novelraw Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Episode 78. You’ve Got a Bit of a Protruding Forehead
‘Was his name Byeok Gyo-woon? Why is that guy with Yeowol?’
A cold blue light flashed in Won Seung’s eyes.
At that moment, Hwa Yeo-wol’s voice rang out.
“Why are you following me at this hour?”
Judging by the situation, it seemed Byeok Gyo-woon had followed Hwa Yeo-wol.
There was a note of caution in Hwa Yeo-wol’s voice. She was nothing like the cheerful girl who’d been so happy when she first heard people from the Sword Pact Sect had arrived.
Hwa Yeo-wol had realized that Elder Yang Gwan of the Sword Pact Sect had some ulterior motive.
“It’s night, so I followed you. Two leaders of the Xiangyang Underworld were found dead in their own bedrooms last night. Yet you’re out alone at night—aren’t you worried?”
“This is right in front of the Clear Water Sect. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You never know what could happen. More importantly, who are you meeting at this hour?”
Hwa Yeo-wol was angered by his rude question. Her voice turned icy.
“Whoever I meet, what business is it of yours, Young Master Byeok?”
“Do you really not understand my feelings? I am determined to make Junior Sister Hwa my wife.”
What? Junior Sister? Wife? That bastard? I’ll turn him into a eunuch.
A list of poisons that could make someone a eunuch flashed through Won Seung’s mind.
“I told you, I’d answer that after the three-way Martial Arts Duel, didn’t I?”
“If you marry me, the safety of the Clear Water Sect is as good as guaranteed. Who would dare touch the family of the Sword Pact Sect Leader’s disciple?”
Byeok Gyo-woon seemed truly smitten with Hwa Yeo-wol.
At first, he’d just thought she was pretty, but after learning she was talented in both martial and scholarly arts, his feelings grew. Elder Yang Gwan’s encouragement also played a part.
That’s why he was trying to persuade her with all his heart, but Hwa Yeo-wol wouldn’t budge.
“If my father had to rely on someone else’s reputation to guarantee the safety of the Clear Water Sect, he’d be ashamed. Please don’t say things like that again.”
Hwa Yeo-wol cut him off coldly.
“And this place is safe, so please go back.”
“Who are you meeting…? Ah, are you meeting that boy from before?”
Byeok Gyo-woon clicked his tongue as if he’d figured it out.
“I looked into him a bit—he’s got a lot of suspicious points. It’s likely he approached Junior Sister Hwa to get at the Clear Water Sect.”
Hwa Yeo-wol was about to angrily retort when Won Seung’s voice came from the side.
“Oh? How did you figure that out?”
Won Seung appeared out of the darkness.
Byeok Gyo-woon flinched, then glared at Won Seung.
“So you’re trained in martial arts. You fooled everyone completely.”
No ordinary civilian would have been able to conceal their presence so well.
Hwa Yeo-wol was also shocked.
‘Seung is a martial artist?’
She’d spent so much time with him and never suspected a thing…
Byeok Gyo-woon’s gaze shifted to Won Seung’s Taiyang acupoint.
“And you’ve opened your Conception and Governing Vessels… You’re truly suspicious.”
He wasn’t at the level of a master who’d achieved the Realm of Reversing Yin and Yang, so it was reasonable to assume he’d just opened his Conception and Governing Vessels.
He himself had also had a fortuitous encounter and opened his own.
“That’s right. I’m a master.”
Won Seung replied in a cocky voice.
“And I’m also a swindler trying to seduce Hwa Yeo-wol.”
Byeok Gyo-woon couldn’t hide his embarrassment at being caught slandering someone behind their back.
Hwa Yeo-wol barely managed to stifle her laughter.
Won Seung’s tongue really is sharp…
She’d known it, but seeing the arrogant Byeok Gyo-woon cornered made her feel thoroughly satisfied.
Then—
Won Seung strode over and casually draped his arm over Hwa Yeo-wol’s shoulder.
