Chapter 36 Tang Soran (2) - Martial Arts Masochist

Leaving behind Han Seo Jin's objections, Cheongwol forcibly pushed herself into the leather room. It was a space that was no longer unfamiliar. Having entered multiple times, she had already grown accustomed to its layout. However, strangely, her heart seemed to pound harder with each visit. The musty smell of dust. The floorboards with separations in the seams. Strips of light flowing through the sparsely punctured walls. The chilly air. The door to the basement tucked in the corner. The distinct aroma of leather... and now, even gradually recognizing Han Seo Jin's unique scent. “...Do you never ventilate this place?” Cheongwol waved her hand in front of her nose at the peculiar masculine scent, wrinkling her expression, but for some reason, she did not hold her breath. Instead, she tilted her head slightly higher and carefully distinguished that scent. The leather room was divided into two spaces. In the middle of the square resting area, a thin board wall separated the shop from the living space. The shop's window was wide open, with a small chair where Han Seo Jin could sit. Behind the board wall in the living space, there was a small bed, a tiny box, and a door leading to the basement. As soon as Cheongwol entered the shop, Han Seo Jin closed the large window in the shop side. -Screech, thud. With that sound, the air inside the room turned peculiarly thicker. “Which part of 'don't come' do you not understand? There are still many eyes watching! Even the Tang family servants haven't left yet...!” Han Seo Jin questioned, sounding accusatory. Cheongwol, feeling embarrassed, couldn't respond. She had been driven by impulse, without any premeditated thoughts on what to discuss. She wasn't even sure what she wanted by coming here. She roughly wished for a refreshing conversation, but even she knew this was not the best action to receive pleasant words. Yet, she simply wanted to come. Her heart led her. ...No, if she were a bit more honest... “...The Emei Sect feels suffocating, so I came.” “Sigh...” Hesitatingly, Cheongwol cautiously looked back at Han Seo Jin. He stood closer than she had anticipated. Towering over her, Han Seo Jin seemed to look down on her. A strange oppressive feeling emanated from him. In a fight, they wouldn't be a match, but it wasn't that simple. His gaze. His presence. His energy... All of it gradually seeped into her. “Doesn't the Emei Sect feel like home to you, Lady Cheongwol?” “...But maybe because it feels stifling, could a heart demon have visited me too?” “If that's the case, perhaps you should leave the Emei Sect... Never mind, that's not possible.” At the close distance, Cheongwol took in Han Seo Jin. An inexplicable, soft sensation was felt in her heart's vicinity. She couldn't quite identify it, but it wasn't unpleasant. It was a feeling she couldn't experience even after a laborious training session, while taking in the wind at Hyeonbi's hermitage with her eyes closed, or even with the pride from winning a duel. Perhaps she sought Han Seo Jin just for this gentle sensation. Though Han Seo Jin frowned, even that didn't seem off-putting to Cheongwol. Despite his evident discomfort, Cheongwol couldn't help but smile. Watching Han Seo Jin look troubled, she chuckled softly and whispered. “...Ugly.” “Pardon?” “Scrunching your face like that makes you truly ugly, Leader.” Han Seo Jin turned his head as if he was baffled, sighing slowly. Nonetheless, it seemed to bother him as he cautiously relaxed his frown. To Cheongwol, that only made him appear even cuter- “...!” Realizing her thoughts, Cheongwol shook her head. Nevertheless, she was engulfed by the impulse to tease Han Seo Jin, just as he would tease her. Cheongwol, who didn't know how to joke, finally understood why people teased each other in such moods. “Leader, is that why you're a loner?” She persisted. The fact he was as much a loner as she was now seemed pleasing to her. “My appearance isn't the issue; it’s because I'm poor, you know?” “From my perspective, it's because you're ugly.” “...How is it that all nuns from the Emei Sect say the same thing?” “...” Cheongwol blinked momentarily. Her thoughts paused. “...Do you know other Emei Sect nuns?” “You remember that kid, right? Her name is... Well, I just keep forgetting.” Feeling faintly relieved, Cheongwol