Chapter 56 Masochist Rebellion (4) - Martial Arts Masochist

"Dare not address me merely as 'Cheong Wol.' We are not on such terms." After the confrontation with Muk Ryong, Cheong Wol found herself alone in her room. She sat upright on her knees, silently listening to her own breath, reflecting on the moments that had just passed. "...Ha." What a pitiful sight. She thought as she observed herself. Perhaps Muk Ryong was entirely correct. Maybe she should have shown proper manners to the plebeians who came to see her, exactly as he had suggested. Perhaps it was she herself who was twisted and disgraceful. Yet, at that very moment, she simply could not endure it. Something surged from deep within her soul. Rumors even suggested that the incident she caused might bring an end to the Tang family meeting. She wondered what a nuisance she had become. It was the first time she had lost her temper in front of others. The repercussions of her actions were already beginning to weigh heavily on her mind. Would Jang Moon In's wrath descend upon her? Would her fellow disciples mock her? Would people point at her in disdain wherever she went? '...But should I even care about that?' A small voice within Cheong Wol whispered. What did it matter how others perceived her? It had been a long time since she felt the same affection for her sect. She could admit to the thrill she felt when she had trampled on the insufferably arrogant Muk Ryong just a moment ago. What right did the weak have to judge her? What right did they have to judge anything? If they wanted to speak their minds, they should first gain the strength to back it up. How could those without the power to uphold their own beliefs judge others? Cheong Wol had worked tirelessly to acquire her strength. She had suffered greatly and shed countless tears in solitude. Was she to ignore all that effort and live in disregard? Was she required to smile in response to the rude remarks of commoners? Even beasts abide by the logic of strength. For those unable to comprehend this... -Knock, knock, knock. "Hmm!" Cheong Wol snapped out of her unsettling thoughts, her body trembling. She realized she had been holding herself tense, or perhaps holding her breath, as she began to breathe heavily. Sweat slowly trickled down her body. The outfit she chose to wear from the Emei Sect gradually became damp. -Swipe, swipe. Cheong Wol wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and opened the door. "...Who is it?" It was a servant of the Tang family. Even though the servant hadn't spoken, it was evident she had come because of the previous day's events. Given the incident she had caused at the Tang family gathering, it was only natural. "Lady Cheong Wol, a visitor has come to see you." Could it be Tang Soran? Muk Ryong? Or perhaps Dok Wang? No matter who it was, Cheong Wol didn't want to meet them right now. "...I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood for visitors right now." "Oh... Should I tell them to leave?" The servant's attitude was unexpectedly different. Had it been Dok Wang or Tang Soran, they wouldn't have been so easily deterred. Suddenly, a thought of Han Seo Jin crossed her mind. 'I'll let you know when I return to Emei Mountain. You'll be staying at the Tang family, won't you?' Cheong Wol paused for a moment, then belatedly asked. "...Who is the person wanting to see me?" Perhaps due to the previous incident, the servant noticeably tensed as she answered. "Well, um... It was a certain beggar—" "—Please, show them in." Cheong Wol spoke without hesitation. Though she couldn't be certain, there was only one person she could think of when it came to a beggar seeking her out. And as expected, following the servant's guidance, there stood the beggar who was always with Han Seo Jin. Making a formal gesture, he spoke. "...We meet again in Seongdo, milady. You might not know me, but I am Gwak Du, who was uninvited at Emei Mountain—" Cheong Wol felt her patience thinning. "I know who you are. And I'm sorry, but the reason you sought me out is...?" The beggar introduced as Gwak Du swallowed hard, as if unwilling to reveal a certain fact. "Um, you know Seo Jin, right? Seo Jin expressed a desire to see you..." At those words, Cheong Wol had to acknowledge that her heart began to race furiously. For what reason was he calling her? Why was he seeking her? "Where?" After hearing the beggar's last response, Cheong Wol asked no further questions. There was no need nor desire to hear more. That one answer sufficed. Suppressing the rising curiosity and restrained emotions, Cheong Wol changed her clothes. She couldn't meet Han Seo Jin as the Millennium Flower of the Emei Sect. Again, concealing herself with a veil, she proceeded to the place where Han Seo Jin had called for her. On the outskirts of Seongdo, by a river that gently wrapped around the city, someone stood