Chapter 45 Journey to Chengdu (3) - Martial Arts Masochist

Tang So Ran was due to return to Chengdu the day after tomorrow. Yet, she continued to remain quietly holed up in her accommodation today, as always. The gentle fragrance of Mount Emei wafting through the window, and the soothing rustle of the breeze, failed to entice her outside. At some point, it had become more natural for Tang So Ran to stay cooped up in her room. "..." However, the past few days had been different from usual. While she might have stayed locked in her room as always, the turmoil within her seemed to have miraculously subsided. She was more than aware of the reason. Han Seo Jin. It was due to that strange time she had spent with that man. "..." Upon reflection, everything was peculiar - his methods, his tone, the location. And more than anything, did that punishment really help? As Cheong Wol had mentioned, was he really a mental doctor? While she couldn't definitively say, one thing was clear. Her mind was at ease. Whether it was that her obsession had shrunk, or if it was that all her senses were overwhelmed by that intense experience—it was hard to distinguish—but surely, where there was once torment, tranquility now resided. Since that day, even the tingling pain that had been drilling into her foot for over a day had completely vanished. The throbbing that seemed to scold the hideous nature within her was gone. And with that pain now absent, she felt a strange sense of guilt resurfacing, and her heart was restless. After lying in bed lost in thought for a while... Tang So Ran quietly made up her mind. Rising slowly, she changed her clothes with calm movements. If she missed this moment, it seemed it would be considerably difficult to meet Han Seo Jin again. Who knew when she’d return to Mount Emei? "..." Therefore, she decided to confirm it one more time. To ascertain what that feeling was, what the identity of that bizarre punishment entailed. Her heart beat inexplicably fast upon finishing her dressing. Come to think of it, it was the first time she had groomed herself for the sake of meeting a man. Just as she opened the door and was about to step outside, she locked eyes with her younger brother, Tang Ji Woon, who was awkwardly standing. He was holding a simple meal that seemed carefully prepared. "Sister." Surprise lingered in Tang Ji Woon's eyes. As if he never expected her to leave as though she was going somewhere. "Are you going somewhere?" "..." Tang So Ran looked at her brother for a moment before whispering and continuing her stride. "Do not follow me." For some reason, looking at her brother's face was embarrassing. Tang Ji Woon nodded without a word. As she left her brother behind and moved on her own, she couldn't shake off a strange sense of incongruity. A feeling as if she was hiding something. But there was no helping it. Who could she explain it to? Even if the act was to alleviate a mental illness, she had been dragged to that man’s basement, subjected to his high-handed orders, and made to attach the word "like" to every response. At the time, she didn't realize it, swept away by the atmosphere of the place, but looking back, there hadn’t been a more humiliating experience in Tang So Ran’s life. ... And yet, she was going back again. The things she had seen that day lingered in her mind. Ropes, blindfolds, whips, handcuffs, collars... How were those used? If she asked Han Seo Jin, surely he'd tell her. "..." Unintentionally, Tang So Ran gulped. Under the guise of mental illness treatment, what would Han Seo Jin demand? What did his treatment actually include? ...And what had Cheong Wol endured further humiliation for- "-Where are you going?" "Eek!" The sudden intrusion of a voice startled Tang So Ran. Regaining her senses, she found someone looking down at her. It was Cheong Wol. It was their first encounter since that day. "Cheong Wol." Cheong Wol, without changing her expression, simply asked the same question with her eyes. Why was she here? Tang So Ran looked beyond Cheong Wol. If she continued down this path, she'd reach Han Seo Jin's leather room again. And now, Cheong Wol appeared to be intentionally blocking that path. "..." It felt strangely embarrassing to confess that she was heading to Han Seo Jin's leather room. Admitting it somehow made her feel like a pervert. The place where he had sniffed her foot odor and struck her soles. What did it mean for someone to be mistreated and then return? "You don't need to know. Why are you here?" "Just getting some fresh air." Was she really just getting fresh air? Why did it feel like she was intentionally standing between her and the leather room? Yet, Cheong Wol was nonchalant. The noble aura flowing around her somehow packaged her words as truth. Tang So Ran looked at Cheong Wol for a moment and steadied her resolve. First, she needed to head to the leather room. Cheong Wol or not, curiosity was becoming harder to suppress. "...Then, I'll be on my way." Just as she was about to pass by Cheong Wol- "-That day." Cheong Wol suddenly mentioned that day. Tang So Ran, startled, glanced around. No one else would hear, right? "... What are you doing! This isn’t something to discuss outside-" "-You looked... foolish." The unexpected criticism from Cheong Wol shut Tang So Ran's mouth. Cheong Wol wasn't looking at Tang So Ran. With the path already cleared, she simply gazed at the distant ridgeline and continued quietly. "Being struck on your soles and unable to resist. I never imagined seeing you like that." "Why say such things out of the blue?" "No reason. It just came to mind." "..." Tang So Ran bit her lip hard. Then, forcing a smile, she shot back with words. "I never imagined the Millennium Flower of the Emei Sect would listen to a man’s orders and kneel." "..." Cheong Wol did not respond. However, it seemed as if her expression