Chapter v11c20: What is Love?

**What is Love?**

“How about Jin-seol? Are things going well with the person you like these days?”

Eun Seol-ran asked Jin-seol with a smile. Among them, only Eun Seol-ran brought up topics like romance, love, and men.

That’s why Jin-seol liked Eun Seol-ran. She didn’t mind being with Na Yerin and Dokgo Ryeong, but they were a million years away from such topics.

‘Men? Useless things!’ That’s what Dokgo Ryeong had told her one day. It succinctly summed up Dokgo Ryeong’s view of men. The group was currently taking a break from their journey.

They were at a high point on the road from Xiangyang to Gucheng in Hubei Province. A little further, and they would enter the territory of the Wudang Sect.

From this elevated position, they had a clear view of the lower lands. The earth was a sea of gold with ripening crops of late autumn. Gentle waves rippled across the golden sea in the autumn breeze.

“Come on, tell me quickly. Hurry, hurry!”

Eun Seol-ran urged.

“Well, um…”

Jin-seol blushed and glanced towards where Hyo-ryong was. He was engrossed in conversation with Jang Hong beside him.

‘Why is that man always so talkative?’

Jin-seol felt irritated for no apparent reason. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed.

“I don’t know. These days, it seems he likes men more than women. Hmph!”

Jin-seol turned away, pouting. She had been upset lately because Hyo-ryong hadn’t been paying much attention to her. Hyo-ryong was just being mindful of others’ gazes, but such reasons didn’t matter to Jin-seol, who prioritized spontaneous actions.

Eun Seol-ran smiled knowingly. Jin-seol had such an easy-to-read personality. It made her incredibly adorable.

“How are things going with Young Master Bi these days?”

The arrow of inquiry now turned towards Na Yerin. She had somehow been caught by Eun Seol-ran and ended up here, but she never imagined she’d be asked such a sudden question.

“What? What do you mean…?”

Na Yerin asked, flustered.

“Oh, don’t try to fool me. I may not look it, but I have an eye for these things. Be honest, you’re interested in him, right? You like him, don’t you?”

Eun Seol-ran sounded like a judge demanding a confession.

“I’m not interested.”

Na Yerin replied bluntly. However, Eun Seol-ran noticed the subtle turmoil hidden beneath that expressionless and curt response. The disturbance was very slight, but she knew that for this ice princess to show even this much emotion was a significant event.

As always, Eun Seol-ran was a difficult person for Na Yerin to handle. Her words always had a strange power to fluster Na Yerin.

“Oh my! You really are interested, aren’t you? Actually, everyone’s dying to know what happened during those 44 days in the darkness when the Phantom Demon Cave collapsed.”

Na Yerin was momentarily flustered at the mention of the Phantom Demon Cave and vehemently denied it.

“W-Who would be curious about such a thing? Such a trivial matter!”

“Oh? That’s not true at all. I bet more than two-thirds of the male disciples here are dying to know what happened. Some would even pay a fortune just to find out what occurred in there.”

‘If someone’s willing to pay a fortune, going to Ryu-yeon might be the quickest way!’ Na Yerin thought unconsciously. The success rate would probably be twelve out of ten.

“And there’s a young lady right here who’s also curious about it, her heart fluttering.”

“Hehehe!”

The dreamy young lady Eun Seol-ran pointed to was Jin-seol. Jin-seol, who had been participating in their conversation, stuck out her tongue and laughed shyly, scratching the back of her head at Eun Seol-ran’s observation.

Na Yerin shook her head, looking at Jin-seol as if she were a hopeless child.

“Could it be that something really did happen in there?”

Eun Seol-ran continued to ask mischievously.

“Nothing like what you’re imagining happened, Miss Eun.”

Na Yerin’s firm answer unexpectedly delighted Eun Seol-ran, who clapped her hands.

“Oh my, then that means something else did happen!”

Na Yerin, naive in these matters, was no match for Eun Seol-ran. She hadn’t become a Black Heaven Alliance investigator just for fun.

“T-That’s…”

Ignoring Na Yerin’s attempt at an excuse, Eun Seol-ran continued.

“So, on the surface, nothing happened, but in your heart, something changed, right?”

Her words were like a dagger piercing Na Yerin’s core. Did Eun Seol-ran have mind-reading abilities like herself? Na Yerin’s flustered gaze met Eun Seol-ran’s. Eun Seol-ran smiled gently back at her.

“That look in your eyes seems to be asking how I knew. I’ve never been able to read your expressions before, but today, emotions are showing on your face quite often. You’ve definitely softened a lot since that day. Even if you don’t want to admit it, facts don’t change. Why do you react like this whenever someone mentions him? Usually, you’re as cold as carved ice.”