Hwa Yeo-wol flinched but didn’t shake him off. No, it was more accurate to say she was so shocked she froze.
She never expected Won Seung to be so bold.
“Unlike some people, I don’t try to force myself on a woman by using her family’s safety as leverage.”
Then he kissed Hwa Yeo-wol on the forehead with an audible smack.
“When it comes to winning someone’s heart… all you need is moonlight and a sincere heart.”
What’s with the moonlight now?
The night she saw the Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon, with the moonlight pouring down, flashed through her mind, and her knees went weak.
Caught off guard by another surprise kiss, Hwa Yeo-wol hung her head. Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn’t think straight.
And Byeok Gyo-woon was watching, right there…
She couldn’t bring herself to look up.
Seeing the two of them, Byeok Gyo-woon’s face hardened ominously.
“Junior Sister Hwa, I’m disappointed. Meeting a man at night—”
Before he could finish saying “woman,” Won Seung cut in.
“Then what about you? Are you some pathetic guy who follows a woman out at night and begs for her affection?”
“You bastard!”
Byeok Gyo-woon shouted and raised his fist, but just then, someone called out from the side gate post.
“Young Lady! Is something wrong?”
Byeok Gyo-woon couldn’t bring himself to throw a punch.
He realized that if word got out to Hwa Cheon-Woon that he’d caused a commotion while chasing after Hwa Yeo-wol at night, it would be a problem.
Hwa Cheon-Woon already didn’t like him—he might even refuse the marriage proposal.
He spun around and spat out a parting shot.
“See you later.”
“Sure.”
See me for what? I won’t even be here after tomorrow.
Like a wolf watching a dog slink away with its tail between its legs, Won Seung glared at Byeok Gyo-woon until he disappeared into the darkness.
Hwa Yeo-wol realized Won Seung’s arm was still around her shoulder.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
Hwa Yeo-wol shoved Won Seung away and smacked his side.
“What was that for?”
“You… you’re… just….”
She couldn’t finish her sentence.
After a moment to collect herself, she spoke in a cold voice.
“If you ever do something like that again, I won’t see you anymore.”
“Forehead.”
“What?”
“You’ve got a bit of a protruding forehead. Maybe that’s why I can’t help but kiss you.”
Hwa Yeo-wol was dumbfounded by his ridiculous excuse. Then she realized she’d unconsciously raised her hand to her forehead.
She hurriedly lowered her hand and said,
“Anyway, don’t ever do that again.”
“……”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“I… I’m leaving Xiangyang tomorrow.”
Won Seung dodged the question and changed the subject.
“I came to say goodbye.”
“……”
At the news that Won Seung was leaving, Hwa Yeo-wol’s heart sank.
“Why? Did your identity get exposed?”
“Not yet, but things aren’t looking good. I’ll leave as soon as the three-way Martial Arts Duel is over.”
Hwa Yeo-wol lowered her head. The sudden farewell left her feeling hollow.
She remembered the first time she saw Won Seung at the Cloud Flower Pavilion that spring.
She’d been climbing the stairs with her seniors from Cheongsan Academy when a boy glared at her as if annoyed.
She’d asked why, then ended up sharing secret tea with him… So much had happened since then.
The biggest shock was what her father and uncles had done to the Yong Family.
For Hwa Yeo-wol, who’d always dreamed of becoming a heroine in Murim, it was a blow she could hardly bear.
Now, with the threat from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, and the Dosan Forest and Sword Pact Sect joining the fray, she had to worry about her family’s very survival before the safety of the Clear Water Sect.
For the first time in her life, she’d experienced true heartache, and found herself unconsciously leaning on Won Seung. She always felt better when she was with him.
To Hwa Yeo-wol, Won Seung seemed like someone born to a noble family but living an unfortunate life. Yet he lived so cheerfully, as if he had no worries in the world.
“And there’s something I need to tell you.”
“……”
Hwa Yeo-wol could barely hear Won Seung’s words.
