As soon as I saw the imitators, I retreated from Okgyo.
Did the copycats ever perform anywhere? In the end, the clumsy attempts of amateurs are bound to lead to incidents, and if we stayed at Okgyo, we would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.
We split into our usual groups and set out on our return journey to Gonmyeong.
The newcomers, who had made quite the impression by overturning the Sokryeong Sect’s territory, eagerly headed back, and Hyeok Gi-rin and I took a less-traveled mountain path toward Gonmyeong.
There weren’t many routes from Okgyo to Gonmyeong, and with the newcomers’ stamina wearing thin from the performance, and a few minor injuries, yielding to the main road meant we had no choice but to zigzag through the mountain trails.
As the two of us walked side by side, I shared my thoughts on how things would unfold in Okgyo with Hyeok Gi-rin.
“The martial artists under the command of Sadoryeon, or those who want the Sokryeong Sect’s power to weaken, must have realized that there was no loss in imitating us. Instead of waiting aimlessly for the Sokryeong Sect’s martial artists to emerge, doing something would at least provide them an excuse, so I expect to see peak experts disguised as thugs running rampant in Okgyo.”
“Indeed. I hope the merchants aren’t too badly affected…”
If everything went according to plan, those issues could be resolved, but covering the merchants’ losses was genuinely a matter of luck, so I held my tongue.
Right now, Okgyo was truly a land of chaos.
Exactly how things would play out was something I didn’t know either. I just needed to set the broad strokes and adjust the finer details as needed.
“Ultimately, creating a condition where merchants can trade without fear is the duty of a ruler. I must make more effort.”
Hyeok Gi-rin seemed to be reminding himself of his determination as he thought of the merchants in Okgyo.
Watching him, a new curiosity arose in me.
“What are your thoughts on the future, Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin?”
“Are you worried after all?”
“Given how complicated the situation around you is…”
When I sent him a worried glance, Hyeok Gi-rin smiled.
“Heh, it brings me joy to see the Outcast concerned for me.”
“…Hmm.”
Not knowing what to say, I scratched the back of my neck, causing Hyeok Gi-rin to chuckle.
“At times, I wish to live as Princess Yuya, and at others, as Hyeok Gi-rin. Holding on to both lives won’t be easy, but I intend to navigate through with the help of the Jeomchang Faction and my Older Brother.”
Hyeok Gi-rin gazed at me.
“Senior Ho will assist me as well, correct?”
“Of course. Though, currently, I am the one receiving help.”
“Hohoho, just hearing that makes me happy.”
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin beam with pure delight brought me reflection. I didn’t know how much my realization had helped him, but here he was, smiling as he traversed between the imperial family and the martial world, despite being crushed under the weight and disparity of two conflicting lives.
I finally set aside my worries for Hyeok Gi-rin.
Having wandered through the martial world in the guise of a woman, with the powerful nobles still not having settled their affairs, and having rushed to Yunnan instead of the Jeomchang Faction… there were many things I didn’t understand and was worried about, but now, I believed Hyeok Gi-rin would manage it fine.
If he needed help, he wouldn’t hesitate to ask for it, so… I chose to trust him.
“What are your plans moving forward? Sneaking into the Outcast Faction… As a member of the Righteous Faction, I’ve been curious about how they live. Do you think this is a chance to satisfy that curiosity?”
Hyeok Gi-rin asked with an eager expression. Sure, how could a grandmaster of a prestigious faction mingle with the Outcast Faction?
Though Hyeok Gi-rin had mingled with the newcomers while orchestrating, the newcomers from the Seohwa Sect couldn’t truly be considered martial artists of the Outcast Faction.
“No, we’ll be returning to the Julu named Sanghwa-ru. Right now, we’re closer to being Dokgo I-seol’s subordinates than we are to being potential disciples of the Dark Dragon Sect.”
“…You’re talking about Dokgo I-seol?”
The tone of Hyeok Gi-rin, who had been quite lively until just now, suddenly turned cold.
“U-um… do you know her?”
“No.”
Hyeok Gi-rin squinted at me.
Under that gaze, I felt the temperature drop sharply around us.
“However, I have heard of her nickname, ‘Best Beauty in Yunnan.’”
“Oh, I see.”
Selecting a safe response amid the sudden prickly atmosphere created by Hyeok Gi-rin, I noticed his eyes were shadowed with growing intensity.
