Chapter 678
Gongson Dan-gyeong's pupils dilated as if they might tear apart in an instant.
"Dan-a?"
She had known Gongson Dan-a was training in martial arts at the Divine Beast Palace and was currently in closed-door cultivation.
So why had she suddenly come to the Martial Alliance?
'Has her seclusion ended?'
But Gongson Dan-a was famously reclusive, rarely appearing in public.
Yet here she was, abruptly and openly visiting the Martial Alliance to seek her out?
"Bring her in immediately."
"Understood."
Gongson Dan-gyeong took a deep breath.
There were people in this world she could never refuse.
Namely, Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife—and Gongson Dan-a.
Her happiness and status had all been granted to her by Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife.
And because she was not the real Gongson Dan-gyeong.
To these three, she would give anything without regret, and she would grant any request they made.
Creak.
At that moment, the door opened, and an indescribably beautiful woman stepped inside.
She wore an ocean-blue palace dress, her lush, glossy hair cascading down to her waist.
Her skin was translucent, her lips a vivid shade of soft pink.
Her eyes, brimming with all the goodness of the world, were so beautiful and pure that just gazing at them seemed to cleanse the turbid qi from one's entire body.
This was none other than Gongson Dan-a, renowned as one of the Three Beauties of the World.
"Big Sister."
She rushed to Gongson Dan-gyeong and clasped both her hands.
"It's been so long."
"Dan-a."
Though she returned the affectionate gesture, Gongson Dan-gyeong couldn't hide her surprise.
"What brings you here? And what about your disguise...?"
Gongson Dan-a had always been the target of envy and jealousy because of her stunning looks.
So whenever she ventured into the martial world, she would always disguise herself with an unsightly appearance. Yet here she was, revealing her true face and visiting the Martial Alliance?
"Ah, I've decided to stop using disguises."
"Huh?"
Gongson Dan-a stroked her own cheek and smiled faintly.
"After traveling the martial world, I realized not everyone judges based on appearances."
Then she added playfully,
"If I carry myself with dignity, looks ultimately don't matter. Though enduring all those heated gazes is still a bit of a hassle."
"Well, I'm glad you've realized that, even if it took this long."
Gongson Dan-gyeong had scolded her countless times for her habit of disguising herself as something hideous.
But Gongson Dan-a had remained stubborn.
Now, after her travels, she seemed to have finally recognized how strange that habit was.
"But what brings you here so suddenly? And to the Alliance headquarters, no less."
"I was delivering the Snow Abyss Jadeite Pill to the leader of Flower Moon Villa on the Palace Lord's orders, so I stopped by on my way back."
Gongson Dan-a added one more thing.
"And I also wanted to let you know that Father and Mother miss you."
Since joining the Martial Alliance, Gongson Dan-gyeong had deliberately avoided Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife.
Though they had treated her better than her own parents ever had,
she carried guilt for having exploited their kindness—and a fear that her thirst for vengeance might weaken if she spent too much time with them.
In truth, whenever she was with Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife, her heart grew unbearably soft.
"They didn't want to interfere with your work, so they haven't visited you all this time."
The same was true for Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife.
They were people of impeccable integrity, and after sending Gongson Dan-gyeong to the Martial Alliance, they had deliberately never visited.
They didn't want anyone to claim that her success was due to their influence or connections.
"I see."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded, feeling a pang of remorse.
"I was actually planning to visit them soon, now that my busy schedule has cleared up."
"Is that so?"
Gongson Dan-a beamed.
"Since I'm already here, would it be alright if I stayed with you for a few days?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong let out a sigh.
Gongson Dan-a was still pure-hearted, untouched by the world's corruption.
She always worried that someone might exploit that innocence.
'I owe her too.'
She wasn't her real sister.
In the end, Gongson Dan-gyeong couldn't refuse her request and nodded.
"Fine. Since you're here, stay as long as you like."
"Thank you! But who is this...?"
Only then did Gongson Dan-a notice Bu Eun-seol standing silently to the side.
