Chapter 64 - Martial Arts Masochist

The leash grew taut. Cheongwol's body also noticeably stiffened. "..." "..." Despite being given time, she neither struggled nor argued. She merely exhaled shallow breaths, quietly enduring. She was gradually getting accustomed to this walk. She was truly a natural masochist. That was the only conclusion I could reach. Perhaps she liked being forced into things by me? Could she be deriving pleasure from succumbing to a petty opponent? This was information I genuinely did not wish to know. ...Anyway, I decided not to think too deeply about it. In front of the enormous three-story tavern stood a dense crowd. With the post-graduation prodigies newly grouped under a fresh name, people gathered to celebrate their encounter. "Let's go." I navigated through the crowd, advancing forward. Cheongwol was being dragged along behind me, like a large retriever being forced to go home against its will. Throughout the walk, I frequently leaned in to whisper to her. "Just one round. Let's do just one round. You should show this to your comrades, right?" "...Ha... Hoo..." "You did join the Dragon Awakening Society, didn't you?" She nodded. "Good. Then you should show them." Like they say, under the lamp, it’s darkest; in this space filled with endless people, there was hardly anyone who would take notice of us. Over the past few days, I had tested this theory alone. Singing or shouting in front of the inns where the prodigies gathered... ...No one paid any mind. Of course, it felt unsettling, but I was advancing with that belief holding strong. Moreover, Cheongwol's constant shame and torment acted as my strength. If only she weren’t a woman who killed, this would be the reaction of the masochist I dreamed of. Her legs trembled, her shoulders shrank, she felt so embarrassed she could die, and yet she leaned only on me... ...Yet she did not stop, showing slight rebellion before ultimately submitting. She surpassed a natural masochist, becoming exceptionally talented at it. As they say, the world is always fair. The most dangerous poison is accompanied by the most addictive pleasure. Every time I had these thoughts, I would squeeze Cheongwol’s hand again. Please, never forget that this hand is one that takes lives. Meanwhile, we drew closer to the Dragon Awakening Society. The pivotal gathering point of the protagonist's group. Though more would join later, they would eventually become the most important detachment of the Martial Alliance. They were proudly toasting in the open rooms on the third floor. Occasionally, they would wave to the crowd below, patting each other's shoulders in jovial conversation. This was a historic moment in the world, even if we were subtly tainting it. "..." Then, I thought earnestly again. I never imagined I would witness that gathering. It was a fine sight. Upright people coming together to achieve a greater cause. They were grand beings that I dared not imitate. Perhaps it was because I knew the future, but they seemed to shine even more. Thus, it was a truly cruel world. Only a handful would survive that Dragon Awakening meeting. -Slyly. I glanced at Cheongwol. Imagining that she would kill a few individuals there made my skin crawl. It felt like holding a leash to a beast. Step by step, we approached the entrance of Chuyunru, where the Dragon Awakening Society gathered. As the distance closed to a suitable extent, the first person to catch my eye was Tang Soran. The last time I saw her was in my basement. I still wondered what she thought of me. Of course, Tang Soran wasn’t someone who would truly hire assassins on me, but I couldn’t be completely free from worry. ...It should be fine. How could they find me among these people? Anyone drinking would be engrossed in conversation rather than looking at every street spectator. Even among the hundreds gathered here, a slight nod and low profile should be enough. "...Ha... Ha..." At present, I needed to focus more on Cheongwol. Let’s not repeat the same mistake. If I focused on Tang Soran and neglected Cheongwol, I would end up like last time. It seemed Cheongwol didn’t appreciate distractions during play. “Come on, Wol. Let’s greet them.” “…What?” “Raise your hand, wave to your comrades. Show them that you’re this kind of deviant with a leash around your neck.” Cheongwol stumbled at that moment, leaning on me. Her breath trembled, hesitation filled her fingertips. With her remaining hand, she clutched my forearm, supporting herself. “That... that...” “Hurry.” I knew how unfamiliar she was with the Dragon Awakening Society. For her, greeting them in this state was an unparalleled humiliation. “Tell them.” “Huh? The reason you left the gathering... was to take a walk wearing this leash.” “Ha... ha...!” Cheongwol's body shrank. If I let it slide here, the ambiguous atmosphere would drag on indefinitely. Prompt action was necessary! I switched Cheongwol's leash to my left hand. “Aaah!” She struggled to hold onto my right hand, but when I grabbed the other hand, she settled down. I stood behind her, then grasped her right wrist with my now-free right hand. Slowly, I lifted it. “What is...! Come on, Jangju!” “I’ve told you to get along with the prodigies, didn't I? It’s still the same. To get along, you need to greet them.” “I have... greeted them plenty-!” “Not in this manner. Not in your true form.” “Why is this... my true form...!” She whispered harshly into my ear. But the strength draining from her body was so gentle. The nuns of the Emei Sect who didn’t train external techniques were no stronger than an ordinary woman without their internal energy. That fragility ensnared me once again. There is a thrill in making