The Dragon Emerges, and the Old Saying Rings True
The saying that no son remains dutiful through a long illness wasn’t some empty phrase. Just how high was the accuracy rate of these old proverbs, anyway? That was what Cheong thought.
If Seolgajik, the smartest person in the neighborhood, had heard her, he would have sneered, “Hah, what an ignorant bitch.” Because, in truth, proverbs with low accuracy rates were just nonsense and had died out long ago. The ones that survived and continued to be passed down were those rooted in universal human habits and psychology.
In Cheong’s hometown, this was called survivor bias. It wasn’t that old sayings were particularly accurate; only the accurate ones had survived to be remembered.
Anyway, among the people around Cheong, there was exactly one person suffering from an illness so long that it made her want to swallow her own words.
“Lady Moyong? Aren’t you hungry?”
Moyong Juhee stared blankly at Cheong for a moment, then her gaze suddenly dropped downward. Cheong flinched and quickly raised her arms into a defensive stance. It was a weakness she had come to feel in her bones lately.
“Ugh.”
Moyong Juhee flinched in turn, then whipped her head away sharply.
In truth, Cheong felt a twinge of guilt while taking care of Moyong Juhee. She had come to realize that resolving grudges was not a universally effective form of mental therapy, and she regretted what she had done.
Still, Moyong Juhee had improved a lot lately. When Cheong said, “Let’s go wash,” she would obediently follow. The problem was that the moment she saw a bathhouse or even a large basin, she would tremble violently in terror. So Cheong had been personally carrying her, warming the water, and gently pouring it over her to help her bathe. It was practically at the level of caring for an elderly parent.
Perhaps her sincerity had gotten through, because Moyong Juhee no longer had sudden fits or screamed anymore. Cheong had thought that with just a little more care, things would be fine, but—
“Hey. Juhee. You’re not coming with us again today?”
“Ah. Sister Cho-ryeo……”
“Aren’t you going to eat? The sicker you are, the more you need to eat. You have to eat plenty of meat to regain your strength.”
It was Paeng Cho-ryeo.
Ever since her rescue, Moyong Juhee had been burying her head between her legs and attending every single training session without fail. The fact that Paeng Cho-ryeo was only now speaking to her was impressive in its own way.
Paeng Cho-ryeo was kind, but she was not the type to show much interest in others. The women of the martial world always approached her first because of her impressive younger brother, so she never needed to make the first move. As for Moyong Juhee’s strange habit of watching from the sidelines, Paeng Cho-ryeo had simply assumed it was because the girl used to follow Paeng Daesan around like a puppy and hadn’t paid it much mind.
But as the behavior continued for so long, she had finally grown a little curious.
Isn’t that kid a bit strange? Why doesn’t she ever eat with us? Cheong isn’t the type to ostracize anyone, and she doesn’t seem to be avoiding her either. But it doesn’t look like she’s just happy to watch from afar. She seems sick, too.
Then Moyong Juhee accepted the invitation immediately.
“I will. Thank you for your concern.”
She even smiled brightly! And then she latched onto Paeng Cho-ryeo’s arm, linking elbows with her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“What the—why is your arm so soft? Have you lost all your muscle? Are you starving yourself these days?”
“J-just a little……”
“That won’t do. You need to eat meat. If you build up your muscles properly, you won’t get sick. You’re sick because you’re not eating.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Watching the scene, Cheong couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. Half of it was disappointment, and the other half was pure indignation.
Of course, she hadn’t taken care of Moyong Juhee expecting gratitude or special treatment. But she had put in genuine effort and treated her kindly, only to be ignored. And now the girl was happily clinging to Paeng Cho-ryeo, who had never shown any interest before. How could that possibly look good?
So there they were, occupying a spot at the restaurant table. Paeng Cho-ryeo kept piling nothing but meat onto Moyong Juhee’s plate, and the latter was gobbling it down like a baby bird swallowing food from its mother’s beak.
It was a good thing Dang Nan-a wasn’t there. If she had seen this, she would have shouted, “What the hell is this?” and probably thrown poison instead of grabbing her by the hair.
