Chapter 69

Chapter 69
The Absolute One’s Pure Affection (2)

Baek So-cheon reached the simple straw-roofed cottage.

Past the modest wooden palisade, bundles of harvested grain lay out to dry in the dirt courtyard, alongside strips of preserved meat and stretched animal pelts dangling in the air. Tucked into one corner of the enclosure, an assortment of crates and parcels wrapped in fine silk sat piled together—clearly luxury presents delivered on behalf of Yeom Hwa-sin.

“Is someone there?”

With a prolonged rasp of hinges, the wooden entrance pulled back to show a woman standing in the doorway.

She looked to be in her early thirties, possessing clear, sharply drawn facial contours.

Rather unexpectedly, her appearance was not that of an astonishing enchantress. Calling her plain or conventional seemed far more accurate than labeling her an extraordinary beauty.

Yet when considering Yeom Hwa-sin, a man who had undoubtedly grown sick of superficial, dazzling beauties, mere outward charm probably carried no significance whatsoever.

“Who might you be?”

Her expression was clouded with sudden shock and deep mistrust. Apart from Yeom Hwa-sin himself, it was almost certain that no other man had ever set foot in this secluded place.

“My name is Baek So-cheon.”

The woman’s gaze lingered, inspecting his facial features with piercing scrutiny.

“I belong to the righteous faction.”

Baek So-cheon added this detail in haste, yet immediately worried it might produce the opposite effect. An upright martial artist affiliated with righteousness possessed no legitimate purpose being present in such an area.

Staying deliberately beside the outer border of the dirt yard without taking a single step inside, Baek So-cheon continued speaking to calm her fears.

“It must be quite difficult to accept, but I am an officer of the Murim Alliance. My assigned rank at present is commander of the Hyun-cheon-dae.”

After an extended silence, her voice finally broke through.

“I am called Yeop Sa-mi.”

She offered her identity, yet her profound suspicion showed no signs of receding.

Choosing not to advance, Baek So-cheon settled himself down onto a rustic wooden bench positioned right by the entry gate.

“I will remain seated out here while we converse.”

Before he could explain further, her lips parted to deliver an unforeseen revelation.

“I recognize you.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know of your identity. I participated as a soldier during the Righteous-Evil Great War.”

“Ah, is that so.”

Only moments before, Yeop Sa-mi had been frozen in disbelief. The most improbable individual had suddenly manifested in this isolated dwelling.

“For what reason are you standing here?”

The severe vigilance in her eyes was rooted in the dread that he might have cast aside his honor to become a traitor.

“I was seized and held captive by the Black Heaven Alliance Lord, through an affair completely unconnected to you.”

“What kind of affair?”

She demanded an immediate explanation.

Baek So-cheon understood instinctively that concealing reality or spinning falsehoods would never earn her confidence.

Thus, he laid bare the entire situation: the manner in which the Alliance Lord alongside himself had fallen prey to an intricate plot, and how the master of the Black Heaven Alliance had likewise been entangled in the very same trap. Naturally, he avoided mentioning the identities of Cheon-geuk and Na-sa-rin, keeping both names strictly hidden.

“This information must never leak out beyond these confines. Even for your personal safety—you must never utter a single word regarding it.”

Yeop Sa-mi let slip a hollow, self-deprecating smirk.

“Looking around, you can see I possess no external existence to speak of.”

“Exercise vigilance if an opportunity ever presents itself in the future.”

Her doubtful eyes seemed to question whether any such tomorrow could ever exist for her.

“Why did he order you to approach me?”

“He was baffled as to why you hold such intense disgust for him… though in truth, his hope is likely for you to soften your stance and alter your sentiments toward him.”

Baek So-cheon offered his sincere assessment without embellishment.

“Having revealed this much truth to you, if our talk yields no progress, he will certainly execute me.”

“…Loss of life holds no terror for me.”

Could any living soul truly be devoid of fear when confronting death? Even he himself and Cheon-geuk had once shared similar thoughts, yet whenever mortality drew near, overwhelming dread inevitably grasped one’s heart.

Her defiant claim was born purely from absolute, weary resignation.

“Do you not feel longing for your kin?”

At the mention of family, moisture immediately pooled along the rims of her eyes.

“My mother and father certainly believe I have already perished.”

“Yet your breath remains within you, does it not?”

She fixed her stare upon Baek So-cheon.

“What is your actual aim in telling me this?”

“If you navigate this predicament with intelligence, staying alive is entirely possible.”

“My dignity and form will only end up tainted.”

“That may happen. Nevertheless, you shall endure. You will behold your kin once more. A day may arrive when you establish a household of your own, perhaps cradling a lovely girl resembling you.”

The conviction in her eyes trembled. His attempts to sway her were not intended to please Yeom Hwa-sin in the slightest. His heartfelt objective was to preserve this woman’s life.

“I do not claim to understand your path, nor the principles you have held throughout your journey. Yet heed this single truth: remaining alive constitutes ultimate triumph. As long as a hearth exists for you to seek, as long as your loved ones linger in anticipation of your return, survival must outweigh every other concern. Purity has value, and honor holds weight—yet neither surpasses living to reunite with them. Furthermore… you have my apologies.”

