Chapter 231: A Request - 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 231: A Request - 2
Sun-woo fell into deep thought.
It was because of Cheongsong’s sudden request to arrange a meeting with Seol-hyang.
Hmm.
Sun-woo shifted his gaze slightly to look at Cheongsong.
The man was staring back at him with eyes that sparkled with endless anticipation.
Ugh.
Sun-woo felt a heavy sense of pressure from that look.
To be honest, the request wasn't that difficult.
Through their recent martial duels, he had become quite close with Seol-hyang, and even from a man’s perspective, Cheongsong was a handsome and talented Rising Star.
However, a desire to stay out of other people’s love lives and a nagging sense of discomfort rising from deep within were preventing him from accepting.
What is this?
Sun-woo felt puzzled.
An inner voice was screaming at him to refuse immediately.
"I ask this of you as well."
That was when Cheonggil, who had been sitting across from him, spoke up quietly.
"My senior brother has never shown interest in a woman his entire life. Please, give him a chance."
Having spoken, Cheonggil lowered his head.
"I... I’m asking too! My senior brother might be a bit of a prankster, but he’s actually really kind!"
Cheongsu, sitting beside them, also bowed his head slightly to add to the plea.
"You... you guys..."
Cheongsong looked deeply moved by his juniors' support.
Shit.
Sun-woo cursed inwardly at the scene.
From his perspective, this was an incredibly awkward situation.
The main sect disciples of the Qingcheng Sect were personally bowing their heads—all for the sake of their senior brother’s love life, a man who had spent his entire existence buried in martial arts.
And Cheongsong, touched by their sincerity, was actually tearing up.
If he refused now, wouldn't he look like a total bastard to anyone watching?
Sun-woo’s dilemma deepened.
He had intended to give a polite refusal, but with them going this far, it was hard to turn them down easily.
Sun-woo tried to think it through again.
A meeting between a disciple of the Emei Sect and a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect.
First of all, there were no institutional restrictions on them meeting.
In Seol-hyang’s case, she was a secular disciple, so dating or marriage was entirely her own business. Cheongsong, though a Taoist, belonged to the Qingcheng Sect, which allowed its priests to marry. There were no barriers to romance or marriage for him either.
Furthermore, both were disciples of prestigious sects among the Nine Great Sects, and they were a handsome man and a beautiful woman—a perfect match.
They... actually look good together?
The realization flashed through Sun-woo’s mind.
They were a surprisingly well-suited pair.
He made his decision.
He would arrange the meeting.
It wasn't like she’d lose anything by meeting him once or twice, and it felt wrong to throw cold water on someone who liked her this much.
Sun-woo looked at Cheongsong.
Just as he was about to open his mouth—
[Am I charming enough to fall for?]
[Then, did you fall for me too, Brother?]
[Please answer me... Brother... what... do you think... of me?]
Suddenly, the words Seol-hyang had whispered the previous night began to drift through his mind.
Sun-woo felt his heart flutter uncomfortably.
The things she had said last night were poking at his chest.
Urgh.
Sun-woo frowned.
He was conflicted once again.
He closed his eyes briefly.
He thought long and hard about whether he should really introduce her to Cheongsong.
Snap.
He opened his eyes and reorganized his thoughts.
After a moment of silence, Sun-woo looked at Cheongsong and spoke slowly.
"I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do it."
Sun-woo spoke with a calm expression.
"Why is that?"
Cheongsong asked, looking genuinely confused.
"I just... have a feeling it wouldn't be right."
Sun-woo spoke his mind.
Last night, Seol-hyang had expressed her feelings to him in a fairly serious tone.
She was naturally playful, so she might have been joking, but if her feelings were sincere, he couldn't introduce her to Cheongsong.
He felt that was the minimum level of courtesy he owed her.
"Haha, that is truly strange. Why would you feel that way?"
Cheongsong looked like he couldn't understand Sun-woo’s reasoning.
Though it was awkward to say it himself, Cheongsong considered himself quite a catch.
