Partners in the Dance
Jin Seo-yeon blinked in surprise.
"Why you? ...Ah!"
The deepened darkness signaled that a long time had passed. And so did the man standing protectively before her as her guardian.
Mu Yun opened his mouth calmly. There was something he needed to ask first.
"If you need a quiet place, I can arrange one for you."
"No need. I've wrapped everything up. But what about that person?"
"I let him in since he said he'd stick around. That's what I heard, anyway."
"Ah! He'll be worried. Can I see him right away?"
"Let's go."
Jin Seo-yeon knew she had something to say.
"I... Thank you for standing as my guardian."
"No need. It was nice reminiscing about old times after so long."
"...?"
The Fire Dance that Yeo Hwi had passed down. Watching Jin Seo-yeon perform it brought a bright smile from his old friend to mind. The reward was more than enough.
Inside the Sochuk Pavilion, in Yuseon's bedroom.
"Did it go well?"
"Yes. Opportunities like this don't come often for a martial artist, but thanks to you, I gained something precious. Thank you so much."
"What did I even do? I just watched."
Jin Seo-yeon responded not with words, but with a gentle smile. Right now, that was the best way to convey her sincerity.
'She watched over me so warmly, and that's how I gained it.'
At that moment, Yuseon's soft gaze turned to Mu Yun.
"Bangju-nim. I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"I want to show this person my dance."
"Do as you like. Don't mind me."
"That's why I'm asking. Could she stay here for a few days?"
"...A few days? Why?"
"I want to teach her properly. ...And I'd like to try it together, too."
"...?"
Mu Yun's eyes widened inevitably.
'Watching is one thing, but doing it together?'
His puzzled gaze turned straight to Jin Seo-yeon. He phrased his question carefully.
"...Do you plan to stay?"
Jin Seo-yeon's earlobes flushed bright red in an instant. She waved her hands hurriedly.
"No, that's not... I watched it first, but actually doing it is still..."
Yuseon drove the wedge home. She filled her eyes with earnest plea.
"To truly see and feel it, it'll take at least a few days. But if not now, I..."
"...!"
Jin Seo-yeon's eyes trembled.
'Like this!'
Yuseon's final words made refusal impossible. And truthfully, she wasn't uninterested in trying it herself. The reason she'd glimpsed in her mind earlier.
'I forgot it was Legal Dance. That's why it was possible.'
Now, she felt a vague certainty that there would be more to come. She didn't want to miss this chance. Besides, it was also a way to offer Yuseon a true apology.
She steadied herself.
'Seo-yeon-ah. This isn't embarrassing. It's just dance.'
A moment later, Jin Seo-yeon, her resolve hardened, nodded.
"...I'll try it. Yeah, let's do it!"
"Good choice. Starting tomorrow, then?"
"Sure. I'll come back tomorrow."
Yuseon's brightened expression turned to Mu Yun.
"Bangju-nim. Is that okay?"
"It is, but..."
Mu Yun's head throbbed. His immediate intuition told him:
'Not just a few days.'
While watching Jin Seo-yeon's Legal Dance, the Body-Mind-Intent Art had revealed the truth.
'True intent was poured into it.'
The subtle resonance in his heart had synced with the rhythm of her dance. A realm achievable only through long effort and sincerity. Her skill bolstered by unwavering will. And a dance of the same lineage.
He could roughly guess Yuseon's intentions.
'She hopes she'll carry it on in my place.'
There was no reason to stop that, but two concerns remained. Yuseon's physical condition. And one more.
'If rumors spread from coming and going...?'
It would spell trouble for him—and for Jin Seo-yeon.
As Mu Yun's expression grew serious, Yuseon deliberately let a pitiful air slip through.
"Bangju-nim, please?"
Mu Yun nodded after a moment's thought. It wasn't a request he could refuse. Not when it carried Yuseon's dying wish, soon to depart.
"Fine. But let me know if you overdo it, got it?"
"Of course. Don't worry."
Mu Yun's gaze shifted to Jin Seo-yeon.
"Have you found lodging?"
"Not yet. I came straight here."
In her haste, she hadn't even heard the market rumors.
"Does anyone know you're in Chimju?"
"No one here. I told my sect elders."
"Then here's what we'll do. If word gets out you're here, it'll cause problems for us too."
"Don't worry. I'm skilled enough to hide that much."
"It's not you—it's the guys coming and going here."
"...Then?"
He had prepared for the worst.
"The empty manor beyond this wall is ours too—no one knows. We'll move Yuseon there, so stay with her. I'll bring whatever you need."
Jin Seo-yeon understood Mu Yun's worry.
"Perfect. I have nothing else, so I'll stay inside. If I need to go out, I'll tell you first."
"Understood."
A few days later, Ha Hu manor.
“Mother, what’s wrong with everyone? Making such a fuss over some black path thug?”
Ha Hu-tae had returned yesterday. But he couldn't comprehend what had happened at the family meeting this morning.
"I'll explain."
“Forget the explanations—I still can’t believe that guy’s at the super-peak level. Even if he is, he’s still black path, right? And now everyone’s talking about protecting him? Unbelievable!”
"I said I'd explain!"