someone do something against their will. Cheongwol’s hand awkwardly curled as it raised. I held her wrist, waving it to the prodigies. “Now, say you’re here.” Cheongwol, held by both hands, could do nothing. She subtly turned her head to hide, legs awkwardly bent. Her rear brushed against mine ever so slightly. "Say hello, greet them." Cheongwol's hand fluttered gently. "Uhgh... Unh!" "Quickly, give them a greeting. Do I have to continue prompting you?" "Ugh!" At that moment, Cheongwol gathered strength as if in frustration. Just when I nearly stumbled backward in surprise— "So, you should tell me what to say...!" she demanded. "..." "..." For a moment, neither of us could speak. Whether it was her sudden behavior or her words, I wasn’t sure, but my heart was pounding furiously. Damn it. I feel the madness creeping up on me. That potent emotion stirred restlessly and surfaced again. Without realizing it, I commanded, "...Tell your comrades, 'I'm sorry, I'm actually this kind of pervert.'" "Huh...!" "Tell them candidly that you're not as noble as people think." Cheongwol trembled, eventually whispering in a voice audible only to me. "Just hurry...! I just want to finish this...!" Her head kept shifting, scanning the onlookers that had gathered. After making such an excuse, she hesitated for a long while before quietly whispering, "...I'm sorry. Ugh...!" She couldn’t manage the words that followed, her mouth moving without sound. "...I'm not as virtuous...as they think." She carefully completed the whisper. -Thud! Then, out of shame, she roughly dropped the hand I had lifted. "Hah...hah..." She tried to conceal her face with her hand through her veil. I seized the opportunity instantly. "Well done." I gently rested a hand on her shoulder. Cheongwol shuddered at just that touch. I could feel the subtle tremor running through her body. "Ah...!" In the end, Cheongwol seemed to have expended all her strength and collapsed backward. I swiftly grasped her hand with one and her shoulder with the other, supporting her. Her back pressed against my body. Even with contact, she couldn't regain her senses. "Ja... Jangju." She whispered, still in that state. "I...I can't walk anymore." "We can rest for a moment—" "—No, I'm not joking." Cheongwol struggled to look up at me. "...I really can't walk." **** Tang Soran absently observed the gathered prodigies. A smile played on her lips, yet she felt one thing internally. ...Boredom. The prodigies in the Dragon Awakening Society loudly celebrated their new bonds, but... Tang Soran felt neither impression nor excitement. She attended thinking she might feel something, but it was all for naught. Her world remained perpetually grey. Not liking anything, joy was a mystery. Not disliking anything made it difficult to avoid anything. Life was empty, undeniably so. Why strive to achieve anything when happiness wasn't at the end of it? Every moment outside her room felt like struggling in a vast ocean. Tang Soran looked at Mookryong with a smiling face. "...Still, we should stay alert. While everyone sees us as strong prospects, the Central Plains are vast, and there are many masters..." ...What does he find so enjoyable to pour so much passion into? She then glanced at Namgoong Yeon conversing with Baekdam from the Huashan Sect. "...But, it always feels lacking. Haha, I shouldn't be sad. Someday, my sword will also walk the path of a monarch..." What burdens Namgoong Yeon so much that he fights so desperately? What is he struggling for? She couldn't comprehend. Tang Soran could not understand any of it. Thus, she looked toward the wide streets of Chengdu instead. With no interest in the prodigies, she had time to indulge. Would steeping herself in poison bring back some excitement in her life? Would fighting until the point of bleeding remind her that she was alive? For a moment, she envied Cheongwol. Always striving for something. Her perplexing actions signifying a firm world of her own. Cheongwol had briefly shown her face at this meeting before leaving, citing some other matter. It's something one couldn't do without a personal standard. At that moment, Tang Soran observed someone familiar in a plain gown, yet distinctive. ...Those were the clothes distributed only to the Tang family servants. Comfortable, practical garments given generously to wear without hesitation. But why would a Tang family servant be here? It was an unusual sight. The face was even covered with a veil. Beside them was a man holding hands affectionately, appearing like a couple out for a stroll. Who could they be? Was there anyone among the Tang family servants who ventured around with a lover? Tang Soran watched her absentmindedly— "...What?" Her brow furrowed. The man who seemed like a lover beside her... looked strangely familiar. She had seen him somewhere. ...No, she was sure she knew him. It was Han Seojin. "..." It took Tang Soran quite some time to accept that it was indeed Han Seojin in Chengdu, unable to believe the reality of it. But she was sure she wouldn’t forget the face of the man who'd punished her. Could he have connected with someone from the Tang family? He clearly had no time for that. "...Ah." At that moment, a thought struck her mind. Someone had told her not to approach Han Seojin anymore. The one who had suddenly changed their mind after saying they wouldn't go to Chengdu. The one who arrived at Chengdu after surpassing the Tang family, arriving later nonetheless. The one who only participated briefly in the Dragon Awakening meeting before citing some matter and leaving. "...It can't be." Tang Soran whispered to herself without realizing it. Surely not. It couldn't possibly be Cheongwol.