Chapter 349: Intoxicated
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 349: Intoxicated
"By the way, did the other Emei disciples say they weren't going?"
Neung So-hwa asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"I tried my best to persuade them, but they all said they wanted to just rest today," Seol-hyang replied with a look of regret.
It wasn't that she hadn't tried. However, the Emei disciples, burdened by exhaustion, chose to rest, leaving her with no choice but to find someone else.
"Hmm, well, it makes sense that they’re tired. So much has happened, after all." Neung So-hwa nodded in agreement.
"Hehehe, even if they can't come, I'm just happy you're coming with me, Unni," Seol-hyang said, flashing a cute smile.
"I suppose I don't mind it either," Neung So-hwa replied, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "But I am curious about one thing."
"What is it?"
"Did you happen to make this proposal to that block of ice as well?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean the invitation to go together." Neung So-hwa’s expression turned quite serious as she asked.
"O-of course not! You were the very first person I asked, Unni," Seol-hyang stammered, a cold sweat breaking out on her brow.
In truth, she had asked Bukgung Yeon first. But after being flatly rejected, she had turned to Neung So-hwa as her second choice.
This fact had to remain a secret. If the truth came out, the prideful Neung So-hwa would surely fly into a rage, feeling like a mere substitute, and refuse to go.
"I see... Hmm... Is that so?"
Hearing Seol-hyang's words, Neung So-hwa nodded with a satisfied expression. She seemed immensely pleased by the fact that Seol-hyang had chosen her over Bukgung Yeon.
"Very well! Let us prepare to leave at once." Neung So-hwa spoke to Seol-hyang with a bright, energetic face.
"Great. A change of clothes and a cloth to wipe down with should be enough."
"Understood. I shall go prepare immediately."
Neung So-hwa nodded in response to Seol-hyang's instructions. Then, she turned back to Sun-woo and spoke.
"Since things have turned out this way, I hope you can endure for today."
"...Endure what?"
"...You know perfectly well."
At Sun-woo's question, Neung So-hwa twisted her body shyly as she spoke.
"No, really, what?"
"You truly are a mischievous man. But that only makes me like you more. I have always lived a life looking down on others, so perhaps living a life looking up at someone once in a while isn't so bad."
Neung So-hwa kept nodding to herself as if satisfied with something, even as Sun-woo remained baffled.
What's wrong with her?
Sun-woo tilted his head in confusion. Though she was always noble, elegant, and beautiful, there were times when he simply couldn't understand her. Like right now.
"At any rate, I shall take my leave first. Do not wait up; go to sleep early."
With those words, Neung So-hwa hurried away. She wanted to soak in the hot spring as soon as possible to soothe her bruises. Sun-woo watched her go with a blank stare.
"That worked out well."
Just then, Seol-hyang's cheerful voice chimed in from beside him.
"What did?"
"Try testing it out today."
"Testing what?" Sun-woo asked, tilting his head at her cryptic words.
"The task of uncovering Yeon-unni's tender inner feelings." Seol-hyang spoke with a mischievous, bratty smile.
"Do I have to?"
"You might not get another chance like today. Neung-unni is always keeping a close eye on things."
"I suppose that's true." Sun-woo nodded.
Indeed, if not for today, he might never get the chance to see Bukgung Yeon's vulnerable side. Neung So-hwa would likely be clinging to him every single day from now on.
"Hmm."
Sun-woo looked thoughtful. It sounded like it could be interesting, but he wondered if it was really necessary.
Thud.
Suddenly, a sharp, clear sound echoed as something was placed on the table. Sun-woo turned his gaze toward the source. There, he saw a liquor bottle boasting a remarkably beautiful color.
"What's that?"
"A bottle of liquor," Seol-hyang answered calmly.
"No, I mean, where did you get it?"
"I got it from the village. They gave me this Thirty-Year-Old Poisonous Liquor as a token of gratitude for saving their lives."
"Is it okay for you to just take things like that?"
"Is there any reason I shouldn't?"
"Aren't you a disciple of a Buddhist sect? Aren't you supposed to avoid worldly desires?"
"Oh, come on. How could I refuse such a sincere gesture? Besides, I'm a secular disciple, so it's perfectly fine for me to accept and consume things like this." Seol-hyang replied with a playful grin.
Sun-woo chuckled. The more he saw of her, the more he found her to be an entertaining woman.
