Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Peach Blossom Calamity
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As I mentioned before, I'm not the type to believe in fate. Everything predetermined? Humans act according to their own will, so why on earth would everything unfold along some fixed path?
However, starting from the moment he read my thoughts upon our first meeting and saw through my entire situation—that Sima Yeong possessed a supernatural insight that carried undeniable conviction.
"What exactly is this 'yeonan'? Women flocking to me in droves?"
"It's not that simple."
Sima Yeong looked at my face and spoke.
"Because your face is handsome? Because your martial arts are superior? Sure, women would fall for you easily, but fate has nothing to do with such conditions."
"......?"
"It's predetermined. Countless women will be drawn to you, strive to get close, and such events will keep repeating."
Should I like it or something?
"I don't believe in fate. Results predetermined in advance? Even if I hole up in my room for life, will women line up outside?"
"Something will happen that prevents you from holing up. An earthquake, a lightning strike, or a fire breaking out in a place without a single spark."
"Isn't that too forced?"
"What about in the Namgung Family? No matter how much you stirred up trouble to avoid the engagement, it was all for naught, right? That's what fate is. Even your attempts to flee become part of the process leading you to it."
Sima Yeong spoke as if it were no big deal.
"Is there any reason to hate it that much? Women flocking to you should be a cause for joy. Just enjoy the blessings you're born with."
"No, Elder. Easy to say, but if women come charging and I accept them all recklessly... won't I get stabbed in the middle of the night?"
They say frost falls in the fifth lunar month when a woman holds a grudge. That's how dangerous romantic entanglements are. Love is more vicious than any poison. Mess up, and Yi Se-woong could end up divided into three parts.
"That depends on how you handle it. Don't fight the waves—ride them. Women envying each other is inevitable. So make them fall so deeply that they wouldn't dare harm you?"
Sima Yeong delivered cringe-worthy advice with a perfectly straight face.
"I'm just giving counsel. Whether you heed it or dismiss it as the ravings of a senile old fool is entirely up to you."
"No, can't you at least give me a talisman? Something to ward off disaster."
"Hey, you punk. Think this is a fortune-teller's shack? Go beg the village shaman! Reading your fate already drained me too much. I'm bedridden for days—talismans my ass."
Sima Yeong turned away as if he had nothing more to say. Hey, old man. Dropping something so intriguing and then washing your hands of it—isn't that too irresponsible?
"Man up, you spineless fool! Think of sweeping women off their feet, eh? Back in my day..."
"Elder, weren't you a Daoist?"
"What's a Daoist not human? You have to experience the seven emotions and six desires to transcend them. Those claiming transcendence without experience are all frauds!"
He had a refreshingly un-Daoist fiery side. Well, better than those who did it all and then played innocent.
Anyway, accept it, he says.
I still couldn't forget Namgoong Yeonhui's warning eyes when I left the Namgung Family.
-If you cheat, I'll die, and so will you.
Even the gentle Yeonhui turned icy cold at the mere mention of other women... For now, I could only hope Sima Yeong's words were just empty fears.
"One last thing. Be careful of water."
"Water?"
"You've probably faced plenty of predicaments involving water in your life. It's your natural counter, so avoid it at all costs."
Water?
I'd never even fallen into water since childhood. I had no idea what he meant by suddenly warning me about water, but I nodded at Sima Yeong's serious expression.
"That's it! Now scram, and tell that girl you brought to come inside."
With that, Sima Yeong waved me off dismissively.
I was bewildered.
Moyong Hye alone was already overwhelming me with her pursuit, and now he says this will keep happening?
I needed to devise some countermeasures.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hello, Elder Sima. I am..."
Originally, Sima Yeong had business only with Yi Se-woong.
Moyong Hye had been puzzled by the sudden summons, but she acquiesced, thinking such an opportunity was rare.
"You like that punk that much?"
Sima Yeong cut straight to it without even acknowledging her greeting.
"Pardon?"
"Yi Se-woong. That guy."
"......"
