The second night since Jongmu had arrived passed. Unlike the previous day, the morning was busier, bustling with various people entering and leaving the gates of the Baek Family's estate.
"Lord Baek."
A young servant bowed respectfully.
"What is it?"
Baek Jong-cha was sitting at his desk, reading documents that had accumulated over the time he had been away with his wife.
"Sect Master Ye is here."
"Let him in."
He waved his hand to dismiss the servant.
A tall man with bulging muscles and a rough face entered through the door. His beard was unkempt, hiding half his face. Worse still was his hair, which looked matted and disheveled, covering his eyes. Only his straight nose was clearly visible.
Seeing the man like this, Jong-cha couldn't help but frown. The man didn't look like the sect leader of the Kunlun Sect at all; instead, one could easily mistake him for someone from the Beggar Sect.
"Sect Master Ye." Jong-cha nodded to him and pointed to the empty chair. "Please, have some tea."
Without proper etiquette, Sect Master Ye downed all the tea directly from the kettle instead of pouring it into his cup.
"Ahh. Refreshing."
He let out a satisfied sigh.
Jong-cha's brow twitched. He couldn't understand how a person like this had become sect master. He was much better suited to be a wandering elder.
"What brings you here?" he asked, getting straight to the point. Jong-cha didn't want to waste time with pleasantries.
"Oho. Impatient, aren't we? That's not how you treat a guest." The man clicked his tongue.
'Says the right one', Jong-cha thought.
"I heard the devil came knocking on your door."
Jong-cha's face turned pale.
"Nonsense!"
Jong-cha was a man who valued family and safety over wealth and influence. But he wasn't foolish,he knew he needed both to protect what was dear to him. Over time, he became vigilant, and despite being closely related to the Kunlun Sect, he avoided involving himself in conflicts or wars. The only exception was when it came to clashes with unorthodox sects and demons. It was every righteous man's responsibility to defend against evil.
In Silla, both orthodox and unorthodox sects coexisted, though not in harmony. The king largely turned a blind eye; as long as they did not act excessively, they were allowed to cultivate their unconventional ways.
"Why say it's nonsense? Don't you have a demon in your guest quarters?" Sect Master Ye spoke bluntly.
"Sect Master Ye!" Jong-cha gave him a warning glare. "I know you are bold, but you should still know what is appropriate to say."
"Hah." He let out a mocking laugh. "Forgive my rudeness. You know I don't mean anything by it."
"I know very well your way with words!"
Ye Man-sik was the sect leader of the Kunlun Sect, a man who didn't seem to fit the title. He often wandered around, picking fights and getting drunk. Such behavior resembled that of a reckless disciple. Yet despite his flaws, he was still a top-tier martial artist.
"Then let me rephrase it. I heard His Highness the Crown Prince is residing in one of your guest quarters. Why?"
Jong-cha scoffed.
"The Crown Prince's intentions are not something to be shared lightly. So forgive me, Man-sik, but I fail to see how this concerns you."
'Still so stubborn', Man-sik thought.
"Junior Brother." Man-sik's voice softened. He looked at him with concern. "Even if you are the patriarch of the Baek Clan, you are still part of our sect. I, especially, do not wish for harm to befall you."
Jong-cha sighed, his stern expression fading. "I know you mean well, but this matter cannot be spoken of carelessly."
Man-sik shook his head helplessly and brushed his hair back, revealing a handsome face,thick dark brows, deep-set eyes, and full lips. With his hair out of his face, he already looked much neater.
Seeing that, Jong-cha couldn't help but say, "You should really get rid of that beard. You look like some old priest."
"Tsk. You still have no respect for your Senior Brother."
Both couldn't help but chuckle. The tension dissipated. Jong-cha took a sip of tea, closing his eyes. He, too, was worried. He understood why Man-sik had come so suddenly. Under normal circumstances, their family had nothing to do with the palace,there was no reason for someone like Jongmu to seek them out.
"Hwi will accompany His Highness to the capital. The prince is looking for someone important. That's why he came here instead of contacting our branch in the capital."
"Hwi? Why him? With his personality, there's no way he'll obediently listen to the prince. He's spoiled by you."
Man-sik looked doubtful.
Jong-cha sighed again, rubbing his forehead. "Of course I know that child's temper. But I have no other choice. It's… an imperial order."
"What?" Man-sik's eyes widened. "The emperor himself…?" His expression turned serious. "…Then it must be true."
"What?"
"That His Highness will ascend the throne soon. It seems your family can no longer stay out of political matters."
Jong-cha's face turned pale.
"Dammit!"
"But more importantly… does my sister know?" Man-sik raised a brow.
"Ah…" Jong-cha's already pale face turned even whiter. "Mi-ran doesn't know yet."
"You fool!"
---
"Hwi!"
Hana looked at me sternly. I was lying listlessly on my daybed, reading storybooks.
"You've been holed up all day. You haven't gone outside even once,not to spar or eat. You're even making Saha serve your meals in your room. You really need to stop this."
I didn't feel like responding. My whole body felt heavy, and the thought of running into Jongmu exhausted me. I just wanted peace and quiet.
Hana came closer and pulled the blanket away. "I know you're doing this to avoid His Highness," she whispered. "But even if I understand why, you can't go on like this."
I rolled my eyes, snatching the blanket back and turning away. "You're overreacting."
I closed my eyes, intending to end the conversation.
Unfortunately, Hana didn't stop. She angrily adjusted her skirt and kept rambling about how I needed to be bolder and less meek.
'Who would dare act bold in front of him? Do you have a death wish?'
"I'm tired. Leave."
"Stubborn idiot."
When my sister left, I finally let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, I thought she might drag me outside. It wasn't that I didn't understand her concern,I just couldn't deal with it right now.
'Jongmu, that bastard.'
I glanced around cautiously. Even thinking his name felt like committing a grave offense. Unlike the other times this time I wasn't in the midst lf an outburst. I realised that I had been too much, insulting the Crown Prince without a care in the world. It was no wonder why Saha immidiantly fell kn her knees hearing me talk like this.
In Sillas offending royalty was something that could cost commoners their lives. Even nobles wouldn't get easily away with it. There was no good in being bold like my sister liked to say.
Seeing no one nearby, I buried my face in my hands.
'I'm going insane.'
Each passing day brought the departure closer. I didn't want to travel with him. It would only be us, servants, and guards. If that prince had ulterior motives…
"Pretty… you taste sweet."
"Ahh!" I slapped my cheeks. "Crazy," I muttered, face flushed.
The real reason I hadn't gone out all day was a strange dream I had the night before.
Thinking about it made me feel embarrassed.
In the dream, I was resting in my chamber when I felt something wet and ticklish on my skin. When I opened my eyes, His Highness was there,kissing and licking my body, leaving no place untouched.
What was even more shameful was how easily I was responding to him, eagerly offering myself in the dream.
"It's all because of Saha and Jubok saying weird things," I muttered, frowning.
I knew that was just an excuse. I didn't want to admit I had such a dream about that shameless man,especially since I had taken the passive role.
Feeling hot and suffocated under the blanket, I got up and sat at my desk.
'Better to get some work done instead of thinking about…'
"Saha!" I called.
After a while, I heard footsteps approach , pausing in front of the door, and then a knock sounded.
"Come in."
Ignoring the strangeness, I casually let my robes slip off my shoulders, exposing bare skin.
"Give me a massage."