Chapter 66 For a playful question, the intensity of his gaze refused to leave Yeo Il's cheek. She deliberately avoided it.
Her feelings toward him were far too complicated to divide neatly into like or dislike.
But if she truly, sincerely felt nothing but hostility toward him—
She would have killed him long ago.
She did not speak that truth aloud. As always, when dealing with Jin Cheong-ak, she had to consider what might follow afterward.
She had no intention of carelessly loosening her tongue and dismantling her own guard.
"…Fine. I wasn't expecting an answer from you anyway. We've rested enough. Let's move."
Just as Jin Cheong-ak lazily began to rise—
Seol Seorin's eyes snapped open.
As if waking from a nightmare, she shoved Jin Cheong-ak's shoulder aside, then slowly brushed back her damp hair and looked around.
"…Ah!"
The instant her eyes met Yeo Il's, her face blossomed into a radiant smile.
"Lady Yeo Il, Lady Yeo Il! You truly came to rescue this humble one…! As expected, for this humble one, there is only Lady Yeo Il!"
Jin Cheong-ak casually brushed off the place on his chest where Seol Seorin had touched him and stepped back with visible relief. It was the unmistakable expression of someone finally freed from an exhausting burden.
Yeo Il pushed Seol Seorin away and replied flatly,
"You are not a maiden."
"No? Then before Lady Yeo Il, this Seol Seorin shall remain a maiden for life."
Jin Cheong-ak clicked his tongue.
"Her conscience isn't just thick—it's grown a heart demon."
Pointing at him, Yeo Il said,
"From here on, ride on Jin Cheong-ak's back."
"I refuse."
"So do I."
"Why?"
"This humble one prefers Lady Yeo Il's scent… It has been so long since we met, and I was even abducted. How could you hand me over to another man?"
"She has a point."
"I carried you just now."
"Carry me more!"
"Just carry her."
Though Seol Seorin's face was delicate and beautiful like a pear-blossom fairy, her height rivaled Seol-yeong's, who was tall even among men.
Yeo Il herself was tall—but Seol Seorin was taller. Each time she carried her, those long limbs swinging everywhere made things exceedingly inconvenient.
"I refuse. Carrying you is uncomfortable."
Not missing the chance, Jin Cheong-ak added immediately,
"I refuse too."
Seol Seorin covered her mouth and smiled brightly.
"If both of you refuse, then I shall do as I please."
Yeo Il silently looked between the two of them, pretending to consider—
Then suddenly vanished using Lightness Skill.
"Ah! Lady Yeo Il!"
After that, she ran nonstop toward the Murim Alliance.
From the occasional arguing voices behind her, the two seemed to have reached some compromise and followed after.
By the time the sun fully rose,
they arrived once more at the Murim Alliance.
The inn they returned to after little more than half a day was again crowded with people.
Perhaps because of the Beggars' Sect, several beggars pretending to request alms while secretly observing the surroundings stood out clearly.
Moon Sword One Kill… that Moon Sword?
Before leaving the inn—
While staring at Iron-Faced Bastard Man Deuk lying unconscious from Acupoint Sealing, Gaecheol wore a conflicted expression.
[It has been many years since I last heard that name, Elder Brother Gaecheol. Could that devil truly have returned? If so, then Red Dragon Black Blade—and Salmak as well…]
[Watch your words. That is not a name spoken lightly.]
[Yes…]
After restraining the younger beggar, Gaecheol approached Yeo Il and cupped his fists again.
[My thanks come late. We have received a great favor, Xiaoxia! Our Beggars' Sect will never forget your goodwill!]
[Gaecheol, was it?]
[Indeed. Gaecheol of the Shaanxi Branch. Should Xiaoxia ever visit Shaanxi, I will surely repay today's kindness—]
[Tenfold.]
[Tenfold? What do you mean?]
[Repay it ten times. Refuse, and I take Iron-Faced Bastard with me.]
Gaecheol hesitated.
[…Tenfold is somewhat…]
[Farewell.]
[W-wait! To demand tenfold immediately—do you desire something specific?]
[Not yet.]
[Our Beggars' Sect values trust. We cannot agree blindly. We must know what you intend to request—]
Yeo Il cut him off and gestured toward Seol Seorin.
[Do you know who she is?]
[I do not.]
[She is the mistress of Chwihyang Pavilion.]
Shock spread across the beggars' faces.
[You were not obligated to save her. But once the mistress learns today's truth, resentment will naturally turn toward you. Such is human nature.]
[…Iron-Faced Mad Dog far exceeds our abilities. Even if we wished to save her, we could not.]
[Would your Sect Leader think the same? She is one of the treasured figures he values highly. If she wished, she could accuse you of abandoning the weak in pursuit of vengeance. I wonder how pleased your Sect Leader would be.]
Gaecheol closed his eyes deeply before answering in a tired voice.
[…Twelvefold repayment. Will that suffice?]
[No. Twelvefold. A penalty for insolence.]
[W-what!]
[Shall we make it fifteenfold?]
Thus, Yeo Il secured a promise of twelvefold repayment and handed Iron-Faced Bastard Man Deuk over to Gaecheol.
Jin Cheong-ak later lamented that it had not become fifteenfold as she climbed back through the window into her room.
"Seol-yeong."
Seol-yeong, sprawled asleep without the slightest vigilance, slowly lifted his head.
"Sss… Miss? You've returned—"
Smack—
A sharp, clean strike rang out.
"You filthy and insolent wretch!"
At the crisp impact, Seol-yeong's eyes flew open.
Flipping her hair back roughly, Seol Seorin bared her teeth.
"How dare you drool and sleep inside Lady Yeo Il's room? Wearing servant's clothes while living so comfortably!"
"Ugh…"
Seol-yeong wriggled like a snake, then recognized her and frowned.
"What's this, noona… why do you look like that?"
"You ask why? I nearly got dragged away by an old beggar bastard, and Lady Yeo Il saved me, you leech. Stop dawdling and bring hot water!"
After arriving at the inn, Seol Seorin behaved as though no time had passed at all.
"Hm. So you're the little one Lady Yeo Il carried on her back."
"Y-yes! Hello! I'm Chang-a, attendant to Miss Soyo! I've heard so much about Lady Seol Seorin from Seol-yeong! I was shocked—it's my first time seeing someone this beautiful!"
"A sharp child. Watch carefully what this Seol Seorin does from now on. It will help you serve Lady Yeo Il—no, Miss Soyo."
Seol Seorin personally began helping Yeo Il change clothes, wipe away moisture, and tend to her condition.
Despite everything she had suffered earlier, her vitality and spirit remained formidable.
Yeo Il had neither ordered nor requested anything, yet Seol Seorin seemed instinctively aware of what she needed.
"Bring the most practical clothes. What? Only two outfits? Heavens! Does it make sense for a young lady of a great clan to travel outside for over ten days with only two sets? Shoes? Accessories? What? Only one box?"
"Ugh. Why am I getting hit all of a sudden?"
"I cannot strike the little maid, so you will do!"
Though Seol Seorin's behavior was somewhat troublesome, Yeo Il did not stop her.
It would not work anyway—and speaking would only tire her further.
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