Chapter 51
“Hehe, Guest. You should get up. No matter how much you like being held, if you sleep any longer, you’ll be late.”
“…Shit. I couldn’t sleep because of you…”
“Oh my, what did I do?”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong ignored Eun Yak-byeok’s answer and got up.
Then Eun Yak-byeok straightened the front of her clothes and said,
“A lady shouldn’t go around with her chest so exposed, you know?”
“…What a pain.”
“Hehe, even being so unguarded is enough to stir men’s hearts. You really were born to…”
“Shit, I get it! I’ll keep it properly fastened!!”
“Such a good girl, Miss Dokgo~.”
When Eun Yak-byeok patted her on the head, Dokgo Ryeong shook her head roughly and swatted her hand away.
“Jeez, seriously.”
“Shall we go wash up, then? We have to meet the Peng Clan’s eldest young master.”
“I’ll go by myself, okay?! Why do women like sticking together so much?!”
“I wonder. Maybe it’s because Miss Dokgo is so cute?”
“Shit…”
“Even the way you swear is cute. I wonder if you’re cute when you say naughty things, too…”
When Dokgo Ryeong swung her hand, Eun Yak-byeok stopped talking.
“All right, I’ll stop. Hehe.”
“…Anyway, I’m washing up alone, so don’t follow me.”
“At least call me when you’re getting dressed. You’re still not very good at it, after all.”
“Fine.”
Watching Dokgo Ryeong leave, Eun Yak-byeok stretched languidly.
“Haa~. Last night was so wonderful.”
She had often wished the night would last longer, but never as much as she had last night.
How enjoyable it had been to fiddle with Dokgo Ryeong in her arms, and how adorable all her reactions were.
“Maybe I should get a cat.”
In a good mood that morning, Eun Yak-byeok opened a book.
She needed to catch up on the documents she hadn’t handled while fooling around with Dokgo Ryeong.
*
“Haa…”
“Do you want to see Young Master Wi that badly, Guest?”
“No, shit. Why did you make it about that?”
“Sighing with the face of a girl in love…”
This time, Dokgo Ryeong swung her saber in earnest, but it stopped right in front of Eun Yak-byeok.
“Once I get my strength back, I’ll give your butt a good spanking—no, anyway, I’ll beat you up properly.”
“Hehe, I’m looking forward to it. Or how about you hit me with a big stick?”
“That works too. I’ll carve one out of a tree on the way back.”
“…You really are so innocent, Guest.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing, hehe.”
When Dokgo Ryeong seemed not to understand her lewd joke, Eun Yak-byeok let it go.
As they passed through the inner chamber and went outside, the disciples bowed to Eun Yak-byeok.
“You’re up, Sect Leader.”
“Yes. How far away is the Peng Clan’s eldest young master?”
“He should arrive within one shichen (two hours). Shall I have breakfast prepared?”
“What do you think, Miss Dokgo? It might be best to eat beforehand.”
“Then let’s do that.”
At Dokgo Ryeong’s answer, the disciple bowed and withdrew.
As soon as the disciple was gone, Dokgo Ryeong asked Eun Yak-byeok,
“By the way, don’t you usually tell the disciples you’re coming?”
“That’s right. I only showed myself this time because of the Saber Immortal and Fist Venerable. Usually, I visit while disguised as someone else. Sometimes as Gwan-yeong, sometimes as Eunho.”
“…That’s a pain in the ass.”
“Why? Have you started thinking about joining?”
“Are you crazy? If I joined, I’d have to spend my life bowing my head to that bitch Eun Gwan-yeong.”
“Oh my, if you joined, you’d immediately become a candidate for Sect Leader. Though it’d be difficult for you to actually become Sect Leader.”
“…So anyone can be a candidate, huh?”
“Did Gwan-yeong seem incapable to you?”
“It’s not that… Hey, now that I think about it, what are the criteria for choosing your next Sect Leader?”
As Dokgo Ryeong asked, Eun Yak-byeok’s eyes narrowed.
Anyone else would have seemed to be fishing for information about the Hao Sect’s inner workings with an obvious ploy, but since the one asking was Dokgo Ryeong, the thought never crossed her mind.
‘She asks whenever she’s curious and answers so readily when asked… yet she’s so awkward around men. Our Miss Dokgo is far too dangerous.’
Unaware that she had started thinking of Dokgo Ryeong as ‘our’ Miss Dokgo, Eun Yak-byeok smiled and answered.
