Chapter 83

Chapter 83
When midday arrived the following day, Baek So-cheon made his way to Myeol Ji-ryun’s residence.

She had already finished dressing for an outing. Her garment left her arms and legs uncovered, highlighting her alabaster skin in a striking manner.

“Are we required to dine within the Alliance grounds for safety?”

“That is not mandatory.”

“In that case, would you mind eating out in town?”

“That works for me.”

A delighted smile spread across her face upon receiving Baek So-cheon’s consent. Clearly, she had been eager to venture outside while wearing her fine garments.

“Come, allow me to guide you.”

“I appreciate it.”

Accompanying her, Baek So-cheon exited the Alliance grounds. Perhaps because she had instructed them not to intrude beforehand, Rap-sa and Pa-jeong maintained a considerable distance behind them.

Throughout their stroll, Myeol Ji-ryun found herself captivated by the merchandise displayed by street peddlers. Her curiosity gave her the appearance of an innocent young maiden fascinated by novel things.

Before long, they stepped inside a nearby tavern and took their places across from one another beside an open window with an expansive street view.

“Do you have any particular dietary restrictions?”

“Not at all, I enjoy virtually everything.”

“Then what sort of food do you prefer?”

Myeol Ji-ryun observed Baek So-cheon with a subtle, curious glimmer in her gaze.

“You possess such attentiveness, Baek Dae-hyeop. Finding a man with that level of consideration out in the world is rather difficult.”

“Search thoroughly enough, and you will discover plenty of commendable men. Though given your position, encountering them might prove challenging.”

Her smile grew radiant at his remark.

While their conversation unfolded, an attendant served the dishes they had requested. Taking a bite, she raised her thumb in sincere appreciation.

“The flavor is exceptional.”

“Among all the establishments situated near the headquarters, this tavern boasts the finest cook.”

“I am grateful that you brought me here. Every time I eat, I am reminded of just how incredible the cuisine of the Central Plains truly is.”

“How frequently have you traveled to the Central Plains?”

“This marks my third journey.”

“Who accompanied you on earlier trips?”

“My father did.”

“Yet this time, he permitted you to travel by yourself.”

She met Baek So-cheon’s pointed observation with a light grin.

“I have grown into adulthood now.”

Turning the conversation, she posed an inquiry of her own.

“Provided you do not find it impertinent, would you mind if I asked a question?”

“Not in the least, feel free.”

“What has kept you from taking a wife, Baek Dae-hyeop?”

Though numerous explanations existed, Baek So-cheon offered the most ordinary response.

“I have simply never encountered a woman who stirred my heart enough to wed.”

“Are your standards that exacting?”

“I cannot say for certain. To be completely honest, I never possessed the leisure to pursue romance. The entirety of my younger years was consumed by warfare.”

“What an unfortunate circumstance.”

Lifting their chopsticks once more, they continued their meal.

Meanwhile, hidden eyes were observing their every movement.

It was Cheon-geuk, concealed in the shadows alongside her four protectors.

—Observe the way that woman smacks her lips together. I would wager she consumes everything selfishly on her own. Am I right?

…Indeed.

—Look, look at that! Did you notice how she swallowed after casting that subtle glance? Seduction practically oozes from her. Did you catch it?

Yes.

—Do I appear younger than that woman?

Yes.

What did you say?

!

Interrupting the hesitant Dong-seong, Seo-seong quickly sent a secret transmission.

—Our young lady appears vastly younger. Furthermore, you are a hundred times more breathtaking.

A satisfied chuckle escaped Cheon-geuk.

—Whew, that was truly painful to drag out. Had I continued conversing with Dong-seong, the entire day would have vanished in complaints before hearing those words.

—My apologies.

Dong-seong remained utterly clueless regarding the desires of women.

—We will need to find Dong-seong a woman before anything else.

—I am quite fine as I am!

—Well, I certainly am not!

At that very moment, the dialogue between Baek So-cheon and Myeol Ji-ryun proceeded.

Speaking with deliberate caution, Myeol Ji-ryun broke the silence.

“What is on your mind?”

“An envoy arrived from the Black Heaven Alliance to propose marriage. The son of the Black Heaven Lord sought my hand.”

For reasons known only to herself, she openly disclosed the marriage proposal from Black Heaven to Baek So-cheon.

“Various rumors regarding the Black Heaven Lord’s son had reached my ears, the vast majority being thoroughly negative. Consequently, I informed my father that I possessed no desire to wed, urging him to dismiss the offer.”

Baek So-cheon offered no reply, listening intently.

“My father found himself in a predicament. He stated that turning them down required a viable justification.”

