Eon Sohye
'He's beautiful…'
The only problems were his introverted nature and his lack of talent.
Once that thought crossed my mind, I felt a strange urge to help him—and perhaps mold him to my own tastes. But wasn't I a woman who couldn't even leave this place?
My husband had said he built his skills by sparring with friends since he was young.
It was an effective method frequently used in the Sichuan Tang Clan as well.
'Good, that will do.'
I decided I would have Domi spar with Gihu to push him.
Was that my mistake?
Gihu, whom I thought would overcome it well, only lost more confidence after the sparring began. By the time he reached his coming-of-age ceremony, he had given up on martial arts entirely.
I wanted to go and comfort that child so many times, but I couldn't because of the Geumje (Soul-Sealing Restriction) my husband had carved into me.
In the end, unlike his father, he grew up to be even more timid and passive.
Surely there are people who find that part of him charming, but it didn't satisfy me, Tang Hyewon.
Perhaps I was projecting my husband onto that child.
But even before my personal tastes, shouldn't a man be more confident, dignified, and fearless?
And if I project my husband onto him, who could say anything to me?
To me, a woman who receives no love despite being the Sect Leader's wife, living alone in the remote Rear Pavilion at the back of the sect.
As I spent my time in such aimless longing, an opportunity arrived.
The Sa-geom Sect Leader had temporarily lifted the restriction due to the business with the child, Domi.
'This is my chance…!'
The child I had heard was in mortal danger looked perfectly healthy, and by good fortune, I entered the Sect Leader's room.
I would be confined to the Rear Pavilion again once today passed because of the restriction, but to think I would have a chance to meet him in the meantime.
Could it be that even the heavens are blessing our meeting?
Thinking that, my body heated up slightly.
'What should I say first?'
It's the first time I've seen him since he was a child…
Soon, I felt his presence approaching. It would be best to pretend this was a natural encounter, wouldn't it?
But the moment I saw him, my mind went blank, and I couldn't think of a single word.
'J-just say anything!'
"Oh my, it seems I've run into the youngest young master by chance."
Gihu walked toward the training grounds, organizing his current physical state and the information he had gathered. As he walked, his sharpened senses picked up a human presence at the edge of his perception.
'It's not that idiot Domi or his lackeys… who is it?'
A figure with a remarkably high cultivation level and a refined flow of qi revealed herself before Gihu.
This woman is Gas...
Her hair was like bright green silk, slightly wavy and long, with the ends meticulously trimmed to create a sense of volume. It was her signature look.
Furthermore, her fine skin, which made me want to lick it, and her sharp, clear eyes stimulated a man's desire for conquest.
And what about the clothes she wore?
In contrast to her bright hair, her luxurious purple silk dress embroidered with gorgeous flowers was a tailored fit that perfectly matched her sultry atmosphere.
She radiated a unique charm, different from Namgung Wol. It was hard to believe she was a woman with a child as old as hers.
She had dismissed her maids and approached me slowly, looking up at me.
She was the father's first wife and a woman of the family representing Sichuan—the Sichuan Tang Clan. She was Tang Hyewon.
As soon as I saw her, I shouted in triumph in my heart.
'Yeah! This is it!'
Unlike Namgung Wol, Tang Hyewon is a complete stranger to me!! Thinking that, I suddenly started getting turned on.
She opened her mouth first.
"Oh my, it seems I've run into the youngest young master by chance."
Her tone was gentle, but I couldn't find any intimacy in the eyes that looked down at me with high-handedness. Ah, so hot…
According to my memories, her relationship with my father was at its worst; it had already been over 10 years since they separated into the main hall and the Rear Pavilion.
Well, if they had gotten along, there would have been no reason to take my mother as a second wife.
My father had great ability, but the background that allowed him to take a second wife from another sect while leaving a woman of the Sichuan Tang Clan behind must have been rooted in this.
It seemed like a coincidence, but it was certain she had been waiting for me to come out.
That awkward line, too…
Even though she was looking up at me from below, I felt my body reflexively shrink back at her gaze.
'Just how much of a coward was I that my body reacts even to being looked at?'
For his personality, this one trivial detail was enough to get on my nerves.
I hadn't seen my own reflection yet, but I didn't think the child born between that father and mother would be ugly.
Didn't the trio of idiots call me a cripple who was only good on the outside because my appearance was fine? Anyway, this is something I can just be careful about from now on.
Thinking that, I examined Tang Hyewon carefully. Her curvaceous body, which was hard to hide even under her clothes, stimulated my carnal desires.
Especially those wide hips that drew my gaze… I just want to tear those clothes right off.
But I couldn't do that. Before even considering the eyes of others, I was still a second-class piece of trash.
Murim is a world where only the strong survive (Gangjajon); to do what you want, you must have the strength to back it up.
Tang Hyewon was saying something, but it didn't enter my ears.
'She looks strong just by looking at her, but doesn't she have any weaknesses?'