“Well… The basic criterion is, of course, martial prowess. They need to be strong, good at managing their subordinates, and have an eye for gathering information.”
“Eun Gwan-yeong can do all that?”
“Oh my, I’ve taught our Gwan-yeong well.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. And the most important thing is… a companion.”
“Huh?”
At the sudden mention of something so unexpected, Dokgo Ryeong let out a dazed sound.
“What’s a companion supposed to be?”
“Well… I think the most important thing in the martial world is martial prowess, and the second most important is an ally. Someone who would never betray you, someone you can entrust with your life.”
“…That makes some sense.”
“So I told each candidate for Sect Leader to find a companion. Their abilities are all more or less similar anyway.”
“So the next Sect Leader depends on who they associate with?”
“Yes, exactly. Come to think of it, you had a great deal of influence on this approach, Guest.”
“Huh? Me?”
Dokgo Ryeong looked up at her with wide eyes.
“What did I do?”
“Oh my, I’m disappointed. I thought you were my companion.”
“No… We just worked together because we got along…”
“That’s exactly what a companion is.”
“…”
“You could also call it friendship. I used to think there was some sort of wall around you that made it hard to get close to you, but you’re different these days.”
“Friendship, my ass… I don’t keep friends.”
“That’s right. Friendship isn’t something you cultivate. It just happens as you spend time together.”
“…”
Realizing that no matter how much more they talked, she wouldn’t win an argument against Eun Yak-byeok, Dokgo Ryeong simply fell silent.
‘Friendship, my ass…’
She had never thought about it that way.
Friends? She had always thought they were nothing but a burden.
Still, seeing Eun Yak-byeok reveal so much of herself made Dokgo Ryeong feel she should say something, so after some thought, she spoke up.
“…Later, you know.”
“Yes?”
“…If you’re ever in danger, I’ll lend you a hand once. Just once.”
“Oh my.”
Eun Yak-byeok stopped, eyes widening as she covered her mouth.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my.”
“…Did you eat something strange?”
“Good heavens… Miss Dokgo.”
“What? Jeez…! Hey!!”
When Eun Yak-byeok suddenly hugged her, Dokgo Ryeong made a fuss.
“Hey, come on!! Let go! Kyaaaah!!”
“How can you be this adorable?! Won’t you really be my disciple? How about my adopted daughter?! I think I’m ready to be a mother!”
“Oh, cut the bullshit! Get away from meee!!”
Just then, a cough sounded behind Eun Yak-byeok.
“Ahem! Ahem! I’m sorry to interrupt the two of you having such a nice time.”
“Oh my, Young Master Wi. Did you have a good night…? It doesn’t look like you did.”
“…Yes. I have something troubling me. Do I look a little haggard?”
“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”
“…”
Wi Ilcheong looked at Dokgo Ryeong.
Dokgo Ryeong hurriedly grabbed Eun Yak-byeok’s skirt, hid behind her, and peeked out with just her face.
Eun Yak-byeok was once again overcome by the urge to pull Dokgo Ryeong into a tight hug, but she held it back.
“W-what! Why?!”
“…I’m sorry, Miss Dokgo.”
“For what?!”
“…I think I was mistaken.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t think… I’m in love with Miss Dokgo after all.”
*
Everyone was quiet throughout breakfast together.
Peng Woo-deok was the one who broke the silence.
“Kwahaha! Did something happen to you all last night? It’s awfully quiet.”
“Heh… Indeed.”
“…”
When Eun Yak-byeok glared at Peng Woo-deok as if she wanted to kill him, he asked,
“Why are you looking at me like that, Sound Venerable?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just a little annoyed.”
“So I’ve become the target of the Sound Venerable’s anger. Then let me take a guess.”
“Guess what?”
“Why you’re annoyed, Sound Venerable. Hmm…”
Peng Woo-deok looked around at everyone seated at the table, then grinned.
“Everyone else is eating just fine, but there are two people who can hardly touch their food.”
“Please be quiet, Saber Immortal.”
“Dokgo Jin’s daughter and the Jade-Faced Young Master had a fight.”
Eun Yak-byeok threw her chopsticks, but Peng Woo-deok caught them without batting an eye.
“Kwahaha! Why are you so annoyed, Sound Venerable?”
“It’s polite to stay out of young people’s romances, you know?”
“That would be true under normal circumstances, but not now. Isn’t this an opportunity for me?”
