As Their Dance Reached Its Climax
As the dance of the two hurtled toward its finale, a few among the lecherous gazes of the audience shifted in tone, standing out from the rest.
"Heavens! What kind of dance is that?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"I don't know. My stomach just feels queasy, and my heart aches for some reason."
"You too? I've seen Yu-seon's dances several times, but I've never felt this stirred before. At first, I thought it was pity, but no matter how I think about it, something's different."
"How so?"
"It's like watching a martial artist. Fierceness, fighting spirit—it's all pouring out."
Someone nodded blankly, eyes glazed.
"It's not the shameful, trembling figure from the beginning. Look—she doesn't avoid our stares at all. She faces them head-on, silently. Heavens! If anyone's ashamed now, it's me, not Yu-seon."
"……!"
Not many, but one by one, people began turning their heads away.
Around that time, Mu Yun remembered something he absolutely had to ask Lu Ju Ye-hyang.
What if!
Yu-seon, the courtesan of the Hong Lu, had to accept any guest who sought her without prior arrangement. Among the nights he'd visited unannounced and turned away, one had been because of that bastard Ha Hu-tae.
"Do you know who it was? Maybe?"
"No idea. She wouldn't say, even when I asked."
He couldn't shake the nagging worry. If so, one of his plans for tonight would have to be postponed.
The secret errand under cover of night.
That could wait until he'd confirmed it—and make the bastard pay interest besides.
But saving the man who deserved a beating, rather than beating the one who deserved it, had to happen now.
The moment the dance ended, Mu Yun's form shot forward.
Whoosh!
Grab!
He seized Gong Ya-seong by the collar and bellowed loud enough for all to hear.
"You need a beating."
"Kuh! ……Who the hell are you?"
"I'll tell you later."
"……?"
Thud!
The two vanished in a blur, leaving the stunned crowd murmuring.
"That's the Cheong-ho Bang leader!"
"Doesn't he know? Yu-seon's his woman."
"Oh! Right, yeah."
"Heh! One dance, and the guy's head's rolling."
"Poor bastard."
"Well, he got to see the whole show alone, so not too hard done by."
"True that!"
Ha Hu-tae, his chronic indigestion suddenly cleared, rose lightly from his seat. He didn't like the sudden interloper, but with the Cheong-ho Bang leader dragging him off, no need to get his own hands dirty.
I'll call it here for tonight.
Not bad for a spot he'd arranged on impulse. The real fun could wait for a proper revisit in two or three years.
A short while later, in a secluded spot outside Seonghwa Ru.
Mu Yun straightened Gong Ya-seong's disheveled clothes.
Pat! Pat!
"Too many eyes watching, so I had to do it that way."
"Who are you, anyway?"
"They call me the Cheong-ho Bang leader."
Gong Ya-seong's brow furrowed slightly.
The interest guy, huh.
He'd heard the name, of course. The man he'd debated visiting because of the rumors with Yu-seon.
But this friendly attitude...
"Heard from the Lu Ju?"
"Roughly."
"……How much?"
"Her illness, and the baby inside."
That made it okay to ask directly.
"Was it you?"
"Not me."
"How can you be sure?"
"Yu-seon didn't say. Never had reason to."
"……Not even once?"
"Ask her yourself."
"Then the rumors?"
This was a man he could tell.
But calling it just a dance would raise eyebrows.
"Learned it to blend into martial arts. But a Black Path leader dancing? Let 'em talk."
Gong Ya-seong bowed his head silently.
He'd misunderstood, after all.
"Sorry about that. I even thought of tracking you down because of the rumors. Easing her pain costs a fortune in medicine."
"Heard about it. Tough, huh?"
Gong Ya-seong's darkened expression said it all.
"Hoo! No one but me could fix it now. Too late."
"How much time left?"
"Three or four months. Half a year at most."
Time for the next question.
"You don't know whose child it is?"
"Couldn't ask. It's not meant for this world."
"How far along?"
"A bit under two months."
Even at six months max, the baby would be eight months. Still, he had to ask.
"What about the baby?"
Gong Ya-seong had words on that very thing.
"Impossible. But couldn't you persuade her?"
"To do what?"
"Stronger drugs to ease the pain. But she's stubborn, insisting on carrying it. You might not know, but that agony's unbearable."
Mu Yun's heart ached, but he wasn't one to step in.
As he shook his head, a sudden thought struck.
Baratanaati Am Simbeop!
The art Yeo Hwi had made for Mu Yun's future woman.
Mu Yun's eyes sparkled.
If that's the one!
The supreme art optimized for women—but Yeo Hwi hadn't focused solely on power. The early stages emphasized women's health and protection.
In case his partner wasn't a martial artist.
And with that in mind, the beginning was easy for anyone to learn.
A little guidance, and she'll master it. Pain eases, and maybe even the baby...
He bore some responsibility here.
Beyond that, she was his dance teacher.
He couldn't ignore her.
A moment later, back in Seonghwa Ru.
Yu-seon's eyes widened.
"Pardon? A heart method? How could I possibly..."
"Told you about my friend? The one who taught me dance."
"Yes, but why would he..."
"He made it. Even I think it's amazing. Easy to learn, quick effects—should ease your pain. And probably extend your time."
