Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Sun and Moon 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The kiss stretched on endlessly.
Even when they occasionally parted their lips to meet each other's gaze, neither said a word. In truth, they had so much they wanted to say. Especially Jin So-hye—she had countless reasons and stories for why she shouldn't become Baek Moo-jin's lover.
But during that kiss with Baek Moo-jin, she didn't utter a single word. She simply burned with thoughts as hot and flickering as her martial arts.
'Reasons why we can't be together? I don't care. This is my heart.'
Baek Moo-jin harbored similar thoughts. His partner was the young palace lord of the Sacred Flame Palace. He couldn't help but worry about what troubles might arise if they tied themselves together. Yet Baek Moo-jin had little to fear.
Each contemplated the world's judgment, perceptions, the divide between the Black Path and Orthodox sects, the lines that shouldn't be crossed, differences in status and affiliation—yet both were determined to pursue this bond.
The woman, blooming like a flame, wrapped her arms around the man's neck, and even in the icy man's gaze burned a heat matching her martial prowess. All that remained was for them to share their love.
From time immemorial, men and women meeting had sparked scandals throughout human history. But what these two were doing today was a catastrophe of monumental proportions. Aware of its weight, they didn't hesitate for a moment, drawing ever closer.
They were clumsy, but blissful.
And as martial artists, even in the throes of passion, it was as if black and white, ice and flame had forged an alliance—their hearts binding ever tighter. Even after that fervent time passed, they clung to each other, gazing for a long while.
Still, no words passed between them.
In a way, both had spirits that were outwardly gentle, inwardly fierce. Baek Moo-jin needed a moment to steady the shock of holding a woman for the first time, while Jin So-hye endured even greater hardship from the physical pain she was feeling for the first time.
Yet astonishingly, amid it all, they shared the same thought as they gazed at one another.
Baek Moo-jin looked at Jin So-hye and offered a faint smile.
"......"
He said nothing, but his eyes sent a blazing gaze, at odds with his frosty arts.
Jin So-hye was even more striking. Her temperament burned hotter than Baek Moo-jin's, to be sure. A woman first, but above all a martial artist pursuing profound realms. In this moment, forgetting that he was stronger, she mirrored his thoughts.
'I'll protect you. No matter what happens from now on.'
Rare indeed are the man and woman who vow to protect each other while locking eyes. It meant spiritual guardianship, but from a warrior's standpoint as well—making it all the rarer.
A moment later, as Baek Moo-jin stroked Jin So-hye's long hair, his gaze wandered mischievously to the pert swell of her pristine breasts. Embraced in his arms, she covered them with both hands.
Baek Moo-jin reached out and pulled her hands away. She pushed at his forehead with her palm.
"What are you doing?"
"What? I just want to look."
"No. And why the sudden casual speech?"
Baek Moo-jin blinked innocently.
"Dunno. Planning to keep it casual."
"Fine, me too."
"Whatever feels right."
"Okay."
After switching to casual speech, Jin So-hye cautiously glanced at Baek Moo-jin's reaction. His hand drifted back toward her breast. She grabbed it.
Baek Moo-jin spoke.
"That hand of yours... it's about to get pretty chilly from now on."
Just teasing, of course. Jin So-hye countered at once—but polite casual slipped out naturally instead.
"Try it. Mine'll burn hotter."
Baek Moo-jin raised a single finger, beckoning hers to meet it. She extended one, pressing it to his.
Baek Moo-jin unleashed chilling energy with the Cold Moon Finger Technique—a refined method channeling frost solely from the fingertip. Jin So-hye summoned her flame aura to resist.
For a moment, they slowly escalated their power, pitting cold against heat. Yet it remained gentle throughout. Baek Moo-jin tempered his force to avoid harming her; Jin So-hye did the same for him. Mutual consideration as they built their inner energy.
At the point where their fingers touched, pristine white chill clashed with crimson flame, birthing an eerie blaze. Maintaining perfect balance, they poured out their energies without cease. Though polar opposites repelling each other, they formed a subtle equilibrium, like the pattern of the Taiji.
What began as play had them focused intently on their fingers.
Then Baek Moo-jin's expression grew grave. He pondered deeply.
'How curious this is.'
Jin So-hye felt the same. Their opposing arts might harmonize rather than clash. But no clear path emerged yet. Above all, they were young. Profound in their own sects' teachings, but far from the grandmasters who could fuse disparate arts into something new.
This would take time.
Yet they glimpsed a possibility. Baek Moo-jin beheld the scene they'd created.
'It's like the sun and moon meeting... uncanny.'
Jin So-hye's thoughts echoed his.
'Yin and yang energies rotating like the Taiji pattern......'
Different experiences, different expressions—but aligned in essence. A realm they could only glimpse because they gazed so intimately.
2.
They stayed together until the sun set once more. In between, they bathed, ate, returned to their shared haven, and stood at the door, embracing wordlessly.
Today, of all days, words failed them utterly. But parting loomed; something must be said.
Jin So-hye asked.
"When and where next?"
Baek Moo-jin grinned.
"Iron Blood Gang soon? Weren't you planning revenge?"
"Yeah."
"North Heaven Alliance was gearing up to take them on anyway."
"Really? So after that, no issues between North Heaven Alliance and Sacred Flame Palace?"
Her words prompted Baek Moo-jin to respond as Snow Mountain Baek Family patriarch.
"What issues? Have the two forces clashed before?"
"No, not at all."
"Then we mediate to keep it that way."
"I can. Young palace lord and all."
Jin So-hye smiled playfully, gazing at him.
"Can you?"
"Of course."
"What position does our Baek patriarch hold in North Heaven Alliance, anyway?"
Teasing slyly, she watched him. Baek Moo-jin grinned back on purpose.
"There? Fresh-faced newbie."
"Sounds impossible, then."
"Think so? If we join forces, what level of master could handle us?"
"True......"
"Remember that clash of flame and frost?"
"Yeah."
"We'll practice harmonizing them when we can."
"Practice harmony for what?"
Baek Moo-jin deadpanned a jest.
"To end the jianghu, naturally. I'll freeze 'em; you burn 'em."
Jin So-hye nodded.
"As you command, patriarch."
Then Baek Moo-jin fell silent, eyes shifting to the door. Jin So-hye followed suit.
He stared wordlessly at it for a beat.
A man soon loomed in the doorway, casting a shadow. Without a question, he reached for the lock. A sizzle—and it melted in an instant. He opened the door quietly.
Not knowing who it was, Baek Moo-jin instinctively shoved Jin So-hye behind him. But she paled, recognizing the Heaven-Exterminating Flame Finger that severed the lock. Not fearing interrogation, but agonizing over how to explain him to Baek Moo-jin.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