"Peak Leader Seon-u Jin, at your service."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands toward Gongson Dan-a.
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't like how dry and indifferent his greeting had been.
'She deeply cares for her younger sister.'
As someone who had always been showered with admiration and courtship from countless men, Gongson Dan-gyeong's pride was wounded by Bu Eun-seol's apathetic gaze.
And now, even after seeing her precious sister, he greeted her with the same detached politeness—it irked her.
Ahem.
Bu Eun-seol cleared his throat and clasped his hands again.
"To behold in person the peerless beauty of the Second Young Lady, whose fame resounds across the world—it is an honor that transcends three lifetimes."
Gongson Dan-a giggled, amused by his deadpan expression paired with such an exaggerated greeting.
"What's with that?"
The moment she laughed brightly, the office seemed to glow.
Gongson Dan-gyeong was also a beauty beyond compare, but her elegance was more subdued.
Compared to Gongson Dan-a's radiant, vivacious charm, she tended to appear somewhat plain.
"Commander Seon-u."
Gongson Dan-gyeong waved dismissively at Bu Eun-seol.
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to handle the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store matter alone."
"Understood."
Just as Bu Eun-seol turned to leave, Gongson Dan-a's eyes sparkled.
"Wait, the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store?"
The Divine Beast Palace was also considered part of the Mystic Path, maintaining a life of solemn austerity.
Though Gongson Dan-a had the wealthiest parents in the world, ever since entering the mystic sect of Sinsugung—
She had never once visited the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store, which sold high-end goods and luxury items.
"I want to go there too."
"What?"
"Didn't you say you had business to take care of with him at the store?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong replied with a lively expression.
"Our sect forbids extravagance. But no one can say anything if I'm just accompanying my sister on official business."
"Dan-a."
"I won't get in the way. Okay?"
When Gongson Dan-a clasped her hands together and blinked her large eyes, Gongson Dan-gyeong pressed her fingers to her forehead.
Though she had always treated her coldly since childhood, Gongson Dan-a never seemed to mind.
And whenever she made a request, she would always open her eyes wide like this and gaze at her cutely.
"Hmm."
As Gongson Dan-gyeong's stern expression softened, Gongson Dan-a quickly added,
"I won't ask you to buy me anything. I'll just look around."
Rolling up her sleeves confidently, she declared,
"If needed, I'll even lend a hand. Believe it or not, there's no menial task in our sect I haven't done!"
It seemed impossible to resist Gongson Dan-a's charm, so Gongson Dan-gyeong shook her head in resignation.
"Fine. Then let's go together once."
"Really? Thank you!"
Gongson Dan-a immediately pulled Gongson Dan-gyeong into a tight hug.
As she reluctantly patted her back, Gongson Dan-gyeong finally noticed Bu Eun-seol's blank stare and shot him a sharp glare.
"What are you doing?"
She snapped at him for no reason.
"Don't just stand there like an idiot. If you've heard the plan, go prepare to head to the store."
Contrary to Gongson Dan-gyeong's concerns, the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store was still thriving.
Numerous families browsed the displays, and attendants warmly welcomed the customers.
"I can't find any particular issues."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
After all, the real issue wasn't a drop in sales—it was just about temporarily quashing a scandal.
"I'll be having tea with my sister, so keep your distance."
"Understood."
Gongson Dan-gyeong led Gongson Dan-a toward the Eight Immortals Tea House inside the store.
Martial artists from the Star Guard Corps stood watch around the premises.
However, since Bu Eun-seol was sticking close, they didn't need to provide direct escort.
"Sis, is that him?"
Gongson Dan-a's eyes sparkled as she sipped her tea.
"The one who started as a Third-grade Commander and rose to become a Leader candidate—Seon-u Jin?"
The very same Seon-u Jin who had single-handedly defeated the Fist King and, despite his youth, ascended to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
He was currently the most famous figure in the orthodox Murim.
Moreover, rumors were spreading that, despite his young age, he and Baek Mu-seong had become candidates for the Martial Alliance's leadership.
His fame was shaking the Martial World.