"I'll specially let you have this. So, go and have a drink with Yeon-unni." Seol-hyang spoke with an air of great generosity.
"You're being this considerate?"
"I like you, Orabeoni, and I like Yeon-unni too. I want everyone to get along well." Seol-hyang revealed her true feelings as she looked at Sun-woo. "Because it seems like you're still uncomfortable around her."
"............"
Sun-woo fell silent. She wasn't wrong. While it wasn't exactly discomfort, he didn't have any particular closeness with Bukgung Yeon—even if he was the recipient of her one-sided favor.
He figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to get closer this time. After all, she was a future business partner.
"Oh, and you have to keep this a secret from Neung-unni. If she finds out I schemed to set this up, she'll kill me."
"Oh, surely not."
"Orabeoni, I am dead serious." Seol-hyang's expression was grave.
"........Alright, I get it."
Seeing her face, Sun-woo nodded. He realized that Neung So-hwa definitely wouldn't stay quiet if she found out.
"Also, I heard this liquor is incredibly strong, so you need to dispel the intoxication every now and then." Seol-hyang warned him.
"Don't people drink to get drunk?"
"Hey, what if something happens because you're drunk?" Seol-hyang looked at him as if he were being absurd.
"Come on, what could possibly happen?"
"Orabeoni, between a man and a woman, there's no such thing as just friends, nor is there such a thing as an eternally safe relationship. Everyone is a potential lover." Seol-hyang spoke in a surprisingly serious tone.
"Good grief. You sound like someone who's dated dozens of times." Sun-woo chuckled. It was funny hearing Seol-hyang, who had spent her whole life within the gates of the Emei Sect, lecturing him on the affairs of men and women.
"I'm serious! You absolutely, definitely must not get drunk!"
"Alright, alright. I'll dispel the alcohol as I go."
Sun-woo nodded dismissively. Seol-hyang gave him a suspicious look, clearly doubting his half-hearted response. But soon, she seemed to accept it. She figured nothing too crazy could happen.
*
"Ow, ow, ow..."
Bukgung Yeon began applying Golden Wound Medicine to the scratch marks on her arm. She winced at the stinging pain that made her skin feel like it was on fire.
After a while, having slathered medicine over the wounds covering her body, she collapsed onto her bed.
"That damn bitch."
Bukgung Yeon cursed at the ceiling. Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Her smooth, fine skin was covered in scratches—and from that dim-witted woman, no less. How could she not be annoyed?
She suddenly sat up. She felt like her anger wouldn't subside unless she went and slapped the woman right now.
Stomp, stomp.
She began to walk toward the door to find Neung So-hwa.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, someone knocked on her door. Startled, Bukgung Yeon tilted her head. Who would visit her room at this time of night?
Is it Seol-hyang?
Guessing it might be her, she spoke up. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Ice Palace Master."
A familiar male voice answered her question. Bukgung Yeon jumped in surprise. Why was he showing up all of a sudden? Her mind began to race.
Why is he here? An apology? A duel? Mating? Marriage? The revival of the North Sea? Three children?
All sorts of wild thoughts swirled through her head.
"May I come in?" Sun-woo's voice came from outside again.
"W-wait a moment!"
After buying some time, Bukgung Yeon quickly scanned the room. The traces of her raging after the fight with Neung So-hwa were everywhere.
What were you thinking, past me?!
Blaming her past self, she began to clean the room at high speed. She froze things she didn't need and smashed others into tiny particles. After gathering everything neatly into a corner, she hid the pile behind a wardrobe.
In an instant, she had managed to make the room look desolate but fairly tidy. Next, she checked the mirror and began to fix her face. Then, she scowled. There were faint marks here and there from her scuffle with Neung So-hwa.
That dog-like bitch.
After cursing Neung So-hwa under her breath, she settled for just tidying her hair. She figured it was too late to hide the scratches now anyway.
"Come in!"
Having finished her hasty preparations, Bukgung Yeon called out.
Creak.
The door opened, and the handsome Sun-woo—at least in Bukgung Yeon's eyes—appeared.
"Why... are you here?" Bukgung Yeon asked, her face flushing with shyness at his sudden appearance.
"I came to do some bonding with the Ice Palace Master."
Sun-woo held up a bottle of liquor in his left hand and a few pieces of beef jerky in his right.
