Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Visit to Infinite Pavilion (3)
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As soon as they entered the Infinite Pavilion, the Baek Family retainers were already waiting in the courtyard to greet them.
"Instructor Chu. Please, come in."
The retainers, lined up neatly in rows, seemed not just polite but downright terrified, as if facing something fearsome.
'Did word of what happened leak out?'
There was no reason for the White Dragon Swordsman to spread news of being defeated by a nameless instructor.
As he puzzled over it, an elderly man approached hesitantly.
"-We greet the esteemed guest who has graced our pavilion."
"...And you are?"
"I am Jang Mo, the chief steward of the Infinite Pavilion."
Today's welcome was to be led by the Pavilion Master himself, in place of Elder Baek Ri.
'Looks like someone gave them a heads-up.'
It wasn't incomprehensible, given the mental reconditioning he'd done just a few months ago, but their fidgety anxiety was extreme.
It was as if they were receiving a grim reaper who held their lives in his hands.
'Not resentment... fear?'
What was even stranger was the direction of that fear.
"Chief Steward Jang. The courtyard is in disarray."
A cold voice devoid of any emotion came from beside him.
"Yes, Miss."
The steward's trembling head turned toward Baek Ri-seol.
"I was told we were hosting a precious guest, yet my words fell on deaf ears?"
"N-No, of course not, Miss."
"Restrain the retainers so not even their breaths disturb the air."
"Y-Yes, understood."
"Also, these autumn leaves are an eyesore."
"Th-The cold winds have just begun to blow this season."
"I recall ordering not a speck of dust."
"Yes, yes!"
Baek Ri-seol's icy demeanor, cold as a north wind blizzard, made it hard to believe she was the same lively girl from moments ago.
'No wonder she has such a strange nickname.'
Snow Woman, or so they called her.
Some even dubbed her the Ice Flower of Bronze Hall.
'I laughed it off when I heard the rumors.'
But seeing her now, the moniker fit perfectly.
As he stared silently, Baek Ri-seol reverted to her usual self and beamed.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Prettiness."
Chu Un-hwi strode confidently inward, leaving her frozen in a beaming smile.
Thinking he needed to observe her a bit more.
***
The Pavilion Master waiting in the reception hall was not alone.
"...It's a pleasure to see you again."
A lavish table of delicacies was prepared, and the Pavilion Master seated at the head spoke thus.
'Does he really mean that?'
Flanking him were a cowed old lady and a fool, while behind, stern-faced guards stood like screens, hands glued to their sword hilts.
Chu Un-hwi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at their extreme tension.
'They call the Pavilion Master the White Dragon Swordsman, a renowned figure, but what a load of nonsense.'
He'd expected some reaction after the mental reconditioning, but not this herd of people waiting in dread.
As he moved to return the greeting, a voice utterly devoid of warmth rang out from beside him.
"Pavilion Master. Did you not receive my message?"
"N-No, that's not it. Seol-ah."
"If you had, you wouldn't have dreamed of such rudeness toward my instructor."
Her voice, sharp as a biting gale, drained the color from Baek Ri-jeong-sun's face.
'I see who really holds the reins here.'
The guards' visible agitation drove the point home.
"Dismiss them at once."
"R-Right. Understood."
"Furthermore."
Baek Ri-seol's narrowed eyes turned to the guards behind.
"Acting without my permission in my own pavilion? You're utterly useless."
"...M-Miss..."
"I never permitted you to speak."
Return and reflect in confinement.
"Until I grant permission, reflect—and reflect some more."
Thwack!
When she slammed the table and rose, a tense silence gripped the room.
As she turned to leave, the old lady and young man, who hadn't dared lift their eyes, cried out desperately.
"W-Wait, Seol-ah."
"I-I did as you said. Not even breathing. So, please..."
"Hah."
Baek Ri-seol, picturesque as she sighed, turned back to them.
And spoke in a voice utterly devoid of emotion.
"Madam Pavilion Master. I told you not to address me so familiarly."
And then...
To the youth standing beside the old lady, Baek Ri-man-ho, she added coldly.
