Chapter 98
"......Why is this happening?"
I couldn't even check all the fortunes inside. When I watched the girls who had been gathered there earlier, waiting for them to leave, it had definitely come out properly. Even without overthinking it, going through something like this repeatedly left a very uneasy feeling.
As I stared down at the fortune stick, Namgung Ryu-cheong snatched the bamboo tube from my hand, set it aside, and pulled me to my feet. I gave up on the original plan to draw his fortune too and followed his guiding hand out of the main hall.
I tried to soothe Namgung Ryu-cheong, whose expression was even stiffer than mine.
"It's fine. It's just a fortune, after all."
Then a question popped into my head. Wait, isn't this my fortune? Then why...... am I the one comforting him?
Once outside the hall, Namgung Ryu-cheong ran into a passing monk and sharply protested the empty fortune stick. The monk expressed disbelief that such a thing could happen, but his face hardened when Namgung Ryu-cheong showed him the fortune.
I tugged at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"It's okay. Let's just go."
"What seems to be the trouble?"
An old monk approached, drawn by the commotion. His wrinkled face was dotted with age spots, and his gaunt frame made him look like the oldest monk I'd seen so far.
The other monk politely explained the situation after hearing Namgung Ryu-cheong's complaint.
"Ho ho. So that's what happened."
The old monk took the fortune stick with an intrigued expression, then suddenly furrowed his brow. He glanced back and forth between me and the stick before tossing it away as if it were something impure. The kindly air that had surrounded him vanished in an instant.
"A needless endeavor."
"Pardon?"
"Your life is one that cannot receive fortunes. Begone."
What the hell does that mean? I thought, clamping a hand over Namgung Ryu-cheong's mouth before he could respond. He looked at me like, What are you doing?
Wrestling with him as he tried to pry my hand away, I bowed.
"Yes, we'll be going now."
We were near the entrance to the main hall—the most crowded spot in the temple. People on their way to pay respects were starting to pay attention. I didn't want to become an idol in this quiet temple anymore.
"Let's go, let's go. Ryu-cheong, time to head out."
I dragged Namgung Ryu-cheong away just like that. He endured it, endured it, endured being pulled along until he finally shook off my hand.
"Let go! How long are you going to keep blocking me?!"
"Haha, sorry, sorry."
But if I hadn't covered his mouth, who knows what he might've said next? That scared me.
I spoke to Namgung Ryu-cheong, who was grumbling and glaring back at the old monk.
"Ryu-cheong, do you believe in fortunes?"
"What?"
I didn't need his answer; the disbelief was plain in his eyes.
"Right? It's nothing. Don't get mad. Whatever the fortune says, life is what we make of it, yeah?"
"You sure bounce back fast!"
"Well, yeah— you've already gotten mad for me. No need for me to do it too."
Namgung Ryu-cheong shot me a glare. I hooked my arm through his and tugged.
"Alright, alright. Enough about fortunes. I want to look around Cheonam Temple now. When are you gonna show me around?"
Namgung Ryu-cheong bit his lip, glared one last time in the old monk's direction, and finally turned away.
Even so, since he was dragged here by his mother a couple times a year, Namgung Ryu-cheong knew Cheonam Temple well.
"Peach grove's this way."
Passing a few temple buildings, stone pagodas, a bell, and a small pond, a gentle hillside path came into view.
"From here all the way up there's peach trees."
In this season when the wind was still chilly, the branches were bare and dry. Kids—probably brought by parents making incense offerings—dashed excitedly through them. A distant bell tolled softly, spreading peace through the air. The scenery soothed the heart on its own.
"Must be pretty when the peach blossoms bloom. Too bad I won't see it."
"Tell Mother to come then. She'd love it."
"Mm, don't think so."
I met eyes with Namgung Ryu-cheong, who looked puzzled.
"I'm heading back now."
"What?"
"Decided to return to the Baek Ri Clan."
I slowly explained to his stunned, rigid expression.
"Talked it over with Father today. No exact date set yet, but I probably won't stick around for the blossoms."
"Ah......"
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked a bit confused. He blinked a few times before speaking calmly.
