Chapter 72

Chapter 72
Within her private quarters on the second story of Daroo Tea House, Cheon-geuk sat at her desk, carefully reading through a pile of official records.

“Give the Shandong proposal our approval, but instruct their representative to appear before me in person.”

“Understood, my Lord.”

Her directive was received by Buk-seong, the North Star of her four personal protectors. Possessing keen analytical wit and sharp judgment, he handled most intelligence matters and served as the direct link carrying Cheon-geuk’s instructions to the operatives running the alliance.

She reviewed another scroll with close scrutiny, imprinted it with her personal seal, and passed it to his hands.

“This is approved as well. What else remains?”

“Perhaps you should take a brief rest, my Lord. Shall I steep some fresh tea?”

“That sounds reasonable.”

Cheon-geuk stretched her arms and rose from the chair.

Lately, she had been managing the affairs of the Sal-su Yeon-maeng far more assiduously than before. Not a soul suspected that the proprietor of this humble tea establishment situated directly across from the Murim Alliance headquarters was actually the supreme sovereign of the Assassin Alliance.

Throughout her life, she had traversed the Central Plains without settling anywhere for long, orchestrating operations through discreet safe houses; consequently, handling business from this location presented no difficulties whatsoever.

While her presence here was tied to Baek So-cheon, that alone had not dictated her choice.

Given the current climate, she considered this spot the most prudent and secure sanctuary.

From here, she could observe the shifts between the Black Heaven Alliance and the Murim Alliance before anyone else—and, above all, she enjoyed the Murim Alliance’s subtle sanctuary.

Grand Strategist Je-gal Hyeon was fully aware that she operated Daroo Tea House right on their doorstep. Ordinarily, such a thing would never be tolerated, yet he had deliberately looked the other way this time, offering unspoken consideration because she and Na-sa-rin had preserved the life of the Alliance Lord.

Cheon-geuk walked over to the window and pushed the wooden panels wide open.

The moment her gaze fell outside, an exclamation slipped from her lips.

“Come look, all of you!”

The remaining members among her four guardians promptly stepped into view.

“It is the first snowfall!”

Behind the thrilled Cheon-geuk, the four guardians traded knowing glances. They understood all too well the real reason behind her excitement.

Silent telepathic exchanges fluttered among the protectors.

—It appears she has been counting down to this exact day.

—She was monitoring the heavens every morning to see if it would fall.

—What if Captain Baek has forgotten all about it?

—Then we will simply track him down and slit his throat!

—Hold your tongue, this is no joking matter. Should I go and jog his memory?

—We must not meddle in our Lord’s personal affairs.

—Her disappointment will run deep if Captain Baek fails to appear.

Right then, Cheon-geuk spoke without even glancing back.

“I told you to observe the snow—what are you all muttering about back there?”

Naturally, she possessed no eyes behind her head; it was merely an accurate deduction.

“It is nothing, my Lord.”

“You were discussing him, weren’t you?”

The rigid and honest Dong-seong replied plainly.

“……Yes.”

“Do you believe he forgot our appointment today?”

“He will surely remember.”

“Men perpetually overlook promises of this sort.”

Cheon-geuk watched the descending flakes for a quiet moment, then looked over her shoulder toward her subordinates.

“Even if he did forget, we can simply share a drink amongst ourselves. Right?”

“Naturally.”

At that precise moment, a buoyant voice called out from beneath the open window.

“The snow is falling!”

Cheon-geuk spun around, her expression lighting up instantly.

Baek So-cheon stood on the street below, waving his arm up toward her.

“What are you waiting for? Come on down.”

Just as she was about to leap lightly over the sill, Seo-seong—the sole woman among her four guardians—caught hold of her sleeve.

“My Lord!”

“What is it?”

“You must apply your cosmetics and put on proper attire before going out.”

“He is waiting down there right now.”

“He can afford to wait a moment.”

Leaning out, Cheon-geuk called down to the street.

“Give me a short moment downstairs.”

A half-shichen later, she stepped down to the ground floor.

Baek So-cheon was struck still the instant his eyes met hers. Her face was delicately painted, and she wore a tailored crimson court robe that traced her silhouette flawlessly, paired with an outer cloak trimmed in snow-white fur.

She was already striking by nature, but adorned like this, her presence was breathtaking. She seemed like an entirely different person.

As it turned out, Seo-seong possessed an unexpected gift for cosmetics. While she assisted Cheon-geuk with her makeup, the remaining guardians had hurried through the market’s garment shops to assemble an ensemble that flattered her perfectly.

Cheon-geuk gave a self-conscious laugh.