"You, with no position or qualification in this pavilion—how dare you speak to me?"
"Seol-ah! Please, seek forgiveness!"
"Why should I seek your forgiveness?"
The youth flinched and retreated at her firm rebuke.
"I have no time to heed the words of the worthless. Especially not now, escorting a precious guest."
With that, Baek Ri-seol turned, flashing a bright smile.
"...Seems there was a slight misunderstanding. Shall we move elsewhere?"
"...You little..."
"Hohoho. Come to think of it, I haven't shown you my new room yet. Look forward to it—it's truly splendid."
Squeeze.
Dragged along by the hand gripping his wrist, Chu Un-hwi glanced back over his shoulder.
All that remained was a profoundly dark atmosphere laced with silence.
'The mood's completely ruined.'
Well, self-inflicted, he supposed.
Squeeze.
As the grip tightened further, Chu Un-hwi let out a deep sigh.
***
The place she led him to was the largest and most opulent room in the Infinite Pavilion.
Rivaling the pinnacle of luxury from his first visit, the Chamber of Wealth and Honor.
'This is a student's room?'
I'd believe it was the Murim Alliance Lord's quarters.
Pausing at a vase by the door, Chu Un-hwi muttered despondently as he was pulled along.
"My annual salary couldn't even dream of this."
Baek Ri-seol reacted.
"Oh? You like it? There are a few—take some with you."
"...No thanks."
Can't fleece a student.
Fleecing is reserved for students' parents or clans.
'Even a lazy instructor has principles.'
As he thought that inwardly, Baek Ri-seol led him past several jewel boxes to one side.
"Look at this. So pretty, right? Rare gems from the Western Regions."
"Ah, yeah?"
Is it okay for precious gems to just pile up like this?
"This is the finest Tianshan silk, the most expensive satin."
Nice.
"Even the bedding is this silk embroidered with gold thread. Cool, huh?"
One quilt could build an entire instructor dormitory.
"And here, flowers carved from jade. Anything catch your eye? I'd gift it to you specially, Instructor. Hehehe."
Baek Ri-seol beamed nonstop, showing off jewels, masterworks by famous artists, and more.
Silently.
After a long chatter, Chu Un-hwi scratched his head, reading the emptiness beyond her sparkling eyes.
'Dear me. I thought she'd improved some.'
Apparently wishful thinking.
'Well, it'd be weirder if a kid bounced back unscathed after that.'
Nearly a decade as the family's ornament.
And the one she trusted most had deceived everyone, even targeting her life.
'I was pretty oblivious myself.'
As he grimaced, Baek Ri-seol pulled out a gleaming golden sake bottle from one side.
"Hehe. This is sake offered to the Emperor himself."
This won't do.
"Baek Ri-seol."
Her hand froze mid-reach at his low tone.
"Why... call me by name all of a sudden? It's startling."
"Seol-ah."
"Yesss. Hehe."
As she set down the sparkling jewel box and pressed close, he asked.
"You're doing okay, right?"
"Can't you tell from all this?"
Whoosh.
Arms flung wide, she elegantly pointed to herself and declared.
"The Infinite Pavilion's Central Treasure! Baek Ri-seol—that's me!"
"...Is that so?"
"Why the sudden random question?"
See? I'm different now, right?
"They give me anything I want, buy whatever I desire! Proof I'm the Baek Family's beloved, no?"
Chu Un-hwi sighed deeply at her words.
"Earlier, things looked pretty frosty between you all."
Especially that one.
"Baek Ri-man-ho, the fool—isn't he your brother?"
Baek Ri-seol pushed up her lower lip with her index finger and nodded vigorously.
"Same blood, yes."
"What'd he do to end up half-broken? No, what's with looking like he never tasted proper food?"
"Kept him alive with just water and a handful of rice."
"Even if siblings are born to kill each other, isn't that excessive?"
"But he's so useless. No real purpose."
"...The old lady was your mother."
"No way your mom got the same treatment?"
"Yes. Protected a worthless human."
Dealt with accordingly.
Listening, he could only sigh.
'Worse than I thought.'
Considering what she'd endured, it wasn't fair to call her response excessive.