“And you decided to make me that justification?”

“I offer my sincere apologies. It was my assumption that even the Black Heaven Alliance could raise no objection if the party involved was you, Baek Dae-hyeop.”

“For what reason?”

“Because you stand alone… as the single warrior in all the martial realm who brought the Black Heaven Lord to the brink of death.”

“Did it never occur to you that such an act might provoke an even greater fury from the Black Heaven Lord?”

“It did not. Did I act far too rashly?”

He found it impossible to determine the degree of truth behind her words.

For the time being, he chose to appear convinced. Since she had presented him with a piece of truth, he decided to provide one in return.

“Yeom Sa-won is currently en route here from Black Heaven.”

It was an occurrence she would inevitably discover soon. Disclosing it now would carry the impression of repaying her candor.

“Pardon? He is making his way here?”

Myeol Ji-ryun expressed genuine astonishment. There was no way she could have known yet.

“For what reason?”

“On account of you. He is traveling here to confront me in battle, intending to take you with him afterward.”

“That very arrogance is why I harbor disdain for the Black Heaven Lord’s son. He behaves precisely as the rumors describe—making unilateral decisions and acting entirely on impulse.”

Hanging her head low, her expression filled with remorse.

“I have dragged you into an uncomfortable ordeal, Baek Dae-hyeop. Forgive me.”

If the display before him was entirely fabricated, her talent as an actress was extraordinary.

Could she truly be the daughter of the Blood Cult Lord? Her features seemed consistent, at the very least. Should her gray eyes flare crimson during moments of rage, all doubts would vanish.

Baek So-cheon addressed her evenly.

“Assuming you have eaten your fill, shall we make our way back?”

“Certainly.”

The pair exited the tavern together.

Stepping onto the street before the entrance, Myeol Ji-ryun bid him farewell.

“Since I have come out, I think I will stroll around for a short while.”

“Understood. Until next time.”

Taking several paces toward the bustling market, she halted and looked back at Baek So-cheon.

“By the way, does anyone currently hold your affections?”

Baek So-cheon answered without the slightest emotion.

“That inquiry should have been made prior to dispatching your matchmaker.”

“Quite true. In that case, farewell.”

Myeol Ji-ryun slipped away into the crowd of pedestrians. Watching from afar, Rap-sa and Pa-jeong moved to shadow her.

Turning his steps toward the Murim Alliance, Baek So-cheon cast a sideways glance toward the tavern rooftop and remarked out loud:

“Advancing in years carries distinct advantages. One begins noticing details overlooked in youth. Rather than focusing primarily on outward beauty or physical form, other aspects catch the eye. Recklessness or sheer irresponsibility—the habit of dragging others into peril simply to shield oneself. Regardless of how striking the cosmetics or garments may be, such flaws reveal themselves immediately. Therefore, you need not harbor any concern.”

Having spoken his piece, Baek So-cheon continued his walk back toward the Alliance.

A moment later, Cheon-geuk and her escorts emerged from their concealment upon the roof. Baek So-cheon had clearly discerned their presence and deliberately left that statement behind.

Yet despite his lengthy monologue, Cheon-geuk fixated entirely on the trivial phrasing.

“What was that? He claims he never even examined my face or physical form!”

“I doubt that was the true meaning behind his words.”

“Then what was he trying to say?”

Cheon-geuk shot a sharp look toward Dong-seong.

“Does that imply you steal glances at my figure as well?”

“Ack! C-certainly not!”

Seeing him flounder brought a grin to her face.

Her amusement stemmed from more than just teasing him. Baek So-cheon’s statement—his reassurance that she had no need to worry—had swept away the dark cloud lingering over her thoughts.

Yet that brief comfort quickly gave way to a fresh sense of unease.

She directed her gaze in the direction Myeol Ji-ryun had departed.

“Perhaps it is merely my instincts as an assassin, but that woman gives off an unsettling aura.”

“We perceived it as well.”

“Putting aside the matter of Killing Hands… we must ensure she is guarded.”

The four escorts found nothing peculiar about her stance. Their objective was never safeguarding Baek So-cheon; their purpose was to protect the romantic prospects of their Alliance Lord.

—

Night fell, and Myeol Ji-ryun remained positioned beside her chamber window.

As passing clouds obscured the moonlight, her gray eyes were swallowed by deep shadows.

“Baek So-cheon… dealing with him is hardly as simple as the tales suggest.”

Rap-sa, having accompanied her throughout the day, sat within the chamber, while Pa-jeong stood vigil outside the doorway.

Taking a sip from his teacup, Rap-sa spoke.