He was the eldest disciple of his sect, the second son of a successful merchant family, and a talent who had reached the Peak Realm in his mid-twenties.
If not for monsters like Sun-woo or Seol-hyang, he was a talent whose name would be famous throughout the Murim.
He found it baffling that Sun-woo was reluctant to introduce him.
"Young Master Jang, do you perhaps... have feelings for Lady Seol yourself?"
Cheongsong asked, just in case.
It seemed like a ridiculous notion, but Sun-woo’s adamant refusal made him suspicious.
"It’s not like that. I just dislike forced meetings."
Sun-woo shook his head as he replied.
He certainly didn't have romantic feelings for her.
Of course, he thought she was cute whenever he saw her and enjoyed her company, but he couldn't say he loved her.
He just didn't feel right about the request.
"Sigh... If you refuse so firmly, there’s nothing I can do. I apologize. It seems I’ve put you in an awkward position for no reason."
At Sun-woo’s refusal, Cheongsong bowed his head slightly in apology.
He felt he had pressured Sun-woo unnecessarily.
"No, I’m the one who should apologize for not being able to help."
Sun-woo waved his hands dismissively, looking troubled.
The fact that Cheongsong was apologizing instead of being upset made Sun-woo feel even guiltier.
"............"
"............"
Silence descended upon them once more.
Sun-woo picked at the food on his plate for a bit before slowly standing up.
He felt like he’d get indigestion if he stayed any longer.
"I’ll take my leave now."
Sun-woo gave a slight nod to the Qingcheng Taoists.
"Go ahead."
"Take care."
"It was a pleasure."
He felt a subtle chill in the air, but Sun-woo ignored it and turned around.
He began walking toward where the wagons were parked.
The Qingcheng Taoists simply watched his retreating back in silence.
*
It was around the time Sun-woo’s figure had completely disappeared.
"Senior Brother, don't you think he’s acting suspicious?"
Cheongsu spoke up while looking at Cheongsong.
"Suspicious?"
Cheongsong asked back.
"I mean, why would a man who already has a fiancée refuse to even introduce you once!"
Cheongsu’s face was slightly flushed with anger.
He was quite furious.
They, the talents said to be the future leaders of Qingcheng, had personally bowed and asked for a favor.
Moreover, their senior brother had been so moved by their actions that he had even teared up.
By all accounts, the atmosphere should have compelled Sun-woo to accept out of sheer appreciation for their sincerity.
And yet, how could he be so cold as to refuse such a simple thing as introducing a girl?
It was impossible not to be angry.
"Cheongsu, calm down. Why are you being so emotional? Young Master Jang must have his reasons."
Cheongsong tried to soothe Cheongsu and defend Sun-woo.
"Even so, this is too much! How can a person be so heartless?"
Despite Cheongsong’s attempts to calm him, Cheongsu scowled and vented his frustration.
"Junior, this morning was the first time he even spoke to us. What kind of 'heart' are you expecting?"
"It wasn't even that big of a request! What’s so hard about introducing a mere girl!"
Cheongsu couldn't understand it.
He couldn't fathom Sun-woo’s behavior—sacrificing his relationship with the Three Swords of Qingcheng over some girl.
Just how great does he think he is!
Cheongsu grumbled about Sun-woo internally.
"Cheongsu..."
Cheongsong struggled to soothe him.
Cheongsu was usually a cheerful and pleasant junior, but once he got angry, he was difficult to stop.
Sigh.
Cheongsong sighed inwardly.
He felt as though his junior was furious because he had brought the matter up in the first place.
"Senior Brother."
This time, Cheonggil, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.
"Speak."
Cheongsong turned to him.
"Actually, I find it strange as well."
His cold eyes glinted as he continued.
"If Young Master Jang truly had no feelings for Lady Seol, why would he bother refusing your request?"
"That’s probably because he was considering Lady Seol’s potential discomfort."
"Senior Brother, we bowed our heads to him. If he worries about her so much that he’d ignore our sincerity, doesn't that mean he has other intentions?"
