Chapter 71: Sleeping Together…? (3)

It was around the time Gu Yangcheon and Namgung Bi-ah had fallen asleep.

In the Master’s residence, built on the highest point of the Hua San sect’s hill, a light was on.

Inside the residence, Mae Hwa-seon had lit a single candle and was brewing plum tea. She placed some suitable snacks she had bought from the county in the center and prepared two teacups. Because a guest was expected.

She filled the cups with tea, and Mae Hwa-seon, who had been quietly closing her eyes, suddenly spoke into the empty air.

“Please come in.”

As if carried by the calm emptiness, the residence door swung open the moment the words were uttered.

Kiiik.

The one who entered after opening the residence door was, surprisingly, Geom-jon.

Mae Hwa-seon looked relaxed, as if she already knew.

Geom-jon calmly entered the residence and sat in the seat opposite Mae Hwa-seon. After settling in, Geom-jon looked at Mae Hwa-seon and spoke.

“I apologize for coming at such a late hour…”

“It’s alright. I was feeling a bit lonely anyway.”

Geom-jon took a sip of the tea placed before him, perhaps feeling thirsty. In that situation, Mae Hwa-seon simply waited calmly for him to speak.

After a short while, Geom-jon, having finished composing himself, said to Mae Hwa-seon.

“I came here because there’s something I wanted to ask you, Master.”

Mae Hwa-seon vaguely knew what it was that Geom-jon felt the need to come and ask at such a late hour.

“Please speak. I will listen attentively.”

With Mae Hwa-seon’s consideration, Geom-jon asked without hesitation.

“Master, do you happen to know the whereabouts of the Divine Healer?”

At Geom-jon’s question, Mae Hwa-seon opened her eyes, which she had been keeping closed. As expected, it was the question she had anticipated, but she hadn’t expected him to ask so directly. Does that mean he’s that desperate?

Mae Hwa-seon answered Geom-jon’s question.

“I do.”

Geom-jon’s eyes widened at the answer, which was given more nonchalantly than he expected.

“You also know that I am looking for the Divine Healer?”

“Yes, I know. Furthermore, I know that Shaolin and Wudang are looking for you, Geom-jon.” Although, admittedly, I couldn’t be sure if they were looking for you, Geom-jon, or for something else.

“But why are you telling me so easily?”

“I believe you already knew when you came.”

“…”

The reason Geom-jon visited Mae Hwa-seon so late this night. Mae Hwa-seon knew it wasn’t just because the Hua San sect held a significant position in Shanxi.

“Isn’t that right, Geom-jon?”

“…That’s correct.”

Shanxi is vast. Although he had arrived, Geom-jon hadn’t expected to find the Divine Healer easily. If he were to carelessly expand his senses, it would attract the attention of others. So, he figured he’d have to struggle for at least a few days.

That’s what he initially thought, but contrary to Geom-jon’s expectations, finding the Divine Healer was easier than anticipated. As if starting near Hua Yin county had been the right choice, a strong internal energy was felt from a nearby mountain.

The Divine Healer is not a martial artist. Unlike other physicians, they were said to possess a very small amount of internal energy for examination, but… It was unlikely they would possess such dense and heavy internal energy. Moreover, a strong Taoist aura was felt from the internal energy. Along with a distinct plum blossom scent.

It was ambiguous to call this a formation. In fact, if one intended to set up a formation, it shouldn’t have been felt so strongly. If anything, perhaps ‘barrier’ would be a more fitting term. While the difference between a formation and a barrier is subtle, their purposes differ. In Geom-jon’s view, it seemed more oriented towards protection than concealment. And as far as Geom-jon knew, there was only one martial artist in Shanxi capable of wielding internal energy of that level.

“However, I wasn’t certain, which is why I came directly to ask you, Master.”

No matter how dense or strong the barrier was, cutting through it wasn’t difficult from Geom-jon’s perspective. It was an urgent matter, but Geom-jon chose to visit Mae Hwa-seon first.

“Still, you didn’t barge right in, I see.”