“How does it look? It has been forever since I bothered with cosmetics.”

“You look stunning.”

And she truly did. If one were to present her among the most renowned beauties across the realm, every soul would nod without hesitation.

“Let us be off. We have snow to enjoy.”

“Alright.”

The pair stepped out into the open. Rather than donning her customary wide-brimmed veiled hat, she wore merely a light silk veil across the lower half of her face, leaving her eyes visible—a choice that lent an enchanting allure to her appearance.

The gentle flurries had gradually swelled into a thick, swirling flurry.

“Ah, this feels wonderful.”

Cheon-geuk smiled with pure, unburdened delight.

Baek So-cheon felt his own spirits lift. When was the last occasion he had looked upon falling snow with genuine joy? Setting aside his earliest childhood, practically never.

Snow invariably brought back grim visions of his comrades trembling in the bitter frost, endless tracks carved across frozen wastes, and bright crimson blood staining the pure white expanse. It held no other meaning for him.

“This counts as our very first promenade together.”

“Does it?”

“Shall we find some wine later on?”

“That sounds great.”

“Wonderful!”

They strode side by side along the street. The handsome Baek So-cheon alongside such a captivating woman inevitably drew lingering looks from every passerby.

“You know, an assassin detests nothing more than drawing curious eyes.”

Melting into the background was the very core of their survival.

“Does it bother you?”

“Not at all.”

And she meant it. Under normal circumstances, she could never tolerate such attention, yet with Baek So-cheon walking at her side, the gaze of the world felt unexpectedly pleasant.

“Ah, let us take a look here before we move on.”

She paused by an accessory vendor at the side of the road, examining the trinkets. Baek So-cheon waited patiently beside her. Simply taking in her graceful presence was a source of quiet pleasure for him as a man.

Because of the relentless conflicts that had swallowed his entire life, even after reaching the pinnacle as the supreme under heaven, he had never once experienced such quiet, simple joys.

“Which one do you prefer?”

“The piece in the front catches the eye more.”

“I thought so as well. You seem rather well-versed in what women like.”

“Does that displease you?”

“Not necessarily…”

“Then what is it?”

“I mentioned this once before, didn’t I? I have never spent time with a man like this.”

“So you feel a bit cheated?”

“Perhaps a little.”

“Hahaha. There is no need for regret. I have spent nearly my whole existence drifting across warzones—how much courting could I possibly have engaged in? Besides, a man completely ignorant of women would only make for dull company.”

“A fair assessment.”

She turned back to resume walking.

“Are you not going to buy it?”

“We only recently secured our first proper dwelling.”

“Gasp.”

Cheon-geuk burst into soft laughter at his exaggerated gasp of shock.

They picked up snacks from roadside stalls and paused to watch street performers at work. Talking and laughing as they wandered, the winter breeze seemed completely stripped of its chill.

She sent a quiet message through sound transmission.

—How is your martial foundation recovering?

—I have returned to the state I possessed when you last saw me.

—Truly?

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

—That is astounding! To reclaim that caliber of skill in such a brief window…

—It is nothing particularly miraculous. The Alliance Lord provided immense guidance. And your assistance was invaluable as well.

—Still, congratulations. A sincere congratulations to you.

—My thanks.

—Let us march straight out to capture Yeom Hwa-sin right this second!

—Hahaha, very well. Let us go!

For so long, he had yearned to boast playfully like a child to someone close, wanting to express just how hard he had pushed himself. Yet there had never been anyone suitable to confide in. Hearing her praise today made all that grueling effort feel entirely worthwhile.

She made a show of looking left and right along the street.

“Are there no troublemakers around looking to pick a fight?”

Naturally, not a single thug materialized to fit the moment.

“Even dog droppings are nowhere to be found when needed as medicine, it seems.”

“Haha, we cannot reveal your prowess just yet.”

Cheon-geuk came to a halt and fixed her gaze directly upon Baek So-cheon. Her expression turned solemn behind the light veil.

“Why are you looking at me with such intensity?”

“You fully intend to fight them, don’t you?”

The unspoken target of that battle hung clearly between them.

“I have no choice.”

“You could easily vanish right now, and not a soul could trace you. Why not take on a fresh identity and live in peace?”

“Why do you always look for ways to urge me away?”

“Because…”

“Are you worried I might lose my life?”

Indeed. Why was that? Why was it that every time she looked upon him, an urge rose within her to push him far into safety?

Truthfully, she could not entirely unravel her own heart.

“Where are we headed?”

“There is a spot I am rather fond of. Care to come along?”

