Canceling the Promise
"About that promise... I think I have to cancel it."
[Murim Alliance Direct Jinhyup Gaekjan]
About a month ago, the Jinhyup Gaekjan had sprung up overnight after just a week of construction. Its nine-story grandeur, utterly mismatched with the quiet, peaceful Cheonbaekhyeon, was so overwhelming it left me dazed every time I saw it.
"Even for a Murim Alliance affiliate, building something this massive has to be a monthly money pit. Hardly any martial artists even come to this Cheonbaekhyeon."
Whether the Jinhyup Gaekjan thrived or flopped had nothing to do with me, but every time I gazed up at its size and height, the thought crossed my mind—probably because I was just a commoner. Another pointless musing, I thought, chiding myself for my lack of discipline as I knocked on the inn's massive gate.
Knock knock knock.
A regular inn wouldn't have such a gate; you'd just walk right in. But this Jinhyup Gaekjan was no ordinary inn. As the huge sign above the gate boldly proclaimed, it was a Murim Alliance direct affiliate. Which meant no one outside the Alliance could even enter, let alone stay. And I wasn't Alliance-affiliated.
That's why I knocked first. Push the gate open without permission, and the guards would swarm me in seconds.
Creak—
After knocking and waiting a moment, a small verification window in the gate slid open—just wide enough for eyes to peek through. The gatekeeper sized me up from head to toe with a stiff gaze, then spoke in a rigid tone.
"This Jinhyup Gaekjan is for Murim Alliance members only. Turn back..."
"I'm not here to stay. I'm here to meet someone."
"Someone? Who?"
"Lady Jin... no, Lady Jin Seoryeong is staying here, I heard. Could you fetch her for me?"
"Wh-what?! Do you even know who she is...!"
The mere mention of meeting Lady Jin had the gatekeeper's eyes bulging in shock. Just saying I wanted to see her had him reeling like that—proof she was no ordinary figure. But if they were blocking me at the entrance like this, it might be trouble. From his reaction, calling for her seemed unlikely.
Hmm, should I just wait outside until Lady Jin steps out for some errand? Yeon Wol would surely pout if I was late. Maybe grab some Tang Clan sweets on the way back.
I'd decided to wait for Lady Jin and was pondering which Tang Clan shop Yeon Wol would like when—
"...Wait. Pure white robes, black hair. N-no way. Are you... B-Baek the Hero?!"
The gatekeeper, who'd been staring at me, suddenly jolted in recognition and blurted out my surname. Baek the Hero? Did this guy know me? How? I'd been in seclusion for seven years. His aura felt barely beyond third-rate. If even a gatekeeper like him knew me, that was not good.
Should I slip away or silence him? As I began gathering my internal energy for either option—
Screech—
"Hero Baek! Forgive me for not recognizing you! We're under orders to usher you in immediately if you arrive! Please, come in!"
Straightening up like a soldier, the gatekeeper flung the massive gate wide to welcome me.
My goal was to meet Lady Jin, who was staying at the Jinhyup Gaekjan, but before entering, I had a question.
"...How do you know me?"
If he'd seen my past self, I'd need to take measures. The gatekeeper blinked, then scratched the back of his head with one hand.
"Uh... A handsome young man in white robes and black hair came by and said if a 'Hero Baek' came looking for the Division Leader, treat him with utmost respect and let him in. Th-this is my first time seeing you, Hero."
"Ah."
Seemed my paranoia was unfounded. Lady Jin must have given prior instructions; the gatekeeper didn't actually know me. Makes sense—he'd have recognized me right away otherwise.
"Phew."
I sighed in relief, retracting the internal energy I'd gathered. With my internal injuries, summoning it caused the usual blood backlash, but I swallowed it down. Iron tang in my mouth.
"Thanks for your service, gatekeeper."
"Thank you, Hero!"
I patted his shoulder, the metallic taste lingering, and stepped into the Jinhyup Gaekjan.
※
"The inside's even more lavish than the outside."