“I thought it was proper etiquette to ask first.”

“…You mean coming here in the middle of the night?”

“…”

“I’m joking.”

Geom-jon is searching for the Divine Healer. It was about Geom-jon, who had disappeared one day and reappeared. Mae Hwa-seon had also heard about this. She didn’t know why he was searching for the Divine Healer. What was important was the news that the Abbot of Shaolin and the Master of Wudang were looking for Geom-jon.

‘To be able to evade them even though those two are looking for him, does this mean Geom-jon’s abilities are that great?’

Thinking thus, Mae Hwa-seon suddenly asked Geom-jon.

“May I ask the reason you are seeking the Divine Healer?”

At Mae Hwa-seon’s question, Geom-jon’s gaze lowered slightly.

“The reason for seeking the Divine Healer… is mostly the same for everyone.”

Mae Hwa-seon nodded at Geom-jon’s words. The reasons for seeking the most outstanding physician in the Central Plains might differ in reality, but the essence would be the same. Wanting to live, or wanting to save someone else.

Mae Hwa-seon knew that the Divine Healer, while reluctant to save someone, was subtly passing their location information to informants. She also knew that the Divine Healer was a compassionate person who constantly claimed they would quit being a physician immediately, yet couldn’t let go of anything.

Mae Hwa-seon looked at Geom-jon. No matter how she looked at him, the reason he sought the Divine Healer wasn’t likely for his own body. Although Mae Hwa-seon considered herself a martial artist who had reached a high level, she still couldn’t properly discern Geom-jon’s level of mastery. She knew that martial artists in the world tried to equate her and Geom-jon, placing them in the same position. However, Mae Hwa-seon alone knew the truth. That Geom-jon was on a level far higher than hers.

Geom-jon (Sword Master).

‘…What a fearsome title.’

Wi Hyo-gun was someone for whom such a title felt perfectly natural. Mae Hwa-seon couldn’t comprehend why such a being was showing such vulnerability while suffering from inner demons.

‘…Is the reason Shaolin and Wudang are looking for Geom-jon also related to that?’

Mae Hwa-seon, having been on a different path from them from the start, couldn’t know the specifics of what was happening. From her perspective, ‘those people’ who claimed to think about the future of the Central Plains seemed suspicious. People like Gu Ryun or the Divine Healer, who lived only for their own benefit, actually carried more sacrifice within them. That was also why Mae Hwa-seon associated with them.

Geom-jon said to Mae Hwa-seon.

“…Master.”

“Yes.”

“Please, tell me where the Divine Healer is.”

“I believe the Divine Healer’s opinion is more important than my own will.”

“In that case, would it be alright if I broke in?”

By ‘that place,’ he likely meant the hut where the Divine Healer resided. It was, in a way, like a threat. He was saying he would break through the barrier.

Mae Hwa-seon chuckled wryly and said.

“What do you plan to do if I say no?”

Geom-jon didn’t answer Mae Hwa-seon’s question, but she could tell. He would find a way to see the Divine Healer. Even if it meant opposing Hua San.

‘What could have made him this desperate?’

Back when he led the Murim Alliance, even if his nature wasn’t exactly leisurely or kind, he wasn’t impatient.

Mae Hwa-seon let out a deep sigh and said to Geom-jon.

“Not right now.”

“…”

“Currently, the Divine Healer is tending to Geom-hu. Gu Yangcheon was brought by Mae Hwa-seon herself, and the examination was so brief it felt instantaneous, which made it possible, but this is a different matter.”

“The Divine Healer is currently attending to someone else. Even if you go see them immediately, Geom-jon, what you wish for won’t happen.”

“…”

“However.”

Geom-jon, who had remained silent while staring at the teacup, looked up at Mae Hwa-seon’s call.

“It’s not that I don’t have a way.”

“…What…?”

Mae Hwa-seon asked with a smile.

“Would you be able to grant me one request?”

Geom-jon didn’t answer this time either, but he adjusted his posture while looking at Mae Hwa-seon. It likely meant he was ready to listen.

