Chapter 142: A Heart-to-Heart with Ok-ryeong
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 142: A Heart-to-Heart with Ok-ryeong
"I brought the water!"
Yorang approached Ok-ryeong, lugging a jar nearly as large as herself.
"Thank you, Lady Yorang."
Ok-ryeong expressed her gratitude as she looked at the girl.
"Hehe, it was nothing!"
At the praise, Yorang twisted her body bashfully.
Though the two had initially stood in a tense standoff, glaring as if ready to kill one another, they had become close friends once the misunderstandings were cleared.
Ok-ryeong was benevolent, warm, and possessed a beautiful appearance, which made Yorang take a liking to her. Because of this, whenever Ok-ryeong asked for a favor, Yorang would comply without a single hint of annoyance.
Ok-ryeong, who had always been starved for affection, didn't mind Yorang’s friendly advances either. In fact, the girl’s untainted innocence and cuteness often brought a smile to her face.
Ok-ryeong gently placed her hand on the jar Yorang had brought. She began to circulate her internal energy, channeling it into the vessel.
Pop. Pop.
Before long, bubbles began to rise one by one from the water inside.
Bubble, bubble.
Soon, the water in the jar began to boil furiously. She was using her internal energy to heat it. Steam billowed from the jar. Once she confirmed the temperature was right, Ok-ryeong withdrew her hand.
She pulled a clean cloth from her robe and soaked it in the heated water.
Splash, splash.
Squeeze.
After wringing out the thoroughly soaked cloth, she began to gently wipe Sun-woo’s body. He was covered in dark bruises, and his skin was torn in countless places. She looked down at him with pity in her eyes.
How much pain must he have been in?
How much did he suffer?
"Ugh..."
It happened then. Sun-woo let out a low groan. It seemed she had touched a particularly sore spot. Startled, she began to wipe the area even more delicately.
Before long, the once-pristine white cloth was stained crimson with blood—a testament to the sheer number of wounds he carried. She repeated the process, rinsing the cloth in the warm water and wiping him again to clear away the bloodstains.
After some time, she finally managed to clean all the blood from Sun-woo’s body.
"Whew."
She wiped the beads of sweat from her brow and let out a long sigh. Wiping him so gently as to not aggravate his injuries had taken a significant toll on her stamina.
Thump.
This time, Ok-ryeong took hold of Sun-woo’s pulse point. She began to flow her internal energy through his meridians, intending to stimulate his body’s natural recovery.
Vrooooom.
A substantial amount of internal energy flowed into him. As it entered, the Yin-Yang Harmony Qi in Sun-woo’s dantian reacted. She slowly guided her energy along his acupoints, and the Yin-Yang Harmony Qi followed the new energy, circulating through his body.
Internal energy began to spread to every corner of Sun-woo’s frame.
Vrooooom.
Consequently, Sun-woo’s deathly pale complexion began to regain a healthy flush, and his labored breathing steadied. The recovery had begun. Encouraged by his reaction, Ok-ryeong poured in even more internal energy.
Vroooooooom.
Soon, Sun-woo’s wounds began to knit together, bit by bit.
.
.
.
.
.
After a considerable amount of time had passed...
Perhaps thanks to her efforts, most of the wounds on Sun-woo’s body had healed. After checking his condition, Ok-ryeong slowly released his wrist. Now, all that was left was to wait for his natural recovery to take its course.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Once she let go, she gasped for breath. It seemed she had pushed herself too hard, channeling an excessive amount of internal energy. Her reserves were nearly depleted, and she felt suffocated.
"Ok-ryeong, are you okay?"
Yorang, who had been watching, asked with a worried expression.
"Haa... I’m... haa... I’m fine."
Ok-ryeong forced a smile as she answered. In truth, she was far from fine. She had poured in so much energy that her dantian was practically empty. To say it wasn't painful would be a lie. However, not wanting to cause worry, she smiled brightly at Yorang.
Yorang’s worried expression didn't fade.
"Liar."
Yorang realized instantly that she was lying. How could she be fine while dripping with cold sweat like that?
"I truly am."
Despite Yorang’s words, Ok-ryeong tried to mask her pain with a smile.
It was then.
Squeeze.
Yorang stepped closer and pulled Ok-ryeong into a tight embrace.
"......Lady Yorang?"