"...........Sit here."
After staring at the bottle for a long moment, Bukgung Yeon pointed to a chair.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
Sun-woo closed the door and walked in slowly.
Thud.
He sat down and placed the liquor and jerky on the table. Bukgung Yeon watched him with a dazed expression. She had never imagined Sun-woo would visit her late at night for a drink.
"Please, sit."
When Bukgung Yeon just stood there blankly, Sun-woo gestured for her to take a seat. She sat down without a word.
"..............."
".............."
Once she sat, an awkward silence descended. Neither of them spoke.
"Would you like a drink?" Sun-woo finally asked, lifting the bottle.
"......There are no cups."
"Ah, I forgot the cups. I'll go grab some quickly."
Sun-woo looked embarrassed. How could someone suggesting a drink forget the cups? He scratched his head and started to get up to fetch them.
"It's fine. Sit."
Bukgung Yeon's voice reached his ears.
"What? But the cups?"
"We can just drink like this, can't we?"
Swish.
Gulp, gulp.
Bukgung Yeon snatched the bottle from Sun-woo's hand and began to chug.
Wow, what a woman.
Sun-woo was inwardly impressed. He hadn't expected her to be so bold. Then, a question arose. How could such a fierce and sharp woman have a "tender inner self"?
She must have been exaggerating.
He decided that Seol-hyang had definitely overstated things. However, it didn't take long for Sun-woo to realize that her words were no exaggeration.
"Sniff...... hic...... sniff."
Suddenly, Bukgung Yeon, who had been sitting right in front of him, burst into tears.
What the—?
Sun-woo was thrown into a panic. How did things escalate to this so quickly?
"Um..... Ice Palace Master?"
"Sniff... hic... don't call me that... sniff." Bukgung Yeon sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
"Pardon?"
"Sniff... hic... Ice Palace Master... sniff... don't call me... that... sniff."
It was as if her tear ducts were broken; the tears wouldn't stop.
"Sniff... why... hic... do you... call that... fireball... Sohwa... so affectionately... but call me... Ice Palace Master?" Bukgung Yeon asked, looking utterly miserable.
"No... well..."
Sun-woo looked bewildered. Was the reason she was crying really just that? Because he didn't call her by her name?
"I want... sniff... to be called by my name... too... sniff... call me Yeon-ah... affectionately... I said call me that!" Bukgung Yeon raised her voice and shouted, sounding deeply hurt.
"No... I mean, how could I call the Ice Palace Master that..." Sun-woo waved his hands dismissively.
Shake, shake.
"No! I hate it! I want to be called by my name! Call me Yeon-ah affectionately!"
Bukgung Yeon shook her head violently in refusal, throwing a tantrum like a small child.
"Well... then... Lady Bukgung..."
"No! Yeon-ah!"
Sun-woo tried to offer a compromise, but it was immediately rejected. It seemed her stubbornness remained even when she was drunk.
"........Yeon... Yeon-ah."
"Do it more affectionately!"
".........Yeon-ah."
Sun-woo called her name in the most tender voice he could muster.
"Hehehehe... hehehehe."
Then, as if she had never been crying, Bukgung Yeon began to beam.
"You have to call me that from now on. Got it?" With a bright smile, she asked for his promise.
".....Understood."
"Informal!"
"What?"
"Speak to me informally!"
"........Alright."
"Hehehehe, I like Sun-woo so much."
As soon as Sun-woo dropped the formal speech, Bukgung Yeon laughed happily again. Watching her, Sun-woo felt his mind go numb from the sheer cognitive dissonance.
Who was this woman in front of him? Was this giggling woman really the Bukgung Yeon he knew?
He had doubts. He couldn't help but have doubts. The Bukgung Yeon he knew was rough, cold, and fierce. She wasn't the type of woman to wail and throw a tantrum like this. Sun-woo stared at her with a look of utter disbelief.
"Sun-woo-ya~"
Then, Bukgung Yeon's sweet, melodic voice reached his ears. It was a tone he had never heard from her before.
"Did you know I liked you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"...I guess?"
"But I don't like you anymore!" she added with a bright smile.
"...Is that so? That's a shame."
"Now, I love you!"
Bukgung Yeon looked at Sun-woo with dreamy eyes as she spoke. Sun-woo's jaw dropped.
What was she talking about now?
Love?