Partings and Progress
Banya muttered as if to himself. But it was by no means a private soliloquy, as both Yeongso and Ma Ryun heard him loud and clear.
"Just what did you see to make your tongue slip like that in your sleep...?"
Ma Ryun replied nonchalantly, "I saw nothing and heard nothing. You may simply treat me as a vase or a chair and pay me no mind. Is that how it is?"
Banya clicked his tongue. "That's not it at all."
Yeongso agonized over her next move. Would chiming in only fuel Banya's suspicions? But was it safe to leave things entirely to Ma Ryun? He doesn't seem like the type to make up a convincing excuse... Simply put, she didn't trust him.
In truth, if anyone had shown a vulnerability, she had made her own slip in front of Banya. I managed to gloss over it by seducing and persuading him, but ever since, I haven't been able to look the Heavenly Killing Star in the eye. She had been fine on the day of the operation. In fact, she had felt a brief surge of pride. The discomfort had crept in slowly afterward. The more she chewed on it, the more she felt she had resorted to underhanded means. Was this why they said people shouldn't do things out of character?
"If you are finished framing an innocent man, Alliance Leader, may I speak now?" Yeongso interceded in a calm voice. "My family will be leaving soon. Brother Yeong-hyeok feels a heavy responsibility regarding the transfer of the annex servants. I do not think now is the right time to arrange a meeting with Lady Poison Hand."
For now, she wanted to let her brother focus on his duties. She would figure out a suitable way to return the favor for the gift later. Yeongso finished speaking with as much composure as she could muster. Having said her piece, it was time to recall her master's teachings. A person must know when to retreat and when to hold their ground with all their might. Momentum is everything! Steeling her resolve, Yeongso stared silently at Banya.
Sure enough, he was gazing at his suddenly composed wife with a peculiar look in his eyes.
"...My lady." Banya's eyes narrowed. "You are confusing me again."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Just when I think I've finally figured you out, you shake me up as if you were waiting for the perfect moment."
Banya slowly shook his head. "Is this a natural talent, or did you train for it?"
Yeongso maintained an innocent, clueless expression, pretending not to understand him. At this, Banya chuckled as if admitting defeat. "Fine. I'll let it slide for today."
Even so, Banya was curious about how much dual cultivation training was required to see results. "My memory is quite poor, you see. On the other hand, my lady can memorize anything after reading it twice, so surely you know. When did the effects first manifest?"
The Dual Cultivation Manual did not require completing all thirty-six stages to show results; rather, the effects grew stronger as one progressed through the stages. For instance, in the beginning, they could only share a single emotion like joy, but later, it would develop to the point where they could share or even control all emotions.
"After the fifth session."
"So that's when it starts." Banya cast a meaningful side-glance at Yeongso, as if telling her to just wait until then.
She realized anew that this man truly only focused on immediate gains. Yeongso thought to herself, He hasn't even considered the possibility of me controlling him instead, has he? His mind was entirely consumed with uncovering his wife's secrets and satisfying his own curiosity. Yeongso found his simplicity both absurd and fascinating.
Time marched on, and soon, the day arrived for Yeong-hyeok's party to depart from the Thousand Death Alliance. Yeongso had spent the entire previous day in the kitchen preparing snacks for the two men. Though they had more than enough money and would hardly lack food on their journey, she wanted to send them off with something made by her own hands.
"Brother..." Seeing them off at the main gates of the Thousand Death Alliance, Yeongso pouted, unable to suppress her lingering regret. She knew she was acting like a child, but she couldn't help it. If she didn't, she felt she might burst into tears.
Yeong-hyeok gave a wry smile. "You're acting as if we'll never see each other again."
"Don't say things like that," Yeongso whined, her voice trailing off. "Someone embarking on a journey shouldn't say such things. It's bad luck."
"Alright, alright."
As Yeongso stamped her feet in frustration, a warm, affectionate smile lit up Yeong-hyeok's eyes. He gently cupped his younger sister's cheeks. "You know our eldest sister-in-law's due date is in two months, right? We will see each other again then."
Yeong-hyeok glanced sideways at Banya, who stood beside his sister, and continued, "My brother-in-law is a generous man, so I trust he won't stop my sister from attending a family event."