"That's right."
"I thought so. He must be truly exceptional if Big Sister considers him worthy of being a Leader candidate."
Though she said that, Seon-u Jin's demeanor and appearance were utterly unremarkable.
Gongson Dan-gyeong could sense there was more to her words.
"Are you interested in him?"
"Yes, very much."
Gongson Dan-gyeong was stunned.
"Why? Why on earth?"
"Because he's strange."
"How?"
"That man. Not once did his gaze waver while looking at me."
Gongson Dan-a stared at Seon-u Jin's dignified profile in the distance.
"Most men either look at me with curiosity or avoid my eyes altogether... But he stared right at me without showing any particular emotion."
"Martial masters who've reached the Extreme Realm possess composure as unshakable as stone. It's nothing unusual."
That was a lie.
Men, whether young or old, were invariably captivated by a woman's beauty.
But Seon-u Jin was uniquely indifferent to women, regardless of his martial prowess.
It was as if he couldn't distinguish beauty from plainness at all.
Because he had shown the same perfect indifference even toward her.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had never met a man like him in her entire life.
"Is that so?"
Gongson Dan-a laughed lightly.
"But for some reason, he doesn't feel unfamiliar. He feels... familiar."
"Familiar?"
"Yes. It doesn't feel like the first time I've seen him."
In truth, that was an illusion born from having seen Bu Eun-seol before.
But she began interpreting that feeling more deeply.
"Not just familiar—I even feel a sense of closeness and comfort. Like we've trained martial arts together as fellow disciples for years."
In reality, it was because Bu Eun-seol, like her, harbored Water Essence Divine Qi within his body...
But Gongson Dan-gyeong, unaware of this fact, was once again struck with shock.
'Has this child really fallen for Commander Seon-u?'
Despite her beauty, Gongson Dan-a had never cared about others' appearances.
Did that mean she was drawn to him because of their similar temperaments?
"You're not... interested in him, are you?"
"I don't know."
Gongson Dan-a shook her head.
"But I can't take my eyes off him."
Gongson Dan-gyeong felt her vision darken.
Gongson Dan-a had never once spoken of romance in front of her before.
Yet now, she was staring so boldly at Seon-u Jin?
'Seon-u Jin. He's unacceptable.'
Despite his gentle appearance, Seon-u Jin was a Wind and Cloud Hero who could overturn the world—never the kind of man to settle into domestic life.
Because Gongson Dan-a was a woman who retained a pure, almost childlike innocence—
She needed to meet someone who would love her purely and passionately.
She absolutely must not develop feelings for a man as heartless as him.
"He's a terrible man."
"Huh?"
"He's a womanizer. Marriage proposals flood in from everywhere, and he's so distracted that he chases after women from every faction day and night."
"He doesn't seem that way to me."
"It only seems that way. The reality is different."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke with absolute seriousness.
"Everything I've said is the truth."
"Isn't receiving many marriage proposals just proof of his popularity?"
Gongson Dan-a smiled innocently.
"And wouldn't that also mean he's highly regarded in the martial world?"
'Tch.'
Hiding her exasperated expression, Gongson Dan-gyeong pressed on.
"Truthfully, he's far too reticent. Half the time, it's impossible to tell what he's thinking."
"That just means he's deep, doesn't it?"
"I've heard he has far too many connections in the martial world. He's not the type to settle down."
"Isn't that just proof of his sociability? Or that he knows how to respect others?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong's pupils were turning white with frustration.
"He's utterly indifferent by nature. Even when others criticize him, he barely reacts."
"Wouldn't that mean he has a positive mindset? The kind of person who thrives under pressure and adversity?"
"They say he trains his unit members mercilessly. It's pitiful."
"That just means he's an outstanding commander. Without trust, subordinates wouldn't endure such training."
'Ugh!'
Gongson Dan-gyeong had dredged up every possible flaw she could think of to disparage Seon-u Jin.
Yet Gongson Dan-a was interpreting all of them as virtues?!
'No, this can't be!'
