Episode 361
“Can I ask why?”
“From Dokgok’s point of view, the Archduke may seem like a thorn in his eyes, but not to me.”
“But that doesn’t mean you have any particular interest in him, does it?”
“I think you’re mistaken, but I’m not a hitman.”
“Do not kill people without cause. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s not that tight, but I know that Wu Xiaoze will be very sad if I agree here.”
The man in black’s eyes frowned slightly.
It was obvious why Dokgok asked me a favor instead of doing it himself.
Because the Grand Duke, Wu Jiajin’s inaction is that great.
He was undisputedly one of the best warriors in Nanman.
In terms of skill alone, I didn’t know that he would be comparable to Botaam’s swordsman or slightly better than her.
‘I know because I tried it myself. That he is an expert who is on the verge of absolute perfection.’
In order to eliminate such a high-ranking expert, a considerable number of people would have to be mobilized, but now that the non-aggression pact had been signed, there was no way to dispatch that much force to the central plain.
The reason Woo Ga-jin fled to the midfield in the first place was probably because he was aiming for that point.
“And one more thing. “I don’t want to interact with Dokgok any longer than necessary.”
“······.”
“I don’t want the relationship to get worse, but I don’t really want it to get stronger either. I think this is just right for now. “I’m sure you understand what I mean.”
“Don’t you think that refusing a request could cause a rift in your relationship?”
“Are you threatening me now?”
“Did it sound like a threat? “If that’s the case, I’m sorry.”
“That’s right.”
I unwrapped my arms and smiled darkly.
A terrifying energy spread out and filled the living room.
“I guess I look easy because I use honorifics.”
Perhaps because he felt the pressure of the heavier air, the black-robed man’s complexion turned pale.
The woman who introduced herself as Yeong (影) clutched her chest and looked distressed.
“Don’t be mistaken. Cheonan Gambu and Dokgok are not vertically related. If he asks, am I obligated to do so?”
“······.”
“Go to Lord Gok and tell him. From now on, please set a different eye level. “I have no intention of paying attention to Dokgok.”
The man in black’s expression hardened.
It seemed like he was very offended by my remarks that included poisonous grain wine.
The breathtaking standoff continues for some time.
“I apologize. “I made a mistake.”
The man in black sighed deeply and lowered his head.
The woman sitting next to me looked surprised.
“I wish you knew.”
The energy that was weighing down the area dispersed and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
An awkward silence fell.
As I was staring at the man in black who couldn’t easily open his mouth, I spoke out loud.
“Don’t worry too much. “I will make sure that the Grand Duke, who was unable to let go of his attachment to the palace, returns to Nanman.”
“······?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to just watch over him and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid?”
“Is there some way?”
“I will take the Grand Duke under my command. “Sojeo over there has decided to stay in the midfield, so I guess we can just have him report regularly.”
“You want to make the Archduke your subordinate? Is that possible? “He is not a person who will fall under someone else’s orders.”
“You won’t know unless you try.”
“good night. “Let me believe it.”
The man in black responded by nodding and got up from his seat.
It was an unappealing look, but it seemed like they agreed and decided to move on for now.
“Are you planning to go back?”
“Because everything was accomplished. “There’s nothing good about staying here for a long time.”
“Sojeo over there…”
“I will leave it behind. “You can take it to the lady right away.”
The new form of the man in black disappeared as if melting into the air.
Only a woman who looked exactly like Woo Hwayeon remained in the office.
“You said it was Yeong (影).”
“yes.”
“Is there any other name?”
“doesn’t exist. “I am just a shadow.”
“In that case, please consult with Wu Xiaoze and come up with a new name.”
“Is it absolutely necessary?”
“Required. “I plan to provide you with an appropriate identity so that you can freely enter the Murim Alliance headquarters in the future.”
“All right.”
Mechanical answer.
I felt like I was dealing with a doll rather than a person.
I smiled bitterly and stood up, leaning on the table.
“Follow me. First, I will guide you to Wu Xiaozhe’s residence.”
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“Do you like the gift?”
“I like it very much.”
Seoyeon Dang opened the lid of the sealed bottle, took the powder inside with her index finger, and placed it on her tongue.
It was a sight that could have been misunderstood as someone checking the taste of seasoning.
‘It’s a poison that would paralyze an ordinary person’s entire body and cause them to collapse within ten breaths.’
Tang Seo-yeon’s shoulders trembled.
Soon a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
Poisonous liquids and substances extracted from plants and mushrooms that grow only in Hebei.
I was worried about whether it would be a good gift for a lover who had been waiting for a long time, but judging by the reaction, it seemed like I was unfounded.
‘Does a woman really know how she feels?’
An image of Paeng Yeon-ji boasting confidently appeared in my mind.
After checking the contents of all six bottles, Seoyeon Dang turned to me and asked.
“Did you say it was Dobong Sojeo who recommended these as gifts?”
“That’s right.”
Tang Seo-yeon’s eyes narrowed.
My back became cold due to an unknown chill.
For a moment, she put the capped bottle in a corner and spoke to me warmly.
“You said you have completed most of the backlogged work.”
“yes.”