"Haha, when it comes to generosity, no one can match the Leader of the Thousand Death Alliance."
"Does that mean you will let her go...?" Yeong-hyeok's smile deepened. "I would like to get a firm commitment in front of all these witnesses. I simply cherish my sister too much, you see."
"Hahaha."
"So, what is your answer?"
For a brief moment, invisible sparks flew between Banya and Yeong-hyeok. After a tense standoff, it was Banya who took a step back first. He realized that delaying his answer would only delay the departure of the procession.
"Even if my brother-in-law hadn't reminded me, I was already planning to send my wife."
"You possess more manners and decency than I thought, brother-in-law." Turning his gaze away from Banya as if he were done with him, Yeong-hyeok pulled Yeongso into a tight hug. "Stay healthy until we meet again."
"You too, Brother."
"And don't worry too much about the transfer."
"Okay," Yeongso mumbled against his chest.
It was a quiet exchange meant only for the two of them, and Yeong-hyeok chuckled softly upon hearing her words. Once the siblings finished their farewells, the female disciples from various sects swarmed around Yeong-hyeok.
"Young Master Baekri, please have this snack on your journey."
"I thought an extra blanket might be useful, so I prepared one. Please think of me whenever you use it."
"May I visit you if I stop by Hadong later, Young Master?"
Yeong-hyeok politely greeted each and every one of them. His flawless, upright smile left the ladies of the Unorthodox Path sighing with regret. They all seemed to lament, If only we had just a little more time...!
Taking advantage of the distraction, Yeongso exchanged a brief farewell with Jang-gyeong.
"Safe travels, Young Master Seo."
She had lied to her husband, claiming that even though Jang-gyeong was her former fiancé, she had only seen him a few times in the presence of their parents. But that was far from the truth. When they were young, Jang-gyeong used to visit the Baekri Clan every spring. He would stay for about a month before returning to his family home in the capital. When their betrothal was decided, the young Yeongso had been genuinely happy. Had they married as planned, they might have had a child together by now.
But we were merely a passing connection. Meeting Jang-gyeong this time had made her realize that with absolute certainty. Too much had already changed. Even if Banya were to hand her a divorce decree—though that would never happen—Yeongso would not return to Jang-gyeong's side.
"I shall look forward to the day we meet again, Sister Yeongso."
Jang-gyeong, however, seemed to think differently. Then again, everyone had their own pace of accepting things. Soon, Yeong-hyeok, mounted on a dazzling white horse, raised his hand.
"Depart!"
The procession of the Baekri Clan slowly moved forward. Yeongso could not tear her eyes away until the very last person in the line disappeared around the corner.
Banya let out a long sigh. "They're finally gone."
He looked thoroughly relieved, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest. He gently stroked the back of his wife, whose nose had turned red from holding back her tears.
"Do not be so sad. Once our training is complete, I won't say a word even if you go to meet Seo Jang-gyeong instead of visiting your family."
Whispering the word "training" was a rare display of consideration from Hwa Banya. Yeongso glared at her husband through tear-filled eyes.
"What on earth are you talking about? Why would I go to meet him?"
"Whatever the reason, just go meet him. Even from a thousand miles away, I will provoke your anger so that you will do this to Seo Jang-gyeong instead of me..." Banya made a stabbing motion with his fingers, as if holding a needle. Yeongso was dumbfounded.
"Is that why you want me to meet Brother Jang-gyeong? To get rid of him using my hands?"
"...Did you just call him 'Brother Jang-gyeong' in front of me on purpose?"
"You were the one who told me to throw tantrums whenever I pleased." Yeongso dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. "Your nonsense was so absurd that my tears have completely dried up."
"It's better if you don't cry." Banya grinned. "By the way, you do realize you're treading on thin ice with that temper of yours, right? Bringing another man between us."
He was reminding her that her husband's temper was no joke either. You certainly love to joke, Alliance Leader. How could I ever forget? You never give me a moment to forget. Yeongso rolled her eyes inwardly.
"Now that the obstacles... I mean, your family has left, shall we pick up the pace?" Banya raised an eyebrow suggestively. "Let's go do the fourth session."