Chapter 35 Tang Soran (1) - Martial Arts Masochist

"What the heck!!" The moment Cheongwol defeated Dang Solan, I leaped in wild relief right on the spot. If by accident, I even grabbed and shook the retreating hair of the uncles. "But why did Cheongwol win against Dang Solan? How did she even win!! This means I'm not in trouble now!!" "Heart Demon... Ah!" "Oh, oh, uncle!" "Se- Seo Jin-ah. My, my hair, please let go..." "Oh. I'm sorry. The sword technique Cheongwol used, what was it called?" "How many times will you ask me? I told you, it’s the Soyang Sword Technique." "Right? Nothing else came out, did it?" "What else?" "Well... you mentioned some kind of Extinction Sword or something before." "Ah, you brat. That was just a joke." Right? She didn't use the Extinction Sword and still won the duel? This is insane. It feels like winning a life-threatening coin toss. One thing was certain: there wasn't a happier person in this place than me. With every push against Cheongwol, my teeth clenched so hard. Worried that the Extinction Sword might appear. In the original, it was said that some bystanders at a close distance got hurt by that violent sword technique. Luckily, none of that ugly scene surfaced. That’s why I dragged the uncles, who wanted to watch from the front, back with me. "I had no idea you'd be this happy. You should’ve come out earlier." Uncle Gwakdu chuckled, taking joy in my delight, and smiled himself. I exhaled a sigh of relief, calmed my astonishment, and looked at the stage. Sometimes I imagined locking eyes with Cheongwol, but it was just a delusion. She was smiling and offering greetings to everyone who had watched her. Uncle Guyeong remarked, "A phoenix has landed in the Emei Sect. What will they call her? Sword Phoenix? Blue Phoenix?" Uncle Guyeong also added, "Whatever she’s called, Shaolin won't take long to craft a sobriquet for her. With news this big..." The head of the Dang family, Tang Jeokcheon, stepped onto the stage. Though not of an impressive stature, seeing him in person, his charisma was considerable. ... But come to think of it, he does die a painful death too. ... Likewise, at Cheongwol's hands. Well, maybe the future has shifted a bit, so let's not overthink it. "..." ... Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. Could this be a butterfly effect...? It would be hard for it not to happen, wouldn't it? The arrival of the Seven Evils of the Demonic Cult has been delayed... The joy at the unexpected result quickly faded. ... Now, unsure of what this could lead to, an abrupt fear overtook me. ... Will it be alright? Well, if someone bad like Cheongwol doesn’t become worse, isn’t that a good thing? Even when Tang Jeokcheon spoke to wrap up the duel, I couldn't hear a thing. Once the cycle of contemplation began, it spiraled endlessly. "...Oh." Just then, I noticed Dang Solan coming into view. That once-beautiful smile... Where did it go? The protagonist’s greatest ally, with a serious expression, trudged off the stage. Uncle Guyeong, perhaps seeing this too, whispered, "Tsk. Dang Solan might be a concern. Let’s hope her heart demon doesn't worsen." I swallowed hard. "...What?" **** Two days had passed since the duel ended. Cheongwol was spending her time at Hyeonbiam, the mysterious cliff near the Emei Sect of Mount Emei. This Hyeonbiam was a hideout Cheongwol discovered for herself. A place she could escape from the suffocating sect and the jealousy of her seniors… a spot where she could catch a breeze. At one point, she almost lived here, but after her heart demon grew, she stopped visiting. As if merely enjoying the expansive view could bring relief somehow. To alleviate that violent heart demon, she had to move. But nowadays, things were different. Once again, she began spending time here at Hyeonbiam. Not that the landscape had changed or that it started helping her heart demon. From this small cliff closest to the village in Mount Emei, she could clearly overlook the village. Perched on that cliff, if she squinted a bit... far in the distance, she could see his leather workshop. Han Seo Jin's leather workshop. By sheer luck, she had the good fortune of facing the workshop directly from here. Sometimes she could even see him in action. Having dinner, I see. ...I should eat too. Cheongwol began slowly munching on the rice she brought from the Emei Sect. "..." She knew it herself. Watching him so intently might be a bit odd. But what could she do? For Cheongwol, engaging in something other than this felt more unnatural. Should she just tolerate and ingratiate herself among her seniors? Should she hear the gossip and pretend not to, tirelessly enduring? Should she smile listening to the mixed envy or jealous encouragements from the senior disciples? Engage with the clingy junior disciples who had her as their teacher and whom she found a nuisance? Deep down, Cheongwol wished she weren’t just strangely observing him from afar but rather spending time inside that leather workshop. It's not about playing any S&M games or