Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Interlude - Expelling Afflictions (1)
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The day after the martial tournament.
The Dragon-Phoenix Squad Leader's office was wrapped in a boisterous atmosphere.
The reason was, of course, the spirit elixirs.
Originally, there had been two elixirs received as rewards, and now four more from the tournament had been added, making exactly enough for every squad member.
The squad members waited with bated breath, buzzing with excitement for Dang Hwa-seo's words.
Dang Hwa-seo smiled brightly, her arm in a splint.
"All right, we've gathered exactly as many spirit elixirs as there are people. As you all heard beforehand, the Marrow Cleansing Pill and Purple Marrow Pill will go to Young Hero Mok and Sword Dragon, respectively. Any objections?"
There were none.
The squad members knew full well what those two had accomplished in their missions.
Hearing their silent affirmation, Dang Hwa-seo nodded and continued.
"Then, the distribution of the Marrow Cleansing Pill and Purple Marrow Pill. Do either of you have a preferred elixir?"
Mok Ri-won pondered.
'Hmm... I've already taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill.'
He had consumed it as the prize for winning the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
Taking the same elixir repeatedly diminished its effectiveness, so Mok Ri-won had his eyes on the Purple Marrow Pill.
His gaze turned to Namgung Jincheon.
Namgung Jincheon glanced at Mok Ri-won, then replied.
"I'll take the Marrow Cleansing Pill. I missed out on the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament win, so I needed it anyway."
Mok Ri-won's face lit up.
Namgung Jincheon snorted.
"It's not for you. The Marrow Cleansing Pill simply contains more inner power than the Purple Marrow Pill, that's why I chose it."
"Thank you all the same! Sword Drag—"
"Don't."
Namgung Jincheon scowled fiercely.
Mok Ri-won burst into laughter, thinking even that was endearing, while Il-un was pleased to see Namgung Jincheon value a Shaolin elixir so highly.
Dang Hwa-seo chuckled helplessly at the sight, then slammed her good hand on the desk.
"Then that's the end of the elixir distribution. Let's wrap up and dismiss. Everyone, take yours."
On the desk sat four identical cases and two different ones.
The squad members collected their shares and left the leader's office. Now, only Dang Hwa-seo and Mok Ri-won remained.
Mok Ri-won watched as Dang Hwa-seo reached for a brush with one arm, apparently about to start work, and asked.
"Little Sister, isn't this inconvenient for you?"
"Hm? It's uncomfortable, sure... but what can be done? It's my own doing."
"Ugh...!"
Mok Ri-won's expression grew uneasy.
His eyes were fixed on Dang Hwa-seo's hand.
'Little Sister's hand is so delicate... No! That's not it!'
Mok Ri-won shook his head to clear his thoughts, then said to Dang Hwa-seo.
"Little Sister! Let me help you!"
"Pardon?"
"You have so much to do, and handling it with one arm must be even more troublesome than usual. That's why I'm offering to help!"
Mok Ri-won thumped his chest confidently.
Dang Hwa-seo felt an inexplicable surge of emotion at his beaming smile and laughed.
But her response was a refusal.
"No need. Young Hero Mok isn't familiar with these administrative procedures."
"Even so, I can handle odd jobs! Let me! I hate seeing you struggle alone!"
What was so special about helping with chores that he insisted this much?
Even as the question arose, Dang Hwa-seo found it hard to refuse those sparkling eyes.
"I'll do anything!"
Anything.
Her shoulders twitched at the word.
A wicked imagination flashed through her mind.
Dang Hwa-seo quickly dismissed it with a cough.
"Ahem, cough..."
"Huh? Let me help! When it comes to odd jobs, even my master praised me back in the mountains!"
He was begging so earnestly—refusing would be rude, wouldn't it?
Dang Hwa-seo's thoughts were already rationalizing it.
Her gaze flicked slyly toward Mok Ri-won.
An innocent, pure face oblivious to everything.
If he knew what she was thinking, he'd probably freak out.
'Well, if it's just odd jobs...'
Mok Ri-won would have plenty to do.
She could write with one hand sitting down, but other things.
What if her shoulders cramped? Putting down the brush to knead them would slow her down.
Meals, too—picking up side dishes might be hard.
There would be luggage to carry, hair to groom...
'And if her clothes get disheveled...'
Dang Hwa-seo's head drooped.
Her flushed face had wide eyes, and her tightly pressed lips quirked upward uncontrollably.
A brief silence.
Then, her words came.
"...Th-then, may I impose on you?"
Dang Hwa-seo had succumbed to desire.
Mok Ri-won's face brightened even more.
"Got it! What first?!"
"For now, a massage... My shoulders feel a bit tight...!"
"Leave it to me!"
Mok Ri-won dashed behind Dang Hwa-seo and began kneading her shoulders.
"Hng...!"
Dang Hwa-seo suddenly felt grateful to the Inner Cabinet warrior who had broken her arm.
*
Dang Hwa-seo was happier than she'd been in a long time.
She didn't even care what happened to the tournament elixirs.
"Little Sister! I brought some snacks!"
From the end of the corridor, Mok Ri-won came running, arms full of treats.
She smiled warmly at the sight, and he stopped before her, thrusting them forward.
"Look! Potatoes!"
Steaming-hot steamed potatoes.
Mok Ri-won peeled one carefully, then held it out to Dang Hwa-seo.
