Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Yeonhui's Visit to the Unit
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A peaceful evening.
After having dinner with Yeonhui, we went for a short walk.
A flower field greeted us with a cool mountain breeze. It was Yeonhui's suggestion that sent ripples through our leisurely steps.
"An inspection?"
"Yes. I want to take a look around the White Poplar Unit."
"That shouldn't be a problem..."
"As your future wife, shouldn't I see what the place where my husband-to-be works is like?"
Her cautious request was simply to tour the White Poplar Unit. Since it was an internal organization of the Murim Alliance anyway, there would be no issue with Yeonhui stopping by. It wasn't anything that would cause problems.
'But why do I feel a chill?'
It was strange.
The moment I heard Yeonhui's words, something felt stuck in my chest like a lump. An inexplicable anxiety washed over me.
"Dear?"
"Hm... It's not like I mind you coming. I'm just a bit worried the unit members might feel burdened."
"We can just quietly come and go. It's not like I'm inspecting or anything. I just want to glance around where you work, dear."
"If it's just that, it should be fine."
"Is there... any reason I shouldn't go?"
For a moment, Yeonhui's eyes flashed. A subtly cold aura emanated from her gaze. Was it my imagination that suspicion lurked at its edge?
"Nah, nothing like that."
"Right? Then I'll come by sometime this week."
Yeonhui smiled as if she found it amusing.
Yeah, whatever. It had all been my misunderstanding that Jegal Yeong might like me. There wouldn't be any problems.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Yeonhui's coming?"
"Yes, Unit Leader."
"Haha, I should tell the kids to clean up thoroughly."
"She said she just wants to drop by quietly. Making a fuss might make her uncomfortable."
"You rascal, if you knew that, you should've told her not to come in the first place."
The Unit Leader teased me playfully, but he didn't seem too concerned. He nagged me mischievously about whether we should prepare a proper reception for Yeonhui.
He finally let me go after about an hourglass.
"Visits from the Alliance Leader's family are commonplace, so everyone will just take it in stride. Don't worry—just guide her around and send her off."
"Yes, sir."
"And while you're at it, put in a good word that the White Poplar Unit's discipline is top-notch."
That might be pushing it.
Anyway, with the Unit Leader's permission secured, all that was left was to wait for Yeonhui.
There was no need for special preparations. Yeonhui was just curious about my daily life anyway. With no missions assigned at the moment, my feet naturally headed toward the training grounds. To the place where my master awaited.
"Namgoong Yeonhui is coming for an inspection?"
"Yes. Didn't the Unit Leader tell you?"
"I haven't heard a thing."
That guy had burdened me plenty but hadn't properly notified the unit members. Actually, this was better. If they made a big fuss about Yeonhui coming, it would be awkward for a newbie like me.
"It's not a real inspection—she's just coming to see what I do all day."
"That's a bit tricky."
"Why? Again?"
"The White Poplar Unit belongs to the Murim Alliance, not the Alliance Leader's private army. For a relative to just show up like this... Well, it doesn't look good."
Jegal Yeong said with a furrowed brow. I could understand. She seemed averse to outsiders entering the White Poplar Unit at all.
"We can just act normal, right? Come on, senior. Let's train."
"Still..."
"Come on, are we skipping today? We have to follow regulations."
"Sigh."
She sighed but followed my lead and started training, unable to refuse. Yeah. Just act normal—like always. After about half a shichen of training, when our bodies were warmed up, Yeonhui arrived.
"Dear!"
Yeonhui approached with a bright smile. She'd said it was like an outing, and her outfit was dressed up to the nines. A red palace dress that accentuated her figure. One she only wore on special occasions. Like the day we first shared drinks.
"You're early."
"I hurried because I wanted to see you soon, dear!"
"How'd you know I was here? I was going to pick you up."
"I had a feeling you'd be this way!"
"Really?"
"Hehe. Actually, I asked another unit member."
Yeonhui linked arms with me and beamed.
"Hm, we're in the middle of training, so I probably smell sweaty."
"Not at all? You only smell good to me, dear!"
That didn't mean she had to bury her face in my shoulder. Jegal Yeong watched us with a look of utter exasperation.
"Let me introduce you. This is my senior, Jegal Yeong. She's been teaching me since my apprenticeship."
"Oh, I know. We met once at a meeting before, right? Long time no see, sis!"
"I don't think we were on sis-little sis terms."
"Was it? It's so long ago, my memory's fuzzy. But since you work with dear, it's fate—can I call you sis from now on?"
"...Sure."