…Why did the atmosphere suddenly change like this?
“Hm… So, does Senior Ho think she’s worthy of being called the Best Beauty in Yunnan?”
“…Well…”
I hesitated, and instantly, I could feel an increasing pressure radiating from Hyeok Gi-rin’s body, a different kind of feeling than the awe stemming from aura. It was the kind of magnificent weight that left my lips dry.
I had no idea why this was happening…! Yet, I felt an urgent need to speak up.
“Honestly, I was just trying to win over someone named U-reung at the inn to sneak into the Dark Dragon Sect. Somehow, I ended up being linked with Dokgo I-seol!”
“Hm…”
Hyeok Gi-rin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“I suspect that this ‘fortuitous’ scheme of Senior Ho’s was rather intentional… How about speaking honestly? Given the opportunity to enter the Dark Dragon Sect, was there no part of you that hoped to join the ranks of the beautiful Dokgo I-seol?”
Hyeok Gi-rin crossed his arms, nodding as if ready to understand everything.
“After all, who wouldn’t want to take a peek at the best beauty in Yunnan as a man? I can totally understand that. Why hide it?”
Hey now, Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin. The expression you wear, claiming to understand everything, looks just like a lethal assassin hiding a dagger behind his back.
One wrong word and I might not breathe a word until we reach Gonmyeong, exposed to that icy atmosphere!
The gambler Ho Cheon-an inside me screamed.
I had to pull out my trump card and defuse this atmosphere immediately!
With determination, I launched my secret weapon.
“Dokgo I-seol has tried to kill me since our first meeting.”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes widened. The previous feeling of intimidation vanished in an instant, as if I had robbed the wind from his sails.
“No, why?”
“Well, it’s a long story, but since we have the time, I might as well share!”
Great! Let’s keep Hyeok Gi-rin intrigued!
I animatedly recounted my experience with I-seol, and his eyes lit up as he listened to the tale, laughing at my gestures and expressions.
When I mentioned the incident with the pair of split dice, Hyeok Gi-rin even gasped in awe.
Riding on that momentum, I swiftly wrapped up the story about becoming I-seol’s subordinate.
“…And that’s how I ended up as I-seol’s subordinate.”
“Indeed, I see.”
Hyeok Gi-rin looked satisfied, deeply engaged with my story.
“No need to worry about Dokgo I-seol.”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind! The oblivious Senior Ho doesn’t need to know!”
Hyeok Gi-rin stuck out his tongue and stepped forward.
Unsure about which part had made his demeanor change, I felt a bit wronged, but Hyeok Gi-rin had already reverted to his usual cheerful self, so questioning him now would be pointless.
Whatever it was, since even the good Hyeok Gi-rin was feeling pressured, I must have messed up somewhere.
As I pondered my unexplained blunder, I suddenly caught a glimpse of Hyeok Gi-rin’s back.
More precisely, Hyeok Gi-rin’s hair swayed gently in the breeze as we hiked.
Ah… Could it be this?
“Speaking of which…”
“Hmm?”
“Your court lady attire suits you really well.”
Hyeok Gi-rin tripped. Startled, I reached out instinctively, but just like a Peak Expert, he regained his balance immediately.
“Even the way you looked in the Nangyang dormitory was stunning. At that time, I couldn’t say anything, though.”
“Ugh…”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s face turned beet red. He hurriedly covered his flushed face with his hands, yet through the gaps, I saw his lips twitching into a grin.
As I spoke, I realized Hyeok Gi-rin had gone to great lengths to look this way. I didn’t mean he was wearing an excessive amount of fragrance or adorned with countless accessories—no, it was the neat way he tied his hair and the impeccably arranged sleeves of his court dress that revealed his effort.
The Black Cat had always wanted to cast off her Sacheon Outcast attire for something more glamorous. It seemed Hyeok Gi-rin shared such desires too.
As the Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction, he couldn’t just take time to dress up; returning to the palace meant being pampered by the court ladies, offering him no chance to personally adorn himself.
“This version, arranged by yourself, is a sight for sore eyes.”
“Really? I merely imitated the court ladies…”
“That’s probably why it looks especially neat and stylish.”
Hyeok Gi-rin fidgeted. Who doesn’t enjoy compliments? This one not only praised his appearance but also recognized the effort he had put in, so it was no wonder he was pleased.
