Confession (4)
“Will this do?”
“Yes, Army Leader.”
“……We’re off the record right now.”
“Understood.”
Mo Yong Woo refilled Dang Sang-a’s cup. She drained it in one go. She hadn’t seemed inclined to pour for him from the start.
Mo Yong Woo awkwardly filled his own cup. Dang Sang-a simply sat there, watching him silently.
After one drink, she could’ve offered to pour, but she said nothing. It was undoubtedly an awkward moment.
But Mo Yong Woo didn’t turn away or down his drink to dispel the tension.
“Another round?”
“Sure.”
This time, Dang Sang-a didn’t drink first upon receiving the cup. The two sat facing each other.
Mo Yong Woo spoke up. “So, what brings you to buy me a drink?”
“There’s something I want to ask straight out.”
“Go ahead.”
“You know, right? How the two family heads were trying to pair us up.”
They’d both known, but neither had brought it up so openly. It was a bold strike, if anything.
Considering their ages, though, it wasn’t all that awkward.
Mo Yong Woo nodded. “Of course I know.”
His response was calmer than expected.
Dang Sang-a smiled. “I like how straightforward you are. Honestly, I thought you’d be a bit flustered.”
“I was plenty flustered. Just not showing it.”
“You can show it. It’s not embarrassing, is it?”
“Of course not. But I don’t easily bare my true feelings to someone who hasn’t earned my heart.”
Sharp words, delivered with a straight face. Strangely, they put Dang Sang-a at ease.
“Fair enough. Surprising, though. You’re tougher than I thought.”
Mo Yong Woo gave a wry smile. “We haven’t had much time to get acquainted, but I am the Tang Ma Army Leader. Spending all that time with the troops teaches even a fool a thing or two.”
Dang Sang-a smiled. Her smile was captivating. In the short time since the ordeal with her father Dang Gwan, she seemed to have grown.
Her confident smile lacked firm convictions yet, but it hinted at a brilliance yet to fully bloom.
“So, you came to talk about that?”
“Yes.”
Mo Yong Woo nodded. “It’s a conversation we’d have to have eventually.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m here.”
“So, what do you want to ask?”
“What do you think of me?”
Mo Yong Woo smiled. “A skilled soldier.”
He didn’t see her as a woman yet. And unless their paths intertwined further, that wouldn’t change.
Dang Sang-a nodded. “I see you the same way, Army Leader Mo Yong—a superior with outstanding skill.”
“Thanks for the generous assessment.”
“I’m curious how you feel about our betrothal.”
Mo Yong Woo rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. His sincerity shone through naturally, not forced.
Dang Sang-a could tell just by looking. His true character.
At least he’s not the type to lie in a setting like this.
Even lowballing it, he came across as earnest and upright.
A moment later, Mo Yong Woo spoke. “I don’t know how you feel, Lady Dang, but I oppose marriages without affection.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Some might mock it as the whining of the well-fed. But life’s short, isn’t it? To spend decades with a life partner without love? Unthinkable.”
“……”
“Even if we live giving for each other, I’d regret not doing more, day after day. I don’t want to pour a lifetime’s love and passion into someone without even a spark of romance.”
“……”
“Not that it’d be possible anyway.”
His words laid bare his values. He was always sincere with others—drawing lines with shallow ties, giving everything to true bonds.
An innocence hard to believe in a faction leader.
Dang Sang-a was inwardly surprised by his depth.
Mo Yong Woo smiled. “Does that answer your question?”
“Plenty.”
“Glad you’re satisfied.”
Dang Sang-a tilted her head. “Aren’t you curious about how I feel?”
“I was just about to ask. What do you think of this betrothal, Lady Dang?”
“I’d have been a little sad if you hadn’t.”
“No chance of that. I’m a man too. How could I not wonder about you?”
His honesty was disarming. Rare even among murim folk, let alone before a woman.
Dang Sang-a liked that about him.
“Marrying a man I love would be ideal, of course.”
“Naturally.”
“But waiting passively for fate’s perfect match? That’s laughable.”
Mo Yong Woo’s eyes widened. “Then?”
“My life’s mine to steer. So I’ll take the reins actively.”
“Hm.”
“I’ll seek out my fated one myself. And if I like what I find, I’ll reach out without a second thought.”
Dang Sang-a gave a wry smile. “I only recently realized patience isn’t everything.”
“……”
“I spent my life suppressing myself. No more. I’m the protagonist of my story. Time to make the stage as dazzling as possible.”
What a spirited woman. Mo Yong Woo marveled at her transformation, even as it surprised him.