at the end of a bridge. As soon as Cheong Wol saw him from afar, an indescribable emotion surged within her, prompting a deep breath. It had been two days. Since their last meeting at the tavern, she was finally seeing him again. Cheong Wol calmed her tumultuous feelings and quietly stood beside Han Seo Jin. "Word... has it you called for me." She did not possess the same confidence she had when confronting Muk Ryong. Unusually, her voice was soft and cautious. Cheong Wol couldn't understand why. Why did she shrink before him? Why did she always feel this way when standing before this man? Though she was the one who initiated the conversation, Han Seo Jin remained motionless. Cheong Wol stood silently alongside him. She felt strangely self-conscious. Twice now, their feelings had misaligned and been strained. Taking a step forward pricked her pride, while stepping back stifled her chest. Caught in the midst, she wrestled with her own turmoil. "...I heard about what happened today." Cheong Wol frowned slightly. She anticipated that he would address the discord between them, but the conversation suddenly veered toward Muk Ryong. Her expectations were shattered, and her emotions turned sour. Cheong Wol found herself unable to stifle a bitter laugh. "...What, are you here to scold me like Jang Moon In or the master?" But even in the face of her sarcasm, Han Seo Jin simply asked calmly. "Are you struggling?" The seemingly casual question struck an unexpected, tender part within her. Cheong Wol's heart shifted momentarily. ...It had always been this way. Han Seo Jin was the only person who ever said such words to her. And perhaps because she had, on occasion, bared her soul to him...his understanding struck a deeper chord. Yet, in that moment, her noble pride held her back from relying on that warmth. Or perhaps her defensiveness denied it. The feeling of resentment seemed to swell with just those few words. Han Seo Jin was the only person she'd ever truly opened up to. How had she only realized this so late? Of all people, Han Seo Jin should have recognized it sooner. Hadn't she already shown him signs? It was too late now. Far too late. Cheong Wol let her taut emotions spill over. "...You didn't show your face when I was truly struggling, and now, just because I put Muk Ryong in his place, you're suddenly worried? Are you more concerned about Muk Ryong than me?" She didn't want to speak so harshly, yet the prolonged frustration pushed her. How long had it been since she'd last had guidance to deal with her inner demons? After her words, Seo Jin regarded her quietly, eventually speaking with composed assurance. "...Make peace. With Muk Ryong. And the other successors too." Cheong Wol felt her breath catch. Her lips quivered involuntarily. She began to doubt—did he truly care more for Tang Soran? Didn't they share more time together than anyone else? Why did his concern seem to lie elsewhere? Before her rising anger could voice itself, Seo Jin continued. "I say this for your own good, milady." For a moment, her anger subsided. "...For... me?" "This is a gathering of successors who will shape the future. There's nothing to be gained by alienating them." Cheong Wol's face contorted. It was akin to what Jang Moon In would say—logic, calculation, and an accurate assessment of reality. It was advice completely devoid of emotion. She understood its correctness, yet disliked it. And perhaps, that is why she disliked it even more. She was tired of losing herself. Tired of crawling around for the approval of others, she had had enough. Cheong Wol drew a sharp breath. "...Are you telling me to wear a mask my entire life? To live like this forever?" Her voice trembled. "What about me? What about my feelings? Why do I have to be the one who suffers—" "—Milady.” Seo Jin interrupted her calmly. And with steadfast conviction, he whispered, "I will take responsibility for you." Cheong Wol's breath hitched. "...What?" Her bleary gaze locked onto his face, as though frozen. Her eyes gradually widened in understanding. Considering the strain of recent days, his words were utterly unexpected. Yet, only Seo Jin continued with his poised demeanor. "Did you think the treatment for your inner demons could only happen at Emei Mountain?" Cheong Wol's heart began to race. A tingling sensation surged through her chest. The unexpected nature of his words caught her completely off guard. "Make peace. Even if you must wear a mask to do so. Then... even here in Seongdo, we can start that endeavor." Here? Like in that cellar? A mix of shame and fear rushed over her. "You won’t even think about those demons." Her breath caught in her throat, and her sight swirled. Cheong Wol unconsciously lowered her head. However, Seo Jin leaned close beside her veil and whispered into her ear. "We'll engage in an even more intense endeavor... than ever before."