“Thanks, I guess…”
“Don’t mention it.”
This seemed to have been the right choice, as Hyeok Gi-rin slowed his pace and stood alongside me once again. His face, still somewhat red, showed that he hadn’t fully shaken off his shyness but had undeniably relaxed.
Hyeok Gi-rin appeared embarrassed about feeling good from the praise. His eyes darted about eagerly until he seemed to find the perfect topic.
Clapping his hands together, he turned toward me.
“By the way, I heard you visited the Golden Guards and the Seojang, right? Could it be related to your impressive skills lately?”
“Well, quite a lot happened at the Seojang.”
Ah, it seemed I was about to embark on another lengthy tale. Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“When it comes to the Seojang…”
I started to chatter.
And together, we made our way toward Gonmyeong.
* *
The newcomers had returned!
Hearing the news, I-seol immediately summoned them.
‘Things must have gone well.’
I-seol realized from the firm postures and confident gazes of the five newcomers that everything had turned out splendidly.
“Now, tell me in detail what contributions you’ve made.”
“Yes!”
The five newcomers eagerly reported their accomplishments.
I-seol hadn’t shut her ears to the rumors either. Since Yongji Maeng and the newcomers had ventured into the Sokryeong Sect’s territory, she had naturally tried to gather any gossip.
After all, rumors tend to lose subtlety as they spread, while only the sensational bits inflate.
Thus, the names of the Great Dark Sect and Seohwa Sect were omitted, leaving only the silence of the Sokryeong Sect’s response to the thuggery, which reached I-seol’s ears.
Hearing the newcomers recount their tales, I-seol realized that it was the Seohwa Sect who had besmirched the name of the Sokryeong Sect.
Moreover, after hearing of all the newcomers’ feats, she couldn’t help but clench her fists.
“So, all of this was crafted in Yongji Maeng’s mind?”
“Yes! Exactly! After a single patrol, he immediately proposed the plan!”
‘Yongji Maeng…’
I-seol thought of Yongji Maeng and clenched her fists in front of her chest.
A man of great stature who could not fathom even a single emotion.
Her thoughts drifted to the man who had given up secret texts, spiritual medicine, and positions simply for her sake.
[Having considered everything, I have chosen to remain by I-seol’s side, so there’s no need for an apology.]
A martial artist who could casually utter words that made her heart race and brought her joy more than anything else.
[Just trust me to handle things.]
I-seol thought of those words, feeling so elated just to have heard them.
‘But you aren’t just a man of words.’
With just nineteen outstanding martial artists accompanying him, he had managed to infiltrate the enemy’s territory and accomplished impressive feats none would expect, returning everyone unscathed.
And to handle this business, he even utilized his master’s resources!
How should she repay that devotion?
Just as I-seol pondered this, the divided groups of newcomers began to arrive one by one. She listened to their accounts of their feats as she inquired about Yongji Maeng’s whereabouts.
“He’ll probably take the hardest route back, so he might take a little longer.”
“I see.”
I-seol congratulated her nineteen subordinates and treated them well. Even her own subordinates mingled with the newcomers who had made their mark abroad, enjoying drinks together.
Listening to that ruckus, I-seol opened her wardrobe. How should she repay Yongji Maeng, who had exerted so much effort on her behalf?
As she pulled out a chongpao, I-seol muttered to herself.
“This is a reward. A reward…”
Applying the correct makeup and carefully styling her hair as she patted herself down, she kept repeating those words.
“B-but since I’m known as the Best Beauty in Yunnan… when he sees me all dressed up, wouldn’t Yongji Maeng…”
Surely he would like it.
Thinking hastily about this, I-seol fanned her flushed cheeks. Grabbing the hem of the chongpao that clung perfectly to her body and looked sleek, she tried various poses, murmuring with uncertainty.
“Is this too revealing…?”
But there was no longer any need for her to fret about that topic.
“Master! Yongji Maeng has returned!”
“Alright, I’ll go greet him myself.”
With her heart racing, I-seol stepped out of her room. Surrounded by the awestruck gazes of her subordinates and newcomers, I-seol regained her confidence. Surely, no matter how stoic Yongji Maeng was, he would surely be pleased upon seeing her like this!
“Welcome back, Yongji Maeng.”
Stepping out to greet Yongji Maeng with those thoughts in mind, she found herself face to face with Hyeok Gi-rin, who was squinting at her.