“Lead the way.”

Half a shichen later, they were floating upon a small vessel.

They had brought along jars of liquor and fine dishes secured from a renowned tavern in the marketplace celebrated for its master cook.

Whenever she felt inclined to drink, she favored this exact method—drifting along the quiet waters of the river upon a small boat. It was her favorite place to indulge. Ordinarily, her guardians would stand watch at the bow and the stern, but today, no one was there beside Baek So-cheon.

“Resting out here brings peace to my thoughts. Perhaps it is because my life has always resembled floating duckweed. I find comfort in not knowing where the river’s path will carry me.”

Baek So-cheon caught the fundamental solitude woven into her words. Yeom Hwa-sin carried his own burdens, but Cheon-geuk held a deep isolation known only to those who governed entire alliances.

She was someone who could never speak her genuine thoughts freely to another living soul.

He imagined that even the Murim Alliance Lord, Ak So-gun, bore that identical weight.

Though his devotion to him was deeper than anyone’s, they were never able to speak with such unguarded ease. He hoped that one day, he might cast off all titles and share a simple, casual drink with him as well.

“I find this place rather pleasing too.”

“Do you?”

Baek So-cheon nodded gently.

“What do you plan to do going forward?”

“Grow more formidable.”

“For what purpose?”

“It seems I harbor some pride after all.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“I wish to stand once more at the very pinnacle of the Murim Seol-yeol-log. If I must eventually depart, I ought to leave behind an unforgettable name.”

Cheon-geuk broke into a wide smile.

“What brings that grin?”

Baek So-cheon chuckled alongside her.

He could not foresee what their connection would evolve into over time. Yet when he was by her side, he found a sense of comfort unlike anything he felt with others.

Even so, Baek So-cheon maintained a measured boundary between them.

He did not allow his thoughts to reach toward the distant future.

It was not because of her profession as an assassin.

Rather, it was because he had never harbored an affection profound enough to envision creating a home of his own.

To cross paths with wandering souls and part ways on amicable terms; if no companion appeared, to walk the path in solitude. That had always been his outlook on matters of the heart.

“Address me as So-cheon from this point on.”

“Pardon?”

“You constantly address me with vague terms. Use my given name freely, without all the formality.”

“Are you serious?”

“Are we not close enough by now?”

“Certainly.”

Cheon-geuk’s face lit up with delight.

“Shall I test it?”

“Go ahead.”

“Hey, So-cheon.”

“That tone feels unnatural.”

“Hehehe.”

She giggled just like an innocent youth. Who could ever look upon that laughter and imagine her to be the supreme ruler of all assassins?

“So-cheon.”

“Yes?”

“I am grateful.”

“There is no need for thanks. Come, let us drink.”

Captivated by her grace, Baek So-cheon blurted out before thinking.

“Should I arrange for a hundred thousand nyang?”

“……The pleasure house is likely shut tight at this hour.”

“What a pity.”

‘Would you like to take a loan from me?’

Burying those teasing thoughts within, they tilted their cups and emptied the wine once more.

Setting aside her empty porcelain, she stretched her limbs and leaned back against the deck.

“Ah, this is absolute perfection. Forget the endless duties of the alliance—let us simply drink and revel!”

Baek So-cheon stretched out beside her, mimicking her casual sprawl.

“Ah, this is absolute perfection. Forget the sprawling conflict and everything else—let us simply drink and revel!”

“Do you know what I learned?”

“What did you learn?”

“I once read in a text that four-tenths of what we dread never comes to pass. Like worrying whether the heavens might collapse. Another three-tenths dwell entirely on past happenings, water already spilled upon the earth. One-tenth belongs to trivial trivialities that merit no concern at all. The matters genuinely worth fretting over account for less than a single part, yet people squander nine-tenths of their spirit on worthless dread, letting what truly matters pass them by.”

“That holds quite a bit of truth.”

“Does it not?”

Resting side by side, they turned their gazes toward each other. From this angle, Cheon-geuk radiated an entirely different kind of charm—deeply alluring, stirring dormant instincts. She seemed to possess eight distinct shades of beauty.

Yet with a colossal conflict looming over the realm, could a person burdened with his responsibilities ever entertain love? Where would such an uncertainty fit within her neat divisions?

Just then, white flakes began to drift downward once more.

“Look, it is falling again!”

Lying upon the gentle drift of the wooden craft, watching the pale flakes descend from the dark expanse of the sky—it appeared more breathtaking than any winter scene either of them had ever witnessed.

For this fleeting span of time, the vessel carrying the two drifted away into a realm untouched by worldly cares.