briefly wavered. In the brief conversation, it was Tang So Ran who had lost her momentum. Even with just a few words, her steps toward the leather room grew heavy and distant. She might indeed have looked foolish as Cheong Wol said, and Tang So Ran could acknowledge it. However, if she didn’t give up here and proceeded to the leather room, it felt akin to declaring herself a fool. Instinctively, Tang So Ran adjusted her direction and continued to walk. She had nothing more to say to Cheong Wol. The thought that she couldn't go to the leather room because of Cheong Wol left her inexplicably pouting. ...Pouting? Tang So Ran felt confused at the thought. Upset because she couldn’t visit the leather room? Surely, she hadn’t wanted to go that badly. As she absentmindedly took a step, she suddenly recalled the basement's scene. That chilly space. And Han Seo Jin’s mocking voice, as he held her shoes. ‘...Seems even the Tang family’s lady can't help it.’ “Ugh...!” The humiliation of that day sharply pierced through her seemingly stable heart. Emotions she thought she’d forgotten suddenly resurfaced. Yes. She shouldn't go. Let it go. The eldest daughter of the Sichuan Tang Gate, Tang So Ran, had no reason to experience such humiliation again. Once was enough for stooping so low. Time spent with Han Seo Jin had never been a pleasant memory. It was best left forgotten. Completing her brief journey, she returned to her lodging. "Sister, you’re already back-" "-I’ll rest. Sorry, Ji Woon." Tang Ji Woon attempted to say something, but Tang So Ran couldn’t afford the room for conversation. She lay back on her bed, clutching her pillow. ...Her mind felt even more chaotic now. *** After exchanging formalities and pleasantries, the Emei Sect saw off the departing Sichuan Tang family. Cheong Wol took a sigh of relief as she watched the long procession leave Mount Emei. Finally, they had gone. Her heart felt notably lighter, as if all her worries had lifted away. She glanced around. Perhaps Han Seo Jin was watching the departing procession too. "..." But he was nowhere to be found. Probably still rotting alone in that leather room today, too. That's why he's such a loner. Even while criticizing him, Cheong Wol found she didn't entirely dislike the fact that he was alone. Perhaps she sensed a resemblance, feeling an arbitrary sense of kinship with him. Cheong Wol’s desire was simply to continue... just like this. Without interference. Without being known. At least until her condition was truly alleviated. "..." ...But can it truly be eradicated? As the thought of resolving her condition and inevitably distancing herself from Han Seo Jin crossed her mind... ...That unsettling emotion swelled up again? Brushing aside her dilemma, Cheong Wol started to ascend Mount Emei once more. There was nothing to ponder now. The important thing was that in a few days, she’d be able to meet Han Seo Jin again. And for some time, they would maintain their relationship bit by bit, as before. At that moment, her ears picked up a sound. “Come on, lend me some rope. I said it’s urgent!” The mention of 'rope' evoked a reaction, a sign that Cheong Wol sensed some ominous change within herself. “We’re running low ourselves!” Two men were squabbling. As she moved past, she inadvertently took a light interest in their interaction. “You should’ve saved some! I told you I’d be away for a bit!” “How was I supposed to know the rope would snap! I didn’t expect this either! Just lend it to me. Or are you expecting me to haul those branches by hand from the mountain! I need to tie them to carry them efficiently!” Cheong Wol detected a subtle strangeness in their conversation. Slowly, she got drawn into the squabble between the two men. “If you break mine too, what am I going to do then? No, I can’t lend it.” “The young fellow will probably be back by then! Stop worrying and just lend me some! Are you so heartless?” Cheong Wol tilted her head, confused. "...What?" The men continued their loud confrontation. “How can you be sure he’ll be back!” “Well, see-” “-The Master of the leather room didn’t say when he’d return!” A sudden intensity filled Cheong Wol’s heart. Only then did she vaguely realize why the leather room she glanced at yesterday from Hyunbi-am was shut. -Tap! “Uh? Wol-ah! Where are you going!” Unconsciously, Cheong Wol veered off the Emei Sect's ascent. She forgot his words forbidding her from visiting and moved quickly, almost in a slight jog. The distant view of the leather room. And the two gang members slumped in front. “Lady Cheong Wol?” The leather room was tightly closed. Its windows, usually wide open, were shut. ...No. He must be inside. Where could a trivial master of a leather room possibly go? What reason would he possibly have to leave? ...Regardless, she had to verify. Cheong Wol pushed open the closed door of the leather room. “M-Miss, what are you doing!” The startled gang members shouted. “...Ah.” And she discovered a vacant space. Quietly, Cheong Wol surveyed the empty leather room. Han Seo Jin was nowhere to be found. And with his disappearance... ...that tenacious, violent something—recently dormant—crept back in. "...M-miss? How come..." ...Did he run away? Was it because she failed to keep her promises too often? Or because last time, she got up without looking at the wall, without his permission? Did she involve Tang So Ran excessively? Or had she closed that basement door too harshly then? Whatever it was... “...Where did he go?” Before she knew it, the icy voice she had used when she slaughtered twenty bandits emerged from her mouth. So cold that it startled even herself. But she couldn't stop it. She had no intention to. She turned, looking at the gang members. Cheong Wol asked once more. “...The Master. Where did he go?” ...Whatever it was, this sort of farewell was unacceptable to Cheong Wol.