anything. There may be a little banter, but she longed for frank conversations by his side. Yet, Han Seo Jin was the one who said not to come closer. Isn't it something to at least keep that promise this way? It's not even about surveillance. Just observing what he is up to. It’s not about infiltrating his world. While sitting here at Hyeonbiam, if the wind felt pleasant, she meditated. She calmed her mind for a moment. Then observed what he was doing. In those moments, Cheongwol found solace in a peace she had never experienced before. The heart demon still squirmed in a corner of her heart, but she was immensely grateful that its strength had weakened so much. Not long ago, she massacred bandits near Namneunggok. Fought the head of the sect, yelling on a mountainside. Now, all that felt like distant memories. She anticipated that there would still be many hardships to come. As she firmly declined the title of the Phoenix, there was still no new sobriquet. Yet, the news would inevitably spread throughout Zhongyuan, increasing the weight of expectations on her shoulders. But it was alright. Han Seo Jin... that is... "..." ...a friend. Yes, having even just one friend made it bearable. As long as he remained by her side, she felt she could manage without much difficulty in the future. ...But really, why couldn’t she approach him for 10 days? Han Seo Jin had been so happy when she won the duel. He had worried and cared so much, so why pretend not to care at all? He said he disliked martial artists, but considering his close relationship with the beggars from the Beggar Sect, it didn't quite fit. "...Haa." Of course, she understood to some extent. Their first encounter had been right at that scene of slaughter. Cheongwol suddenly began to regret that moment. If she had held back slightly, would that have prevented him from erecting such a firm boundary? ...No. On the other hand, had it not been for that day, they might not have been entangled at all. "..." Still, dissatisfaction lingered. She wanted to share a brief chat about the duel, but even that wasn't possible. Cheongwol kept her eyes on Han Seo Jin’s eerily quiet leather workshop. Han Seo Jin, looking bored, sat on a chair in front of his shop, eating something, stretching out languidly. Occasionally, she saw him scratching his head as if pondering something deeply. She scanned the area around his workshop. Located on the village's outskirts, no one seemed likely to approach the shop. ...Should I drop by for a bit? Considering the recent significant event like the duel, he might welcome her this time. **** “Huff!” Dang Solan awoke from a nightmare, her heart pounding wildly and sweat trickling down. Out of instinct to the overwhelming fear that overcame her, she reached for her weapon. “Solan-ah.” A gentle voice floated over at that moment. Turning her head, Dang Solan saw Tang Jeokcheon by her side. “...Ga-gajulnim.” “It’s alright. Calm down.” “...” “...Perhaps the duel wasn’t a great idea. I thought you might gain some insight from it…” Dang Solan shook her head. “I, I wanted it... You haven't done anything wrong, Gajulnim. It was all my fault.” “...” The presence of her father quelled her nightmares temporarily, but soon enough, she felt her breath constrict. Her father always filled her with guilt; his kindness only intensified it. Perhaps she feared revealing her ugly nature. “…I'll go catch some fresh air.” “If there’s anything I can do to help, Solan-ah—” “-I'm fine.” Dang Solan stood up, speaking as she did, then left the room as if fleeing. . . . Dang Solan had never known lack throughout her life. The cherished eldest daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Born and raised in luxury. She had never been scolded. From her infancy, her charming appearance captured the affection of the elders, and her audacious curiosity and cheerful personality as she grew endeared her even to the household members. No one showed dislike when she bounced around on her small feet. Wherever she went, laughter followed. Perhaps that’s why. Anything Dang Solan wanted became hers. “Father! I wish for some yakgwa!” “I’ve found earrings I want!” “Those clothes! I like them!” “Father, I want to have a puppy.” “I’ve thought of a wish, Gajulnim. Could you fulfill it?” No requests from her were denied. With just a desire, the world handed itself to her. In hindsight, her endless desires likely stemmed from her inherent nature. Deep down, she had long been aware—there was something missing inside her. A small, deep hole that nothing could fill. Even when she asked the clan for something she wanted, then possessed it... Dang Solan had never truly felt joy. Everything was a passing curiosity. Would obtaining this bring a bit of happiness? If this came into my hands, would I be happy? But nothing ever lasted long. She was a child unknown to satisfaction. She didn’t understand the origin of her desires. Never having gained something through hardship, she couldn’t assign special value to anything. To outsiders, it might