The nine-story inn's splendor was even more striking from within. Hexagonal structure, rooms lining each floor, ornate lanterns spaced along the railings. Look up, and there was the Murim Alliance emblem: the Azure Dragon on the ceiling. At this point, it felt more like a fortress than an inn—gloriously out of place in quiet Cheonbaekhyeon.
"Young Lord Baek."
As I admired the interior, a familiar woman's voice came from behind.
"Lady Jin."
Black hair cascading like silk, pristine white robes embroidered with a blue dragon. The one who'd called me was the reason I'd come: Lady Jin.
As I turned to face her, she covered her mouth with her white sleeve and smiled softly.
"Hehe, just one day apart? We meet so often. Coming without notice—did you miss me that much, Young Lord Baek?"
Jin Seoryeong... no, Lady Jin's mannerisms were still hard to get used to. Seven years ago, she hadn't been this coy. Age had matured everything about her. Right—we'd promised yesterday over drinks to get to know our changed selves over the next seven years.
Yesterday, I'd been thrilled to reconnect with one of my few trusted allies. But from last night through this morning, so much had happened. Today, I'd come to cancel that promise with Lady Jin.
For treating my beloved disciple Yeon Wol...
"I missed you too, Young Lord Baek. Who knew one day apart could make me ache like this."
"..."
But seeing her greet me so warmly made my heart grow heavy. It should have been simple: "That promise to get to know each other—cancel it. Sorry." Yet the words stuck in my throat.
"I was just brewing tea in my room. Come join me, Young Lord Baek."
As I struggled internally, Lady Jin smiled with her eyes and looped her arm around mine. Soft pressure yielded against my arm.
Her sideboob's plushness snapped me back; I blurted out hastily.
"W-wait, Lady Jin. We can't. Bringing a man into your quarters like this is dangerous."
We'd only met formally—no real bond yet. Not close enough for private rooms. That came only after something special...
"It's not 'bringing in' anyone. You're special, Young Lord Baek."
"Ah."
"Hehe, it's just tea. What's the problem? Come on, before it gets cold."
Hearing I was special to her, resistance crumbled. She saw me as special, and I felt the same. In this vast Central Plains, she was one of my few trusts—rejecting her was impossible.
Good, actually. Tea will calm me; it'll be easier to speak then.
Rationalizing with flimsy excuses, I followed her.
Slurp.
"It's Tranquil Mind Tea. Father sent it. Calms the heart and eases tension. Try it, Young Lord Baek."
"Ah, thank you, Lady Jin."
The Tranquil Mind Tea she poured was unmistakably premium, even to an ignoramus like me. Perfect sipping temperature, and one gulp melted body and mind into languid bliss. Fast-acting as advertised. High-end stuff is different.
No peace for my stomach since last night; this moment with Lady Jin was pure comfort.
Lost in vacant comfort, staring into space, Lady Jin spoke from across the table.
"Young Lord Baek."
"Ah, yes, Lady Jin."
"You're doing it again. I told you yesterday—drop the formalities. You used casual speech back then, but now it's distant and sad."
"But you do the same formalities..."
"How could I be casual with a man who might become my husband? It's different with you, Young Lord Baek."
"I-is that so."
"That so?"
"Y-yeah."
"Yes! Exactly! Hehe."
"...Haha."
Chatting with her made last night's absurdities feel like a dream. This moment was that soothing. Thanks to the tea and her, tension faded into peace.
"So, may I ask why Young Lord Baek visited after just one day?"
"Ah, sure."
"Ufufu, truth be told, I already know. You fell so hard for my charms you couldn't wait till our promised day, right? I do harbor clear affection for you, but such bold expressions leave a girl embarrassed and—"
"Lady Jin, about that promise... I think I have to cancel it."
"...Pardon?"
The tea had loosened me up, and her lead-in made it easier. I rubbed the teacup with my fingers and continued.
"And, um... that bit about getting to know each other again? Let's call that off too."
Crack!Shatter!
The porcelain exploding startled me; I looked up to see Lady Jin's face twisted in fury. Grind. Cruuunch! Crushing the cup remnants to powder in her grip, she asked in a low, sunken voice.
"...Young Lord Baek—no, Baek Jincheon. Say it again. What did you just say?"