Na Yerin was taken aback by the realization that she appeared that way. Lately, she had been feeling strongly that her emotions were betraying her. Why did others notice things that she herself couldn’t feel?

“If you’re asking how I knew, it’s simple. When a man and a woman spend 44 days together in a closed space, it’s only natural for emotions to change. Whatever form it takes, change is bound to happen. Especially when you’re on the brink of life and death.”

There was nothing wrong with Eun Seol-ran’s observations. Not satisfied with just this, Eun Seol-ran delivered her final blow.

“I heard it. I heard Yerin calling Young Master Bi ‘Ryu-yeon’ affectionately. Who else could make the cold ice princess Yerin call them by name? And in such an affectionate voice, no less.”

A triumphant smile played on Eun Seol-ran’s face.

“Oh my, Sister Yerin! Is that true?”

Jin-seol asked, startled.

Dokgo Ryeong, who had been listening, looked ready to go and cut down that man – Bi Ryu-yeon – if it were true. Her protection of her martial sister was sometimes excessive. Even now, to her, Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t the first man to melt her martial sister’s cold heart like sunshine, but a demon leading her astray.

“……”

Yerin remained silent. Even this cold ice princess had no rebuttal to Eun Seol-ran’s logical words. And she had no intention of stopping her. It felt as if Eun Seol-ran was neatly organizing the confused emotions she had been feeling.

The doubt of ‘Could it really be true?’ had changed to ‘It might really be true’ after hearing all of Eun Seol-ran’s words.

‘But is it really like that?’

She still wasn’t sure about it.

A smile played on Eun Seol-ran’s lips as she watched the contemplating Na Yerin. She looked much more human and relatable now than her usual cold, moonlight-like demeanor. Eun Seol-ran found this side of Na Yerin incredibly cute.

“As someone who was once caught up in the fierce passion of love, believe me when I say this. My first love ended in tragedy, but for Yerin, this is just the beginning. Allow yourself to love. Even if it brings sorrow, pain, and anguish, love is beautiful. It’s worth experiencing. You might not realize it yet, but someday you’ll feel that what exists in your heart is love. A mysterious, uninvited guest that has somehow made its way to your side.”

As she spoke these words, Eun Seol-ran’s gaze was directed not at the present, but towards a distant past. A lonely smile, like the barren early winter, hung on her lips.

“Sister, don’t you have a promised love?”

Perhaps due to her youth, Jin-seol chose a topic that wasn’t particularly suitable for this moment, unable to fully grasp the atmosphere.

“Jin-seol!”

Na Yerin tried to stop her, but it was too late. A sad, lonely smile spread across Eun Seol-ran’s lips, which had been gazing wistfully.

“I did. There was once someone who meant the world to me, but I can no longer meet him. He loved to travel, and now he’s gone to a place I can’t reach. A very far place. Leaving me here alone.”

‘It hurts…’

Na Yerin suddenly felt a wave of heart-wrenching sadness and regret wash over her. What was it that made her frozen heart ache so poignantly? Eun Seol-ran was clearly at the center of this cause. But she couldn’t bring herself to ask Eun Seol-ran about that love. How deep a scar had that love left on Eun Seol-ran’s heart? What was she seeing now?

No one answered.

“Huh? Oh my! Why is everyone’s mood so gloomy? Cheer up, everyone! Someone might think there’s been a death.”

Realizing that the atmosphere had suddenly plummeted because of her, Eun Seol-ran, now aware of her mistake, tried to salvage the situation. To be so easily drawn into such a story… it seemed the wound in her heart hadn’t fully healed yet.

Eun Seol-ran spoke in an even brighter voice, as if trying to shake off the sadness.

“That man might be a good one. It’s not easy to move the heart of the Ice Princess to this extent. I can’t say for sure if he’s a good man, but I can guarantee he’s an interesting one.”

Eun Seol-ran pointed her jade-like transparent finger at Bi Ryu-yeon, who was gazing intently at something in the distance. A little further away stood Mo Yong Hwi, alone. He was still a young man so beautiful that calling him handsome seemed insufficient. The word ‘perfect’ seemed to exist for him.

“Don’t be too sad, Sister! You have Young Master Mo Yong. He’s top-tier husband material. An age difference of three or four years is nothing. I’m sure Young Master Mo Yong wouldn’t be able to refuse a beauty like you.”

Jin-seol said spiritedly. It was her way of comforting. Once again, a smile appeared on Eun Seol-ran’s lips. This time, it was a gentle and warm smile, like early spring.

“You’re right. He’s certainly a top-tier man. What woman wouldn’t want to catch such a wonderful man? He must have made countless women cry. He’s quite the bad guy. Unintentionally, of course. Hohoho!”

“Hahaha!”

Eun Seol-ran and Jin-seol burst into laughter together.