"I see. Got it."
Aside from a slight surprise, he snapped back to his usual self in no time. No hint of disappointment or regret. His nonchalant attitude actually made me feel a little hurt. I thought we'd gotten pretty close—like, friends—and how could he be so unfazed? Why am I the only one bummed out?!
I couldn't help letting a slightly sulky tone slip out.
"Why aren't you bothered at all?"
"And how should I be?"
"......"
Namgung Ryu-cheong scolded me instead, like I was the weird one.
"We can see each other again."
"Sure, but......"
"If you miss me, just come visit."
"Baek Ri Clan and Namgung Clan are pretty far apart. Not that easy."
"Not hard at all."
Namgung Ryu-cheong opened his mouth to say more.
Rustle.
Dry underbrush shook. Something small.
......A puppy? Or maybe a cat?
Before I could think it might be some animal I didn't know, a cat burst from the bushes. Golden eyes, pure white coat from ears to tail tip—like it was wearing snow. It ran straight to me and circled my feet. I felt its tail brush lightly against my hem.
"What is it? Temple cat?"
It seemed totally used to people. I crouched cautiously, and it flopped over belly-up.
"Aww, so cute!"
Can I pet it? I reached out and stroked. Smooth fur tangled in my palm. After a few pets, it suddenly stood and tried climbing my knee.
"What? Want cuddles? Cold?"
A cat this friendly with people. Is this what they call a dog-cat? I scooped it up as it burrowed in, and it had surprising weight in my arms. Is this how you hold one? Looks uncomfortable. But even in that awkward pose, the cat stayed perfectly still.
"No claws, okay? Got it?"
I looked up at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"Ryu-cheong, you pet it too. Super tame."
That's when Namgung Ryu-cheong stepped back hesitantly.
Huh?
"Don't come closer."
"Why?"
"I said don't!"
......No way?
"Ryu-cheong, are you scared of cats?"
"No."
"Then why......?"
I took a step forward; he took one back.
"I told you not to come!"
I was startled by his sharp yell, sounding truly angry.
"Achoo."
"Huh?"
"Achoo! Achoo!"
"Whaaat?"
Namgung Ryu-cheong sneezed repeatedly out of nowhere. Then, rubbing his reddening eyes, he said,
"I-I'm not feeling well. See ya."
He bolted from the spot. I stared after him in bewilderment.
What the heck just happened?
"Ryu-cheong!"
That reaction...... it seems like......
The maid, who'd been quietly standing by, stepped forward to explain.
"Young master always coughs and breaks out in rashes around cats."
I bit my lip hard to hold back the laughter.
Ryu-cheong...... Ryu-cheong has a cat allergy!
I shouldn't laugh. But...... but......
In the end, I burst out laughing.
It doesn't suit him at all!
Rumble!
The waterfall roared like thunder. A boy burst from the relatively calmer waters below. It was Yahul.
The valley stream deep in the mountains was no different from ice water. Yahul had been in there so long his unusually red lips had paled completely.
Hot.
Yet the heat inside him showed no sign of cooling. From his dantian to his heart, through his veins to his fingertips and toes, the heat swirled relentlessly.
He'd always had flare-ups bad enough to disrupt sleep sometimes, but nothing like this. It had worsened since learning the Cheonsan Yeomje's heart method.
Cheonsan Yeomje had dismissed the heat casually.
"As the heart method deepens and your inner energy grows denser, the heat will intensify. Overcome that pain to live—or die trying."
Meaning, survive the agony of his Extreme Yang Body until he could control it.
If Baek Ri-yeon had been there, she'd have called him a con artist. The moment Yahul declared himself a disciple, he'd been all but kidnapped to this remote mountain valley. After formally paying respects as a disciple, the first thing Cheonsan Yeomje taught him was the heart method.
Normally, mastering a heart method took days, not hours. But with his Extreme Yang Body, genius talent paid for with lifespan and pain, and a method that fit like a glove, he'd perfected it in mere days.
The Demonic Absorption Art he'd learned before wasn't gone. Rather, this superior inner energy enveloped and suppressed it like a sheath.
I wonder if Yeon-i can see this too?