“What cause have you to seek forgiveness?”

“Had I successfully ended his life upon the battlegrounds of that war, your present torment would never have unfolded. I truly regret it.”

“Rumors reached me… that your martial foundations were destroyed.”

“Indeed. That explains my current presence here. Survival ranks as my ultimate objective as well.”

“Why does it matter so much to you?”

“Even at this very instant, there exists a person I yearn for, alongside ambitions I must still fulfill in the days ahead. Consequently, I intend to endure by any means necessary. I have no desire to permit an evil scoundrel such as Yeom Hwa-sin to shatter my future.”

Her heart was deeply shaken by the sincerity of his declaration.

“In that case, how ought I to act?”

“Simply follow the natural instincts that belong to you as a woman.”

“My womanly instincts?”

“Precisely. There is no requirement to abruptly shower him with affection, nor should you erect an impenetrable barrier. Act in the manner of a perceptive woman—sway his emotions, drawing him near only to pull away.”

“And how long must I maintain such a performance?”

Following an intentional pause, Baek So-cheon gave his reply.

“Until the moment I arrive to rescue you.”

Their eyes met, holding firmly in the quiet air. Observing the absolute gravity etched upon his countenance, Yeop Sa-mi found herself untroubled by his absent martial power, discovering instead an overwhelming urge to place her faith in this man and await his return. Perhaps it stemmed from his reputation as a legendary warrior of the war, or perhaps from the inexplicable aura of reliability he seemed to exude.

Eventually, she fortified her resolve.

“Very well. I shall make the attempt.”

She had long considered her existence entirely abandoned—yet suddenly felt compelled to expend one final exertion toward living.

Up to this very hour, she had remained buried within crushing helplessness. Confinement within this fence had led her to contemplate nothing beyond drawing her last breath.

Display no weakness. Meet the end with whatever shred of self-respect could be gathered. Such was the sole tenet she had stubbornly guarded.

However, sharing words with Baek So-cheon had awakened an aching fondness for the loved ones she had nearly forgotten. She yearned to live on, to step back into the embrace of her household, and to inform them proudly that she had persevered even after standing before the lord of the Black Heaven Alliance.

Baek So-cheon pushed himself up from the bench.

“May fortune favor your path, then.”

As he pivoted around to depart, her voice called out from behind.

“You must not leave just yet.”

“Pardon?”

“Were I to shift my temperament with excessive haste, it would only inflict damage upon his pride.”

Her sharp instincts as a woman were evidently already asserting themselves.

A lady capable of grasping his counsel with such swiftness and clarity… one day, he would undoubtedly make his way back here to lead her away to freedom.

“Quite right.”

Two entire hours slipped by before Baek So-cheon finally stepped outward through the fence.

Yeom Hwa-sin was loitering beside the stationary carriage, waiting for him.

“What could have possibly delayed you for so long?”

Baek So-cheon responded with a raised, sharper tone.

“What else could it be? The entire conversation revolved around you.”

“And what words did you share?”

“I primarily instructed her to outlive your clutches. Giving up one’s life to a despicable villain such as yourself is utterly meaningless.”

Baek So-cheon chose complete candor. There was zero benefit in attempting to deceive a figure of his caliber. True to expectations, Yeom Hwa-sin cracked an amused grin rather than erupting in fury.

“What followed after that?”

“Did she express an urge to slaughter you?”

“You possess not an ounce of self-awareness.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ordinary mortals would never dare harbor the notion of striking you down. Even an individual like myself can only sigh helplessly, at a total loss on how to handle you.”

“Continue.”

Yeom Hwa-sin peered at him, his curiosity thoroughly stoked.

“We spoke at length about her family. That she ought to endure for their sake, because she misses them deeply.”

“And regarding her hatred toward me?”

“Step inside and listen to her explanations yourself.”

“From my own ears?”

Yeom Hwa-sin strode toward the small dwelling.

Within the interior, Yeop Sa-mi was calmly waiting, engaged in preparing hot tea.

“This marks the very first occasion. You, willingly offering me hospitality.”

“I was unable to secure any lethal powder. A true pity.”

Yeom Hwa-sin let out a soft laugh and took a measured sip from the porcelain cup.

“What brought about this sudden alteration in your attitude?”

“Nothing has altered. I simply wished to spare that earlier traveler from facing unwarranted harm.”

Prior to walking away, Baek So-cheon had left her with a piece of guidance: Yeom Hwa-sin lacked fine perception when it came to delicate nuances—she needed to speak plainly and directly. Yet even absent that warning, she had already deduced his rough temperament.

Fixing his gaze upon the swirling liquid within the cup, Yeom Hwa-sin murmured,

“This hospitality serves as the fee he pays for your survival.”

“His words were upright and worthy. Therefore, spare his life.”

“Have you developed the leisure to fret over another person’s fate?”

“It would appear so.”

A gentle, subtle curve formed upon her mouth.