seem like she's making a fuss while well-off, but for Dang Solan, it was a definitive turmoil. Her world transformed after the Yongbongji Meeting. There, she finally discovered two things that could fill her void. One was the acclaim from Zhongyuan when she showcased her martial skills. Truthfully, she had been partially aware of this sensation even before the Yongbongji Meeting. Applause and praise followed when she bested an opponent in training, tickling her heart. For a fleeting moment, the emptiness felt filled. Upon reflection, acclaim isn't something you can acquire on a whim. That's probably why it seemed so enticing, and chasing that illusion led her to immerse in martial arts. Through blind obsession, in the end, Dang Solan earned the title of the Phoenix. And the other was... ...Dang Solan came to truly see herself that day. She had taken the title of the Phoenix from the later-generation of the Zhongnan Sect. When Dang Solan defeated her and claimed the Phoenix title... ...When she seized something belonging to someone else and made it hers... ...She couldn't believe the overwhelming satisfaction she felt then. The feeling was so intense and vivid, as if her heart had been heated and filled completely. Eventually, having no personal benchmark left her living, subsisting on the standards of others. Only when she possessed something others cherished could she truly feel its value. It felt like filling one block of her empty heart. Her world had no warmth unless stolen from others. And along with that newfound sense of fulfillment, came the heart demon. Was she such a vile person? A monster who rejoiced in taking from others? Growing up among gentle elders, caring parents, and obedient siblings... why was she the only one so twisted? It was an ugliness she couldn't reveal. How disappointed her father would be if he heard. How drastically the elders' attitudes would change if they knew. Secluded in her room, she kept reciting to herself: I should not be like this. I must mend this ugly nature. ...That girl she saw earlier, clutching the hairpin for her sister so tenderly. How lovingly she gazed at it. Pull yourself together. This isn't you. Why take away what's not yours? ...The merchant in the city, striving so hard to obtain the red silk. "Enough...!!" A scream slipped out. Dang Solan had sunk to the ground without realizing it, clutching her head in her hands, her entire body shaking. "Please... stop..." Then suddenly, worried that someone might have witnessed her in this state, she quickly lifted her head, cautiously glancing around. Regaining her composure, she found herself somewhere in the village of Mount Emei. Fortunately, there was no one around. She bit her lip as she revisited the story she knew so well—one about a sage who lived an entire life hiding their ugly nature until death. She resolved to live that way too. No matter how difficult, she would do that. For now, it was alright. She realized her ugliness and hadn’t taken anything from anyone yet. "..." However... if possible... for someone to rid her of this vile heart demon... "…What?" It was entirely by chance what happened next. On the roof of a shop up ahead, someone lightly descended. It was impossible for Dang Solan not to recognize her. The Millennium Flower of the Emei Sect, Cheongwol. Dang Solan instinctively erased her presence and observed Cheongwol. Cheongwol carefully scanned the area around her. It was an expression she'd never seen on her before—a cautious look. Why are you here at this hour...? Some instinct was sounding alarms within Dang Solan, strong enough to forget her recent turmoil. Cheongwol gently descended from the roof of the shop. Seeing this, a young man who had been lounging idly on the ground in front of it started in surprise, falling backward. "Whoa, you scared me...!" He quickly got up and glanced around, shouting as if annoyed. "How many times do I have to tell you not to come...!!" "...Hmph." Cheongwol, seemingly unaffected by his words, gracefully walked into the shop. The young man, rubbing his forehead, followed her in as well. -Thud. The door to the leather workshop closed. "..." It was undoubtedly a secretive tryst. Watching them, Dang Solan froze, lost in thought for a moment. Who was that man? ...A lover? ...Impossible. Nothing seemed less fitting for Cheongwol than having a lover. Besides, Cheongwol wouldn't be interested in a man so plainly dressed unless she were crazy. ...If so... "…" Dang Solan had been the closest to sensing the most significant change in Cheongwol lately. During the duel, Cheongwol's heart demon was barely perceptible. Her turbulent swordsmanship had calmed, and what was once excessively forceful was now smooth and graceful. How had she done it? How did Cheongwol enact that change? How did you manage it? How did you escape it? -Swish... Dang Solan rose to her feet, her eyes filled not with confusion or fear, but with earnest determination. Holding onto that fervent hope, she quietly made her way towards the leather workshop.