In the end, this was what Cheong concluded.
What the hell? She looks perfectly fine. Was she just taking advantage of me because I kept indulging her? Is she enjoying watching me flounder around not knowing what to do?
So that’s why they say you shouldn’t take in a black-haired beast. The old saying wasn’t wrong after all.
What? Are you an old saying too?
Just how many……
That was one half of her thoughts.
The other half was that perhaps she was the one hindering Moyong Juhee’s recovery.
After all, seeing Cheong’s face would probably remind her of the underground prison. If she kept seeing her and recalling those terrible memories, it was only natural that her condition wouldn’t improve.
Combining both thoughts, Cheong finally issued an eviction order.
“Lady Moyong, shouldn’t you return to your family soon?”
“……Huh? W-why?”
“Your family must be worried about you. And besides, seeing my face today made it clear. It must be difficult for you, right? I never even considered that. I’m sorry for constantly bringing up bad memories. I really didn’t think about it. Mm. I was being insensitive, bothering you all the time. I’m sorry.”
“No, wait, just a moment. That’s not what I—”
Moyong Juhee reached out as she spoke.
Oh no you don’t! Not falling for that twice!
Cheong nimbly widened the distance and guarded her weak point. The first time, Moyong Juhee had been in a state of panic while being carried and had simply grabbed whatever was in reach, so Cheong hadn’t counted it as an attack. But the second time, the girl had clearly seen her in pain and laughed at her. With malicious intent proven, it was definitely an attack.
Moyong Juhee, having swiped uselessly through empty air, wore an expression that looked even more pained than if she had succeeded.
“Lady Moyong, you shouldn’t do that so casually. Do you know how much it hurts? I won’t hold the past against you, but your feet have healed now, haven’t they?”
“Not yet! Not yet! My toenails still haven’t fully grown back—”
“Even among family, there aren’t many occasions where you’d show your toenails, are there?”
“That’s… well……”
At that moment, a deliberate cough came from outside. It was one of the Mucheon Pavilion maids.
“Yes, go ahead.”
Lady Gongson has arrived.
“Ah, really? Oh dear, I almost forgot. Wait, never mind. I’m coming right now.”
Then Cheong turned back to Moyong Juhee.
“I’m sorry for shoving my face in your business without reading the room. Mm. Since we probably won’t have any reason to see each other after the finals, I wanted to apologize for what happened underground. I really thought I was helping in my own way. I had no idea—no idea at all—that it would traumatize you so badly. So, I’ll assume you’re returning home.”
With those words, Cheong left the room.
It was the first time she had seen Gongson Yoye since the semifinals. The moment Gongson Yoye saw her, her face bloomed into a radiant smile. The joy she couldn’t hide made Cheong feel genuinely happy as well.
“Finally! Just what has kept you so busy that you couldn’t even show your face? I was starting to wonder if you had steeled your heart because we would have to fight in the finals.”
“That’s not it at all. But still, a friend is one thing and the finals are another. If I win… well, then… we’ll still be friends, right? No no no, of course you’re not the kind of person who would do that, but this is a rare tournament, and if the result— No, no, no. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“Hmm. You seem very confident. Already worrying about what happens after you win?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Aigoo, I’m just teasing. As if something like that could damage our friendship. By the way, what has kept you so busy?”
“Haa……”
Gongson Yoye let out a deep sigh.
“I thought I could just focus on swinging my sword, but I’ve had to greet all sorts of people. I never imagined that fulfilling the family’s long-cherished wish would be such a complicated affair.”
She then poured out the story of being dragged here and there to offer greetings. She had also learned about the complicated behind-the-scenes negotiations to fill the vacant spot among the new Ten Great Clans.
“Even Cheon-il… I know it’s a wicked thought, but I sometimes felt envious of him. Before coming here, I had never once stepped outside the walls of the training grounds. Meanwhile, Cheon-il was always traveling, rarely staying at the clan. But it turns out that wasn’t the case at all.”
