Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: He's Completely Lost His Mind
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Namgung Urin spoke again to the beet-red Han Seo-hui.
He still hadn't let go of her hand.
"Is my mother doing well?"
"...She's much better now. She collapsed a little while ago. You don't have to worry too much. I'll go get her for you."
"No, it's alright. Let her rest well. It won't be too late to see her when she wakes."
"If you say so. But this hand..."
"What's wrong? You don't like it?"
She didn't dislike it.
No, she was ecstatic.
When he left half a year ago with only a single letter, she had tried to forget him. The letter itself wasn't anything special. Of course, depending on how one interpreted it, there was plenty of room for misunderstanding.
It said that he hoped the Namgung Family and the Iron Blood Sect would be together. It could have been seen as him wanting to be with Han Seo-hui herself, but she had tried her best not to interpret it that way.
Namgung Urin's attitude hadn't seemed to suggest it, either.
But it didn't work out as she wished.
She knew things in the world rarely went as planned, but Han Seo-hui grew frustrated that she couldn't even control her own heart.
With each passing moment, it seemed to deepen.
She seemed to fall further.
Eventually, she was overwhelmed with longing. But she held no expectation that things would work out. Her own age, the state of the Namgung Family—everything was a disadvantage for harboring any hope.
Still, she missed him and yearned for him. That was why, on the day of the duel, her heart had led her to him.
But then something happened to Namgung Urin. It was agonizingly painful. Seeing his collapsed form, watching him lie there with no promise of waking.
She had prayed for him to wake up healthy, asking for nothing more.
And yet...
Wasn't he holding her hand so tightly now?
Wasn't this proof that Namgung Urin's heart was directed toward her as well?
That's why she was happy.
She wished this moment could last forever.
"No. I love it. So much so that I wish there was a martial art that could stop time."
"Using the Emperor Sword Form would make things feel a bit slower. Shall I?"
The Emperor Sword Form was certainly not created for holding a woman's hand.
"Pfft."
Han Seo-hui let out a bright laugh.
"What is it? I was being serious. You found it funny?"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it..."
"It's alright. But you look even prettier when you smile."
"..."
The blush on Han Seo-hui's face showed no signs of fading.
"I'd like to get some fresh air. Would that be alright?"
"Can you move right away?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
Despite not having moved for a month, his body felt light.
No.
It wasn't just light; it felt as if he could fly through the sky. The amount of primordial energy filling his dantian and meridians had increased tremendously.
So he asked.
"Did something happen while I was unconscious?"
Unfortunately, Han Seo-hui hadn't seen it—the moment Namgung Urin underwent a Bone and Body Transformation. But she had heard about it.
It was unbelievable, but...
"I heard you underwent a Bone and Body Transformation while you were unconscious. I had... stepped away for a moment. Everyone was in an uproar, saying how incredible it was. They were all so happy, thinking you would wake up soon after."
Of course, he had remained unconscious for a long time after that.
"...A Bone and Body Transformation? Me?"
"Yes. That's what I was told. The Leader of the Beggars' Sect was certain, so it must be true."
Right. If that old man said it was a Bone and Body Transformation, it must be true.
But.
Was... that even possible?
While he was unconscious?
Wasn't he in the abyss of primordial chaos? And he hadn't felt a thing there...
Then again.
It was the work of primordial chaos, not his own. Besides, nothing that happened because of primordial chaos seemed strange or impossible anymore.
Like the Sword of Annihilation.
Though it wasn't just the Sword of Annihilation.
"I see."
"Just 'I see'? Aren't you happy? This is an incredible thing."
Namgung Urin smiled brightly and said.
"I am. Even more so because I'm hearing it from you, Sect Leader."
"..."
'This man...'
He's changed.
He used to be so indifferent and stiff... He never smiled so brightly, either.
Back then, his lack of smiling created more than a few awkward situations, but now his brilliant smile was driving her crazy.
His smile was enough to make her lose her mind.
"You're going to stare a hole through my face. You should save some of that for later. If you burn a hole through it now, you might not be able to see it next time."
"Oh, my."
So mischievous.
"Shall we go get some air?"
"Yes."
Even Namgung Urin's mischievous face looked handsome to Han Seo-hui.
Hand in hand, Namgung Urin and Han Seo-hui walked out of the building like an affectionate couple. All the while, Han Seo-hui's gaze couldn't leave his face.
She couldn't help her head from constantly turning toward him.
Outside, the pre-dawn darkness was surprisingly bright.
Heavy snowflakes pouring from the sky were illuminating the darkness.
It felt as though body and mind were being purified. The world was being painted in pure white.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Namgung Urin and Han Seo-hui walked side by side, holding hands.
Namgung Urin asked.
"Do you like the snow? Not my eyes, I mean."
"I do. This snow, and your eyes, Young Lord. Both are clear and pure. They make me happy."
Namgung Urin's jaw dropped.
"Wow. I lose this round."
Han Seo-hui smiled broadly.
"Thank you. For letting me win."
