Eye for an Eye (2)
Yeom Hwa-sin stepped into the thatched hut.
It was the home of Yeop Sa-mi, the woman he kept in his thoughts. The very same place he had visited before with Baek So-cheon.
Yeop Sa-mi, who had been boiling soup over a pot in the yard, started in surprise. Yeom Hwa-sin always dropped by unannounced like this.
"You're here."
"Have you been well?"
"Yes."
Ever since Baek So-cheon's visit, the dynamic between the two had shifted. Their relationship had softened, and their mutual fondness had grown.
But they still hadn't shared a bed. If Yeom Hwa-sin had demanded it, she would have had no choice but to comply, yet he only ever stopped by briefly for a cup of tea before leaving.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Would you like to join me?"
Yeom Hwa-sin nodded.
"Please wait a moment."
"Sure."
Yeom Hwa-sin sat down on the porch.
A short while later, Yeop Sa-mi brought out a small tray laden with rice and side dishes. The spread was better than before. Prior to the change in their relationship, she hadn't touched a single bite of the food he sent, but now she ate what he provided.
A warm aura enveloped her. Yeom Hwa-sin had summoned a gentle energy to ward off the chilly wind.
That same warmth had softened her hatred and resentment toward him as well.
Even the most despised person could grow on you with time, and since Baek So-cheon's visit, Yeom Hwa-sin had treated her kindly. And yet, why had he never demanded to sleep with her? It was enough to make her anxious.
Of course, she knew better. He was someone who might change his mind at any moment and kill her without warning. To her, Yeom Hwa-sin was utterly inscrutable.
As he ate, Yeom Hwa-sin suddenly spoke up.
"My son is dead."
Yeop Sa-mi looked up in shock.
As if it were no big deal, Yeom Hwa-sin kept eating with his chopsticks.
"Baek So-cheon—the one who came by before—killed him."
"Pardon?"
Yeom Hwa-sin glanced up at her.
"You don't believe me?"
"No, it's just... so sudden. I was startled."
He wouldn't lie about something like his own son.
She found it surprising. How could Baek So-cheon, without any inner power, have killed him? Even if he had the ability, it didn't seem like he'd rashly take out the heir to the Black Heaven Alliance.
"Care for a drink?"
"You have some?"
"Yes, you sent some liquor before."
The Black Heaven Alliance had sent food along with liquor.
She fetched the bottle and filled his cup.
Yeom Hwa-sin downed it in one gulp and said, "It hurts like my heart's being torn apart."
"A pain I couldn't even presume to imagine."
Yeop Sa-mi refilled his cup.
Yeom Hwa-sin was hiding his true feelings.
He himself didn't fully understand this psychology.
It wasn't about seeking her pity or trying to look good. It was closer to wanting to confirm whether he even possessed such painful emotions.
But all he discovered was the barren wasteland inside himself. Though he could freely control his body to shed tears at will, not a single drop of genuine grief could be conjured.
He had hoped that in front of Yeop Sa-mi, who resembled his first love, some unknown sincerity might emerge from him unbidden...
"Damn it!"
At Yeom Hwa-sin's irritation, Yeop Sa-mi rose and approached him from behind, resting her face against his massive back. Her soft hands caressed his iron-hard frame.
"Your son must have gone to a better place than this world. Don't grieve too much."
At her warm touch, Yeom Hwa-sin abruptly stood and stormed out of the hut.
She simply watched him go in silence—he who always came and left on his own whims.
When Yeom Hwa-sin returned to the carriage parked at a distance from the hut, his subordinate at the driver's seat relayed new information.
"There's trouble with the Blood Cult operatives at the Murim Alliance. Rap-sa is dead, and Myeol Ji-ryun and Pa-jeong are missing."
The Black Heaven Alliance had naturally been keeping tabs on Myeol Ji-ryun as well.
"What happened?"
"We're mobilizing all spies to find out. But we got an ominous report from a Blood Cult informant."
"What is it?"
"Pa-jeong's homing pigeon mentioned the Alliance Lord."
"Me?"
"Yes. It said the Alliance Lord warned them of the Blood Cult's scheme. That you attended the sparring tournament and secretly informed Baek So-cheon of their plans."
"What?"
Yeom Hwa-sin stared blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Not understanding, the subordinate bowed deeply.
Yeom Hwa-sin laughed for one reason: a hunch.
"Ak So-gun or Je-gal Hyeon—those rigid old fools wouldn't stoop to such division tactics. This has to be Baek So-cheon's doing."
From the report alone, Yeom Hwa-sin pierced right through to Baek So-cheon.
"That idiot report means Jeok Pa-rap's greenhorn disciple is probably dead too."
"And Jeok Pa-rap has set out for the Central Plains."
"Him personally? Then he's going to rescue Myeol Ji-ryun. Baek So-cheon wouldn't carelessly kill the Blood Cult Lord's daughter."
Yeom Hwa-sin grinned, baring his teeth.
The irritation he'd shown Yeop Sa-mi had vanished without a trace.
"See? Things only get fun with Baek So-cheon around."
At Je-gal Hyeon's summons, Baek So-cheon headed to the strategic command center.
"What is it?"
"Word from the Blood Cult. Jeok Pa-rap is coming himself to settle things."
He'd expected a heavyweight, but not Jeok Pa-rap in person. Regardless of who came, Baek So-cheon intended to meet them.
"I'll handle it."
"You?"
"Yes. I started this, so I'll finish it."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"It's fine. But arrange the meeting in an open field at high noon."