Gongson Cheon-il’s marriage talks had been finalized. The other party was the fourth daughter of the Sama Clan.
“She’s older than me and, to be honest, rather plain. I know it’s a terrible thing to say. I thought Cheon-il would be paired with someone more beautiful and younger.”
“So it’s a political marriage……”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“What does Cheon-il think?”
“It was a marriage proposal that Cheon-il brought back himself. He says he will do his best. After all, isn’t living with someone about building affection over time, regardless of looks……”
Just as Gongson Yoye had lived her entire life inside the training grounds, Gongson Cheon-il had lived for the sake of the clan’s long-cherished wish.
“Mm. If it’s something he chose himself, we have no right to say anything. But the Sama Clan? Then, have you met her? The Wise Flower of the Inner Court?”
“Ah. My new sister-in-law. I haven’t spoken with her yet.”
“I heard she’s quite… impressive in certain areas.”
Cheong thumped her own chest as she asked. Gongson Yoye tilted her head in confusion.
“Not particularly? From what I saw, she wasn’t especially eye-catching.”
Since she had heard that the woman always wrapped herself up tightly to hide it, Cheong simply thought, Oh, I guess that’s how it is.
After chatting for quite a while, Cheong finally brought up the real topic.
“You know… I heard the martial art you use consumes Innate Qi. Is that true?”
“Ah! How did you—”
“Daesan said it seemed that way. So it is true.”
Gongson Yoye nodded.
“Since I have sparred with him many times, he might have sensed that my sword strength is different during a match. However, Lady Seomun, to be precise, it is not a martial art that must use Innate Qi, but one that can. I usually don’t go that far, so please don’t worry.”
Cheong immediately understood. It was the kind of technique you could turn on and off.
“But doesn’t that shorten your lifespan? Do you really have to go that far just for a tournament?”
“Just… a tournament?”
Gongson Yoye looked at Cheong with an expression of disbelief.
“No matter how important the clan’s long-cherished wish is, I don’t want you to risk your life like that. Is winning really that necessary? Is there some kind of promise that you’ll be accepted into the Ten Great Clans if you win?”
“It’s not like that, but……”
“If you really feel you must win at all costs, there’s no need to burn what little lifespan you have left. I can just… mm. We can fight for about twenty exchanges—no, let’s make it a bit more intense, around forty exchanges, and then—”
“Lady Seomun.”
Gongson Yoye’s expression turned icy. It was a look Cheong had never seen before. The first time they met, she had looked gloomy and sorrowful. After they became friends, she had always worn a gentle smile.
“Do you find me laughable, Lady Seomun?”
“Huh? No, that’s not what I—”
“Then what is it? Do you pity me? Because I’m a fool who spent her entire life locked in a training hall, ignorant of the world, only swinging a sword? Is that why you pity me? Is that the only reason you even consider me a friend? Is it nothing more than charity toward a pitiful person?”
Cheong was greatly flustered.
“No, that’s not what I meant at all. It’s just a tournament, yet you’re risking your life like that. I just want you to live a long life and keep seeing you. Burning your life away for something like this seems like such a waste.”
“Just… a tournament?”
Gongson Yoye’s anger grew even thicker.
“To someone of your high attainment, Lady Seomun, it must have been nothing more than a trivial pastime you could win whenever you felt like it.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying—”
Cheong kept repeating the same thing. But Gongson Yoye cut her off.
“But for me, it is not. I have lived my entire life for this moment. It may sound ridiculous for a twenty-seven-year-old woman to speak of her ‘entire life,’ but even if it was short, I truly lived solely for this opportunity. Yet to you, Lady Seomun, it was nothing special? Even though I staked my life on it.”
“Wait, please calm down for a second.”
“To look down on someone like that… Hah. Of course. There was no way someone like me could have a friend. Lady Seomun? This isn’t friendship. It’s nothing more than playing at being friends. What, was it amusing to watch me cling to you with my pathetic little friendship? I never begged for your friendship, and I am not pitiful.”
Cheong simply felt wronged.
Why? Why is she suddenly going off the deep end? What did I do? What the hell did I do?