The Relief
Jegal Yeong-yeong had been so happy the night she shared the bed with Yuseong that she felt like she had the whole world at her fingertips.
Just thinking about that day made the fog in her mind lift, and she hurriedly covered her face with both hands.
*No, that isn't it. I was really...*
The reason she had been happy was simple.
She had assumed that since Yuseong was an easygoing man, sharing his body would make him let his guard down and win his heart.
But the outcome had been far from what she expected.
*He still seems to be thinking of Namgung Yurin.*
Sharing a night with him had been a desperate gamble born from the fear Jegal Yeong-yeong felt every time she thought of Namgung Yurin. She had promised not to force anything that night, yet a woman's heart was an unpredictable thing.
She wanted Yuseong to see only her.
She had let the words slip about Namgung Yurin first, so she had no chance to speak up for herself.
Even now, Yuseong was spending private training time with Namgung Yurin to help her practice.
*Is there no way to make him truly mine?*
She had opened the door with that night. If she could increase the time they spent together, his feelings would naturally shift.
The problem was how to do that.
During the day, the only slot she could take was when she went to see him for a headache cure. She couldn't afford to steal more time.
She had already called him twice because she was ill. Doing it again would look suspicious.
Jegal Yeong-yeong poured herself a cup of tea and sat down, lost in thought. A vague idea was beginning to take shape.
When it finally coalesced into something concrete,
"Chief Strategist, may I have a moment?"
Deputy Strategist Tae Jeong-heon had arrived. She had prepared herself for another question about Namgung Yurin, but the name that came out was completely different.
*Tang Harin wants to work with the Medical Pavilion on antidote research?*
The elite members of the Tang Clan had come with her, but sending a poison human onto the battlefield had been a risk. The Tang Clan Lord had repeatedly begged her to protect her safely.
Tang Harin was far too young to be a poison human. Her pure martial skill still hadn't reached the level of a Peak Master.
It made perfect sense that she would run around Sichuan Tang Clan after losing her father.
It was an admirable thing for a poison human to voluntarily join the Murim Alliance and produce her own antidote. But Yuseong's words when he returned from Sichuan suddenly flashed into her mind.
*He said Tang Harin was close to him.*
They had grown too friendly. Even if they were friends their age, it still bothered her.
She had actually seen her when the Tang Clan arrived, and she was a breathtaking beauty.
They said the two of them had locked themselves in the research lab and stayed there for almost the entire stay.
*Nothing unusual happened... but I can't stop worrying.*
Jegal Yeong-yeong made up her mind to meet Tang Harin herself.
***
"Does the Medical Pavilion need my help making the antidote?"
"Yes. As you know, the Medical Pavilion's antidote skills are unmatched in the world. It was his help that let me become a poison human."
The corners of Jegal Yeong-yeong's mouth lifted without her realizing it.
Hearing someone else praise her man—Yuseong, in her heart—felt wonderful.
Tang Harin’s eyes showed suspicion, but Jegal Yeong-yeong did not notice and continued the conversation.
"I see. That research is necessary. However, the Medical Pavilion is busy, so he cannot spare time every day."
"Is that so? Then... maybe once every three days?"
She wanted to work with him every single day. But on closer thought, this was not something he absolutely had to do. Efficiency would improve, but that was all.
*I cannot make him work too hard. This is different from the situation in the Tang Clan...*
In the Tang Clan she had helped refine heavenly meteorite needles and received help studying poison. Here she was the one receiving help.
She could not steal too much of the Medical Pavilion's time.
Jegal Yeong-yeong already knew Yuseong helped Namgung Yurin practice. The vague idea in her mind had finally solidified. She locked the research to once every four days.
After Tang Harin left.
She called Tae Jeong-heon and instructed him to relay Tang Harin's request. Though there were things she regretted, he was efficient, so she left the rest in his hands.
"Yes, I will handle the rest."
"Oh, and..."
"Yes?"
Jegal Yeong-yeong thought of a way to spend time with Yuseong while meeting the Tang Clan's request.
Namgung Yurin and Tang Harin both had separate time with him. She could not fall behind.
*It will help him too.*
She opened her mouth to Tae Jeong-heon, who was waiting for her answer.
"From now on I will focus seriously on formation research. I need one assistant. Can you give me a room?"
"Formation research?"