"That... that’s..."
"My thoughts are the same as our junior's. It seems Young Master Jang has feelings for Lady Seol. Even while having a beautiful fiancée like Dok Seo-si."
Cheonggil spoke with conviction.
He couldn't imagine Sun-woo acting that way unless he had feelings for Seol-hyang.
"Exactly! Senior Brother Cheonggil agrees with me!"
With Cheonggil backing him up, Cheongsu jumped on the idea.
Since Cheonggil, who usually scolded him, was taking his side, he became even more certain.
"What a total bastard."
Cheongsu spat out a curse at Sun-woo.
"Hey! Cheongsu, watch your language!"
Cheongsong was startled by the harsh words and scolded him.
"I’m sorry, Senior Brother. But I can't help but curse. A man with a fiancée harboring feelings for a girl who’s barely twenty?"
Cheongsu spoke with a fierce scowl, looking incredibly angry.
"It’s just a guess. Don't be so reckless with your words."
"It’s not a guess, it’s a certainty!"
Cheongsu raised his voice even higher.
He was frustrated.
The evidence was all there, yet his overly kind senior brother continued to trust Jang Sun-woo.
Cheongsu felt his anger rising again.
To think he treated a request from the Three Swords of Qingcheng like dog shit on the street.
He couldn't forgive it.
Grit.
Cheongsu ground his teeth thinking of Sun-woo.
He vowed to get his revenge someday.
*
"Phew."
Having hurriedly left the inn, Sun-woo let out a sigh.
It was a sigh of regret for ruining the atmosphere with a single sentence.
It had been a pleasant time, almost like meeting old neighborhood friends, but everything had changed in an instant because of what he said.
Cheongsong, who had been smiling and joking; Cheonggil, who was stiff but offered the right amount of banter; and even Cheongsu, who was eccentric but fun to tease—their expressions had all frozen simultaneously.
All because of his words.
Sun-woo felt a wave of guilt for ruining the good mood.
If he had just accepted the proposal, he wouldn't have been driven out before he could even finish his meal.
Should I have just introduced them?
The thought crossed his mind, but Sun-woo quickly shook his head.
He didn't want to hurt Seol-hyang just for his own convenience.
If she really did have feelings for him, his choice would have been a devastating blow to her.
"Haaa."
Sun-woo sighed again and started walking.
He was still hungry, but he didn't have the nerve to go back into the inn.
Trudge, trudge.
Sun-woo walked aimlessly toward where the wagons were parked.
"Huh?"
Before long, Sun-woo spotted a familiar figure.
The modest height, the fresh appearance, and those playful eyes.
It was Seol-hyang, the secular disciple of the Emei Sect.
Sun-woo quickly scanned the surroundings.
Fortunately, there was no one else in sight.
Relieved, Sun-woo began to stride toward her.
Since no one was around, he intended to greet her.
"Lady Seol~"
Once he was close enough, Sun-woo called out to her.
Flinch.
Hearing his voice, Seol-hyang flinched and turned her head to face him.
"Did you sleep well last—"
Sun-woo tried to offer a friendly greeting.
However, he couldn't finish his sentence.
Bow.
Dash!
Seol-hyang looked at Sun-woo, gave a quick, deep bow, and then immediately turned around and sprinted away.
"Huh?"
Sun-woo stood there, looking utterly bewildered.
Her reaction was the complete opposite of what he had expected.
What the...?
Sun-woo slowly looked up toward the direction she had run.
Her figure was already becoming a tiny dot in the distance, moving out of his sight.
Sun-woo was stunned.
When did she get that far?
And why was she avoiding him?
Sun-woo looked around just in case, wondering if someone was watching her.
But there wasn't a soul in sight.
It was clear she was avoiding him specifically, which left Sun-woo baffled.
What had he done wrong for her to suddenly start avoiding him?
Sun-woo could only stare blankly in the direction she had vanished, his gaze filled with confusion.