Myeol Ji-ryun (2)
The next day, Baek So-cheon visited Myeol Ji-ryun's quarters right at lunchtime.
She was already dressed for going out. Her outfit exposed her arms and legs, accentuating her porcelain-white skin beautifully.
"Do we have to eat inside the Alliance for safety reasons?"
"Not necessarily."
"Then shall we eat outside?"
"Sounds good."
She smiled happily at Baek So-cheon's permission. It seemed she had been eager to wear her pretty clothes and dine out.
"Let's go. I'll escort you."
"Thank you."
Baek So-cheon left the Alliance with her. Whether she had told them not to interfere beforehand, Rap-sa and Pa-jeong trailed far behind the pair.
As they walked, Myeol Ji-ryun got distracted by the street vendors' wares. She looked just like a young girl enchanted by novelties.
The two entered a nearby inn and sat facing each other by the window with a good view outside.
"Any foods you don't like?"
"No, I eat everything fine."
"What do you like, then?"
Myeol Ji-ryun looked at Baek So-cheon with a peculiar glint in her eyes.
"You're so considerate, Baek Dae-hyeop. It's hard to find a man with such care outside."
"If you look properly there, you'll find plenty of good men. Your status probably wouldn't allow you to meet them, though."
"Maybe so."
She beamed brightly.
As they chatted, the waiter brought their ordered dishes. After tasting them, she gave a thumbs-up.
"This food is delicious."
"Among the inns near headquarters, this one has the best chef."
"Thank you for bringing me here. I always think it when I eat, but Central Plains food is just too good."
"How many times have you been to the Central Plains?"
"This is my third."
"Who did you come with before?"
"With my father."
"He's letting you come alone this time."
She smiled at Baek So-cheon's pointed remark.
"I'm an adult now."
This time, she asked a question.
"If it's not too rude, may I ask something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Why haven't you married yet, Baek Dae-hyeop?"
There were many reasons, but Baek So-cheon gave the most ordinary one.
"I haven't met anyone who draws me in enough to marry."
"High standards?"
"Not sure. Honestly, I never had time to court women. My youth was spent entirely at war."
"That's a shame."
They resumed eating with their chopsticks.
Someone was watching them.
It was Cheon-geuk and her four guardians, hidden in stealth.
—Look at that woman smacking her lips. Bet she wolfs it down alone. Right?
—......Yes.
—Look, look! See that glance she just wiped away and swallowed? She's oozing seduction. Saw it?
—......Yes.
—Do I look younger than her?
Yes.
What?
—......!
Instead of the hesitant Dong-seong, Seo-seong sent a transmission.
—The young lady looks much younger. And a hundred times prettier.
Cheon-geuk chuckled softly.
—Whew, that was hard to hear. If I'd kept talking to Dong-seong, I'd have spent the whole day badmouthing her. Still wouldn't have heard it, though.
—Ah, sorry.
Dong-seong had no clue what women wanted.
—Gotta get Dong-seong a woman first.
—I'm fine!
—I'm not!
Meanwhile, Baek So-cheon and Myeol Ji-ryun's conversation continued.
Myeol Ji-ryun spoke cautiously.
"There was something I didn't mention when I met the Alliance Lord yesterday."
"What?"
"A matchmaker came from the Black Heaven Alliance. The Black Heaven Lord's son wanted to marry me."
For some reason, she honestly told Baek So-cheon about the matchmaker from Black Heaven.
"I've heard lots of rumors about the Black Heaven Lord's son. Mostly bad ones. So I told my father I had no intention of marrying. To refuse them."
Baek So-cheon listened silently.
"Father was in a bind. Said we needed a reason to refuse."
"And that reason is me?"
"Sorry. I thought even Black Heaven wouldn't complain if it was you, Baek Dae-hyeop."
"Why?"
"Because you're...... the only man in the martial world who nearly killed the Black Heaven Lord."
"Didn't think that might anger the Black Heaven Lord more?"
"No. Was I too shortsighted?"
He couldn't tell how much of her words to believe.
For now, he pretended to. Since she'd shared one truth, he gave one in return.
"Yeom Sa-won is coming here from Black Heaven."
It was something she'd learn anyway. Telling her now would seem like reciprocation for her honesty.
"What? He's coming here?"
Myeol Ji-ryun was genuinely surprised. She couldn't know yet.
"Why?"
"Because of you. He came here, left you behind, and fought me."
"That's why I don't like the Black Heaven Lord's son. He's just like the rumors—decides and acts on his own."
She bowed her head with a regretful expression.
"I've put you in a tough spot, Baek Dae-hyeop. Sorry."
If this was all an act, she was an incredibly skilled actress.
Was she really the Blood Cult Lord's daughter? Her gray eyes matched, at least. If they turned red when angry, that would confirm it.
Baek So-cheon said to her,
"If you're done, shall we head back?"
"Sure."
The two left the inn.
In front of the inn, Myeol Ji-ryun said goodbye.
"I'll wander around a bit since I'm out."
"Alright, see you later."
After a few steps toward the market, she turned back to Baek So-cheon.
"By the way, do you have someone you like?"
Baek So-cheon replied flatly.
"That's a question you should've asked before sending the matchmaker."