At this rate, Gongson Dan-a would genuinely start liking Seon-u Jin!
Just as Gongson Dan-gyeong was about to speak again, Gongson Dan-a suddenly smiled knowingly.
"Come to think of it... this is the first time I've heard you analyze someone so thoroughly, Big Sister."
"Huh?"
"I've heard plenty of rumors before. That you've been surrounded by scandals in the Martial Alliance."
"Ah, well, that's actually—"
Gongson Dan-gyeong, about to deny it, suddenly brightened as an idea struck her.
'Right—there's that method!'
Rather than rambling aimlessly, this would be far more effective.
Gongson Dan-a wasn't just pure-hearted—she was stubborn.
If she tried to force her to lose interest, it might backfire and make her like Seon-u Jin even more.
"That's right."
With grim determination, Gongson Dan-gyeong whispered as if resigned.
"Truthfully... I have feelings for him."
Gongson Dan-a's eyes widened in shock.
"Really?"
Hearing the tremor in her voice, Gongson Dan-gyeong inwardly sighed in relief and nodded.
"Yes. But he's indifferent toward women. It's been... frustrating."
"I see."
As Gongson Dan-a lowered her head, Gongson Dan-gyeong bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry for not being honest sooner."
A solemn light flickered in her downcast eyes.
This was a sacrifice.
If her little sister could find happiness with someone else because of it, nothing else mattered.
Even if she had to endure hundreds of misunderstandings about stealing the man her sister liked—
She could still stand tall and smile.
"That's wonderful!"
But then Gongson Dan-a suddenly clapped her hands, beaming.
"I was actually planning to ask you directly! Thank you for being honest with me, Big Sister."
"Ask me what?"
"About Commander Seon-u."
Gongson Dan-gyeong was stunned.
What nonsense was this mischievous girl spouting now?
"What are you talking about?"
"Mother and Father have been curious too. Just what kind of person is Seon-u Jin, that you've kept him by your side for so long... even staking your position as Chief Strategist to nominate him as a candidate for Leader?"
Gongson Dan-a grinned.
"That's why they sent me. To find out what kind of relationship the two of you really have."
"What?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong's face instantly turned ashen.
"You came to the Alliance... to investigate my relationship with Commander Seon-u?"
"Yes."
Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled sweetly.
But in contrast, Gongson Dan-gyeong's pupils were turning white with dread.
She had no idea how to undo this misunderstanding.
"Dan-a. Listen to me. It's all a misunderstanding. The truth is—"
"It's fine. Even I think he's a good person."
"What?"
"Don't worry. I won't say anything bad about him."
"No."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke firmly.
"Never mention this to Mother and Father. He's—"
She bit her lip.
Because I thought you liked him.
Because I was afraid you might develop feelings for Commander Seon-u.
She couldn't say she had lied because of that.
'Even if I did, she wouldn't believe me.'
Gongson Dan-a's eyes were already sparkling, her expression dreamy, as if she'd tasted something delicious.
Since Gongson Dan-gyeong had admitted her interest in Seon-u Jin, she fully believed it now.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, the Star of Great Wisdom.
She had never in her life spoken a single falsehood.
"It's alright."
Gongson Dan-a reassured her calmly.
"None of this will ever reach the ears of the Martial Alliance."
Then she winked playfully, her smile radiant.
It was a breathtaking sight.
But to Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes...
It looked like the grin of a water ghost dragging her straight to hell.
A few days later.
Sitting at her office desk, Gongson Dan-gyeong unfolded the letter with trembling hands.
―I've heard everything from Dan-a. Even this old man wants to meet him now.
The inevitable had arrived.
A letter from her father, Gongson Hwa-uk.
―It's been far too long since I last saw you. Bring him with you when you come.
And at the very end, one final line:
―If you're too busy to make time, your mother and I will visit the Alliance ourselves.
Thud.
The letter slipped from Gongson Dan-gyeong's fingers as the focus in her eyes dissolved.
This was, in essence, less a request than a declaration.
No—it was an order. One she could never ignore, not when even her position could be shaken by its weight.