“Hahaha! What’s so amusing? Would you grant this humble one the honor of joining in?”

The one who suddenly joined their conversation was Shin Yu-seong, the Emerald Shadow Sword, one of the protagonists of the last Mount Hua Sect Conference’s top four. Judging by how his gaze was focused on Eun Seol-ran, it seemed she was his tentative target.

“I’m sorry, but this is a place for intimate conversations between women, so men aren’t allowed to join.”

Eun Seol-ran politely refused with a smile, without a hint of a frown.

“Hahaha! Have I made a mistake? Then, Miss Eun, would you grant me the honor of conversing with you later?”

“I’m sorry. I’m quite shy. But if you prove to be more charming than him, I might consider it.”

“Oh? You mean that person over there?”

Shin Yu-seong looked at the man with interest. Eun Seol-ran’s jade finger was pointing at Mo Yong Hwi.

“Yes! Him.”

What was she thinking now? Neither Na Yerin, Jin-seol, nor Dokgo Ryeong could tell.

“Very well. Just watch. I’ll prove to you that I’m a more charming man than him.”

He seemed confident. There weren’t many men in the current martial world who would dare to challenge the Seven Star Divine Sword Mo Yong Hwi so casually.

“I look forward to it!”

A smile that seemed to foretell a storm formed between Eun Seol-ran’s red lips.

Boom boom boom!

A sound that shook the earth lightly vibrated the air. Looking towards the source of the sound, she saw a cloud of dust stretching from the distant mountain to where they were.

“It seems they’re returning now.”

Bi Ryu-yeon turned his gaze towards the source of the mysteriously beautiful voice. It was Na Yerin.

“How unusual! For Yerin to approach first!”

Bi Ryu-yeon said with a joyful smile. Honestly, he was extremely happy right now. This had never happened before. Na Yerin quickly changed the subject.

“Do you think they’ll succeed this time?”

Na Yerin asked in a concerned voice. The Jujakdan members were lucky to receive her concern. What was rapidly approaching Bi Ryu-yeon and Na Yerin was a group of people. However, the dust cloud was divided into two lines.

What had started with 16 people had now grown to almost 30. The difference in speed between the skilled and unskilled had caused them to split into two groups. The leading group consisted of 20 people, 16 of whom were Jujakdan members. They were now accustomed to running.

The leading group passed by the two like a gust of wind, creating a whirlwind as they rushed past.

Namgung Sang was in first place. He had maintained the dignity of the Jujakdan leader. Namgung Sang had been getting stronger lately without even realizing it himself. He didn’t seem to be aware of it, though.

“Huff, huff, huff!”

Namgung Sang, who arrived on the verge of collapse, looked urgently at the incense burner while catching his breath.

‘Did… did we succeed?’

Not just Namgung Sang, but dozens of gazes that followed focused on the incense stand. The incense was still burning well, consuming itself.

There were one, two, and half sticks of incense left.

“Woohoo!”

Cheers erupted.

They felt like crying. They had finally triumphed in their battle against themselves, nature, and Yeomdo’s mischief. They were so moved that tears threatened to fall. That’s how difficult Yeomdo’s training had been.

“Ahem…”

Yeomdo silently observed his disciples, who were a mix of fatigue, joy, and ecstasy, on the verge of collapse. His cheeks twitched. Was he forcibly suppressing his joy? After alternately looking at the incense stand and his disciples, Yeomdo spoke nonchalantly, contrary to his feelings.

“You’ve finally gotten a bit faster. It seems you’ve just barely shed your sluggish nature.”

It was a harsh comment. Suddenly, the surroundings became quiet as if cold water had been poured.

“…but I’ll praise you. Well done!”

Was this one word of praise so difficult? He quickly turned his head away. If he kept looking, he felt he might burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Woohoo! We did it! We really did it!”

The Jujakdan members hugged each other in celebration. They no longer had to run until their hearts felt like bursting. They had succeeded in making a round trip to the peak of that distant mountain before three incense sticks could burn out.

On their way to Mount Hua, they had to keep running every time they saw a mountain in the distance. This was for enhancing their physical strength, lightness skills, and internal energy. None of the mountains Yeomdo chose were easy. They had failed continuously until now. They had exhausted too much energy climbing to the peak and lacked the strength to return. But giving up was not allowed. The challenges continued. And finally, they succeeded.

While the Jujakdan members were rejoicing and singing victory songs after winning a battle that was brutal in everything but bloodshed, someone quietly got up and disappeared into the forest. However, no one paid attention to him, so no one noticed his disappearance. Except for one person.

‘Huh? Where is that guy going

Bi Ryu Yeon’s eyes did not miss the fact. He was none other than Yun Junho, who was being teased as a coward by those around him.