brightly responded. “Oh, you mean Hong Hwa. Does she think so too?” Han Seo Jin chuckled. “Even more so than you’d think.” “There you go, everyone thinks so.” “It seems the claim that the Emei Sect disciples are modest is entirely false.” Cheongwol covered her mouth, letting out a gentle smile. Han Seo Jin's eyes watched her smile in silence. “...” In that moment, Cheongwol sensed it. So Han Seo Jin thought she was beautiful just now. Once such awareness was common for Cheongwol, accustomed to public scrutiny. But what was different this time was her feeling slightly shy about it. Being perceived beautifully had always been routine, yet this time it felt different. Han Seo Jin scratched his head and averted his gaze, then spoke. “Anyway, if you keep breaking our promise like this, it puts me in a difficult position. If this keeps up, I won't be able to assist you, and I clearly-" “This time was special. There was a duel too.” Before Han Seo Jin could finish, Cheongwol interrupted. “What does a duel have to do with any of this?” Han Seo Jin swallowed the bait, puzzled. “Well, you gave me some advice before.” Rolling his eyes, Han Seo Jin continued, sounding as if he was clueless. “...You didn't listen to me even a smidgen. You hardly ever listen when I speak. I've never known anyone as hard-headed as you. Even this visit, despite me telling you not to-” “-It helped a bit.” Cheongwol once again cut him off. “And, and. Why do you pretend now when you were so happy for me winning?” “...” This time, Han Seo Jin was left speechless. Cheongwol, as if waiting, lifted the corners of her lips. “Hmm? You were overjoyed then, Leader.” As he backed down, a provocative urge surged within Cheongwol. She took another step towards him, whispering. "Do you have nothing to say to me?" She didn't desperately hope for it, but... if the opportunity arose, she wanted to hear it. Even outside the basement. Not sticky praise, just... an ordinary word. Perhaps, the words spoken here would have a stronger impact on her. Every single word, sinking deeper. After hesitating for some time, Han Seo Jin finally muttered quietly, almost to himself. "...Well... you... did well." Before he had even finished speaking, Cheongwol felt a surge of warmth in a corner of her heart. Ah. What should she do? Hearing Han Seo Jin's words, Cheongwol thought to herself. ...She wanted to go down to the basement. Her body grew warm. In the basement, she felt she could hear his honest feelings more clearly. How long had it been since she felt so comfortable and positive when dealing with someone? To Cheongwol, people were generally just sources of deeper worries. For some, she had to meet expectations, for others, hide her true intentions, show a smile to some, and maintain a dignified presence to others... Everyone was just tiring to be around. But Han Seo Jin was different. Being with him was inexplicably comforting. There was no need to adjust to something, no need to impress him. It just felt... natural. Cheongwol hesitated before cautiously speaking. Despite getting used to it, every time she made a suggestion, it felt strangely embarrassing. "Leader, shall we...?" "…?" "…Go down to the basement?" Han Seo Jin stiffened for a moment, before responding. "...Why?" She wasn't surprised. She replied. "...To relieve the heart demon..." For a moment, Han Seo Jin was taken aback. Cheongwol was ready with excuses for what she'd say next, but Han Seo Jin spoke first. "But, Lady Cheongwol, don't you no longer need me?" "...What?" Han Seo Jin continued. "You've been smiling more than before, haven't you? And isn't the heart demon less intense than it once was? Do you still need relief?" "..." ...What? Cheongwol was left speechless by Han Seo Jin's words. Indeed, her actions started with an intent to relieve the heart demon. She endured all the humiliation and shame for that reason initially. It certainly helped. She experienced a release and freedom through those actions. ...So now? If it had helped and provided relief, why did she still crave this? If the heart demon completely vanished, would that mean the end of her connection with Han Seo Jin? "..." ...Darkness rapidly filled her chest. Her fingertips trembled lightly. She felt an unsettling void, as if something crucial was slipping away. "I'm still not enough," she whispered in a tone so sunken she