They'd tried to sell her for a pittance, after all.
At that point, treating them as enemies wouldn't suffice.
'But not like this.'
From what he'd observed, Baek Ri-seol's nature was fragile and delicate.
Harsh words aside, she surprisingly cared for those around her.
For such a Baek Ri-seol to become a figure of fear in the Infinite Pavilion?
"You're not okay yet."
"I really am. Unlike before, I eat properly, sleep well, live luxuriously."
Arms wide in showy display, humming like a lost child clutching gold.
Seeing her, his heart chilled further.
"Good for you. But really okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
He pressed again.
"How about returning home, living with them again?"
"...Just thinking it is horrifying."
The immediate reply.
"They're the ones who were desperate to sell me off. Turned a blind eye when I begged for help."
No way it'd be comfortable with them.
She added firmly, then beamed.
"That's why I love the academy. The dorms too."
Anywhere near you feels safest.
Pushing away the clinging, smiling Baek Ri-seol, Chu Un-hwi said.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
"...Am I pushing?"
Her wide eyes showed no comprehension.
Still, she furrowed her brow, seeking the meaning.
"...So, what would not pushing look like?"
"Do you plan to forgive them?"
"Not at all!"
Flaring up, she muttered softly.
"...Not yet."
Can't I?
"Heh."
Placing a hand on her hesitantly questioning crown, Chu Un-hwi replied.
"Forgiving or not is your choice. I won't interfere."
"...Then why."
Pulling her lips lightly with thumb and forefinger, he continued to her.
"If you don't want to forgive, never do. Spoil for what you want—that's fine too."
"...Spoil... you say?"
"Yeah. Suits you better than bullying."
Tsking his tongue as he spoke.
"They tormented a cute daughter, so they've no excuses. Heavenly punishment."
Agreeing, Baek Ri-seol perked up laughing.
"Exactly. Not just anyone—the Infinite Pavilion's Central Treasure..."
"Ditch that phrase first."
"Why?"
"Jewels don't proclaim themselves jewels."
Others acclaim them treasures upon sight.
"Don't think your value comes from flaunting wealth."
"...But."
"And if possible, revenge only on the guilty."
What felt off wasn't her coldness to family.
'It's that everyone in the pavilion fears Seol-i.'
Fear gains some things, loses others.
"Proving yourself through fear is easy. But it doesn't suit your nature."
"Which part?"
"Requires ruthless selfishness."
Like his past life self.
"Harsh punishments for small errors, crushing all to bow heads. Simple enough."
But doesn't fit warm-hearted Baek Ri-seol.
'Might fit twisted sorts instead.'
After much thought, Baek Ri-seol voiced her inner turmoil.
"...Truth is, it's not fun. Everyone fearing me."
"Knew you'd say that."
You'd choose solitude over hurting others; not a vicious temperament.
"Hehe. But now I'm confused."
Offering a weak smile, she murmured.
"I could vent fury and change things, but suddenly everything's a mess."
"Surviving this madhouse took real grit. That's achievement enough."
"...You mean I can't stay cold forever?"
"Yeah. Feeling discomfort proves you're far from a fear-mongering tyrant."
Grinning, Chu Un-hwi poked her nose with his index finger.
"When it feels wrong, change course immediately."
"Like how?"
"Try calling the Pavilion Master 'Daddy~' all cute-like?"
Eek! Baek Ri-seol stuck out her tongue.
"That's horrifying."
"Reconciliation starts with the worst offender."
Makes improving with the rest feel easier.
"Ugh. I'll try."
"Just try. If they're asses, quit midway. It's your heart."
"Hmm. Like granting forgiveness? That's okay."
"And remember one thing."
Tap.
Kicking a jewel box amid the room's profusion, Chu Un-hwi added.
"Even without these, you shine on your own."
Not just amid the glitter.
"You shone bright even in the filth you described."
So.
Unless you're a crow obsessed with shiny things.
"Clear these away. You sparkle without flaunting."
Believe me, watching your radiant self.
At his added words, Baek Ri-seol covered her nose with both hands.
"Yes!"
And cried out, beaming widely.