Sima Yeong's blunt question. Moyong Hye had showered Yi Se-woong with affection countless times, but voicing those feelings to another required tremendous courage.
"Yes..."
"It's your first time feeling this, so it's disorienting. Love is always like that. It makes you unlike yourself, restless and anxious. Isn't that painful?"
"......Yes."
A complete stranger, yet Sima Yeong. Moyong Hye was astonished that he had guessed her innermost thoughts. Was this why they said his supernatural insight reached the heavens?
"That punk is born under the sign of yeonan. Doomed to entangle with countless women. Your feelings may go unrequited, leaving you to shed tears alone and soak your blankets. Can you still not give up?"
"Yes."
She didn't need supernatural insight to know that. Yi Se-woong's striking looks and martial prowess. No woman could resist fluttering for him. She'd steeled herself ever since learning of his fiancée Namgoong Yeonhui. That's why Moyong Hye could answer Sima Yeong's warning tone so firmly.
"Then one more thing. This might be the most important question. Do you want to possess that punk, or just stay by his side?"
"......"
"My advice will differ based on your answer. Take your time; there's no rush."
Hearing Sima Yeong, Moyong Hye fell into thought.
Of course I want to possess him.
I want him to love only me. Think of me every day, walk with me, live for me.
How wonderful that would be.
'But it won't happen.'
He already had a lover. There was no room for her in his heart. Trying to wedge in between them made her nothing but an impurity. Though she'd craved Yi Se-woong's attention all along, a corner of her heart felt guilt toward Namgoong Yeonhui.
But what can I do?
I can't contain these feelings that keep spilling out.
"Just being by his side would be enough."
"That's good. If your greed had been to possess him completely, I'd have no advice for you."
Is that enough?
Even asking herself, Moyong Hye wasn't fully convinced.
Sima Yeong waited with a benevolent smile for her to compose herself.
"Go home for now. Your heart led you here hastily, but that's not wise."
"......"
"Child, there's a saying: excess is as bad as insufficiency. Fortunately, your bond with him doesn't end here. Return home, live as you have been calmly, and opportunity will come in time."
He spoke in a soothing, parental tone.
"A common mistake for the inexperienced in love. Clinging isn't the way. Anticipation grows with waiting."
"How does a Daoist know so much about romance?"
"Mastery of the Dao reveals all such paths!"
Ahem. After a hearty cough, Sima Yeong continued.
"Men lose interest if it's too easy."
"Pardon?"
"You crave what you can't have. So distance yourself to draw closer."
"Really?"
"Tch, lived a sheltered life, have you? Back in my prime, women flocked to me like ducks to water."
"......"
"Such lack of faith! Behold this."
As Moyong Hye eyed him skeptically, Sima Yeong chided her and extended his hand. Smoke rose from his fingertips, coalescing like clouds into an image.
'An illusion?'
A bedroom.
Yi Se-woong gazing down at the lying Moyong Hye.
It was the scene of the two.
-I told you to stop. Was that hard to understand?
-Brother, it's not that...
-You tempted me first.
Like a beast growling, Yi Se-woong covered Moyong Hye amid ragged breaths. But before the details(?) unfolded, the smoke dispersed.
"Wh-what is this?"
"The future if you heed my words. Believe me now?"
"I believe you!"
A Daoist knowing romance this intimately?
Moyong Hye had half-doubted him all along, but the illusion he showed turned her conviction.
She sat politely, awaiting Sima Yeong's words.
Ready to leap into fire at his command.
"Since you're prepared, I'll tell you the rest."
"Yes, Elder."
"Abandon obsession. Men despise clingy women. And..."
Having fetched writing tools, she jotted down his words, then asked with lingering reluctance.
"But, Elder."
"What is it?"
"That vision earlier... the next part..."
"Tch! Only interested in the gruel. Follow my words, and you'll see the rest naturally. Now shut up and take notes!"
"Y-yes!"
Moyong Hye straightened her posture and listened intently to Sima Yeong.