Startled by the sudden hug, Ok-ryeong called out her name in a trembling voice.
"It’s a reward for working so hard!" Yorang said, continuing her thought.
Whenever Yorang behaved well, the Great Matriarch would praise her and give her a tight hug. Yorang knew exactly how good that warmth felt. She hoped that same warmth would reach Ok-ryeong.
Perhaps Ok-ryeong sensed Yorang’s sincerity, as a small smile finally graced her lips. She thought to herself that this child was truly impossible to dislike. Ok-ryeong closed her eyes and began to savor Yorang’s warmth.
"Ok-ryeong, is it warm?" Yorang asked suddenly.
"It is very warm," Ok-ryeong replied with a deep smile.
"Right?"
Yorang beamed. It seemed the warmth had indeed been delivered.
*
A cozy warmth enveloped his entire body. Sun-woo was feeling a sense of bliss. It was a pleasant heat—not scorching or stifling, but a gentle snugness that wrapped around him. Sun-woo prayed and prayed that this warmth would last forever.
It was then.
Thwack!
"Gah!"
Suddenly, a sharp pain flared in his solar plexus.
"Ugh..."
Wincing from the intense pain, Sun-woo slowly opened his eyes. He looked down to see what had struck him.
Zzz... whew... zzz... whew...
There, nestled against his chest, was Yorang’s elbow. It seemed she had struck his solar plexus in her sleep. Sun-woo slowly raised his fist and fell into a dilemma: should he pay her back in kind, or just let it slide?
Eventually, Sun-woo lowered his hand. He decided that having his own sleep disturbed was enough. He carefully lifted Yorang’s arm and set it down so as not to wake her. Then, he slowly sat up. He was wide awake now.
It was then.
"Are you awake?"
A beautiful voice resonated in his ears. Sun-woo slowly turned his head. There stood Ok-ryeong, the lover he cherished more than anyone in the world.
"....Ok-ryeong."
Sun-woo smiled brightly at the sight of her. He loved her. He loved just looking at her. He just... loved her.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" Sun-woo asked, his tone laced with concern.
"I couldn't sleep," she replied with a smile. "And why are you awake, Sun-woo?"
"Because of Yorang’s sleeping habits."
Sun-woo made an exaggerated gesture, poking at his solar plexus. Ok-ryeong’s smile deepened at the sight. Sun-woo found himself dazed, his gaze stolen by her beauty. Ok-ryeong was truly stunning. In particular, the way her even, white teeth showed when she laughed made his heart flutter.
"What are you staring at?"
Noticing his gaze, Ok-ryeong spoke bashfully.
"Because you're beautiful."
Sun-woo spoke his thoughts exactly as they were. She was far too beautiful to look away from.
"Oh, honestly..."
She blushed in embarrassment. Even that sight was so lovely that Sun-woo’s heart began to pound.
Step, step.
Sun-woo walked over to her.
Squeeze.
He pulled her into a quiet embrace.
"Thank you."
Sun-woo spoke while holding her.
"For what?" she asked, sounding confused.
Wasn't she the one who should be thankful? She knew the story—how Sun-woo had risked his life to obtain the Poison Essence to save her when she had been knocked unconscious by the Sword Emperor’s Supreme Purity Astral Qi. She couldn't understand why he was thanking her.
"For staying alive... and for staying by my side. Truly, thank you."
Sun-woo was grateful for everything about her. For holding on until he returned with the Poison Essence, and for remaining with him.
"I’m the one who should be thankful," Ok-ryeong replied with a smile. "For saving me... and for staying by my side."
Squeeze.
Hearing her words, Sun-woo held her even tighter. This was enough. Her simple words of thanks were all he needed. He felt as though all the hardships he had endured until now were being rewarded at once. His heart swelled with emotion.
I’m happy.
*
"Will you tell me now?"
Ok-ryeong spoke firmly to Sun-woo. Ever since she had woken from her deep slumber, she had wanted to ask. She wanted to know Sun-woo’s true identity.
Until now, she hadn't had the chance to ask properly because she had been busy training with the Yin-Yang Demon. She had only heard a brief summary of what had happened. She felt that if she didn't ask now, while they were alone, she might never get the chance.
When the dust had first settled and she saw Sun-woo’s face, she had been overjoyed, but simultaneously bewildered. The Sun-woo she remembered was a small boy who could fit entirely in her arms. For that boy to have become a grown man was naturally confusing.