“A warrior capable of driving a blade into the chest of the Black Heaven Lord could never be an ordinary individual.”

“However, an unforeseen factor has arisen.”

“An unforeseen factor?”

“Yeom Sa-won is traveling directly to this place.”

“Yeom Hwa-sin has commenced his maneuvers.”

“Most likely.”

The lines upon Rap-sa’s aged face grew significantly deeper.

“If Yeom Hwa-sin has taken action, remaining here poses extreme peril. You must withdraw immediately.”

“I will not!”

Her sharp rejection extinguished any further discussion on the matter.

Setting his cup down onto the table, Rap-sa spoke firmly.

“My sole obligation is ensuring your survival. Do not allow yourself to forget that.”

Myeol Ji-ryun pivoted, offering him a charming, delicate smile.

“Rest easy. I have no intention of undertaking unnecessary risks.”

“Very well.”

Turning back to the opening, Myeol Ji-ryun looked outside once more. The moonlight pierced through the parting clouds, draping her form in illumination. Beneath that silver radiance, an eerie, enigmatic glow flickered within her pupils.

“The Central Plains are beginning to grow on me.”

—

By morning, an intense commotion stirred the Murim Alliance.

An astonishing piece of news had spread throughout the compound: Yeom Sa-won and Baek So-cheon were scheduled to engage in a duel to the death over the daughter of the Blood Cult Lord.

Because the Alliance had handled the affair under complete secrecy, the origins of the rumor had to trace back to Black Heaven.

Considering the timing, Yeom Hwa-sin had deliberately circulated the tale immediately following his parting with Baek So-cheon. The intention was unmistakable: forcing Baek So-cheon into accepting the challenge through sheer public pressure.

The entire sect could speak of nothing else.

“The news startled me as well.”

“Could this potentially halt the war?”

“Indeed. Should an alliance form with the Blood Cult, Black Heaven would no longer be able to run rampant.”

“Yet how could the righteous factions ever join hands with the Blood Cult?”

“A complicated mess. Truly complicated.”

Proving the rumors to be grounded in reality, Yeom Sa-won arrived at the Murim Alliance in person. He had truly showed up.

He arrived alongside a mere pair of escorts: Jan-baek, who had previously failed in the mission to assassinate Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk, and Go-gong, another warrior belonging to the Eighteen Ghost Swords.

Dispatching his successor with only two bodyguards right before an impending war—Yeom Hwa-sin’s reasoning remained entirely baffling.

Led forward by an Alliance attendant, the trio strode confidently into Un-ryong Hall.

Awaiting them inside were Baek So-cheon, Je-gal Hyeon, On-byeok-hwa, and Ak So-gun.

“It has been a considerable time, Ak Meng-ju.”

He had previously encountered Ak So-gun upon the field of battle.

“Young Hero Yeom, it has indeed been long.”

“I have surpassed the age where addressing me as ‘Young Hero’ remains fitting.”

He was blatantly hinting that the title of Great Hero was warranted. Despite being wholly unworthy of the honorific, Ak So-gun conceded to his ego.

“Indeed. You have matured into a fine Great Hero.”

Yeom Sa-won proceeded to offer greetings to Je-gal Hyeon and On-byeok-hwa, yet he treated Baek So-cheon as though he were invisible.

In truth, dealing with the blunt arrogance of Yeom Sa-won was far less taxing than managing Myeol Ji-ryun.

Jan-baek fixed his glare directly upon Baek So-cheon.

He had personally witnessed Baek So-cheon slaughter five members of the Ghost Swords in a single breath.

A profound animosity burned within him, outweighed only by an even deeper dread.

Their gazes crossed. Recognizing the man, Baek So-cheon watched as Jan-baek’s eyes darkened with hostility.

‘That day remains etched in my memory.’

Such brazen hatred only manifested because he assumed Baek So-cheon had lost his internal energy. Had he known the true reality, he would have averted his eyes without delay.

Go-gong, having only recently filled the vacant ranks of the unit, bore no such personal history.

Before long, Myeol Ji-ryun and her two protectors entered the chamber, having caught wind of Yeom Sa-won’s arrival.

Upon laying eyes on her, Yeom Sa-won’s eyes stretched wide in amazement.

‘Well now, look at this. She is an absolute beauty.’

Though he had indulged with countless women throughout his life, an exotic allure of this nature was entirely new to him.

Yet witnessing her charm only fanned the flames of his anger—her beauty making her defiance sting that much worse.

‘Insolent wench! Rejecting my hand simply for the sake of Baek So-cheon?’

Without hesitation, Yeom Sa-won confronted her with a blunt interrogation.

“For what reason did you turn away our marriage emissary?”