There was a sense of resignation in her response to Yeonhui.
"I've heard a lot about you from dear. They say you take such good care of him? Thank you so much!"
"No need for your thanks. I was just doing my job."
"But dear's business is my business too! I have every reason to thank you!"
What could I say.
Yeonhui smiled sweetly, while Jegal Yeong was curt.
But why did it feel like a chill was emanating from Yeonhui?
"Oh, right. Dear."
"Yeah?"
"Maybe from running? I'm thirsty. Sorry, but could you get me some water?"
Why was she so clingy today?
But there was an irresistible momentum in Yeonhui's request.
"I'll be right back."
I had a gut feeling.
If I didn't leave now, it would be dangerous.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dear, dear, dear.
Why does she have to end every sentence with it?
Does she can't speak without attaching "dear"?
Left alone with Namgoong Yeonhui, Jegal Yeong felt an inexplicable displeasure.
"Sis, feeling hot?"
"What?"
"You dressed so lightly. I thought you might be hot."
After a long silence, Yeonhui's first words.
It sounded like a casual check-in, but Jegal Yeong read the hidden meaning. She's picking a fight, right?
"It gets hot when training. Aren't you dressed too warmly?"
"Me? I can endure a little heat. You want to show only your best side in front of the one you love, right?"
It was like solving a riddle.
Every word from Yeonhui hid a dagger.
"The age to love dressing up, huh."
"Exactly. Sis would look even prettier if she dolled up."
"Not interested."
"Come on, sis. You have to doll up while you're young."
Namgoong Yeonhui was a master.
Not charging in recklessly like a novice.
Feints and real strikes blended.
She swung attacks that might or might not be attacks.
If she'd come at her head-on, Jegal Yeong could parry. But this tightrope-walking technique left her mind in chaos.
"Add some accessories... What do you think of this hairpin?"
"Pretty."
"Right? It was a gift from dear. He said it suited me and put it in my hair himself."
"You've been wearing it ever since?"
"Come on, sis. I just meant the memory from when I first got it. You joke well."
Tap.
Yeonhui lightly touched her shoulder, but Jegal Yeong felt clear hostility.
'Why is she coming at me?'
She'd felt it since they met.
Smiling brightly, but this girl came to crush her.
Every word treating her like a mistress.
Acting like a cat marking territory.
'I'm not interested in your dear or whatever!'
Jegal Yeong wanted to snap at Yeonhui right then.
But when she thought to shout it, something pricked her heart. Its tip was named conscience.
'D-did I do anything?'
It was just her usual fantasies featuring Yi Se-woong. Not intentional, more like an invasion. She was the one suffering from interrupted mind-calming routines!
"Sis, do you know why I came here?"
"How should I know your thoughts?"
"Strange. I feel like you already know."
Whisper.
Before she knew it, Yeonhui was whispering in her ear.
"I'm grateful you're looking after dear as a senior. Truly."
"But?"
"How could I not worry about someone as attractive as you staying by dear's side?"
"He's just a junior."
"Good then. It's famous how you handle men's hearts like beads in your pocket."
That's all rumors.
"Just keep being a good senior from now on!"
"Isn't this meddling from an outsider?"
"Think of it as nagging from your future wife. I'd appreciate it."
With that, Yeonhui stepped far back from Jegal Yeong.
Yeonhui with a leisurely smile.
Jegal Yeong, wanting to land one hit, said,
"Fine. Can't be helped if that's how it is."
"Thanks for understanding."
"Se-woong's put on a lot of muscle lately, hasn't he?"
"Se-woong...?"
Jegal Yeong always called Yi Se-woong "junior" or "you."
But at this moment, she had to call him familiarly, like a little brother. Following her instincts.
"All my doing."
"......"
"What intensity, how much, how to train. I managed it all. As you asked. As a senior."
Jegal Yeong glared at Yeonhui with the smuggest smile she could muster.
"Cool, right? Muscles gleaming like sculptures. My handiwork."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Enjoy the view."
I reshaped your man with my hands.
The best way to turn Yeonhui's insides.
"Yes, thank you. Must've been hard work."
"Glad you appreciate it."
Both knew.
The first to frown loses.
The nerve war started by Yeonhui's provocation.
The two women faced each other with fresh smiles, yielding not an inch.
"What fun talk are you having?"
So Yi Se-woong, returning, noticed nothing.
That a fierce war had raged in his absence.
'What, the mood's better than I thought?'
Was it just my imagination?
They get along great.
Yi Se-woong breathed a sigh of relief.