"Here! Ahh~!"
Such a charming, grateful moment.
Dang Hwa-seo marveled inwardly and parted her lips slightly.
She bit into the potato, and Mok Ri-won grinned radiantly.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"...Yes, salty and tasty."
"The head chef said they went through some special process! The taste is different from any I've had, so I wanted you to try first!"
It was bad for her heart.
Dang Hwa-seo smiled dazedly, feeling the dark desires she'd buried deep inside thrash wildly at Mok Ri-won's chattering cuteness.
But she couldn't give in.
'Slowly... no, I must endure!'
Dang Hwa-seo exercised restraint.
She didn't want to appear like some lecherous Hyeun-type to Mok Ri-won.
"Let's go inside first."
She wanted to seem always cool and beautiful to him.
And that was that. Dang Hwa-seo had her own romantic notions.
The charm of romance between man and woman lay in gradually drawing closer, step by step.
Pouncing all at once might feel good in the moment, but without the joy of the process, the spark would fade quickly, and the thrill would be lesser.
Dang Hwa-seo sat at her desk with such thoughts.
Beside her seat was a small chair for Mok Ri-won.
He sat there, munching potatoes, watching her work.
Endless documents he couldn't make sense of.
Mok Ri-won felt a headache coming on and stole glances at Dang Hwa-seo's profile.
Dang Hwa-seo blushed under his piercing gaze.
"...Staring like that makes me shy."
"Ah! Sorry!"
Mok Ri-won whipped his head away and straightened his back.
He belatedly felt embarrassed too.
Dang Hwa-seo felt pleased at his flushed cheeks for some reason.
Mountains of documents, yet with Mok Ri-won beside her, she couldn't focus.
Was he here to help or hinder?
That's how distracting he was.
How could just his appearance scramble her mind like this?
And it wasn't just that.
Every cute action made her want to laugh, stirring a desire to soil that innocence with her own hands...
'...Calm down!'
Dang Hwa-seo scolded herself again.
She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped harder.
Crack—!
The brush snapped.
"Ah! Little Sister! Is your hand okay?"
Mok Ri-won jumped in alarm, grabbing her hand and examining it closely.
Dang Hwa-seo repeated inwardly as he stroked it worriedly.
'Afflictions begone! Afflictions begone! Afflictions begone!'
Expelling afflictions.
Away with you, afflictions!
After deep breaths to calm herself, Dang Hwa-seo forced a smile.
"It's not badly hurt, so no need to worry."
"What a relief...!"
Indeed.
Truly a relief to have repelled the afflictions.
Dang Hwa-seo chanted words she couldn't voice aloud, then gently withdrew her hand.
"Um... could you fetch a new brush?"
"Right away!"
Mok Ri-won dashed out of the office.
Dang Hwa-seo finally relaxed, exhaling 'whew!' and fanning herself.
'So seductive!'
No fox spirit could be this foxy.
Dang Hwa-seo was on the verge of death from her pounding heart at Mok Ri-won's unwitting actions.
*
Mok Ri-won returned with a new brush and sat quietly behind Dang Hwa-seo this time, watching her.
She had asked him to sit behind since even beside her was distracting.
Mok Ri-won's face shone with resolute determination.
If she showed any sign of discomfort, he'd rush over—a declaration of intent.
But Dang Hwa-seo was steadfast.
Having expelled her afflictions, she showed no weakness.
Gradually, boredom crept onto Mok Ri-won's face, and that's when he spotted 'it.'
'Hm?'
Mok Ri-won's gaze went to Dang Hwa-seo's hair.
Her waist-length locks cascaded like silk, covering her back.
His eyes fixed on the middle.
"Little Sister."
"Yes?"
"Your hair's tangled. May I brush it?"
Twitch—
Dang Hwa-seo's shoulders jerked.
Out of Mok Ri-won's sight, her eyes darted wildly.
Her face was beet red.
Her lips twitched mischievously, cheeks hiking up.
It had come.
That was Dang Hwa-seo's fleeting thought.
"Little Sister?"
"P-please do."
Even as she spoke, Dang Hwa-seo didn't turn.
She grabbed a comb from the desk haphazardly and held it behind her.
Mok Ri-won took it.
"I'll do my best!"
Licking his lips, Mok Ri-won focused intently.
He began combing.
Swish—
The sound of the comb through her hair broke the office silence.
The tangles unraveled one by one, finding their place.
While combing, Mok Ri-won spotted more knots up close and sighed.
"You couldn't brush properly with your arm like that! Wait! I'll get every bit!"
Swish—
Mok Ri-won combed again.
The hair felt incredibly soft, and her sweet scent grew stronger nearby, putting him at ease.
He thought this quiet atmosphere wasn't bad.
The usually chatty Mok Ri-won smiled faintly, enlightened.
Of course, only Mok Ri-won felt at ease.
'Ugh...!'
Dang Hwa-seo squeezed her eyes shut, holding her breath.
Her work had stopped mid-motion from last night, and her heart pounded so hard it shook her whole body, like a drum.
The feel of her hair lifting with his touch, the following strokes, his focused breathing...
Everything tricked her into feeling like her head was being stroked.
'Aff, afflictions...!'
Expel my foot.
Dang Hwa-seo gave up holding back against the rising thrill and let her lips curve up.
About two ke (a quarter hour).
Neither short nor long, she savored the bliss to the fullest.