"Yes. I have something I am studying. It would be good to have someone. I will test them and choose. In return, I will teach part of our family's formations."
"..."
Tae Jeong-heon's eyes widened in shock. The formations of the Jegal Family were famous across the world.
Even when the Sima Family's people held the highest rank in the Murim Alliance, they had always sought help from the Jegal Family for any formation-related matter.
For a formation master, even learning part of the Jegal Family's formations was a huge opportunity.
"Could I also apply?"
Several people in the strategy department had already learned formations, and Tae Jeong-heon was one of them.
"Of course. There are no restrictions on applicants. I will hold a fair test."
"I understand!"
The young man answered with full energy, and Jegal Yeong-yeong added, "I do wonder if Deputy Strategist has the time."
It sounded like she was asking if he would finish all my work and still have time for something else. His face changed.
"Was that a joke? I'm very excited, Deputy Strategist."
"...?"
Unable to read her intentions, he could not answer.
Jegal Yeong-yeong added one more line. "Thank you for telling me first today."
Tae Jeong-heon's expression lit up.
*Of course... I'm glad I mentioned Tang Young Lady's request!*
***
She had deliberately been harsh to Tang Harin hoping to change her personality, but it felt uncomfortable to keep criticizing her.
*Thank goodness the Physician Cha handled it on his own...*
It was suspiciously well handled.
But since the person involved was satisfied, she could not complain further.
She gave Tang Harin one last firm warning.
"Even if you lived freely in the Tang Clan, here you cannot act however you please. This place is not your servant."
"...I'm sorry. I thought I was just giving the antidote. I didn't know that was wrong."
That was Tang Harin's problem. She could not distinguish right from wrong.
She felt sorry for her, raised in such an environment from childhood, but while staying in the Murim Alliance she could not make more mistakes.
It felt exactly like training a child who was already too old to teach from the ground up.
"Where exactly do I stop...?"
"From now on, when you do anything suspicious, always ask those around you first."
"Huh? Do I really have to do that?"
"If you have no fear of making mistakes, you may do as you like."
Tang Harin studied Yuseong's face. She realized there was no room for negotiation. She would not make another big mistake this time.
"I understand. Really sorry..."
After the incident with the poisoned food was resolved, the conversation moved to antidote research.
"Since the Chief Strategist gave permission... But you think it's better for me to help?"
"Probably not, because poison doesn't affect my body. Our family's warriors will help with the research. Ah! This was already decided, so don't worry. Anyway, even if you cannot handle poisoning, your antidote skill is far superior."
Yuseong nodded.
The enemies who had poisoned him to target the King of Kings and the Heavenly Sword Immortal were quiet for now, but there was no guarantee they would stay that way.
Without an antidote, he might have to travel far again, or the precious orthodox forces could be ruined if it was too late.
Besides, learning how to make antidotes was one way to accumulate holy power. There was no reason to refuse.
***
Physician Cha had felt like he was about to be chased out for his mistake, but after Tang Harin's wound healed, he saw Namgung Yurin visiting her again and felt a pang of guilt.
"Sis, did it get resolved?"
"Yeah. It's all thanks to you. Physician Cha even apologized."
Namgung Yurin took Tang Harin's hand and looked genuinely happy, as if it were her own business.
"I'm so glad! Physician Cha is not such a difficult man, so I knew it would work out. What about Yuseong?"
"Yuseong... just warned her and forgave her. Of course, he told her to ask around if she didn't know what was happening..."
It was embarrassing to tell Namgung Yurin. She was clearly older than him, yet she had to explain the scene of him scolding and forgiving a woman she competed with...
Of course Namgung Yurin knew nothing about it.
"It's okay, sis. Since I didn't know, I can learn by spending time with people from now on. Honestly, it's not a big deal. You'll adapt quickly. If you ever don't understand something, ask me. I'm always on your side, so don't worry."
"...?"
Namgung Yurin helped her without knowing she was a rival, but seeing her throw herself into the fray for her sake felt strange.
Tang Harin did have a sense of shame.
*I really shouldn't have done that.*
She pulled her hand away from Namgung Yurin.
Seeing the puzzled look on her face, Tang Harin spoke. "No. I'll do it alone. So don't come looking for me anymore."
***
Yuseong finally received his next skill in the middle of the night.
[Bravery]
He did not know how useful it would be right now...
*The next skill is Purification.*