“It’s important. It concerns the safety of the Clear Water Sect, so you must tell your father.”
Hwa Yeo-wol snapped to attention.
“They say the leader of the Xiangyang Black Society was killed last night, right? But in truth, he was a fake. The real leader is Elder Deung, the head of the Boatmen’s Guild. And it looks like the Xiangyang Black Society has joined forces with Seongwang House to seize control of the Xiang River through this three-way Martial Arts Duel. There’s no concrete evidence, but if you tell your father this much, he’ll understand.”
He also told her that Cheon Seok-san of One Fist Splits Mountain had been coming and going from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.
Listening carefully, Hwa Yeo-wol realized how much Won Seung knew about the affairs of Murim.
“How did you do it? You’re trained in martial arts, but you hid it so well.”
“I just didn’t show it. I’m a humble guy, you know.”
“Hah! Humble? The dogs of Xiangyang would laugh at that.”
Suddenly, Won Seung grabbed Hwa Yeo-wol’s hand.
“What are you doing?”
When Hwa Yeo-wol tried to pull away, he held on tighter.
“I’ll come back next spring. When I do, shall we travel Murim together?”
He planned to destroy the Assassin Training Center and lay low for a while. It wouldn’t be any fun alone. He hoped Hwa Yeo-wol would join him.
“Really?”
Hwa Yeo-wol’s eyes sparkled.
The thought of traveling Murim—the dream she’d had since she was a girl—chased away all her gloom.
Won Seung hooked his pinky finger with hers.
“I promise.”
“Alright. I’ll wait for you.”
Just then, someone appeared from the darkness.
Hwa U-geuk looked at Won Seung and Hwa Yeo-wol, their pinkies still linked, with a frosty expression. He’d been on night patrol and, hearing voices, had come over—only to see something he shouldn’t have.
Embarrassed, Hwa Yeo-wol quickly let go and said goodbye.
“I’ll go in now.”
She hurried inside.
Won Seung found Hwa U-geuk annoying.
‘That guy… always has to ruin the mood. What’s he glaring at me for?’
But since he was Hwa Yeo-wol’s cousin, there wasn’t much he could say.
Won Seung gave Hwa U-geuk a perfunctory martial salute and turned away.
*
Hundred Flowers Pavilion, living room.
Incense wafted from a censer in the corner.
Though it was a muggy summer night in Xiangyang, the clear scent of blue lotus incense made his head feel clear.
“Hem, hem…”
Yong Jo-woon cleared his throat.
Jong Bi was nowhere to be seen. So he’d decided to visit Blood Flower’s study himself.
The two of them sat in the living room overlooking the night garden… Sitting alone with a woman at this hour felt strange.
Blood Flower was a rare beauty. To Yong Jo-woon, who’d spent his youth training in the mountains, she seemed like a celestial maiden.
Even someone as obsessed with martial arts as Yong Jo-woon had to admit it. And… it made him uncomfortable.
Yong Jo-woon spoke.
“You may go now.”
“Hmph! Do you think I come and go just because you say so?”
Blood Flower replied coldly.
Yong Jo-woon looked a bit flustered, then nodded.
“Well, you’ll need to stay a bit longer if you want to treat the injury properly. Come to think of it, Pung Un-saeng’s medical skills are truly remarkable for his age.”
Blood Flower’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Yong Family.”
The sudden informal address made Yong Jo-woon flinch.
“How old are you, anyway? And what’s with that old man’s way of talking?”
“……”
Caught off guard, Yong Jo-woon couldn’t answer.
What’s with this woman?
“I admit I made a mistake. The Heavenly Observation Pavilion…”
Blood Flower bit her lip mid-sentence.
“It was pathetic to be played by them. But… don’t think you spared me that day. I….”
“I know.”
Yong Jo-woon said.
If Blood Flower had used a poisoned needle when he was under the Nameless Fragrance, he would have died. But instead, she’d approached with a dagger in hand.
“Why did you do that?”