"True. Well, goodbye."
Myeol Ji-ryun vanished into the crowd. Rap-sa and Pa-jeong, standing far off, followed her.
Baek So-cheon started toward the Murim Alliance but glanced at the inn's roof and spoke.
"Getting older has its perks. You see things you missed when young. Not faces or figures first, but other stuff. Like irresponsibility or recklessness—pushing others into trouble to avoid it yourself. No matter how heavy the makeup or pretty the clothes, that stands out first. So no need to worry."
With that, Baek So-cheon walked toward the Alliance.
Soon after, Cheon-geuk and the guardians revealed themselves from the roof. Baek So-cheon had noticed them and left the message.
Despite his long soliloquy, Cheon-geuk fixated on the finger, not the moon.
"What? He didn't even look at my face or figure!"
"I don't think that's what he meant."
"What do you mean?"
"No man would dare."
Cheon-geuk eyed Dong-seong.
"So you'd sneak peeks at my body too?"
"Gasp! N-no!"
She grinned at his fluster.
It wasn't just from teasing him. It was Baek So-cheon's words. "No need to worry"—that chased away her lingering gloom.
But relief brought new concerns.
She glanced where Myeol Ji-ryun had gone.
"Maybe it's the assassin senses, but she doesn't feel right."
"We felt it too."
"Killing Hands aside... we need to protect her."
The four guardians saw nothing odd. They weren't guarding Baek So-cheon—they were protecting the Alliance Lord's love.
That night, Myeol Ji-ryun stood by the window.
As moonlight hid behind clouds, her gray eyes sank into shadow.
"Baek So-cheon... not as easy as the rumors, huh."
Rap-sa, who had escorted her, was in the room. Pa-jeong guarded the door.
Rap-sa sipped tea and said,
"No ordinary guy could stab a sword into the Black Heaven Lord's chest."
"But a variable popped up."
"Variable?"
"Yeom Sa-won is coming here."
"Black Heaven's wastrel?"
"Yes."
"Yeom Hwa-sin made his move."
"Probably."
Rap-sa's wrinkles deepened.
"If Yeom Hwa-sin moved, it's dangerous here. You must return."
"No!"
Her refusal cut off further worries decisively.
Rap-sa set down his cup.
"My duty is to keep you safe. Don't forget."
Myeol Ji-ryun turned and smiled sweetly at him.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything risky."
"Good."
Myeol Ji-ryun looked out the window again. Moonlight broke through clouds, illuminating her. Under the bright light, her eyes began to gleam mysteriously.
"I'm starting to like the Central Plains."
The next day, the Murim Alliance buzzed.
A shocking rumor spread: Yeom Sa-won and Baek So-cheon were set for a deathmatch over the Blood Cult Lord's daughter.
The Alliance treated it as top secret, so the source was Black Heaven.
Given the timing, Yeom Hwa-sin had spread it right after parting with Baek So-cheon. Clear pressure: accept the duel.
Everyone talked about it.
"Who'd think the Blood Cult Lord wants Baek So-cheon as a son-in-law?"
"Shocked me too."
"Won't this prevent war?"
"Yeah. With Blood Cult allied, Black Heaven can't rampage."
"But righteous sects can't ally with Blood Cult."
"Tricky. Real tricky."
To prove it wasn't mere rumor, Yeom Sa-won arrived at the Murim Alliance. He really came.
He brought only two escorts: Jan-baek, who had defied the order to kill Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk before, and Go-gong, another of the Eighteen Ghost Swords.
On war's eve, sending his heir with just two guards—Yeom Hwa-sin was truly incomprehensible.
Guided by an attendant, the three entered Un-ryong Hall boldly.
Baek So-cheon, Je-gal Hyeon, On-byeok-hwa, and Ak So-gun awaited.
"Long time, Ak Meng-ju."
He'd met Ak So-gun on the battlefield.
"Yeom So-hyeop, long time."
"I'm too old for 'So-hyeop' now."
Meaning call him Dae-hyeop. Far from deserving it, but Ak So-gun obliged.
"True. Now a fine Dae-hyeop."
Yeom Sa-won greeted Je-gal Hyeon and On-byeok-hwa but ignored Baek So-cheon completely.
Frankly, Yeom Sa-won was easier to handle than Myeol Ji-ryun.
Jan-baek eyed Baek So-cheon.
He'd been there when Baek So-cheon slew five Ghost Swords in one go.
Deep grudge, deeper fear.
Their eyes met. Baek So-cheon remembered him; Jan-baek's gaze turned fierce.
'I haven't forgotten that day.'
That rage stemmed from believing Baek So-cheon had lost his inner power. Knowing otherwise, he'd avert his eyes in terror.
Go-gong, new to those slots, held no direct grudge.
Soon, Myeol Ji-ryun and her two guardians arrived, hearing of Yeom Sa-won's coming.
Seeing her, Yeom Sa-won's eyes widened.
'Well, well? She's a beauty.'
Despite bedding countless women, this exotic beauty was new.
Seeing her ignited fury—worse because of her allure.
'Damn wench! Rejecting me for Baek So-cheon?'
Yeom Sa-won asked her bluntly.
"Why'd you refuse our matchmaker?"