She had wondered if she had been asleep for so many years that he had grown up, but according to what she’d heard, that wasn't the case. This meant that Sun-woo’s true form was this grown man. It meant that Yang Tae-san’s words—that he had appeared at White Flower Peak under a false identity—were true.
At first, she had felt a heart-wrenching sense of betrayal. But she soon realized that her love for him was far greater than any resentment. Even if people called her a pushover or a fool, she couldn't help it. The existence known as Sun-woo had already grown infinitely large in her heart, which had been lonely for a lifetime.
That was why she wanted to re-establish their relationship. She wanted to rebuild their foundation of trust.
"........."
Sun-woo’s lips quirked at her words. He knew that she was giving him a chance to redefine their relationship. However, he had no idea where to start or what to say. He could only hesitate.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind. If he revealed that he was actually Lee Jae-won’s disciple, would she despise him? If she found out he had hidden at White Flower Peak just to use her, would she hate him?
He was afraid. Fear coiled around his entire body. He was terrified that she would leave him, that she would come to loathe him.
It was then.
Touch.
A warm sensation covered Sun-woo’s trembling hands. He slowly looked down and saw the source of that warmth. It was Ok-ryeong.
"Don't worry," she said, looking him in the eye. "You don't have to worry about anything. No matter what you're thinking, the thing you fear will never happen."
"...Ok-ryeong."
"Promise me."
She held out her pinky finger. "But this time, you mustn't lie, okay?"
She gave him a clear, bright smile. Seeing her like that, Sun-woo felt a lump in his throat. His eyes began to grow moist.
Even though he was trash... even though he had deceived her... even though he had put her life in danger... she was promising to let bygones be bygones. Looking up at Ok-ryeong’s benevolent face, he couldn't stop the tears.
Sniffle, sniffle.
"Oh dear, is Sun-woo a crybaby?"
Ok-ryeong pulled him into another tight embrace. Sun-woo buried himself in her arms.
"I’m sorry... Ok-ryeong... I’m so... so sorry..."
Held in her arms, Sun-woo began to sob uncontrollably.
"It’s okay... It’s really... really okay..."
Ok-ryeong wrapped him in her warm embrace, soothing him. It was only after crying in her arms for a long time that Sun-woo was finally able to stop.
*
Once he had stopped crying, Sun-woo began to explain his situation step by step. He told her that his true identity was Jang Sam, and that he was the disciple of Lee Jae-won, the man who had caused her so much pain.
He detailed the process of how he came to White Flower Peak. How he had been framed for a crime he didn't commit, how he had become mortal enemies with Lee Jae-won in the process, and how he had hidden at White Flower Peak to escape him—deceiving her in the process.
Ok-ryeong listened to his story calmly. Although she had heard bits and pieces from Yang Tae-san, hearing it directly from the person involved made it feel even more shocking.
"....That’s how it happened."
"............"
Having heard the full story from Sun-woo, she stared at him in silence.
Flinch.
Sun-woo felt a sudden surge of anxiety. Of course, she had said she would understand everything, but the human heart doesn't always follow one's will. It was possible she would despise him after hearing his story. Under her gaze, Sun-woo felt himself shrinking.
Suddenly, she raised her hand. Seeing it, Sun-woo squeezed his eyes shut. He expected her to strike his cheek, unable to contain her anger. Knowing his own guilt, he simply closed his eyes and waited for her to hit him until her anger was spent.
However...
Touch.
Contrary to his expectations, she cupped his cheek more gently than ever before. At the sensation, Sun-woo slowly opened his eyes. Ok-ryeong was looking at him with sorrowful eyes.
"It must have been so hard for you."
Thump.
It was just one sentence. But at those words, Sun-woo’s heart raced wildly, and a wave of sorrow surged within him.
Grab.
She pulled him into another embrace.
How hard must it have been for this child? How difficult must his life have been, enduring all that coldness and contempt? How much must he have suffered when he was framed for a murder he didn't commit?
She held him tight. She couldn't heal all the pain he had suffered, but she hoped to at least offer him comfort. Ok-ryeong pulled Sun-woo even deeper into her arms.
Sun-woo began to weep silently in her embrace. This was the first time someone had listened to everything and still held him. He could do nothing but let the tears flow.