---

Is this a crisis? Did I walk right into a crisis the moment I woke up…?

That was my first thought upon seeing Wi Seol-ah. This is a crisis.

It might seem like a trivial situation, but an alarm bell was clearly ringing Danger in my head. Weren’t Wi Seol-ah’s eyes different from usual, too? Where was her usual gentle face with drooping eyes, resembling a puppy? She looked rather expressionless. That Wi Seol-ah, who smiled all day long. Moreover, the current silence doubled the discomfort I was feeling.

After sweating coldly for a while, I finally managed to ask.

“…Did, did you have a good night?”

“Yes.”

“…Okay.”

A cold, short reply. The cold sweat that had just stopped seemed to start again.

‘…Now that I think about it, why am I being so cautious?’

I didn’t do anything wrong? Namgung Bi-ah barged in and insisted on sleeping together, forcing her will upon me, and I’m the victim here…? And why am I unconsciously watching Wi Seol-ah’s reaction? This was the moment I should have said something as the owner. As I kept backing down, Wi Seol-ah seemed to keep forgetting her position. It makes no sense that I’m the one being cautious, right?

Having gathered my resolve, I glared at Wi Seol-ah. My face seemed to be reflected in Wi Seol-ah’s clear eyes. Finally, intending to scold her, I uttered a word.

“…Would you like a cookie?”

“Yes.”

…Oh, okay.

…Still, you’re not refusing it, are you?

Just as my mind was getting complicated, unsure of what to do, Namgung Bi-ah stirred and sat up behind me. Her eyes looked sleepy, as if she hadn’t fully woken up, but somehow she seemed happy.

Namgung Bi-ah saw Wi Seol-ah and waved her hand.

“…Hello.”

Wi Seol-ah frowned as she watched the gently waving fingertips. Her eyes even seemed to well up with tears.

“Unnie… you’re unfair.”

“…Huh?”

Wi Seol-ah continued with a tearful face.

“I… could have slept with the Young Master too.”

Saying that, Wi Seol-ah looked like she was about to cry. Namgung Bi-ah hurriedly approached Wi Seol-ah and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

…What is this awkward situation?

“I could have slept together too…”

Meanwhile, Wi Seol-ah muttered something but didn’t push Namgung Bi-ah away. Instead, she nestled into Namgung Bi-ah’s embrace and spoke with a sobbing voice.

In this strange situation, I just stood there blankly.

[Seriously, why are you just standing there blankly…]

“We can just sleep together.”

“What…?”

[Huh?]

At Namgung Bi-ah’s statement, Wi Seol-ah looked up in surprise, and I froze.

“What did you just say?”

When I asked again, Namgung Bi-ah replied calmly.

“We can… just sleep together.”

Her words, spat out as if asking what the problem was, scrambled my thoughts. Not only was Wi Seol-ah’s position an issue from the start, but I also had no intention of sleeping with Namgung Bi-ah in the future. Moreover, I thought Wi Seol-ah wouldn’t want that either…

“Unnie, is that really okay…?”

Guess not…?

Namgung Bi-ah nodded at Wi Seol-ah, who asked with sparkling eyes.

“Yeah…”

“Really…?”

“Yeah, let’s sleep together.”

The conversation seemed to be heading in an increasingly strange direction. It felt like a situation that shouldn’t happen in many ways, so I hurriedly intervened.

“What on earth are you talking about…”

“Young Master! Good morning…”

Yeongpung burst in, loudly interrupting my words. Yeongpung, who entered cheerfully, looked back and forth between the sniffling Wi Seol-ah, Namgung Bi-ah embracing her, and me watching the scene.

“No… uh, I came because I had something to tell you…”

Yeongpung’s eyes darted left and right vigorously in the awkward atmosphere.

“I think I came at the wrong time. I, I’ll come back a little later.”

“No, you came at the right time… Where are you going, Master!”

As if he hadn’t heard me, Yeongpung quickly disappeared out of the residence.

Tak.

The sound of the door closing echoed in the now quiet residence. And it was about an hour later that Yeongpung reappeared in the residence.