"Don't mention it."
Though they didn't speak, Namgung Urin and Han Seo-hui looked into each other's eyes at the same time.
Then they smiled.
The smiles never left their faces.
Their steps came to a halt. By now, their hearts were one.
But then, Namgung Urin's hand slipped from hers. The warmth that had enveloped her entire body vanished in an instant.
The biting winter cold struck Han Seo-hui. She felt a sense of loss. Disappointment, and even resentment.
As if he knew her feelings, Namgung Urin raised his arm and wrapped it around her shoulder.
The winter chill fled. A warm, comforting embrace held her once more.
She was happy.
And the thrilling sensation that coursed through her body made her tremble. Namgung Urin tightened his arm to chase away her shivers. Han Seo-hui leaned her head against his shoulder, as if nestling into his embrace.
For a long while, they stood in silence, feeling each other's warmth.
Sharing their hearts.
Confirming their feelings.
Namgung Urin spoke calmly.
"Promises are a luxury for me."
Han Seo-hui replied just as calmly.
"It's okay. I know. I can be happy with just this moment."
But...
Sometimes... just sometimes, I want this.
Namgung Urin looked down at Han Seo-hui's face.
Han Seo-hui looked up at his.
It was the first time she realized a man's breath could be so fragrant and pleasant. For Namgung Urin, it was also a first.
Everything happening in this moment was a first for him, something new.
Namgung Urin's face drew closer and closer to hers. Soon, their noses touched. Han Seo-hui gently closed her large eyes. A moment later, Namgung Urin's eyes closed as well.
Their lips met. The kiss was not long. But it also felt like an eternity.
Their lips parted.
Namgung Urin and Han Seo-hui opened their eyes and gazed at each other. Tears streamed down her face.
Han Seo-hui herself had no idea why she was suddenly crying.
So Namgung Urin asked.
"Why are you crying? If you do this, I don't think I can do it again next time."
"I won't cry next time."
"Then, let's check right now."
Namgung Urin kissed her again.
"Oh, dear."
Tears flowed from Han Seo-hui's large eyes once more.
"It's because I'm happy. I'm so happy that I'm crying. It's true. Please believe me."
She was genuinely worried he wouldn't kiss her again.
Namgung Urin found her endearing and said.
"Then, shall we become a little happier?"
Han Seo-hui nodded without a word. Namgung Urin smiled. Then he kissed her again.
The third kiss was a long one.
Their passionate kiss continued until the heavy snowflakes melted into a fine powder.
* * *
Before long, the snow stopped, the clouds parted, and the sun rose.
In Namgung Urin's arms, Han Seo-hui basked in the warm winter sunlight as if it were hers alone, monopolizing both him and the sun's warmth.
Just then, Jang Gae's cough echoed from the building.
"Ahem!"
It was a signal for them to stop clinging to each other.
For the last half-hour, Jang Gae and Namgung Yul had been forced to watch the two of them together. They hadn't wanted to interrupt a young man and woman sharing a moment of affection.
But there was a limit.
Moreover, Seo Yi-ryeong of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild and Zhuge Siyeon of the Zhuge Family were also watching from inside a room through a window.
To them, the sight of Namgung Urin and Han Seo-hui was utterly shocking.
'He's not the type to do that...'
'He's not that kind of person...'
But there he was, doing it.
Zhuge Siyeon's shock was several times greater than Seo Yi-ryeong's. For years, she had run forward with her eyes set on Namgung Urin alone...
She had expected it to be difficult. Zhuge Siyeon knew his personality to some extent, which had actually put her at ease.
But the Namgung Urin she was seeing now was the complete opposite of the one she knew.
She wanted to run over right now, grab him by the collar, and shout, "You're not this kind of person!" as her temper dictated...
But that was just a thought.
No, it was a delusion.
If Namgung Urin was happy, she should congratulate him and be happy with him. Even knowing how hard it was for her, that was what she had to do.
Her own happiness was precious, but so was the happiness of others.
Moreover, Namgung Urin was the man she had held in her heart. So, she had to rejoice and bless him.
Even with a breaking heart.
Jang Gae and Namgung Yul approached Namgung Urin with faces full of doubt. That was why they had watched for a whole half-hour.
Because he wasn't the type to be doing that with a woman.
Jang Gae sent a telepathic message to Namgung Yul.
'His face looks fine. What do you see?'
'...He doesn't seem to be in his right mind.'
'What makes you think that?'
'Look at him. He's smiling, isn't he? He's completely lost his mind, that guy.'
'Haha. He really is smiling. The madman.'
Something was wrong, very wrong.
With worried eyes, Jang Gae and Namgung Yul stood before Namgung Urin.
Namgung Urin bowed respectfully.
"I have awakened thanks to you, old man."
"..."
'This is a real disaster.'
"Uncle. My actions that day were too excessive. I apologize."
"..."
'Damn it all!'
How am I supposed to face my sister-in-law...?
Tsk.
After a month, his nephew had finally woken up, but not in his right mind.