barely recognized it was her own voice. Startled, Han Seo Jin hurriedly responded. "Y-yes, of course. I apologize. But our promise was definitely for 10 days, and I'm not prepared at all right now to—" Seeing Han Seo Jin fumble over his words brought her some solace. Cheongwol, bewildered by her heart's reactions, pressed on her chest before replying shyly. "I... I was just saying. I didn't mean to relieve the heart demon today, just... have a brief conversation—" -Screech... A sound echoed that shouldn't have been heard. The sound of a door opening. -Thud! Before Cheongwol could react, Han Seo Jin quickly pushed her behind the wooden panel with urgency. His reaction was lightning quick. Cheongwol found herself slumping onto Han Seo Jin's bed. "We're closed for the day," Han Seo Jin said to the visitor on the other side of the panel. Unconsciously, Cheongwol held her breath. Her heart pounded even more furiously. "…Quite an awkward reaction. Usually, people are shocked by my face." A familiar voice echoed in her ears. Her heart beat even faster. Why... was she here? "Aha... Haha!! So startled! Truly surprised! Ah, Miss Dang...! What brings you to this shabby leather room...?” Dang Solan's tone shifted. "What... is your name?" she asked, in a near whisper. "Sh-shouldn’t we keep such names undisclosed for—" "—Your name." Don't tell her. For some reason, Cheongwol thought instinctively. "...It's Han Seo Jin," he replied. -Screech, thud. The door closed once again. Silence engulfed the room. "...Wol-ah." Dang Solan's voice continued. Cheongwol felt as if her breath caught. "...If there was a way to relieve the heart demon, you could have told me." **** Wei Chang, the deputy head of the Sichuan branch of the Hao Mun. He, along with his subordinates, had infiltrated Mount Emei posing as merchants, following the servants of the Sichuan Tang clan. Carrying bundles aplenty, they moved throughout the streets, keeping a watchful eye on the Emei Sect. Especially on Cheongwol and So Woon. But this task was easier said than done. So Woon and Cheongwol seldom left the temple grounds. Ultimately, Wei Chang had no choice but to place his men throughout the village and gather rumors while waiting for the opportunity to act. Then, amidst this anticipation, Wei Chang decided to entirely shift his plans after the bout between Dang Solan and Cheongwol. What he initially presumed would be a simple spectacle turned out to be anything but mundane. Especially Dang Solan. Among the post-Ji Soo generation, she was a rising star in the martial arts world. Yet she had lost. And the expression on her face after defeat... was neither simple regret nor anger. It seemed... dangerous somehow. Perhaps, she too was grappling with a heart demon. That feeling of something about to burst was there. Monitoring So Woon and Cheongwol could be left to his subordinates. His instincts told him more valuable information could be gathered from Dang Solan. And then it happened. He noticed Dang Solan running hastily out of the Tang family’s lodgings. Wei Chang discreetly tailed her. To his amazement, at the destination Dang Solan hurried to... he found Cheongwol as well. Cheongwol ended up entering a strange leather room of some sort. Wei Chang's heart raced. One baffling event followed another. While Cheongwol entering a leather room might not seem significant... ...The way she interacted with the man in front of the leather room didn't seem as distant as expected. ...Could they be lovers? With the Emei Sect's Millennium Flower? ...That didn't seem likely. What would she find lacking in him... However, it left an unsettling feeling. Perhaps sensing it too, Dang Solan approached the leather room with a peculiar expression. She stood there at the door for quite a while, as if intending to eavesdrop. The fact that Dang Solan, the cherished jewel of the Tang family, was eavesdropping would be crucial information enough, but Wei Chang sensed there was an even bigger goldmine beyond this. He continued to watch Dang Solan, observing her as she stood at the door for a moment... before she finally entered. -Thud. "...How is this all unfolding?" Wei Chang held his breath, tension wrapping around his entire body. He murmured to himself. And... just who is that man? It was then that Wei Chang, moving cautiously, began to inch closer towards the leather room.