The faint smile upon her lips immediately summoned the visage of a young girl from his distant past—the sweetheart of his youth.

Reflecting upon those days, his sire had truly been insane. Demanding that he execute the maiden with his very own hands, all to sever every shred of mortal sentiment and ascend to the supreme pinnacle of the wicked path.

Paralyzed by terror before his progenitor, Yeom Hwa-sin had obediently carried out the atrocity.

Naturally, he had later butchered his father in turn.

The scheme had succeeded precisely as designed. He was transformed into an emotionless monstrosity devoid of warmth or familial attachment—a maniac consumed purely by battle.

To truly conquer his father, he ought to have spurned that hideous mold… and yet the deed had already been done.

Yeop Sa-mi matched that lost first affection in flawless detail. She appeared identical to how that maiden would look, fully matured into womanhood. The instant his eyes had first fallen upon her, he had frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded, and astonishingly, traces of those long-buried feelings still stirred faintly within his chest.

“Should you choose not to end my existence this day, grant me a period of time.”

“A period of time?”

“I require time to become acquainted with you. I cannot imagine a warrior of your stature orchestrated all this solely to possess my flesh. It is only fitting that we spend time discovering one another.”

“You possess a desire to know me?”

“To be frank? Dread fills me.”

“Dread of what?”

“…The fear that as the seasons drift onward, sentiments may emerge… and I might arrive at an understanding of you.”

Staring deeply into her eyes, Yeom Hwa-sin slowly set the cup upon the surface.

“I will drop by on occasion.”

Yeom Hwa-sin stepped past the threshold and vacated the dwelling.

Only after his shadow had completely disappeared did Yeop Sa-mi release the ragged air she had held tightly in her chest. The violent trembling running through her limbs had nearly overwhelmed her senses.

Even so, her determination was cemented: she would pour every ounce of strength into surviving.

Rejoining Baek So-cheon by the path, Yeom Hwa-sin suddenly remarked,

“You are truly extraordinary, just as anticipated.”

“As you claimed earlier, I have thrust a blade directly into your heart. What words did she present to you?”

“That holds no significance for you.”

“Could it be true? You truly spared her life?”

“And what if I had struck her down?”

“It would match your usual cruelty.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Did you anticipate me wailing in grief? I cannot even extinguish the flames scorching my own heels. I am hardly some righteous champion. Circumstances merely hurled me into your path.”

“Indeed. That was my initial blunder, fastening the very first button astray. How about pledging your allegiance to my banner at this moment?”

“My ties with our Alliance Lord have only just been mended. Your timing is rather terrible.”

“Hahaha!”

Yeom Hwa-sin burst into unrestrained, boisterous laughter.

Sharing words and thoughts with Baek So-cheon felt oddly comfortable. He harbored a wish to unburden his mind, yet found no companion suited for the task. Countless subordinates readily offered up their lives for his sake, yet not a single one among them was someone to whom he could expose his private sentiments.

Together, the pair began their return journey back toward the stronghold of the Black Heaven Alliance.

When nighttime descended, Yeom Hwa-sin made his way into Baek So-cheon’s quarters.

“Your departure is scheduled for the morrow.”

“And our agreement?”

“I intend to honor my word.”

He produced an ancient manual and passed it forward.

It was none other than the ultimate pinnacle lightness technique that Baek So-cheon had been pursuing.

Pung-sin Haeng-gong.

“You shall be granted precisely half an hour. Commit whatever portion you manage to your memory.”

“Half an hour is ridiculously inadequate!”

“Did you assume your two hours of idle chatter would grant you the privilege of carrying away the complete work?”

“Grant me three hours. No, make it merely two.”

“The sand is already running.”

Baek So-cheon wasted not a second, plunging his full attention into the pages and perusing the lines with extraordinary rapidity.

He gathered the totality of his mental faculties, searing every single character into his consciousness.

On the exact mark of half an hour, Yeom Hwa-sin snatched the volume back into his grasp.

“Have you managed to memorize the contents?”

Baek So-cheon glared back with undisguised irritation.

“The entirety of it?”

“Hahaha! You caught a brief sample—is that not plenty? Showering a lady with such excessive tributes will only spoil her nature.”

“You should first see to removing that mountain of goods cluttering her courtyard!”

“Hmph! A man’s woman is someone he must shield through the hazard of his own flesh.”

“You truly stand as the most shameless scoundrel under heaven!”

Yeom Hwa-sin walked out the door, his face shining with satisfied glee.

The moment he departed, a subtle grin graced the corners of Baek So-cheon’s lips. Through sheer, unbreakable focus, he had succeeded in committing the entire scripture to memory within those brief thirty minutes.

Yeom Hwa-sin had severely underestimated the monstrous, unnatural capacity Baek So-cheon possessed for absorbing martial texts.

In this manner, Baek So-cheon claimed mastery over the final esoteric skill hailed as “supreme through the ages.”

Indeed—my woman is someone I shall shield with my own hands.

Shutting his eyes tight, Baek So-cheon permanently engraved the profound secrets of the manual into the depths of his spirit.