The Dang Sang-a he’d first met wasn’t like this—timid, anxious about troubling others, always watching for cues.
That version was gone. She still seemed a touch unsteady, but here stood a woman with her own unshakeable principles.
“That’s why.”
Dang Sang-a grinned mischievously. “I figured I’d start with you, Army Leader.”
Mo Yong Woo blinked. “Me?”
“Yes.”
“……Why think that?”
“I’m not desperate or anything. But people say you’re a once-in-a-generation prodigy, worthy of being called the world’s finest.”
“Absurd flattery.”
“Flattery or not, I know you’re a good man.”
“Ahem.”
“So I thought I’d take a look. See if you’re someone worth loving. And if feelings grow? I might not hold back.”
Mo Yong Woo’s face flushed crimson. Her boldness was intimidating. Murim folk were more open than commoners, but this was rare.
A rarity in the Central Plains. It struck Mo Yong Woo as utterly fresh.
Dang Sang-a burst into laughter. “Now you really look flustered.”
“Deeply so.”
“I just wanted to be honest about my feelings. Sorry if I was rude.”
“Nonsense. I could learn from your candor, Lady Dang.”
“You’re plenty honest yourself, Army Leader.”
The tense exchange warmed into amiable chatter.
“By the way, mind if I ask one thing?”
“What?”
Dang Sang-a stroked her chin. “What exactly is your relationship with Army Leader Yeon?”
Mo Yong Woo blinked. “Why ask that?”
“I don’t know much about politics, but……the Yeon and Moyong families are at sharp odds, right? Yet you two seemed awfully close last time.”
“That’s how it looked?”
“Yes.”
Mo Yong Woo gazed at her quietly, then spoke in a subdued tone. “We’re nothing yet. Just trying to get closer.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes.”
“……Got it.”
Dang Sang-a held out her cup. “One more. Ah, should I pour this time?”
“I’d be honored.”
As he accepted her pour, Mo Yong Woo reflected.
I need to be more careful.
He’d let his guard down. Sure, Dang Sang-a had sharp eyes, but the Martial Alliance teemed with keener minds.
Did he think he had no one to rely on? Is that why he wanted to protect our bond above all?
He couldn’t know. What mattered was that treating Yeon Hojeong so casually could spark trouble anytime.
Yeon Hojeong probably knew she wasn’t the type to blab. That’s why he’d let it slide so far.
But no more crossing lines.
Carefulness isn’t enough. I need to take control. Live not leaning on others, but leading.
Mo Yong Woo eyed Dang Sang-a. Her words echoed.
The protagonist of my life can only be me……
He’d learned much from her.
Gazing at her, he soon bowed his head. “Thank you.”
“Huh? S-suddenly?”
“You’ve given me a profound realization. Can’t share the details, but without you, I’d have messed up down the line.”
Dang Sang-a cleared her throat. “Don’t make it sound so grand; it’s embarrassing.”
Mo Yong Woo raised his cup. “A toast.”
“Sure. Heh, but now I’m curious. What’d you realize?”
“A secret.”
“Someone said secretive men aren’t charming.”
“Charm or not, life goes on.”
Draining his cup cleanly, Mo Yong Woo gazed out the window.
Yeon-je. Your trials because of this foolish brother of mine must’ve been endless.
For some reason, he missed Yeon Hojeong today.
* * *
“Whew, this winter’s no joke. Over two months left, and accidents are bound to happen.”
Brushing snow from his hair and shoulders, Jegal Munho knocked. “It’s me. May I enter?”
“……Come in.”
What’s this? Jegal Munho wondered inwardly. Yeon Wi’s voice sounded deeply subdued.
Something happen?
The door slid open. Jegal Munho entered and bowed. “Sorry I’m later than expected. Much to handle.”
“It’s fine.”
Yeon Hojeong and Muk Bi rose, clasping hands in salute. “Welcome. You must be tired from the journey.”
“No trouble at all. Sit.”
“Yes.”
They all took seats. Jegal Munho scanned their faces.
……Hm.
His puzzlement swelled rapidly.
Did something really happen?
The mood was oppressively gloomy. Muk Bi’s face showed clear skepticism, Yeon Wi’s was rigidly tense for all to see.
Yeon Hojeong’s was impassive by contrast, though his eyes were slightly bloodshot.
Jegal Munho cleared his throat. “Ahem! We’re all busy, so straight to business.”
“Agreed.”
“Yes. Tell me now—about the secret you’ve been hiding.”
Yeon Hojeong spoke stiffly. “Do you know of the Three Fanatic Sects?”