Peng Woo-deok looked at Dokgo Ryeong and spoke.
“Hey, daughter of Dokgo Jin.”
“…What?”
“How about meeting my son once before you decide?”
“…Get lost. I’m not interested.”
“Kwahaha, well, you might change your mind once you meet him.”
“You crazy bastard…”
“Oh dear… Even your insults have lost their bite. You must be very sad.”
“I… I’m not! I…”
Dokgo Ryeong jumped to her feet and pointed at Wi Ilcheong.
“You?”
“What did I… What did I do with that bastard…”
“Hmm…”
Peng Woo-deok glanced back and forth between Dokgo Ryeong and Wi Ilcheong, then resumed eating as if nothing had happened and sent Eun Yak-byeok a voice transmission.
[…I’m sorry. The mood’s a little different from what I expected, isn’t it?]
[That’s why I told you not to meddle!]
[I apologize. More importantly, what happened?]
[I don’t know either. Young Master Wi just suddenly said, ‘I don’t think I’m in love with Miss Dokgo,’ and he’s been like that ever since.]
[This is difficult…]
[Time is the best remedy at times like this… Couldn’t you stop your eldest young master from coming?]
[I’m sorry, but I’m not on your side, am I?]
Peng Woo-deok bared his teeth at Eun Yak-byeok.
[If an opportunity presents itself, shouldn’t you seize it?]
[…I’ll charge you a hefty price for last night’s liquor.]
[Go ahead. What do I care, as long as Dokgo Jin’s daughter ends up with me? Kwahaha.]
[Don’t laugh through voice transmission!!]
Annoyed, Eun Yak-byeok looked at Wi Ilcheong.
‘Haa… I can understand Young Master Wi, but…’
Eun Yak-byeok’s eyes turned to Dokgo Ryeong.
‘Why is our Guest acting like that?’
She couldn’t understand Dokgo Ryeong’s feelings.
Half an hour earlier.
“I don’t think… I’m in love with Miss Dokgo after all.”
“Huh…?”
The instant she heard Wi Ilcheong’s words, Dokgo Ryeong’s mind went blank.
Unconcerned with her, Wi Ilcheong continued speaking.
“Yesterday… I had a long talk with Miss Baekri and Miss Eun.”
“…And?”
“As a result… I’m certain I don’t love Miss Dokgo. The Hao Sect Leader was right. I… don’t understand love.”
“Th-that’s right, isn’t it? So you were mistaken after all?!”
“…Yes.”
Wi Ilcheong put a hand on his head as if he were in pain, and Dokgo Ryeong felt an ache in her chest.
“I… Haa… I don’t know. As a practitioner of the Su Nü Scripture, which teaches a man and woman in love to bring each other the greatest pleasure through intercourse, I thought I loved every woman who had passed through my hands.”
“…”
“But that wasn’t the case. Good grief…”
“Then…”
“Yes. Please go meet the Peng Clan’s eldest young master alone today, Miss Dokgo. I’m sorry. It wouldn’t be fair to you or him to pretend to love someone I don’t love.”
At that, Eun Yak-byeok cut in.
“But, Young Master Wi. If you do that, Miss Dokgo really might become the Peng Clan’s daughter-in-law. Do you understand that?”
“…”
Wi Ilcheong’s tired-looking eyes turned to Dokgo Ryeong.
“…Who knows? Miss Dokgo might like the Peng Clan’s eldest young master.”
Hearing that, Dokgo Ryeong felt another pang in her chest.
“I’ll be going now. I came all this way to tell you this. And, Miss Dokgo.”
“Uh… yeah?”
“I’ll still keep my promise, but you don’t have to give me your first night. It would be painful for you to give it to someone you don’t love.”
“Uh… okay. Thanks…?”
“I’m glad. You seem happy too, Miss Dokgo. Well, I’ll be going…”
As Wi Ilcheong turned and walked away, Eun Yak-byeok looked at Dokgo Ryeong.
“Guest.”
“Huh…?”
“Are you all right?”
“What?”
“…Never mind. I’m not sure it’s my place to interfere. Let’s go. Breakfast should be ready.”
Eun Yak-byeok pressed her lips together and walked ahead.
Dokgo Ryeong watched her walk away, paused for a moment, then was just about to take a step after her when…
‘…I should be happy…’
Her chest ached once more.
‘This is fucking awful…’
Feeling vaguely filthy and awful, Dokgo Ryeong followed Eun Yak-byeok.