“Then maybe you can take some time for me today.”
“That’s what I came with in mind.”
Seo-yeon Dang and I left Wolhwa Market and headed toward Jeojat Street.
We ate together, walked around the market, and watched plays.
Did you say that happy times pass quickly?
When I came to my senses, the world was immersed in twilight.
“Would you like to have a drink before you go back?”
“great.”
A ferry boat was rented from a ship near Dongdong Lake.
After rowing to the center of the lake, I took out the liquor bottle and glasses I had prepared in advance.
Ting.
Two drinking glasses clashed in the air.
At the time, Seoyeon Tang’s face was slightly red due to intoxication.
“Sozer.”
“yes.”
“Actually, I have one more gift for Sozer.”
“······?”
“I picked it because I thought it would be nice to have at least one gift I chose myself instead of a gift picked out by someone else. “This is also an item purchased on the black market…”
I grabbed her hand holding the glass.
He took the glass from her, who looked embarrassed, and placed it on the floor, fiddling with his straight fingers.
‘crudity.’
In a way, it could be said that it was natural.
Because these are the hands of a martial artist who has practiced martial arts for a long time.
Although he achieved transformation once, it was of little significance since he must have continued to work hard on his training.
It would soon be covered again with blisters and scars.
I took the ring I had taken out of my pocket and put it on her ring finger.
The expensive jewel embedded in the center sparkled in the sunset light.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never given Sojeo a single piece of jewelry as a gift.”
“······.”
“So I prepared some insignificant items for you. Do you like them?”
Tang Seo-yeon’s eyes trembled slightly as she stared at the ring on her finger.
He looked like he didn’t know what to say.
“Unrang.”
A trembling voice.
It seemed like he liked the gift.
I was worried that I might have given him a too shabby gift.
As I waited patiently without urging, Tang Seo-yeon slowly continued talking.
“I think about it sometimes. Is it okay to receive such undeserved treatment? “What on earth can I say?”
“You’re making me say the same thing again. “Don’t think that way.”
I filled the empty glass with alcohol and handed it to her.
Tang Seo-yeon, who took it without any hesitation, let out a meaningless laugh.
“Rather than that, I’d like to hear your impressions now. “Do you like the gift?”
“yes. “Better than any gift I’ve ever received.”
“I’m glad that’s the case.”
“You can’t just accept it like this.”
“It is not a gift given with the expectation of receiving something in return. “You don’t have to force me to repay you.”
“Have you forgotten? “The Tang family is a family that is strictly benevolent.”
Tang Seo-yeon made direct eye contact with me.
She moved her lips as if she were conflicted for a while, but spoke with a determined look on her face, as if she had made up her mind.
“sorry.”
“······?”
“sorry.”
“Sozer. “Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“I’m really, really sorry.”
I couldn’t maintain my composure.
My anxiety rose sharply.
What does it mean?
What is the reason for repeatedly apologizing out of nowhere?
It didn’t take long for the question to be answered.
“With this, Sohyeop can now tell me three wishes.”
Tang Seo-yeon’s eyes narrowed.
For a moment I didn’t understand what she was saying.
It was only after a beat that I realized I had been fooled.
My shoulders slumped as I felt empty.
[From now on, we will refrain from using the word sorry to each other.]
[yes?]
[Whether intentionally or accidentally, the one who apologizes loses. There will also be a condition that the loser must grant the winner one wish.]
Who would have thought that the conditions of the bet could be used in reverse.
I glared at her with a puzzled look.
Tang Seo-yeon quietly averted her gaze.
‘You got hit.’
I sighed heavily and smiled bitterly.
I never thought I would get hit like this.
‘They made fun of me.’
Will you grant me three wishes?
Would you regret it?
I stretched out my hand and grabbed Tang Seo-yeon’s chin.
The ferry rocked and water splashed.
“Then let’s make the first wish right away.”
“······You mean here?”
“I guess the location doesn’t matter, right? “Don’t move.”
Tang Seo-yeon’s body became stiff.
Lips met lips.
And, the overlapping new models collapsed and disappeared into the hull.
* * *
“Then, please take good care of Cheonangambu while I am gone.”
“yes.”
I left Meng’s headquarters and set off on a journey to Guangxi.
As I left the temporary base, being seen off by Hwadaerang and other members, people waiting outside approached me and started talking to me.
“Boss.”
“Are you ready?”
“yes.”
The staff was organized simply.
Cheon Ga-ryeong, Tang Seo-yeon, and Cheon-woo Dojang.
It was a combination of people with a nostalgic feel for the past.
“Anyway, do you mind? “I remember that the injuries sustained in the previous fight with the Demon Cultist were not minor.”
“No problem. “If it was an injury, it was completely cured right away.”
Dojang Cheonwoo pounded his chest with his fist.
I knew it, but it had extraordinary durability and resilience.
Changin Dojang, who suffered similar injuries, is still in a hospital bed taking care of his body.
Should we really say that he is a disciple who has continued the progress of Plum God Sword?
“Then, let’s leave.”
Dojang Cheonwoo, sitting in the coach seat, waved the reins.
The carriage began to move with a clattering noise.
martial arts,