"Why?"
"From fighting Pa-jeong, I could tell his martial arts involved dark sorcery among shamanic arts. His master, Jeok Pa-rap, likely practices the same. Better to face him in broad daylight."
"Smart thinking. Anything else you need?"
"The Black Heaven Alliance will know about this by now. Keep an eye on their movements."
"Will do."
Baek So-cheon's request concerned the Black Heaven Alliance forces. No matter how vigilant they were, they couldn't track Yeom Hwa-sin's movements.
The elusive man could appear at the Murim Alliance gates at any moment, waiting for him.
Leaving the command center, Baek So-cheon went straight to Cheon-geuk's Daroo Tea House.
"What's up?"
"Just here for some tea."
She stared at him and asked again.
"What's really going on?"
"That obvious?"
"Yeah. When you have something to say or do, your eyes give it away first."
"Even if I step down as Alliance Lord, with just a mat, I won't starve."
"One mat won't cut it. You know I have mouths to feed."
She meant her four guardians. The earnest Dong-seong barely held back from saying they'd serve her comfortably.
As predicted, Baek So-cheon had come with business.
"I need to ask the elder for a favor."
He'd received so much help from Na-sa-rin that he couldn't bring himself to ask her directly without preparing.
"Does she have any favorites?"
"Bribing her?"
"She only ever worries about you and tells me to take good care of you. Figured I'd bring a gift this time."
"Good idea."
"What does she like?"
But she couldn't answer right away. Finally, she clutched her head in self-reproach.
"Damn! Go ahead and curse me out."
She didn't even know what Na-sa-rin liked.
"It's okay."
"It's not. I say I respect and admire her, but I don't even know her preferences."
"You've been busy."
"Excuses. Punish me. Hit me hard."
"Just once, then?"
As Baek So-cheon clenched his fist, Cheon-geuk dodged to the side.
"You actually would! Do you know what the Alliance Lord likes?"
Baek So-cheon flinched for a moment, then unclenched his fist.
"Guess we're both in for it."
"Yeah."
At that moment, Seo-seong—one of the female guardians—spoke from midair.
"Lately, the elder has been painting sometimes."
"Painting? What kind?"
"Street scenes, landscapes, all sorts."
"I didn't even know that."
"You've been so busy lately."
"Don't console me like that. And don't hit me like some clueless fool."
Baek So-cheon chuckled and stood.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"Where else? Now that we know, time to buy gifts."
Baek So-cheon went with her to a shop in the market and bought the finest brushes, ink, and paper.
On the way back, Cheon-geuk stopped at a clothing store and picked out some comfortable outfits for painting. When she browsed children's clothes, the clerk teased that they looked like a couple shopping for their daughter.
Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk just exchanged faint smiles. They'd never consciously brought up marriage. Instinctively, they knew raising the topic could invite separation...
Laden with gifts, the two went to see Na-sa-rin.
"What's all this?"
"We heard you've been enjoying painting lately."
"Wear these while you paint."
"Thank you, Alliance Lord."
Though not extravagant, Na-sa-rin was overjoyed.
Was it because she lacked money for such things? No—it was the joy of someone caring for her like this. She too had lived alone without family.
"Truth is, this is a bribe."
Na-sa-rin laughed brightly at Baek So-cheon's words.
"My first bribe in life... At my age, I suppose it's fine to accept one."
It spoke volumes about her life of unwavering integrity, devoted solely to the Alliance.
"Now, tell me."
Baek So-cheon explained everything about Myeol Ji-ryun to Cheon-geuk and her. Learning the full story of the formation, the two were stunned.
"So Jeok Pa-rap will come to the Murim Alliance himself in a few days."
The women were shocked at the news.
"I'll meet him personally."
"You?"
"Yes. The Blood Cult is desperate to claim you for themselves. Especially with Myeol Ji-ryun as a hostage—if you face him directly, who knows what might happen."
Jeok Pa-rap might try to curse the Alliance Lord with sorcery and exchange her for Myeol Ji-ryun.
If someone had to meet him, Baek So-cheon was the right man for it.
Jeok Pa-rap was an enemy he'd face eventually. Meeting now, with the perfect hostage giving him the upper hand, was a chance to gauge the man.
"Even you must be careful."
"What if he's mastered Hyeol-cheon-gi?"
"No. Hyeol-cheon-gi is a unique art passed only to the Blood Cult Lord."
Baek So-cheon knew as much but asked anyway, given their master-disciple bond.
"Then at least Jeok Pa-rap hasn't learned Hyeol-cheon-gi."
"Still, never let your guard down. He wields powerful dark sorcery. Especially avoid facing him at night."
"I know."
Pa-jeong was young, yet Baek So-cheon hadn't detected his presence in the shadows. The power gap with Jeok Pa-rap was immeasurable—the danger was beyond words.
Listening in, Cheon-geuk asked Baek So-cheon, "Are you planning to release Myeol Ji-ryun?"
"Yes. Killing her gains us nothing."
It was the same reason he'd tried not to kill Yeom Sa-won to the end. Killing nuisances might feel good short-term, but it was a poor strategy.
"But I won't just let her go."
"Then?"
"I'll take what I need most right now."
"What's that?"
Baek So-cheon only smiled, saying nothing—only deepening the mystery.
"I came to see you today for one favor."
"Speak."
Baek So-cheon's request was something Na-sa-rin had never imagined.
"Cast Seop-hon-sul on me."