Yu-seon's flushed cheeks betrayed her deep excitement.
What she needed most.
If it just buys time, anything!
Anyone else, maybe not—but she trusted Mu Yun's words unconditionally now.
She'd taught him dance, but his words, actions, and life lessons over months outshone decades with anyone else.
A fresh smile she'd forgotten bloomed on her lips.
Because she'd shared deep talks with Mu Yun.
The walls crumbled through dance's movements.
The return to youth the jianghu whispers of—fits him perfectly.
She sensed his story, naturally.
For such a man to offer this for her sake.
Her eyes ignited.
"How much time could it add?"
"Can't promise, but it won't be short."
Her last worry remained.
"As you know, I've no martial arts... Can I learn it?"
Time for a bright smile, eyes locked.
"When have I ever lied?"
"Never. Not once."
Now, the awkward topic.
"There is a way to learn faster."
"What? I'll do anything."
"I'd have to touch key points. Major meridians—like back, belly, thighs, neck, and..."
Yu-seon's face bloomed in a full smile, rare these days.
He's such an old man sometimes.
That first late night, she'd assumed more than dance.
But when he left at dawn, she was baffled.
Months of consistency explained it now.
He's embarrassed.
Knowing that, she had to be firm.
"I want to have this baby."
"I know. That's why I'm doing this."
Her gaze on Mu Yun held no tremor.
To convey this desperate heart, fling blazing eyes and fervent breath.
"But it has to be healthy. If you're in agony, I couldn't close my eyes in death. Better not to..."
"……!"
Mu Yun tried hiding his wistfulness, but her quivering lips undid him.
Yu-seon's head bowed deeply.
Swoosh!
It stayed down long.
To grasp sunlight with fragile hands, to cross death's deep valley—needed help.
And that help stood before her.
Words squeezed out like pus.
"Please. Help me. Please!"
Mu Yun would understand this fiery plea, even unspoken—the tidal wave of pain.
Drop!
Her tear hit the floor, blurring Mu Yun's vision.
Hoo!
No more deliberation, no lengthy words.
Follow the heart.
"Move to lodgings first. Got a quiet, cozy spot by our compound no one knows about."
"……Yes."
Have Yu-seon leave Chim-ju to avoid rumors.
Now, lure a physician to assist.
Mu Yun had an eye for them.
That guy's no ordinary talent.
But watching Gong Ya-seong examine Yu-seon for days changed his mind.
Gong Ya-seong's brilliance went beyond medicine.
A man worth coveting.
Greatly so.
Days later, at the Cheong-ho Bang compound.
Gong Ya-seong, packed, sought Mu Yun.
"Done my part. Left prescriptions—the physician can handle it."
"One Go game before you go. We haven't settled it."
A blue vein popped on Gong Ya-seong's forehead.
He'd never bent on pride, yet this kid half his age had bested him. Rage boiled.
Swallowing retorts, one word escaped.
"You know."
"What?"
"I let you win. All of it."
"……You knew?"
No point saying more—pride stung enough.
Wandering the world, Go was his second pride after medicine. Yet he'd lost decisively.
Even holding back for a fierce match—and he knew.
Why? To lure him back to the board.
"I know your game too."
"Good. No need for flattery."
Gong Ya-seong waved dismissively.
"Forget it. I'm leaving anyway."
"Think it over?"
He bellowed.
"I said forget it!"
"Why yell!"
"After all that suffering, can't I yell once!"
Not just Go fueling the outburst.
When Go had him fuming, Mu Yun eyed herbs for Yu-seon, and he snapped.
—Know herbs, do ya?
—Yeah.
—Bullshit! Seen plenty die from showoffs eating poison.
—Seen physicians shamed by herbalists too.
—So? You one?
—Probably.
—Don't buy it.
—Try me.
—With you?
—Scared, skip it.
Rage erupted in curses.
—Lippy bastard! Fine!
They ransacked the compound's herbs, rifled brains—draw.
Go was one thing, but as a physician...
Gong Ya-seong couldn't know Mu Lun compiled medical texts and herbals in Sin-gang.
Stunned, he spat.
—What are you?
—Black Path leader.
"……!"
He looked a mess.
But that wasn't why he left.
Regret flickered in his eyes.
Better than he seems.
Still, must go. Long years passed, but not one to linger.
Time for the real talk.
"Got circumstances. Thanks for the time. Was fun."
"More fun ahead. Hear me out?"
Why not, on the way out.
"What?"
"Silver mine business—raking in cash, right?"
"Know it. Why? Rub it in before I go?"
"Business with that money."
"What kind?"
"Plenty. Hm! Usury first."
Gong Ya-seong feigned bloodshot eyes.
Top of worldly evils, and he leads with that?
"You bastard! Nothing better to do?"
"What's wrong with it."
"Black Path leader like you wouldn't get it. What?"
"So touchy. Listen, then rage or not."
"Spit it! If wrong, you're dead!"
Mu Yun's lip curled.
As expected!
Knew he'd be this type.
Knowledge shown, worldview—matched his own.
Perfect for business ahead.
Mid-thirties, yet like a friend. Easy talk for a reason.
Time to lay it out proper.