Ha Hu-tae couldn't hold back his surging irritation, everything else be damned. A trash heap suddenly revealed as a super peak master? That alone was infuriating, but the family elders stepping up to shield him? Mostly his eldest brother's faction, but even some he thought were his allies.
Of course, he'd gotten regular reports that the guy's business was thriving. But compared to Chimju's top family, it was a drop in the bucket. He didn't care for details.
A sudden thought spilled out.
"Instead of this, I'll go see Father. If I explain carefully..."
Serimun Chaeryeong's pent-up anger finally exploded.
"You fool! Your father is the one doing this! What am I supposed to do when you don't even know your own mother's heart and keep stirring shit?!"
"...?"
A moment later, as her anger seemed to subside, Ha Hu-tae murmured softly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know the situation... But what do you mean Father did this?"
"You know he handed some family businesses to Cheon-gi while you were away, right?"
Ha Hu-tae's mouth split into a grin. The best news during his absence.
"Of course. I got reports. I worried it'd go well, but he fucked it up. Figures with brother's skills. Heh!"
"It was like that before, but not the last three months."
"What? What do you mean?"
"The rice, silver, Xiang embroidery, and herb businesses he took over have boomed. The money hall profits doubled, especially."
Ha Hu-tae's eyes bulged.
"H-how suddenly? Reports a few months ago showed no sign."
A chill like ice laced Serimun Chaeryeong's voice.
"It's all because of that Cheongho Bangju bastard."
"What? Why him?"
"After he crossed Jeok-un Mun, rumors spread that Cheon-gi was secretly helping him. Probably some deal."
"What kind?"
"We're looking into it. Anyway, people flocked to our shops trading with Yeogwak Merchant Group, thinking it meant supporting him. He personally pushed silver trades for the money hall."
Ha Hu-tae stared in shock for a while.
"I-is that true?"
"Fact. That's why Cheon-gi's side wants to protect him at all costs. Now they're even thinking of partnering in business."
"Why?"
"They see it growing. But we can't just snatch it openly like some thug. So protect him, expand trades, then ease it our way. Our people agree."
"...!"
After much thought, Ha Hu-tae tilted his head. Because of his mother.
'She's not one to sit idle.'
Especially skilled at dirty work. With people from her Serimun family.
'Even a super peak is nothing for her to erase.'
The rest were nothing but black path rabble. He finally asked the question burning inside him.
"Mother, you're just watching? Some reason?"
Serimun Chaeryeong's eyes flashed menacingly.
"Your father and Cheon-gi's crew are on alert. And he's confirmed super peak. Any move I make is obvious to them."
One thing came to Ha Hu-tae's mind.
"Then ask maternal family?"
A meaningful smile curled Serimun Chaeryeong's lips.
"That's why they're here."
"What?"
"Among those who came with you."
"...!"
Ha Hu-tae's eyes sparkled. They'd come with Serimun's people. No super peaks listed, so...
'Hiding identity.'
One question left.
"How strong?"
"Mid super peak. No worries."
"...!"
Leaving the room, Ha Hu-tae grinned continuously. His frustration melted away.
'Forget that bastard. Now just brother. Heh!'
A few days later, Cheongho Bang Bangju's office.
Elder Ha Hu Mo-in cleared his throat conspicuously.
"Ahem! Well! How about it? Time to meet around now."
"The young master?"
"Yes."
"Would he meet?"
"Not sure, but if you..." cough!
Since the Ha Jo-mun incident, everything proceeded through Ha Hu Mo-in. No face-to-face with young master Ha Hu Cheon-gi. It only tangled smooth operations. Even now.
The urgent one wasn't Mu Yun.
'He's anxious. With Ha Hu-tae back.'
Desperate to wedge deeper into business. No gain tormenting him further. Plus, truly didn't want to see him. For various reasons.
"Now's fine for me. Am I inconveniencing you, Elder?"
Ha Hu Mo-in waved hurriedly. Not meant to offend.
"Of course not. You can tell from my face. I'm truly enjoying these days. Strolling the markets feels so gratifying. Haha!"
"Then let's keep going."
Ha Hu Mo-in's expression hardened. Time to ask.
"Honestly, something I want to ask."
"Go ahead."
"Everyone in the family knows you're close with Jin now."
"Ha Hu-jin? Yeah, he's a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Worried I have other ideas?"
"Some close to Cheon-gi suspect. I want to dispel that."
That meant asking:
"The Gaju too?"
"Honestly, don't know brother's intent. Just laughs it off."
Mu Yun couldn't help but smile.
"He's Jin's father, after all."
"...What?"
"Means he knows his son well. If I tempt him, the kid cuts ties first. He's that soft."
"...!"
Ha Hu Mo-in needed no more. A moment later, as he left, Gong Ya-seong entered. His pupils shook uneasily.
"Better go check."
"Where?"
"Yuseon. She's pushing too hard."
Mu Yun had deliberately avoided her. Knowing her intent.
His presence would distract from her final task.
"You're the physician. Rein her in appropriately."
"You bastard! That's why I'm saying! Can't stop her at all!"
"Then leave her. You know she wants closure."
Gong Ya-seong trailed off with a shaky breath.
"I know. But earlier, her condition was..."
"...!"
Time to go.