady that she’ll be late and tell the head and young master, as well as the Hoga elders, about the situation here.”
“Yes, unnie. But what should I say?”
“Hmm… just what you saw.”
“Understood, unnie.”
Hyang-ah nodded at Sogyo’s calm instructions and quickly left.
Sogyo’s gaze lingered on Wonyoung, still cross-legged and unmoving.
Recently, Sogyo spent more time training thanks to Wonyoung’s care. Wonyoung was now growing visibly stronger.
But seeing Wonyoung advancing beyond comprehension left her both happy and uneasy.
Soon, Wonyoung would surpass Sogyo.
‘Would she still need me then…?’
Sogyo’s eyes sank low.
